THE OTHER STUFF . . .

Meghan Markle, Nearing Her Third Trimester, Steps Out for Sweet Last Appearance Before Christmas. Meghan Markle enjoyed a special Christmas celebration among fellow actors in London on Tuesday. The former star of Suits helped brighten the morning for nearly 40 residents of Brinsworth House, a nursing and care home for British entertainers run by the Royal Variety Charity. Last month, Meghan and husband Prince Harry took in the Royal Variety Performance to benefit the charity, which helps hundreds of British entertainers in need of assistance as a result of old age, ill-health or hard times. Meghan, 37, continued to put her collection of cold weather coats on display in a grey number by Canadian brand Soia & Kyo that she wore unbelted to show off her white Brock Collection dress, which featured grey florals and hugged her growing baby bump. The royal mom-to-be wore her hair in a low bun for the occasion. On the evening of the Royal Variety show, the Duchess of Sussex was gifted a bouquet of flowers that had been picked from the garden at Brinsworth House in Twickenham, southwest London. Inside the home on Tuesday, Meghan was given a tour of the facilities and then took part in the festive fun, including craft-making. When asked how she's doing by a resident, Meghan responded, "Very good." She then paused, put her hands on her stomach and added with a laugh, "Very pregnant." It is Meghan's last public engagement before the Christmas break. She and Harry, 34, will soon head off to Norfolk to join the other royals at Sandringham -- but first, the couple will celebrate with Queen Elizabeth and the extended family at an annual lunch party at Buckingham Palace. The Queen usually heads up to her rural retreat the following day. As she left the Brinsworth House, Meghan told the crowd, "Merry Christmas." Meghan's father-in-law, Prince Charles, visited Brinsworth House in 2002 and his grandmother, the Queen Mother, toured it in 1990. (People)

Meghan Markle's Mom, Doria Ragland, Will Not Be Spending Christmas with the Royal Family. Doria Ragland has embraced life with her daughter as a royal, but she won't be taking part in Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Christmas traditions this year. Despite previous reports that Doria was invited to spend Christmas with the royal family, PEOPLE confirms that Meghan's mother will not be present for the festivities. Meghan and Harry, who are expecting their first child in the spring, will join Prince William, Kate Middleton and other members of the royal family in Norfolk for Christmas with the Queen at Sandringham. It is unusual for non-members of the family to join the Queen for Christmas Day celebrations � making Meghan's holiday debut with the royals last year before her wedding to Harry a rare break in tradition. Despite being engaged to William, in 2010 Kate spent her last Christmas as a single woman with her own family. But, unlike Kate, Meghan doesn't have any family in the U.K. The Middletons have never joined the royals for Christmas, but Kate and William decided to skip spending Christmas at Sandringham in 2016. Instead, they brought Prince George and Princess Charlotte to church with Kate's family in Englefield, England, near her childhood home. The news comes shortly after PEOPLE confirmed that Doria, a Los Angeles-based yoga instructor and social worker, will not be moving in when Meghan and Harry leave Kensington Palace for their new home at Windsor Castle's Frogmore Cottage next year. Doria may have rooms set aside for her in the cottage, located close to the house where Harry and Meghan's evening wedding party was held and where their engagement photos were taken about a year ago, but she's not making a permanent move there. In a statement released by Kensington Palace last month, Doria, 62, shared her reaction to the development as the rest of the world learned Meghan, 37, and Harry, 34, are expecting their first child together. "Ms. Ragland is very happy about this lovely news and she looks forward to welcoming her first grandchild," the statement read. In September, Doria joined her daughter and Harry as Meghan hosted a celebration marking the publication of Together: Our Community Cookbook, which the Duchess of Sussex helped create to benefit those affected by the Grenfell Tower fire tragedy. Doria met members of the Hubb Community Kitchen at Kensington Palace and beamed as Meghan spoke about how the women welcomed her. Speaking with guests, Doria said she was "head over heels" about her daughter's accomplishment. (People)

