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In light of the controversy surrounding Kehlani‘s recently canceled performance at Cornell University, SummerStage has now pulled the plug on the singer’s scheduled performance in Central Park, under advisement from New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ office.
On Monday (May 5), the festival announced that its Pride With Kehlani benefit show — which had been slated for June 26 as part of the city’s annual summer concert series — would no longer be part of this year’s programming. “We have been notified by the Mayor’s Office that they have concerns for security and safety issues,” reads a statement on SummerStage’s Instagram. “Those concerns are due to the controversy surrounding Cornell University’s decision to cancel Kehlani’s concert at the University, as well as security demands in Central Park and throughout the City for other Pride events during that same period.
“We strongly and emphatically believe in artistic expression of all kinds,” the post continues. “However, the safety and security of our guests and artists is of the utmost importance … While artists may choose to express their opinions, their views may not necessarily be representative of the festival.”
At press time, Pride With Kehlani is still listed on Central Park’s online SummerStage schedule.
The move to cancel comes just over a week after Cornell announced that it had rescinded its invitation for Kehlani to headline this year’s Slope Day, the school’s annual event for students celebrating the last day of classes. In an email from university President Michael I. Kotlikoff obtained by The New York Times, he wrote that the decision had been made after learning that the “Gangsta” singer had “espoused antisemitic, anti-Israel sentiments in performances, videos and on social media.”
Shortly afterward, Kehlani posted a video clarifying “for the millionth time, that I am not antisemitic nor anti-Jew.”
“I am anti-genocide, I am anti- the actions of the Israeli government, I am anti- an extermination of an entire people, I am anti- the bombing of innocent children, men, women — that’s what I’m anti,” they continued at the time.
In response to the SummerStage cancellation, Kehlani reposted the festival’s statement on Instagram Stories and wrote “lol.” The musician also snapped a selfie and revealed, “I just found that one out on instagram by the way.”
“I’m so deeply grounded in my purpose, my mission, my art, my contribution,” the “After Hours” artist added in another post on Stories. “Back to this album. See you this weekend LA!”
Kehlani has been vocal in their pro-Palestine stance throughout Israel’s ongoing war against Hamas, which began immediately after the terrorist group killed 1,200 people and kidnapped more than 250 others at the Nova Music Festival on Oct. 7, 2023. Since then, more than 52,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to CNN, which cites the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
In their 2024 “Next 2 U” visual, Kehlani wore kaffiyehs and featured dancers waving Palestinian flags. Before that, they were one of several musicians who signed the 2023 Artists Against Apartheid letter.
See the SummerStage statement below.
Host Drew Afualo gives our 2025 Billboard Women in Music Woman of the Year honoree Doechii flowers for her cover of “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” and asks who she would give her flowers to for supporting and inspiring her throughout her career backstage at Billboard’s Women in Music 2025.
Drew Afaulo
Hey, y’all, it’s true. I’m backstage at Billboard Women in Music Awards. I’m with the one, the only, the iconic, the legendary Swamp Princess, Ms. Doechii. Oh my gosh. How are you feeling tonight?
Doechii
I feel good!
Drew Afualo
I feel good too. OK, so we’re gonna do something real fun. Well, first off, let me ask you: How do you feel being here celebrating women in music?
Doechii
I feel really good. I feel safe, like I feel just held up, like the energy in the room is so good. I thought I was gonna be nervous, but my girls got me, so.
Drew Afaulo
I said the same thing. I said the energy is so light. Yes, no men involved. Oh yeah. OK, so I’m actually gonna ask you some questions. But first things first, I’m gonna give you some flowers.
Doechii
Thank you!
Drew Afaulo
They’re for you and they are real. And I want to ask you: Who do you give flowers to for getting you where you are now?
Doechii
Wow, who do I give flowers to to getting me here? It has to be my mother. It would be my little sister for supporting me and critiquing me. My coaches and artists that came before me, like Missy Elliott, Nicki Minaj, Erykah Badu, Beyoncé, etc.
Drew Afaulo
We have to. And who do you give your flowers to for inspiring your music?
Doechii
Oh, probably one of my friends from high school who told me that I could make music by myself. Her name is Taylor Moon. She’s amazing. Love my school, Blake High School, and all of my musical influences.
Watch the full video above!
