BTS kicked off the 2021 Global Citizen Festival with a feel-good performance of “Permission to Dance” from Seoul.

The group took part in this year’s live event — which aims to raise awareness and spark global change — on Saturday (Sept. 25). Global Citizen featured countless artists performing across several continents this weekend.

In New York City, where a star-studded lineup took the stage in Central Park as part of the festivities, Coldplay’s set featured another welcome appearance by BTS.

“We collaborated with a band and we took their average age up about 15 years, but it’s been one of the most fun things we’ve ever done,” singer Chris Martin told the crowd. “This is a song we did with BTS. This is a song about love who you love, and only that.”

The band launched into new single “My Universe,” virtually joining forces with BTS, who were on a big screen behind them.

At one point, even Martin turned around to look up in awe at BTS.

“My Universe,” which is sung in both English and Korean, just dropped on Friday. It’s the second single Coldplay has released ahead of the release of their upcoming studio album Music of the Spheres.

Watch “Permission to Dance” and “My Universe” performed for Global Citizen Live below.

Olivia Rodrigo took a daring plunge with her latest gala ensemble, a sophisticated black evening gown with a dramatically deep neckline.

Rodrigo was in attendance Saturday night (Sept. 25) to celebrate the anticipated Sept. 30 opening of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles. Lady Gaga, Cher, Jennifer Hudson and Katy Perry were among the other music stars (joining a list of notable actors, filmmakers and more in glamorous style) to make appearances for the unveiling of the movie museum. Gaga performed a set at the gala, which was co-chaired by Ava DuVernay, Ryan Murphy and Jason Blum, Vogue reports.

Rodrigo’s dress, according to a report by Vogue, was a Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello design.

The “Good 4 U” singer was recently seen in another chic black choice — a Saint Laurent lace bodysuit with an off-the-shoulder ruffle cut — at the Met Gala on Sept. 13.

“I personally love American punk music, and I think Saint Laurent does a really good job of making punk rock feminine,” Rodrigo had said at the Met Gala.

See a full-length photo of Rodrigo’s Academy Museum gala look below.

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SHEIN is putting a spin on the typical fashion show.

The shopping e-commerce company is presenting on Sunday (Sept. 26) its SHEIN x Rock the Runway show, an hybrid special event that is part concert, part choreographed dance sequence all while showing off SHEIN’s top trends for fall/winter 2021 in five individual segments. Saweetie, The Chainsmokers, Darren Criss, Thuy, Willie Gomez, Riley Clemmons, Blu DeTiger and more are all set to take the stage at the star-studded event.

“I love that SHEIN’s goal for this event is to create a one-stop destination for fashionistas to discover up and coming creators across all aspects of the industry,” Saweetie tells Billboard of the opportunity. “I love that SHEIN is opening that door for everyone by shining a light on the biggest of stars to the indie artists. I’m passionate about so many things… music, fashion, beauty, and I’ve been so fortunate to pursue my dreams. Music is my ultimate love and it’s opened the door for all these other amazing things.”

Fellow performer Darren Criss is equally excited to be included in such a unique opportunity, telling Billboard, “I really like the idea of not your typical fashion show and it being more of a celebration of dance and music and contextualizing the clothes via the music and performative elements and seeing how clothes look on all different kinds of people with different kinds of movement and music. That thinking out of the box factor of a typical fashion show was immediately appealing to me.”

Saweetie shared that for her performance, which will showcase the Ski Party looks, fans should expect “lots of dancing” choreographed by Brya Woods and assistant choreographer Aahkilah Cornelius.

Criss is gearing up to perform his new single “For a Night Like This,” which he describes as an “unapologetically celebratory jam.”

“It’s all about celebrating with the people you love,” he adds. “It’s such a vibrant song and the creativity that they were going for with this fashion show was a really great match for the song I wanted to perform. I’m happy I can showcase that vibrancy and colorfulness.”

Criss, whose performance will accompany the City Sleek styles, emphasized his gratitude for SHEIN bringing his song to life with “a hundred dancers of all different backgrounds, shapes and sizes, with a variety of movement. That is something that really takes a song to the next level. It takes it from a song to a spectacle and a visually exciting experience. It’s something we all hope can happen with our songs when we write them.”

“Any opportunity I have to be around dancers and have dancing in my life – I’m not a dancer myself, but any time I can have that in my life, whether it’s through one of my songs or walking through life, I embrace that opportunity,” he continues. “The more dance, the better.”

