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Today — 9 January 2025Entertainment News

Stephen Baldwin Exits 'Special Forces' Early After Bizarre Doctor Showdown

✇Us Weekly News
By: Sarah Hearon
8 January 2025 at 18:07
Stephen Baldwin and His Headband Make Early Special Forces Exit After Wild Scene With Show Doctor
Stephen Baldwin. Pete Dadds/FOX

Stephen Baldwin’s stint on Special Forces was short but memorable — and we’re not just talking about his skinny black headband.

Hailey Bieber’s 58-year-old dad was the first star to leave during the Wednesday, January 8, premiere of the Fox show, which brings together celebrities from all genres attempting to pass training exercises led by a team of ex-Special Forces operatives. Season 3 takes place in North Wales and features Stephen, Bachelor Nation’s Trista Sutter and Ali Fedotowsky, Brody Jenner, Denise Richards and more.

“I’m the youngest Baldwin brother. I’m a thespian,” Stephen told the cameras. “I’ve trained twice with military technical advisers. Am I a Special Forces guy? No, but I’ve played one on TV.”

For the first task, the 16 celebrities had to jump from a speeding boat to a speeding helicopter and climb into the helicopter — and Stephen was actually one of the eight cast members who was able to complete the challenge. Before the end of the episode, however, the actor worried that he was injured and requested a medical consultation with the on-duty doctor.

Meet ‘Special Forces’ Season 3 Cast: Trista Sutter, Stephen Baldwin and More

“I smashed my meniscus on the helicopter today and my back is in knots and I can’t turn my head past there,” Stephen said before the doctor asked if he wanted him to look at his knee.

Things subsequently take a bit of a weird turn as Stephen becomes hostile. “It really, at this point, doesn’t matter,” Stephen said before asking the doctor, “Are you being paid to do this?”

Stephen Baldwin and His Headband Make Early Special Forces Exit After Wild Scene With Show Doctor
Pete Dadds/FOX

“I’m curious — if right after this gig you had another one that paid you 10 times what they are paying you know, would you do it?” he continued. When the doctor replied that he wasn’t sure “where this conversation is going” as he thought Stephen wanted a medical consultation, Stephen declared that he had a “decision to make.”

“OK, what’s your decision?” the doctor asked.

Stephen Baldwin Gushes Over 'Plump Potato' Grandson Jack Blues Bieber

“I have a gig right after this.The one condition for that gig is that I not get injured. It’s not worth it to me. It’s not worth it to have to go into a hospital for a couple of weeks,” Stephen said.

When the doctor asked if Stephen was aware of the type of tasks on the show, he responded, “Yes, but I didn’t know I would definitely get injured.” Stephen then appeared to get heated and spoke louder, repeating twice: “I cannot get injured.”

When the doc filled in the “staff” — a.k.a. the ex-Special Forces operatives who lead the show — they said they believed Stephen was looking for “an excuse” and subsequently dismissed him from the show, saying: “No. 5, you failed this course and you failed yourself. Go.”

Stephen Baldwin Reposts Video About Praying for Justin and Hailey Bieber

The voiceover then confirmed, “Just one day into selection, actor Stephen Baldwin is the first recruit to leave the course.”

Stephen previously spoke to Us Weekly about his filming the show, noting he had “multiple breaking points” during production.

“I had some challenges going in with asthma, and it just became very real, very fast,” he said.

Special Forces: The World’s Toughest Test airs on Fox Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET.

Yesterday — 8 January 2025Entertainment News

Maria review: Angelina Jolie gives a career-defining performance as a haunted opera diva

✇Latest Entertainment News
By: Clarisse Loughrey
9 January 2025 at 00:13

Chilean director Pablo Larraín concludes his thematic trilogy of 20th century biopics of famous women – after ‘Jackie’ and ‘Spencer’ – with this soft, restrained drama

© The Apartment Pictures

Christina Haack Says Josh Gave Her ‘Silent Treatment’ for Laughing at Tarek

✇Us Weekly News
By: Ryan Hudgins
8 January 2025 at 17:00

Christina Haack is recalling the alleged treatment she received from estranged husband Josh Hall on the set of The Flip Off before he parted ways with the show.

“Josh was very hard to film with,” Haack, 41, exclusively shared with Us Weekly in the latest cover story with her ex-husband Tarek El Moussa and his wife, Heather Rae El Moussa. “He didn’t get it. He’d always get upset with me, like, ‘Oh, my gosh, you did this,’ or ‘You did that.’ And I’m like, ‘I’m making a TV show.’”

After Haack and Hall filed for divorce in July 2024, his role with The Flip Off changed. Us confirmed at the time that since the series was already “in production,” Haack, Tarek and Heather would be “moving forward with the show without” Josh.

“Ultimately, it was better that he left after episode 1 because the show would’ve sucked,” Haack told Us.

Christina Haack Would Get the Silent Treatment From Josh if She Laughed at Tarek on Set
Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images; Rodin Eckenroth/WireImage; Emma McIntyre/Getty Images

When asked whether Hall voiced any concerns about her working with her ex Tarek, Haack replied, “If I would laugh at Tarek, I would get the silent treatment for a week.” Haack claimed that his reaction stemmed from “insecurity.”

Haack explained that filming The Flip Off “probably just sped [their split] up.” Haack noted that she and Tarek had “filmed together forever,” referencing Flip or Flop, which premiered in 2013. (Haack and Tarek, who share two kids, finalized their divorce in 2018 but continued to work together until the show’s final season in 2022.)

Christina Haack 'Did Not Enjoy' Filming With 'Insecure' Ex Josh Pre-Divorce

“Somebody with more confidence would be able to say, ‘This is my wife, but yes, she does this for TV. She was filming with Tarek when I met her,’” Haack told Us. “There was a rationale there that didn’t make sense. You know what you signed up for. I’m your wife, and I’m choosing you, but you’re choosing to make my life harder over insecurities.”

