Category: Music

NEEDTOBREATHE‘s Bear Rinehart is speaking out following allegations of childhood abuse made by his brother Bo Rinehart.

On Thursday (June 12), 43-year-old Bo, the former guitarist for NEEDTOBREATHE, shared a statement on social media alleging that he was sexually abused by multiple people during his childhood, including his older brother Bear, 44, the rock band’s lead singer.

“This is Bo. I am an alcoholic. I am a sinner, but I am a believer. I believe in God’s grace, and I believe that his mercy has shown that he is consistent, even though we don’t deserve it,” Bo wrote on Instagram. “I am a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. I’ve been sexually abused by a Camp counselor. I’ve been sexually, physically and emotionally abused by my brother. And I’ve been abused by my youth pastor.”

He continued, “I believe that God has bigger plans for me and part of those plans are telling my story because it’s so hard for anyone to tell stories like these. Even when my faith has been crushed, I know that God still has provisions for me. If you’re out there and you’re thinking, nothing can be done, no one can help, there’s no way out… I’m with you… but I believe in a God who always finds a way. Don’t give up and don’t lose hope.”

Bo, who left NEEDTOBREATHE in 2020, later shared a photo of Bear with the caption “Sexual Abuser” in a since-deleted Instagram Story, according to Relevant Magazine.

On Saturday (June 14), Bear responded to his brother’s allegations with a lengthy post on the Instagram account for Wilder Woods, his solo musical project outside of NEEDTOBREATHE.

“I feel the need to comment on the deeply hurtful and misleading accusations that my brother Bo made the other night on social media,” Bear wrote. “I love Bo deeply and I always will. Since his departure from the band over five years ago, we have done everything in our power to treat him with respect and privacy. I would never choose to disparage him, especially at a time where he is clearly in pain. But as a father and husband, I must protect my family from claims that misrepresent the truth.”

He continued, “Until now, I had chosen to not share this publicly — not because I’m ashamed, but because I’ve wanted to protect my family. I have three young boys, and I wanted them to hear about my story from me directly, when the time is right and not through social media or online speculation. Bo’s post has now made it impossible for me to remain private about this period of our childhood any longer. I can only hope that God has a plan for this down the road. I have always respected Bo’s right to speak about his own story, but I cannot allow him to misrepresent mine.”

Bear went on to claim that “my brother and I were both sexually abused at the age of 8 and 6 by a teenage counselor” at a Christian camp where they grew up in South Carolina. “Neither of us received support for these events until well into adulthood and were both left to navigate the rest of childhood and adolescence with deep pain and confusion,” the musician wrote, adding that he later “found freedom” after counseling and support from loved ones.

“Bo’s recent accusation of me conflates our shared experience of abuse with a childhood incident he misrepresents,” Bear continued. “While going through a two day intensive counseling session with Bo five years ago, I learned that he was hurt by things that happened in our early teen years as well. At that counseling session I took full responsibility for any part I played in that pain. We processed those moments of shared trauma in detail and left with an understanding that we were two young boys trying to cope with the unimaginable. To now label me an abuser in such a heartless way is not only deeply painful, but is also wildly misleading and feels intentionally harmful.”

Bear concluded his message by expressing hope that he and Bo can reconcile someday. “I truly do pray for this healing,” he wrote. “I believe that all of us are broke and in need of a savior. My brother and I are no different.”

Billboard has reached out to NEEDTOBREATHE’s representatives for further comment.

In a 2023 interview with People, Bo opened up about coming to terms with his experience of sexual abuse as an adult, revealing that it was perpetrated by three different individuals. He did not provide further details.

“It takes time,” Bo said at the time. “At some point in our lives, we get to this stage — and it’s generally with survivors of childhood sexual abuse, it’s in their late 30s or early 40s — where it starts to surface whether you want it to or not. You’ll start to see how your life’s kind of breaking down.”

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, you can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).

Roger Daltrey was among the notable figures recognized in King Charles III’s Birthday Honours list.

