JOHNNY DEPP TESTIFIES IN LONDON LIBEL CASE
LONDON (AP) — Johnny Depp took the witness stand today to deny that he hit ex-wife Amber Heard. Testifying before the High Court in London on the first day of his libel case against The Sun tabloid, Depp claims it was Heard who assaulted him and painted him as a “monster.” The “Pirates of the Caribbean” star is suing The Sun for calling him a “wife-beater.” Depp and Heard met on the set of the 2011 comedy “The Rum Diary” and married in Los Angeles in February, 2015. Since their 2017 divorce, each has bitterly accused the other of abuse.
CHARLIE DANIELS - JOB CREATOR?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — He had hit records, was a Country Music Hall of Fame member and played in every city you've ever of heard of — and some you haven't — with his band. But Charlie Daniels said the thing he was most proud of during his career as a musician was keeping his band working — and paid. He said in 1988, "I’ve kept people employed for over 20 years and never missed a payroll.” Daniels died yesterday in Tennessee after a stroke. He was 83.
CHARLIE DANIELS' DEATH SPARKS REACTIONS
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Dolly Parton says her heart — like those of many millions of others — “is broken” to hear about the death of Charlie Daniels. Parton says Daniels was a “a dear friend.” Some of today's country stars are also paying tribute to Daniels on social media. Luke Bryan calls Daniels “a hero” and a “country music icon.” Jason Aldean also posted a tribute to Daniels on Twitter.
EX-KASABIAN FRONTMAN SENTENCED TO VOLUNTEER WORK FOR DOMESTIC ASSAULT
LONDON (AP) — Yesterday, Kasabian singer Tom Meighan quit his band, saying he was dealing with some “personal issues.” We now have an idea what those “issues” are. Mieghan has been sentenced to 200 hours of unpaid labor after pleading guilty to assaulting his former fiancée. Before entering the plea, footage of the attack was played in a London court. As the clip rolled, Meighan wiped his eyes and held his head in his hands. His lawyer told the court Meighan "offers his sincere apologies” to those he has let down — and will take steps to address what the attorney calls the singer's “offending behavior.”
ESSENCE, EBONY MAGAZINES FACE WOES
NEW YORK (AP) — Back in the day, they were among the main ways Blacks could read positive news about African American celebrities, politicians, athletes and business leaders. Now, as the Black Lives Matter movement takes stronger hold across the country, both Essence and Ebony magazines are facing negative news on their corporate levels. Last week, Ebony booted its CEO Willard Jackson after an inquiry into some of his financial dealings. And Essence is being rocked by an anonymous essay by former and current workers that claims there is a toxic work environment at that publication. Ebony celebrates its 75th anniversary later this year, while Essence just recently published its 50th anniversary issue.
DRAGON CON CANCELED
ATLANTA (AP) — Another large gathering in the entertainment world has been scuttled — because of the coronavirus pandemic. This time, it's Dragon Con that scrubbing the in-person part of its event. The sci-fiction, fantasy and gaming showcase had been set for Labor Day weekend in Atlanta. It will now be moved online as a virtual event.
DANA CANEDY NAMED TO TOP ROLE AT SIMON & SCHUSTER
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist has been named senior vice president and publisher of Simon & Schuster. In taking the post, Dana Canedy becomes the first Black to hold the position in an industry where few African Americans hold such clout. Since 2017, Canedy was the administrator for the Pulitzer Prizes, overseeing the awards program for journalism, letters and the arts. She won her own Pulitzer in 2001, while working for The New York Times.