Isaac Atkins is one man whose job doesn’t define him.
The 23-year-old from Lewiston, Maine, speaks with a booming baritone voice, the kind that thumps your chest like a sound system built to handle bass. No doubt he uses that talent to some effect in his regular job, serving as a sergeant in the U.S. army.
On Tuesday night, June 16, Atkins got his chance to chase his dream when he stopped by America’s Got Talent during the Auditions phase.
At the top, Simon Cowell asked why Atkins was stood before him, and why now? Atkins, who is currently on leave (“I took a few days off to come here”), loves nothing more than to sing in the car. He’s been doing it since he was a kid, we learned, when his dad introduced him to the magic of Motown, and Sam Cooke.
Roughly 18 months ago, Atkins decided to share his gifts on social media with clips of himself singing songs by a slew of artists, from Elvis Presley to Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers, sombr, Gucci Mane, Bell Biv DeVoe, The Smiths and others. His colleagues saw it, loved it. They were “the ones who kind of urged me to come here and sing. And realize my dream,” he recounts on the AGT stage. “So, I’m really happy to be here.”
Performing in front of a national — no, international — audience is no accident. “This is my dream,” he remarks.
Atkins didn’t waste his chance. He showcased his range and power with a cover of “Beggin’,” the soulful 1967 song by Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons that enjoyed a second life when it was covered by Eurovision champions Måneskin in 2017.
“Isaac, let me tell you,” Mel B enthused. “You can sing.”
Sofía Vergara had similar thoughts. “What a voice. What a sexy voice you have,” she added.
Before Cowell or Howie Mandel had a chance to chime in, Mel B took matters into her hands. “Hold on a minute, before anyone else does this, I’m going to do it,” the Spice Girl said, as she reached for the Golden Buzzer. Cue gold confetti and good times.
Atkins, who has been in the army for six years and is stationed in Honolulu, now advances to the Live round of NBC’s AGT, which is currently in its 21st season.
Oh yes, oh yes! Carl Cox is now an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire), recognition for his outstanding services to music.
The pioneering British DJ and record producer is one of several music figures named in the King’s Birthday Honours List. Writing on his socials, Cox, one of the outstanding technical DJs of them all, a master of techno and house whose career spans over four decades, says he is “absolutely thrilled and deeply honoured” by his award.
“Music has been my life for as long as I can remember. From the earliest days behind the decks to performing on stages around the world, it has been an incredible journey filled with passion, creativity, and unforgettable moments. I’ve been fortunate to do what I love and to connect with so many amazing people through the power of music,” he writes.
“This recognition is not mine alone – it belongs to everyone who has been part of the journey. To the fans who have supported me throughout the years, the artists who have inspired and collaborated with me, the promoters, crews, and teams working tirelessly behind the scenes, my family, friends, and the wider electronic music community: thank you. Your belief, dedication, and energy have helped shape every step of this remarkable path.”
“To receive this honour for doing something that has brought me so much joy is truly humbling. Electronic music has given me a purpose, a voice, and a global family, and I’m proud to have played a part in its growth and continued success.” Cox extends a thank you “to everyone who has supported me along the way. Your encouragement has meant the world to me, and I’m genuinely grateful for every opportunity, every dancefloor, and every shared experience.”
Also recognized by King Charles is fellow British DJ Judge Jules (real name: Julius O’Riordan), who is appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). O’Riordan is saluted for his services to the music industry, entertainment law, and young people.
“I’ve done an awful lot of mentoring. I mean, a good example of what I do,” he tells LBC Radio’s Ali Miraj. “I go to the Brit School, which is… the Brit School has generated more famous global musical icons out of this country than any other single entity. And I go there and I lecture at least once or twice a year. And there are many other ways that I feel that if you’ve been experienced like I have, it’s one’s absolute obligation to give back and to mentor because the arts in this country have had challenging times on and off, but are a real flag that this country needs to fly.”
Also, Black Sabbath guitarist and co-founder Tony Iommi is made an MBE for services to music and charity, while several leading figures from the world of classical music are saluted.
The New Year and King’s Birthday Honours are awarded by the King following recommendations by the prime minister or senior government ministers, as celebration of outstanding achievements, personal bravery, and public service.
