Here Are the 13 Best ‘Fearless (Taylor’s Version)’ Memes From Taylor Swift Fans

Taylor Swift caused quite the social media frenzy on Friday (April 9) following the release of her re-recorded sophomore breakthrough album Fearless (Taylor’s Version).

The 31-year-old singer traveled back in time to 2008 and breathed new life into the 20 original tracks fans came to know and love at a younger age while adding six never-before-released songs “From the Vault.” But those bonus cuts weren’t the only things unleashed online.

Her die-hard followers spun their own (even Swift co-signed) versions of the Internet’s beloved cinematic memes, from Adam Driver’s infamous wall-punching scene in Marriage Story expressing one’s preparation for “Today Was a Fairytale (Taylor’s Version)” to Rachel McAdams’ Mean Girls character Rachel McAdams watching chaos ensue in the school hallways being reimagined as Swift’s reaction to seeing “Swifties freaking out on the Internet.”

You also can’t forget the classic Chandler Bing from Friends clutching an album meme with the beloved LP in hand being none other than Fearless (Taylor’s Version). Or Glee’s Sue Sylvester plotting to “create an environment that is so Fearless” à la the pop star.

In true Swiftie fashion, find the 13 best memes to commemorate the best day below.

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Watch Madonna Show ‘Love’ to Britney Spears in ‘…Baby One More Time’ Lip-Sync Video

There’s always been a lot of love between Madonna and Britney Spears, from their “Me Against the Music” collaboration and infamous onstage kiss at the MTV Video Music Awards, both in 2003, to Spears joining the Queen of Pop on her Sticky and Sweet Tour stop at LA’s Dodger Stadium in 2008. And clearly the love is still there.

On Thursday (April 8), Madonna took to Twitter to share a lip-sync video set to Spears’ 1998 breakout hit “…Baby One More Time,” captioning the video: “Love This Song……..,Love The Girl who sings it.”

In the clip, Madonna lip-syncs to the song while using a video face filter that puts a “Madame X” tattoo right across the bridge of her nose. Madame X is the title of Madge’s 14th and most recent album, released in June 2019 and including the singles “Crave” (with Swae Lee) and “Medillin” (with Maluma).

Watch the video below:

 

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Demi Lovato & ‘Glee’ Cast Pay Tribute to Naya Rivera at the 2021 GLAAD Awards

After the tragic news of Naya Rivera’s death in 2020, the cast of Glee and Demi Lovato decided to honor the late actress and the legacy of her character, Santana Lopez, at the 2021 GLAAD Media Awards on Thursday night (April 8).

Opening the segment, Lovato, who briefly played Rivera’s onscreen girlfriend on Glee, remembered her co-star fondly, while remarking on the importance of her character to the LGBTQ community. “The character Naya played, Santana Lopez, was groundbreaking for closeted queer girls, like I was at the time,” she said. “Her ambition and accomplishments inspired Latina women all over the world. That’s the power of a show like Glee.“

Lovato then took the moment to call on queer youth to start getting more involved with activism, especially in the spirit of Rivera and her character. “Let’s use our power to move the Equality Act forward,” she said. “It’s been 10 years since Santana Lopez came out; look at what LGBTQ teens have done in a decade. Imagine what they can do in the next one.”

The singer then passed the mic to a massive Zoom call with the cast of Glee, including actors Jane Lynch, Darren Criss, Chris Colfer, Amber Riley, Kevin McHale, Heather Morris, Jenna Ushkowitz, Matthew Morrison, Alex Newell, Harry Shum Jr., Jacob Artist, Vanessa Lengies and Becca Tobin. There, the castmembers all took turns saying hello and complimenting each other’s outfits, before moving on to celebrating the life of their late castmate.

“I remember when Naya became a regular castmember,” said Lynch, who played tyrannical cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester. “She was a dancer, and I always thought she was cute and she was a great dancer. And then Ryan [Murphy, the creator of Glee] started giving her lines, and I was like, ‘Wow. This girl is really something.’”

The cast also reflected on the impact of Rivera’s character, Santana Lopez, who was an out-and-proud Latina lesbian teenager — something the cast recognized was unheard of at the time. “With the exception of our show, there were almost no LGBTQ teens on television at the time,” said Alex Newell, who played transgender student Unique Adams on the the show. Heather Morris, who played Santana’s main love interest Brittany Pearce, added that “as an ally, Naya was so honored to represent them.”

Toward the end of their segment, the cast shared a note from Rivera’s mother Yolanda Previtire, who said that the young actress was proud to have a role through which LGBTQ kids felt seen. “Her desire was always to be an advocate for those who did not have a voice,” the note read. “I don’t believe she realized how important she was to this world. I am grateful that my eldest daughter helped to change the landscape of how we view and see each other.”

Watch the full tribute to Naya Rivera below:

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5 Best Musical Moments From 2021 GLAAD Media Awards

On Thursday night (April 8), GLAAD celebrated their 32nd annual GLAAD Media Awards with a special livestreamed ceremony. Filled with love, acceptance and lots of trophies getting handed out to queer folks working in the entertainment industry, the show proved to be yet another successful celebration of LGBTQ exceptionalism in media.

Throughout the show, there were a number of moments where queer artists got to shine in the spotlight, from winning awards to storming the stage. Below, Billboard breaks down five of the best musical moments that took place at the 2021 GLAAD Media Awards.

Sam Smith won while throwing a “tea party”

With the pandemic still keeping people everywhere confined to their homes, the artists and presenters at the media awards had to call in for the evening’s festivities — a fact that Sam Smith took to their advantage. After being presented the award for outstanding music artist by fellow pop phenom Katy Perry, Smith cozied up on their couch with a hot cup of tea to offer a hearty “cheers” to their fellow nominees. “Music has remained this constant force of unity throughout the world for people … these are the albums that got me and got all of us through this year,” they said. “So I just wanted to raise a cup of tea — having a tea party — for everyone in this category. I really hope that we can all be together and I can go to a GLAAD Awards someday and meet everyone.”

