As the coronavirus pandemic continues to rage, the rich and famous aren’t staying quiet about their diagnoses. Instead, celebrities are speaking out on social media not only to keep fans informed but, in some cases, to urge followers to stay home in order to help reduce the risk of transmission.

Bold-faced names from professional athletes (Kevin Durant) to politicians (Miami’s Mayor Francis Suarez) to big- and small-screen stars (Daniel Dae Kim) and even royals (Prince Albert II) are among those who have opened up about having tested positive for COVID-19. Musicians have been no different, sharing tales of their symptoms and quarantine.

Here are the artists who have opened up about having the coronavirus.


Lauren Alaina

The American Idol alum canceled her March 20, 2021, concert after testing positive for COVID-19. “Some people have it way worse than me, so I just have a little bit of shortness of breath, a really bad headache, no taste or smell, pretty bad congestion and I feel pretty tired,” she shared on her Instagram Stories. “But I overall feel like it’s going to be OK.”

Trisha Yearwood

A health update from the country music superstar and husband Garth Brooks on Feb. 24 noted that the power couple began quarantining at home following positive coronavirus test by a member of their team.

Brooks tested negative. “Anyone who knows me knows my world begins and ends with Miss Yearwood, so she and I will ride through this together,” he continued, noting that he’ll be spending some time laying low, pausing his weekly Inside Studio G conversation on Facebook for the time being. “And anyone who knows her knows she’s a fighter and she’s been doing everything right, so I know we’ll walk out the other side of this thing together.”

DJ Spinderella

Deidra Roper — better known as Salt-N-Pepa’s DJ Spinderella — revealed to Billboard in an interview about the likelihood of the Grammy-winning group reuniting that she contracted COVID-19. “I feel like I may have had it, like, when it first dropped on us. But I had COVID over the holiday — Thanksgiving — and it was rough, but thank God I made it through.”

Maynard James Keenan

The Tool frontman has battled COVID-19 twice. He first told AZ Central that he contracted coronavirus back in February and is still recovering. “I’m still dealing with the residual effects,” he explained. “But it was ugly. I survived it, but it wasn’t pretty. So I definitely had to deal with that.”

“I still have the cough,” he continued. “Every other day, I have these coughing fits because my lungs are still damaged at the tips. And I just got over the inflammation that was going on with my wrist and hands. I had an autoimmune attack on my system in the form of, like, a rheumatoid arthritis. Basically, from what I understand, it attacks weird spots and it’s random. So that’s what I got. That was my prize.”

On Feb. 3, 2021, he revealed in a new interview that he had contracted the virus again in November, and it was so bad he wound up in the ER. “I could barely put two words together without going into a coughing fit that, you know? It ended up kind of also progressing into pneumonia.

Maggie Lindemann

In her Billboard interview, Lindemann shared that she tested positive in June 2020, and had a bad fever and body aches. “I don’t have the antibodies, and I do not want to get COVID again,” she said, noting that she’s avoiding people as much as possible to prevent a second infection.

Chesca

The Puerto Rican singer shared with Instagram followers on Jan. 16 that she had tested positive for the coronavirus. “I went to the studio where one of the producers who was there felt sick,” she wrote in Spanish. “I asked him if it was COVID and he said no, that he was hungover. It was COVID and unfortunately it spread to all of us who were there.”

Ashanti

Just hours before her Dec. 12 Verzuz battle against Keyshia Cole, Ashanti revealed that she had contracted the virus. “Hey y’all I can’t believe I’m saying this but I tested positive for COVID-19. I’m ok and not in any pain,” she shared on Instagram. In a video she posted to the social media platform later, Ashanti said, “Never in a millions years did I think I would get COVID.” The music event was eventually canceled.

Gloria Estefan

In December, the Cuban-American legend took to social media to share her experience with COVID-19 after testing positive on Nov. 8. “In the past few weeks I have been one of the victims of COVID,” she shared. “October 30 was the only day I ever went out. I was wearing my mask and I went to a restaurant outdoors with some family. We wore masks all the way to the table and when we left. But [at the restaurant] somebody came up to me when I was eating and tapped me on the shoulder. They had no mask and were very close.”

Bernard Sumner

The New Order frontman revealed in a November interview on The Current that he had contracted the coronavirus. He revealed that his symptoms at first were fairly minor and subsided for a four days before returning.  “When it came back, it was more severe, but still not too bad,” he explained. “I just felt extreme fatigue, like a really bad hangover. And then it went away, and I’m OK.”

Ben Platt

The Tony-winning Broadway star revealed on Nov. 15 that he battled COVID-19 in March. “it was like an awful flu that lingered for 3 weeks or so,” he tweeted. “thankfully made a full recovery. so many haven’t been as lucky and will continue not to be.”

Trey Songz

The artist shared in an Instagram video on Oct. 5 that he had tested positive for COVID-19.  “I’ve taken many tests as I’ve been out protesting, food drives, of course I have a very young son at home, so I get tested periodically and this time it unfortunately came back positive,” he shared, and urged his fans to take the pandemic seriously and follow health guidelines. The singer-rapper ended with a dig at Donald Trump, who recently tested positive: “Don’t be like the president.”

J Balvin

While accepting the video with a purpose award for his music video “Rojo” at Premios Juventud 2020, J Balvin revealed he tested positive for coronavirus and is on the road to recovery.

In a pre-recorded video, Balvin, who spoke from his native Medellín, Colombia, said, “At this moment, I’m just getting better from COVID-19. These have been very difficult days, very complicated. Sometimes we won’t think that we’ll get it but I got it and I got it bad,” Balvin said.

Prince Royce

“It’s so frustrating to me to see people at supermarkets without a mask. It’s so frustrating to me to see that people are being irresponsible and not protecting others,” Royce said in an interview with the Associated Press on July 3.