Despite her separation from Hall, Haack shared that she didn’t think about calling it quits on The Flip Off.

Christina Haack Would Get the Silent Treatment From Josh if She Laughed at Tarek on Set
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

“This isn’t Josh’s show,” she said. “No one’s going to miss that he’s not in it. Josh is not a TV host, he’s not a house flipper, he’s not a designer. He was just my husband in it. With Tarek, we built everything together, and I still have respect for him. I have no respect for Josh.”

While the breakup between Haack and Hall will play out on camera, Haack told Us she’s “not nervous” to watch any part of it. “There are definitely some very emotional scenes,” she said. “It’s different than anything I’ve ever shot for television — it’s very real and raw.”

Christina Haack Reveals Her Kids 'Asked' Her to ‘Leave' Josh: ‘He’s Not Nice’

Now, as she navigates her life after parting ways with Hall, Haack said she’s “been very busy, which is probably a blessing.” She added, “It’s really been a big growth period.”

Tarek and Heather, for their part, always tried to be “very friendly” with Hall. “He was our kids’ stepdad, so we wanted a positive environment,” Heather, who welcomed son Tristan with Tarek in January 2023, explained.

Christina Haack Would Get the Silent Treatment From Josh if She Laughed at Tarek on Set
Phillip Faraone/Getty Images

However, since Hall left the show, Heather called the dynamics “better.” She added, “Not to be mean, but he definitely didn’t have the best personality. So it’s like a breath of fresh air. And [Christina is] in a really good place.”

The Flip Off premieres Wednesday, January 29, at 8 p.m. on HGTV.

For more on The Flip Off, watch the exclusive video above and pick up the latest issue of Us Weekly — on newsstands now.

With reporting by Andrea Simpson

© Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images; Rodin Eckenroth/WireImage; Emma McIntyre/Getty Images

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Meghan Markle Exited Royal Family 5 Years Ago: A Timeline of the Drama

✇Us Weekly News
By: Sarah Hearon
8 January 2025 at 16:59

It’s been a rocky road for Meghan Markle and the British royal family since she fell in love with Prince Harry and the pair’s exit in 2020.

The Suits alum started dating the prince during the summer of 2016. While she gushed about Harry to Vanity Fair during her September 2017 cover story, the couple spoke about their relationship — and preparing Meghan for royal life — for the first time during their engagement interview in November 2017.

“I think I can very safely say as naive as it sounds now, having gone through this learning curve in the past year and a half I did not have any understanding of just what it would be like,” Meghan said at the time.

Harry replied, “I had tried to warn you as much as possible. … I think you can have as many conversations as you want, trying to prepare as much as possible but we were totally unprepared for what happened after that.”

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex wed in May 2018. Despite the alleged tension between the brothers over how quickly Harry and Meghan’s relationship moved, the pair teamed up with Prince William and Princess Kate and the foursome launched a charity together. In June 2019, news broke that the group effort was already done and the two couples were splitting their charities.

In October 2019, Harry and Meghan spoke to ITV’s Tom Bradby and hinted that they were unhappy. Harry also confirmed reports that there was a rift between him and William.

“I have said for a long time to H, that’s what I call [Harry], ‘It’s not enough to just survive something. That’s not the point of life. You have to thrive. You have got to feel happy,’” Meghan said during the special, admitting she was “not OK.”

She continued: “I really tried to adopt this British sensibility of a ‘stiff upper lip.’ I really tried, but I think that what that does internally is probably really damaging.”

Less than six months later, Harry and Meghan announced their plans to step back from their senior royal duties in January 2020. The pair subsequently relocated, first to Canada and then to Los Angeles. They ultimately put down roots in Montecito, California.

​One day after the queen‘s death in September 2022, King Charles III shared his “love” for Harry and Meghan in his first speech as the new monarch.

“I want … to express my love for Harry and Meghan, as they continue to build their lives overseas,” he said in the address.

Scroll through for a complete timeline of the ups and downs:

© MEGA

© Shutterstock

Meghan’s official introduction as Harry’s girlfriend was when the first sign of trouble began as the palace released a statement condemning the “wave of abuse and harassment” the actress received in the press.
“Prince Harry is worried about Ms. Markle’s safety and is deeply disappointed that he has not been able to protect her. It is not right that a few months into a relationship with him that Ms. Markle should be subjected to such a storm,” the November 2016 statement read. “He knows commentators will say this is ‘the price she has to pay’ and that ‘this is all part of the game’. He strongly disagrees. This is not a game — it is her life and his.”
The following month, reports surfaced that the palace wasn’t happy Meghan sported an “H” initial necklace during a December 2016 outing as it perpetuated additional headlines about their romance.

© Alan Davidson/Shutterstock

While sources told Us that things went well when Harry introduced Meghan to William and Kate in January 2017, things took a turn when the eldest brother felt they were moving too fast. Royal reporters Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand claimed in their book, Finding Freedom, that Harry was “pissed off” when William suggested he was “blindsided by lust.” William reportedly told his brother to “take as much time as you need to get to know this girl,” which upset Harry.
“Some felt it was an overreaction,” the book read. “But then, this sums them up as people — William, the calm and rational one, and Harry, who can’t help but take things far too personally.”

© Shutterstock

Before Harry and Meghan got engaged, there was reported tension between the couple and the Middleton family over her potential attendance at Pippa Middleton and James Matthews’ May 2017 nuptials. In the end, she only went to the reception.

