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Taylor Swift is one step closer to becoming a common core fixture in collegiate education. This week, UC Berkeley became the latest college to announce a course inspired by the 33-year-old pop star, confirming plans to launch “Artistry and Entrepreneurship: Taylor’s Version” in 2024. Taught by Sofia Lendahl and Crystal Haryanto, the course’s syllabus reportedly […]
Pain and heartbreak have resulted in some of the most moving and seminal works in pop music history, and this appears to be true for Britney Spears, according to “Overprotected” music video director Chris Applebaum.
In an exclusive new clip from a forthcoming Impact x Nightline episode that details the aftermath of Spears’ memoir The Woman in Me, Applebaum recounts the fated breakup text that spurred an unforgettable performance.
“I walk into her trailer, and Britney’s not dressed for the next scene,” Applebaum recalls. “She’s not ready, her hair and makeup isn’t ready. She’s still in a Juicy Couture sweatsuit, and I could immediately tell something was wrong. I asked her if everything was OK, and she said, ‘No, things are not OK, because look,’ and she held out her flip phone and I saw this text which said, ‘It’s over,’ which was from her boyfriend at the time, Justin Timberlake.”
Timberlake and Spears dated from 1999 to 2002, and their coupling quickly became one of the most recognizable relationships in pop culture history. In her memoir, Spears recounts her entire relationship with the “Cry Me a River” singer, revealing some bombshells in the process. In The Woman in Me, Spears claimed that she had an abortion during their relationship. “If it had been left up to me alone, I never would have done it, and yet Justin was so sure that he didn’t want to be a father,” she wrote. “To this day, it’s one of the most agonizing things I have ever experienced in my life.”
That shocking revelation wouldn’t be the last time Timberlake shattered Spears’ world. “It seemed like that was the end of the video shoot, and I acknowledged that with everybody,” Applebaum says. “But, on the other hand, if you feel like you wanna get out there and show him that he just lost the best thing that he ever had, let’s do it. Ten to 15 minutes later, she came out and she was on fire. This was the Britney that everybody knows and loves.”
Applebaum directed the music video for the song’s Darkchild remix. The clip featured references to both Spears’ passion for dance and the predatory nature of paparazzi. “Overprotected” — the second international single from 2001’s Britney album — ultimately peaked at No. 86 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned a Grammy nomination for best female pop vocal performance.
The forthcoming “It’s Britney” episode of Impact x Nightline will stream starting Thursday (Nov. 2) on Hulu and is set to feature exclusive first-hand accounts of Spears’ talent, work ethic and creative genius in the wake of the release of The Woman In Me. In addition to Applebaum, Dan George, the tour manager and creative producer behind Spears’ 2009 Circus Tour, also provides a first-hand account of Spears’ life and career around the time her conservatorship began.
Watch an exclusive clip from the upcoming Impact x Nightline “It’s Britney” episode above, and revisit the “Overprotected (Darkchild Remix)” video below.
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Apple TV+ announced a new three-part documentary series delving into the 1980 murder of late Beatle John Lennon. With narration from 24 star Kiefer Sutherland, John Lennon: Murder Without a Trial promises to present exclusive eyewitness interviews and previously unseen crime scene photos that will shed “new light on the life and murder” of the […]
There are good reasons why Mariah Carey is considered the Queen of Christmas. One of them is her punctuality. MC wasted exactly zero minutes getting into the holiday spirit in what has become her annual ritual of warning the Lambily that Christmas is coming, but they should not jump the gun and start stringing lights […]
Oliver Tree is fresh off the release of his third studio album, Alone in a Crowd, and he sat down with Billboard’s Rania Aniftos to discuss how he created a unique presence in the music industry. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news “This is really a collection […]
Wicked — the wildly successful Broadway musical about the story of Elphaba (the Wicked Witch of the West) and Glinda (Glinda the Good Witch) — celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, and rising pop stars Reneé Rapp and Lizzy McAlpine are getting in on the festivities.
At the first New York stop of her Snow Hard Feelings Tour, Rapp invited McAlpine onstage to perform an emotional rendition of “For Good,” one of the standout duets on the Wicked soundtrack.
