Selena Gomez and The Weeknd take their new romance to Italy
Instagram official in Italy? In a video post she later deleted, Selena Gomez showed her rumored boyfriend the Weeknd sitting close to her phone camera lens as the two enjoyed a trip down a canal in Venice, Italy, over the weekend. She captioned the with a heart-eyes Emoj, leading E! News to suggest the singer's seriously feeling the love — and it would be hard not to on a trip like theirs. The pair reportedly started their Italian vacay in Florence, where they checked out the statue of David by Michaelangelo at Accademia Gallery Museum then shared a bite at Trattoria Borgo Antico. The next day, Us Weekly reports they kissed over dinner before taking a stroll across the Ponte Vecchio, a bridge above the Arno River. According to E!, they popped up in Venice on Sunday, Jan. 29, when Selena posed for a few photos with fans. Neither star has verbally confirmed the relationship rumors that started after they were seen kissing after dining together at Giorgio Baldi in Los Angeles earlier this month. That may be because, as a source told E!, "they are taking it slow and getting to know each other" for now. "They text every day," the source said. "They have a really sexy and flirty relationship. They laugh and like each other's personalities."
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Chrissy Teigen and John Legend want a son
Luna Stephens better start honing her big sister skills — it sounds like the 9-month-old's mom and dad, Chrissy Teigen and John Legend, are ready for Baby No. 2. In an interview with Giuliana Rancic at the SAG Awards, the E! News correspondent asked if Chrissy and John planned to expand their family. "Oh my God, a little boy is next for sure!" Chrissy replied, according to People. She faced some backlash after revealing she was able to choose the gender of her child because she and John used IVF. "I've made this decision. Not only am I having a girl, but I picked the girl from her little embryo," she said at the time "I picked her and was like, 'Let's put in the girl.'" Explaining why she wanted a girl, she said: "I think I was most excited and allured by the fact that John would be the best father to a little girl. That excited me," she explained. "It excited me to see … just the thought of seeing him with a little girl. I think he deserves a little girl. I think he deserves that bond."
Kerry Washington protests Muslim ban with safety pin at SAGs
The SAG Awards were largely dominated by political messages in opposition to Donald Trump's move to ban citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the U.S. and the chaos it created at airports nationwide over the weekend. While SAG members like Ashton Kutcher, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, "Stranger Things" star David K. Harbour and "Moonlight" star Mahershala Ali used their time onstage to speak out about their determination to defend and fight for those affected by the ban, Kerry Washington invoked a wordless protest by wearing a safety pin on her dress — a trend that began after the Brexit vote in Europe to show the wearer's alliance with refugees and other migrants. During the 2016 presidential election, it came to represent solidarity with multiple marginalized groups. "I'll be wearing one of these tonight. On my arm. To show solidarity. We will not stop fighting for our safety & the safety of our fellow citizens and human beings," she wrote alongside a photo of a pin in her hand on Instagram before the awards ceremony. "#NoBanNoWall," she added. The comments section was soon flooded with words of gratitude from fans. "Thank you @kerrywashingtonfrom a Palestinian American daughter of an immigrant," wrote one follower. "We appreciate everything that is being done by the ppl of the United states of America. ..because if we stand divided then this is no [United] states of America."
Amal Clooney wears baggy sweater amid pregnancy rumors
Amal Clooney Baby Watch returned in full-force on Friday, Jan. 27, when the human rights lawyer arrived at the airport in Los Angeles rocking a long, baggy sweater. The $500 Alberta Ferrett number did a nice job of hiding the baby bump that may or may not have been under it; it also drew extra attention from news outlets like the Lebenese paper that recently reported George and Amal are expecting twins. Hmm …
Prince William, Prince Harry commission statue of Princess Diana
This August marks 20 years since Princess Diana's death. In honor of the milestone, Prince William and Prince Harry have commissioned a statue of their late mother to be installed at Kensington Palace. "The Princes have convened a committee to commission and privately raise funds for the creation of the statue," a spokesperson for the royal family said in a statement (via Us Weekly) on Saturday, Jan. 28. "This committee will advise on the selection of the sculptor and will work with Historic Royal Palaces on the statue's installation in the public gardens of Kensington Palace." In the press release, William and Harry explained they wanted to inspire others to consider the ways Diana impacted the world. "It has been twenty years since our mother's death and the time is right to recognize her positive impact in the UK and around the world with a permanent statue," they said. "Our mother touched so many lives. We hope the statue will help all those who visit Kensington Palace to reflect on her life and her legacy."
Hilary Duff makes red carpet debut with new man Matthew Koma
Speaking of making things official … Romance rumors have been swirling around Hilary Duff and music producer Matthew Koma for the past few weeks. On Saturday, Jan. 29, the pair confirmed their relationship on the red carpet at a pre-SAG Awards party, posing together for cameras as they made their way into Entertainment Weekly's bash at the Chateau Marmont hotel in Los Angeles, according to Us Weekly. The couple reportedly spent Martin Luther King Day weekend at Santa Barbara's San Ysidro Ranch. They met while working on Hilary's 2015 album, "Breathe In, Breathe Out."
Ryan Reynolds jokes about Disneyland and daughter James
We could all use a little levity these days — a fact Ryan Reynolds appeared to be well aware of when he followed up a tweet on Monday, Jan. 30, about Canada's promise to welcome those shut out of the U.S. by Donald Trump's ban with a post consisting of a Disneyland joke at his daughter's expense. "Went to Disneyland because my daughter's obsessed with Mickey Mouse," Ryan wrote, before adding, "She was so excited when I got home and told her." Bad-um, ching. (Sorry, James!)
Bruno Mars: 'Black music means everything'
In a cover story for the new edition of Latina magazine, Bruno Mars, who was born in Puerto Rico, opens up about how and why music made by African-Americans inspired so much of what he does today. "When you say 'black music,' understand that you are talking about rock, jazz, R&B, reggae, funk, doo-wop, hip-hop, and Motown. Black people created it all. Being Puerto Rican, even salsa music stems back to the Motherland [Africa]. So, in my world, black music means everything," he said (via JustJared). "It's what gives America its swag. I'm a child raised in the '90s. Pop music was heavily rooted in R&B from Whitney, Diddy, Dr. Dre, Boyz II Men, Aaliyah, TLC, Babyface, New Edition, Michael, and so much more. As kids this is what was playing on MTV and the radio. This is what we were dancing to at school functions and BBQs. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for these artists who inspired me. They have brought me so much joy and created the soundtrack to my life filled with memories that I'll never forget. Most importantly, they were the superstars that set the bar for me and showed me what it takes to sing a song that can get the whole world dancing, or give a performance that people will talk about forever. Watching them made me feel like I had to be as great as they were in order to even stand a chance in this music business. You gotta sing as if Jodeci is performing after you and dance as if Bobby Brown is coming up next."
Ellen DeGeneres thorws star-studded birthday party
A few days after basking in a slew of social media love on her 59th birthday on Jan. 26, Ellen DeGeneres threw a party at her home in Los Angeles and TMZ reports the guest list gave any major awards season event a run for its money, star power-wise. Jimmy Kimmel, Bruno Mars, Channing Tatum, Gwyneth Paltrow, John Legend, Michael Keaton, Jessica Alba, Kristen Bell and Dax Shepherd all reportedly helped Ellen celebrate her big day.