Music

Desiigner Allegedly Exposes Himself on a Plane, Will Check In to a Mental Health Facility

After allegedly exposing himself on an international flight, Desiigner says he’s checking himself into a facility for mental health treatment.

As TMZ first reported, the “Panda” rapper is accused of exposing himself on a plane this past weekend from Asia back to the United States and was reprimanded by a flight attendant. Police were waiting for him when the plane landed in Minneapolis, where he was questioned about the incident and released.

On Thursday (April 20), Desiigner posted a statement to his Instagram Stories, saying he’s “ashamed” of his behavior on the plane — which he attributed to medication he was prescribed while hospitalized in Asia — and that he is seeking mental health treatment.

“For the past few months I have not been ok, and I have been struggling to come to terms with what is going on,” the statement begins. “While overseas for a concert I performed at, I had to be admitted in to a hospital, I was not thinking clearly. They gave me meds, and I had to hop on a plane home. I am ashamed of my actions that happened on that plane. I landed back to the states, and am admitting my self in a facility to help me. I will be cancelling all of my shows and my obligations until further notice. Mental health is real guys, please pray for me. If [you’re] not feeling like yourself, please get help.”

The chart-topping rapper was overseas to perform at Rolling Loud Thailand on Friday last week, alongside festival headliners Cardi B, Chris Brown and Travis Scott, and at a nightclub in Tokyo over the weekend.

Desiigner’s breakthrough hit “Panda” spent two weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 back in 2016, and he’s scored two other top 40 hits on the chart: “Tiimmy Turner” in 2016 (No. 34 peak) and as a featured guest on BTS’ “MIC Drop” in 2017 (No. 28). Over on the Hot Rap Songs chart, “Panda” — which was nominated for best rap performance at the 59th annual Grammy Awards — spent 17 weeks at No. 1 in 2016.

See Desiigner’s statement before it expires here.

Wisin & Anuel AA Bring the Heat to the 2023 Latin AMAs With New Collab ‘Mi Exxx’

Puerto Rican stars Wisin and Anuel AA literally brought the heat to the 2023 Latin American Music Awards on Thursday night (April 20).

Surrounded by cage-like structures that were lit on fire, the reggaetoneros joined forces for their new collaboration “Mi Exxx” — a breakup song, produced by Los Legendarios, which finds both men singing about a possible reunion with an ex, even if it is for one last time.

“Collaborating with Anuel is always an honor for me, he is one of the most respected artists in the genre and being able to create good music with him is always nice because I know that people will receive it and support it as they always do with our songs,” Wisin said about the collaboration in a statement. “This song is designed for people to listen to it, dedicate it, sing it and even dance to it. By creating it we kept our essence and I know that is one that people will enjoy.”

During the awards show, Wisin also performed “Tu Recuerdo” alongside Emilia Mernes and Lyanno.

Nominations for the 2023 awards — based on streaming, sales, radio airplay, tours and social media interactions data provided by Billboard and Luminate during the eligibility period (Feb. 12, 2022, through Feb. 4, 2023) — are led by Bad Bunny with 11 nominations. He’s followed by Becky G and Daddy Yankee, each with nine nominations. For the first time since its debut on Oct. 8, 2015, the ceremony — which is taking place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas — will be broadcast live simultaneously on Univision, UNIMÁS, and Galavisión.

Get tickets to the first-ever #BBMujeresLatinas on May 6 in Miami: billboardmujeresenlamusica.com

Skrillex, Four Tet & Fred again.. to Close Out Coachella Sunday Night

The Coachella lineup changeups continue Skrillex, Four Tet and Fred again.. now joining the Southern California festival as weekend two Sunday night headliners, a source tells Billboard.

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This addition comes in the wake of Frank Ocean dropping out of the festival’s second weekend following a leg injury and a controversial weekend one performance, and Blink 182 also being added to the Sunday night main stage bill. (Last weekend the reunited punk trio played Coachella’s Sahara Tent on Friday night.)

Skrillex, Fred again.. and Four Tet will play the main stage on Sunday at 10:25 p.m. following an hour-long set from Blink-182. A representative for Coachella declined to comment on the addition.

Fred again.. teased this performance on his Instagram with a pair of fairly cryptic stories, one which read, “okay I can’t believe I’m saying this again, but does anyone know where Sonny [Skrillex] is” and another of him and Four Tet in a car with the caption “Unexpected journevsssssss [sic].”