© Facundo Arrizabalaga/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Elizabeth, Prince Philip,Charles, Queen Consort Camilla, William and Kate all celebrated Harry and Meghan’s engagement in November 2017. Harry and Meghan also confirmed in their engagement interview that she met the queen — and the two women hit it off.
“It’s incredible, I think, you know, a) to be able to meet her through his lens, not just with his honor and respect for her as the monarch, but the love that he has for her as his grandmother, all of those layers have been so important for me,” she said at the time. “So that when I met her, I had such a deep understanding and of course incredible respect for being able to have that time with her. … She’s an incredible woman.”
Meghan subsequently became the first “fiancée” to have Christmas with the royal family in December 2017.

© Shutterstock

William, Kate, Harry and Meghan were all smiles at their first — and only — event for the Royal Foundation in London in February 2018.

© David Fisher/Shutterstock

When Meghan’s father, Thomas Markle, opted not to attend her May 2018 nuptials after he was caught staging photos with the paparazzi, Prince Charles stepped in to walk her down the aisle.  
There were conflicting reports, however, about Meghan and Kate’s relationship at this time, with some outlets claiming the women fought about Princess Charlotte’s outfit for the wedding.
According to Meghan, Kate was the one who made her cry during a disagreement about dresses. “That was a turning point. … The narrative with Kate, it didn’t happen,” Meghan said during an interview on CBS in March 2021. “A few days before the wedding she was upset about flower girl dresses and it made me cry. It really hurt my feelings. … She was upset about something, but she owned it, and she apologized. And she brought me flowers and a note, apologizing. And she did what I would do if I knew that I hurt someone, right, to just take accountability for it.”
There were also reports that the queen didn’t approve of Meghan’s tiara choice. The Finding Freedom authors suggested that Queen Elizabeth’s official dressmaker, Angela Kelly, was the one who had issues with Meghan’s pick — the Queen Mary Diamond Bandeau Tiara.

© Shutterstock

Meghan attended her first solo engagement with the queen in June 2018. A source told Us at the time that “enthusiasm toward living a life of service and humanitarianism excites the queen and it’s just the type of vim and vigor she likes to see in someone.”

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While the duchesses appeared to be on good terms in July 2018 when they attended Wimbledon together, Meghan hinted in March 2021 that things were tense between the two women.
“I know you say, 'Was it what it looked like?’ — my understanding and my experience for the past four years is that it’s nothing like what it looks like,” she said during her CBS tell-all when asked about the Wimbledon outing.

© Shutterstock

Harry and Meghan announced they were expecting their first child together in October 2018. Three days before they confirmed the news, the duo attended Princess Eugenie’s wedding to Jack Brooksbank. The princess was reportedly unhappy with the twosome for discussing the pregnancy at her nuptials. “It didn’t go down particularly well with Eugenie, who a source said told friends she felt the couple should have waited to share the news,” Scobie and Durand wrote.

© Robert Kitchin - Pool/Getty Images)

In November 2018, Harry and Meghan made headlines for moving to Frogmore Cottage in Windsor. Sources told Us in December 2018 that Meghan struggled with royal rules regarding the press after she made headlines when her personal assistant, Melissa Toubati, and secretary, Samantha Cohen, quit six months after the pair’s nuptials.
“It’s just been frustrating and stressful to have no voice,” a royal insider told Us. “She’s always relied on her own voice to stand up for others, and for herself. So not being able to say anything is a debilitating feeling. She’s always been so independent, her entire life, and that’s all been taken away from her. She’s always been able to clap back on social media and now she can’t.”
There were also reports at the time that palace staff didn’t “trust” Meghan. While one staffer reportedly said she “comes with a lot of baggage,” another employee was allegedly overheard referring to the Suits alum as “Harry’s showgirl.”

© Tim Rooke/Shutterstock

While 2018 was plagued with on and off rumors about Meghan and Kate’s relationship, a source told Us that the queen influenced the two women to bury the hatchet over the holidays.

© Paul Grover/Shutterstock

Meghan revealed in March 2021 that she hit her lowest point when she was five months pregnant with Archie.
"One of the things that still haunts me is this photograph that someone had sent me, we had to go to an official event at the Royal Albert Hall," Meghan recalled of the January 2019 event. "A friend said, 'I know that you don't look at pictures, but oh my God, you guys look so great' and sent it to me. I zoomed in and what I saw was the truth of what that moment was. Because right before we had to leave for that, I had just [told Harry that I didn’t want to be alive anymore] that morning.”
Meghan went on to claim that she told the family that she wanted to seek treatment but was told that "it wouldn't be good for the institution."
As for the event, Meghan noted that she went because she warned Harry that she couldn’t be “left alone.” She explained: “And that picture, if you zoom in, what I see is how tightly his knuckles are gripped around me. You can see the whites of our knuckles because we are smiling and doing our job, but we are both just trying to hold on."

© Paul Marriott/Shutterstock

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex split their royal household from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in March 2019. Several months later, the two couples officially split their charity too.
 

© Domic Lipinski/PA/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

According to Harry and Meghan, the pair weren’t asked to take the iconic photo outside of the Lindo Wing when Archie was born in 2019. During their CBS sit-down in March 2021, the couple also shut down reports that they opted not to give Archie a royal title, claiming that they were given “no explanation” as to why their son wouldn’t receive a title or the subsequent security that comes with it.
Meghan also revealed that there were “concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he’s born … and what that would mean or look like.”

© Tim Rooke/Shutterstock

While sources told Us that Meghan and Kate were “civil,” noting that they would “never be best friends” because they don’t have a lot in common, Harry confirmed he and William had a falling out. During the same interview, Meghan got candid about royal life.
“If things were fair … If I’d done something wrong, I’d be the first one to go ‘Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry. I would never do that,’” she said on ITV in October 2019. "But when people are saying things that are just untrue and they are being told they’re untrue but they’re allowed to still say them — I don't know anybody in the world who would feel like that’s OK.”

© Matt Dunham/AP/Shutterstock

Us confirmed in November 2019 that Harry and Meghan were opting not to have Christmas with his family. While Buckingham Palace’s official statement said that the twosome had “the support of Her Majesty the Queen,” a source told Us that Queen Elizabeth II was actually “disappointed” by their choice.

