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Category: Entertainment

  • Ezekiel Lewis Named Epic Records Chairman-CEO

    Ezekiel Lewis Named Epic Records Chairman-CEO

    Sony Music has appointed Ezekiel “Zeke” Lewis as chairman and CEO of Epic Records, the company announced Monday.

    Lewis had served as Epic’s president since 2023, leading the A&R division while helping run the label’s day-to-day operations, which he and GM Rick Sackheim have been covering since longtime chair/CEO Sylvia Rhone stepped down late last year. Lewis joine Epic in 2018 as the executive VP of A&R.

    He will report to Sony Music Group chairman Rob Stringer.

    A Grammy-winning songwriter and producer, Lewis has worked closely with many artists throughout his tenure at Epic, including 21 Savage, Madison Beer, BIA, Black Eyed Peas, Future, Giveon, Zara Larsson, Mariah the Scientist, Travis Scott, Southside, Meghan Trainor, Tyla and others.

    Prior to Epic, Lewis served as senior VP of A&R at Motown Records, where he worked with Ne-Yo, Erykah Badu, Migos, Lil Yachty, T.I., and Rich Homie Quan. Earlier in Lewis’ career, his work included co-writing and co-producing hit records for Justin Bieber, Mary J. Blige, Usher, and many others.

    “I am truly humbled by the trust Rob has placed in me to lead this incredible label,” Lewis said in a statement. “Music has always been about the artist, their vision, their voice, their story. Everything we build here starts and ends with that belief. My focus, from day one, is to make this the best home for recording artists anywhere in the world. In a digital-first landscape full of noise and distraction, we have an opportunity to cut through and give creators something rare: a place where they are genuinely seen, supported, and set up to thrive. That is the mission, and I do not take it lightly.”

    Said Stringer, “Through his experience and knowledge in a senior creative capacity at Epic over the last eight years, Zeke is eminently qualified to take the label forward as its leader. Not only I am very pleased to make an appointment like this based on the executive growth of an internal candidate, but also because Zeke is highly respected and trusted by the artists and staff at Sony Music. I look forward to working together with him and his team on magnifying the musical vision of Epic Records.”

  • Me’Arah O’Neal, Daughter of Shaq, Signs With LIFT Management (Exclusive)

    Me’Arah O’Neal, Daughter of Shaq, Signs With LIFT Management (Exclusive)

    Me’Arah O’Neal, the basketball-playing daughter of NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal, has signed with LIFT Management.

    A sophomore with the University of Florida Gators women’s basketball program, O’Neal is looking to LIFT to help navigate possible sponsorship deal opportunities at the intersection of sports and an expanding creator economy. “Alignment and authenticity. It has to make sense, fit who I am and the image I’m trying to build. I look for brands that feel natural,” O’Neal tells The Hollywood Reporter about her ambitions beyond the hardwood as she looks to raise her business game.

    LIFT will handle contract negotiations, including around possible brand marketing deals for O’Neal, along with communications and career development.

    “We’re thrilled to welcome a talent like Me’ Arah to our organization. Her impact goes far beyond performance — she brings a level of excellence, discipline, and national appeal that aligns perfectly with our vision. This partnership isn’t just about today’s success; it’s about building a legacy that inspires her audience and elevates everything we stand for. We always look to bolster elite athletes who come from strong sporting pedigrees,” stated Gina Paradiso, chief content officer at LIFT.

    O’Neal’s push into the entertainment space via LIFT follows other hoops stars — including brother Shareef — making inroads into film and TV, including launching their own production banners. Shareef O’Neal became the creative strategist for the Shaq Brand, leading efforts to bring a fresh vision that bridges sports, culture and next-generation storytelling. 

    Me’Arah O’Neal welcomes carrying the torch for a family of hoopers, led by an NBA superstar. “It’s a blessing but it also comes with responsibility. I’m proud of my family and where I came from, but I’m focused on really trying to create my own path. There are certain expectations or standards that come with that but that just becomes motivation for me. I want people to respect my name for who I am while still honoring the family legacy,” she explained.

