THE OTHER STUFF . . .
Meghan Markle's Surprise Appearance at 2018 British Fashion Awards Is Breathtaking. Meghan Markle graced the 2018 British Fashion Awards with her presence on Monday evening. The pregnant Duchess of Sussex surprised attendees and Anglophiles alike when she appeared as a special guest to present Clare Waight Keller of Givenchy with the British Womenswear Designer of the Year award. Meghan famously wore a custom creation by the fashion house's artistic director on her May 19, 2018 wedding day to Prince Harry. For the night's festivities at Royal Albert Hall in London, 37-year-old Markle wore a bespoke Givenchy gown, a gold bangle bracelet by Pippa Small ($430) and coordinating strappy heels by Tamara Mellon ($550). As is expected from Meghan's typical beauty regimen, she let her naturally stunning features shine through with minimal makeup and a sleek low bun. And as the fashion risk-taker she is, Meghan went against the royal family's affinity for more modest ensembles by baring one shoulder. She also rocked plum nail polish, a major no-no for members of the British royal family. (It's been reported that dark-colored nail polish is strictly prohibited, as Queen Elizabeth II prefers Ballet Slippers by Essie.) "It is such a pleasure to be here celebrating British fashion and British fashion designers in my new home of the U.K.," Meghan said onstage, per attendees who captured her remarks on camera and shared them via social media. Cradling her growing baby bump, she also noted, "It's so nice to see so many familiar faces, many of you I've known for quite awhile and a lot of you that I've been able to meet in the past year. So, thank you for the warm welcome." After presenting Keller with the coveted accolade, the designer thanked Meghan for enlisting her to bring her dream bridal gown to life. "This woman is so amazing," Keller gushed. "I got to know Meghan on such a personal level. To have someone like that trust you on such a personal moment in their life... I can't thank you enough because it was the most beautiful moment." Keller made history as Givenchy's first female artistic director, having previously presided over Pringle of Scotland and Chloe. She and Meghan began working on the modern look in early 2018, with both wanting to reflect a timeless elegance. Following Meghan and Harry's nuptials, Keller explained her and the bride's creative process. "It was a wonderful way to start the collaboration with her," she told reporters, "finding out what she wanted for her day and just to find the absolute perfect style for her. Part of it was really a conversation in the beginning and then through a series of sketches that I proposed to her. We exchanged conversations about what would be the ultimate lines and proportions and the scale of the dress." Fans of Meghan and Harry can now see the gown Keller designed on display at Windsor Castle, where the newlyweds tied the knot, as part of the exhibit "A Royal Wedding: The Duke and Duchess Of Sussex." The exhibit is open daily starting until Jan. 6, where it will then move to Palace of Holyroodhouse in Scotland from June - October 2019. (Eonline)
Michelle Obama's Book Sales Hit 3 Million as She Adds New Cities to 2019 Tour: 'I'm So Humbled'. Not only is Michelle Obama continuing her book tour after attending former President George H.W. Bush's funeral last week, she's adding new cities to the lineup! "I couldn't be more excited to visit even more cities across the country and around the world," the former first lady, 54, said in an exclusive statement to PEOPLE about the additions to the final leg of her book tour, Becoming: An Intimate Conversation with Michelle Obama. "I've been so humbled by the response to the tour thus far and the overwhelming interest we've received from so many communities we weren't able to visit this year," she continued. "That's why I'm thrilled that we're able to expand our conversations to these new settings and wider audiences. I can't wait to continue the discussions that have been so meaningful for me and, I hope, for so many others." Even before its publication, Mrs. Obama's memoir Becoming made headlines. Her candid reflections about her childhood, how she struggled to balance her career as a high-powered lawyer and mother, and the challenges she's faced during her marriage to former President Barack Obama and as first lady, have captivated the nation. Rocketing to the number one spot on the New York Times bestseller list after one week, the hardcover edition has sold more copies than any other book published in the U.S. in 2018, according to the tour's press release. More than three million copies of Becoming have sold in the U.S. and Canada alone. The book tour has also garnered massive attention. Featuring earnest