ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
Dakota Johnson and Chris Martin are going public -- the new couple strolled on the beach over the weekend, packed on some PDA and, for good measure ... hung out with Kenny G. Chris and Dakota have been dating for a few months, but previously took great measures to keep it private. That all changed Sunday in Malibu ... where the "Fifty Shades of Grey" star and Chris looked inseparable. They had some unexpected company on the beach when Kenny G popped up, sadly without his saxophone. So, no Coldplay-Kenny G collab. That Dakota's a lucky woman. (TMZ)
Aaron Rodgers and Danica Patrick seem to be rounding out the first lap of their rumored romance -- 'cause now they're dining together out in the open ... as seen here. The Packers QB and NASCAR driver were spotted grabbing a bite Saturday night at The Mission Mexican restaurant in Scottsdale, Arizona, accompanied by a small group of people. Eyewitnesses tell TMZ Aaron and Danica sat next to each other, but didn't show off any kind of PDA while there. We're also told other patrons recognized them, but left them alone. Rumors have been swirling about the reported couple, who apparently got together shortly after the holidays. Word around town is ... things are moving fast with Aaron after Danica split from her BF of 5 years, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., late last year. Looks like they have plenty of time on their hands to cozy up -- Aaron's season is over after the Packers didn't make the playoffs, and Danica's set to retire soon. Kismet! (TMZ)
She may have lost the fight ... but Paige VanZant once again proved she's tough as hell -- fighting 2 more rounds after BREAKING HER ARM! The former "Dancing with the Stars" contestant cracked her right arm while throwing a spinning back fist at Jessica-Rose Clark at UFC Fight Night on Sunday. She was obviously in pain but refused to stop the fight. In fact, Paige battled for 2 more rounds -- throwing punches with the broken arm!!! In the end, PVZ lost the fight (props to Clark) ... but damn -- impressive. "I'll be back better and stronger than ever," Paige wrote on Instagram ... "It's all apart of the fight game. God had other plans for me. Darn spinning back fist." (TMZ)
Actress Michelle Williams has responded to "All the Money in the World" co-star Mark Wahlberg's recent donation to the Time's Up legal defense fund. "Today isn't about me," Williams said in a statement. "My fellow actresses stood by me and stood up for me, my activist friends taught me to use my voice, and the most powerful men in charge, they listened and they acted. If we truly envision an equal world, it takes equal effort and sacrifice. Today is one of the most indelible days of my life because of Mark Wahlberg, WME and a community of women and men who share in this accomplishment. Anthony Rapp, for all the shoulders you stood on, now we stand on yours." Earlier, Deadline exclusively reported that Mark Wahlberg announced that he donated in Michelle Williams' name the $1.5 million in money he received for "All The Money In The World" reshoots. The donation was made to #TimesUp, the legal fund for sexual abuse and harassment victims. The news comes after reports of alleged gender pay disparity between Wahlberg and Williams when director Ridley Scott gathered them together over the Thanksgiving holiday to reshoot scenes for the film with Christopher Plummer that had originally been shot with Kevin Spacey, who was dropped from the pic after Anthony Rapp accused him of sexual harassment. (Page Six)
Jamie Lee Curtis: Eliza Dushku told me of abuse before. "True Lies" actress Jamie Lee Curtis revealed Sunday that co-star Eliza Dushku confided in her "a few years ago" that she was sexually abused while making the 1994 action flick. The now-37-year-old Dushku this weekend accused a "True Lies" stunt coordinator of molesting her during filming, when she was just 12. "Yesterday, Eliza Dushku published her account of having been molested during the shooting of the movie `True Lies,' in which I played her mother," Curtis wrote in a piece for the Huffington Post. "She had shared that story with me privately a few years ago. I was shocked and saddened then and still am today." Curtis, 59, said Dushku's story should be a wakeup call about rampant child abuse in Hollywood. "We have all started to awaken to the fact that the terrible abuses now commonplace in daily news reports have been going on for a very long time," Curtis said. "Unconscionably, those reports frequently come along with claims by the perpetrators that, as adults, those perpetrated against had some part in it." She added: "Eliza's story has now awakened us from our denial slumber to a new, horrific reality. The abuse of children." Curtis's comments came as the accused stunt coordinator, Joel Kramer, was dumped by his agent. "WPA [Worldwide Production Agency] has elected to part ways with Joel Kramer based on the allegations of misconduct now being reported," the firm said in a statement to multiple trade publications Sunday. "Such behavior is unacceptable and entirely at odds with the standards of conduct we demand of ourselves, and expect from our clients." Curtis said she hopes more victims will have the strength to step forward. "The truth will set us all free," she wrote. "Hopefully that freedom will bring a new ability to call out abuse and, when that abuse occurs, to have swift and consistent action, so that no one again will have to wait 25 years for their truth to be heard." (PageSix)
James Cameron has spoken out about the alleged sexual assault of then-12-year-old actress Eliza Dushku on the set of his 1994 film, "True Lies" -- saying if he had known about it, "there would have been no mercy." The allegations came over the weekend from the now-37-year-old actress, who says she was molested by one of the movie's stuntmen. "Obviously, Eliza is very brave for speaking up and I think all the women who are speaking up and calling for a reckoning now," Cameron said Saturday while speaking at a Television Critics Association event in California. "I think that has been an endemic through human systems, not just Hollywood, but because Hollywood deals with women who are victims 10, 15, 20 years ago who are famous today, so they get to have a louder voice when they come forward," the filmmaker explained. "So bravo to them for doing it. And I am glad Eliza did that." Cameron added, "But had I known about, there would have been no mercy. I have daughters. There really would be no mercy now." Dushku went public with her allegations Saturday in a lengthy Facebook post. The stuntman whom she accused, Joel Kramer, 60, has denied the claims. "This is all vile lies," he told Us Weekly. "I never molested this young woman, ever. Who in their right mind would do that and then still work with someone another six months or seven months or however long we had left to work together, wouldn't that be a little weird?" (Page Six)
Rose McGowan: CAA agents were Weinstein's 'pimps'. Rose McGowan is being hailed for her bravery in calling out the powerful CAA talent agency for enabling Harvey Weinstein. She refers to CAA agents as his "pimps." CAA represented many of the actresses who were sent to meetings with Weinstein at his suite at the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. "Harvey worked very closely with CAA. It's amazing they've managed to escape all this scandal unscathed," one Hollywood veteran told me. CAA has even been hailed for its embrace of the #TimesUp movement against sexual harassment and for providing its offices in Los Angeles, New York and London for simultaneous meetings. Attached to the invite for Wednesday's meeting, McGowan tweeted: "Who do you think is behind this 'great' pr? Why, it's the company of pimps that sent so many into the Monster's Lair themselves. CAA. #TIMESUP fakes." And when Weinstein was desperately trying to kill Ronan Farrow's expose in the New Yorker, he called a CAA managing partner, Bryan Lourd, who told Weinstein that Farrow, a CAA client, wouldn't meet with him. CAA issued an apology last month after it was reported that at least eight of its agents had been approached with complaints about Weinstein's behavior. "We apologize to any person the agency let down for not meeting the high expectations we place on ourselves, as individuals and as a company," the statement read. "We unequivocally support those who have spoken out publicly." While Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, Julia Roberts, Penelope Cruz and Reese Witherspoon are still repped by CAA, Rae Dawn Chong left in 1990, when she says her complaint of being harassed by fellow CAA client Steven Seagal was ignored. A CAA spokeswoman had no comment. (PageSix)
Aziz Ansari has been accused of sexual assault by a woman who claims he repeatedly got sexually aggressive with her despite her protestations. The woman -- who remains anonymous -- claims she went on a date with him last year and ended up in his Tribeca apartment. She claims he almost immediately began kissing, fondling and undressing her and then said he was going to grab a condom. The woman says she asked him to slow down, but he continued and performed oral sex on her. She says when he started sticking his fingers in her throat, she used "verbal and non-verbal cues" to indicate her discomfort. The woman says she doesn't know if Ansari got the message at first, but when it eventually registered, she says he told her, "Of course, it's only fun if we're both having fun." Still, she says Ansari continued to push himself on her. She says she eventually left in tears. The woman, who first told her story to Babe.net, texted Ansari the next day, "Last night might have been fun for you it wasn't for me. When we got back to your place, you ignored clear, non-verbal cues; you kept going with advances. You had to have noticed I was uncomfortable." She then described part of the encounter. The woman says she decided to come forward after she saw Ansari wearing a Time's Up pin at the Golden Globes, where he won Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy TV Series for his lead role on "Master of None." We reached out to Ansari's rep ... so far, no word back. UPDATE: Aziz has responded saying he believed the sexual activity he engaged in with the anonymous woman was completely consensual. He says the day after the incident he got a text from her saying, "it may have seemed okay" but, after further reflection she felt uncomfortable. He says, "It was true that everything did seem okay to me, so when I heard that it was not the case for her, I was surprised and concerned." Aziz says he "took her words to heart and responded privately." He says he continues to support the #MeToo and Time's Up movements as well. (TMZ)
Anna Wintour Responds to Mario Testino and Bruce Weber Sexual Misconduct Allegations. Anna Wintour has announced that Conde Nast is putting its working relationship with famed celebrity photographers Mario Testino and Bruce Weber on hold in wake of sexual misconduct allegations made against them. Vogue's editor in chief and Conde Nast's artistic director made her comments in a message posted on the magazine's website on Saturday after The New York Times reported that 13 male assistants and models claimed Testino subjected them to sexual advances and that 15 current and former male models claimed Weber exhibited coercive sexual behavior, often during photo shoots. Both photographers have denied the allegations. "Both are personal friends of mine who have made extraordinary contributions to Vogue and many other titles at Conde Nast over the years, and both have issued objections or denials to what has emerged," Wintour said in her statement. "I believe strongly in the value of remorse and forgiveness, but I take the allegations very seriously, and we at Conde Nast have decided to put our working relationship with both photographers on hold for the foreseeable future." The photographers have not commented on Wintour's decision. Testino's lawyers challenged the characters and credibility of the accusers and also said they spoke to several former employees who were "shocked by the allegations" and added that they "could not confirm any of the claims," the New York Times had reported. The outlet also quoted Weber as saying in a statement via his lawyer, "I'm completely shocked and saddened by the outrageous claims being made against me, which I absolutely deny." Meanwhile, Wintour also said that Conde Nast will adopt new guidelines for outside contributors, "which has emerged after bracingly honest discussions -- with model advocates and agents, stylists, photographers, hair and makeup artists, set designers, and many of our own editors." "The goal of these conversations has been to understand how we can create safe and positive environments for everyone we work with," she said. New rules include no longer allowing alcohol on Conde Nast sets, making sure all models appearing in fashion shoots commissioned by Conde Nast are 18 years of age or older and making sure any shoot involving nudity, sheer clothing, lingerie, swimwear, simulated drug or alcohol use, or sexually suggestive poses must be approved in advance by the subject. (Eonline)
Dennis Rodman's DUI problems have gone from bad to worse ... because he was on probation during his arrest on Saturday -- and it likely means he'll be thrown in the slammer. The probation stems from a plea deal Rodman struck over a July 2016 wrong way crash -- where he was going the wrong way on an Orange County, CA freeway, struck a car and allegedly fled the scene. Witnesses also saw him drinking at a karaoke bar before the crash but he was not charged with DUI for that incident. However, Rodman was placed on 3-years-probation with the condition he stay out of trouble. It was a good deal for Rodman, considering he was facing up to 2 years in prison. So, what happens next? Officials will likely revoke his probation in the wake of the new arrest and he could be sent to prison for the full 2 years he was originally due to serve in the wrong way crash case PLUS any additional time for the new arrest. Rodman's rep has told TMZ Sports the NBA player needs rehab -- but it could be too little, too late. (TMZ)
The Cranberries lead singer, Dolores O'Riordan, died Monday in London. Dolores was reportedly in London for a recording session. A rep for the band would only say she died "suddenly." The rep offered no further details. The Irish band struck it big in the '90s ... when Dolores took over for their previous lead singer. Their songs "Zombie" and "Linger" were huge international hits. Dolores released 2 solo albums while the Cranberries were on hiatus. They got back together in 2009. She split from her husband of 20 years in 2014, and had 3 children. Dolores was 46. #RIP. (TMZ)
Dolores O'Riordan Dead: The Cranberries Singer Was 46. Dolores O'Riordan, singer for The Cranberries, has died at the age of 46. Her publicist confirmed the news to BBC News. "The lead singer with the Irish band The Cranberries was in London for a short recording session," a statement from the publicist read. "No further details are available at this time." The statement continued, "Family members are devastated to hear the breaking news and have requested privacy at this very difficult time." According to a statement obtained by The Guardian, the singer passed away "suddenly" on Monday. Per the band's website, The Cranberries were formed in Ireland 1990 and have sold more than 40 million albums worldwide. In fact, the website claimed the group sold more than 15 million albums in the U.S. alone. The band's songs include "Zombie," "Dreams" and "Linger." The group -- which also consists of guitarist Noel Hogan, bassist Mike Hogan and drummer Fergal Lawler -- took a six-year hiatus and reunited in 2009 for a North American tour. (Eonline)
THE OTHER STUFF . . .
