LiveXLive Launches Auditions to Find the Next ‘Self Made’ Music Star

LiveXLive Media announced on Monday (Mar. 8) that auditions have begun for Self Made, a new online talent competition.

To enter, the livestream and on-demand service is looking for artists or bands to submit videos performing an original song on TikTok or Instagram with the hashtag #IAmSelfMade. Unlike the typical talent competitions, Self Made’s winner will be entirely decided on by social media engagement, not a panel of judges.

Eight contestants will then be selected from the submissions on Mar. 17, before the final round for the grand prize winner and three runners-up begins on Mar. 25. The first-round grand prize winner will receive an “A&R starter pack” worth $100,000 to launch their professional career, including distribution, publishing and a record deal — plus exclusive merch around the artist and the artist’s shows. The distribution deal will promote the winner’s music through LiveXLive’s flywheel, including digital radio, VOD, podcasting and live streaming.

All eight finalists will earn a spot in LiveXLive’s annual Music Lives festival on Mar. 26 and 27.

“Our partnership with Self Made provides independent artists a singular digital platform and community to showcase their talent, jump-start their careers, and dramatically increase visibility among established artists and loyal fans,” said Robert Ellin, CEO and chairman of LiveXLive in a press statement. “Working together with Ash Pournouri and his amazing team, we have created the ultimate democratic music competition where we leave everything in the hands of the talent and the fans.”

Follow @GoSelfMade on Instagram or @GetSelfMade on TikTok to watch the competition. Further details can be found by following @livexlive or via LiveXLive.com/SelfMade.

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Hayley Kiyoko, Lauren Jauregui & More React to Oprah’s Bombshell Prince Harry & Meghan Markle Interview

Oprah Winfrey’s interview with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on Sunday night was the closest we’ve come to appointment television in quite some time. Indeed, according to early ratings reports, more than 17 million viewers tuned in to the two-hour CBS sit-down — and among those millions of interested watchers were Hayley Kiyoko, Lauren Jauregui, Bette Midler, Jada Pinkett Smith and a host of other celebrities.

The Twitter conversation on Sunday night and beyond buzzed with appreciation for Winfrey’s interviewing skills (“Oprah. That’s it. That’s the tweet,” Kiyoko wrote), empathy for Markle’s discussion of mental health issues (“Questioning the authenticity of suicidal thoughts is both dangerous and damaging,” The Vamps’ James McVey tweeted), and jokes (“ya’ll be play’n way too much,” Pinkett Smith wrote in response to a follower suggesting she invite Queen Elizabeth to her Red Table Talk Facebook Live series).

Boy George, meanwhile, appeared to take the Palace’s side following the interview. “Sadly, Meghan wasn’t prepared to tell us who made these alleged comments about Archie’s skin colour?” he wrote about Meghan and Harry saying there was concern from an unnamed family member about how dark their first-born child’s skin color would be. “I believe she has a responsibility to tell us.” Jauregui took aim at British television personality Piers Morgan, telling him “just take it if you can dish it” when he complained that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s supporters were “trying to silence” his voice.

Below, see all the celebrity reaction to the bombshell interview, which should be available to stream here in the coming days.

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Gladys Knight Delivers Soul-Stirring National Anthem at 2021 NBA All-Star Game

A soulful national anthem, performed by Gladys Knight, kicked off the 2021 NBA All-Star Game on Sunday (March 7).

Knight, accompanied by an organist, delivered her take on the U.S. standard in front of the American flag for basketball’s big night, live from the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.

Her performance dazzled Twitter, with one person noting, “Gladys Knight just rarefied the National Anthem. Refined it and made it complex,” and another tweeting, “Gladys Knight done caught the holy ghost singing the national anthem.”

“Gladys Knight just be casually reminding folks she got the the voice,” another reaction read.

Also on the musical lineup for the night, Alessia Cara performed a smooth rendition of the Canadian national anthem, singing live remotely from Toronto.

The NBA honored HBCUs throughout the evening, with scheduled performances by the Clark Atlanta University Philharmonic Society Choir, the Grambling State University Tiger Marching Band, the Florida A&M University Marching 100 and step teams from Spelman College and Morehouse College.

Below, watch Knight sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” in a clip that was posted on the official NBA Twitter account after the performance aired on TNT.

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Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak Ask the Grammys to Let Silk Sonic Perform at This Year’s Show

Silk Sonic, Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak’s new act, was not on Sunday’s list of performers announced for the 2021 Grammy Awards — and now they seem to be petitioning to become a last-minute addition to the lineup.