Fan-captured footage via TikTok finds the two singers enrapturing the audience as they assume the roles of Glinda and Elphaba atop a neon-green-lit stage. Rapp choosing to perform “For Good” for the first of her four New York tour stops is unsurprising considering her Broadway roots. In 2019, The Sex Lives of College Girls star enjoyed a brief run as Regina George in the Tony-nominated Mean Girls musical. She is set to reprise her role in the forthcoming film adaptation of the musical, which is set to hit theaters Jan. 12, 2024.
The first part of the two-film adaptation of Wicked, meanwhile, is slated to hit theaters on Nov. 27, 2024. The film’s star-studded cast includes Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang and more.
Rapp’s musical theater background echoes across her music, including Snow Angel, her debut studio LP. The record, which helped Rapp land a pair of MTV Video Music Award nominations this year, debuted at No. 44 on the Billboard 200 with 18,000 units shifted — the biggest first-week total for a debut album by a female artist in 2023. On Tuesday (Oct. 31), Rapp will head to Brooklyn’s Kings Theatre for a special Halloween show where fans are encouraged to attend in costume.
As for McAlpine, the “For Good” duet comes on the heels of an exciting year for the fast-rising folk-pop singer. This year, McAlpine enjoyed the rise of “Ceilings,” which became her very first Billboard Hot 100 hit (No. 54), as well as collaborations with Noah Kahan (“Call Your Mom”) and Niall Horan (“You Could Start a Cult”).
Watch Rapp and McAlpine deliver a gorgeous “For Good” performance below:
From The Eras Tour to a gratitude tour: Taylor Swift just dropped her latest re-recorded album, 1989 (Taylor’s Version), and in all her social media activity since Friday’s release, she’s been thanking everyone who made her wildest dreams come true. She started out by thanking Kendrick Lamar for re-recording his “Bad Blood” remix verse, and […]
Two things are for sure this Halloween: every other kid (or kidult) in your neighborhood is going to be rocking some sort of Barbie-inspired costume… and the rest of them will probably wear some variation of a look from Taylor Swift‘s Eras Tour.
Google Trends searches show that interest in Taylor Swift Halloween costumes went from near-zero in March — right around the launch of the first U.S. Eras Tour swing — to needle-in-the-red peak popularity beginning Sept. 20 before dropping down and then peaking again on Oct. 15 and Oct. 20, with interest remaining strong at press time. For comparison, Swift Halloween costume searches went from near-zero on Oct. 13, 2022 to a similar high-point on Oct. 25 of that year; the chart showed a similar trajectory in 2021.
A specific search for Eras Tour Halloween costumes shows a more up-and-down history, with interest spiking in late August and then shooting up again in mid-October before a steep decline as we slide into All Hallows’ Eve, with California and Texas representing the states with the highest searches.
Those Taylor-ing their looks might team-up with their partner for a couple’s costume nodding to the singer’s reported romance with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.
Searches for KelSwift couple costumes first began to trend up on Sept. 25, one day after Swift attended her first Chiefs game, then reached a 100-level search rating in the days after Taylor and a group of fellow A-listers attended the Oct. 1 KC win over the New York Jets. Searches peaked again on Oct. 15, days after KC’s 19-8 home win over the Denver Broncos. Utah and Nebraska lead the charge of spots with the most-searched couple costumes, followed by Arkansas, Kanas, Wisconsin, Tennessee, Illinois, Oklahoma, Alabama and Louisiana.
In addition, TikTok is filled with very cute videos of kids (and grown-ups) shipping the reported couple in homemade costumes chronicling their PDA and date nights.
Because there are no official Taylor (or Traylor) costumes on the market, Swifties have filled the gap with their home brews. That included Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie, who anchored the show on Tuesday (Oct. 31) dressed in a long blonde wig and sparkly blue and pink leotard, joined by her adorable nine-year-old daughter in a gold skirt and cowboy boots as they performed Swift’s “Cruel Summer.”
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos went as far as calling Tuesday’s episode of Live with Kelly and Mark “Live’s Halloween The Eras Show.” The episode had the couple dressing up as Sonny & Cher, as well as putting on their Traylor drag and opening the show with Ripa promising to run through a series of Eras looks.
