ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
Jerry Ferrara's Wife Breanne Racano Is Pregnant With a Baby Boy. Jerry Ferrara is about to become a dad. The Entourage star and his wife Breanne Racano Ferrara are expecting a baby boy. The mother-to-be is 22 weeks into her pregnancy, and the child is due in May. The actor announced the happy news via Instagram on Thursday. The cute post showed the future parents standing on a basketball court and Jerry pointing at his spouse's baby bump. "With the 1st pick in the 2019 draft of life. @breanneracanoferrara and I select: our unnamed BABY BOY!!!" he wrote. "It's been a long journey and we both cannot be more excited for parenthood." Reflecting on his own upbringing, the Turtle character then opened up about what becoming a father means to him personally. "Growing up without a father means this is the most important job/thing I'll ever do," he continued. "I could NOT be ready for this without my beautiful pregnant wife." He then added, "I pray he gets your height, face, athleticism, charm, intelligence and most important. Your metabolism! 2019 here we come!" The actress also expressed her excitement via Instagram. "Jerry + Baby Boy= Way too much sports," she wrote alongside the same snapshot. "Ohhhh BOY. Hope he gets my height." Shen then took a moment to reflect on their road to parenthood. "This past year has been filled with love, loss, grief, lots of patience and more love," she added. "And now learning to navigate pregnancy after loss (which at times can be terrifying). Thank you to such an incredible support group of family and friends in our lives. And to my husband... we have emerged closer and stronger. We continue to pray that our baby boy arrives safely in May." She ended her post with several hashtags, including #Rainbowbaby -- a term used for a child born after the loss of another baby due to miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal or infant death. She also shared a picture from what appeared to be a gender reveal party. The sweet shot showed the duo hugging underneath several blue balloons. The news comes a year and a half after the couple tied the knot. Congratulations to the growing family! (Eonline)
Christina El Moussa and Ant Anstead said "I do" in front of friends and family on December 22, but before their backyard ceremony, the couple had to keep the biggest secret of their lives. "We had an engagement, we just didn't tell anyone," Anstead, who hosts Discovery's Wheelers and Dealers, tells PEOPLE in this week's issue. The pair got engaged in September but kept their change in status under wraps for the three months it took to plan the celebration. "It's different for us now. We didn't want all the fuss. Just a quiet wedding without all the drama and paparazzi," El Moussa explains of the decision. Only a few family members knew about the wedding in advance. When the big day finally arrived just before Christmas, they pulled off a singular surprise. The Flip or Flop host and her British beau of just over a year, invited 70 people to meet at their home, telling them they were attending a holiday boat parade in their hometown of Newport Beach, California, together. But when everyone saw rows of neatly arranged white chairs leading to a flower-covered arch in the yard, they started to buzz with excitement. Anstead quickly slipped into place beside their pastor, quipping "Got ya!" to the gathered crowd. El Moussa, who is changing her last name to Anstead, then made her way down the aisle to a string quartet's version of "Stand By Me." And just in case it wasn't yet obvious to their shocked guests, she announced, "Surprise! We're getting married!" Anstead pulled off a surprise of his own, when he proposed to El Moussa on the beach near their home months earlier. "I did the proposal on Newport Beach on the sand with some champagne at sunset," he tells PEOPLE. The special evening started out in similar to fashion to one of their first dates -- with a bike ride along the ocean. "He was like, 'Let's just go for a bike ride' and we were going to grab dinner," El Moussa recalls. "We were watching the sunset, and then all of a sudden he just got on his knee and proposed. So yes, I was surprised." Even before his simple romantic gesture, Anstead struggled to keep the impending proposal a secret, thanks to an eagle-eyed fan. "I called on [El Moussa's] best friend, Cassie, and I said, 'Look, we need to go ring shopping.'" says Anstead. "We walked into a jeweler and I started looking at rings. And then I heard a customer go, 'Oh my god it's Ant from Wheelers and Dealers.' And I just turned and walked out the shop. And Cassie is left in there going, 'Ant? Ant?'" Looking back now, he says, "We've had a few narrow escapes." Now that all their secrets are out, the couple is looking forward to their honeymoon in Bora Bora and settling into life at their home in Newport Beach with their "blended" family: El Moussa's kids -- Brayden, 3, and Taylor, 8, who she shares with Tarek, and Anstead's children from a previous marriage, Archie, 12, and Amelie, 15. "I'm incredibly grateful to have met her," says Anstead of his bride. "She saved me." Adds El Moussa, "We saved each other." (People)
Kim Kardashian's Baby News Is ''Heavily Influencing'' Her Sisters' Pregnancy Plans. Is there another Kardashian-Jenner baby boom on the horizon? Given today's news that Kim Kardashian and Kanye West are expecting baby No. 4 via surrogate in the coming months, it's certainly possible! Kim, Khloe Kardashian and Kylie Jenner each welcomed children of their own in 2018, and a source tells E! News that some of her sisters are already thinking about getting pregnant again. "Kim having another baby this year is heavily influencing her other sisters and their baby plans," the source notes. "They all loved being pregnant at the same time and everyone wants all of the kids to be close in age. Everyone jokes about having another round of 'triplets' all the time." Born within a few months of each other and practically inseparable, cousins Chicago West, Stormi Webster and True Thompson have become known as the "triplets" within the Kar-Jenner clan. "I definitely feel like we are more connected now, especially that Khloe's back and we're hanging out with all the babies," Kim told E! News of the experience. "All the kids want to hang out. It's just a whole different experience now. It's so much fun." Meanwhile, 21-year-old Kylie has previously expressed her and boyfriend Travis Scott's desire to expand their family. "Am I going to have another baby? I want another baby but, 'When?' is the question and I'm definitely not ready right this second," she told her social media followers in October. "And I don't know when I will be, but when I do, I would love to share more of that with you guys." The same is true for Khloe, 34, who a source previously said "definitely wants True to have a sibling and would love to have a big family." Explained the insider at the time, "Things are up and down with Tristan Thompson, but she would like more kids with him. That's what she feels will make the most sense for True and their little family. As for Kim and Kanye's latest baby journey, our source says they "hope to keep things well under the radar this time around." "This is going to be the last child for them as they do not have any embryo's left," adds the insider, "and think four children will complete their family. They both agreed that they wanted all of the kids to be close in age and grow up together." We're told the pair is expecting a baby boy in May. (Eonline)
