#FASHIONFILES: Louis Vuitton’s Fall 2024 Campaign Redefines Cowboy Chic
Louis Vuitton’s fall-winter 2024 campaign, “The New American Dandy,” presents a modern twist on classic Western wear. Featuring models Clément Chabernaud, Kyosuke Akiyoshi, Luke Champion, Rayan Lamarre, Ridzman Zidaine, and athlete Ronnie Davis, the advertisement features a wardrobe styled by Matthew Henson and captured by photographer Colin Dodgson.
Set against stunning mountainous backdrops, the campaign exudes a rugged sophistication that evokes the image of luxury with the wild allure of the American frontier.
LOUIS VUITTON FALL/WINTER 2024 CAMPAIGN
Key pieces from the Louis Vuitton fall-winter 2024 collection, such as the Damier varsity blouson jacket and embroidered merino wool cardigan, highlight the house’s mastery in reinvigorating timeless designs with signature motifs and subtle thematic details.
Washed denim workwear pants bring pragmatism to the season, while statement accessories like the lasso hat and Millionaires sunglasses introduce a modern, fashion-forward spirit.
Louis Vuitton elevates the classic Western aesthetic with its luxurious additions, including touches of turquoise, the covetable Keepall Bandoulière 50, and the elegant LV Western bolo.
By combining elegant tailoring with timeless Western motifs, Louis Vuitton ushers in a new wave of menswear in which conventions are defied and redefined.
Set against stunning mountainous backdrops, the campaign exudes a rugged sophistication that evokes the image of luxury with the wild allure of the American frontier.
LOUIS VUITTON FALL/WINTER 2024 CAMPAIGN
Key pieces from the Louis Vuitton fall-winter 2024 collection, such as the Damier varsity blouson jacket and embroidered merino wool cardigan, highlight the house’s mastery in reinvigorating timeless designs with signature motifs and subtle thematic details.
Louis Vuitton elevates the classic Western aesthetic with its luxurious additions, including touches of turquoise, the covetable Keepall Bandoulière 50, and the elegant LV Western bolo.
By combining elegant tailoring with timeless Western motifs, Louis Vuitton ushers in a new wave of menswear in which conventions are defied and redefined.
#RHOA: Old G NeNe Leakes Addresses Kenya Moore's Controversial Exit
NeNe Leakes is weighing in on The Real Housewives of Atlanta's latest cast shakeup.
Two weeks after Kenya Moore left the reality series following an alleged scandal involving season 16 costar Brittany Eady, Leakes revealed what she really thinks of the controversial exit.
"I don't know if I was surprised," NeNe, who left the show in 2020, exclusively told E! News. "I know that, over the years, Kenya has always pushed the envelope a little bit."
"Listen, those girls do a lot of things," the Outrageous Love With NeNe Leakes host added of the many cast feuds over the years. "I don't think I'm surprised at all."
Bravo has yet to confirm the reason for the suspension.
Though NeNe is no longer a mainstay on the series, she remains close with Kenya as well as current RHOA stars Drew Sidora and Porsha Williams as well as fellow alums Phaedra Parks, Shereé Whitfield and Marlo Hampton—despite their past drama.
"We're not talking every day," NeNe told E!, "but when we see each other, there's no beef. There's no hard feelings. Actually we laugh about it."
And now that Porsha has returned for season 16, NeNe thinks it's time for Phaedra to make a comeback too.
"Housewives is where the viewers know her from and, to me, if she was going to be on any platform it should be on the Housewives platform, not Married to Medicine," she explained. "I think Phaedra would be a good addition again."
In the meantime, RHOA fans can catch NeNe on her new Lifetime show Outrageous Love every Monday at 10 p.m.
Two weeks after Kenya Moore left the reality series following an alleged scandal involving season 16 costar Brittany Eady, Leakes revealed what she really thinks of the controversial exit.
"I don't know if I was surprised," NeNe, who left the show in 2020, exclusively told E! News. "I know that, over the years, Kenya has always pushed the envelope a little bit."
"Listen, those girls do a lot of things," the Outrageous Love With NeNe Leakes host added of the many cast feuds over the years. "I don't think I'm surprised at all."
Bravo has yet to confirm the reason for the suspension.
Though NeNe is no longer a mainstay on the series, she remains close with Kenya as well as current RHOA stars Drew Sidora and Porsha Williams as well as fellow alums Phaedra Parks, Shereé Whitfield and Marlo Hampton—despite their past drama.
"We're not talking every day," NeNe told E!, "but when we see each other, there's no beef. There's no hard feelings. Actually we laugh about it."
And now that Porsha has returned for season 16, NeNe thinks it's time for Phaedra to make a comeback too.
"Housewives is where the viewers know her from and, to me, if she was going to be on any platform it should be on the Housewives platform, not Married to Medicine," she explained. "I think Phaedra would be a good addition again."
In the meantime, RHOA fans can catch NeNe on her new Lifetime show Outrageous Love every Monday at 10 p.m.
#MusicNews: Stanley Brown Releases New Single “Meant For Me” feat. Christopher Williams, Eric Bellinger & Jason Nelson
Grammy-nominated Producer/artist Stanley Brown releases anticipated single “Meant For Me” featuring Christopher Williams, Eric Bellinger and Jason Nelson. Following the massive success of his latest offering, the Grammy and NAACP Award nominated single “God Is Good” featuring Gospel legends Karen Clark Sheard, Hezekiah Walker and Kierra Sheard, Brown has returned with yet another massive track. “Meant For Me” pairs an inspirational and catchy chorus stating, “If that blessing wasn’t sent to me, lock the door and throw away the key. I only want what’s meant for me,” with a nostalgic and uplifting production that is sure to bring listeners to their feet.
LISTEN HERE
On the song, Brown states, “The song is about being okay with doors that are not meant for you because every opportunity is not a God given opportunity so you have to be ok with closed doors. Sometimes we think rejection is a bad thing when rejection can actually be God’s protection and we just have to know that everything will work out when it’s assigned to your purpose.”
With a stellar career spanning over 25 years, Brown has touched every area of the industry from the boardroom as an executive to stages all over the world as an award-winning composer and producer. Working alongside industry juggernauts including Bishop Hezekiah Walker, Karen Clark Sheard, Pastor Shirley Ceasar, LL Cool J, Run DMC, Keith Sweat and more, Brown has racked up countless awards and contributed to albums that have sold over 12 million albums in the U.S., and garnered over 20 million streams worldwide. He is currently Music Director for Grammy-award winning Artist Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child founder of Timeless Music Group (est. 2004), has created theme songs for multiple shows airing on BET as well as holding the Music Supervisor title for the network’s hit shows “Sunday’s Best” and “Exalted!” With the release of “Meant For Me,” Brown enters a new era continuing to blend genres creating a unique and innovative sound in today’s Contemporary Gospel Music arena.
On the song, Brown states, “The song is about being okay with doors that are not meant for you because every opportunity is not a God given opportunity so you have to be ok with closed doors. Sometimes we think rejection is a bad thing when rejection can actually be God’s protection and we just have to know that everything will work out when it’s assigned to your purpose.”
With a stellar career spanning over 25 years, Brown has touched every area of the industry from the boardroom as an executive to stages all over the world as an award-winning composer and producer. Working alongside industry juggernauts including Bishop Hezekiah Walker, Karen Clark Sheard, Pastor Shirley Ceasar, LL Cool J, Run DMC, Keith Sweat and more, Brown has racked up countless awards and contributed to albums that have sold over 12 million albums in the U.S., and garnered over 20 million streams worldwide. He is currently Music Director for Grammy-award winning Artist Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child founder of Timeless Music Group (est. 2004), has created theme songs for multiple shows airing on BET as well as holding the Music Supervisor title for the network’s hit shows “Sunday’s Best” and “Exalted!” With the release of “Meant For Me,” Brown enters a new era continuing to blend genres creating a unique and innovative sound in today’s Contemporary Gospel Music arena.
With a stellar career spanning over 25 years, Brown has touched every area of the industry from the boardroom as an executive to stages all over the world as an award-winning composer and producer. Working alongside industry juggernauts including Bishop Hezekiah Walker, Karen Clark Sheard, Pastor Shirley Ceasar, LL Cool J, Run DMC, Keith Sweat and more, Brown has racked up countless awards and contributed to albums that have sold over 12 million albums in the U.S., and garnered over 20 million streams worldwide. He is currently Music Director for Grammy-award winning Artist Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child founder of Timeless Music Group (est. 2004), has created theme songs for multiple shows airing on BET as well as holding the Music Supervisor title for the network’s hit shows “Sunday’s Best” and “Exalted!” With the release of “Meant For Me,” Brown enters a new era continuing to blend genres creating a unique and innovative sound in today’s Contemporary Gospel Music arena.
On the song, Brown states, “The song is about being okay with doors that are not meant for you because every opportunity is not a God given opportunity so you have to be ok with closed doors. Sometimes we think rejection is a bad thing when rejection can actually be God’s protection and we just have to know that everything will work out when it’s assigned to your purpose.”
With a stellar career spanning over 25 years, Brown has touched every area of the industry from the boardroom as an executive to stages all over the world as an award-winning composer and producer. Working alongside industry juggernauts including Bishop Hezekiah Walker, Karen Clark Sheard, Pastor Shirley Ceasar, LL Cool J, Run DMC, Keith Sweat and more, Brown has racked up countless awards and contributed to albums that have sold over 12 million albums in the U.S., and garnered over 20 million streams worldwide. He is currently Music Director for Grammy-award winning Artist Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child founder of Timeless Music Group (est. 2004), has created theme songs for multiple shows airing on BET as well as holding the Music Supervisor title for the network’s hit shows “Sunday’s Best” and “Exalted!” With the release of “Meant For Me,” Brown enters a new era continuing to blend genres creating a unique and innovative sound in today’s Contemporary Gospel Music arena.
#HipHopNews: Eminem Fans Think “The Death Of Slim Shady” Deluxe Is Coming Featuring 50 Cent & More
Eminem released his twelfth studio album, The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce), on Friday (July 12). Features on the 19-track project included Big Sean, Babytron and J.I.D. But some fans are wondering why 50 Cent—who was included in the album’s video teaser—and Dr. Dre weren’t rapping alongside Marshall Mathers.
