This Week: Tyler Perry Sued, Louvre Strike, Meghan Markle Pauses Podcast
These and over 20 more stories you need to know about culture from around the world
Inundated, absolutely inundated, with content, news, and work to get more work. That’s my version of an apology and explanation as to why it’s taken some time to send you another weekly round up.
But while my cup and plate spilith over with things to do, I’ve made back to you all in mid June with another edition of This Week.
If there’s one thing you should know about me is that I’m all for experimenting and if it works, you may or may not find a video of me, potentially going live on Substack to discuss some of the highlights of the biggest culture stories from the week.
Let me know if this is something you’d like me to continue doing! I love talking about cultural stories so I thought this would be a fun and informative element to add to This Week. And if you don’t find a video here, I screwed up somehow and will sort it out for you next week… maybe.
So, from my DMs to yours, here are the culture stories published between 11 - 19 June
2025 from around the world that you need to know.
Enjoy.
Art
UK Museum to Return Ancestral Remains to India
Tribal leaders from Nagaland, India, have visited Oxford’s Pitt Rivers Museum to negotiate repatriating ancestral human remains. These are predominantly skulls taken during colonial-era violence from its vast Naga collection. The museum removed them from display in 2020 and is collaborating on logistics, while urging UK legislation to protect such remains.
Source: Reuters
Louvre Staff Go on Strike
On 16 June, Louvre staff have launched a spontaneous strike, closing the museum amid soaring crowds, chronic understaffing, and declining infrastructure. Thousands of ticketed visitors were stranded outside. Workers say promised renovations due by 2031 won’t help now and that they need immediate fixes to working conditions and visitor management.
Source: AP
Grand Egyptian Museum Opening Delayed Due to Regional Tension
Egypt has postponed the Grand Egyptian Museum’s official opening which was initially set for 3 July to late 2025. It’s understood the postponement is due to escalating Israel–Iran tensions in the region. While most galleries, excluding the high-profile Tutankhamun section, have softly opened since October 2024, officials say they’re awaiting a moment when international attendance is secured.
Source: The Art Newspaper
MF Husain’s $7.9M Mumbai Auction Proceeds Amid Protests Over 'Obscene' Art
On 12 June, a court‑mandated auction in South Mumbai sold works from the legendary painter and filmmaker MF Husain. The 25 works from his Our Planet Called Earth series sold for ₹68.5 crore (approx. $7.9 million), in order to recover a ₹236 crore (approx. $27 million) loan default by collector Guru Swarup Srivastava. The exhibition garnered strong opposition and threats of protests from right‑wing groups led by the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti who claimed the works depicted Hindu deities and “Mother India” in disrespectful ways. Despite warnings these warnings, the auction proceeded smoothly under the Bombay High Court’s oversight.
Sources: Times of India, Hindustan Times
Iran Shuts Museums, Relocates Artefacts Amid Israel Conflict
Amid escalating airstrikes from Israel, Iran has closed over 800 museums and UNESCO sites from until further notice directing all artefacts to secure storage. Deputy minister Ali Darabi activated emergency protocols to prevent damage, looting, and shockwave harm. Tehran's museums include 300,000+ national items and modern artworks estimated at $3 billion.
Source: The Art Newspaper
Literature
Audiobook UK Sales Reach Record £268m
UK audiobook revenue has hit a record £268 million in 2024, driven by a 13% rise in digital downloads, which now represent 99% of sales. Fiction led the gains, boosted by romance and YA titles. Additionally, 51% of UK adults listened to an audiobook setting fresh market milestones.
Source: The Bookseller
British Library to Symbolically Reinstate Oscar Wilde’s Reader Pass 130 Years Later
The British Library will symbolically reinstate Oscar Wilde’s 1879 reader pass, revoked in 1895 after his conviction for “gross indecency.” The new pass will be presented to his grandson Merlin Holland during an October event marking Wilde’s birthday, acknowledging past injustice and celebrating his literary legacy.
Source: The Guardian
Saudi Arabia Showcases Literary Power at Beijing Book Fair 2025
Saudi Arabia’s Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission will lead the Kingdom’s delegation at the Beijing International Book Fair from 18-22 June as part of Saudi-Chinese Cultural Year 2025. The initiative promotes Saudi literary works, translation cooperation, and cultural exchange, aligning with Vision 2030’s aim to enhance global cultural dialogue.
Source: Arab News
Entertainment
‘Jurassic World: Rebirth Cast’ Debuts Sequel at London Premiere
At the June 17 London premiere of Jurassic World: Rebirth, Scarlett Johansson and co-stars, including Jonathan Bailey and Mahershala Ali, joined director Gareth Edwards. Johansson called the film a "love letter" to Spielberg's original. The sequel, set to release July 2, follows a team retrieving dinosaur DNA that can provide life-saving benefits to mankind on a forbidden island.
