Shakira to Receive Video Vanguard Award at This Year’s MTV Video Music Awards

Shakira is being celebrated for leading the way…

The 46-year-old Colombian superstar singer-songwriter will receive the Video Vanguard Award at MTV‘s 2023 Video Music Awards on September 12, becoming the first South American artist to earn the award.

ShakiraShakira will accept the award and perform at the ceremony for the first time since 2006.

The “Hips Don’t Lie” singer is a four-time VMA winner and 30-time nominee.

She won her first VMA — the award for International Viewer’s Choice — Latin America (North) — in 2000 for “Ojos Así.” She snagged the same award in 2002 for “Whenever, Wherever/Suerte” and also scooped up the trophy for Best Choreography in a Video for 2006’s “Hips Don’t Lie” as well as Most Earth-Shattering Collaboration for 2007’s “Beautiful Liar” with Beyoncé.

Shakira has also earned three Grammys and 12 Latin Grammys in her career.

The Video Vanguard Award, named after Michael Jackson, went to Nicki Minaj last year. Previous winners include Beyoncé, Jennifer LopezKanye WestDavid BowieMadonna and RihannaThe Beatles and A Hard Day’s Night director Richard Lester won the award at the first VMAs in 1984.

Shakira is nominated for four VMAs this year: Artist of the Year, Best Collaboration and Best Latin for “TQG” with Karol G, and Best Latin for “Acróstico.”

Earlier this year, her hit collaboration with Bizarrap, “Music Sessions Vol. 53,” set a number of streaming records on Spotify and YouTube.

Shakira first performed at the VMAs in 2002 with her rendition of “Objection (Tango),” and was the first artist to perform a song entirely in Spanish at the ceremony alongside Alejandro Sanz when they sang “La Tortura” in 2005.

Taylor Swift leads this year’s VMA nominations with eight, while SZA comes in second with six nominations. Nicki Minaj, Doja CatMiley CyrusSam SmithOlivia Rodrigo and Kim Petras each have five nominations, and Blackpink and Diddy tie Shakira’s four. Demi Lovato, Karol G, Måneskin, and Stray Kids are confirmed to perform at the ceremony, with MTV announcing more performers soon.

Sofia Carson to Perform Oscar-Nominated Track “Applause” at This Year’s Academy Awards

Sofia Carson has a date with Oscar

The 29-year-old Colombian American actress/singer and Diane Warren will perform “Applause,” the Oscar-nominated Best Song track, at the 95th annual Academy Awards next month.

Sofia CarsonWarren wrote the music and lyrics for the track from the film Tell It Like a Womanearning her 14th Best Song Oscar nod since 1988 and sixth in as many years.

She has yet to claim the hardware but did receive a Governors Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in November and snagged an Emmy for The Hunting Ground song “Til It Happens to You,” sung by Lady Gaga.

Carson played the Evil Queen’s daughter Evie in Disney’s Descendants and its sequels, and the first film’s soundtrack topped the Billboard 200 chart in 2015.

She released her self-titled debut album in 2022.

She also starred in last year’s Netflix film Purple Hearts and next appears in Jaume Collet-Serra’s Carry On.

“Applause” is competing for the Best Song Oscar against “Hold My Hand” from Top Gun: MaverickLift Me Up” from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever — which Super Bowl halftime star Rihanna will perform at the ceremony — “Naatu Naatu” from RRR and “This Is A Life” from Everything Everywhere All at Once.

The 95th Academy Awards will be handed out on Sunday, March 12, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

Will Sofia Carson Perform at This Year’s Academy Awards Show?

Sofia Carson could have a date with Oscar…

The 29-year-old Colombian American actress/singer may perform at this year’s Academy Awards ceremony.

Sofia CarsonCarson, whose parents hail from Barranquilla, is the voice of Diane Warren’s “Applause” from the film Tell It Like a Woman, which received an Oscar nomination for best original song.

“We’re going to the Oscars @dianewarren,” Carson wrote in an Instagram post, sharing a sweet video of their reaction to the news.

Beautifully performed by the “Night Falls” singer, “Applause” is a ballad of empowerment and self-love that invites women to pause for a moment and celebrate their achievements.

