Month: July 2024

Las Vegas isn’t just where artists go to do long-term residencies when they need a break from touring. It’s also the home of several sports teams, including the WNBA’s Aces, who played the Indiana Fever on ESPN last night. Naturally, ESPN anchor Michael Eaves asked the Aces star forward A’ja Wilson after the game if there were any artists she wanted to see perform a residency in Vegas. The WNBA’s best player didn’t even let Eaves get the question out before responding with a relatable, one-word answer: Beyoncé.

“She doesn’t even have to come here for a residency,” she conceded. “She could just come to a game and just say ‘what’s up’ to us, and we’re fine, ’cause I know she got other stuff to do. Beyoncé, girl…”

https://twitter.com/brilewerke/status/180834517114418403

With the WNBA increasing in popularity lately, it doesn’t sound like a pipe dream (I, personally, am disappointed that Bey hasn’t hit up a game yet, though — maybe she was waiting for the Houston Comets to come back). The Chicago Sky’s rookie forward Angel Reese recently joined Megan Thee Stallion on stage during her tour stop in the Windy City, and the Phoenix Mercury duo of Brittney Griner and Natasha Cloud got Meg’s attention to invite her to a game when her tour reached the Valley of the Sun. Additionally, the W has been making in-roads into the world of music, tapping Kehlani to perform at last year’s All-Star Game and to narrate the launch video for the expansion team, the Golden State Valkyries. If Beyoncé does give the league a co-sign, its skyrocketing popularity would be supercharged, for sure.

Bridgerton is one of Netflix‘s spiciest shows, and a whole lot of people think they can book a role by auditioning with an X-rated video.

“It’s every day… I get the most unbelievable videos, unsolicited,” casting director Kelly Valentine Henry said on a recent episode of the Should I Delete That podcast said, according to US Magazine. “It’s sex basically, it’s not actual sex but it’s quite punchy. It’s not nudie pictures, but not far off.”

Hendry, 47, added that her inbox is constantly “90 percent” full of emails from hopeful actors looking to join the hit period drama, which is renowned for airing some of TV’s steamiest sex scenes. Hendry [said] many of the aspiring actors who contact her are hoping to land the role of Sophie Beckett, the love interest of Benedict Bridgerton, played by Luke Thompson, as introduced in the acclaimed Bridgerton romance novels that inspire the TV series

This is like that episode of Arrested Development where Tobias sends gift bags full of glitter to Hollywood casting directors (“never hire Tobias Fünke”), except with photos and videos of dongs instead of glitter. Neither idea is great.

In other Bridgerton news, season 3 bumped Baby Reindeer out of Netflix’s most popular English language TV shows list. It’s now the only series with three seasons in the top 10, with season 1 at #4, season 2 at #9, and season 3 at #10. No wonder there’s many more seasons to come.

(Via US Magazine)

Yesterday (July 2), BTS teased something mysterious, but fans were pretty quick to speculate that it was a travel show starring Jung Kook and Jimin. It turns out that was correct: Later in the day, Disney+ announced Are You Sure?!, which premieres on August 8 and will see the pair enjoy some international travel.

In a press release (as NME notes), Disney+ explains, “The unplanned nature of their trip leads to various situations where they frequently ask each other, ‘Are you sure?’ Throughout their travels, they enjoy simple daily pleasures and engage in outdoor adventures, such as camping, canoeing, and road trips.”

Jung Kook previously talked about the show in a 2023 chat with Suga (per The Indian Express), saying Jimin had the idea a long time ago, but they weren’t able to make it work out for a while.

Jung Kook said, “On a shoot with Jimin years ago, he said that it would be fun to do a travel variety show with me, and I agreed. But it didn’t go anywhere from there. Then, suddenly, they set up a shoot, and it got even funnier after Jimin hyung joined. It was a total mess.” Suga added, “There is something about Jimin that tugs at your heartstrings.”

Pride Month is over as of a few days ago, and Kehlani closed it out by declaring that they are, in their words, a “raging lesbian.”

