By Wonderwall.com Editors
3:46pm PST, Dec 7, 2020
Gwen Stefani opens up about her engagement, wedding plans and more
More than a month after announcing her engagement to Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani's still getting used to the idea. "It's so funny to even say 'engaged.' It feels so weird," she marveled during a chat with Ryan Seacrest for the Monday, Dec. 7, edition of his radio show. "People have been saying it for so long, like five years, 'Are you getting married? Are you engaged?' And now we actually are and it feels like I'm in a cartoon or something," she explained. The singer, who released her new single, "Let Me Reintroduce Myself," last week, also opened up about the couple's wedding plans, saying they hope to see how the "next few months" pan out with regard to the pandemic before they move forward. "I would say I just want my parents there at this point," she said. "My parents wouldn't come to Thanksgiving because they're so scared, so really, [I] would rather it not be a COVID situation. Like, I would rather not have masks and that kind of thing," Gwen admitted. "Even when you cut it down to just family, it's too many people for COVID so we're sort of going to see what happens in the next few months." Over the weekend, People reported Gwen and Blake don't plan to have a "long engagement," and will be happy with just, "their family and close friends" at the ceremony.
Keep reading to see what Dolly Parton admires most about her goddaughter, Miley Cyrus, and more …
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Dolly Parton praises goddaughter Miley Cyrus for taking creative chances
There's a lot to love about Marie Claire's new interview with Dolly Parton, including the fact that it was conducted by RuPaul, which led to plenty of chatter about wig collections and footwear choices. (Asked if she'd worn heels to cook her breakfast of sausage patties, biscuits and milk gravy that morning, Dolly told the "Drag Race" host: "I always wear my high heels. Don't you?") The country music icon also shared some interesting observations about her goddaughter, Miley Cyrus, who Dolly praised for being "true to herself" and willing to take creative risks. "I've always loved her, since she was little, and I knew she was special," Dolly said. "She just had a light about her. Her sparkle, and her smile, and her eyes were always full of wonder." Dolly went on to recall how Miley's tenure on "Hannah Montana" showed Dolly that her goddaughter was bound for stardom. "So, when she was on that little show, I saw what great timing she had, what a great little comedian she was," she explained. "But I'd always known her to write her little songs on her little left-handed guitar … And so she just kind of grew up with us. With Billy and me — Billy Ray, her dad, we were friends and we worked a lot together, doing shows together, traveling some. But I just knew she was just going to make it. I just knew she was a star." Miley "often gets out there … on that tightrope without a net underneath her," Dolly continued. "But how else are you going to know? She'll take those chances. And I take chances too. We just do it in a different way. But I do think she's a pro. I just think she's so talented, and she's beautiful."
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Prince William, Duchess Kate meet with Scottish Ambulance Service paramedics on Day 2 of their Royal Train Tour
Prince William and Duchess Kate's Royal Train Tour took the couple from England, to Edinburgh, Scotland on Monday, Dec. 7, as they continued their visits with essential workers, teachers and volunteers who've worked tirelessly to support their communities during the coronavirus pandemic. In Edinburgh, the royals, representing the National Health Service, met with Scottish Ambulance Service paramedics and staff, "to thank them for their incredible efforts throughout the pandemic, and to acknowledge the toll that the pandemic has taken on the physical and mental wellbeing of emergency responders," according to their Instagram. Spanning three days, with destinations in England, Scotland and Wales, the trip marks a rare if not unprecedented use of Queen Elizabeth's classic train for Will and Kate, since the train is generally reserved for "the top four royals," the queen, Prince Philip, Prince Charles and his wife, Duchess Camilla, according to USA Today.