“I thought I was washing my hands, I thought I was wearing a mask, you know. And I think that for me it was just a wake-up call,” he continued.

Doja Cat

I got COVID. … Honestly, I don’t know how this happens but I guess I ordered something off of Postmates, and I don’t know how I got it but I got it,” she said during an interview with the U.K.’s Capital XTRA on July 24. “I’m OK now. It was a four-day symptom freak-out but I’m fine now.”

Anna Camp

The Pitch Perfect and True Blood actress opened up on July 21 about testing positive for the coronavirus, and how she was “extremely sick for over three weeks.” Camp explained on Instagram: “I was incredibly safe. I wore a mask. I used hand sanitizer. One time, when the world was starting to open up, I decided to forgo wearing my mask. One. Time. And I ended up getting it.” She went on to tell her followers that comparing COVID-19 to the flu is wrong. “This is absolutely not that,” Camp wrote, also noting that even after recovering, she still has “lingering symptoms.”

Karol G

The Colombian artist shared during an Instagram live on July 13 that she had tested positive for COVID-19 a few weeks ago. “I hadn’t said anything because my parents are far away and I didn’t want them to worry about me,” she explained after stories started circulating that she had contracted the coronavirus. “Because my new single [Ay DiOs Mío] was coming out, I didn’t want coronavirus to be the news.”

Kanye West

The rapper revealed in a July 8 interview with Forbes that he contracted the disease back in February. “Chills, shaking in the bed, taking hot showers, looking at videos telling me what I’m supposed to do to get over it,” West said of the symptoms he experienced. “I remember someone had told me Drake had the coronavirus and my response was Drake can’t be sicker than me!”

Andrea Bocelli

The Italian singer revealed in a Facebook post on May 26 that he and a few members of his family battled COVID-19 in March. “Out of respect for those for whom contracting the virus has had more serious consequences, I decided it would be best not to share the news,” said Bocelli, who noted that his case was mild and he has recuperated fully. “I certainly didn’t want to unnecessarily alarm my fans and also wished to protect my family’s privacy.”

Damian Kulash

The OK Go frontman shared his battle with COVID-19 on the band’s website, along with their new song “All Together Now,” which was inspired by the nightly cheering for front-line workers around the world. In an open letter to fans, Kulash shared that he and his wife caught the virus early, when there were only six known cases in California.

“My symptoms lasted forever, but were only genuinely scary for a day and a half. My wife Kristin’s battle was tougher, though. She was only briefly at the hospital, but bedridden with breathing problems for a long stretch,” he shared. “We’re extremely lucky. She made a full recovery, and though the kids did have symptoms, they never got much worse than a nasty cold. My heart aches for those who haven’t had the same luck.”

Madonna

The icon explained via Instagram that she thought she had come down with “a very bad flu,” but recently tested positive for the COVID-19 antibodies. “Thank God we are all healthy and well now,” she wrote.

DJ Jazzy Jeff

The DJ did two interviews on April 14 to discuss his battle against the coronavirus. He first did a video chat with Tamron Hall, explaining that he experienced the symptoms shortly after returning home from his performance at the Black Summit of the National Brotherhood of Skiers in Ketchum, Idaho, in early March. He later called into his former Fresh Prince of Bel-Air costar and musical collaborator Will Smith’s Snapchat show to detail his symptoms: “I had a temperature that reached 103. I had the chills. I lost sense of smell. I lost sense of taste.”

Sturgill Simpson

Simpson confirmed that he tested positive for COVID-19 after exhibiting systems following his tours across western Europe and the southeastern United States. It was a struggle for him to get tested for the coronavirus in spite of his travels and symptoms, but he was eventually tested on March 13 and confirmed he had the virus in early April. “All I know is I first felt symptoms a month ago yet Im still positive and contagious and now on quarantine in the dojo until April 19th and really wishing Id taken my wife’s advice and put a bathroom in the floor plans,” he wrote on Instagram. “live and learn..”

P!nk

P!nk revealed April 3 via social media that she had tested positive for COVID-19. “Two weeks ago my three-year-old son, Jameson, and I were showing symptoms of COVID-19. Fortunately, our primary care physician had access to tests and I tested positive,” she wrote in a post that went up on both Twitter and Instagram. “My family was already sheltering at home and continued to do so for the last two weeks following the instruction of our doctor. Just a few days ago, we were re-tested and are now thankfully negative.” Pink went on to call testing an “absolute travesty” in our country, adding that it is a “failure of our government to not make testing more widely accessible. This illness is serious and real. People need to know that the illness affects the young and old, healthy and unhealthy, rich and poor, and we must make testing free and more widely accessible to protect our children, our families, our friends and our communities.” To help the process, the 40-year-old announced that she is making a sizable donation of $1 million to support health care workers on the frontlines. On April 5, she shared more details about her family’s experience with the coronavirus in an Instagram live chat, saying that “Jameson has had the worst of it. I’ve had many nights where I’ve cried and I’ve never prayed more in my life.”

Babyface

Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds  took to Twitter on April 10 to thank fans for their birthday messages and also to reveal that he had tested positive for the coronavirus, along with his family. “I feel so blessed to be able to celebrate another birthday,” he wrote. “I tested positive for the Covid19 virus, as did my family. It’s an incredibly scary thing to go through my friends.” Thankfully, he went on to note that they “have now tested negative and are on our way back to full health.”

Christopher Cross

Singer-songwriter Christopher Cross revealed on April 3 that he was diagnosed with the coronavirus. The five-time Grammy winner shared the news in a lengthy Facebook post.”I’m sorry to report that I am among the growing number of Americans who tested positive for the COVID-19 virus,” he wrote. “Although I am fortunate enough to be cared for at home, this is possibly the worst illness I’ve ever had.”

