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Today — 30 January 2025Entertainment News

Prosecutors Add 2 More Alleged Female Victims to Diddy’s Federal Indictment

30 January 2025 at 16:49
Prosecutors Add 2 More Alleged Female Victims to Diddy’s Federal Indictment
Sean “Diddy” Combs George Pimentel/WireImage

Prosecutors have updated Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal indictment to include accounts from two additional alleged victims, Us Weekly can confirm.

On Thursday, January 30, prosecutors filed an expanded indictment against the music mogul, 55, in which two additional women alleged that they were “coerced into commercial sex acts and of dangling a woman over an apartment balcony.”

These new charges are part of the indictment against Diddy that was returned by a grand jury on Thursday, according to documents filed in Federal District Court in Manhattan.

Diddy’s attorney, Marc Agnifilo, told Us in a statement that the “latest indictment contains no new offenses.”

Diddy Indictment Unsealed as He's Charged With Sex Trafficking, Racketeering

“The prosecution’s theory remains flawed,” the lawyer alleged. “The government has added the ridiculous theory that two of Mr. Combs’ former girlfriends were not girlfriends at all but were prostitutes. Mr. Combs is as committed as ever to fighting these charges and winning at trial.”

Diddy was arrested in September 2024 and indicted on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, conspiracy and transportation to engage in prostitution. He is also facing more than 30 civil lawsuits from alleged victims of sexual assault and misconduct. Diddy has maintained his innocence while behind bars.

The new indictment, obtained by Us, does not add any additional charges to Diddy’s case, but it does add accounts from two alleged victims that could strengthen the prosecutors claims regarding the accusations of racketeering and sex trafficking.

Diddy Pleads Not Guilty Following Arrest and Unsealed Indictment

Instead of the initial “Victim-1” account — which closely resembles Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura’s previous lawsuit against Diddy — listed in the indictment there are now “Victim-2” and “Victim-3” accounts in the filing. (Cassie, 38, settled a lawsuit against her ex-boyfriend outside of court in fall 2023 after she accused him of sexual assault and battery. Diddy denied the allegations.)

Prosecutors accused Diddy in Thursday’s indictment of providing his alleged victims “with, among other things, monetary payments, career opportunities, and payment of rent and housing expenses” to keep them in line.

Diddy allegedly “used force, threats of force, and coercion, to cause victims, including but not limited to three female victims” to engage in commercial sex acts,” the filing claimed.

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Sued by 3 More Alleged Sexual Assault Victims

Diddy’s lawyers, meanwhile, have claimed that the sexual encounters outlined in the court documents were consensual.

The indictment also extended the period of the alleged racketeering conspiracy back to 2004 instead of 2008.

Per the filing, Diddy’s employees and associates allegedly helped conceal violence and abuse and engage in sex trafficking, arson and multiple acts of kidnapping. The indictment lists a new allegation of kidnapping in New York where prosecutors claim that Diddy carried and displayed a firearm and a kidnapping in California.

The expanded indictment added allegations of distribution or the intent to distribute methamphetamine and psilocin, a hallucinogen. Prosecutors initially accused Diddy of several drug offenses, including distribution or intent to distribute cocaine, oxycodone and ketamine.

Diddy’s trial is set to begin in May.

Which ‘Selling Sunset’ Stars Does Heather Rae El Moussa Want on ‘Flip Off’?

30 January 2025 at 16:28

Heather Rae El Moussa is onboard with her former Selling Sunset costars appearing on The Flip Off.

“I think any of them would love it,” El Moussa, 37, exclusively told Us Weekly during the Tuesday, January 28, press junket for The Flip Off. “I mean, they get to now see me in a completely different business. I was doing high end real estate and now I’m flipping houses. I think they’re so proud of me.”

On The Flip Off, Heather and her husband, Tarek El Moussa, go head to head with his ex-wife, Christina Haack, as they work on chosen properties and receive feedback from guest judges. Before the show aired, it was revealed that Heather Dubrow, Haack’s ex-husband Ant Anstead, Jeff Lewis and Heather’s former Selling Sunset costar Amanza Smith were scheduled to make appearances.

“It was fun for her to come in and see what I’m doing and what I’ve learned and the transformations that I’m doing with our flips,” Heather gushed of having Smith, 48, on the show. “She was so excited.”

