Mariah Carey leaves fan 'utterly wrecked' after nixing ornament tribute
The Queen of Christmas has spoken — and she does not approve of one fan-couple's attempt to honor her Mariah-ness on their Christmas tree. The singer retweeted a post she'd been tagged in on Thursday, Dec. 17, that showed an ornament made to look like her "All I Want For Christmas Is You" cover, complete with sexy Santa suit, on a decorated tree. "My husband and I exchange ornaments every year and this year he got me @MariahCarey which is very festive!" read the original caption from CNN's Kyle Blaine. A closer look at the ornament revealed a few problems, the biggest of which seemed to be a manufacturing issue that gave mini-Mariah a distorted left eye. "This is… Not approved 😐," Mariah captioned her retweet, adding a kind, "(But it's the thought that counts)." Fans who chimed in on the thread were less kind. "HER FACE OMG," wrote one confused user. Others offered their own jokey tributes to see if Mariah would approve or disapprove. "@kyletblaine I think what your husband was saying is 'you'll always be my baby,'" wrote someone else. "But it appears all @MariahCarey wants for Christmas is for u to be a hero-rip it off the tree immediately & say bye bye to that unauthorized product. Don't be a heartbreaker, but make it happen." Poor Kyle responded to that one, admitting that he was feeling all the feelings but saying he just couldn't "let go of this ornament." Finally, Kyle tried to close the book on the whole exchange. "Lots of mixed emotions to get so many private messages congratulating me on getting completely and utterly wrecked by MC," he wrote. Better luck next year, Kyle's husband, wherever you are …
Keep reading for the latest on fallout from Tom Cruise's on-set rant …
'Mission: Impossible' staffers 'walk' after an alleged second rant from Tom Cruise
A second on-set tirade and a wave of staff departures reportedly followed Tom Cruise's now infamous rant over broken COVID-19 protocols on the set of "Mission: Impossible 7." After news (and audio) of Tom yelling at crew members for violating safety rules went viral this week, the actor allegedly tore into the crew again on Tuesday night, according to the Sun. "The first outburst was big but things haven't calmed since," a source tells the tab. "Tension has been building for months and this was the final straw. Since it became public, there has been more anger and several staff have walked." While Tom faced some criticism on social media for his furious and berating tone, lots of his A-list colleagues have said they understand where he's coming from, given the severe effects the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has had on the film industry. "Mission: Impossible 7" has already experienced significant filming delays due to positive COVID-19 test results. The Sun points out Tom is a producer on the franchise and has "pumped a fortune" into various measures to keep staff safe.
Sophie Turner reveals she kept her mask on while giving birth to Willa
In her latest tea-spilling Instagram Story post, Sophie Turner takes on anti-maskers while sharing a rare detail about motherhood. Lounging on a sofa in a white hoodie, the "Game of Thrones" shares a bit of truth with her followers. "If I can wear a mask while I give birth," she says in the clip, pausing every couple of words for effect. "You can wear a mask … at Walmart. And that's the tea." The "Game of Thrones" alum, 24, and her husband Joe Jonas, 31, became parents in July when they welcomed their daughter, Willa. Sophie and Joe have been careful proponents of masking during the pandemic and have shared a number of other posts on social media in which they urge followers to wear masks, maintain safe social distancing and adhere to other CDC safety recommendations.
Paul McCartney reveals Taylor Swift moved her 'evermore' release date out of courtesy for his album release plans
Chivalry's not dead after all — not even in the music business. Paul McCartney joined Howard Stern on SiriusXM Radio this week to talk about his new album, "McCartney III." It's due out Friday, but as he told the shock jock, there was some advance shuffling over the release date — for both Sir Paul and his new pal, Taylor Swift, who released her second surprise album, "evermore," last week. "I did the Rolling Stone cover with Taylor Swift," Paul recalled (via NME), referencing the mutual interview they shared for the magazine's Musicians on Musicians issue. "And she just emailed me recently, and she said, 'I wasn't telling anyone, but I've got another album.' And she said, 'So I was going to put it out on my birthday.' And then she said, 'But I found out you were going to put [yours] out on the 10th. So I moved it to the 18th.' And then she found out we were coming out on the 18th so she moved back to the 10th,'" he continued. "So I mean, you know, people do keep out of each other's way. It's a nice thing to do." Taylor and Paul's Rolling Stone interview also led them to chat about the the 2020 Glastonbury festival. They were slated to play on the same stage, had it not been canceled due to the pandemic, and Paul told a delighted Taylor that he was planning to invite her onstage for a duet of "Shake It Off." "Were you going to invite me?" Taylor asked. "I was hoping you would," she admitted, adding that she was planning to invite him onstage during her set, as well.
Megan Thee Stallion teases possible Grammy performance with Beyonce
The world may finally see a live performance of one of music's popular collaborations of the year. Ahead of next month's 2021 Grammy Awards, first-time nominee Megan Thee Stallion — who's up for four awards — is "in talks to perform 'Savage' with Beyonce" at the ceremony, according to the Los Angeles Times. Megan's hit, which features Bey, is up for record of the year, best rap song and best rap performance for "Savage." She's also up for best new artist. Beyonce, a Houston native like Megan, leads the 2021 Grammy nominations with nine chances to add to her large stockpile of Grammy gold. The Grammys air on CBS on Jan. 31.
