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On her promotional run for the movie musical Wicked, Ariana Grande has been talking a lot about how her starring role as Glinda is the gig of a lifetime. And while the singer has said she’s been basically prepping for this moment since she was in the single digits, that doesn’t mean she is taking it all so, so seriously.
Which might explain why on Thursday night (Nov. 14) when she dropped by The Tonight Show to talk up the movie that will hit theaters on Nov. 22, she was happy to have a bit of fun with one of the most beloved Wizard of Oz memes of all-time. In a clip posted a few hours before airtime captioned “Ariana Grande’s sister is a witch,” Grande and Fallon recreated the 2018 “THE WICKED WITCH OF THE EAST, BRO!” clip in which two men have a seriously heated discussion about whether Glinda the Good Witch is a princess or not.
In Ari’s hands, she is the overheated bro yelling, “Hold on, hold on, hold on. Her sister was a witch, right? And what was her sister? A princess, the wicked witch of the east, bro. You’re gonna look at me and you’re gonna tell me that I’m wrong? Am I wrong? She wore a crown and she came down in a bubble, Doug. Grow up bro, grow up.”
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Grande sold it like a champ, coming at Fallon hard while wearing a flowing pink gown as he stared at her in disbelief.
The singer later sat down with Fallon — with the long train on her ruffled dress taking up the rest of the couch — to talk about the movie, as well as her super-viral bit from her SNL hosting stint last month in which purposely, and hilariously, sang off-key in a sketch sending up Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso.”
Asked if it was hard to sing off-key, Grande said it was “really fun. I really enjoyed it… it was a bit we found in the moment.” Grande said she pitched it the writers, asking if it would be funnier if her vocals got “progressively worse” as the bit went on. Speaking of SNL, Grande also talked about helping to get current cast superstar Bowen Yang a spot in Wicked, calling his performance as Pfannee “absolutely brilliant… he killed it.”
She then recreated the call she had with SNL major domo Lorne Michaels — including a spot-on impersonation of the show boss’ dry persona — in which she nervously asked him if he could spare Yang. “In that moment I realized I don’t have what it takes to get this to happen,” Grande said. “But I did beg,” she added, describing how Yang would fly back-and-forth between SNL and the Wicked set to be a part of the two-part film.
Grande has already spoken quite a bit about how she was willing to put everything else on hold when she heard that director Jon M. Chu was turning the Broadway sensation into a movie musical, saying she knew she had to “earn” the part and was willing to put her music career on hold to prepare for the role she’d coveted since she was a girl.
Ready to take “all” the acting and singing lessons to train her voice to become a coloratura soprano, Grande recalled that she got huge support from Fallon as she was preparing to audition, which was also when she was recording the video for her collaboration with Jimmy on his holiday song “It Was a… (Masked Christmas),” also featuring Megan Thee Stallion.
Even with all the mental preparation she did beforehand, Grande said getting cast along with Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba sent her into overdrive. “When they called me to tell me I had the part, I had one heart attack,” Grande said. “That was the first one. And then they told me I was going to be playing opposite Cynthia Erivo, that was the second heart attack. And then I died and I’m dead. And I’m dead here. And I’m still dead.”
She also brought along a never-before-seen video of her first rehearsal for the show-stopping swinging chandelier bit in which she almost booted a stunt coordinator in the face as she flew around in circles.
Watch Grande on the Tonight Show below.
Taylor Swift kicked off the final-final run of her Eras Tour on Thursday night (Nov. 14) in Toronto, marking the beginning of the end of what has been a record-setting, globe-hopping adventure of a lifetime for the singer and her fans. And because celebrities are not really like us, there’s a good chance she won’t […]
BTS’ Jin has officially embarked on his solo journey with the release of Happy, his debut album, out today (Nov. 15).
Featuring six tracks, the album taps into a blend of musical styles and collaborations that make it a standout addition to this year’s new releases. The K-pop sensation didn’t hold back on collaborations in his EP. The lead track, “Running Wild,” comes with star power, co-produced by Take That’s Gary Barlow.
“Heart on the Window” pairs him with Wendy of Red Velvet for an emotionally charged duet, while “Until It Reaches You” teams him up with Taka and Toru from Japanese rock band One Ok Rock, adding a rock edge to the mix. Renowned South Korean producers Pdogg and GHSTLOOP lend their expertise to the album’s polished production.
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It comes after fans were treated to the pre-release single, “I’ll Be There,” on Oct. 25, featuring American artist MAX, a track that has already sparked excitement across ARMY circles. The bi-lingual tune fuses 1960s bubblegum rock and modern dance-pop, with Jin singing, “I swear that I will always sing for you/ Sing for you, oh-oh-oh/ I’ll be there for you.”
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In a recent interview, Jin said of the project, “I have a very clear idea of what kind of emotions I want to share with our fans … I want our fans, our ARMY, to be happy.”
