ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Alexa Vega and Carlos Pena Reveal the Sex of Baby No. 2. Alexa Vega is about to be extra outnumbered by men, because she and hubby Carlos Pena are having another baby boy! Their son Ocean Pena Vega is going to have a little brother in just a few months' time. Alexa and Carlos learned the sex of their unborn child by getting a special cake made for a gender reveal, which happened while they were aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise. Alexa, Carlos and Ocean sliced into the cake on the balcony of their suite, where blue and pink decorations adorned the walls. "We had the most epic #gendereveal party yesterday in our room! Sure, it was just our little family...But it was PERFECT!" Carlos gushed on Instagram. They even revealed that their newest little one will be named Kingston James Pena Vega, or KJ for short. The Spy Kids star and her hubby are currently on a 3-week babymoon to relax before baby no. 2 makes its big arrival. According to Carlos' Instagram, each member of the Pena Vega family is getting a whole week where they get to do any activity of their choosing and it's safe to say they are having fun. So far, Carlos and Alexa have taken Ocean to a fun-filled night at a carnival, gone on the Flowrider and watched the vast ocean pass them by. In January the pair shared that they are expecting another little one, warning their fans to "get ready for a whole new set of adventures!" Carlos revealed, "It's HAPPENING... AGAIN! WE'RE HAVING ANOTHER BABY!!! 2019 another PenaVega is joining the family! This year we will officially be able to say we have 'kids!' Our minds are blown, and we are beyond blessed and excited for our growing family!!! Let the journey begin!!!" If you're one of the fans itching to learn more about their trip on the high seas and their gender reveal, check out their show Lex Loves Los on YouTube! (Eonline)

How Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom Are Planning Their "Perfect" Wedding. Katy Perry is living a teenage dream with her fiance Orlando Bloom. The singer has been living in a state of pure bliss ever since the Pirates of the Caribbean star popped the question on Valentine's Day. And now that they are engaged, they are planning the big day. A source tells E! News that the A-list pair is "starting to talk about what their wedding might look like, but they haven't made any decisions." One thing is for sure so far: "They want to make sure they decide on something that will be perfect for them as a couple," the source shares. Which makes sense considering Katy and Orlando had "very different weddings" for their previous marriages. Katy was formerly married to comedian Russell Brand, while Orlando was once married to Victoria's Secret model Miranda Kerr. Unfortunately, the insider says, "Orlando doesn't want anything big and flashy," which means Katy likely won't be riding in on an elephant like she did for her wedding to Brand. So, to make sure they have the wedding of both of their dreams, the source shares that they "will have a wedding planner to help them execute." The lucky wedding planner won't be in charge of everything though since the insider says Katy has "some ideas of what would be cool." According to the source, the singer and actor will be easy to please since they would be more than happy having a wedding "where their friends and family can come together, and everyone has fun." And in other exciting news, it appears that Katy and Orlando have taken another leap in their relationship: they are officially living together. "They moved in together right after they got engaged," the source reveals. "She had been doing work to her new house for several months and it was finished right at the time they got engaged. It worked out perfectly and they are loving this time in their lives." Orlando is taking the move seriously since he has also listed his $8.9 million home in Los Angeles, Calif. Their friends and family are happy for them too. Their loved ones gathered for a surprise engagement party just moments after Orlando popped the question and was the perfect way to kick off their engagement. "He did so well," Katy later gushed in an interview. (Eonline)

Four years after Rita Wilson learned she had breast cancer, the star is opening up about what went through her mind shortly after the diagnosis. The singer-actress, 62, explained in the Instagram post on Tuesday that after doctors delivered the life-changing news she told her husband Tom Hanks what she wanted to happen should she die. "Four years ago when I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I had so many different thoughts," Wilson, who is now cancer-free, began in the post. "You're scared, anxious, you think about your own mortality." "So I had a serious discussion with my husband that if anything happens, I wanted him to be super sad for a very long time ?? and I'd also like a party, a celebration," she said. This idea served as the inspiration for her to write the song "Throw Me a Party," which is the first single on the upcoming album, Halfway to Home, she wrote. The star also included a photo of her with Hanks, 62, at the 2018 American Friends of Blerancourt Dinner in November. The pair, who sported formal attire, were captured smiling at each other as Hanks held onto his wife's arm. Wilson revealed she was diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2015. At the time, the Sleepless in Seattle actress also shared that she had undergone a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. In an exclusive statement to PEOPLE, Wilson said she felt "blessed" to have the love and support of her husband, friends, family and the doctors who saved her life. "Last week, with my husband by my side, and with the love and support of family and friends, I underwent a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction for breast cancer after a diagnosis of invasive lobular carcinoma," she said. "I am recovering and most importantly, expected to make a full recovery. Why? Because I caught this early, have excellent doctors and because I got a second opinion." Wilson, who has an underlying condition of lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS), said that although her first pathology showed no cancer, she went to get a second opinion per a friend's suggestion and her cancer was discovered. "I share this to educate others that a second opinion is critical to your health. You have nothing to lose if both opinions match up for the good, and everything to gain if something that was missed is found, which does happen. Early diagnosis is key," Wilson said. "I feel blessed to have a loving, supportive husband, family, friends and doctors and that I am the beneficiary of advances in the field of breast cancer and reconstruction. I am getting better every day and look forward to renewed health," she finished. In the time since her diagnosis, Wilson has focused on her music career and this past February released "Throw Me A Party" that came about from her discussions with Hanks. After its release, Wilson celebrated with a post on Instagram where she further discussed the inspiration behind the country tune. "Songs [sic] comes from many places and this one came from questioning what I wanted to have happen after I died," she wrote. "When you go through a crisis so many things cross your mind. Instead of avoiding those thoughts, we wrote a song!" "It was very personal, and it really defined a lot of the album," Wilson added on her website. Halfway To Home, Wilson's fourth studio album, will be available everywhere on March 29. Preorders are currently available here. (People)