If you’re still scrambling for your look and trust Prime to get you what you need, Amazon has dozens of listings for Taylor Eras-inspired costumes, from a pink 1989 two-piece sweatsuit to a gold and blue cheerleader costume, a bejeweled rhinestone bodysuit, sequined bomber jackets, an “Anti-Hero” bodysuit, a variety of glittery oversized suit jackets and Fearless jumpsuit sets.
The National Retail Federation said the historic amount of spending Americans will do this year on costumes, candy and decorations is expected to reach a record $12.2 billion. Swift costumes, however, are not on the top 10 list, which for children is topped by Spider-Man, princess, ghost, superhero and witch. The adult list is similar, with witch, vampire and Barbie taking the top spots, followed by Batman, cat and zombie.
Taylor may not have made the NRF list, but even the august New York Times predicted last week that while Barbie outfits are sure to be everywhere, Swift-Kelce costumes are poised to steal the plastic couple’s thunder in what the paper deemed an “October surprise”; it’s worth noting that SAG-AFTRA discouraged its striking members from dressing up as characters from major movie studio productions in solidarity with the ongoing actors’ strike.
The Times spoke to a number of small, Etsy-style retailers, who said that requests for the hottest pop-pigskin costumes were “surging” in the lead-up to Tuesday. “I’m up until 3 or 4 in the morning every night, customizing bodysuits,” said Etsy creator Angela George, who sold more than 300 pieces inspired by Swift in October alone.
With traditional Halloween retailers such as Halloween Express and Spirit Halloween offering no official (or even generic knock-off) Swift-related merch, Amazon — which declined to comment for this story — lists dozens of Swift-adjacent items when search terms include the singer’s name and Halloween. Among the products that come up are a number of looks parroting Swift’s stage costumes from the Eras Tour, including a flowing blue cape with hood, a shoulder-length wig with blonde bangs, “Tay Tay Cheerleader” outfits, top hats, heart-shaped sunglasses, sequined black shorts and a number of shiny dresses with flapper-like fringe.
As a bonus, many Swifties still have their Eras Tour costumes/outfits in their closets, so some might not have to look very far for inspiration, with the Times noting that throwing on a red Chiefs-style jersey and a fake mustache is pretty light lifting for couples who insist on dressing up together for parties. Another Etsy creator told the Times that she started selling a red “Taylor’s Boyfriend” jersey in September and it quickly became her best seller.
Swift is the leading finalist with nods in 20 categories at the 2023 Billboard Music Awards. You can watch the BBMAs here, and via Billboard and the BBMA’s social media channels on Nov. 19.
Despite picking up the inaugural MTV Video Music Award for best afrobeats (“Calm Down,” with Rema) and scoring her 13th top 10 hit on Pop Airplay with “Single Soon,” Selena Gomez says she’s taking a step back from social media. In a message shared to her Instagram Story on Monday evening (Oct. 30), the “Love […]
Zayn Malik had already been dreaming of making a splash in the non-alcoholic beverage industry before Kristina Roth came into the mix. All he needed was the right partner, and Roth — who last year founded Mixoloshe, a brand dedicated to mimicking adult drinks minus the hangover — fit that bill.
Now, the ex-boy-bander is the new co-owner and chief creative officer of the company. He and Roth announced the joint venture last week, at the same time unveiling Malik’s first-ever original flavor of “boozy without the booze” mock-seltzer: Lychee Martini, a fruity but floral pain-free potion described as having enough sparkle to “make a unicorn jump with joy.” Boasting 45 calories, the drink’s sleek black can is printed with designs based on the “Pillowtalk” singer’s full-body blend of bad boy tattoos.
Coming into fruition just as Malik polishes up his next batch of new music, the partnership was first teased in the music video for his July single “Love Like This” with a brief shot of one of Mixoloshe’s brightly-colored spritzers.
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“These drinks offer an array of benefits, from a healthier lifestyle to being more inclusive for various occasions,” the star tells Billboard. “I want to ensure that everyone feels comfortable and empowered to choose them without judgment.”
