Articles – Dusty Mag

Post Malone engaged to stylist Christy Lee after rekindling their romance

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August 20, 2026

Post Malone engaged to stylist Christy Lee after rekindling their romance

Post Malone is engaged to stylist Christy Lee after rekindling their romance following a previous split, People magazine has confirmed. News of the engagement became public on August 19, when Lee’s friend Marina Hollyer shared photos of the couple on her Instagram Stories. “My best friend in the world just got engaged. Love you more than words, Toph!!!” Hollyer wrote.

Post Malone and Christy Lee — Malone reportedly proposed in Utah on August 18, with friends joining the couple to celebrate. By: MEGA

TMZ was the first to report the engagement. Neither Malone nor Lee had publicly addressed the news on their own social media accounts as of publication.

According to TMZ, Malone proposed to Lee on August 18, in Utah, where friends flew in to celebrate. In photos shared by Hollyer, Lee wears a veil and “Bride to Be” sash while showing off a large diamond ring alongside Malone and friends.

Lee’s friend Brooke Donovan also shared a photo of the couple kissing amid roses, while Phoebe McKeaan shared a picture of Lee displaying the ring in a car.

How their relationship began

Malone and Lee were first linked in January 2025 after they were spotted leaving the Mascagni Hotel in Rome following dinner. By March, they were photographed showing public displays of affection, including a viral TikTok filmed at an Idaho bar in which Lee held Malone’s arm.

In April 2025, the duo was seen in Paris, where they dined at Beefbar before being photographed walking hand in hand. People reported that an eyewitness described the date as “very intimate,” saying the couple kissed throughout the outing. They were also photographed shopping together the following day.

Lee, originally from Newport Beach, Calif., moved to New York City to study at Parsons School of Design at The New School. She has worked as an assistant stylist at Kristina Askerova Studio in New York, helping style celebrities including Bella Thorne, Brooks Nader and Charlotte McKinney.

The 2025 breakup

In June 2025, it was reported that Malone and Lee had split, with sources claiming the pair had separated roughly a month earlier after several months of dating.

The couple’s reconciliation date has not been publicly disclosed, but they were photographed together at the Khaite fashion show in New York in February. Extra later reported that they were spotted holding hands in New York City on Valentine’s Day, an early sign that they had rekindled their relationship.

Malone’s previous engagement

Lee’s relationship with Malone began not long after his split from former fiancée Hee Sung “Jamie” Park, the mother of his daughter. Malone confirmed their engagement in 2022 after proposing to Park during a trip to Las Vegas. The couple welcomed their daughter that same year.

Post Malone — Malone was previously engaged to Hee Sung ‘Jamie’ Park, the mother of his daughter. By: MEGA

During an August 2023 appearance on “Call Her Daddy,” Malone recalled initially proposing while intoxicated after losing money at a casino. He said Park initially told him to ask again the next day, which he did while sober.

People reported in April 2025 that Malone and Park had split by early 2025, while TMZ had previously reported that they separated toward the end of 2024. That same month, Park filed for sole physical custody of their daughter. The former couple later reached an agreement covering custody, visitation and child support, with the terms remaining sealed.

The singer first publicly revealed he was a father during a June 2022 appearance on The Howard Stern Show. He later discussed fatherhood during an August 2024 appearance on CBS Mornings, explaining how co-parenting and raising his daughter influenced the song “Yours.”

Shakira puts $1.25 million behind Colombia’s earthquake recovery

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Mukul Sharma

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August 19, 2026

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Shakira puts $1.25 million behind Colombia’s earthquake recovery

Colombian singer Shakira has committed an initial $1.25 million to rebuild schools damaged by the earthquake that struck her native Colombia, making the announcement during a surprise visit to one of the hardest-hit regions.

The singer traveled to Quibdó, the capital of the Chocó department, on August 17, where nearly 200 schools have reported damage following the 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck western Colombia on August 10.

Shakira Pledges $1M to Colombian Schools Damaged by Earthquake

Rafael Bolanos via Storyful pic.twitter.com/5SoUsV3JPZ

— Complex (@Complex) August 19, 2026

She toured damaged classrooms, met with students and educators and chatted with Chocó Gov. Nubia Carolina Córdoba and Quibdó Mayor Rafael Bolaños to hear about the region’s needs.

The $1.25 million commitment comes from several partners: $500,000 from the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, a $500,000 match from Live Nation and $250,000 from CAF, the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean. The funds will move through Shakira’s charity, Fundación Pies Descalzos, also known as the Barefoot Foundation, which she founded in 1997 to expand access to education for children in Colombia.

Announcing the commitment, Shakira said, “These past few days, I’ve watched my country suffer, but I’ve also watched people come together with the resilience and solidarity that has always defined us. Schools are more than buildings. They give children the stability and routine they need most after a disaster. That’s why we’re making an initial $1.25 million commitment to help rebuild schools and get children back into their classrooms. Chocó is not alone. Colombia is not alone. And we will keep going.”

