RYAN PEARSON

AP Entertainment Writer
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Vanessa Hudgens tries to break from Disney

Vanessa Hudgens has left "High School Musical" to make a movie about music — at a high school.

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Faryl Smith embraces Charlotte Church comparison

Famous before age 14 for classical singing on a TV talent show. A debut album in the top 10 on British pop charts. What next?

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Decades after the MGs, Booker T takes center stage

Booker T. Jones was flummoxed by the digital revolution. So he went to school.

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Buraka Som Sistema gets Coachella crowd jumping

Take note musicians: When playing the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, don't play your album, play to your audience.

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An energized Paul McCartney opens Coachella fest

Energized by the desert air and memory of his late wife, a playful and passionate Paul McCartney riffed on "Foxy Lady," led an after-midnight "Hey Jude" singalong and dedicated songs to his former bandmates at the Coachella music festival that kicked off Friday.

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Crowds fill seemingly recession-proof Coachella

Crowds appeared as big as ever at the seemingly recession-proof Coachella music festival, where Paul McCartney delivered an epic set of Beatles classics, M.I.A. ended her maternity leave and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs played Sunday alongside a giant inflated eyeball.

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Kanye West takes 'Heartbreak' on the road

Kanye West credits his dad for his risk-taking attitude.

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Kirk Douglas, at age 92, stars in one-man show

Kirk Douglas emerges from behind a black curtain and walks purposefully, if a bit unsteadily, to center stage.

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Rosie O'Donnell returns to TV in a Lifetime movie

Rosie O'Donnell says she doesn't have time these days to view "The View."

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Kratos returns in 'God of War III'

The gods must be crazy. Why else would they continue tormenting Kratos, a bald warrior who is as brutal as he is well-armed?

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Demi Lovato hopes Obama can end Iraq war

Disney star Demi Lovato is hoping for some changes under Barack Obama's administration.

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Matt Damon says he fears a Palin administration

Matt Damon says the selection of Sarah Palin as the Republican nominee for vice president could end up "like a really bad Disney movie" if John McCain wins the November presidential election.

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Kanye West performs on sidelines of Dem convention

Kanye West's regret on the day Barack Obama was nominated for president: That his mother, Donda, hadn't lived to experience it.

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Stars over the moon about Obama's speech

First word on Barack Obama's historic nomination acceptance speech from a bevy of celebrities in attendance was decidedly partisan: "It was excellent," Black Eyed Peas singer Fergie said. "It was amazing."

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Matthews, Crow kick off Democratic convention

Singing at the Democratic convention, Sheryl Crow dedicated her song "Strong Enough" to Barack Obama and then added a twist to the lyrics for the occasion.

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West, Lopez, Daughtry among stars in Denver

Never mind those stinging "celebrity" ads, or the rebuttal by Paris Hilton. Musicians, artists and Hollywood types are descending on Denver — and so what if Barack Obama doesn't need their star power?

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Toby Keith praises Obama

Barack Obama is getting praise from Nashville, courtesy of one big, patriotic country star.

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Thousands pay respects to comedy king Bernie Mac

As Cedric the Entertainer scanned the crowd of more than 6,000 gathered on Chicago's South Side to remember Bernie Mac on Saturday, he cracked that the comedy king was "still the hottest ticket in town."

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Lucas says `Indiana Jones' needs Ford to continue

George Lucas says he's already identified the one person who can keep the "Indiana Jones" franchise going: Harrison Ford.

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Morissette reflects on breakup with new CD

Alanis Morissette was so happy for a while. And there was no new music.

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With prime-time slot, MMA in clinch with mainstream

After coming on strong among young men in the last several years, the sport of mixed martial arts is headed for a clinch with mainstream pop culture.

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He's coming out: Diddy announces himself in Hollywood

When the one-man, publicity-generating whirlwind that is Diddy met the well-oiled hype machine of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, sparks were bound to fly.

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James Bond Finds 'Solace' a Bit Chile

After getting the bad end of his own ax in a fight, a bloodied villain limps alone in a stark desert. Mathieu Amalric stumbles to the red, rocky ground. "CUT!" rings loudly from the set of the 22nd James Bond film.

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Pap, Snap Thyself: in the Spears Zone

Clint Brewer is striking a pose. The paparazzo has just parked a black BMW sedan in the middle of Otsego Street in North Hollywood. He hops out to get a quick photo when Britney Spears enters her favorite dance studio.

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