The latest on Johnny Depp, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Nick Cannon

Vanessa Paradis, Winona Ryder release statements about Johnny Depp
LONDON: Lawyers released statements from Johnny Depp’s former partners, Winona Ryder and Vanessa Paradis.

Ryder said she was “shocked, confused and upset when I heard the accusations.”

“He was never, never violent towards me,” she said. “He has never been violent or abusive towards anybody I have seen. It is impossible to believe that such horrific allegations are true,” Ryder continued.

Paradis described Depp as “a kind, attentive, generous, and non-violent person and father.”

She said Heard’s claims were “nothing like the true Johnny I have known, and from my personal experience, I can say he was never violent or abusive to me.”

AP

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Depp’s bodyguard says Amber Heard abused the Hollywood star
LONDON: Johnny Depp’s security chief alleged that Amber Heard physically and verbally abused Depp during the couple’s tempestuous marriage, giving testimony to support Depp’s libel suit.

“On many occasions, I witnessed her shout at Mr. Depp. I was also told by Mr. Depp on multiple occasions that Ms. Heard had physically abused him,” said security officer Sean Bett.

Bett, who worked for Depp for a decade, said he regularly had to remove the star from bad situations when Heard was in an “abusive mood,” and when she had been drinking.

AP

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New documentary shows where ‘Hamilton’ musical came from
NEW YORK: Playwright, actor, and songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda follows up the streaming of his Broadway musical “Hamilton” with a Hulu documentary showing his impressive hip-hop improv skills in “We Are Freestyle Love Supreme.”

Its performances are thrillingly creative in which the performers weave songs out of random words and audience suggestions.

Director Andrew Fried turned his camera on in 2005 when the troupe did a run of shows and their development over the years, including a Broadway run.

Miranda describes the improv group as a crucial creative spark to his more formal stage shows, which include “Hamilton” and “In the Heights.”

AP

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Nick Cannon apologizes for ‘hurtful’ anti-Semitic comments
LOS ANGELES: Nick Cannon apologized for anti-Semitic comments that led ViacomCBS to cut ties with the TV host and producer.

“I extend my deepest and most sincere apologies to my Jewish sisters and brothers for the hurtful and divisive words that came out of my mouth,” Cannon said in a series of tweets.

He issued the apology hours after demanding an apology from ViacomCBS, which condemned him and said it was cutting ties with the host after more than 20 years of working.

Cannon said his apology came after discussions with Jewish leaders and he vowed to become more informed.

AP