Kehlani has been open about their sexuality previously, but in new videos shared on TikTok, they speak about “de-centering men” in her life and about people questioning whether they’re actually a lesbian.

In one video, Kehlani says:

“OK, so hear me out: I was bisexual my entire life, and then I came out as a lesbian almost four years ago now. But when I realized — recently, actually — all of the f*cking elevation in my life that has come from de-centering men in every f*cking area of it… [chef’s kiss gesture]. In your spiritual spaces, in your practices, in who you’re being educated by, who you’re being taught by, in community… everything. When I prioritized women and also just centered myself and women? When all the bad b*tches decide what planet that they’re going to after we f*ck this one, invite me, because I will thrive.”

Then, in a video responding to comments, Kehlani continued:

“Bringing up the fact that I had a child, or bringing up ex-boyfriends from four years ago or before, bringing up situations from when I was 20? I’m 29. I will be 30 next year. I don’t know why there’s this inability to fathom that I’m a raging lesbian. And yes, my music is gay. Who I perform to and for is the gays. And if you’re stuck in the past, it’s between you and your god. If you’re a man still bringing up my ex-boyfriends, just say you want to f*ck ’em.”

Check out the videos below.

In less than four short years, aespa has become one of the biggest K-pop groups in the world. Now, Karina, Giselle, Winter, and Ningning are taking things to the next level with their Japanese debut single, “Hot Mess.”

The high-energy song carries a message of independence, with aespa taking ownership of being a hot mess: “So if you like it, I can take you to my world.” The single, which follows the group’s first full-length studio album Armageddon, comes with two additional songs: the R&B-focused “Sun and Moon” and “Zoom Zoom,” which also serves as the end credits theme song for the popular anime BEYBLADE X.

You can watch the Japanese pop culture-influenced “Hot Mess” music video above, and stream the single below.

In an Uproxx cover story, Karina shared the ethos of aespa. “We want to be known as artists and leaders who give positive energy to our fans through our music, energy, and message,” she said.

The group is taking that positive energy on the road on the SYNK: Parallel Line Tour, which includes stops in Japan, China, Australia, and Thailand. The setlist includes favorites like “Black Mamba,” “Supernova,” and “Salty & Sweet.” Check out the tour dates here.

In perhaps the least surprising news of the NBA’s free agency period, LeBron James is going to stay in Los Angeles. According to reports by both Shams Charania of The Athletic and Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, James and the Lakers came to terms on a 2-year max deal that will pay him $104 million.

The deal has a no-trade clause and a player option on the final year.

The news of the new deal comes after a report that James was willing to take a little less money if it helped the Lakers acquire a big name in free agency. But after all three of the reported targets — James Harden, Klay Thompson, and Jonas Valanciunas — went elsewhere on the open market, which cleared a path for James to get a gigantic payday.

James has continued to play at a high level ever since he joined the Lakers in free agency back in 2018, which has included multiple All-NBA nods, an NBA Finals win in 2020, and a win in the inaugural NBA Cup this past season — James was named the MVP of both the 2020 Finals and the 2023 NBA Cup. He’s hinted that he’s heading into the final chapter of his career, and during the 2024 NBA Draft, the Lakers used a second-round pick to select his eldest son, Bronny.

While he’s taken a step back from his absolute peak, James is still among the best basketball players in the world. As a 39-year-old last year, James averaged 25.7 points, 8.3 assists, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.3 steals in 35.3 minutes per game for the Lakers.

For months, it has been speculated that Dua Lipa is dating actor Callum Turner. They were first spotted together in January and a report said at the time, “It’s new, but they’re mad about each other.” The pair has been seen out and about since then, but now Callum has been spotted in a new place: Lipa’s Instagram.

Yesterday (July 2), Lipa shared a gallery of photos from her weekend at Glastonbury. Included in the mix are two photos of her and Callum. One is of the pair walking together, with Callum putting his arm around Lipa’s shoulder as he kisses her head. The other is of the two of them lying in the grass, drinks in hand as they look at each other and smile.

Meanwhile, Lipa just released her latest album, Radical Optimism. She also recently kicked off her tour in support of the album.