While it’s true Dr. Dre contributed production work to the album, Dre’s lyrical absences has fans thinking a deluxe version of The Death of Slim Shady is right around the corner.
As one person asked, “Wasn’t 50 Cent and Dre confirmed they had features on Eminem’s album during the Jimmy Kimmel appearance? @Eminem what you’re up to? Side B all over again [thinking face emoji].” The same fan also questioned why Eminem’s fellow Detroit native and longtime friend Royce Da 5’9 wasn’t involved either.
“pretty sure 50 said they got something coming and they were talking about Em’s album at that point, not sure about Dre though, maybe he was talking about production,” the post continued. “Also no Royce on the album is wild, I feel like they worked on several songs in the last few months.”
Dr. Dre, 50 Cent and Snoop Dogg were guests on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in March, right after Dr. Dre received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. During the interview, they were asked about the possibility of a new Eminem album. Dr. Dre confirmed Em was working on The Death of Slim Shady project and that he had production on the album—but nothing more.
As for 50 Cent, it’s possible he was just plucked to star in the promo for the project. However, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Eminem did drop a deluxe version of The Death of Slim Shady. He did a deluxe for Music to Be Murdered By shortly after its 2020 release.
While it’s true Dr. Dre contributed production work to the album, Dre’s lyrical absences has fans thinking a deluxe version of The Death of Slim Shady is right around the corner.
As one person asked, “Wasn’t 50 Cent and Dre confirmed they had features on Eminem’s album during the Jimmy Kimmel appearance? @Eminem what you’re up to? Side B all over again [thinking face emoji].” The same fan also questioned why Eminem’s fellow Detroit native and longtime friend Royce Da 5’9 wasn’t involved either.
“pretty sure 50 said they got something coming and they were talking about Em’s album at that point, not sure about Dre though, maybe he was talking about production,” the post continued. “Also no Royce on the album is wild, I feel like they worked on several songs in the last few months.”
Dr. Dre, 50 Cent and Snoop Dogg were guests on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in March, right after Dr. Dre received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. During the interview, they were asked about the possibility of a new Eminem album. Dr. Dre confirmed Em was working on The Death of Slim Shady project and that he had production on the album—but nothing more.
As for 50 Cent, it’s possible he was just plucked to star in the promo for the project. However, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Eminem did drop a deluxe version of The Death of Slim Shady. He did a deluxe for Music to Be Murdered By shortly after its 2020 release.
Trump survives assassination attempt at campaign rally after major security lapse, Suspect id
BUTLER, Pennsylvania, July 14 - Donald Trump was shot in the ear in an attempted assassination during a campaign rally on Saturday, an attack that will likely reshape this year’s U.S. presidential race while raising sharp questions about security provided to the Republican candidate.
In the moments after the shooting, Trump was swarmed and covered up by his security agents. He quickly emerged from the scrum, his face streaked with blood, and pumped his fist in the air, mouthing the words "Fight! Fight! Fight!"
BUTLER, Pennsylvania, July 14 - Donald Trump was shot in the ear in an attempted assassination during a campaign rally on Saturday, an attack that will likely reshape this year’s U.S. presidential race while raising sharp questions about security provided to the Republican candidate.
In the moments after the shooting, Trump was swarmed and covered up by his security agents. He quickly emerged from the scrum, his face streaked with blood, and pumped his fist in the air, mouthing the words "Fight! Fight! Fight!"
The Trump campaign later said he was "doing well" and appeared to have suffered no major injury besides a wound on his upper right ear.
Early on Sunday the FBI identified 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, as the "subject involved" in what it termed an attempted assassination. He was a registered Republican, according to state voter records.
The suspect was shot dead by Secret Service agents, the agency said, after he opened fire from the roof of a building about 140 metres from the stage where Trump was speaking. An AR-15-style semiautomatic rifle was recovered near his body.
One person who attended the rally was killed and two other spectators were critically wounded, the Secret Service said.
Law enforcement officials told reporters they had not yet identified a motive for the attack.
Trump, 78, had just started his speech when the shots rang out. He grabbed his right ear with his right hand, then brought his hand down to look at it before dropping to his knees behind the podium before Secret Service agents covered him.
He emerged about a minute later, his red "Make America Great Again" hat knocked off. He could be heard saying "wait, wait," before pumping his fist in the air. Agents then rushed him to a black SUV.
Early on Sunday the FBI identified 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, as the "subject involved" in what it termed an attempted assassination. He was a registered Republican, according to state voter records.
The suspect was shot dead by Secret Service agents, the agency said, after he opened fire from the roof of a building about 140 metres from the stage where Trump was speaking. An AR-15-style semiautomatic rifle was recovered near his body.
One person who attended the rally was killed and two other spectators were critically wounded, the Secret Service said.
Law enforcement officials told reporters they had not yet identified a motive for the attack.
Trump, 78, had just started his speech when the shots rang out. He grabbed his right ear with his right hand, then brought his hand down to look at it before dropping to his knees behind the podium before Secret Service agents covered him.
He emerged about a minute later, his red "Make America Great Again" hat knocked off. He could be heard saying "wait, wait," before pumping his fist in the air. Agents then rushed him to a black SUV.
"I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear," Trump said later on his Truth Social platform following the shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania, about 30 miles (50 km) north of Pittsburgh. "Much bleeding took place."
Trump left the Butler area under Secret Service protection and later arrived at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey.
The attack was the first shooting of a U.S. president or major party candidate since the 1981 attempted assassination of Republican President Ronald Reagan.
It raised immediate questions about security failures by the Secret Service, which provides former presidents including Trump with lifetime protection. The FBI said it had taken the lead in investigating the attack.
The shooting occurred less than four months before the Nov. 5 election, when Trump faces an election rematch with Democratic President Joe Biden. Most opinion polls including those by Reuters/Ipsos show the two locked in a close contest.
Investors said that the attack and Trump's defiant response would likely increase his chances of winning back the White House, and trades betting on his victory will increase this coming week.
Trump is due to receive his party's formal nomination at the Republican National Convention, which kicks off in Milwaukee on Monday.
Ron Moose, a Trump supporter at the rally, said he heard about four shots. "I saw the crowd go down and then Trump ducked, also real quick," he said. "Then the Secret Service all jumped and protected him as soon as they could. We are talking within a second they were all protecting him."
The BBC interviewed a man who said he saw a man armed with a rifle crawling up a roof near the event. The self-described eyewitness, who the BBC did not identify, said he and the people he was with started pointing at the man, trying to alert security.
At a briefing late on Saturday, FBI officials told reporters it was surprising that the suspect was able to fire multiple shots. The Secret Service did not have a representative at that briefing.
Hours after the attack, the Oversight Committee in the Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives summoned U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to testify at a hearing scheduled for July 22.
"Americans demand answers about the assassination attempt of President Trump," the panel said in a statement on social media.
Trump supporters blasted the Secret Service.
Hours after the attack, the Oversight Committee in the Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives summoned U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to testify at a hearing scheduled for July 22.
"Americans demand answers about the assassination attempt of President Trump," the panel said in a statement on social media.
Trump supporters blasted the Secret Service.
"How was a sniper with a full rifle kit allowed to bear crawl onto the closest roof to a presidential nominee," asked conservative activist Jack Posobiec on social media site X.
Chris Brown Is Ready To “Slap Da Sh*t Out Of” Doppelgänger: “You Could Never Be Me”
While celebrity doppelgängers are nothing new, Chris Brown‘s discovery of a man seemingly impersonating him on a regular basis still rubbed the singer the wrong way.
Artist and social media personality Tigo Fariah shares a close resemblance to the “Wait On It” singer, enhancing their shared features with tattoos and clothing also similar to that of Brown. After spotting a photo where Fariah is truly twinning with the singer, Brown went off in a reminder that he could never be duplicated.
“It’s lame as f**k impersonating me,” he said in a comment screenshot by TSR. “You look like you missing a chromosome. BE YOU MY NI**A… YOU COULD NEVER BE ME! SO STOP IT BEFORE I SLAP DA SH*T OUT YOU.”
Brown going off on the impersonator follows the singer and his dancers being threatened by a fan who attended one of his infamous meet-and-greets. The performer shared the “scary” video on Tuesday (July 9), with the caption, “I’m not tryna be mean at all. But this sh*t is scary!”
The video finds Angela Reliford, who goes by Chrisbrownzwife777 on Instagram, making death threats after believing a dancer stole her spotlight at an afterparty.
“Man, wait til I get my money right,” she said. “If I gotta join a gang, if I gotta do some mob sh*t I don’t care.” She then asked, “Where can I legally kill, because I’m coming for you. As soon as I can. Might be twenty years from now.”
Artist and social media personality Tigo Fariah shares a close resemblance to the “Wait On It” singer, enhancing their shared features with tattoos and clothing also similar to that of Brown. After spotting a photo where Fariah is truly twinning with the singer, Brown went off in a reminder that he could never be duplicated.
“It’s lame as f**k impersonating me,” he said in a comment screenshot by TSR. “You look like you missing a chromosome. BE YOU MY NI**A… YOU COULD NEVER BE ME! SO STOP IT BEFORE I SLAP DA SH*T OUT YOU.”
Brown going off on the impersonator follows the singer and his dancers being threatened by a fan who attended one of his infamous meet-and-greets. The performer shared the “scary” video on Tuesday (July 9), with the caption, “I’m not tryna be mean at all. But this sh*t is scary!”
The video finds Angela Reliford, who goes by Chrisbrownzwife777 on Instagram, making death threats after believing a dancer stole her spotlight at an afterparty.
“Man, wait til I get my money right,” she said. “If I gotta join a gang, if I gotta do some mob sh*t I don’t care.” She then asked, “Where can I legally kill, because I’m coming for you. As soon as I can. Might be twenty years from now.”
#RIP: Richard Simmons, Celebrity Fitness Guru dies at 76
Richard Simmons, the perennial 1980s workout personality who was defined by his uplifting spirit, has died, according to his longtime publicist Tom Estey.
Estey said Simmons died early on Saturday morning. He had celebrated his 76th birthday the day before. “We lost an Angel today - a true Angel,” Estey added.