SHEIN x Rock the Runway will also help raise awareness and donations to benefit National Action Network, one of the nation’s leading civil rights organizations and Youth Emerging Stronger, which helps to build futures for foster and homeless youth. SHEIN is donating $350,000 across both charities.

“While I love to use my platforms to entertain, it’s just as important for me to educate and make a positive impact on the world and I love that SHEIN is acting on this by partnering with these organizations,” Saweetie says of the event’s charitable aspect. “I’m huge supporter of education and giving everyone access to the knowledge that will help them to grow and succeed in the world regardless of their background.”

“It’s obviously the bonus for anything you do,” Criss agrees. “You’re happy to support anything that supports others beyond the preliminary presentation of ‘Here are some cool clothes, here are some amazing dancers, here’s a cool song.’ In the process, we’re also shining a light on an organization that are doing a lot of good in the world. I always prefer that to be a component in anything I do.”

Since this is a fashion show, after all, how would Saweetie and Darren Criss describe their personal style? “My style is always growing and evolving,” Saweetie explains, “Because I am constantly researching and studying designers and their collections throughout the past. I love to play with fashion and take risks with my style – anything glam! I draw a lot of inspiration from the 90s and early 2000s and try to mix these retro and nostalgic elements with the feminine aesthetic of old Hollywood glamour.”

“I’m a big believer in dressing for the party,” Criss says. “This is a much larger idea that goes into music, that goes into how I approach everything in life, which is knowing what the venue is, honoring what the dress code is and then doing your own spin on it to be a little unique and not like everybody else. Just enough of something that is accessible so that people feel comfortable around your choice, but you’re also pushing it a little bit. I like toeing that line in general. I’m not saying I’m a fashionista at all, but it depends what day of the week it is, what coffee shop I’m walking to and what part of town. All those variables have their own set of rules that I like to abide by. But I’m definitely not one type of thing and am never thoughtless, that’s for sure.”

Catch the SHEIN x Rock the Runway event when its streams on Sunday (Sept. 26) at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT on the SHEIN app, and the company’s Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and Facebook pages. Shop the SHEIN x Rock the Runway looks here.

Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes shared the stage — and some PDA — at this year’s Global Citizen Festival.

In front of a screaming New York City crowd on Saturday (Sept. 25), Cabello joked about “introducing this next person in a formal way” before bringing boyfriend Mendes out. “That’s kinda weird ’cause we kinda know each other pretty well, and I think you guys know we know each other pretty well,” she quipped.

The couple, dressed in coordinating colors (royal purple, blue and orange on Cabello, and a rusty orange on Mendes) delivered their familiar duet “Señorita” effortlessly as part of the star-studded fest that kicked off on Saturday with performances across several continents. The New York part of the event took place at Central Park.

They started and ended the song kissing, as the crowd cheered on.

Cabello’s Global Citizen Live set also included favorites “Havana” and “Never Be the Same,” new single “Don’t Go Yet” and a shortened cover of “Empire State of Mind.”

Watch her “Señorita” and “Empire State of Mind” performances in the fan-uploaded clips below.

Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean and Pras Michel were seen together again during Global Citizen Live 2021.

The Fugees reunited for the first time in 15 years just in time for this weekend’s 24-hour, star-studded festival, with a video of them performing their 1996 single “Ready or Not” hitting YouTube on Saturday (Sept. 25).

Their participation in the fest comes ahead of their recently announced international reunion tour in celebration of the 25th anniversary of their landmark sophomore album The Score.

The performance that aired during the massive Global Citizen Live event on Saturday (Sept. 25) was filmed on Wednesday, when the group put on a surprise pop-up concert at Pier 17 in New York City on the heels of announcing their tour. Global Citizen featured countless artists performing across several continents in an effort to spark global change and to urge world leaders and corporations to defend the planet and defeat poverty.

The Fugees’ upcoming tour will bring them to Chicago, Oakland, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Miami, Newark, Washington, D.C., Paris, London, Nigeria and Ghana this fall.

The Score, the Fugees’ second and final studio album, reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album chart in 1996 and brought hits including “Killing Me Softly,” “Fu-Gee-La” and “Ready or Not.”

“The Fugees have a complex but impactful history. I wasn’t even aware the 25th anniversary had arrived until someone brought it to my attention,” Hill said in a statement about the reunion plans. “I decided to honor this significant project, its anniversary, and the fans who appreciated the music by creating a peaceful platform where we could unite, perform the music we loved, and set an example of reconciliation for the world.”

