
Gracie Abrams calls Taylor a 'forever genius' and brings up Olivia in emotional tour speech
"Between touring and my last few EPs and albums, the amazing festivals and opening for the brilliant Olivia and for our forever genius Taylor, it has been a very wild and lucky four years on the road," Abrams read aloud, her voice cracking slightly as fans erupted into cheers. "We are in the home stretch now and I just want to pause for a moment to let you know that we could not be happier or more grateful to be here with all of you tonight."
Abrams' connection to both Olivia Rodrigo and Taylor Swift runs deep. She opened for Rodrigo on her SOUR tour back in 2022 and later joined Swift for several shows on the Eras Tour, performing to massive stadium crowds. Those opportunities, paired with her own relentless touring schedule, have shaped her into one of the most emotionally resonant voices in pop today.
Her current tour supports her sophomore album, The Secret of Us, which features the Grammy-nominated collaboration us with Taylor Swift. Before this leg, she toured Europe, making up for postponed shows and performing at major festivals across June and July.
Now, as she prepares to wrap up her time on the road, Abrams' tribute to Swift and Rodrigo served as a touching reminder of how far she's come and how those who came before her continue to influence the music she makes.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Express Tribune
21 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Akon accuses former associate of fraud; Be.I fires back with counterclaims
Grammy-nominated artist Akon publicly accused a former associate, Be.I, of fraud and misrepresentation in a recent video posted online. In the clip, Akon warned the public about Be.I, calling him a 'fraud,' 'scammer,' and 'imposter,' and accused him of deceiving people under the false pretense of being affiliated with the artist's brand. 'Look at this face. He goes by the name of Be.I. He's a fraud, a scammer,' Akon said. He urged anyone who may have given Be.I money to retrieve it, warning that he 'won't deliver' and is 'going to run away with it.' Akon also emphasized that Be.I has no official ties to his companies, including Konvict Muzik and Kon Live Distribution, and is not authorized to conduct business on his behalf. Describing Be.I as a 'superfan,' Akon claimed that he gained people's trust by pretending to be part of his inner circle, calling the behavior 'evil.' In response, Be.I shared video clips of Akon previously wishing him a happy birthday, disputing the 'superfan' label. He acknowledged making 'mistakes,' but pushed back against Akon's claims, accusing the singer of having ulterior motives. Be.I suggested their fallout stemmed from a personal conflict involving a woman they were both involved with, rather than money. -Instagram. He also alluded to Akon's own controversies, including the failed Akon City project in Senegal—a planned $6 billion futuristic city powered by cryptocurrency. In May 2025, Senegalese officials confirmed the project had been canceled due to unpaid funds and halted progress. -Instagram. 'I did some dumb s###,' Be.I admitted, but claimed others in Akon's circle had done worse without facing public scrutiny. Neither party has issued further statements since the public exchange.


Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
Ciara granted Benin citizenship under new law for descendants of enslaved Africans
Grammy-winning US artist Ciara has officially become a citizen of Benin under a new law offering nationality to descendants of enslaved Africans. The singer received her documents during a ceremony in Cotonou, and the government confirmed she accepted citizenship with 'pride.' Ciara, known for chart-topping hits like Goodies and 1,2 Step, shared on Instagram: 'I am honoured. Thank you Benin for opening your arms and your heart to me.' The citizenship was granted through Benin's recently enacted My Afro Origins Law, which allows individuals with ancestral ties to the transatlantic slave trade to claim Beninese nationality. The government described the moment as 'symbolic, humane and historic,' calling it 'a gesture of the soul' and 'a return to one's roots.' Benin, once a hub of the West African slave trade, hopes the law will reconnect with the African diaspora and encourage cultural tourism. The coastline, historically known as the Slave Coast, was a major departure point for enslaved Africans transported to the Americas. Between 1580 and 1727, the Kingdom of Whydah—located in present-day Benin—is estimated to have exported over one million people to the United States, the Caribbean, and Brazil. Ciara is among the first public figures to take part in the initiative, joining recent cultural efforts such as the appointment of American filmmaker Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee as Benin's diaspora ambassadors.


Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
‘My Best Friend's Wedding' sequel in development with Celine Song as scriptwriter
A sequel to My Best Friend's Wedding, the 1997 romantic comedy starring Julia Roberts, is officially in early development at Sony Pictures. Acclaimed writer-director Celine Song has been brought on board to write the screenplay. Song, known for her critically praised features Materialists and Past Lives, is not currently attached to direct. The news follows comments from Dermot Mulroney, who starred in the original film, suggesting that 'there is talk of a sequel.' Speaking to the New York Post, Mulroney said, 'I know nothing about it. Last I heard, quote, lawyers were talking, unquote.' Celine Song's involvement adds prestige to the developing project. Her debut film Past Lives earned Oscar nominations for original screenplay and best picture, while her latest, Materialists, a romantic triangle starring Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans and Pedro Pascal, grossed $50 million globally after its June release through A24. The original film, directed by P.J. Hogan, follows Roberts as a food critic who realises she's in love with her best friend, played by Mulroney, after he announces his engagement. Attempting to sabotage the wedding, she finds herself navigating complex emotions and comic situations. The film also featured Cameron Diaz and Rupert Everett and earned $127 million at the North American box office, ranking ninth in domestic grosses for 1997. It received three Golden Globe nominations and has since remained a fan favourite.