Entertainment

“We’re gonna bask in it now.” The breakout singing voices behind Netflix’s hit “KPop Demon Hunters” — Rei Ami, EJAE, and Audrey Nuna (a.k.a. HUNTR/X) — are enjoying the feeling of having multiple Top 10 hits but few of the downsides that can come with instant fame. They spoke with Associated Press entertainment journalist Liam McEwan about inside jokes, the film’s unexpected success and their own surprising journey from solo artists to a powerhouse trio.

Pino Palladino and Blake Mills have reinvented themselves many times over their decades in the music industry. And now they’re stepping gently into the spotlight, after releasing their second collaborative instrumental jazz album, “That Wasn’t A Dream.” Like their first project together, 2021’s “Notes With Attachments,” it showcases a range of styles, their sometimes-experimental tastes and elite musicianship on the guitar and bass. They spoke with AP entertainment reporter Ryan Pearson about reinvention, imposter syndrome and playing live together.

The Netflix documentary-slash-visual album “Songs from the Hole” follows the life and journey of the musician JJ'88, who was convicted of murder as a teenager. While spending months in solitary confinement, he created beats on his chest, crafted lyrics and hand-wrote music video treatments. JJ’88, director and writer Contessa Gayles and producer Richie Reseda spoke with AP entertainment journalist Leslie Ambriz about justice, healing and the film’s impact campaign.

Mariah Carey has released her 16th studio album, “Here for It All,” marking a new chapter in her career. This 11-track album, out now, showcases Carey’s evolution as an artist and blends soulful records, R&B, ballads and pop. Carey sat down AP entertainment journalist Leslie Ambriz to chat about her new era, spirituality and more.

At 85, Sir Ringo Starr says life on the road may not look like the “rock ’n’ roll lifestyle” anymore — but the drive to get up and play is unchanged. The former Beatle sat down with Associated Press entertainment journalist Liam McEwan to reflect on decades of touring, his All-Starr Band, and the enduring power of songs like “With A Little Help From My Friends,” “Yellow Submarine” and “Octopus’ Garden.” Starr also opened up about his STARR ART exhibition in Las Vegas, his creative beginnings as a painter, and the upcoming release of “Anthology 4,” which he calls both “intimate” and surprising: “There’s still a lot of stuff to be found.”

After filming the artist now known as Ye for six years, Nico Ballesteros says his intimate fly-on-the-wall documentary “In Whose Name?” is about “confronting idolatry.” He sat down with The Associated Press to talk about how he joined Kanye West’s inner circle as a teenager, depicting the highs and lows of the rapper-producer-designer’s life, and what Ye said after the director showed him his film.

The Great American Songbook captivated Michael Bublé long before his childhood friends understood it. The Grammy-winning artist sat down with Associated Press entertainment journalist Liam McEwan to look back at nearly three decades of music, fame, fatherhood and finding perspective. Bublé says parenthood has shifted his worldview while his wife Luisana Lopilato has kept him grounded. Looking back on the 20th anniversary of his breakthrough album “It’s Time,” Bublé says he’s never slowed down enough to appreciate his success — until now.

Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor and newcomer Chase Inifiniti star in Paul Thomas Anderson’s tenth film, “One Battle After Another.” The three actors sat down with AP entertainment journalist Leslie Ambriz to talk about activism, character building and how playing revolutionaries has influenced their outlook on the current news cycle.

Members of the K-pop group ENHYPEN reflected on their growth as artists and bandmates backstage during their sold-out “WALK THE LINE” world tour show. Speaking with Associated Press entertainment journalist Liam McEwan, Heeseung, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, Jungwon, and Ni-Ki shared insights on adapting to idol life, developing teamwork and leadership, and how pursuing the same goal has strengthened their bond despite differences. Jake and Ni-Ki also give viewers a behind-the-scenes tour of their stage moments before the show.

Leonardo DiCaprio and Benicio del Toro star in Paul Thomas Anderson’s tenth film, “One Battle After Another.” The two actors sat down with AP entertainment journalist Leslie Ambriz to talk about freedom, activism and VistaVision cameras.

