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Wilson Cruz and ‘Visible’ Team on LGBTQ Representation In 2020: ‘There Is a Lot More Work to Be Done’
Actor Wilson Cruz, producer Jessica Hargrave and director Ryan White participated in Billboard and The Hollywood Reporter’s Pride Summit on Saturday. During a live-streamed panel — titled “Apple TV+ Presents: Visibility” — the team behind Apple TV+’s docuseries Visible: Out on Television discussed the importance of LGBTQ representation in a time of unprecedented divisiveness. According to Cruz — an executive producer on the project — uplifting marginalized voices feels particularly meaningful as Pride marches are beginning to overlap with protests for the Black Lives Matter movement, reignited by the killing of George Floyd and unceasing police brutality against Black people. “In this moment, given everything that we are experiencing globally — not just here i...
Lilly Wachowski and Abby McEnany on the Power of Showcasing ‘Unpalatable Queers’ on TV
Lilly Wachowski and Abby McEnany — stars, writers and producers of Showtime’s LGBTQ-centered series Work in Progress — participated in Billboard and The Hollywood Reporter’s Pride Summit on Saturday. During their live-streamed discussion, titled “Work in Progress: Being Your Authentic Self in This Business” and sponsored by Wells Fargo, the talented duo spoke about the power of showcasing “unpalatable queers” in 2020. But first, Wachowski and McEnany touched on the intersection of Pride marches and protests for the reignited Black Lives Matter movement, a direct response to the killing of George Floyd and unceasing police brutality against Black people. “I think Lilly and I have been talking and we don’t know what we’re going to say. Th...
5 Uplifting Moments in Latin Music This Week (June 13)
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: A message from Becky G: The “They Ain’t Ready” singer took to social media to just check in on her fans earlier this week. The quick check-in comes after Becky G has been vocal on social media about her solidarity with the black lives movement and amid national outrage over systemic racism and police brutality. “I just wanted to check in on you guys and se how you’re all doing,” she starts the video. “And to tell you guys that I love you and I pray for you every single day for every single one of you and your families. ...
Jackson Browne & Quarantunes to Lead First Virtual Gala for Saban Community Clinic
The cost of treating COVID-19 patients has been a financial challenge for hospitals and smaller community based providers like the Saban Community Clinic which operates four community health centers in Los Angeles. “We have over $200,000 a month in extra medical expenses due to COVID for our doctors and nurses who are fighting everyday on the front line,” said board member Ellen Hoberman, who is hoping to raise more than $1 million Sunday night (June 14) for the clinic which has supported low income residents and the homeless population since 1967 when it opened as the Los Angeles Free Clinic. With their longtime home at the Beverly Hilton unavailable because of COVID-19, the gala will take place virtually via Zoom and include a special performance by legendary singer-songwriter ...
Diplo, St. Vincent, Candace Owens, Don Lemon & More React to Dave Chappelle’s Netflix Comedy Special ‘8:46′
Dave Chappelle had some raw but rigorous words to say about George Floyd’s murder in his Netflix comedy special 8:46 that was surprise-released on YouTube Thursday night (June 11). Titled after the amount of time former Officer Derek Chauvin spent kneeling on Floyd’s neck in Minnesota, the stand-up comedian discussed police brutality at length during his unrefined 27-minute segment. He also targeted some famous figures, including politically conservative commentator Candace Owens, who described Floyd as “neither a martyr or a hero” while reading his rap sheet in a video she posted last week. “I seen Candace Owens try to convince white America, ‘Don’t worry about it. He’s a criminal anyway.’ I don’t give a f— what this n...
Bad Bunny Speaks Out in Support of Blacks Lives Matter: ‘Forgive My Silence’
After going radio silent for a few weeks after he shared “bye, I left” on social media May 19, Bad Bunny has broken his silence and spoken out in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. In a poignant statement titled “Forgive Me” published in TIME magazine, the chart-topping artist asks his fans to forgive him for not speaking out sooner but, “I can’t even believe this is still happening. Maybe it’s because I’ve always seen people’s hearts and, in my house, I was always taught that we are all the same regardless of race, religion and surname; that we are all brothers/sisters. I SWEAR I don’t feel well, and I don’t think I can express myself properly.” Amid national outrage and protests following the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who was...
