Entertainment

Entertainment A legal battle is underway between IRS officer Sameer Wankhede and Shah Rukh Khan’s production house Red Chillies Entertainment over the Netflix web series The Ba***ds of Bollywood, directed by Aryan Khan. Wankhede has filed a Rs 2 crores defamation suit at the Delhi High Court, claiming that the show’s portrayal of a government officer is a veiled depiction of him and has damaged his reputation, particularly in relation to the 2021 Cordelia Empress cruise drug case involving Aryan Khan. ‘Ba***ds of Bollywood is not a documentary on the Cordelia cruise incident’: Shah Rukh Khan-owned Red Chillies counters Sameer Wankhede’s defamation claim In response, Red Chillies Entertainment opposed Wankhede’s plea for an interim injunction to stop streaming the series. Senior advocate Neeraj Kishan Kaul, representing Red Chillies, argued that while the show draws inspiration from overzealous officers, it does not specifically depict or reference the Cordelia cruise incident. Kaul stressed, “Can satire and fiction co-exist? There is no law that it cannot co-exist. I may be partly inspired by real persons and stories yet there can be disclaimers, no problem with two existing together. Where is the ill-will or malice? This is about a success story in a Bollywood party.” He further argued, “We are not looking at people who are sensitive, hurt is not ground for malice. Can you pick a stray instance, a passage here or there? The series is about 20 different issues. We do not show a documentary on the Cordelia cruise incident. I am inspired by overzealous officers. That is far from saying that this is the Cordelia cruise story.” Kaul further claimed that Wankhede is fond of giving interviews to the media and said, “You cannot say that the person depicting ills in Bollywood cannot show overzealous officers. I cannot be responsible for what other people say… I am fully entitled to depict issues ailing Bollywood. Even if I am to project someone, a public official cannot be that thin-skinned,” on behalf of Red Chillies. Concluding his argument, Kaul said, “Even if I portray you unjustly it is still not the case. Every scene in this show is exaggerated. I am not ridiculing him or the emblem. I am talking about officials who have lofty ideas.” The next hearing is scheduled on November 27, 2025, where the court will hear arguments on behalf of Netflix. Also Read: Delhi HC flags bias in Aryan Khan’s The Ba***ds Of Bollywood as Sameer Wankhede accuses Netflix show of targeting him Tags : Aryan Khan, Court, Legal, Netflix, Netflix India, News, OTT, OTT Platform, Red Chillies Entertainment, Sameer Wankhede, Shah Rukh Khan, The Ba***ds of Bollywood, Web Series, Web Show BOLLYWOOD NEWS – LIVE UPDATES Catch us for latest Bollywood News, New Bollywood Movies update, Box office collection, New Movies Release , Bollywood News Hindi, Entertainment News, Bollywood Live News Today & Upcoming Movies 2025 and stay updated with latest hindi movies only on Bollywood Hungama. Read More

Entertainment This January, the Khan family will step onto the streets of Mumbai as a family on a mission. At the Tata Mumbai Marathon 2026, they’ll run as the Home Run Squad—each at their own pace, but united by purpose. Aamir Khan, Kiran Rao, Azad Rao Khan, and Ira Khan will join the Dream Run (5.9 K), Junaid Khan will take on the Open 10 K, and Nupur Shikhare will run the 42 K full marathon. Aamir Khan and family to run Mumbai Marathon 2026 in support of Paani and Agatsu Foundations Their run supports Paani Foundation and Agatsu Foundation – two organisations bound by a shared philosophy: change begins with community and knowledge. Founded by Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao, Paani Foundation has transformed drought-hit villages in Maharashtra through training, science, and teamwork. What began in 2016 with the Satyamev Jayate Water Cup—a 45-day competition that taught villages how to conserve water—has become a movement of learning and self-reliance today. The organisation’s ongoing Farmer Cup initiative takes the same approach to sustainable agriculture, proving that empowerment grows when people understand and act together. Agatsu Foundation, created by Ira Khan makes mental health accessible, affordable, and human. From its free community centre and low-cost therapy clinic in Bandra to its knowledge programmes that turn psychology into