Fans Choose Miley Cyrus‘ ’Flowers’ as This Week’s Favorite New Music

Miley Cyrus‘ new single “Flowers” has topped this week’s new music poll.

Music fans voted in a poll published Friday (Jan. 13) on Billboard, choosing Cyrus’ uplifting track as their favorite new music release of the past week.

“Flowers” brought in more than 59% of the vote, beating out new music from Bizarrap and Shakira, Sam Smith and more.

The dance-ready, midtempo pop track is the first taste of Cyrus’ upcoming album Endless Summer Vacation, and it’s all about being more than comfortable on her own — and in her own skin — after a breakup.

“I can buy myself flowers, write my name in the sand/ Talk to myself for hours, yeah, some things you don’t understand/ But I can take myself dancing, yeah/ I can hold my own hand/ Yeah, I can love me better than you can,” she sings.

Trailing behind the pop star’s “Flowers” on the fan-voted poll is Bizarrap and Shakira’s “Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53,” with 36% of the vote.

See the final results of this week’s poll below.

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7 Highlights From L.A. Concert Saluting A&M Records Co-Founder Jerry Moss 

A&M Records has long been admired for being an artist-oriented label. That point was made again and again at “Live at the Music Center: Concert Celebrating A&M Records Co-Founder Jerry Moss,” held on Saturday (Jan. 14) at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles.

The show was hosted by David Foster and featured live performances by longtime A&M artists Herb Alpert, Amy Grant and Peter Frampton, as well as Dionne Warwick, among others.

The point about A&M’s artist focus was made most vividly in a videotaped recollection from former A&M executive Jim Guerinot, who recalled looking at an A&M artist’s declining sales fortunes and going to Moss with a blunt question. “Why are we even putting out this artist’s 13th record, when it will likely lose money?” he asked. In his telling, Moss’ reply was “It’s because she’s an A&M artist.”

At A&M, it was that simple. The label believed in its artists and put them first. Alpert, who formed A&M with Moss in 1962, talked about that artist focus in his remarks which preceded a performance of his 1968 smash “This Guy’s in Love With You.”

“A&M was really special,” Alpert said. “I know why they [the artists] liked us – We were on their side. I was at RCA [as an artist in the early 1960s]. They treated me terribly. I vowed that if I ever had a record company, it would have to be the artist first.”

In 2020, Moss and his wife Tina donated $25 million to the Music Center to expand access to its programs to people of all backgrounds. This salute was the Music Center’s way of saying thank you for that generous gift, and it was the participating artists’ way of saying thank you for Moss’ belief and support. As Peter Frampton said, “Thank you, Jerry Moss, for my entire career.”

Here are seven highlights from the salute to Jerry Moss:

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Maude Apatow to Make Her Off-Broadway Debut in ‘Little Shop of Horrors’

Maude Apatow is taking her talents from the small screen to Off-Broadway.

The Euphoria actress will be making her New York stage debut in Michael Mayer’s Little Shop of Horrors revival. She will be appearing in the production from Feb. 7 to April 2 as Audrey, taking over the role from Tony Away winner Lena Hall.

Mayer said in a news release, “I have long admired the emotional intelligence and vulnerability Maude has displayed on television and in film. She’s a natural fit for Audrey.”

He continued, “It delighted me to learn that, as a child, Little Shop was her gateway into her lifelong love of performing, and that this show gets to be her professional stage debut. We’re thrilled to have her become a part of the Little Shop legacy.”

Apatow is most well-known for playing Lexi Howard in Euphoria. In the show’s award-winning second season, she wrote, directed and starred in her own fictional play — and now she gets to star in a real one.

“We are overjoyed to welcome another incredible performer to the show,” Little Shop of Horrors producer Robert Ahrens said. “With her beautiful voice and immense talent, we cannot wait to see Maude light up the stage alongside Matt Doyle’s brilliant portrayal of Seymour.”

The actress recently told The Hollywood Reporter what would be considered “euphoria” for her character of Lexi in the HBO show.

“Freedom from yourself and your thoughts and negative thoughts, negative self-talk,” Apatow said. “Once that’s out of the way, you can realize your full potential, and I think that’ll probably [be] hers: stop attacking herself.”

This article originally appeared on The Hollywood Reporter.

