People News Roundup: Nicki Minaj pulls out of controversial Saudi concert; Lady Gaga to launch beauty line on Amazon

Following is a summary of current people 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.

Brazil mourns bossa nova founder João Gilberto as he is buried in Rio

Brazilians said goodbye to legendary musician João Gilberto, a founder of bossa nova, ahead of his funeral on Monday afternoon, with an outpouring of grief from some of the biggest names in the country's music industry. Gilberto, 88, died on Saturday in his house in Rio de Janeiro. The family did not disclose the cause of death.

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.

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.