Nicki Minaj Talks ‘Married Life’ & Being a Female in the Rap World With Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne delivered another episode of his Young Money Radio on Apple Music Friday (June 12), featuring an all-star cast of guests including T-Pain, Nicki Minaj, Damien Lillard, Noreaga and Lil Duval. Weezy and his longtime pal, whom he introduced as “the First Lady of Young Money and the Queen of every f—ing thing,” delved into a chat about being a female in the rap game. Wayne recalled that when he signed Nicki to his label back in 2009, people told him not to sign a woman. “It was getting someone to take you serious, and that was the whole thing I was worried about,” Minaj explained. “I didn’t know if you would take me serious, because at the time people had really given up on female rappers.” “I just knew I was going to ma...
Todrick Hall on Having to Work ‘Three Times’ Harder Than White Artists to Find Success
Todrick Hall is glad that he’s made it, but he has some thoughts on the effort it took for him to get to where he is now. In a new exclusive clip from Billboard and The Hollywood Reporter’s Pride Summit & Pride Prom, the cover star of Billboard‘s Pride issue talks with Pose executive producer Steven Canals about the advice he received during his first Broadway stint in 2005’s The Color Purple. Hall says that the experienced Broadway actors he got to work with in the show gave him a wake-up call about the reality of show business for queer man of color. “They straight up told me, ‘In order for you to make it in this industry, you have to be three times as talented as your white counterparts,'” he recalls. “[They sa...
Why Billy Porter Wants People to Take Their Activism Offline & Get ‘In the Streets’
Billy Porter is tired of people acting shocked about violence against black people in America. “This is a country that was built on the backs of my ancestors who were stolen from their land to come over here and be forced into slavery,” he says. “And the people who wrote the constitution that y’all are so keen on owned slaves while they were writing it. Why are any of you surprised?” That’s the message Billy Porter starts with on the latest episode of Billboard’s Pridecast, the podcast from Billboard Pride where host and singer-songwriter Shea Diamond talks with the most influential LGBTQ names in music about how they got to where they are today, and what it means to be out in this industry. Since he got his star...
Taylor Swift Can’t Stand ‘Racist Historical’ Monuments in Tennessee: ‘Villains Don’t Deserve Statues’
Taylor Swift sounded off in a Twitter thread today (June 12) about the state of two specific Confederate monuments in her home state of Tennessee. She said the statues of Edward Carmack and Nathan Bedford Forrest, which have been torn down and attempted to be removed, respectively, “celebrate racist historical figures who did evil things.” Swift called on Capitol Commission and the Tennessee Historical Commission to permanently remove these monuments as the first small step to redefining the state’s history, one she believes would welcome and support all kinds of visitors as well as Black Tennesseans. “Taking down statues isn’t going to fix centuries of systemic oppression, violence and hatred that black people have had to endure but it might bring us one ...
First Beat: New Music by Tyla Yaweh, Iann Dior and Buddy
With an array of big-name releases coming through today, including 6ix9ine, Lil Baby, and more (June 12), for this edition of First Beat, we give Tyla Yaweh’s latest single a run, see if 10K’s Iann Dior is ready for stardom and more. Check out our selections below. Tyla Yaweh, “Tommy Lee” Featuring Post Malone Tyla Yaweh is undoubtedly on the precipice of stardom. “High Right Now” and, “I Think I Luv Her” proved why the Florida upstart is more than just an understudy of his mentor Post Malone. On “Tommy Lee,” Yaweh connects with his big homie for the guitar-laden anthem, which pays homage to the ’90s rock legend. Young T & Bugsey, “Don’t Rush (Remix)” Featuring DaBaby After entering the Hot 100 wi...
Mariah Carey Postpones 30th Anniversary Celebration of Debut Album to Focus on Black Lives Matter Movement
Mariah Carey‘s self-titled debut album turned 30 on Friday (June 12). And while every Lamb knows their queen loves a festive moment, the singer announced that she’s putting off the celebration in light of the nationwide fight for racial justice. “Thank you lambily, for all the celebratory messages for today’s #MC30 anniversary!” Mimi wrote on Instagram over top of the 1990 album’s classic cover art. “I had planned to share some surprises and rarities with you, but prefer to postpone them to a later date.” The superstar then turned her attention to the more serious social issues at hand, writing, “As we continue to fight for equality and justice within our broken systems, I thank you for using your platforms to educate, inform and invoke...
