KBC Channel 1

Author: Nzula Nzyoka

  • Trump, Melania slam Kimmel for ‘widow’ joke

    Trump, Melania slam Kimmel for ‘widow’ joke

    US President Donald Trump called for comedian Jimmy Kimmel to be fired for likening First Lady Melania Trump to an “expectant widow” in a joke made days before a third alleged attempt to assassinate Trump.

    Melania Trump herself had earlier lashed out at Kimmel in a rare statement, calling on US broadcaster ABC to “take a stand” against the late-night host over his comments.

    Kimmel made the remarks last Thursday, before the shooting incident at the White House Correspondents Dinner in Washington on Saturday, which Trump attended.

    In a monologue, Kimmel portrayed himself as the MC of that upcoming banquet. It included a segment in which he addressed the first lady in the audience and said, “Mrs Trump, you have a glow like an expectant widow.”

    Trump turns 80 in June and is the oldest president ever to take office in the United States. His wife, a former model who was born in Slovenia, is 56.

    “I appreciate that so many people are incensed by Kimmel’s despicable call to violence, and normally would not be responsive to anything that he said but this is something far beyond the pale,” Trump said on his Truth Social platform.

    “Jimmy Kimmel should be immediately fired by Disney and ABC,” he said, referring to ABC’s parent company Disney.

    Hitting out at Kimmel on X, the first lady said Kimmel’s “monologue about my family isn’t comedy, his words are corrosive and deepen the political sickness within America.”

    ‘Cult of hatred’

    As a prominent late-night comedy host, Kimmel has been at the heart of the debate over constitutionally protected speech.

    Kimmel was briefly suspended from his show on the ABC network last September following government pressure after he said Trump’s hard-right MAGA movement was trying to make political capital from the assassination of influencer Charlie Kirk.

    “A coward, Kimmel hides behind ABC because he knows the network will keep running cover to protect him,” the first lady added.

    “Enough is enough. It is time for ABC to take a stand. How many times will ABC’s leadership enable Kimmel’s atrocious behaviour at the expense of our community?”

    While Trump took a rare conciliatory tone towards the media in a press conference after the gala shooting, the White House has since hardened its stance.

    “The left-wing cult of hatred against the president and all of those who support him and work for him has gotten multiple people hurt and killed, and it almost did so again this weekend,” Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told a briefing.

    Trump himself has pushed the barriers of presidential precedent in terms of using language towards political opponents that critics say is polarising and sometimes violent.

    But Leavitt, who was on stage with Trump at the dinner when the incident happened, said there had been “systemic demonisation” of the 79-year-old president.

    “Nobody in recent years has faced more bullets and more violence than President Trump,” said Leavitt, who returned from maternity leave to host the briefing at the White House.

    “Those who constantly, falsely label and slander the president as a fascist, as a threat to democracy, and compare him to Hitler to score political points, are fueling this kind of violence,” she added.

  • Taylor Swift files to trademark her voice amid AI clone boom

    Taylor Swift files to trademark her voice amid AI clone boom

    Taylor Swift has filed applications with the US intellectual property office to trademark her voice, a move similar to one made by actor Matthew McConaughey, as AI-generated content surges.

    The singer submitted two sound recordings to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Each begins with “Hey, it’s Taylor” and announces the release of her latest album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” which was released in early October.

    Another document submitted to the USPTO on Friday was a photo of the artist on stage. The submissions were first spotted by intellectual property attorney Josh Gerben.

    The filings give no further details about the submission.

    Contacted by AFP, Taylor Swift’s publicist did not immediately respond.

    McConaughey has in recent years pursued an application with the USPTO, framed as protection against the unauthorised use of his voice by AI models.

    They include audio of him saying “Alright, alright, alright!”, his memorable line from the 1993 film “Dazed and Confused”, along with audio of him saying “Just keep livin’, right?” followed by additional short phrases.

    Advances in AI models now make it possible to synthesise a voice in seconds from a short clip, whereas just a few years ago the process required lengthy recordings and several days.

