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Isaac Atkins is one man whose job doesn’t define him.
The 23-year-old from Lewiston, Maine, speaks with a booming baritone voice, the kind that thumps your chest like a sound system built to handle bass. No doubt he uses that talent to some effect in his regular job, serving as a sergeant in the U.S. army.
On Tuesday night, June 16, Atkins got his chance to chase his dream when he stopped by America’s Got Talent during the Auditions phase.
At the top, Simon Cowell asked why Atkins was stood before him, and why now? Atkins, who is currently on leave (“I took a few days off to come here”), loves nothing more than to sing in the car. He’s been doing it since he was a kid, we learned, when his dad introduced him to the magic of Motown, and Sam Cooke.
Roughly 18 months ago, Atkins decided to share his gifts on social media with clips of himself singing songs by a slew of artists, from Elvis Presley to Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers, sombr, Gucci Mane, Bell Biv DeVoe, The Smiths and others. His colleagues saw it, loved it. They were “the ones who kind of urged me to come here and sing. And realize my dream,” he recounts on the AGT stage. “So, I’m really happy to be here.”
Performing in front of a national — no, international — audience is no accident. “This is my dream,” he remarks.
Atkins didn’t waste his chance. He showcased his range and power with a cover of “Beggin’,” the soulful 1967 song by Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons that enjoyed a second life when it was covered by Eurovision champions Måneskin in 2017.
“Isaac, let me tell you,” Mel B enthused. “You can sing.”
Sofía Vergara had similar thoughts. “What a voice. What a sexy voice you have,” she added.
Before Cowell or Howie Mandel had a chance to chime in, Mel B took matters into her hands. “Hold on a minute, before anyone else does this, I’m going to do it,” the Spice Girl said, as she reached for the Golden Buzzer. Cue gold confetti and good times.
Atkins, who has been in the army for six years and is stationed in Honolulu, now advances to the Live round of NBC’s AGT, which is currently in its 21st season.
Watch his Audition in full below.
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It is hot almost everywhere. Whether you’re reading this from California or Texas, we all feel the heat. Lucky for you, we’ve conjured up a way to keep cool with help from a piece of tech that will craft an icy treat that you can make in the comfort of your very own home.
The Ninja Slushi Professional Frozen Drink Maker whips up frozen goodies in as little as 15 minutes — and you don’t need ice to get the job done. Ninja’s Slushi, which retails for $298 (regularly $349.99) at Walmart, utilizes RapidChill Technology — a two-part system that spins 360 degrees and turns liquids into slushy goodness.
For a Frappe, the Ninja Slushi is your go-to. To bring you up to speed, a Frappe is an icy blended coffee drink made extremely popular by coffee chains like Dunkin’ and Starbucks. You can find a ton of Ninja Slushi recipes for Frappes online, but this one comes directly from the test kitchen, so you know it’s good.
For two to three servings, you’ll want one cup of half & half, two cups of black coffee, one teaspoon of vanilla extract and third cup granulated sugar. To make it sweeter, you can swap out the granulated sugar with brown sugar. Mix this delish concoction up and pour it into the vessel.
You’ll then click the Frappe preset, which will start at the default and optimal temperature for ideal texture. However, you can adjust the temperature if the presetting is not cold enough. Once it’s frozen, you’ll wanna serve it up asap topped with whipped cream, caramel and mini-chips.
The Slushi features temperature controls to customize the thickness of your frozen concoctions and five settings: Slush, Spiked Slush, Frappé, Milkshake and Frozen Juice.
If you fancy slushies, margaritas, daiquiris, frappés, frosé or other frozen drinks, Ninja Slushi should be high on your list of must haves. It keeps drinks frozen for up to 12 hours, making it perfect for summertime parties, gatherings and get-togethers.
And if you’re a music fan, break out the Ninja Slushi for your next dance party, or watch parties for your favorite concert specials, music documentaries and award shows, and to pregame before attending a concert or music festival.
