Menendez Brothers denied parole, Lil Nas X's arrest, Sabrina Carpenter teases “Tears”

Menendez Brothers denied parole

Erik and Lyle Menendez, the infamous brothers convicted of killing their parents more than three decades ago, have once again been denied parole.

Over the course of two days, each brother faced a panel of commissioners who pressed them to speak openly about the abuse they endured growing up, their mental states before and after the murders, and their behavior during incarceration.

Despite making what was considered their strongest case for freedom since their conviction, both were handed three-year denials. However, they will be allowed to request an administrative review in a year, which could bring them back before the parole board in as little as 18 months.

In 1996, the Menendez brothers were handed life sentences without the possibility of parole for the 1989 shotgun murders of their parents, José and Kitty Menendez, at the family’s Beverly Hills estate. Their sensational trial dominated headlines and became one of the most infamous true crime sagas of the 1990s.

In recent years, the case has found renewed attention through documentaries and dramatizations on streaming platforms like Netflix and Peacock, sparking a wave of online discourse and even sympathy from some viewers who argue that their accounts of abuse should carry more weight. Despite the public debate, the California parole board has made clear–for now–the brothers will remain behind bars.

Lil Nas X arrested

Grammy-winning rapper Lil Nas X was taken into custody early Thursday following a chaotic scene on Ventura Boulevard in Studio City.

The 26-year-old artist, best known for his chart-topping hit “Old Town Road,” was spotted wandering the street nearly naked, clad only in underwear and cowboy boots, before allegedly lunging at officers who had been called to the scene. Concerned for his condition, authorities first transported him to a hospital to evaluate a possible overdose.

After several hours of observation, the rapper was booked at Valley Jail in Van Nuys on charges of misdemeanor battery and obstructing an officer.

Luke Hemmings and Sierra Deaton welcome their first child

Luke Hemmings, frontman of 5 Seconds of Summer, and his wife Sierra Deaton have revealed that they recently became parents, privately welcoming their first child together–a baby girl.

The couple announced the news on August 22 with an Instagram post captioned “Our best kept secret.”

“Written and Produced by Sierra and Luke Hemmings,” they playfully added.

The couple chose not to disclose their daughter’s name or date of birth. In a comment, the “She Looks So Perfect” singer explained why they decided to share the news now, despite their preference for privacy.

“In our perfect world, we’d keep our daughter a secret forever… similar to how we never shared our wedding photos from years ago,” Hemmings wrote. “But going into this next album cycle, I knew her existence would inevitably come out. To avoid speculation, we’re posting this now and kindly asking for everyone to respect her privacy.”

Sabrina Carpenter marks album anniversary, teases new music video

Pop sensation Sabrina Carpenter is celebrating a major milestone: the one-year anniversary of her hit album Short n’ Sweet.

“One year of kiss marks, camaraderie, and being so f**ing horny. This album is one of my most prized possessions and brought me closer to myself as well as so many beautiful people and places,” Carpenter wrote in an Instagram post honoring the project.

Debuting on August 23, 2024, Short n’ Sweet marked a career high for Carpenter–earning her first Grammy, producing a chart-topping single, and spawning viral moments that cemented her place in pop culture.

Now, she’s keeping the momentum alive. On August 29, Carpenter will unveil the music video for “Tears,” a track off her forthcoming album Man’s Best Friend, which drops the same day.

She gave fans a glimpse of what’s to come with a teaser clip on Instagram, showing herself styled in vintage fashion next to a classic car, hinting at a nostalgic, retro aesthetic for the project.

ICYMI:

• BigHit Music’s rookie boy group CORTIS has dropped their latest track, a collaboration with Teezo Touchdown titled “What You Want.”

• A Kobe Bryant biopic may soon be on the horizon. According to Variety, Warner Bros. Pictures has acquired a script that draws inspiration from the legendary NBA star’s path to joining the Los Angeles Lakers.

• Laufey has officially dropped her latest album, A Matter of Time, now streaming across all major music platforms.

• In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, ‘Scream Queens’ co-creator Ian Brennan shared that if the series were ever to return for a third season, he’d set the story at a horror camp: “What was great about that show was that you get to send up all the horror tropes. [...] What we were going to do in the second season, which I would probably do in a third, would be to set it at a camp. Scream Queens would be set at a Friday the 13th camp.”

— Bea Bertuldo

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