“My heart is broken. My Buddy Dave,” Watts, 56, wrote via Instagram on Thursday, January 16. “The world will not be the same without him. His creative mentorship was truly powerful. He put me on the map. The world I’d been trying to break into for ten plus years, flunking auditions left and right. Finally, I sat in front of a curious man, beaming with light, speaking words from another era, making me laugh and feel at ease. How did he even ‘see me’ when I was so well hidden, and I’d even lost sight of myself?!”
Watts noted that Lynch’s “wisdom, humor, and love” impacted her as much as his art. “Every moment together felt charged with a presence I’ve rarely seen or known. Probably because, yes, he seemed to live in an altered world, one that I feel beyond lucky to have been a small part of,” she gushed. “And David invited all to glimpse into that world through his exquisite storytelling, which elevated cinema and inspired generations of filmmakers across the globe.”
The actress concluded her heartfelt post by stating that she “just cannot believe that he’s gone,” adding, “I’m in pieces but forever grateful for our friendship. I’m yelling from the bullhorn: Godspeed, Buddy Dave! Thank you for your everything. — Buttercup xox.”
J. Vespa/WireImage
Naomi Watts and David Lynch at the 2001 Premiere Magazine Party
Watts’ post featured a sweet snap of herself kissing Lynch on the cheek, as well as a clip of them on the set of the 2017 Twin Peaks revival. “No, come on. Slap me. You’re pissed off. Slap me,” Lynch told Watts while rehearsing. Watts replied, “No, I don’t want to,” after which the director embraced her for a hug.
After starting her career in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, Watts scored her breakout role in Lynch’s 2001 mystery thriller Mulholland Drive. She portrayed lookalikes Betty Elms and Diane Selwyn, the former of which worked to help a woman with amnesia named Rita (played by Laura Harring) unravel the truth of her identity.
Naomi Watts and Laura Elena Harring in ‘Mulholland Drive’Cover Images
Watts teamed up with Lynch again for the 2017 revival of his hit show Twin Peaks as Janey-E Jones, the wife of Kyle MacLachlan’s Dougie Jones. She also had a voice-over role in Lynch’s last directorial feature, 2006’s Inland Empire.
Lynch’s family confirmed the filmmaker’s death in a Facebook post on Thursday following his battle with emphysema. “It is with deep regret that we, his family, announce the passing of the man and the artist, David Lynch. We would appreciate some privacy at this time,” the statement read. “There’s a big hole in the world now that he’s no longer with us. But, as he would say, ‘Keep your eye on the donut and not on the hole.’ It’s a beautiful day with golden sunshine and blue skies all the way.”
In addition to posting her own tribute, Watts shared MacLachlan’s reaction post via her Instagram Story with several broken heart emojis. “Forty-two years ago, for reasons beyond my comprehension, David Lynch plucked me out of obscurity to star in his first and last big budget movie,” MacLachlan, who starred in Lynch’s original film adaptation of Dune as well as Twin Peaks, captioned pics of them from over the years on Thursday. “He clearly saw something in me that even I didn’t recognize. I owe my entire career, and life really, to his vision.”
He continued: “I will miss him more than the limits of my language can tell and my heart can bear. My world is that much fuller because I knew him and that much emptier now that he’s gone.”
Lynch is survived by his four children — daughters Jennifer and Lula and sons Austin and Riley — whom he shares with his ex-wives.
Disgraced Grey’s Anatomy writer Elisabeth Finch got slammed for attempting to privately fundraise for L.A. wildfire relief efforts after previously lying about a cancer diagnosis.
Finch announced on her private Facebook page earlier this month that she was collecting funds directly to her Venmo account to “avoid GoFundMe fees.”
“This is just me. Boots on the ground. It was challenging enough getting dog food while evacuated and I was at a safe place,” read Finch’s alleged post that circulated around on social media. “So this is for people who have virtually nothing and have pets with basic needs.”
Actress Jamie Denbo called Finch out by sharing a screenshot on Thursday, January 16, of her request, adding, “This person is a SCAMMER and a LIAR. It is well documented in the Peacock series Anatomy of Lies. Unless you want to send her donations of 69 cents for her ‘cancer treatment’ (she doesn’t have cancer) or perhaps ‘in memory of her late brother’ (he’s alive) or any thing else she has lied about (everything). DO NOT DONATE to Elisabeth Finch!!!”
Hours after the latest drama made headlines, Finch released a statement to The Hollywood Reporter about her good intentions.
“I recognize, given my history, people might be skeptical of my fundraising efforts,” she told the outlet. “I’m trying to make amends in as many ways I can, including helping my community — especially during these difficult times. So many organizations are calling for gift cards because they are overwhelmed with physical donations, and I didn’t want peoples’ pet needs to get lost in the shuffle.”
Denbo, meanwhile, replied to The Hollywood Reporterwith a text message. “Elisabeth continues to scam, deceive and produce incredible material for comedians like myself to use and mock her relentlessly,” she added. “I can’t thank her enough! (For just the last thing.) Keep it up, Finch!”
Finch previously made headlines after Vanity Fair published an exposé in 2022 that called many of her claims into question. The former screenwriter alleged in various publications that she had a rare form of bone cancer, helped clean the remains of her friend’s body from the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh after the 2018 shooting, lost a kidney and part of her leg and allegedly endured abuse by a male director during her time on The Vampire Diaries.
Finch was subsequently placed on administrative leave while Disney investigated the allegations that she fabricated her medical and personal history. Finch ultimately resigned from Grey’s Anatomy in 2022. She later admitted she never had any form of cancer. Finch took back all of her statements except her sexual harassment accusation against the TVD director and her claims that her brother abused her when they were younger.
“I’ve given no one any reason to believe a word I say. I lied about so much that so many people have been devastated by in real life. ‘I’m sorry’ feels like the smallest words compared to what I’ve done, yet they are the truest,” Finch wrote via Instagram on in October 2024 after Peacock released their three-part docuseries about her scandal. “I trapped myself in the addiction of lies, betraying and traumatizing my closest family, friends, and colleagues.”
“I’m making amends and expressing my genuine remorse as best I can when people are ready. And I’ve accepted the fact that some may never be,” she noted. “I’ve been receiving mental health treatment for nearly three years, and I work hard every day to sustain a life where the truth matters more than anything.”
Cameron Diaz is back in action on the big screen — and her husband, Benji Madden, is her No. 1 fan.
“This is my QUEEN I celebrate this BADASS WOMAN. Wife, mommy, friend, partner, boss and lover,” Madden, 45, wrote via Instagram on Friday, January 17. “We just hit 10 YEARS married on January 5th and every year only gets more fulfilling. It’s special. Never perfect — always real [and] always reliable.”
He added, “Every day getting to have my best friend with me ride or die. What a beautiful life — I am GRATEFUL!!! and ANOTHER MiLESTONE happening TOMORROW!!! We are SO happy to see you…. BACK IN ACTION!! … Congrats baby!!.”
Madden further encouraged his social media followers to “go watch”Back in Action on Netflix, which stars 52-year-old Diaz and Jamie Foxx, who previously shared the screen in 2014’s Annie.
