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Shakira Performs With Her Sons in Argentina & More Uplifting Moments in Latin Music
From career milestones to new music releases to major announcements and those little important moments, Billboard editors highlight uplifting moments in Latin music. Here’s what happened in the Latin music world this week.
Shakira & Sons Sing Live in Concert
In the midst of the Latin American leg of her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran tour, Shakira surprised fans in Buenos Aires by bringing out her two sons onstage. In the very rare performance — and a first in her world tour — the Colombian artist was joined by Milan and Sasha for the live debut of “Acróstico,” a powerful open letter to her children that she released on Mother’s Day in 2023. “Buenos Aires, thank you for this moment that will last forever,” she expressed on social media following the heartfelt moment on stage. “It was magical to sing with my children and see them express the music they have inside, while we watched entire families also singing and hugging each other!”
10 Years Serving Santa Marta
This week, Carlos Vives and wife Claudia Elena celebrated 10 years of their foundation Tras La Perla—created to improve the quality of life in Vives’ native Santa Marta, and the ecosystems of Sierra Nevada and the Ciénaga Grande. “Looking back and reflecting on the journey we’ve taken over these years, it fills us with hope to see how an idea rooted in love for our land has blossomed into projects that are now transforming realities in the territory where I was born,” Vives said in a press statement. Throughout the decade, Tras La Perla—which also offers health care and education to families in need—has fostered the connection of communities “through restored habitats and by strengthening their identity, history, and culture as key elements of their holistic development,” according to the foundation’s website.
Carlos Vives and Claudia Elena
Tras La Perla
Grupo Frontera & Perlita
In one of their latest music videos for “Se Me Sale,” Grupo Frontera documented the sweet encounter they had with one special fan named Perla Leyla, who’s a cancer patient. In the nearly three-minute clip, where they sing about a beautiful girl that has their heart racing in their true cumbia norteño fashion, the Texan group is seen spending quality time with their young fan in Disney. The heartwarming video also demonstrates clips of Perlita’s process in the hospital and features adorable moments with her parents. “Dedicated to Perlita, who found light even in the darkest days. All funds collected from this video will be for her and her family,” reads a letter at the beginning of the clip.
Silvana Makes Late-Night TV Debut
Silvana Estrada made her late-night TV debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live, where she was joined by Los Angeles Philharmonic for a powerful performance of “Dime,” part of her Vendrán Suaves Lluvias album. “I CAN’T BELIEVE THIS!!! I’m overwhelmed with emotion and nerves. It’s beautiful to see the journey these new songs are taking me on. I feel so much gratitude,” the Mexican singer-songwriter expressed on Instagram when she shared the news. Following her performance, Estrada shared an anecdote on how she drove from San Francisco to Los Angeles, and made it just in time for her Kimmel Live rehearsal. “It was a very emotional moment for everyone, especially considering that I wrote this song during a very difficult time in my life and now it’s been captured in this little bubble in Los Angeles during this beautiful moment in December. Thank you for supporting my music,” she noted on Instagram.
13 Celebratory Taylor Swift Lyrics in Honor of Her Birthday
It’s been quite a year for Taylor Swift.
In March, a nearly six-years-long battle ended: She announced that she bought back her masters from Shamrock Capital. (The private equity investment firm purchased them from Scooter Braun’s Ithaca Holdings in 2020, who owned them through Braun’s acquisition of Swift’s former label Big Machine Records in 2019.)
“To say this is my greatest dream come true is actually being pretty reserved about it. To my fans, you know how important this has been to me — so much so that I meticulously re-recorded and released four of my albums, calling them Taylor’s Version,” she wrote at the time in a letter on her website. “The passionate support you showed those albums and the success story you turned The Eras Tour into is why I was able to buy back my music.”
After lying low professionally most of the summer, by August she made more headlines. Swift hopped on her then-boyfriend Travis Kelce’s podcast with his brother Jason, to reveal her 12th studio album – The Life of a Showgirl – would make its curtain call in October.
About two weeks later on Aug. 26, she broke the internet with the news: “Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married,” she captioned the Instagram post of her engagement. (Later, we’d learn, thanks to her interview on The Graham Norton Show, Kelce popped the question the same day the pair recorded New Heights.)
Then October arrived and with it, The Life of a Showgirl earned the modern-day record for equivalent album units sold in its first week, ultimately spending eight non-consecutive weeks on the top of the Billboard 200 and taking the No. 1 spot on that year-end chart for 2025. Meanwhile its lead single “The Fate of Ophelia” spent eight straight weeks on top of the Hot 100.
But she wasn’t done. Swift released her tour docuseries The End of an Era along with The Eras Tour: The Final Show, just one day before her 36th birthday, which is today, Dec. 13.
So let’s celebrate Swift and all her accomplishments with 13 triumphant lyrics about life, love and perseverance from her catalog.
Jewel Says a Dangerous Drug Bust in Mexico Inspired ‘You Were Meant for Me’
Jewel is revisiting one of the most surreal and dangerous chapters of her early career — a real-life encounter with Mexican police during a drug bust that would later inspire one of her most enduring songs.
Speaking during her Not Alone Summit at Wynn Las Vegas in November, the singer, who has reached the top 10 on the Billboard 200 with six albums, reflected on the experience in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, which first reported the story exclusively.
According to Jewel, the incident took place in the summer of 1994, when she was 20 years old and traveling through Mexico with longtime collaborator Steve Poltz during a break from writing music.
What began as a quiet songwriting retreat quickly escalated into something far more perilous. While spending time on a remote beach in Baja California, Jewel and Poltz were approached by armed men in uniform identifying themselves as Mexican federal police.
After casually asking if the officers knew where they could go whale watching, the pair were invited onto a small boat — only to learn mid-trip that the officers were in the middle of an active drug bust.
“They said, ‘We’re on a drug bust,’” Jewel recalled. When she asked if the situation was dangerous, she said the officer responded simply: “Sí.”
The singer later realized that the wooden bench she was sitting on doubled as storage for automatic weapons. As the boat chased a fleeing vessel that refused to identify itself, Jewel said she watched officers pursue suspects, uncovering large quantities of marijuana hidden under rocks along the shoreline.
Despite the gravity of the situation, Jewel recalled moments of disbelief and dark humor, including fears that she and Poltz could be framed or imprisoned.
“I was really paranoid we were gonna end up in a Tijuana prison,” she said.
Photographs from the incident — including one showing Jewel holding a rifle alongside officers — later circulated online, becoming a piece of ’90s music lore.
In the aftermath, Jewel and Poltz remained in Mexico briefly, continuing to write music. One of the songs born from that period would become “You Were Meant for Me,” released in 1995 on her debut album Pieces of You.
Au festival No Border, des chants de Bretagne et de Palestine
Florence Welch Opens Up About ‘Terrifying’ Eras Tour Duet With Taylor Swift
Florence Welch might be used to commanding festival stages alongside her band Florence + The Machine, but even she wasn’t ready for the finely tuned machinery that is Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour.
The Florence + the Machine leader appears in Taylor Swift’s new Disney+ docuseries Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour – The End of an Era, where she recounts her surprise duet performance of “Florida!!!” during Swift’s final night at London’s Wembley Stadium in August 2024.
The moment marked a rare onstage link-up between the two artists — and, as Welch admits, came with a heavy dose of pressure.
“I have performed on big stages, but I thought I’d just run around because that’s what I do at my own shows,” Welch recalls in the doc.
“When I got there, they were like, ‘This is your choreography.’ I was like, ‘No, no, no, wait, you must be confused. I don’t do this! I’m gonna f— this up!’”
Of course, she didn’t — Welch nailed her cues, hit the emotional high note, and helped close out one of Swift’s five Wembley nights without a hitch. But even a seasoned performer can get a little starstruck when faced with the sheer scale of Swift’s universe.
“The feeling of coming up for the first time in that lift, it was kind of like landing on Mars, ‘cause I’d never seen the stage lit up before,” Welch continues. “It’s like, you see this cultural moment from the outside, and I suddenly was inside of it. It was wild, but it was really fun and completely terrifying.”
Welch also admitted that seeing Swift as the pop deity at the center of a global phenomenon — rather than as her “cozy” friend — briefly scrambled her brain.
“Taylor is my friend, and I know her as this very cozy person, and I came out of that lift and I was like, ‘Oh my God, it’s f—ing Taylor Swift!’”
The docuseries, which dropped its first two episodes this week on Disney+, pulls the curtain back on the tour’s unseen moments — from backstage rehearsal hangouts with Ed Sheeran to personal calls with Travis Kelce that Swift likens to a “vitamin drip.”
“I want to overserve the fans,” Swift says in the series. “That was my main goal.”
Florence Welch Opens Up About ‘Terrifying’ Eras Tour Duet With Taylor Swift
Florence Welch might be used to commanding festival stages alongside her band Florence + The Machine, but even she wasn’t ready for the finely tuned machinery that is Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour.
The Florence + the Machine leader appears in Taylor Swift’s new Disney+ docuseries Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour – The End of an Era, where she recounts her surprise duet performance of “Florida!!!” during Swift’s final night at London’s Wembley Stadium in August 2024.
The moment marked a rare onstage link-up between the two artists — and, as Welch admits, came with a heavy dose of pressure.
“I have performed on big stages, but I thought I’d just run around because that’s what I do at my own shows,” Welch recalls in the doc.
“When I got there, they were like, ‘This is your choreography.’ I was like, ‘No, no, no, wait, you must be confused. I don’t do this! I’m gonna f— this up!’”
Of course, she didn’t — Welch nailed her cues, hit the emotional high note, and helped close out one of Swift’s five Wembley nights without a hitch. But even a seasoned performer can get a little starstruck when faced with the sheer scale of Swift’s universe.
“The feeling of coming up for the first time in that lift, it was kind of like landing on Mars, ‘cause I’d never seen the stage lit up before,” Welch continues. “It’s like, you see this cultural moment from the outside, and I suddenly was inside of it. It was wild, but it was really fun and completely terrifying.”
Welch also admitted that seeing Swift as the pop deity at the center of a global phenomenon — rather than as her “cozy” friend — briefly scrambled her brain.
“Taylor is my friend, and I know her as this very cozy person, and I came out of that lift and I was like, ‘Oh my God, it’s f—ing Taylor Swift!’”
The docuseries, which dropped its first two episodes this week on Disney+, pulls the curtain back on the tour’s unseen moments — from backstage rehearsal hangouts with Ed Sheeran to personal calls with Travis Kelce that Swift likens to a “vitamin drip.”
“I want to overserve the fans,” Swift says in the series. “That was my main goal.”
Fat Joe Claims He Was Invited to Shoot Rockets With the Taliban
Fat Joe has revealed what he describes as one of the most surreal moments of his career — claiming he was once invited to “shoot rockets” by alleged members of the Taliban while performing in Lebanon.
The Bronx rapper shared the story during the Dec. 2 episode of his Joe and Jada podcast, where he and co-host Jadakiss were joined by comedian Bill Bellamy. The trio had been discussing the unpredictable scenarios that can come with international travel when Joe launched into a tale that left both his co-host and guest stunned.
“I was in Lebanon,” he began. “I do a show in Lebanon, it’s so incredible. I come back to this hotel, and when I come back, three guys stand up like synchronized swimming.”
According to Joe, the men approached him with a cryptic message: “The guys, they wanna shoot rockets with you.”
When he asked who “the guys” were, the response instantly sent up red flags.
“‘The Taliban, they love you,’” Joe recalled being told. “My a**hole got this tight, okay,” he joked, before clarifying that the situation didn’t feel like a joke at all. “I met the Taliban, it’s no f***ing bullshit. The real Taliban came through and was like, ‘Yo, shoot rockets?’”
Joe says he declined the invitation and immediately made moves to get out.
“I rushed upstairs, packed my bags and went to the airport at one in the morning,” he explained. But even that escape wasn’t easy. “This s*** ain’t take off until 10 in the f***ing morning. We stood in the airport overnight just shook to death.”
While Joe didn’t specify the exact year, he has performed in Lebanon multiple times, including appearances at Beirut’s Pier 7 nightclub in both 2011 and 2012. The incident allegedly took place following one of those shows.
“We really thought something was about to happen,” he said. “That was one of those nights I’ll never forget.”