And since the Ninja Slushi is from Walmart, you’ll get it shipped to you for free if you’re a Walmart+ member. Otherwise, your cart has to be more than $35 to get free shipping, which this frozen drink maker is, so you’ll get the free shipping with or without Walmart+.
However, if you’re not a member, then you’re in luck: You can sign up for a trial for just $1 to take advantage of everything the retailer’s rewards program has to offer with perks such as free, fast delivery; fuel discounts, streaming access to Paramount+ to watch hit originals; additional savings with early access deals and much more.
In addition, Walmart+ comes with access to SiriusXM for all sorts of talk radio and music — including popular channels like “The Coffee House” for stripped-down songs from Noah Kahan, Kacey Musgraves, The Lumineers, Phoebe Bridgers and others. Learn more about what Walmart+ can offer you here.
On sale for $298 (regularly $349.99), the Ninja Slushi is available at Walmart. The machine is also available for purchase at other retailers, including NinjaKitchen.com, Amazon, Target, Best Buy and Kohl’s.
The world champion New York Knicks will take over Monday night’s (June 15) episode of The Tonight Show two days after their comeback defeat of the San Antonio Spurs in game five of the NBA Finals on Saturday night in Texas. According to a press release announcing the special episode, host Jimmy Fallon will sit down with the 2026 NBA champs, including series MVP Jalen Brunson, as well as his teammates Karl-Anthony Towns, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges.
Fallon called it “a booking 53 years in the making” in a statement, referring to the more than half-century since the team’s last NBA title in 1973. In addition to the rest of the Knicks teams, head coach Mike Brown, the Knicks City Dancers and other as-yet-unannounced guests, the night will feature a special performance from the Wu-Tang Clan.
The Staten Island legends hit the hardwood at Madison Square Garden last Wednesday (June 11) for a much-needed halftime boost during game four of the NBA Finals, where they unleashed a medley of hits including “Bring da Ruckus,” “Method Man” and “C.R.E.A.M.” at a point in the game when the home team were down 76-49 at the break. With a shot of Wu York Knicks energy to hype them up, Brunson and company mounted a historic comeback, beating back the biggest deficit in NBA playoffs history to notch a 107-106 win that put them one game away from the promised land.
Knicks superfan Fallon was on hand at MSG during the history-making game four comeback, losing his mind along with other celebrity fans including Taylor Swift, Este and Alana Haim — who wore home made punny Knicks shirts — as well as unofficial team mascot actor Timothée Chalamet, Chris Rock, Adam Sandler, Sydney Sweeney, OG megafan Spike Lee, Tracy Morgan, Ben Stiller and many more.
According to NBC, in a tribute to the team’s super-loyal fanbase, the entire studio audience for Monday’s show will be made up of die-hard fans who were unable to attend the finals in person.
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
New York Knicks NBA championship merch has dropped online following the team’s dominant 4-1 series victory over the San Antonio Spurs to capture the 2026 NBA title.
In front of stars like Taylor Swift, A$AP Rocky, Fat Joe and Timothee Chalamet, the Knicks took home their first NBA championship since 1973, following a 94-90 win over the Spurs Saturday night.
The Knicks were led by guard Jalen Brunson, who dropped 45 points to lead the team to victory. The 29-year-old also took home the NBA Finals MVP trophy. But that isn’t the only memento Brunson will take home from his big championship win: the point guard also now has his own official bobblehead.
LIMITED EDITION RELEASE
Available on the merch and collectibles site, FOCO, the Brunson bobblehead doll features a plastic figurine of the Knicks star posing with his trophy and perched on top of a base with Knicks and NBA branding.
Sporting his number 11 jersey, the player’s name and the words “2026 NBA Champions” is written on a plaque at the front of the display stand. FOCO says each bobblehead is hand-painted and hand-crafted, ensuring that no two units are exactly the same. What that means: you’re getting a true collector’s piece with each purchase.
This is an officially licensed release from the NBA and FOCO and it’s sure to sell out fast. Due to the demand, FOCO is limiting shoppers to just two units per purchase.
