Bobby Cannavale to Star in A24’s Horror Film “MaXXXine”

Bobby Cannavale is Maxxximizing his time…

The 52-year-old half-Cuban American actor will star in Ti West’s Mia Goth-led A24 horror film MaXXXine.

Bobby CannavaleCannavale joins an all-star cast that includes Elizabeth Debicki, Moses Sumney, Michelle MonaghanLily CollinsHalsey, Giancarlo Esposito and Kevin Bacon.

MaXXXine is the third title in A24’s first major horror franchise, on the heels of West’s films X and Pearl, both of which were released to much acclaim last year.

The ’70s-set X had Goth pulling double duty as Maxine, who sees her pornography-shooting friends violently murdered in Texas, and one of their elderly assailants, Pearl. The latter film, set in 1918, meanwhile, served up an origin story for the latter villain character.

MaXXXine reverses the franchise’s trajectory through time to pick with Maxine after the violent events of X, as their sole survivor continues her journey towards fame, setting out to make it as an actress in 1980s Los Angeles.

The film heads into production this month.

Two-time Emmy winner Cannavale stars opposite Naomi Watts in Ryan Murphy’s hit Netflix series The Watcher, which has been renewed for a second season.

His other notable television credits include Nine Perfect StrangersHomecoming, Mr. Robot, Angie TribecaWill & Grace, Vinyl and Nurse Jackie.

The actor recently appearing in films like Blonde will also soon be seen in comedian Bill Burr’s directorial debut Old Dads, Tony Goldwyn’s comedy Inappropriate Behavior and more.

Rosalia Among Headlining Acts for 2023’s Primavera Sound Festival

Rosalia is getting into the primavera spirit…

The star-studded lineup for the 2023 Primavera Sound Festival has been revealed, with the 30-year-old Spanish singer/songwriter among the acts set to perform.

RosaliaRosalia will headline the event alongside Kendrick Lamar, Depeche Mode, Blur and Halsey.

The event will take place in both Barcelona (June 1-3) at Ciudad del Rock in Arganda Del Rey and Madrid (June 8-10) at the Parc Del Forum.

Other participating acts include Ghost, Darkside, Le Tigre, Turnstile, Sparks, Pusha T, Baby Keem, Skrillex, Bad Religion, The Mars Volta, Bad Gyal, Maneskin, St. Vince, the War on Drugs and many more.

In addition, the Pet Shop Boys will play Wednesday’s (May 31) free show with Jake Bugg, Confidence man and La Paloma.

Other acts slated to take the stage include: Japanese Breakfast, PinkPanthress, Christine and the Queens, Arlo Parks, The Voidz, Alex G, Built to Spill, The Moldy Peaches, Bleachers, Julia Jacklin, Caroline Polachek, Maggie Rogers, My Morning Jacket, Tokischa, Death Grips and more.

One-day and multi-day tickets will go on sale on Thursday, December 1 at 12:00 pm CET; more information on tickets here.

Festival organizers announced earlier this year that 2023’s event would take place in Barcelona and Madrid for the first time, saying that the cities will “mirror” each other on consecutive summer weekends.

“Look for yourself in the Primavera Sound 2023 line-up… and find yourself,” organizers said in a statement in describing the mirror-image lineups. “Because we assure you that you are there. After twenty editions, the festival is the mirror in which the community that will come from near and far to Barcelona and for the first time to Madrid next June looks at itself and recognizes itself, but after everything it has experienced, this reflection goes in two directions, marking the richest musical itinerary we can think of: Primavera Sound also looks for and finds itself in its own audience.”

Kid Cudi to Co-Headline This Year’s Governors Ball at New York’s Citi Field

Kid Cudi is the beau of the Ball

The 37-year-old half-Mexican American singer/rapper is set to co-headline the 2022 Governors Ball festival at Citi Field in Queens, New York.

Kid CudiKid Cudi will co-headline alongside J.Cole and Halsey at the festival, which will take place on June 10-12.

The event will also feature sets from Migos, Jack Harlow, Louis the Child, Black Pumas, Skepta, Beabadoobee, Flume, Roddy Ricch, YG, Tove Lo, Denzel Curry, Playboi Carti, Glass Animals, Kaytranada, Clairo, Becky G, Jazmine Sullivan, Japanese Breakfast, 100 Gecs and many more.

Tickets for the event go on sale on Thursday, January 27 at noon ET on the event’s website; a special presale for three-day and one-day passes and VIP tickets will open exclusively for Citi cardmembers from 10 a.m. ET on Tuesday (Jan. 25) through 11:59 a.m. ET on Thursday (Jan. 27).