everyday language, Agatsu focuses on helping people build emotional hygiene, connection, and self-victory. Both foundations believe that long-term change is possible when people take ownership of the solutions. One teaches farmers to read the land; the other teaches individuals to understand their minds. In 2026, Paani Foundation’s mission is to scale pan-Maharashtra and work with every farmer in the state to improve their livelihood. In Agatsu’s 5 year journey, the learnings have given direction and confidence for the year ahead to go deeper, bringing mental-health knowledge to life in simple, creative, everyday ways — so it actually supports individuals, families and communities, the wider health system. This change requires people to act unitedly. And with the run, the family’s appeal is simple: donate, share, and stay informed. Because every drop of knowledge, every act of care, and every kilometre run brings us closer—to water, to wellbeing, and to one another. Also Read: Aamir Khan receives maiden RK Laxman Excellence Award at MCA Stadium ceremony BOLLYWOOD NEWS – LIVE UPDATES Catch us for latest Bollywood News, New Bollywood Movies update, Box office collection, New Movies Release , Bollywood News Hindi, Entertainment News, Bollywood Live News Today & Upcoming Movies 2025 and stay updated with latest hindi movies only on Bollywood Hungama. Read More

Entertainment Home News and Gossip Masti 4 Box Office Collection Day 7: Vivek Oberoi, Riteish Deshmukh’s film reaches close to Farhan… Masti 4, the fourth installment in the popular Masti franchise that began in 2004, was expected to perform well at the box office. Read on to know the day 7 box office collection of the film. Masti 4, the fourth installment in the popular Masti franchise that began in 2004, was expected to perform well at the box office. The franchise has been popular, and adult comedies aren’t common in India, so the film was expected to do well. However, upon release, Masti 4 received below-average reviews. While some audiences found it entertaining, the overall response was lackluster. Meanwhile, the film released alongside Farhan Akhtar’s 120 Bahadur, which, despite being a smaller, multiplex-targeted film, managed to outperform Masti 4. Entertainment Masti 4 Box Office Collection Day 7 On Friday, the movie was released with a collection of Rs 2.75 crore, but the figure did not have an upward trend on Saturday, and that was the case also with the overall collection. A very small increment was seen on Sunday, and the figure reached Rs 3 crore. However, on Monday, the film faced another downturn, and its collection dropped to Rs 1.50 crore. The film saw Tuesday with a collection of Rs 1.6 crore and Wednesday, the sixth day, with Rs 1.15 crore, which was its earning of that day. On the seventh day, which is Thursday, Masti 4 managed to bring in just Rs 0.11 crore. So, the total collection of the film at the end of the first week was Rs 12.89 crore. Entertainment 120 Bahadur poses strong competition Once more, the comparison with 120 Bahadur, the adult comedy film, shows that it is still trailing behind. In just six days, 120 Bahadur has reached a net collection of Rs 14 crore which is already more than Masti 4. As per the reports coming from the trade, Masti 4 has shown to be much weaker than its three preceding films—Masti, Grand Masti, and Great Grand Masti. Entertainment All about Masti 4 In Masti 4, Riteish Deshmukh, Vivek Oberoi, and Aftab Shivdasani reprise their roles as Amar Saxena, Meet Mehta, and Prem Chawla. Arshad Warsi, Natalia Janoszek, Nargis Fakhri, and Elnaaz Norouzi also play pivotal roles. The film revolves around three friends who, frustrated with their ordinary and monotonous married lives, try to find relationships outside of their lives. Don’t Miss Out on the Latest Updates. Subscribe to Our Newsletter Today! Read More