“BIGHEAD” BOBBLEHEAD
You can also pick up this Brunson bobblehead, which features the Knicks player perched on top of a display stand inspired by the team’s NBA championship-winning ring.
This bobblehead figure measures approximately 6.5 inches in height and features an exaggerated “big head” design.
BRAG-WORTHY PIECE
While most bobbleheads on the FOCO site measure between 6-8 inches in height, the collectibles brand is teasing a pre-order release for an 18-inch Jalen Brunson bobblehead online.
The final version of the figurine has yet to be unveiled but FOCO says it will portray the NBA finals MVP posing in his gameday uniform while perched on a marble-inspired display stand. Only 50 of these 18-inch bobbleheads will be released so you’ll want to snag one before they’re sold out.
ALSO AVAILABLE
A number of other Knicks players also have their own bobbleheads available online. This one showcases Knicks guard Josh Hart holding the Larry O’Brien Trophy while surrounded by Knicks colors and branding.
Like the Brunson bobbleheads, this one is also released in extremely limited edition. Each unit is numbered and shoppers are limited to two figurines per purchase, ensuring their collectibility.
OFFICIAL JERSEY DISPLAY
FOCO also has a number of “jersey busts” featuring the Knicks players and their official jerseys. This one celebrates Knicks forward OG Anunoby with his number eight jersey and championship belt set on a gilded, wooden-style base.
Each Knicks jersey bust measures approximately six inches in height. This one is limited to an edition of 526.
LIMITED QUANTITIES
FOCO also sells these eight-inch plush bears celebrating the Knicks NBA title win. The stuffed toys feature the team’s blue and orange colorway, with Knicks branding and motifs throughout.
Choose your favorite player and get their name and jersey number embroidered on the bear, like the Karl-Anthony Towns example seen above. These stuffed animals are limited to just 225 pieces and each one is individually numbered.
FAN FAVORITE
It’s not just the Knicks basketball players who got their own bobblehead after the team’s NBA championship win — FOCO also has an official Hello Kitty bobblehead, with the Sanrio star wearing a Knicks-inspired uniform with an orange and blue bow on her head. The name “Hello Kitty” is printed on the back of the jersey.
This Hello Kitty figurine stands about five inches tall and comes on a circular base inspired by the hardwood court.
See more Knicks merch, including toys, bags and bobbleheads for other players online at FOCO.com. Everything is officially licensed for sale on the site, by the National Basketball Association and the New York Knicks team.
OFFICIAL T-SHIRT
If you’re looking for an official Knicks championship win T-shirt, Fanatics has this unisex tee with big CHAMPS branding on the front and the signatures of all the players on the back.
The 100% cotton tee is available in sizes small to 2XL. You can see more Knicks NBA winners merch and T-shirts online at Fanatics.com.
OFFICIAL HAT
And you can find official Knicks merch, including this vintage-inspired hat, online at Amazon.
This hat features a blue and ivory colorway with an embroidered logo on the front and a slightly curved brim. An adjustable snapback closure helps this fit most head sizes.
The Knicks win set off a host of celebrations across the city that are sure to last through the weekend. New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani announced that a ticker-tape parade for the team will take place in Manhattan this Thursday, June 18.
Fresh off her historic induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Taylor Swift was back in midtown Manhattan this weekend to see one of the hottest tickets on Broadway, Oh, Mary! with Maya Rudolph, with Travis Kelce by her side. They caught the play just in time to see Rudolph starring as Mary Todd Lincoln, as the SNL alum’s limited run in the show wraps July 5.
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The pair posed backstage for photos with the cast of Oh, Mary!, including Rudolph, while attending a matinee performance at the Lyceum Theater in New York City on Saturday (June 13). A clip taken at curtain call by a fellow audience member shows a glimpse of Swift just a few rows back from the stage, leading a standing ovation for Saturday’s performers.