In a release announcing this year’s event, promoters Founders Entertainment also said that they’ll be donating $25,000 to the New York City Mayor’s Fund for the victims of January’s devastating Bronx apartment building fire that killed 17 and injured dozens of others; attendees can also support the victims of the blaze by donation to the relief effort via The Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City.

Other artists slated to perform at this year’s Governors Ball include JPEGMAFIA, Coi Leray, Channel Tres, Joji, Still Woozy, ASHNIKKO, Chelsea Cutler, Diesel (Shaquille O’Neal), Gus Dapperton, J.I.D, COIN, Soccer Mommy, Surf Curse, DUCKWRTH, Del Water Gap and more.

The festival celebrated its 10th anniversary in the fall with a show that featured headliners Post Malone, Billie Eilish and A$AP Rocky. As usual, the 2022 festival will feature a rich array of craft cocktails, beers, food, surprise pop-up performances and art installations.

Christina Aguilera Among Celebrities Urging U.S. Senators to Stop Gun Violence Now

Christina Aguilera is calling for politicians to take action on the issue of gun reform

The 40-year-old half-Ecuadorian American Grammy-winning singer has joined a roster of celebrities who’ve signed an open letter to U.S. Senators urging them stop gun violence now.

Christina Aguilera

Five years ago, amidst a string of deadly attacks at live music venues including the horrific mass shooting at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., on June 12, 2016, the cover of Billboard‘s July 2016 issue featured an open letter to U.S. Congress signed by 200 artists and music industry executives calling for gun reform.

Unfortunately, the need for reform has only grown stronger as shootings have continued around the country at a terrifying rate.

So now, five years later, as venues prepare to reopen after their pandemic shutdown and music fans ready to return to concerts and festivals, we stand again with the music community to ask lawmakers to take swift action to stop the violence. — Hannah Karp, Billboard editorial director

An Open Letter to Senators: Stop Gun Violence Now

As leading artists and executives in the music industry, we are adding our voices to the chorus of Americans demanding change.

Music always has been celebrated communally, on dance floors and at concert halls. But this life-affirming ritual, like so many other daily experiences — going to school or church or work — continues to be threatened, because of gun violence in this country.

The one thing that connects the tragedies like the shootings in Boulder, El Paso, Las Vegas, Parkland and so many other places in America, to the one that happened in Orlando five years ago this June, is that it is far too easy for dangerous people to get their hands on guns.

We call on the Senate to do more to prevent the gun violence that kills more than 100 Americans every day and injures hundreds more: Take action on background checks.

Billboard and the undersigned implore you — the people who are elected to represent us — to close the deadly loopholes that put the lives of so many music fans, and all of us, at risk.

Sincerely,

Christina Aguilera, Tori Amos, Sara Barielles, Aaron Bay-Schuck, Tony Bennett, Selim Bouab, Rob Bourdon, Scooter Braun, Cortez Bryant, Michael Bublé, Vanessa Carlton, Joseph Carozza, Steve Cooper, Tom Corson, Lee Daniels, Ellen DeGeneres, Brad Delson, Diplo, Mike Easterlin, John Esposito, Melissa Etheridge, Fletcher, Luis Fonsi, Becky G, Kevin Gore, Julie Greenwald, Josh Groban, Horacio Gutierrez, Joe Hahn, Halsey, Billy Joel, Craig Kallman, Alicia Keys, Kid Cudi, Carole King, Elle King, Adam Lambert, Cyndi Lauper, Kevin Liles, Dre London, Jennifer Lopez, Macklemore, Zayn Malik, Carianne Marshall, Ricky Martin, Paul McCartney, Julia Michaels, Guy Moot, Jason Mraz, Gregg Nadel, Yoko Ono, Mark Pinkus, Gregory Porter, Prince Royce, Bonnie Raitt, Dawn Richard, RMR, Paul Robinson, Maggie Rogers, Kelly Rowland, Mike Shinoda, Sia, Matt Signore, Britney Spears, Rob Stevenson, Sting, Barbra Streisand, Justin Tranter, Sir Trilli, Sharon Van Etten, Aimie Vaughn-Fruehe, Eddie Vedder, Andrew Watt.

If you’re interested in signing the letter, you can email guncontrol@billboard.com.

Bobby Cannavale Joins Voice Cast of Illumination/Universal Pictures’ Animated Film “Sing 2”

Bobby Cannavale is getting musical…

The 50-year-old half-Cuban American Emmy-winning actor has joined the voice cast of Sing 2, the Illumination/Universal Pictures sequel to the 2016 animated hit.