Host Drew Afualo gives our 2025 Billboard Women in Music Breakthrough honoree Ángela Aguilar flowers for being a pug mom, and Aguilar returns the favor to her mom, her fans and her husband for supporting her backstage at Billboard’s Women In Music 2025.
Drew Afaulo
Here we are again, backstage with the iconic, the legendary Ángela Aguilar. Honored to have you, queen. How are you feeling tonight?
Ángela Aguilar
I’m so happy. No more nerves. Tequila hit and the speech was good. I feel good.
Drew Afaulo
Period. I could hear the mariachis in the air.
Ángela Aguilar
I know!
Drew Afaulo
Stunning and gorgeous. And when they walked out, I said, ‘Period, period, period,’ as they were walking past. ‘Yes, thank you. Yes, yes, yes, yes. Work, it, work, it.’ Love that. I think you’re stunning and amazing. So actually, first I want to ask you, how does it feel celebrating other women in music tonight?
Ángela Aguilar
It feels amazing. You know, I’m very happy to be here, because my mom has always been behind the scenes, and she was always my momager, she was like, helping me since I was very little with like my dress and stuff,
Drew Afaulo
That’s cute.
Ángela Aguilar
And they’re honoring her tonight as well.
Drew Afaulo
Oh my gosh, how amazing.
Ángela Aguilar
The first awards ceremony that they honor me and my mom, and she deserves it more than I do.
Drew Afaulo
Oh my gosh, that’s so sweet and amazing. What a milestone. Incredible. So for some fun things, I actually am going to give you some flowers tonight.
Ángela Aguilar
Thank you!
Drew Afaulo
Yes, of course, these are for you, both literally and metaphorically, giving you your flowers. These are well known, my favorites, mine too. Look at us. OK, and we’re falling in love. My question for you is: Who do you give flowers to for getting you where you are now?
Watch the full video above!
This is partner content.
Between headlining performances and debuting her upcoming album Dreamsicle, Maren Morris is booked and busy. From setting her pre-show vibe to connecting with her fans, see what Maren shares on her journey to ‘Get It Together’ ahead of her White Claw Sessions performance in Palm Springs.
Tetris KellyMaren, what are you doing? You’re gonna be late to White Claw Sessions.
Maren MorrisWhat do you mean? I’m never late.
Tetris KellyAll right, we gotta get to this show.
Maren MorrisLet’s go.
Tetris KellyCheers. So tell me what’s something that has happened in your year that you’re really proud of?
Maren MorrisI’m putting my album Dreamsicle out in May. So this all just feels like one giant pre-party for my fourth album to be out.
Tetris KellyWe’re on the move to the show right now. What’s your vibe like on the way to a show?
Maren MorrisI mean, I certainly love to blast music before the show with my band, because it kind of works as a warmup for our vocals. My band certainly helps me relax, because they’re all just goofballs, and they make me laugh so hard. And then shows like this is like a party for them, because they get to drink White Claw and then go, hopefully sound good tonight.
Tetris KellyAnd I mean, White Claw Sessions are normally really intimate events. So what’s the difference between performing in something like this and like arenas?
Maren MorrisI feel like you get to see people and their reactions. You can see them singing along with you. It just feels more human. And I think over the years, with each album, I’ve been able to just really home in on a fanbase that is so supportive and loving, and it feels like a safe crowd when you’re at that show and just connecting with people through singing.
Tetris KellyYou’re not gonna be late because of me.
Maren MorrisI know. Let’s get pumped up.
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If you’re looking to upgrade your home audio for cheap, you don’t have to break the bank for premium sound. Start with this soundbar and subwoofer from Sony — especially since the system is on sale for nearly 60% off the list price.
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Available at Walmart, the Sony HT-G700 Soundbar is on sale for $249 — or $350 off its list price. In addition, the home soundbar system has a 4.2 out of 5-star rating from almost 125 of the retailer’s shoppers.
And since the Sony HT-G700 Soundbar is from Walmart, you’ll get it shipped to you for free if you’re a Walmart+ member. Otherwise, your cart has to be more than $35 to get free shipping.
If you’re not a member, then you’re in luck: You can sign up for a 30-day free trial to take advantage of everything the retailer’s rewards program has to offer with perks such as free, fast delivery; fuel discounts; streaming access to Paramount+ to watch hit originals; additional savings with early access deals and much more.