Princess Charlotte Bosses Around Her Big Brother Prince George, Says Queen Elizabeth. Who's the boss? Princess Charlotte! That's according to the woman who knows a thing or two about taking the lead. Great-grandmother Queen Elizabeth said on Sunday that 2-year-old Charlotte rules over her 4-year-old big brother, Prince George. Speaking to a 10-year-old school girl, Emily Clay, the Queen asked if she "looked after" her 6-year-old sister, Hadleigh. Mom Ellen replied, "It's the other way around." The Queen, 91, quickly came back with, "It's like that with Charlotte and George." The exchange happened at the Queen's Sandringham estate in Norfolk, where Emily won a bible signed by the Queen for a school religious education project. (Her dad, Tom, won the same prize in 1990, the Eastern Daily Press reported.) A source told PEOPLE last week that "confident" Charlotte, who is speaking some Spanish, has settled well into her preschool, Willcocks Nursery School, not far from the family's London home, Kensington Palace. The Queen is staying at her country home in Norfolk, about 110 miles north of London, until early February. She usually remains there until after Accession Day on February 6, which marks the day she became Queen upon the death of her father, King George VI, in 1952. In rare public comments captured on camera, the Queen opened up about her historic 1953 coronation in a groundbreaking documentary that aired Sunday on Smithsonian Channel. "I've seen one coronation, and been the recipient in the other, which is pretty remarkable," she said. (People)
Jay-Z's lead character from his 'Story of O.J.' music video is getting drafted for a whole new role ... in fashion and home wares. Hova's company, S. Carter Enterprises, just filed docs to trademark the animated character, "Jaybo." The plan is to plaster the little guy on T-shirts, sweaters, hats, blankets, shams, dinnerware, mugs, cocktail shakers and thermal containers. Interesting move to commercialize Jaybo, since it's a playoff of Sambo -- the main character from an 1899 children's book that's widely held to be racist due to the illustrations. Guess you could say Jay-Z's reclaiming the character ... sans Klan outfit. (TMZ)
The wild ending to the Vikings/Saints playoff game cost a lot of people a lot of money ... and it all came down to that extra point play. The spread before kickoff was 5.5 in favor of the Vikings -- meaning if you bet the Vikings, they had to win by at least 6 points for you to collect on your bet. So when Stefon Diggs caught that insane last-second pass with time expiring to put Minnesota up by 5, Vikings betters thought the extra point was a gimme ... and would be money in the bank. Now the twist -- the players clearly thought the game was over, as both teams started to leave the field. But when officials explained the extra point play was mandatory, both teams returned ... but the Vikings apparently didn't wanna put salt in the wound ... so they took a knee instead of kicking the field goal for the extra point. Final spread -- 5 points. Hope you bet on the Saints. (TMZ)
Vindicated Harold Ford Jr. goes after Morgan Stanley. Harold Ford Jr. is happy he is no longer accused of sexual harassment and is looking forward to taking on Morgan Stanley, which fired him last month for unexplained misconduct. "I am gratified to learn that Morgan Stanley now acknowledges what I always knew, that I did not engage in any acts of sexual misconduct or harassment," Ford said in a statement. "I only wish for the sake of my good name and reputation that they had admitted the truth five weeks ago." The statement came the day after I reported that Ford's friends feel he was railroaded by Morgan Stanley, because he was fired less than 24 hours after he had denied any wrongdoing. Ford's only accuser, Reuters business editor Lauren Tara LaCapra, refused to speak with me but told the New York Times of a dinner they shared four years ago: "Mr. Ford tried to pull me into an elevator to go to a cocktail lounge, despite my verbal and physical resistance." But at 12:44 a.m. she e-mailed him: "had fun tonight! thanks for inviting me out, and for the meal, and my ride home. hope you got back safe & sound?" (PageSix)
Behind every great man is a great woman -- and apparently the same goes for drunk men, because the folks at Johnnie Walker whisky are about to roll out his female counterpart. Diageo, the company that owns Johnnie, filed paperwork in early January to trademark the name Jane Walker for all alcoholic beverages except beer ... according to new docs. It's unclear exactly what the Jane Walker products would be, but in the midst of the #timesup movement ... gender equality and female empowerment seem like probable themes. This isn't the first time Jane's name has been tossed around either -- around the time of the 2016 election, Walker reportedly had an ad campaign titled "Jane Walker" in the works ... but scrapped it after Hillary Clinton lost. Apparently, that wound has healed, 'cause Jane's ready to go. Bottoms up? (TMZ)
The Escobar fam doesn't usually back down from a fight, but it waved the white flag in a showdown with a TV powerhouse ... TMZ has learned. Escobar Inc. -- the company run by Pablo's bro, Roberto -- folded in the battle to cash in on the terms "Narcos" and "Cartel Wars." Both were made famous recently by the popular Netflix show, and the related video game. According to new legal docs, the company filed an abandonment of its trademark application in November. We broke the story ... lawyers for "Narcos" called BS on Pablo for filing paperwork claiming ownership of "Narcos" in connection with a website. It's unclear if a settlement was reached, but if a Narcos battle ends peacefully -- no blood, no foul. (TMZ)
Music
Jay-Z's lead character from his 'Story of O.J.' music video is getting drafted for a whole new role ... in fashion and home wares. Hova's company, S. Carter Enterprises, just filed docs to trademark the animated character, "Jaybo." The plan is to plaster the little guy on T-shirts, sweaters, hats, blankets, shams, dinnerware, mugs, cocktail shakers and thermal containers. Interesting move to commercialize Jaybo, since it's a playoff of Sambo -- the main character from an 1899 children's book that's widely held to be racist due to the illustrations. Guess you could say Jay-Z's reclaiming the character ... sans Klan outfit. (TMZ)
Diddy a Proud Dad After Son Christian 'King' Combs Walks in Dolce & Gabbana Milan Show. Hip-hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs was just a proud dad over the weekend when he shared his excitement about son Christian "King" Combs, 19, hitting the catwalk in Milan on Saturday (Jan. 13) to open fashion house Dolce & Gabbana's fall '18 runway show during Men's Fashion Week. Model Christian Combs walked it out wearing a gold-brocaded coat with skinny pants and velvet-embroidered loafers from the "King's Angels" collection. He was joined in the show by actor James Mardsen's 16-year-old son, Jack and social media star Cameron Dallas. Diddy tweeted out his excitement about his son's achievement, writing "I'm so proud of my son." with the hashtag @BlackExcellence. King returned the love. (Billboard)
Johnny Cash Doc in the Works From Frank Marshall, Imperative. Thom Zimny, the award-winning filmmaker behind numerous Bruce Springsteen documentaries, is set to direct. Imperative Entertainment is teaming up with Jurassic World producer Frank Marshall to make a Johnny Cashdocumentary. The news comes the day before the 50th anniversary of Cash's famous concert at Folsom Prison, which was the basis for his triple-platinum-selling, crossover success concert album, Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison. Thom Zimny, the award-winning filmmaker behind numerous Bruce Springsteen documentaries and HBO Films' Elvis Presley: The Searcher documentary, is set to direct the untitled movie. Imperative's Dan Friedkin, Bradley Thomas and Ryan Friedkin will produce with Zimny as well as Glen Zipper and Sean Stuart. Marshall will be executive producing along with Jeff Pollack, Ryan Suffern and Jillian Apfelbaum. The documentary will have the full support of the Cash estate and will explore Cash's music and biography through the prison concert. "While the linear narrative of the Folsom Prison performances will anchor our film, each song in the set list will open a door into a nonlinear presentation of Cash's emotional, musical and personal development," said Zimny in a statement. Cash, who died in 2003, is a country music icon who also found success in other musical genres. The singer-songwriter behind classics "Ring of Fire" and "I Walk the Line" was the subject of a biopic in 2005, in which he was portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix. The actor received an Oscar nomination for his performance in the movie, which was directed by James Mangold. Marshall has Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom opening June 22. (Billboard)
Ed Sheeran's 'Perfect' Enters Sixth Week at No. 1 in Australia. Ed Sheeran rules Australia's singles chart for a sixth straight week with "Perfect" (Atlantic/Warner) while the score for The Greatest Showman (Atlantic/Warner) remains the top entertainer on the albums survey. With his latest stint atop the ARIA Singles Chart, Sheeran logs 27 career weeks at No. 1. "Perfect," also this week's No. 1 in the U.K., is credited triple platinum (210,000 units) in Australia. Coming in at No. 2 this week is Post Malone's "I Fall Apart" (Universal), which hits a new high in its 14th week on the chart. The U.S. rapper's former No. 1, "Rockstar," holds at No. 6 while his more recent release, "Candy Paint," improves 26-20, a new peak. Also this week, Post's debut set Stoney rises four places on the ARIA Albums Chart to a best position of No. 6. Eminem's "River" (Interscope/Universal) featuring Sheeran is unchanged at No. 3, as Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line "Meant To Be" (Warner) improves three places to No. 4, a new peak. Camila Cabello's "Havana" (Epic/Sony) featuring Young Thug this week dips 2-5. U.S. rapper and producer G-Eazy earns his first top 10 as a lead artist as "Him & I" (RCA/Sony) featuring Halsey leaps 16-10 in its sixth week. Meanwhile, Bruno Mars snags the week's highest new entry with "Finesse" (Atlantic/Warner), featuring Cardi B, which opens at No. 15. It's Mars' third top 50 entry from 24K Magic after its title track (No. 3 in December 2016) and "That's What I Like" (No. 5 in April 2017). Just four Australian recordings impact the top 50, led by Pnau's "Go Bang," unchanged at No. 13, and Sheppard's "Coming Home" (Chugg/MGM), which rallies 28-23, a new peak. Over on the ARIA Albums Chart, it's an unchanged top 5 as Sheeran's six-times platinum Divide (Warner) holds at No. 2, Pink's four-times platinum Beautiful Trauma (RCA/Sony) is at No. 3, Eminem's Revival (Interscope/Universal), stays at No. 4 and Taylor Swift's Reputation (Big Machine/Universal) retains No. 5. (Billboard)
Movies
Blake Lively's Dramatic Movie Makeover Will Blow You Away. Sometimes actors get major makeovers for a movie, but it looks like Blake Lively got a major wigged-out transformation during her latest film! While filming scenes for her upcoming role in The Rhythm Section, photogs caught the mother of two on New York's Upper West Side looking exceedingly glamorous with a bold red lip and rocking a red wig, complete with dramatic pin-up girl bangs on Jan. 14. The fashionable star beat the NYC weather in a long black winter coat, stockings and a pair of Christian Louboutins. This is quite a different vision of the stunning star from when she was photographed two months ago while filming scenes for the very same movie in Dublin, Ireland. On Nov. 15, the actress, who has basically never had a bad red carpet moment, showed a dramatically different side when she was snapped in character, wearing over-sized clothes, no makeup (or makeup to make her look washed out) and a not-so flattering light brown wig. Earlier Sunday, Lively posted yet another look from the film on her Instagram -- this one dark and stormy. Along with the short and dark wig photo, Blake wrote, "#TheRhythmSectionMovie." In Glamour's September issue, well-dressed woman sounded off on the idea of perfection and why it's troublesome. "It's nonsense. It simplifies people. Not all men, but a subsection of men, have a desire to understand and control women. To do that, you have to paint them into this thing you can wrap your head around," the 30-year-old star argued. "But women are complex." That they certainly are and Lively's upcoming role in The Rhythm Section should certainly stretch the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants actress... According to The Hollywood Reporter, The Rhythm Section follows Stephanie Patrick, who, "is on a path of self-destruction after the death of her family in an airplane crash, a flight that she was meant to be on. After discovering that the crash was not an accident, her anger awakens a new sense of purpose and she rises to uncover the truth by adopting the identity of an assassin to track down those responsible. The new, and lethal, Stephanie Patrick is on a mission to fill the void between what she knows and what she is told." Looks like the new lethal Stephanie Patrick is lethally fabulous! Ryan Reynolds' lady love stars opposite Jude Law in the upcoming thriller, which is set to come out in February 2019. (Eonline)
