THE OTHER STUFF . . .

Meghan Markle's Speech on Gender Equality and Education Will Empower You. Meghan Markle spoke about the importance of gender equality and education during her visit to the University of Johannesburg on Tuesday. The Duchess of Sussex recalled attending Northwestern University during a round-table discussion and said it "takes a village" for "people to be able to finance that." "Families chipping in, scholarship, financially all those things that were the reason that I was able to attend university," she said. "But at the same level, you need to have that kind of support on the inside for educators to be able to give as much as they can back to those who are in the educational system." She then announced three new gender grants for the University of Johannesburg, Stellenbosch University and the University of Western Cape. "The goal here is to be able to have gender equality -- to be able to support women as they are working in research and higher education roles and also to be able to have workshops to convene things that are really helping people understand the importance of gender equality," she said. "True to what you said, when a woman is empowered, it changes absolutely everything in the community and starting an educational atmosphere is really a key point of that." In addition, Meghan announced four new Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships, which will give students in Tanzania, Zambia and Nigeria the opportunity to study in South Africa. "Sometimes access to education can seem so big, you wonder where to even begin?" she said at one point. "So, you begin with one student, or one school, you simply begin. And that's when we see change." Meghan's powerful speech should come as no surprise to royal admirers. After all, she's spoken about the importance of gender equality and education before and has championed both for years. She's also a patron of the Association of Commonwealth Universities. The duchess wore a double-breasted trench dress from Banana Republic for the occasion. The solo visit occurred on the penultimate day of Meghan and Prince Harry's royal tour of Africa. To learn more about their trip, click here and here. (Eonline)

2019 E! People's Choice Awards Surpass 1 Billion Votes! You made it happen! Today, we are celebrating the E! People's Choice Awards exceeding -- drum roll please! -- one billion votes already since voting started on Sept. 4 and we know that it couldn't happen without all the dedicated fans. With 43 categories spanning movies, television, music and pop culture, die-hard fans have already come out in force to support their favorite nominees for this year's big show. But, it's not too late to have your voice heard. Are you an Arianator? Or an Avengers fanatic? Or how about a Games of Thrones devotee? No matter which nominees you're picking, your favorite contenders still need your votes. You can cast your ballot by going to the official People's Choice Awards voting site or via Twitter by including both the category hashtag and one nominee hashtag in a tweet. You can vote 25 times per day, per method. Remember, every Tuesday your votes will count twice so make sure you're coming back each day to support your picks. But don't wait too long because voting closes on Oct. 18. That's just a few weeks away! Once you've picked all your favorites, be sure to watch the People's Choice Awards airing live on E! on Sunday, Nov. 10. Watch the 2019 People's Choice Awards Sunday, Nov. 10 at 9 p.m. on E! (Eonline)

