By Wonderwall.com Editors
12:29pm PDT, Jul 2, 2022
Elliot Page, 35, tries out dating apps for the first time
Having come out as transgender in real life and on "The Umbrella Academy," Elliot Page is wading into the world of online dating. On his Instagram Story on Thursday, June 30, Elliot, 35, shared a photo of himself hanging out with his co-star on the show, Rita Arya, as they peered intently at their phones. "@rituarya guiding me on my first dating app ever," Elliot wrote in the caption, according to Page Six. The actor came out as a trans man on social media in late 2020, telling fans in part, "I can't begin to express how remarkable it feels to finally love who I am enough to pursue my authentic self. … I love that I am trans. I love that I am queer. And the more I hold myself close and fully embrace who I am, the more I dream, the more my heart grows and the more I thrive." Following Elliot's transition, "The Umbrella Academy" writers opted to have the star's character, Vanya, transition, as well. Fast forward to season 3, which premiered last month, and Vanya is now Viktor.
Keep reading for more of the day's biggest celeb news…
RELATED: Here's how more than 100 queer celebs publicly came out
Jamie Spears denies 'false' allegations he bugged Britney's bedroom during conservatorship
Britney Spears' father Jamie Spears has filed a sworn declaration denying claims he had the singer's bedroom bugged while serving as her conservator. He made no mention, however, of reports he also monitored her cell phone activity, including private texts, calls and internet use history, according to court documents viewed by Page Six and TMZ. "I am informed of the allegation … that a listening device or 'bug' was placed [in] her bedroom as surveillance during the conservatorship. This allegation is false," Jamie said in the June 29 filing. "I never conducted or authorized any surveillance of Britney's bedroom at any time, including during the conservatorship. I am not aware of any such surveillance having occurred." He added that "under penalty of perjury" that "if called and sworn as a witness," he "could and would testify" that his declaration is "true and correct," Page Six reported. In 2021's "The New York Times Presents: Controlling Britney Spears," Alex Vlasov said Jamie hired the company he worked for at the time, Black Box Security, to monitor Britney. Alex claimed he was following the singer's dad's commands when he bugged her bedroom, recording at least 180 hours of audio, including private conversations between Britney and her children and her lawyer, and hacked into her phone, unbeknownst to the pop star, whose estate reportedly paid for the service. Britney's 13-year conservatorship has since been terminated, but the singer's lawyer, Mathew Rosengart is still investigating Jamie's use of his daughter's finances while seeking to prove he violated her privacy. As of this week, Jamie has yet to consent to the deposition Mathew's long pursued. Britney, meanwhile, has also reportedly refused to be deposed by her father's legal team.
RELATED: Celebs who attended Britney Spears' wedding
Kanye West vents about seeing kids in the news in new Cardi B collaboration
One day after Jenna Bush Hager called out Kim Kardashian on "Today" for throwing her daughter North such an "over-the-top" birthday party, North's dad Kanye West released new music on which he vents about seeing his kids in the news. On Cardi B's new track, "Hot S***," a collaboration with Kanye and Lil Durk released Friday July 1, Kanye seemingly takes aim at Kim when he raps: "Another headline, 'Where your head at?' / 'N****, go home, where your kids at?' / They be on my nerve, they be on my nerve." Later, he raps about getting "used to the pain." Looking back at his other recent releases, it seems likely the pain in question stems from his 2021 split from Kim, who filed for divorce in February of last year. In May, the rapper dropped "True Love" with XXXTentacion, which also featured lines about struggling with having to split time with the four kids he shares with Kim. "I see y'all tomorrow / Wait, when I pick 'em up, I feel like they borrowed / When I gotta return them, scan 'em like a bar code," Kanye rhymes in the song. As for North's 9th birthday party, Kim shared photos of her private jet decorated in the bash's "spooky wilderness theme" for North and her friends, who took the jet to a woodsy location for their outdoor birthday fun.
RELATED: Celebrity splits of 2022
Taron Egerton recalls Ray Liotta appearing 'frail' on the set of 'Black Bird'
While filming "Black Bird" with Ray Liotta more than a year before the star's unexpected death in May, he looked "frail" to Taron Egerton on at least one occasion. Taron, who plays Ray's character's son on the upcoming Apple TV+ drama, reflected on his impression of Ray on set while talking to Chelsea Handler on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" on Thursday, June 30. "Sometimes actors can be … we're a weird bunch, we do weird stuff, so I thought I'd leave him to it, give him his space, and across the room he sort of caught my eye and just stood up, walked towards me in a sort of frail way. He's in ailing health in the show, and he just embraced me, and we stayed that way for a little while. It was kind of weird but really nice as well," Taron explained (via Entertainment Weekly). "He was something of a hero to me, and when I read this script it's got a very touching and really dysfunctional relationship at the heart of it." Ray, 67, died in his sleep on May 26. "Black Bird," one of his final performances, is out July 8.