Madden also uploaded a sweet pic of the couple posing on a beach. In the fresh-faced selfie, Diaz wrapped her arm around the Good Charlotte rocker while he snapped the photo.
Benji Madden and Cameron DiazCourtesy of Benji Madden/Instagram
Back in Action is Diaz’s first acting role in a decade. She previously took a step back from Hollywood in 2018 to focus on her family. Diaz and Madden, who got married in 2015, welcomed daughter Raddix in 2019. Son Cardinal followed in 2024.
“Being a wife and a mother has been the most … fulfilling part of my life so far,” Diaz said during a February 2021 appearance on SiriusXM’s Quarantined With Bruce show. “I waited for this … so I didn’t have any distractions. Like, I can’t imagine [working now]. As a mother with my child, to have to be on a movie set that takes 14 hours, 16 hours, of my time away from her — I just couldn’t.”
She continued at the time, “I personally feel like I wouldn’t be the mom that I am now had I chosen to do that at any other time in my life.”
During her film hiatus, Diaz felt like she was “trying to stay alive just like every other mother.”
“I’m just trying to keep it going,” Diaz explained in an Instagram video shared via Netflix’s account on Wednesday, January 15.
A source exclusively told Us Weekly earlier this month that Madden “cheered her on every step of the way” when she decided to star in Back in Action.
“They’re a team,” a second insider told Us. “They’re always lifting each other up and prioritizing each other’s happiness. Benji’s a very hands-on dad and extremely helpful.”
Renée Zellweger revealed that she accidentally ripped her 2005 Oscars dress — and had to break into her own home to change out of it.
Zellweger, 55, reflected on the red Carolina Herrera gown she wore to the 77th Academy Awards during an interview for British Vogue’s Life in Looks segment on Thursday, January 16.
“First of all, this is an incredible dress – I love this dress,” the actress began.
Zellweger’s gown had a strapless neckline and a mermaid-style train, which she said ripped when somebody stepped on it after the ceremony.
“I remember as we were leaving that night, a gentleman had stepped on the train, and I kept walking in the other direction, and it ripped right off my dress from right beneath my booty,” she added.
Zellweger said she went home to change outfits before going to an afterparty, but quickly realized she had forgotten her keys.
She continued: “I had to climb up the balcony to the second floor, and climb in through a little bathroom window in that dress, with a hole under my booty.”
Zellweger’s most recent interview comes ahead of the release of her new film, Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy, which premieres on February 13 on Peacock.
It’s the fourth instalment in the film franchise following the release of Bridget Jones (2011), Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004), and Bridget Jones’ Baby (2016).
In a discussion with costar Hugh Grant for British Vogue, Zellweger opened up about her six-year hiatus from acting, which lasted from 2010 until 2016.
“I was sick of the sound of my own voice,” she said.
“When I was working, I was like, ‘Oh, my gosh, listen to you. Are you sad again, Renée? Oh, is this your mad voice?’ It was a regurgitation of the same emotional experiences.”
Zellweger’s break was far from leisurely. Zellweger, who has been dating Ant Anstead since 2021, told the publication that she spent her time writing music, studying international law, and focusing on her health, among other ventures.
“I built a house, rescued a pair of older doggies, created a partnership that led to a production company, advocated for and fundraised with a sick friend, and spent a lot of time with family and godchildren and driving across the country with the dogs. I got healthy,” she said.
Courtesy of Chris O’Donnell/Instagram; Courtesy of Kyle Marisa Roth/Instagram
The deaths of several online stars have shaken the TikTok community — and broken the hearts of fans — over the years.
Taylor Rousseau Grigg died in October 2024 at the age of 25 after battling undisclosed medical issues. Her husband, Cameron Grigg, announced her death via social media, revealing she’d been “in and out of the hospital since we got married” in 2023.
Two months before her death, Taylor celebrated her first wedding anniversary with Cameron. “Happy one year to us. I love you, Cameron!! ,” she wrote via Instagram in August 2024, posting footage from their special day.
Earlier in 2024, TikTok star Kyle Marisa Rothdied at the age of 36. Her cause of death was not immediately known, but fans honored her legacy upon the news.
“I know I never met Kyle in real life, but I really felt like I knew her,” actress Julia Fox wrote in the comments section of Kyle’s sister Lindsay Roth’s announcement that April. “I’m so devastated and have been crying ever since the news leaked on TikTok. I really hope she did it suffer and I hope she knew how much she touched our lives. She was a ray of sunshine and I will miss her deeply.”
Scroll down for a look back at some of the most shocking TikTok star deaths:
Timothy Hall
Timbo the Redneck/TikTok
Hall, who was known on social media as “Timbo the Redneck,” was killed in August 2021 after being in an accident involving his pick-up truck. He was 18. Hall was doing donuts in his vehicle when the truck flipped and he flew out of the driver’s seat, according to a video posted by a family friend named Tony. The truck landed on Hall and killed him.
Hall’s mother confirmed his death on his TikTok account saying, “He won’t be making any more videos, no more videos at all. My son was in a bad accident yesterday and didn’t make it, and I want to thank everybody for all the fans that he had.”
She added, “He loved TikTok and just believed in all the fans and everybody that supported him and it meant a lot to him. Sometimes he wouldn’t listen to me, he’d say, ‘I gotta do this TikTok!'”
Cooper Noriega
Courtesy of Cooper Noriega/Instagram
Us Weekly confirmed in June 2022 that Noriega died at the age of 19. Noriega was found dead in a parking lot, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner. Six months later, the coroner determined that his death was due to the combined effects of fentanyl, lorazepam, which is used to treat anxiety, and alprazolam, also known as Xanax. The medical examiner added that Noriega’s recent use of clonazepam, another anxiety medicine, was a separate factor in his death.
Prior to his death, Noriega, who was also a model, opened up about struggling with mental illness and substance use. “I’ve been struggling with addiction since I was 9 years old, you may think that’s crazy but that’s the life I’ve been dealt,” he said in a TikTok video days before his passing, revealing he created a Discord server for his followers to share their stories.
“One of the many things I’ve learned while struggling with addiction was that surrounding yourself with negative people will only bring you down,” Noriega added. “For that reason, Discord is meant to bring us all together and create a safe space where people can vent and help others through their tough times.
In November 2023, two men, one of whom is Erick Oved Estrada, were arrested for their alleged connection to Noriega’s death. Prosecutors alleged that one of Estrada’s associates distributed “fentanyl-laced oxycodone” to Noriega, which caused a fatal overdose. All parties involved pleaded not guilty and a trial was set for January 2024, but has since been rescheduled for November 2024, according to the Simi Valley Acorn.
Kyle Marisa Roth
Kyle Marisa RothCourtesy of Kyle Marisa Roth/Instagram
Kyle’s mom, Jacquie Cohen Roth, announced her daughter’s death in April 2024 via LinkedIn, writing, “My daughter Kyle has passed away. She touched some of your lives personally and some of your lives via her immense life on another platform. … Nothing makes sense now and we’ll understand more in the next few days. Be kind to one another please.” Kyle was 36 at the time of her death.
