THE OTHER STUFF . . .
Prince Louis Will Be Introduced to More Family Traditions Since Turning 2 Years Old. Rising through the ranks! Prince Louis will have the chance to take a closer look at some traditions since celebrating his 2nd birthday, a source exclusively reveals in the new issue of Us Weekly. The little prince was showered with from Prince William, Duchess Kate and his siblings, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, on his birthday, even though his parents had decided to cancel his party amid the . Now that he's turned 2, the youngest Cambridge will get to participate in some of the fun his older siblings do, like playdates and with Kate, 38. "It's something she likes to do with George. Louis will be introduced to lots more traditions now that he's 2," the insider adds. "He's had lots of practice and to join in when the make supper. Kate and William are so happy to be easing him into the more aspects of royal life." Not only have Kate and William been hard to keep their entertained during , but they've also taken up some extra responsibilities to help out the rest of the royal "in every way possible." The insider says that Queen Elizabeth II has turned to the prince and duchess for help arranging schedules and spreading positivity throughout the palace. "The wonderful thing about Kate and William is that they remain focused and calm even during their most challenging times," the source tells Us. Though Louis' birthday bash was a little smaller than his parents hoped, they made sure he still got plenty of and attention from the extended . "Louis will still get to see his grandparents, who he adores -- including [Prince] Charles and [Duchess] Camilla via video call, as well as the queen, in the morning," a separate source told Us before the big day. William, 37, and his wife planned to keep their three little ones busy on Louis' birthday, spending most of the day "in the garden playing outdoor sports and games as a -- football, chase and hide-and-seek," Us previously reported. Royal fans got a sneak peek at the fun-filled celebration last week when the and Duchess of Cambridge shared a series of photos of their youngest son covered in colorful paint. For more on Prince Louis and the royal, pick up the new issue of Us Weekly, on newsstands now. (UsMagazine)
Prince William Helped Do Kate Middleton's Hair on Their Wedding Day. The couple tied the knot at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011. It's hard to believe it's been nine years since Prince William and Kate Middleton's massive royal wedding. The couple exchanged vows at Westminster Abbey in London on April 29, 2011 -- but we're still learning new details about the big day. Even before she became the Duchess of Cambridge, Middleton's enviable hair was already a big deal. So, of course, the world was almost as excited to see how she chose to style it on her wedding day as they were for her dress reveal (Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, by the way). For the ceremony itself, her style was pinned half-up with loose waves, perfect for showing off that stunning tiara and veil. But much like Meghan Markle did for her wedding to Prince Harry, the duchess changed things up for the evening reception, where she wore a simpler satin dress and a white cardigan sweater. Middleton and her hairstylist, Richard Ward, opted for that perfect bouncy blowout we've come to know well -- and Prince William helped them get it just right. "I wanted to show Kate the back of her hair [getting ready at Clarence House for the evening party] and I was struggling to walk with this 500-year-old mirror," Ward told People. "And he [William] just said, 'Let me give you a hand,' and I said, 'No, no, honestly,' but he took one end and I've got the other and we're shuffling along with this mirror -- he's great, he really is." It's not every day your assistant is the future King of England -- but Ward says Kate Middleton and Prince William are actually pretty chill. "The first time I went 'round to their house, it was actually William that made me a cup of tea! That was very nice," he said. He added that Middleton has an excellent sense of humor: "It's quite dry, there's no airs and graces you can have a good joke with her." (Glamour)
LeBron James, Jonas Brothers and More to Celebrate Class of 2020 in Graduate Together. Attention high school seniors: Hollywood wants to celebrate you! After the Coronavirus pandemic prevented many students from participating in end of the year activities, some famous faces are stepping up to honor the graduating class. E! News can confirm a tribute titled Graduate Together: America Honors the High School Class of 2020 will air May 16 on all four broadcast networks. And yes, you can expect plenty of star power to help with the celebration. LeBron James, the Jonas Brothers, Yara Shahidi, H.E.R., Bad Bunny, Lena Waithe, Pharrell Williams, Megan Rapinoe and Loren Gray are just some of the familiar faces expected to be featured in the one-hour primetime special. "We learned early on in our work with students and families in Akron that education is so much more than academics. It's about a shared experience, a journey we're all on together -- students, parents, educators, community members, and everyone around them," LeBron said in a statement. "With that not being possible right now, we've been working to find ways to help families get through this really difficult time." The NBA athlete continued, "These students have worked incredibly hard for this and there's no way we can let that go unrecognized. While this won't be the graduation experience they were supposed to get, we hope we can still give them something special because they deserve it." XQ Institute, The LeBron James Family Foundation and The Entertainment Industry Foundation have come together to make this special possible. The national commercial-free broadcast is expected to include a collection of commencement addresses, celebrity performances and inspirational vignettes. And yes, it's all dedicated to the three million high school seniors across the country. Mark your calendars for Graduate Together: America Honors the High School Class of 2020 to broadcast on Saturday, May 16, 2020, at 8:00 PM ET/PT on NBC, FOX, ABC and CBS. (Eonline)
