After years of working toward this moment, the singer-songwriter has dropped her first-ever independent LP, . (Period), featuring 11 fun-fueled pop tracks. Led by singles “Joyride,” “Yippee-Ki-Yay,” “Delusional,” “The One” and “Boy Crazy,” the project marks her first full-length release under her own Kesha Records.
Leading up to the album’s release on Friday (July 4), Kesha has been open about how emotional and empowering the process of assuming control over her own artistry has been. Prior to . (Period), she was under contract to Kemosabe Records, despite her yearslong legal battle with label owner Dr. Luke, whom she accused of drugging her and raping her at a 2005 party in 2014. The producer has always vehemently denied the allegations, and the two parties reached a settlement in 2023.
In March 2024, Kesha was finally released from her deal with Kemosabe. With her first album since, the artist says she feels like she’s experiencing a “homecoming,” as she told Billboard in a recent interview.
“I really do feel like it’s been a homecoming in a lot of ways — not only legally, to the rights of my voice, but to letting go of that internalized shame, of letting all that go and coming home to my own body, my joy, myself,” Kesha said. “And part of that has been healing my relationship with the records that I’ve put out that were difficult to make — that were perceived in a way that wasn’t the way I intended, that were tied to events that I don’t stand for.”
. (Period) marks Kesha’s sixth studio album, and her first since 2023’s Gag Order. She’s scored four top 10 albums on the Billboard 200 over the course of her career, including No. 1 hits Animal (2010) and Rainbow (2017).
Drake addresses what happened amid, and in the aftermath of, his fallout with Kendrick Lamar on new song “What Did I Miss?” — a track the Toronto rapper dropped unexpectedly at midnight (July 5).
On the surprise single Drake calls out those who turned their backs on him: “You n—-s just better not ask for no favors,” he warns. “It’s love for my brothers and death to a traitor.”
“I don’t give a f– if you love me/ I don’t give a f— if you like me/ Askin’ me ‘How did it feel?’/ Can’t say it didn’t surprise me/ Last time I looked to my right/ You n—-s was standing beside me/ How can some people I love/ Hang around pussies who try me?/ Let’s go,” says Drake, wrapping an introspective chorus with one question on repeat: “What did I miss?”
Later, he references sightings at Kendrick’s 2024 Pop Out show, lamenting, “It feels like nobody’s there until you start givin’ out two-tones/ And nobody cares until they in front of your tombstone/ Y’all been on that type of timing for too long/ Iceman, Tiffany blue stones/ I done made plenty s— right out of two wrongs/ S—, let’s go.”
On a third verse, he raps, “What did I miss?/ When I was looking at y’all and cooking with y’all/ And giving out verses and bookings to y’all/ Making sure wires were hit/ Man, what did I miss?/ When you was all in my crib lookin’ at hoes/ Word for word at all of the shows/ You always felt like this, man?/ What did I miss?”
“What Did I Miss?” was penned by Drake, produced by London Cyr, O Lil Angel, DJ LEWIS, FNZ, Elyas, GYZ, Tay Keith, OZ and Patron, and released via OVO/Republic on streaming services.
Ahead of the song’s premiere, fans caught an unannounced livestream on Friday that had Drake clocking in at an Iceman warehouse, where he went from sipping coffee on break to launching into a solo performance of the new track: first surrounded by rifles on the break room TV screen, and then among ice blocks in the warehouse freezer. The footage also had him driving an Iceman truck around the city and making small talk with fans approaching his vehicle: “Iceman, man, you already know,” Drake said at one point. “C’mon, bro, you already know.”
Drake didn’t upload the event to his channels after streaming, but fans captured and shared the clip across social media, speculating “Iceman” is his new album era.
Julian McMahon‘s former co-stars and more of Hollywood are mourning his loss.
The Australian actor died on Wednesday in Clearwater, Florida, following a battle with cancer, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed. He was 56.
McMahon was known for portraying villain Doctor Doom in 2005’s Fantastic Four and 2007’s sequel, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. He also played Christian Troy in Ryan Murphy’s Nip/Tuck and Cole Turner in Charmed. His more recent credits were in The Residence and The Surfer.
Ioan Gruffudd, who played Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic in the superhero films, posted a tribute on Instagram: “Even though we played each other’s nemeses, there was always so much lightness and laughter working together. Every encounter with him was a joy,” he wrote. “It was an honor to be Dr. Richards to his Dr. Doom. My heart goes out to his wife and family. God speed Julian.”