It’s been a massive year for Lipa beyond the new project. In May, she pulled double-duty as host and musical guest on Saturday Night Live. She also made a surprise appearance at the 2024 ACM Awards to sing a duet with Chris Stapleton. She also starred in Argylle and was named YSL Beauty’s Global Makeup Ambassador.

With “Dade County Dreaming,” Camila Cabello seemingly treated fans to the last time we’ll hear the City Girls on a track (for now). While, the culture shaping duo is officially done, former member JT is just getting starting.

In March, the “Okay” rapper hinted at her debut solo project, City Cinderella. Yesterday (July 2), JT officially unveiled the forthcoming body of work’s cover art and release date.

“City Cinderella coming….7/19 ,” she wrote. “My hands shaking posting this. Juvies we here…...”

Users online were frozen with shock over the creative direction of the cover. Many quickly praised JT for taking an artistic risk.

“This one of the best covers I’ve seen from a rap girl this year ngl,” wrote one user.

“BEST COVER ART OF THE YEAR. YES JT!! ,” echoed another.

“The cover? WE READY, WTF,” chimed another.

Others pointed about the direct references subtly hidden in the photograph—specifically the incorporation of high fashion house, Margiela’s highly sought after Spring 2009 Cinderella Glass Heels.

“JT aligning her fashion interests with her solo music pursuits/positioning is so intentional,” penned another.

Although the official tracklist hasn’t been rolled out, JT has dropped several tracks including “Okay,” “Sideways,” and “No Bars,” all of which fans hope will make the final cut.

City Cinderella is out on 7/19 via Quality Control. Find more information here.

Rihanna has been on an eight-year side quest. As the public patiently awaits the “Work” singer’s highly anticipated follow-up to 2016’s Anti, Rihanna has grown her Fenty empire to include a beauty, intimates, and hair care line. She’s also expanded her family with Asap Rocky.

On multiple occasions, Rihanna has teased that she is working on new music. But the public is no longer holding their breath. Still, there is a small group of supporters that do have hopes for a new original body of work from her. Meanwhile, Rihanna pulled a Uno reverse card with GloRilla to question the rapper about her forthcoming project.

Today (July 2), the “Wanna Be” rapper took to her official Instagram page to share the shocking message she received from Rihanna.

“You got all summer sis,” she wrote. “I know dis wild hypocritical, but when the album drop?”

Users online hilariously called out Rihanna for having the nerve to flip the script onto GloRilla.

“The audacity,” wrote one user.

“We are never getting that album,” penned another.

This isn’t the first time Rihanna fanned out over GloRilla. Last month, while in Paris to support Asap Rocky’s Fashion Week show with American Sabotage by AWGE, Rihanna uploaded a video rapping along to GloRilla’s latest single, “TGIF.”

Could GloRilla finally get Rihanna to confirm the details of R9? Fans surely hope so.

Is she? Or isn’t she? Whispers of Taylor Swift entering the Marvel Cinematic Universe have made its way around the rumor mill for months. To be specific, fans believe the “Anti-Hero” singer is set to make a surprise cameo in Deadpool & Wolverine.

Ryan Reynolds, a star of the highly anticipated movie, further fanned the flames by recreating the cover of Swift’s album, Evermore. Today (July 2), Reynolds took to his official Instagram Stories to pay homage to Swift’s 2020 body of ork, in true Deadpool fashion.

The upload was rounded out by Swift’s title track, which featured Bon Iver.

Users online have taken Reynolds’ flattery as a subtle confirmation that Swift is indeed the film.

“This is so iconic,” wrote one user.

“She in it. Lol,” proclaimed another.

“Taylor even influences Deadpool,” joked another.

Earlier this year at CimenaCon, Deadpool & Wolverine‘s director Shawn Levy dodged spoiling the potential surprised when asked by ET. “You know I can’t answer. All of America knows I can’t answer that. That is hardly confirmed nor denied in this interview,” he said. “The proliferation of rumors about who is and isn’t in this movie–it’s fabulous. No one will ever know the truth until July 26.”

Deadpool & Wolverine is set to hit theaters on July 26. Find more information here.