The release comes ahead of his solo debut on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Nov. 20, where he’ll perform live as part of his promotional rollout. The news was announced by Jimmy Fallon in a video posted on Nov. 12.
The upcoming Fallon appearance will come six years after BTS made its full-band debut on Fallon’s show. In 2018, the group — which is also comprised of SUGA, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V and Jung Kook — performed Billboard Hot 100 No. 11 hit “Idol” and “I’m Fine,” as well as tried out that year’s “Fortnite” dance trend.
Jin’s solo era is unfolding as several BTS members complete their mandatory service in the South Korean military, which the “Abyss” artist became the first to complete in June. J-Hope is the only other member of the group to have completed his since then; full-band activities are on pause until next year.
Stream Happy below.
Shawn Mendes’ new album has finally arrived, as he dropped his newest full-length project Shawn on Friday (Nov. 15). The self-titled album features the previously released singles “Why Why Why,” “Isn’t That Enough,” “Nobody Knows” and “Heart of Gold.” Mendes initially shared the album trailer back in July via social media, and the clip features […]
As our current political discourse gets especially dark, Lil Nas X is going out of his way to find the “Light Again” with his latest song. On Friday (Nov. 15), the rapper unveiled his new single “Light Again,” which comes off of his recently announced sophomore album, Dreamboy. Throughout the pounding, house-inspired new song, Lil […]
Benson Boone’s “Beautiful Things” tops the first Top Gabb Music Songs chart as the most-played song on Gabb Wireless phones during October 2024.
As announced Nov. 14, Billboard has partnered with Gabb Wireless, a phone company for kids and teens, to present a monthly chart tracking on-demand streams via its Gabb Music platform. Gabb Music offers a vast catalog of songs, all of which are selected by the Gabb team to include only kid- and teen-appropriate content. Gabb Music streams are not currently factored into any other Billboard charts.
Boone’s “Beautiful Things” leads the inaugural 25-position list, one of two songs from the pop singer-songwriter in the initial top 10. Released in early 2024, “Beautiful Things” peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in March and ranks at No. 8 on the latest, Nov. 16-dated survey. It earned 82.7 million official U.S. streams on Billboard in October 2024, according to Luminate.
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Boone also appears in the top 10 of Top Gabb Music Songs via “Slow It Down,” at No. 9; it peaked at No. 32 on the Hot 100 in September.
Country music is represented in Gabb’s top 10 by Luke Combs’ “Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma,” at No. 2. Combs’ contribution to the Twisters: The Album soundtrack peaked at No. 13 on the Hot 100 in August and at No. 3 on the Hot Country Songs ranking in September.
And at No. 3 comes the top hip-hop entry (as well as the newest release in the top 10, as the song arrived on Oct. 3): KSI’s “Thick of It,” featuring Trippie Redd. Known not just as a musician but also as a YouTube star, boasting nearly 25 million subscribers, KSI’s latest release reached No. 64 on the Hot 100 dated Oct. 26.
Continuing a trend of genre variety, Hozier’s “Too Sweet” represents rock/alternative music in Top Gabb Music Songs’ top 10, at No. 4. It’s one of two songs in the top 10 to reach No. 1 on the Hot 100 — alongside Sabrina Carpenter’s “Please Please Please,” at No. 8 — having ruled for a week in April.
Then there’s NF, who charts the most appearances in the top 10 with three in all; “Let You Down,” from 2017’s Perception, leads the group at No. 5, followed by “Hope” at No. 7 (from his 2023 album of the same name) and “The Search” at No. 10 (the title track to his 2019 album).
NF doesn’t stop there; the rapper also boasts the No. 13 song with “Motto,” giving him four total entries on the inaugural Top Gabb Music Songs chart. That’s the second-most of any act, behind Imagine Dragons, which has five, led by “Bones” at No. 16.
Speaking of Imagine Dragons: “Radioactive” (No. 19) and “Demons” (No. 21), both from the band’s 2012 album Night Visions, are the oldest songs on the chart. The aforementioned “Thick of It” is the newest.
See the full top 25 below.