Meanwhile, several outstanding artists and executives from Australia’s music community are tapped in the King’s Birthday Honours List. Keith Welsh, co-founder, bassist and now manager of Iva Davies’ ARIA Hall of Fame inducted band ICEHOUSE, receives the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), as does Philip Walker (OAM), chair and co-founder of Origin Music Group.
There’s a posthumous award for James Valentine, the beloved broadcaster and sax player for ARIA Hall of Famer inducted new wave band Models and Absent Friends. Valentine, who passed in April, at the age of 64, following a battle with cancer, becomes a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).
The honors recognize and celebrate the exceptional achievements, community service, and public contributions of hundreds of distinguished Australians, and are awarded by the Governor-General of Australia, acting on the recommendation of the Council for the Order of Australia.
Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler has emerged from an induced coma following emergency surgery in Portugal, though she remains in intensive care and is still considered “very unwell.”
The 75-year-old artist, best known for her 1983 smash hit “Total Eclipse of the Heart”, was rushed to hospital in Faro in May after undergoing emergency intestinal surgery. Doctors placed Tyler in an induced coma to aid her recovery.
In a statement shared via her official website, Tyler’s team confirmed that her condition is gradually improving.
“Bonnie is no longer in a coma but remains very unwell and in intensive care in hospital in Portugal,” the statement read. “Although her condition is improving it is a slow process.” The statement added that Tyler’s doctors remain optimistic about her recovery, despite the lengthy rehabilitation expected ahead.
“Her doctors remain confident that she will make a good recovery but it is going to take time.”
As a result of her ongoing recovery, Tyler’s planned summer tour dates will either be postponed or cancelled. Her team said there remains hope that some autumn performances may still proceed, depending on her health.
“We apologise to all of Bonnie’s fans and to our promoter partners for the disappointment that this will cause but trust that you will understand and bear with us in these difficult circumstances,” the statement continued. “We hope to see you next year instead.”
Representatives also thanked fans around the world for their support, noting that Tyler is aware of the messages she has received and is grateful for the well-wishes.
Born Gaynor Hopkins in Neath, Wales, Tyler rose to international fame throughout the late 1970s and 1980s. After first breaking through with “Lost in France” in 1977, she achieved global superstardom with “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” which topped charts on both sides of the Atlantic and became one of the defining power ballads of the decade.
The song continues to resonate with new generations of listeners, surpassing one billion streams on Spotify more than four decades after its release.
Throughout her career, Tyler earned multiple Grammy nominations and represented the United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 in 2013. In 2023, she was appointed an MBE in recognition of her services to music.
Jelly Roll has filed for divorce from wife Bunnie XO after nearly a decade of marriage.
The filing was made on May 18 in Williamson County, Tennessee, according to court documents obtained by Billboard and first reported by TMZ. The decision has been described as mutual and a private family matter, according to TMZ. The couple will continue co-parenting their two children — Bailee, 15, and Noah, 7, both from previous relationships.
Meanwhile, a moving truck was spotted outside the couple’s Tennessee estate on Monday, with workers appearing to remove items from the property, according to photos published by TMZ.
Jelly Roll and Bunnie XO met in 2015 and married in a secret Las Vegas courthouse ceremony in August 2016, without telling friends or family. They renewed their vows at the same Las Vegas chapel in August 2023. The relationship was not without turbulence — the couple separated in 2018 after Bunnie XO discovered Jelly Roll had been unfaithful, an episode she later wrote about in her memoir Stripped Down: Unfiltered and Unapologetic.
Jelly Roll publicly acknowledged the affair in October 2025 on the Human School Podcast, calling it “one of the worst moments of his adulthood.” Bunnie XO defended her decision to return to the marriage at the time, saying: “It actually takes a stronger woman to confront pain directly, put in the effort, and rebuild with the man she loves.”
In February 2026, Bunnie XO shared on Instagram that she was hoping to have twins via surrogate. Hours before the divorce news became public on June 15, she posted a mysterious Instagram photo with the caption “She’s getting her sparkle back.” At the 2026 Grammy Awards, Jelly Roll publicly credited Bunnie XO for helping him turn his life around.