'Captain Tom,' WWII Vet Who Raised $36M for Essential Workers, Gets 125K Cards on 100th Birthday. Captain Tom Moore completed 100 laps in his backyard garden to raise money for the U.K.'s National Health Service. Captain Tom Moore touched the hearts of people around the world after completing 100 laps in his backyard garden earlier this month to raise more than $36 million for the U.K.'s National Health Service amid the coronavirus pandemic. Now, thousands of Moore's admirers are showing him their appreciation in return, according to BBC. Ahead of his 100th birthday on Thursday, the World War II veteran has received an astonishing 125,000 birthday cards. The letters have come from all over the globe, and include cards from Prince William and Kate Middleton, former Olympian Kelly Holmes, and English football star Harry Kane. "The volume of cards that have been sent to granddad is just astonishing," Moore's 16-year-old grandson, Benjie Ingram-Moore, told BBC. Because their local post office had been inundated with cards, Ingram-Moore turned to his school for help. Over the last few days, the school's staff, along with parents and students, have volunteered to organize Moore's cards on a display set up in the school's hall. A photograph of Ingram-Moore in front of the arrangement shows him dwarfed by the sea of cards that have been sent to his grandfather. "So many of the cards are truly heartfelt with thousands from young children who have taken the time to use their artistic talent and write a personal message," Ingram-Moore told the outlet. To further honor the veteran, all letters sent through Royal Mail this week will be marked with a special stamp to commemorate Moore becoming a centenarian. "Happy 100th Birthday Captain Thomas Moore NHS fundraising hero 30th April 2020," the Royal Mail's special stamp reads, according to BBC. Born in Keighley, Yorkshire, Moore attended Keighley Grammar School before earning an apprenticeship as a civil engineer, a description on his JustGiving page reads. At the beginning of World War II, he was enlisted in the 8 DWR (145 RAC) of the British army. He was later selected for officer training in 1940 and went on to serve in India, Indonesia and England, the page notes. After his wife Pamela died in 2006, Moore moved in with his daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore, her husband and their two children in Bedfordshire, CNN reported. Not only has he helped to raise money by walking, but Moore has also done so by showing off his singing talents. Moore recently starred in a cover of "You'll Never Walk Alone" with singer Michael Ball, which went viral on YouTube and has become a No. 1 single in the U.K. Proceeds from the chart-topper will benefit the NHS. "We're in this together, and I am forever grateful for your support," Moore told BBC of his hit song. "And this just proves 'you'll never walk alone.'" (People)
Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher quietly partnered with Salesforce mogul Marc. Benioff to donate a planeload of PPE supplies to front-line medical workers in the UK. The shipment of 20 tons of equipment was also made with the Daily Mail via a new charity initiative called Mail Force with Benioff. Benioff revealed that Cohen was part of the donation in a tweet -- and the comedy star responded in a post: "Isla and I are so happy to have such persistent and generous partners in getting this done. Businesses please follow and get PPE in through." The shipment included 50,000 coveralls and 100,000 masks. Cohen's also working with Project HOPE in the US. (Page Six)
Gigi Hadid Shares Vodka-Free Pasta Sauce Recipe Amid Pregnancy News. Gigi Hadid served up a special recipe for her fans on Wednesday night. The supermodel, who is reportedly pregnant with her first child, took to her Instagram Story to share the steps to one of her favorite pasta dishes. But the expecting star made sure to note that her "spicy vodka sauce" had "no vodka." "Yummy + easy spicy vodka sauce," Hadid wrote alongside a photo of her meal. "But have no vodka...so without, but still gooood." The star, who recently celebrated her 25th birthday, went on to take her fans through the cooking process, sharing her exact recipe along with photos and videos. Hadid's Instagram Story cooking segment comes amid news that she's expecting a baby with boyfriend Zayn Malik. The on-off couple, who reunited over the 2019 holidays, have yet to confirm the pregnancy news. However, reports claim that the stars are expecting a baby girl together later this year. "At the end of the day it didn't matter to the couple what the sex was, but now they can prepare for the new addition before she arrives," a source told ET. Hadid and Malik, who first started dating in 2015, have been on and off for the last few years. Last summer, Hadid spent time with Bachelorette star Tyler Cameron, who recently shut down rumors claiming that he's the father of Hadid's child. The celebs split up in Oct. 2019 after a whirlwind romance, and Hadid later got back together with Malik. "Gigi and Zayn got back together right before the holidays in December," a source previously told E! News. "Zayn has been reaching out to Gigi for the last month and she is giving him another chance." "She has always loved him and the break between the two was needed," the insider continued. "Zayn has been working on his past music and focusing on his health and is in a really good place currently." (Eonline)
"Bachelor" star Hannah Ann Sluss has a brand new man in her life -- NFL quarterback Mason Rudolph -- but the question everyone wants to know ... are they more than friends?! The two were spotted out together on a social distancing coffee run in L.A. on Wednesday -- and our sources tell us it's the 3rd time they've been spotted together in recent days. One witness described the most recent outing this way ... "They very much seemed lovey-dovey. He even opened her car door." Of course, Rudolph was the QB for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2019 -- and was famously on the receiving end of that Myles Garrett helmet attack! But now, he's in L.A. -- he's been working out in Beverly Hills -- and apparently getting close with Hannah Ann. Here's the twist ... Hannah has been teasing to media outlets that she's been involved in a "quarantine fling" with a "mystery man" but has not revealed the mystery guy's ID yet. So, is Mason the fling?! We reached out to Hannah's camp for comment -- so far, no word back. Hannah may have a thing for football players -- she was reportedly spotted hugging Jacksonville Jaguars QB Josh Dobbs at a bar in Tennessee back in early March. As for her run on "The Bachelor," she was engaged to Peter Weber on Season 24 -- but he broke it off to be with Madison instead. Hannah became a huge star after the show -- but if she's serious with Mason, it could kill her chance to be a future "Bachelorette." Decisions, decisions! (TMZ)
LeBron James' first assist in a post-coronavirus pandemic NBA could be from none other than Mickey Mouse ... 'cause the league's looking into finishing its season at Disney World! The NBA is in talks with the resort about resuming play there ... with The Athletic's Shams Charania reporting Disney has already offered up its property to the Association. Of course, the venue makes a ton of sense for the NBA ... the resort has several on-site basketball courts -- including a few that are already equipped for television broadcast. The Disney property also has enough hotel rooms -- and, clearly, enough entertainment -- to comfortably quarantine players and staffers while the league self-isolates during its resumption of play. The Most Magical Place on Earth is reportedly one of a few options the NBA is kicking around ... with Las Vegas being another potential destination. As we previously reported ... the NBA shut down play back on March 11 after Utah Jazz star Rudy Gobert tested positive for coronavirus. The league has continually looked for ways to resume games ... although everyone from Mark Cuban to Adam Silver has insisted play will NOT happen again until its safe for everybody in the league. (TMZ)
