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Carly Pearce Explores the 'Double Standards' of Faith in New Single 'Church Girl': 'We're All Human Beings' (Exclusive)

January 23, 2026
New Photo - Carly Pearce Explores the 'Double Standards' of Faith in New Single 'Church Girl': 'We're All Human Beings' (Exclusive)

Carly Pearce Explores the 'Double Standards' of Faith in New Single 'Church Girl': 'We're All Human Beings' (Exclusive) Daniela AvilaJanuary 23, 2026 at 11:10 PM 0 Carly Pearce released a new song titled "Church Girl" on Friday, Jan. 23 The new song explores her complicated relationship with religion "Church Girl" follows the release of "Dream Come True" Carly Pearce is being candid about her relationship with religion. On Pearce's new single "Church Girl," which she released on Friday, Jan.

- - Carly Pearce Explores the 'Double Standards' of Faith in New Single 'Church Girl': 'We're All Human Beings' (Exclusive)

Daniela AvilaJanuary 23, 2026 at 11:10 PM

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Carly Pearce released a new song titled "Church Girl" on Friday, Jan. 23

The new song explores her complicated relationship with religion

"Church Girl" follows the release of "Dream Come True"

Carly Pearce is being candid about her relationship with religion.

On Pearce's new single "Church Girl," which she released on Friday, Jan. 23, the country singer took a bold stance and opened up about her ever-changing relationship with her faith, in hopes that her fans will feel acceptance.

"I'm a girl who grew up in church, I grew up with faith being a very big part of my life, it still is a very big part of my life, but I think there are a lot of double standards with faith," Pearce, 35, tells PEOPLE exclusively.

"There's a lot of things that have happened in my life that maybe are not very pretty, none of us are perfect, and I've had to live that out in public," she continues. "And have felt as a Christian woman a lot of shame and guilt and judgment and confusion."

Big Machine Records

"Church Girl" cover art

Ultimately, "Church Girl" is something she needed to hear when she was growing up and navigating her Christian-based values — like sexual purity.

"I [also] needed it when I was going through a very public relationship splitting, and 'Oh gosh, I feel like I've let God down of what marriage is,'" Pearce says. "So many different things in my life that I've been like, 'Well, does this mean I'm not a Christian? Does this mean that God hates me?'"

She continues, "I think what I have come to find for myself is I wish I could go back and tell her, 'You're okay, you're okay, and we're all on a journey. We're all figuring it out, and no matter where you're at on your journey, Jesus loves you. I know that.'"

Luke Rogers

Carly Pearce

But the song isn't entirely for her. During her writing sessions, the "What He Didn't Do" singer also kept her fans in mind — and her hope is that the music can provide a sense of solace.

"I wanted them to know, I don't judge you, I don't want you to feel shame, I don't want you to feel guilt," she says. "I want you to know that we're all human beings and you're welcomed here."

"Church Girl" follows the release of her November single "Dream Come True," which is an introspective reflection on the price of success.

"I don't want people to think I'm going to be just heavy and intense throughout the whole project, but I will say what these two songs are very boldly showing you what's to come," she says, adding that she "dug deep" and "didn't hold back."

Luke Rogers

Carly Pearce

In the process of writing her fifth studio album, which she says is coming in 2026, the "Every Little Thing" singer "uncovered parts" of herself that most people wouldn't know existed. This time around, Pearce is no longer writing from a place of wonder — she's writing from experience.

"It's being very self-aware of who I am and also reflecting back on a lot of different experiences in my life," she says. "I'm in an emotional place where I can talk about this, I feel confident enough to share this. I'm just in a really good space to put out songs like this. I don't think that I would be making this music at this time if I hadn't lived the last 10 years in the spotlight."

She adds, "So, I think these two songs just show you a little glimpse into the personal growth that I've had as a person and artist."

"Church Girl" is out now.

