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Sports Daypop

Coco Gauff, Mirra Andreeva advance to French Open quarterfinals

Coco Gauff advanced to the French Open quarterfinals on Monday with straight-sets win over Ekaterina Alexandrova, 6-0, 7-5. The No. 2 seed from the U.S. kept errors low—just 17 unforced—and converted 5 of 9 break points. She also held a 3-0 lead in aces and hit 14 winners in the 88-minute match.

Gauff, a 2022 finalist and 2024 semifinalist, has now made the quarterfinals in Paris five years in a row. She’ll next face fellow American Madison Keys, who defeated No. 70 Hailey Baptiste 6-3, 7-5. Gauff said of her upcoming match against Keys: “I’m glad to be representing [the United States]. Hopefully a lot of girls can be inspired by us.”

The winner of the all-American quarterfinal will meet either No. 6 Mirra Andreeva of Russia or French wild card Lois Boisson in the semis. Andreeva beat No. 17 Daria Kasatkina in straight sets, while Boisson stunned No. 3 Jessica Pegula 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.

Gauff also told reporters: “I still feel like [over] the years here I get better with each match. I felt like that was something I did in 2022 and last year, as well, and something I’m doing here right now. I think if I can keep making those details a little bit better, hopefully I can do even better than I did last year.”

On the men’s side, No. 3 Alexander Zverev advanced after Tallon Griekspoor retired in the second set. Zverev will face either No. 6 Novak Djokovic or No. 81 Cameron Norrie. Other upcoming quarterfinals include No. 7 Lorenzo Musetti vs. No. 16 Frances Tiafoe, and No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz vs. No. 12 Tommy Paul.

Editorial credit: Victor Velter / Shutterstock.com

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Sports Daypop

New England Patriots receiver Stefon Diggs returns to practice after absence

New England Patriots receiver Stefon Diggs returned to practice on Monday for the first time since his notable absence last week following a viral video of him at a yacht party. Diggs signed a three-year, $69 million contract this offseason.

Diggs, 31, arrived on the field for Monday’s practice, waving to reporters and delivering a brief greeting: “Nice to see you all.” Diggs then ran drills with his teammates as a limited practice participant. Diggs is gearing up for his first season in New England — he played a single season with the Houston Texans in 2024, and was with the Buffalo Bills and Minnesota Vikings. In addition, he made the Pro Bowl after each of the four seasons prior to his stint with Houston.

The veteran wide receiver’s absence came after multiple videos from Memorial Day weekend surfaced of him at a yacht party; with one of the video showing Diggs surrounded by women, handing out a baggie with unidentified contents. Other than his brief greeting to reporters on Monday, Diggs had not spoken with media since the videos went viral.

After Diggs’ absence from practice on Wednesday, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel responded to questions regarding the viral videos: “it’s something that we’re aware of. And obviously we want to make great decisions on and off the field. And we’re hoping with our time here on the field today and that when we don’t have a script and we’re on the call periods that we’re making great decisions. And so the message will be the same for all our players, that we’re trying to make great decisions. And any conversations that I’ve had with Stefon will remain between him and I and the club.”  Neither the Patriots or the NFL have publicly commented on any potential league discipline.

Diggs is coming off an ACL tear that limited him to eight games last season. According to previous reports, he is ahead of schedule in his recovery and on track to be ready for the start of the regular season.

Editorial credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com

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Country Daypop

Cody Jinks details new album “In My Blood”

Country-rocker Cody Jinks is set to release his new album, titled In My Blood, on July 25. In My Blood follows his 2024 album Change the Game which landed in the top 30 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart and featured songs such as “Outlaws and Mustangs.”

In My Blood was recorded at the famed The Sonic Ranch in Tornillo, Texas, where Cody worked alongside musicians David Colvin, Joshua Thompson (also a co-producer on the album), Jake Lentner, Chris Claridy, Austin Tripp, Matt Nolen, Drew Harakal and Lenny Castro.  To preview the new project, Jinks debuted the first track, “Found,” and its official video; check it out HERE.

In his social media post, Jinks shared, “You’re on a journey with me. My life is my records. Nothing’s changed. This album was me, my band, producers and engineers. That’s as real as it gets. That’s as authentic as I can make it. Excited to share my new album In My Blood drops July 25th .. Pumped to play these songs live for yall on the Hippies and Cowboys Tour! Get ready! 🤘

Jinks is currently on the road with his Hippies and Cowboys Tour, a 23-date trek across the U.S that kicked-off on May 29th in Columbia, Missouri. Serving as support on tour are Tanner Usrey, Ward Davis, and Shane Smith & The Saints on select dates.

To preorder In My Blood head HERE.

Tour info can be found: HERE.

Editorial credit: Body Stock / Shutterstock.com

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Country Daypop

Dustin Lynch, Scotty McCreery to launch co-headlining tour

Dustin Lynch and Scotty McCreery have announced they will hit the road this fall on the “Two For The Road Tour.”

The 12-date co-headlining tour will kick off Nov. 6 at the Dow Event Center in Saginaw, Michigan, and includes stops in Illinois, Tennessee, Kentucky and more before wrapping things up Dec. 6, in Duluth, Minn. The trek will feature special guests Walker Montgomery and Sons of Habit appearing as opening acts on select dates.

To purchase tickets, visit Lynch and McCreery’s websites.

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

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Pop Daypop

‘Wicked’ returning to theaters for one night; live musical special coming to NBC this fall

Wicked is returning to theaters for ‘one-night-only’ on June 4th, coinciding with the release of the sequel’s trailer, Wicked: For Good, which premieres Nov. 21.

The film’s official X account featured stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande teasing the upcoming screening and preview: “We have an announcement! Wicked returns to theaters for one night only in the US & Canada on June 4 with a special first look at the Wicked: For Good trailer. Tickets on sale now.”

