What is behind Shakira’s new mission in Colombia?
The entertainment world had a week of unexpected moments, from a new Avengers showdown and the return of American Horror Story to a Chinese animated film that became an unlikely box office hit, Qazinform News Agency correspondent reports.
ZZ Top loses its heartbeat
Frank Beard, the longtime drummer of ZZ Top, has died at 77 after 56 years with the band. According to the statement on the band’s website, Beard died while in hospice care at his ranch in Richmond, Texas, with family members by his side. Together with Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill, he formed one of rock music’s most enduring lineups. After Hill died in 2021, Elwood Francis joined the band, which continued touring.
ZZ Top canceled shows in Salt Lake City and Colorado Springs following Beard’s death but plans to resume its The Big One! tour this weekend in Austin.
Hayden Panettiere dies at 36
Actress Hayden Panettiere, known for Heroes and Nashville, has died at 36. The Greenville County Coroner’s Office said Panettiere was found unresponsive and in cardiac arrest at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina, on Aug. 16. Resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful. An autopsy found no signs of trauma that contributed to her death, while the official cause and manner of death remain under investigation.
Shakira steps up for Colombia
Shakira has pledged to help rebuild at least 10 schools and restore a local university in Colombia’s earthquake-hit Chocó region.
Shakira turning compassion into action. ❤️🇨🇴
— World Music Official (@MusicOfficial26) August 18, 2026
After the earthquake damaged the University of Chocó, she announced plans to help rebuild it—and, alongside philanthropist Howard Graham Buffett, support the construction of 10 schools in the region. 🏫✨
A global superstar with a… pic.twitter.com/Tw6OpZzx9p
Shakira’s Fundación Pies Descalzos will lead the rebuilding efforts with local authorities and education communities. She has already raised more than $1.25 million. The singer also said she would personally dedicate her efforts to rebuilding the Technological University of Chocó, which was damaged in the Aug. 10 earthquake.
Avengers assemble... again
Marvel has unveiled a new trailer for Avengers: Doomsday, putting Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom at the center of a clash involving the Avengers, Fantastic Four and X-Men.
The two-minute trailer features Downey Jr., Chris Evans and Hayley Atwell, while Vanessa Kirby’s Sue Storm warns the heroes about the threat posed by Doom. The film is scheduled to hit theaters on Dec. 18, 2026.
The witches are back
American Horror Story is returning for its 13th season, and the new teaser brings back some of the franchise’s biggest names.
Jessica Lange, Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Kathy Bates, Angela Bassett and Emma Roberts are among the familiar faces returning. The season will revisit the world of Coven, with the story returning to Miss Robichaux’s Academy for witches. AHS: 13 will premiere on FX and Hulu on Sept. 24, with 13 half-hour episodes.
China’s worst-looking cartoon becomes a hit
A Chinese animated film mocked online for its crude graphics has turned into an unexpected box office sensation.
The film "Niu Lai" became a huge hit. Since the cinema had no promotional posters for "Niu Lai," they had to hand-paint promotional posters for it.#niulai #牛来 pic.twitter.com/qZ7JVIt0QE
— Record GBA (@RecordGBA) August 17, 2026
Niulai, or Bull Lai, was made by a mother-and-son team and initially attracted almost no attention. After Chinese social media users began sharing screenshots of its rough 3D models and awkward animation, curiosity sent audiences to theaters.
Bruce Willis makes a rare appearance
Bruce Willis made a rare public appearance at the wedding of his youngest daughter, Tallulah Willis, to musician Justin Acee.
Bruce Willis, who is living with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), joined daughter Tallulah Willis ahead of her wedding to Justin Acee at the start of the wedding weekend.
— HouseOfVanity (@HouseOfVanity88) August 14, 2026
The father and daughter shared a touching moment together. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/hG1LW3uYrF
The 71-year-old actor joined his family for the intimate Aug. 8 celebration at the couple’s home in Sun Valley, Idaho.
Robin Williams’ children take on AI slop
Robin Williams’ children have revived their father’s Instagram account to protect his legacy from AI-generated imitations.
Zak, Zelda and Cody Williams said they want the account to become a safe and trusted place for authentic photos, videos, stories and memories of their father. The move comes as AI-generated content using the late actor’s image and voice has become increasingly widespread.
The family said the account would help new generations discover Williams’ work while giving longtime fans a place to revisit his real performances and memories.
You can read last week’s edition of Popcorn in form here.