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By Luc Cohen and Jack Queen NEW YORK (Reuters) -Sean "Diddy" Combs' children urged leniency for their father at the hip-hop mogul's sentencing over prostitution charges on Friday, telling a judge that he has become a better man in the year since his arrest on sex crimes charges. "We aren't here to excuse any of his mistakes," Combs' 18-year-old daughter Jessie Combs said through tears. "But your honor, he is still our dad, and we still need him present in our lives." A jury on July 2 convicted Combs, 55, on two counts of arranging for paid male escorts to travel across state lines to take part in drug-fueled sexual performances – sometimes known as "Freak Offs" – with Combs' girlfriends while he recorded video and masturbated. The jury acquitted him on the more serious charges of racketeering and sex trafficking, which could have earned him a life sentence. Those charges hinged on prosecutors' accusation that Combs used violence and threats to coerce his girlfriends to take part in the encounters. Addressing U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian, Jessie's twin sister D'Lila Combs said she and her siblings were scared about being without their father after the 2018 death of their mother, the actress and model Kim Porter. "We've already lost so much," she said. "Please, your honor, please, give our family the chance to heal together." Combs put his head down as his children spoke, and had tears in his eyes when their remarks concluded. Subramanian thanked them. After the children spoke, his lawyers showed the court a video about Combs' background and philanthropy. The video showed Combs playing with his children, speaking to public school students, and running the New York Marathon to raise money for charity.  COMBS FACES UP TO 20 YEARS Combs, who has been behind bars at a Brooklyn jail since his September 2024 arrest, is expected to address the court later on Friday. He faces up to 20 years in prison, though the judge has wide discretion in crafting a punishment. Defense lawyers say the appropriate sentence is 14 months, which would mean Combs would be released by the end of the year after receiving credit for time served. Prosecutors are pushing for a sentence of at least 11-1/4 years. Earlier on Friday, prosecutor Christy Slavik said the defense was improperly seeking to portray Combs' conduct as a "minor consequence of a sex, drugs, and rock and roll lifestyle," and argued the judge should consider his abuse of his girlfriends.  "To not account for it now would be to let the defendant get away with years of domestic violence and abuse," Slavik said. Combs' lawyers acknowledged he had physically abused his girlfriends, but argued they willingly took part in the sexual performances. In a four-page letter to Subramanian, filed with the court on Thursday, Combs apologized "for all the hurt and pain that I caused others by my conduct," and asked the judge for mercy, saying, "I lost my way." Subramanian acknowledged that Combs had expressed remorse for some of his conduct, but said he had not apologized for the prostitution offenses at the heart of the conviction. Slavik also said Combs' apparent belief that he would not be handed a significant sentence showed he did not understand the seriousness of his conduct. She pointed to a September 29 letter written by the director of a nonprofit, filed with the court by Combs' lawyers, indicating that Combs had planned speaking engagements starting next week. Jason Driscoll, one of Combs' lawyers, said a stiff sentence would be inconsistent with other defendants convicted of transportation to engage in prostitution. Driscoll said many of those cases involved pimps who preyed on vulnerable women, and noted that Combs did not make money off the conduct at issue in his criminal case.  TRIAL CENTERED ON 'FREAK OFFS'  Combs pleaded not guilty and is expected to appeal his conviction after sentencing. The founder of Bad Boy Records, Combs is credited with elevating hip-hop's stature in American culture. The New York-born entrepreneur is one of the most prominent men in the entertainment industry to have faced trial on sex crimes charges.  Over the course of a two-month trial earlier this year, jurors heard testimony from two of Combs' former girlfriends – the rhythm-and-blues singer Casandra Ventura and a woman known in court by the pseudonym Jane. Both said he coerced them into partaking in the performances through violence and threats to withhold financial support.  Jurors saw surveillance footage of Combs kicking and dragging Ventura in a hotel hallway in 2016, an incident she testified took place after a Freak Off. Jane testified that Combs last year attacked her and told her to perform oral sex on a male escort after she said she did not want to.  Both Ventura and Jane also testified that they at times took part consensually because they loved Combs and wanted to please him.  (Reporting by Luc Cohen and Jack Queen in New York; Editing by Noeleen Walder, Nick Zieminski and Bill Berkrot)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