He shared more details in an October interview with CBS Sunday Morning: “It was the worst 10 days of my life,” he said. “And I couldn’t walk, could barely move. And so, it was certainly the darkest of times for me. You know? It really was touch and go, and tough.”

Sara Bareilles

The singer-songwriter and actress revealed in her Instagram Stories on April 2 that she had contracted the coronavirus, but is OK. “I had it, just so you know. I’m fully recovered, just so you know,” she explained in a video of her taking a walk. “I am just thinking about all of the people who are walking through this really tricky time and sending a lot of love and just being really grateful for every easy breath and every day that I get to be walking around.”

YNW Melly

YNW Melly has tested positive for the coronavirus while awaiting trial in Florida’s Broward County Jail, the rapper’s Instagram account confirmed on April 2. “He’ll be filing a motion for restricted release in hopes of better care due to any jails not being prepared to treat this new virus,” the post alongside a photo with his family reads. “He hopes for your support and to recover soon #prayformelly send positive energy to him please.”

Larry Campbell

The 65-year-old guitarist and Grammy-winning producer told Rolling Stone on April 2 that his coronavirus experience began with a cough he attributed to pollen. He then had a high fever and soon tested positive for COVID-19. “I’m still trying to assess all this. For the past two weeks, I’ve been struggling to stay alive. It really is that serious,” he said. “That makes you reassess what you’re doing here. I haven’t been able to touch or hold Teresa, or even look at her, this whole time. We’ve been on the phone constantly. It makes me see how valuable our relationship is.”

Runaway June’s Jennifer Wayne

The country songstress revealed that loading up on vitamins helped her recover from the virus. “Vitamin C, Vitamin D3, B complex; chaga mushrooms and ZINC! Lots of Zinc. I also drank more water and Gatorade then I ever have in my life. I wanted to flush that thing out of my system. Those vitamins and staying hydrated and rest were a lifesaver for me.”

“Next up, donating my blood and plasma to help others,” she concluded. “Sorry for the long post, and sending LOTS of love to all of you and hope you are staying healthy and safe!”

View this post on Instagram

I’ve been struggling with whether or not to share, because to be honest it’s kind of rocked me and I wasn’t sure that putting it on a public platform was right for me. But as I’ve been telling people, I’ve had so many people reach out and say they have/had the virus and what did I do, what were my symptoms etc. So anyway, I am sharing this because I did contract Covid 19 (I’m assuming from the grocery store, it’s the only place I’ve been?!) and I had some great advice from doctors and friends and family (@travelingwithfinn !)… and this helped me kick this things ass. Everyone is different, and each body’s immune system fights it off in a different way, so I am definitely not saying I have any answers… just wanted to share what I did in case it helps. I loaded up on Vitamin C, Vitamin D3, B complex; chaga mushrooms and ZINC! Lots of Zinc. I also drank more water and Gatorade then I ever have in my life. I wanted to flush that thing out of my system. Those vitamins and staying hydrated and rest were a lifesaver for me. I’ve read lots of articles about what to do as far as self isolation etc… but not so many on what to do to combat it because there is so much unknown. But that seemed to really help me and I really felt I needed to share. Next up, donating my blood and plasma to help others. Sorry for the long post, and sending LOTS of love to all of you and hope you are staying healthy and safe!

A post shared by Jennifer Wayne (@jenniferwayne) on

John Taylor (of Duran Duran)

The bassist, who says he has recovered, revealed he tested positive on Duran Duran’s social media pages on April 5, writing: “I have decided to share with you that I tested positive with the Corona Virus almost three weeks ago. Perhaps I am a particularly robust 59 year old – I like to think I am – or was blessed with getting only a mild case of Covid 19 – but after a week or so of what I would describe as a ‘Turbo-charged Flu’, I came out of it feeling okay- although I must admit I didn’t mind the quarantine as it gave me the chance to really recover.”

Wreckless Eric

The “Whole Wide World” singer-songwriter wrote a lengthy blog post about his experience with COVID-19, detailing his symptoms — chest and rib pain, cough, low-grade fever, intermittent headaches — and the process of getting tested. “I felt deeply disturbed when I got the news and quite emotional,” he admitted. but said he’s “ok. I’m more concerned about people who haven’t got anybody, people who are going through this alone.”

Brian Stokes Mitchell

The Tony-winning Broadway star announced to fans in a video tweeted on April 1 that he had tested positive for COVID-19. The actor said he could feel his “body fighting something unusual,” but is now feeling better. “For the last number of days — probably three or four — every day that has passed has been better than the previous, so I’m pretty sure I’m over the hump,” he said. “Take care of yourselves. Keep your social distancing.”

Kalie Shorr

The country singer shared with fans on March 30 that she had contracted the coronavirus “despite being quarantined,” going out only for groceries. Shorr shared in tweets that “the first few days were absolutely miserable. … My entire body was in pain, and my fever was like riding a wave.” She is now on the mend. “I’m feeling significantly better,” Shorr wrote, “but it’s proof how dangerous and contagious this is. It’s endlessly frustrating to see people not taking this seriously.”

Juan Pablo Villamil

The Morat band member revealed in a March 26 message from the group that he had tested positive for the coronavirus. The musicians explained that they had been in Spain and Mexico, and upon arriving home in Colombia, they decided to be safe and self-quarantine, noting that they had experienced mild symptoms. “Villa was tested because he had symptoms and was positive for COVID-19. For having been together for 14 days and having some similar symptoms, it’s our responsibility to assume that we all have the virus,” they wrote on their Instagram post. “We have had very mild symptoms. We must be careful not to become contagion agents. We love you and ask you to stay home and listen to what the authorities say.”