Sources close to the festival add that the trio will play in the round on the satellite stage of the main stage, which was originally built to serve as an ice skating rink during the Frank Ocean set, but wasn’t used during the performance. (This satellite stage will not have ice on it this Sunday.)

This show will mark the trio’s first appearance together since their triumphant February 18 set at Madison Square Garden, which sold out the arena in two minutes. That five-hour show followed a series of pop-up performances by the trio in conjunction with Skrillex’s album Quest For Fire, which was released a day before the MSG show. Skrillex also released a second album, Don’t Get Too Close, during the MSG set, with the two new albums making his first full-length releases since 2014’s Recess. (The producer also teased what appear to be another three upcoming albums yesterday on social media.)

Skrillex, Fred again.. and Four Tet — the so-called Pangbourne House Mafia given their early recording sessions in Pangbourne, England — represent three generations of dance music, with this show marking another pinnacle moment for each artist. While each has previously played Coachella solo and amongst other projects — with Fred’s breakout year launching last April with a pair of massively well-received Coachella 2022 sets — this Sunday’s show will mark the biggest set they’ve done together thus far.

The trio have a flurry of collaborations together, including their most recent, “Baby Again” which is currently at No. 19 on Hot Dance/Electronic Songs.

2023 Latin American Music Awards: Photos From the Red Carpet

Before kicking off the live broadcast of the eighth edition of the Latin American Music Awards on Thursday night (April 20), stars such as Becky G, Anuel AA, David Bisbal, Chiquis and Pepe Aguilar walked the red carpet.  

Outside the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Becky G — who will perform “Chanel” alongside Peso Pluma at Thursday’s Latin AMAs — strutted the carpet in a bedazzled little black dress that she styled with a long and dramatic black cape. Meanwhile, Chiquis was pretty in pink and looking very glamorous with a short pink dress with puffy sleeves.  

Up-and-comers Peso Pluma and Yahritza y Su Esencia opted for a more casual and youthful look, wearing cargo pants or slacks paired with blazers or a simple button-down shirt. Mexican music titan Pepe Aguilar, who is being honored with one of the Legacy Awards, walked down the red carpet with his beloved Gordo, El Pug.  

Nominations for the 2023 awards — based on streaming, sales, radio airplay, tours and social media interactions data provided by Billboard and Luminate during the eligibility period (Feb. 12, 2022, through Feb. 4, 2023) — are led by Bad Bunny with 11 nominations. He’s followed by Becky G and Daddy Yankee, each with nine nominations. For the first time since its debut on Oct. 8, 2015, the ceremony — which is taking place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas — will be broadcast live simultaneously on Univision, UNIMÁS and Galavisión. 

Get tickets to the first-ever #BBMujeresLatinas on May 6 in Miami: billboardmujeresenlamusica.com 

Latin AMAs 2023 Winners List (Updating)

It’s the day of show for the 2023 Latin American Music Awards, which is being broadcast live on Univision Network for the first time.

This year, Bad Bunny leads the list of nominees with 11 nods, including artist of the year, song of the year and album of the year. The Puerto Rican star is followed by Becky G and Daddy Yankee, each with nine nominations; and with eight nods each are Grupo Frontera, Karol G, Rauw Alejandro, Romeo Santos and Rosalía. 

The show will feature over 30 performances and will honor Carlos Vives, David Bisbal, Pepe Aguilar and Prince Royce with special awards throughout the night.

The winners of the Latin AMAs are voted for by fans. This year’s nominations are based on streaming, sales, radio airplay, tours and social media interactions data provided by Billboard and Luminate during the eligibility period (Feb. 12, 2022, through Feb. 4, 2023). 

