Music

Britney Spears has broken her silence following the news that she and her husband Sam Asghari have split up.

Alongside an Instagram video of herself dancing to Janet Jackson‘s “If,” Britney writes, “As everyone knows, Hesam and I are no longer together,” referring to Sam by his given name.

“6 years is a long time to be with someone so, I’m a little shocked but … I’m not here to explain why because its honestly nobody’s business !!!” she continued. “But, I couldn’t take the pain anymore honestly !!! In some sort of telepathic way I have been receiving so many messages that melt my heart from friends and I thank you !!!”

Britney goes on to say, “I’ve been playing it strong for way too long and my Instagram may seem perfect but it’s far from reality and I think we all know that !!! I would love to show my emotions and tears on how I really feel but some reason I’ve always had to hide my weaknesses !!!”

She goes on to say, “If I wasn’t my dad’s strong soldier, I would be sent away to places to get fixed by doctors !!! But that’s when I needed family the most !!! You’re supposed to be loved unconditionally … not under conditions !!!! So I will be as strong as I can and do my best !!!”

“And I’m actually doing pretty damn good !!!” she concluded. “Anyways have a good day and don’t forget to smile !!!”

Sam filed for divorce at the end of July, citing irreconcilable differences.

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Following its premiere on Thursday, Tom Morello‘s collaboration with BABYMETAL, “METALI!!,” now has a video.

The clip finds the Rage Against the Machine guitarist shredding his solo in the background as the Japanese trio rocks out to the song. You can watch it now streaming on YouTube.

BABYMETAL, which combines elements of heavy metal and J-pop music, has previously worked with artists including Bring Me the Horizon and Lil Uzi Vert.

Morello, meanwhile, has put out collaborations this year with Måneskin and Alice Cooper.

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Lizzo has made her first Instagram post since responding to a lawsuit filed by her former dancers. In her latest post, she appears unbothered by all the drama as she dances and sings through the streets of Japan. “From Shibuya, with Love,” she captioned the post.

Selena Gomez posted a series of Instagram Stories about music legend Linda Ronstadt, resparking rumors that she may be playing her in a biopic. Selena once said she started listening to Ronstadt’s music because people kept telling her they looked alike.

Madonna posted a video recap of her 65th birthday, which was Wednesday, August 16. She celebrated in Lisbon, Portugal, with her family and friends. “It’s great to be Alive,” she wrote. “and Amazing to Be able to put on my dancing shoes and Celebrate my Birthday! Im So Grateful. Thank you Lisbon and to all who made it possible!”

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Sara Evans was invited to be a member of the Grand Ole Opry on Thursday, August 17. Country legend Bill Anderson extended the invitation to her, with Opry members Lady A and Carly Pearce joining him onstage. A video of the special moment is up on the Opry’s Instagram now. 

Rising country artist Tyler Booth will drop his new EP, Keepin’ It Real, on September 15. The project can be previewed with “G.O.B. by the G.O.G.” Of the track, which stands for “good ol’ boy by the grace of God,” Tyler shares, “I wanted to write a song that was the anthem of the way me and everybody that I grew up around in Kentucky live and how we see things.” Keepin’ It Real is available for presave now.

Jon Langston has released a new song, “Day In the 90’s,” which he wrote with Jordan Walker, Jody Stevens and Chris Miller. The track is the latest preview of Jon’s forthcoming debut album, Heart On Ice, due out September 8 via 32 Bridge Entertainment/EMI Records Nashville.

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Elton John was spotted out to dinner in France with Kevin Spacey, weeks after he gave testimony in defense of the actor at Spacey’s U.K. sexual assault trial. Spacey was found not guilty in July. Elton and Spacey were dining with a group that included Elton’s husband, David Furnish.

Madonna posted a video recap of her 65th birthday, which was Wednesday, August 16. She celebrated in Lisbon, Portugal, with her family and friends. “It’s great to be Alive,” she wrote. “and Amazing to Be able to put on my dancing shoes and Celebrate my Birthday! Im So Grateful. Thank you Lisbon and to all who made it possible!”

Josh Groban has COVID-19, so he’ll have to miss performances of his Broadway show Sweeney Todd. “Well, after avoiding it for a good long stretch, I’m bummed to say this mystery illness is in fact Covid,” he wrote on Instagram Friday, along with a video message to fans. “Tested positive today and will be resting hard to get well and back on stage ASAP. If you have tickets, I assure you the show is in brilliant hands with [Nicholas Christopher] and I’m grateful to him and the entire cast. I’ll see you again very soon!”

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Country icon Reba McEntire is sharing with fans her summer-ready Porch Day Lemonade recipe.

The easy-to-make recipe uses sugar, water, fresh basil leaves and, of course, lemons.

You can check out the recipe in full on Reba’s Instagram.

Reba’s Porch Day Lemonade recipe will be included in her forthcoming lifestyle book, Not That Fancy: Simple Lessons on Living, Loving, Eating, and Dusting Off Your Boots. It’s set for release on October 10 and can be preordered now.

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Chance the Rapper is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of Acid Rap with two special concerts — and he’s bringing a special guest along. 

Fellow Chicago native Vic Mensa will join Chance in New York on August 26 and Los Angeles on September 21 for performances of songs from the hit mixtape that debuted in April 2013.

Chance kicks off the concert series with a sold-out show at Chicago’s United Center on August 19 featuring rapper Saba as the guest. 

The upcoming shows follow a week of celebratory festivities, including a scavenger hunt across his hometown. Fans headed to some of Chance’s favorite stores for an opportunity to score tickets to the sold-out Chicago concert. 

Chance also launched The Chance Store, a special retail pop-up at WNDR Museum Chicago. From now until August 20, fans can grab exclusive merchandise and apparel, as well as the 10th anniversary edition of Acid Rap on vinyl.

Tickets for the New York & LA shows are available at livenation.com.

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OWN will premiere Time of Essence, a five-part docuseries on the trailblazing magazine Essence, on Friday night. 

The one-hour special will chronicle the magazine’s 50-year impact on Black culture and entertainment, with commentary from Oprah Winfrey, Taraji P. Henson, Gabrielle Union-Wade, Sunny Hostin and more.

With never-before-seen footage and behind-the-scenes exclusives, each of the five episodes will explore a different decade, starting with the ’70s, and will include top moments from the worlds of entertainment, sports, politics, fashion and beauty.

The first episode will delve into the beginnings of the beloved media company and its founders as Black women fought for representation in media. 

Time of Essence airs August 18 at 9 p.m. ET on OWN and will available for streaming on Max.

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