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USA Today
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
J Balvin talks 'Mixteip' album, fatherhood and taking it easy: 'Let life surprise me'
J Balvin has earned his superstar stripes, and now it's time to vacilar (have fun). The multiplatinum, Grammy-nominated Colombian singer is remapping his musical boundaries on his latest release "Mixteip" (out now). The experimental, 10-track mixtape sees Balvin playfully expand his signature reggaeton sound with fusions of hip-hop, merengue, salsa and drill rap. "I feel confident that I gave my 1,000% on this project. The rest is out of my hands," Balvin tells USA TODAY. "We're taking it more easy now. Of course, you want the mixtape to be successful and the songs to become a smash, but … I'd rather let life surprise me with it." Coming off the release of 2024's "Rayo," an eclectic album that broke sonic boundaries for Balvin, the singer continues to be fueled by a sense of creative freedom. "You suffer less," he explains, because you're not battling "high expectations." "Maybe because I'm more mature now, that helps too," says Balvin, who turned 40 in May. "It makes me feel way more stable, not caring about things that I used to that hurt me a lot." Why J Balvin channeled reggaeton nostalgia on 'Zun Zun' Balvin may be reggaeton royalty now, but he knows he's part of a larger dynasty. The singer, who made his debut with 2013's "La Familia," has scored 38 No. 1 hits on Billboard's Latin Rhythm Airplay chart, won three Latin Grammys for best urban album and was previously dubbed "the undeniable leader of a second-generation reggaeton revolution" by Guinness World Records. On "Mixteip," Balvin pays homage to the genre's roots with sensual banger "Zun Zun." The track, a collaboration with Justin Quiles and Lenny Tavárez, includes a shoutout to iconic production duo Luny Tunes, while its music video features a racy dance party that evokes the feel-good hedonism of classic reggaeton. "If it wasn't for the 2000s or the late '90s, we wouldn't be (where we are)," Balvin says. "It just takes me to the old times when I dreamed to be an artist, so we wanted to take that sound back." Belinda interview: Princess of Latin pop feels 'powerful' on comeback album 'Indómita' J Balvin gushes about fatherhood, 'amazing' girlfriend Valentina Ferrer When Balvin isn't cranking out the hits, he's a doting papi. The "Mi Gente" singer became a father in 2021 when he and longtime girlfriend Valentina Ferrer welcomed son Rio. "No matter what, my son has a beautiful and amazing mother who is raising him (in) the best way possible," Balvin says. While fatherhood hasn't softened Balvin's artistic edge, the singer reflects that family life has reshaped his experience of making music. "My son makes my life better, happier. And when you feel that you're stable with your emotions, you have that health to go into the studio." And while Rio shares his father's love of singing, Balvin says his parental focus is providing the 4-year-old with a grounded upbringing. "I would never pressure my son to be a part of this industry. I think there's better ways to be happier," Balvin says. But "whatever he wants to do, we're going to support him 1,000%" J Balvin collaborates with childhood idol Gilberto Santa Rosa on 'Mixteip' Balvin can cross off one more item on his musical bucket list. The reggaetonero nabbed a collaboration with Puerto Rican singer and salsa icon Gilberto Santa Rosa for the "Mixteip" track "Misterio," a bold mash-up that seamlessly weaves the singers' tropical and Latin urban styles. Balvin said Santa Rosa, who made history as the first tropical salsa singer to perform at New York City's Carnegie Hall, was a childhood influence, adding that Santa Rosa's live album "blew my mind." "It's one of my happiest moments in the last few years," says Balvin of the organic collaboration. "We were just doing music, and we were like, 'This song would be perfect for Gilberto.'" The two are slated to take the stage together July 24 for a performance on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon." 'I still have many things left to do': Rock icon Fito Páez isn't looking at legacy yet How J Balvin is using 'the power of music' to uplift the Latino community Balvin will always rep his Latino Gang, an affectionate shout-out to the Hispanic community that has become a lyrical call to arms. The singer, who hails from Medellín, Colombia, had his Latin heritage on full display during his July 13 performance at the FIFA Club World Cup when his ensemble of backup dancers sported brightly colored tops that mirrored the design of the Colombian flag. "It was beautiful that he we had the opportunity and (were able) to embrace and show the Latino culture and Colombia to the whole world," Balvin says. Although Balvin isn't an activist, the singer recognizes the power of his unapologetic cultural pride, especially amid a contentious political climate for the U.S. Latino community following the Trump administration's crackdown on illegal immigration. "I don't like politics. I never talk about it; it's just not my thing," Balvin says. "My passion is about human rights and using my platform – the power of music – to speak out about it. … Supporting our brothers and just creating the awareness that they're not alone."
