The internet apparently doubted the real “U-S-H-E-R R-A-Y-M-O-N-D” was in the house this weekend at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, where the singer was on the bill for two nights with Chris Brown on their co-headlining Raymond & Brown Tour Aug. 7-8.

A rumor that Usher was replaced by a clone for his performance in East Ruthorford, N.J., Friday night was rampant enough to elicit a response from Usher himself (or was it?).

Several crying-laughing emojis were involved when Usher seemingly hit the comments section of footage from his own concert this weekend to address the conspiracy theory, which was being talked about on videos with hundreds of thousands of views across social media platforms.

“Ya’ll are funny…clone? They can’t clone this??” he wrote in one comment, saved and shared on @therandbtour on Instagram, a Raymond & Brown Tour update account that keeps fans in the know about what’s happening at each date on tour.

Another comment shows Usher quipping, “How ya’ll come up with this? AI ain’t that advanced.”

Meanwhile, folks on TikTok and X were side-eyeing clips from the show. “I’m confused. I see Usher but then I don’t,” one person remarked of the performer’s moves on a popular TikTok post, while others found themselves caught up with zooming in on cell phone video to track tattoo placement, or speculating that his cheekbones didn’t look like Usher’s. Others found it suspicious that the talent didn’t remove his sunglasses. Someone joked that it wasn’t Usher, it was “Unsure.”

Something just must’ve been in the air on Friday, which saw a delayed start due to thunderstorms but proceeded to deliver “a seamless performance,” Billboard‘s Carl Lamarre said in his factual recap of top moments from the show. “The three-hour bonanza was littered with dance numbers, acrobatic moves, special guests ranging from Lil Baby to 50 Cent and, of course, picture-perfect moments of Brown and Usher crossing paths onstage to deliver their classic collaborations.”

There’s a new addition to the Mattel family: the Whitney Houston Barbie Signature Doll.

The doll was unveiled Saturday evening (Aug. 8) at the fifth annual Legacy of Love Gala, presented by The Whitney E. Houston Legacy Foundation and Primary Wave Music. The gala’s “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” theme was a nod to Houston’s 1987 global pop smash “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me),” whose music video inspired the look of the latest member of Mattel’s Barbie Signature Series.

Pat Houston, president of the foundation and executor of The Estate of Whitney E. Houston, co-hosted the gala (also celebrating Whitney Houston’s 63rd birthday on Aug. 9) with Kevin Frazier of Entertainment Tonight. In her remarks to the gala attendees at The Whitley Hotel in Atlanta, Houston said, “This evening, we celebrate more than the release of a doll; we celebrate the enduring legacy of an icon. The new Whitney Houston Barbie honors a woman whose voice, grace, beauty and spirit inspired generations around the world. May this doll remind every child and every collector that dreams have no limits, excellence leaves a lasting imprint and true greatness never goes out of style. Thank you, Mattel, for making one of Whitney’s dreams come true.”

VP and head of Barbie, Mattel Nathan Baynard commented, “Whitney Houston’s music has been the soundtrack to countless moments for fans around the world. Barbie is proud to honor her extraordinary legacy with the latest addition to the Barbie Signature Series. Created in close collaboration with Pat Houston, this doll celebrates her unmistakable style, joy and spirit. We hope it gives fans a meaningful way to celebrate the artist whose voice and influence continue to resonate around the world.”

The Legacy of Love Gala opened with a tribute to music industry legend and Houston mentor Clive Davis. He served as honorary chair of The Whitney E. Houston Legacy Foundation for the last four years and was named to do so again this year before his passing in June. In addition to a special video honoring Davis, singer-songwriter-pianist Gordon Chambers performed “Greatest Love of All.”

“Clive Davis a man whose presence in my life and the life of Whitney Houston was profound,” noted Houston. “The world knows Clive as a visionary, a brilliant music principal and a man whose ear for greatness changed the course of music history. I knew him as someone even greater — a loyal friend, a steady hand and man who never wavered in his belief in the people he loved. Words cannot fully express the loss I felt and have experienced with his passing. I will always remember him as one of the greatest architects of music and a man of heart, integrity and enduring love.”