Eliza Dushku's Sex Abuse Claims Spur Agency to Drop True Lies Stunt Coordinator. Stunt coordinator Joel Kramer has been dropped by his talent agency after Eliza Dushku, who worked with him on the 1994 movie True Lies, said publicly that he had sexually molested her when she was 12. Kramer, also known for his work on a slew of other films starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, as well as shows like Westworld and Star Trek: Discovery, had denied the allegations, which the actress had made in a Facebook post on Saturday. He told The Hollywood Reporter the accusations were "atrocious lies" and claimed he never spent time with her alone. "We took care of her like she was our kid," he told THR. "I don't ever remember being alone with her. 'Luring' her up to my hotel room is just crazy." He then called the sexual assault allegation "just untrue." In addition, Kramer said he and his team did "everything we can to make sure everybody is safe" when it came to performing stunts. On Sunday, Worldwide Production Agency announced it had severed ties with Kramer. He has not commented on their decision. "WPA has elected to part ways with Joel Kramer based on the allegations of misconduct now being reported," the agency's president and general counsel Richard Caleel told E! News in a statement. "Such behavior is unacceptable and entirely at odds with the standards of conduct we demand of ourselves, and expect from our clients." Meanwhile, Jamie Lee Curtis, who played Dushku's mother in True Lies, wrote in a Huffington Post op-ed on Sunday that the actress had shared her story with her privately a few years ago, adding, "I was shocked and saddened then and still am today." "Many of us involved in True Lies were parents," Curtis wrote in her op-ed. "Jim, Arnold and myself. Parents of daughters. What allegedly happened to Eliza, away from the safety net of all of us and our purview is a terrible, terrible thing to learn about and have to reconcile." James Cameron, who directed the film, said at the Television Critics Association on Saturday, "Had I known about it, there would have been no mercy" and called Dushku "very brave for speaking up." In her original post, the 37-year-old actress said she had talked about Kramer's alleged behavior with her parents, one of her brothers and two adult friends, one of whom she said came out to the set to visit and face Kramer. Her then-agent JoAnne Colonna told Deadline in an interview posted on Sunday that she was that person. She said Dushku pleaded with her not to tell anyone for fear of retribution but that she confronted Kramer directly and told him to stay away from her. Kramer and Dushku have not commented on Colonna's remarks. But Dushku did post a link to the article on Facebook on Sunday, writing, "I stand by what I said here. His denials are not accurate. What I wrote is the truth. I won't let him victimize me again." (Eonline)
Berlin Festival Adds Films to Competition Lineup. David Zellner's 'Damsel,' starring Robert Pattinson and Mia Wasikowska, and Christian Petzold's 'Transit,' featuring German stars Franz Rogowski and Paula Beer, are among films in the running for the Golden Bear. The Berlin film festival on Monday announced eight more films to its competition lineup, adding mainly European art house titles to a program already leaning in that direction. David Zellner's Damsel, which will have its world premiere in Sundance, is one of the few U.S. titles in the running for Berlin's Golden Bear. The period drama stars Robert Pattinson as a businessman who travels West to join his fiancee (Mia Wasikowska) in the mountains. Elsewhere, American cinema is represented by Gus van Sant's Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot, another Sundance title, and Wes Anderson's hotly anticipated Isle of Dogs, which will open the Berlin festival Feb. 15. Both titles were announced earlier. Two new German films -- Emily Atef's 3 Days in Quiberon, starring Marie Baumer and Birgit Minichmayr, and Christian Petzold's Transit with Franz Rogowski and Paula Beer -- also secured competition slots. The first looks at three days in the life of legendary Austrian film star Romy Schneider, who, while visiting a sanatorium in 1981, conducts one of her final press interviews. Transit, adapted from the novel by Anna Seghers, is set during World War 2 and follows a man tasked with delivering a letter to a mysterious man in Marseilles. Cedric Kahn's The Prayer from France, Swedish drama The Real Estate from director Mans Mansson and Axel Petersen and Touch Me Not from Romanian film maker Adina Pintilie will all have their world premiere in competition in Berlin. From outside Europe comes The Heiresses, a drama from first-time Paraguayan director Marcelo Martinessi, and Pig from Iranian filmmaker Mani Haghighi, whose previous feature, A Dragon Arrives!, was a highlight of Berlin 2016. Running out of competition will be Lance Daly's Black 47, set during the Irish famine, which stars Hugo Weaving, Barry Keoghan, Stephen Rea and Jim Broadbent. Monster Hunt 2, the sequel to Raman Hui's 2015 blockbuster will get a special, out-of-competition screening in Berlin, its European premiere, as will Gurrumul, a music documentary from Australian director Paul Williams on the life and work of legendary indigenous Australian musician Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, who also served as a co-producer on the project. Berlin's more political side will be repped by a pair of documentaries running out of competition: Eldorado from Swiss filmmaker Markus Imhoof looks at the causes of the worldwide refugee crisis, while Fernando Solanas' Viaje a los Pueblos Fumigados examines the poisoning of Argentina's rural lands, and its population, by the country's massive agricultural industry. Berlin's competition lineup is almost complete. Previously, the festival announced a series of titles, including new features from Russia's Alexey German Jr., Polish director Malgorzata Szumowska and France's Benoit Jacquot. Berlin will announce its final competition films in the coming weeks. The 2018 Berlinale runs Feb. 15-25. (Hollywood Reporter)
Golden Globes Time's Up Activists to Hollywood: "Failure to Pay Women Fairly Is Another Way of Exacting Violence" Tarana Burke, who walked the red carpet Jan. 7 with Michelle Williams, speaks out along with two fellow advocates about the disparity between the 'All the Money in the World' actress' compensation and co-star Mark Wahlberg's, challenging the entertainment industry to "swiftly address the system that allows for such inequities." The timing of news of the pay disparity between Michelle Williams and her male co-star is not lost on us. Just days after we stood with Williams and other actresses in support of survivors of sexual harassment and assault and declared Time's Up, we learn that Michelle's male co-star was paid 1,000 times more than she was for reshoots of their new movie, All the Money in the World. (Ironically, the reshoot was necessitated by the removal of Kevin Spacey from the film in the wake of sexual misconduct allegations against him.) The message here is clear: Gender-based injustice is pervasive, and comes in all forms and sizes. At the heart of the matter is the reality that women's lives, and our work, are valued less than men's, and this power imbalance is expressed in a plethora of ways: from pay disparity, to limited opportunities for promotion, to failure to recognize our work and contributions, to sexual harassment, abuse and violence. In the words of Audre Lorde, "[t]here is no such thing as a single-issue struggle, because we do not live single-issue lives." As activists who have dedicated our lives to justice and healing, we understand that to achieve equity and help our communities have a shot at our best lives, we must tackle and confront all of the issues that prevent us from reaching our full potential. This includes, but is not limited to, workplace sexual violence, unequal benefits, and pay disparities. Research shows that women employed across nearly every sector and industry, regardless of education and skill level, get paid less than their white, male counterparts. The average gap for women overall is 80 cents to the dollar. Black women are paid 63 cents to the dollar paid to white men. Native women are paid just 57 cents to the dollar paid to a white man and Latinas are paid 54 cents to the dollar paid on average to white male, non-Hispanic workers. Some women fare far worse than these average wage gaps. For example, farmworker women are paid a little more than $11,000 per year as compared to $16,000 paid to their male counterparts. Women-dominated industries like care work struggle to be recognized as work, deserving of basic protections. And the annual median income for a caregiver for the elderly is $13,000 per year. This means we're working incredibly hard, sacrificing a lot, and still unable to meet our basic needs, support our families and save for the future. Linking arms and declaring Time's Up on gender discrimination, violence and abuse were not hollow acts to us. We loudly and proudly stated that we are not going back to a time when women's lives and work are less valued. We will not sit silently in the face of injustice -- not for the communities that we serve, our sisters in the entertainment industry or any other place. And we meant it. Now, it is on the decision-makers in the entertainment industry to swiftly address the system that allows for such inequities, and remedy this wrong for Williams and all women who are being shortchanged in favor of a man for no reason other than their gender. In recognition of Michelle Williams' leadership as an advocate for gender equity, Mark Wahlberg announced a $1.5 million donation to the Time's Up Legal Defense Fund, and WME (which represents both stars) followed with a $500,000 donation, in her name. This was a good example of the kinds of steps we must take to remedy these injustices when they occur. And, we must also be clear -- the goal is to ensure they don't happen in the first place. The Golden Globes felt historic. Because it felt that perhaps gender equity might be within reach after decades of work to bend the arc toward justice, but we were quickly reminded that violence comes in many forms, from physical and the emotional to the economic. While Hollywood is trying to address its problem with sexual violence, we want to underscore that the failure to pay women fairly is another way of exacting violence on women workers by devaluing their worth and contributions. To the power brokers and decision-makers in Hollywood and throughout the economy: Your choices about compensation reflect your values, and what side of history you want to be on. Failure to choose equity means that you are deliberately assigning value to a person's contributions based on their gender. Whether based on gender, race, gender identity, sexuality, age or ability, it is discrimination, and simply unacceptable. On Jan. 7, there was a feeling that something was changing for the better in the entertainment industry, and perhaps even throughout our economy. Without question, the women (and men) who believe in true equity will continue to unite. The question is whether industry leaders will be with us. (Hollywood Reporter)
