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☆ Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, lands new podcast deal after parting ways with Spotify
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Elizabeth Wagmeister | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Less than a year after Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, ended their podcasting partnership with Spotify, Meghan has a new podcasting partner. Meghan will bring a new, yet-to-be-announced podcast to Lemonada Media, which issued a press release with the news on Tuesday. In addition to her new podcast, Lemonada will also stream “Archetypes,” Meghan’s podcast that debuted in 2022 on Spotify. Under the new creative partnership, Lemonada will begin streaming “Archetypes” this spring, handling ad sales and distribution. A spokesperson for Archewell Productions, the company founded by Harry and Meghan, did not respond to CNN’s inquiry regarding the terms of the deal.

Persons: Prince Harry, Meghan, Duchess of, Lemonada, Mariah Carey, Mindy Kaling, Issa Rae, Harry, “, ” Meghan, I’m, ”, Jessica Cordova Kramer, Stephanie Wittels Wachs, we’ve, Duchess, Sussex, Julia Louis, Dreyfus, Samantha Bee ” Organizations: CNN, Spotify, Lemonada Media, Archewell Productions, ” Lemonada, Netflix Locations: Duchess of Sussex, Lemonada, United States

☆ Dunkin’ is adding Ben Affleck’s go-to coffee order on its menu
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-12 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —A career in music isn’t in Ben Affleck’s future, but at least his go-to drink at his favorite coffee chain — Dunkin’ — is getting easier to order. The “DunKings Menu” includes Affleck’s favorite iced coffee, a drink that includes cream, a sweet cold foam topping and a dusting of cinnamon sugar. The recent Dunkin’ ad also starred Affleck’s buddy Matt Damon and former New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who are also deeply associated with Boston where Dunkin’ got its start. The DunKings can “find solace in their setback with the anticipation of finally earning a spot on the Dunkin’ menu,” the chain said in the release. Dunkin' is adding the "DunKings" menu, based off Ben Affleck's favorites, for a limited time.

Persons: Ben Affleck’s, Dunkin, Affleck’s, Jennifer Lopez, Affleck, ”, doesn’t, Travis Scott, ” Dunkin ’, Matt Damon, Tom Brady, Dunkin ’, Lopez, Jack Harlow, Fat Joe —, ” Affleck, Ben Affleck's, CNN’s Elizabeth Wagmeister Organizations: New, New York CNN, Sunday ., CNN, New England Patriots, Boston Locations: New York

☆ Celebrities are paid a shocking amount for 30-second Super Bowl ads
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Elizabeth Wagmeister | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Los Angeles CNN —After Ben Affleck appeared as a Dunkin’ drive-thru worker in a Super Bowl commercial last year, the breakfast chain’s sales exploded. “They sold more donuts the next day than any other day in their history,” an individual close to the Dunkin’ Super Bowl campaign told CNN. Affleck was paid close to $10 million dollars for last year’s Dunkin’ Super Bowl commercial, three sources with knowledge of the partnership told CNN. It’s rare for someone that you think of as a true movie star to be paid less than a million.”Most Super Bowl shoots are usually one to two days, the agent added. Even though we’ve got over 30 celebrities in the Super Bowl this year, we had over 70 offers.

Persons: Ben Affleck, Dunkin, “, Affleck, ” Scott Murphy, Dunkin ’, Affleck’s Dunkin, Matt Damon, Larry David, Sam Bankman, David, Michael Lewis, Jennifer Aniston, ”, David Schwimmer, Uber, Chris Pratt, Pringles, Jason Momoa, Martin Scorsese, Tim Curtis, Peter DeLuca, Zach Braff, Donald Faison, John Travolta, Jennifer Beals, Tina Fey, John Cena, Usher, it’s, we’ve, Curtis, ” Curtis, “ You’ve, —, Aniston, Schwimmer, Jelly Roll, David Beckham Organizations: Los Angeles CNN, Bowl, “, CNN, Boston, Equity, Eastern Congo Initiative, Artists Equity, Super, Hollywood, WME, Mobile, Super Bowl, BMW, CBS Locations: Hollywood, Victoria

