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'Melania' movie producer reveals artists who refused to have music featured

February 25, 2026
'Melania' movie producer reveals artists who refused to have music featured

The producerof "Melania,"thecontroversial documentarychronicling the first lady's life in the lead-up to the 2025 inauguration, is pulling the curtain back onits buzzy soundtrack.

USA TODAY

Marc Beckman, anadvisor to Melania Trumpand a key figurein the film'sproduction,told Variety in a new interviewthat certain artists declined to have their songs featured.

"There was music that we tried to get, but sadly, there were politics to it," Beckman said in the interview published Monday. "For example, the guys from Guns N' Roses split down the middle politically. There was a beautiful song we wanted to use, and one of the guys – I don't want to name, it's not fair – said, 'You got it. Go.' And the other one was basically like, 'There's just no way.'"

<p style=First lady Melania Trump took a rare step into the spotlight at the premiere of her "Melania" documentary on Jan. 29, 2026. See her red carpet look.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Melania Trump chose a sleek, buttoned black coat dress and slim belt, which she wore with stiletto pumps.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=First lady Melania Trump

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=President Donald Trump, wearing a navy suit and burgundy tie, directed attention to his wife.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=The first couple clasped hands on the red carpet at the Trump Kennedy Center in Washington.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=The couple shared a smile for the cameras

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=The president stepped to the side while photographers focused on his wife.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=The first lady wore her hair long and loose, her trademark style.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=President Trump and Melania Trump

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=President Trump and Melania Trump

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=The first couple greet the press.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=President Trump and Melania Trump

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Melania Trump is chic in black at movie's Kennedy Center premiere

First lady Melania Trump took a rare step into the spotlight at the premiere ofher "Melania" documentaryon Jan. 29, 2026. See her red carpet look.

'Melania' movie features Rolling Stones,Michael Jackson, Elvis songs

The movie,whichexceeded expectationsat the box officebut drew criticism from someover potential conflicts of interest, still included highly recognizable tunes. Released theatrically on Jan. 30, "Melania" included tracks like "Gimme Shelter," "Billie Jean" andAretha Franklin's rendition of "Amazing Grace."

Beckman revealed, however, that certain songs did not make it off the wish list.

"There was a song that we wanted to use from Grace Jones; obviously, also a tremendous amount of respect for her," he told Variety. "She apparently couldn't get over the political hurdle, notwithstanding the fact that the film is not a political film. So that was disappointing, too. It's disappointing when people put politics so far ahead, and that happened a little bit with the film, for sure."

<p style=First lady Melania Trump appears during her NYSE Opening Bell ceremony to celebrate the upcoming documentary film "Melania" at New York Stock Exchange on January 28, 2026 in New York City. Trump is giving the public a look into her life in the weeks before President Donald Trump's 2025 inauguration with her highly anticipated documentary.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> (L-R) Lynn Martin and first lady Melania Trump appear at Trump's NYSE Opening Bell ceremony to celebrate the upcoming documentary film (L-R) Lynn Martin, first lady Melania Trump, Peter Giacchi and Jeffrey Sprecher attend Trump's NYSE Opening Bell ringing ceremony to celebrate the upcoming film First lady Melania Trump speaks during her NYSE Opening Bell ceremony to celebrate the upcoming documentary film First lady Melania Trump speaks during her NYSE Opening Bell ceremony to celebrate the upcoming documentary film First lady Melania Trump speaks during her NYSE Opening Bell ceremony to celebrate the upcoming documentary film

First lady Melania Trump rings NYSE bell, promotes new documentary

First lady Melania Trumpappears during her NYSE Opening Bell ceremony to celebrate the upcoming documentary film "Melania" at New York Stock Exchange on January 28, 2026 in New York City.Trumpis giving the public a look into her life in the weeks beforePresident Donald Trump's2025 inauguration with herhighly anticipated documentary.

Brett Ratner'sMelania Trumpmoviehas an emotional disconnect – Review

Prince's music was also ultimately pulled, after his estate voiced concern over being associated with PresidentDonald Trump.