By Dawn Chmielewski LOS ANGELES, October 3 (Reuters) -Superstar Taylor Swift's 12th studio album, "The Life of a Showgirl," arrived on Friday with a promotional blitz including midnight sales at Target stores, a release party at movie theaters around the globe and pop-up experiences in New York and Los Angeles. It follows "The Tortured Poets Department", which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album chart, and sold the equivalent of 8 million albums in the United States, according to Luminate, a firm that tracks music sales. Swift's latest offering is expected to be similarly lapped up by her huge global fan base, even though the music press gave the release a mixed response. It became Spotify's most-streamed album of the year, hitting that milestone in less than 11 hours. "With this album it's exactly where I am at in my life," Swift told Britain's Capital Breakfast radio show, kicking off promotional appearances. "I am exactly in the same spot as I was when I made this record so it feels very accurate to my life experience right now." Swift once again worked with Swedish producers Max Martin and Shellback on "The Life of a Showgirl," the duo also worked on records including her best-selling album, ''1989,'' and ''Reputation." Many critics praised the upbeat songs and humor on the 12-song album, whose title track features Sabrina Carpenter. Rolling Stone gave it five stars saying Swift "shoots into a fresh echelon of superstardom — and hits all her marks", while Britain's BBC called it "a triumphant pop victory lap."  Awarding it two stars, The Financial Times and Guardian newspapers were cooler, with the former saying the album was "charismatic as ever, but lacks sparkle" and the latter describing it as "dull razzle-dazzle from a star who seems frazzled." Fans who went to the flagship HMV store in London to buy the album were nonetheless enthusiastic. "It's a little bit of a pivot for her," said Dan Poliak, 62, who lives in Seattle. "But the songs are great … (the album) shows off her songwriting as always, which is her strength. And it's fun. It's a fun album." 'RARE POSITION' Swift has been building anticipation for the album since August 11, when she posted a countdown on her website that kept fans waiting until 12:12 a.m. ET on August 12, when she revealed the new record. The next day, she appeared on the "New Heights" podcast hosted by her fiancé, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, and his brother, retired Philadelphia Eagles lineman Jason Kelce. The Top-10 rated sports and pop-culture podcast provided a friendly platform for Swift to talk about the album, which she said had been inspired by the joy she felt while performing around the world on her record-setting Eras Tour. The August 13 episode has surpassed 23.4 million views on YouTube.   "She occupies a very rare position in today's fragmented music landscape: she is an active superstar with a massive and loyal fan base," said Tatiana Cirisano, vice president of music strategy for MIDiA Research. These passionate followers, or "Swifties," help the artist rise to the top of the charts, said Cirisano. "So few can get such a massive number of people listening to the same thing at once. So, it would surprise me a lot if the new release did not reach her usual level of success," she said.  Even before the album was released, the Recording Industry Association of America said Swift had made history as the first and only female artist to surpass 100 million album sales. Once "The Life of a Showgirl" dropped, Google reported spikes in searches for lyrics to new songs, including "Opalite," "Ruin the Friendship" and "Actually Romantic," according to Google Trends.  Swift's globe-trotting Eras Tour was the highest-grossing tour of all time, surpassing $2 billion in ticket sales by the time it concluded in December 2024, according to Pollstar, a trade publication that tracks the concert industry. That figure does not include the boost to hotel and Airbnb rentals, restaurant tabs and merchandise sales.  Academics have said Swift rivals other pop icons, like Elvis or Michael Jackson, in terms of her cultural impact — whether it's driving tune-in to NFL games or leading voter registration drives. Business partners have been eager to tap into the phenomenon that's been dubbed "Swiftonomics." AMC Theatres announced plans to distribute "The Official Release Party of a Showgirl," an 89-minute film that features the album's first music video, "The Fate of Ophelia," behind-the-scenes footage, and Swift's reflections on the album's songs. It will be in limited release, from Friday through Sunday, in more than 50 markets. The limited release is expected to top U.S. and Canadian box office this weekend, bringing in $30 to $50 million in ticket sales, according to Daniel Loria, senior vice president of The Boxoffice Company, which provides insights to the movie industry. Retailer Target opened some stores at midnight to sell a limited-edition vinyl pressing of the album with a "gold shimmer," and three CDs featuring exclusive album and poster art. "Taylor Swift-related products and merchandise have been a bright spot for Target over the last few years, helping to offset sales weakness elsewhere," said Michael Baker, senior research analyst for D.A. Davidson, who noted a previous exclusive Swift book and special-edition vinyl record lifted the retailer's entertainment category. Music streaming service Spotify opened a three-day pop-up in New York on Tuesday, with song lyrics hidden among displays that included a dressing room and other trappings of a concert tour. On Friday, TikTok opened its own "Life of a Showgirl" installation in Los Angeles.  Swift's promotional appearances include stops on "The Graham Norton Show" on Friday, "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" on Monday and "Late Night with Seth Meyers" on Wednesday. (Additional reporting by Marie-Louise Gumuchian and Sarah Mills in London and Savyata Mishra in Bengaluru; Editing by Patricia Reaney and Toby Chopra)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