Houston’s longtime collaborator (“Exhale [Shoop Shoop],” “I’m Your Baby Tonight”) and friend Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds was the gala’s headline performer. In addition to performing several of his classic hits, Edmonds brought out surprise special guest Chanté Moore. The pair sang “Why Does It Hurt So Bad,” the Babyface-produced song from 1995’s Waiting to Exhale: Original Soundtrack Album. Houston’s brother Gary Houston also teamed with singer Jada Nikole to perform a reimagined version of “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me).”

As the latest music artist featured in the Barbie Signature Series, Houston joins a circle of prior honorees that includes Miley Cyrus, Aaliyah, Stevie Nicks, Gloria Estefan, Tina Turner, Diana Ross and Elton John. The Barbie Dream Gap Project will also donate to the Whitney E. Houston Legacy Foundation, which provides educational opportunities, grants and scholarships for young people. The Whitney Houston Barbie Signature Doll is available now in Target stores and online at Amazon, Walmart, Target and Mattel Creations for an SRP of $60. 

Also available now at Target is the Tiny Vinyl release of Houston’s “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)” backed with “So Emotional.” Earlier this year, Houston and her legacy were saluted by The Recording Academy’s presentation of its Special Merit Lifetime Achievement Award. And on Aug. 11 (10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET), Julien’s Auctions — in partnership with The Whitney E. Houston Legacy Foundation — will host a benefit sale of more than 50 unique items from Houston’s personal collection.

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

Beats has long been a leader in the audio game, with their wireless headphones and earbuds consistently topping bestsellers lists and worn by some of the biggest celebrities and musicians in the industry.

But Beats products used to cost a pretty penny, running you into the hundreds of dollars for a brand new pair of buds. Fortunately, that’s no longer the case, as the latest Amazon deal discounts the popular Beats Solo Buds down to an all-new low price of just $69.

These earbuds used to be over $100 and were re-priced at $79.99 at the beginning of the year. Now you can an additional $10 off, making it the cheapest price we’re seeing for a pair of brand new Beats.

BEST DEAL ONLINE

Beats Solo Buds Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds

$69.95 $79.99 13% off

Buy Now On Amazon

Amazon says more than 2,000 shoppers have picked up these Beats earbuds in the last month alone. What’s more: the same earbuds deal sold out at Walmart, so Amazon is the best place to score the discounted price.

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The Beats Solo Buds are wireless earbuds that boast the brand’s premium audio quality with big range, clarity and crispness. Music is loud and punchy and you can further customize your settings with the Beats App. These earbuds work with both Apple and Android devices.

Battery life is super strong, with up to 18 hours with the included charging case. In a rush? A quick five-minute charge gets you up to one hour of playtime. The case itself is the smallest charging case Beats has ever made, and slides easily into your pockets or bag.

The earbuds fit comfortably in your ears and this deal includes four different eartip sizes so you can find the best fit. We love how lightweight they feel and they’ve been great for workouts and runs too. Beats says its specially-designed “laser-cut vents” help to “improve audio performance while relieving pressure for added comfort.”

Everything pairs easily over Bluetooth, with fewer drop outs, whether you’re listening to a playlist or taking a call.

Regularly $79.99, get the Beats Studio Buds Wireless Earbuds on sale for just $69 on Amazon. This deal is moving fast, so we recommend adding to cart before the sale ends or quantities run out. Choose from four colors on sale. See full details here.

From must-have electronics to dorm room deals, you can shop more Back to School savings on Amazon.com.

Madonna is remembering William Orbit following his death.

On Saturday (Aug. 8), the Queen of Pop took to social media to remember her Ray of Light producer following his death at age 69.

“I had an epiphany when I met you and started working with you,” Madonna wrote on Instagram. “I realized that music did not have to fit into categories or genres. So we created our own.”

The superstar singer’s post included a clip of her acceptance speech at the 1999 Grammy Awards, where Orbit stood by her side as they accepted the award for best pop vocal album. Ray of Light peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200.

She continued, “You pressed a magic button inside of me and I fell into a galaxy of unrealized dreams. Your music gave me a magic carpet to fly on and I visited many places. Sad and Joyful.”

Orbit died at his home on July 23, but his death was announced Friday (Aug. 7). A cause of death was not given.

The producer first remixed Madonna songs including “Justify My Love” and “Erotica” before the pair collaborated on her 1998 album, Ray of Light. His signature sound, incorporating elements of techno, trip-hop and downtempo, can be heard throughout the album.