Below, the winners of the night (so far):

Song of the Year

“Bebe dame” – Fueza Regida & Grupo Frontera
“Despechá” – Rosalía
“Dos oruguitas” – Sebastián Yatra
“Está dañada” – Ivan Cornejo
“La bachata” – Manuel Turizo
“MAMIII” – Becky G & Karol G — WINNER
“Me porto bonito” – Bad Bunny & Chencho Corleone
“Quevedo: BZRP Music Sessions, Vol. 52” – Bizarrap & Quevedo
“Sus huellas” – Romeo Santos
“Te felicito” – Shakira & Rauw Alejandro

Collaboration of the Year

“Bebe dame” – Fueza Regida & Grupo Frontera
“El incomprendido” – Farruko, Víctor Cárdenas & DJ Adoni
“MAMIII” – Becky G & Karol G — WINNER
“Mayor que usted” – Natti Natasha, Daddy Yankee & Wisin y Yandel
“Me porto bonito” – Bad Bunny & Chencho Corleone
“Medallo” – Blessd, Justin Quiles & Lenny Tavárez
“Que vuelvas” – Carin León & Grupo Frontera
“Quevedo: BZRP Music Sessions, Vol. 52” – Bizarrap & Quevedo
“Te espero” – Prince Royce & Maria Becerra
“Te felicito” – Shakira & Rauw Alejandro

Best Duo or Group – Pop

Jesse & Joy — WINNER
Los Enanitos Verdes
Maná
Mau y Ricky
Reik

Best Duo or Group – Regional Mexican

Banda Los Recoditos
Banda MS de Sergio Lizárraga
Calibre 50
Eslabón Armado
Fuerza Regida
Grupo Firme — WINNER
Grupo Frontera
Intocable
Los Ángeles Azules
Yahritza y Su Esencia

New Artist of the Year

Bizarrap — WINNER
Blessd
Edén Muñoz
Grupo Frontera
Los Lara
Luis Figueroa
Luis R Conriquez
Quevedo
Santa Fe Klan
Yahritza y Su Esencia

Best Collaboration – Regional Mexican

“Billete grande (En vivo)” – Fuerza Regida & Edgardo Nuñez
“Brindo” – Mario Bautista & Banda El Recodo
“Calidad” – Grupo Firme & Luis Mexia
“Con un botecito a pecho” – Adriel Favela & Carin León
“Hay que hacer dinero” – Banda MS de Sergio Lizárraga & Edén Muñoz
“Jugaste y sufrí” – Eslabón Armado & DannyLux
“Que vuelvas” – Carin León & Grupo Frontera
“Se acabó (En vivo)” – Lenin Ramírez, Fuerza Regida & Banda Renovación
“Si ya hiciste el mal” – Luis R Conriquez & Jessi Uribe
“Ya acabó” – Marca MP & Becky G — WINNER

Best Collaboration – Tropical

“Baloncito viejo” – Carolos Vives & Camilo
“El pañuelo” – Romeo Santos & Rosalía
“Monotonía” – Shakira & Ozuna — WINNER
“Soy yo” – Don Omar, Wisin & Gente de Zona
“Te espero” – Prince Royce & Maria Becerra

Best Crossover Artist

DJ Khaled
DJ Snake
Ed Sheeran
Fatman Scoop
Gims
Justin Timberlake
Lil Jon
Megan Thee Stallion
Mr. Vegas
The Weeknd — WINNER

Best Artist – Pop

Anitta
Becky G
Camilo
Enrique Iglesias
Kali Uchis
Luis Fonsi
Ricky Martin
Rosalía
Sebastián Yatra
Shakira – WINNER

Best Artist – Tropical

Carlos Vives
Marc Anthony
Prince Royce
Romeo Santos — WINNER
Víctor Manuelle

Artist of the Year

Bad Bunny
Becky G
Daddy Yankee
Eslabón Armado
Farruko
Ivan Cornejo
Karol G
Rauw Alejandro
Romeo Santos
Rosalía

Album of the Year

Ahora Me Da Pena EP – Buena Vista Social Club
Dañado – Ivan Cornejo
Esquemas – Becky G
Fórmula, Vol. 3 – Romeo Santos
Jose – J Balvin
La 167 – Farruko
Legendaddy – Daddy Yankee
Motomami – Rosalía
Nostalgia – Eslabón Armado
Un Verano Sin Ti – Bad Bunny — WINNER

Collaboration Crossover of the Year

“Arhbo (Music from the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Official Soundtrack)” – Ozuna, Gims,
Redone & FIFA Sound
“Borracho” – Sech & DJ Khaled
“La fama” – Rosalía & The Weeknd — WINNER
“Sigue” – J Balvin & Ed Sheeran
“Sin fin” – Romeo Santos & Justin Timberlake