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Source: "AOL Entertainment"

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Published: January 23, 2026 at 05:36PM on Source: OPERA MAG

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WNBA's Portland Fire Reunites “Portlandia” Stars Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein to Announce Debut Season

January 23, 2026

WNBA's Portland Fire Reunites "Portlandia" Stars Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein to Announce Debut Season Virginia ChamleeJanuary 23, 2026 at 11:23 PM 0 Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic Fred Armisen (L) and Carrie Brownstein (R) In a new ad, Carrie Brownstein and Fred Armisen revive a classic Portlandia sketch The two say it "feels like old times" in the ad, which offers a look at the debut season of the WNBA's Portland Fire Portland was the setting for the duo's popular absurdist comedy series, which included skits gently poking fun at the laidback Pacific Northwest city and aired from 2011 to 201...

- - WNBA's Portland Fire Reunites "Portlandia" Stars Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein to Announce Debut Season

Virginia ChamleeJanuary 23, 2026 at 11:23 PM

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Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic

Fred Armisen (L) and Carrie Brownstein (R) -

In a new ad, Carrie Brownstein and Fred Armisen revive a classic Portlandia sketch

The two say it "feels like old times" in the ad, which offers a look at the debut season of the WNBA's Portland Fire

Portland was the setting for the duo's popular absurdist comedy series, which included skits gently poking fun at the laid-back Pacific Northwest city and aired from 2011 to 2018

Carrie Brownstein and Fred Armisen are teaming up once again in Portland — this time, to announce the Portland Fire's debut WNBA season.

In a new ad, the Portlandia stars can be seen at Portland's Mother Foucault's Bookshop, with 59-year-old Armisen saying, "It's so nice to be back" as the two settle in to a table.

"It feels like old times, huh?" Brownstein, 51, responds.

The duo then began to detail all the "new places" that have opened up in Portland — the setting for the duo's absurdist IFC series, which included skits gently poking fun at the laid-back Pacific Northwest city and aired from 2011 to 2018.

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"Have you been to the new vegan restaurant?" asks Brownstein. "The food isn't vegan, but the servers are."

The conversation then devolves into a one-upmanship, a callback to Portlandia's recurring "Did You Hear?" skit, with each attempting to impress the other with what they've heard about the latest restaurants, bars and shops in town.

But the two are silenced when they learn the Portland Fire are making their WNBA return, with Armisen noting, "They haven't been a team since 2002."

"That's awesome. Portland Fire reignited. Should we get season tickets?" Brownstein then asks, before the season schedule is listed on the screen.

The Fire were the city's first WNBA team, though they played just briefly — from 2000 until it was folded in 2002.

Netflix

Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein on Portlandia

In September 2024, Portland was officially awarded a franchise — the WNBA's 15th team — and announced in July 2025 that it would be named the Portland Fire, reviving the name of the original team.

Speaking to The Oregonian, Kimberly Veale, Portland Fire's senior vice president of marketing and communications, said the team chose to use Armisen and Brownstein to "set the tone."

"We set out to do something that felt uniquely Portland, and set the tone for our debut season," she told the outlet. "Portlandia has such a strong connection to this city, and celebrating what it represents for Portland was the perfect way to unveil our schedule."

on People

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Source: "AOL Entertainment"

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Published: January 23, 2026 at 05:36PM on Source: OPERA MAG

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Fernando Mendoza Literally Breaks Records with Jimmy Fallon While Celebrating Indiana Hoosiers National Championship Win

January 23, 2026
New Photo - Fernando Mendoza Literally Breaks Records with Jimmy Fallon While Celebrating Indiana Hoosiers National Championship Win

Fernando Mendoza Literally Breaks Records with Jimmy Fallon While Celebrating Indiana Hoosiers National Championship Win Natasha DyeJanuary 23, 2026 at 11:25 PM 0 Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty Fernando Mendoza on Fallon Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Jan. 22 to celebrate his team's national championship win Fallon challenged Mendoza, who broke several records in the Rose Bowl Game and for the Hoosiers, to break literal records for a segment Mendoza, who announced his declaration for the 2026 NFL Draft on Jan.

