Betty White's personal items hit the auction block this fall
Betty White's wedding ring, memorabilia from her time on "The Golden Girls," scripts, awards and more personal items are going under the hammer this fall. The late comedy star's collection, which is comprised of more than 1,500 items, and is expected to grab anywhere from $1 to $2 million, according to the New York Post. "All these items came from her home in Brentwood or her residence in Carmel in northern California, where she lived with her husband Allen Ludden," Martin Nolan, the executive director of Julien's Auctions, told the outlet in a report published this week. Other pieces include a gold watch inscribed with Betty's mom's initials and the date Dec. 25, 1940, and three pieces of artwork that were painted by a gorilla named Koko who was famous for having mastered sign language. Betty, who died on Dec. 31, 2021, at 99, served on the board of directors of The Gorilla Foundation for many years and reportedly spent a good deal of time with Koko after they met in the early 2000s. "She said that she liked to keep her job in show business so that she could support her business with animals," Martin told the Post. The auction items are also slated to go on view as part of a traveling exhibit with stops in Chile, Ireland and the United States before they arrive on the auction block at Julien's in Beverly Hills from Sept. 23 to 25.
Hollywood celebrates Ketanji Brown Jackson's historic SCOTUS confirmation
The U.S. Senate confirmed Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court on Thursday, April 7, in a historic vote that will make Judge Jackson, 51, the first Black woman to sit on the nation's highest court. The news sparked a wave of support and praise from Hollywood to Capitol Hill and beyond as stars and politicians hopped on social media to celebrate. "KENTAJI BROWN JACKSON. That is all. #InKBJWeTrust," Kerry Washington tweeted. Elijah Wood also shared his excitement on Twitter, posting, "Welcome Ketanji Brown Jackson! Incredible historic confirmation to the Supreme Court," while Padma Lakshmi wrote, "what a proud day for our country," after sharing the new justice's name. Viola Davis chimed in as well, tweeting, "Congratulations Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson!!! You have made history! ❤❤❤." Many of the posts echoed a tweet from President Joe Biden that read, "Judge Jackson's confirmation was a historic moment for our nation. We've taken another step toward making our highest court reflect the diversity of America. She will be an incredible Justice, and I was honored to share this moment with her." Wrote Yvette Nicole Brown, meanwhile, wrote, "She. Has. Risen. ✊🏾 @sistascotus …Welcome NEW Supreme Court Justice #KetanjiBrownJackson ❤️🙌🏾 💫."
Amy Schumer denies she stole Leonardo DiCaprio Oscars joke
For the second time in a week, Amy Schumer just found herself on the defensive regarding accusations of joke-stealing. The comic stopped by "Watch What Happens Live" on Wednesday, April 6, where she chatted about her experience co-hosting the 2022 Oscars last month. Social media users have called out the comic repeatedly since the ceremony, claiming a crack she made about Leonardo DiCaprio's preference for much (much) younger ladies first surfaced as a viral tweet last year. "He has done so much to fight climate change," Amy said of the "Don't Look Up" star during the show, "and leave behind a cleaner, greener planet for his girlfriends." Asked about claims the joke was ripped off, Amy told Andy Cohen, "OK. Well, I would like to say, I haven't personally been on Twitter," adding that she has had her assistant check out the Twittersphere on her behalf. "And also, that joke was written by [comic and Oscars writer] Suli McCullough. But I thank you guys, always, for making sure that I don't start thievery," added the "Life and Beth" star. While the Twitter joke-stealing police have yet to come for Suli, those who've trashed Amy have largely pointed December 2021 tweet posted by writer Nicole Conlan. "Leonardo DiCaprio is so passionate about climate change because he wants to leave a better word for his girlfriends," the joke read. (It's worth noting there's another contingent of Twitter users who maintain the joke wasn't originally Nicole's, either.) "I just got to do a lie-detector test on Vanity Fair and they asked me, thank God, 'Have you ever stolen a joke?'" Amy told Andy on "WWHL." And I said no, and it was 'that's true.' So, everybody just chill. It's crazy. I'm funny enough, I don't need to steal s***." Amy was previously accused of plagiarizing work by three comics in 2016. One of those comics later retracted her allegations and apologized publicly. As for Nicole Conlan's interest in the origin of Amy's joke? "This is getting QT'd a lot so for the record I think Amy Schumer is a nice lady that people are too mean to and this was simply parallel thinking," she tweeted after the backlash against Amy kicked in. "However Amy Schumer if you're listening please hire me on next season of Life and Beth, clearly you like my voice :)," she added in a second post.