  • Ezekiel Lewis Promoted to CEO at Epic Records

    Ezekiel Lewis Promoted to CEO at Epic Records

    Epic Records president Ezekiel Lewis has been promoted to CEO and chairman of the record label, parent company Sony Music Entertainment announced on Monday. Lewis will report to Sony Music Group chairman Rob Stringer.

    The move comes about six months after former Epic CEO Sylvia Rhone stepped down from her post, after first joining as president in 2014 and getting the CEO appointment herself in 2019. Given that she was one of the oldest major label CEOs, Rhone’s retirement was a frequent area of speculation among industry insiders, and many had seen Lewis as a natural successor at the label given how pivotal a role he’s played at the label for years. He’s ran Epic’s A&R department since 2018, and he was named president at the label in 2023. In his tenure at Epic, he’s worked with a wide range of acts including Meghan Trainor, Madison Beer, 21 Savage, Future, Zara Larsson and Tyla among others.

    “I am truly humbled by the trust Rob has placed in me to lead this incredible label,” Lewis said in a statement. “Music has always been about the artist, their vision, their voice, their story. Everything we build here starts and ends with that belief. My focus, from day one, is to make this the best home for recording artists anywhere in the world. In a digital-first landscape full of noise and distraction, we have an opportunity to cut through and give creators something rare: a place where they are genuinely seen, supported, and set up to thrive. That is the mission, and I do not take it lightly.”

    With his appointment, Lewis is now the second Black CEO in the major label system, joining Def Jam’s Tunji Balogun. Before joining Epic, Lewis was senior vice president of A&R at Motown Records, where he worked with acts including Ne-Yo, Erykah Badu and Migos among others.

     “Through his experience and knowledge in a senior creative capacity at Epic over the last eight years, Zeke is eminently qualified to take the label forward as its leader,” Stringer said in a statement. “Not only I am very pleased to make an appointment like this based on the executive growth of an internal candidate, but also because Zeke is highly respected and trusted by the artists and staff at Sony Music. I look forward to working together with him and his team on magnifying the musical vision of Epic Records.”

  • Anthony Chen’s ‘We Are All Strangers’ Lands North American Distribution (EXCLUSIVE)

    Anthony Chen’s ‘We Are All Strangers’ Lands North American Distribution (EXCLUSIVE)

    Anthony Chen’s Berlinale Competition film “We Are All Strangers” has been acquired by Film Movement for the U.S. and Canada.

    Film Movement is planning a theatrical release for the film, which made history as the first Singaporean movie to compete in Berlin’s competition. It will next play on opening night of the 50th Hong Kong Film Festival on April 1.

    “With ‘We Are All Strangers,’ Anthony Chen has crafted a timely family saga that captures the social and economic structures that define contemporary life, filtering them through the grounded and human motivations of its vividly etched characters,” said Michael Rosenberg, Film Movement’s president, who negotiated the deal with Paradise City’s head of sales Alexandre Moreau. “We’re thrilled for North American audiences to discover and connect with Chen’s globally resonant, moving vision,” he continued.

    The U.S. distribution company previously handed Chen’s debut “Ilo Ilo” which won the Caméra d’Or at Cannes.

    “We Are All Strangers” rounds out what Chen has called his “Growing Up” trilogy, a body of work that started with “Ilo Ilo” and continued with “Wet Season.”

    Set in contemporary Singapore, the new film again features Yeo Yann Yann and Koh Jia Ler, who have appeared throughout the trilogy and explores the evolving bonds between generations.

    Chen’s 2023 movie, “Drift,” opened at the Sundance Film Festival and was also sold by Paradise City Sales.

    Along with the North American deal, Paradise City Sales has also recently sold “We Are All Strangers” to Germany and Austria (Rapid Eye), Eastern Europe (HBO CEE), Airlines (Encore) and Turkey (Filmarti).

    The movie previously sold to ARP Selection (France), Curzon (U.K. and Ireland), Elastica Films (Spain), Trigon Film (Switzerland), A-One Films (Baltics), Ama Films (Greece), Golden Scene (Hong Kong), Movicloud (Taiwan), Challan (South Korea), PT Falcon (Indonesia) and Moving Turtle (Middle East and North Africa)

    “We Are All Strangers” was written and directed by Chen and produced by Teoh Yi Peng, Huang Wenhong and Anthony Chen for Giraffe Pictures. With Joe Tsai, Arthur Wang, KH Kuok serving as executive producers, and Julia Song as co-executive producer. Financing comes from 127 Wall Productions, Jasper Productions and the Singapore Film Commission with support from the Red Sea Fund and the MPA APSA Academy Film Fund.