Amal Clooney's royal wedding dress now available for purchase. Amal Clooney attended Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's wedding in May wearing a scene-stealing yellow dress by Stella McCartney -- and now, fans of the human rights lawyer's look can shop it for themselves. The appropriately-named "Amal tie-back crepe dress" is currently available for $1,995 at Matches Fashion. "It's crafted to a vintage-inspired silhouette with a lightly pleated square neckline and ties at the back which flow over the figure-flattering shape," the description reads. It's no surprise that McCartney is cashing in on the royal wedding: Not only was Clooney's one of the most talked-about looks from the event, but the British designer also crafted Markle's reception dress. Coincidentally (or not), the Duchess of Sussex's white halter gown is also available for purchase as part of McCartney's new bridal line. (PageSix)

Sandra Bullock's Kids Are Getting "3 Small Gifts" for Christmas. This holiday season, Sandra Bullock is teaching her children it's better to give than to receive. While appearing on NBC's Today Tuesday, the actress, 54, said her daughter Laila Bullock, 6, and son Louis Bullock, 8, won't be opening dozens of presents this Christmas, as they've done in the past. Typically, the holiday is "really, really overdone," she said, "because I overdo it, and then I panic that I didn't do enough. Then I get more -- and then everyone else has overdone it." "But this year we just stopped. We just stopped. Because there's so much happening in the world where people don't have anything. And we said, 'Why don't we just make this about other people?'" Sandra continued. "And they were amazing about it. So, Christmas is three small gifts." Sandra also talked to Hoda Kotb about bringing her two children to the set of her upcoming thriller Bird Box (premiering Dec. 21 on Netflix). "Lou was very interested in what everyone's worst fear was. Like, he would go around to the actors saying, 'Well, what is your worst fear?' Like, he knew what mine was. Mine was anything happening to them. You know, and I said, 'I'm not going to tell you how dark I go.' But I said, 'Anything that happens to you.' I think the worst thoughts all day. They know I worry all the time," the single mom revealed. "All the time. 24/7." In the post-apocalyptic film, Sandra's character blindfolds herself and her two children as she guides them through the woods to avoid an invisible, supernatural entity that leads its victims to commit suicide. "If you look, it will cause you to experience your greatest fear," she said, pointing out that it's "a metaphor for motherhood" and "what's going on socially in the world." The actress doesn't like "scary" movies, but she was drawn to the script from the get-go. "Oddly, this came about when my kids said, 'Why don't you make something for us?'" the Oscar winner said, laughing. "I now realize they were talking about animated or Marvel. But, when I read it..." (Eonline)

Cardi B Plans to Spend Christmas With Offset But She "Isn't Ready" to Take Him Back. Offset may be saying "All I want for Christmas is you" to Cardi B this year, but she isn't echoing the same words just yet. On Dec. 4, the "Bodak Yellow" rapper revealed to her millions of Instagram followers that she and Offset were splitting up after one year of marriage. In the days following, the Migos rapper has since expressed his regret and sorrow about the end of their relationship and has even gone to great lengths to win Cardi back. He recorded an emotional video and begged her to take him back, deeming it his one "birthday wish." A source told E! News right after their split that Cardi and Offset's relationship was "up and down." The source added, "Cardi will always love Offset, but ultimately lost trust in their relationship." What's important for her, however, is co-parenting their daughter Kulture Kiari Cephus. Cardi has praised Offset's parenting and the insider referred to him as "an amazing dad." An insider told E! News on Monday that, although they are not together right now, they will be spending the holidays together as a family. "Cardi B wants Offset to be a part of Kulture's life and wants him to spend Christmas with his daughter," the source said. "It's Kulture's first Christmas and it means a lot to Cardi to have the family together." The "I Like It" rapper will be spending some time in the Dominican Republic with her family and "plans to spend time and celebrate the holiday" there. On Saturday, Offset appeared onstage at Cardi's concert in Los Angeles and presented her with a massive floral display worth $15,000 that said "Take Me Back Cardi." He pleaded with her in front of a screaming crowd, "I just wanna tell you I'm sorry, bro, in person, in front of the world. I love you. Whatever I gotta do to show you that, I'm there." She then had the flowers and cake removed from the stage and continued with her concert. The source said the rapper was "not pleased by Offset crashing her stage over the weekend." The insider added, "She understands where he is coming from and appreciates that he is trying, but she is still very hurt." There were apparently "rumors" about Offset's loyalty and infidelity, which is what "really pushed Cardi over the edge," the first source said. Offset acknowledged his betrayal in his long apology video. He said, "I was partaking in activity that I shouldn't have been partaking in, and I apologize. You know what I'm saying? For breaking your heart, for breaking our promise, for breaking God's promise and being a selfish, messed up husband." He said later, "I want to be able to spend the rest of my life with you. I apologize. I am sorry for what I have done to you. I didn't f--k that girl, but I was entertaining her, you know what I'm saying? I apologize, and I love you, and I hope you forgive me." Although they will be spending Christmas together, there's still a lot of uncertainty about their future together. The second source said, "She isn't ready to take him back. Cardi is trying to keep focused and keep her head clear until she figures out what she wants to do." (Eonline)