A Grateful Dead Rubber Ducky, Air Freshener and 8 Other Deadhead-Inspired Christmas Gifts
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.
Few things bring people together like the holidays and music, and there are few musical fan bases as loyal as Deadheads.
2025 was a big year for Deadheads, as Grateful Dead celebrated its 60th anniversary, with a series of concerts under the Dead & Company offshoot. Now, Grateful Dead fans have something else to celebrate this Christmas season with the release of this Dead-inspired rubber ducky. The legendary jam band has now spawned a bath-time toy (though it also makes for a great collector’s item or gag gift).
BESTSELLER
CelebriDucks Duckin’ Floating Rubber Duck
Yes, you can now take the jam band to the bathtub with this floating rubber ducky that’s seemingly inspired by Jerry Garcia.
Made in the USA, the yellow rubber ducky is re-imagined as a bearded, tie-dye and sunglasses-wearing guitarist. While this isn’t an official Grateful Dead release per se, it’s become a bestseller on Amazon, with hundreds of duckies purchased in the last few weeks alone, according to the site.
The rubber ducky measures 4.5 x 4 x 5.5 inches and doesn’t have to stay in the water — it also makes a great display piece for collectors to keep on their desks or shelves, and it’s a great stocking stuffer idea for the holidays. Don’t just take our word for it: happy shoppers give this Dead-inspired ducky a 4.8-star rating (out of five) from more than 4,000 verified reviews.
Looking for other last-minute Grateful Dead holiday gift ideas? Here’s a look at other Grateful Dead-inspired collectibles, accessories and Christmas ornaments that you can buy online right now.
Kurt Adler Grateful Dead Guitar Ornament with Guitar Case
This officially-licensed Grateful Dead ornament features a mini guitar and guitar case adorned with all the familiar Dead motifs. This measures approximately 5.5 inches in size.
Grateful Dead Van Ornament
This official Grateful Dead Christmas ornament features the colorful dancing bars riding in an old-school van, adorned with a peace symbol and the band’s lightning bolt logo.
Grateful Dead Bear Printed Stocking
Hang this Grateful Dead stocking by the chimney with care and fill it with one or more of the stocking stuffers on this list. This officially-licensed stocking, from Kurt S. Adler, measures 19 inches tall.
Grateful Dead 60 Years Anniversary Dancing Bears Band T-Shirt
Amazon has this official Grateful Dead T-shirt, commemorating the band’s 60th anniversary. Choose from sizes small to 6XL online.
Jerry Garcia Greeting Card
This Jerry Garcia-inspired card offers a simple message for the holidays, birthdays or just because: “I am grateful for you.”
ICUP Grateful Dead Tour Pint Glass Set
This giftable set features four 16 oz. pint glasses that each commemorates one of the band’s legendary concert tours. Each glass features artwork inspired by the original concert tour posters. The glasses themselves measure about six inches in height.
Liquid Blue Grateful Dead Dancin’ Bear Sweater
What’s better than finding a fun sweater to wear to your holiday party? Finding a Grateful Dead-themed kit, like this one from Liquid Blue. Made in the USA, the lightweight, long-sleeve sweater features a blue and white print that’s ideal for Christmas, Hanukkah and other winter celebrations.
Pixel Dancing Bear Car Air Freshener (8-Pack)
Get an eight-pack of Grateful Dead “dancing” air fresheners, great for your rearview mirror, closets and pantries alike. These cardstock designs feature a minty “cool ice” scent and reviewers say the smell lasts up to two weeks. When it fades, you can also spritz your favorite fragrance or perfume on the cardstock to extend their lifespan.
Liquid Blue Grateful Dead Spring Training Baseball
One of our favorite Grateful Dead gifts to give is this official “Spring Training” baseball tee, which features the band’s legendary mascots stepping up to the plate. The colorful, tie-dye tee is sure to be — yes — a home run for the holidays and beyond.
A Grateful Dead Rubber Ducky, Air Freshener and 8 Other Deadhead-Inspired Christmas Gifts
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.
Few things bring people together like the holidays and music, and there are few musical fan bases as loyal as Deadheads.
2025 was a big year for Deadheads, as Grateful Dead celebrated its 60th anniversary, with a series of concerts under the Dead & Company offshoot. Now, Grateful Dead fans have something else to celebrate this Christmas season with the release of this Dead-inspired rubber ducky. The legendary jam band has now spawned a bath-time toy (though it also makes for a great collector’s item or gag gift).
BESTSELLER
CelebriDucks Duckin’ Floating Rubber Duck
Yes, you can now take the jam band to the bathtub with this floating rubber ducky that’s seemingly inspired by Jerry Garcia.
Made in the USA, the yellow rubber ducky is re-imagined as a bearded, tie-dye and sunglasses-wearing guitarist. While this isn’t an official Grateful Dead release per se, it’s become a bestseller on Amazon, with hundreds of duckies purchased in the last few weeks alone, according to the site.
The rubber ducky measures 4.5 x 4 x 5.5 inches and doesn’t have to stay in the water — it also makes a great display piece for collectors to keep on their desks or shelves, and it’s a great stocking stuffer idea for the holidays. Don’t just take our word for it: happy shoppers give this Dead-inspired ducky a 4.8-star rating (out of five) from more than 4,000 verified reviews.
Looking for other last-minute Grateful Dead holiday gift ideas? Here’s a look at other Grateful Dead-inspired collectibles, accessories and Christmas ornaments that you can buy online right now.
Kurt Adler Grateful Dead Guitar Ornament with Guitar Case
This officially-licensed Grateful Dead ornament features a mini guitar and guitar case adorned with all the familiar Dead motifs. This measures approximately 5.5 inches in size.
Grateful Dead Van Ornament
This official Grateful Dead Christmas ornament features the colorful dancing bars riding in an old-school van, adorned with a peace symbol and the band’s lightning bolt logo.
Grateful Dead Bear Printed Stocking
Hang this Grateful Dead stocking by the chimney with care and fill it with one or more of the stocking stuffers on this list. This officially-licensed stocking, from Kurt S. Adler, measures 19 inches tall.
Grateful Dead 60 Years Anniversary Dancing Bears Band T-Shirt
Amazon has this official Grateful Dead T-shirt, commemorating the band’s 60th anniversary. Choose from sizes small to 6XL online.
Jerry Garcia Greeting Card
This Jerry Garcia-inspired card offers a simple message for the holidays, birthdays or just because: “I am grateful for you.”
ICUP Grateful Dead Tour Pint Glass Set
This giftable set features four 16 oz. pint glasses that each commemorates one of the band’s legendary concert tours. Each glass features artwork inspired by the original concert tour posters. The glasses themselves measure about six inches in height.
Liquid Blue Grateful Dead Dancin’ Bear Sweater
What’s better than finding a fun sweater to wear to your holiday party? Finding a Grateful Dead-themed kit, like this one from Liquid Blue. Made in the USA, the lightweight, long-sleeve sweater features a blue and white print that’s ideal for Christmas, Hanukkah and other winter celebrations.
Pixel Dancing Bear Car Air Freshener (8-Pack)
Get an eight-pack of Grateful Dead “dancing” air fresheners, great for your rearview mirror, closets and pantries alike. These cardstock designs feature a minty “cool ice” scent and reviewers say the smell lasts up to two weeks. When it fades, you can also spritz your favorite fragrance or perfume on the cardstock to extend their lifespan.
Liquid Blue Grateful Dead Spring Training Baseball
One of our favorite Grateful Dead gifts to give is this official “Spring Training” baseball tee, which features the band’s legendary mascots stepping up to the plate. The colorful, tie-dye tee is sure to be — yes — a home run for the holidays and beyond.
In Canada: Warner Music Canada Lays Off at Least 24; Tate McRae & Shaboozey Top Year-End Charts
Warner Music Canada has laid off at least 24 people, Billboard Canada has learned. The cuts come amidst global restructuring and layoffs at Warner Music Group.
According to multiple former staffers, the layoffs came on Nov. 18, the same day Julia Hummel and Madelaine Napoleone were announced as new Warner Music Canada co-general managers.
Related
A companywide email reportedly went out on Nov. 17 informing the staff that the office would be closed the following day and that they should make themselves available for meeting invitations from human resources. Many staffers were informed during those video meetings that their position had been eliminated.
The layoffs reportedly affected departments companywide, including positions in business, catalogue, design and video production, publicity, sales and more, including significant reductions in A&R and marketing. They also included executive vice president and general manager Andy West, as previously reported by Billboard Canada.
According to a 2025 annual report by Warner Music Canada, there were previously approximately 185 employees working in Canada, which would mean the layoffs represent at least 12 to 13% of the workforce — though some have suggested the percentages could be higher.
In a statement to Billboard Canada, Warner Music did not confirm the number of layoffs or budget or resource details for Canadian operations, but affirmed their commitment to investing in Canadian artists and staff.
“Canada is rich with musical talent,” a Warner Music spokesperson says. “We remain committed to growing our presence here. These changes will help us focus on the most extraordinary local artists and help them have a greater global impact.”
The company’s roster includes developing Canadian talent including Ari Hicks, Crash Adams, Jade LeMac and Diamond Cafe. The spokesperson declined to answer whether or how their deals would be affected by the company changes.
The layoffs follow a tumultuous period for Warner Music Canada. In September, former president Kristen Burke departed the company, with New York City-based president of East West Records and head of global A&R at Warner Music Group Eric Wong stepping in to lead business in Canada. In an email to staff, Burke wrote that the appointment would mean Warner Music Canada would “now be connected more directly to the U.S. team.”
Burke’s departure followed a Warner Music Group global restructuring and a series of layoffs across territories.
Read more here. — Richard Trapunski
Billboard Canada 2025 Year-End Charts: The Biggest Chart Trends and Stories of the Year
What a year it’s been for music in Canada. We saw some huge chart runs, major breakthroughs from Canadian artists and global heavy-hitters keeping their grip on the top spots. Alex Warren’s “Ordinary” had the year’s biggest chart run, with the sentimental ballad challenging for a Billboard Canadian Hot 100 record set by Shaboozey last year. Was he successful?
Internationally, Taylor Swift proved once again she’s the queen of album sales, though country music’s main man, Morgan Wallen, challenged her for the Top Artist and Canadian Albums crowns. The charts were buzzing with a mix of viral TikTok hits, surging K-pop tracks and Punjabi music hits, showing us how Canadian audiences are finding their tunes.
This year, Billboard Canada debuted seven Canadian Airplay charts, which you can find on our charts page every week. This year, we’re rolling out year-end versions of all seven, along with the top overall Radio Songs year-end chart. There’s also the debut of the Top Canadian Artists chart, which is topped in 2025 by a surprising winner: Tate McRae.
Billboard Canada has also just dropped the year-end versions of several other key Billboard Canada charts, as well: the Canadian Hot 100, Canadian Albums, Top Artists (which pulls data from both), Canadian Airplay, Canadian Streaming and Canadian Digital Song Sales.
Every chart tells a unique story about the Canadian music landscape in 2025.
This year’s song of the year was hotly contested. Towards the end of August, Alex Warren’s anthemic ballad “Ordinary” approached the record for the most weeks at No. 1 on the Canadian Hot 100, reaching 21 weeks. But while the 2025 hit arguably earned the song of the summer title, the song it was chasing still couldn’t be shaken for song of the year: Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy).”
The country singer’s ditty dominated 2024’s year-end charts, after spending a record 25 weeks at No. 1 — and it’s stayed at the top. The song holds No. 1 on the year-end Canadian Hot 100 chart for 2025, with Warren’s “Ordinary” following at No. 2.
The Beaches were the Billboard Canada Women of the Year 2025 — and it’s clear to see why they were deserving of the accolade — the first given to a group in the award’s history.
The beloved Toronto-based band has kept a hold on their home country, becoming a mainstay on the Modern Rock chart, securing four spots on the year-end ranking, including their hit “Last Girls At the Party,” which held the No. 1 spot on the chart earlier this year for 11 weeks, and comes in at No. 3 on the year-end chart.
Female artists played a big role on the rock charts this year, and on the airplay charts in general.
