Maren Morris has made it no secret that a lifelong dream of hers is to star in Wicked, and “The Middle” singer is officially one step closer to turning her Broadway dreams into a reality.
Maren celebrated some very good news on her Instagram Stories, writing in lime green letters against a white backdrop, “I got a callback for Wicked. I am in tears. What the hell.”
The singer also shared the excellent news on Twitter, which earned her a round of applause from none other than Kristin Chenoweth, who originated the role of Glinda in Wicked‘s Broadway debut. “You go baby!! Told ya you could do it!!!” the Broadway legend cheered.
Soon after, “The Bones” singer took to her Instagram Story to talk about the significance of the moment. “Ya’ll, I literally don’t even care — yes I do — if I go beyond this callback because this is, like, 14-year-old Maren’s getting to achieve something that was never in reach,” the singer said, adding her Broadway dreams “just never felt possible.”
“We’ll see where it goes,” the Grammy winner emotionally declared. “I’m just really happy. I love Wicked. I love Elphaba. I love Kristin Chenoweth. Thank you, Kristin, for inspiring me to just buck up and just send the self-tape in.”
Maren revealed in May she had made an audition tape where she sings “The Wizard and I,” a solo number sung by the character Elphaba, in hopes of being cast in the beloved musical.
The singer previously revealed she wants to play Elphaba, who becomes the infamous Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz. The hitmaker said she identifies “heavily” with the green-skinned character.
Chart-topping singer, actress and activist Olivia Newton-John has died, according to a post on her Instagram page from her husband, John Easterling. She was 73.
“Dame Olivia Newton-John passed away peacefully at her Ranch in Southern California this morning, surrounded by family and friends,” the note reads. “We ask that everyone please respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time.”
Originally diagnosed with breast cancer in the ’90s, Newton-John was in remission for more than 20 years before her cancer returned in 2017. “Olivia has been a symbol of triumphs and hope for over 30 years sharing her journey with breast cancer,” continues the post.
“Her healing inspiration and pioneering experience with plant medicine continues with the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund, dedicated to researching plant medicine and cancer,” it concludes. “In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations be made in her memory to the @onjfoundation.”
Newton-John is survived by her daughter, Chloe Lattanzi;Easterling, whom she married in 2008; as well as a sister, a brother, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Born in 1948 in Cambridge, England, Olivia was the granddaughter of Nobel Prize-winning physicist Max Born. When she was five, her family relocated to Melbourne, Australia. By her teen years, she’d landed her big break, winning a talent contest on the TV show Sing, Sing, Sing.
By 1966, Olivia had a deal with Decca Records, but her major breakthrough wouldn’t come until 1973, with the country-flavored hit “Let Me Be There.” That same year, the Academy of Country Music named her its Most Promising Female Vocalist. In 1974 the Country Music Association agreed, crowning her its Female Vocalist of the Year in a move that sparked controversy among the genre’s traditionalists.
The next year, Olivia’s career would gravitate more toward the pop side, as she released one of her signature songs: “I Honestly Love You.” It won both Record of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 1974 Grammys.
Generations of fans — particularly young girls — would come to identify with Newton-John as she took on her most iconic film role in 1978, playing Sandy alongside John Travolta‘s Danny Zuko in the big-screen adaptation of the musical Grease. The two would become one of cinema’s most beloved couples, performing the duets “You’re the One That I Want” and “Summer Nights” together. Olivia also scored a Grease solo hit with “Hopelessly Devoted to You.”
In 1980, Newton-John teamed up with the legendary Gene Kelly for the roller skating fantasy Xanadu. Though it failed to be “Magic” at the box office, it was destined to become a cult classic and also gave Olivia another chart-topping hit from its double-Platinum soundtrack.
Newton-John and Travolta rekindled their onscreen romance for Two of a Kind in 1983. While the film wasn’t successful, once again Olivia’s music was. The soundtrack went Platinum and “Twist of Fate” was a top-five hit.
On the small screen, Olivia would become a music video pioneer, turning her super-sexy single “Physical” into a campy romp through saunas, aerobics and workout rooms. The clip propelled the song to 10 weeks at the top of the chart, and “Physical” won the 1982 Grammy for Video of the Year.
All told, Newton-John charted 10 #1s and sold more than 100 million albums, continuing to work right up until the recurrence of her cancer forced her postpone her 2017 tour. Earlier, she’d staged a well-received Las Vegas residency at the Flamingo for two years, starting in the spring of 2014.