Cheyenne Jackson, Martin Landry, director Sam Pinkleton, Travis Kelce, Taylor Swift, Maya Rudolph as “Mary Todd Lincoln,” Bianca Leigh and Phillip James Brannon pose backstage at the hit comedy ‘Oh, Mary!’ on Broadway at the Lyceum Theatre on June 13, 2026 in New York City.
Bruce Glikas/WireImage
Oh, Mary! is a Tony Award-winning, comedic “one-act play that finally examines the forgotten life and dreams of Mrs. Lincoln, through the lens of an idiot (playwright Cole Escola),” the production’s official synopsis says. Rudolph currently portrays the “miserable, suffocated” first lady “in the weeks leading up to Abraham Lincoln’s assassination. Unrequited yearning, alcoholism, and suppressed desires abound in this 80-minute one-act play.” The play’s plot centers on Mary Todd’s unhappiness with her marriage to the then-U.S. president — a reimagining of the couple’s story that has President Lincoln closeted (though it’s a fictional story, some historians do believe he was queer), and Mary Todd drunk and dreaming of being a showgirl.
“This play is about a woman with a dream that no one around her understands,” Escola told NPR. “A dream that the whole world is telling her is stupid and doesn’t make any sense.”
At the 2025 Tony Awards, Escola — who not only wrote the book, but originated the lead role of Mary as its first performer — was named best leading actor in a play, while Oh, Mary! director Sam Pinkleton took home best direction of a play.
Following Rudolph, Megan Stalter is slated to take over the role of Mary next, for a 10-week stint beginning July 6.
Swift received her Songwriters Hall of Fame honor Thursday night (June 11) at a ceremony held at the Marriott Marquis Hotel. Sombr performed two Swift classics in tribute — “Cardigan” and “Dear John” — with the honoree and her parents softly singing along, from heir table in front of him. Steven Spielberg saluted Swift, who’s the youngest woman ever inducted into the SHOF, by introducing her to the stage for her speech.
“If I look back at my entire 23-year career in music, the ups and downs and industry battles, the trials and tribulations, the cheers and tears and dogpiling of doubt, the criticisms — both fair and unfair — the complete loss of privacy, the world tours and ego wars, and the twists of fate, the absolute magical chaos of this path that I chose when I was too young to remember it even being a choice at all, songwriting was the easiest thing I ever did,” Swift said in her speech. “Not because it didn’t take effort. It definitely did. Not that it wasn’t frustrating at times, because it could be. And not that my songwriting didn’t haunt me relentlessly until I cracked the perfect internal rhyme scheme for the third line of the second verse before my teachers called me out in class for not paying attention, because that definitely happened.”
She continued, “But when I say that songwriting was the easiest part for me, I think what I mean is that it was instinctual. No one taught me how to do it. I had to be taught how to entertain a crowd. And learn choreography, and be less annoying and navigate the industry and fiercely protect my own sanity through difficult lessons and massive amounts of trial and error and chaos and calamity. But songwriting for me was pretty much the only thing I naturally did.”
Last week she unveiled an original song penned for Toy Story 5, “I Knew It, I Knew You,” which she debuted live on piano on Tuesday at the film’s world premiere. Swift also performed the Toy Story mainstay “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” as a duet with Randy Newman at the premiere.
Michael Jackson’s biopic, Michael, has dethroned Bohemian Rhapsody to become the highest-grossing music biopic of all time, crossing $911.9 million worldwide as the Jaafar Jackson-starring film continues its global rollout.
Directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by John Logan, the Lionsgate and Universal co-production has surpassed Bohemian Rhapsody‘s total gross with $358.6 million at the domestic box office and $553.3 million internationally — with Universal generating $540.5 million of the international total after acquiring foreign theatrical and ancillary rights. The film arrives in Japan today, a territory that could push Michael past $1 billion worldwide, which would make it only the second film to cross that threshold at the 2026 global box office after Universal’s Super Mario Galaxy Movie.
