Celebrity News – Us Weekly |
- Vanderpump Rules' Raquel Leviss and James Kennedy: The Way They Were
- ‘So Proud’! Jason Momoa Supports Zoe Kravitz After Lisa Bonet Split
- Hilary Duff Blushes as Husband Matthew Koma Tries to Flag Her Ex: Watch
- Stars Who’ve Tested Positive for COVID-19
- Christina Ricci's Ex Claims He Is 'Unable to Pay' Legal Fees Amid Divorce
- Josh Duhamel: I Proposed to Audra Mari 'Last Minute'
- Pump Rules’ Raquel Reacts to ‘Unengagement Party’ Controversy Post-Split
- Dolly Parton Jokes ‘Nobody’ Gives Miley Cyrus Advice: ‘She's Headstrong’
- Alicia Witt’s Family: Everything We Know About Her Parents, More
- Erika Jayne May Be Forced to Return $750,000 Earrings Amid Tom’s Legal Woes
- 'The Wedding Planner' Cast: Where Are They Now?
- Dog Moms and Dads! Celebs Gush Over Their Faithful Pets
- Celebrity Engagements of 2022: Stars Who Got Engaged This Year
- John David Duggar Crashed His Plane With 2 Passengers on Board
- Macaulay Culkin and Brenda Song Are Engaged After 4 Years of Dating
- Vivica A. Fox: Regina King Is ‘Surrounded by So Much Love’ After Son’s Death
- Reese Witherspoon Shares Sweet Snap of Daughter Ava With Family Dogs
- Everything We Know About Kelly Clarkson, Brandon Blackstock’s Divorce
- Did Ray J React to Kanye West’s Kim K. Sex Tape Comments?
| Vanderpump Rules' Raquel Leviss and James Kennedy: The Way They Were Posted: 26 Jan 2022 05:00 PM PST What once was. After James Kennedy spent three seasons caught up between Kristen Doute and newcomer Lala Kent, many Vanderpump Rules fans were shocked when he introduced his serious girlfriend Raquel Leviss in 2016. The twosome quickly had their relationship put to the test amid multiple resurfaced cheating allegations. After a SUR employee accused Kennedy of sleeping with her while he was in a relationship, the professional DJ opened up about having Leviss stand by him during the Bravo series. “Obviously, I understand all the rumors and drama and everything that’s happened on the show. You know we’ve basically gone through it together and I felt like these girls went to the end of the Earth to try and ruin my relationship,” he told Bravo about the claims that he was unfaithful in March 2017. “But we’ve stuck through everything and we love each other. But that’s what makes relationships stronger is going through hard times and good times.” Kennedy and Leviss’ romance continued to face its challenges as the U.K. native attempted to get sober. In July 2020, the reality star celebrated one year of sobriety and credited Leviss with helping him reach the milestone. “Letting go of drinking was the best decision I ever made and I'm going strong,” he wrote via Instagram at the time. “I don't miss the booze …… I don't miss the feeling …. I'm so grateful for everything now and life has become more beautiful in many ways. Thank you to my rock @raquelleviss for getting me here I couldn't of done this without you my love.” As filming started for season 9 of Vanderpump Rules, the couple announced that they had gotten engaged with a Coachella-themed proposal in May 2021. One month later, Lisa Vanderpump discussed how the pair have grown over the years. “[Raquel] is the best thing that ever happened to him,” the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum shared during an interview with Entertainment Tonight in June 2021, one month after filming began. “You really do see Raquel kind of blossoming, blooming. You see her really having a voice. She was very much, like, a deer caught in the headlights before, but now she’s, like, actually kind of really comes out of a shell.” Two months after their proposal aired on VPR in October 2021, the former pageant contestant and the musician took to social media to confirm the end of their engagement. “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 exes wrote in identical Instagram statements in December 2021. “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.” Scroll down for a look back at Kennedy and Leviss’ romance:  The duo originally met during a New Year's Eve party in 2016. They made their relationship Instagram official one month later when they celebrated Valentine's Day together. Mediapunch/Shutterstock  The former kinesiology student appeared in her first episode of Vanderpump Rules during the season 5 premiere. The November 2016 debut marked one of five episodes that Leviss would appear in that season. Gregory Pace/Shutterstock  During a January 2017 episode of VPR, Leviss was approached by several SUR waitresses who claimed that they had slept with Kennedy in the past. "I was so surprised to see GG and Ellie there, honestly," the California native told the Daily Dish about the confrontation. "Why are you here? To harass us? I don't deal with drama well ... Once GG gave that slap, I was outta there." Jim Ruymen/UPI/Shutterstock  The Bravo couple moved in together in November 2018. Ovidiu Hrubaru/Shutterstock  During an interview with Us in June 2019, Kennedy admitted that he could see himself proposing to his girlfriend soon. “You know, I don't like rushing that cause we’re, like, 10 years younger than everyone else on the show, but I love her so much," he gushed. “Me and Raquel are super great. We're super happy together. She’s the love of my life. I love her.” Rob Latour/Shutterstock  As the former SUR busser found himself at odds with most of his coworkers, a source told Us in March 2020 that his girlfriend "is feeling a lot of pressure to side with the girls because she knows how James’ behavior can be and because she's new to SUR." According to the insider, “Raquel wishes James would show the side of himself that she gets one-on-one more.” Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP/Shutterstock  "THE LOVE OF MY LIFE, said yes. 💍 💕," Kennedy wrote alongside a photo of him taking a selfie kissing his bride-to-be in May 2021. Leviss shared her own post about the weekend in Palm Springs, writing, "James proposed at the iconic Empire Polo Fields of “RACHELLA” Friday night... and I said YES! I’m over the Coachella moon ✨🌵🌙 #RACHELLA." Courtesy Raquel Leviss/Instagram  One day after the season 9 reunion for Vanderpump Rules was filmed in December 2021, the exes announced their decision to part ways. A source told Us at the time that “James and Raquel [will] discuss their split” during the reunion special. Rob Latour/Shutterstock  The Sonoma State University alum documented her packing process shortly after her breakup. In several Instagram Story videos, Leviss showed a U-Haul full of boxes that were taken to a storage unit. “As my dad says … my new home,” she captioned a boomerang clip of her closing the door on her storage area. Courtesy Raquel Leviss/Instagram  The duo's relationship was "tumultuous" before they called it quits, a source exclusively told Us in December 2021. "They both want different things," the insider added. "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." Gregory Pace/Shutterstock; Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock  “James does want Raquel to continue with the show,” a source exclusively told Us in December 2021 after the couple called it quits. The insider added that "Bravo hasn't made an official decision on next season,” but Kennedy is fine with Leviss being part of the cast moving forward. JPA/AFF-USA.com/MEGA  Leviss revealed during a January 2022 appearance on the “Scheananigans” podcast that while the pair didn’t split until December 2021, she knew things were done on Thanksgiving of that year.“It was kind of at Thanksgiving where I realized that I didn’t want to be in this relationship anymore,” she said, noting that an argument between Kennedy and her dad over the holiday gave her clarity. “The future of Thanksgivings and Christmases and holidays was looking like it was going to be either James or my family. Especially, like, if we had a baby, James would make my parents out as, like, the not good grandparents and kind of put that in their heads. Foreseeing this future and what it was all coming down to, [I realized] I don’t want that.” Broadimage/Shutterstock  "We haven't been having sex for a while. It has been since those rage texts that James sent me [in 2019]," Leviss told her shocked costars during the Bravo reunion, which aired in January 2022. "When [the engagement happened], we were passionately — we were in love with each other."The British TV star got honest about the end of their relationship during the special, adding, "This is not a product of me f--king up my life. This is a product of the truth. The second she said, 'We are not soulmates.' For me, that was a f--king enlightenment. I realized that we loved each other but we are not in love with each other anymore.” Christopher Polk/Bravo  Leviss raised eyebrows when she celebrated the end of her relationship with an “unengagement party” while watching the show’s season 9 reunion special with pals in January 2022. “Penis straws ftw #unengagementparty,” the TV personality wrote via Instagram alongside a snap enjoying her night with friends.Some fans, however, took issue with Leviss throwing a bash for something that should stay “private,” which only got the reality star more fired up.“But it actually is the furthest thing from private … there’s no way in hell I’m going to watch this emotional reunion without my closest friends,” the California native replied to one fan wondering why she made the party, which featured her smashing an engagement ring balloon, so public. “And after seeing how quickly James has moved on, I think I’m allowed the freedom to act on whatever my heart desires.”She added: “I’m no longer taking into account other people’s concerns before my own. Those days are dead and gone. Hello 2022.” MediaPunch/Shutterstock |
| ‘So Proud’! Jason Momoa Supports Zoe Kravitz After Lisa Bonet Split Posted: 26 Jan 2022 04:18 PM PST  Forever in her corner. Jason Momoa showed his stepdaughter, Zoë Kravitz, support weeks after he split from her mother, Lisa Bonet. "So proud. Can't wait," the 42-year-old actor captioned an Instagram photo on Wednesday, January 26, of Kravitz in the upcoming The Batman movie. "March 4th. Love u zozo." The 33-year-old Big Little Lies alum — who plays Selena Kyle a.k.a. Catwoman in the action film — shared the same movie poster on her Instagram on Wednesday, publicizing the release date. Momoa commented on the post, writing, " The snap also featured Robert Pattinson as both Batman and Bruce Wayne, Paul Dano as Edward Nashton a.k.a. The Riddler and Colin Farrell as Oswald Cobblepot a.k.a. The Penguin. "Unmask the truth," the tagline read. The Aquaman star's praise of Kravitz came a few weeks after he and Bonet, 53, announced on January 12 that they had separated after four years of marriage. "We share our Family news ~ That we are parting ways in marriage," the former couple wrote in a joint statement shared on Momoa's Instagram page at the time. "We share this not because we think it's newsworthy ~ But so that ~ as we go about our lives we may do so with dignity and honesty." The Hawaii native and the Cosby Show alum share two children, daughter Lola, 14, and son Nakoa-Wolf, 13. Bonet is also the mother of Zoë, whom she shares with ex-husband Lenny Kravitz. (The A Different World alum and the "American Woman" crooner, 57, were married from 1987 to 1993.) "The love between us carries on, evolving in ways it wishes to be known and lived," Momoa and Bonet's statement concluded. "We free each other ~ to be who we are learning to become … Our devotion unwavering to this sacred life & our children teaching our children what's possible ~ Living the Prayer — May Love Prevail J & L." The pair began dating in 2005 after meeting through mutual friends. They welcomed their kids in July 2007 and December 2008, respectively, before secretly tying the knot in October 2017. After nearly two decades together, however, the duo's differences began taking a toll on their relationship, a source exclusively told Us Weekly earlier this month. "That energy really started to cause friction because they wanted to live different lives," the insider said, noting that the High Fidelity actress and the Dune star initially "worked" because of their differing personalities. In the end, "Jason wanted to travel and adventure much more. Lisa, she would rather read, write poetry and cook at home," the source added. |
| Hilary Duff Blushes as Husband Matthew Koma Tries to Flag Her Ex: Watch Posted: 26 Jan 2022 04:12 PM PST  All in good fun! Hilary Duff‘s husband, Matthew Koma, couldn’t help but troll his wife after she thought she saw an ex at dinner. The Younger alum, 34, and the musician, also 34, were enjoying a family night out when Duff thought she spotted Jason Walsh, whom she dated in 2016. Koma decided to have a little fun with the potential encounter and began filming. “Hil thinks her ex-boyfriend is sitting at the restaurant near us, but she can’t tell if it’s him or not,” the Winnetka Bowling League singer said in a TikTok video posted on Wednesday, January 26. “Jason! Jason! Is it him? Is he looking?”
The How I Met Your Father actress immediately started blushing. “Please stop this,” she told her husband. The duo’s 3-year-old daughter Banks, meanwhile, ignored her parents and kept eating her dinner. In addition to Banks, Duff and Koma share daughter Mae, 10 months. The “Sparks” singer is also mom to son Luca, 9, whom she shares with ex-husband Mike Comrie. Koma didn’t reveal whether the man in question was really Walsh but TikTok users had a good time making jokes in response to the post. “Was it Paolo?” asked one user, referencing the villain from Duff’s 2003 hit, The Lizzie McGuire Movie. “Is Jason code for Gordo??” quipped another TikTok commenter, referring to Lizzie’s BFF from the original Disney series, Lizzie McGuire, which Duff starred on from 2001 to 2004. The Gossip Girl alum dated Walsh in 2016 after splitting from Comrie, 41, one year prior. In January 2017, Duff revealed that her romance with the personal trainer was her first “serious” relationship after her divorce from the former NHL star. Though she initially tried to keep her fling with Walsh a secret, she decided to go public after the pair became more settled. "I was like, 'f—k it. He's my boyfriend.' I just needed to make sure it was right," she told Cosmopolitan at the time. "People don't need to know my business until I really know my business, you know?" After calling it quits with the fitness guru, Duff reconnected with Koma, whom she first met while working on her 2015 album, Breathe In. Breathe Out. The twosome tied the knot in December 2019 after two and half years of dating off and on. Last year, the Billboard Music Award winner celebrated his wife’s birthday with a sweet Instagram tribute that ended with an NSFW message. “I'm really the luckiest to get to do this life thing with you. The easy days and the absolute s–t storms we're constantly navigating …You're never phased and you give so much of yourself to us,” he wrote in September 2021. "Love you. Also my full body hive is better so we can bone down tonight.” |
| Stars Who’ve Tested Positive for COVID-19 Posted: 26 Jan 2022 02:59 PM PST The novel coronavirus has made its rounds worldwide after first emerging in the Wuhan, Hubei, province in China in December 2019 — and today's biggest stars are not immune. Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson were among the first high-profile names to test positive for COVID-19. On March 11, 2020, the Academy Award winner shared the symptoms the couple experienced during their time in Australia, where Hanks was working on pre-production for Baz Luhrmann's Elvis Presley biopic. "We felt a bit tired, like we had colds, and some body aches," the Forrest Gump actor said of he and Wilson. "Rita had some chills that came and went." On March 16, 2020, Us Weekly confirmed that Hanks and Wilson were released from the hospital. The pair, who have been married for 30 years, rented a home in Australia before flying back to the U.S. Nearly a week after Hanks and Wilson's diagnosis was confirmed, Idris Elba announced that he contracted the virus as well. He revealed via Twitter on Monday that he decided to get tested after learning that an individual he was in contact with tested positive on March 13, 2020. The day after speaking out, the English actor shared that Hanks' confession inspired him to speak about his own condition. "I'm really proud of Tom Hanks, who is also someone in the public eye who came out and said they have it and has been public about it," the Cats actor said in a Twitter livestream video. "I was really motivated by Tom's move there." Scroll down to see all the stars who have tested positive for the novel coronavirus.  The former View panelist revealed that she and her husband, Ben Domenech, tested positive for COVID in a January 2022 column for The Daily Mail. “I am still now, a few weeks out from testing positive, waking up feeling the aftereffects of a cold in my throat, getting fatigued easily, and unable to taste food or smell anything normally,” McCain, who was vaccinated, wrote. “Mercifully,” the TV personality added, their daughter, Liberty, did not get sick. In addition to the symptoms, McCain explained that struggled with a “post-COVID depression” after learning she had tested positive. “The most sad and pessimistic moments that I have ever felt — since the initial months in lockdown — were after being diagnosed and sick these past weeks,” she wrote. “I am a pretty optimistic person by nature and this has been hard for me to shake both physically and emotionally.” Jim Smeal/BEI/Shutterstock  “Whoopi unfortunately tested positive over the [holiday] break, but she’s be back probably next week,” the View cohost Joy Behar explained during a January 2022 episode of the talk show. Behar noted that since the Sister Act actress is vaccinated and has received her COVID-19 booster shot her “symptoms have been very, very mild.” Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/Shutterstock  The Will and Grace alum shared a selfie from bed to announce her COVID-19 diagnosis ahead of New Year's Eve 2021. "I’m COVID POSITIVE," she wrote via Instagram. "Yup. Happy New Year! Actually, it is the perfect end to 2021. The juicy cherry on the proverbial cake. So for the next 10 days - while in quarantine- I will beautify ... Or maybe I'll sleep ... What should I watch?" Courtesy of Debra Messing/Instagram  "After having covid and isolating alone in my room for 10 days I realized I wouldn't have gotten through it without [sic] my many rituals," the High School Musical star confirmed her diagnosis via Instagram in December 2021. "I feel even more inspired to dig even deeper into wellness and mental health @frenshe. It's now time to heal and explore what it means to truly take care of ourselves ❤️." Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP/Shutterstock  Days after his Music Man costar Sutton Foster tested positive for the virus and missed a preview for their Broadway musical, Jackman revealed that he too had contracted COVID-19. “I just wanted to make sure you heard this from me. I tested positive for covid,” the Australian actor wrote via Instagram in December 2021. “Mild symptoms and looking forward to getting back on stage ASAP! Sending love for a happy and healthy new year.” Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock  The Jersey Shore star revealed that he had to isolate away from his son, Romeo, and his wife, Lauren Sorrentino, after testing positive for COVID-19 the day before Christmas Eve. "So much to be grateful for this year. Romeo’s 1st Christmas, my 6th soberversary and the love of friends & family," he wrote via Instagram in December 2021. "Unfortunately I am not in any photos cause I am quarantining from testing positive from Covid yesterday. My symptoms are currently mild and I’m eating Christmas cookies in bed resting." Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP/Shutterstock  "Merry 2nd covid Christmas (groan) from our family to yours," the Modern Family actor captioned a snap of himself with husband Justin Mikita and son Beckett wearing masks and Christmas pajamas via Instagram in December 2021. "We are fully vaxxed and boosted and unfortunately, two out of three of us got covid. Thankful for our mild symptoms, science, health & family. Sending love to you and yours! 🌲" Jesse Tyler Ferguson/Instagram  The Younger star had to miss a December 2021 preview performance of The Music Man on Broadway after she tested positive for COVID-19. Luckily, her understudy was able to step in, costar Hugh Jackman said in a viral curtain call speech. MediaPunch/Shutterstock  The three BTS crooners tested positive in December 2021, according to a statement from management company Big Hit Music. The music management firm noted that all of the K-Pop musicians had previously been vaccinated and have since returned home to Korea. David Fisher/Shutterstock  “The shocking day finally came for me. The dreaded double red line. And yes — definitely NO sympathy please — it has been a truly horrible few days, but I’m OK,” the Queen musician shared via Instagram in December 2021. “And I will tell the tale. PLEASE take extra care out there, good folks. This thing is incredibly transmissible. You really do NOT want it messing up YOUR Christmas." Courtesy of Brian May/Instagram  “Well, COVID finally got me,” the country crooner explained via a December 2021 Instagram Story. “It finally got my behind.” Lane, who was wearing a bandana over his nose and mouth, captioned his post, “Omnicron Man. Praying the rest of the family doesn’t get it.” Courtesy of Chris Lane/Instagram  "Hey everyone. I tested positive for Covid this morning. I'm not feeling amazing but I think the worst is behind me. I write you this update, feeling like complete ass, in hopes that you will be safe and careful this holiday season," the singer tweeted in December 2021. "Love you and I'll speak to you very soon." Jason Merritt/Radarpics/Shutterstock  "I'm sad to share that I just tested positive as well and will no longer be able to perform on the rest of the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour," the musician wrote in a statement via Instagram in December 2021, after revealing that members of her production team tested positive for the virus days prior. The “Kiss Me More” singer added: "I'm doing OK and look forward to recovering and getting back out there as soon as I can! The rest of the tour stops have some really great lineups — wish I could be there. Much love xo.” Matt Baron/Shutterstock  The Pirates of the Caribbean actress told The Telegraph's Stella magazine in November 2021 that she was "feeling pretty rubbish" while recovering from the virus along with her daughters, Edie and Delilah. Knightley's husband, James Righton, was not showing symptoms at the time but had also tested positive. "[He is] being very smug about it — he is convinced it's because he's one of those cold-water swimmers and I'm not," the Neverland alum joked. Richard Young/Shutterstock  "Here I am, just arrived in Milano, and I've tested positive for the second time in a month for Covid," the Canadian musician wrote via Instagram in November 2021. "So it's off to the hospital for me. Thanks for all your support 🙏🏻 #sohappyithurts." Adams previously tested positive for the virus in October 2021, which resulted in him canceling his planned performance at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock  The Blackpink singer (real name: Lalisa Manoban) tested positive for COVID-19 in November 2021, according to a press release from her production company. After her diagnosis, the other members of Blackpink underwent PCR tests as well. Steve Cho/Penta Press/Shutterstock  The former Little Mix member revealed via her Instagram Story in November 2021 that she "sadly tested positive" for coronavirus after "feeling unwell" for several days. "I'm now self-isolating, following government guidelines," she wrote, confirming that her appearance on the U.K.'s Hits Live radio show would be cancelled. "Apologies to any of my fans who bought tickets and I'm so sorry I can no longer be there. I hope you all have an amazing night, stay safe and I can't wait to see you all soon love you all so much." Beretta/Sims/Shutterstock  The Dancing With the Stars judge revealed in November 2021 that he tested positive for a breakthrough case of COVID-19 after being fully vaccinated. "I just found out and I feel OK. I feel strong,” Hough said in an Instagram video at the time, just one week before the season 30 finale of the ABC series. He continued: “[I’m] taking advice from medical professionals to get better as fast as I can. I'll make sure to keep you guys all updated with what's going on. But I just want to send my love out there to all. Stay safe." ABC  The “Bad Habits” crooner confirmed the news via Instagram in October 2021, “Hey guys. Quick note to tell you that I’ve sadly tested positive for Covid, so I’m now self-isolating and following government guidelines.” The England native added, “It means that I’m now unable to plough ahead with any in person commitments for now, so I’ll be doing as many of my planned interviews/performances I can from my house. Apologies to anyone I’ve let down. Be safe everyone x.” After the “Thinking Out Loud” crooner tested positive for the virus, he learned his daughter Lyra was also diagnosed with it. “My wife [Cherry Seaborn] was away, so, I was there with my daughter … She had it, too, so it was kind of heavy," he revealed on “The Howard Stern Show” in November 2021, noting that three days were “really bad” for the father-daughter pair. Anthony Ghnassia/SIPA/Shutterstock  News broke in November 2021 that the Green Bay Packers quarterback would miss the November 7 game against the Kansas City Chiefs after testing positive for the virus. The athlete, who is considered unvaccinated by the NFL, is under investigation, as is his team, amid questions that he could have broken COVID-19 protocols. Aaron Gash/AP/Shutterstock  The Aquaman star revealed via an Instagram Story that he "got hit with COVID" after the Dune premiere in October 2021. Momoa said he was "doing fine" and was quarantining with a roommate — professional skater Erik Ellington — in the U.K. David Fisher/Shutterstock  The “Living on a Prayer” crooner tested positive for the coronavirus shortly before an October 30 performance in Florida, CNN reported. According to the outlet, the musician is “fully vaccinated and feeling fine,” and has been self-isolating. Drew Gurian/Invision/AP/Shutterstock  After previously testing positive for the disease in 2020, the reality star revealed in October 2021 that both she and her daughter, True, contracted COVID-19. "Luckily I have been vaccinated so all will be ok. We will be over here in quarantine and following current guidelines," she tweeted. Courtesy of Khloe Kardashian/Instagram  During an appearance on Late Night With Seth Meyers, Seyfried revealed that she couldn't celebrate her first Oscar nomination the way she planned after testing positive for COVID-19. “I turned my phone off the night before because I was like, ‘If anyone’s going to tell me I got an Academy Award nomination or didn’t, I want it to be my mother,'” the Jennifer's Body star shared about the nomination for her supporting role in Mank. “But I was also sleeping in because I had a tough case of COVID.”Seyfried, who got vaccinated two days before testing positive, admitted that dealing with the virus was "one of the worst moments of my life."“It’s great to have both, apparently. Hybrid immunity,” she joked. Chris Pizzello/Pool/Shutterstock  The season 30 Dancing With the Stars contestant revealed in September 2021 that he tested positive for COVID-19 for the second time in one year — just days after his professional partner, Cheryl Burke, announced she contracted the virus. “To properly rest and recover as well as avoid exposing others, I will be taking a break in the coming days,” he captioned an Instagram video at the time, noting his symptoms are “mild” thanks to getting vaccinated. “I appreciate all your support and I'll be back as soon as I am ready.” ABC  Brown tested positive for the coronavirus and subsequently announced his plans to put the Zac Brown Band’s “Comeback” tour on pause. “Despite taking precautions, I’ve tested positive for COVID-19,” the country crooner explained via Instagram in September 2021. “I am deeply disappointed this has happened, as touring is our life and performing live for our fans is the best part of our job. The bottom line is that I want to take every precaution to put the health and safety of our fans and crew first. We will resume the tour as soon as I have finished the CDC-mandated quarantine and it is safe for our band members and crew to do so.” Kristina Bumphrey/Shutterstock  "Honestly, y'all, I'm feeling straight. The only thing I'm dealing with is no taste, no smell, which is the worst part of it," Booker said on Twitch in September 2021. "I'm about a week in. I'mma be back in no time, no time. ... Having no smell, no taste it makes your day dry. It makes your day grey. It makes it grey, for real." He went on to add, "I'm not gonna tell you guys if I have the vaccine or not, but you could still get COVID with the vaccine, for anybody that's saying that. Educate yourself." Sophie Sahara  The Dancing With the Stars pro tested positive for the coronavirus despite being “fully vaccinated,” telling her Instagram followers in September 2021: "I feel so bad for [my partner], Cody [Rigsby], I feel like I’m letting him down. I just feel like s—t to be quite honest, and it’s so overwhelming because it’s Sunday and the show’s tomorrow. … I just hope I didn't spread it. For those of you who don't think COVID is a real thing, it's f—king real, dude. … I don't know what to say. I'll be in bed. God, I can't believe this happened.” Courtesy of Cheryl Burke/Instagram  As Selling Sunset halted production in September 2021, the HGTV star's rep confirmed that he had tested positive for the coronavirus, but "had no symptoms." El Moussa was quarantining with fiancée Heather Rae Young "out of an abundance of caution," the rep noted at the time. AFF-USA/Shutterstock  The comedian confirmed in May 2021 that he received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, but Rock revealed he had a breakthrough case in September. “Hey guys I just found out I have COVID," the Spiral actor shared via Twitter. "Trust me you don't want this. Get vaccinated." Scott Kirkland/FX/Picturegroup/Shutterstock  The 57-year-old star announced in September 2021 that she tested positive for COVID-19 while dealing with “ongoing health issues” earlier in the month. “To allow Wendy time to quarantine and fully recover and to ensure that our production abides by all SAG/AFTRA and DGA Covid protocols, we expect to begin the 13th season of The Wendy Williams Show on Monday, October 4,” the talk show said in a statement via Instagram at the time, noting the show would be pushed from its original September 20 premiere date to October. Gregory Pace/Shutterstock  The Dancing With the Stars pro revealed in September 2021 that he contracted the Delta variant three months prior after traveling for work. "It was pretty bad. I came back [from the trip] and I felt like crap," he said on the "Pretty Messed Up" podcast. "I went [to get tested] and it was negative. I went the second time, it was negative. I was dying. Literally dying. I felt like I couldn't breathe. It was just bad." A third test showed positive COVID-19 results and after spending two weeks at home, Savchenko got vaccinated. "Everybody who's not vaccinated, go get vaccinated 'cause that sucks. It sucks," he said. Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock  The quarterback confirmed that he tested positive for the coronavirus in February 2021, shortly after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrated their Super Bowl victory with a boat parade. Brady confirmed the news during an interview with the Tampa Bay Times, which was published in September. “And I think [COVID-19] going to be challenging this year,” he told the newspaper at the time. “I actually think it’s going to play more of a factor this year than last year, just because of the way what we’re doing now and what the stadium is going to look like and what the travel is going to look like and the people in the building and the fans." Kevin Sabitus/AP/Shutterstock  The comedian announced via an Instagram video on September 1, 2021 that he had tested positive for COVID-19. "I got back from the road Saturday night and was feeling very weary. I had a headache, and I just felt rundown," he shared, adding that he isolated himself from family after getting "fevers and sweats" that night. Shutterstock  Although both were vaccinated, the KISS bandmates tested positive for COVID-19 in succession and experienced mild symptoms in August 2021. Stanley tweeted on August 30 that he recovered, writing, “My COVID symptoms were MILD compared to many others and let me tell you... It kicked my ass.” The next day, Simmons tested positive, forcing KISS to postpone at least four concerts while the band quarantines. "While Paul Stanley recently tweeted that he has recovered from COVID, Gene Simmons has now tested positive and is experiencing mild symptoms," the band said in a statement. "The band and crew will remain at home and isolate for the next 10 days and doctors have indicated the tour should be able to resume on September 9th at FivePoint Amphitheatre in Irvine, CA." Charles Sykes/Invision/AP/Shutterstock  The Slipknot musician canceled his upcoming appearance at the “Astronomicon” convention in Ann Arbor, Michigan following a positive COVID-19 diagnosis. “I wish I had better news,” he shared via a video posted on the event’s official Facebook page. “I woke up today and tested positive, and I’m very, very sick. So I’m not gonna be able to make it this weekend. And I am absolutely devastated. I am so sorry. I hope everyone has a good time, and I promise you I will absolutely try to get back there as soon as I can. I should be okay.” In the video, Taylor acknowledged that he’s vaccinated and “not worried.” He added, “I certainly wouldn’t want to spread it to anyone else. So, everybody be safe out there. And thank you so much. And I will see you again, I promise.” Invision/AP/Shutterstock  The Younger alum confirmed in August 2021 that she had tested positive for the Delta variant of the coronavirus days after she began shooting How I Met Your Father for Hulu. “That delta... she's a little bitch. Symptoms: bad headache. No taste or smell. Sinus pressure. Brain fog,” she captioned an Instagram Story. "Happy to be vaxxed." Courtesy of Hilary Duff/Instagram  "I am vaccinated and I got COVID, and it's bad," the actress explained in an August 2021 Instagram video. "It's weighing on my chest. It's hard to breathe. One of my kids, I think, has it so far. I'm praying that the other ones are OK. ... I'm just scared and sad and disappointed in myself and some of our leaders. I just wish I'd done better, so I'm asking you guys to do better. Protect your families. Protect your kids." Courtesy of Melissa Joan Hart/Instagram  The rapper didn’t reveal when he was diagnosed with coronavirus, but his struggle with the illness affected his hair growth. When a fan commented via Instagram they were “stressed” over the hairstyle in August 2021, Drake explained that he was dealing with a COVID-19 side effect. “I had Covid that s--t grew in weird I had to start again,” the “Hotline Bling” rapper replied with a laughing emoji. “It’s coming back don’t diss.” Shutterstock  "My family and I have recovered from COVID and we're all good now," an image shared via Instagram in August 2021 read. "God is the greatest! God love us and we love God!" The DJ shares hares sons Asahd, 4, and Aalam, 18 months, with wife Nicole Tuck, but he didn’t say exactly which family members were diagnosed with coronavirus. He thanked his support system and his doctors, and he shared a message to fans. “Please be safe out there! Please take care of yourself,” he added. Michele Eve Sandberg/Shutterstock  "It's not fun to get this. I did get it. Rex and I got it and it's not fun," the country singer said via a TikTok video in August 2021. "You don't feel good. We were both vaccinated and we still got it, so stay safe, stay home, and be protected the best you can." Courtesy Rex Linn/Instagram  After the 16 and Pregnant alum’s family vacation to the Dominican Republic in August 2021, she and her four children contracted the coronavirus. Lowry’s son Lincoln’s dad, Javi Marroquin, subsequently tested positive. Courtesy of Kailyn Lowry/Instagram  The TV personality announced that she tested positive for COVID-19, despite being fully vaccinated. “I’m telling you this so that you understand that the pandemic is very much NOT over,” the former E! News anchor shared via Instagram in July 2021. “Delta is relentless and highly contagious and grabbed ahold of me even after getting vaccinated. I was caring for someone who contracted Covid (although at the time we thought it was just the flu) - so I did come into close contact with the virus, but I wore a mask, and again I’m fully vaccinated. I assumed I would be fine. Well I’m not.” Sadler added that her symptoms include a fever, headache and "serious congestion." Courtesy of Catt Sadler/Instagram  During a May 2021 episode of Keeping Up With the Kardashians, the SKIMS founder shared that she secretly battled COVID-19 months prior. She explained that she tested positive after getting it from her son Saint, who originally contracted the virus from someone in his school. Todd Williamson/Shutterstock  The actress revealed in May 2021 that she was diagnosed in the early days of the pandemic and that she chose at the time to keep it a secret. “My doctor begged me to go to the hospital because it was so bad. I said, ‘No, thank you. I’d rather die at home,’” Hayek told Variety. The Hitman's Bodyguard star was isolated from her family for seven weeks in another room in their house and was even put on oxygen at one point. Hayek has since returned to work but explained that she still doesn't have all her energy back. “It was not a lot of time,” she said. “It was easy. It was the perfect job to just get back into it. I had started doing Zooms at one point, but I could only do so many because I would get so tired.” Broadimage/Shutterstock  HBO announced that Real Time With Bill Maher won't be taping an episode of the show following the host testing positive for COVID-19. “Bill tested positive during weekly staff PCR testing for COVID. He is fully vaccinated and as a result is asymptomatic and feels fine,” the network wrote in a statement in May 2021. “Real Time production has taken every precaution following COVID CDC guidelines. No other staff or crew members have tested positive at this time. The show will be rescheduled at a later date.” Maher thanked his fans that same day for their outpouring of support and reflected on missing his first episode in almost 30 years. “Thanks to all wishing me get well - hard to do since I feel perfectly fine, but I appreciate it!” he wrote via Twitter. “Most upset about ending my streak going back to 1993 of never missing a Politically Incorrect or Real Time episode. Oh well, even Cal Ripken had to sit one out at some point.” Mediapunch/Shutterstock  The 90 Day Fiancé couple announced in April 2021 that they tested positive for COVID-19 while living in India. "Thank you all for praying for us," Singh wrote via Instagram. "Thank you all for hoping best for us and for wishing us good health and stay safe. Sorry to inform you all that we both are Covid positive." He added that they're both "doing okay" and "hoping to recover" as soon as possible. Courtesy of SumitJenny/Instagram  Sweet's bandmates announced on April 15 that he contracted the virus and wouldn't be joining Little Big Town at the 2021 ACM Awards. "Well, Philly's not feeling good. We might as well break the news, he's got the COVID," Jimi Westbrook revealed during an interview on Audacy. "He seems to be holding off the really bad stuff, just a little not feeling great." Karen Fairchild added, "Over the hump today, he's hoping. ... He is, unfortunately, so sad and missing out on this whole ACM week. But he'll be back soon." imageSPACE/Shutterstock  The country singer announced in April 2021 that he would miss the first live episode of American Idol season 19 because he had tested positive for COVID-19. "I'm sad to say I won’t be a part of tonight's first live @AmericanIdol show," he tweeted. "I tested positive for COVID but I'm doing well and look forward to being back at it soon." Original Idol panelist Paula Abdul stepped in as a replacement judge for the episode. Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock  Benedict Cumberbatch opened up in April 2021 about his fear that he was "patient zero" in bringing the coronavirus to the United States. The actor explained that while shooting a film in South Africa he became “terribly ill with what he believes now was COVID-19." “I was incredibly ill, to the point that when all this COVID stuff suddenly broke in the new year, I was thinking, ‘Oh my god, was I actually patient zero?’” Cumberbatch revealed. Erik Pendzich/Shutterstock  After the Big Ang alum contracted coronavirus, she died at the Staten Island University Hospital in April 2021. Charles Sykes/Invision/AP/Shutterstock  Us confirmed in March 2021 that he former governor of Alaska tested positive for COVID alongside some of her family members, including her 12-year-old son Trig. She said in an Instagram Story that the “worst thing” about contracting the virus was, “When you’re not feeling well, don’t you still just want your mom?” Palin detailed her symptoms in a statement to People, revealing that she had “bizarre” feelings like loss of taste and smell, which made her assume “unmistakable COVID caught me” before she tested positive. "I strongly encourage everyone to use common sense to avoid spreading this and every other virus out there," she said in the statement. "There are more viruses than there are stars in the sky, meaning we'll never avoid every source of illness or danger ... But please be vigilant, don't be frightened, and I advise reprioritizing some personal time and resources to ensure as healthy a lifestyle as you can create so when viruses do hit, you have at least some armor to fight it." Colin Young-Wolff/Invision/AP/Shutterstock  The Open Book author revealed she tested positive for COVID-19 on the same day she sat down to write her new essay, Take the Lead. “This past year has been especially intense for me and so many of you. I started writing this essay on the same day I received a positive test result for COVID-19. I decided instead of being driven by fear, I would manifest a hopeful conversation with you,” Simpson wrote in March 2021 via Instagram. “I felt strong, resilient, and God-inspired through my pen teaching me as I was sharing with you ways to get to the other side of fear.” Cindy Barrymore/Shutterstock  The model recalled her coronavirus health scare during an interview with Babe by HATCH in March 2021. “At first, finding out I had COVID while pregnant was unnerving, especially as I didn’t know anybody who had it while they were pregnant,” she explained. “The first night I was a little scared but went into full-on mama-bear mode. I had to stay vital for everyone. I was pregnant with three guys quarantined in our apartment, and no help.” The former Victoria’s Secret model noted that she cleaned and cooked every day, making fresh juices to “boost our immunity” all while being sick herself. “Fortunately, none of us had symptoms outside of being a little achy, but it was still intense. We did our best to make it fun [for the kids] and lived upside down for a while because I felt terrible for the kids,” she explained. “The sofa turned into a trampoline, and I had to let go of my love of organization! Now, as a bonus, it looks like the baby will have antibodies which is such a relief.” MediaPunch/Shutterstock  The American Idol alum announced via social media on March 20, 2021, that she was canceling a concert after coming down with coronavirus. “I am so sad to say I will not be at the acoustic show in Lexington, Kentucky tonight,” she wrote in a statement. “I tested positive for COVID yesterday. I am quarantining and trying to get better! Please know I can’t wait to be back — when it is safe for all of us.” She ended her message by asking fans to “cheer me up” by sending her videos and photos from the concert, which also features Jon Pardi, Jordan Davis, Travis Denning and Priscilla Block. MediaPunch/Shutterstock  The Prodigal Son actor revealed on March 8, 2021 that he “spent the last few weeks laid low by COVID.” His girlfriend confirmed that both she and the couple’s 17-month-old daughter, Lyra, had been battling the virus as well. “It's been very challenging for all of us but luckily we're all much better now than we were,” the Swedish actress wrote via Instagram. “Thankfully I was lucky to only have relatively mild symptoms, which meant that I could keep focusing on Lyra and Michael.” Matt Baron/Shutterstock  The Real Housewives of Atlanta alum revealed on March 2, 2021, that she and her husband had "tested + for Covid A few days ago," writing via her Instagram Stories that their battle had "been a hell of a ride!" Kristina Bumphrey/Starpix/Shutterstock  The Dancing With the Stars pro revealed on February 27, 2021, that she was battling coronavirus when she gave birth to her son, Leo, a month earlier. "So I've debated sharing this or not… but yes we did have Covid when Leo was born," Carson replied to a fan on her Instagram Stories who asked if she had tested positive. "We gave it to my parents on Christmas Eve. They weren't out of quarantine yet & had to meet their grandson for the first time through a window literally broke my heart into pieces," she added along with crying emojis as she shared a video of the moment. Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/MEGA  "The Queen and I have now tested twice," Yearwood’s husband Garth Brooks wrote in a statement posted on his Facebook page February 24, 2021. "Officially, she’s diagnosed as ‘on her way out of the tunnel’ now, though, which I’m extremely thankful for. … Anyone who knows [Yearwood] knows she's a fighter and she's been doing everything right, so I know we’ll walk out the other side of this thing together.” Matt Baron/Shutterstock  The Oscar winner detailed her quiet coronavirus battle via her Goop website in February 2021. “I had COVID-19 early on, and it left me with some long-tail fatigue and brain fog,” she wrote on the wellness site. “In January, I had some tests done that showed really high levels of inflammation in my body. So I turned to one of the smartest experts I know in this space, the functional medicine practitioner Dr. Will Cole. After he saw all my labs, he explained that this was a case where the road to healing was going to be longer than usual.” Gregory Pace/Shutterstock  After going “MIA for a week,” the Sonny With a Chance alum told her Instagram followers on February 14 that she had been hospitalized with COVID-19. “My week has consisted of lots of snot filled tissues, vitamin c, d and zinc, Tylenol for body aches, chills and fever, a z pack for extreme congestion, soup that I can’t taste and a vaporizer/humidifier as my only friend in the quarantined guest room I’ve been hanging out in,” she wrote via Instagram. “Not quite the way I wanted to spend my 35th birthday today but hey, I’m definitely feeling better today than the start of the week so I’ll take it. Happy Valentine’s Day my peeps!” Courtesy of Tiffany Thornton/Instagram  The reality star announced on February 14 that she was quarantining away from her family after testing positive. “Happy Valentine’s Day! This ones a bit different.... I have Covid,” she wrote via Instagram. “I’ve been isolated in my room since I found out. My family & I have been super cautious & careful, so this is super scary.” Charles Sykes/Invision/AP/Shutterstock  Variety reported on February 3 that the Masked Singer host tested positive for COVID-19 and would therefore be replaced by Niecy Nash for the first few episodes of season 5 of the Fox series. Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock  "Got my results back today and they came back positive for COVID,” the Olympic gymnast wrote on her January 30 Instagram Story. “Not going to lie … I’m nervous knowing I’m positive. It's been a long two weeks of RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) with [my daughter], Drew, and now this. My body is exhausted. ... So far, I have a cough, terrible sore throat and headache. Fatigue for sure but that's pregnancy haha. Not looking for any kind of pitty [sic] party. Just a reminder to take care of yourself. Drink an extra water tonight and wash your hands.” Courtesy of Shawn Johnson/Instagram  The Chappelle Show creator was forced to bow out of a series of shows in Austin, Texas in January after testing positive for COVID-19. His rep confirmed the news in a statement to TMZ, saying, "Dave Chappelle is quarantined after testing positive for COVID-19. His remaining shows at Stubbs Waller Creek Amphitheater in Austin, Texas, have been cancelled and ticket holders should contact their point of purchase for refund." John Salangsang/Invision/AP/Shutterstock  The reality star opened up about his diagnosis during an episode of Dr. Oz on January 14. He got bloodwork done and received a variety of recommended treatments while he stayed in a “packed” emergency room earlier in the year. “My stepdaughter, Jordan, Colleen [Conrad]‘s daughter, took me to the hospital and I had a 104.8 [degree fever]. I was in a wheelchair. I had to wait in the ER. It was packed, like, the hospital was full and then they put me on a gurney and put me in the hallway in the waiting room, so I could get a temporary room,” he revealed at the time. “All of a sudden, I’m getting antibiotics, steroids and a plasma antibody transfusion for COVID. It happened really fast. Then they moved me … up to another room, a more permanent room. Then I just remember sleeping and it was just surreal. Like, ‘What?’ I didn’t even realize why I was there until, like, three days later.” ZoCo Productions, LLC  The actress opened up about her battle in an Instagram post on January 15. “Reunited with my loves … what a wild 2 weeks,” she captioned a pic of herself hugging her kids Sailor, 5, and Lula, 4, while wearing a mask. “I’m such a private and shy person and usually don’t share such things but this is a big one and I feel we all need to share our stories, to share information, to gather facts and awareness and mostly to know we are not alone in this.” Tyler tested positive on New Year’s Eve. “S–t, I had made it all the way through 2020 keeping myself and my family safe. Doing everything I could to protect my wolf pack and follow the rules to protect others,” she continued. “They sent me little messages and drawings under my door. Reminders of what’s on the other side. What to get better for.” Courtesy Liv Tyler/Instagram  The Minnesota Timberwolves player revealed he tested positive on January 15. “Prior to tonight’s game, I received yet another awful call that I tested positive for COVID. I will immediately isolate and follow every protocol,” he wrote via Instagram. “Continue to take it seriously by taking all of the necessary precautions.” Towns’ mother and six other family members have died from complications related to the coronavirus. “I’ve seen a lot of coffins in the last seven months, eight months,” he told reporters in December 2020. “But I have a lot of people who have — in my family and my mom’s family — who have gotten COVID. I’m the one looking for answers still, trying to find how to keep them healthy. It’s just a lot of responsibility on me to keep my family well informed and to make all the moves necessary to keep them alive.” Courtesy of Jordyn Woods/Instagram  The British athlete tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of the Australian Open. The tennis organization revealed the news on Twitter, confirming that he was isolating at home and would not immediately fly Down Under to compete in the Grand Slam championship. Nick Wass/AP/Shutterstock  "I’ve had COVID (still recovering but I’m doing good today!!) so today is the day I’ve worn makeup,” the Bravo personality wrote on her January 13 Instagram Story. "Still quarantining (in the salon LOL) but have Zoom meetings all day. I’ve been beyond bored for awhile so if anybody has any suggestions on what to watch on Hulu or Netflix, please let me know because I am running out of things to do up here in the salon. Very bored. … I’m gonna test again to see how I’m doing because I think I’ve had it for almost two weeks now." Courtesy of Brielle Biermann/Instagram  "Yes, Austin and I both tested positive for COVID last year,” the Counting On star wrote via Instagram in January 2021. "I was still pregnant with Evelyn. We both had body aches, slight fever and lost our taste and smell. Thankfully, we recovered quickly!” Courtesy of TLC's Counting On  After the Harry Potter star tested positive for the coronavirus in December, her son, Tenn, contracted COVID and stayed in the hospital for a few days. When the infant returned home, the actress told Lorraine Kelly on January 12 that her boyfriend, Alfie Brown, was battling COVID after a "weird delay" and was "doing OK." Courtesy of Jessie Cave/Instagram; Inset: Courtesy of Alfie Brown/Instagram  The singer revealed on January 9 that she was diagnosed with coronavirus. "Finally got COVID but weirdly enjoying the Dayquil fever dream 2021," Grimes wrote on her Instagram Story as she shared the cover photo of SZA's "Good Days." Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/MEGA  “Unfortunately, my family and I closed out 2020 learning that we had contracted Covid while in California over the holidays,” the U.S. women’s national soccer team player tweeted on January 5. “We are all in good spirits and recovering well. My body is fully recovered, and I can join my teammates back on the field soon. Be safe and happy new year.” Courtesy Alex Morgan/Instagram  The veteran talk show host was hospitalized in Los Angeles as he battled coronavirus, multiple outlets reported on January 2. Milla Cochran/Startraks  The Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. star revealed on December 31 that she tested positive for the virus after waking up with a high fever on Christmas morning. “It’s been a rough week to say the least,” she wrote on her Instagram Stories, noting that “multiple members of [her] family are also infected.” Bennet told fans that she “always wore a mask, social distanced, and took all the necessary precautions” but still got sick, adding, “If it can happen to me it can happen to you.” Andrew H. Walker/Shutterstock  The Miami Dolphins quarterback tested positive for COVID-19 on December 31, one day after practicing with his team. “It hurts. He’s a leader on our team. He brings energy,” safety Eric Rowe later told reporters. AP/Shutterstock  After telling her Instagram followers on December 24 that her stepsons, Cade and Jack, had tested positive for COVID-19, the Office alum, her husband, Joshua Snyder, and their daughter, Isabel, were also diagnosed with the virus. “I knew the odds were against me since I was living with 4 Covid positive people. I really tried to quarantine and not get it,” Kinsey wrote via Instagram on December 29. Courtesy Angela Kinsey/Instagram  "Cheers to the New Year with some Hydralyte for Covid-19. Drew tested positve [SIC] day 4 and @firstladyoflove is negative," the TV star wrote via Instagram in December 2020, captioning a photo of himself and wife Susan Sailer Pinsky. "#2020 #covid19 #youlive. Drew is home, under survelliance [SIC] and fever is down. Thanks Dr. Zelenko, Dr. Yo and Dr. Jeff for the superior care and advice. Drew is feeling better and will hppefully [SIC] get well soon." Courtesy of Instagram/Dr. Drew  The S.W.A.T. star revealed on December 23 that he tested positive for COVID-19 after thinking he had a bad case of food poisoning. “[I] had chills and aches all day today … still can smell, taste, no cough, no runny nose,” he wrote via Instagram. “I have to accept test results … I feel fine now … but I have to be responsible!!!!” The Criminal Minds alum noted that his Christmas and New Year’s celebrations are “clearly not gonna be the best,” before explaining, “My last year and a half has not be the best … but I WILL BE OKAY!!!” He concluded: “This is a hard time for ALL OF US … the WORLD!!! But … I BELIEVE in the sun shining through the rain!!! Stay safe and appreciate everything and everybody you have and had!! MUCH LOVE!!!!” Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock  The Bachelor Nation couple announced they had tested positive on December 24. "Jason and I had been trying to quarantine before seeing family. We thought we were making a responsible decision to have ONE person over, who had been tested daily for work. Negative tests 4 days in a row. The day we saw her, she became positive which we all found out the next day. Now, like many, we will spend Christmas by ourselves," Bristowe wrote via Instagram. "We just want to let everyone know that we thought we were being safe, but covid is bigger than us. Today, We are thinking of everyone who is spending the holidays alone, anyone who is sick or overcoming something, (as 2020 has taught us to overcome a lot), and all of the healthcare workers who have been away from family, taking care of others for months, and months now. We will be ok!! Be safe and happy holidays!!" AFF-USA/Shutterstock  "2020 has been a crazy/twisted year for all of us. Recently I tested positive for Covid-19, I was lucky enough to catch the news before being around and infecting my loved ones (friends, family, significant other). I quickly isolated myself and started my quarantine process alone," Britney Spears' personal trainer boyfriend revealed via Instagram on December 23. "This is where my healthy lifestyle helped a lot, I only had 1 day of common cold symptoms day 2 after testing positive but 24 hours later I was perfectly normal. I continued my workouts and clean nutrition at home as usual. 10 days later I was no longer contagious, and tested negative twice and was cleared by doctors to end quarantine and return to my loved ones." MediaPunch/Shutterstock  "I wanted to share that I’ve tested positive for COVID-19,” the Talk cohost announced via Instagram on December 14. “After a brief hospitalization, I’m now recuperating at a location away from [my husband], Ozzy [Osbourne], (who has tested negative) while The Talk is on a scheduled hiatus.” Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock  The singer revealed on December 12 that she had been diagnosed with coronavirus hours before her Verzuz battle with Keyshia Cole was set to take place. "Hey y'all I can't believe I'm saying this but I tested positive for COVID-19," she wrote. "I'm ok and not in any pain. I'm actually down to do the verzuz from my house… we're trying to figure it out!!!" The webcast series later announced in an Instagram post that the event had been postponed and rescheduled for January 9, 2021. Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock  The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star confirmed via her Instagram Story on December 10 that she tested positive. "After a long, grueling, two weeks (due to COVID), the kids and I were able to spend the first night of Hannukah together, and I couldn't be more grateful," she captioned a pic with her children, Phoenix and Jagger. Matt Baron/Shutterstock  The Southern Charm stars revealed that they tested positive during the December 10 episode of the Bravo series. "Craig and I thought we were invincible," Kroll said on the show. "It's really weird to be a part of a statistic. Like, s--t, I am one of them." Stewart Cook/Shutterstock  The Talk cohost missed the December 10 episode of the talk show after testing positive for COVID-19. After her fellow costars announced her positive diagnosis, she confirmed the news on Instagram, saying, “I’m home with some symptoms and will be sequestering as per the CDC guidelines, resting and taking care of myself.” She asked everyone to “stay vigilant” amid the holidays, noting that despite strict protocols at work “it still found its way to me.” Inaba also noted that she has a “fever and bad cough and lots of aches and pains” as a result of the illness. ABC/Kelsey McNeal  The singer revealed via Instagram that she tested positive in December 2020. "I'm all good but will be isolating for a little bit to protect those around me," she wrote at the time, noting that she's hoping to still finish her upcoming album in time for a 2021 release. "Trust me, I'm doing everything I can. ... I have to make sure I'm being safe first." Broadimage/Shutterstock  The Ellen DeGeneres Show host announced on December 10 that she tested positive for COVID-19. “Fortunately, I am feeling fine right now,” she shared via social media. “Anyone who has been in close contact with me has been notified and I am following all proper CDC guidelines.” The comedian added that she will see her fans again “after the holidays” and reminded everyone to “please stay healthy and safe.” Matt Baron/Shutterstock  The Twilight star contracted the virus while filming the Christmas movie Happiest Season in Pittsburgh in February. "COVID was on our set. Kristen got sick, but we didn't know," her costar Aubrey Plaza revealed on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert on December 4. Matt Baron/Shutterstock  The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star announced on December 5 that she and her daughter Sophia tested positive for COVID after production was suspended on the Bravo show. "I love these people so much ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Some of you may have heard I have COVID. I got it after these photos were taken," Richards captioned a family Christmas portrait. "Since I was diagnosed I have been separated from my family in order to keep them healthy. Unfortunately, Sophia also got it. We will stay in isolation until it's safe to see the family and others again. I can't wait to hug them. John Tsiavis/Bravo  "I did end up getting it, the big, dreaded COVID-19. It got through my whole family," Siwa told Entertainment Tonight in December 2020, sharing that she was diagnosed after her brother, Jayden Siwa, and parents found out they were infected. "We had headaches, we were tired, we had shortness of breath, we had all the things. All my family actually lost their taste and smell, but all have it back. But I never did. ... Everyone who gets this virus, it's gonna affect them differently. We were all, like, three days apart." RHTY/starmaxinc.com/Shutterstock  The singer revealed on December 1 that she battled COVID-19 in November after coming in contact with a maskless fan at a restaurant in October. “I just wanted to share with you the fact that I was in quarantine and the one day I went out and met with one person that was not wearing a mask — I even held my breath, quite honestly, through their talk — something must have happened,” she explained in an Instagram video, noting that her only symptoms were “the loss of smell and taste and a little bit of a cough.” Evan Falk/Shutterstock  Perez contracted the coronavirus in December 2019, while filming HBO Max's The Flight Attendant in Thailand. “We had two and a half more episodes to do. We got shut down in the middle of episode six. I had told everybody, ‘We’re going to get shut down,'" Perez told Uproxx in an interview in November 2020. "I had contracted COVID when we flew to Bangkok. And at that time, they were saying it’s a new respiratory tract infection. It’s a virus that’s going around. We don’t really know what it is and what it does, but it attacks the respiratory system first and then travels to other parts of your body." She also recalled telling her manager, "Don't let me die in Bangkok," and he responded by telling her how scared she was making him. "The head of the ICU says, ‘You should be scared, sir. This is serious. We’re going to have to put her in a separate room.’ Because it was new. [This] was in December," Perez added. "I remember the doctor saying to me, ‘The mask that you have on, the mask that I have on, every time you go outside, every time you meet someone wear that mask — not just for you, but to protect them too.’ And I haven’t forgotten it. But anyway, we got shut down and it was tough because it was a good gig for a lot of hard-working people." Erik Pendzich/Shutterstock  The former Bachelor revealed his diagnosis on November 26 as he celebrated a socially-distant Thanksgiving with wife Lauren Burnham and their daughter, Alessi. "I actually tested positive for COVID ... like, nine days ago. Tomorrow I get to go in and see if I'm all clear. It's been rough, I've gotta say. It's not been easy," he said in an Instagram Story. The following day, he shared his testing experience with his social media followers. Courtesy of Arie Luyendyk Jr/Instagram  After missing the 2020 American Music Awards without explanation, the reggaeton singer announced on November 23 that he had tested positive for the coronavirus. imageSPACE/Shutterstock  A spokesperson for President Donald Trump’s eldest son confirmed to Bloomberg on November 20 that the businessman tested positive for COVID-19. He began isolating four days prior and was asymptomatic. Gregory Pace/Shutterstock  The Catfish host revealed on November 17 that both he and his wife, Laura Perlogno, battled COVID-19 in March and have since made a “full recovery.” He detailed the experience on Instagram saying that “for over three weeks, my constant fatigue, headaches and difficulty breathing was awful and the stress of wondering if my symptoms would worsen was horrifying.” He added: “With all the fear, uncertainty, and unrest that has followed it’s been a roller coaster of emotions for all of us.” MJ Photos/Shutterstock  The Dear Evan Hansen star revealed via Twitter on November 15 that he contracted COVID-19 in March. "It was like an awful flu that lingered for 3 weeks or so. Thankfully made a full recovery. So many haven't been as lucky and will continue not to be," the Tony winner wrote. As fans sent him their well-wishes, Platt reassured them that he was feeling healthy. "I'm totally fine now you sweet bb's keep distancing and masking!" he tweeted. MediaPunch/Shutterstock  The Real Housewives of Orange County alum revealed her diagnosis on November 15. “I tested positive for Covid,” she wrote via her Instagram Story. “I have been safe while traveling but I had an exchange on Tuesday where I did not protect myself and this is when I had to have been infected. I have been safe with distancing and masks since Tuesday including when I went to dinner solo and stayed distant and wore a mask at Hayes’s soccer. My kids have been at their father’s but Hayes will quarantine due to brief (1 hour) proximity to me. I have contacted everyone and will isolate for 10 days minimum per CDC guidelines. My children will have to stay with my parents as they cannot stay at my house while I’m sick.” AFF-USA/Shutterstock  On November 13, the Real Housewives of Miami alum revealed in a since-deleted Instagram Story that she had been experiencing symptoms of the novel virus for roughly a week. Pippen's rep later confirmed the news, telling Us, "She's been battling it for a week with a hard time breathing. She's had horrible body aches. We're hoping she starts feeling better soon." Broadimage/Shutterstock  The Sons of Anarchy alum revealed during an interview with Jimmy Kimmel on November 6 that he'd tested positive for coronavirus "earlier this year." He explained that his case "wasn't particularly acute" but he lost his sense of taste and smell "for about 10 days and had a little bit of fatigue." Hunnam said he knew something "wasn't quite right" when he was grinding coffee beans in the morning "and realized I couldn't smell at all." His girlfriend, Morgana McNelis, couldn't taste the coffee either. Since it was early in the pandemic, loss of taste hadn't been revealed as a COVID symptom, so the British star thought he and his girlfriend were "simultaneously having a stroke." During his interview, the Jungleland star said he was feeling sick, with a fever, dry cough and fatigue and was concerned "it could be COVID" again. He added that he hadn't left the house "in six months" apart from taking his new cat to the vet. The feline was also diagnosed with coronavirus. Magnus Sundholm/Shutterstock |
| Christina Ricci's Ex Claims He Is 'Unable to Pay' Legal Fees Amid Divorce Posted: 26 Jan 2022 02:59 PM PST Christina Ricci and James Heerdegen's relationship took a dramatic turn before she filed for divorce, but their dynamic wasn't always this way. The duo's love story began in 2011 when the Addams Family actress first met Heerdegen on the set of ABC's short-lived series Pan Am. Ricci starred in the period drama, while Heerdegen served as a dolly grip operator. Us Weekly exclusively revealed in February 2012 that the duo were officially dating. From there, speculation around the couple's engagement surfaced that October when Ricci was seen sporting an engagement ring. Us broke the news of the twosome's engagement in February 2013 and they wed in New York City that October. The couple welcomed their only child, son Freddie, in the year that followed. Speaking to Net-A-Porter's The Edit in March 2017, Ricci opened up about how marriage and motherhood changed her. "Marriage shows you your flaws in how you deal with things and having a child forces you to grow up at the speed of light," she explained at the time. "I'm a completely different person than I was before I had my child." The Lizzie Borden Chronicles alum added, "Because I was so celebrated for being a child, I think I held onto that immaturity for a very long time. It was the thing that made me special. Then at a certain point, like 35, it's not so special to be immature." Us exclusively revealed in June 2020 that Ricci was granted a protective order against Heerdegen. The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed to Us that "officers responded to a domestic battery radio call" at their home in Woodland Hills, California. The LAPD said "a report was completed" thereafter. Heerdegen was not arrested, but the new protective measure will prohibit the pair from contacting one another. Us confirmed shortly after that Ricci filed for divorce in Los Angeles on July 2. Just before the police incident, Ricci posted a sweet Father's Day tribute to the film producer. The former child star posted a photo to Instagram of the sweet card that she and the pair's son made, captioning the moment: "We The Casper actress dated actor Owen Benjamin before finding love with Heerdegen. The former duo got engaged in March 2009 but called it quits in June 2009. Scroll through the gallery below to see Ricci and Heerdegen's relationship over the years.  The duo met while working on the former ABC series Pan Am. Shutterstock (2)  Us exclusively revealed that Ricci and Heerdegen were dating. Clint Spaulding/WWD/Shutterstock (2)  Us broke the news of the twosome’s engagement. RAMEY PHOTO/MEGA  Before saying “I do,” Ricci told Us that planning her wedding was “more overwhelming” than she had anticipated. She also said she “can’t wait” to start a family. Shutterstock  Ricci and Heerdegen tied the knot at the Harold Pratt House and Peterson Hall on New York City’s Upper East Side. MEGA (2)  It was announced that Ricci was pregnant with the pair’s first child. Broadimage/Shutterstock  Ricci gave birth to the couple’s son Freddie. Shutterstock  Variety reported that the duo bought a Brooklyn townhouse for roughly $1.995 million. MEGA (2)  Ricci revealed how married life and parenthood changed her. “Marriage shows you your flaws in how you deal with things, and having a child forces you to grow up at the speed of light,” she previously told Net-A-Porter’s The Edit. “I’m a completely different person than I was before I had my child.” Oliver Palombi/MEGA  On Father’s Day, she shared a photo of their son Freddie resting on Heerdegen. Courtesy Christina Ricci/Instagram  Ricci and the pair’s son honored Heerdegen with a heartfelt Father’s Day card. “We ♥ you, Daddy,” she wrote, captioning an Instagram photo of the gesture. Janet Mayer/Startraksphoto.com  Us broke the news that Ricci obtained an emergency protective order against Heerdegen. This measure prohibited the spouses from communicating with each other. RAMEY PHOTO/MEGA  Ricci filed for divorce after nearly seven years of marriage. Shutterstock  Us confirmed in January 2021 that a judge ordered Heerdegen to stay 100 yards away from Ricci and stripped him of visitation rights with Freddie and their dog after Ricci accused him of domestic violence. In the court documents obtained by Us, she alleged the abuse began in 2013 and was heightened in 2020 after they were stuck in the house together amid the coronavirus pandemic. Matt Baron/Shutterstock |
| Josh Duhamel: I Proposed to Audra Mari 'Last Minute' Posted: 26 Jan 2022 02:31 PM PST  The right time. Josh Duhamel knew the exact moment that he wanted to propose to fiancée Audra Mari, but his surprise proposal left him without one crucial item. “I just sort of decided last minute that was how I wanted to do it,” Duhamel, 46, exclusively told Us Weekly while talking about his proposal on Tuesday, January 25. “I didn’t have anything planned. I didn’t have a ring yet. I was like, ‘OK, you gonna do this today. Today’s the day.’ And that’s just how it all kind of happened.” Even though the Transformers star was on vacation in the Florida Keys with Mari, 28, he still wanted to pop the question in a “beautiful” way and settled on sending the former pageant queen a literal message in a bottle. “I coordinated with [the concierge] there to make sure that bottle was floating up to shore as we were walking out there,” Duhamel recalled while promoting his Heluva Good! Dips partnership.  The All My Children alum announced his engagement on January 8, writing via Instagram: “It's on!! She found a message in a bottle that washed ashore and said YES!! @audramari.” In the photo accompanying the post, the couple are holding a message reading “Audra Diane Mari, will you marry me?” up to the camera. The couple have been dating since 2019. Duhamel was previously married to Fergie from 2009 to 2019, with whom he shares son Axl, 8. Despite the split, the Las Vegas alum and Fergie, 46, have been committed co-parents, and she even congratulated her ex on the engagement via Instagram. While the proposal was a spur-of-the-moment decision, Duhamel told Us that he knew that the television host was “The One” early on in their relationship. “Unfortunately, we were dating from the distance for a while, or it probably would’ve happened a lot earlier,” the Life As We Know It actor explained, to Us adding that Mari “moved from LA” back to her hometown of Fargo, North Dakota, at the start of the coronavirus pandemic. “We were right for each other, and we just made it work.” Duhamel also noted that the former swimsuit model is also the “right” fit for a potential stepmother, as she and Axl have a strong bond. “He is very excited about [our engagement]. That was a big part of it. They get along great. It's been good,” he said. Above all else, the North Dakota native is focused on being a supportive father and a “good role model” for Axl. “I want to make sure that I'm making him get out there and do things, making sure that he knows he's safe and secure but also can go out and take risks,” he said. “I also want to be a good role model for him. Because he is watching very closely.” In addition to setting a good example, Duhamel revealed that Axl considers him to be a “cool dad.” The Love, Simon actor will get an assist in impressing his son ahead of the Super Bowl thanks to the Heluva Good! Dips Sideline Snacker. He described the invention as a “little robot” that makes sure all of the snacks and drinks are on hand for the big game, so football fans aren’t forced to leave the couch. “[Axl], he’s always good, [but] he’s excited because when he comes home today, there’s this little machine called the Sideline Snacker” there, he continued. “This thing will literally come to you, bring you the snacks, cold beer, whatever you need. So that’s mostly what he is excited about [right now].” Fans can enter to win a Sideline Snacker of their own from January 27 until February 4, just in time for the Super Bowl on February 13. Reporting by Christina Garibaldi |
| Pump Rules’ Raquel Reacts to ‘Unengagement Party’ Controversy Post-Split Posted: 26 Jan 2022 02:08 PM PST New year, new woman! Raquel Leviss stood her ground after receiving backlash for having an "unengagement party" following her split from James Kennedy. "Penis straws ftw #unengagementparty," the 27-year-old TV personality wrote via Instagram on Tuesday, January 25. The Vanderpump Rules star shared a photo of herself sipping wine out of a phallic novelty item after watching the season 9 reunion special with friends. Some fans, however, thought the celebration was in poor taste.  "Kinda mean. I get moving on but why make a [spectacle] out of it?" one user commented on the snap. "Some things can stay private." The former pageant queen, who announced in December 2021 that she and Kennedy, 30, called off their engagement, was quick to respond. "But it actually is the furthest thing from private … there's no way in hell I'm going to watch this emotional reunion without my closest friends," Leviss replied, referencing the large group that attended her reunion watch party, including costars Ariana Madix and Scheana Shay. The California native pointed out that her ex-fiancé's recent actions made it that much easier to focus on herself now that she's single. (The DJ was spotted holding hands with a mystery woman in Las Vegas earlier this month, but a source exclusively told Us Weekly on Monday, January 25, that Kennedy is "not dating" right now.) "And after seeing how quickly James has moved on, I think I'm allowed the freedom to act on whatever my heart desires," Leviss added. "I'm no longer taking into account other people's concerns before my own. Those days are dead and gone. Hello 2022." The Sonoma State University alum further explained her state of mind via her Instagram Story on Wednesday, January 26, writing, "I remind myself that how others react to what I do [is] not my place of concern. Trying to change other's perception of me is a form of control." She noted that "some people will think what I did last night was badass, while others may think it was cruel and heartless." Leviss, however, was happy with how she handled watching her breakup play out on national television, adding, "I did what I did to support MY NEEDS and my needs only. I am learning how to not feel remorse for putting myself before others." The model then reposted a video from the Tuesday night bash that Shay, 36, originally shared. In the clip, Leviss smashed a giant engagement ring balloon in honor of the end of her and Kennedy's relationship.  "I don't feel guilty reposting this because we all need closure in a breakup," the former Miss Sonoma County captioned the Instagram Story video. "Tomorrow I will finally be able to turn a new leaf and continue creating the life I want to live with healthy thoughts surrounded by the people I love." Leviss and Kennedy got engaged in May 2021 but called it quits seven months later. They detailed what led to their split on Tuesday's season 9 Vanderpump Rules reunion special, including the bombshell that they hadn't had sex since 2019. |
| Dolly Parton Jokes ‘Nobody’ Gives Miley Cyrus Advice: ‘She's Headstrong’ Posted: 26 Jan 2022 01:57 PM PST They came in like wrecking balls! Dolly Parton opened up about her bond with goddaughter Miley Cyrus — and how "proud" she is to be influencing the next generation of female musicians. "I don’t give advice, but I got a lot of information. Same with Miley," the 76-year-old singer exclusively told Us Weekly on Wednesday, January 26, while promoting her Dolly Parton x Duncan Hines line launching in March. "Everybody says, 'Do you give Miley advice?' I said, 'Nobody gives Miley advice.' She’s [as] headstrong as I am, but we both respect each other. And we share things." The "Jolene" songstress — who was named Cyrus' godmother because of her close friendship with Miley's father, Billy Ray Cyrus — noted that she does speak with the "Party in the U.S.A." singer, 29, when it seems fitting. "If I feel like I’ve got something to say to her, like, a mother or an aunt or a godmother, I will say something. Or [I will] ask her a question about this or that or ask her a question even concerning my own career," Parton said. "[Because] I wanna stay involved and important in the business for as long as I live. And I’ve been lucky enough that that’s happened." The Songteller author added that it's a "great blessing and a great compliment that I’m able to steer anybody in a good direction." Parton's influence reaches far wider than Miley, who she has collaborated with on the 2017 song "Rainbowland" and worked with on episodes of Hannah Montana in the 2000s. The country legend has paved the way for many female vocalists and entrepreneurs — which is an accolade she doesn't take lightly. "It makes me feel proud. Makes me feel good to know that I’ve been an inspiration," the 9 to 5 star told Us. "And when I hear a lot of these young people — that I think are better than I ever thought about being — [and] they say that I’m their hero or that they’ve learned so much from me. Well, it makes me feel good that I can be there to help guide a few young people." The Tennessee native, who has been married to Carl Thomas Dean since 1966, made a name for herself in the music industry by never changing who she was. In fact, Parton attributes her simple roots and non-celebrity lifestyle as part of the reason she is still so relevant. "I stay true to myself 'cause I never lost myself. I’ve never changed. I don’t relate to that being a star kind of thing. I really don’t. I just feel like I’m a working girl," she explained. "I have a joke, and it’s true though, I say, 'I’m a workhorse that looks like a show horse — It’s dressed like a show horse. But I work hard, and I love what I do. I feel blessed."  That work ethic has led to Parton becoming a household name as a musician, actress, businesswoman and more. Her latest project is showing off her cooking skills with the help of Duncan Hines. The "Here You Come Again" singer teamed up with the company to launch her Dolly Parton x Duncan Hines line, which includes cake mixes and frostings that are inspired by her southern roots. "When I’m in the kitchen, I’m able to be cooking anything. I’m a southern girl. So, most of the things that I like to cook [are] really southern foods, whether it be fried chicken or chicken and dumplings, and of course you always have to have a good cake or something sweet to end a good meal," Parton told Us, adding that she's "very proud" of her new line with Duncan Hines, which is available in stores in March. She added that while the baking collection kits, which launched on Wednesday, are currently sold out, more things are coming down the line with the baking company. In addition to her first Duncan Hines line hitting shelves, Parton's book collaboration with James Patterson, called Run, Rose, Run, and corresponding album, will also be available in March. "March is gonna be a big month for me. I’m gonna be working my butt off," the musician said. "I’m gonna be eating a lot of cake and doing a lot of singing." With reporting by Christina Garibaldi |
| Alicia Witt’s Family: Everything We Know About Her Parents, More Posted: 26 Jan 2022 12:54 PM PST Actress Alicia Witt kept her family life relatively private as she attained stardom, but her parents Robert and Diane Witt became the subject of headlines after their mysterious deaths. The Walking Dead alum announced the news in a statement released in December 2021. "I reached out to a cousin who lives close to my parents to check on them. Sadly, the outcome was unimaginable," she said. "I ask for some privacy at this time to grieve and to wrap my head around this turn of events, and this surreal loss." Alicia asked her relative to check on her mother and father at their Worcester, Massachusetts, home on December 20 after she had not heard from her parents in "several days." Local newspaper Telegram & Gazette reported that the Nashville alum's cousin called police for assistance in checking on Robert and Diane. The authorities found the couple dead when they entered their home but did not see any obvious causes of death. Robert was 87, while Diane was 75. Lieutenant Sean Murtha clarified in a statement, "There was no trauma." The fire department visited Robert and Diane's home to check the air quality after the tragedy but found no evidence of carbon monoxide or other dangerous gases. Police confirmed that the Massachusetts medical examiner will perform autopsies on the pair to determine their causes of death. Alicia revealed in September how her mother played a role in her big break when she was discovered by a producer from That's Incredible! "The producer saw a photo of me reading in a magazine and got in touch and asked if I had anything I could do on the show. My mom had, at that point, taught me how to do a scene from Romeo and Juliet. I was 5," she told The Boston Globe. "Two years later, the casting director for Dune was searching for someone to play the role of Alia and [saw that clip]. It was serendipity." Although she was a child star, the Two Weeks Notice actress explained in August 2014 that her family struggled financially when she was young. "My parents were both teachers. My dad made about $35,000 a year and we didn't have a car until I was, I think, 11," she told Marketplace. "Money was always something that we had to be careful of." Scroll through the gallery below to learn more about Alicia and her family:  Alicia grew up in Massachusetts and was considered a child prodigy after learning to talk by age 2 and read by age 4. Director David Lynch worked with her in film and television — including in 1984’s Dune, her acting debut — before she earned her high school equivalency credential at 14. She is now an actress and singer, known for her roles in Cybill, Mr. Holland's Opus, Two Weeks Notice, Friday Night Lights, The Walking Dead, Nashville, Twin Peaks, The Exorcist, Orange Is the New Black and a long list of Hallmark Channel movies. CraSH/imageSPACE/Shutterstock  Diane (née Pietro) was a junior high school reading teacher. She also held the Guinness World Record for longest hair from 1989 to 1996. She revealed in 1988 that she “even caught fish” with her 10-foot locks as Robert added, “We just tied a worm to it and cast.” Courtesy of Alicia Witt/Instagram  The patriarch was a science teacher and photographer. Alicia paid tribute to her dad in June for Father’s Day. “To my amazing dad, the wise and hilarious and always curious one, the greatest teacher, and the OG Witty,” she wrote via Instagram. “I am deeply blessed in the dad department and I know that every single day.” Courtesy of Alicia Witt/Instagram  Like his older sister, Ian was interested in music and acting as a child. He appeared in 1991’s Liebestraum, but that is his only acting credit. He has since kept a low profile away from the spotlight. Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock  Alicia spoke out about her parents’ deaths in January 2022, one month after they were found unresponsive in their Massachusetts home. At the time, she wrote a lengthy Instagram post about the events that occurred before the incident. The former Orange Is the New Black actress explained that her parents hadn’t “allowed” her in their home for “well over a decade,” which is why she didn’t know their heater had broken. The freezing temperatures, a malfunctioning furnace and deteriorating home were later identified as possible contributing factors in their deaths, Telegram & Gazette reported in December 2021. “They refused to allow workers into their house. I begged, cried, tried to reason with them, tried to convince them to let me help them move — but every time, they became furious with me, telling me I had no right to tell them how to live their lives and that they had it all under control,” Alicia wrote via social media. “It was not for a lack of trying on my part, or the part of other people who loved them.” The Christmas Tree Lane actress noted that her mom and dad were “not penniless,” but they were “fiercely stubborn, beautifully original souls, and with that, they made choices — choices that I couldn’t talk them out of.” She added: “Even if I could have had a crystal ball and looked into the future — if I could have said to them, ‘You are going to break my heart and the hearts of all who love you with a worst-case-scenario ending if you don’t let us help you’ — I still think they would have made the same choices. They weren’t willing to make different ones.” Courtesy Alicia Witt/Instagram  The “I Hope It’s Me” singer revealed via social media in January 2022 that she attended a “beautiful service and burial” in her parents’ hometown earlier that month. She reflected on her mom and dad’s sudden deaths in an Instagram post, noting that her “heart is broken” now that they’re gone. She called her parents “brilliant educators, deeply kind, curious, intuitive, wise, young at heart, funny” before sharing her final memories of them. “Our last words to each other were, ‘I love you.’ That part was simple; never in doubt. They loved me so. I loved them so,” Alicia wrote. Courtesy Alicia Witt/Instagram |
| Erika Jayne May Be Forced to Return $750,000 Earrings Amid Tom’s Legal Woes Posted: 26 Jan 2022 12:39 PM PST After her bling. Erika Jayne may be forced to surrender a pair of earrings that cost $750,000 amid allegations that her estranged husband, Tom Girardi, purchased the jewelry with funds that did not belong to him. Tom, 82, allegedly bought the earrings in March 2007 with money from a client trust account and cited the purchase as costs for a case, according to court documents obtained by Us Weekly. While he initially claimed that the jewelry was stolen from their home, the earrings were allegedly in a safe. "The evidence filed in court by the trustee shows a clear money trail to the purchase of these earrings," Ronald Richards, former attorney for the trustee overseeing the bankruptcy case involving Tom's former law firm, exclusively told Us in a statement on Wednesday, January 26. "Erika should return them immediately. They were purchased with estate funds. She will not be able to hide behind her attorney in her response. She will have to provide testimony under oath and be subject to a deposition if she persists." However, Erika's lawyer fired back at the allegations on Wednesday. "I am disturbed by everyone jumping to conclusions about Erika, who is innocent, and trying to blame her for the actions of others," Evan C. Borges said in a statement to Us. "If the law matters, the trustee's motion is completely out of bounds. Even based on the incomplete hearsay evidence filed with the motion, the trustee has no claim based on Erika innocently receiving a gift of earrings 15 years ago from her now estranged and then-extraordinarily wealthy husband." The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star, 50, "has agreed to hold and not transfer or sell the earrings," according to court documents filed by her attorney. Additionally, she plans to give the jewelry to a third party to hold in trust until the trustee's investigation is complete. There will be a hearing on February 15 to discuss the matter. Erika filed for divorce from Tom in November 2020 after 21 years of marriage. The following month, they were accused of embezzling $2 million in settlement funds from the families of Lion Air Flight 610 victims. He also allegedly mishandled money that belonged to several of his clients. The trustee previously sued the "XXPEN$IVE" singer for $25 million in August 2021, claiming that she knew Tom's law firm was covering her expenses for at least 12 years and requesting that the court order her to repay the money she allegedly spent plus interest. Erika's lawyer insisted at the time that she did not have "legal liability" for "actions taken by Girardi Keese." Meanwhile, the reality star addressed the allegations against Tom during the October 2021 RHOBH reunion. "It does not look good. However, we still need to get to the bottom of it. Only one side of the story has been told," she said at the time. "I feel terrible. This is not who I am. And I hope this is not who he is. … I hope that he has not done what is alleged here." With reporting by Diana Cooper |
| 'The Wedding Planner' Cast: Where Are They Now? Posted: 26 Jan 2022 12:20 PM PST "You saved my shoe. I mean, my life." Jennifer Lopez and Matthew McConaughey proved they were a match made in rom-com heaven with The Wedding Planner. The fan-favorite movie, directed by Adam Shankman, follows Mary Fiore (Lopez), a career-driven wedding planner who's at the top of her game. After scoring a major gig, she finds herself injured in an accident that leads her into the arms of Steve Edison (McConaughey) — who she later learns is the groom in the high-profile wedding she's set to work. The heartwarming film hit theaters on Super Bowl weekend in 2001 — but that didn't deter viewers from showing up in droves and helping make The Wedding Planner a No. 1 success. Two decades later, Lopez and McConaughey virtually reunited to reminisce on their time on set. "I love that movie," the former American Idol judge told the True Detective alum in January 2021. "I can't tell you how many people come up to me and tell me, you know, 'The Wedding Planner was my favorite movie.' After you've done so many films, that they bring that one up [is special]." McConaughey echoed his former costar's sentiment, adding that he still gets recognized for the movie "all over the world." At the time, the Magic Mike star even predicted that there might be "a resurgence" of the romantic comedy genre in the coming years — and that Lopez might be the one to lead the charge. "Especially after [the coronavirus pandemic] … people are going, 'Can you go and just give me 90 minutes of escapism, of pleasure? I know the couple's gonna get together at the end, I just want to see how.'" The Interstellar actor went on to praise The Wedding Planner for its "lightness," adding, "We don't get as much of it anymore but … The Wedding Planner is buoyant for a reason. You're dancing across the clouds and it feels a little like Saturday evening every day on set. It feels a little like Saturday when you're watching those movies, for the entire movie, and you don't want to feel like Monday." Lopez and McConaughey had undeniable chemistry, but when the film marked its 20th anniversary, Shankman revealed that the two leads weren't his first choice — and that Minnie Driver was up for the "Get Right" singer's role. "I didn't perceive [Jennifer] as a romantic comedy person; she seemed too tough to me, frankly. But my agency said, 'You have to meet with her: She read the script and she really wants to do this,'" the filmmaker told Yahoo! Entertainment in January 2021, noting that he was "completely hypnotized" by Lopez after they were introduced. Though he didn't realize it at first, the Hustlers actress ended up being a perfect fit. "She was ambitious and understood everything that was girly and feminine about the movie, but at the same time recognized the engine inside of it," Shankman continued. "There were many factors about the real-life Jennifer that really spoke to what the character was." The World of Dance alum, for her part, was always enchanted by the idea of a happily ever after. "Even though we've been through a tough year, it's like, miracles still happen," she told McConaughey during their January 2021 video reunion. "Love prevails. Things can go right. All of that stuff, for sure." Scroll down to find out what the cast of The Wedding Planner is doing now:  The New Yorker’s second studio album, J.Lo, dropped at the same time as The Wedding Planner, making her the first woman to ever have a No. 1 hit on the charts and at the box office. She went on to star in Maid in Manhattan (2002), Gigli (2003), Monster-in-Law (2005), Second Act (2018) and Hustlers (2019), for which she earned a Golden Globe nomination. Along with J.Lo, she has released seven popular records between 1999 and 2014. Lopez shares twins Max and Emme with ex-husband Marc Anthony, from whom she split in 2011 after seven years of marriage. Their divorce was made final in 2014. The Grammy nominee was previously married to Ojani Noa from 1997 to 1998 and to Cris Judd from 2001 to 2002. In April 2021, she ended her two-year engagement with Alex Rodriguez before moving on with Ben Affleck, to whom she was previously engaged from 2002 to 2004. Columbia/Intermedia/Pacifica/Kobal/Shutterstock; ABC/WDTV  The Texas native was a rom-com staple in the 2000s, starring in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003), Failure to Launch (2006), Fool's Gold (2008) and Ghosts of Girlfriends Past (2009). He later began to take on more dramatic roles, including Mud (2012) and Dallas Buyers Club (2013), the latter of which scored him an Oscar nod for best actor. McConaughey was also nominated for an Emmy for HBO’s True Detective before releasing his memoir, Greenlights, in 2020. The Sing actor shares three children with wife Camila Alves, whom he wed in 2012. He is a partial owner of the Austin FC soccer team and briefly considered running for governor of Texas in 2021. Shutterstock (2)  Before trying her hand at acting, the Oregon native was crowned Miss Teen USA in 1990. She appeared on the soap opera Santa Barbara from 1992 to 1993 before going on to star in I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997), House on Haunted Hill (1999) and Shopgirl (2005). The singer shares two children with her husband, Pete Sampras, whom she wed in 2000. Shutterstock (2)  Chambers is best known for playing Dr. Alex Karev on the ABC hit Grey's Anatomy from 2005 to 2020. The Ohio native previously modeled for brands including Calvin Klein, Armani and Dolce & Gabbana, which is how he met his wife, Keisha Chambers, a former modeling agency booker. The pair tied the knot in 1993 and share five children: Isabella (born December 1994), twins Maya and Kaila (born June 1997), Eva (born March 1999) and Jackson (born January 2002). Shutterstock (2)  Along with The Wedding Planner, Greer has appeared in What Women Want (2000), 13 Going on 30 (2004), 27 Dresses (2008), Love & Other Drugs (2010), Carrie (2013), Ant-Man (2015), Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018), Halloween (2018) and Halloween Kills (2021). On the small screen, she’s nabbed roles in Archer, The Big Bang Theory, Arrested Development and Kidding. The I Don’t Know What You Know Me From author married Dean E. Johnsen in 2011 and is the stepmother of his two children from a previous relationship. Shutterstock (2)  The late actor was most widely recognized for his work as Moe Greene in The Godfather. He also earned an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for the ‘80s series The Famous Teddy Z. In July 2015, Rocco died after battling pancreatic cancer. He was 79. Shutterstock (2)  Along with her appearances on Friends, The West Wing, The Good Wife and The Affair, the Canadian star had roles in Boogie Nights (1987), Sex and the City (2008) and The Skeleton Twins (2014). She won a Tony Award in 1988 after originating the Baker’s Wife in Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods. The Newsroom alum has been married three times: to acting coach Paul G. Gleason from 1975 to 1982, to Michael Bennahum from 1984 to 1990 and to Chris Sarandon, whom she wed in 1994. She shares son Aaron David Gleason with her first husband. YouTube; Christopher Smith/Invision/AP/Shutterstock  The Minnesota native was nominated for an Emmy for playing Jim Dial on the ‘80s TV series Murphy Brown and for a Tony after starring in Sondheim’s Company in the ‘70s. Kimbrough also was an original cast member of Sunday in the Park with George. He has since lent his voice to animated roles in The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Land Before Time VII: The Stone of Cold Fire and more. The Ally McBeal alum has been married twice: to Mary Jane Wilson from 1961 to 1991 and to Beth Howland from 2002 until her 2015 death. YouTube; Andy Kropa/Invision/AP/Shutterstock  The late Anchorman star made a name for himself in fan-favorite comedies both in film and on TV, from Best in Show to Modern Family. Willard died in May 2020 at the age of 86 after going into cardiac arrest. His final role was on Netflix’s Space Force. YouTube; Mediapunch/Shutterstock  The NAACP Image Award winner worked on both stage and screen until his 2013 death. Myers was 77 years old when he succumbed to pneumonia. YouTube  The late character actress began her career on the radio in the 1930s, later moving to film and television. To many, she’s recognized as Happy’s grandmother in Happy Gilmore (1994), which starred Adam Sandler, Christopher McDonald and Julie Bowen. Bay was inducted in Canada's Walk of Fame in 2008, three years before she died from pneumonia at age 92. YouTube; Warren Toda/EPA/Shutterstock  Pollak has been featured in more than 80 films including A Few Good Men (1992), That Thing You Do! (1996), She's All That (1999) and The Big Year (2011). In 2017, he began his tenure as Moishe Maisel on Amazon’s The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. The Billions alum split from comedian Lucy Webb in 2005 after 10 years of marriage. Their divorce was finalized in 2008. YouTube; Ryan Miller/Shutterstock  From Sister Act to Hocus Pocus, the California native has a diverse resume that even includes voice work on Fox’s King of the Hill. Outside of acting, the Veep alum is a dedicated activist who has spoken out about LGBTQ rights, AIDS awareness, domestic violence, gender equality and civil rights. In 2021, she began production on the highly anticipated Hocus Pocus sequel, set to debut in fall 2022. Shutterstock (2) |
| Dog Moms and Dads! Celebs Gush Over Their Faithful Pets Posted: 26 Jan 2022 12:17 PM PST From glamour to fame, stars have may seem to have everything they could ever want. However, sometimes all they need is their faithful pet. Danica Patrick, Serena Williams, Nina Dobrev and more celebs just can't get enough of their dogs. "I call her the world's chillest dog," the Vampire Diaries alum gushed over her puppy Maverick during a Harper's Bazaar interview in August 2017. "She rescued me as much as I rescued her. I was so lost after [my cat] Lynx passed, but Maverick brought me back to life." Dobrev, who named her pooch after Tom Cruise's Top Gun character, has frequently shared cute snaps of Maverick on social media as they cuddle together or complete a joint workout session. The Love Hard actress even set up an Instagram account for Maverick. "Moms. They sure know how to get on your nerves, but they feed you, so you gotta love em," a May 2021 caption on Maverick's account read alongside a selfie with the Fam alum. Dobrev isn't the only star to love on her four-legged friend. The former NASCAR racer is also a faithful dog mom to her two furry companions. "I'm a worried dog mom. I'm really worried about the dogs all the time," Patrick admitted during a November 2015 interview with Dogster Magazine about her pets, Dallas and Ella. "I'm always making sure they're both OK." The Wisconsin native added at the time: "Ella will follow me even if I just take five steps somewhere. She gets up to follow me. I'm sure some day she will learn that she doesn't have to, but for now she follows me like a puppy. Ella was kind of just one of those things where I was going to take her to play with Dallas for a couple nights, and of course when you love dogs … I never brought her back." Tarek El Moussa, for his part, surprised his kids, Taylor and Brayden — whom he shares with ex-wife Christina Haack — with a new puppy in August 2021 ahead of his nuptials to Heather Rae El Moussa (née Young). Their pug, named Bugz, was given to the children to help teach them vital responsibility skills. "Teaching Mr. handsome how to care for Bugz and how to protect her. This is something Heather and I thought a lot about," the Flip or Flop star wrote via Instagram at the time. "We knew getting a puppy would be a lot but we also thought that it could teach the kids what it's like to have some new responsibilities and we loved the idea of having a new baby in the family to take care of. Bray has the biggest heart and he's about to turn 6 years old so he's a big boy now Scroll down to see what celebrity dog parents have to say about their furry friends:  The former Bachelorette announced in January 2022 that she is “officially a dog mom” after she and boyfriend Adam Woolard introduced their dog, Wally, via Instagram. Courtesy of Hannah Brown/Instagram  The Fresh Vine Wine cofounder is a proud dog mom to Maverick, frequently posting snaps of the pair together and with Dobrev’s boyfriend, Shaun White. Courtesy of Nina Dobrev/Instagram  “Me and my girl Luna 🐶 This sign never gets old ❤️,” the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star gushed over her German Shepherd in a January 2022 Instagram post. Weeks earlier, Richards adopted new pup Smokey. Courtesy of Kyle Richards/Instagram  The Broadway veteran gifted his fiancée a new pup, Wylie, for Christmas in December 2021 after the death of their dog, Violet. "Wylie is the sweetest little ball of love and has quickly stolen our hearts," the Step Up actress gushed via Instagram that month. "Thank you Violet and thank you @wagmorpets for bringing us this little angel. We will forever be grateful!" Courtesy of Jenna Dewan/Instagram  "The kids have been gone all week and at first @heatherraeyoung and I played with the idea of surprising them with a puppy when they got back but when we saw Bugz, we knew she had to be the newest member of the El Moussa family ♥️," the HGTV personality wrote via Instagram in August 2021. Courtesy of Heather El Moussa/Instagram  The most successful woman in auto racing is a softie when it comes to beloved pets Dallas and Ella. “I’m a worried dog mom ... I’m really worried about the dogs all the time,” Patrick told Dogster Magazine. Courtesy Danica Patrick/Instagram  Stewart has kept a menagerie of pets over the years — dogs, cats, canaries, horses, donkeys, chickens, peafowl, even pigeons. But her affection for chow chows is legendary. She’s had many, but none as famous as Ghenghis Khan, who won Best of Breed at the 2012 Westminster Dog Show. “He gets along with pretty much everybody,” she gushed to Vanity Fair of her prize pooch. “I have never seen him mad, I have never seen him agitated, I have never seen him having a bad day.” INSTAR Images  One of the greatest tennis players in history has a daughter named Alexis, but she’s long considered Chip, a Yorkshire terrier, her “son.” The dog goes wherever Williams, 38, goes, from celebrating her wins (wearing a “championship tie”) to watching movies at night. INSTAR Images  The former first lady shares two poodle-mixed dogs, Tally and Maisie, with her husband. “Bill and I love going on long walks with our two dogs,” she told Us in 2015. “We were on one of those walks when President Obama called to ask me to be his secretary of state.” INSTAR Images  A self-described animal lover, DeGeneres owns three dogs — Wolf, Augie and Kid — and three cats — Charlie, George and Chairman. In 2017, she launched an animated show about them called Ellen’s Pet Dish to promote her line of pet products and, of course, to show her appreciation of them. Courtesy Ellen Degeneres/Instagram; Shutterstock  The former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations tweets and Instagrams about her beloved dog, Bentley, as much as she does about politics. She got him in 2016 when he was a puppy and has been documenting his growth ever since. Courtesy Nikki Haley/Instagram |
| Celebrity Engagements of 2022: Stars Who Got Engaged This Year Posted: 26 Jan 2022 11:57 AM PST Ready to walk down the aisle! Several celebrity couples took their love to the next level in 2022 by getting engaged. Josh Duhamel popped the question to Audra Mari in January after two years of dating. The actor was previously married to Fergie from 2009 to 2019, and the exes share son Axl, whom they welcomed in August 2013. "They are both really good people and committed to their son, but they are too different to make it work," a source told Us Weekly in September 2017 shortly after the duo confirmed their split. Fergie opened up in October 2017 about calling it quits with Duhamel. "It wasn't my plan," she said on The Wendy Williams Show at the time. "I wanted to stay married forever." A year later, the Las Vegas alum hinted at his desire to remarry. "I want to have more kids in the next few years. So it's more about finding someone young enough to have kids," he explained on the "Armchair Expert" podcast in December 2018. "It's not as if I'm out there just trying to f–k anything. That's really not who I am. I'm trying to find a girl that I can be with and have a family with, you know?" Duhamel also reflected on his failed romance with Fergie at the time. "Ferg and I had a great relationship. I love that girl and I always will. Unfortunately, we didn't work, but I will always have her back and she is the mother of my baby," he shared. "She's awesome. So I'm just trying to find somebody. That's kind of what I'm looking for." After the Transformers star posted on social media about his betrothal to Mari, the former Black Eyed Peas member wished her ex-husband well. "Congrats!!!" she commented via Instagram, adding six green heart emojis. Jeremiah Duggar, meanwhile, announced his engagement to Hannah Wissmann in January. The news came three months after the pair revealed their courtship. "Never been so happy. Never felt so blessed!!" the 19 Kids and Counting alum gushed via Instagram in October 2021. "Getting to know each other has been one of the greatest joys of our lives! We are excited to start sharing our story with all of you and to see what God has in store for our future. #mygirlfriend." Duggar's famous family congratulated him and his fiancée on their engagement via social media. "Good lookin' couple right there," Jessa Duggar replied. Scroll through the gallery below to see which celebrity couples got engaged this year!  The Victoria's Secret model announced that her longtime partner had proposed during a trip to Switzerland on January 25. Strijd and van Leeuwen, who have been together since they were teenagers, welcomed their first child in December 2020. Courtesy of Romee Strijd/Instagram  The Floribama Shore star revealed via Instagram on January 22 that he proposed on the couple's one-year anniversary. Courtesy of Gus Smyrnios/Instagram  The Today Show announced on January 24 that the Olympic gold medalist is engaged to her Canadian snowboarder boyfriend. Nicholson got down on one knee while out on the slope. Courtesy of Jamie Anderson/Instagram  "The engagement is announced between Jasper, son of Michael Waller-Bridge of King's Lynn, Norfolk, and Teresa Waller-Bridge of Battersea, London, and Michelle Dockery, younger daughter of Michael and Lorraine Dockery of Gidea Park, Essex,” a January 20 announcement in The Times read. AFF-USA/Shutterstock  The Full House alum announced her engagement on January 17. “I love you Mescal, for always. You’re my person. I can’t wait to see the life that lies ahead for us,” Sweetin wrote via Instagram about her boyfriend of four years. Courtesy of Jodie Sweetin/Instagram  The “Bloody Valentine” singer proposed to the actress on January 11 after less than two years of dating. “In July of 2020 we sat under this banyan tree. We asked for magic. We were oblivious to the pain we would face together in such a short, frenetic period of time. Unaware of the work and sacrifices the relationship would require from us but intoxicated off of the love. And the karma,” Fox gushed via Instagram. “Somehow a year and a half later, having walked through hell together, and having laughed more than I ever imagined possible, he asked me to marry him. And just as in every lifetime before this one, and as in every lifetime that will follow it, I said yes. … and then we drank each other’s blood.” Diggzy/Jesal/Shutterstock  The Real Housewives of Miami star announced her engagement — which took place on New Year’s Eve in December 2021 — on January 12. “Creating a life we love … Always,” she gushed via Instagram. Courtesy Nicole Martin/Instagram  Us confirmed on January 11 that the former American Idol judge and his girlfriend of more than 10 years are engaged. He reportedly proposed on Christmas Eve in December 2021. David Fisher/Shutterstock  The When in Rome star announced his engagement to the model on January 8, her 28th birthday. He posted an Instagram photo of the couple showing off a piece of paper that read, “Audra Diane Mari, will you marry me?” “It’s on!!” he captioned the picture. “She found a message in a bottle that washed ashore and said YES!!” Broadimage/Shutterstock; Gerald Herbert/AP/Shutterstock  “She said YES!!!!” the former reality star wrote via Instagram on January 6. “Hannah, getting to know you for the past year has been so incredible! I can’t even find the words to describe it. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me and I cannot wait to marry you. I love you!!” Courtesy Alaythia Wissmann/Instagram |
| John David Duggar Crashed His Plane With 2 Passengers on Board Posted: 26 Jan 2022 11:19 AM PST A scary situation. John David Duggar was involved in a plane crash shortly before his older brother Josh Duggar‘s child pornography trial began last fall. The aviation enthusiast, 32, was piloting an aircraft with two other passengers on board on October 29, 2021, when he had to land it in a field in Waverly, Tennessee, after a double engine failure. According to an accident report obtained by In Touch, the Piper PA-30 suffered “substantial” damage but neither John David nor his passengers were injured. The Humphrey County Sheriff’s Office in Tennessee only confirmed that a “family” was involved in the crash, leading to speculation that the two passengers were John David’s wife, Abbie, and their daughter, Grace, 12 months. The National Transportation Safety Board is currently investigating the incident. The former reality star works for MEDIC Corps, a nonprofit organization that uses small planes and helicopters to deliver relief staff and supplies to areas affected by natural disasters. The plane he was flying during the crash was registered to his company, which is based in his hometown of Springdale, Arkansas. Both the Counting On alum and his wife, 29, are avid fans of aviation. The pair, who both have their pilot’s licenses, took some of their November 2018 wedding photos on a runway next to an airplane. They also held their reception inside in airplane hangar. When Abbie was pregnant with Grace, the couple announced the news with a photo that showed them in the cockpit of an airplane holding a baby onesie that read, “Baby Passenger on Board.” To celebrate Abbie’s birthday last year, the family went to the SUN ‘n FUN air show in Lakeland, Florida, with John David’s twin sister, Jana Duggar. John David and Jana, also 32, are the third eldest children of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, who share 19 kids in total. Their son Josh, 33, was arrested in April 2021 and charged with receiving and possessing child pornography, prompting TLC to cancel the family’s reality series Counting On.  In December 2021, the political activist was convicted on two counts of receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material just over one week after his trial began. He faces up to 20 years in prison and $250,000 in fines for each count. A sentencing date has not yet been set. Earlier this month, Josh and his legal team filed a motion for acquittal, asking the judge to grant the former reality star a new trial. "The evidence elicited at trial does not support a conviction on either count — even in the light most favorable to the Government," read the motion filed on January 19. "The Government failed to adduce any evidence that Duggar 'knew that the visual depictions were of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct' — a necessary element for conviction of each count." The 19 Kids and Counting alum has been held in the Washington County Jail in Arkansas since the court declared its verdict last month. He has also been denied conjugal visits with his wife, Anna, with whom he shares seven children: Mackynzie, 12, Michael, 10, Marcus, 8, Meredith, 6, Mason, 4, Maryella, 2, and Madyson, 3 months. |
| Macaulay Culkin and Brenda Song Are Engaged After 4 Years of Dating Posted: 26 Jan 2022 11:09 AM PST Taking the next step! Macaulay Culkin and Brenda Song are engaged after four years together, a source confirms to Us Weekly. “They are and always have been very in love with each other,” the insider shares. The duo sparked engagement rumors when Song, 33, was spotted wearing a ring on her left hand while out and about in Beverly Hills on Tuesday, January 25. The Home Alone star, 41, and the Disney Channel alum were first linked in June 2017 after meeting on the set of their 2019 movie, Changeland. The pair kept their relationship low-key from the beginning. "It's great!" Song exclusively told Us in September 2018 of dating Culkin. "I don't like to talk about my personal life, but everything's wonderful and I'm happy." Despite the Suite Life of Zack & Cody alum's preference for privacy, the My Girl actor hinted at how serious the two were in August 2018. "I'm gonna make some babies," he said on the "Joe Rogan Experience" podcast at the time. "This one's a good one, so I'm probably going to put some babies in her in a little bit. I mean, we've definitely been practicing." Culkin added that he was planning to have "some pretty babies" with Song, noting: "She's Asian, so I'm gonna have tiny little Asian babies. It's going to be adorable." The actor later confirmed that he and the Social Network actress were actively trying to have a child. "We practice a lot," he told Esquire in his March 2020 cover story. "We're figuring it out, making the timing work. Because nothing turns you on more than when your lady comes into the room and says, 'Honey, I'm ovulating.'" The couple secretly welcomed their first child, son Dakota, in April 2021. They named their baby after Culkin's late sister, who died in a car accident in 2008. Prior to expanding their family, Song revealed that she and the American Horror Story alum bonded over childhood stardom when their relationship began. "It's almost like child actors … don't even have to talk about it," she told Entertainment Tonight in April 2019. "You just look each other in the eye and you nod and we know." One year later, Song gushed over Culkin in honor of his 40th birthday. "I could sit here and write endlessly about how wonderful, kind, loving, genuine, loyal, honest, brilliant and hilarious you are, and how grateful I am that I get to share and do this life thing with you," she wrote via Instagram in August 2020. "But firstly, that would take me an eternity and secondly, you won't even see this because you don't ever use Instagram. Hahaha. My unicorn that I never thought could exist, I am [the] luckiest person in the world because I am loved by you." The Richie Rich star was previously married to actress Rachel Miner from 1998 to 2002 and notably dated Mila Kunis from 2002 to 2010. Song, for her part, dated Trace Cyrus on and off from 2010 to 2017, and the exes were engaged from 2011 to 2012. |
| Vivica A. Fox: Regina King Is ‘Surrounded by So Much Love’ After Son’s Death Posted: 26 Jan 2022 10:42 AM PST Providing support. Vivica A. Fox gave an update on her longtime friend Regina King after the actress' son, Ian Alexander Jr., died by suicide earlier this month. "I was with Regina last night and she’s OK," Fox, 57, said on the Monday, January 24, episode Fox Soul's Cocktails With Queens. "I was able to hug her." The Kill Bill Vol. 1 actress recalled turning around in her car the moment she received a call that King, 51, wanted her to come over. "I just had to go see my friend, my sister," the 1-800 Missing alum remembered with a shaky voice. "On the way there I had to call and ask people, ‘What do you say? I’m scared. I don't want to say something wrong.'” After reuniting with the Oscar winner, Fox assured viewers that King is "so strong" and is going to push through the pain.  "More than anything else, I'm glad I got to hug her. Glad I got to look in her eyes. This has absolutely been one of the longest weeks I've had in my life. I can't stop crying," the Wrong Cheerleader Coach producer explained while holding back tears. “[Regina] said to tell everybody that she’s gotten ya’ll’s texts. The outpouring of love for her, her family, her son, she appreciates it." King confirmed on Saturday, January 22, that her only son, Ian, died by suicide one day prior. He was 26. At the time, she released a statement to Today, saying, "Our family is devastated at the deepest level by the loss of Ian. He is such a bright light who cared so deeply about the happiness of others." The Watchman star's late son, whom she shared with ex-husband Ian Alexander Sr., celebrated his birthday just days earlier. On Monday, Fox gave fans a sign of hope while detailing how King was handling the loss and grief, noting, "She’s surrounded by so much love, y’all. That was the beautiful thing, that when I got there, our community is right there for her." The Empire alum explained that she saw firsthand how much the "African American actresses, actors and talent supports and loves each other," adding, "It made me so proud."  Fox continued: "We're going to get through this, but she's OK. She wanted me to let everyone know that she appreciates the love and the texts y'all.” The Wrong Valentine actress left viewers with a message about awareness and mental health in the wake of Ian's death at such a young age — pointing to COVID-19 as an added stressor for people. "I just pray that what we do more than anything else for our sons, for our children — COVID and everything has got everybody in a dark spot, in a dark place," she said on Monday. "If you see any signs, any signs of someone being in distress, or if somebody reaches out to you that's just not having a good day, stop, take a moment to make sure that they're OK." The Indiana native added: “If you see someone in distress, check on them. Check on ’em. We’ve got people every day — I’ve never thought about suicide in our community and how so many people are taking their own lives that don’t want to be here. That's the scary part. … But it’s been eye-opening for me. It really has been." Fox admitted that she's been "trying to be strong" and willing herself not to "shed no tears today," but noted it's OK to mourn. "But my tears are [because] I know my friend is OK, y’all. She really is. We’re going to get through this, but we definitely have to start bringing more awareness to mental illness," she concluded. If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. |
| Reese Witherspoon Shares Sweet Snap of Daughter Ava With Family Dogs Posted: 26 Jan 2022 10:28 AM PST Puppy love! Reese Witherspoon is the ultimate dog lover and she wants everyone to know it. Whether she's posing with dogs on set — like she frequently did as Elle Woods in the Legally Blonde franchise with her BFF Bruiser Woods — or is cuddling up her own pets (she has a few), Witherspoon is a true animal friend. Throughout the years, the Big Little Lies star and producer has taken her love of canines to the next level by consistently sharing photos of her family of dogs via social media. The Sweet Home Alabama actress has a long history of naming her animals after celebrities, like her current Labrador, Hank, named after country singer Hank Williams. The Draper James founder once had an English bulldog named Frank Sinatra after the "Come Fly With Me" crooner and a French bulldog named Coco Chanel for the legendary designer. Witherspoon takes her Instagram followers along with her through her daily duties as a pet owner, shows of her dogs' adorable faces and frequently posts photos of them in costumes. Currently, her newsfeed is overflowing with photos of four puppies, Hank, American bulldog Lou, French bulldog Minnie Pearl and black Labrador Major. In November 2020, Minnie Pearl joined the Witherspoon family as its latest addition. She was introduced to her Instagram followers less than a month after the Walk the Line actress revealed that the family's other French bulldog Pepper had passed away. Lou, for his part, joined the squad in June 2019 two months after Witherspoon's longtime pup, a German Shepherd named Nash, died. Major was introduced to fans in January 2021. The New Orleans native is also mother to three children, Ava and Deacon, whom she shares with ex-husband Ryan Phillippe, and Tennessee, whom she shares with husband Jim Toth. Scroll below to see all of The Morning Show star's adorable pupdates over the years.  Witherspoon posed in a matching striped sweater with her pup in January 2022. “I’ve lost the plot,” she joked via Instagram. Courtesy of Reese Witherspoon/Instagram  “Cuddle puddle 🥰,” Witherspoon wrote via Instagram in December 2021 while snuggling up to a fully-grown Major. Courtesy of Reese Witherspoon/Instagram  Witherspoon said her new puppy, Major, is her son Tennessee’s “best bud” in a sweet Instagram photo in January 2021. She also pointed out her son’s T-shirt, which featured a photo of the family’s other pup, Minnie Pearl. Courtesy Reese Witherspoon/Instagram  The actress introduced fans to the family’s newest addition, a black Labrador named Major, in January 2021. Courtesy of Reese Witherspoon/Instagram  The Oscar winner shared a photo on Instagram showing her puppy, Minnie, hitching a ride in her hoodie. "My little hood baby dog #minniepearl," Witherspoon captioned the pic and later shared a video with KBFR's "Hood Baby" playing. "Starting a new trend??" she asked. "Adorable!!" Catherine Zeta-Jones commented, while January Jones wrote, "Omg I want a puppy so bad. How many dogs are too many exactly?" "The limit does not exist," a fan replied. Courtesy of Reese Witherspoon/Instagram  The Draper James founder introduced her fans to the family’s newest member, Minnie Pearl, in November 2020, weeks after announcing the death of their dog Pepper. “Welcome to the family little one ❤️,” Witherspoon caption the snap of the squad’s new bulldog, who is named after country legend and comedian Minnie Pearl (real name Sarah Ophelia Colley Cannon). Courtesy of Reese Witherspoon/Instagram  Witherspoon announced in October 2020 that Pepper had passed away after battling cancer for months. “My goodness, she was such a loyal and devoted family member. I am so heartbroken, but I am also deeply grateful for all the love and comfort she brought our family,” she wrote at the time. “Now she’s in dog heaven where all great pets go. Chasing tennis balls, running through open fields of wild flowers and being the Queen that she is. That’s what I believe. 🎾🌸 👑 We will always love you, sweet Pepper.” Courtesy Reese Witherspoon/Instagram  In August 2020, the Little Fires Everywhere star shared a golden hour selfie with her bulldog Lou, who gave the camera a menacing look. "This is his excited face....❤️," Witherspoon teased via Instagram. Courtesy Reese Witherspoon/Instagram  “Same, Pepper. Same. #mood 🤪 ,” she captioned a picture of her dog chilling on a striped towel. Courtesy Reese Witherspoon/Instagram  Witherspoon shared a photo showing her and her pup munching on donuts together, writing, “Everyday is better with donuts and dogs. 🍩 💕 🐶 .” Courtesy Reese Witherspoon/Instagram  “Lou understands me.☕️💘,” Witherspoon wrote via Instagram on a snap of herself chilling with Lou the bulldog, reading the paper and sipping coffee on a sunny morning in April 2020. Courtesy of Reese Witherspoon/Instagram  Lou joined the Morning Show star on her work chats and video calls while working at home in April 2020. Courtesy Reese Witherspoon/Instagram  “I think he's already sick of my cooking,” Witherspoon joked via Instagram in March 2020, on a photo of Lou giving attitude in the kitchen. Courtesy Reese Witherspoon/Instagram  “At least we have dogs!❤️🐶,” the mother of three wrote alongside a photo of her bulldog cozying up to her youngest son, Tennessee, in March. Courtesy Reese Witherspoon/Instagram  “Is this how you cure a sinus infection? 🍵🤒 #sickday,” the actress captioned a snap of her son and two of their dogs snuggling up with her while lounging on the couch in February 2020. Courtesy Reese Witherspoon/Instagram  The actress shared an adorable photo of her son Tennessee taking a nap with their pups Lou and Hank, via her Instagram Stories on February 19, 2020. Courtesy of Reese Witherspoon/Instagram  In February 2020, the Wild actress shared a new “pupdate” via Instagram writing, “Can you guess which one ate the remote control this morning? (culprits from left to right: Hank, Pepper and Lou) 🐾” Courtesy of Reese Witherspoon/Instagram  Witherspoon’s kids had a perfect Saturday morning thanks to their three pups in January 2020. Courtesy of Reese Witherspoon/Instagram  Pepper showed off all her Frenchie-approved products before Christmas in December 2019 and he was an instant Instagram hit. Courtesy of Reese Witherspoon/Instagram  “I keep telling them, trick-or-treating doesn't start until next week guys!” the Southern belle wrote via Instagram in October 2019 on the photo of her three dogs, Lou, Pepper and Hank. Courtesy of Reese Witherspoon/Instagram  “I mean, come on... have you ever seen a more handsome superhero?” the Walk the Line actress captioned this Halloween photo of Lou in October 2019. Courtesy of Reese Witherspoon/Instagram  “Pupdate: Lou ate the left corner of a pool float,” Witherspoon shared via Instagram in August 2019. “I guess it was delicious...” Courtesy of Reese Witherspoon/Instagram  In July 2019, the actress shares another pupdate via social media writing, “Today, Lou ate my favorite sneaker 👟... but just the left one.” Courtesy of Reese Witherspoon/Instagram  “Pepper thinks there's bacon in my purse...🥓” the Big Little Lies star joked via Instagram in July 2019. Courtesy of Reese Witherspoon/Instagram  In June 2019, Witherspoon introduced her followers to the newest member of her family … Lou the bulldog! Courtesy of Reese Witherspoon/Instagram  “Friends don’t let friends drink alone. Right, Pepper?? 🍷 #WineWednesday #sheprefersred #frenchielove ❤️” the A Wrinkle in Time actress wrote via Instagram in March 2019. Courtesy of Reese Witherspoon/Instagram  In February 2019, Witherspoon gave a shout-out to Pepper, Nash and Hank via social media. “So glad I get to come home to these faces every single day! 🐶❤️ #LoveYourPetDay,” she wrote. Courtesy of Reese Witherspoon/Instagram  “Who doesn't like biscuits?” the Whiskey in a Tea Cup author captioned the February 2019 photo. Courtesy of Reese Witherspoon/Instagram  “Just patiently waiting for Santa...#pepper #lovemybulldog ❤️🌲🌟” Witherspoon wrote alongside a photo of Pepper sitting by the Christmas tree in December 2018. Courtesy of Reese Witherspoon/Instagram  “French flags, French bulldogs , French wine all day! Vive la France 🇫🇷! #WorldCup,” the mother of three captioned her festive snap in July 2018. Courtesy of Reese Witherspoon/Instagram  “Heard it’s #NationalPetDay today… but let’s be honest, every day is National Pet Day! Love my squad,” the Sweet Home Alabama actress wrote in April 2018 alongside a photo of Nash, who passed away the following April. Courtesy of Reese Witherspoon/Instagram  Pepper channeled her inner Elle Woods during an April pool day in 2018. Courtesy of Reese Witherspoon/Instagram  “Gotta ❤️ a festive dog sweater! #LoveMyLab,” Witherspoon wrote via Instagram in December 2017. Courtesy of Reese Witherspoon/Instagram  The Draper James founder got help decorating for the holidays thanks to Pepper and Hank in November 2017. Courtesy of Reese Witherspoon/Instagram  “Coffee, with a little Pepper. 😉☕️,” The Morning Show star captioned a Sunday Funday snap in November 2017. Courtesy of Reese Witherspoon/Instagram  “Have you ever seen a cuter #BeanieBaby? ❤️ #LoveMyLab,” Witherspoon wrote on a Halloween snap of herself and Hank dressed up in 2017. Courtesy of Reese Witherspoon/Instagram  “I don’t know about y’all, but I prefer a little Pepper in my #FrenchieFries! #PepperPortraits #PepperPoses #HappyHalloween,” the Hello Sunshine founder wrote alongside photos of Pepper in costume on Halloween in 2017. Courtesy of Reese Witherspoon/Instagram  “Hank enjoying the last days of summer ☀️🐶💙#lovemylab,” Witherspoon wrote on a photo of her lab in August 2017. Courtesy of Reese Witherspoon/Instagram  “Celebrating our loyal dog Pepper on #nationalpetday! (Enjoying cuddle time with her best friend Tennessee 😄.),” Witherspoon wrote via Instagram in April 2017. “She lets us chase her, squish her funny face, and take her picture at least one million times a day. We love you, 🌶! #FrenchieLove #PepperPortraits.” Courtesy of Reese Witherspoon/Instagram  “I think somebody's trying to tell me they want to go on #SpringBreak with us … 🐶☀️ #PackingWithPepper #PepperPortraits,” the Cruel Intentions actress wrote on a photo of Pepper in her suitcase in March 2017. Courtesy of Reese Witherspoon/Instagram  “We get mistaken for sisters all the time ... 🐶👩🏼 #ProudMom,” Witherspoon captioned a sweet set photo from Home Again in November 2016. Courtesy of Reese Witherspoon/Instagram  Pepper got into the holiday spirit the day after Thanksgiving in November 2016 — matching her bow to the gifts around her. Courtesy of Reese Witherspoon/Instagram  Pepper joined her mom in rooting on team USA during the Summer 2016 Olympics wearing a cute bandana to show off her team spirit. Courtesy of Reese Witherspoon/Instagram  In April 2016, the producer added Pepper the Frenchie to her pup-filled home. Courtesy of Reese Witherspoon/Instagram  “Why my dogs ❤️Sundays... BACON! #nash #hankthedog #doglife,” Witherspoon wrote via Instagram on the August 2015 snap. Courtesy of Reese Witherspoon/Instagram  Hank spent Memorial Day Weekend in May 2015 lounging on a pool float at his home in California. Courtesy of Reese Witherspoon/Instagram |
| Everything We Know About Kelly Clarkson, Brandon Blackstock’s Divorce Posted: 26 Jan 2022 10:20 AM 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 Wednesday, January 26.  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  In January 2022, an insider exclusively told Us that Clarkson was gearing up to fight for what she wants in an upcoming trial over the former spouses' property. “She is devoting 100 percent of any free time she has preparing for the trial,” the source explained. “When not filming her talk show, she is hunkered down with [attorney] Laura Wasser.” That same month, the "Because of You" songstress agreed to give her ex-husband a 5.12 percent share of the Montana ranch, equaling $908,800 of its total $17,750,000 value. In December 2021, she had failed in her bid to have Blackstock evicted from the property. “She will not even entertain the idea of settling with Brandon,” the insider added. “He will not get one penny from her that isn’t ordered by the judge. It’s going to be nasty.” Shutterstock (2) |
| Did Ray J React to Kanye West’s Kim K. Sex Tape Comments? Posted: 26 Jan 2022 10:00 AM PST Weighing in? After Kanye West claimed that he went to retrieve estranged wife Kim Kardashian and ex Ray J's alleged second sex tape, Ray J has seemingly reacted to the headlines. "This needs to stop," the "One Wish" artist, 41, tweeted on Wednesday, January 26. "I also have kids." While the Mississippi native — who went on to marry Princess Love in 2016 — has yet to further address his speculative social media message, it comes one day after the Yeezy designer, 44, alleged that he helped retrieve a second sex tape that the Skims mogul, 41, made with her ex. "I went and got the laptop from Ray J myself that night," the "Heartless" performer said during an interview on Hollywood Unlocked With Jason Lee, which was released on Monday, January 24. "I met this man at the airport, then got on a red-eye, came back [and] delivered it to her at 8 a.m." The Illinois native alleged that Kardashian — who filed for divorce from West in February 2021 — was relieved that he was now in possession of the tape. "She cried when she saw it. You know why she cried when she seen it on the laptop? Because it represents how much she's been used," West noted. "It represents how much people didn't love her and they just saw her as a commodity." Shortly after West's comments made headlines, a spokesperson for the Keeping Up With the Kardashians alum told Page Six that the computer and hard drive that the fashion designer collected were "supposed to contain the original video and any unseen footage." However, the rep noted that, upon review, there was no sexual content included in the footage. Kardashian, for her part, first rose to notoriety after her sex tape with the "Melody" crooner was released in 2007, shortly before her family began filming KUWTK. (The twosome dated on and off from 2005 to 2007.) Last year Ray J's former manager, Wack 100, alleged that he had "part two" of the former couple's explicit tape, offering to "gift" the footage to either Ray J or West. However, both the KKW Beauty entrepreneur and the "Wait a Minute" performer have denied the existence of a second video. "The claim that there is an unreleased sex tape is unequivocally false," Kim's attorney, Marty Singer, told Us Weekly via a statement in September 2021. "It is unfortunate that people make these statements to try and get their 15 minutes of fame." Ray J, for his part, wrote via Instagram at the time: "I been staying off the Raydar [sic] – Just staying focused and being humble and thankful for all the blessings I'm receiving. How can I show growth and maturity if this kinda of stuff keeps happening?" He noted in his social media message. "I'm a father now and my job is to be a great parent and put them first. This is not the message I want to send out – smh."
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