Quick Hits

• Drake is making good on his promise to buy "goth baddie" Pinkchyu's mom a house after she won his viral speed dating challenge. He's apparently already in touch with her about next steps. Champagne Papi doesn't just talk!!! [TMZ]
• Alex Cooper and Matt Kaplan's Unwell Media is now valued at $500 million after landing its first outside investor, Patrick Whitesell's WTSL. The Call Her Daddy empire expands and I am speechless at these numbers. [Variety]
• Zendaya and Tom Holland reportedly hosted a private wedding party and sources say they "couldn't be happier." It was described as "a celebration with everyone they love." The timeline is fed and I will not be accepting questions. [Reddit]
• Rod Stewart underwent a successful heart procedure — a routine coronary stent — and is canceling North American farewell tour dates to recover. He's 81 and said he's "deeply disappointed to miss these shows." Get well soon, Rod. [Billboard / Rolling Stone]
• 50 Cent told Jimmy Fallon he was once nicknamed "Boo Boo" and we as a society made the correct call letting that one die. [Billboard]

What's Trending

The Drake–Pinkchyu saga continues to be the storyline I didn't know I needed. After she won his speed dating challenge, Drake straight-up promised to buy her mother a home — and now Pinkchyu confirms he's actually doing it. The man is transferring real estate wealth to a TikTok goth girl's family. I'm fascinated, I'm confused, and I'm rooting for everyone involved. [TMZ]

Meanwhile, influencer Damon Darling has been banned from Walmart after filming his wholesome content at an Ohio location, and he's promising to stay away for good. He thinks some older videos may have triggered the ban. A creator-Walmart pipeline severed. End of an era, honestly. [TMZ]

And Dixie D'Amelio turned 25, which is making everyone who watched her family's show in 2020 feel extremely ancient right now. [TMZ]

Celebrity Tea

The Zendaya and Tom Holland wedding party news is sending the internet into absolute orbit. Sources describe a private, intimate gathering — "a celebration with everyone they love" — with the couple reportedly "happier than ever." These two have played their relationship so close to the chest for so long that any crumb of detail feels like a gift. The London Picturehouse Central cinema even went viral for its signage featuring Zendaya, so the timing is chef's kiss. [Reddit / Reddit]

In business-meets-clout news: Alex Cooper and Matt Kaplan's Unwell Media just secured investment from Patrick Whitesell's WTSL, valuing the company at a staggering $500 million. That is half a billion dollars built on a podcast about relationships and chaos. Say what you want, but Alex Cooper is building an empire. [Variety]

Music

The big story is Rod Stewart's health: the 81-year-old legend had a routine coronary stent procedure and is postponing dates on his "One Last Time" farewell tour. Both Billboard and Rolling Stone are reporting the procedure was successful and he's expected to recover — he's just bummed to miss the shows. Health first, always. [Billboard / Rolling Stone]

Warner Chappell Music signed Fat Papi and prodshushy, the New Zealand duo behind the viral hit "Freaked Out," for worldwide representation. Another W for the Oceania music scene quietly dominating right now. [Billboard]

And Chinese singer Liu Yuning is expanding globally with his new single "JUMP" as part of a Billboard China and QQ Music cross-cultural campaign. The international pop pipeline keeps delivering. [Billboard]

Movies & TV

The headline here is genuinely wild: an AI-generated Turkish historical drama called "Castle Walls" — produced by Ay Yapim — is launching on Prime Video, and it's being touted as the first show made end-to-end using artificial intelligence. The trailer is out there. I don't know how to feel about this but I know I'm going to watch it. [Variety]

SNL U.K. Season 2 premieres September 12 on Sky and Now with six new episodes. The U.K. version is finding its footing and honestly, good for them. [Variety]

And London is getting the U.K.'s largest Harry Potter store just ahead of the HBO series launch. Warner Bros. is going ALL in on the reboot hype and the holiday merch timing is no accident. Accio wallet. [Variety]

Fabien Frankel — our favorite complicated knight Ser Criston Cole from House of the Dragon — is pivoting to a short film called "Love Unlimited." Excited to see him play someone who isn't, you know, Like That. [Variety]