TV/Film

28 May 2025

Lindsay Lohan Explains Why Singing Again for ‘Freakier Friday’ Was ‘Nerve-Racking’

Lindsay Lohan is reprising one of her most iconic roles, but according to her, stepping back into one facet of the character was a little, well, freaky.

In a conversation with Freakier Friday costar Chloe Fineman for an Elle cover story published Tuesday (May 27), the actress opened up about what it was like to sing again while playing Anna Coleman for the second time in Freaky Friday‘s upcoming sequel. Also starring Jamie Lee Curtis, the original 2003 flick found Lohan’s character — a teenage rebel who fronts a rock band called Pink Slip — magically switching bodies with her mother.

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

“It was good,” Lohan began. “Well, it was kind of nerve-racking at first, because I’m not singing as me. When I was doing [Freaky Friday], I was also recording an album, so it was part of my life at the time. In this movie, I was singing it as Anna, whereas before felt more like Lindsay singing.”

Trending on Billboard

The Parent Trap star also confirmed that everyone in the original Pink Slip lineup returned for the sequel. “The whole band came back,” she told the Saturday Night Live comedian. “And it’s so funny, because Christina Vidal [who plays Maddie] had just had a baby, and we were like, ‘How weird is this? Are we still cool?’”

The interview comes just a couple of months ahead of the premiere of Freakier Friday, which hits theaters on Aug. 8. It’ll mark the latest project in Lohan’s onscreen renaissance that has taken place over the past few years following a long hiatus, during which the actress started a family. In 2022, she married finance executive Bader Shammas, and the pair welcomed a son, Luai, the following year.

According to Lohan, her little boy doesn’t fully understand her job as an actress yet — although he did recognize her on screen when she watched the original Freaky Friday to study her own guitar playing. “In my trailer, one day I was watching the original guitar scene and practicing movements,” she recalled to Fineman. “And he was there and he was like, ‘Mama,’ pointing at the screen.”

See Lohan on the cover of Elle below.

28 May 2025

From Moana to a Rhino: Auli’i Cravahlo Helps Kids Love Their ‘Perfect Me’ With Sweet ‘Lulu Is a Rhinoceros’ Song

Ahead of the premiere of the new Apple TV+ animated special Lulu Is a Rhinoceros on Friday, Billboard Family has your exclusive first listen of the uplifting self-love anthem “The Perfect Me.”

The adorable ditty features Auli’i Cravahlo‘s Lulu, Dulé Hill’s Flom Flom and Utkarsh Ambudkar’s Hip-Hop celebrating their best and most authentic selves as they sing, “The perfect me is me/ The perfect you is you/ And when we listen to each other/ The whole world is more in tune, yeah!/ Who I am’s up to me/ Nothing I have to prove/ I’m easy to love, I’m good enough/ The perfect you is you!”

Coinciding with the premiere, Cravalho and creators Jason and Allison Flom shared exclusive statements with Billboard about the inspirational message that both kids and adults can take from “The Perfect Me.”

Trending on Billboard

“I adore Lulu for her enthusiastic spirit, and her innate wisdom of knowing exactly who she is,” the Moana star tells Billboard. “The song ‘The Perfect Me’ was a lot of fun to record; and while the message is simple, it felt meaningful to belt out! Others might say how you should look or act, but you are whole and complete without alI that outside noise. It’s honestly really catchy, and I definitely left the studio in a better mood that day.”

Meanwhile, the Floms — who penned the original children’s book together and serve as executive producers on the animated special — shared their own thoughts on the self-love anthem. “To write these lyrics, I started from, ‘The rhino of my dreams is me’ and ‘I am easy to love,’” Allison says. “In the song, Lulu, Flom-Flom and Hip-Hop each have a verse where they affirm: ‘Who I am is up to me/ Nothing I have to prove/ I’m easy to love/ I’m good enough…The perfect you is you!”

Jason adds: “Each of them reminds us that there’s much more to them than everyone else thinks and assumes. … We think everyone, not just kids, will connect to ‘The Perfect Me,’ and maybe they’ll get a boost of confidence every time they hear it.”

Once Lulu Is a Rhinoceros arrives on Apple TV+ on Friday, the special’s soundtrack will be available on Apple Music and other streaming platforms as well.

Pop songwriter LELAND serves as the special’s musical producer, and he tells Billboard: “Finding the right melodies and chords to pair with the brilliant lyrics written by Allison Flom was a challenge I welcomed. I aimed to compose melodies that felt conclusive, exciting, and easy enough for a child to sing after just a few listens. I remembered the songs I loved as a kid in my favorite musical specials or movies and how they’ve stuck with me to this day. The message of ‘The Perfect Me’ is simple and important and something we should all be reminded of whether we’re kids or adults.”

Watch the exclusive premiere of “The Perfect Me” from Lulu Is a Rhinoceros below.

