ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
Robin Tunney Gives Birth to First Child, See The Mentalist Star's Baby Son Oscar. Robin Tunney has welcomed her first child, E! News has learned. The Mentalist actress shared the very first shot of her son on Instagram along with a sweet message about why she chose to keep a low profile while pregnant. "My greatest work, Oscar Holly Marmet. Picture by my friend @shannonleeimages. Sorry I didn't talk about being pregnant. Wanted to keep it all for myself. #momlife #bestbaby #soinlove." According to Shannon Lee, little Oscar was born a little under two weeks ago. This marks the 44-year-old's first child with Nicky Marmet, an interior designer located in Los Angeles. The two became engaged on Christmas Day back in 2012 while they were on a romantic vacation in Rio de Janeiro. Congratulations to Robin and Nicky on their adorable new arrival! (Eonline)
Double trouble! Tig Notaro and her wife, Stephanie Allynne, have welcomed twin boys, Finn and Max, into the world. The 45-year-old comedienne, who married in October 2015 in her hometown of Pass Christian, Mississippi, shared a sweet picture of her babies' tiny cribs laying side by side on Tuesday, June 5, while her pet kitty Fluff looked on with fascination. Notaro's pal Ellen DeGeneres was one of the first to wish her and wife congratulations with a typically amusing message. "Congrats to my friend @TigNotaro and her wife @StephAllynne who are the parents of twins!" the daytime television host tweeted. "Hello twins. Goodbye sleeping thru the night," she quipped. The birth of her two little boys is a happy ending for Notaro who endured a catalogue of tragedies within the space of four months in 2012 when she was diagnosed with C. diff., lost her mother, and then received a breast cancer diagnosis. But having beaten her illness, Notaro's life took a turn for the better when she met Allynne on the set of 2013's In a World. Her career went from strength to strength, culminating in a topless performance at the New York Comedy Festival in 2014, where she proudly displayed her post-mastectomy figure. "Healthy, sick, boobs, no boobs, cancer or no cancer. This is just life and this is my body, relax," she told Rolling Stone of her brave performance. Notaro announced her pregnancy in January with a post on Facebook. "When Stephanie and I got together, after so much excessive travel and work, we imagined a life where we could eventually raise a family amongst our own family one day," she wrote. "Now it blows our minds that our dream has been realized over the past nearly 3 years in the making. I have really come to believe SO MUCH in the saying that 'it takes a village' and we have taken that to heart by creating our own little village tucked away in the hills of Los Angeles." She went on to explain that she had built a "compound" so she could live with her future babies, her wife, and her wife's "entire wonderful family." "With the loved ones and wildlife that tread across our yard daily, we truly cannot wait to share this world with Itsy and Bitsy upon their eagerly anticipated arrival into our lives," the excited future-mom wrote. "With every twist and turn over the past couple of years, I can honestly say that I couldn't be a happier and better person for it all." (US Weekly)
Gwen Stefani Says Her "Dreams Were Shattered" During Gavin Rossdale Divorce. Gwen Stefani has happily moved on with Blake Shelton, but that doesn't mean her divorce was smooth sailing. The No Doubt frontwoman opens up about her divorce from Gavin Rossdale in Harper's Bazaar August issue and shares that the ending of her 14-year marriage was a low point in her life. "My dreams were shattered," she tells the magazine. "All I wanted my whole life was to have babies, be married, like what my parents have." As if their split wasn't hard enough, Gwen also found it incredibly difficult to have to share custody of their three children, Kingston Rossdale, Zuma Rossdale and Apollo Rossdale. "It was so insane because not only did my family break up, but then my kids are taken away like half the time, so that was really like, 'What?! What did I do?'" Gwen, 46, found strength in her music, which she also turned to when she and No Doubt band mate Tony Kanal ended their relationship after seven years together. "Of course you go through the 'Why me?' and feel sorry for yourself," she shares. "But then I was like, 'No, this happened to me already and I made something good out of it,' and that was Tragic Kingdom." Many of the songs on Tragic Kingdom, No Doubt's first major successful album, were inspired by Gwen and Tony's breakup. Gwen took a page out of her Tragic Kingdom notebook while recording her latest solo album, This Is What the Truth Feels Like, and infused the emotions she was feeling from her divorce into many of the album's tracks. But she wasn't willing to spill everything. "It's because I have children," she explains. "As a famous person, you start to think, 'I can't say all that because I'll embarrass them or hurt them in some way.' And especially now because they can see everything and hear everything. But I've done nothing I'm shamed of...Well, we all have a few things we're ashamed of." Gwen also helped Blake get through his split from Miranda Lambert with a song for his album, If I'm Honest. Titled "Go Ahead and Break My Heart," the emotional duet became an instant hit. "I can't believe I'm number one on a country chart," Gwen quips. Even more unbelievable to the rocker is the timing of her relationship with Blake. "It was like being handed this gift of a friend who was going through the exact same thing at the exact same time," she recalls, referencing Blake's split from Miranda. "And then everything flipped. It went from horrible to, like, hopeful and like, 'Wow, God, you just don't know what's gonna happen next.'" (Eonline)
Ciara and Russell Wilson Step Out for Their Rehearsal Dinner in England. The countdown to Russell Wilson and Ciara's wedding is underway! The NFL star and R&B singer were spotted stepping out together in Liverpool, England, earlier Tuesday for their rehearsal dinner at Stanley's Bar and Grill ahead of their highly anticipated nuptials, E! News has exclusively learned. These two lovebirds looked like a million bucks, with the footballer wearing an all-black ensemble and his bride-to-be looking absolutely stunning in a flowy, white halter gown with her tresses pulled back into a ponytail. Wilson and Ciara walked up the cobblestone walkway to the Titantic Hotel with shutterbugs snapping photos of the pair, almost like a foreshadow for when the moment comes that these two walk down the aisle as husband and wife. And the dinner was packed with their nearest and dearest! We're told the event included roughly 100 of their family and friends. Ciara recently celebrated her bachelorette party with a girls' getaway to Las Vegas, which included celeb gal-pals Kelly Rowland and Serena Williams. The engaged star participated in some Snapchat action by posting snaps of the ladies lounging and dancing by the pool with the caption, "We'z just having fun." These two soon-to-be newlyweds began dating back in April 2015, when the two were spotted on several outings together -- including the White House Correspondents' Dinner. Less than a year after going public with their relationship, the two (who became famous for gushing about each other) revealed that they were engaged. The Seattle Seahawks quarterback posted a video on Instagram with him proclaiming, "She said yes! Yeah!" in the background as the singer blushed and showed off her massive diamond sparkler. (Eonline)
Serena Williams Forced to Back Out of Bridesmaid Duties at Ciara's Wedding. Ciara is officially down one bridesmaid. E! News has learned that Serena Williams was forced to back out of her bridesmaid duties because of her Wimbledon semi-finals match. The happy couple has already started their celebrations in England, stepping out for their rehearsal dinner Tuesday evening with friends such as Kelly Rowland and Lala Vasquez. "Serena really wanted to be part of Ciara's bridal party when she asked her a while back, but she knew work may conflict," a source tells E! News. "Ciara was understanding and knows Serena would be there if she could. They have spoken today and have FaceTimed each other, so it's like Serena is in the room with all the girls." As the bride-to-be, Ciara donned a gorgeous, flowy white gown while her NFL star fiance looked handsome in an all-black outfit. "The rehearsal dinner was beautiful. Ciara and Russell couldn't keep their hands off of each other," a source told E! News exclusively of the romantic affair. "The love was strong in the room. Russell and Ciara said a few words to their guests thanking them for coming to Liverpool for this special occasion. Kelly Rowland and Lala were helping Ciara beforehand get ready and haven't left her side." The Liverpool dinner featured 100 of the couple's closest friends and family. In June the "Love Sex Magic" songstress traveled to Las Vegas with Rowland, Williams and more of her gal-pals for a getaway trip before tying the knot. The dynamic group relaxed by the pool, danced in their bathing suits and grabbed some delicious meals. "We'z just having fun," Ciara captioned one of her Snapchat posts. Wilson and Ciara started dating in April 2015 and got engaged less than a year later. The Seattle Seahawks quarterback shared the news with a video of his fiancee on Instagram. "She said yes! Yeah!" he proclaimed as the singer blushed and showed off her massive diamond sparkler. "God Is Good! Grateful For You @DangRussWilson. You Are Heaven Sent. I'm Looking Forward To Spending Forever With You," Ciara also shared on social media. "I Feel Complete." It will only be just a little while now before Ciara and Wilson officially begin to spend "forever" together. Let the countdown to the "1,2 Step" songstress' walk down the aisle begin! (Eonline)
Are Alexa Chung and Alex Skarsgard back on? The pair had a brief romance when they were spotted hand-in-hand last year, but if Alexa's recent Instagram post is anything to go by, they might be in for a round two... Posting to Instagram, Alexa poked fun at her (potential) man beside a poster of him in his latest movie undertaking: The Legend of Tarzan. In the caption, Alexa said: "Human. Nature. #tarzan I spent 6 months eating high protein meals 5 times a day and suffering through hefty regular workouts to prepare for this Instagram. Unclear what the other guy did." We were sure the flirty post was indicative of their reignited flame, but then a photo of them chatting at the Barclaycard British Summer Time Festival ( just emerged) has pretty much confirmed it. We're into this. (British Glamour)
Parenthood has pushed Tyra Banks' relationship with her baby-daddy to the brink of collapse. Page Six has learned that the first few months with newborn son York Banks Asla have been fraught with unexpected difficulties, and the added stress turned her two-year romance with the father, Norwegian photographer Erik Asla, into a chore. Family insiders say Asla has gone so far as to tell relatives he's looking for his own apartment, and those close to him fear the relationship is coming to an end. Sources said that tensions have been high in the LA mansion where the supermodel lives with Asla, and where they regularly take custody of Asla's two youngest daughters from his first marriage. We're told that stressed-out new mom Banks has also sometimes brought her tough TV persona home. Meanwhile, another source said that the pair are riding out this difficult time. On Independence Day, Asla posted a picture of former "America's Next Top Model" host Banks wearing an Uncle Sam stovepipe hat, with the caption "Happy 4th of July from our family to yours!" Insiders told Page Six that the embattled couple continue to work together professionally, and that Asla -- who met Banks when he was a guest on Norway's version of her long-running reality TV modeling contest -- even shot promos for her Tyra Beauty cosmetics line in LA on Monday. In January, Banks revealed that a surrogate had secretly been carrying their baby. The couple posted a picture of a tiny wool hat on Instagram after their child's birth, with the caption: "The best present we worked and prayed so hard for is finally here. He's got my fingers and big eyes and his daddy Erik's mouth and chin. As we thank the angel of a woman that carried our miracle baby boy for us, we pray for everyone who struggles to reach this joyous milestone. York Banks Asla, welcome to the world." Asla didn't get back to us, and a rep for Banks declined to comment. (Page Six)
Gayle King Recalls the Moment She Caught Her Ex-Husband in Bed With Another Woman. Gayle King gets along with a whole lot of people. Whether it's the complete strangers she interviews on CBS This Morning or the colleagues she's worked with for years, the journalist has been able to develop a positive rapport with plenty of folks over the years. But in a new interview with Vanity Fair, Gayle was asked to name a living person who "you most despise." Her answer may surprise you. "'Despise' is a strong word," she explained to the publication. "I'm not a huge fan of the woman I caught naked with my now ex-husband on June 24, 1990, at 9:16 P.M. But I don't remember the details." Gayle divorced her husband back in 1993. While she's hasn't spoken often about the relationship, she once told Will Smith that time has helped heal most wounds. "I went to marital counseling. I have been divorced since 1993, so I'm all healed and everything," she said on her Sirius XM radio show back in 2006. "I have worked it out. I'm not bitter. I'm OK. I'm really OK." While speaking to Vanity Fair, Gayle admitted that her current state of mind is "genuinely happy." She also shared what she looking for in a man as the search continues for the greatest love of her life. "It's a tie between height and depth," she shared. "And they have to have a good sense of humor." And regardless of her relationship status, she has her close friend Oprah Winfrey always around for plenty of fun experiences. Whether attending the Essence Festival in New Orleans this past weekend together or removing poop from carpets -- yes it really happened today -- the pair always have each other's backs. "She always does the right thing," Gayle shared. "Even when no one is looking." (Eonline)
Kaley Cuoco Admits She Is "Not Perfect" After Photo of Her Dogs Standing on American Flag Causes Backlash. Kaley Cuoco is in a bit of digital hot water. In celebration of Independence Day, the Big Bang Theory actress shared a photo of her dogs standing on top of an American flag while wearing flag-themed handkerchiefs around their necks. While the photo was meant to play off of the holiday spirit, the Internet did not share the same sentiment. Followers quickly lambasted the actress for allowing her dogs to stand on a United States banner. "That's not a towel," one critic commented. The star subsequently deleted the photo and ushered in a lengthy public apology late Tuesday. "I would like to comment on a photo I posted yesterday, that has caused lots of controversy. First off, please know, I have the utmost respect for my country. I am a proud American in every sense of the word. I understand the American flag stands for our freedom and represents American heroes, past and present," she began on Instagram. "Yesterday I made a mistake by posting the picture that was taken of my sweet dogs posing on an American flag," she continued on social media. "I sincerely apologize to anyone that has been offended by my previous post. This is no way reflects my feelings toward what the American flag represents." The actress, who has been working in Hollywood for over two decades, admitted living under a public microscope can illuminate her faults. "Living in the public eye, can be extremely difficult at times. Every mistake and every imperfection is amplified. I am not perfect," she concluded. "I am a proud American, today, tomorrow, always." (Eonline)
Nick Young's Ex Keonna Green Confirms She's Pregnant With Their Baby, Feels No Guilt About Iggy Azalea Split. Nick Young's ex Keonna Green is breaking her silence about those pregnancy and cheating rumors connected to his split from Iggy Azalea and feels no guilt about being the other woman. The 26-year-old "Fancy" rapper announced last month she and the 31-year-old Los Angeles Lakers player had broken up. The two had dated for more than two years and got engaged last June. The breakup came months after a leaked video showed Nick talking about spending time with another woman and Azalea said last week she had called it quits because she found out he had been cheating on her. Young tweeted in response, "If you perfect then be perfect I live in a world where ppl f--k up learn from it and move on." Green and Nick are parents to a 4-year-old son Nick Jr. and after his breakup with Azalea, reports surfaced saying he and Green were expecting their second child. Green told Us Weekly in an interview posted Wednesday that she is 22 weeks pregnant with a baby girl and that she is "200 percent Nick's child." "He's always supportive, but he was in shock," she said. "With him being in a public relationship, he didn't know how to handle it." She said the two rekindled their romance in September, three months after he and Azalea got engaged. "We would take our son to Magic Mountain together," she said. "But sometimes Nick would say, 'Oh, there's too much traffic,' and he'd just play with Nicholas in his room. We got caught up in the moment and it just happened. I would be like, 'Nick, you cannot be sloppy. You need to be honest [with Azalea].' He would say, 'I don't want to hear it.'" "It was not a planned pregnancy," a source told E! News exclusively. "They had a night and things got out of hand and they had sex. There was no question in not having the baby when they found out. Nick was a bit shocked but this is the mother of his son and if it happen with anyone now, he'd rather it be a slip up with her." "He knows this is painful for Iggy because she wanted children," the source added. "He feels bad but he is doing the responsible thing." Young and Azalea have not commented directly about Green. The rapper said last week, "I find it baffling anyone would make the choice to bring a child into the world under these circumstances + want attention and $ for it." Green also told Us Weekly she does not feel guilty. "I'm not the reason they separated," she said, adding, "I didn't feel guilty because I was in love with a man." "I'm definitely not going to apologize for being in love with a man who I have a lot of history with," she said. "I do wish [Azalea] that kind of success and hope that she can get through this difficult time and she and Nick can move forward from this." Green also told Us Weekly she tried to reach out to Azalea and tell her about her and Nick but did not receive a response. Azalea has not commented. Meanwhile, the source told E! News Young "is not jumping back Into another relationship and just wants to remain friends" with Green. She told Us Weekly that while the two are no longer intimate, she would give him another chance. "I'm giving him his space," she said. "Right now, he needs to focus on basketball and getting his life in order. Basketball is what puts food on two people's plates that he's taking care of." (TMZ)