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"We were ready to go, and this lawyer that manages the estate was like, 'Prince would never want his song associated with Donald Trump,'" Beckman said. "And we're like, 'But it's not a Donald Trump film! He comes into the movie once in a while, but this is all about Melania. It's not political.' And that guy blocked it. It's so ridiculous."

USA TODAY has reached out to reps for Prince's estate, Grace Jones and Guns N' Roses for comment.

<p style=The new "Melania" documentary had a splashy premiere at the Trump Kennedy Center in Washington on Jan. 29, 2026. See which celebrities and political figures walked the red carpet, starting with President Donald Trump first lady Melania Trump.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=The first couple steps out for the world premiere.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=First lady Melania Trump

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style="Melania" director Brett Ratner

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Lisa Oz (from left), Mehmet Oz, Oliver Oz and Daphne Oz.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style="Melania" producer and first lady adviser Marc Beckman

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Jeanine Pirro <p style=House Speaker Mike Johnson and his wife Kelly.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Jennifer Rauchet

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Pete Hegseth kisses Jennifer Rauchet.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins <p style=U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz and his wife, former U.S. Homeland Security adviser Julia Nesheiwat.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Christie Mullin and Sen. Markwayne Mullin

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Special Presidential Envoy for Special Missions of United States Richard Grenell

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Linda McMahon <p style=Kathryn Burgum and Doug Burgum

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Kelly Loeffler and Jeffrey Sprecher

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Doug Collins and Lisa Collins

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Lee Zeldin and Diana Zeldin

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Lori Chavez-DeRemer Steve Witkoff Tham Kannalikham Scott Turner Alina Habba <p style=Brett Ratner (left) and Marc Beckman

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Brett Ratner

Melania Trump is chic in black at movie's Kennedy Center premiere

Thenew "Melania" documentaryhad a splashy premiere at the Trump Kennedy Center in Washington on Jan. 29, 2026. See which celebrities and political figures walked the red carpet, starting with President Donald Trumpfirst lady Melania Trump.

The producer also used the interview to respond to statements from Radiohead's Jonny Greenwoodand director Paul Thomas Anderson, who chided themakers of "Melania"for employing a soundtrack cue from their 2017 movie "Phantom Thread."

"It's funny – Radiohead is one of my all-time favorite bands. For them to have come out publicly and distanced themselves, I think that's just part of the unfortunate time we're living in," Beckman told Variety. "We went out and created a nice film that doesn't get into any kind of political policy or anything like that. The music at that moment is so perfect, honestly, I was so thrilled to be able to use it."

What the 'Melania' movie reveals(and what it leaves out)

Beckman's comments illustrate the sticky science of soundtrackinga movieamid a contentious relationship with the music industry. Though the president has celebrity supporters such asGeorge Strait,Nicki MinajandKid Rock, as well as tacit endorsements fromSnoop Dogg,Carrie UnderwoodandNelly– who all performed at various inauguration events – he has also been plagued byrocky relations with musiciansthroughout his time in office.

Over the years, A-list musicians including The Rolling Stones,Sabrina Carpenter,Bruce Springsteen, Rihanna andCéline Dionhave decried his administration's use of their music in everything frompromotional videos for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcementtocampaign rallies.

Ultimately, "Melania"blended an original score with a patchwork of licensing.

See the full 'Melania' movie soundtrack

  • Rolling Stones: "Gimme Shelter"

  • Michael Jackson: "Billie Jean"

  • Sylvie Vartan: "La Maritza"

  • Aretha Franklin: Amazing Grace

  • Tears for Fears: "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" (Instrumental)

  • Giorgio Moroder: "Chase"

  • Jonny Greenwood: "Barbara Rose"

  • James Brown: "It's A Man's Man's Man's World"

  • Elvis Presley: "An American Trilogy"

  • Village People: "Y.M.C.A."