“Recognize who you are/ Sometimes, I know it’s so hard/ But you shine/ You’re a supernova superstar,” the song says. “Give yourself some applause, you deserve it/ Give yourself some respect ’cause you’ve earned it/ Give yourself some love ’cause you’re worth it, you’re worth it.”

Warren, who now collects her 14th nomination in the category, also competed last year with “Somehow You Do,” from the movie Four Good Days. But the Academy Award went to Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell for “No Time to Die,” from the James Bond film of the same name.

This time around, the veteran songwriter — who has yet to win the prize — competes again with some music superstars. The contenders are: “Hold My Hand” from Top Gun: Maverickco-written by Lady Gaga; “Lift Me Up” from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” with Rihanna among its composers; “Naatu Naatu” from RRR; and “This Is A Life” from Everything Everywhere All at Once.

The Oscar for best original song goes to the songwriters, not to the performers.

However, it is likely that Carson will take the stage of Hollywood’s Dolby Theater to sing “Applause” live, since it has become tradition that the nominated songs be presented at the ceremony — although the official program has not been announced yet and plans have changed from time to time.

The 95th annual Academy Awards will air live on ABC on March 12 at 8:00 pm ET.

Selena Gomez’s “My Mind & Me” Makes Oscars Short List for Best Original Song

Selena Gomez is in the running for an Academy Award nomination…

The 30-year-old Mexican American actress/singer’s last single has been shortlisted for an Oscar for best original song.

 

Selena GomezGomez’s “My Mind & Me” from her documentary Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me, is part of a list that includes Rihanna, Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga.

But Gomez isn’t the only Latin talent to make the short list…

Guillermo del Toro, who co-directed Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio with Mark Gustafson, is among the co-writers of “Ciao Papa,” which has earned a lot of Oscar buzz.

A total of 81 songs were eligible in the category. Members of the music branch voted to determine the shortlist and will ultimately choose the final nominees.

Here’s a complete list of the 15 songs that were shortlisted for best original song.

Per Academy custom, they are listed alphabetically by film title:

“Time”
Drake, Giveon Evans, Jahaan Akil Sweet, Daniel Pemberton
Amsterdam, 20th Century Studios 

“Nothing Is Lost (You Give Me Strength)”
The Weeknd, Steve Angello Josefsson, Sebastian Ingrosso, Axel Hedfords, Simon Franglen
Avatar: The Way of Water, 20th Century Studios 

“Lift Me Up”
Ryan Coogler, Ludwig Göransson, Rhianna, Tems
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Marvel Studios 

“This Is a Life”
David Byrne, Ryan Lott, Mitski
Everything Everywhere All at Once, A24 

“Ciao Papa”
Alexandre Desplat, Roeban Katz, Guillermo del Toro
Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, Netflix 

“Til You’re Home”
Rita Wilson
A Man Called Otto, Sony Pictures

“Naatu Naatu”
Kala Bhairava, M. M. Keeravani, Rahul Sipligunj
RRR, Variance Films 

“My Mind & Me”
Amy Allen, Jonathan Bellion, Selena Gomez, Jordan K Johnson, Stefan Johnson, Michael Pollack
Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me, Apple Original Films 

“Good Afternoon”
Benj Pasek, Justin Paul
Spirited, Apple Originals 

“Applause”
Diane Warren
Tell It Like a Woman, Samuel Goldwyn Films 

“Stand Up”
Dernst “D’Mile” Emile II, Jazmine Sullivan
Till, Orion/United Artists Releasing 

“Hold My Hand”
BloodPop (Michael Tucker), Lady Gaga
Top Gun: Maverick, Paramount Pictures 

“Dust & Ash”
Ralph
The Voice of Dust and Ash, Matilda Productions 

“Carolina”
Taylor Swift
Where the Crawdads Sing, Sony Pictures 

“New Body Rhumba”
Pat Mahoney, James Murphy, Nancy Whang
White Noise, Netflix

Nominations for the 95th Oscars will be announced on Tuesday, January 24, 2023.

The telecast, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, will take place on Sunday, March 12, 2023, airing live on ABC from the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood.

