Month: July 2023

Tay Lautner proved once again that she’s the ultimate Swiftie by referencing a fan theory-turned-fact on Instagram.

In the last slide of the photo dump shared to Instagram on Monday (July 24), Tay is seen posing with a thumbs up in front of a cleaning cart. The cleaning cart has become a joke among fans during The Eras tour, as it was once a theory that Taylor Swift travels to the stage undercover in the cart before the show starts.

However, one concertgoer in attendance at the trio of Eras Tour shows in Arlington, Texas, proved the theory to be correct via a TikTok that shows the superstar apparently hiding in the fake cleaning cart as two crew members roll her to her starting spot underneath the stage. At the end of the video, a door on the side of the cart opens and Swift — immediately recognizable with her sparkly outfit and blonde hair — appears to stride out.

In response to Tay’s Instagram selfie with the cart, her husband and actor Taylor Lautner (yes, they’re both named Taylor Lautner) took to the comment section to hilariously ask, “So you just left her in the cart?”

Earlier this month, Swift debuted the first music video from her Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) album at the first Eras Tour stop in Kansas City, Missouri. The Twilight actor, Joey King and Presley Cash, who all starred in the video, also joined the singer onstage to celebrate the video’s premiere.

Swift and Taylor also dated back in 2009, and it is rumored that her hit song “Back to December” is about their breakup.

See Tay’s post and Taylor’s comment via a fan Reddit post below

It’s official: Barbie is a box-office hit. The pop culture phenomenon is storming the U.K. singles chart, too.

Several tracks from the original soundtrack for Barbie are climbing the U.K. chart ladder, as Barbiemania sweeps the nation.

Leading the way is Dua Lipa‘s “Dance The Night” (via Warner Records), the first single from Barbie: The Album, which lifts 12-3 on the Official Chart Update behind longstanding leader “Sprinter” by Dave and Central Cee, and Olivia Rodrigo’s “Vampire” (Geffen), respectively. If it holds its place, “Dance The Night” will nab a new peak.

Close behind is Nicki Minaj, Ice Spice and Aqua’s “Barbie World” (Atlantic/Capitol/Republic) set to rise 26-6, and there’s a bump for Aqua’s kitsch 1997 original “Barbie Girl” (Universal). The one-time leader is on track to reenter the U.K. top 40 for the first time in more than 25 years, lifting to No. 34 on the chart blast.

According to the Official U.K. Singles Chart, “Barbie Girl” is a member of the U.K.’s million-seller club, coming in at No. 16 on the all-time list.

Meanwhile, Billie Eilish‘s soundtrack cut “What Was I Made For?” (Interscope) dips 9-12, while Charli XCX’s “Speed Drive” is set to rebound into the top 40 at No. 37.

Executive produced by Academy Award and Brit Award-winning songwriter and producer Mark Ronson, the Barbie soundtrack features a star-studded roster of pop’s biggest hitmakers, including Lizzo, Fifty Fifty, Kali, Gayle, Khalid, Haim and Ava Max.

Barbie isn’t having all the fun on the midweek chart.

Travis Scott, Bad Bunny and the Weeknd’s collaborative single “K-pop” (RCA) is on course for the week’s highest debut, starting at No. 21 on the midweek chart.

Meanwhile, “The Weekend” (0207/Merky), a team-up by Brit Award winning British rapper Stormzy and homegrown singer and songwriter Raye, is set to start at No. 24.

Finally, Zayn is on track for his eighth solo top 40 appearance with “Love Like This” (Universal Music Recordings). The former One Direction singer’s latest number appears at No. 31 on the chart blast.

All will be revealed when the Official U.K. Singles Chart is published late Friday, July 28.

Blur will be hard to catch in the U.K. chart race.

The legendary Britpop band sets a dizzying pace on the midweek chart with The Ballad of Darren (via Parlophone), which is currently outselling the rest of the top 10 combined, the Official Charts Company reports.

Dropping last Friday, July 21, The Ballad of Darren is likely to mark the group’s seventh U.K. No. 1, which includes their most recent effort, 2015’s The Magic Whip.

The foursome, comprising Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon, Alex James and Dave Rowntree, also hit No. 1 with Parklife (1994), The Great Escape (1995), Blur (1997), 13 (1999), and Think Tank (2003) (2015).

Of their eight previous studio LPs, only their first two efforts, 1991 debut Leisure (No. 7 peak) and 1993’s sophomore release Modern Life is Rubbish (No. 15), have failed to summit.

Frontman Albarn has already lifted the crown this year, with Gorillaz, whose Cracker Island started atop the Official U.K. Albums Chart in March, for the “virtual” act’s second leader.

Meanwhile, Michigan rockers Greta Van Fleet are soaring high on the latest chart blast with Starcatcher (EMI), their third album. It’s new at No. 2, and is set to earn Greta Van Fleet a new career high, eclipsing 2018’s Anthem of a Peaceful Army (No. 12 peak) and 2021’s The Battle at Garden’s Gate (No. 8).

Completing an all-new top three at the midweek point is by Nottingham, England alt-rock act As December Falls’ Join The Club (ADF). It’s new at No. 3 on the Official Chart Update, and should give the indie outfit their debut chart appearance.

Further down the midweek tally, K-pop girl group NewJeans could slip into the top 10 with their second EP, Get Up (Polydor). Featuring the viral single “Super Shy,” Get Up is on track for a No. 7 start.

All will be revealed when the Official U.K. Albums Chart is published late Friday, July 28.