27 May 2025

You Have to See Light Wire, the Brazilian LED Dance Team That Earned Simon’s Golden Buzzer on ‘America’s Got Talent’ Premiere

On Tuesday’s (May 27) season 20 premiere of America’s Got Talent, judge Simon Cowell was blown away by a Brazilian crew that combined LED technology and dance for a simply mesmerizing show.

The troupe is called Light Wire, and their show has to be seen to be believed. The movements of four dancers onstage cascade from LED lights on their costumes up to larger-than life light illustrations on the screens, also including massive animations, like a stage filled with water or the dancers shifting into the head of a snake. The whole thing is soundtracked by powerful music that drives home the biggest moments.

While only four dancers appeared onstage during the performance, a full team dressed in black rushed to the stage once it ended, showing the group effort it takes to put on the production.

Trending on Billboard

The full judges’ panel — Cowell, plus Howie Mandel, Sofia Vergara and returning judge Mel B — rose to their feet after the show ended, with Mandel marveling of Cowell: “He’s still clapping!”

Cowell acknowledged how moved he was by the performance, saying, “You never, never know when you’re doing a new year whether you’re going to see something better than you’ve seen before. And honestly, I’m not just saying this, this is one of the most beautiful, stunning acts that I have seen across all the Got Talents. You were so emotional. I don’t know why you were nervous, because you were always going to get one of — you know what’s coming…”

The veteran talent-show judge then pressed his Golden Buzzer, raining gold confetti over the proud performers. Backstage, he was seen telling the team: “It was actually magic. One of my favorite ever acts.”

See the full set for yourself below:

27 May 2025

50 Cent Jokes He Needs to ‘Lay Low’ After Ex-Assistant Testifies About Diddy’s ‘Problem’ With Fif

50 Cent isn’t letting up on his self-appointed coverage of the Diddy trial, and he continues to have fun with AI to help with his trolling.

This time around, the Queens rapper and filmmaker reacted on social media to his name being mentioned during Diddy’s ex-assistant Capricorn Clark’s testimony on Tuesday morning (May 27), during which she told prosecutors about a time her former boss had a gun because “he had a problem with 50 Cent.”

The first thing Fif posted was an AI-generated image of himself in a suit on a film set along with the caption, “Cut, CUT. Wait a minute PUFFY’s got a gun, I can’t believe this I don’t feel safe LOL,” and a screenshot of the exchange above.

He then posted another AI-generated pic of himself with a scared look on his face with the caption, “Oh my goodness, itty bitty Diddy wants me dead. I have to lay low, I think I’m gonna hide out at the playoff game tonight,” in reference to Game 4 of the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers Eastern Conference Finals NBA playoff series.

Trending on Billboard

Over the weekend, he posted (you guessed it) yet another AI-generated image, but this time it was a picture of Diddy with gray hair in court with a caption saying he thinks the embattled mogul will eventually do 20 years behind bars. “What’s the spread on this,” 50 asked. “I got Diddy doing 20. His friends just got the f— away for him. SMH BadBoy Dangerous!”

Last week, 50 poked fun at people allegedly wearing “Free Diddy” shirts outside the Manhattan federal courthouse for $20 an hour by posting an AI-generated picture of himself wearing a shirt.

26 May 2025

Kenan Thompson Hints at ‘A Lot of Change’ for ‘SNL’ Season 51

Kenan Thompson is teasing the possibility of casting changes for the next season of Saturday Night Live.

Following the conclusion of the iconic sketch comedy show’s 50th season on May 17 — hosted by Scarlett Johansson with musical guest Bad Bunny — the 47-year-old comedian and longtime SNL cast member called the season’s end “bittersweet” in an interview with Page Six.

“Especially this year where it feels like there’s maybe, possibly, a lot of change next year,” Thompson said. “You want everyone to stay forever, knowing that people may be making decisions this summer…it’s always like you want your kids to stay young.”

While NBC has not confirmed any casting changes for season 51, rumors of a possible shake-up have been circulating online, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Thompson, who joined the show in 2003 during season 29, revealed that he has not yet signed a contract for the upcoming season.

Trending on Billboard

“You just never know what the future holds,” he told Page Six. “I don’t want to be in the way of someone else or I don’t want to be the stale old man riding the same thing. That doesn’t really happen that much at SNL but there’s no guarantees, I guess.”

SNL is unlikely to confirm any cast departures or additions until closer to the premiere of season 51 this fall, THR reports. Alongside Thompson, Michael Che, Colin Jost, Mikey Day, Heidi Gardner and Ego Nwodim have been with the show for seven or more seasons.

In SNL‘s season 50 finale, Johansson jokingly hinted at a possible cast departure during her musical monologue, telling cast member Sarah Sherman, “We’re all gonna miss you next year,” A visibly surprised Sherman responded, “Wait, what? Did you guys hear something or…?” The moment was not referenced again in the episode.