The Who frontman, 81, was celebrated for his outstanding contributions to music and his long-standing charitable work — particularly with the Teenage Cancer Trust, where he has served as a patron since 2000.

“It is a wonderful honour for me and especially for Teenage Cancer Trust,” Daltrey said in a statement shared in Instagram. “I accept this award not only for myself but on behalf of all the unsung heroes who have given their energy towards making the Teenage Cancer Trust the success it has become.”

Over the past two decades, the iconic rocker has played a key role in organizing the charity’s annual concert series at London’s Royal Albert Hall, which has raised more than £36 million (approximately $48 million).

He went on to acknowledge individuals who have supported the Teenage Cancer Trust over the years. “The likes of The Who and their fans, Angie Jenkison, Lindsay Hughes, Des Murphy, Rob Ballantine and the late Chris York are some of many who have done so much to elevate the charity, to the point where it now has 28 specialist units in NHS hospitals across the U.K.,” he said.

In recognition of his work, Daltrey was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). “It’s kind of weird… It’s a dream come true for me, but it’s especially a dream because the charity means so much,” the musician told the Press Association.

The Who shared their own tribute to Daltrey. “Sir Roger is a true inspiration and we salute him and all the other honourees from the worlds of music and the creative arts for enriching our lives with their brilliant human artistry and achievements,” the band wrote.

Other prominent recipients of knighthood in this year’s list include actor Gary Oldman and retired soccer star David Beckham. Additional honorees included Steve Winwood, 10cc’s Graham Gouldman, actress Elaine Paige and Love Island star Georgia Harrison, according to the BBC.

Winwood — known for his work with the Spencer Davis Group, Traffic and Blind Faith, as well as a successful solo career — was named a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).

“I am immensely grateful that I am considered for recognition of my services to music,” Winwood said in a statement on Instagram. “I am a proud upholder of British culture and values, and am extremely honoured to be rewarded in this way, and wish to thank all those who made the recommendation, and those who’ve supported my music over the years.”

From career milestones to new music releases to major announcements and those little important moments, Billboard editors highlight uplifting moments in Latin music. Here’s what happened in the Latin music world this week.

Becky G’s Premieres Rebbeca

Becky G premiered her deeply personal and beautifully crafted documentary, Rebbeca, at the Tribeca Festival on Thursday (June 12) at United Palace in Washington Heights, New York. Directed by Gabriella Cavanagh and Jennifer Tiexiera, the film peels back the glitz of stardom to reveal an intimate portrait of Becky as Rebbeca, the Mexican-American woman behind the music phenomenon. Shot during a pivotal moment in her life — as she prepared for her first headlining tour, the Mi Casa, Tu Casa Tour, and worked on her música mexicana debut Esquinas (2023) — the film “symbolizes resilience, the kind that shows up quietly in our families, our culture, our growth,” Becky G told Billboard Español. Through moving and at times tear-jerking storytelling, the documentary celebrates her cultural roots as a Latina from Southern California and her evolving artistry.

After the screening, the evening segued into a Q&A with Becky and directors Cavanagh and Tiexiera, and moderator Tefi Pessoa. They discussed the creative process behind the doc, and the importance of shedding light on pressing issues like immigration and family separation. “My grandfather’s immigration story is a big part of that, and sharing this now, at a time when so many in our community are being targeted, feels even more urgent,” Becky G added. “This isn’t about having it all figured out. It’s about holding space for who we’ve been, who we are, and who we’re still becoming.” The night closed with a heartfelt acoustic performance alongside guitarist Ethan Riding, where she performed her breakout 2013 rap hit, “Becky from the Block,” a nostalgic callback to where it all began. She then segued into “Querido Abuelo,” a touching bolero dedicated to her late grandfather.

Johann Vera & Christian Chávez’s “Closet”

Less than a year after releasing “Closet,” an ultra personal ballad with which Vera came out as queer, the Ecuadorian pop artist has teamed up with Mexican star Christian Chávez for a new version of the poignant track — just in time for Pride Month. “It took me two years, but it pushed me to be honest and open with myself,” Vera previously told Billboard. “‘Closet’  is about acceptance. I want to be as honest as I can be.”

