Diddy's trial was the latest in a line of high-profile celebrity criminal cases
O.J. Simpson
In 1995, football star and actor O.J. Simpson was acquitted of murder in the deaths of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman after the 'trial of the century.' Two years later, a civil trial jury found him liable for the deaths and ordered him to pay $33.5 million to relatives of Brown and Goldman. Simpson died in 2024 at age 76 of prostate cancer.
Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson was acquitted in 2005 of molesting a 13-year-old cancer survivor at his Neverland Ranch. The King of Pop was also accused of plying the boy with alcohol and conspiring to hold him and his family captive. Jackson had faced nearly 20 years in prison. Jackson died in 2009 at age 50 of an overdose of the anesthetic propofol.
R. Kelly
R. Kelly is serving time at a prison in North Carolina. This year, a federal appeals court upheld the Grammy Award-winning R&B singer's 2021 racketeering and sex trafficking convictions, along with a 30-year prison sentence. The court concluding that the singer exploited his fame for over a quarter century to sexually abuse girls and young women. Last year, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal of a 20-year sentence Kelly received after his 2022 conviction on child sex charges including charges of producing images of child sexual abuse in Chicago.
Bill Cosby
Bill Cosby was convicted in 2018 of sexual assault and sentenced to up to a decade in prison. But three years later the Pennsylvania Supreme Court said the district attorney who made the decision to arrest Cosby was obligated to stand by a predecessor's promise not to charge Cosby, though there was no evidence that agreement was ever put in writing. The former 'Cosby Show' star was the first celebrity tried and convicted in the #MeToo era and spent nearly three years at a state prison near Philadelphia before the higher court overturned his conviction and released him in 2021.
Alec Baldwin
Last year, a judge decided halfway through Alec Baldwin's involuntary manslaughter trial to dismiss the charge. Baldwin had been charged in the 2021 fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the movie 'Rust.' The judge dismissed the case on allegations that police and prosecutors withheld evidence from the defense. This year, Baldwin sued for malicious prosecution and civil rights violations. Baldwin also alleged defamation, saying that prosecutors and investigators intentionally mishandled evidence.
A$AP Rocky
A Los Angeles jury acquitted A$AP Rocky in February after a trial on two counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. The hip-hop star was accused of firing on a former friend in Hollywood in 2021. Rocky, who rejected a plea deal that would have involved very little jail time, opted not to testify at trial.
Harvey Weinstein
Weekly
A weekly look at what's happening in Winnipeg's arts and entertainment scene.
Former Oscar-winning movie producer Harvey Weinstein was convicted of rape and other charges in 2022 by a Los Angeles jury. He was sentenced then to 16 years in prison and is appealing that conviction. Weinstein, 73, also was found guilty last month during the retrial of a rape case in New York City. The charges against Weinstein have been pivotal for the #MeToo movement. The anti-sexual-misconduct campaign was fueled by allegations against him.
Martha Stewart
Homemaking icon and media personality Martha Stewart was convicted in 2004 of lying to the federal government about a 2001 stock sale. She served five months in prison. Her brand rebounded following her release. In 2023, at the age of 81, Stewart was chosen as one of Sports Illustrated's swimsuit cover models.
Kevin Spacey
In 2023, a London jury acquitted Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey on sexual assault charges stemming from allegations by four men dating back 20 years. Spacey had denied the allegations against him and told the jury how they had destroyed his acting career as the #MeToo movement gained momentum in the U.S. Spacey told British broadcast host Piers Morgan last year that he was millions of dollars in debt, largely because of unpaid legal bills.