Gina Rodriguez has come a long way since her break into Hollywood. And her transition wasn't easy. The Jane the Virgin star is opening up exclusively to PeopleStyle about her battle with a thyroid disorder, and exactly what it took for her to find the courage to become the actress she is today. "It began when I was 19 years old and I got fired, and I realized keeping my weight down was going to be much more difficult," Rodriguez tells PeopleStyle, adding that her self-confidence began to suffer. "It was difficult for me to stay in the comfortable zone of my weight. I was very tired. My fatigue was through the roof. When everyone else was cold, I was sweating bullets." Soon after she was diagnosed with the illness, Rodriguez decided she wanted to make her way in Hollywood -- a goal that seemed impossible with her ongoing struggle with her body. "I was like, 'Okay I want to be an actor. I want to be a leading lady.' But now I am being told there is no way I can because they are way skinnier, which was very destructive to me because I felt like I was getting curvy." Eventually, however, Rodriguez decided that Hollywood's body-shaming stereotypes were no longer going to stand in the way of her dreams. "For many years I had a daily conversation with myself about how I was going to help make that change," she shares. "Because there is no way in this world things are only allotted to certain people because of their figure. There is no way that should be possible. There is no way that's fair. There is no way that kind of limitation is going to help those that don't fit into that box." So she began turning all of her negative, self-hating thoughts into positives -- and overcame her battle. "Why do we allow that voice that we get inside when we look in the mirror," she asks. "'Oh you look fat. Oh God the pimple! Oh my God that skin. Oh my God no one is going to love me.' Who is that voice? I started to realize that little demon that was inside of me, and I was going to find my unicorn and I was going to let them have a conversation because that unicorn was the one that was like, 'No, no, no. It's just a freaking pimple. It's just five pimples. They will go away eventually. It's okay. Look at that smile though. Alright, so you're curvier today. Yeah let's work those curves.'" Now, 12 years after her diagnosis, Rodriguez looks back at her struggle with strength and positivity -- and wants women going through the same situation to succeed, just as she has. "For women on this journey, have a conversation with yourself," Rodriguez advises. "Recognize the voice that comes in but wants to tear down the beautiful amazing human being that you are. You know what? You are the most beautiful human being on this planet. Compared to no one. You hear what I'm saying? You are the most beautiful you. You are the best version of yourself. And when that demon comes in and says your thighs are thick, you say, 'You know what demon? Yes they are and I am going to work them. I am going to rock the s–t out of my thick thighs and I am rocking this whole damn city with my thick thighs loving them.'" (People)
Mischa Barton Accuses Former Momager Of Delaying The Sale Of Their $7 Million Dollar Mansion -- Uh Oh! Things could be better between Mischa Barton and her estranged mother Nuala. On Tuesday, it was revealed that The O.C alum is currently facing off against her mother in a legal battle over the sale of the $7 million dollar mansion they co-own in Beverly Hills. Talk about family drama! In legal documents obtained by DailyMail, the 30-year-old accuses her former momager of going out of her way to delay the sale of their pad for years. Reportedly, Nuala went as far as changing the locks and denying potential buyers access to the home she shares with her daughter. Yikes! The blonde beauty also accuses her mother of refusing to work with famed relator Josh Altman and denying offers from eager buyers. However, Miz Barton's momma has no time for these claims as she's labeled them as "heinous" and "false". In fact, Nuala believes these accusations are to blame for the estrangement with Mischa. Unfortunately, this isn't the first time the duo have faced off in court as Barton previously sued her mother in 2015 for allegedly stealing from her. At the time, Mischa accused her mother of taking out huge loans against the house and turning the property into her own "personal ATM." The Dancing With The Stars vet even added that her parents kicked her out of her home and wouldn't let her back into the property. The case was eventually dismissed in February on the grounds that the mother and daughter would sell the home using Altman as the relator. We can't blame Mischa for wanting to sell her property as both she and her mother would be able to settle their debt with the sale of the mansion. In the paperwork filed by Mischa's camp, the TV starlet hopes to turn the property over to a trustee (and away from her mother's control) who will be responsible for selling the property ASAP. Nuala appears to think this is a drastic measure as she states she isn't refusing to sign off on Altman and Mischa's potential buyers but rather she found someone on her own who is willing to pay more. Hmmm, beggars can't be choosers... (Perez Hilton)
Jim Carrey's Girlfriend Cathriona White Left Suicide Note Apologizing to Actor Before Her Death. New details have emerged following the death of Jim Carrey's girlfriend, Cathriona White. The actress was found dead in her home in September 2015 after an apparent suicide and according to documents obtained by E! News, the 28-year-old left a suicide note for the actor. It was reported at the time that the two were on and off throughout their three-year relationship and had split shortly before her death. "I'm just not for this world," the note read. "I've spent 3 days now in disbelief that you're not here. I can go on brokenhearted and try to put the pieces back. I could, I just don't have the will this time. I'm sorry you felt I wasn't there for you. I tried to give you my best part." The letter goes on to say, "I don't really know about burial or that sort of thing. You are my family so whatever you choose will be fine. Please forgive me. I'm just not for this world." Per court records, it appears that police found a text message on White's phone from Carrey asking if she knew the whereabouts of several bottles of prescription painkillers. White was pronounced dead at the scene from a possible overdose and was found with pills beside her. Shortly after her passing, Carrey released the following statement, "I am shocked and saddened by the passing of my sweet Cathriona. She was a truly kind and delicate Irish flower, too sensitive for this soil, to whom loving and being loved was all that sparkled. My heart goes out to her family and friends and to everyone who loved and cared about her. We have all been hit with a lightning bolt." TMZ was the first to report the letter. (Eonline)
The multi-million dollar guitar famously owned by Kurt Cobain -- the last one he played before killing himself -- is at the center of Frances Bean Cobain's nasty divorce. Frances' estranged hubby, Isaiah Silva, claims she gave him Kurt's Martin D-18E as a wedding present. It's the same instrument the Nirvana frontman famously strummed during his epic "MTV Unplugged" performance. The acoustic-electric is something of a holy grail for Nirvana fans. For starters, only about 300 were made before Martin discontinued the model. Kurt, who was left-handed, had the bridge and nut replaced so he could play it upside down. Francis denies giving Isaiah the guitar, and wants it back, with good reason. It was once insured for $1 million and experts now think it's worth several million bucks. We got Courtney Love at LAX Tuesday, who squarely sided with her daughter, essentially saying Isaiah's a scammer. (TMZ)
Iggy Azalea's legal team fired off a scorching letter to Nick Young's baby mama ... warning her that any mention of Iggy in her upcoming tell-all story will spell BIG trouble for her. We broke the story ... Nick's baby mama, Keonna Green, shopped around and sold her story as the alleged "other woman" reportedly pregnant with Nick's second child ... while Nick and Iggy were still together. Iggy's lawyer legal eagle, Howard King, didn't mince words in a letter they fired off to Keonna's lawyers, warning them, "Ms. Green has done enough to embarrass herself by her pathetic efforts to profit from Iggy's hard-won celebrity, all in exchange for whatever paltry sums she can garner in exchange for peddling tales of her tasteless exploits." The letter goes on ... "Any mention of Iggy in your client's efforts to sell a story to whatever tabloid needs to fill its pages with the fetid story of your client's classless antics will be considered a violation of Iggy's rights of publicity ... subjecting Ms. Green and any publication that airs your client's soiled laundry to significant liability." If she is pregnant, we're guessing no baby present from Iggy. (TMZ)
Vince Neil has been charged with attacking a woman in Vegas ... an incident which triggered a nuclear argument between Vince and Nic Cage. Vince allegedly went off on an autograph seeker, grabbing her by the hair and pulling her to the ground. Vince claims the woman got all aggro on him and all he did was push past her. Our law enforcement sources say they have surveillance video showing he manhandled her. After the altercation, Neil and Nic -- with whom he had just had lunch -- walked out of Aria hotel, where Nic and Neil got into it with each other. Neil's been charged with misdemeanor battery. Worst case scenario ... 6 months in jail. (TMZ)
Oscar Pistorius Sentenced to 6 Years in Prison for Reeva Steenkamp's Murder. Former Olympian and Paralympian Oscar Pistorius was sentenced Wednesday to six years in prison for murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. He had faced up to 15 years in prison for fatally shooting the 29-year-old model through a bathroom door of his home in February 2013. Oscar has always maintained that Reeva's shooting was accidental, as he mistook her for a home intruder. The prosecution, however, successfully argued that it was a deliberate act following an argument. So, why was the 29-year-old double amputee given such leniency? As Judge Thokozile Masipa explained to the court in Johannesburg, "He's a fallen hero, he's lost his career and he's ruined financially. The worst is that having taken life of a fellow human being in the manner that he did he cannot be at peace. Recovery is possible, but it will depend mostly on the accused." Furthermore, the South African judge added, "It must be one of the most difficult things for any accused to have to face the victims of his crime and to apologize." Reeva's parents wiped away tears as the sentence was read. Oscar, meanwhile, sat stoically as Thokozile issued her ruling. The athlete -- nicknamed "Blade Runner" -- can still appeal the judge's sentence. After a highly publicized trial that stretched over seven months, Oscar was found guilty of culpable homicide in September 2014. Thokozile ruled that he had acted negligently when he shot Reeva, though it was unintentional. Oscar was sentenced to five years in prison and served a year before he was released and put on house arrest in October. However, a higher court reversed Thokozile's conviction to murder in December, which led to Wednesday's sentencing. Oscar's older brother, Carl Pistorius, reacted to Wednesday's outcome via his Twitter account. "The record has been set straight and justice done," he tweeted. "The truth will always prevail." (Eonline)
THE OTHER STUFF . . .
Prince George and Princess Charlotte May Make Their Way to North America Soon. Prince George and Princess Charlotte may be headed west sometime soon! In honor of Canada's upcoming 150th anniversary, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has sent a formal invitation to Prince William, Kate Middleton and their two little cherubs to visit the country and help celebrate the landmark year. The trip would mark the second visit for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who visited in 2011 on their very first royal tour shortly after their wedding. It would be the first visit to Canada for their children. Trudeau's Director of Communications, Kate Purchase, told Globe and Mail, "The Prime Minister certainly has invited William and Kate [Middleton] and family to come to Canada whenever they are available on their schedule." Purchase confirmed that the visit could come as early as the fall. "It is a possibility, but again, we don't have any confirmation. From the Prime Minister's perspective, we invited them whenever their schedules permitted it," she added. Meanwhile, the Duke and Duchess most recently completed their tour of India and Bhutan, which was filled with back-to-back events, appearances and wild experiences. Not only did they play cricket and try their hand at archery, they also enjoyed a safari, went hiking and gussied up for a Bollywood-themed gala. Of course, Kate's outfits were on-point throughout the entire trip, donning more than 15 looks that kept our mouths agape with awe. (Eonline)
Robin Williams shocked the world when he ended his life in August 2014, leaving behind a legacy of laughter and kindheartedness. But the star was so much more than Hollywood's beloved humorist-he was also a devoted father. In Arthur Grace's new book, Robin Williams: A Singular Portrait, 1986-2002, Williams' life out of the spotlight and at home with children Cody, now 24, Zelda, 26, and Zak, 33, is on touching display. The photographer shares images from his longtime friendship with the star, whom he first met while photographing him for Newsweek in 1986. Over the years, Grace photographed his famous friend often, and he looked forward to the day "when I was 84 and Robin was 80 and we would reminisce and put together a book." With Williams gone, Grace, 69, handled the task on his own-a little ahead of schedule. "He was totally involved with his kids," Grace tells PEOPLE of Williams, adding of the intimate photographs, "One of his biggest regrets was having to spend time away when he was working." Grace explains that Williams, who was 63 when he died, "loved to play games with his kids, read them stories." "He loved to snowboard with Zak and did puzzles with Zelda. When he was with his kids was when he really lit up." Zak was Williams' son with first wife Valerie Velardi, and Zelda and Cody's mother was Marsha Graces, the actor's spouse from 1989-2010. Grace also tells PEOPLE about Williams' kindhearted nature, explaining of his own 1988 wedding, "Robin hosted a dinner for me and my wife and then put us up at the Carlyle Hotel with a bottle of champagne." He concludes, "He was the funniest man on the planet." (People)
Antivirus software legend John McAfee should be counting his piles of money and settling into retirement, but no -- he says he's looking for face paint and a park to pester people ... as a mime. We've seen the hilarious email McAfee fired off to L.A. publicist Domenick Nati -- who's looking to rep McAfee. He says at the age of 70, he's "finally come to terms with the full nature of my ambitions. I have always wanted to become a mime." McAfee wisely asked Nati if he has experience working with mimes, and adds, "Specifically, have you advanced their careers?" We reached out to McAfee and, while there was no "LOL" in his original email, he says he was kidding ... he's actually considering becoming a puppeteer. We're guessing this is a joke since John's already juggling a lot. Besides his alleged mime and puppeteer ambitions ... the multimillionaire inventor of McAfee AntiVirus software has been trying to get the Libertarian presidential nod. Never hurts to have a plan B or C. (Eonline)
What do Miley Cyrus, Carrie Underwood, Andre 3000 and Tobey Maguire have in common? They've all been honored with PETA's "Sexiest Vegan/Vegetarian Celebrity" title. July 6, Us Weekly can exclusively reveal this year's honorees: Liam Hemsworth and Jhene Aiko. Hemsworth, 26, decided to make the switch to veganism in 2015, after he learned about the mistreatment of animals. "The more I was aware of, the harder and harder it was to do," he told Men's Fitness last October of eating meat. His reasons aren't just ethical, though. Earlier in 2015, before he changed his diet, a nutritionist told him to eat a lot of red meat, because it was supposed to be good for his blood type. He gave it a shot, but the more he ate, the worse he felt. His Hunger Games costar Woody Harrelson suggested he try a vegan diet. (Harrelson has been vegan for several decades.) Within a few months, he was sold. "There are no negatives to eating like this," Hemsworth told the mag in October. "I feel nothing but positive, mentally and physically. I love it." Singer-songwriter Aiko, 28, feels similarly enthusiastic about veganism, though she admits that it can be hard to stick with it. "Changing my diet like that made me feel like I had so much energy," she told Into the Glossin late 2015. "But it's a lot of work to live like that. ... My goal is to totally be completely vegan and only use vegan products, but I'm human and I have to work on it daily." Hemsworth and Aiko -- who also promote adopting animals from shelters -- inherit the "Sexiest Vegan Celeb" title from none other than the actor's on-again love, Cyrus. Previous winners include Ellen Page, Kristen Bell, Jared Leto, Jessica Chastain and Russell Brand. (US Weekly)
Opposites attract. At least that's Christie Brinkley's romance philosophy. When Brinkley first met her boyfriend, singer John Mellencamp, 64, last year, "I thought, 'Oh my gosh, we're really opposites. He's kind of a throwback from another time, like a silent cowboy,'" she recalls. "But then we talked and realized that we do have a lot of shared interests." The couple bonded over their kids (Brinkley has three; Mellencamp has five, plus six grandkids) as well as their age. "I know guys that go out with girls that are so, so young. They'll throw some reference out, and they're like, 'What's that?'" Brinkley says in the new issue of PEOPLE. "When it comes to relationships, there is something nice about just being the same age." She's certainly never had a problem with hers. Now 62, and still modeling, the supermodel who first shot to fame as a cover girl in the 70s has parlayed her ageless all-American sex appeal into a lifestyle empire worth an estimated $80 million. Brinkley markets Total Gym and Christie Brinkley Authentic Skincare via infomercials, has a lucrative line of hair extensions and shared her beauty secrets in her book Timeless Beauty last fall. Next up, Brinkley has a new line of organic prosecco, Bellissima, launching this summer. "It is kind of a special thing to be 62 and have so many opportunities," she says, sitting down with PEOPLE at her estate in Bridgehampton, New York, last month. "I never take that for granted, not for a second." Brinkley is the first to recognize her good fortune after surviving what she calls "a very tough decade," during which she lost both her parents and went through a vicious divorce and custody battle with her fourth husband, Peter Cook. "There's nothing harder than seeing your loved ones suffer," says Brinkley, whose mother, Marjorie, died of a heart attack following a stroke in 2012, just weeks after her husband, Donald, passed away following a long battle with Parkinson's disease. "And to go through a divorce-and a very public one-at the same time? It was a tough time; there's no two ways about it." Now, when it comes to her own romantic future, Brinkley is coy. Despite reports that she and Mellencamp may wed after dating for the past year, "you never really know what's going to happen," she says. "John and I are two people that have very full lives. We're just trying to enjoy each other when we can see each other and try not to put too much [pressure] on it." (People)