Luc Besson's EuropaCorp Plans Layoffs Following 'Valerian' Losses. EuropaCorp plans to cut 22 employees company-wide after the director retook the helm Jan. 1. Luc Besson's EuropaCorp plans to lay off 22 of its Paris-based staff in an effort to cut costs and refocus on core business activities after the box-office failure of Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets. In a brief statement Monday, the company said it plans to cut its workforce from the current 79 employees to 57 to "carry out its strategy of refocusing on core business activities." The company posted an $83 million loss in December, following a record $135 million loss for the 2016 financial year. Besson banked on the success of his pet project Valerian, which had been decades in the making. But the sci-fi epic grossed only $225 million worldwide on a budget upward of $200 million. Founder Besson retook the helm of the company Jan. 1 following the departure of CEO Marc Shmuger in November. Deputy CEO Edouard de Vesinne left in September. Besson's company will refocus on producing thrillers, like the wildly successful Taken franchise and Lucy, with a planned slate of four to five films per year. That's down from the ambitious twelve per year announced in 2014. EuropaCorp sold off its French-language TV production arm in November for $13 million in an effort to bolster its growing English-language TV production, which remains a bright spot for the struggling company. It produces NBC's Taken and the just-announced The French Detective, starring Oscar-winner Jean Dujardin, for ABC. That was the latest in asset sales, after the company unloaded its multiplex business in 2016. (Hollywood Reporter)
TV
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle TV movie in the works at Lifetime. There is another British royal wedding coming and another Lifetime TV movie on the way about the romance that led to it. The cable network is prepping "Harry & Meghan: The Royal Love Story," a film that chronicles the relationship between Prince Harry and American actress Meghan Markle, who announced their engagement in November. The project was mentioned briefly Sunday by Lifetime head of programming Liz Gateley during the cable network's portion of TCA. "Harry & Meghan" chronicles the courtship and love story between a beloved prince and his new fiance. The film will examine the history of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle from the moment they met after being set up by friends, through their initial courtship when they were able to keep their romance under wraps, and ultimately the intense global media attention surrounding their relationship and Meghan's life as a divorced American actress. The movie is currently casting. There is no premiere date set yet but Lifetime aired predecessor "William & Kate: The Movie," about the romance between Prince Harry's older brother, Prince William, and Kate Middleton, 11 days before their Royal wedding. The nuptials between Prince Harry and Los Angeles native Markle are set for May 19, so an early May premiere date would appear fitting. Menhaj Huda ("The Royals") is directing "Harry & Meghan," which is currently casting. Merideth Finn and Michele Weiss ("Flowers In the Attic") executive produce. Prince Harry and "Suits" star Markle met in July 2016, embarking on a worldwide romance that spanned Harry's native country, Great Britain, Canada, where Markle filmed Suits, and Africa. (PageSix)
Inside 'Madam Secretary's' Trump-Like Impeachment Episode. Co-star Keith Carradine, who plays the president on the CBS drama, talks with THR about the show's real-life parallels. [This story contains spoilers from the Jan. 14 episode of CBS 'Madam Secretary.] During Sunday's Madam Secretary, the drama addressed a debate that has been playing out in the media for months: Does the 25th Amendment allow a president to be removed from office if his cabinet deems him mentally unfit? At least in the alternate-future Washington depicted on the CBS political drama, the answer is a resounding "yes." First, a quick recap: When the American embassy in Bulgaria is seemingly targeted by a sonic attack that's traced back to Russian operatives, an uncharacteristically hawkish President Dalton (Keith Carradine) orders his Secretary of State Elizabeth McCord (series star Tea Leoni) and the rest of the cabinet vote to invoke the 25th Amendment to strip him of his powers, thereby avoiding a potential armed conflict. Later in the episode, President Dalton's bizarre behavior is chalked up not to a psychological break, but rather a benign brain tumor that had been pushing on his frontal lobe (ironically, the part of the brain responsible for "executive function"). After his symptoms are temporarily relieved by a course of steroids, he gives an inspirational speech in which he praises his cabinet for being "true American heroes and patriots... [who] put their country ahead of their personal relationship with me." He concludes: "It's what separates us from dictatorships and oligarchies. Without people of such courage, our democracy would be lost." Amid the deeply divided American political landscape of 2018, that's a hot-button statement that could easily be interpreted as a warning (plea?) to those in the current Trump administration. Indeed, among the show's right-wing fans, the potential for outrage is high: last season, an episode that saw President Dalton taking a stand against climate change deniers raised the ire of some conservative viewers. And yet Carradine -- who has played Dalton on all four seasons of the political series -- denies there's a partisan agenda at work. "I don't think so, only because this is fiction," the actor tells The Hollywood Reporter. "We are hypothesizing a circumstance that is not directly the circumstance or the conversation that is being had today in all of the media and all of the conversations surrounding Trump. Those are very different issues from what we're looking at in our fictitious episode here.... The fact is, this is a circumstance where there is a very legitimate medical issue that is at the heart of what's going on. And that ultimately, the good of the country takes precedent.... Because that's what we are speaking to, I would hope that any reasonable viewer would appreciate that." Keith Carradine and Tea Leoni during Sunday's impeachment-themed episode of CBS' 'Madam Secretary.' If Carradine's answer sounds too diplomatic (even disingenuous), it's in keeping with showrunner Barbara Hall's stated intention to make a series that appeals to everyone, regardless of how they identify politically. Indeed, Dalton's own political affiliation wasn't named until season three, when he ran for re-election as... an independent (though many viewers have justifiably pegged him as an erstwhile Republican). "I think the proof is in the pudding, in that we do have such a broad audience," Carradine says of the show's nonpartisan mandate. "And thus far, I think we've managed to present our stories and present the positions and the discussions and the problems that need to be solved in a way that doesn't scream any kind of a partisan position." And yet, in a pivotal scene that sees President Dalton making aggressive statements toward Russia during a news conference, one line in particular closely mirrors the rhetoric President Trump aimed at North Korea last summer. "I will tell you this: If we confirm that Russia is behind it, they are going to feel the overwhelming force and ferocity of our military might," Dalton says. Meanwhile, back in August, Trump said this: "North Korea best not make any more threats to the United States. They will be met with fire and fury like the world has never seen." So, is this a case of art imitating life, or just another uncanny coincidence from a show that has become known for inadvertently predicting future events (including, in one case, the Iran nuclear deal)? Carradine claims it's the latter. "This script was written before [Trump] said any of those things. So, I'm not sure who's imitating who here," says the actor. "I've often joked with Barbara Hall and everyone about what kind of deal they have made with some devil somewhere that they are able to do these things and address these subjects and then have them be on the air in such an extraordinarily timely way. It's a little weird." As for Carradine's thoughts about Trump, the actor, in keeping with the nonpartisan tone of the series, says he prefers to keep his politics close to the vest. "That's not a place where I want to play," he says. Carradine was forthcoming, however, on one issue that pertains to the latest episode of his show: the recent statements by a number of prominent psychiatrists that question Trump's mental fitness for office. "As a public person, I do think there is a great danger in remote diagnosis," says Carradine. "It's one thing to have a person who has actually submitted themselves, or who has actually been personally examined, and has agreed to such an examination and whatever's determined as a result of such a thing. But for people to speculate -- even though they are certainly qualified.... I think that is dangerous, and I don't think it serves the discussion. I think that we need to keep our wits about us here and not become histrionic in the way we're looking at something that seems histrionic at its core. I think that to respond to extreme behavior extremely, it doesn't serve anybody." Unlike the political problems of the real world, the serious dilemma at the heart of "Sound and Fury" -- the episode's title -- is neatly solved by hour's end thanks to competent, serious political operatives who have the best interests of the American people at heart. That would count as pure fantasy no matter the era, but in 2018, the resolution feels particularly far-fetched. As for Carradine -- who initially termed the series "idealistic" before rephrasing it as "aspirational" -- he remains hopeful for America's future despite the fraught nature of modern-day politics. Perhaps the show's high-minded optimism has rubbed off on him. "One of the things that I think that our show does is, it's kind of a reminder of how it can be," he says. "And I would like to think that it's a reminder of where we can be again." Spoken like a true president -- TV or otherwise. (Hollywood Reporter)
Aaron Rodgers and Danica Patrick seem to be rounding out the first lap of their rumored romance -- 'cause now they're dining together out in the open ... as seen here. The Packers QB and NASCAR driver were spotted grabbing a bite Saturday night at The Mission Mexican restaurant in Scottsdale, Arizona, accompanied by a small group of people. Eyewitnesses tell TMZ Aaron and Danica sat next to each other, but didn't show off any kind of PDA while there. We're also told other patrons recognized them, but left them alone. Rumors have been swirling about the reported couple, who apparently got together shortly after the holidays. Word around town is ... things are moving fast with Aaron after Danica split from her BF of 5 years, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., late last year. Looks like they have plenty of time on their hands to cozy up -- Aaron's season is over after the Packers didn't make the playoffs, and Danica's set to retire soon. Kismet! (TMZ)
She may have lost the fight ... but Paige VanZant once again proved she's tough as hell -- fighting 2 more rounds after BREAKING HER ARM! The former "Dancing with the Stars" contestant cracked her right arm while throwing a spinning back fist at Jessica-Rose Clark at UFC Fight Night on Sunday. She was obviously in pain but refused to stop the fight. In fact, Paige battled for 2 more rounds -- throwing punches with the broken arm!!! In the end, PVZ lost the fight (props to Clark) ... but damn -- impressive. "I'll be back better and stronger than ever," Paige wrote on Instagram ... "It's all apart of the fight game. God had other plans for me. Darn spinning back fist." (TMZ)
Actress Michelle Williams has responded to "All the Money in the World" co-star Mark Wahlberg's recent donation to the Time's Up legal defense fund. "Today isn't about me," Williams said in a statement. "My fellow actresses stood by me and stood up for me, my activist friends taught me to use my voice, and the most powerful men in charge, they listened and they acted. If we truly envision an equal world, it takes equal effort and sacrifice. Today is one of the most indelible days of my life because of Mark Wahlberg, WME and a community of women and men who share in this accomplishment. Anthony Rapp, for all the shoulders you stood on, now we stand on yours." Earlier, Deadline exclusively reported that Mark Wahlberg announced that he donated in Michelle Williams' name the $1.5 million in money he received for "All The Money In The World" reshoots. The donation was made to #TimesUp, the legal fund for sexual abuse and harassment victims. The news comes after reports of alleged gender pay disparity between Wahlberg and Williams when director Ridley Scott gathered them together over the Thanksgiving holiday to reshoot scenes for the film with Christopher Plummer that had originally been shot with Kevin Spacey, who was dropped from the pic after Anthony Rapp accused him of sexual harassment. (Page Six)
