Month: September 2022

Only a few songs into the second of his two sold-out nights at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium on Saturday night (Sept. 3), The Weeknd lost his voice and pulled the plug on the show.

The Weeknd was in the middle of “Can’t Feel My Face” when he lost his voice, stopped, and then came out onstage to tell the crowd: “I can’t give you the concert I want to give you. I’m going to make sure everyone’s good, gets your money back, and I’ll do a show real soon for you guys, but I wanted to come out and personally apologize and not tweet it or Instagram it. I wanted you guys to know that I can’t give you what I want to give you. I apologize. I’m so sorry.”

The visibly upset superstar then stood on the stage while the crowd cheered before adding, “You know how much this kills me. I love you. Thank you so much.”

Shortly after he left stage, he followed with a Twitter post, writing, “My voice went out during the first song and I’m devastated. Felt it go and my heart dropped.” He then promised again to come back with a new date.

pic.twitter.com/wJ73kRWxRC

— The Weeknd (@theweeknd) September 4, 2022

Fans filed out of SoFi Stadium in relatively high spirits, singing The Weeknd’s 2021 Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper “Save Your Tears” in unison.

The singer’s show the night before received high marks, with Billboard reporting, “The Weeknd is the singer, director, creator, composer and star of his own movie. And Hollywood hasn’t seen all of him just quite yet,” and praising the Ethiopian-Canadian for his full command over the audience through such songs as “Gasoline,” “Can’t Feel Me Face” and “Blinding Lights.”

.@TheWeeknd just lost his voice in the middle of a sold out show at SoFi Stadium. Came out and apologized and announced everyone would get their money back and left. pic.twitter.com/En7v16RbwV

— Kenny Holmes (@KHOLMESlive) September 4, 2022

 

The Los Angeles stops even tied in with Postmates and Monty’s Good Burger for a special treat to celebrate the long-awaited tour. The popular plant-based Los Angeles restaurant offered a one-time-only meal curated by The Weeknd and inspired by his tour. The meal includes a double Impossible burger with chipotle ketchup and pickles on a brioche bun; a side of tater tots with spicy habanero dipping sauce and a limited-edition lemonade with activated charcoal. The $27.99 was available exclusively via the Postmates app starting on Sept. 1 until midnight on Sept. 3 with a portion of the proceeds donated to the XO Humanitarian Fund.

The Weeknd was originally slated to go back on the road in January 2022 after postponing his 2020 tour into 2021 and then postponing again because of the pandemic, but the artist then pulled the 2022 arena tour to move the show to stadiums later in the year.

The stadium tour then got off to a rocky start when it started in July. The opening date in his hometown of Toronto, on July 8, had to be postponed because of a Rogers wireless network outage. However, the 18-date tour had rolled on smoothly until Saturday, the last night of the outing. The tour is now expected to move on through Mexico, South America, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Africa & Middle East.

Also on The Weeknd’s crowded plate is The Idol, a series he is developing, co-writing and starring in for HBO. The six-episode series follow a young pop star, played by Lily-Rose Depp, who falls for a cult leader, played by The Weeknd. He previewed the teaser for the series at his July 16 show at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

The Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show starring Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar and 50 Cent (CBS) won outstanding variety special (live) at the first night of the 2022 Creative Arts Emmy Awards on Saturday (Sept. 3). This marks the first time the Super Bowl halftime show has won an Emmy in this top category.

This year’s halftime show, a high-profile celebration of hip-hop music and culture, beat the Oscars, the Grammys, a Tony special dubbed Tony Awards Present: Broadway’s Back! and yet another Live in Front of a Studio Audience special.

All of this year’s principal halftime show performers are now Emmy winners. All of them except Snoop Dogg are also Grammy winners. In addition, Eminem is an Oscar winner – which means he just needs a Tony to become an EGOT.

Adam Blackstone, music director of the halftime show, won his first Emmy for outstanding music direction. Blackstone was previously nominated in this category as music director of the halftime shows starring Justin Timberlake (2018) and Jennifer Lopez/Shakira (2020). Bruce Rodgers, Shelley Rodgers and Maria Garcia won outstanding production design for a variety special for their work on this year’s halftime show.

Adele: One Night Only and The Beatles: Get Back were the night’s top winners with five awards each. Arcane won four. Love on the Spectrum U.S. and The Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show each won three. Two-time winners on the night were A Black Lady Sketch Show, Last Week Tonight With John Oliver, Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls, Love, Death + Robots, Lucy and Desi, RuPaul’s Drag Race and We’re Here.

