Men's Journal's Blog, page 70
June 25, 2025
Streaming Exec Makes Extremely Telling Comment on AI Music
One streaming service is implementing new tools to combat the rise of music created by artificial intelligence, and an executive is issuing a chilling warning to the music industry on what's to come in the future.
Deezer's chief innovation officer Aurelien Herault told Billboard that "AI music will exist forever now. There’s no going back.”
The streaming service, which has nearly 10 million users, says that it will flag each album that it detects to have a fully AI-generated song.
Deezer estimates that nearly 70% of the streams that come from these AI-generated songs are artificial or fraudulent in nature.
It says that it began cracking down on songs on the service in January, when it realized that one in ten songs uploaded to the platform every day was fully AI-generated.
Deezer noted that it does not have a problem with AI-generated music on its own merits, but states that it is worried about bad actors using AI-generated songs to take royalties from artists.
"The reason why we got worried about AI-generated music in the first place is that it’s really close to the fraud behavior we were already seeing," Herault explained.
"They even try to deliver these songs on official artist pages. That’s why it’s important to combine our AI efforts with our fraud detection system to avoid this kind of behavior."
Herault says that Deezer has worked on its AI detection platform for 12 years, developing by training it on "public domain songs, noise and rain sounds."
"This is a serious topic for us, and we already removed some content that was using too much space — because it’s not only an economic issue, it’s also an ecological one," Herault said when asked what explicit threat or danger AI-generated music poses to streaming platforms.
"Do we need to store all this content so we all have the same catalog and all have a copy of the same things? It’s really a question worth thinking about, and we already have had some discussion to remove some content, especially because a lot of content is not listened to at all."
The debate over AI and its application to art persists, but it's clear that at least one streaming platform is making a choice to prioritize artists.
Director of Next James Bond Film Revealed, And It's Positively Shocking
When you think of James Bond, do you think of fun movies or deeply serious movies? If the answer is the latter, then the news that Denis Villeneuve will direct the new 007 will be cause for celebration. If, though, you're among those who think the Craig era may have gotten a bit too earnest for its own good, well, buckle up. The man who brought us Blade Runner 2049 and two Dune movies has been named officially as the director of the next James Bond movie.
"Some of my earliest movie-going memories are connected to 007," Villeneuve said in a statement, via Variety. "I grew up watching James Bond films with my father, ever since Dr. No with Sean Connery. I’m a die-hard Bond fan. To me, he’s sacred territory."
Related: 'Andor' Creator Hints Next James Bond Movie Is Set in a Surprising Timeline
The news comes as Villeneuve is deeply involved in a variety of other high-profile projects, including the third Dune film, which is an adaptation of the 1969 Frank Herbert novel Dune Messiah. That film is thought to be shot later in 2026, which would likely mean that the earliest the new 007 movie could begin shooting would be 2027. So, Bond fans will probably have to wait until at least 2028 for the next film. (Unless Dune 3 is put on hold.)
Denis Villeneuve will direct the next James Bond film.
— Variety (@Variety) June 25, 2025
“Some of my earliest movie-going memories are connected to 007. I grew up watching James Bond films with my father, ever since ‘Dr. No’ with Sean Connery. I’m a die-hard Bond fan. To me, he’s sacred territory,” Villeneuve… pic.twitter.com/Uc7W9Dpblm
The announcement comes after several other directors' names were rumored to be in the hat, including Paul King and Edgar Wright.
This news also comes after rumors that the new Bond film could, possibly, be a historical film, set either in the 1960s or 1950s. There's no word yet on how Villeneuve will be involved in the script. But, if the new Bond film is closer to a direct adaptation of one of Ian Fleming's novels, Villeneuve does have some expert experience in translating tricky source material into a new a dynamic film.
No word yet on who will play the new James Bond, though it seems that Aaron Taylor-Johnson is still very much the favorite.
Related: After 6 Decades, the James Bond Franchise Just Lost What Made It Special
NBA Host Malika Andrews Is Married to an ESPN Reporter
ESPN's Malika Andrews is hosting the 2025 NBA Draft on Wednesday night, where Duke phenom Cooper Flagg is expected to be selected first by the Dallas Mavericks.
