AP Entertainment SummaryBrief at 1:24 p.m. EST

'Dior is back:' Menswear turns a corner in Paris as Jonathan Anderson hones his vision

PARIS (AP) — Dior’s menswear show arrived with a stripped-back set and a loud signal of intent: spiky neon-yellow wigs that read like a flag planted in the Paris runway. In an annex of the Musée Rodin lined with curtain fabric, Jonathan Anderson — the 41-year-old Northern Irish designer celebrated for turning Loewe into one of luxury’s most admired labels and now Dior's creative director — pared the décor down to near-nothing. After a couple of early runway wobbles at Dior, on Wednesday Anderson’s clothes finally carried the argument. The stakes were visible in the room: Robert Pattinson, Lewis Hamilton and SZA were among the VIPs packed in close, celebrity heat that tends to turn a runway into a starry jury. As one person in the front row put it: “Dior is back. It’s a good day for fashion.”

Taylor Swift, Kenny Loggins, members of Kiss and more get into Songwriters Hall of Fame

New York (AP) — Taylor Swift, Kenny Loggins and Kiss founders Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley make up the 2026 Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees. It is no doubt an eclectic bunch of performers, spanning genre and generation. The 2026 Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held June 11 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City. The Songwriters Hall of Fame was established in 1969 to honor those creating popular music. A songwriter with a notable catalog of songs qualifies for induction 20 years after the first commercial release of a song. A songwriter with a notable catalog of songs qualifies for induction 20 years after the first commercial release of a song.

Rome pays last respects to fashion 'emperor' Valentino in a two-day public viewing

ROME (AP) — Rome is paying its last respects to legendary designer Valentino, whose high-glamour gowns and trademark shade of red became an iconic symbol of Italian elegance. Valentino Garavani, who has died on Monday aged 93, is lying in state at his foundation in Piazza Mignanelli on Wednesday and Thursday, just a few steps away from the world-known Spanish Steps. His funeral will be held on Friday in the Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri in central Rome.

In operatic dispute, Met Opera director and designers order names stripped from 'Carmen'

NEW YORK (AP) — The production team of Bizet’s “Carmen” at the Metropolitan Opera demanded their names be removed from programs due to a restaging decision. Director Carrie Cracknell’s version, which opened on Dec. 31, 2023, moved the setting to a modern American town. The revival included a Jaguar convertible and three pickup trucks that moved. A restaging decision removed the Jaguar, added a motorcycle and used one stationary pickup. Set designer Michael Levine expressed frustration, saying it altered the original artistic intent. The Met cited financial reasons for the changes. The company plans to bring back Richard Eyre’s retired 2009 staging in the future.

Literary agent Georges Borchardt, who championed Nobel laureates, dies at 97

NEW YORK (AP) — Georges Borchardt, a renowned literary agent, has died at 97. He helped introduce U.S. readers to Nobel laureates like Elie Wiesel and Samuel Beckett. Georges Borchardt Inc., the agency he founded in 1967, says he died Sunday in Manhattan. Borchardt was known for his cosmopolitan taste and style. He managed the literary estates of Beckett, Aldous Huxley, and Tennessee Williams. He also represented authors like Ian McEwan and Tracy Kidder. A Berlin native, Borchardt emigrated to the U.S. in 1947 and became a pivotal figure in the literary world. He managed the literary estates of Beckett, Aldous Huxley, and Tennessee Williams. Borchardt was awarded the Chevalier of the Legion of Honor by France in 2010.

Kristen Bell returning as host to SAG's Actor Awards

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kristen Bell is returning as host of the Screen Actors Guild’s Actor Awards for a third time. SAG-AFTRA, the actors union that presents the annual awards, announced Wednesday that Bell will emcee the March 1 awards, formerly known as the SAG Awards. Though the ceremony has often gone without a host, Bell was their first in 2018 and she returned again last year for the awards’ first time on Netflix. Netflix will again stream live the awards from the Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall in Los Angeles. “One Battle After Another” leads all nominees with seven nods, including for best ensemble.

This just in from The New York Times: Its first 2-player game, and an evolving business model

There's a lot more to The New York Times than its news stories, and that's by design. The success of ancillary products on its website — Games, the Wirecutter product recommendations, mounds of recipes in cooking and podcasts — have fueled the news company's success over the past decade. Digital subscriptions keep rising from people who can't kick their Wordle habits. It has led The Times to more than double its staff of journalists over the past decade, particularly remarkable at a time of rapid contraction in the news industry. Wednesday's a big day at The Times' Games site, as it introduces its first competition designed for two players.

An emotional Prince Harry tells court how publisher made Meghan's life 'a misery'

LONDON (AP) — An emotional Prince Harry struck a defensive tone at the start of his testimony against the Daily Mail's publisher. Close to tears, he disputed that his friends leaked information and provided an emotional glimpse into the toll his battle against the British tabloids had taken. He testified Wednesday that the press continues to target him and have made his wife's life a misery. Harry and others, including Elton John, allege that Associated Newspapers Ltd. invaded their privacy through unlawful information gathering. The publisher denies the allegations. Harry claims the intrusion made him paranoid and blames the media for his mother's death and attacks on his wife, Meghan.

Historic love letters from royals, rogues and romantics go on show at Britain's National Archives

LONDON (AP) — Love letters spanning five centuries are on display at Britain’s National Archives in London. They showcase the many facets of love. The exhibition's curator said Wednesday that the documents include legendary romances from British history. They feature royalty, politicians, celebrities and spies. There are also stories of everyday people. The exhibition includes early 20th-century classified ads seeking same-sex romance, letters from sweethearts to soldiers and a medieval song about heartbreak. Highlights include a poignant letter from Robert Dudley to Queen Elizabeth I. The "Love Letters" exhibition opens Saturday and runs to April 12. Admission is free.