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Chrissy Teigen Gives Birth, Welcomes New Baby With John Legend

Happy new year indeed! Chrissy Teigen gave birth and welcomed a new child with John Legend on Friday (Jan. 13), a rep confirms to Billboard.

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The singer-songwriter announced the happy news during a private concert that evening, People was first to report. “What a blessed day,” Legend told attendees, according to the publication. The 12-time Grammy winner also said that though he had spent a lot of time at the hospital and hadn’t gotten much sleep ahead of the event, he felt “energized” after the baby’s birth.

Some who attended the private performance also shared the news of the baby’s birth on Twitter. “@johnlegend just told us he had a baby this morning #congratulations,” wrote one.

The couple have not yet shared any additional details about their newborn.

The joyous arrival of Legend and Teigen’s new baby comes after the cookbook author suffered a pregnancy loss in September 2020. The model revealed at the time that they lost son Jack at 20 weeks after a pregnancy complication. She later shared more details, saying that the couple had learned Jack “would not survive,” and neither would she without medical intervention. “Let’s just call it what it was: It was an abortion,” the star said during Propper Daley’s “A Day of Unreasonable Conversation” summit in September. “An abortion to save my life for a baby that had absolutely no chance.” Teigen noted to attendees that at the time that the fact it was an abortion shocked her.

In February 2022, she shared that she was undergoing IVF treatment in order to conceive again, but asked her followers to not make comments about if she was pregnant or not.

“I honestly don’t mind the shots … they make me feel like a doctor/chemist … but the bloating is a bi—, so I humbly beg you to stop asking if I’m pregnant because while I know it’s said with excited, good intentions, it just kind of sucks to hear because I am the opposite of pregnant!” she wrote at the time.

Teigen announced her pregnancy news on Instagram in early August 2022 by sharing a series of baby bump mirror selfies. “The last few years have been a blur of emotions to say the least, but joy has filled our home and hearts again,” she captioned the post. “1 billion shots later (in the leg lately, as u can see!) we have another on the way. Every appointment I’ve said to myself, ‘ok if it’s healthy today I’ll announce’ but then I breathe a sigh of relief to hear a heartbeat and decide I’m just too nervous still. I don’t think I’ll ever walk out of an appointment with more excitement than nerves but so far, everything is perfect and beautiful and I’m feeling hopeful and amazing. Ok phew it’s been very hard keeping this in for so long!”

Legend and Teigen, who tied the knot in 2013, are parents to 5-year-old Luna and 4-year-old Miles.

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Feds bust $28M pandemic loan-fraud ring after tip on South Florida liquor store owner

At the height of the coronavirus outbreak, a South Florida man charged with drug dealing applied for and received a $250,000 federal government loan for his liquor store that was … Click to Continue »
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Maren Morris Addresses Country Music’s Treatment of LGBTQ+ Community on ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’: ‘I’m Sorry’

Maren Morris got emotional as she fulfilled a “decade-long dream” of serving as a guest judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race.

The country star appeared on Friday’s (Jan. 13) episode of the series and that night tweeted: “I’ve done some cool s—. #DragRace is rivaling it all. Getting my jacket framed next to my Grammy. It is DONE.”

In a post-episode Untucked clip, Morris was teary-eyed as she spoke from her heart to the room.

“Coming from country music and its relationship with LGBTQ+ members, I just want to say I’m sorry,” Morris said. “And I love you guys for making me feel like a brave voice in country music. So I just thank you guys so much for inspiring me.”

“I’m gonna cry,” she admitted.

In August, Morris showed her allyship when she called out the “unapologetically conservative” wife of Jason Aldean, Brittany, who spread hurtful anti-trans misinformation on her Instagram account. When Brittany called gender-affirming care for minors “one of the worst evils,” Morris and Cassadee Pope jumped in with comments, with Morris calling Aldean “Insurrection Barbie” and telling her to “not be a scumbag human.”

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When Fox News’ Tucker Carlson called Morris a “lunatic” for her comments, the singer created T-shirts that read “lunatic country music person,” and later donated more than $100,000 worth of proceeds to GLAAD’s Transgender Media Program and Trans Lifeline.

