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ARETHA FRANKLIN

Erivo on near-EGOT status: 'I’m just going to keep working'

FILE - Actress Cynthia Erivo poses for a portrait during the Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Sept. 10, 2019. Erivo portrays Aretha Franklin in the National Geographic miniseries Genius: Aretha. (Photo by Arthur Mola/Invision/AP, File)NEW YORK – “The Color Purple” turned into Grammy, Tony and Emmy gold for Cynthia Erivo. The performer’s brilliant performance in the Broadway revival won her the 2016 Tony for best actress in a musical. “I guess I didn’t expect to be this close this soon,” Erivo told The Associated Press of her almost-EGOT status.

Former Trump casino where stars played goes out with a bang

The former Trump Plaza casino was imploded after falling into such disrepair that chunks of the building began peeling off and crashing to the ground. “I got chills,” Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small said. AdOpened in 1984, when Trump was a real estate developer in his pre-politics days, Trump Plaza was for a time the most successful casino in Atlantic City. AdBut things began to sour for Trump Plaza when Donald Trump opened the nearby Trump Taj Mahal in 1990, with crushing debt loads that led the company to pour most of its resources — and cash — into the shiny new hotel and casino. Trump Plaza was the last of four Atlantic City casinos to close in 2014, victims of an oversaturated casino market both in the New Jersey city and in the larger northeast.

Goade becomes first Native American to win Caldecott Medal

This cover image released by Random House Books for Young Readers shows "When You Trap a Tiger," winner of the John Newbery Medal for the outstanding children's book overall of 2020. (Random House Books for Young Readers via AP)NEW YORK – Illustrator Michaela Goade became the first Native American to win the prestigious Randolph Caldecott Medal for best children's picture story, cited for “We Are Water Protectors," a celebration of nature and condemnation of the “black snake” Dakota Access Pipeline. "I am really honored and proud," the 30-year-old Goade told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. Goade, whose other books include “Encounter,” is the first Native American to win in either category. The Stonewall Book Award for best LGBT literature was given to Archaa Shrivastav for “We Are Little Feminists: Families."

Hollywood on the Potomac: A-list turns out for Biden-Harris

Lady Gaga sings the national anthem during the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol for President-elect Joe Biden in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. And country star Garth Brooks, doffing his black cowboy hat, sang a soulful a capella rendition of “Amazing Grace,” his eyes closed for much of the song. While stars mostly eschewed Trump's inauguration four years ago, the A-list was back for Biden. Brooks was careful to call his decision to perform on Wednesday non-political, and in the spirit of unity. Alone with his guitar, The Boss sang his “Land of Hope and Dreams” in front of the Lincoln Memorial.

Biden aims for unifying speech at daunting moment for US

He added that Biden in many ways is ”the perfect president for the moment, because he is not hyperbolic, he’s not a bomb thrower, he’s surrounded himself with policy wonks who already have all these plans. I think what we are going to hear him talk about is ‘Here’s where we are, here’s what we have to get done.' I think that’s going to go a long way just to making people feel better." His speechwriting team is led by longtime Biden collaborator Vinay Reddy. “There really is no parallel to what Biden faces.”___Associated Press writer Alexandra Jaffe contributed reporting.

Women's Hall of Fame honors Aretha Franklin, Morrison, Lacks

The National Women's Hall of Fame was founded in 1969 in Seneca Falls, the site of the first women’s rights convention. She won 18 Grammy awards and, in 1987, became the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She was 75 years old when she became the first Black woman to set foot on the North Pole, and stood on the South Pole five years later. Born during the Civil War, Terrell was a dedicated suffragist whose civil rights activism continued up until her death in 1954 at the age of 90. Terrell was the first Black woman in the United States appointed to the school board of a major city, the District of Columbia.

High court to decide whether Nazi art case stays in US court

“He was very, very proud to have acquired the Guelph Treasure, and then was forced to sell it to the Nazis,” she told him. It's a pursuit that has now landed him at the Supreme Court, in a case to be argued Monday. Germany and the foundation asked the trial-level court to dismiss the suit, but the court declined. “Our view is that Germany is the proper jurisdiction for a case which involves a sale of a collection of medieval German art by German art dealers to a German state,” Parzinger said. The suit's claim that the Guelph Treasure was sold under Nazi pressure was also diligently investigated in Germany, he said.

Dems nominate Pelosi as speaker again to lead into Biden era

Against that backdrop, many House Democrats have for years impatiently insisted it's time for fresh leadership. To become speaker again, Pelosi will need more votes than House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., who’s likely to garner nearly unanimous GOP support. Though she's likely to succeed, it won’t be simple because when Pelosi was elected speaker in January 2019, 15 Democrats opposed her. Pelosi came to Congress in 1987 and has led House Democrats, both as the minority and majority party, ever since 2003. Pelosi has won wide acclaim among Democrats as a leading Trump foe in battles over impeachment, immigration and health care.

Drake bests Aretha Franklin, Wonder to set Billboard record

1 hit on Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop songs chart, Drake has bested a record previously held by icons Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder. Drake's “Laugh Now Cry Later," featuring rapper Lil Durk, reached the No. Wonder and Franklin, who died in 2018, each have had 20 songs top the chart. 1 hits on the R&B/Hip-Hop songs chart, 12 include him in the leading role, including “God’s Plan,” “In My Feelings,” “Hotline Bling,” “Hold On, We’re Going Home” and “Best I Ever Had,” his first major hit released in 2009. Earlier this year, 34-year-old Drake made Billboard chart history when he set a new record for most songs on the Hot 100 chart — Billboard's main songs chart that includes all music genres.

New this week: 'Cuties,' 'Unpregnant' and fresh 'Jeopardy!'

Heres a collection curated by The Associated Press entertainment journalists of whats arriving on TV, streaming services and music platforms this week. The film from director Mamouna Doucour is a thoughtful and poignant coming-of-age drama about Amy, an 11-year-old Senegalese immigrant living in Paris. Dont judge Cuties by its cover and give it a chance when it starts streaming Wednesday. Answer: Jeopardy! The quiz show with Alex Trebek at the helm of a COVID-19-conscious season hits screens Monday. Celebrity guest hosts are all the rage these days on late night TV but a documentary airing Thursday sheds light on one who really made history.

7 concert films you should watch if you’re really missing live music

Some experts believe it could be more than a year until live concerts return to our daily lives, which is heartbreaking for people who love seeing live music. So until then, the next best thing to do is watch a concert movie from one of your favorite artists. Look no further than Beyoncé's “Homecoming,” her live concert that was filmed in 2018 when she headlined Coachella, the Southern California music festival. From the costumes, dancing and marching band music arrangements, Beyoncé transformed Coachella into “Beychella,” and we’re lucky enough that the entire show is documented. Not only is Timberlake’s music incredible catchy, but the production value that went into this show, especially the choreography, makes it worth visiting.