Willie Colón, architect of urban salsa music, dies at 75
Willie Colón, a key creator of urban salsa and a longtime social activist, has died. He was 75. His family and manager confirmed his death in social media posts Saturday. Colón was a trombonist, composer, arranger and singer. He recorded more than 40 albums that have sold tens of millions worldwide. He collaborated with a wide range of artists, including the Fania All Stars, David Byrne and Celia Cruz. He blended jazz and rock with classic Latin rhythms. His album “Siembra” with Rubén Blades became a genre landmark. Colón also worked in civil rights groups and city government. He later acted in films and TV shows.
Netflix releases a posthumous interview with Eric Dane after his death from ALS
Eric Dane shared his thoughts about his life and a final message for his daughters in a new episode of a Netflix series called “Famous Last Words.” The actor died on Thursday, less than one year after he announced an ALS diagnosis. “Famous Last Words” is adapted from a Danish show where a person is interviewed in secret and the footage is not released until after their death. The Netflix version is hosted by Brad Falchuk. This is the second episode of “Famous Last Words.” The first was with primatologist Jane Goodall who died in October. That interview is also available on Netflix.
Former 'Jersey Shore' star Snooki says she has cervical cancer
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi says she has stage one cervical cancer, and she is urging fans to get screened. On Friday, Polizzi shares the diagnosis in a TikTok video recorded in her car between medical appointments. She says a biopsy found the cancer. She says it's not the news she was hoping for, but it's also not the worst news. She says doctors caught it early, and she feels grateful for that. Polizzi tells followers to keep up with Pap smears. Polizzi rose to fame on MTV’s reality show “Jersey Shore” and later spinoffs. She is 38 and has three children.
Bad Bunny positioned to consolidate his popularity in Brazil with first-ever performances
SAO PAULO (AP) — Bad Bunny’s huge global rise is finally breaking through in Brazil, a market that overwhelmingly favors national artists. On Friday and Saturday, he plays his first-ever Brazilian shows in Sao Paulo. The concerts sold out fast, so he added a second date. Fans lined up on Thursday night and brought umbrellas for the heat. Spotify data shows Brazilians mostly stream Brazilian stars, but Bad Bunny’s new album sparked a surge. His Super Bowl halftime moment boosted streams even more. DJs say people now sing along and request his songs at all kinds of parties.
In war-weary Kyiv, wounded Ukrainian veterans turn epic poetry into living testimony
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — War veterans with severe injuries from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have taken the stage in Kyiv in an adaptation of Ivan Kotliarevskyi’s “Eneida.” It's a Ukrainian reimagining of Virgil’s “Aeneid.” The amateur troupe spent nearly a year preparing for the play's premiere this week at the National Academic Molodyy Theatre. The production, adapted by director Olha Semioshkina, blends epic poetry with the actors’ personal wartime stories, humor and resilience. Despite air raid warnings and blackouts, the premiere ended with a standing ovation and a message to the country's veterans: Come out, live, and don’t close yourself off.
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Former 'American Idol' contestant charged with murder, staging crime scene in wife's slaying in Ohio
Authorities in Ohio have arrested a former contestant on “American Idol” and charged him with shooting and killing his wife and staging the crime scene to mislead investigators. Caleb Flynn pleaded not guilty Friday to charges of murder, assault and tampering with evidence. According to Miami County jail and court records, he was arrested on Thursday, three days after his wife’s death in Tipp City. His attorney, Patrick Mulligan, said in a statement on Saturday he and Flynn were concerned about a "seeming rush to judgment in this case.”
Music Review: Hilary Duff is a pop star reincarnate on 'Luck... or Something'
More than 10 years since her last record, Hilary Duff is back with “Luck... or Something." The 11 pop songs track years that have passed since Duff's teenage stardom. That brings existential questions, haunting what-ifs, some self-deprecating reflection and a healthy dose of cringe and nostalgia, writes The Associated Press’ Elise Ryan. Known for playing Lizzie McGuire on the Disney Channel, Duff seems aware that nostalgia is key here. The tracks are accessible and catchy, the lyrics reliant on simple vocabulary that makes them feel like gossip or worries shared among friends.
'Love Story' is revealing just how much Carolyn Bessette Kennedy's style has endured
Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy is back in the spotlight as a style influencer nearly three decades after her death. The TV series “Love Story” chronicles her relationship with John F. Kennedy Jr. before the two died in a plane crash in 1999. Many fans are watching for the clothes. Admirers say Bessette Kennedy's enduring appeal lies in her understated elegance, which contrasts with today's conspicuous branding. Fashion experts describe her style as “educated tailoring.” It's a simple style with deceptively exact tailoring. It features iconic pieces like slip dresses, loafers and headbands. Bessette Kennedy's fashion influence is sometimes compared to Princess Diana and Ralph Lauren, embodying a clean, classic aesthetic.
Shia LaBeouf used homophobic slurs while assaulting New Orleans bar patrons, police say
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Actor Shia LaBeouf has been charged with battery and is accused of repeatedly using homophobic slurs while hitting multiple people at a New Orleans bar during Mardi Gras. That's according to a police report obtained Thursday by The Associated Press via a public records request. A local entertainer who police identified in the report says LaBeouf physically attacked him early Tuesday morning and called him homophobic slurs. Jeffrey Damnit says he believes he was targeted because he was wearing lipstick and eye makeup. LaBeouf was released without bond Tuesday by a New Orleans district judge. He has been charged with two counts of simple battery.
Eric Dane, 'Grey's Anatomy' star and ALS awareness advocate, dies at 53
Eric Dane, the actor known for “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Euphoria,” has died at 53 due to ALS. His representatives say he died on Thursday afternoon. His family says he spent his final days with loved ones. Dane rose to fame as Dr. Mark Sloan on “Grey’s Anatomy” and later played Cal Jacobs on “Euphoria.” He also starred on “The Last Ship,” where production paused as he battled depression. In April 2025, Dane shared his diagnosis of ALS, which is also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. He later spoke publicly to push ALS awareness and research. He leaves two daughters with wife Rebecca Gayheart, who he married in 2004.
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