In August 2024, Maryland’s Chief Medical Examiner’s report revealed that Kyle’s death was caused by a cardiac arrhythmia due to myocardial fibrosis. Kyle’s toxicology report showed traces of diphenhydramine, an antihistamine such as Benadryl, as well as mitragynine, which is often used for pain management, according to the report obtained by TMZ.
Kyle previously told her followers about her journey to overcome colon cancer as well as multiple surgeries that led to “lots of bad ass f—ing scars.” She shared in July 2021 via X that she’d had “three major abdominal surgeries, one reconstructive shoulder surgery” was “missing” three internal organs and experienced “over a dozen broken bones.”
Jainer Moises Pinedo Vargas
Courtesy of Jainer Moises Pinedo Vargas/Instagram
Vargas, who was known as the “Dancing Engineer” on TikTok, died in August 2024 due to complications of dengue fever. He was 34. Vargas contracted the mosquito-borne disease while in Condorcanqui Province, Peru, one month prior.
After going to the hospital in Bagua, Peru, Vargas was transferred to a larger facility in Chiclayo when doctors discovered fluid around his lungs. His condition continued to worsen and Vargas was put on a ventilator. Doctors later found that Vargas had Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which Department of Health Deputy Minister Ricardo Peña told Peru21 likely contributed to his death.
Caleb Graves
Caleb GravesSteven Simione/Getty Images
Graves died in September 2024 at the age of 33 after running in the Disneyland Halloween Half Marathon. The TikTok star reportedly received medical assistance shortly after he crossed the finished line in Anaheim, California. The Anaheim Police Department public information officer Sergeant Matt Sutter told Us in a statement that one of the workers noticed Graves “clutching his chest” and “noticed he was going into cardiac arrest.”
Sutter continued: “He was quickly transported to the nearby Anaheim Global Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead approximately an hour later.” An exact cause of death has not been revealed.
Graves, who gained over 18,000 followers on TikTok for sharing content about the Disney parks and films, revealed one day prior to the race that he was “worried” about the California heat for the marathon. He recalled walking his dog outside for 20 minutes in the heat and then “10 minutes after I got back in, I just passed out, fell asleep, no control over my body. It was heat exhaustion, ’cause it’s only happened once to me before.”
Taylor Rousseau Grigg
Courtesy of Taylor Rousseau Grigg/Instagram
Taylor’s husband, Cameron, confirmed her death in October 2024, revealing it was “so sudden and unexpected.” The TikTok star, who also owned online boutiques Geaux Savage and Sauvage and Beauty, was 25.
“No one ever expects to have to deal with this kind of pain and heartache, especially at our age,” Cameron wrote via Instagram. “This past year Taylor has dealt with more pain and suffering than most people do in a lifetime. And in spite of that she still has been such a light and always brought joy to everyone around her.”
He continued, “She is the most brave and strong woman I know, and her confidence in the Lord outweighed every other circumstance she’s faced, even in her darkest hours. I know she’s saved my life and so many others out there. Her earthly body is still here with us being run by machines to keep her organs viable for donation.”
Taylor’s cause of death was not revealed, but she previously told her followers that she was dealing with several undisclosed medical issues.
“It made me feel super fatigued, tired, weak. I had some other complications and symptoms going on,” she previously said in an August 2024 TikTok video, detailing her treatment. “I finally started to feel a little bit strong enough to come back to New York [City], where my support system of friends are and where I also feel more inspired to go on walks and strengthen my body a little bit.”
Bella Bradford
In a video uploaded weeks after the influencer died on October 15, 2024, she announced her own death. She was 24.
“I have terminal cancer and unfortunately, by now, my life has come to an end, and I’ve passed away,” she shared in the video uploaded on October 31. “But I wanted to do one final Get Ready With Me because I love doing these, and I love fashion. Thank you for following me on this fun journey, and yeah, I hope you will back on all my videos and find a little bit of joy in your day if you ever needed to feel.”
Bradford died following a battle with a rare type of cancer in her jaw muscle. She was diagnosed in 2021.
“Thank you guys so much for this wild and wonderful ride,” Bradford also told followers. “I hope you all have beautiful and amazing lives, and I wish all the best for every single one of you. Lots of love.”
Chris O’Donnell
Courtesy of Chris O’Donnell/Instagram
O’Donnell, best known as Creeohdee, died at the age of 31 in January 2025, according to his online obituary. A cause of death was not confirmed in the obituary, though E! News reported that his death was ruled a suicide by the Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s office.
“Chris, I’ll love you forever. You’ve been a light in my life since we met in 2016. I wish we would’ve moved to CA together in 2021 like we talked about,” O’Donnell’s friend Morgan Ballou wrote in a message on the obituary page. “I wish we kept in touch more than just online every few weeks. I have so many wishes. In the end, I wish you peace. My heart is broken. All the love and thoughts in the world to your family and Blue.”
Max Thieriot as Bode Leone and Jared Padalecki as Camden Casey.Eric Milner/CBS
Fire Country doesn’t just have one — but two — spinoffs in the works.
The town of Edgewater was originally introduced when Fire Country premiered in 2022 with inmate Bode (Max Thieriot) returning home and volunteering for the California Conservation Camp Program during season 1 of the hit show. By season 2, a backdoor pilot introduced the world of Sheriff Country, which received a straight-to-series order with Morena Baccarin at the helm.
Fire Countrydidn’t stop there as Jared Padalecki was introduced in season 3. At the time, multiple outlets reported that Padalecki’s character, Camden Casey, was being set up for a potential spinoff, which star and executive producer Thieriot didn’t deny.
“Who knows where this character goes down the road? That’s all kind of just TBD [To Be Decided]. But in the meantime, we just wanted to create a really exciting and fun character arc for him on this show,” Thieriot exclusively told Us Weekly in October 2024. “We also wanted to introduce him as somebody who’s a part of this world but feels different than our world. Somebody who comes from a different part of the state — a different part of California — and somebody who has a totally different vibe.”
Padalecki’s character will “open up the world” for viewers. “Not every firefighter is from small country towns, but they can be from all over,” Thieriot noted.
When viewers last saw Camden, he was coming to terms with how unaddressed trauma was influencing his professional life. He subsequently returned home to find himself — and that opened the door for a show of its own.
Keep scrolling for everything to know about Fire Country‘s spinoff Fire Country: Surfside:
When Will ‘Fire Country: Surfside’ Premiere on CBS?
Eric Milner/CBS
CBS hasn’t yet officially ordered Fire Country: Surfside, which is in contention after the success of Fire Country and upcoming spinoff Sheriff Country. Padalecki is set to reprise his role as Camden Casey after a three-episode arc on Fire Country.
What Is ‘Fire Country: Surfside’ About?
Max Thieriot as Bode Leone and Jared Padalecki as Camden Casey.Sergei Bachlakov/CBS
Padalecki was a guest star during the first half of Fire Country season 3 as Bode attempted to pass fire camp after his release. Camden didn’t make it easy on Bode and his time on the show ended with the seasoned firefighter admitting he was still mourning the loss of his younger brother. Camden ultimately headed back to Southern California to be closer to the beach — and to face some unfinished business.