Bobby Cannavale

Cannavale is among a roster of cast newcomers that includes U2 lead singer Bono, Pharrell Williams, Halsey, Letitia Wright, Eric Andre and Chelsea Peretti.

Reprising stars include Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johannsson, Taron Egerton, Tori Kelly and Nick Kroll.

The film will be ready for theatrical holiday release a year from now.

Sing 2 transcends the animation genre, immersing audiences in a fully realized world populated by complex characters, each with bold aspirations and relatable challenges,” said Illumination founder/CEO Chris Meledandri. “We are thrilled that the Sing franchise attracts such exceptional talent, and we are delighted to announce this extraordinary cast. The film is a musical celebration of the unrelenting pursuit of one’s dreams, no matter how large the challenges that stand in your way. At its core this movie speaks to the power of optimism and belief.”

In Sing 2, Buster Moon (McConaughey) and his cast of underdogs push their talents beyond their local theater, hoping for a shot to perform at the most prestigious venue in the entertainment capital of the world: The Crystal Tower Theater. To do that, though, they’ll first have to impress the powerful and egotistical entertainment mogul—and likely gangster—wolf Jimmy Crystal (Cannavale) and prove that they are worthy of his stage. Crystal will let them perform, on condition Buster convince the world’s most reclusive rock legend, lion Clay Calloway (Bono) out of self-imposed seclusion after the death of his wife and persuade him to perform in the show.

Williams plays Alfonso, an elephant ice-cream-truck owner who becomes the first crush of shy elephant Meena (Kelly). Halsey voices Jimmy Crystal’s teenage daughter, Porsche;  Wright plays a streetwise feline dancer who helps earnest gorilla Johnny (Egerton) regain his confidence while learning his choreography; Andre plays a self-important yak; and Peretti voices Jimmy Crystal’s haughty canine assistant and talent scout. Witherspoon returns as harried mother pig, Rosita; Johansson reprises as rocker porcupine Ash and Kroll returns as the pig artiste, Gunter.

The film is written and directed by Garth Jennings.

Miguel to Perform “Coco” Hit on ABC’s “The Disney Family Singalong: Volume II” Special

It’ll be a day of (Disney) remembrance for Miguel

The 34-year-old half-Mexican American singer will take part in ABC’s The Disney Family Singalong: Volume II.

Miguel

Miguel will perform “Remember Me,” the song he recorded for the soundtrack to the Dia de los Muertos-themed animated feature Coco.

Miguel’s version of the song appeared at the end of the film. He also performed a Spanish-English duet of the track with Natalia Lafourcade entitled “Recuérdame.”

“Remember Me” earned a Grammy nomination for Best Song Written for Visual Media.

Shakira, meantime, is set to perform “Try Everything” during the sing-along special. She recorded the Grammy-nominated song for Disney’s Zootopia.

The 43-year-old Colombian superstar voiced the character of Gazellein the film, and her character performed the track in the end credits.

Other artists recruited by Disney for the special, to be broadcast during the Mother’s Day, include Donald Glover, Halsey, Ben Platt and Chloe x Halle.

Audiences will be able to stream The Disney Family Singalong: Volume II on Disney+at a later, unconfirmed date.

The musical special plans to not just celebrate families, but nourish them too by raising awareness for Feeding America’s COVID-19 Response Fund, which supports people across the U.S. facing hunger amid the pandemic.

The first edition of the musical special saw big-time prime-time ratings, with 10.3 million viewers tuning in to Ariana Grande‘s spellbound “I Won’t Say I’m in Love” coverfrom Hercules, Beyoncé‘s surprise heartwarming rendition of “When You Wish Upon a Star“and more.

Ryan Seacrest returns as the host for The Disney Family Singalong: Volume II, which will air on Sunday, May 10, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. ET on ABC.

Here’s the list of performances (with more to come):

“A Whole New World” – Idina Menzel & Ben Platt
“Almost There”– Chloe x Halle & Anika Noni Rose
“Hakuna Matata” – Seth Rogen & Billy Eichner feat. Donald Glover & Walter Russell III
“Part of Your World” – Halsey
“Poor Unfortunate Souls” – Rebel Wilson
“Remember Me” – Miguel
“Step in Time” and “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” –Derek Hough, Julianne Hough & Hayley Erbert”Try Everything”–Shakira
“When I Am Older” – Josh Gad
“You’ll Be in My Heart” –Disney on Broadway stars Merle Dandridge, Heather Headley, Adam Jacobs, Caissie Levy, Kara Lindsay, Kevin Massey & Josh Strickland”Zero to Hero” – Keke Palmer

Becky G to Host & Perform at This Year’s MTV Europe Music Awards

Becky G is pulling double duty in Europe…

The 22-year-old Mexican American bilingual singer-songwriter, who just released the trilingual track “Chicken Noodle Soup” with BTSJ-Hope, is set to host this year’s MTV Europe Music Awards, as well as perform at the awards show, which will take place in Seville, Spain.

