Manhattan Showbiz Latest News and Updates

It’s nice to have a friend! Taylor Swift was spotted out and about in New York City with Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds following her split from Joe Alwyn.

arrested last June for using Ramirez’s credit card to buy two pairs of Nike sneakers for $544.38 at an upscale store in Manhattan’s SoHo neighborhood — just hours after Ramirez’s dead body was discovered inside a cab on the city’s Lower East Side. Prosecutors claim the group was also seen entering and leaving the townhouse where Umberger was staying on the night he was killed, and driving off in a red Dodge Durango, which had been rented to Demaio. After police arrested Demaio, they found two videos on his phone showing him, Hamilton, and Umberger, who appeared to be unconscious, inside the townhouse, reports The New York Post.Appearing in Manhattan Supreme Court on Tuesday afternoon, Hamilton pleaded not guilty to the indictment.

Jonathan Majors said he is "innocent" after more victims reportedly stepped forward claiming alleged abuse at the hands of the Marvel star.  Majors was charged by the Manhattan district attorney with multiple counts of assault and harassment after a a domestic dispute last month. The 33-year-old actor is scheduled for his first court appearance May 8.

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds affectionately held hands while taking a stroll in Manhattan on Tuesday morning.

Adam B. Vary Senior Entertainment Writer Lena Khan (“Flora and Ulysses”) is set to direct the Bollywood comedy “Best of the Best.” The project, formerly titled “For the Culture,” chronicles the highly competitive world of collegiate Bollywood dance competitions. Comedian Hasan Minhaj, best known for his Peabody Award-winning Netflix series “Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj,” wrote the project with Prashanth Venkataramanujam to launch their production company, 186K Films. Minhaj will also play a role in the film.  Dan Lin’s Rideback is also producing. Additionally, Khan is attached to direct an adaptation of the classic children’s book “The Cricket in Times Square” — about a cricket from New Jersey named Chester who lands in Manhattan after accidentally getting trapped in a picnic basket — for Spyglass. That project remains in development.

Owen Gleiberman Chief Film Critic Benita (Julia Mayorga), the young woman at the center of “Rare Objects,” the third feature directed by Katie Holmes, has been through a transformative trauma. In the film’s opening moments, she’s discharged from a mental ward, where she’s been dealing with PTSD; a series of charged flashbacks show us what happened to her. In Manhattan, where she was a university student majoring in economics, she was approached at a bar by a seemingly nice guy, who had a drink with her, and when she went to the restroom he attacked her, shoving her inside and sexually assaulting her. She emerges from this crime a shell of her former self, and Holmes shoots the rape so that we experience how the shock and horror of it could undermine someone’s identity. Benita, out of the hospital, shows up at the home of her doting but quietly stern mother (Saundra Santiago) in Astoria, telling her that she’s taking a break from school; she says nothing at all about what happened to her. She’ll continue to say nothing — to anyone. As she steps back out into the world, hunting for a job, Julia Mayorga acts with a tentative fretful wariness that speaks to the trauma Benita won’t say out loud, and we assume that the movie is going to be about how she confronts that crisis.

Melissa McCarthy said drag queens were "100 percent" an influence behind her portrayal of the tentacled sea witch Ursula in the upcoming live-action "The Little Mermaid" flick set to hit theaters on Memorial Day weekend. McCarthy recently joined costar Halle Bailey and director Rob Marshall to discuss the upcoming film with Entertainment Weekly where she gave a brief spiel about her history with drag performances and how her drag queen persona spilled over into her portrayal of the infamous villainess.

New York City has officially declared April 14th as “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Day.”

Cynthia Littleton Business Editor As seasoned espionage pros, they didn’t give up much, and they didn’t indulge in too much nostalgia. But for an hour or so on Wednesday evening, five core players of “The Americans” reunited in Midtown Manhattan to share stories and spread a few compliments for work they did together on the highly lauded FX series. To mark the 10th anniversary of the spy drama’s debut, stars Keri Russell, Matthew Rhys and Noah Emmerich were joined by showrunners Joe Weisberg and Joel Fields for a lively reunion conversation hosted by the Paley Center for Media. Fields reminded his colleagues that Superstorm Sandy made a surprise guest appearance in “The Americans” pilot, turning the production schedule upside down just before they were scheduled to begin shooting the pilot for DreamWorks Television and Fox Television Studios.

Jessica Simpson is putting on a fashion show on the sidewalks of New York City.

EXCLUSIVE: Filmmaker Ashley Avis (Black Beauty) has been tapped to write and direct the romance City of Angels, based on Wim Wenders’ 1987 classic City of Angels, for Warner Bros, Perez Pictures and Atlas Entertainment.