conversations with icons like Oprah Winfrey and Sarah Jessica Parker, the 2018 leg of the tour included 12 events across 10 cities. "Over this time that I've been out of the White House, I've had time to think and reflect for the first time in a long time. I spent some time really thinking about the people, the stories and the experiences that have shaped me and helped me become the person I am today," Mrs. Obama said in a video when she first announced her tour in September. "I am proud of what I've created. I'm proud because it is candid, it's honest, it is totally and utterly me. So I'm also a little frightened because it is so candid and honest and open," she added. That said, Obama is eager to share her book with the world -- and to see how it empowers readers. "I'm hoping that, because of this book, others feel the power of their own voice and their own story," the former first lady said. "Not in the big moments, but in the little things, the small moments, the bumps, the bruises, the highs and the lows -- because those are the things that make us uniquely who we are." Readers have been captivated by Mrs. Obama's candor and now they have even more to look forward to. The 2019 leg of the tour, which kicks off on Feb. 8 and is produced by Live Nation, is expanding to include 21 events across North America and Europe. There will also be 11 additional events in the U.S., four in Canada, and six in Europe. One event will occur in Paris, a rescheduling of the Dec. 5 date that Mrs. Obama missed to attend President Bush's funeral. And, like the 2018 leg of the book tour, a portion of ticket sales for each event will be donated to various local organizations to "make her events as accessible to as many as possible," according to the release. Unfortunately for fans, the featured moderators have yet to be announced. But they can register now through Wednesday, Dec. 12 at 10 p.m. PST for Ticketmaster Verified Fan presale, according to the press release. Registered fans who receive a code will have access to purchase tickets for the North America events before the general public on Friday, December 14 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Information on the ticketing methods for the European events is available at each city's respective ticketing website. (People)
Lyricist drops his own lines. Lin-Manuel Miranda is back in "Hamilton." Taking it to Puerto Rico to help raise money for its artists and arts organizations. One problem. He can't remember the words. Miranda: "Feels like, in my brain, the files are on my desk, but they're a little messy. I don't have all the lines back yet. It's a lot of lines. Even though I wrote it, I haven't done it in 2?/2 years. I definitely need rehearsal." And then what? "Three musical projects are in my head. I keep checking the temperature on them, like which gets written next, which is raw, which one's cooking." (PageSix)
Cardi B was so sad on the day that she announced her split from husband Offset that she wouldn't leave her hotel to go to a club gig -- and had to be pushed to a car just to get her there, a source said. The rapper was booked to perform at Miami megaclub E11even during Art Basel Wednesday, but didn't arrive until 4 a.m. Thursday. Members of Cardi's entourage were overheard at the club saying that she "didn't want to get out of bed -- she was so upset about Offset." "She was at her hotel and still didn't want to leave at 3 a.m.," said the source. "Cardi didn't want to get out of bed." Finally, spies saw her exit the St. Regis at 3:30 a.m., telling us, "someone was pushing her to the car. She didn't want to go." The "Bodak Yellow" rapper "just kind of lip-synced her way through a few songs," an attendee told Page Six earlier this week. Another told us, "she didn't look like she was thrilled to be there .?.?. It seemed like she was phoning it in, though she did dance and throw some bills." We hear those bills helped brighten her mood a little. "Cardi didn't look happy at all, and then someone brought her a big pile of singles," an onlooker tells us. "It was a huge stack -- thousands. It perked her up and put a smile on her face." The couple's split comes amid rumors of infidelity: A woman Offset was alleged to have texted to set up a tryst, Summer Bunni, last week made a tearful video apology to Cardi and has now even dropped a song about all the drama, called "Don't Matter." Offset and Cardi have a 5-month-old daughter, Kulture, together. Cardi also performed Saturday at the Jingle Bash in Chicago, changing the words in her song "Motor Sport," from "I turn Offset on / I told him the other day / Man, we should sell that porn," to "I turn Offset on / I told him the other day / We should get divorced." Reps for Cardi did not respond to requests for comment. (Page Six)
