Music

Russell Dickerson is ready for his shining moment as a presenter at the 2021 CMA Awards — and he’s going to look fashionable doing it. 

Ahead of the show on Wednesday night, the hit singer is putting his most confident foot forward, stating that he’s going to be “looking fly” and reading the teleprompter like a pro. 

“I feel like I got the teleprompter. It’s really reading it and also keeping a real, normal look on your face,” he describes of his technique. 

The “Home Sweet” singer is also looking ahead to other CMA Awards ceremonies when he can take his one-year-old son, Remington. Russell and his wife, Kailey, welcomed Remington in September 2020, and he’s already dreaming up matching father-son outfits they can wear to future events.  

“I wish we could bring [him]. They’re obviously still very strict about the COVID stuff. That is gonna happen one year. Me and Rem are going to be dressed exactly the same, to the nines,” the singer predicts. 

Russell is part of the all-star lineup of presenters at the 55th annual CMA Awards, airing tomorrow night at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. 

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Megan Thee Stallion was honored Monday as one of Glamour‘s Women of the Year, and as she accepted the award, she thanked her late mother for paving the way for her success.

“A lot of people don’t know that my mom Holly was a rapper. She called herself Holly-wood, and she commanded every room she walked in because her presence was just larger than life,” the 26-year-old honoree said, according to Teen Vogue. “She was fearless and proud, and fought through the struggle to be heard and respected. She had no advantages, she seeked no shortcuts, and every bit of my core values and determination come from her. She passed away in March of 2019, but I feel her around me every day.”

The Houston MC received her award from hip hop trailblazers Salt-N-Pepa.

“She’s a Grammy award-winning rapper, a Popeye’s franchise owner — I love that! — and as of this fall, a college graduate with a bachelor’s of science in health administration from Texas Southern.” Pepa said. “Even while she was dealing with recent loss and trauma, she continues to spread a message of positivity and empowerment for women: young women like my daughter Egypt. Young girls, thicc girls, always taking the time to look and listen, to educate and give back in so many different ways.”

As the “Hot Girl Summer” artist embraced the special moment at the Rainbow Room in New York City, surrounded by other powerful females, she offered words of inspiration.

“There’s nothing women can’t achieve when we recognize that — that there can be more than one female scientist, scholar, actress, poet or, rapper,” she commented. “There’s room at the table for all of us, and when there isn’t, we need to make room.”

 

 

 

 

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After a year of social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Luke Bryan couldn’t be more excited to have fans back in the audience at the 2021 CMA Awards. 

Through his career as an entertainer, Luke knows the power of a live audience. That’s why he’s thrilled that the 2021 show will welcome back a live crowd, with COVID-19 protocols in place. 

“To be back in the room with country music fans in there watching the ‘oohs,’ the ‘aahs,’ the excitement, the anticipation, the screams, the cameras going off, the flashes. That’s what we get hypnotized by as singers and songwriters and performers,” he shares. “So having the fans back will certainly elevate the energy of the show because nobody does that better than the country music fan.” 

The country superstar will step into the role of host for the first time at the 55th annual ceremony, where he’s also set to perform and is nominated for Musical Event of the Year as a collaborator on Jordan Davis‘ “Buy Dirt.” The show airs this Wednesday, November 10, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

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Last month, Billie Eilish announced she was releasing her own fragrance “this fall.”  Now, we know when we can buy it: tomorrow.

On her socials, Billie announced that the scent, Eilish, will be available November 10. The vegan, cruelty-free perfume costs $68 and is available at BillieEilishFragrances.com.

“I wanted it to feel like a warm embrace. Like what it feels like to feel your blood rushing through you,” Billie said in a statement when the fragrance was first announced. “It’s a scent that I’ve been chasing for years and years and years. It’s my favorite smell in the world.”

And what, exactly is that smell?  According to a press release, Eilish has notes of sugared petals, mandarin, red berries, cocoa, vanilla, spices, musk and wood.  The bronze colored bottle, which looks like a woman’s upper torso cut off above the nose and below the breasts, is “inspired by Billie’s favorite parts of the body: the chest, neck, and collarbone.”

 

 

 

 

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Justin Bieber is entering the metaverse.

The singer has announced Justin Bieber — An Interactive Virtual Experience, a live, virtual concert on the platform Wave.

Using real-time motion-capture technology, Justin will perform a full show as a digital avatar, singing songs off his album, Justice. Fans will get the chance to interact with the show, appearing on stage alongside Justin’s avatar as well as influencing his performance and environments as the show goes on.

“I am a big believer in Wave and love the platform as a new way for me to engage with my fans,” says Justin, who’s an investor in the platform. “I’m excited to be using this technology to bring people together and connect with fans from all over the world. I can’t wait for them to check out this interactive performance.”

You can sign up on Wave.watch and experience the event for free on November 18 at 6 p.m. PT/9 p.m. ET. It will be rebroadcast on November 20 and 21 for fans worldwide on Wave.watch and YouTube in their respective time zones.

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The bitter feud between Kanye West and Drake may finally come to an end.

