By Mark Gray
6:56am PDT, Oct 16, 2020
Swing vote
Ice Cube found himself in the middle of a political battle this week. For several months, the rapper has been promoting his "Contract With Black America" initiative, which includes, among other things, a list of issues he feels are affecting Black Americans. He wants answers to his questions before he'll promise his vote. On Oct. 14, a top adviser to President Donald Trump said the music star met with the POTUS' team about developing a plan. Afterward, a fan accused Cube, who once said he'd never vote for Trump, of going to the "dark side." Cube replied, "Every side is the Darkside for us here in America. They're all the same until something changes for us. They all lie and they all cheat but we can't afford not to negotiate with whoever is in power or our condition in this country will never change. Our justice is bipartisan." As fans came down on the rapper, he didn't back down, though was quick to point out that he still hasn't endorsed anyone in the presidential race. "Facts: I put out the CWBA. Both parties contacted me. Dems said we'll address the CWBA after the election," he tweeted. "Trump campaign made some adjustments to their plan after talking to us about the CWBA." On Oct. 15, Cube again caused waves when he said CNN canceled his scheduled appearance on "Cuomo Prime Time" because "it seems like they can't handle the truth." He also scoffed at the notion he was being used as a political pawn.
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Cheating allegations
On Oct. 12, photos showed "The Affair" star Dominic West and "Cinderella" star Lily James snuggling up over lunch in Rome a day earlier and exploring the city on a shared electric scooter. One pic showed Dominic caressing Lily's head; another showed him kissing her neck; still another showed him touching her bottom. The problem? He's married. A report from Britain's Daily Mail quoted a source saying Dominic's wife, Irish landscape designer Catherine FitzGerald, was "devastated." On Oct. 13, Dominic and his wife posed for photographers outside their home and shared a kiss. They also carried a note signed by the two of them that read, "Our marriage is strong and we're very much still together." Interestingly, Dominic — who's co-starring with Lily in the upcoming miniseries "The Pursuit of Love" — has previously voiced his thoughts on monogamy. "It's [silly] to kick someone out over a fling. Isn't it?" he once said. "Everyone should turn a blind eye to men's behavior between the ages of 40 and 50. Let it all blow over."
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Surprise marriage
John Cena is a married man. Surprise! The wrestler-turned-actor married Shay Shariatzadeh on Oct. 12, according to marriage records obtained by multiple media outlets after the wrestling website PWInsider.com broke the news. The couple wed in Tampa, Florida, a few days after quietly obtaining a marriage license. John and the Canadian beauty, who has an engineering degree, were first linked in March 2019, less than a year after he and fellow wrestler Nikki Bella split and called off their engagement. Back in March 2020, John and Shay were hit with engagement speculation when she was seen wearing a huge diamond on her hand. Marriage rumors started last week when John tweeted, "Love involves constant effort. When you are truly ready to let love in and give to love all it needs to flourish, I feel there is no greater more rewarding connection."
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Health battle
Tom Parker, one of the members of boy band The Wanted, has been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor, he disclosed in a new interview this week. The cancer is terminal. In an interview with OK! Magazine, the singer said he has a grade four glioblastoma tumor and is undergoing treatment in an attempt to shrink it. Tom recalled hearing his diagnosis for the first time in the hospital. "It was a lot to deal with by myself. I still haven't processed it," he said. In an Oct. 11 Instagram post in which he stood next to his pregnant wife and their 16-month-old daughter, Aurelia, he wrote, "We are all absolutely devastated but we are gonna fight this all the way. We don't want your sadness, we just want love and positivity and together we will raise awareness of this terrible disease and look for all available treatment options. It's gonna be a tough battle but with everyone's love and support we are going to beat this."