A.D. Amorosi Whether as singer-songwriter, activist or photographer, Graham Nash has never been one to let moss grow beneath him. Even less so, at 81, it seems, as Nash is mounting his latest tour this week (after releasing “Graham Nash: Live – Songs for Beginners/Wild Tales” in 2022), publishing his intimate photographs from the past and present in books such as “A Life in Focus,” and releasing his first studio LP since 2016’s “This Path Tonight” with the May 19 arrival of “Now,” on BMG. Though saddened by the sudden passing of his old friend and longtime collaborator David Crosby in January, Nash finds harmony and solace in working with pals such as vocalist Allan Clarke, his co-founding partner in the Hollies 60 years ago (a date marked by Nash’s current tour title, “Sixty Years of Songs and Stories”). Then there are Nash’s strikingly frank new songs on “Now,” some critical of all things MAGA and Trump-ian, some dedicated to love and passion. Nash even manages to pen a track dedicated to the good, the bad and the sad of his relationship with his superstar bandmates in Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Nash spoke to Variety from Sellersville, PA, before showtime on the first day of his 2023 tour.The other day on YouTube’s “Kyle Meredith with…,” you revealed that David Crosby passed away suddenly during a battle with COVID-19. What sort of communication had you had with Crosby toward the close of his life?

Jessica Simpson is enjoying her time out and about in New York City. The 42-year-old fashion designer has been spotted rocking a series of chic looks this week.Simpson announced her arrival in Manhattan by posting pics of herself on a balcony overlooking the city wearing black leather pants and thick-heeled black boots with a black tank top and an oversized Kelly green jacket.«There’s no expiration date to a dream,» she captioned the photos, which included her husband, Eric Johnson.A post shared by Jessica Simpson (@jessicasimpson)The mother of three later rocked a brown Elisabetta Franchi mini-dress and oversized shades with knee-high boots, captioning the shots, «Dreamweaver show me the way.»A post shared by Jessica Simpson (@jessicasimpson)Simpson later stepped out in a golden ensemble, wearing an bold yellow cutout mini-dress that flaunted her impressive physique with a gold sequin purse and sky-high gold platform heels.She also donned a one-shoulder black latex gown that appeared to be for a photo shoot.

Jessica Simpson is enjoying her time out and about in New York City.

She’s not a regular mom … she’s a cool mom! Jennifer Lopez is the star of Coach’s new Mother’s Day campaign. 

told Fox News’ Tucker Carlson that court staff in Manhattan cried and apologized during his arraignment earlier this month.“The only person in the court house who looked close to tears that day was Donald Trump,” O’Donnell said. “And even the emotionally unstable Donald Trump only managed to cry on the inside.”He noted that if Trump is arraigned next month in Atlanta or even brought in by special counsel Jack Smith, he will “surely tell the lie that courthouse workers were crying.”“If Donald Trump is arraigned four times in courthouses around America, people working in those courthouses will be accused of crying by Donald Trump and no one will see them cry except Donald Trump,” he added.

Liam Neeson’s 27 year old son Micheál Richardson is totally unrecognisable after ditching his dad’s famous surname to pursue an acting career of his own. Micheál is the son of Oscar winning actor Liam Neeson, 70, and the late Natasha Richardson, an acclaimed actress who starred in hits including The Parent Trap and Maid in Manhattan. Despite his acting pedigree, Micheál is keen to make a name in his own right and has ditched the Neeson name to work under his mother’s, much less recognisable, surname.

NEW YORK (AP) — Al Jaffee, Mad magazine's award-winning cartoonist and ageless wise guy who delighted millions of kids with the sneaky fun of the Fold-In and the snark of "Snappy Answers to Stupid Questions," has died. He was 102. Jaffee died Monday in Manhattan from multiple organ failure, according to his granddaughter, Fani Thomson.

Saturday Night Live’s “Weekend Update” with Colin Jost and Michael Che took multiple swings at Fox News and Donald Trump on the show.

Michael K. Williams with fentanyl-laced heroin, which resulted in the actor’s death in 2021.Irvin Cartagena, also known as Green Eyes, sold the drug “in broad daylight in New York City, feeding addiction and causing tragedy”, lawyer Damien Williams told a Manhattan federal courtroom (via BBC News).The Wire star, who famously played the the role of Omar Little, was found dead at his Brooklyn penthouse apartment at the age of 54 after an overdose.“On or about September 5, 2021, members of the drug trafficking organisation sold Michael K Williams heroin, which was laced with fentanyl and a fentanyl analogue, with Cartagena executing the hand-to-hand transaction,” legal documents stated.Despite knowing that the product led to Williams’ death, Cartagena and his co-conspirators “continued to sell fentanyl-laced heroin in broad daylight amidst residential apartment buildings in Brooklyn and Manhattan”, the court was told.Cartagena, 39, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess, with intent to distribute fentanyl analogue, fentanyl, and heroin.

First lady and the Trump. Donald Trump and Melania Trump’s love story began long before their stint in the White House.