Meghan King Edmonds' pockets aren't hurting, according to her soon-to-be ex-husband Jim Edmonds. The former "RHOC" star, 35, told an Instagram follower that the former baseball player wasn't coughing up enough cash for her and their three children -- daughter Aspen, 3, and sons Hayes and Hart, 2 -- on Monday, writing: "Girl I have a career thank you very much! That child support is not buying me gold and baubles -- it barely pays for groceries for my tribe!" But, Edmonds, 49, begs to differ. His rep, Steve Honig, exclusively told Page Six on Wednesday, "We're not going to give numbers because it's no one's business, but if what Jim is giving to Meghan each month for child support doesn't cover her groceries, she must be getting her eggs from Faberge." "Jim also pays every single bill for both of her homes, all the medical bills and practically every other expense related to the kids and the houses. Jim continually goes above and beyond what he is required to do. Meghan's comments are an insult to all the single mothers who are genuinely struggling financially and working multiple jobs to make ends meet." "Someone also needs to tell Meghan that child support is not for gold and baubles," Honig quipped. The former couple has been at odds since Jim filed for divorce in October following a sexting scandal and an alleged affair with their children's nanny. Jim denied having an inappropriate relationship with the caretaker. Their custody battle took a contentious turn as the coronavirus pandemic swept the globe, with Meghan allegedly taking the children to Los Angeles without notifying Jim. Meghan insisted in a statement to Page Six at the time that Jim was aware of her travel plans. But it doesn't seem that the couple is losing sleep over their divorce: Jim is quarantining with new girlfriend Kortnie O'Connor and Meghan is dancing to "Single Ladies" on social media. (Page Six)
Jeffree Star Just Spilled Even More Tea on His Feud With Hames Charles and Tati Westbook. Jeffree Star is still giving James Charles and Tati Westbook the time of day. During this week's episode of Mom's Basement podcast, the infamous YouTuber and makeup artist is spilling even more tea on his feud with James and Tati. As fans may recall, this Internet feud all began when Tati released a 40-minute video cutting all ties with James after he posted an Instagram Story promoting Sugarbear Sleep Vitamins, the direct competitor of Tati's brand. How does Jeffree fit into this scenario? He, among other YouTube stars, weighed in on the drama and aired out their own grievances about James. So now on this week's episode of the podcast, the host's asked Jeffree, "Is James Charles a danger to society? Is he a predator?" This was in reference to a since-deleted tweet in which Jeffree calls James a "danger to society" and also called him a "predator," adding that "everything Tati said is 100% true." "Listen...," Jeffree began when appearing in the podcast episode. "There is a long pause because it's a very complicated situation...it's a very complicated question." "I'm 100% comfortable [with you asking], it's going to upset a lot of people but the truth is that someone... and right now... I legally can't say who, but someone told us a few things and we trusted that person's opinion and then another person said some things that was friends with that man and it really convinced us that he was a predator," Jeffree explained. "At the end of the day, I'm not going to out a victim of James Charles. If it's real because I don't know if it's real." He went on to say that it's so "f-cked" because people made him out to be the villain, referring to fans that accused him of "ruining" James' career. "No, Tati did and uploaded a 40-minute video about him and she should have never uploaded that but she did," he went on. "And for some reason, James thinks that me and Shane tried to ruin his life and orchestrated the whole thing like we f-cking care. You think we care to drag or ruin someone... for what? We're our own superstars, we're our own lane, we're doing our own thing together and we've made so much magic, why would we ever want to bring someone down? We don't give a f-ck." The makeup artist also cleared the air on his relationship with Tati. "We are currently not friends with Tati," he said. "Are we enemies? No. But we are not friends." He went on to cite all the attention he and Shane were receiving and the blame they had been placed on what went down with James but continued to point out that it was Tati who started the feud. "But I get it, I'm more interesting, she's safe," he said. "I just think that Tati... she took a really big hit," he went on. "I don't know if she's in the red but it's a different vibe." Ultimately, Jeffree said he thinks people just want to "create a feud" between him and James but "there's no feud. There's no competition. I've been doing this for a very long time." (Eonline)
Florida Task Force Releases Guidelines for Phased Reopening of State's Theme Parks. The proposed guidelines would apply to Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld, among others, though the group has no ties to the parks. When Florida's theme parks do finally reopen, they could look and feel a lot different. A task force appointed by officials in Florida's Orange County have developed a set of guidelines for the phased reopening of the state's many theme parks when they eventually resume operations. The Orange County Economic Task Force met virtually on Tuesday to discuss their recommendations, which would apply to Orlando theme parks, such as Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld. The group has no ties to the parks, but representatives for many area attractions were on the call. Walt Disney World remains closed indefinitely. Universal Orlando Resort recently extended its closure until May 31. If theme parks follow the task force's advice, they would see parks reopening in two phases. The first would have them operating at half capacity, the second at 75 percent capacity. Railings and surfaces would be wiped down regularly while touchless hand sanitizer stations would be placed at all ticketing and entry areas, turnstiles, and entry and exit points for rides and attractions. Additionally, queues for rides and attractions would maintain social distancing efforts, with markers spaced 6 feet apart to show park goers where to stand. Furthermore, the group also recommended that parks discourage anyone 65 or older from visiting during the first two phases. Thousands of park employees' day-to-day would also change. The task force recommends they be required to wear face masks and have their temperatures taken prior to their shifts. Anyone with a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher would be sent home. Employees with flu-like symptoms would also be required to stay home. Which of these guidelines will be put into effect is ultimately at the discretion of the individual parks and they do not have to follow the rules as laid out by the task force. The group also made recommendations for restaurants, hotels and retail establishments in the area of Orlando theme parks. Similar to the park attendance recommendation, restaurants would operate at 50% capacity and tables would need to be spaced at least 6 feet apart from one another. Employees would wear face masks and gloves and menus would all be disposable. During hotel stays, guests would see sneeze guards at check-in counters and their coffee makers, coffee cups and glassware would all be removed from their rooms and their mini-bars would remain empty. As of Wednesday, Florida has had more than 32,000 cases of coronavirus and more than 1,100 deaths attributed to the virus, according to data compiled by the New York Times. (People)