Katie Holmes and Jamie Foxx Prove They're Still Going Strong With NYC Stroll. Not-so-secret and notoriously private couple Katie Holmes and Jamie Foxx were seen taking a romantic stroll together in New York City this week. The 40-year-old actress and 51-year-old actor walked by Central Park and also visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Holmes wore a denim trench coat, cropped blue jeans, white sneakers and a woolen cap, paired with a red purse. Foxx sported long black coat and matching pants, sneakers and a woolen cap as well. The two had first sparked romance rumors in 2013 and have occasionally been seen together in public since then. E! News learned in 2016 that Holmes and Foxx have been dating for years. Like most Hollywood couples, they are occasionally the subject of breakup rumors. "They are still together," a source told E! News about Holmes and Foxx. "They see each other privately and in a low-key way that is out of the public eye. Everything is the same with them. She's happy with him." Just before the New Year's holiday, the two actors vacationed with friends in Miami aboard a private luxury yacht and were photographed sharing a sweet kiss. While that wasn't the first time the two had showed major PDA, neither Holmes nor Foxx will discuss their relationship publicly. (Eonline)

Wendy Williams isn't batting an eyelash about rumors regarding her husband allegedly having a baby with another woman ... but she is batting her ring finger at photogs. The talk show host was leaving a Pilates studio Wednesday in NYC, where paps were at the ready to fire off questions about how she was doing ... without asking point-blank about her hubby's alleged mistress. It seems they didn't need to though ... based on her reaction. Wendy told the paps that she was fine and was carrying on with her business -- in fact, she says she was just on her way to a book signing. When one photog asked about her wedding ring, Wendy was happy to flash it ... so it's pretty clear she's not sweating cheating stories. We know that too. Sources close to the production of her show tell us her hubby's still working on set as an EP, and that he and Wendy have even interacted civilly behind the scenes. If there is creepin' going on ... Wendy isn't letting on one bit. (TMZ)

Monica's officially calling it quits with her ex-NBA baller husband, Shannon Brown ... she's filed for divorce. The singer filed the paperwork earlier this month in Atlanta. Monica and Shannon have a 5-year-old daughter named Laiyah together, and she has 2 sons from a previous relationship with rapper Rocko. So far there are no details on whether she's seeking child or spousal support ... but we've learned Monica was unsuccessful in sealing the divorce docs. The couple wed in 2010, but there was speculation they were separated in October 2018 ... until she shared a loving photo of the 2 together on Instagram. She hasn't been wearing her ring in Instagram photos for a few weeks though. Monica famously claimed that Shannon -- best known for his time with the Lakers -- performed better on the court after he had sex with her ... especially when he played for the Phoenix Suns. Looks like those days are long gone. (TMZ)

Jussie Smollett knows his careers on the line, and he's tasking his team with pulling off the highly improbable -- making him likable again. Sources close to the "Empire" star tell TMZ ... even though his criminal record's scrubbed clean, he's in crisis management mode to repair his public image. We're told he's ordered his team to come up with a plan to fix that pronto, because if they don't ... he's screwed professionally. Our sources say Jussie's open to anything that will give him an opportunity to tell his story and convey he's not the bad guy. Yes ... he will stick to the victim narrative. We're told he's down for interviews, appearances and going outside of his comfort zone if it means getting a chance to connect with an audience ... because he knows if he does nothing, he'll never get work again. We broke the story ... Jussie's showbiz job offers have completely dried up since he was arrested and charged for allegedly orchestrating a fake attack in Chicago in late January. Despite the charges getting dropped this week, we're told Jussie has not been contacted about any potential work and knows he's more or less a Hollywood outcast for now ... so, it's time for a full-on PR blitz. No word if Robin Roberts is on his call list. (TMZ)