© Frank Augstein/AP/Shutterstock

Harry and Meghan announced their plans to stop working for the queen in January 2020. Reports suggested that the queen wasn’t happy with the pair going public with their announcement so quickly.
“The website took everyone, even their communications team, by surprise. Aides and family members knew the couple wanted to step back, but the public website, which laid out the details of their new half in-half-out model as if it were a done deal, put the Queen in a difficult position,” Finding Freedom claimed.
The couple subsequently went back and forth with the queen over the use of the “Sussex Royal” name as the pair initially tried to trademark their then-charity, Sussex Royal The Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
“While there is not any jurisdiction by The Monarchy or Cabinet Office over the use of the word ‘Royal’ overseas, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex do not intend to use ‘Sussex Royal’ or any iteration of the word ‘Royal’ in any territory (either within the UK or otherwise) when the transition occurs Spring 2020,” the couple said in a statement in February 2020.
A source told Us at the time that the queen was “so disappointed that her own grandchild would heap so much embarrassment on the monarchy and bring all this unwanted attention on his family at the worst possible time.”

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Sources told Us in March 2020 that William and Kate were blindsided by Harry and Meghan’s announcement, noting that the brothers had only spoken “a couple times” about “business matters” in recent months. During Harry and Meghan’s final engagement as working senior royals in March 2020, William and Kate appeared to snub the Duke and Duchess of Sussex when they arrived.
 

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While Harry and Meghan didn’t travel to the U.K. after March 2020, due in part to the coronavirus pandemic, sources told Us that the couple FaceTimed with the queen, Philip and Charles so they could see Archie. When the couple announced they were expecting baby No. 2 in February 2021, the family — with the exception of William and Kate — sent a public congratulations.  

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Later that month, things took a turn again when the twosome announced their royal exit was permanent.
“Following conversations with the duke, the queen has written confirming that in stepping away from the work of the royal family it is not possible to continue with the responsibilities and duties that come with a life of public service,” the palace said in a statement in February 2021. “The honorary military appointments and royal patronages held by the duke and duchess will therefore be returned to Her Majesty before being redistributed among working members of the royal family. While we are all saddened by their decision, the duke and duchess remain much-loved members of the family.”
The couple subsequently fired back in a statement of their own: “As evidenced by their work over the past year, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex remain committed to their duty and service to the U.K. and around the world and have offered their continued support to the organizations they have represented regardless of official role. We can all live a life of service. Service is universal.”

© Tim Rooke/Shutterstock

Leading up to the interview, The Times reported accusations that Meghan mistreated her palace aides and staff prior to the 2020 exit. While Meghan denied the allegations, noting in a statement to Us in March 2021 that she was “saddened” by the “latest attack on her character,” the palace revealed they were investigating the claims.
“We are clearly very concerned about allegations in The Times following claims made by former staff of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex,” the statement read. “Accordingly our HR team will look into the circumstances outlined in the article. Members of staff involved at the time, including those who have left the Household, will be invited to participate to see if lessons can be learned The Royal Household has had a Dignity at Work policy in place for a number of years and does not and will not tolerate bullying or harassment in the workplace.”
According to an insider, the twosome’s inner circle believes that Buckingham Palace’s statement was a direct response to the upcoming interview.
“The assumption from friends close to Meghan and Harry is that the palace has released this statement to strike back at Harry and Meghan for doing the [tell-all] interview,” the source said. “The palace knows that they will not be cast in the best light by Harry and Meghan on Sunday and doesn’t want Harry and Meghan coming off as victims.”

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Harry and Meghan filmed a sit-down interview with CBS for March 2021.
“I don’t know how they could expect that after all of this time we would still just be silent if there is an active role that The Firm is playing in perpetuating falsehoods about us,” Meghan said during a sneak peek of the special. “And if that comes with risk of losing things, there is a lot that has been lost already.”
Sources told Us that William and Kate were “appalled” by their decision to do the interview, especially as Philip remained in the hospital amid his ongoing heart condition.  

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During their CBS tell-all in March 2021, Harry and Meghan gave an update on their status with his family, noting that she checked in during Philip’s health scare.
"This morning, I woke up earlier than H., and saw a note from someone on our team in the U.K. saying that the Duke of Edinburgh had gone to the hospital," Meghan said during the special. "I just picked up the phone and I called the Queen just to check in. I just called, that’s what we do." 
Meghan added: ”So, there's the family, and then there's the people that are running the institution. Those are two separate things. It's important to be able to compartmentalize that because the queen, for example, has always been wonderful to me."

© Facundo Arrizabalaga/PA Images/INSTARimages.com

One year after their royal exit, Meghan and Harry welcomed their second child, naming their daughter Lilibet in honor of the queen. “Lili is named after her great-grandmother, Her Majesty The Queen, whose family nickname is Lilibet,” they said in a statement on their website.  
A source told Us at the time that Lilibet was the couple’s “favorite” name option, but it “was important for them that the queen signed off” on the moniker. “They both agreed it would only be right if Her Majesty gave her approval, especially with something so personal,” the insider added.

© Facundo Arrizabalaga/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock; Maureen McLean/Shutterstock

Meghan returned to the U.K. for the first time in two years when she and Harry stopped in England to visit the queen on their way to the Invictus Games in the Netherlands. One month earlier, the twosome skipped a memorial for Philip, who died in April 2021.  

© Robin Utrecht/Shutterstock

Meghan traveled with Harry and their two little ones, Archie and Lilibet, to England to attend their first royal event since stepping down from their senior duties in March 2020 — the queen’s Platinum Jubilee. 
A source told Us at the time that the couple “wouldn’t miss it for the world” and kicked off the weekend activities by attending Trooping the Colour in honor of the monarch’s historic 70 years on the throne. While the couple did not stand alongside Elizabeth on the Buckingham Palace balcony, they weren’t far away, instead taking in the parade from the Major General’s Office. 