Streaming Artist of the Year

Bad Bunny
Chencho Corleone
Grupo Frontera
Ivan Cornejo
Karol G

Tour of the Year

Enfiestados y Amanecidos Tour – Grupo Firme
La Última Vuelta World Tour – Daddy Yankee
Papi Juancho World Tour – Maluma
$trip Love Tour – Karol G
World’s Hottest Tour – Bad Bunny

Best Album – Pop

@dannocean – Danny Ocean
De Adentro Pa Afuera – Camilo
Dharma – Sebastián Yatra
Esquemas – Becky G
Motomami – Rosalía — WINNER

Best Song – Pop

“Bailé con mi ex” – Becky G
“Junio” – Maluma
“Provenza” – Karol G
“Tacones rojos” – Sebastián Yatra
“Te amo y punto” – Chayanne

Best Artist – Urban

Anuel AA
Bad Bunny
Daddy Yankee
Farruko
J Balvin
Jhayco
Karol G
Natti Natasha
Ozuna
Rauw Alejandro

Best Album – Urban

Jose – J Balvin
La 167 – Farruko
Legendaddy – Daddy Yankee
Saturno – Rauw Alejandro
Un Verano Sin Ti – Bad Bunny — WINNER

Best Song – Urban

“Desesperados” – Rauw Alejandro & Chencho Corleone
“Envolver” – Anitta
“Remix” – Daddy Yankee
“Sensual bebé” – Jhayco
“Tití me preguntó” – Bad Bunny

Best Collaboration – Pop/Urban

“Buenos días” – Wisin, Camilo & Los Legendarios
“El incomprendido” – Farruko, Víctor Cárdenas & DJ Adoni
“Hot” – Daddy Yankee & Pitbull
“MAMIII” – Becky G & Karol G
“Mayor que usted” – Natti Natasha, Daddy Yankee & Wisin y Yandel
“Me porto bonito” – Bad Bunny & Chencho Corleone
“Medallo” – Blessd, Justin Quiles & Lenny Tavárez
“Punto 40” – Rauw Alejandro & Baby Rasta
“Quevedo: BZRP Music Sessions, Vol. 52” – Bizarrap & Quevedo
“Te felicito” – Shakira & Rauw Alejandro

Best Artist – Regional Mexican

Ángela Aguilar
Carin León
Chiquis
Christian Nodal
Edén Muñoz
Gerardo Ortiz
Ivan Cornejo
Junior H — WINNER
Luis R Conriquez
Pepe Aguilar

Best Album – Regional Mexican

Dañado – Ivan Cornejo
Del Barrio Hasta Aquí, Vol. 2 – Fuerza Regida
Mi Vida En Un Cigarro 2 – Junior H — WINNER
Nostalgia – Eslabón Armado
Obsessed Deluxe – Yahritza y Su Esencia

Best Song – Regional Mexican

“Chale” – Edén Muñoz
“La boda del huitlacoche (Live)” – Carin León
“No se va (En vivo)” – Grupo Frontera
“Que te vaya bien” – Julión Álvarez y su Norteño Banda
“Si me duele que duela” – Intocable

Best Album – Tropical

Ahora Me Da Pena EP – Buena Vista Social Club
Cumbiana II – Carlos Vives
Fórmula, Vol. 3 – Romeo Santos
Pa’lla Voy – Marc Anthony
The Ultimate Bachata Collection – Héctor Acosta “El Torito”

Best Song – Tropical

“Despechá” – Rosalía
“Después de la playa” – Bad Bunny
“La bachata” – Manuel Turizo
“Pegao” – Camilo
“Sus huellas” – Romeo Santos

Avicii’s 15 Best Songs: Critics’ Picks

Five years ago today (April 20), the world was rocked by the news of Avicii’s death. The producer, 28 years old at the time of his passing, died by suicide in Muscat, Oman. In the 24 hours following the news of his death, there were nearly four million Tweets mentioning “Avicii.”

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His legacy lives on. The message board on the official Avicii website is constantly populated with new notes regarding his impact. Messages posted today include “I miss you….. Thank you for everything…. And I will never ever forget you” to “Ur songs kept me alive from the age of 9 until now and forever” to “I always indulge in your songs when I am down. They give me positivity and bravery.”

Today on Twitter, artists and dance brands also commemorated the anniversary, with Afrojack writing “rip Avicii still play your music every show” and Defected Records posting “Forever in our hearts” with an image of the artist.