24 May 2025

Sacha Jenkins, Influential Hip-Hop Journalist and Filmmaker, Dies at 54

Sacha Jenkins, a pioneering hip-hop journalist, author, filmmaker and cultural historian, has died at the age of 54.

Jenkins passed away on Friday (May 23) at his home due to complications from multiple system atrophy, his wife, journalist and filmmaker Raquel Cepeda, confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter.

Throughout his multifaceted career as an author, producer, magazine founder and filmmaker, Jenkins was widely regarded as a key authority on hip-hop culture. Born in Philadelphia and raised in New York City, he moved to Queens in the late 1970s — a formative time when hip-hop, punk, graffiti and skateboarding were all rising cultural forces.

Jenkins was the son of Horace Byrd Jenkins III, an Emmy-winning documentary filmmaker who worked on 60 Minutes and Sesame Street. He began his own career by founding Graphic Scenes & X-plicit Language, an early magazine dedicated to graffiti art. Jenkins later co-founded the hip-hop newspaper Beat Down with childhood friend and fellow music journalist Elliott Wilson.

In 1994, Jenkins and Wilson launched the influential hip-hop and skateboarding publication Ego Trip. The magazine ran for 13 issues and spawned two acclaimed books: 1999’s Ego Trip’s Book of Rap Lists and 2002’s Ego Trip’s Big Book of Racism! Alongside team members Jefferson “Chairman” Mao, Gabriel Alvarez and Brent Rollins, Ego Trip also branched into television, producing several shows for VH1, including 2007’s The (White) Rapper Show.

Trending on Billboard

Jenkins contributed his writing to publications like Spin, Rolling Stone and served as both music editor and writer-at-large at Vibe. He recently held the position of creative director at Mass Appeal, according to Rolling Stone.

As a filmmaker, Jenkins directed and produced a range of projects. His work includes Louis Armstrong’s Black & Blues (2022), Bitchin’: The Sound and Fury of Rick James (2021), Fresh Dressed (2015), All Up in the Biz (2023) and Harley Flanagan: Wired for Chaos (2024). His 2019 docuseries Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics and Men earned him an Emmy nomination.

Jenkins is survived by his wife, Raquel Cepeda, and their two children.

22 May 2025

Aaron Paul Opens Up About Tracking Down Tour Managers to Get Bands to Perform in His Living Room

Hot Ones host Sean Evans is blowing the lid off of one of the country’s most exclusive, top-secret concert venues: Aaron Paul’s living room.

On the latest episode of his culinary web series posted Thursday (May 22), the interviewer got the Breaking Bad star to open up about his little-known house shows, for which Paul will track down bands’ tour managers and ask if their clients can play in his personal recreation area. “How did you know about that?” the actor said after Evans asked about the concerts. “This guy — amazing.”

“We’ve been doing these shows for north of a decade,” continued Paul. “I would love for you to come to the next one. But the last one [was] actually one of my favorite bands, Cigarettes After Sex. No one has phones or cameras. Everyone’s just in the moment.”

In all his years of inviting his favorite bands to perform in his space, Paul says he’s rarely ever been turned down. “Honestly, like 90 percent of the time, people say ‘Yeah, I’m down,’” he told Evans. “That’s pretty good!”

Trending on Billboard

If his tenacity for hosting house shows isn’t indication enough, Paul has long been a music fanatic. In a 2012 interview with Spin, he shared that some of his favorite artists include Bright Eyes, M83, Radiohead and Arcade Fire — the latter of which he hilariously bribed his way into seeing at a 500-cap show in Los Angeles by promising to bring the band pizza back in 2014.

Inversely, some of the world’s biggest music stars are also big fans of Paul. In 2018, he recalled how Drake and Rihanna both freaked out when meeting him at different points, and in 2023, the actor and his Breaking Bad costar Bryan Cranston bartended at Drizzy’s 37th birthday.

Watch Paul open up about his private house shows on Hot Ones above.

22 May 2025

JIN Tests Out His Late-Night Hosting Skills on Jimmy Fallon & Opens Up About BTS’ Reunion

JIN covered a lot of ground during his appearance on The Tonight Show Wednesday (May 21), from opening up about BTS‘ upcoming reunion to trying out his skills as a late-night host and chatting about … butts.

During one of the more serious moments from his interview with host Jimmy Fallon, the K-pop star reflected on his feelings about bandmates RM, Suga, V, Jimin and Jung Kook approaching the end of their respective military enlistments in South Korea, after which ARMY is expecting the guys to resume full-band activities as early as June. JIN completed his service in June 2024, while J-Hope finished in October. 

“It was great to be alone,” said JIN, who released two solo EPs, Happy and Echo, during the band’s time apart. “But when they come back, since they worked very hard, I’m going to honor them and give them great respect.”