Below, Malik teases his upcoming new music, shares his goals for “disrupting” the non-alcoholic beverage industry and the beginnings of his partnership with Mixoloshe:
We’re told you’re busy this week in the studio. Can you give us an update on any new music?
I’m putting the finishing touches on it right now, I’m ready for this to be shared with the world. Excited and ready.
Take us through the timeline of your partnership with MIXOLOSHE. Their website says you started as a fan of their products — did you then reach out to the company with the idea of working together?
My journey into the non-alcoholic beverage industry began about six months ago when I was introduced to Kristina. I’d been interested in this industry for years, primarily due to its potential for innovation and creativity. At the same time, Kristina was actively seeking a creative partner to bring fresh ideas into her venture. In June, we officially joined forces, and we wasted no time getting down to work.
Did MIXOLOSHE’s female leadership in particular motivate you to join the company?
After hearing about Kristina, and meeting her, I was really excited about her passion and drive for the brand. Her business skills spoke for themselves, but the product still had to speak to me in different ways, and it did. Mixoloshe, its goals, its products, its positioning in the marketplace, all of it was aligned with what I wanted to jump into.
As a man, what do you hope to add to a business led and founded by women?
I think it’s just about bringing my very best to the company in every way I can, and that’s what I’m going to strive to do. We lift each other up and that’s what I love about the partnership. Sharing and embracing each other’s skills and talents. Collaboration is key, our joint aim is to deliver the very best for our Mixoloshe customer. If people are going to spend their hard earned money on our drinks I want them to be the very best in the game.
As a musician, what perspective do you hope to bring to MIXOLOSHE that the company may not have considered before your partnership?
I believe there’s a strong parallel between making music and making cocktails, and that’s the importance of striking the right balance to create harmony. The art of creating the perfect music and achieving the perfect sensory harmony are intertwined, in my opinion, as both require a careful balance and a keen sense of creativity. When you’re composing music, every note and instrument must come together in just the right way. Similarly, in the world of cocktails, it’s essential to blend different elements and flavors to create a perfect taste experience.
Zayn Malik
Dennis Leupold for MIXOLOSHE
You’ve said that the non-alcoholic beverage market is “ready for disruption.” What do you mean by “disruption,” and how do you plan to bring it?
Disruption in the non-alcoholic space is driven by innovation. Creating unique flavors that can rival their alcoholic counterparts is a game-changer. Consumers are increasingly seeking exciting taste experiences in the non-alcoholic realm.
Secondly, the quality of ingredients used in these beverages is paramount. Using premium, natural, and sustainable ingredients not only elevates the product but also meets the growing demand for healthier, conscious choices. Finally, affordability plays a crucial role in ensuring broad accessibility for our brand. Innovation in the non-alcoholic category should not only be limited to high-end products but should include options that are affordable for a wide range of customers.
Why non-alcoholic drinks? Why are sober alternatives to alcohol personally important to you and your life?
I have such a busy work schedule so I have to be switched on. I’m always trying new sodas/flavored waters, all types of drinks that are refreshing and still fun. The chance to create my own with tastes I think are missing in the current market in the way we’re delivering them with our brand is really special.
I’ve also really loved the idea that this category brings people together, no matter their drink choice. I’m all about that, and it feels good to be providing a high end product at an accessible price, which was really important for me.
What do you want your fans to understand about this new venture?
My commitment to eliminating the stigma around non-alcoholic beverages. Non-alcoholic options should not be reserved solely for those who don’t drink, and the idea that non-alcoholic beverages are exclusively for “sober” individuals is a stereotype that I’m determined to challenge. My commitment lies in both innovation and social change, creating an environment where enjoying a non-alcoholic beverage is a choice, not a label, and where these drinks become a vibrant and celebrated part of the beverage landscape.
Do you see this as a stepping stone to becoming someone like Rihanna, Jay-Z, or Justin Timberlake, all of whom are moguls that started out as musicians?
All of them have had great success, and it’s been incredible to see. I’m on my own journey though, I don’t like to look left and right. I’m on my own path from Bradford to wherever it takes me next!