Celebrity Interviews

Singer-songwriter Ami Taf Ra and composer-saxophonist Kamasi Washington had watched all the television they could when locked down in the early days of the pandemic. So the couple started reading Khalil Gibran’s “The Prophet” out loud to each other — launching a creative journey that resulted in Ami Taf Ra’s debut album, “The Prophet and The Madman.” They sat down with AP entertainment editor Ryan Pearson to talk about their meeting at a New York City jazz club and their musical and personal partnership.

Danny Ramirez’s acting career began unexpectedly on a soccer field. Now, he’s earned a spot as one of The Associated Press’ Breakthrough Entertainers of 2025. Known for his roles in “Captain America: Brave New World” and “The Last of Us,” Ramirez first began acting while sidelined with a sprained ankle when a production assistant invited him to be an extra in Mira Nair’s film “The Reluctant Fundamentalist.” Seeing actor Riz Ahmed portraying a soccer player on set inspired Ramirez. He’s set to produce, write, direct and star in his directorial debut “Baton.”

Joe Walsh is letting go. The famed guitarist and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer says that while he’s “kind of a hoarder,” it’s time to put some 800 items up for auction to benefit his military veterans charity. Walsh sits down with Associated Press entertainment journalist Liam McEwan to discuss selling his customized guitars and amps, vehicles and decades of memorabilia. The 78-year-old Eagles guitarist shares the stories behind his beloved gear and discusses how music-making has shifted from the analog era to the digital age — and what’s being lost in the process.

Legendary singer-songwriter Paul Anka sits down with Associated Press entertainment journalist Liam McEwan to discuss his new documentary, “Paul Anka: His Way.” Anka reflects on seven decades in show business, the evolving future of music in the age of A.I., and the stories behind some of his most iconic collaborations. He opens up about writing “My Way” for Frank Sinatra, his crucial role in bringing The Beatles to the U.S., and working with Michael Jackson, Drake, Sammy Davis Jr. and Elvis Presley.

Cherien Dabis’ “All That’s Left of You” follows one Palestinian family over the course of three generations — beginning in 1948 and ending in the present day. The Palestinian American actor, writer and director’s epic, executive produced by Javier Bardem and Mark Ruffalo, is Jordan’s submission to the Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film. It’s set for U.S. theatrical release in January. Dabis sat down with AP entertainment journalist Leslie Ambriz to talk about the difficult production, Sundance acclaim and the deeply personal real-world stories behind the film.

James Cameron’s “Avatar: Fire and Ash” lands in theaters Dec. 19 — 16 years after the sci-fi franchise’s landmark first entry and seven years after most of its stars completed their performance capture work. As they began a globe-trotting publicity tour, AP entertainment editor Ryan Pearson sat down in Los Angeles with Cameron and actors Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Sam Worthington, Oona Chaplin, Trinity Jo-Li Bliss, Jack Champion and Bailey Bass. They shared stories of their yearslong journey to Pandora, connecting to their characters, switching frame rates in the two sequels and their hopes for “Avatar” 4 and 5.

As “Stranger Things” enters its fifth and final season, stars of the hit Netflix series are refliecting on what they’ll miss most — from the friendships forged over nearly a decade to the pressure of starring in a global phenomenon. Millie Bobby Brown, Noah Schnapp, Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Matarazzo, Sadie Sink, Caleb McLaughlin, Jamie Campbell Bower, Charlie Heaton, Maya Hawke, Natalia Dyer and Joe Keery — along with show creators Matt and Ross Duffer — sit down with Associated Press entertainment journalist Liam McEwan to discuss the emotional weight of saying goodbye and leaving behind the environment that shaped their adolescence.

After taking home 22 trophies at the Emmy Awards in September and scoring a summer box office hit with Brad Pitt’s “F1" — streaming Dec. 12 — the leaders at Apple TV are taking a victory lap. The streaming service rebranded by dropping the “plus” at the end of its name and next year will become the U.S. broadcast partner of Formula 1 racing. AP entertainment editor Ryan Pearson sat down with the Apple executives Eddy Cue, Zack Van Amburg and Jamie Erlicht to discuss the studio’s growth and ambitions, a sudden pullback from releasing Jessica Chastain’s “Savant” series, the toys and games IP race, and synergy between the technology giant’s TV and music divisions.