GMA Day's Sara Haines Is Pregnant With Baby No. 3. Congratulations are in order for Sara Haines. The GMA Day host is pregnant with her third child. She and her husband, Max Shifrin, plan to welcome the little bundle of joy in July. The baby will join children Sandra Grace Shifrin, 1, and Alec Richard Shifrin, 2. "We just figured out our one-on-one defense and now we have to move to a zone," Haines told People, who broke the news. "Max and I are super excited while also being terrified! We are so grateful." The sex of the child has yet to be revealed. The baby news is just one of the many milestones Haines has experienced over the past few months. In August, the TV host bid adieu to The View to host GMA Day with Michael Strahan. The third-hour morning show premiered that September. However, it looks like her replacement is also expecting. Just yesterday, Abby Hunstman revealed she's pregnant with twins -- a boy and a girl. The newest family member will debut almost five years after Haines and her hubby tied the knot. It looks like Haines has learned a few lessons from her first two kiddos, too. "You realize they're more resilient in that no one knows what they're doing the first time," she previously said on The View about caring for a newborn. "You just know everyone else has it figured out and you don't. This time you're like, 'Oh, it's a club where no-one knows what's happening.'" Congratulations to the happy family! (Eonline)
For Jennifer Lawrence and Cooke Maroney, the odds are in their favor! "Things between them are very serious," an insider exclusively reveals in the new issue of Us Weekly, noting that the actress, 28, and the art gallerist, 33, have already moved in together. "They definitely appear to be in it for the long haul." Us first reported in June that the pair had been seeing each other for a few weeks. "Cooke plays very coy when speaking about her to his friends and colleagues," a source told Us at the time. "He is clearly smitten about her." (US Weekly)
Michael Schumacher's Family Makes Rare Statement Ahead of His 50th Birthday. Michael Schumacher's family has released a rare statement ahead of his 50th birthday on Jan. 3. "We are very happy to celebrate Michael's 50th birthday tomorrow together with you and thank you from the bottom of our hearts that we can do this together," the family of the racing driver wrote on his official Facebook page Wednesday. On Dec. 29, 2013, Schumacher suffered serious head injuries in a skiing accident, which split his helmet as he crashed into rocks on the slope at Meribel ski resort in the French Alps. Once admitted to the hospital, Schumacher's doctors in Grenoble put him into a medically induced coma in a bid to reduce brain swelling. He awakened from the coma in June 2014 and was released. Since then, the seven-time F1 champion's family has chosen to keep his condition private as he receives specialist treatment at his home in Switzerland. Addressing Schumacher's current condition, his family reassured his fans that "he is in the very best hands and that we are doing everything humanly possible to help him." "Please understand if we are following Michael's wishes and keeping such a sensitive subject as health, as it has always been, in privacy. At the same time we say thank you very much for your friendship and wish you a healthy and happy year 2019." His family also revealed plans to launch The Official Michael Schumacher App, which will allow fans to celebrate his success through a virtual museum. "As a gift to him, you and us, Keep Fighting Foundation has created a virtual museum. The Official Michael Schumacher App will be released tomorrow, so that we can review all together Michael's successes." Schumacher's family, including his wife Corinna and daughter Gina-Maria as well as his son and fellow racing driver Mick, launched the Keep Fighting Foundation in 2016 with a goal to "channel the positive energy received by Michael Schumacher." "The app is another milestone to do justice to him and you, his fans, by celebrating his accomplishments. We wish you a lot of fun with it," the statement continued. "Michael can be proud of what he has achieved, and so are we! That's why we remember his successes with the Michael Schumacher Private Collection exhibition in Cologne, by publishing memories in social media and by continuing his charitable work through the Keep Fighting Foundation. We want to remember his victories, his records and his jubilation." (People)
Olivia Newton-John has spoken out after claims she was on her deathbed. After reports began circulating that the singer's condition had taken a turn for the worse, with claims that her body was "shutting down" and that she only had "weeks" to live, Newton-John reassured her fans that she was doing just fine. In a video posted to her social media account on Wednesday, the 70-year-old Grease actress -- who announced in 2017 she'd been diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer that has spread to her back -- borrowed the words of Mark Twain and explained that the recent claims were merely "greatly exaggerated" rumors. "Happy New Year, everyone!" a bright and cheery Newton-John happily exclaimed in the clip. "I just want to say the rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated, to quote a very famous quote, and I'm doing great and I want to wish all of you the happiest, healthiest 2019 that's possible." "Thank you all for the wonderful love and support for me and for my Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness Centre in Melbourne, Australia," she added. Despite her diagnosis with stage 4 breast cancer, a representative for the iconic entertainer told PEOPLE earlier on Wednesday that the recent reports were "ridiculous" and "crap." Newton-John's niece, Tottie Goldsmith, also spoke out on Instagram on Wednesday to clear up the mounting claims about her aunt's health. "Just giving you the heads up that Livvy is in good health, so let's leave that distressing rumor where it belongs," Goldsmith shared, along with a photo of her posing with Newton-John. Goldsmith told Australia's Seven Network that Newton-John had given her permission to speak out about her publicly, and that "you can rest assured she is going nowhere and in really good health. A sick rumor." Last week, RadarOnline claimed that Newton-John's "bodily functions appear to be shutting down" and that she is "clinging to life" so that she can see her daughter, Chloe Lattanzi, marry her longtime fiance James Driskill in 2019. It also said Newton-John is spending her "final days" at her home in Santa Barbara with her husband of 10 years, John Easterling. The report triggered a whirl of rumors on social media and in tabloid reports in Newton-John's native Australia, including one which claims she has only "weeks" to live. Newton-John was first diagnosed with cancer in 1992 and underwent a partial mastectomy, nine months of chemotherapy and a breast reconstruction. After beating the disease, Newton-John became an advocate for breast cancer research and early detection. In May 2017, doctors diagnosed Newton-John with stage 4 breast cancer that had metastasized to the sacrum. The star initially postponed the first half of her concert