In her eyes, Olivia was certain to see both her family and her humanitarian work as her greatest accomplishments. She gave birth to her daughter, Chloe, in 1986, and later helped establish the Healthy Child, Healthy World organization after Chloe’s childhood friend died of a rare form of cancer.
After going into remission in 1992, Newton-John worked to raise awareness for breast cancer, recording multiple albums that addressed the issue and eventually establishing the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Center. It opened in her hometown of Melbourne, Australia, in June 2012.
The Billboard Music Awards winners were revealed in ceremonies Sunday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, and broadcast live on NBC. Sean “Diddy” Combs served as the host of this year’s ceremony.
Here’s the complete list of winners:
Top Artist
Drake
Top Female Artist
Olivia Rodrigo
Top Male Artist
Drake
Top Duo/Group
BTS
Top New Artist
Olivia Rodrigo
Top Billboard 200 Artist
Taylor Swift
Top Billboard 200 Album
Olivia Rodrigo, SOUR
Top Hot 100 Artist
Olivia Rodrigo
Top Hot 100 Song
The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber, “STAY”
Top Streaming Songs Artist
Olivia Rodrigo
Top Radio Songs Artist
Olivia Rodrigo
Top Billboard Global 200 Artist
Olivia Rodrigo
Top Billboard Global (Excl. U.S.) Artist
Ed Sheeran
Top Tour
The Rolling Stones (No Filter Tour)
Top R&B Artist
Doja Cat
Top R&B Male Artist
The Weeknd
Top R&B Female Artist
Doja Cat
Top R&B Tour
Bruno Mars (Bruno Mars at Park MGM)
Top Rap Artist
Drake
Top Rap Male Artist
Drake
Top Rap Female Artist
Megan Thee Stallion
Top Rap Tour
Omarion & Bow Wow (The Millennium Tour 2021)
Top R&B Tour
Bruno Mars (Bruno Mars at Park MGM)
Top Rap Tour
Omarion & Bow Wow (The Millennium Tour 2021)
Top Country Artist
Taylor Swift
Top Country Male Artist
Morgan Wallen
Top Country Female Artist
Taylor Swift
Top Country Duo/Group
Dan + Shay
Top Country Tour
Eric Church (Gather Again Tour)
Top Rock Artist
Glass Animals
Top Rock Tour
The Rolling Stones (No Filter Tour)
Top Latin Artist
Bad Bunny
Top Latin Male Artist
Bad Bunny
Top Latin Female Artist
Kali Uchis
Top Latin Duo/Group
Eslabon Armado
Top Latin Tour
Los Bukis (Una Historia Cantada Tour)
Top Dance/Electronic Artist
Lady Gaga
Top Christian Artist
Ye
Top Gospel Artist
CeCe Winans
Top Billboard 200 Album
Olivia Rodrigo, SOUR
Top Soundtrack Encanto
Top R&B Album
Doja Cat, Planet Her
Top Rap Album
Drake, Certified Lover Boy
Top Country Album
Taylor Swift, Red (Taylor’s Version)
Top Rock Album
twenty one pilots, Scaled And Icy
Top Latin Album
KAROL G, KG0516
Top Dance/Electronic Album
ILLENIUM, Fallen Embers
Top Christian Album
Ye, Donda
Top Gospel Album
Ye, Donda
Top Song Sales Artist
BTS
Top Streaming Song
The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber, “STAY”
Top Selling Song
BTS, “Butter”
Top Radio Song
Dua Lipa, “Levitating”
Top Collaboration
The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber, “STAY”
Top Billboard Global 200 Song
The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber, “STAY”
Top Billboard Global (Excl. U.S.) Song
The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber, “STAY”
Top Viral Song
Doja Cat ft. SZA, “Kiss Me More”
Top R&B Song
Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak), “Leave The Door Open”
Top Rap Song
Lil Nas X ft. Jack Harlow, “INDUSTRY BABY”
Top Country Song
Walker Hayes, “Fancy Like”
Top Rock Song
Måneskin, “Beggin'”
Top Latin Song
Kali Uchis, “telepatía”
Top Dance/Electronic Song
Elton John & Dua Lipa, “Cold Heart – PNAU Remix”
Gabby Barrett may be thinking “I Hope” daughter Baylah is ready for a sibling.
Gabby revealed the news — fittingly, on Mother’s Day — that she and husband Cade Foehner are expecting their second child. Posting a video of her sonogram on her socials, the star wrote, “My son. Another LIFE we get to love and cherish. Happy Mothers Day!”