Prince Harry, Duchess Meghan and the royal family's relationship has reportedly 'improved'
There will be no group visit to Queen Elizabeth's country home in Sandringham this year, as the pandemic has altered plans for the royal family, just as it has for people around the world. A source tells ET the family will share "Zoom calls" and play "games online" together instead of making their traditional trek to the queen's vacation home. Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan, meanwhile, are expected to celebrate Christmas with their 1-year-old son, Archie, and Meghan's mom, Doria Ragland, at their new home in southern California. But it sounds like they'll be in touch with Harry's family, thanks to recently "improved" relations. "Everyone is on better terms and have been for quite some time," the source explains. "The relationship has improved and COVID has brought everyone closer together." Earlier this week, Meghan and Harry announced that in addition to their Netflix deal, they've inked a multi-year contract with Spotify to produce their own podcast. A report from Newsweek estimates the couple will make $35 to $75 million a year via Spotify, plus "up to $150 million" for their Netflix deal. Along with investments like Meghan's new backing of Clevr Blends instant oat-milk lattes, they could be on a path to be what one expert called the "$10 billion royal couple."
Ellen DeGeneres suffers 'excruciating' back pain after COVID-19 diagnosis
One week after she tested positive for COVID-19, Ellen DeGeneres is feeling "good," except for one weird symptom she didn't expect. In a Twitter update on Wednesday, the daytime show host thanked "all the well wishers out there," via video shot by her wife, Portia de Rossi. "I'm feeling 100 percent. I feel really good," she said from her couch. One thing she noted being surprised by, though, was the "excruciating" back pain she developed because of the coronavirus. "Didn't know that that was a symptom but I talked to some other people — back pain," she said before jumping into a game of Connect Four with her wife.
Jeremih opens up about COVID-19 battle: 'All my organs became inflamed'
While Ellen DeGeneres seems to be having a speedy recovery from her bout with COVID-19, 33-year-old R&B singer Jeremih was not as lucky. He was released from the hospital earlier this month after a long bout with the illness that left him fighting for his life in the ICU. "I was really down bad for the last month and a half while I was in there. You know, I don't even remember the day I went in," he said on "Sway's Universe" this week. "I had the tube down my throat for about a week and a half. I was really, like, in a dream, and I ain't gonna lie, I woke up about two times and all I remember is just seeing a white light," he continued. It turned out that he'd experienced "multiple inflammatory syndrome" as a result of contracting the illness. "All my organs became inflamed," he recalled. "My heart went out, stopped beating and started beating irregularly. My kidneys went out, my liver started to fail. … Mind you, I didn't know what was going on at the time. I was out." Once he left the hospital, the singer had to learn how to do basic things like walk and eat all over again. Still, he said the near-death experience was ultimately a "blessing," because it forced him to slow down. "I needed to take a break," he said.
Amal Clooney jokes she can never write another book or her marriage will be over
While George Clooney continues making press rounds to promote his new movie, "The Midnight Sky," Amal Clooney has been busy promoting a new project of her own. The human rights attorney recently co-wrote a legal text called, "The Right to a Fair Trial in International Law." But as she joked in a virtual book launch this week, it may be her last book — if she wants to stay married. Amal explained that she wrote the tome while traveling with her husband as he worked on a new film. "I know this process seemed interminable to him," she admitted (per People). "Especially since I was always so sure that this was 'the very last drafting session,' over and over again! The book drafting took place at all his filming locations and throughout the process." Amal went on to praise George for being "patient," "wonderfully encouraging and inspiring" as she worked. "I really did not need another example of how amazing he is but this process provided one," she said. "I think he's watching this downstairs in the kitchen, so I just want to say 'thank you,'" she added. "For my side, I can promise for the sake of our marriage that I will never do this again!" George and Amal tied the knot in Italy in 2014. They share 3-year-old twins, Ella and Alexander.
Eddie Murphy, James Earl Jones talk 'Coming 2 America'
More than three decades after Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall and James Earl Jones helmed the classic comedy, "Coming To America," they're set to reprise their roles as Prince Akeem, his best friend Semmi and King Joffer in "Coming 2 America," due out early next year. Speaking to People this week, James and Eddie shared their excitement about the project, which sees Eddie's Prince Akeem return to the U.S. to meet a son he's just learned he has. "I feel it's the perfect time for everyone to return to Zamunda," James, 89 said of the fictional nation led by his character, King Joffer. "This powerful cast, both reuniting the original and welcoming the newcomers, represent the essence of Black royalty," James continued. "Working with Eddie Murphy has been an indelible experience and his dedication and passion for this project is truly inspiring." Eddie, 59, told the outlet he thinks the world could use a laugh after such a trying year. "This is the perfect time to return to Zamunda because it's been a while since we've had a great comedy that everybody can enjoy," he said. "Zamunda is a very funny place, and the world needs that right now." In addition to multiple original cast members, the sequel features Wesley Snipes, Tracy Morgan, Leslie Jones, Jermaine Fowler, KiKi Layne and Eddie's daughter, Bella Murphy. "Coming 2 America" hits Amazon Prime on March 5.