Art

The Quiet Chaos of Dakota Johnson’s Humor

Hollywood has many comedians, but few are funny simply by existing. Dakota Johnson, with her calm voice, unbothered gaze, and perfect poker face, has turned understatement into an art form. Her humor comes quietly; it slips between pauses, thrives in awkward silences, and lingers in viral clips that feel too human to be rehearsed. Born in Austin, ...

Broadway Musicians Threaten Strike Amid Contract Talks

Musicians performing in New York’s Broadway theaters threatened Tuesday to go on strike if they fail to reach a new labor agreement with producers, amid ongoing renegotiations of their employment terms. Dozens of shows and musicals could be affected, including world-famous productions such as The Lion King, Mamma Mia!, and Aladdin, according to ...

Sundance to Honor Robert Redford with Tributes and Final Utah Farewell

The upcoming Sundance Film Festival will feature multiple tributes to its late co-founder Robert Redford, including a screening of his first independent movie, organizers said Tuesday. Hollywood legend Redford, who starred in hits like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid before becoming an Oscar-winning director, died last month at the age of ...

American Pianist Eric Lu Triumphs at Prestigious Chopin Competition

American pianist Eric Lu won the top prize at the prestigious International Chopin Piano Competition, the contest's Polish organisers said Tuesday. The competition — held every five years in Frederic Chopin's homeland — is seen as a gateway to classical music glory, with winners going on to play top global venues and sign recording ...

Chess World Grieves Loss of US Grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky

The chess world has been plunged into mourning following the sudden death of prominent US grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky, aged 29. Governing body the International Chess Federation (FIDE) remembered Naroditsky, who was also a chess commentator and streamer, as someone "whose influence extended far beyond the chessboard." Fellow grandmaster and ...

'Black Phone 2' Rings Up No. 1 at U.S. Box Office

Black Phone 2, a horror sequel starring Ethan Hawke, captured the top spot at the North American box office with $26.5 million as spooky season shifts into high gear in the run-up to Halloween, industry estimates showed Sunday. The film from Universal and low-budget horror specialists Blumhouse has excellent critical and audience scores, said ...

Kering Sells Beauty Arm to L’Oréal in $4.6 Billion Deal

Debt-laden French luxury group Kering is selling its beauty products business, including its leading perfume brand Creed, to cosmetics giant L’Oréal in a deal worth $4.6 billion, the companies said Sunday. The deal also gives L’Oréal 50-year exclusive licenses to develop and distribute products under Kering’s fashion labels Gucci, Bottega ...

Art and Faith Unite in Tehran’s Virgin Mary Station

Shiite Islam may be the official religion in Iran, but entering Tehran's brand-new Maryam Moghaddas metro station, you could be forgiven for feeling as if you're stepping inside a Christian church. Maryam Moghaddas in Persian translates as "Holy Mary." And the station's vaulted and arched concourse, with a dome decorated with Persian motifs, ...

The British Museum Goes Glam: London’s Answer to the Met Gala

The British Museum, the prestigious London institution, is hosting its first-ever fundraising gala on Saturday — a lavish and glamorous event aiming to rival New York’s Met Gala, and above all, to raise money to offset declining public subsidies. The museum, which holds one of the largest permanent collections in the world, says it aims to ...

Sam Fender Wins 2025 Mercury Prize with 'People Watching'

Rock singer Sam Fender took home the prestigious 2025 Mercury Prize on Thursday night with his album People Watching, during a ceremony held for the first time outside London. The 31-year-old singer-songwriter, born and raised in North Shields, received the award in front of a cheering crowd at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena. Jury members praised ...

Hermès’ Designer Veronique Nichanian to Step Down after 37 Years

Hermes chief menswear designer Veronique Nichanian is to step down after 37 years in charge and will present her final show for the luxury house in January, the company announced on Friday. Hermes announced the change "with heartfelt emotion", paying tribute to Nichanian's "eye, her vision, her generosity, her energy and her curiosity" in a press ...