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Elliot Page Speaks Out Over ‘Upsetting, Cruel And Exhausting’ US Transgender Bills

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Elliot Page has described a wave of bills targeting the transgender community in the US as “upsetting, cruel and exhausting”.

Politicians in Alabama and North Dakota have approved bans on transgender women and girls from playing on sports teams that match their gender identity.

They joined a series of Republican-led states in having introduced bills critics describe as being anti-trans, including laws designed to ban gender-confirming surgery for transgender youths.

The actor, who came out as transgender in December, urged his social media followers to call politicians and voice their opposition to the legislation.

Elliot, known for his work on Netflix superhero series The Umbrella Academy, said: “As I watch the movement of these bills attacking trans youth across the US, especially this week in Florida, Alabama, Texas and North Dakota, I am thinking of my trans siblings and the collective pain that our community must endure to battle again and again for our right to exist.

“These bills are upsetting, cruel and exhausting.”

The 34-year-old added: “Call your representatives. Tell them to oppose legislation that discriminates against us. Tell them our access to health care is an inalienable human right. Tell them to let trans kids play sports. Tell them that #TransPeopleBelong – we always have, and we always will.”

Elliot also shared a picture of himself holding up a sign reading “protect trans kids”.

This year has seen a record number of anti-transgender bills introduced in the US, according to the Human Rights Campaign, an LGBT advocacy group.

Transgender rights have emerged as a fraught issue in the culture wars.

Earlier this month Arkansas became the first US state to outlaw gender-affirming medical treatments or surgery for minors.

Those who back restrictions on transgender women in sports say they are essential to maintain fair competition for female athletes, while critics argue they unfairly target the transgender community and are not based on science.

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Jennifer Lopez And Fiancé Alex Rodriguez Call Off Engagement Weeks After Denying Split

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Jennifer Lopez has announced that she and fiancé Alex Rodriguez are going their separate ways after four years together.

The pair began dating in 2017 and announced that they were engaged in 2019.

However, on Thursday morning, the Jenny From The Block singer confirmed that she and Alex had decided to call off their engagement, just weeks after denying that they had split.

In a joint statement given to US broadcaster NBC’s The Today Show, the former couple said: “We have realised we are better as friends and look forward to remaining so.

“We will continue to work together and support each other on our shared businesses and projects.”

They added: “We wish the best for each other and one another’s children. Out of respect for them, the only other comment we have to say is thank-you to everyone who has sent kind words and support.”

Gilbert Carrasquillo via Getty Images

Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez pictured in 2019

It was first rumoured that J-Lo and A-Rod had called it quits last month, and while they insisted at the time that these stories were “inaccurate”, they also said in a statement they were “working through some things”.

Jennifer has been married three times, including to fellow singer Marc Anthony – with whom she has 13-year-old twins, Max and Emme – for 10 years.

She was previously married to Ojani Noa and former back-up dancer Cris Judd, and got engaged to actor Ben Affleck in 2002, but they split a year later.

Meanwhile, Alex has two teenage daughters with his ex-wife, Cynthia Scurtis, to whom he was married for six years.

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Vernon Kay Reveals The Reason Why He’ll Never Appear On Strictly Alongside Wife Tess Daly

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Vernon Kay might have reached the final of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! but you won’t catch him on rival reality show Strictly Come Dancing in a hurry. 

The TV presenter has ruled out taking part on the BBC ballroom competition as he believes it would be too “weird” dancing in front of wife Tess Daly. 

Despite Tess having hosted Strictly since it began in 2004, Vernon said he has “never” been asked to participate. 

David M. Benett via Getty Images

Vernon Kay and Tess Daly

Speaking to Jamie Laing and Francis Boulle on their Private Parts podcast, Vernon said: “I think it would be weird, I really think it would be weird.”

“Because Tess is pretty much, ‘say what you see’ and I know that if I finished a dance, she would – she wouldn’t be able to help herself.

“She’d say, ‘You did that better in the kitchen.’

“She can’t hide anything, you know,” he added.

BBC

Tess with Strictly Come Dancing co-host Claudia Winkleman

While we won’t be seeing Vernon showing off his moves any time soon, he has reunited with Tess on screen his new ITV gameshow Game Of Talents. 

Tess appeared as a contestant on Saturday night’s series opener, which saw celebrities trying to helping two members of the public win large amounts of money by guessing complete strangers’ talents. 

David M. Benett via Getty Images

The couple are keen to do more TV work together

The couple, who have been married 18 years, previously presented BBC singing competition Just The Two of us together in 2007 and are keen to work together again. 