Ruth Bader Ginsburg not letting broken ribs slow her down. Ruth Bader Ginsburg isn't taking it easy after suffering three broken ribs in November. The 85-year-old Supreme Court justice was out for the second night in a row Sunday for the premiere of the biopic on her life, "On the Basis of Sex." On Saturday, Ginsburg was at the Museum of the City of New York for a screening, and the next night she appeared at the Walter Reade Theater at Lincoln Center, where she said that being played by British actress Felicity Jones was a strange experience. Ginsburg told the room -- including guests Hillary Clinton and Gloria Steinem -- "The most remarkable thing," is to hear the British actress "sound like she was born and bred in Brooklyn." Ginsburg recalled meeting Armie Hammer, who plays her husband, Marty. "I told him, 'You're much taller,'" she recalled. "He said, 'Well you're much shorter than Felicity.'" (PageSix)

'No late seating' doesn't apply to Oprah at 'To Kill a Mockingbird'. Harper Lee's 1960 Pulitzer Prize-winning book "To Kill a Mockingbird" became an Academy Award-winning film, which is now becoming a Broadway hit at the Shubert. Here's what you don't know: Boaty Boatwright's first Hollywood job was as an assisting casting agent. Her first assist was on this story's 1962 film. Gregory Peck played the lead character, who plays the lead lawyer. Seeing this play, Boaty said Peck was not first choice to play Atticus Finch. Choice 1 was Spencer Tracy. Busy filming a Sinatra flick, Tracy opted out. Choice 2: Rock Hudson. For reasons which Rock took on his journey to the next world he said uh-uh. Third choice? Peck. Who then won 1963's Best Actor Oscar. Onstage star Jeff Daniels, award winner Aaron Sorkin's writing, sets, cast, marvelous. Even its p.r. guy Rick Miramontez is semi-marvelous. Producer Scott Rudin allows a "no late seating" policy. On time were Iman, Samuel L. Jackson, Denzel Washington, Lesley Stahl, Hugh Jackman, Lawrence O'Donnell, Magic Johnson and Adam Rippon. But: Nine minutes past curtain, Oprah rushed to her seat. Her date Gayle King, not one to stiff a flashbulb, bounced along the red carpet. What I know is: Backstage things got tense. Also, what I know is: The audience was mixing, mingling, buzzing, talking, greeting. Instantly, the lights dimmed and a magical hush descended. Big names. Broadway. New York. Opening night. Nothing more thrilling. Where else would anyone want to be -- Bavaria? (PageSix)