Ariana DeBose on Roe reversal: 'This is not about one set of rights, this is about human rights'
Between the Supreme Court's recent decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, Justice Clarence Thomas' suggestion the court should reconsider legislation on contraception and same-sex marriage, and recent voting rights curtailments, Ariana DeBose admits she's struggling. "I'm Black, I'm Afro-Latina, I'm a woman and I'm queer. My country is at war with me, and that's hard," the 31-year-old Oscar winner explained during an appearance on "The Tonight Show" on Thursday, June 30. "Clarence Thomas was very clear on what his plan is," she added, referencing the justice's concurring opinion on Roe. "He's not just coming for women — they already came for voting rights, they're gonna continue. But they're coming for marriage equality. And, quite frankly, they'll probably come for adoption rights, by same-sex couples. So this is the time to get in the fight, and it starts on a local level," she told the audience. "So find ways to get involved." The decision to overturn Roe and leave the question of reproductive freedom to the states has already left a growing number of regions without abortion access for hundreds of miles. In his concurring option, Justice Thomas said the Supreme Court should use the Roe reversal as a jumping off point to reexamine other rights, including the rights to same-sex relationships and marriage. "This is not about one set of rights. This is about human rights," Ariana later tweeted, urging followers to "Find your local abortion fund and consider donating monthly at abortionfund.org."
Prince Harry, Prince William pay tribute to Princess Diana and her legacy on her 61st birthday
Prince Harry and Prince William are reportedly still working through their family rift, but they seemed to be on the same page when it came to honoring the legacy of their late, mother, Princess Diana, on her birthday this week. Despite Harry and Duchess Meghan's decision to leave their posts in the royal family and relocate to California with their children, the princes both continue to support the annual Diana Awards, presented to young people engaged in extraordinary work for social change and humanitarian causes. In a video for the Diana Awards' virtual ceremony on Friday, July 1 — which would have been Lady Di's 61st birthday — Harry reflected on the lessons he learned from her at a young age."There isn't a day during the past two and a half decades where I haven't thought about the mark she left not only on me and my brother but on all of our lives," said the father of two. "My mother instilled in me … a drive to speak up and fight for a better world," he continued. "I see her legacy every time I meet with families, young people and children from all corners of the world. … And I see my mum's legacy when I look at my own children every day." William shared similar sentiments about Diana in a letter he wrote for this year's award recipients. "You are part of an inspirational generation of young people who are changing the world through your actions, and I hugely admire your efforts," William wrote, according to People. "… Many of you face huge challenges in the face of difficult times, yet you are tirelessly breaking down barriers to create a better future for us all," he continued. "You truly are the personification of my mother's legacy and I know she would be so proud of you all. I believe there's no better way to celebrate her life and work than through recognizing incredible people who dedicate so much time and effort to helping those around them." Princess Diana died on Aug. 31, 1997, after being involved in a car crash in Paris. She was 36.
Melissa Gilbert remembers late 'Little House' costar Michael Landon 31 years after his death: 'I am aching'
On July 1, 1991, "Little House on the Prairie Star" Melissa Gilbert lost her onscreen "Pa" and longtime friend Michael Landon to pancreatic cancer at age 54. The actress played Laura Ingalls, the daughter of Michael's character, Charles Ingalls, on the long-running show, from 1974, when she was just 10, until 1983, when "Little House" came to an end. As she shares in a touching new tribute to Michael published this week for the pancreatic cancer research and support charity PanCAN, marking July 1 is still hard for her after all these years. "Today is the 31st anniversary of the death of one of the most influential people in my life and I am so, so sad," Melissa, now 58, begins, according to People. "You would think that I would have been feeling this kind of sadness last year, on the 30th anniversary. After all, 30 seems like more of a landmark number than 31. Yet here I am, feeling the grief and loss deeply today. Grief and loss don't care about landmark numbers …," she continues. The actress goes on to honor all the roles Michael played in her life, writing: "Today I am missing my mentor, my acting partner, my favorite director, father figure, friend, and boss. Today I am missing my Pa. … So much so, I can feel it in my chest, in my heart. I am aching for him." Melissa then describes the actor in personal terms, calling him "a principled, honorable man who believed, first and foremost in the power of love, tolerance, compassion and understanding," and praising him as a "fierce warrior for human rights …," before noting the star "was also a husband, brother, father, grandfather and friend when he died." Finally, she urges readers to consider donating to PanCAN. "Do it in Mike's name. You can help end this disease and it's horrid, indiscriminate destruction today," she writes. Melissa signs off with her thanks and a "blessing," writing, "With love (and the nickname he gave me all those years ago, Halfpint (Melissa Gilbert)."
