Olivia Rodrigo is adding her voice to the growing outcry over federal immigration raids in Southern California.

The 22-year-old pop star and actress, who grew up in Temecula, Calif., before moving to Los Angeles in middle school to star in the Disney Channel series Bizaardvark, took to social media on Saturday (June 14) amid widespread protests. The demonstrations erupted in response to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids targeting multiple workplaces across L.A., citing alleged immigration violations.

“I’ve lived in LA my whole life and I’m deeply upset about these violent deportations of my neighbors under the current administration,” Rodrigo wrote on her Instagram Story. “LA simply wouldn’t exist without immigrants. Treating hardworking community members with such little respect, empathy, and due process is awful. I stand with the beautiful, diverse community of Los Angeles and with immigrants all across America. I stand for our right to freedom of speech and freedom to protest.”

Rodrigo also shared a link to a “Know Your Rights” resource page on the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) website. In a follow-up post on her IG Story, the “Vampire” singer shared a photo from what appeared to be a protest, featuring a handmade sign with a crossed-out crown and the words “in our USA” — a likely nod to the “No Kings Day” demonstrations held on June 14 in response to President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday military parade in Washington, D.C.

Rodrigo isn’t the only music star raising her voice in response to the recent ICE raids and National Guard presence in Los Angeles. Following President Trump’s early June deployment of National Guard troops to the city, a wave of artists — including Tyler, The Creator, Finneas, The Game, Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong, Kehlani, Tom Morello, Reneé Rapp and Rebecca Black — have publicly condemned the administration’s actions. Many California officials have denounced the deployment as unconstitutional and inflammatory.

“F—K ICE,” Tyler wrote on his Instagram Story, sharing a clip from the 2002 film Paid in Full in which the phrase is chanted repeatedly. Finneas also spoke out after claiming he was tear-gassed while attending what he described as a “very peaceful” protest in downtown L.A. “Tear-gassed almost immediately at the very peaceful protest downtown. They’re inciting this,” the Grammy-winning artist and producer posted June 8 on his Instagram Story.

NEEDTOBREATHE‘s Bear Rinehart is speaking out following allegations of childhood abuse made by his brother Bo Rinehart.

On Thursday (June 12), 43-year-old Bo, the former guitarist for NEEDTOBREATHE, shared a statement on social media alleging that he was sexually abused by multiple people during his childhood, including his older brother Bear, 44, the rock band’s lead singer.

“This is Bo. I am an alcoholic. I am a sinner, but I am a believer. I believe in God’s grace, and I believe that his mercy has shown that he is consistent, even though we don’t deserve it,” Bo wrote on Instagram. “I am a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. I’ve been sexually abused by a Camp counselor. I’ve been sexually, physically and emotionally abused by my brother. And I’ve been abused by my youth pastor.”

He continued, “I believe that God has bigger plans for me and part of those plans are telling my story because it’s so hard for anyone to tell stories like these. Even when my faith has been crushed, I know that God still has provisions for me. If you’re out there and you’re thinking, nothing can be done, no one can help, there’s no way out… I’m with you… but I believe in a God who always finds a way. Don’t give up and don’t lose hope.”

Bo, who left NEEDTOBREATHE in 2020, later shared a photo of Bear with the caption “Sexual Abuser” in a since-deleted Instagram Story, according to Relevant Magazine.

On Saturday (June 14), Bear responded to his brother’s allegations with a lengthy post on the Instagram account for Wilder Woods, his solo musical project outside of NEEDTOBREATHE.

“I feel the need to comment on the deeply hurtful and misleading accusations that my brother Bo made the other night on social media,” Bear wrote. “I love Bo deeply and I always will. Since his departure from the band over five years ago, we have done everything in our power to treat him with respect and privacy. I would never choose to disparage him, especially at a time where he is clearly in pain. But as a father and husband, I must protect my family from claims that misrepresent the truth.”

He continued, “Until now, I had chosen to not share this publicly — not because I’m ashamed, but because I’ve wanted to protect my family. I have three young boys, and I wanted them to hear about my story from me directly, when the time is right and not through social media or online speculation. Bo’s post has now made it impossible for me to remain private about this period of our childhood any longer. I can only hope that God has a plan for this down the road. I have always respected Bo’s right to speak about his own story, but I cannot allow him to misrepresent mine.”

Bear went on to claim that “my brother and I were both sexually abused at the age of 8 and 6 by a teenage counselor” at a Christian camp where they grew up in South Carolina. “Neither of us received support for these events until well into adulthood and were both left to navigate the rest of childhood and adolescence with deep pain and confusion,” the musician wrote, adding that he later “found freedom” after counseling and support from loved ones.

“Bo’s recent accusation of me conflates our shared experience of abuse with a childhood incident he misrepresents,” Bear continued. “While going through a two day intensive counseling session with Bo five years ago, I learned that he was hurt by things that happened in our early teen years as well. At that counseling session I took full responsibility for any part I played in that pain. We processed those moments of shared trauma in detail and left with an understanding that we were two young boys trying to cope with the unimaginable. To now label me an abuser in such a heartless way is not only deeply painful, but is also wildly misleading and feels intentionally harmful.”