USC Will Not Issue Partial School Tuition Refunds Despite Going Online Due to the Coronavirus Crisis. Students at the school will not receive money back, even though classes have moved online this semester. Students at the University of Southern California will not receive partial refunds for the spring semester despite classes moving entirely online during the coronavirus pandemic. Charles F. Zukoski, the school's Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, said in an email Tuesday obtained by the Los Angeles Times that USC is providing the same level of expertise through its online classes that students would have received in person, and would not be issuing refunds to those who believe they're not receiving the college experience they expected. "While this is not the semester any of us envisioned, we are continuing to provide a high-quality education, ensure academic progress towards degree, and offer a robust learning environment," Zukoski said in a message sent to the campus community. "Whether our instructors present their classes in person or online, they bring the same expertise, depth of knowledge, and commitment to their teaching, and students continue to earn credits toward a USC degree," the email continued. According to the Daily Trojan, USC's campus newspaper, the university will move forward with its second session of online summer classes beginning July 1. USC did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. Many universities around the country are figuring out ways to salvage their school year after coronavirus forced the postponement of large public gatherings around the country. While moving classes online has been a viable alternative, tuition at these universities often includes fees for things students can only get in-person, like healthcare and campus services. This week, the University of California and California State University systems found themselves at the center of lawsuits brought by students who are demanding money back for these services they can't use anymore. "University of California's decision to transition to online classes and to instruct students to leave campus were responsible decisions to make, but it is unfair and unlawful for University of California to retain fees and costs and to pass the losses on to the students and/or their families," UC Davis student Claire Brandmeyer said in a complaint filed this week in U.S. District Court in Oakland, according to The Mercury News. "Other higher education institutions across the United States that also have switched to e-learning and have requested that students leave campus have recognized the upheaval and financial harm to students and/or their families from these decisions and have provided appropriate refunds," the suit continued. CSU contends the school system continued to provide service to students and that the suit "misstated facts." "The case against CSU asserts that students should be given refunds after CSU allegedly stopped providing services to them," CSU spokesperson Mike Uhlenkamp said in a statement sent to PEOPLE. "The complaint misstates the facts." "Although classes were converted to on-line instruction after Governor Newsom issued his stay-at-home order, every CSU campus continued to fulfill its mission of providing instruction and services to its students," the statement continued. "Campuses continue to operate, and many personal services are now provided remotely, such as counseling, advising, faculty office hours, disability student services, and even telehealth medical care." CSU also said the suit misrepresented its position on refunds for certain campus-based fees, and that it will provide "refunds for various categories of fees that are determined to have been unearned by the campus." Zukoski said USC is still working to create new programs the strengthen its online offerings, and the school is also currently researching ways to test for the virus in the circumstance students are allowed back to campus in the fall. (People)
Wild house parties like the recent ones in Chicago won't be allowed to continue uncontrolled under quarantine -- cops are taking notice and taking steps to shut 'em down. Those Chi-town ragers -- one with 1,000 guests, and another with a stripper getting swarmed -- were so packed, social distancing was impossible. Then again, face masks were rare at both events, so the guests clearly didn't care about COVID-19. Cops, on the other hand, are very concerned about slowing the spread of the virus. Our law enforcement sources tell us cops in big cities across the U.S. are NOT putting up with the dangerous practice, and they're starting to crack down more ... especially knowing there will be huge parties as it gets warmer. We're told the Chicago, Los Angeles and New York Police Departments -- not to mention the L.A. Sheriff's Department -- are putting their ears to the ground and their eyes on social media to track down any emerging sardine-like get-togethers or turn-ups. That's right ... 5-0 is actively monitoring live feeds and trends, so if it starts to get poppin' and gets posted online -- like that stripper party was -- they'll probably see it. We're told if the parties get too big and they're clearly violating basic quarantine guidelines, guests better not be surprised when cops come knocking to break it up. They might even start dinging people with citations too, depending on the circumstances. Just for reference ... NYPD's dished out 190 summons and made some 22 arrests thus far pertaining to this exact behavior; LASD has cited 41 and arrested 3, and Chi-Town's at 13 citations and 18 arrests over flagrant breaking of social distancing. More to come, we're sure. Bottom line, if your blowout party is so lit it's trending ... you might get a ticket to go with your buzz. (TMZ)