Michael Chiklis, who played Ben Grimm/The Thing in the Fantastic Four films, shared a photo of himself, Jessica Alba and McMahon on Instagram. “I’m devastated to hear of the passing of my friend Julian. Life is so precious and fragile. My condolences to his family. RIP Jules,” he captioned the post.
Nip/Tuck co-star Dylan Walsh shared a statement with THR, which reads: “Dear Jules, I know you like to flout the boundaries but this time you’ve gone too far. Let’s meet at the Biltmore, have a martini and we’ll talk this through. We’ll laugh hard, the valet will bring up your Hummer, and right behind my hatchback with car seats and bird shit on the window, we’ve laughed at this too many times. Now it’s just us. You’ll kiss me on the cheek and say ‘Bye Dyl.’ Good bye Jules.”
Nicolas Cage, his co-star on this year’s The Surfer, shared in a statement to THR, “Such deeply saddening news. I spent six weeks working with Julian, and he was the most talented of actors. Our scenes together on The Surfer were amongst my favorites I have ever participated in, and Julian is one of my favorite people. He was a kind and intelligent man. My love to his family.”
McMahon’s Charmed co-star Alyssa Milano shared a carousel of photos of her with the actor on her Instagram, writing in part, “Julian McMahon was magic … We spent years together on Charmed — years of scenes, stories, and so many in-between moments. He made me feel safe as an actor. Seen as a woman. He challenged me, teased me, supported me. We were so different, and yet somehow we always understood each other,” she recalled. “Julian was more than my TV husband. He was a dear friend. The kind who checks in. The kind who remembers. The kind who shares. The kind who tells you the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable — but always with love.”
Holly Marie Combs, another Charmed co-star, posted to Instagram: “One of a kind is an understatement. Your unyielding zest for life and crazy making sense of humor will be sorely missed,” she wrote with photos of the cast and of McMahon with Shannen Doherty, who died last year. “The joy and laughter you were the direct cause of will always be remembered. I hope you find our lady friend and dance in those rose petals.”
And Rose McGowan of Charmed, shared a tribute to her Instagram Story that reads: “Oh Julian you force of brilliance, wild talent and humour. For you, your family and loving fans all over the world, I pray comfort.”
His Nip/Tuck co-star Kelly Carlson posted a reel on Instagram of the two. While his Residence and The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat co-star Uzo Aduba wrote, in part, “Such a talent, but also just so much love for life. Energy. Intelligence. Sending all of my love to those who worked with, knew, and loved Julian. May you rest in perfect peace, with confidence it was a race well run.”
Queen Elizabeth II couldn’t cope with Prince Harry wound
Queen Elizabeth II was utterly heartbroken by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Her Majesty, who passed away in 2022 due to old age, was upset as her grandson and his wife dragged down the Royal name.
Royal commentator Phil Dampier told The Sun: “I just think that she worked her whole life trying to make sure that the monarchy succeeded after her.
“And the legacy was the most important thing to her and the Commonwealth, of course, as well.
He added: “It must have been absolutely heartbreaking for her to see what was happening with Prince Andrew and what was happening with Harry and Meghan leaving in her final years.
“To cope with that as she was approaching the end and Prince Philipdied and all this happened right at the end of her life.
“I think it must have been absolutely heartbreaking for her,” noted the expert.
Photo: Victoria Beckham’s BFF steps in to mend bond with son Brooklyn: Source
David Beckham’s wife Victoria and his son Brooklyn Beckham are reportedly at odds with each other.
However, a new report of Closer Magazine established that one of the fashion designer’s close friends has come to help.
Reportedly, Eva Longoria, who is also close to Brooklyn, has come to rescue the mother-son bond.
Spilling the beans on Eva’s role as a mediator between the families, a source told the outlet, “Eva and Brooklyn have always been extremely close. Eva’s known Brooklyn since he was eight and he sees her as a cool aunt figure, turning to her in times of trouble.”
“Eva’s heartbroken by the feud and while she’s obviously been supporting Vic, she’s also reached out to Brooklyn to let him know that she’s here for him,” they added.
In conclusion, the tipster noted about the wife of David Beckham’s tear urged Eva to take action even though she was reluctant to interfere in the Beckham’s family matter earlier.
“As a result, in one of Vic’s tearful breakdowns recently she begged Eva to step in and act as mediator in a desperate bid to try to settle this feud and get Brooklyn to talk to her,” they concluded.
Moe and I met at an obstacle course race in south-western Sydney in 2015 when I was 21. He’s a naturally charismatic guy and, while I wasn’t immune to his charms, I didn’t think of him again until nearly a year later when I saw him on a dating app.