“It’s Not That Deep” for Demi Lovato as she enters a new era with her ninth studio album and an upcoming tour. The pop star sat down with Associated Press entertainment journalist Liam McEwan in Los Angeles to reflect on her journey. She says at 33 she’s making peace with her past, embracing the memes that once made her self-conscious, and learning not to take herself too seriously. She opens up about how finding true love inspired her new album, details her upcoming tour, and reveals how she remains emotionally connected to earlier hits like “Skyscraper” when performing them today.

Becky G says “now is the best time to be an artist” as she finds herself able to cross between music genres, including Mexican regional music. She’s part of a new cadre of women who are carving out their own space in the often male-dominated world, often singing lyrics that differ from their male counterparts tailored around love, heartbreak and the experience of being a woman. She sat down with AP entertainment journalist Itzel Luna to talk about her Mexican-American identity, using creativity as resistance to anti-immigrant sentiment, and feeling “divinely guided from above.”

Sudan Archives wants fans to get up a dance with her third studio album “The BPM.” The violinist, singer and songwriter born Brittney Denise Parks sat down with AP entertainment journalist Leslie Ambriz to talk about expanding her artistry, collaborating with family and her spiritual connection to J Dilla.

Jeremy Allen White says learning to play guitar for his lead role in the Bruce Springsteen biopic “Deliver Me From Nowhere” was actually more difficult than singing. White, his co-star Odessa Young and writer-director Scott Cooper sat down with AP entertainment journalist Brooke Lefferts to talk about making the first movie based on the rock icon’s life, centered on the creation of his 1982 album “Nebraska.”

K-pop group P1Harmony sat down with Associated Press entertainment journalist Liam McEwan to reflect on their creative journey and the growing importance of authenticity in their music and public lives. Since debuting in 2020, Keeho, Theo, Jiung, Intak, Soul and Jongseob have built a global fanbase through performances and honesty — on and off stage. They share insights on letting go of image control, embracing imperfection, the push-and-pull of creative decision-making in K-pop, and how love from fans has helped them recognize their own worth.

Samara Joy’s voice transports listeners to the jazz clubs of the last century, evoking legends like Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan. The 25-year-old five-time Grammy winner’s new album is “Portrait,” a compilation of jazz standards and new takes on the Great American Songbook. She sat down with AP entertainment journalist Leslie Ambriz to talk about life after all those awards, how diving into “Portrait” has helped her continue to grow as an artist — and what it means to make her mark in the jazz world.

K-pop superstars TOMORROW X TOGETHER sat down with Associated Press entertainment journalist Liam McEwan backstage at their Los Angeles concert to celebrate their contract renewal with BIGHIT MUSIC and reflect on their journey as a group. Since debuting in 2019, Soobin, Yeonjun, Beomgyu, Taehyun, and Hueningkai have become known for heartfelt storytelling and a deep bond with their fans, nicknamed MOA. They open up about the promises they’ve made to themselves and MOA to stay together and continue growing, the challenges of performing, and how fan support drives them to push creatively.

Latin Grammy-winning singer Silvana Estrada sat down AP entertainment journalist Leslie Ambriz to chat about her new album, “Vendrán Suaves Lluvias” and the healing journey that Estrada went on to craft the self-produced work of art.

Ondi Timoner was in Europe working on a movie when the Eaton Fire burned through the Southern California community of Altadena in January, destroying her home and more than 5,000 others and killing more than 19 people. When she returned, the acclaimed documentary director knew it was time to get to work telling her latest deeply personal story. The resulting short film “All the Walls Came Down” weaves together her family’s recovery with the community’s response. Timoner spoke with AP entertainment journalist Ryan Pearson about why she pushed herself to complete the film in under nine months, what makes Altadena unique and how she hopes to help her neighbors.

“We’re gonna bask in it now.” The breakout singing voices behind Netflix’s hit “KPop Demon Hunters” — Rei Ami, EJAE, and Audrey Nuna (a.k.a. HUNTR/X) — are enjoying the feeling of having multiple Top 10 hits but few of the downsides that can come with instant fame. They spoke with Associated Press entertainment journalist Liam McEwan about inside jokes, the film’s unexpected success and their own surprising journey from solo artists to a powerhouse trio.

Pino Palladino and Blake Mills have reinvented themselves many times over their decades in the music industry. And now they’re stepping gently into the spotlight, after releasing their second collaborative instrumental jazz album, “That Wasn’t A Dream.” Like their first project together, 2021’s “Notes With Attachments,” it showcases a range of styles, their sometimes-experimental tastes and elite musicianship on the guitar and bass. They spoke with AP entertainment reporter Ryan Pearson about reinvention, imposter syndrome and playing live together.

