Latest news with #Loverboy
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
After a Flurry of Successful Lead Singles and the EP 'Ride or Die,' James Robert Webb Is Set to Drop His Highly Anticipated Outlaw Country-Inspired Fourth Album 'Weekend Outlaw' June 6
TULSA, Okla., June 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Over four decades since Loverboy iconically reminded us that everybody's "Working for the Weekend" and Waylon, Willie and company set the Nashville establishment on fire with their Outlaw Country movement, modern day storyweaver James Robert Webb offers a fresh twist on those empowering aesthetics with the drop of his highly anticipated fourth full-length album Weekend Outlaw Artfully weaving raw emotion, cinematic storytelling and clever turns of lyrical phrase into songs that feel all at once untamed, liberating and eternal, the veteran Tulsa OK singer/songwriter's 11 track set is the culmination of several years releasing a large batch of lead singles and the 2024 EP Ride or Die, Webb launched his current run of success with two songs that hit the upper reaches of the Texas Regional Radio Report chart – "Gentlemen Start Your Weekends" (#2) and "Lovesick Drifting Cowboy" (#1). Both appear on the EP and the new collection. With genre-busting outlaw soul, the tracks on the album aim to empower with a sound that is equal parts haunting mystery, explosive muscle and vibrant tradition, all captured by a spirit of fast-driving rebellion. Weekend Outlaw is inspired by and dedicated to folks like Webb who grew up in working class families and are successful professionals in other fields (in his case, a top musculoskeletal radiologist). Yet, especially since the pandemic, they realize that time is of the essence to pursue their creative dreams - and there's way more to life than the daily 9 to 5 grind. "We're all aware of the fleetingness of life, and know we've got to do it now," Webb says. "The whole 'Weekend Outlaw' mentality is about being true to our passions. My goal with the album is to encourage listeners to take ownership of their free time and follow the pursuits that come after clocking out on Friday night." Webb, who released his debut full-length Pictures in 2016, rose to prominence a few years later when two tracks from his 2020 self-titled album – "Something Out of Nothing" and "Stealing Home" – hit #1 on the Texas Regional Radio Report chart. In 2022, he was named the Country Breakout Awards' Independent Artist of the Year (an honor bestowed by Nashville's Music Row Magazine) and a year later he was a 2023 New Faces nominee at the Texas Regional Radio Report Music Awards. Expected later in 2025, Webb makes his debut as an actor playing himself in a new family-friendly holiday film currently titled "Music City Mistletoe." In addition to singing his original song "Fighting for a Dream" on camera, the film will include his recording "Merry Magical Christmas," a song he co-wrote with the film's writer and executive producer Shantell Ogden. Connect with JamesWEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | X | YOUTUBE | FACEBOOK Media Contact:Jennifer Lyneis8182017313395514@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE James Robert Webb Sign in to access your portfolio
Cosmopolitan
6 days ago
- Business
- Cosmopolitan
Paige DeSorbo Is Launching Her Own Sleepwear Brand
Instead of buying Loverboy and selling it (IYKYK), Paige DeSorbo is building a business empire of her own. Bravo's resident "bed bug"-slash-fashion girly is capitalizing on her sleepy on-screen persona with the launch of her own loungewear label—and everything about it is sooo on brand for the Summer House star. On Tuesday, Paige announced the news of her direct-to-consumer sleepwear line, dubbed Daphne, and spilled all the tea on her new venture. "Made my bed now I'm gonna lie in it," she joked on Instagram, alongside a sneak peek of the collection. And while it hasn't quite made its debut (next week! June 10! Mark your cal, besties!), the preview alone is evidence enough that the Giggly Squad host is really that girl. "As someone who's always believed that style should never be sacrificed for comfort, Daphne was born out of my desire to make high-quality, stylish loungewear accessible, empowering, and fun," Paige said in the press release. "Whether you're on a Zoom call, or spending a slow Sunday morning in bed—I want everyone to feel their most confident and chic." The burgeoning businesswoman tapped Proenza Schouler and Club Monaco alum Katie Serva as lead designer to bring her vision to life. The result? A collection of sleep cardigans, camis, matching sets, and even oversized sleep tees (inspired by her IRL bestie and podcast co-host, Hannah Berner), ranging in price from $58 to $230. Daphne's colors are muted, and the silhouettes feel classic but with a modern twist. The whole point is that you can wear each style from bed to the coffee shop and then back to bed. Paige teamed up with award-winning venture studio, Concept Brands, and its veteran fashion strategist Kyle DeFord for the project. And when I say veteran, I mean veteran. He's worked with Jenna Lyons' beauty brand LoveSeen, and Alex Mill. "From day one, Paige had an incredibly clear vision for Daphne," DeFord says. "She knew exactly the kind of pieces she wanted to bring to market. It's been inspiring to help bring her vision to life. With Daphne, we're creating loungewear that reflects Paige's modern, elevated approach—made for women who want to feel confident and chic whether they're staying in or stepping out." Paige's first collection will be available to shop on June 10. And while I don't have the offish drop timing, you can toss your deets into the Daphne site so you're notified ASAP. Bed rotting is about to look so much more chic. Megan Schaltegger is an NYC-based writer. She loves strong coffee, eating her way through the Manhattan food scene, and her dog, Murray. She promises not to talk about herself in third person IRL.
