Keke Palmer on episode of ‘American Idol’ (Disney/Eric McCandless)
Keke Palmer wears many hats, but on Wednesday she’ll serve as both host and performer for Billboard Women in Music 2026. During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Tuesday, she said she’s looking forward to the night, where she’ll take the stage with “Text Message Unsent” from the soundtrack of her upcoming movie, I Love Boosters.
“I get to perform one of the songs — ‘Text Message Unsent’ — which is on the soundtrack of the EP for the movie,” she said, explaining that the title is inspired by moments “when you want to say the things to this person that you love but you just know it’s never gonna go anywhere, so it just stays in a text message unsent.”
The film, which also stars Don Cheadle, LaKeith Stainfield, Taylour Paige and Naomi Ackie, is set for a May 22 release.
While speaking to Jimmy Kimmel, Keke said it was hard to recognize Don on set. “It was crazy because he really went into just an extreme character look for the show … it’s fabulous,” she said.
“He’s really cool, too, and I’ve always loved him [since] Fresh Prince of Bel-Air days,” she said.
She added it was “very fun making the movie” and “just being with the girls all day. We were just all gagging, talking and laughing.”
The CMA Awards mark a significant milestone in 2026, as country music’s most prestigious honors celebrate six decades.
The 60th annual CMA Awards will take place Wednesday, Nov. 18, at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.
“Country music is shaped by the people who dedicate their lives to it, whether on stage, in the studio, on the road, or behind the scenes,” Country Music Association CEO Sarah Trahern says. “At CMA, celebrating that work is at the heart of everything we do.”
“Across our awards and honors, it is this community that determines what excellence looks like, and in our 60th year, I hope every member of this industry truly understands the significance of that,” she continues. “Their participation is how country music recognizes itself, and how it shapes its future.”
The 60th CMA Awards will air live on ABC, as they have since 2006. You’ll be able to stream the show the next day on Hulu.
Disney is the parent company of ABC News and Hulu.
Elton John performs at the 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, November 8, 2025 (Disney/Frank Micelotta)
Elton John spent many years doing residencies in Las Vegas, and he’s heading back there in May to play a special show.
The Las Vegas Review-Journalreports that Elton will headline the Las Vegas Raiders’ Silver & Black Gala charity event May 17 at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium. The event will benefit the Raider Foundation, which supports military members and veterans, health and wellness initiatives, and youth development efforts in the Las Vegas community.
Team owner Mark Davis told the paper, “Elton’s resilience and willingness to share his own struggles reinforces the message that mental health matters and that seeking support is a sign of strength.”
Elton, who most recently played Allegiant Stadium in 2022, played over 400 shows between his two Vegas residencies at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace: The Red Piano from 2004 to 2009 and The Million Dollar Piano from 2011 to 2018.
While Elton officially retired from the road in 2023 when his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour ended, he’s continued to perform shows here and there, especially for charitable causes.
British police investigate the scene with the support of counterterrorism units after two people were injured in a stabbing attack in a neighborhood with a large Jewish community in Golders Green area of north London, United Kingdom on April 29, 2026. (Rasid Necati Aslim/Anadolu via Getty Images)
(LONDON) — A stabbing attack in London that officials said injured two Jewish men has been declared a “terrorist incident,” police said.
The suspect — a 45-year-old man — was arrested after trying to attack officers who responded to reports of people being stabbed in the Golders Green neighborhood in Northwest London, the Metropolitan Police said.
The incident took place at 11:16 a.m. local time in London on Wednesday.
“One male was seen running along Golders Green Road armed with a knife and attempting to stab Jewish members of the public,” Shomrim NW London, a charity that operates an emergency response team in the area, said on social media.
Two men — aged 76 and 34 — were treated at the scene for stab wounds before being taken to a hospital, where they are both listed in stable condition, police said.
The suspect was Tasered and arrested after allegedly trying to stab officers, police said. No officers were injured.
The suspect was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and remains in custody, the Metropolitan Police said. He has a history of serious violence and mental health issues, according to Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley.
Specialist officers from Counter Terrorism Policing are leading the investigation. inquiry
“One of the lines of inquiry is whether this attack was deliberately targeting the Jewish community in London,” he added.
Mayor Sadiq Khan of London condemned the “appalling attack on two Jewish Londoners in Golders Green.”
“London’s Jewish community have been the target of a series of shocking antisemitic attacks,” Khan said in a statement. “There must be absolutely no place for antisemitism in society. The Met have stepped up high visibility patrols in the area.”
Sarah Sackman, a member of Parliament who represents the area, said she was aware of the “serious stabbing” in Golders Green.
“The attacks on British Jews are an attack on Britain itself,” she said in a statement posted on social media. “It is unconscionable that Jews are being targeted in this way.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who was addressing questions in the House of Commons on Wednesday, said it was “deeply concerning to everyone in this House.” He added that a police investigation was underway.
