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The BET Awards saw a mix of stars hit the red carpet in elegant attire and hairstyles on Sunday (June 25). Among the celebrities to show off praise-worthy hairdos were Ice Spice and Latto, who opted for smooth straight strands and wavy voluminous hair. Their secret for hair perfection? Dyson’s Airstrait and Airwrap.
Before the award show began, both musicians prepared for the big night with their respective hair stylists. Ice Spice, with the help of celebrity hairstylist Kadijah Balde, went for a long, pin-straight hairdo that was achieved using a mix of the Dyson Airstrait and Airwrap, according to Balde.
“By using the new Dyson Airstrait straightener in dry mode at 285 degrees, I was able to straighten Ice Spice’s wig with no heat damage and achieve a sleek look without compromising the integrity of the hair,” Balde said in a statement. “Afterwards, I used a cool shot to lock in the straight look.”
For finishing touches, she ran the Dyson Airwrap through the “Princess Diana” singer’s hair to give it that fresh blowout look and shine.
“I then used … the firm smoothing brush attachment to brush and blow out her hair in order to proceed with additional straightening,” Balde added. “Dyson leaves the hair bone straight and very silky on my client.”
The finishing look was then posted the stylist’s Instagram account to show off the fresh, smooth strands.
Latto decided to debut waves full of volume and shine, which Dyson’s Airwrap was able to effortlessly achieve. Celebrity hairstylist Ashanti Lation helped her pull off this hairstyle using a couple attachments on the styling device.
“I used the Dyson Airwrap Multi-Styler with the 1.6-inch long barrel attachment on a high heat and high airflow setting to create big, bold, beautiful blonde body waves, with minimal heat,” Lation explained in a statement. “I then used the Dyson Coanda Smoothing dryer attachment on high heat and high airflow to slick any flyaways for a polished final look.”
If you’re looking to replicate similar styles, shop the highly praised hair tools below.
Dyson
The versatile Dyson Airstrait can take freshly washed hair from wet to dry and straight in a matter of minutes. It can also sense when hair is in between the arms and will drop down airflow when it’s not to reduce noise and energy. The LCD screen will also allow you to see airflow and temperature settings for easier customization.
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For the ultimate multipurpose hair styling tool, add the Dyson Airwrap to your cart. Not only can it curl, wave and dry your hair with minimal heat damage, but it also comes with two smoothing brushes to style and brush your strands at the same time.
For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best Dyson dupes, Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer sale and the best blow dryers.
Overlooking the Upper New York bay on a humid evening Sunday (June 25), throngs of sweating concert-goers decked out in a sea of rainbow colors cheered one name: “CHRIS-TI-NA! CHRIS-TI-NA!”
They didn’t have to cheer long before pop superstar Christina Aguilera appeared on the stage at Brooklyn Army Terminal for her headlining set at NYC Pride Island 2023. Striking a formidable pose center stage — dressed in a rainbow rhinestoned jumpsuit and bedazzled wrap around shades with her hair styled in three massive pigtails — Xtina welcomed her adoring crowd. “What the f–k is up, New York Pride?!” she bellowed into her microphone.
What ensued for her cheering fans was a non-stop tour-de-force of the pop phenomenon’s greatest hits. Kicking things off with high-energy renditions of fan-favorites like “Your Body,” “Dirrty” and “Cant Hold Us Down,” the star pranced around the stage with her backup dancers, making sure to stop and give fans a tasty vocal riff every now and then.
Of course, the star made sure to throw it back to some of her oldest hits for her day one fans in the crowd, delivering renditions of “Genie in a Bottle” and “What A Girl Wants” early in her set. “It has been such a long and beautiful journey in my career, and I feel like I’ve come full circle today at this point,” she told the crowd, beaming. “Thank you guys so much for giving me everything a girl could have asked for … I want to give everything back to you at this point — you deserve all of it and more.”
Part of what made the show so intoxicating to watch was the lack of fanfare when it came to the staging — backed up simply by three jumbotrons and set of metal stairs center stage, Xtina and her once-in-a-generation voice remained the focal point of an otherwise sparse stage.
That is, until, she made a concerted effort to shift that focus. In one of the more touching moments of the evening, Aguilera brought out Ian Axel of A Great Big World to help her deliver a tender rendition of their 2013 duet “Say Something.” Speaking to the crowd beforehand, the pop superstar made it clear exactly what she hoped they would take away from their emotive performance.