DMX mistakenly rolling away with someone else's ride could cost him dearly if the feds find out he hopped in the driver's seat ... something X insists he did NOT do. Sources close to DMX tell TMZ ... his lawyers think he's gonna get pulled in before a judge soon to explain what the hell happened last weekend in L.A. ... when his crew drove off with someone else's Corvette in a big ol' mixup. We're told the concern is he might have violated the probation in his tax evasion case. As we reported ... X and his posse left a restaurant early Saturday morning, and the valet gave them someone else's car by mistake. They rode away, and the owner of the car reported it stolen. Cops got the car back pronto without arresting anyone. Despite it being a clear gaffe on the valet's part, we're told X's camp thinks prosecutors are gonna squeeze him because there's confusion as to whether or not he was driving. DMX doesn't have a license right now, so driving would be a clear probation violation. Our law enforcement sources tell us feds are just "looking into it" -- and it seems they're only basing their suspicions off our post. There are no images of DMX behind the wheel, as far as we've seen. For the record, our DMX sources tell us he's confident surveillance footage will show he was a passenger and not the driver. (TMZ)

R. Kelly's accuser speaks out, details alleged sexual abuses for the first time. One of R. Kelly's accusers broke down in a TV interview as she came forward for the first time to speak the "truth" about how she was allegedly attacked by the musician. Lanita Carter identified herself in an interview with CBS News as one of the four accusers whose claims led to Kelly's arrest in Chicago in February. "I was sexually abused by him and I live after that. I try to pick up the pieces every day," Carter told CBS correspondent Jericka Duncan with tears running down her face in a short clip released Wednesday. "It's hard but I know I'll get through it. I'm not ashamed of my past anymore." Carter said she was Kelly's "hair-braider for two years" when she was assaulted 15 years ago, claiming the singer tried to force her to give him oral sex before he masturbated and spat in her face. Carter who was 24 at the time claims she submitted her shirt for DNA testing and Cook County prosecutors told her it was a match to 52-year-old Kelly, whose real name is Robert Kelly. "This is a release," she said of speaking out for the interview set to air on "CBS This Morning" on Thursday morning. "I've been carrying this since 2003. I have had to sit on a public bus and watch public conversation: 'Did you hear about what they did with R. Kelly? They need to leave that man alone.' And I can't stand up for myself. I finally realized: I don't wanna be this victim. I don't wanna be a part of this." She tearfully told Duncan that she hopes coming forward will help her move on with her life. "When I finally realized I don't want to be this victim, I don't want to be a part of this, every time I tried to pick myself up again, I felt like something on the news brought me back to what I thought I swept under the rug," she said. "Today I say: no more. You can talk about me. You cannot like what I'm sayin' about your favorite singer. But this is my life... This is my truth. This is what I have. If I die tomorrow, I know that I told the truth." She added, "I know that I want to be the best person I could be. I know that I want to help people. "If it's anybody that want to speak truth, it's hard when it's a celebrity. It's not easy. It's not easy if it wasn't a celebrity. It makes it 10 times worse." The R&B star was hit with 10 counts of aggravated criminal sex abuse in Cook County in February. The charges involve incidents from 1998 to 2010, with the three other accusers believed to be all underage. Earlier this month, Kelly was interviewed by Gayle King on CBS and made headlines for emphatically denying the charges, repeatedly punching his hand, hitting his chest and standing to shout straight to camera. "Quit playing, I didn't do this stuff," he said at one point during the explosive interview. "This is not me. I'm fighting for my f -- ing life." (PageSix)

The Cook County State's Attorney has circulated an email asking prosecutors in the office to come up with other examples where they just dropped felony charges the way they did in the Jussie Smollett case. According to the memo, obtained by the CBS affiliate in Chicago, the brass wrote, "We are looking for examples of cases, felony preferable, where we, in exercising our discretion, have entered into verbal agreements with defense attorneys to dismiss charges against an offender if certain conditions were met, such as the payment of restitution, completion of community service, completion of class, etc." Here's the problem. Jussie did not do community service. Community service is often part of a plea deal where a certain number of hours is required by defendants who are convicted or cop a plea. In Jussie's case, all he did was spend a few hours over the weekend at Rainbow PUSH. That is not community service. As for restitution ... Jussie forfeited a $10k bond, and that's it. As the Mayor said, it doesn't come near to paying the cost of the investigation. The email goes on to say, "Nobody is in trouble, we are just looking for further examples of how we, as prosecutors, use our discretion in a way that restores the victim, but causes minimal harm to the defendant in the long term." The concept of "minimal harm" to the defendant is confusing. Typically, what happens is that a defendant would plead no contest to a reduced charge or a reduced number of charges, and maybe get community service and/or pay restitution. That didn't happen in Jussie's case. (TMZ)

FBI reportedly probing why Jussie Smollett charges were dropped. The FBI has launched a probe into the reasons why prosecutors decided to drop all criminal charges against Jussie Smollett -- despite evidence that he allegedly staged a hate crime against himself, a report said Wednesday. The investigation was revealed one day after Chicago prosecutors suddenly abandoned the 16-count indictment into the "Empire" star, according to Chicago's WLS -TV. The station cited two law enforcement sources for the information about the federal probe. The development came as Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx defended her decision to drop the charges. "I believe this is a just outcome based on the circumstances," Foxx said Wednesday. (PageSix)

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Fall Book Discussion and Movie Series

Book discussion group to meet

City Page Survey