Jelly Roll has become one of country music’s most commercially successful crossover stories of the past three years. His 2022 single “Son of a Sinner” reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart and crossed into the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100, while “Need a Favor” topped the Hot Country Songs chart in 2023. His album Whitsitt Chapel debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 in 2023, and he won the CMA Award for New Artist of the Year the same year. He has received seven Grammy nods, of which he has won three, and has collaborated with artists including Lainey Wilson, Cardi B and Tech N9ne. Bunnie XO is a podcaster and content creator whose show Dumb Blonde has built a significant following.
Neither Jelly Roll nor Bunnie XO have made public statements. Billboard has reached out to representatives for both for comment.
F-A-B-O-L-O-U-S is back to incorporating current events into his freestyles. This time, he managed to incorporate OG Anunoby’s historic game-winner into a “Spend Dat” (Knicksmix).
Earlier this month, artist and content creator Lowkey Mar posted a video of him previewing a Knicks-themed flip he made of Yung Miami‘s viral “Spend Dat” (currently on No. 47 on the Billboard Hot 100 and climbing) as the team was in the midst of a historic playoff run that culminated in their first championship in 53 years. Mar starts his version off by pointing out that the Knicks have a player “named Karl-Anthony Towns in ‘the towns’” and “Jalen BrunSON, come on, son,” and flipped Yung Miami’s chorus from “Spend dat sh–” to “Win dat chip.”
The post was shared and reposted by Knicks fans and eventually made its way to Brooklyn rapper Fabolous, who then posted a snippet of his verse on Saturday as the Knicks were getting ready to play Game 5 of the NBA Finals on the road in San Antonio.
Fab impressively incorporated the starting five in Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns with lines like, “OK, you know I got the towns on my back like KAT/ You know we keep that paper comin’ thru like fax/ We the ones like Jalen Brunson in that bag for them rings like we eating Funyuns/ Shorty you my heart like Josh, stop trippin’/ Bring that ass here and let an OG put the tip in.” He also managed to show love all five boroughs with bars like, “You know we f— with bridges like Brooklyn and Manhattan/ Third Ave to the BX/ Verrazano go to Staten/ Big Queens, Triboro/ We hit all five boroughs/ Big step through the city, it’s an NY euro.”
Let’s see if this version will ever make it on streaming in time for the Knicks championship parade this upcoming Thursday (June 18).
At the Braves Country Fest in Atlanta over the weekend, country music audiences got a treat when two of the genre’s biggest stars teamed up for a surprise collab.
Cody Johnson and Ella Langley surprised fans Saturday with a duet version of Reba McEntire’s “Whoever’s in New England” during Johnson’s set. Johnson has a history with the McEntire classic: He previously recorded an acoustic version of the song in 2020, while McEntire herself joined Johnson to sing the song during his set at CMA Fest in 2023.
“Whoever’s in New England” is the title track from McEntire’s 1986 album and reached No. 1 on Billboard‘s Hot Country Songs chart. The song also earned McEntire a Grammy for female country vocal performance. “Whoever’s in New England” also earned CMA nominations for single of the year and music video of the year (Jon Small directed the clip).
Both Johnson and Langley are at the top of their games. Johnson was named entertainer of the year at the recent Academy of Country Music Awards (in addition to winning male artist of the year). His song “The Fall” recently rose to No. 1 on Billboard‘s Country Airplay chart, marking his third No. 1 on that chart. Johnson also previously collaborated with McEntire on the song “Dear Rodeo.”
Meanwhile, Langley’s hit “Choosin’ Texas” just keeps breaking chart records. The song logged 10 weeks atop the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 and set a new Hot Country Songs chart record for longest-leading hit by a woman with no other credited recording artists since the survey became the genre’s main songs chart in 1958. At this year’s ACM Awards, Langley earned honors for female artist of the year, artist-songwriter of the year, song of the year and single of the year (both for “Choosin’ Texas”), as well as music event of the year (“Don’t Mind If I Do” with Riley Green).
In addition to Langley and Johnson, Braves Country Fest also featured sets from Ernest, Mackenzie Carpenter, Scoot Teasley, Zach John King and Colton Bowlin. The fest benefited the Atlanta Braves Foundation.
