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The White House announced on Thursday (April 13) that President Joe Biden has tapped Lady Gaga to co-chair his Committee on the Arts and the Humanities.
Mother Monster will share her position as co-chair of the committee with Hollywood producer and Oscar winner Bruce Cohen, while the likes of Kerry Washington, Jon Batiste, George Clooney, Jennifer Garner, Troy Kotsur, Shonda Rhimes, Marta Kauffman and more will join them as committee members.
“Welcome newly appointed members of the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, led by @BruceCohen83 and @ladygaga!” the official committee Twitter account shared. “We look forward to partnering to positively impact the arts, libraries, museums, and humanities work across the country.”
Gaga retweeted the news of her appointment, writing, “Thank you @POTUS @PCAHgov,” and her Little Monsters’ reactions ranged from patriotic and proud to hilariously confused. “President Stefani Germanotta,” one tweeted alongside a photo of the singer making her grand entrance at President Biden’s inauguration, where she sang the national anthem. Meanwhile, another gleefully admitted, “I don’t know what this means but slay.”
The PCAH was created by executive order in 1982 and, according to a release, functions to “advise the President on cultural policy” in order to “enhance federal support for the arts, humanities, and museum and library services.”
Read the announcement from the White House and Gaga’s reaction below.
Welcome newly appointed members of the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, led by @BruceCohen83 and @ladygaga! We look forward to partnering to positively impact the arts, libraries, museums, and humanities work across the country. https://t.co/bbhZje2Rwm— President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities (@PCAHgov) April 13, 2023
5 Seconds of Summer reimagined and brought a heightened sense of emotion to their expansive discography last year, when they performed a number of hits backed by a string orchestra and gospel choir at the world-famous Royal Albert Hall in London.
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For those who were unable to catch the captivating show in person, the four-piece group gifted fans with the announcement that they will be releasing a studio version of the performance, titled The Feeling of Falling Upwards – Live From the Royal Albert Hall, digitally on Friday (April 14).
“We started out as a live band. Our live performances are the best representation of what we had to offer,” bassist Calum Hood tells Billboard of 5SOS’ decision to release their concert as a live album.
Guitarist Michael Clifford agreed, adding, “We came off stage and we were like, that was probably one of the best shows we’ve ever played in our whole lives. Immortalizing it with this album is going to be special, not only for us but also the people who weren’t there.”
Singer Luke Hemmings, who loved the word “immortalized” for the album concept, joked with a laugh, “5SOS Immortalized: The Live Show is definitely the title here.”
The Feeling of Falling Upwards includes reimagined versions of 17 songs from their decade-long careers, plus new songs from their freshly released fifth studio album 5SOS5. “For some of the older songs, it was a bit emotional,” Hemmings shared, mentioning “Outer Space/Carry On” off the group’s sophomore album, Sounds Good Feels Good. “We’ve played it live before, but not like this […] it really leveled up. That’s a song we don’t ever play live and we probably won’t ever again because we won’t play be able to play it as good as we did at the show.”
While riding the nostalgia wave, 5 Second of Summer also pondered the evolution of bands in today’s music industry, with drummer Ashton Irwin noting that the skillset is the biggest difference between past groups and emerging ones. “I think of bands now as mixed media groups, really,” he explains. “It’s not really a guitar, drummer, bassist, singer. It’s more like graphic designer, marketing guy, dude who is good at business and really good top liner.”
“I’ve never looked at it like that,” Hood replies with a laugh.
Hemmings concluded by giving some advice to up-and-coming rock bands, encouraging them to focus on the “basics” of their musicality. “A group or artist’s career will have ebbs and flows, and I feel like if you can rely on whatever your thing is — whether you’re a singer, keyboard player, writer or producer — being able to fall back on those staple ingredients will get you through anything,” he shares. “That’s always been important for us when we have to figure stuff out. We always have these tools to fall back on.”
The group, who is set to go on tour this summer, also shared their Live From the Royal Albert Hall performance of “Youngblood” exclusively with Billboard, in which they sing a slowed down, cinematic version of their 2018 album’s title track, with a haunting string section amplifying the chorus.
Watch it below.
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Candace Owens took aim at Lizzo‘s appearance this week, and the pop star’s fans stepped in to defend her from the firebrand’s body-shaming commentary.