☆ Robert Kraft: New England Patriots owner hails ‘smart’ Taylor Swift, says he was ‘privileged’ to have Bill Belichick as coach
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( Jacob Lev | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft says singer Taylor Swift has been “smart” by gaining a new audience through her appearances at Kansas City Chiefs games. Despite New England not being involved, Kraft said he “hopes” the Super Bowl ratings will break a record. Kraft said the organization was “privileged” to have Belichick as head coach. We have a great new, young head coach in Jerod Mayo. Kraft said he believes Belichick will be coaching next year, adding: “He’s a great coach.

Persons: Robert Kraft, Taylor Swift, Swift, Travis Kelce, Kraft, Taylor, ”, ” Kraft, CNN’s Elizabeth Wagmeister, “, Patrick Mahomes –, Brock Purdy, Tom, Brady, ” Robert Kraft, Jordan Strauss, everybody’s, ’ Kraft, Bill Belichick, Belichick, Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, Vince Wilfork, Logan Mankins, ” Belichick Organizations: CNN, New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs, NFL, Patriots, AFC, Kansas, Bowl, America, Super Bowl Locations: England, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Jerod Mayo

☆ Clive Davis reflects on the music he and Whitney Houston were planning before her sudden death
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Elizabeth Wagmeister | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Legendary music producer Clive Davis remembers too well when Whitney Houston suddenly died over Grammys weekend 12 years ago. Davis and Houston remained close throughout her life. We agreed to go on and celebrate her life and her unique talent with the music that she loves so much.”Whitney Houston at Clive Davis' annual Grammy party in 2011. Getty ImagesThis weekend, Davis will host his party, once again, which began in 1976 and still reigns supreme as the most exclusive soirée of the biggest weekend in music. When asked what the biggest headline is from the past year in music, Clive smiled and said simply, “Taylor.”“Look, it’s a phenomenon that’s occurred rarely in the history of pop music.

Persons: Clive Davis, Whitney Houston, ” Davis, Davis, Houston, “, ”, ’, ’ ” Davis, “ We’ve, ” Whitney Houston, Barry Manilow –, Jay, Nancy Pelosi, Tom Hanks, Chris Rock, “ It’s, Janis Joplin, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Aerosmith, Santana, Pink Floyd, Aretha Franklin, Alicia Keys, Manilow, Clive, “ Taylor, Swift, Kansas City Chiefs ’ Travis Kelce Organizations: CNN, Beverly Hilton Hotel, Getty, Houston, Kansas City Chiefs, ” Locations: New Jersey

☆ Taylor Swift songs pulled from TikTok in payment dispute
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Anna Cooban | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

London CNN —Universal Music Group has pulled its music off TikTok in a dispute over royalties, a move that prevents more than 1 billion users of the platform from streaming a vast catalog of songs by Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Rihanna and other artists. Many TikTok videos featuring Universal artists’ music went silent Thursday, with notices saying the sound had been removed because of copyright violation. For people making new videos, Universal music was unavailable in TikTok’s catalog. Like other music companies, Netherlands-based Universal charges royalty fees when its songs are played on social media platforms. Universal also said it had been pressing TikTok to better protect musicians from “the harmful effects” of artificial intelligence and to ensure online safety for TikTok’s users.

Persons: Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Billie Eilish, J Balvin, Amy Winehouse, TikTok, Universal, ”, ” TikTok, ” Elizabeth Wagmeister Organizations: London CNN — Universal, ’, Universal, CNN Locations: Netherlands

☆ Universal Music Group pulls Taylor Swift’s songs off TikTok in dispute over payments
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Anna Cooban | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

London CNN —Universal Music Group has pulled its music off TikTok, preventing more than 1 billion users of the platform from streaming a vast catalog of songs by Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Rihanna and other artists. TikTok allows its users to add music to their videos. TikTok, owned by Chinese tech company ByteDance, had proposed paying a “fraction” of the rate that similarly-sized social media platforms pay, Universal said. Like other music companies, Netherlands-based Universal charges royalty fees when its songs are played on social media platforms. TikTok is allowing its platform to be “flooded” with AI-generated music, and provides users with tools to create their own AI-generated recordings, Universal said.