- - Fernando Mendoza Literally Breaks Records with Jimmy Fallon While Celebrating Indiana Hoosiers National Championship Win

Natasha DyeJanuary 23, 2026 at 11:25 PM

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Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty

Fernando Mendoza on Fallon -

Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Jan. 22 to celebrate his team's national championship win

Fallon challenged Mendoza, who broke several records in the Rose Bowl Game and for the Hoosiers, to break literal records for a segment

Mendoza, who announced his declaration for the 2026 NFL Draft on Jan. 23, broke eight of the ten records Fallon threw for him

Fernando Mendoza just can't stop breaking records.

The Indiana Hoosiers quarterback, 22, appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Thursday, Jan. 22 after leading his team to a national championship just days before, where he and the late night host literally broke records.

Jimmy Fallon congratulated Mendoza on the title to kick off the segment and showed viewers the touchdown that secured the Hoosiers their victory. The quarterback then revealed that he felt "like a human pinball machine" scoring the points.

Fresh off @IndianaFootball's historic college football championship win, 2025 Heisman Trophy Winner Fernando Mendoza crashes Jimmy's monologue to break some more records! #FallonTonight pic.twitter.com/FuzF2M5IKB

— The Tonight Show (@FallonTonight) January 23, 2026

Then, Fallon, 51, challenged Mendoza to break more records — literal ones.

Mendoza was up for the challenge and impressively hit eight of the ten records Fallon threw into the air. Fallon accidentally threw one behind himself, but that fortunately didn't count toward Mendoza's score.

In addition to the eight literal records he broke on television, Mendoza set the Rose Bowl Game record for completion percentage and passer rating, and broke Kellen Lewis' single-season record for most touchdowns in a year against Ohio State, per the Hoosiers.

Following his appearance on Fallon, Mendoza announced he's officially declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft in a video on social media.

View this post on Instagram

"Coming to Indiana was a leap of faith," Mendoza said in a voiceover as highlights from his college career played in the clip.

Mendoza said that leap of faith led him to a national championship and to where he is now, ready to declare for the draft.

Mendoza thanked his family — whom he shared an emotional viral moment with after the Hoosiers won the championship — as well as the teammates that "pushed" him and the coaches who "took a chance on" him.

"It is only with your support and the glory of God that I am here today," he said.

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Mendoza captioned the video, "Let's get to work. I'm humbled to announce that I am officially declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft," and received support in the comments from fans and teammates, like Indiana offensive tackle Carter Smith, who wrote, "Go get it done, like you always have🤞🏼."

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Source: "AOL Entertainment"

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Source: Entertainment

Published: January 23, 2026 at 05:36PM on Source: OPERA MAG

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Mom Buys Stuffed Bear for Son with Late Father's Voice. When She Gets the Wrong Package, She Turns to TikTok for Help (Exclusive)

January 23, 2026
New Photo - Mom Buys Stuffed Bear for Son with Late Father's Voice. When She Gets the Wrong Package, She Turns to TikTok for Help (Exclusive)

Mom Buys Stuffed Bear for Son with Late Father's Voice. When She Gets the Wrong Package, She Turns to TikTok for Help (Exclusive) Jordan GreeneJanuary 24, 2026 at 5:12 AM 0 Mariah Austin Azriel Palomino with latedad Antonio Palomino; BuildABear Antonio Palomino passed away on Nov. 28, 2025. Since then, his 9yearold son, whom he shared with Mariah Austin, has grieved the loss of his father To help her son grieve, Austin decided to create a custom BuildABear featuring her late partner's voice Mariah Austin just wanted to give her son a way to say goodnight to his dad.