Personal pledge to rebuild a university

Beyond the school-reconstruction fund, Shakira said she would personally dedicate her efforts to restoring Universidad Tecnológica del Chocó Diego Luis Córdoba, the department’s main public higher education institution, which was also damaged in the earthquake.

“This university is where most of our Pies Descalzos graduates continue their higher education,” she said.

The university holds particular significance for Fundación Pies Descalzos because students who have benefited from its educational programs can continue their studies there.

Buffett Foundation adds 10 more schools

Shakira was accompanied on the visit by Howard Buffett, son of billionaire philanthropist Warren Buffett and a longtime donor to Colombia who has previously helped Shakira establish schools there.

During the visit, Buffett announced that his foundation would separately fund the rebuilding of 10 additional schools in Chocó.

“When she calls, I come,” Buffett said.

The reconstruction campaign is being described as an opening phase rather than a finished plan. Shakira said the $1.25 million is a starting point, with Fundación Pies Descalzos continuing to work with local communities and partners to identify urgent needs, coordinate funding and oversee reconstruction.

“Our commitment isn’t going anywhere: we won’t stop until every child in Chocó and across Colombia can go back to their classrooms, their friends, their lives,” Shakira said.

The scale of the damage in Chocó

The earthquake struck western Colombia on August 10, with its epicenter in San José del Palmar, Chocó. Colombian officials have reported differing casualty figures in the aftermath.

Terrifying moments in Colombia! 😨

As people rushed out of a building to escape the powerful earthquake, debris came raining down on those fleeing, creating a horrifying and chaotic scene.#Earthquake #Columbia #Disaster #ColumiaEarthquake pic.twitter.com/hlevI5yueK

— AH Siddiqui (@anwar0262) August 10, 2026

President Abelardo de la Espriella said authorities had confirmed 289 deaths, 4,187 injuries and 134 people still missing. Separately, Colombia’s National Unit for Disaster Risk Management reported 287 deaths, 4,147 injuries and 194 missing people nationwide. The U.S. Geological Survey estimated that 10.5 million people were affected by the quake.

Mi primera alocución como Presidente de la República llega en uno de los momentos más dolorosos y desafiantes para nuestra Nación.

Hoy le hablé a Colombia con el corazón apretado por quienes perdieron la vida, por sus familias, por nuestros heridos, por quienes siguen buscando a… pic.twitter.com/9979VWJMw7

— Abelardo De La Espriella (@ABDELAESPRIELLA) August 18, 2026

Nearly 200 schools have reportedly been damaged, with 40 destroyed, per the latest news.

“To the parents who lost their children, words are not enough. All I can offer is my heart and the promise that their pain will never be forgotten,” Shakira said.

She also warned about the long-term impact of school closures.

“What worries me the most is that schools are not rebuilt once this emergency is over. Every day that children don’t go to school is a day they miss out on their future,” she told journalists.

Describing her connection to the region, Shakira added, “It’s a place I love, a place where I’ve seen our students grow in our classrooms. I really want to see it rebuild again.”

Speaking in Spanish and quoted by Noticias Caracol, Shakira also framed the effort as a response to the department’s long history of being neglected.

“There is not a way to alleviate the pain of so many, there are no magic solutions,” she said. “But what there is, is commitment to be here alongside those from Chocó, to not abandon El Chocó like it historically has been abandoned, until every Colombian and every person from Chocó can return to their normal lives like they deserve and all the children can return to their schools and dream of the futures they deserve.”

Ariana Grande goes Instagram official with Ricky Alvarez

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Mukul Sharma

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August 17, 2026

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Ariana Grande goes Instagram official with Ricky Alvarez

Ariana Grande appeared to confirm her rekindled romance with former backup dancer Ricky Alvarez on August 12, sharing an Instagram carousel that included two photos of the pair together. The mostly personal carousel included photos of Grande, her dogs and friends, along with two images of her and Alvarez, both of which tagged him.

One photo shows Alvarez with his arm around Grande, with both wearing white tops and denim and their faces cropped out. The second is a blurry mirror selfie. Grande captioned the post with a single exclamation mark and a heart, giving fans their strongest indication yet that the pair had rekindled their relationship.

Ricky Alvarez é o primeiro homem que Ariana Grande assume no Instagram desde Dalton Gomez. pic.twitter.com/aHy6dJ9xXg

— Ariana Grande Charts (@ArianaGonCharts) August 12, 2026

Weeks of hints before the announcement

Grande had been teasing the reunion for weeks, repeatedly changing a lyric from her 2018 hit “Thank U, Next,” which includes the line, “Wrote some songs about Ricky, now I listen and laugh.”

At the Austin stop of her Eternal Sunshine Tour on June 24, Grande changed the lyric to, “Wrote some songs about Ricky and they still really slap.”

Two nights later, on June 26, she changed it again while Alvarez watched from the crowd. At her July 13 show in Brooklyn, which coincided with Alvarez’s birthday, she sang that she and Ricky “always find our way back.”