Camila Cabello reveals how she overcame her 'crippling' anxiety
Going into 2020, Camila Cabello was struggling to work, struggling to manage her relationships and struggling to be honest about her private battle with anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder. Two years — and one high-profile breakup — later, the former Fifth Harmony singer's set to release a new album, "Familia," on Friday, April 8, and says she's feels "amazing," thanks to therapy. "I was cripplingly anxious and was in the worst mental health state ever. And then I took a break at the beginning of the pandemic. I started doing therapy [and] trying to feel better," Camila, 25, tells People. "For me it was, if this process doesn't help me in feeling better, and if it's not me being honest and vulnerable and unfiltered, I don't really see how this is going to happen. That was my intention, was just to be myself, whatever that looked like at the time," she says of the mental health support she sought out. "There's a sense of trust in myself [now] that I feel like I didn't have before because I was so anxious all the time," Camila adds. "I really feel like I'm living my truth and I'm speaking my truth." That honesty comes through on Camila's new album, which she describes as highly "personal" and inspired by her "chosen family." Says the singer: "[It's] about community and all the things that make you you and keep you grounded and make you feel like life is so worth living,"
Khloe Kardashian gets candid about Tristan Thompson's cheating scandals
In an extensive interview with Robin Roberts for ABC News this week, Khloe Kardashian shared new insight on her feelings about Tristan Thompson since their split and his cheating and paternity scandals. "With Tristan, I did feel incredibly safe in the beginning and I felt really good for a time," said Khloe, who shares daughter true Thompson with the NBA star. "I remember when he cheated on me right before I gave birth and I was able to still have him in the delivery room," she continued. "So yes, it might have looked strange to the outside world, but when my daughter watches my home videos, those videos are going to be as pure and perfect as I was able to make them. … I still think he's a great guy, and he's a great dad. He's just not the guy for me," Khloe said. Earlier this year, Tristan confirmed he'd fathered a child with another woman while he and Khloe were still together in 2021. Looking ahead, Robin asked what Khloe hopes to find in a romantic partner. "I think at the end of the day, all of us aspire to have blissfulness. We want to feel happy, we want to feel safe," "The Kardashians" star replied.
Christina Haack announces new spinoff series with new husband Josh Hall
HGTV star Christina Haack — now Christina Hall — is nothing if not consistent. The 38-year-old real estate pro recently married Josh Hall, and this week, she announced they've teamed up on a new reality show. According to People, Josh will join his new wife on a new spinoff of her "Christina on the Coast" show called "Christina in the Country." The limited series will focus on the couple's life in Nashville, Tenn., where Christina bought a home last year. "Excited to share what we've been working on behind the scenes. 'Christina In The Country' has officially been picked up by @hgtv for 6 episodes. Now I have the best of both worlds…the coast and the country!" She added, "It feels good to do what I love with who I love." That last point's certainly been a trend for Christina, who launched her TV career with "Flip Or Flop" alongside then-husband Tarek El Moussa. Following their split, she married and divorced another reality TV personality, Ant Anstead. The new series will reportedly premiere in late 2022.
Diane Kruger clarifies previous comments about her discomfort with 'Troy' audition
Diane Kruger says her recent comments about auditioning for 2004's "Troy" were taken out of context or misconstrued. In an interview published by Variety in March, Diane recalled her severe discomfort with the looks she got during the testing process. "I remember … having to go to the studio head in costume, and I felt like meat, being looked up and down and was asked, 'Why do you think you should be playing this?'" she was quoted as saying. "I've been put in situations that were so inappropriate and so uncomfortable," the quote continued. "I think when I fist started out, it just felt like, this is what it's like. This is what Hollywood is like." In a recent chat with Entertainment Tonight, the actress, 45, clarified some of those statements. "A lot of things get taken out of context. Those words actually never came out of my mouth," Diane told ET. "It was a moment very early on in my career where I was a nobody, hadn't done anything. Being put in a position that made me feel uncomfortable, just by the fact that I had no clue what was going on, who this very powerful CEO was, that I had to please in a way that I would get this job, so that's really what I was trying to say," she continued. Later, she pointed out, "Hollywood certainly has changed," and said she thinks 2022 is "actually … a really good time to be a woman in Hollywood." Referencing Kiernan Shipka, her 22-year-old co-star in Roku's upcoming "Swimming With Sharks," Diane predicted, "Kiernan's generation will grow up with a very different experience than a lot of women have in the past," adding, "I just think bad behavior is no longer acceptable, whether that's in Hollywood or in other businesses."
Beverly Johnson on Chris Noth sexual assault allegations: 'I feel bad' for his family
Despite her rocky past with ex Chris Noth, Beverly Johnson says she hopes things "work out" for the former "Sex and the City" star and his family in the wake of recent sexual assault and misconduct allegations. "You know, anytime anyone is going through something, I feel for them," Beverly, 69, tells Page Six. "I feel bad for his wife and his family, his kids. I just hope everything works out." The supermodel was involved with Chris, 67, from 1990 until 1995. In August of 1995, she filed for a restraining order against the actor, whom she accused of physically assaulting her, threatening to kill her and her dog and threatening to "destroy" her face. The order was initially granted but converted into a mutual restraining order, according to the outlet. Chris was accused of sexual assault by multiple women shortly after the premiere of "… And Just Like That," which saw him reprise his "SATC" role as Big. He's since maintained the incidents and encounters in question were all consensual. For her part, Beverly says she doesn't focus on negativity from her past, telling Page Six: "Life is too short. I want to live my life from a place of the best vibes I can possibly live from, because the other place is useless. So, I'd rather stay in the light."