Culture
‘RuPaul’s Secret Celebrity Drag Race’ Is Bringing a Series of Lip-Sync Smack Downs to Your Screen
In the immortal words of Alyssa Edwards, it’s “back back back back back again!” On Monday (July 18), VH1 announced the return of the second season of RuPaul’s Secret Celebrity Drag Race. Premiering on VH1 Friday, August 12 at 8 p.m. ET, the new season is also switching up the format of the original concept — gone are the work room antics, makeovers and classic Drag Race challenges of the original season, now replaced with a set of lip sync showdowns. In a shake-up to the format that feels equal parts The Masked Singer and Lip Sync Battle, nine unidentified celebrity contestants will enter the competition with completed, fully-formed drag makeovers disguising their identities. They will compete in a series of lip syncs in front of a live audience based on different “cate...
The Lollapalooza of Documentaries
Sheffield’s International Documentary Festival (DocFest), which happens in June every year, this year, hosted 135 films from 55 countries. Many UK and world premieres, industry panels, workshops, talks, parties, virtual reality installations, dance events and drinks, all over the place, (it’s hard to keep up) for six days and started June 23rd. If you’re even moderately interested in making a documentary or a short; this is the place to be. It’s a gathering of smart creative minds wanting to make a difference in the world through global visual storytelling, as well as offering an unbelievable smorgasbord for documentary lovers. There were 95 features, 40 shorts, 29 works in Alternate Realities, and a few competitions. And lots of parties. Oh, I said that already. Curzon exterior: A t...
Years & Years’ Olly Alexander Wishes Himself a Happy Birthday With a Lil Nas X Cover: Listen
It may be Olly Alexander’s birthday, but the Years & Years frontman decided to switch things up and give his fans a gift. On Friday (July 15), Years & Years unveiled their brand new cover of Lil Nas X‘s smash-hit single “Montero (Call Me By Your Name).” Taking the Latin-tinged pop stylings of the original and stripping them down to a quieter pop track featuring a simple acoustic guitar and piano melody throughout, Alexander lets his effortless vocals do the heavy lifting while the original lyrics keep the hedonistic vibe fully intact. “a while back i made a lil cover of ‘Montero’ by king @LilNasX and it’s now available across all streaming platforms,” Alexander wrote in a post on the Years & Years Twitter account, alongside two emojis of a smiling purple devil and some water dr...
Dua Lipa’s Second Puma Collab Pays Homage to ’90s Rave Culture: How to Shop the Collection
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. Dua Lipa’s new Puma collaboration is here! The second installment of the “Flutur” capsule collection, released Thursday (July 14), features dozens of vibrant pieces inspired by nostalgic rave culture. With over 30 pieces, part two of the collection includes a track suit, skirt, dress, bralette, basketball shorts and shirts that are made for mixing, matching and layering. The color palette is comprised of orange neon, pastel pink, royal purple, black, blue and black stripes with a pop of red. The collection, available at Puma.com, also includes shoes and acce...
Lil Baby Declares Himself ‘Living Proof’ in First Trailer for ‘Untrapped’: Watch
Amazon’s Prime Video unveiled the first look at its upcoming documentary Untrapped: The Story of Lil Baby on Wednesday (July 13). “Lil Baby already cemented himself as a super important part of his generation,” Drake says from the confessional chair to introduce the clip. “He’s putting distance between himself and other people. He just continued to evolve. This guy’s the truth.” From there, the artist otherwise known as Dominique Armani Jones recounts his own journey from convicted felon to Grammy-winning star on the rise, admitting, “I never wanted to be a rapper; I was already young and turnt in the streets … But after I got locked up again, my perspective changed. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news “America has a system in place,” he co...
J-Pop Band Travis Japan Bring the Energy For ‘AGT’ Audition: Watch
America’s got talent, yes. So does Japan. On Tuesday night (July 12), America’s Got Talent fans got a sparkly glimpse at Travis Japan, an all-singing, all-dancing, all-energy J-Pop group. Five years into their career, Travis Japan are synchronized like an expensive watch, and with their performance of “My Dreamy Hollywood,” showcased an impressive collective set of lungs. The crowd loved the audition, so did the judges. “It felt like Vegas,” enthused Sofia Vergara. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news “Even though I didn’t love the song,” remarked Simon Cowell, “I have the feeling people are going to talk about you. The energy was through the roof.” It was an energetic yes from everyone in the place. Watch below. [embedded content] [flexi-co...