Global girl group KATSEYE sat down with Associated Press entertainment journalist Liam McEwan to reflect on a whirlwind year since their June 2024 debut — from their viral Gap campaign to navigating social media and embracing authenticity. Lara, Sophia, Megan, Daniela, Manon, and Yoonchae open up about leaning on each other through their nonstop rise, the pride and pressure of representing diverse cultures, and their hunger for bolder concepts. They share laughs about pre-debut “lore,” polarizing tracks like “Gnarly,” and the unbreakable sisterhood that turned strangers into family.

ATEEZ sat down with Associated Press entertainment journalist Liam McEwan to reflect on nearly a decade together as a group. Hongjoong, Seonghwa, Yunho, Yeosang, San, Mingi, Wooyoung, and Jongho open up about their bond and the lasting legacy they hope to build with ATINY. The members discuss growing into adulthood alongside each other and the powerful connection they’ve formed with fans.

“This one hurts. The next one, I’m going to be bleeding.” Guillermo del Toro is reluctantly planning a series of auctions to sell off some of his prized memorabilia collection. The Mexican-born filmmaker sat down with AP journalist Itzel Luna at his Bleak House in Southern California to explain the significance of his lifelong passion for collecting, why the January LA fires prompted him to let go of some of his artifacts and other items — and share what his family wouldn’t let him part with.

While promoting “Caught Stealing,” Austin Butler and Zoë Kravitz spoke with AP entertainment journalist Leslie Ambriz about full-circle on-set moments, working with Darren Aronofsky, Butler’s love of Jackie Chan and why Kravitz wants everyone to buy physical copies of movies to preserve cinema.

Members of the K-pop group IVE say the response from American fans to their music shows just how far the genre has spread internationally. Speaking with Associated Press entertainment journalist Liam McEwan at KCON, Yujin, Gaeul, Rei, Wonyoung, Liz and Leeseo reflected on the passion of fans singing along to their songs, the role of self-confidence and teamwork in their performances — and the powerful bond they share with their supporters.

Harrison Ford, Jessica Williams, Jason Segel, and Michael Urie reunited at the Television Academy’s Televerse festival in Los Angeles to reflect on their Emmy-nominated series “Shrinking.” The four actors spoke with AP entertainment journalist Liam McEwan about their craft, the joy of ensemble work and the balance of comedy and emotion that defines the Apple TV+show. Ford shared his mentality when the director calls “action,” saying he avoids over-planning: “Be free, let it happen. Let everybody in the scene shine.” Williams was already missing her castmates just weeks after wrapping season three — and joked that she’s “not scared” of the “Star Wars” and “Indiana Jones” legend. #HarrisonFord #JessicaWilliams #JasonSegel #Shrinking

Denzel Washington and Spike Lee took AP entertainment journalist Gary Gerard Hamilton on a journey from “Hightest 2 Lowest” while promoting their fifth film together. The two film icons veered from solemn thoughts on their fathers and leadership to whimsical musical interludes played from Washington’s phone. Above all, Washington hopes audiences catch the film now in theaters — and not when it streams on Apple TV+ next month: “Go to the movies, you cheapskate!”

Pepe Aguilar’s return to the Hollywood Bowl carries special significance for the 57-year-old Mexican singer. Joined by his family, Aguilar tells AP entertainment journalist Itzel Luna that the performances, which come at a time of turmoil for U.S. immigrant communities, will feature “hidden messages.”

Amaarae’s “Black Star” is rooted in identity, lyricism and self-expression. The Ghanaian-American artist sat down with Associated Press entertainment journalist Liam McEwan to reflect on finding the joy in completing her third album, why living far from home has strengthened her connection to her roots, how a comment from her younger brother reshaped her approach to songwriting — and the lasting piece of advice from her father that continues to guide her music.