Michael B. Jordan is the first global face of Coach Menswear, and he's launching a Naruto-themed capsule collection to kick off the partnership. The actor, producer and budding style icon, 32, is making his fashion design debut with a unisex line of ready-to-wear, footwear and bags, inspired by the popular anime TV series, as well as his community and cultural influences. Available in store and at coach.com, the collection includes t-shirts, hoodies, shoes, backpacks, jackets and a luxurious shearling coat -- pieces Jordan says he "could see my friends, family and fans wearing with pride." "As with all aspects of my work, this collection is about bringing fresh perspectives and unique voices to the forefront," the Creed star said in a press release. "Expanding into the fashion design space was rewarding beyond my expectations. I'm grateful to [Coach Creative Director] Stuart [Vevers] and Coach for providing me with the opportunity and expertise to execute a collection I'm extremely proud of." With prices ranging from $95 to $2500, Jordan's collection reflects his own style: high fashion meets high function. The actor chose innovated designs, like removable sleeves, utility packs, hybrid sneakers and imagery of Naruto characters, for his first collection. To promote the clothing and accessories launch (created in partnership with San Francisco-based VIZ Media), Jordan worked closely with Black Panther alum Rachel Morrison on a hero film set in Tokyo, which "moves between moments of modern-day grit and magical realism, placing an emphasis on the power of connection," according to a press release. In PEOPLE exclusive behind-the-scenes photos, Jordan can be seen shooting in a bamboo forest and under Tokyo's neon street lights. "Working with Mike is always a great experience," Vevers said. "He's a great collaborator because he always puts his heart and soul into everything he does, and because he brought something authentic and personal to the collection." In July, Jordan starred in Coach's Fall 2019 campaign opposite grown-ish actress Yara Shahidi. The campaign allowed the pair to "share the spirit of New York City, inspiring 21st Century dreamers everywhere to believe in themselves and life's infinite possibilities" in a "spontaneous, real and free-spirited" way, according to a press release. And Jordan and Shahidi aren't the only Hollywood A-listers to collaborate with the American luxury fashion company. Last year, Selena Gomez announced her second Coach capsule collection of "ultra-feminine" handbags, accessories and ready-to-wear pieces, like silk slips, plush sweaters, and retro-inspired hoodies, after being named the brand's spokesperson in 2016. For her second campaign, the singer and actress teamed up with the same photographer as her first: Steven Meisel. The Spring 2018 ads highlighted Coach's handbag line and celebrated New York City. "[Coach] creative director Stuart Vevers makes New York feel like a town, a real community," Gomez said in the press release. "It just feels like this is where the brand really lives." "The Coach girl is real -- she's riding the subway or, this season, hanging out in her cool NYC apartment," Vevers said at the time. "Steven Meisel's photography brings a layer of magic to those seemingly everyday situations. Whilst Selena has a warmth that's special -- there is also an authenticity and realness to her that brings the campaign to life." (People)

Jonathan Scott and Zooey Deschanel Double Date With Drew Scott and Linda Phan at 'DWTS'. Paso doble double date? Jonathan Scott and Zooey Deschanel attended the live taping of Dancing With the Stars on Monday, September 30, alongside his twin brother, Drew Scott, and Drew's wife, Linda Phan. The two couples were spotted at neighboring tables in the ballroom audience, with Deschanel giggling as she and Jonathan whispered back and forth. At one point during the show, "Jonathan moved his chair closer to Zooey and put his arm around her as he whispered closely in her ear," an eyewitness told Us Weekly. "They appeared very comfortable together and looked sweet." The onlooker added that after the show wrapped, the two couples "were seen chatting on the ballroom floor. At one point, Jonathan noticed something in Zooey's hair and reached to get it out. He had his arm around her and was holding her close. Zooey had her arm around his waist. Jonathan appeared protective over her and they looked very cozy." Jonathan and Drew the 41-year-olds who have gained fame as HGTV's Property Brothers both have a history with DWTS. Drew competed in the ABC show's 25th season in 2017, dancing with pro Emma Slater, and in one episode, Jonathan surprised fans by joining his realtor brother in a jive performance. Ultimately, Drew came in fourth place in the season. Drew and Phan got engaged in December 2016 and tied the knot in May 2018, but Jonathan and Deschanel's romance is much newer. The couple met on the set of Carpool Karaoke, as Drew documented on Instagram in August, and Us Weekly confirmed the relationship on September 14, a day after they were spotted holding hands in Silver Lake, California. "It's definitely special for me because I am the guy who raises the bar in what I'm looking for in a partner," Jonathan said of the relationship in an interview with Us that same day. "I was caught a little off guard. It was definitely a pleasant surprise." Drew, meanwhile, is a big fan of the pairing. "[They're} both amazing people, and I think it's great," the 41-year-old exclusively told Us on September 19. "It's exciting. And it means I get to get Jon out here to spend more time with us in L.A." Monday's Dancing With the Stars taping wasn't even the first group outing for the two couples: Drew previously told Us that they all enjoy going on double dates. "We have a lot of the same interests," he explained. "We have quirky personalities." Previously, Jonathan dated Jacinta Kuznetsov until April 2018. Deschanel is still married to Jacob Pechenik -- with whom she shares two children -- but announced their breakup earlier this month. Dancing With the Stars airs on ABC Mondays at 8 p.m. ET. (UsMagazine)