Wyn Starks Gets the Tears Flowing With Emotional Audition on ‘AGT’: Watch
The waterworks were cranking Tuesday night (July 12) when Wyn Starks auditioned on America’s Got Talent. The Nashville-based, Minnesota native shrugged off nerves before tugging at everyone’s heartstring. Starks performed an original song, “Who I Am,” a tale about his personal journey. It was also a favorite song of his twin brother, he told the room. Sadly, his twin passed away. “It’s been really hard, and he was one of my biggest supporters,” he said, holding back tears. Starks lost his job in hospitality due to the pandemic, so to hit the AGT stage “means everything to me,” Starks explained. “I’m doing this for him. I just want to do this and honor him.” Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Starks’ sibling would have been thrilled with a ...
Cardi B Goes Casual in $31 Shorts Set: Here’s Where You Can Buy It Online
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. You don’t need to spend a fortune to dress like Cardi B. From luxury to budget-friendly, when it comes to style, the Bronx native doesn’t care about the price. Cardi has been in promo mode for her new single “Hot Shit,” but she kept it casual in an affordable outfit on Thursday (June 30) as she sang along to Beyoncé’s “Break My Soul” single while on Instagram Live (a can of Cardi’s Whip Shots can also be seen in the footage). Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news The mother of two dressed down in a cute, yellow...
Want to See Mario Live? Here’s Where You Can Buy Tickets to His Next Concert
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. For the first time since their epic Verzuz battle, Mario and Omarion are once again preparing to share a stage — but they won’t be going up against each other. The R&B stars will perform in Mario’s home state of Maryland next month for Femme It Forward Presents: Serenade. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news The concert will be held at The Theater at MGM National Harbor in National, Harbor, Md., on July 29. Pleasure P is also featured on the bill. Tickets range from $49.50 up to about $250 for front-row passes. Yo...
David Bowie Barbie Doll Marks 50th Anniversary of ‘Hunky Dory’: Where to Buy the Collector’s Item Online
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. David Bowie is getting the Barbie treatment in honor of the album that changed his career. The Barbie Signature Collection released its second, limited-edition Barbie as Bowie doll to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Bowie’s Hunky Dory album on Wednesday (June 29). Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news The dapper doll is decked out in a replica of Bowie’s iconic powder-blue suit worn in the “Life on Mars?” music video produced and directed by Mick Lock. Capturing Bowie’s unique style, the outfit is accessorize...
The World’s First ‘Metal Choir’ Drags Britney Spears’ ‘Toxic’ to Hell on ‘America’s Got Talent’
Britney Spears has suggested her own music career is behind her. If that is the case, it’s a good thing we have the Dremeka Choir. Hailing from Montreal, Canada, and founded by Pierre-Luc Senécal, the “Dream Machine” delivered a dramatic – and very metal – performance of “O Fortuna” from Carmina Burana. If that wasn’t a surprise, the finish sure was as the vocal group wrapped up their audition with Brit’s “Toxic”. Claiming to be the world’s first “metal choir,” the Dremeka Choir look the part, its members clad in black with red ties, and one singer boasting skin so pale it can only be achieved by hiding from the sun. “I love it,” Sofia Vergara enthused at the close. The audience did too, as many stood to applaud something dark, wild and totally unexpected. Three of the four judges got out ...
You Have to See This Teenage One-Woman Band Do It All on ‘America’s Got Talent’
Why focus on one instrument when you can play them all, simultaneously. Somewhere along the way, Mia Morris had that realization. The teenage student showed off her substantial musical talents when she stopped by America’s Got Talent on Tuesday night (June 28). Hailing from Nashville, TN, music is in Morris’ DNA. Performing an original song, “Gone My Way”, the 17-year-old didn’t need support from a backing band, instead, she worked her way through several instruments and used a loop pedal to make the magic happen. “My dream is to share my music and my writing with the world,” she enthused. AGT is, of course, the place where dreams come true. She came to the right place. “I think you’re one of the coolest girls that’s been standing on that stage,” Sofia Vergara remarked. “It was at times a ...