Joe Diffie

Veteran country artist Joe Diffie tested positive for COVID-19. Diffie, who was the first country artist to announce publicly that he has been diagnosed, said in a statement on March 27: “I am under the care of medical professionals and currently receiving treatment… We want to remind the public and all my fans to be vigilant, cautious and careful during this pandemic.” On March 29, he died from complications of the virus.

Caroline Polachek

The singer-songwriter revealed that she likely had COVID-19 early on before testing was available. “Well, I got it about a month ago, and at that point there weren’t… In most places there still aren’t tests available, but without a doubt it was coronavirus and not the flu. It was all the same symptoms,” Polachek explained. “And actually I had a couple of symptoms that at the time weren’t being so reported on, like loss of sense of smell and weird stomach issues as well. That’s one of the things that made it so different than the flu was these weird stomach cramps. And at the time those were curveballs, so I was like, I’m not sure if I have this or not.”

Chris Sligh

The Christian singer and finalist in season six of American Idol revealed he was battling with COVID-19 in early July. Sligh’s condition took a turn for the worse and he revealed he’d contracted pneumonia. “Breathing without pain or coughing is difficult & I didn’t get much sleep last night, but hopefully the antibiotics do their work fast,” he wrote on Instagram. Sligh has impacted the Billboard 200 on three occasions, including a top 10 with 2008’s Empty Me.

BeBe Winans

The gospel artist stopped by SiriusXM’s The Joe Madison Show to reveal that while he has recovered, fighting COVID-19 wasn’t an easy process. “I’m a man of faith and just raised in and in my mind, I’m just concrete in the subject matter that God is greater than everything,” he said. Yet, and still, it’s so important for us to use common sense. So, being on the other side of it now, I’m just grateful that the word, I just finished my run and through the whole run, I was just saying, God, I thank you. I thank you because it could have been a different outcome for me and my family. So, I’ve learned to be more grateful for life itself. Forget about homes and automobiles and all these things. You can’t take none of that. That means nothing to you when your health is gone.”

John Prine

On March 29, Prine’s family spoke for him to announce that the singer had been hospitalized, and was in critical condition, due to coronavirus symptoms. On April 7, the Americana legend died due to complications of COVID-19. The two-time Grammy-winning artist was 73.

Scarface

Scarface revealed his diagnosis March 26 during a live stream with his Geto Boys bandmate Willie D. The rapper explained that he had been sick for weeks, in-and-out of treatment, but officially got his results on March 25. What started out as an “itch” in the throat, led to Scarface heading to the emergency room, where he was given an IV and antibiotics. After he was discharged, he returned to the ER “even sicker,” and noted that “It started off with pneumonia in both of my lungs and three or four days later my kidneys failed. I’ve been to the point where I felt I was gonna die.” In late April, he updated that he was on dialysis due to kidney failure. “That’s my new lifeline,” he said of his dialysis port. “Hanging on that string of death makes you really appreciate life,” Scarface added. “I was inches away from death.”

Asleep at the Wheel’s Ray Benson

The leader of the Texas-based band alerted fans via Facebook on March 31 that he had tested positive for the coronavirus but says he remains optimistic. “Hoping for the best don’t have the usual symptoms but feel tired head ache no fever no cough!!” Benson posted on Facebook. “I’ll be ok sure do miss playin music and seein everyone!”

Sam Smith

Sam Smith is convinced they caught the bug, but didn’t get tested. “I know I had it. 100 percent had it. Everything I’ve read completely pointed to that,” Smith told Beats 1’s Zane Lowe. After three weeks in self-isolation, Smith is feeling fine. The Brit dueted with John Legend on “Stand By Me” for the “Together At Home” concert.

Slim Thug

On March 24, Slim Thug announced via Instagram that he tested positive for the coronavirus. “Check this out. No games being played. The other day I got tested for the coronavirus, and it came back positive,” Thug revealed. “As careful as I been self-quarantined and staying home — I might have went and got something to eat, stayed in my truck, mask, gloves, everything on — my test came back positive.” The “Like a Boss” MC warned fans to take the virus seriously and cautioned them to stay indoors despite wanting to interact outside.

Jackson Browne

Jackson Browne revealed March 24 that he has tested positive for the coronavirus. In an interview with Rolling Stone, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer said he immediately sought out testing when he developed a cough and started running a fever. He did test positive, but he downplayed the severity of his illness. “My symptoms are really pretty mild, so I don’t require any kind of medication and certainly not hospitalization or anything like that,” Browne said. The 71-year-old rocker is pretty certain he picked up the virus on his recent trip to New York for the Love Rocks NYC benefit, which moved forward on March 12 as planned but, for the first time, live-streamed and with no audience because of early coronavirus cautions. “Now I wish I hadn’t gone to New York and done this benefit,” he admitted.

Adam Schlesinger

Adam Schlesinger, the songwriter and bassist known best as a member of Fountains of Wayne and Ivy, and for his Emmy-winning and Oscar-nominated work in TV and film, died from coronavirus complications on April 1 at age 52. The musician’s longtime attorney Josh Grier told Billboard on March 31 that Schlesinger had “tested positive for the virus, and has been hospitalized on a ventilator.”

Alan Merrill

The musician, known for co-writing “I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll” (originally for his band the Arrows, though it was later famously recorded and made a hit by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts), died from COVID-19 on March 29, according to a message shared by his daughter Laura, who spoke openly of her father’s death. “How could this be? I was just at his show a couple of weeks ago. I had just photographed his portrait for his new album. Texted with him earlier. He played down the “cold” he thought he had,” she wrote on Facebook. “People are dying. You don’t think It’ll happen to you or your strong family. It has. Stay home if not for you…for others. For my dad. This thing is real. We probably won’t be able to mourn him properly with a funeral. I just lost the greatest love of my life and won’t be able to hug anyone because I’ve been exposed and need to self quarantine for two weeks….alone.”