“Dear Grammys,” Mars wrote in a note to the Recording Academy that he whipped up for Twitter Sunday evening (March 7), after .Paak implied their names should have been on the bill of performers. “If you can see it in your hearts to allow two out of work musicians to perform at your show, we would really appreciate it.”

“We just released a song and could really use the promotion right now. We have a lot riding on this record (and the Pelicans game next week, but that’s another story),” he quipped.

He promised that Silk Sonic would follow all safety protocols and even joked that they’d be willing to audition for the spot.

“We haven’t been able to perform for a while and we just want to sing. We’ll send in an audition tape and take as many covid tests as we need to. I promise we won’t be extra. We just really want a gig again. I hope you’ll consider this request and give us the opportunity to shine,” Mars asked nicely.

Of course, .Paak wasn’t quite so chill about it all. Earlier, he sent a whole lot of tweets Mars’ way about not seeing Silk Sonic — who just released their first single together, “Leave the Door Open” — named as performers for the March 14 show.

“YO @BrunoMars WHAT THE F—?!? Did you see this?!?! Call me back!!” he’d written, then suggested they start up a hashtag — #LetSilkSonicThrive — to get the word out that they’re ready and willing to play.

“Nah f— that!” .Paak said in another tweet. “I haven’t seen my family in months!! I need this to work, You promised me!! Everybody join in!!! I need all of Twitter to help make this trend!! Come on @RecordingAcad #LetSilkSonicThrive.”

See the letter and their Twitter exchange below. Check out the full list of performers who have been announced for the 2021 Grammy Awards here.

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Kis-My-Ft2 Debuts at No. 1, Official HIGE DANdism Rises to No. 4 on Japan Hot 100

Kis-My-Ft2’s “Luv Bias” blasts in at No. 1 on the latest Billboard Japan Hot 100, dated Feb. 22 to 28, selling 217,880 copies in its first week.

The theme of the ongoing drama series Oh! My Boss! starring member Yuta Tamamori led physical sales, look-ups and Twitter mentions this week, and also performed well in radio airplay (No. 13) and video views (No. 15). Sales figures for the the seven-member Johnny’s boy band’s new single increased by about 37,000 copies from its previous release, “Endless Summer” (180,763 copies).

Official HIGE DANdism’s “Universe” jumps 40-4 this week, breaking into the top 10 on the Japan Hot 100. The theme of this year’s space-themed Doraemon movie sold 37,301 copies and soared up the chart fueled by sales (No. 4) and look-ups (No. 3). The animated movie was initially set to open in theaters this Friday (Mar. 5), but was postponed indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The theme song’s performance on the song chart despite its lack of promotion in this regard goes to show HIGE DAN’s stable popularity.

The Billboard Japan Hot 100 combines physical and digital sales, audio streams, radio airplay, Twitter mentions, YouTube and GYAO! video views, Gracenote look-ups and karaoke data.

Check out the full Billboard Japan Hot 100 chart, dated Feb. 22 to 28, here.

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BTS ARMY Reacts to Grammys Performance Announcement: ‘We Get to See Them Fulfill Their Dreams’

The 2021 Grammy Awards announced its lineup of performers, and the BTS ARMY was swift to get #BTSGrammyPerformers trending after seeing their idols on the official bill.

Tweets full of “teamwork makes the dream work” and “BTS paved the way” took over on Sunday (March 7) as fans expressed their excitement over the Grammys news and celebrated the K-pop superstars’ success and impact.

“The thing about us and BTS is that we get to see them fulfill their dreams, but they get to put a soundtrack in ours,” one fan wrote in reaction the the news of the group’s upcoming performance.

“I’m so proud of our Grammy nominated, Grammy performing boys! YOU DID IT !I’M CRYING,” said another fan, who posted a throwback interview clip in which the Grammys were the topic of discussion. “What Yoongi wants, Yoongi gets, always. Our boys making history once more.”

“I just want them to have all the happiness in the world. Because they’ve given me so much happiness,” read another tweet with the #BTSGrammyPerformers hashtag.

Many messages outlined BTS’ history with the Grammys — from being presenters to nominees and performers — and made hopeful predictions of what else could be to come for them. “They’ll be Grammy winners soon too,” a fan said, referring to their current nomination for best pop duo/group performance for “Dynamite.”

See a selection of proud ARMY reactions below, and tune in on March 14 to see the show, which will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center and air live at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on CBS. The Grammy Awards will also stream live and on demand on Paramount+.

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Here Are All the Winners From the 26th Annual Critics Choice Awards

It’s time for the 26th annual Critics Choice Awards.

Hosted by Taye Diggs, the ceremony honors both TV series and films.

Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance presented the first award of the night — best supporting actor to Daniel Kaluuya, for his role in Judas and the Black Messiah. Orlando Bloom then presented the Critics Choice for best supporting actress to Maria Bakalova, for her role in Borat Subsequent Moviefilm.

See a full list of winners below.

Best Supporting Actor:
Daniel Kaluuya, Judas the Black Messiah

Best Supporting Actress:
Maria Bakalova, Borat: Subsequent Moviefilm

Best Supporting Actress, Drama Series:
Gillian Anderson, The Crown

Best Supporting Actor, Drama Series:
Michael K. Williams, Lovecraft Country

Best Supporting Actor, Movie Made for Television or a Limited Series:
Donald Sutherland, The Undoing

Best Supporting Actress, Movie Made for Television or a Limited Series:
Uzo Aduba, Mrs. America

Best Young Actor of Actress:
Alan Kim, Minari

Best Actor in a Drama Series:
John O’Connor, The Crown

Best Actress in a Drama Series:
Emma Corrin, The Crown

Best Actress, Movie Made for Television or Limited Series:
Anya Taylor-Joy, The Queen’s Gambit

Best Actor, Movie Made for Television or Limited Series:
John Boyega, Small Axe

Best Comedy Film:
Palm Springs

Best Comedy Special:
Tie: Jerry Seinfeld, 23 Hours to Kill and Michelle Buteau, Welcome to Buteaupia

Best Acting Ensemble:
The Trial of the Chicago 7

Best Supporting Actor, Comedy Series:
Daniel Levy, Schitt’s Creek

Best Supporting Actress, Comedy Series:
Hannah Waddingham, Ted Lasso

Best Actor, Comedy Series:
Jason Sudeikis, Ted Lasso

Best Actress, Comedy Series:
Catherine O’Hara, Schitt’s Creek

Best Comedy Series:
Ted Lasso

Best Drama Series:
The Crown

Best Talk Show:
Late Night With Seth Meyers

Best Limited Series:
The Queen’s Gambit

Best Movie Made for Television:
Hamilton

Best Short Form Series:
Better Call Saul: Ethics Training With Kim Wexler

Best Song:
“Speak Now,” One Night in Miami

Best Director:
Chloe Zhao, Nomadland

Best Cinematography:
Joshua James Richards, Nomadland

Best Editing:
Tie: Alan Baumgarten, The Trial of the Chicago 7 and Mikkel E. G. Nielsen, Sound of Metal

Best Visual Effects:
Tenet

Best Production Design:
Donald Graham Burt and Jan Pascale, Mank

Best Hair and Makeup:
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

Best Costume Design:
Ann Roth, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

Best Actor:
Chadwick Boseman, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

Best Original Screenplay:
Emerald Fennell, Promising Young Woman

Best Adapted Screenplay:
Chloe Zhao, Nomadland

Best Foreign Language Film:
Minari

Best Score:
Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross and Jon Batiste, Soul

Best Actress:
Carey Mulligan, Promising Young Woman

Best Picture:
Nomadland

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Louis Tomlinson Announces Plans to Launch New Management Company

Louis Tomlinson is looking to develop some new musical talent.

The 29-year-old singer took to social media on Saturday (March 6) to announce his plans to launch a new artist management company.

“I always dreamed of having my own label, having an imprint never really worked for me because I still had to have someone else’s blessing to sign people,” Tomlinson began his series of tweets. “People I believed in massively but unfortunately didn’t fit the traditional pop role hence never doing the deals….”

The former One Direction member continued, “So I’ve decided to put it out there in the world today. I’m going to start my own music management company to help develop new artists. Watch this space.”

Tomlinson pointed out that the management company announcement is “the first step of actualising the idea but at this stage that’s all this is. An idea!” He also clarified in another tweet that his plans do not included forming a record label.

In July 2020, Tomlinson announced that he had parted ways with Simon Cowell’s Syco. The artist had signed a solo recording contract with the label in 2017.

“Hope everyone is doing ok! Just wanted to let you know that Syco Music and I have agreed to part ways,” Tomlinson tweeted at the time. I’m really excited for the future and to be back in the studio writing the next album. Can’t wait to finally see you all on tour!!”

One Direction’s five studio albums were released through Syco/Columbia Records.

