Entertainment
Kanye West Hit with Copyright Lawsuit by German Singer
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- German singer Alice Merton filed a lawsuit against Kanye West for allegedly using her song “Blindside” in an unreleased Vultures track without authorization
- After Merton denied his request for the sample, which he had already debuted, fans threatened Merton
- The lawsuit comes after a series of online rants and antisemitic remarks by the rapper
Kanye West has been hit with a copyright infringement lawsuit by a German artist who refused to be associated with the rapper.
On Tuesday, March 25, German singer Alice Merton — as well as two German corporations — filed a lawsuit against the Graduation rapper for “unauthorized commercial exploitation of the musical composition ‘Blindside.'”
Per the filing, which was obtained by PEOPLE, Merton, MERTON & GRAUWINKEL GMBH and PAPER PLANE PUBLISHING GMBH, own the rights to the song and claim that West, 47, “willfully engaged in the infringement of copyright with the composition of ‘Gun to the Head’ which contains an unauthorized sample” of the song.
“Plaintiffs were damaged by that infringement based on their ownership of the composition, including 50% of the publishers’ share and the writers’ share of those rights,” the filing continued.
The plaintiffs are seeking “injunctive relief and damages” for the alleged copyright infringement and unfair competition.”
Merton released “Blindside” in 2022. In December 2023, at West’s Vultures event in Miami, he debuted his collaboration with Kid Cudi and Ty Dolla $ign titled “Gun to My Head” and “the public became aware that it contained an unauthorized sample” of “Blindside,” per the filing.
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Then, on Feb. 15, West allegedly requested approval from BMG for the song to be incorporated as a sample to “Gun to My Head.” After the request was sent to Merton and the corporations, the request was denied in March and no reason was given. When asked for a reason for the rejection, the plaintiffs responded that “the artist’s values are contrary to our values.”
“Alice Merton was unwilling to compromise her personal beliefs and wanted not to be associated with [West] in any manner.” the filing states. “Of significant concern to plaintiff Merton, were defendant [West’s] antisemitic, racist remarks which were made publicly and continue to be made publicly.”
Adding, “Merton is a German resident who has close ties to the Holocaust through Jewish family members who survived horrors and as such feels closely connected to it.”
Then, when the album was released in August 2024 and the song was left out, fans were “relentless” and made “threats to Merton should she not clear the sample,” per the filing. Following the alleged threats, Merton feared “returning to America for further tour dates.”
A formal letter demanding “cease, desist and refrain from any further violation” was sent to West in August 2024 by BMG and, per the filing, he did not respond.
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“In addition to the negative association with [West] that plaintiffs were trying to avoid, plaintiff Merton began receiving death threats and abuse from defendants’ fan base online because she would not clear the sample. Defendant did nothing to stop the abuse, allowing his fans to intimidate and harass plaintiff Merton and failing to acknowledge that plaintiffs had rejected defendant’s request to use plaintiff’s song,” the filing states.
In addition to relief and damages, the plaintiffs are seeking a trial by jury “on all issues so triable.”
The lawsuit comes after a series of anti-semitic rants on social media. In February, the “Stronger” rapper was dropped by his talent agency because of his “harmful and hateful remarks.”
On Feb. 6, West went on a rant on X, calling antisemitism “just some bulls— Jewish people made up” and said that he was “never apologizing for my Jewish comments.”
Then, on Feb. 11, his Yeezy website was shut down after he sold a swastika T-shirt online for violating Shopify’s terms. That same day, a former Yeezy employee filed a complaint that the rapper compared himself to Hitler and threatened her because she was Jewish. She also claims West fired her after she reported his alleged conduct to her supervisor.
His previous antisemitic remarks lost him brand deals with Adidas, Balenciaga and Gap.
Entertainment
Kelly Clarkson shares rare love life update

Kelly Clarkson defended her right to remain single during a recent Las Vegas residency show.
“People are like, ‘Oh, why are you single?’ And I’m like, ‘First of all, there are a lot of people out here making single look real good,’” the talk show host told the crowd Friday at her “Studio Sessions” show at Caesars Palace, per social media footage.
“And if you didn’t really understand what I meant by that, it’s like you see relationships and you’re like, ‘I am so glad I’m going home alone.’”
She jokingly added, “You know what’s not happening in my house? That s–t.”
“If you are in a relationship, the hardest part I feel like is just keeping that fire alive and still dating,” the “American Idol” winner continued. “And, like, still making it feel magical and not monotonous.”
The “Miss Independent” hitmaker, 44, has kept her dating life under wraps since she finalized her divorce from late ex-husband Brandon Blackstock in 2022.
Blackstock — who shared daughter River Rose, 12, and son Remy, 10, with the pop star — died in August 2025 at the age of 48 after battling melanoma, an aggressive form of skin cancer.
Though she returned to “The Kelly Clarkson Show” that September, Page Six reported in January that the Grammy winning songstress would be ending the daytime talk show.
The mom of two confirmed the impending end of her series in February, writing in a social media statement that there had “been so many amazing moments and shows over these seven seasons.”
She added that she’s “forever grateful and honored to have worked alongside the greatest band and crew you could hope for” and acknowledged “all the talent and inspiring people who have shared their time and lives with us.”
Clarkson wrote that it was “not an easy decision” to step away, and noted that she felt it’s “necessary and right for this next chapter of our lives” to prioritize her children.
The show will wrap up and air its final episodes this fall and her summer Las Vegas residency runs through Aug. 15.
Clarkson also released her new single, “I’d Be Lyin’,” on July 17.
Prior to Blackstock’s passing, Clarkson — who filed for divorced from the producer in 2020 and saw the legal matter settled in 2022 — addressed why she isn’t dating.
“Dating can be very difficult, which is why I don’t,” she told her Las Vegas audience in July 2025.
Clarkson said at the time that since dating “is hard anyway,” it can be a “dumpster fire” when you “add a spotlight.”
Entertainment
Eric Dane called ‘Euphoria’ his most ‘profound’ work amid ALS battle