Andrews has become the face of ESPN's NBA coverage over the last few years, rising to a prominent role in the bubble where she interviewed stars and covered several games.
She recently worked as the host of the NBA Finals, chronicling the Oklahoma City Thunder's win over the Indiana Pacers.
Andrews isn't the only member of her family to work at ESPN. She's also joined by her sister Kendra, who works as a women's basketball reporter with the network.
Andrews' husband is also a reporter at ESPN - NBA reporter Dave Dave McMenamin.
McMenamin, much like Brian Windhorst, rose to prominence covering LeBron James. He first covered James in Cleveland before following the star to Los Angeles when he signed with the Lakers in 2018.
Andrews and McMenamin have kept their relationship private for the most part, but they have shared messages for one another on social media.
"Happy birthday to Malika Andrews," McMenamin said on Instagram earlier this year.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Dave McMenamin (@davemcten)
"You are simply incredible. Here’s to you as you turn the page on another year - and decade. I love you. (And as the last slide suggests, here’s to many more years of you laughing at my jokes)."
"I usually keep cheesy sentiments off the airwaves but everyone deserves to find a partner that makes them as happy as you make me. I love you, hon," Andrews responded.
The two basketball fans and journalists shared their love for the game during their wedding, as they presented their seating chart in the style of an NCAA Tournament bracket.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews)
"It’s March Madness, and I haven’t shared a ton from our wedding but in the spirit of the tournament, I thought this would be fun for y’all to see: our seating chart… Or bracket," Andrews said in another social media post.
Fans can catch the NBA Draft - now a two-night event - on ABC and ESPN on Wednesday and Thursday night. Andrews will be leading the network's coverage of the event on both nights, joined by Kendrick Perkins, Andraya Carter and Jay Bilas.
'Morning Show,' 'General Hospital' Star Joe Marinelli Dead at 68
Joe Marinelli, a renowned character actor best known for his work on The Morning Show and soap operas General Hospital and Santa Barbara, passed away on June 22. He was 68. Marinelli’s death was confirmed by his wife, Jean, to The Hollywood Reporter. According to Marinelli’s agent, he was diagnosed with stomach and throat cancer several years ago and had been living with the disease.
Marinelli got his start on episodic television, guest-starring on popular series like Cagney and Lacey, Hill Street Blues, and L.A. Law. L.A. Law producer Jill Farren Phelps was so impressed by the actor that she recruited him to play cross-dressing mafioso Bunny Tagliatti on Santa Barbara.
“One thing I learned is that pants are a lot more comfortable than nylons,” Marinelli said of playing Tagliatti in 2013. “I also learned that other people thought I was very courageous. While getting my makeup put on one day, a woman’s voice whispered in my ear, ‘You must be very comfortable in your sexuality.’ When I turned, they were gone. However, that stuck with me.”
Related: Rescue Efforts Ongoing for Hiker Trapped in Active Volcano
Later in his career, Marinelli appeared on E.R., The West Wing, Parenthood, Desperate Housewives, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and Ray Donovan, as well as the soaps General Hospital and Guiding Light. On The Morning Show, he played the fictional breakfast program’s director, Don Spagnoli, on 22 episodes of Apple’s series. He also had a small role in Alexander Payne’s Oscar-nominated road comedy Sideways, playing a wine porter.
“I really loved him and what he stood for," Marinelli’s Morning Show co-star, Mark Duplass, told THR in a statement. “We didn’t spend 10,000 hours together, but we were spiritually aligned in many ways.”
Sideways director Alexander Payne also penned a heartfelt memoriam to the actor. “The great Joe Marinelli acted in my very first movie at film school 40 years ago and again in Sideways," he wrote. "Aside from being an extraordinary artist, he was a uniquely magnificent human being with a heart as big as the ocean.”
Marinelli is survived by his wife of 34 years and their two sons, Vincent and David.