Simmons’ brother, Lenny, paid tribute in a statement shared with media
“I don’t want people to be sad about my brother. I want them to remember him for the genuine joy and love he brought to people’s lives,” Lenny Simmons wrote. “He truly cared about people. He called, wrote, and emailed thousands of people throughout his career to offer help. So don’t be sad. Celebrate his life.”
He added that his brother was “very excited about all of his upcoming ventures he was working on.”
From 1980 to 1984, Simmons hosted the “Richard Simmons Show,” which had a focus on personal health and fitness. The program won four Daytime Emmys.
Simmons was also well known for his aerobic exercise videos, including 1988’s “Sweatin’ to the Oldies” and its subsequent installments in 1990 and 1991.
From there, and thanks to his unflappable smile and playful personality, Simmons was able to leverage his early stardom into regular appearances on all manner of TV shows, from “The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson” to several game shows including “Match Game” and “The New Hollywood Squares.” He was a late night fixture throughout the ’90s and aughts on shows hosted by Jay Leno and David Letterman.
In 2003, Simmons told CNN that his experience as an overweight child eventually put him on a path toward fitness.
“By the time I was 8 years old, I was 200 pounds,” he said at the time. “Uniforms couldn’t fit. My father would sew inserts under my arms and in my legs.”
As he got older, he turned to dangerous methods in an effort to keep his weight down.
“I learned how to throw up. Then I began taking 30 or 40 laxatives a day, and then I began starving for two and a half months, just drinking water, and almost died.”
At the age of 16, a stranger helped turn Simmons’ life around.
“Someone left a note on my car,” he recalled. “It said, ‘Dear Richard, you’re very funny, but fat people die young. Please don’t die.’”
Fitness transformation
“I got some elementary school books (on) the six food groups. Now, we think about it as the pyramid. I started reading about walking and exercising. Slowly but surely, I went (down) the right path.”
Eventually, that path led a trim and healthy Simmons to Beverly Hills, where he opened one of the first aerobic studios in 1974 and named it “Slimmons.”
He went on to seamlessly parlay his role of motivational fitness instructor into his famed TV persona, and prided himself on connecting with other overweight people to inspire them to take steps to improve their health.
“I call anywhere from 50 to 80 people a day. I do about 200 e-mails a day. … I don’t offer false hope for anybody,” he said in 2003. “I tell them that it’s going to take some time. They’re going to have to love themselves. They’re going to have to be patient.”
He has remained out of the public eye in recent years, but the circumstances surrounding his whereabouts and wellbeing have provided a fair share of internet fodder.
On occasion, Simmons shared personal updates on his social media pages, writing in a January Facebook post, “I just try to live a quiet life and be peaceful.”
In March, his social media activity led to a decidedly un-peaceful moment, when he posted an ominous message to X and Facebook: “I have some news to tell you. Please don’t be sad. I am …. dying. The truth is we all are dying. Every day we live we are getting closer to our death.”
He added: “Why am I telling you this? Because I want you to enjoy your life to the fullest every single day. Get up in the morning and look at the sky… count your blessings and enjoy.”
Another moment that brought Simmons attention earlier this year came when he commented on a proposed biopic about him that is slated to star actor Pauly Shore.
“You may have heard they may be doing a movie about me with Pauly Shore. I have never given my permission for this movie. So don’t believe everything you read,” Simmons wrote in a statement to his Facebook at the time.
Shore is set to star as Simmons in the upcoming biopic that’s being produced by the Wolper Organization, a subsidiary of Warner Bros., according to a news release sent to CNN on Wednesday. (CNN’s parent company is Warner Bros. Discovery, which also owns Warner Bros.)
Shore also portrayed Simmons in an unrelated short film titled “The Court Jester,” which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year and is available to stream on YouTube.
Estey said Simmons died early on Saturday morning. He had celebrated his 76th birthday the day before. “We lost an Angel today - a true Angel,” Estey added.
Simmons’ brother, Lenny, paid tribute in a statement shared with media
“I don’t want people to be sad about my brother. I want them to remember him for the genuine joy and love he brought to people’s lives,” Lenny Simmons wrote. “He truly cared about people. He called, wrote, and emailed thousands of people throughout his career to offer help. So don’t be sad. Celebrate his life.”
He added that his brother was “very excited about all of his upcoming ventures he was working on.”
From 1980 to 1984, Simmons hosted the “Richard Simmons Show,” which had a focus on personal health and fitness. The program won four Daytime Emmys.
Simmons was also well known for his aerobic exercise videos, including 1988’s “Sweatin’ to the Oldies” and its subsequent installments in 1990 and 1991.
From there, and thanks to his unflappable smile and playful personality, Simmons was able to leverage his early stardom into regular appearances on all manner of TV shows, from “The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson” to several game shows including “Match Game” and “The New Hollywood Squares.” He was a late night fixture throughout the ’90s and aughts on shows hosted by Jay Leno and David Letterman.
In 2003, Simmons told CNN that his experience as an overweight child eventually put him on a path toward fitness.
“By the time I was 8 years old, I was 200 pounds,” he said at the time. “Uniforms couldn’t fit. My father would sew inserts under my arms and in my legs.”
As he got older, he turned to dangerous methods in an effort to keep his weight down.
“I learned how to throw up. Then I began taking 30 or 40 laxatives a day, and then I began starving for two and a half months, just drinking water, and almost died.”
At the age of 16, a stranger helped turn Simmons’ life around.
“Someone left a note on my car,” he recalled. “It said, ‘Dear Richard, you’re very funny, but fat people die young. Please don’t die.’”
Fitness transformation
“I got some elementary school books (on) the six food groups. Now, we think about it as the pyramid. I started reading about walking and exercising. Slowly but surely, I went (down) the right path.”
Eventually, that path led a trim and healthy Simmons to Beverly Hills, where he opened one of the first aerobic studios in 1974 and named it “Slimmons.”
He went on to seamlessly parlay his role of motivational fitness instructor into his famed TV persona, and prided himself on connecting with other overweight people to inspire them to take steps to improve their health.
“I call anywhere from 50 to 80 people a day. I do about 200 e-mails a day. … I don’t offer false hope for anybody,” he said in 2003. “I tell them that it’s going to take some time. They’re going to have to love themselves. They’re going to have to be patient.”
He has remained out of the public eye in recent years, but the circumstances surrounding his whereabouts and wellbeing have provided a fair share of internet fodder.
On occasion, Simmons shared personal updates on his social media pages, writing in a January Facebook post, “I just try to live a quiet life and be peaceful.”
In March, his social media activity led to a decidedly un-peaceful moment, when he posted an ominous message to X and Facebook: “I have some news to tell you. Please don’t be sad. I am …. dying. The truth is we all are dying. Every day we live we are getting closer to our death.”
He added: “Why am I telling you this? Because I want you to enjoy your life to the fullest every single day. Get up in the morning and look at the sky… count your blessings and enjoy.”
Another moment that brought Simmons attention earlier this year came when he commented on a proposed biopic about him that is slated to star actor Pauly Shore.
“You may have heard they may be doing a movie about me with Pauly Shore. I have never given my permission for this movie. So don’t believe everything you read,” Simmons wrote in a statement to his Facebook at the time.
Shore is set to star as Simmons in the upcoming biopic that’s being produced by the Wolper Organization, a subsidiary of Warner Bros., according to a news release sent to CNN on Wednesday. (CNN’s parent company is Warner Bros. Discovery, which also owns Warner Bros.)
Shore also portrayed Simmons in an unrelated short film titled “The Court Jester,” which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year and is available to stream on YouTube.
For his birthday, Simmons wrote on X on Friday, “Thank you…I never got so many messages about my birthday in my life! I am sitting here writing emails. Have a most beautiful rest of your Friday. Love, Richard.”
He also spoke to People on the occasion of his 76th birthday. He joked that he was going to celebrate by blowing out a birthday candle “on a zucchini” in a nod to his history as a proponent of good health and self care.
“I feel good! I am grateful that I’m here, that I am alive for another day,” Simmons said at the time. “I’ll spend my birthday doing what I do every day, which is to help people.”
Alec Baldwin Breaks Silence In Emotional Message Following 'Rust' Legal Triumph
A New Mexico judge has dismissed the involuntary manslaughter case against Alec Baldwin in the accidental shooting death of "Rust" cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. On Friday, July 13, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer ruled that the prosecution had failed to hand over crucial ammunition evidence to the defense, dropping the charges against Baldwin with prejudice. This means the actor cannot be recharged in this criminal case.
In an emotional Instagram post on Saturday, Baldwin expressed his gratitude, saying, "There are too many people who have supported me to thank just now... To all of you, you will never know how much I appreciate your kindness toward my family."
The actor, 66, received an outpouring of support from several A-listers, including Don Lemon, Amy Sedaris, and Anthony Hopkins.
Despite the dismissal, Gloria Allred, representing Hutchins' parents and sister, has vowed to continue the fight in civil court. "It does not change the fact that Alec Baldwin killed Halyna Hutchins on the set of 'Rust,' " Allred stated firmly. She added, "We're going to fight to the end for Halyna Hutchins."
Matthew Hutchins, Halyna's widower, had previously reached a settlement with Baldwin and the "Rust" production in 2022. However, complications arose as some payments required by the agreement had allegedly not been made.
His attorney, Brian Panish, hinted at taking the suit to trial, stating, "We look forward to presenting all the evidence to a jury and holding Mr. Baldwin accountable for his actions in the senseless death of Halyna Hutchins."
The tragic accident occurred in 2021 when a prop gun Baldwin was handling accidentally discharged, fatally wounding Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza. The incident has sparked numerous civil litigations involving the film's production team, crew members, and insurance companies, most of which remain unresolved.
As Baldwin took a breather, dining in a relaxed setting with his brother and entourage, the fight for justice for Halyna Hutchins continues. Although cleared from criminal charges, Baldwin's legal troubles are ongoing, with civil court proceedings set to determine further liability in this tragic incident.
In an emotional Instagram post on Saturday, Baldwin expressed his gratitude, saying, "There are too many people who have supported me to thank just now... To all of you, you will never know how much I appreciate your kindness toward my family."
The actor, 66, received an outpouring of support from several A-listers, including Don Lemon, Amy Sedaris, and Anthony Hopkins.