“In these moments where minorities are being so attacked, Christian Chávez and I join with #Closet to remind them that love should always be above all else,” Vera captioned a post on Instagram.

Arcángel’s Special Moment With His Son

Arcángel is celebrating Father’s Day in a special way. The Latin trap and reggaetón star released “Gohan y Goku,” marking the official musical debut of his son, Austin. “I had already dreamed of this—this is a déjà vu,” Arcángel sings in a part of the lyrics. “It’s a symbolic gesture that honors the bond with his son and celebrates a legacy that lives on through music,” according to a press release. “Arcángel is introducing Austin to the world from the most authentic place possible—as a father, mentor and guide.”

Artists Denounce ICE Raids

A number of Latin artists have shared words of solidarity with the immigrant community in the U.S. amid ICE raids and mass deportation efforts under the Trump administration. “It no longer feels like the country of hope they told us so much about,” DannyLux wrote in a heartfelt post. Check out the complete list of artist reactions — from Fuerza Regida to Ivan Cornejo and Chiquis — here.

Billboard Latin Editors Win Award

The 2025 Ritmo Latino Entertainment Awards were announced on social media on June 10 with Bad Bunny announced as the biggest winner of the night with seven wins, including artist of the year.

After being sidelined for two decades, the awards made a comeback this year. Originally slated to take place live at the Coca-Cola Music Hall in San Juan, the ceremony transitioned to a digital formate “due to unavoidable schedule conflicts,” according to a press release. See the complete list of winners here.

Billboard‘s Jessica Roiz and Griselda Flores and Billboard Español‘s Isabela Raygoza won the favorite music reporter category.

Additional reporting by Isabela Raygoza.

Reneé Rapp became a movie star in 2024 by starring as Regina George in the film version of Broadway’s Mean Girls — but according to the pop star, there’s another blonde character she’d never want to portray in a live action film.

In an interview with Ziwe posted Thursday (June 12), Rapp was frank when asked whether she’d play Elsa in a live-action version of Disney’s animated film Frozen. “No,” the singer-actress replied. “I don’t like the braid and the blue dress.”

“Also, she’s kind of annoying to me,” Rapp added of the ice queen, laughing. “It’s OK, girl, just relax.”

Frozen premiered in theaters in 2013, with stage legend Idina Menzel providing the original voice of Elsa — and earning a Billboard Hot 100 hit with “Let It Go” reaching No. 5 on the chart. The film was later adapted into a Broadway musical that debuted in 2017.

Mean Girls, Tina Fey’s 2004 comedy, became a hit Broadway show in 2018. Six years later, Rapp — who starred as Regina George on Broadway — adapted her role for the screen.

For the Mean Girls film, Rapp also released an original song titled “Not My Fault” featuring her now-friend Megan Thee Stallion. The singer has been vocal in her love for the rapper, including when it comes to Meg’s legal battle with Tory Lanez, who in 2023 was convicted of shooting her in the foot in 2020 and sentenced to 10 years in prison. “I love Megan Thee Stallion,” Rapp told Extra last year. “I love her. If anybody tries her when it comes to that sorry a– man, it’s a do or die fight for me.”

When Ziwe asked for Rapp’s opinion on recent reports that Lanez was stabbed in prison, the singer echoed her past sentiment. “I feel like a lot of people get stabbed, and that’s OK,” Rapp said. “Maybe we should be doing it more. Maybe we should be stabbing more.”

Rapp’s interview with Ziwe comes as the pop star is gearing up to release new album Bite Me on Aug. 1. The LP was preceded by edgy single “Leave Me Alone,” which she performed at the 2025 American Music Awards after it dropped in May.

The Sex Lives of College Girls alum last released an album in 2023, unveiling Snow Angel and reaching No. 44 on the Billboard 200.

Watch Rapp on Ziwe above.