In addition, Erivo and Grande will perform hit songs from the films in a live musical special airing on NBC in the fall. Director Jon M. Chu announced the news during the NBCUniversal upfront presentation, in which he said: “I am absolutely delighted to let you in on a centerpiece of our campaign for the second film, and it’s something that’s never been done in the 22-year history of Wicked.” (per Variety).

The special, which starts streaming on Peacock the day after its NBC premiere, will also feature other “Wicked” cast members and “surprise guests” are also expected to take part in the “night of entertainment that we think will be, as they say in Oz, thrillifying,” Chu said.

Editorial credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Entertainment Daypop

‘Wicked’ returning to theaters for one night; live musical special coming to NBC this fall

Wicked is returning to theaters for ‘one-night-only’ on June 4th, coinciding with the release of the sequel’s trailer, Wicked: For Good, which premieres Nov. 21.

The film’s official X account featured stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande teasing the upcoming screening and preview: “We have an announcement! Wicked returns to theaters for one night only in the US & Canada on June 4 with a special first look at the Wicked: For Good trailer. Tickets on sale now.”

In addition, Erivo and Grande will perform hit songs from the films in a live musical special airing on NBC in the fall. Director Jon M. Chu announced the news during the NBCUniversal upfront presentation, in which he said: “I am absolutely delighted to let you in on a centerpiece of our campaign for the second film, and it’s something that’s never been done in the 22-year history of Wicked.” (per Variety).

The special, which starts streaming on Peacock the day after its NBC premiere, will also feature other “Wicked” cast members and “surprise guests” are also expected to take part in the “night of entertainment that we think will be, as they say in Oz, thrillifying,” Chu said.

Editorial credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Entertainment Daypop

Taraji P. Henson stars in trailer for Tyler Perry’s ‘Straw’ on Netflix

Netflix is previewing Tyler Perry’s upcoming film, Straw, starring Taraji P. Henson. Co-starring Sherri Shepherd, Teyana Taylor, Glynn Turman, Sinbad, Rockmond Dunbar, Mike Merrill, and Ashley Versher, the film will premiere June 6 on the streaming service.

The film follows Henson’s character, single mother Janiyah, who faces a series of unfortunate events that lead her down an unexpected path. Struggling against circumstances beyond her control, she becomes entangled in a situation she never imagined. Fueled by desperation, she finds herself at the center of suspicion in a world that seems indifferent to her existence.

When Janiyah’s  young daughter is sick and they are evicted from their home, Janiyah tries to cash her check but inadvertently holds up her bank instead, initiating a stand-off. Taylor portrays a sympathetic police officer, while Shepherd plays the “bank teller who meets Janiyah on the worst day of her life.”

Perry told Netflix’s Tudum“She’s just trying to survive, just trying to be a great mother to her daughter, and then the circumstances in her life cause her to be in this situation. I think that a lot of people around, no matter if you’re a Black woman or not, will be able to relate to that feeling of, ‘I’m at my last straw.’” 

See the trailer for Straw HERE.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Pop Daypop

Bon Jovi’s official ‘Forever’ book to be released in hardback edition this fall

Bon Jovi’s official anthology book, Bon Jovi: Forever, will be released as a hardback bookstore edition on September 23rd.

Bon Jovi: Forever featured unprecedented access to Bon Jovi’s extensive archive, chronicling the band’s 40-year history with chart-topping hits like “Livin’ On a Prayer,” “You Give Love a Bad Name,” “It’s My Life,” and “Have a Nice Day,” in addition to a touring schedule that has seen them perform over 2,700 shows for 34 million fans across more than 50 countries,

Jon Bon Jovi says: “As band members, you share a unique bond that no one else can truly understand, not even family. That brotherhood comes with a long career like ours. We all felt part of something special, trusted each other, and they trusted me. I never let them down. It was always a give-and-take.”

For more information, visit TheBonJoviBook.com.

Editorial credit: Joseph Sohm / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Rock Daypop

Bon Jovi’s official ‘Forever’ book to be released in hardback edition this fall

Bon Jovi’s official anthology book, Bon Jovi: Forever, will be released as a hardback bookstore edition on September 23rd.

Bon Jovi: Forever featured unprecedented access to Bon Jovi’s extensive archive, chronicling the band’s 40-year history with chart-topping hits like “Livin’ On a Prayer,” “You Give Love a Bad Name,” “It’s My Life,” and “Have a Nice Day,” in addition to a touring schedule that has seen them perform over 2,700 shows for 34 million fans across more than 50 countries,

Jon Bon Jovi says: “As band members, you share a unique bond that no one else can truly understand, not even family. That brotherhood comes with a long career like ours. We all felt part of something special, trusted each other, and they trusted me. I never let them down. It was always a give-and-take.”

For more information, visit TheBonJoviBook.com.

Editorial credit: Joseph Sohm / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Rock Daypop

The Darkness to embark on North American tour

The Darkness have announced a North American tour in support of their new album Dreams on Toast, with Canadian stops in Toronto, Kitchener, Montreal, and Vancouver.

The tour begins August 29 at Rocklahoma in Pryor, OK, and heads to Canada in mid-September with shows at Toronto’s Phoenix Concert Theatre (Sept. 12), Kitchener’s Elements (Sept. 13), and Montreal’s Club Soda (Sept. 14).

After a brief overseas break following the band’s show in Cleveland, OH on September 21, The Darkness returns to North America on November 7 in Houston, TX., hitting Vancouver’s Commodore Ballroom on November 18 before wrapping up in Denver, CO, on November 22.

For more tour information, head HERE.

Editorial credit: Bruno Ismael Silva Alves / Shutterstock.com