BTS is giving fans permission to dance at the band’s first concert in years — so long as they do it safely.

In posts on Weverse on Thursday (March 19), both RM and Jin reminded ARMY to stay alert and compliant with safety precautions ahead of the group’s highly anticipated comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul. “Everyone in ARMY! We are also very excited to meet you,” wrote RM, according to Weverse’s English translation. “As it is a gathering place for many people, please make sure that everyone can enjoy the performance safely and joyfully.”

“Please follow the guidance of the field staff and safety personnel on the day and show an orderly appearance,” he continued. “I think a better performance can be completed only when there is order and consideration made by each ARMY. I would like to say thank you so much to the police officers who are working hard for safety, as well as to the fire department, the government and local governments.”

On his page, Jin wrote, “There’s only one day left until our comeback.”

“It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to greet you all together in a meaningful place, and I want to say thank you so much to those who helped and everyone who understood,” he continued before echoing RM’s plea. “We’ll do our best to show great performances! If you’re watching on the spot, please pay attention to your safety!”

The members’ messages come one day after Seoul raised its terror alert by one step, elevating it to the second-lowest level on a four-step scale, according to The Guardian. The city expects up to 260,000 people to crowd the surrounding area of BTS’ free performance at Gwanghwamun Square on Saturday (March 21), which will celebrate new album ARIRANG dropping the day prior.

As previously reported by Billboard Korea, Seoul will position 6,500 police officers, 70 riot control units and 5,400 pieces of specialized equipment on the scene on the day of the show.

BTS hasn’t performed as a group since October 2022, when the septet performed in Busan as part of South Korea’s bid to host the World Expo in 2023. Shortly afterward, the members staggered their enlistments in the military to carry out their mandatory service periods while working on solo projects as well.

After the comeback show in Seoul — which will be livestreamed on Netflix for ARMY who can’t attend in person — the Bangtan Boys will travel to New York City to perform and answer fan questions as part of a Spotify event on March 23. Two days later, the bandmates will appear on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon for their first late-night interview as a group since completing their time in the military. They’ll also perform songs from ARIRANG on back-to-back episodes of the program.

For Lea Michele, the current Broadway revival of Chess — the beloved but short-lived 1988 musical by ABBA’s Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus and Tim Rice that’s since become a cult favorite among musical theater fans — is a full-circle, and pivotal, career moment. Chess is currently playing at the Imperial Theatre, where she made her own Broadway debut as Young Cosette in Les Misérables at age 8. It’s her first big Broadway role since her monumental performance as Fanny Brice in the 2022 revival of Funny Girl.

And as Florence — a brilliant chess strategist caught in a love triangle between tormented American and Russian champions (played by Aaron Tveit and Nicholas Christopher, respectively) — Michele gets to shine in a role that runs the dramatic and vocal gamut, showing just how far she’s come since playing Rachel Berry on Glee. Florence is a woman who “lives internally, and occasionally she has these emotional moments where you get a glimpse into what she’s feeling,” Michele tells Billboard. One of those moments: “Nobody’s Side,” Michele’s first big solo that brings down the house each night.

For the actress, it’s a major moment to connect with audience members on an individual level — so while it’s a vocal showpiece, Michele was adamant to approach it grounded in character. “I’m not really impressed by tricks; I think there’s a fine line between showing off and truth,” she says. “What I care most about in that moment is that you hear in my voice the message I’m trying to deliver: that there’s no one you can trust except for yourself. And Florence is in it for herself, and it is a game of one.”

This spring, the Chess 2025 Broadway cast recording will be released digitally on Ghostlight Records, and today Billboard premieres the first taste of the album with single “Nobody’s Side (Chess The Musical),” which will be available on DSPs at noon ET today (March 19).

Michele spoke about the thrill of performing it, the leading Chess ladies who’ve inspired her and what it’s like to have an ABBA songwriter as a rehearsal pianist.

“Nobody’s Side” feels like an 11 o’clock number — but it actually occurs fairly early on in the show, during Act One, and is your first big solo. How do you approach it both technically and as an actor?

To have this moment so early on really helps me to sort of set the pace and the tone and the energy for my entire performance. I really enjoy getting to do it as early as I do every night. This is the most challenging vocal show I’ve done in my life — and I just played Fanny Brice so that’s saying a lot! There’s no moment to really stop and feel tired or any kind of fatigue — you just have to let go and go on this vocal extravaganza rollercoaster. And “Nobody’s Side” is like the big drop at the top of the rollercoaster ride. It’s this amazing launching pad.

There’s a visceral feeling in the theater that a large portion of the audience is anticipating this song coming and how big a deal it is. Can you feel that onstage?

I definitely see them being like, “Oh wow, we’re doing this, she’s looking at me, she’s saying these words to me,” and I see them suddenly go from watching the show to really deeply connecting and engaging with who Florence is. Getting to sing “Don’t Rain on My Parade” [in Funny Girl] was an unbelievable out-of-body experience every night but this is empowering in a different, equally wonderful way. For so many reasons — for the words, what I have to do vocally — to have that moment with the audience and lock eyes and hands metaphorically, it’s so exciting.

