2025-07-17 12:00:11.696

Singer Connie Francis, famous for "Pretty Little Baby" and "Stupid Cupid," has passed away, confirmed by her friend Ron Roberts. Ashley Moore from "Temptation Island" addresses her feud with Tayler Byrd. Damien Priest welcomes Bad Bunny back to WWE. Blake Lively's deposition is postponed. Perry Farrell sues Jane's Addiction bandmates. Brooks Nader partners with a tampon brand after a Wimbledon wardrobe malfunction. Shane Gillis hosts the ESPYs with controversial jokes. Kali Uchis celebrates her birthday. Maurene Comey, prosecutor in Diddy's case, reportedly fired. An actress from "Mad Men" and "Community" is guessed in a quiz. Jenelle Evans focuses on self-care after divorce. Taylor Swift's dad undergoes successful heart surgery. The pets of murdered "American Idol" supervisor Robin Kaye are safe. Sophia Hutchins' cause of death is revealed as blunt force trauma. Paranormal investigator Dan Rivera dies unexpectedly. Skai Jackson's baby daddy, Deondre Burgin, arrested.

2025-07-17 00:00:27.812

The live-action remake of "How to Train Your Dragon" is coming to premium video on demand, just a month after its successful theatrical run. A new two-part, five-hour documentary on Billy Joel, "Billy Joel: And So It Goes," will premiere on HBO and HBO Max. Netflix offers Petra Costa's "Apocalypse in the Tropics," documenting the rise of the far right in Brazil. In music, Alex Warren releases his debut album, "You'll Be Alright, Kid," and Myke Towers drops his new album, "ISLAND BOYZ." On the TV front, "The Summer I Turned Pretty" returns for its final season on Prime Video, along with the second season of "Surf Girls: International" and the Netflix series "Untamed" starring Eric Bana. Gamers can look forward to Donkey Kong Bananza and the reimagined Pac-Man game, Shadow Labyrinth.

2025-06-16 18:01:09.184

Actor Eric Dane is opening up about living with ALS. In his first television interview since revealing he has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, Dane, 52, recalled the symptoms that led to discovering his diagnosis about a year and a half ago. “I started experiencing some weakness in my right hand,” Dane told “Good Morning America.” “I didn’t really think anything of it at the time. I thought maybe I had been texting too much or my hand was fatigued. A few weeks later I noticed it had gotten a little worse, so I went and saw a hand specialist who sent me to another hand specialist. I went and saw a neurologist who sent me to another neurologist who said this is way above my pay grade.” ALS progressively affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that make the muscles of both the upper and lower body work, according to the ALS Association, a non-profit organization which works to research the disease and offer resources to people living with it. There is currently no known cure. “I will never forget those three letters. It’s on me the second I wake up,” Dane told ABC. Dane said his right arm and hand have “completely stopped working.” “I feel like maybe a couple, few more months, and I won’t have my left hand [functioning] either,” Dane said, adding that he’s worried about the eventual loss of his leg mobility he described as “sobering.” Dane rose to fame as the handsome Dr. Mark “McSteamy” Sloan on “Grey’s Anatomy” from 2006 - 2012. His credits also include film roles in movies like “Bad Boys: Ride or Die.” More recently, Dane plays Cal Jacobs, the troubled father to Jacob Elordi’s character in the HBO drama “Euphoria.” Dane shares two teen daughters with actress Rebecca Gayheart. They married in 2004 and though they separated for a time remain close. “I talk to her every day,” Dane said of Gayheart. “We have managed to become better friends and better parents. And she is … probably my biggest champion and my most stalwart supporter. And I lean on her.” He said he is focused on his family and continuing to work as long as he can. “At the end of the day, just, all I want to do is spend time with my family and work a little bit if I can,” he said, later adding, “I don’t think this is the end of my story. I just don’t feel like, in my heart, I don’t feel like this is the end of me.* CNN’s Dan Heching contributed to this story.