tour because of severe back pain from what she thought was sciatica, but further tests discovered it was actually cancer that spread. Newton-John's most recent diagnosis is her third bout with cancer, as she revealed in September that she had faced a return of the disease in private back in 2013. In August, a tabloid report alleged that Newton-John canceled a handful of speaking engagements due to the progression of the illness -- a claim that she herself denied. "Olivia Newton-John's two upcoming speaking appearances in Australia were canceled due to scheduling conflicts with her upcoming promotional tour for her new book, Don't Stop Believin' and the ONJ Cancer Wellness & Research Centre's Wellness Walk & Research Run," read a statement posted on her social platforms. "Not illness as falsely reported." In September, a source told PEOPLE that Newton-John had been feeling healthy. "She's feeling and looking great and was just dancing with John Travolta at a Grease 40th anniversary event," the source said. "Everything that's being reported about her diagnosis is the same news she released last year." (People)
Lili Reinhart Sends a Middle Finger to "A--hole" Social Media Trolls. Lili Reinhart has had enough with her social media trolls. The 22-year-old Riverdale star, who is currently on a vacation in Aruba, took to her Instagram Story to address her haters on Wednesday evening. "Hey Twitter trolls, I'm in a tropical paradise drinking strawberry coladas and exploring an island, lol what u doin," Reinhart captioned a photo of her and a pal enjoying their drinks. The actress then posted a second photo to her Story, showing her sticking up her middle finger while taking a sip of her drink. "It's 2019, a--holes. Bite me," she captioned the social media post. It was just last month that Reinhart announced she's taking a break from Twitter after being attacked by trolls on the "toxic" site. "Taking a break from that toxic site and the people on it who feel the need to attack me, my cast mates, my relationship and Riverdale," she told her fans at the time. Reinhart returned to her Instagram Story on Thursday to post a message about her haters. "I give too much of myself to these people. The last people on earth who deserve it," the message begins. "And I feel regret. For letting them spark a reaction out of me. When I know all too well that the moment will pass. I'm still me. They're still them. Judging my pictures and words, without actually seeing anything or knowing any part of me. The sticky spider web that they create seems to trap me every time. But I seem to be the one biting myself in the end." "And I'm worth too much to cheapen myself by acknowledging that their web even exists," the message continues. "They will never know me. They will never see me as raw or bare as they see themselves. And that's what keeps me sane. That I, myself, am tucked away. Where none of them can reach me." "Each year brings new lessons. This is one of mine," Reinhart concludes. "Value yourself. And the parts of yourself that are your own. That no else can touch." (Eonline)
Randy Jackson is one big step closer to being a single man ... more than 4 years after his wife filed for divorce. According to new docs obtained by TMZ ... the judge signed off on Randy and his estranged wife Erika's dissolution of marriage last month. The 2 will be officially divorced on February 7. It's unclear who got what in the divorce ... the settlement's being kept under wraps. We broke the story ... Erika filed for divorce in September 2014 after 18 years of marriage. The couple had no prenup, so it's a good bet she made out well considering the millions Randy made in his "American Idol" heyday. Randy and Erika have 2 adult children together, so custody is not an issue. (TMZ)
Diddy might want to ask for a refund from his former trainer ... because sources claim the guy he hired to keep Cassie in shape was banging her on his dime ... but she says his timeline is wrong. Here's what we're told. Diddy's trainer, Jamal Liggin, got so busy he hired several trainers as backup, including Alex Fine. Diddy tagged Alex to train Cassie over the last year. As we reported, Diddy and Cassie broke up several months ago after a decade-long relationship, but our sources claim Cassie and Alex hooked up before the split. We're told what especially galls Diddy ... he paid Alex to train his then-girlfriend and feels betrayed. Cassie sure seems smitten with Alex. She has not ever publicly talked about a timeline, but we're told Diddy is convinced there's an overlap. Sources connected to Cassie insist she did NOT start dating Alex until after she broke up with Diddy. We reached out to Alex ... so far, no word back. Diddy has bigger issues to deal with, like raising his 3 children after the death of Kim Porter in November. Diddy was destroyed when Kim died, saying they were more than soulmates. (TMZ)
It's still raining on Andy Cohen, because he's getting some serious pushback from the Times Square Alliance after he ranted on air about being singled out by officials who forced him to take down his umbrella during his CNN New Year's Eve broadcast. During his fit, Andy claimed someone in the Times Square Alliance threatened to pull CNN's credentials for its next NYE show if he didn't lose his umbrella. The Alliance fired back on Wednesday, issuing a statement to Page Six saying umbrellas are not allowed in certain media areas because they can block sightlines for other media. The Alliance also denied Cohen's claim CNN's credentials were threatened, saying, "some tempers flared, but it was never the case, nor will it be the case, that CNN would be denied credentials or the ability to cover New Year's Eve." Here's to hoping rain steers clear of Times Square next NYE ... although it did make for some pretty interesting TV. (TMZ)
R. Kelly's had enough ... he's threatening to sue Lifetime if it doesn't pull the plug on airing its documentary that paints the singer as a sex-crazed and abusive cult leader. Kelly's lawyer, Brian Nix, fired off a legal letter -- obtained by TMZ -- warning the network that its "Surviving R. Kelly" documentary is packed with lies. Nix threatens to file a federal lawsuit Thursday -- the same day Lifetime's set to air the special -- if the network doesn't relent. As you know ... the family of one of Kelly's alleged brainwashed sex slaves has gone public in seeking her return. The alleged victim, Joycelyn Savage, refuted her own family and said she's no hostage. She was seen out in Bev Hills last May... without Kelly in tow. Lifetime's 6-part documentary will feature, for the first time ever, people from Kelly's inner circle coming forward with new allegations that Kelly has sexually, mentally and physically abused women. Kelly's calling BS ... saying the subjects made false allegations to become famous. What's more ... Kelly says he has 2 audio recordings -- 5 minutes in duration -- that show Lifetime knew "some of the girls are lying, but that the budget was too high to turn back now." (TMZ)
