AP Entertainment SummaryBrief at 1:10 p.m. EST

Music streams hit 5 trillion in 2025. Christian, rock and Latin lead growth in the US

NEW YORK (AP) — The global music industry hit 5.1 trillion streams in 2025. That’s a new single-year record, up 9.6% from 2024. That’s according to a 2025 Year-End Report from Luminate. They are an industry data and analytics company that provides insight into changing behaviors across music listenership. In the U.S., on-demand audio streams hit 1.4 trillion. That’s a 4.6% increase from last year. But attention is on older music. Less than half all U.S. on-demand audio streams were from tracks released in the last five years. However, in the U.S., streams of Christian music, rock, Latin and AI performers are growing.

Italian influencer Chiara Ferragni cleared of aggravated fraud charges in Pandorogate trial

ROME (AP) — Italian influencer Chiara Ferragni has been cleared of aggravated fraud charges in the Pandorogate trial. Milan prosecutors accused her of misleading consumers in 2022 and 2023 by promoting overpriced pandoro cakes and Easter eggs. These products were supposed to support children's medical treatment. Ferragni apologized and donated over 2 million euros to related charities. The scandal damaged her social media popularity and business empire, and her marriage to rapper Fedez ended. Italy's antitrust authority fined her over 1 million euros. The government introduced a bill targeting influencers with unclear marketing promotions.

Minutes to Memories: John Mellencamp rolling out jukebox of his old hits

“There's nothing wrong with making people happy,” says singer John Mellencamp, and that's the guiding philosophy of the concert tour he's planning this summer. For the first time in decades, he'll be concentrating on his old hits, and he's got a jukebox of them to choose from — 22 in Billboard's Top 40, mostly from the 1980s and 1990s — led by his only No. 1 hit, “Jack & Diane.” In a trailer filmed for the tour announcement, actor Sean Penn mocks Mellencamp's seeming reluctance to give the people what they want. Now 74, Mellencamp explains in an interview how he got to the “Dancing Words Tour.”

Kim Gordon returns with defiant new solo album, 'Play Me': 'It does feel like an evolution'

NEW YORK (AP) — The avant-noise artist Kim Gordon debuted solo music 10 years ago. At that point, she was many decades into an established career as a revolutionary force in the alternative rock band Sonic Youth and the ’80s New York no wave scene. In the time since, she's released two solo albums. That includes 2024's “The Collective,” which earned Gordon her first Grammy nominations. She will release a third solo album titled “Play Me” on March 13. It is a beat-heavy provocation anchored with the unmistakable rasp of her deadpan intonations. Gordon's lyrical abstractions on the album highlight the absurdity of the current cultural and political moment. She takes aim at technocrats, music streaming and others across 12 tracks.

Fanatics debuts Fanatics Studios with Olympics, Tom Brady and ESPN at Intuit Dome

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Fanatics, known for sports merchandise, is diving into entertainment with Fanatics Studios. The launch event at Intuit Dome featured stars like Tom Brady and Hailey Bieber. Brady's documentary is among the first projects. Other collaborations include the Olympic film for LA28 and producing the 2026 ESPY Awards with ESPN. Fanatics Studios, a joint venture with OBB Media, aims to create sports and culture content. CEO Michael Ratner emphasizes storytelling, while ESPN's Burke Magnus highlights evolving sports narratives. The venture seeks to bring fans closer to the action through films, events, and digital series.

Royal Opera sees generation change as Jakub Hrůša and Speranza Scappucci come in

LONDON (AP) — The Royal Opera in London is embracing a new era with Jakub Hrůša as music director and Speranza Scappucci as principal guest conductor. Hrůša recently led new productions of Puccini’s “Tosca” and Janáček’s “The Makropulos Case.” Scappucci conducted a revival of Verdi’s “Les Vêpres Siciliennes.” Hrůša aims to bring discovery and Czech compositions to the company, while Scappucci focuses mostly on bel canto, Verdi, and Puccini. Both are committed to maintaining financial stability by balancing popular operas with new works. This leadership change offers a fresh perspective and programming opportunities for the Royal Opera.

At the NBR Awards, emotional speeches by Jafar Panahi and Ryan Coogler stir the room

NEW YORK (AP) — An emotional plea by Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi and moving words from Ryan Coogler on the violence in Minneapolis have defined this year's National Board of Review Awards. Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another” was again crowned the best film of the year Tuesday. Two days after Sunday’s Golden Globes, the annual, untelevised New York gala played out as a far more intimate and frank-spoken alternative. Best film was presented to Anderson by Martin Scorsese, who called “One Battle After Another” “a great American film.”

Grammy-nominated musician John Forté found dead at 50 in Massachusetts home

NEW YORK (AP) — John Forté, the Grammy-nominated musician known for his work with the Fugees, has died at age 50. He was found dead Monday afternoon in his home in Chilmark, Massachusetts, according to police. Chilmark Police Chief Sean Slavin said there were no signs of foul play or an apparent cause of death. The state medical examiner's office is investigating. Forté was a musical prodigy who contributed to the Fugees' Grammy-winning "The Score" and Wyclef Jean's “The Carnival.” In 2000, he was arrested for drug trafficking and sentenced to 14 years in prison. His sentence was commuted after seven years.

Actor Kiefer Sutherland arrested for allegedly assaulting a ride-hail driver, police say

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Authorities say actor Kiefer Sutherland has been arrested for allegedly assaulting a ride-hail driver in Los Angeles. Police responded early Monday morning to a call reporting an altercation at an intersection near the Hollywood Hills. Police said they determined the 59-year-old actor entered the ride-hail vehicle and physically assaulted the driver. The driver did not sustain any injuries requiring medical treatment. Sutherland was arrested and released from jail on a $50,000 bond. An email sent to representatives of Sutherland seeking comment was not answered. Sutherland is best known for his longtime portrayal of federal agent Jack Bauer on the Fox TV ticking-time-bomb thriller “24."