The prison Joe Exotic is currently being held at is the second leading hotbed for coronavirus in the entire federal prison system -- but not to worry ... Uncle Sam's got a plan. The 'Tiger King' star has been locked up at FMC Forth Worth in Texas, and as of Tuesday ... there was a total of 298 confirmed COVID-19 cases among inmates, making it number 2 behind a federal CA facility at 570 inmate cases. If that sounds troubling, it should ... we've seen jails and prisons across the U.S. getting besieged with the virus -- and some of the inmates are suffering. The Federal Bureau of Prisons has assured us they're going above and beyond for their prisoners, staff and visitors alike at Joe's facility to keep them safe and healthy. As for Joe ... his people have repeatedly told us ... he's virus-free. The agency tells TMZ there's a comprehensive action plan in place at all of their institutions -- which includes reducing inmate transfers, increasing screening and testing, minimizing unnecessary movement on the inside and temporarily canceling social and legal visits, not to mention training for BOP employees. They will also do regular temperature checks. The trick is ... as little congregating as possible. BOP says it's trying to keep guards at one post for as long as possible to avoid unnecessary interaction. BOP also tells us they've made sure everyone -- prisoners and staffers -- have received surgical masks. BOP says it has things under control -- so far fewer than 5 deaths at the Fort Worth facility ... but with nearly 300 cases, it's gotta be viewed as a full-fledged outbreak. So ... guess that means Joe's in good hands??? Here's hoping so. (TMZ)
Prince William Helped Do Kate Middleton's Hair on Their Wedding Day. The couple tied the knot at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011. It's hard to believe it's been nine years since Prince William and Kate Middleton's massive royal wedding. The couple exchanged vows at Westminster Abbey in London on April 29, 2011 -- but we're still learning new details about the big day. Even before she became the Duchess of Cambridge, Middleton's enviable hair was already a big deal. So, of course, the world was almost as excited to see how she chose to style it on her wedding day as they were for her dress reveal (Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, by the way). For the ceremony itself, her style was pinned half-up with loose waves, perfect for showing off that stunning tiara and veil. But much like Meghan Markle did for her wedding to Prince Harry, the duchess changed things up for the evening reception, where she wore a simpler satin dress and a white cardigan sweater. Middleton and her hairstylist, Richard Ward, opted for that perfect bouncy blowout we've come to know well -- and Prince William helped them get it just right. "I wanted to show Kate the back of her hair [getting ready at Clarence House for the evening party] and I was struggling to walk with this 500-year-old mirror," Ward told People. "And he [William] just said, 'Let me give you a hand,' and I said, 'No, no, honestly,' but he took one end and I've got the other and we're shuffling along with this mirror -- he's great, he really is." It's not every day your assistant is the future King of England -- but Ward says Kate Middleton and Prince William are actually pretty chill. "The first time I went 'round to their house, it was actually William that made me a cup of tea! That was very nice," he said. He added that Middleton has an excellent sense of humor: "It's quite dry, there's no airs and graces you can have a good joke with her." (Glamour)
LeBron James, Jonas Brothers and More to Celebrate Class of 2020 in Graduate Together. Attention high school seniors: Hollywood wants to celebrate you! After the Coronavirus pandemic prevented many students from participating in end of the year activities, some famous faces are stepping up to honor the graduating class. E! News can confirm a tribute titled Graduate Together: America Honors the High School Class of 2020 will air May 16 on all four broadcast networks. And yes, you can expect plenty of star power to help with the celebration. LeBron James, the Jonas Brothers, Yara Shahidi, H.E.R., Bad Bunny, Lena Waithe, Pharrell Williams, Megan Rapinoe and Loren Gray are just some of the familiar faces expected to be featured in the one-hour primetime special. "We learned early on in our work with students and families in Akron that education is so much more than academics. It's about a shared experience, a journey we're all on together -- students, parents, educators, community members, and everyone around them," LeBron said in a statement. "With that not being possible right now, we've been working to find ways to help families get through this really difficult time." The NBA athlete continued, "These students have worked incredibly hard for this and there's no way we can let that go unrecognized. While this won't be the graduation experience they were supposed to get, we hope we can still give them something special because they deserve it." XQ Institute, The LeBron James Family Foundation and The Entertainment Industry Foundation have come together to make this special possible. The national commercial-free broadcast is expected to include a collection of commencement addresses, celebrity performances and inspirational vignettes. And yes, it's all dedicated to the three million high school seniors across the country. Mark your calendars for Graduate Together: America Honors the High School Class of 2020 to broadcast on Saturday, May 16, 2020, at 8:00 PM ET/PT on NBC, FOX, ABC and CBS. (Eonline)
'Captain Tom,' WWII Vet Who Raised $36M for Essential Workers, Gets 125K Cards on 100th Birthday. Captain Tom Moore completed 100 laps in his backyard garden to raise money for the U.K.'s National Health Service. Captain Tom Moore touched the hearts of people around the world after completing 100 laps in his backyard garden earlier this month to raise more than $36 million for the U.K.'s National Health Service amid the coronavirus pandemic. Now, thousands of Moore's admirers are showing him their appreciation in return, according to BBC. Ahead of his 100th birthday on Thursday, the World War II veteran has received an astonishing 125,000 birthday cards. The letters have come from all over the globe, and include cards from Prince William and Kate Middleton, former Olympian Kelly Holmes, and English football star Harry Kane. "The volume of cards that have been sent to granddad is just astonishing," Moore's 16-year-old grandson, Benjie Ingram-Moore, told BBC. Because their local post office had been inundated with cards, Ingram-Moore turned to his school for help. Over the last few days, the school's staff, along with parents and students, have volunteered to organize Moore's cards on a display set up in the school's hall. A photograph of Ingram-Moore in front of the arrangement shows him dwarfed by the sea of cards that have been sent to his grandfather. "So many of the cards are truly heartfelt with thousands from young children who have taken the time to use their artistic talent and write a personal message," Ingram-Moore told the outlet. To further honor the veteran, all letters sent through Royal Mail this week will be marked with a special stamp to commemorate Moore becoming a centenarian. "Happy 100th Birthday Captain Thomas Moore NHS fundraising hero 30th April 2020," the Royal Mail's special stamp reads, according to BBC. Born in Keighley, Yorkshire, Moore attended Keighley Grammar School before earning an apprenticeship as a civil engineer, a description on his JustGiving page reads. At the beginning of World War II, he was enlisted in the 8 DWR (145 RAC) of the British army. He was later selected for officer training in 1940 and went on to serve in India, Indonesia and England, the page notes. After his wife Pamela died in 2006, Moore moved in with his daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore, her husband and their two children in Bedfordshire, CNN reported. Not only has he helped to raise money by walking, but Moore has also done so by showing off his singing talents. Moore recently starred in a cover of "You'll Never Walk Alone" with singer Michael Ball, which went viral on YouTube and has become a No. 1 single in the U.K. Proceeds from the chart-topper will benefit the NHS. "We're in this together, and I am forever grateful for your support," Moore told BBC of his hit song. "And this just proves 'you'll never walk alone.'" (People)
Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher quietly partnered with Salesforce mogul Marc. Benioff to donate a planeload of PPE supplies to front-line medical workers in the UK. The shipment of 20 tons of equipment was also made with the Daily Mail via a new charity initiative called Mail Force with Benioff. Benioff revealed that Cohen was part of the donation in a tweet -- and the comedy star responded in a post: "Isla and I are so happy to have such persistent and generous partners in getting this done. Businesses please follow and get PPE in through." The shipment included 50,000 coveralls and 100,000 masks. Cohen's also working with Project HOPE in the US. (Page Six)
Gigi Hadid Shares Vodka-Free Pasta Sauce Recipe Amid Pregnancy News. Gigi Hadid served up a special recipe for her fans on Wednesday night. The supermodel, who is reportedly pregnant with her first child, took to her Instagram Story to share the steps to one of her favorite pasta dishes. But the expecting star made sure to note that her "spicy vodka sauce" had "no vodka." "Yummy + easy spicy vodka sauce," Hadid wrote alongside a photo of her meal. "But have no vodka...so without, but still gooood." The star, who recently celebrated her 25th birthday, went on to take her fans through the cooking process, sharing her exact recipe along with photos and videos. Hadid's Instagram Story cooking segment comes amid news that she's expecting a baby with boyfriend Zayn Malik. The on-off couple, who reunited over the 2019 holidays, have yet to confirm the pregnancy news. However, reports claim that the stars are expecting a baby girl together later this year. "At the end of the day it didn't matter to the couple what the sex was, but now they can prepare for the new addition before she arrives," a source told ET. Hadid and Malik, who first started dating in 2015, have been on and off for the last few years. Last summer, Hadid spent time with Bachelorette star Tyler Cameron, who recently shut down rumors claiming that he's the father of Hadid's child. The celebs split up in Oct. 2019 after a whirlwind romance, and Hadid later got back together with Malik. "Gigi and Zayn got back together right before the holidays in December," a source previously told E! News. "Zayn has been reaching out to Gigi for the last month and she is giving him another chance." "She has always loved him and the break between the two was needed," the insider continued. "Zayn has been working on his past music and focusing on his health and is in a really good place currently." (Eonline)
"Bachelor" star Hannah Ann Sluss has a brand new man in her life -- NFL quarterback Mason Rudolph -- but the question everyone wants to know ... are they more than friends?! The two were spotted out together on a social distancing coffee run in L.A. on Wednesday -- and our sources tell us it's the 3rd time they've been spotted together in recent days. One witness described the most recent outing this way ... "They very much seemed lovey-dovey. He even opened her car door." Of course, Rudolph was the QB for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2019 -- and was famously on the receiving end of that Myles Garrett helmet attack! But now, he's in L.A. -- he's been working out in Beverly Hills -- and apparently getting close with Hannah Ann. Here's the twist ... Hannah has been teasing to media outlets that she's been involved in a "quarantine fling" with a "mystery man" but has not revealed the mystery guy's ID yet. So, is Mason the fling?! We reached out to Hannah's camp for comment -- so far, no word back. Hannah may have a thing for football players -- she was reportedly spotted hugging Jacksonville Jaguars QB Josh Dobbs at a bar in Tennessee back in early March. As for her run on "The Bachelor," she was engaged to Peter Weber on Season 24 -- but he broke it off to be with Madison instead. Hannah became a huge star after the show -- but if she's serious with Mason, it could kill her chance to be a future "Bachelorette." Decisions, decisions! (TMZ)
LeBron James' first assist in a post-coronavirus pandemic NBA could be from none other than Mickey Mouse ... 'cause the league's looking into finishing its season at Disney World! The NBA is in talks with the resort about resuming play there ... with The Athletic's Shams Charania reporting Disney has already offered up its property to the Association. Of course, the venue makes a ton of sense for the NBA ... the resort has several on-site basketball courts -- including a few that are already equipped for television broadcast. The Disney property also has enough hotel rooms -- and, clearly, enough entertainment -- to comfortably quarantine players and staffers while the league self-isolates during its resumption of play. The Most Magical Place on Earth is reportedly one of a few options the NBA is kicking around ... with Las Vegas being another potential destination. As we previously reported ... the NBA shut down play back on March 11 after Utah Jazz star Rudy Gobert tested positive for coronavirus. The league has continually looked for ways to resume games ... although everyone from Mark Cuban to Adam Silver has insisted play will NOT happen again until its safe for everybody in the league. (TMZ)
Meghan King Edmonds' pockets aren't hurting, according to her soon-to-be ex-husband Jim Edmonds. The former "RHOC" star, 35, told an Instagram follower that the former baseball player wasn't coughing up enough cash for her and their three children -- daughter Aspen, 3, and sons Hayes and Hart, 2 -- on Monday, writing: "Girl I have a career thank you very much! That child support is not buying me gold and baubles -- it barely pays for groceries for my tribe!" But, Edmonds, 49, begs to differ. His rep, Steve Honig, exclusively told Page Six on Wednesday, "We're not going to give numbers because it's no one's business, but if what Jim is giving to Meghan each month for child support doesn't cover her groceries, she must be getting her eggs from Faberge." "Jim also pays every single bill for both of her homes, all the medical bills and practically every other expense related to the kids and the houses. Jim continually goes above and beyond what he is required to do. Meghan's comments are an insult to all the single mothers who are genuinely struggling financially and working multiple jobs to make ends meet." "Someone also needs to tell Meghan that child support is not for gold and baubles," Honig quipped. The former couple has been at odds since Jim filed for divorce in October following a sexting scandal and an alleged affair with their children's nanny. Jim denied having an inappropriate relationship with the caretaker. Their custody battle took a contentious turn as the coronavirus pandemic swept the globe, with Meghan allegedly taking the children to Los Angeles without notifying Jim. Meghan insisted in a statement to Page Six at the time that Jim was aware of her travel plans. But it doesn't seem that the couple is losing sleep over their divorce: Jim is quarantining with new girlfriend Kortnie O'Connor and Meghan is dancing to "Single Ladies" on social media. (Page Six)