Hilaria Baldwin seems to be a calming influence on her high-tempered husband Alec Baldwin -- after he allegedly punched a man over a parking spot in November. On "Good Day New York," yoga guru Hilaria told host Rosanna Scotto of the alleged incident: "Have you ever gotten upset about a parking space? You know what? We're doing a lot of deep breathing and namaste work at home." Hilaria also said of her relationship with Alec, "There's probably a yin and a yang to it, right? I definitely .?.?. There's places where he definitely makes me a better person and he gives me perspective, and there's definitely ways where I give him perspective." Alec's pleaded not guilty to assault and harassment charges. (Page Six)
Sharon Bush wasn't invited to George H.W. Bush's funeral. Sharon Bush -- ex-wife of Neil Bush -- is steamed she wasn't invited to President George H.W. Bush's funeral. Sharon informed Neil that she hoped to sit with their three children, Lauren, Pierce and Ashley, at the service for her former father-in-law, but Neil's secretary got back to her with the snub, claiming there were not enough pews in the Washington National Cathedral. "I was going to take the train down. I wanted to pay my respects," Sharon told me. "But I paid my respects by raising three wonderful children during a 23-year marriage." Instead, Sharon had lunch with Anne Hearst and Cynthia Germanotta, Lady Gaga's mom, during the funeral. Lauren, wife of Ralph Lauren's son David, has provided 100 million meals through her Feed Bag initiative. Pierce is head of Texas' Big Brothers Big Sisters. And Ashley tutors women in safe houses. "I taught them everything they know about 'points of light' by taking them to soup kitchens and homeless shelters from the time they were 4 years old. I didn't want them spoiled," Sharon said. "I did this. Neil was never around. He was always traveling." Neil could not be reached for comment. (PageSix)
Les Moonves and Julie Chen are 'invisible' in NYC. Les Moonves and Julie Chen have been spending more time in New York since he was forced to step down as CEO of CBS amid the latest round of sexual misconduct allegations. "It's easy to be invisible in New York," a source told us. "Julie's not on [her former CBS daytime talk show] 'The Talk' anymore, and they're spending a lot of time here. It's as much of an escape as they can get from all that's going on," the source added. "She thinks he didn't do anything wrong .?.?. They have a small child. She's very loyal and is very supportive. She's a fighter and she sticks by her man." In July, the New Yorker reported that 12 women had accused Moonves of harassment. In November, the New York Times reported that actress Bobbie Phillips accused Moonves of harassing her, and this month reported on leaked details of a draft report to CBS by two law firms. Last week, a rep for Chen told Page Six, "Julie remains committed to her marriage and is focused on her family," and, "in fact, this has drawn Julie and her husband, as well as their entire family, closer than ever." He denies misconduct. (PageSix)
Kevin Hart has had his share of problems -- although he dodged a bullet in this one. One of the venues on his comedy tour is being sued by a diabetic woman who claims she got kicked out of his show because she dared to use her cell phone to check her blood sugar. Tonya Torosian claims she was at the Viejas Arena in San Diego last July when she began to feel ill even before the show began. She suspected the cause was low blood sugar, so she opened up a cell phone app which monitors blood sugar levels. The venue has signs posted prohibiting the use of cell phones, but this she says was a medical necessity. Torosian says she was confronted by security guards and she tried explaining she was a diabetic who needed to monitor her blood sugar, but that fell on deaf ears. She claims she and her wife were then escorted to a medical tent, where she again tried to explain why she was using her phone. Torosian says they were then ejected from the venue and never got a refund. Torosian says it's a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act to have an unwavering policy prohibiting cell phone use when there's a medical necessity. She's suing Live Nation -- which operates the venue -- and wants damages and an order forcing the employees to make accommodations. Again, Kevin is not a defendant. (TMZ)
