Taylor Swift announces 12th studio album, 'The Life of a Showgirl,' shares release date
NEW YORK (AP) -- Taylor Swift has announced her 12th studio album, "The Life of a Showgirl." It will arrive October 3. The full-length release announced Tuesday follows her last original album, 2024's "The Tortured Poets Department." That album was released during her record-breaking "Eras Tour." "The Life of a Showgirl" is also her first release since Swift regained control over her entire body of work. In May, that pop star said she purchased her catalog of recordings from their most recent owner, the private equity firm Shamrock Capital. No release date for "The Life of the Showgirl" has been announced.
Priscilla Presley's ex-business partners sue her for more than $50 million, alleging fraud
Priscilla Presley's former business partners have filed a lawsuit seeking over $50 million, alleging fraud and breach of contract. Brigitte Kruse and Kevin Fialko filed the lawsuit Monday in Los Angeles. They claim Presley, the 80-year-old former wife of Elvis Presley, used them to do business with her name and image, hiding that she sold those rights decades ago. This lawsuit follows Presley's own lawsuit against them last year, accusing them of financial elder abuse. Kruse and Fialko say they invested heavily in revitalizing Presley's brand. They allege Presley denied selling her rights and illegally cut them out of her business plan.
Denzel Washington and A$AP Rocky had a rap battle. One is claiming victory
NEW YORK (AP) -- A$AP Rocky had no idea Denzel Washington was going to throw Nas at him. Midway through Spike Lee's "Highest 2 Lowest," Washington's wealthy music executive David King has cornered Rocky's aspiring rapper Yung Felon after he tried to kidnap his son. They meet in a music studio. A rap battle ensues. Washington freestyles, mixing in lines from Nas, Tupac, DMX and others. While the scene was scripted, much of what Washington freestyled startled his professional rapper co-star. In the annals of movie face-offs between the veteran and the up-and-comer, the scene is a riveting showdown. Rocky is clear about one thing. Washington won.
Movie Review: Spike Lee's 'Highest 2 Lowest' finds its groove in New York's streets
Spike Lee reteams with Denzel Washington for the fifth time in "Highest 2 Lowest." The film is a new riff on Kurosawa's "High and Low," set in modern-day New York around a music mogul's moral dilemma. In her review for The Associated Press, film writer Lindsey Bahr writes that the film "takes some time to find its groove. But once it does, when the film leaves the high rises and gets its feet on the New York pavement, it really sings." "Highest 2 Lowest" is rated R. It opens in theaters Friday and streams on Apple TV+ on Sept. 5.
Every major update from Taylor Swift's first appearance on the Kelces' 'New Heights' podcast
NEW YORK (AP) -- Taylor Swift's latest era is almost upon us. Part of the surprising rollout of her 12th album "The Life of the Showgirl" involved the popular "New Heights" podcast. It is hosted by Swift's boyfriend and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce alongside his brother, former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce. Swift's episode premiered at 7 p.m. Eastern on Wednesday. It is available to stream on YouTube. In the episode, she discussed her new album, connecting with Travis Kelce through the podcast, buying back her masters and much more.
Trump names Stallone and Kiss for Kennedy Center Honors and says he'll host the awards show
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump has put a personal touch on this year's Kennedy Center Honors. Trump announced the honorees himself, naming George Strait, Sylvester Stallone, Gloria Gaynor, Kiss and Michael Crawford. Trump is now chair of the Kennedy Center and revealed the names during a Wednesday press conference at the Washington cultural institution. Unlike in Trump's first term, when he didn't attend an honors ceremony, this year he plans to host the awards himself. Trump says he was "98% involved" in choosing the nominees. At least some of this year's winners have a history of backing Trump, though one member of Kiss, Paul Stanley, has often criticized the president. The ceremony is Dec. 7.
Billy Joel closing beloved New York motorcycle shop after brain disorder diagnosis
Billy Joel's beloved motorcycle shop on Long Island, New York, is closing down after nearly 15 years of offering fans a free peek at his personal collection of dozens of bikes. A spokesperson for the music icon says he is shuttering 20th Century Cycles in Oyster Bay in late September and auctioning off his collection later this year because of a brain disorder he was diagnosed with. Joel announced in May that he has Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, a fluid buildup in the brain that can affect thinking and movement.
Melania Trump demands Hunter Biden retract 'extremely salacious' Epstein comments
WASHINGTON (AP) -- First lady Melania Trump is demanding that Hunter Biden retract comments linking her to sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. She threatens to sue if he does not. Biden made the comments in an interview this month, claiming Epstein introduced Melania to Donald Trump. Melania Trump's lawyer, Alejandro Brito, calls the statements false and defamatory. Brito says the comments have been widely shared on social media, causing harm to the first lady's reputation. Biden attributed the claim to author Michael Wolff, whom Trump has criticized. The Trumps have long said they were introduced by a modeling agent in 1998.
Rising seas could put Easter Island's moai at risk by 2080, study warns
A new study warns that rising sea levels could threaten Easter Island's iconic moai statues by the end of the century. Researchers have used computer models to predict that waves could reach Ahu Tongariki. That's the island's largest ceremonial platform as early as 2080. This site is crucial to the island's tourism and cultural identity. Cultural heritage sites worldwide are facing similar threats from rising seas.
South Korean Supreme Court dismisses US composer's 'Baby Shark' copyright claim
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) -- South Korea's Supreme Court has rejected a 30 million won ($21,600) damage claim by an American composer who accused a South Korean kids content company of plagiarizing his version of "Baby Shark," ending a six-year legal battle over the globally popular tune known for its catchy "doo doo doo doo doo doo" hook. The top court Thursday upheld lower court rulings dating back to 2021 and 2023 that found no sufficient grounds to conclude Pinkfong infringed on Jonathan Wright's copyright. Wright had recorded his version in 2011, four years before Pinkfong's, but both were based on a traditional melody popular for years at children's summer camps in the U.S.