By Dawn Chmielewski LOS ANGELES, October 3 (Reuters) -Superstar Taylor Swift's 12th studio album, "The Life of a Showgirl," arrived on Friday with a promotional blitz including midnight sales at Target stores, a release party at movie theaters around the globe and pop-up experiences in New York and Los Angeles. It follows "The Tortured Poets Department", which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album chart, and sold the equivalent of 8 million albums in the United States, according to Luminate, a firm that tracks music sales. Swift's latest offering is expected to be similarly lapped up by her huge global fan base, even though the music press gave the release a mixed response.    "With this album it's exactly where I am at in my life," Swift told Britain's Capital Breakfast radio show, kicking off promotional appearances. "I am exactly in the same spot as I was when I made this record so it feels very accurate to my life experience right now." Swift once again worked with Swedish producers Max Martin and Shellback on this album, the duo also worked on records including her best-selling album ''1989,'' and ''Reputation." Many critics praised the upbeat songs and humor on the 12-song album, whose title track features Sabrina Carpenter. Rolling Stone gave it five stars saying Swift "shoots into a fresh echelon of superstardom — and hits all her marks", while Britain's BBC called it "a triumphant pop victory lap."  Awarding it two stars, The Financial Times and Guardian newspapers were cooler, with the former saying the album was "charismatic as ever, but lacks sparkle" and the latter describing it as "dull razzle-dazzle from a star who seems frazzled." Fans who went to the flagship HMV store in London to buy the album were nonetheless enthusiastic. "It's a little bit of a pivot for her," said Dan Poliak, 62, who lives in Seattle. "But the songs are great … (the album) shows off her songwriting as always, which is her strength. And it's fun. It's a fun album." 'RARE POSITION' Swift has been building anticipation for the album since August 11, when she posted a countdown on her website that kept fans waiting until 12:12 a.m. ET on August 12, when she revealed the new record. The next day, she appeared on the "New Heights" podcast hosted by her fiancé, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, and his brother, retired Philadelphia Eagles lineman Jason Kelce. The Top-10 rated sports and pop-culture podcast provided a friendly platform for Swift to talk about the album, which she said had been inspired by the joy she felt while performing around the world on her record-setting Eras Tour. The August 13 episode has surpassed 23.4 million views on YouTube.   "She occupies a very rare position in today's fragmented music landscape: she is an active superstar with a massive and loyal fan base," said Tatiana Cirisano, vice president of music strategy for MIDiA Research. These passionate followers, or "Swifties," help the artist rise to the top of the charts, said Cirisano. "So few can get such a massive number of people listening to the same thing at once. So, it would surprise me a lot if the new release did not reach her usual level of success," she said.  Even before the album was released, the Recording Industry Association of America said Swift had made history as the first and only female artist to surpass 100 million album sales. Once "The Life of a Showgirl" dropped, Google reported spikes in searches for lyrics to new songs, including "Opalite," "Ruin the Friendship" and "Actually Romantic," according to Google Trends.  Swift's globe-trotting Eras Tour was the highest-grossing tour of all time, surpassing $2 billion in ticket sales by the time it concluded in December 2024, according to Pollstar, a trade publication that tracks the concert industry. That figure does not include the boost to hotel and Airbnb rentals, restaurant tabs and merchandise sales.  Academics have said Swift rivals other pop icons, like Elvis or Michael Jackson, in terms of her cultural impact — whether it's driving tune-in to NFL games or leading voter registration drives. Business partners have been eager to tap into the phenomenon that's been dubbed "Swiftonomics." AMC Theatres announced plans to distribute "The Official Release Party of a Showgirl," an 89-minute film that features the album's first music video, "The Fate of Ophelia," behind-the-scenes footage, and Swift's reflections on the album's songs. It will be in limited release, from Friday through Sunday, in more than 50 markets. The limited release is expected to top U.S. and Canadian box office this weekend, bringing in $30 to $50 million in ticket sales, according to Daniel Loria, senior vice president of The Boxoffice Company, which provides insights to the movie industry. Retailer Target opened some stores at midnight to sell a limited-edition vinyl pressing of the album with a "gold shimmer," and three CDs featuring exclusive album and poster art. "Taylor Swift-related products and merchandise have been a bright spot for Target over the last few years, helping to offset sales weakness elsewhere," said Michael Baker, senior research analyst for D.A. Davidson, who noted a previous exclusive Swift book and special-edition vinyl record lifted the retailer's entertainment category. Music streaming service Spotify opened a three-day pop-up in New York on Tuesday, with song lyrics hidden among displays that included a dressing room and other trappings of a concert tour. On Friday, TikTok opened its own "Life of a Showgirl" installation in Los Angeles. Swift's promotional appearances include stops on "The Graham Norton Show" on Friday, "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" on Monday and "Late Night with Seth Meyers" on Wednesday. (Additional reporting by Marie-Louise Gumuchian and Sarah Mills in London; Editing by Patricia Reaney and Toby Chopra)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