A$AP Bari -- co-founder of A$AP Mob -- is pleading guilty to sexually assaulting a woman in 2017, but he won't do any time. The hip-hop designer appeared in a London courthouse Thursday to enter his guilty plea on one count of sexual assault for an incident at London's Curtain Hotel in July 2017. As part of his plea deal, Bari was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine, pay the victim $3,150 ... and he dodges jail time. The judge who presided over the case said, "The court does have concerns in this matter because it has exposed a very unpleasant attitude by you towards women." She added, "You say that you were angry but there is no need to ever be so abusive and humiliating to a female." In a leaked video of the incident, Bari can be seen chasing a naked woman who was in bed with his assistant into the bathroom and ordering her to give him oral sex. In addition to the criminal charge ... the victim sued him, and he countersued ... calling her a liar. The civil case is still ongoing. (TMZ)
Daryl Dragon, "The Captain" of singing duo Captain and Tennille, died early Wednesday morning ... and love really did keep them together to the very end. Daryl's publicist says the musician died of renal failure in Arizona and was in hospice care at the time. Daryl and Toni Tennille were famous for cranking out huge hits in the '70s, including "Do That to Me One More Time," "Muskrat Love" and "Love Will Keep Us Together." The duo was actually a couple -- they married in 1975. They landed their own TV variety show the next year. Although they divorced in 2014, they remained friends ... and Toni was by his side when he died. As TMZ first reported ... their divorce docs made specific mention about their health insurance coverage. In 2009, she said Daryl was suffering from Parkinson's Disease. Daryl was blindsided by Toni's filing ... and told us they were still living together at the time. In a statement, Toni says Daryl "was a brilliant musician with many friends who loved him greatly. I was at my most creative in my life, when I was with him." Daryl was 76. (TMZ)
Herb Ellis, Actor and Jack Webb Collaborator on 'Dragnet,' Dies at 97. He said the famed cop show was "created at my dining room table." Herb Ellis, a veteran character actor who helped Jack Webb create the legendary cop show Dragnet, has died. He was 97. Ellis died Dec. 26 at his home in San Gabriel, Calif., his daughter, Karen Siegel, told The Hollywood Reporter. Ellis played bistro owner Wilbur on the NBC-ABC crime drama Peter Gunn, created by Blake Edwards, and was the film director in the opening scene that sees Peter Sellers create havoc on his set in Edwards' 1960 comedy, The Party (1968). He also appeared in the filmmaker's What Did You Do in the War, Daddy? (1966). Other notable big-screen appearances came in Stanley Kubrick's The Killing (1956) and Billy Wilder's The Fortune Cookie (1966), and Ellis also had regular roles in the 1960s on the series Hennesey, starring Jackie Cooper, and Peter Loves Mary. Webb starred as LAPD Sgt. Joe Friday on Dragnet, which began on the radio in June 1949. He got the idea for the police procedural after working as a lab technician on the documentary-style film noir classic He Walked by Night (1948), starring Richard Basehart. He and Ellis then wrote a pilot script called Joe Friday, Room 5. That show was not made, but it led to another series. "Dragnet was created at my dining room table," Ellis said in Gerald Nachman's 1998 book Raised on Radio. "There were a lot of good actors that Jack made very unhappy. He didn't want actors, he wanted readers," Ellis continued. "Actors want to act, and they couldn't stand the show's monotone acting style. They didn't get it." When Dragnet made its way to NBC television in 1951, Ellis portrayed Officer Frank Smith opposite Webb on a handful of episodes. He also appeared in the 1954 big-screen version and worked for Webb in the 1955 feature Pete Kelly's Blues, on NBC's The D.A.'s Man and on Dragnet again when it was revived in the '60s. Herbert Siegel was born in Cleveland on Jan. 17, 1921. He was an announcer and actor on many radio programs and worked with Webb at a San Francisco radio station. They collaborated on the shows Pat Novak for Hire and Jeff Regan, Investigator, and Ellis eventually became one of the actor-producer's regulars. (The two also shared a love of jazz, and Webb married actress Julie London in 1947 at Ellis' home, Siegel noted.) Ellis later showed up on episodes of other series like Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Andy Griffith Show, Bewitched, The Fugitive, The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, My Favorite Martian, Perry Mason and Sanford and Son. He also had a thriving career as a voiceover artist. Survivors include his four grandchildren. (Hollywood Reporter)
Pegi Young, Musician and Ex-Wife of Neil Young, Dead at 66. Pegi Young, a musician and ex-wife of Neil Young has died. The news of her death comes a year after she was diagnosed with cancer. She was 66. "With great sadness, we confirm that on January 1st, after a year-long battle with cancer, Pegi Young -- mother, grandmother, sister, auntie, musician, activist and co-founder of the Bridge School -- passed away surrounded by her friends and family in her native California," a statement from Pegi's Facebook page read. "We request that the families' privacy be respected at this time." Pegi is survived by her children with Neil -- son Ben and daughter Amber. Four years ago, Neil filed for divorce from Pegi after 36 years of marriage. The former couple wed in 1978. Their sad end came after a sweet beginning that led Neil to pen the song "Unknown Legend." In it, he writes lovingly of their early spark. "I used to order just to watch her float across the floor," the song goes. "She grew up in a small town/Never put her roots down." He also credited her as his muse for such other songs as "Such a Woman" and "Once an Angel." The parents rallied to the aid of their son, Ben, who suffers from cerebral palsy. After they failed to find a school that met their son's needs, Pegi helped found The Bridge School, and they continued to raise funds for the school each year, holding benefits and inviting their star friends to perform to help students who suffered similar severe physical impairments, according to Rolling Stone. In addition to her work on The Bridge School, Pegi is also known for her music career. Pegi's big break came in 1994 when she sang back up for Neil at the Academy Awards on his Oscar-nominated track "Philadelphia," Billboard reported. Shortly after, Pegi became a regular backup singer and accompanied Neil on tour. In 2007, Pegi released a self-titled solo LP and went on to release albums Foul Deeds (2010), Bracing for Impact (2011), Lonely in a Crowded Room (2014) and Raw following her divorce. In 2007, Pegi released a self-titled solo LP and went on to release albums Foul Deeds (2010), Bracing for Impact (2011), Lonely in a Crowded Room (2014) and Raw following her divorce. "It told a story," Pegi previously told Rolling Stone about Raw. "I kind of look at it as a soundtrack to the seven stages of grief. You've got anger, then shock and disbelief. As we go through the album, the later songs show my growth and... I can't say total acceptance, but I think the last song, that wonderful Don Henley song ["The Heart of the Matter"], talks about forgiveness. That's really where it's at, you know?" A representative for Neil did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. (People)
