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Linkin Park honors fans in emotional comeback documentary

Mukul Sharma
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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

Mukul Sharma
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JENNIE names Rihanna as the pop icon she dreams of becoming

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
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
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
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

Mukul Sharma
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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.

Britney Spears
Spears revealed she had been repeatedly listening to Beyoncé’s 2024 album ‘Cowboy Carter,’ sharing Instagram videos of herself dancing to songs from Beyoncé’s catalog. By: MEGA

“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
Beyoncé described ‘Cowboy Carter’ as ‘a Beyoncé album’ rather than a traditional country record and a continuation of Renaissance. By: RCF / MEGA

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.”

Britney Spears
Spears’ DUI case was resolved after she pleaded to a California ‘wet reckless’ charge, a lesser offense than a standard DUI conviction. By: ©2007 RAMEY PHOTO

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’

Mukul Sharma
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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.

JISOO
JISOO said she added more ‘color’ to her album by exploring styles she enjoys, calling it her most diverse project yet. By: ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

“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.

JISOO
JISOO became the final BLACKPINK member to take on Hot Ones after JENNIE, ROSÉ and LISA. By: Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency

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.”

JISOO
JISOO shared that she learned English phrases from BLACKPINK members and enjoys surprising fans with them. By: KCS Presse / MEGA

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

Mukul Sharma
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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.”

Sam Smith
Cowan designed Smith’s custom look at the Met Gala. By: ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

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

Mukul Sharma
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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.

Miley Cyrus
Cyrus said the upcoming record will feature 10 songs. By: ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

“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.

Jon Bon Jovi leaves stage early due to sinus infection

Mukul Sharma
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Jon Bon Jovi leaves stage early due to sinus infection

Jon Bon Jovi ended his Madison Square Garden concert early on July 23, leaving the stage after roughly 90 minutes because of a sinus infection that affected his voice. The frontman addressed the sold-out crowd before exiting, asking fans to keep their tickets so the band could reschedule the performance.

Jon Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi’s early exit came during the eighth performance of the band’s nine-show Forever Tour residency. By: ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

“Don’t throw away your ticket stubs. I’m gonna figure something out, OK?” Bon Jovi told the crowd, according to Rolling Stone.

He continued, “Just hold onto it, we’ll figure out how to reschedule. But I’m gonna have to cool it for the night. I feel great. I’ll see you again soon, goodnight.”

Before leaving the stage, Bon Jovi hugged his bandmates and gave fans a thumbs up as they cheered.

A spokesperson for the band confirmed the reason for the early ending in a statement to Rolling Stone, “Jon Bon Jovi spoke from stage and told fans he has been battling a sinus infection, which led to the show’s early ending.”

The statement added that the artist has repeatedly said returning to live performances has been a joy, and that further updates would follow.

A difficult eighth night at MSG

The July 23 performance was the eighth of nine shows at Madison Square Garden as part of Bon Jovi’s Forever Tour.

According to Ultimate Classic Rock, Bon Jovi performed 14 songs before ending the show, including hits like “You Give Love a Bad Name” and “It’s My Life.” Earlier in the set, Train frontman Pat Monahan helped finish “Livin’ on a Prayer” as Bon Jovi’s voice began to fade.

Jon Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi performed several of the band’s biggest hits before his voice began to fade. By: Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency

Before the final song, Bon Jovi acknowledged the difficult moment, telling fans he knew he was letting them down and that it was not typical for him.

A tour marking his return from vocal cord surgery 

Bon Jovi underwent vocal cord surgery in 2022 to address a strained vocal cord, a procedure that forced him to step away from touring for nearly four years.

The Forever Tour, which began at Madison Square Garden on July 7, marked the band’s return to live performances after the extended break.

Before the tour, Bon Jovi told People he considered himself fully recovered, saying the process took longer than expected but needed to be done properly. He credited his bandmates for supporting him throughout his recovery, saying they never doubted him, sought other work or considered retirement.

The Madison Square Garden residency expanded from its original plan. Initially announced as a four-show run, it added five more dates due to demand, becoming a nine-show series running through July 26, with general ticket prices ranging from $201 to $866.

What happened next

Three days after cutting the concert short, Bon Jovi returned to Madison Square Garden on July 26 for the residency’s ninth and final show.

Near the end of the performance, he introduced longtime friend and fellow New Jersey native Bruce Springsteen as “the king of the great state of New Jersey.”

The pair performed “Who Says You Can’t Go Home” together before following it with Springsteen’s 1978 song “The Promised Land.” They ended the appearance by locking arms and raising their guitars during a joint bow.

Jon Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen
The surprise collaboration came shortly after Springsteen received the ACLU’s Ralph Ellison Award for his contributions to civil rights. By: MEGA

Springsteen’s surprise appearance came during a busy period for the musician. On July 24, he received the ACLU’s inaugural Ralph Ellison Award for Defenders of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties in the Arts, Business, Science and Sports at the Washington Hilton. The following night, he attended but did not perform at John Mellencamp’s Greatest Hits tour stop in Holmdel, New Jersey.