I swiped to say hello and he invited me to go rock climbing. I chickened out at the last minute but a few months later Moe joined the same gym as me. We became fast friends, regularly training and trail running together.
I was at university at the time, living with my parents and dating someone else. I loved spending time with Moe but didn’t register an inkling of romance between us. We slipped easily into a close friendship and were soon having dinner together a few nights a week.
Mariah and Moe in 2017
As my trust in our friendship deepened, I opened up to Moe about the problems in my relationship. At a dimly lit Indian restaurant in Liverpool on a cool autumn night I poured my heart out. My unhappiness felt like a shameful secret I’d been keeping from everyone, even myself, but I felt no judgment from Moe.
I have always had a tendency to get stuck in tricky feelings, becoming frozen by all the ways I could handle a situation. I hate the idea of getting things wrong. That evening Moe was so sage and understanding, all my misguided shame melted away. I could suddenly see a way forward. His ability to help me untangle myself is still one of the things I appreciate most about him.
That relationship ended not long afterwards and, while I was adamant Moe and I were strictly platonic, we were training and eating dinner together every day and bought puppies from the same litter. There were raised eyebrows among our friends and family, who assumed we were an item. I was in full-blown denial. I didn’t know what anyone was talking about – we were just mates!
In early October 2017 we wrapped up training as usual but, when Moe asked me to join him for dinner, his tone was different. The intensity of his voice and the look in his eyes ignited such nervousness in me that I turned his request down. But something had clicked, I knew I was on the precipice of a life-altering moment. I had to sleep on it.
Mariah and Moe on their wedding day at Uluru in 2020
The next night, in our sweaty gym clothes, we headed to a local Vietnamese spot. I was twitching with nerves and, as the meal ended, the whole scene started to feel like a romance novel. Out the front I could hardly look Moe in the eye and, as I made a move for my car, he reached out and pulled me close. When he looked at me I knew I was about to have the last first kiss of my life. It was incredible.
In a way nothing had changed but at the same time everything had. It was humbling to realise that everything we were was already there, I had just been oblivious to what it could become.
By Halloween I knew I’d marry him and our son was born a year later. As I battled through pre- and postnatal depression my default was to disappear into myself. That old shame came knocking again. But as usual Moe was the calming, reassuring presence I needed. When I revealed how unwell I truly was, it was his quiet, steady support that got us all through.
We were married in 2020, in an intimate ceremony at Uluru, and two years later made a tree change to Young, Australia’s cherry capital, with our son and our border collies, Banjo and Nina.
Even now, I still blush thinking about our first kiss.
Looking for the most recent regular Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle and Strands puzzles.
Need some answers for today’s Connections: Sports Edition? Sitting here in Seattle, I was proud to nail the yellow category immediately (I might have had to move if I didn’t get it right.) The green category wasn’t too tough, but the others were more difficult. Read on for hints and the answers.
Connections: Sports Edition is out of beta now, making its debut on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 9. That’s a sign that the game has earned enough loyal players that The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by the Times, will continue to publish it. It doesn’t show up in the NYT Games app but now appears in The Athletic’s own app. Or you can continue to play it free online.
Read more: NYT Connections: Sports Edition Puzzle Comes Out of Beta
Hints for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups
Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.
Yellow group hint: The bluest skies you’ll ever see…
Green group hint: And now it’s pouring.
Blue group hint: Empire State hoops.
Purple group hint: QB’s CV.
Answers for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups
Yellow group: Seattle teams.
Green group: Seen during a baseball rain delay.
Blue group: Members of the New York Liberty.
Purple group: Teams Baker Mayfield has played for.
Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words
What are today’s Connections: Sports Edition answers?
The yellow words in today’s Connections
The theme is Seattle teams. The four answers are Kraken, Mariners, Reign and Seahawks.
The green words in today’s Connections
The theme is seen during a baseball rain delay. The four answers are grounds crew, lightning, ponchos and tarp.
The blue words in today’s Connections
The theme is members of the New York Liberty. The four answers are Cloud, Ionescu, Jones and Stewart.
The purple words in today’s Connections
The theme is teams Baker Mayfield has played for. The four answers are Browns, Buccaneers, Oklahoma and Texas Tech.
My Life With the Walter Boys Season 2 will premiere on Netflix Thursday, August 28.
Starring trio Nikki Rodriguez, Noah LaLonde and Ashby Gentry took the stage at the Calgary Stampede in Calgary, Canada — where the series is filmed — to make the announcement.
Netflix also released three new images for the show’s next season. View them below.