“There’s times where we’re looking for answers and looking for hope. There’s a lot of bleak things out there right now. We are here tonight and we stand in unison to be free to be ourselves,” she declared, eliciting roaring cheers from the crowd. “Sometimes we have to remember to stay hopeful and wish others well even in the darkest times. So let’s put well wishes into the world. Here’s hoping for a beautiful future.”
Axel was not the only special guest to join Aguilera for the evening’s events — during a raucous rendition of “Lady Marmalade,” the singer brought out pop-rock sensation and American Idol alum Adam Lambert to perform P!nk’s verse. Dressed in a swanky green leopard-print top and sporting bright purple hair, Lambert offered his own flavor on the iconic Moulin Rouge track, much to the audience’s delight.
But Aguilera wasn’t simply in attendance to give a great show — she came prepared to spread a few important messages. In the lead up to a heart-wrenching rendition of her iconic single “Beautiful,” the backdrop of the stage bore a message directly from the singer, calling out social media’s negative impact on the body image for children today.
The set’s most potent moment, though, came in its penultimate number. As news clips covering the outbreak of anti-LGBTQ legislation in the United States flashed around the backdrop of the stage, Xtina’s voice got angry. “One thing about us; we never quit. We never stop raising our voices,” she declared, before launching into a fiery rendition of “Fighter.” As she growled the empowering lyrics, messages flashed across the stage, declaring that “we are fighters,” and that ultimately, “you are not a crime.”
That theme of self-love permeated Aguilera’s set on Sunday night — as she delivered moment after moment of vocal acrobatics to thrill her audience, she also made sure that they felt just as heard as she did. As her song “Let There Be Love” played and a barrage of fireworks exploded overhead, Xtina offered one final message to her throngs of adoring fans; “Always love yourself, and love one another!”
Check out the full setlist from Christina Aguilera’s 2023 Pride Island performance below:
“Your Body”
“Dirrty”
“Cant Hold Us Down”
“Vanity”
“Genie in a Bottle”
“What A Girl Wants”
“Ain’t No Other Man”
“Say Something” feat. Ian Axel
“Show Me How You Burlesque”
“Lady Marmalade” feat. Adam Lambert
“Beautiful”
“Fighter”
“Let There Be Love”
Busta Rhymes, MC Lyte, Chloe x Halle and more were honored at the seventh annual Culture Creators Innovators & Leaders Awards Brunch on Saturday (June 24) at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif.
Hosted by journalist Gia Peppers, the Culture Creators Brunch not only celebrated the achievements of Black leaders in the entertainment industry but also commemorated the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. And there was no better way to kick off the event than by honoring MC Lyte as the first icon award recipient. Kash Doll and Lady London gave the veteran MC her flowers, commending her for how she “paved the way, broke barriers and shattered glass ceilings” for women in hip-hop in a “male-dominant music industry,” Doll said, and explaining the the metaphor “light as a rock.”
“It’s explaining how heavy your impact has been in my life and in my career,” London said. But when Lyte got up on stage and accepted her award, she caused the audience to roar with laughter when she commented on how “heavy” it was and passed it back to London.
“Thank you for the sisterhood and the friendship, it really means a lot to me,” she told the ladies who introduced her. “Thank you to this wonderful community of hip-hop for me, made up of artists, producers, videographers, dancers, DJs who break records, who have pushed the limits to get the genre where it stands today. Someone asked me, ‘Did I think hip-hop would make it this far?’ No, but here we are.”
Ryan Press, president of North America at Warner Chappell Music, presented the technology award to Troy Carter, whom he hailed as a “visionary, connector, entrepreneur, father, husband and friend” who “has made it his mission to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the music business and amplify the voices of creators and indie artists.” Before becoming co-founder and CEO of music and tech company Q&A, Carter was CEO/chairman of Atom Factory, the multi-dimensional branding, entertainment and artist management company. He also previously managed Eve, Lady Gaga, John Legend and more and was Spotify’s global head of creator services.
“It’s very, very special just being in this room of people who have really moved the needle, people who actually bended and shaped culture in so many crazy ways,” Carter said in his acceptance speech. He went on to specifically thank “my big brother Will Smith who taught me to always show up and to never let anyone box you into what they think you are,” “to the great Clarence Avant who taught me about fighting for the next generation and being gracious with my time and generous with my knowledge,” “to Russell Simmons who showed us that hip-hop could transcend television, fashion and finance,” “to the late Chris Lighty who encouraged me to stay in the game,” “to Eve who taught me about betting on potential,” “to the incredible Lady Gaga who taught me about endless possibilities” and “to Daniel Ek who always pushed me to think bigger when I thought I was thinking big.”
