World Cup spectacle boosts artists’ streaming

The World Cup halftime show skyrocketed the views of Madonna, Bieber and BTS.

The halftime performance of the World Cup final, with Madonna, Justin Bieber, BTS and Shakira, not only captivated the global audience. It also generated an immediate rebound in the reproductions of his songs on digital platforms.

Luminate, a firm specializing in music industry data, analyzed listening behavior two days before the event and compared it to the day of the final and the day after. The results show significant increases in each interpreted theme.

RelatedGlobal effect: streaming soars after halftime show
  • Justin BieberEverything Hallelujah rose 110% globally: from 592 thousand views to 1.25 million.
  • MadonnaMusic grew 66%, going from 193 thousand to 321 thousand.
  • BTSDynamite increased 43%, from 2.14 million to 3.05 million.
  • Shakira and Burna BoyDai Dai, official anthem of the 2026 World Cup, rose 24% globally (from 14.78 to 18.27 million) and 52% in the US (from 1.68 to 2.55 million).

Luminate’s study also revealed that the increase was limited to songs performed in the field, not artists’ entire catalogs. A phenomenon similar to that which occurs with the Super Bowl halftime show.

Shark Week 2025: K-Pop and diving stars dive with sharks

Rei Ami and Molly Carlson face their fears at sea for Shark Week.

The singer Rei Ami, known for her participation in the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack, lived a unique experience off the coast of Korea. He dived with 16 reef sharks during a feeding frenzy.

Far from being terrified, he cried in amazement. “I thought I would be more scared, but I was fascinated. It was witnessing nature,” she said. “You can’t describe the emotions you feel.”

Two ways to face fear

Rei Ami did two cage dives and two freediving dives with hammerhead, reef and bull sharks. His partner on the K-Pop Shark Heroes show, comedian Ken Jeong, preferred to stay grounded. “I’m like Christopher Nolan in Shark Odyssey: I just supervise,” he joked.

The new season of Shark Week starts on Sunday on Discovery Channel, with 20 one-hour episodes. Among them, the participation of diver Molly Carlson stands out, who jumped 15 meters from a helicopter into a plexiglass cage surrounded by reef sharks.

Carlson, who suffers from anxiety, accepted the challenge to inspire others. “If I can help that 16-year-old girl who just wants to hide, I’ll find a way,” he said. “It’s okay to be afraid and do it anyway. That was the purpose of this project.”

The program concludes on August 1 with an analysis of the movement of white sharks northward and the technique used by thresher sharks to stun their prey.

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Roberto Carlos overcomes gallbladder surgery without setbacks

The legendary Brazilian singer underwent successful surgery; His concert schedule remains firm.

Roberto Carlos hospitalized for scheduled surgery

Brazilian singer Roberto Carlos underwent videolaparoscopy gallbladder surgery, according to his communication team. The procedure, scheduled in advance, was carried out without complications.

Through a statement on Instagram, the team detailed that the artist is in good condition.

“Roberto Carlos feels well and is following all medical instructions. His recovery is progressing rapidly.”

The surgery does not alter the performer’s plans. The planned concerts are still on, their representatives confirmed. They also appreciated the messages of support from followers.

The singer of “Amigo” and “Detalles” will resume his tour without changes. He is expected to resume activities shortly, once recovery is complete.

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Alexandra Muriel denounces aggression by her ex-partner

Influencer shares security videos showing the aggression he suffered in front of his children.

The influencer Alexandra Muriel became a trend on networks after denouncing physical, psychological and economic violence by her ex-boyfriend. Through Instagram, she published videos from her home’s security cameras showing the blows and how she is dragged through different areas of the house.

The facts

In the recordings, Muriel is kicked and punched. She reported that during the episode she suffered a broken nose and multiple bruises. She begged for the assault to stop because her children witnessed everything.

The complaint generated a wave of support on networks. Many users expressed solidarity with the content creator. She has used her platform to make gender violence visible and the importance of reporting it.

This case highlights the urgency of providing support to victims. Muriel’s decision to speak out may inspire others to seek help.

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