Charlotte Lawrence

The singer-songwriter told fans March 18 that she had been diagnosed with the coronavirus. “I am going to be completely fine,” she assured her followers in an Instagram post before urging them to help reduce the number of people infected by self-isolating. “Stay inside. Please. Whether you feel sick or not, stay inside. … Think about someone else getting your loved ones sick because they don’t listen, because they thought they knew better. Because they were selfish. We have the power to slow this down.”

Andrew Watt

The music producer, who worked on Cardi B’s Grammy-winning album Invasion of Privacy and each of Post Malone’s three albums, shared in a March 17 Instagram post that he was originally diagnosed with the flu when he started feeling sick on March 6 and was told by a doctor that he absolutely didn’t have the coronavirus. Watt explained that he went to the ER and “begged” to be tested and was denied, and it wasn’t until he got a private doctor that he found out he had the virus. “To have the mentality ‘I’m young and this can’t affect me’ is just straight up stupid and so dangerous to everyone around you,” wrote the 29-year-old. “It’s not about you. It’s about everyone together fighting this as a team.”

DJ Webstar

DJ Webstar, best known for his 2009 hit “Chicken Noodle Soup,” has tested positive for the coronavirus. The producer announced the news March 24 via Instagram. “I started getting a lot of symptoms on about 9-10 days ago, so isolated myself immediately,” he explained. “Fever, headaches, sore throat, shortness of breath, body aches, no appetite. So I thought it was the flu originally. The flu test back came back negative. The COVID test I got back about an hour ago and I tested positive for it.”

David Bryan (of Bon Jovi)

The Bon Jovi keyboardist, who is also a Tony Award-winning composer (Memphis), said in an Instagram update on March 21 that he’s “feeling better each day” after testing positive and remaining quarantined for a week (with another week to follow). He urged followers to not be afraid of the virus, but reminded them to “please help out each other. This will be over soon… with the help of every American!!”

Placido Domingo

The opera singer announced on social media on March 22 that he had tested positive and is isolating in self-quarantine. “I experienced fever and cough symptoms therefore deciding to get tested and the result came back positive,” he said. “I beg everyone to be extremely careful, follow the basic guidelines by washing your hands frequently, keeping at least a 6 feet distance from others, doing everything you can to stop the virus from spreading and please above all stay home if you can!”

Sandi Patty

The gospel singer shared on March 17 that she and her husband, Don, had both tested positive and are under quarantine for two weeks. “This is not fake news,” she insisted on Instagram. “If you are not already practicing social distancing and STAYING HOME, DO SO NOW! This is what we can all do. This is how we stop the spread.”

Ocean Grove

An unidentified member of the Aussie metalcore act has contracted COVID-19. The Melbourne band just completed a round of meet-and-greets in support of their new album Flip Phone Fantasy, the followup to 2017’s The Rhapsody Tapes which peaked at No. 5 on the ARIA Albums Chart. Reps for Ocean Grove’s label UNIFIED say “please keep the Ocean Grove guys (and others affected) in your hearts and minds during this time.”

Thelma Plum

Multiple ARIA Award-nominated Australian singer Thelma Plum was hospitalized after contracting the novel coronavirus. In a social post, Plum wrote that she’s “doing really good, feeling good,” but warned of the virus’ potential harm, particularly to Australia’s Indigenous communities. “Looking after your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak is key,” she wrote.

Idris Elba

The Golden Globe-winning actor, who is also a musician (he opened for Madonna’s Rebel Heart Tour in Berlin), told fans in a video on March 16 that he has COVID-19. After learning that he was in contact with someone who had tested positive, “I quarantined myself and got tested immediately,” Elba said, emphasizing that he showed no symptoms. “Look, this is serious, you know? Now’s the time to really think about social distancing, washing your hands.”

Brandon Hoover

The Crown the Empire guitarist revealed that he thought he had picked up a case of the flu through his travels, and it wasn’t until he went to the ER that he found out it was actually the coronavirus. “I advise everyone to keep yourselves informed, stay isolated, drink lots of water and wash your hands!” he tweeted to his fans on March 16.

Rita Wilson

The recording artist’s husband, actor Tom Hanks, shared with the world on March 11 that the couple had been diagnosed while in Australia. Per the actor, Wilson had some chills and slight fevers. While in isolation, she reached out to fans on Twitter for suggestions for a quarantine playlist. Hours later, she revealed the 28-song “Quarantunes.”

DJ Black N Mild

New Orleans bounce DJ and radio personality Black N Mild died on March 19 after testing positive for the coronavirus. The Orleans Parish coroner’s office confirmed March 20 that the DJ, born Oliver Stokes Jr., died after contracting COVID-19. He was 44. Stokes reportedly left work with a fever on March 9 and documented the early stages of his sickness on social media, writing his last post — “pneumonia not the flu” — on March 11.

Aaron Tveit

Broadway star Aaron Tveit, age 36, revealed on Monday (March 23) via Instagram that he has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus and has been in quarantine since Broadway shows shut down on March 12.

Testament singer Chucky Billy

Testament lead singer Chuck Billy and several members of the long-running hard rock band’s crew have tested positive for COVID-19. The band announced the news on March 22 in a statement, explaining that several group members began feeling unwell after returning from their Bay Strikes back European tour earlier this month.

Radiohead guitarist Ed O’Brien

On March 23, Radiohead guitarist Ed O’Brien posted on Instagram that he has been home for days with flu-like symptoms and that he “most probably” has the coronavirus, though he hasn’t been tested yet because he thinks the scarce tests should be reserved for the “vulnerable in our community.”

Wallace Roney

On March 31, Jazz trumpeter and composer Wallace Roney died due to complications from the coronavirus. He was 59 years old. According to NPR, Roney was admitted to St. Joseph’s University Medical Center in Paterson, New Jersey, last Wednesday.