The Netflix documentary-slash-visual album “Songs from the Hole” follows the life and journey of the musician JJ'88, who was convicted of murder as a teenager. While spending months in solitary confinement, he created beats on his chest, crafted lyrics and hand-wrote music video treatments. JJ’88, director and writer Contessa Gayles and producer Richie Reseda spoke with AP entertainment journalist Leslie Ambriz about justice, healing and the film’s impact campaign.

Mariah Carey has released her 16th studio album, “Here for It All,” marking a new chapter in her career. This 11-track album, out now, showcases Carey’s evolution as an artist and blends soulful records, R&B, ballads and pop. Carey sat down AP entertainment journalist Leslie Ambriz to chat about her new era, spirituality and more.

At 85, Sir Ringo Starr says life on the road may not look like the “rock ’n’ roll lifestyle” anymore — but the drive to get up and play is unchanged. The former Beatle sat down with Associated Press entertainment journalist Liam McEwan to reflect on decades of touring, his All-Starr Band, and the enduring power of songs like “With A Little Help From My Friends,” “Yellow Submarine” and “Octopus’ Garden.” Starr also opened up about his STARR ART exhibition in Las Vegas, his creative beginnings as a painter, and the upcoming release of “Anthology 4,” which he calls both “intimate” and surprising: “There’s still a lot of stuff to be found.”

After filming the artist now known as Ye for six years, Nico Ballesteros says his intimate fly-on-the-wall documentary “In Whose Name?” is about “confronting idolatry.” He sat down with The Associated Press to talk about how he joined Kanye West’s inner circle as a teenager, depicting the highs and lows of the rapper-producer-designer’s life, and what Ye said after the director showed him his film.

The Great American Songbook captivated Michael Bublé long before his childhood friends understood it. The Grammy-winning artist sat down with Associated Press entertainment journalist Liam McEwan to look back at nearly three decades of music, fame, fatherhood and finding perspective. Bublé says parenthood has shifted his worldview while his wife Luisana Lopilato has kept him grounded. Looking back on the 20th anniversary of his breakthrough album “It’s Time,” Bublé says he’s never slowed down enough to appreciate his success — until now.

Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor and newcomer Chase Inifiniti star in Paul Thomas Anderson’s tenth film, “One Battle After Another.” The three actors sat down with AP entertainment journalist Leslie Ambriz to talk about activism, character building and how playing revolutionaries has influenced their outlook on the current news cycle.

Members of the K-pop group ENHYPEN reflected on their growth as artists and bandmates backstage during their sold-out “WALK THE LINE” world tour show. Speaking with Associated Press entertainment journalist Liam McEwan, Heeseung, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, Jungwon, and Ni-Ki shared insights on adapting to idol life, developing teamwork and leadership, and how pursuing the same goal has strengthened their bond despite differences. Jake and Ni-Ki also give viewers a behind-the-scenes tour of their stage moments before the show.

Leonardo DiCaprio and Benicio del Toro star in Paul Thomas Anderson’s tenth film, “One Battle After Another.” The two actors sat down with AP entertainment journalist Leslie Ambriz to talk about freedom, activism and VistaVision cameras.

Global girl group KATSEYE sat down with Associated Press entertainment journalist Liam McEwan to reflect on a whirlwind year since their June 2024 debut — from their viral Gap campaign to navigating social media and embracing authenticity. Lara, Sophia, Megan, Daniela, Manon, and Yoonchae open up about leaning on each other through their nonstop rise, the pride and pressure of representing diverse cultures, and their hunger for bolder concepts. They share laughs about pre-debut “lore,” polarizing tracks like “Gnarly,” and the unbreakable sisterhood that turned strangers into family.

ATEEZ sat down with Associated Press entertainment journalist Liam McEwan to reflect on nearly a decade together as a group. Hongjoong, Seonghwa, Yunho, Yeosang, San, Mingi, Wooyoung, and Jongho open up about their bond and the lasting legacy they hope to build with ATINY. The members discuss growing into adulthood alongside each other and the powerful connection they’ve formed with fans.

“This one hurts. The next one, I’m going to be bleeding.” Guillermo del Toro is reluctantly planning a series of auctions to sell off some of his prized memorabilia collection. The Mexican-born filmmaker sat down with AP journalist Itzel Luna at his Bleak House in Southern California to explain the significance of his lifelong passion for collecting, why the January LA fires prompted him to let go of some of his artifacts and other items — and share what his family wouldn’t let him part with.