Entertainment – International

From Black Eyed Peas star to cancer survivor: Taboo tells all

by Yussel Gonzalez Agence France Presse MEXICO CITY, Mexico (AFP) — Jimmy Gomez, better known as the rapper Taboo from The Black Eyed Peas, had money, fame and a multi-platinum career when a strange back pain brought his world crashing down. The six-time Grammy winner went to the doctor and got a gut-wrenching diagnosis: he had testicular cancer. He had more than 100 million record sales to his name and a string of worldwide dance […]

Blake Shelton named People’s 2017 ‘sexiest man alive’

LAS VEGAS, Nevada, United States (Reuters) — Blake Shelton was named Sexiest Man Alive by People magazine, a first for any country singer, prompting “The Voice” judge to shake off his shyness about his looks. “I’ve been ugly my whole life,” Shelton, 41, said in a statement on Tuesday (November 14). “If I can be sexy for a year, I’m taking it!” Oklahoma native Shelton spent a decade in country music before his popularity surged […]

Nicole Kidman and Gigi Hadid among Glamour’s Women of the Year

NEW YORK City, United States (Reuters) — Entertainers, activists, a politician and an astronaut make up the list of Glamour magazine’s 27th annual women of the year. On Monday (November 13) the U.S. publication recognized supermodel Gigi Hadid, actress Nicole Kidman, singer Solange Knowles, Congresswoman Maxine Waters and “Wonder Woman” director Patty Jenkins and others for achievements in their respective fields. “It’s a huge honor, I mean it’s a lovely thing to be acknowledged with […]

Sam Smith scores first top spot on Billboard 200

(Reuters) — Sam Smith’s “The Thrill of it All” scored the British singer’s first No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 album chart, edging out new releases by Maroon 5 and Blake Shelton, according to data from Nielsen SoundScan on Monday (November 13). The album sold more than 237,000 units in its first week to debut as No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Billboard said it was Smith’s best sales week ever in the United […]

All the winners from the 2017 MTV Europe Music Awards

LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — The MTV Europe Music Awards (EMA), held in London on Sunday evening, honoured the 19-year-old Canadian singer Shawn Mendes with both the Best Artist and Best Song prizes. In a first for the EMAs — created in 1994 — categories were stripped of gender in a bid to “break barriers.” Here is the list of the winners of the 24th edition of MTV EMA: Best artist: Shawn Mendes Best song: […]

‘Thor’ remains a box office smash, thundering into second weekend

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — After a smashing start in its first weekend in theaters, “Thor: Ragnarok” thundered to the box office top spot once again this week, taking $56.6 million, according to industry estimates released Sunday. The third “Thor” episode, boosted by the self-mocking humor of Chris Hemsworth as the powerful Norse god (alongside Cate Blanchett as Hela, goddess of death), has taken a total of $211.5 million since opening in North American cinemas […]

Shawn Mendes wins best artist at MTV Europe Music Awards

LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Canadian teen singer Shawn Mendes on Sunday won best artist and best song at the MTV Europe Music Awards (EMA) in London, pipping heavyweight competitors such as Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus and Ed Sheeran. The awards ceremony at Wembley Arena, the first to be staged in the British capital in 20 years, were hosted by Rita Ora and featured performances by U2 and David Guetta. In a first for the […]

Arnold Schwarzenegger says “act now” on climate change

BONN, Germany (Reuters) — Former California governor-turned-green activist, Arnold Schwarzenegger, said on Sunday (November 12) he would do everything in his power to make sure the Paris climate agreement is implemented. Speaking at an event event organized by local and regional governments on the sidelines of the Bonn talks on global warming, the former Hollywood star also said it was everyone’s responsibility to act. The Austrian-born actor, who served two terms as California governor, also […]

Disney announces new ‘Star Wars’ trilogy

by Glenn Chapman Agence France-Presse SAN FRANCISCO, United States (AFP) — Disney on Thursday announced plans for a new “Star Wars” trilogy as it builds on the beloved and profitable science fiction film franchise. “We have big ambitions for the ‘Star Wars’ franchise,” Disney chief executive Robert Iger said during a quarterly earnings call. Disney just closed a deal with Rian Johnson, director of upcoming film “The Last Jedi,” to develop a brand new trilogy, […]

Plummer to replace Spacey in new film: Sony source

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) – Veteran actor Christopher Plummer will replace fallen star Kevin Spacey in the Ridley Scott police drama “All the Money in the World,” a source at Sony said on Wednesday. Spacey’s career is in free fall over sexual assault allegations, the latest of which emerged earlier Wednesday. “Plummer will swap for Spacey,” as the crew race to reshoot scenes from the film which Sony’s TriStar still plans to release on […]

Move over Mickey: In Germany, Donald Duck reigns

by Hui Min Neo Agence France-Presse BERLIN, Germany (AFP) — Mickey Mouse may be Disney’s top star in most parts of the world, but in Germany, Donald Duck is king. More than 50 years after the cartoon featuring the hot-tempered duck arrived in the land of Goethe, it remains one of the bestselling comic title at the newsstands. Generations of children grew up with the so-called Lustiges Taschenbuch (which translates as Funny Paperback) featuring the […]

Weinstein had ‘army of spies’ to thwart complaints: report

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Harvey Weinstein hired journalists and highly trained ex-spies and military personnel who used fake identities to try to stop accusers from going public with sexual misconduct claims against him, The New Yorker reported Monday. The news came as the Television Academy, which hands out Emmy Awards, was said to have expelled Weinstein “for life,” following a similar move by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which gives […]