Justin Curto

Chicago

Music News Writer at Vulture

@vulture department of music & celebrity drama // seen in @people, @billboard, @kansascitymag, @nbn_tweets, others // he/him // [email protected]

Articles

Vulture - Diddy Trial

6 days ago | vulture.com | Victoria Bekiempis |Bethy Squires |Justin Curto |Claudia Rosenbaum

The arrest of Sean “Diddy” Combs, 55, came following a slew of abuse allegations, beginning with a bombshell federal lawsuit filed by ex-girlfriend Casandra “Cassie” Ventura in November 2023. Less than a year later, the first stages of his trial have officially commenced in federal court. Follow along here for the latest news and updates. Her testimony against Diddy showed a pattern of abuse. Including whether or not it will be televised.
What Do Critics Make of Rust, 3 Years After the Shooting?

1 week ago | vulture.com | Justin Curto

Shadowy. Three and a half years after an accidental on-set shooting killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, Rust is arriving in select theaters on May 2. The western will simultaneously be available to watch at home via video on demand. Some in the industry had questioned the decision to finish the film after star Alec Baldwin fired a prop gun while rehearsing a scene in October 2021, killing Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza.
The Accountant 2 Could’ve at Least Let Ben Affleck Find Love

2 weeks ago | vulture.com | Justin Curto

Light spoilers for The Accountant 2 follow. With his marriage to Jennifer Lopez fraying, Ben Affleck had the same first instinct as many Hollywood stars: Focus on an action movie. Sure, Affleck was already developing The Accountant 2 before he even married Lopez, but the action sequel became a favorite excuse for why he started skipping Lopez’s big events and living separately from her. It sounded like Affleck just wanted to bro out with Jon Bernthal on set to forget his girl trouble.
Cardinal Pulls Out Over Pope Letter, in a ‘Conclave’ Twist

2 weeks ago | vulture.com | Justin Curto

Was that a puff of pink smoke from the Sistine Chapel? Because the conclave drama is already starting. Cardinal Angelo Becciu will no longer be voting in the upcoming election for the new pope, the New York Times reported, after being shown a letter Pope Francis wrote before his death requesting Becciu not participate. And if that sounds familiar, that’s because something pretty similar happens in the 2024 drama Conclave, the reason you’re probably invested in all this in the first place.
Barbra Streisand’s Duet Album Features Mariah Carey & Ariana

2 weeks ago | vulture.com | Justin Curto

Mariah and Barbra. Barbra Streisand is going back to the way she was — that is, duetting with whomever she damn well wishes. The legendary performer is readying a sequel to her 2014 album, Partners, titled The Secret of Life. And oh, is it star-studded. This time, Streisand tapped rock icons like Paul McCartney and Bob Dylan, pop singer-songwriters Hozier and Laufey, and country star Tim McGraw.
Beyoncé Brings Both Her Daughters to the Cowboy Carter Tour

2 weeks ago | vulture.com | Justin Curto

Bey-haw! Beyoncé performing with her children on another tour? We swear, it’s déjà vu. The “Daughter” singer brought both of hers onstage during the first show of last night’s Cowboy Carter tour. During “Protector,” the song’s 7-year-old featured artist, Rumi Carter, took the stage for her mother to sing to her and to soak up some applause. Big sister Blue Ivy also joined in for a group hug that’ll remind you to pack tissues when you see the show.
Eric Church on His Most Surprising and Rebellious Music

2 weeks ago | vulture.com | Justin Curto

“I’m listening to the radio and everybody’s doing list songs at that time. And I was like, Well, shit, I can do that better than they’re doing it.” It took an old song for Eric Church to discover the sound of his new album. In 2023, the country star was invited by Trombone Shorty to perform at his annual Jazz Fest aftershow, Treme Threauxdown. Backstage, the two spoke about how uncommon it was for artists to now blend guitars and brass despite the instruments’ intertwined histories.
Cassie Assault Video Will Be Shown During Diddy Trial

2 weeks ago | vulture.com | Justin Curto

Sean Combs. Sean “Diddy” Combs’s sex-trafficking trial will include the footage of him assaulting ex-girlfriend Cassie in a hotel hallway, a judge ruled. But in a hearing on April 25, Judge Arun Subramanian ruled the 2016 video can be shown as evidence, Rolling Stone reported. The ruling comes as Cassie Ventura is preparing to testify under her own name as one of Diddy’s victims in the trial.
Kneecap Decry ‘Smear Campaign’ Over Palestine Support at Coachella

2 weeks ago | vulture.com | Justin Curto

Kneecap are continuing to stand for Palestine amid what the Irish rap group calls “a coordinated smear campaign” over their Coachella sets. The group projected pro-Palestine messages during their weekend-two performance on April 18, after being unable to during weekend one. Since then, Kneecap has faced backlash for the statements, with Sharon Osbourne even calling for their work visas to be revoked. Kneecap defended their performance as “telling the truth” in an X post on April 25.
Young Thug Addresses Gunna, YSL Trial on ‘Money on Money’

2 weeks ago | vulture.com | Justin Curto

Twin. Young Thug is back like he never left. On his new single, “Money on Money” — his first song since being released from prison last year — Thug counts his stacks alongside his friend Future. “I’m spendin’ this shit on my bitch and my kids,” he flaunts, topping it off with a few bars about his wheels and designer clothes. The first single off his upcoming album, Uy Scuti, “Money” is Thug turning the page after a RICO trial that alleged his record label YSL was also a criminal gang.