2025-06-09 12:00:21.167

Brad Dourif, the acclaimed character actor known for his roles in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Lord of the Rings, and the Child's Play franchise, has retired from acting. He says he reached a point where acting no longer excited him, leaving him feeling empty and tired. His retirement has allowed him to focus on his personal life, including building a large outdoor enclosure for his cats. While financially secure now, Dourif acknowledges the financial struggles he faced throughout his career as a character actor, often taking roles for the money. He also describes the mental toll of playing numerous villains and disturbed characters, expressing difficulty separating himself from these dark roles, particularly after Mississippi Burning. However, his role as Chucky was an exception, and he is open to returning for future projects involving his family. Dourif reflects on his career, highlighting the magical experience of filming One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and the beauty of working on The Lord of the Rings. Despite his anxieties and the pressures of his career, he considers his life fulfilling and doesn't concern himself with his legacy.

2025-06-06 00:00:20.741

Rebel Wilson shares her most fun on-set experience was filming Pitch Perfect, describing it as "theatre camp." She details working with Sir Derek Jacobi, praising his easygoing nature and storytelling abilities. Her collaboration with Dame Judi Dench on Cats involved a humorous boot camp experience. Wilson recounts her experience on the Graham Norton Show, explaining her rap performance and her struggles with high heels. She discusses winning $250,000 for charity on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, using the funds to sponsor a school in Tanzania. Wilson's acting career began after a severe bout of malaria during a gap year in Africa, where she hallucinated winning an Academy Award. Her body transformation has led to diverse roles, including a love interest to Kiefer Sutherland in Tinsel Town. She expresses her hope for a fourth Pitch Perfect film and reveals her unusual dislike for Vegemite and Marmite. Finally, she discusses the challenging role in The Almond and the Seahorse, which focused on traumatic brain injury.

2025-06-05 12:00:31.011

NEW YORK (AP) — The English pop singer Jessie J says she has been diagnosed with breast cancer and will undergo surgery after her performance at the London music festival Capital’s Summertime Ball next weekend. Jessie J, 37, shared the news in an Instagram video on Wednesday. “I was diagnosed with early breast cancer,” she said in the clip. “Cancer sucks in any form, but I’m holding onto the word ‘early’. “It’s a very dramatic way to get a boob job. I am going to disappear for a bit after Summertime Ball to have my surgery, and I will come back with massive (expletive) and more music.” The annual Summertime Ball will be held at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, June 15. She told her social media audience that she felt compelled to share her diagnosis. “I just wanted to be open and share it,” she said. “One, because, selfishly, I do not talk about it enough. I’m not processing it because I’m working so hard. I also know how much sharing in the past has helped me with other people giving me their love and support and also their own stories. I’m an open book. It breaks my heart that so many people are going through so much similar and worse – that’s the bit that kills me.” The Grammy-nominated Jessie J has long been celebrated for her robust soprano and R&B-informed pop hits, like the 2014 collaboration with Nicki Minaj and Ariana Grande, “Bang Bang,” and 2011’s “Domino.” She has released five albums across her career, most recently, 2018’s Christmas album, “This Christmas Day.” She has been releasing new music in 2025, including the singles “Living My Best Life” and “No Secrets.” A new album is expected later this year. She has a son, Sky Safir Cornish Colman, born in 2023. A representative for Jessie J did not immediately respond to The Associated Press’ request for comment.

2025-06-05 06:00:35.631

NEW YORK (AP) — The English pop singer Jessie J says she has been diagnosed with breast cancer and will undergo surgery after her performance at the London music festival Capital’s Summertime Ball next weekend. Jessie J, 37, shared the news in an Instagram video on Wednesday. “I was diagnosed with early breast cancer,” she said in the clip. “Cancer sucks in any form, but I’m holding onto the word ‘early’. “It’s a very dramatic way to get a boob job. I am going to disappear for a bit after Summertime Ball to have my surgery, and I will come back with massive (expletive) and more music.” The annual Summertime Ball will be held at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, June 15. She told her social media audience that she felt compelled to share her diagnosis. “I just wanted to be open and share it,” she said. “One, because, selfishly, I do not talk about it enough. I’m not processing it because I’m working so hard. I also know how much sharing in the past has helped me with other people giving me their love and support and also their own stories. I’m an open book. It breaks my heart that so many people are going through so much similar and worse – that’s the bit that kills me.” The Grammy-nominated Jessie J has long been celebrated for her robust soprano and R&B-informed pop hits, like the 2014 collaboration with Nicki Minaj and Ariana Grande, “Bang Bang,” and 2011’s “Domino.” RELATED STORIES Cancer before age 50 is increasing. A new study looks at which types Tina Knowles is tracing the throughline of Beyoncé and Solange’s success Trial begins for Nadine Menendez, wife of former US Sen. Bob Menendez She has released five albums across her career, most recently, 2018’s Christmas album, “This Christmas Day.” She has been releasing new music in 2025, including the singles “Living My Best Life” and “No Secrets.” A new album is expected later this year. She has a son, Sky Safir Cornish Colman, born in 2023. A representative for Jessie J did not immediately respond to The Associated Press’ request for comment.