Three individuals won two awards each – executive producer Ben Winston (who won one award for Adele: One Night Only and one for Carpool Karaoke: The Series), director/producer Peter Jackson (who won both awards for The Beatles: Get Back), and character designer and writer/director Alberto Mielgo (who won both awards for Love, Death + Robots).

The five awards for Adele: One Night Only (CBS) included outstanding variety special (pre-recorded). Adele was first nominated in that category six years ago for Adele: Live in New York City. Winston and Raj Kapoor, two of the executive producers of her winning special, are also executive producers of the upcoming Grammy Awards, where Adele is expected to be a major player. Adele has won 15 Grammys and an Oscar, so she too now only needs a Tony to become an EGOT.

In a surprise, Paul Dugdale, the director of Adele: One Night Only, won outstanding directing for a variety special over Hamish Hamilton, director of the Super Bowl Halftime Show. Adele’s special also won in three technical categories — outstanding sound mixing for a variety series or special; outstanding lighting design/lighting direction for a variety special; and outstanding technical direction, camerawork, video control for a special.

The Beatles: Get Back (Disney+), directed by Oscar winner Peter Jackson, won outstanding documentary (series). The award recipients included Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono Lennon and Olivia Harrison, who served as producers. These are the first Emmys for the two surviving Beatles and the widows of the two who have died. The Beatles won seven Grammys (plus more to individual members) and also won an Oscar for Let It Be in 1970. Putting all of this together, McCartney and Starr also just Tonys to become EGOTs.

Jackson also won a second award for outstanding directing for a documentary/nonfiction program for his work on the series. Jackson’s only previous Emmy was as a producer of Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Festival Chicago (Great Performances), which won a 2008 award for outstanding special class – not-exclusively-made-for-television variety, music, comedy event programs.

The Beatles: Get Back also won three technical awards — outstanding sound editing for a nonfiction or reality program (single or multi-camera); outstanding sound mixing for a nonfiction or reality program (single or multi-camera); and outstanding picture editing for a nonfiction program. Giles Martin, son of the late Beatles producer George Martin, shared the sound mixing award with Michael Hedges, Brent Burge, and Alexis Fedoroff. Jabez Olssen won the picture editing award.

Three previous programs on The Beatles have been nominated for Emmys in top categories, though they didn’t win. The Beatles: Eight Days a Week – The Touring Years (Hulu) was nominated for outstanding documentary or non-fiction special (2017). The Beatles: The Night That Changed America (CBS) was nominated for outstanding variety special (2014). The Beatles Anthology (ABC) was nominated for best informational series (1996).

George Carlin’s American Dream was a surprise winner over Lucy and Desi for outstanding documentary or non-fiction special. Controlling Britney Spears (New York Times Presents) was also nominated in the highly competitive category.

RuPaul won outstanding host (reality or competition series) for RuPaul’s Drag Race (VH1) for the seventh year in a row. RuPaul has won a total of 12 Emmy Awards, more than any other person of color in Emmy history. Gianna Costa and Allison Spain won outstanding production design for a variety, reality or competition series for their work on the show.

Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls won in two technical categories — outstanding directing for a reality program (Nneka Onuorah) and outstanding picture editing for a structured reality or competition program (Deidre Panziera, Hannah Carpenter, Brian Murphy, and Jeanie Phillips).

Carpool Karaoke: The Series repeated its 2021 win for outstanding short form comedy, drama or variety series. The franchise has amassed nine Emmys since 2016. The show’s executive producer, Ben Winston, has amassed 12 Emmys since 2016.

Former president Barack Obama won his first Emmy as the narrator of Our Great National Parks. Obama is a two-time Grammy winner for best spoken word album for The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream and Dreams from My Father.

The late Chadwick Boseman posthumously won outstanding character voice-over performance for the role of Star T’Challa on What If…? on Disney+.

Two of the seven music categories were presented on Saturday. In addition to the aforementioned award to Adam Blackstone, David Schwartz won his first Emmy for his work on Lucy and Desi. The other five music categories will be presented on Sunday Sept. 4, the second night of the Creative Arts Emmys.

An edited presentation of the two ceremonies will be broadcast on FXX on Sept. 10 at 8:00 PM ET/PT. It will be available for streaming on Hulu from Sept. 11-27.

Here are the nominees, with winners shown in bold, in key categories that were presented on Saturday.