Refinery29
23-05-2025
- Refinery29
Lia Tabackman
Photo: Jesse Bauer. It's 8:30 on a Tuesday morning at JFK's Terminal 4, and Amanda Batula is between coasts — again. The Summer House star, Loverboy creative, and founder of Amanda Batula Swim is about to catch a flight to L.A., her second of three cross-country trips in less than a month. 'I've been doing an insane amount of traveling,' she says, settling into a couch at the Marshalls Upgrade Lounge, a free pop-up space offering travelers snacks, a beauty bar, and a chic break from airport chaos through Memorial Day weekend. 'I'm actually really surprised with how well I've handled it. Normally I crash after a trip, but I've just been on the move lately.' That momentum is something Batula doesn't take for granted. Not long ago, even routine parts of travel — packing a bag, getting out the door, and making it to the airport — felt paralyzing. 'I'd back out of things, or just lie in bed telling Kyle [Cooke] I couldn't even start packing because I was so overwhelmed.' After being diagnosed with depression and anxiety in 2023, Batula began working with a psychiatrist and taking antidepressant medication. Now, tasks that once felt insurmountable have become manageable, which means Amanda is saying yes to events, trips, and work opportunities that she would have previously passed on. 'I don't get overwhelmed, it doesn't take me a full day to pack. I can throw together a bag. It's just so much easier,' Batula says. Between destination weddings, business opportunities, and influencer engagements, Amanda is a certified frequent flier — which makes her partnership with Marshalls feel especially well-timed. "The most stressful thing about traveling is getting to the airport, getting through security, and then rushing to your gate,' she says. 'It's nice to have a place where you can just come and feel zen, especially if you're like me and don't have access to other [paid] lounges.' In addition to the Upgrade Lounge pop-up, the retailer offers an online shopping hub that features a collection of travel-friendly fashion and lifestyle finds curated by Batula to make packing and on-the-go style feel a little less stressful. The reality star, now in her eighth season of Summer House (Batula joined the cast full time in Season 2), is well-accustomed to splitting her summers between NYC and the Hamptons, and is starting to embrace being a bit more strategic about what she puts in her suitcase. 'Kyle and I are notorious for bringing our whole closet, especially back when I was working corporate,' she says. 'Now I try to stick to a few staples and plan according to the weekend. We'll get a heads up about what the events are and then do a little shopping.' As for sharing clothes with her castmates while filming? 'I'm always willing to share. Paige [DeSorbo] will only pack for the weekend, so she doesn't really have any other options to share, and Ciara [Miller] will always order clothes to the house and if you need an option she'll give it to you.' Batula and I are meeting the day before the Summer House Season 9 finale aired, and naturally I ask about what's next for the series, which typically films from July through August. Bravo fans and cast members alike have been speculating about the show's future, including potential cast shakeups, but Batula doesn't have much to offer in terms of clues. 'There's no news yet… but no news is usually good news,' she says. 'We typically hear from production the week before filming starts, and half the time we get the address to the house the day of. You don't even know what house we're driving out to.' If past seasons are any indication, fans will have to wait until after the reunion episodes, which begin airing next week, for any concrete answers about Season 10. For those in-the-know, the reunion seating chart — and who sits next to host Andy Cohen — can be a subtle signal of who played a central role that season. Batula didn't think much of it going into this year's reunion, which filmed on April 24, until she showed up on set and saw where she'd been placed. "I was told by one of the crew members, 'Oh, Amanda, you're going to like your seat,' thinking that like I was on the end, because that would be somewhere that I'd like to be sat,' Batula laughs. "And when I walked out, like being right next to [Cohen], I was like, I'm either in big trouble and I did something really wrong or I'm being rewarded. I think I was more shocked than everyone else that saw the leak of the seating arrangement. It was crazy. I was not expecting to sit there… but it was great for me. I had a great time." The Upgrade Lounge by Marshalls is open May 21 through May 28 in JFK's Terminal 4. Exclusive amenity kits will be available for visitors while supplies last.