On Instagram, Cade wrote, ‘Happy Mother’s Day to my amazing, strong, and fruitful Bride! She is currently carrying another precious life made in the image of God.”
Gabby and Cade got married in October 2019 after meeting on season 16 of American Idol. They welcomed Baylah on January 18, 2021.
Dan + Shay and Justin Bieber’s hit duet, “10,000 Hours,” became the subject of a copyright infringement lawsuit this week.
The complaint, levied by Manufacturing Concepts, Melomega music and Sound Gems, accuses the artists of stealing the “core portion” of “10,000 Hours” from a song called “The First Time Baby Is a Holiday.”
“First Time” first came out over four decades ago, but the lawsuit states that it was re-released in 2014. Meanwhile, “10,000 Hours” came out in late 2019.
“Defendants’ theft is impudently bold,” reads the lawsuit. “One need only listen to ‘First Time’ and the infringing ‘10,000 Hours’ to discern the unmistakable similarities between the songs.” The suit also names Dan + Shay’s record label, Warner Music Group, as a defendant in the case.
The claim against “10,000 Hours” is reportedly corroborated by musicologist Dr. Alexander Stewart, a University of Vermont professor and a frequent expert witness in music copyright cases.
The plaintiffs are asking for credit on the track, as well as payment for damages and legal fees, plus an injunction to prevent further distribution of Dan + Shay and Justin’s song.
Backstage at the Grammys Sunday night in Las Vegas, artists answered questions from both reporters who were actually backstage at the MGM Grand Arena, and reporters who’d logged in on Zoom from around the country. But some of the night’s biggest winners didn’t appear backstage.
Olivia Rodrigo and Silk Sonic, both of whom won multiple awards Sunday night, posed for photos, but didn’t talk to reporters. Doja Cat, who won Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group for “Kiss Me More,” also declined to speak with reporters, but her duet partner, SZA, did come backstage, despite the fact that she was on crutches due to, as she put it, “falling out of bed” the day before.
“That’s the way it goes,” she laughed. “Everything awesome in my life has always come with something very random, but it just adds to the energy.”
SZA’s Grammy was her first win after 11 nominations, and R&B songstress Jazmine Sullivan and country duo Brothers Osborne were two other artists who finally won for the first time Sunday night after multiple nominations. Backstage, Sullivan, who actually won two trophies, said, “After losing so many times, I feel like I kinda gave up [hope of ever winning]…so it’s surreal to actually hold these babies!”
TJ Osborne of Brothers Osborne, who admitted that his mother “hates” that he dyed his hair blond, spoke about how “incredibly fulfilling” it’s been to perform for their fans since he came out as gay last year.
But country’s big winner was Chris Stapleton, who took home three trophies, including Best Country Album. Asked backstage who out there he’d like to collaborate with, Stapleton, who’s worked with Taylor Swift, Adele and Santana, among others, said he wouldn’t mind working with Harry Styles.
Country superstar Carrie Underwood won the Best Roots Gospel Album Grammy for her faith-based project My Savior and cried backstage as she spoke about how it “means the world” to her that she won because she’s wanted to make that kind of album “literally my whole career.”
H.E.R., who won the Best Traditional R&B Performance Grammy, was still buzzing from her performance with Lenny Kravitz on the show. “I was having so much fun…growing up, I’d literally study all his videos…he’s one of the reasons why I even wanted to play guitar, so having this full circle moment…I was at a loss for words.”
And The Late Show with Stephen Colbert bandleader Jon Batiste, who had the most Grammys going into the show, also cited Lenny Kravitz as HIS full circle moment: Kravitz announced that Batiste had won the Album of the Year for his project We Are. “We played together when I was 16, so it was surreal,” Batiste told reporters, adding, “Seeing Uncle Lenny up there, it was just like a whole vibe, like, ‘This is far out.'”
Foo Fighters swept the rock categories, but sadly, they didn’t attend due to the death of drummer Taylor Hawkins. St. Vincent won Best Alternative Album for Daddy’s Home and backstage, she mentioned how happy she was that Jack Antonoff, her co-producer on the album, had been named Producer of the Year.
She also spoke about how “times are changing” in terms of women in alternative rock, while rock legend Bonnie Raitt, who won the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, praised the new crop of young female artists, including Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo.
“Across all genres, I think women are kickin’ it,” said Raitt.
The 64th Annual Grammy Awards aired live from Las Vegas Sunday night on CBS, hosted by Trevor Noah.
