Latest news with #Actors'Equity
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Diddy Trial: Potential Jurors Include HBO Staffer, Actor and PE Teacher — Here's How Jury Selection Works
Jury selection continued on Day 2 of Sean 'Diddy' Combs' sex trafficking trial in New York. Nearly 50 potential jurors have been questioned over the last two days, with slightly more than half remaining in the jury pool and the rest excused for various reasons. More from Variety The potential jurors include a middle school physical education teacher, a mover who finds work on Taskrabbit and a massage therapist and actor who belongs to SAG-AFTRA and the Actors' Equity unions. There is also an HBO photo producer who has worked on marketing materials for 'The White Lotus,' 'The Last of Us' and 'Real Time With Bill Maher.' This potential juror's employment at HBO caused concern among Combs' defense team, who pointed out that the associated streamer, Max, aired a 'negative' docuseries titled 'The Fall of Diddy' from Investigation Discovery. The judge denied Combs' lawyers' application to strike the juror, but he further questioned her about her role at the company. She was not struck, but a marketing executive at Simon & Schuster was, as her bonus is tied to book sales, and the publishing house is releasing a memoir from Combs accuser Al B. Sure! later this year. The five-day jury selection process goes as follows: In the morning, a group of prospective jurors is asked to swear an oath of honest before they are given a packet of 14 yes or no questions and a list of more than 190 names and places. The questions include whether they have been the victim of a crime, whether they or anyone close to them has worked in law enforcement, and whether there is any reason they couldn't render a fair and impartial judgment. Each juror is brought before the judge and asked to explain any 'yes' answers. They are also asked if they personally know any of the names or places listed. (On the first day, the judge asked if they 'recognized' any of the names.) The jurors were also asked to fill out a questionnaire the week before arriving at court. Those questions ask what type of news and media the jurors consume, and what opinions they have about Combs and the trial based on what they have read and heard. As the judge interviews the jurors, attorneys from either side may suggest additional questions. If any of the jurors' comments raise concern about bias, the attorneys may 'apply' for them to be excused for cause. For example, one juror was excused after responding, 'P. Diddy has a lot of money' and 'could probably buy his way out of jail.' Another was struck after saying she 'leans toward [Combs] having committed the crimes' based on what she had gathered from the case. At the end of the day, the jurors who were not excused return to the courtroom for group questioning, where each person is asked about where they live, who they live with, what music and TV shows they like and more. Of the 19 jurors questioned Monday, six said they listen to hip-hop, with at least two specifically mentioning '90s hip-hop, the era in which Combs became a star. Many of the potential jurors noted that they had seen the hotel surveillance video obtained and published by CNN that allegedly depicted Combs assaulting his ex-girlfriend Casandra 'Cassie' Ventura and dragging her across the floor. CNN's copy of the video will not be used as evidence in the trial, but 'variants' of the footage will be shown to the jury. CNN's video has come up repeatedly in juror interviews, with one prospective juror saying, 'Most everybody saw the video,' adding that he believed it depicted Combs as an 'angry, hostile person who is entitled.' Meanwhile, a white-haired Combs sits in the courtroom listening to the judge speak with all of the potential jurors. Combs' trial began Monday in a Lower Manhattan courthouse overseen by Judge Arun Subramanian. Throughout the week, 150 potential jurors will be whittled down to 12 who will serve on the trial, which is expected to last at least eight weeks. Opening arguments are scheduled to begin on May 12. The rapper and Bad Boy Records founder is facing five counts, including one for racketeering, two for sex trafficking and two for transportation to engage in prostitution. If he is convicted on any or all counts, Combs could spend the rest of his life in prison. Since 2023, Combs has been hit with more than 70 civil lawsuits accusing him of sexual misconduct ranging from rape to sex trafficking. Those lawsuits are separate from the federal trial, which will likely feature testimony from high-profile figures such Ventura and other alleged victims whose names have yet to be revealed. Federal prosecutors say they have interviewed more than 50 witnesses and recovered evidence from over 100 laptops, cellphones and other electronic devices. The government looks to paint Combs as a serial abuser who led a vast criminal network held together by assistants, security guards and other employees who kept quiet for years. The charges in the indictment stem from alleged crimes that span from 2004 to 2024. Combs has denied all allegations and has insisted that all sexual activities were consensual. Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Diddy Trial: Potential Jurors Include HBO Staffer, Actor and PE Teacher — Here's How Jury Selection Works