Excl Heather Rae El Moussa Reveals Which Selling Sunset Costars She Wants on The Flip Off 428
Courtesy of Netflix

As for other Selling Sunset costars, Heather suggested Mary Fitzgerald Bonnet and Chrishell Stause, who she said “all have such great eyes” and “know me so well.”

Haack, for her part, had a different former costar of Heather’s in mind. “I pitched Christine [Quinn],” Haack, 41, said, to which Tarek, 43, replied, “Oh, God.” (Heather exclusively told Us in September 2021 that she and Quinn had “not had a close friendship for over a year now.” Quinn, 36, left the Netflix show and the brokerage in April 2022.)

Excl Heather Rae El Moussa Reveals Which Selling Sunset Costars She Wants on The Flip Off 429
Mitchell Haaseth/Netflix

“You would be in big trouble,” Heather said, to which Haack admitted, “I don’t like her either!” Tarek added, “No, you don’t even know.”

Haack admitted that she handpicked judges “to mess” with Tarek. (In each episode, Haack alternates choosing judges with Heather and Tarek for their challenges.)

Tarek El Moussa on Working With Heather, Christina: 'How Did I Get Here?’

“I was like, ‘Oh, I know who I should pick. Oh, it’s perfect. I don’t like her either. Christine,’” Haack said. “I was like, ‘Oh, my God. Imagine the drama.’ I’m just trying to make good TV.”

Haack began laughing as Heather looked shocked by her admission. “Really, not for good ratings?” Haack asked with a laugh, to which Tarek replied, “God, no. I’d rather move to Mars.”

Excl Heather Rae El Moussa Reveals Which Selling Sunset Costars She Wants on The Flip Off 431
Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.

While Heather had a few hesitations about filming the show with Tarek’s ex-wife, she exclusively told Us in a cover story earlier this month that it wasn’t weird to work together. Haack, for her part, feels the same way. (Heather and Tarek tied the knot in 2021 and share son Tristan, 23 months.)

“There have been so many times throughout all of this that I’m like, ‘Wow, I can’t believe we did that,’” Haack said. “I’m proud of all of us.”

The Flip Off airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on HGTV.

With reporting by Andrea Simpson

© Courtesy of Netflix

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Grammys 2025 predictions: from Sabrina Carpenter to Chappell Roan and Kendrick Lamar

30 January 2025 at 22:00

Some of pop’s biggest artists are vying for the top prizes this year. Roisin O’Connor picks the most likely candidates for the ‘big four’ categories

© The Independent/Getty Images

Zadie Smith on her groundbreaking debut, White Teeth, 25 years on: ‘I never think about my novels a year after I’ve written them’

30 January 2025 at 22:00

The Cambridge student was only 24 when she released her ostentatious debut. Critics and fellow writers fell over themselves with enthusiasm, hailing Smith the voice of fiction’s future. Now, 25 years later, the author speaks to Nick Duerden about the book that changed her life

© iStock/Getty/Penguin

5 Hot Deals: Our Favorite Hair Styling System Is Just $65 Today

30 January 2025 at 15:18

On today’s episode of five hot deals, we found a wicked good discount on our favorite hair styling system: The Shark SpeedStyle. If you’ve heard of the Shark FlexStyle, the SpeedStyle is basically the cooler, more hip little sister. And not to bury the lede here, but it’s just $65 today when you use code “VDAY75” at checkout (we already bought one as a Valentine’s Day gift, so yes, the deal is real). The sleek blow dryer comes with your choice of two styling attachments, but you’ll want to claim yours fast because options are already selling out. And if that doesn’t get you excited, we found sales on Dyson, BCBG, Patagonia and more. Happy shopping!

Don’t forget to check out  and Nordstrom’s New Markdowns!

Jaw-Dropping Deals! 12 Nordstrom Sale Items You Won't Want to Miss

Us Weekly has affiliate partnerships. We receive compensation when you click on a link and make a purchase. Learn more!

© Getty Images

Pilot of American Airlines Crash Was Getting Married This Fall, Dad Says

30 January 2025 at 15:16
Pilot of Fatal American Airlines Crash Was Engaged to Get Married This Fall Father Says 483
Sam Lilley. Courtesy of Tim Lilley/Instagram

Sam Lilley, the pilot on the American Airlines flight that tragically crashed in Washington D.C., was going to achieve a major life milestone later this year.