Gigi Hadid Save the Day After Prankster Crashes Chanel's Fashion Show. There was a catwalk crasher at Chanel's Paris Fashion Week show on Tuesday. During the finale, a prankster jumped up onto the runway at the Grand Palais and started walking with the other models. The intruder, who's been identified as YouTuber and comedian Marie Benoliel (a.k.a. Marie S'Infiltre), attempted to blend in by wearing a black and white tweed suit and a bowler hat. However, she didn't fool anyone -- especially Gigi Hadid. While security rushed to seize the crasher, Hadid took matters into her own hands. The 24-year-old model blocked the prankster from running off and proceeded to escort her off of the stage. Even with the cameo, the show was still a success. Spectators enjoyed viewing all of the ready-to-wear looks from the brand's spring-summer 2020 womenswear collection. The show also marked Virginie Viard's first Paris Fashion Week show as the brand's creative director. Viard took on the role following Karl Lagerfeld's death. There were quite a few famous faces in the audience, too  including Cardi B and Anna Wintour. (Eonline)

Kylie Jenner's last-minute cancellation threw Balmain into 'chaos mode'. Kylie Jenner sparked a fashion freakout when she abruptly canceled her Paris fashion week appearance at the Balmain show to promote her multimillion-dollar makeup deal with the haute brand. The Kylie Cosmetics mogul was signed to serve as Balmain's artistic director of makeup, sit front row at last Friday's show, and take a final bow on the runway with Balmain creative director Olivier Rousteing, surrounded by models glammed in her beauty brand. An announcement stated Jenner would arrive at 7:30?a.m., before the show, to personally apply her makeup on models. But Balmain's mascara began manically melting last week when Jenner canceled just days after she reportedly checked into an LA hospital with flulike symptoms. She apologized on social media, saying "I'm heartbroken." However, a fashion insider said Balmain staffers were not feeling it. The insider said, "They've been working on this deal with Kylie for over a year. It is huge, worth millions and millions of dollars. When Kylie canceled at short notice, Balmain went into meltdown. The entire team at Balmain were in chaos mode because they lost the star of their show. They were devastated and begged her to reconsider, but she didn't." Adding, "Millions of dollars in product had been ordered to celebrate this collaboration, and the plans had been in the works for over 12 months." Kylie has since been plugging the makeup collection online. The brand is still hopeful it will be a big seller. Reps for Kylie and Balmain didn't immediately get back to us. (PageSix)

