Madonna, Camila Cabello, George Clooney: Entertainment round-up

Cuban-born Camila Cabello beat out heavy hitters Beyonce, Bruno Mars and Drake to take home the two top prizes at the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) on Monday.

Following is a summary of current entertainment news briefs.

Camila Cabello beats Beyonce, Drake for top VMA prizes

Cuban-born Camila Cabello beat out heavy hitters Beyonce, Bruno Mars and Drake to take home the two top prizes at the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) on Monday. Cabello, 21, was chosen artist of the year and won video of the year for her Latin-flavored hit "Havana," while rapper Cardi B picked up wins for best new artist and song of summer for her dance hit "I Like It" with J Balvin and Bad Bunny.

Asia Argento denies sexual relations with an actor she paid off

Italian actress Asia Argento, an outspoken advocate in the movement against sexual harassment, denied on Tuesday ever having had sexual relations with Jimmy Bennett, an actor who the New York Times reported had accused her of sexual assault. The New York Times reported on Sunday that Bennett had accused Argento of sexually assaulting him in 2013 when he was 17 and she was 37. Argento agreed to pay him $380,000 after he asked for $3.5 million, the paper said.

Madonna defends herself after Aretha Franklin tribute backlash

Madonna on Tuesday hit back at critics of her speech about the late Aretha Franklin at the MTV Video Music Awards (VMA) show, saying she had been asked only to share an anecdote about the late Queen of Soul. The "Rebel Heart" singer sparked a backlash with a 10-minute speech focused mostly on her own early career at Monday's live show, which organizers had said would pay honor and tribute to Franklin four days after her death at age 76.

Tequila sends George Clooney to top of best-paid actors list

George Clooney on Wednesday soared to the top of an annual list of the world's highest-paid actors, thanks largely to the sale of his tequila company. Clooney, 57, earned an estimated $239 million between June 2017-June 2018, marking the highest earnings of his 35-year career in film and television, Forbes said.

A plane with rapper Post Malone lands safely after blown tires

A private jet carrying rapper Post Malone landed safely at a New York airport after two of its tires blew out during takeoff on Tuesday, according to the Federal Aviation Administration and media reports. There were 16 people aboard the Gulfstream plane, which took off from Teterboro Airport in New Jersey and was headed to London before it was diverted to Stewart Airport, about 70 miles (113 km) north of New York City, the FAA and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said.

Second Kevin Spacey sex assault case under review by Los Angeles prosecutors

Los Angeles prosecutors said on Wednesday they were reviewing a second sexual assault case involving Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey. "A sex assault case was presented yesterday to our office by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department involving Kevin Spacey. It remains under review," Los Angeles District Attorney spokesman Greg Risling said in an emailed statement.

'Crazy Rich Asians' film comes home to Singapore

"Crazy Rich Asians" celebrated its Asian premiere in Singapore on Tuesday night, with local-born stars such as Fiona Xie delighted to be bringing the film home to the city where it was filmed. "I'm so looking forward to every Singaporean to watch this because Singapore is so beautiful on screen. Everybody (in Hollywood) was like, is this CGI? Does this place really exist?" Xie, who plays gold digging opera star Kitty Pong, told reporters.

The success of 'Crazy Rich Asians' movie sparks plans for a sequel

The Warner Bros. movie studio is in the early stages of developing a sequel to its groundbreaking romantic comedy "Crazy Rich Asians," a source with knowledge of the matter said on Wednesday. It is unclear when a sequel could reach theaters. No script has been written and no deals have yet been signed with the movie's screenwriters, the source said.

'Crazy Rich Asians' author wanted in Singapore for dodging military service

The author of the book "Crazy Rich Asians", which inspired the Hollywood hit film of the same title, is wanted in his home country of Singapore for defaulting on his military service, the defense ministry said on Wednesday. Kevin Kwan, the author of the 2013 book and an executive producer of the film, was notably absent from the Singapore premiere of the romantic comedy on Tuesday.

Danny Boyle out as next James Bond movie director

Acclaimed British director Danny Boyle has pulled out of the latest James Bond movie due to "creative differences," the producers of the multimillion-dollar film franchise said on Tuesday. "Michael G. Wilson, Barbara Broccoli, and Daniel Craig today announced that due to creative differences Danny Boyle has decided to no longer direct Bond 25," said a statement on the official 007 website and Twitter account.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)