Jamie Lee Curtis: Eliza Dushku told me of abuse before. "True Lies" actress Jamie Lee Curtis revealed Sunday that co-star Eliza Dushku confided in her "a few years ago" that she was sexually abused while making the 1994 action flick. The now-37-year-old Dushku this weekend accused a "True Lies" stunt coordinator of molesting her during filming, when she was just 12. "Yesterday, Eliza Dushku published her account of having been molested during the shooting of the movie `True Lies,' in which I played her mother," Curtis wrote in a piece for the Huffington Post. "She had shared that story with me privately a few years ago. I was shocked and saddened then and still am today." Curtis, 59, said Dushku's story should be a wakeup call about rampant child abuse in Hollywood. "We have all started to awaken to the fact that the terrible abuses now commonplace in daily news reports have been going on for a very long time," Curtis said. "Unconscionably, those reports frequently come along with claims by the perpetrators that, as adults, those perpetrated against had some part in it." She added: "Eliza's story has now awakened us from our denial slumber to a new, horrific reality. The abuse of children." Curtis's comments came as the accused stunt coordinator, Joel Kramer, was dumped by his agent. "WPA [Worldwide Production Agency] has elected to part ways with Joel Kramer based on the allegations of misconduct now being reported," the firm said in a statement to multiple trade publications Sunday. "Such behavior is unacceptable and entirely at odds with the standards of conduct we demand of ourselves, and expect from our clients." Curtis said she hopes more victims will have the strength to step forward. "The truth will set us all free," she wrote. "Hopefully that freedom will bring a new ability to call out abuse and, when that abuse occurs, to have swift and consistent action, so that no one again will have to wait 25 years for their truth to be heard." (PageSix)
James Cameron has spoken out about the alleged sexual assault of then-12-year-old actress Eliza Dushku on the set of his 1994 film, "True Lies" -- saying if he had known about it, "there would have been no mercy." The allegations came over the weekend from the now-37-year-old actress, who says she was molested by one of the movie's stuntmen. "Obviously, Eliza is very brave for speaking up and I think all the women who are speaking up and calling for a reckoning now," Cameron said Saturday while speaking at a Television Critics Association event in California. "I think that has been an endemic through human systems, not just Hollywood, but because Hollywood deals with women who are victims 10, 15, 20 years ago who are famous today, so they get to have a louder voice when they come forward," the filmmaker explained. "So bravo to them for doing it. And I am glad Eliza did that." Cameron added, "But had I known about, there would have been no mercy. I have daughters. There really would be no mercy now." Dushku went public with her allegations Saturday in a lengthy Facebook post. The stuntman whom she accused, Joel Kramer, 60, has denied the claims. "This is all vile lies," he told Us Weekly. "I never molested this young woman, ever. Who in their right mind would do that and then still work with someone another six months or seven months or however long we had left to work together, wouldn't that be a little weird?" (Page Six)
Rose McGowan: CAA agents were Weinstein's 'pimps'. Rose McGowan is being hailed for her bravery in calling out the powerful CAA talent agency for enabling Harvey Weinstein. She refers to CAA agents as his "pimps." CAA represented many of the actresses who were sent to meetings with Weinstein at his suite at the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. "Harvey worked very closely with CAA. It's amazing they've managed to escape all this scandal unscathed," one Hollywood veteran told me. CAA has even been hailed for its embrace of the #TimesUp movement against sexual harassment and for providing its offices in Los Angeles, New York and London for simultaneous meetings. Attached to the invite for Wednesday's meeting, McGowan tweeted: "Who do you think is behind this 'great' pr? Why, it's the company of pimps that sent so many into the Monster's Lair themselves. CAA. #TIMESUP fakes." And when Weinstein was desperately trying to kill Ronan Farrow's expose in the New Yorker, he called a CAA managing partner, Bryan Lourd, who told Weinstein that Farrow, a CAA client, wouldn't meet with him. CAA issued an apology last month after it was reported that at least eight of its agents had been approached with complaints about Weinstein's behavior. "We apologize to any person the agency let down for not meeting the high expectations we place on ourselves, as individuals and as a company," the statement read. "We unequivocally support those who have spoken out publicly." While Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, Julia Roberts, Penelope Cruz and Reese Witherspoon are still repped by CAA, Rae Dawn Chong left in 1990, when she says her complaint of being harassed by fellow CAA client Steven Seagal was ignored. A CAA spokeswoman had no comment. (PageSix)
Aziz Ansari has been accused of sexual assault by a woman who claims he repeatedly got sexually aggressive with her despite her protestations. The woman -- who remains anonymous -- claims she went on a date with him last year and ended up in his Tribeca apartment. She claims he almost immediately began kissing, fondling and undressing her and then said he was going to grab a condom. The woman says she asked him to slow down, but he continued and performed oral sex on her. She says when he started sticking his fingers in her throat, she used "verbal and non-verbal cues" to indicate her discomfort. The woman says she doesn't know if Ansari got the message at first, but when it eventually registered, she says he told her, "Of course, it's only fun if we're both having fun." Still, she says Ansari continued to push himself on her. She says she eventually left in tears. The woman, who first told her story to Babe.net, texted Ansari the next day, "Last night might have been fun for you it wasn't for me. When we got back to your place, you ignored clear, non-verbal cues; you kept going with advances. You had to have noticed I was uncomfortable." She then described part of the encounter. The woman says she decided to come forward after she saw Ansari wearing a Time's Up pin at the Golden Globes, where he won Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy TV Series for his lead role on "Master of None." We reached out to Ansari's rep ... so far, no word back. UPDATE: Aziz has responded saying he believed the sexual activity he engaged in with the anonymous woman was completely consensual. He says the day after the incident he got a text from her saying, "it may have seemed okay" but, after further reflection she felt uncomfortable. He says, "It was true that everything did seem okay to me, so when I heard that it was not the case for her, I was surprised and concerned." Aziz says he "took her words to heart and responded privately." He says he continues to support the #MeToo and Time's Up movements as well. (TMZ)
Anna Wintour Responds to Mario Testino and Bruce Weber Sexual Misconduct Allegations. Anna Wintour has announced that Conde Nast is putting its working relationship with famed celebrity photographers Mario Testino and Bruce Weber on hold in wake of sexual misconduct allegations made against them. Vogue's editor in chief and Conde Nast's artistic director made her comments in a message posted on the magazine's website on Saturday after The New York Times reported that 13 male assistants and models claimed Testino subjected them to sexual advances and that 15 current and former male models claimed Weber exhibited coercive sexual behavior, often during photo shoots. Both photographers have denied the allegations. "Both are personal friends of mine who have made extraordinary contributions to Vogue and many other titles at Conde Nast over the years, and both have issued objections or denials to what has emerged," Wintour said in her statement. "I believe strongly in the value of remorse and forgiveness, but I take the allegations very seriously, and we at Conde Nast have decided to put our working relationship with both photographers on hold for the foreseeable future." The photographers have not commented on Wintour's decision. Testino's lawyers challenged the characters and credibility of the accusers and also said they spoke to several former employees who were "shocked by the allegations" and added that they "could not confirm any of the claims," the New York Times had reported. The outlet also quoted Weber as saying in a statement via his lawyer, "I'm completely shocked and saddened by the outrageous claims being made against me, which I absolutely deny." Meanwhile, Wintour also said that Conde Nast will adopt new guidelines for outside contributors, "which has emerged after bracingly honest discussions -- with model advocates and agents, stylists, photographers, hair and makeup artists, set designers, and many of our own editors." "The goal of these conversations has been to understand how we can create safe and positive environments for everyone we work with," she said. New rules include no longer allowing alcohol on Conde Nast sets, making sure all models appearing in fashion shoots commissioned by Conde Nast are 18 years of age or older and making sure any shoot involving nudity, sheer clothing, lingerie, swimwear, simulated drug or alcohol use, or sexually suggestive poses must be approved in advance by the subject. (Eonline)
Dennis Rodman's DUI problems have gone from bad to worse ... because he was on probation during his arrest on Saturday -- and it likely means he'll be thrown in the slammer. The probation stems from a plea deal Rodman struck over a July 2016 wrong way crash -- where he was going the wrong way on an Orange County, CA freeway, struck a car and allegedly fled the scene. Witnesses also saw him drinking at a karaoke bar before the crash but he was not charged with DUI for that incident. However, Rodman was placed on 3-years-probation with the condition he stay out of trouble. It was a good deal for Rodman, considering he was facing up to 2 years in prison. So, what happens next? Officials will likely revoke his probation in the wake of the new arrest and he could be sent to prison for the full 2 years he was originally due to serve in the wrong way crash case PLUS any additional time for the new arrest. Rodman's rep has told TMZ Sports the NBA player needs rehab -- but it could be too little, too late. (TMZ)
The Cranberries lead singer, Dolores O'Riordan, died Monday in London. Dolores was reportedly in London for a recording session. A rep for the band would only say she died "suddenly." The rep offered no further details. The Irish band struck it big in the '90s ... when Dolores took over for their previous lead singer. Their songs "Zombie" and "Linger" were huge international hits. Dolores released 2 solo albums while the Cranberries were on hiatus. They got back together in 2009. She split from her husband of 20 years in 2014, and had 3 children. Dolores was 46. #RIP. (TMZ)
Dolores O'Riordan Dead: The Cranberries Singer Was 46. Dolores O'Riordan, singer for The Cranberries, has died at the age of 46. Her publicist confirmed the news to BBC News. "The lead singer with the Irish band The Cranberries was in London for a short recording session," a statement from the publicist read. "No further details are available at this time." The statement continued, "Family members are devastated to hear the breaking news and have requested privacy at this very difficult time." According to a statement obtained by The Guardian, the singer passed away "suddenly" on Monday. Per the band's website, The Cranberries were formed in Ireland 1990 and have sold more than 40 million albums worldwide. In fact, the website claimed the group sold more than 15 million albums in the U.S. alone. The band's songs include "Zombie," "Dreams" and "Linger." The group -- which also consists of guitarist Noel Hogan, bassist Mike Hogan and drummer Fergal Lawler -- took a six-year hiatus and reunited in 2009 for a North American tour. (Eonline)
THE OTHER STUFF . . .