Marvel’s new first family is Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Joseph Quinn. And their first foes are Julia Garner and Ralph Ineson. The stars of “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” sat down with AP entertainment journalist Leslie Ambriz to talk about leadership, the emotional depths of comic book characters, alien languages — and “Avengers: Doomsday.”

TOMORROW X TOGETHER joined Associated Press entertainment journalist Liam McEwan for a Zoom discussion to reflect on the closing of a major chapter in their journey. Soobin, Yeonjun, Beomgyu, Taehyun, and Hueningkai discuss the emotional significance of their new album “The Star Chapter: TOGETHER,” solo tracks, the evolution of their creative bond, and how visuals allow them to express what words can’t.

James Gunn’s new “Superman” film introduces a new superhero team, the so-called “Justice Gang” of Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern Guy Gardner, Edi Gathegi as Mr. Terrific, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl and Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho. The four actors sat down with AP entertainment journalist Leslie Ambriz to talk about how they crafted their characters, becoming a Funko Pop and the movie’s message of hope.

“Eddington” star Joaquin Phoenix says “anti-human” Big Tech deepened existing social and political divides during the pandemic. The 50-year-old actor stars alongside Pedro Pascal, Emma Stone and Austin Butler in Ari Aster’s genre-bending COVID-era satire. Phoenix and Aster sat down with AP entertainment journalist Krysta Fauria to talk about how technology companies “manipulated and exacerbated” division, forgiveness — and finding hope.

David Corenswet’s search for “Superman” turned inward. The 31-year-old actor stars as the red-caped superhero in James Gunn’s new film relaunching the DC Comics movie universe. He sat down alongside co-star Rachel Brosnahan, who plays Lois Lane, to talk with AP entertainment journalist Leslie Ambriz about Gunn’s guidance, playing a reporter and Corenswet’s Juilliard link to Christopher Reeve.

Tina Knowles used to sit under a pecan tree as her mother recited the history of their family, stretching back generations. Now, the mother of Beyoncé and Solange has given her own story to the world in “Matriarch: A Memoir.” She sat down with Associated Press entertainment journalist Gary Gerard Hamilton to discuss the book, why she calls Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” a “masterpiece” and how Solange always held her accountable for her shortcomings as a parent.

“Squid Game” has ended with a six-episode third season. Creator and director Hwang Dong-hyuk, along with series stars Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, Jo Yu-ri and Yim Si-wan, sat down with AP entertainment journalist Gary Gerard Hamilton to discuss the final season, the legacy of Netflix’s biggest series, and their pride in how South Korean pop culture has been embraced around the world.

Damson Idris says he “manifested” his role opposite Brad Pitt in “F1.” The 33-year-old British-Nigerian actor proved himself in Hollywood with six seasons of “Snowfall” and is shifting his career into high gear with Joseph Kosinski’s racing film. Idris sat down with co-stars Javier Bardem and Kerry Condon to talk with AP’s Gary Gerard Hamilton about the globe-trotting production, Bardem’s shower scene with Pitt — and accents.

Keke Palmer is sharing her side of her 2023 public breakup with ex Darius Jackson. The multi-hyphenate entertainer sat down with Gary Gerard Hamilton of The Associated Press to talk about her album “Just Keke,” why creating it helped her work through grief, scrutiny of her personal life — and film projects that include appearances alongside Eddie Murphy and the reclusive Rick Moranis.

Rap legend Jeezy sat down in New York for a candid conversation with the AP’s Gary Gerard Hamilton about the impact of his commercial debut, “Let’s Get It: Thug Motivation 101,” celebrating the album’s 20th anniversary with another orchestra-backed tour — and his iconic snowman T-shirts that would become banned at many schools.

For Ana de Armas, “Ballerina” is a full-circle moment. She reconnected with Keanu Reeves ten years after appearing alongside the “John Wick” franchise star in her first English-language movie, “Knock Knock.” The 37-year-old actor down with AP entertainment journalist Ryan Pearson to talk about trusting her gut in and outside of Hollywood, her history with Reeves and her top five action movie stars.