Gracie Abrams reveals why she’s in awe of Ariana Grande

Mukul Sharma
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Gracie Abrams reveals why she’s in awe of Ariana Grande

Gracie Abrams has made it clear she counts herself among Ariana Grande‘s biggest fans. In a clip from her BBC Radio 1 interview, the singer-songwriter praised Grande for both her artistry and her connection with fans.

Calling the pop star an “unmatched voice and presence,” Abrams said, “I do think her connection with her fanbase … it’s remained so intimate despite the fact that she’s the biggest star.”

“I’m really in awe that despite the scale she’s at, there is still such a close attention to detail and wanting to give her fans the best possible version of the show,” she continued before describing herself as a “big fan and deep admirer” of Grande.

Gracie Abrams
Abrams has repeatedly cited female pop songwriters as major influences on her career. By: ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

Cover that preceded the praise

Abrams’ comments followed an earlier tribute to Grande. In June, she covered “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)” — one of Grande’s 10 Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hits — during a BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge session.

Abrams reworked the song with her band, adding heavier guitar tones and a driving rhythm while preserving its emotional core. During the same appearance, she also performed “Hit the Wall,” the lead single from her album Daughter From H***.

Where Grande stands right now 

Grande is currently on her Eternal Sunshine Tour, her first full concert tour in nearly seven years following the Sweetener World Tour in 2019.

She is set to release her eighth studio album, Petal, on July 31, through her label, BabyDoll Music, under an exclusive license to Republic Records. The album was co-written and executive-produced by Grande alongside longtime collaborator Ilya Salmanzadeh.

Ariana Grande
Grande described Petal as ‘feral’ and ‘full of life,’ exploring themes of breaking free from toxic attachments. By: ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

Petal is led by the single “Hate That I Made You Love Me,” released on May 29 and co-produced by Grande, Salmanzadeh and Max Martin. The song’s teaser featured actor Justin Long and was directed by Christian Breslauer.

The album follows Grande’s 2024 release, Eternal Sunshine, which topped the Billboard 200 and produced the Hot 100 No. 1 singles “Yes And?” and “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love).”

Max Martin
Martin has co-written numerous Grande hits over the past decade, including several songs that reached No. 1. By: NWO / MEGA

Abrams’ own recent releases

Abrams recently released her album Daughter From H*** on July 17. Three days later, on July 20, she followed it with two bonus tracks: “Out of Nowhere” and “Love Letter.”

She will launch the Look at My Life Tour in support of Daughter From H*** in December, beginning December 2 in Denver before continuing across North America and Europe.

Cher wins royalties dispute but suffers $1 million courtroom setback

Mukul Sharma
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Cher wins royalties dispute but suffers $1 million courtroom setback

Cher has won her four-year legal battle with Mary Bono over royalties from her music catalog with the late Sonny Bono, but she will not recover the roughly $1 million she spent on legal fees.

U.S. District Judge John A. Kronstadt denied Cher’s request to have Mary, who is now head of Sonny’s estate, reimburse her $1,023,605.50 in attorney fees. He ruled the dispute centered primarily on contract law rather than federal copyright law, meaning the statutory provisions allowing fee-shifting did not apply.

Mary Bono
Mary, a former U.S. congresswoman, assumed control of Sonny’s estate after his death in 1998, positioning her at the center of the royalties fight. By: Ron Sachs – CNP / MEGA

The core of the dispute

The case stems from Cher and Sonny’s 1978 divorce settlement, which granted Cher a 50 percent share of publishing royalties from songs they wrote together as Sonny & Cher, including “I Got You Babe,” “The Beat Goes On” and “Baby Don’t Go.” The arrangement remained in effect after Sonny died in a skiing accident in 1998 and Mary assumed control of his estate.

Cher
Sonny & Cher’s 1970s catalog, including ‘Baby Don’t Go,’ was at the heart of the royalties battle, with Cher entitled to half the publishing rights. By: ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

In 2021, Mary argued Cher was no longer entitled to those music royalties, citing the Copyright Act’s termination right, which allows songwriters and their heirs to reclaim control of intellectual property decades after signing it away.

Sonny’s publishing grants became eligible for termination beginning in 2018, prompting Mary to notify publishers of her intent to reclaim certain interests.

The judge rejected that argument in a 2024 ruling, finding that California contract law governing the 1978 divorce settlement took precedence because the agreement was a contract for financial compensation rather than a copyright assignment. He entered final judgment in Cher’s favor on November 26, 2025.

Mary Bono
Mary sought to reroute royalties through Sonny’s estate, but the court rejected this approach, preserving Cher’s contractual rights. By: Ron Sachs – CNP / MEGA

What the Judge ruled

John also ruled that Cher retains the right to receive her composition and record royalties directly, even after selling those rights to Irving Azoff‘s Iconic Artists Group in 2022.

Cher
Cher’s 2022 sale of her royalties to Iconic Artists Group became central to the payment dispute. By: Tammie Arroyo / AFF-USA.com / MEGA

Mary had sought to deal directly with Iconic and route royalty payments through Sonny’s estate without Cher’s involvement, an approach the judge rejected.

