AP Entertainment

January 21, 2025

Last-minute settlement talks stall Prince Harry’s high-stakes trial against British tabloids

LONDON (AP) — Prince Harry’s high-stakes trial pitting him against Rupert Murdoch’s U.K. tabloids has stalled amid settlement discussions. Harry, the younger son of King Charles III, and one other claimant allege News Group Newspapers, the publisher of The Sun, hacked their phones or unlawfully snooped on them. The High Court trial was scheduled to start Tuesday, but attorneys sought delays as settlement talks took place. The publisher, which has denied the allegations, has settled more than 1,300 other claims out of court.

A$AP Rocky trial set to begin on charges he fired a gun at a former friend

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Trial is set to begin with jury selection in a Los Angeles court for rapper A$AP Rocky, who is charged with firing a gun at a former friend in Hollywood in 2021. The 36-year-old has pleaded not guilty to two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, and his attorney has said he committed no crime. He could get 24 years in prison if convicted. Opening statements could come Wednesday if a jury is picked quickly. The Grammy-nominated hip-hop star, fashion mogul and actor is the longtime partner of Rihanna, and the two have two toddler sons together.

Sting, Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish and the Red Hot Chili Peppers to perform at FireAid benefit concert

NEW YORK (AP) — Sting, Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga and the Red Hot Chili Peppers are among the performers slated to take the stage at the FireAid benefit concert for Los Angeles-area wildfire relief. It was originally scheduled to take place at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. But the event has grown in size and will now take place in two venues, the Intuit Dome and the adjacent Kia Forum on Jan. 30. Tickets will go on sale Wednesday at 12 p.m. PDT via Ticketmaster. All proceeds from FireAid will go directly to the event’s designated beneficiaries.

Symbol of unity? Inauguration news coverage illustrates differences that pull country apart

Presidential inaugurals frequently symbolize what binds Americans, a quadrennial celebration of a peaceful transition of power. Yet the nation’s political divisions were hard not to notice in media coverage of the event. The ceremonies dominated news outlets on a day many Americans were off for the Martin Luther King holiday. On NBC News, historian Jon Meacham called Trump’s inaugural the most partisan address he can remember. Conservative commentator Scott Jennings on CNN said it was remarkable to see Trump “indict the gangsters to their faces.” For news outlets, there was a lot of news to cover beyond the pomp, with a blizzard of Trump executive orders and last-minute pardons by outgoing President Joe Biden.

Several people are injured at a Berlin concert by US rapper JPEGMafia because of pepper spray

BERLIN (AP) — Several people have been injured at a concert in Berlin by American rapper JPEGMafia because of pepper spray. German news agency dpa reported Tuesday that six people were taken to a hospital with respiratory problems and the rapper had to end the concert early. Officials say it is still unclear what caused the pepper spray incident on Monday night, but police are investigating. After the crowd was evacuated from the concert hall, about 1,600 concert goers were taken to a parking lot by police and then allowed to go home. German broadcaster RBB reported that an unknown person sprayed pepper spray inside the auditorium during the concert.

Disneyland Paris touts spectacular nighttime show using Paris Games laser technology

CHESSY, France (AP) — A cutting-edge nighttime show at Disneyland Paris is heralding a bold new chapter for Europe’s most-visited theme park. A 2 billion euro expansion plan includes the completed revamp of the luxury Disneyland Hotel, the renaming and doubling in size of Walt Disney Studios Park and the much-anticipated arrival of The World of Frozen and a first-of-its-kind The Lion King land, It is expected to cement the resort’s gains after the wilderness years for theme parks during the pandemic. The show’s standout feature of ultra-bright lasers has been used only once before at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Giorgio Armani shines at Milan Fashion Week with shimmering menswear collection

MILAN (AP) — Giorgio Armani’s menswear collection previewing on the final day of Milan Fashion Week was all about catching the light, which the 90-year-old designer achieved with shimmering textiles and a smattering of crystals. Armani on Monday closed four days of menswear previews for Fall-Winter 2025-26 at his historic headquarters on Via Borgonuovo, freeing the fashion crowd to head to Paris for the next round. Fans gathered behind barricades to snap photos of VIPs including Adrien Brodie, Joe Alwyn, Rocco Ritchie and Darren Star, arriving for the show under a light drizzle.

Dozens of firms pull ads from Japanese network over sex scandal linked to its staff and celebrity

TOKYO (AP) — Dozens of major Japanese companies have pulled their commercials from broadcaster Fuji Television amid allegations company officials tried to cover up a sex scandal involving one of the country’s most famous TV hosts. Masahiro Nakai, a former member of the super popular male band SMAP and now a popular host at Fuji and other Japanese networks, has been linked to an alleged sexual assault at a party reportedly arranged by Fuji TV staff. It’s the latest scandal in the male-dominated Japanese entertainment industry, which has been hit by a wave of sexual assault cases. Fuji only publicly announced the inquiry after one of its largest shareholders, Rising Sun Management, criticized the company and demanded a full investigation.

Eight years ago, stars avoided Trump’s inauguration. This time it’s different

WASHINGTON (AP) — Carrie Underwood might not be Beyoncé or Garth Brooks in the celebrity superstar ecosystem. But the singer’s participation in President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration is nevertheless a sign of the changing tides. Mainstream entertainers from Nelly to The Village People are more publicly and more enthusiastically associating with the new administration. Kid Rock, Billy Ray Cyrus, The Village People and Lee Greenwood all performed at a MAGA style rally Sunday. Those performing at inaugural balls include Nelly, country music band Rascal Flatts, country singer Jason Aldean and singer-songwriter Gavin DeGraw. Following the election, celebrity detractors have also been quieter than in 2017.

A$AP Rocky’s shooting trial is set to begin. Here’s what to know about the case

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A$AP Rocky is about to go to trial on charges that he fired a gun at a former friend outside a Hollywood hotel in 2021. The Grammy-nominated rapper, fashion mogul and longtime romantic partner of Rihanna is set to be a co-host of the elite Met Gala in May, and to star opposite Denzel Washington in a Spike Lee film, but a conviction on two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm could lead to years in prison. Rocky’s lawyer Joe Tacopina says he’s eager to clear the rapper’s name at the trial that’s expected to last about three weeks. Jury selection begins Tuesday.