Read more here. — Richard Trapunski, Heather Taylor-Singh
Divide Between Québec Institutions, Artists and Consumers Grows as Government Debates French Music Streaming Quotas
Debate over Québec’s Bill 109 is resurfacing with new force, as fresh consumer data adds a critical layer to the conversation.
A Léger survey released in late November shows that most Québec music streaming users oppose government intervention in determining what music appears on digital platforms — a notable finding as the province continues to deliberate on the bill.
Related
As Billboard Canada recently reported, the legislation would require digital platforms to prioritize French-language cultural content. Escalating debate has widened the divide between the streaming industry and the cultural sector.
The Digital Media Association (DiMA), which represents platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music, has been among the most vocal critics, warning the legislation could negatively impact consumer experience, artist revenues and platform operations in the province.
The new survey, commissioned by DiMA, found that 66% of Québecers believe the government should not influence the music available on streaming services, while 76% say they would oppose the bill if it resulted in higher subscription prices. Only 4% of respondents consider regulating streaming platforms a government priority, placing it far below concerns such as affordability, housing and health care.
The findings land as Québec’s National Assembly debates the bill, introduced on May 21, 2025, by Culture and Communications Minister Mathieu Lacombe. The bill — formally titled An Act to affirm the cultural sovereignty of Québec — aims to strengthen the visibility of francophone cultural content on digital platforms and would impose new obligations on major global streaming services and connected-device manufacturers.
Québec cultural organizations and industry representatives have pushed back against claims that Bill 109 would limit consumer choice, instead framing the proposed legislation as a necessary tool to support French-language culture in an increasingly globalized digital environment.
Last spring, several major organizations and artists featured in Quebec media — including ARRQ (the Quebec Directors’ Guild), GMMQ (the Quebec Musicians’ Guild), SARTEC (the Quebec Society of Radio, Television and Film Authors) and UDA (the Quebec performers’ union) — voiced their support for stronger regulatory measures on streaming platforms. Their comments, published in Le Devoir, Radio-Canada and other Québec outlets, argued that market-driven discoverability alone has not been enough to ensure the long-term visibility of francophone works. ADISQ, which represents Québec’s music and live performance industries, has also consistently supported regulatory intervention.
While major cultural institutions have largely rallied behind Bill 109, the response on the ground tells a very different story — especially within Québec’s multilingual and underground communities. Artists working in hip-hop, anglophone pop and folk, electronic, Afro-diasporic, Latin and other non-francophone genres say the bill overlooks their realities and risks deepening long-standing disparities in cultural visibility.
Laval producer High Klassified — a multi-platinum artist known for his futuristic sound and collaborations with global acts including The Weeknd, Drake, Future, Migos, A-Trak, Metro Boomin, as well as Damso and Hamza — is a central figure in Québec’s electronic and hip-hop scenes. He argues the legislation fails to reflect how music is consumed today, pointing to what he describes as “a huge generational gap” at the core of the debate.
“Streaming services give us the freedom to listen to what we want, when we want. It’s a new era, a new way of consuming music,” he tells Billboard Canada. “The government shouldn’t decide what we listen to. People choose for themselves — that’s the whole purpose of streaming.”
Read more here. — Yasmine Seck
In Canada: Warner Music Canada Lays Off at Least 24; Tate McRae & Shaboozey Top Year-End Charts
Warner Music Canada has laid off at least 24 people, Billboard Canada has learned. The cuts come amidst global restructuring and layoffs at Warner Music Group.
According to multiple former staffers, the layoffs came on Nov. 18, the same day Julia Hummel and Madelaine Napoleone were announced as new Warner Music Canada co-general managers.
Related
A companywide email reportedly went out on Nov. 17 informing the staff that the office would be closed the following day and that they should make themselves available for meeting invitations from human resources. Many staffers were informed during those video meetings that their position had been eliminated.
The layoffs reportedly affected departments companywide, including positions in business, catalogue, design and video production, publicity, sales and more, including significant reductions in A&R and marketing. They also included executive vice president and general manager Andy West, as previously reported by Billboard Canada.
According to a 2025 annual report by Warner Music Canada, there were previously approximately 185 employees working in Canada, which would mean the layoffs represent at least 12 to 13% of the workforce — though some have suggested the percentages could be higher.
In a statement to Billboard Canada, Warner Music did not confirm the number of layoffs or budget or resource details for Canadian operations, but affirmed their commitment to investing in Canadian artists and staff.
“Canada is rich with musical talent,” a Warner Music spokesperson says. “We remain committed to growing our presence here. These changes will help us focus on the most extraordinary local artists and help them have a greater global impact.”
The company’s roster includes developing Canadian talent including Ari Hicks, Crash Adams, Jade LeMac and Diamond Cafe. The spokesperson declined to answer whether or how their deals would be affected by the company changes.
The layoffs follow a tumultuous period for Warner Music Canada. In September, former president Kristen Burke departed the company, with New York City-based president of East West Records and head of global A&R at Warner Music Group Eric Wong stepping in to lead business in Canada. In an email to staff, Burke wrote that the appointment would mean Warner Music Canada would “now be connected more directly to the U.S. team.”
Burke’s departure followed a Warner Music Group global restructuring and a series of layoffs across territories.
Read more here. — Richard Trapunski
Billboard Canada 2025 Year-End Charts: The Biggest Chart Trends and Stories of the Year
What a year it’s been for music in Canada. We saw some huge chart runs, major breakthroughs from Canadian artists and global heavy-hitters keeping their grip on the top spots. Alex Warren’s “Ordinary” had the year’s biggest chart run, with the sentimental ballad challenging for a Billboard Canadian Hot 100 record set by Shaboozey last year. Was he successful?
Internationally, Taylor Swift proved once again she’s the queen of album sales, though country music’s main man, Morgan Wallen, challenged her for the Top Artist and Canadian Albums crowns. The charts were buzzing with a mix of viral TikTok hits, surging K-pop tracks and Punjabi music hits, showing us how Canadian audiences are finding their tunes.
This year, Billboard Canada debuted seven Canadian Airplay charts, which you can find on our charts page every week. This year, we’re rolling out year-end versions of all seven, along with the top overall Radio Songs year-end chart. There’s also the debut of the Top Canadian Artists chart, which is topped in 2025 by a surprising winner: Tate McRae.
Billboard Canada has also just dropped the year-end versions of several other key Billboard Canada charts, as well: the Canadian Hot 100, Canadian Albums, Top Artists (which pulls data from both), Canadian Airplay, Canadian Streaming and Canadian Digital Song Sales.
Every chart tells a unique story about the Canadian music landscape in 2025.
This year’s song of the year was hotly contested. Towards the end of August, Alex Warren’s anthemic ballad “Ordinary” approached the record for the most weeks at No. 1 on the Canadian Hot 100, reaching 21 weeks. But while the 2025 hit arguably earned the song of the summer title, the song it was chasing still couldn’t be shaken for song of the year: Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy).”
The country singer’s ditty dominated 2024’s year-end charts, after spending a record 25 weeks at No. 1 — and it’s stayed at the top. The song holds No. 1 on the year-end Canadian Hot 100 chart for 2025, with Warren’s “Ordinary” following at No. 2.
The Beaches were the Billboard Canada Women of the Year 2025 — and it’s clear to see why they were deserving of the accolade — the first given to a group in the award’s history.
The beloved Toronto-based band has kept a hold on their home country, becoming a mainstay on the Modern Rock chart, securing four spots on the year-end ranking, including their hit “Last Girls At the Party,” which held the No. 1 spot on the chart earlier this year for 11 weeks, and comes in at No. 3 on the year-end chart.
Female artists played a big role on the rock charts this year, and on the airplay charts in general.
Read more here. — Richard Trapunski, Heather Taylor-Singh
Divide Between Québec Institutions, Artists and Consumers Grows as Government Debates French Music Streaming Quotas
Debate over Québec’s Bill 109 is resurfacing with new force, as fresh consumer data adds a critical layer to the conversation.
A Léger survey released in late November shows that most Québec music streaming users oppose government intervention in determining what music appears on digital platforms — a notable finding as the province continues to deliberate on the bill.
Related
As Billboard Canada recently reported, the legislation would require digital platforms to prioritize French-language cultural content. Escalating debate has widened the divide between the streaming industry and the cultural sector.
The Digital Media Association (DiMA), which represents platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music, has been among the most vocal critics, warning the legislation could negatively impact consumer experience, artist revenues and platform operations in the province.
The new survey, commissioned by DiMA, found that 66% of Québecers believe the government should not influence the music available on streaming services, while 76% say they would oppose the bill if it resulted in higher subscription prices. Only 4% of respondents consider regulating streaming platforms a government priority, placing it far below concerns such as affordability, housing and health care.
The findings land as Québec’s National Assembly debates the bill, introduced on May 21, 2025, by Culture and Communications Minister Mathieu Lacombe. The bill — formally titled An Act to affirm the cultural sovereignty of Québec — aims to strengthen the visibility of francophone cultural content on digital platforms and would impose new obligations on major global streaming services and connected-device manufacturers.
Québec cultural organizations and industry representatives have pushed back against claims that Bill 109 would limit consumer choice, instead framing the proposed legislation as a necessary tool to support French-language culture in an increasingly globalized digital environment.
Last spring, several major organizations and artists featured in Quebec media — including ARRQ (the Quebec Directors’ Guild), GMMQ (the Quebec Musicians’ Guild), SARTEC (the Quebec Society of Radio, Television and Film Authors) and UDA (the Quebec performers’ union) — voiced their support for stronger regulatory measures on streaming platforms. Their comments, published in Le Devoir, Radio-Canada and other Québec outlets, argued that market-driven discoverability alone has not been enough to ensure the long-term visibility of francophone works. ADISQ, which represents Québec’s music and live performance industries, has also consistently supported regulatory intervention.
While major cultural institutions have largely rallied behind Bill 109, the response on the ground tells a very different story — especially within Québec’s multilingual and underground communities. Artists working in hip-hop, anglophone pop and folk, electronic, Afro-diasporic, Latin and other non-francophone genres say the bill overlooks their realities and risks deepening long-standing disparities in cultural visibility.
Laval producer High Klassified — a multi-platinum artist known for his futuristic sound and collaborations with global acts including The Weeknd, Drake, Future, Migos, A-Trak, Metro Boomin, as well as Damso and Hamza — is a central figure in Québec’s electronic and hip-hop scenes. He argues the legislation fails to reflect how music is consumed today, pointing to what he describes as “a huge generational gap” at the core of the debate.
“Streaming services give us the freedom to listen to what we want, when we want. It’s a new era, a new way of consuming music,” he tells Billboard Canada. “The government shouldn’t decide what we listen to. People choose for themselves — that’s the whole purpose of streaming.”
Read more here. — Yasmine Seck
‘Love Island’ Stars Ace & Chelley Break Up: Watch Their Last Appearance as a Couple Here
Chellace is no more. Love Island USA stars Ace Green and Chelley Bissainthe have split. Chelley revealed that she and Ace ended their relationship during an appearance on SiriusXM’s Page Six Radio on Friday (Dec. 12).
Related
“Ace and I actually decided to part ways,” Chelley said, to the shock of the co-hosts. “It really was a tough decision for the both of us and very hard to decide. When you love someone, loving someone means letting go.”
“A mutual level of respect and understanding,” she continued. “We wanted this to work, but sometimes things don’t work. Couples go through things that are very challenging. And sometimes the best thing to do is make a decision that needs to be made.”
Chelley explained that “this was a mutual agreement” between herself and Ace and at this point in their lives and careers, it’s “for the best.”
Chelley and Ace met on season 7 of Love Island USA, which aired from June through August, and the couple left the island on day 30.
In Chellace’s final public appearance as a couple — barring a reunion — they joined the Billboard 2025 No. 1s Livestream on Tuesday (Dec. 9). Chelley showed off her pop music chops, as she gushed about an array of top-charting artists including Alex Warren, Rosé and Chappell Roan.
“If I’m not mistaken, he came from TikTok,” Chelley said of Alex Warren and “Ordinary.” “It’s such a beautiful song. It’s like an ode to his wife. I like it, it’s beautiful.”
Watch the full livestream below.