Fred the Godson

On Monday (April 6), Fred the Godson uploaded a photo from the hospital, breathing through a ventilator. “I’m in here with this Covid-19 s—! Please keep me in y’all prayers!!! #GodIsGreat,” he wrote.

Ellis Marsalis

The New Orleans jazz patriarch died on April 1 at age 85. He is survived by six sons, four of whom are musicians: Pulitzer and Grammy winner Wynton; Grammy winner Branford; trombonist and producer Delfeayo; percussionist Jason; photographer Ellis III; and Mboya. “Pneumonia was the actual thing that caused his demise,” Ellis III told The Associated Press. “But it was pneumonia brought on by COVID-19.”

John “Bucky” Pizzarelli

The jazz guitarist died at age 94 on April 1. His family told The New York Times that they believe he died from the coronavirus after testing positive. Over the course of the celebrated musician’s decades-long career, he played at the White House multiple times, including for Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton, and also performed with Frank Sinatra. “Jazz guitar wouldn’t be what it is today without Bucky Pizzarelli,” said jazz guitarist Frank Vignola.

Coronavirus

Livestreams are heating up again!

Megan Thee Stallion, fresh off her Grammys best new artist win, is headlining Grubhub’s Sound Bites concert alongside Noah Cyrus and King Princess to benefit the World Central Kitchen on Friday. One day earlier, Trisha Yearwood and Kelsea Ballerini are among the artists participating in the “Leading Ladies Live” event from Radio.com.

For the K-pop fans, KCON:TACT 3 wraps up this week with performances by ATEEZ, ENHYPHEN, and more, while Wonho is celebrating the release of Love Synonym #2 with a virtual concert Saturday.

See which other artists are performing virtually for fans the week of March 22-28. We’ll update this list as more notable events are announced.


March 22-28: Korean culture festival KCON:TACT 3 continues with more performances. Shows begin at 8 a.m. ET.

  • March 25: Ha SungwooniKON, Jessi, JO1, and P1Harmony 
  • March 26: A.C.E, EVERGLOW, HyunA, Lee Jin Hyuk, and Stray Kids 
  • March 27: ATEEZ, ENHYPEN, ITZY, and SUNMI 
  • March 28: BTOB, Kang Daniel, MAMAMOO, and TOO 

Visit KCon’s website for more information.

March 25: Trisha Yearwood, Kelsea Ballerini, and Carly Pearce are performing for Radio.com’s “Leading Ladies Live” special hosted by Hillary Scott of Lady A. The show kicks off at 6 p.m. ET on Radio.com.

iHeartRadio is celebrating the release of Justin Bieber’s Justice with a livestreamed album release party. The event will feature an interview, fan questions and more. It kicks off at 7 p.m. ET on LiveXLive.

U2’s June 1983 concert at the Red Rocks in Denver streams on the band’s YouTube channel beginning at 10:30 p.m. ET.

March 26: Megan Thee Stallion, Noah Cyrus, and King Princess are headlining the Sound Bites concert series. The “Savage” rapper will be performing live from Malibu’s Zuma Beach. For every QR code that is scanned during the event, Grubhub will donate $1 to World Central Kitchen. The show begins at 7 p.m. ET, and streams on Grubhub’s YouTube channel, Facebook, and Twitter accounts. 

Serpentwithfeet is celebrating the release of his new album DEACON with a Q&A and performance on Bandsintown Plus. The show kicks off at 9 p.m. ET; a monthly subscription is $9.99.

March 26-27: Tokimonsta is closing out Women’s History Month with her “Every Woman” livestream event featuring Tinashe, Aluna and more. The two-day streaming event will include panels and performances by thought leaders and women in the music industry. The event streams on Lost Resort TV’s Twitch channel

March 27: K-pop star Wonho is celebrating the release of his project Love Synonym #2: Right for Us with a livestream set for fans, during which he’ll perform songs from the album. The show kicks off at 11 p.m. ET; tickets start at $19.99.

Jimmy Buffett’s September 2003 concert at Coors Ampitheatre will be streaming for free on Nugs.net. The show begins at 8 p.m. ET.

Waxahatchee is celebrating the one-year anniversary of Saint Cloud with a performance of the album filmed in February. The show begins at 7 p.m. ET; tickets start at $15.

Cautious Clay and Cassadee Pope are celebrating the third anniversary of the Sony Hall in NYC with a livestream performance. The show, in support of #SaveOurStages, kicks off at 8 p.m. ET. Reserve your tickets.

Demi Lovato is speaking candidly about her road to recovery after overdosing on heroin in 2018.

In a preview of her upcoming interview with CBS Sunday Morning, the 28-year-old singer touches on the her past substance abuse and how she’s learning to take back control over her life.

“The doctors told me that I had five to 10 minutes,” Lovato tells CBS’ Tracy Smith, recalling her near-fatal overdose. “Like, if no one had found me, then I wouldn’t be here. And I’m grateful that I’m sitting here today.”

The singer also opened up about the progress she’s made in dealing with her substance abuse issues since last appearing on CBS Sunday Morning in 2016.

“I was probably 24 when we did the interview, Lovato says. “I’m in recovery for a bunch of things and I had been sober for how many years, but I’m still miserable. For the first time in my life, I had to essentially die to wake up.”

Lovato’s CBS Sunday Morning interview — which airs March 21 at 9 a.m. ET — arrives ahead of the singer’s four-part documentary series, Demi Lovato: Dancing With the Devil, premiering March 23 on YouTube.

The tell-all docuseries explores Lovato’s devastating overdose, which left her with three strokes and a heart attack, as well as blind spots in her vision that block her from driving.

“I didn’t control any of my life at that period of time,” Lovato tells CBS Sunday Morning. “But, yes, I also needed to grow up and take control. And that’s something I haven’t done until the past two years of my life, which is [why] I’m now in control of my finances. I’m now in control of … the food that I eat, how often I work out.”