Entertainment Home Bigg Boss Bigg Boss 19 Shocker: Did Ashnoor Kaur intentionally HIT Tanya Mittal during Ticket to Finale task? Gaurav Khanna has already advanced to the finale of Bigg Boss 19 after winning the Ticket to Finale task and making his claim to the title. There are presently eight candidates left. Ashnoor Kaur, Shahbaz Badesha, Farrhana Bhatt, Amaal Mallik, Tanya Mittal, Pranit More, and Malti Chahar are currently vying for the title. Bigg Boss 19 Ticket to Finale: Tanya Mittal and Ashnoor Kaur argue to the verge of physical violence in a new Bigg Boss 19 promo. This causes an uproar inside and outside the house. It is worth noting that during the November 26 episode, Farrhana Bhatt, Gaurav Khanna, Ashnoor Kaur, and Pranit More advanced to the second round of the ‘Ticket To Finale’ assignment. Today’s episode will feature the four contestants in the last lap of the Ticket to Finale task. Entertainment Ashnoor vs Tanya The show’s new promo opens with Tanya Mittal telling Ashnoor Kaur, “The whole of India is seeing your true colors.” Ashnoor replies, “Don’t tell people lies and set narratives please.” Tanya then retorts, “You didn’t even say sorry after hitting me.” Later, the TV actress was seen replying, “Did you ever apologies for the things you ever did to me Tanya.” Entertainment What happened during the task? The promo then shows Ashnoor Kaur attempting to balance a plank on her shoulder in order to win the task. Tanya then approaches and teases, attempting to mess up the water basins attached to the wooden planks. Afterwards, Ashnoor is shown hitting Tanya and discarding the plank. Tanya responds, “If you hit me like this, no one will respect you.” Ashnoor replies, “No one will respect you.” Tanya then retorts, “I have a lot of respect. Come and see me sometime.” Ashnoor claims that individuals only threaten to leave when they are unable to accomplish anything inside. From the promo, Ashnoor is clearly seen throwing a plank at Tanya and it looks intentional ?. Let’s wait for the episode for clarity. pic.twitter.com/GD7Y4qwJvE — BBTak (@BiggBoss_Tak) November 26, 2025 Shehbaz told the spiritual influencer in a different promo that Ashnoor had hit on her on purpose while dropping the plank. Entertainment Total 8 contestants now remain in BB house Gaurav Khanna has already advanced to the finale of Bigg Boss 19 after winning the Ticket to Finale task and making his claim to the title. There are presently eight candidates left. Ashnoor Kaur, Shahbaz Badesha, Farrhana Bhatt, Amaal Mallik, Tanya Mittal, Pranit More, and Malti Chahar are currently vying for the title. Don’t Miss Out on the Latest Updates. Subscribe to Our Newsletter Today! Read More

Entertainment Stranger Things’ upcoming season is clearly what the viewers have been keen to watch. Thousands of Netflix users in the US have been facing streaming outages today. Netflix has been facing massive outage in the United States since November 26. Reason? Over 14,000 users had reported issues that they faced in accessing the streaming service. The problem started just before the release of the much-anticipated and final season of the popular series Stranger Things. This has made many to wonder if there could be a connection between the increase in viewership and the platform’s technical issues. Several social media users have been quick to react to the crash. This has further led to massive frustration among the viewers who need immediate reaction. Entertainment Fans’ reactions go VIRAL One user commented, “The show is so GOATED Netflix literally crashed worldwide We all refreshing at the same time ? #StrangerThings5.” The show is so GOATED Netflix literally crashed worldwide We all refreshing at the same time ?#StrangerThings5 pic.twitter.com/PTn004cvvd — Siddhesh (@DeelipSiddhesh) November 27, 2025 Next comment read, “And this is what a fandom can do… As #StrangerThings5 gets its release on @netflix. And the platform crashes as hundreds of thousands of people couldn’t stream it. Wow”. Next tweet read, “Well the Netflix servers are down…. This was expected with the FINAL season of Stranger Things (sic).” And this is what a fandom can do… As #StrangerThings5 gets its release on @netflix… And the platform crashes as hundreds of thousands of people couldn’t stream it. Wow pic.twitter.com/JH33JtQMXa — BINGED (@Binged_) November 27, 2025 Third read, “Bro Netflix crashed” Bro Netflix crashed ??? #StrangerThings5 pic.twitter.com/QqrmnY90CH — AITD? ? (@RadioRebel2k) November 27, 2025 Another fan posted, “NETFLIX IS DOWN AND I CANT WATCH #StrangerThingsSeason5 NOOOOOOO” NETFLIX IS DOWN AND I CANT WATCH #StrangerThingsSeason5 NOOOOOOO pic.twitter.com/d9LDup2UyV — ✭ Neil ✭ (@madeyouavillan) November 27, 2025 Another fan posted, “GUYS WE ARE NOT FOR REAL. I JUST WANTED TO WATCH STRANGER THINGS S5. IT’S BEEN OUT FOR LESS THAN A MINUTE AND THE SITE HAS CRASHED. GIVE ME MY STRANGER THINGS. RIGHT NOW.” GUYS WE