‘Love Island’ Stars Ace & Chelley Break Up: Watch Their Last Appearance as a Couple Here
Chellace is no more. Love Island USA stars Ace Green and Chelley Bissainthe have split. Chelley revealed that she and Ace ended their relationship during an appearance on SiriusXM’s Page Six Radio on Friday (Dec. 12).
Related
“Ace and I actually decided to part ways,” Chelley said, to the shock of the co-hosts. “It really was a tough decision for the both of us and very hard to decide. When you love someone, loving someone means letting go.”
“A mutual level of respect and understanding,” she continued. “We wanted this to work, but sometimes things don’t work. Couples go through things that are very challenging. And sometimes the best thing to do is make a decision that needs to be made.”
Chelley explained that “this was a mutual agreement” between herself and Ace and at this point in their lives and careers, it’s “for the best.”
Chelley and Ace met on season 7 of Love Island USA, which aired from June through August, and the couple left the island on day 30.
In Chellace’s final public appearance as a couple — barring a reunion — they joined the Billboard 2025 No. 1s Livestream on Tuesday (Dec. 9). Chelley showed off her pop music chops, as she gushed about an array of top-charting artists including Alex Warren, Rosé and Chappell Roan.
“If I’m not mistaken, he came from TikTok,” Chelley said of Alex Warren and “Ordinary.” “It’s such a beautiful song. It’s like an ode to his wife. I like it, it’s beautiful.”
Watch the full livestream below.
Hailee Steinfeld Reveals She’s Expecting First Baby With NFL Quarterback Husband Josh Allen in Sweet Home Video
To ring in her 29th birthday this week, Hailee Steinfeld is sharing her 29 favorite things about the past year — including a sweet home video of husband Josh Allen cradling her growing baby bump, revealing that the couple are expecting their first child.
Related
In her Beau Society newsletter titled “This is 29!!,” Steinfeld shared “29 moments I loved this year… in no particular order,” including her first college football game and “jumping into a recording studio again — and realizing how much I’d missed it.” Her final favorite moment? “This video,” she wrote, posting a clip of her Buffalo Bills quarterback husband kissing her belly in a snowy field. At the end of the video, they adorably reveal a tiny snowman representing their soon-to-be first child.
Steinfeld and Allen later shared the video to Instagram too. Watch below:
The actress/singer and NFL star were married in June in a Southern California ceremony after getting engaged last year.
Steinfeld and Allen were first linked romantically in spring 2023, after being spotted dining together in New York City. Months later, Allen confirmed the relationship but asked The Associated Press not to mention Steinfeld by name in an attempt to maintain privacy.
When Steinfeld mentioned getting back into the recording studio this year, she was likely referring to the music she recorded for April’s Sinners, the Ryan Coogler-directed film in which she co-starred alongside Michael B. Jordan. “We were all so tuned into the vision, and because I was both inside the story as an actor, and helping shape it through music, it created this really fluid creative loop,” Steinfeld exclusively told Billboard about her song “Dangerous” from the Sinners soundtrack, which she co-wrote with Sarah Aarons and Sinners composer Ludwig Göransson (who just picked up a best score Golden Globe nomination this week).
In addition to her acting career, Steinfeld has also released music over the years, including five Billboard Hot 100 hits between 2015 and 2017, led by the No. 12-peaking “Starving” with Grey and featuring Zedd in 2016.
Normani Gives KATSEYE Their Flowers & Talks New Clothing Line With SHEIN | Billboard News
Billboard caught up with Normani at her launch party in LA for her new fashion line ‘NORMANI’ in partnership with SHEIN and she shares what she has in store for new music, what she loves about KATSEYE, why she decided to pursue fashion and more!
Tetris Kelly:
Always a good night when I’m hanging out with this beautiful lady, Normani. How are you tonight?
Normani:
I’m blessed. I’m excited.
I mean, blessed and excited. This is crazy. So launching a clothing brand like, why was it important for you to do this?
I mean, I always feel like expression is important, you know, whether that be through film, music, fashion, which has always been important to me, even if it’s, you know, hair, makeup, I’m a girl that loves to get dressed. I watched my mom, watched my grandma growing up, you know, and they really inspired me. And a lot of the pieces within the line, so I thought that it was the most perfect timing and alignment for me is always really important.
I mean, I saw a couple of the pieces, cute, girl, cute. I mean, you talked about your parents. I love that, and your grandma, like, what was the inspiration behind when you were creating?
90s, early 2000s I think just when I think about fashion being a little girl around that time, it felt like it was always just one of the best eras and decades.
Not wrong there.
Yes, even just before my time. Like, whether it was fashion, whether it was the TV shows, sitcoms, fashion, the women, hair, the makeup, just everything I feel like and everybody already knows I love nostalgia.
I mean, all I was thinking about right here was even how iconic the “Motivation” video was.
Keep watching for more!
How to Watch John Cena’s Final Match Live Online
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.
After 24 years in pro wrestling, John Cena goes into retirement from the WWE, as the company takes the show to the nation’s capital for WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event on Saturday, Dec. 13.
Cena, who releases of his debut album You Can’t See Me in 2005, takes on Gunther in an epic retirement match during the premium live event, which takes place at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., with a start time of 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
Want to watch Saturday Night’s Main Event online? This premium live event is available to stream on the WWE on Peacock for Premium or Premium Plus subscribers only.
If you don’t subscribe to the streaming service, you can get access with a Peacock monthly subscription, which starts at $10.99 per month for the ad-supported plan, or $16.99 for the ad-free plan.
Aside from Saturday Night’s Main Event for John Cena’s final match, Peacock is the home to hit originals, such as Bel-Air, Poker Face, Twisted Metal, Love Island USA, All Her Fault and others. The streaming service also features live sports from the NFL, NBA, NCAA Football and other sports leagues.
Check out the Saturday Night’s Main Event match card below, and livestream the event here.
Main Card
- John Cena vs. Gunther, Retirement Match
- Cody Rhodes (Undisputed WWE Champion) vs. Oba Femi (NXT Champion), Champion vs. Champion Match
- Bayley vs. Sol Ruca
- AJ Styles & Dragon Lee (champions) vs. Je’Von Evans & Leon Slater, WWE World Tag Team Championship
Want to attend Saturday Night’s Main Event in person? There are last-minute tickets available with StubHub, Ticket Network, Vivid Seats and SeatGeek. Prices vary depending on seats available at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
In fact, you can save $150 off tickets over $500 with promo code BILLBOARD150, or get $300 off ticket purchases of more than $1,000 with promo code BILLBOARD300 at TicketNetwork.com.
For John Cena’s final match, Saturday Night’s Main Event is available to stream on Peacock on Saturday, Dec. 13 starting at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
Want more? For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best Xbox deals, studio headphones and Nintendo Switch accessories.
‘Sending Lots of Love’: Harry Styles Records Sweet Video for Fan Going Through a ‘Tough Time’
Harry Styles has been staying out of the public eye this past year, but he recently popped out of his bubble to record a sweet video for one of his fans who needed it.
Related
In a clip that’s been circulating on X on Friday (Dec. 12), the British pop star holds up the phone while wearing a cozy beanie and winter jacket. “Hi, Sydney! I’m Harry,” he tells the camera. “Hope you’re doing real well.”
“Just wanted to say hi,” he continues. “Heard you’re going through a bit of a tough time, so I’m sending lots of love to you. Hope to see you soon, take care.”
The gesture comes amid a long hiatus from the music world for Styles, who last released an album in 2022. That year’s Harry’s House spent two weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, spawned 15-week Billboard Hot 100-topper “As it Was” and won album of the year at the Grammys.
As much as his fans miss him, the former One Direction star has been busy living life, often popping up in seemingly random places. In March, for instance, he made headlines for completing the Tokyo Marathon, months after which he ran the September race in Berlin, both times finishing with impressive stats. There was another Harry sighting in May, when he appeared among the spectators in Vatican City to celebrate the election of Pope Leo XIV.
It also appears that the singer might be nurturing a new romance, with fans spotting him looking cozy while out and about with actress Zoë Kravitz multiple times in recent months.
How to Watch John Cena’s Final Match Live Online
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.
After 24 years in pro wrestling, John Cena goes into retirement from the WWE, as the company takes the show to the nation’s capital for WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event on Saturday, Dec. 13.
Cena, who releases of his debut album You Can’t See Me in 2005, takes on Gunther in an epic retirement match during the premium live event, which takes place at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., with a start time of 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
Want to watch Saturday Night’s Main Event online? This premium live event is available to stream on the WWE on Peacock for Premium or Premium Plus subscribers only.
If you don’t subscribe to the streaming service, you can get access with a Peacock monthly subscription, which starts at $10.99 per month for the ad-supported plan, or $16.99 for the ad-free plan.
Aside from Saturday Night’s Main Event for John Cena’s final match, Peacock is the home to hit originals, such as Bel-Air, Poker Face, Twisted Metal, Love Island USA, All Her Fault and others. The streaming service also features live sports from the NFL, NBA, NCAA Football and other sports leagues.
Check out the Saturday Night’s Main Event match card below, and livestream the event here.
Main Card
- John Cena vs. Gunther, Retirement Match
- Cody Rhodes (Undisputed WWE Champion) vs. Oba Femi (NXT Champion), Champion vs. Champion Match
- Bayley vs. Sol Ruca
- AJ Styles & Dragon Lee (champions) vs. Je’Von Evans & Leon Slater, WWE World Tag Team Championship
Want to attend Saturday Night’s Main Event in person? There are last-minute tickets available with StubHub, Ticket Network, Vivid Seats and SeatGeek. Prices vary depending on seats available at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
In fact, you can save $150 off tickets over $500 with promo code BILLBOARD150, or get $300 off ticket purchases of more than $1,000 with promo code BILLBOARD300 at TicketNetwork.com.
For John Cena’s final match, Saturday Night’s Main Event is available to stream on Peacock on Saturday, Dec. 13 starting at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
Want more? For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best Xbox deals, studio headphones and Nintendo Switch accessories.
‘Sending Lots of Love’: Harry Styles Records Sweet Video for Fan Going Through a ‘Tough Time’
Harry Styles has been staying out of the public eye this past year, but he recently popped out of his bubble to record a sweet video for one of his fans who needed it.
Related
In a clip that’s been circulating on X on Friday (Dec. 12), the British pop star holds up the phone while wearing a cozy beanie and winter jacket. “Hi, Sydney! I’m Harry,” he tells the camera. “Hope you’re doing real well.”
“Just wanted to say hi,” he continues. “Heard you’re going through a bit of a tough time, so I’m sending lots of love to you. Hope to see you soon, take care.”
The gesture comes amid a long hiatus from the music world for Styles, who last released an album in 2022. That year’s Harry’s House spent two weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, spawned 15-week Billboard Hot 100-topper “As it Was” and won album of the year at the Grammys.
As much as his fans miss him, the former One Direction star has been busy living life, often popping up in seemingly random places. In March, for instance, he made headlines for completing the Tokyo Marathon, months after which he ran the September race in Berlin, both times finishing with impressive stats. There was another Harry sighting in May, when he appeared among the spectators in Vatican City to celebrate the election of Pope Leo XIV.
It also appears that the singer might be nurturing a new romance, with fans spotting him looking cozy while out and about with actress Zoë Kravitz multiple times in recent months.
Labubus are the Hottest Collectible of 2025 – Here’s Where to Find Them on Sale
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.
The Labubu craze isn’t stopping anytime soon, and now you can get the StockX-verified plushies on sale at Walmart.
That’s right. The stuffed collectible is currently on sale with prices starting at 27% off. The beloved plushie is a hot-ticket item, and makes an especially loveable gift for the holidays. If you want to get ahead of gift shopping for the blind-box lover in your life, you’ll want to take advantage of these deals while they last. They’re the ideal stocking stuffers or a surprise white elephant gift that’s sure to please everyone in your life, even the biggest Labubu haters. Clip them to handbags, keys and backpacks for a whimsical touch, or display them on a shelf along with your other collectibles.
Thanks to Walmart’s partnership with online marketplace StockX, the Labubus they have in stock are certified real, and they’re going fast. The trending plushie can be purchased within blind boxes, leaving your purchase up to chance, or solo on Walmart’s website. Created by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung, these little monsters made their first appearance back in 2015.
Pop Mart The Monsters (Labubu) Big Into Energy Vinyl Plush Blind Box V3
Colorful faux-fur vinyl figures with tons of personality.