Outstanding Variety Special (Live)

The 64th Annual Grammy Awards • CBS • Fulwell 73 UK Limited; Raj Kapoor, Ben Winston and Jesse Collins, executive producers; Jeannae Rouzan-Clay, co-executive producer; Eric Cook, supervising producer; Hamish Hamilton, Tabitha D’umo, Fatima Robinson, David Wild, Patrick Menton, producers; Trevor Noah, host

Live In Front of a Studio Audience: The Facts of Life and Diff’rent Strokes • ABC • Sony Pictures Television, Act III Productions, Kimmelot, D’Arconville, Gary Sanchez Productions, Simpson Street; Norman Lear, Brent Miller, Jimmy Kimmel, Will Ferrell, Justin Theroux, Kerry Washington, James Burrows, executive producers; Eric Cook, co-executive producer; James Dixon, producer

The Oscars • ABC • Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; Will Packer and Shayla Cowan, produced by; Rob Paine, supervising producer

WINNER: The Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show Starring Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar and 50 Cent • NBC • Jesse Collins Entertainment, DPS and Roc Nation; Shawn Carter, Desiree Perez, Jesse Collins, executive producers; Dionne Harmon, Dave Meyers, co-executive producer; Aaron B. Cooke, supervising producer; Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, 50 Cent, performers

The Tony Awards Present: Broadway’s Back! • CBS • White Cherry Entertainment; Ricky Kirshner, Glenn Weiss, executive producers; Sarah Levine Hall, producer; Allen Kelman, supervising producer; Leslie Odom Jr., host

 

Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded)

WINNER: Adele: One Night Only • CBS • Fulwell 73 UK Limited and Onward Productions in association with Harpo Productions; Ben Winston, Adele Adkins, Jonathan Dickins, Raj Kapoor, Tara Montgomery, Terry Wood, executive producers; Rob Paine, co-executive producer

Dave Chappelle: The Closer • Netflix • Netflix | Lathan TV | Pilot Boy; Dave Chappelle, executive producer/performer; Rikki Hughes, Stan Lathan, executive producers; Sina Sadighi, producer

Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts • HBO/HBO Max • Warner Bros. Unscripted Television in association with Warner Horizon, Casey Patterson Entertainment and Pulse Films; Casey Patterson, Carol Donovan, Ashley Edens, Marissa Clifford, Louis Mole, Sam Bridger, Isabel Davis, David Heyman, executive producers; Rob Paine, co-executive producer; Chase Simonds, supervising producer; Mike Darnell, Brooke Karzen, Dan Sacks, producers

Norm Macdonald: Nothing Special • Netflix • Irwin Entertainment for Netflix; Norm Macdonald, Lori Jo Hoekstra, Marc Gurvitz, John Irwin, executive producers; Casey Spira, co-executive producer

One Last Time: An Evening With Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga • CBS • Alex Coletti Productions

Alex Coletti, Bruce Gillmer, Jack Sussman, Danny Bennett, Bobby Campbell, executive producers; Gillian Appleby, supervising producer; Allison Roithinger, produced by; Chris Vineyard, Jennifer Lebeau, producers; Lady Gaga, Tony Bennett, hosts

 

Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series

The Andy Warhol Diaries • Netflix • Abstract Submarine for Netflix; Ryan Murphy, Executive Producer; Andrew Rossi, Josh Braun, Alexis Martin Woodall, Stanley Buchthal, executive producers; Daniel Braun, Stacey Reiss, co-executive producers; Maya E. Rudolph, producer

WINNER: The Beatles: Get Back • Disney+ • Apple Corps Limited and WingNut Films Productions Limited; Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono Lennon, Olivia Harrison, producers; Peter Jackson, Clare Olssen, Jonathan Clyde, produced by

jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy • Netflix • A Netflix Documentary / A TIME Studios Production in association with Creative Control and Leah Natasha Productions; Ian Orefice, Rebecca Teitel, Alexa Conway, Kevin Thomson, Connor Schell, Mike Beck, Gee Roberson, Free Maiden, executive producers; Coodie Simmons, Chike Ozah, Leah Natasha Thomas, produced by; Marjorie Clarke, producer

100 Foot Wave • HBO/HBO Max • HBO in association with Topic Studios, Library Films, Amplify Pictures, React Films and Cinetic; Joe Lewis, Chris Smith, Maria Zuckerman, Ryan Heller, Nancy Abraham, Lisa Heller, executive producers; Bentley Weiner, senior producer

We Need to Talk About Cosby • Showtime • SHOWTIME Documentary Films presents a Boardwalk Pictures production in association with WKB Industries W. Kamau Bell, Andrew Fried, Katie A King, Vinnie Malhotra, Dane Lillegard, Sarina Roma, Jordan Wynn, executive producers; Geraldine L. Porras, co-executive producer; Erik Adolphson, supervising producer

 

Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special

Controlling Britney Spears (New York Times Presents) • FX • The New York Times and Left/Right; Mary Robertson, Ken Druckerman, Banks Tarver, executive producers; Liz Day, supervising producer; Samantha Stark, Timothy Moran, producers

WINNER: George Carlin’s American Dream • HBO/HBO Max • HBO Documentary Films presents an Apatow/Rise Films Production in association with Pulse Films; Teddy Leifer, Judd Apatow, Michael Bonfiglio, Kelly Carlin, executive producers; Joseph Beshenkovsky, co-executive producer; Amanda Glaze, supervising producer; Wayne Federman, producer

Lucy And Desi • Prime Video • Amazon Studios, Imagine Documentaries, White Horse Pictures in association with Paper Kite Productions and Diamond Docs Michael Rosenberg, Justin Wilkes, Jeanne Elfant Festa, Nigel Sinclair, Amy Poehler,  Mark Monroe, produced by

The Tinder Swindler • Netflix • A Netflix Documentary / A Raw Production with Gaspin Media and AGC Studios in association with VG; Bart Layton, Sam Starbuck, Jeff Gaspin, Eric Levy, Stuart Ford, Lourdes Diaz, executive producers; Bernadette Higgins, producer

We Feed People • Disney+ • National Geographic Documentary Films Presents an Imagine Documentaries Production; Carolyn Bernstein, executive producer; Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, Sara Bernstein, Justin Wilkes, Meredith Kaulfers, Walter Matteson, produced by

 

Outstanding Music Direction

43rd Annual Kennedy Center Honors • CBS • White Cherry Entertainment; Rickey Minor, music director

44th Annual Kennedy Center Honors • CBS • White Cherry Entertainment; Rickey Minor, Music Director

One Last Time: An Evening With Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga • CBS • Alex Coletti Productions Michael Bearden and Lee Musiker, music directors

WINNER: The Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show Starring Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar And 50 Cent • NBC • Jesse Collins Entertainment, DPS and Roc Nation; Adam Blackstone, music director

Saturday Night Live • Host: Jake Gyllenhaal • NBC • SNL Studios in association with Universal Television and Broadway Video; Lenny Pickett, Leon Pendarvis, Eli Brueggemann, music directors

 

Outstanding Music Composition for A Documentary Series or Special (Original Dramatic Score)

14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible • Netflix • A Netflix Documentary produced by Noah Media Group in association with Little Monster Films; Nainita Desai, composer

WINNER: Lucy and Desi • Prime Video • Amazon Studios, Imagine Documentaries, White Horse Pictures in association with Paper Kite Productions and Diamond Docs; David Schwartz, composer

Return to Space • Netflix • A Netflix Documentary / A Little Monster Films Production Mychael Danna and Harry Gregson-Williams, composers

They Call Me Magic • Earvin • Apple TV+ • New Slate Ventures / XTR / H.Wood Media / Delirio Films in association with Apple; Terence Blanchard, composer

The Tinder Swindler • Netflix • A Netflix Documentary / A Raw Production with Gaspin Media and AGC Studios in association with VG; Jessica Jones, composer

 

Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special

WINNER: Adele: One Night Only • CBS • Fulwell 73 UK Limited and Onward Productions in association with Harpo Productions; Paul Dugdale, directed by

Dave Chappelle: The Closer • Netflix • Netflix | Lathan TV | Pilot Boy; Stan Lathan, directed by

Jerrod Carmichael: Rothaniel • HBO/HBO Max • HBO in association with Rotten Science, Bo Burnham, directed by

Norm Macdonald: Nothing Special • Netflix • Irwin Entertainment for Netflix; Norm Macdonald, Jeff Tomsic, directed by

The Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show Starring Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar and 50 Cent • NBC • Jesse Collins Entertainment, DPS and Roc Nation; Hamish Hamilton, directed by

 

Outstanding Directing for a Variety Series

WINNER: A Black Lady Sketch Show • “Save My Edges, I’m A Donor!” • HBO/HBO Max • HBO in association with For Better or Words, Inc., Hoorae, 3 Arts Entertainment and Jax Media; Bridget Stokes, directed by

Last Week Tonight With John Oliver • “Union Busting” • HBO/HBO Max • HBO in association with Sixteen String Jack Productions and Avalon Television; Paul Pennolino, Christopher Werner, directed by

Late Night With Seth Meyers • “Episode 1252” • NBC • Universal Television and Broadway Video; Alexander J. Vietmeier, directed by

The Late Show With Stephen Colbert • Artistic Musical Performance By Chance The Rapper; Monologue: Ukraine & Russian War, January 6 Committee Evidence On Trump & Donald Jr.; Guest Beanie Feldstein • CBS • CBS Studios; Jim Hoskinson, directed by