"Mean" Gene Okerlund was seriously injured during a nasty fall back in December ... triggering a rapid decline in his health that ultimately led to his death, his son tells TMZ Sports. We spoke with Todd Okerlund who says Okerlund suffered multiple broken ribs during the fall at his Florida home and was treated at a hospital in Sarasota. Todd says Okerlund had been in frail health for a while but the fall clearly made things much worse. Just 4 days before his death, Gene was admitted to a nursing home .... but he began to have trouble breathing and was rushed to a hospital on Wednesday where he ultimately passed away with his wife, Jeanne, by his side. Todd tells us ... the family has been touched by all of the support for his father. Todd also says Gene LOVED his career and would have done it for free. "Mean" Gene is a WWE Hall of Famer who was a key part of the company's success -- with legendary interviews with Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant, "Macho Man" Randy Savage and more. Vince McMahon also issued a statement on Okerlund ... saying, "It was impossible not to crack a smile whenever 'Mean' Gene Okerlund entered a room. He was the voice behind so many of WWE's most iconic and entertaining moments, and the WWE family will miss him immensely." Gene was 76. (TMZ)
Christina El Moussa and Ant Anstead said "I do" in front of friends and family on December 22, but before their backyard ceremony, the couple had to keep the biggest secret of their lives. "We had an engagement, we just didn't tell anyone," Anstead, who hosts Discovery's Wheelers and Dealers, tells PEOPLE in this week's issue. The pair got engaged in September but kept their change in status under wraps for the three months it took to plan the celebration. "It's different for us now. We didn't want all the fuss. Just a quiet wedding without all the drama and paparazzi," El Moussa explains of the decision. Only a few family members knew about the wedding in advance. When the big day finally arrived just before Christmas, they pulled off a singular surprise. The Flip or Flop host and her British beau of just over a year, invited 70 people to meet at their home, telling them they were attending a holiday boat parade in their hometown of Newport Beach, California, together. But when everyone saw rows of neatly arranged white chairs leading to a flower-covered arch in the yard, they started to buzz with excitement. Anstead quickly slipped into place beside their pastor, quipping "Got ya!" to the gathered crowd. El Moussa, who is changing her last name to Anstead, then made her way down the aisle to a string quartet's version of "Stand By Me." And just in case it wasn't yet obvious to their shocked guests, she announced, "Surprise! We're getting married!" Anstead pulled off a surprise of his own, when he proposed to El Moussa on the beach near their home months earlier. "I did the proposal on Newport Beach on the sand with some champagne at sunset," he tells PEOPLE. The special evening started out in similar to fashion to one of their first dates -- with a bike ride along the ocean. "He was like, 'Let's just go for a bike ride' and we were going to grab dinner," El Moussa recalls. "We were watching the sunset, and then all of a sudden he just got on his knee and proposed. So yes, I was surprised." Even before his simple romantic gesture, Anstead struggled to keep the impending proposal a secret, thanks to an eagle-eyed fan. "I called on [El Moussa's] best friend, Cassie, and I said, 'Look, we need to go ring shopping.'" says Anstead. "We walked into a jeweler and I started looking at rings. And then I heard a customer go, 'Oh my god it's Ant from Wheelers and Dealers.' And I just turned and walked out the shop. And Cassie is left in there going, 'Ant? Ant?'" Looking back now, he says, "We've had a few narrow escapes." Now that all their secrets are out, the couple is looking forward to their honeymoon in Bora Bora and settling into life at their home in Newport Beach with their "blended" family: El Moussa's kids -- Brayden, 3, and Taylor, 8, who she shares with Tarek, and Anstead's children from a previous marriage, Archie, 12, and Amelie, 15. "I'm incredibly grateful to have met her," says Anstead of his bride. "She saved me." Adds El Moussa, "We saved each other." (People)
Kim Kardashian's Baby News Is ''Heavily Influencing'' Her Sisters' Pregnancy Plans. Is there another Kardashian-Jenner baby boom on the horizon? Given today's news that Kim Kardashian and Kanye West are expecting baby No. 4 via surrogate in the coming months, it's certainly possible! Kim, Khloe Kardashian and Kylie Jenner each welcomed children of their own in 2018, and a source tells E! News that some of her sisters are already thinking about getting pregnant again. "Kim having another baby this year is heavily influencing her other sisters and their baby plans," the source notes. "They all loved being pregnant at the same time and everyone wants all of the kids to be close in age. Everyone jokes about having another round of 'triplets' all the time." Born within a few months of each other and practically inseparable, cousins Chicago West, Stormi Webster and True Thompson have become known as the "triplets" within the Kar-Jenner clan. "I definitely feel like we are more connected now, especially that Khloe's back and we're hanging out with all the babies," Kim told E! News of the experience. "All the kids want to hang out. It's just a whole different experience now. It's so much fun." Meanwhile, 21-year-old Kylie has previously expressed her and boyfriend Travis Scott's desire to expand their family. "Am I going to have another baby? I want another baby but, 'When?' is the question and I'm definitely not ready right this second," she told her social media followers in October. "And I don't know when I will be, but when I do, I would love to share more of that with you guys." The same is true for Khloe, 34, who a source previously said "definitely wants True to have a sibling and would love to have a big family." Explained the insider at the time, "Things are up and down with Tristan Thompson, but she would like more kids with him. That's what she feels will make the most sense for True and their little family. As for Kim and Kanye's latest baby journey, our source says they "hope to keep things well under the radar this time around." "This is going to be the last child for them as they do not have any embryo's left," adds the insider, "and think four children will complete their family. They both agreed that they wanted all of the kids to be close in age and grow up together." We're told the pair is expecting a baby boy in May. (Eonline)
GMA Day's Sara Haines Is Pregnant With Baby No. 3. Congratulations are in order for Sara Haines. The GMA Day host is pregnant with her third child. She and her husband, Max Shifrin, plan to welcome the little bundle of joy in July. The baby will join children Sandra Grace Shifrin, 1, and Alec Richard Shifrin, 2. "We just figured out our one-on-one defense and now we have to move to a zone," Haines told People, who broke the news. "Max and I are super excited while also being terrified! We are so grateful." The sex of the child has yet to be revealed. The baby news is just one of the many milestones Haines has experienced over the past few months. In August, the TV host bid adieu to The View to host GMA Day with Michael Strahan. The third-hour morning show premiered that September. However, it looks like her replacement is also expecting. Just yesterday, Abby Hunstman revealed she's pregnant with twins -- a boy and a girl. The newest family member will debut almost five years after Haines and her hubby tied the knot. It looks like Haines has learned a few lessons from her first two kiddos, too. "You realize they're more resilient in that no one knows what they're doing the first time," she previously said on The View about caring for a newborn. "You just know everyone else has it figured out and you don't. This time you're like, 'Oh, it's a club where no-one knows what's happening.'" Congratulations to the happy family! (Eonline)