  • The Crystals: "Then He Kissed Me"

  • Jeff Danna: "What I'll Do"

  • Boney M.: "Sunny"

Contributing: Taijuan Moorman, Patrick Ryan, Francesca Chambers, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:'Melania' movie music – Producer reveals which artists declined

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Christina Applegate says she was abused by a babysitter as a child: 'I felt sick and scared and sad'

February 25, 2026
Christina Applegate says she was abused by a babysitter as a child: 'I felt sick and scared and sad'

Christina Applegate says she was molested by a female babysitter when she was 5 years old.

Entertainment Weekly Christina Applegate in Los Angeles on Jan. 15, 2023Credit: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty

Key points

  • "I felt sick and scared and sad," the Dead to Me actress writes in her upcoming memoir You With the Sad Eyes.

  • Applegate said that writing her book has "opened up so many wounds."

Christina Applegateis opening up about the abuse she survived as a child.

In her upcoming memoirYou With the Sad Eyes, theMarried…With Childrenactressdetails being molested by a female babysitterwhen she was 5 years old.

"I knew every part of it was wrong," Applegate writes in an excerpt published by PEOPLE. "I felt sick and scared and sad."

TheAnchormanactress says that the traumatic incident profoundly impacts her to this day. "I never fully felt comfortable being touched, and that's true still," she writes. "I've never felt comfortable with it my whole life, really, and all because of that girl forcing me to do something I barely understood but that I knew was shameful."

Christina Applegate in Los Angeles on April 8, 2024Credit: Emma McIntyre/Getty

In her memoir, Applegate also writes that her mother was addicted to heroin and that her mom's abusive boyfriend also victimized her in her youth. "I think I had kind of the worst situation from 3 to 7," she says. "But there was stuff like that going on in all our homes. Single moms, men coming in and out, drugs."

The actress told PEOPLE that revisiting her childhood trauma while writing her memoir has been an emotional process.

"To be honest, it's actually opened up so many wounds, and it's okay because I'm a strong girl, I'm going to get through it," Applegate explained. "But it wasn't like get to the other end and be like, 'Ah, now it's out.' It was the stuff that I'd never talked about. The stuff that was behind closed doors and that no one but the closest people in my life have ever known happened."

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Applegate also explained why she felt compelled to share her story. "I had someone say to me, 'Are you doing this because you're being a victim?'" she recalled. "I'm like, 'No, I'm empowering other people out there.' At least I hope to."

She continued, "I hope that some girl or boy or anyone who's gone through being molested or beaten or anything I've gone through can go, 'Oh my God, okay. I'm going to be okay.'"

Christina Applegate in Los Angeles on Jan. 19, 2020Credit: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

TheDead to Meactress previouslyalluded to her past strugglesas she rejected the notion that she's an unrelatable elite in a 2019 interview with NPR.

"My past is no different and also probably a lot darker than a lot of people's," she said at the time. "So I really do take offense when people think that I've had a silver spoon in my mouth and that I haven't seen the dark side of life."

Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with ourEW Dispatch newsletter.

You With the Sad Eyeshits bookstores on March 3.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go towww.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly

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Bullet hole found in American Airlines plane while in Colombia, source says

February 25, 2026
Bullet hole found in American Airlines plane while in Colombia, source says

An American Airlines plane was removed from service after a "puncture" was found on its exterior while in Colombia on Sunday, the company said.

NBC Universal Tails of American Airline planes are seen as the planes sit parked at gates at Reagan National Airport on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Arlington, Va. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images file)

The puncture was a bullet hole, a source with knowledge of the situation told NBC News.

According to a statement from American Airlines, the plane was undergoing a routine inspection in Medellín when the damage to the aircraft was found. There were no injuries or flight-related issues reported to the airline, it said.

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"The aircraft was immediately removed from service for further inspection and repair," the statement said. "We will work closely with all relevant authorities to investigate this incident."

Colombia's Civil Aeronautical Authority said in statement Tuesday, translated by NBC News, that it was aware of reports of a plane found with perforations. The authority added that it was not contacted by the airline or any authorities in the United States on the matter.

"The Civil Aeronautics Authority remains attentive to any official communication from international agencies or the airline that may clarify the facts and determine the origin of the reported issues," the statement said.

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