Singer D4vd pleads not guilty to murder in death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Singer D4vd has pleaded not guilty to a murder charge in the death of a 14-year-old girl who authorities say was found dismembered in his Tesla last year. Los Angeles prosecutors said Monday that the 21-year-old singer whose legal name is David Burke was charged with first-degree murder and other charges in the killing of Celeste Rivas Hernandez. She was 13 when her family last saw her in 2024 and she was last known to be alive in April 2025. Her long-dead body was found in September. Burke's lawyers said after he was arrested Thursday that he did not kill Rivas Hernandez and they will defend his innocence.
A timeline leading up to D4vd's murder charge in the killing of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Alt-pop singer D4vd has been charged with sexually abusing, murdering, and mutilating a 14-year-old girl. Los Angeles County prosecutors say Celeste Rivas Hernandez's decomposed remains were found in his abandoned Tesla. The charges were filed Monday, but the allegations date back to 2023. That was just a year after the singer's first single made it onto the Billboard Hot 100 chart. D4vd's legal name is David Burke. His defense attorney pleaded not guilty on his behalf during an arraignment Monday. The timeline of events as described by prosecutors is interwoven with Burke's career. Rivas Hernandez was last heard from two days before Burke's debut album dropped.
South Korean police seek to arrest K-pop mogul behind BTS
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korean police are seeking to arrest music mogul Bang Si-Hyuk, chairman of the agency behind K-pop supergroup BTS, as they expand an investment fraud investigation. Bang is under investigation over allegations that he misled investors in 2019 by telling them HYBE had no plans to go public, inducing them to sell their shares to a private equity fund before the company proceeded with an initial public offering. Police believe that the fund may have paid Bang around 200 billion won $136 million. Bang, a music executive and producer who founded HYBE as Big Hit Entertainment in 2005, is one of the most powerful figures in K-pop, overseeing some of the industry’s most popular acts, including Seventeen, Le Sserafim and Katseye.
Late Queen Elizabeth II's legacy still looms over British monarchy 100 years after her birth
LONDON (AP) — When she died in 2022, Queen Elizabeth II was the only monarch most Britons had ever known. Even now, mention of “the queen” is more likely to evoke thoughts of Elizabeth than of Queen Camilla, the wife of the reigning King Charles III. But the passage of time has also tarnished the late queen’s legacy. While she is celebrated as a symbol of tradition and continuity who help unite Britain as the end of empire, economic struggles and mass migration changed the nation’s perception of itself, revelations about the former Prince Andrew’s links to the sex offender Jeffrey Epstein have raised questions about why she let the problem fester for years.
Most fashion mannequins are about a size 2. The Met Gala exhibit is making room for diverse bodies
NEW YORK (AP) — The upcoming fashion exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art examines “the dressed body” in art over the centuries. But “Costume Art” also aims to include bodies that art has traditionally ignored. The museum has created 25 mannequins for display based on “real bodies.” Nine people modeled for the mannequins. Those include disability activist Sinéad Burke and body-positive lingerie designer Michaela Stark. Curator Andrew Bolton explains he's seeking to challenge centuries-old conceptions of beauty. The exhibit is launching with the May 4 Met Gala and opens to the public May 10. It runs until January 2027.
Book bans and attempted bans remain at record highs, with 'Sold' topping the list
NEW YORK (AP) — The American Library Association says book bans and attempted bans remain at record highs. Efforts to remove titles have become more coordinated and politicized. The ALA on Monday released its annual list of the most challenged books in U.S. schools and libraries. Patricia McCormick's “Sold,” a novel about sex trafficking in India, topped the list. Other targeted books include “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” and “Gender Queer.” The ALA recorded challenges to 4,235 different works, nearly matching last year's record. The association notes that many challenges now come from government officials and activists rather than concerned parents.
Music Review: Foo Fighters' 'Your Favorite Toy' is a high-energy return that takes some risks
Foo Fighters are back with their 12th album, “Your Favorite Toy,” and they’re having fun. After a tumultuous few years, including lineup changes and personal challenges, the band returns to their 1990s garage rock roots. The album takes a few chances with occasional distorted vocals and overly compressed sound, writes The Associated Press’ Dennis Waszak Jr. in his review. It’s a uniquely entertaining and energy-lifting listen. “Caught In The Echo” sets the tone with a thunderous start for the often fast and loud 10-song album. Tracks like “Of All People” and “If You Only Knew” showcase Grohl’s raw energy and introspection. It’s an in-your-face welcome back for the Foo Fighters. The album is out Friday.
What to Stream: Charlize Theron, 'Marty Supreme,' Kehlani, Kate Hudson and Lainey Wilson
Timothée Chalamet starring as a ping-pong master in “Marty Supreme” and a Netflix comedy competition show hosted by Kevin Hart are some of the new television, films, music and games headed to a device near you. Also among the streaming offerings worth your time for the week of April 20 as selected by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists: Charlize Theron expanding her already robust action movie resume with the survivalist thriller “Apex,” Kate Hudson’s basketball drama “Running Point” returning for Season 2 and a Netflix documentary on country star Lainey Wilson.
Eddie Murphy receives life achievement award by AFI, drawing standing ovation at star-filled tribute
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Eddie Murphy has received the American Film Institute's life achievement award at a star-studded ceremony. The event, held Saturday night at the Dolby Theatre, featured appearances from Spike Lee, Martin Lawrence, Dave Chappelle, and more. Murphy, known for his roles in "Beverly Hills Cop" and "Shrek" over a nearly 50-year career, expressed gratitude for his family and career. Spike Lee praised Murphy's cultural impact, while Chris Rock and others highlighted his influence across generations. The tribute, which will air on Netflix, also included performances by Jennifer Hudson.
‘Lee Cronin’s The Mummy’ is no match for ‘Super Mario’ or ‘Hail Mary’ at the box office
“The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” and “Project Hail Mary” continue to lead the North American box office. The Mario sequel has topped the charts for three weekends, adding $35 million and reaching $747.5 million globally. “Project Hail Mary” dropped only 15% in its fifth weekend, earning $20.5 million domestically and bringing its worldwide total to $573.1 million. Meanwhile, “Lee Cronin’s The Mummy” debuted in third place with $13.5 million. Despite mixed reviews, it has a worldwide total of $34 million. The overall box office is up 16% from last year, with more big releases expected soon.