ARE NOT FOR REAL. I JUST WANTED TO WATCH STRANGER THINGS S5.. IT’S BEEN OUT FOR LESS THAN A MINUTE AND THE SITE HAS CRASHED. GIVE ME MY STRANGER THINGS. RIGHT NOW. pic.twitter.com/i0ythGU4yc — Yaekia ?? (@yaekiachu) November 27, 2025 Stranger Things season 5 was set for release at 6:30 AM on Thursday, November 27, in India, with the next episodes scheduled for Christmas and New Year’s Eve. The excitement and anticipation for the final season contributed to heavier-than-usual traffic on the streaming platform, with fans sharing GIFs and personal reactions to the technical issues. This is not the first time Stranger Things has strained the platform. In July 2022, when the final two episodes of Season 4 dropped, Netflix went down for a short period of time. Don’t Miss Out on the Latest Updates. Subscribe to Our Newsletter Today! Read More

Entertainment Home News and Gossip Stranger Things 5: Terminator star Linda Hamilton JOINS Netflix Series as…, here’s what her role… Renowned Hollywood actress Linda Hamilton makes a powerful debut in the first episode of Season 5 of Stranger Things. Famous for playing the character of Sarah Connor in the Terminator series, Linda this time plays the role of… Renowned Hollywood actress Linda Hamilton makes a powerful debut as a mysterious scientist in the first episode of Season 5 of Stranger Things. Famous for playing the character of Sarah Connor in the Terminator series, Linda this time plays the role of a military scientist, adding to more mystery and thrill in the storyline. Viewers are already excited about Stranger Things 5, which is the final chapter of the hit series. The series blends horror, mystery, drama, and science fiction and is a global favorite; now, a new season is streaming on Netflix. All about Hollywood actress Linda Hamilton role in Stranger Things Season 5 The character Linda Hamilton plays during this season is Dr. K, who is the lead scientist of the military division quarantining the city of Hawkins. Her character has an element of great mystery, which raises audience curiosity. She makes her entry into the series highly impressively and intimidatingly in the very first episode, Chapter One: The Crawl. Dr. K has only one motive: to capture Eleven. She views Eleven not as a human but as a powerful weapon. She was believed to be carrying on the work of Dr. Martin Brenner, the dangerous scientist from the previous series. Her presence in this military team, which is involved in the Upside Down, creates depth and tension in this story. Entertainment What Linda Hamilton role means for Hawkins? Dr. K is shown to be a merciless, selfish, and manipulating scientist who will go to any extent for her personal benefit. As the season progresses, audiences learn that she actually holds the key to the mysteries of Hawkins and Upside Down. Even a flash of her character excites viewers, hinting that there will be a big plot twist in the episodes to come. Fans are also curious with regards to Eleven’s encounter with Dr. K and how it is going to unfold and where the story would take a turn. Her presence makes this season even more special because she had always played strong, brave, and action-packed characters. Linda Hamilton is joining the cast of Stranger Things, which already had that feel of an 80s and 90s film atmosphere going for it. Season 5 is going to be promoted as the darkest, most expansive, and most emotional one, and Linda’s character is going to add such depth and thrill to the story. Fans are pretty eager to see how her role will play out in the seasons. Don’t Miss Out on the Latest Updates. Subscribe to Our Newsletter Today! Read More

Entertainment Malaika Arora stirs speculation after being seen with 33-year-old diamond merchant Harsh Mehta, prompting inquiries about her new phase following the breakup. Malaika Arora is in the spotlight again after igniting dating speculation with 33-year-old diamond merchant Harsh Mehta. The excitement started when the pair was spotted together at Enrique Iglesias’ concert in Mumbai on October 29. They were seen engaging with each other during the show and afterwards exited the venue together, prompting immediate rumors of a new romance. Malaika Arora and Harsh Mehta have not yet addressed the dating speculation. Malaika Arora, celebrating her 50th birthday this year, was spotted again with Harsh Mehta on Wednesday afternoon (November 26) at