A Brooklyn drug dealer pleaded guilty Wednesday to providing “The Wire” actor Michael K. Williams with fentanyl-laced heroin, causing his death.

 star Michael K. Williams pleaded guilty Wednesday to multiple drug charges, the Justice Department announced. Irvin Cartagena, 39, who also goes by the name «Green Eyes,» pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and fentanyl analogue, according to a news release from the U.S. District Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York.

Bethenny Frankel has a hustler's ambition. And that's how she ultimately landed on .The 52-year-old former reality TV star and successful entrepreneur took to her Instagram on Wednesday and, while doing her makeup, told the story about how she landed on the hit Bravo series. Frankel was among the OG cast members when it premiered in 2008.

Anna Tingley If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission. While presenting Kelly Ripa at Variety‘s Power of Women Event on Tuesday, where she was one of five honorees, Andy Cohen showered the daytime talk show host with glowing praise about the remarkable talent and grit it took for her to become the longest-running daytime host in history. But perhaps most importantly, he commended Ripa’s loyalty and friendship, thanking her for being a great “Meemaw” to his son Ben — and recommending to him her go-to salve for baby constipation: George’s Aloe Vera.

The Skinnygirl founder has spoken. Bethenny Frankel expressed concerns about people using the type 2 diabetes medication Ozempic solely for weight loss.

this time for her remarks inspired by the criminal case against former President Donald Trump.The co-hosts of the long-running daytime talk show discussed Trump’s indictment on Tuesday, hours before he was arraigned in Manhattan. Trump, 76, pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.Goldberg, 67, started the conversation by asking her colleagues: “How are you feeling about a historic day? You know, it’s sad, but I’m glad something’s happening.”“It’s not sad.

Donald Trump has been f**king around for years, and on Tuesday, he finally started finding out!

Former President Donald Trump entered not guilty pleas on 34 criminal counts, including felony charges of falsifying business records, in a Manhattan courtroom, where he became the first former president in U.S. history to face criminal prosecution.The charges were handed down by a grand jury convened by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

Donald Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Donald Trump, who on Tuesday became the first former U.S. president to be indicted, is looking to generate some cash from supporters by selling T-shirts with a fake mug shot. On Tuesday, Trump was arraigned and charged with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. The former president and TV personality pleaded not guilty to the charges. Trump was not expected to have his mug shot taken after he surrendered to authorities in Manhattan. But that didn’t stop Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign from trying to cash in on the unprecedented arrest and indictment.

Charna Flam Donald Trump has been arrested, as New York law enforcement continues its extended investigation into the former president’s involvement in a “hush money” scheme with adult film actress Stormy Daniels. Although he will not be handcuffed, get a mug shot or be given a perp walk, he was effectively arrested by surrendering to the court. The April 4 arraignment is about to take place in a Lower Manhattan courtroom. Trump was spotted leaving Trump Tower in Manhattan around 1:10 pm EST and then drove downtown in a large motorcade. On the walk from Trump Tower to his vehicle, Trump held his fist up and also waved. He also addressed the crowd in the same way when walking from the vehicle to the courthouse.

For once, Donald Trump doesn’t want cameras in the room. And less than 24 hours before the former president is set to be arraigned on criminal charges, a Manhattan judge mostly agreed.New York Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan issued ruling late Monday denying media requests for TV cameras in his courtroom Tuesday afternoon local time. However, he will allow five pool photographers “to take still photos for several minutes” before the proceedings officially begin.

“John Wick: Chapter 4” is here. And it is blowing everybody away, as is evidenced by its bone-crunching, franchise-best $70 million+ opening weekend.There’s a reason for its oversized success; in the fourth entry of the franchise that follows disaffected assassin John Wick (Keanu Reeves) as he traverses a vast network of underworld weirdos with mythological overtones, the movie takes on a grander, more elegant expanse.

Murtada Elfadl Making a rom-com that cuts through the clutter these days can be a tall order. Once a regular date-night megaplex staple, most seem to wind up buried on streaming platforms, easily lost soon after their release. So it’s welcome when a filmmaker comes at the genre with admiration, reverence and ideas about how to make it appealing to a modern audience. In “Molli and Max in the Future,” writer-director Michael Lukk Litwak works from familiar incredients in crafting his story of two mismatched lovers who bicker and feud on their way to realizing that they were meant for each other. There’s fast-talking repartee, witty dialogue and fantastic chemistry between his leads Zosia Mamet and Aristotle Athar. It’s in what he chooses to surround his lead characters with, that he foibles the surefire setup.

EXCLUSIVE: Annette Bening has been tapped to narrate the documentary War Unfolding from Sypher Studios, with Eliza Bennett, Rachel Bloom, Gary Cole, Abigail Cowen, Laura Dern, Monique Edwards, Michael C. Hall, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Paul Walter Hauser, Thurn Hoffman, Richard T. Jones, Jay Lee, Erick Lopez, Sandra Seacat, Wes Studi and DeWanda Wise among those set to appear in the film from director John B. Benitz.