For Jennifer Lawrence and Cooke Maroney, the odds are in their favor! "Things between them are very serious," an insider exclusively reveals in the new issue of Us Weekly, noting that the actress, 28, and the art gallerist, 33, have already moved in together. "They definitely appear to be in it for the long haul." Us first reported in June that the pair had been seeing each other for a few weeks. "Cooke plays very coy when speaking about her to his friends and colleagues," a source told Us at the time. "He is clearly smitten about her." (US Weekly)
Michael Schumacher's Family Makes Rare Statement Ahead of His 50th Birthday. Michael Schumacher's family has released a rare statement ahead of his 50th birthday on Jan. 3. "We are very happy to celebrate Michael's 50th birthday tomorrow together with you and thank you from the bottom of our hearts that we can do this together," the family of the racing driver wrote on his official Facebook page Wednesday. On Dec. 29, 2013, Schumacher suffered serious head injuries in a skiing accident, which split his helmet as he crashed into rocks on the slope at Meribel ski resort in the French Alps. Once admitted to the hospital, Schumacher's doctors in Grenoble put him into a medically induced coma in a bid to reduce brain swelling. He awakened from the coma in June 2014 and was released. Since then, the seven-time F1 champion's family has chosen to keep his condition private as he receives specialist treatment at his home in Switzerland. Addressing Schumacher's current condition, his family reassured his fans that "he is in the very best hands and that we are doing everything humanly possible to help him." "Please understand if we are following Michael's wishes and keeping such a sensitive subject as health, as it has always been, in privacy. At the same time we say thank you very much for your friendship and wish you a healthy and happy year 2019." His family also revealed plans to launch The Official Michael Schumacher App, which will allow fans to celebrate his success through a virtual museum. "As a gift to him, you and us, Keep Fighting Foundation has created a virtual museum. The Official Michael Schumacher App will be released tomorrow, so that we can review all together Michael's successes." Schumacher's family, including his wife Corinna and daughter Gina-Maria as well as his son and fellow racing driver Mick, launched the Keep Fighting Foundation in 2016 with a goal to "channel the positive energy received by Michael Schumacher." "The app is another milestone to do justice to him and you, his fans, by celebrating his accomplishments. We wish you a lot of fun with it," the statement continued. "Michael can be proud of what he has achieved, and so are we! That's why we remember his successes with the Michael Schumacher Private Collection exhibition in Cologne, by publishing memories in social media and by continuing his charitable work through the Keep Fighting Foundation. We want to remember his victories, his records and his jubilation." (People)
Olivia Newton-John has spoken out after claims she was on her deathbed. After reports began circulating that the singer's condition had taken a turn for the worse, with claims that her body was "shutting down" and that she only had "weeks" to live, Newton-John reassured her fans that she was doing just fine. In a video posted to her social media account on Wednesday, the 70-year-old Grease actress -- who announced in 2017 she'd been diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer that has spread to her back -- borrowed the words of Mark Twain and explained that the recent claims were merely "greatly exaggerated" rumors. "Happy New Year, everyone!" a bright and cheery Newton-John happily exclaimed in the clip. "I just want to say the rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated, to quote a very famous quote, and I'm doing great and I want to wish all of you the happiest, healthiest 2019 that's possible." "Thank you all for the wonderful love and support for me and for my Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness Centre in Melbourne, Australia," she added. Despite her diagnosis with stage 4 breast cancer, a representative for the iconic entertainer told PEOPLE earlier on Wednesday that the recent reports were "ridiculous" and "crap." Newton-John's niece, Tottie Goldsmith, also spoke out on Instagram on Wednesday to clear up the mounting claims about her aunt's health. "Just giving you the heads up that Livvy is in good health, so let's leave that distressing rumor where it belongs," Goldsmith shared, along with a photo of her posing with Newton-John. Goldsmith told Australia's Seven Network that Newton-John had given her permission to speak out about her publicly, and that "you can rest assured she is going nowhere and in really good health. A sick rumor." Last week, RadarOnline claimed that Newton-John's "bodily functions appear to be shutting down" and that she is "clinging to life" so that she can see her daughter, Chloe Lattanzi, marry her longtime fiance James Driskill in 2019. It also said Newton-John is spending her "final days" at her home in Santa Barbara with her husband of 10 years, John Easterling. The report triggered a whirl of rumors on social media and in tabloid reports in Newton-John's native Australia, including one which claims she has only "weeks" to live. Newton-John was first diagnosed with cancer in 1992 and underwent a partial mastectomy, nine months of chemotherapy and a breast reconstruction. After beating the disease, Newton-John became an advocate for breast cancer research and early detection. In May 2017, doctors diagnosed Newton-John with stage 4 breast cancer that had metastasized to the sacrum. The star initially postponed the first half of her concert tour because of severe back pain from what she thought was sciatica, but further tests discovered it was actually cancer that spread. Newton-John's most recent diagnosis is her third bout with cancer, as she revealed in September that she had faced a return of the disease in private back in 2013. In August, a tabloid report alleged that Newton-John canceled a handful of speaking engagements due to the progression of the illness -- a claim that she herself denied. "Olivia Newton-John's two upcoming speaking appearances in Australia were canceled due to scheduling conflicts with her upcoming promotional tour for her new book, Don't Stop Believin' and the ONJ Cancer Wellness & Research Centre's Wellness Walk & Research Run," read a statement posted on her social platforms. "Not illness as falsely reported." In September, a source told PEOPLE that Newton-John had been feeling healthy. "She's feeling and looking great and was just dancing with John Travolta at a Grease 40th anniversary event," the source said. "Everything that's being reported about her diagnosis is the same news she released last year." (People)
