President Donald Trump‘s makeover of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., has hit some roadblocks as a federal judge ordered Friday (May 29) that the president could not add his name to the historic building’s title.

U.S. District Judge Casey Cooper stated in a new 94-page opinion that the Kennedy Center board — of which Trump is the chairman, as voted on in February last year by the members he appointed during his overhaul of the institution — violated the law by moving to change its name to “The Donald Trump and The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.” The judge also ordered the removal of any reference to the sitting POTUS’ name displayed on the building’s signage or website within the next two weeks.

“The Kennedy Center’s organic statute makes crystal clear ‌that ⁠the Center is to be named for President Kennedy, and it cannot bear any other formal name or ​public memorial ​based ⁠on the Board’s unilateral say-so,” Cooper wrote in his opinion. “Congress gave the Kennedy ​Center its name, and only ​Congress ⁠can change it.”

Additionally, the federal official permanently blocked the center from planned renovations that would close the Kennedy Center for two years, writing that the board had “neglected to consider the full range of its statutory obligations” to continue operating as a performing arts venue in memorial to President Kennedy, as well as the “potential adverse consequences of closure on programming and memorial functions.”

In a statement shared with Billboard, however, Roma Daravi, the vp of Kennedy Center public relations, expressed an intent to push back on the order. “We are confident that on appeal, the court will uphold the Board’s will to recognize President Trump’s historic contributions to our nation’s cultural center.”

“We will review the decision carefully though the reality remains — the Center requires an urgent and significant restoration,” Daravi continued of the halt on renovations. “With $257 million secured by President Trump and approved by Congress, the resources are in place and we remain committed to pursuing every lawful avenue to ensure the Trump Kennedy Center is restored as a national cultural landmark for all Americans to enjoy.”

Billboard has reached out to the White House for comment.

Trump’s relationship to the facility has drastically switched from his first turn in office, during which he became the first president to choose not to attend the Kennedy Center Honors, aside from rare instances where urgent political matters required attention instead. Since winning reelection in 2024, the billionaire politician has embedded himself in the institution, removing 18 members previously selected by Joe Biden from the center’s board and replacing them with his own appointees.

Trump’s takeover of the Kennedy Center also came with a personal promise to remove “Drag Shows specifically targeting our youth” from programming, the president wrote on Truth Social last year. This past December, the board moved to rename the building in Trump’s honor in a vote his administration described as “unanimous,” though that has been contested by some people who attended the meeting at which the decision was made.

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What could make a matchup between pro football clubs Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain F.C. even more exciting? Enter The Killers.

The band is set to perform at the 2026 UEFA Champions League Final Kick Off Show at Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary, on Saturday (May 30) at 11:45 a.m. ET/8:45 a.m. PT. The highly anticipated matchup between Arsenal and PSG kicks off at 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT.

It’s likely The Killers will perform some of their top hits, as seen on the Billboard charts, including “Mr. Brightside” and “When You Were Young.” The live kick off show and the championship match are available to watch via Paramount+.

Where to Watch 2026 UEFA Champions League Final Kick Off Show Online, At a Glance:

The best way to watch is with the streaming service’s Essentials plan for $8.99 a month. When subscribed to this ad-supported plan, you’ll be able to tune into the kickoff show and the Arsenal and PSG match, plus you’ll gain access to Paramount’s library of TV shows and movies, the ability to watch on three devices at once, and select Showtime series.

In addition, the Premium subscription, which goes for $13.99 per month, allows you to watch the match in premium 4K video quality. Unlike Essentials, the Premium tier offers ad-free movies and TV shows, although you’ll still have ads on live matches.

Subscribers will also gain access to all of Showtime’s exclusive and original programs, local CBS stations, additional live sports and the ability to download content to watch on-the-go.

“When we were asked to perform at the UEFA Champions League Final Kick Off Show presented by Pepsi, we said, ‘Yes’ without hesitation; some stages speak for themselves. We’re honored to celebrate the incredible teams and players at what will undoubtedly be an epic match,” said The Killers in a statement from Pepsi.

More on The Killers & 2026 UEFA Champions League

The news of The Killers’ show at the 2026 UEFA Champions League Final broke on March 26 and was accompanied by the release of a short film that featured the band alongside football legend Sir David Beckham. In the ad, Beckham cracks open a Pepsi and challenges The Killers frontman Brandon Flowers to a race to the UEFA Champions League final in Budapest. You can watch the video here.

Linkin Park performed ahead of the 2025 UEFA Champions League Final between PSG and Inter Milan in Munich, while Lenny Kravitz performed at the event in 2024 at London’s Wembley Stadium, ahead of the matchup between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid.

This year, Arsenal are gunning for its first-ever Champions League title. The last time the club reached the final was in 2006, when they lost to Barcelona. However, PSG are trying to win another title, hoping to make history with a back-to-back win. Both clubs are looking to make history in their own way. Who will come out on top? Only time will tell. The UEFA Champions League is one of the most prestigious competitions in the world of soccer.