(Corrects paragraph 2 in Oct. 2 story to say market is facing slower growth, not a downturn. Also corrects paragraph 8 to say PIF, and not its gaming arm, has bought or made major investments. The error also appeared in an earlier version of the story) By Zaheer Kachwala (Reuters) -Electronic Arts' record $55 billion leveraged buyout by Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund and two other firms marks a turning point in the videogame industry, as companies look to capitalize on intellectual property through media crossovers. Despite being the largest entertainment industry in the world, the videogame market is facing slower growth as consumers rein in spending in response to higher prices, forcing companies and executives to think of other ways to leverage successful IP. One way they're doing that is through other types of media – like film and television. Acquiring EA means the company's incoming owners, Silver Lake, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Jared Kushner's Affinity Partners, get their hands on properties including "Battlefield", "Apex Legends" and "The Sims." Other companies of late have found success in translating wildly popular video games into film and television franchises, whereas in decades past, such adaptations – such as 2005's "Doom" or 2009's "Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li" – often received poor reviews and stumbled at the box office. The global success of Sony's "The Last of Us" television series in 2023 spurred Hollywood studios and gaming publishers to greenlight the film and TV adaptations of popular videogame intellectual properties. Those include Amazon Prime's "Fallout" series, a new season of Riot Games' "Arcane", Warner Bros' "A Minecraft Movie", and sequels to Nintendo's "Super Mario Bros" film and the "Mortal Kombat" movie. "Call of Duty" is also expected to be adapted for the big screen in a Paramount Skydance production. EA, which is gearing up to launch the highly anticipated "Battlefield 6", already announced plans last year to partner with Amazon's MGM Studios to produce a film based on its simulation role-playing game, "The Sims". "The direction of travel is clear in the longer term, and the value of high-end video gaming IP is only increasing as players continue to concentrate engagement among fewer, more popular franchises and games," Raymond James analysts said.  PIF has bought or made major investments in other video game companies such as Take-Two Interactive and Nintendo and has also bet big on growing other entertainment sectors, having signed deals to expand cinemas in the kingdom and taking a stake in Japanese animation firm Toei Co.  "The PIF has shown heightened interest in entertainment assets with prominent positions in popular culture. I would expect them to be more focused on digital media and less on print media, or traditional film and TV delivery models like linear television and movie theaters," said Jon Wakelin, Partner at tech strategy consulting firm Altman Solon. Experts say that while paying hefty amounts to own large IP could benefit in the long run, high production and development costs could pose a financial risk if it is not deployed appropriately. For example, Swedish videogame group Embracer went on an acquisition spree over the last three to four years, buying up dozens of smaller studios and beefing up its portfolio of games. However, poor critical reviews for big titles and canceled projects hit the firm, leading to a three-way split of the company last year. "Consolidating IP during a down market has its short-term benefits, but more often than not, ends up running into inefficiencies and a devaluation," said Joost van Dreunen, games professor at NYU Stern School of Business. (Reporting by Zaheer Kachwala in Bengaluru; Editing by Pooja Desai)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

By Dawn Chmielewski LOS ANGELES, October 3 (Reuters) -Superstar Taylor Swift's 12th studio album, "The Life of a Showgirl," arrived on Friday with a promotional blitz including midnight sales at Target stores, a release party at movie theaters around the globe and pop-up experiences in New York and Los Angeles. It follows "The Tortured Poets Department", which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album chart, and sold the equivalent of 8 million albums in the United States, according to Luminate, a firm that tracks music sales. Swift's latest offering is expected to be similarly lapped up by her huge global fan base, even though the music press gave the release a mixed response.    "With this album it's exactly where I am at in my life," Swift told Britain's Capital Breakfast radio show, kicking off promotional appearances. "I am exactly in the same spot as I was when I made this record so it feels very accurate to my life experience right now." Many critics praised the upbeat songs and humour on the 12-song album, whose title track features Sabrina Carpenter. Rolling Stone gave it five stars saying Swift "shoots into a fresh echelon of superstardom — and hits all her marks", while Britain's BBC called it "a triumphant pop victory lap". Awarding it two stars, The Financial Times and Guardian newspapers were cooler, with the former saying the album was "charismatic as ever, but lacks sparkle" and the latter describing it as "dull razzle-dazzle from a star who seems frazzled". 'RARE POSITION' Swift has been building anticipation for the album since August 11, when she posted a countdown on her website that kept fans waiting until 12:12 a.m. ET on August 12, when she revealed the new record. The next day, she appeared on the "New Heights" podcast hosted by her fiancé, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, and his brother, retired Philadelphia Eagles lineman Jason Kelce. The Top-10 rated sports and pop-culture podcast provided a friendly platform for Swift to talk about the album, which she said had been inspired by the joy she felt while performing around the world on her record-setting Eras Tour. The August 13 episode has surpassed 23.4 million views on YouTube.   "She occupies a very rare position in today's fragmented music landscape: she is an active superstar with a massive and loyal fan base," said Tatiana Cirisano, vice president of music strategy for MIDiA Research. These passionate followers, or "Swifties," help the artist rise to the top of the charts, said Cirisano. "So few can get such a massive number of people listening to the same thing at once. So, it would surprise me a lot if the new release did not reach her usual level of success," she said.      