USA Today
3 hours ago
- USA Today
Cause of death revealed for Melina Frattolin, 9-year-old killed in NY
Melina Frattolin, the 9-year-old girl from Canada who police allege was killed by her father in Upstate New York, died in a drowning, an autopsy revealed. New York State Police announced on July 22 that Frattolin died from asphyxia due to drowning. The manner of death was ruled a homicide. The results of the autopsy, which was conducted at Glens Falls Hospital, are preliminary. A final determination and report are pending further laboratory testing, NYSP said. Frattolin was found dead in Ticonderoga on July 20, hours after her father, Luciano Frattolin, reported her abducted. He has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder and concealment of a human corpse in her death. It's unclear if he has an attorney. Melina Frattolin death: Missing girl found dead in NY; father charged What happened to Melina Frattolin? Luciano and Melina Frattolin, of Montreal, entered the United States on July 11 for a vacation and planned to return to Canada on July 20, police said at a press conference on July 21. On July 19 at around 5:30 p.m. local time, Luciano and Melina Frattolin were seen on video surveillance in Saratoga Springs. An hour later, the girl spoke to her mother on the phone and said she and her father were on route back to Canada, police said. Luciano Frattolin reported his daughter missing around 10 p.m. local time that night; he told authorities they were driving on I-87 in Lake George when he pulled over to urinate in a wooded area. When he returned to the vehicle, his daughter was missing, he said. The following morning, police activated an Amber Alert for the missing girl. Police later said, "there is no indication that an abduction occurred." At around 5 p.m. ET on Jul 20, police announced Melina Frattolin was found dead in Ticonderoga, New York, which is about 100 miles north of Albany by the Vermont border. Her body was found in the shallow portion of a pond in a wooded area, police said. Who is Luciano Frattolin? Luciano Frattolin has been estranged from his daughter's mother since 2019. Melina Frattolin lived full-time with her mother in Canada, police said. According to his LinkedIn, Luciano Frattolin is an entrepreneur. Before his arrest, he owned a coffee company, according to an archived website. He also owned a mining company, according to an Ethiopian newspaper. He is Ethiopian and Italian, according to his website bio. On his since-archived website, Luciano Frattolin called his daughter "the light of his life." "Melina has also taught Luciano to let go of his rigid tendencies to keep everything in 'perfect order'—his love for Melina's messy art projects and chaotic ensemble of toys supersedes his love for a meticulously spotless home," the website said. Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at
USA Today
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
How Pedro Pascal got in Mister Fantastic shape for Marvel debut
Hollywood fitness guru Jason Walsh chronicles how the Emmy nominated actor conquered debilitating pain after a stunt injury for the new 'Fantastic Four' movie. A post shared by JASON WALSH (@risemovement) Pedro Pascal swears he would not be walking, much less prepping to play a superhero, if it weren't for this guy. The four-time Emmy nominee is just one of many A-list clients who have achieved action star physiques through physical trainer Jason Walsh's holistic approach to health and fitness. In the case of Pascal, however, the mutual admiration between trainer and client extends far beyond the four walls of Walsh's West Hollywood gym. The two first crossed paths back in 2014 in Qingdao, China, on the set of the action blockbuster "The Great Wall." At the time, Walsh was training the film's star Matt Damon, who played a mercenary warrior alongside Pascal. "We instantly had a good chemistry," Walsh told USA TODAY. "You're going to all these really cool places, the Great Wall, experiencing all this stuff and you got somebody that's a good friend. And I started training him then." A decade after they first met in China, Walsh would help Pascal transform his body to play the brilliant and elastic Mister Fantastic in the upcoming "The Fantastic Four: First Steps," out in theaters nationwide Thursday, July 24. The superhero genre is familiar territory for Walsh, who previously trained Anne Hathaway to play Catwoman in 2012's "The Dark Knight Rises" and Brie Larson to take on the role of the titular intergalactic heroine in 2019's "Captain Marvel." A stunt injury, however, would make Pascal's latest fitness journey the actor's most daunting yet. 