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Grammy-winning singer Chappell Roan has cut ties with the Wasserman talent agency, led by entertainment executive and Los Angeles 2028 Olympics chair Casey Wasserman, following the release of government files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Wasserman has not been accused of any wrongdoing. However, documents made public by the US Justice Department show that in 2003 he exchanged flirtatious emails with Ghislaine Maxwell, who was later convicted of helping Epstein recruit and abuse underage girls. “As of today, I am no longer represented by Wasserman,” Roan wrote on Instagram Monday. “I hold my teams to the highest standards… No artist, agent or employee should ever be expected to defend or overlook actions that conflict so deeply with our own moral values.” Though she did not mention Epstein directly, Roan said artists deserve representation that aligns with their values and ensures their safety and dignity. Among the released emails was one in which Wasserman told Maxwell, “I think of you all the time. So, what do I have to do to see you in a tight leather outfit?” Responding earlier, Wasserman said he “deeply regret” the correspondence, which he described as taking place “long before her horrific crimes came to light.” He also said he never had a personal or business relationship with Epstein and met him only once during a 2002 philanthropy trip to Africa with former US President Bill Clinton. He added that he never saw anything inappropriate and had no further contact. Trevor Noah takes jabs at Trump and Nicki Minaj during Grammys Maxwell was charged in 2020 and is serving a 20-year prison sentence. Roan’s move follows similar decisions by other artists under Wasserman. Bands including Wednesday, Beach Bunny, Water From Your Eyes and Sylvan Esso have announced plans to leave the agency, while Best Coast’s Bethany Cosentino publicly urged Wasserman to step down. Wasserman, grandson of Hollywood mogul Lew Wasserman, heads one of the world’s leading sports and talent agencies and has played a key role in bringing the 2028 Summer Olympics to Los Angeles. The International Olympic Committee has said it will not intervene in the matter.

Brad Arnold, the lead singer and songwriter of popular US rock band 3 Doors Down, has died after battling cancer. He was 47, the band confirmed in a statement posted on social media on Saturday. “He will be deeply missed and forever remembered,” the band said, paying tribute to Arnold’s long career and impact on rock music. Arnold was best known for writing and performing hit songs such as Kryptonite, Here Without You, When I’m Gone and Loser, which dominated rock and pop radio during the 2000s. In May 2025, Arnold revealed that he had been diagnosed with stage four clear cell renal carcinoma, a form of kidney cancer that had spread to his lungs. At the time, he said he was not afraid and asked fans to keep him in their prayers, though the illness forced the band to cancel an upcoming tour. The band said Arnold, a founding member as well as the original drummer and vocalist, helped shape mainstream rock music by combining post-grunge sounds with emotional lyrics that connected with everyday listeners. Formed in Mississippi in the mid-1990s, 3 Doors Down rose to fame with their debut album The Better Life in 2000. The album became one of the top-selling records in the United States that year, according to Billboard. Arnold wrote the band’s breakout hit Kryptonite when he was just 15 years old. Another founding member of the band, Matt Roberts, died in 2016 at the age of 38. Arnold was also open about his struggles with alcoholism and said he had been sober since 2016. He often spoke about how recovery changed his life both personally and professionally. Over the years, 3 Doors Down won three Billboard Music Awards and performed at major national events, including US presidential inaugurations. In 2004, the band set up the Better Life Foundation, a charity that supports children in need of food, shelter and medical care. Arnold is survived by his wife, Jennifer.   With inputs from BBC