Watch them perform “Ready or Not” below.

Ciara took fans for a ride with her latest TikTok clip in which she dances to Normani’s “Wild Side” for Russell Wilson.

The singer posted a steamy short video set to Normani’s single Saturday night (Sept. 25), along with the caption “I love his wild side” (and a few choice emojis).

Ciara was on theme in a pair of animal-print pants as she danced in front of the camera and hopped atop a chair to give her husband a better view. Wilson makes a silly cameo at the end of the clip.

The sultry song that inspired the moment features Cardi B and debuted in the top 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and in the top 5 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in July. Normani most recently took “Wild Side” to the VMAs to perform a show-stopping rendition of the tune.

Watch Ciara’s moves in her TikTok take on “Wild Side” below.

The producers behind the Tony-nominated Jagged Little Pill have responded to claims made by a former cast member alleging mistreatment and discrimination, stating they are “deeply troubled” and will launch both an investigation into the issues raised and an external review of the production’s policies and procedures.

“We are deeply troubled by the recent claims that have been made by a former cast member. We met with our cast and members of our core creative team today to let them know we take this matter very seriously and to share with them the actions we are taking in response,” lead producers Vivek J. Tiwary, Arvind Ethan David and Eva Price said in a statement released Saturday (Sept. 25).

According to the statement, the external firm Jay Hewlin and The Hewlin Group will investigate the “incident and the individuals involved.” The producers also announced they are immediately launching an external review of the show’s policies and procedures.

“Broadway shows are by their very nature collaborative human efforts, so there is nothing more important to us than our people,” the producers said. “We are committed to continuing to nurture a work environment where everyone feels valued and respected.”

The statement follows former cast member and non-binary actor Nora Schell alleging in a social media post mistreatment by stage management and other members of the show’s creative leadership, with Tony-nominated actress and fellow former cast member Celia Rose Gooding pointing to “harm to the trans and nonbinary community both onstage and off” as part of why she departed the production.

The producers did not specify which former cast member’s allegations they were responding to.

In her own statement Friday on Twitter, Gooding, who was recently announced to play Uhura in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, said she had stepped back from the show in part “to focus more on work that I can align myself with emotionally and morally.”

“I cannot ignore the harm Jagged has done to the trans and non-binary community, including cast members on stage, off stage, and behind the scenes in the production making process,” she wrote. “They are owed a space to exist and perform free of transphobia and the opportunity to tell their own stories, just as I have over the years.”

In a more lengthy statement also posted to Twitter on Friday, Schell alleges that despite numerous efforts to communicate with the musical’s creative team about their polycystic ovary syndrome and related symptoms, as well as keep them updated of their treatment as it may have impacted their ability to perform, they say their messages were not relayed to creative leadership. Furthermore, once they did make their evolving medical situation clear, Schell alleges creative leadership “effectively coerced” them to go against their medical professional’s advice and delay a necessary surgery.

Schell identifies stage management as the first point of contact, alleging that in 2019 the actor disclosed details around their ongoing PCOS care. That included communication about a previous surgery, medications and related anemia. Schell says they were told this information would be relayed to the creative team by management several times following in-person and email communications.

They describe instances of going “in and out of consciousness” and nearly losing their balance on stage — the result of their anemia caused by losing blood for over four weeks — during a rehearsal. It’s at this time they say it became clear creative leadership had not been made aware of the issue or prior attempts at communication by stage management. But once they had, they say they collapsed on stairs that same day, after being told to “nap” instead of going home and getting emergency medical care.

Once they came back, they say the treatment and response to their medical care did not improve. While recovering they were “intimidated” by company management, with their recovery period “diminished and dismissed.” They said they were also told that they would not be paid while taking personal days, were met with “exasperation” and told that future days off due to their PCOS “wouldn’t be considered paid medical leave.”

On Friday afternoon, Actor’s Equity released a statement noting that they are “deeply concerned about the revelations in @noritachiquita‘s statement” and that they are “looking into everything they brought forward” and “recognize this was a truly painful experience that shouldn’t have happened.”

The allegations follow the show’s lead producers’ lengthy statement on Sept. 17 apologizing for how its team publicly discussed and then featured one character’s gender journey in the show as it transitioned from Boston to Broadway. The statement also included several pledges and announcements about significant production changes around casting, writing and the show’s creative environment that have put in place to ensure that the show’s on and off-screen treatment of nonbinary and trans narratives and production members is equitable, authentic and safe.

