Celebrity News – Us Weekly |
- Sarah Jessica Parker Reacts to Sexual Assault Allegations Against Chris Noth
- Inside 'Vanderpump Rules' Star James Kennedy's 1st DJ Gig Post-Raquel Split
- RHOC's Noella Bergener Claims Estranged Husband Abandoned Their Autistic Son
- Jussie's 2019 Case Had ‘Major Failure of Operations,' Says Special Prosecutor
- Joe Biden Welcomes New Puppy Commander to the White House
- Jacob Elordi Spotted With Olivia Jade 1 Month After Kaia Gerber Split
- SATC's Bridget Moynahan Reacts to Chris Noth Sexual Assault Allegations
- Bachelorette’s Becca Thanks BF Thomas for the ‘Best 6 Months of My Life’
- Kanye West Donates More Than 4,000 Toys to Chicago Holiday Drive
- Inside 'RHONJ' Star Dolores Catania's 'New Relationship' After David Split
- Queen Elizabeth II Is 'in Her Element' With Her Great-Grandchildren
- Paige DeSorbo and Craig Conover’s Relationship Timeline
- Charleston Is for Lovers! Winter House’s Paige and Craig Are IG Official
- Everything We Know About Kelly Clarkson, Brandon Blackstock’s Divorce
- Kelly Clarkson Loses Attempt to Have Ex Brandon Evicted From Montana Ranch
- The Queen's Royal Christmas Plans Change: Will William and Kate Attend?
- Kim K. Is 'Loving' Staten Island Amid Pete Davidson Romance: It's 'Low-Key'
- Big Sean Claims Kanye West Owes Him 'Millions' of Dollars
- Relive John Mulaney, Ex Anna Marie Tendler's Relationship Before Split
| Sarah Jessica Parker Reacts to Sexual Assault Allegations Against Chris Noth Posted: 20 Dec 2021 05:55 PM PST Sarah Jessica Parker is responding to allegations that her And Just Like That costar Chris Noth sexually assaulted multiple women. She released a joint statement with costars Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon on Monday, December 20. “We are deeply saddened to hear the allegations against Chris Noth,” a message shared to all three of the Sex and the City stars’ Instagram Stories reads. “We support the women who have come forward and shared their painful experiences. We know it much be a very difficult thing to do and we commend them for it.” On Thursday, December 16, two women came forward and described alleged nonconsensual encounters with the actor, 67, to The Hollywood Reporter. Zoe alleged that the Sex and the City alum "rape[d] her from behind" in 2004 when she was 22. She recalled the "painful" experience to the outlet, saying, "I realized there was blood on my shirt. I got out of there. I went to my friend's apartment [in the same West Hollywood apartment building]. I had stitches. Two police officers came. I wouldn't say who it was." The other woman, Lily, claimed that she was "totally violated" by the Wisconsin native in 2015 in Noth's apartment. "He said marriage is a sham. Monogamy is not real," Lily explained. "[He] was having sex with me from the back in a chair. We were in front of a mirror. I was kind of crying as it happened. … I went to the bathroom and put on my skirt. I was feeling awful. … All of my dreams with this star I loved for years were gone." The Equalizer star, who has been married to wife Tara Wilson since 2012, denied the claims in a statement to Us Weekly, saying, "The accusations against me made by individuals I met years, even decades, ago are categorically false. These stories could've been from 30 years ago or 30 days ago — no always means no — that is a line I did not cross. The encounters were consensual. It's difficult not to question the timing of these stories coming out. I don't know for certain why they are surfacing now, but I do know this: I did not assault these women." Earlier this month, Noth joined Parker, 56, and more of his former Sex and the City costars in HBO Max's revival, And Just Like That. The Golden Globe nominee, who plays Mr. Big, died in the first episode after riding his Peloton bike and having a heart attack. The stationary bike company reacted to the December 9 episode that same day. "I’m sure SATC fans, like me, are saddened by the news that Mr. Big dies of a heart attack. Mr. Big lived what many would call an extravagant lifestyle — including cocktails, cigars, and big steaks — and was at serious risk as he had a previous cardiac event in Season 6," Peloton told Us in a statement. "These lifestyle choices and perhaps even his family history, which often is a significant factor, were the likely cause of his death. Riding his Peloton bike may have even helped delay his cardiac event.” If you or someone you know have been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). |
| Inside 'Vanderpump Rules' Star James Kennedy's 1st DJ Gig Post-Raquel Split Posted: 20 Dec 2021 05:18 PM PST  Focusing on his work. Following James Kennedy and Raquel Leviss‘ decision to go their separate ways, the musician is putting all of his energy into his job. According to an eyewitness, Kennedy, 29, was “on his best behavior” while at a DJ gig at Pool After Dark inside Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City, NJ, on Saturday, December 18. The reality star, who was joined by his costars Tom Sandoval and Tom Schwartz, was “in a good mood” when interacting with fans and performing. The insider noted that Kennedy was “drinking water from a water bottle” and remained “professional” while the Vanderpump Rules trio entertained the crowd. Although there were attendees who approached the U.K. native, he “didn’t give into the attention” and didn’t seem like “he’s ready to date again” yet. Kennedy recently made headlines after he announced his split from Leviss, 27. “After these 5 wonderful years we had together, we decided we have two different goals and made the decision to call off the engagement,” the pair wrote in a joint statement once they wrapped filming the season 9 Vanderpump Rules reunion earlier this month. “We love each other very much, but we aren’t in love anymore. We want nothing but the best for each other so please keep any thoughts positive. Sending Love.” Their costar Ariana Madix admitted that although she was “shocked” to learn about the breakup during the reunion special, there was a major issue that she had previously noticed in their relationship. “I say this with nothing but love in my heart for James, I think when he stopped drinking and became sober there were other issues that he was not going to — his refusal to go to real therapy honestly is a huge red flag for me,” the former SUR bartender, 36, shared during an appearance on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen earlier this month. At the time, a source exclusively told Us Weekly that the exes found themselves in a “tumultuous relationship” since originally meeting at a New Year’s Eve party in 2016. “They both want different things,” the insider revealed to Us about their “hard decision” to part ways. “They don’t have love anymore in terms of a romantic relationship, but they still have love for each other as friends. … They’re really trying to figure out what their lives look like now that they’ve split. They have a lot of admiration and respect for each other.” Leviss, for her part, has offered her followers a glimpse at how her focus has shifted since she moved out of their shared apartment. “I wanted to do a little check in today and to thank you guys for all the sweet, kind messages. It really is heartwarming to read some of those so thank you so much. I am doing well,” she said in a series of videos via her Instagram Story on Thursday, December 16. “I’ve been listening to a lot of podcasts and really taking away this message of self love.” For the model, learning to practice self-care more taught her something important about herself. “I’m going to start journaling and taking up hobbies that I’m actually interested in doing and practicing more self love. I think one of the big things I got out of listening to all of these podcasts is that when you’re such a compassionate person and you always put other people’s needs before your own it is very easy to get carried away in that,” she added. “It’s important to kind of put yourself first and I think give yourself the love you give other people. I’m practicing that now and I’m being more kind and patient and loving to myself because that is very important.” With reporting by Diana Cooper |
| RHOC's Noella Bergener Claims Estranged Husband Abandoned Their Autistic Son Posted: 20 Dec 2021 05:11 PM PST  Not holding back. As fans watch Noella Bergener deal with her divorce on The Real Housewives of Orange County, the reality star revealed that her situation with estranged husband James Bergener has only gotten worse. “5 months ago my husband and partner of 6 years left the house with his toothbrush leaving behind his life, family and home,” Noella, 36, wrote in a lengthy Instagram post on Sunday, December 19, alongside a clip from an upcoming episode of RHOC. “He ended our marriage with service of divorce papers from Puerto Rico. Which he doesn't qualify for since we are California citizens and nothing untoward happened in our marriage there.” The sneak peek at the Wednesday, December 22, episode showed Noella emotionally reacting to the divorce papers. According to the Bravo personality, the issues between her and James have only gotten worse since then. “To this date James has not visited our son or given me any explanation for his departure. He has fled the state to evade service,” she continued, addressing the news that the lawyer allegedly owes the IRS and the State of California around $5.8 million. “My cards are still shut off, he hasn't paid a dime in support, he stopped paying for our home and is currently holding up our divorce unless I sign a statement saying that I lied about him, his business partner and his brand.” Noella claimed that she spoke “nothing but the truth” when it came to her ex, adding, “If anything I really protected my husband by not speaking about his issues but rather focused on my journey in this now divorce. He is the father of my child and want him to be well.” The RHOC newcomer explained that she chose to stay on the show because “it was the only thing getting me out of bed,” while also hoping that “others going through something similar” could relate to her story. “I realize there are three sides to every story. I have asked him to give an explanation through a 3rd party to provide insight which he has repeatedly declined. Everything I've said and am saying are FACTS,” she continued. “Thank you for your continued support and prayers for my family. I don't wish to encourage James bashing with this post. Just providing insight to the hell I am still in.” Noella, who married James in June 2020, discussed the shift in her marriage with Nicole James in the RHOC clip. "I still need to find him in order to turn back on the credit cards and make sure the rent gets paid and in order to move forward with my son's therapy," the California native, who shares 2-year-old son James with her estranged husband, detailed. While addressing her son’s autism diagnosis in another scene with costar Shannon Beador, Noella said that it was “definitely a curveball we didn't anticipate.” In court documents obtained by Us Weekly in August, Noella filed for legal separation and cited "irreconcilable differences" as the reason for their split. Noella also requested to receive primary and physical custody of their son, with a request that her estranged husband only have visitation rights. The Real Housewives of Orange County airs on Bravo Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET. |
| Jussie's 2019 Case Had ‘Major Failure of Operations,' Says Special Prosecutor Posted: 20 Dec 2021 05:04 PM PST In two years since Jussie Smollett told Chicago police that he was the victim of a homophobic and racist attack, there has been one shocking development after another. Investigators searched for the perpetrators of what was initially described as a "possible hate crime" before ultimately accusing the actor of staging his own assault. The Empire star reported that he was attacked in the early hours of January 29, 2019. Days later, he spoke out for the first time since the incident, stating that he was "working with authorities and [has] been 100 percent factual and consistent on every level." He also returned to work, performing a concert in West Hollywood before returning to the set of his Fox musical drama. Smollett appeared on Good Morning America in February 2019, for his first interview about the alleged attack. He became emotional at one point, saying that he was "forever changed" and felt "pissed off" by both the incident itself and the skepticism swirling on social media. A major development in the case came that same month, when police arrested two possible suspects, but they were released soon after without charges. Multiple reports later surfaced accusing the actor of staging the attack with the help of Abimbola “Bola” Osundairo and Olabinjo “Ola” Osundairo, which he repeatedly and vehemently denied. However, in February 2019, he was charged with felony disorderly conduct for making a false police report. The next morning, he was arrested. He was subsequently charged with 16 felony counts. In another shocking reversal, Smollett's attorneys announced in March 2019, that Cook County prosecutors dropped all charges against him and “his record has been wiped clean." “After reviewing all of the facts and circumstances of the case, including Mr. Smollett’s volunteer service in the community and agreement to forfeit his bond to the City of Chicago, we believe this outcome is a just disposition and appropriate resolution to this case,” the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office said in a statement at the time. However, nearly a year later, in February 2020, a special prosecutor Dan Webb indicted Smollett again, renewing the divisive case. The indictment against Smollett stated that he “knew at the time” that there was no crime when he reported to the police that he had been assaulted. In December 2021, Smollett took the stand where he explained that the attack was “no hoax.” “My character was a superstar, a pop star, a beloved GQ whatever,” he told the jury, according to the Tribune. “It was very important that I looked like Black Cary Grant, not beat down.” Smollett was found guilty of five felony counts of disorderly conduct in December 2021. Scroll down for a comprehensive timeline to stay up-to-date on everything we know about the story so far:  Smollett, who is openly gay, told the Chicago Police Department that he had been attacked on January 29, 2019, at 2 a.m. He said he was approached by two men who yelled racist and homophobic slurs and “This is MAGA country,” beat him, poured an unknown chemical substance on him and wrapped a rope around his neck. He transported himself to Northwestern Memorial Hospital and was released later that day in good condition. Gabriel Olsen/Getty Images  The first sign of progress in the case came on January 30, 2019, when police released grainy surveillance footage that department spokesman Anthony Guglielmi told Us Weekly showed two “potential persons of interest wanted for questioning.” Meanwhile, the FBI began investigating a threatening letter that was sent to Smollett at the Empire offices in Chicago days before the reported attack. G.N.Miller/NYPost / MEGA  Guglielmi told Us on January 31, 2019, that Smollett and his manager told police they were “talking on their cellphones” right before the attack, but the pair refused to turn over their phone records. That said, the spokesman said that investigators had “no reason to doubt the statements given” at the time. Greg Doherty/Getty Images  The actor’s family released a statement to Us later on January 31, 2019, that read in part, “Jussie was the victim of a violent and unprovoked attack. We want to be clear, this was a racial and homophobic hate crime. Jussie has told the police everything from the very beginning. His story has never changed, and we are hopeful they will find these men and bring them to justice.” Robin Marchant/Getty Images  Smollett broke his silence on February 1, 2019, telling fans in a statement to Essence that he was doing “OK” and thanking them for their support. “Despite my frustrations and deep concern with certain inaccuracies and misrepresentations that have been spread, I still believe that justice will be served,” he said. “As my family stated, these types of cowardly attacks are happening to my sisters, brothers and non-gender conforming siblings daily. I am not and should not be looked upon as an isolated incident. We will talk soon and I will address all details of this horrific incident, but I need a moment to process. Most importantly, during times of trauma, grief and pain, there is still a responsibility to lead with love. It’s all I know. And that can’t be kicked out of me.” Leon Bennett/Getty Images  The singer performed at the famed Troubadour nightclub in West Hollywood on February 2, 2019. He told the crowd, “I had to be here tonight, y’all. I can’t let [them] win. I will always stand for love.” The next week, a source confirmed to Us that he returned to the set of Empire. Gary Gershoff/WireImage  Smollett detailed his side of the story while sitting down with Robin Roberts on the February 14, 2019, episode of Good Morning America. He explained why he did not hand over his cellphone to police (“I have private pictures and videos and numbers”) and said the attack “felt like minutes but was probably, like, 30 seconds.” He added, “I just want young people, young members of the LGBTQ community — young, black children — to know how strong that they are.” Stephen Green/ABC via Getty Images  A report by ABC 7 Chicago released later on February 14, 2019, claimed that the attack was staged because Smollett’s character, Jamal Lyon, was allegedly being written off Empire. Guglielmi later clarified on Twitter that the report was “unconfirmed by case detectives,” calling it “uninformed and inaccurate.” Empire producers also disputed the “patently ridiculous” rumors surrounding the fate of Smollett’s character, telling Us in a statement that they “continue to stand behind” the star. In a February 20 statement, Fox added that Smollet continued “to be a consummate professional on set.” Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images  Authorities arrested two brothers, Abimbola “Abel” Osundairo and Olabinjo “Ola” Osundairo, on February 15, 2019, in connection with the reported attack. They had been picked up by police at O’Hare International Airport two days earlier. Hours after their arrests, the Osundairos, both of whom have had minor roles on Empire, were released without being charged and were no longer considered suspects. Santiago Felipe/Getty Images  After Smollett was accused of staging the attack, the news anchor spoke out about her interview with the actor. “When I sat down with Jussie, it was Tuesday night [February 12] in Chicago, at the time to ... publicly give his first account of what he said happened,” she said on Good Morning America on February 18, 2019. “At that time, on Tuesday, police officers were saying that his account was consistent, it was credible, and that he was being cooperative. This was all before the interview aired on Thursday, and then we found out about the brothers.” Roy Rochlin/Getty Images; Rachel Luna/Getty Images  Smollett was officially classified as a suspect in the investigation on February 20, 2019. Later that day, he was charged with felony disorderly conduct for making a false police report. In response, Smollett's legal team told Us they “intend to conduct a thorough investigation and to mount an aggressive defense.” FOX via Getty Images  Smollett was arrested in Chicago in the early hours of February 21, 2019. Police claimed during a press conference that the actor staged the incident because he was dissatisfied with his salary. In the wake of the news, Fox said in a statement to Us: “We understand the seriousness of this matter and we respect the legal process. We are evaluating the situation and we are considering our options.” The Marshall star was released on $100,000 bond after a court hearing later in the day. His legal team said in a statement to Us: “Today we witnessed an organized law enforcement spectacle that has no place in the American legal system. The presumption of innocence, a bedrock in the search for justice, was trampled upon at the expense of Mr. Smollett and notably, on the eve of a Mayoral election. Mr. Smollett is a young man of impeccable character and integrity who fiercely and solemnly maintains his innocence and feels betrayed by a system that apparently wants to skip due process and proceed directly to sentencing.” Chicago Police Department  Two hours after being released from jail, Smollett was spotted back on the set of Empire. E! News reported that the Mighty Ducks star was “originally intended to film throughout this week on the Fox series, but his role was dramatically reduced” in light of recent events. Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)  Empire producers Lee Daniels, Danny Strong, Brett Mahoney, Brian Grazer, Sanaa Hamri, Francie Calfo and Dennis Hammer released a statement on February 22, 2019, revealing that the actor will not appear in the end of Empire season 5. “The events of the past few weeks have been incredibly emotional for all of us. Jussie has been an important member of our Empire family for the past five years and we care about him deeply,” the team behind the show said. “While these allegations are very disturbing, we are placing our trust in the legal system as the process plays out. We are also aware of the effects of this process on the cast and crew members who work on our show and to avoid further disruption on set, we have decided to remove the role of ‘Jamal’ from the final two episodes of the season.” FOX via Getty Images  The Osundairos issued an apology on February 28, 2019, for allegedly helping Smollett stage the incident. “My clients have tremendous regret over their involvement in this situation, and they understand how it has impacted people across the nation, particularly minority communities and especially those who have been victims of hate crimes themselves,” the brothers’ attorney, Gloria Schmidt, said in a statement to CBS Chicago. CBS  The Illinois native enjoyed a low-key night with brother Jocqui, sister Jurnee, a female friend and two bodyguards on February 28, 2019, marking the first time he has been spotted in public since his arrest. The group had dinner at Eddie V’s Prime Seafood in Chicago in a private area toward the back of the restaurant. On the way there, Smollett tried to keep a low-profile by covering his head with the hood of his jacket. Jerod Harris/Getty Images for The Trevor Project  Us confirmed on March 7, 2019, that Smollett was indicted on 16 felony counts by a grand jury for filing a false police report. The charges were related to two separate interviews he had with authorities on January 29. Dominik Bindl/Getty Images  On March 12, 2019, Smollett arrived for a court hearing at the Chicago Leighton Criminal Courthouse. Although not required to attend, his rep Anne Kavanaugh told NBC News, “He will do everything he needs to do. He will go the extra mile to cooperate with the process.” The hearing determined that cameras would be allowed for the trial. DEREK HENKLE/AFP/Getty Images  Smollett’s attorneys, Tina Glandian and Patricia Brown Holmes, announced on March 26, 2019, that “all criminal charges against Jussie Smollett were dropped and his record has been wiped clean.” Their statement noted, “Jussie is relieved to have this situation behind him and is very much looking forward to getting back to focusing on his family, friends and career.” E. JASON WAMBSGANS/AFP/Getty Images  A source revealed to Us on March 27, 2019, that the FBI was investigating Smollett’s plea bargain. “There is an active federal investigation” into how the actor “received an unusually favorable plea deal,” the insider said. “Basically, there is a probe to decide whether or not foul play was involved in his bargain with prosecutors.” Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images  Us reported on April 4, 2019, that Smollett had “no plans” to repay the city of Chicago the more than $130,000 allegedly spent on the investigation into his attack. As a result, the city’s department of law announced its plan to file a civil complaint against the actor to “pursue the full measure of damages.” His legal team called the proceedings “factually and legally flawed” as well as “unconstitutional” in a letter obtained by Us. His attorney added: “Mr. Smollett will not be intimidated into paying the demanded sum.” Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images  The City of Chicago filed a suit against Smollett on April 11, 2019, seeking monetary relief for a sum to be determined at trial. According to documents obtained by Us, the city also requested that Smollett be fined a $1,000 civil penalty for each alleged false statement the city claims he made. Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images  After Variety reported that Empire writers were “prepping” for Smollett to return to the musical drama for its sixth and final season, co-creator Daniels responded with a tweet rebuking the outlet’s story on June 4, 2019. “This is not factual. Jussie will NOT be returning to Empire,” he wrote. Daniel Zuchnik/WireImage  Cook County Judge Michael Toomin ordered a special prosecutor to reinvestigate the probe on June 21, 2019, suggesting state’s attorney Kim Foxx mishandled the case. Former U.S. Attorney Dan Webb was later appointed to the role. Matt Marton/AP/Shutterstock  Taraji P. Henson’s Empire character, Cookie Lyon, briefly explained her onscreen son’s absence during the season 6 premiere on September 24, 2019, telling Gabourey Sidibe’s Becky Williams, “That boy ran off to London.” Chuck Hodes/FOX  Special prosecutor Webb indicted Smollett on six new felony counts of disorderly conduct on February 11, 2020, claiming the actor knew “that he was not the victim of a crime.” Mandatory Credit: Photo by TANNEN MAURY/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock  Smollett pleaded not guilty to the restored charges on February 24, 2020. His lawyer Glandian informed Judge James B. Linn that she asked the Illinois Supreme Court to halt the case, telling reporters that her client is “obviously frustrated to be dragged through this process again.” TANNEN MAURY/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock  During his December 2021 trial, Smollett testified that he met Abimbola at a club while he was filming season 4 of Empire. He revealed that the duo reportedly went to a bathhouse where they did drugs which led to "some touching." Abimbola, for his part, denied that he was intimate with Smollett during his own testimony that same month. He alleged that the Mighty Ducks actor requested that he help "fake beat him up," which he allegedly agreed to because he felt like he owed Smollett for getting him a role on Empire. Smollett also noted that Olabinjo "creeped" him out when they met, saying, "Every time we were around him he didn't speak to me. Every time we needed to leave, he made it seem like we needed to sneak off." He added: "He wasn't feeling me, it's fine," he said. "Who is he to me? It's fine." MEGA  A jury found Smollett guilty of five out of six felony counts of disorderly conduct at the conclusion of his December 2021 trial. TANNEN MAURY/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock  A 68-page report from special prosecutor Webb was made public on December 20, 2021, detailing the “major failure of operations” by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office in Smollett’s initial 2019 case. In the report, Webb pointed out a series of instances in which State’s Attorney Foxx and others in her office made false public statements about the case when they first prosecuted the actor. According to Webb’s findings, some of Foxx and her office’s actions could be violations of legal ethics, but nothing they did was criminal. Webb detailed multiple instances in which Foxx made overarching statements about Smollett’s case, which were untrue, before she recused herself from the case in the summer of 2019. One example explained that Foxx told the media in a statement that Smollett’s 2019 case was dropped like thousands of other similar cases, but Webb concluded that was false. “The fact that such a significant mischaracterization could be asserted without sufficient vetting, repeated by figureheads of the (Cook County State's Attorney's Office) and then never corrected or clarified — particularly in a case the (office) knows has captured the public attention — is unacceptable for an office that must be transparent and maintain public confidence,” Webb's report stated. The special prosecutor also pointed out that Foxx changed her public position about the strength of evidence against the star, which was “false and misleading.” Anthony Behar/Fox/PictureGroup/Shutterstock |
| Joe Biden Welcomes New Puppy Commander to the White House Posted: 20 Dec 2021 04:56 PM PST  There’s a new Biden in town! President Joe Biden and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, added another member to their family just in time for the holidays: a new puppy named Commander. The commander-in-chief, 79, and the first lady, 70, announced the news via social media on Monday, December 20. “Welcome to the White House, Commander,” the president’s official account tweeted alongside a photo of the adorable canine, seemingly a German shepherd. Later on Monday, the @POTUS Instagram account shared a video of the pet with the caption, “Meet the newest Biden.” The video showed the Bidens walking the pup into his new home at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. At one point, the president threw a tennis ball for Commander to catch. Commander joins fellow first dog Major, whom the Bidens adopted in 2018. Major has been spending much of his time in Wilmington, Delaware, after he bit a Secret Service worker and a National Park Service employee earlier this year. The Bidens’ other dog, Champ, died in June at age 13. “Our hearts are heavy today as we let you all know that our beloved German shepherd, Champ, passed away peacefully at home,” the couple said in a statement at the time. “He was our constant, cherished companion during the last 13 years and was adored by the entire Biden family.” Champ joined the family as a puppy in 2008 after Jill promised her husband that he could get a dog if he and former President Barack Obama won the presidential election. They did, so the Promise Me, Dad author picked out Champ and brought him home before the family moved into the Naval Observatory. Back in 2015, the former senator joked that Champ was “a talker” during an interview with 60 Minutes. After the Pennsylvania native asked the dog if he wanted to play golf, Champ barked until the then-vice president got up to get him a club. Though plenty of dog lovers were delighted by the arrival of Commander, some cat fanciers were miffed that the Bidens have not yet followed through on their promise to add a feline to the family. In April, the Book Buddies cofounder told the Today show that a cat is “waiting in the wings.” She added that Major, whose time in Delaware includes training to help him adjust to White House life, was also spending time with cats to prepare him for his new sibling. “He did fine,” she noted. |
| Jacob Elordi Spotted With Olivia Jade 1 Month After Kaia Gerber Split Posted: 20 Dec 2021 04:04 PM PST A December to remember? Jacob Elordi only split from Kaia Gerber one month ago, but he’s already been spotted hanging out with someone new: Olivia Jade Giannulli. The Euphoria star, 24, and the influencer, 22, were photographed grabbing coffee in Los Angeles’ Silver Lake neighborhood on Sunday, December 19. In photographs obtained by the Daily Mail, the duo strolled along the sidewalk with friends as Elordi, dressed casually in jeans and a hoodie, walked his golden retriever, Layla. The Dancing With the Stars alum, for her part, wore a gray sweatsuit and fuzzy slippers. Last month, Us Weekly confirmed that the Kissing Booth actor and Gerber, 20, called it quits after more than one year of dating. According to In Touch, the former couple “weren't spending much time together” because of their busy schedules, but "there are no hard feelings.” Though their relationship didn’t last, Elordi said that his ex taught him valuable lessons about how to deal with fame. "She handles herself wonderfully publicly," he told Men’s Health in an interview, which was conducted before their split, published on Monday, December 20. "[She taught me] how to deal with it and just kind of be whatever about it, you know?” The duo kept their relationship relatively private, but earlier this year, Gerber made a rare comment about her then-boyfriend when speaking to Vogue for her June/July 2021 cover story. “Being able to be with someone I trust, where we don't want anything from each other, having a safe, steady relationship like that, has really opened my eyes to the possibilities of love and what it feels like to love without conditions," she told the magazine at the time. "Lust is touching other people or wanting them, but love is really seeing someone." Giannulli, for her part, was most recently linked to Jackson Guthy. The YouTuber confirmed in August that she and the musician, 25, called it quits two years after getting back together. When an Instagram follower asked her during a Q&A if she was single, she replied, “I am indeed.” The Los Angeles native and Guthy previously split in May 2019 in the aftermath of the college admissions scandal in which Giannulli’s parents, Lori Loughlin and Mossimo Giannulli, were implicated. "Jackson broke up with Olivia because it was all getting to be too much for him," a source told Us at the time. "It wasn't necessarily affecting his career, but the fact that he couldn't be seen out in public with Olivia was difficult." Two months later, however, Us confirmed that the pair got back together. |
| SATC's Bridget Moynahan Reacts to Chris Noth Sexual Assault Allegations Posted: 20 Dec 2021 04:01 PM PST  After multiple women have come out with claims that Chris Noth sexually assaulted them, Bridget Moynahan responded to the news about her former Sex and the City costar. “It would be inappropriate for me to comment on things I don't have any knowledge of,” Moynahan, 50, told Elle on Friday, December 17. The model’s reaction came one day after The Hollywood Reporter released an investigative feature where two women detailed their alleged experiences with Noth, 67. One of the woman, named Zoe (a pseudonym to protect her identity), recalled how The Good Wife alum allegedly "rape[d] her from behind" after they met in 2004. The second woman, named Lily, claimed that Noth “was having sex with me from the back in a chair. We were in front of a mirror. I was kind of crying as it happened.” According to Lily, the Law & Order alum, who has been married to Tara Wilson since 2012, told her before the 2015 encounter, “Marriage is a sham. Monogamy is not real.” Noth, for his part, denied the allegations in a statement to Us Weekly, saying, "The accusations against me made by individuals I met years, even decades, ago are categorically false. These stories could've been from 30 years ago or 30 days ago — no always means no — that is a line I did not cross. The encounters were consensual.” The Wyoming native, who recently reprised his role as Mr. Big in HBO Max’s And Just Like That, claimed that it was “difficult not to question the timing of these stories coming out,” adding, “I don't know for certain why they are surfacing now, but I do know this: I did not assault these women." Amid a third woman coming out with her own claims against him, Noth was dropped by his talent management firm, A3 Artists Agency, and from his role on the CBS TV show The Equalizer. The Golden Globe nominee, whose character was killed off with a heart attack after a Peloton ride in the Sex and the City revival, was also scrubbed from the fitness company’s social media after he collaborated with them and Ryan Reynolds on a commercial. “Every single sexual assault accusation must be taken seriously. We were unaware of these allegations when we featured Chris Noth in our response to HBO's reboot. As we seek to learn more, we have stopped promoting this video and archived related social posts,” Peloton stated to Us about the decision. If you or someone you know have been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). |
