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The producers behind the 2023 Academy Awards revealed in a new interview Monday (March 13) just how Lady Gaga‘s performance came together at the eleventh hour.
As reported ahead of the awards show, the Oscar-winning pop star was originally not slated to perform due to her busy schedule filming the upcoming Joker sequel Folie à Deux opposite Joaquin Phoenix. However, that changed the morning of the show, when she was announced as a last-minute performer in a surprise about-face.
“Honestly, and this is not to pat ourselves on the back, because we’re very bad at that, but we’ve built up trust in the relationship with Gaga over the years,” Oscars executive producer Ricky Kirshner told The Hollywood Reporter. “I did the Super Bowl with her and Glenn has done many awards shows with her, including the ‘Shallow’ performance on the Oscars.
“She really wanted to do something,” he continued. “She honestly was shooting her movie — there was no trickery involved. And Thursday, at four-something, we got a text that she wanted to try something, didn’t have time to put together a big performance, but wanted it to be raw and people to see the real Gaga, and, with a voice like that, you don’t need much more than that.”
Mother Monster’s resulting performance of her best original song nominee “Hold My Hand” was far from a grandiose spectacle, with the singer opting instead to wear a simple black T-shirt and ripped jeans to run through a stripped-down rendering of the Top Gun: Maverick track. “It’s deeply personal for me, and I think that we all need each other. We need a lot of love to walk through this life,” she told the audience before launching into the song.
Revisit Gaga’s latest Oscars performance below.
Looking for some motivation to help power you through the start of another work week? We feel you, and with some stellar new pop tunes, we’ve got you covered.
These 10 tracks from artists including d4vd, Hatchie, Christine and the Queens and more will get you energized to take on the week. Pop any of these gems into your personal playlists — or scroll to the end of the post for a custom playlist of all of our pop favorites for 2023!
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d4vd, “Worthless”
Quick-rising newcomer d4vd continues his hot streak of successful singles, including “Romantic Homicide” and “Here With Me,” with “Worthless,” an exasperated alt-rock song that shows the artist’s vocal range. “It’s easier said than done / I’m trying to find my purpose,” the Houston teen sings — but to those on the outside looking in, it’s clear he already has. — Lyndsey Havens
Christine and the Queens, “To be honest”
French indie-pop auteur Christine and the Queens is gearing up for an epic 20-track album titled PARANOÏA, ANGELS, TRUE LOVE, co-produced with Mike Dean. Yet for as ambitious as the project sounds, lead single “To be honest” doesn’t over-exert itself — its genius is in the subtle, ominous pull of the production, which creates a perfect canvas for honest confessions like “I’m trying to love, but I’m afraid to kill.” — L.H.
Angel Olsen, “Nothing’s Free”
Acclaimed singer-songwriter Angel Olsen’s latest is familiarly chilling, as “Nothing’s Free” showcases what she does best: create space. For as soft as the song is, it’s equally intimidating in the way in which it takes its time, leaving plenty of room for big breaths and horn solos galore. — L.H.
Softee, “Isn’t Enough”
DIY pop artist Softee — the moniker of singer-songwriter and actress Nina Grollman — will soon release her second album, Natural, much of which she wrote while recovering from a breakup over Christmas. Current single “Isn’t Enough,” a slinky and intimate mid-tempo track, puts listeners right there with her, encouraging an empowered sing-along on lines like, “All along, I loved you, oh it wasn’t fake / But I need to love myself in my space.” — L.H.