Princess Charlotte Bosses Around Her Big Brother Prince George, Says Queen Elizabeth. Who's the boss? Princess Charlotte! That's according to the woman who knows a thing or two about taking the lead. Great-grandmother Queen Elizabeth said on Sunday that 2-year-old Charlotte rules over her 4-year-old big brother, Prince George. Speaking to a 10-year-old school girl, Emily Clay, the Queen asked if she "looked after" her 6-year-old sister, Hadleigh. Mom Ellen replied, "It's the other way around." The Queen, 91, quickly came back with, "It's like that with Charlotte and George." The exchange happened at the Queen's Sandringham estate in Norfolk, where Emily won a bible signed by the Queen for a school religious education project. (Her dad, Tom, won the same prize in 1990, the Eastern Daily Press reported.) A source told PEOPLE last week that "confident" Charlotte, who is speaking some Spanish, has settled well into her preschool, Willcocks Nursery School, not far from the family's London home, Kensington Palace. The Queen is staying at her country home in Norfolk, about 110 miles north of London, until early February. She usually remains there until after Accession Day on February 6, which marks the day she became Queen upon the death of her father, King George VI, in 1952. In rare public comments captured on camera, the Queen opened up about her historic 1953 coronation in a groundbreaking documentary that aired Sunday on Smithsonian Channel. "I've seen one coronation, and been the recipient in the other, which is pretty remarkable," she said. (People)
Jay-Z's lead character from his 'Story of O.J.' music video is getting drafted for a whole new role ... in fashion and home wares. Hova's company, S. Carter Enterprises, just filed docs to trademark the animated character, "Jaybo." The plan is to plaster the little guy on T-shirts, sweaters, hats, blankets, shams, dinnerware, mugs, cocktail shakers and thermal containers. Interesting move to commercialize Jaybo, since it's a playoff of Sambo -- the main character from an 1899 children's book that's widely held to be racist due to the illustrations. Guess you could say Jay-Z's reclaiming the character ... sans Klan outfit. (TMZ)
The wild ending to the Vikings/Saints playoff game cost a lot of people a lot of money ... and it all came down to that extra point play. The spread before kickoff was 5.5 in favor of the Vikings -- meaning if you bet the Vikings, they had to win by at least 6 points for you to collect on your bet. So when Stefon Diggs caught that insane last-second pass with time expiring to put Minnesota up by 5, Vikings betters thought the extra point was a gimme ... and would be money in the bank. Now the twist -- the players clearly thought the game was over, as both teams started to leave the field. But when officials explained the extra point play was mandatory, both teams returned ... but the Vikings apparently didn't wanna put salt in the wound ... so they took a knee instead of kicking the field goal for the extra point. Final spread -- 5 points. Hope you bet on the Saints. (TMZ)
Vindicated Harold Ford Jr. goes after Morgan Stanley. Harold Ford Jr. is happy he is no longer accused of sexual harassment and is looking forward to taking on Morgan Stanley, which fired him last month for unexplained misconduct. "I am gratified to learn that Morgan Stanley now acknowledges what I always knew, that I did not engage in any acts of sexual misconduct or harassment," Ford said in a statement. "I only wish for the sake of my good name and reputation that they had admitted the truth five weeks ago." The statement came the day after I reported that Ford's friends feel he was railroaded by Morgan Stanley, because he was fired less than 24 hours after he had denied any wrongdoing. Ford's only accuser, Reuters business editor Lauren Tara LaCapra, refused to speak with me but told the New York Times of a dinner they shared four years ago: "Mr. Ford tried to pull me into an elevator to go to a cocktail lounge, despite my verbal and physical resistance." But at 12:44 a.m. she e-mailed him: "had fun tonight! thanks for inviting me out, and for the meal, and my ride home. hope you got back safe & sound?" (PageSix)
Behind every great man is a great woman -- and apparently the same goes for drunk men, because the folks at Johnnie Walker whisky are about to roll out his female counterpart. Diageo, the company that owns Johnnie, filed paperwork in early January to trademark the name Jane Walker for all alcoholic beverages except beer ... according to new docs. It's unclear exactly what the Jane Walker products would be, but in the midst of the #timesup movement ... gender equality and female empowerment seem like probable themes. This isn't the first time Jane's name has been tossed around either -- around the time of the 2016 election, Walker reportedly had an ad campaign titled "Jane Walker" in the works ... but scrapped it after Hillary Clinton lost. Apparently, that wound has healed, 'cause Jane's ready to go. Bottoms up? (TMZ)
The Escobar fam doesn't usually back down from a fight, but it waved the white flag in a showdown with a TV powerhouse ... TMZ has learned. Escobar Inc. -- the company run by Pablo's bro, Roberto -- folded in the battle to cash in on the terms "Narcos" and "Cartel Wars." Both were made famous recently by the popular Netflix show, and the related video game. According to new legal docs, the company filed an abandonment of its trademark application in November. We broke the story ... lawyers for "Narcos" called BS on Pablo for filing paperwork claiming ownership of "Narcos" in connection with a website. It's unclear if a settlement was reached, but if a Narcos battle ends peacefully -- no blood, no foul. (TMZ)
Music
Jay-Z's lead character from his 'Story of O.J.' music video is getting drafted for a whole new role ... in fashion and home wares. Hova's company, S. Carter Enterprises, just filed docs to trademark the animated character, "Jaybo." The plan is to plaster the little guy on T-shirts, sweaters, hats, blankets, shams, dinnerware, mugs, cocktail shakers and thermal containers. Interesting move to commercialize Jaybo, since it's a playoff of Sambo -- the main character from an 1899 children's book that's widely held to be racist due to the illustrations. Guess you could say Jay-Z's reclaiming the character ... sans Klan outfit. (TMZ)
Diddy a Proud Dad After Son Christian 'King' Combs Walks in Dolce & Gabbana Milan Show. Hip-hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs was just a proud dad over the weekend when he shared his excitement about son Christian "King" Combs, 19, hitting the catwalk in Milan on Saturday (Jan. 13) to open fashion house Dolce & Gabbana's fall '18 runway show during Men's Fashion Week. Model Christian Combs walked it out wearing a gold-brocaded coat with skinny pants and velvet-embroidered loafers from the "King's Angels" collection. He was joined in the show by actor James Mardsen's 16-year-old son, Jack and social media star Cameron Dallas. Diddy tweeted out his excitement about his son's achievement, writing "I'm so proud of my son." with the hashtag @BlackExcellence. King returned the love. (Billboard)
Johnny Cash Doc in the Works From Frank Marshall, Imperative. Thom Zimny, the award-winning filmmaker behind numerous Bruce Springsteen documentaries, is set to direct. Imperative Entertainment is teaming up with Jurassic World producer Frank Marshall to make a Johnny Cashdocumentary. The news comes the day before the 50th anniversary of Cash's famous concert at Folsom Prison, which was the basis for his triple-platinum-selling, crossover success concert album, Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison. Thom Zimny, the award-winning filmmaker behind numerous Bruce Springsteen documentaries and HBO Films' Elvis Presley: The Searcher documentary, is set to direct the untitled movie. Imperative's Dan Friedkin, Bradley Thomas and Ryan Friedkin will produce with Zimny as well as Glen Zipper and Sean Stuart. Marshall will be executive producing along with Jeff Pollack, Ryan Suffern and Jillian Apfelbaum. The documentary will have the full support of the Cash estate and will explore Cash's music and biography through the prison concert. "While the linear narrative of the Folsom Prison performances will anchor our film, each song in the set list will open a door into a nonlinear presentation of Cash's emotional, musical and personal development," said Zimny in a statement. Cash, who died in 2003, is a country music icon who also found success in other musical genres. The singer-songwriter behind classics "Ring of Fire" and "I Walk the Line" was the subject of a biopic in 2005, in which he was portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix. The actor received an Oscar nomination for his performance in the movie, which was directed by James Mangold. Marshall has Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom opening June 22. (Billboard)
Ed Sheeran's 'Perfect' Enters Sixth Week at No. 1 in Australia. Ed Sheeran rules Australia's singles chart for a sixth straight week with "Perfect" (Atlantic/Warner) while the score for The Greatest Showman (Atlantic/Warner) remains the top entertainer on the albums survey. With his latest stint atop the ARIA Singles Chart, Sheeran logs 27 career weeks at No. 1. "Perfect," also this week's No. 1 in the U.K., is credited triple platinum (210,000 units) in Australia. Coming in at No. 2 this week is Post Malone's "I Fall Apart" (Universal), which hits a new high in its 14th week on the chart. The U.S. rapper's former No. 1, "Rockstar," holds at No. 6 while his more recent release, "Candy Paint," improves 26-20, a new peak. Also this week, Post's debut set Stoney rises four places on the ARIA Albums Chart to a best position of No. 6. Eminem's "River" (Interscope/Universal) featuring Sheeran is unchanged at No. 3, as Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line "Meant To Be" (Warner) improves three places to No. 4, a new peak. Camila Cabello's "Havana" (Epic/Sony) featuring Young Thug this week dips 2-5. U.S. rapper and producer G-Eazy earns his first top 10 as a lead artist as "Him & I" (RCA/Sony) featuring Halsey leaps 16-10 in its sixth week. Meanwhile, Bruno Mars snags the week's highest new entry with "Finesse" (Atlantic/Warner), featuring Cardi B, which opens at No. 15. It's Mars' third top 50 entry from 24K Magic after its title track (No. 3 in December 2016) and "That's What I Like" (No. 5 in April 2017). Just four Australian recordings impact the top 50, led by Pnau's "Go Bang," unchanged at No. 13, and Sheppard's "Coming Home" (Chugg/MGM), which rallies 28-23, a new peak. Over on the ARIA Albums Chart, it's an unchanged top 5 as Sheeran's six-times platinum Divide (Warner) holds at No. 2, Pink's four-times platinum Beautiful Trauma (RCA/Sony) is at No. 3, Eminem's Revival (Interscope/Universal), stays at No. 4 and Taylor Swift's Reputation (Big Machine/Universal) retains No. 5. (Billboard)
Movies