Saturday Night Live • Host: Billie Eilish • NBC • SNL Studios in association with Universal Television and Broadway Video; Don Roy King, Liz Patrick, directed by

 

Outstanding Host for a Reality or Competition Program

Queer Eye • Netflix • Scout Productions Inc. and ITV Entertainment LLC for Netflix; Bobby Berk, Karamo Brown, Tan France, Antoni Porowski, Jonathan Van Ness, hosts

Nailed It! • Netflix • Magical Elves for Netflix;  Nicole Byer, host

Shark Tank • ABC • MGM Television in association with Sony Pictures Television; Mark Cuban, Barbara Corcoran, Lori Greiner, Robert Herjavec, Daymond John, Kevin O’Leary, hosts

Top Chef • Bravo • Magical Elves; Padma Lakshmi, host

Making It • NBC • Universal Television Alternative Studio in association with Paper Kite Productions and 3 Arts Entertainment; Amy Poehler, Nick Offerman, hosts

WINNER: RuPaul’s Drag Race • VH1 • World of Wonder; RuPaul, host

Why did Yungblud title his third studio album after himself? Because it’s “about me,” the English rocker says.

Released Friday (Sept. 2) through LOCOMOTION/Geffen Records, Yungblud is the follow-up to 2020’s Weird! and includes singles “The Funeral,” “Memories” (featuring Willow), and “Don’t Feel Like Feeling Sad Today.”

The artist, whose real name is Dominic Harrison, tells Billboard News‘ Tetris Kelly that his latest album “was an exercise for me at finding friends and people like me,” noting that he has experienced feelings isolation and loneliness in the past. “I literally looked into an iPhone and went, ‘Hello is there anyone out there like me?’”

Yungblud says he sees himself more as a communicator than a musician. “To be honest, I don’t even really see myself as a musician first, which is such a mental thing to say,” he notes. “I see myself as a communicator. This album is called Yungblud because I think it is about me.”

During his sit-down with Billboard News, Yungblud also discussed meeting The Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger, who recently gave him a shout-out as a rock act who “makes me think there is still a bit of life in rock and roll” during an interview Swedish radio station P4.

“Mick Jagger is everything to me, as a frontman, as an activist, as a rock star, as a sex icon,” he says, recalling a meeting with the legendary rocker. “When you’re meeting a rock ‘n’ roll star, you can’t be like, ‘Oh, my God!’ I did a shot of whiskey, walked in — alright Mick how are you? In my head, I was like ‘What the f—?’”

Yungblud also shared his thoughts on the state of rock music. “Rock ‘n’ roll is about energy,” he says. “It’s not about a drum kit, it’s not about guitar, it’s not about anything other than freedom and energy, because energy doesn’t lie. Freedom to express, freedom to be yourself, freedom to not conform.”

Watch Yungblud’s full interview above.

Them Crooked Vultures briefly reunited during the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert at Wembley Stadium in London on Saturday (Sept. 3).

The rock supergroup — featuring Foo Fighters‘ Dave Grohl, Queens of the Stone Age’s Josh Homme and Led Zeppelin‘s John Paul Jones — joined forces onstage for the first time in more than 12 years to honor the late Foos drummer, who died in earlier this year at age 50.

The surprise moment followed a video tribute from Elton John, who couldn’t appear at the all-star event because of a scheduling conflict. Joined by guitarist Alain Johannes, the rock outfit fittingly launched with a cover of John’s “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,” followed by their song “Gunman” and QOTSA’s “Long Slow Goodbye.”

“Ladies and gentlemen, we are Them Crooked Vultures,” Homme told the crowd. “For right now, I’ll just leave it at that.”

Them Crooked Vultures released their self-titled debut in 2009 and last performed together the following year. The band hasn’t released any new music since then, but Grohl hinted at a possible reunion in 2019.

“Technically we’re still a band,” the Foo Fighters frontman told The Guardian at the time. “We practice once every decade, and we’re coming up on another decade, aren’t we? I don’t have any official news, but there’s always something cooking.”

The Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert had already featured tons of unique pairings at press time, starting with Liam Gallagher singing Oasis with backing from the Foo Fighters, another surprise reunion from the James Gang, Hawkins’ Chevy Metal and Coattail Riders teaming up with Kesha and Darkness’ Justin Hawkins, Metallica’s Lars Ulrich and AC/DC’s Brian Johnson, and much more.

The show launched with Foo Fighters members Grohl, Nate Mendel, Chris Shiflett, Pat Smear and Rami Jafee walking out onstage together, followed by a heartfelt kick-off message from Grohl.