Pop Mart The Monsters Have A Seat Vinyl Plush Blind Box V2
A seated Labubu vinyl plush.
The figure’s viral moment didn’t happen until way later in April of 2024 when K-Pop star Lisa from the world-renouned girl group BLACKPINK was seen sporting the fluffy figure attached to her Louis Vuitton bag. Since Lisa’s introduction, we’ve seen stars like Rihanna, Dua Lipa, Kim Kardashian, Rosé, David Beckham, Lizzo, Madonna, BTS, Cher and Lady Gaga toting their Labubus with pride, sometimes multiples at once, affixed to bags, keys and even made into birthday cakes.
Usually, you’ll be getting a plushie figure with colorful faux-fur and vinyl appendages. The Labubu is affixed to a keyring, so you’ll be able to accessorize your bags to your heart’s content. We’ve also found alternative Labubu styles, including phone charms and displayable figures sans the fluff. Pricing on these Labubu’s oftentimes depends on the demand and series they fall under.
Pop Mart Labubu The Monsters Wacky Mart Series Vinyl Plush
A dressed up Labubu from the Wacky Mart series.
To break it down even further, a “series” is a theme that the blind box is based on. Sweet treats like macarons are one of the themes, reflected in the Labubu’s coloring, while the “Big Into Energy” series is themed based on emotions and feelings like happiness, hope, luck and love, among others.
If you didn’t know, blind boxes are a global phenomenon that centers around cute figures and collectibles. These figures are packaged in a box, usually with images on it depicting all the figures you’re able to get from a specific series. You won’t know what you’ll get until you pop open the box. Upon purchasing your blind box, you’ll usually also have the opportunity to get a secret figure not found on the side of the box. The chances of pulling a secret are rare but not impossible. In fact, I’ve seen it happen with my own eyes. It’s pretty magical.
A Case of 10 Labubus from The Seated Coca Cola Series
A case of Labubu blind boxes from the Coca Cola series.
Pop Mart Labubu The Monsters Have a Seat Vinyl Plush Sealed Case (6 Blind Box)
A pack of six Have a Seat Labubu blind boxes.
The blind box world is borderline addicting, like a more fun and less detrimental version of gambling. It’s all about the heart-pounding thrill of not knowing what you’ll get out of a select few items. Labubus weren’t the first blind box items to go mega viral. You’ve also got Sonny Angel, cherub-like figures invented by Toru Soeya, along with little green figures called Smiski, also created by Soeya. Peach Riot, Calico Critters, CryBaby, Smoko, Hirono and Lulu the Piggy are just a few other hit blind box series you can find on the market right now.
Pop Mart also launched their The Monsters-Cheers! Series, which is a blind box that features a double-walled glass inside. You have the option to pull six different colorful cups featuring a Labubu motif, along with one secret. The innovation is one we haven’t seen from the blind box world until now.
Labubus are the Hottest Collectible of 2025 – Here’s Where to Find Them on Sale
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.
The Labubu craze isn’t stopping anytime soon, and now you can get the StockX-verified plushies on sale at Walmart.
That’s right. The stuffed collectible is currently on sale with prices starting at 27% off. The beloved plushie is a hot-ticket item, and makes an especially loveable gift for the holidays. If you want to get ahead of gift shopping for the blind-box lover in your life, you’ll want to take advantage of these deals while they last. They’re the ideal stocking stuffers or a surprise white elephant gift that’s sure to please everyone in your life, even the biggest Labubu haters. Clip them to handbags, keys and backpacks for a whimsical touch, or display them on a shelf along with your other collectibles.
Thanks to Walmart’s partnership with online marketplace StockX, the Labubus they have in stock are certified real, and they’re going fast. The trending plushie can be purchased within blind boxes, leaving your purchase up to chance, or solo on Walmart’s website. Created by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung, these little monsters made their first appearance back in 2015.
Pop Mart The Monsters (Labubu) Big Into Energy Vinyl Plush Blind Box V3
Colorful faux-fur vinyl figures with tons of personality.
Pop Mart The Monsters Have A Seat Vinyl Plush Blind Box V2
A seated Labubu vinyl plush.
The figure’s viral moment didn’t happen until way later in April of 2024 when K-Pop star Lisa from the world-renouned girl group BLACKPINK was seen sporting the fluffy figure attached to her Louis Vuitton bag. Since Lisa’s introduction, we’ve seen stars like Rihanna, Dua Lipa, Kim Kardashian, Rosé, David Beckham, Lizzo, Madonna, BTS, Cher and Lady Gaga toting their Labubus with pride, sometimes multiples at once, affixed to bags, keys and even made into birthday cakes.
Usually, you’ll be getting a plushie figure with colorful faux-fur and vinyl appendages. The Labubu is affixed to a keyring, so you’ll be able to accessorize your bags to your heart’s content. We’ve also found alternative Labubu styles, including phone charms and displayable figures sans the fluff. Pricing on these Labubu’s oftentimes depends on the demand and series they fall under.
Pop Mart Labubu The Monsters Wacky Mart Series Vinyl Plush
A dressed up Labubu from the Wacky Mart series.
To break it down even further, a “series” is a theme that the blind box is based on. Sweet treats like macarons are one of the themes, reflected in the Labubu’s coloring, while the “Big Into Energy” series is themed based on emotions and feelings like happiness, hope, luck and love, among others.
If you didn’t know, blind boxes are a global phenomenon that centers around cute figures and collectibles. These figures are packaged in a box, usually with images on it depicting all the figures you’re able to get from a specific series. You won’t know what you’ll get until you pop open the box. Upon purchasing your blind box, you’ll usually also have the opportunity to get a secret figure not found on the side of the box. The chances of pulling a secret are rare but not impossible. In fact, I’ve seen it happen with my own eyes. It’s pretty magical.
A Case of 10 Labubus from The Seated Coca Cola Series
A case of Labubu blind boxes from the Coca Cola series.
Pop Mart Labubu The Monsters Have a Seat Vinyl Plush Sealed Case (6 Blind Box)
A pack of six Have a Seat Labubu blind boxes.
The blind box world is borderline addicting, like a more fun and less detrimental version of gambling. It’s all about the heart-pounding thrill of not knowing what you’ll get out of a select few items. Labubus weren’t the first blind box items to go mega viral. You’ve also got Sonny Angel, cherub-like figures invented by Toru Soeya, along with little green figures called Smiski, also created by Soeya. Peach Riot, Calico Critters, CryBaby, Smoko, Hirono and Lulu the Piggy are just a few other hit blind box series you can find on the market right now.
Pop Mart also launched their The Monsters-Cheers! Series, which is a blind box that features a double-walled glass inside. You have the option to pull six different colorful cups featuring a Labubu motif, along with one secret. The innovation is one we haven’t seen from the blind box world until now.
‘Sending Lots of Love’: Harry Styles Records Sweet Video for Fan Going Through a ‘Tough Time’
Harry Styles has been staying out of the public eye this past year, but he recently popped out of his bubble to record a sweet video for one of his fans who needed it.
Related
In a clip that’s been circulating on X on Friday (Dec. 12), the British pop star holds up the phone while wearing a cozy beanie and winter jacket. “Hi, Sydney! I’m Harry,” he tells the camera. “Hope you’re doing real well.”
“Just wanted to say hi,” he continues. “Heard you’re going through a bit of a tough time, so I’m sending lots of love to you. Hope to see you soon, take care.”
The gesture comes amid a long hiatus from the music world for Styles, who last released an album in 2022. That year’s Harry’s House spent two weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, spawned 15-week Billboard Hot 100-topper “As it Was” and won album of the year at the Grammys.
As much as his fans miss him, the former One Direction star has been busy living life, often popping up in seemingly random places. In March, for instance, he made headlines for completing the Tokyo Marathon, months after which he ran the September race in Berlin, both times finishing with impressive stats. There was another Harry sighting in May, when he appeared among the spectators in Vatican City to celebrate the election of Pope Leo XIV.
It also appears that the singer might be nurturing a new romance, with fans spotting him looking cozy while out and about with actress Zoë Kravitz multiple times in recent months.
Friday Dance Music Guide: The Week’s Best New Tracks From Shlømo & Sara Landry, Adriatuque & More
This week in dance music: The king David Guetta became the first artist in history to clock 20 No. 1s on Dance/Mix Show Airplay, with “Gone, Gone Gone” (with Teddy Swims and Tones and I) earning Guetta the distinction — and also marking his fourth No. 1 of 2025 on the chart, a new single-year record.
Fred again.. played the penultimate show of his 10 songs/10 shows/10 cities run with a very hyphy set in San Francisco that came in tandem his new track “Solo”, a collab with South London rapper Blanco.. Electric Forest 2026 announced a lineup including Illenium, Kaskade, Sammy Virji, ISOxo and The String Cheese Incident for its annual woodsy bash in Michigan in June.
Patrick Moxey’s Payday Publishing ended its legal war with Sony and Ultra Records, settling a copyright lawsuit that was the last remaining element of its long legal entanglement with Sony. Mau P was announced as one of the three headliners for Billboard Presents THE STAGE at SXSW 2026, with the series happening March 13-15 and also featuring Don Toliver and Junior H.
Meanwhile, Empire of the Sun announced the lineup for its inaugural Chrysalis festival, with Disclosure, The Flaming Lips, Magdalena Bay and more on the bill for the fest this May in Mexico, and Movement announced the phase one lineup for its fest in Detroit over Memorial Day Weekend.
HAAi shared 100 minutes of bangers via the set she played at September’s Making Time festival, a performance she nearly missed due to a flight delay, and Fatboy Slim officially released his longstanding and much-loved mashup of The Rolling Stones’ “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” and his own “The Rockafeller Skank.”
We also caught up with melodic bass favorite Seven Lions on the occasion of his new album, Asleep in the Garden of Infernal Stars, out today via the artist’s own Ophelia Records.
And, in the final roundup of the year, these are the best new dance tracks of the week.
Labubus are the Hottest Collectible of 2025 – Here’s Where to Find Them on Sale
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.
The Labubu craze isn’t stopping anytime soon, and now you can get the StockX-verified plushies on sale at Walmart.
That’s right. The stuffed collectible is currently on sale with prices starting at 27% off. The beloved plushie is a hot-ticket item, and makes an especially loveable gift for the holidays. If you want to get ahead of gift shopping for the blind-box lover in your life, you’ll want to take advantage of these deals while they last. They’re the ideal stocking stuffers or a surprise white elephant gift that’s sure to please everyone in your life, even the biggest Labubu haters. Clip them to handbags, keys and backpacks for a whimsical touch, or display them on a shelf along with your other collectibles.
Thanks to Walmart’s partnership with online marketplace StockX, the Labubus they have in stock are certified real, and they’re going fast. The trending plushie can be purchased within blind boxes, leaving your purchase up to chance, or solo on Walmart’s website. Created by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung, these little monsters made their first appearance back in 2015.
Pop Mart The Monsters (Labubu) Big Into Energy Vinyl Plush Blind Box V3
Colorful faux-fur vinyl figures with tons of personality.
Pop Mart The Monsters Have A Seat Vinyl Plush Blind Box V2
A seated Labubu vinyl plush.
The figure’s viral moment didn’t happen until way later in April of 2024 when K-Pop star Lisa from the world-renouned girl group BLACKPINK was seen sporting the fluffy figure attached to her Louis Vuitton bag. Since Lisa’s introduction, we’ve seen stars like Rihanna, Dua Lipa, Kim Kardashian, Rosé, David Beckham, Lizzo, Madonna, BTS, Cher and Lady Gaga toting their Labubus with pride, sometimes multiples at once, affixed to bags, keys and even made into birthday cakes.
Usually, you’ll be getting a plushie figure with colorful faux-fur and vinyl appendages. The Labubu is affixed to a keyring, so you’ll be able to accessorize your bags to your heart’s content. We’ve also found alternative Labubu styles, including phone charms and displayable figures sans the fluff. Pricing on these Labubu’s oftentimes depends on the demand and series they fall under.
Pop Mart Labubu The Monsters Wacky Mart Series Vinyl Plush
A dressed up Labubu from the Wacky Mart series.