The lyric changes came amid reports of Grande’s split from her Wicked costar Ethan Slater in June. Grande and Slater met while filming the Wicked movies, in which she played Glinda, and Slater played Boq.

Grande and Alvarez had also been photographed together several times in recent weeks, with Alvarez attending some of her concerts. Fans later spotted the pair traveling together through JFK Airport in New York after Grande wrapped the North American leg of her Eternal Sunshine Tour.

A relationship with history

Grande, 33, and Alvarez, 34, first dated from 2015 to 2016 after meeting when he was a backup dancer on her Honeymoon Tour. Their relationship became part of pop culture lore after the couple was caught on surveillance footage licking unsold donuts inside a California bakery, an incident that became known as “Donutgate.”

Rumors of a possible reunion resurfaced in December 2018 after Grande complimented Alvarez’s Instagram post. Responding to fan speculation, she wrote that they were “friends” and told everyone to “take a big ol breather,” according to Us Weekly.

A major career moment for Grande

The reunion comes during a major stretch in Grande’s career. She released her eighth studio album, Petal, on July 31, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with 295,000 album-equivalent units in the United States. It marked her sixth consecutive No. 1 album, following Dangerous Woman, Sweetener, Thank U, Next, Positions and Eternal Sunshine.

Ariana Grande brings out Cynthia Erivo to perform ‘For Good’ at her Eternal Sunshine tour in London. pic.twitter.com/rTQs352ruE

— Pop Base (@PopBase) August 16, 2026

Earlier in the tour, she said she was considering stepping back from public life, describing the decision as coming from “a thoughtful and empowered place” rather than being “a reactive or impulsive thing.”

Grande has also withdrawn from the planned London revival of Stephen Sondheim‘s Sunday in the Park With George, in which she was set to star opposite her Wicked costar Jonathan Bailey. Her role will be recast.

Joe Jonas shares why he finally started therapy

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Mukul Sharma

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August 7, 2026

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Joe Jonas shares why he finally started therapy

Joe Jonas is opening up about the professional setback that ultimately led him to seek therapy, telling his brothers on their podcast that the underwhelming commercial performance of his 2011 solo debut, Fastlife, triggered panic attacks and prompted him to begin mental health treatment.

Speaking to Kevin Jonas and Nick Jonas during the episode of the “Hey Jonas!” podcast, Joe explained that his first solo effort fell short of the success the Jonas Brothers had grown accustomed to as a group.

He said, “The reason I started doing therapy is because of the first taste of, like, not achieving ‘success.’ I released a solo album when I was about 21, 22, and it didn’t do as well as I thought it would do because everything the Jonas Brothers touched back then, it would be gold. We would just … be a No. 1 [hit].”

Joe told his brothers he had placed unusually high expectations on the solo project, believing that succeeding independently would validate his worth apart from the band.

Joe admitted he had tied his self-worth to proving he could succeed outside of the Jonas Brothers. By: Lee Watt/AFF-USA.COM / MEGA

“I put something out by myself, and I think I had a lot of high expectations of success without you guys. That was important to me somewhere in my core. I was like, ‘If I do that, then I matter,’” he said.

‘Fastlife’ struggles

Fastlife arrived in October 2011, selling around 18,000 copies in its opening week and debuting at No. 15 on the Billboard 200 before falling to No. 122 the following week. The lead single, “See No More,” peaked at only No. 92 on the Billboard Hot 100, a stark contrast to the Jonas Brothers’ run of chart-topping hits and sold-out arena tours during the height of the band’s popularity.

Earlier reports estimated the album had sold roughly 45,000 copies in the U.S., below the threshold for an RIAA certification.

Joe and his brothers used the episode to reflect on their collective success and the difficulties of growing up in a famous band.

Panic attacks and physical pain

Joe said the emotional toll of the album’s reception eventually affected him physically.

Joe Jonas — Joe described cycling through New York City as a temporary escape from online criticism, though he admitted it was only a distraction from deeper issues. By: Guille Briceno/imageSPACE / MEGA

He told his brothers he began experiencing panic attacks and ongoing pain, which led him to see multiple doctors.

According to his account on the podcast, an endocrinologist eventually told him nothing was physically wrong and suggested he speak with a therapist. Joe initially resisted, questioning why he would need one.

Rather than pursue therapy right away, Joe said he coped by taking long bicycle rides through New York City and using the time away from his phone to avoid reading commentary about the album’s reception. He characterized the practice as a distraction rather than a genuine solution, telling his brothers he was still avoiding the underlying problem.

Deciding to go to therapy

Joe eventually agreed to see a therapist, describing his first session as an emotional turning point.

Joe said he “finally spoke to somebody” and, after crying through the first question for an hour, realized how valuable the process was. He added that therapy had remained helpful through other major periods of his life since then.

Nick Jonas weighs in

Nick said his own struggles were less about comparing himself with others and more about placing too much importance on achievement. He said therapy helped him learn to be comfortable with himself rather than measure his worth through accomplishments.