Taylor Swift surprised fans after actor Cillian Murphy made a brief cameo in the music video of her song Opalite, triggering widespread excitement on social media. The video, now streaming on Spotify and Apple Music Premium, features several familiar faces from a 2025 episode of The Graham Norton Show. Alongside Murphy, the appearances include Domhnall Gleeson, Greta Lee, Jodie Turner-Smith, Lewis Capaldi and show host Graham Norton. Cillian Murphy appears in the opening scene through a billboard advertisement and also provides a voiceover. Domhnall Gleeson plays Swift’s former love interest in the video, while Lewis Capaldi appears as a photographer. Greta Lee and Jodie Turner-Smith are shown in television advertisements within the storyline, and Graham Norton makes a short appearance. Following the video’s release, Murphy’s cameo quickly became a talking point online. Fans shared memes and reactions, with many joking that the actor had officially joined what they called the “Taylor Swift cinematic universe”. The official version of the Opalite music video is set to premiere on YouTube on February 8 at 6:30 pm IST. Opalite is the second song from Swift’s album The Life of a Showgirl to receive a music video. The first was Fate of Ophelia, released in October last year along with the album. Swift has also announced a limited edition pearlescent blue vinyl of Opalite, available for pre order on her official website for a limited time. The Life of a Showgirl became the fastest selling album in history, selling more than four million units in its first week. The album topped global charts and includes a collaboration with Sabrina Carpenter on the title track, along with other songs such as Wood, Elizabeth Taylor and Actually Romantic. Swift earlier shared on Instagram that the idea for the video came from a light hearted joke during her appearance on The Graham Norton Show, after which she reached out to the guests to take part in the project.   With inputs from NDTV

Cricket fans attending the opening match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in Mumbai on February 7 can look forward to more than just on-field action, as a star-studded musical lineup is set to entertain the crowd. The ICC announced on Friday that rapper Badshah, Bollywood star Nora Fatehi, acclaimed neo-classical sitarist Rishab Rikhiram Sharma, and renowned percussionist Sivamani will lead the official opening ceremony of the tournament. Sharing his excitement, Badshah said he was thrilled to be part of a global event that blends sport, music, and culture, noting that music, much like cricket, has the power to unite people. He added that he is eager to bring his energy to such a prestigious platform. Rishab Rikhiram Sharma said performing at the T20 World Cup opening was an unexpected but meaningful opportunity, calling it a major step in showcasing Indian music on the world stage. He expressed his honour at sharing the stage with Sivamani in front of an audience of nearly 60,000 fans. Sivamani echoed similar sentiments, saying that both music and cricket transcend borders. He described performing at the opening ceremony in Mumbai as a privilege and said he looks forward to engaging the audience through rhythm ahead of the match. India have been placed in Group A alongside arch-rivals Pakistan, Namibia, the Netherlands, and the United States. The hosts will begin their campaign against the USA in Mumbai on February 7. If India successfully defend their title, they will become the first team to do so in T20 World Cup history. A third title would also make them the most successful team in the tournament’s history. India’s T20 World Cup squad: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, and Rinku Singh.

Popular singer Arijit Singh recently announced that he will no longer work as a playback singer. His decision has once again brought attention to how singers are paid in the film industry. Many wonder why top singers leave and what happens to lesser-known artists who have less influence. The discussion grew after singer Abhijeet Sawant spoke about the issue. He shared his thoughts on whether playback singers are paid fairly and recognized for their work. During an interview on Pentarise Studios' YouTube channel, Abhijeet said, “People don’t want singers to become bigger than the film. That is why they are paid a fixed amount. Singers don’t get royalties for film songs. For example, Biddu worked on ‘Lafzon Mein’ and also made a few songs in the West. He earns enough royalties from those songs to live comfortably. We don’t even get enough to live on.” “Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3” team wanted Arijit not Sonu Nigam": Mallik He added, “The system is made this way. Singers want opportunities and hope a hit song with a big star will help their career. We accept the money we get, because if we don’t, someone else will. Singers are often exploited.” On January 27, Arijit shared on social media that he will stop taking new playback songs. He wrote, “Hello, Happy New Year to all. Thank you for your love over the years. I will not take any new playback assignments. It was a wonderful journey.” His announcement came days after he released ‘Maatrubhumi’, a song recorded with Shreya Ghoshal for Salman Khan’s upcoming film ‘Battle of Galwan’. #With inputs from NDTV

