ENTERTAINMENT

WASHINGTON — Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel offered a biting theory Thursday night for why First Lady Melania Trump chose this moment to deliver a rare, unannounced public statement denying any close ties to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein: sheer resentment toward her husband, President Donald Trump.

Pop superstar Taylor Swift and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce are reportedly set to tie the knot on July 3 in New York City, with save-the-date cards already circulating among invited guests, according to a source close to the couple.

LOS ANGELES — Meghan Markle has stepped back from plans for a highly anticipated tell-all memoir despite lucrative publishing offers, opting instead to avoid further straining relations with the British royal family as she and Prince Harry prepare for a high-profile trip to Australia later this month.

Two decades after "Confessions" redefined modern R&B, Usher's catalog continues to thrive in 2026, with his signature hit "Yeah!" (feat. Lil Jon & Ludacris) approaching 2 billion streams on Spotify alone and remaining one of the most-played tracks from the 2000s era. The Atlanta native's blend of silky vocals, impeccable dance moves and genre-spanning hits has kept him relevant across generations, as streaming platforms and playlists introduce his music to new fans daily.

More than two decades into his career, Chris Brown remains one of R&B and pop's most consistent hitmakers, with his catalog dominating streaming platforms in 2026. "Under The Influence" stands tall as his most-streamed track on Spotify with over 1.8 billion plays, while classics like "No Guidance" and early smashes continue to rack up millions of daily streams.

LOS ANGELES — R&B superstars Chris Brown and Usher have officially announced their first-ever joint tour, "Raymond & Brown," sending shockwaves through the music industry and igniting massive excitement among fans Friday morning.

BRISBANE, Australia — Eighteen-year-old singing sensation Harlan Goode from Queensland's Redlands region has surged into the grand final of Australian Idol 2026 as one of the final three contestants, captivating judges and audiences with a daring, piano-climbing rendition of Elton John's "I'm Still Standing" that earned a standing ovation and glowing praise.

LOS ANGELES — Keanu Reeves brings quiet melancholy and unexpected vulnerability to "Outcome," Jonah Hill's sophomore directorial effort, a dark comedy that skewers Hollywood's image-obsessed culture but struggles to land its satirical punches.

LOS ANGELES — Katherine LaNasa, once best known for her early marriage to Dennis Hopper and steady supporting roles across decades of television and film, has emerged as one of 2026's most compelling late-blooming stars.

SEOUL, South Korea — BTS launched its long-awaited "ARIRANG" world tour April 9 in Goyang with explosive energy, remixing hits like "FYA" and "Burning Up (Fire)" before a roaring hometown crowd, signaling the septet's determination to reclaim the global K-pop crown after completing mandatory military service.

Jennifer Lawrence stepped out for a casual morning coffee run in New York City on April 6, looking every bit the relaxed mother of two while channeling bold primary colors straight from the fall 2026 runways. The 35-year-old Oscar winner, dressed in a butter yellow "Strawberry Fields Forever" Beatles T-shirt layered under a vibrant red cardigan and paired with blue jeans and cherry red sneakers, juggled her caffeine fix and neighborhood stroll amid sunny spring weather.

NEW YORK — Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have sent save-the-date cards for their wedding on Friday, July 3, 2026, in New York City, multiple sources with knowledge of the plans confirmed to Page Six on Thursday, ending months of speculation about the timing and location of pop music's most anticipated nuptials.

INDIO, Calif. — K-pop is making its strongest showing yet at Coachella 2026, with legendary group BIGBANG, SHINee's Taemin and global sensation KATSEYE headlining a record Asian and K-pop presence across both weekends of the desert festival.

INDIO, Calif. — Organizers have unveiled the complete artist lineup for Coachella 2026, featuring a star-studded roster led by first-time headliners Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber and Karol G at the Empire Polo Club this weekend and next.