| Bachelorette’s Becca Thanks BF Thomas for the ‘Best 6 Months of My Life’ Posted: 20 Dec 2021 02:57 PM PST Third time’s a charm! Becca Kufrin found love with Thomas Jacobs after deciding to give romance on reality TV another shot. The former Bachelorette, who was previously engaged to Arie Luyendyk Jr. and Garrett Yrigoyen, returned to Bachelor Nation during season 7 of Bachelor in Paradise, which premiered in August 2021. Despite being a little gun shy at the thought of falling in love on a reality show following two failed engagements, Kufrin arrived on the beach five days into filming. While it wasn't love at first sight, she eventually fell for Jacobs, who fans met during season 17 of The Bachelorette earlier that year. "We talked for maybe five minutes and at the end of the conversation he said something along the lines of … he called me a declined credit card," the Bourdon founder recalled during an October 2021 appearance on the "Talking It Out With Bachelor Nation" podcast of meeting Jacobs for the first time. "He was, like, trying to flirt and be kind of smooth and funny and it just came out wrong." The pair were able to overcome their awkward first encounter and form a strong relationship while filming in Mexico. After a brief breakup during the show's finale, the two made up off camera and started dating outside of the spotlight. "We came back [home] and had to explore that on our own away from the cameras but in that moment [on the beach during the finale], I think that was game-changing for me," Kufrin explained. "Because I have really never had somebody fight, I would say, like, tooth and nail to want to keep a relationship with me." The "Bachelor Happy Hour" podcast cohost later revealed that she called her mom shortly after connecting with the California native and told her how hard she fell for Jacobs. "I was like, 'Mom, I think I want to marry this guy,'" she told listeners during her joint podcast interview in October 2021. "It's the first time I've ever actually said that out loud." Jacobs, for his part, said he has asked Kufrin in "multiple text messages" about the type of ring she would want when he proposes. "It's something we’ve talked about," he said at the time. "I mean, I don’t want to spend my life with anybody else." The lovebirds didn't give an exact date as to when they rekindled their romance after leaving Mexico, but both stars confirmed they were back on after the show's October 2021 finale aired. "I feel safe with you. As if nothing could ever go terribly wrong," the real estate broker wrote via Instagram. "Thank you for being someone who I can put my trust in, someone who would never hurt me, someone who would never push 'us' away." Scroll down to relive the Bachelor in Paradise alum's relationship highs and lows:  Fans met Kufrin on season 22 of The Bachelor. During the season finale, Luyendyk Jr. proposed to the former public relations specialist, but later called off the engagement and moved on with runner-up Lauren Burnham. The race car driver married Burnham in 2019 and they have since welcomed daughter Alessi and twins Senna and Lux. Kufrin, for her part, became the Bachelorette on season 14, which premiered in May 2018. She got engaged to Yrigoyen during the finale but confirmed in September 2020 that they split. Broadimage/Shutterstock  Jacobs joined Bachelor Nation during season 17 of The Bachelorette. He was painted as a villain by the men in the house and cut by Katie Thurston for allegedly being there for “the wrong reasons.” Kufrin, however, didn’t know much about the San Diego, California, resident before meeting him on Bachelor in Paradise. “I had only seen, I think, the first two episodes of Katie’s season — it was before things got really bad for him,” she explained during an October 2021 appearance on the “Talking It Out With Bachelor Nation” podcast. “It was kind of like this weird mind [f—k] if you will because I was getting to know him for him on that beach and seeing how he interacted with everyone and seeing how everyone got along really well. And then when I would watch the show, I’d be like, ‘This isn't what I'm seeing, what's going on here?’ It was really, it was, like, this weird warp in my mind.” ABC/Craig Sjodin  The former college athlete popped up during the second episode of Bachelor in Paradise season 7, which premiered in August 2021, but filmed earlier in the summer. Kufrin made her Paradise debut one week later. Although Jacobs initially pursued Tammy Ly, sparks quickly flew between him and the Minnesota native. ABC/Craig Sjodin  Despite having serious chemistry during BiP, Kufrin broke up with her love during the show’s finale, which aired in October. At the time, Kufrin told Jacobs that she had doubts about his sincerity. “I feel like you’re so good at being supportive and positive and surprising me in all of the best ways, but I feel like sometimes it’s too good to be true and that scares me,” she said. “I’ve been here twice now before, and I couldn’t leave here and feel OK about leaving with somebody that I don’t 100 percent fully know.” Jacobs tried to reassure her that he was all in, saying, “Everything inside of me screams that I’m falling in love with you,” to which Kufrin replied, “But I haven’t seen any of that.” After showing their breakup on TV, ABC announced that the twosome had since gotten back together. “They are happy and in love,” the title card read at the end of the episode. ABC/Craig Sjodin  “We chatted until, like, three or four in the morning some nights and just talked about any and everything,” Kufrin said during an October 2021 appearance on the “Talking It Out With Bachelor Nation” podcast of the couple’s off-camera reunion. “The second I saw him — because I flew back to L.A. and then drove down to San Diego — I think right away he picked me up and kissed me and then we just had unlimited time to explore what this could be.” ABC/Craig Sjodin  “You know what they say … Third time’s a charm,” the B the Label designer captioned a video montage of her sweetest moments with Jacobs, confirming they are still dating after briefly calling it quits on the BiP finale. “I’m sorry for breaking up with you on national television, but I’ll take every day to make it up to you, Tommy. Thanks for making my heart smile far more than it ever has. Now time to start this real life @thomasajacobs.” ABC/Craig Sjodin  “Should I start following him on the gram yet or what?” Kufrin captioned a series of photos with her boyfriend at Blended Festival in San Diego, California, which they attended with fellow Bachelor Nation stars, including Blake Horstmann, Hannah Godwin and Dylan Barbour. Jacobs also shared snaps from the festive weekend, captioning them, “Memories a lot clearer than these photos. Kind of. #LoveMyPeople.” Courtesy of Becca Kufrin/Instagram  The “Bachelor Happy Hour” podcast host shared a sunset selfie with her beau on October 27, captioning it, “I love this life with you @thomasajacobs.” Courtesy Becca Kufrin/Instagram  “This past week was one of the best yet and my heart is so full — not only was I able to spend Thanksgiving with my family (last year was a bust, thanks Covid) but I was able to bring @thomasajacobs home to meet the most important people in my life,” Kufrin wrote via Instagram after bringing Jacobs to her hometown in Minnesota for Thanksgiving. “And show him all of the special Minnesotan places that made me who I am today. Thank you Tommy, for soaking it all in and appreciating the little things. Next time we will get you some snow.” Courtesy of Becca Kufrin/Instagram  "Getting hints of tall, dark and handsome with a bold taste of my future," Kufrin captioned an Instagram photo of Jacobs, who commented, "Nothing in this world I wouldn’t do for you." Courtesy of Instagram/Becca Kufrin |
| Kanye West Donates More Than 4,000 Toys to Chicago Holiday Drive Posted: 20 Dec 2021 02:54 PM PST Giving back! It's impossible not to take notice of the large number of stars who have shown their passion for being charitable. Over the course of her career, Angelina Jolie has shown just how much she cares about the lives and well-being of others. After helping to support the efforts of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the Maleficent actress was named a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador in 2001. In 2006, she launched the Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation with now-estranged husband Brad Pitt. The organization helps provide aid to humanitarian crises globally. Us Weekly confirmed in 2010 that the former couple made a $1 million contribution to Doctors Without Borders. Jolie previously told The Telegraph in 2012 why being charitable makes her feel good. "What are we in this world if we can't be of use to others in some way," she explained at the time. "It's a happier life. I had a wonderful mother and I learned a lot about women through her. I have great daughters who teach me a lot about the strength of women and little girls. And I've met amazing people around the world who've inspired me and taught me to be better." Beyoncé's charitable deeds have also not gone unnoticed. She even has a BET Humanitarian Award win and DoSomething.org's Most Charitable Celebrity title to prove her good will. Not only has the "Formation" singer used her platform to speak out against injustice and social issues, she has also founded the BeyGOOD initiative. Through BeyGOOD, the Grammy winner has worked alongside UNICEF to bring clean water and sanitation to the East African country Burundi and helped provide mobile coronavirus testing to Houston's Black community. In April 2020, her organization pledged to donate to mental health charities amid the coronavirus pandemic. "BeyGOOD recognizes the immense mental and personal health burdens being placed on essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic," a statement on her website read. "In our major cities, African-Americans comprise a disproportionate number of workers in these indispensable occupations, and they will need mental health support and personal wellness care, including testing and medical services, food supplies and food deliveries, both during and after the crisis." Shawn Mendes, for his part, has worked with organizations including DoSomething.org and the American Red Cross to help combat worldly issues. He also founded the Shawn Mendes Foundation in 2019, a non-profit that aims to inspire his fans to create positive change. "For a long time, I've wanted to find a way to amplify the causes that my fans and I care deeply about, and to help make the voices of our generation heard," the singer said in a statement, per Rolling Stone. "My goal in launching the foundation is to work alongside my fans, and do everything I can to help provide them with a platform that inspires positive change, and empowers young change-makers." Scroll down to see how stars have given back over the years.  The Keeping Up With the Kardashians alum teamed up with Postmates as its “Better Than Santa” ambassador in December 2021 to help grant wishes to lucky entrants. "It's my favorite time of year and that's why I'm working with Postmates to be Better Than Santa," Jenner explained via a press release. "I couldn't be more excited to be delivering real presents across the Twitter-verse to people on the 'nice' and 'rarely naughty list.’ We want to grant wishes and make people's year. Anyone need a flight home to see their family? Or a television?" David Fisher/Shutterstock  The Grammy nominee joined forces with KFC to donate $250,000 to victims of tornados throughout his home state in December 2021. “Growing up I always dreamed of being the biggest artist to come from Kentucky,” the “What’s Poppin” crooner shared via Instagram. “Now I’m teaming up with @KFC, the biggest brand to come out of Kentucky. For the next year, we’re gonna do some big things together. It couldn’t come at a better time, as the state needs our help more than ever in the wake of this past weekend’s devastating tornadoes. Together we will be donating $250k to the @americanredcross in support of relief efforts. I ask that you donate whatever you can to help those affected by this tragedy.” AFF-USA/Shutterstock  Johnson’s Project Rock collection with Under Armour partnered with his former high school football teams in Pennsylvania and Hawaii to donate new sports equipment. “My family was evicted from Hawaii and forced to move to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania,” the action star tweeted in October 2021. “Times were tougher back then, but I will always be grateful to McKinley High & Freedom High for the invaluable lessons of life I was taught. A pleasure to give back.” Anthony Harvey/Shutterstock  The "Dangerous Woman" singer announced in October 2021 that she was teaming up with BetterHelp to "give away up to $5 million in free therapy" in honor of World Mental Health Day. "I acknowledge that there are very real barriers when it comes to accessing mental health resources, and while this is only one small gesture (and a much larger systemic problem remains)," she wrote via social media. "I wanted to do this again with @betterhelp in hopes of bringing access to a few more people and perhaps inspiring a few of you to try something new and prioritize your own healing." Matt Baron/Shutterstock  The rapper announced in October 2021 that he plans to donate to five local organizations in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. AMPED, Center for Women and Families, Grace M. James Academy of Excellence, Louisville Urban League and Metro United Way will all receive money from the musician. "I spent all my life fantasizing about being someone that could put Louisville on a pedestal," Harlow told Billboard at the time. "There’s a spirit and pride that runs deep, and it becomes more obvious to me when I travel to other cities and realize that that doesn’t exist everywhere. The city has always been special to me and I think we breed very unique, often laid-back people." Photo Image Press/Shutterstock  The "Crazy in Love" performers partnered with Tiffany & Co. for the Love Scholarship program via BeyGOOD and the Shawn Carter Foundation. The organizations have pledged to give $2 million to students working toward degress in arts and creative fields at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, Norfolk State University in Virginia, Bennett College in North Carolina, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and Central State University in Ohio. PictureGroup/Shutterstock  In August 2021, the couple donated $10,000 to Hope for Haiti following a 7.2-magnitude earthquake and flooding from Tropical Depression Grace earlier that month. “Our entire organization would like to thank @vancityreynolds and @blakelively for their generous donation to our #HaitiEarthquake Response & Recovery efforts," the organization announced on Instagram. "This donation will help empower our team to continue to respond in the hardest-hit areas of southern Haiti in the days and weeks to come.” One month later, the pair pledged to match donations to the NAACP's Legal Defense Fund up to $1 million. Photo Image Press/Shutterstock  "Really hurts to see all the devastation that's going on in Haiti, and I feel like we really can't catch a break. I'm about to play a tournament this week and I'll give all the prize money to relief efforts for Haiti," the tennis pro tweeted in August 2021 after the island was hit by a massive earthquake. "I know our ancestors blood is strong [and] we'll keep rising." Seth Wenig/AP/Shutterstock  The country crooner quietly donated to a GoFundMe page to help cover the funeral costs of three young men who died after attending his concert. Kole Sova, William “Richie” Mays Jr. and Dawson Brown attended the “Better Together” singer’s July 2021 performance at the Faster Horses Festival in Brooklyn, Michigan. The next day, the men were found dead in their travel trailer of assumed carbon monoxide poisoning, according to a CBS News report. Ford Fairchild/Country Music Association Inc/Shutterstock  The singer awarded more than 30 Black and Latinx business founders around $15,000 through his nonprofit organization, Black Ambition. He also awarded one entrepreneur $1 million. Ovidiu Hrubaru/Shutterstock  Jeff Bezos’ ex-wife announced in June 2021 that she and new husband Dan Jewett donated $2.7 billion to 286 different “high-impact organizations in categories and communities that have been historically underfunded and overlooked,” including nonprofits, charities and other organizations during the first quarter of the year. “Over 700 million people globally still live in extreme poverty,” Scott wrote in a Medium post. “To find solutions, we all benefit from on-the-ground insights and diverse engagement, so we prioritized organizations with local teams, leaders of color, and a specific focus on empowering women and girls.” Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/Shutterstock  "There is a desperate need to support the exhausted health infrastructure, breaking under the pressure of a ferocious second wave of COVID-19. With more than 300,000 recorded cases every day — higher than any other country in its peak — the health system is on the brink of collapse. So we feel the best way to help is to provide the support it needs," the couple, who wed in 2018, explained via an April 2021 fundraiser to provide supplies for vaccination and testing sites in India amid the COVID-19 pandemic. David Fisher/Shutterstock for BAFTA  The musician visited California State Prison in Los Angeles county in March 2021 and performed his hit “Lonely” for a small group of prisoners. Bieber also sang three other songs in support of his mission to help spread the word of God and promote his faith-based programs with a pastor. Broadimage/Shutterstock  The Weeknd announced in April 2020 that he was going to donate $1 million to relief efforts in Ethiopia amid the ongoing conflict between the government in Addis Ababa and the Tigray region. "My heart breaks for my people of Ethiopia as innocent civilians ranging from small children to the elderly are being senselessly murdered and entire villages are being displaced out of fear and destruction," the singer, whose parents are from Ethiopia, said via Instagram. James Gourley/BEI/Shutterstock  Teen Cancer America and Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt announced in March 2021 that Jenner’s $500,000 donation from sales of her Kylie Cosmetics line went toward the construction of a new lounge for teen and young adult cancer patients. The reality star revealed her intentions to give the funds to the organization in 2017 in honor of her friend Harry Hudson, who survived stage 3 Hodgkin lymphoma. “Teen Cancer America is an incredible organization, and I’m so blessed that I was introduced to it through Harry,” Jenner said in a statement. “It’s been an incredible process to see this come to life, and I send well-wishes to all patients and their families.” Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/Shutterstock  The Masked Singer judge donated $50,000 to the families of five people who were killed in shootings at three Atlanta-area spas in March 2021. “Stop the pandemic of hate,” he said in a Twitter video condemning the rise of anti-Asian racism in the U.S. during the COVID-19 crisis. Matt Baron/Shutterstock  The “Stronger” singer teamed up with Wayfair to rebuild two Lake Charles, Louisiana, residents’ homes that were destroyed by back-to-back hurricanes in 2020. The Kelly Clarkson Show host, who is a brand ambassador for Wayfair, revealed the finished projects in March 2021. "It can take years to rebuild a community, but if we work together to help those in need, we can accomplish a lot,” she said in a press release, noting she and the furniture retailer covered all the recovery and renovation costs for the houses. "I am so happy that Wayfair and I were able to step in to help these families get back on their feet by creating a space they love and are proud to call home.” Rebecca Cabage/Invision/AP/Shutterstock  Following Texas’ unprecedented February 2021 weather crisis, the “Savage” rapper enlisted the help of U.S. Representative Sheila Jackson Lee and the National Association of Christian Churches Disaster Services to raise money to repair homes for senior citizens and single mothers in Houston, Texas. "Seeing the devastation and hearing the heartbreaking stories that have surfaced, I knew I had to do something to help my hometown," the “Body” artist said in a statement. "I am so happy that Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, the NACC and I aligned on the goal of repairing the homes of the elderly and uninsured single moms who are the most vulnerable and often displaced by these kinds of devastating events." Matt Baron/Shutterstock  The late-night talk show host kicked off the new year with an act of generosity, leaving a $400 tip for a waiter after dining out with his wife, Nancy Juvonen, in January 2021. The pair enjoyed a meal at Kissaki Sushi in Water Mill, New York, the New York Post’s Page Six reported. Adam Nemser/Startraks  “Christmas is about giving,” the singer captioned an Instagram video hosting a toy drive in her hometown of Sacramento in December 2020. “Thank you to everyone who came out to get the gifts and toys for the kids ! Next year I WILL BE BACK!” Courtesy of Lexy Panterra/Instagram  The Good American cofounder took her daughter, True, to their local fire station in December 2020 to donate toys for the holiday season. “I know True is young, but I think it is important for her to understand how blessed and fortunate she is,” Kardashian wrote via Instagram. “It’s so important for her to see how we give back to others, ESPECIALLY in such unprecedented times.” The pair dropped off bags of toys after learning that donations were down more than 50 percent during the coronavirus pandemic. Courtesy Khloe Kardashian/Instagram (2)  In December 2020, the “Cardigan” singer gave $13,000 to two mothers, Nikki Cornwell and Shelbie Selewski, who are battling coronavirus. The individuals received the donations from Swift through their respective GoFundMe pages alongside with a sweet, supportive message. “I read about you in the Washington Post and thought it was really brave of you to share your story. I’m so sorry for everything you’ve had to go through this year and wanted to send you this gift, from one Nashville girl to another,” the Grammy winner wrote on Cornwell’s page. She added a note to Selewski’s page that read, “I’m sending you this gift after reading about you in the Washington Post. No one should have to feel the kind of stress that’s been put on you. I hope you and your beautiful family have a great holiday season.” Michael Hurcomb/Shutterstock  The YouTuber donated $50,000 in December 2020 to TikTok star Madison Olds as she raises money on GoFundMe to help her boyfriend Derek Jezewsky. Olds, who is hoping to get Jezewsky a stem cell procedure that could help him walk again, has been tagging Dobrik in TikToks to get him to duet with her. Instead, the Slovak native partnered with Postmates to donate $50,000 to the fundraiser. The generous amount allowed the couple to reach their fundraising goal. John Salangsang/Shutterstock  The couple teamed up with HBO Max in coordination with their new comedy Superintelligence to launch the 20 Days of Kindness campaign in November 2020. The campaign donated $20,000 to 20 different charities during its 20-day run, including Girls Who Code, Feeding America and Make-A-Wish. The pair raised a total of $1.5 million for the charities during the 20 days and gave fans a chance to win a virtual hangout with the lovebirds and take home a Tesla Model X by donating as well. Eric Charbonneau/Shutterstock  The “Man of the Woods” crooner gifted 17-year-old Jake Sitt, who lives with cerebral palsy, with a wheelchair-accessible van in November 2020. Timberlake purchased the van after Jake and his father, Tim, raised more than $35,000 in hopes of buying the van themselves. Now, the family gets to keep the funds to help pay for Jake’s care. "It's my pleasure. Like I said, I heard there was a goal to try to get this van before Thanksgiving. I heard your story and saw a little news clip about it,” Timberlake told the family over Zoom ahead of Thanksgiving. "I was so moved that I want you guys to have this van. I'm going to cover all the costs. I want you guys to have a great holiday. You inspire me, Jake." Brad Barket/Invision/AP/Shutterstock  The former NBA star donated $2 million of his proceeds from The Last Dance documentary to food banks in Carolina and Chicago in November 2020. “In these challenging times and in a year of unimaginable difficulty due to COVID-19, it’s more important than ever to pause and give thanks,” Jordan said in a statement ahead of Thanksgiving. “I am proud to be donating additional proceeds from The Last Dance to Feeding America and its member food banks in the Carolinas and Chicago to help feed America’s hungry.” Omar Vega/Invision/AP/Shutterstock  The couple donated $500,000 to organizations helping at-risk youth in Canada in November 2020. The pair decided to give $250,000 to Covenant House Vancouver and another $250,000 to Covenant House Toronto ahead of the holidays. "The young people who pass through the doors of Covenant House more often than not have a story marked by extraordinary trauma,” Reynolds said in a statement on the charity’s website. “They are so much more than that trauma. They have so much to offer the world. Matching this gift is saying you believe in them. You believe in the power of compassion to transform the trajectory of a human being." Gregory Pace/Shutterstock  Bloom and Deschanel took to social media in November 2020 to push for crowdsourcing donations for an ailing stunt person. Zach Hudson, who has done stunt work in Bloom’s film Pirates of the Caribbean, was diagnosed with ALS in early 2020. His wife, Monica Braunger Hudson, who has served as Deschanel’s stunt double on New Girl, has been struggling to take care of him and their daughters since they’re unable to get stunt work amid the COVID-19 crisis. “If you have a few dollars to spare please consider donating,” the 500 Days of Summer star wrote via Instagram alongside a pic of her and Monica. Bloom, for his part, wrote on the app with a pic of himself and Zach: “He is currently bravely fighting ALS which is progressing much faster than expected. If you happen to be a fan of the movie and/or me please follow the link in my bio for ways you could be a blessing for this wonderful family.” Shutterstock (2)  Amid the coronavirus pandemic in November 2020, the Ad Astra actor handed out boxes of groceries to low-income families in South Central Los Angeles. Stewart Cook/BEI/Shutterstock  The actors, who've playfully feuded for years, competed for a good cause in November 2020. Reynolds' Aviation Gin and Jackman's Laughing Man Coffee teamed up with Sam's Club to see which brand could raise the most money for their chosen charities ahead of the holiday season. "You can side with me and not only affirm Ryan is the canned cranberry sauce of human beings, but also contribute to the Laughing Man Foundation, which helps farming communities around the world," Jackman teased, while Reynolds countered that "like mistletoe, Hugh just makes things awkward." Courtesy of Ryan Reynolds/Instagram  As the 2020 holiday season grew near, Ciara teamed up with Amazon to surprise a lucky Seattle Children's Hospital employee working on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. The "Level Up" singer curated a custom home makeover with brand-new furniture and décor. To further give back to the community, Amazon also donated to Seattle Children's Hospital and Why Not You Foundation, the nonprofit founded and led by Ciara and her husband, Russell Wilson. Mark Malijan Photography on behalf of Amazon  The actor donated $100,000 to his Borat 2 costar Jeanise Jones’ community church in Oklahoma City in October 2020. Jones’ parish started raising money for her via GoFundMe after she was unemployed amid the COVID-19 crisis. “Please consider saying thank you to Jeanise with a tangible gift,” the GoFundMe read. “She’s unemployed right now due to Covid. Previously, she worked on a job for 32 years! She’s faithful! Please consider giving a contribution to simply to say thank you to Jeanise for being 'A moral compass and a light shining in darkness' in this movie. I would be remiss if I didn’t thank Sacha Cohen Baron and (producer) Monica Levinson for casting Jeanise in this movie.” Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP/Shutterstock  In October 2020, the Keeping Up With the Kardashians star donated $1 million to the Armenia Fund amid the ongoing conflict in the country. The initiative aims to provide food, shelter, medical aid and more to those affected. “I’m so honored to be part of today’s global effort to support the @armeniafund. I’ve been speaking out about the current situation in Armenia and Artsakh and having conversations with so many others to bring further awareness to the crisis that we cannot allow to advance,” she said in an Instagram video. “My thoughts and prayers are with the brave men, women and children. I want everyone to remember that despite the distance that separates us, we are not limited by borders and we are one global Armenian nation together.” Kardashian’s sisters Kourtney Kardashian and Khloé Kardashian followed suit by also raising awareness to the cause via Instagram. Courtesy Kim Kardashian/Instagram  The Disney Channel alum founded the Happy Hippie Foundation in 2014 “to rally young people to fight injustice facing homeless youth, LGBTQ youth, and other vulnerable populations.” She also supports 39 well-known charities, including Make-a-Wish Foundation, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, To Write Love on Her Arms, NOH8 Campaign and The Jed Foundation. Broadimage/Shutterstock  As a trailblazer for LGBTQ equality in Hollywood, the Orange Is the New Black actress works hard to amplify minority voices. In 2015, she helped raise more than $1 million for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Kristina Bumphrey/StarPix/Shutterstock  A U.N. Women Goodwill Ambassador and major member of the HeForShe campaign, the Harry Potter actress is a vocal advocate for gender equality across the globe. In 2018, she gave an estimated $1.4 million to the U.K. Justice and Equality Fund, an anti-sexual harassment campaign. Chris Allerton/Shutterstock  The Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient snapped a now-iconic selfie at the 2014 Oscars and teamed up with Samsung to donate $1 for every retweet the picture produced. DeGeneres contributed half of the $3 million to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the other half to the Humane Society of the United States. Rob Latour/Shutterstock  In 2016, the “Tiny Dancer” singer topped the U.K.’s Sunday Times Giving List for donating a total of $38 million to different charities. His own Elton John Foundation, created in 1993, is a grant-making organization that is “committed to [overcoming] the stigma, discrimination and neglect that keeps us from ending AIDS.” Chris Pizzello/AP/Shutterstock  The Hamilton creator supports various Broadway-related foundations, including Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. In March 2020, he committed $1 million to provide scholarships to actors of color through the Miranda Family Fund. Matt Baron/Shutterstock  The Little Women actress has contributed to several different philanthropic organizations through the years, including Oxfam America, New York’s Meals on Wheels, the Coalition for the Homeless and the National Women’s History Museum. Streep and her husband, Don Gummer, founded the Silver Mountain Foundation for the Arts in 2012 to support arts education and provide millions of dollars in grants. Steve Cohn/Shutterstock  In April 2020, the couple made a $112,000 contribution to Feeding Britain, a hunger charity dedicated to providing good quality food to children and families in need, from profits they earned from the BBC broadcast of their May 2018 wedding. Individually, the pair have also been fierce advocates for patronages like the Sentebale foundation and The Mayhew throughout their royal tenure. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex also made a generous donation to a cause close to both of their hearts in honor of the prince's 36th birthday in September 2020. CAMFED, a nonprofit organization focused on girls' education and empowerment in Africa, confirmed via Twitter that the couple matched a total of $130,000 raised by the organization's supporters — and shared a special message along with the contribution. "No better way to celebrate what really matters. Thank you to everyone who donated, Harry and Meghan," the pair said. Shutterstock  The “Vice” singer teamed up with the Waggle Foundation to create the MuttNation Fund in September 2020 to help pets impacted by the coronavirus pandemic and their owners in the music industry. With the fund, which Lambert’s nonprofit MuttNation Foundation will contribute to, anyone in the music community who has an animal with medical needs that they cannot afford to pay amid the pandemic will be able to receive aid for the vet bills. Lambert helped launch the charity effort after her backup singer Gwen Sebastian’s dog fell ill in March 2020. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Lambert’s team wasn’t touring, and therefore it was nearly impossible for Sebastian to keep up with the vet fees. "It was such an unexpected major expense at an already tough time," Lambert said in a press release. "So, it got me thinking that there must be a lot more people whose careers in the music industry have been on pause due to lack of live performance opportunities, and who are struggling with their pets’ vet bills." She continued: "Because music and mutts are my two passions, I knew I had to do something and thought that starting this fund would help both the music community that’s been so supportive of me, and their pets." Matt Baron/Shutterstock  The “Lover” singer donated over $30,000 in August 2020 to a gifted teenager in London named Vitoria Mario who created a GoFundMe page to raise tuition to become a mathematician. She described herself as a “Black 18 year old with a dream” who hopes to attend the University of Warwick, but currently can’t afford it. The “Cardigan” musician replied on the page after being touched by the young girl’s story. "Vitoria, I came across your story online and am so inspired by your drive and dedication to turning your dreams into reality,” Swift wrote. “I want to gift you the rest of your goal amount. Good luck with everything you do! Love, Taylor." Charles Sykes/Invision/AP/Shutterstock  In August 2020, the "Blinding Lights" artist held a virtual concert on TikTok, pulling in more than two million viewers who helped raise $350,000 for the Equal Justice Initiative through purchases of limited edition Weekend x TikTok merchandise. The Equal Justice Initiative, founded in 1989, focuses on ending mass incarceration in the United States, combating racial and economic injustices and fighting for equal rights for all. PICJER/imageSPACE/Shutterstock  The couple donated to three organizations in August 2020 following a deadly explosion in Beirut, Lebanon, which left more than 100 people dead and 5,000 wounded. "We’re both deeply concerned for the people of Beirut and the devastation they’ve faced in the last few days,” the pair said in a statement to Us Weekly. “Three charitable organizations we’ve found are providing essential relief on the ground: the Lebanese Red Cross, Impact Lebanon, and Baytna Baytak. We will be donating these three 100,000 dollars and hope that others will help in any way they can.” Nils Jorgensen/Shutterstock  The father-son duo announced that their rosé wine company, Hampton Water, will donate $1 per bottle sold for the month of August 2020 to World Central Kitchen amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the “Livin’ on a Prayer” singer scheduled a free live-streamed concert for August 14 at 6 p.m. ET on Hampton Water’s Facebook page. “When the pandemic started and people were struggling across the country, we knew we needed to do something to help,” Jesse said in a statement. “WCK has created an amazing pathway to not only help those in need, but also bring out of work restaurants much needed business. For us this partnership was a no brainer.” Tim Rooke/Shutterstock  On what would have been the 69th birthday of her late dad Robin Williams, the actress chose to give back to charity. “Today would’ve been Dad’s 69th birthday,” she tweeted in July 2020. “So to honor him (& that glorious number), I will be donating $69.69 to as many local homeless shelters as I can. Join me if you like, but regardless, know I am wishing you all at least one hearty, immature belly laugh on Dad today ♥️ .” Omar Vega/JanuaryImages/Shutterstock  Through her BeyGOOD initiative, Beyoncé teamed up with Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey in April 2020 to donate $6 million to aid mental health organizations amid the coronavirus pandemic. “BeyGOOD has partnered with Jack Dorsey’s #startsmall to provide $6 million in funding to organizations providing mental wellness services, through a key national partnership with UCLA,” a statement on her website read. “The initiative is also partnering with the National Alliance [on] Mental Illness (NAMI) to offer local support in Houston, New York, New Orleans and Detroit.” The former Destiny’s Child member also launched a new initiative in June 2020 called Black Parade, during which she would help support Black-owned businesses in the U.S. Three years earlier, she released the remix to “Mi Gente” by J. Balvin and Willy William and announced that all proceeds from the song would benefit Hurricane Maria relief efforts. “I am donating my proceeds from this song to hurricane relief charities for Puerto Rico, Mexico and the other affected Caribbean islands,” she wrote on Instagram about the track. Richard Young/Shutterstock  The Ad Astra actor created the Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation in 2006 with now-estranged wife Jolie. He then launched the Make It Right Foundation in 2007. The non-profit organization was created to assist in rebuilding a portion of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina in a way that’s environmentally friendly. David Fisher/Shutterstock  The Fosters alums Maia Mitchell, Cierra Ramirez, Noah Centineo, Teri Polo, Sherri Saum, Hayden Byerly, David Lambert and Danny Nucci announced they were helping to raise money for The Actors Fund in July 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic. The former costars will virtually reunite and revisit the show’s pilot as part of a one-night special. ABC FAMILY/Andrew Eccles  It was announced in July 2020 that the Canadian crooner’s Shawn Mendes Foundation will partner with Global Citizen Year to launch the Global Citizen Academy. The leadership program is available for high school graduates around the world, and will provide accepted students with social impact skills. Mendes’ foundation will award $250,000 need-based scholarships to those accepted into the academy. “Our world needs young leaders now more than ever,” the singer said in a statement issued to Us. “It’s been truly inspiring to watch so many young activists use their voices. By working with Global Citizen Academy, my hope is that we can empower many more young people around the world with the resources and tools they need to make an impact.” David Fisher/Shutterstock  The longtime Jeopardy! host shelled out $500,000 in June 2020 to help the Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission get a new 50,000 square-foot facility up and running for people experiencing homelessness in the area. His generous donation came three months after he gave an additional $100,000 to the same shelter in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP/Shutterstock  The actor dressed up as his Pirates of the Caribbean character, Jack Sparrow, in June 2020, to virtually visit with children at Queensland Children’s Hospital. He teamed up with Juiced TV, which is an Australian entertainment company that helps brighten sick kids’ hospital stays by getting special guests to stop by and spread love.  