Renée Watson's 'All the Blues in the Sky' wins Newbery Medal for best children's book
NEW YORK (AP) — Renée Watson's “All the Blues in the Sky” has won the John Newbery Medal for the year's best children's book. The American Library Association announced the awards on Monday. Cátia Chien received the Randolph Caldecott Medal for her illustrations in “Fireworks,” written by Matthew Burgess. Jewell Parker Rhodes's “Will’s Race for Home” won the Coretta Scott King Award for best book by a Black author. R. Gregory Christie won the King illustration award for “The Library in the Woods.” Lupe Ruiz-Flores's “The Pecan Sheller” won the Pura Belpré author award for Latino literature.
Mexico's president joins ARMY fan base in BTS concert push
MEXICO CITY (AP) — BTS's upcoming concerts in Mexico have reached a presidential level, with demands from fans prompting a response from Mexico's president. Following a quick sell-out last week, the president used her Monday briefing to advocate for more BTS concert dates in May. She sent a letter to South Korea's prime minister requesting additional dates. Sheinbaum also reached out to concert organizers, but the promoter Ocesa stated it's currently not possible. BTS is scheduled to perform at Mexico City’s GNP Seguros Stadium on May 7, 9, and 10. The group is back with a world tour and a new album titled “ARIRANG.”
Couture and Lauren Sánchez are everywhere in Paris as Dior and Schiaparelli mix wonder and wit
PARIS (AP) — Dior has transformed the Musée Rodin into a star-studded venue for Jonathan Anderson’s first haute couture show. Guests, including Brigitte Macron and Lauren Sánchez Bezos, waited for Rihanna to arrive. Once she did, the lights dimmed, revealing a ceiling garden of flowers. Anderson, now leading Dior's menswear, womenswear, and couture, presented a collection themed "nature in motion." The disciplined palette featured blacks, whites, and ecru, with bursts of color. Anderson reimagined Dior's history with witty touches like pannier gowns resembling fanny packs. The show impressed with its ambition, though some elements felt like they were still finding their place.
Broadway and Hollywood songwriter Marc Shaiman looks back with pessimistic humor in memoir
NEW YORK (AP) — Award-winning composer and lyricist Marc Shaiman embraces his self-proclaimed pessimism despite a successful career. Out Tuesday, his memoir “Never Mind the Happy: Showbiz Stories from a Sore Winner” shares humorous tales from his life in Hollywood and Broadway. The book covers his journey from Bette Midler's musical director to scoring films like “Sleepless in Seattle” and Broadway hits like “Hairspray.” Shaiman's stories include working with stars like Meryl Streep and Stephen Sondheim. He advises aspiring artists to seize opportunities and show up. Despite his achievements, Shaiman remains humble and uncertain about retirement.
Music Review: Joyce Manor delivers nostalgia, polished and punk, in 'I Used to Go to This Bar'
LOS ANGELES (AP) — California pop-punk stalwarts Joyce Manor's seventh album embraces their signature millennial nostalgia with a sound reminiscent of the early 2000s. "I Used to Go to This Bar" is full of short, polished tracks that transport listeners back to their teen angst days, writes The Associated Press’ Krysta Fauria. Despite not pushing boundaries, Joyce Manor has cemented a loyal fanbase. Their new album echoes the sounds of bands like Yellowcard and Sum 41. Fans of the band will likely find it an enjoyable listen.
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Charli xcx has her movie star moment, and says goodbye to Brat
PARK CITY, Utah (AP) — Charli xcx plays herself in “The Moment,” a meta mockumentary about the challenges of fame. She tells The Associated Press she wanted to explore expectations. The film debuted at the Sundance Film Festival before it opens in theaters on Jan. 30. Charli, a pop star since 16, hit a peak with her sixth album, “Brat,” in 2024. But with success came pressure and expectations she struggled to meet. She collaborated with director Aidan Zamiri to create a film that captures this tension. The movie also features Kylie Jenner playing herself.
The 2025 Tony Awards set June 7 ceremony date at Radio City Music Hall
NEW YORK (AP) — Broadway fans can mark their calendars for June 7, when this season's Tony Awards will take place at Radio City Music Hall. Producers announced the date and location on Monday. Nominations will be revealed on May 5. Radio City seats 6,000 people and has long been the home of the awards. The host will be announced later. The 2026 awards will air live on CBS and stream on Paramount+. Last year's awards drew 4.85 million viewers to CBS. That was its largest audience in six years. The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing present the awards.
California Post brings brash New York-style tabloid news to the West Coast
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Aiming to shake up the Golden State’s media landscape, the California Post has launched a new tabloid newspaper and news site that brings a brash, cheeky and conservative-friendly fixture of the Big Apple to the West Coast. The Los Angeles outpost of the New York Post will be “digital first” — with social media accounts and video and audio pieces — but for $3.75 readers can also purchase a daily print publication featuring the paper’s famously splashy front-page headlines. Of course, the Post’s infamous gossip column will get a Tinseltown version, Page Six Hollywood, that will keep a snarky eye on red carpets and celebrity culture.
Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, K-pop and more: AP predicts who will win at the 2026 Grammys
Kendrick Lamar leads the 2026 Grammys nominee pack, but Lady Gaga, Bad Bunny and others are vying for their moment in the spotlight. But who will take home trophies on Sunday? Associated Press Music Writer Maria Sherman and Entertainment Writer Jonathan Landrum Jr. break down the close races for Grammy glory. They predict victories for Lamar, Lady Gaga, Rosé and Bruno Mars. They also expect close genre races across country, Latin and pop. The 68th Grammy Awards will be held Feb. 1 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles and air on CBS and stream on Paramount+.
'Mercy' unseats 'Avatar: Fire & Ash' atop the box office on snow-blanketed weekend in theaters
NEW YORK (AP) — With a winter storm blanketing a large swath of the country, Hollywood had its quietest weekend of the year at the box office. The Amazon MGM sci-fi thriller “Mercy” dethroned “Avatar: Fire and Ash” from the No. 1 spot with $11.2 million in North America, according to studio estimates Sunday. Hundreds of theaters were forced to close due to the storm spreading from Texas to Maine. But the weekend was never going to be a blockbuster one. “Mercy,” starring Chris Pratt, arrived with withering reviews and an equally poor reception from audiences. But it was still enough to finally dislodge James Cameron’s third Pandora epic from its monthlong perch atop the box office.
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