    Many artists are increasingly concerned about the unchecked use of their image and voice by AI platforms.

    Several US states have passed laws prohibiting such use, though many apply primarily to malicious or commercial exploitation.

    Only a few, notably the ELVIS Act passed by Tennessee’s state legislature in 2024, offer broader protections.

    Few performers have turned to the courts to assert their rights.

    The most notable example is Scarlett Johansson, who sued the app Lisa AI in 2023 for creating, without her consent, an AI avatar in her likeness for use in an advertisement.

  • Azziad unveiled as Maybelline Digital Spokesperson

    Azziad unveiled as Maybelline Digital Spokesperson

    Kenyan content creator and media personality Azziad Nasenya has been unveiled as Maybelline New York’s first Digital Spokesperson for Sub-Saharan Africa.

    Azziad announced the news via social media with a clip from the launch, positioning the milestone as both a personal achievement and a broader cultural shift.

    “This is history… I’ve officially been introduced as Maybelline New York’s Digital Spokesperson for Sub-Saharan Africa, and what makes this so surreal is that it has never been done before, not in Kenya, not in East Africa,” she said. “A global beauty brand choosing a digital voice from here to represent an entire region means we’re no longer just watching global conversations…”

    With this new role, Azziad now joins a growing list of Kenyan figures who have fronted international beauty brands, including Lupita Nyong’o, who has served as a global ambassador for Lancôme, model Malaika Firth, who served as ambassador for the fragrance Dream and digital star Elsa Majimbo, who has collaborated with Fenty Beauty.

    This isn’t the first time the New York-based beauty brand has worked with an African ambassador. In 2023, Maybelline tapped Nigerian singer Ayra Starr as spokesperson for the brand in Sub-Saharan Africa.

    In her statement, Azziad said the move represented a bigger cultural shift.

    “We are part of them, and for me, this is bigger than a title, it’s representation, it’s impact, it’s shifting how our beauty, our stories, and our faces are seen across Africa and this is only the beginning.”

    KBC Digital has reached out to Maybelline for comment.

  • CinemaWave launches with aim of bridging film distribution gap

    CinemaWave launches with aim of bridging film distribution gap

    CinemaWave, an initiative launched by Bigger Motion (Kenya) and Kaze Productions (Rwanda), has begun distributing Kenyan-made films to local communities.

    Making its debut at the Machakos Social Hall with the screening of the 2018 film ‘Super Modo’, it “marks the beginning of a long-term partnership aimed at making high-quality African stories accessible beyond traditional urban cinema circuits”, according to the partners.

    In a statement seen by KBC Digital, the initiative aims to ensure that Kenyan films winning global acclaim are available to watch in Kenya.

    “CinemaWave Africa was born from a shared vision between Bigger Motion and Kaze Productions to bridge the gap between international acclaim and local viewership,” the statement read. “While African films continue to win prestigious awards globally, the initiative recognises that the most meaningful impact happens when these stories are embraced by the communities they represent.”

    The initiative is also expected to be affordable for local communities across Kenya.

    “To make this possible, screenings are offered at a subsidised fee, ensuring accessibility for community members across all ages and backgrounds,” the statement continued. “The initiative seeks to redefine how films are exhibited, moving toward a model that prioritises community presence and cultural connection. By fostering these local networks, CinemaWave Africa is laying the groundwork for a more inclusive and resilient film culture across the region.”

    Speaking about the event in Machakos, Chloe Genga, Head of Impact and Distribution at Bigger Motion, said that bringing stories to communities matters.

    “Watching Supa Modo light up the Machakos Social Hall reminded us why these stories matter, from the laughter that filled the room to the moments of reflection,” she said. “That’s the spirit of CinemaWave Africa: bringing films back to the communities they come from, and shaping a future where Africans see themselves not only celebrated on screen, but connected through a cinematic culture that is proudly their own.”