The drama started when the conservative author blasted Lizzo for posting a nearly nude photo of herself on social media, writing, “If you peep comments on any of Lizzo’s ‘fat acceptance’ photos, you will undoubtedly find a score of batsh– insane women telling her that she looks beautiful. Men do not lie to other men in this way. They do not pretend that clinical obesity is beauty.”
Naturally, Lizzo’s loyal fandom didn’t take kindly to Owens’ inflammatory and unkind rhetoric — in the preceding tweet, she also accused women of “supporting their own eradication via support for ‘trans men’” — and surged onto social media to clap back.
“Not Candace Owens calling Lizzo insecure???!!!!!” one replied while a second wrote, “I was having a good day until this popped up in my feed.”
Others more openly pushed back against Owens’ statements, commenting, “The point is about acceptance and love. Words you seem to have difficulty embracing in your life” and “But size has nothing to do with beauty. Lizzo is beautiful.”
While Lizzo hasn’t directly responded to Owens, she’s currently using her platform in partnership with the Dove Self-Esteem Project to combat the negative impact of harmful beauty standards across social media. “I DONT NEED SOCIAL MEDIA…SOCIAL MEDIA NEEDS ME,” she shared on Twitter and Instagram hours after Owens’ rude remarks went viral.
Taylor Swift made yet another generous donation to a Florida food bank on Thursday (April 13) ahead of bringing The Eras Tour to Tampa.
In an Instagram post on Thursday, Feeding Tampa Bay announced that the “Anti-Hero” singer had made a significant contribution. “Thank you @taylorswift for being a HERO and supporting Feeding Tampa Bay’s mission to end hunger by 2025!” the nonprofit organization wrote in a caption beneath a close-up of Swift’s multi-colored tour poster. “Your generosity will place over 125,000 meals on tables!”
Swifties praised their queen for the private act of kindness in the comments section, with one writing, “Incredible human. Very humble and generous. Loves her fans and cities she goes to.” Another declared Swift “The people’s Princess.” A third Swiftie laughingly commented, “AND SHES THE MAYOR YALL,” citing Tampa Mayor Jane Castor bestowing the singer with the title of honorary mayor during her visit and giving her a key to the city.
The donations continue Swift’s recent giving streak, which started with similar gifts at food banks in both Arizona and Las Vegas along the tour route late last month.
Though Taylor is gearing up for three consecutive shows at Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium, the Hillsborough County superintendent tried to use the singer’s own songs to craft a public letter warning students not to miss school to attend the “AMAZING” three-hour spectacle.
The Tampa shows will also be the first time Tay hits the stage following the news that she and Joe Alwyn had officially broken up after more than six years together.
Check out Feeding Tampa Bay’s grateful shout-out to Swift for her donation below.
No need to get anxious! Niall Horan shared the news on Thursday (April 13) that his next single “Meltdown” is on its way.
“I’m so happy to let you know that my new single ‘Meltdown’ is out on April 28,” the former One Direction-er wrote on Twitter. “The song is basically about feeling anxious and being in that kind of freaking out moment but knowing deep down that everything will be alright.”
In the shadow-strewn cover art, he wears a troubled look as he leans against an old radiator, dressed in shades of creamy neutrals.
“Meltdown,” which fans can pre-save until its release at the end of the month, will serve as the second preview off Horan’s forthcoming third solo album, The Show. So far, lead single “Heaven” has spent six weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 62.
In a recent interview with Esquire, the Irish pop star revealed that he regularly sends his unreleased music to his former One Direction bandmates for feedback. He most recently tapped Louis Tomlinson for his “honest opinion” on The Show, which is slated for release on June 9 via Capitol Records.
Meanwhile, Horan continues to battle it out as a coach on his very first season of The Voice. Last week, Team Niall’s Jerome Goodwin III and Talia Smith went head to head in the Battle Rounds by duetting on Sam Smith’s 2014 “Like I Can.” And though she lost the match, the latter ultimately emerged as the night’s big winner when she used her final moments on the stage to reveal she was pregnant.
Read Horan’s “Meltdown” announcement and check out the single’s cover art below.
I’m so happy to let you know that my new single “Meltdown” is out on April 28. The song is basically about feeling anxious and being in that kind of freaking out moment but knowing deep down that everything will be alright. Pre-save now https://t.co/2EqDIYp0dt pic.twitter.com/15oertwW95— Niall Horan (@NiallOfficial) April 13, 2023
Mariah Carey‘s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” was inducted into the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry on Wednesday (April 12), and the icon celebrated the honor on social media.