Despite the dismissal, Gloria Allred, representing Hutchins' parents and sister, has vowed to continue the fight in civil court. "It does not change the fact that Alec Baldwin killed Halyna Hutchins on the set of 'Rust,' " Allred stated firmly. She added, "We're going to fight to the end for Halyna Hutchins."
Matthew Hutchins, Halyna's widower, had previously reached a settlement with Baldwin and the "Rust" production in 2022. However, complications arose as some payments required by the agreement had allegedly not been made.
His attorney, Brian Panish, hinted at taking the suit to trial, stating, "We look forward to presenting all the evidence to a jury and holding Mr. Baldwin accountable for his actions in the senseless death of Halyna Hutchins."
The tragic accident occurred in 2021 when a prop gun Baldwin was handling accidentally discharged, fatally wounding Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza. The incident has sparked numerous civil litigations involving the film's production team, crew members, and insurance companies, most of which remain unresolved.
As Baldwin took a breather, dining in a relaxed setting with his brother and entourage, the fight for justice for Halyna Hutchins continues. Although cleared from criminal charges, Baldwin's legal troubles are ongoing, with civil court proceedings set to determine further liability in this tragic incident.
Missing Dancer's Partner Stayed Back to Eat During Search, Vanished Before Body Was Found: Sister
An Alabama man vanished on July 4th during a family get-together in Birmingham shortly after the fireworks began. Deundray Cottrell (above left) was visiting his sister and her family when he went inside to check on the dogs at approximately 9 p.m. They never saw him alive again.
Cottrell's sister, Angelica Harris, shared with Atlanta's WXIA that her brother was visiting for the holiday with his business and romantic partner Julian Morris (above right). The duo are part of a three-man dance trio with DeEric Garnell in Atlanta called Skiiboyz Entertainment.
That's where things got a little odd, according to Harris. She told WXIA that after Cottrell didn't return from checking on the dogs, it was Morris who told her that Cottrell had jumped out of a window and took off running.
Then, according to Harris, as the family immediately began to search for their missing relative, Morris stayed back at her house. The family found Cottrell's sunglasses, cell phone, and a shoe. "Everyone was searching, he was eating," Harris said of Morris. "He was way too chill," she told WXIA. Finally, she asked him to leave.
According to Harris, she offered to let Morris stay her mother's house up the street, but he showed up a few hours later trying to get back into her house. She said her family then called the police and put him on trespass notice, per WXIA.
Speaking with AL.com, Harris said that she did find security footage from multiple Ring camera systems that showed her brother running through yards and jumping over a gate. "It looked like he was looking for refuge," she said. "He was running for his life."
The Birmingham Police Department confirmed the existence of this footage. During their own search, they uncovered some of his clothing and additional security footage of him walking in the area.
"He’s a well-loved, well-known, good hearted person and there’s a lot of people hurting from him being gone," Harris told the outlet. "What's happening doesn't make sense."
Tragically, Cottrell's body was found two days after his disappearance in a shed. Investigators with the Birmingham Police Department ruled his death a suicide with Morris a person of interest. Unfortunately, no one has been able to find him.
Harris told WXIA that until her brother's body was found, Morris had been calling his phone. "Like nonstop calls, all day. He called, he sent messages, he sent music through the text messages. Just the craziest of things," she said. Morris is not being called a suspect, but police do want to find him for questioning.
Cottrell's other partner, Garnell, paid tribute to him on his own Instagram page. "You pushed me to become a better man by teaching me things that I never learned when growing up," he wrote as part of his lengthy tribute.
"All I can do now is trust God’s plan and be here with our family. Good people are hurting from your loss. Your impact is felt worldwide. We love you, we miss you. No one can ever replace you. I love you beyond death and I know I will come home to you when it’s time."
Harris told WXIA that Garnell had known her brother for more than 14 years, but Morris had only been in the picture since around 2020. She called it unusual that Cottrell had time to visit at all -- saying this was rare with his busy schedule -- and even more odd that he was with Morris and not Garnell, as well.
Aside from serving as CEO of Skiiboyz Entertainment while living in Atlanta the past 10 years, Cottrell worked in marketing and was also working toward getting his doctorate.
The Birmingham Police Department has been asking the public to help them locate Julian Morris, described as a Black man, 5'6", and 160 pounds. Anyone with information is asked to call their Homicide Unite at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
On Wednesday, July 10, Victor Revill, an attorney representing Morris, sent a statement to WAGA (Fox 5 Atlanta) that did not address the ongoing police search for him.
The letter reads, "To Whom It May Concern: Mr. Morris is a college-educated veteran whom has served his country faithfully as a Marine. He has no prior misdemeanor or felony convictions. Despite the false narratives that are being promulgated about him in this situation, he loved Deundray Cottrell and is currently grieving the death of his loved one."
"Mr. Morris wants answers as well and is awaiting those answers after a full and thorough investigation has been completed," the statement continued. "Under the advice of counsel, he will not be giving any further statements at this time."
An Alabama man vanished on July 4th during a family get-together in Birmingham shortly after the fireworks began. Deundray Cottrell (above left) was visiting his sister and her family when he went inside to check on the dogs at approximately 9 p.m. They never saw him alive again.
Cottrell's sister, Angelica Harris, shared with Atlanta's WXIA that her brother was visiting for the holiday with his business and romantic partner Julian Morris (above right). The duo are part of a three-man dance trio with DeEric Garnell in Atlanta called Skiiboyz Entertainment.
That's where things got a little odd, according to Harris. She told WXIA that after Cottrell didn't return from checking on the dogs, it was Morris who told her that Cottrell had jumped out of a window and took off running.
Then, according to Harris, as the family immediately began to search for their missing relative, Morris stayed back at her house. The family found Cottrell's sunglasses, cell phone, and a shoe. "Everyone was searching, he was eating," Harris said of Morris. "He was way too chill," she told WXIA. Finally, she asked him to leave.
According to Harris, she offered to let Morris stay her mother's house up the street, but he showed up a few hours later trying to get back into her house. She said her family then called the police and put him on trespass notice, per WXIA.
Speaking with AL.com, Harris said that she did find security footage from multiple Ring camera systems that showed her brother running through yards and jumping over a gate. "It looked like he was looking for refuge," she said. "He was running for his life."
The Birmingham Police Department confirmed the existence of this footage. During their own search, they uncovered some of his clothing and additional security footage of him walking in the area.
"He’s a well-loved, well-known, good hearted person and there’s a lot of people hurting from him being gone," Harris told the outlet. "What's happening doesn't make sense."
Tragically, Cottrell's body was found two days after his disappearance in a shed. Investigators with the Birmingham Police Department ruled his death a suicide with Morris a person of interest. Unfortunately, no one has been able to find him.
Harris told WXIA that until her brother's body was found, Morris had been calling his phone. "Like nonstop calls, all day. He called, he sent messages, he sent music through the text messages. Just the craziest of things," she said. Morris is not being called a suspect, but police do want to find him for questioning.
Cottrell's other partner, Garnell, paid tribute to him on his own Instagram page. "You pushed me to become a better man by teaching me things that I never learned when growing up," he wrote as part of his lengthy tribute.
"All I can do now is trust God’s plan and be here with our family. Good people are hurting from your loss. Your impact is felt worldwide. We love you, we miss you. No one can ever replace you. I love you beyond death and I know I will come home to you when it’s time."
Harris told WXIA that Garnell had known her brother for more than 14 years, but Morris had only been in the picture since around 2020. She called it unusual that Cottrell had time to visit at all -- saying this was rare with his busy schedule -- and even more odd that he was with Morris and not Garnell, as well.
Aside from serving as CEO of Skiiboyz Entertainment while living in Atlanta the past 10 years, Cottrell worked in marketing and was also working toward getting his doctorate.
The Birmingham Police Department has been asking the public to help them locate Julian Morris, described as a Black man, 5'6", and 160 pounds. Anyone with information is asked to call their Homicide Unite at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
On Wednesday, July 10, Victor Revill, an attorney representing Morris, sent a statement to WAGA (Fox 5 Atlanta) that did not address the ongoing police search for him.
The letter reads, "To Whom It May Concern: Mr. Morris is a college-educated veteran whom has served his country faithfully as a Marine. He has no prior misdemeanor or felony convictions. Despite the false narratives that are being promulgated about him in this situation, he loved Deundray Cottrell and is currently grieving the death of his loved one."
"Mr. Morris wants answers as well and is awaiting those answers after a full and thorough investigation has been completed," the statement continued. "Under the advice of counsel, he will not be giving any further statements at this time."
Dr. Ruth Westheimer, America's pioneering sex therapist, dies at 96
Dr. Ruth Westheimer, the diminutive sex therapist who became a pop icon, media star and best-selling author through her frank talk about once-taboo bedroom topics, has died. She was 96.
Westheimer died on Friday at her home in New York City, surrounded by her family, according to publicist and friend Pierre Lehu.
Westheimer never advocated risky sexual behavior. Instead, she encouraged an open dialogue on previously closeted issues that affected her audience of millions. Her one recurring theme was there was nothing to be ashamed of.
"I still hold old-fashioned values and I'm a bit of a square," she told students at Michigan City High School in 2002. "Sex is a private art and a private matter. But still, it is a subject we must talk about."
Westheimer's giggly, German-accented voice, coupled with her 4-foot-7 frame, made her an unlikely looking - and sounding - outlet for "sexual literacy." The contradiction was one of the keys to her success.
But it was her extensive knowledge and training, coupled with her humorous, nonjudgmental manner, that catapulted her local radio program, "Sexually Speaking," into the national spotlight in the early 1980s. She had an open approach to what two consenting adults did in the privacy of their home.
"Tell him you're not going to initiate," she told a concerned caller in June 1982. "Tell him that Dr. Westheimer said that you're not going to die if he doesn't have sex for one week."
As a sign of her appeal across the generations and social culture, tributes came from actor-comedian Adam Sandler - "She always made us smile," he wrote on X - to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, who appointed Westheimer the state's Ambassador of Loneliness. "May her memory be a blessing," said the governor in a statement. "She was brave, funny, candid and brilliant."