Culture Creators founder Joi Brown had the honor of awarding Chloe x Halle with the innovators of the year trophy, applauding them for “capturing our hearts and our minds with their fearless, fierce artistry” and becoming “symbols of strength and role models for young women, knocking down barriers and proving that dreams can be realized.” Chloe accepted on behalf of the duo because Halle’s flight from Paris was canceled.
“For us as little girls singing covers on YouTube and performing around our hometown of Atlanta, we were just doing what we loved. And that turned into Chloe x Halle, which over the past years has evolved into this whole thing. I remember we would discuss, ‘OK, are we going to go as Chloe x Halle, or are we going to come up with some group name or The Bailey Sisters?’ We couldn’t decide, but now, we’re Chloe x Halle,” she explained, later delving into how they’ve expanded the boundaries of their artistry “with me releasing my solo album, touring the country as a solo artist, and my sister inspiring young girls everywhere as Ariel in Disney’s The Little Mermaid. But we know that whenever we’re together as Chloe x Halle, it’s special. One of our favorite quotes is ‘Individually we are a drop, but together we are an ocean.’ Whether we’re doing our solo music or acting projects on our own, we are forever Chloe x Halle because our sisterhood is a forever thing.”
But Busta touched the entire ballroom when it was finally time for him to receive the second icon award, just 24 hours before he would receive the lifetime achievement award at the 2023 BET Awards on Sunday. After Big Daddy Kane and Mona Scott-Young praised him for having “the greatest flow in hip-hop” and being “the man, they myth, the dragon,” they said respectively, the lighting-fast rhymer was at a loss for words.
“I get a lot of love because I’m a giver of love…. But I don’t get awards … not in this form. So it’s a little overwhelming for me because, Mona would know, a lot of times I would ask, ‘How much longer I gotta wait?’” he said while growing emotional and finding the words to describe the indelible impact of Black people across every industry. “We are the founders of civilization, the makers and the owners of the planet, the gods of the universe. Our culture is the greatest. And with that being said, even when they gave us nothing, we created every culture.”
Busta also revealed he was releasing a new album “in the next eight weeks,” which would mark his first album in three years since 2020’s Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God. He also shouted out his new Hitmaka-produced single “Beach Ball,” featuring Bia, but rather than continuing to “plug and promote” his own music, he preached about the modern-day music industry’s dependence on social media algorithms, follower counts and other numbers dictating the art.
“Don’t get me wrong, I get it and I understand ’cause we all gotta be swift and changeable in order be remainable. But don’t allow that to dictate the soul,” he said while being met with a round of applause. “What I want is for the execs to come back to being a human first. Yea, we gon’ capitalize off the algorithm. But how many Biggies, Tupacs, Nas and Busta Rhymes is y’all gon’ miss if their algorithm ain’t jumping? The people dictated what the culture did, not the computer. Let’s get back to that y’all. ‘Cause I’m always going to be there to give you the friendly reminder that the computer can’t dictate sh– Busta Rhymes got goin’ on. I’mma bust its a– regardless!”
Other honorees included Karl Kani, Candace Rodney, Flau’jae Johnson, Stephen Hill, Laurieann Gibson and Chris Robinson.
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“Culture’s biggest night” will be a celebration of hip-hop. The 2023 BET Awards return to Los Angeles on Sunday (June 25) at 8 p.m. ET.
The show, held at the Microsoft Theater, will feature a star-studded performance lineup honoring hip-hop’s 50th anniversary.
“We have an incredible lineup of performers who will take us on a musical journey, covering Hip Hop spanning every decade, style, and region. From music to dance and fashion, we are digging through every crate as we celebrate 50 years of Hip Hop and its diversity, evolution, and global impact,” said Connie Orlando, BET EVP, specials, music programming & music strategy. “This wall-to-wall party will reverberate with the amazing energy and passion these artists bring to the stage and the culture. Prepare for an unforgettable night of reunions and surprises as we celebrate hip-hop’s rich history, enduring legacy, and promising future.”
