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An appeals court has upheld Tory Lanez’s convictions for shooting Megan Thee Stallion, rejecting his arguments aimed at overturning his 10-year prison sentence.
Nearly three years after the singer (Daystar Peterson) was found guilty in 2022 of shooting Megan in the foot during a drunken argument on a Hollywood Hills street, a California appellate court affirmed the verdict in a ruling issued Wednesday (Nov. 12).
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Lanez and his supporters have long maintained his innocence, claiming there was insufficient proof that he was the shooter and that he received an unfair trial. But in the ruling, the appeals court said there was no reason to undo the verdict.
“Peterson contends the trial court committed a number of errors,” the appeals court wrote. “We find no prejudicial error and, accordingly, affirm Peterson’s conviction.” A spokeswoman for Lanez did not immediately return a request for comment on the ruling.
The ruling came more than five years after the July 12, 2020, shooting, which happened as a driver was shuttling Lanez, Megan and her assistant/friend Kelsey Harris from a party at Kylie Jenner’s house. According to prosecutors, when Megan got out of a vehicle and began walking away, Lanez shouted “Dance, b—h!” and fired a gun at her feet, striking her once.
Following the incident, Megan initially told police officers that she had cut her foot stepping on broken glass, but days later alleged that she had been shot. Lanez was eventually charged with the shooting in October 2022.
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During a blockbuster trial in Los Angeles court, Lanez’s lawyers tried to sow doubt over who had really pulled the trigger, painting a scenario in which Harris could have been the shooter. But a key defense witness offered confusing eyewitness testimony, and prosecutors pointed to an earlier interview in which Harris pinned the blame squarely on Lanez. Megan herself offered powerful testimony that Lanez had been the one to shoot her, and neither Lanez nor the driver took the witness stand.
Lanez and his supporters have refused to accept that verdict, calling it a “miscarriage of justice.” His legal team has filed multiple forms of appeal to challenge the verdict, each of which has now been rejected. They have also claimed publicly that new evidence exonerates him; Megan’s reps and prosecutors strongly deny that.
On appeal, Lanez raised a slew of arguments. He argued it had been unfair for jurors to hear the earlier interview with Harris, in which she placed the blame for the shooting on Lanez; he also argued prosecutors had improperly cited an Instagram post in which he appeared to say that Harris had not shot Megan.
In Wednesday’s decision, the appeals court rejected each of those arguments, including Lanez’s claim that prosecutors had “introduced racial bias into the proceedings” by referencing a tattoo of a gun on his chest.
“It was defense counsel who asked — both on direct and on redirect — if [a witness] had ever seen Peterson with a gun,” the appeals court wrote. “Neither of the prosecutors even mentioned Peterson’s tattoos — much less the tattoo of a firearm — in their closing arguments.”
Trending on Billboard Just a few days after earning her second career Grammy nomination — best African music performance for “Push 2 Start” — Tyla called upon her pop music foremothers to launch her We Wanna Party at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena on Tuesday (Nov. 11). Mounted in support of July’s WWP EP, the We Wanna […]
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Kehlani gets quizzed by her 6-year-old daughter Adeya on her favorite things, include her favorite TV show, her favorite singer and what her favorite song of Kehlani’s is!
Adeya:
Hey, I’m Adeya, and I’m testing my mom about my favorite things. What’s my favorite color?
Kehlani:
Well, girl, see, it changes every three business days, but last week it was pink and now it’s black. Did I get it right? Okay. Yeah!
Adeya:
What’s my favorite animal?
Kehlani:
A tiger. Uh-huh. But then last week, it was an African bullfrog, an axolotl, and hippos. Oh, manatees.
Adeya:
That is actually my second favorite.
Kehlani:
Okay. Yeah, manatees. Got it locked in.
Adeya:
What’s my favorite hobby?
Kehlani:
Swimming. Yeah?
Adeya:
What’s my favorite song of yours?
Kehlani:
“CRZY,” and it’s your babysitter’s fault. Is that your favorite? Girl, it’s okay. We’re raising them with taste.
Adeya:
What’s my favorite thing that we do together?
Kehlani:
Is it cuddling? Ah. Good.
Adeya:
Who’s my favorite singer?
Kehlani:
Um, it’s either Shawn Mendes or Ariana Grande.
Adeya:
Shawn Mendes.
Kehlani:
All right. Okay. I got Shawn Mendes to send her a happy birthday—she lost her mind. “You know Shawn Mendes?”
Adeya:
Who’s my favorite Disney character?
Kehlani:
Elsa. Okay. Whoo.