the Mumbai airport. Although they didn’t walk together, paparazzi photographed them leaving the same terminal. Malaika proceeded forward, while Harsh trailed behind with his face partially covered by a mask. In the parking lot, Malaika got into her car, and shortly after, Harsh joined her in the same vehicle, intensifying the rumors. Entertainment Who is Harsh Mehta? Harsh Mehta is reportedly a 33-year-old diamond merchant, and his name surfaced online after social media users recognized him as the individual spotted with Malaika Arora. Although neither side has made any public statements or confirmations regarding his background, various Instagram accounts assert that Harsh is involved in the diamond industry according to News 18. Currently, there are few details regarding his personal life, and he has kept a low profile despite the increasing attention. Malaika Arora’s fashionable look at the Enrique Iglesias concert also became widely popular. Dressed in a white tank top and blue shorts, she appeared to be enjoying the performance, while fans promptly observed the man beside her. They were spotted talking with each other several times, and footage of them leaving together fueled the rumours. Entertainment Is Malaika Arora embarking on a new journey following her breakup? Malaika Arora has reportedly ended her relationship with actor Arjun Kapoor in 2024 after being together since 2018. They were frequently spotted together during events and holidays remained private about their split. Before that, Malaika was married to Arbaaz Khan from 1998 to 2017. They share a son, Arhaan Khan, and continue to co-parent despite their divorce. Malaika Arora has not verified any new romance, and Harsh Mehta has remained quiet as well. The latest observations have only sparked inquiries regarding whether Malaika has discovered new companionship following her split. Don’t Miss Out on the Latest Updates. Subscribe to Our Newsletter Today! Read More

Entertainment The New Delhi artist will tour with his band, Darookhs, following their recent launch gig Shauharty live at the ‘Farookh’ launch gig at Oddbird Theatre in New Delhi in September 2025. Photo: @dasvimanzeela/Instagram Among all the intriguing things about New Delhi artist Shauharty’s new mixtape Farookh, we can start with the album cover. It’s a recreated photo of Egypt’s King Farouk in royal army garb, with Shauharty’s taking the king’s place. The difference from the original is Shauharty’s expression. “It’s an extremely sad look on my face; it’s bleak. He’s smiling in the original photo,” he tells Rolling Stone India over a call. Discovering the photo in his school days, Shauharty says the exploration was an outcome of being “a super nerdy student.” The persona of Farookh across 14 tracks is fleshed out — flaws, vulnerabilities and all. On stage, when he played with this band, Darookhs, at Oddbird Theatre in New Delhi on Sept. 27, 2025, it was another deep dimension. “Four years ago, I used to watch videos of Peter Cat Recording Co. performing and thought, ‘What a venue. I want to play a band show there. Four years later, I pulled it off, because I just cannot give up on an idea,” Shauharty says of the sold-out show that will soon head to more cities. Dressed in military outfits and staging a “dramatization” of the entire project, Shauharty’s Farookh persona has been around since 2022, gradually introduced via singles like “Saddam Hussainé” with producer Medicatedminds, artists Pahaad, fellow experimental artist Darzi and Arpan Kumar (guitarist-vocalist from indie act Green Park), “Jholi Bharde Meri” with Medicatedmints, Arun Ydv and Waydant and “Delicate Ache of Unknown,” produced by 30Key! and a collab with singer-songwriter Karshni. Swerving between alternative, psychedelic hip-hop, jazz and funk grooves and indie songwriting and languages including Marathi, Hindi and English, Farookh is exactly the kind of roving project that is far and few in Indian hip-hop, where most of Shauharty’s fans arguably come from. Conceptually, the meaning of Farookh intertwines with the arc of Shauharty’s life experiences.