Jury selection continued on Day 2 of Sean 'Diddy' Combs' sex trafficking trial in New York. Nearly 50 potential jurors have been questioned over the last two days, with slightly more than half remaining in the jury pool and the rest excused for various reasons. More from Variety The potential jurors include a middle school physical education teacher, a mover who finds work on Taskrabbit and a massage therapist and actor who belongs to SAG-AFTRA and the Actors' Equity unions. ADVERTISEMENT There is also an HBO photo producer who has worked on marketing materials for 'The White Lotus,' 'The Last of Us' and 'Real Time With Bill Maher.' This potential juror's employment at HBO caused concern among Combs' defense team, who pointed out that the associated streamer, Max, aired a 'negative' docuseries titled 'The Fall of Diddy' from Investigation Discovery. The judge denied Combs' lawyers' application to strike the juror, but he further questioned her about her role at the company. She was not struck, but a marketing executive at Simon & Schuster was, as her bonus is tied to book sales, and the publishing house is releasing a memoir from Combs accuser Al B. Sure! later this year. The five-day jury selection process goes as follows: In the morning, a group of prospective jurors is asked to swear an oath of honest before they are given a packet of 14 yes or no questions and a list of more than 190 names and places. The questions include whether they have been the victim of a crime, whether they or anyone close to them has worked in law enforcement, and whether there is any reason they couldn't render a fair and impartial judgment. Each juror is brought before the judge and asked to explain any 'yes' answers. They are also asked if they personally know any of the names or places listed. (On the first day, the judge asked if they 'recognized' any of the names.) The jurors were also asked to fill out a questionnaire the week before arriving at court. Those questions ask what type of news and media the jurors consume, and what opinions they have about Combs and the trial based on what they have read and heard. As the judge interviews the jurors, attorneys from either side may suggest additional questions. If any of the jurors' comments raise concern about bias, the attorneys may 'apply' for them to be excused for cause. For example, one juror was excused after responding, 'P. Diddy has a lot of money' and 'could probably buy his way out of jail.' Another was struck after saying she 'leans toward [Combs] having committed the crimes' based on what she had gathered from the case. At the end of the day, the jurors who were not excused return to the courtroom for group questioning, where each person is asked about where they live, who they live with, what music and TV shows they like and more. Of the 19 jurors questioned Monday, six said they listen to hip-hop, with at least two specifically mentioning '90s hip-hop, the era in which Combs became a star. ADVERTISEMENT Many of the potential jurors noted that they had seen the hotel surveillance video obtained and published by CNN that allegedly depicted Combs assaulting his ex-girlfriend Casandra 'Cassie' Ventura and dragging her across the floor. CNN's copy of the video will not be used as evidence in the trial, but 'variants' of the footage will be shown to the jury. CNN's video has come up repeatedly in juror interviews, with one prospective juror saying, 'Most everybody saw the video,' adding that he believed it depicted Combs as an 'angry, hostile person who is entitled.' Meanwhile, a white-haired Combs sits in the courtroom listening to the judge speak with all of the potential jurors. Combs' trial began Monday in a Lower Manhattan courthouse overseen by Judge Arun Subramanian. Throughout the week, 150 potential jurors will be whittled down to 12 who will serve on the trial, which is expected to last at least eight weeks. Opening arguments are scheduled to begin on May 12. The rapper and Bad Boy Records founder is facing five counts, including one for racketeering, two for sex trafficking and two for transportation to engage in prostitution. If he is convicted on any or all counts, Combs could spend the rest of his life in prison. Since 2023, Combs has been hit with more than 70 civil lawsuits accusing him of sexual misconduct ranging from rape to sex trafficking. Those lawsuits are separate from the federal trial, which will likely feature testimony from high-profile figures such Ventura and other alleged victims whose names have yet to be revealed. ADVERTISEMENT Federal prosecutors say they have interviewed more than 50 witnesses and recovered evidence from over 100 laptops, cellphones and other electronic devices. The government looks to paint Combs as a serial abuser who led a vast criminal network held together by assistants, security guards and other employees who kept quiet for years. The charges in the indictment stem from alleged crimes that span from 2004 to 2024. Combs has denied all allegations and has insisted that all sexual activities were consensual. Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Timothée Chalamet's Mom Just Spoke Out About His Relationship with Kylie Jenner
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner's relationship has intrigued fans and haters alike online ever since they started dating. Neither star is outspoken about their relationship, but they aren't exactly hiding it, either. Maybe they're not posting lovey-dovey Instagrams, talking about each other in interviews, or posing on the red carpet together, but they are attending awards shows, sporting events, and music festivals together. Now, though, there is a teeny bit of insight into their relationship from a surprising person in a surprising place: Chalamet's mom in an interview about her real estate career. The Dune star's mother, Nicole Flender, was profiled by Curbed in relation to her work as a real estate agent in New York City. Like her son and her daughter, actor Pauline Chalamet, Flender also works in the arts. She's been a dance teacher and worked with the theater union Actors' Equity. She still substitute teaches and occasionally acts today. She talks about all of this in the interview, and the conversation touches on Chalamet's relationship with Jenner when his own home purchase was brought up: an $11 million house in Beverly Hills. "Did he ask for my advice? No," Flender told Curbed. "He said, 'Guess what? I bought a house.'" Since Beverly Hills is pretty close to where Jenner lives, the Kardashians star got a mention, too. "I have to say she's lovely,' Flender said of her son's girlfriend. 'She's very nice to me." Recently, Flender and Jenner were both Chalamet's guests at the Academy Awards where he was nominated for Best Actor for A Complete Unknown. Chalamet and his mom arrived to the event together, and Jenner joined them once they were inside the theater. Flender looks forward to visiting Chalamet (and, presumably, Jenner) on the west coast, but has no interest in moving to be closer to either of her children. (Pauline lives in Paris.) "Would you like your mom to be trailing you everywhere?' she said. 'I like being able to go visit them.'