“Tonight we’ve gathered here to celebrate the life, the music and the love of our dear friend, our bandmate, our brother, Taylor Hawkins,” the frontman told the packed crowd. “We’ve gathered with family and his closest friends, his musical heroes, and his greatest inspirations to bring you a gigantic f—ing night for a gigantic f—ing person. Sing and dance, and laugh and cry, and f—ing scream and make some f—ing noise so he can hear us right now.”

Live coverage of the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert began at 11:30 a.m. ET/8:30 a.m. PT. The concert is streaming on Paramount+ domestically, Pluto TV internationally, and through MTV’s YouTube channel.

A second tribute concert will take place at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles on Sept. 27.

Watch Them Crooked Vultures’ reunite at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert here.

Britney Spears doesn’t have any regrets when it comes to her presence on social media.

The pop superstar took to Instagram on Friday night (Sept. 2) to clarify that she’s “not sorry” for her online posts, which often includes censored nude images and videos of herself. The singer’s comments arrive in the wake of an interview her 15-year-old son Jayden gave to the Daily Mail about their strained relationship. Parts of the sit-down are slated to run in an ITV News documentary, which began Friday.

“I 100% think this can be fixed,” Jayden tells the Daily Mail of his relationship with his mother, adding that there is “no hate” in their family. “It’s just going to take a lot of time and effort. I just want her to get better mentally. When she gets better I really want to see her again,” The teen also shared a personal message to Brit: “I love you a lot, I hope for the best for you. Maybe one day we can sit down like this and talk again.”

Spears’ new Instagram post, which features a video montage of her living room dance routines, begins with the singer expressing joy over her recent “Hold Me Closer” collaboration with Elton John. She then playfully brags that her musically talented son might give John a “run for his money” on the piano. In 2018, Spears shared a video of her “lil Mozart” son’s impressive piano skills, although it was unclear at the time whether the clip was of her elder son Preston (now 16) or Jayden.

“I have soooooooo much footage of him playing … yep my children are freaking geniuses !!! It’s kinda scary,” the singer captioned her latest IG post. “He stopped seeing me … I posted something of him, but he got really mad so unfortunately, I haven’t been able to post my loving family.”

Spears goes on to address her activity on social media. In early August, the pop star’s ex-husband Kevin Federline told the Daily Mail that the former couple’s sons had been avoiding their mother in recent months, and that they were having a difficult time dealing with her nude images on social media following the end of her 13-year conservatorship.

“Either way I’m so sorry children I continue to do social media,” Spears continues in her IG post. “I’m sorry you feel I do it for attention … I’m sorry for the way you feel … but guess what ???? I’ve got news for you … I’m a child of God as well we all are in God’s eyes … so NOPE I’m not sorry … I’ve learned to say SO !!!”

After wiping her Instagram account last week, the singer returned on Thursday (Sept. 1) with a pointed response to comments made by her Jayden regarding her parenting.

“I’ve tried my best at being the best person I can be,” Spears wrote in the note. “To be basically held hostage in homes under nurses and bulls–t I hope my kids one day understand my reasoning of my play in water revealing myself as any woman would being held under blankets and supervision under the conservatorship!!!”

See Spears’ latest post on Instagram here.

In October 2021, when I interviewed The Weeknd for his Billboard cover story about “Blinding Lights” being the biggest Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 song of all time, we discussed how the After Hours Til Dawn Tour would cover his two latest albums, 2020’s After Hours and 2022’s Dawn FM, while also revisiting the rest of his catalog.

“So you see my problems? These are great problems. These are the kind of problems you want,” the superstar said assuredly, almost as if he already knew his solution would be the stimulating, perfectly engineered pandemonium that arrived at Inglewood’s SoFi Stadium Friday night (Sept. 2) for his first of two sold-out nights in Los Angeles.

The night starts off with risky business and an overblown portraiture of the perks and perils of Hollywood — and that’s just part of the newest trailer for The Weeknd’s upcoming HBO Max show The Idol, starring Lily-Rose Depp, who graces the stage in a billowing white turtleneck gown. “I’ve had a tough year. And there were moments where I didn’t know I was going to make it. But then I thought of you and your grace. Tonight is incredibly special, because I have the opportunity to introduce you to the love of my life, the man who pulled me through the darkest hours and into the light,” she recites to the crowd in what appeared to be a filmed segment of the highly anticipated series before calling out The Weeknd by his character’s name. “Tedros, will you please join us?”