To break it down even further, a “series” is a theme that the blind box is based on. Sweet treats like macarons are one of the themes, reflected in the Labubu’s coloring, while the “Big Into Energy” series is themed based on emotions and feelings like happiness, hope, luck and love, among others.
If you didn’t know, blind boxes are a global phenomenon that centers around cute figures and collectibles. These figures are packaged in a box, usually with images on it depicting all the figures you’re able to get from a specific series. You won’t know what you’ll get until you pop open the box. Upon purchasing your blind box, you’ll usually also have the opportunity to get a secret figure not found on the side of the box. The chances of pulling a secret are rare but not impossible. In fact, I’ve seen it happen with my own eyes. It’s pretty magical.
A Case of 10 Labubus from The Seated Coca Cola Series
A case of Labubu blind boxes from the Coca Cola series.
Pop Mart Labubu The Monsters Have a Seat Vinyl Plush Sealed Case (6 Blind Box)
A pack of six Have a Seat Labubu blind boxes.
The blind box world is borderline addicting, like a more fun and less detrimental version of gambling. It’s all about the heart-pounding thrill of not knowing what you’ll get out of a select few items. Labubus weren’t the first blind box items to go mega viral. You’ve also got Sonny Angel, cherub-like figures invented by Toru Soeya, along with little green figures called Smiski, also created by Soeya. Peach Riot, Calico Critters, CryBaby, Smoko, Hirono and Lulu the Piggy are just a few other hit blind box series you can find on the market right now.
Pop Mart also launched their The Monsters-Cheers! Series, which is a blind box that features a double-walled glass inside. You have the option to pull six different colorful cups featuring a Labubu motif, along with one secret. The innovation is one we haven’t seen from the blind box world until now.
Friday Dance Music Guide: The Week’s Best New Tracks From Shlømo & Sara Landry, Adriatuque & More
This week in dance music: The king David Guetta became the first artist in history to clock 20 No. 1s on Dance/Mix Show Airplay, with “Gone, Gone Gone” (with Teddy Swims and Tones and I) earning Guetta the distinction — and also marking his fourth No. 1 of 2025 on the chart, a new single-year record.
Fred again.. played the penultimate show of his 10 songs/10 shows/10 cities run with a very hyphy set in San Francisco that came in tandem his new track “Solo”, a collab with South London rapper Blanco.. Electric Forest 2026 announced a lineup including Illenium, Kaskade, Sammy Virji, ISOxo and The String Cheese Incident for its annual woodsy bash in Michigan in June.
Patrick Moxey’s Payday Publishing ended its legal war with Sony and Ultra Records, settling a copyright lawsuit that was the last remaining element of its long legal entanglement with Sony. Mau P was announced as one of the three headliners for Billboard Presents THE STAGE at SXSW 2026, with the series happening March 13-15 and also featuring Don Toliver and Junior H.
Meanwhile, Empire of the Sun announced the lineup for its inaugural Chrysalis festival, with Disclosure, The Flaming Lips, Magdalena Bay and more on the bill for the fest this May in Mexico, and Movement announced the phase one lineup for its fest in Detroit over Memorial Day Weekend.
HAAi shared 100 minutes of bangers via the set she played at September’s Making Time festival, a performance she nearly missed due to a flight delay, and Fatboy Slim officially released his longstanding and much-loved mashup of The Rolling Stones’ “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” and his own “The Rockafeller Skank.”
We also caught up with melodic bass favorite Seven Lions on the occasion of his new album, Asleep in the Garden of Infernal Stars, out today via the artist’s own Ophelia Records.
And, in the final roundup of the year, these are the best new dance tracks of the week.
Labubus are the Hottest Collectible of 2025 – Here’s Where to Find Them on Sale
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.
The Labubu craze isn’t stopping anytime soon, and now you can get the StockX-verified plushies on sale at Walmart.
That’s right. The stuffed collectible is currently on sale with prices starting at 27% off. The beloved plushie is a hot-ticket item, and makes an especially loveable gift for the holidays. If you want to get ahead of gift shopping for the blind-box lover in your life, you’ll want to take advantage of these deals while they last. They’re the ideal stocking stuffers or a surprise white elephant gift that’s sure to please everyone in your life, even the biggest Labubu haters. Clip them to handbags, keys and backpacks for a whimsical touch, or display them on a shelf along with your other collectibles.
Thanks to Walmart’s partnership with online marketplace StockX, the Labubus they have in stock are certified real, and they’re going fast. The trending plushie can be purchased within blind boxes, leaving your purchase up to chance, or solo on Walmart’s website. Created by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung, these little monsters made their first appearance back in 2015.
Pop Mart The Monsters (Labubu) Big Into Energy Vinyl Plush Blind Box V3
Colorful faux-fur vinyl figures with tons of personality.
Pop Mart The Monsters Have A Seat Vinyl Plush Blind Box V2
A seated Labubu vinyl plush.
The figure’s viral moment didn’t happen until way later in April of 2024 when K-Pop star Lisa from the world-renouned girl group BLACKPINK was seen sporting the fluffy figure attached to her Louis Vuitton bag. Since Lisa’s introduction, we’ve seen stars like Rihanna, Dua Lipa, Kim Kardashian, Rosé, David Beckham, Lizzo, Madonna, BTS, Cher and Lady Gaga toting their Labubus with pride, sometimes multiples at once, affixed to bags, keys and even made into birthday cakes.
Usually, you’ll be getting a plushie figure with colorful faux-fur and vinyl appendages. The Labubu is affixed to a keyring, so you’ll be able to accessorize your bags to your heart’s content. We’ve also found alternative Labubu styles, including phone charms and displayable figures sans the fluff. Pricing on these Labubu’s oftentimes depends on the demand and series they fall under.
Pop Mart Labubu The Monsters Wacky Mart Series Vinyl Plush
A dressed up Labubu from the Wacky Mart series.
To break it down even further, a “series” is a theme that the blind box is based on. Sweet treats like macarons are one of the themes, reflected in the Labubu’s coloring, while the “Big Into Energy” series is themed based on emotions and feelings like happiness, hope, luck and love, among others.
If you didn’t know, blind boxes are a global phenomenon that centers around cute figures and collectibles. These figures are packaged in a box, usually with images on it depicting all the figures you’re able to get from a specific series. You won’t know what you’ll get until you pop open the box. Upon purchasing your blind box, you’ll usually also have the opportunity to get a secret figure not found on the side of the box. The chances of pulling a secret are rare but not impossible. In fact, I’ve seen it happen with my own eyes. It’s pretty magical.
A Case of 10 Labubus from The Seated Coca Cola Series
A case of Labubu blind boxes from the Coca Cola series.
Pop Mart Labubu The Monsters Have a Seat Vinyl Plush Sealed Case (6 Blind Box)
A pack of six Have a Seat Labubu blind boxes.
The blind box world is borderline addicting, like a more fun and less detrimental version of gambling. It’s all about the heart-pounding thrill of not knowing what you’ll get out of a select few items. Labubus weren’t the first blind box items to go mega viral. You’ve also got Sonny Angel, cherub-like figures invented by Toru Soeya, along with little green figures called Smiski, also created by Soeya. Peach Riot, Calico Critters, CryBaby, Smoko, Hirono and Lulu the Piggy are just a few other hit blind box series you can find on the market right now.
Pop Mart also launched their The Monsters-Cheers! Series, which is a blind box that features a double-walled glass inside. You have the option to pull six different colorful cups featuring a Labubu motif, along with one secret. The innovation is one we haven’t seen from the blind box world until now.
Friday Dance Music Guide: The Week’s Best New Tracks From Shlømo & Sara Landry, Adriatuque & More
This week in dance music: The king David Guetta became the first artist in history to clock 20 No. 1s on Dance/Mix Show Airplay, with “Gone, Gone Gone” (with Teddy Swims and Tones and I) earning Guetta the distinction — and also marking his fourth No. 1 of 2025 on the chart, a new single-year record.
Fred again.. played the penultimate show of his 10 songs/10 shows/10 cities run with a very hyphy set in San Francisco that came in tandem his new track “Solo”, a collab with South London rapper Blanco.. Electric Forest 2026 announced a lineup including Illenium, Kaskade, Sammy Virji, ISOxo and The String Cheese Incident for its annual woodsy bash in Michigan in June.
Patrick Moxey’s Payday Publishing ended its legal war with Sony and Ultra Records, settling a copyright lawsuit that was the last remaining element of its long legal entanglement with Sony. Mau P was announced as one of the three headliners for Billboard Presents THE STAGE at SXSW 2026, with the series happening March 13-15 and also featuring Don Toliver and Junior H.
Meanwhile, Empire of the Sun announced the lineup for its inaugural Chrysalis festival, with Disclosure, The Flaming Lips, Magdalena Bay and more on the bill for the fest this May in Mexico, and Movement announced the phase one lineup for its fest in Detroit over Memorial Day Weekend.
HAAi shared 100 minutes of bangers via the set she played at September’s Making Time festival, a performance she nearly missed due to a flight delay, and Fatboy Slim officially released his longstanding and much-loved mashup of The Rolling Stones’ “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” and his own “The Rockafeller Skank.”
We also caught up with melodic bass favorite Seven Lions on the occasion of his new album, Asleep in the Garden of Infernal Stars, out today via the artist’s own Ophelia Records.
And, in the final roundup of the year, these are the best new dance tracks of the week.
Rising Comedy Star Robby Hoffman on Her New John Mulaney-Directed Netflix Special
“Did you ever have Minute Maid frozen concentrate orange juice? It’s concentrate in a can. You have to add water… That’s what my stand-up special is. I sell you the can.”
Robby Hoffman is talking about her first Netflix stand-up comedy special, Wake Up — which, to build on her description, is a can of the funniest whoop-ass delivered onstage this year.
An ex-Hasidic lesbian, who was born seventh in a family of 10 children in Brooklyn — and who, after her parents divorced, grew up poor in her mother’s native Montreal — Hoffman’s star ascended quickly this year after joining the cast of the HBO Max series, Hacks, and killing during an appearance on Everybody’s Live With John Mulaney.
Her performance on Mulaney’s Netflix talk show got the attention of the streamer and its host — and Hoffman, in short order, was offered her own special, which Mulaney signed on to direct. The result, Wake Up, premieres on Dec. 14.
Onstage, Hoffman — in her trademark tight bun, wire-rim glasses and lupine smile — presents as feral as she mines her childhood and identity like Larry David’s little sister. “For me, to complain is to enjoy,” she says of the often dark, concentrated kvetching she delivers. In reality, she says, “I’m having a great time. I feel like I’m flying in that special. I feel like maybe somebody who’s done drugs — when they describe a trip or whatever they go on. I’m too nervous to go on it myself, but God bless.”
A self-taught comedian, who originally set out to become an accountant, Hoffman says that she did not grow up with comic heroes. “Had I been more aware of the history of comedy, I think I would have had too much of a rule book or an idea in my head as to what stand-up should be instead of just doing it,” she explains. Besides, she adds. “Nobody’s funnier than my sister Chaya or my brother Shmuel. No one.”
“I didn’t know about stand-up structurally. I had some ideas. I heard that you talk about stuff, and that’s what I did,” she explains. “All these older guys were on the scene, and they would say, ‘It takes 10 years to find your voice.’ But people were always telling me, ‘Your voice is refreshing.’ And I realized that it didn’t matter what I talked about. As soon as it came through the almost Instagram-like filter of Robby Hoffman, it came out fresh.”
On a Zoom call, Hoffman talked with Billboard about the fast-tracking of her special, her hard-knock youth, queer pronouns — and her wife, unscripted television personality Gabby Windey, who has appeared on The Bachelor, The Bachelorette and Dancing with the Stars and won the third season of Peacock’s The Traitors.
How long was Wake Up in development?
Not long at all. I was on Mulaney’s show in May, and after the show we had a little bit of a soiree. Nothing major. They had little treats on the tables — that sort of thing. I’m picking at the treats, and a guy comes up to me. I’m solo. He introduces himself and says, “I’m Ted.” I go, “Ted who?” He goes [Netflix CEO] Ted Sarandos.” I’m like, “If your name is Ted Sarandos, you can’t just go up to somebody in a corner. I’m not equipped!” I’m like, “Okay, well now I just have to stand here and talk to you.”
