'AI actor' Tilly Norwood stirs outrage in Hollywood
NEW YORK (AP) — Like thousands of actors, Tilly Norwood is looking for a Hollywood agent. But unlike most young performers aspiring to make it in the film industry, Tilly Norwood is an entirely artificial intelligence-made character. Norwood, dubbed Hollywood’s first “AI actor,” is the product of a company named Xicoia, which bills itself as the world’s first artificial intelligence talent studio. Since the Dutch producer and comedian Eline Van der Velden launched the digital character’s prospective career, Tilly Norwood has been all the talk in Hollywood. But not in a good way. Guilds, actors and filmmakers have met the Xicoia product with an immediate wave of backlash, protesting that AI should not have a starring role in the acting profession.
Taylor Swift's 'The Life of a Showgirl' is almost here. Here's what to know
NEW YORK (AP) — Lights, camera, action. Taylor Swift’s 12th studio album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” arrives Friday. Are you ready for it? Swift announced her latest era back in August, when she began teasing the release. It will be available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music. There are also a number of variants, including vinyl, CD and cassette offerings. There is even an iTunes digital download featuring a new cover image and a nearly three-minute exclusive video from Taylor herself detailing inspirations behind the album.
Tyrese Gibson failed to turn himself in following arrest warrant for cruelty to animals, police say
Georgia police say Tyrese Gibson failed to turn himself in late last week after an arrest warrant was issued for cruelty to animals. The warrant was issued for the “Fast & Furious” actor after his four Cane Corso dogs mauled and killed a neighbor’s dog in Georgia. Police Captain Nicole Dwyer said Tuesday the incident is part of an “ongoing issue" and they want the dogs in custody for the community's safety. Gibson’s attorney says the actor is cooperating fully with authorities and chose to “rehome his dog to a safe and loving environment.”
Nicole Kidman files for divorce from Keith Urban after 19 years of marriage
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Nicole Kidman has filed to divorce Keith Urban after 19 years of marriage. The Oscar-winning actor petitioned in a court in Nashville, Tennessee, to end her marriage to the Grammy-winning country singer. The entertainers who were both raised in Australia. They met in Los Angeles in 2005 and married in Sydney in 2006. They have two teenage daughters together. This was Urban’s first marriage and Kidman’s second, following her marriage to Tom Cruise from 1990 to 2001. Kidman has two older children with Cruise. Kidman is known for films like “The Hours” and TV series like “Big Little Lies.” Urban has been a major country star since the 1990s.
Stephen King is the most banned author in US schools, PEN report says
NEW YORK (AP) — A new report on book bans in U.S. schools finds Stephen King as the author most likely to be censored. PEN America’s “Banned in the USA,” released Wednesday, tracks over 6,800 instances of books being pulled for the 2024-2025 school year. This number is down from over 10,000 in 2023-24. Around 80% of these bans originated in Florida, Texas, and Tennessee. Meanwhile, states like Maryland and New Jersey have laws limiting book removals. According to PEN, King’s books were censored 206 times, with “Carrie” and “The Stand” among the affected works. Reasons for bans often include LGBTQ+ themes and depictions of race.
Recommended for you
Helen Mirren opens Stella McCartney’s activist, cruelty-free Paris runway
PARIS (AP) — Helen Mirren opened Stella McCartney’s Paris Fashion Week show with a spoken rendition of The Beatles’ “Come Together.” The Tuesday night collection focuses on humanity, animals and Mother Earth. McCartney claims her most sustainable offering yet, with 98% sustainable and 100% cruelty-free materials. Innovations include FEVVERS, a plant-based feather alternative, and PURE.TECH, a fabric that absorbs air pollutants. The show features deconstructed tailoring, vibrant colors and upcycled elements. McCartney blends eco-lux innovation with ’80s power dressing and activist theater. Her unique ability to merge spectacle with conscience challenges the fashion industry to heal the planet.
Italy police seize 21 suspected forged Salvador Dali artworks after show opens in Parma
ROME (AP) — Italy’s art police say they seized 21 artworks purportedly by Salvador Dalí on suspicion they were forgeries. The works were part of an exhibition, “Salvador Dalí, tra arte e mito” (Salvador Dalí, between art and myth”) that had been on show in Rome for the first half of the year and last week opened at Parma’s Palazzo Tarasconi. Italy’s carabinieri art squad said it had received a report about suspected anomalies in some of the works from the Fundaciòn Gala - Salvador Dalí, a non-profit foundation which the artist founded in 1983. With his whimsical creations, Dali is among the most-forged artists along with Pablo Picasso and Amadeo Modigliani.
Why Bad Bunny's Super Bowl show will be a landmark moment for Puerto Rico
NEW YORK (AP) — Bad Bunny captivated audiences with his residency in Puerto Rico, inspiring patriotism and drawing half a million people to the island this summer. Bad Bunny's performances highlighted Puerto Rico's natural beauty and cultural history, featuring his hits and folkloric styles. Now, the artist known for his political activism is set to perform at the 2026 Super Bowl, marking a significant moment for Latino culture. His performance will be in Spanish, further proving that connecting with a U.S. and international audience does not require singing in English. Audiences should expect that Puerto Rican culture and pride will be on display during the show, which could range from 12-15 minutes.
Prosecutors want Sean 'Diddy' Combs sentenced to more than 11 years in prison
NEW YORK (AP) — Prosecutors are urging a New York federal judge to send music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs to prison for over 11 years. They filed their sentencing recommendation early Tuesday, along with letters from some of his accusers describing how his violence and demands have impacted their lives. The 55-year-old Combs has remained jailed since his July conviction on prostitution-related charges for arranging male sex workers to travel to hotels or residences where he directed them to have sex with his girlfriends. The dayslong, drug-fueled sexual events were often filmed by Combs. Defense attorneys have asked that he be sentenced to no more than 14 months. Sentencing is set for Friday.
Schwarzenegger downplays Trump and backs Vatican initiative to 'terminate' global warming
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Arnold Schwarzenegger is throwing his weight behind the Vatican’s environmental initiative. He's downplaying the Trump administration's climate skepticism. He says individual choice, local policies and the moral leadership of the Catholic Church are far more important than national politics in the environmental campaign. Schwarzenegger was at the Vatican to headline a three-day climate conference marking the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ landmark 2015 environmental encyclical, Laudato Si (Praised Be). The document cast saving God’s creation as an urgent moral imperative. It launched a broad, grassroots movement that Pope Leo XIV has fully embraced and made his own.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.