Entertainment

The arrest of Bad Boy Records head and hip-hop icon Sean “Diddy” Combs continues to reverberate throughout Hollywood, and Taye Diggs has now sounded off on the arrest of the person he says he once considered a hero.

In a three-count federal indictment, the music mogul faces charges of sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and interstate transportation for prostitution. These charges threaten to end his entertainment empire and his freedom.

Combs was taken into custody Sept. 16 and confined at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center, a federal correctional facility.

On Thursday’s episode of Kate Hudson and Oliver Hudson‘s Sibling Revelry podcast, Diggs said “all of it blindsided me.”

The stage and screen actor added, “He was a hero to me … he didn’t come from much, he started out as a dancer. All the things that I wasn’t growing up, he was.”

Diggs admitted, “So much confidence and a certain arrogance that I loved, and he made being Black cool. … He wore it like a badge.”

He continued, “I really put him on a pedestal and it was disappointing to see some of what happened. I couldn’t believe it. And I didn’t like that feeling.”

Taye tried to see a silver lining in the news. “On one side, I’m like, this is great for people to know that this happens: We can think life is to be lived a certain way, we can think a person is a certain way and they can be the exact opposite and get used to that, you know?”

Oliver noted, “If these allegations and the things are they’re saying are true, you know,” before sighing and saying, “People are sick.” 

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

An “incredibly relieved and grateful” Artem Chigvintsev is speaking out after the Napa County District Attorney’s Office in California announced it would not file criminal charges against the Dancing with the Stars pro in the wake of his arrest on Aug. 29 on suspicion of felony domestic violence.

In a press release Tuesday, a statement from the office of Napa County District Attorney Allison Haley said in part, “While we take every arrest seriously and stand firmly against domestic violence … If the available evidence doesn’t rise to this level of proof, then we cannot ethically file charges.”

On Wednesday, in the wake of that announcement, Artem issued a statement saying he was “incredibly relieved and grateful.”

“This has been an extremely difficult time for me. I am thankful that the truth has prevailed,” he said.

He added, “My focus has always been and will always be, our son Matteo. He is my world, and being his father is the greatest blessing in my life. All along, my main concern has been for him. I am committed to continuing to provide him with the love, support, and care he needs as we move forward. I am hopeful that securing an equal custody arrangement will help us move on.”

Artem’s attorney, Ilona Antonyan, said in a statement to Good Morning America that her client is now focused on negotiating custody of Matteo, whom he shares with his estranged wife Nikki Garcia.

The statement comes two weeks after Garcia filed for divorce from the dance pro.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Maggie Smith, the venerable British actress whose career on stage, film and television spanned more than 60 years, has died. She was 89.

Her sons, Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens, confirmed she had died in a statement to the Press Association.

Having appeared in more than 50 films, Smith was considered one of Britain’s best-known actresses and was beloved by recent generations for her roles as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter films and the Dowager Countess of Grantham on television’s Downton Abbey.

In addition to winning two Academy Awards, Smith earned five BAFTA Awards, three Emmy Awards, three Golden Globes, three Screen Actors Guild Awards and a Tony Award. In 1990, she was appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Netflix has officially greenlit a series adaptation of author John Steinbeck’s East of Eden. As previously announced, Florence Pugh will lead the cast, which also includes Poor Things‘ Christopher Abbott, Challengers’ Mike Faist and Warrior‘s Hoon Lee. Zoe Kazan, the granddaughter of director Elia Kazan, who previously adapted the novel into a 1955 film that launched James Dean‘s career, will executive produce and write for the seven-episode limited series … 

Variety reports Jennifer Hudson and comedian Fortune Feimster have been added to the voice cast of the third Paw Patrol movie, joining McKenna Grace, who reprises her lead role as Skye. Plot details and specifics on Hudson and Feimster’s characters have not been revealed. The first two Paw Patrol movies have collectively grossed over $345 million worldwide, per the outlet …

The Critics Choice Association has announced the honorees for its fall 2024 Critics Choice Association’s celebration series. Zoe Saldaña will be honored with the Groundbreaker Award at the fourth annual Celebration of Latino Cinema & Television for her starring role in Netflix’s Emilia Pérez. The third annual Celebration of AAPI Cinema & Television will recognize actress Joan Chen with the Career Achievement Award for her performance in Dìdi; and filmmaker Tyler Perry will receive the seventh annual Celebration of Black Cinema & Television’s Icon Award for his incredible body of work and achievements throughout the years …

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

In Megan Park’s new coming-of-age film, My Old A**, 18-year-old Elliot comes face-to-face with her 39-year-old self.