Top Gabb Music Songs, October 2024
1. “Beautiful Things,” Benson Boone2. “Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma,” Luke Combs3. “Thick of It,” KSI feat. Trippie Redd4. “Too Sweet,” Hozier5. “Let You Down,” NF6. “Golden Hour,” JVKE7. “Hope,” NF8. “Please Please Please,” Sabrina Carpenter9. “Slow It Down,” Benson Boone10. “The Search,” NF11. “Heat Waves,” Glass Animals12. “Stressed Out,” Twenty One Pilots13. “Motto,” NF14. “Stargazing,” Myles Smith15. “Deja Vu,” Olivia Rodrigo16. “Bones,” Imagine Dragons17. “Eyes Closed,” Imagine Dragons18. “Pink Skies,” Zach Bryan19. “Radioactive,” Imagine Dragons20. “Enemy,” Imagine Dragons21. “Demons,” Imagine Dragons22. “She’s All I Wanna Be,” Tate McRae23. “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love),” Ariana Grande24. “I Am Not Okay,” Jelly Roll25. “Sunroof,” Nicky Youre & Dazy
Jon M. Chu is giving a bit of insight into the highly anticipated film about the life and career of pop princess Britney Spears. “I cannot talk much about the Britney story other than I have been a Britney fan for many years,” the director told The Hollywood Reporter in a recent interview. “I saw her […]
The 98th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has added a number of major new acts to this year’s event. On Thursday (Nov. 14), organizers announced that Kylie Minogue, Jennifer Hudson and Billy Porter will perform in front of Macy’s iconic Herald Square flagship store on Nov. 28 during the annual tradition that will air live on NBC beginning at 8:30 a.m. ET and be simulstreamed on Peacock.
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Loud Luxury, Wicked star Cynthia Erivo and Cole Escola have also been added to the lineup of acts that will lip synch their hits on elaborate floats alongside marching bands, giant inflatables, Santa and Tom Turkey. According to a release announcing this year’s entertainment, for the first time, in-demand choreographer Shay Latukolan (Stormzy, Ed Sheeran, Tinashe) will choreograph dance routines and three performances on floats.
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In addition to nearly two dozen balloons — including Snoopy, Bluey, Minnie Mouse, Marshall from Paw Patrol, Ronald McDonald, Pikachu and new additions Gabby, Goku and Spider-Man — other performers on this year’s roster include: Alex Warren, Ariana Madix, Bishop Briggs, Charli D’Amelio, Chlöe, Coco Jones, Dan + Shay, Dasha, Idina Menzel, Jimmy Fallon & the Roots, New Kids on the Block’s Joey McEntire, Natti Natasha, Rachel Platten, Sebastián Yatra, T-Pain, Walker Hayes and beloved New York Liberty mascot Ellie the Elephant.
Those acts will join 34 floats, 11 marching bands, seven “balloonicles” and 28 clown crews during the yearly classic that will wrap up at noon ET. Click here for the full lineup. An encore telecast will begin an 2 p.m. ET/PT, with a Spanish-language simulcast on Telemundo to be hosted by the network’s Carlos Adyan and Andrea Meza.
Tate McRae has two major pieces of news that’ll satiate even the greediest of her fans. In addition to announcing her third studio album, So Close to What, the 21-year-old pop star revealed Thursday (Nov. 14) that she’s going on tour in 2025 — all just hours before her new single “2 Hands” drops. Posting […]
BLINKs are counting down the days until BLACKPINK reunites in 2025 — and so is LISA.
In her Billboard cover story published Thursday (Nov. 14), the 27-year-old K-pop superstar gushed about her plans with groupmates ROSÉ, JENNIE and JISOO to launch back into full-band activities next year after spending the past year and a half focusing on solo projects. “I can’t wait,” she excitedly told writer Nolan Feeney of the planned comeback.
“We know each other so well and know how much energy we have to put into every single project,” she continued. “So we want to support and say, ‘You did really well!’ Like, JENNIE and Rosie just released their own songs, and we’re on texts, we’re on FaceTime. They’re like family. I’m just so happy that they’re releasing something. This is what we all wanted to do, so I just wanted to say that I really do love their songs.”
Following the July 2023 conclusion of the group’s Born Pink World Tour — which supported Billboard 200-topping album Born Pink — LISA has spent the past couple of months releasing independent singles such as Billboard Hot 100 hits “Rockstar” and “New Woman” with Rosalía. Meanwhile, ROSÉ has been gearing up to release a solo album, rosie; JENNIE filmed The Weeknd’s The Idol last year and dropped a new single titled “Mantra” in October; and JISOO has been focusing on acting in Korean TV and film projects.
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Their individual paths, however, will once again intertwine at some point in 2025, with YG Entertainment announcing as much earlier this year. The company also promised that the comeback would be paired with another world tour — but that’s where they might’ve lost LISA, who seemed a bit uncertain while speaking to Billboard.
“That’s what they say?” she said — appearing slightly skeptical — of YG’s tour news. LLOUD’s Alice Kang added, “I don’t know … We’ll have to wait and see what YG confirms.”
LISA’s cover story comes a little more than a month since her last single, “New Woman,” dropped in October. On Tuesday (Nov. 12), she posted a mysterious teaser video set to “Rockstar,” with a cryptic countdown appearing on her website around the same time.
Fans were immediately hopeful that the latter was ticking down to an announcement related to her upcoming album, about which the Thai singer-rapper tells Billboard, “I’m trying to figure it out, the tracklist and everything, what I can change in there.”
“Everything’s there,” she adds. “I think they’re going to be shocked at how capable I am [at] doing so many things.”