    Following the Machakos debut, CinemaWave Africa will continue its journey across the region, with more screenings and community activations to be announced throughout 2026.

  • Michael Jackson biopic debuts global Box Office with $200M

    Michael Jackson biopic debuts global Box Office with $200M

    “Michael,” the biopic about late superstar Michael Jackson, debuted at the top of the North American box office this weekend with $97 million, industry estimates showed Sunday.

    With its release globally, the film has raked in $220 million, according to Exhibitor Relations.

    Directed by Antoine Fuqua and distributed by Lionsgate, ‘Michael’ chronicles the legendary artist’s rise from a child star to one of the world’s most famous pop icons.

    In the starring role is Jaafar Jackson, the pop star’s nephew.

    “This is a record-shattering opening for a musical biography,” said analyst David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research.

    The film has strong audience approval, “playing as a feel-good, nostalgic appreciation,” he said, but “reviews are weak.”

    “Most critics feel the film is superficial and avoids the complicated parts of the performer’s life, including allegations of sexual misbehaviour,” Gross said, while noting that Part 2 is in the works.

    Across cinemas

    In second place at the US and Canadian box office was “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie,” with another $21.2 million.

    After spending the last three weeks in the top spot, the animated sequel from Universal and Illumination Studios has hauled in over $775 million at the global box office, Exhibitor Relations reported.

    Third place went to Amazon MGM’s hit sci-fi adventure comedy “Project Hail Mary,” with $13.2 million.

    The film, which stars Ryan Gosling as a teacher-turned-astronaut who must save Earth from a dimming sun, has earned nearly $600 million worldwide in an extended theatrical run.

    In fourth place with $5.6 million was “Lee Cronin’s The Mummy,” an original horror flick from Warner Bros about a young girl possessed by a demon in an ancient mummification ritual.

    Fifth place went to “The Drama,” A24’s romantic comedy with a dark twist starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson about a couple unravelling just before their wedding.

    The film took in an additional $2.6 million, for a global box office haul of $80 million.

  • Dance opportunity for Kenyan choreographers

    Dance opportunity for Kenyan choreographers

    The Centre for Creative Arts (University of KwaZulu-Natal) invites African choreographers and dance filmmakers to submit work for the 2026 JOMBA! Digital Open Horizons Platform, part of the annual JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience and South Africa’s premier contemporary dance festival, running from 27 August to 8 September 2026 in Durban.

    “We are looking for works conceived as screen-based choreographic experiences, where movement, lens, time, and environment are integral to the making of the film,” explains JOMBA! Artistic Director Lliane Loots.

    In its commitment to present bold, experimental, and inclusive dance, JOMBA! offers this open application digital platform as an opportunity for artists across Africa to showcase new works in a safe and supportive environment, while connecting with audiences both locally and globally.

    JOMBA! focuses on screendance and dance film created specifically for the screen. Submissions (5-10 minutes in length) are invited from choreographers aged 16 and above, based anywhere on the continent, and beyond, who are exploring the moving body in relation to the camera, editing, framing, and digital space -where choreography extends beyond the stage into cinematic forms.

    “We welcome innovative, experimental, and critically engaged practices within the contemporary dance idiom, including interdisciplinary and hybrid forms that push the boundaries of how dance is created, perceived, and circulated in digital space,” Ms Loots continues.

    Selected works will be screened publicly on the festival’s YouTube channel as part of the official programme, offering choreographers visibility on an international platform to showcase their screen dance work.

    A jury-selected “Jury Pick of the Platform” will receive an award of R2,000 (KSh. 15,000). The platform is unfunded, and no travel or accommodation support is provided.

    “We remain deeply committed to creating accessible, inclusive spaces for dance makers. The Digital Open Horizons platform is an important incubator for boundary-breaking choreographic voices and provides a foundation from which African artists can springboard new works into the world,” Ms Loot said.

