Phoebe Bridgers has won another big court judgment against a recording studio owner who unsuccessfully sued the star for defamation after she accused him of “grooming” on social media.

Three years after Bridgers won a court ruling dismissing Chris Nelson’s libel case — a lawsuit she said was “frivolous” and meant to silence her abuse allegations — a Los Angeles judge on Thursday (July 24) awarded the singer $392,070, largely to cover hefty legal bills she spent defending herself.

The new award is on top of an earlier judgment of $496,608 already won by Bridgers, meaning Nelson now owes the star a whopping $888,768 over his failed legal action. A big portion of the new penalty is simply interest on the original, which Judge Joseph Lipner noted Nelson has “refused to pay” for more than two years.

Nelson, the owner of Los Angeles’ Sound Space recording studio, sued Bridgers in 2021, claiming she had defamed him by posting false information to Instagram as part of a “vendetta” designed to “destroy plaintiff’s reputation.”

The lawsuit centered on a series of October 2020 posts, in which Bridgers said she had “witnessed and can personally verify much of the abuse (grooming, stealing, violence) perpetuated by Chris Nelson.” She also directed her followers to a separate thread from friend Emily Bannon, which contained more extensive allegations against Nelson.

Her lawyers quickly moved to end the case, arguing that Nelson was abusing the court system to “chill Ms. Bridgers’ allegations of abusive conduct, which are protected by the First Amendment.” Her lawyers invoked California’s “anti-SLAPP” law, which bars lawsuits that might silence free speech and foists monetary penalties on those who bring them.

In November 2022, a Los Angeles judge sided with Bridgers, tossing the case out of court. Months later, the same judge awarded the singer $496,608, citing the anti-SLAPP law’s so-called fee-shifting provision that requires an unsuccessful accuser to reimburse their target’s legal bills.

Nelson appealed the dismissal of his case, but a California appellate court upheld the decision in November, ruling that Bridgers’ claims of abuse were clearly the kind of speech that’s protected under the anti-SLAPP law.

“The post related to public concerns, especially prevalent in light of the #MeToo movement, about men using their power to abuse women,” the appeals court wrote at the time. “When public allegations of abuse are corroborated, it serves not only to further the discussion of the specific claims at issue, but also to embolden others who are being victimized to come forward.”

With that ruling in hand — and the original judgment still unpaid — Bridgers went after Nelson again. In March, she demanded that he repay the money she spent litigating the appeal, as well as substantial interest on the original. She said he had “not paid a penny” of the original fine and was “evading collection efforts.”

Attorneys for Nelson did not immediately return a request for comment on Friday (July 25).

Alex Warren earned his first-ever No. 1 LP in the U.K. on Friday (July 25) with an extended version of You’ll Be Alright, Kid.

The 10-track EP was first released in October 2024 as You’ll Be Alright, Kid (Chapter 1), and reissued with an additional 11 tracks July 18. The updated release now includes “Ordinary,” which spent 13 weeks at No. 1 on the Official Singles Chart, and “Bloodline,” his collaboration with Jelly Roll, and eight further songs.

Warren’s “Ordinary” broke a number of records on the U.K. Singles Chart with its 13-week run (12 of which were consecutive), becoming the longest-running No. 1 of the 2020s so far, and the longest-running chart-topper for a U.S. male solo act since 1958, outlasting Slim Whitman’s record. The song is currently No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has reached seven weeks at the summit.

Following its surprise release on Monday, Tyler, the Creator’s Don’t Tap the Glass lands at No. 2 to give him his fifth top 10 LP. 2024’s Chromakopia remains his sole chart-topper in the U.K.

As their Live ‘25 tour rolls into Wembley Stadium in London Friday, Oasis continues to dominate the upper echelons of the Official Albums Chart with some of the band’s most popular material: greatest hit collection Time Flies… 1994-2009 (No. 3), 1995’s (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? (No. 4) and 1994’s Definitely Maybe (No. 5) all land inside the top five.

Following his passing earlier this week, Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath’s back catalog has returned to the charts, with the latter’s greatest hits The Ultimate Collection (2016) rising 107 places to No. 22. The compilation peaked at No. 20 upon its original release.

New Music Latin is a compilation of the best new Latin songs and albums recommended by Billboard and Billboard Español editors. Check out this week’s picks below.

Mon Laferte & Conociendo Rusia, “Esto Es Amor” (Sony Music Latin)

Chilean-Mexican singer-songwriter Mon Laferte released “Esto es Amor,” the second single from her upcoming album, Femme Fatal, in a surprising and powerful collaboration with Argentine musician Conociendo Rusia (Mateo Sujatovich). This exciting, elegant alternative pop track with soulful overtones features the intense sound of the saxophone and sensual, provocative lyrics centered on love and intimate relationships, very much in the style of Roberta Flack. The song, with its soft, danceable rhythms, was produced by Laferte and her musical director Manu Jalil. It takes us into the new era that the chameleonic artist has adopted — inspired by showgirls, with a vintage and theatrical aesthetic — which complements her role as Sally Bowles in the Mexican version of the musical Cabaret. — NATALIA CANO