'Gladiator II' stunt left Pascal with long-lasting back pain Fans of Pascal may remember the moment photos from Vanity Fair's cover shoot dropped on June 24, showing his physique in its full glory. Unbeknownst to drooling fans at the time, Pascal endured months of turmoil and uncertainty to achieve the muscled-up look. During a stunt for last year's "Gladiator II," he dislocated his shoulder, tore his psoas (lower back) muscle and weakened his hip flexor after tackling co-star Paul Mescal on set. Walsh said Pascal experienced long-lasting back pain that took a psychological toll as a result. Pain and injury can feel extra defeating when someone enters their late 40s or early 50s, Walsh said, adding that "you start to program your mind and start believing that this is the new you. This is the way it's going to be." "He came to me and just said, 'I'm a wreck,'" Walsh recalled. "'I can't step up, I can't lunge, I can't squat, I can't do these things because my back hurts.'" With a looming deadline and hectic schedule ahead of filming for "Fantastic Four" in England, "The Materialists" in New York and Season 2 of "The Last of Us" in Canada, Pascal asked the trainer one question. "'Can it be done?' And I was like, 'absolutely,'" Walsh said. The mission was less about achieving a shredded superhero figure for Pascal and more about reclaiming functionality over his body and conquering his pain, Walsh said. Pascal placed his full faith in the Hollywood strength guru, who had experience with post-injury training. He previously prepared Matt Damon for 2016's "Jason Bourne" after a bike accident broke his collarbone. Walsh explained to Pascal that the process would be slow and tedious, but that the two would eventually change his body. "I just took it on as a project, and I took it seriously because I saw my friend who was in pain and psychologically down," he said. Now, the 50-year-old heartthrob not only looks chiseled but feels well enough to become the next Reed Richards in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Walsh says his secret isn't a 'magic formula' While Walsh had no desire to be a personal trainer growing up — even to clientele like Jake Gyllenhaal, John Krasinski and Bradley Cooper — he saw a void he could fill in the fitness space. He takes a multifaceted approach to training that involves adding calculated amounts of stress to the right parts of the body. With Pascal, Walsh curated a routine that would allow his body to hold onto muscle at his age. The workouts prioritized isometric exercises that built a connection between mind and body while also advancing his tendon strength. "Mostly it's a progressive model. So it's pretty simple. It's just very basic. It's not a magic formula. I don't need to tell you that there's cool exercises that we do that nobody else does. I don't do that [expletive]," Walsh said. Instead, he reinforces solid patterns and proper recovery time, complemented by plenty of sacrifice. He also worked with a chef who prepared a diet focused around caloric intake and macronutrients that would become habitual for Pascal. This nutrition philosophy later prompted Walsh to launch his own protein powder, a plant-based supplement called Rise311, geared toward those who have trouble digesting whey. Walsh posted an Instagram reel in June 2024 of Pascal trying a Rise311 shake for the first time, which the Chilean-born actor called "delicious." A post shared by JASON WALSH (@risemovement) Pascal lost 25 pounds ahead of Marvel shoot Walsh said his first big win with Pascal was when the actor noticed a gap between his belly and a pair of pants on the set of "The Last of Us." "We took 25 pounds off of him by changing up his diet," Walsh said. Beyond the weight loss, Pascal told Walsh he felt his pain and limitations dissipate as his body grew stronger. Before they both knew it, Pascal was ready to put on his blue suit. "You build this little bit of trust with people by fixing something and then reminding them that they couldn't do something [before]," Walsh added. Ultimately, Walsh finds victories like Pascal the most rewarding. "It was just a slow, tedious climb, but he was down for it and now he's asking me for workouts and things because he wants to keep going with it," Walsh said. "He understands the benefit of that kind of sacrifice and dedication and hard work. It pays off."
USA Today
5 hours ago
- Business
- USA Today
Youth sports business model hurts kids. New poll shows parents are fed up.
