Tag: entertainment

BTS hit ‘Dynamite’ worth $1.4 billion to South Korea: govt

SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — K-pop sensation BTS’s US-chart-topping single “Dynamite” could generate more than $1.4 billion for the South Korean economy and thousands of new jobs in the country, a government study claimed Monday. The trailblazing septet cemented their prominence in the world’s biggest music market last week, when the all-English track debuted at number one in the Billboard Hot 100. The feat had previously eluded rapper Psy, whose Gangnam Style was a global […]

‘Batman’ filming halted after Pattinson gets Covid-19

by Jocelyne ZABLIT LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Filming in Britain for the latest Batman movie has been halted after its star Robert Pattinson reportedly tested positive for the coronavirus, just days after shooting had resumed. “A member of ‘The Batman’ production has tested positive for Covid-19, and is isolating in accordance with established protocols,” Warner Bros. said in a statement to AFP. “Filming is temporarily paused.” The studio did not name the person […]

The Rock reveals family coronavirus battle

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and his entire family tested positive for coronavirus but have made a full recovery, the professional wrestler turned Hollywood A-lister said Wednesday. Johnson, the world’s top-paid actor, urged his 196 million Instagram followers to wear masks and avoid “politicizing” the pandemic after revealing that he, his wife, and two young daughters had picked up Covid-19 from close family friends. “This has been one of the […]

K-pop’s BTS first all-South Korean act to top US singles charts

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — K-pop sensation BTS has become the first all-South Korean act to rule the top US singles chart, industry tracker Billboard announced Monday, with their English-language “Dynamite” hitting number one. It is another milestone cementing the seven-member boy band’s global dominance, coming hours after BTS beat American heavyweights including Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift to score the Best Pop award at Sunday’s MTV Video Music Awards. The first […]

Keanu Reeves brings sunny ‘Bill & Ted’ sequel to ‘darker’ world

by Andrew MARSZAL LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Featuring a young Keanu Reeves, a madcap time-travelling plot and a supply of the most bodacious catchphrases, 1989’s “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure” has become a cult comedy classic. Three decades on, the hit that launched Reeves’ career is back for a third movie — and its air-headed, good-natured heroes’ message to “be excellent to each other” is needed now more than ever, its creators told […]

Disney’s ‘Mulan’ to skip big screen with September streaming launch

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Disney’s much-delayed blockbuster “Mulan” will skip the big screen and premiere on streaming platform Disney+ next month, it was announced Tuesday, as coronavirus keeps theaters shut across much of the United States. The unprecedented decision — described by CEO Bob Chapek as a “one-off” for a Disney blockbuster — is the latest major blow for movie theater chains already reeling from the pandemic. “Mulan,” a mega-budget live action remake […]

‘Glee’ star Naya Rivera missing, feared drowned

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — “Glee” star Naya Rivera is missing and feared drowned at a California lake, local officials said, with rescuers to continue a search for her on Thursday. The Ventura County Sheriff’s office earlier tweeted it was looking for a “possible drowning victim” at the lake, and said a dive team was being deployed to the area. Rivera, 33, is best known for her role as high school cheerleader Santana Lopez […]

Harry Potter star Emma Watson joins board of fashion giant Kering

PARIS, France (AFP) — Emma Watson, the actress and activist who made her name as Hermione Granger in the “Harry Potter” films, joined the board of the French fashion giant Kering Tuesday, in a major coup for the world’s second biggest luxury group. The British star, who was born in Paris, is the face of the Good On You app, which rates fashion brands on their ethical and sustainability credentials. Although Kering is seen to […]

‘Slumdog Millionaire’ actor Irrfan Khan dies at 53

by Udita Jhunjhunwala Agence France Presse MUMBAI, India (AFP) — Acclaimed Indian actor Irrfan Khan, whose international movie career included hits such as “Slumdog Millionaire”, “Life of Pi” and “The Amazing Spider-Man”, has died aged 53, his publicist said Wednesday. The Bollywood star, who was diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumor in 2018, was admitted to a Mumbai hospital earlier this week with a colon infection. “Irrfan was a strong soul, someone who fought till the […]

Celine Dion salutes ‘heroic’ workers in pandemic fight

OTTAWA, Canada (AFP) — Canadian singer Celine Dion has posted a heartfelt thanks to the “heroic” workers on the frontline in the coronavirus fight, and urged her fans to respect stay-at-home orders. The video shot in the superstar’s kitchen — two versions, in English and in French — had more than 2.5 million views across her social media feeds as of mid-morning Thursday. “Let’s take care of each other and I know we will get […]

New EBC shows coming to YouTube

Eagle News — Quarantine got you running out of things to watch on Netflix? Or tired of watching the same thing on Netflix? Well you’re in luck! As EBC strives to create wholesome content for every member of the family, eight brand new shows will be streaming LIVE on Eagle News via YouTube starting Monday, April 13. For the HipHop/R&B enthusiast in your family, check out The Vocal Chamber—an E25 Records original series, independent artists […]

Bill Withers, soul icon behind ‘Lean On Me,’ dies at 81

by Andrew Marszal, with Maggy Donaldson in New York Bill Withers, the legendary performer who delivered timeless hits like “Ain’t No Sunshine” with silky yet funkified vocals and came to define 1970s soul, has died. He was 81 years old. The Grammy-winning artist behind the beloved “Lean on Me” succumbed to heart complications, according to his family, which said it was “devastated” over the loss. “A solitary man with a heart driven to connect to […]