Kevin Spacey settles out of court with 3 men over alleged sexual assaults
LONDON (AP) — Three men who allege that actor Kevin Spacey sexually assaulted them have settled their civil claims in London. The men claimed that Spacey abused them at various times between 2000 and 2013. Spacey denies the allegations. The case was due to go to trial later this year, but judge Christina Lambert paused the proceedings after both sides agreed to settlement terms. The terms have not been disclosed. Spacey, who was artistic director of London's Old Vic Theatre for a decade, faced a criminal trial in London in 2023 on nine alleged sexual offenses. He was acquitted on all counts by a jury.
Tina Turner's name, image, likeness and most music catalog rights acquired by Pophouse
NEW YORK (AP) — Pophouse Entertainment Group has acquired Tina Turner's name, image and likeness rights as well as the majority of her music catalog rights from music company BMG. The Swedish company announced the acquisition Thursday. Pophouse would not disclose any details of the deal, but said to expect plans within six months. The “What’s Love Got to Do With It” singer died in 2023. The news of Pophouse's acquisition follows their purchase of rock band Kiss' catalog, brand name and IP in 2024. In the same year Cyndi Lauper entered a partnership with the company, including the sale of the majority share of her music.
BTS will stage a long-awaited comeback concert at a Seoul landmark
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — BTS will stage its long-awaited comeback concert on Saturday night at Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square. The square is one of South Korea’s most famous landmarks, representing its royal heritage as well as its political and cultural life. Some 20,000 fans are expected to pack the square. The K-pop juggernaut’s seven members, all South Koreans, will perform songs from their first album in nearly four years. “ARIRANG” takes its title from the most beloved folk tune on the Korean Peninsula. Experts say BTS' concert, which will be livestreamed on Netflix globally, will reaffirm BTS' Korean identify and enhance the influence of K-pop.
Joe Kent's resignation over Iran war reignites antisemitism fears and debate over Israeli influence
Joe Kent’s resignation from President Donald Trump’s counterterrorism team is fueling a Republican fight over the Iran war and talk about Israel that critics call antisemitic. On Wednesday, Kent went on Tucker Carlson’s podcast and said Israel drove the decision to strike Iran. Kent also hinted at conspiracy claims about conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s death. The Republican Jewish Coalition and others warn the rhetoric echoes classic antisemitic tropes. Trump has stayed quiet on Kent’s comments about Israel. The split is widening in right-wing media, too. Ben Shapiro is blasting Carlson, while Megyn Kelly and Mark Levin trade insults as pro-war and anti-war voices clash.
An AI-rendered Val Kilmer will posthumously appear in a new film
NEW YORK (AP) — A year after the actor’s death, a generative AI version of Val Kilmer will co-star in an independent film. It's one of the boldest uses yet of artificial intelligence in moviemaking. First Line Films announced Wednesday that Kilmer has posthumously joined the cast of a film titled “As Deep as the Grave.” The producers said that before his death, Kilmer had signed on to perform in the movie but was unable to do due to his health. Kilmer’s estate gave permission for his digital replication, and is being compensated for it. Kilmer died last April from pneumonia at the age of 65.
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Movie Review: A really, really bad wedding night gets worse in ‘Ready or Not 2’
If you thought Samara Weaving had a really bad wedding night in the first “Ready or Not” movie, check out the encore. Weaving's Grace, a new bride, spends another hellish night in “Ready or Not 2: Here I Come,” the next level of the murderous game of hide-and-seek she's forced to play. In her review, Associated Press critic Jocelyn Noveck writes that while the first movie had a lighter feel that made it easier to digest the gore, the sequel feels heavier, and overly long. Weaving is appealing and versatile, while Shawn Hatosy of “The Pitt” plays an especially odious family member. Rated R, the movie opens in theaters Friday.
Marc Jacobs let Sofia Coppola film with ‘no off limits’ — and didn’t hate himself after
VENICE, Italy (AP) — Sofia Coppola has made a documentary about her friend Marc Jacobs that shows how Jacobs creates fashion, up close and unscripted. On Friday “Marc by Sofia” opens in theaters. The film follows Jacobs and his team as they build a Spring 2024 ready-to-wear collection. Coppola shot it in a loose, lo-fi style sometimes alone with a handheld camera. The movie also weaves in Jacobs’s favorite film clips and key career moments. Jacobs says the process feels easy and natural. Coppola was conscious of not making it too much about her.
Zendaya's new ring fuels notion that she and Tom Holland are married
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Zendaya fuels marriage rumors about Tom Holland with a new ring, but the star isn’t confirming it and says she’s intentional about keeping her personal life private. On Tuesday, she spoke to The Associated Press at the premiere of her film, “The Drama.” She says there's a balance to be had between hiding and "protecting things that are special to yourself. She arrived wearing what looks like a wedding band beside a larger ring. That larger ring already sparked engagement buzz at January’s Golden Globes. Her representatives have declined to say if she is married. Her stylist Law Roach has teased reporters that the wedding already happened.
Cable news network MS NOW shuffles schedule, moving Stephanie Ruhle and Alicia Menendez to daytime
NEW YORK (AP) — The cable news network MS NOW is shuffling its schedule, mostly in the daytime hours. The former MSNBC will give Stephanie Ruhle and Alicia Menendez two hour stints as anchors, starting in June. Ruhle makes the most dramatic shift, from 11 p.m. Eastern to 9 a.m. Menendez moves off “The Weeknight” ensemble show, to be replaced by Luke Russert. “Morning Joe” is shaving an hour off its daily schedule so it ends at 9 a.m., in what the network said was the anchors' choice. Ali Velshi will take over Ruhle's late-night shift when the changes take effect in June.
Rapper Afroman wins lawsuit against police over mocking their 2022 raid in viral music videos
The Grammy-nominated rapper Afroman has won a defamation lawsuit filed by seven Ohio sheriff’s deputies who sued him over music videos that used home security footage to mock them over a 2022 raid of his home. The verdict Wednesday evening follows several hours of deliberations. The Adams County deputies say they were publicly harassed over the videos. They show rifle-wielding deputies busting down his door, searching his shoes and eyeing a cake on the kitchen table, inspiring the song, “Lemon Pound Cake.” The 51-year-old Afroman, born Joseph Foreman, says the verdict is a win for free speech rights. No charges were filed in the drug and kidnapping investigation.
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