JONATHAN LANDRUM Jr.

bio

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​​Jonathan Landrum Jr. is an award-winning writer and producer who covers the entertainment industry for The Associated Press in Los Angeles. With two decades of experience, he has chronicled some of the most pivotal moments in music, film, sports and culture, establishing himself as a leading voice in entertainment journalism.

From the Super Bowl and Oscars to the Grammys, Emmys and Paris Summer Olympics, Jonathan has been at the forefront of the industry’s biggest events. He has interviewed A-list entertainers and top athletes, including Oprah Winfrey, Leonardo DiCaprio, Rihanna, Brad Pitt, Tyler Perry, Taylor Swift, Stephen Curry, Janet Jackson, Muhammad Ali, Scarlett Johansson, Will Smith and Denzel Washington.

A driving force in shaping AP’s Los Angeles entertainment coverage, Jonathan played a crucial role in elevating the department into one of the organization’s most respected and profitable divisions. His recent storytelling blends depth, exclusivity and cultural relevance, with standout pieces on topics such as:

• Snoop Dogg’s emergence at the Paris Summer Olympics

• Will Smith’s post-slap introspection

• Lady Gaga’s creative rediscovery

• Noah Lyles’ Olympic triumph and health scare

• The rise of “Mufasa” through Aaron Pierre and Blue Ivy’s voices

• The evolution of the Super Bowl halftime show into a global spectacle

• Sean “Diddy” Combs’ legal battles

• Tiger Woods’ foray into fashion

Jonathan has delivered expert analysis on Court TV, Investigation Discovery’s "Lethally Blonde" and LiveNowFox, where he’s covered Beyoncé’s Christmas halftime show, the Golden Globes, and Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl performance.

He has also reported on the cultural impact of Chadwick Boseman’s death, the lasting legacy of Nipsey Hussle, and the street art in Los Angeles that honored the late Grammy-winning rapper. His award-winning work includes a deep dive into Tulsa massacre documentaries and an investigation into how hip-hop’s rising stars, like Lil Baby and Megan Thee Stallion, were overlooked by the Grammys.

Before Los Angeles, Jonathan made his mark in Atlanta, where he was the first to report on Usher’s divorce and custody battle, Forest Whitaker’s Oscar snub for "The Butler," Stevie Wonder’s criticism of Lil Wayne’s lyrics, and T.I.’s mentorship by civil rights icon Andrew Young following his federal gun charges. He also produced a widely recognized multimedia feature on HBCU marching bands’ influence on pop culture.

A Kansas City, Kansas native, Jonathan’s work has appeared in over 2,500 media outlets worldwide, including The New York Times, Yahoo, People, MTV, Billboard, ABC News and ESPN. He also launched AP’s first music podcast, wrote and produced scripts and booked guests for high-profile interviews.

Whether he’s reporting from the red carpet or breaking industry-shifting news, Jonathan continues to shape the conversation around entertainment, culture and the figures who define them.

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