Last we caught up with The Killers, the group was busy headlining the 2026 Tecate Pa’l Norte festival in Monterrey, Mexico. This is the third time the American rock band has headlined the multigenre festival. The show kicked off with “Mr. Brightside,” followed by “Spaceman,” “The Way It Was,” “Shot at the Night” and “For Reasons Unknown.” 

The global pandemic in 2020 was a defining moment for Jombriel. 

Sixteen at the time, the artist born Jonathan Gabriel Cedeño Romero (his real name) took advantage of the COVID-19 lockdown from his native Esmeraldas in Ecuador to educate himself on how to write music. 

“I’ve always loved music — ever since I was a little kid. I used to grab the remote control and sing along to old-school reggaetón songs,” he tells Billboard, referencing Zion and Arcángel as some of his favorite acts.” I decided to become a singer during the pandemic because I had nothing else to do. It would take me about a week to write the lyrics for a song — I’d write it line by line — and over time, I gradually found my flow. I never could have imagined that all of this would happen. I loved music, but back then, I only pursued it as a hobby.” 

During that time, he quickly understood the power of social media, saying: “I saw other artists uploading a sound to TikTok and it going viral, so I started doing the same. I needed people to know more about me.”

His plan worked. 

Why Jombriel Is an Up-and-Coming Latin Artist

By 2025, his track “Parte y Choke” — a fusion of dancehall with reggaetón in collaboration with Alex Krack and Jotta — not only went viral across social media, but it also received the remix treatment from Ryan Castro, and it charted across multiple Billboard charts, including the Billboard Global 200 and a No. 1 peak on the Billboard Argentina Hot 100.

His follow-up single, “Vitamina” with Colombian newcomer DFZM, also made noise on the Billboard charts, and it shattered records as the most-streamed song in a single day in Ecuador. Surprisingly, it was part of Barack Obama’s “Favorite Music of 2025” list, joining other Spanish-language acts including Rosalía, Xavi and Manuel Turizo. 

“We made that song at 5 a.m. while eating tuna salad — because we always eat tuna salad before making any song… it really puts you in the right vibe,” he laughs. “With ‘Parte y Choke’, people were left craving more, but the moment I uploaded ‘Vitamina’, I knew for a fact it was going to blow up — though I never imagined it would go global.”

Last year, Jombriel, 23, signed a deal with Warner Music Latina and dropped his debut studio album Jombriel de la Suerte. This year, he was the top winner at Premios REM — Ecuador’s biggest music awards show. 

“I would love for everyone to know who I am and to realize that there is a wealth of talent in Ecuador — it’s not just Jombriel,” he shares. “More than just making it big, I want to build a lasting career and serve as an inspiration for the new wave of artists coming up. I want my music to reach every corner of the globe because it radiates such a beautiful sense of joy. My songs are meant for everyone to enjoy to the fullest.” 

Best Songs to Start With

The song that ultimately put Jombriel on the map, “Parte y Choke” became his first Billboard chart entry thanks to a remix by Ryan Castro in 2025.

“Vitamina”—just like many of Jombriel’s music—is an innovative fusion of dancehall, reggae, and Latin urban beats.

Powered by a catchy transition beat, “Combi Completa” was voted by fans as their favorite Billboard New Music Latin release on May 22.

What’s Next for Jombriel

In the span of his six-year career that includes chart-topping hits and many award recognitions, the Ecuadorian star says his biggest accomplishment has been buying a house for his mother and son (he became a first-time father on Christmas Eve 2025).

“With my first royalty check, I bought my mom a house,” he says. “We come from a humble family, and my biggest dream was always to buy my mom a home of her own. We never had anything of our own, and with the very little she had, my mom supported my little brother and me. I always wanted to give my mom that dream so she could live in peace.”

Following the release of his latest single, “Combi Completa,” Jombriel will continue to release singles. Though he says he has no plans of releasing a new album this year, he admits that he recently spent time in Colombia, where he worked on about 30 songs, including his upcoming collaboration with trap star Kris R. called “Esclavo” set for June 25.

Past Billboard 2026 Up-and-Coming Latin Artists

Julieta Venegas revived the song “La Niña Futbolista,” an old track by the Mexican children’s rock band Patita de Perro, in an exciting new version accompanied by the Mexican National Conservatory of Music Choir. The song, along with its video, was unveiled on Friday (May 29) by the Mexican government to promote messages of inclusion and women’s participation in sports ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The original 2003 track was written by Ignacio Silva. Venegas’ new version, with arrangements by producer Yamil Resc, came about through an invitation from Mexico’s Secretaría de las Mujeres, a federal agency that promotes women’s advancement through gender equality and respect for human rights.

“I really liked being invited by the Secretaría de las Mujeres to create a version of ‘La Niña Futbolista,’” Venegas said in a statement to Billboard Español. “The whole time we were working on the song, I imagined a girl who dreams of playing soccer, and someone telling her she can’t do it.”

