Author: John V. Mendez

SEOUL – Ariana Grande, the famous pop star, is set to join Weverse, a fan platform owned by HYBE, the entertainment company behind K-pop sensation BTS. Reverse is dedicated to fostering interaction between artists and fans. Artists use the platform to share posts, live-stream events, and sell merchandise. HYBE describes Weverse as a ‘super app’ offering machine translation in 15 languages. Jin, the eldest member of BTS, recently experienced a livestream mishap when his session crashed after completing 18 months of military duty. Despite the interruption, his livestream quickly resumed and garnered over 2 million views within 10 minutes. Launched…

“The Tony Awards, the pinnacle of American theater, crowned the coming-of-age musical ‘The Outsiders’ and the play ‘Stereophonic’ as its top winners on Sunday. The ceremony, held at New York’s Lincoln Center and hosted by Ariana DeBose, saw ‘The Outsiders,’ a stage adaptation of S.E. Hinton’s novel depicting class conflicts among 1960s Oklahoma high school gangs, clinch four awards, including Best Musical, Best Director, and top honors for lighting and sound design. Reflecting on the universality of the outsider experience, producer Angelina Jolie remarked, ‘Society evolves, but the feeling of being on the outside is timeless.’ The production featured a…

Celine Dion assured her fans on Monday that her “passion as a performer will never disappear,” despite ongoing health struggles that she says are just a tiny part of her monumental story. “I’m not dead,” the singer told AFP on the red carpet, ahead of the premiere of both wrenching and joyful documentary “I Am Celine Dion.” The documentary highlights her illustrious career and recent battles with a rare neurological disorder that has significantly affected her ability to perform. “When life imposes something on you, you have two options. You deal with it, or you don’t want to,” Dion said.…

LONDON – The United Nations refugee agency announced Monday that British actor Theo James has been appointed a global goodwill ambassador. James, known for his roles in The Gentlemen and The W”ite Lotus, has supported UNHCR since 2016. The agency reported that he has traveled to Greece, France, and Jordan to meet with asylum seekers and refugees. James shared that his family has given him insight into refugees’ challenges. “Durin” the Second World War, my grandfather had to escape from Greece to Syria on a small boat. His bravery and perseverance have inspired me to make a difference in the…

Veteran British actor Ian McKellen, renowned for his role as Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings film trilogy, was hospitalized late on Monday after a mishap during a London stage performance. The 85-year-old actor, who was portraying John Falstaff in “Player Kings” at the Noel Coward Theatre in London’s West End, reportedly slipped during a fight scene. According to a spokesperson for the theatre, McKellen underwent a scan, and the NHS medical team has assured that he will recover fully and swiftly. Despite the incident, McKellen remains in good spirits. In light of his condition, Tuesday’s performance on June…

Netflix announced plans to launch expansive entertainment venues in major American cities, inviting fans to fully immerse themselves in their favorite shows with themed restaurants and gift shops. These “experiential” destinations, dubbed Netflix Houses, will repurpose vacant retail spaces within shopping malls, with the first locations slated to open in 2025 in Dallas, Texas, and a suburb of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. “At Netflix House, visitors can enjoy continually refreshed immersive experiences, indulge in retail therapy, and savor the flavors of beloved Netflix series and films through unique food and beverage offerings,” stated Marian Lee, Netflix’s chief marketing officer. Netflix has previously…

At 94 years old, June Squibb, the actor, faced the challenge of convincing filmmakers that she could perform many of her own stunts in the action-packed comedy film “Thelma,” centered around a grandmother seeking revenge. “It was a blast. When I read the script, I thought, ‘I can definitely do this!'” Squibb shared. She handled nearly all the motor scooter stunts and a physically demanding scene set in an antique store. Directed by Josh Margolin and distributed by Magnolia Pictures, the film follows Thelma, a grandmother on a vengeful rampage against telephone scammers who swindled $10,000 from her. Fred Hechinger…

The renowned ghost thriller “The Woman in Black” is set to return to Dubai this year. Adapted by Stephen Mallatratt from Susan Hill’s novel, this acclaimed play is recognized as one of the world’s most successful modern theatrical productions. It will run from October 30 to November 2 at the Zabeel Theatre, Zabeel Saray, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, and is presented by WestEnd Worldwide, a regional producer. The performance has captivated over 7 million people globally. It follows the story of a lawyer who believes his family is cursed by the specter known as the Woman in Black. He hires an…

Memorial Waterpark in Doha, Qatar, proudly unveils its latest attraction, the Alghazal roller coaster, promising an exhilarating experience for guests of all ages. This dry ride, designed for those in regular attire, features four-person sit-down spinning cars that rotate in circles along the track, offering a unique twist on traditional coaster thrills. With a minimum height requirement of 110cm, the Alghazal roller coaster ensures that kids and families can enjoy its heart-pounding excitement. Beyond Alghazal, Meryal Waterpark boasts a wide range of family-friendly activities. Alsfun caters to little ones with tot-friendly slides, while Oil Splash and Blow Out provide interactive…

LONDON—Naomi Campbell will bring her iconic style and runway presence to London’s V&A this week for a groundbreaking exhibition dedicated to her career. “Naomi: In Fashion” explores the journey of one of fashion’s most recognizable figures, showcasing her signature looks, influence, and activism. Opening to the public on Saturday, the exhibition features glamorous dresses, towering heels, and a collection of Campbell’s fashion photographs and magazine covers curated by former British Vogue editor Edward Enninful. Sonnet Stanfill, senior curator of fashion at the V&A, highlighted the significance of honoring Campbell: “There have been numerous exhibitions on fashion designers and photographers, but…