By comparison, the Freddie Mercury biopic Bohemian Rhapsody — which won four Oscars including Best Film Editing and earned Rami Malek a Best Actor win — grossed $216.6 million domestically and $694.3 million internationally for a $910.9 million global total. Both films were produced by Graham King, meaning King has now broken his own all-time box office record for music biopics.
The film has set a string of records in addition to its overall gross — among them the largest global opening weekend ever for a music biopic, the highest-grossing domestic biopic of all time, and the most successful biopic ever in France, surpassing La Vie en Rose. Forty international markets surpassed Bohemian Rhapsody‘s lifetime gross, including Brazil, France and Mexico. It is also Lionsgate’s highest-grossing theatrical release ever worldwide.
The road to release was not without turbulence. Lionsgate was forced to undertake $50 million in reshoots after the Jackson estate identified a key issue with a plot point in the screenplay concerning one of Jackson’s accusers, who was not meant to be dramatised in the film. The film stars Jaafar Jackson — Michael Jackson’s nephew — in the title role.
Michael Jackson remains one of the most commercially successful recording artists in history. He has sold an estimated 350 million records worldwide, scored 13 No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 as a solo artist — including “Billie Jean,” “Beat It” and “Black or White” — and holds the record for the best-selling album of all time with Thriller, which has sold more than 70 million copies worldwide.
Thriller spent 37 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Jackson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice — once as a member of the Jackson 5 in 1997 and once as a solo artist in 2001.
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
With Ariana Grande’s Eternal Sunshine Tour underway, the pop/R&B singer is traveling across the United States with nearly 30 stops scheduled in big cities, like Brooklyn, Austin, Atlanta, Boston and others.
If you are planning on attending, one thing’s for sure: You’ll want merch and apparel. Thankfully, Urban Outfitters dropped a line of tees all priced at $40 apiece from different eras of Grande’s career, from Yours Truly to Eternal Sunshine. Considering most concert merch can run you more than $100 per tee, this $40-line is a stellar option.
You can’t find these pieces anywhere else, meaning once these t-shirts are sold out, they’re gone for good. We’ve shared a few of our fashionable favorites from the collection, including baby tees and shirt dresses, and how to style them.
UO Exclusive
This shirt meets dress comes in sizes small/medium and large/XL.
The glory days of Grande wearing baggy shirt-esque dresses will never be forgotten, and this style is proof. The boxy silhouette features artwork from the artist’s Eternal Sunshine era on both the front and back in red, contrasting the cream-colored base. The neckline is slouchy, sitting off-the-shoulder.
If you’re tired of regular old graphic tees, you can shake up your collection and try out this piece that is more dress than shirt. This style stops around the mid-thigh, depending on your height. If you are heading to one of the singer’s stops on her tour, this is a comfortable option that you can wear with combat boots or bloomers. Or go full-on 2018 Grande and wear thigh-high booties to elongate your legs.
UO Exclusive
Another baby tee is available in this exclusive line featuring art from Positions.
If you’re up for showing a little skin, this baby-tee is beyond adorable. The shirt’s graphics reference Grande’s Yours Truly era, her debut studio album, released back in 2013. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just getting into the pop star, this shirt is a very flattering option. The circular neckline gives way to short sleeves and a short and trim hemline. Graphic tees are often baggy and boxy.
This baby style is a offers a reprieve from the oversaturated market of similar silhouettes, offering prospective buyers something form-fitted and sleek. To style, we’d opt for something high-waisted like jeans or shorts for extra coverage. For a 2000s moment, wear low-rise denim.
UO Exclusive
The back of this shirt features black and white artwork from My Everything.
My Everything was released in 2014, and quickly became a hit with tracks like “Problem,” which took the number two spot on Billboard Hot 100 charts or “Bang Bang,” taking the third spot and “Break Free,” which took the number four spot.
This tee is a reminder of that glorious era, pulling art straight from Grande’s second studio album. This throwback design is 100% cotton, which not only makes it breathable but also super soft as well. It is another oversized casual piece that you can comfortably wear to a concert, even when it gets hot from dancing and singing your heart out. And because it’s so breezy, it could double as a lounge or sleep shirt.
