Protesters say Bezos' star-studded Venice wedding highlights growing inequality

The Library of Congress just snagged a treasure trove of Stephen Sondheim’s creative genius—think handwritten lyrics, early drafts, and behind-the-scenes scraps from legendary shows like Sweeney Todd and Into the Woods. Over 5,000 pieces of his work will now be preserved for future generations to geek out over.

Editor’s Note: Sondheim’s work isn’t just Broadway history—it’s American cultural DNA. By archiving his drafts and doodles, the Library of Congress ensures that artists, scholars, and fans can peek into the messy, brilliant process behind musicals that reshaped theater. It’s like saving a time capsule of creativity.

Netflix is diving back into the music scene with Hitmakers, a fresh unscripted series blending documentary and reality TV. The show, premiering July 24, brings together twelve top-tier songwriters and producers in high-pressure writing camps to craft potential chart-toppers. Think Songland meets The Beatles: Get Back, but with Netflix’s glossy production—and likely some behind-the-scenes drama.

Editor’s Note: Music fans and reality TV junkies get a new obsession, but it’s also a smart play for Netflix. Unscripted shows are cheaper to produce than blockbuster dramas, and music content has a built-in, passionate audience. If Hitmakers lands even one viral hit, it could boost Netflix’s credibility in the music space—and maybe even spawn a franchise. Plus, for songwriters, it’s rare, high-profile exposure in an industry that usually keeps them behind the scenes. Win-win.

Scottish band The Young Fathers teamed up with director Danny Boyle—renowned for his killer soundtrack choices—to create the music for 28 Years Later. Boyle, the "King of the Needle Drops," has a knack for pairing unforgettable tracks with iconic scenes (like Trainspotting's "Lust for Life" or "Born Slippy"). This collaboration promises another electrifying fusion of music and film.

Editor’s Note: Soundtracks can make or break a movie, and Danny Boyle’s track record is legendary. The fact that he’s working with The Young Fathers—a band known for their raw, genre-blurring sound—suggests the 28 Years Later soundtrack won’t just be background noise. It could be a cultural moment in its own right.

Brigitte Bardot, the legendary French actress and activist, is stepping back into the spotlight—sort of—in a new documentary titled Bardot. Director Alain Berliner (known for Ma Vie en Rose) reveals that even as Bardot opens up about her life and abrupt retirement from fame over 50 years ago, she retains an air of mystery. The film, which premiered at Cannes, explores her stardom, her decision to walk away, and her later work as an animal rights advocate.

Editor’s Note: Bardot has been a cultural enigma for decades—a bombshell who rejected Hollywood, a star who vanished at her peak. This doc offers a rare glimpse into her life, but Berliner hints she’s still holding back. For fans of Old Hollywood or anyone curious about fame’s price, it’s a fascinating peek behind the curtain. Plus, her activism adds another layer to her legacy—proof there’s always more to icons than their headlines.

Pharrell Williams turned heads (and startled some birds) with his latest Louis Vuitton show outside Paris’s Pompidou Center. The spectacle blended Indian influences and a surprise Beyoncé appearance, proving once again that his runway shows are as much about cultural mashups as they are about fashion.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just another celebrity designer doing runway basics—Pharrell’s LV shows have become cultural moments. By weaving Indian aesthetics and a Beyoncé cameo into high fashion, he keeps pushing boundaries in an industry that often plays it safe. For fashion watchers, it’s a sign that big luxury houses are still willing to take risks.