“I’m honored beyond belief!” she wrote on both Twitter and Instagram about the special news. “I definitely did not even imagine this would happen when writing and recording this song! Thank you so much Ms. Hayden and the @librarycongress.”
Carey also shared a snippet of an interview she did with the Library of Congress, telling chief communications officer Roswell Encina, “This is major and this is so gratifying to me as an artist, as a songwriter, of course. You know, you can’t, like, come up with this. I wasn’t sitting there writing lyrics like, ‘I’m going to be in all these places and my song’s gonna mean something to people every Christmas.’ I had no idea, I just wrote from my heart what I wanted. So thank you for including me in this incredible company and the whole situation, thank you.”
The perennial holiday classic indeed finds itself in good company, with the National Recording Registry also inducting the likes of Madonna’s Like a Virgin, Eurythmics’ “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This),” Daddy Yankee’s “Gasolina,” the Super Mario Bros. theme, John Lennon’s “Imagine,” Queen Latifah’s All Hail the Queen and more.
According to the Library of Congress, the 25 recordings were selected for induction “based on their cultural, historical or aesthetic importance in the nation’s recorded sound heritage.”
Check out Mariah’s ecstatic reaction to her latest honor below.
As usual, Rihanna looked stunning at a recent event for Fenty Beauty. While promoting new products and celebrating her brand’s partnership with Ulta, the 35-year-old Grammy winner stepped out wearing all white from head to toe, complete with a snug undershirt that showed off her baby bump.
The “Umbrella” singer, who’s currently expecting baby No. 2 with A$AP Rocky, took her monochrome moment very seriously, pairing her white denim jacket and skirt with matching heels, earrings and eyeshadow. Known for rocking looks that challenge the norms of maternity clothing, Ri chose a low-waisted skirt that proudly put her bump on display.
Photos and videos from the event were posted on Fenty Beauty’s official account Wednesday (April 12), along with clips of the mogul making a surprise onstage appearance to present her Glass Slipper gloss at the Ulta Beauty: Be Your Own Kind of Beautiful conference. “I had to see you guys in person,” she told screaming fans, later blowing a kiss to the crowd.
“You guys have been so supportive of the Fenty brand,” she continued. “Ever since we launched at Ulta Beauty, I wanted to show up in person and thank you.”
The outing comes just one day after RiRi gave fans a glimpse into her first Easter with her first child, an 11-month-old son she shares with Rocky. The musician posted photos of the little boy adorably petting baby bunnies and gnawing on colorful eggs, gushing, “Look at heeeeee!!!!”
See snaps of Rihanna showing off her baby bump at Ulta’s Fenty Beauty event below:
Former Nickelodeon star Drake Bell is missing and considered in danger, according to an alert issued by the Daytona Beach Police Department on Thursday morning (April 13). In a missing person’s Facebook post, the DBPD said officers are looking for Bell (born Jared Bell), 36, who they said could be traveling in a 2022 gray BMW, which was last seen in the Daytona Beach, Fla, area around 9 p.m. on Wednesday (April 12).
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The alert says that Bell is “considered missing and endangered.” Bell is best known as the star of the Nickelodeon shows Drake & Josh and The Amanda Show, as well as appearances in the network’s The Fairly OddParents films and for a series of albums released in the early and mid-2000s. His most recent LP was 2014’s rockabilly themed Ready Steady Go!, which debuted at No. 182 on the Billboard 200 album chart. At press time, spokespeople for Bell and the DBPD had not returned Billboard‘s requests for additional comment.
In July 2021, Bell was sentenced to two years’ probation in connection with child endangerment charges related to an underage girl he met online who attended several of his concerts when she was 15. Bell had pleaded guilty a month earlier to felony attempted child endangerment and a misdemeanor charge of disseminating matter harmful to juveniles. The singer/actor was ordered to serve probation and do 200 hours of community service in California.
Officials ask anyone who has seen Bell or has any information about his current whereabouts to contact Det. Jayson Wallace at (386) 671-5207.
See the DBPD post below.
Céline Dion is back in her love overload lane on the moving title track to the upcoming Nick Jonas/Priyanka Chopra romantic drama Love Again. The singer dropped the song on Thursday morning (April 13), in which she softly sings, “Cuz you don’t have to move a mountain, just keep moving/ Every move is a new emotion/ And you don’t have to find the answers, just keep trying/ The sun will rise again/ The storms subside again/ This is not the end/ And you will love again.”