Before Padalecki made his highly-anticipated appearance, multiple outlets reported that Fire Country: Surfside would check back in with Camden as he continued his journey to healing.
Will Jared Padalecki’s Other Show on CBS Create an Issue for ‘Fire Country’ Spinoff?
Jared Padalecki as Camden Casey and Max Thieriot as Bode LeoneEric Milner/CBS
After Padalecki worked with showrunner Anna Fricke on Walker, they reunited on an untitled series for CBS about a headstrong country doctor practicing a unique style of improvisational medicine. The show is in development as part of Padalecki’s ongoing first-look deal but shouldn’t conflict with Fire Country: Surfside.
Deadline reported in January 2025 that any possible spinoff would not move forward before the debut of Sheriff Country spinoff, which would allow Padalecki to star in two shows at one network.
Could ‘Fire Country’ Stars Show Up on ‘Fire Country: Surfside’?
“Jared and I have been friends for a long time and have always just been friends in a personal way. We never had the opportunity to work together,” Thieriot exclusively told Us in October 2024. “So this was a big thing where he and I were just really excited to be able to finally get to work together. We really do have a lot of fun and our families have a great time together.”
Thieriot added: “When I knew that Jared was a little bit of a free agent for five minutes, I was like, ‘All right, now’s the time. Let’s do something.’ For us, it was also just finding an impactful way to introduce him into the show. I know Jared’s a great actor and he has such a presence on screen.”
Before talk of Fire Country: Surfside, CBS greenlit Sheriff Country in early 2024, which is centered around Sharon’s (Diane Farr) stepsister Mickey (Baccarin). The new drama isn’t expected to premiere until the 2025-2026 season.
“I think there’s still a lot of room to explore. There’s more room to explore in Edgewater and outside of Edgewater,” Thieriot teased to Us in May 2024. “When I started, I was always putting the cart before the horse. In my head, I had probably at least three other versions outside of Fire Country. Whether any of those ever see the light of day — we’ll see. But I certainly have at least a couple more ideas for this world.”
Before there was Golden, there was nearly Elsa Mahomes.
Prior to giving birth to her and husband Patrick Mahomes’ second daughter on Sunday, January 12, Brittany Mahomes, told Today, “My daughter wants me to name her Elsa. She was set on it for a while, but obviously we’re not doing that!”
The couple settled on Golden Raye, who joined sister Sterling, 3, and brother Bronze, 2.
“We went back and forth [on the name] for a while,” Brittany added at the time. “But the one we settled on, we really, really love.”
Brittany also shared son Bronze’s reaction to becoming a big brother, adding, “All he says is ‘I want baby sissy,’ and then he’ll ask to see my stomach. Although I’m not sure if it’s registered that an actual human is coming. And Sterling is completely obsessed. She loves to play with babies.”
Patrick Mahomes, Bronze, Brittany Mahomes and Sterling.Jamie Squire/Getty Images
While reflecting on her exhausting pregnancy, Brittany praised Patrick, 29, for being the “most supportive husband in the world.”
“If I’m complaining or I’m in a bad mood, he gets it. He’s not gonna argue with me,” she noted. “He’s not gonna push my buttons. He knows.”
Patrick and Brittany started dating as teenagers in high school, and they stayed together throughout Patrick’s rise to NFL stardom after he was drafted to the Chiefs in 2017. Patrick and Brittany got engaged in 2020 after eight years together. They exchanged vows in March 2022.
Prior to welcoming Golden, Patrick and Brittany have discussed the origins of daughter Sterling and son Bronze’s name.
“My brother Jackson [Mahomes], whenever we were trying to find something that was a little unique and different, he said, ‘What about Bronze? It fits perfectly with Sterling,’” Patrick said during a press conference in November 2022. “So, we went with that. It works out well. He can have his own thing now where he’s not Patrick, he’s Bronze, even though he’s Patrick. And, Sterling and Bronze can have that connection moving forward.”
As for Sterling, Brittany discussed the special connection, sharing on Instagram Story in April 2023. “I got [our dog] Steel in college and named him that. We then got our second dog and was gonna name her Sterling because it went with Steel perfect.”
Brittany continued: “Then I said no, I want that to be my daughter’s name, so then we came up with Silver to go with Steel.”
Dear White People‘s DeRon Horton is focused on his recovery after he was recently involved in a shooting.
“First off. I wanna give an honor to God for covering me and protecting me to make it out this situation and countless other ones,” Horton, 32, wrote via Instagram on Thursday, January 16. “Everybody that checked on me n holla’d at me specially my family n friends I love yall, Thank you.”
Horton uploaded several photos of his injury — including an X-ray that showed the bullet in his arm.
“Gettin shot a few days before Xmas def wasn’t on my wish list ,” he continued. “But it happened mf shot thru the car at me bullet broke my arm shattered it all type o s—. But I’m Blessed dawg to not be in a casket or paralyzed.”
Horton noted that he was not focused on “healing,” adding, “I got a plate n screws in my mf arm, so I can’t workout for a minute which I’m mad about BUT it coulda been worse! And I don’t need no sympathy I’m finna bounce right back I feel amazing .”
He concluded: “I just wanted to remind yall and myself to Keep God first! Stay Alert n Grateful for Everything. the devil can’t stop sh*t when you walk w God.”
The actor received an outpouring of support in the comments section from his former costars, including Ashley Blaine Featherson-Jenkins, who appeared on Dear White People. “Thank GOD for your life. I’m so so SO happy you’re ok,” she wrote.
DeRon HortonEric Charbonneau/Getty Images for AppleTV+
Logan Browning, another fellow star from the Netflix series, left an emotional message, which read, “Dear God, thank you for protecting my special Deron .”
Samuel L. Jackson, who worked with Horton on The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey, reached out to him as well. “Glad you’re still with us, Tuff Stuff!!! Good thing you’re covered by the All mighty,” he replied. “Hoping you heal quickly & painlessly as possible. Stay Blessed.”
Before playing Lionel on Dear White People, which aired from 2017 to 2021, Horton booked roles in Roman J. Israel, Esq., American Vandal, American Horror Story, Bad Hair, Endless and Bliss. Horton previously reflected on how his career journey allowed him to share the screen with Denzel Washington in Roman J. Israel, Esq.
“I feel like he’s somewhat changed my life, saved my life,” he told The Hollywood Reporter in 2018. “I will say that him and other people that I look up to very much and to see this person in the flesh and just know in my high school brain, I was like, ‘I just hope to be like him one day,’ and I’m sitting here looking at him.”
“I want to stargaze, I want to ask him 2,000 questions, but I also want to be as good as him right now and try and create this scene,” he shared. “So it was really tough, but we got to talk about a lot of stuff. We talked about Shakespeare, we talked about God, we talked about love, making mistakes and stuff like that, but it was a really, really humbling experience for me.”