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Calgary Herald
an hour ago
- Calgary Herald
Review: Broadway Across Canada's The Lion King a fully immersive experience
To see the 2025 version of The Lion King now on stage at the Jubilee Auditorium is to enjoy a full-mind-and-body, totally immersive experience. Article content Settling into your seats, you'll notice two musicians with large African drum kits on either side of the stage preparing for their roles, a thrilling hint of what's to come. But when Rafiki the mandrill (Mukelisiwe Goba is wise and mysterious in the role) welcomes the future king Simba to the rolling plains of Tanzania as a score of animals (including an elephant) parade down the aisles of the theatre and on to the stage, audience members feel at one with the rocky outcrops and swaying grasses of the Serengeti. Performers on stilts as giraffes are shadows against the red-orange sky; antelope mounted atop multi-wheeled bicycles spring effortlessly across the landscape. Article content The imagination is completely engaged. In an era dominated by endless, exhausting, digital noise, this feels like no less than a miracle. Article content Article content Over almost 30 years, the multiple Tony-award-winning Disney story of the lion cub Simba exiled following the death of his father king Mufasa has grown into an integral part of the musical theatre canon. As the third-longest-running and the highest-grossing show on Broadway (pulling in $1.8 billion by 2023), it's fast becoming a tale as old as time. Article content And for good reason. Soulful, upbeat tunes by Elton John and Tim Rice combine with Julie Taymor's impressively expansive touch as director and costume designer alongside breathtaking choreography by Garth Fagan to marry a simple coming-of-age story with the powerful history, music and landscape of Africa. The result lodges stubbornly in the heart. Article content Article content The first act of the show reveals the Shakespearean tension between Mufasa (the warmly paternal Darnell Abraham) and his brother, Scar (Peter Hargrave is perfect as the two-faced, scheming villain). The young Simba of this production (Julian Villela in the show I saw Saturday night) plays the open-hearted boy cub with all the boisterous bravado the role requires, falling easily into the murderous plot executed by Scar and his henchmen, a circling hackle of hyenas that terrify and amuse by turns. The African red-billed hornbill Zazu (Drew Hirshfield in a pitch-perfect representation) provides enough levity in the first act to keep the little ones in the audience from feeling too despondent. Article content Article content Article content But it is the second act in which the humour of The Lion King takes off as Simba fights to assume his rightful throne with the encouragement of his friends. The meerkat Timon (with Canadian-born Robert Creighton behind the puppet) and warthog Pumbaa (Danny Grumich) are hilarious; a robust series of fart jokes delights the family-forward audience. Yet there is room for the brave acts, and the love story between Simba and Nala to unfold.
Vancouver Sun
an hour ago
- Vancouver Sun
Review: Broadway Across Canada's The Lion King a fully immersive experience
To see the 2025 version of The Lion King now on stage at the Jubilee Auditorium is to enjoy a full-mind-and-body, totally immersive experience. Settling into your seats, you'll notice two musicians with large African drum kits on either side of the stage preparing for their roles, a thrilling hint of what's to come. But when Rafiki the mandrill (Mukelisiwe Goba is wise and mysterious in the role) welcomes the future king Simba to the rolling plains of Tanzania as a score of animals (including an elephant) parade down the aisles of the theatre and on to the stage, audience members feel at one with the rocky outcrops and swaying grasses of the Serengeti. Performers on stilts as giraffes are shadows against the red-orange sky; antelope mounted atop multi-wheeled bicycles spring effortlessly across the landscape. The imagination is completely engaged. In an era dominated by endless, exhausting, digital noise, this feels like no less than a miracle. Get top headlines and gossip from the world of celebrity and entertainment. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sun Spots will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Over almost 30 years, the multiple Tony-award-winning Disney story of the lion cub Simba exiled following the death of his father king Mufasa has grown into an integral part of the musical theatre canon. As the third-longest-running and the highest-grossing show on Broadway (pulling in $1.8 billion by 2023), it's fast becoming a tale as old as time. And for good reason. Soulful, upbeat tunes by Elton John and Tim Rice combine with Julie Taymor's impressively expansive touch as director and costume designer alongside breathtaking choreography by Garth Fagan to marry a simple coming-of-age story with the powerful history, music and landscape of Africa. The result lodges stubbornly in the heart. The first act of the show reveals the Shakespearean tension between Mufasa (the warmly paternal Darnell Abraham) and his brother, Scar (Peter Hargrave is perfect as the two-faced, scheming villain). The young Simba of this production (Julian Villela in the show I saw Saturday night) plays the open-hearted boy cub with all the boisterous bravado the role requires, falling easily into the murderous plot executed by Scar and his henchmen, a circling hackle of hyenas that terrify and amuse by turns. The African red-billed hornbill Zazu (Drew Hirshfield in a pitch-perfect representation) provides enough levity in the first act to keep the little ones in the audience