Swift's globe-trotting Eras Tour was the highest-grossing tour of all time, surpassing $2 billion in ticket sales by the time it concluded in December 2024, according to Pollstar, a trade publication that tracks the concert industry. That figure does not include the boost to hotel and Airbnb rentals, restaurant tabs and merchandise sales.  Academics have said Swift rivals other pop icons, like Elvis or Michael Jackson, in terms of her cultural impact — whether it's driving tune-in to NFL gamesor leading voter registration drives. Business partners have been eager to tap into the phenomenon that's been dubbed "Swiftonomics." AMC Theatres announced plans to distribute "The Official Release Party of a Showgirl," an 89-minute film that features the album's first music video, "The Fate of Ophelia," behind-the-scenes footage, and Swift's reflections on the album's songs. It will be in limited release, from Friday through Sunday, in more than 50 markets. Retailer Target opened some stores at midnight to sell a limited-edition vinyl pressing of the album with a "gold shimmer," and three CDs featuring exclusive album and poster art. Music streaming service Spotify opened a three-day pop-up in New York on Tuesday, with song lyrics hidden among displays that included a dressing room and other trappings of a concert tour. On Friday, TikTok opened its own "Life of a Showgirl" installation in Los Angeles. Swift's promotional appearances include stops on "The Graham Norton Show" on Friday, "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" on Monday and "Late Night with Seth Meyers" on Wednesday. (Additional reporting by Marie-Louise Gumuchian in London; Editing by Patricia Reaney and Toby Chopra)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

By Luc Cohen and Jack Queen NEW YORK (Reuters) -Sean "Diddy" Combs has not fully expressed remorse for the conduct that led to his conviction on prostitution-related charges, a U.S. judge said on Friday at the hip-hop mogul's sentencing hearing.  A jury on July 2 convicted Combs, 55, on two counts of arranging for paid male escorts to travel across state lines to take part in drug-fueled sexual performances – sometimes known as "Freak Offs" – with Combs' girlfriends while he recorded video and masturbated. The jury acquitted him on the more serious charges of racketeering and sex trafficking, which could have earned him a life sentence. Those charges hinged on prosecutors' accusation that Combs used violence and threats to coerce his girlfriends to take part in the encounters.  Combs' lawyers acknowledged he had physically abused his girlfriends, but argued they willingly took part in the sexual performances. In a four-page letter to Subramanian, filed with the court on Thursday, Combs apologized "for all the hurt and pain that I caused others by my conduct," and asked the judge for mercy, saying, "I lost my way." U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian said the "narrative" advanced by Combs and his lawyers that the case involved nothing more than transporting people across state lines to engage in consensual sexual activity was "flatly inconsistent with both reality and any acceptance of responsibility."  Subramanian said Combs had expressed remorse for some of his conduct, but said he had not apologized for the prostitution offenses at the heart of the conviction.   Subramanian has not yet imposed the sentence. The judge said he agreed with the probation officers that federal guidelines call for a sentence between 5-3/4 years and 7-1/4 years, but also said the guidelines were merely advisory.  Combs faces up to 20 years in prison, though the judge has wide discretion in crafting a punishment. Prosecutors are pushing for a sentence of at least 11-1/4 years. Prosecutor Christy Slavik said the defense was improperly seeking to portray Combs' conduct as a "minor consequence of a sex, drugs, and rock and roll lifestyle," and argued the judge should consider his abuse of his girlfriends.  "To not account for it now would be to let the defendant get away with years of domestic violence and abuse," Slavik said.  Defense lawyers say the appropriate sentence is 14 months, which would mean Combs would be released by the end of the year after receiving credit for time served. They say evidence of Combs' abuse should not factor into his sentencing. Combs and his lawyers are expected to address the court later on Friday.  TRIAL CENTERED ON 'FREAK OFFS'  Combs pleaded not guilty and is expected to appeal his conviction after sentencing. The founder of Bad Boy Records, Combs is credited with elevating hip-hop's stature in American culture. The New York-born entrepreneur is one of the most prominent men in the entertainment industry to have faced trial on sex crimes charges.  Over the course of a two-month trial earlier this year, jurors heard testimony from two of Combs' former girlfriends – the rhythm-and-blues singer Casandra Ventura and a woman known in court by the pseudonym Jane – into partaking in the performances through violence and threats to withhold financial support.  Jurors saw surveillance footage of Combs kicking and dragging Ventura in a hotel hallway in 2016, an incident she testified took place after a Freak Off. Jane testified that Combs last year attacked her and told her to perform oral sex on a male escort after she said she did not want to.   Both Ventura and Jane also testified that they at times took part consensually because they loved Combs and wanted to please him.  JUDGE CALLS DEFENSE LETTER 'INAPPROPRIATE'  At the outset of the hearing,  Slavik said a former personal assistant to Combs who had been planning to speak at the sentencing had changed her mind.  The woman, known in court by the pseudonym Mia, testified at his trial that he raped her multiple times. Slavik said her decision to no longer speak was do in part to a letter Combs' defense lawyers filed on Wednesday accusing Mia of lying, which the prosecutor described as "bullying."  Subramanian said he agreed with Slavik. "The tone of the defense's letter was inappropriate," the judge said.  Combs, who has been behind bars at a Brooklyn jail since his conviction, is expected to address the court. Two or three of Combs' children are also expected to speak, defense lawyer Brian Steel said.  (Reporting by Luc Cohen and Jack Queen in New York;Editing by Noeleen Walder and Nick Zieminski)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