“In Arabic, Farook means the one who distinguishes right from wrong. That’s why there’s Side A and Side B on the tape. Side A talks about ego, narcissism, male chauvinism, etc. And then we go into Side B, where I’m talking about queer identity, acceptance, home,” he says. The journey of an egotistic, braggadocious person reflects how Shauharty used to see himself, after his debut mixtape Madheera came out in 2022. “I used to, at one point in my career,  think that I was better than everyone who was doing anything, and that cultivates a lot of negativity in you. So I had to let that go in a way,” he says. On “Earth, Wind & Fire” with Arslan and Karshni, there are personal confessions of being groped and molested, cathartically emerging over hazy hip-hop beats. The song “Indulgence Of Adolescence” revels in a bit of self-aware irony, talking about how “I’ll never let this industry masculinize me” amid mostly narcissistic bars. Elsewhere, Kashmiri hip-hop artist Ahmer adds fire to the psychedelic “Stancyk!” and the dreamy “Keith Haring” features rappers Ghildiyal, Frappe Ash and Raaj Babu taking turns on the mic. Shauharty live at the ‘Farookh’ launch gig at Oddbird Theatre in New Delhi in September 2025. Photo: @dasvimanzeela/Instagram To call Farookh immersive is perhaps cliché, but the artist is quick to point out how “ChatGPT has ruined that word.” Citing influences like Kanye West and his album The Life of Pablo (2016) and Tyler, The Creator, Shauharty says world-building is very crucial to his projects. He understands “there’s a lot to grab” in a 14-track album when singles dominate attention spans. “I just wish that people give it time and let it breathe. Don’t make early impressions, because that kills music,” he adds.   Released in September via platforms like Bandcamp and DM2Buy (a move that was inspired by the likes of Radiohead when they released In Rainbows as a pay-what-you-want digital album in 2007), Farookh is now on streaming platforms as well. “The idea of purchasing the album adds to the grand scheme of things, where somebody who is experiencing all of that [album] feels like they are involved in the journey and with this project,” Shauharty says. In the journey that he’s undertaken to make Farookh, Shauharty says the music has made him realize “a lot of things” about himself. There is catharsis, self-acceptance and making sense of his identity that was shaped from living in the Northeast and later, being an “outsider” in New Delhi. He adds, “Now that it’s out, I do see myself a certain way, in the best way possible than I used to before. I’m in a much better place with my head,” Up next, the conceptual band Darookhs and Shauharty plan to take Farookh across the country. “We have been planning on doing a full-blown tour with the band. That’s gonna happen sometime later this year or early next year. I just want people to sit with the project for a couple of months and get the flow of it,” he says. Read More

Entertainment After a year full of hip-hop rivalries, are they the key to marketing music, or do they run the risk of ruining the culture? Illustrations by LUCIE WIMETZ Rap beef has always walked a fine line between competition and chaos, but in 2025, that line was blurrier than ever. Once a matter of high-stakes lyrical sparring, feuds like Kendrick Lamar and Drake’s can now drive streams, hashtags, and brand visibility through the roof, bringing new questions along. Many observers have been left asking: Is beef a sport, a marketing tool, or something more dangerous? “Social media has made everything more amplified,” says Trent Clark, head of TMZ Hip Hop. “Even a casual fan can have a weighty opinion with very minimal knowledge.” He points out that the sheer volume of conversation around these conflicts has turned rap beef into its own entertainment vertical that the industry and its algorithms eagerly exploit. Rob Markman, Genius’ VP of music and content, agrees that the dynamic has shifted. “Now, the whole world is watching, listening, and egging it on,” he says. “Are you even invested in this culture? Or [just] the destruction that comes with it?” Drake vs. Kendrick: Round Two BY THE TIME Kendrick Lamar and Drake finished trading disses in the spring of 2024, their dispute had become the most profitable beef in rap history. Lamar’s “Not Like Us” dominated the charts and won five Grammys, including Record and Song of the Year, at the awards show this past February. “By the numbers, it’s the biggest beef of all time,” Clark says.  