Her radio success opened new doors, and in 1983 she wrote the first of more than 40 books: "Dr. Ruth's Guide to Good Sex," demystifying sex with both rationality and humor. There was even a board game, Dr. Ruth's Game of Good Sex.
She soon became a regular on the late-night television talk-show circuit, bringing her personality to the national stage. Her rise coincided with the early days of the AIDS epidemic, when frank sexual talk became a necessity.
"If we could bring about talking about sexual activity the way we talk about diet - the way we talk about food - without it having this kind of connotation that there's something not right about it, then we would be a step further. But we have to do it with good taste," she told Johnny Carson in 1982.
She normalized the use of words like "penis" and "vagina" on radio and TV, aided by her Jewish grandmotherly accent, which The Wall Street Journal once said was "a cross between Henry Kissinger and Minnie Mouse." People magazine included her in their list of "The Most Intriguing People of the Century." She even made it into a Shania Twain song: "No, I don't need proof to show me the truth/Not even Dr. Ruth is gonna tell me how I feel."
Westheimer defended abortion rights, suggested older people have sex after a good night's sleep and was an outspoken advocate of condom use. She believed in monogamy.
In the 1980s, she stood up for gay men at the height of the AIDS epidemic and spoke out loudly for the LGBTQ community. She said she defended people deemed by some far-right Christians to be "subhuman" because of her own past.
Born Karola Ruth Siegel in Frankfurt, Germany, in 1928, she was an only child. At 10, she was sent by her parents to Switzerland to escape Kristallnacht - the Nazis' 1938 pogrom that served as a precursor to the Holocaust. She never saw her parents again; Westheimer believed they were killed in the gas chambers at Auschwitz.
At the age of 16, she moved to Palestine and joined the Haganah, the underground movement for Israeli independence. She was trained as a sniper, although she said she never shot at anyone.
Her legs were severely wounded when a bomb exploded in her dormitory, killing many of her friends. She said it was only through the work of a "superb" surgeon that she could walk and ski again.
She married her first husband, an Israeli soldier, in 1950, and they moved to Paris as she pursued an education. Although not a high school graduate, Westheimer was accepted into the Sorbonne to study psychology after passing an entrance exam.
The marriage ended in 1955; the next year, Westheimer went to New York with her new boyfriend, a Frenchman who became her second husband and father to her daughter, Miriam.
In 1961, after a second divorce, she finally met her life partner: Manfred Westheimer, a fellow refugee from Nazi Germany. The couple was married and had a son, Joel. They remained wed for 36 years until "Fred" - as she called him - died of heart failure in 1997.
After receiving her doctorate in education from Columbia University, she went on to teach at Lehman College in the Bronx. While there she developed a specialty - instructing professors how to teach sex education. It would eventually become the core of her curriculum.
"I soon realized that while I knew enough about education, I did not really know enough about sex," she wrote in her 1987 autobiography. Westheimer then decided take classes with the renowned sex therapist, Dr. Helen Singer Kaplan.
It was there that she had discovered her calling. Soon, as she once said in a typically folksy comment, she was dispensing sexual advice "like good chicken soup."
"I came from an Orthodox Jewish home so sex for us Jews was never considered a sin," she told The Guardian in 2019.
In 1984, her radio program was nationally syndicated. A year later, she debuted in her own television program, "The Dr. Ruth Show," which went on to win an Ace Award for excellence in cable television.
She also wrote a nationally syndicated advice column and later appeared in a line of videos produced by Playboy, preaching the virtues of open sexual discourse and good sex. She even had a series of calendars.
Her rise was noteworthy for the culture of the time, in which then-President Ronald Reagan's administration was hostile to Planned Parenthood and aligned with pro-conservative voices.
Phyllis Schlafly, a staunch anti-feminist, wrote in a 1999 piece "The Dangers of Sex Education," that Westheimer, as well as Gloria Steinem, Anita Hill, Madonna, Ellen DeGeneres and others were promoting "provocative sex chatter" and "rampant immorality."
Father Edwin O'Brien, the director of communications for the Catholic archdiocese of New York who would go on to become a cardinal, called her work upsetting and morally compromised.
"It's pure hedonism," O'Brien wrote in a 1982 opinion published by The Wall Street Journal. "The message is just indulge yourself; whatever feels good is good. There is no higher law of overriding morality, and there's also no responsibility."
Westheimer made appearances on "The Howard Stern Radio Show," "Nightline," "The Tonight Show," "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," "The Dr. Oz Show" and "Late Night with David Letterman." She played herself in episodes of "Quantum Leap" and "Love Boat: The Next Wave."
Her books include "Sex for Dummies," her autobiographical works "All in a Lifetime" (1987) and "Musically Speaking: A Life through Song" (2003). The documentary "Ask Dr. Ruth" aired in 2019.
During her time as a radio and television personality, she remained committed to teaching, with posts at Yale, Hunter, Princeton and Columbia universities and a busy college lecture schedule. She also maintained a private practice throughout her life.
Westheimer received an honorary doctorate from Hebrew Union College-Institute of Religion for her work in human sexuality and her commitment to the Jewish people, Israel and religion. In 2001 she received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor and the Leo Baeck Medal, and in 2004, she received the degree of Doctor of Letters, honoris causa, from Trinity College.
Ryan White, the director of "Ask Dr. Ruth," told Vice in 2019 that Westheimer was never someone following trends. She was always an ally of gay rights and an advocate for family planning.
"She was at the forefront of both of those things throughout her entire life. I met her friends from her orphanage saying even when she met gay people throughout her life in the '30s, '40s, and '50s she was always accepting of those people and always saying that people should be treated with respect."
She is survived by two children, Joel and Miriam, and four grandchildren.
Westheimer died on Friday at her home in New York City, surrounded by her family, according to publicist and friend Pierre Lehu.
Westheimer never advocated risky sexual behavior. Instead, she encouraged an open dialogue on previously closeted issues that affected her audience of millions. Her one recurring theme was there was nothing to be ashamed of.
"I still hold old-fashioned values and I'm a bit of a square," she told students at Michigan City High School in 2002. "Sex is a private art and a private matter. But still, it is a subject we must talk about."
Westheimer's giggly, German-accented voice, coupled with her 4-foot-7 frame, made her an unlikely looking - and sounding - outlet for "sexual literacy." The contradiction was one of the keys to her success.
But it was her extensive knowledge and training, coupled with her humorous, nonjudgmental manner, that catapulted her local radio program, "Sexually Speaking," into the national spotlight in the early 1980s. She had an open approach to what two consenting adults did in the privacy of their home.
"Tell him you're not going to initiate," she told a concerned caller in June 1982. "Tell him that Dr. Westheimer said that you're not going to die if he doesn't have sex for one week."
As a sign of her appeal across the generations and social culture, tributes came from actor-comedian Adam Sandler - "She always made us smile," he wrote on X - to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, who appointed Westheimer the state's Ambassador of Loneliness. "May her memory be a blessing," said the governor in a statement. "She was brave, funny, candid and brilliant."
Her radio success opened new doors, and in 1983 she wrote the first of more than 40 books: "Dr. Ruth's Guide to Good Sex," demystifying sex with both rationality and humor. There was even a board game, Dr. Ruth's Game of Good Sex.
She soon became a regular on the late-night television talk-show circuit, bringing her personality to the national stage. Her rise coincided with the early days of the AIDS epidemic, when frank sexual talk became a necessity.
"If we could bring about talking about sexual activity the way we talk about diet - the way we talk about food - without it having this kind of connotation that there's something not right about it, then we would be a step further. But we have to do it with good taste," she told Johnny Carson in 1982.
She normalized the use of words like "penis" and "vagina" on radio and TV, aided by her Jewish grandmotherly accent, which The Wall Street Journal once said was "a cross between Henry Kissinger and Minnie Mouse." People magazine included her in their list of "The Most Intriguing People of the Century." She even made it into a Shania Twain song: "No, I don't need proof to show me the truth/Not even Dr. Ruth is gonna tell me how I feel."
Westheimer defended abortion rights, suggested older people have sex after a good night's sleep and was an outspoken advocate of condom use. She believed in monogamy.
In the 1980s, she stood up for gay men at the height of the AIDS epidemic and spoke out loudly for the LGBTQ community. She said she defended people deemed by some far-right Christians to be "subhuman" because of her own past.
Born Karola Ruth Siegel in Frankfurt, Germany, in 1928, she was an only child. At 10, she was sent by her parents to Switzerland to escape Kristallnacht - the Nazis' 1938 pogrom that served as a precursor to the Holocaust. She never saw her parents again; Westheimer believed they were killed in the gas chambers at Auschwitz.
At the age of 16, she moved to Palestine and joined the Haganah, the underground movement for Israeli independence. She was trained as a sniper, although she said she never shot at anyone.
Her legs were severely wounded when a bomb exploded in her dormitory, killing many of her friends. She said it was only through the work of a "superb" surgeon that she could walk and ski again.
She married her first husband, an Israeli soldier, in 1950, and they moved to Paris as she pursued an education. Although not a high school graduate, Westheimer was accepted into the Sorbonne to study psychology after passing an entrance exam.
The marriage ended in 1955; the next year, Westheimer went to New York with her new boyfriend, a Frenchman who became her second husband and father to her daughter, Miriam.
In 1961, after a second divorce, she finally met her life partner: Manfred Westheimer, a fellow refugee from Nazi Germany. The couple was married and had a son, Joel. They remained wed for 36 years until "Fred" - as she called him - died of heart failure in 1997.
After receiving her doctorate in education from Columbia University, she went on to teach at Lehman College in the Bronx. While there she developed a specialty - instructing professors how to teach sex education. It would eventually become the core of her curriculum.
"I soon realized that while I knew enough about education, I did not really know enough about sex," she wrote in her 1987 autobiography. Westheimer then decided take classes with the renowned sex therapist, Dr. Helen Singer Kaplan.
It was there that she had discovered her calling. Soon, as she once said in a typically folksy comment, she was dispensing sexual advice "like good chicken soup."
"I came from an Orthodox Jewish home so sex for us Jews was never considered a sin," she told The Guardian in 2019.
In 1984, her radio program was nationally syndicated. A year later, she debuted in her own television program, "The Dr. Ruth Show," which went on to win an Ace Award for excellence in cable television.