By Luc Cohen and Jack Queen NEW YORK (Reuters) -Sean "Diddy" Combs sentencing hearing on prostitution-related charges kicked off on Friday, with prosecutors pushing for the hip-hop mogul to spend more than a decade in prison and the defense urging his swift release.  Combs, wearing a sweater and sporting a gray beard, hugged his lawyers as he entered U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian's courtroom in Manhattan shortly after 10 a.m. EDT (1400 GMT). Combs faces up to 20 years in prison, though the judge has a wide degree of discretion in crafting a punishment. At the outset of the hearing, prosecutor Christy Slavik said a former personal assistant to Combs who had been planning to speak at the sentencing had changed her mind.  The woman, known in court by the pseudonym Mia, testified at his trial that he raped her multiple times. Slavik said her decision to no longer speak was do in part to a letter Combs' defense lawyers filed on Wednesday accusing Mia of lying, which the prosecutor described as "bullying."  Subramanian said he agreed with Slavik. "The tone of the defense's letter was inappropriate," the judge said.  Combs, who has been behind bars at a Brooklyn jail since his conviction, is expected to address the court. Two or three of Combs' children are also expected to speak, defense lawyer Brian Steel said.  "It appears that the defense is trying to drown out the voices of victims with character witnesses," Slavik said.  Prosecutors are pushing for Combs to spend 11-1/4 years in prison.  Defense lawyers say the appropriate sentence is 14 months, which would mean Combs would be released by the end of the year after receiving credit for time served. COMBS EXPECTED TO APPEAL  A jury on July 2 convicted Combs, 55, on two counts of arranging for paid male escorts to travel across state lines to take part in drug-fueled sexual performances – sometimes known as "Freak Offs" – with Combs' girlfriends while he recorded video and masturbated. The jury acquitted him on the more serious charges of racketeering and sex trafficking, which could have earned him a life sentence.  Combs pleaded not guilty and is expected to appeal his conviction after sentencing. The founder of Bad Boy Records, Combs is credited with elevating hip-hop's stature in American culture. The New York-born entrepreneur is one of the most prominent men in the entertainment industry to have faced trial on sex crimes charges.  In a four-page letter to Subramanian, filed with the court on Thursday, Combs apologized "for all the hurt and pain that I caused others by my conduct," and asked the judge for mercy, saying, "I lost my way." "Lost in the drugs and excess. My downfall was rooted in my selfishness," he wrote, adding that the ordeal of incarceration had left him "humbled and broken to my core." He also said he was now sober for the first time in 25 years. Combs' lawyers also want to play an 11-minute video about him at the sentencing. The video shows Combs with his family, speaking to school children, and running the New York marathon to raise money for charity.  TRIAL CENTERED ON 'FREAK OFFS'  Over the course of a two-month trial earlier this year, prosecutors with the Manhattan U.S. Attorney's office argued Combs coerced two of his former girlfriends – the rhythm-and-blues singer Casandra Ventura and a woman known in court by the pseudonym Jane – into partaking in the performances through violence and threats to withhold financial support.  Jurors saw surveillance footage of Combs kicking and dragging Ventura in a hotel hallway in 2016, an incident she testified took place after a Freak Off. Jane testified that Combs last year attacked her and told her to perform oral sex on a male escort after she said she did not want to.  Combs' lawyers acknowledged he had physically abused his girlfriends, but argued they willingly took part in the sexual performances. Both Ventura and Jane testified that they at times took part consensually because they loved Combs and wanted to please him.  The defense says evidence of Combs' abuse should not factor into his sentencing, while prosecutors said federal guidelines call for higher sentences when crimes involve threats or bodily injury.  (Reporting by Luc Cohen and Jack Queen in New York;Editing by Noeleen Walder and Nick Zieminski)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

By Luc Cohen and Jack Queen NEW YORK (Reuters) -Sean "Diddy" Combs arrived in court on Friday for his sentencing on prostitution-related charges, with prosecutors pushing for the hip-hop mogul to spend more than a decade in prison and the defense urging his swift release.  Combs, wearing a sweater and sporting a gray beard, hugged his lawyers as he entered U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian's courtroom in Manhattan shortly after 10 a.m. EDT (1400 GMT). Combs faces up to 20 years in prison, though the judge has a wide degree of discretion in crafting a punishment. A jury on July 2 convicted Combs, 55, on two counts of arranging for paid male escorts to travel across state lines to take part in drug-fueled sexual performances – sometimes known as "Freak Offs" – with Combs' girlfriends while he recorded video and masturbated. The jury acquitted him on the more serious charges of racketeering and sex trafficking, which could have earned him a life sentence.  