Trending on Billboard

“They are my lifesavers, so I need to show my appreciation and take care of them,” he added of his bandmates as fans in the audience went “Awwww.”

The remaining band members will be discharged in June, allowing all seven of the Bangtan Boys free to regroup for the first time since JIN enlisted in December 2022. BTS hasn’t released a proper studio album since 2020’s Be, which topped the Billboard 200.

Elsewhere in his conversation with the Saturday Night Live alum, JIN talked about his love for Tom Cruise, working on new EP Echo and gearing up to embark on his upcoming solo tour. One of the silliest moments, however, came as the performer switched places with Fallon, testing out his hosting capabilities behind the famous Tonight Show desk. “Thank you for coming to my show!” JIN quipped as Fallon laughed. “I am a superstar.”

JIN went on to pose a very important question to his “guest.” “Do you think we have one butt or two?” he asked a perplexed Fallon, who eventually answered that humans have just one butt.

“One? No!” the “Running Wild” singer hilariously replied, standing up from his seat before gesturing to his own tush in demonstration. “It’s left leg and right leg, and left, right — two!”

Also on the show, JIN performed “Don’t Say You Love Me,” transforming the show’s stage into a giant bed. In conversation with Fallon, he revealed that the track is about the tough feeling of knowing you need to break up with someone, but not having the heart to do it.

Watch JIN’s full Tonight Show interview above.

22 May 2025

Miley Cyrus Is ‘Fueled by Fantasy’ in ‘Something Beautiful’ Film Trailer Featuring an Unreleased Song

Miley Cyrus just gave fans a new look into the world of Something Beautiful, with the pop star unveiling her visual album film’s official trailer — featuring a snippet of an unreleased song — on Thursday (May 22).

Posted three weeks ahead of the movie’s theatrical release, the trailer opens with Cyrus cloaked in a black ensemble and wearing a bright red lip, staring intensely into the camera. It then cuts to a montage of clips of the Grammy winner frolicking through the streets and performing with a fleet of backup dancers on a circular staircase as she sings “Easy Lover,” one of the unreleased songs on Something Beautiful‘s tracklist.

“No I just can’t give you up, I just can’t give you up,” she belts over a groovy, up-tempo beat. “You’re not an easy lover.” 

Trending on Billboard

“13 original songs,” onscreen text promises. “A striking visual album fueled by fantasy.”

The trailer arrives just more than a week ahead of Cyrus’ new album, which will drop May 30 via Columbia Records. The project features previously released singles “Prelude,” “Something Beautiful,” “End of the World” and “More to Lose.” 

The LP’s accompanying film will then premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City on June 6. Shortly after that, it will show in theaters for one night only in the United States and Canada on June 12, followed by another single-day screening worldwide on June 27. 

When she first announced that Something Beautiful was headed to theaters, she shared a different preview of the project, featuring the Hannah Montana alum rolling around on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and kissing her boyfriend and collaborator, Maxx Morando. Cyrus also recently unveiled the album’s tracklist, revealing that collaborations with Brittany Howard and Naomi Campbell will be on the set.

Watch the trailer for Cyrus’ Something Beautiful film above.

21 May 2025

BTS’ Jin Transforms ‘Tonight Show’ Stage Into a Giant Bed & Takes Over Jimmy Fallon’s Desk: Exclusive Photos

For his return to The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Wednesday night (May 21), Jin transformed the stage into a giant bed — and Billboard has the exclusive preview photos to prove it.

The BTS member made himself at home in Studio 6B, getting extra cozy for his performance of “Don’t Say You Love Me,” the lead single from his just-released second solo EP Echo. Jin dropped the seven-track project — the follow-up to his November debut solo EP Happy — on Friday, May 16.

In addition to his comfy performance, Jin also sat down for an interview with Fallon — just like he did for his first solo appearance on The Tonight Show late last year. And this time, he turned the tables on Fallon too, jumping behind the desk to grill the late-night host.

Jin’s superstar group BTS — also comprised of SUGA, j-hope, RM, Jimin, V and Jung Kook — first visited The Tonight Show back in 2018 for a performance of the Billboard Hot 100 No. 11 hit “Idol” and “I’m Fine.” In 2020, the boys made multiple Tonight Show appearances — including a couple of virtual performances on the show during the COVID-19 pandemic — before returning again in 2021 for performances of their No. 1 hits “Butter” and “Permission to Dance.”

Back in March, Jin’s BTS bandmate j-hope made his solo Tonight Show debut and got similarly cozy, rocking a pair of fluffy bunny slippers with his jeans-and-black-blazer ‘fit.

To watch Jin’s full performance and interview, tune in to The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Wednesday night (May 21) at 11:35 p.m. ET on NBC, or streaming on Peacock.