Parents want a youth sports system that prioritizes childhood development, family balance and accessibility. From the WNBA All-Star Game to the British Open Championship, sports fans had ample opportunities to see elite athletes in action this past weekend. Many of those watching are children with dreams of their own athletic success. Youth sports is a $40 billion a year industry with tens of millions of American kids participating in baseball, basketball, football, golf, soccer and other athletic competitions. Emphasis on the word 'industry.' There is much more to the competitiveness than participation alone. In recent years, youth sports have attracted unprecedented investments from private equity giants, family foundations and other entities, whether it means buying a baseball camp or building a flag football field. Youth sports have become a big business Sky-high investments are creating entire youth leagues from scratch, attracting boys and girls as a rite of passage. This is not our parents' youth sports system, where local offshoots of Little League Baseball and Pop Warner reigned supreme. It is an entirely new ecosystem, bringing big bucks and forcing many families to pay up. Where kids see a (slim) chance to turn pro one day, there is also (cautious) optimism about a return on investment via college scholarships or name, image and likeness checks. But the investment itself is not cheap. The average U.S. sports family spends more than $1,000 on a child's primary sport − a 46% increase since 2019. Then there are the second and third sports − more scratches on the lottery ticket. For growing numbers of parents and kids, the feeling is stress, stress and more stress. According to new research from The Harris Poll, conducted for USA TODAY, parents overwhelmingly want youth sports to promote balance, character and inclusion. Instead, they're navigating a high-pressure, high-cost system that serves a select few, at the expense of kids who are thrust into high-stakes situations at a young age. The numbers don't lie. Nearly two-thirds (63%) of parents say their child's sports team travels more than necessary − a burden that hits time-strapped, lower-income families especially hard. Almost 8 in 10 parents support reducing travel, while 72% want a model with fewer games and more practice. A similar percentage (73%) say youth sports have lost sight of their original purpose: Fostering fun and teaching teamwork. Parents are not delusional. Only 8% of parents claim that the goal of youth sports should be a college scholarship, while just 12% say it means preparing for a pro career. Nearly 9 in 10 parents (89%) believe that it is important for their child to enjoy playing sports. And yet, the youth sports ecosystem − now driven by private equity − often behaves as if celebrity status and monetary gain are the primary goals. Just ask parents, 61% of whom believe that youth sports organizations prioritize profit over purpose. Even more (63%) feel that sports-related costs and time demands undermine the spirit of play. While most parents are realistic about their kids' long-term prospects in sports, they will continue to make sacrifices for them to participate − from missing work to skipping family vacations. What they need in return is a youth sports ecosystem that better suits their time and budget constraints. Youth sports puts strains on family life The ever-growing commercialization of the early specialization in sports has a wide range of consequences, including academic strain and stress on the family unit. Our need to 'keep up with the Joneses' can be a challenge for entire communities navigating a high-stakes environment, as yet another mega-sports complex pops up down the road. For the sake of kids, parents are calling for a reset. They don't want to see a broken youth sports system. What they want is an ecosystem that prioritizes childhood development, family balance and accessibility at a time when finances are already pulled in too many directions. The status quo is serving a select few who could one day become WNBA All-Stars or major championship winners in golf. But what about the rest of America's sports families? The system may not be broken for the few, but it's looking more and more so for most. Will Johnson serves as CEO at The Harris Poll.
The Herald Scotland
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Malcolm-Jamal Warner drowning: Second man in critical condition
The Costa Rican Red Cross received a report of a water-related incident that afternoon, and three ambulances were dispatched to the scene, where medical personnel attended to both men, the outlets report. The 35-year-old man's current condition is unknown. USA TODAY has reached out to the Costa Rican Red Cross for comment. Malcolm-Jamal Warner dies: Bill Cosby, Beyonce, Jamie Foxx, more pay tribute Warner, 54, was "rescued by people on the beach," an initial report by Costa Rica's Judicial Investigation Department said, according to The Associated Press, but first responders from Costa Rica's Red Cross found him without vital signs and he was taken to the morgue. ABC News reports police formally identified the actor. Warner's reps have declined to comment to USA TODAY. In addition to eight seasons on the hit NBC sitcom as Theo, the son of Bill Cosby's Cliff Huxtable and Phylicia Rashad's Clair Huxtable, Warner was also known for his role as Malcolm McGee in the 1990s UPN sitcom "Malcolm & Eddie" and as Dr. AJ Austin on the Fox medical drama "The Resident" from 2018 to 2023. In the 2010s, Warner had notable recurring roles on the NBC comedy "Community," playing the ex of Yvette Nicole Brown's Shirley Bennett. He also portrayed the character Sticky, the vice president of motorcycle club The Grim Bastards, on FX's "Sons of Anarchy." Malcolm-Jamal Warner's notable shows and movies, from 'The Cosby Show' to 'The Resident' In the 2016 FX series "The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story," Warner played Al Cowlings, a friend of O.J. Simpson who drove the infamous white Ford Bronco during the televised police chase. The "Reed Between the Lines" actor also dabbled in music and poetry, going on to win a Grammy Award for best traditional R&B performance for the song "Jesus Children" in 2015, and receiving a nomination for best spoken word poetry album for "Hiding in Plain View" in 2023. Contributing: Bryan Alexander