So, I was getting percolations, and they asked me, “Robby, do you have an hour?” I said, “I could do three. I’m always writing and always thinking. As long as I can see and hear the world around me, that’s all I need. They’re like my crayons.” And maybe Mulaney got wind of that and called me. People won’t believe that he came to me. But that is the story. He came to me and asked if he could direct it. I said, “That’s going to be a yes, dog.” He’s just a doll.
He just finished fourth on our “Best Comedians of the 21st Century So Far” list.
Okay, so you’re going to need an update if I’m not on that list. Mulaney and me. We’re kind of like giving the Eminem–Dido collab. It’s not anything anyone expected. People were like what? Dido and Eminem? But it f—king worked. In the comedy world, people wouldn’t put us together, but listen to the song, watch the special. It works!
The special was recorded in October. That didn’t give you a lot of time to prepare it for airing.
For somebody’s inaugural special, you’re not expecting to come in and own the place. Maybe they’ll release it next year. Maybe if they have a slow week, they’ll put it out. But after we shot the special, Robbie Praw, who runs comedy at Netflix, comes up to me and says he stayed for the whole thing, which I guess he doesn’t do often. It was nice of him to let me know that. I read between the lines! He said he stayed through the whole thing, and it’s going out for the holidays. I was like, “You’re giving me a holiday spot?” So that means we have weeks to get it ready.
How did learning that feel in the context of your career so far?
You know, I’ve been a very word-of-mouth. I’ve never been the overnight success. I’ve been slow and steady. I’m never selling gimmicks. I’m just selling good. It’s like, when I watch talk show hosts, and they’re reading the prompter the entire time… I’m like, you would think that what we would want from a talk show host is that they know how to talk. So, I want to do good stand-up, and in addition to feeling the swell of the people. Now I feel a bit of the industry and it’s not something I expected. But it’s been such a delight.
Just talking to you over these last minutes, your comedy persona seems very different from your offstage personality.
Right. It’s so funny, because people think I’m angry or whatever. Like I said, to complain is to enjoy. I could be on a yacht — God willing somebody invites me at some point — and I’d be, “It’s a little shaky. There’s a draft.” Nothing wrong. It just means I’m in the moment, I’m presently living and enjoying and feeling my surroundings. The special is me enjoying flying. Just going balls to the wall. And just – it’s so horrible.
What’s horrible?
But it’s also so amazing. Life. I never would have chosen this video game. You know when you open a driving video game. You can race through the city of Monaco, or you can go through Tokyo, or you can go through a park. If they showed me the world, I’d be like, “It seems distressful. Let’s go for the park.” It’s like we’re in the craziest level. Somebody clicked “Earth,” and we’re like here now and it’s super intense. So, how about we both enjoy an hour of just laughing.
You seem almost feral onstage.
Yeah, I grew up without a father. And my mother was there, but to the extent that one can be with 10 kids. I always read about that girl raised by wild dogs, and I felt like that. People go, “What were your early inspirations.? I felt like that girl. First of all, I saw a picture of her, and I’m like, “She kind of looks like me.” I feel in a way that I did grow up feral. And the good news about that is – well, it was very embarrassing for a long time to be poor and not put together and all that stuff. But I feel like that [experience] was able to be distilled into a precious metal that’s been made all the more shiny now that I’m here.
Like that Porsche you drive up in at the beginning of your special. Is that yours?
You better believe. That is my grail car — my dream car. It’s a Porsche 911, ‘96, black, tan interior. The first car I bought, and I tell people, please buy used everything. Everything I buy is typically preowned. That’s something I used to be very embarrassed, ashamed, when we were shopping at Salvation Army and Value Village. I never had new clothes, and it wasn’t cool then. And now I’ve embraced it. Now I’m like, “Why would you buy retail?”
Why is the 911 your grail car?
My father wasn’t in my life, but he always wanted a Porsche. And I always wanted a relationship with my father. The few times I saw him I thought he was so cool and funny, I have a lot of my father in me, even though I don’t get to have a relationship with him. As I grew up, I realized I do have a relationship with him in the ways that I am like him. He worked in sales and was able to buy an old Porsche. He had it momentarily before he had to sell it, and he took at picture of him sitting in it and sent it to my mother as if to lure her back. Like, she’s got 10 kids on welfare and instead of sending child support, you bought this $10,000 old car?
I respect the game. But every time I get in the car and look in the rearview, I see his eyes in mine. I enjoy the ride for us, with us. That is one of the few things left of my relationship with my father.
So, you don’t see him?
No, we have no relationship.
Did your upbringing lead to becoming a comedian?
Yeah. As soon as I heard of comedy I was like oh, okay. Life was so abysmal sometimes that it literally made me laugh. For breakfast every day, we had Cheerios or Rice Krispies. I have nine siblings, so you were either a Cheerios person or a Rice Krispies person. I was a Cheerios kid. I had Cheerios every morning. One day I’m eating my Cheerios, and I’m like, “Ma, they’re stale”. She’s like, “No they’re not.” I’m like, “They’re stale. I have these every day. I know what Cheerios taste like.”
She brings out the box. She’s like, “No. See. I bought Cheerios fresh.” And the box is all mangled. I’m like, “Ma, the box looks f–ked.” She says, “Okay, you got me.” She bought the cheaper store brand Oaty O’s and put them in the $6.99 Cheerios box. It was so sad and heartbreaking — and so funny. All of the time. Even my breakfast.
Before you got into comedy, you were going to become an accountant?
Yes, I was in accounting school. It’s like, all I dreamt about was money. We didn’t have dreams. We weren’t encouraged. If anything, we were discouraged. My mother would say, “School is not for everyone.” She didn’t want to encourage anything pricy ever. She was onto it being a scam years ago. It doesn’t mean she didn’t believe in us. My mother thought we were super clever, but she was just like [college is] a scam. So, we didn’t dream in that sense, but I did dream of getting out.
So, when I got into school, I was like, “What’s the least amount of school for the most amount of payoff?” They said, “Well, in accounting they’ll give you a job this summer. You can work an internship.” I was like, “F–k, let’s go!”
Then KPMG gave me a laptop, and I was like, “For keeps? I’ll work for you forever.” Because every kid had a laptop at school except for me. I was printing out my slides at the library and writing next to them. Now I was in with the other kids. I felt like I was making it. When people ask me, “You’ve had such a year. Does it feel like you made it?” Getting my laptop was as big a deal as getting my Netflix special. I know it seems – but it’s relative.
I really thought accounting was my ticket. We had a supply room at the office where I could take whatever highlighters I wanted, and by the way, I took plenty. It’s just fun to have stationery. I don’t know if I needed it, but you know what, if the Wite-Out is free, I’m grabbing the Wite-Out. There’s a Wite-Out tape. It’s fun! I’m never going to spend on that but if it’s free, give me one. I want to use it. I’ll write just to use it.
One of the parts I love best about your special is your bit on pronouns.
Being in this community — they/them and the whole thing — not that I’m in the community. I was forced into it — you’ll hear in the special — whether I want to be or not. Being who I am, I was just disappointed that I was born into another very annoying community. I’m already Jewish. I was already born annoying. Now, I have to be part of the most annoying — at least a little annoying — people on the planet again? I’m not actually taking a stance. I’m just saying it’s annoying. They botched the rollout. They said it would be seamless. It’s obviously not seamless.
They botched the rollout!
They botched the rollout. They went with the plural. I understand that they/them can be used singularly. If somebody is in front of you at the 7-Eleven, you go, “They were here first.” But generally, it isn’t seamless, and it continues to not be easy. And we need to own that.
You won an Emmy for your work on Odd Squad. I’m trying to square your comedy with writing for a kids’ series.
I know. It’s giving, like, Bob Saget [vibes]. Bob Saget was on Full House, but he was also a really dark comedian. Again, I know it sounds crazy to have a standard of “good,” but that is where it’s at. I don’t really care what I do as long as it’s good. When this kids’ show approached me, they had a writer’s assistant job open, When I read the scripts, they were good. There was no sexual innuendo, and there was no profanity, but the storytelling was good. It was PBS, which is HBO for kids without money, and the storytelling was full of art and it was fat free.
It was also a chance for me to be in a writers’ room and learn how to structurally write for TV. We did 80 11-minute episodes a season. I learned, “Get rid of that, get rid of that — don’t be precious about stuff.” I learned how to be on a set, and I was promoted at every level to get to write and make lines on the fly with the actors. Yes, it was kids, but it was good story. Good is good.
Since it’s the holidays, what’s your take?
I’m really festive since marrying Gabby. I’ll be doing my third Christmas, and I’ve leaned in. I am done with Hanukkah. What a scam that was. We’re into Christmas, and I’m big-time about it. If I’m at a Goodwill or the Salvation Army, I’ll buy a little fucking light-up globe. I love my light up globe. I fuck with all of it. I even watched that movie A Christmas Story. Gabby bought me a BB gun.
Oh yeah, the kid wants a Red Ryder.
I saw the movie and I’m like, “I’ve got to get a BB gun.” I love that BB gun. I also get melancholic at Christmas time. When I think of Christmas music I feel the more subversive — you know, John Lennon, “Happy Xmas (War Is Over).” When you’re young and you hear that song, you think it’s happy. And then it’s like, “No, what have we done? We’re at war.” We’re killing people. There’s also something melancholic about the recap of the year. It’s cozy, it’s sexy, it’s romantic and it’s also devastating and heartbreaking. It’s all of that.
I’m a very optimistic and positive person. Not the most uplifting. It’s like in the special, I say, “I’m funny, I’m not fun.”
Gabby was great on Traitors. Did you help her strategize at all?
No, I was just pep talk. I was like, “Babe, I don’t give a f–k what it is — you’ve got this. F–k that bitch. F–k that bitch.” I’m so gung ho. I’m a hundred percent Gabby. So if she’s calling me and she’s crying because she was cold, and they made her do this or this, I said, “F—k that. They suck.” I’m team Gab beyond.
Since this is Billboard what other music do you like to listen to?
I can tell you what I’m listening to now. I like Ethel Cain a lot right now. And I’m all deep in the new Bieber — Swag, Swag II. It’s phenomenal. I’m just bopping to this music. By the way, I also listen still to Eminem, Linkin Park — and The Cranberries have always been [a favorite]. They’re on the soundtrack to my special. The Cranberries were one of the first bands my family ever heard, because we grew up religious, so music was kind of touch and go in the early years. Years later, I read an interview that said she has five brothers. And I’m like, “I have five brothers.” And I remember thinking, “What if she’s seventh born?” I’m seventh born of ten.
Then I find out that Dolores O’Riordan — that line [from “Zombie”] “in your head” has been in my head all this time — has an older sister. She’s the seventh child. Bro, we do totally different things, but I saw myself in her.
Rising Comedy Star Robby Hoffman on Her New John Mulaney-Directed Netflix Special
“Did you ever have Minute Maid frozen concentrate orange juice? It’s concentrate in a can. You have to add water… That’s what my stand-up special is. I sell you the can.”
Robby Hoffman is talking about her first Netflix stand-up comedy special, Wake Up — which, to build on her description, is a can of the funniest whoop-ass delivered onstage this year.
An ex-Hasidic lesbian, who was born seventh in a family of 10 children in Brooklyn — and who, after her parents divorced, grew up poor in her mother’s native Montreal — Hoffman’s star ascended quickly this year after joining the cast of the HBO Max series, Hacks, and killing during an appearance on Everybody’s Live With John Mulaney.
Her performance on Mulaney’s Netflix talk show got the attention of the streamer and its host — and Hoffman, in short order, was offered her own special, which Mulaney signed on to direct. The result, Wake Up, premieres on Dec. 14.
Onstage, Hoffman — in her trademark tight bun, wire-rim glasses and lupine smile — presents as feral as she mines her childhood and identity like Larry David’s little sister. “For me, to complain is to enjoy,” she says of the often dark, concentrated kvetching she delivers. In reality, she says, “I’m having a great time. I feel like I’m flying in that special. I feel like maybe somebody who’s done drugs — when they describe a trip or whatever they go on. I’m too nervous to go on it myself, but God bless.”