Lili Reinhart Sends a Middle Finger to "A--hole" Social Media Trolls. Lili Reinhart has had enough with her social media trolls. The 22-year-old Riverdale star, who is currently on a vacation in Aruba, took to her Instagram Story to address her haters on Wednesday evening. "Hey Twitter trolls, I'm in a tropical paradise drinking strawberry coladas and exploring an island, lol what u doin," Reinhart captioned a photo of her and a pal enjoying their drinks. The actress then posted a second photo to her Story, showing her sticking up her middle finger while taking a sip of her drink. "It's 2019, a--holes. Bite me," she captioned the social media post. It was just last month that Reinhart announced she's taking a break from Twitter after being attacked by trolls on the "toxic" site. "Taking a break from that toxic site and the people on it who feel the need to attack me, my cast mates, my relationship and Riverdale," she told her fans at the time. Reinhart returned to her Instagram Story on Thursday to post a message about her haters. "I give too much of myself to these people. The last people on earth who deserve it," the message begins. "And I feel regret. For letting them spark a reaction out of me. When I know all too well that the moment will pass. I'm still me. They're still them. Judging my pictures and words, without actually seeing anything or knowing any part of me. The sticky spider web that they create seems to trap me every time. But I seem to be the one biting myself in the end." "And I'm worth too much to cheapen myself by acknowledging that their web even exists," the message continues. "They will never know me. They will never see me as raw or bare as they see themselves. And that's what keeps me sane. That I, myself, am tucked away. Where none of them can reach me." "Each year brings new lessons. This is one of mine," Reinhart concludes. "Value yourself. And the parts of yourself that are your own. That no else can touch." (Eonline)
Randy Jackson is one big step closer to being a single man ... more than 4 years after his wife filed for divorce. According to new docs obtained by TMZ ... the judge signed off on Randy and his estranged wife Erika's dissolution of marriage last month. The 2 will be officially divorced on February 7. It's unclear who got what in the divorce ... the settlement's being kept under wraps. We broke the story ... Erika filed for divorce in September 2014 after 18 years of marriage. The couple had no prenup, so it's a good bet she made out well considering the millions Randy made in his "American Idol" heyday. Randy and Erika have 2 adult children together, so custody is not an issue. (TMZ)
Diddy might want to ask for a refund from his former trainer ... because sources claim the guy he hired to keep Cassie in shape was banging her on his dime ... but she says his timeline is wrong. Here's what we're told. Diddy's trainer, Jamal Liggin, got so busy he hired several trainers as backup, including Alex Fine. Diddy tagged Alex to train Cassie over the last year. As we reported, Diddy and Cassie broke up several months ago after a decade-long relationship, but our sources claim Cassie and Alex hooked up before the split. We're told what especially galls Diddy ... he paid Alex to train his then-girlfriend and feels betrayed. Cassie sure seems smitten with Alex. She has not ever publicly talked about a timeline, but we're told Diddy is convinced there's an overlap. Sources connected to Cassie insist she did NOT start dating Alex until after she broke up with Diddy. We reached out to Alex ... so far, no word back. Diddy has bigger issues to deal with, like raising his 3 children after the death of Kim Porter in November. Diddy was destroyed when Kim died, saying they were more than soulmates. (TMZ)
It's still raining on Andy Cohen, because he's getting some serious pushback from the Times Square Alliance after he ranted on air about being singled out by officials who forced him to take down his umbrella during his CNN New Year's Eve broadcast. During his fit, Andy claimed someone in the Times Square Alliance threatened to pull CNN's credentials for its next NYE show if he didn't lose his umbrella. The Alliance fired back on Wednesday, issuing a statement to Page Six saying umbrellas are not allowed in certain media areas because they can block sightlines for other media. The Alliance also denied Cohen's claim CNN's credentials were threatened, saying, "some tempers flared, but it was never the case, nor will it be the case, that CNN would be denied credentials or the ability to cover New Year's Eve." Here's to hoping rain steers clear of Times Square next NYE ... although it did make for some pretty interesting TV. (TMZ)
R. Kelly's had enough ... he's threatening to sue Lifetime if it doesn't pull the plug on airing its documentary that paints the singer as a sex-crazed and abusive cult leader. Kelly's lawyer, Brian Nix, fired off a legal letter -- obtained by TMZ -- warning the network that its "Surviving R. Kelly" documentary is packed with lies. Nix threatens to file a federal lawsuit Thursday -- the same day Lifetime's set to air the special -- if the network doesn't relent. As you know ... the family of one of Kelly's alleged brainwashed sex slaves has gone public in seeking her return. The alleged victim, Joycelyn Savage, refuted her own family and said she's no hostage. She was seen out in Bev Hills last May... without Kelly in tow. Lifetime's 6-part documentary will feature, for the first time ever, people from Kelly's inner circle coming forward with new allegations that Kelly has sexually, mentally and physically abused women. Kelly's calling BS ... saying the subjects made false allegations to become famous. What's more ... Kelly says he has 2 audio recordings -- 5 minutes in duration -- that show Lifetime knew "some of the girls are lying, but that the budget was too high to turn back now." (TMZ)
A$AP Bari -- co-founder of A$AP Mob -- is pleading guilty to sexually assaulting a woman in 2017, but he won't do any time. The hip-hop designer appeared in a London courthouse Thursday to enter his guilty plea on one count of sexual assault for an incident at London's Curtain Hotel in July 2017. As part of his plea deal, Bari was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine, pay the victim $3,150 ... and he dodges jail time. The judge who presided over the case said, "The court does have concerns in this matter because it has exposed a very unpleasant attitude by you towards women." She added, "You say that you were angry but there is no need to ever be so abusive and humiliating to a female." In a leaked video of the incident, Bari can be seen chasing a naked woman who was in bed with his assistant into the bathroom and ordering her to give him oral sex. In addition to the criminal charge ... the victim sued him, and he countersued ... calling her a liar. The civil case is still ongoing. (TMZ)