Hatchie feat. Liam Benzvi, “Rooftops”
“I watch the sunset melt from the rooftop,” Hatchie and Liam Benzvi sing together on “Rooftops,” “Smile as the clouds roll over the sea.” It’s a serene image, and the song around those words is just as breathtaking: a new track from the deluxe edition of Hatchie’s great 2022 album Giving the World Away, “Rooftops” embraces a ‘90s alternative jangle and lush, languid harmonies to become a highlight of an expanded project. – Jason Lipshutz
Nation of Language, “Sole Obsession”
Brooklyn trio Nation of Language has previewed their upcoming album Strange Disciple with the hard-knocking, jittery “Sole Obsession,” which cloaks its emotional vulnerability in an avalanche of synthesizer and a rapid tempo. The hooks satisfy, but the song’s true power comes in the slow fade, as all of the neon-colored noise dissipates into a silence that begs to be broken. – J. Lipshutz
Echosmith, “Hindsight”
A decade removed from “Cool Kids,” Echosmith is still releasing highly enjoyable pop-rock, and a single like “Hindsight” demonstrates just how much Sydney Sierota has evolved as a vocalist since the group’s breakout single. “Reminisce too much to look forward / I get out of reverse when I know it’s true,” she sings, her melancholy enveloping every word as an electric guitar pokes its head up into the mix. – J. Lipshutz
Nicole Han, “Nerve”
Over spacey, pillowy beats, Nicole Han delivers pointed post-breakup barbs (“I don’t know how / you’re happier than you deserve / I’m a lesson that you never learned”) in a soft but resolute cadence on “Nerve.” The Orange County singer-songwriter’s pen recalls Olivia Rodrigo’s diaristic lyrics, but the ethereal chorus is pure Taylor Swift. – Joe Lynch
Misha Biork, “In Your Head”
Little is known about Misha Biork, who released a string of singles throughout 2022 before returning at the top of the year with new material. His latest offering, “In Your Head,” uses the elements of nature to provide an atmospheric instrumental, heightened by D’n’B and breakcore bits to match the frantic pace of an overthinking mind. – Starr Bowenbank
Baby Storme, “Painkillers”
“If I pause my breathing, would that make it stop?” Baby Storme opens her latest track, “Painkillers.” The emotive track sees the New York native grappling with an overflow of emotions that she’s unable to cope with, while the track’s sparse instrumentals — gossamer-like synth, thumping beats and delicate piano — complements her soft vocal delivery, as her feelings fall to the floor in delicate ribbons. – S.B.
Welcome to Swift City! On Monday (March 13), Mayor Jerry Weiers of Glendale, Ariz., officially renamed the city to honor the kickoff of Taylor Swift‘s The Eras Tour this weekend.
“And now therefore, I, Jerry P. Weiers, mayor of the city of Glendale, on behalf of our city council, do hereby proclaim that on March 17 and 18, 2023, the city of Glendale will be renamed Swift City,” he said in a ceremonial press conference to share the news before sneaking in a couple of lyrical references. “And all Swifties are encouraged to share their smiles that could light up this whole town on all the social media platforms because the best people in life are free.”
After the back-to-back shows at the newly christened Swift City’s State Farm Arena, Swift will chart a course to Las Vegas; Arlington, Tex.; Tampa, Fla.; Houston; Atlanta and beyond.
On the same day that Glendale became Swift City, the superstar also launched a new tour-centric portal on her official website, complete with access to The Eras Tour merch, personalized playlists, countdowns to each and every stop on the tour and more.
GAYLE, who will be opening the Arizona shows along with Paramore, recently shared her own reaction to the “Anti-Hero” singer asking her to come on the tour. “It just means the world to me and it just was really validating for me, and especially at a very overwhelming time,” the “abcdefu” singer said in an interview with Apple Music 1. “I had no clue what I was going to do this year. I was like, ‘Oh my God, I had the best year of my life. What am I going to do next year?’ And she was like, ‘Here’s something to add to your calendar.’”
Watch Mayor Weiers temporarily re-christen his town from Glendale to Swift City below.
CARATs, are you ready? SEVENTEEN is gearing up to release new music sometime next month, the K-pop group’s label, Pledis Entertainment, confirmed in a statement Monday (March 13).
“K-pop stage-breakers SEVENTEEN hinted at yet another grand year ahead as they wrapped up their three-day fan meet ‘2023 SVT 7TH FAN MEETING,’” the statement read. “In celebration of the close bond between SEVENTEEN and their fans — CARATs — the band delivered for-hour shows dedicated to the fans and revealed plans for their next album set to drop in April.”
The confirmation from Pledis about SEVENTEEN’s forthcoming music comes after group member S.Coups revealed the news during the first of three nights in the 2023 SEVENTEEN in Carat Land fan meeting in Seoul. “Some day in April, we will be back with a great album. We will be back to make your April great,” he said during a break in the set in a fan-captured video.
According to a press release, the band also confirmed by telling fans, “We are releasing our next album in April. We’re proud of our work, and we promise it will be a month to remember.”
SEVENTEEN has not released music as a group since July, with the re-released version Face the Sun, the K-pop stars’ repackaged album SECTOR 17. Face the Sun peaked at No. 7 on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart, and peaked three spots higher at No. 4.