Wednesday’s alleged stabbing was at least the third violent incident reported in the Golders Green area — which is well-known for its sizable Jewish community — in recent weeks.
In late March, four ambulances belonging to the Jewish community ambulance service, Hatzalah, were firebombed in a suspected antisemitic attack, according to the Met Police.
And on Tuesday, an arson attack was reported on a memorial wall in Golders Green, which is dedicated to thousands of protesters killed in an Iranian government crackdown on nationwide protests in January, police said.
The wall is located close to a local Jewish center, although police said the Tuesday alleged attack was “not being treated as a terrorist incident and officers are keeping an open mind about the motive behind the attack.”
ABC News’ Joe Simonetti and Zoe Magee contributed to this report.
Ace Frehley preforms with Gene Simmons at The Children Matter Benefit Concert Featuring Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, Don Felder And Cheap Trick on September 2, 2017 at CHS Field Stadium in St Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images for The Children Matter)
KISS’ Gene Simmons is revealing his regrets regarding his late bandmate Ace Frehley, who passed away in October.
In an interview with the Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum podcast, Simmons opened up about his relationship with Frehley over the past 50 years, describing it as “up and down.”
“If you would’ve met Ace at the beginning — God bless him — you would’ve fallen in love with the idea, you know, who he is and all that,” Simmons said, noting their relationship began to decline when Frehley “turned to beverages and chemicals.”
He went on to discuss what he described as Frehley’s unreliable behavior during his KISS tenure, including Frehley not showing up to recording sessions and events. He revealed that he tried to talk Frehley out of his first KISS departure, noting “he never made smart decisions.”
Simmons said he regretted that he didn’t stage an intervention for Frehley decades ago and “forced him to understand he’s not just hurting himself by his lifestyle choices, but his family, his child and the fans.”
“It was a stupid and shameful decision on all our parts — I know mine too — is, ‘No, you don’t wanna get the fans upset. Let’s make believe he’s in the band and everything’s OK at home,’” he said, getting emotional. “And it, it’s tough. It’s really tough.”
Simmons said he knows fans aren’t going to be happy with his comments.
“But the kids at home don’t understand that. They never met and spent time with Ace,” he said, noting that when Frehley was clean he was “lovable, everything’s great.” However, “when the stuff started to take hold, it was Jekyll and Hyde. You just can’t make smart decisions when you’re drunk or high.”
Rachel Zegler performs “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina” live on the balcony as she plays Eva Perón in ‘Evita’ at the London Palladium on June 30, 2025, in London, England. (Ming Yeung/Getty Images)
Don’t cry for her, New York.
The recent West End revival of Evita, starring Rachel Zegler, is transferring to Broadway. This production will arrive to The Great White Way in spring 2027.
Director Jamie Loyd is at the helm of this production of the musical written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice.
“Performing Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s brilliant show in London was a dream come true, but being able to partner once again with Jamie to bring Evita to Broadway is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I can’t wait to perform for my home, New York City,” Zegler said in a press release.
Lloyd said he was “completely overwhelmed by the incredible response” to the show’s London run. He teased that the Broadway production will have some differences.
“It is an honor to work with Tim and Andrew, and I’m looking forward to revisiting the production with Rachel, whose stellar performance continues to inspire me,” Lloyd said. “When we started discussing a New York production, it became apparent that our Palladium staging of ‘Don’t Cry For Me Argentina’ would not be possible. I am really excited to explore a new idea, made especially for Broadway.”
Webber said he’s “delighted to see” the production arrive in New York.
“It is so exciting to see Tim and my work reimagined in new ways, and the show has a generational talent in Rachel Zegler. I can’t wait for American audiences to experience a production which took the West End by storm,” Webber said.
Zegler won an Olivier Award for her performance as Eva Perón. The musical tells the story of Perón’s life, starting with her origins, and leading up to her political career and death.
Justin Bieber performs during the 2026 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 18, 2026 in Indio, California. (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Coachella)
While he’s appeared on Billboard’s Hot Christian Songs chart before with songs from his 2021 EP, Freedom, Justin Bieber’s never made it to the top 10 — until now. And he has Coachella to thank for it.
Justin’s song “Everything Hallelujah,” which he performed at both of his Coachella sets, debuts at #6 on Hot Christian Songs. It also debuts at #1 on Christian Streaming Songs, the first time he ever appeared on that tally.
The popularity of the Swag II track is part of an overall increased interest in Justin’s entire catalog following Coachella. Plus, the song’s repeated use of the word “hallelujah” has become popular on TikTok, which is also helping to drive streams. Prior to this, the highest Justin had gotten on Hot Christian Songs was #20.