from feeling too despondent. But it is the second act in which the humour of The Lion King takes off as Simba fights to assume his rightful throne with the encouragement of his friends. The meerkat Timon (with Canadian-born Robert Creighton behind the puppet) and warthog Pumbaa (Danny Grumich) are hilarious; a robust series of fart jokes delights the family-forward audience. Yet there is room for the brave acts, and the love story between Simba and Nala to unfold. Part of the genius of The Lion King, which has been in Edmonton once or twice before, is its seemingly effortless ability to construct a living world before your very eyes. The audience feels surrounded by the colour and vibrancy of the savannah as the stage roils with dancers dressed as trees, plants, birds and startlingly large mammals. The soaring cliff that provides so much drama rolls effortlessly on and off the stage; the wildebeest rampage is heart-stopping. Rivers seem both deep and wide. The technical scaffolding of the show is mind-boggling. Yet the stagecraft never supersedes the humanity of The Lion King. People, well, animals, are always at the centre of the story. There is sadness and squabbles, but also jubilation and jokes. While the show's commercial priorities are never in doubt, it pays homage to its African inspiration. Six indigenous African languages can be heard in the show's spoken words and music, and several cast members were born in Africa. The Lion King features an ensemble for the ages with more than 50 singers, actors and dancers, plus another three dozen stage professionals within the crew. That doesn't even count the 10 musicians in the orchestra conducted by Karl Shymanovitz. If it takes a village to raise a child, well, perhaps it requires a similarly sized theatrical commitment to bring a musical classic to eternal life on stage. Words and music by Elton John and Tim Rice and book by Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi Director: Julie Taymor Where: Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, 11455 87 Ave. When: Through July 27 Tickets: From $64 at or by calling 1-855-985-4357. Tickets can also be purchased in person at the box office at the Jubilee Auditorium. Check for applicable hours at Bookmark our website and support our journalism: Don't miss the news you need to know — add and to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletters here. You can also support our journalism by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribers gain unlimited access to The Edmonton Journal, Edmonton Sun, National Post and 13 other Canadian news sites. Support us by subscribing today: The Edmonton Journal | The Edmonton Sun.
Edmonton Journal
an hour ago
- Edmonton Journal
Review: Broadway Across Canada's The Lion King a fully immersive experience
To see the 2025 version of The Lion King now on stage at the Jubilee Auditorium is to enjoy a full-mind-and-body, totally immersive experience. Article content Settling into your seats, you'll notice two musicians with large African drum kits on either side of the stage preparing for their roles, a thrilling hint of what's to come. But when Rafiki the mandrill (Mukelisiwe Goba is wise and mysterious in the role) welcomes the future king Simba to the rolling plains of Tanzania as a score of animals (including an elephant) parade down the aisles of the theatre and on to the stage, audience members feel at one with the rocky outcrops and swaying grasses of the Serengeti. Performers on stilts as giraffes are shadows against the red-orange sky; antelope mounted atop multi-wheeled bicycles spring effortlessly across the landscape. Article content Article content The imagination is completely engaged. In an era dominated by endless, exhausting, digital noise, this feels like no less than a miracle. Article content Over almost 30 years, the multiple Tony-award-winning Disney story of the lion cub Simba exiled following the death of his father king Mufasa has grown into an integral part of the musical theatre canon. As the third-longest-running and the highest-grossing show on Broadway (pulling in $1.8 billion by 2023), it's fast becoming a tale as old as time. Article content And for good reason. Soulful, upbeat tunes by Elton John and Tim Rice combine with Julie Taymor's impressively expansive touch as director and costume designer alongside breathtaking choreography by Garth Fagan to marry a simple coming-of-age story with the powerful history, music and landscape of Africa. The result lodges stubbornly in the heart. Article content Article content The first act of the show reveals the Shakespearean tension between Mufasa (the warmly paternal Darnell Abraham) and his brother, Scar (Peter Hargrave is perfect as the two-faced, scheming villain). The young Simba of this production (Julian Villela in the show I saw Saturday night) plays the open-hearted boy cub with all the boisterous bravado the role requires, falling easily into the murderous plot executed by Scar and his henchmen, a circling hackle of hyenas that terrify and amuse by turns. The African red-billed hornbill Zazu (Drew Hirshfield in a pitch-perfect representation) provides enough levity in the first act to keep the little ones in the audience from feeling too despondent. Article content Article content Article content But it is the second act in which the humour of The Lion King takes off as Simba fights to assume his rightful throne with the encouragement of his friends. The meerkat Timon (with Canadian-born Robert Creighton behind the puppet) and warthog Pumbaa (Danny Grumich) are hilarious; a robust series of fart jokes delights the family-forward audience. Yet there is room for the brave acts, and the love story between Simba and Nala to unfold.
