🎭 Culture & Entertainment
July 7th, 2026
Today's top 5 stories, curated by Daily Direct.
Hollywood Reporter
Lauren Bennett, “Party Rock Anthem” and G.R.L. Singer, Dies at 37
Lauren Bennett, best known as a featured vocalist on LMFAO's global smash "Party Rock Anthem" and as a member of Robin Antin's girl group G.R.L., has died at 37. Her former G.R.L. bandmates confirmed the news with a heartfelt tribute, praising her spirit and the lasting impact she had on those around her. Bennett leaves behind a legacy tied to one of the best-selling singles of the 2010s, a track that dominated charts worldwide.
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“The Slovak Woody Allen,” an Orwellian Bistro and ‘Cupid at the Kremlin Wall’: Inside Book-to-Screen at KVIFF
Eight Central and Eastern European literary properties made their screen adaptation pitches at Karlovy Vary's Industry Days, marking the first time the festival has dedicated a strand to regional book-to-screen development. The lineup ranged from a Slovak filmmaker drawing comparisons to Woody Allen to a Cold War romance set against the Kremlin Wall, signaling growing appetite for the region's literary catalog. The initiative positions KVIFF as a serious player in connecting overlooked Central European IP with international film and television buyers.
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Variety
‘The Sopranos’ Creator David Chase on Making a Movie About LSD Alongside MKUltra Series and Being Concerned About ‘Censorship’ Under Trump
David Chase, the creator of "The Sopranos," is simultaneously developing two projects centered on LSD — an independent film and an HBO series exploring the government's covert MKUltra mind-control program. The dual ventures signal the prestige television legend's continued appetite for dark, complex American histories. Chase also voiced concern about potential censorship pressures under the Trump administration, suggesting the creative climate is weighing on even the industry's most established voices.
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Noah Kahan Headlines Rolling Stone’s First Ever Stateside Festival
Noah Kahan headlined Rolling Stone's inaugural U.S. festival, cementing his status as one of folk music's biggest mainstream draws. The Vermont singer-songwriter's appearance came just days before a run of sold-out shows at Fenway Park, one of Boston's most iconic venues. His back-to-back marquee moments underscore a remarkable commercial ascent that few in the genre have matched.
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Variety
Television City and Orbital Studios Partner to Bring Virtual Production Studio to L.A.’s Fairfax District
Television City and Orbital Studios are teaming up to launch a new LED volume virtual production studio at the iconic 7800 Beverly Boulevard campus in Los Angeles. The facility aims to serve productions across a range of sizes and budgets, expanding access to high-end virtual production technology in one of Hollywood's most storied locations. The partnership signals continued momentum in the industry's shift toward in-camera visual effects as a mainstream production tool.
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