The sober streak is over for Dennis Rodman -- the NBA star admits he fell off the wagon and had started drinking again ... but now says he's still focused on cutting booze out of his life. Rodman entered rehab after a DUI arrest back in January -- and has openly talked about the difficulties of going sober. He slipped up in the past 2 weeks and hit the bar scene in Newport Beach, CA -- but tells TMZ Sports it was a mistake and he's now going back to AA meetings in the hopes of staying sober. Rodman says he had stopped going to meetings because they got boring -- hey, at least he's honest. But, after he started drinking again, Rodman reached out to his agent, Darren Prince (who's also battled substance abuse) and his AA sponsor and asked them for help. Rodman says he was ultimately convinced to go back to the meetings and already feels like he's making progress. "It's a long process and it's gonna take time to get over the hump," Rodman says. Rodman has been to rehab before -- once in 2014 ... and he was also featured on "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew" back in 2010. We spoke with Rodman's agent, Darren Prince, who tells us, "Dennis is the king of rebounds and he'll rebound from this too." (TMZ)
Carolines' holiday card takes jabs at Megyn Kelly, Alec Baldwin. Comedy club Carolines on Broadway has sent out its annual hilarious holiday card with its tittering topical wish list. As always, the card begins "May the holidays bring" -- with this year's highlights including "A box of Band-Aids for Ariana Grande to cover up all of her Pete Davidson tattoos," "Reserved street parking for Alec Baldwin" and "the ability to say 'Kim Kardashian, prison-reform advocate,' with a straight face." The card also takes a jab at Megyn Kelly, by asking for "some blackface to cover up NBC's red face," and alludes to disgraced #MeToo comics with a project called "To Catch a Predator: The Stand-Up Special." (PageSix)
Michelle Obama's Book Sales Hit 3 Million as She Adds New Cities to 2019 Tour: 'I'm So Humbled'. Not only is Michelle Obama continuing her book tour after attending former President George H.W. Bush's funeral last week, she's adding new cities to the lineup! "I couldn't be more excited to visit even more cities across the country and around the world," the former first lady, 54, said in an exclusive statement to PEOPLE about the additions to the final leg of her book tour, Becoming: An Intimate Conversation with Michelle Obama. "I've been so humbled by the response to the tour thus far and the overwhelming interest we've received from so many communities we weren't able to visit this year," she continued. "That's why I'm thrilled that we're able to expand our conversations to these new settings and wider audiences. I can't wait to continue the discussions that have been so meaningful for me and, I hope, for so many others." Even before its publication, Mrs. Obama's memoir Becoming made headlines. Her candid reflections about her childhood, how she struggled to balance her career as a high-powered lawyer and mother, and the challenges she's faced during her marriage to former President Barack Obama and as first lady, have captivated the nation. Rocketing to the number one spot on the New York Times bestseller list after one week, the hardcover edition has sold more copies than any other book published in the U.S. in 2018, according to the tour's press release. More than three million copies of Becoming have sold in the U.S. and Canada alone. The book tour has also garnered massive attention. Featuring earnest conversations with icons like Oprah Winfrey and Sarah Jessica Parker, the 2018 leg of the tour included 12 events across 10 cities. "Over this time that I've been out of the White House, I've had time to think and reflect for the first time in a long time. I spent some time really thinking about the people, the stories and the experiences that have shaped me and helped me become the person I am today," Mrs. Obama said in a video when she first announced her tour in September. "I am proud of what I've created. I'm proud because it is candid, it's honest, it is totally and utterly me. So I'm also a little frightened because it is so candid and honest and open," she added. That said, Obama is eager to share her book with the world -- and to see how it empowers readers. "I'm hoping that, because of this book, others feel the power of their own voice and their own story," the former first lady said. "Not in the big moments, but in the little things, the small moments, the bumps, the bruises, the highs and the lows -- because those are the things that make us uniquely who we are." Readers have been captivated by Mrs. Obama's candor and now they have even more to look forward to. The 2019 leg of the tour, which kicks off on Feb. 8 and is produced by Live Nation, is expanding to include 21 events across North America and Europe. There will also be 11 additional events in the U.S., four in Canada, and six in Europe. One event will occur in Paris, a rescheduling of the Dec. 5 date that Mrs. Obama missed to attend President Bush's funeral. And, like the 2018 leg of the book tour, a portion of ticket sales for each event will be donated to various local organizations to "make her events as accessible to as many as possible," according to the release. Unfortunately for fans, the featured moderators have yet to be announced. But they can register now through Wednesday, Dec. 12 at 10 p.m. PST for Ticketmaster Verified Fan presale, according to the press release. Registered fans who receive a code will have access to purchase tickets for the North America events before the general public on Friday, December 14 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Information on the ticketing methods for the European events is available at each city's respective ticketing website. (People)