- - Mom Buys Stuffed Bear for Son with Late Father's Voice. When She Gets the Wrong Package, She Turns to TikTok for Help (Exclusive)

Jordan GreeneJanuary 24, 2026 at 5:12 AM

0

Mariah Austin

Azriel Palomino with late-dad Antonio Palomino; Build-A-Bear -

Antonio Palomino passed away on Nov. 28, 2025.

Since then, his 9-year-old son, whom he shared with Mariah Austin, has grieved the loss of his father

To help her son grieve, Austin decided to create a custom Build-A-Bear featuring her late partner's voice

Mariah Austin just wanted to give her son a way to say goodnight to his dad.

Austin, a 28-year-old advanced EMT in Arizona, shared her 9-year-old son, Azriel, with Antonio Palomino, who passed away on Nov. 28, 2025. In the weeks after his death, she searched for a small comfort her son could hold onto when grief felt overwhelming.

That's when she thought of Build-A-Bear.

"I remembered you can put voice recordings in them," Austin tells PEOPLE exclusively. "I thought if I got him a bear to cuddle at night, he could always tell his dad, 'Goodnight, I love you.' "

Mariah Austin

Azriel Palomino with late-dad Antonio Palomino

Finding the right recording wasn't easy.

After digging through old videos, Palomino's mother located a usable audio clip from his indoor cameras — a familiar snippet of his voice. Austin ordered the bear, hoping it would bring her son some peace.

But when the package arrived, something felt off.

"I saw it get dropped off on my Ring camera and immediately knew it wasn't right," she says. "The box looked too small, but I tried to stay optimistic."

When she opened it, her heart sank. Inside was a pink Build-A-Bear — not the one she had ordered. "I was devastated," Austin says. "I worried about who received our bear, and I felt awful knowing we had someone else's. I just wanted both bears to go to their rightful owners."

Unsure what to do next, Austin turned to TikTok.

She had done it once before — posting a video asking for help finding her labor and delivery nurse, and it worked, albeit on a much smaller scale. Still, she decided to try again.

"At first, nothing happened," she says. "We weren't getting views, and I started to lose hope. Then it took off, and when no one came forward, I panicked that we'd never find it."

Mariah Austin

A photo of the bear received

Eventually, TikTok did what it does best.

A creator named @bamaloungeflygirl reached out, saying she believed she had the correct bear. Even then, Austin was cautious. "I was skeptical because we'd had so much bad luck," she says. "I didn't want to get too excited."

But when the woman sent a video, and Austin heard her late husband's voice — everything changed. "I broke down crying," she says. "It was pure relief."

She adds how the woman who found the bear also shared with her that she, too, had lost her father at 11 years old.

For Austin, the bear is about more than a viral mix-up. It's about giving her son comfort in moments when he needs it most.

"He tries to be tough," she says. "But at night, when he thinks we're asleep, I've caught him crying for his dad. Now when he misses him, he'll have his bear — and his dad's voice — with him."

Looking back, Austin hopes others take something meaningful from her experience. "Don't give up hope," she says. "I went out on a whim and trusted that if TikTok could help me once, it might help me again. It felt impossible — but our bear is coming home."

Mariah Austin

A close up of the bear Mariah Austin ordered

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She also has one more piece of advice: "Please record your loved ones. Document everything. You never know when that might be the last thing you have of them."

Now, Austin is thinking about how to help other families like hers. "I'd love to start a fund for kids who've lost someone important, so they can get bears with their loved one's voices," she says. "Build-A-Bears are expensive — ours was $80 — but every child deserves that kind of comfort."

on People

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Source: "AOL Entertainment"

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Published: January 23, 2026 at 04:37PM on Source: OPERA MAG

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Spanish prosecutors drop sexual assault complaint against Julio Iglesias

January 23, 2026
New Photo - Spanish prosecutors drop sexual assault complaint against Julio Iglesias

Spanish prosecutors drop sexual assault complaint against Julio Iglesias January 24, 2026 at 2:51 AM 0 FILE Spanish singer Julio Iglesias smiles during his star unveiling ceremony at the Walk of Fame in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Thursday, Sept. 29, 2016. (AP Photo/Carlos Giusti, file) () MADRID (AP) — Spanish state prosecutors said Friday they were shelving an initial investigation into accusations of sexual assault by Julio Iglesias in the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic after concluding that Spain's National Court lacked jurisdiction to judge the matter.

