Entertainment
Grammy-Winning Producer The-Dream Seeks Dismissal of Rape Lawsuit
Grammy award-winning producer and songwriter The-Dream, whose real name is Terius Gesteelde-Diamant, is seeking to have significant portions of a sexual assault lawsuit against him dismissed. The lawsuit, filed in June by Chanaaz Mangroe, a former protégé who performed under the name Channii Monroe, accuses Gesteelde-Diamant of rape and sexual battery.
Gesteelde-Diamant, known for writing hits for artists like Beyoncé, Rihanna, Justin Bieber, and Mariah Carey, has denied the allegations. On Friday, his legal team filed a motion to dismiss the case, describing the claims as “a textbook example of a ‘shotgun pleading’.”
The motion argues that the rape allegation should be dismissed because, under California law, rape is not recognized as a separate civil cause of action. Additionally, they contend that the sex trafficking claim lacks essential elements, such as the occurrence of a “commercial sex act.”
Gesteelde-Diamant’s lawyers have also requested the removal of his label, Contra Paris, LLC, from the lawsuit. They argue that the label, based in Delaware, does not fall under the jurisdiction of California courts.
Desirée F. Moore, an attorney representing Gesteelde-Diamant, stated that the complaint should be dismissed in its entirety for failing to attribute specific factual allegations to each defendant. The outcome of the motion to dismiss is yet to be determined.
Entertainment
Woman Arrested After Gunfire Strikes Rihanna’s Beverly Hills Mansion
A 35-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after gunfire was directed at the Beverly Hills home of global pop star Rihanna, according to police in Los Angeles.
Authorities identified the suspect as Ivanna Lisette Ortiz, who is currently being held with bail set at $10.2m (£7.6m). Officers responded to reports of gunfire at the singer’s mansion in Beverly Hills at about 13:15 local time (21:15 GMT) on Sunday.
According to reports from the Los Angeles Times, the suspect allegedly fired multiple shots from a vehicle using an AR-15-style rifle toward the property.
A law enforcement source told the newspaper that Rihanna was inside the house at the time of the shooting, but fortunately no one was injured in the incident. Police have not yet confirmed a motive for the attack.
Investigators later located the suspect’s white Tesla roughly eight miles (12km) away at the Sherman Oaks Galleria shopping centre, where Ortiz was taken into custody.
Authorities said the suspect is originally from Orlando, Florida, according to reports from a Fox News affiliate in Tampa.
Rihanna, whose full name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty, recently welcomed her third child. In September last year, the Barbados-born singer gave birth to a daughter, Rocki, with her partner, rapper A$AP Rocky.
The couple also share two sons, Riot and RZA. They publicly revealed Rihanna’s third pregnancy during the 2025 Met Gala.
Earlier that same year, A$AP Rocky was found not guilty in a trial where he had been accused of firing a gun at a former friend. Rihanna attended court proceedings during the case and even brought the couple’s two sons with her.
The singer first rose to international fame in the early 2000s with hit songs such as Pon de Replay and Umbrella.
A nine-time Grammy Awards winner, Rihanna recently marked 20 years since the release of her debut album. Beyond music, she has built a successful business empire, including the cosmetics brand Fenty Beauty and a popular lingerie line.
According to Forbes, the 37-year-old star’s net worth is estimated to exceed $1bn, making her one of the wealthiest entertainers in the world.
Entertainment
Britney Spears Arrested on Suspicion of DUI in California
Britney Spears has been arrested in California on suspicion of driving under the influence.
The pop star was taken into custody by the California Highway Patrol at around 21:30 PT (05:30 GMT) on Wednesday. Authorities later released her in the early hours of Thursday morning. She is expected to appear in Ventura County Superior Court on 4 May.
Officials from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office in Southern California confirmed the news.
A representative for Spears described the incident as regrettable and said the singer intends to take responsibility and cooperate with the legal process.
They added that Spears plans to comply with the law and hopes the situation can mark the beginning of positive changes in her life.
“Britney is going to take the right steps and comply with the law and hopefully this can be the first step in long overdue change that needs to occur in Britney’s life,” the statement said. “Hopefully, she can get the help and support she needs during this difficult time.”
The representative also noted that Spears will be spending time with her sons while her family and close supporters work on a plan aimed at supporting her well-being.
News of the arrest coincided with the apparent deletion of Spears’ Instagram account on Thursday.
Spears remains one of the most successful figures in modern pop music. Her career includes major hits such as …Baby One More Time, Toxic, Everytime, Gimme More, Womanizer, and Stronger.
In January 2024, Spears said she would “never return to the music industry.” Her most recent release was a 2022 collaboration with Elton John.
However, in a social media post earlier this year that was later deleted, Spears hinted that while she did not plan to perform again in the United States, she hoped to return to live shows in the United Kingdom and Australia.
Spears’ life has been closely followed by the public, particularly after her 13-year conservatorship ended in 2021. The legal arrangement had placed control of her finances and many personal decisions under the authority of her father.
In 2023, the singer published her memoir, The Woman in Me, where she reflected on her rise to fame and described the challenges she faced while living under the conservatorship.
Her former husband, Kevin Federline, also released a memoir titled You Thought You Knew at the end of 2025, offering his own perspective on their relationship and the events surrounding Spears’ life in the public spotlight.
Entertainment
Alan Cumming Apologises After Bafta Ceremony Sparks Controversy
Alan Cumming has issued a public apology following controversy at this year’s BAFTA Film Awards, describing the ceremony as a “trauma-triggering” debacle after an incident involving an involuntary racial slur during the broadcast.
The backlash arose after a Tourette’s campaigner shouted a racial slur while two Black actors were on stage. The remark was audible.
In a post on Instagram, Cumming apologised for the harm caused. “I’m so sorry for all the pain Black people have felt hearing the word echoed around the world,” he wrote. He also expressed regret that the Tourette’s community had been reminded of what he described as widespread misunderstanding and intolerance surrounding the condition.
Cumming added that the situation reflected failures in decision-making, citing the broadcasting of a slur and the censorship of free speech. He said the only positive outcome might be a renewed awareness that “words matter” and that trauma should be recognised and respected.
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