Related: Brad Pitt Reveals How He Was Saved From 'Most Unhealthy Time' in His Life
June 24, 2025
'Liver King' Arrested in Austin After Bizarre Joe Rogan Comments
The social media and fitness influencer known as the "Liver King" was arrested in Austin, TX.
That's according to KXAN-TV, which reported that the "Liver King's" real name is Brian Johnson, and jail records showed him in custody on the evening of June 24.
The jail records obtained by Men's Journal online do confirm that a Brian Johnson is being held on a potential charge of making terroristic threats.
He was booked at 7:31 p.m. on June 24 by the Austin Police Department, the jail records say. Sources told KXAN that the Johnson on the jail list is the same person as the "Liver King." The Liver King was featured on Untold: The Liver King on Netflix.
"He built a supplement empire by devouring raw meat on social media. And he had the muscles to prove it. But, really, how did the Liver King get so huge?" the Netflix caption reads.
The nature of the alleged threats is not clear, nor is the person they were made against.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Liver King (@liverking)
However, the "Liver King" recently posted about Rogan: "Joe Rogan, I’m calling you out, my name’s Liver King. Man to man, I’m picking a fight with you. I have no training in Jiu-jitsu, you’re a black belt, you should dismantle me. But I’m picking a fight with you. Your rules, I’ll come to you, whenever you’re ready.”
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Liver King (@liverking)
It's not clear whether the Rogan comments have anything to do with the Liver King's arrest, though.
The Liver King has 2.9 million followers on Instagram.
The top video on the Liver King's page shows a man in a police uniform.
Another video starts with the narration, "I'm now recording with the cops outside."
A video was captioned, "Liver king is stood in a shower pouring coffee up his arse picking a fight with Joe rogan before GTA 6." Another video also referenced Rogan.
D-Backs Manager Explains Ketel Marte Crying On The Field After 'Idiot' Fan's Heckling
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo is setting the record straight about what went down Tuesday night at Rate Field in Chicago that resulted in shortstop Ketel Marte breaking down in tears on the field in the middle of the game against the White Sox.
Speaking to the Diamondbacks' broadcast team after a 4-1 win in which Marte hit a home run in the first inning, Lovullo said a fan "went too far." Lovullo, who goes back nearly a decade with Marte, was still visibly shaken during the interview.
"It was a terrible moment. Fans are nasty and fans go too far, sometimes," said Lovullo, who appeared to choke back tears while detailing the unfortunate incident. "I love my players and I'm going to protect them."
It had been previously reported that the fan heckled Marte about his mother, who died in a car crash in the Dominican Republic in 2017.
Lovullo added that he sees himself like a father figure to a lot of his players. Lovullo and shortstop Geraldo Perdomo could be seen in the seventh inning consoling Marte, who was balling his eyes out on the pitching mound during a pitching change.
Here’s the initial explanation from @Dbacks Manager Torey Lovullo re the incident in Chicago where a @whitesox fan verbally abused Ketel Marte. pic.twitter.com/UZnwssmxfz
— Todd Walsh (@ToddWalsh) June 25, 2025
Related: MLB Star Cries During Game After Fan Heckles Him About His Mother Who Died in Car Accident
Sending love to Ketel Marte who was in tears on the field after a fan yelled something at him about his mother, who passed away in a car accident in 2017, per @CDrottar19 pic.twitter.com/I14Zc1gkV1
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) June 25, 2025
"I've known Ketel for nine years. And he's had some unbelievably great moments and some hardships as well and some really tough moments in his life," Lovullo said. "I know those. At the end of the day, we're human beings and we have emotions. I saw him hurting and I wanted to protect him."
Lovullo also shared how he consoled Marte.
"'I love you. I'm with you and we're all together. And you're not alone. And no matter what happens. No matter what was said, or what you heard, that guy's an idiot," Lovullo said. "'And it shouldn't have an impact on you.'"
JCPenney Shutters Key Logistics Hub as Sales Plummet
JCPenney is cutting 300 jobs and shutting down a key logistics hub in Haslet, TX, in a new round of cost-cutting measures aimed at stabilizing its struggling business.
