Music

Was Harry Styles ever in the running to play Elvis Presley? According to Elvis director Baz Luhrmann, the answer is a definite no.

The director opened up about his casting choices in an interview with Australian station NovaFM. He suggested the audience might have struggled to fully see Harry as the late rocker. “The real issue with Harry is — he’s Harry Styles,” Luhrmann said. “He’s already an icon.”

“Harry and I came to a place, genuinely I mean, he was just desperate to put the suit on and explore. He’s such a great spirit and I have nothing but great things to say about Harry Styles,” he continued. Luhrmann also clarified that the singer never auditioned for the role, which eventually went to actor Austin Butler.

The Australian director said he is open to working “on something with him” in the future that is more his — dare we say it — style. “Harry is a really talented actor,” Luhrmann said.

Harry is starring in the upcoming movies Don’t Worry Darling and My Policeman, a psychological drama and a romantic drama, respectively, which are both set to debut in theaters later this year.

As for Elvis, the movie arrives June 24. 

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Eric Church pays tribute to the people “Doing Life With Me” in his new single. 

Co-written by Eric, Jeffrey Steele and Casey Beathard during a writing retreat in the mountains of Eric’s native state of North Carolina, the lyrics find the superstar comparing himself to a “runaway train,” acknowledging the battle scars of life while expressing gratitude for the people who stick with him through all the ups and downs. 

“Every big every little in the everyday things/The notes and the words and the songs I sing/To the ones doing life with me,” he sings in the chorus of the gentle acoustic number.

“Doing Life With Me” is featured on &, the second installment of Eric’s three-part Heart & Soul album released last year. It follows the top five hit “Heart on Fire.”  

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Up-and-coming rapper Saucy Santana has had a year of big wins and great successes. Since hitting the rap scene in 2019 with his debut single “Walk Em Like a Dog,” he quickly rose to hip-hop stardom for his catchy, upbeat songs; his unapologetic style and flow as an openly gay rapper; and his viral TikTok hits. In the latest accolades for the rising star, Teen Vogue announced Santana as one of its June cover stars.

In the digital issue, which dropped Tuesday, Santana, born Justin Harris, opened up about his dream music collaborations with Lizzo and Lil Nas X, his original aspiration to be a celebrity makeup artist and embracing his gender identity in hip-hop. 

“Before, I didn’t want to be labeled a gay rapper,” he said. “Then, in the middle of my career, I started to embrace it because I just felt like it was helpful to my culture and to my people.”

Santana says he’s happy his rap career took off, but he wasn’t expecting it to because he had other dreams. 

“I thought I was going to be a celebrity makeup artist, I didn’t think I was going to be the celebrity getting their makeup done. I didn’t think that I would be a rapper. But I’m happy it happened.”

He says he’s “manifesting” and “praying” for a Lizzo collab soon and already has a new song Lil Nas on the way, called “Down South Ho’s,” expected this summer. Atlanta rapper Gucci Mane is also on his list of hopeful music partnerships. 

Santana just teased his latest track, “Booty,” with Latto, which comes on the heels of his tour run alongside the Atlanta rapper. The track is expected this Friday, June 10. 

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When Thomas Rhett and his wife Lauren Akins head to the movies, there’s a specific treat Lauren must have. 

Over the weekend, the country couple headed to the movies to see the new Top Gun, but not before stopping to pick up Lauren’s favorite snack: Milk Duds. The country superstar shared a photo of his wife sitting in their Jeep in the Walgreens parking lot, excitedly holding up a case of Milk Duds and a bottle of Dr. Pepper. While a case may seem excessive, it was the result of a potential disappointment that turned into good fortune thanks to a kind employee at the store.

“The guy at Walgreens said there is a shortage of milk duds.. he then brought a case outta the back. @laur_akins gotta have her milk duds to see [Top Gun],” Thomas explains in the caption alongside a photo of his happy wife. “Thanks to the man at Walgreens.. you are a hero.” 

Thomas and Lauren share four children, daughters Willa, Ada, Lennon and Lillie.  

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Demi Lovato will be keeping busy in the second half of 2022: in addition to their hotly anticipated new album, they unveiled a multidate tour that kicks off this fall.