Daryl Dragon, "The Captain" of singing duo Captain and Tennille, died early Wednesday morning ... and love really did keep them together to the very end. Daryl's publicist says the musician died of renal failure in Arizona and was in hospice care at the time. Daryl and Toni Tennille were famous for cranking out huge hits in the '70s, including "Do That to Me One More Time," "Muskrat Love" and "Love Will Keep Us Together." The duo was actually a couple -- they married in 1975. They landed their own TV variety show the next year. Although they divorced in 2014, they remained friends ... and Toni was by his side when he died. As TMZ first reported ... their divorce docs made specific mention about their health insurance coverage. In 2009, she said Daryl was suffering from Parkinson's Disease. Daryl was blindsided by Toni's filing ... and told us they were still living together at the time. In a statement, Toni says Daryl "was a brilliant musician with many friends who loved him greatly. I was at my most creative in my life, when I was with him." Daryl was 76. (TMZ)
Herb Ellis, Actor and Jack Webb Collaborator on 'Dragnet,' Dies at 97. He said the famed cop show was "created at my dining room table." Herb Ellis, a veteran character actor who helped Jack Webb create the legendary cop show Dragnet, has died. He was 97. Ellis died Dec. 26 at his home in San Gabriel, Calif., his daughter, Karen Siegel, told The Hollywood Reporter. Ellis played bistro owner Wilbur on the NBC-ABC crime drama Peter Gunn, created by Blake Edwards, and was the film director in the opening scene that sees Peter Sellers create havoc on his set in Edwards' 1960 comedy, The Party (1968). He also appeared in the filmmaker's What Did You Do in the War, Daddy? (1966). Other notable big-screen appearances came in Stanley Kubrick's The Killing (1956) and Billy Wilder's The Fortune Cookie (1966), and Ellis also had regular roles in the 1960s on the series Hennesey, starring Jackie Cooper, and Peter Loves Mary. Webb starred as LAPD Sgt. Joe Friday on Dragnet, which began on the radio in June 1949. He got the idea for the police procedural after working as a lab technician on the documentary-style film noir classic He Walked by Night (1948), starring Richard Basehart. He and Ellis then wrote a pilot script called Joe Friday, Room 5. That show was not made, but it led to another series. "Dragnet was created at my dining room table," Ellis said in Gerald Nachman's 1998 book Raised on Radio. "There were a lot of good actors that Jack made very unhappy. He didn't want actors, he wanted readers," Ellis continued. "Actors want to act, and they couldn't stand the show's monotone acting style. They didn't get it." When Dragnet made its way to NBC television in 1951, Ellis portrayed Officer Frank Smith opposite Webb on a handful of episodes. He also appeared in the 1954 big-screen version and worked for Webb in the 1955 feature Pete Kelly's Blues, on NBC's The D.A.'s Man and on Dragnet again when it was revived in the '60s. Herbert Siegel was born in Cleveland on Jan. 17, 1921. He was an announcer and actor on many radio programs and worked with Webb at a San Francisco radio station. They collaborated on the shows Pat Novak for Hire and Jeff Regan, Investigator, and Ellis eventually became one of the actor-producer's regulars. (The two also shared a love of jazz, and Webb married actress Julie London in 1947 at Ellis' home, Siegel noted.) Ellis later showed up on episodes of other series like Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Andy Griffith Show, Bewitched, The Fugitive, The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, My Favorite Martian, Perry Mason and Sanford and Son. He also had a thriving career as a voiceover artist. Survivors include his four grandchildren. (Hollywood Reporter)
Pegi Young, Musician and Ex-Wife of Neil Young, Dead at 66. Pegi Young, a musician and ex-wife of Neil Young has died. The news of her death comes a year after she was diagnosed with cancer. She was 66. "With great sadness, we confirm that on January 1st, after a year-long battle with cancer, Pegi Young -- mother, grandmother, sister, auntie, musician, activist and co-founder of the Bridge School -- passed away surrounded by her friends and family in her native California," a statement from Pegi's Facebook page read. "We request that the families' privacy be respected at this time." Pegi is survived by her children with Neil -- son Ben and daughter Amber. Four years ago, Neil filed for divorce from Pegi after 36 years of marriage. The former couple wed in 1978. Their sad end came after a sweet beginning that led Neil to pen the song "Unknown Legend." In it, he writes lovingly of their early spark. "I used to order just to watch her float across the floor," the song goes. "She grew up in a small town/Never put her roots down." He also credited her as his muse for such other songs as "Such a Woman" and "Once an Angel." The parents rallied to the aid of their son, Ben, who suffers from cerebral palsy. After they failed to find a school that met their son's needs, Pegi helped found The Bridge School, and they continued to raise funds for the school each year, holding benefits and inviting their star friends to perform to help students who suffered similar severe physical impairments, according to Rolling Stone. In addition to her work on The Bridge School, Pegi is also known for her music career. Pegi's big break came in 1994 when she sang back up for Neil at the Academy Awards on his Oscar-nominated track "Philadelphia," Billboard reported. Shortly after, Pegi became a regular backup singer and accompanied Neil on tour. In 2007, Pegi released a self-titled solo LP and went on to release albums Foul Deeds (2010), Bracing for Impact (2011), Lonely in a Crowded Room (2014) and Raw following her divorce. In 2007, Pegi released a self-titled solo LP and went on to release albums Foul Deeds (2010), Bracing for Impact (2011), Lonely in a Crowded Room (2014) and Raw following her divorce. "It told a story," Pegi previously told Rolling Stone about Raw. "I kind of look at it as a soundtrack to the seven stages of grief. You've got anger, then shock and disbelief. As we go through the album, the later songs show my growth and... I can't say total acceptance, but I think the last song, that wonderful Don Henley song ["The Heart of the Matter"], talks about forgiveness. That's really where it's at, you know?" A representative for Neil did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. (People)
"Mean" Gene Okerlund was seriously injured during a nasty fall back in December ... triggering a rapid decline in his health that ultimately led to his death, his son tells TMZ Sports. We spoke with Todd Okerlund who says Okerlund suffered multiple broken ribs during the fall at his Florida home and was treated at a hospital in Sarasota. Todd says Okerlund had been in frail health for a while but the fall clearly made things much worse. Just 4 days before his death, Gene was admitted to a nursing home .... but he began to have trouble breathing and was rushed to a hospital on Wednesday where he ultimately passed away with his wife, Jeanne, by his side. Todd tells us ... the family has been touched by all of the support for his father. Todd also says Gene LOVED his career and would have done it for free. "Mean" Gene is a WWE Hall of Famer who was a key part of the company's success -- with legendary interviews with Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant, "Macho Man" Randy Savage and more. Vince McMahon also issued a statement on Okerlund ... saying, "It was impossible not to crack a smile whenever 'Mean' Gene Okerlund entered a room. He was the voice behind so many of WWE's most iconic and entertaining moments, and the WWE family will miss him immensely." Gene was 76. (TMZ)
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