Jessica Simpson shared some cheeky words of encouragement to Amy Schumer after the comedian revealed she lost 10 lbs. following the birth of her son Gene Attell. On Monday, Schumer, who welcomed baby Gene with husband Chris Fischer in May, posted a bikini photo of herself captioning it "Ok Simpson!" -- calling out the "Where You Are" singer, who recently made headlines for losing 100 pounds after giving birth to daughter Birdie Mae in March. "Well I've lost 10 pounds and 100 dollars to my sister playing poker," Schumer, 38, wrote alongside the post, which shows her posing in the black two piece, standing next to her sister Kim Caramele on the beach. Schumer concluded the post writing the hashtags "#norush #givememymoneybackkim." Simpson, 39, quickly raved over Schumer's weight loss commenting, "You're hot." She then went on to note that "Size only matters when it comes to men." Last week, Simpson revealed to her followers that she had lost 100 lbs. in six months. The fashion designer also shares daughter Maxwell Drew and son Ace Knute with husband Eric Johnson. "6 months. 100 pounds down (Yes, I tipped the scales at 240 ??)," Simpson captioned a two-photo slideshow featuring both herself solo and one snap with her 6-month-old baby girl. In the images, the star is wearing black sunglasses and a black midi dress, featuring long bell sleeves, a pleated skirt and a belted, cinched waist. A source told PEOPLE that Simpson was "very committed" to her weightloss journey and made it happen with hard work and dedication. "She set a goal and she went for it," the insider says. "She had a hard time not feeling like herself." Simpson worked out with trainer Harley Pasternak and his co-trainer Sydney Liebes, and got back to her favorite form of exercise, walking. "Jessica had a trainer and she was very committed to working out. She also did a lot of walking -- walking is huge for her mentally and physically," the source said. "It's always been something she does to clear her head and for the steps." "She ate a lot of vegetables. She also discovered the vegetables she likes that can also be masked into different dishes. And she limited foods that were fried and high in calories. But she did not deny herself and gave herself nice healthy meals," the source said. "She believes in moderation and she was conscious of her goal. At certain times she allowed herself to indulge." Simpson told PEOPLE in July that she was "working really hard" on losing weight. "It's not easy at all, but I am determined to feel good," she said. "I discovered I really like cauliflower. Who knew it could be a substitute for almost anything?!" And she's now hit her goal. Simpson wrote on Instagram on Tuesday that after she "tipped the scales at 240," she's where she wants to be. "So proud to feel like myself again," she said. "Even when it felt impossible, I chose to work harder." Schumer is also feeling proud of her post-baby body. In July, Schumer shared a sweet shot of herself walking on the beach with Fischer and their baby boy. One fan left a sweet comment telling the Snatched star she looked "great" in her swimsuit with "a normal woman's body." "I am loving my warm soft post-baby body," Schumer replied. "Grateful to be feeling so strong again!" (People)

Jessie James Decker does it all (with a pair of boots on). The mom of three sat down with Stylish, to celebrate her fall collection with JustFab and dished on how her boots take her everywhere. The country singer, who is known for her fashionable Southern girl style, can be spotted rocking boots while getting her morning coffee, picking up her kids from school, glamming it up for a date night with husband Eric Decker and performing on stage. "Boots have been a signature part of my look since the beginning. ... The first pair of boots I ever had were a pair of Jessica Simpson cowboy boots that my mom got me for Christmas. I remember crying when I got them because I felt so special! I still have them too!" she exclaims. Now, the country singer has designed her own line of boots that can make you feel your best regardless of the occasion. "I was really inspired by all that's going on in my life, being on tour, being a mom, being a wife and I wanted a collection that would reflect my life, but also be perfect for the everyday woman. Tour boots, carpool boots, cozy boots and date night boots -- you name it, we got it," she says. With her hectic schedule, it's nice to know that pairing boots with any look can remain a constant for her and make her feel sexy no matter what. "Nothing makes me feel sexier, more confident, and more powerful than wearing a pair of boots. Every day is different for me, so I never know where life is going to take me. Boots make any outfit feel put together and fashionable. I love wearing a really fun little dress or skirt with a boot or bootie," she dishes. Decker's husband also likes it when she rocks a pair of Southern-style boots. "It reminds him he married a Southern girl and that's something that made him enamored by me because he had never dated a Southern girl before," Decker reveals. While the 31-year-old admits her style has had to change since becoming a mother, you'll find her wearing a pair of boots over sneakers even when she's running around and taking care of her children, Vivianne, 5, Eric Decker II, 4, and Forrest Decker, 1. "Since I've become a mom, I've really focused more on practicality and comfort while remaining true to my Southern girly style," she tells Stylish. Her daughter has already taken note of her trendy wardrobe choices and loves raiding her closet. "Viv has an opinion on all my designs and I take it seriously. She has a great eye," Decker says. "She loves to try on the white Vivi boots from my JustFab collection because I named them after her!" (US Weekly)