The man famous for his many years as a motorcycle cop on the hit '80s TV series "CHiPs" is now a reserve police officer in a small town in southern Idaho. St. Anthony Mayor Neils Thueson swore Erik Estrada into office on Saturday at City Hall in this town of 3,500 people. Estrada plans to work with the police department in protecting children from internet predators. Estrada arrived on Saturday where he spent the afternoon with police officers and their families at the city park. After Thueson swore Estrada in as a reserve police officer, Estrada spent the rest of the afternoon at the high school at a meet and greet where he had his picture taken with residents of all ages. Estrada has spent the past decade working with various law enforcement departments in keeping kids safe online. Following his induction, Estrada said how important it is to teach children what not to do while on the web. "Education is the best protection especially on the internet. Children should be educated in how to handle a chat room. Don't give out personal information. Certainly don't give out your mother's or father's name or what school you go to. Don't ever accept gifts," Estrada said. "Certainly don't ever go meet someone you've been chatting with. They're not who they are. If they send a picture, that isn't them." Even in conservative and generally safe St. Anthony, there are still threats to children, Police Chief Terry Harris said. "I think that this brings to the surface that (internet crime) happens in smaller communities. Everything that happens in the big cities, happens here," he said. Estrada's team is developing various programs such as software that will record children's pictures at various angles. It will also provide other information such as a child's medical needs. The information will be readily available for police should a child come up missing. "The first 72 hours is a very crucial time to recover a child," Estrada said. Estrada chose St. Anthony as small rural communities prove more willing to quickly join forces with his organization. In larger cities, there is too much red tape and too many bureaucrats involved in trying to reach the mayor and police officials, he said. "What happens in a big city -- there is a tremendous amount of politics involved," he said. In St. Anthony, after just a few emails and telephone calls, city officials quickly and eagerly welcomed Estrada into the police reserves. "We got everybody on board immediately, so we don't waste his time. In a larger city, it could take weeks," Harris said. Estrada and his organization made contact with Harris about six weeks ago via email. As Estrada has continually warned, you can't trust everybody on the web. Harris, having worked as a police officer for many years, thought the email was one big hoax. Before responding, he did some detective work and learned that the email was legitimate. He later got in touch with Estrada and told the city council about Estrada's plans. Harris later met with the city council where he announced Estrada's visit. Of course, not everyone in town believed Harris. Social media lit up with many saying it was indeed a joke. More than once, Harris heard that he "was full of beans." In the meantime, he sallied forth making plans for Estrada's visit. Estrada's addition to the city will prove beneficial to the city's police department, he said. "We're talking a long-term partnership. I expect it will run for the next two or three years. He's a great guy. He's going to be a great part of the team," Harris said. Estrada grew up wanting to become a police officer thanks to his mother's friendship with an exceptionally good police officer. Yet, during high school, he got the acting bug after he signed up for drama when he became interested in dating a young woman. After Estrada told his mother of his change in plans, he promised her that, if acting didn't work out by the time he was 30, he would return to New York and become a police officer. The cutoff to do so was 32 years of age. By the time Estrada was 27, he landed the role of California Highway Patrol motorcycle officer Frank "Ponch" Poncherello. He continued in that role from 1977 to 1983, making it possible to support his mother, who hasn't worked since that time. "I've been taking care of her for 35 years," he said. Following "CHiPs," Estrada continued acting, but later became a reserve officer in Muncie, Indiana. To avoid attention, he worked nights as an officer. He later came in contact with law enforcement officers who spent the day working against internet predators. What Estrada witnessed sickened him so much that he decided to form a foundation to help educate and protect children from internet enticement. Estrada says that all his dreams -- from crime fighting to acting -- have all come true. "I wanted to be a cop first and then I became an actor and then became a cop on TV. The TV thing allowed me to become a reserve officer in Indiana. I became a real cop," he said. "How many people have that kind of blessing? I've been blessed that way. I've been lucky." (Page Six)
The Internet Is on the Hunt for Sasha Obama's Secret Twitter Account. When President Barack Obama joined Hillary Clinton on the campaign trail, he didn't think all eyes would turn to his daughter, Sasha Obama. While talking about Donald Trump's active use of Twitter, Obama accidentally revealed that Sasha has her own account, which no one knew until her dad spilled the beans. "Everybody can tweet, but nobody actually knows what it takes to do the job until you've sat behind the desk," Obama declared Tuesday. "I mean, Sasha tweets, but she doesn't think that she thereby should be sitting behind the desk!" And that's when everyone stopped in their tracks to scour Twitter in order to find Sasha's secret account. Although no one seems to have found it yet, the Internet (and Twitter, of course) can't get over the fact that the president's 15-year-old daughter is secretly posting thoughts that are 140 characters or fewer. No one can say what Sasha has been tweeting about until the Internet discovers her account, but it's always fun to speculate. Perhaps she tweets at her sister about that time they met Ryan Reynolds, or maybe Sasha is secretly making fun of her dad for his jokes/Game of Thrones obsession. If someone should manage to find her profile, Sasha can absolutely count on an exponential growth in her followers -- or, as her dad would say, her Twitter mentions are going to go "through the roof." (Eonline)
Chelsea Manning, who's serving a 35-year sentence for leaking classified military documents, was in a prison hospital and our sources say it was the result of a suicide attempt. We're told the incident occurred early Tuesday at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas prison. We do not know specifically what Manning did in her cell, but one source tells TMZ she tried to hang herself. Prison officials tell TMZ although she has been released from the hospital she is being "monitored." Manning was convicted on 20 counts of espionage, for passing classified docs to WikiLeaks. Manning transitioned from male to female behind bars. (TMZ)
Hillary Clinton strained mightily to read a menu as she stumped with the Prez in North Carolina. Clinton -- who got an enormously lucky break from the FBI Director, despite a criminal law that explicitly says it's a crime to do what she did (using gross/negligence in mishandling classified docs) -- chowed down on BBQ at Midwood Smokehouse. Obama was at the ready with a wad of cash. The Prez carries cash? Who knew. (TMZ)
Donald Trump has been getting a lot of heat for his racist, misogynistic, and downright ridiculous rantings over the course of his campaign. But now, someone else from Trump's camp is getting in trouble for putting up with his cultural insensitivity -- and that's his son-in-law Jared Kushner! Over the weekend, the presidential hopeful tweeted a now-deleted photo which showed Hillary Clinton cropped onto a background made of hundred dollar bills -- with the words "Most Corrupt Candidate Ever!" written in a six-point star. The tweet was widely interpreted as an anti-Semitic meme, but Trump's campaign brushed it off, saying the six-pointed star was supposed to be a "sheriff's star" and NOT the Star of David. Instead of berating the incorrigible candidate for yet another insensitive tweet, Jewish New York Observer writer Dana Schwartz had Kushner -- publisher of the Observer and effectively her boss -- in her crosshairs! Schwartz called out Ivanka Trump's husband, who is Jewish, to answer for the anti-Semitism of the meme, writing: "Please do not condescend to me and pretend you don't understand the imagery of a six-sided star when juxtaposed with money and accusations of financial dishonesty. I'm asking you, not as a 'gotcha' journalist or as a liberal but as a human being: how do you allow this? Because, Mr. Kushner, you are allowing this." Kushner responded through a spokesperson in the typical PR fashion, asserting that his father-in-law "does not at all subscribe to any racist or anti-semitic thinking." He said: "My father-in-law is an incredibly loving and tolerant person who has embraced my family and our Judaism since I began dating my wife. I know that Donald does not at all subscribe to any racist or anti-semitic thinking. I have personally seen him embrace people of all racial and religious backgrounds. The suggestion that he may be intolerant is not reflective of the Donald Trump I know." Though Schwartz wasn't impressed with this statement. She told Politico on Tuesday evening: "It seems crafted by PR, and doesn't address the point of my article in the slightest. I'd love a real response from Mr. Kushner." And it looks like Kushner might feel the same way! According to The Wrap, his rep called the publication and verbally asked that the statement be rescinded -- a request that was totally denied. Hmmm... we have to wonder if this means Kushner never greenlit the response in the first place? Either way, it sounds like not everyone on Team Trump is on the same page! (Perez Hilton)
Music
Marshmello Turns Up the Bass on Anne-Marie's 'Alarm:' Exclusive Premiere Don't text your ex when you're lying in bed with your current beau-thing. That's one of those cardinal rules of relationships that should go without saying, but it seems someone didn't read the user manual before getting into it with London singer Anne-Marie. That's pretty messed up, but it works out for us, because the vocalist turned all that anger into "Alarm," a trapped-out pop anthem for pissed off girlfriends everywhere. Of course, when someone hurts you, you've got to hit them twice as hard, so Anne-Marie gave the stems over to Marshmello and he smoked the ooey-gooey bits until they melted into a certified banger. "Karma is a bitch," Anne-Marie warns as Marshemello's builds the beat with enough hot handclaps and heavy bass to match the fury of a woman scorned. When the drop finally hits, she's already gone, out of the door, and on her way to the next one. This dude shouldn't have messed with a bad one like Marie, but it sure is nice to see Marshmello mess with a tune like this. (Billboard)
Omara Portuondo and Eliades Ochoa to Tour U.S. The 85-year-old singer and the master guitarist of Buena Vista Social Club join forces for August appearances The Buena Vista Social Club, which began with the smash 1997 album of the same name, finally said "adios" with a final three-year tour that ended this past May in Havana. But jazz-loving bolero singer Omara Portuondo, the 85-year-old Cuban musical firebrand who over the years was the centerpiece of the evolving band, is staying on the road. In August, the unsinkable Portuondo will play six dates with fellow original Buena Vista member Eliades Ochoa, a spry 70 years old. A master of the tres guitar, Ochoa's seductive Cuban country manner and hoarse vocals have led to frequent comparisons to Johnny Cash. The two performers, along with a band of younger Cuban cohorts, will play a half dozen U.S. dates in August. Portuondo is currently traveling through Europe with flamenco singer Diego el Cigala. Her "85 Tour" comes to the States in the fall, when she's scheduled to appear at L.A.'s Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Brooklyn Academy of Music and Chicago Symphony Center, among other venues. Prepare to be astounded by her enviable octogenarian moves. See all of the summer and fall U.S. dates here. (Billboard)
Tegan & Sara Debut New Song in 'The Intervention' Trailer. They taught us that "Everything is Awesome" on The LEGO Movie soundtrack. But Tegan and Sara have more serious things on their minds on the new song they recorded for the trailer to the comedy-drama The Intervention. The movie written, directed and co-starring actress Clea DuVall, Cobie Smulders, Alia Shawkat and Jason Ritter is due out on Aug. 26. The cheery electro acoustic track features the sisters singing "every single word, every single word's another lie/ You were waiting, waiting on our goodbye/ Waiting on a fadeout." The song is situationally appropriate, since the movie deals with a group of friends who gather at a country home for a planned marriage intervention for a couple who seem perpetually miserable. Band member Sara Quin wrote the soundtrack for the film. (Billboard)
Spice Girls' 'Wannabe' Cheers on United Nations Campaign in Lip Sync Video. "20 years on - Girl Power being used to empower a new generation," said Victoria Beckham. "I'm so proud of The Global Goals." The United Nations' Global Goals #WhatIReallyReallyWant campaign asks women and girls around the world what they really want to see, from an end to child marriage to equal pay. And with the help of the Spice Girls' iconic hit "Wannabe," they've found an infectious way to spread the word. In a vibrant, global clip featuring British girl group M.O., Canadian viral sensation Taylor Hatala, Nigerian-British singer Seyi Shay and Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez, "Wannabe" is lip synced from an all-girls classroom to a set of stairs reminiscent of the Midland Grand Hotel steps from the original music video. As the track celebrates its 20th anniversary this week, Victoria Beckham, Emma Bunton, and Melanie C have all shared the clip, expressing their delight at how their hit has taken on a new dimension in this campaign, with Mel C tweeting that she was "flattered and honored." Victoria Beckham herself was named a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador back in 2014 for the organization's program on HIV and AIDS. "I want to support women, I want to empower women, and I believe that everybody has the right to a healthy life," she said during a press conference following the announcement. "I'm a mother, I'm a woman, I want to do whatever I can do to lend my voice, raise awareness." (Hollywood Reporter)
Movies
Mel Gibson's 'Blood Father' to Close Fantasia Fest. The Montreal genre festival also adds Fede Alvarez's horror thriller 'Don't Breathe' and Jeff Maher's 'Bed of the Dead' to its lineup. Blood Father -- an action thriller directed by French filmmaker Jean-François Richet (Mesrine) and starring Mel Gibson, William H. Macy and Erin Moriarty -- will close the Fantasia Film Festival with its North American premiere, after bowing in Cannes. The Montreal genre film fest will also close with co-writer/director Fede Alvarez's horror thriller Don't Breathe, which reunites the director with Evil Dead star Jane Levy, and which debuted at SXSW, organizers said Wednesday. Sam Raimi is producing and Sony Pictures is releasing Don't Breathe in North America on Aug. 26. Blood Father, set for a U.S. release by Lionsgate, features Gibson as an ex-con trying to protect his estranged 16-year-old daughter from drug dealers who want her dead. As Fantasia unveiled the final lineup for its 20th edition, the fest also announced world premieres for Rurouni Kenshin's sci-fi thriller The Top Secret: Murder in Mind, starring Keishi Otomo; Croatian filmmaker Nevio Marasovic's Goran; and Bite director Jeff Maher's Bed of the Dead. There's also international premieres for Kiyotaka Taguchi's Ultraman X: The Movie; Kim Tae-Gon's Familyhood, starring Kim Hye-soo; and Japanese comedy master Minoru Kawasaki's Kaijyu Mono. And Yeon Sang-Ho's Train to Busan will get a North American bow after premiering in Cannes. Fest organizers earlier said Mexican horror master Guillermo del Toro will receive the Cheval Noir Award at the upcoming event, which runs from July 14 to Aug. 2. (Hollywood Reporter)
'Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates' Review: Get Ready for Fun in a Raunchy 'Laugh-a-Minute' Comedy 3 stars (out of 4) The four lead characters have fewer brain cells than a guppy in the Pacific Ocean. It's not a contest. One of them thinks a hedge fund is a fund with hedges. And yet ... these idiots are funny. Laugh-a-minute funny. And you'll be more than happy to go along with them in this featherweight, often-uproarious comedy (which, according to the prologue, is "based on a true story ... sort of.") Their innate likability helps the cause. You'll fall for brothers Mike (Adam Devine) and Dave (Zac Efron) from the get-go, as they adorably fail to con a local bartender to stock their alcohol. These n'er-do-well dudes also have a knack for ruining family events in spectacular fashion. Don't even start with Grandpa's heart condition. That's why their parents demand that the guys find dates for their sister's wedding in Hawaii. And not just any dates. Nice respectable girls who will rein in their shenanigans. They place an ad on Craigslist, and, boom, the offer for an all-expenses-paid trip to the tropics goes viral. Enter Alice (Anna Kendrick) and Tatiana (Aubrey Plaza), two floozies who show up drunk to their waitressing gig, get fired and celebrate by dancing on the table to a Rihanna song. They need a free vacay, and besides, Alice is still reeling from her fiance literally ditching her at the altar. When they see Mike and Dave do their pitch on The Wendy Williams Show, the girls become set on being plus-ones. No matter that their favorite hobby is smoking weed. Solution? Pose as good girls. At a bar, Tatiana pretends to be a teacher (she flashes a No. 2 pencil for proof), while Alice sputters out that she works in finance. Anyone can see through this pathetic little scheme. But not these two dim-yet-smitten bros. Hawaii, here we come! So this Girls-Gone-Wild narrative isn't exactly an important example of onscreen feminism. But in a typical balls-out comedy, consider that females either come off as naggy shrews or agreeable doormats next to their bawdy opposite-sex counterparts. Not here. Kendrick and Plaza out-drink, out-smoke and out-sex Devine and Efron. Good for the ever-versatile Kendrick for nixing her usual Type-A role in favor of this searing-hot mess. Hijinks ensue, of course. The girls' façade cracks as soon they step foot in the hotel and obnoxiously demand a room to share. (Mike was hoping to get it on with Tatiana.) An ATV excursion turns disastrous. There's an unfortunate incident in which Kendrick gives the bride-to-be ecstasy during the rehearsal dinner. They confess early on about the charade, leading to more outrageous antics. As long as you're in the right giggle-ish mindset, even the most predictable set pieces manage to work. Surprisingly, the lazy throwaway jokes pack the biggest Hawaiian punch. The actors pepper their lines with snappy pop culture-inflected flair, ranging from a Jurassic Park dig to an inevitable Wedding Crashers comparison. (Forgetting Sarah Marshall goes unmentioned, despite the films' similarities.) Devine and his exasperated charm mesh well with Efron, whose goofy comedic chops have become even more defined than his abs. (Just wait until you hear his Liam Neeson impression.) Along with Kendrick and Plaza, they make for quite a fearsome foursome. That's why the film takes a dip in the third act when the characters develop a conscience. We're here for raucous fun -- nobody RSVP'd for soul searching and apologizing. (You can hear the Full House–esque let's-learn-from-our-mistakes music score play in the background). As long as everyone stays in the sun, a bright comedic paradise abounds. (US Weekly)