Nick said he needed to be okay with himself and be able to look in the mirror and feel at peace as a person, rather than measuring himself against others.

Both brothers described therapy as an important tool for coping with the pressures of fame and encouraged listeners to stay consistent with their own mental health care.

A recurring theme in Joe Jonas’s public comments

The “Hey Jonas!” episode is not the first time Joe has connected Fastlife reception to his mental health.

Speaking with Jay Shetty on the “On Purpose” podcast in 2022, Joe said he took the album’s reception hard and did not fully realize how it was affecting him at the time.

Joe recalled seeing a headline that used the word “failure” and said he internalized that word as his own identity tied to the album.

Joe also discussed therapy publicly around the release of his second solo album Music for People Who Believe in Love in May 2025. Appearing on TalkShopLive on May 21, 2025, ahead of the album’s release, he said he had come to see a therapist through Zoom sessions and described working through what he called the “darkest” period of his life.

Jonas said therapy was something he eventually realized he needed for years, despite initially questioning why he would need to speak to a professional when he could talk to friends or work things out at the gym. That second album, like Fastlife, saw moderate rather than blockbuster chart performance upon release.

Across those three conversations, Joe has repeatedly connected the commercial disappointment of his solo debut with the mental and physical toll he experienced afterward.

Linkin Park honors fans in emotional comeback documentary

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Mukul Sharma

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August 6, 2026

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Linkin Park honors fans in emotional comeback documentary

Linkin Park is bringing its comeback story to the big screen with Unshatter, a new documentary directed by co-founding member Joe Hahn that chronicles the band’s return after the death of singer Chester Bennington.

The documentary opens in theaters worldwide on September 30 and tickets go on sale August 13.

The film’s logline, “The Hardest Part of Ending is Starting Again,” frames the documentary as both a tribute and a record of uncertainty. Distributed by Trafalgar Releasing, the theatrical release will screen in standard 2D as well as premium formats including SCREENX, 4DX and Ultra4DX.

Hahn said the project began as a concert film centered on Linkin Park’s 2024 São Paulo show before expanding into a full documentary as filming continued.

Mike Shinoda and Joe Hahn — Hahn said ‘Unshatter’ began without documentary plans and evolved as cameras captured Linkin Park’s return. By: MEGA

“The more we kept the cameras rolling, the more we realized there was a much bigger story unfolding,” Hahn said.

Tracing the band’s path back to the stage

Mike Shinoda, Joe Hahn, and Colin Brittain — The documentary charts Linkin Park’s comeback from early studio work and ‘From Zero’ to its milestone São Paulo concert. By: ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

The documentary follows Linkin Park from its 2022 studio sessions through the release of From Zero, the band’s eighth studio album, in 2024, culminating in the band’s São Paulo concert.

The film combines rare archival footage, performances from sold-out shows and interviews with band members and fans.

The documentary also chronicles Linkin Park’s return with vocalist Emily Armstrong and drummer Colin Brittain following Bennington’s death in 2017.

Emily Armstrong and Colin Brittain — The documentary also introduces Linkin Park’s new lineup with Armstrong and Brittain, whose journey continued with more music after filming. By: MEGA

Hahn said he deliberately avoided shaping the story with hindsight, instead wanting audiences to experience the same uncertainty the band felt. He said the group did not know how its future would unfold, how it would evolve or how fans would respond after seven years away. Because he lived those events as a band member rather than an outside filmmaker, Hahn said he felt obligated to tell the story honestly rather than present the version people might expect from headlines and past interviews.

Bandmate Mike Shinoda also reflected on how the footage was captured, dismissing comparisons to reality television. Shinoda said filming was informal, handled mostly by a friend named Mark who was frequently present during recording sessions and everyday moments that ultimately became part of the documentary. He added that he is proud of what Hahn assembled from roughly three to four years of the band’s history.

A trailer built around São Paulo and a band in doubt

The first trailer for Unshatter centers on Linkin Park’s 2024 concert in São Paulo, blending fan reactions with interviews reflecting on the years after Bennington’s death.

In one clip, Shinoda describes the band’s situation after the loss as unlike anything it had experienced, saying so much of their lives had revolved around Linkin Park before everything suddenly stopped. The trailer captures band members questioning whether Linkin Park would continue before shifting to Armstrong joining the lineup and the band’s return to the stage.

The documentary combines candid interviews, archival footage, studio sessions and performances from the band’s sold-out 2024 São Paulo shows.

Linkin Park introduced Armstrong and Brittain during a live event in September 2024 alongside longtime members Shinoda, Brad Delson, Dave “Phoenix” Farrell and Hahn.

The announcement coincided with the release of “The Emptiness Machine,” the band’s first single featuring Armstrong and Brittain, followed by “Heavy Is the Crown” and the full From Zero album.

