AP Entertainment

February 11, 2025

The women of ‘The White Lotus’ check into Season 3 in Thailand

LONDON (AP) — Is “The White Lotus” the best job on television? This season’s cast certainly thinks so. Michelle Monaghan plays a TV actor, on a girls trip at the resort. She actually cried when she was offered the role. This time around, the luxury vacation location is Thailand and includes Aimee Lou Wood and Blackpink singer Lisa in the cast. Natasha Rothwell is back as Belinda the spa manager from the first season and reckons she must have done something good in a former life to deserve her role on the show. They all check into “The White Lotus” starting Sunday on HBO and Sky.

A$AP Rocky may take the risk of taking the stand at his felony assault trial

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Rapper A$AP Rocky may take the stand in his own defense at his trial on two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. The attorneys at the hip-hop star’s Los Angeles trial made the revelation in conversations with a judge. They say he could take the stand early Tuesday. Rocky is not legally required to testify, and putting him there would be a risky move. The hip-hop star could get up to 24 years in prison if he’s convicted. His team is arguing that a gun he fired in a scuffle with a former friend in 2021 was a prop that only shoots blanks.

Movie Review: ‘Paddington in Peru’ is buoyant and bright, and that’s enough

In the 11 years of what we can fairly call “the Paddington era,” the bear, himself, hasn’t changed so much as a toggle on his blue duffle coat. Paddington’s great appeal, in an otherwise often fearfully changeable world, is that he stays exactly the same. What has changed in “Paddington in Peru” is the director. Dougal Wilson steps in for Paul King and soldiers on but can’t quite summon the same comic spirit. But “Paddington in Peru,” bright and buoyant, will do, writes Associated Press Film Writer Jake Coyle in his review. If some of the previous Paddington magic is missing, the bedrock earnestness and unflaggingly good manners of its ursine protagonist remain charmingly unaltered.

Oscar presenters will include Halle Berry and Emma Stone. Here’s what to know about the show

After devastating wildfires tore through Los Angeles, the 97th Academy Awards are going forward. The academy on Tuesday announced that Halle Berry, Penélope Cruz, Elle Fanning, Whoopi Goldberg, Scarlett Johansson, John Lithgow, Amy Poehler, June Squibb and Bowen Yang have been added to the presenting lineup. A previous announcement said last year’s acting winners will return to the Oscar stage. Those include Emma Stone, Robert Downey Jr., Cillian Murphy and Da’Vine Joy Randolph Joy. The 97th Academy Awards will be held on Sunday, March 2, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Also for the first time, the Oscars will be streamed live on Hulu.

Testimony in trial of man accused of trying to kill Salman Rushdie heads into 2nd day

Testimony is set to continue in the trial of the man charged with stabbing famed author Salman Rushdie in a frenzied knife attack on a western New York stage. Jurors in the trial of Hadi Matar heard testimony Monday from staffers at the arts institution where Rushdie was attacked in August 2022. More testimony is expected Tuesday. Authorities say Matar stabbed Rushdie more than a dozen times and also wounded another speaker before spectators subdued the attacker. The 77-year-old author Rushdie was blinded in one eye and spent months recovering from the attack. Matar has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and assault.

‘SNL50’ anniversary special will have alums join Bad Bunny, Sabrina Carpenter and more

NEW YORK (AP) — The “Saturday Night Live” 50th anniversary special will include guest appearances by Tom Hanks, Sabrina Carpenter, Bad Bunny, John Mulaney, Dave Chappelle, Scarlett Johansson and numerous other stars who’ve been associated with the show over the years. They’ll be joined by a host of former cast members, too, including from the show’s very first season. They will appear on the “SNL50: The Anniversary Special” that will air Sunday. It’s a three-hour live telecast honoring the show’s 50th anniversary. The special will air two days after a concert, “SNL50: The Homecoming Concert,” livestreams on Peacock.

The iconic ‘T’ stands for twisted in Tory Burch’s new collection at New York Fashion Week

NEW YORK (AP) — Tory Burch has offered what she calls a “twist-ed” take American sportswear in her new fall/winter collection at New York Fashion Week — exaggerated shapes and details, a splashy backdrop and memorable music. Known for her classic lines and splashes of color against neutral tones, Burch says the result was her way of taking expected pieces and adding unconventional details and pairings. Monday’s show at the Museum of Modern Art attracted stars like Amanda Seyfried, Jodie Turner-Smith, and Alexandra Daddario as well as Martha Stewart.

Jon Batiste’s reimagined Super Bowl anthem highlighted wife’s painting and set stage for new music

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Jon Batiste turned his Super Bowl opportunity into a symphony of artistry, the debut of new music and a tribute to his hometown roots. As Batiste delivered a stirring rendition of the national anthem, the multi-talented musician played a piano adorned with a butterfly painting by his wife, Suleika Jaouad, who is battling cancer and came up with the idea during the making of their Grammy-winning documentary “American Symphony.” His wife’s vibrant painting, the city’s resilience after the New Year’s attack and the memory of his late veteran grandfather all fueled his performance from within. The seven-time Grammy winner released two songs Sunday and is looking ahead to a tour that will mix his recent projects.

Book Review: In ‘You Didn’t Hear This From Me,’ Kelsey McKinney wants you to reconsider gossip

In her new book “You Didn’t Hear This From Me: (Mostly) True Notes on Gossip,” Kelsey McKinney wants readers to reconsider their relationship with gossip. As the co-creator of the runaway hit podcast “Normal Gossip,” McKinney is well aware of gossip is villainized as “women’s talk.” But across a series of essays with subjects as varied as “The Epic of Gilgamesh” and “Gossip Girl,” Associated Press reviewer Curtis Yee says McKinney offers a compelling and confounding picture of gossip as both vice and virtue. Often conflated as slander or libel or even hate speech, gossip’s definition is nebulous, existing according to McKinney “in a kind of transitory, imaginary space.”

Carolina Herrera debuts new fall looks high above New York City

NEW YORK (AP) — Atop a skyscraper, Wes Gordon unveiled his latest Carolina Herrera collection to an eager crowd at New York Fashion Week. Models strutted down the runway adorned with 3,000 burgundy wine-colored ranunculus flowers while Gordon’s “personal assortment of songs” played in the background. For his fall 2025 collection, Gordon pushed the envelope with 66 bold looks. He included just about everything from tweed ultrafeminine mini dresses to more masculine, tailored trousers, and blazers. There were delicate floral lace sets followed by a series of embroidered nearly sheer gowns. Many looks were accessorized with gold buttons, earrings or rose appliques. Dove Cameron, Chloe Fineman, Emmy Rossum and Nicole Scherzinger were among the celebrity attendees.