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Olivia Rodrigo is back with her third studio album, You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love. This new offering features 13 tracks chock-full of “sad love songs,” in her words, including “Stupid Song” and “U + Me = <3.” The internet is abuzz with excitement, likely because it’s been nearly three years since the pop singer/songwriter released an album, her last being Guts from 2023.
In an Instagram message posted Friday (June 12), Rodrigo wrote, “I love this album so much. The record is a time capsule of a relationship in all of its highs and lows. It’s my attempt at capturing love from both sides of the coin. The hope and the disappointment. The insanity and the clarity. The entanglement and the unraveling.”
Inspired by and in celebration of her new music, Hot Topic dropped a line of merch that is pretty hard to pass up. Every piece is inspired by the themes and aesthetics of the album, down to the graphics featured on comfy hoodies and even decorative enamel pins.
Pricing ranges from $8.91 to $66.90. We’ve chosen a few of our favorites from the capsule that are very cute and, most importantly, something that we can see our readers actually wearing. Whether you’re a diehard Rodrigo Stan or just looking for some new stylish clothes for the summer, there’s something for everyone.
Additionally, from Friday (June 12) to Sunday (June 14), Hot Topic is running a buy two, get one free sale, which includes all of Rodrigo’s new merch.
On chillier evenings, we’d style this piece with your favorite sweats and slippers snuggled up under the covers.
Cozy hoodies never go out of style, especially when they’re adorned with Rodrigo’s face. This oversized style features heart-shaped graphics and artwork from the “Vampire” singer’s album lend a grungy and whimsical vibe to this piece.
It’s an oversized number with a zip-up closure and a drawstring to pull the hood taut. Since this hoodie comes in brown, you’re likely to get lots of use out of it, because the neutral tone pairs well with a variety of colors. Plus, warm items like this get a ton of wear no matter the season because you can throw them over everything from dresses and tops to tying them around your waist for a layered moment on particularly breezy summer days.
This is a trending item in the collection, according to Hot Topic.
The singer’s cover art for her new album has drawn comparisons to The Swing, a famous rococo painting by Jean-Honoré Fragonard.
These graphic T-shirts feature Rodrigo’s album cover front and center. One comes in pink, framed by flowers in the shape of a heart, while the other features graphics of the artist solo in black and tan. We love styles like this because they are comfortable and oversized, leaving the wearer feeling relaxed and unrestricted, and they go with most items you likely already have in your closet.
Pop this on with a denim miniskirt and combat boots for an edgy moment, or keep it casual with barrel jeans and sneakers. Styles come in sizes XS to 3XL, a range meant to fit most, if not all, body types. If you’re looking for a baggier fit, we’d suggest sizing up. If you want to opt for something more maximalist, give the pink style a try. If you want a more versatile basic in neutrals, the taupe tee should be your go-to.
Hot Topic sells pin sets like this for many fandoms, not just music-related ones. They have themed buttons for anime, TV and movies too.
Our prediction? Buttons will soon dethrone the ever-popular bag charm. Enamel styles like this set of four have been pinned to totes, crossbody bags and shoulder styles since forever, upgrading and diversifying the look of everyday items and turning them into something more personal.
Buttons like these reflect tastes while creating visual interest, much like bag charms. They’re collectible and, unlike bag charms, pins don’t wear down as easily because of the enamel coating. This means they’ll last longer on your bag, even if you’re a bit rough with it.
This sticker pack features artwork inspired by Rodrigo’s 2026 single “Drop Dead.”
Like the buttons in this line, these stickers add a personal touch to anything you stick them to, turning the mundane items in your routine into something playful and fun.
Meanwhile, Target and Amazon have official You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love merch available to buy now.
While it seemed like every other seat was filled by an at-first dejected and then wildly elated celebrity cheering on the New York Knicks to a totally improbable last-second victory in game four of the NBA finals on Wednesday night (June 10), one A-lister who couldn’t make it still grabbed massive headlines.