Drake leads this year’s nominees list with seven nominations. Following closely behind the Toronto rapper, GloRilla earned six nominations, while 21 Savage and Lizzo each snagged five nominations.
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Beyoncé, Burna Boy, Chris Brown, Ice Spice and SZA are tied at four nods each. Cardi B, Coco Jones, FLO, Future, Jack Harlow, Kendrick Lamar, Tems, Maverick City Music & Kirk Franklin landed three nominations a piece.
See below for ways to watch and stream the 2023 BET Awards online, and other details about the ceremony.
How to Watch the 2023 BET Awards on TV
The BET Awards air on Sunday (June 25) at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on BET and will simulcast on BET Her, Logo, MTV, MTV2, TV Land and VH1.
How to Watch the 2023 BET Awards Online for Free
While there isn’t a direct way to watch the BET Awards for free online, if you don’t have cable, your best bet would be to sign up for a streaming service that offers live TV such as DirectTV Stream, Philo, fuboTV or Sling TV. Hulu + Live TV offers live television as well but no free trial.
What are the best streaming deals? Right now, Sling TV starts at just $15 (regular $40) for the first month. Philo costs $25/month to access 70+ cable channels, and you’ll get a after a free trial for the first week, which means you can stream the BET Awards for free.
Philo
$25/month after 7-day free trial
DirectTV Stream and Fubo offer up to 200+ cable and local channels for an affordable price. Monthly plans for both streamers start at $75/month. And if you’re streaming internationally, ExpressVPN gives you access to BET and several streaming platforms.
Who is Performing at the 2023 BET Awards?
The BET Awards will feature a star-studded performance lineup celebrating hip-hop from coast to coast. Performers include Big Daddy Kane, Eric Sermon, Chief Keef, 69 Boyz, DJ Unk, E-40, Fast Life Yungstaz & Easton (F.L.Y.), Fat Joe, Ja Rule, Kid ‘N Play, MC Lyte, Percy “Master P” Miller, Remy Ma, Soulja Boy, Redman, Jeezy, The Sugarhill Gang, Trick Daddy, Trina, Tyga, Uncle Luke, Warren G, Ying Yang Twins, Yo-Yo and more.
Ice Spice, Latto, Lil Uzi Vert, Coco Jones, GloRilla and Doechii are also scheduled to perform.
Who will be honored at the 2023 BET Awards?
Busta Rhymes will be honored with the coveted Lifetime Achievement Award, which is presented to industry pioneers who have “shifted the culture” and entertainment industry. Bia, Coi Leray, Cutty Ranks, Dexta Daps, M.O.P., Rah Digga, ScarLip, Spice, Supercat, Swizz Beatz and other surprise guests are slated to hit the stage to celebrate the Brooklyn native’s more than 30-year career.
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In need of some drama other than The Kardashians? The Hallmark Channel is stirring up love and drama this summer with a new romance movie coming to our screens Saturday (June 24) at 8 p.m. ET.
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The story follows Vivi (Eva Bourne) who enlists the help of the matchmaker Raina (Rekha Sharma) to change her fate in love. What she doesn’t expect? Meeting Raina’s son Bhumesh (Rushi Kota) who may end up being the change she needed all along.
To tease its upcoming release, Hallmark took to Instagram Friday (June 23) to share a cute movie still of Kota and Bourne from the movie.
“You could say the Hallmark Checklist App can match you to all the best movies…just like #MakeMeAMatch…” the caption for the romance film said.
You can stream it on the Hallmark Channel or the next day on the Hallmark website and app. For more streaming options, keep reading.
How to Watch & Stream Make Me a Match Online
Make Me a Match will be available to view on Lifetime Saturday (June 24) at 8 p.m. ET. If you don’t already have a streaming platform subscription, cable or satellite to watch the movie, you can still stream it online and for free – depending on which streamer you choose.
Streaming options for the Hallmark Channel include Philo, DirectTV Stream, Vidgo and SlingTV. For viewers streaming internationally, you can use ExpressVPN to access the Hallmark Channel, Philo and more.
Right now, Sling TV is offering a limited-time deal starting at just $15 for your first month.
If you’re shopping for another budget-friendly option, Philo offers one of the most affordable plans starting at $25/month and a free trial for the first week.