Combs pleaded not guilty and is expected to appeal his conviction after sentencing. The founder of Bad Boy Records, Combs is credited with elevating hip-hop's stature in American culture. The New York-born entrepreneur is one of the most prominent men in the entertainment industry to have faced trial on sex crimes charges.  Combs, who has been behind bars at a Brooklyn jail since his conviction, is expected to address the court.  In a four-page letter to Subramanian, filed with the court on Thursday, Combs apologized "for all the hurt and pain that I caused others by my conduct," and asked the judge for mercy, saying, "I lost my way." "Lost in the drugs and excess. My downfall was rooted in my selfishness," he wrote, adding that the ordeal of incarceration had left him "humbled and broken to my core." He also said he was now sober for the first time in 25 years. Combs' lawyers also want to play an 11-minute video about him for the court at the hearing. The video shows Combs with his family, speaking to school children, and running the New York marathon to raise money for charity.  A former personal assistant to Combs, known in court by the pseudonym Mia, is also expected to speak. Mia testified at his trial that he raped her multiple times.  TRIAL CENTERED ON 'FREAK OFFS'  Over the course of a two-month trial earlier this year, prosecutors with the Manhattan U.S. Attorney's office argued Combs coerced two of his former girlfriends – the rhythm-and-blues singer Casandra Ventura and a woman known in court by the pseudonym Jane – into partaking in the performances through violence and threats to withhold financial support.  Jurors saw surveillance footage of Combs kicking and dragging Ventura in a hotel hallway in 2016, an incident she testified took place after a Freak Off. Jane testified that Combs last year attacked her and told her to perform oral sex on a male escort after she said she did not want to.  Combs' lawyers acknowledged he had physically abused his girlfriends, but argued they willingly took part in the sexual performances. Both Ventura and Jane testified that they at times took part consensually because they loved Combs and wanted to please him.  COMBS TAUGHT JAIL COURSE Prosecutors are pushing for Combs to spend 11-1/4 years in prison.  Defense lawyers say the appropriate sentence is 14 months, which would mean Combs would be released by the end of the year after receiving credit for time served. In pushing for leniency, Combs' lawyers said he helped his fellow inmates at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center by teaching a six-week course on business management and personal development called "Free Game with Diddy." As part of the class, inmates were required to write an essay about "lessons learned from Sean 'Diddy' Combs' journey," court filings show. Combs' sentence could hinge in part on how much weight Subramanian gives to evidence he physically abused his girlfriends. Defense lawyers say Combs' acquittal on the sex trafficking and racketeering charges means that evidence of his abuse should play no role at sentencing. "The scene and images of me assaulting Cassie play over and over in my head daily," Combs wrote in his letter to the judge, expressing remorse and "shame" for the incident. "I was dead wrong for putting my hands on the woman that I loved." Prosecutors said federal guidelines call for higher sentences when crimes involve threats or bodily injury. They said other people convicted on prostitution-related offenses involving violence regularly face significant penalties.  "The defendant should be no exception," prosecutors wrote in a September 30 filing, "particularly when his history and characteristics demonstrate years of violence." (Reporting by Luc Cohen and Jack Queen in New York;Editing by Noeleen Walder and Nick Zieminski)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

By Luc Cohen and Jack Queen NEW YORK (Reuters) -Sean "Diddy" Combs arrived in court on Friday for his sentencing on prostitution-related charges, with prosecutors pushing for the hip-hop mogul to spend more than a decade in prison and the defense urging his swift release.  Combs, wearing a sweater and sporting a gray beard, hugged his lawyers as he entered U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian's courtroom in Manhattan shortly after 10 a.m. EDT (1400 GMT). Combs faces up to 20 years in prison, though the judge has a wide degree of discretion in crafting a punishment. A jury on July 2 convicted Combs, 55, on two counts of arranging for paid male escorts to travel across state lines to take part in drug-fueled sexual performances – sometimes known as "Freak Offs" – with Combs' girlfriends while he recorded video and masturbated. The jury acquitted him on the more serious charges of racketeering and sex trafficking, which could have earned him a life sentence.  Combs pleaded not guilty and is expected to appeal his conviction after sentencing. The founder of Bad Boy Records, Combs is credited with elevating hip-hop's stature in American culture. The New York-born entrepreneur is one of the most prominent men in the entertainment industry to have faced trial on sex crimes charges.  Combs, who has been behind bars at a Brooklyn jail since his conviction, is expected to address the court.  In a four-page letter to Subramanian, filed with the court on Thursday, Combs apologized "for all the hurt and pain that I caused others by my conduct," and asked the judge for mercy, saying, "I lost my way." "Lost in the drugs and excess. My downfall was rooted in my selfishness," he wrote, adding that the ordeal of incarceration had left him "humbled and broken to my core." He also said he was now sober for the first time in 25 years. Combs' lawyers also want to play an 11-minute video about him for the court at the hearing. The video shows Combs with his family, speaking to school children, and running the New York marathon to raise money for charity.  