Burt Bacharach, legendary composer and Oscar winner, has passed away at the age of 94. Throughout his 70-year career, Bacharach wrote dozens of hit songs, including "Walk on By," "Do You Know the Way to San Jose," and "I Say a Little Prayer." His music was popular across generations, from the 1950s to the 21st century, and will continue to live on for years to come.
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The trial of three men accused of fatally shooting the emerging rapper XXXTentacion began this week in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. On Wednesday, jurors watched a gripping surveillance video that captured the murder of the local rap star and heard testimony from a family friend. Prosecutors showed the silent, graphic video from June 18, 2018 documenting the final minutes of the life of XXXTentacion, whose real name was Jahseh Dwayne Onfroy. If convicted, the three men could face the death penalty.
Madonna has taken to social media to express her frustration at the ageism and misogyny she has experienced after a close-up photo of her face went viral online. She lamented being "caught in the glare of ageism and misogyny that permeates the world we live in," adding that the world "refuses to celebrate women past the age of 45 and feels the need to punish her if she continues to be strong-willed, hard-working, and successful." Madonna has been a vocal advocate for women's rights and gender equality for many years and has used her platform to speak out against ageism and misogyny.
The Walt Disney Co. has announced that it will be cutting 7,000 jobs from its global workforce, amounting to about 3% of its total employees. The job cuts are part of a cost-cutting effort and are part of a “significant transformation” for the media and entertainment giant, as CEO Bob Iger is under pressure to revive the company's financial fortunes and its stock price. The job cuts come as a shock to many and it remains to be seen how the company will adjust to the changes and how its employees will be affected.
Disney+ has removed an episode of the popular animated show “The Simpsons” from its streaming service in Hong Kong due to its reference to “forced labor” in China. The episode follows the character Marge Simpson as she rides a Peloton-style bike with an instructor whose backdrop is the Great Wall of China and mentions “forced labor camps where children make smartphones”. The removal of the episode has raised concerns about censorship due to the country’s new national security law.
Renowned author Salman Rushdie has made a triumphant return to the literary world, six months after surviving a brutal stabbing attack. Despite sustaining physical and mental injuries, Rushdie has refused to adopt the role of a victim and is promoting his new book, Victory City. His return is a testament to his resilience and determination, as he has vowed to eschew feelings of bitterness and continue writing.
AMC Entertainment, the largest movie theater chain in the United States, is introducing a new ticket pricing system based on seat location. Customers will be able to pay less or more for a movie ticket based on their seat selection, with the lowest price point being the front row of the theater and the highest-end tier being in the middle of the theater. Other theater chains are likely to follow suit in the near future.
Kim Petras and Sam Smith made history at the Grammy Awards Sunday night, becoming the first out nonbinary and trans woman to win the award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for their song “Unholy.” Petras thanked the “incredible transgender legends” before her, while Smith graciously allowed Petras to accept the award, recognizing her history-making moment. Petras’s win is a testament to the progress the LGBTQ community has made in recent years, and a reminder of the importance of recognizing and celebrating the accomplishments of trans and nonbinary artists.