Persons: Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Rihanna, Universal, TikTok, Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Billie Eilish, J Balvin, Amy Winehouse, ”, ” TikTok, ” Elizabeth Wagmeister Organizations: London CNN — Universal, TikTok, Universal Locations: Netherlands

☆ Chita Rivera, Tony Award-winning actress and singer, dead at 91
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Elizabeth Wagmeister | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Chita Rivera, an iconic performer of stage and screen with credits including “Chicago,” “Kiss of the Spider Woman” and “Sweet Charity,” has died. She was 91. Rivera’s longtime publicist Merle Frimark confirmed the news to CNN on Tuesday, saying Rivera died “peacefully” on Tuesday “in New York after a brief illness.”The recipient of a record 10 Tony Award nominations, and winner of two for “The Rink” and “The Kiss of the Spider Woman,” Rivera’s unparalleled Broadway career spanned decades, from playing Anita in “West Side Story” and opposite Dick Van Dyke in “Bye Bye Birdie” to signature Bob Fosse musicals like “Chicago” and “All That Jazz.”Although she maintained a dizzying stage schedule, Rivera appeared in a number of movies and TV shows as well, including a screen adaptation of “Sweet Charity” as well as “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.”The honors Rivera amassed included being a Kennedy Center honoree in 2002 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, presented to her by President Obama in 2009. Frimark included a statement from Rivera’s daughter Lisa Mordente, which mentioned the star’s funeral will be private and that she is survived by her daughter along with siblings Julio, Armando and Lola del Rivero “along with her many nieces, nephews and friends.”This is a developing story and will be updated.

Persons: Chita Rivera, ”, “, Rivera’s, Merle Frimark, Rivera, Tony, Anita, Dick Van Dyke, “ Bye, Birdie ”, Bob Fosse, Obama, Frimark, Lisa Mordente, Julio, Armando, Lola del Rivero Organizations: CNN, Chicago, Broadway, Kennedy Locations: ”, New York, “

☆ ‘SmartLess’ podcast is going to SiriusXM for $100 million
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Ramishah Maruf | Elizabeth Wagmeister | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Will Arnett, Jason Bateman and Sean Hayes are ditching Amazon and taking their popular podcast “SmartLess” to SiriusXM, the satellite radio network said Monday. SiriusXM gained exclusive rights to the hit podcast as part of a larger deal with SmartLess Media, according to an announcement Monday. The deal keeps the podcast widely available, but brings perks to SiriusXM subscribers – and could possibly encourage more to join. SiriusXM has about 34 million subscribers, according to its October 2023 earnings report. The “SmartLess” podcast is among the top listened to in the country.

Persons: Will Arnett, Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, SiriusXM, ”, Will, O’Brien’s, Conan, Joe Biden, Bradley Cooper, Emma Stone, Greta Gerwig, Idris Elba, Pedro Pascal, Selena Gomez, ” Scott Greenstein, ‘, CNN’s Sergio Padilla Organizations: New, New York CNN, CNN, SmartLess Media, Sirius, Bloomberg, Amazon, “, Spotify Locations: New York, SiriusXM

☆ The WWE knew Vince McMahon was a liability. So why did it bring him back after his scandalous departure?
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Kyle Feldscher | David Goldman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —WWE’s parent company knew Vince McMahon — the founder of the wrestling behemoth — was a potential liability. That risk was realized Thursday when a former WWE employee accused McMahon of sexual assault and trafficking in a disturbing and graphic lawsuit. The company said McMahon has since repaid the company about $20 million for misappropriated corporate funds and for the legal fees TKO and WWE paid to investigate McMahon. Vince McMahon, Jr., was more akin to a king than a business executive in the world of WWE, his fingerprints on everything. “I have pledged my complete cooperation to the investigation by the special committee, and I will do everything possible to support the investigation,” McMahon said in a statement at the time.