But the aftermath blurred the boundaries between performance and precedent. In January, Drake filed a defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group for promoting Kendrick’s track. Ten months later, a judge dismissed the suit, but the industry remains wary of how it could affect future diss tracks. “Can rappers even battle each other anymore?” Markman wonders. While the lawsuit underscored the ways that conflict can boost streams, insiders say it also showed how these situations can complicate marketing campaigns, sponsorships, and tours. Kendrick and Drake’s feud ended up in court in part because both artists release music under Universal Music Group, and it’s hard to imagine that this tension was welcome behind the scenes. It may spark short-term attention, but it can also make long-term business messy. Are fans driving the narrative? THIS FALL, Cardi B and Nicki Minaj’s revived tension dominated headlines, but while the two traded plenty of jabs online, there was no official exchange of songs. “With Nicki and Cardi, there’s a portion of ‘I don’t like you.’ They just don’t like each other,” Markman notes. He adds that the dueling rap queens were often seemingly reacting to what their fans told them happened. “The fan armies fuel the fire,” he says. “That has to have a psychological effect. The nature of the internet and fandom has changed the rules of engagement.” That feedback loop — fans provoking artists, artists responding online, media outlets amplifying the response — muddies the line between competition and audience-driven drama. And for women in hip-hop, the scrutiny cuts deeper. “You’ve got to be hard enough to be convincing, but you still have to show some soft girl [qualities],” Clark adds. After Minaj insulted her daughter, Cardi drew praise for mostly taking the high road. Their rivalry stayed online, and when Cardi’s album Am I the Drama? hit Number One in September, there wasn’t a single Minaj diss on wax. When beef turns to bloodshed SOME CONFLICTS, though, carry a heavier risk. The tension between NBA YoungBoy and Lil Durk, and their respective protégés, Quando Rondo and the late King Von, escalated into real-world violence five years ago. In 2020, Rondo’s associate Lul Timm shot and killed Von outside an Atlanta nightclub, claiming self-defense; charges were later dismissed. Durk is currently in prison after being arrested last November on charges he allegedly masterminded a 2022 plot to murder Quando Rondo in retaliation. (He pleaded not guilty.)   That background made YoungBoy’s recent Atlanta show especially charged. On the same night he told the crowd that he no longer carries weapons and that he’s “aiming to do the right thing,” YoungBoy brought Lul Timm onstage and performed his 2022 Durk diss “I Hate YoungBoy.” A subsequent Atlanta show was canceled. And weeks later, NLE the Great (formerly NLE Choppa) made headlines by lashing out at YoungBoy in a new track of his own. Moments of reconciliation — like YFN Lucci and Young Thug squashing their decade-long feud this fall — often make less noise. “Audiences leave you high and dry when the drama’s over,” Clark says. So is beef good for business? In cases like Kendrick’s and Cardi’s, where competition arguably ends up elevating the art, maybe. “Rap beef is good for the culture in some ways, in terms of giving people a voice,” says industry veteran Al Branch, who has worked on marketing for Jay-Z, Lil Nas X, and more. “[But] you’ve got to know how to take your losses.” From Rolling Stone US. Read More

Entertainment Cowell, who is returning with Simon Cowell: The Next Act, reflects on his new Netflix show, American Idol, and the loss of Liam Payne In Netflix’s talent-hunt show Simon Cowell: The Next Act, due in December, a guy best known for issuing stern judgments from behind a desk on American Idol and X-Factor reveals himself as a loving dad with no shortage of anxiety. “I am very worried — I think we’re gonna fail,” Cowell says in the show after audition sign-ups are initially anemic.   