This article originally appeared on The Hollywood Reporter.

On Friday (Sept. 24), the third installment of Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty show debuts exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. The prerecorded “fashion show,” which is more like an ensemble musical of choreographed modeling, special appearances and performances, was filmed at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles over the summer and is a continuation of the singer-turned-business mogul’s vision for an inclusive brand that celebrates diversity, body positivity, empowerment and the authenticity that blooms from standing in that power.

The cast of models and performers in this year’s show includes both newcomers and notable names alike: Nas, Ricky Martin, Adriana Lima, Erykah Badu, Gigi Hadid, Troye Sivan, Normani, Vanessa Hudgens and more. Rihanna, who served as executive producer and creative director of Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 3, said that the partnership between her company and Amazon Prime Video was a fruitful one. “They gave me a platform and a stage to show this dynamic show that we’ve been able to put together,” the star told The Hollywood Reporter at Wednesday’s premiere event. “I think the challenge every year is to make it better than the previous one and this year we went bigger, we went better, and I’m very proud of every part of the show.”

According to Ukonwa Ojo, Amazon CMO, Rihanna executed a fresh but familiar vision this year. “I think what you’ll find is that it’s sexier this year, it’s more confident this year, and she really just leans into celebrating everybody. It’s a continuation of something she’s always believed in but she’s saying it more confidently this year.” At The Glasshouse in Manhattan, Wednesday’s red carpet (rendered in Black to capture the vampiness of the night) was filled with stars like Tems, Duckie Thot and Ian Shugga, and the after party was attended by musicians A$AP Rocky and Brent Faiyaz. Screens of various sizes around the venue displayed the show, the sensuality of which was reflected in emerald green velvet loveseats, smoky pear and mezcal cocktails and artificially-colored bouquets of flowers, so fluorescent they almost glowed in the dark.

Writer, performer and public speaker Alok Venom noted the merging of fashion and performance as a highlight. “She’s making fashion multidimensional,” they said. “And in terms of inclusivity, it doesn’t feel like its checking boxes, it’s so integrated. You see people of all different genders and there doesn’t need to be pomp and circumstance about it.”

Now in its third consecutive year, the Savage X Fenty experience signals a changing tide in the fashion industry as more brands are using creative visuals to replace the traditional runway. The COVID-19 pandemic and limitations surrounding in-person events reinforced this trend further; according to Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon Studios, COVID restrictions compromised how aspects of the show were shot. “We couldn’t have as many in person things like a big dress rehearsal, and so the compartmentalization of the vignettes that you see — all of that was designed in a way that would be safe for everybody,” she said.“I feel like this is the modern runway. Everyone can participate, it’s so democratic — 240 countries are going to watch this,” Ojo said on the red carpet Wednesday night. “I love what [Rihanna] is doing where she’s bringing everyone into the story… everybody gets to be a part of it. Literally every. Body.”

Allie Weber, who wore Tyler McGillivary and Prada Wednesday night, said that modeling in the show was daunting given its scale but was comfortable nonetheless. “They made me feel beautiful and welcome every step of the way — from the fitting to the filming,” she said. “It was really incredible to be treated as an equal — both as somebody who’s newer in the industry and as a bigger girl because unfortunately that’s not usually the case.” Nyja Abdullah, who also modeled in the show, said: “I manifested this, this is like my dream job since I started modeling. I was excited definitely, I’m still in shock right now.”

Volume three celebrates the latest lingerie collection from the brand, which features unique lace, leather, and lamé pieces in sizes ranging from 32-46 in bands, A-H in cups and up to XS-3X/XS-XXXL, which is a central part of the brand’s mission of body positivity more broadly. Said Rihanna: “If we invite a consumer, they’re never uninvited, we just try to figure out who did we not invite and try to expand on our inclusivity and what that means for us as a brand.” The partnership also includes a shoppable collection at both Savage X Fenty and in the Amazon Fashion store. Terence J, an entertainment reporter best known as the former host of BET’s 106 & Park and previous co-anchor of E! News, celebrated Rihanna’s growth not only as a person but also as an entertainer and entrepreneur. “I did one of her first interviews when she was just a girl from Barbados trying to make it — to see her at a billion dollars, it’s inspirational to all of us. I’m so proud of her and so proud of how she represents us.”