Here is the complete list of winners in the major categories:
Record of the Year
“Leave the Door Open,” Silk Sonic
Album of the Year We Are, Jon Batiste
Song of the Year
“Leave the Door Open,” Brandon Anderson, Christopher Brody Brown, Dernst Emile II & Bruno Mars, songwriters (Silk Sonic)
Best New Artist
Olivia Rodrigo
POP
Best Pop Solo Performance
“driver’s license,” Olivia Rodrigo
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
“Kiss Me More,” Doja Cat Featuring SZA
Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album Love For Sale, Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga
Best Pop Vocal Album Sour, Olivia Rodrigo
ROCK/ALTERNATIVE
Best Metal Performance
“The Alien,” Dream Theater
Best Rock Song
“Waiting on a War,” Foo Fighters
Best Rock Performance
“Making a Fire,” Foo Fighters
Best Rock Album Medicine at Midnight, Foo Fighters
Best Alternative Music Album Daddy’s Home, St. Vincent
R&B/RAP
BEST R&B PERFORMANCE (TIE)
“Leave the Door Open,” Silk Sonic
and
“Pick Up Your Feelings,” Jazmine Sullivan
Best Traditional R&B Performance
“Fight for You,” H.E.R.
Best R&B Song
“Leave the Door Open,” Silk Sonic
Best Progressive R&B Album Table for Two, Lucky Daye
Best R&B Album Heaux Tales, Jazmine Sullivan
Best Rap Performance
“Family Ties,” Baby Keem Featuring Kendrick Lamar
Best Melodic Rap Performance
“Hurricane,” Kanye West featuring the Weeknd and Lil Baby
Best Rap Song
“Jail,” Dwayne Abernathy, Jr., Shawn Carter, Raul Cubina, Michael Dean, Charles M. Njapa, Sean Solymar, Kanye West and Mark Williams, songwriters (Kanye West featuring Jay-Z)
Best Rap Album Call Me If You Get Lost, Tyler, the Creator
COUNTRY
Best Country Solo Performance
“You Should Probably Leave,” Chris Stapleton
Best Country Duo/Group Performance
“Younger Me,” Brothers Osborne
Best Country Song
“Cold,” Dave Cobb, J.T. Cure, Derek Mixon & Chris Stapleton
Best Country Album Starting Over, Chris Stapleton
DANCE/ELECTRONIC MUSIC
Best Dance Recording
“10%” by Kaytranada feat. Kali Uchis
Best Dance/Electronic Album Alive, Rüfüs Du Sol
GOSPEL/CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN MUSIC
Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song
“Believe For It,” CeCe Winans; Dwan Hill, Kyle Lee, CeCe Winans & Mitch Wong
Best Gospel Album Believe For It, CeCe Winans
Best Contemporary Christian Music Album Old Church Basement, Elevation Worship & Maverick City Music
Best Roots Gospel Album My Savior, Carrie Underwood
LATIN
Best Latin Pop Album
Mendó, Alex Cuba
Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album
Origen, Juanes
Best Regional Mexican Music Album A Mis 80s, Vicente Fernandez
Best Tropical Latin Album Salswing!, Rubén Blades y Roberto Delgado & Orquesta
COMEDY
Best Comedy Album Sincerely, Louis C.K.
MUSICAL THEATER
Best Musical Theater Album The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical, Composers/Lyricists Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, Producer Emily Bear
MUSIC FOR VISUAL MEDIA
Best Score Soundtrack For Visual Media (TIE)
Caros Raphael Rivera, The Queen’s Gambit
and
Jon Batiste, Atticus Ross and Trent Reznor, Soul
Best Song Written For Visual Media
“All Eyes on Me” (from Bo Burnham: Inside), Bo Burnham
MUSIC VIDEO/FILM
Best Music Video
“Freedom,” Jon Batiste
Best Music Film Summer of Soul, Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, video director; David Dinerstein, Robert Fyvolent & Joseph Patel, video producers
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a surprise appearance at the 64th Grammy Awards and sent a powerful message about the cost of freedom and the healing power of music.
In a pre-taped video, the president spoke from an unknown location in his country, which is being bombarded by Russian bombs in an unprecedented attack to seize control of the country. Zelenskyy remained poised and spoke with a stern, gravel-like tone about the cost of Russia’s ongoing war.