Soundtrack and additional music tied to the film

“Unshatter,” the song that inspired the documentary’s title, was released the previous year as part of the deluxe edition of From Zero, continuing the rollout of new music following the band’s 2024 relaunch.

Alongside the documentary, Linkin Park will release Unshatter Film Soundtrack (Live in São Paulo) on September 25, five days before the film’s theatrical debut.

The album features performances spanning the band’s catalog recorded during the São Paulo concert, along with additional live tracks from the show that do not appear in the film. Vinyl and CD preorders are available.

Hahn frames the film as a tribute to fans

Joe Hahn, Mike Shinoda, Emily Armstrong and Colin Brittain — Hahn described ‘Unshatter’ as a thank-you to fans, hoping they discover unseen moments and understand the band’s current chapter.

Hahn has repeatedly described the documentary as less of a promotional project than a thank-you to the band’s fans.

He said he hopes longtime listeners will discover moments they have never seen before, while newer fans gain a deeper understanding of how the band reached its current chapter. Hahn said the title Unshatter reflects the idea that something broken can still be rebuilt, a theme he directly connects to the band’s journey following Bennington’s death.

JENNIE names Rihanna as the pop icon she dreams of becoming

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Mukul Sharma

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August 5, 2026

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BLACKPINK member JENNIE named Rihanna as the artist whose cultural influence she hopes to one day achieve, opening up about her career ambitions in a new interview.

In a Cosmopolitan cover story, JENNIE said Rihanna is her “North Star” when it comes to the kind of artist she hopes to become.

JENNIE highlighted Rihanna’s ability to shape music, fashion and pop culture simultaneously, explaining why she views the singer as the ultimate career role model. By: Mert Alas/Calvin Klein/MEGA

“Rihanna will always be my biggest dream in terms of how much influence she has over pop culture and also music culture and art itself,” the K-pop star told the publication.

“She’s so inspiring for me,” she continued. “To find that for myself would be a dream.”

JENNIE said she admires not only Rihanna’s music but also her impact on fashion, business and popular culture, pointing to her as an example of an artist who has built a distinct identity across multiple industries.

Rihanna, whose Fenty empire spans fashion and beauty, has also earned 14 No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100. JENNIE said the “Umbrella” and “Diamonds” singer represents not only musical success but also how an artist can shape culture across industries.

A cover story with six covers

JENNIE made the comments as part of Cosmopolitan‘s Fall Style issue, for which she appeared on six different covers, each featuring a unique color scheme. In the interview, she discussed her work, her relationship with her BLACKPINK bandmates and her plans for the future.

JENNIE looked back on Ruby’s success, admitting she barely had time to appreciate its achievements. By: KCS Presse / MEGA

The feature arrived during what Cosmopolitan described as “the Summer of Jennie,” alongside a global festival circuit and the release of her single “Less than a Lover.” Since debuting with BLACKPINK in 2016, JENNIE has become one of K-pop’s biggest global stars, with her profile further boosted by the success of her 2025 solo project, Ruby.

“Being honest, it was a crazy year for me, the past year. I never had the time to sit down, adapt and really embrace what Ruby did for me,” she shared.

She added that she intentionally shut out distractions while making the album, saying, “I made sure I didn’t step out of that bubble, so I stayed focused.”

JENNIE shared that creative freedom and authenticity now matter more to her than perfection. By: Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency

Looking ahead, JENNIE said she is prioritizing authenticity over perfection.

“I’m more in control of who’s in the studio and who I’m working with, but I’m definitely not in a space where I want to make everything perfect. If anything, I’m heading the other way, where I might sound horrible and may not be perfect, but I’m just trying to enjoy and be less serious and be me. I’m not a ‘let’s be perfect’ person right now. I’m trying to stay on a good vibe,” she said.

Other artists JENNIE praised in the interview

Rihanna wasn’t the only artist JENNIE praised. In an accompanying episode of Blind Date on the magazine’s YouTube channel, she also spoke highly of her “ExtraL” collaborator Doechii and fellow Chanel ambassador Gracie Abrams.

“I love Doechii. She’s just like a walking inspiration for me. Anything that she does is so creative, and I can already tell that she puts so much time and her vision in it… I was immediately drawn to all her videos and all her music from the beginning. So, I just knew deep down, like, I wanted to collaborate with her,” she raved.

JENNIE also reflected on an essay Abrams wrote about her for this year’s TIME100 edition.

“I didn’t know she was writing this piece about me, so when I saw it, I was in literal tears, and I was actually screaming a little bit too,” she said. “It was just the sweetest thing that anyone could’ve done, and Gracie’s such a sweetheart. I’m such a big fan of her music and her as an artist. So to be able to share this generation together, so closely, I think I’m just very lucky.”

Britney Spears reveals the Beyoncé album she can’t stop playing

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Mukul Sharma

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August 4, 2026

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Britney Spears reveals the Beyoncé album she can’t stop playing

Britney Spears revealed that Beyoncé is on repeat, sharing videos of herself dancing to several of the singer’s songs and admitting she has been unable to stop listening to one album in particular.