The gentle piano and acoustic guitar track was written by Dan Wilson and Rosaileen Scher (and produced by Wilson) and it features Dion, 55, singing the emotional lyrics, “Summer rain, day by day, sadness fades, the wound is healing/ And time goes by, the eyes will dry and you will find someone to heal with.”
The track will appear in the upcoming film in which Chopra plays Mira Ray, a woman mourning the loss of her fiancé who uses texts to feel connected to him following his death. A trailer that dropped on Valentine’s Day showed Chopra’s Mira trying to move on by going on her first date since his death in which she’s set up with a character played by her real-life husband Jonas. “Maybe we should just take it slow,” she says as they try an awkward first kiss in the back of a cab. Dion also co-stars in the film as herself and acting as a guide to journalist Rob Burns (Sam Heughan), who connects with Mira after she accidentally texts him.
“Love Again” is the first new music from Dion since she revealed in December that she is suffering from the rare neurological disorder Stiff-Person Syndrome. “As you know, I’ve always been an open book. And I wasn’t ready to say anything before,” Dion said in a solemn clip in which she revealed her diagnosis. “But I’m ready now… ’I’ve been dealing with problems with my health for a long time, and it’s been really difficult for me to face these challenges and to talk about everything that I’ve been going through.”
Stiff-Person Syndrome causes muscle rigidity in the trunk and limbs and a heightened sensitivity to stimuli such as noise, touch, and emotional distress, which can set off muscle spasms according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
Due to the severe muscle spasms that Dion said “affect every aspect of my daily life,” she announced that she could not re-start her tour in Europe in February as planned. Subsequently, all of her spring 2023 dates were moved to 2024 and 8 of her summer 2023 shows were cancelled.
Love Again is due in theaters on May 12.
Listen to “Love Again” below.
Melanie Martinez and boygenius snag the top debuts on Billboard’s rock and alternative album charts dated April 15.
Martinez’s Portals opens at No. 1 on both Top Rock & Alternative Albums and Top Alternative Albums thanks to 142,000 equivalent album units earned, according to Luminate. Of that sum, 99,000 units are via album sales, while 42,000 come from streaming units, with the remaining 1,000 from track equivalent albums.
The sales and streaming counts are the best for any album on Top Rock & Alternative Albums in 2023.
Martinez notches her first No. 1 on the chart since it shifted to a model allowing for alternative-leaning albums not necessarily within the rock genre. On Top Alternative Albums, Portals becomes her third ruler, following K-12 in 2019 and Cry Baby in 2015.
On the all-genre Billboard 200, Portals starts at No. 2, Martinez’s best rank, surpassing the No. 3 debut and peak of K-12. She also earns her first leader on Top Album Sales.
Meanwhile, boygenius – the rock group consisting of Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus – starts at No. 1 on Top Rock Albums with its debut full-length The Record. It snagged 67,000 units, with 53,000 from album sales and 14,000 from streaming units.
The Record is boygenius’ first Top Rock Albums leader as well as the first No. 1 visit for any of the individual band members on the list. Baker boasted the previous best, with 2021’s Little Oblivions having debuted and peaked at No. 4.
The trio’s LP also starts at No. 2 on Top Rock & Alternative Albums and Top Alternative Albums, behind Martinez, as well as No. 1 on Americana/Folk Albums. Baker previous led the lattermost list with Little Oblivions.
On Vinyl Albums, The Record launches at No. 1 with 45,000 vinyl copies sold.
Both albums spur multiple appearances on the multi-metric Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart, paced by Martinez’s “Void,” which vaults 40-5 in its second week on the tally. In the March 31-April 6 tracking week, “Void” earned 8.7 million official U.S. streams and 100,000 radio audience impressions and sold 1,000 downloads. The former count gets Martinez onto the all-format Streaming Songs list for the first time, at No. 42.
In all, 13 Martinez songs reach Hot Rock & Alternative Songs, with the top debut of the group being “The Contortionist” at No. 10 (5.4 million streams).
Boygenius, meanwhile, sports four appearances on Hot Rock & Alternative Songs, led by “Not Strong Enough” at No. 33 (2.1 million streams, 952,000 audience impressions, 1,000 sold). “Strong” also rises into the top 10 of Adult Alternative Airplay at No. 10, marking the threesome’s first top 10, and 40-36 on Alternative Airplay.