LOS ANGELES — Callan McAuliffe, the Australian actor who brought quiet redemption and moral complexity to Alden across multiple seasons of AMC's blockbuster zombie saga "The Walking Dead," has landed the lead role in the eerie new psychological horror film "Deluxe Ocean View," with production now underway on the frozen shores of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

INDIO, Calif. — The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival returns to the Empire Polo Club this weekend with its signature blend of star-studded performances, immersive art installations and desert vibes, spanning two weekends: April 10-12 for Weekend 1 and April 17-19 for Weekend 2 in 2026.

TOMBALL, Texas — Oscar-winning actor Billy Bob Thornton is bringing his long-running rock band The Boxmasters back to Texas this summer for multiple stops on their extensive 2026 Morro Rock Tour, including two already sold-out performances at the intimate Main Street Crossing venue in Tomball on July 6 and 7.

BTS delivered another milestone Thursday, breaking viewership and engagement records on the popular YouTube series "Hot Ones" just hours after its release, as the seven-member K-pop supergroup reunited on screen to devour increasingly spicy chicken wings while opening up about their long-awaited musical comeback.

LOS ANGELES — Taylor Swift is stepping back from the spotlight in 2026 to focus on her personal life, insiders say, as the pop superstar and her fiancé, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, prepare for what sources describe as a "big summer" that could include wedding plans.

SEOUL, South Korea — K-pop star and actor Cha Eun-woo issued a personal apology Wednesday after settling a high-profile tax dispute with South Korea's National Tax Service, confirming he has paid approximately 13 billion won ($8.7 million) following an initial assessment that exceeded 20 billion won and sparked widespread disappointment among fans.

HOUSTON — Rapper Ben 10, a well-known affiliate of superstar NBA YoungBoy, was shot Wednesday night inside a Houston restaurant but is reported to be alert and in stable condition, according to multiple sources close to the situation and initial law enforcement updates.

BRISBANE, Australia — Harlan Goode, the 18-year-old powerhouse vocalist from Redlands in Queensland who has captured hearts as one of the Top 3 finalists in Australian Idol 2026, currently has an estimated net worth of less than $100,000 as the grand finale approaches.

SYDNEY — Australian Idol 2026 reaches its dramatic climax next week with a two-night grand finale featuring the Top 3 contestants battling for the title, $100,000 in prize money and a comprehensive career launch package on the Seven Network.

SYDNEY — Australian Idol returned for its 2026 season on the Seven Network with solid audience numbers that helped the broadcaster maintain its strong position in total television, though exact production costs or advertising revenue for the show remain undisclosed by executives.

LOS ANGELES — The wait is over for fans of the ultra-violent superhero satire. "The Boys" Season 5, the fifth and final chapter of Amazon Prime Video's hit series, premiered Wednesday with its first two episodes, launching a weekly rollout that culminates in the series finale on May 20.

SEOUL, South Korea — Stray Kids are charging into 2026 with high energy, delivering a heartfelt 8th anniversary single, wrapping their successful 6th fan meeting "STAY in Our Little House," and gearing up for a major new album and world tour that promise to solidify their status as one of K-pop's most dynamic acts.

BELFAST, Northern Ireland — Irish actor and writer Michael Patrick, known for his appearance in a Season 6 episode of the global phenomenon "Game of Thrones" and acclaimed roles in the BBC drama "Blue Lights," died Tuesday at age 35 after a three-year battle with motor neurone disease (MND), his wife Naomi Sheehan announced Wednesday.

SYDNEY — Rachel Gilmore emerged as one of the most relatable and emotionally resonant brides on the 13th season of "Married at First Sight Australia," captivating viewers with her warmth, vulnerability and journey from a self-described long-time singleton to a participant willing to marry a stranger on national television.

The stepmother of the late "Friends" star Matthew Perry delivered an emotional plea for the harshest possible punishment against the woman dubbed the "Ketamine Queen," describing the family's pain as "irreversible" in a victim impact statement filed just before the drug dealer's sentencing Wednesday.