The series, which traces the formation of a new boy band, also proves that the fundamental formula somehow still works — there’s always an unknown kid out there who can unleash talent so raw and obvious that even Cowell breaks character. “ I’m trying to keep a poker face on and not smile,” he says in the new episode of our Rolling Stone Music Now podcast, “but I couldn’t help myself.” To hear the whole interview, go here for the podcast provider of your choice, listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or just press play above. So why put yourself through this again?We were sitting around, me and my team, and we were saying, “God, we really miss working with bands.” And then there was this element of “Oh, God, if it was a disaster, there is a strong likelihood that I wouldn’t do this again.” So there was a sense of finality. And of course you want to prove yourself to yourself. Can I still do it again? The world has changed a lot. Music’s changed. But at the heart of it, weirdly, nothing really has changed because it really still comes down to the same basics, which is you’ve gotta find stars.  What was your biggest fear about this process?Oh, it was everything. You’ve gotta be confident. Otherwise, why bother doing it? I mean, I didn’t do this to fail. At the same time, once we started the process, I was like, “Oh God, what if no one turns up?” That was a huge factor.  And the real fear was — when we narrowed the numbers down and I was flying them out to the U.S. to work with producers and very well-known vocal coaches and musicians — what if they sound terrible? People have said that unconventional voices — a Bob Dylan or Frank Ocean — would never make it through your shows. What do you make of that?When I heard Bob Dylan’s version of that Adele song, “Make You Feel My Love,” I didn’t know he wrote the song. I think if he’d walked in and sang that version, I’m not gonna lie, I would’ve gone, “Forget it.” Seriously. Look, I’m not a fan of Bob Dylan, but if people like him, then they like him, and if you don’t, that’s fine. What do you think of American Idol in the post-Simon years?I haven’t watched it. We really did have a good time — me, Randy [Jackson], and Paula [Abdul], when it was the three of us. It was just brilliant. And then I think after Paula left, I thought, “Yeah, that’s it. It’s not gonna be the same now.” And so I was very quick to follow.  It is always been incredible to me that you guys got it so right with Kelly Clarkson in the first season of American Idol.Oh, it was like a dream. I do remember actually saying to someone, hypothetically, “I’m certain there’s someone out there and he or she’s probably working in a bar, has tried to get a deal, can’t get into the right people or the label, but is brilliant.” I just had that feeling. It took a while to get there. Some of the early people we saw in the first couple of cities — everyone was terrible. So I thought this show could be a disaster. You couldn’t have asked for a more perfect winner. And we’re still friends today. She’s a amazing person, incredible personality. And just this killer voice. It was like a movie. I just wish it wasn’t the guy. There was this other girl, Tamara, and she was phenomenal, and the two of them in the final [episode], that could have been amazing, but it didn’t quite work out. You felt that Justin Guarini was not good enough competition for Kelly?No, no way. I think he would be the first to admit it himself. When Jennifer Hudson got voted off, was that a sign something was wrong with the process?No, it was a song choice. I said, “don’t sing that song — I just don’t think it’s gonna resonate.” So when it happened, yeah, there was an uproar because she was so good. In a weird way, it was the best thing that could have ever happened to her because there was such an outcry that she got that part in [Dreamgirls]. What was so funny was everybody thought I was somehow responsible for her being voted out.  I wasn’t the one who was voting! I went to the Oscars party that year, and of course she was nominated, and everyone was staring at me — “oh, you are going to really get it.” And then of course she won. Everyone kept staring at me and I’m like, “I’m happy! What do you think? I’m unhappy? It wasn’t my fault!” Your biggest signing ever was One Direction, and we lost Liam Payne last year. How do you understand that tragedy?When I heard the news, it really hit me. I saw him a year before this happened. He came over to my house. We talked about his son and being a dad. I remember saying, “Music is not everything.  Don’t let it run your life anymore. Find something else that you are passionate about.” You ask yourself that question: “Could I have done anything more?  What would’ve happened to Liam if he hadn’t been in the band?” Having spoken to his mom and dad recently, all they kept telling me was he was so proud of what he had achieved. I wish I could turn back the