South Korea Box Office: Local Comedy 'Familyhood' Tops 'The Legend of Tarzan'. 'Independence Day: Resurgence' and 'The Jungle Book' finish at fourth, fifth places respectively. South Korean comedy Familyhood debuted atop the local box office over the July 1-3 weekend, while The Legend of Tarzan finished in second place. The release of new summer titles pushed Independence Day: Resurgence and The Jungle Book down to fourth and fifth places, respectively. Distributed by Showbox/Mediaplex and directed by Kim Tae-gon, Familyhood scooped up 30.4 percent of the market share as it showed on 839 screens nationwide. The comedy stars South Korean sex symbol Kim Hye-soo in the role of an aging screen beauty who decides to become a single mother by striking a secret deal with a pregnant teen (Kim Hyeon-soo) after the older woman learns about her early onset of menopause. A rare female buddy film in local cinema, Familyhood has earned a total of $6.3 million during its first week in theaters according to the Korean Film Council's KOBIS database. Warner Bros. tentpole The Legend of Tarzan debuted in second place as it garnered 19.8 percent of the market share over its first weekend for a local total of $4 million. The action-packed adventure film opened across 600 screens in South Korea. Finishing at third was yet another new summer title, the local period actioner The Hunt, which took 13.8 percent of the market share for cume gross of $3.5 million as it opened on 690 screens. Handled by Lotte Entertainment, the film stars veteran actor Ahn Sung-ki opposite The Housemaid actor Cho Jin-woong in a cat-and-mouse game between huntsmen and miners following the discovery of gold in coal mine. The release of new summer titles pushed Independence Day: Resurgence and The Jungle Book down three spots. The Independence Day sequel finished at No. 4 to take 9.1 percent of the box-office share. The Fox film was offered on 508 screens, which was almost half of that of the previous week when it was shown across 926 screens. The apocalyptic actioner nevertheless earned an additional $1.8 million for a cume gross of $10.3 million. The Jungle Book ranked fifth as it accounted for 8.1 percent of the market share, cashing in another $1.3 million to take its local cume to $18 million. The classic story from Disney was available on 588 screens -- slightly more than Independence Day: Resurgence -- which was a slight cut from the previous week's offering across 692 screens. (Hollywood Reporter)
TV
Orange Is the New Black Cast Breaks Down That Devastating Death and Dark Season 4. Orange Is the New Black is no stranger to having gut-wrenching moments, but the season four death really sent shockwaves through the prison and viewers everywhere. Obvious spoiler warning time. The death of Poussey (Samira Wiley) hit the inmates hard and season four wrapped up with the inmates about to riot. Now in a new featurette, Wiley is opening up even more about her character's journey and growth this year, while her cast mates recalled what it was like saying goodbye to the character and the themes of corruption and abuse in the prison system. "Because people are so invested in this show and some of these things will happen to characters that they have over the past four years gotten to know and love, it makes it so personal," Wiley said in the video. Uzo Aduba, whose character was sort of involved in Poussey's death, said the season was tough to get through and "see that we were losing one of our own." "Who doesn't love Poussey?" she asked. Welp. If you've made it this far without crying, better get the tissues because Wiley also breaks down the love story between her character and Kimiko Glenn's Brook Soso, Danielle Brooks recounts Taystee's reaction to Poussey's death and Wiley gets emotional about what her character's death means for the others. "Of course I'm the person that gives life to this character, but let's say I'm pulling myself away from it: I think it's going to be devastating," she said. Orange Is the New Black season four is now streaming on Netflix. (Eonline)
Nickelodeon Reviving Double Dare With Marc Summers -- But There's a Twist. Double Dare lives again! Nickelodeon is reviving the classic game show with Marc Summers returning as host, but there's a catch: It's for one night only at San Diego Comic-Con in celebration of the show's 30th anniversary. This is the first time Summers has returned to the Double Dare franchise in 16 years, according to Nick. At Comic-Con, Double Dare will be streamed on Facebook Live from The Splat's Facebook page starting at 9:30 p.m. PT. Physical challenges include the Wringer, Down the Hatch and the Human Hamster Wheel, and yes, the Double Dare Nose will be making a comeback on the obstacle course. Behind-the-scenes photos and a question and answer session with Summers will be featured on Snapchat and Twitter. Summers will also host Double Dare Week on The Splat, starting on Monday, July 25 at 10 p.m. ET. The programming block will feature new Double Dare interstitials, memorable moments from the game show and episodes from the original series as well as Family Double Dare and Double Dare 2000. Double Dare aired on Nickelodeon, under several iterations, with Summers as host from 1986-1993, producing more than 500 episodes. Nickelodeon revived the series in 2000 for two seasons of Double Dare 2000 with Jason Harris has host. Nickelodeon is also celebrating its past at Comic-Con with an All That reunion panel, a panel celebrating the network's 25 years of original animation and a women in animation panel. The network will revive Legends of the Hidden Temple, another classic game show, as a scripted TV movie set to air later in 2016 and is working on a movie follow-up to Hey Arnold! that will reveal the mystery of the Arnold's parents. "Thirty years later, people still stop me on the street every day and tell me playing Double Dare is the one thing they wish they could have done growing up," Summers told EW, who first reported the news. Summers went on to host Unwrapped for the Food Network and serves as executive producer of Bar Rescue and Restaurant: Impossible. Double Dare turns 30 years old on October 6. Now, start prepping for the physical challenges to come! (Eonline)
Dorothy Williams, 90, Impresses America's Got Talent's Nick Cannon With Burlesque Act. Dorothy Williams, 90, took to the America's Got Talent stage and shocked everybody. "When I get on that stage, I want to prove that you're never too old to follow your dreams," she said. Those dreams? Stardom by way of burlesque. Williams, who hails from Hawaii, both shocked and delighted the judges including Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum and Mel B with her tassels. Cowell and Klum gave her a standing ovation. "I have to say, you're 90 years old: Good for you," Mel B. said. "Good for you!" Klum deemed the performance "really, really special" and declared it put her in a good mood. Mandel said he found Williams inspiring and that she's a star. As for Cowell, he said he found the 90-year-old widow "fascinating." But host Nick Cannon swooped in and made Williams' day. "We had a conversation backstage and Miss Dorothy told me that all she dreamed about all her life was being a star and a moment like this. I told her, 'A star is born tonight,'" Cannon said and explained each judge has used their chance to press the Golden Buzzer and send somebody through to the live performance round. "But you know what? I don't care. I'm going to break the rules." And Dorothy Williams got the Golden Buzzer and her star moment. What did you think of her performance? America's Got Talent airs Tuesdays, 8 p.m. on NBC. (Eonline)
EJ Johnson Hilariously Gets Hit On By a Woman in a Bar on EJNYC: ''She Just Started Touching Me in Weird Places.'' EJ Johnson is not in New York anymore! In this hilarious clip from the night's brand-new episode of EJNYC, EJ and sis Elisa Johnson take a trip to Michigan to learn more about their dad Magic Johnson's hometown and his alma mater, Michigan State. As soon as they arrive, they stop by a local college bar for drinks -- and it's safe to say the ambiance and environment is not what they're accustomed to! "No one has on, like, heels," Elisa notes. "Everyone's in a sneaker!" "You don't need heels. Girl, you can come in, like, ripped jean shorts if you want to!" EJ jokes. "Come in pajamas! Ain't nobody going to tell you s--t!" And the night takes an even more interesting turn when a woman comes over to flirt with EJ and compliment his Saint Laurent jacket! "Only in Michigan do I get hit on by a girl," he says. "I was, like, trying to have a casual conversation with her and then she just started touching me in weird places." LOL! (Eonline)
Rob Lowe Joins 'Code Black' as Series Regular. The 'Grinder' star's addition comes as the CBS medical drama is rebooting itself for season two. Rob Lowe is returning to broadcast television. Months after his Fox comedy The Grinder was canceled after one season, the prolific actor has boarded CBS medical drama Code Black as a series regular, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. Lowe will play Col. Ethan Willis, a doctor in the U.S. military's prestigious combat casualty care research program who has been pulled out of a combat hospital in Afghanistan and embedded at Angels Memorial to teach what the military has learned about combat medicine. His aggressive, rule-breaking style is greeted enthusiastically by Dr. Leanne Rorish (Marcia Gay Harden), but not by all the other doctors. Lowe will make his Code Black debut on the show's second-season premiere, set for Wednesday, Sept. 28, at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Lowe's casting comes as the CBS drama is rebooting itself for season two in a bid to broaden its reach and draw younger viewers. The show parted ways with season-one regulars Bonnie Somerville and Raza Jaffrey, with neither set to return for what sources say is a 17-episode sophomore season. The series recently added three new faces in recurring roles (Noah Gray-Cabey, Emily Tyra and Nafessa Williams). For Lowe, who earned a Golden Globe nomination for Fox's The Grinder, the casting comes nearly two months after he said that he'd have serious reservations about doing a broadcast series again. "If the show doesn't get picked up though, I really need to examine what I have to offer on network television in this climate because I do a certain type of show -- West Wing, Parks and Recreation, The Grinder -- and my sense is that is really no longer where network television lives," the actor said a week before Fox pulled the plug on The Grinder. Asked specifically if he'd mull working on streaming platforms known for offering talent more creative freedom, Lowe acknowledged he hadn't started those conversations yet. "But if The Grinder doesn't come back, I will," he added. "That's certainly where I will put my focus." Lowe is repped by WME, Brillstein Entertainment and O'Melveny & Myers. (Hollywood Reporter)
Ready to tackle reality TV! The newly uprooted Los Angeles Rams are ready for their close-ups, as E! launches a new series called Hollywood & Football. The six-episode unscripted show, premiering this fall, centers on the personal lives of six Rams players as they leave the Midwest and head for Southern California with their families. The Rams have played in St. Louis since the 1995 season, and the team's return to L.A. marks the first time in 22 years that the nation's second-largest TV market will have a home team. Participating in the series are wide receiver Kenny Britt, wife Sabrina and their two kids; offensive lineman Rodger Saffold, wife Asia and their two children; tight end Lance Kendricks and wife Danielle, who recently tied the knot; running back Chase Reynolds, wife Kila and their three little ones; wide receiver Bradley Marquez and pregnant fiancee Melissa; and fullback Cory Harkey, wife Bianca and their newborn. "We are excited to take viewers inside the exclusive lifestyles of these top athletes and their families as they navigate a new city, new friendships, new schools and the inevitable Hollywood gossip," says E! exec Jeff Olde in a statement. "E! has a track record of success with pop-culture programming centered in the world of sports, and this series will capture the off-the-field perspective of one of football's most anticipated and high-profile events as the Rams return to L.A," Olde continues. This will not be the Rams players' sole brush with fame in the offseason, as the team will also be the focus of the upcoming season of HBO's summer series Hard Knocks. The team begins its gridiron campaign in the Monday Night Football spotlight on September 12 against the San Francisco 49ers. Tell Us: Do you plan to watch Hollywood & Football? Hollywood & Football debuts on E! this fall. (US Weekly)
'The Bachelor's' Ben Higgins and Lauren Bushnell: Why We're Returning to Reality TV. The Bachelor and his fiancee preview their spinoff series to THR and explain why they aren't tuning into 'The Bachelorette.' After 20 seasons of the ABC franchise, Ben Higgins has managed to accomplish a Bachelor first: Landing the first couple spinoff series. The long-running reality dating competition show spun off its sister series, The Bachelorette, and has since sparked two competition series (Bachelor Pad, Bachelor in Paradise), five wedding specials (including Trista and Ryan Sutter's vow renewals) and one talk show (Bachelor Live). But Higgins is the first Bachelor to get his own reality show with fiancee Lauren Bushnell, titled Ben & Lauren: Happily Ever After. "We realized very quickly that our life was being documented, whether we liked it or not, by the fans," Higgins told The Hollywood Reporter about life after his TV proposal to Bushnell on the latest season of The Bachelor, which aired earlier this year. "So we were like: Why wouldn't we invite everybody in to watch, if that seems like what everybody wants to do anyway?" Higgins said the Bachelor producers came to them with the idea for Ben & Lauren: Happily Ever After, ultimately leading to ABC's sister network, Freeform, greenlighting the docu-series that is set to air in the fall. But Bushnell admits that she initially had doubts about returning to reality TV. "At first I had a lot of concerns and Ben did, too," she says. "Our biggest priority coming out of the show and the Bachelor world was focusing on each other. Our biggest concern was: Is this new show going to try to alter our life or be incredibly intrusive and get in the way of our relationship?" She continues, "Our main priority was that our relationship always comes first and if something does ever get in the way, we'll have to have another conversation because that's something that neither of us are going to allow to happen." Given the franchise's track record (only three of The Bachelor's 20 couples remain together, including Higgins and Bushnell), it's no surprise that Bushnell expressed concern. But now, with cameras due to start rolling this month, Bushnell says they reached a compromise. "It's going to be more like a docu-series and documenting our life," she says. "I have a certain idea of what a reality show was: On the Bachelor, I was away from my family and friends, but this is going to be very different." Friends, family and Bachelor favorites will all be involved as the engaged pair explores not only planning a wedding, but also co-habituating for the first time with the 26-year-old former flight attendant settling into Higgins' home in Denver. The couple, who says they are open to a TV wedding, also hope to showcase more of their faith and possibly Higgins' political side with the reality star eyeing a seat in the Colorado House of Representatives. "It's something that I'm very seriously considering," says Higgins, who goes on to explain that the person currently running on the House District 4 ticket, Willie Pinkston, would have to remove himself to make way for Higgins. "That still has to happen and until it does, it's not a for-sure thing." Before jumping back into the limelight, Bushnell says the newly engaged couple did take time off from the reality series that made them famous. They have not been tuning into Higgins' ex, JoJo Fletcher, and her season of The Bachelorette, which is currently on the air. "We both see it as a little bit of a break from The Bachelor," she says. "It was our world for so long and we just really wanted to focus on our relationship and needed a moment to take a step away." But she admitted that all the talk about this season's villain has lured them back in: "Now I definitely want to get caught up -- I keep hearing so much about this Chad guy." Ben & Lauren: Happily Ever After will air on Freeform in October. The series will be produced by Next Entertainment in association with Warner Horizon Television. Bachelor creator Mike Fleiss, Martin Hilton and Jason Ehrlich will serve as the executive producers. Until then, keep up with THR's weekly Power Rankings as The Bachelorette continues to unfold here. (Hollywood Reporter)