Refinery29
23-05-2025
- Refinery29
Amanda Batula Is Booked, Busy & Not Worried About Summer House Rumors
It's 8:30 on a Tuesday morning at JFK's Terminal 4, and Amanda Batula is between coasts — again. The Summer House star, Loverboy creative, and founder of Amanda Batula Swim is about to catch a flight to L.A., her second of three cross-country trips in less than a month. 'I've been doing an insane amount of traveling,' she says, settling into a couch at the Marshalls Upgrade Lounge, a free pop-up space offering travelers snacks, a beauty bar, and a chic break from airport chaos through Memorial Day weekend. 'I'm actually really surprised with how well I've handled it. Normally I crash after a trip, but I've just been on the move lately.' That momentum is something Batula doesn't take for granted. Not long ago, even routine parts of travel — packing a bag, getting out the door, and making it to the airport — felt paralyzing. 'I'd back out of things, or just lie in bed telling Kyle [Cooke] I couldn't even start packing because I was so overwhelmed.' After being diagnosed with depression and anxiety in 2023, Batula began working with a psychiatrist and taking antidepressant medication. Now, tasks that once felt insurmountable have become manageable, which means Amanda is saying yes to events, trips, and work opportunities that she would have previously passed on. 'I don't get overwhelmed, it doesn't take me a full day to pack. I can throw together a bag. It's just so much easier,' Batula says. Between destination weddings, business opportunities, and influencer engagements, Amanda is a certified frequent flier — which makes her partnership with Marshalls feel especially well-timed. "The most stressful thing about traveling is getting to the airport, getting through security, and then rushing to your gate,' she says. 'It's nice to have a place where you can just come and feel zen, especially if you're like me and don't have access to other [paid] lounges.' In addition to the Upgrade Lounge pop-up, the retailer offers an online shopping hub that features a collection of travel-friendly fashion and lifestyle finds curated by Batula to make packing and on-the-go style feel a little less stressful. The reality star, now in her eighth season of Summer House (Batula joined the cast full time in Season 2), is well-accustomed to splitting her summers between NYC and the Hamptons, and is starting to embrace being a bit more strategic about what she puts in her suitcase. 'Kyle and I are notorious for bringing our whole closet, especially back when I was working corporate,' she says. 'Now I try to stick to a few staples and plan according to the weekend. We'll get a heads up about what the events are and then do a little shopping.' As for sharing clothes with her castmates while filming? 'I'm always willing to share. Paige [DeSorbo] will only pack for the weekend, so she doesn't really have any other options to share, and Ciara [Miller] will always order clothes to the house and if you need an option she'll give it to you.' Batula and I are meeting the day before the Summer House Season 9 finale aired, and naturally I ask about what's next for the series, which typically films from July through August. Bravo fans and cast members alike have been speculating about the show's future, including potential cast shakeups, but Batula doesn't have much to offer in terms of clues. 'There's no news yet… but no news is usually good news,' she says. 'We typically hear from production the week before filming starts, and half the time we get the address to the house the day of. You don't even know what house we're driving out to.' If past seasons are any indication, fans will have to wait until after the reunion episodes, which begin airing next week, for any concrete answers about Season 10. For those in-the-know, the reunion seating chart — and who sits next to host Andy Cohen — can be a subtle signal of who played a central role that season. Batula didn't think much of it going into this year's reunion, which filmed on April 24, until she showed up on set and saw where she'd been placed. "I was told by one of the crew members, 'Oh, Amanda, you're going to like your seat,' thinking that like I was on the end, because that would be somewhere that I'd like to be sat,' Batula laughs. "And when I walked out, like being right next to [Cohen], I was like, I'm either in big trouble and I did something really wrong or I'm being rewarded. I think I was more shocked than everyone else that saw the leak of the seating arrangement. It was crazy. I was not expecting to sit there… but it was great for me. I had a great time."