The Street reported that the Alliance Regional Logistics Center will cease operations in early November, with layoffs beginning as soon as August 1, according to a WARN notice filed with the Texas Workforce Commission.
The company says the move is part of a broader strategy to streamline operations, consolidate resources, and become more competitive in today's retail landscape. Workers will be offered severance packages, benefits, and potential transfers to other locations.
Still, legal trouble may be brewing. A Chicago-based law firm has signaled a possible class-action lawsuit over the company's failure to give the full 60-day advance layoff notice required by federal law.
The layoffs are the latest in a string of cutbacks at JCPenney this year. Following its merger with SPARC Group to form Catalyst Brands, the company slashed 5 percent of its corporate workforce in February and another 9 percent in April.
It's also closed dozens of stores since the pandemic, even as it tries to rebuild momentum through brand partnerships with Nike, Adidas, and Sephora.
But the numbers aren’t promising. Net sales dropped 8.6 percent in 2024 to $6.3 billion, and the company reported a $177 million loss—down sharply from a $30 million profit the year prior.
The Haslet center is located in a high-traffic distribution corridor near Fort Worth, home to facilities for Amazon, Coca-Cola, and Kraft Heinz. Its closure follows another major logistics shutdown in the area by FedEx, compounding the local economic impact.
Once a retail titan with over 2,000 stores and a place in nearly every American home, JCPenney is now fighting to maintain relevance.
Though it emerged from bankruptcy in 2020, the pressure from e-commerce rivals and rising costs continues to push the century-old brand to the brink.
Related: Amazon Quietly Upgrades Prime Delivery for Millions of Shoppers
Tesla's Robotaxis Hit With Federal Scrutiny After Troubling Videos Emerge
Tesla's long-awaited robotaxis may have just hit a serious speed bump.
On the heels of their public debut in Austin, Elon Musk's self-driving Teslas are now under federal investigation after a string of alarming videos surfaced online.
AP News reported footage shows the vehicles ignoring traffic markings, veering into opposing lanes, and braking abruptly with no clear cause, prompting the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to step in.
"NHTSA is aware of the referenced incidents and is in contact with the manufacturer to gather additional information," the agency said in a statement Tuesday.
The agency's inquiry comes just days after Tesla launched its first paid robotaxi rides using Model Y vehicles equipped with an updated version of its Full Self-Driving software.
Related: Elon Musk Is Betting Tesla's Future on This Risky New Strategy
The initial rollout had drawn praise from investors and fans, including financial analyst Dan Ives, who called his ride "perfect" and declared the test a "huge success."
But not everyone is convinced. Car tech expert Sam Abuelsamid warned the software is still far too unpredictable to be trusted on public roads.
"This is not a system that should be carrying members of the public," he said, citing the AI's tendency to make dangerous, inconsistent errors despite frequent good performance.
One viral clip shows a Tesla gliding through an intersection from a left-turn-only lane, crossing into an opposing lane and swerving repeatedly before realigning—10 long seconds with no oncoming traffic to intervene. Another video shows a car stopping twice in the middle of the road for no obvious reason.
0:00 Pickup
— Rob Maurer (@TeslaPodcast) June 22, 2025
0:17 Leaving pickup area
0:52 Right turn to main road
2:08 Second right turn
3:58 Merging traffic
6:08 Cadillac gives thumbs up
7:00 Navigation issue / hesitation
7:24 Left turn
8:20 Right turn
9:33 Left turn positioning
10:22 Left turn
12:43 Flashing red stop
13:57…
While some passengers, like money manager Rob Maurer, dismissed the incidents, regulators aren’t taking them lightly. The NHTSA has already forced Tesla to recall 2.4 million vehicles over past Full Self-Driving issues and continues to monitor the company’s rollout closely.
Musk, who insists his system is safer than human drivers, has vowed to flood roads with autonomous taxis by next year. But with rivals like Waymo already logging millions of rides and expanding nationwide, Tesla has little room for missteps—especially now that its every move is under a microscope.