You had the unique experience of getting to work with three living music legends on this show: Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus of ABBA and Tim Rice. What was that like?

When we did our sitzprobe [the rehearsal where the cast sings with the orchestra for the first time], I got to sit by a piano with Benny and Björn playing it for me, hearing their thoughts on the parts of the show that mean so much to them. I think of them writing this music — and I get to bring it to life each night! I can’t believe I get to sing Tim Rice’s music. I think I was born to sing Tim Rice’s songs — this is the type of music I believe I was vocally born to sing. I’ve had many opportunities to collaborate with him on Florence, and as long as I’m making him proud I think I’m doing something right.

You are the latest in a line of iconic Broadway women who have played Florence. Have you heard any of their takes on this song, or their advice on the role in general?

Obviously Idina [Menzel] inspired me to do this part. I’ve been friends with Idina for many years and her version from the London concert [production] I first listened to on a very late night on a two show day of Funny Girl. And Michael Mayer [that show and Chess’ director] said, “If you resonate with this song, you’re gonna want to play this character,” and he was right. I listened to it in my kitchen in the dark at midnight and I could have said yes right then and there, and that was really thanks to Idina. She’s such an icon.

And funny enough, in rehearsal I sang “Nobody’s Side” for the first time back in September — and this isn’t a song I’d sung so many times throughout my life — and the first time I ever played it in front of our cast, I walked out of the room and I started to cry. And standing right in front of me was Judy Kuhn, who originated Florence on Broadway. I swear to God my entire body went numb, it was like I saw a ghost. I could cry thinking about it.

How different did it feel performing this in the studio for the cast recording instead of for a live theater audience?

I was certainly very concerned that with “Nobody’s Side” in particular I wouldn’t feel the same energy as I do every night — but I have to say I f–king loved it. I will cry right now – recording “Nobody’s Side” in the studio was one of the most incredible moments of my life professionally. Every night I have our incredible ensemble behind me, and I think of them like our heartbeat, our pulse, and it fuels me every night — but in the studio we were standing in a circle, and I got to see everyone, and that was just so exciting. Something just came over me in the booth and I felt the same way I do on the stage every night but maybe even more excited, locking eyes with my castmates.

I love “Nobody’s Side” more than any other song I’ve sung. When I walked offstage after Funny Girl, I was so worried I wouldn’t find a show again that I’d connect with so deeply, and I really needed a new anthem — and I heard this song and thought, “This is my new anthem.” And in the studio I was so grateful that everything aligned, and for this to now be a new generation’s recording of Chess? I was just so so happy that day. It was f–king thrilling.

Billboard premieres Lea Michele’s recording of “Nobody’s Side” here.

Nearly two decades after Taemin debuted with SHINee, the K-pop superstar has reached yet another landmark moment in a career that continues to break new ground.

Billboard can exclusively reveal that the Grammy Museum will open “TAEMIN: Performer. Artist. Icon.” on April 1, 2026, dedicated to displaying and celebrating the singer-songwriter-dancer’s career and influence — making him the first K-pop soloist to receive such recognition from the Los Angeles institution.

Running through May 25, 2026, the exhibit offers fans and visitors a deeper look at aspects behind Taemin’s famous stage presence. On display are two distinctive performance looks: the striking red-and-black outfit he wore throughout his Ephemeral Gaze World Tour, as well as the all-white ensemble he wore during his Veil concert and live on The Kelly Clarkson Show in 2025. Accompanying the garments include Taemin’s customized in-ear monitors and white stage microphone, his official lightstick, and — perhaps most movingly — a handwritten note addressed directly to his fans.

“Each performance is a story I share with my fans,” Taemin shares in a statement. “These outfits and artifacts hold memories of those moments on stage. I hope visitors can feel the passion and love for music that has guided my journey. I’m truly honored to have my stage outfits displayed at the Grammy Museum.”

That journey began in 2008 when a then-14-year-old Lee Taemin debuted as part of SM Entertainment’s vocal quintet SHINee, quickly distinguishing himself as a singer and dancer of rare technical command despite such a young start. SHINee was one of K-pop’s first pioneers on the Billboard charts, sending their single “Lucifer” to No. 3 on the World Digital Song Sales chart, setting a new peak on the chart for Korean acts at the time. SHINee has since sent 36 entries to the chart, including 23 Top 10 hits, alongside a dozen entries on the World Albums chart, two of which reached No. 1.

Taemin debuted as a soloist in 2014 with the release of Ace, his first of seven solo entries on World Albums. He’s also earned 15 hits on World Digital Song Sales so far, with last year’s “Veil” reaching No. 3 on the chart, matching his previous career high with “Press Your Number” from 2016. Taemin is also a member of the all-star K-pop group SuperM, which hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with their self-titled debut EP.

“Taemin is a truly influential artist whose impact extends far beyond the stage,” said Grammy Museum curator Kelsey Goelz. “His distinctive performances, innovative style and artistic vision have helped shape the global rise of K-pop. We’re honored to showcase these iconic stage outfits and artifacts that celebrate his artistry and cultural impact.”