The fantastical, chance meeting comes after the teenager trips on mushrooms. Park told ABC Audio the story came from the idea of “wanting to talk to an older or younger version of yourself,” as well as the nostalgic feelings that came with returning home to Canada.

“I grew up not far from where we shot the movie and spent my summers there. And I was like, ‘Why did I ever want to leave?’” Park said. “It was really just the sentimental, nostalgic feeling that made me want to explore this idea.”

Aubrey Plaza and Maisy Stella play older and younger Elliot, respectively, and Stella said working with Plaza was a dream come true.

“It was, like, the coolest thing I’ll ever do. I’ve admired her for so long. I think she’s such a genius,” Stella said. “Anywhere near her would have been so exciting to me. Playing the same character was just so cool to me. I’ll never get over it.”

While Park says she relates to both older and younger Elliot, she was happy to center the movie on the younger character.

“I wanted to explore it through this fun coming-of-age entry point because it was a lighter headspace to be in,” Park said. “I think coming-of-age movies are really timeless if they’re done well, because you’re always kind of coming of age at different points in your life.” 

My Old A** streams worldwide Friday on Prime Video.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Prime Video has released the trailer to Cross, the new series starring Aldis Hodge as author James Patterson‘s brilliant detective Alex Cross.

The trailer shows the criminal psychologist on the hunt for a vicious serial killer who wears a creepy realistic mask. 

“I don’t kill for fun,” the killer says. “You’re going to be part of a masterpiece. And when I’m done, the world will know the truth.

Set to Marvin Gaye‘s “Trouble Man,” the trailer shows Cross plying his unique skills. “Multiple victims are connected to this,” he tells a police colleague. 

Things turn personal when the taunting killer comes knocking at Cross’ door. 

“You think you can stop him?” a fellow cop asks him. “I know I can,” Cross replies, “because I know him better than he knows himself.”

The series debuts Nov. 14, but was already renewed for a second season back in May.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

In a teaser that only features two lines of dialogue, but more glowing critical quotes and film festival bona fides to already land the film in next year’s Oscar race, Netflix has revealed Angelina Jolie as opera great Maria Callas. 

In Maria, which was directed by Pablo Larraín, who helmed the movies Jackie and Spencer, Jolie portrays no less than “one of the greatest artists who ever lived,” according to the teaser.

She’s first shown striding onto a stage in an empty performance venue, with a pianist asking her, “Maria: What do you want to sing?”

What follows is montage of the film, Callas in various costumes standing before sold-out crowds; being crushed by adoring fans; and sobbing by herself. 

Back to that empty space, Maria waves her hand to the musician and tells him “Not today” before striding away. 

According to Netflix, “The film follows the American-Greek soprano as she retreats to Paris after a glamorous and tumultuous life in the public eye,” adding the film “reimagines the legendary soprano in her final days as the diva reckons with her identity and life.”

The premiere of the film was met with an eight-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival in August that left Jolie in tears.

Maria debuts in select theaters in November and on Netflix Dec. 11.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Lionsgate has debuted the action-packed trailer to the John Wick spin-off Ballerina. 

Officially titled From the World of John Wick: Ballerina, the action movie stars Ana de Armas as a young woman with vengeance on her mind. 

The trailer opens with the Wick series’ Winston (Ian McShane) asking a bloodied little girl, “Do you like to dance? I know a school that teaches dancers.”

However, it’s more than a ballet school. It’s an assassin training academy glimpsed in John Wick: Chapter 3, led by Anjelica Huston‘s The Director.