Vernon recently told The Sun: “When we did ‘Just The Two Of Us’, I had the role where you’re pretty much reactive to what you’ve just seen backstage, so I didn’t really have much to say.

“It was all Tess, and she was front of house. ‘Game of Talents’ was really nice. And after this we thought it’d be great to do something together again. So we’ll just wait and see what happens.”

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Nikki Grahame, Big Brother Star, Has Died, Aged 38

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Nikki Grahame has died aged 38 after battling anorexia.

The much-loved Big Brother star had checked into a private hospital last month after her eating disorder worsened in lockdown.

It came after fans, friends and family of the star raised more than £65,500 via a fundraising page to start paying for life-saving care.

Her manager confirmed she had died on Friday morning.

A statement from her representative said: “It is with immeasurable sadness that Nikki Grahame passed away in the early hours of Friday 9th April 2021. Please respect the privacy of Nikki’s friends and family at this tragic and difficult time.”

Mike Marsland via Getty Images

LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 21: Nikki Grahame attends OK! Magazine’s 25th Anniversary Party at The View from The Shard on March 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage)

The organisers of the Go Fund Me fundraiser updated the page to share the sad news with fans of the star.

“It is with great sadness, we have to let you know that our dear friend Nikki passed away in the early hours of Friday 9th April,” it reads.

“It breaks our hearts to know that someone who is so precious was taken from us at such a young age. Nikki not only touched the lives of millions of people, but also her friends and family who will miss her immensely.

“We would like to request privacy at this difficult time, while Nikki’s friends and family process the sad news.

“Full details will be released as and when we know them.

“All donations have been greatly appreciated and it was heartwarming for everyone including Nikki to see how much she was loved.

“Funds will be held safely in this GoFundMe until we have established an organisation supporting those suffering from anorexia to which we will make a donation in Nikki’s memory. We will post updates for you with more details as soon as we have them. Rest In Peace, Nikki. We love you & not a day will go by without missing your smile. X X X”

Stars from the entertainment world have been paying tribute on Twitter…

Nikki was a contestant on the seventh series of Big Brother UK in 2006.

Last month, Nikki’s mum Sue told The Telegraph (££) that lockdown had “floored” her daughter.

“This last year has just about floored her,” she told the newspaper. “From the first lockdown, it was hellish. She struggled because she couldn’t go to the gym.

“Then in December she fell down and cracked her pelvis in two places and broke her wrist. I stayed with her for three or four weeks because she couldn’t do anything.

We’ve been on this road a long time, 30 years on and off, and I’ve never seen her this bad. I’m frightened that I’ll die and she’ll have no one to support her. I don’t want her to go through any of this alone.”

Useful websites and helplines:

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James Corden Reveals How Close Paul McCartney Came To Pulling The Plug On Carpool Karaoke

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Sir Paul McCartney’s viral 2018 Carpool Karaoke appearance came this close to being cancelled by the artist,  James Corden revealed this week.

The legendary Beatle repeatedly “got cold feet” over the project, which was filmed in his native city of Liverpool, England, the Late, Late Show host recalled. 

Speaking at PaleyFest LA 2021, James said he sent a heartfelt email to Macca, pleading the case for the singer-songwriter’s participation.

The show had already scouted locations, he told Sir Paul, and cancelling at the eleventh hour would cause a big financial hit. He promised the segment would turn out “great”.

Carpool Karaoke

Paul McCartney on Carpool Karaoke

Sir Paul apparently wobbled multiple times, and even considered pulling the plug on the morning of the shoot, according to James. Fortunately, the star finally agreed to get back on board when he was told to enjoy himself.

The Carpool Karaoke segment itself saw the pair driving around Liverpool, with Sir Paul visiting someone of his old haunts and singing Penny Lane on, well, Penny Lane, obviously.

James also got misty-eyed when they performed Let It Be together.

After it aired, Sir Paul secured his first chart-topping album as a soloist in the United States and, according to James, texted him to say: “We did it. Thank you for convincing me to do it. I had a blast.”

Check out Corden’s comments here:

And see the “Carpool Karaoke” segment here:

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Ryan Reynolds Expertly Trolls Conspiracy Theorists As He Receives Covid-19 Vaccine

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Ryan Reynolds had some fun at anti-vaccine conspiracy theorists’ expense as he received his jab against Covid-19.

The Canadian actor posted a picture of himself receiving the vaccine on Wednesday, along with a cheeky message referencing a certain debunked conspiracy theory that began circulating in the early days of the pandemic.