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The royal family sent their standard social media messages to Meghan on her 41st birthday.
“Wishing a happy birthday to The Duchess of Sussex,” William and Kate’s official account tweeted alongside a photo of Meghan at the queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Charles and Camilla’s account opted for a picture from the Service of Thanksgiving at St. Paul’s Cathedral, writing, “Happy birthday to The Duchess of Sussex!”

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In an interview with The Cut, Meghan further detailed the reasons she and Harry left royal life behind. The duchess pointed to the strict rules about releasing family photos as one example of what made life in "The Firm" so difficult.
“There’s literally a structure by which if you want to release photos of your child, as a member of the family, you first have to give them to the Royal Rota,” she explained. “Why would I give the very people that are calling my children the N-word a photo of my child before I can share it with the people that love my child?” the podcast host asked. “You tell me how that makes sense and then I’ll play that game.”

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A spokesperson for Harry revealed the prince was traveling to Balmoral, Scotland to see the monarch before her death at age 96.
Though Meghan remained in London (the couple was in town for an engagement), she paid tribute to the queen after her passing was announced. “In loving memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 1926-2022, the duke and duchess of Sussex's Archewell website reads.

© Yui Mok/WPA Pool/Shutterstock

“I want ... to express my love for Harry and Meghan, as they continue to build their lives overseas,” Charles stated in his inaugural address as king.

© Kirsty O'Connor/WPA Pool/Shutterstock

Meghan joined Harry for a rare public reunion with William and Kate as they greeted mourners outside Windsor Castle. An insider told Us at the time that the appearance was the new Prince of Wales' idea. “William invited Harry and Meghan to join them,” the source explained. “They were delayed in arriving while they arranged the plans.”

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Meghan remained in London for the queen’s funeral events and was one of the members of the family waiting to greet Queen Elizabeth II's coffin at Buckingham Palace on September 13. One day later, she rode with Sophie Wessex to Westminster Hall and was seen curtsying at the monarch’s casket inside the service led by Archbishop of Canterbury and Reverend Dr. David Hoyle, Dean of Westminster.

© Photo by Tim Rooke/Shutterstock

Meghan was spotted getting visibly emotional at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral at Westminster Abbey on September 19, 2022. She also looked somber leaving the Committal Service at St George’s Chapel with Harry.

© Shutterstock; Inset: Netflix

While reflecting on her wedding to Harry, the duchess revealed in Netflix's Harry & Meghan that she was "guided" by others not to invite her half-sister's biological daughter, Ashleigh, to the nuptials.
"I don't think anyone understands what that very small comms team was dealing with. They just couldn't wrap their heads around it. And I have compassion for it. How do we explain that this half-sister isn't invited to the wedding, but that the half-sister's daughter is? And so with Ashleigh, the guidance at the time was to not have her come to our wedding," she recalled. "I was in the car with H. I had her on speaker phone and we talked her through what guidance we were being given and why this assessment was made and that's painful."
The couple also looked back on what went down with Thomas before the big day — and the father-daughter duo's subsequent estrangement. "Of course, it's incredibly sad what happened," Harry said. "She had a father before this. And now she doesn't have a father. And I shouldered that. Because if Meg wasn't with me, then her dad would still be her dad."

© Stefan Jeremiah/AP/Shutterstock

Meghan remembered the first holiday season she spent with her royal in-laws. "I remember so vividly the first Christmas at Sandringham. Calling my mom, and she’s like, ‘How’s it going?’ and I said, ‘Oh my gosh, it’s amazing. It’s just like a big family like I always wanted,'" she said of the 2017 Christmas during an episode of Harry & Meghan. "There was just this constant movement and energy and fun."
Her mood only got better when she was seated next to the late Philip for the celebrations that year — but things didn't go as planned. "At dinner, I was sat next to H’s grandfather and I just thought it was so wonderful," she added. "I was like, ‘Oh, we chatted and it was so great and I talked about this and talked about this.’ [Harry] was like, ‘You had [his] bad ear. He couldn’t hear anything you were saying.’ I was like, ‘Oh, well I thought it went really well.'" 

© Tim Rooke/Shutterstock

Buckingham Palace confirmed that Meghan would not be joining Harry at the king’s coronation the following month. “The Duchess of Sussex will remain in California with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet,” the statement read.
A source exclusively told Us that “Meghan is a mom first,” so while she “appreciates the invite,” she “wouldn’t miss her son’s birthday for the world.” The Archewell cofounder’s son Archie’s fourth birthday is the same day that Charles is being honored in the U.K.
“She feels very grateful to be included in such a special occasion by the royal family and is glad that Harry can go and show support on behalf of their family,” the insider added.
A second source told Us that the monarch is “thrilled” his youngest son will watch him get crowned, but Meghan will be missed. “Charles is sad that Meghan will not be in attendance,” the insider explained. “Charles was hoping the coronation would be a chance to better connect and maintain healing between them.”

© Tim Rooke/Shutterstock

When Charles was officially crowned king, Meghan stayed at home in California with the kids while Harry attended the coronation. “As much as Meghan appreciates the invite to the coronation, she wouldn’t miss her son’s birthday for the world,” an insider exclusively told Us, referring to the fact that Archie's 4th birthday was the same day as the ceremony. “Despite being the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan is a mom first.”
Another source told Us that Charles was "sad" his daughter-in-law wouldn't be present at the event. "Charles was hoping the coronation would be a chance to better connect and maintain healing between them,” the insider explained. 