Sam’s dad, Tim Lilley, took to social media on Thursday, January 30, to share a heartbreaking update about his son after news broke of the fatal incident. In the post, Tim revealed that Sam was engaged and gearing up to walk down the aisle in several months.

“I was so proud when Sam became a pilot. Now it hurts so bad I can’t even cry myself to sleep,” Tim wrote via Facebook. “I know I’ll see him again but my heart is breaking. He was doing great in his career and his personal life. He was engaged to get married in the fall.”

The message continued: “Sam was the First Officer on the flight that crashed in DC last night. It is so devastating to lose someone that is loved so much.”

U.S. Figure Skater Spencer Lane Shared a Photo Inside the Plane Before Crash

News broke on Wednesday, January 29, that an airplane crashed into a Black Hawk military helicopter near the Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. The plane fell into the Potomac River while attempting to land. According to local CBS outlet WUSA9, more than “300 emergency crews” arrived to conduct a search and rescue operation. More than a dozen bodies were recovered from the water by divers.

It was later confirmed that American Airlines Flight 5342 was the affected aircraft. The flight was arriving from Wichita, Kansas, and held 64 passengers in addition to the crew. There were no survivors in the crash, officials said Thursday, per ABC News.

Sam’s sister, Tiffany Gibson, told the outlet that the pilot flew the same path as their father, who had previously flown Black Hawk helicopters for the Army.

Figure Skaters Share Tributes After Fatal Potomac River Plane Crash

“We were stationed in Virginia, and [Timothy Lilley] flew that same route back and forth to the Pentagon, over and over and over again until he retired,” Gibson said.

She also paid tribute to her late brother.

“He was an amazing person. He loved people. He loved adventure. He loved traveling. He was excited. He was young,” she said. “He was so young, and he was excited about life and his future and getting a dog and a house and kids. And it’s just, this is just tragic.

Amongst the 64 late passengers, some of the travelers on the flight were members of the United States Figure Skating Team.

'Several' U.S. Figure Skating Team Members Involved in D.C. Plane Crash

“U.S. Figure Skating can confirm that several members of our skating community were sadly aboard American Airlines Flight 5342, which collided with a helicopter yesterday evening in Washington, D.C.” a statement from the organization read. “These athletes, coaches and family members were returning home from National Development Camp held in conjunction with the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas.”

Figure skater Spencer Lane shared a photo from the plane prior to takeoff.

“ICT -> DCA,” read the post — which are the codes for Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Washington D.C. — via Lane’s Instagram Story on Wednesday.

Why Reese Witherspoon Says 1 Famous Actress ‘Doesn’t Talk’ to Her

30 January 2025 at 15:08
Reese Witherspoon Says She Doesn t Talk to Famous Actress Who She Presented Award to 481
Reese Witherspoon. Rodin Eckenroth/FilmMagic

Reese Witherspoon is still embarrassed about the time she thought she was supposed to roast a friend at an awards show.

It turns out Witherspoon, 48, was only supposed to present an award to her, and the mix-up led to the end of their relationship.

“It literally haunts me,” she told People in an interview published on Thursday, January 30. “So this friend of mine, who I didn’t really know that well but she was a very serious, proper actress, she asked me to give her an award. But I had never been to this award ceremony, so I thought it was, like, a roast. So I got up and I roasted her.”

Witherspoon called the event “British,” “elegant” and “classy,” and she simply read the room wrong.

Reese Witherspoon Through the Years: From ‘Legally Blonde’ and Beyond

“I was like, ‘Remember the time we got laser hair removal?’” she recalled. “I’m still embarrassed about it.”

The Legally Blonde star didn’t name the actress in question but said the two no longer speak. Still, she was able to look back on the incident with a laugh.

Reese Witherspoon Says She Doesn t Talk to Famous Actress Who She Presented Award to 480
XNY/Star Max/GC Images

“We’re not friends anymore. I’m not even kidding — we’re not friends anymore,” she said. “I think she doesn’t like me anymore. I thought it was so funny and it was just, I had the wrong audience. It was pretty bad. Yeah. Not even kidding, she doesn’t talk to me anymore. Oh well.”