A self-taught comedian, who originally set out to become an accountant, Hoffman says that she did not grow up with comic heroes. “Had I been more aware of the history of comedy, I think I would have had too much of a rule book or an idea in my head as to what stand-up should be instead of just doing it,” she explains. Besides, she adds. “Nobody’s funnier than my sister Chaya or my brother Shmuel. No one.”
“I didn’t know about stand-up structurally. I had some ideas. I heard that you talk about stuff, and that’s what I did,” she explains. “All these older guys were on the scene, and they would say, ‘It takes 10 years to find your voice.’ But people were always telling me, ‘Your voice is refreshing.’ And I realized that it didn’t matter what I talked about. As soon as it came through the almost Instagram-like filter of Robby Hoffman, it came out fresh.”
On a Zoom call, Hoffman talked with Billboard about the fast-tracking of her special, her hard-knock youth, queer pronouns — and her wife, unscripted television personality Gabby Windey, who has appeared on The Bachelor, The Bachelorette and Dancing with the Stars and won the third season of Peacock’s The Traitors.
How long was Wake Up in development?
Not long at all. I was on Mulaney’s show in May, and after the show we had a little bit of a soiree. Nothing major. They had little treats on the tables — that sort of thing. I’m picking at the treats, and a guy comes up to me. I’m solo. He introduces himself and says, “I’m Ted.” I go, “Ted who?” He goes [Netflix CEO] Ted Sarandos.” I’m like, “If your name is Ted Sarandos, you can’t just go up to somebody in a corner. I’m not equipped!” I’m like, “Okay, well now I just have to stand here and talk to you.”
So, I was getting percolations, and they asked me, “Robby, do you have an hour?” I said, “I could do three. I’m always writing and always thinking. As long as I can see and hear the world around me, that’s all I need. They’re like my crayons.” And maybe Mulaney got wind of that and called me. People won’t believe that he came to me. But that is the story. He came to me and asked if he could direct it. I said, “That’s going to be a yes, dog.” He’s just a doll.
He just finished fourth on our “Best Comedians of the 21st Century So Far” list.
Okay, so you’re going to need an update if I’m not on that list. Mulaney and me. We’re kind of like giving the Eminem–Dido collab. It’s not anything anyone expected. People were like what? Dido and Eminem? But it f—king worked. In the comedy world, people wouldn’t put us together, but listen to the song, watch the special. It works!
The special was recorded in October. That didn’t give you a lot of time to prepare it for airing.
For somebody’s inaugural special, you’re not expecting to come in and own the place. Maybe they’ll release it next year. Maybe if they have a slow week, they’ll put it out. But after we shot the special, Robbie Praw, who runs comedy at Netflix, comes up to me and says he stayed for the whole thing, which I guess he doesn’t do often. It was nice of him to let me know that. I read between the lines! He said he stayed through the whole thing, and it’s going out for the holidays. I was like, “You’re giving me a holiday spot?” So that means we have weeks to get it ready.
How did learning that feel in the context of your career so far?
You know, I’ve been a very word-of-mouth. I’ve never been the overnight success. I’ve been slow and steady. I’m never selling gimmicks. I’m just selling good. It’s like, when I watch talk show hosts, and they’re reading the prompter the entire time… I’m like, you would think that what we would want from a talk show host is that they know how to talk. So, I want to do good stand-up, and in addition to feeling the swell of the people. Now I feel a bit of the industry and it’s not something I expected. But it’s been such a delight.
Just talking to you over these last minutes, your comedy persona seems very different from your offstage personality.
Right. It’s so funny, because people think I’m angry or whatever. Like I said, to complain is to enjoy. I could be on a yacht — God willing somebody invites me at some point — and I’d be, “It’s a little shaky. There’s a draft.” Nothing wrong. It just means I’m in the moment, I’m presently living and enjoying and feeling my surroundings. The special is me enjoying flying. Just going balls to the wall. And just – it’s so horrible.
What’s horrible?
But it’s also so amazing. Life. I never would have chosen this video game. You know when you open a driving video game. You can race through the city of Monaco, or you can go through Tokyo, or you can go through a park. If they showed me the world, I’d be like, “It seems distressful. Let’s go for the park.” It’s like we’re in the craziest level. Somebody clicked “Earth,” and we’re like here now and it’s super intense. So, how about we both enjoy an hour of just laughing.
You seem almost feral onstage.
Yeah, I grew up without a father. And my mother was there, but to the extent that one can be with 10 kids. I always read about that girl raised by wild dogs, and I felt like that. People go, “What were your early inspirations.? I felt like that girl. First of all, I saw a picture of her, and I’m like, “She kind of looks like me.” I feel in a way that I did grow up feral. And the good news about that is – well, it was very embarrassing for a long time to be poor and not put together and all that stuff. But I feel like that [experience] was able to be distilled into a precious metal that’s been made all the more shiny now that I’m here.
Like that Porsche you drive up in at the beginning of your special. Is that yours?
You better believe. That is my grail car — my dream car. It’s a Porsche 911, ‘96, black, tan interior. The first car I bought, and I tell people, please buy used everything. Everything I buy is typically preowned. That’s something I used to be very embarrassed, ashamed, when we were shopping at Salvation Army and Value Village. I never had new clothes, and it wasn’t cool then. And now I’ve embraced it. Now I’m like, “Why would you buy retail?”
Why is the 911 your grail car?
My father wasn’t in my life, but he always wanted a Porsche. And I always wanted a relationship with my father. The few times I saw him I thought he was so cool and funny, I have a lot of my father in me, even though I don’t get to have a relationship with him. As I grew up, I realized I do have a relationship with him in the ways that I am like him. He worked in sales and was able to buy an old Porsche. He had it momentarily before he had to sell it, and he took at picture of him sitting in it and sent it to my mother as if to lure her back. Like, she’s got 10 kids on welfare and instead of sending child support, you bought this $10,000 old car?
I respect the game. But every time I get in the car and look in the rearview, I see his eyes in mine. I enjoy the ride for us, with us. That is one of the few things left of my relationship with my father.
So, you don’t see him?
No, we have no relationship.
Did your upbringing lead to becoming a comedian?
Yeah. As soon as I heard of comedy I was like oh, okay. Life was so abysmal sometimes that it literally made me laugh. For breakfast every day, we had Cheerios or Rice Krispies. I have nine siblings, so you were either a Cheerios person or a Rice Krispies person. I was a Cheerios kid. I had Cheerios every morning. One day I’m eating my Cheerios, and I’m like, “Ma, they’re stale”. She’s like, “No they’re not.” I’m like, “They’re stale. I have these every day. I know what Cheerios taste like.”
She brings out the box. She’s like, “No. See. I bought Cheerios fresh.” And the box is all mangled. I’m like, “Ma, the box looks f–ked.” She says, “Okay, you got me.” She bought the cheaper store brand Oaty O’s and put them in the $6.99 Cheerios box. It was so sad and heartbreaking — and so funny. All of the time. Even my breakfast.
Before you got into comedy, you were going to become an accountant?
Yes, I was in accounting school. It’s like, all I dreamt about was money. We didn’t have dreams. We weren’t encouraged. If anything, we were discouraged. My mother would say, “School is not for everyone.” She didn’t want to encourage anything pricy ever. She was onto it being a scam years ago. It doesn’t mean she didn’t believe in us. My mother thought we were super clever, but she was just like [college is] a scam. So, we didn’t dream in that sense, but I did dream of getting out.
So, when I got into school, I was like, “What’s the least amount of school for the most amount of payoff?” They said, “Well, in accounting they’ll give you a job this summer. You can work an internship.” I was like, “F–k, let’s go!”
Then KPMG gave me a laptop, and I was like, “For keeps? I’ll work for you forever.” Because every kid had a laptop at school except for me. I was printing out my slides at the library and writing next to them. Now I was in with the other kids. I felt like I was making it. When people ask me, “You’ve had such a year. Does it feel like you made it?” Getting my laptop was as big a deal as getting my Netflix special. I know it seems – but it’s relative.
I really thought accounting was my ticket. We had a supply room at the office where I could take whatever highlighters I wanted, and by the way, I took plenty. It’s just fun to have stationery. I don’t know if I needed it, but you know what, if the Wite-Out is free, I’m grabbing the Wite-Out. There’s a Wite-Out tape. It’s fun! I’m never going to spend on that but if it’s free, give me one. I want to use it. I’ll write just to use it.
One of the parts I love best about your special is your bit on pronouns.
Being in this community — they/them and the whole thing — not that I’m in the community. I was forced into it — you’ll hear in the special — whether I want to be or not. Being who I am, I was just disappointed that I was born into another very annoying community. I’m already Jewish. I was already born annoying. Now, I have to be part of the most annoying — at least a little annoying — people on the planet again? I’m not actually taking a stance. I’m just saying it’s annoying. They botched the rollout. They said it would be seamless. It’s obviously not seamless.
They botched the rollout!
They botched the rollout. They went with the plural. I understand that they/them can be used singularly. If somebody is in front of you at the 7-Eleven, you go, “They were here first.” But generally, it isn’t seamless, and it continues to not be easy. And we need to own that.
You won an Emmy for your work on Odd Squad. I’m trying to square your comedy with writing for a kids’ series.
I know. It’s giving, like, Bob Saget [vibes]. Bob Saget was on Full House, but he was also a really dark comedian. Again, I know it sounds crazy to have a standard of “good,” but that is where it’s at. I don’t really care what I do as long as it’s good. When this kids’ show approached me, they had a writer’s assistant job open, When I read the scripts, they were good. There was no sexual innuendo, and there was no profanity, but the storytelling was good. It was PBS, which is HBO for kids without money, and the storytelling was full of art and it was fat free.
It was also a chance for me to be in a writers’ room and learn how to structurally write for TV. We did 80 11-minute episodes a season. I learned, “Get rid of that, get rid of that — don’t be precious about stuff.” I learned how to be on a set, and I was promoted at every level to get to write and make lines on the fly with the actors. Yes, it was kids, but it was good story. Good is good.
Since it’s the holidays, what’s your take?
I’m really festive since marrying Gabby. I’ll be doing my third Christmas, and I’ve leaned in. I am done with Hanukkah. What a scam that was. We’re into Christmas, and I’m big-time about it. If I’m at a Goodwill or the Salvation Army, I’ll buy a little fucking light-up globe. I love my light up globe. I fuck with all of it. I even watched that movie A Christmas Story. Gabby bought me a BB gun.
Oh yeah, the kid wants a Red Ryder.
I saw the movie and I’m like, “I’ve got to get a BB gun.” I love that BB gun. I also get melancholic at Christmas time. When I think of Christmas music I feel the more subversive — you know, John Lennon, “Happy Xmas (War Is Over).” When you’re young and you hear that song, you think it’s happy. And then it’s like, “No, what have we done? We’re at war.” We’re killing people. There’s also something melancholic about the recap of the year. It’s cozy, it’s sexy, it’s romantic and it’s also devastating and heartbreaking. It’s all of that.
I’m a very optimistic and positive person. Not the most uplifting. It’s like in the special, I say, “I’m funny, I’m not fun.”
Gabby was great on Traitors. Did you help her strategize at all?
No, I was just pep talk. I was like, “Babe, I don’t give a f–k what it is — you’ve got this. F–k that bitch. F–k that bitch.” I’m so gung ho. I’m a hundred percent Gabby. So if she’s calling me and she’s crying because she was cold, and they made her do this or this, I said, “F—k that. They suck.” I’m team Gab beyond.
Since this is Billboard what other music do you like to listen to?
I can tell you what I’m listening to now. I like Ethel Cain a lot right now. And I’m all deep in the new Bieber — Swag, Swag II. It’s phenomenal. I’m just bopping to this music. By the way, I also listen still to Eminem, Linkin Park — and The Cranberries have always been [a favorite]. They’re on the soundtrack to my special. The Cranberries were one of the first bands my family ever heard, because we grew up religious, so music was kind of touch and go in the early years. Years later, I read an interview that said she has five brothers. And I’m like, “I have five brothers.” And I remember thinking, “What if she’s seventh born?” I’m seventh born of ten.
Then I find out that Dolores O’Riordan — that line [from “Zombie”] “in your head” has been in my head all this time — has an older sister. She’s the seventh child. Bro, we do totally different things, but I saw myself in her.
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