In addition, Walmart+ comes with access to SiriusXM for all sorts of talk radio and music — including popular channels such as “The Coffee House” for stripped-down songs from Noah Kahan, Kacey Musgraves, The Lumineers, Phoebe Bridgers and others. Learn more about what Walmart+ can offer you here.
Sony
Lowest Price Ever
Sony HT-G700 Dolby Atmos Soundbar
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Sony’s soundbar system comes with the soundbar itself and a wireless subwoofer for additional bass and rumble. It’s a 3.1-channel audio set up (three main speakers and one subwoofer) with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X audio support and Sony‘s Immersive AE Audio Enhancer for upscale sound to a wider and virtual 7.1.2-channel audio (seven main speakers, one subwoofer and two up-firing speakers).
As a result, sound from movies, TV shows, and music is beefier, cleaner, and sharper with multiple ports and connectivity options, such as HDMI ARC and Bluetooth for pairing smartphones, tablets, and laptops.
Marked down to $249 (regularly $599), the Sony HT-G700 Soundbar is available at Walmart.
Want more? For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best Xbox deals, studio headphones and Nintendo Switch accessories.
Maggie Rogers is headed back to her alma mater to help send off this year’s class of graduates, with the singer/songwriter announcing Monday (May 5) that she’ll speak at the 2025 New York University Tisch School of the Arts commencement ceremony later in the month. Sharing a nine-year-old photo of herself in her purple graduation […]
Chris Brown turned 36 years old on Monday (May 5), and he has extra reason to celebrate his birthday after the RIAA announced that he’s collected another diamond certification with 2011’s “Look at Me Now.” After going eight times platinum in 2021, “Look at Me Now” earned diamond status on Monday. With assists from Lil […]
Gloria Gaynor is setting the record straight about her stance on an important but polarizing subject: feminism.
In a new interview with Metro published Monday (May 5), the disco legend revealed that she does not identify as a feminist when asked what people often get wrong about her. “The biggest misconception about me? It may be dangerous to say this, but that I’m a feminist,” she said.
“People say it to me, ‘And since you’re a feminist …,’” she continued. “Uh, no. Not really. I love men.”
Noting that she grew up with five brothers, Gaynor added, “I love men who know who they are and are strong enough to take their place, but also strong enough to recognize a woman’s strengths and … allow her to exercise those strengths and realize that we are to be partners and not opponents.”
Trending on Billboard
So, there you have it: Gaynor, whose Billboard Hot 100-topping 1978 smash “I Will Survive” is widely regarded as one of the most iconic feminist anthems of all time, does not consider herself a feminist. Her comments have already sparked pushback online, with many people pointing out that, despite her implication, loving men and feminism are not mutually exclusive. By definition, feminism is the “belief in and advocacy of the political, economic and social equality of the sexes expressed especially through organized activity on behalf of women’s rights and interests,” according to Merriam-Webster.
“So Gloria Gaynor doesn’t know what feminist is … got it,” one person wrote on X.
“So Gloria Gaynor isn’t a feminist because she loves men?” wrote another user. “Feminism isn’t anti-man, it’s just pro-human rights. But sure, let’s ignore that. i love men and I‘m still a feminist.”
Billboard has reached out to Gaynor’s rep for comment.
The Grammy winner’s new interview comes a few weeks after she announced that her new EP, Happy Tears, will arrive June 6. The first taste of the five-track project came in February, when Gaynor dropped single “Fida Known,” which she told Metro is her favorite song of the bunch.
“The song is all about helping people to look back on the things that they’ve overcome and to recognize what they’ve come through,” she told the UK publication. “It’s, ‘If I’d have known this, I wouldn’t have done that,’ but you didn’t know that, and you still made it through.”
Gaynor added, “The song sort of continues where ‘I Will Survive’ left off.”
Doechii hits a new peak in the top 10 with “Anxiety,” Alex Warren continues his rise on the Hot 100 with “Ordinary” and Kendrick and SZA continue their run on the Hot 100 with “Luther.” Tetris Kelly:This is the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 for the week dated May 10. Doechii’s “Anxiety” returns to the […]
ABC News announced on Monday (May 5) a new show about Sean “Diddy” Combs’ trial will air each day. According to the press release, the new 30-minute program, titled Burden of Proof: The Case Against Diddy and hosted by GMA3 co-host Eva Pilgrim, will offer analyses of what’s going on inside the courtroom. The series […]