“The war. What’s more opposite to music? The silence of ruined cities and killed people. Our children draw swooping rockets, not shooting stars. Over 400 children have been injured and 153 children died and we’ll never see them drawing,” he said. “Our parents are happy to wake up in the morning. In bomb shelters. Alive.”
Zelenskyy urged, “The war doesn’t let us choose who survived and who stays in eternal silence.”
“Our musicians wear body armor instead of tuxedos. They sing to the wounded in hospitals. Even to those who can’t hear them, but the music will break through anyway,” he continued, noting Russia is bringing “horrible silence with its bombs. The dead silence.”
He urged those at the Grammy Awards to “fill the silence with your music” and to “tell our story” by sharing the “truth” of the Russian invasion “on your social networks, on TV — support us in any way you can.”
While naming the besieged cities of Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Volnovakha and Mariupol, Zelenskyy declared, “I have a dream of them living and free. Free like you on the Grammy stage.”
The Ukrainian president’s speech was followed by John Legend‘s performance of “Free.” He was joined by Ukrainian instrumentalist Siuzanna Iglidan and singer Mika Newton for the inspiring number.
The search for the next American Idol continued Sunday night, with host Ryan Seacrest and judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie leading the hunt.
Here are some of the night’s highlights, which include giving away the second out of three coveted Platinum tickets for the milestone season 20.
Kicking things off was 27-year-old Betty Maxwell, who some might recognize as Miss Georgia 2015 and Miss America 2016. Now, she’s after the American Idol crown, and after singing Kelly Clarkson‘s “A Moment Like This” and Carrie Underwood‘s “Jesus Take The Wheel,” she’s well on her way with a ticket to Hollywood.
Leah Marlene, 20, from Illinois admittedly has some “questionable fashion choices” but the judges didn’t have to question anything when it came to whether or not they were sending her through to the next round. She performed One Direction‘s “Steal My Girl” and Katy even drew a comparison to former Idol contestant Catie Turner, who made it to season 16’s top seven.
Unfortunately, the same fate wasn’t in the cards for 17-year-old Skylie Thompson, who shared an original song called “Buckle Bunny” followed by a cover of Zach Bryan‘s “Oklahoma City.” Although the trio of judges enjoyed her energy and performance, they ultimately sent home with an optimistic “not yet.”
Luke Taylor‘s deep voice took the judges by surprise. After having a few laughs, which included him singing “Frosty the Snowman,” Luke and Lionel voted him through to Hollywood.
Kenedi Anderson, 17, took home a Platinum ticket, impressing the judges with her rendition of Lady Gaga‘s “Applause.” She had the judges praising her, even saying she was “born to be a star” and top ten material.
Other notable auditions included, 18-year-old Kelsie Dolan, who was praised by the judges for hitting “no bad notes” after taking a swing at Kelly Clarkson’s “Piece by Piece,” and Adele‘s “When We Were Young.”
Mike Parker, 27, sang his heart out as his family grapples with his mother’s health issues. He sung Deana Carter‘s “Strawberry Wine” and had Katy saying he’s potential “Top 24.” Also winning the judges compliments was Christian Guardino, singing Donnie Hathaway‘s “A Song For You” and Lady K, who took a stab at Katy’s song “Wide Awake.” Both had the judges saying that they’re “magic.”
The auditions continue when American Idol returns Sunday, March 13 at 8 p.m ET on ABC.
Taylor Swift would be the first to tell you that she’s a huge fan of Shania Twain, and Shania feels the same way about Taylor. In fact, when Twitter informed Shania that Taylor had broken one of the many records she holds, she celebrated Taylor’s accomplishment with a tweet of her own.
Taylor’s current album Red (Taylor’s Version) has been number one on Billboard‘s Top Country Albums chart for the past seven weeks. Late last month, a Twitter account called The Swift Society announced that Taylor has now spent more weeks at number one overall on that chart than any other female artist: a total of 98. The record had previously been held by Shania, who spent 97 weeks on top overall.
On Thursday, Shania retweeted that tweet and commented, “Let’s Go Girls!!!! Proud of you @taylorswift13. Historical records are meant to be made and then broken. The baton is meant to be passed on to new generations. Unstoppable young female country artists are [fire] in spite of the hurdles #trailblazers.”
In 2019, Shania and Taylor embraced on the American Music Awards stage.
Let’s Go Girls!!!! Proud of you @taylorswift13. Historical records are meant to be made and then broken. The baton is meant to be passed on to new generations. Unstoppable young female country artists are 🔥 inspite of the hurdles ✊ #trailblazershttps://t.co/SZORYzSay6
