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An extended version of Ariana Grande‘s latest single “Yes, And?” has been released. Grande made the “Yes, And?” extended mix available for purchase on iTunes and on Amazon Music on Monday (Jan. 15), sharing a link with fans via Instagram Stories. The new cut features an extended instrumental intro and outro, and has a length […]
Taylor Swift is raising a glass to Ebon Moss-Bachrach after The Bear actor named the pop star in his acceptance speech at the 2024 Critics Choice Awards. Moss-Bachrach took home the award for best supporting actor in a comedy series for his work on The Bear, on which he portrays Richard ‘Richie’ Jerimovich, on Sunday […]
Lil Nas X is offering an explanation and apology to those offended by his new song “J CHRIST.”
On Monday (Jan. 15), the 24-year-old rapper shared a sincere video of himself on social media addressing the backlash from the religious-themed artwork and music video for the controversial new single, which includes the pop provocateur portraying Jesus Christ on the crucifix.
“I know I messed up really bad this time. I can act unbothered all I want, but it’s definitely taken a mental toll on me,” Lil Nas X said in the candid Instagram clip. “I’m not some evil demon guy trying to destroy everybody’s values and stuff like that. That’s not me.”
Lil Nas X begins the four-minute video by addressing the artwork and viral marketing push leading up to the release of “J CHRIST.” In one string of TikToks, he joked that he was releasing new gospel music independently. Another Instagram post saw him sharing a fake acceptance letter to Christian college Liberty University (university reps later said that they did not admit him for the fall 2024 semester). The rapper also drew intense criticism for his use of religious iconography, with commentators claiming that he was “mocking” and “disrespecting” Christianity.
“When I did the artwork, I knew there would be some upset people simply because religion is a very sensitive topic for a lot of people,” Lil Nas X said in Monday’s explanation clip. “But I also didn’t mean to mock — this wasn’t a f— you to the Christians. It was literally me saying I’m back like Jesus.”
The singer also apologized for a TikTok video of himself simulating the act of taking communion, where he’s seen taking shots of purple juice while scarfing down crackers in what appears to be a religious setting.
“I know given my history with the [‘Montero (Call Me by Your Name)’] video, anything that I do related to religion can be seen as mockery,” he said. “That just was not the case with this. I will say, though, with the communion video, with me eating the crackers and juice, I thought that video was going to lighten the mood to take it down less serious. I thought that was something we all wanted to do as kids, but I didn’t understand the idea of the reality of what it is.”
He added, “I didn’t mean it as a cannibalism thing, or whatever the freak. But I do apologize for that. That was overboard. Though I don’t agree with all of Christianity’s rules, I know not everybody follows Christianity by the book 100% or the world would be a lot crazier.”
On Friday (Jan. 12), Lil Nas X shared his much-hyped music video for “J CHRIST,” taking the Biblical title to its furthest extent. The clip opens with a series of celebrity lookalikes — ranging from Taylor Swift to Kanye West — as they climb the stairway to heaven. The Lil Nas-directed video then proceeds to show a series of callbacks to his hellish video for “Montero (Call Me By Your Name),” showing the oft-discussed pole to hell and a demonic Lil Nas X stirring a cauldron of arms and legs. Flying back up to heaven, he reunites with the Devil for a one-on-one basketball game where the rapper dunks the ball and celebrates with a cheerleading routine.
“With the video, there’s not disrespect there,” Lil Nas said in his explanation video. “I thought me clearly not being on the side of the devil in the video was the … I don’t know, there was an understanding there that I’m not trying to diss Christianity.”
He closed the heartfelt video with a positive message to his Christian fans. “I know this isn’t going to be an immediate swift, everybody moves forward. But I do want my Christian fans to know that I am not against you,” the singer said. “I was put on this earth to bring people closer together and promote love. That’s who I am.”
Watch Lil Nas X address the “J Christ” backlash on Instagram below.
Taylor Swift and Brittany Mahomes have seemingly become game-day besties. Together, the pair coordinated in custom Kansas City Chiefs puffer coats to brave the blistering cold and support their significant others at Saturday’s (Jan. 13) game against the Miami Dolphins. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news The […]
Ariana Grande‘s “Yes, And?” has topped this week’s new music poll.
Music fans voted in a poll published Friday (Jan. 12) on Billboard, choosing the pop superstar and actress’ highly anticipated single as their favorite new music release of the past week.
“Yes, And?” brought in 77% of the vote, beating out new music by Jennifer Lopez (“Can’t Get Enough”), Lil Nas X (“J Christ”), Kali Uchis (ORQUÍDEAS), 21 Savage (American Dream), and others.