At 90, the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, has won his first-ever Grammy Award, adding a new milestone to his long list of global honours. The Tibetan spiritual leader received the accolade in the Best Audio Book, Narration & Storytelling Recording category for his spoken-word album Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The award was accepted on his behalf by musician Rufus Wainwright, who collaborated on the project. Meditations combines the Dalai Lama’s reflections on peace, compassion, mindfulness, and humanity’s interconnectedness with musical elements influenced by Hindustani classical traditions. In a statement shared by his office, the Dalai Lama said the recognition was not a personal triumph but “a recognition of shared universal responsibility.” He added, “I receive this recognition with gratitude and humility. Peace, compassion, care for our environment, and understanding the oneness of humanity are essential for the collective well-being of all eight billion human beings. I hope this Grammy helps spread these messages more widely.” The album’s nomination in late 2025 had already drawn global attention, highlighting the Dalai Lama’s work beyond spiritual and philosophical circles. Although this is his first Grammy, he has previously been honoured with numerous prestigious awards, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 for his lifelong nonviolent struggle for Tibet and advocacy of peace and human values. Other accolades include the Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion in 2012, academic honours such as Doctor Honoris Causa degrees from institutions in the United States, Italy, and India, as well as the Liberty Medal in the U.S. and the Syedna Qutbuddin Harmony Prize in India. These recognitions reflect his enduring influence as a moral and spiritual leader worldwide.   With inputs from The Indian EXPRESS

The Grammy Awards on Sunday became the latest high-profile stage for growing celebrity criticism of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, as musicians and activists used the red carpet and acceptance speeches to denounce US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The awards season has coincided with an intensified deportation campaign, particularly in Minneapolis, prompting artists to weigh whether and how to publicly oppose immigration enforcement. In the days leading up to the Grammys, activists urged celebrities to wear protest pins calling for ICE to leave US cities, coordinating with artists’ teams and distributing the pins at multiple industry events. Organisers said the response at the Grammys appeared stronger than at last month’s Golden Globes, reflecting rising public anger after a series of high-profile incidents, including the fatal shooting of nurse Alex Pretti by a Border Patrol officer, the detention of a five-year-old child, Liam Conejo Ramos, and the recent arrest of journalist Don Lemon. Jess Morales Rocketto, executive director of Latino advocacy group Maremoto, said the music industry’s culture made artists more willing to take visible stands than their Hollywood counterparts. “These are folks known for big, rebellious performances and bold self-expression,” she said. “The pins are about much more than a red carpet moment. They’re about taking a stand and showing that ICE should be out of our communities.” Several artists wore protest messages on the Grammys red carpet, including Jason Isbell, Margo Price, Kehlani and Rhiannon Giddens. Kehlani also used her acceptance speech for best R&B performance to condemn ICE. Justin Vernon of Bon Iver said he wore a whistle to honour legal observers documenting federal agents’ actions on the streets. “I think music exists to heal and bring people together,” Vernon told the Associated Press. “But the real work is being done by those observers on the ground.” The protests echoed similar demonstrations at last week’s Sundance Film Festival, where actors including Natalie Portman, Olivia Wilde and Zoey Deutch wore “ICE OUT” pins. Deutch also displayed a “BE GOOD” pin in memory of Renee Good, who was killed by an ICE officer last month. Wilde said she was disturbed by what she described as a growing normalisation of deadly enforcement actions. Portman, speaking at the premiere of her film The Gallerist, became emotional as she described the difficulty of celebrating creative achievements amid widespread fear in immigrant communities. Activists acknowledged that not all artists are able or willing to speak out publicly. Morales Rocketto said opposition can come from record labels, managers, fashion sponsors or corporate partners, while others may fear personal consequences. She also noted that Latino artists, regardless of fame or wealth, may face particular risks, including concerns over immigration status within their families, amid heightened enforcement under the Trump administration. Despite those pressures, organisers said the visible protest at the Grammys signaled a growing cultural revolt against immigration policies, with artists increasingly using their platforms to express solidarity with affected communities.