While fans will have to wait for details regarding SEVENTEEN’s next album release, there are a few events in the works for the group later in spring. The SEVENTEEN 2023 JAPAN FAN MEETING ‘LOVE’ will hit Japan in May, taking over Kyocera Dome Osaka and Tokyo Dome across four dates.
The 2023 Academy Awards took over Hollywood on Sunday night (March 12) with star-studded musical offerings by Rihanna, Lady Gaga and more for the best original song performances by the nominees.
The Super Bowl Halftime Show performer hit the stage in a custom Maison Margiela Artisanal outfit designed especially for her by John Galliano for the live debut of the Oscar-nominated “Lift Me Up,” one of her two offerings on the soundtrack to Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
Meanwhile, Mother Monster took the opposite route by stripping down to a simple black tee, ripped jeans and a makeup-free face for her last-minute performance of “Hold My Hand” from Top Gun: Maverick. “It’s deeply personal for me, and I think that we all need each other,” she said prior to launching into the song as the camera zoomed in for the closest of close-ups on her face. “We need a lot of love to walk through this life. And we all need a hero sometimes, there’s heroes all around us in unassuming places. But you might find that you can be your own hero, even if you feel broken inside.”
Elsewhere during the ceremony, 14-time nominee Diane Warren accompanied Sofia Carson through “Applause” from the anthology film Tell It Like a Woman, and eventual best original song winner “Naatu Naatu” from RRR became the biggest song-and-dance spectacle of the evening led by Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava.
Plus David Byrne teamed up with best supporting actress nominee Stephanie Hsu and Son Lux for a trippy, cerebral take on “This Is a Life” from fan favorite Everything Everywhere All at Once — giant hot dog fingers included.
Besides the performances of the best original song nominees, Lenny Kravitz soundtracked this year’s In Memoriam segment with his 2004 single “Calling All Angels.”
Watch each of the performances at the 2023 Oscars below.
J-Hope has gone where no other BTS member has tread — into the U.K. top 40 as a solo artist.
The K-pop star (real name Jung Ho-seok) makes an impact on the Official U.K. Singles Chart, published March 10, with “On The Street,” his collaboration with U.S. rapper J. Cole.
“On The Street” sneaks into the top 40, at No. 37, for the South Korean artist’s first solo appearance in the top tier, and the first for any single member of BTS.
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He’s not the first to try. Among the K-pop superstars’ solo efforts, Jungkook’s “Stay Alive” (No. 89), Jin’s “The Astronaut” (No. 61) and RM’s “Indigo” (No. 45) all charted, though none entered the top frame, the Official Charts Company reports.
The seven-piece, which has been on hiatus since 2022, has collectively scored nine top 40s on the U.K. singles chart, including four top 10s. And on the albums chart, J-Hope, Jin, Suga, RM, Jimin, V and Jungkook have together landed eight top 40s, including U.K. No. 1s for 2019’s Map of the Soul – Persona and 2020’s Map of the Soul – 7.
“On the Street” is J-Hope’s first new solo song since hopping on “Rush Hour” with Korean R&B singer Crush. He has a string of previously-released standalone efforts, “More” and “Arson,” from his 2022 solo album Jack in the Box; the 2019 standalone collaboration with Becky G, “Chicken Noodle Soup”; and a solo mixtape from 2018, Hope World.
J-Hope has had a busy year outside of his regular duties with the all-conquering BTS. His Disney+ documentary, J-Hope in the Box, is now streaming, he was recent named as ambassador for the luxury brand Louis Vuitton; and last month became the second BTS member, following Jin, to enlist for South Korea’s military military service.
All able-bodied male South Korean citizens must serve in the armed forces for at least 18 months — including the members of BTS — though the length of service may vary. Draft begins in the year they turn 18 but the men may postpone it until age 28. In December 2020, the South Korean National Assembly passed the so-called “BTS law” to allow K-pop entertainers to postpone the service until the age of 30, with a recommendation from the culture minister. In another bonus for ARMY, the lads will be free to participate in “national” events for the “public good,” according to the Korea Times.
Lady Gaga was full of surprises when she appeared at the 2023 Oscars, delivering an unexpected performance and offering a helping hand to an unfortunate photographer.
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Proving her Mother Monster instincts are strong, Gaga was first to the scene when, while walking the red carpet, a photog appeared to take a tumble.