Jeffree Star Just Spilled Even More Tea on His Feud With Hames Charles and Tati Westbook. Jeffree Star is still giving James Charles and Tati Westbook the time of day. During this week's episode of Mom's Basement podcast, the infamous YouTuber and makeup artist is spilling even more tea on his feud with James and Tati. As fans may recall, this Internet feud all began when Tati released a 40-minute video cutting all ties with James after he posted an Instagram Story promoting Sugarbear Sleep Vitamins, the direct competitor of Tati's brand. How does Jeffree fit into this scenario? He, among other YouTube stars, weighed in on the drama and aired out their own grievances about James. So now on this week's episode of the podcast, the host's asked Jeffree, "Is James Charles a danger to society? Is he a predator?" This was in reference to a since-deleted tweet in which Jeffree calls James a "danger to society" and also called him a "predator," adding that "everything Tati said is 100% true." "Listen...," Jeffree began when appearing in the podcast episode. "There is a long pause because it's a very complicated situation...it's a very complicated question." "I'm 100% comfortable [with you asking], it's going to upset a lot of people but the truth is that someone... and right now... I legally can't say who, but someone told us a few things and we trusted that person's opinion and then another person said some things that was friends with that man and it really convinced us that he was a predator," Jeffree explained. "At the end of the day, I'm not going to out a victim of James Charles. If it's real because I don't know if it's real." He went on to say that it's so "f-cked" because people made him out to be the villain, referring to fans that accused him of "ruining" James' career. "No, Tati did and uploaded a 40-minute video about him and she should have never uploaded that but she did," he went on. "And for some reason, James thinks that me and Shane tried to ruin his life and orchestrated the whole thing like we f-cking care. You think we care to drag or ruin someone... for what? We're our own superstars, we're our own lane, we're doing our own thing together and we've made so much magic, why would we ever want to bring someone down? We don't give a f-ck." The makeup artist also cleared the air on his relationship with Tati. "We are currently not friends with Tati," he said. "Are we enemies? No. But we are not friends." He went on to cite all the attention he and Shane were receiving and the blame they had been placed on what went down with James but continued to point out that it was Tati who started the feud. "But I get it, I'm more interesting, she's safe," he said. "I just think that Tati... she took a really big hit," he went on. "I don't know if she's in the red but it's a different vibe." Ultimately, Jeffree said he thinks people just want to "create a feud" between him and James but "there's no feud. There's no competition. I've been doing this for a very long time." (Eonline)
Florida Task Force Releases Guidelines for Phased Reopening of State's Theme Parks. The proposed guidelines would apply to Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld, among others, though the group has no ties to the parks. When Florida's theme parks do finally reopen, they could look and feel a lot different. A task force appointed by officials in Florida's Orange County have developed a set of guidelines for the phased reopening of the state's many theme parks when they eventually resume operations. The Orange County Economic Task Force met virtually on Tuesday to discuss their recommendations, which would apply to Orlando theme parks, such as Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld. The group has no ties to the parks, but representatives for many area attractions were on the call. Walt Disney World remains closed indefinitely. Universal Orlando Resort recently extended its closure until May 31. If theme parks follow the task force's advice, they would see parks reopening in two phases. The first would have them operating at half capacity, the second at 75 percent capacity. Railings and surfaces would be wiped down regularly while touchless hand sanitizer stations would be placed at all ticketing and entry areas, turnstiles, and entry and exit points for rides and attractions. Additionally, queues for rides and attractions would maintain social distancing efforts, with markers spaced 6 feet apart to show park goers where to stand. Furthermore, the group also recommended that parks discourage anyone 65 or older from visiting during the first two phases. Thousands of park employees' day-to-day would also change. The task force recommends they be required to wear face masks and have their temperatures taken prior to their shifts. Anyone with a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher would be sent home. Employees with flu-like symptoms would also be required to stay home. Which of these guidelines will be put into effect is ultimately at the discretion of the individual parks and they do not have to follow the rules as laid out by the task force. The group also made recommendations for restaurants, hotels and retail establishments in the area of Orlando theme parks. Similar to the park attendance recommendation, restaurants would operate at 50% capacity and tables would need to be spaced at least 6 feet apart from one another. Employees would wear face masks and gloves and menus would all be disposable. During hotel stays, guests would see sneeze guards at check-in counters and their coffee makers, coffee cups and glassware would all be removed from their rooms and their mini-bars would remain empty. As of Wednesday, Florida has had more than 32,000 cases of coronavirus and more than 1,100 deaths attributed to the virus, according to data compiled by the New York Times. (People)