The dystopian skyline on stage suddenly illuminates with a fiery red hue that matches several opera members donned in head-to-toe red veils, who slowly pace toward the front of the stage. It’s ironic how the faceless, underground R&B figurehead who lurked on the internet in the early 2010’s then appears in front of his 70,000 fans while wearing a mask. While performing the first full-length songs from After Hours and Dawn FM, “Alone Again” and “Gasoline,” respectively, the singer known as Abel Tesfaye descends to then re-emerge from the depths of the dark city with the mic stand high above his head like the shattered skyscrapers behind him, eventually taking off the mask and unveiling his devilishly handsome smile that we’ve all inevitably fallen for over time.

This tour is where The Weeknd’s low-profile heyday from a decade ago and his current inescapable superstardom meet in the middle, where the deep cuts for the “OG XO fans,” as he occasionally refers to them, and the chart-topping hits occupy the same space. This is where the culmination of the Canadian-Ethiopian artist’s career — which already received the Super Bowl Halftime Show treatment in 2021 at Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium and Coachella headliner treatment earlier this year — dominates other massive stages all over the country, and soon, across the entire globe.

Concertgoers can feel the thunderous bass go down their throats when he croons “Kiss Land” from his 2013 debut studio album (with Japanese signs flashing on the fictitious, on-screen buildings that represent how Japan and its city pop music scene influenced his earlier work). The way he hisses “p—y” while singing “Or Nah,” his 2014 track with Ty Dolla $ign and Wiz Khalifa, pierces ears. With nostrils buzzing, hearts thumping and legs shaking during his performance of 2015’s “Can’t Feel My Face” — which might arguably be the only body part that can remain intact during the show — The Weeknd’s spectacle doubles as an out-of-body experience. He makes fans feel whatever he wants them to feel in every single song, orchestrating their melancholy, their misery, their merriness, their madness, their marveling.

The scene-stealing pyrotechnics during “The Hills,” mixed with the L.A. heat wave, make it feel like we’re all in hell rather than purgatory as the Dawn FM storyline suggests. But each attendee’s wristbands light up during the Daft Punk-assisted “I Feel It Coming” and dot the football stadium like stars in the sky alongside the colossal suspended moon at the edge of the stage. Maybe we made it past purgatory. Maybe we’re in heaven since we’re making up the sky and contributing to its glowing magic. One thing’s for certain, though: The Weeknd is our North (pop) Star. Even when he presents himself as this character who’s incapable of loving or being loved in lyrics like “I don’t deserve someone loyal to me” in “Is There Someone Else,” every concertgoer is unquestionably devoted to the man who blends relatable desolation and provocative charm in his catalog.

While hip-hop/pop impresario Mike Dean pulls the strings behind the curtains with all-too-satisfying, seamless transitions between songs à la Coachella, The Weeknd waves his arms during his ferocious verse on the Grammy-winning “Hurricane” (with Kanye West and Lil Baby) and guides the audience through the heartbreaking outro of “After Hours” as if he was running the show. Because he is. With “Blinding Lights” bringing the show to an excellent close, The Weeknd returns to center stage, dazzling orange light beams and glaring white wristband lights showering him during his stride of pride. He victoriously throws up his fist in a move reminiscent of John Bender during the last scene of the 1985 coming-of-age classic film, The Breakfast Club. But Simple Minds’ “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” doesn’t need to be cued up to signal the epic finale. The Weeknd is the singer, director, creator, composer and star of his own movie. And Hollywood hasn’t seen all of him just quite yet.

The Weeknd’s SoFi Stadium set list:

“Alone Again”

“Gasoline”

“Sacrifice”

“How Do I Make You Love Me:

“Can’t Feel My Face”

“Take My Breath”

“Hurricane”

“The Hills”

“Often”

“Crew Love”

“Starboy”

“Heartless”

“Low Life”

“Or Nah”

“Kiss Land”

“Party Monster”

“Faith”

“After Hours”

“Out of Time”

“I Feel It Coming”

“Die For You”

“Is There Someone Else”

“I Was Never There”

“Wicked Games”

“Call Out My Name”

“The Morning”

“Save Your Tears”

“Less Than Zero”

“Blinding Lights”

From career milestones and new music releases to major announcements and more, Billboard editors highlight the latest news buzz in Latin music every week. Here’s what happened in the Latin music world this week.

Latin Music Week Update

Christina Aguilera, Wisin y Yandel and Justin Quiles are confirmed for the 2022 Billboard Latin Music Week, set to take place Sept. 26-Oct. 1 at the Faena Forum in Miami, coinciding with National Hispanic Heritage Month.