In November, Morris spoke out against Candace Cameron Bure for her plans to“keep traditional marriage at the core” of content on her new network, Great American Family. Morris commented “Make DJ Gay Again,” a reference to Bure’s most famous role as Full House‘s DJ Tanner.

“We love an ally! So grateful @marenmorris stopped by #Untucked to support our Queens with this heartfelt message,” the official Rupaul’s Drag Race Instagram account posted on Saturday (Jan. 14).

Watch Morris’ Untucked clip below.

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Boldy James in ‘Stable Condition’ After Serious Car Accident in Detroit

Boldy James was involved in an accident that left him in critical condition earlier this week, Griselda Records confirms. The rapper underwent “extensive” surgery and is currently in stable condition.

James was in a “serious two-car accident” in his hometown of Detroit on Monday (Jan. 9), the record label says.

“Boldy arrived at the hospital in critical condition, suffering from broken vertebrae in his neck and orthopedic injuries,” a statement released on Saturday reads. “After undergoing extensive surgery on his neck, Boldy has been removed from the intensive care unit and is now in stable condition.”

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“Boldy and his family would like to express their gratitude to the incredible doctors and nurses that are taking care of him, and also to the communities’ emergency personnel and first responders,” the statement says.

The prolific rapper, who’s collaborated with the Alchemist on several prior projects, released four albums in 2022: Killing Nothing with Real Bad Man, Fair Exchange No Robbery with Nicholas Craven, Mr. Ten08 with Futurewave and Be That as It May with Cuns. Last year, he also opened for Earl Sweatshirt and Action Bronson‘s co-headlining ÑBA Leather World Tour. James previously said he has a forthcoming album featuring unreleased work from the late J Dilla.

“My brother is gonna come back 10 times stronger,” the Alchemist wrote on Instagram Saturday. “Everyone wish The Jack God @boldyjames a speedy recovery,”

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How to Watch the 2023 Critics Choice Awards

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Awards season is here, with the Critics Choice Awards coming up this weekend.

Chelsea Handler is set to host the 28th annual event live from the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles on Sunday (Jan. 15). The ceremony will broadcast at 7 p.m. ET/PT on The CW.

While the Critics Choice Awards honor the best in film and television over the past year, a number of music stars have made the nominations cut. Lady Gaga’s “Hold My Hand,” Taylor Swift’s “Carolina,” and Rihanna’s “Lift Me Up” will battle it out in the best song category alongside “Ciao Papa” by Alexandre Desplat, Roeban Katz and Guillermo del Toro, LCD Soundsystem’s “New Body Rhumba,” and “Naatu Naatu” by Kala Bhairava, M.M. Keeravani and Rahul Sipligunj.

Elsewhere on the Critics Choice nominees list, Janelle Monáe earned a best supporting actress nod for her role in Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery. Monáe will also receive the SeeHer Award, which recognizes a woman who embodies the values of the SeeHer movement, which advocates for gender equality and accurate portrayals of women and girls in advertising and media.

For those without cable, The CW can be streamed live on DirectTV Stream, YouTube TV and fuboTV (in select markets), all of which offer free trials. Looking for a deal? T-Mobile customers can save $10 a month off YouTube TV for a year, DirectTV Stream is discounted $50 over five months and Sling TV is $20 for the first month.

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Elsewhere on the list of nominations, Everything Everywhere All At Once leads the pack with 14 nods. The Fabelman’s came in second place with 11 nods, followed by Babylon and The Banshees of Inisherin with nine nods, while Elvis and Tár snagged seven nominations each. See the full list of nominees here.

Actor Jeff Bridges will receive the Critics Choice Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Michelle Pfeiffer. Other presenters include Benjamin Bratt, Quinta Brunson, Cedric the Entertainer, Misha Collins, Claire Danes, Phoebe Dynevor, Ayo Edebiri, Eve Hewson, Jude Hill, Tyler Hoechlin, Sharon Horgan, Sarah Hyland, Troy Kotsur, Diego Luna, Natasha Lyonne, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Aubrey Plaza, Jean Smart, Anya Taylor-Joy, Miles Teller, Elizabeth Tulloch, Kerry Washington, and Jeremy Allen White.

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5 Uplifting Moments in Latin Music This Week (January 14)

From career milestones and new music releases to major announcements and more, Billboard editors highlight the latest news buzz in Latin music every week. Here’s what happened in the Latin music world this week.