Newsweek
22-05-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Donald Trump's Tariffs Could Collide With Bravo's 'Summer House'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. "Summer should be fun," but for Summer House star Kyle Cooke, this summer could bring another black swan event with the potential to upend his company, Loverboy. President Donald Trump's announcement of additional tariffs on over 50 countries sparked the worst decline in the stock market since the COVID-19 pandemic and raised concerns about a recession, increased layoffs and higher inflation. In April, he attempted to calm the markets by announcing a 90-day pause on tariffs, which means the resumption of tariffs could collide with the filming of Summer House Season 10. Fans have watched for years as the stress of running a business impacted Cooke, and the timing of filming means fans may be able to watch the pressure Trump's tariffs put on small businesses play out in real time. Cooke told Newsweek he's concerned about the impact of tariffs on Loverboy's ability to keep prices competitive. With premium ingredients and the hype around the new drink brand, consumers were willing to spend a little more for Loverboy when it first came out. But now there are alternatives, and in an economy where people don't have a lot of disposable income, having to raise prices threatens to undo all of the work Cooke has done to make Loverboy a success. "I don't quite understand how tariffs are the big equalizer on trade because it just gets passed on to the little guy like me and then you're left with the decision, do I erase all of the gains we've made to get our product more competitively priced? Do we erase those gains and jack the prices up?" Cooke told Newsweek. "It's a big fricking conundrum." Loverboy is an American brand canned in the United States, so Cooke is in a better place than someone who has to import a finished product. However, increased tariffs on aluminum could increase his costs, and a key ingredient in Loverboy is monk fruit. They use it instead of artificial sweeteners and import it from Canada, making it subject to tariffs. Photo-illustration by Newsweek/Getty While Cooke is trying to plan for the future, he said that at this point, it's just a game of wait and see because of how the administration has handled tariffs. "It felt very rushed. And every single week you hear something different so no one can respond or react," Cooke said. "By the time you do, Trump's already changed his mind." Cooke first presented the idea of Loverboy to Summer House viewers in 2018, but it took a few years to get it off the ground and into stores. Had he known how difficult the alcohol industry is and how unfriendly it is to startups, would he have still had the courage to build the brand? He said probably not, and that stress has played out on the show. During the pandemic, Cooke and his now-wife, Amanda Batula, ran Loverboy out of the Hamptons house where the cast was quarantining together for the summer to film the show. Loverboy and the stress of getting it off the ground was a huge storyline, and in the following season, Cooke revealed that he was feeling crushed by the weight of his lawsuit. "I've spent $200,000 on legal fees this month. I'm $4 million in debt with the loan for my business. Everything is on the line," Cooke told his housemates in season 6. Cooke later broke down while speaking with castmate Danielle Olivera, telling her that every day for the last three years has been stressful. Despite the stress, Loverboy started to thrive. For years, the business was profitable despite the alcohol industry being so "dog-eat-dog," as Cooke puts it. But that stress returned in season 8 when Cooke revealed that the company was losing money. And by "losing money," Cooke meant the company lost $1.5 million in the first six months. "If we can't turn a profit in August, then I'm starting to lose hope that we'll do it in the colder months. This is the first time I'm actually scared," Cooke told Batula in one episode. Loverboy hasn't had a hit from the tariffs yet because they've stockpiled cans and ingredients before the tariffs hit. But, Cooke noted it's "only a matter of time" until they feel the impact. Over the years, Cooke has been in the middle of several black swan events. During the pandemic, there was a huge can shortage. Then, in 2023, it was the fallout from the Dylan Mulvaney collaboration with Bud Light. Loverboy is predominantly distributed by an independent Anheuser-Busch distributor, and the massive drop in Bud Light's sales revenue impacted Anheuser-Busch's operations. "We've just seen one kind of black swan event after another and the question is, are tariffs yet another black swan event to hit an industry that is highly sensitive to price changes," Cooke told Newsweek.