Chika thanked herself before delivering a stellar mash-up

Shortly before the ceremony began, rapper Chika earned a career milestone when she took home her first award ever for outstanding breakthrough music artist. In a speech posted to GLAAD’s Twitter, Chika sarcastically decided to dedicate the award to herself, and no one else. “I am so grateful for the opportunity to sit here and sing these songs and not give anyone credit, especially the people who gave birth to me and my management,” she said, smirking. “So thank you guys, from Chika and Chika only, not Warner, and not the band behind me. Just me.” That didn’t stop the celebration: During the ceremony, the rapper rolled up for a top-tier performance of her songs “FWB” and “Save You,” featuring a full band, backup dancers, lights and, of course, her stunning voice.

Jessica Betts asks wife Niecy Nash to “Catch Me” with moving performance

After coming out earlier this year, actress Niecy Nash stepped in to host the GLAAD Media Awards — and lucky for us, she brought her wife. Taking to the virtual stage halfway through the stream, Jessica Betts gave an emotional, stripped-down performance of her latest single “Catch Me.” A beautiful ode to queer love, Betts stepped into frame with just a microphone and a guitar singing directly to her wife. “When love takes flight/ I’m waiting right now/ Will you catch me/ Before the air lets out,” she sang, glancing over at Nash. It’s clear the host approved of the performance, giving Betts a kiss at the end, while declaring, “That’s my baby right there, that’s all me!”

The Glee cast & Demi Lovato honored Naya Rivera

To celebrate the life of the late actress Naya Rivera, the cast of Glee reunited to reflect on her legacy and the impact of her character from the show, Santana Lopez. Demi Lovato, who briefly played Rivera’s girlfriend on the show, introduced the cast by asking LGBTQ youth watching at home to look to the actress as an example of activism, saying, “It’s been 10 years since Santana Lopez came out; look at what LGBTQ teens have done in a decade. Imagine what they can do in the next one.” As for the cast, much of the segment was spent remembering what a kind, talented friend Rivera was. “When Naya passed, an all of these messages came in over social media, the messsages were all the same,” said Kevin McHale, the actor behind Glee’s lovable dweeb Artie Abrams. “She would treat you how she treated me, someone she knew and saw every single day, or how she would treat her family.”

Rebecca Black threw herself a karaoke party in “Girlfriend” performance

To end the evening’s festivities, pop singer Rebecca Black showed up for a showstopping, glitter-filled performance of her latest single “Girlfriend.” Clad in a shimmering corset and skirt and sitting in what looked like the remnants of a blowout birthday party, the singer strutted across the stage, belting out her anthem for queer love. “I’m gonna call her, drive on over/ Wanna see her, wanna hold her,” she wailed into the microphone, bouncing around her candy-colored ballroom. “It hit me all of a sudden/ I’m getting back with my girlfriend.”

Watch the entirety of the 2021 GLAAD Media Awards below:

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Electric Daisy Carnival Las Vegas Is On for May: ‘Book Your Flights, Hotels & Shuttles’

Electric Daisy Carnival Las Vegas is officially happening in May.

Announced Thursday (April 8) by Insomniac Events Founder and CEO Pasquale Rotella, the company’s flagship festival will take place as scheduled May 21-23 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

“We are moving forward as planned & will be working closely with local & state officials to make the show as safe as possible,” Rotella wrote in a statement published to Twitter and Instagram. “You can expect the full EDC experience with no details spared, from the festival grounds to the music, stages, art, performers, artists & fireworks!” Read the complete statement below.

The safety protocols that will be in place at the festival, which typically draws approximately 125,000 attendees per day, remain unclear, with Rotella noting, “More details on safety protocols & the lineup will be shared soon.” Projected attendance for the 2021 event is unclear as well.

A protocol plan submitted to the Nevada Department of Business and Industry by Insomniac was rejected, Billboard can confirm, and a new plan for the festival has not yet been submitted. Throughout the pandemic, Nevada officials set the state’s  COVID-19 protocols and rules for large events, but that authority transitions to local authorities on May 1.  A statewide mask and social distancing mandate will, however, remain in place.

By happening in May, EDC Las Vegas becomes the first major festival to occur since the pandemic shut down the live events and touring industry in the spring of 2020. The event is currently listed as sold out, with ticket transfers for the 2022 event being offered to ticket-holders who can’t travel to Las Vegas next month. Ticket transfer requests will be accepted until April 15.

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Electric Daisy Carnival is finally on the horizon. There were times during the pandemic when many of us lost hope. We were challenged to learn & listen to our hearts & trust that the storm would eventually pass, making way for a bright & sunny future for those in our community & around the world. With the world being shutdown for over a year, I’m happy to announce we’re on our way to being able to celebrate in person. Book your flights, hotels & shuttles — EDC Las Vegas is on for May 21+22+23! 

We are moving forward as planned & will be working closely with local & state officials to make the show as safe as possible. You can expect the full EDC experience with no details spared, from the festival grounds to the music, stages, art, performers, artists & fireworks! I look forward to seeing all your beautiful faces & feeling your incredible energy, and I couldn’t be more excited.

More details on safety protocols & the lineup will be shared soon. If you’re unable to attend in May 2021, no worries, but you’ll be missed. You can go to the link in my bio to transfer your ticket to 2022.

We’re ready to spread our wings & embrace our community who we miss so much. We know there may be challenges in front of us, which we will accept & do our best to overcome. We’ve been apart for a long time & I can’t wait to join you, united, Under the Electric Sky.

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