Philo $25/month after 7 days free
Philo features over 70 channels including the Hallmark Channel, Lifetime, MTV, BET, TLC, VH1, CMT, WEtv, A&E, ID, Trvl Channel, OWN, AMC and Comedy Central. The subscription includes unlimited DVR that can be stored for up to a year.
Check out the trailer for Make Me a Match below.
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Multi-Grammy award nominee Keyshia Cole is taking on one her her greatest roles yet: herself. Lifetime’s biopic Keyshia Cole: This is My Story is the newest movie in a line of Lifetime biopics joining Toni Braxton, Wendy Williams and Salt-N-Pepa. Get your popcorn ready as the film will air Saturday (June 24) at 8 p.m. ET.
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Viewers will get a glimpse at her life before breaking into the industry, traveling back to Oakland, Calif., where the Woman to Woman artist honed her craft. Her journey wasn’t without obstacles though. We’ll also watch the difficulties she faced including a complicated relationship with her mother and childhood trauma. This all leads to her eventual success and rise to a multi-platinum-selling recording artist and television personality.
Cole even dedicates the film to her mother, noting their good-natured relationship despite a rocky past.
“This is a story of a daughter’s love for her mother and although my heart remains broken from her untimely passing I am honored to be sharing it with the world,” said Cole in a previous news statement. “Playing the role of myself was a unique opportunity to re-live special moments in my life that also gave me the chance to process her loss in ways I did not expect. I miss her every day and even though she is not here, her presence was felt throughout this film. Mom, I love you.”
Other actors starring alongside the singer include Debbi Morgan as Frankie Lons, Joseph C. Phillips and Tonia Jackson as her foster parents Leon and Yvonne Coles, and Cindi Davis and Brittney Level as her sisters Neffe and Elite.
How to Stream Keyshia Cole: This is My Story
Keyshia Cole: This is My Story will be available to watch on Lifetime Saturday (June 24) at 8 p.m. ET. If you’re not already signed up for a streaming platform, cable or satellite, you can stream the movie online and for free – depending on which streamer you choose.
You can stream Lifetime on streaming options including Philo, DirectTV Stream, Vidgo and SlingTV. Viewers streaming internationally can use ExpressVPN to access Lifetime, Philo and more.
If you’re shopping for budget-friendly streaming platforms, Philo offers one of the most affordable plans starting at $25/month and a free trial for the first week.
Sling TV is also offering a limited-time deal offering prices as low as $15 for your first month.
Philo $25/month after 7 days free
Philo features over 70 channels including Lifetime, MTV, BET, TLC, VH1, CMT, WEtv, A&E, ID, Trvl Channel, OWN, AMC and Comedy Central. The subscription includes unlimited DVR that can be stored for up to a year.
Check out the trailer for Keyshia Cole: This is My Story below.
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Dyson hair tools rarely go on sale, so when you find a good deal, you should jump on it as soon as possible. Right now, the Dyson Supersonic Hairdryer is marked down $100 at Dyson.com.
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The sale applies to the Dyson Supersonic hair dryer in Vinca blue/rosé and not the models in copper/Prussian blue and copper/nickel. The limited gift edition dryer comes with a matching case valued at $59.99.
Want an even cheaper deal on Dyson? Get a refurbished Supersonic hair dryer for $249.99 at Walmart (and $418 at Amazon).
Like other Dyson hair tools, the Supersonic hair dryer helps prevent extensive heat damage. It’s an “ultra-fast,” “ultra-drying” hair tool with a controlled, high velocity airflow and three speed settings: fast drying, regular drying and styling. Furthermore, the hair dryer features Heat Shield technology and stays cool to the touch.
Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer
$329.99 $429.99 23% off% OFF
The Dyson Supersonic hair dryer includes magnetic attachments such as a smoothing nozzle that dries hair gently using smooth, wide air.
Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer Refurbished
$249.99 $429.99 42% off% OFF
The hair dryer has a styling concentrator that utilizes high-velocity, focused air that allows you to focus on one section of hair at a time, and a Dyson diffuser which is engineered to “disperse air evenly around each of your ringlets.” It also simulates natural drying to help reduce frizz and improve hair definition.
A quick social media search will give you a good idea of just how much shoppers love the Dyson Supersonic. “Worth every penny,” “worth the hype” and “amazing” are just a few of the positive reviews that you can find online.
Purchase the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dyer on sale via the links above. For more hair tools to shop, read our roundups on the Dyson Airstrait and Dyson Airwrap.
