Pop Shots – Going, Going …

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 Nicki Minaj going back to school, to a trio of non-Latin artists performing at the Latin Grammys, to Swifties going after someone they should be way more afraid of, and since this is Pop Shots you know everything is seasoned with a little bit of attitude.

* Nicki Minaj revealed she’s relaunching her Student of the Game charity, where she helps college students pay for tuition, room and board, books, and student loans. This time around, however, she’ll be joining those students, as she’s heading back to school herself! I think it’s great Nicki is looking to continue her education, but do you know how rich you have to be to see the bills these kids are accruing, and say, “Sign me up for that!”

* Kelly Clarkson will return for her second year as host of NBC’s annual Christmas in Rockefeller Center. Somewhere, Mariah Carey is in a dimly lit garage, ferociously punching a heavy bag, while mumbling, “Not one more step into my holiday, b*tch.”

* Selena Gomez responded to fans who were commenting on social media about her posture at a recent red carpet appearance, revealing, “I have SEBO [SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth)] in my small intestine. It flares up. I don’t care that I don’t look like a stick figure. I don’t have that body. End of story. No I am NOT a victim. I’m just human.” I know this might be a hot take, but I preferred the days when we didn’t know what was going on in a celebrity’s intestines.

* Jon Bon Jovi, Joe Jonas, and DJ Khaled will perform at the 25th Latin Grammy Awards on November 14th. I’m sorry, but could they not find any actual Latin artists???

* Texas singer Jada Arnell Thomas is reportedly in stable condition after being shot while signing autographs after a performance in Dallas. Jerry Jones would reportedly like to sign the gunman to the Cowboys, saying it would be nice to have someone who can actually hit their intended target.

* Tim Lambesis of the metalcore band As I Lay Dying issued a statement following the departure of all of his bandmates, saying an “unhealthy environment” was the reason everyone left. In 2014 Lambesis served time in prison after pleading guilty to attempting to hire a hitman to murder his then-wife, so it sounds like his former bandmates got out just in time.

* Swifties recently turned their ire to Tyler, the Creator after he broke Taylor Swift’s 698-day run at the top of the global Spotify Top Artist chart. In an ill-conceived, spur of the moment act, they brought up Tyler’s old lyrics in an attempt to “cancel” him. Tyler responded at a concert, threatening to bring back that old version of himself. I really hope this is the moment we find out Travis Kelce is an Odd Future fan.

* In sad news, Quincy Jones passed away at the age of 91. Few people have accomplished as much in music as Quincy Jones. He worked with everyone from Frank Sinatra to Michael Jackson, and his impact on music will last forever. He was THAT DUDE … or I guess technically The Dude.

That’s all for this edition of Pop Shots, but come back next Monday for more shots on all things pop.