Lyricist drops his own lines. Lin-Manuel Miranda is back in "Hamilton." Taking it to Puerto Rico to help raise money for its artists and arts organizations. One problem. He can't remember the words. Miranda: "Feels like, in my brain, the files are on my desk, but they're a little messy. I don't have all the lines back yet. It's a lot of lines. Even though I wrote it, I haven't done it in 2?/2 years. I definitely need rehearsal." And then what? "Three musical projects are in my head. I keep checking the temperature on them, like which gets written next, which is raw, which one's cooking." (PageSix)
Cardi B was so sad on the day that she announced her split from husband Offset that she wouldn't leave her hotel to go to a club gig -- and had to be pushed to a car just to get her there, a source said. The rapper was booked to perform at Miami megaclub E11even during Art Basel Wednesday, but didn't arrive until 4 a.m. Thursday. Members of Cardi's entourage were overheard at the club saying that she "didn't want to get out of bed -- she was so upset about Offset." "She was at her hotel and still didn't want to leave at 3 a.m.," said the source. "Cardi didn't want to get out of bed." Finally, spies saw her exit the St. Regis at 3:30 a.m., telling us, "someone was pushing her to the car. She didn't want to go." The "Bodak Yellow" rapper "just kind of lip-synced her way through a few songs," an attendee told Page Six earlier this week. Another told us, "she didn't look like she was thrilled to be there .?.?. It seemed like she was phoning it in, though she did dance and throw some bills." We hear those bills helped brighten her mood a little. "Cardi didn't look happy at all, and then someone brought her a big pile of singles," an onlooker tells us. "It was a huge stack -- thousands. It perked her up and put a smile on her face." The couple's split comes amid rumors of infidelity: A woman Offset was alleged to have texted to set up a tryst, Summer Bunni, last week made a tearful video apology to Cardi and has now even dropped a song about all the drama, called "Don't Matter." Offset and Cardi have a 5-month-old daughter, Kulture, together. Cardi also performed Saturday at the Jingle Bash in Chicago, changing the words in her song "Motor Sport," from "I turn Offset on / I told him the other day / Man, we should sell that porn," to "I turn Offset on / I told him the other day / We should get divorced." Reps for Cardi did not respond to requests for comment. (Page Six)
Hilaria Baldwin seems to be a calming influence on her high-tempered husband Alec Baldwin -- after he allegedly punched a man over a parking spot in November. On "Good Day New York," yoga guru Hilaria told host Rosanna Scotto of the alleged incident: "Have you ever gotten upset about a parking space? You know what? We're doing a lot of deep breathing and namaste work at home." Hilaria also said of her relationship with Alec, "There's probably a yin and a yang to it, right? I definitely .?.?. There's places where he definitely makes me a better person and he gives me perspective, and there's definitely ways where I give him perspective." Alec's pleaded not guilty to assault and harassment charges. (Page Six)
Sharon Bush wasn't invited to George H.W. Bush's funeral. Sharon Bush -- ex-wife of Neil Bush -- is steamed she wasn't invited to President George H.W. Bush's funeral. Sharon informed Neil that she hoped to sit with their three children, Lauren, Pierce and Ashley, at the service for her former father-in-law, but Neil's secretary got back to her with the snub, claiming there were not enough pews in the Washington National Cathedral. "I was going to take the train down. I wanted to pay my respects," Sharon told me. "But I paid my respects by raising three wonderful children during a 23-year marriage." Instead, Sharon had lunch with Anne Hearst and Cynthia Germanotta, Lady Gaga's mom, during the funeral. Lauren, wife of Ralph Lauren's son David, has provided 100 million meals through her Feed Bag initiative. Pierce is head of Texas' Big Brothers Big Sisters. And Ashley tutors women in safe houses. "I taught them everything they know about 'points of light' by taking them to soup kitchens and homeless shelters from the time they were 4 years old. I didn't want them spoiled," Sharon said. "I did this. Neil was never around. He was always traveling." Neil could not be reached for comment. (PageSix)