“I think all women have, at some point, been told there’s something a woman supposedly ‘can’t do,’” added the Tijuana-born singer-songwriter, who recently received the Artistic Excellence Award at Billboard Latin Women in Music 2026. “I wanted to inspire girls and women not to let anything hold them back, but to go after what they want. I made it with a lot of love. I hope it inspires them to play and have fun.”

During the song’s presentation at President Claudia Sheinbaum’s morning conference, Culture Secretary Claudia Curiel de Icaza recalled that the idea to invite Venegas originated months ago as a proposal by Citlalli Hernández, the then-minister of Secretaría de las Mujeres.

Curiel de Icaza later explained on X: “This project was born at the @mujeresgobmx with @CitlaHM in collaboration with @cultura_mx to share a very clear message with girls and boys: the field is also for girls, and no dream should be limited by stereotypes.”

The track, featuring empowering lyrics, comes with a video produced by the public broadcaster Canal 22 and was recorded at the legendary Estudios Churubusco, the largest film production facility in Latin America, where great classics from the Golden Age of Mexican Cinema were filmed.

The presentation of the song is part of Mexico’s official activities leading up to the 2026 World Cup, which the country is cohosting alongside the United States and Canada. This will mark the third time the Latin American nation is hosting World Cup matches, following the 1970 and 1986 editions.

The opening ceremony will take place on June 11 at Estadio Ciudad de México (Estadio Banorte, formerly known as Estadio Azteca) with a musical show featuring major artists such as Maná, Alejandro Fernández, J Balvin, Belinda, Lila Downs, Los Ángeles Azules, Danny Ocean and Tyla.

Watch the video for “La Niña Futbolista” above.

Universal Music Group (UMG) said on Friday (May 29) its board had reviewed Bill Ackman’s investment firm Pershing Square’s merger offer that would have moved UMG’s primary stock listing to a U.S.-based exchange, saying the April 7 bid “fundamentally and materially undervalues UMG and will not deliver superior value creation,” in a press release.

The decision follows comments from UMG’s largest shareholder, the Bolloré Group, which owns a combined 28% of UMG’s shares. Cyrille Bolloré, CEO of the Bolloré Group, urged the board to reject the offer, which needs Bolloré’s support to succeed, arguing the price was too low and that Pershing’s takeover bid was structured as an offer “with our money, the company’s money…not with his own money.” Pershing owns roughly 5% of UMG’s stock currently, down from around 10% at its height, and the deal would have resulted in it owning roughly 11% of the new company.

UMG said the board heard from many concerned shareholders and believes there is “strong consensus” behind rejecting the bid, especially following the board’s approval to double its share buyback program, sell half of the company’s stock in Spotify and disclose more detailed financial information.

“UMG has built an unrivaled position in the music industry through clear vision and strong execution,” Sherry Lansing, chairman of the board, UMG said in a statement. “The Board has full confidence in [UMG chairman and CEO Lucian Grainge] and his team’s ability to deliver sustainable growth and continued value creation for all stakeholders.”

Pershing Square, which owns about 5% of UMG, proposed to merge UMG with Pershing Square SPARC Holdings and move its headquarters from the Netherlands, where it currently domiciled and trades on the Euronext Amsterdam, to the U.S. state of Nevada and list the company on the New York Stock Exchange, something Pershing founder Ackman has lobbied for since 2024.

Pershing Square’s offer valued UMG at 55.55 billion euros ($64 billion) based on its forward-looking view that UMG’s stock will be 30.40 euros ($35) per share by the end of 2026. However, if shareholders had elected to receive cash or a mix of cash and stock, the offer would have been for 22 euros a share, or as little as 40.34 billion euros ($43 billion). While the ultimate makeup of equity and cash was undecided, $43 billion would have made the deal worth less than UMG’s valuation when it IPO’d.

In a letter outlining Pershing’s offer, Ackman said UMG’s share price was hurt by not being listed in the U.S., which opens it to more institutional investors and possibly future inclusion in a major stock index, as well as a lack of public capital allocation plan and other key financial disclosures that would help investors better understand the company’s value.

In response, Grainge said on the company’s most recent earnings call that the UMG board had approved a doubling of its share buy-back program to 1 billion euros and the sale of half of UMG’s equity stake in Spotify, with a portion of the proceeds going to UMG artists as a non-recoupable check. Taylor Swift may have had something to do with that.

In its statement, UMG emphasized the company has increased revenue by 60% and adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization by nearly 70% since it went public in 2021, and has for the past three years straight represented nine of the top 10 top-selling artists, according to the IFPI Global Artist Chart.

“We remain committed to leading the industry by attracting the world’s top talent, deepening fan engagement globally, and driving innovation,” Grainge said in the statement. “Central to that mission is fostering an environment that champions human creativity, protects artists, songwriters and entrepreneurs, and expands opportunities for growth and success. As we execute our strategy and deliver maximum long-term value, we look forward to providing shareholders with greater insight into the drivers of our performance and future direction of our business.”