It’s an immeasurably difficult day for everyone who loved the artist born Tim Bergling and the music he made during his short but massively impactful run as dance music’s apex artist. There is perhaps some comfort to be found in this music, which is still played prolifically during festival and club sets and which, in a way, makes Avicii immortal. 

These are our picks for the 15 best Avicii songs. 

15. Avicii Feat. Joe Janiak, “Bad Reputation”

Taken from Avicii’s 2019 posthumous album, Tim, “Bad Reputation” uses waves of synth and an extremely catchy hook from singer Joe Janiak to forge an undeniable earworm with a drop made from slick marimba. 

14. Avicii, “Street Dancer”

This 2011 tune isn’t as famous as some other Avicii songs. It only charted in the Netherlands, but it’s one of the producer’s most unique pieces to date. It’s got a harder edge than most of his compositions and a decidedly ’80s tropical tinge, like neon palm trees on a Miami Vice set. It samples Break Machine’s 1983 track “Street Dance,” which explains that retro flair. If you’ve never heard this deep cut, definitely give it a go.

13. Avicii, “True Believer”

Avicii reportedly made roughly 100 versions of this track from Stories, which features Coldplay’s Chris Martin on vocals for the chorus and reflects the leaner approach Avicii took on his 2015 LP. 

12. Coldplay, “A Sky Full Of Stars”

While yes, officially a Coldplay song, “Sky Full Of Stars” was co-written and co-produced by Avicii for the band’s 2014 album, Ghost Stories. With a piano-rendered build/drop as buoyant and blissful as anything else he made during this prolific period, it’s rightfully included in the Avicii cannon.

11. Avicii Feat. Sebastian Drums, “My Feelings For You” 

This track is a super disco inferno, hunk of burning dance floor glory. It might not have charted as strong as some other Avicii songs, but it’s definitely a crowd favorite. Even hipster DJs were dropping this one every week when it came out. Maybe that’s because it’s technically a remix of a song from French band Cassius and, you know, hipsters love French music.

10. Avicii Feat. Sandro Cavazza, “Without You” 



“Without You” arrives on Avicii’s six-track EP Av?ci (01) and sports a catchy melody with zippy synths reminiscent of his country-pop sound. The record features Swedish singer-songwriter Sandro Cavazza who Avicii also remixed and included on his EP.

9. Avicii Feat. Noonie Bao, “Fades Away”

One of the most haunting and memorable tracks on Tim — which was completed after Avicii’s death by a group of producers who’d been close to him — is its closing song, which features a tight drop made from a lush section and vocals from Swedish singer Noonie Bao querying “don’t you love it how it all, it all just fades away?” — lyrics penned by Bergling before his death. 

8. Avicii, “Talk To Myself’

Stories-era Avicii found the artist paring down the massive EDM production that made him famous and leaning into the tighter, sort of cooler productions that define the 2015 album. Few do it better than “Talk To Myself,” which starts with a dark synth and spare disco strings before laying in rhythm guitar before expanding into an anthem that once again emphasizes his genius level understanding of melody.

7. Avicii, “Hey Brother”



Avicii’s album True was really out to show the world just how inclusive dance music could be. You’ve never heard such glistening country pop as you have on True, and “Hey Brother” is one of the twangiest dance floor favorites to ever grace the festival circuit. Singer Dan Tyminski brings the heavy bluegrass element over Avicii’s four-on-the-floor and brightly glowing synths. Fair warning, the music video is liable to make you cry.

6. Tim Berg – “Seek Bromance”



This classic jam is so old school that Avicii wasn’t even called Avicii when it was released — he was still known as Tim Berg. Yet, we all remember “Seek Bromance” as one of the best songs in Avicii’s catalog. It charted in 20 countries and reached number one on the Billboard Dance Clubs Songs list. Now six years after its release, you can hear how influential its been to every damn feel-good house song that came after.

5. Avicii, “Silhouettes”



There’s something so undeniable about this pumping beat, this misty melody, and Swedish singer Salem Al Fakir’s smoky vocals. It just gives us a warm, cozy feeling listening to it. Maybe it’s also partially nostalgia for 2011 when everyone was first swept up in Avicii mania. This was one of those songs that, even if you acted like you didn’t like it at the time, you find yourself fist pumping to in no time.