“My injury just ended up being a bad sprain, but I understand why the medic made the call he made even though it still all feels very unfair,” Fedotowsky, 40, wrote in a Wednesday, January 15, Instagram post. “I never actually went to the medic. He came to our barracks to check on some people with hypothermia and I asked him for some tape and ibuprofen and that’s when he looked at my hand and told me to come to his office. I just wanted Advil!”
She continued, “Even though the DS and the producers wanted me to have the choice to keep going, once the medic makes the call nobody can go against it. I’m disappointed. I wanted the experience so badly. Maybe I’ll have another chance one day! But regardless, I’m still so incredibly grateful for the experience. It’s changed the way I feel about pushing myself in my body to its limits and change the way I think about strength and health.”
Fedotowsky was one of the recruits on season 3 of the reality TV competition, which is currently airing on Fox.
“So, I just got medically withdrawn. It was my finger,” Fedotowsky said in a video taken after her departure. “I don’t know if it’s broken or not. I feel like when I was there, I had so much adrenaline that I felt like 100 percent wasn’t but now that I’m letting my body come down, I’m thinking it might be. I’m super disappointed and bummed and mad and all the things.”
A local doctor in Wales believed Fedotowsky had “the tendon ripped off her finger.” She ultimately got an MRI when she arrived back home in the United States, which confirmed that the injury was a sprain.
Ali Manno (Fedotowsky) on ‘Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test.’Pete Dadds/FOX
“[The hand surgeon] said I could have stayed,” Fedotowsky said in a follow-up video filmed earlier this month. “I still understand why the medic made the decision he made in the moment.”
Fedotowsky, who explained that Special Forces was “so much harder than it looks,” left early on the third day.
Despite her show exit, Fedotowsky still learned a lot from the overall experience.
“I wanted to prove I was a badass. I’m like, ‘I want to prove myself physically. I want to train as hard as I can, make it to the end. There was no quitting in my mind,’” she exclusively told Us Weekly ahead of the premiere. “My girlfriend made me a ring and the inside said, ‘Keep beeping going,’ and she’s like, ‘No matter what.’ I couldn’t wear the ring on the show ’cause you can’t wear jewelry, but I kept thinking about it. ‘Keep going, keep going. Just keep beeping going.’”
Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test airs on Fox Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET.
In the comments of her last December 2024 Instagram post, one social media user theorized Kirkconnell’s reaction to James’ faith-driven breakup statement.
“The more I’m thinking about it, the more I think he completely blindsided her with this,” the fan wrote on Thursday, January 16. “Give her some grace and let her respond in her own time.”
Kirkconnell, 28, subtly dropped a “like” on the message but has not offered further comment. A source now tells Us Weekly that Kirkconnell wasn’t blindsided by the split itself but rather James’ statement and post.
Several hours earlier, James, 33, confirmed the pair ended their relationship.
“Father God, give Rachael and I strength to mend our broken hearts,” James captioned an Instagram pic from their time on The Bachelor. “Give us a peace [sic] about this decision to end our relationship that transcends worldly understanding. Shower our friends and family with kindness and love to comfort us. And remind us that our Joy comes from you, Lord .”
Rachael Kirkconnell and Matt JamesAlexander Tamargo/Getty Images
James did not elaborate on what led to the breakup but turned off his social media comments on the upload. Days earlier, he and Kirkconnell were on a joint trip to London and uploaded content from their culinary adventures.
Kirkconnell was James’ final pick on The Bachelor season 25, which was filmed in 2020. They briefly broke up after the finale when Kirkconnell’s past racially insensitive social media posts resurfaced online only to reconcile one month after taping the live After the Final Rose special.
James and Kirkconnell continued to go the distance for three more years, often getting candid about their hesitancy to get engaged.
“I feel like when you feel pressure, it’s when you don’t wanna do something,” James exclusively told Us Weekly in June 2024. “So I’ve never really felt pressure [to get engaged] because it’s something that I’ve always wanted to do. It’s something that we’re gonna do at some point. That’s why we’re together and what we’re working toward. I’m excited about our future.”
Four months later, James hinted that a proposal was “the next step” once Kirkconnell picked out an engagement ring she liked best.
“I feel that’s definitely something we want. I’m on his time,” Kirkconnell said during a joint appearance on the “De-Influenced” podcast in October 2024. “My problem is I definitely need to go find a ring I like and everything, but that’s on him at that point. … That’s a problem, I don’t even know what I want.”
Lana Del Rey, Chappell RoanAmy Sussman;Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic/Getty Images(2)
For decades, it’s been an unspoken rule that celebrities are expected to be friendly and approachable in public — but lately, we’ve seen a shift in stars dropping the facade when their boundaries are crossed.
The dad of three, 37, isn’t the only star who’s lost their cool when provoked. In June 2024, footage circulated of Lana Del Rey clashing with a group of people following her and her family in Paris. (She later allegedly claimed on social media that they were “stalkers” who told her they’d try to “make me look bad.”)
There’s no argument that — to borrow from Jason’s subsequent apology — to “greet hate with hate” is entirely unacceptable. Still, these incidents have inspired an important conversation about the expectations of public figures’ reactions when their personal space is violated.
With fan culture (and criticism) reaching new heights in today’s social media–driven society, it’s no wonder stars are getting tired of keeping up appearances.
“[A fan] may see a public figure as not being human in the same way they are — they may rather view them as larger than life, not ‘real’, and not empathize with being violated,” Dr. Gail Saltz, associate professor of psychiatry at the New York-Presbyterian Hospital Weill Cornell School of Medicine, told Us. Alternatively, “Their envy of the celebrity who seems to have it all could drive their being aggressive and feeling entitled to act in whatever way they choose.”
Feeling entitled to a star’s attention is not only misguided but can also lead to negative interactions. “Sometimes a celebrity is pushed to assert boundaries because others are threatening, disrespectful, hurtful, attacking or dangerous,” Saltz shared. That may just be what the person who is doing the provoking is hoping for: “Negative attention is deemed better than no attention at all to someone who craves the attention.”
It’s easy to dismiss a celebrity who lashes out in public as selfish or difficult, but sometimes, they’ve simply reached their limit. “This tends to occur when there are a combination of emotional, psychological and situational factors at play,” licensed clinical professional counselor Anne M. Appel told Us, pointing to stress, burnout and fatigue as factors. “Ideally, they’d respond in a calm and composed way — however, just like all people, they can get pushed to a ‘breaking point’ and may react in a less than ideal way publicly.”
This could explain the April 2024 video of Alec Baldwin allegedly hitting a cell phone out of a stranger’s hand. In reality, the individual had been berating him for several moments — going so far as to ask an offensive question about the victim of the fatal 2021 Rust shooting — before he reacted.
Setting limits is “absolutely reasonable,” says Appel, who encourages celebrities to communicate their expectations “clearly and directly.”
Alec BaldwinSonia Moskowitz/Getty Images
But is it bad business for a household name to show their less-than-shiny sides, like when Chappell Roan received mixed reactions for publicly confronting photographers on two separate occasions? According to Robbie Vorhaus, founder of PR/media company Vorhaus Communications, Inc., it depends on the context.