  • Son of late director Rob Reiner pays tribute to parents allegedly killed by brother

    Son of late director Rob Reiner pays tribute to parents allegedly killed by brother

    Slain Hollywood director Rob Reiner’s son Jake paid an emotional tribute Friday to his parents, allegedly slain by his brother Nick, calling it “almost too impossible to process.”

    “We lost more than half of our family that night in the most violent way imaginable,” Nick Reiner wrote in his first detailed public remarks about the gruesome killings.

    His brother Nick faces two counts of first-degree murder over the double killing that sent shockwaves through Hollywood days before Christmas.

    “Any loss of a parent is devastating, but nothing compares to losing both of them at the same time and, on top of that, having your brother be at the centre of it,” Jake wrote in a Substack post titled “Mom and Dad.”

    Nick Reiner was arrested on December 14 after the bodies of his filmmaker father and his mother, photographer Michele Singer Reiner, were discovered at their home in the upmarket Brentwood neighbourhood of Los Angeles.

    Prosecutors said 79-year-old Rob Reiner, who helmed huge hits including “When Harry Met Sally” and “A Few Good Men”, and his wife, 70, were stabbed to death.

    Nick Reiner, who remains in jail and has not been granted bail, was ordered to return to court on April 29.

    If convicted as charged, Nick Reiner could face life in prison without parole or the death penalty, although California does not routinely carry out capital punishment.

    Nick Reiner, who lived in a guest house on his parents’ property, had attended a party at the home of comedian Conan O’Brien on December 13 with his parents, where some attendees reportedly said he had behaved erratically.

    Rob Reiner, the son of legendary comedian Carl Reiner, started his showbiz career in acting.

    He won fame as the oafish son-in-law Michael “Meathead” Stivic on the groundbreaking 1970s sitcom “All in the Family,” before transitioning to directing.

    As a director, his output included classic films like 1984’s rock music mockumentary “This is Spinal Tap,” fantasy gem “The Princess Bride” from 1987, and seminal coming-of-age movie “Stand By Me.”

  • Abigail Arunga discusses doing PR for ‘Showman’ and the Wangari Maathai play

    Abigail Arunga discusses doing PR for ‘Showman’ and the Wangari Maathai play

    In case you missed it or have been living under a rock, April gave us some amazing shows, both in music and theatre. Among the best were Nyashinski’s ‘Showman’, a 7-day residency held at the Carnivore grounds and the Too Early For Birds’(TEFB) play, Wangari Maathai, about the life of Kenya’s first Nobel Laureate.

    Given the calibre and success of both shows, KBC Digital reached out to Abigail Arunga, who worked as a publicist for both shows and as a writer on the Wangari Maathai play, to find out how she managed to publicise two shows in the same month.

    Exhausted but grateful, Abigail says she is still in disbelief.

    “Wow. Ghai. That was me? We did that? In April? As in… And it’s over? I’m just… Surprised. Pleased. Grateful. I mean, outside of me, that was a great freaking weekend for the arts, and the art revolution, and the revolution,” she begins. “Inside of me… Still can’t believe it, to be honest. Like, I’ve been waiting for the Monday after the shows are over for months, and now… I have many Sundays.”

    Explaining her role for both shows, she called them lifetime experiences.

    “TEFB was writing, and PR, Showman was PR, just to be clear. True experiences of a lifetime, both of them, in different ways, but the thing that stood out the most for me was the incredible teamwork that went into making those events a success.

    “Everyone was working to make everyone look good without focusing on self or ego. And of course… They were both really good products. I’m thankful. To be a part of that. To be a part of that history.”

    Nyashinski on stage at the Showman Show

    ‘Showman’, which began on April 4 and ran until April 12, remains one of Kenya’s most-talked-about musical concerts to date and the country’s first musical residency. Combining theatre, acrobatics and music, Nyashinski put on a 7-day show full of charm. And in true Nyashinski form, the show did make history.

    On the other hand, the Wangari Maathai play told the story of one of Kenya’s most beloved icons on stage at the Jain Bhavan auditorium, with Ms Arunga serving as a writer for the play, a role she was unsure about taking.