Pablo Escobar's brother just put Netflix on alert -- cut us in on "Narcos" ... or else. Roberto Escobar -- the accountant in Pablo's empire -- fired off a letter to Netflix in which he demands the media company put the brakes on Season 2, without getting a sign off from him. He claims Season 1 was riddled with inaccuracies and lies and says his brother would not like the portrayal one bit. Robert calls his letter -- obtained by TMZ -- "a friendly request for cooperation." He wants a cut of the profits. The letter itself is interesting for several reasons. Our sources say it was written by Roberto at an undisclosed location in Columbia. And it's stamped with the Escobar family seal. Roberto claims undying loyalty to Pablo, saying "I was Pablo's closest ally, managing his accounting and he is my brother for life." (TMZ)
Double trouble! Tig Notaro and her wife, Stephanie Allynne, have welcomed twin boys, Finn and Max, into the world. The 45-year-old comedienne, who married in October 2015 in her hometown of Pass Christian, Mississippi, shared a sweet picture of her babies' tiny cribs laying side by side on Tuesday, June 5, while her pet kitty Fluff looked on with fascination. Notaro's pal Ellen DeGeneres was one of the first to wish her and wife congratulations with a typically amusing message. "Congrats to my friend @TigNotaro and her wife @StephAllynne who are the parents of twins!" the daytime television host tweeted. "Hello twins. Goodbye sleeping thru the night," she quipped. The birth of her two little boys is a happy ending for Notaro who endured a catalogue of tragedies within the space of four months in 2012 when she was diagnosed with C. diff., lost her mother, and then received a breast cancer diagnosis. But having beaten her illness, Notaro's life took a turn for the better when she met Allynne on the set of 2013's In a World. Her career went from strength to strength, culminating in a topless performance at the New York Comedy Festival in 2014, where she proudly displayed her post-mastectomy figure. "Healthy, sick, boobs, no boobs, cancer or no cancer. This is just life and this is my body, relax," she told Rolling Stone of her brave performance. Notaro announced her pregnancy in January with a post on Facebook. "When Stephanie and I got together, after so much excessive travel and work, we imagined a life where we could eventually raise a family amongst our own family one day," she wrote. "Now it blows our minds that our dream has been realized over the past nearly 3 years in the making. I have really come to believe SO MUCH in the saying that 'it takes a village' and we have taken that to heart by creating our own little village tucked away in the hills of Los Angeles." She went on to explain that she had built a "compound" so she could live with her future babies, her wife, and her wife's "entire wonderful family." "With the loved ones and wildlife that tread across our yard daily, we truly cannot wait to share this world with Itsy and Bitsy upon their eagerly anticipated arrival into our lives," the excited future-mom wrote. "With every twist and turn over the past couple of years, I can honestly say that I couldn't be a happier and better person for it all." (US Weekly)
Gwen Stefani Says Her "Dreams Were Shattered" During Gavin Rossdale Divorce. Gwen Stefani has happily moved on with Blake Shelton, but that doesn't mean her divorce was smooth sailing. The No Doubt frontwoman opens up about her divorce from Gavin Rossdale in Harper's Bazaar August issue and shares that the ending of her 14-year marriage was a low point in her life. "My dreams were shattered," she tells the magazine. "All I wanted my whole life was to have babies, be married, like what my parents have." As if their split wasn't hard enough, Gwen also found it incredibly difficult to have to share custody of their three children, Kingston Rossdale, Zuma Rossdale and Apollo Rossdale. "It was so insane because not only did my family break up, but then my kids are taken away like half the time, so that was really like, 'What?! What did I do?'" Gwen, 46, found strength in her music, which she also turned to when she and No Doubt band mate Tony Kanal ended their relationship after seven years together. "Of course you go through the 'Why me?' and feel sorry for yourself," she shares. "But then I was like, 'No, this happened to me already and I made something good out of it,' and that was Tragic Kingdom." Many of the songs on Tragic Kingdom, No Doubt's first major successful album, were inspired by Gwen and Tony's breakup. Gwen took a page out of her Tragic Kingdom notebook while recording her latest solo album, This Is What the Truth Feels Like, and infused the emotions she was feeling from her divorce into many of the album's tracks. But she wasn't willing to spill everything. "It's because I have children," she explains. "As a famous person, you start to think, 'I can't say all that because I'll embarrass them or hurt them in some way.' And especially now because they can see everything and hear everything. But I've done nothing I'm shamed of...Well, we all have a few things we're ashamed of." Gwen also helped Blake get through his split from Miranda Lambert with a song for his album, If I'm Honest. Titled "Go Ahead and Break My Heart," the emotional duet became an instant hit. "I can't believe I'm number one on a country chart," Gwen quips. Even more unbelievable to the rocker is the timing of her relationship with Blake. "It was like being handed this gift of a friend who was going through the exact same thing at the exact same time," she recalls, referencing Blake's split from Miranda. "And then everything flipped. It went from horrible to, like, hopeful and like, 'Wow, God, you just don't know what's gonna happen next.'" (Eonline)
Ciara and Russell Wilson Step Out for Their Rehearsal Dinner in England. The countdown to Russell Wilson and Ciara's wedding is underway! The NFL star and R&B singer were spotted stepping out together in Liverpool, England, earlier Tuesday for their rehearsal dinner at Stanley's Bar and Grill ahead of their highly anticipated nuptials, E! News has exclusively learned. These two lovebirds looked like a million bucks, with the footballer wearing an all-black ensemble and his bride-to-be looking absolutely stunning in a flowy, white halter gown with her tresses pulled back into a ponytail. Wilson and Ciara walked up the cobblestone walkway to the Titantic Hotel with shutterbugs snapping photos of the pair, almost like a foreshadow for when the moment comes that these two walk down the aisle as husband and wife. And the dinner was packed with their nearest and dearest! We're told the event included roughly 100 of their family and friends. Ciara recently celebrated her bachelorette party with a girls' getaway to Las Vegas, which included celeb gal-pals Kelly Rowland and Serena Williams. The engaged star participated in some Snapchat action by posting snaps of the ladies lounging and dancing by the pool with the caption, "We'z just having fun." These two soon-to-be newlyweds began dating back in April 2015, when the two were spotted on several outings together -- including the White House Correspondents' Dinner. Less than a year after going public with their relationship, the two (who became famous for gushing about each other) revealed that they were engaged. The Seattle Seahawks quarterback posted a video on Instagram with him proclaiming, "She said yes! Yeah!" in the background as the singer blushed and showed off her massive diamond sparkler. (Eonline)
Serena Williams Forced to Back Out of Bridesmaid Duties at Ciara's Wedding. Ciara is officially down one bridesmaid. E! News has learned that Serena Williams was forced to back out of her bridesmaid duties because of her Wimbledon semi-finals match. The happy couple has already started their celebrations in England, stepping out for their rehearsal dinner Tuesday evening with friends such as Kelly Rowland and Lala Vasquez. "Serena really wanted to be part of Ciara's bridal party when she asked her a while back, but she knew work may conflict," a source tells E! News. "Ciara was understanding and knows Serena would be there if she could. They have spoken today and have FaceTimed each other, so it's like Serena is in the room with all the girls." As the bride-to-be, Ciara donned a gorgeous, flowy white gown while her NFL star fiance looked handsome in an all-black outfit. "The rehearsal dinner was beautiful. Ciara and Russell couldn't keep their hands off of each other," a source told E! News exclusively of the romantic affair. "The love was strong in the room. Russell and Ciara said a few words to their guests thanking them for coming to Liverpool for this special occasion. Kelly Rowland and Lala were helping Ciara beforehand get ready and haven't left her side." The Liverpool dinner featured 100 of the couple's closest friends and family. In June the "Love Sex Magic" songstress traveled to Las Vegas with Rowland, Williams and more of her gal-pals for a getaway trip before tying the knot. The dynamic group relaxed by the pool, danced in their bathing suits and grabbed some delicious meals. "We'z just having fun," Ciara captioned one of her Snapchat posts. Wilson and Ciara started dating in April 2015 and got engaged less than a year later. The Seattle Seahawks quarterback shared the news with a video of his fiancee on Instagram. "She said yes! Yeah!" he proclaimed as the singer blushed and showed off her massive diamond sparkler. "God Is Good! Grateful For You @DangRussWilson. You Are Heaven Sent. I'm Looking Forward To Spending Forever With You," Ciara also shared on social media. "I Feel Complete." It will only be just a little while now before Ciara and Wilson officially begin to spend "forever" together. Let the countdown to the "1,2 Step" songstress' walk down the aisle begin! (Eonline)
Are Alexa Chung and Alex Skarsgard back on? The pair had a brief romance when they were spotted hand-in-hand last year, but if Alexa's recent Instagram post is anything to go by, they might be in for a round two... Posting to Instagram, Alexa poked fun at her (potential) man beside a poster of him in his latest movie undertaking: The Legend of Tarzan. In the caption, Alexa said: "Human. Nature. #tarzan I spent 6 months eating high protein meals 5 times a day and suffering through hefty regular workouts to prepare for this Instagram. Unclear what the other guy did." We were sure the flirty post was indicative of their reignited flame, but then a photo of them chatting at the Barclaycard British Summer Time Festival ( just emerged) has pretty much confirmed it. We're into this. (British Glamour)
Parenthood has pushed Tyra Banks' relationship with her baby-daddy to the brink of collapse. Page Six has learned that the first few months with newborn son York Banks Asla have been fraught with unexpected difficulties, and the added stress turned her two-year romance with the father, Norwegian photographer Erik Asla, into a chore. Family insiders say Asla has gone so far as to tell relatives he's looking for his own apartment, and those close to him fear the relationship is coming to an end. Sources said that tensions have been high in the LA mansion where the supermodel lives with Asla, and where they regularly take custody of Asla's two youngest daughters from his first marriage. We're told that stressed-out new mom Banks has also sometimes brought her tough TV persona home. Meanwhile, another source said that the pair are riding out this difficult time. On Independence Day, Asla posted a picture of former "America's Next Top Model" host Banks wearing an Uncle Sam stovepipe hat, with the caption "Happy 4th of July from our family to yours!" Insiders told Page Six that the embattled couple continue to work together professionally, and that Asla -- who met Banks when he was a guest on Norway's version of her long-running reality TV modeling contest -- even shot promos for her Tyra Beauty cosmetics line in LA on Monday. In January, Banks revealed that a surrogate had secretly been carrying their baby. The couple posted a picture of a tiny wool hat on Instagram after their child's birth, with the caption: "The best present we worked and prayed so hard for is finally here. He's got my fingers and big eyes and his daddy Erik's mouth and chin. As we thank the angel of a woman that carried our miracle baby boy for us, we pray for everyone who struggles to reach this joyous milestone. York Banks Asla, welcome to the world." Asla didn't get back to us, and a rep for Banks declined to comment. (Page Six)
Gayle King Recalls the Moment She Caught Her Ex-Husband in Bed With Another Woman. Gayle King gets along with a whole lot of people. Whether it's the complete strangers she interviews on CBS This Morning or the colleagues she's worked with for years, the journalist has been able to develop a positive rapport with plenty of folks over the years. But in a new interview with Vanity Fair, Gayle was asked to name a living person who "you most despise." Her answer may surprise you. "'Despise' is a strong word," she explained to the publication. "I'm not a huge fan of the woman I caught naked with my now ex-husband on June 24, 1990, at 9:16 P.M. But I don't remember the details." Gayle divorced her husband back in 1993. While she's hasn't spoken often about the relationship, she once told Will Smith that time has helped heal most wounds. "I went to marital counseling. I have been divorced since 1993, so I'm all healed and everything," she said on her Sirius XM radio show back in 2006. "I have worked it out. I'm not bitter. I'm OK. I'm really OK." While speaking to Vanity Fair, Gayle admitted that her current state of mind is "genuinely happy." She also shared what she looking for in a man as the search continues for the greatest love of her life. "It's a tie between height and depth," she shared. "And they have to have a good sense of humor." And regardless of her relationship status, she has her close friend Oprah Winfrey always around for plenty of fun experiences. Whether attending the Essence Festival in New Orleans this past weekend together or removing poop from carpets -- yes it really happened today -- the pair always have each other's backs. "She always does the right thing," Gayle shared. "Even when no one is looking." (Eonline)
Kaley Cuoco Admits She Is "Not Perfect" After Photo of Her Dogs Standing on American Flag Causes Backlash. Kaley Cuoco is in a bit of digital hot water. In celebration of Independence Day, the Big Bang Theory actress shared a photo of her dogs standing on top of an American flag while wearing flag-themed handkerchiefs around their necks. While the photo was meant to play off of the holiday spirit, the Internet did not share the same sentiment. Followers quickly lambasted the actress for allowing her dogs to stand on a United States banner. "That's not a towel," one critic commented. The star subsequently deleted the photo and ushered in a lengthy public apology late Tuesday. "I would like to comment on a photo I posted yesterday, that has caused lots of controversy. First off, please know, I have the utmost respect for my country. I am a proud American in every sense of the word. I understand the American flag stands for our freedom and represents American heroes, past and present," she began on Instagram. "Yesterday I made a mistake by posting the picture that was taken of my sweet dogs posing on an American flag," she continued on social media. "I sincerely apologize to anyone that has been offended by my previous post. This is no way reflects my feelings toward what the American flag represents." The actress, who has been working in Hollywood for over two decades, admitted living under a public microscope can illuminate her faults. "Living in the public eye, can be extremely difficult at times. Every mistake and every imperfection is amplified. I am not perfect," she concluded. "I am a proud American, today, tomorrow, always." (Eonline)
Nick Young's Ex Keonna Green Confirms She's Pregnant With Their Baby, Feels No Guilt About Iggy Azalea Split. Nick Young's ex Keonna Green is breaking her silence about those pregnancy and cheating rumors connected to his split from Iggy Azalea and feels no guilt about being the other woman. The 26-year-old "Fancy" rapper announced last month she and the 31-year-old Los Angeles Lakers player had broken up. The two had dated for more than two years and got engaged last June. The breakup came months after a leaked video showed Nick talking about spending time with another woman and Azalea said last week she had called it quits because she found out he had been cheating on her. Young tweeted in response, "If you perfect then be perfect I live in a world where ppl f--k up learn from it and move on." Green and Nick are parents to a 4-year-old son Nick Jr. and after his breakup with Azalea, reports surfaced saying he and Green were expecting their second child. Green told Us Weekly in an interview posted Wednesday that she is 22 weeks pregnant with a baby girl and that she is "200 percent Nick's child." "He's always supportive, but he was in shock," she said. "With him being in a public relationship, he didn't know how to handle it." She said the two rekindled their romance in September, three months after he and Azalea got engaged. "We would take our son to Magic Mountain together," she said. "But sometimes Nick would say, 'Oh, there's too much traffic,' and he'd just play with Nicholas in his room. We got caught up in the moment and it just happened. I would be like, 'Nick, you cannot be sloppy. You need to be honest [with Azalea].' He would say, 'I don't want to hear it.'" "It was not a planned pregnancy," a source told E! News exclusively. "They had a night and things got out of hand and they had sex. There was no question in not having the baby when they found out. Nick was a bit shocked but this is the mother of his son and if it happen with anyone now, he'd rather it be a slip up with her." "He knows this is painful for Iggy because she wanted children," the source added. "He feels bad but he is doing the responsible thing." Young and Azalea have not commented directly about Green. The rapper said last week, "I find it baffling anyone would make the choice to bring a child into the world under these circumstances + want attention and $ for it." Green also told Us Weekly she does not feel guilty. "I'm not the reason they separated," she said, adding, "I didn't feel guilty because I was in love with a man." "I'm definitely not going to apologize for being in love with a man who I have a lot of history with," she said. "I do wish [Azalea] that kind of success and hope that she can get through this difficult time and she and Nick can move forward from this." Green also told Us Weekly she tried to reach out to Azalea and tell her about her and Nick but did not receive a response. Azalea has not commented. Meanwhile, the source told E! News Young "is not jumping back Into another relationship and just wants to remain friends" with Green. She told Us Weekly that while the two are no longer intimate, she would give him another chance. "I'm giving him his space," she said. "Right now, he needs to focus on basketball and getting his life in order. Basketball is what puts food on two people's plates that he's taking care of." (TMZ)