Following the ruling, Cher’s legal team asked the court to order Mary to pay her attorney fees, arguing she had “dragged this case out for five years by taking patently unreasonable positions” and had attempted to “misuse” the Copyright Act’s termination provisions to “obtain a windfall” at Cher’s expense.

In the January filing, Cher’s lawyers wrote, “Given the relief that Cher sought and the amounts of royalties involved, Cher was perfectly justified in incurring $1,023,605.50 in attorney’s fees to successfully defeat defendant’s improper attempt at termination.”

The filing also stated, “Defendant argued, repeatedly and frivolously, that a federal statute that expressly states it does not affect state-law rights somehow extinguishes those state law rights.”

Cher’s attorneys at Davis Wright Tremaine — Peter Anderson, Sean Sullivan, Eric Lamm and Samuel Turner — billed nearly 2,000 hours at rates ranging from $400 to $795 per hour.

Responding to the earlier 2024 ruling, Mary’s attorney, Daniel Schacht, said, “We appreciate Judge Kronstadt’s efforts in the case but believe he got the law wrong on copyright terminations.” Her legal team also asked the court to deny attorney-fee requests from either side.

Why Cher was denied reimbursement

Despite Cher’s arguments, John sided with Mary on the fee issue. He concluded that because the case was decided primarily under contract law rather than federal copyright law, the Copyright Act’s fee-shifting provisions did not apply.

The judge had previously denied a similar attorney-fee request in the unrelated “Blurred Lines” copyright case involving Marvin Gaye‘s estate, a precedent that shaped expectations ahead of his ruling.

The $1,023,605.50 Cher spent on legal fees also exceeded the monetary value of the judgment she ultimately received.

Appeal still pending

The dispute is not over. Mary has appealed John’s ruling that Cher is entitled to half the publishing royalties from the Sonny & Cher catalog. A federal appeals court has not yet ruled, leaving that portion of the case unresolved.

A lawyer for Mary said they “do not have any comment at this time.” A lawyer for Cher did not immediately respond to Rolling Stone‘s request for comment.

PSY’s ‘Gangnam Style’ sets new K-pop record with 6 billion views

Mukul Sharma
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0
PSY’s ‘Gangnam Style’ sets new K-pop record with 6 billion views

PSY’s “Gangnam Style” has become the first K-pop music video to surpass 6 billion views on YouTube, according to his agency P Nation. The milestone was reached on July 17, nearly 14 years after the song was released on July 15, 2012.

The climb from 5 billion to 6 billion views took much longer than the video’s early rise. “Gangnam Style” crossed the 5-billion mark on December 30, 2023.

The video became the first in YouTube history to reach 1 billion views in December 2012, just months after its release.

The achievement was so unprecedented that it affected YouTube itself. According to Otakukart, the video broke the platform’s view counter.

PSY
PSY’s ‘Gangnam Style’ became the first video to ever break YouTube’s 32-bit view counter in 2014.

PSY marks the occasion onstage 

PSY celebrated the milestone during a SUMMERSWAG 2026 concert in Gwacheon.

PSY
PSY revived his iconic blue tuxedo from the original ‘Gangnam Style’ music video during his Gwacheon performance. By: ©2013 RAMEY PHOTO / MEGA

Speaking to the audience, PSY said, according to The Star, “I’ll post footage from today’s performance on YouTube to thank fans for helping the video reach 6 billion views.”

To commemorate the moment, PSY wore the same outfit from the original “Gangnam Style” music video.

The song’s chart history and global impact 

Beyond its YouTube success, “Gangnam Style” became a landmark hit in the United States. It spent seven consecutive weeks at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, helping pave the way for K-pop’s expansion into the Western music market.

PSY
‘Gangnam Style’ peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 for seven consecutive weeks, blocked from the top spot by Maroon 5’s ‘One More Night.’

Directed by Cho Soo-Hyun, the video became famous for its comedic dance sequences, including PSY’s signature horse-riding choreography performed in a stable and between the legs of a dancing man.

“Gangnam Style” is also credited with opening YouTube’s “Billion Views Club” for music videos. Since then, artists including Justin Bieber (“Baby”), Taylor Swift (“Blank Space”) and Ed Sheeran (“Shape of You”) have joined the milestone.

Several K-pop acts have followed, including BTS with “Dynamite” and “Butter” and BLACKPINK with “Pink Venom” and “How You Like That.” Many industry observers trace that wave of global crossover success back to PSY’s 2012 breakthrough.

PSY’s career and current work 

Born Park Jae-sang, PSY is a South Korean rapper, singer-songwriter and founder of the talent agency P Nation, where he mentors K-pop artists.

Since “Gangnam Style,” he has released songs including “Gentleman,” “Daddy” featuring CL and “That That,” his 2022 collaboration with BTS member Suga. His latest studio album, PSY 9th was released in 2022.

PSY’s live performances continue to draw large audiences. His annual SUMMERSWAG tour, launched in 2011, has expanded to 14 stadium shows across nine cities in 2026.

The tour has also generated measurable economic benefits. Joint research by Sokcho City, telecommunications provider KT and Korea University found that a single 2025 SUMMERSWAG concert in Sokcho generated about ₩7.5 billion in local visitor spending.

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