SHOW BIZ NEWS

16 May, 2026 01:30

Jack Johnson on How a Surfing Injury, Warning From Chris Rock and Deadly Shark Attack Shaped ‘SURFILMUSIC’ Documentary (EXCLUSIVE)

In a twist that defied the seasoned cynicism of Chris Rock, Jack Johnson’s story has taken a remarkably different path. Back in December 2003, a 28-year-old Johnson appeared on "The Late Show with David Letterman

16 May, 2026 00:30

‘John Lennon: The Last Interview’ Review: Steven Soderbergh’s Documentary Captures John Lennon at His Happiest…and Most Messianic

Two distinct moments in Steven Soderbergh's documentary "John Lennon: The Last Interview" perfectly encapsulate the former Beatle's complex personality. One reveals him as deeply humane and captivating, while the other shows a more messianic and, frankly, irritating side

16 May, 2026 00:30

Spotify Debuts New Logo: A Disco Ball to Celebrate Its ‘Party of the Year(s)’

This week, Spotify mobile users who updated their app were greeted by an unexpected sight: a shimmering green 3D disco ball icon appeared on their screens, sparking widespread curiosity. The streaming giant has remained tight-lipped about the logo's precise significance, offering only a cryptic reply from its official X account when a user inquired about the change: "isn't she lovely? ????" A company representative later confirmed to Variety that the disco ball is tied to the platform's celebration of its 20th anniversary

15 May, 2026 09:30

Drake Releases New Album ‘Iceman’ — Plus Two More Surprise Albums, ‘Habibti’ and ‘Maid of Honour’

In a move that has sent shockwaves through the music industry, Drake released three full-length albums simultaneously on Friday, far exceeding the single project that fans had been eagerly awaiting. While anticipation had been building for the midnight debut of "Iceman," the Canadian rap superstar also unveiled "Maid of Honour" and "Habibti" at the same time

15 May, 2026 08:30

Lady Gaga Reinvents Herself, Yet Again, With ‘Mayhem Requiem’ Performance: Review

Lady Gaga concluded her "Mayhem Ball" tour with a fiery rendition of "Bad Romance," as the opera house set piece erupted in flames behind her. This dramatic moment appeared to serve as a commentary on the fleeting nature of pop music—throughout the performance, Gaga celebrated the genre's artifice by embracing its flashiest tropes, only to symbolically destroy it all

15 May, 2026 03:30

Claudine Longet, Singer and Actress Who Shot Olympian Spider Sabich, Dies at 84

Claudine Longet, the French-born singer and actress whose life became inextricably tied to a 1976 tragedy, has passed away at age 84. Her death was confirmed through the Telegram news service

15 May, 2026 02:30

Nicki Minaj Reveals Why She Came Out as MAGA, Says Jay-Z Hurt Obama’s Legacy

Nicki Minaj has finally addressed the reasons behind her public endorsement of Donald Trump and the Republican Party, a political stance she had previously kept private. In a revealing interview with Time magazine, the Grammy-nominated rapper—known for global hits like "Super Bass" and "Anaconda"—explained that a series of "swatting" incidents against her home played a decisive role

15 May, 2026 01:30

Music Industry Moves: Dawn Richard, Valerie June to Perform at Libera Indie Awards; Universal Music Expands Mental-Health Initiatives

The 2026 Libera Awards, presented by Merlin, are set to take place on Monday, June 8, at Gotham Hall in New York City—a historic venue that has hosted countless cultural gatherings since its construction in the early 1900s. The Foundation for Independent Music (FIM) and the American Association of Independent Music (A2IM) have confirmed that performers will include Dawn Richard, Valerie June, Mdou Moctar, and Porches

15 May, 2026 00:00

LISTEN: Upfronts 2026: What We Learned From TV’s Biggest Platforms; Crafting the Music of ‘Heated Rivalry’

On the latest installment of the "Daily Variety" podcast, host Michael Schneider, Variety's executive editor of TV, provides a comprehensive breakdown of the final stretch of upfronts week. Major players including Warner Bros

14 May, 2026 23:00

Dua Lipa Announces ‘Dua Lipa (Live From Mexico)’ Concert Film and Live Album

Dua Lipa is preparing to release "Dua Lipa (Live From Mexico)," a live album and concert film documenting three powerful performances at Mexico City's Estadio GNP Seguros. This 65,000-capacity venue, renowned as a top destination for international artists, hosted the grand finale of her "Radical Optimism" world tour

14 May, 2026 21:30

Taylor Swift’s ‘1989,’ Beyoncé’s ‘Single Ladies’ and Records From Ray Charles, the Go-Go’s, Byrds, Weezer, Reba and More Inducted Into National Recording Registry