When asked about the specific import of Savage X Fenty in the larger Fenty universe, and how her creativity sings differently with this business endeavor, Rihanna said: “I can’t do this at Fenty Beauty, I can’t do this at Fenty Skin. With this I get to unleash my inner savage and play. There’s nothing that’s off limits with this brand and that’s why I love to have fun with it.”

This article originally appeared on The Hollywood Reporter.

Seventeen announced on Friday (Sept. 24) that the K-pop boy band will release its ninth EP, Attacca, on Oct. 22.

The 13-member group shared a red-tinted photo in which they’re seen walking at the bottom of what looks like an emptied swimming pool with their backs turned toward the camera on their socials.

Attacca is part of Seventeen’s 2021 “Power of Love” project, which also includes their last project Your Choice and Wonwoo and Mingyu’s “Bittersweet” single and centers on exploring different aspects of love found in life.

Attacca comes just five months after Seventeen’s eighth EP Your Choice, which was released on June 18 via Pledis Entertainment. Your Choice earned Seventeen their first No. 1 effort on the Top Album Sales chart (which is also the third overall effort for a K-pop act), as the mini-album sold 20,500 copies in the U.S. in the week ending June 24, according to MRC Data — the act’s best sales week yet. Your Choice also arrived at No. 15 on the Billboard 200 all-genre albums tally, their first entry on the chart.

“We’re just extremely grateful. Like seeing that, we felt like [having our work] paid off is an understatement. And hopefully, we can reach out to more and more CARATs [Seventeen’s fandom name] with every comeback,” Vernon told Billboard in an interview.

See the official announcement below and pre-order Attacca here.

“Artists are here to disturb the peace” is the one thing Madonna wants viewers to take from her upcoming Paramount+ concert film, Madame X, which premiered at the Times Square Edition Hotel in New York City on Thursday (Sept. 23).

And if there’s one thing every person on the red carpet could agree on, it was that Madonna is an inspiration, which is fitting when her pop star status remains today as in ’80s and ’90s. Madame X captures the icon’s unique tour, which limited each show to a couple thousand people and sold out theaters worldwide.

“There was nothing between me and the crowd, and that was an incredible experience,” said Madonna, donning a “Trust No Bitch” necklace and “F— You” tiara at the premiere, of her Madame X Tour. “I needed to document that — the process, the rehearsals, the show itself, what was in my mind, what inspires certain songs. It’s a different show, it’s a different time in my life.”

The concert film gives viewers a look at the Madame X Tour through the eyes of Madonna and her fearless persona, Madame X, a secret agent who travels around the world, fighting for freedom. Nuno Xico, one of the documentary’s directors, says that the album is political — featuring songs about gun control, as well as rights for minorities, women and the LGBTQIA+ community — which, in turn, makes the film political as well.

“If you distill the songs, those themes are already there, so to bring those themes [to the film] was easy,” Xico told The Hollywood Reporter. “Madonna is political.”

Xico and fellow directors Sasha Kasiuha and Ricardo Gomes worked long hours, sometimes six days a week, as Kasiuha noted that collaborating with Madonna was “intense” and “exciting.”

“It’s great. You get to work with someone who has a unique point of view and a unique experience,” Xico added. “It’s really inspiring, honestly. We’re definitely lucky to be able to work with someone like Madonna.”

Apart from her concert film, the iconic pop star also has a biopic in the works, which she’ll direct and co-write alongside screenwriter Erin Wilson, who remembers watching and re-watching Madonna’s Truth or Dare.

“It made many of us feel like, ‘Oh, we can go that far. Let’s do it in our own way, in our venue,’” she told THR. “I don’t know a woman in my life that doesn’t say to me, ‘[Madonna] saved my life. She really, really gave me power to be who I am.’”

The upcoming biopic will follow Madonna’s rise to prominence as the culture-defining artist she is today. Though it’ll detail a different era of her life, there’s one thing she’ll take with her from Madame X to the biopic: her work ethic, with a commitment to “pay attention to detail, to leave no stone unturned, to keep pushing until you get to what you feel is the best possible,” Madonna told THR. “Madame X … is me telling a story about my life.”

Drew Barrymore, designer Christian Siriano and Queer Eye’s Antoni Porowski were also in attendance at the premiere event. The concert film starts streaming exclusively on Paramount+ on Oct. 8.

This article originally appeared on The Hollywood Reporter.