Jade has been making waves in pop music ever since she released her debut solo album, That’s Showbiz Baby! last fall — but what is on her playlist these days?

Ahead of her showstopping performance at Lollapalooza in Chicago on Sunday, August 2, we asked the Little Mix alum (full name: Jade Thirlwall) to look back at the songs that have shaped her life, from childhood to today.

From Gladys Knight and Diana Ross to the Backstreet Boys, the singer’s musical influences are as wide-ranging as they are iconic.

Keep scrolling for Make Us a Mixtape — Jade’s edition:

Song That Reminds Her of Childhood

There’s a song by Gladys Knight called “Help Me Make It Through the Night.” I think I’m a bit of an old soul, and I grew up listening to a lot of Motown. And this song in particular, I remember even from a young age, really moved me, and I didn’t even really understand what it was about. But I would really be in my feels listening to it.

I think Gladys Knight is such a phenomenal artist and really has a way of pouring so much emotion into her vocal. And “Help Me Make It Through the Night” is a beautifully tragic song. I actually think when I look at my music now, as an artist, I do think I pull a lot from those artists that can evoke so much emotion with their music.

Song She Puts on When She Needs a Good Cry

“Another Lifetime” by NAO. She’s a phenomenal artist from the U.K. Everyone should check out her music. She’s honestly one of my favorites.

“Another Lifetime” is just … it doesn’t matter where I am, what I’m in the mood for, if I put that song on, I probably will cry. It’s such a beautiful song about things not working out in this lifetime and waiting for the next one. And her voice is so phenomenal.

When I first heard her sing, I thought it was a tuned or pitched vocal, but it’s actually just her vocal. And she’s got such a unique voice. That song in particular is so unique and is probably one of my favorite songs of all time.

Song That Reminds Her of Her First Crush

Probably a Backstreet Boys song. I’m gonna go with “Shape of My Heart.” My favorite Backstreet Boys song is “Everybody,” just because I was gagged at the music video. I love dressing up. I love Halloween, so I love that video.

Backstreet Boys in general just reminds me of that time in my life when I was so little and I started having crushes on boy band members and putting their posters up in my room and getting all in my feels when I listen to their love songs. So I’d say any sort of Backstreet Boys discography reminds me of that time.

A Song People Might Be Surprised She Loves

The Streets, “Dry Your Eyes.” I think people would be surprised because it’s maybe not a genre you would associate me with. But I grew up listening to a lot of The Streets. I think as I grew up in a very sort of northern working class household, I feel like The Streets just always reminded me of my brother or my dad.

“Dry Your Eyes” is a song in particular that really made me think about what it’s like for blokes who are heartbroken. It just made me really relate and have a bit more empathy for guys. And I think “Dry Your Eyes” is a phenomenal song. It’s very emotive. It’s so raw and real.

A Song By One of Her Idols That Always Inspires Her

Diana Ross, “The Boss.” [It’s] from a disco era, which I adore. I feel like Disco Diana is one of my favorite Dianas, and “The Boss” is hugely inspiring for me.

The lyrics are, “Love taught me who was the boss,” and I love that there’s a very dramatic introduction. It changes tempo a little. For me as a recording artist and songwriter, I found that really inspiring with songs like “Angel of My Dreams,” and the idea that a song doesn’t have to just stay in one place for the whole time. You can chop and change, or pick it up, or change tempo. Diana Ross in general is my ultimate idol, and “The Boss” is in my top three.

One of Her Songs She Gets Most Excited to Play

“It Girl.” It’s the first song in my set, so I get myself really pumped and hyped up. I literally run on stage for “It Girl,” and I feel like part of that is a creative choice, but also it’s to help me get rid of my nerves. I feel like if I just run on stage, then I just have to get on with it, no matter how nervous I am.

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“It Girl” is such a bolshy, in your face song, so I love starting the show with that, and it does tend to get people going, even if they don’t necessarily know it.

The other song I’m so excited to perform is “Angel in My Dreams.” I feel like that’s probably the one people in the audience are going to know the most. “Angel” will always be so special to me. It’s my first single. It changed everything for me in my solo career, and it means the world to me.

When I see people in the audience singing it back and swaying their arms and getting into it, I know it’s cheesy, but there really is no better feeling than that high.