4. Avicii Feat. Nicky Romero, “I Could Be The One” 



This hook became one of the most recognizable melodies of 2012 almost instantly. This song flickers between indulgently sweet and absolutely bangerific. Fun fact: the instrumental version once featured a sample of Justice‘s seminal anthem “D.A.N.C.E.,” though the sample was removed for the final version fans know and love. It was a total smash, charting in 22 countries and hitting four Billboard charts, peaking the US Dance Clubs list before it was finished.

3. Avicii, “Fade Into Darkness”



While its easy to forget Avicii existed before “Levels” took over the whole world, “Fade Into Darkness” in fact predates that track. Listening to this tune today, one can hear a lot of Avicii’s country-western influence just beginning to bubble up to the surface. Replace the piano with acoustic guitar and this all time anthem could definitely be one of the cross-genre hits that define the artist’s later catalog. 

2. Avicii, “Wake Me Up”



The collective head-scratch moment that hit Ultra Music Festival in Miami when Avicii first debuted this song in 2013 is the stuff of dance world mythology, as no producer had ever even conceived of melding country music with electronic dance until Avicii showed artists the way.

1. Avicii, “Levels”



12 years after its release, “Levels” remains one of the biggest dance music songs ever recorded and the defining anthem of the EDM era. The track introduced a new generation to Etta James, was a top ten hit in 15 countries and topped the charts in both Avicii’s homeland of Sweden and the United States. It still goes off when dropped at any given party or festival (which it still is, frequently.) “Levels” is timeless, it is universal, and it is quintessential Avicii. 

‘& Juliet’ Broadway Star Lorna Courtney Picks Her Favorite Max Martin Hits: ‘All of Them Are Bops’

Playing the titular heroine of the new Broadway musical & Juliet, Lorna Courtney gets to live out many a music fan’s fantasy: belting out Max Martin’s pop bangers to an adoring audience several times a week.

In & Juliet, the legendary songwriter and producer’s beloved hits — for artists ranging from Ariana Grande and Katy Perry to Jessie J and the Backstreet Boys — comprise the score to a totally original story, imagining what might have happened if Shakespeare considered a more enlightened, less tragic ending for his most famous leading lady, and her star-crossed lover too.

For Courtney — who studied opera at New York City’s famed LaGuardia High School (aka “the Fame school”) before discovering musical theater, but grew up loving everything from gospel and jazz to R&B — Martin’s songs were beloved radio hits of her childhood. Still, she treated each she sings in & Juliet as if learning it from scratch.

“I learned it from an acting context, meaning I broke down the songs into verse, chorus, verse, chorus, almost like full complete thoughts,” Courtney says. “[I asked myself,] where would the period be? Where would the question mark or exclamation point be? What am I trying to say in one breath? And it really helps with the storytelling aspect of what Juliet is feeling.”

Max Martin and Lorna Courtney

Max Martin and Lorna Courtney

Jenny Anderson

It helped, of course, that Martin himself met with the lead actors for individual sessions, lending invaluable notes and background on writing the songs they’d be performing. In Courtney’s case, he also offered an unforgettable compliment: that being in the studio with her gave him the same feeling he’d experienced with Celine Dion and Adele. “He’s so supportive. He’s like a proud papa of the show,” says Courtney.

She spoke to Billboard about her personal top Max Martin tracks in the show — some of which she sings, others of which are handled by other characters — along with a few that didn’t make it into the show but that she loved too much not to mention. “All of them are bops,” she says with a laugh. “And with the sound in the theater, it sounds like you’re in the recording studio with us.”

“…Baby One More Time,” Britney Spears

It’s the first song I get to sing in the show, and sometimes when people hear the first words come out of my mouth, there’s a little bit of chuckles, like, “Oh my gosh, she is not about to sing this song…” But when she puts on headphones, the staging and the choreography [show how] she’s using the song to help her cope. Juliet has lost Romeo, someone whom she really loves and cares about, and there’s this idea of “my loneliness is killing me,” which carries through to towards the end of the musical when she sings “Stronger.”

Lorna Courtney in '& Juliet.'

Lorna Courtney in ‘& Juliet.’

Matthew Murphy

“Since U Been Gone,” Kelly Clarkson

I grew up watching American Idol and fell in love with everything about her. This female empowerment, knowing who you are and standing up for yourself, knowing what you want and don’t want – this song represents all of that. In our show, the context is of course within Romeo and Juliet’s story: Since Romeo’s been gone, she’s had a whole other life and moved on. It’s just a fun song – it’s a huge dance number, so much fun to perform, and it’s intertwined really well with the script.