Eric Dane believed that “Euphoria” was “the most profound experience” of his career.
Dane appeared in the documentary special, “Euphoria: A Look Back,” in interview footage recorded before his death.
“It was at times challenging, but the challenges were taken as opportunities,” Dane reflected. “It’s been such a wonderful experience.”
Series creator Sam Levinson remembered Dane as “a wonderful human being” and “a wonderful actor.”
“He showed up every day with grace and dignity,” Levinson said in the special.
Dane also reflected on the other “Euphoria” cast member who passed away, Angus Cloud, who died from an accidental fentanyl overdose on July 31, 2023, at the age of 25.
He called Cloud a “very talented young man” who “was tough on all of us.”
Dane died at 53 in February, following an ALS battle. Before his death, the “Grey’s Anatomy” star completed filming for his role in “Euphoria” Season 3, which aired from April through May.
The Season 3 premiere also included a photo of Dane onscreen with the message, “In remembrance of Eric Dane. 1972-2026.”
In all three seasons of the HBO drama, which aired from 2019 to 2026, Dane played Cal Jacobs. He had a volatile relationship with his son, Nate Jacobs (Jacob Elordi).
The show ultimately ended with Nate getting killed by mobsters he was indebted to.
Cal and the rest of his family were unaware of Nate’s fate.
Elordi, who also appeared in the special, recalled his face turning “red” during his audition because he was, “so nervous” — but Levinson “liked that.”
“He was so good and committed,” the creator recalled.
“Euphoria: A Look Back” featured interviews with the cast and crew, and scenes from all three seasons. It didn’t address the various behind the scenes cast feud rumors, or Season 3 getting critically slammed. Zendaya also only appeared in old interview footage.
The show started as a dark high school drama, following the teen drug addict Rue (Zendaya) and her classmates: insecure Cassie (Sydney Sweeney), angry jock Nate (Elordi), Maddy (Alexa Demie), Jules (Hunter Schafer), affable drug dealer Fez (Cloud), and others.
“Euphoria” was a wild starmaker – Zendaya, Elordi, and Sweeney are global celebrities, but they didn’t have their current A-list status at the time that the show premiered.
By Season 2, which aired in 2022, “Euphoria” was HBO’s most watched show after “Game of Thrones,” with nearly 20 million viewers tuning in.
Apatow said, “we’re connected in a very deep way and have been through a lot together. I’m so happy for everyone’s success.”
Levinson reflected that it’s “amazing” to see “filmmakers and directors who I idolize” talk about how great actors like Elordi, Sweeney, and Zendaya are.
His wife, Ashley Levinson, who produces the show, said, “we support” and “root for” each other.
“Euphoria: A Look Back” is now streaming on HBO Max.
Entertainment
Bret Michaels undergoes emergency surgery after performing 3 concerts in ‘intense’ pain

Bret Michaels revealed he underwent an unexpected surgery after experiencing “intense” pain from a kidney stone.
The Poison frontman, 63, shared an update from his hospital bed via Facebook on Wednesday, telling his followers that he’s learned “complete gratitude” for the hospital workers who helped care for him this week.
Michaels was taken to the hospital when the stone “would not pass” after seven days of waiting as the “pain became too much,” he shared.
“The pain became intense but, as usual, I played through Charleston [West Virginia], Grantville, [Pennsylvania], and a special private show at Fairchild AFB in Spokane for veterans, active duty and their families,” he wrote, adding that he was hospitalized “immediately, the next day” after his Spokane appearance.
“The operation has been done and is complete & I’m out of post-op recovery, and I’m doing everything within my power to feel better and continue playing great shows for great fans when I’ve got a complete clean bill of health.”
Michaels then expanded on his earlier “WisdomWednesday” lesson, noting that he’s “wise enough to know how important family, friends, fans, doctors and nurses play such a vital role in our everyday health.”
The “Every Rose Has its Thorn” hitmaker is next expected to hit the stage July 31 in Belleville, Illinois, as part of his string of North American shows. The slate of performances is scheduled to run through September.
Michaels was also previously scheduled to take part in the President Trump-affiliated Freedom 250 Presents: The Great American State Fair concert series, which ran from June 25 to July 10.
However on May 28, he canceled his performance — along with several other announced acts — citing concerns regarding safety and that the show had “evolved into something much more divisive” than what he signed up for.
“When this opportunity was originally presented to my team, it was described as a celebration of our country through music and a chance to honor our veterans, active military, first responders, teachers and hardworking Americans from all walks of life,” Michaels wrote.
“As the son of a veteran, and coming from a family that has proudly served, that is something I have always been honored to support.”
“Unfortunately, what was presented to us as a celebration of our country has evolved into something much more divisive than what I agreed to be a part of,” he continued. “Concerns have also been raised regarding the safety of my fans, band, crew, family and myself, including threats that are completely unfounded and unforgivable.”
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