Gina Rodriguez has come a long way since her break into Hollywood. And her transition wasn't easy. The Jane the Virgin star is opening up exclusively to PeopleStyle about her battle with a thyroid disorder, and exactly what it took for her to find the courage to become the actress she is today. "It began when I was 19 years old and I got fired, and I realized keeping my weight down was going to be much more difficult," Rodriguez tells PeopleStyle, adding that her self-confidence began to suffer. "It was difficult for me to stay in the comfortable zone of my weight. I was very tired. My fatigue was through the roof. When everyone else was cold, I was sweating bullets." Soon after she was diagnosed with the illness, Rodriguez decided she wanted to make her way in Hollywood -- a goal that seemed impossible with her ongoing struggle with her body. "I was like, 'Okay I want to be an actor. I want to be a leading lady.' But now I am being told there is no way I can because they are way skinnier, which was very destructive to me because I felt like I was getting curvy." Eventually, however, Rodriguez decided that Hollywood's body-shaming stereotypes were no longer going to stand in the way of her dreams. "For many years I had a daily conversation with myself about how I was going to help make that change," she shares. "Because there is no way in this world things are only allotted to certain people because of their figure. There is no way that should be possible. There is no way that's fair. There is no way that kind of limitation is going to help those that don't fit into that box." So she began turning all of her negative, self-hating thoughts into positives -- and overcame her battle. "Why do we allow that voice that we get inside when we look in the mirror," she asks. "'Oh you look fat. Oh God the pimple! Oh my God that skin. Oh my God no one is going to love me.' Who is that voice? I started to realize that little demon that was inside of me, and I was going to find my unicorn and I was going to let them have a conversation because that unicorn was the one that was like, 'No, no, no. It's just a freaking pimple. It's just five pimples. They will go away eventually. It's okay. Look at that smile though. Alright, so you're curvier today. Yeah let's work those curves.'" Now, 12 years after her diagnosis, Rodriguez looks back at her struggle with strength and positivity -- and wants women going through the same situation to succeed, just as she has. "For women on this journey, have a conversation with yourself," Rodriguez advises. "Recognize the voice that comes in but wants to tear down the beautiful amazing human being that you are. You know what? You are the most beautiful human being on this planet. Compared to no one. You hear what I'm saying? You are the most beautiful you. You are the best version of yourself. And when that demon comes in and says your thighs are thick, you say, 'You know what demon? Yes they are and I am going to work them. I am going to rock the s–t out of my thick thighs and I am rocking this whole damn city with my thick thighs loving them.'" (People)
Mischa Barton Accuses Former Momager Of Delaying The Sale Of Their $7 Million Dollar Mansion -- Uh Oh! Things could be better between Mischa Barton and her estranged mother Nuala. On Tuesday, it was revealed that The O.C alum is currently facing off against her mother in a legal battle over the sale of the $7 million dollar mansion they co-own in Beverly Hills. Talk about family drama! In legal documents obtained by DailyMail, the 30-year-old accuses her former momager of going out of her way to delay the sale of their pad for years. Reportedly, Nuala went as far as changing the locks and denying potential buyers access to the home she shares with her daughter. Yikes! The blonde beauty also accuses her mother of refusing to work with famed relator Josh Altman and denying offers from eager buyers. However, Miz Barton's momma has no time for these claims as she's labeled them as "heinous" and "false". In fact, Nuala believes these accusations are to blame for the estrangement with Mischa. Unfortunately, this isn't the first time the duo have faced off in court as Barton previously sued her mother in 2015 for allegedly stealing from her. At the time, Mischa accused her mother of taking out huge loans against the house and turning the property into her own "personal ATM." The Dancing With The Stars vet even added that her parents kicked her out of her home and wouldn't let her back into the property. The case was eventually dismissed in February on the grounds that the mother and daughter would sell the home using Altman as the relator. We can't blame Mischa for wanting to sell her property as both she and her mother would be able to settle their debt with the sale of the mansion. In the paperwork filed by Mischa's camp, the TV starlet hopes to turn the property over to a trustee (and away from her mother's control) who will be responsible for selling the property ASAP. Nuala appears to think this is a drastic measure as she states she isn't refusing to sign off on Altman and Mischa's potential buyers but rather she found someone on her own who is willing to pay more. Hmmm, beggars can't be choosers... (Perez Hilton)
Jim Carrey's Girlfriend Cathriona White Left Suicide Note Apologizing to Actor Before Her Death. New details have emerged following the death of Jim Carrey's girlfriend, Cathriona White. The actress was found dead in her home in September 2015 after an apparent suicide and according to documents obtained by E! News, the 28-year-old left a suicide note for the actor. It was reported at the time that the two were on and off throughout their three-year relationship and had split shortly before her death. "I'm just not for this world," the note read. "I've spent 3 days now in disbelief that you're not here. I can go on brokenhearted and try to put the pieces back. I could, I just don't have the will this time. I'm sorry you felt I wasn't there for you. I tried to give you my best part." The letter goes on to say, "I don't really know about burial or that sort of thing. You are my family so whatever you choose will be fine. Please forgive me. I'm just not for this world." Per court records, it appears that police found a text message on White's phone from Carrey asking if she knew the whereabouts of several bottles of prescription painkillers. White was pronounced dead at the scene from a possible overdose and was found with pills beside her. Shortly after her passing, Carrey released the following statement, "I am shocked and saddened by the passing of my sweet Cathriona. She was a truly kind and delicate Irish flower, too sensitive for this soil, to whom loving and being loved was all that sparkled. My heart goes out to her family and friends and to everyone who loved and cared about her. We have all been hit with a lightning bolt." TMZ was the first to report the letter. (Eonline)
The multi-million dollar guitar famously owned by Kurt Cobain -- the last one he played before killing himself -- is at the center of Frances Bean Cobain's nasty divorce. Frances' estranged hubby, Isaiah Silva, claims she gave him Kurt's Martin D-18E as a wedding present. It's the same instrument the Nirvana frontman famously strummed during his epic "MTV Unplugged" performance. The acoustic-electric is something of a holy grail for Nirvana fans. For starters, only about 300 were made before Martin discontinued the model. Kurt, who was left-handed, had the bridge and nut replaced so he could play it upside down. Francis denies giving Isaiah the guitar, and wants it back, with good reason. It was once insured for $1 million and experts now think it's worth several million bucks. We got Courtney Love at LAX Tuesday, who squarely sided with her daughter, essentially saying Isaiah's a scammer. (TMZ)
Iggy Azalea's legal team fired off a scorching letter to Nick Young's baby mama ... warning her that any mention of Iggy in her upcoming tell-all story will spell BIG trouble for her. We broke the story ... Nick's baby mama, Keonna Green, shopped around and sold her story as the alleged "other woman" reportedly pregnant with Nick's second child ... while Nick and Iggy were still together. Iggy's lawyer legal eagle, Howard King, didn't mince words in a letter they fired off to Keonna's lawyers, warning them, "Ms. Green has done enough to embarrass herself by her pathetic efforts to profit from Iggy's hard-won celebrity, all in exchange for whatever paltry sums she can garner in exchange for peddling tales of her tasteless exploits." The letter goes on ... "Any mention of Iggy in your client's efforts to sell a story to whatever tabloid needs to fill its pages with the fetid story of your client's classless antics will be considered a violation of Iggy's rights of publicity ... subjecting Ms. Green and any publication that airs your client's soiled laundry to significant liability." If she is pregnant, we're guessing no baby present from Iggy. (TMZ)
Vince Neil has been charged with attacking a woman in Vegas ... an incident which triggered a nuclear argument between Vince and Nic Cage. Vince allegedly went off on an autograph seeker, grabbing her by the hair and pulling her to the ground. Vince claims the woman got all aggro on him and all he did was push past her. Our law enforcement sources say they have surveillance video showing he manhandled her. After the altercation, Neil and Nic -- with whom he had just had lunch -- walked out of Aria hotel, where Nic and Neil got into it with each other. Neil's been charged with misdemeanor battery. Worst case scenario ... 6 months in jail. (TMZ)
Oscar Pistorius Sentenced to 6 Years in Prison for Reeva Steenkamp's Murder. Former Olympian and Paralympian Oscar Pistorius was sentenced Wednesday to six years in prison for murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. He had faced up to 15 years in prison for fatally shooting the 29-year-old model through a bathroom door of his home in February 2013. Oscar has always maintained that Reeva's shooting was accidental, as he mistook her for a home intruder. The prosecution, however, successfully argued that it was a deliberate act following an argument. So, why was the 29-year-old double amputee given such leniency? As Judge Thokozile Masipa explained to the court in Johannesburg, "He's a fallen hero, he's lost his career and he's ruined financially. The worst is that having taken life of a fellow human being in the manner that he did he cannot be at peace. Recovery is possible, but it will depend mostly on the accused." Furthermore, the South African judge added, "It must be one of the most difficult things for any accused to have to face the victims of his crime and to apologize." Reeva's parents wiped away tears as the sentence was read. Oscar, meanwhile, sat stoically as Thokozile issued her ruling. The athlete -- nicknamed "Blade Runner" -- can still appeal the judge's sentence. After a highly publicized trial that stretched over seven months, Oscar was found guilty of culpable homicide in September 2014. Thokozile ruled that he had acted negligently when he shot Reeva, though it was unintentional. Oscar was sentenced to five years in prison and served a year before he was released and put on house arrest in October. However, a higher court reversed Thokozile's conviction to murder in December, which led to Wednesday's sentencing. Oscar's older brother, Carl Pistorius, reacted to Wednesday's outcome via his Twitter account. "The record has been set straight and justice done," he tweeted. "The truth will always prevail." (Eonline)
THE OTHER STUFF . . .
Prince George and Princess Charlotte May Make Their Way to North America Soon. Prince George and Princess Charlotte may be headed west sometime soon! In honor of Canada's upcoming 150th anniversary, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has sent a formal invitation to Prince William, Kate Middleton and their two little cherubs to visit the country and help celebrate the landmark year. The trip would mark the second visit for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who visited in 2011 on their very first royal tour shortly after their wedding. It would be the first visit to Canada for their children. Trudeau's Director of Communications, Kate Purchase, told Globe and Mail, "The Prime Minister certainly has invited William and Kate [Middleton] and family to come to Canada whenever they are available on their schedule." Purchase confirmed that the visit could come as early as the fall. "It is a possibility, but again, we don't have any confirmation. From the Prime Minister's perspective, we invited them whenever their schedules permitted it," she added. Meanwhile, the Duke and Duchess most recently completed their tour of India and Bhutan, which was filled with back-to-back events, appearances and wild experiences. Not only did they play cricket and try their hand at archery, they also enjoyed a safari, went hiking and gussied up for a Bollywood-themed gala. Of course, Kate's outfits were on-point throughout the entire trip, donning more than 15 looks that kept our mouths agape with awe. (Eonline)
Robin Williams shocked the world when he ended his life in August 2014, leaving behind a legacy of laughter and kindheartedness. But the star was so much more than Hollywood's beloved humorist-he was also a devoted father. In Arthur Grace's new book, Robin Williams: A Singular Portrait, 1986-2002, Williams' life out of the spotlight and at home with children Cody, now 24, Zelda, 26, and Zak, 33, is on touching display. The photographer shares images from his longtime friendship with the star, whom he first met while photographing him for Newsweek in 1986. Over the years, Grace photographed his famous friend often, and he looked forward to the day "when I was 84 and Robin was 80 and we would reminisce and put together a book." With Williams gone, Grace, 69, handled the task on his own-a little ahead of schedule. "He was totally involved with his kids," Grace tells PEOPLE of Williams, adding of the intimate photographs, "One of his biggest regrets was having to spend time away when he was working." Grace explains that Williams, who was 63 when he died, "loved to play games with his kids, read them stories." "He loved to snowboard with Zak and did puzzles with Zelda. When he was with his kids was when he really lit up." Zak was Williams' son with first wife Valerie Velardi, and Zelda and Cody's mother was Marsha Graces, the actor's spouse from 1989-2010. Grace also tells PEOPLE about Williams' kindhearted nature, explaining of his own 1988 wedding, "Robin hosted a dinner for me and my wife and then put us up at the Carlyle Hotel with a bottle of champagne." He concludes, "He was the funniest man on the planet." (People)
Antivirus software legend John McAfee should be counting his piles of money and settling into retirement, but no -- he says he's looking for face paint and a park to pester people ... as a mime. We've seen the hilarious email McAfee fired off to L.A. publicist Domenick Nati -- who's looking to rep McAfee. He says at the age of 70, he's "finally come to terms with the full nature of my ambitions. I have always wanted to become a mime." McAfee wisely asked Nati if he has experience working with mimes, and adds, "Specifically, have you advanced their careers?" We reached out to McAfee and, while there was no "LOL" in his original email, he says he was kidding ... he's actually considering becoming a puppeteer. We're guessing this is a joke since John's already juggling a lot. Besides his alleged mime and puppeteer ambitions ... the multimillionaire inventor of McAfee AntiVirus software has been trying to get the Libertarian presidential nod. Never hurts to have a plan B or C. (Eonline)
What do Miley Cyrus, Carrie Underwood, Andre 3000 and Tobey Maguire have in common? They've all been honored with PETA's "Sexiest Vegan/Vegetarian Celebrity" title. July 6, Us Weekly can exclusively reveal this year's honorees: Liam Hemsworth and Jhene Aiko. Hemsworth, 26, decided to make the switch to veganism in 2015, after he learned about the mistreatment of animals. "The more I was aware of, the harder and harder it was to do," he told Men's Fitness last October of eating meat. His reasons aren't just ethical, though. Earlier in 2015, before he changed his diet, a nutritionist told him to eat a lot of red meat, because it was supposed to be good for his blood type. He gave it a shot, but the more he ate, the worse he felt. His Hunger Games costar Woody Harrelson suggested he try a vegan diet. (Harrelson has been vegan for several decades.) Within a few months, he was sold. "There are no negatives to eating like this," Hemsworth told the mag in October. "I feel nothing but positive, mentally and physically. I love it." Singer-songwriter Aiko, 28, feels similarly enthusiastic about veganism, though she admits that it can be hard to stick with it. "Changing my diet like that made me feel like I had so much energy," she told Into the Glossin late 2015. "But it's a lot of work to live like that. ... My goal is to totally be completely vegan and only use vegan products, but I'm human and I have to work on it daily." Hemsworth and Aiko -- who also promote adopting animals from shelters -- inherit the "Sexiest Vegan Celeb" title from none other than the actor's on-again love, Cyrus. Previous winners include Ellen Page, Kristen Bell, Jared Leto, Jessica Chastain and Russell Brand. (US Weekly)
Opposites attract. At least that's Christie Brinkley's romance philosophy. When Brinkley first met her boyfriend, singer John Mellencamp, 64, last year, "I thought, 'Oh my gosh, we're really opposites. He's kind of a throwback from another time, like a silent cowboy,'" she recalls. "But then we talked and realized that we do have a lot of shared interests." The couple bonded over their kids (Brinkley has three; Mellencamp has five, plus six grandkids) as well as their age. "I know guys that go out with girls that are so, so young. They'll throw some reference out, and they're like, 'What's that?'" Brinkley says in the new issue of PEOPLE. "When it comes to relationships, there is something nice about just being the same age." She's certainly never had a problem with hers. Now 62, and still modeling, the supermodel who first shot to fame as a cover girl in the 70s has parlayed her ageless all-American sex appeal into a lifestyle empire worth an estimated $80 million. Brinkley markets Total Gym and Christie Brinkley Authentic Skincare via infomercials, has a lucrative line of hair extensions and shared her beauty secrets in her book Timeless Beauty last fall. Next up, Brinkley has a new line of organic prosecco, Bellissima, launching this summer. "It is kind of a special thing to be 62 and have so many opportunities," she says, sitting down with PEOPLE at her estate in Bridgehampton, New York, last month. "I never take that for granted, not for a second." Brinkley is the first to recognize her good fortune after surviving what she calls "a very tough decade," during which she lost both her parents and went through a vicious divorce and custody battle with her fourth husband, Peter Cook. "There's nothing harder than seeing your loved ones suffer," says Brinkley, whose mother, Marjorie, died of a heart attack following a stroke in 2012, just weeks after her husband, Donald, passed away following a long battle with Parkinson's disease. "And to go through a divorce-and a very public one-at the same time? It was a tough time; there's no two ways about it." Now, when it comes to her own romantic future, Brinkley is coy. Despite reports that she and Mellencamp may wed after dating for the past year, "you never really know what's going to happen," she says. "John and I are two people that have very full lives. We're just trying to enjoy each other when we can see each other and try not to put too much [pressure] on it." (People)