Anitta to Perform During Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty Vol. 4 Fashion Show

Anitta is preparing for a Savage moment…

The 29-year-old Brazilian singer, songwriter, actress and dancer will perform as part of the fourth installment of Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty fashion show.

AnittaThe “Envolver” singer joins a star-studded lineup for the event that includes Burna BoyDon Toliver and Maxwell.

In addition, there’ll be special appearances by Ángela Aguilar, Avani Gregg, Bella Poarch, Cara Delevingne, Damson Idris, Irina ShaykJoan Smalls, Kornbread, Lara Stone, Lilly Singh, Marsai Martin, Precious Lee, Rickey Thompson, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Simu Liu, Taraji P. Henson, Taylour Paige, Winston Duke, Zach Miko and more.

The annual fashion experience will air on November 9 via Prime Video.

The follow-up to the Emmy-winning Vol. 3 iteration of the fashion show will feature the latest Savage X Fenty styles from the music icon, and will stream exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories.

In addition to the show airing on Prime Video, the entire Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 4 collection, which pays tribute to self-expression and personal empowerment, will also be available to shop in the Amazon store and at Savage X Fenty’s website on November 9.

Coldplay Releases Music Video for Selena Gomez Collaboration “Let Somebody Go”

Selena Gomez is letting (somebody) go

The 29-year-old Mexican American actress/singer’s collaboration with Coldplay, “Let Somebody Go,” has received the music video treatment.

Selena Gomez, Chris Martin, Coldplay, Let Somebody GoThe English rock band has unveiled a stunning black and white visual to accompany the emotive track.

In the video, frontman Chris Martin and Gomez inhabit a city that, with the help of impressive CGI work, is turned both upside down and inside out.

The pair shares a loving embrace with each other before taking walks separately through the slowly disintegrating town, later meeting up in an infinitely winding staircase and flying through a turbulent sky.

“All the storms we weathered/ Everything that we went through/ Now, without you, what on earth am I to do?/ When I called the mathematicians and I ask them to explain/ They said love is only equal to the pain,” Gomez sings on her verse of the song. The video concludes with Gomez and Martin in the same area where they shared their first embrace — this time, their bodies fade away to illustrate the passage of time.

During an October 14 appearance on On Air With Ryan Seacrest, the Coldplay frontman explained why he wanted the former Disney Channel star to sing on the track.

“First of all, Selena’s personality inside, she’s just an angel,” Martin shared. “I’ve got so much love and respect for her. She’s such a good, kind person, and then her voice for me is in like what I would call ‘the Rihanna bag,’ which are voices that are gifts to humanity…you can’t feel worse listening to her sing.”

Coldplay and Gomez initially debuted the track in a live joint appearance on the The Late Late Show With James Corden as part of a weeklong residency on October 19.

“Let Somebody Go” served as the second single from Coldplay’s ninth album, Music of the Spheres. The track charted at No. 91 on the Billboard Hot 100, with the album reaching No. 4 on the Billboard 200.

Bad Bunny Launches TikTok Account & Deletes All Instagram Posts

Bad Bunny is changing things up…

The 27-year-old Puerto Rican Grammy-winning reggaeton and Latin trap singer recently deleted all of the posts from his official Instagram account, which boasts 36.8 million followers, including fellow artists like DrakeRihannaJennifer Lopez and Lil Nas X.

Bad Bunny

Bad Bunny, who ranked as No. 1 on the Top Latin Artists chart on Billboard‘s 2021 Year-End Charts, has now joined TikTok.

In his first post on Saturday (Jan. 1), the artist holds up a large mug on the morning after what appears to be a celebratory night of partying on New Year’s Eve with his girlfriend Gabriela Berlingeri.

“2022, the ‘damned’ part is just out of love, I know you will be a good year,” Bad Bunny captioned the clip, which references lyrics to his song “Si Veo a Tu Mama,” heard playing in the background.

Bad Bunny was not only Billboard’s Top Latin Artist of the year, but also Spotify’s most streamed artist globally in any genre.