Blake Lively's Dramatic Movie Makeover Will Blow You Away. Sometimes actors get major makeovers for a movie, but it looks like Blake Lively got a major wigged-out transformation during her latest film! While filming scenes for her upcoming role in The Rhythm Section, photogs caught the mother of two on New York's Upper West Side looking exceedingly glamorous with a bold red lip and rocking a red wig, complete with dramatic pin-up girl bangs on Jan. 14. The fashionable star beat the NYC weather in a long black winter coat, stockings and a pair of Christian Louboutins. This is quite a different vision of the stunning star from when she was photographed two months ago while filming scenes for the very same movie in Dublin, Ireland. On Nov. 15, the actress, who has basically never had a bad red carpet moment, showed a dramatically different side when she was snapped in character, wearing over-sized clothes, no makeup (or makeup to make her look washed out) and a not-so flattering light brown wig. Earlier Sunday, Lively posted yet another look from the film on her Instagram -- this one dark and stormy. Along with the short and dark wig photo, Blake wrote, "#TheRhythmSectionMovie." In Glamour's September issue, well-dressed woman sounded off on the idea of perfection and why it's troublesome. "It's nonsense. It simplifies people. Not all men, but a subsection of men, have a desire to understand and control women. To do that, you have to paint them into this thing you can wrap your head around," the 30-year-old star argued. "But women are complex." That they certainly are and Lively's upcoming role in The Rhythm Section should certainly stretch the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants actress... According to The Hollywood Reporter, The Rhythm Section follows Stephanie Patrick, who, "is on a path of self-destruction after the death of her family in an airplane crash, a flight that she was meant to be on. After discovering that the crash was not an accident, her anger awakens a new sense of purpose and she rises to uncover the truth by adopting the identity of an assassin to track down those responsible. The new, and lethal, Stephanie Patrick is on a mission to fill the void between what she knows and what she is told." Looks like the new lethal Stephanie Patrick is lethally fabulous! Ryan Reynolds' lady love stars opposite Jude Law in the upcoming thriller, which is set to come out in February 2019. (Eonline)
Eliza Dushku's Sex Abuse Claims Spur Agency to Drop True Lies Stunt Coordinator. Stunt coordinator Joel Kramer has been dropped by his talent agency after Eliza Dushku, who worked with him on the 1994 movie True Lies, said publicly that he had sexually molested her when she was 12. Kramer, also known for his work on a slew of other films starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, as well as shows like Westworld and Star Trek: Discovery, had denied the allegations, which the actress had made in a Facebook post on Saturday. He told The Hollywood Reporter the accusations were "atrocious lies" and claimed he never spent time with her alone. "We took care of her like she was our kid," he told THR. "I don't ever remember being alone with her. 'Luring' her up to my hotel room is just crazy." He then called the sexual assault allegation "just untrue." In addition, Kramer said he and his team did "everything we can to make sure everybody is safe" when it came to performing stunts. On Sunday, Worldwide Production Agency announced it had severed ties with Kramer. He has not commented on their decision. "WPA has elected to part ways with Joel Kramer based on the allegations of misconduct now being reported," the agency's president and general counsel Richard Caleel told E! News in a statement. "Such behavior is unacceptable and entirely at odds with the standards of conduct we demand of ourselves, and expect from our clients." Meanwhile, Jamie Lee Curtis, who played Dushku's mother in True Lies, wrote in a Huffington Post op-ed on Sunday that the actress had shared her story with her privately a few years ago, adding, "I was shocked and saddened then and still am today." "Many of us involved in True Lies were parents," Curtis wrote in her op-ed. "Jim, Arnold and myself. Parents of daughters. What allegedly happened to Eliza, away from the safety net of all of us and our purview is a terrible, terrible thing to learn about and have to reconcile." James Cameron, who directed the film, said at the Television Critics Association on Saturday, "Had I known about it, there would have been no mercy" and called Dushku "very brave for speaking up." In her original post, the 37-year-old actress said she had talked about Kramer's alleged behavior with her parents, one of her brothers and two adult friends, one of whom she said came out to the set to visit and face Kramer. Her then-agent JoAnne Colonna told Deadline in an interview posted on Sunday that she was that person. She said Dushku pleaded with her not to tell anyone for fear of retribution but that she confronted Kramer directly and told him to stay away from her. Kramer and Dushku have not commented on Colonna's remarks. But Dushku did post a link to the article on Facebook on Sunday, writing, "I stand by what I said here. His denials are not accurate. What I wrote is the truth. I won't let him victimize me again." (Eonline)
Berlin Festival Adds Films to Competition Lineup. David Zellner's 'Damsel,' starring Robert Pattinson and Mia Wasikowska, and Christian Petzold's 'Transit,' featuring German stars Franz Rogowski and Paula Beer, are among films in the running for the Golden Bear. The Berlin film festival on Monday announced eight more films to its competition lineup, adding mainly European art house titles to a program already leaning in that direction. David Zellner's Damsel, which will have its world premiere in Sundance, is one of the few U.S. titles in the running for Berlin's Golden Bear. The period drama stars Robert Pattinson as a businessman who travels West to join his fiancee (Mia Wasikowska) in the mountains. Elsewhere, American cinema is represented by Gus van Sant's Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot, another Sundance title, and Wes Anderson's hotly anticipated Isle of Dogs, which will open the Berlin festival Feb. 15. Both titles were announced earlier. Two new German films -- Emily Atef's 3 Days in Quiberon, starring Marie Baumer and Birgit Minichmayr, and Christian Petzold's Transit with Franz Rogowski and Paula Beer -- also secured competition slots. The first looks at three days in the life of legendary Austrian film star Romy Schneider, who, while visiting a sanatorium in 1981, conducts one of her final press interviews. Transit, adapted from the novel by Anna Seghers, is set during World War 2 and follows a man tasked with delivering a letter to a mysterious man in Marseilles. Cedric Kahn's The Prayer from France, Swedish drama The Real Estate from director Mans Mansson and Axel Petersen and Touch Me Not from Romanian film maker Adina Pintilie will all have their world premiere in competition in Berlin. From outside Europe comes The Heiresses, a drama from first-time Paraguayan director Marcelo Martinessi, and Pig from Iranian filmmaker Mani Haghighi, whose previous feature, A Dragon Arrives!, was a highlight of Berlin 2016. Running out of competition will be Lance Daly's Black 47, set during the Irish famine, which stars Hugo Weaving, Barry Keoghan, Stephen Rea and Jim Broadbent. Monster Hunt 2, the sequel to Raman Hui's 2015 blockbuster will get a special, out-of-competition screening in Berlin, its European premiere, as will Gurrumul, a music documentary from Australian director Paul Williams on the life and work of legendary indigenous Australian musician Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, who also served as a co-producer on the project. Berlin's more political side will be repped by a pair of documentaries running out of competition: Eldorado from Swiss filmmaker Markus Imhoof looks at the causes of the worldwide refugee crisis, while Fernando Solanas' Viaje a los Pueblos Fumigados examines the poisoning of Argentina's rural lands, and its population, by the country's massive agricultural industry. Berlin's competition lineup is almost complete. Previously, the festival announced a series of titles, including new features from Russia's Alexey German Jr., Polish director Malgorzata Szumowska and France's Benoit Jacquot. Berlin will announce its final competition films in the coming weeks. The 2018 Berlinale runs Feb. 15-25. (Hollywood Reporter)
Golden Globes Time's Up Activists to Hollywood: "Failure to Pay Women Fairly Is Another Way of Exacting Violence" Tarana Burke, who walked the red carpet Jan. 7 with Michelle Williams, speaks out along with two fellow advocates about the disparity between the 'All the Money in the World' actress' compensation and co-star Mark Wahlberg's, challenging the entertainment industry to "swiftly address the system that allows for such inequities." The timing of news of the pay disparity between Michelle Williams and her male co-star is not lost on us. Just days after we stood with Williams and other actresses in support of survivors of sexual harassment and assault and declared Time's Up, we learn that Michelle's male co-star was paid 1,000 times more than she was for reshoots of their new movie, All the Money in the World. (Ironically, the reshoot was necessitated by the removal of Kevin Spacey from the film in the wake of sexual misconduct allegations against him.) The message here is clear: Gender-based injustice is pervasive, and comes in all forms and sizes. At the heart of the matter is the reality that women's lives, and our work, are valued less than men's, and this power imbalance is expressed in a plethora of ways: from pay disparity, to limited opportunities for promotion, to failure to recognize our work and contributions, to sexual harassment, abuse and violence. In the words of Audre Lorde, "[t]here is no such thing as a single-issue struggle, because we do not live single-issue lives." As activists who have dedicated our lives to justice and healing, we understand that to achieve equity and help our communities have a shot at our best lives, we must tackle and confront all of the issues that prevent us from reaching our full potential. This includes, but is not limited to, workplace sexual violence, unequal benefits, and pay disparities. Research shows that women employed across nearly every sector and industry, regardless of education and skill level, get paid less than their white, male counterparts. The average gap for women overall is 80 cents to the dollar. Black women are paid 63 cents to the dollar paid to white men. Native women are paid just 57 cents to the dollar paid to a white man and Latinas are paid 54 cents to the dollar paid on average to white male, non-Hispanic workers. Some women fare far worse than these average wage gaps. For example, farmworker women are paid a little more than $11,000 per year as compared to $16,000 paid to their male counterparts. Women-dominated industries like care work struggle to be recognized as work, deserving of basic protections. And the annual median income for a caregiver for the elderly is $13,000 per year. This means we're working incredibly hard, sacrificing a lot, and still unable to meet our basic needs, support our families and save for the future. Linking arms and declaring Time's Up on gender discrimination, violence and abuse were not hollow acts to us. We loudly and proudly stated that we are not going back to a time when women's lives and work are less valued. We will not sit silently in the face of injustice -- not for the communities that we serve, our sisters in the entertainment industry or any other place. And we meant it. Now, it is on the decision-makers in the entertainment industry to swiftly address the system that allows for such inequities, and remedy this wrong for Williams and all women who are being shortchanged in favor of a man for no reason other than their gender. In recognition of Michelle Williams' leadership as an advocate for gender equity, Mark Wahlberg announced a $1.5 million donation to the Time's Up Legal Defense Fund, and WME (which represents both stars) followed with a $500,000 donation, in her name. This was a good example of the kinds of steps we must take to remedy these injustices when they occur. And, we must also be clear -- the goal is to ensure they don't happen in the first place. The Golden Globes felt historic. Because it felt that perhaps gender equity might be within reach after decades of work to bend the arc toward justice, but we were quickly reminded that violence comes in many forms, from physical and the emotional to the economic. While Hollywood is trying to address its problem with sexual violence, we want to underscore that the failure to pay women fairly is another way of exacting violence on women workers by devaluing their worth and contributions. To the power brokers and decision-makers in Hollywood and throughout the economy: Your choices about compensation reflect your values, and what side of history you want to be on. Failure to choose equity means that you are deliberately assigning value to a person's contributions based on their gender. Whether based on gender, race, gender identity, sexuality, age or ability, it is discrimination, and simply unacceptable. On Jan. 7, there was a feeling that something was changing for the better in the entertainment industry, and perhaps even throughout our economy. Without question, the women (and men) who believe in true equity will continue to unite. The question is whether industry leaders will be with us. (Hollywood Reporter)