"The Bachelorette" split
As one "The Bachelorette" star — Clare Crawley — began her journey for love this week, another one ended her marriage. On Oct. 14, Ashley Hebert and J.P. Rosenbaum announced that they were splitting after nearly eight years of marriage. "It is with a heavy heart that I share with you that, after months of separation, Jp and I have amicably decided to go our separate ways," Ashley, a pediatric dentist, wrote on Instagram. "We created the most beautiful children and shared memories that will never be forgotten. Our differences have taken a toll on our relationship and after years of attempting to repair the damage, we've decided that it is in our family's best interest to create new and separate lives for our children." J.P. issued a similar statement, acknowledging that the news was probably a "shock" to many fans who watched the couple find love on the seventh season of "The Bachelorette." "I have written and rewritten this post dozens of times and each time I feel the same level of disbelief and extreme sadness," he wrote. "While I realize that this will come as a complete shock to everyone, I can assure you that this is something that has been developing in our relationship for quite a while."
Reconciliation
Annnnnd they're back on! On Oct. 15, Cardi B confirmed that she and her husband, Offset, have reconciled. The news came a few days after the two were seen kissing at her birthday party and one month after she filed for divorce. "It's hard not to talk to your best friend. It's really hard not to talk to your best friend," she said in a video. "And it's really hard to have no [sex]." As for their roller coaster relationship, Cardi said, "We're just really typical, two young folks… who got married early. That's who we are. We're not no different than y'all…dysfunctional a** relationships."
R.I.P.
"Two and a Half Men" star Conchata Ferrell passed away on Oct. 13. The actress, who was best known for playing a sarcastic housekeeper on the sitcom, died from complications following cardiac arrest, reports revealed. She was 77. Her family said she died at Los Angeles's Sherman Oaks Hospital. Her "Two and a Half Men" co-stars mourned COnchata on social media. Charlie Sheen called her "an absolute sweetheart," "a consummate pro" and "a genuine friend." Jon Cryer said, "Berta's gruff exterior was an invention of the writers. Chatty's warmth and vulnerability were her real strengths. I'm crying for the woman I'll miss, and the joy she brought so many."
Lawsuit
Terry Dubrow, one of the stars of E!'s "Botched," is being sued by a woman for $10 million, as she claims she nearly died as result of a buttock lift he gave her last year. The plastic surgeon has already labeled the lawsuit an extortion attempt. Via her lawyer, the woman claims in legal paperwork that she initially sought Terry's expertise in California to help with loose skin and cellulite on her legs. Following the surgery, she insisted that things went south immediately; she claims she suffered from infections, unbearable pain and permanent disability. The woman's lawyer alleges that Terry was negligent in the procedure because he was in a hurry to get to filming his reality TV show. Terry, E! and others involved in the surgery were named in the lawsuit. Terry has already said he's willing to fight the allegations in arbitration. Terry has also filed a defamation lawsuit against the woman's lawyer.
Big night for music
The 2020 Billboard Music Awards aired on Oct. 14 — Kelly Clarkson ably hosted for the third time — after being postponed from their original date in April due to the coronavirus pandemic. The night's big winners included Post Malone, who earned nine trophies including the night's ultimate prize — top artist — as well as Billie Eilish, who took home three including top new artist and top female artist. Cher presented pal Garth Brooks with the Icon Award, and the stars dressed up for a scaled-down red carpet where they delivered plenty of fashion hits and misses. Numerous artists performed to an empty Dolby Theater in Los Angeles including John Legend — who dedicated "Never Break" to wife Chrissy Teigen, who recently lost their third child to pregnancy complications — Alicia Keys, Demi Lovato, Brandy, En Vogue, BTS and Luke Combs.
Awful interview
Hoda Kotb has interviewed thousands of people over the course of her career, but there's one person she wishes she hadn't sat down with. While appearing on "Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen," where she was questioned by her former "Today" co-host, Kathie Lee Gifford, Hoda was asked about their mutual least favorite morning show guest. "I know exactly who that is. It's Frank Sinatra Jr.," Hoda said. "It was the worst guest we've ever had, bar none. He came for a book, he had a book he was promoting, and he didn't want to talk about it, so he didn't say anything."
