Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show celebrated America – all of it – with a message of unity
New York (AP) — Bad Bunny concluded his historic Super Bowl halftime performance with a few English-language words. He said “God Bless America” and then proceeded to list countries in the Americas including the United States and Canada. It seemed as though he was reminding his global audience that “America” makes up a number of countries in the Western Hemisphere. It was a poignant gesture for an artist whose performance was politicized the moment it was announced and labeled un-American by his detractors despite the fact that Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens. Experts say Bad Bunny's performance was for all Americans all over the Americas. They say joy, resilience and community was at the forefront.
Movie Review: Emerald Fennell's 'Wuthering Heights' is a bold but shallow take on Brontë's classic
Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi play Catherine and Heathcliff in the new adaptation of “Wuthering Heights.” Filmmaker Emerald Fennell has said she wanted to make a film that captured how she felt when she read it at 14. Emily Brontë’s novel is just the starting point. In her review for The Associated Press, film writer Lindsey Bahr writes that “for all the big swings, Fennell’s ‘Wuthering Heights’ amounts to something oddly shallow and blunt: garish and stylized fan fiction with the scope and budget of an old-school Hollywood epic.” “Wuthering Heights” is rated R and opens in theaters Friday.
Catherine O'Hara died from a pulmonary embolism. Cancer was the underlying cause
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Catherine O’Hara died from a pulmonary embolism, with rectal cancer as the underlying cause. A Los Angeles County death certificate issued Monday lists the embolism as the immediate cause of her death on Jan. 30 at age 71. The doctor who signed the certificate had been treating O'Hara since March of last year. She died at a hospital in Santa Monica, California. O'Hara was cremated. She starred in two “Home Alone” movies and won an Emmys for “SCTV” and “Schitt’s Creek.” Her death was a surprise to many, and tributes poured in from collaborators.
Breaking down the symbolism in Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show
Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show transformed the field in Santa Clara, California, into a vibrant tribute to Puerto Rico. The Puerto Rican superstar infused the set with island symbols and a sense of Pan-Americanism. The show opened in a sugarcane field, honoring Puerto Rico's agricultural past. Bad Bunny wore all white, echoing traditional jíbaro attire. The set featured Caribbean roadside stands, dominoes and a nod to boxing rivalries. Celebrities with ties to the Americas joined in, and Lady Gaga wore Puerto Rico's national flower. The performance ended with a call for Pan-American unity.
US judges dismiss lawsuits accusing fantasy author Neil Gaiman of sexual assault in New Zealand
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Federal judges have dismissed three lawsuits accusing British author Neil Gaiman of sexually assaulting his children's nanny in New Zealand. Scarlett Pavlovich filed lawsuits against Gaiman and his wife, Amanda Palmer, in February 2025. She accused Gaiman of multiple assaults while she worked as their nanny in 2022. Judges in Wisconsin, Massachusetts, and New York dismissed the cases, stating Pavlovich needed to pursue them in New Zealand. Gaiman denied the allegations, calling them meritless. His attorneys argued the claims were part of a plan to smear him. Pavlovich alleged violations of federal human trafficking laws.
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As head of the actors guild, Sean Astin brings a little Rudy, a little Samwise, and a lot of fight
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Sean Astin says he is happy to be at the head of the actors union at a vital moment. The 54-year-old actor from “The Lord of the Rings” films is the new president of the The actors union SAG-AFTRA. He'll be leading the group as it begins contract talks with studios that last time led to a long strike. Astin says the union's negotiators can't give up any of the ground they earned during the 2023 strike, including higher wages and artificial intelligence protections. Astin says he intends to represent every member, from the biggest movie star to the most anonymous puppeteer.
Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show sparks global streaming surge, Apple Music data shows
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime performance has led to a massive surge in global listening. Apple Music reports that his show playlist became the most-played set list on the platform shortly after Sunday's performance. On Monday, Bad Bunny dominated the Apple Music Daily Top 100 Global chart with 23 songs, including nine in the Top 25. His track “DtMF” reached No. 1. Six of the tracks returned to the Top 100 for the first time since at least February 2025. His album “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS” appeared on album charts in 155 countries, reaching No. 1 in 46. Shazam also saw a 400% increase in recognitions during and after the show.
What to Stream: Charli xcx, Chalamet in 'Marty Supreme,' Ethan Hawke, 'Cross' and Mario Tennis Fever
Timothée Chalamet starring as a table tennis wizard in “Marty Supreme” and Charli xcx’s soundtrack to Emily Brontë’s “Wuthering Heights” are some of the new television, films, music and video games headed to a device near you. Also among the streaming offerings worth your time for the week of Feb. 9 as selected by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists: Richard Linklater’s deliciously wistful movie “Blue Moon” starring Ethan Hawke, Aldis Hodge returning for Season 2 of “Cross” for Prime Video and Nintendo may have its most frenetic tennis game yet with Mario Tennis Fever.
Bad Bunny may have trounced Kid Rock in Super Bowl halftime showdown if historic trends hold
A day after the Seattle Seahawks became Super Bowl champions, speculation about the halftime music showdown is making news. Bad Bunny was the NFL's official performer at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, but Turning Point USA put on an alternative featuring Kid Rock. Turning Point organized its performance with President Donald Trump's blessing to protest the NFL picking the star from Puerto Rico as its headliner. Media analysts are still calculating viewership for both performances. Turning Point claims its show was a “massive success” with up to 10 million viewers across platforms. Bad Bunny's performance emphasized unity and Puerto Rican culture, and past years' halftime shows have attracted more than 100 million viewers.
Review: Bad Bunny brought Puerto Rico's history and culture to a revolutionary Super Bowl show
Bad Bunny delivered a historic performance at the Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, for the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show that brought Puerto Rican culture and history to the fore. For years Bad Bunny has been one of the most-streamed artists on the planet. On Sunday, he made it clear that his global popularity translates seamlessly to the biggest stage in the U.S. He previously appeared during the halftime show at Super Bowl LIV in 2020 alongside Jennifer Lopez and Shakira. At a press conference on Thursday, Bad Bunny promised to a huge party for his set. He also said he would bring his culture. He did both.
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