All about Simon Cowell's place on Hollywood Walk of Fame, Aretha Franklin funeral

Simon Cowell, once known as the Mr. Nasty of talent show "American Idol,"all smiled on Wednesday when he got his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Star maker Simon Cowell gets his place on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Simon Cowell, once known as the Mr. Nasty of talent show "American Idol,"all smiled on Wednesday when he got his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Joined by Kelly Clarkson, the first "American Idol" winner, the British television and music mogul basked in the limelight as he recalled his time as a reality show judge, record producer and creator of long-running franchises "The X Factor," "America's Got Talent" and "Britain's Got Talent."

Stevie Wonder heads star line-up for Aretha Franklin funeral

Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Hudson, and country singer Faith Hill will sing at the funeral of Aretha Franklin in Detroit next week, her publicist said on Thursday. They will be joined by R&B singers Chaka Khan, Ron Isley, Fantasia and Yolanda Adams at the funeral for the late Queen of Soul, publicist Gwendolyn Quinn said in a statement.

I introduced a bill to award Aretha Franklin with the Congressional Gold Medal yesterday, alongside my colleagues Senator Hatch and Reps. Lawrence and Collins. Aretha was a legend, and it's long past time Congress honor her work and impact.

— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) August 22, 2018

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.

Killer of John Lennon loses parole bid for the tenth time

The man who gunned down rock icon John Lennon nearly 38 years ago failed in his tenth try to win freedom from a prison sentence that could keep him behind bars for the rest of his life, New York prison authorities said on Thursday. A state board denied parole for Mark David Chapman, 63, after a hearing and told him he would have to wait another two years until it considers him for release again, the New York Department of Corrections and Community Supervision said.

Former Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Ed King dies at 68

Ed King, a former lead guitarist for the Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd who co-wrote one of the group's best-known hits, "Sweet Home Alabama," has died at age 68, a founding member of the band said on Thursday. King joined Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1972 not long after the band formed, and with two other lead guitarists, Gary Rossington and Allen Collins helped create the group's powerful triple-guitar sound prominent on such rock classics as "Free Bird."

RIP original member of Lynyrd Skynyrd Ed King. I really liked meeting him making that doc about the band with @VH1 back in the day. In this 3rd pic he's playing that great opening lick from Sweet Home Alabama. pic.twitter.com/t74YSCTqRf

— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) August 23, 2018

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.

Fake Trump family riffs on real news in a musical spoof

The family of reality show star turned U.S. President Donald Trump has inspired a new Off-Broadway cabaret spoof promoted by former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci. The entrepreneur and political consultant, who was fired from the White House after an 11-day stint a year ago, lent his name to "The 1st Annual Trump Family Special," which opens in New York on Sept. 13, saying that its "kernels of truth make a good satire."

After 'Crazy Rich Asians,' 'Searching' breaks more new ground

The Asians in new movie "Searching" are neither rich nor crazy, but the contemporary thriller is in some ways as ground-breaking as the big romantic comedy currently making waves in Hollywood. "Searching," opening in U.S. movie theaters on Friday a week after the debut of "Crazy Rich Asians," is the tale of a father's attempts to track down his well-behaved teen daughter after she goes missing.

'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.

The actor who accused Asia Argento said he tried to keep story private

Actor Jimmy Bennett, who The New York Times reported has accused Italian actress Asia Argento of sexual assault, said on Wednesday he tried to handle the matter privately and felt "ashamed and afraid" after the story was published. The Times reported on Sunday that Bennett had accused Argento, an outspoken advocate in the #MeToo social media movement against sexual misconduct, of sexually assaulting him in 2013 when he was 17 and she was 37.

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