Persons: Vince McMahon, —, McMahon, ”, Janel Grant, behemoth McMahon, “, Nick Khan, McMahon’s, Donald Trump’s, Donald J, ” McMahon, McMahon, — Vince McMahon, Vince McMahon’s, Stephanie, Jr, reinstalling, Stephanie McMahon —, Khan, What’s, Grant, CNN’s Sam Delouya, Elizabeth Wagmeister Organizations: CNN, WWE, Companies, US Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, Wall Street, Trump Foundation, UFC, Endeavor, Securities and Exchange Commission

☆ Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque makes public comments after WWE employee’s sex trafficking accusations against Vince McMahon
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-28 | by ( Elisabeth Buchwald | Eva Rothenberg | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Paul “Triple H” Levesque, the chief content officer at World Wrestling Entertainment, made his first public comments after Vince McMahon resigned Friday from the board of WWE’s parent company, TKO Group Holdings, in the wake of a former employee’s lawsuit accusing McMahon of sex trafficking, sexual assault and physical abuse. The horrifying allegations against McMahon were brought forward by Janel Grant, who worked at WWE’s headquarters. Grant alleged McMahon promised a job — and later promotions — at WWE in exchange for sex. Grant’s lawsuit also includes allegations McMahon trafficked her to other men inside and outside the company, including John Laurinaitis, a former wrestler who worked in the company’s talent relations department. The deal valued the newly combined company at over $21 billion, with WWE shareholders owning 49% of the combined company.

Persons: New York CNN — Paul “, New York CNN — Paul “ Triple H ” Levesque, Vince McMahon, McMahon, WWE’s, Levesque, McMahon’s, ” Levesque, he’s, Janel Grant, Grant, —, John Laurinaitis, Laurinaitis, Ari, Cody Rhodes, Dwayne “, ” Johnson, Samantha Delouya, Elizabeth Wagmeister, Jordan Valinsky Organizations: New, New York CNN, New York CNN — Paul “ Triple, World Wrestling Entertainment, Holdings, WWE, Endeavor, UFC, Netflix Locations: New York, St . Petersburg , Florida, WWE’s, Laurinaitis, Hollywood

☆ From ‘Barbie’ to ‘Bob the Builder’: Mattel’s next big movie, and how Jennifer Lopez is involved
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Elizabeth Wagmeister | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Now, CNN has learned that Mattel hopes to maintain that momentum with a cinematic adaptation of another kids’ character: Bob the Builder. An animated movie based on the long-running animated children’s series is in development, with Jennifer Lopez attached to executive produce and “In the Heights” star Anthony Ramos set to voice the beloved titular cartoon contractor. This new take on “Bob the Builder” will “celebrate the vibrant and colorful textures of the Caribbean Latin nations and their people.”Aside from voicing Bob the Builder, Ramos will also serve as a producer. In a statement, Ramos said that the movie will focus on friends working together and how love can help conquer any obstacle. The “Bob the Builder” television series ran in worldwide syndication for over a decade in the early aughts, and is known for its popular catchphrase, “Can we fix it?

Persons: “ Barbie, Mattel, Bob, Jennifer Lopez, Anthony Ramos, Roberto “ Bob ”, Ramos, Lopez, Elaine Goldsmith, Thomas, Benny Medina, . Abrams, Vin Diesel, “ Barney ”, Daniel Kaluuya, Polly, ”, Lena Dunham, Lily Collins, “, Matt Mason ”, Tom Hanks Organizations: CNN, Mattel, Getty, Nuyorican Productions, “, UNO Locations: Puerto Rico, Caribbean, American

☆ Another Hollywood strike? Musicians union ‘prepared to do whatever it needs’ for AI protections and streaming residuals
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-20 | by ( Elizabeth Wagmeister | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

The American Federation of Musicians (AFM), a union representing musicians across the entertainment industry, will begin negotiations Monday on a new contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). The union said it is seeking a deal to better reflects the current state of streaming media. The AFM is also seeking AI protection, increased wages, health care improvements, improved working conditions and residual payments for streaming content. According to the AFM, musicians who record on soundtracks make 75% less on streaming content due to less residual income. And the AFM is not the only union in the entertainment industry which might strike in 2024.