After years of beefing, Ye extended an olive branch to Drizzy Monday night, inviting him to perform with him at an event on December 7 in Los Angeles. West offered the invitation during a social media video posted by Rap-A-Lot CEO J Prince.

“I’m making this video to address the ongoing back and forth between myself and Drake. Both me and Drake have taken shots at each other, and it’s time to put it to rest,” Yeezy said. “I’m asking Drake on December 7 to join me on stage as a special guest to share the two biggest albums of the year, live in Los Angeles, with the ultimate purpose being to free Larry Hoover. I believe this event will not only bring awareness to our cause, but prove to people everywhere how much more we can accomplish when we lay our pride to the side and come together.”

Hoover, a co-founder of Chicago’s Gangster Disciples gang, is currently incarcerated at ADX Florence in Colorado. Kanye mentions him on the Donda album.

After working together for years, the Kanye/Drake beef was ignited in 2018 when Pusha T accused the Champagne Papi of using a ghostwriter in the song “Infrared,” which West produced. The feud continued since then, and this year, ​Drake disses Kanye on Trippie Redd‘s track, “Betrayal, “with the lyrics, “All these fools I’m beefin’ that I barely know / Forty-five, forty-four (burned out) let it go / ‘Ye ain’t changin’ s*** for me, it’s set in stone.”

Kanye responded by posting, and then deleting, Drake’s home address on Instagram.

I met with @kanyewest night in Htown at the Rothko Chapel. It wasn’t in my plans to meet him there but I must say I’m glad I didn’t allow a worship place for God to detour our meeting. pic.twitter.com/GM9FIN80Uj

— J Prince (@jprincerespect) November 8, 2021

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Gabby Barrett is bringing her fashion A-game to the 2021 CMA Awards.

As she gets red-carpet ready for the show that’s been deemed “Country Music’s Biggest Night,” Gabby reveals that she will be donning two special outfits throughout the night, citing fashion as another way for her to express herself in country music. 

“My carpet outfit and my performance outfit are both custom pieces, which I’m very excited about. I work very close with my stylist and whoever the designer is on specific looks and bringing fresh and new looks to the country music world. I’m very excited about it,” the “I Hope” hitmaker explains, hinting, “I can’t tell you too much because you got to look out for it, but they’ll be really cool.” 

Gabby is nominated Female Vocalist of the Year, New Artist of the Year, Single of the Year and Song of the Year for “The Good Ones.” 

Viewers will get to see the unique pieces when Gabby appears at the CMA Awards, airing live from Nashville Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

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Lance Bass has often said that Britney Spears is like a little sister to him — but as it turns out, she’s literally a distant relative.

The genealogy company Ancestry.com sponsors a YouTube series called 2 Lies & a Leaf, and on Monday’s episode, Lance got the shocking news that he and Britney are sixth cousins once removed. 

On the episode, Lance and his husband, Michael Turchin, were asked to guess which one of three famous musicians is part of Lance’s family tree: Faith Hill, Elvis Presley or Britney Spears.  Lance says he wants it to be Britney, but he felt there was “no way,” so he guessed Elvis.  Michael guessed Britney, and he was right.

“That is so crazy, though, because I feel like she’s my little sister, and this whole time, she’s been my little cousin!” Lance exclaimed. “And it makes sense ’cause we were born an hour from each other. This is so cool!”

Lance was born in Laurel, Mississippi, while Britney was born in McComb, Mississippi.

“I mean, this means so much to me!” Lance continued. “I mean, she is like family to me, so the fact that we’re, like, blood-related is amazing.”  Lance even claims that when they were very young, he always thought there was a family resemblance.

In other “Lance Bass’ relatives” news, he and Michael are already teaching their newborn twins about Daddy Lance’s musical legacy.  Lance posted a pic of little Alexander and Violet wearing “We’re *NSYNC” onesies, with the caption “They’re tearin’ up my heart.”

 

 

 

 

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Brothers Osborne are feeling the power of their song “Younger Me” as they head into the 2021 CMA Awards. 

“Younger Me” was released after T.J. Osborne came out as gay, serving as a message of hope to his younger self. Since coming out in February, T.J. has received a wealth of support from the country music community, including the Country Music Association — the duo will perform the song that is nominated for Music Video of the Year on the CMAs.  

“To be in a moment where we’re getting a nomination, but also getting to perform a song that isn’t a single or on a record yet, I think speaks volumes to the CMAs and what they’re willing to do to bring some visibility or have things that are meaningful on the show,” T.J. expresses. “I would certainly love to win for the video, mainly for the message beyond what the song says. That would be a huge one to win.” 

Additionally, the Brothers scored nominations for Duo of the Year and one of the night’s top prizes, Album of the Year, for Skeletons. The nominations not only validate their work, but their place in country music. The twosome is going into the show already feeling like winners.   

“To be nominated at the same time for an album that that song isn’t on and be nominated for Skeletons, it’s a big night for us, honestly, no matter how you slice it,” T.J. continues. “Even at this point, if we walk away with just our nominations, it’s still a really big night for us.” 

Brothers Osborne will perform “Younger Me” when the CMA Awards air tomorrow night at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. 

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