    Film Movement’s recent slate includes Chie Hayakawa’s “Renoir,” Dominik Moll’s “Case 137” and Neo Sora’s “Happyend,” among others.

  • Russell Brand’s Rape Trial Delayed to October

    Russell Brand’s Rape Trial Delayed to October

    Russell Brand‘s trial on rape and sexual assault charges has been delayed until October. The comedian and actor was originally set to stand trial at London’s Southwark Crown Court starting June 16.

    According to Sky News, the trial — which will combine all seven charges that have been brought against Brand in the last year — will now begin on Oct. 12. It is expected to last up to two months.

    In April 2025, Brand was charged with rape, indecent assault and sexual assault relating to four separate women in alleged incidents that took place between 1999 and 2005. In December 2025, two more charges — one for rape and one for sexual assault — were brought against him relating to two further women in incidents that allegedly took place in 2009.

    Brand has pleaded not guilty to all charges and denies any wrongdoing. He has been granted bail during the criminal proceedings. In a social media post after the first charges were brought in April 2025, Brand said: “When I was young and single, before I had my wife and family, I was a fool, was a fool before I lived in the light of the lord, I was a drug addict, sex addict and an imbecile. But what I never was a rapist. I’ve never engaged in non-consensual activity. I pray that you can see that by looking in my eyes.”

    The charges followed an investigation by The Sunday Times and Channel 4 in 2023 that saw five women come forward to accuse Brand of “rape, sexual assaults and emotional abuse” in the early 2010s.

  • Blackpink’s Lisa Announces Las Vegas Residency, ‘Viva La Lisa’ (EXCLUSIVE)

    Blackpink’s Lisa Announces Las Vegas Residency, ‘Viva La Lisa’ (EXCLUSIVE)

    Blackpink’s Lisa has announced her first Las Vegas residency, “Viva La Lisa,” coming to the Colosseum at Caesars Palace for two weekends: Nov. 13 and 14 and Nov. 27 and 28.

    The announcement makes Lisa the first K-Pop artist to stage a Las Vegas residency. 

    To participate in the presale beginning Wednesday, April 22 at 10 a.m. PT, fans can sign up from Wednesday, April 1 at 10 a.m. PT through Sunday, April 19 at 10 p.m. PT. For artist presales on Ticketmaster, no code is needed – access is tied to the user’s account.

    The artist presale runs Wednesday, April 22 from 10 a.m. PT through 10 p.m. PT. The general on sale begins Thursday, April 23 at 10 a.m. PT at ticketmaster.com.

    The residency follows the release of Lisa’s debut solo album, “Alter Ego,” last year, as well as a Blackpink tour last year and a new EP, “Deadline,” released last month.

    Lisa, who starred in the hit HBO series “Black Lotus,” is also the subject of a documentary announced last year. According to the announcement, the film follows one year in the life of the singer-actor, in which she and the other members of Blackpink focused on their solo projects. The doc is directed by filmmaker Sue Kim, who helmed A24’s award-winning documentary, “The Last of the Sea Women.”

    VIVA LA LISA DATES:

    Friday, November 13 – The Colosseum at Caesars Palace

    Saturday, November 14- The Colosseum at Caesars Palace

    Friday, November 27- The Colosseum at Caesars Palace

    Saturday, November 28 – The Colosseum at Caesars Palace

  • Russell Brand Rape Trial Start in London Pushed Back to October

    Russell Brand Rape Trial Start in London Pushed Back to October

    The start of a London trial over allegations of rape and sexual assault against disgraced comedian and actor Russell Brand has been pushed back from mid-June to October.

    The 50-year-old is accused of three counts of rape, three charges of sexual assault, and one allegation of indecent assault, with six women alleging crimes dating from 1999 to 2009. Brand has denied all the charges.