“So weird how all i listen to is the last @beyonce album,” Spears wrote on Instagram, referring to Beyoncé’s 2024 release Cowboy Carter, which spent two weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. Spears also mentioned returning to an older Beyoncé project, joking that she was unsure why she kept going back to it because “the dress told me to do it.”

In the videos, Spears appears to freestyle choreography to Beyoncé’s earlier songs, including “Haunted” from the 2013 self-titled album Beyoncé. Wearing a short black dress and heels, she also danced to Rihanna tracks including “Love on the Brain” and “Unfaithful.”

Beyoncé’s two albums

The two Beyoncé projects Spears referenced represent different eras of Beyoncé’s career.

Cowboy Carter, released March 29, 2024, marked Beyoncé’s move into country music and became the second installment of a three-part project that began with 2022’s dance-focused album Renaissance.

Beyoncé has said the album was inspired by an experience years earlier when she felt unwelcome in the country music space. Fans have speculated she was referring to her 2016 Country Music Awards performance of “Daddy Lessons” with The Chicks, which drew backlash at the time despite support from many fans.

Beyoncé described Cowboy Carter as “not a country album,” calling it instead “a ‘Beyoncé’ album” and a continuation of Renaissance.

The older “naughty” album Spears referenced is widely believed to be Beyoncé’s 2013 self-titled surprise release. The album included “Haunted,” the song Spears danced to in her videos and featured more explicit and sensual themes compared with some of Beyoncé’s later work.

A familiar ritual with new context

Spears has long used Instagram as a personal stage, frequently sharing videos of herself dancing at home. Her latest clips continue that trend, coming months after a suspected DUI arrest that was later resolved with a reduced charge.

Spears was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence on March 4 in California after the California Highway Patrol pulled her over around 9:30 p.m. local time. The stop occurred in Westlake Village near the Ventura and Los Angeles county border.

According to an investigation report reviewed by CBS News, Spears was drifting between lanes on U.S. 101 before being stopped. The officer reported that it took her about 15 seconds to respond to commands to pull over and noted “the distinct odor of an alcoholic beverage” coming from the vehicle.

The report stated that Spears argued with officers for about 10 minutes before leaving the car. Once outside, she appeared unsteady and displayed “rapid and slurred” speech, while the officer also noted “dramatic mood swings” during the encounter.

Following the arrest, a representative for Spears addressed the incident in a statement.

“This was an unfortunate incident that is completely inexcusable,” the representative said, according to People magazine. “Britney is going to take the right steps and comply with the law and hopefully this can be the first step in long overdue change that needs to occur in Britney’s life. Hopefully, she can get the help and support she needs during this difficult time.”

The statement added that Spears’ sons would spend time with her and that her loved ones planned to support her long-term wellbeing.

The legal resolution

Spears was sentenced to 12 months of probation and one day in jail, credited as time served, after admitting to a vehicle code violation known in California as a “wet reckless.”

The charge acknowledges the presence of alcohol but is less serious than a full DUI conviction and generally carries lower fines and reduced jail exposure.

Spears was also ordered to meet with a psychologist weekly and a psychiatrist twice a month. She agreed to allow searches of her vehicle for alcohol or drugs.

Her attorney, Michael A. Goldstein, addressed the outcome in a statement.

“She has taken significant steps to implement positive change, which is clearly reflected in the Ventura County District Attorney’s decision to reduce the charge in this case and dismiss the DUI,” Goldstein said, according to NBC News. “Britney appreciates this discretion and is also grateful for the outpouring of support she has received.”

JISOO shares new details about her first solo album on ‘Hot Ones’

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Mukul Sharma

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August 3, 2026

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JISOO shares new details about her first solo album on ‘Hot Ones’

BLACKPINK’s JISOO revealed new details about her upcoming debut full-length solo album while completing the group’s Hot Ones sweep on the show’s July 30 episode.

Speaking with host Sean Evans while eating progressively spicier chicken wings, JISOO confirmed that her first full-length record is nearly complete and teased what she described as her most diverse project yet.

“I made the effort to show a variety of charms,” she said, adding, “Whether it’s musical styles that I really liked or putting in different styles I liked listening [to], it was to add a bit of color to the album.”

JISOO said she worked to showcase different sides of herself on the album, incorporating musical styles she enjoys while exploring her identity beyond BLACKPINK. “Going from doing everything with a group to creating a solo mini album last year, I felt the need to further explore my true colors,” she said.

Completing BLACKPINK’s ‘Hot Ones’ sweep

JISOO became the fourth and final BLACKPINK member to appear on Hot Ones, following JENNIE, ROSÉ and LISA. Before the episode, host Evans predicted she might handle the challenge best after hearing she had the highest spice tolerance among the group.

During JENNIE’s 2025 appearance, she even encouraged JISOO to eventually try the show’s lineup of hot sauces.