- - Spanish prosecutors drop sexual assault complaint against Julio Iglesias

January 24, 2026 at 2:51 AM

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FILE - Spanish singer Julio Iglesias smiles during his star unveiling ceremony at the Walk of Fame in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Thursday, Sept. 29, 2016. (AP Photo/Carlos Giusti, file) ()

MADRID (AP) — Spanish state prosecutors said Friday they were shelving an initial investigation into accusations of sexual assault by Julio Iglesias in the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic after concluding that Spain's National Court lacked jurisdiction to judge the matter.

Earlier this month, Spanish prosecutors had opened an investigation studying allegations that the Grammy-winning singer had sexually assaulted two former employees at his residences in the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas.

Iglesias denied the accusations, writing on social media that: "With deep sorrow, I respond to the accusations made by two people who previously worked at my home. I deny having abused, coerced or disrespected any woman. These accusations are absolutely false and cause me great sadness."

An email seeking comment sent to a Florida attorney whose website says Iglesias is among his clients was not immediately answered.

Iglesias, 82, has been among the world's most successful singers in the decades since his 1969 debut album, "Yo Canto." He has sold more than 300 million records in more than a dozen languages.

After making his start in Spain, Iglesias won immense popularity in the U.S. and wider world in the 1970s and 1980s, partly due to duets with U.S. artists including Willie Nelson and Diana Ross.

He received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019 and in 1988 won a Grammy for Best Latin Pop Performance for his album "Un Hombre Solo." He also received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammys in 2019.

He's also the father of pop star Enrique Iglesias.

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Published: January 23, 2026 at 04:37PM on Source: OPERA MAG

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The Beckhams Would 'Take' Brooklyn Back 'in a Minute,' Source Says: They're Afraid of Permanently 'Losing Their Son' (Exclusive)

January 23, 2026
New Photo - The Beckhams Would 'Take' Brooklyn Back 'in a Minute,' Source Says: They're Afraid of Permanently 'Losing Their Son' (Exclusive)

The Beckhams Would 'Take' Brooklyn Back 'in a Minute,' Source Says: They're Afraid of Permanently 'Losing Their Son' (Exclusive) Charlotte Phillipp, Linda MarxJanuary 24, 2026 at 2:55 AM 0 Karwai Tang/WireImage; Phillip Faraone/Getty David and Victoria Beckham; Brooklyn Beckham. David and Victoria Beckham are prepared to welcome their son, Brooklyn, back into their lives anytime he wants to reunite with them, a source says "They are afraid of losing their son and would take him back in a minute," says the source The source's information follows Brooklyn's bombshell Instagram post slamming his ...

- - The Beckhams Would 'Take' Brooklyn Back 'in a Minute,' Source Says: They're Afraid of Permanently 'Losing Their Son' (Exclusive)

Charlotte Phillipp, Linda MarxJanuary 24, 2026 at 2:55 AM

0

Karwai Tang/WireImage; Phillip Faraone/Getty

David and Victoria Beckham; Brooklyn Beckham. -

David and Victoria Beckham are prepared to welcome their son, Brooklyn, back into their lives anytime he wants to reunite with them, a source says

"They are afraid of losing their son and would take him back in a minute," says the source

The source's information follows Brooklyn's bombshell Instagram post slamming his parents on Jan. 19

David and Victoria Beckham are prepared to welcome their son, Brooklyn, back into their lives anytime he wants to reunite with them, a source says.

Following Brooklyn's bombshell Instagram post slamming his parents on Jan. 19 — detailing what he claims is an ongoing attempt by his parents to sabotage his relationship with wife Nicola Peltz Beckham in the name of publicity — a source tells PEOPLE that the couple does not want to lose their son and would accept him back into their lives whenever he wants to form a relationship again.