In addition to her upcoming YouTube docuseries, Lovato is also releasing a companion albumDancing With the Devil… The Art of Starting Over, on April 2. She announced that her new single “Dancing With The Devil” will arrive on March 26.

A $150 million lawsuit has been filed against the man charged for his involvement in the hit-and-run death of Robert Maraj, Nicki Minaj’s father.

On Friday (March 19), Minaj’s mother, Carol Maraj, had attorneys file the lawsuit in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, read a statement released by Ben Crump Law.

“He was fatally injured in a hit-and-run accident on February 12, 2021, when he was struck by a car being driven by Charles Polevich as Mr. Maraj walked along a Long Island road. After striking Maraj, Polevich left the accident scene and did not call for emergency services or render aid to Maraj,” Crump wrote on his verified social media accounts.

“He was not only irresponsible and negligent, but more concerned about running away and hiding than seeking help,” Crump’s post continued. “Polevich’s behavior was criminal, cowardly, and immoral. We will hold him responsible for his reckless actions that led to Robert Maraj’s death!”

Polevich’s attorney, Marc C. Gann, sent the following statement to Billboard: “Mr. Polevich has expressed empathy and condolences to the Maraj family. While the civil suit is not unexpected, the criminal charges pending against Mr. Polevich have no bearing on the civil case. It has yet to be determined whether there was any negligence involved in the accident or the degrees of any negligence. I will add that the amount demanded is shocking to say the least and I don’t believe is in any way reasonable.”

Billboard has also reached out to a representative for Nicki Minaj for comment.

Robert Maraj, Minaj’s dad, was struck by a car in Mineola, New York. He was then taken to a local hospital and pronounced dead on Feb. 13.

Police arrested Polevich, who faced charges of leaving the scene of an incident and tampering with physical evidence in connection with the death of Maraj.

“He was absolutely aware of what happened,” Nassau County Police Detective Lt. Stephen Fitzpatrick said at a news conference last month, according to the Associated Press. “He got out of the car and he looked at the deceased, got into his car, and made the conscious decision to leave instead of dialing 911, instead of calling an ambulance for the man. He went home and secluded the vehicle. He’s well aware of what he did.”

Minaj, who has spoken in the past about having a strained relationship with her father, has not made any public statement his death.

Lana Del Rey’s new album just arrived, but she’s already looking ahead to what appears to be another project, Rock Candy Sweet.

The day after Chemtrails Over the Country Club made its debut, she got on Instagram and dropped the title of what she says will be her “next record.”

On her Instagram Stories on Saturday (March 20), Lana Del Rey shared a screenshot of an article from Harper’s Bazaar that had criticized her.

“Just want to say thank you again for the kind articles like this one and for reminding me that my career was built on cultural appropriation and glamorizing domestic abuse,” she quipped via sideways text overlaying the article. “I will continue to challenge those thoughts on my next record on June 1 titled Rock Candy Sweet.”

In her latest Instagram post, she repeated that album announcement: “ROCK CANDY SWEET,” she captioned a photo of herself. “June 1.”

Billboard has reached out to a representative for Lana Del Rey for comment about Rock Candy Sweet.

Her new album Chemtrails Over the Country Club, featuring singles “Let Me Love You Like a Woman,” “Chemtrails Over the Country Club” and “White Dress,” is available now.

See her latest post on Instagram here, and watch her Instagram Stories here.

Lauren Alaina has canceled her scheduled appearance at a concert Saturday night (March 20) after testing positive for COVID-19.

Alaina had been on the bill for an acoustic show at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky. The event, with tickets offered for a max of 15 percent of the venue’s capacity, requires attendees to wear a face mask at all times, undergo temperature checks and adhere to social distancing throughout the venue, according to Rupp Arena’s website.

“I am so sad to say I will not be at the acoustic show in Lexington, Kentucky tonight. I tested positive for COVID yesterday. I am quarantining and trying to get better! Please know I can’t wait to be back – when it is safe for all of us,” the country singer posted on social media.

“I’m so disappointed I won’t be at the show, but it may help cheer me up a bit if you go and send me videos and pictures,” she wrote. “Please go to the show tonight and celebrate my friends Jon Pardi, Jordan Davis, Travis Denning, and Priscilla Block. Thanks to WAMZ and WBUL for being so understanding.”

On her Instagram Stories on Saturday, Alaina checked in with fans to give an update about her symptoms.

“I am resting up and trying to feel a bit better,” said Alaina. “Some people have it way worse than me, so I just have a little bit of shortness of breath, a really bad headache, no taste or smell, pretty bad congestion and I feel pretty tired. But I overall feel like it’s going to be OK.”

Britney Spears’ mom isn’t letting the star forget about her talent.

The 39-year-old singer took to Instagram on Friday (March 19) to share a throwback video of herself singing The Jets’ “You Got It All,” and captioning the post with an uplifting message from her mother, Lynne Spears.

“Geez … My mom sent this to me and reminded me that I can sing!!!!” the pop star wrote. “She said ‘You never sing anymore … you need to again!!!!’”

Spears added, “I’ve actually never watched this performance … it’s definitely from a while ago !!!! It’s from one of the first trips I took alone … mostly I just remember saying ‘WOW Singapore.’”

Spears’ post drew comments from thousands of supportive fans echoing her mom’s encouraging words. “Please sing again,” one fan pleaded. Another wrote, “Listen to your mom and release the album.”

Elle King also chimed in on the comments, writing, “SING FOR US BRIT! We love you so much.” And Jordin Sparks shared several emojis with a smiling face and tear. See Spears’ Instagram post here.

In February, Spears shared another throwback video of herself performing “Toxic” in 2017, reminding fans that she’s enjoying her time away from the stage.