It’s there that de Armas’ Eve undergoes a master class in killing. “You will always be weaker. You will always be smaller,” her class is told. 

“You want to win? Improve. Adapt. Cheat.” To that end, she’s shown dispatching a much larger male foe with strikes to his nethers. 

The trailer brings Eve to New York City’s Continental Hotel, where she is greeted at the front desk by the concierge, Charon, played again by the late Lance Reddick. 

“What a pleasure it is to see you again,” Winston tells the now-grown assassin. 

De Armas dispatches enemies in all manner of ways — including one with an ice skate and another with a grenade stuffed into his mouth — as she works her way up the chain to her father’s killers.

Co-star Norman Reedus warns her, “You have no idea what you’ve gotten yourself into.” 

The action culminates with the assassin fighting a flamethrower-wielding baddie with a raging firehose, but the trailer saves the best for last. 

A train pulls up, and a mysterious figure descends. “You’re him,” Eve says. “The one they call the Baba Yaga. How do I start doing what you do?”

Keanu Reeves is then revealed as John Wick. “Looks like you already have,” he says. 

Ballerina comes out in 2025. 

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

On Sept. 26 — or Outbreak Day, as fans of the post-apocalyptic game know it — HBO debuted the second-season trailer to its video game adaptation The Last of Us. 

One of its new cast additions, Catherine O’Hara, is featured prominently, apparently conducting a therapy session with one of the show’s main protagonists, Pedro Pascal‘s Joel. “Let’s try something different,” she advises in voice-over. “You can’t heal something unless you’re brave enough to say it out loud.” 

Music plays a big part in the trailer, particularly Pearl Jam‘s 2013 track “Future Days,” which Joel plays for Ellie in The Last of Us Part II, the video game’s hit sequel. 

And while the trailer begins with a respite from the show’s zombie outbreak, things pick up considerably by its end, with a horde of zombies rushing a fence, which collapses under their weight, leaving Kaitlyn Dever‘s Abby Anderson crawling on her hands and knees to escape.

The trailer also gives a glimpse of another new cast member, Oscar-nominated American Fiction actor Jeffrey Wright, reprising his role as Isaac, the former Marine-turned-resistance group leader that he played in the game. 

Season 2’s cast also includes Bella Ramsey as Ellie, Isabela Merced as Dina, Young Mazino as Jesse, Spencer Lord as Owen and Danny Ramirez as Manny.

The Last of Us season 2 will premiere in 2025. 

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

On Thursday, Apple TV+ dropped a trailer to the second season of its Emmy-nominated dramedy Shrinking, which returns on Oct. 16.

The sneak peek of the sophomore season shows recent widower Jimmy (Jason Segel) trying to reconnect with his daughter, Alice (Lukita Maxwell). 

“I think that Alice is worried about me,” he confides in Harrison Ford‘s Dr. Paul Rhoades. “That’s rough to realize your kid knows how fragile you are,” Ford deadpans. 

Alice says about her dad, “I can’t help thinking he’s gonna go back to the way he was after mom died.” 

Rhoades warns, “If you don’t truly deal with your past, it comes back for you, and then ‘Boom!'”

The trailer also shows Saturday Night Live‘s Heidi Gardner behind bars. “I pushed my husband off a cliff,” she says. “I’m a psycho with good hair.”

“I like the ‘good hair’ part,” Jimmy offers cheerfully.

Rhoades, who has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s, is facing his fears as he continues his relationship with his neurologist, played by Wendie Malick. 

Later, Jimmy tells Rhoades they should be working together, “Like Batman and Robin,” offering, “You even sound like him!” 

Christa Miller and Jessica Williams also star in season 2, as do Luke Tennie, Michael Urie and Ted McGinley. As reported, Ted Lasso co-star and Shrinking co-creator Brett Goldstein will appear as a special guest star in season 2.

The 12-episode second season will premiere with two episodes on Oct. 16, followed by one new episode every Wednesday until its finale on Dec. 25.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.