After last year’s Ephemeral Gaze World Tour — which included sold-out dates in the U.S., Latin America, and Europe — Taemin kicked off his 2026 with a sold-out headlining concert at Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas in January, before he signed with his new label Galaxy Corporation, the same agency that represents fellow K-pop icon G-Dragon. It all comes before Taemin performs at Coachella 2026 in his first major U.S. festival appearance.

Tickets for “TAEMIN: Performer. Artist. Icon.” are on sale now via the Grammy Museum.

Taylor Swift is set to make a special appearance at the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards, in what is billed as her first awards show appearance this year.

The annual awards show will air live from Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Thursday, March 26 (8-10 p.m. ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX and will also be heard on iHeartRadio stations nationwide and on the iHeartRadio app.

Swift is the most-awarded artist at the iHearts, having received 34 of their prizes. She’s the only artist who has won song of the year twice – for “Shake It Off” in 2015 and “Anti-Hero” in 2023. Swift won the iHeartRadio Innovator Award in 2023 and a special Tour of the Century award in 2025. She is this year’s most-nominated artist with nine nominations.

The iHearts will also honor John Mellencamp with the 2026 iHeartRadio Icon Award, an award that has previously gone to Bon Jovi, Elton John, Jennifer Lopez, P!nk, Cher and Mariah Carey. Mellencamp will also perform at the event.

Additionally, Kehlani has been added as a performer. Kehlani won her first two Grammys on Feb. 1 – best R&B song and best R&B performance, both for her smash “Folded.” Kehlani joins previously announced performers Alex Warren, Lainey Wilson, Ludacris, RAYE, and performing for the first time together, TLC, Salt-N-Pepa and En Vogue.

Hosted by Ludacris, the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards will feature appearances by Alysa Liu, Ne-Yo, Nicole Scherzinger, Nikki Glaser, sombr, Weezer and more. Sombr won best alternative at the MTV Video Music Awards last September and was nominated for best new artist both at that show and at the 2026 Grammys. Glaser has hosted the Golden Globes the last two years running.

As previously announced, Ludacris will receive the 2026 iHeartRadio Landmark Award, Miley Cyrus will be honored with the 2026 iHeartRadio Innovator Award and Alex Warren will receive the 2026 iHeartRadio Breakthrough Artist of the Year Award. 

Previous recipients of the Landmark Award are Green Day, TLC and Nelly. Previous recipients of the Innovator Award are Pharrell Williams, Justin Timberlake, U2, Bruno Mars, Chance the Rapper, Alicia Keys, Swift, Beyoncé and Lady Gaga.

The 13th annual iHeartRadio Music Awards will celebrate the most-played artists and songs on iHeartRadio stations and the iHeartRadio app throughout 2025. Executive producers are Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon and Jeannaé Rouzan-Clay for Jesse Collins Entertainment (JCE); John Sykes, Tom Poleman and Bart Peters for iHeartMedia; and FOX Entertainment Studios.

Three weeks after his passing at age 86 on Feb. 27, Neil Sedaka‘s cause of death has been revealed. According to the New York Post, the “Love Will Keep Us Together” singer died of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, a chronic condition caused by the buildup of fats, cholesterol and other substances in artery walls — often referred to as plaque — which can cause arteries to narrow, blocking blood flow resulting in blood clots that can lead to heart attack or stroke, according to the Mayo Clinic.

The Post said kidney failure also contributed to Sedaka’s passing, according to a death certificate reportedly obtained by the paper, which noted that his occupation was listed as singer-songwriter and that he was embalmed at the Hollywood Funeral Home and buried at Beth Olam Cemetery in Los Angeles on March 3.

“Our family is devastated by the sudden passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Neil Sedaka,” the singer’s family said in a statement posted to the singer’s Instagram account announcing the death of the legendary singer known for hits such as the Billboard Hot 100 No. 1s “Bad Blood,” “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do” and “Laughter in the Rain.”

“A true rock n’ roll legend, an inspiration to millions, but most importantly, at least to those of us who were lucky enough to know him, an incredible human being who will be deeply missed.”

Born March 13, 1939, in Brooklyn, N.Y., Sedaka began his career while still in his teens in the 1950s, becoming one of the world’s first teen pop stars. He formed the doo-wop group The Tokens before meeting his neighbor, Howard Greenfield, who would become his songwriting partner. According to Sedaka’s biography, their partnership helped the duo sell 40 million records between 1959 and 1964.

In all, Sedaka had 30 songs reach the Hot 100, with nine reaching the top 10, along with 11 albums that made it onto the Billboard 200 album chart, including 1975’s The Hungry Years, which hit No. 16, his chart peak, in December of that year.

In April 2024, Sedaka partnered with Primary Wave to acquire a stake to the masters and publishing rights of his entire catalog, including everything he wrote, performed and penned for other artists.

He released his final album in 2016, I Do It For Applause.