“I’ll always love being on stage …. but I am taking the time to learn and be a normal person,” the singer wrote on Instagram. “I love simply enjoying the basics of every day life !!!! Each person has their story and their take on other people’s stories !!!!

She added, “We all have so many different bright beautiful lives!!! Remember, no matter what we think we know about a person’s life it is nothing compared to the actual person living behind the lens!!!!”

Spears shared the “Toxic” throwback clip amid the conservatorship battle with her father, Jamie Spears. The singer has been in a conservatorship overseen predominantly by her dad since 2008. Now, many supporters of the #FreeBritney movement have come forward questioning whether a conservatorship over her personal and financial life still needs to be in place.

Focus Features is set to release Edgar Wright’s documentary directorial debut The Sparks Brothers on June 18, 2021.

The dating follows Wright’s film about the cult pop duo Sparks debuting at Sundance and screening at SXSW in Austin on March 19.

The documentary chronicles the decades-long career and influence of the Sparks and features archival footage as well as interviews with fans that include Beck, Flea, Neil Gaiman and Mike Myers. MRC Non-Fiction is behind the documentary, which Wright produced with Nira Park under their company Complete Fiction Pictures, along with Laura Richardson and George Hencken.

Reads The Hollywood Reporter’s Sundance review: “While The Sparks Brothers may be a bit too exhaustive for those merely seeking an introduction to the band, longtime fans will be thrilled by the deluxe treatment. The film, receiving its world premiere at Sundance, will likely add many newcomers to those ranks.”

Focus will distribute the picture domestically, while Universal is handling the international release.

MRC Entertainment is a co-owner of Billboard and The Hollywood Reporter through a joint venture with Penske Media titled P-MRC.

This article was originally published by The Hollywood Reporter.

The Recording Academy and its sister academies in the television and film realms have released statements decrying anti-Asian hate in the wake of the killings of eight people (six being women of Asian descent) in the Atlanta area.

In recent days, numerous music stars — including John Legend, Rihanna, Pharrell Williams and Justin Timberlake — have spoken out condemning the violence.

Below, find the Recording Academy’s full statement in support of AAPI (Asian American/Pacific-Islander) communities following the Atlanta-area shootings:

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a disturbing rise in discrimination against the Asian-American community. On Tuesday, March 16, a shooting in the Atlanta area left eight people dead.

The Recording Academy is deeply saddened by this incident and denounces any and all hate crimes and asks the music community to stand together against these incidents.

Every day, our work as creators demonstrates the power of diversity and the strength that comes when individuals from different backgrounds come together. Let’s continue to be a positive example for the rest of the world and work collectively to drive change.

We encourage you to support the work of Stop AAPI Hate, Asian Americans Advancing Justice, and the other organizations currently addressing these challenges.

The Television Academy posted a statement on its home page and also released it on its social media accounts:

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences likewise posted statements on its Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn pages.

The man who police say went on a rampage at three spas in the Atlanta area, killing eight people, was charged Wednesday with eight counts of murder in connection with the attacks. While police haven’t specified the man’s motives, many experts believe the increase in anti-Asian violence is linked to the COVID-19 pandemic, which former President Trump frequently referred to as “the Asian flu” or “Kung Flu.”

Click here to find out how you can help the Asian American community like many musicians have been doing in recent days.

A coalition of advocacy groups representing musicians and entertainers voiced their support on Friday (March 19) for a new California state bill that seeks to limit the length of contracts for recording artists.

Music Artists Coalition (MAC), the Black Music Action Coalition, Songwriters of North America (SONA) and SAG-AFTRA are calling on their members and allies to support the Free Artists from Industry Restrictions (FAIR) Act, a new bill that would reform Section 2855 of the California Labor Code (a.k.a. the Seven Year Statue) by placing a seven-year cap on recording contracts for California-based artists and music companies. The FAIR Act was introduced to the California State Assembly on Feb. 19.

The legislation was introduced by Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego), who is well-known as a workers’ rights advocate in the state.

If passed, the FAIR Act would correct for a 1987 amendment that excluded recording artists from the Seven Year Statute, a labor law designed to prevent employers in California from enforcing excessively long contracts. As a result of the 1987 amendment, which was pushed by the major record labels, recording artists who seek the protection of the statute are susceptible to legal action and severe monetary damages if they decide to part ways with the label they’re under contract to.

In a statement, Music Artists Coalition founder Irving Azoff says amending the current law has become even more urgent in light of the streaming boom.

“Streaming has been an unprecedented bonanza for the record labels, but not so for artists,” said Azoff. “It is unfair that the only Californians excluded from the protection of the Seven Year Statute are recording artists. We ask our record label partners and members of the California legislature to join us and support this important initiative. We must protect artists and modernize this archaic law.”

“The landscape of the entertainment industry has dramatically changed, yet companies still benefit from outdated laws that allow them to wield an overwhelming amount of control over artists,” added Gonzalez. “No worker should ever be bound to an unreasonable contract that holds them back from making decisions about their own livelihood. It’s time we changed the law to reflect a new reality for creators. I introduced the FAIR Act to simply ensure artists are empowered to freely practice their craft and pursue a career doing what they love.”

In 2001, there was a similar push to repeal the 1987 amendment that resulted in a California Senate bill introduced by Democratic State Sen. Kevin Murray, a former agent at William Morris. Though that effort resulted in major artists including Courtney Love and Don Henley testifying before the State Assembly, the bill was ultimately brought down by the major labels, who argued it was too difficult for artists to complete the terms of a standard seven-album recording contract in just seven years.

Azoff, who has long managed Henley’s band the Eagles, also backed the 2001 repeal via the Recording Artists Coalition, a now-defunct precursor to MAC that he co-founded alongside Henley and Sheryl Crow.