JISOO remained composed through most of the interview before eventually reaching for milk and ice cream during the final rounds of sauces.

Still, Evans’ prediction proved accurate as JISOO emerged as one of the group’s strongest performers on the challenge.

Why she eats spicy food before concerts

JISOO explained that spicy food is part of her pre-show routine.

“Eating spicy foods relaxes my throat, and as a result, I sing better. I sweat and relieve stress in my body,” she said of chowing down on it before she goes on stage.

Favorite English phrases

JISOO also discussed her relationship with English, which she speaks less fluently than some of her bandmates.

She told Evans that she previously liked the phrase “it’s a pity,” before her bandmates taught her another expression: “Piece of cake!”

She said she enjoys using the phrase whenever possible to surprise people with her English skills, joking that when others ask how she learned it, she simply responds, “I just do.”

Unlike her bandmates’ Hot Ones appearances, which were conducted largely in English, JISOO answered many questions in Korean with translation provided during the episode. The language choice drew attention online after teasers circulated, particularly because JISOO has released music featuring English lyrics throughout her career.

Background on her solo career and upcoming album

JISOO’s debut solo album will follow her February 2025 EP, AMORTAGE, which featured tracks including “Earthquake,” “Your Love” and “Hugs & Kisses.”

Interest in the album has grown throughout 2026 following the EP’s success. She also expanded her solo career with “Eyes Closed,” a collaboration with former One Direction member Zayn.

The track marked a milestone for JISOO, debuting on the Billboard Hot 100 and making her the final BLACKPINK member to chart a solo song on the list. The achievement placed all four members of BLACKPINK among artists such as BTS who have achieved individual Hot 100 success.

JISOO has been teasing the album for months. In a May interview, she confirmed she was working on a full-length project after AMORTAGE and said she wanted to showcase a wider range of music, although no release date had been announced.

During a December livestream, JISOO also gave fans a preview of the project, saying, “What can I spoil? I can’t say much… All the preparations are done, and we are at the stage of organizing everything. My album will be released faster than we expected, and there are more songs than before but not too many. They’re all songs that I like, so please give them lots of love and support.”

Sam Smith says new album was inspired by fiancé Christian Cowan

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Mukul Sharma

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July 30, 2026

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Sam Smith says new album was inspired by fiancé Christian Cowan

Sam Smith is entering a new chapter in both music and personal life. The Grammy-winning singer confirmed their engagement to fashion designer Christian Cowan after three years of dating, revealing that their upcoming album, Hazel Eyes, is inspired by their relationship.

Sam Smith Christian Cowan — Smith revealed that the album title takes its name from Cowan’s eye color. By: MEGA

Smith confirmed the news to The New York Times, explaining that the album takes its title from Cowan’s eye color. Songs including “Everlasting Love” and “My Guy” also draw from their relationship.

Smith said they began writing the opening track, “Everlasting Love,” the night before their first date with Cowan and finished it as their relationship developed.

Reflecting on writing openly about queer love, Smith told The New York Times, “For me, there’s something radical about being queer in this time, in this world and singing love songs.”

They added, “I’m not going to allow the poison that I read and that I see to affect my way of loving.”

The relationship behind the album

Smith and Cowan grew up about 10 minutes apart near Cambridge, England, but did not meet until connecting online in 2022.

Sam Smith — Smith said singing openly about queer love felt especially meaningful today. By: TRF/ MEGA

According to People, Cowan accompanied Smith to the White House in December 2022, where Smith performed on the South Lawn after then-President Joe Biden signed the Respect for Marriage Act into law. The couple publicly debuted their relationship at the 2024 Met Gala.

Cowan also designed Smith’s dramatic 52-pound feathered black ensemble for the Met Gala. In an Instagram post, he described the look as a tribute to fashion illustrator Erté and to Smith, writing that it featured 255,000 individual crystals and beads and required 2,000 hours of hand sewing. He called it “a love letter to the king of fashion illustration and to my love, Sam.”

Engagement speculation intensified after the gala when Cowan was photographed wearing a ring.

Page Six later reported the couple had been overheard discussing an engagement before arriving, with Cowan reportedly wearing a Cartier diamond ring while Smith’s left hand remained covered by a glove.

Smith did not share details about the proposal, but told The New York Times, “I feel good, I feel happy.”

Inside ‘Hazel Eyes’

Hazel Eyes is Smith’s fifth studio album and is scheduled for release on August 21, through Capitol Records. It follows 2023’s Gloria and was announced alongside its lead single, “My Guy.”

Described as an ode to New York, where Smith now lives, the album is billed as “a modern fairytale of requited love, capturing themes of emotional vulnerability, artistic freedom and self-reflection.” It was created with longtime creative partner Simon Aldred, singer-songwriter Feist and multi-instrumentalist and composer Shahzad Ismaily.

Smith co-produced the album with Aldred and David Odlum. They also collaborated with Feist, Ismaily and Rob Moose across the album’s 12 tracks, some of which were recorded at Electric Lady Studios.