Myke Towers Takes Over New York

Myke Towers’ 2023 is off to a great start, with the star making big moves in New York City. This week, the Puerto Rican rapper stopped by The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon to perform his Daddy Yankee-assisted track “Ulala,” which entered the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart last week. “Jimmy Fallon, thanks for having me see yall soon,” he wrote on Instagram. The following day, he took the feel-good track to Good Morning America, where he was rocking an all-white leather set and dark sunglasses. “Myke Towers is bringing us into the weekend with his hit song,” posted the official GMA Instagram account.

Bad Bunny Makes Coachella History

The 2023 Coachella lineup was officially unveiled this week, announcing Bad Bunny as its first-ever Latin headliner alonsgide BLACKPINK and Frank Ocean. A handful of Spanish-language acts are also set for the two-weekend festival including Rosalía, Kali Uchis, DannyLux, Eladio Carrión and Becky G, who makes her return to Coachella after being Karol G’s special guest last year, where they sang their anthem “MAMIII.” Coachella is is set to take place in Indio, Calif., on two consecutive weekends, from April 14-16 and then again April 21-23. 

Shakira Breaks the Internet

Shakira did not hold back in her first-ever Bizarrap collaboration. “BZRP Music Sessions, Vol. 53” — which finds the Colombian artist throwing fiery punches at her ex, soccer star Gerard Piqué, and his girlfriend Clara Chía Martí — became a trending topic this week, immediately skyrocketing to No. 1 on Spotify’s Top 50 Global chart. With more than 15 million streams, the catchy electro-pop track broke the record for the most-streamed Latin track in a single day in Spotify history.

Rauw Alejandro Makes Acting Debut

Rauw Alejandro, who celebrated his 30th birthday this week, is set to make his acting debut on Netflix. After teasing fans with TV stills, the Puerto Rican singer officially shared a snippet of one of the episodes he’s in. “Bebe, a pleasure [to meet you] my name is Diego!! and we can get to know each other more on ‘Sky Rojo’ via Netflix,” he captioned the post. In the clip, we see Rauw in an action-packed scene with Argentine singer and actress Lali Espósito. This week, the artist also unveiled the dates and venues to the North American leg of his 2023 Saturno World Tour. Read more information here.

La Ross Maria Is Engaged

Dominican newcomer La Ross Maria, who collaborated with Romeo Santos on “Tu Vas A Tener Que Explicarme” in 2020, is engaged! Earlier this week, the rapper shared a set of photos and videos of the moment her boyfriend and music producer Sammy The Greatest proposed. “Thank you, God, for sending me a man who’s beautiful, atentive, a gentleman and loving,” the 19-year-old singer wrote. “Today we celebrate one year, full of tests, adventures, challenging processes but above all much love and happiness.”

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Ray Cordeiro, Hong Kong DJ Who Broadcast for Six Decades, Dead at 98

Ray Cordeiro, who interviewed music acts including the Beatles during a six-decade career on Hong Kong radio that earned him the title of the world’s longest-working disc jockey, has died, his former employer announced. He was 98.

Cordeiro died Friday (Jan. 13), according to Radio Television Hong Kong, where he worked until 2021. It gave no cause of death.

Cordeiro, who was born in Hong Kong in 1924 of Portuguese descent, was recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s longest-working DJ.

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He joined Hong Kong’s public broadcaster in 1960 after working as a prison warden and bank clerk. His “All the Way With Ray” show of easy listening music was on RTHK Radio 3 for 51 years until his retirement.

“The audience followed me, grew up with me, and they’re all over the world now,” Cordeiro told The Associated Press in 2021 after his retirement. “They still listened to me on the internet.”

Cordeiro interviewed the Beatles, then the world’s biggest music act, in 1964 following a study course in London with the British Broadcasting Corp. He said John Lennon recounted their early days in Hamburg, Germany, where they lived in relative poverty and played in clubs.

Cordeiro said all four members of the Beatles autographed a magazine cover for him.

“It’s probably worth a fortune,” he said.

The broadcast of the Beatles interview on Hong Kong radio made Cordeiro a celebrity. He also interviewed other stars and met Elton John and Tony Bennett.

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