Adeya:
What’s my favorite book?
Kehlani:
‘Where’s My Butt?’ I was gonna say ‘Dragons Love Tacos,’ but you know.
Adeya:
What’s my favorite TV show?
Kehlani:
‘KPop Demon Hunters’?
Adeya:
That’s a movie.
Keep watching for more!
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As Michael Jackson historically returns to the top 10 with “Thriller” and Kehlani gives Brandy her flowers, Billboard‘s chart experts break down the correlation between Grammy nominations and artists such as HUNTR/X, Alex Warren, Leon Thomas and more who have taken over the charts this year. Black Eyed Peas singer Taboo stopped by with his daughter to share what it was like to work in the studio with Jett on Dora, his thoughts on the Dodgers’ huge win, and their perspectives on the diversity of artists on the Hot 100.
What’s your prediction for next week’s No. 1? Let us know in the comments!
Tetris Kelly: Michael Jackson makes a holiday return to the charts as Taylor Swift still battles with KPop Demon Hunters for the No. 1 spot.
Taboo: The fact that we have multicultural representation on the top 100 from KATSEYE to Demon Hunters, the HUNTR/X, I love that.
Tetris Kelly: Hey, what’s up? And welcome to the Hot 100 Show. As you can see, I got my friend Taboo and his daughter, Jett, stopping by a little bit later, and we got a new top 10 entry on the chart. So let’s start by running it down. This is the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 for the week dated Nov. 15. After a Halloween surge, “Thriller” hits the top 10. Morgan stays at No. 9. “Mutt” moves up to No. 8. All right, we got a newcomer to the top 10 in MJ. I can’t say I was ready for that, but Halloween isn’t it?
Eric Frankenburg: Yeah, I don’t know if newcomer’s the word. “Thriller” was in the top 10 in 1984, but this is the highest it’s been since March of 1984 — it’s pretty incredible. You know, it returns to the chart every year for Halloween, but this year’s a whole different story. It’s in the top 10. And, yes, it’s just wild you know that it’s higher than it’s been in 41 years.
Xander Zellner: Yeah, it feels like it’s kind of becoming, like, the “All I Want for Christmas Is You” of the Halloween season, where, like, it started growing more and more each year, and this year, Halloween fell on a Friday. So like, now it’s in the top 10. It’s amazing.
Delisa Shannon: I can already imagine, like, AI versions of Michael Jackson going, “It’s time.” Like, I already know it’s coming. You said it, not me.
Keep watching for more!
Trending on Billboard
Femme It Forward will be hosting its fourth annual Give Her FlowHERS Gala this month, Billboard can exclusively announce on Tuesday (Nov. 11).
Ciara will be honored with the Muse Award, which pays homage to a living legend whose legacy, impact and timeless music inspires past, current and future generations. Kehlani will receive the Alchemist Award, honoring a woman who turns her struggles into strength and her truth into timeless art. She is also being honored at ASCAP Women Behind the Music on Wednesday, Nov. 12. They also received two Grammy nominations when the full slate was announced last Friday (Nov. 7) for best R&B song and best R&B performance with “Folded,” Kehlani’s first Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit. Jhené Aiko will receive the Glow Getter Award, which honors women who embody wellness, self-care and purpose. Last year, Aiko launched her holistic self-care brand Jhenetics, which includes elixirs, body balms, lotions and bath soaks that aim to “nourish the spirit and cultivate balance from the inside out,” according to its website.
Mariah the Scientist will be honored with the Bloom Award, spotlighting a breakthrough artist whose growth and grace have transformed her journey into full bloom. Mariah’s “Burning Blue” lead single from her fourth studio album Hearts Sold Separately became her highest-charting hit on the Hot 100 (No. 25) this year, while Hearts Sold Separately became her highest-charting album on the Billboard 200 (No. 11). Normani will receive the Femme It Forward Award, which honors women who have made incredible inroads within their industries and communities through impactful service and leadership. Nikki Taylor, Teyana Taylor‘s mother, will be honored with the Queens Raising Queens Award, awarded to mothers and maternal figures whose love, guidance and example empower the next generation of women to rise, thrive and lead. Teyana — who received her first Grammy nomination for best R&B album with Escape Room — accepted the Visionary Award in 2023.
Gail Mitchell, Billboard executive director of R&B and hip-hop, will be honored with the Mentor Excellence Award, which recognizes leaders who open doors and pour into the next generation through mentorship at the highest level. Sylvia Rhone, former chairwoman/CEO of Epic Records, will receive the Legacy Award, which honors visionary leaders whose groundbreaking contributions have not only shaped the entertainment industry, but built the very foundation on which future generations now stand. Rhone was the first Black industry executive and woman to chair a major record company. She was Billboard‘s Women in Music executive of the year in 2023.