RELATED: The best photos of global royals in 2020
Andy Cohen 'moved to tears' by Porsha Williams' Black Lives Matter activism on 'RHOA' premiere
Back in August, Porsha Williams revealed she was arrested at a peaceful protest in Louisville, Kentucky, over the death of Breonna Taylor, who was killed by police in her home during a botched drug raid intended for a suspect who was already in custody. Footage from the arrest made it into the premiere of "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" on Sunday, Dec. 6 — and as Andy Cohen told Porsha later on "Whatch What Happens Live," he still gets emotional about her activism efforts. "I don't ever remember being as proud of a Real Housewife as I was watching you in tonight's episode," Andy said (via ET). "I was moved to tears. It was incredible. It's incredible watching your continued action for the Black Lives Matter movement, but seeing that all play out in tonight's episode was so moving to me." Looking moved herself, Porsha credited "God" for giving her the "strength and … purpose to be brave enough to stand up and even speak on something like this…" Porsha added: "It's our reality. It's what we're dealing with right now and that's what people want to see. And Black Lives Matter is in the forefront." Porsha, who's said she began speaking out about racial injustice in the interest of her 20-month-old daughter's future, explained that she wants fans "to see that I'm a regular, normal person in an extraordinary situation where I have this platform, but we all have a voice." The Atlanta native also reminded viewers that the mission of Black Lives Matter doesn't end at the end of the year. "I would just really encourage everyone to keep the movement going," she said. "It has not died."
Bob Dylan sells his entire songwriting catalog in historic, $300M publishing deal
Nearly 60 years after signing his first publishing deal, Bob Dylan has sold his entire songwriting catalog to Universal Music Publishing Group. The deal, which covers more than 600 songs including the work on Bob's latest album, "Rough and Rowdy Ways," is believed to be "the biggest acquisition ever of a single act's publishing rights," according to the New York Times. Although Universal didn't talk numbers in its announcement on Monday, Dec. 7, the Times estimates the sale price would have been around $300 million — a figure the Nobel Prize-winning singer reportedly snagged in a direct negotiation, as he's controlled most of his songwriting copyrights for many years, per the Times. Going forward, Universal will own 100 percent of the rights to the songs, giving the French company Vivendi, which owns Universal, all the songwriting and copyright income they generate.
Celebs react to Rudy Giuliani's COVID-19 diagnosis
The Trump administration has another positive case of coronavirus in its ranks — and Hollywood has some thoughts about the news, which came first from Donald Trump on Twitter on Sunday, Dec. 6. CNN and the New York Times have since confirmed Giuliani, the president's personal and campaign lawyer, was being treated for COVID-19 at Georgetown University Medical Center as of Monday. "Thank you to all my friends and followers for all the prayers and kind wishes," Giuliani posted following Trump's announcement. "I'm getting great care and feeling good. Recovering quickly and keeping up with everything." Given his history of defying CDC safety recommendations related to the virus — Giuliani, 76, was reportedly maskless last week at a hearing at the Georgia Capitol and a legislative session in Michigan — a number of celebs were quick to post about his diagnosis on social media. "Rudy Giuliani is a whole superspreader event," snapped "Girls" creator Jenni Konner (via TheWrap). Patton Oswalt responded to the news with similar snark, tweeting, "Rudy Giuliani: Please don't let the doctor equivalent of Rudy Giuliani treat me." Kathy Griffin, meanwhile, posted, "Trump can pour him a nice tall long island iced bleach." According to the Trump campaign's Twitter, Giuliani "tested negative twice immediately preceding his trip to Arizona, Michigan, and Georgia" and "did not experience any symptoms or test positive for COVID-19 until more than 48 hours after his return." That information runs counter to the Times' reporting, which cites "a person in contact with the former mayor" as having confirmed that "he began feeling ill late this past week." Prior to his diagnosis, Giuliani was traveling to contest the results of the presidential election in multiple states — a detail that's also inspired some celebrity Twitter chatter. "After testing positive for Covid-19," George Takei posted Sunday, "Rudy Giuliani filed a lawsuit with the lab demanding the results be overturned."