    Last month, he appeared at Southwark Crown Court in central London to enter a not guilty plea to two more alleged incidents with two separate women in the British capital in 2009. The first charges against Brand were brought in April 2025 with alleged offenses against four women.

    His trial was so far set to start on June 16 at Southwark Crown Court. During a hearing on Monday, Justice Joel Bennathan unveiled a delay of the start of the trial, saying it would now kick off on Oct. 12, Sky News reported. Brand was not present in the court for Monday’s hearing, but was represented by his lawyer.

    At the hearing, the judge officially brought together the two sets of charges against Brand into one trial case. Sky News also highlighted that the trial is now scheduled to last longer. Instead of the original plan for up to five weeks, it is now expected to last for around two months.

    The police began investigating Brand in September 2023 after receiving a number of allegations, which followed reporting by Channel 4’s Dispatches and The Sunday Times. One of the women told Dispatches that Brand entered a relationship with her when he was 31 and she was 16. Their relationship lasted three months, she had said, and Brand had been “emotionally abusive and controlling.” Another claimed that Brand raped her in 2012 in his L.A. home, according to the Sunday Times.

  • Global Streaming Subscription Revenue Tripled In Five Years, Poised to Top $200 Billion by 2030

    Global Streaming Subscription Revenue Tripled In Five Years, Poised to Top $200 Billion by 2030

    Global streaming subscription revenue surpassed $150 billion for the first time in 2025, according to a new survey from Ampere Analysis, which highlighted that as “a major milestone” for the subscription market. And streaming subscription revenue will hit $202 billion by 2030, up 29 percent, “as streamers shift focus from subscriber growth to price increases and ad-supported tiers,” the research firm predicted on Monday.

    “While international expansion remains an important driver of the market, platforms are increasingly focusing on monetization through price increases and the rollout of ad-supported tiers, particularly in mature markets,” Ampere emphasized in its latest report. “As ad-free subscriber numbers stabilize, hybrid subscription and advertising models are playing an increasingly important role in revenue growth.”

    Global streaming subscription revenue jumped 14 percent in 2025 to reach a total of $157.1 billion. That amounts to a tripling over the past five years from $50 billion in 2020. “The international expansion of global streaming services, the rollout of ad-supported tiers, and consistent price increases across major platforms have contributed to the increase,” Ampere noted.

    Including advertising revenue, streaming services generated $177 billion in revenue worldwide in 2025, Ampere said, putting ad revenue at around $20 billion. The share of total revenue of subscription streamers from ad tiers has risen “rapidly” over the past five years, up from less than 5 percent in 2020 to 28 percent in 2025, the Ampere research highlighted.

    “As adoption of ad tiers grows and platforms expand their ad loads, advertising is expected to become an increasingly important revenue stream, adding a further $42 billion in annual revenue by 2030,” the company estimated.

    The U.S. remained the largest driver of the streaming sector last year, accounting for 50 percent of global streaming subscription revenue in 2025, according to the research firm. “Netflix is the largest contributor in the U.S. market, with revenues up by 14 percent in 2025 following an across-the-board price increase at the start of the year,” Ampere explained. “In more crowded markets such as North America and Western Europe, the next phase of expansion is increasingly driven by ad-tier subscriptions.”

    Concluded Lauren Liversedge, senior analyst at Ampere: “As the streaming market matures, the emphasis is no longer on pure subscriber growth but on extracting greater value from existing audiences. Price optimization and the rise of ad-supported tiers are driving revenue growth, particularly in the most competitive markets.”

  • China Box Office: ‘Project Hail Mary’ Overtakes ‘Hoppers’ to Claim Top Spot

    China Box Office: ‘Project Hail Mary’ Overtakes ‘Hoppers’ to Claim Top Spot

    Columbia Pictures’ science-fiction epic “Project Hail Mary” climbed to the number one position at the China box office during the March 27–29 weekend, earning RMB53.3 million ($7.5 million) in its second frame, according to data from Artisan Gateway.

    The film has now reached a cumulative total of $18.3 million.

    Disney’s animated adventure “Hoppers” moved to second place in its sophomore weekend, taking in $5 million for a total of $16.3 million.