The Library of Congress has officially welcomed 25 new audio works into its esteemed National Recording Registry, a collection dedicated to safeguarding the nation's sonic heritage. This year's eclectic lineup spans contemporary pop milestones, such as Taylor Swift's "1989" and Beyoncé's "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)," alongside vintage treasures like Spike Jones and His City Slickers' 1944 novelty track "Cocktails for Two

14 May, 2026 19:30

Pete Townshend’s Music Catalog and Other Rights Acquired by Primary Wave Music in Nine-Figure Deal

Pete Townshend, the legendary guitarist and principal songwriter behind The Who, has entered into a major partnership with Primary Wave Music in a deal valued at nine figures. The agreement transfers ownership of select music rights, his name, image, and likeness, along with control over future creative projects

14 May, 2026 17:00

Paul McCartney Says ‘Republicans and Democrats Are at Each Other’s Throats’ in ‘Trump’s America’ but Not When He Plays ‘Hey Jude’: ‘Suddenly They Forget’ About Politics

During a recent appearance on "The Rest Is Entertainment" podcast, as reported by The Daily Beast, Paul McCartney explored how music can transcend political divisions, specifically referencing the deep partisan split currently gripping the United States. The iconic musician, whose journey began with The Beatles in the 1960s and continued through a prolific solo career, observed that performing "Hey Jude" often creates a temporary truce between opposing factions

14 May, 2026 10:30

Madonna, Shakira and BTS to Co-Headline FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show

FIFA made a landmark announcement on Wednesday evening, confirming that Madonna, Shakira, and BTS will jointly headline the inaugural halftime performance in World Cup history. The news was unveiled via a teaser trailer released at 9 p

14 May, 2026 08:30

Jack Antonoff Slams People Who Make AI Music as ‘Godless Whores’: ‘Bad Actors Will Willingly Reveal Themselves Through Slop’

Jack Antonoff, the 13-time Grammy-winning producer and frontman of the rock band Bleachers, took to Instagram on Wednesday to deliver a fiery critique of artificial intelligence in music and art. In a journal entry shared with his followers, he labeled those who use AI to create as "godless whores," sparking immediate discussion across the music industry

14 May, 2026 05:30

‘Quadrophenia’ Doc, Zandra Rhodes Film Among Projects at Sadie Frost and Simon Jones’ New Company Frost&Jones (EXCLUSIVE)

Sadie Frost, the actress and producer best known for her role in Francis Ford Coppola's *Bram Stoker's Dracula* and for co-founding the influential 1990s fashion label FrostFrench, has teamed up with producer Simon Jones to establish a new production company. Named Frost & Jones, the venture is dedicated to creating high-end documentary and scripted content for both film and television

14 May, 2026 03:30

David Jonsson Joins Gracie Abrams, Connor Storrie and Tom Burke in A24’s ‘Please’ From ‘Babygirl’ Director Halina Reijn (EXCLUSIVE)

Dutch filmmaker Halina Reijn, celebrated for her provocative storytelling, is swiftly building an exceptional cast for her upcoming A24 mystery, tentatively titled “Please.” The latest to join is David Jonsson, a BAFTA-winning actor who took home the prestigious Rising Star award in 2025

14 May, 2026 01:30

‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Global Concert Tour Set by Netflix and AEG Presents

Netflix has unveiled plans for a global concert tour inspired by its animated blockbuster, "KPop Demon Hunters." The announcement was made during the company's upfront presentation in New York City, a key event where executives pitch forthcoming projects to advertisers to secure commercial sponsorship

14 May, 2026 01:03

Israel’s Noam Bettan Advances in Eurovision Song Contest Amid Protests

Israeli singer Noam Bettan has successfully advanced to the next stage of the Eurovision Song Contest, a milestone achieved amid intensified controversy surrounding his country's participation in the event. When Bettan began performing his entry "Michelle," some audience members reportedly interrupted the act by shouting "stop the genocide," briefly pausing the show

13 May, 2026 21:00

Steve Earle and Steve Buscemi Celebrate New York’s Diversity With ‘City of Immigrants’ Video

Veteran musician and actor Steve Earle, renowned for his extensive songwriting career with hits like “Copperhead Road” and “Guitar Town,” as well as acting roles in series such as “The Wire” and “Treme,” has joined forces with celebrated actor-director Steve Buscemi, known for his work in films like “Fargo” and “The Big Lebowski” and TV’s “The Sopranos.” Despite their shared artistic sensibilities and long-standing careers, the two Steves only met for the first time earlier this year

13 May, 2026 18:30

Katseye Announces ‘Wildworld’ 2026 Tour Dates

Katseye has officially unveiled the full schedule for their highly anticipated "Wildworld" tour, a multi-continent trek set to traverse North America, the United Kingdom, and Europe this autumn. The global tour, orchestrated by Live Nation—the world's premier live entertainment company—will kick off on September 1 at Dublin's 3Arena, a venue known for hosting major acts like Billie Eilish and Harry Styles