On May 28, the “Bad at Love” singer made generous donations after the death of George Floyd, who was killed by a police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota. ”I have been trying to figure out how to help more directly so I have complied [sic] a list of organizations,” she wrote via Twitter. “I’ve donated to a few, and you can too. #BlackLivesMatter.” Halsey gave $50,000 to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, $25,000 to Reclaim the Block and $25,000 to Black Visions Collective. She also made contributions to The Minnesota Freedom Fund and the Black Lives Matter initiative. “My initial contributions are $100,000 to the various organizations I have included,” she tweeted. “I encourage you and my peers to contribute whatever you can. Every amount counts!!!!!” Christopher Polk/Variety/Shutterstock  The former One Direction member volunteered at one of Trussell Trust’s food banks in the U.K. during the coronavirus pandemic in April 2020. “Recently I made a personal, long-term commitment to support the Trussell Trust and their vital work supplying meals to those in need all over the U.K.,” he tweeted at the time. “It was humbling to get involved in my local food bank yesterday, and to meet some of the incredibly passionate people like Carla, Dorothea and Helena who are working tirelessly during these incredibly tough times.” Payne added, “I’m glad to be playing my small part as we work towards a future in which nobody needs a food bank.” Keith Mayhew/SOPA Images/Shutterstock  In the wake of his grandmother’s coronavirus death, the Saturday Night Live star said he will pay the rent of NYC tenants who lived within his late relative’s building. “It’s crazy to me that residents of public housing are still expected to pay their rent when so many New Yorkers can’t offer much help by myself,” he wrote via Instagram. “But in the spirit of my late grandmother, I’m paying one month’s rent for all 160 apartments in NYCHA building she lived in.” Che continued, “I know that’s just a drop in the bucket. So I really hope the city has a better plan for debt forgiveness for all the people in public housing AT THE VERY LEAST.” Mary Ellen Matthews/NBC  In an effort to help with the Australia bushfires, the Fleabag star revealed that she will auction off her plunging, sequined Ralph & Russo suit to raise money for the relief. “We made a plan with Ralph & Russo, who are Italian designers, who created this incredible couture suit, which is the most amazing thing I have ever worn,” the English actress told Us Weekly and other reporters during the 77th Golden Globe Awards press room in January 2020. “We are going to auction it, and the money we raise from it is going to relief to Australia. It's a beautiful idea for the team. So I'm really excited to be part of that.” Shutterstock  The Long Shot star made an appearance on The Price Is Right in December 2019 to help raise awareness and funds for his charity with wife Lauren Miller Rogen, Hilarity for Charity, which aims to find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. During his time on the CBS show, he raised a whopping $69,000 for the pair’s charity. Seth and Lauren, who wed in 2011, founded their organization in 2012 after the actress’ mother was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Ella DeGea/CBS  The “Rodeo” rapper loaded up her sleigh — a.k.a. her Target cart — with thousands of dollars of presents for kids in need in December 2019, according to TMZ. The site reported that Cardi B spent about $5,000 on toys, games, dolls, car sets and other gifts at the Miami-area Target and loaded the haul into a moving van with the help of her staffers. WWD/Shutterstock  Ahead of the Christmas holiday in December 2019, the “Anything Could Happen” singer chose to spend her time giving back to those experiencing homelessness in London. She volunteered with homelessness aid charity Crisis, wearing an all-black ensemble and a name tag that read “Ellie G” as she handed out beverages. She previously opened up about her work with Crisis in December 2018, when she tweeted about how it’s “always such a pleasure to work with all the other volunteers and staff” involved with the charity. She described Crisis as a “warm [and] safe environment for people to come in off the street and have some food, a chat or just some warmth.” Richard Young/Shutterstock  The outspoken advocate for Mencap, a charity for people with a learning disability, made a large contribution to the organization in June 2019 after Game of Thrones fans started a fundraiser in his honor as he sought treatment for personal struggles. “To those of you who set this page up in my name and to those of you who contributed and left messages, please accept my deepest and most heartfelt thank you,” the actor wrote along with his nearly $10,000 contribution at the time. “This donations page lifted my heart and brought tears to my eyes, what a beautiful gift to receive…how generous of all of you. Mencap is truly a wonderful charity and the money given here will go to the most incredible cause. With love and respect from beyond the wall…Kit x.” Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for J/P HRO Gala  The former Jeopardy! contestant, who took home a win on the show for 32 straight days from April to June 2019, donated $1,109.14 (a nod to his daughter's November 9, 2014 birthday) to his Illinois hometown's Pancreatic Cancer Walk in June 2019. The gift was made in honor of host Alex Trebek, who revealed that he had been diagnosed with the disease in March. Bruce Bennett/Getty Images  The actress previously told Us she wanted to get in solved in a charity with “high impact, long term commitment to communities." During a trip to Zambia, a waitress noticed her World Vision shirt and told her it was that very charity that made it possible for her to go to school. It was the moment the star of The Middle says she realized just the power of this Christian organization, which fights childhood poverty. “Jesus said, ‘Love God with your whole being, and love your neighbor as yourself,’” Heaton told Us. “World Vision is the perfect embodiment of that command. [The charity] reaches across religions and cultures to help people in need.” COURTESY OF WORLD VISION  The Goldbergs star says getting involved with WriteGirl was “a happy accident.” After missing the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner, she was free to act in the organization’s annual showcase of sketches and monologues written by young girls. “I couldn’t believe how amazing it was,” she told Us at the time. “I wish I’d had this when I was a teenager.” Now, she donates “to them as much as I can I would love to volunteer more with them…I do that show almost every spring and I try and get volunteers for them.” Tibrina Hobson/WireImage  After tragedy struck Parkland, Florida’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in February 2018, many brave students turned grief into action. For Garrity and Peña, that meant penning a song, “Shine,” in memory of their fallen classmates. Proceeds from the song benefit the Shine MSD Fund for the victims and their families. The girls performed the ballad when they were honored at the Television Industry Advocacy Awards in September 2018.  When her son Sylvester was diagnosed with bipolar disorder as a college student in 2011, the Riverdale star and her family turned to the National Alliance on Mental Illness as “a resource,” she told Us. By 2014, Amick became a vocal advocate for the charity. “I always look forward to any NAMI event,” she said. “The supportive community is a must in the recovery of those living with mental illness and the loved ones who support them.” Lilly Lawrence/WireImage  As a filmmaker who documents women in war-ravaged nations, the mission of Search for Common Ground resonated with Disney. “I love how they teach that violence is never OK,” the great-niece of Walt Disney previously told Us of the peace-building charity. “They create dialogue on the ground and [work] with local com- munities in war-torn areas.” To make a better future, she said, “we have to choose to believe peace is possible, people are lovable and we can make a different world.” Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images for International Documentary Association  During her childhood, Ward spent many Christmases bringing gifts to a homeless shelter in her native Mississippi. Ward and her husband, Howard Sherman, were inspired later to start their own facility for kids after learning about two boys who’d been separated from their siblings in the foster-care system. “I couldn’t bear these two brothers being ripped apart,” the FBI star said. “That’s how Hope Village was born. Our mandate [is] to keep siblings together.” For her, the most rewarding part is "watching children feel safe enough to thrive."  Prady admitted to Us that when he and Chuck Lorre created The Big Bang Theory, they had no idea the show would become “a vehicle to promote science and science education.” As the hit inspired kids to pursue careers requiring costly educations, Lorre enlisted the help of Prady and the show’s cast to launch The Big Bang Theory Scholarship Endowment at UCLA in 2015. Albert L. Ortega/WireImage; Inset: CBS  The model embarked on a 2018 trip to a refugee camp in Bangladesh where she lent a hand to help on behalf of UNICEF — the United Nations Children's Fund — which helps support children and mothers in developing countries. Courtesy Gigi Hadid/Instagram  The professional tennis players teamed up to create a violence prevention foundation, the Yetunde Price Resource Center, in their hometown of Compton, California. The organization is named in honor of their late sister, who was murdered in 2003. Janet Mayer/Startraksphoto.com  In the wake of her mother, brother, and nephew’s murders in October 2008, Jennifer Hudson started the Julian D. King Gift Foundation with her sister Julia Hudson to “provide stability, support, and positive experiences for children of all backgrounds.” She accepted the Favorite Humanitarian Award at the 2014 People’s Choice Awards for her work with the organization. Kevin Winter/Getty Images  Making the world happy! The Voice coach sold his now-iconic Vivienne Westwood hat that he wore to the 2014 Grammys at an auction. Arby’s bought the accessory for $44,100 after fans compared it to their logo. The money went to From One Hand to AnOTHER, Williams’ charity for at-risk youths. Kevin Mazur/WireImage  How Posh! To help support the mothers2mothers charity, which strives to eliminate the transmission of HIV and AIDS between mothers and their unborn children, Beckham sold 600 pieces from her personal wardrobe in August 2014. “These clothes have been on some incredible journeys – I’ve had so much fun in them, and I want to share that and give other people the chance to have a piece of what I’ve been so incredibly fortunate to have,” she told Grazia UK at the time. Courtesy of Victoria Beckham  The married couple served up some Thanksgiving goodness to those in need at the 23rd Annual HEAT Thanksgiving Celebration in November 2014. The pair helped distribute frozen turkeys, canned goods, and side items to around 600 underprivileged families and served hot meals to over 450 residents of the Miami Rescue Mission. David Alvarez/Miami HEAT  Strike a post! The now-exes held up hand-written cards for the cameras while being photographed together in June 2014. "We were eating and saw a group of guys with cameras outside. And so we thought, let's try this again. We don't need the attention, but these wonderful organizations do,” Stone’s card read. “www.youthmentoring.org, www.autismspeaks.org, (and don't forget) www.wwo.org, www.gildasclubnyc.org," Garfield’s card added, "Here's to the stuff that matters. Have a great day!" Humberto Carreno/startraksphoto.com  The Revenge costars and real-life couple teamed up for a PSA for the World Wildlife Fund’s “Hands Off My Parts” initiative in 2013. “Wildlife crime is now the most urgent and immediate threat to these beloved animals, and they can’t survive high levels of poaching much longer,” VanCamp said at the time.  The actor, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1991, hosted a star-packed benefit in November 2013. During the A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Cure Parkinson’s event, Fox performed with Coldplay’s Chris Martin and tons of other celebs helped to raise $5.5 million for Parkinson’s research. Dimitrios Kambouris/MJF2013/WireImage  The Celebrate author completed a 3,000-mile charity bicycle race across America in June 2014 with her brother James Middleton. After she finished, Duchess Kate’s sister auctioned off her bike on eBay, adding to the more than $25,000 she raised for the British Heart Foundation during her ride. “The challenge of riding across the Rockies, coping with the heat of the Arizona desert and climbing over 170,000 vertical feet in the six days was incredibly tough, but every inch of the 3,000 mile race was worth it, to help the BHF fight heart disease,” she said at the time. Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images  The noted animal lover found his match in now-wife Nikki Reed, with whom he adopted a horse and helped care for other rescue animals. In August 2014, he posed with a pair of llamas at Heifer International’s Beyond Hunger: A Place at the Table Gala to help end world hunger. Michael Buckner/Getty Images for Heifer International  The Salt actress has headlined several humanitarian efforts through the years, working on issues like refugee relief, conservation and education. "I came into this business young and worried about my own experiences, my own pain. And it was only when I began to travel and look at life beyond my home that I understood my responsibility to others,” she said in her acceptance speed for the Humanitarian Award in November 2013. Kevin Winter/Getty Images  The Batman actor works tirelessly on behalf of the Eastern Congo Initiative, which he founded in 2009 to help women and children affected by sexual violence and rape. In May 2013, the ECI partnered with TOMS shoes for a special line. “Getting involved in something, helping others, improving the fabric of the universe – I believe if you do that, even just a little bit, I think you'll find your life gets better, too,” Affleck said at the time.  After traveling to markets around the world, Conrad and her friend Hannah Skvarla founded The Little Market, an organization that works with female artisans across the globe to “combat poverty, empower communities, and create social justice.” In October 2013, the Hills alum wrote on her blog, “My bestie Hannah and I have been traveling all over the world to find local female artisans in the communities we’ve visited to sell their handmade products through our online store.” Courtesy of Lauren Conrad  To mark her son Duke's 1st birthday in August 2013, Rancic asked guests at his cowboy-themed bash to donate to Baby2Baby instead of buying gifts. "It just felt like the right thing to do," she told Us of the charity that provides baby gear and clothing to families in need. "When Duke was born, I got all these things for him -- we didn't even use 50 percent of it. One day, [I can tell Duke], 'you were doing charity work when you were just one year old.' It's nice to start instilling that in your kids at an early age." Mike Windle/Getty Images for Huggies  The Pitch Perfect actress started Love Is Louder, a web community and organization that hosts outreach events nationwide, in 2010 along with The Jed Foundation and MTV to combat bullying, discrimination and depression. "I was bullied in school by a girl who made my life miserable ... and I feel like every single person I know has a story like that in some way, whether it was in the workplace or school or by a parent or even just the voices inside your head that tell you you're not good enough," Snow told Us. "Love is Louder has really helped people realize that this is not a game anymore. These are people's lives." Michael Kovac/WireImage.com  Peete supports Children Mending Hearts, a charity that facilitates arts education programs for disadvantaged kids. "I'm in my 40s and can't remember any class where there wasn't art. We didn't do it just to finger-paint — it develops your brain," the actress said. "My daughter is lucky to go to schools where there is a lot of art implemented, but the children that are missing out on those programs are missing out on an important part of their development. We have to change that." Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images  When Bieber embarked on his 46-date Believe concert tour in September 2012, he raised funds for Pencils of Promise by donating $1 from each ticket sold. The organization helps build schools and increase educational opportunities in the developing world. John Davisson/Invision/AP/Shutterstock  In an effort to raise awareness for September's National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in 2012, the Just Go With It actress joined Jon Hamm and Betty White to perform a cover of the Beatles' iconic 1968 single "Hey Jude." Encouraging donations to help "make it better" for kids fighting cancer, Aniston and her music video costars assisted St. Jude in finding cures to save children from around the world. In October 2017, Aniston also donated $1 million to hurricane relief efforts. The Friends alum split the funds between the Ricky Martin Foundation to aid Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria and the American Red Cross after other storms severely damaged various areas in the country. Jim Smeal/BEI/Shutterstock  The Partners actress and pal Leslie Bibb were all smiles at the Opening Ceremony for the 28th Annual AIDS WALK LA benefiting the AIDS project in Los Angeles. Todd Williamson/Invision/AP/Shutterstock  By asking friends and fans to donate money to charity:water instead of giving them birthday presents, the Smiths were able to provide more than 400 Ethiopians with clean drinking water. The duo even traveled to Ethiopia in July 2012 to see the organization at work. "Our trip…was an incredibly eye-opening and authentic experience," Will told Us at the time. Charity:Water  "When I started on [Law & Order: SVU], people asked me how I dealt with all the horrible subject matter. I deal with it by doing something about it," the actress said. Her Joyful Heart foundation — launched in 2004 — supports survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse. Andy Kropa/Invision/AP/Shutterstock  When her marriage to Kris Humphries ended after just 72 days in 2011, Kardashian decided to donate $200,000, twice the value of her wedding gifts, to the Dream Foundation, a "wish-granting organization" for adults with life-threatening illnesses. Albert Michael/startraksphoto.com  Instead of asking their wedding guests to buy them fine china or stock their wine collection, the couple requested that donations be made to the Royal Wedding Charitable Gift Fund. According to Buckingham Palace, approximately $1.7 million was raised through their generosity, with the money earmarked for 19 charities of the couple's choosing. Peter Kneffel/EPA/Shutterstock  "My old sister Elizabeth is mentally disabled. She is my hero," Longoria told Us of her inspiration to create Eva's Heroes, an after-school program for special needs children in San Antonio, Texas. Paul Hiffmeyer/Disneyland/JPI  "Bringing awareness to women's and children's cancers is very important to me," the 2008 Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast told Us of her support for Cancer.net, a resource for patients and families caring for someone affected by the disease. "I hope I encourage patients and families to never give up," she added. Charles Sykes/Shutterstock  "I can't wait to deliver this $250,000 check to my friend Erv for The Magic Johnson Foundation. It's a dream to be able to support the important work they do on a daily basis and I am humbled to be able to contribute to their ongoing mission," Hall, who took part in Donald Trump's Celebrity Apprentice in 2012 in memory of his cousin who passed away from AIDS shortly before he signed on to do the show, explained. Beating Clay Aiken for Trump's top prize, Hall was able to send all the funds he raised directly to the basketball star's pet cause. Jim Smeal/BEI/Shutterstock  The actress' custom-made Prada halter dress was listed on eBay on behalf of Oxfam America after she attended the 2012 Met Ball in New York City. The winning bid was $2,950 and all of the auction's proceeds went to the international relief organization aimed at eradicating poverty, hunger and injustice. Michael Bowles/Shutterstock  "We're at a critical point in the fight against AIDS and we need to act now," 90210's McCord explained as she pledged to support ONE's efforts to end mother-to-child transmission of HIV, increase the number of people on HIV treatments to 15 million annually and reduce new HIV infections. "ONE's goals are ambitious, but they are absolutely achievable if we all do our part." ONE  The supermodel visited Kenya in January 2012 as part of her duty as a United Nations Environment Program Goodwill Ambassador. "When I went to Africa I discovered that elephants are one of the smartest and most complex mammals on earth. If we don't protect them, they can be extinguished," Bündchen later said. Courtesy of Gisele Bundchen/Facebook  The Magic Mike star stripped down to appear on an anti-fur billboard in Los Angeles in early 2012. "As a proud person of Chinese descent, it broke my heart to learn just how terribly animals suffer and die on Chinese fur farms and that there are no penalties for this abuse," Munn explained. The ad followed those of Khloe Kardashian, Taraji P. Henson and Elisabetta Canalis, who have also participated in PETA's "I'd Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur" campaign. Peta  Matt Damon and Gary White cofounded Water.org, a nonprofit pioneering innovative solutions to provide people across the world with access to safe water and sanitation. "I'm dedicated to raising global consciousness about the magnitude of this challenge and the solutions," Damon previously said. "I have four girls of my own and I want them be proud of the impact I'm making in the world." |
| Inside 'RHONJ' Star Dolores Catania's 'New Relationship' After David Split Posted: 20 Dec 2021 01:59 PM PST  Moving on. While viewers can expect to see Dolores Catania‘s romance with David Principe play out on season 12 of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, a source exclusively tells Us Weekly that the twosome are in a very different place now. “Dolores and David broke up this past summer. There was no bad blood between them,” the insider explains to Us, noting that they “grew apart” and their romance “didn’t progress” into what Catania, 50, was looking for since they started dating in 2017. Catania’s relationship was previously a topic of conversation on RHONJ, with her costars questioning whether Principe, 57, would ever pop the question. According to the source, Catania “didn’t care if they were going to get engaged,” but that the lack of time spent together played a role in the split. “She gave her all but didn’t get the same from David,” the insider continued. “He was non-existent in her social life and rarely made appearances at events with her. They just had different lives and weren’t able to make it work. She wasn’t happy in the inside and for a while she hid her true feelings from friends.” Earlier this year, the Bravo personality candidly addressed how her decision to get plastic surgery created a rift between her and Principe. "It’s not a matter of what I needed, it’s what I wanted. I’m not about what somebody else thinks I need in my life. I’ve been through enough," Catania told Us in March. "He really was angry. He was so mad at me and he didn’t let up on it. I let him be mad for a little while and then I had to say, 'Listen, you either live with it or we just have to move on.' There has been some stress, family stress fractures in the relationship." At the time, she reflected on what a man needs to expect when they are in a relationship with her. "If you’re a man in my life, No.1, you have to be sure enough with yourself to handle my relationship with my ex-husband," the reality star, who shares daughter, Gabrielle, 26, and son Frankie, 23, with ex-husband Frank Catania said. "And you have to be man enough to be able to handle my personality, not that I’m strong. I will do more for a guy, I'll cook, I’ll clean, I’ll come home in a full gown and make you food at 10 o’clock, but don’t try to stop me from being who I am and doing what I want to do. And don’t try to get in between my family dynamics."  Since calling it quits with Principe, Dolores is “happy” in her new relationship with Paul Connell, who was introduced to her by a mutual friend. “[Dolores is] with him constantly. She likes him a lot and they have a lot in common,” the source adds. “She’s attracted to him on a deeper level, especially his charitable side and giving back which is something she does all the time.” Although viewers won’t see the new couple during season 12 since they got together after filming, Dolores and the businessman have “amazing chemistry,” which she has teased on her social media. The New Jersey native showed off her new man during a recent trip to St. Martin. “My favorite lifeguard,” Dolores wrote alongside a selfie of the pair via Instagram on Sunday, December 19. With reporting by Diana Cooper |
| Queen Elizabeth II Is 'in Her Element' With Her Great-Grandchildren Posted: 20 Dec 2021 01:56 PM PST A regular granny. Queen Elizabeth II is the head of the British monarchy, but she still loves to spend quality time with her many great-grandkids. “The queen is in her element when she’s got her great-grandchildren sitting on her lap and having that family time,” royal expert Kerene Barefield exclusively told Us Weekly on Monday, December 20. “I’m sure it’s something that we’ll never ever get to witness — that kind of really relaxed family time, which is what everyone else has at Christmas.” The queen, 95, is great-grandma to 12 little ones, including Prince William and Duchess Kate‘s three children George, 8, Charlotte, 6, and Louis, 3, and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle‘s son Archie, 2, and daughter Lili, 6 months. Her youngest great-grandchild, 3-month-old Sienna, was born in September to Princess Beatrice and her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi. The princess, 33, paid tribute to her grandmother with Sienna’s middle name, Elizabeth. Earlier this year, Harry, 37, and Meghan, 40, did the same by naming their daughter, Lilibet, in homage to the queen’s childhood nickname. "Congratulations to The Duke and Duchess of Sussex on the birth of Lilibet Diana!" Buckingham Palace said in a statement on behalf of Elizabeth after Lili’s arrival in June. "The Queen, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall and The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted with the news." Though the holidays are typically a time when the queen looks forward to seeing her grandchildren and their kids, the royal family has been forced to scale back their plans because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. After the queen canceled the annual family Christmas party last week, Us confirmed on Monday that the monarch would not travel to Sandringham for the second year in a row. "I understand from sources that there could be a Christmas at Windsor this year, if things change," Barefield said hours before Us confirmed the queen’s change of plans. "So, I think close aides are kind of looking at an alternative Christmas and how that would look at Windsor instead of everyone going to Sandringham." With Sandringham out of the picture now, it’s not clear if the Cambridges will make the journey to Windsor for scaled-down festivities. William and Kate, both 39, were previously looking forward to a joyous reunion for the holidays. “It's going to be a big family affair," a source exclusively told Us earlier this month. "George, Charlotte and Louis are absolutely delighted to be seeing their great grandmother in person again." The original plans may have changed, but Barefield, an executive producer on True Royalty TV's The Royal Beat, thinks the queen will still find a way to mark her first Christmas without her husband, Prince Philip. The Duke of Edinburgh died at age 99 in April. “He loved those personal family times when he wasn’t in front of hundreds of people,” Barefield explained. “So, I’m sure they will be honoring him in some way or another personally.” With reporting by Christina Garibaldi |
| Paige DeSorbo and Craig Conover’s Relationship Timeline Posted: 20 Dec 2021 01:36 PM PST Two Bravolebrities walked into a Winter House? Paige DeSorbo and Craig Conover were friends for years before their relationship took a romantic turn. The Southern Charm star and the Summer House personality crossed paths while starring on their respective Bravo shows. "I met Craig, actually, three years ago and he was single. I had a boyfriend and I absolutely respected that I was in a relationship," DeSorbo told Us Weekly in October 2021, referring to ex Perry Rahbar. While they initially struck up a friendship, DeSorbo and Conover spent more time together in 2021 when they filmed Winter House. The Sewing Down South founder was dating Natalie Hegnauer at the time. "When we got to Vermont, I didn't know he had a girlfriend. So, I was a little bummed when I first got there. But, of course, he was absolutely respectful to his girlfriend," DeSorbo told Us. "And I'm so happy now looking back that he had a girlfriend because we built just a very platonic friendship, which is, like, the base of our relationship now. Everything really does happen for a reason." After wrapping the crossover series, Conover and Hegnauer called it quits. He confirmed he was single in May 2021. Things between him and the fashionista were on by the summer, per insiders, and by the fall, the twosome were officially dating. "We actually love long-distance. We're two people that are very independent and have so much going on during the week," DeSorbo told Us in October 2021, noting she's likely to pop up on Southern Charm, which was currently in production on season 8 in South Carolina. "When we get, like, Monday through Friday to get all of our things done and then I hop on a plane Friday morning, it's fun. I feel like we're more present with each other when we are together. We're not on our phones and we plan and do fun things." Conover, for his part, admitted that the twosome were crushing on each other ever since he filmed an episode of Summer House for Kyle Cooke's birthday in 2019. “We are pretty happy now,” he said in October 2021. “I don’t think either of us has ever dated someone else in the industry. We get each other, it’s nice. We really are each other’s biggest fans, which is something that I’ve always looked for.” Scroll through for a complete timeline of their relationship:  The twosome were joined by Cooke, Amanda Batula, Lindsay Hubbard, Luke Gulbranson, Ciara Miller, Austen Kroll, Andrea Denver, Julia McGuire, Gabrielle Kniery and Jason Cameron to film season 1 of Winter House for 17 days in February 2021. Bravo (2)  After filming on the crossover series wrapped, fans were convinced something went down between DeSorbo and Conover in Vermont after she traveled to Charleston with friends. She denied they were dating during an April 2021 interview with Us. Shutterstock (2)  According to insiders, things started to heat up between the twosome in May 2021. Shutterstock (2)  The pair were hooking up during the summer of 2021. Conover was also spotted filming Summer House season 6 on multiple occasions. PGA TOUR  The duo confirmed their relationship at Batula and Cooke’s September nuptials. “We did get a little drunk at the wedding and threw a Story up there from the photo booth,” DeSorbo told Us one month later. “[But] I’m just waiting [for] the right scenery to happen to snap [an official] pic.” Paige DeSorbo / Instagram  While promoting season 1 of Winter House, DeSorbo gushed about Conover during an exclusive interview with Us. “You’ll just have to see how it kind of plays out toward the end of our vacation. It sounds so cliché, but Craig just gets me,” she said. “There’s a lot of things I don’t have to explain to him because we look at things very similarly. It just fits, like, it just is very natural and it’s a lot of fun.” Paige DeSorbo / Instagram  During an interview with E!'s Daily Pop, DeSorbo shared that the pair celebrated Thanksgiving together with Conover's family in Delaware and her family in New York. When asked about a possible engagement in the future, she quipped, "I mean, we have only been dating for a couple of months. But if I can trick him into a diamond ring, I'm going to do it!" Courtesy of Paige DeSorbo/Instagram  The couple became Instagram official after attending the season 8 Southern Charm wrap party in Charleston. “Sew in love,” DeSorbo captioned the snap, giving her boyfriend’s sewing skills and company, Sewing Down South, a shout-out. Courtesy Paige DeSorbo/Instagram |