On Thursday (June 11), Nicole Kidman gave her enthusiastic thumbs-up to Taylor Swift, and Este and Alana Haim of the band Haim for representing with their custom Knicks name pun T-shirts. And while she didn’t specifically shout out Este Haim for rocking a hilarious “Knickole Kidman” shirt on game night, in her Instagram Story the Margo’s Got Money Troubles star told the trio that she was with them in spirit.
“Right there with you girls!” Kidman wrote over a video of Swift shouting and pointing to her shirt — which read “Stevie Knicks” — before the camera turns to Swift hyping up Este’s Kidman-coded top. Kidman also reposted the trio’s celebration video in which they danced to Cyndi Lauper’s 1983 Billboard Hot 100 No. 2 hit “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” again lamenting that she could not be there to enjoy the good times.
“My girls!” she wrote in the caption. “I just wanna have fun!”
As just about everyone has seen by now, boy did they have fun! The trio — plus Law & Order: Special Victims Unit star Mariska Hargitay, also wearing a “Stevie Knicks” shirt — have been clipped into countless videos showing their wild enthusiasm during the game in which the Knicks improbably came back from a 29-point deficit to win as time expired, taking a 3-1 lead in the series.
Vogue caught up with Alana Haim after the game, to talk about her custom T-shirt/tote bag side hustle. They found out that the bassist/singer bought the royal blue shirts from Michael’s for $2.99 each and screen-printed them herself after getting a text from Swift that read, “I want to wear this shirt to the game, can you make it for me?”
Haim said she thought her pal would never ask, so then the two talked fonts and sizing, with Swift offering up her idea for a music-related Knicks pun, setting off a parade of punny ideas. “We really just wanted to have fun, because we were so excited that we were going to the game, and I thought it would make people laugh, so we put them on shirts and all decided to wear them,” she said.
And yes, Este brought an extra one, because she always does, to give to friends, which is how Hargitay ended up joining in on the action. For the record, third Haim sister lead guitarist/singer Danielle was also reportedly at the game wearing a shirt reading “Knickolas Cage,” but did not sit with her siblings on celebrity row.
Game five of the series will take place in San Antonio on Saturday (June 13), which, if the Knicks win it, would mark the team’s first championship if 53 years.
You want it to be one way, but it’s the other way.
That’s one of the several Marlo Stanfield lines Jay-Z referenced during his viral “Roots Picnic Freestyle” from the critically acclaimed HBO series The Wire. Jamie Hector, who played the ice cold villain, recently stopped by Way Up with Angela Yee and spoke on how he found out about being mentioned by Jigga during such a monumental moment.
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“I was grateful. It was a great feeling,” he said. “You know, Jay is the head honcho, right? He gets it done. And he was gone for a minute and then when he decides to reappear and get onstage, he starts talking about the work that was created — ’cause it was art that was created, right? And it’s placed onscreen. Coming from an artist paying homage, and showing love and respect to it, and who it’s coming from, as well. It felt great. And not to mention, my phone started blowing up. I’m talking about coming from everybody. And I was like, “What’s going on?”
He was then asked by Angela’s co-host B-Dot his thoughts on the character he helped make famous becoming a favorite reference for rappers in general, and Hector showed nothing but appreciation for being acknowledged by other artists for his work. “I mean, I appreciate it because the work was done,” he replied. “It’s a collaboration. They’re talking about the character and everything like that, but the character wouldn’t exist without the entire show, without the writing, without the director, without the producers, without everybody putting everything together. Developing that character was fun, it was work, and hopefully it’s timeless. And what do I feel about them mentioning it? I feel good, keep it alive.”
Yee then asked if his kids were aware of his chilling turn as a cold-blooded drug dealer, and he said that his 16-year-old daughter is watching the series for the first time and actually just started the third season while his nine-year-old son has just seen clips online. “My daughter is watching it now and my son, he catches clips and he just be like, ‘You evil.’”
You can watch the full episode below.