She also wrote a nationally syndicated advice column and later appeared in a line of videos produced by Playboy, preaching the virtues of open sexual discourse and good sex. She even had a series of calendars.
Her rise was noteworthy for the culture of the time, in which then-President Ronald Reagan's administration was hostile to Planned Parenthood and aligned with pro-conservative voices.
Phyllis Schlafly, a staunch anti-feminist, wrote in a 1999 piece "The Dangers of Sex Education," that Westheimer, as well as Gloria Steinem, Anita Hill, Madonna, Ellen DeGeneres and others were promoting "provocative sex chatter" and "rampant immorality."
Father Edwin O'Brien, the director of communications for the Catholic archdiocese of New York who would go on to become a cardinal, called her work upsetting and morally compromised.
"It's pure hedonism," O'Brien wrote in a 1982 opinion published by The Wall Street Journal. "The message is just indulge yourself; whatever feels good is good. There is no higher law of overriding morality, and there's also no responsibility."
Westheimer made appearances on "The Howard Stern Radio Show," "Nightline," "The Tonight Show," "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," "The Dr. Oz Show" and "Late Night with David Letterman." She played herself in episodes of "Quantum Leap" and "Love Boat: The Next Wave."
Her books include "Sex for Dummies," her autobiographical works "All in a Lifetime" (1987) and "Musically Speaking: A Life through Song" (2003). The documentary "Ask Dr. Ruth" aired in 2019.
During her time as a radio and television personality, she remained committed to teaching, with posts at Yale, Hunter, Princeton and Columbia universities and a busy college lecture schedule. She also maintained a private practice throughout her life.
Westheimer received an honorary doctorate from Hebrew Union College-Institute of Religion for her work in human sexuality and her commitment to the Jewish people, Israel and religion. In 2001 she received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor and the Leo Baeck Medal, and in 2004, she received the degree of Doctor of Letters, honoris causa, from Trinity College.
Ryan White, the director of "Ask Dr. Ruth," told Vice in 2019 that Westheimer was never someone following trends. She was always an ally of gay rights and an advocate for family planning.
"She was at the forefront of both of those things throughout her entire life. I met her friends from her orphanage saying even when she met gay people throughout her life in the '30s, '40s, and '50s she was always accepting of those people and always saying that people should be treated with respect."
She is survived by two children, Joel and Miriam, and four grandchildren.
Letitia Wright Distances Herself From The Daily Wire After Company Distributes Her New Movie, Director Apologizes to Her
Letitia Wright has distanced herself from The Daily Wire after the conservative media company was brought on to distribute her new movie Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot.
The 30-year-old Black Panther actress does not star in the movie, which premiered on July 4. However, she acted as an executive producer.
She took to social media to address the decision to partner with the company, saying that she was not aware of it. After her statement, the movie’s director issued her a public apology.
On Instagram, Letitia said that working on the movie was “nothing less than inspiring.”
“We have created a beautiful film that gives a voice to vulnerable children, with the hope that families across the country & world, no matter their faith, race or diversity, would join together to help children, to be moved to make a difference in any way they can,” she wrote.
The actress continued, writing that she’s seen “small pockets of discourse online take a divisive political turn.”
“This story isn’t about politics, it’s about children. It’s about sacrificial love for children who have experienced unthinkable horrors and how communities at a grassroots level – like the community of Possum Trot – can help provide the safe, loving homes they so desperately need. Any conversation that detracts from that is unnecessary and harmful. The potential for this film to positively change lives is far too important,” she wrote.
She said that Angel Studios joined the project after production was complete. They partnered with The Daily Wire for distribution.
“That was not my decision, and I was not given an update or made aware of this decision. I am in no way aligned or affiliated with the The Daily Wire. I am thankful for all who want to positively champion this film and campaign to serve children. However, I do not condone using this beautiful film for divisive political purposes. That is not why I joined the project,” she wrote.
Letitia added that she still believed in the movie and urged people to focus on the positive story.
In a statement shared with The Hollywood Reporter, director Josh Weigel and producer Rebekah Weigel confirmed that the actress was not aware.
“We are grateful for all [Wright] has done and regret she wasn’t informed about the partnership with The Daily Wire. That was not handled well, and we apologize for putting her in this position,” they said.
Letitia Wright has distanced herself from The Daily Wire after the conservative media company was brought on to distribute her new movie Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot.
The 30-year-old Black Panther actress does not star in the movie, which premiered on July 4. However, she acted as an executive producer.
She took to social media to address the decision to partner with the company, saying that she was not aware of it. After her statement, the movie’s director issued her a public apology.
On Instagram, Letitia said that working on the movie was “nothing less than inspiring.”
“We have created a beautiful film that gives a voice to vulnerable children, with the hope that families across the country & world, no matter their faith, race or diversity, would join together to help children, to be moved to make a difference in any way they can,” she wrote.
The actress continued, writing that she’s seen “small pockets of discourse online take a divisive political turn.”
“This story isn’t about politics, it’s about children. It’s about sacrificial love for children who have experienced unthinkable horrors and how communities at a grassroots level – like the community of Possum Trot – can help provide the safe, loving homes they so desperately need. Any conversation that detracts from that is unnecessary and harmful. The potential for this film to positively change lives is far too important,” she wrote.
She said that Angel Studios joined the project after production was complete. They partnered with The Daily Wire for distribution.
“That was not my decision, and I was not given an update or made aware of this decision. I am in no way aligned or affiliated with the The Daily Wire. I am thankful for all who want to positively champion this film and campaign to serve children. However, I do not condone using this beautiful film for divisive political purposes. That is not why I joined the project,” she wrote.
Letitia added that she still believed in the movie and urged people to focus on the positive story.
In a statement shared with The Hollywood Reporter, director Josh Weigel and producer Rebekah Weigel confirmed that the actress was not aware.
“We are grateful for all [Wright] has done and regret she wasn’t informed about the partnership with The Daily Wire. That was not handled well, and we apologize for putting her in this position,” they said.
Eddie Murphy Marries Paige Butcher in Private Caribbean Ceremony
According to People magazine, which also shared exclusive photos from the ceremony, Murphy and Butcher got married on Tuesday, July 9, in Anguilla during a small private ceremony in front of family and close friends.
The couple first got engaged in September 2018 after dating since 2012. They share an 8-year-old daughter and a 5-year-old son. They welcomed their first child together in 2016. The couple then welcomed their second child in 2018 after getting engaged.
Murphy is a father of 10.
While accepting the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the 2023 Golden Globe Awards, Murphy briefly thanked Butcher and his children: “I want to say thank you to Paige and all of my amazing children for your love and support and inspiration.”
This marks the second marriage for Murphy and the first for Butcher.
Murphy’s nuptials come amid his recent return to his iconic Beverly Hills Cop role Axel Foley decades after the original 1984 movie with Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F.
In the fourth installment, which debuted on Netflix on July 3, Murphy returns to Beverly Hills after his daughter’s life is threatened. There, he teams up with new partner Detective Bobby Abbott (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and old friends John Taggart (John Ashton) and Billy Rosewood (Judge Reinhold) to uncover a conspiracy.
During an appearance on the Today show, Murphy joked about reprising the role, “It felt like old man. I did Beverly Hills Cop when I was 21, and I’m 63 now.”
“Beverly Hills Cop was my first movie that I’m the lead in. If I travel overseas they call me Axel Foley,” he said. “Axel is an everyman. He’s not a superhero or a super-cop, he’s the everyman that rises to the occasion. I think that’s why people like it. And more than anything, he’s funny.”
The couple first got engaged in September 2018 after dating since 2012. They share an 8-year-old daughter and a 5-year-old son. They welcomed their first child together in 2016. The couple then welcomed their second child in 2018 after getting engaged.
Murphy is a father of 10.
While accepting the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the 2023 Golden Globe Awards, Murphy briefly thanked Butcher and his children: “I want to say thank you to Paige and all of my amazing children for your love and support and inspiration.”
This marks the second marriage for Murphy and the first for Butcher.
Murphy’s nuptials come amid his recent return to his iconic Beverly Hills Cop role Axel Foley decades after the original 1984 movie with Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F.
In the fourth installment, which debuted on Netflix on July 3, Murphy returns to Beverly Hills after his daughter’s life is threatened. There, he teams up with new partner Detective Bobby Abbott (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and old friends John Taggart (John Ashton) and Billy Rosewood (Judge Reinhold) to uncover a conspiracy.
During an appearance on the Today show, Murphy joked about reprising the role, “It felt like old man. I did Beverly Hills Cop when I was 21, and I’m 63 now.”
“Beverly Hills Cop was my first movie that I’m the lead in. If I travel overseas they call me Axel Foley,” he said. “Axel is an everyman. He’s not a superhero or a super-cop, he’s the everyman that rises to the occasion. I think that’s why people like it. And more than anything, he’s funny.”
Will Smith Appeals to Oscar Officials for Reinstatement After 10-Year Ban Following Chris Rock Slap
*Will Smith wants Oscars bosses to lift his 10-year ban for slapping Chris Rock in 2022.
Insiders claim that Smith hopes the immense success of his latest film, Sony’s buddy action comedy “Bad Boys: Ride or Die,” will be enough to welcome him back into the organization.
“Will’s defenders are always reminding people that, with respect to ‘The Slap,’ Will apologized in no uncertain terms, but more importantly, Will is selling tickets and putting butts in seats at a time when the whole business is struggling,” a source told In Touch, per Yahoo.
“That counts for a lot – just ask Will’s old pal Tom Cruise. Nobody was bringing up Scientology when Tom was filling cinemas week after week two years ago with Top Gun: Maverick. Will is a sinner, but sinners can be forgiven and he’s driving a lot of business right now, against all odds,” the insider continued.
“… there are still people in the Academy who think Will should have been arrested for what he did. The big change this summer is that the fans have spoken, and they want Will to keep being a movie star. That’s huge and Will is using that as his rocket fuel to get back into the good graces of the Academy, which has more Black members than ever before,” the source added.
Meanwhile, Rock is still upset about being slapped at the 94th Academy Awards on March 27, 2022, after he joked about Will’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith’s bald head. Jada suffers from the hair loss condition alopecia, which Rock claims he didn’t know at the time.