Meanwhile, rumors that Justin would announce a tour soon after Coachella proved unfounded, but his website still includes an invitation to “RSVP to be notified when new tour dates are announced.”
Signs point the way to measles testing in the parking lot of the Seminole Hospital District across from Wigwam Stadium on February 27, 2025 in Seminole, Texas. (Jan Sonnenmair/Getty Images)
(NEW YORK) — With a busy travel season approaching, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning that additional measles cases in the U.S. can be expected over the next few months.
The agency sent the alert to state and local health departments, reminding them to report measles cases to the CDC within 24 hours and to have measles cases reported in hospitals and to public health authorities.
The CDC has encouraged public health departments to conduct contact tracing for exposed individuals as well as perform outreach to under-vaccinated communities.
“With continued measles transmission in areas across North America and expected increases in international and domestic travel and large events during spring and summer, additional measles cases are anticipated in the coming months,” the alert reads.
Parents should ensure they and their loved ones are protected against measles before traveling, the CDC says. This includes getting vaccinated against measles at least two weeks before leaving.
The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is typically given in two doses, the first at 12 to 15 months old and the second between ages four and six. One dose is 93% effective and two doses are 97% effective against measles, according to the CDC.
Those traveling to or living in an outbreak area may be eligible for an earlier vaccine between 6 and 11 months old, the CDC says. This additional shot would be followed by the typical two doses for a total of three doses.
After returning home from travel from an area with measles, travelers should look out for measles symptoms for three weeks and contact their doctor if they experience symptoms or think they may have been exposed, the CDC advises.
The alert comes as cases continue to be recorded across the U.S. So far this year, there have been 1,782 cases nationwide, according to CDC data.
Cases have been reported in 36 states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.
About 92% of cases are among people who are unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown, CDC data shows.
Meanwhile, 4% of cases are among those who have received just one dose of the MMR vaccine and 4% of cases are among those who received the recommended two doses, according to the CDC.
Last year, the U.S. recorded 2,288 measles cases, which is the highest number of national cases in 33 years, according to the CDC.
More than a year ago, health officials confirmed that cases of measles were cropping up in a small town in western Texas. It’s unclear if those cases are linked to those reported in other states; if so, it would mean the U.S. has seen a year of continuous transmission.
If it’s determined that the U.S. has experienced 12 months of continuous measles transmission, it could lead to a loss of the country’s elimination status that was earned in 2000. Measles would once again be considered endemic or constantly circulating.
Keith Urban’s yacht rock covers album, Flow State, will arrive June 12, just in time to hit the beach.
You can now sample his version of Seals & Crofts‘ “Summer Breeze,” recorded at his Nashville studio The Sound, along with the record’s one original, “We Go Back,” which features Michael McDonald.
“The origins of this kind of music was, in certain ways, a reaction and an antidote to the stresses of the times,” Keith says. “Its sole mission (and soul mission) is unchanged…to bring us together and remind us that life is happening NOW- the eternal now- and we have far more in common than not.”
“I hope wherever you hear this album you can feel the exhale, comfort and optimism these songs were originally written by and for,” he adds.
The Aussie superstar’s 13th studio album also features his cover of Walter Egan’s “Magnet and Steel” from 1978. The original included background vocals from Fleetwood Mac’s Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham. This time, it’s Little Big Town.
Fellow guitar god John Mayer joins him on “Guitar Man.”
Here’s the complete track listing for Keith Urban’s Flow State: “Steal Away” “Baby Come Back” “Magnet and Steel” featuring Little Big Town “Just the Two of Us” “On and On” “We Go Back” featuring Michael McDonald “Help Is On Its Way” “How Much I Feel” “Summer Breeze” “I Just Wanna Stop” “Guitar Man” featuring John Mayer
E. Jean Carroll arrives for her civil defamation trial against President Donald Trump at Manhattan Federal Court on January 25, 2024 in New York City. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
(NEW YORK) — A federal appeals court in New York on Wednesday rejected President Donald Trump’s request to rehear his challenges to the writer E. Jean Carroll’s successful defamation and sex assault claims.
Carroll successfully argued during a nine-day trial in 2023 that Trump sexually abused her in a Bergdorf Goodman dressing room in the 1990s and defamed her in 2022 with comments he made after he left office.
The jury awarded Carroll $5 million in damages.
Trump, who has denied all wrongdoing, tried unsuccessfully to substitute the United States as a defendant and to raise a claim of presidential immunity. In its decision Wednesday, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said both arguments were raised too late.
“The fact of the matter is that no other defendant would be permitted to move to substitute the United States in his place, fifteen months after trial and the entry of judgment against him,” Judge Denny Chin wrote. “The Court appropriately declined to convene en banc to revisit this issue.”
A separate jury in a subsequent trial awarded Carroll $83 million in damages.