Get a rundown of Us‘ top stories making headlines in celebrity news, sports and entertainment on August 5, 2026. Here are the key takeaways:

• Perez Hilton‘s agent Dante Rusciolelli asked for privacy after the blogger was transported to a hospital following a disturbing late-night livestream on August 4. The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office confirmed Hilton was safely recovered and is receiving medical attention, with mental health professionals on scene supporting his family.

• Carmine Agnello, the grandson of John Gotti, missed a court-ordered August 3 deadline to donate a kidney to his mother, Victoria Gotti, before beginning his 15-month federal prison sentence for a $1.1 million COVID-19 relief fraud scheme. His lawyer said Victoria developed a serious infection that delayed the transplant surgery.

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• The District 12 Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that Milania Giudice‘s friend Victoria Zardoya died from craniocerebral trauma sustained in a fatal fall at Fort Dade on Egmont Key, Florida, with the manner of death ruled an accident, Us exclusively reported. The University of Tampa student died on July 26, two days after the July 24 fall.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.

Edited by Samantha Benitz. Story produced with AI assistance

Martha Stewart rehashed the details of her 1990 divorce and had choice words for her ex-husband.

The American writer opened up once again about her painful divorce from her only husband, Andy Stewart, which happened nearly forty years ago. Since their split, she has been in and out of the dating pool but has never tied the knot with any of her lovers.

Martha Stewart met the former love of her life when she was young, and they said their vows after a year of dating. The pair welcomed their only child, Alexis, in 1965 and officially separated in 1987.

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Martha tagged her ex-husband Andy as a jerk when the topic of her 1990 divorce came up in a recent interview. She was asked whether she had heard from her former lover since bringing up their separation in her self-titled 2024 Netflix documentary.

“You opened up about your difficult divorce in your 2024 Netflix documentary, ‘Martha.’ Did you hear from Andy after it came out?” her interviewer asked for her PEOPLE magazine cover story. In response, she disclosed that Andy had only reached out to remind her of the terms of their divorce settlement.

“Only legally, to remind me of divorce settlement statements. Which I had never read,” she added. “I mean, who cared after two years of arguing about a settlement? I still haven’t read it. He’s a jerk.” The two years Martha spoke of were the period between their official separation and the finalization of the divorce.

The Businesswoman Insisted She Did Not Want A Divorce

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In her Netflix documentary, Martha stated that her ex was the one who pushed for a divorce, ending their nearly 30 years of marriage. “He’s the one who wanted the divorce, not I,” she said. “He was throwing me away. I was 40 years old. I was gorgeous. I was a desirous woman, but he was treating me like a castaway.” 

The author claimed that Andy treated her badly during their relationship, which prompted her to return the energy. She claimed he was “running off with people” while she held on strongly to her values of monogamy.

Martha shared that she thought maintaining her monogamous status was admirable, but it did not save her marriage. However, the TV personality admitted to cheating on her ex-husband by kissing a stranger in Italy while on her honeymoon. She shared that it happened while she visited a cathedral in Florence, where she met a handsome guy who was oblivious to her marital status. 

The cooking guru also disclosed that she had a “very brief affair with a very attractive Irish man” while working as a stockbroker in New York early in their marriage. Although the affair wasn’t serious, she never opened up to Andy about it during their marriage.

Inside Martha Stewart And Andy Stewart’s Relationship

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Andy and Martha were set up on a blind date while he was a 23-year-old Yale law student. The author told PEOPLE she was attracted to him because he was “extremely serious.” Their dating phase lasted for a year, and they tied the knot in 1961.

During their relationship, the former lovebirds enjoyed revamping old homes and spending time on home renovations. Four years into their marriage, they welcomed their only child, Alexis. In a 1995 interview, Andy shared that they were too focused on their careers, and this affected their job as parents.

“We were too involved in our professional lives and fixing up the house. We were always making the home into a mythological place. But it wasn’t a home — we didn’t spend enough time with Lexi,” Andy explained. 

Andy filed for divorce after over 25 years of marital bliss, moved out of their shared home, and reportedly obtained a court order forbidding Martha from speaking to him. Three years after the split, he moved on to marry Robyn Fairclough, Martha’s former assistant.

The Cooking Guru Is Still Waiting On Her Dream Man 

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Martha shared her picture of the ideal partner in an interview earlier this year. At 85 years old, the businesswoman still has hopes of a chance at love if the right partner comes into her life. She shared that her ideal man would have a blend of good physical appeal and great personality.

