Entertainment
Kanye West Hit with Copyright Lawsuit by German Singer

- 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.
Bellocqimages/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images
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
Violet Affleck reveals tense argument with ‘shell-shocked’ mom Jennifer Garner

Violet Affleck opened up about a fiery argument she had with mom Jennifer Garner over the LA wildfires. In an academic research paper for Yale University. Violet wrote about the tense conversation she had with her mom while they were in a hotel room during the fires. Watch the full video to learn more about the emotional clash.
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Entertainment
Kate Middleton Gets New Madame Tussauds Wax Figure — See the Photos!

NEED TO KNOW
- Kate Middleton’s new wax figure at Madame Tussauds London has been unveiled
- The Princess of Wales’ statue has been dressed in the same outfit she wore at the annual Diplomatic Reception at Buckingham Palace in December 2023
- Princess Kate’s figure stands next to the wax statue of her husband, Prince William
The royal red carpet has been rolled out for a new wax figure at Madame Tussauds London!
On Wednesday, May 21, the museum unveiled their new statue of Kate Middleton after the wax figure underwent a makeover.
This comes after the Princess of Wales, 43, first made her Madame Tussauds debut in April 2012, a year after her wedding to Prince William.
“Fast forward to today, hot off the heels of their 14th wedding anniversary, the talented studio artists have refreshed the Kate Middleton figure from tiara to toe,” a news release obtained by PEOPLE reads.
In photos shared by the museum, princess Kate’s wax figure can been sporting a sparkly pink gown and tiara, reflecting the outfit she wore at the annual Diplomatic Reception at Buckingham Palace in December 2023.
Jonathan Short/Madame Tussauds
“The figure is dressed in a dusky pink Jenny Packham gown, silver pumps in the style of Gianvito Rossi ‘Rania 105′ and finished off with an exact replica of the signature Lover’s Knot Tiara,” the release continued. “The tiara itself is from the Madame Tussauds London archives, and was worn by the figure of Princess Diana in the 1980s.”
The royal headpiece is the one Kate has worn the most during her royal life and was also a favorite of her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, who wore it on multiple occasions. According to the Court Jeweller, the special tiara is more than 100 years old and was originally commissioned from the jeweler Garrard by Queen Mary in either 1913 or 1914.
The wax figure’s look was completed with a Royal Victorian Order blue sash as well as “the Royal Family Order of QEII and replica Greville Diamond Chandelier earrings.”
Kate’s wax figure stands beside her husband’s Madame Tussaud’s statue.
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Prince William’s figure also has a fresh look and has undergone an outfit change, with the 42-year-old’s statue now wearing a black Ede & Ravenscroft tuxedo — “a brand with a long history of providing attire for the Royal Family,” per the release.
The figure also sports a white bow tie, an Order of the Garter sash and star and army medals.
Jonathan Short/Madame Tussauds
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“We are delighted that a new figure of the much-loved Catherine, Princess of Wales, has officially landed in The Royal Palace Experience at our attraction in the heart of London, continuing our centuries-long work with the Royal Family,” Steve Blackburn, Senior General Manager at Madame Tussauds London, said in a statement.
“Only Madame Tussauds London can offer fans the truly immersive and unique opportunity to touch shoulders with past and present Royal Family members!,” he continued. “Kate, majestically crafted by our talented studio team, has been sculpted to ensure her resemblance is fit for a future Queen, alongside her dashing husband. We cordially invite you to meet the Prince and Princess of Wales this summer, right in the heart of the capital where the Royal Family resides!”
The public can view the Princess of Wales’ new figure from Thursday, May 21.
Entertainment
‘Love Island USA’ host Ariana Madix reveals which cosmetic treatments she gets

“Love Island USA” host Ariana Madix is coming clean about her cosmetic treatments.
“I just did my first laser treatment. I’ve been very interested in that for a long time. I keep things at a minimum,” Madix tells Page Six’s “Virtual Reali-Tea” hosts Evan Real and Danny Murphy in an exclusive interview.
She goes to reveal that she does get Botox “every six months or so.”
“I just got a little bit in my lips because they were getting a little crusty on the inside. I never go more than 0.5 at a time,” she adds. “Because I never want to look crazy.”
Madix, 39, explains that she started getting laser treatments to address skin laxity.
“Fine lines, I don’t give a s–t about, but skin laxity is something I’ve been dealing with,” she says.
Due to that, the “Vanderpump Rules” alum says she was told by professionals that she’s “not even a candidate” for facial fillers because she doesn’t “have the structure to support it.”
“That’s why we started on the lasers,” she elaborates. “So I will report back after I’ve had all the things.”
In addition to her cosmetic treatments, the former Bravolebrity reveals that she drinks “insane amounts of water, like 100 ounces a day” and “constantly” goes to the gym.
Madix acknowledges there is “a lot of pressure” when it comes to aging but tries to keep everything in perspective.
“I feel like you don’t want to be preoccupied with it too much,” she says. “But at the same time, if you feel good about doing something, go ahead and do it. At the end of the day, it’s nobody’s business.”
“I know in the industry, I am in a position where that stuff does matter, but I also know … I’m going to get older no matter what. … If you don’t age, you just die. I’d rather be aged than dead,” Madix adds.
Of course, this isn’t the first time the reality star has detailed her cosmetic enhancements.
While she isn’t doing facial fillers anymore, she confessing to getting filler in her chin and lip last July after a fan speculated she had a plethora of work done.
“i’ll tell you what i’ve had! you’re partially correct,” Madix commented in response at the time.
“tox in 11’s, outer brow, and my neck. ellevate for my neck in 2019 by @theneckdoctor. minimal lip filler bc my face is too small to handle very much and filler in my chin.”
“absolutely no filler anywhere else and def no bleph yet ❤️❤️,” she added. “hope this helps! i’ll keep yall posted if i do anything else.”
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