“Another obstacle is that Chris Rock is rightfully still very upset about the incident, and he’s a beloved Academy insider,” the source said.
“The moment everybody is waiting for is for Chris and Will to publicly and genuinely bury the hatchet – that’s going to give the Academy the confidence to revisit their decision to ban Will from the Oscars for 10 years.”
On April 8, 2022, the Academy announced a ten-year ban on Smith from all events as punishment for slapping Rock.
“We want to express our deep gratitude to Mr. Rock for maintaining his composure under extraordinary circumstances. We also want to thank our hosts, nominees, presenters and winners for their poise and grace during our telecast,” the Academy said in a statement.
The statement continued, “This action we are taking today in response to Will Smith’s behavior is a step toward a larger goal of protecting the safety of our performers and guests and restoring trust in the Academy. We also hope this can begin a time of healing and restoration for all involved and impacted.”
*Will Smith wants Oscars bosses to lift his 10-year ban for slapping Chris Rock in 2022.
Insiders claim that Smith hopes the immense success of his latest film, Sony’s buddy action comedy “Bad Boys: Ride or Die,” will be enough to welcome him back into the organization.
“Will’s defenders are always reminding people that, with respect to ‘The Slap,’ Will apologized in no uncertain terms, but more importantly, Will is selling tickets and putting butts in seats at a time when the whole business is struggling,” a source told In Touch, per Yahoo.
“That counts for a lot – just ask Will’s old pal Tom Cruise. Nobody was bringing up Scientology when Tom was filling cinemas week after week two years ago with Top Gun: Maverick. Will is a sinner, but sinners can be forgiven and he’s driving a lot of business right now, against all odds,” the insider continued.
“… there are still people in the Academy who think Will should have been arrested for what he did. The big change this summer is that the fans have spoken, and they want Will to keep being a movie star. That’s huge and Will is using that as his rocket fuel to get back into the good graces of the Academy, which has more Black members than ever before,” the source added.
Meanwhile, Rock is still upset about being slapped at the 94th Academy Awards on March 27, 2022, after he joked about Will’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith’s bald head. Jada suffers from the hair loss condition alopecia, which Rock claims he didn’t know at the time.
“Another obstacle is that Chris Rock is rightfully still very upset about the incident, and he’s a beloved Academy insider,” the source said.
“The moment everybody is waiting for is for Chris and Will to publicly and genuinely bury the hatchet – that’s going to give the Academy the confidence to revisit their decision to ban Will from the Oscars for 10 years.”
On April 8, 2022, the Academy announced a ten-year ban on Smith from all events as punishment for slapping Rock.
“We want to express our deep gratitude to Mr. Rock for maintaining his composure under extraordinary circumstances. We also want to thank our hosts, nominees, presenters and winners for their poise and grace during our telecast,” the Academy said in a statement.
The statement continued, “This action we are taking today in response to Will Smith’s behavior is a step toward a larger goal of protecting the safety of our performers and guests and restoring trust in the Academy. We also hope this can begin a time of healing and restoration for all involved and impacted.”
Diddy’s Mother Hospitalized in South Florida Amid His Legal Troubles
*Diddy’s mother, Janice Combs, has reportedly been hospitalized in South Florida amid the disgraced music mogul’s mounting legal trouble. According to TMZ, Janice was admitted on Wednesday after experiencing chest pains.
She is expected to remain in the hospital as she undergoes tests. Diddy has been by her side at the hospital. Insiders suggest that the chest pains may be caused by stress related to Diddy’s growing legal issues.
She is expected to remain in the hospital as she undergoes tests. Diddy has been by her side at the hospital. Insiders suggest that the chest pains may be caused by stress related to Diddy’s growing legal issues.
Candace Owens Tells Don Lemon He Is Living In ‘Sin’ By Being In A Gay Marriage
Journalist Don Lemon recently came to verbal blows with conservative analyst Candace Owens on YouTube’s The Don Lemon Show after she told him he was in a “sinful relationship” because he is openly married to a man.
The two strong-minded media hosts engaged in a heated discussion on an array of topics including trans people, gay rights and Owens’ views on the Jan. 6th insurrection. During the segment on same-sex marriage and interracial couples, Lemon asked her “What do you think about same-sex marriage?” and Owens didn’t hold back. “It’s a sin,” she answered.
After Lemon asked the follow-up question of if she thinks he is sinful because he is married to a man, the outspoken conservative doubled down. “Yes, you’re sinning. You are in a sinful relationship. I actually don’t believe that marriage can be between two men.”
The former CNN anchor married his longtime partner, real estate agent Tim Malone, in a New York City ceremony in April. Owens has been an outspoken opponent of the LGBTQ+ community for years.
Following a school shooting in Perry, Iowa, the BLEXIT founder correlated gender-affirming healthcare to the increase of mass shootings. “I am not interested in engaging in another discussion about a school shooter that does not begin and end with discussing big Pharma and its clinical promotion of insanity,” Owens wrote on X.
“We are mass drugging children and conducting psychiatric experiments on them in classrooms across America.”
After discussing her commitment to Christianity and conservatism, Lemon brought up her viewpoints on the meaning of words, in particular, the f-word used in a derogatory sense towards gay people. Lemon played an old clip from Owens’ past Dailywire show where she defended the use of the word, defined allegedly as “a bundle of sticks.” He then asked his guest if she thinks it’s okay to say the word to people’s faces. “When you start allowing perverts to dictate speech, then words just have to go away,” she said.
“And then they said you can no longer say this word that has a real meaning, a bundle of sticks, because some pervert took that and threw it as an epithet towards gay people. I think that’s a wrong way of thinking.”
Lemon checked Owens on her views saying that “language evolves over time” and broke down his feelings when people use the term towards me.”
“When people say that word to me, they aren’t calling me a bundle of sticks,” he said. To take the conversation to another level, he asked if she would use the word toward him. “Why would I just randomly call you a f——?” Owens shockingly responded. “I’m a 35-year-old mother. I don’t go around saying, ‘Hey, you’re a f——!’ I’m not 18 years old.”
The episode ended on odd terms when Owens called Lemon an “absurd human being” after asking her if she was homophobic. She carried her thoughts of the interview to social media.
“Today I did Don Lemon’s podcast and he straight up asked me if I would ever look him in the face and call him a f*ggot,” she wrote on X. “I just never thought he’d ask me a question like that so sincerely. These are remarkable times we’re living in.”
Shannen Doherty, ‘Beverly Hills, 90210’ and ‘Charmed’ star, dead at 53
Shannen Doherty, an actress who starred on the popular series “Beverly Hills, 90210” and “Charmed” and documented her nine-year battle with breast cancer, has died, according to her longtime publicist.
She was 53. “It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the passing of actress Shannen Doherty. On Saturday, July 13, she lost her battle with cancer after many years of fighting the disease,” Doherty’s publicist Leslie Sloane said in a statement to CNN.
“The devoted daughter, sister, aunt and friend was surrounded by her loved ones as well as her dog, Bowie. The family asks for their privacy at this time so they can grieve in peace,” her statement continued.
The news was first reported by People magazine.
Doherty developed a devoted fan base with roles as Heather Duke in the 1989 cult classic film “Heathers,” as Brenda Walsh from 1990 to 1994 in the hit series “Beverly Hills, 90210” and its subsequent spinoff “90210,” and as Prue Halliwell in “Charmed” from 1998 to 2001.
Doherty was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, which went into remission two years later. In 2020, Doherty announced the cancer had returned, spread and was stage 4.
She shared in June 2023 the news that her cancer had spread to her brain.
Doherty had been documenting her experiences with cancer in her podcast, “Let’s Be Clear with Shannen Doherty.” The most recent episode streamed on July 8.
Doherty, who had been outspoken about living with cancer even as she was clear that it was incurable, kept that mindset as she talked about her plans for the future.
“I guss I’m in a mindset now of I need to make as much money as humanly possible in the next two years, bank it, put it with my investment place, build that so that A., I don’t have to work and I only work when I really want to,” she said this month. “I can also go on a lot more vacations. Then also when I pass away my mom’s got a nice little nest egg and I don’t have to worry about her.”
Her rise to fame
Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Doherty’s family moved to Los Angeles when she was a child and she caught the acting bug quickly.
She made her acting debut at age ten with a role on the television series “Father Murphy.”
Her performance won notice by legendary actor Michael Landon, and she landed the role of Jenny Wilder on his beloved series, “Little House on the Prairie.”
Doherty honed her craft in various projects including the series “Our House,” the 1985 film “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” and the dark teenage comedy “Heathers” in 1988.
The 'Beverly Hills, 90210' cast in 1991. Left to right: Ian Ziering, Tori Spelling, Shannen Doherty, Brian Austin Green, Jason Priestley, Jennie Garth, Gabrielle Carteris and Luke Perry. Mark Sennet/Getty Images
She leveraged her experiences as a child star to inhabit her biggest role yet, as feisty high school student Brenda Walsh on the immensely popular Aaron Spelling teen drama “Beverly Hills, 90210.”
That role, in which she burned up the screen opposite costar Luke Perry as her love interest Dylan McKay, made her a household name.
Doherty left the show after four seasons following reports of on-set tensions between her and some of her castmates.
She returned to the big screen in 1994’s “Almost Dead” and 1995’s “Mallrats.”
Three years later, Doherty reunited with Spelling for the series “Charmed” with costars Alyssa Milano and Holly Marie Combs in which they starred as three sisters who were witches.
She left her role as Prue Halliwell on that show after three years and found work again on various movies including “The Rendering” in 2002 and “View of Terror” in 2003.
In 2008, Doherty reprised the role of Brenda in the CW reboot “90210” for seven episodes.
She later played herself in the meta-style reboot “BH90210” in 2019, the same year she cameoed as a stranded motorist on the CW’s “Riverdale,” which costarred Perry. He died at the age of 52 in March 2019 after suffering a stroke.
In September of 2020, Doherty spoke to Elle Magazine about the feelings of gratitude she was focusing on amid her experiences with cancer.
“I try to treasure all the small moments that most people don’t really see or take for granted,” she said. “The small things are magnified for me. We have this endless well within us, and it’s just about continuing to dig in that well for the strength to face adversity – and so that we can also see all the beauty.”