Speaking about the project, Smith said, “This album is an incredibly special record to me. I have been writing it for over three years with a very small group of beautiful, dear friends of mine. This album is very personal and I feel I have deepened myself as an artist through the making of it, through being a producer on the record, to walking alongside this record from the start to the finish and pushing myself at every single turn.”

During a San Francisco concert on their residency tour, Smith said Hazel Eyes marks the first time they have written “about requited love,” a departure for an artist best known for songs about heartbreak.

The 12-track album includes “Everlasting Love,” “Hazel Eyes,” “Moondance” (feat. Feist), “My Guy,” “When He’s Gone,” “Thief,” “Love Is a Stillness,” “Sugar Rush,” “Oh Mother” (feat. The TwoCity Chorus), “Constant Companion,” “Hold On” and “To Be Free.”

The album’s second single, “Oh Mother,” featuring the 28-member vocal group The TwoCity Chorus, was released on July 22.

Smith described the choir as representing “the fury of a mother witnessing her child’s betrayal,” summoning what they called “a sort of divine feminine energy.”

They also said the song features vocals from their friend Dante, whom they described as “a mothering presence” during their 20s as a queer person.

Co-produced by Odlum and Aldred, the track also features cinematic string arrangements by composer Gabe Noel.

Miley Cyrus says new album is inspired by fiancé Maxx Morando

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Mukul Sharma

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July 30, 2026

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Miley Cyrus says new album is inspired by fiancé Maxx Morando

Miley Cyrus revealed she is nearing completion of her 10th studio album, saying the project is inspired by the love she has found with fiancé Maxx Morando.

The singer shared the update in an interview with actress Daryl Hannah in the Summer ’26 issue of Wonderland magazine, which Cyrus guest-edited.

“This album is a love story, but love stories are never one-dimensional,” Cyrus told Hannah. “They’re always layered.”

According to Wonderland, the album could arrive within months, ahead of the 2027 Grammy Awards in February. Cyrus said the record will feature 10 tracks and that its emotional core reflects both her relationship with Morando and her relationship with herself.

Miley Cyrus — Cyrus suggested the album could arrive before the 2027 Grammy Awards. By: C Flanigan/imageSPACE / MEGA

“There is definitely a romantic thread weaving through it because, like all my records, it’s a reflection of where I am in my life,” Cyrus said. “But this one feels especially meaningful because this feeling has stayed with me through multiple eras.”

“That’s something I hadn’t really experienced before,” she added. “A peaceful kind of love has become a theme across my last three records. Not just the love I share with someone else, but the love I’ve found for myself. That’s probably been the biggest evolution. Once your relationship with yourself changes, every relationship around you changes too. I think this record celebrates both of those equally.”

How the album came together

Cyrus said the album took shape differently from her previous projects, with a clearer roadmap from the start.

“Usually I’m very certain of the destination, and sometimes that can almost obliterate the journey because I’m so focused on getting somewhere,” she said. “This one was different. It was organic and really unforced. Something that was super helpful this time was I started with the tracklist and never veered from it. I knew it would be 10 songs. I roughly knew the sound and the concept. That gave me a really strong compass without making the process feel forced.”

Cyrus shared three unfinished tracks with Hannah before their interview. When asked whether the album would consist of love songs, Cyrus replied, ”Yes, sort of,” before describing it as a “love story.”

Who Is Maxx Morando?

Morando is a Los Angeles-based drummer best known for playing in the rock band Liily and previously performing with the punk band the Regrettes.

Miley Cyrus and Maxx Morando — Morando moved from producer to co-writer on multiple tracks before the couple publicly confirmed their engagement. BY: MEGA

The couple was first linked publicly in November 2021 after attending a Gucci event together following what Cyrus described as a blind date arranged by mutual friends. She recalled, “Well, it was blind for me and not really for him. I thought, ‘The worst that can happen is I leave.'”

Morando also collaborated on Cyrus’ music before they publicly confirmed their romance. He produced two songs on her 2023 album Endless Summer Vacation and later co-wrote and co-produced multiple tracks on her 2025 record Something Beautiful.

Grazia first reported the couple’s engagement on December 2, 2025. Cyrus confirmed it the next day during an appearance on Good Morning America. Morando proposed during a trip to Asia with a cushion-cut diamond ring set in a yellow-gold band, which made its red-carpet debut at the Los Angeles premiere of Avatar: Fire and Ash on December 1, 2025.

Speaking to People after the engagement became public, Cyrus said she had been “astounded” by how much “privacy” they had maintained.

“The detail that I can share is that, for us, our privacy and us kind of keeping it small has been something that I’ve been astounded that I’ve actually been able to have and being able to kind of have more choice,” she said. “I think it’s also being older, being more protective of what I’m open to sharing.”

A source close to Cyrus told People that “she is very happy with him,” describing Morando as private, low-key and well-liked by those around her.

Cyrus was previously married to actor Liam Hemsworth from December 2018 to August 2019.