In 2021, he scored a threepeat thanks to chart-topping albums YHLQMDLGLas Que No Iban a Salir and El Último Tour del Mundo — all peaking at No. 1 on the Top Latin Albums chart.

Additionally, El Conejo Malo placed the No. 1 song, “Dákiti” with Jhay Cortez, on the year-end Hot Latin Songs chart.

https://www.tiktok.com/@badbunny/video/7048328628135824686?is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1

Lourdes Leon Teases Her Ensemble for Upcoming Debut Appearance on Savage x Fenty Fashion Show Runway

Lourdes Leon is ready for the runway…

The 24-year-old half-Latina model, fashion designer and singer, Madonna’s daughter, is preparing for her Savage x Fenty debut.

Lourdes Leon

Leon is teasing her appearance in the third installment of Rihanna‘s annual lingerie extravaganza by revealing her eye-catching ensemble for the virtual fashion show, premiering September 24 on Amazon Prime.

Leon posed for a series of sultry shots, showing off her figure in a teal bra and matching panties, which were paired with thigh-high boots and a robe. She also rocked graphic eye makeup and a nude lip, while her dark hair was styled in an edgy updo.

The Savage x Fenty show will mark the second time Leon has graced a runwayLourdes Leon

In 2018, she walked for the first time in Gypsy Sport‘s Spring 2019 presentation during New York Fashion Week, visit Magazine.

As always, Rihanna recruited a star-studded lineup of models, musicians and more all representing a diverse group of backgrounds, body types and ages for the Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 3.

This year, viewers can expect to see performances by NasDaddy Yankee, BIA, Jazmine SullivanRicky Martin, Normani and Jade Novah.

Plus, there will be appearances from more celebrities including Cindy CrawfordAdriana LimaBehati PrinslooEmily RatajkowskiGigi HadidIrina ShaykVanessa Hudgens, Troye Sivan, Jeremy Pope and more.

According to a press release, the event “will combine fashion, dance, music, and iconic architecture, highlighting the newest assortment of Savage x Fenty styles through subtle-yet-impactful scenic elements, lighting and filming techniques.”

All of the designs in the new collection will be available to shop at Savage X Fenty and in the Amazon Fashion store right after the show airs.

Earlier this month, Leon also made her debut at the Met Gala in New York City, wearing a sparkly fuchsia Moschino by Jeremy Scott ensemble — complete with a bikini halter top and matching skirt, both covered in sequin embellishments.

Her appearance at the 2021 Costume Institute Gala came after she covered the September issue of Vogue for the magazine’s feature story, “Generation America: The Models Changing an Industry.” She was photographed alongside Bella HadidKaia Gerber, Precious Lee, Anok Yai, Ariel Nicholson, Sherry Shi, and Yumi Nu.

“People think I’m this talentless rich kid who’s had everything given to her, but I’m not,” Leon told the magazine, explaining that she paid her own college tuition and lives in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Bushwick, away from the glitz of Hollywood.

“A teacher of mine made me understand movement in a whole new way,” she told the outlet of her passion. “You’re using your body to define the space around you — to change it. That’s a very naked form of expression.”

La La Anthony Executive Producing Limited Series “The Case of Cyntoia Brown”

La La Anthony is officially on the case

The 38-year-old Puerto Rican television personality, producer and actress is executive producing The Case of Cyntoia Brown, a limited drama series inspired by the story of Cyntoia Brown-Long, who served 15 years of a life sentence for killing a man when she was 16 years old.

La La Anthony

Starz has put the series, based on Brown-Long’s book, Free Cyntoia: My Search for Redemption in the American Prison System, in development.

The project hails from Curtis 50 CentJackson and Anthony, and writer Santa Sierra.

Brown-Long and her husband Jamie Long will consult on the project.

Anthony has been a long-time supporter of Brown-Long and brought the project to Jackson’s G-Unit Film & Television, Inc. banner, which is developing the series under G-Unit’s overall deal with Starz.

Written by Sierra, the series tells the story of Cyntoia Brown-Long who was sex trafficked by a boyfriend, tried as an adult at 16 years old and sentenced to life in prison for aggravated robbery and first-degree murder. Despite being a minor, the sentence required her to serve at least 51 years before being eligible for parole consideration, which would not make her eligible for parole until she was 67.