Tollywood stars Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda are reportedly set to tie the knot on February 26, 2026, in a private ceremony at a heritage palace in Udaipur, Rajasthan. The couple had earlier celebrated a private engagement at Vijay’s Hyderabad residence in October last year. Now, a viral video claims that preparations for their wedding are underway at the City Palace in Udaipur. In the video shared on Instagram, two women said they were at the same palace where the wedding is expected to take place. They added that palace staff confirmed the wedding date as February 26. The clip also shows glimpses of the ongoing preparations at the venue. Rashmika and Vijay have largely kept their engagement and wedding plans private. During a recent promotional event, Rashmika subtly acknowledged their engagement, saying, “Everyone is aware of it.” Read More: Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda engaged, wedding set for February 2026 In another light-hearted interaction with Galatta Plus, Rashmika was congratulated on her perfume line, and when asked if there was something else to celebrate, she smiled and said, “No, no. Actually, there’s quite a lot, because so many things are happening. But I’ll take your congratulations on all of them.” The couple’s relationship has drawn attention for some time, fueled by their on-screen chemistry in films like ‘Geetha Govindam’ and ‘ Dear Comrade’. Sources close to the couple confirmed to NDTV that they got engaged on October 3, 2025, in a private ceremony. Source: NDTV

Bollywood producer Shailendra Singh has praised Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra, calling them “like-minded personalities” with similar approaches to their careers. Shailendra said many fans wished the two stars had appeared together more on screen. He added that despite taking different career paths, they share a focused and professional attitude. Speaking about Priyanka Chopra, Shailendra said the industry did not value her properly. “Priyanka should have been the voice of Bollywood, but we treated her so badly that she left the country. She could have carried Bollywood’s reputation globally,” he said. Priyanka later moved to the United States and built a successful career in Hollywood. Shailendra also highlighted Shah Rukh Khan’s understanding of cinema and business. “He is a thorough professional, knows his work, and never puts anyone down. Both Priyanka and Shah Rukh should be ambassadors of our industry,” he said. The producer said the two stars have a no-nonsense attitude and are very similar in the way they handle their careers. He described them as supremely talented and focused on their work. Shailendra’s remarks come amid ongoing fan interest in collaborations between Bollywood’s top stars and recognition of Priyanka Chopra’s international success.   With inputs from NDTV

Global pop icon Madonna has praised the English seaside town of Margate and her long-time friend, celebrated artist Tracey Emin, calling the resort “her idea of heaven” in a recent Instagram post. Madonna shared photographs from an art exhibition and highlighted Emin, who has been her friend for over 25 years, as a “pearl” for championing the town’s cultural revival. Emin, known for her provocative and personal artwork, has spent decades promoting Margate as a hub for creativity, drawing artists, writers, photographers, and performers to the coastal town. In her post, Madonna lauded Emin’s residency programme, which provides young artists space to live and work, describing it as “quite remarkable” and vital for those who otherwise would lack opportunities to develop their talents. “Whenever I go there, I feel like I’ve entered a dream,” Madonna wrote, noting that the town seemed “energized by creativity.” Emin responded to Madonna’s tribute, expressing gratitude for the visit and noting that Margate has attracted “so many cool, creative, interesting people” in recent years. She recalled the town’s decline during the 1970s and 1980s, when empty streets, derelict arcades, and boarded-up shops left it largely abandoned. According to Emin, the past decade has seen a major transformation of Margate, driven by a new wave of artists, writers, and musicians. “The town has come back to life, and both new and old Margatonians are making it a positive and uplifting place,” she said. Madonna concluded that sharing experiences like Margate, which celebrate human connection through art rather than conflict, was meaningful. Emin echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the town’s growing cultural and artistic significance.   With inputs from BBC