Justin Bieber for World Cup Half-Time, Hacks' EMMYs Sweep, Ariana Reacts to AI Clip

Hacks Ends on a High Note with Historic 24 Emmy Nominations

Max’s acclaimed comedy, Hacks, is concluding its run with a record-breaking 24 Emmy nominations for its fifth and final season, surpassing the previous send-off record of 15 nominations held by Schitt’s Creek. This remarkable feat makes it the most nominated single season of any comedy series in television history, outpacing prior milestones set by The Bear and The Studio. Despite Hacks' success, significant snubs were noted, particularly for major series like Stranger Things and Euphoria, which failed to secure nominations for their final seasons.

Leading Hacks' historic farewell is Jean Smart, whose performance as the Las Vegas comedy icon Deborah Vance has garnered her a 15th Emmy nomination. At 74, Smart has won the Lead Comedy Actress award for each eligible season so far, and a fifth win would place her in an exclusive group of performers who have swept an Emmy category for multi-season runs. Her only rival for this achievement is Zendaya from Euphoria, who stands out as the lone major acting nominee from her ensemble this season.

Justin Bieber Joins Historic World Cup Half-Time Show

Justin Bieber has joined the star-studded lineup for the 2026 World Cup halftime show in New York, set to perform on July 19. The Canadian pop icon will take the stage alongside a diverse array of artists, including Madonna, Shakira, and BTS, in FIFA's first-ever Super Bowl-style halftime extravaganza, curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin. This ambitious 11-minute spectacle is expected to feature additional performances from Burna Boy, Gustavo Dudamel, the PS22 Chorus with Coldplay, and the beloved Sesame Street muppets.

The mega-concert aims to support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, with a goal of raising $100 million for children's education worldwide. Bieber's participation in this high-profile event marks a significant milestone in his live-performance comeback following a lengthy hiatus due to health struggles, coming shortly after his nostalgic set at Coachella this past spring. Reflecting on the global significance of the World Cup, Bieber expressed his excitement, stating, "The FIFA World Cup brings the world together in a way nothing else can."

ICYMI:

• Leigh-Anne has revealed that she is pregnant with her third child.

• A new ‘Cheetah Girls’ movie is in the works, it will be titled ‘The Cheetah Girls: Next Gen’ with Raven-Symone set to return.

Ariana Grande Reacts to AI Album Snippet Ahead of 'Petal' Release

Ariana Grande has weighed in on the internet's latest viral obsession, reacting to a highly convincing, AI-generated fake snippet that claimed to leak music from her highly anticipated upcoming album, Petal. The pop superstar took to Instagram to address the fabricated track, which had been spreading rapidly across TikTok, X, and Instagram, leaving a brief but memorable one-word comment: “hell ♡.” Fans immediately sent the playful reaction viral, interpreting the message as Grande’s amused acknowledgment of just how shockingly accurate the deepfake audio had become.

The internet drama arrives right in the middle of a high-gear promotional rollout for Petal, which is scheduled to drop on July 31. Just yesterday, July 8, Grande kept her monthly countdown tradition alive by treating fans to some very real teasers, unveiling a stunning alternate album cover and a fresh set of official lyrics that offer a genuine glimpse into the project’s emotional direction.

POP FACT: On this day in 1993, Little Mix’s Perrie Edwards was born.

Music Mourns the Unexpected Passing of Welsh Rockstar Bonnie Tyler at 75

The music community is mourning the unexpected passing of legendary Welsh powerhouse Bonnie Tyler, who has died at the age of 75 in a hospital in Portugal following a battle with a severe illness. Renowned for her unmistakable, gravelly vocals on timeless anthems like "Total Eclipse of the Heart" and "Holding Out for a Hero," Tyler’s death prompted a wave of emotional tributes led by Oscar-winning actress Catherine Zeta-Jones, whose cousin is Tyler's husband of 50 years. Zeta-Jones remembered the singer as a "one-of-a-kind artist" and one of the funniest people she had ever met, while peers like Sir Cliff Richard and Bryan Adams, alongside UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, united in celebrating her enduring cultural impact. Tyler, who had recently emerged from an induced coma following emergency surgery in May, leaves behind a monumental legacy that music producer Pete Waterman directly likened to the soul and star-power of Tina Turner.

ICYMI:

• Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show has become the most nominated in EMMYs history with 9 nominations.

• Charli xcx has shared an alternative cover for ‘Music, Fashion, Film.’

• ‘Heartstopper’ is receiving a behind-the-scenes special on July 24th, it will be titled ‘Heartstopper: Ending on a Hi.’

• KATSEYE have announced a documentary, releasing August 12th, titled ‘KATSEYE: WILD HEARTS.’

— Katie Macbeth

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