Demi will release their eighth studio album, HOLY F***, with a “v” instead of a “u” in the title, on August 19. Fans will not have to wait too long to see those new songs performed live.

The Grammy nominee will set out on tour before the album even drops. The 26-stop tour kicks off August 13 in Springfield, Illinois, and will hit up many major cities across U.S. and Canada. They will visit areas such as Portland, San Francisco, Toronto, Detroit, Boston, New York City, Atlanta, New Orleans and Houston before wrapping things up on November 6.

Demi will also include six South American dates August 30 through September 13, with pit stops in Argentina, Colombia, Brazil and Chile.

“I’m so excited to get back on the road after four years without touring, and even longer since I’ve toured in South America,” Demi said in a statement. “We’re working so hard to deliver an incredible show for all my fans and I can’t wait to see them in person to celebrate this new music.”

The singer last set out on tour in 2018 in support of their sixth studio album, Tell Me You Love Me.

Tickets go on sale this Friday, June 10, at 10 a.m. local time on DemiLovato.com — the same day Demi’s new song, “Skin of My Teeth,” drops. 

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Phoenix has premiered the video for the band’s latest single, “Alpha Zulu.”

The clip animates famous paintings to make the subjects look like they’re bobbing their heads and singing along to the funky tune. You can watch it now streaming on YouTube.

“Alpha Zulu,” which premiered last week, is the first new Phoenix song in two years. The “1901” outfit is currently working on a new album to follow 2017’s Ti Amo.

Along with the video premiere, Phoenix has announced a U.S. headlining tour, which will run from September 6 in St. Paul, Minnesota, to October 12 in Kansas City, Missouri. Tickets go on sale this Friday, June 10, at 10 a.m. local time.

For the full list of dates and all ticket info, visit WeArePhoenix.com.

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Parkway Drive has premiered a new single called “Glitch.”

“Parkway Drive have always walked the line of balancing the light and the dark, and ‘Glitch’ is no exception,” the Australian metallers share. “Sonically, we aimed to create a dark, heavy, and unnerving journey while still crafting a melody that burrows its way into your mind. Lyrically, the song deals with the phenomenon of night terrors and sleep paralysis.

“We all know the power our minds possess, but true terror manifests when your mind and all its fears takes physical control of your body,” the band adds. “The glitch in your brain, where nightmares and reality cross.”

You can listen to “Glitch” now via digital outlets, and watch its accompanying video streaming now on YouTube.

“Glitch” is the first new Parkway Drive song to follow their 2018 album Reverence, which features the singles “The Void” and “Prey.” It also comes amid the band taking a break from the road to focus on their mental health, which led to them canceling their planned spring North American tour this year.

(Video contains uncensored profanity.)

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Poor Nick Jonas. Last year, he fractured his rib filming the NBC special Olympic Dreams. Now, he’s apparently injured himself playing softball.

Page Six reports that during a softball game on Sunday, Nick appeared to be hit in groin by a ball and was seen collapsing on the field. He was then driven to the emergency room of a hospital in Encino, California, by his brother and bandmate Kevin Jonas. According to Page Six, Nick was limping very badly. He stayed there for a few hours, but then appeared to be OK.

Nick has apparently been part of this softball team for a while: He was also seen playing in May wearing the same uniform, a red-and-white ensemble sporting his team name, Happy Valli’s.

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A new commercial soundtracked to Phil Collins‘ signature solo hit really sucks — literally.

The ad, featuring Phil’s 1981 hit “In the Air Tonight,” is for LG’s CordZero All in One Auto Empty Cordless Stick Vacuum, which comes with a special docking station.  That station stores the vacuum, charges it and — most impressively — actually empties the dust bin for you. 

So, where does Phil’s song come in?  In the ad, we hear him singing, “I can feel it coming in the air tonight” as dust particles float all around a family’s house, covering their screens and annoying the dog.  The source of the dust? It’s dad, emptying a “regular” vacuum into a garbage can.  The idea is that with the new CordZero vacuum, all the dust remains contained.

The vacuum can be yours for the low, low price of $999.

“In the Air Tonight” has been used in many commercials over the years, from Michelob in 1987, to Mountain Dew MDX in 2006, to Dodge in 2015. It’s also been featured in the iconic ’80s TV series Miami Vice and equally iconic ’80s movie Risky Business.

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