As shared by The Blast, she has an extensive list that includes a nice-looking man who may or may not be bald, but has a “nice-shaped head.” She shared that the man should be funny, smart, and wear a nice smile with good dentition.

The lifestyle mogul added that a welcome bonus for her would be if the man were rich and complemented the homemaker qualities she already has. Even though Martha is currently single and not actively in the dating pool, she has her list handy for when the opportunity for the picture-perfect man arises.

Martha Stewart Prioritizes Her Job

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In 2023, Martha disclosed that her dealbreakers include men who are not generous and guys with bad breath. She added that a lot of eligible men can’t make the list of potential partners for her because “they really want a woman who will take care of them.”

Parade shared that the cooking guru admitted that she was not in a position to take care of a man full-time because she works a lot. Her job takes the number one spot in her life, and that was not a spot she was willing to trade for romance.

Martha has had her fair share of dating Hollywood A-listers, including Oscar-winning actor Anthony Hopkins. She revealed that during their relationship, she had a hard time separating him from his most famous character, Hannibal Lecter. She also dated Mort Zuckerman and Charles Simonyi, the creator of Microsoft Office, for 15 years before he left her for a younger woman in 2008.

It looks like Shamar McCoy has found himself making headlines again—but this time, it’s not for anything happening on social media. The reality personality has fans talking after a recent run-in with the law, and newly surfaced court documents are shedding light on what allegedly led up to his arrest months after the reported incident.

RELATED: Sidney Starr Breaks Her Silence Following Her Arrest As Her Mother & Zeus CEO Weigh In

Shamar McCoy Arrested Over Alleged 2024 Assault

According to TMZ, Shamar McCoy was arrested Monday on a misdemeanor battery charge tied to an alleged altercation that reportedly took place in November 2024. Court documents obtained by the outlet claim the incident involved Shamar, his then-boyfriend Alexander Green, and a man identified as Quentin McDowell.

Per the court filings, Shamar and Alexander allegedly went to Quentin’s home after Alexander and Quentin reportedly got into a dispute over the phone. Quentin told police that Alexander allegedly punched him several times with a closed fist, threw him to the ground, and continued kicking him while he was down. Authorities also allege that a witness claimed Shamar kicked Quentin in the head before he, Alexander, and the rest of their group left the scene in a burgundy Jaguar SUV. The alleged victim told police someone recorded the incident, later posted the footage to Instagram, and showed the video to investigators.

Shamar McCoy Posts Bond After Arrest

Shamar McCoy’s arrest reportedly came with a little extra attention after bystanders recognized the reality star as officers approached him. According to TMZ, body camera footage from the incident shows a couple of women spotting Shamar and reacting with, “Oh my God, Shamar,” while questioning why he was being stopped. As officers explained that a warrant appeared after running his name, Shamar maintained that he hadn’t done anything, while the officer reassured him they were simply working to confirm the details.

TMZ reports that Shamar was taken into custody on Monday in connection with the case and was released just a few hours later after posting a $2,000 bond. Following his release, Shamar took to Instagram to reassure supporters that he was doing okay, though he has not publicly addressed the specific allegations detailed in the court documents.

The Comments Had Jokes For Days, Chile!

Fans wasted no time flooding The Shade Room’s comment section with reactions to Shamar’s arrest. Some fans couldn’t believe how petite Shamar looked. Roomies joked that Shamar “stays ready so he doesn’t have to get ready,” saying he always keeps himself prepared to handle business.

One Instagram user @its_dayla__ said, “Shamar been getting in the field 🥊 but y’all only know tv 📺 Shamar 😂😂😂”

This Instagram user @trezmccain wrote, “boyy ahh been on the run since 2024 ?🤣🤣🤣🤣”

And, Instagram user @inayahlamis commented, “Not Shamar jumped somebody 😭”

Meanwhile, Instagram user @barbiekia joked, “He only 5’1? 😭”

While Instagram user @1kiranicole_ claimed, “omggg not the queen of alanaa💔💔”

Finally, Instagram user @kentravions shared, “I know the people booking him was taking shii tickled afterwards 😂😂😂”

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Singer T-Pain recently slammed the streaming industry while revealing why he sold his music catalog for a rumored $100 million back in February 2025. During a Twitch stream, the “I’m Sprung” singer claimed that the music industry has changed so much over the years that he had to take matters into his own hands to take care of himself and his family.