Khloe Kardashian isn't going to let anyone speak ill of her big sister Kim Kardashian West! On Sunday, Kim, 38, shared an adorable throwback photo of herself as a child captioned "Baby K." The sweet shot got over two million likes and even a comment from her other sister Kylie Jenner, who couldn't help but point out how much the KKW Beauty founder looks like her 10-month-old daughter Chicago. "Omg Chicago," Kylie, 21, wrote in the comment section. While most fans agreed with the comparison, one user, in particular, didn't. Instead, the user argued that Chicago "would either look MORE like Kanye or the surrogate mother," as she was carried to term by a surrogate. That's when Khloe, 34, chimed in. "If you don't know about someone's situation then maybe you shouldn't comment. Try informing yourself first before you make such silly statements," Khloe wrote. "Your [sic] passive wanna be petty comment is simply uneducated," The Revenge Body star continued. "Chicago is completely Kimberly's biological child. Praise the lord she was able to have a surrogate and that we are blessed we sweet gorgeous Chi Chi." The user then replied, "I never said the baby wasn't beautiful [face with tears of joy emoji] SHE DEFINITELY IS, but she did have surrogate so the baby would either look MORE like Kanye or the surrogate mother. That's all love." Khloe later replied, explaining the process of surrogacy. "I am not saying you said that love. I am saying you must be more informed before speaking on something that you don't know anything about apparently." "Chicago is Kimberly's DNA. Her and her husband made embryos and then they were blessed enough to have a surrogate carry their child for them since Kimberly is unable to. God bless modern medicine." "Always gorgeous just like both of your baby girls!!!! Blessed!!!" Khloe concluded. Kim and her husband Kanye West, 41, welcomed baby Chicago on January 15. Chicago was born at 12:47 a.m., weighing 7 lbs., 6 oz. Kim previously opened up about her route due to her difficult pregnancies with daughter North, 5, and son Saint, 3. "I have always been really honest about my struggles with pregnancy," Kim wrote on her website. "Preeclampsia and placenta accrete are high-risk conditions, so when I wanted to have a third baby, doctors said that it wasn't safe for my -- or the baby's -- health to carry on my own." "After exploring many options, Kanye and I decided to use a gestational carrier," added Kim explaining, "Although I have used the term surrogate in the past, a gestational carrier is actually the technical term for a woman who carries a baby that she has no biological relationship to." (People)

LeBron James and his wife had an interesting couples dinner date Monday -- hitting up an NYC steakhouse with Carmelo Anthony and La La ... and fueling rumors Melo's coming to the Lakers. Remember, we spoke with John Salley a few days ago and he implied he had some inside information about Melo coming to the Lakers before the NBA All-Star break in February. So, when we saw these pics of Melo and Bron leaving Quality Italian steakhouse in midtown ... made us think Salley's intel might be pretty solid!! Of course, LeBron and Melo have been friends for years -- so, maybe they just wanted some quality meat and wine ... but hey, maybe there was some shop talk too! The Lakers are in NYC to play the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday night. The other interesting thing about the dinner ... Melo and La La seem to be in a pretty good place. Back in October, La La told People she and Melo were still figuring out their relationship after separating in 2017 ... but noted, "We're good." Carmelo and La La got together about 15 years ago and have an 11-year-old son. (TMZ)

The child Dikembe Mutombo brought to the United States for a surgery to remove a life-threatening tumor on his face, went into cardiac arrest during the operation ... TMZ has learned. Sources familiar with the surgery tell us, at around 6 PM Sunday, more than 6 hours into the operation, 8-year-old Matadi went into cardiac arrest and was immediately taken to the Intensive Care Unit at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in L.A. We're told he's now in stable condition and is slowly recovering. The emergency came toward the end of the surgery, which began at 11:30 AM. We do not know if the surgeons had completed the surgery, but if it went according to schedule it should have been wrapping up. Matadi and his family were staying at the Ronald McDonald house in Los Angeles leading up to Sunday's procedure. Mutombo, who met the little boy during a visit to the Congo, greeted the boy and his family when they landed Wednesday in Los Angeles. Matadi's tumor was life threatening. He was also shunned his community. The child's parents were forced to pull him from school and keep him confined to his room because of unrelenting harassment. (TMZ)

A federal judge in Brooklyn says New York state's nunchucks ban -- made wildly popular in the U.S. by Bruce Lee in the '70s -- is unconstitutional because it violates the 2nd Amendment. The judge says the right to bear arms is not limited to guns ... it applies to all weapons that have some legal purpose. In the case of nunchucks, Judge Pamela Chen says they have been widely used over many, many years for martial arts training and defense -- a perfectly legal activity. Judge Chen says a weapon that has a legal purpose cannot be summarily banned under the 2nd Amendment. She says, the "relative dangerousness of a weapon is irrelevant when the weapon belongs to a class of arms commonly used for lawful purposes." Her Honor draws a distinction between nunchucks and, say, pipe bombs, because the latter is really targeted for lawbreakers. One thing we know ... Bruce would be happy about this. He often used nunchucks in his movies, which became staples in American cinema and a cultural phenomenon. (TMZ)

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