AP Entertainment SummaryBrief at 11:24 a.m. EST

Julio Iglesias accused of sexual assault in Caribbean as Spanish prosecutors study the allegations

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Spanish prosecutors are studying allegations that Grammy-winning singer Julio Iglesias sexually assaulted two former employees at his residences in the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas. The Spanish prosecutors’ office told The Associated Press on Wednesday that the allegations were related to media reports from earlier this week that alleged Iglesias had sexually and physically assaulted two women who worked in his Caribbean residences between January and October 2021. Iglesias has yet to speak publicly regarding the allegations. The 82-year-old Iglesias is one of the world’s most successful musical artists. Iglesias could potentially be taken in front of the Spain's National Court which can try alleged crimes by Spanish citizens while they are abroad.

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.

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."

Snoop Dogg's NBA analyst role underscores why his on-air presence and global appeal keeps growing

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Snoop Dogg has made a splash as an NBA analyst, joining Reggie Miller and Terry Gannon during the second half of Peacock's recent Warriors at Clippers broadcast. He also will be involved in NBCUniversal's coverage of the upcoming Winter Olympics as his role with the broadcaster expands. An AP reporter trailed Snoop through Intuit Dome for an all-access, behind-the-scenes look at his preparation for the Jan. 5 broadcast, including production meetings and pregame interviews. Snoop says this wasn’t a cameo. He aims to bridge the gap between traditional broadcasting and new audiences much like he did at the Paris Olympics in 2024. He is eager to continue evolving as an entertainer and embracing opportunities in sports and beyond.

'West Wing' actor Timothy Busfield turns himself in to face child sex abuse charges in New Mexico

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Emmy Award-winning actor Timothy Busfield vowed to fight charges of child sex abuse as he turned himself in Tuesday to authorities in New Mexico. Albuquerque police had issued an arrest warrant on counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and child abuse. The acts allegedly occurred on the set of “The Cleaning Lady,” a TV series Busfield directed and acted in. Busfield denied the allegations when interviewed by authorities during an investigation. He suggested the boy’s mother was seeking revenge for her children being replaced on the series. He is known for appearances in “The West Wing,” “Field of Dreams” and “Thirtysomething,” the latter of which won him an Emmy.