2025-06-03 12:00:22.702

Jimmy Donaldson, aka MrBeast, is a global phenomenon. His YouTube channel boasts 400 million subscribers, dwarfing other social media giants. His success stems from highly entertaining, expensively produced videos featuring elaborate stunts and massive cash giveaways. Beyond YouTube, he's built a business empire encompassing mobile gaming, confectionery, fast food, and even cryptocurrency ventures. His 2024 Amazon Prime show, Beast Games, holds the record for the most expensive unscripted show ever made. His videos, though often lacking traditional narrative structure, are meticulously crafted to maximize viewer engagement, exploiting the algorithms that govern online attention. His early videos, like "I Counted to 100,000!," showcase a raw, obsessive drive for clicks. As his channel grew, so did the scale and cost of his stunts, along with the sums of money he gave away. His content often involves endurance challenges, with participants competing for enormous cash prizes, highlighting themes of loneliness, survival, and the arbitrary nature of wealth. MrBeast's philanthropic endeavors, while seemingly benevolent, have sparked controversy due to their presentation as entertainment. Videos like "1,000 Blind People See for the First Time" showcase a jarring juxtaposition of altruism and attention-grabbing spectacle. His work reflects a culture of isolation and economic precarity, with individuals competing for survival in a Hobbesian game. Donaldson's success is attributed to his understanding of YouTube algorithms, his peculiar charm, and his ability to tap into a childlike curiosity that resonates with viewers. While not politically active, his content implicitly addresses the politics of our time. He is a product of the YouTube algorithm, an evangelical upbringing, and an unwavering dedication to his vision, making him a unique cultural figure.

2025-06-03 06:00:20.576

Jimmy Donaldson, aka MrBeast, is a global phenomenon. His YouTube channel boasts 400 million subscribers, dwarfing the populations of many countries and even exceeding the number of native English speakers. His success extends beyond YouTube, encompassing ventures in mobile gaming, confectionery, fast food, and even cryptocurrency. His Amazon Prime show, Beast Games, holds the record for the most expensive unscripted show in history, costing a reported $100 million. This article delves into MrBeast's extraordinary success, examining his videos, business ventures, and philanthropic activities. The author analyzes his unique brand of entertainment, characterized by elaborate, expensive stunts, and a relentless pursuit of viewer engagement. MrBeast's videos, while often lacking traditional narrative structure, are undeniably captivating, exploiting the algorithms of YouTube to maximize engagement. The article explores his background, from his early Minecraft videos to his first viral hit, "I Counted to 100,000!" It traces his evolution as a content creator, highlighting his increasing production values and ever-larger giveaways. The article also examines the controversies surrounding his philanthropic endeavors, particularly the video "1,000 Blind People See for the First Time," which sparked debate about the ethical implications of treating charitable acts as entertainment. The author concludes that MrBeast, despite his critics, is a genius of the attention economy, a master of algorithm manipulation, and a unique figure reflecting the cultural obsessions of our time.

2025-05-11 12:00:23.085

Richard Gadd, a previously niche Scottish comedian, experienced a meteoric rise to global stardom with his Netflix miniseries 'Baby Reindeer.' The show, detailing his experiences with stalking and sexual abuse, became a massive hit, earning numerous awards including six Emmys and four Golden Globes, and garnering six Bafta nominations. However, the show's success is overshadowed by controversy. Fiona Harvey, identified as the woman portrayed as Gadd's stalker, filed a $170 million lawsuit against Netflix for defamation. Gadd discusses the whirlwind of the past year, the unexpected fame, and the challenges it presents. He reflects on the change in conversations surrounding sexual assault since his 2016 Edinburgh Fringe show, noting a decrease in the shame associated with such experiences. He admits to feeling immense pressure and anticipates needing time to recover from the intense experience. While receiving numerous offers, Gadd believes his stand-up days are over, and he shares his unusual method for unwinding—watching 'Hell's Kitchen.'