"They are afraid of losing their son and would take him back in a minute," says the source. "They are a close family, too. Just in a different way than Nicola's family is."

According to the source, the Beckhams — who are also parents to sons Romeo, 23, and Cruz, 20, and daughter Harper, 14 — were extremely upset after his Instagram post.

"They love Brooklyn and are horrified about everything," the source says.

Reps for David and Victoria did not respond to PEOPLE's request for comment on the situation.

Gareth Cattermole/Getty

Mia Regan, Romeo Beckham, Cruz Beckham, Harper Beckham, David Beckham, Victoria Beckham, Brooklyn Peltz Beckham and Nicola Peltz Beckham attend the 'Beckham' UK Premiere on October 03, 2023 in London, England.

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A second insider tells PEOPLE the Beckhams are hopeful that this strain between them will eventually end.

"David and Victoria believe time will heal this," the source close the situation says. "They know over time that Brooklyn will come back. They can't really do anything until then."

The insider also gave more insight on the day to day communication between the young couple and David and Victoria.

"Brooklyn and Nicola do not speak with David or Victoria," the source says, adding that "they speak only through mediators."

In Brooklyn's Instagram post, which followed months of speculation about a rift between the couple and his parents, he accused them of trying to "ruin" his relationship with his wife.

"My wife has been consistently disrespected by my family, no matter how hard we've tried to come together as one," he wrote. He further alleged, "My mum has repeatedly invited women from my past into our lives in ways that were clearly intended to make us both uncomfortable."

"My parents have been trying endlessly to ruin my relationship since before my wedding, and it hasn't stopped," he claimed.

Stefanie Keenan/Getty

Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz attend Revolve's Holiday Shop Grand Opening on November 14, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.

"My mum hijacked my first dance with my wife, which had been planned weeks in advance to a romantic love song," Brooklyn, 26, added of his 2022 nuptials to Nicola.

"In front of our 500 wedding guests, Marc Anthony called me to the stage, where the scheduled was planned to be my romantic dance with my wife but instead my mum was waiting to dance with me instead. She danced very inappropriately on me in front of everyone. I've never felt more uncomfortable or humiliated in my entire life."

The couple tied the knot in front of their nearly 600 guests in April 2022 at the Peltz family's estate in Palm Beach, Fla.

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Victoria and David have yet to respond to the accusations Brooklyn made on his Instagram Stories. However, David briefly discussed his children's social media use during an appearance on CNBC's Squawk Box the following day.

The former soccer star said that he tried to educate his kids on the power and danger of social media, but that it hasn't stopped them from making "mistakes."

"They make mistakes, but children are allowed to make mistakes," David continued. "That is how they learn. That is what I try to teach my kids. You sometimes have to let them make those mistakes as well."

Amid the family's ongoing rift, a source with knowledge of the situation told PEOPLE earlier this month, "David and Victoria have repeatedly asked Brooklyn and Nicola to meet and talk in order to move forward."

"David loves his kids," the insider added. "They are his everything."

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Source: "AOL Entertainment"

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Source: Entertainment

Published: January 23, 2026 at 04:37PM on Source: OPERA MAG

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Just How Much Are Halftime Performers Paid for the Super Bowl?

January 23, 2026
New Photo - Just How Much Are Halftime Performers Paid for the Super Bowl?

Just How Much Are Halftime Performers Paid for the Super Bowl? The Esquire Editors, Eric FranciscoJanuary 23, 2026 at 5:36 PM 4 "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." To perform the Super Bowl halftime show is kind of a big deal. It's one of the biggest stages in the world. Every year, there's a packed stadium lit up with hundreds of thousands in attendance and millions more watching from home. One might assume that playing the "Big Game" means a big payday. But you'd be surprised if you knew the truth.

- - Just How Much Are Halftime Performers Paid for the Super Bowl?