© Beretta/Sims/Shutterstock

Harry, Meghan and her mother, Doria Ragland, were involved in a “near catastrophic” car chase in New York City following the 2023 Women of Vision Awards, a spokesperson for the Sussexes said in a statement at the time. The trio were chased by a "ring of highly aggressive" paparazzi, the rep said.
"This relentless pursuit, lasting over two hours, resulted in multiple near collisions involving other drivers on the road, pedestrians and two NYPD officers,” the spokesperson stated. “While being a public figure comes with a level of interest from the public, it should never come at the cost of anyone’s safety."
One day later, Buckingham Palace told Us they wouldn’t be making a statement about the incident. “This is not something we’re commenting on,” the palace told Us at the time.
The NYPD later reported that no injuries or collisions occurred.

© Chris Jackson/Getty Images

After news broke of Kate’s cancer diagnosis, both Harry and Meghan sent the princess their well-wishes. 
“We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace,” Harry and Meghan said in a statement to Us Weekly at the time. 

Hold Up, Nicole Kidman Just Chugged a Glass of Milk in Honor of 'Babygirl'

✇Us Weekly News
By: Johnni Macke
8 January 2025 at 16:57
Nicole Kidman Honors Her ‘Babygirl’ Character By Chugging Milk While Accepting Movie Award
Nicole Kidman Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

Nicole Kidman went full method actress while accepting an award for Babygirl — and fans couldn’t look away.

“I just want to say anyone who wants to join me, please, I’m going to raise a glass of milk to all of the baby girls in the room,” Kidman, 57, told the audience on Tuesday, January 7, while accepting the award for Best Actress at the National Board of Review Gala in New York City.

The actress proceeded to chug the glass of milk while standing at the podium. When she finished, she said, “Good girl,” paying homage to one of Babygirl’s most iconic scenes.

Kidman flashed a coy smirk after downing the beverage, which took the actress no more than a few seconds. She then blew a kiss to her fans as the crowd cheered and before she walked off stage.

Nicole Kidman Reacts to New Movie 'Babygirl' Being Called 'Disturbing'

The memorable milk moment is a nod to Kidman’s character in the film, Romy, who is the seemingly perfect mom and wife at home and a total boss at work, serving as the CEO of her company. After getting tired of her idyllic life, Romy has a torrid affair with her much younger intern, Samuel (Harris Dickinson).

Nicole Kidman Honors Her ‘Babygirl’ Character By Chugging Milk While Accepting Movie Award
Nicole Kidman Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

In one memorable scene, Romy sits at a bar with friends and coworkers when Samuel sends her a glass of milk from across the room. The gesture takes her aback, but eventually Romy picks up the cup and drinks every drop while keeping her gaze fixed on Samuel.

The pair, who are at the start of their affair, exchange intense and steamy looks as Romy finishes the milk and wipes away the residue from her lip.

Samuel later walks past Romy and whispers, “Good girl.”

‘Babygirl' Star Harris Dickinson on Filming Sex Scenes With Nicole Kidman

The sexy and surprising scene was inspired by writer, director and coproducer Halina Reijn’s real-life experience.

“I went to a bar, and I ordered something boring like a Diet Coke because I didn’t drink at that time because I was a control freak. There was this young Belgian actor — I can’t say who it is — but he was famous,” Reijn told IndieWire in December 2024. “I knew of him. I’d never spoken to him. He was at least 15 years younger than I, and he ordered me a glass of milk.”

She recalled thinking it was an “incredible, hot thing to do and so courageous,” so she decided to “reward him by drinking the whole thing.”

Reijn confessed that she did get “a little nauseated” after she finished the glass, but that didn’t stop it from being “one of the most arousing moments of my life.”

‘Babygirl’ Director Defends Age Gap Between Nicole Kidman and Costar

Babygirl’s raunchy story line has been a topic of conversation since its release last month. During the 2025 Golden Globes on Sunday, January 5, host Nikki Glaser couldn’t help but joke about the sexual nature of the movie.

“Nicole Kidman is here, oh my gosh. Nominated for Babygirl,” Glaser, 40, said during her opening monologue. “Oh my gosh, I loved that movie. I gave it two fingers up.”

Kidman was bent over with laughter at her table when the cameras panned to her and husband Keith Urban. Sarah Paulson, who was sitting behind her, was visibly shocked by the joke, as were many fans.

Glaser then gave Urban, 57, a shout-out, saying, “Thank you to Keith Urban for playing the guitar so much that she wants to leave and make 18 movies a year. Keep strumming you, kooky koala.”

Katie Holmes Wears This Comfy Sneaker Style for Routine Coffee Runs — The Look for $23

✇Us Weekly News
By: Olivia Hanson
8 January 2025 at 16:43

If there’s anyone who loves their morning coffee more than Us, it’s Katie Holmes. The star is constantly being spotted on her morning trips to Starbucks and she’s showing us how she dresses for them too. When it comes to heading to the coffee shop, Holmes is putting on comfy sneakers — and we found a similar version of her look for just $23.

The Rare Objects actress was mostly recently spotted with her Starbs in hand on December 29, 2024. Channeling a hipster coffee shop vibe in her outfit as well, she paired together some baggy blue jeans, a blue and white striped shirt, a vintage-looking brown jacket, a gray beanie and some oversized burgundy-rim sunglasses. She completed the look with a classic pair of white sneakers that look undoubtedly comfy — perfect for walking the Manhattan streets!

It’s unclear as to where the movie star picked up her style, but thankfully we can still get the look for our coffee runs too. Amazon has a $23 lookalike that’ll bring the same feel as hers — and they’re even a best-seller!

Get the Serenial White PU Leather Tennis Shoes (Originally $50) on sale for just $23 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication, January 8, 2024, but are subject to change.

Jennifer Lopez's Chanel Bag Look Is Just $19 on Amazon — And It's a Bestseller

Holmes proved with her look that a good pair of white sneakers will never really go out of style. Like the actress’s, this pair has the classic rounded toe design, tie-up closure and low platform. An additional benefit to this style is that the outer is made with faux leather, which gives them an water-resistant and easy-to-clean design. You can find them in sizes 5 to 11.

