Entertainment News Roundup: Jay-Z goes into the marijuana business; Lady Gaga to launch beauty line on Amazon and more

Following is a summary of current entertainment news briefs.

Powerful Japanese boy-band producer Kitagawa dies at 87

Johnny Kitagawa, one of the Japanese entertainment industry's most powerful producers and the Guinness record-winning brain behind many of Japanese pop music's most popular boy bands, such as SMAP, died on Tuesday at 87 after a stroke, his office said. Born in the United States as Hiromu Kitagawa, he came to Japan after serving in the U.S. military in the Korean War and worked at the U.S. Embassy before starting a musical group called "Johnny's" and setting up a talent agency called "Johnny & Associates" in 1962.

Rapper Nicki Minaj pulls out of controversial Saudi Arabia concert

U.S. rapper Nicki Minaj said on Tuesday that she was pulling out of a planned concert in Saudi Arabia next week, citing her support for the rights of women and the LGBTQ community. Minaj, known for her raunchy outfits and provocative stage performances, was due to headline the Jeddah World Fest music festival on July 18, but her plan to appear was criticized last week on social media. Woodstock 50 organizers still hopeful despite second venue setback

The organizers of the beleaguered Woodstock 50 festival said on Tuesday they still hoped to get a permit for the event due to take place next month despite being turned down at a second site. Authorities in the town of Vernon in upstate New York turned down the organizers' application to stage the three-day event, marking the 50th anniversary of the famed 1969 "peace and music" festival.

Rip Torn, Emmy winner and Oscar nominee, known as a trouble-maker, dies at 88

Emmy winner Rip Torn, whose tempestuous nature made him a compelling character actor on the screen and stage but sometimes caused him trouble on the set and in private life, died on Tuesday at the age of 88, media reports said. Torn, whose late-career resurgence included a key role on U.S. television's "The Larry Sanders Show" and in the movies "Men in Black" and "Dodgeball," died peacefully at his home, his family told the Hollywood Reporter and other media.

'Friends' to leave Netflix in 2020 for new HBO Max streaming service

U.S. reruns of the popular television sitcom "Friends" will move in 2020 from Netflix Inc to a new streaming service from AT&T Inc's WarnerMedia called HBO Max, WarnerMedia announced on Tuesday. The service will offer more than a dozen original shows and movies from stars including Reese Witherspoon and Anna Kendrick, plus programming from AT&T-owned networks such as HBO and TBS and classics from the Warner Bros film and TV library.

Lady Gaga to launch beauty line on Amazon as retailer targets cosmetics business

Pop star Lady Gaga on Tuesday announced a line of beauty products exclusively for sale on Amazon in a boost to the online retailer's cosmetics business. The brand, Haus Laboratories, will launch in September for shoppers in nearly a dozen countries, including the United States, Germany and Japan, Amazon said.

Chinese movie-ticketing leader Maoyan says to boost film investment, Tencent partnership

Maoyan Entertainment, China's leading movie-ticketing platform, said it would boost investment in the domestic film industry and deepen its partnership with Tencent Holdings Ltd, as it works to halt a downturn at cinemas. The comments come as box office revenue this year lags that of last year. To reverse the trend, cinemas are pinning hopes on domestic movies, Chief Executive Zheng Zhihao told Reuters.

Jay-Z goes into the marijuana business

Billionaire rapper Jay-Z is entering the fast-growing cannabis industry, taking a role with California company Caliva as a strategist. Privately owned Caliva, formed in San Jose in 2015, said on Tuesday that Jay-Z had entered a long-term partnership in which he will focus on outreach and the creative direction of the company.