AP Entertainment SummaryBrief at 6:10 a.m. EDT

Pink to host the 2026 Tony Awards on June 7 at Radio City Music Hall

NEW YORK (AP) — Pink has been chosen to host the Tony Awards, set for June 7 at Radio City Music Hall. The three-time Grammy winner is known for her high-energy performances and acrobatic live shows. Pink expressed her excitement, calling it an honor to celebrate Broadway, a community she admires for its talent and inclusivity. Although she hasn't appeared on Broadway, Pink has had multiple hits on the Billboard Hot 100. Tony Award producers praised her as a fearless artist who embodies live performance. The 2026 awards will air on CBS and stream on Paramount+. Last year's show drew 4.85 million viewers.

China's K-pop worries: The reasons why a ban on Korean entertainment has lasted a decade

BEIJING (AP) — BTS is back after a three-and-a-half year break, but their world tour is skipping China. This comes as no surprise, as China has blocked most South Korean entertainment since 2016. The ban started when South Korea allowed a U.S. anti-missile system on its soil, angering China. It isn't total, though. Non-Korean members of K-pop groups can perform in China, and pop-up stores selling K-pop merchandise are popular. South Korean entertainment companies have shifted their focus away from China, with Japan and North America becoming key markets. China has never officially acknowledged the ban.

Dave Chappelle helps keep Ohio radio station rooted in hometown with restored building

YELLOW SPRINGS, Ohio (AP) — Dave Chappelle has helped secure the future of a small-town radio station by funding the renovation of a historic building in Yellow Springs. The newly restored 19th-century schoolhouse will house NPR affiliate WYSO, preventing its relocation. More than 200 people gathered Thursday to celebrate the ribbon-cutting. Chappelle's investment allows the station to stay locally rooted and maintain editorial independence. He emphasized the station's importance as a "beacon for sanity" in a fragmented media landscape. The project reflects Chappelle's ongoing commitment to his community, where he has become deeply embedded.

Japanese prime minister Takaichi thrilled by Deep Purple's visit to her office

TOKYO (AP) — Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi took a short and happy break Friday as she hosted legendary British rock band Deep Purple in Tokyo as a longtime admirer. “You’re my god,” Takaichi told drummer Ian Paice, presenting him with a set of Japanese-made drumsticks carrying her signature. Takaichi is a hard rock and heavy metal music fan and was an avid drummer in her college days. The band’s visit was a break for Japan’s first female leader, known for her long working hours and now struggling with strained ties with China, the Mideast war fallouts and rising prices at home.

Stefano Gabbana has stepped down as Dolce & Gabbana chairman but will keep a creative role

MILAN (AP) — Stefano Gabbana has stepped down as chairman of the fashion house that he co-founded with Domenico Dolce. The company said on Friday that Gabbana’s resignation from oversight roles was effective Jan. 1. The company called it “a natural evolution of its organizational structure and governance.’’ The statement said Gabbana, 63, will continue in his creative role at the company.

Britain celebrates late Queen Elizabeth II as a style icon to mark her centenary

LONDON (AP) — Queen Elizabeth II believed the monarch had to be seen to be believed, even in bad weather. She pioneered the use of a clear plastic raincoat to remain visible. This raincoat is part of an exhibit at Buckingham Palace showcasing 300 garments that celebrate her life and reign. The exhibition that opens Friday is the most comprehensive display of her style choices. It highlights her impact on British fashion and her use of clothing as a communication tool. The exhibit runs until Oct. 18, featuring iconic outfits and personal items that tell her story.

Singer Delta Goodrem follows in Celine Dion’s footsteps to Eurovision

LONDON (AP) — Singer-songwriter Delta Goodrem, who is representing Australia at this year's Eurovision Song Contest, says she believes in the power of music. Five countries have pulled out this year, in protest of Israel being allowed to compete. Goodrem says her goal has always been to unify and that music for her is when everyone is singing the same song. This year’s Eurovision takes place in Vienna in May. Goodrem will be following in the footsteps of her musical heroes Celine Dion and Olivia Newton-John, who both competed in the contest years ago.

Kara Swisher examines the science, tech and business of living longer in new CNN docuseries

NEW YORK (AP) — Kara Swisher begins her new CNN series on longevity and health in a cemetery, reflecting on her father's death. The series, “Kara Swisher Wants to Live Forever,” explores how health and tech can extend life. It premieres Saturday. Swisher investigates wellness trends and tech innovations, from AI companions to gene editing. She remains skeptical of quick fixes and critiques the wellness industry's lack of hard science. Swisher's journey includes visits to South Korea, where she examines its high life expectancy. She also creates a 3D clone of herself, exploring the implications of living for generations.

On a New Kids on the Block cruise, Emma Straub found a way past grief

Emma Straub, known for novels like “Modern Lovers” and “The Vacationers,” has a new book inspired by a fan cruise. After her father, the novelist Peter Straub, died, she found herself drawn to the idea of a cruise as a setting. Her latest work, “American Fantasy,” is about a fictional band. Straub explains that the New Kids on the Block cruise's unique environment and the personal journeys of middle-aged women inspired her story. She also shared insights from co-owning the Books Are Magic bookstores in Brooklyn and emphasized authenticity in writing.