Related: Elon Musk Reclaims Gene Wilder's Former Home in $7M Foreclosure Drama
MLB Star Cries During Game After Fan Heckles Him About His Mother Who Died in Car Accident
Arizona Diamondbacks star Ketel Marte had to be consoled on the field during Tuesday's game at Rate Field in Chicago after a fan reportedly heckled him about his mother, who died in a car accident in 2017.
Marte, long considered one of the good guys in all of Major League Baseball, is seen in the seventh inning balling his eyes out while Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo and shortstop Geraldo Perdomo console him.
Marte, who hit a home run in the first inning, grew emotional during a pitching change. The Diamondbacks beat the White Sox, 4-1.
MLB broadcasters speculated that the second baseman became emotional after a teammate's injury, but according to at least two baseball reporters -- MLB's Casey Drottar and Francys Romero, who is a member of the Baseball Writer's of America Association -- later noted that Lovullo said a fan yelled something at him about his mother. MLB Insider Mike Rodriguez also matched the reporting citing sources.
It's unclear if the fan was a White Sox or Diamondbacks fan, but Marte is a beloved figure in Arizona.
Sending love to Ketel Marte who was in tears on the field after a fan yelled something at him about his mother, who passed away in a car accident in 2017, per @CDrottar19 pic.twitter.com/I14Zc1gkV1
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) June 25, 2025
Related: Diamondbacks Manager Explains Ketel Marte Crying On The Field After 'Idiot' Fan's Heckling
Marte's mother, Elpidia Valdez, died in a car crash in the Dominican Republic in 2017.
In a strange twist, Marte was also playing in Chicago when he left the Diamondbacks to travel back to his hometown of the Dominican Republic in the wake of the deadly car crash.
In light of what unfolded Tuesday night in Chicago, Diamondbacks fans are rallying behind Marte and encouraging everyone to wear pink to honor his late mother when the team hosts the Miami Marlins this weekend at Chase Field in Phoenix.
Tom Cruise on Publicly Supporting 'Sinners’: ‘When One Movie Wins, We All Win’
Tom Cruise’s social media is a far cry from an endless promotion of various movies that recently hit theaters. While Cruise posts clips, photos and unique tidbits about his own films on his X account, one specific post in late-April stood out from the rest.
The Mission: Impossible star had one post in the middle of wild clips from his upcoming film—a photo of himself holding a movie stub in front of a banner for the Ryan Coogler-directed film Sinners.
The caption was the highest praise for Coogler, star Michael B. Jordan and the rest of the Sinners cast and crew.
"Congratulations Ryan, Michael, and to the entire cast and crew. Must see in a cinema and stay through the end credits!" Cruise posted on X.
Congratulations Ryan, Michael, and to the entire cast and crew. Must see in a cinema and stay through the end credits! pic.twitter.com/rQ54y74j2e
— Tom Cruise (@TomCruise) April 27, 2025
Unsurprisingly, Cruise's message and post went viral quickly, as he threw his support behind the movie on social media and by seeing it in theaters. Sinners became a box office juggernaut, currently ranking No. 10 among all R-rated movies on the cumulative domestic box office, pulling in $277.3 million, per The Numbers.
While Sinners is an undisputed hit with fans, it excelled at IMAX theaters, as the movie was filmed with IMAX cameras. Cruise's support of the movie led to IMAX CEO Rich Gelfond texting him a thank you message for supporting the film.
As The New York Times reported, Gelfond said Cruise responded quickly with a candid message.
"When one movie wins, we all win," Gelfond revealed Cruise said.
Cruise's support of Sinners and his mindset in doing so, is telling. Especially considering that Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning was nearing its debut at the time of his social media post.
But Cruise's love of movies and full-blown push to keep fans seeing movies in theaters trump any promotion of his own films, and that much has become apparent.
Related: 'F1: The Movie' Star Damson Idris Recalls Witnessing Brad Pitt’s 'Sexy Walk' on Set
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