Iranian authorities release prominent actress Taraneh Alidoosti on bail | CNN

Iranian authorities release prominent actress Taraneh Alidoosti on bail | CNN

CNN  —  One of Iran’s best-known actresses, who was arrested after she criticized the execution of a man involved in nationwide protests, was released on bail on Wednesday, state-aligned ISNA said. Taraneh Alidoosti, who starred in the 2016 Oscar-winning film “The Salesman,” had condemned the hanging of Mohsen Shekari, who was killed last month in … Read more

Nelly Cheboi, who creates computer labs for Kenyan schoolchildren, is CNN’s Hero of the Year | CNN

Nelly Cheboi, who creates computer labs for Kenyan schoolchildren, is CNN’s Hero of the Year | CNN

CNN  —  Nelly Cheboi, who in 2019 quit a lucrative software engineering job in Chicago to create computer labs for Kenyan schoolchildren, is the 2022 CNN Hero of the Year. Online voters selected her from among this year’s Top 10 CNN Heroes finalists. Cheboi’s nonprofit, TechLit Africa, has provided thousands of students across rural Kenya … Read more

Kirstie Alley, ‘Cheers’ and ‘Veronica’s Closet’ star, dead at 71 | CNN

Kirstie Alley, ‘Cheers’ and ‘Veronica’s Closet’ star, dead at 71 | CNN

CNN  —  Actress Kirstie Alley, star of the big and small screens known for her Emmy-winning role on “Cheers” and films like “Look Who’s Talking,” has died after a brief battle with cancer, her children True and Lillie Parker announced on her social media. She was 71. “We are sad to inform you that our … Read more

Irene Cara, ’80s pop star behind ‘Fame’ and ‘Flashdance’ theme songs, dies at 63 | CNN

Irene Cara, ’80s pop star behind ‘Fame’ and ‘Flashdance’ theme songs, dies at 63 | CNN

CNN  —  Actress and singer Irene Cara, an Oscar and Grammy winner best known for the theme songs of “Fame” and “Flashdance” in the early ’80s, has died, her publicist said. She was 63. “Please share your thoughts and memories of Irene,” Judith Moose said in a tweet announcing the singer’s death. “I’ll be reading … Read more

BTS singer Jin set to begin South Korea military service, source says | CNN

BTS singer Jin set to begin South Korea military service, source says | CNN

Seoul, South Korea CNN  —  K-pop superstar Jin will begin his mandatory military service next month, a source with direct knowledge of the situation confirmed Friday, after the BTS singer appealed to the supergroup’s devoted fans to stay away from his South Korean army training center. The source said the 29-year-old star, BTS’ oldest member, … Read more

Keke Palmer says Amy Schumer is helping her prep for ‘SNL’ hosting duties | CNN

Keke Palmer says Amy Schumer is helping her prep for ‘SNL’ hosting duties | CNN

CNN  —  Keke Palmer is set to host “Saturday Night Live” for the first time on Dec. 3, alongside musical guest SZA. While the “Nope” star has been acting since childhood, “SNL,” she said, is a “unique experience” that Amy Schumer has been helping her prep for. “I’m thrilled to the moon. I just can’t … Read more

Finding a star for ‘Wednesday’ who embodies ‘Family’ values with her own kooky twist | CNN

Finding a star for ‘Wednesday’ who embodies ‘Family’ values with her own kooky twist | CNN

CNN  —  There was a lot riding on the casting choice for the titular character of the new Netfilx series “Wednesday.” In addition to someone who could pull off creepy, kooky, mysterious and spooky, the role of raven-haired, pigtail-braided Wednesday Addams needed to go to a young actress who could rise to the occasion of … Read more

‘Shang-Chi’ star Simu Liu pushes back on Quentin Tarantino’s anti-Marvel comments | CNN

‘Shang-Chi’ star Simu Liu pushes back on Quentin Tarantino’s anti-Marvel comments | CNN

CNN  —  Quentin Tarantino has made it clear that Marvel movies are not his cup of tea, but actor Simu Liu has kindly reminded the director that the films and the studio behind them have provided underrepresented communities a chance to be seen on the big screen unlike ever before. “If the only gatekeepers to … Read more

James Cameron almost didn’t choose Leonardo DiCaprio or Kate Winslet to star in ‘Titanic’ | CNN

James Cameron almost didn’t choose Leonardo DiCaprio or Kate Winslet to star in ‘Titanic’ | CNN

CNN  —  James Cameron is sharing some surprising details from the making of his blockbuster hit “Titanic,” which celebrates 25 years of being released next month. In a new video interview with GQ, the iconic director revealed that he almost didn’t end up casting Leonardo DiCaprio or Kate Winslet – his two romantic leads whose … Read more

Nicki Aycox, ‘Supernatural’ actress, has died at age 47 | CNN

Nicki Aycox, ‘Supernatural’ actress, has died at age 47 | CNN

CNN  —  Nicki Aycox, who played Meg Masters on the CW series “Supernatural,” died last week, her family announced. She was 47. Aycox’s sister-in-law, Susan Raab Ceklosky, revealed the news on Facebook on Nov 17. “My beautiful, smart, fierce, incredibly talented, and loving sister-in-law, Nicki Aycox Raab, passed away yesterday with my brother, Matt Raab, … Read more