USC Will Not Issue Partial School Tuition Refunds Despite Going Online Due to the Coronavirus Crisis. Students at the school will not receive money back, even though classes have moved online this semester. Students at the University of Southern California will not receive partial refunds for the spring semester despite classes moving entirely online during the coronavirus pandemic. Charles F. Zukoski, the school's Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, said in an email Tuesday obtained by the Los Angeles Times that USC is providing the same level of expertise through its online classes that students would have received in person, and would not be issuing refunds to those who believe they're not receiving the college experience they expected. "While this is not the semester any of us envisioned, we are continuing to provide a high-quality education, ensure academic progress towards degree, and offer a robust learning environment," Zukoski said in a message sent to the campus community. "Whether our instructors present their classes in person or online, they bring the same expertise, depth of knowledge, and commitment to their teaching, and students continue to earn credits toward a USC degree," the email continued. According to the Daily Trojan, USC's campus newspaper, the university will move forward with its second session of online summer classes beginning July 1. USC did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. Many universities around the country are figuring out ways to salvage their school year after coronavirus forced the postponement of large public gatherings around the country. While moving classes online has been a viable alternative, tuition at these universities often includes fees for things students can only get in-person, like healthcare and campus services. This week, the University of California and California State University systems found themselves at the center of lawsuits brought by students who are demanding money back for these services they can't use anymore. "University of California's decision to transition to online classes and to instruct students to leave campus were responsible decisions to make, but it is unfair and unlawful for University of California to retain fees and costs and to pass the losses on to the students and/or their families," UC Davis student Claire Brandmeyer said in a complaint filed this week in U.S. District Court in Oakland, according to The Mercury News. "Other higher education institutions across the United States that also have switched to e-learning and have requested that students leave campus have recognized the upheaval and financial harm to students and/or their families from these decisions and have provided appropriate refunds," the suit continued. CSU contends the school system continued to provide service to students and that the suit "misstated facts." "The case against CSU asserts that students should be given refunds after CSU allegedly stopped providing services to them," CSU spokesperson Mike Uhlenkamp said in a statement sent to PEOPLE. "The complaint misstates the facts." "Although classes were converted to on-line instruction after Governor Newsom issued his stay-at-home order, every CSU campus continued to fulfill its mission of providing instruction and services to its students," the statement continued. "Campuses continue to operate, and many personal services are now provided remotely, such as counseling, advising, faculty office hours, disability student services, and even telehealth medical care." CSU also said the suit misrepresented its position on refunds for certain campus-based fees, and that it will provide "refunds for various categories of fees that are determined to have been unearned by the campus." Zukoski said USC is still working to create new programs the strengthen its online offerings, and the school is also currently researching ways to test for the virus in the circumstance students are allowed back to campus in the fall. (People)
Wild house parties like the recent ones in Chicago won't be allowed to continue uncontrolled under quarantine -- cops are taking notice and taking steps to shut 'em down. Those Chi-town ragers -- one with 1,000 guests, and another with a stripper getting swarmed -- were so packed, social distancing was impossible. Then again, face masks were rare at both events, so the guests clearly didn't care about COVID-19. Cops, on the other hand, are very concerned about slowing the spread of the virus. Our law enforcement sources tell us cops in big cities across the U.S. are NOT putting up with the dangerous practice, and they're starting to crack down more ... especially knowing there will be huge parties as it gets warmer. We're told the Chicago, Los Angeles and New York Police Departments -- not to mention the L.A. Sheriff's Department -- are putting their ears to the ground and their eyes on social media to track down any emerging sardine-like get-togethers or turn-ups. That's right ... 5-0 is actively monitoring live feeds and trends, so if it starts to get poppin' and gets posted online -- like that stripper party was -- they'll probably see it. We're told if the parties get too big and they're clearly violating basic quarantine guidelines, guests better not be surprised when cops come knocking to break it up. They might even start dinging people with citations too, depending on the circumstances. Just for reference ... NYPD's dished out 190 summons and made some 22 arrests thus far pertaining to this exact behavior; LASD has cited 41 and arrested 3, and Chi-Town's at 13 citations and 18 arrests over flagrant breaking of social distancing. More to come, we're sure. Bottom line, if your blowout party is so lit it's trending ... you might get a ticket to go with your buzz. (TMZ)
The prison Joe Exotic is currently being held at is the second leading hotbed for coronavirus in the entire federal prison system -- but not to worry ... Uncle Sam's got a plan. The 'Tiger King' star has been locked up at FMC Forth Worth in Texas, and as of Tuesday ... there was a total of 298 confirmed COVID-19 cases among inmates, making it number 2 behind a federal CA facility at 570 inmate cases. If that sounds troubling, it should ... we've seen jails and prisons across the U.S. getting besieged with the virus -- and some of the inmates are suffering. The Federal Bureau of Prisons has assured us they're going above and beyond for their prisoners, staff and visitors alike at Joe's facility to keep them safe and healthy. As for Joe ... his people have repeatedly told us ... he's virus-free. The agency tells TMZ there's a comprehensive action plan in place at all of their institutions -- which includes reducing inmate transfers, increasing screening and testing, minimizing unnecessary movement on the inside and temporarily canceling social and legal visits, not to mention training for BOP employees. They will also do regular temperature checks. The trick is ... as little congregating as possible. BOP says it's trying to keep guards at one post for as long as possible to avoid unnecessary interaction. BOP also tells us they've made sure everyone -- prisoners and staffers -- have received surgical masks. BOP says it has things under control -- so far fewer than 5 deaths at the Fort Worth facility ... but with nearly 300 cases, it's gotta be viewed as a full-fledged outbreak. So ... guess that means Joe's in good hands??? Here's hoping so. (TMZ)
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