“So What,” P!nk

It has that same energy I love about Kelly. “So what? I’m still a rock star, I got my rock moves” — that’s how I feel in the show, like a rock star, and it feels great. This song is not in the show, but it’s definitely how Juliet feels in the moment.

“I Kissed a Girl,” Katy Perry

When I first heard this on the radio, it was just like… mind-blowing. It was the first LGBT-positive song I ever heard. It was moving toward a more inclusive way of life for someone who grew up in New York City, who was exposed to all the beautiful things about inclusivity here. Of course, it’s so catchy and you learn all the words. [Laughs] “Cherry Chapstick” just stays in your mind. Everyone knows what that tastes like. I don’t get to sing it, but in our show it still honors the LGBTQ+ experience and brings that onstage in a beautiful positive light.

“Bang Bang,” Ariana Grande, Jessie J and Nicki MInaj

I so wish it could be in the show, just because this hook is so catchy, and you love all the artists and what they stand for. It’s that “hell yeah, yes girl” attitude. This is just a song that when it came on the radio, everything would stop, you’d just have to sing it with your group of people and each one would take a part. I would definitely be Jessie J. I’m still trying to learn her riffs!

“2 Be Loved (Am I Ready),” Lizzo

I’m so happy that Max has had the chance to work with Lizzo, or that Lizzo had the chance to work with Max, because this combination is everything. I’m so glad we all embrace and uplift everything she stands for – for body positivity, and female empowerment. It’s amazing how she can write songs that are truth-telling, almost like preaching, but in a pop way, because she has that natural musicality. I so wish that she’ll see this show, because I cannot wait to meet her.

“Problem,” Ariana Grande

I’m so glad I get to sing this – everyone knows this song, the music video is iconic. In the show, I love that this song and [The Weeknd’s] “Can’t Feel My Face” are combined in a mash-up. While the Romeo crew is singing “Can’t Feel My Face,” Juliet and her crew are singing “Problem.” You’d never think these songs would work together, but they do. I think out of all the songs, it’s the most different from the original artist[‘s version], but not in a bad way. I’m telling the story Ariana sings but through Juliet’s lens of what she’s just been through.

Lorna Courtney and the cast of '& Juliet.'

Lorna Courtney and the cast of ‘& Juliet.’

Matthew Murphy

“DJ Got Us Fallin’ in Love,” Usher

When this song came out I wasn’t grown, so I couldn’t go to the club, but if I was in the club at the time, that song would be playing for sure. When it came on the radio, I would just be dancing in my room to the fullest extent. It’s not in the show, but it’s just a bop — another one where I just know all the words.

“Whataya Want From Me,” Adam Lambert

I remember seeing Adam Lambert on American Idol and falling in love with his voice — the grunginess, the imperfections that made it perfect, and that’s what I love about this song, just the rawness of it. I don’t get to sing it in the show, but the characters Francois and May do. The question [they’re asking] is “What more can I give?” That’s what the song is about. They put it all out there, but there’s no receiving on the other end. And it’s beautiful. Our director really makes it work with the storytelling.

Hailey Bieber Says This Year Gave Her the ‘Saddest, Hardest Moments I’ve Ever Had’

Hailey Bieber took to her Instagram Stories on Wednesday night (April 19) to get vulnerable about how she’s feeling lately.

“I like to make jokes about how I feel because sometimes it’s easier than admitting I’m having a hard time,” she began her message. “But truthfully since 2023 started I have had some of the saddest, hardest moments I’ve ever had in my adult life and my mind and emotions have been fragile to say the least.. And I know so many other people feel the way I feel so just know you’re not alone.”

She concluded her message on another slide, noting, “That being said, let’s keep being there for one another. Let’s be there for loved ones and friends and family and strangers. Let’s just be there for people.. let’s keep showing up for each other even when it’s hard. We’re better together [white heart emoji].”

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While the Rhode founder didn’t specifically address what caused her mental health struggles this year, she has come under scrutiny online over the past few months over an alleged feud with Selena Gomez, who previously dated the model’s husband Justin Bieber.

It all began in February, when Gomez jokingly revealed on TikTok that she’d over-laminated her eyebrows. Kylie Jenner later shared a photo with Hailey, holding the camera close up to their own professional-looking brows. Fans believed that the similarities between the posts meant that the reality star and model were making fun of Gomez.