“The issue of celebrities having their boundaries crossed is complex because public visibility is inherently part of their profession,” he told Us. “However, this doesn’t justify harassment or invasion of personal space.”
Tom Holland and ZendayaXNY/Star Max/GC Images/Getty Images
Paparazzi are known to invade celebrities’ personal space. For example, Tom Holland was filmed allegedly pushing away a photographer who got a little too close to his now-fiancée, Zendaya, in October 2024 — but it’s unlikely the incident will resonate when it involves his flawless reputation.
“If a celebrity’s response appears justified, it rarely causes lasting career damage,” Vorhaus explained. Still, “We advise clients to establish clear boundaries while remaining professional, as a recorded outburst can overshadow the initial provocation.”
Chris Vlasto, cofounder of crisis communications firm Haven Strategies, agrees these incidents don’t have long-term effects, noting that for those who’ve had public scuffles with paparazzi, “All of the instances are replayed for decades but in the end, their audiences don’t care. The battles are meaningless and the fans are sympathetic.”
The takeaway? The Golden Rule — do unto others as you would have them do unto you — still applies when you’re dealing with those in the spotlight. A little empathy goes a long way, so remember there’s always more to the story, and that stars really are just like Us: They have good days and bad days too.
Blake Lively has responded via her legal team to Justin Baldoni’s studio filing a new lawsuit against her, her publicist Leslie Sloan and her husband Ryan Reynolds.
The filing, obtained by Us Weekly on Thursday, January 16, seeks damages of $400 million and accuses Lively, 37, of being “determined to make Baldoni the real-life villain in her story” to avert from her alleged “tone-deaf” promotion of It Ends With Us, the film which Baldoni, 40, and Lively worked on together. The lawsuit also contains accusations of civil extortion, defamation, false light invasion of privacy among other claims.
Lively’s legal team hit back at the Baldoni camp’s “desperate” strategy, sharing a statement with Us Weekly on Thursday, January 16 in response.
“This latest lawsuit from Justin Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios, and its associates is another chapter in the abuser playbook. This is an age-old story: A woman speaks up with concrete evidence of sexual harassment and retaliation and the abuser attempts to turn the tables on the victim. This is what experts call DARVO. Deny. Attack. Reverse Victim Offender,” the statement read. “Wayfarer has opted to use the resources of its billionaire co-founder to issue media statements, launch meritless lawsuits, and threaten litigation to overwhelm the public’s ability to understand that what they are doing is retaliation against sexual harassment allegations.”
Lively’s legal team accused Baldoni’s team of trying to “shift” the focus to Lively and away from Baldoni himself.
“They are trying to shift the narrative to Ms. Lively by falsely claiming that she seized creative control and alienated the cast from Mr. Baldoni. The evidence will show that the cast and others had their own negative experiences with Mr. Baldoni and Wayfarer. The evidence will also show that Sony asked Ms. Lively to oversee Sony’s cut of the film, which they then selected for distribution and was a resounding success,” the statement read.
The statement continued: “Their response to sexual harassment allegations: she wanted it, it’s her fault. Their justification for why this happened to her: look what she was wearing. In short, while the victim focuses on the abuse, the abuser focuses on the victim. The strategy of attacking the woman is desperate, it does not refute the evidence in Ms. Lively’s complaint, and it will fail.”
Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively.(Photo by Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)
Baldoni alleged that the feud between him and Lively began in May 2023 when the film started. He claimed Lively created a “takeover strategy” while they battled for creative control.
The documents include emails between Baldoni and Lively before filming began, with Baldoni claiming Lively “expressed warm gratitude” for the preparation but believed she would attempt to gain control.
Baldoni alleged that Lively hadn’t read It Ends With Us. The lawsuit reads, “she even tried to Google the color of her character’s hair rather than pick up the book.”
Following the lawsuit, Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, shared in a statement to Us, “This lawsuit is a legal action based on an overwhelming amount of untampered evidence detailing Blake Lively and her team’s duplicitous attempt to destroy Justin Baldoni, his team and their respective companies by disseminating grossly edited, unsubstantiated, new and doctored information to the media.”
The statement continued, “It is clear based on our own all out willingness to provide all complete text messages, emails, video footage and other documentary evidence that was shared between the parties in real time, that this is a battle she will not win and will certainly regret. Blake Lively was either severely misled by her team or intentionally and knowingly misrepresented the truth.”
“Ms. Lively will never again be allowed to continue to exploit actual victims of real harassment solely for her personal reputation gain at the expense of those without power,” the statement read. “Let’s not forget, Ms. Lively and her team attempted to bulldoze reputations and livelihoods for heinously selfish reasons through their own dangerous manipulation of the media before even taking any actual legal action. We know the truth, and now the public does too. Justin and his team have nothing to hide, documents do not lie.”
“I wonder when I leave this earth, when I leave the rat race, when I’m lying in the dirt, if you’d remember my face,” O’Donnell wrote, quoting lyrics from the song “Manic Man” by Curtis Waters.
The song played over a reel of O’Donnell singing, hiking, skiing, and driving around in multiple locations across Arizona and Utah.
Courtesy of Chris O'Donnell/Instagram
O’Donnell was best known for posting fitness and bull riding content to TikTok, where his account has more than 844,000 followers, and Instagram, where he has more than 241,000 followers.
O’Donnell died by suicide, according to a statement by the Maricopa County medical examiner’s office in Phoenix, Arizona, which was issued to multiple outlets, includingE! News and People.
The comments section of O’Donnell’s video, and other videos on his Instagram account, have been flooded with messages of condolences since the star’s death.
“May the views be even better up there for you Chris,” one person commented on the video from November 9.
Another wrote: “I’ll always remember you brother. Rest in peace.”
O’Donnell was vocal about mental health and used his platform to advocate for greater awareness. In a December 2022 Instagram post, he said: “I have been outspoken about mental health since I was speaking about it as a YL leader in high school, and have been transparent about my own struggles in the hopes it will help others along their own path.”
“I also got sober in 2018 and have been an advocate for substance abuse awareness ever since, helping men and women who are struggling find the treatment they need,” he added.
O’Donnell continued: “I thrive off of true, meaningful connection and lifting others up but I am also a very solitary person all the same and it takes a lot for me to fully let people in.”
“We see people on here through the lens that they allow us to see through, and I want you all to have a full field of view,” he wrote.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
Love Is Blind alum Kwame Appiahoverhauled his diet after an ulcerative colitis diagnosis.
“In November [2024], I got just a little bit sick. I felt just a little bit off, but I didn’t take it too seriously — and then next thing you know, we’re about a month in,” Appiah, 34, said in a Thursday, January 17, Instagram video. “By the time I got to the doctor’s in December, I was having fevers for about three weeks, I had lost 20 pounds. Based on those symptoms, the doctors discovered it could be an array of things.”
While Appiah’s physicians were initially worried he had cancer, it was eventually determined that the reality TV alum was battling ulcerative colitis. According to the Mayo Clinic, ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that causes sores in part of the digestive tract.