Grande made her return on Friday with the late-’80s-inspired single “Yes, And?” Dripping with confidence, the upbeat song serves as the lead track for the singer’s anticipated seventh album, which she started teasing online in late December.
The single is built upon the cheeky title, as Grande sings of healing and being done with caring for other people’s projections. “Yes, and?” she asks repeatedly, begging listeners to question why they care so much to comment on her life — and, hopefully, reducing such actions in the future.
The “Yes, And?” music video finds Grande wearing a ballet-inspired outfit and character shoes, completing the look with a hat that pays homage to legends like Janet Jackson and Paula Abdul. The Christian Breslauer-directed clip seems to take inspiration from Abdul’s visual for her own “Cold Hearted,” leaning deeper into the ’80s energy of the song itself.
Grande’s last proper release was 2020’s Positions, which debuted at No . 1 the Billboard 200 albums chart. The set spawned a Billboard Hot 100 chart No. 1 single with its title track.
Her return to music comes after a lengthy break during which she openly chose to focus on her R.E.M. Beauty makeup business and her role in the upcoming live action adaptations of the Broadway musical Wicked, in which she’ll play Glinda opposite Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba.
Trailing behind “Yes, And?” on the poll is Lopez’s breezy “Can’t Get Enough,” which brought in 5% of the vote. The summery track was accompanied by a cinematic Dave Meyers-directed wedding-themed video that appears to make winking references to the singer’s love life.
See the final results of this week’s new music release poll below.
Taylor Swift arrived at Arrowhead Stadium, where temps were in the negatives on Saturday (Jan. 13), to cheer on boyfriend Travis Kelce as the Kansas City Chiefs took on the Miami Dolphins. The singer was bundled up for the bitter, below-zero cold in a winter beanie, black boots and a puffy coat that boasted her […]
Harry Styles could have been in Mean Girls. Samantha Jayne and Arturo Perez Jr., directors of the movie musical remake of the 2004 comedy, revealed that they had them in mind for one particular role.
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Jayne and Perez spoke about the making of the new Mean Girls for an interview published by The Hollywood Reporter Saturday (Jan. 13), a day after the film’s opening. The topic of conversation turned to memorable lines and comedic moments from the original movie.
“There are certain iconic lines where we would joke that there would be riots in the streets if it wasn’t in there. Like ‘You go, Glen Coco!’ Give the people what they want. Give me what I want! But when we were like, ‘Who’s Glen Coco?’” Jayne said.
“Who can it be?” Perez chimed in, then shared: “I remember us going, could we ask, like, Harry Styles?”
“We were like Harry Styles could be Glen Coco!” Jayne confirmed.
But, Jayne continued, “Then we were like, hold on, we love to break the fourth wall: What if we are all Glen Coco? So, after 20 years, we can all feel like Glen Coco.” (In a THR editor’s note, the publication explained that the line is actually delivered straight to the camera/audience.)
The 2024 incarnation of Mean Girls is based on the Broadway musical adaptation of the 2004 Tina Fey-penned film, which starred Lindsay Lohan and Rachel McAdams. The remake features Reneé Rapp as Regina George and Angourie Rice as Cady Heron, while Fey reprises her role as Ms. Norbury and Tim Meadows is back as Mr. Duvall. Plus, Lohan returns for a cameo.
Mean Girls opened in theaters Friday (Jan. 12).
According to a box office report from THR, the Paramount film is on track to win “the box office popularity contest” with an estimated four-day opening of $31.5 million over the long holiday weekend.
Ariana Grande shows off her sweet “Yes, And?” vocals in a new video the singer uploaded from the recording studio. Grande’s assertive new single, a dance-pop track with a sound that calls back to Madonna’s “Vogue,” arrived Friday (Jan. 12). “Yes, And?” is the first track to be released from her upcoming seventh studio album. […]
Legendary quarterback Brett Favre believes that Taylor Swift may take the blame if the Kansas City Chiefs don’t make it to the Super Bowl this year. The Pro Football Hall of Famer was recently asked if he thinks that the pop superstar has become a “distraction” for Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce amid the couple’s […]
Paula Abdul is loving Ariana Grande’s “Yes, And?” music video. In the new clip, released on Friday (Jan. 12), Grande wears a ballet-inspired outfit with a hat that pays homage to legends like Janet Jackson and Abdul — and the nod doesn’t end there. The clip, directed by Christian Breslauer, seems to take inspiration from […]