On Sunday, Doherty’s “90210” co-stars paid tribute to her.
Gabrielle Carteris wrote on Instagram: “So young - so sad. May you RIP Shannon. I know Luke is there with open arms to love you.”
Jason Priestley, who played Brandon Walsh on the teen drama, wrote he was “shocked and saddened” by Doherty’s passing.
“She was a force of nature and I will miss her,” he wrote on Instagram. “Sending love and light to her family in this dark time.”
Shannen Doherty, an actress who starred on the popular series “Beverly Hills, 90210” and “Charmed” and documented her nine-year battle with breast cancer, has died, according to her longtime publicist.
She was 53. “It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the passing of actress Shannen Doherty. On Saturday, July 13, she lost her battle with cancer after many years of fighting the disease,” Doherty’s publicist Leslie Sloane said in a statement to CNN.
“The devoted daughter, sister, aunt and friend was surrounded by her loved ones as well as her dog, Bowie. The family asks for their privacy at this time so they can grieve in peace,” her statement continued.
The news was first reported by People magazine.
Doherty developed a devoted fan base with roles as Heather Duke in the 1989 cult classic film “Heathers,” as Brenda Walsh from 1990 to 1994 in the hit series “Beverly Hills, 90210” and its subsequent spinoff “90210,” and as Prue Halliwell in “Charmed” from 1998 to 2001.
Doherty was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, which went into remission two years later. In 2020, Doherty announced the cancer had returned, spread and was stage 4.
She shared in June 2023 the news that her cancer had spread to her brain.
Doherty had been documenting her experiences with cancer in her podcast, “Let’s Be Clear with Shannen Doherty.” The most recent episode streamed on July 8.
Doherty, who had been outspoken about living with cancer even as she was clear that it was incurable, kept that mindset as she talked about her plans for the future.
“I guss I’m in a mindset now of I need to make as much money as humanly possible in the next two years, bank it, put it with my investment place, build that so that A., I don’t have to work and I only work when I really want to,” she said this month. “I can also go on a lot more vacations. Then also when I pass away my mom’s got a nice little nest egg and I don’t have to worry about her.”
Her rise to fame
Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Doherty’s family moved to Los Angeles when she was a child and she caught the acting bug quickly.
She made her acting debut at age ten with a role on the television series “Father Murphy.”
Her performance won notice by legendary actor Michael Landon, and she landed the role of Jenny Wilder on his beloved series, “Little House on the Prairie.”
Doherty honed her craft in various projects including the series “Our House,” the 1985 film “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” and the dark teenage comedy “Heathers” in 1988.
The 'Beverly Hills, 90210' cast in 1991. Left to right: Ian Ziering, Tori Spelling, Shannen Doherty, Brian Austin Green, Jason Priestley, Jennie Garth, Gabrielle Carteris and Luke Perry. Mark Sennet/Getty Images
She leveraged her experiences as a child star to inhabit her biggest role yet, as feisty high school student Brenda Walsh on the immensely popular Aaron Spelling teen drama “Beverly Hills, 90210.”
That role, in which she burned up the screen opposite costar Luke Perry as her love interest Dylan McKay, made her a household name.
Doherty left the show after four seasons following reports of on-set tensions between her and some of her castmates.
She returned to the big screen in 1994’s “Almost Dead” and 1995’s “Mallrats.”
Three years later, Doherty reunited with Spelling for the series “Charmed” with costars Alyssa Milano and Holly Marie Combs in which they starred as three sisters who were witches.
She left her role as Prue Halliwell on that show after three years and found work again on various movies including “The Rendering” in 2002 and “View of Terror” in 2003.
In 2008, Doherty reprised the role of Brenda in the CW reboot “90210” for seven episodes.
She later played herself in the meta-style reboot “BH90210” in 2019, the same year she cameoed as a stranded motorist on the CW’s “Riverdale,” which costarred Perry. He died at the age of 52 in March 2019 after suffering a stroke.
In September of 2020, Doherty spoke to Elle Magazine about the feelings of gratitude she was focusing on amid her experiences with cancer.
“I try to treasure all the small moments that most people don’t really see or take for granted,” she said. “The small things are magnified for me. We have this endless well within us, and it’s just about continuing to dig in that well for the strength to face adversity – and so that we can also see all the beauty.”
On Sunday, Doherty’s “90210” co-stars paid tribute to her.
Gabrielle Carteris wrote on Instagram: “So young - so sad. May you RIP Shannon. I know Luke is there with open arms to love you.”
Jason Priestley, who played Brandon Walsh on the teen drama, wrote he was “shocked and saddened” by Doherty’s passing.
“She was a force of nature and I will miss her,” he wrote on Instagram. “Sending love and light to her family in this dark time.”
Brandy Eyes Tour or Vegas Residency with Monica After Ariana Grande Remix
Last month, pop sensation Ariana Grande brought together R&B icons Brandy and Monica for a remix of her new single, “The Boy is Mine.” This collaboration rekindled the magic of their 1998 hit, “The Boy Is Mine,” and now Brandy is eager to take their reunion to the next level.
Brandy, who recently reprised her role as Cinderella in Disney’s “Descendants: The Rise of Red,” shared her excitement about working with Monica again during an interview with “Extra” at the L.A. premiere. She expressed her gratitude for Ariana Grande’s gesture, highlighting the respect and homage paid to their original track.
“It was so magical. The energy between me and Monica was so beautiful,” Brandy gushed. “I loved working with her this time. It was so great for [Ariana] to call us up to be a part of it. She didn’t have to do that… even though her song is called ‘The Boy Is Mine,’ she didn’t take anything from the original. She created a whole new song, so to call us up and for her to pay homage that way was just such a blessing. I had a great time with Monica and I just want to do more with her in the future.”
The synergy between Brandy and Monica has ignited Brandy’s desire to collaborate further. She revealed that she has been in constant communication with Monica, discussing potential future projects, including a tour or a Las Vegas residency.
“I hit [Monica] up so much talking about all the things that we could do together — tour, residency, everything,” Brandy continued. “I really want that, Monica!”
Fans of the R&B legends are now eagerly anticipating the possibility of seeing Brandy and Monica share the stage once more. Whether it’s a nationwide tour or a spectacular Vegas residency, the duo’s reunion promises to be an unforgettable experience for music lovers everywhere.
Euphoria Season 3 Finally Set to Start Production in January
Finally … Fans of HBO’s risqué dramatic series “Euphoria” can take a deep breathe. 3…2…1, Ya’ll good? Production for the third season is officially set to jumpstart in January 2025. Not too soon but not too far.
Created, written, directed, and executive produced by Sam Levinson, the series stars Emmy winner Zendaya. And she been killing it. Effortlessly TBH.
Here’s what Francesca Orsi, executive vice president of HBO programming and head of HBO drama series and films, had to say:
“I am thrilled that we are ready to begin production on “Euphoria” in January. We could not be happier with our creative partnership with Sam and this incredible cast. We look forward to bringing this new season of “Euphoria” to life for the fans.”
So what does production in January 2025 mean for actual episodes hitting HBO or Max?
They won’t be available until later in 2025. Hopefully.
Let’s be real, this series, has ignited the careers of its stars including Zendaya, Colman Domingo, Sydney Sweeney, Jacob Elordi, and Storm Reid, and continues to be a major hit for HBO. Hence the earth shattering news. Okay we’re being funny but ya’ll know this show is a hit.
Get this, according to the network, the Season 2 premiere of “Euphoria” was “the most viewed episode of an HBO series ever on HBO Max, currently with more than 14 million viewers across platforms.”
Brandy, who recently reprised her role as Cinderella in Disney’s “Descendants: The Rise of Red,” shared her excitement about working with Monica again during an interview with “Extra” at the L.A. premiere. She expressed her gratitude for Ariana Grande’s gesture, highlighting the respect and homage paid to their original track.
“It was so magical. The energy between me and Monica was so beautiful,” Brandy gushed. “I loved working with her this time. It was so great for [Ariana] to call us up to be a part of it. She didn’t have to do that… even though her song is called ‘The Boy Is Mine,’ she didn’t take anything from the original. She created a whole new song, so to call us up and for her to pay homage that way was just such a blessing. I had a great time with Monica and I just want to do more with her in the future.”
The synergy between Brandy and Monica has ignited Brandy’s desire to collaborate further. She revealed that she has been in constant communication with Monica, discussing potential future projects, including a tour or a Las Vegas residency.
“I hit [Monica] up so much talking about all the things that we could do together — tour, residency, everything,” Brandy continued. “I really want that, Monica!”
Fans of the R&B legends are now eagerly anticipating the possibility of seeing Brandy and Monica share the stage once more. Whether it’s a nationwide tour or a spectacular Vegas residency, the duo’s reunion promises to be an unforgettable experience for music lovers everywhere.
Euphoria Season 3 Finally Set to Start Production in January
Finally … Fans of HBO’s risqué dramatic series “Euphoria” can take a deep breathe. 3…2…1, Ya’ll good? Production for the third season is officially set to jumpstart in January 2025. Not too soon but not too far.
Created, written, directed, and executive produced by Sam Levinson, the series stars Emmy winner Zendaya. And she been killing it. Effortlessly TBH.
Here’s what Francesca Orsi, executive vice president of HBO programming and head of HBO drama series and films, had to say:
“I am thrilled that we are ready to begin production on “Euphoria” in January. We could not be happier with our creative partnership with Sam and this incredible cast. We look forward to bringing this new season of “Euphoria” to life for the fans.”
So what does production in January 2025 mean for actual episodes hitting HBO or Max?
They won’t be available until later in 2025. Hopefully.
Let’s be real, this series, has ignited the careers of its stars including Zendaya, Colman Domingo, Sydney Sweeney, Jacob Elordi, and Storm Reid, and continues to be a major hit for HBO. Hence the earth shattering news. Okay we’re being funny but ya’ll know this show is a hit.
Get this, according to the network, the Season 2 premiere of “Euphoria” was “the most viewed episode of an HBO series ever on HBO Max, currently with more than 14 million viewers across platforms.”
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
Ballet Moth
Any other anecdotes to share as a "Groupon Ballerina?"
HAVE A GREAT WEEK AHEAD ALL!!!
EFREM
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