PARIS (AP) — The laciest, if not raciest, catwalk event of the year — aka, the Victoria’s Secret fashion show — took place Wednesday night in in the City of Light. Among the takeaways: performances by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars, sisters Bella and Gigi Hadid joining forces, as well as a $3 million Fantasy … Continue reading
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) — LeBron James delivered on a promise and ended decades of Cleveland sports misery in 2016. For leading the Cavaliers to an NBA title and ending the city’s 52-year title drought, James was chosen Sports Illustrated’s Sportsperson of the Year on Thursday, joining Tiger Woods as the award’s only two-time winners since … Continue reading
LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Soul Train Awards has served up a night of nostalgia with performances by Brandy and Dru Hill, two artists who dominated the R&B scene in the 1990s. After receiving the Lady of Soul award from Jill Scott, Brandy performed a medley of some of her biggest hits, including “The Boy … Continue reading
MOSCOW (AP) — An Olympic ice-dancing gold medalist and her dancing partner have caused controversy by dressing up in concentration camp uniforms for a routine on a popular television show. Tatiana Navka, who is the wife of Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov, and partner Andrei Burkovsky appeared in Saturday’s episode of “Ice Age” dressed in … Continue reading
NEW MILFORD, Conn. (AP) — The key to a room at the Connecticut inn where Marilyn Monroe stayed in 1956 while dating playwright Arthur Miller has sold for $131. The key from the Homestead Inn in New Milford sold Friday on eBay to a woman who lives in the town, antiques dealer Loretta Kretchko said … Continue reading
NEW YORK (AP) — “Moana,” Disney’s animated voyage to ancient Polynesia, sailed away with the Thanksgiving box office, debuting with $82.1 million over five days and $56.6 million over the weekend, according to final ticket sales figures Monday. That was the second best Thanksgiving debut following Disney’s 2013 hit “Frozen.” ”Moana” pushed Warner Bros.’ Harry … Continue reading
LONDON (AP) — Lindsay Lohan has apologized to an English town for failing to keep a date to switch on its Christmas lights. The actress posted a video on Twitter saying she couldn’t attend Thursday’s event in Kettering because of “my busy schedule.” Lohan’s link to the town 80 miles (130 km) north of London … Continue reading
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The best TV mothers become everyone’s mother, with each generation claiming its own. For viewers who came of age during “The Brady Bunch” years, it was Florence Henderson who more than earned the honor. She was partly old-school TV mom, as perfectly groomed and poised as Harriet Nelson in “The Adventures … Continue reading
JUBA, South Sudan (AP) — Musicians played lively tunes in South Sudan’s capital, and pedestrians and market shoppers watched the impromptu concert with curiosity. A soldier in desert camouflage walked around, surveying the scene. As the drumming grew more insistent, the audience stood silent and motionless seemingly afraid to join the fun. Then the soldier … Continue reading
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Dinosaurs in museums tend to be of the fossilized variety, but a new exhibit in Philadelphia is bringing the creatures and their world to life. “Jurassic World: The Exhibition” opens at the Franklin Institute on Friday. Based on the blockbuster dinosaur movie franchise, the experience mixes the vibe of a theme park … Continue reading
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iranian filmmaker Keywan Karimi has begun serving a year-long prison sentence handed down over footage authorities deemed insulting, his production company confirmed on Thursday. The charges against the 30-year-old stemmed from a film he directed called “Writing on the City” that focuses on political graffiti in Iran from the … Continue reading
KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) — Usain Bolt is now a movie star. He refuses to say he’s an actor. Such a distinction is important for the Jamaican sprinting great and nine-time Olympic champion. Until his competitive career ends next year, Bolt will continue playing only one role — that of the world’s fastest man, someone who … Continue reading
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Prince’s record company is suing Jay Z’s company for copyright infringement, saying it streamed Prince’s songs on the Tidal music service without permission after his death. Prince’s NPG Records says in a federal lawsuit filed Tuesday in Minneapolis federal court that Prince gave permission to Roc Nation to stream songs on Tidal … Continue reading
(AP) â A judge on Wednesday denied Bill Cosby’s latest attempt to end his sexual assault case and rejected his request for competency testing of the 13 women who want to testify that they were drugged and violated by the comedian. Judge Steven O’Neill hasn’t yet ruled on whether prosecutors will be allowed to call … Continue reading
LAS VEGAS (AP) — An attorney for an illusionist who was once a headliner on the Las Vegas Strip complained Monday that a prosecutor misstated facts when she told a judge that the defendant knew child pornography had been downloaded to computers at his home. Jan Rouven Fuechtener’s lawyers maintain that he’s not responsible for … Continue reading
“Ray & Joan” (Dutton), by Lisa Napoli In 2012, journalist Lisa Napoli did a story about a peace monument in Santa Monica, California, that had fallen into disrepair. She soon learned the identity of the anonymous donor who had paid for it years before: Joan Kroc, heir to the McDonald’s hamburger fortune. Curiosity piqued, Napoli … Continue reading
When’s the last time you saw a truly fresh talent on screen? Someone so charismatic that you couldn’t wait to find out who they are, what they’ve done before and why you’ve never noticed? That’s what it feels like to watch Hayden Szeto as the sweetly dorky love interest to Hailee Steinfeld’s lead in “The … Continue reading
NEW YORK (AP) — When Mick Jagger was coming up with ideas for an exhibition highlighting The Rolling Stones’ five-decade long career, he wanted to re-create the mood of the band in its early years. So, he had a team recreate the first London apartment he and his band mates shared in 1962, complete with … Continue reading
LONDON (AP) — It’s the British royals versus the press — again — and Prince Harry thinks enough is enough. In a highly unusual statement, the prince on Tuesday lashed out at the media for intruding on the privacy of his new girlfriend, American actress Meghan Markle. The 32-year-old royal said the press had crossed … Continue reading
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Angelina Jolie Pitt will continue to have sole custody of her six children with Brad Pitt in a joint agreement reached by the actors, a representative for the actress said Monday. The voluntary agreement calls for the former couple’s six children, who range in ages from 8 to 15, to continue … Continue reading
NEW YORK (AP) — TVs are so last century. News outlets are using Facebook Live, Snapchat, YouTube and other tools to offer live coverage of Election Day in ways not possible four years ago. It’s a fitting close to an election season that has played out on Twitter and Facebook as much as it has … Continue reading
BEIJING (AP) — China is attempting to crack down on box office fraud in the world’s second-biggest movie market by setting out punishments for companies that fabricate ticket sales and other data under the country’s first film law. Under the legislation adopted by the Chinese parliament on Monday, film distributors and cinemas that falsify ticket … Continue reading
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) — Much like the American presidential race, it’s never too early to start campaigning for Hollywood’s awards season, and stars got an early chance Sunday at the Hollywood Film Awards . The show has been criticized for its nebulous selection process and odd tradition of recognizing films before they’re released, but … Continue reading
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Marvel’s “Doctor Strange” topped a strong weekend at the box office with $85.1 million from North American theaters, according to box office sales reported by the studios on Monday. The success of “Strange” also continues Marvel’s now fourteen-film streak of always opening in first place. There was more money to go … Continue reading
NEW YORK (AP) — Glamour’s annual Women of the Year list always takes in a lot of territory, from noteworthy fashionistas and sports heroes to social justice activists and business leaders. Enter Bono: The first Man of the Year among the magazine’s Women of the Year, all to be honored at a Nov. 14 ceremony … Continue reading
Spartan Echo 