Madonna announces new album, a sequel two decades later, 'Confessions on a Dance Floor: Part II'
NEW YORK (AP) — As Madonna sang in her 2005 hit, “Hung Up,” time goes by so slowly. But it continues to move. On Wednesday, the pop superstar announced she’ll release a new album, “Confessions on a Dance Floor: Part II,” on July 3. That's 21 years after the original. The album is a sequel to her 2005 release, “Confessions on a Dance Floor.” It is also her first full-length since 2019’s “Madame X.” The original “Confessions” has been widely regarded as a return to the top of her powers, a dance-pop disco for a new era of clubgoers. It was certified platinum in 2005 and won a Grammy for best electronic/dance album in 2006.
Ye postpones Marseille concert after French authorities say they will seek a ban
PARIS (AP) — The rapper formerly known as Kanye West has postponed his upcoming show in Marseille. French authorities had planned to ban the concert by Ye due to a history of antisemitic remarks. Ye announced the decision on social media, expressing a desire to make amends and not put fans in the middle. The show was set for June 11 at Marseille's Stade Vélodrome. French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez and Marseille's mayor opposed the event. Ye has faced backlash for past antisemitic statements and actions. He has apologized, attributing his behavior to bipolar disorder.
Billy Crystal eyes return to Broadway in one-man show about the house he lost to LA wildfires
NEW YORK (AP) — Billy Crystal returns to Broadway this fall with an intimate one-man show called "860." Written and performed by Crystal, the show begins previews in October at a theater yet to be announced. The title refers to the street address of his longtime Los Angeles home, lost in last year's devastating Palisades fire. Crystal invites audiences inside "860" to share funny and touching stories about his career and family. This marks his first Broadway return since "Mr. Saturday Night" in 2022. Scott Ellis will direct the new work. Crystal's career spans comedy, TV, and film, including "When Harry Met Sally."
‘Mormon Wives’ star Taylor Frankie Paul will not face new domestic violence charges
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah reality star Taylor Frankie Paul will not be charged in recent fights with her former partner, the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office said. Police in the Salt Lake City suburbs of Draper City and West Jordan have been investigating claims of domestic violence from Paul’s ex-partner Dakota Mortensen. The pair shares a 2-year-old son. Any new charges against Paul would have violated her probation. Paul is a star of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” and a recently scrubbed season of “The Bachelorette.” The pair has filed dueling petitions for protective orders against one another that will be the subject of an April 30 hearing.
Warner Bros. puts on a starry CinemaCon show with Cruise, Kidman, Bullock, Zendaya and Chalamet
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Warner Bros. has showcased its upcoming films at CinemaCon in Las Vegas, featuring stars like Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. Attendees saw previews of films like “The Great Beyond” and “Dune: Part Three.” Cruise received a standing ovation for his role in “Digger,” described as a boisterous satire. Studio heads Pam Abdy and Mike DeLuca emphasized originality over sameness, highlighting successes like “Sinners” and “A Minecraft Movie.” Meanwhile, concerns about Warner Bros.' potential merger with Paramount were voiced, with some fearing higher ticket prices and fewer films. James Cameron supports the merger, praising Paramount's leadership.
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Ian McKellen and Michaela Coel on art, their friendship and 'The Christophers'
NEW YORK (AP) — As screen presences and cultural figures, Ian McKellen and Michaela Coel could hardly be more different. McKellen, a titan of Shakespeare, the Gandalf of the big screen, is more than twice the age of Coel, the multihyphenate whose autobiography-tinged work has made her a voice of a much different generation. But in Steven Soderbergh’s “The Christophers,” they make one of the more memorably on-screen pairs in recent memory. And it's turned them into great chums, too. Neon expands the film nationwide in theaters this Friday.
The Walt Disney Co. begins laying off 1,000 employees
NEW YORK (AP) — The Walt Disney Co. has begun layoffs expected to lead to 1,000 job cuts across the company. Josh D’Amaro on Tuesday announced broader layoffs following a move in January to consolidate Disney’s marketing division. He succeeded Bob Iger as chief executive in February. The cuts are expected to fall across the Burbank, California-based company’s traditional television businesses, including ESPN, as well as its movie studio. Employees in product and technology, and in certain corporate functions will also be affected. Contraction has recently been a widespread concern in Hollywood.
The Kennedy Center wants to show that the building really needs a renovation
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Kennedy Center's new executive director, Matt Floca, is leading tours to show the building's need for major repairs. These tours highlight water damage and issues with the HVAC system and parking garages. The sessions began earlier this month and included staff for 10 lawmakers, such as Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. The tours aim to demonstrate the need for updates after controversy arose over President Donald Trump's plans to close the center for two years. Critics argue that the closure is a response to declining sales and should go through a typical review process.
Library of Congress appoints Arthur Sze to a second 1-year term as US poet laureate
NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. poet laureate Arthur Sze has been appointed to a second one-year term by the Library of Congress. Sze, a respected poet and translator, plans to travel the country with his project "Words Bridging Worlds." This initiative includes readings, discussions and workshops to celebrate poetry and translation. Sze began his first term last fall during a time of upheaval at the library, after President Donald Trump fired Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden. Acting librarian Robert Randolph Newlen has praised the 75-year-old poet for opening the world of poetry to the public.
Jury selection starts for Harvey Weinstein's latest retrial in a New York rape case
NEW YORK (AP) — Jury selection is underway in Harvey Weinstein's rape retrial. The process started Tuesday in a Manhattan court, but no jurors have been chosen. Jury selection is scheduled to resume Wednesday with jurors being question individually in private. It's the third time that jurors will weigh whether he raped a woman in a Manhattan hotel in 2013. It’s a more streamlined proceeding than the array of allegations that were aired at Weinstein’s previous trials in New York and Los Angeles. The Oscar-winning producer denies all the accusations. He declared in court this winter that he had “acted wrongly” but “never assaulted anyone.”
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