    Scene from the Wangari Maathai play

    “This is an emotional question for me. The short answer is that it was more. The long answer is, I didn’t even want to do this thing in the first place. Ironically! Ngartia (co-founder of TEFB) gently strong-armed me into compliance, in a way I have also done for him many times in our friend and writing relationship.

    “He asked me once years ago, and I wasn’t ready. He asked me this time, and I thought it was much of the same, so I was absolutely planning to say no, and I was lazy, and December was coming. Then he said, ‘just come for the meeting to see what’s up and talk contracts’. The meeting, which he held at Karura, was literally the first meeting of the core writing and research team.

    “So, I was dragged in kicking and screaming, but I was held so well by Storyzetu (a partner for the show) and this amazing cast and crew, that I came out singing and dancing, also, crying.”

    However, it did take a lot of work, from a number of people, to create the final script and show.

    “I could go on and on, and it sounds self-aggrandising, but you don’t understand the different stages that that script went through to make it what you saw,” Abigail continues. “There’s a little magic from us, the writers (Wacuka and Ras), and from the research team (Sookie, Meran, Kimemia, Muthoni), and from the editors (Ndinda and Ngartia), and from the producer (Sheba), and from the director (Kigondu), and from the actors (Akinyi, Red, Karimi, Shiviske, Diya, Charlie, Sam, Joe).”

    Making reference to one of the scenes in the play that showcases Professor Maathai’s love for nature while growing up, Abigail says she is happy with the outcome.

    “Our hummingbird combined into a glorious forest,” she says, smiling. “I’m very pleased. It’s beyond my wildest dreams. I’m happy what made it in, made it in.”

    On the final day of the show, audience members were surprised to learn that friends of Wangari Maathai, who had been referenced throughout the play, were in attendance. Responding to whether their presence had been planned, Abigail described it as an emotional moment for everyone involved.

    “Can you believe it was a gift from the universe? Of course, they were invited, and of course, we were hoping. But that they came, and came on stage after, and met the people who were playing them…,” she answers in wonder. “That they can see their friend like this. There wasn’t a dry eye on that stage. I couldn’t even look at them directly.”

    She also added that the fact that Wangari’s daughter was okay with the play had also meant a lot to her as a writer.

    “Personally, Wangari’s only daughter, Wanjira, came to a few shows, wrote about it, and was excited about it. That was incredible! That could have gone either way,” she says. “We said some spicy things. But she loved it. Can you believe it? She loved it.”

    TEFB Wangari Maathai was on stage for one weekend, April 10 to 12, and as it so often happens after a successful run, there have been questions about a rerun. Answering that question, Abigail says it’s financial.

    “We are crossing fingers, toes, ankles, knees and all joints in between that a rerun will be possible. Truly, it’s just financial. That’s what we need to figure out. The numbers must make sense, or else we can’t pay people, and there’s NO fun in that, right? So, we wait,” she answers candidly.

    In the meantime, Abigail is working on a new project she calls “deep.”

    “I’m currently working on PR for a project close to many actors’ and artists’ hearts: a play that addresses the connection between the artist and mental health. It’s called ‘In The Seashell’s Hum’, and it opens in three weeks, on May 15. Starring Nick Ndeda, Foi Wambui, Angela Mwandanda and Gitura Kamau. It’s deep, but in this our 2026, what isn’t?

  • ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ stars reunite for glamorous premiere

    ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ stars reunite for glamorous premiere

    Two decades after “The Devil Wears Prada” became a modern US classic, its stars reunited in New York for the long-awaited sequel’s world premiere.

    Meryl Streep, who returns as tyrannical magazine editor Miranda Priestly, was joined on the red carpet by fellow A-listers Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci.

    “It was like, why did it take so long?” Streep told Disney Plus when asked about stepping back into her fearsome character’s shoes.

    Tucci agreed: “Yes, exactly. It was like riding a bicycle.”