Source: Variety
Natasha Lyonne Cast as Joan Rivers in ‘Can We Talk?’ Biopic
Sony’s 3000 Pictures is developing Can We Talk? a Joan Rivers biopic starring five-time Emmy nominee Natasha Lyonne, with Melissa Rivers, the daughter of the comedian, as producer. Written by The Office alum Amelie Gillette, the film will trace Rivers’ rise in stand-up, her Tonight Show breakthrough, motherhood challenges, and personal struggles.
Source: Far Out Magazine
Gemma Chan Joins ‘Five-Star Weekend’ Series at Peacock
Gemma Chan has been cast as a series regular in Peacock’s adaptation of Five‑Star Weekend. Based on Elin Hilderbrand’s novel, the drama will include an ensemble cast featuring Jennifer Garner, Regina Hall, and Chloë Sevigny. The series is set to launch on Peacock in 2027.
Source: Variety
Grammy Unveils 2026 Categories for Country Albums & Album Cover
Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. announced new categories for the 2026 Grammy Awards: Best Traditional Country Album splits from Country, and a standalone Best Album Cover is added. The existing packaging awards are consolidated. Changes also update Best New Artist eligibility and reflect the evolving music landscape.
Source: Grammy Awards
Fashion
Prince William and Cate Blanchett Promote Sustainable Fashion at Colorifix Lab
Prince William and actress Cate Blanchett visited Norwich’s Colorifix Lab, highlighting its DNA-based dye technology that cuts water use and chemicals. Colorifix Lab were the 2023 Earthshot Prize Finalists, part of the Earthshot initiative, a global environmental prize founded by Prince William and the Royal Foundation to discover, celebrate, and scale groundbreaking solutions that can repair our planet. Blanchett is one of the leadership team members for the prize.
Source: People
Brands regroup as the US and China reach a trade deal
On June 11, 2025, the US-China preliminary trade deal set a 55% tariff on Chinese imports and 10% on US exports to China, impacting fashion brands heavily reliant on Chinese manufacturing. Companies like Steve Madden and Elf Beauty are adjusting by raising prices or shifting production, aiming to manage costs and supply chains.
Source: Vogue Business
Nike Delays Launch for New Brand With Kim Kardashian’s Skims
Nike and Kim Kardashian’s Skims joint activewear line, NikeSkims, originally set for spring 2025, has been postponed due to production delays. The partnership, part of CEO Elliott Hill’s strategy to revitalize Nike’s women’s segment, will now debut later this year, with full rollout expected in 2026.
Source: BOF
Lululemon Cuts 150 Corporate Roles in Strategic Restructure
Lululemon announced the elimination of approximately 150 corporate positions, primarily within store support centers, as part of an organizational restructure aimed at enhancing agility and long-term growth. The cuts follow weaker earnings, stock decline, higher tariffs, and intensifying competition from rivals like Nike and Athleta.
Source: BOF
Pop Culture
Meghan Markle Pauses ‘Confessions of a Female Founder’ Podcast
Meghan Markle confirmed her Lemonada Media podcast, Confessions of a Female Founder, is on hiatus after its debut season. She’s redirecting her focus to expanding her As Ever lifestyle brand, editing her Netflix series With Love, Meghan, and dedicating time to family. Future seasons remain possible.
Source: E! Online
Tyler Perry Facing $260M Sexual Assault Lawsuit
Actor Derek Dixon filed a $260 million lawsuit against Tyler Perry on June 13 in Los Angeles court. Dixon has accused Perry of repeated sexual harassment, assault, and punitive retaliation linked to his roles on the shows Ruthless and The Oval. Perry’s legal team have called the claims fabricated and promise to fight them.
Source: TMZ
Doja Cat Slams Fan for “Manhandling” Amid Viral Encounter
Doja Cat reacted sharply after TikToker Pablo Tamayo hugged, kissed, and held her without asking. Though she initially appeared friendly in video, she later posted (and deleted) on X: “Don’t touch me…when you don’t even know me,” adding that she threw away the shirt he gifted. Tamayo apologized, saying no harm was intended.
Source: Daily Mail
David Beckham Launches Honey-Based Kids’ Snack Line, BEEUP
David Beckham and entrepreneur Shaun Neff launched BEEUP, a honey-based fruit snack line sold at Target. Inspired by Beckham’s pandemic-era beekeeping hobby with his sons, BEEUP offers three flavors in 10-packs and focuses on natural energy, family values, pollinator conservation, and gluten-free nutrition.
Source: People
Blake Lively Subpoenas Scooter Braun’s HYBE in Justin Baldoni Legal Battle
Blake Lively has subpoenaed Scooter Braun’s HYBE America and Braun himself, seeking documents about PR crisis manager Melissa Nathan’s work with Justin Baldoni. The move follows the dismissal of Baldoni’s $400 million countersuit and is part of Lively’s broader legal strategy in her sexual harassment and retaliation claims.
Source: People