    Racing-comedy “Pegasus 3” held the third spot, adding $3.4 million to its haul. Produced by PMF Pictures, the film has now reached a cumulative total of $612.3 million since its debut. Directed by Han Han and starring Shen Teng, the third installment in the franchise follows legendary racer Zhang Chi as he leads an underdog team into a grueling international rally.

    Martial arts epic “Blades of the Guardians” followed in fourth place, earning $1.9 million for a cumulative total of $200.1 million. Produced by Peace Film Production and directed by Yuen Woo-ping, the adaptation of the popular manhua follows a wandering mercenary named Dao Ma as he escorts a mysterious fugitive across the treacherous Western Regions toward the capital of Chang’an.

    Rounding out the top five, the comedy-drama “It’s OK” earned $1.7 million in its opening frame. Produced by China Film and directed by Yang Lina, the film stars Wen Qi, Qin Hailu, Bai Ke, and Li Xueqin. The story centers on Xu Ke, a young woman who is preparing for an urgent medical procedure when her plans are disrupted by the sudden arrival of her mother.

    Mainland China’s overall weekend grosses reached $25.3 million, while the 2026 year-to-date revenue stands at $1.67 billion, down 51.3% from the same period in 2025.

  • Korea Box Office: ‘The King’s Warden’ Surpasses 15 Million Admissions to Extend Record

    Korea Box Office: ‘The King’s Warden’ Surpasses 15 Million Admissions to Extend Record

    Historical drama “The King’s Warden” continued its record-breaking trajectory during the weekend of March 27–29, crossing the 15 million admissions milestone at the South Korean box office.

    Already the highest-grossing film of all time in South Korea, the feature added $3.3 million over the weekend to bring its cumulative gross to an unprecedented $99.4 million – just shy of the historic $100 million mark.

    The film, directed by Jang Hang-jun and starring Yoo Hae-jin and Park Ji-hoon, drew 511,901 admissions over the three-day period, bringing its total attendance to 15,615,948. While it has already claimed the crown for absolute revenue (surpassing the $93.7 million held by “Extreme Job”), it is now rapidly closing in on the all-time attendance records. The film currently ranks third in total admissions, now less than 650,000 tickets away from overtaking “Extreme Job” (16.26 million) for the No. 2 spot on the all-time list.

    In second place, Hollywood science-fiction epic “Project Hail Mary” maintained a strong presence, earning $2.9 million from 391,882 admissions. The film has reached a cumulative gross of $8.6 million with total admissions of 1,150,694 since its Mar. 18 debut. The adaptation secured a 37.57% revenue share, continuing to perform well as the primary alternative to the local leader.

    Japanese animated feature “Detective Conan the Movie: The Last Wizard of the Century” debuted in third place, earning $330,899 over the weekend. The plot centers on the heist of a newly discovered Imperial Easter Egg – a priceless Romanov artifact – targeted by the Phantom Thief Kid. As Conan investigates, he uncovers a deeper mystery involving the Russian revolution and a deadly assassin known as Scorpion. The film has grossed $360,912 since its Mar. 27 launch.

    Pixar’s “Hoppers” took fourth place, adding $289,973 to reach a cumulative total of $4.6 million. It was followed by a resurgence for “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba Infinity Castle Arc,” which earned $187,608 from 25 screens. The film’s total South Korean gross now stands at $40.8 million.

    Japanese anime “Attack on Titan The Movie : The Last Attack” took sixth place, earning $131,936 for a total of $7 million. French animated adventure “Pets on a Train” (Volez-vous !) debuted in seventh place, earning $57,094. It was followed by the action-thriller “Protector” in eighth place, which grossed $54,214 over the weekend and since its Mar. 25 debut, it has earned $104,344.

    Peter Chan Ho-sun’s 1997 Hong Kong classic “Comrades: Almost A Love Story” re-entered the charts in ninth place following a re-release, earning $51,022 and has a total of $103,081. Rounding out the top 10 was the family musical “The Bath Fairy,” which earned $40,749 over the weekend for a total of $51,186. Based on the bestseller by Baek Hee-na, the film captures a live stage performance of the story about a young girl who meets a magical elderly fairy in an old neighborhood bathhouse.

    The overall market collective gross for the weekend was $7.9 million, a steep drop from last week’s $15.5 million.