Les Moonves and Julie Chen are 'invisible' in NYC. Les Moonves and Julie Chen have been spending more time in New York since he was forced to step down as CEO of CBS amid the latest round of sexual misconduct allegations. "It's easy to be invisible in New York," a source told us. "Julie's not on [her former CBS daytime talk show] 'The Talk' anymore, and they're spending a lot of time here. It's as much of an escape as they can get from all that's going on," the source added. "She thinks he didn't do anything wrong .?.?. They have a small child. She's very loyal and is very supportive. She's a fighter and she sticks by her man." In July, the New Yorker reported that 12 women had accused Moonves of harassment. In November, the New York Times reported that actress Bobbie Phillips accused Moonves of harassing her, and this month reported on leaked details of a draft report to CBS by two law firms. Last week, a rep for Chen told Page Six, "Julie remains committed to her marriage and is focused on her family," and, "in fact, this has drawn Julie and her husband, as well as their entire family, closer than ever." He denies misconduct. (PageSix)
Kevin Hart has had his share of problems -- although he dodged a bullet in this one. One of the venues on his comedy tour is being sued by a diabetic woman who claims she got kicked out of his show because she dared to use her cell phone to check her blood sugar. Tonya Torosian claims she was at the Viejas Arena in San Diego last July when she began to feel ill even before the show began. She suspected the cause was low blood sugar, so she opened up a cell phone app which monitors blood sugar levels. The venue has signs posted prohibiting the use of cell phones, but this she says was a medical necessity. Torosian says she was confronted by security guards and she tried explaining she was a diabetic who needed to monitor her blood sugar, but that fell on deaf ears. She claims she and her wife were then escorted to a medical tent, where she again tried to explain why she was using her phone. Torosian says they were then ejected from the venue and never got a refund. Torosian says it's a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act to have an unwavering policy prohibiting cell phone use when there's a medical necessity. She's suing Live Nation -- which operates the venue -- and wants damages and an order forcing the employees to make accommodations. Again, Kevin is not a defendant. (TMZ)
The sober streak is over for Dennis Rodman -- the NBA star admits he fell off the wagon and had started drinking again ... but now says he's still focused on cutting booze out of his life. Rodman entered rehab after a DUI arrest back in January -- and has openly talked about the difficulties of going sober. He slipped up in the past 2 weeks and hit the bar scene in Newport Beach, CA -- but tells TMZ Sports it was a mistake and he's now going back to AA meetings in the hopes of staying sober. Rodman says he had stopped going to meetings because they got boring -- hey, at least he's honest. But, after he started drinking again, Rodman reached out to his agent, Darren Prince (who's also battled substance abuse) and his AA sponsor and asked them for help. Rodman says he was ultimately convinced to go back to the meetings and already feels like he's making progress. "It's a long process and it's gonna take time to get over the hump," Rodman says. Rodman has been to rehab before -- once in 2014 ... and he was also featured on "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew" back in 2010. We spoke with Rodman's agent, Darren Prince, who tells us, "Dennis is the king of rebounds and he'll rebound from this too." (TMZ)
Carolines' holiday card takes jabs at Megyn Kelly, Alec Baldwin. Comedy club Carolines on Broadway has sent out its annual hilarious holiday card with its tittering topical wish list. As always, the card begins "May the holidays bring" -- with this year's highlights including "A box of Band-Aids for Ariana Grande to cover up all of her Pete Davidson tattoos," "Reserved street parking for Alec Baldwin" and "the ability to say 'Kim Kardashian, prison-reform advocate,' with a straight face." The card also takes a jab at Megyn Kelly, by asking for "some blackface to cover up NBC's red face," and alludes to disgraced #MeToo comics with a project called "To Catch a Predator: The Stand-Up Special." (PageSix)
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