Becky G

Becky G is set for a busy night as she also has a nomination, taking on Ariana GrandeCamila Cabello, Halsey, the Jonas Brothers, and Shawn Mendes in the Best Pop category.

Becky G has notched two number one hits on the Billboard Latin Airplay charts –  “Mayores” and “Sin Pijama” – and on-screen had a starring role in the Power Rangersmovie. She has also guest-starred on the Foxseries Empire.

“Becky G is an exceptional multifaceted talent who’s no stranger to the global stage,” said Bruce Gillmer, global head of music and talent,Viacom and co-brand head, MTV International. “We can’t wait to see her light up the MTV EMAstage in Seville.”

Rosalia, who’ll be the hometown favorite in her native Spain, leads the pack of Latino/a nominees with four.

Lauren Jauregui Hoping to Release Debut Album Next Year

Lauren Jauregui is hard at work on her debut album…

The 23-year-old Cuban American singer and former Fifth Harmony member is hoping to release her long-awaited debut solo album in 2020. 

Lauren Jauregui

When asked if the album would come out in 2019, the “Expectations” singer gave 2020 as the likely target. “I got you guys, I promise,” she said during an interview on the red carpet at the Teen Choice Awards,

Jauregui has a lot to look forward to. On Sunday night, she won in the Choice Female Artist category, beating a stacked lineup featuring Ariana GrandeBillie EilishCardi BHalseyand Taylor Swift.

Jaureguichatted with Billboard in June about the solo set, for which she has been “writing like crazy.” She enthused, “I’m so proud of the way that I’ve been able to articulate my point of view. I’m emo, so you’re gonna get some deep, dark lyrics from my soul, but some bops too…It’s gonna be really fun. I’m really excited to share it with the world, but I’m just kind of packaging everything and still finishing up some songs.”

Jauregui had fans buzzing with her debut solo single “Expectations,” which dropped last October, and was followed in January by the sultry “More Than That.”

Sofia Reyes to Co-Host the Billboard Music Awards Red Carpet Live Show

Sofia Reyesis ready to take the mic.

The 23-year-old singer-songwriter and actress will host the BBMAs Red Carpet Live on Wednesday, May 1, ahead of the 2019 Billboard Music Awards.

Sofia Reyes

Reyes, who released her latest single “R.I.P.” with Anitta and Rita Ora in March, will work alongside Sway Callowayand Jaymes Vaughanin her hosting capacity.

The two-hour pre-show will take place on the red carpet at the MGM Grand Garden Arenain Las Vegas beginning at 6:00 pm ET/3:00 pm PT. 

Fans can catch the entire pre-show live on Twitter via the awards show’s official handle, @BBMAs, as hosts Calloway, Reyes and Vaughan conduct exclusive interviews from the red carpet and run down the night’s jam-packed roster of nominees, performers and presenters.

The 2019 Billboard Music Awards will air Wednesday, May 1, at 8:00 pm ET/PT on NBC, with returning host Kelly Clarksonand performances by the Jonas BrothersMariah CareyBTS featuring Halseyand more.

Cardi B’s “Girls Like You” Collab with Maroon 5 Notches 3rd Week at No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100

Cardi B is still a Girl(s)on top…

Maroon 5‘s “Girls Like You,” featuring the 25-year-old half-Dominican American rap sensation, logs its third week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart dated October 13.

Cardi B

“Girls Like You” tops the Radio Songs chart for an 11th week, with 125.9 million in audience, down 2 percent, in the week ending October 7, according to Nielsen Music.

The track ties The Chainsmokers‘ “Closer,” featuring Halsey, in 2016, as the longest-leading Radio Songs No. 1 by a duo or group this century; it boasts the longest reign by a duo or group since TLC‘s “No Scrubs” led for 13 weeks in 1999.

“Girls Like You” has logged the longest run atop the chart by any act since Ed Sheeran‘s “Shape of You,” which spent 12 weeks at No. 1 in 2017 (and which interpolates “Scrubs“). (Goo Goo Dolls‘ “Iris” holds the longevity record atop Radio Songs among all acts, with 18 weeks at No. 1 in 1998.)