| Charleston Is for Lovers! Winter House’s Paige and Craig Are IG Official Posted: 20 Dec 2021 01:33 PM PST  Put it on the gram! Winter House costars Paige DeSorbo and Craig Conover are now Instagram official after Us Weekly confirmed in early October that they are an item. "Sew in love," DeSorbo, 28, captioned a photo of her and her beau, 32, on Sunday, December 19, from the Southern Charm season 8 wrap party one day prior. The Summer House star gave her boyfriend's sewing skills a shout-out in the caption for the sweet snap, which showed Conover kissing DeSorbo on the head. The Amazon Live fashion host wore a white, long-sleeved dress with cutouts on her hips, while the businessman donned a burgundy suit jacket and black bowtie.  DeSorbo and the Southern Charm personality have previously popped up on each other's social media pages via their Instagram Stories — but the winter wonderland post marks their first official picture together on the app. Earlier this month, the lovebirds teamed up to donate pink "Nice Guy" hats to MUSC Hollings Cancer Center's breast cancer patients in Charleston, South Carolina. They both wore the hats as they delivered the gifts to the hospital. The pair initially sparked relationship speculation after the two were spotted in Charleston in the spring. DeSorbo, however, shut down the rumors in April. "Craig and I are a thousand percent not dating," she said on the "Not Skinny But Not Fat" podcast, two months after they filmed Winter House together. "Craig and I have known each other for years. We've always gotten along. We've always been friends. We have, like, very similar personalities. We are not romantically involved or anything, but we are very good friends." The same month, the Sewing Down South creator exclusively told Us that he was still dating Natalie Hegnauer despite being flirty with DeSorbo's Summer House costar Ciara Miller in March following the filming of the Bravo spinoff. "Well, there's a lot that happens in Winter House, but no, I'm still with my girlfriend, Natalie, here in Charleston," Conover told Us at the time. However, the Delaware native confirmed in May on his and Austen Kroll‘s “Pillows and Beer” podcast and that he was single after his and Hegnauer's romance fizzled out. In August, Conover and DeSorbo once again turned heads when they were photographed at the PGA Tour's FedExCup Playoffs in Jersey City, New Jersey. A source told Us at the time that the TV personalities were just "good friends who enjoy each other's company," but weren't dating. The twosome were then seen enjoying each other's company at Kyle Cooke and Amanda Batula's wedding in September. Us confirmed the next month that the duo were "officially together" after they previously denied there was something romantic between them. "Their friendship turned into a relationship as they've spent more time together in recent weeks," the insider said in October. Conover later teased how his increased time in New York City, which is where DeSorbo is from, has influenced his personal style. "One of the things I love most about living at Charleston was the style change. It's very preppy and for a long time I loved that, and I still embrace it. I'm actually transitioning into a more New York style recently," the lawyer exclusively told Us in October. "You just get your inspiration from different places and now that I'm spending … I've just spent some time in New York and there's a Zara. I won't give away too much, but I've always loved Zara." That same month, DeSorbo teased whether fans would see her on Southern Charm season 8, exclusively telling Us, "Well, I am in a relationship with someone who is on Southern Charm. So you probably will see me pop up here and there, but we'll see." The "Giggly Squad" podcast host noted that she's been friends with Conover and his fellow reality TV costars for a while. "Everyone that Craig hangs out with could not be nicer to me. I've met pretty much everyone," she told Us in October. "Everyone's been really nice." |
| Everything We Know About Kelly Clarkson, Brandon Blackstock’s Divorce Posted: 20 Dec 2021 01:19 PM PST Kelly Clarkson's split from Brandon Blackstock is providing the singer with a lot of material for her next album as the pair battle it out in court. Clarkson and Blackstock tied the knot in October 2013 after two years together. "I'm too happy. He's ruining my creativity," she gushed to Us Weekly before they exchanged vows. "I'm writing all this happy s—t. It's killing me." The twosome went on to welcome daughter River in 2014 and son Remington in April 2016. The talent manager also shares daughter Savannah and son Seth with ex-wife Melissa Ashworth. "I think parenting changes you in the best of ways," Clarkson told Us in February 2020. "It's made me stronger, but it's definitely hard. It's the hardest job out of all the jobs. … I think it makes you selfless. It makes you really prioritize." Us confirmed in June 2020 that Clarkson filed for divorce from Blackstock after nearly seven years of marriage, citing "irreconcilable differences." The news came after the family of four spent several months living in Montana amid the coronavirus pandemic. "I mean, it's no secret. My life has been a little bit of a dumpster," the "Stronger" songstress told Willie Geist in September 2020. "Personally, it's been a little hard the last couple of months. I've been talking to friends that have been through divorce. I don't know how people go through that without having some kind of outlet because it is the worst thing ever for everyone involved." That same month, Clarkson noted that she was trying to "navigate" going through a public split. "You can ask anyone who's gone through a divorce, I don't think anyone expects it," she told Hoda Kotb on the Today show. "You see yourself growing old with someone and then life has a different path. It's so hard on everyone, and you know me, I'm really open. I try to be open and share … We all go through things. But at the same time, we have four kids total with each other. That's a lot of hearts involved, and you just have to be really careful. … We're in the public eye so that's hard too, to try and be truthful but also keep your privacy." Scroll through for more on Clarkson and Blackstock's split and messy divorce: This is an ongoing article originally published in November 2020 and last updated on Monday, December 20.  After Us confirmed the talk show host was ordered to pay her estranged husband nearly $200,000 in monthly support, a source clarified that the pair hadn't yet reached a "formal settlement" before finalizing their divorce. "It's expected to happen soon," the insider noted in July 2021, adding that their "prenup is not being contested, despite reports." FF-USA.com/MEGA; Jason Mendez/startraksphoto.com  “They clashed on so many levels, and being in quarantine together heightened their problems to the point of no return. So she filed for divorce,” a source close to Clarkson told Us in June 2020. “Everyone thought Kelly and Brandon had the perfect marriage, but they definitely didn’t. Brandon’s very laid-back, whereas Kelly’s pretty high-strung.” The source added that Clarkson spending more time in California “changed things” between them. Matt Baron/Shutterstock  Brandon’s father Narvel Blackstock’s company, Starstruck Management Group, sued Clarkson in September 2020, claiming that their longtime client owes them $1.4 million in unpaid commissions in addition to the $1.9 million she already paid. Clarkson has been working with her father-in-law’s company since 2007. The paperwork also alleged that the American Idol alum has not paid the total commission for her work on The Kelly Clarkson Show and The Voice in 2020, claiming she will owe the group at least $5.4 million by the end the year. The “Since U Been Gone” singer countersued Starstruck in November 2020. In her docs, Clarkson accused the management group of violating the California Labor Code by “procuring, offering, promising, or attempting to procure employment or engagements” without being properly licensed. Narvel fired back in a statement at the time: “[Clarkson's petition] conveniently ignores the fact that Kelly had her own licensed talent agency [Creative Artists Agency] at all times. While Starstruck Management Group provided talent management services on her behalf, it did so at all times that CAA was her agency of record," he continued. "It is unfortunate that Kelly is again attempting to avoid paying commissions that are due and owing to Starstruck to try and achieve some perceived advantage in her ongoing custody and divorce proceedings." Rebecca Cabage/Invision/AP/Shutterstock; Shutterstock  Us confirmed in November 2020 that Clarkson was granted primary custody of daughter River and son Remington. “The Court finds that under the circumstances present in this case, the interest in providing stability and continuity for the minor children weighs in favor of Petitioner having primary custody,” the doc read. “The level of conflict between the parents has increased. The parties have a difficult time coparenting due to issues of trust between them.” The former couple will share joint physical and legal custody of their kids and Blackstock will FaceTime the kids every day “at a mutually agreed upon time,” per the paperwork. Shutterstock (2)  While Clarkson lives in Los Angeles for work, Blackstock plans to live in Montana. As a result, he will have to travel to California to have his two youngest children on the first and fifth weekends of the month in L.A., and the third weekend in Montana. "The court finds that the minor children are not now and have not been residents of Montana and that California is their home state,” the docs read. AP/Shutterstock; Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP/Shutterstock  The November 2020 docs revealed River and Remington spent Thanksgiving with their dad. Looking ahead to Christmas, Blackstock will have custody of their kids from December 19 through 25 at 2 p.m. until they are returned to Clarkson for the remainder of their school break through the New Year. The exes are set to split spring break, with Clarkson having the children on Easter Sunday in April 2021. Faye Sadou/Media Punch/INSTARimages.com  While Clarkson asked the court to enforce their prenuptial agreement and block spousal support, TMZ reports that he is seeking $436,000 a month —$301,000 in spousal support and $135,000 in child support — from the musician. He is also asking for Clarkson to pay his $2 million attorney fees. Matt Baron/Shutterstock  Like several celebrity couples, Blackstock and Clarkson are expected to use Our Family Wizard to “share calendars and documents regarding the children, including “significant school events, doctors appointments and therapist appointments.” Eric Charbonneau/Shutterstock  It's likely fans will get more insight into their split while listening to Clarkson’s upcoming ninth album. “This next record, this will probably be the most personal one I’ve ever released,” she teased during an interview on Sunday Today With Willie Geist in September 2020. “The whole record is basically every emotion you experience from the beginning of a relationship to the end of what it is now or where it is now. It’s been very therapeutic for me. It’s very honest.” NBC  “It’s horrible. There are so many hard parts. The hardest for me is the kids. That’s the hardest for me,” Clarkson said on her talk show in December 2020. "I think as women we are trained … to take it all on and you can deal with it and you’re fine, but it’s your babies that you worry about.” Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP/Shutterstock  Us confirmed in December 2020 that the musician filed legal documents with the California Labor Commission in October, alleging that Brandon and his father Narvel’s Starstruck Management company defrauded her by charging her outlandish fees during her 13 years with the team. Clarkson claimed that her agreement with the management company was a “fraudulent and subterfuge device” that allowed her managers to perform “illegal services” as agents, which they were never licensed as in the state of California. The singer is seeking payment from all of the fees she paid out to the company over the years. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/Shutterstock  Us confirmed in January 2021 that Brandon filed a response to Clarkson’s claims of defraud in November 2020. In the petition, which was filed with the California Labor Commission, Brandon denied all of Clarkson’s claims and said she was not entitled to any money that he, his father or their company earned while working with her for 13 years. Brandon’s attorneys argued that the father-son pair and their company are not subject to the Talent Agencies Act because they did not perform their duties in California. They also said that if Clarkson were to prove her claims of the pair performing “illegal services” as unlicensed agents in California, Brandon’s attorneys would argue that she can only claim commissions for one year prior to her October 2020 filing, based on the one-year statute of limitations in the Talent Agencies Act. Brandon asked that Clarkson’s petition be dismissed and that she pay for his attorney fees. Rob Latour/Shutterstock; Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/Shutterstock  In documents obtained by Us in July 2021, Clarkson and her lawyer filed a motion for a separate trial to terminate her marital status. While Clarkson's divorce proceedings continue, she would be legally considered single. The paperwork also included a notice from the court that suggests that both parties meet to resolve the issues currently still pending in their divorce. In the docs, Clarkson claimed she "has made good faith efforts to settle" while her estranged husband and his attorneys "have no intention of reaching a global settlement of this matter anytime soon." "Irreconcilable differences have existed and continue to exist between [Brandon] and me, which have caused our marriage to irretrievably break down,” Clarkson wrote in the docs. “No counseling or reconciliation effort will be of any value at this time. There will be no prejudice to [Brandon] if our marriage is immediately dissolved. I have been attempting to reach a global settlement on this matter with [Brandon] since I led for divorce in June 2020. [Brandon] and I both deserve the opportunity to build a new life. Therefore, I am asking that my request to bifurcate and terminate marital status be granted." Us confirmed in September 2021 that both Clarkson and Blackstock were declared legally single one month prior. imageSPACE/Shutterstock  Us confirmed in July 2021, a Los Angeles County Court has ruled that starting on April 1, 2021, the “Miss Independent” singer became required to pay Blackstock $150,000 per month in spousal support. According to court docs obtained by The Blast, Clarkson must pay the talent manager $45,601 per month in child support bringing the total owed to Blackstock each month to $195,601. Shutterstock (2)  Court documents obtained by Us in August 2021 revealed that Clarkson wanted to sell the Montana ranch that the couple shared during their marriage, but her request was denied. Blackstock has been living at the property, which according to the court costs $81,000 per month to maintain. The music manager is also planning a career change. During hearings in February and March, he testified that he plans to leave the entertainment industry to become a full-time rancher and rodeo sponsor. "The evidence in this case shows that after the date of Separation, Respondent made a very deliberate choice to change his life and become a rancher full-time," the judge wrote in court documents filed in August. "He testified that he is not devoting any effort toward expanding his client list and music management business. ... Respondent has made a very deliberate choice, that he testified he planned for a long time, to significantly change his lifestyle from primarily working in the music and entertainment industry to working in an agriculture community and lifestyle involved in full-time ranch and cattle work." The judge ordered that Blackstock must pay the maintenance costs associated with the ranch. If he fails to do so, Clarkson can file another motion to sell the property. That same month, Clarkson was granted most of the couple’s assets, including the Montana ranch where Blackstock was residing at the time. The performer filed an objection later that month to clarify the ownership division of the Montana properties. According to legal documents obtained by Us, the prior order referred to all of the properties as the Montana Ranch, but there were, in fact, four separate properties. Two of the properties have Clarkson listed as the only owner, but under the premarital agreement the "ownership is based on capital contributions," meaning based on who put in more money into each property. Rob Latour/Shutterstock; Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/Shutterstock  According to August 2021 court docs, Clarkson and Blackstock’s “marital or domestic partnership status” will end on January 7, 2022. Rob Latour/Shutterstock; Matt Baron/Shutterstock  During a November 2021 hearing, a privately compensated temporary judge was appointed to hear the estranged couple’s divorce proceedings, according to the court docs obtained by Us. Trae Patton/NBC; AFF-USA.com/MEGA  “Kelly recently had a major legal setback in a bid to get Brandon evicted from the Montana property that the judge awarded soley to her,” a source exclusively told Us in December 2021 following the pair’s November 11 hearing. “He has been living in it and said he doesn’t have the financial means to afford to purchase a residence of his own at this time, citing the unresolved financial aspect of their divorce.” While Clarkson addressed the court during the hearing, in hopes of getting her ex-husband booted from her Montana ranch, she was unsuccessful. “The judge sided with Brandon and ruled in his favor, the order just hasn't been formally signed off on,” the insider added, noting the pair would be back in court in February 2022. Jason Merritt/Radarpics/Shutterstock; Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP/Shutterstock |
| Kelly Clarkson Loses Attempt to Have Ex Brandon Evicted From Montana Ranch Posted: 20 Dec 2021 12:26 PM PST  Shut down. Kelly Clarkson lost the fight to have ex-husband Brandon Blackstock evicted from their Montana ranch amid their ongoing divorce battle, Us Weekly can confirm. “Kelly recently had a major legal setback in a bid to get Brandon evicted from the Montana property that the judge awarded soley to her," a source exclusively tells Us. "He has been living in it and said he doesn’t have the financial means to afford to purchase a residence of his own at this time, citing the unresolved financial aspect of their divorce." The 39-year-old "Miss Independent" singer, who was declared legally single in August, addressed the court during a virtual hearing on November 11 regarding the ongoing issue over the pair’s ranch, which Blackstock, 44, refused to vacate following their split. "The judge sided with Brandon and ruled in his favor, the order just hasn’t been formally signed off on," the insider adds. Us confirmed in June 2020 that Clarkson filed for divorce after nearly seven years of marriage. News of the split came after the duo were quarantined for a few months at their Montana home with children River, 7, and Remington, 5, amid the coronavirus pandemic. "They clashed on so many levels and being in quarantine together heightened their problems to the point of no return," a source close to Clarkson told Us at the time. The Kelly Clarkson Show host and the talent manager came to a custody agreement over their children in November 2020. Us confirmed at the time that the musician was granted primary custody and that the duo will share joint physical and legal custody. (Blackstock is also the father of two children from his previous marriage to Melissa Ashworth.) Earlier this year, Us confirmed that the former American Idol winner would be required to pay her ex $150,000 per month in spousal support. Clarkson must pay Blackstock $45,601 per month in child support, bringing the total owed to him each month to $195,601, according to court documents. Clarkson has successfully sold her 20,000-square-foot Nashville mansion and her 10,000-square-foot farmhouse in Encino, California, over the past year. However, the former spouses have continued to butt heads over the Montana property. Blackstock has been living on the ranch since their split, which costs $81,000 per month to maintain, according to court docs obtained by Us in August. The Fort Worth, Texas, native previously testified that he wants to leave the entertainment industry and become a full-time rancher and rodeo sponsor. While Clarkson's attempt to sell the Montana ranch was denied in August, a judge ordered Blackstock to pay the maintenance fees associated with the property. If he fails to keep up with the payments, Clarkson can file another motion to sell. That same month, the UglyDolls star was granted most of the pair's assets, including the Montana estate. Clarkson and Blackstock are set to appear back in court in February 2022 to discuss their property and then again in June 2022. |
