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Ariana Sues Hackers, Miley Eyes Return to Acting, Dv4d Faces Trial

Plus... Christiano Ronaldo for Matthew Vaugn series, The Odyssey's impact on booksellers

Ariana Grande Sues Unidentified Hackers Over Leaked Music and Private Footage

Ariana Grande has filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles against two unnamed hackers accused of infiltrating her team’s devices to steal and sell unreleased music, studio footage, and private photographs on the dark web. According to court filings, the cyberattacks systematically targeted her producers, photographers, and technicians over several years, resulting in the leak of 45 unreleased tracks in 2023 alone. Citing invasion of privacy and computer fraud laws, Grande’s legal team is seeking to uncover the defendants' identities to stop what they term "substantial and irreparable harm" to her career.

The legal action follows long-standing frustration from the singer over leaked material, including her unreleased track "Fantasize," which went viral on social media after being stolen. The complaint details recent breaches, including a 2025 attack on a producer's phone that exposed unreleased masters, as well as a 2024 phishing scheme where hackers impersonated a photographer to obtain private photos. The filing arrives at a pivotal moment for the artist, coming just days ahead of the release of her eighth studio album, Petal.

Miley Cyrus Eyeing Return to Acting and Directing

Miley Cyrus is setting her sights on Hollywood once again. Fresh off signing a high-profile record deal with Atlantic Records, the fourth label home of her recording career, the 33-year-old superstar revealed she is actively planning her return to the screen. In a conversation with actress-director Daryl Hannah for her guest-edited edition of Wonderland magazine, Cyrus expressed a strong desire to dive back into acting and step behind the camera. "I'd genuinely love to do both," Cyrus shared. "My dream has always been to work with artists I admire, and you're one of them. I think we'd make magic together, Daryl. I have an idea. Call me."

The director pitch comes alongside reflections on her comedic roots, sparked by celebrating the 20th anniversary of Hannah Montana. Cyrus noted that rewatching early episodes reminded her that making people laugh is fundamentally part of her nature. While her label debut with Atlantic promises experimental new music, her prospective pivot back to filmmaking signals a full-circle evolution for the performer, bridging her veteran pop status with a renewed creative focus behind and in front of the lens.

D4vd to Stand Trial for First-Degree Murder and Sexual Abuse

D4vd, legally named David Anthony Burke, will stand trial for murder following a ruling by a Los Angeles judge at the conclusion of a five-day preliminary hearing. The 21-year-old artist is accused of the first-degree murder, mutilation, and sexual abuse of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose remains were discovered last September in a vehicle registered to his home. Prosecutors allege Burke stabbed and dismembered the teenager after she threatened to expose their relationship and ruin his music career, filing special circumstances charges linked to financial gain that make him potentially eligible for the death penalty.

Burke has pleaded not guilty, with his defense team arguing that prosecutors lack sufficient direct evidence to link him to the crime.

POP FACT: On this day in 1939, Judy Garland recorded “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” It went on to win the Academy Award for Best Original Song.

Cristiano Ronaldo Teams Up with Matthew Vaughn for Soccer Agent Drama 'Day 1s'

Following Portugal's World Cup flop, Cristiano Ronaldo is officially launching his next major venture, stepping in as both star and executive producer for Day 1s, an upcoming scripted drama series about a UK soccer agent. Created in partnership with Kingsman director Matthew Vaughn under their joint production banner UR•Marv Studios, the London-based series stars Damian Lewis as fictional agent Stanley Dalton and is set to feature appearances from soccer legend Thierry Henry and rapper Dave. Independently financed by UR•Marv, the project marks the first television release from the joint venture, which aims to fuse traditional filmmaking with cutting-edge production technology.

ICYMI:

  • Shania Twain has announced a new retrospective project revisiting her teenage years in Canada, giving fans a look at the early musical influences that shaped her country-pop career.

  • Live Nation has teamed up with Roblox to drop Music Festival Tycoon, an interactive simulation game where players run their own massive music festivals.

  • Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes daughter, Suri, has legally dropped her father’s last name.

— Katie Macbeth

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