Bear concluded his message by expressing hope that he and Bo can reconcile someday. “I truly do pray for this healing,” he wrote. “I believe that all of us are broke and in need of a savior. My brother and I are no different.”

Billboard has reached out to NEEDTOBREATHE’s representatives for further comment.

In a 2023 interview with People, Bo opened up about coming to terms with his experience of sexual abuse as an adult, revealing that it was perpetrated by three different individuals. He did not provide further details.

“It takes time,” Bo said at the time. “At some point in our lives, we get to this stage — and it’s generally with survivors of childhood sexual abuse, it’s in their late 30s or early 40s — where it starts to surface whether you want it to or not. You’ll start to see how your life’s kind of breaking down.”

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, you can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).

Billboard Canada Power Players is back for a second year, and it comes at a pivotal time for Canadian music. Canadian Content regulations — a principle that built the domestic industry — are up for review for the first time in a generation, with ongoing hearings taking place with the CRTC. The Online Streaming Act, meanwhile, is attempting to regulate major foreign streaming services to contribute to CanCon as the CRTC once did for radio — but companies like Spotify, Amazon and Apple Music aren’t taking it without a fight.

Those issues shadow the industry, which has recently seen both struggles and successes. The country was recently named the 8th largest music market in the world by the IFPI, and Toronto has emerged as a marquee live music market. That’s been reflected in the successes of and investments in new venues by companies like Live Nation Canada, MLSE and Oak View Group, who all appear on the list. 

As top execs at Live Nation Canada, Erik Hoffman, Riley O’Connor and Melissa Bubb-Clarke are orchestrating one of the most ambitious stretches in the company’s history. Together, the trio claims the No. 1 spot on Billboard Canada Power Players 2025. Already the biggest players in the Canadian music business, Live Nation is just getting bigger — and it’s on track for a record-breaking summer.

In the new Billboard Canada cover story, the three talk about their ambitious plans — including the about-to-open Rogers Stadium in Toronto, which will bring Oasis, Coldplay and BLACKPINK to the city this summer and triple the number of stadium shows. 

Derek “Drex” Jancar of OVO Wins the Impact Award

As part of Billboard Canada Power Players, Derek “Drex” Jancar took the No. 1 spot in the Foundations category and accepted the Impact Award at the celebration in Toronto on Wednesday (June 11). 

In the mid-2000s, Drex, Gavin Sheppard and Kehinde Bah co-founded The Remix Project, a community initiative that continues to influence global culture. Now, he’s doing it again as CEO of October’s Very Own (OVO).

On Wednesday night (June 11), Derrick Ross of Slaight Music presented Drex with the Impact Award as part of Billboard Canada Power Players 2025, with a donation to the Remix Project — a testament to the immense influence Drex has had within Canadian music and culture.

In an interview, Drex tells Billboard Canada about the impact of the Toronto community on all the work he does.

“It’s the nucleus of everything. It’s the thing you constantly come back to and think about: ‘Does this represent us, honestly and authentically?’” he says. “It’s where everyone worked on their skills and put blood, sweat and tears into their career paths. We obviously are global thinkers, but we’re always coming from that place. That’s our identity. It’s shaped us and it’s what makes us unique.”

Drex recalls meeting the key figures at OVO at Remix, including Oliver El-Khatib, Future The Prince, Niko Carino and Drake. The dedication that they poured into Drake’s burgeoning career in the late 2000s created a special energy in Toronto. He was already the hottest artist in the city, Drex recalls, but you could feel he was on the verge of becoming a global phenom — all while wearing his local connections on his sleeve.

“You could see what was happening behind the scenes, and it was really special to see everyone rally around and build such an amazing brand around him,” Drex says. “It was a time where you really started to believe in the city and the talent and the potential in the city and you were like, ‘Anyone can do anything from here. This is possible, it’s happening right in front of us.’”

The First Canadian Edition of Managers to Watch

Also this week, Billboard Canada unveiled its first Music Managers to Watch list. 

Managers are the unsung heroes of the music industry. They are the hard-working decision makers behind some of the country’s most beloved artists. They make deals, orchestrate partnerships and make key strategic decisions. And though fans rarely know their names, they are key to the success of Canadian musicians. They don’t do it for personal glory, but to fulfill artistic visions that can break barriers and move millions.

These talented managers on the rise have helped some of the biggest artists tour stadiums, stun at the Met Gala or go gold without any label support. That’s an extra feat in Canada, where managers often have to navigate a tight-knit industry and geographic barriers to breakout success. In the feature, they share their tips for people new to the business and those who want to help introduce their artists to a global audience.

The list includes managers for Kaytranada, Jessie Reyez, Charlotte Cardin, Connor Price and more. 

The Beaches’ manager, Laurie Lee Boutet, was named Manager of the Year. In an interview, she talks about how she helped navigate the Toronto band’s 2023 viral moment into sustained momentum on its way to its first hometown arena tour this fall.