In early 2019, Tomlinson joined Arista Records within the Sony Music family, where he signed to Epic under Syco in 2017. As part of the deal, the singer’s solo music was distributed through Syco/Arista in the United States.

Tomlinson has released four solo singles since One Direction announced its hiatus in 2015. His latest album, Walls, was released in 2020 and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, giving the relaunched Arista Records its first top 10 on the chart in years.

View Tomlinson’s tweets about launching his own management company below.

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Cardi B Returns and Teases New Music After Deactivating Her Twitter Account

Cardi B’s break from Twitter was short-lived.

The superstar temporarily deactivated her account when fans demanded she drop her sophomore album after she revealed that she was excited to be releasing her own doll on Friday (March 5). By the early morning hours of Saturday, she was back on Twitter.

In her first tweet on Saturday, Cardi addressed the criticism of her project timelines by reminding fans how she announced her previous album, Invasion of Privacy: “I announced my 2018 album in March 11th I knew I had to drop in April because by may my stomach was going to be to big to do music videos. That’s why I like it was the last music video I made ….Soo please tell me when did I ever wait on others to drop beside my stomach ?” she wrote.

She then tweeted a short audio snippet of a new song, in which she seems to be rapping “I need more money than problems this year.”

On Saturday evening, she got on Twitter again to give her followers a brief update on her upcoming plans.

“After next week I’m going full album mode,” Cardi tweeted along with another clip — a throwback of the rapper working on “Red Barz.” “I was hungry around this time .Perfecting & writing my s—.”

“Im going to complete some business do things for ‘UP’ then I’m out !but please let’s stay on topic & not ask me about things when ya know I don’t like talkin bout my moves,” she said.

Cardi B announced the arrival of her doll on Today Friday morning, opening up about how she wanted to design a doll that looks like her and represents a diverse array of girls, including 2-year-old daughter Kulture, because she didn’t have that experience with dolls as a child.

“I would love my daughter to play with a doll that looks like me. Growing up, I ain’t ever seen a doll that look like me. I ain’t ever seen a doll that really represents me. When you go to the doll aisle when you was my age, it’s either like there’s a real white one or there’s a real dark one. And there’s barely one that’s in the middle. None of them have my style, none of them have my flavor,” she recalled in the interview.

See her latest tweets below.

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Andra Day Honored by Black Women Film Network for ‘Billie Holiday’ Role

Andra Day accepted the On Her Shoulders Preservation Award during the Black Women Film Network 2021 Summit on Saturday (March 6), thanking the non-profit organization for honoring her work in The United States Vs. Billie Holiday.

“Thank you for recognizing and honoring the work that we put into this, to continue to push Black women’s narratives forward, to continue to uncover Black women’s narratives,” Day said in a virtual acceptance speech.

“This award is more special to me because of our community, because of our family, because of who we are,” Day continued. “And to just know that I have the support and that Black women were moved by the film and felt they were represented, and felt that they were seen… I think that has everything to do with Billie Holiday’s legacy.”

The honor comes less than a week after Day won the Golden Globe best actress in a drama trophy for her performance in Hulu’s The United States vs. Billie Holiday, becoming the second-ever Black actress to win the category and the first to do so in 35 years.

Day was a first-time Globes winner. She was also nominated for best original song with Raphael Saadiq for “Tigress & Tweed” from the film, which is now streaming.

Her win marks the category’s first Black winner since Whoopi Goldberg, who became the first Black actress to do so in 1986. Halle Berry famously lost the category for Monster’s Ball but went on to win the Oscar in 2002. And Angela Bassett, who was a presenter on Sunday, was the last Black actress to win best actress in a comedy or musical, in 1994.

The Black Women Film Network is the oldest non-profit organization focused on preparing Black women in the film, television, and new media industries. On Saturday, it honored noteworthy names in the industry including Day, Debra L. Lee, Rikki Hughes, Mikki Turner, Courtney Neal and Denise Armstrong during its annual BWFN Summit.

The summit’s theme this year was “The Revolution Will Be Digitized: Black Women Leading in New Spaces as Multi-hyphenate Creators.” Presented by Cvent, the event celebrated Black women in the arts and entertainment industry and featured master classes, seminars and activities that helped connect key industry leaders with aspiring entertainment professionals. Featured speakers represented brands such as ColorCreative, BET, WME, NBCUniversal, WarnerMedia, Netflix, Tyler Perry Studios, CNN, and Starz.

This article originally appeared on The Hollywood Reporter.

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