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Emmy-winning actor Jharrel Jerome gets supersized in I’m a Virgo, Prime Video’s new show about a giant Black man who leaves home to explore the world around him. The dark comedy, coming-of-age series premieres on Friday (June 23).
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I’m a Virgo centers around Cootie (Jerome), a 13-foot-tall man from Oakland, Calif., whose family hides him from the world for most of his life. After tapping into his earth sign energy (“I’m a Virgo, and Virgos love adventure,” he proclaims in the trailer), Cootie breaks free and sets off on a fantastical joyride.
Along the way, he forges friendships, falls in love, “navigates the awkward situations” and meets his idol — a superhero named The Hero (Walton Goggins).
Created and executive produced by Boots Riley, I’m a Virgo is described by Amazon Studios as a “mythical odyssey that questions the purpose of the mythical odyssey.” The show’s cast includes Mike Epps, Carmen Ejogo, Olivia Washington, Brett Gray, Kara Young and Allius Barnes.
Tze Chun, Michael Ellenberg, Lindsey Springer, Rebecca Rivo and Jerome executive produced the show alongside Riley.
Read on for details on how to stream I’m a Virgo for free.
How to Watch I’m a Virgo for Free
All seven episodes of I’m a Virgo premiere on Prime Video on Friday. The show streams free to Prime members and Prime Video subscribers. (Prime Video is free for Prime members, but you can also subscribe to the platform by itself.)
Already subscribed to Prime? To stream I’m a Virgo, click the link below or visit the Amazon or Prime Video homepage, either from the app or online, and click on the series once the trailer pops up in the top carousel.
If you’re not a Prime member, launch your free 30-day trial below to stream I’m a Virgo and more on Prime Video. Amazon’s streaming platform offers a huge selection of exclusive movies, TV shows and documentaries, along with episodes of your favorite network and cable shows, and a tons of films that you can buy and rent.
‘I’m a Virgo’ on Prime Video Watch with 30-day free trial
I’m a Virgo is also listed under Prime Originals and Exclusives on the Prime Video app along with Citadel, Daisy Jones and the Six, The Lake, Armageddon Time, Riches, High School, The Summer I Turned Pretty, Spoiler Alert, Tár, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, Medellín, Creed III and more.
Prime Video is one of the many perks that Prime members can enjoy at no additional charge. A monthly Prime membership is $14.99 after a free trial for the first month, but Amazon offers discounts to qualifying students and EBT/Medicaid recipients.
Prime Day 2023 is July 11 and 12, and if you’re not a Prime member, you’ll be missing out on great deals. Besides Prime Video and Amazon Music, Prime members get access to deep discounts offered during and after Prime Day, free shipping on millions of items, grocery deliveries; a free, two-year membership to GrubHub+ and other member-only benefits.
There’s also a ton of channels that you can stream on Prime Video such as Max, Paramount+, Starz and Showtime, along with sporting events that are available to stream live and on demand. Members can stream sports on Prime Video too, including Showtime Boxing, MLB TV, NBA TV, and Thursday Night Football which returns to Prime Video later this year.
Watch the trailer for I’m a Virgo below.
As we head into the final weekend of Pride celebrations around the U.S., get into some of our favorite new releases from LGBTQ artists! Billboard Pride is proud to present the latest edition of Queer Jams of the Week, our roundup of some of the best new music releases from LGBTQ artists.
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From Kim Petras’ long-awaited new album to Demi Lovato’s seething new anthem for abortion rights, check out just a few of our favorite releases from this week below:
Kim Petras, Feed the Beast
What is the titular Beast of Kim Petras’ new album? For each person it’s different, but for the fast-rising pop superstar, it’s pop music itself. Throughout Feed the Beast, Petras gives in to every pop urge she’s had throughout her career, leaning hard into the Eurodance and rave tracks that raised her (employed to particularly excellent effect on album standout “King of Hearts”), while also dipping a toe back into the bubblegum stylings of her past performances. It’s a relentless, thrilling rollercoaster of pure pop indulgence — which is nothing less than what you’d expect from Petras.
Demi Lovato, “SWINE”
If you thought Demi Lovato was angry on Holy Fvck, you’d better sit down for their new single. “SWINE” is Lovato at her most furious, fueled by righteous indignation at the looming first anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade. Pounding, relentless drums and roiling guitars make “SWINE” sound like a long lost nu-metal anthem, as Lovato bitterly snipes, “F–k what I think, I don’t know a thing/ The government knows my body.” That sound only adds to the star’s seething vocal, as they rage against the system that aims to strip women of their bodily autonomy. When Lovato sings to “give these motherf–kers hell,” it doesn’t sound like a lyric; it sounds like a call to action.
