Entertainment News Roundup: Singer Lizzo denies creating hostile environment for dancers; Warner Bros Discovery warns Hollywood strikes may impact film slate and more

Following is a summary of current entertainment news briefs.

Soccer-Natalie Portman says "theatre" of soccer perfect venue to fight for gender equity

Natalie Portman said she never dreamed of owning a professional sports team, but that changed when the Oscar-winning actress noticed the way one of her sons viewed female soccer players with the same "admiration and fandom" as male players. Israeli-American Portman is the co-founder of National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) team Angel City and is in Australia for the ongoing Women's World Cup along with many of the club's co-owners and staff.

Singer Lizzo denies creating hostile environment for dancers

Grammy-winning singer Lizzo on Thursday denied claims made in a lawsuit filed by three of her former dancers that she created a hostile work environment by engaging in denigrating behavior and body-shaming, calling the accusations "false" and "outrageous." Lizzo's response on the social media platform X comes two days after the dancers filed the lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court. It alleges harassment based on sex, religion, race and disability.

'Rust' film armorer waives hearing, shooting case may now go to trial

"Rust" armorer Hannah Gutierrez on Friday waived her right to a preliminary hearing, allowing charges against her over the 2021 shooting death of the movie's cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins, to move toward a possible trial. In a court filing, Gutierrez's lawyer Jason Bowles waived the hearing set for Aug. 9-16 at which a judge was to decide whether there were grounds for a trial on charges of involuntary manslaughter and evidence tampering in connection with Hutchins' death.

Striking Hollywood writers, studios meet to discuss resuming talks

As the Hollywood writers' strike approaches the 100-day mark, Writers Guild of America (WGA) negotiators met on Friday with representatives of the major studios for the first time in three months to discuss whether contract talks can resume. The 11,500 members of the guild walked out May 2, citing an impasse over pay, streaming residuals and other issues such as setting curbs on the use of artificial intelligence. Next Wednesday marks the 100th day of the strike.

Japan opening of 'Barbie' marred by controversy ahead of nuclear memorials

The Japan opening of the hit film "Barbie" was dealt additional setbacks as an online petition gained steam calling on Hollywood studios to disavow a grassroots marketing movement that made light of nuclear holocaust. A Change.org petition collected more than 16,000 signatures over two days as of Thursday, demanding that Warner Bros and Universal Pictures, the studio behind the "Oppenheimer" biopic, call a halt to the "Barbenheimer" hashtag that has helped make the film a global blockbusters.

New York park erupts in chaos as live streamer's giveaway goes awry

Thousands of people overran New York City's Union Square and the surrounding streets on Friday in a chaotic scene after a popular live streamer announced a "giveaway" event, with police struggling to contain fans throwing projectiles and injuring officers. The event was promoted by Kai Cenat, best known for his live streams on the gaming site Twitch and YouTube videos. He had earlier announced a "huge giveaway" on his Instagram account for 4 p.m. ET (2000 GMT) at the Manhattan park.

Warner Bros Discovery warns Hollywood strikes may impact film slate

Warner Bros Discovery warned Thursday that uncertainty over the dual strikes by Hollywood writers and actors could impact the timing of its film slate and its ability to produce and deliver content. The studio said its models anticipate members of the Writers Guild of America and the Screen Actors Guild would return to work in early September - a prediction that sources say is optimistic, given the angry tenor of remarks from the picket lines.

'Bohemian Rhapsody' piano, other Freddie Mercury belongings to be auctioned

Fans of Freddie Mercury might wonder if this is the real life, or just fantasy, when they walk into a near-replica of his London home, where thousands of items belonging to the late Queen frontman will be on exhibition starting Friday. Rare items including handwritten lyrics, art and collectibles from Mercury's London home, Garden Lodge, have been looked after by his close friend Mary Austin since his death from AIDS-related pneumonia in 1991.

(With inputs from agencies.)