The Esquire Editors, Eric FranciscoJanuary 23, 2026 at 5:36 PM

4

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

To perform the Super Bowl halftime show is kind of a big deal. It's one of the biggest stages in the world. Every year, there's a packed stadium lit up with hundreds of thousands in attendance and millions more watching from home. One might assume that playing the "Big Game" means a big payday. But you'd be surprised if you knew the truth.With NFL quarterbacks pulling in annual salaries around $50 million, we'd forgive you for thinking that the superstars who lend their talents to the Super Bowl rake in similar figures. But they don't. Bad Bunny is this year's halftime performer, and he won't take home anything near an NFL salary for the big concert. The reality is that halftime performers aren't paid to perform at the Super Bowl.

Per league policy, the NFL covers all costs related to production of the halftime show, including travel expenses. But the talent themselves don't receive a paycheck. According to a Sports Illustrated report from 2025, 2024's halftime performer Usher was paid "$671 for the actual performance" and "about $1,800 for the rehearsals leading up to the Super Bowl."

Still, "the halftime show at the Super Bowl remains a highly coveted spot for many artists," entertainment attorney Lori Landew told Forbes in 2019. "Some of those artists do not see their appearance as a political statement, nor do they see the show as a cultural battleground, but rather view their live performance as an opportunity to entertain an enthusiastic crowd and to share their music and their talent with millions of viewers."

The cost of a halftime show production can be sky-high. While it may not match the budget of an Avatar sequel, it's still a huge price tag for a 13-minute one-night show. The 2020 performance by Jennifer Lopez and Shakira cost the NFL approximately $13 million. That amount finances the paychecks of up to 3,000 staffers involved in the production, as well as technical elements of the performance, like a collapsible 38-part stage and the massive audio equipment rolled in on 18 carts. Don't even get us started on the cost of awe-inspiring spectacles, like Katy Perry riding into the stadium on a mechanical golden lion or Lady Gaga parachuting into her performance from the roof.

So, what's in it for performers? It might sound familiar to freelance writers everywhere: exposure. Performing on one of the world's biggest stages that airs on televisions everywhere can be converted into real financial gain in the form of increased music sales. When Justin Timberlake performed in 2018, his music sales rose 534 percent that same day; as for Lady Gaga, sales of her digital catalog spiked 1,000 percent following her 2017 performance. Kendrick Lamar's show was, among other things, an elaborate promo for his acclaimed 2024 album GNX.

However, it's not all balanced. Not only are the star performers not paid, but neither are their dancers. The NFL has been under fire for failing to pay some halftime dancers, framing them as "volunteers." According to an investigation by the Los Angeles Times, "paid dancers received $712 for show day and $45 per hour for their rehearsal time, as well as a $30 per diem and a $250 COVID stipend if a dancer was asked to report to a clinic for a test on a non-work day. Unpaid dancers sat in stadium bleachers for up to two hours in the cold while waiting to rehearse as their paid counterparts spent that time in green rooms."

After backlash from the dance community, SAG-AFTRA (the union representing professional dancers) met with producers of the show to ensure that all background dancers are paid. "SAG-AFTRA and the producers of the Super Bowl Halftime Show have met and had an open and frank discussion, and have agreed that no professional dancers will be asked to work for free as part of the halftime show," the union said in a statement given to the Los Angeles Times. "SAG-AFTRA will be advising our professional dancer members that they should not be rehearsing or working on the Super Bowl halftime show without compensation."

While Bad Bunny is refusing to play in the United States as part of his ongoing world tour due to the threat of ICE raids targeting his concerts, he has made an exception for the Super Bowl; the game will take place at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Given his activism for Puerto Rican independence, queer rights, and other humanitarian causes, it's clear that Bad Bunny sees fit to deliver his inclusive messaging to audiences everywhere. Even if it won't pay him a dime.

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Published: January 23, 2026 at 04:37PM on Source: OPERA MAG

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