This shoe style is not only a hit with Holmes, they’re a grand slam for Amazon shoppers too. On top of being bought over 1,000 times just within the last month, they’ve now got over 1,300 five-star ratings as well.

Many shoppers like this one were “surprised how good these are,” saying that they are “very comfortable” with “no breaking in required.”

“I’ve worn them for hours walking all around and no blisters or pressure points,” they said. “[They’re] easy to put on, great fit [and are] true to size. I love that they’re simple without a bunch of logos or features. Just a nice, normal, minimal shoe that looks great and feels good on the feet!”

Recreate Meghan Markle's Sophisticated $138 Sweater for Less

If you’re planning to wear these more casually, like Holmes did for her coffee runs, these shoes are great for that. They can go with leggings and a shearling jacket for running errands or with some jeans and a blouse for a late lunch. However, they’re a style that can be dressed up too! They can go with dresses when you’re going to a picnic or doing lots of walking on vacation and even skirts too!

Most tennis shoes are upwards of $50 to $100, so it’s a major score that you can get this sleek and simple pair sent straight to your doorstep for just $23. In fact, if you calculate the girl math, that saves at least 3 to 5 good lattes. However, if these seem like a good fit for you, you’ll want to act quick! They’re on sale for 53% off right now and we don’t know how long it will last.

See it: Serenial White PU Leather Tennis Shoes (Originally $50) on sale for just $23 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication, January 8, 2024, but are subject to change.

Looking for something else? Explore more from Serenial here and more white sneakers here! Don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!

Martha Stewart's Favorite Comfy Slip-On Sneakers are 29% off

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Allison Holker Addresses 'Family and Friends' of tWitch Amid Book Backlash

✇Us Weekly News
By: Kaitlin Simpson
8 January 2025 at 16:28

Allison Holker explained her intention behind including personal details about late husband Stephen “tWitch” Boss in her upcoming memoir.

“To fans of Stephen and our family and friends, I want to be clear that my only intention in writing the book is to share my own story as well as part of my life with Stephen to help other people,” Holker, 36, wrote via her Instagram Story on Wednesday, January 8. “Just like you, I never really knew what happened, and even as I am trying to put the pieces together I will never really know.”

Holker shared that for the people who decide to pick up the book, titled This Far: My Story of Love, Loss, and Embracing the Light, she hopes they’ll be able to she intended to “celebrate the love and life” she and Boss had with their three children: daughters Wesley Renae and Zaia and son Maddox. (Boss died in December 2020 by suicide. He was 40 years old.)

“I hope that by sharing our full story maybe I can help someone else who might see themselves or a loved one in Stephen,” Holker continued. “In sharing I hope that maybe they can catch some of the red flags that I missed before it’s too late.”

Stephen 'tWitch' Boss' Family, Friends React to Allison Holker's Memoir

While writing the book, Holker shared that she’s spoken to multiple mental health nonprofits for the past “two years” to make sure she was able to write truthfully and accurately depict the tough subject matter. She also plans on giving the profits from the novel to the foundation she set up in Boss’ memory.

“My hope is that that we won’t need to lose another husband, brother, father, or friend to suicide,” she said “I believe that if Stephen were able to choose, he would choose to have his story told if it meant saving even one life. Much love to all those who have supported our family these many years.”

Earlier this week, Holker received backlash online after she revealed details from Boss’ life he never discussed publicly prior to his passing. Holker also confessed that she read Boss’ journals in an attempt to find closure after his death.

Jenna Dewan Supports Allison Holker Amid Backlash Over tWitch Comments

“Reading Stephen’s journals, and even going back into the books he had read and the things that he was highlighting and lining, really gave me a better perspective of where he was in life and the type of things he was struggling with,” she said in an interview with People on Tuesday, January 7. ”It did have me feel a lot of empathy towards him and sadness for all the pain that he was holding.”

Many of Boss’ family members and friends publicly slammed Holker after the article went live.

“Anyone who knows me, knows I go straight to the source during a conflict and handle my business,” Courtney Ann Platt, who appeared on So You Think You Can Dance alongside Holker, wrote via Instagram on Tuesday. “But since there’s clearly no shame in being so public, I haven’t said a word in two years but here I go. This is by far the most tacky, classless, opportunistic act I have ever seen in my entire life.”

© Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images

'Chicago P.D.' Showrunner Teases What to Expect When Season 12 Returns

✇Us Weekly News
By: Johnni Macke
8 January 2025 at 16:10
Chicago PD Showrunner Teases Voight and Chief Face OffvTorres Crisis
Jason Beghe and Benjamin Levy Aguilar Parrish Lewis/NBC (2)

After a season of changes, Chicago P.D. is gearing up for even more drama, romance and crime solving action during the back half of season 12.

“We have quite a lot coming with our new deputy chief character, Shawn Hatosy’s Reid,” Chicago P.D. showrunner Gwen Sigan exclusively told Us Weekly on Tuesday, January 7. “We saw in the midseason finale, he kind of makes this statement to Voight like, ‘We’re gonna be friends,’ but it’s clearly a friendship of ownership and, like, leverage.”

Sigan said it’s been “really fun to write” the face-off between Deputy Chief Charlie Reid (Hatosy), who joined the cast this season, and Intelligence Unit leader Hank Voight (Jason Beghe).

She teased that the pair’s leadership styles “changes the dynamics quite a lot in the unit” moving forward.

‘Chicago P.D.’ Showrunner Teases Burgess and Ruzek Season 12 Wedding Plans

Sigan noted that the second half of the season will also finally show Kim Burgess (Marina Squerciati) and Adam Ruzek (Patrick Flueger) getting married after their third engagement during season 11.