In his Instagram caption, Appiah called his diagnosis “very scary,” and detailed how he plans to manage his symptoms moving forward.
“This experience changed the way I think about it,” he wrote. “As someone who’s never experienced health-related issues, I’m now forced to change my diet and lifestyle to accommodate my health. Happily accepting that responsibility, and encouraging everyone to stay ahead, so you don’t get too far behind.”
“Quick reminder that life is incredibly precious,” the Netflix star said in his social media video. “I didn’t realize how important the normal things I did in my day were for me until I couldn’t do them anymore.”
Appiah continued, “Lesson No. 2: Small things can lead to big problems if we ignore them, so don’t. Lesson No. 3: Information is everything. You have to know what it is, if you are going to fight it.”
By the time the video was uploaded, Appiah was on the mend.
Kwame Appiah and Chelsea GriffinGreg Gayne/Netflix
“I’m going to end this with a lot of gratitude for the fact that I feel like myself again [and] for all the people who sent out love and support, gratitude for Chelsea [Griffin], who helped me and was there for me all the way through this,” Appiah said, referring to his wife. “It’s a new year, it’s a new opportunity for us to stay ahead of our health, so I’m wishing you all health, wealth and success. Hope you all have a great year.”
Appiah met Griffin, 33, during season 4 of Love Is Blindwhen the Netflix pods arrived in Seattle. After navigating love triangles and getting engaged sight unseen, Appiah and Griffin wed in the season finale.
Griffin also shared her support in the comments of Appiah’s upload.
“I love you, baby! To have you feeling better and on your way to remission is such a blessing,” the speech pathologist replied. “Proud of you for your message, your openness and advocacy. It’s not easy talking about such personal matters and you did so beautifully.”
The Bachelor star told Bustle in a profile published on Thursday, January 16, he “wasn’t that surprised” the cast of It Ends With Us distanced themselves from Baldoni, 40, as legal issues between him and Lively, 37, arose.
“I had the chance to interview Justin a couple of years ago on my show, and I just had a feeling he wasn’t the person he so loudly portrayed himself to be,” Viall, 44, told Bustle. “When the story broke that the entire cast and author of the book [the movie is based on] had clearly distanced themselves from him, I wasn’t that surprised. However, I was surprised how quickly the internet seemed to start trying to find reasons to discredit Blake by bringing up old interviews and past alleged mistakes.”
He added: “I think the internet has made it easier for people to share other people’s opinions rather than come up with their own. This story just kind of reinforced that.”
Viall interviewed Baldoni for his podcast “The Viall Files” in January 2023. As rumors of bad blood between Lively and Baldoni swirled in August 2024, Viall questioned why Baldoni hired PR crisis manager, Melissa Nathan, who previously represented Johnny Depp during his legal battle with Amber Heard.
“This PR team eviscerated Amber Heard online,” Viall said via his podcast at the time. “It was, like, an all-out assault on her character.”
In the interview with Bustle, Viall alluded to his previous comments on the Baldoni/Lively feud and said he was just “sharing his opinion.”
“When I shared my opinion on this topic, I didn’t see it as speaking out as much; it was me sharing my opinion and challenging my audience to ask themselves different questions,” he explained.
Justin Baldoni.(Photo by Getty)
Rumors of a rift between Baldoni and Lively first arose in August 2024 during the promotional trail for It Ends With Us when the pair, who were both the lead actors in the film, did not do press together.
In December 2024, Lively sued Baldoni for sexual harassment. (Baldoni denied all allegations against him made in the lawsuit, which was obtained by Us Weekly.)
It Ends With Us author Colleen Hooverdescribed Lively as “honest” and “brave” via her Instagram the same day the lawsuit was reported.
Days later, Baldoni was among 10 plaintiffs who launched a $250 million lawsuit against The New York Times for its coverage of Lively’s accusations. (A spokesperson for The New York Times told Us that the outlet is planning to “vigorously defend against the lawsuit.”)
Lively filed a lawsuit that same day against Baldoni in a New York federal court which mirrored her earlier claims — which were filed with the California Civil Rights Department.
Baldoni’s studio filed a new lawsuit on Thursday against Lively, her publicist Leslie Sloane, and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, seeking damages of $400 million. The lawsuit includes accusations of civil extortion, defamation, false light invasion of privacy and other claims.
Winter weather bringing you down? Now that the snow has turned to slush, we’re ready for some spring sunshine!
While March is still months away, we can still pretend it’s spring by getting a head start on seasonal shopping. Our idea of spring cleaning? Clearing out our closet so we have room for new styles!
Shop these 11 looks we’re eyeing for spring and summer, from sundresses to sandals.
Boho-Chic Skirt With Built-In Shorts
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This flowy skort is the perfect spring staple! Pair this tiered mini with a tank or graphic tee for endless outfit combinations.
Swing into spring in this multi-colored shirt dress by English Factory! Featuring long sleeves and a loose fit, this mini frock is flattering and forgiving.
The Zoolander actor, 59, and Taylor, 53, briefly separated in 2017 before reuniting during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, the couple — who share daughter Ella, 22, and son Quinlin, 19 — aren’t taking a single day for granted.
“I think we both wanted it,” Stiller said of his reconciliation with Taylor during a Thursday, January 16, appearance on The View.
He continued, “In a relationship — we’ve been married for 25 years — you have to work at it. COVID happened and we all got in a house together with our family. I’m grateful. I’m so grateful we’re back together.”
Stiller admitted that sometimes exes shouldn’t get back together because it’s “not the right thing,” but for him and Taylor, “it was the right thing.”
“Now, every day that we’re together, we do not take for granted. I know I don’t,” the comedian gushed. “Because you know it could go away. That, to me, is the gift [of] our relationship is that we have that every day. I’m so happy that we’re [back together].”
Stiller said his marriage was not “in a great place” after moving from California back to New York following the release of Zoolander 2, a flop that “blindsided” Stiller.
“There was a lot going on,” Stiller said. “When we separated, it was just having space to see what our relationship was, what my life felt like when we weren’t in that relationship, how much I loved our family unit.”
“It was like three or four years that we weren’t together but we always were connected. In my mind, I never didn’t want us to be together,” he continued. “I don’t know where Christine was, you’d have to ask her, but COVID put us all together in the same house.”
In a conversation with Drew Barrymore in 2023, Taylor said the reconciliation during the pandemic “was for us.”
“We got married very quickly,” Taylor recalled of their 2000 wedding. “We knew each other six months, got engaged. We were married within a year, and then had Ella the next year.”
“I think of us, life just, especially in this business and careers, a lot of work and family was always a priority, but I think Ben and I both sort of started to grow in different directions,” she added.
The Deadpool & Wolverine star and his Wrexham AFC co-owner, Rob McElhenney, were named Thursday, January 16, among a group of investors set to take over the top Colombian team, Club Deportivo La Equidad Seguros.