Sierra also will serve as executive producer.

“We’re honored to be entrusted with Cyntoia’s story, which shines a light on the injustice of a system that tried and sentenced an at-risk minor as an adult when she was a victim herself of sex trafficking,” said Christina Davis, President of Original Programming for Starz. “This limited series from Curtis, La La and Santa chronicles Cyntoia’s long journey to freedom and furthers our #TakeTheLead programming mandate centered on narratives by, about and for women and underrepresented audiences.”

For years, Brown-Long maintained that the 2004 killing was an act of self-defense. Over the years, the fight for her release brought prominent lawyers to her defense and support from celebrities in addition to Anthony including LeBron James, Kim Kardashian West and Rihanna. While incarcerated, Brown-Long earned her associates and bachelor’s degrees while also mentoring at-risk youth.

She was granted clemency and released in 2019 and now advocates for criminal justice reform and victims of trafficking. Her case also inspired the introduction of state legislation aimed at protecting minors who are victims of sex trafficking. Since her conviction, juvenile sentencing guidelines in Tennessee have been amended: now, children under the age of 18 cannot be tried for prostitution. If she were to be arrested today, Brown-Long would be treated as a child human trafficking victim.

Bruno Mars Earns Eighth No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100 with Silk Sonic Single “Leave the Door Open”

Bruno Mars is Leave-ing his mark yet again…

Leave the Door Open” by Silk Sonic, the duo of the 35-year-old part-Puerto Rican singer and Anderson .Paak, rises from No. 3 to No. 1 for its first week at the summit of the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart.

Bruno Mars, Ricky Regal, Lacoste

It’s Mars’ eighth Hot 100 No. 1, while Anderson. Paak earns his first.

The Hot 100 blends all-genre U.S. streaming (official audio and official video), radio airplay and sales data.

“Leave the Door Open” drew 21.5 million U.S. streams (up 13%) and sold 28,600 copies, downloads and CDs combined (up 138%), in the week ending April 8, according to MRC Data. It also attracted 59.1 million radio airplay audience impressions (up 9%) in the week ending April 11.

Combining digital and physical sales, the song was the most-sold of the tracking week, aided by two CD versions that shipped to purchasers in that span (one for $2.50 and a live version for the standard $1.29 single price), as it wins the Hot 100’s top Sales Gainer award.

Bruno Mars’ Hot 100 No. 1s:
“Nothin’ on You” (B.o.B feat. Mars), two weeks, beginning May 1, 2010
“Just the Way You Are,” four weeks, Oct. 2, 2010
“Grenade,” four weeks, Jan. 8, 2011
“Locked Out of Heaven,” six weeks, Dec. 22, 2012
“When I Was Your Man,” one week, April 20, 2013
“Uptown Funk!” (Mark Ronson feat. Mars), 14 weeks, Jan. 17, 2015
“That’s What I Like,” one week, May 13, 2017
“Leave the Door Open” (Silk Sonic [Mars & Anderson. Paak]), one week to-date, April 17, 2021

With eight Hot 100 No. 1s dating to his first, as featured on B.o.B‘s “Nothin’ on You” on the chart dated May 1, 2010, Mars ties Drake, Katy Perry and Rihanna for the most in that span. Mars becomes one of 18 artists in the Hot 100’s entire history with at least eight leaders.

 

Meanwhile, “Leave the Door Open” reaches No. 1 in its fifth week on the Hot 100, completing Mars’ quickest coronation. He wrapped a prior-best eight-week ascent to the summit with “Uptown Funk!” in 2015.

Silk Sonic pushes “Leave the Door Open” from No. 2 to No. 1 for its first week atop the multi-metric Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, where it’s Mars’ fourth leader, after “That’s What I Like” (10 weeks, 2017), “Finesse” (one week, 2018) and “Please Me” (one week, 2019), the latter two with Cardi B.

“Door” concurrently rebounds 2-1 for a third week atop the Hot R&B Songs chart, which, like Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, uses the same methodology as the Hot 100.