Persons: Los Angeles CNN —, ”, Tino Gagliardi, “, ” Gagliardi, “ We’ve, they’ve, Matthew Loeb, ” Loeb Organizations: Los Angeles CNN, American Federation of Musicians, Alliance, Television Producers, CNN, Federation, Writers Guild of America, Screen, American Federation of Television, Radio Artists, WGA, SAG, International Alliance, “ Locations: United States, Canada, Los Angeles, Sherman Oaks, California

CNN —Actor Alec Baldwin has been indicted by a New Mexico grand jury on charges connected to the 2021 fatal shooting on the set of the movie “Rust,” new court documents show. Baldwin is charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter. Armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed also faces involuntary manslaughter charges in the case. The film’s assistant director, David Halls, was identified as the person who handed the firearm to Baldwin that fateful day. Attorney Gloria Allred, who is representing Hutchins’ family in a civil lawsuit against Baldwin, responded to Friday’s development in a statement to CNN.

Persons: Alec Baldwin, ”, Baldwin, ” Baldwin’s, Luke Nikas, Alex Spiro, Halyna Hutchins, Joel Souza, Halyna Hutchins ”, Armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed, David Halls, Gloria Allred, Hutchins, “, ” Allred Organizations: CNN, New Locations: New Mexico

☆ Arnold Schwarzenegger’s undeclared watch fetches $294K at climate auction
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Morayo Ogunbayo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —The wristwatch that landed Arnold Schwarzenegger in detainment at Munich Airport on Wednesday raised €270,000 ($294,000) after being sold at a dinner in Austria for his charity, the Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative. The event, which raised €1.31m in total, was attended by US Climate Envoy John Kerry along with many other climate action visionaries. Meister said the former California governor and “Terminator” star was released and traveled on after being held for over two hours. The ATM they brought him to had a limit that was too low, and the bank was closed. When he returned, a new officer brought a new credit card machine that worked, the source added.

Persons: Arnold Schwarzenegger, John Kerry, ” Schwarzenegger, “, Thomas Meister, Meister, CNN’s Elizabeth Wagmeister, Chris Stern, Jorge Engels Organizations: CNN, Airport, Schwarzenegger, Initiative, US Climate, Munich Customs Locations: Austria, Munich, Los Angeles, California

CNN —Arnold Schwarzenegger will face criminal tax proceedings after failing to declare an item upon arrival to Germany, a Munich Customs press officer told CNN Wednesday. And this process applies to everyone,” the press officer Thomas Meister said. The source said the item in question was a watch from Swiss luxury brand Audemars Piguet. Schwarzenegger was never asked to fill out a declaration form and he answered “every question from customs officers honestly,” the source said. When he returned, a new officer brought a new credit card machine that worked, the source added.

Persons: CNN — Arnold Schwarzenegger, “, ”, Thomas Meister, Meister, “ Arnold, Schwarzenegger Organizations: CNN, Munich Customs Locations: Germany, Munich, California, Kitzbuhel, Austria

☆ Cate Blanchett says at Cannes Film Festival that she's 'always trying to get out of acting'
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-20 | by ( Dan Heching | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —She’s one of the most celebrated actors of her generation, but Cate Blanchett wants to branch out even more into other filmmaking pursuits. “I’m always trying to get out of acting,” she said at the Cannes Film Festival this week during a conversation with Variety’s Chief Correspondent Elizabeth Wagmeister. “I’ve been trying to stop acting my entire professional life.”The two-time Oscar-winner was at the ritzy French cinema fest to present her new film, “The New Boy,” which premiered on Friday, a film she stars in and also produced. Blanchett also mentioned how on her 2020 FX miniseries “Mrs. “I realize that I’m the only woman in the cast…there are 62 men, and yep, I’m the only woman.

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