The man famous for his many years as a motorcycle cop on the hit '80s TV series "CHiPs" is now a reserve police officer in a small town in southern Idaho. St. Anthony Mayor Neils Thueson swore Erik Estrada into office on Saturday at City Hall in this town of 3,500 people. Estrada plans to work with the police department in protecting children from internet predators. Estrada arrived on Saturday where he spent the afternoon with police officers and their families at the city park. After Thueson swore Estrada in as a reserve police officer, Estrada spent the rest of the afternoon at the high school at a meet and greet where he had his picture taken with residents of all ages. Estrada has spent the past decade working with various law enforcement departments in keeping kids safe online. Following his induction, Estrada said how important it is to teach children what not to do while on the web. "Education is the best protection especially on the internet. Children should be educated in how to handle a chat room. Don't give out personal information. Certainly don't give out your mother's or father's name or what school you go to. Don't ever accept gifts," Estrada said. "Certainly don't ever go meet someone you've been chatting with. They're not who they are. If they send a picture, that isn't them." Even in conservative and generally safe St. Anthony, there are still threats to children, Police Chief Terry Harris said. "I think that this brings to the surface that (internet crime) happens in smaller communities. Everything that happens in the big cities, happens here," he said. Estrada's team is developing various programs such as software that will record children's pictures at various angles. It will also provide other information such as a child's medical needs. The information will be readily available for police should a child come up missing. "The first 72 hours is a very crucial time to recover a child," Estrada said. Estrada chose St. Anthony as small rural communities prove more willing to quickly join forces with his organization. In larger cities, there is too much red tape and too many bureaucrats involved in trying to reach the mayor and police officials, he said. "What happens in a big city -- there is a tremendous amount of politics involved," he said. In St. Anthony, after just a few emails and telephone calls, city officials quickly and eagerly welcomed Estrada into the police reserves. "We got everybody on board immediately, so we don't waste his time. In a larger city, it could take weeks," Harris said. Estrada and his organization made contact with Harris about six weeks ago via email. As Estrada has continually warned, you can't trust everybody on the web. Harris, having worked as a police officer for many years, thought the email was one big hoax. Before responding, he did some detective work and learned that the email was legitimate. He later got in touch with Estrada and told the city council about Estrada's plans. Harris later met with the city council where he announced Estrada's visit. Of course, not everyone in town believed Harris. Social media lit up with many saying it was indeed a joke. More than once, Harris heard that he "was full of beans." In the meantime, he sallied forth making plans for Estrada's visit. Estrada's addition to the city will prove beneficial to the city's police department, he said. "We're talking a long-term partnership. I expect it will run for the next two or three years. He's a great guy. He's going to be a great part of the team," Harris said. Estrada grew up wanting to become a police officer thanks to his mother's friendship with an exceptionally good police officer. Yet, during high school, he got the acting bug after he signed up for drama when he became interested in dating a young woman. After Estrada told his mother of his change in plans, he promised her that, if acting didn't work out by the time he was 30, he would return to New York and become a police officer. The cutoff to do so was 32 years of age. By the time Estrada was 27, he landed the role of California Highway Patrol motorcycle officer Frank "Ponch" Poncherello. He continued in that role from 1977 to 1983, making it possible to support his mother, who hasn't worked since that time. "I've been taking care of her for 35 years," he said. Following "CHiPs," Estrada continued acting, but later became a reserve officer in Muncie, Indiana. To avoid attention, he worked nights as an officer. He later came in contact with law enforcement officers who spent the day working against internet predators. What Estrada witnessed sickened him so much that he decided to form a foundation to help educate and protect children from internet enticement. Estrada says that all his dreams -- from crime fighting to acting -- have all come true. "I wanted to be a cop first and then I became an actor and then became a cop on TV. The TV thing allowed me to become a reserve officer in Indiana. I became a real cop," he said. "How many people have that kind of blessing? I've been blessed that way. I've been lucky." (Page Six)
The Internet Is on the Hunt for Sasha Obama's Secret Twitter Account. When President Barack Obama joined Hillary Clinton on the campaign trail, he didn't think all eyes would turn to his daughter, Sasha Obama. While talking about Donald Trump's active use of Twitter, Obama accidentally revealed that Sasha has her own account, which no one knew until her dad spilled the beans. "Everybody can tweet, but nobody actually knows what it takes to do the job until you've sat behind the desk," Obama declared Tuesday. "I mean, Sasha tweets, but she doesn't think that she thereby should be sitting behind the desk!" And that's when everyone stopped in their tracks to scour Twitter in order to find Sasha's secret account. Although no one seems to have found it yet, the Internet (and Twitter, of course) can't get over the fact that the president's 15-year-old daughter is secretly posting thoughts that are 140 characters or fewer. No one can say what Sasha has been tweeting about until the Internet discovers her account, but it's always fun to speculate. Perhaps she tweets at her sister about that time they met Ryan Reynolds, or maybe Sasha is secretly making fun of her dad for his jokes/Game of Thrones obsession. If someone should manage to find her profile, Sasha can absolutely count on an exponential growth in her followers -- or, as her dad would say, her Twitter mentions are going to go "through the roof." (Eonline)
Chelsea Manning, who's serving a 35-year sentence for leaking classified military documents, was in a prison hospital and our sources say it was the result of a suicide attempt. We're told the incident occurred early Tuesday at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas prison. We do not know specifically what Manning did in her cell, but one source tells TMZ she tried to hang herself. Prison officials tell TMZ although she has been released from the hospital she is being "monitored." Manning was convicted on 20 counts of espionage, for passing classified docs to WikiLeaks. Manning transitioned from male to female behind bars. (TMZ)
Hillary Clinton strained mightily to read a menu as she stumped with the Prez in North Carolina. Clinton -- who got an enormously lucky break from the FBI Director, despite a criminal law that explicitly says it's a crime to do what she did (using gross/negligence in mishandling classified docs) -- chowed down on BBQ at Midwood Smokehouse. Obama was at the ready with a wad of cash. The Prez carries cash? Who knew. (TMZ)
Donald Trump has been getting a lot of heat for his racist, misogynistic, and downright ridiculous rantings over the course of his campaign. But now, someone else from Trump's camp is getting in trouble for putting up with his cultural insensitivity -- and that's his son-in-law Jared Kushner! Over the weekend, the presidential hopeful tweeted a now-deleted photo which showed Hillary Clinton cropped onto a background made of hundred dollar bills -- with the words "Most Corrupt Candidate Ever!" written in a six-point star. The tweet was widely interpreted as an anti-Semitic meme, but Trump's campaign brushed it off, saying the six-pointed star was supposed to be a "sheriff's star" and NOT the Star of David. Instead of berating the incorrigible candidate for yet another insensitive tweet, Jewish New York Observer writer Dana Schwartz had Kushner -- publisher of the Observer and effectively her boss -- in her crosshairs! Schwartz called out Ivanka Trump's husband, who is Jewish, to answer for the anti-Semitism of the meme, writing: "Please do not condescend to me and pretend you don't understand the imagery of a six-sided star when juxtaposed with money and accusations of financial dishonesty. I'm asking you, not as a 'gotcha' journalist or as a liberal but as a human being: how do you allow this? Because, Mr. Kushner, you are allowing this." Kushner responded through a spokesperson in the typical PR fashion, asserting that his father-in-law "does not at all subscribe to any racist or anti-semitic thinking." He said: "My father-in-law is an incredibly loving and tolerant person who has embraced my family and our Judaism since I began dating my wife. I know that Donald does not at all subscribe to any racist or anti-semitic thinking. I have personally seen him embrace people of all racial and religious backgrounds. The suggestion that he may be intolerant is not reflective of the Donald Trump I know." Though Schwartz wasn't impressed with this statement. She told Politico on Tuesday evening: "It seems crafted by PR, and doesn't address the point of my article in the slightest. I'd love a real response from Mr. Kushner." And it looks like Kushner might feel the same way! According to The Wrap, his rep called the publication and verbally asked that the statement be rescinded -- a request that was totally denied. Hmmm... we have to wonder if this means Kushner never greenlit the response in the first place? Either way, it sounds like not everyone on Team Trump is on the same page! (Perez Hilton)
Music
Marshmello Turns Up the Bass on Anne-Marie's 'Alarm:' Exclusive Premiere Don't text your ex when you're lying in bed with your current beau-thing. That's one of those cardinal rules of relationships that should go without saying, but it seems someone didn't read the user manual before getting into it with London singer Anne-Marie. That's pretty messed up, but it works out for us, because the vocalist turned all that anger into "Alarm," a trapped-out pop anthem for pissed off girlfriends everywhere. Of course, when someone hurts you, you've got to hit them twice as hard, so Anne-Marie gave the stems over to Marshmello and he smoked the ooey-gooey bits until they melted into a certified banger. "Karma is a bitch," Anne-Marie warns as Marshemello's builds the beat with enough hot handclaps and heavy bass to match the fury of a woman scorned. When the drop finally hits, she's already gone, out of the door, and on her way to the next one. This dude shouldn't have messed with a bad one like Marie, but it sure is nice to see Marshmello mess with a tune like this. (Billboard)
Omara Portuondo and Eliades Ochoa to Tour U.S. The 85-year-old singer and the master guitarist of Buena Vista Social Club join forces for August appearances The Buena Vista Social Club, which began with the smash 1997 album of the same name, finally said "adios" with a final three-year tour that ended this past May in Havana. But jazz-loving bolero singer Omara Portuondo, the 85-year-old Cuban musical firebrand who over the years was the centerpiece of the evolving band, is staying on the road. In August, the unsinkable Portuondo will play six dates with fellow original Buena Vista member Eliades Ochoa, a spry 70 years old. A master of the tres guitar, Ochoa's seductive Cuban country manner and hoarse vocals have led to frequent comparisons to Johnny Cash. The two performers, along with a band of younger Cuban cohorts, will play a half dozen U.S. dates in August. Portuondo is currently traveling through Europe with flamenco singer Diego el Cigala. Her "85 Tour" comes to the States in the fall, when she's scheduled to appear at L.A.'s Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Brooklyn Academy of Music and Chicago Symphony Center, among other venues. Prepare to be astounded by her enviable octogenarian moves. See all of the summer and fall U.S. dates here. (Billboard)
Tegan & Sara Debut New Song in 'The Intervention' Trailer. They taught us that "Everything is Awesome" on The LEGO Movie soundtrack. But Tegan and Sara have more serious things on their minds on the new song they recorded for the trailer to the comedy-drama The Intervention. The movie written, directed and co-starring actress Clea DuVall, Cobie Smulders, Alia Shawkat and Jason Ritter is due out on Aug. 26. The cheery electro acoustic track features the sisters singing "every single word, every single word's another lie/ You were waiting, waiting on our goodbye/ Waiting on a fadeout." The song is situationally appropriate, since the movie deals with a group of friends who gather at a country home for a planned marriage intervention for a couple who seem perpetually miserable. Band member Sara Quin wrote the soundtrack for the film. (Billboard)
Spice Girls' 'Wannabe' Cheers on United Nations Campaign in Lip Sync Video. "20 years on - Girl Power being used to empower a new generation," said Victoria Beckham. "I'm so proud of The Global Goals." The United Nations' Global Goals #WhatIReallyReallyWant campaign asks women and girls around the world what they really want to see, from an end to child marriage to equal pay. And with the help of the Spice Girls' iconic hit "Wannabe," they've found an infectious way to spread the word. In a vibrant, global clip featuring British girl group M.O., Canadian viral sensation Taylor Hatala, Nigerian-British singer Seyi Shay and Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez, "Wannabe" is lip synced from an all-girls classroom to a set of stairs reminiscent of the Midland Grand Hotel steps from the original music video. As the track celebrates its 20th anniversary this week, Victoria Beckham, Emma Bunton, and Melanie C have all shared the clip, expressing their delight at how their hit has taken on a new dimension in this campaign, with Mel C tweeting that she was "flattered and honored." Victoria Beckham herself was named a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador back in 2014 for the organization's program on HIV and AIDS. "I want to support women, I want to empower women, and I believe that everybody has the right to a healthy life," she said during a press conference following the announcement. "I'm a mother, I'm a woman, I want to do whatever I can do to lend my voice, raise awareness." (Hollywood Reporter)
Movies
Mel Gibson's 'Blood Father' to Close Fantasia Fest. The Montreal genre festival also adds Fede Alvarez's horror thriller 'Don't Breathe' and Jeff Maher's 'Bed of the Dead' to its lineup. Blood Father -- an action thriller directed by French filmmaker Jean-François Richet (Mesrine) and starring Mel Gibson, William H. Macy and Erin Moriarty -- will close the Fantasia Film Festival with its North American premiere, after bowing in Cannes. The Montreal genre film fest will also close with co-writer/director Fede Alvarez's horror thriller Don't Breathe, which reunites the director with Evil Dead star Jane Levy, and which debuted at SXSW, organizers said Wednesday. Sam Raimi is producing and Sony Pictures is releasing Don't Breathe in North America on Aug. 26. Blood Father, set for a U.S. release by Lionsgate, features Gibson as an ex-con trying to protect his estranged 16-year-old daughter from drug dealers who want her dead. As Fantasia unveiled the final lineup for its 20th edition, the fest also announced world premieres for Rurouni Kenshin's sci-fi thriller The Top Secret: Murder in Mind, starring Keishi Otomo; Croatian filmmaker Nevio Marasovic's Goran; and Bite director Jeff Maher's Bed of the Dead. There's also international premieres for Kiyotaka Taguchi's Ultraman X: The Movie; Kim Tae-Gon's Familyhood, starring Kim Hye-soo; and Japanese comedy master Minoru Kawasaki's Kaijyu Mono. And Yeon Sang-Ho's Train to Busan will get a North American bow after premiering in Cannes. Fest organizers earlier said Mexican horror master Guillermo del Toro will receive the Cheval Noir Award at the upcoming event, which runs from July 14 to Aug. 2. (Hollywood Reporter)
'Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates' Review: Get Ready for Fun in a Raunchy 'Laugh-a-Minute' Comedy 3 stars (out of 4) The four lead characters have fewer brain cells than a guppy in the Pacific Ocean. It's not a contest. One of them thinks a hedge fund is a fund with hedges. And yet ... these idiots are funny. Laugh-a-minute funny. And you'll be more than happy to go along with them in this featherweight, often-uproarious comedy (which, according to the prologue, is "based on a true story ... sort of.") Their innate likability helps the cause. You'll fall for brothers Mike (Adam Devine) and Dave (Zac Efron) from the get-go, as they adorably fail to con a local bartender to stock their alcohol. These n'er-do-well dudes also have a knack for ruining family events in spectacular fashion. Don't even start with Grandpa's heart condition. That's why their parents demand that the guys find dates for their sister's wedding in Hawaii. And not just any dates. Nice respectable girls who will rein in their shenanigans. They place an ad on Craigslist, and, boom, the offer for an all-expenses-paid trip to the tropics goes viral. Enter Alice (Anna Kendrick) and Tatiana (Aubrey Plaza), two floozies who show up drunk to their waitressing gig, get fired and celebrate by dancing on the table to a Rihanna song. They need a free vacay, and besides, Alice is still reeling from her fiance literally ditching her at the altar. When they see Mike and Dave do their pitch on The Wendy Williams Show, the girls become set on being plus-ones. No matter that their favorite hobby is smoking weed. Solution? Pose as good girls. At a bar, Tatiana pretends to be a teacher (she flashes a No. 2 pencil for proof), while Alice sputters out that she works in finance. Anyone can see through this pathetic little scheme. But not these two dim-yet-smitten bros. Hawaii, here we come! So this Girls-Gone-Wild narrative isn't exactly an important example of onscreen feminism. But in a typical balls-out comedy, consider that females either come off as naggy shrews or agreeable doormats next to their bawdy opposite-sex counterparts. Not here. Kendrick and Plaza out-drink, out-smoke and out-sex Devine and Efron. Good for the ever-versatile Kendrick for nixing her usual Type-A role in favor of this searing-hot mess. Hijinks ensue, of course. The girls' façade cracks as soon they step foot in the hotel and obnoxiously demand a room to share. (Mike was hoping to get it on with Tatiana.) An ATV excursion turns disastrous. There's an unfortunate incident in which Kendrick gives the bride-to-be ecstasy during the rehearsal dinner. They confess early on about the charade, leading to more outrageous antics. As long as you're in the right giggle-ish mindset, even the most predictable set pieces manage to work. Surprisingly, the lazy throwaway jokes pack the biggest Hawaiian punch. The actors pepper their lines with snappy pop culture-inflected flair, ranging from a Jurassic Park dig to an inevitable Wedding Crashers comparison. (Forgetting Sarah Marshall goes unmentioned, despite the films' similarities.) Devine and his exasperated charm mesh well with Efron, whose goofy comedic chops have become even more defined than his abs. (Just wait until you hear his Liam Neeson impression.) Along with Kendrick and Plaza, they make for quite a fearsome foursome. That's why the film takes a dip in the third act when the characters develop a conscience. We're here for raucous fun -- nobody RSVP'd for soul searching and apologizing. (You can hear the Full House–esque let's-learn-from-our-mistakes music score play in the background). As long as everyone stays in the sun, a bright comedic paradise abounds. (US Weekly)