Witherspoon’s mis-roast wasn’t the first time the actress has added humor to an awards ceremony. She also broke out an Australian accent when presenting the AFI Lifetime Achievement award to her Big Little Lies costar Nicole Kidman in 2024.

Reese Witherspoon's Sweetest Family Photos With Her 3 Kids Over the Years

Though Witherspoon may still cringe at the incident with the unnamed actress, her revelation comes just one day after she appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where she admitted she goes out of her way to embarrass her three kids to ensure they grow up with a sense of humor.

Witherspoon is a mother of three, sharing daughter Ava, 25, and son Deacon, 21 with ex-husband Ryan Phillippe, and son Tennessee, 12, with ex-husband Jim Toth.

“I think you should embarrass them enough that they’re funny later in life,” she explained on the Wednesday, January 29, episode.

“They’re not children anymore. They’re adults,” she added, before joking, “Which is weird because I’m 30, you know? It’s weird, but sometimes it works that way.”

Fallon seemed to understand where Witherspoon was coming from, calling her “one of the coolest moms.”

“Your kids gotta be proud of you,” he said, “but also, you post things [online] that make you embarrassed. … I love that about you.”

Shannon Beador Replaces Jennifer Aydin on Cruise After Jersey Mike’s Drama

30 January 2025 at 14:50
Shannon Beador Replaces Jennifer Aydin on Cruise After Jersey Mikes Drama
Shannon Beador, Jennifer Aydin. Getty Images(2)

Shannon Beador is replacing Jennifer Aydin on a reality cruise gig after The Real Housewives of New Jersey star was fired amid drama with Jersey Mike’s.

“I can’t wait to sing karaoke with the fans on the cruise!” Beador, 60, said in a statement on Thursday, January 30. “Everyone knows I’m a rocker!”

Fans at Sea announced on Thursday that Beador, Teresa Giudice and Dolores Catania would be featured on “Wives on the Waves.” The cruise sails from New York City to Bermuda on the Norwegian Escape from September 19 to 24.

Guests aboard the boat will have access to exclusive activities including Q&A sessions, photo opportunities and daily themed activities.

Jennifer Aydin Reacts to Reality Cruise Firing: 'I Took It Like a Champ'

“We’re beyond excited to bring this unforgettable experience to life for fans,” Theresa Lanfranchi, cofounder of Fans at Sea, said in a statement. “This cruise will be an immersive journey filled with exclusive events, personal connections, and unique opportunities to engage with Teresa, Dolores and Shannon.”

News of The Real Housewives of Orange County star’s gig came days after a rep for the “Wives on the Waves” cruise confirmed to Us Weekly that Aydin would no longer be part of the event after criticizing some Jersey Mike’s employees. (Aydin went viral earlier this month when she claimed she waited for “what felt like forever” at one of the restaurant’s locations at an airport.)

Shannon Beador Replaces Jennifer Aydin on Cruise After Jersey Mikes Drama
Sara Jaye/Getty Images

“This decision was not personal nor an act of canceling anyone. At Fans at Sea, we believe in second chances and personal growth,” Patrick Harbison said in a statement. “Our priority is to create a drama-free, fun-filled experience for everyone. To ensure this, we made adjustments to keep the cruise enjoyable and welcoming for all guests.”

RHONJ's Jennifer Aydin Reacts to Andy Cohen's Take on Jersey Mike's Drama

Aydin, for her part, recalled to Us how she learned about losing the role. “Somebody had messaged me [while on vacation] that I was cut from the cruise. I had no idea,” Aydin exclusively told Us. “My manager didn’t want to tell me. She didn’t want anything to ruin my trip. Then I went to the website and I saw my name wasn’t there. And you know what? I took it like a champ.”

Aydin noted that she accepted the cruise’s decision. “This is a business and this is their business, and I do not want them to receive any backlash because of me,” she told Us. “The cruise was a fun idea for me because I love an opportunity to engage with the fans, but it’s all good. The timing wasn’t the most ideal for my family. The kids are going back to school that week and my kids were already complaining that I had committed to doing it. Everything happens for a reason.”

She continued, “I understand that this is totally business and I respect the cruise’s decision.”

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