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Leak Reveals Trump's Full Bonkers Plan for the Kennedy Center
President Donald Trump wants to introduce non-woke musicals like 'Cats,' honor dead stars from sports to business and even renovate the Kennedy Center, according to a leaked board meeting recording. The center in Washington, D.C. has become the frontline of Trump's effort to erode what he sees as 'woke' culture built by the Democratic Party, and Trump intends to alter it by rolling out sweeping changes, according to audio of a private meeting obtained by the New York Times. The president started this process by parachuting himself in as the center's chairman in February. He has since gutted the board and installed loyalists to help him in his quest. At his first board meeting Monday as chairman, Trump laid out his plans for the future of the cultural hub. He says that he would like the center to go 'slightly more conservative' in terms of the stars that it honors, according to the recordings. The Kennedy Center Honors, an annual awards ceremony at the site, will be re-designed in his image to push back against the influence on the event from 'radical left lunatics.' Traditionally, only those in the performing arts sphere are recognized with gongs, but Trump thinks figures in sports, politics and business could also be honored. He even reportedly name-checked casino mogul Steve Wynn as a potential recipient. He is a major Republican donor and husband of Trump-appointed board member Andrea Hissom Wynn. Luciano Pavarotti, Elvis Presley and Babe Ruth are some names Trump also threw around. Agreeable board members also mentioned Celine Dion, Sylvester Stallone, Johnny Mathis and Andrea Bocelli. But who to present this new-look honors bash? Well, the self-described 'king of ratings,' of course. 'Believe me, I don't want to do it, I don't want to do it,' Trump demurred in the recording, even though he was the one who put himself forward as host. 'I have enough publicity. They'll say, 'Trump wants to be the host.' I don't want to. But I want this thing to be successful.' He said the previous hosts were 'always terrible.' Queen Latifah hosted last year. He then described himself as 'the king of ratings,' adding: 'Whether we like it or not, the king of ratings.' Indeed, he looked like a king as he addressed the press from above as he stood in the presidential box earlier on Monday. One might also expect Broadway shows of a certain vintage to become the new norm. Trump mused about Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'Cats' and 'Phantom of the Opera.' After a board member asked if there were any new productions that were not 'totally woke,' a Trump center lackey said there would be a partial split from the union representing actors, Actors' Equity. This 'opens us up for a whole bunch of more options as well as a lot more money' the unidentified board member added. Structurally, the Kennedy Center is in 'tremendous disrepair,' Trump said later on. He announced that 'the whole place needs work,' including the main hall, and that he will ask Congress to pay to help 'bring it back.' 'They never covered the I-beam,' he said of the exposed structural girder that was left uncovered as a stylistic point. He added: 'I think the I-beams should be covered with some incredible stone — probably marble, but marble's a bad outdoor stone, but looks better than granite. But it should be covered. And we'll do that. We'll add that in. But it's not a small job.' He also suggested that the center should build a band shell on the Potomac River. Trump then blasted the center's 2019 expansion that added a series of spaces for rehearsals and performances. He dismissed the gardens, classrooms and cafe that were built as part of the privately-funded work as 'nonsense' and 'crazy rooms.' 'Think of it, they got $250 million,' he said. 'I'm trying to figure out where they spent it. Somebody made a lot of money, that I can tell you.' And, true to form, he managed to squeeze in a jibe at political rival and former president, Joe Biden. 'I had no idea how big it was, because I just walked the whole place,' he said after a full tour of the site. 'Believe me, Biden couldn't have done it. He would not have been able to walk the place.'
Express Tribune
03-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Kylie Jenner steps away from Timothée Chalamet's side as Oscars moment unfolds
Kylie Jenner made headlines at the 97th Academy Awards not just for her stunning black custom Miu Miu gown but for a small yet meaningful gesture during the ceremony. Photo: Instagram/@makeupbyariel As cameras panned across the front row before the announcement of Best Actor, eagle-eyed viewers noticed that Jenner had moved from her seat beside Timothée Chalamet. Rather than a snub or dramatic exit, the reality star had graciously stepped back one row to allow Chalamet's mother, Nicole Flender, to take the seat next to her son during his biggest career moment. The move did not go unnoticed, with fans praising Jenner for showing respect and support for Chalamet's family. Social media quickly reacted, with some calling it a classy move and others joking about the reality star's ability to navigate the politics of awards season seating. Chalamet, nominated for his role as Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown, ultimately lost to Adrien Brody for The Brutalist. However, he remained in high spirits, having already scored a SAG Award for Outstanding Lead Actor, where he paid an emotional tribute to his mother's 40-year career in Actors' Equity. With Kylie and Timothée continuing to showcase their low-key but strong relationship, their Oscars appearance further cements them as one of Hollywood's most talked-about couples. Photo: The Academy