South Korea Box Office: Local Comedy 'Familyhood' Tops 'The Legend of Tarzan'. 'Independence Day: Resurgence' and 'The Jungle Book' finish at fourth, fifth places respectively. South Korean comedy Familyhood debuted atop the local box office over the July 1-3 weekend, while The Legend of Tarzan finished in second place. The release of new summer titles pushed Independence Day: Resurgence and The Jungle Book down to fourth and fifth places, respectively. Distributed by Showbox/Mediaplex and directed by Kim Tae-gon, Familyhood scooped up 30.4 percent of the market share as it showed on 839 screens nationwide. The comedy stars South Korean sex symbol Kim Hye-soo in the role of an aging screen beauty who decides to become a single mother by striking a secret deal with a pregnant teen (Kim Hyeon-soo) after the older woman learns about her early onset of menopause. A rare female buddy film in local cinema, Familyhood has earned a total of $6.3 million during its first week in theaters according to the Korean Film Council's KOBIS database. Warner Bros. tentpole The Legend of Tarzan debuted in second place as it garnered 19.8 percent of the market share over its first weekend for a local total of $4 million. The action-packed adventure film opened across 600 screens in South Korea. Finishing at third was yet another new summer title, the local period actioner The Hunt, which took 13.8 percent of the market share for cume gross of $3.5 million as it opened on 690 screens. Handled by Lotte Entertainment, the film stars veteran actor Ahn Sung-ki opposite The Housemaid actor Cho Jin-woong in a cat-and-mouse game between huntsmen and miners following the discovery of gold in coal mine. The release of new summer titles pushed Independence Day: Resurgence and The Jungle Book down three spots. The Independence Day sequel finished at No. 4 to take 9.1 percent of the box-office share. The Fox film was offered on 508 screens, which was almost half of that of the previous week when it was shown across 926 screens. The apocalyptic actioner nevertheless earned an additional $1.8 million for a cume gross of $10.3 million. The Jungle Book ranked fifth as it accounted for 8.1 percent of the market share, cashing in another $1.3 million to take its local cume to $18 million. The classic story from Disney was available on 588 screens -- slightly more than Independence Day: Resurgence -- which was a slight cut from the previous week's offering across 692 screens. (Hollywood Reporter)
TV
Orange Is the New Black Cast Breaks Down That Devastating Death and Dark Season 4. Orange Is the New Black is no stranger to having gut-wrenching moments, but the season four death really sent shockwaves through the prison and viewers everywhere. Obvious spoiler warning time. The death of Poussey (Samira Wiley) hit the inmates hard and season four wrapped up with the inmates about to riot. Now in a new featurette, Wiley is opening up even more about her character's journey and growth this year, while her cast mates recalled what it was like saying goodbye to the character and the themes of corruption and abuse in the prison system. "Because people are so invested in this show and some of these things will happen to characters that they have over the past four years gotten to know and love, it makes it so personal," Wiley said in the video. Uzo Aduba, whose character was sort of involved in Poussey's death, said the season was tough to get through and "see that we were losing one of our own." "Who doesn't love Poussey?" she asked. Welp. If you've made it this far without crying, better get the tissues because Wiley also breaks down the love story between her character and Kimiko Glenn's Brook Soso, Danielle Brooks recounts Taystee's reaction to Poussey's death and Wiley gets emotional about what her character's death means for the others. "Of course I'm the person that gives life to this character, but let's say I'm pulling myself away from it: I think it's going to be devastating," she said. Orange Is the New Black season four is now streaming on Netflix. (Eonline)
Nickelodeon Reviving Double Dare With Marc Summers -- But There's a Twist. Double Dare lives again! Nickelodeon is reviving the classic game show with Marc Summers returning as host, but there's a catch: It's for one night only at San Diego Comic-Con in celebration of the show's 30th anniversary. This is the first time Summers has returned to the Double Dare franchise in 16 years, according to Nick. At Comic-Con, Double Dare will be streamed on Facebook Live from The Splat's Facebook page starting at 9:30 p.m. PT. Physical challenges include the Wringer, Down the Hatch and the Human Hamster Wheel, and yes, the Double Dare Nose will be making a comeback on the obstacle course. Behind-the-scenes photos and a question and answer session with Summers will be featured on Snapchat and Twitter. Summers will also host Double Dare Week on The Splat, starting on Monday, July 25 at 10 p.m. ET. The programming block will feature new Double Dare interstitials, memorable moments from the game show and episodes from the original series as well as Family Double Dare and Double Dare 2000. Double Dare aired on Nickelodeon, under several iterations, with Summers as host from 1986-1993, producing more than 500 episodes. Nickelodeon revived the series in 2000 for two seasons of Double Dare 2000 with Jason Harris has host. Nickelodeon is also celebrating its past at Comic-Con with an All That reunion panel, a panel celebrating the network's 25 years of original animation and a women in animation panel. The network will revive Legends of the Hidden Temple, another classic game show, as a scripted TV movie set to air later in 2016 and is working on a movie follow-up to Hey Arnold! that will reveal the mystery of the Arnold's parents. "Thirty years later, people still stop me on the street every day and tell me playing Double Dare is the one thing they wish they could have done growing up," Summers told EW, who first reported the news. Summers went on to host Unwrapped for the Food Network and serves as executive producer of Bar Rescue and Restaurant: Impossible. Double Dare turns 30 years old on October 6. Now, start prepping for the physical challenges to come! (Eonline)
Dorothy Williams, 90, Impresses America's Got Talent's Nick Cannon With Burlesque Act. Dorothy Williams, 90, took to the America's Got Talent stage and shocked everybody. "When I get on that stage, I want to prove that you're never too old to follow your dreams," she said. Those dreams? Stardom by way of burlesque. Williams, who hails from Hawaii, both shocked and delighted the judges including Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum and Mel B with her tassels. Cowell and Klum gave her a standing ovation. "I have to say, you're 90 years old: Good for you," Mel B. said. "Good for you!" Klum deemed the performance "really, really special" and declared it put her in a good mood. Mandel said he found Williams inspiring and that she's a star. As for Cowell, he said he found the 90-year-old widow "fascinating." But host Nick Cannon swooped in and made Williams' day. "We had a conversation backstage and Miss Dorothy told me that all she dreamed about all her life was being a star and a moment like this. I told her, 'A star is born tonight,'" Cannon said and explained each judge has used their chance to press the Golden Buzzer and send somebody through to the live performance round. "But you know what? I don't care. I'm going to break the rules." And Dorothy Williams got the Golden Buzzer and her star moment. What did you think of her performance? America's Got Talent airs Tuesdays, 8 p.m. on NBC. (Eonline)
EJ Johnson Hilariously Gets Hit On By a Woman in a Bar on EJNYC: ''She Just Started Touching Me in Weird Places.'' EJ Johnson is not in New York anymore! In this hilarious clip from the night's brand-new episode of EJNYC, EJ and sis Elisa Johnson take a trip to Michigan to learn more about their dad Magic Johnson's hometown and his alma mater, Michigan State. As soon as they arrive, they stop by a local college bar for drinks -- and it's safe to say the ambiance and environment is not what they're accustomed to! "No one has on, like, heels," Elisa notes. "Everyone's in a sneaker!" "You don't need heels. Girl, you can come in, like, ripped jean shorts if you want to!" EJ jokes. "Come in pajamas! Ain't nobody going to tell you s--t!" And the night takes an even more interesting turn when a woman comes over to flirt with EJ and compliment his Saint Laurent jacket! "Only in Michigan do I get hit on by a girl," he says. "I was, like, trying to have a casual conversation with her and then she just started touching me in weird places." LOL! (Eonline)
Rob Lowe Joins 'Code Black' as Series Regular. The 'Grinder' star's addition comes as the CBS medical drama is rebooting itself for season two. Rob Lowe is returning to broadcast television. Months after his Fox comedy The Grinder was canceled after one season, the prolific actor has boarded CBS medical drama Code Black as a series regular, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. Lowe will play Col. Ethan Willis, a doctor in the U.S. military's prestigious combat casualty care research program who has been pulled out of a combat hospital in Afghanistan and embedded at Angels Memorial to teach what the military has learned about combat medicine. His aggressive, rule-breaking style is greeted enthusiastically by Dr. Leanne Rorish (Marcia Gay Harden), but not by all the other doctors. Lowe will make his Code Black debut on the show's second-season premiere, set for Wednesday, Sept. 28, at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Lowe's casting comes as the CBS drama is rebooting itself for season two in a bid to broaden its reach and draw younger viewers. The show parted ways with season-one regulars Bonnie Somerville and Raza Jaffrey, with neither set to return for what sources say is a 17-episode sophomore season. The series recently added three new faces in recurring roles (Noah Gray-Cabey, Emily Tyra and Nafessa Williams). For Lowe, who earned a Golden Globe nomination for Fox's The Grinder, the casting comes nearly two months after he said that he'd have serious reservations about doing a broadcast series again. "If the show doesn't get picked up though, I really need to examine what I have to offer on network television in this climate because I do a certain type of show -- West Wing, Parks and Recreation, The Grinder -- and my sense is that is really no longer where network television lives," the actor said a week before Fox pulled the plug on The Grinder. Asked specifically if he'd mull working on streaming platforms known for offering talent more creative freedom, Lowe acknowledged he hadn't started those conversations yet. "But if The Grinder doesn't come back, I will," he added. "That's certainly where I will put my focus." Lowe is repped by WME, Brillstein Entertainment and O'Melveny & Myers. (Hollywood Reporter)
Ready to tackle reality TV! The newly uprooted Los Angeles Rams are ready for their close-ups, as E! launches a new series called Hollywood & Football. The six-episode unscripted show, premiering this fall, centers on the personal lives of six Rams players as they leave the Midwest and head for Southern California with their families. The Rams have played in St. Louis since the 1995 season, and the team's return to L.A. marks the first time in 22 years that the nation's second-largest TV market will have a home team. Participating in the series are wide receiver Kenny Britt, wife Sabrina and their two kids; offensive lineman Rodger Saffold, wife Asia and their two children; tight end Lance Kendricks and wife Danielle, who recently tied the knot; running back Chase Reynolds, wife Kila and their three little ones; wide receiver Bradley Marquez and pregnant fiancee Melissa; and fullback Cory Harkey, wife Bianca and their newborn. "We are excited to take viewers inside the exclusive lifestyles of these top athletes and their families as they navigate a new city, new friendships, new schools and the inevitable Hollywood gossip," says E! exec Jeff Olde in a statement. "E! has a track record of success with pop-culture programming centered in the world of sports, and this series will capture the off-the-field perspective of one of football's most anticipated and high-profile events as the Rams return to L.A," Olde continues. This will not be the Rams players' sole brush with fame in the offseason, as the team will also be the focus of the upcoming season of HBO's summer series Hard Knocks. The team begins its gridiron campaign in the Monday Night Football spotlight on September 12 against the San Francisco 49ers. Tell Us: Do you plan to watch Hollywood & Football? Hollywood & Football debuts on E! this fall. (US Weekly)
'The Bachelor's' Ben Higgins and Lauren Bushnell: Why We're Returning to Reality TV. The Bachelor and his fiancee preview their spinoff series to THR and explain why they aren't tuning into 'The Bachelorette.' After 20 seasons of the ABC franchise, Ben Higgins has managed to accomplish a Bachelor first: Landing the first couple spinoff series. The long-running reality dating competition show spun off its sister series, The Bachelorette, and has since sparked two competition series (Bachelor Pad, Bachelor in Paradise), five wedding specials (including Trista and Ryan Sutter's vow renewals) and one talk show (Bachelor Live). But Higgins is the first Bachelor to get his own reality show with fiancee Lauren Bushnell, titled Ben & Lauren: Happily Ever After. "We realized very quickly that our life was being documented, whether we liked it or not, by the fans," Higgins told The Hollywood Reporter about life after his TV proposal to Bushnell on the latest season of The Bachelor, which aired earlier this year. "So we were like: Why wouldn't we invite everybody in to watch, if that seems like what everybody wants to do anyway?" Higgins said the Bachelor producers came to them with the idea for Ben & Lauren: Happily Ever After, ultimately leading to ABC's sister network, Freeform, greenlighting the docu-series that is set to air in the fall. But Bushnell admits that she initially had doubts about returning to reality TV. "At first I had a lot of concerns and Ben did, too," she says. "Our biggest priority coming out of the show and the Bachelor world was focusing on each other. Our biggest concern was: Is this new show going to try to alter our life or be incredibly intrusive and get in the way of our relationship?" She continues, "Our main priority was that our relationship always comes first and if something does ever get in the way, we'll have to have another conversation because that's something that neither of us are going to allow to happen." Given the franchise's track record (only three of The Bachelor's 20 couples remain together, including Higgins and Bushnell), it's no surprise that Bushnell expressed concern. But now, with cameras due to start rolling this month, Bushnell says they reached a compromise. "It's going to be more like a docu-series and documenting our life," she says. "I have a certain idea of what a reality show was: On the Bachelor, I was away from my family and friends, but this is going to be very different." Friends, family and Bachelor favorites will all be involved as the engaged pair explores not only planning a wedding, but also co-habituating for the first time with the 26-year-old former flight attendant settling into Higgins' home in Denver. The couple, who says they are open to a TV wedding, also hope to showcase more of their faith and possibly Higgins' political side with the reality star eyeing a seat in the Colorado House of Representatives. "It's something that I'm very seriously considering," says Higgins, who goes on to explain that the person currently running on the House District 4 ticket, Willie Pinkston, would have to remove himself to make way for Higgins. "That still has to happen and until it does, it's not a for-sure thing." Before jumping back into the limelight, Bushnell says the newly engaged couple did take time off from the reality series that made them famous. They have not been tuning into Higgins' ex, JoJo Fletcher, and her season of The Bachelorette, which is currently on the air. "We both see it as a little bit of a break from The Bachelor," she says. "It was our world for so long and we just really wanted to focus on our relationship and needed a moment to take a step away." But she admitted that all the talk about this season's villain has lured them back in: "Now I definitely want to get caught up -- I keep hearing so much about this Chad guy." Ben & Lauren: Happily Ever After will air on Freeform in October. The series will be produced by Next Entertainment in association with Warner Horizon Television. Bachelor creator Mike Fleiss, Martin Hilton and Jason Ehrlich will serve as the executive producers. Until then, keep up with THR's weekly Power Rankings as The Bachelorette continues to unfold here. (Hollywood Reporter)
Pablo Escobar's brother just put Netflix on alert -- cut us in on "Narcos" ... or else. Roberto Escobar -- the accountant in Pablo's empire -- fired off a letter to Netflix in which he demands the media company put the brakes on Season 2, without getting a sign off from him. He claims Season 1 was riddled with inaccuracies and lies and says his brother would not like the portrayal one bit. Robert calls his letter -- obtained by TMZ -- "a friendly request for cooperation." He wants a cut of the profits. The letter itself is interesting for several reasons. Our sources say it was written by Roberto at an undisclosed location in Columbia. And it's stamped with the Escobar family seal. Roberto claims undying loyalty to Pablo, saying "I was Pablo's closest ally, managing his accounting and he is my brother for life." (TMZ)
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