The showrunner told Us that Dante Torres (Benjamin Levy Aguilar) will continue to have an “existential crisis and a crisis of faith” in the upcoming episode, adding that Kevin Atwater (LaRoyce Hawkins) will get “some romance” once again.

“We’ve got a little bit of everything,” Sigan said. “Things will keep changing and evolving for the unit for sure.”

Scroll down for everything Us learned from Chicago P.D.’s showrunner about the remainder of season 12:

Cook’s Story Will Come to Light

Cooks Story Will Come to Light Toya Turner
Elizabeth Sisson/NBC

After joining the Intelligence Unit earlier this season, fans will finally get a better picture of who Kiana Cook (Toya Turner) is and where she comes from.

“Episode 9 is a Cook episode,” Sigan told Us, referring to the midseason premiere, which airs on Wednesday, January 8. “You’re getting to meet a lot of her family members actually in this episode, which is fun. And you’re getting to learn about her past and her backgrounds and the different worlds that she belongs to and how vastly different those are from each other.”

Sigan said that Cook’s past will reveal why she is so focused on being present and doing “the job well.” She teased that the show’s return is an “action ride” for Cook and the remainder of the season will give more “background on her and who she is and why she’s really unique for the unit.”

Chief Reid Goes Toe to Toe With Voight

Chief Reid Goes Toe to Toe With Voight
Elizabeth Sisson/NBC

Throughout season 12, Reid has been aware of everything Voight’s team is doing — the good and the bad — and has looked the other way. However, Sigan told Us that his choice not to reprimand the team will come at a price.

“He’s a character that plays so many of his cards so close to the vest. And it’s difficult for Voight to really read him,” the showrunner said of Reid, noting, “We’ve always seen Voight kind of be a bit of the all-knowing. So to have it be somebody else is really fun.”

Chicago P.D.’s Jason Beghe Imagines Voight Officiating 'Fun' Burzek Wedding

She called Reid a “fun house mirror to Voight,” meaning that the chief “operates in a way that Voight used to” but is “enhanced and exaggerated.”

“We’ll get to learn more and more about him and his motivations throughout the season,” Sigan teased. “But it’s definitely a cat and mouse game and … it’s certainly a friendship that has a lot of strings attached.”

Burgess Is Doing It Her Way

Burgess Is Doing It Her Way Marina Squerciati
Elizabeth Sisson/NBC

In season 12, episode 6, Burgess made detective, and viewers will see her in action in the second half of the season.

“There’s this really easy transition of her just taking that leadership role of kind of being the one that sort of leads the charge,” Sigan explained. “You’ll see her giving commands more often and certainly being a bit, perhaps, overwhelmed or taken aback by just how much [paperwork and] more responsibility [she has].”

While Burgess will have a lot to juggle, she finds her “groove” and a style of leadership that Sigan said is “so different” than that of past detectives Hailey Upton (Tracy Spiridakos) and Jay Halstead (Jesse Lee Soffer).

“It feels like her own thing, which is much more, ‘I’m still your peer, but I am gonna give you orders now. I’m gonna now direct a bit more,’” Sigan continued. “Everybody, I think, is so supportive and just falling into those roles, too.”

Torres Is ‘Not Great’

Torres Is Not Great Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Elizabeth Sisson/NBC

During the midseason finale, which aired in November 2024, Torres’ past affair with informant Gloria Perez (Yara Martinez) came to light when she was found running a drug business in Chicago. Gloria died after helping the Intelligence Unit, and much to his surprise, Torres wasn’t reprimanded by the chief for his misconduct.

Torres, however, is not doing “great” when the show returns. “It triggered a lot for him,” Sigan said of the affair and Gloria’s death, noting that Torres’ background will continue to be explored.

“[We reveal] why he was ever attracted to this woman and why he got in this affair and sort of the trauma that leads all the way back to his childhood,” she told Us. “And then also how present events sort of trigger a bit of a crisis of faith.”

Atwater’s Love Story Isn’t Over

Atwater Love Story Not Over LaRoyce Hawkins
Elizabeth Sisson/NBC

Atwater agreed to a no-strings-attached relationship with Valeria “Val” Soto (Natalee Linez) during season 12, episode 3, and according to Sigan, that arrangement might change when Val returns in upcoming episodes.

“The nice thing about that relationship was the way it starts is almost this, like, ‘We’re gonna do something for the pair of us that’s just for us,’” she said. “But then, obviously, as time has gone on, how has that morphed and grown?”

Chicago P.D.’s Kim Burgess and Adam Ruzek's Romance Timeline

The showrunner explained that Atwater will have to “decide is this just a casual thing that we clearly both need in our lives or is it something more?”

Sigan added: “We get to explore the whys behind it for the pair of them and maybe why they’re not wanting something very serious. Is that a defense mechanism or is that because of the way they built up their lives?” She hinted the dynamic will become “more emotional and deeper.”

Burzek Will Get Hitched

Patrick Flueger and Marina Squerciati Chicago PD Showrunner Teases Voight and Chief Face OffvTorres Crisis
Elizabeth Sisson/NBC

Squerciati previously told Us that she wants “the white dress moment” for Burgess when she finally marries Ruzek. Flueger, however, told Us that he thinks their style is more “courthouse” wedding.

Sigan revealed that the onscreen nuptials are a “middle ground” between the two. “It’s been such a long time coming and they have this family — they have [daughter] Mikayla [and] she wants to have her say, and I think she wants a party,” Sigan told Us on Tuesday. “So it, to me, is going to be sort of a middle ground of finding what works for the both of them that isn’t a courthouse wedding, that they can have everyone they love there.”

She noted it should also be a “simple” and “grounded affair,” but the scenes have not been filmed yet. “I don’t know all the details,” Sigan confessed, adding that she “could see” Trudy Platt (Amy Morton) officiating.

Chicago P.D. airs on NBC Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET.

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