Elena Rose & Justin Quiles, “Cosita Linda” (Kira Records/Warner Music Latina)

Venezuelan singer-songwriter Elena Rose and urban music star Justin Quiles join forces on this fusion of pop and Afrobeats that celebrates true, uncomplicated love. “If you go as copilot/ I’m going wherever/ I’m going to the moon/ Tell me if you like the idea,” Elena sings in her signature style, before Quiles joins her on the infectious chorus: “My beautiful thing is by my side/ She’s even stolen the air from me/ I haven’t connected with other eyes/ I see the color of yours, uoh/ Wow, uoh uoh uoh, uoh uoh uoh, the color of yours.” With its zesty, laid-back rhythm and positive lyrics, “Cosita Linda” is perfect for enjoying this summer. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS

Eslabon Armado, “Dame Un Chanze” (Armado Records)

True to his songwriting style, Eslabon Armado’s Pedro Tovar once again offers a snapshot of that emotional journey that comes from romantic relationships. While most of his lyrics portray relationships that are on the brink of falling apart, “Dame Un Chanze” is hopeful, as the band’s frontman pleads to be given a chance to show what he has to offer. “Give me a chance, my love, to give you the world you deserve, leave those fools behind,” he sings over slapping guitars and a wailing trumpet. “Everything just came naturally — the lyrics, the guitars, the melody. As soon as I finished it, I knew I wanted to release it,” Tovar said in a statement about the song. The new single follows Eslabon’s latest studio album, Vibras de Noche II, which landed on Billboard’s Best Albums of 2025 So Far. — GRISELDA FLORES

Latin Mafia & Omar Apollo, “Hecho Para Ti” (Rimas Entertainment México)

It’s the kind of music your parents might’ve danced to in a smoky Salón Tropicana — but with a twist that belongs entirely to today. Latin Mafia’s latest single serves up a time-jumping cumbia pulled straight from your tío’s VHS collection, while Omar Apollo adds his signature blend of tender heartbreak. Together, they spin emotional chaos into “Hecho Para Ti,” a wistful ode to failed love with aching lyrics like, “Si no vas a amarme, corazón/ Prefiero que me odies, cariño,” wrapped in retro grooves reinvented for modern fans. Co-produced by Tyler Spry (of Bad Bunny fame) and filmed in the aforementioned Mexico City venue, the track exudes late-’80s, early-‘90s nightclub energy — and just might leave you dancing with a touch of heartache.  — ISABELA RAYGOZA

Melanie Santiler & Velito El Bufón, “Todo Se Supera” (MamiFinaRecords)

In a first collaborative effort, Melanie Santiler and Velito el Búfon—two promising acts in the Cuban urban scene — deliver “Todo Se Supera” (or everything is overcome). Produced by Javier Sampedro, Yoyi Lagarza and Fernando Produce, the track kicks off with a sophisticated bolero melody before transitioning into a saucy and hard-hitting reparto beat (urban genre that derives from the barrios of Cuba). Lyrically, Santiler and Velito’s silky vocals depict the story of a power couple who’s going through a very public breakup.

“I’m tired of hearing you talk/ No podcast can stand it/ No one will care about the life you invent,” goes part of the cheeky song. The just as playful music video shows both artists annoyed with each other (but also flirting) during a TV interview. “Releasing this song with Velito is super special to me because I’ve always loved his music, his flow, and the way he connects with people,” Santiler, who was featured on Billboard’s On the Radar Latin earlier this year, said in a press statement. — JESSICA ROIZ

Pancho Barraza & Lucero, “Todo O Nada” (FONO/Pachy Music & Boba Records)

The union of iconic pop star Lucero and Pancho Barraza, one of the most important interpreters of regional Mexican music, is something I wouldn’t have imagined, but it comes as a pleasant surprise. Each one has their moment to shine in this song, in which a couple reproaches each other for the neglect that led to their breakup, although they claim to be better off without one another. “Everything is over, I don’t feel anything anymore/ Yesterday you were my everything, and today you’re left with nothing,” goes part of the lyrics. Musically, “Todo o Nada” is more pop-infused, although instruments like the tuba, characteristic of the Sinaloa band sound, can be subtly heard in the background, so you enjoy the best of both worlds in every sense.  — TERE AGUILERA

Carlos Vives, Lalo Ebratt, Bomba Estéreo, Estereobeat & More, “500” (Gaira Música Local)

Carlos Vives pays a heartfelt tribute to Santa Marta on its fifth centenary with “500,” a song of profound love to the land of his birth, bringing together a collective of artists from Santa Marta, such as Lalo Ebratt, Bomba Estéreo, Estereobeat ft. Yera and Olga Lucia Vives. The song is “an Indian-African-Spanish celebration,” as the lyrics say, capturing the historical and cultural soul of this ancestral land. The video, of moving cinematic beauty, explores its history and the magic of emblematic settings such as the Lost City, Tayrona Park and the Sierra Nevada, while a choir of Arhuaco girls sings verses in its native language. “500” is not only a tribute but also an aural and visual testimony to the legacy of Santa Marta to the world. — LUISA CALLE

Check out more Latin recommendations this week below: