ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Serena Williams Admits She Accidentally Announced Her Pregnancy News on Social Media. Serena Williams is just like us, well, sorta. The tennis legend admitted during her Ted Talk with Gayle King that she didn't mean for her pregnancy announcement photo to hit social media -- but accidents happen! "I asked you about that picture and you said nobody was supposed to see that picture. What do you mean?" King asked. "Well, actually it was an accident. I was on vacation just taking some time for myself and I have this thing where I've been checking my status and taking pictures every week to see how far along I'm going," the pregnant star explained. "I didn't tell a lot of people to be quite honest and I'd been saving it. And you know how social media is when you press the wrong button... and... " King interjected, "There it was!" Williams continued, "So thirty minutes later, my phone doesn't ring that much, and thirty minute later I missed like four calls and I'm like, 'that's weird,' and then I picked it up and I was like oh no... but it was a good moment. I was just going to wait literally just five or six more days so that's okay." The mama-to-be admitted that she wasn't too hard on herself for the slip-up, saying, "Every week I just take a picture and save it and I've been so good about it and this was the one time I slipped, but it's okay." King also asked Williams about her pregnancy thus far, and whether or not she's had any morning sickness. "I've been so very fortunate. I haven't [had any sickness]." She also spoke about her upcoming plans for the future, sharing, "Obviously I'm going to have a baby and I'm going to stay fit and kind of come back and play tennis and keep working on my fashion line. That would be really fun." Earlier this week, the sports icon penned an emotional note to her unborn baby. "My Dearest Baby, You gave me the strength I didn't know I had. You taught me the true meaning of serenity and peace. I can't wait to meet you. I can't wait for you to join the players box next year," she wrote, "but most importantly, I am so happy to share being number one in the world with you.... once again today. On @alexisohanian bday. From the world's oldest number one to the world's youngest number one. -Your Mommy." (Eonline)

Lea Michele Reveals Her Fitness Motivations and Opens Up About Her "Personal" Music. Lea Michele isn't depriving herself. The singer-actress sat down with E! News' Sibley Scoles and opened up about her secrets to living a healthy life style and how she uses her music as an outlet. No stranger to Soul Cycle or Los Angeles hikes, the "Love Is Alive" singer tells Scoles that she uses fitness to treat herself! "I love working out. I work out to feel good but also so I can eat whatever I want," she admits. "I want to be able to enjoy myself. I'm Italian. I like to eat big meals. I love red wine. And you know also when you're traveling and stuff like that I like trying new restaurants and going on adventures, so I can't limit myself." Like any healthy lifestyle, however, Lea has foods she tries to avoid. "I'm good in the sense that I've never eaten fast food. I do not drink soda. I don't eat candy," she shares. "Like my house is healthy, so when I'm saying I'm eating a lot it's like good food that's worth it." In addition to feeling her best, Lea shares she's also living her best. "I feel like I'm in such an incredible place in my life right now, and there's definitely those personal songs on the album and especially my concerts," she says of her music. "I break down the songs and I tell everyone what they're about, so that's where I get really personal and that's where I open up." She continues, "I try to keep my life as private as I can, but my music is where I really open up, and maybe we'll Taylor Swift a few people left and right." Ever since meeting Emma Roberts on Scream Queens, the two have been BFFs. Lea couldn't help but gush about her sidekick, who she says always is by her side to support her and make her laugh. "It's so fun," Lea gushes. "The problem though is that Emma and I -- we laugh -- we have to like, I've done scenes where I have to pinch myself because we will laugh and we won't be able to contain ourselves." She adds, "She's the absolute best." Lea Michele's 2017 Intimate Evening Tour kicks off May 1 and her new album Places will be available on April 28. (Eonline)

Justin Theroux Not Threatened by Jennifer Aniston's Success. It's hard to match Jennifer Aniston's star power. And that's just fine with Justin Theroux. In Esquire's May issue, he admits he's "not at all" threatened by her achievements. "She's successful for a reason...We're not in competition." After a pause, he jokes, "If I was competing for the same job as her, I might be less forgiving." Fortunately, the couple -- who met through Robert Downey Jr. on the set of 2008's Tropic Thunder and co-starred in 2012's Wanderlust -- want to act together again. Acting cagey, Theroux teases, "We were talking about an idea I had that we might start to develop together." Recently, The Leftovers actor has been busy writing and pitching jokes to famous friends like Will Arnett, Paul Rudd and Amy Sedaris. "I have very funny friends and a very funny wife," he tells Esquire. "I bounce ideas off of them. If I get a deep belly laugh, I know I've hit something." Theroux's sense of humor came in handy after he began dating Aniston in 2012, effectively making him a tabloid target. "A friend once told me, 'Another you has been born, this insane person who's constantly breaking up, getting back together, having a baby, losing a baby,'" he says. Which explains why, when asked about what he's learned after nearly two years of marriage, Theroux responds, "I'm not giving any marriage tips. I am no brighter than any man." The writer-turned-actor doesn't think much about what's next -- "It causes me major stress" -- but he's constantly on the lookout for inspiration. "You can't walk down Rodeo Drive without laughing at some crazy thing," he explains. "It's just whether you choose to find it funny or not." (Eonline)

In honor of Channing Tatum, we're taking a moment to swoon over his #relationshipgoals romance with wife Jenna Dewan. The couple met on the set of 2006 flick Step Up and got engaged in Maui two years later in September 2008. The lovebirds made it official and tied the knot one year later on July 11, 2009, at Church Estates Vineyards in Malibu. Dewan and the Magic Mike star welcomed their first child together, daughter Everly, four years later in May 2013. During an August 2015 Vanity Fair interview, Tatum adorably gushed over his partner in crime. "Jenna is a super mom," he said of his wife. "There's no other way to say it." In August 2016, the actors made headlines when they perfectly celebrated the 10th anniversary of Step Up and recreated the movie's infamous dance scene on Dewan's Snapchat. "#tbt to on set of Step Up?? I cannot believe it's the 10 year anniversary of the release today!! Ahhhh where does the time go?? Love you all and thanks for all the love all these years????," the dancer also captioned a sweet snap of herself with Tatum recreating the move in their backyard. (US Weekly)

Ed Sheeran makes 6-year-old terminally ill fan's dream come true. Hearts

really* don't break around here. Ed Sheeran has a heart of gold. It is definitely not the first time the 'Castle On The Hill' singer has pulled all the strings to make one of his fans' dreams come true. And Tuesday was 6-year-old Ollie's turn. Ollie Carroll has been struggling with Batten Disease most of his life. The rare neurodegenerative illness, has made him blind, unable to speak or walk. But the little boy is a huge fan of Sheeran and his mum, Lucy, told the Manchester Evening News that "the power of Ed's voice has pulled Ollie through the hardest and darkest of times". Ollie's biggest dream was to meet the singer. After making a Facebook appeal to Ed, the family were invited backstage at his Manchester gig, and Ollie got to meet him. Lucy continued: "As soon as Ed walked into the room and spoke Ollie's eye lit up and a smile spread across his face. This image was priceless". The encounter also helped raise awareness for the rare disease - Ed wore a red band during his concert promoting Ollie's Army, a charity that aims to spread awareness and fund future research for Batten Disease. Seriously, how nice is Ed Sheeran?! (British Glamour)

Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino Says He's 18 Months Sober as Tax Case Looms. Did Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino's tax woes help land him in rehab again? The 34-year-old Jersey Shore alum, who has battled a prescription drug addiction, told People in comments published Wednesday that he has been "100 percent" sober for the last 18 months after checking into rehab for the second time to address a years-long prescription drug addiction. Mike had undergone a 2-month rehab stint for the same issue in 2012. The news comes a week after Mike and his brother Marc Sorrentino pleaded not guilty after being indicted for tax evasion, structuring and falsifying records. The charges followed their 2014 indictment for tax offenses, in which federal prosecutors accused them of failing to pay taxes on $8.9 million. They had pleaded not guilty then as well. A trial is set for next year. Mike told People he had initially worked out to cope with the stress in his life, but cracked his ribs at the gym in 2015 and was then prescribed painkillers, which caused his relapse. "From there it was just a spiral," he said. "Your emotions are blocked. So you really ruin relationships with everyone in your life." His comments were also made ahead of Friday's premiere of the WE tv reality show spinoff Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars Family Edition, which features him, Marc and their other brother Frank Jr. "[Mike] Sorrentino wants to fix things with his brothers Marc and Frank Jr.," read a WE tv statement. "With the looming threat of jail time for tax evasion putting a major strain on their relationship, these three brothers must put their pride aside to bring their family back together." (Eonline)

Maksim Chmerkovskiy is detailing the eventful night that he endured after an intruder attempted to break into his family's Los Angeles home. Early Tuesday morning, officers responded to the 1500 block of Sunset Plaza Drive between 1:30 and 2 a.m. for a "civil dispute." Chmerkovskiy's Dancing with the Stars partner, Heather Morris, initially broke the news during a Tuesday appearance on Good Morning America, revealing that Chmerkovskiy could not do the interview with her because of the alleged incident. "They had some sort of run-in with some man near their house trying to break in, but the police were there," Morris, 30, said. "They took care of it. So they're safe and Peta's okay. That's the most important thing." At the time of the incident, Chmerkovskiy's fiancee Peta Murgatroyd and son, Shai Aleksander, were also home. "Early this morning, there was a trespasser who attempted to break into our home," Chmerkovskiy, 37, told PEOPLE. "The LAPD responded and my family and I are all okay." In an interview with Maria Menounos on Tuesday, the DWTS pro explained exactly what happened when he woke up to "full-out knocking" at his Hollywood home. "That was some bulls -- . I cannot believe this. Literally, in the last couple of months, it's just been so much stuff that's never happened to me before that happened. It's just a pile of stuff. Yesterday, you know how it is, you get eliminated, you gotta fly to [Good Morning America]. This was so shocking to Heather and I that she wasn't ready. I would have done whatever I needed to do, but because we both have kids now, it's kind of like, okay, hold on a second, let's figure this out. So GMA was kind enough to let us not have to fly, but we do the satellite interview at like 4 in the morning," Chmerkovskiy explained to Menounos. "So at like 2:20 a.m., I wake up to full-out knocking. I come down, there's cops and they're like 'There's a dude outside that's claiming this is his house.' I'm like, 'Wait, what?' It was pretty wild. But I guess it's an ongoing thing with the ex-owner of this house who, by the way, talk about Hollyweird, used to be some rock singer, or rockband frontman or something," said the DWTS pro. According to Chmerkovskiy, he showed his renter's agreement to prove that he rented the residence and also asked to see the two men -- who he claims were "belligerent drunk" -- in case they showed up in the neighborhood again. "It was just funny to me, the whole thing," said Chmerkovskiy. "It was at 2:30 in the morning -- I couldn't understand what's happening and then I had to get in the car and drive to do the satellite, so I called Heather. I was like, 'Babe, I'm sorry, I just can't really. I don't know how to leave the house.' It's my mom, Peta, our nurse and the baby. It's like three chicks, half a human and me. This is a fun household." Despite the early morning incident that woke up the DTWS pro after a shocking elimination the night prior, he admittedly feels sorry for the intruder. "The house is great," said the new dad, who added, "I feel bad the dude lost it a long time ago in like unpaid bills or something like that." Dancing with the Stars airs Mondays (8 p.m. ET) on ABC. (People)

Aretha Franklin knows a thing or two about R-E-S-P-E-C-T -- and she doesn't care how long she has to wait to get it. The legendary diva on Tuesday re -- ignited a five-year feud with fellow singing star -- Dionne Warwick over comments Warwick made at the 2012 funeral of Whitney Houston. The Queen of Soul blasted Warwick for spinning a "libelous" story about Franklin's absence from the New Jersey funeral service and about Aretha being Houston's godmother. "She blatantly lied on me .?.?. fully well knowing what she was doing," Franklin said Tuesday. The 75-year-old "Respect" singer spoke out one day after sending a long, detailed fax to the media airing her years-old grievance with the 76-year-old "Walk on By" chanteuse. During the funeral service, Warick called out the absent Franklin by "introducing" her to the star-studded gathering. "Ree's not here, but she is here," Warwick said, referring to Franklin by a nickname. "She loves Whitney as if she were born to her. She is her godmother." Franklin said she missed the funeral of the "I Will -- Always Love You" songstress in part due to swollen feet but that night was able to keep her concert date at Radio City Music Hall. Houston's mom, Cissy Houston -- who once sang backup for Franklin -- confirmed that Aretha was not Whitney's godmother. Franklin gave a further explanation of her absence from the funeral. "There's been so much going on around her [Houston], around the service, around the drugs, around her and [Whitney's ex-husband] Bobby [Brown] . . . I didn't want to add anything to that," she said. Franklin went public last week about the feud after Warwick spotted her at the Tribeca Film Festival and tried to make amends. "She said, 'Give me a hug,'?" Aretha recalled. "I said, 'Oh hell no. You couldn't be serious.'? We've never been friends and I don't think that Dionne has ever liked me." In a statement, Warwick's rep said she would not "dignify a response" to Aretha's remarks. (Page Six)

Mary J. Blige's estranged ex Kendu Isaacs' girlfriend is a much younger woman whom Blige took under her wing. Sources told Page Six that Isaacs cheated on Blige with Starshell, 28, an up-and-coming artist Blige signed to her Matriarch Entertainment record label. "Everyone knew. Mary was the last to know, but it's like, how do you not know?" a source told us. Another source added, "It was more like one of those things where you end up believing what you want to believe. But Mary had her suspicions." Blige, 46, often brought Starshell to red carpets, events and TV appearances to build the burgeoning artist's profile. "It's really f-– ked up and low to have it done to her that way. Had it not been for Mary signing her, investing time and money . . . Because no one cared about her music," the first source said. Blige claims Isaacs spent more than $420,000 on his girlfriend in court papers, but didn't mention her name. Blige and Issacs, 48, were married for nearly 13 years before she filed for divorce, and insiders buzzed about his relationship with Starshell throughout most of their marriage. "You'd see them out in the studio together, having dinner without Mary. And then Mary would be at events with her, and it was awkward because it was obvious they were sleeping together." Insiders also told us Isaacs was verbally abusive to Blige. "He was verbally controlling. He'd say the most negative s-– t to her five minutes before she'd hit the stage." Isaacs' lawyer Robert Brandt said, "Allegations that have been made about Kendu are false, unfair, mean spirited and sad. The court can deal with it if it's relevant. He's a very pleasant guy. He's not abusive. He's not the one going to the press. His goal is to reach an amicable resolution with her and [have] this commentary cease and desist. It doesn't help any of them. It's misleading. He cares about Mary. He wants her to do well." Starshell could not be reached. (Page Six)

Bill Cosby Breaks His Silence to Confirm He's Blind. Bill Cosby has something to say. In a new interview with NNPA Newswire, the 79-year-old actor and comedian spoke publicly for the first time in years. However, while he did not address his impending trial for felony charges of aggravated indecent assault, he did confirm one bit of health news -- he is blind. As he recalled to the outlet, two years ago he was walking with his wife Camille Cosby when he suddenly could not see. Doctors confirmed his sight could not be repaired. While he awaits his June trial and continues to adapt to life without his sight, his career as America knew it has been at a standstill. However, he hopes a day will come where he can pick up where he left off. "I miss it all and I hope that day will come," he told the outlet. "I have some routines and storytelling that I am working on." "I think about walking out on stage somewhere in the United States of America and sitting down in a chair and giving the performance that will be the beginning of the next chapter of my career." Meanwhile, his fourth daughter Evin Cosby has come to her famous father's defense. "The public persecution of my dad, my kids' grandfather, and the cruelty of the media and those who speak out branding my father a 'rapist' without ever knowing the truth and who shame our family and our friends for defending my dad, makes all of this so much worse for my family and my children," she said in a statement issued to NNPA Newswire. "When people are so quick to cast hate, and make accusations of horrific violence against my dad, they are callous in their carelessness about the harm they are causing to others." "He is not abusive, violent or a rapist. Sure, like many celebrities tempted by opportunity, he had his affairs, but that was between him and my mother. They have worked through it and moved on, and I am glad they did for them and for our family," she continued. "The harsh and hurtful accusations of things that supposedly happened 40 or 50 years ago, before I was born, in another lifetime, and that have been carelessly repeated as truth without allowing my dad to defend himself and without requiring proof, has punished not just my dad but every one of us." (Eonline)

Katherine Jackson just got shot down by a judge in her bid to get a restraining order against nephew Trent Jackson on grounds he abused her and stole from her. The judge just booted the case after Katherine's lawyers essentially threw themselves at the mercy of the court, claiming their client was unprepared to go forward. The lawyers asked the judge if the case could be dismissed "without prejudice," meaning it could be refiled. The lawyers also said Katherine never realized this would turn into a full-blown trial. The judge said Tuesday was judgment day, and if she wasn't ready it's case closed forever. What's interesting ... Katherine has been MIA from almost everyone -- she hasn't even seen her grandchildren since January and she's the one with legal guardianship. Trent and other members of the family believe Katherine is being manipulated by some of Michael's brothers and sisters so they could gain some control over the MJ Estate. Katherine filed a declaration for the temporary restraining order in which she made shocking claims against Trent, but Trent and others think she had no idea what she was signing if she signed at all. (TMZ)

Katt Williams just got a big break -- the result of a plea deal -- his felony assault with a deadly weapon case has been dismissed. Katt's lawyer, Shawn Holley, was in court Tuesday when the judge threw out the case involving an altercation at The Comedy Store in West Hollywood back in 2014, when Katt drew a gun on a guy after his set. The alleged victim was someone trying to film Katt for a documentary. Turns out ... the dismissal is tied to a plea deal Katt struck last week, when he pled no contest to robbery in an unrelated case. You may recall ... around the same time as The Comedy Store incident, Katt was in Beverly Hills with Suge Knight when a photog tried taking pics of Suge's son. Katt grabbed the camera from the photog, then almost immediately handed it over to one of Suge's bodyguards so he could remove the memory card. The comedian pled no contest to the robbery and received 3 years' probation and was ordered to attend 54 weeks of anger management. So, cases closed. (TMZ)

Johnny Depp Blames Ex-Managers for $40 Million Debt: "It's My Money." Johnny Depp isn't just in the red -- he's seeing red. Depp sued The Management Group in January for $25 million, alleging fraud and negligence. He also accused the L.A.-based firm, run by brothers Joel Mandel and Rob Mandel, of failing to file his taxes on time and taking out high-interest loans on his behalf. Depp claimed that TMG led him to be more than $40 million in debt. In a countersuit, the actor's ex-managers cited Depp's lavish lifestyle as the cause of his financial downfall. "Depp lived an ultra-extravagant lifestyle that often knowingly cost Depp in excess of $2 million per month to maintain, which he simply could not afford," the Mandel brothers' attorney, Michael Kump, wrote in the cross-complaint. "Depp, and Depp alone, is fully responsible for any financial turmoil he finds himself in today." The actor filed the suit the same day his divorce from Amber Heard was finalized. "TMG did everything within its power over the last 17 years to protect Depp from himself and to keep Depp financially solvent," Kump wrote in his clients' cross-complaint, as E! News first reported Jan. 31. "However, ultimately TMG did not have the power or ability to control Depp's spending or his numerous other vices, or to force Depp to make wiser financial decisions." The actor addressed his financial situation for the first time Tuesday. "Why didn't they drop me as a client if I was so out of control?" the 53-year-old Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales actor asked in a Wall Street Journal interview. "I've worked very, very hard for a lot of years and trusted a lot of people, some who've clearly let me down." Depp is seeking $25 million in damages for fraud and negligence. The actor also cited his right to spend his money however he sees fit. "It's my money," Depp said. "If I want to buy 15,000 cotton balls a day, it's my thing." The actor also claimed that the Mandel brothers lied about certain aspects of the countersuit related to his 14 homes, as well as $18 million allegedly spent on a luxury yacht and $30,000 per month on wine. "Depp also paid over $3 million to blast from a specially-made cannon the ashes of author Hunter Thompson over Aspen, Co.," Kump wrote in cross-complaint. Depp challenged that figure, telling The Wall Street Journal that the cannon actually cost $5 million. The Mandel Company has demanded a trial by jury on all issues. In response to countersuit, Depp's lawyer issued a statement in January: "How cataloguing alleged spending by Mr. Depp of his own money could somehow absolve the defendants of their large and multi-faceted mosaic of wrongdoing will ultimately be determined by the court." (Eonline)

Matt Goggin wants justice for his broken golf clubs -- he's just afraid to demand it from United Airlines for fear of getting manhandled a la Dr. David Dao. The Australian pro golfer's pissed off about 3 of his clubs getting snapped at the head. As he put it ... it's the first time in more than 20 years his gear got destroyed in flight. Naturally, Goggin was looking to give someone an earful -- if only he had flown a different airline. He tweeted, "I was going to complain but I must admit I'm a little intimidated by @united." He's obviously referring to the infamous video of Dao getting jacked up. Lucky for Matt, TaylorMade Golf responded and promised to replace the clubs. As for United? Maybe they've just got bigger fish to fry. (TMZ)

The Bachelor's Chris Soules Arrested After Deadly Crash: Everything We Know. Chris Soules has found himself on the wrong side of the law. As information surrounding The Bachelor star's arrest continues to unfold, we're breaking down the must-know details about the accident that left one man dead and Soules charged with a felony. The Iowa State Patrol confirmed to E! News that Soules was driving a pickup truck that rear-ended Kenneth Mosher's tractor trailer on Monday evening at 8:20 p.m., causing both vehicles to enter west and eastern-facing ditches, respectively. The 35-year-old left the scene prior to law enforcement arrival, and was later arrested 15 miles away at his Arlington home. Mosher was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Soules appeared in court early Tuesday morning where he was charged with leaving the scene of a fatal car accident. He was released after posting $10,000 bail, and according to authorities, the cause of the accident is still under investigation. Soules' spokesperson released a statement to E! News on his behalf shortly after, which read: "Chris Soules was involved in an accident Monday evening (April 24) in a rural part of Iowa near his home. He was devastated to learn that Kenneth Mosher, the other person in the accident, passed away. His thoughts and prayers and with Mr. Mosher's family." And despite the Buchanan Sheriff's Department looking into whether or not the reality star was intoxicated at the time of the collision, his previous legal scandals haven't simmered the rampant speculation. E! News can confirm Soules was arrested in 2005 for Operating While Intoxicated (his native Iowa's version of a DUI) after which he was fined $500, given a 60-day jail sentence, a 58-day suspended jail sentence and a year of probation. Four years prior, he was charged on two separate occasions as a minor in possession of alcohol. Additionally, Soules has an extensive history of speeding and traffic violations dating back to 1998. Between then and 2009, Chris was pulled over six different times for speed-related violations, as well as running a stop sign and an unlawful use of his license. Legal expert Troy Slaten explained to E! News some of the possible ramifications he could face if investigators confirm alcohol played a factor in the accident. "If he was 0.08 or higher blood alcohol content, or so impaired by alcohol that the alcohol was the cause of the accident, then it's a whole other can of worms for him," Slaten said. "It's a worse penalty. He's facing more potential punishment and greater consequences if there was alcohol involved." To make his situation even more serious, Slaten told us that Soules' criminal record absolutely plays a factor into further possible charges brought against him. "When somebody has a prior conviction for DUI, that can mean a couple of things," Slaten explained. "It can change a case of vehicular homicide or vehicular manslaughter into murder, and here's why... Getting in an accident is usually not evil -- an accident is an accident -- but when somebody has been convicted of DUI [in the past], they're under a greater understanding of the dangers of drinking and driving because [they've] been through DUI classes and special alcohol education." It's important to note Soules' personal connection to the victim, who Mosher's neighbor shared with E! News had a relationship with Chris and his family. "They both know each other," Richard Roepke said. "[The Moshers'] know the Soules'... They are both long-term farmers with their roots here in Buchanan and Fayette County so that's what makes it even more difficult is that they are over the fence neighbors." "He's just a regular family guy and a farmer," he added of the beloved grandfather. "That's what he loves to do, he's a farmer. His grand-kids come right behind it. He was just coming home from work." "Chris' life is changed forever as well, but at least he pulled the trigger, Roepke continued. "Mr. Mosher was an innocent person in the whole ordeal so I really think that makes it more difficult when it happens so quickly." (Eonline)

Chris Soules called 911 at the scene of the crash before booking it ... this according to the 911 audio. You hear a winded Soules -- who also seemed coherent -- telling the dispatcher there was an accident with a tractor and a vehicle and says the tractor driver was injured and unconscious after being thrown into a ditch. Soules interacted with the victim, checking his pulse ... saying he felt it. Soules also said the victim was bleeding from his mouth. The 911 audio goes on ... the dispatcher asks if anyone could administer CPR. Someone is performing CPR but it's unclear if it was Soules. It's apparent from the 911 call there were others present when the call was made, and they were the ones who saw Soules leave the scene. (TMZ)

Oscar winning director Jonathan Demme died in New York Wednesday morning. Demme reportedly died after battling esophageal cancer and also suffered complications from heart disease. Demme directed blockbusters like "The Silence of the Lambs," "Philadelphia" and "Beloved" ... but also worked with music greats David Byrne and Chrissie Hynde. He directed the Talking Heads documentary film, "Stop Making Sense." His most recent studio film was 2015's "Ricki and the Flash" with Meryl Streep. Demme won the Oscar for directing "The Silence of the Lambs." He was 73. (TMZ)

THE OTHER STUFF . . .

Here's How You Can Score a College Scholarship From Beyonce. Bey wants to help other young women slay all day... In celebration of the one-year anniversary of her revolutionary visual album, Lemonade, Beyonce has announced the establishment of the Formation Scholars for the 2017-2018 academic year. According to Bey's website, the Formation Scholars awards were created, "To encourage and support young women who are unafraid to think outside the box and are bold, creative, conscious and confident." Four scholarships (one per each college selected) will be awarded to female students, either incoming, current or graduate students, who are pursuing studies in creative arts, music, literature or African-American studies. The four schools selected to participate in Formation Scholars are: Berklee College of Music in Boston, Mass., Howard University in Washington, D.C., Parsons School of Design in New York City and Spelman College in Atlanta, GA. This announcement comes a week after Lemonade won one of the seven Peabody Entertainment Awards given out for its contributions to the greater cultural landscape. In a statement, the committee explained, "Lemonade draws from the prolific literary, musical, cinematic, and aesthetic sensibilities of black cultural producers to create a rich tapestry of poetic innovation." The statement went on: "The audacity of its reach and fierceness of its vision challenges our cultural imagination, while crafting a stunning and sublime masterpiece about the lives of women of color and the bonds of friendship seldom seen or heard in American popular culture." From hosting family-filled parties to winning prestigious awards and now giving to students in need, the Queen B has clearly been making the most of her pregnancy. (Eonline)

Alexander Skarsgard and his fashion-plate girlfriend Alexa Chung are turning heads in Hollywood. The couple was spotted at the Sunset Tower Hotel, and a spy said they were "canoodling all over the place, including at the pool. Everyone else can't take their eyes off them, they are so beautiful." Skarsgard caused a stir on HBO hit "Big Little Lies" when he was featured in a revealing scene that set social media on fire, and that we can only imagine kept guests at the hotel straining for a closer look. (Page Six) Alexander Skarsgard and his fashion-plate girlfriend Alexa Chung are turning heads in Hollywood. The couple was spotted at the Sunset Tower Hotel, and a spy said they were "canoodling all over the place, including at the pool. Everyone else can't take their eyes off them, they are so beautiful." Skarsgard caused a stir on HBO hit "Big Little Lies" when he was featured in a revealing scene that set social media on fire, and that we can only imagine kept guests at the hotel straining for a closer look. (Page Six)

Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott Appear Cozy at Houston Rockets Game. Is there something going on between Travis Scott and Kylie Jenner? Scott and Jenner were spotted sitting next to each other courtside at the Houston Rockets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder game Tuesday, and in one photo the rapper rests his hand on her leg. Before the game started Travis, who used to be a Rockets ballboy, performed for the crowd before tipoff. Rumors have been swirling about Kylie and Travis ever since the first weekend of Coachella, where they were seen hanging out together throughout the festival. "They were together a bunch at Coachella. It's a fling right now," a source told E! News. "It hasn't developed into anything yet but they are feeling each other for sure." The source also said Travis hung out with Kylie at her Coachella house. Kylie's latest outing with Travis comes after she and on-again, off-again boyfriend Tyga have seemingly been spending time apart. Even though they both were at the Indio, Calif., music festival, Kylie and Tyga were never seen hanging out together. Despite the split rumors, Kylie and Tyga do appear to have an amicable relationship, as she has been publicly supporting his music and "liking" his pictures on social media. The pair hasn't commented on their relationship status. While Kylie has been spending time with the "Antidote" rapper, Tyga has been hanging out with other women. Most recently the "Ayo" rapper sat next to Jordan Ozuna inside Serafina Sunset, and when it was time to leave they gave each other a nice embrace. Naturally, fans started talking, which caused Ozuna to clear the air. "Omg y'all I'm not dating Tyga," she shared on Twitter after the pictures surfaced. "Come on." (Eonline)

Is Scott Disick dating British model Ella Ross? Look away now, Kourtney Kardashian! It looks like Scott Disick has properly started dating again with reports coming in that he's wooing British model Ella Ross. Granted, she's not as big as Kate Moss, Cara Delevingne or Jourdan Dunn, however she's making a name for herself in the modelling world. But how much do we really know about Scott's rumored new squeeze? According to The Daily Mail, Ella also works as a stylist and counts Lottie Moss and Lily Fortescue as friends. She has 17,000 followers on her personal Instagram page already, and strangely enough she still has her email address on there. Scott, 33, was apparently smitten by the Brit while his ex was enjoying a Mexican vacation with sister Kim Kardashian and some gal pals. Ella and Scott were spotted at the Beverly Hills Hotel together, and she was seen in his car. (British Glamour)

Ashley Graham Takes a Tumble at the Time 100 Gala 2017 Red Carpet. Just because you are dressed to the nines, doesn't mean you can't almost fall flat on your face! Ashley Graham learned the hard way that trying to walk while striking a pose doesn't always work when a barrage of shutterbugs are snapping your photo. Earlier, the model nearly took a tumble when her heel caught on the back of her dress as she attempted to slink down the red carpet at the 2017 Time 100 Gala at Frederick P. Rose Hall at Lincoln Center in New York City. The 29-year-old gasped when she was a step away from face planting, but was able to catch herself before she hit the floor. The brunette beauty had a good attitude about it, laughing after the red carpet flub. The plus-sized model, who was joined by her husband Justin Ervin, donned a skimpy, low-plunging black gown, which was cinched at the waist with a corset, so we're just happy her ample curves didn't pop out! Other celebs who hit the red carpet (but maybe not quite so hard) for the mag's event honoring the 100 most influential people of the year were Blake Lively, who looked amazing in Marchesa, Ryan Reynolds, Ronan Farrow, Mia Farrow, Margot Robbie, Sarah Paulson, Viola Davis and Demi Lovato, who turned heads in Zuhair Murad. The impressive list of honorees also includes John Legend, Viola Davis, Simone Biles, Emma Stone, Ed Sheeran James Corden and many more. Congrats to everyone who was honored this year! (Eonline)

Erika Jayne Poses Completely Nude on Instagram: ''I'm Living My Life to the Fullest.'' Erika Jayne is letting it all hang out, and (as per usual) she gives zero f--ks about what you think. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star took to Instagram on Tuesday night, posing completely nude with the exception of some chain-embellished heels and a few star emojis covering her private areas. But before you start wagging your finger at her, she was already prepared for your judgement. "Mikey made me do it ... Miami nights," she captioned the photo. "1. This is my pre DWTS body 2. I am not currently in Miami but am in NYC." She continued, "3. I posted this knowing most of you would be judgmental and couldn't resist a chance to tear me down and I was right. 4. Go be offended at your own life. 5. I'm living my life to the fullest." Girl, preach. Despite anticipating the backlash, Jayne still couldn't help but roll her eyes over it. In fact, she shared a hilarious GIF of her reaction following the post. "Me reading your negative comments," she captioned the GIF with a "laughing so hard I'm crying" emoji. "Sending my love to you all." Though the reality star and her partner Gleb Savchenko were eliminated from Dancing With the Stars last week, Jayne will continue keeping up her fitness with a personal trainer. Visiting Watch What Happens Live! earlier this month, she told host Andy Cohen, "I try to get in four [training sessions a week]." She also revealed she gets "really heavy, ugly muscle treatments like every two weeks," which is all part of the $40,000 a month it costs to be her, including hair, clothing and accessories. "But it's all for work. I'm on television, this is what I do for a living," she argued. "It's part of the job!" (Eonline)

Barack Obama's getting in bed with Wall Street ... he's reportedly getting $400,000 to address a group of people he once referred to as "fat cats." Obama's signed on to be the keynote speaker at a Wall Street health care conference run by Cantor Fitzgerald, and the news has the former president's critics chomping at the bit. He's made no secret of his disdain for some Wall Street bankers. FOX Business says Obama's signed on the dotted line, but final details are still being ironed out before a formal announcement. Pretty sweet gig though ... that's an entire year of POTUS salary in a single day. It's also double what Hillary Clinton previously commanded on the speech circuit. (TMZ)

Music

That Thing You Do! Cast Has a Reunion 20 Years Later and Rocks Out, Of Course. The Oneders are back! Well, most of them. Three of the stars of Tom Hanks' film That Thing You Do!, Johnathon Schaech (singer Jimmy Mattingly), Ethan Embry (the unnamed bass player) and Tom Everett Scott (drummer Guy "Shades" Patterson) had a mini-reunion of their onscreen '60s rock and pop group onstage at L.A.'s famous Roxy Theatre Tuesday, some 20 years after the release of the movie. Of course, they performed the musical comedy's signature hit, "That Thing You Do!" The performance was part of the Goddamn Comedy Jam event, a monthly show which comics do a standup set and then perform their favorite cover song with a live band. "Tonight was so damn fun," Embry wrote on Instagram, alongside a photo of him with Schaech and Scott. "For some reason I felt 16 again." "When we reunion, we reunion hard," Embry tweeted. Comedian Josh Adam Meyers hosted the event, which featured sets from Bill Burr, Harland Williams, Andrew Santino and Kira Soltanovich. "We reunited The Wonders aka The Oneders from the movie That Thing You Do," Meyers wrote on Instagram. "Played the hit song from the movie. It was magical. Thank you @thetomeverettscott @johnschaech @ethanembry. #stevezahn and @tomhanks you were missed! One of the best @thegdcomedyjam we have ever done." Notably missing was Steve Zahn, who played guitarist Lenny Haise in That Thing You Do!, which was released in October 1996. But they had a backup plan. (Eonline)

Adam Levine Delivers Emotional Tribute to Christina Grimmie on The Voice. Adam Levine and everyone at The Voice has not forgotten about Christina Grimmie. During Tuesday night's live episode of the NBC singing competition show, host Carson Daly made a special announcement about a beloved contestant. "As you know, family is very, very important to us here at The Voice and last year we tragically lost one of our own, the incredibly talented and beautiful Christina Grimmie," he explained. "Tonight, in memory of our good friend and along with Christina's family, we're honored to help announce the creation of the Christina Grimmie Foundation, benefiting those impacted by gun violence and families just like her own affected by breast cancer." The cameras then passed to Christina's family who were in the audience for the special announcement. "Thank you for letting us be a part of this very important moment," Carson continued. "And Christina, we feel your spirit here at The Voice every single day and we love and miss you dearly." Adam, who had Christina on his team during season six, later appeared on stage where he had a personal message for the late singer's family. "God, I loved her so much. I am talking to you guys specifically, I'm talking to everybody. I miss her," he shared as Christina's family wiped away tears. "It is unfair she is not here. We are going to sing a little song. I am going to be singing every word to her in her honor. Thank you for being here. Christina, we love you." Within moments, the final members of Team Adam took to the stage with their coach to sing "Hey Jude" by The Beatles. Christina passed away in June 2016 after being gunned down at a concert in Orlando, Florida. Adam would offer to pay for the late singer's funeral as well as her mother's travel expenses. Fans can still enjoy the voice and talent of Christina to this day. Her new EP titled Side B is available on iTunes now. A full album of Christina's music will be released on June 2. The Voice airs Mondays and Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on NBC. (Eonline)

DMX is pulling the plug on several tour dates, and his people say it's because of an unspecified medical issue. X was supposed to do a show Tuesday night in Santa Ana, CA ... but the venue informed ticket holders the show had been canceled due to a "medical emergency." According to our sources, his Wednesday show in Los Angeles, as well as a Thursday gig in San Diego will also be postponed. We're told several people in DMX's inner circle have been concerned about his health this week. Many fans thought he was a little off the rails during his Brooklyn show last weekend, where the Ruff Ryders reunited. We're told X was indeed drinking heavily that night. He's battled substance abuse in the past, and friends fear a relapse. (TMZ)

Jennifer Hudson Finally Gets Her Grammy for The Color Purple, Thanks to Ellen DeGeneres. Jennifer Hudson was M.I.A. at the 2017 Grammys -- a shame, considering The Color Purple won the award Best Musical Theater Album. The singer-turned-actress, who made her Broadway debut in the show, appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show Wednesday for the first time in five years and filled the host in on what she's been up to since they last saw each other. When The Color Purple was mentioned, Ellen DeGeneres asked, "You won a Grammy for that, didn't you?" "I did!" Hudson replied. "I didn't see that coming, but yeah, apparently." The Color Purple cast album features Danielle Brooks, Cynthia Erivo and Hudson -- who played Sofia, Celie and Shug Avery, respectively -- as principal soloists. The actresses share the award along with producers Stephen Bray, Van Dean, Frank Filipetti, Roy Furman, Scott Sanders and Jhett Tolentino, as well as the composer-lyricist team of Bray, Brenda Russell and Allee Willis. As Hudson told DeGeneres, "I don't have it yet, but I did win a Grammy." "Well, you sure do," DeGeneres said, handing her the trophy. "We just got it for you." "What? Oh, my God!" a surprised Hudson said. "Thank you! Y'all see this?" "We made some calls," DeGeneres explained, "and I guess it's not that hard to get." Hudson was beside herself. "How did Ellen get my Grammy? Oh, my gosh. You want me to make a speech or something?" the 35-year-old musician asked. "My first Grammy was given to me by Whitney Houston, and now Ellen? Oh, my God. I'm just in awe. I really don't know what to say. All I can say is, once again, look what God can do. Wow! I don't know what else to say." DeGeneres reminded the Dreamgirls star that when she hosted the Academy Awards in 2007, Hudson was named Best Supporting Actress. "I'm a very good luck charm for you," she joked. Hudson didn't dispute that claim, telling the TV host, "I want you in my pocket, that's for sure!" Hudson, who stars in the Netflix original movie Sandy Wexler opposite Adam Sandler, also gave an update on her nine-year engagement to David Otunga during Wednesday's appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. "I'm not in a hurry," the bride-to-be said. "He ain't going nowhere!" (Eonline)

Paul McCartney adds NJ, NY tour dates. Paul McCartney is bringing his One On One tour to New Jersey and New York City. Officials on Tuesday announced McCartney will perform for the first time at Prudential Center in Newark on Sept. 11. He'll then perform at Madison Square Garden on Sept. 15, Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Sept. 19 and Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on Long Island on Sept. 26. Promoters say the One On One tour opened in April 2016 in Fresno, California, with McCartney's first performance of "A Hard Day's Night" since the Beatles last played it in 1965. Tickets for the New Jersey and New York shows go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. May 5. (PageSix)

Sony 'cuts ties' with Dr. Luke amid Kesha battle. Sony has cut ties with music producer Dr. Luke, in the wake of ongoing allegations that he sexually assaulted pop star Kesha, according to a bombshell report on Tuesday. Dr. Luke -- born Lukasz Gottwald -- was once a darling of Sony Music, which suddenly turned and booted him out of the company and Kemosabe Records label it created for him, The Hollywood Reporter said. The tide began turning against Dr. Luke in October 2014 when Kesha accused him of drugging and raping her and exerting total control over her career. Dr. Luke is no longer CEO of Kemosabe and his profile on Sony Music's website has also been taken down, according to THR. Linda Carbone, a rep for Dr. Luke, insisted her client, Sony and Kemosabe are still a team. "They (Sony) are not cutting ties," Carbone said. "Can't get into details but they do have continuing relationship involving Kemosabe." But a source close to Sony confirmed to The Post that Dr. Luke is out at Kemosabe-but said that the music giant still intends to work with him. "His contract expired at the end of March so he is no longer CEO (of Kemosabe) but he still has a relationship with Sony," said the source, who declined to elaborate on what future projects Sony could have with Dr. Luke. The embattled producer has worked with superstars like Kesha, Kelly Clarkson and Katy Perry and produced hit songs. While Dr. Luke has won legal battles against Kesha's accusations, he's been a loser in the public eye and fellow musicians who have sided with the artist. Fans and artists sparked the #FreeKesha effort to get her out from any contractual control Dr. Luke had on her. Reps for Kesha could not be immediately reached for comment on Tuesday. (PageSix)

Are Radiohead Planning an 'OK Computer' Anniversary Celebration? If there's one thing you could never accuse Radiohead of being it's nostalgic. The group is not wont to rest on its laurels or hang around in one place for very long, but eagle-eyed fans have noticed some (literal) signs that Thom Yorke and the gang might be preparing to go back to the future and celebrate one of their musical mountaintops. Posters spotted by fans in cities including London, New York, Los Angeles, Amsterdam and Berlin seem to reference lyrics from the song "Fitter Happier" from Radiohead's landmark third album, 1997's OK Computer. The posters seem to have different messages on them, but each end with the years 1997-2017. OK Computer, which signaled a push into more the more electronic, experimental mode the band has maintained ever since, was released on May 21, 1997 and has since become one of the group's most revered works. The posters have spawned lots of speculation on Reddit. The band has not announced any anniversary events (and a spokesperson could not be reached for comment at press time), but check out the posters and see for yourself: (Billboard)

Gorillaz Play All of 'Humanz' With Special Guests in Brooklyn. Gorillaz release their collab-heavy new album Humanz at the end of the week, and on Tuesday night (Apr. 25), they performed the LP in its entirety (except for "Hallelujah Money," possibly for contractual reasons per Damon Albarn's banter) in an intimate gig at Rough Trade NYC, their first US show in seven years. Some ticketholders had slept outside the venue overnight to nab tickets. At the show there were none of the standard Gorillaz visuals, but as expected, Albarn brought out a whole bunch of guests to perform their parts, including Peven Everett, Posdnuos of De La Soul, Jamie Principle, and Kali Uchis. A number of singers who contributed backing vocals on the record were situated in the stage right balcony and performed live with the band. For the encore, they did "Last Living Soul" and "Kids With Guns" before finishing with "Clint Eastwood." On that last song Albarn asked an audience member to rap Del The Funky Homosapien's part; the girl who volunteered came onstage and said, "What should I do? ... I'm tripping balls right now." Albarn had them play Del's recording instead, but let the fan "hang out." (Billboard)

Steps, Clean Bandit Challenge Ed Sheeran for U.K. Chart Crowns. Sheerios, brace yourselves: Ed Sheeran could get bumped from the summit of both the U.K. singles and albums charts later this week. According to midweek data published by the Official Charts Company, reunited pop outfit Steps is a step ahead of Sheeran for the albums chart title, while Clean Bandit is posing a real challenge for the singles crown. Steps' Tears On The Dancefloor (Steps Music), the five-piece pop group's first album of new works in more than 15 years, is in pole position on the Official U.K. Albums Chart Update with a lead of more than 4,000 combined units over Sheeran's Divide (Asylum), which has led the tally for the last seven weeks. One of Britain's favorite pop groups in the late '90s and early 2000s, Steps clocked up three No. 1 albums in their heyday, and 14 top 10 singles, including three chart leaders. Irish singer-songwriter Imelda May is on target for a third top 10 album with Life Love Flesh Blood (Decca), which bows at No. 3 on the midweek chart, while Rag'n'Bone Man's former chart leader Human (Best Laid Plans/Columbia) is at No. 4 and Texas starts at No. 5 with Jump On Board. New releases from English metalcore act While She Sleeps, British alternative rockers Maximo Park and the posthumous release of David Bowie's Cracked Actor (Parlophone), a previously unavailable live recording from 1974 which dropped in time for Record Store Day, all crack the top 10. On the midweek singles chart, Clean Bandit could snatch the singles chart title with "Symphony," featuring Zara Larsson. The follow-up to the trio's smash multi-platinum hit "Rockabye" is about 4,000 combined sales ahead of Sheeran's "Shape Of You," which has logged 14 non-consecutive weeks at the top but dips to No. 2 on midweek data. Clean Bandit (with "Rockabye") and Sheeran are two of only three acts to experience life at the singles chart summit in 2017 (Harry Styles also reached the top for a week with "Sign of the Times" via Atlantic). Shawn Mendes' "There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back" (EMI) has the strongest debut at the halfway point of this week's chart cycle. It's new at No. 5 on the U.K. Singles Chart Update. The Official Charts Company's weekly tallies are published late Friday, local time. (Billboard)

Ella Fitzgerald at 100: Late Legend's Birthday Marked with Grammy Exhibit. The Grammy Museum is putting rare Ella memorabilia on display for what would have been the singing legend's 100th birthday. The museum's "Ella at 100: Celebrating the Artistry of Ella Fitzgerald" exhibition includes the first Grammy Award that Fitzgerald won - the first awarded to an African-American woman - as well as some of her gowns, sheet music and personal telegrams. Fitzgerald died in 1996 at 79 from complications with diabetes and left few possessions beyond personal notes, but the exhibit puts a focus on what made Fitzgerald a star - her voice. Grammy Museum curator Nwaka Onwusa says she wants visitors to be captivated by her singing, so the exhibit includes video and audio of her early performances with jazz greats Count Basie or Duke Ellington. The exhibit is one of several celebrations of Fitzgerald's birthday on Tuesday. New York City declared it Ella Fitzgerald Day and the Smithsonian has also opened a special exhibit, while Starbucks stores in the United States played her music. "Ella Fitzgerald's is probably the single most important voice in American history," said recording artist Miles Mosley. "If you're going to start with any song before 1970, her version is the one you start from. That's the ground floor. That is the most representative version of what the composer themselves wished their songs would sound like." Over the course of her career, she sang swing, bebop, pop, jazz. Among her best-known works are a 1938 novelty smash, "A-Tisket, A-Tasket," which she co-wrote, and a series of eight album sets, each dedicated to an American songwriter or songwriting team. In addition to being best sellers, those albums helped establish the long-play record as a platform for deeper, more serious musical exploration. Twenty-plus years after Fitzgerald's death, the rave reviews keep pouring in. Celebration of Fitzgerald's 100th actually began March 31, as Dianne Reeves held a Fitzgerald tribute concert at the Library of Congress, which serves as home to Fitzgerald's personal library. A day later, Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, which has long hosted a Fitzgerald exhibit, opened a new display, "First Lady of Song: Ella Fitzgerald at 100," kicking off Jazz Appreciation Month. Onwusa said Fitzgerald's exhibit was not an easy display to put together, noting that the relatively new Grammy Museum, which opened in 2008, could not compete with the long-established Smithsonian and Library of Congress, which have long been collecting Fitzgerald memorabilia. But the Los Angeles-based Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation and Fitzgerald estate came through with enough items to make for an attraction, including gowns Fitzgerald wore in performance, rare photographs, sheet music, newspaper articles, concert programs. Securing performance footage proved more challenging, but was critical for Onwusa. "When you come to Ella at 100, immediately we want visitors to be captivated by her voice," she explained. "That's what draws you to Ella." To that end, there are viewing and listening stations, where exhibit visitors can watch and hear Fitzgerald performing in various points in her career. She was an active professional performer for some 65 years, going in semi-retirement in 1994, after having both of her legs amputated below the knee due to the effects of the diabetes. For those just being introduced to Fitzgerald, Verve/UMe has just released a career-spanning primer, the four-CD set 100 Songs for a Centennial. For hardcore fans, there's the lavish six-album vinyl limited-edition Ella Fitzgerald Sings The George and Ira Gershwin Song Books, which is newly packaged with lithographs, a book and a bonus track. Numerous other releases and events are planned throughout the year. But once the celebration ends, it's fairly clear that the Fitzgerald legacy will continue. Grammy Museum executive director Scott Goldman singled out a relative newcomer such as Andra Day as a perfect example. "(Here's) a young African-American artist who is blurring the lines between jazz and soul and R&B." he noted. "If you listen to Andra Day, you'll hear a little Ella Fitzgerald. And I think many artists carry that. I think that's what makes Ella Fitzgerald so special. She lives." The exhibit runs through Sept. 10. (Billboard)

Movies

Hakuna Matata! Seth Rogen and Billy Eichner In Talks to Star as Pumbaa and Timon in Live-Action Lion King. Get ready to have no worries for the rest of your day... Seth Rogen and Billy Eichner are in talks to star as Pumbaa and Timon in the upcoming, highly anticipated live-action remake of The Lion King. The actors are reportedly set to play the beloved Disney duo, a flatulent warthog and a clever meerkat, who were first made famous well over 20 years ago. Neither actor has weighed in about the exciting casting on social media, but fans are already rejoicing over the comedians joining the film. Eicher and Rogen will be starring alongside Donald Glover (who will play the lead role of Simba) and James Earl Jones (who will play his father). Shortly after Glover's name was announced, the actor and rapper posted the following message on Twitter: "I just can't wait to be king #Simba." And earlier, even more exciting news about the remake was announced: the release date! Fans around the world can expect to see The Lion King in theaters on July 19, 2019. The film's director, Jon Favreau, celebrated the news by sharing it on Twitter along with a lion emoji and king emoji. We see you! It goes without saying but we can sum up all of our feels in just two short words: Hakuna Matata. The Wrap was the first to report the casting news. (Eonline)

Jeff Goldblum Joins 'Jurassic World' Sequel. Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard are returning for the follow-up, which will be directed by J.A. Bayona. Jeff Goldblum is returning to the land of dinosaurs. The actor, who co-starred in 1993's Jurassic Park and 1997'sThe Lost World: Jurassic Park, will appear in Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment's next Jurassic World film. J.A. Bayona (A Monster Calls) is directing the next installment in the studio's hit franchise. Jurassic World earned $1.67 billion worldwide in 2015 and is the fourth-highest-grossing film in history. Stars Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard are returning for the sequel, which also stars Justice Smith, James Cromwell and Toby Jones. Colin Trevorrow, who directed Jurassic World, wrote the script for the follow-up with Derek Connolly. The film is slated for release on June 22, 2018. Producers Frank Marshall and Pat Crowley once again join executive producers Steven Spielberg and Trevorrow in the next chapter of the franchise. Belen Atienza is also producing. Universal vp production Sara Scott is overseeing production on behalf of the studio. Goldblum will reprise his role as Dr. Ian Malcolm, the know-it-all mathematician who came to the park as an insurance consultant -- and somehow survived both the original film and the sequel. Goldblum will next be seen in Disney and Marvel's Thor: Ragnarok, set to hit theaters Nov. 3. His other recent credits include Independence Day: Resurgence and The Grand Budapest Hotel. He also is reuniting with director Wes Anderson on the upcoming film Isle of Dogs. Goldblum is repped by ICM, Industry Entertainment and Hansen, Jacobson. (Hollywood Reporter)

Feminist Drama 'Lipstick Under My Burkha' Cleared for Indian Theatrical Release With Edits. After winning accolades on the international festival circuit, Alankrita Shrivasta's film can be released in India with voluntary edits of some scenes. Feminist drama Lipstick Under My Burkha is cleared for a theatrical release in India after the country's Film Certification Appellate Tribunal overruled the censor board's refusal to issue the film a certificate. The board had refused a certificate, saying that the film was "lady oriented" and contained "abusive words, audio pornography." That led the producers to approach the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT), which decided that the film can be issued a so-called "A" or adults certificate, equivalent to an NC-17 rating, with some voluntary edits. Directed by Alankrita Shrivastava, Lipstick revolves around four Indian women, from ages 18 to 55, living in a small town who assert their personal and sexual rights. The cast includes Konkona Sen Sharma (whose directorial debut, A Death in the Gunj, screened at Toronto last year), Ratna Pathak Shah and Sonal Jha, among others. When the filmmakers applied for a release certificate in February, the Censor Board for Film Certification issued a letter, peppered with grammatical and spelling errors, saying that the "story is lady oriented, their fantasy above life. There are contanious sexual scenes, abusive words, audio pornography and a bit sensitive touch about one particular section of society, hence film refused under guidelines." That led the film's producer, well-known filmmaker Prakash Jha, to file an appeal with the FCAT. That organization has now said in a statement that the CBFC "misdirected themselves in denying certification on the ground that the story of the film is women oriented." It added: "There cannot be any embargo on a film being women oriented or containing sexual fantasies and expression of the inner desires of women." It continued: "As a matter of general approach, if the aspect of sexual desires and their expression is sensitively handled without bringing coarseness, vulgarity or obscenity, pandering prurient tendencies, then it is not to be disallowed." FCAT also instructed the filmmakers to make some cuts at their discretion, mostly pertaining to the sex scenes. Shrivastava told THR that the cuts "are about slightly shortening the sex scenes to which we agreed." She added that the cuts "don't affect the film thematically or in any other way. The FCAT has actually been fair in their observations and have supported the film." As for the film's release date, Shrivastava said that an announcement would be made in the next "10-12 days." Lipstick won the Spirit of Asia Award at last year's Tokyo Film Festival, followed by the Oxfam Award for gender equality at the Mumbai Film Festival. Among its recent honors, the film won an audience choice award at the Glasgow Film Festival. (Hollywood Reporter)

Paul Verhoeven Directing Lesbian Nun Drama With 'Elle' Star. 'Blessed Virgin' will chronicle the life of controversial Italian nun Benedetta Carlini, with Virginie Efira set to star. Hot on the heels of his acclaimed Elle, Paul Verhoeven has lined up another French-language film that will again tackle themes of sex, sexuality and religion. Production has now begun on Blessed Virgin (Sainte Vierge), based on Immodest Acts: The Life of a Lesbian Nun in Renaissance Italy by Judith C. Brown, with Elle star Virginie Efira in the lead role as Benedetta Carlini, a real-life 17th century nun. Gerard Soeteman-a regular collaborator of Verhoeven's dating back to 1971's Business is Business– has adapted the work. Verhoeven's producer on Elle, Said Ben Said, announced the news via Twitter. Born in 1591, Carlini is a significant figure for historians of women's spirituality and lesbianism. At 30 she was made abbess of a convent in Pescia where she claimed she was experiencing visions of being murdered. It was later found that she had engaged in sexual relations with a fellow nun, whom she was accused of molesting. SBS Distribution will launch sales of Blessed Virgin in Cannes. (Hollywood Reporter)

South Korean Actor Yu Ji-tae Joins Lars Von Trier's 'House That Jack Built'. The actor, known for his role in Park Chan-wook's 'Old Boy,' will be the first Asian talent to appear in a supporting role in a Von Trier film. South Korean actor Yu Ji-tae has joined the cast of Danish art house director Lars Von Trier's upcoming horror film The House That Jack Built. Yu is the first Asian actor to play a supporting role in one of Von Trier's films. He began his career as a fashion model, but is now known for his work with several of South Korea's most acclaimed directors, including Hur Jin-ho on One Fine Spring Day (2001), Park Chan-wook in Oldboy (2003), and Hong Sang-soo in Woman is the Future of Man (2004). "It's an honor for me to be in the film of my favorite director, Lars von Trier," Yu said. "It [will] be a very special experience for me." The House That Jack Built, which will be Von Trier's first release since his two-part sexual psychodrama Nymphomaniac in 2013, stars Matt Dillon as Jack, and Uma Thurman, Bruno Ganz and Riley Keough. The story follows Jack, a highly intelligent serial killer over the course of 12 years and depicts the murders that make him into a serial killer. It is expected to be released in 2018. The film's sales agent, TrustNordisk, and its Korean distributor, Atnine Film, are understood to have put Yu forward for the role. (Hollywood Reporter)

TV

Lea Michele Reveals Glee's Worst Song Ever. Glee had a number of wonderful, perfect performances over the years. See "Don't Rain on My Parade" and "Make You Feel My Love." And then there were songs like "Gangnam Style," which co-creator Ryan Murphy proclaimed as the worst song Glee ever did. But Lea Michele doesn't agree, she said on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen. "No, I think the worst was 'What Does the Fox Say' song. It was like an internet sensation song that we did with puppets. That was definitely my least favorite song we ever did," Michele told Andy Cohen and fellow guest Andrea Martin. And the best? "I think the best was probably 'Somebody to Love' or 'Don't Stop Believing,'" she said. While Michele and Martin visited the WWHL Clubhouse, the two participated in a Real Housewives of Beverly Hills reunion scene recreation with the very bunny Lisa Rinna gave to Kim Richards and Richards gave back to Rinna at the reunion. The bunny now lives on the Watch What Happens Live set, naturally. Michele, who has a new album, Places, also gave an update on the stage production of Funny Girl that Murphy bought the rights to. "We were thinking of doing it right after Glee, but I did a lot of the songs from Funny Girl on Glee, so it felt like a little soon, but I feel really ready to do it now, so maybe we can do it soon," Michele said. Watch What Happens Live airs Sunday-Thursday at 11 p.m. on Bravo. (Eonline)

Oops! The Arrangement's Megan Morrison Learns Kyle West's PR Team Is Spreading Tabloid Rumors About Their Relationship. It's all about controlling the narrative. In a sneak peek from Sunday's all-new episode of The Arrangement, Megan Morrison (Christine Evangelista) gets another rude awakening about mega-stardom when she learns Kyle West (Josh Henderson) and his PR team have devised a scheme plan to generate buzz for his upcoming movie, The Kill Plan. According to the actor's publicist, the "stealth marketing" strategy involves making up tabloid rumors that Kyle is falling for and secretly dating his costar Amelia Briggs (Anabelle Acosta). "We're using a love triangle to build intent to see," the rep explains to a confused Megan. "It's all timed to build maximum interest in Kyle and Amelia for the release this fall." But luckily for Megan, the imaginary love triangle will only be short-lived. "We do get you back together in time for the premiere," the publicist says. "We're thinking, things eventually get a little crazy, you guys will decide to take a weekend away to reconnect in Paris. The focus groups always love Paris." However, once the eye-opening meeting is over, Megan confronts Kyle about the deceitful tactics to promote the film. He tells her it's all just fake, but she doesn't agree. "It's not that simple," she replies. "They're our names and our images, so it's not entirely fake and your publicists are writing the script, which essentially means that you are. Kyle, they work for you. What if something actually real happens? Does that just get ignored?" Watch a brand-new episode of The Arrangement Sunday at 10 p.m., on E! (Eonline)

Second Wives Club's Shiva Safai Isn't Bothered by Fiance Mohamed Hadid's 33-Year Age Difference: ''I'm an Old Soul." Welcome to Shiva Safai's elegant abode! It's time to take a glimpse inside the absolutely gorgeous mansion Shiva shares with fiance Mohamed Hadid in this introductory sneak peek into the couple's lives from next Thursday's series premiere of Second Wives Club. Shiva explains that her longtime partner is a real estate developer with a passion for designing "amazing homes," just like the one they currently live in. And, while she has been married once before and has no children, Mohamed has two ex-wives and five children, including Gigi Hadid, Bella Hadid and Anwar Hadid. "The age difference between me and Mohamed is 33 years," Shiva says, adding, "But I don't feel the age difference at all. I'm an old soul and he's young at heart." She then goes to share how her future husband helped her following her divorce. "He brought back the sparkle I was missing in my eyes and he really, really put the broken pieces back together," Shiva says as she's moved to tears. "I don't know why I get so emotional! Oh, wow! But it's true." Second Wives Club premieres Thursday, May 4 at 9 p.m., on E! (Eonline)

Riverdale Shocker: Major Character to Be Recast in Season 2. Tryouts are now open for a new Bulldog. Ross Butler will not be returning to Riverdale for its second season, E! News has confirmed. However, fans will still be seeing his character Reggie in the hallways of Riverdale High as the role will be recast. "We love what Ross did with the role of Reggie [this season], but because of his commitments to other projects, we couldn't use him nearly as much as we would have liked," Riverdale creator Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa said. "[Next season], we want more Reggie on our show -- he's Archie's rival! -- and because Ross is unavailable to come back to Riverdale, we're looking for a new Reggie. Those are big shoes to fill, but we're confident we can find an actor who is as funny and sexy as Ross. And of course we all wish Ross the best." Hm...something tells us this has to do with the success of Butler's other teen drama, 13 Reasons Why, which has become the most-tweeted about TV show of the year since its March 31 debut on Netflix. While 13 Reasons has yet to be picked up for a second season, it seems likely the Selena Gomez-produced show will come back. Still, Butler wasn't offering up any scoop when he visited E! News. "I don't know anything, to be honest," Butler told us of a potential season two. "I don't know anything!" TV Line first reported the news of Butler's exit from Riverdale. In other season two casting news for the breakout hit, Mark Consuelos has been cast as Veronica's imprisoned dad, Hiram Lodge. If his Fox show Pitch isn't picked up for a second season, he would join Riverdale as a series regular. Riverdale airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. on the CW. 13 Reasons Why is currently streaming on Netflix. (Eonline)

Alibaba's Youku to Produce Chinese Version of 'Saturday Night Live'. But don't expect the Middle Kingdom's answer to Alec Baldwin to be lampooning Chinese president Xi Jinping anytime soon. "Live from Beijing, it's Saturday night!" NBCUniversal on Wednesday unveiled a partnership with Chinese streaming video platform Youku, a unit of Alibaba Digital Media & Entertainment Group, which will produce a local version in China of NBC's iconic sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live. Youku, one of China's leading streaming video services along with Tencent Video and Baidu's iQiyi service, is planning to make SNL its flagship entertainment show for the 2017 fall/winter schedule. Over the past few years, NBCUniversal has licensed nine other international versions of SNL, in territories ranging from France to the Middle East. "We're excited to partner with Youku in China, where we are confident SNL will be a big hit with audiences," said Michael Edelstein, president of NBCUniversal International Studios. Now in its 43rd season, Lorne Michaels' original New York version of Saturday Night Live is enjoying a banner year, with each episode attracting an average of 11 million viewers and U.S. viewership up 29 percent over last year -- so far, it's been the show's best season since 1993-1994. Much of the ratings comeback probably can be attributed to the presidency of Donald Trump and Alec Baldwin's lampooning of the commander-in-chief, as well as Melissa McCarthy's recurring impersonations of White House press secretary Sean Spicer. But given China's strong censorship system, it is unlikely that the Youku version of the show will feature a Chinese comedian taking similar shots at Chinese president Xi Jinping anytime soon. Youku and NBCUniversal say the Beijing-based remake will "showcase the best of Chinese culture and comedy." (Hollywood Reporter)

HBO Programming Chief Casey Bloys and 'Insecure' Star Issa Rae Talk TV Diversity. IN THIS STORY "The authenticity is really important so I think that goes hand-in-hand with at least making diversity a priority," Bloys said Tuesday at a Paley Center event. Before she was a Golden Globe-nominated actress and a New York Times bestselling author, Insecure creator and star Issa Rae was simply a young woman looking for others like her on TV. "What influenced me to start Awkward Black Girl in the first place was just this negative representation of regular black girls on television," she said Tuesday at a Paley Center conversation with HBO programming president Casey Bloys. "I'm doing my part because I was frustrated by the lack of representation I was seeing." While the '90s showcased African-American-centered series like Martin, Living Single, Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Girlfriends, she noticed a drop in the ought's. "I didn't have many reference points for shows of color and stories I wanted to tell," Rae said. "I'm always thinking about what the narrative is for black people and black women specifically just by being both of those things." So came the web series The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl, which ran for three years and saw Rae not only co-create and write but also star in the comedy. That led to her 2015 bestselling memoir of the same name, and also her HBO comedy Insecure, which returns for its second season in July after bowing to rave reviews in November. ("It feels like being popular in high school. I'm looking for the pig's blood every time," Rae joked about her newfound stardom.) Like its web-only predecessor, Rae and Bloys recalled several awkward moments during the first season, such as at a table red attended by Bloys, a Caucasian executive. "There are moments in the scripts where they're making fun of white people in office settings and I laugh along with it," Bloys said with a chuckle. "I love that the show kind of shows everybody from Issa's point of view. There are things that go on in offices and everyday life that she notices that I wouldn't necessarily notice." Later in the conversation, Rae was asked about whether she was ever afraid of hurting someone's feelings with such jokes. "Issa should not be worrying about our feelings or anyone's feelings," Bloys said. Although she admitted, "sometimes it can uncomfortable hearing about it out loud ... we want to tell the truth." Bloys emphasized the importance of the relatable nature of Rae's work. "I don't need to be a black woman to find it funny. I don't need to be a black woman to relate to frustrations about relationships or friends," he said. Rae shared that sentiment. "I have always said that the show is universal but absolutely specific. ... It's about the unique black experience." Rae's distinct point of view comes after her first experience developing a TV series, a 2013 ABC pilot called I Hate L.A. Dudes exec produced by Shonda Rhimes. "I felt like my voice kind of became blah and mush because I was like, 'Well, what are you guys looking for? I think that's the approach I had. I was so focused on what I felt like fit their network that I didn't focus on the story I wanted to tell. I was eager to please and that made my voice kind of irrelevant and the reason they brought me in the first place was to have something to say," she recalled. "I had to realize I have a specific point of view, I have a specific story to tell and I need to tap into that." As the creator and star of Insecure, Rae is just the second African-American woman to accomplish that feat, following Wanda Sykes' short-lived 2003 sitcom. "The idea that there hasn't been one since then is crazy so I'm personally proud to have some part in doing that," Bloys said. Also helping Rae solidify that tone in season one was having a diverse team behind the scenes, including showrunner Prentice Penny (Happy Endings) and music video director Melina Matsoukas ("We Found Love," "Formation"). Just as Rae was working in (traditional) TV for the first time, Penny was a first-time showrunner and Matsoukas was a first-time TV director. "There's just a shorthand," Rae explained. "I don't have to explain why I wanted to shoot on this particular street in Inglewood, why I wanted to depict this part of the relationship and not another." Bloys chimed in: "The authenticity is really important so I think that goes hand-in-hand with at least making diversity a priority." That priority remains intact for season two, where at least six of the eight episodes will be directed by diverse women-an impressive stat that comes after studies in recent years have highlighted a surprisingly low percentage of female and minority directors working in Hollywood. "It introduces us to new talent," Bloys said. The pay cabler also has HBOAccess, writing and directing fellowship that allows diverse voices to work on projects alongside higher-ups at the network. "We're having some pretty good success with it." And just like with Rae, who also has an overall deal at HBO, the company is looking outside of the traditional model for potential writers and directors. Rae emphasized that kind of diversity, pointing to the Insecure writer's room. "Every writer isn't black on the show but every writer is a human being. Every writer has a piece or a chunk or morsel of their life in the show," she said. "It makes for great relatable moments." Insecure returns to HBO in July for season two. (Hollywood Reporter)

'Prison Break' Creator Breaks Down Surprise Fan-Favorite Death. "I knew that at least two characters had to die this season," Paul Scheuring tells THR about the latest deadly twist. [Warning: This story contains spoilers for Tuesday's episode of Prison Break, "The Prisoner's Dilemma."] "This one's for real." Those four words represent the harsh reality for longtime Prison Break fans, now that one of the show's longest running characters is finally off the board -- and that's straight from creator and showrunner Paul Scheuring's mouth. In the fourth episode of Fox's revived series, Paul Kellerman (Paul Adelstein) finally reached the end of the line, though not for the first time: Kellerman was seemingly killed off back in season two, only for his death to be revealed as a cover-up in the final stretch of Prison Break's original run. When he first returned, Kellerman presented himself as a changed man, whose days as a killer were behind him. The first four episodes of the Prison Break revival proved that Kellerman was a man of his word, which wasn't enough to stop an assassin from putting a bullet in poor Paul's brain during a home invasion. "I always have wanted blood," Prison Break creator Paul Scheuring tells THR about why Kellerman had to go. "If you kill characters, then when you have action sequences, you think the other characters might die, too. It naturally fills those sequences with more stakes, because the audience knows we're willing to kill people. So I knew that at least two characters had to die this season. Kellerman was a good first one to go, because in some ways, he was finding out [the secret behind Scofield]. He was getting too close to the truth on the government side. Once you start finding out the truth, and you're starting to kick out exposition that's too early in the narrative, you can't sustain that. You gotta die! When you know too much too early, you die." For those keeping track, by the way, Scheuring said "at least two characters had to die this season." Does that mean another original Prison Break-er will die this season? Scheuring's enigmatic response: "I will remain purposely vague, but there will be more deaths." As for losing Kellerman, one of the more complicated and verbose characters in the series, Scheuring said it was important to send him off in style. "Paul is a joy to work with," he says. "You should see the paragraphic lines we were giving him. It's this massive expositional download. Generally when you write it and you look on the page, you go, 'Gosh, this is a lot.' But there are certain actors like him who can deliver very critical exposition in such a dynamic way. He hammered those scenes." With that in mind, Scheuring made sure Kellerman would have one final line to knock out of the park. Before he's killed, Kellerman tells the younger assassin that he's been on the other end of the gun, and knows what awaits this man later on down the road. With that, the killer does his job, and puts Kellerman down for good -- with no ambiguity, and no reversals of fortune coming any time soon. "We wanted to make sure on some level that he died with a certain amount of integrity and wisdom," says Scheuring. "In a lot of ways, he's saying, 'I was you once. There's been a lot of water under the bridge since, but I know what's going to happen to you.' He's kind of the Ghost of Christmas Past here." But Kellerman didn't die without speaking toward the Ghost of Christmas Future -- in other words, the mysterious agent known as Poseidon, the lone entity with a vast network, and the person who seems to be at the heart of the season's action. Scheuring says it was important to move past Company conspiracies this year, and instead hone in on individual forces, especially given the season's parallels with The Odyssey. "It becomes a much more interesting story if it's about a person," he said. "It's one person's agenda, as opposed to an incredible conspiracy. That's also in keeping with that wrathful Greek deity, where one specific antagonist with a lot of power is trying to sink your ship as you're trying to get back to your wife. I wanted this to be a battle between individuals, rather than some far-reaching conspiracy." At the end of the episode, it looks as though Poseidon may have been unmasked: Jacob (Mark Feuerstein), the same man who is currently married to Sara Tancredi (Sarah Wayne Callies), aka Michael's (Wentworth Miller) wife. Complicated, right? Well, while it's hard to imagine how Jacob walks away from this situation completely clean (or how he walks at all for that matter, given the bullet wound to the leg from a few episodes ago), those who are automatically assuming Jacob and Poseidon are one and the same might be in for another curveball. "It looks pretty damning for him," says Scheuring. "But if you're an astute viewer you might think, 'But you're showing me the face of the antagonist in episode four?' That's about all I'll say about that." (Hollywood Reporter)

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