Aubrey Plaza says Kristen Stewart, others got COVID-19 on the set of 'The Happiest Season' in February
At this point in the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Hollywood's figured out myriad ways to keep productions (mostly) safe from COVID-19 for cast and crew members. But as Aubrey Plaza told Stephen Colbert on "The Late Show" last week, that wasn't always the case. Aubrey said she filmed Hulu's new Christmas movie, "The Happiest Season," with Kristen Stewart "right before COVID" hit," according to Page Six. "In fact, COVID was on our set," she recalled. "Kristen got sick, but we didn't know. It was the last week of February so people were starting — it was like that zone where people were starting to talk about coronavirus, but people were laughing about it. No one understood how serious it was. But a bunch of people on our set got sick. I didn't, thank God." "The Happiest Season" began streaming on Hulu on Nov. 25.
Gal Gadot shares a new clip from 'Wonder Woman: 1984' in honor of her MTV 'She-Ro' award
After Gal Gadot snagged the GOAT: She-Ro Award at the "MTV Movie & TV Awards: Greatest of All Time" special on Sunday, Dec. 6, she used the win as an opportunity to share a new sneak peek from the much anticipated new "Wonder Woman" sequel. The clip showed the fearless superhero, along with Steve Trevor (Chris Pine), driving fast in pursuit of a convoy of armed soldiers in trucks. Realizing her feet are actually a faster mode of transportation than any car, Wonder Woman soon switches gears and runs after the convoy before she successfully catches up to the trucks, which she promptly disarms and destroys "with her bare hands," according to ET. She also manages to save Steve … again. After accepting her award Sunday, Gal thanked MTV, then reflected on the experience of transforming into Wonder Woman. "It's been one of the greatest joys in my life to play this character," she said, per the Jerusalem Post. "She means so much to me and I know how much she's loved by all of her fans, so to be part of her legacy is truly, truly, truly special."
Jenna Dewan wouldn't normally have let her 40th birthday go by without a major celebration. But since 2020 has been anything but normal, she opted to celebrate at home with her family. Speaking to the hosts of "The Talk" on Monday, Dec. 7, the "Flirty Dancing" host explained what made her "big milestone birthday" extra special. "So I turned 40. Under any other time, I would have had some big bash blowout. And because of, you know, Covid and 2020, we just stayed in the house," Jenna said, according to Page Six. "We had such a great day though," said the mother of two. "My kids were here. Evie made me a cake, a coupon book. It's so funny though, it's a non-refundable coupon book. I can only use these coupons once," she joked. Jenna also said she's feeling good about leaving her 30s and starting a new decade. "I feel proud of myself in a sense, of accomplishing and overcoming what I've gone through up until this point in my life," she explained. "And I feel excited about this next chapter. And you know, it's a good feeling. It was really nice to just be in the house and enjoy the moment." Jenna, who got engaged to Steve Kazee in February, welcomed a baby boy, Callum, with Steve in February. She also shares Evie with her ex, Channing Tatum.
Twitter announces statement on Chadwick Boseman's death was the most retweeted post of the year
Twitter announced the platform's most retweeted and most liked tweets of the year on Monday, Dec. 7, and the results serve as one more indicator of just how beloved Chadwick Boseman was to his fans and industry before his untimely death at age 43. According to Variety, the final tweet on the "Black Panther" star's page — a statement announcing that he'd lost his private battle with colon cancer on Aug. 28 — had earned 2.1 million retweets, 924,500 quote tweets, 165,600 comments and 7.5 million likes, as of Monday, making it the most retweeted post of the year on Twitter and the most-liked post of all time. Also receiving honorable mentions on Twitter's #ThisHappened2020 year in review were Kamala Harris (the tenth most tweeted about person and the No. 1 most tweeted about woman on the platform), Barack Obama's in memoriam post about Kobe Bryant (the second most-liked post of the year) and "#COVID19" and "#BlackLivesMatter" (the first and second most used hashtags of the year).
