Pop Shots – Breakups Are Tough

Welcome to your weekly dose of pop world musings. Covering all things pop culture, this week Pop Shots is hitting you with thoughts on everything from Ariana Grande and Pete Davidson splitting up, to Diddy dumping longtime girlfriend Cassie, to Marshmello wanting to inspire everyone to spend some time away from their phones, and since this is Pop Shots you know everything is seasoned with a little bit of attitude.

* After a whirlwind romance, Ariana Grande and Pete Davidson have called off their engagement. Davidson, however, is still a lifetime member of the “Guys Who’ve Outkicked Their Coverage” Club. We meet on Thursdays.

* The soundtrack to A Star Is Born debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. Despite taking astronomy in college my knowledge of stars is limited to the ones you occasionally get in Super Mario Brothers, so I expect this soundtrack to be unbeatable for a short period of time, and then flame out at the worst possible moment. Seriously, I would have jumped on that Koopa had I known I was no longer invincible!


* Diddy dumped longtime girlfriend Cassie for, essentially, a younger version of her, proving that his love life is just like his production work – everything has to involve something we’re already vaguely familiar with.

* On the complete opposite end of things, while being honored as one of ELLE’s Women in Hollywood, Lady Gaga referred to CAA agent Christian Carino as her “fiancé.” The fashion world is already running wild with speculations regarding which butcher will design her wedding dress.


* Kanye West and Kim Kardashian visited the oldest orphanage in Uganda, where Kanye rapped for the 100-plus kids in attendance, played some of his new music, and danced with the kids as they sang some of their own songs. He also handed out fresh pairs of sneakers to every child there, and donated new Beats speakers to the orphanage. As long as we get this Kanye at least 50% of the time I think we can put up with crazy Kanye once in a while.

* Christina Aguilera was forced to cancel multiple tour dates on her doctor’s recommendation. So apparently there are things that can hold her down!


* Mariah Carey announced her next album will be named Caution, and it will hit stores on November 16th. This means I have roughly a month to come up with an extensive list of the best albums named after road signs. Spoiler alert – Pearl Jam’s Yield will make that list.

* The parents of Joycelyn Savage have stated their daughter is being held against her will by R. Kelly, and they’ve set up a hotline to help other alleged victims of the singer. The family says they’ve been averaging around 15 calls per day, with more than 100 messages to date, about one-third of which appear credible enough to forward to local authorities in Georgia, and the FBI. Forget “you remind me of my jeep,” R. Kelly reminds me of a car that can’t pass emissions – he should’ve been taken off the streets and put away years ago.


* After that R. Kelly story you probable need a palette cleanser. How about two? First, Brad Paisley and his wife, actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley, are partnering with Belmont University to open a free grocery store in Nashville that will be set up like a modern food pantry. Construction on the site is scheduled for 2019, with an ultimate goal of serving roughly 3,000 people per year.

* In another “country singer doing something that will warm your heart” story, Rory Feek took to Instagram to share the one-room Hardison Mill School house which he made thanks to $100,000 in fan donations after the death of his wife and music partner, Joey, in 2016. According to Radio.com, the school is a way for his four year old daughter, Indiana, who has Down Syndrome, to go to school with other children. (I told ya I’d make up for that R. Kelly story!)

* Finally, many of you are well aware of how I feel about smartphones – I really really REALLY dislike them. It seems producer Marshmello may be a kindred spirit, as the video for his latest song, “Check This Out,” is dedicated to living life outside of a screen. He said of the clip, “This video is a reminder to put your phone down and spread positive energy to those around you.” Thank you, Marshmello!


And with that, my time is up for the week, but I'll be back next week with more shots on all things pop.