AP Entertainment SummaryBrief at 1:37 p.m. EDT

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce donate $26M to charities ahead of wedding

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have donated $26 million to charities this week ahead of their Friday wedding at Madison Square Garden. According to Swift's publicist, the donations were spread out across 20 local and national charities. The announcement did not include any mention of Swift and Kelce’s wedding, but a law enforcement official briefed on security plans has told AP that the wedding will be held Friday, with a smaller rehearsal dinner Thursday night. Nine of the selected organizations are based in New York, ranging from the Food Bank For NYC, City Harvest, to Musical Mentors, a nonprofit that connects music teachers with students in need.

The Knicks. The World Cup. Taylor Swift's likely wedding. It's the Summer of New York

NEW YORK (AP) — It is a city bathed in the orange-and-blue afterglow of a Knicks championship. A place gushing with the joy of World Cup fans jamming its bars and its streets. And girding for a fireworks-blasting, tall ships-sailing July 4. So if Taylor Swift were to choose New York, at this moment, could there be anywhere more fitting? In a city that has lived an autumn of grief after 9/11 and a spring of solitude at the outset of COVID-19, some locals are feeling a sense of euphoria as stars align to deliver a singular Summer of New York. Manhattan real estate agent Steven Gottlieb says, like many born-and-bred New Yorkers, he has “a love-hate relationship” with his hometown, "but there’s a lot to love right now.”

The Onion's new parody of Alex Jones' Infowars starts with $100,000 to Sandy Hook families

The families of those killed in the Sandy Hook school shooting will indirectly receive money from Alex Jones after a billion-dollar defamation verdict. The Onion, which has tried to take over Jones' Infowars in a bankruptcy auction, is sending the families a $100,000 check from merchandise sales combining the conspiracy empire’s brand with the The Onion’s logo. The Onion has big plans for Infowars. The satire news site plans to parody Jones' style with shows and content under Infowars branding. Jones called the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting a hoax, leading to harassment of the families. The Onion CEO Ben Collins says he wants to use satire to expose Jones.

What polling shows about Americans’ interest in the World Cup and USMNT

WASHINGTON (AP) — New polling from Ipsos Sports, provided exclusively to The Associated Press, shows that the World Cup has excited soccer fans and piqued many Americans’ interest, even as the sport continues to face an uphill climb to reach mainstream popularity in the United States. The poll was conducted June 26-28, after the U.S. advanced from the group stage but before they won against Bosnia-Herzegovina in the knockout round. About 6 in 10 soccer fans were “extremely” or “very” excited about the U.S. advancing to the knockout round, much higher than the 25% of Americans overall who said the same. About half of soccer fans say the U.S.'s role in co-hosting the World Cup is going at least “very” well, but there’s less enthusiasm for FIFA’s role.

California to institute Bruce Lee Day, a first for a Chinese American in the state's history

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Martial arts icon Bruce Lee, who was born in San Francisco, will become the first Chinese American in California history with an annual namesake day. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law Tuesday officially designating May 17 as Bruce Lee Day. That's the date in 1959 that an 18-year-old Lee returned to San Francisco after spending his childhood in Hong Kong. Lee’s daughter, Shannon, says the honor is a testament to her father’s enduring legacy as a bridge between cultures. Lee is credited for challenging racial stereotypes with his portrayal of a strong, Asian male through martial arts cinema.

Bello again: Pierre Coffin, voice of the Minions, finally understands his yellow henchman

NEW YORK (AP) — Filmmaker Pierre Coffin is the creator and chief practitioner of Minionese, but it’s a dialect — like most things Minions — that’s taken time to hone. It’s been 16 years since Coffin co-directed “Despicable Me.” He has made three more movies in the franchise. But the Minions, like Coffin’s multiheaded version of Frankenstein’s monster, have often remained a deviling, even mystifying force. After stepping away from the franchise, Coffin returns for “Minions & Monsters.” The concept — that the Minions try to make a monster movie — was too hard to pass up. The film opens Wednesday in theaters.

Actor and activist Danny Glover says he has Alzheimer’s disease

NEW YORK (AP) — Actor and activist Danny Glover says he has Alzheimer’s disease. The “Lethal Weapon” star, who turns 80 on July 22, was diagnosed three years ago. He told “Today” and People magazine that he’s still coming to terms with the disease. Alzheimer’s affects more than 6 million people in the U.S. and millions more worldwide. Glover earned four Emmy nominations and an honorary Oscar in 2022. He also received awards from the NAACP and Black Entertainment Television. From 1998 to 2004, he served as a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Development Program.

Victor Willis, who co-founded the Village People and co-wrote 'Y.M.C.A.,' dies at 74

NEW YORK (AP) — Victor Willis, who co-founded the Village People and co-wrote some of the disco group's biggest hits, including “Y.M.C.A.” and “Macho Man,” has died at age 74. The group announced his death on Facebook, citing “a short but aggressive illness.” Willis, who performed dressed as a police officer, helped form the Village People in 1977 with producer Jacques Morali and Henri Belolo. The group's debut album was released that year, followed by hits like “Y.M.C.A.” in 1978. The song became an American phenomenon and was added to the National Recording Registry in 2020. The group's music remains a staple at events and celebrations worldwide.

Eurovision, eh? Canada will compete at the glitzy song contest in 2027

LONDON (AP) — Canada is set to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time next year. The European Broadcasting Union and Canadian broadcaster CBC announced that Canada will join the contest in Bulgaria in May 2027. It's the first new country to enter Eurovision since Australia in 2015. CBC President Marie-Philippe Bouchard said this will showcase Canadian talent on a global stage. Eurovision Director Martin Green noted it shows the contest's global reach. Details on Canada's entry selection will be announced later this year. The campy, colorful celebration of pop has faced recent protests and boycotts over Israel's participation.