“I sang in ways I’d never sung before,” Madonna wrote in her tribute. “I used words without caring if they made sense or not. In many ways you were my Ray of Light — as was my daughter Lola who was born around this time.”

She added, “I was starting a new chapter, I was choosing another road to walk down — and you were right by my side with your crooked teeth and your genius, way of hearing music. The studio was often church like and I would sit in silence, waiting for your ideas to explode out of your keyboard or your guitar and then I would run with them…”

The pair frequently worked together over the following decade, with Orbit receiving production credits on “Beautiful Stranger,” “American Pie” and songs on Madonna’s 2000 album Music and 2012’s MDNA.

“I miss those days. Only you could inspire me to write a song like Drowned World or Swim. You were so otherworldly. So singular,” Madonna wrote. “The years passed and I moved on to make music with other people, but I have never forgotten you or the magical time we spent together. Goodbye Billy Bubbles. I was so lucky to have known you and fallen down the rabbit hole with you.”

See Madonna’s full tribute to Orbit on Instagram below.

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

Millions of viewers around the world have fallen in love with KPop Demon Hunters, with the Oscar-winning film now ranking as Netflix’s most-watched original movie of all time.

But if you’re like me, you’ve also fallen asleep to the film, with the moody scenes and haunting soundtrack (occasionally) serving as an ideal backdrop to doze off too. I’ve seen the movie so many times, the songs are almost like meditation for me.

Now, there’s another way to fall asleep with the film, as Walmart is selling a weighted “pillow buddy” inspired by the supernatural tiger, Derpy.

CALMING EFFECTS

KPop Demon Hunters Derpy Weighted Pillow Buddy

$18.93

Buy Now AT WALMART

Similar to a weighted blanket or weighted heating pad, this plush toy is stuffed with beans to help it sit upright and also provide gentle pressure against your chest or body.

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Walmart doesn’t give the exact specs for this new release, but in my experience, similar weighted stuffed animals typically weigh less than two pounds, so you’re not in danger of being smushed or crushed. Instead, it’s like a gentle hug that can often help with anxiety, restlessness or insomnia. The feeling of having the cuddly 18-inch Derpy toy against the body “provides a comforting, cozy feel,” per a product description.

This stuffed toy is made from a soft “velboa” material, which mimics the look and feel of velvet. The colorful plushie features Derpy’s expressive eyes, toothy grin and leopard-style spots and stripes. While he follows owner Jinu around in the film, this version of the blue tiger can now be your companion at home.

PLUSH PILLOW

KPop Demon Hunters Sleeping Derpy Tiger

$39.99

Buy Now On Amazon

Looking for another Derpy pillow option? More than 1,000 shoppers have picked up this “Sleeping Derpy” pillow in the last month alone, per Amazon.

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This plush toy features the tiger in his sleeping pose, which may inspire you to fall asleep as well. This plushie isn’t weighted, but at 18 inches, it’s perfectly sized for a snuggle. Both of the Derpy pillows are part of Netflix’s official KPop Demon Hunters merch line.

The stuffed animals come on the heels of other KPop Demon Hunters toy releases in recent months, including an official Squishmallows collection and official HUNTR/X Mattel dolls.

SET OF TWO

GISEO Cartoon Pillow Covers

$18.99

Buy Now ON AMAZON

You can also pick up this fan-made pillow cover set, which features two versions of the HUNTR/X trio posing in their performance outfits.

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Sized for your couch, chair or bed, the Amazon deal gets you two 18 x 18-inch pillow covers inspired by KPop Demon Hunters. Keep in mind: you’ll need to buy the actual pillows separately (we like this top-rated throw pillow here).

You can shop for more KPop Demon Hunters bedroom accessories, like blankets and bedding, here.

ALSO AVAILABLE

Toy Story Buzz Lightyear Weighted Pillow Buddy

$18.93

Buy Now AT WALMART

Walmart, meantime, sells other weighted toys, like this Buzz Lightyear plushie, which measures 23 inches in size (just under two feet).

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A bestseller online, shoppers give the weighted plush an average 4.9-star review out of five, with reviewers praising everything from the toy’s “sensory soothing” abilities, to the fact that you can toss it in the washing machine and dryer.