A former personal assistant to Combs, known in court by the pseudonym Mia, is also expected to speak. Mia testified at his trial that he raped her multiple times.  TRIAL CENTERED ON 'FREAK OFFS'  Over the course of a two-month trial earlier this year, prosecutors with the Manhattan U.S. Attorney's office argued Combs coerced two of his former girlfriends – the rhythm-and-blues singer Casandra Ventura and a woman known in court by the pseudonym Jane – into partaking in the performances through violence and threats to withhold financial support.  Jurors saw surveillance footage of Combs kicking and dragging Ventura in a hotel hallway in 2016, an incident she testified took place after a Freak Off. Jane testified that Combs last year attacked her and told her to perform oral sex on a male escort after she said she did not want to.  Combs' lawyers acknowledged he had physically abused his girlfriends, but argued they willingly took part in the sexual performances. Both Ventura and Jane testified that they at times took part consensually because they loved Combs and wanted to please him.  COMBS TAUGHT JAIL COURSE Prosecutors are pushing for Combs to spend 11-1/4 years in prison.  Defense lawyers say the appropriate sentence is 14 months, which would mean Combs would be released by the end of the year after receiving credit for time served. In pushing for leniency, Combs' lawyers said he helped his fellow inmates at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center by teaching a six-week course on business management and personal development called "Free Game with Diddy." As part of the class, inmates were required to write an essay about "lessons learned from Sean 'Diddy' Combs' journey," court filings show. Combs' sentence could hinge in part on how much weight Subramanian gives to evidence he physically abused his girlfriends. Defense lawyers say Combs' acquittal on the sex trafficking and racketeering charges means that evidence of his abuse should play no role at sentencing. "The scene and images of me assaulting Cassie play over and over in my head daily," Combs wrote in his letter to the judge, expressing remorse and "shame" for the incident. "I was dead wrong for putting my hands on the woman that I loved." Prosecutors said federal guidelines call for higher sentences when crimes involve threats or bodily injury. They said other people convicted on prostitution-related offenses involving violence regularly face significant penalties.  "The defendant should be no exception," prosecutors wrote in a September 30 filing, "particularly when his history and characteristics demonstrate years of violence." (Reporting by Luc Cohen and Jack Queen in New York;Editing by Noeleen Walder and Nick Zieminski)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

By Danielle Broadway LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -While the lead vocalists in animated film "KPop Demon Hunters" are largely inspired by the work of other K-Pop artists, EJAE, Rei Ami and Audrey Nuna said they also admire Black American hip-hop stars like Kendrick Lamar, Missy Elliott and Doechii.  “I think I discovered West Coast rap in high school, and I learned a lot about storytelling, lyricism and rhythm,” Korean American rapper and singer Rei Ami said. All three vocalists told Reuters that rapper and record producer Lamar’s music had particularly impacted their musical styles.  “His (Lamar’s) flow is insane, cadence, his way of writing, his way of vocal producing, I learned a lot from that,” Korean American singer and songwriter EJAE said.  "KPop Demon Hunters," directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans and available on Netflix, is trending around the world. Its soundtrack has dominated the charts this summer, boasting more than 3 billion global streams to date, and breakout hit “Golden” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, Netflix reported in August. The streaming platform reported on Tuesday that the movie was currently its most popular English-language film. A sing-along version of "KPop Demon Hunters" topped the domestic box office during its opening weekend on August 23 and 24, in what appeared to be a historic first for Netflix.  The action-packed movie received 2.1 billion on-demand audio and video streams in the U.S. across all platforms and earned a total of 5.4 billion minutes watched on Netflix in the U.S. by late September, according to Luminate. Luminate added it was the most-consumed soundtrack in the U.S. so far this year when looking at album sales and streaming equivalents.  FIRST LIVE PERFORMANCE WILL BE ON 'THE TONIGHT SHOW' On October 7, the singers will perform "Golden" on "The Tonight Show," marking their first-ever live performance together.  "It's official," the singers said in unison, confirming their upcoming live performance debut. "These girls, it's an honor being on stage with them," Rei Ami said, noting that for her, this history-making moment is "overdue."  The movie, which came out on June 20, follows a K-pop girl group called HUNTR/X, comprised of Rumi, Mira, and Zoey, who are also a trio of demon hunters that perform K-pop music to impress fans and combat demons.  EJAE, provides the singing voice for the lead singer Rumi and cowrote "Golden,” which she performs with Rei Ami, who sings as Zoey, and Audrey Nuna, who’s the vocalist for Mira. The film was produced by Sony Pictures Animation.  With the musical movie continuing to trend, directors Kang and Appelhans said they are considering what the future may hold. Both said they are thinking about a potential sequel, but right now, they are just trying to take their busy schedules day by day.   They are also appreciative of the Oscar and Grammy awards buzz they have received. “It’s an honor to be even recognized, to be potential nominees,” Kang said.  (Reporting by Danielle Broadway and Jane Ross; Editing by Mary Milliken and Jamie Freed)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)