    “The Devil Wears Prada 2” sees a now well-established Andy Sachs (Hathaway) back at Runway Magazine, where Miranda Priestly (Streep) is navigating the decline of print media.

    US actress Lucy Liu joins the cast of “The Devil Wears Prada 2” © ANGELA WEISS / AFP

    The veteran editor is forced to go head-to-head with her former, frantic assistant Emily Charlton (Blunt), now a high-powered executive who controls the advertising revenue that Priestly needs.

    Kenneth Branagh joins the cast as Miranda’s newest husband, along with newcomers like Simone Ashley and Lucy Liu.

    Naturally, fashion was front and centre at Monday’s premiere, where three-time Oscar winner Streep wore a red Givenchy outfit.

    She said in an interview that all the clothes, jewellery, bags and shoes featured in “The Devil Wears Prada 2” are to be auctioned for the Committee to Protect Journalists.

    Co-stars Hathaway and Blunt, who wore Louis Vuitton and Schiaparelli respectively, credited fans for making the sequel happen.

    “We’re literally here because of you, because you took us into your hearts and kept us there for 20 years and said, ‘we want more.’ That’s why this whole dream has continued for us,” Hathaway told Disney Plus.

    Other red carpet celebrities included Anna Wintour, the former Vogue editor, who is considered the inspiration for Streep’s character.

    “The Devil Wears Prada 2” opens in theatres on May 1.

    Its 2006 precursor is widely seen as a definitive satire of the US fashion industry, capturing the allure of power and ambition.

  • Singer D4vd charged with murder

    Singer D4vd charged with murder

    Singer D4vd was charged Monday with the murder and dismemberment of his young teenage girlfriend, whose decomposing corpse was found in a Tesla that had been abandoned in the Hollywood Hills.

    The 21-year-old, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, faces a possible death penalty over the horrifying death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose body was discovered in September, within days of what would have been her 15th birthday.

    “Celeste was just a child, under 14 years old, when David Burke allegedly engaged in repeated lewd and lascivious sexual relations with her,” Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman said.

    “When she threatened to expose his criminal conduct and devastate his musical career, Burke allegedly murdered her, cut up her body and stuffed her body in two bags that were placed in the front trunk of his car.”

    Hochman said Celeste’s mutilated corpse sat rotting for four months until it was discovered.

    “This horrific and gruesome murder committed by the charged sexual predator is shocking and appalling. To Celeste’s loved ones: we will get the justice you seek and deserve.”

    Burke shot to internet fame in 2022 when his song “Romantic Homicide” became a breakout hit on TikTok.

    He was on a national tour when detectives were called to a Hollywood tow yard after neighbours complained of a terrible smell coming from an impounded vehicle.

    The Tesla, which was registered to Burke in Texas, had been parked on the street in the upscale Hollywood Hills for around a month before it was towed.

    But investigators believe Celeste’s remains may have been in the front trunk for much longer.

    “The condition of her remains delayed the medical examiner’s ability to be able to determine the cause of death,” Los Angeles police chief Jim McDonnell told the press conference.

    “The substantial amount of time that passed between her death and the discovery meant that crucial evidence had degraded or disappeared.”

    Burke faces one count each of murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains.

    A lawyer entered not-guilty pleas on his behalf during a brief court appearance in Los Angeles on Monday.

    Burke was ordered to appear in court again on Thursday. He remains in custody.

    The artist’s lawyers last week denied their client had killed the youngster.

    “Let us be clear, the actual evidence in this case will show that David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez, and he was not the cause of her death,” a statement from lawyers Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, and Regina Peter said.

    “We will vigorously defend David’s innocence.”

    Celeste, who lived in Lake Elsinore, east of Los Angeles, had been reported missing by her mother in 2024, at the age of 13.

    Her mother told reporters that her daughter had a boyfriend named David.

    Videos show Burke has a tattoo on one of his fingers matching the one reading “Shhh” that the Los Angeles County medical examiner previously revealed was on Celeste’s index finger.

    The pair were also seen on streaming websites together.