At the conference, Xtina will host the “Premiere Party With Christina Aguilera,” where she will debut never-before-heard music and answer fan questions in an intimate setting. Quiles will be part of an engaging panel about connecting people with music through technology, and Puerto Rican duo Wisin y Yandel will join Nicky Jam for a compelling conversation during The Nicky Jam Rockstar Show Live from Billboard Latin Music Week.

Registration is now open here.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by billboard (@billboard)

Gloria Estefan’s Very Own Barbie

Gloria Estefan has her very own Barbie! Mattel released a Barbie doll made in her likeness on Thursday (Sept. 1), to celebrate the artist’s 65th birthday and her 1989 hit single “Get on Your Feet.”

“I’m honored to be partnering with Barbie to create a doll in my likeness, especially as I ring in my 65th birthday and right ahead Hispanic Heritage Month,” Estefan said in a statement to Billboard. “When designing my Barbie with the team, I wanted to ensure I was staying true to my multicultural roots – and I believe we did just that.” Here’s where you can buy it online.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Gloria Estefan (@gloriaestefan)

Raphael to Receive Special Award

Spanish artist Raphael will be honored with the lifetime achievement award at the 2022 Billboard Latin Music Awards, Billboard and Telemundo announced.

With a musical career that spans more than 60 years, Raphael — known for anthemic songs such as “Yo Soy Aquel,” “En Carne Viva” and “Mi Gran Noche” — has garnered worldwide recognition as a pioneer of Spanish-language romantic ballads. In 1962, he began his professional career, where he soon earned first, second and third prize at Spain’s Festival Internacional de la Canción in Benidorm. He also performed two consecutive times at the Eurovision Festival.

Raphael will be recognized for his “exceptional professional career and his artistic and personal contributions” that have influenced the development of Latin music around the world. The singer will also perform during the awards show, which will take place Thursday, Sept. 29, at the Watsco Canter in Miami and will broadcast live on Telemundo beginning at 7 p.m. ET.

Calling All Camilo Fans 

Camilo has revealed the release date of his forthcoming album De Adentro Pa’ Afuera. Set for a Sept. 6 release, the album marks his third studio album following his debut Por Primera Vez (2020) and Mis Manos (2021), each of which debuted at No. 5 on Billboard‘s Top Latin Albums chart.

The Colombian singer-songwriter said in a press statement that the album — whose title loosely translates to “inside out” — is “without a doubt, the title of this chapter of my life.” “After the pandemic, I discovered on my first tour that the songs that were born from the inside belong to those who are out there,” he explained. “That encounter changed my life and inspired many ideas that are now part of this album. After being completely hermetic to welcoming our first baby, Indigo, now we pack a suitcase with [new] songs to go around the world and reunite with La Tribu again.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by C A M I L O (@camilo)

J Balvin Meets the Pope 

J Balvin took to social media to share a handful of photos he was able to snag with the Pope during his trip to Italy. In the caption, he wrote, “We took selfies smiling and another one with a Latino Gang flow with Pope Francis. Always transmitting love and tolerance. P.s. Check out the video at the end so you can understand the vibe.” In the video, the Pope tells Balvin, “seems like you’re a troublemaker.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by J Balvin (@jbalvin)

Bizarrap and Quevedo hold strong atop the Billboard Argentina Hot 100 chart for a seventh week as “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 52” tops the ranking dated Aug. 27. It moves into a tie with four other songs for the eighth-most weeks at No. 1 since the chart launched in 2018.

Rosalía’s “Despechá” and Manuel Turizo’s “La Bachata” hold steady at No. 2 and No. 3, respectively for a second week. Rei and Callejero Fino stay at No. 4 with “Tu Turrito” and Duki’s “Givenchy” closes the top five at No. 5. Bad Bunny’s “Titi Me Preguntó” rebounds into the top 10 with a 12-8 trek.

Emilia scores this week’s Hot Shot Debut as “La Chain” starts at No. 24, while Paulo Londra and Ed Sheeran capture the Greatest Gainer honors of the week with the 26-rank trek of “Noche De Novela” (from No. 66 to No. 40).

Elsewhere, K-pop group BLACKPINK claims its fourth chart entry thanks to “Pink Venom” at No. 32. Plus, Argentinian Chano bests his previous three debuts thanks to the No. 57 arrival of “Oración Al Sol.” Luciano Pereyra clocks his seventh chart appearance with “Que No Se Le Olvide,” with Nacho, at No. 91.

Lastly, K-pop girl group NewJeans secures its second entry with “Hype Boy” at No. 92, while Mexican singer-songwriter Kenia Os makes her first chart performance with the CNCO-assisted “Plutón” at No. 94.