At the time, Gomez wrote that she’s “a fan of Kylie,” though she also commented on fan-made TikToks shading Hailey, writing “I love you” to one fan who slammed the Rhode founder for being a “nepo baby” and a “mean girl.” 

In March, both Gomez and Bieber spoke out about the out of control online discourse. Gomez took to her IG Story to urge fans to stop bullying the model after Hailey reached out to the Only Murders in the Building star to let her know that she’d been receiving death threats and “such hateful negativity.”

Bieber thanked Gomez for her post on her IG Story, writing, “The last few weeks have been very hard for everyone involved and millions of people are seeing so much hate around this which is extremely harmful. While social media is an incredible way to connect and build community, moments like this only create extreme division instead of bringing people together.”

E-40 & Sacramento Kings Release Joint Statement on Rapper’s ‘Unfortunate’ Ejection From Game

As E-40 taught us, everybody’s got choices. The Sacramento Kings chose to eject the Bay Area rapper from the April 15 game against E-40’s hometown Golden State Warriors, and now they’ve released a joint statement addressing the incident.

E-40 made the trek to Sacramento to enjoy courtside seats at the Warriors’ game against the Kings only to be kicked out by security after a verbal altercation with a woman whom E-40 referred to as a heckler in his section. “Security saw a disagreement between a Black man and a White woman and immediately assumed that I was at fault,” he wrote in his initial statement, attributing the incident to “racial bias.”

Now, the Kings have released a joint statement with the rapper, born Earl Stevens, setting the record straight. “After a series of thoughtful and transparent conversations, both parties agree that there was a miscommunication regarding the circumstances that occurred during the Kings vs. Warriors game on Saturday night,” the statement begins.

“Contrary to speculation, Mr. Earl ‘E-40’ Stevens did not stand excessively from his ticketed courtside seat; the outcome resulted from an unfortunate misunderstanding between both parties. The Kings will continue to equitably enforce the NBA Fan Code of Conduct to ensure guests can comfortably enjoy games free of disrespectful heckling and other disruptive conduct. The organization has been a longtime leader in promoting social justice and racial equality with a track record of measurable results and community impacts. Mr. Stevens has previously attended games at Golden 1 Center without incident, and the Kings look forward to welcoming him back to our arena in the future.”

Following E-40’s ejection, the rapper received an outpouring of support, with the Philadelphia 76ers, the Warriors and TNT’s Inside the NBA playing his songs during games and programming. Jalen Rose also posted a video addressing the matter and demanding an apology from the Kings.

E-40 called the experience “jarring” in his initial statement. On Thursday, he released his latest single, “Front Row 40,” which a source told Complex was recorded months ago and was slated to drop “during the Warriors’ postseason.”

Bebe Rexha ‘Got So High’ With Snoop Dogg While Filming Their ‘Satellite’ Video

Bebe Rexha and Snoop Dogg collaborated on the new track “Satellite,” which arrived Thursday (April 20) and sees the artists singing about smoking weed and getting sent to an alternate universe. So to keep it as true to life as possible, Rexha revealed she and Snoop smoked on set of the song’s music video.

“Working with Snoop is a dream,” Rexha told People in a new interview, published on 4/20. The collaboration came to be after she sent the track to Snoop via Instagram; she received a prompt response the next day. “He called me at 7 the next morning with a big blunt in his hand being like, ‘Yo, check your email. You have an email.’”

As for how their smoke session came about, Rexha recalled, “He’s like, ‘You have to try my Death Row Joints,’ and I was like, ‘Right now, on the video set? I’m going to look high in the video.’ He said, ‘Just try it,’ and I was like, ‘OK.’ I took a hit of it, and I got so high with Snoop Dogg. But who could say they got high with Snoop Dogg? That’s like a lifetime thing.”

The “I’m Good (Blue)” singer and “Gin and Juice” rapper’s smoke session made it to her Instagram account, much to the dismay of her father, who had some less-than-thrilled words for her. “My dad called me and was like, ‘What are you doing? Why are you smoking on the Internet? Are you crazy?’” she said. “I was like, ‘Dad, it’s Snoop Dogg. If you smoke with anybody, it has to be Snoop Dogg.’”

Listen to “Satellite” in the video above, and check out Rexha and Snoop’s smoke session in the video below.