Ralph Lauren is continuing its more than three-decade commitment to fighting cancer. This October, the iconic brand launches "Together in Pink," a multi-platform global marketing campaign in support of its Pink Pony initiative, which has raised millions of dollars for cancer-related charities and awareness programs. The empowering and emotional campaign features superstar musician and cancer survivor Sheryl Crow, Emmy Award-winning writer and speaker Suleika Jaouad, five-time Olympic gold medalist Nathan Adrian and cancer fighters Tammy Walker and Mimi Argueta. Each cast member is paired with a family member, friend or fellow survivor to "share their personal journey through the power of conversation," according to the brand which debuted the campaign with the touching video. "When someone we love has cancer, we are all affected -- husbands, wives, mothers and fathers, sisters, brothers, and friends," designer Ralph Lauren shares in a statement. "This is our effort in the fight against cancer." Crow, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006, feels it's important to be vocal about her own experience if there's a chance it will help others. "My life changed so dramatically after I had cancer. All the things you think about your life, how you think you have everything in your control, it's just not true," she shares in the campaign video. "Even though I would never wish a cancer diagnosis on anyone, what you come away with and what you accrue, the life lessons, the strength, the perspective is invaluable." This 2019 Pink Pony Collection features a variety of updated Polo classics with new graphics. 100 percent of the purchase price from the sale of each $68 light pink "Live Love" graphic tee and 25 percent of the purchase price from the sale of all other items in the collection -- available in select global Ralph Lauren retail stores, on RalphLauren.com and at Macy's -- will be donated to the Pink Pony Fund of The Polo Ralph Lauren Foundation or to an international network of cancer charities. "It represents a commitment to fighting cancer and, as a survivor, I'm proud to show my support," Crow tells PEOPLE of wearing the T-shirt in the campaign. And Ralph Lauren's campaign will be featured at stores across the world. Throughout the month of October, the faades of Ralph Lauren's flagships in New York City, Beverly Hills, Chicago, Shanghai, London and Paris will be lit up in pink. And the brand's hospitality locations (like New York City's famed Polo Bar) will honor the program with a Pink Pony Signature Cocktail, with a portion of the sales price will be donated to Pink Pony. Along with the video and print campaign, the brand will air seven Pink Pony-themed podcasts that will air throughout the year. And fans are invited to follow along on social media by joining the initiative on social media and sharing their stories with #PinkPony. (People)

Bill Romanowski admits Vontaze Burfict's hit on Colts tight end Jack Doyle was illegal ... but tells TMZ Sports the full-year suspension is absolutely "bulls**t!!!" We talked to Romanowski -- a 4x Super Bowl champ and 2x Pro Bowler with a rep ranging from a player who was ultra-physical to downright dirty -- about Burfict's controversial hit, and season-long (12 games) suspension. "You're in the heat of battle. Your mindset is kill or be killed. Because the offensive linemen are still coming at you. You're in war. You're supposed to be able to be violent sometimes and other times you're supposed to just be able to take your foot off the gas like that. That is hard, my friend." "I feel for this guy. Do I think he should be fined? Yes. Do I think he should be kicked outta the league? No. I think it is absolutely dead wrong. This guy has handled himself like a pro. And yes, he is a violent mother f'er and I love the way he plays the game of football." It's worth noting, Burfict -- who's been suspended or fined a total of 13 times over his 8-year career -- has a personal relationship with Romanowski. The two men spent time together at Raiders training camp this summer. So, what should've been the punishment??? Romanowski broke it down. "I think a fine, maybe a game because there's previous stuff. Other people just get kicked out of the game. I've been kicked out of games for things like that, so I get it. But, for him to be suspended for the season, I think is bulls**t." Romanowski says Burfict is a hard-nosed, throwback player and he respects that. "To me, he plays the game the way it's supposed to be played. Did he take it too far? Yeah. And, he's taken it too far quite a few times. I think my dealings with him, he's nothing but a good guy. A guy who's probably the smartest football mind in the room. He's a true pro." BR continued ... "I think he's a good guy, but I will say this. When you look at that man in the eyes, he's a scary dude." From his Nutrition 53 offices, Bill also walks us through one of his infamous on-field incidents -- when he broke his teammate Marcus Williams' eye socket during a practice in 2003 -- and explains why he thinks that incident and Burfict has a lot in common. (TMZ)

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