Luc Besson's EuropaCorp Plans Layoffs Following 'Valerian' Losses. EuropaCorp plans to cut 22 employees company-wide after the director retook the helm Jan. 1. Luc Besson's EuropaCorp plans to lay off 22 of its Paris-based staff in an effort to cut costs and refocus on core business activities after the box-office failure of Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets. In a brief statement Monday, the company said it plans to cut its workforce from the current 79 employees to 57 to "carry out its strategy of refocusing on core business activities." The company posted an $83 million loss in December, following a record $135 million loss for the 2016 financial year. Besson banked on the success of his pet project Valerian, which had been decades in the making. But the sci-fi epic grossed only $225 million worldwide on a budget upward of $200 million. Founder Besson retook the helm of the company Jan. 1 following the departure of CEO Marc Shmuger in November. Deputy CEO Edouard de Vesinne left in September. Besson's company will refocus on producing thrillers, like the wildly successful Taken franchise and Lucy, with a planned slate of four to five films per year. That's down from the ambitious twelve per year announced in 2014. EuropaCorp sold off its French-language TV production arm in November for $13 million in an effort to bolster its growing English-language TV production, which remains a bright spot for the struggling company. It produces NBC's Taken and the just-announced The French Detective, starring Oscar-winner Jean Dujardin, for ABC. That was the latest in asset sales, after the company unloaded its multiplex business in 2016. (Hollywood Reporter)
TV
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle TV movie in the works at Lifetime. There is another British royal wedding coming and another Lifetime TV movie on the way about the romance that led to it. The cable network is prepping "Harry & Meghan: The Royal Love Story," a film that chronicles the relationship between Prince Harry and American actress Meghan Markle, who announced their engagement in November. The project was mentioned briefly Sunday by Lifetime head of programming Liz Gateley during the cable network's portion of TCA. "Harry & Meghan" chronicles the courtship and love story between a beloved prince and his new fiance. The film will examine the history of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle from the moment they met after being set up by friends, through their initial courtship when they were able to keep their romance under wraps, and ultimately the intense global media attention surrounding their relationship and Meghan's life as a divorced American actress. The movie is currently casting. There is no premiere date set yet but Lifetime aired predecessor "William & Kate: The Movie," about the romance between Prince Harry's older brother, Prince William, and Kate Middleton, 11 days before their Royal wedding. The nuptials between Prince Harry and Los Angeles native Markle are set for May 19, so an early May premiere date would appear fitting. Menhaj Huda ("The Royals") is directing "Harry & Meghan," which is currently casting. Merideth Finn and Michele Weiss ("Flowers In the Attic") executive produce. Prince Harry and "Suits" star Markle met in July 2016, embarking on a worldwide romance that spanned Harry's native country, Great Britain, Canada, where Markle filmed Suits, and Africa. (PageSix)
Inside 'Madam Secretary's' Trump-Like Impeachment Episode. Co-star Keith Carradine, who plays the president on the CBS drama, talks with THR about the show's real-life parallels. [This story contains spoilers from the Jan. 14 episode of CBS 'Madam Secretary.] During Sunday's Madam Secretary, the drama addressed a debate that has been playing out in the media for months: Does the 25th Amendment allow a president to be removed from office if his cabinet deems him mentally unfit? At least in the alternate-future Washington depicted on the CBS political drama, the answer is a resounding "yes." First, a quick recap: When the American embassy in Bulgaria is seemingly targeted by a sonic attack that's traced back to Russian operatives, an uncharacteristically hawkish President Dalton (Keith Carradine) orders his Secretary of State Elizabeth McCord (series star Tea Leoni) and the rest of the cabinet vote to invoke the 25th Amendment to strip him of his powers, thereby avoiding a potential armed conflict. Later in the episode, President Dalton's bizarre behavior is chalked up not to a psychological break, but rather a benign brain tumor that had been pushing on his frontal lobe (ironically, the part of the brain responsible for "executive function"). After his symptoms are temporarily relieved by a course of steroids, he gives an inspirational speech in which he praises his cabinet for being "true American heroes and patriots... [who] put their country ahead of their personal relationship with me." He concludes: "It's what separates us from dictatorships and oligarchies. Without people of such courage, our democracy would be lost." Amid the deeply divided American political landscape of 2018, that's a hot-button statement that could easily be interpreted as a warning (plea?) to those in the current Trump administration. Indeed, among the show's right-wing fans, the potential for outrage is high: last season, an episode that saw President Dalton taking a stand against climate change deniers raised the ire of some conservative viewers. And yet Carradine -- who has played Dalton on all four seasons of the political series -- denies there's a partisan agenda at work. "I don't think so, only because this is fiction," the actor tells The Hollywood Reporter. "We are hypothesizing a circumstance that is not directly the circumstance or the conversation that is being had today in all of the media and all of the conversations surrounding Trump. Those are very different issues from what we're looking at in our fictitious episode here.... The fact is, this is a circumstance where there is a very legitimate medical issue that is at the heart of what's going on. And that ultimately, the good of the country takes precedent.... Because that's what we are speaking to, I would hope that any reasonable viewer would appreciate that." Keith Carradine and Tea Leoni during Sunday's impeachment-themed episode of CBS' 'Madam Secretary.' If Carradine's answer sounds too diplomatic (even disingenuous), it's in keeping with showrunner Barbara Hall's stated intention to make a series that appeals to everyone, regardless of how they identify politically. Indeed, Dalton's own political affiliation wasn't named until season three, when he ran for re-election as... an independent (though many viewers have justifiably pegged him as an erstwhile Republican). "I think the proof is in the pudding, in that we do have such a broad audience," Carradine says of the show's nonpartisan mandate. "And thus far, I think we've managed to present our stories and present the positions and the discussions and the problems that need to be solved in a way that doesn't scream any kind of a partisan position." And yet, in a pivotal scene that sees President Dalton making aggressive statements toward Russia during a news conference, one line in particular closely mirrors the rhetoric President Trump aimed at North Korea last summer. "I will tell you this: If we confirm that Russia is behind it, they are going to feel the overwhelming force and ferocity of our military might," Dalton says. Meanwhile, back in August, Trump said this: "North Korea best not make any more threats to the United States. They will be met with fire and fury like the world has never seen." So, is this a case of art imitating life, or just another uncanny coincidence from a show that has become known for inadvertently predicting future events (including, in one case, the Iran nuclear deal)? Carradine claims it's the latter. "This script was written before [Trump] said any of those things. So, I'm not sure who's imitating who here," says the actor. "I've often joked with Barbara Hall and everyone about what kind of deal they have made with some devil somewhere that they are able to do these things and address these subjects and then have them be on the air in such an extraordinarily timely way. It's a little weird." As for Carradine's thoughts about Trump, the actor, in keeping with the nonpartisan tone of the series, says he prefers to keep his politics close to the vest. "That's not a place where I want to play," he says. Carradine was forthcoming, however, on one issue that pertains to the latest episode of his show: the recent statements by a number of prominent psychiatrists that question Trump's mental fitness for office. "As a public person, I do think there is a great danger in remote diagnosis," says Carradine. "It's one thing to have a person who has actually submitted themselves, or who has actually been personally examined, and has agreed to such an examination and whatever's determined as a result of such a thing. But for people to speculate -- even though they are certainly qualified.... I think that is dangerous, and I don't think it serves the discussion. I think that we need to keep our wits about us here and not become histrionic in the way we're looking at something that seems histrionic at its core. I think that to respond to extreme behavior extremely, it doesn't serve anybody." Unlike the political problems of the real world, the serious dilemma at the heart of "Sound and Fury" -- the episode's title -- is neatly solved by hour's end thanks to competent, serious political operatives who have the best interests of the American people at heart. That would count as pure fantasy no matter the era, but in 2018, the resolution feels particularly far-fetched. As for Carradine -- who initially termed the series "idealistic" before rephrasing it as "aspirational" -- he remains hopeful for America's future despite the fraught nature of modern-day politics. Perhaps the show's high-minded optimism has rubbed off on him. "One of the things that I think that our show does is, it's kind of a reminder of how it can be," he says. "And I would like to think that it's a reminder of where we can be again." Spoken like a true president -- TV or otherwise. (Hollywood Reporter)
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