T-Pain, whose real name is Faheem Rashad Najm, opened up about selling his catalog of music, which includes hits like “Buy U a Drank” and “Bartender,” for a reported $100 million, stating that doing so allowed him to live out the rest of his days without having to worry about money.

“Let me tell you something,” he began. “When streaming started, nobody told us, or nobody came to any artist and said, ‘Hey, we’re about to put your sh-t on streaming platforms. How much do you want your music to cost?’ Suddenly, out of nowhere and without anybody’s consent, all of our music went from a dollar a song to 0.003 cents per play. Nobody asked us sh-t.”

T-Pain Said Streaming Made His Music Worth ‘Less And Less,’ Says His Kids Need To Be Left With Something

As he went on, T-Pain said that the cost became lower and lower, making it difficult for him to make the same amount of money from his work as he once had. “My catalog is worth less and less and less and less without any kind of consent from me, without anybody asking me if that’s what I want to charge for my music,” he said.

As he continued, T-Pain said that the more he thought about how streaming had changed things, he realized that making a deal to sell his catalog meant more for him and his kids down the line.

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“Out of all this sh-t that I’ve told y’all that’s happened to me in this f—in’ industry, you think I’mma leave my kids’ life and their future in the hands of the music industry? You got me f—ed up. I’ve got to figure something out,” he said.

T-Pain Is Adamant About Taking Care Of His Kids Before The Industry Gets To Them

T-Pain didn’t stop there; the 41-year-old, who’s the father to three kids, said that they were at the forefront of his mind when he reached a deal with HarbourView Equity. “I’m not leaving my kids’ future in the hands of the music industry at f—in’ all. I know exactly what I want,” he said.

He then revealed that the number he reached with the company was enough for him to “live out the rest of my life” and provide for his family for years to come. “I’m satisfied with that and I’m content, I’m not looking for more,” he added.

The ‘I’m N Luv’ Singer Announced His Deal With HarbourView Equity In February 2025

T-Pain announced his deal with HarbourView Equity Partners in February 2025, according to Variety. At the time, he said that the deal would help “preserve the legacy of my music,” further adding that he’s spent years creating music that resonates with people around the world. “I’m grateful to see it continue to reach new heights. I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon,” he said.

T-Pain first arrived on the scene in December 2005 with the release of his debut album, “Rappa Ternt Sanga.” While that project peaked at No. 33 on the Billboard 200 chart, it spawned the top 10 singles “I’m Sprung” and “I’m ‘n Luv.” Two years later, Tallahassee native dropped “Epiphany,” which reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and featured guest vocals from Akon and Yung Joc.

The Rapper/Singer Opened Up About His Friendship Struggles With Other Celebs

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This isn’t the first time T-Pain has talked about his issues with the music industry. During a previous interview with Shannon Sharpe on “Club Shay Shay,” the rapper and singer said he’s been hurt by many celebrities, including DJ Khaled, despite them calling him a “brother.”

“When people tell you how much you mean to them, don’t grab onto that,” he said. “When people tell you how much they can mean to you in return, that’s the sh-t you gravitate towards.”

While he didn’t say exactly what happened between him and the “All I Do Is Win” producer, he hinted that they had a nasty falling out at some point in their friendship.

“Anytime you need me, I’m here for you. Anytime you need me. But nah, bro. It’s that brother sh-t, nobody is your brother. I’ve had DJ Khaled and everybody done told me, ‘I’m your brother,’” he said. “Do not believe that sh-t.”

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Marvel fans are getting a clearer picture of how Spider-Man: Brand New Day ended up with Destin Daniel Cretton behind the camera.

During a recent interview promoting the film, Cretton revealed that after stepping away from Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, Marvel Studios later approached him about directing what eventually became Avengers: Doomsday. However, the filmmaker ultimately turned it down because he didn’t feel he was the right creative fit for the story.

“When I told Kevin Feige I didn’t think I was the right fit for that,” Cretton explained, “he mentioned ‘Spidey’ in the room, which was a huge relief to me because I thought he’d be like, ‘OK, see you later.’”

Cretton also explained that his decision wasn’t about walking away from Marvel. Instead, it came down to finding a personal connection with the material.

