Entertainment News Roundup: Taylor Swift named world's highest-paid celebrity; 'Friends' to leave Netflix in 2020

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.

Ticket resellers settle New York charges over-inflated concert ticket prices

Two companies in the ticket resale industry agreed to pay $1.55 million to settle a lawsuit by New York Attorney General Letitia James accusing them of tricking tens of thousands of people into buying tickets for concerts, shows and other live events that they never owned. Ticket Galaxy, TicketNetwork Inc and their owner Donald Vaccaro did not admit liability in Wednesday's settlement.

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.

Taylor Swift shakes off Kardashian clan as the highest-paid celebrity

Singer Taylor Swift was named the world's highest-paid entertainer on Wednesday but was closely followed by two members of the wider Kardashian clan - reality star turned cosmetics queen Kylie Jenner and rapper Kanye West. The annual Forbes Celebrity 100 list also saw soccer stars Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar among the top 10, along with British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran and 1970s soft rock band The Eagles, who embarked on a new tour in 2018.

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

Popstar 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.

Beyonce leads red carpet stars as 'The Lion King' roars back to life

Beyonce led the stars behind the voices of "The Lion King" down the red carpet on Tuesday at the world premiere of the remake of the 1994 Disney movie which uses computer-generated imagery to bring a realistic look to Pride Rock. Depicting stunning African scenery, the new movie follows the same plot as the original Oscar-winning animation about lion cub Simba, who flees his kingdom after his villainous uncle Scar connives to take his father Mufasa's place as king.

Spanish court rules Julio Iglesias is the father of a 43-year old man

A Spanish court ruled on Wednesday that singer Julio Iglesias is the father of a 43-year old man, resolving a paternity dispute that had lasted three decades after the veteran star refused to take a DNA test. Javier Sanchez-Santos was born in 1976 to Portuguese dancer Maria Edite Santos.

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.

Also Read: ART&CULTURE-Nicki Minaj cancels Saudi concert over women's rights concerns

(With inputs from agencies.)