“Every year, Give Her FlowHERS reminds me why this work matters. It’s about celebrating the women who show up, do the work and keep moving our culture and industry forward,” says Heather Lowery, CEO/founder of Femme It Forward, in an exclusive statement. “For me, it’s not just about honoring them, it’s about creating a space where women feel seen, supported and inspired to take up space unapologetically. This year’s honorees truly embody what it means to lead with purpose, create from the heart and pour into others while they rise.”
The 2025 Give Her FlowHERS Gala will return to the Beverly Hilton on Friday, Nov. 21. This year’s theme, “Same Root. New Flower,” celebrates the beauty of evolution, the shared roots that connect us all as woman and endless ways we continue to bloom. The gala serves as a fundraiser for Next Gem Femme, Femme It Forward’s mentorship program that’s designed to improve equity and accelerate career opportunities for women in music and entertainment. The mentorship program and gala reflect Femme It Forward’s deep commitment to cultivating a thriving ecosystem of women supporting women, rooted in community, creativity and purpose.
Trending on Billboard “Amazing!” That was just one of the many accolades being shouted out by fans exiting the Kia Forum on Sunday night after Brandy and Monica wrapped a two-night stopover in Inglewood, California, on their co-headlining The Boy Is Mine Tour. Since launching the highly anticipated 32-date tour in Cincinnati (Oct. 16), Brandy […]
Trending on Billboard Summer Walker revealed the star-studded list of collaborators on her forthcoming third studio album Finally Over It on Monday (Nov. 10). She partnered with Spotify on the exclusive two-part announcement, that includes a behind-the-scenes clip from Walker’s “wedding” (as teased in her album artwork) and a reception seating chart graphic of the […]
Listen to new must-hear songs from emerging R&B/hip-hop artists like detahjae and rum•gold.
11/10/2025
Trending on Billboard Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” surges to the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, Leon Thomas’ “Mutt” moves up. Will Alex Warren’s “Ordinary” or HUNTR/X’s “Golden” be able to make No. 1 this week? Tetris Kelly: Michael Jackson makes a holiday return to the charts as Taylor Swift still battles with KPop Demon […]
Trending on Billboard
It’s a dog-eat-dog world, and Leon Thomas leads the pack.
On Friday, the singer woke up to a whopping six 2026 Grammy nominations, including album of the year, for his breakthrough sophomore album Mutt.
“Thank you God, my team, every collaborator, every producer, family, friends and most especially my fans, I couldn’t have done it without you,” he wrote in an Instagram caption for a graphic listing his nominations. “I got a show tonight and I’m gonna continue working harder on this next album.”
In addition to album of the year, Thomas — who won his first Grammy in 2023 thanks to his production contributions to SZA’s “Snooze” — also earned a nomination for best new artist. Poetically, his two general field nominations come 15 years after Victorious, the television series that established him as a Gen Z child star, premiered on Nickelodeon. Thomas earned his first Grammy nod back in 2020 in the best rap song category for his work on Rick Ross and Drake’s “Gold Roses.”
Mutt also earned a nomination for best R&B album, while several tracks were individually recognized, including “Yes It Is” (best R&B song), “Vibes Don’t Lie” (best traditional R&B performance), and the NPR Tiny Desk live version of “Mutt” (best R&B performance).
Six Grammy nominations cap a whirlwind breakthrough year for Thomas. Outside of earning his first Hot 100 top 10 hit as a performer with “Mutt” (No. 10), the multi-hyphenate also won best new artist at the BET Awards, made his late night TV debut on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, and shared a new funk-forward EP titled PHOLKS. Last week, he played Austin City Limits and kicked off his headlining Mutts Don’t Heel Tour at Dallas’ House of Blues. The R&B star’s new trek will visit venues across the U.S., Europe and Australia, before concluding on April 19 at Perth’s Metro City.
In Thomas’ Billboard cover story, his manager, Jonathan Azu, remarked, “I hope he’s the guy with the Lauryn Hill photo [holding multiple trophies]. Every year, there’s somebody and I hope it’s him. He is a man of his peers, and I think over the past year he has proven to them that he’s here to stay.”
Looks like Leon Thomas is one step closer to re-creating that iconic photograph. Check out the “Mutt” singer’s reaction to his 2026 Grammy nominations below.