| The Queen's Royal Christmas Plans Change: Will William and Kate Attend? Posted: 20 Dec 2021 12:12 PM PST Another Christmas amiss. Queen Elizabeth II will not celebrate the holidays in Sandringham due to the latest spike in COVID-19 cases, Us Weekly confirms. The Queen, 95, who was set to fly from Windsor to Sandringham via helicopter on Wednesday, December 22, will not head to the countryside estate. She will spend Christmas at Windsor Castle for the second year in a row. Royal expert Kerene Barefield revealed in an exclusive interview with Us that aides had developed backup plans for the queen to have a downsized Christmas at Windsor Castle as she did last year amid the pandemic.  “I understand from sources that there could be a Christmas at Windsor this year, if things change,” Barefield said hours before Us confirmed the Queen’s change in plans. “So, I think close aides are kind of looking at an alternative Christmas and how that would look at Windsor instead of everyone going to Sandringham.” However, that might mean that Prince William and Duchess Kate have to stay at their countryside home, Amner Hall, in Norfolk, England, with their three children, Prince George, 8, Princess Charlotte, 6, and Prince Louis, 3. “That will be further away from them than if they’re in Sandringham, [which is] just a stone’s throw [away from Norfolk],” the expert noted. “So yeah, they may not [attend], if it’s at Windsor.”  Barefield, who is an executive producer on True Royalty TV‘s The Royal Beat, emphasized that plans for Christmas are ever-changing based on the government’s recommendations amid the pandemic. The monarch typically has her annual Christmas party days before the holiday, but she canceled the event, which was set for December 21. “During that weekend, I know that the queen didn’t go to church at Windsor, which she normally would’ve done, just because she’s just trying to keep every everyone safe for Christmas day just in case things can go ahead,” Barefield added. The royals were hoping for “a small, close family gathering at Sandringham,” which would have included William and Kate, both 39, in addition to many of her “closest family” members.  “This would include Prince Charles and Camilla; Kate and William and the children — who obviously will be staying close anyway, just a stone’s throw away in Norfolk,” the producer said of the original Christmas plans. “Prince Andrew and the girls, Beatrice and Eugenie and the husbands and the babies; And Princess Anne and her husband; and then Sophie and Edward.” However, the Windsor guest list will be shorter. While it was just her and Prince Philip last year, the queen will not have to spend Christmas alone after his death last April. With vaccinations and other protocols in place, she will be able to have a small number of visitors. “What I understand from sources is that she won’t be spending alone, but it might be just slimmed down even further than what we talked about,” Barefield explained. |
| Kim K. Is 'Loving' Staten Island Amid Pete Davidson Romance: It's 'Low-Key' Posted: 20 Dec 2021 12:05 PM PST  The Staten Island lifestyle! Kim Kardashian is “loving” spending time on the East Coast as her connection with Pete Davidson heats up, a source exclusively tells Us Weekly. Davidson, 28, and the reality star, 41, were spotted at a local movie theater together in his native New York City borough on Saturday, December 18. Kardashian has enjoyed getting to know the neighborhood, which is “more low-key than L.A.,” the insider adds. The pair previously spent time in Davidson’s hometown last month, dining in a private room at Campania’s shortly after they were spotted together at a California theme park. Though it wasn’t “the first time she’s been” to Staten Island, her movie date with the comedian was “the first time she’s been spotted out” there amid their romance. “They were walking together as a couple and had a bodyguard with them and other friends. People were shocked to see them together,” the source tells Us, noting that Davidson’s blond hair was easy for fans to spot. “They’re clearly not hiding their romance. It seems like they want to just be able to do things any normal couple would do and have fun together.” The Meet Cute actor was expected to appear on Paul Rudd‘s episode of Saturday Night Live, but the production announced that afternoon that the show would be airing with a smaller cast and crew due to a recent surge in COVID-19 cases in NYC. At the time, a spokesperson for the NBC show noted in a statement to Us that the taping would not include a live audience, adding, “The show continues to follow government safety guidelines in addition to a rigorous testing protocol.” While fans were surprised not to see as much of Davidson in Saturday’s episode, a second source clarifies that he didn’t “skip” any responsibilities to spend time with Kardashian.  “After Pete was informed that he no longer was expected to be at the studio, he made alternate plans. His date with Kim was planned after he was notified,” the insider says. The Guy Code alum and the KKW Beauty founder sparked romance rumors in late October after working together on her SNL hosting debut earlier that month. After weeks of speculation, the twosome confirmed their status when they were spotted holding hands in Palm Springs, California, in November. “Kim lights up when she’s around Pete,” a source previously told Us after the couple celebrated Davidson’s birthday alongside Kris Jenner and Flavor Flav. “Their chemistry is off the charts and getting stronger each passing day. … He’s so down to earth and humble, which she really digs.” Kardashian’s budding romance comes less than one year after she filed for divorce from Kanye West, to whom she was married for nearly seven years. The estranged pair share children North, 8, Saint, 6, Chicago, 3, and Psalm, 2. While the Skims CEO has made it clear she’s moving on — even filing court docs to restore her last name and be declared legally single — the rapper, 44, is holding out hope for a reunion. “At the end of the day, I ain’t got the paperwork yet,” he claimed during a “Drink Champs” interview in November. “So I’m [going to] come on this joint and try to save my family and keep my family together.” With reporting by Diana Cooper |
| Big Sean Claims Kanye West Owes Him 'Millions' of Dollars Posted: 20 Dec 2021 11:51 AM PST  Plot twist? After Kanye West voiced his regret for signing Big Sean to his record label G.O.O.D. Music, the rapper is hitting back. "At first I thought it was hilarious. I thought the s–t was funny, then I took it personal,” Big Sean, 33, explained during an appearance on the “Drink Champs” podcast on Saturday, December 18. "I took it personal because I'm the only artist whose put out five albums under G.O.O.D. Music.” The California native noted that he was always grateful for the "golden opportunity” that came from working with West, 44. "Every time Kanye has called on me, every single time, no matter what I was doing, within one day's notice, I'm wherever he's at, bro,” he added. "Whether it's to contribute to him in the studio, whether it's to contribute a line, write a verse for him. Wherever he's at in the world, bro, I've traveled around the world for this man every time he's called. And have done this and not asked for publishing a lot of the times.” Big Sean admitted that the “Stronger” rapper’s comments “didn't make sense” because he was the one who ended up in “the worst deal” when signing to the record label. “What I'm saying is, I put at least $30 million in this man pocket or more, and he owes me money, and he's got billions, him or his company," the “Paradise” performer claimed. "I had to spend my own money auditing my label because millions of dollars are missing, and you can tell when millions of dollars are missing. I spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on my label, thinking Universal owe me this money and the money had been paid to G.O.O.D Music." Big Sean, who launched his own label in October, revealed that he had to hire an auditor to handle the financial issue.  "Let me ask you bro, if someone owed you $500,000 how would you feel?" he asked the hosts, noting that the amount in question ended up becoming $6 million dollars. "What if they owed you that, bro? And you showed up for them and you did all these things, and they have billions?" Although getting the money back would be "life changing," the musician doubted that it was even on West’s radar, adding, “When I see him, I respect him enough not to be bringing that s–t up. I got an auditor — this isn't me making up a number." Big Sean also noted that he was still waiting to get his masters back, saying, “If I was up [billions] and if I was a man of my word, and not just saying something to look good in that moment, I would pay my artists they masters or at least what they worth, if he's not in the position to do that. But that's just me." The “Praise God” rapper originally made headlines when he referred to signing Big Sean as "the worst thing I've ever done” during a November episode of the “Drink Champs” podcast . At the time, Big Sean took to social media to laugh off the statement, tweeting, “Was just wit this man, he ain't say none of that!!! And this was after the interview! I'm dying laughing at you @kanyewest During the Saturday episode, Big Sean said that the Yeezy designer reached out to suggest meeting so they could “begin healing on both sides.” “I took it too personally, because it's like, you publicly humiliated me when I’ve been down for you,” the “Blessings” rapper said, adding that he was “angry” at the time. |
| Relive John Mulaney, Ex Anna Marie Tendler's Relationship Before Split Posted: 20 Dec 2021 11:46 AM PST Closing their chapter. After six years, John Mulaney and Anna Marie Tendler pulled the plug on their marriage, but their relationship appeared picture-perfect to plenty of fans. The duo tied the knot in July 2014 in upstate New York with several of Mulaney’s former Saturday Night Live coworkers in attendance. “On a beautiful and perfect day, I married a beautiful and perfect woman,” Mulaney gushed via Instagram one day after the nuptials. “I wish I could live it over and over again.” Three months later, the Big Mouth star went into detail about life at home with Tendler and the pair’s puppy, Petunia. “That’s my wife and daughter,” he teased during an October 2014 appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show as a photo of the makeup guru and the dog flashed on the screen. “It’s fun to have a French bulldog puppy. It’s like having a baby that’s also a grandma.” The following year, during his Comeback Kid tour, Mulaney got honest about the pressures he and Tendler both felt to start a family. He continued to discuss his opinion on having children while promoting his kids’ special, John Mulaney & the Sack Lunch Bunch. “When I see people interact with kids, I was always like, ‘Why are you talking down to them?'” Mulaney told Entertainment Weekly in December 2019. “‘Why are you crouching on the floor talking in a high voice?’ I don’t recall needing that as a kid.” At the time, he noted that he and Tendler both wanted to focus on their careers before thinking about expanding their family. “I get to travel, do stand-up, and our relationship is so wonderful,” he said. “It’s just something I wouldn’t want to change.” One year later, news broke that the Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse actor voluntarily checked into a rehab facility seeking help for drug and alcohol addiction. Prior to relapsing, Mulaney was sober for over a decade. “It was a relief to his wife and family that he checked in,” an insider told Us Weekly exclusively in December 2020. “It was John’s decision. Plain and simple, John had too much downtime. He had too much time in his own head.” Mulaney left the Pennsylvania treatment center after 60 days, continuing recovery in an outpatient program. In May 2021, Us confirmed he and Tendler called it quits. He officially filed for divorce two months later. As news of his breakup made headlines, the Documentary Now! writer moved on with Olivia Munn. He announced in September 2021 that they had a baby on the way. “Olivia and this baby have helped save me from myself in this early journey out of recovery,” he said on Late Night With Seth Meyers. Scroll down for a look back at Mulaney’s relationship with Tendler before their split:  The twosome were first linked in early 2010. In a since-deleted Instagram tribute celebrating their fourth anniversary, Mulaney shared a note from Tendler dated February 16, 2010. "John is the man I'm going to marry," it read. Invision/AP/Shutterstock  While speaking with New York Magazine's Intelligencer, the comedian, who tended not to discuss his private life often, joked about the perks of dating a talented makeup artist and hair stylist. "My girlfriend is a makeup artist and hairstylist, and cuts my hair for free," he said. "I would promote her here but I totally forgot her name." Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/Shutterstock  After getting down on one knee, Mulaney playfully accused Pete Holmes of meddling in the romantic moment. "You're directly involved with ruining the surprise of my engagement," the Chicago native joked on The Pete Holmes Show at the time, noting that he spent "multiple days" trying to find the perfect ring for Tendler. Though he'd used Holmes as his cover while planning the proposal, Tendler quickly caught on. "That day you said you were with Pete Holmes, you weren't," Mulaney recalled her saying. "He Instagrammed a photo of himself recording a podcast." He popped the question on a beach in Malibu. "It was really funny, it was so tense," Mulaney said of the buildup to the moment. "And then when I proposed, it was really worth it, so all of it was great." Christopher Polk/Shutterstock  Several months after tying the knot, the Mulaney alum shared his best wedding planning advice with Late Night With Seth Meyers fans. When one viewer asked what the "best way to stay sane" is throughout the process, he replied, "Klonopin." David Buchan/Shutterstock  "I love saying 'my wife,'" Mulaney said during his Netflix special The Comeback Kid. "It sounds so adult. 'That's my wife.' It's great, you sound like a person. I said it even before we were married." In the same standup set, he admitted he and Tendler weren't sold on having kids, but noted how much his relationship has helped him bloom. "Being married is so nice. I never knew relationships were supposed to make you feel better about yourself," he said. "That's not really a joke, that's just a little sweet thing I like to say." Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP/Shutterstock  Throughout their relationship, Tendler collaborated with Mulaney several times, most notably on his Broadway show, Oh, Hello. It closed in January 2017 after 15 weeks of performances. During a 2019 interview with Nylon, the artist said the project was "hands down the most rewarding thing that I did in makeup in my entire makeup career." Invision/AP/Shutterstock  Throughout his fourth standup tour, Kid Gorgeous, Mulaney revealed how he asked his then-wife if he could mention her in his jokes. "[She goes], 'Just don't say that I'm a bitch and that you don't like me.'" The bit continued, "I would never say that — not even as a joke — that my wife is a bitch and I don't like her. That is not true. My wife is a bitch and I like her so much. She is a dynamite, 5-foot, Jewish bitch and she's the best." Alberto Reyes/Shutterstock  When his children's variety special, John Mulaney & the Sack Lunch Bunch, hit Netflix, fans caught a glimpse of Tendler during a segment about the cast's hopes, dreams and fears. "My biggest fear is someone that I love dying a violent death, myself dying a violent death and snakes," she shared. Andrew H. Walker/Shutterstock  Mulaney, who had previously expressed on several occasions that he wasn't interested in having children, shut down speculation about Tendler while live-tweeting the Sack Lunch Bunch special. "Anna wants you to know that someone online asked if she was pregnant after seeing her in 'Pay Attention' and that's why she left social media," he teased. "She has not looked back once." Eric Charbonneau/Shutterstock  Us confirmed that the pair called it quits after six years of marriage. Soon after, Mulaney moved on with Munn. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/Shutterstock  The comic officially filed for divorce in New York as Tendler moved out of their shared California home. Nearly two months later, he confirmed Munn's pregnancy. Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock  Mulaney and Munn welcomed their baby boy in November 2021. When news broke the following month, Tendler appeared to shade her ex when she posted a photo captioned, “Norman F--king Rockwell,” referencing a Lana Del Rey song. “Godamn, man child,” the 2019 lyrics read. “You f—ked me so good that I almost said, ‘I love you’ / You're fun and you're wild / But you don't know the half of the s--t that you put me through.” Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/Shutterstock |
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