Boyish feat. King Princess, “Kill Your Pain”
There’s just something about the pairing of indie-rock duo Boyish and queer star King Princess that works perfectly. On “Kill Your Pain,” the new collaboration from the trio, Boyish & King Princess are completely in-synch, as they lament a relationship so all-encompassing that they began to lose sight of their individuality. Mikaela Straus fits just right with lead singer India Shore, as they trade verses back and forth about the frantic, messy realization of a connection this doomed.
Hayley Kiyoko, “Somewhere Between the Sand and the Stardust“
With her new single, Hayley Kiyoko is letting us in on something hard. “Somewhere Between the Sand and the Stardust” follows the pop singer as she processes her own grief in the wake of a friend’s death. Her voice, brimming with layers of rich vocoder notes, mournfully tries to make sense of the passing, while also acknowledging the end of her friend’s pain. It’s a heartbreaking ode to losing those we love, and one we highly recommend listening to.
Big Freedia, Central City
Big Freedia never went away — but this week, she’s back in a big way. Central City, the bounce icon’s first full-length studio album in nearly a decade, serves as a hand-guided tour from Freedia through the sonic landscape of New Orleans, featuring all the bounce and hip-hop you could hope to get your hands on. Dash in massive guest appearances from stars like Lil Wayne, Ciara, Faith Evans and plenty more, and you’ve got a monumental moment for the Queen Diva on your hands.
The Blessed Madonna feat. Jacob Lusk, “Mercy”
It’s time to let your hair down, queers — The Blessed Madonna is here with a brand new Pride anthem, just in time as the final festivities of June begin to take place. “Mercy,” featuring vocals by the enchanting Jacob Lusk of Gabriels, is a slice of house music heaven, complete with a four-on-floor beat and some groovy bass to elevate the vibe. By the time the choir kicks in on the song’s post-chorus, you’ll be giving it your all on the dancefloor.
Kidd Kenn, “Everywhere I Go”
For those who have been following the career of up-and-coming rapper Kidd Kenn, be warned; his new era is upon us. “Everywhere I Go” sees the once-rapid rapper switching up his style — gone are the flexed out bars of past singles, now replaced by a more melodic, more even-keeled flow. With that flow comes a new attitude; throughout the track, Kenn exudes nothing but cool, collected confidence on this delectable new offering.
Check out all of our picks on Billboard’s Queer Jams of the Week playlist below:
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Kevin Jonas and Frankie Jonas are coming back for an even bigger season of Claim to Fame. The new season premieres Monday (June 26) on ABC at 8 p.m. ET, and the next day on Hulu and streaming services that offer ABC.
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The two co-hosts have a new slew of celebrity relatives ready to compete at a chance for fame and fortune all while trying to conceal the identity of their famous family members. The brothers took the lessons they learned from the first season when putting together season two. Some aspects of the first season will remain the same, but they’ve upped the ante this season with new challenges, clues and surprises for contestants and the audience.
“I think we learned so much, whether it be from the challenges [or] from the contestants,” Frankie tells Billboard. “I mean, we got some really crazy big names this season, and I think a lot of that has to do with how well the first season was received.”
One of the biggest changes viewers can expect this season? No one will know the identities of the contestants.
“When you’re watching the show, the play-along is going to be much bigger this time around, which is awesome,” Kevin shares. “Just like what me and Franklin deal with every single day on set. We’re trying to figure it out, too, so it’s really fun.”
The cast for season two will include 12 new contestants, including Carly, JR, Gabriel, Chris, Hugo, Karsyn, Cole, Jane, Monay, Olivia, Shane and Travis. Each player will have to rely on strategy and wits to determine who the other contestants’ famous relatives could be while keeping their own on lockdown.
Get your magnifying glasses and notebooks ready, as the clue board will make an appearance assisting the players and the audience in uncovering everyone’s identities.
Catch season two of Claim to Fame on June 26 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC, or the next day on Hulu.
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Kevin and Frankie also spoke with Billboard on how it is working together, the upcoming Jonas Brothers tour and Frankie’s upcoming EP.