Footage shared by Access Hollywood shows the “Poker Face” star taking a sharp left turn for the guest, then heading over to check on his condition. After exchanging some words, Gaga appears to give the man a clean bill of health, adjusts her game face and rejoins the party.
It was just another moment in a big day for Gaga, who wasn’t initially expected to a big part of the Oscars, where her song “Hold My Hand” from Top Gun: Maverick was nominated for best original song.
Earlier, Oscars executive producer and showrunner Glenn Weiss stated that Gaga would not be performing, due to the demands of her co-starring role in the Joker: Folie à Deux, which is currently shooting.
Surprise! Gaga did hit the stage for a stripped-down rendition of the action-film anthem.
“I wrote this song with my friend BloodPop for the film Top Gun: Maverick in my studio basement,” she said at the top of her performance. “It’s deeply personal for me, and I think that we all need each other. We need a lot of love to walk through this life, and we all need a hero sometimes. There’s heroes all around us, in unassuming places, but you might find that you can be your own hero even if you feel broken inside.”
There was another surprise to come when the award went to “Naatu Naatu” from RRR, with music by M. M. Keeravani and lyrics by Chandrabose.
Gaga previously won the Oscar for best original song at the 2019 Academy Awards, for her Hot 100-topping Bradley Cooper duet “Shallow” from A Star Is Born.
Watch Gaga’s red carpet assist below.
TWICE‘s Ready to Be has topped this week’s new music poll.
Music fans voted in a poll published Friday (March 10) on Billboard, choosing the group’s latest project as their favorite new music release of the past week.
Ready to Be brought in more than 58% of the vote, beating out new music from Miley Cyrus, Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding, and more.
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K-pop stars TWICE dropped Ready to Be, their 12th mini album, on March 10, after receiving the Breakthrough Artist honor at the 2023 Billboard Women in Music Awards on March 1.
“We are ready to show more of our beautiful inner side to the world and ready to show more of ourselves,” Tzuyu shared with Billboard on the red carpet, chatting about Ready to Be. TWICE will be embarking on a world tour in April.
Trailing behind Ready to Be on the fan-voted poll is Miley Cyrus’ Endless Summer Vacation, with 29% of the vote, and Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding’s “Miracle,” with 9% of the vote.
See the final results of this week’s poll below.
Justin Bieber popped onto Instagram this weekend to share some sunny snapshots with his wife, Hailey Bieber, following weeks of internet gossip related to an alleged feud between Hailey and his ex-girlfriend Selena Gomez.
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In a pair of photos uploaded on Sunday (March 12), Hailey is seen embracing Justin on a boat, snuggling with him in swimwear.
“LUV U BABY,” Justin captioned his post.
Hailey commented on photos with an emoji of hands making a heart.
The model had recently made headlines along with Gomez over drama stemming from various social media posts.
Last week, Gomez — who saw a boost in on-demand U.S. audio streams amid the chatter — encouraged her followers to be more empathetic. “Please, please be kinder and consider others’ mental health,” Selena said on a makeup tutorial via via TikTok. “My heart has been heavy and I only want good for everyone. All my love.”
See Justin and Hailey’s new Instagram snapshots below.
Adele caught Shakira‘s live collab with Bizarrap on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and had some thoughts about it — which she shared with her own audience in Vegas this weekend.
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Shakira brought her latest global hit, her Bizarrap-produced, post-breakup diss track “Music Sessions Vol. 53,” to Fallon’s late-night show Friday night (March 10). The Colombian star delivered a fired-up live take of the personal track, closely surrounded by fans.
On Saturday night, Adele interacted with her own fans at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, one of whom happened to name Shakira as one of her favorite artists when Adele asked.
“Oh, I saw her performance last night on Jimmy Fallon … Oh, her ex-husband’s in trouble!” Adele said with a cackle. (Slight correction: Shakira and her ex partner Gerard Piqué were together for 11 years and have two children together, but they were not married.)
In her interview with Fallon on Friday, Shakira said that she knew the song — which throws jabs at Piqué and his new love interest, and has broken 14 Guinness World Records — would be a hit.
“I started to feel it in my body, you know,” Shak said. “I usually have this visceral sort of physical reaction to music.”
Hear Adele chatting about Shakira, and watch the performance of “Music Sessions Vol. 53,” below.