According to Bloomberg and ESPN, the group of investors is led by real estate investor Al Tylis and soccer executive Sam Porter, who both own a stake in the Mexican soccer team Necaxa. Other investors include actress Eva Longoria, supermodel Kate Upton and Upton’s husband, MLB pitcher Justin Verlander.
“We welcome Al Tylis and Sam Porter, who arrive with a clear, long-term vision to continue strengthening our club,” La Equidad shared in a statement via X on Thursday. “This is the first step towards a future full of opportunities.”
“Al Tylis and Sam Porter not only have extensive experience in the sports world but they also have the support of recognized figures such as Eva Longoria, Rob McElhenney, Ryan Reynolds, Justin Verlander, Kate Upton, Shawn Marion and Scott Galloway,” the statement continued.
Reynolds, 48, and McElhenney, 47, took over ownership of Welsh team Wrexham in 2021, helping the club achieve worldwide visibility in part thanks to their FX docuseries, Welcome to Wrexham. Tylis bought a small stake in Wrexham in April 2024, while Reynolds and McElhenney invested in Necaxa, reported Bloomberg.
Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni.Courtesy Sony Pictures Ent.
News of Reynolds’ latest investment came the same day as he was named a defendant in a $400 million lawsuit filed by Justin Baldoni, his wife Blake Lively’s It Ends With Us costar and director.
According to the filing obtained by Us Weekly on Thursday, Baldoni, 40, is accusing Lively, 37, Reynolds, and Lively’s publicist, Leslie Sloane, of civil extortion, defamation, false light invasion of privacy and other claims. In the suit, Baldoni claimed he was pressured by Reynolds and a “megacelebrity friend” of Lively’s to accept the actress’ changes to the film’s script.
Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, shared in a statement to Us, “This lawsuit is a legal action based on an overwhelming amount of untampered evidence detailing Blake Lively and her team’s duplicitous attempt to destroy Justin Baldoni, his team and their respective companies by disseminating grossly edited, unsubstantiated, new and doctored information to the media.”
The statement continued, “It is clear based on our own all out willingness to provide all complete text messages, emails, video footage and other documentary evidence that was shared between the parties in real time, that this is a battle she will not win and will certainly regret. Blake Lively was either severely misled by her team or intentionally and knowingly misrepresented the truth.”
The lawsuit follows one filed by Lively against Baldoni on December 31, 2024, accusing him of sexual harassment, retaliation, breach of contract, infliction of emotional distress, invasion of privacy and lost wages.
Us reached out to Lively’s rep, fellow defendant Sloane, for comment Thursday but did not hear back.
Justin Bieber is sending his fans’ pulses racing with his latest Instagram Stories.
The “Peaches” singer, 30, shared photos of himself stripped down to just his wet Calvin Klein boxer briefs on Thursday, January 16.
In the snaps, the tattooed star can be seen sporting a buzz cut and posing in a wooden chair after apparently taking a plunge. Another picture shows Justin all cozy in what appears to be a ski jacket and pants.
Justin didn’t share a caption over the images but set one of his racy pics to the song “Agora Hills” by Doja Cat, and another zoomed-out shot to the tune of Future’s “Too Fast.”
Justin shared a sweet pic with Jack via Instagram on Wednesday, January 15, that showed the singer nuzzling the top of his son’s head. Justin’s eyes were closed in the black-and-white snap, which he featured alongside a carousel of images from a wintry family holiday.
The new father left the caption of his post blank, only tagging the photographer Rory Kramer.
The other snaps show Justin striking various poses against a backdrop of snow-covered mountains and trees, and stepping out of a creek wearing nothing but his underwear, a hat and boots. The photos also feature the pop star with his wife, Hailey, who is shown in one snap walking alongside Justin in a white ski suit, and in another, indoors and looking at her phone. The couple’s dogs, Oscar and Piggy Lou, also make appearances.
Justin Bieber/Instagram
Justin and Hailey became first-time parents in August, with Justin announcing their son’s birth in a social media post.
“WELCOME HOME,” he captioned a photo of Hailey touching Jack’s foot, which was wrapped in a fuzzy blanket. “JACK BLUES BIEBER .”
Since becoming parents, the pair are experiencing a new set of relationship dynamics.
“There has been a total shift in their marriage since renewing their vows [in May 2024] and welcoming baby Jack,” a source exclusively revealed to Us Weekly earlier this month. “He’s truly brought them so much happiness and a renewed bond.”
According to the insider, fatherhood has put Justin in a good place mentally as he is “obsessed” with his child. The source noted that Justin is a “really good dad.” As for Hailey, the insider said that her “main priority is being a mom right now.”
Justin and Hailey hope to have “a big family” one day, but aren’t in a rush to expand their brood. When it comes to adding siblings for Jack, the source noted that they feel it’s “up to ‘God’s plan.’”
(Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for CLD PR)
Selling Sunset’sChrishell Stauseis opening up about how she “froze in fear” during the L.A. wildfires evacuations.
The reality star, 43, shared during her Wednesday, January 15 appearance on Sherrithat the fires and subsequent evacuation process brought back long buried memories of watching her home burn down as a child.
“When we did need to evacuate, there was a fire kind of like right in our backyard. It was just immediately like, ‘You gotta go,'” she explained during the episode. “I think I kind of got frozen in fear. I kind of had forgotten, when I was 12, I did watch my house burn down.”
Stause added that the incident was “something you don’t think about. It happened so long ago.”
However, it led her to “freeze” when it came time to evacuate. Stause credited her wife, Australian singer G Flip(real name Georgia Claire Flipo) with taking charge during the evacuations while the reality TV star struggled due to her past experience with fires.
“You don’t know how you’re gonna react. I think I would’ve liked to have thought I’m good in an emergency case,” Stause continued. “But this kinda showed me, I really needed a little kick in the butt, and G was there to keep me focused and so it was just nice to have them.”
Stause further praised G Flip via an Instagram Story last week as she reflected on her traumatic childhood experience.
Chrishell Stause and G Flip.(Photo by Araya Doheny/Getty Images)
“A little PTSD from that whole experience that I completely forgot about until last night as I’m standing there in shock,” she said. “Luckily I had my partner who is amazing who snapped me out of it and helped me stay focussed.”
While Stause was evacuated, she was fortunate enough to not lose her home in the wildfires ravaging parts of Los Angeles including the exclusive Pacific Palisades area, Malibu, Santa Monica and the Hollywood Hills. Stause is one of many celebrities caught up in the natural disaster. Stars such as Mandy Moore, Milo Ventimiglia, Paris Hilton and Miles Teller are among those whose houses went up in flames and were reduced to rubble.
Stause started seeing G Flip after her split from Jason Oppenheim in late 2021. Stause and G Flip went on to tie the knot in May 2023.
Stause gushed over her relationship with G Flip in an interview with Vogue in June 2022, telling the outlet, “just being around G [is] such a mood-lifting experience; if you ever had the pleasure of being in the same room with them, you would quickly see what I mean. I love feeling that endless support of just wanting the other person to be fully who they are.”
Check the LAFD website for local wildfire alerts and click here for resources on how to help those affected.
,” she wrote via Instagram in August 2024, posting footage from their special day.
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