Looking back on season one, who do you think was the most surprising reveal?
Kevin: I’ll say L.C. [Loreal Chanel Palmer, sister of Keke Palmer]. I really didn’t see who she was related to ’til really close to the end.
Frankie: Yeah, I mean with L.C., I think it was right around the costume show that we did that I was like, ‘All right, I think I have an idea [of] who they’re related to.’ But then the next week, I got a curveball. They really knew how to play the game, and there’s a reason they won and it showed.
What is the best part of working together as co-hosts?
Kevin: We obviously live very independent lives outside of this show that we do together. Franklin is very busy doing his music career now, which is incredible, and I’m in this other band. But we’re just so happy that we finally get to spend some time together in this component. We’re 13 years apart, so I started living life a little sooner and out of the house when he was younger. It was nice for both of us to be able to be refocus our energy and actually spend this quality time together — and it never feels like work when you’re working with Franklin.
Frankie: That’s really sweet, Kevin — and same. We just have a lot of fun on set and our relationship as brothers has really gotten so close because of this show. Out of all the family members, I’ve really only worked with Kevin, which is crazy. Whether it’s Camp Rock 2 or our dynamic, it’s really fitted well for this sort of work together — and I just have so much fun. I’m so grateful that I got to do it with Kevin because [there’s] no one else on the planet I would want to do the show with.
Kevin and Franklin Jonas on ‘Claim to Fame.’
ABC/John Fleenor
Do you find yourself rooting for specific contestants and getting a sibling rivalry going on?
Kevin: There’s definitely some rivalry, I’ll say that. There’s definitely some you’re pulling in, rooting for side bets going on. But on this season, everyone was surprising. I think they watched the first season and really [had] a good understanding of how to play the game a little bit better than the first time around because it was brand new. They know what to expect a little bit, but then we definitely throw them some curveballs. I won’t give anything away, but it’s worth the watch. The contestants are super fun and really intense. They should be the stars in their family with as much drama as they brought.
Kevin, you have the upcoming tour. How do you feel about it and revisiting old songs?
Kevin: It’s really exciting! Five albums in one night. It is the biggest thing we’ve ever tried to put together. I’m not trying to hype it up. It really is a lot. It’s three hours and 42 minutes of music that we’ve got to figure out how to play in maybe two and a half to three — so we’re going to be on stage for a very long time. … But to see where we were back then and hear those songs now, sung when I’m 36 years old is pretty special.
How does it feel to rehearse with your brothers again?
Kevin: It all feels like one day now at this point, [but] this is going to be a little different. The music rehearsals are fun because this is where we really get to build out what this is going to be. We have not had the same set list in the last three years, which is really great. It’s really opened up our ability to play almost everything in our catalog, but at the same time be able to mix and match where we want to put things. So we’ve had some time to play around with what ideas, what works where. To start the tour at Yankee Stadium is going to be insane (Aug. 12-13). And then we’re off to the races and there’s more to come as well. I won’t give everything away, but these are not the only dates on our calendar. My next year looks very full.
Frankie, you have an EP coming out. How do you feel about it?
Frankie: I’m excited! It’s been a long, long journey debating whether I was going to go down this path or not, but I’ve always loved music and I’ve always loved making music. It got to a point where the demos on my laptop of these crazy, wacky samples of Coldplay chords got too much for me not to do something with … I grew up watching some of the greats and to now be doing everything I can, every day to remember everything I’ve learned from watching them my whole life, it’s special — and it’s the family business.
What’s your creative process look like?
Frankie: It changes [from] song to song — I think most of the time I start with a sample. I started making music by making trap beats in college, and that continued into eventually me making my own style of music. But, now that I’ve been doing it for more and more, I now write a lot more composition, which is something newer to me.
Did you seek out any advice from your brothers?
Kevin: I’m going to be honest, Franklin really knew what he wanted to do. I think we understand what it feels like when an outside source comes and tries to give you advice unsolicited — and we do our best to not do that to each other. He was always going to do his own thing, so we were just waiting in the wings, waiting to see what he was going to accomplish [and] “Hoboken” is one of my favorite songs of the last year to actually come out.
Is there one song in particular you’re excited for people to hear?
Frankie: I’m excited for people to hear one song in particular because there’s a sample of Kevin as a kid — Kevin and Joe actually — from a children’s choir from a very long time ago that it makes its way onto the album and the EP.