Season 2 of the YA series, which is based on the book by Ali Novak, will pick up after Jackie (Rodriguez) left Silver Falls, caught between Alex (Gentry) telling her he loves her while drunk at Will (Johnny Link) and Haley’s (Zoë Soul) wedding and Cole (LaLonde) kissing her. After spending a summer in New York City, Katherine (Sarah Rafferty) confinces her to come back to Colorado, where Jackie wants to make amends with Alex and take some space from Cole.
Alex, who has changed quite a bit over the summer, isn’t exactly keen to make up with Jackie, and he focuses all his energy on training for a rodeo event while enjoying the new attention people are paying him. Cole, meanwhile, takes on a new role at school, but he finds it doesn’t quite make up for playing football. Then his old habits start to make things messy. While Jackie finds she might fit back into Silver Falls after all, she has to keep the balance or things could topple everything she’s worked hard to rebuild.
While Novak recently released My Return With the Walter Boys, a sequel to her first book, Season 2 takes a different direction. The show has also already been renewed for a third season.
Melanie Halsall serves as showrunner and executive producer on the series. Ed Glauser and Becky Hartman Edwards also serve as executive producers. The series is produced by Sony Pictures Television and International Production and iGeneration Studios.
Cast also includes Marc Blucas (George) Connor Stanhope (Danny), Corey Fogelmanis (Nathan), Jaylan Evans (Skylar), Isaac Arellanes (Isaac), Myles Perez (Lee), Alex Quijano (Richard), Ashley Tavares (Tara), Dean Petriw (Jordan), Alix West Lefler (Parker), Lennix James (Benny), Alisha Newton (Erin), Ellie O’Brien (Grace), Kolton Stewart (Dylan), Mya Lowe (Kiley), Gabrielle Jacinto (Olivia), Jesse Lipscombe (Coach Allen), Nathaniel Arcand (Mato), Natalie Sharp (B. Hartford), Carson MacCormac (Zach), Janet Kidder (Joanne), Riele Downs (Maria) and Jake Manley (Wylder).
L-R: Ashby Gentry as Alex and Nikki Rodriguez as Jackie in ‘My Life with the Walter Boys’
Netflix
Ashby Gentry as Alex in ‘My Life with the Walter Boys’
David Brown/Netflix
L-R: Noah LaLonde as Cole and Sarah Rafferty as Katherine in ‘My Life with the Walter Boys’
In July 2024, Lazenby officially retired from acting,
George Lazenby, the acclaimed actor known for portraying James Bond in the 1969 film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, has been diagnosed with early-stage dementia.
The actor’s wife, Pam Shiver spoke openly about her ongoing support for the 85-year-old actor as he adjusts to life with the condition.
To note, Lazenby made history as the shortest serving James Bond, stepping into the role following Sean Connery’s departure.
In a recent interview with The Telegraph, Shriver shared that Lazenby is in the early stages of dementia, but was quick to add that his distinct personality and spirit still remain very much intact.
‘He has dementia, but he is still very much himself,’ she shared. A softer version of himself, perhaps-and this is the key.’
In July 2024, Lazenby officially retired from acting, tellings fans: ‘This hasn’t been an easy decision but it’s time to announce my retirement from work,’ he shared.
‘Therefore, I won’t be pursuing any further acting roles, public appearances, interviews, or autograph signings starting today. It’s been a rewarding journey, but aging isn’t without its challenges.’
Lazenby decision to decline further Bond roles allowed him to pursue diverse acting opportunities in the 1970s, including roles in films like Universal Soldier (1971), Who Saw Her Die? (1972), and The Man From Hong Kong (1975).
Ashley Tisdale shares secret of her successful marriage with Christopher French
Ashley Tisdale has revealed the key to her successful marriage.
The actress, who tied the knot with Christopher French in 2014, finally spilled the secret to their marriage.
Ashley said, “No matter what in life, things change.”
“I think the biggest thing is to always just try to stay on the same page throughout that,” she added.
As per Ashley, the key to successful marriage is “communication.” She said, “Communication is key on everything. That’s a big one for us.”
Ashley Tisdale who shares Christopher French share two daughters: Jupiter, 4 and Emerson, 10 months old, said, “We definitely had a really good foundation of years to just learn about each other before having kids, which I think is so important because just kids change everything,”
“One of the things I noticed is that it brings out the flaws more in each other, the flaws that you’ve always known about your person. You’re like, ‘Oh, it’s fine.’ But then when you have kids, it is, “Oh my God.” It bothers you more for some reason.”
“But then there’s some people I know that literally get married and have kids, and they’re really great, too. So, I don’t know. Everyone is different,” she said, adding that it’s a “good thing” that they found each other at the “right time.”