“I don’t do any movie just to do the movie. Until I find an intimate, personal connection to the material, I don’t feel like I could do a good job,” he said, adding that simply directing a major franchise film wasn’t enough reason to commit.

Doom and Kang [marvel comics]

Originally, Cretton had been announced as the director of Avengers: The Kang Dynasty in 2022 following the success of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. After he exited the project in late 2023, Marvel eventually reworked its Multiverse Saga plans, replacing Kang with Doctor Doom and transforming the film into Avengers: Doomsday under directors Anthony and Joe Russo.

Rather than returning for another Avengers ensemble, Cretton found a project that resonated with him creatively in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. The film has already become a massive success, earning record-breaking box office numbers and setting the stage for Spider-Man’s future in the MCU.

Looking back, the decision appears to have worked out well for both Marvel and Cretton. The Russo brothers are steering the next Avengers event, while Cretton has delivered one of the biggest Spider-Man films in the franchise, proving that sometimes the right project is simply a better fit than the biggest one.

Tim McGraw‘s daughter, Gracie, recently made a candid confession about Ozempic. Online, Gracie called the drug “one of the worst things” she’d ever done after revealing how it brought her back to a dark place in her life.

Gracie’s confession comes days after singer Ariana Grande revealed that she was planning to take a step away from the public eye at the end of her concert after comments about her body.

In her Instagram Stories, according to Page Six, Gracie detailed the challenges she faced while taking Ozempic, an injectable medication used to help manage blood sugar that also affects satiety, per the Cleveland Clinic. Elsewhere in her stories, the 29-year-old said one of the reasons she began using the drug in the first place was because of “skinny culture” being back at the forefront of celebrity culture.

“At that time I thought it was the best decision I ever made because I finally lost weight and got skinny,” she said. “As soon as I started shedding a few pounds, I noticed how people looked at me differently on the streets, in my friend groups and family, and in my own job. I got more opportunities when I lost weight than I ever have had in my life.”

Grace McGraw Recalls Being Called ‘The Fat One’ Of Her Famous Family

Gracie went even further and revealed that while growing up, she was on the receiving end of very harsh comments. Not only did she have to deal with comments from people she knew, but Gracie also had to learn to deal with magazines and people on the internet commenting about her body. She said that one of the worst messages was when people told her she didn’t get as much attention because she “was the fat one” of her famous family.

Gracie said that she understands now that she was “too skinny” while using Ozempic. And to make matters worse, using the drug only drove her to create unhealthy habits. “All of a sudden skinny culture is back and I realized holy crap I have been feeding into my eating disorder this whole time under the guise of this miracle shot. I think it was probably one of the worst things I’ve ever done for myself, looking back,” she said.

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Gracie Speaks About The Difference Between Having Concern And Body Shaming

As she finished, Gracie pointed to the growing conversation about celebrities and their bodies, saying that people having concern isn’t the same as body shaming. “Having concern for someone doesn’t also mean you can’t have empathy for their situation,” she said.

“But telling people to not speak on this is incredibly wrong and damaging. It’s promoting created thinness as [a] goal, not as danger. We are at a time when we need to be taking care of ourselves and our people,” she finished.

Grande Is Taking A Step Back From The Spotlight

According to a previous report from The Blast, “Wicked” star Grande is taking a step away from the spotlight come September 2, 2026.

A representative for the singer came forward just last week to make the announcement, revealing that Grande has earned a much-needed break after the “endless, ongoing public scrutiny.”

“This tour has been a beautiful experience for her. She loves her fans and has loved every minute of this tour so much,” the rep added.

The statement came days after Grande released the music video for her newest song, “Petal,” and garnered more concern than praise.

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Grande Talks About Needing A Break

Ariana Grande with a speech at tonights show in reference to her break and the hate 🤍 #weloveyouariana pic.twitter.com/CB0tajXXk3

— 𝓞𝓭𝓮𝓽𝓽𝓮 (@D0LLIKE) August 4, 2026

Grande spoke to her fans about the decision during the Chicago show of her “Eternal Sunshine Tour,” and said that her choice to retreat is more intentional than reactive.

“It is something that I had decided to plan,” she said before saying that public opinion isn’t a concern of hers.

“No matter what noises exist out there, nothing will be able to distort my reality or be more real to me or not as real to me as this love that we share,” she said.

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