Entertainment Roundup: A collection of recent headlines and highlights from the music and entertainment world, including awards, tour updates, special appearances and personal reflections from well-known artists.
Billboard’s 2022 Women in Music Awards: Gabby Barrett Named Rising Star
Billboard’s 2022 Women in Music Awards will return to Los Angeles on March 2, hosted by Ciara at the YouTube Theater in Hollywood Park. For the first time, tickets to attend the Women in Music Awards will be made available to the general public, with sales set to begin in February. The annual event honors outstanding female artists, producers and executives for their artistic achievements and contributions to their communities.
This year’s honorees include Bonnie Raitt, who will receive the Icon Award, and Gabby Barrett, who will be presented with the Rising Star Award. The Rising Star honor recognizes promising new talent and celebrates artists who show exceptional potential and impact early in their careers.
@billboard: @GabbyBarrett_ will receive the RISING STAR award, presented by @Honda, at #BBWomenInMusic.
Liam Payne Postpones Virtual Showcase After Testing Positive for COVID-19
Liam Payne announced that he tested positive for COVID-19 and has postponed his Here’s to the Future virtual showcase, originally scheduled for January 29. In an update shared via social media, Payne explained that he would not be ready in time to deliver the performance he wanted for fans.
He offered reassurance and a new date: the showcase has been rescheduled for February 12, positioned close to Valentine’s Day. Promoters confirmed that tickets purchased for the original date will remain valid for the new performance. The announcement underscored Payne’s commitment to delivering the best possible experience while prioritizing health and safety.
Cassadee Pope Joins “Emo’s Not Dead” Cruise Lineup
Country-pop singer Cassadee Pope—known for winning season 3 (note: some records list season 4) of The Voice as a member of Team Blake Shelton—will appear on the “Emo’s Not Dead” cruise. The event features a lineup of Aughts-era emo and pop-punk acts, including Dashboard Confessional, New Found Glory and Plain White T’s, among others. The themed cruise departs from Los Angeles and sails to Mexico, offering fans a chance to experience live performances in a festival-style setting at sea.
Cassadee expressed excitement about joining the roster and encouraged fans to secure tickets when they went on sale.
@CassadeePope: An emo cruise? I’m not excited… I’M FREAKING OUT. Thank you @Mattcutshall for having me be a part of this! Get your tickets for the #EmosNotDeadCruise tomorrow at 12pm ET.
Girl Named Tom’s ‘Voice’ Victory Boosts Homecoming Shows
The sibling trio Girl Named Tom—Bekah, Caleb and Josh Liechty—captured national attention by winning NBC’s The Voice, becoming the first group to win the competition in its long run. Their victory included a $100,000 prize and has helped expand their audience and confidence as performers.
The band members described the win as validation that they can connect with listeners beyond their local community and an opportunity to bring their music to wider audiences. Returning to Ohio for concerts, they saw strong demand for live tickets: performances at local venues sold out quickly, reflecting the momentum they gained after the show.
Lauren Alaina on Self-Love and Tour Inspiration
Country artist Lauren Alaina shared a personal moment that helped shape her music and outlook: a therapist’s simple advice, “You’re the only you you’ll ever have. Be nice to yourself,” deeply resonated and fueled her journey toward self-acceptance. That realization became a driving theme for her latest album, which celebrates self-love and growth.
Alaina described her current tour as a celebration of a decade of personal and professional development. The performances are intended to reflect the emotional evolution she’s experienced and to offer encouragement to fans facing similar struggles with self-worth and identity.
Adam Lambert Observes Holocaust Remembrance
Adam Lambert, singer and former American Idol contestant who tours as a frontman with Queen, marked International Holocaust Remembrance Day with a public message honoring victims and survivors. He emphasized the importance of remembering the past to build a better future and expressed solidarity with the global community that commemorates this day.
@adamlambert: For International Holocaust Remembrance Day #WeRemember the victims of history’s greatest tragedy, and honor their memory. By learning from the past, we can build a better future.
‘Dancing With the Stars’ Takes Its Ballroom Production on Tour
The touring version of Dancing With the Stars brings the show’s high-energy choreography, elaborate costume changes and theatrical production to venues across the country. Dancers and choreographers work under intense timing and logistics: performers often cycle through dozens of costume changes, and quick adjustments backstage can be part of the nightly routine.
Professional cast members praise the craftsmanship that goes into tailoring costumes and staging, and they highlight the camaraderie required to load into tour buses and travel from city to city. The touring show mixes styles—from classic ballroom numbers and jazz to pop-infused tributes—offering audiences a varied and polished live experience.
These stories reflect recent developments across music and live entertainment, showcasing award recognition, personal resilience, fandom-driven events and the continued appeal of touring productions.