“Finally got 5G,” the Deadpool actor wrote alongside a photo of himself getting the jab while sporting a face covering and, we have to say, a rather fetching pink hat.

The tweet quickly sparked some brilliant responses on social media – with the exception of mobile phone network Vodafone, who commented: “Please don’t encourage them, Ryan.”

Since the vaccine roll-out began last year, a number of high-profile stars have spoken out about receiving the jab.

Among those to receive it in the early stages were Great British Bake Off judge Prue Leith and veteran actors Sir Ian McKellen and Brian Blessed.

More recently, Dolly Parton made quite the literal song and dance when she had hers earlier this month, delivering a rewritten version of her classic Jolene while she had the injection.

“Vaccine, vaccine, vaccine, vaccine, I’m begging of you, please don’t hesitate,” she sang. Vaccine, vaccine, vaccine, vaccine, because once you’re dead, then that’s a bit too late.”

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Rachel Bilson Says Rami Malek Was Less Than Impressed With Her Throwback Photo Of Them As Teenagers

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Rachel Bilson and Rami Malek have apparently been involved in some drama that’s straight out of a high school yearbook.

The former star of The O.C. sat down with Dax Shepard and Monica Padman on a recent episode of their podcast, Armchair Expert, and shared an odd story about the Oscar winner.

Apparently, back in February 2019, Rachel shared a snapshot of herself and Rami in New York City when they were teenagers, in an effort to poke fun at their younger selves.

The pair were friends back in the day, having both attended Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, California, so the image was a nod to where they came from.

Barcroft Media via Getty Images

Rachel Bilson

“Rami was a good friend of mine,” explained Rachel.“We were [in] the same crew. We did [the play] The Crucible together [in] senior year, we were the leads in it together— all these things.”

Rachel figured the throwback photo would be a fun way to celebrate Rami amid his various appearances at various awards shows in 2019 for his performance as Freddie Mercury in the Queen film Bohemian Rhapsody.

“Obviously, he gets super famous and he’s always been extremely talented … even in high school,” she continued.

“I had posted a throwback of us from our senior trip to New York… just the dorkiest picture of the both of us. But I throw it up [on Instagram], ’cause it’s funny and I think it’s so important to be able to make fun of yourself.”

However, she then that the image soon prompted a direct message from Rami on Instagram.

Amy Sussman via Getty Images

Rami Malek at last year’s Oscars

Rachel said that when her old friend contacted her there was no “hey! how are you?”.

“It was straight to: ‘I would really appreciate if you take that down. I’m a really private person’,” she revealed.

“I was like, ‘Oh, shit! Okay!’ I get really hot and start sweating. I’m all nervous, like, ‘Oh god! What did I do?’. He was a really good friend, it’s a funny picture … you know? I don’t take myself that seriously.”

Rachel later spoke with Rami’s stylist, a friend of hers, who said: “Well it’s not a great picture of him.”

She also said that The O.C. creator Josh Schwartz remarked on the post, telling her: “You did him dirty. He’s about to be [Oscar] nominated.”

“I removed it, and I even wrote to him a really nice message like, ‘I’m so sorry! Go get the Oscar! You’re doing amazing’,” Rachel recalled. “And I never heard anything back, which is fine.

“I was super bummed because he was so nice, and we were good friends. I’m a big fan of not taking yourself seriously, especially at that level of fame and talent. But look, he wants to be super respected. It’s his thing, so I respected it. I took it down. I was just a little bummed at how it was handled.”

Rami probably didn’t stay too upset, though. He walked away with the Oscar for Best Actor just a few weeks later.

Listen to Rachel’s full interview on the Armchair Expert podcast.

A version of this story previously appeared on the US edition of HuffPost.

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‘Jaysus! ‘Jaysus!’ Jedward’s Famous Quiffs Are No More As Twin’s Shave Off Each Other’s Hair On Live TV

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Jedward are as famous for their huge blond quiffs as they are for their dodgy choreo, but now the loveable twin brothers have a whole new look going on.

The 28-year-olds are now both sporting buzz cuts after shaving each other’s famous locks off live on Irish TV on Friday night.

The siblings, who shot to fame on the 2009 series of The X Factor, were in surprisingly good spirits considering they were about to ditch their trademark look on RTE’s The Late Late Show.

It was all in the name of charity as John and Edward were raising money for the Irish Cancer Society’s Daffodil Day appeal.

It’s a cause close to the brother’s heart after they lost their mum to cancer in 2019.

As John picked up the electric razor to free his brother of his quiff, Edward said: “We’ve had this hair for over 10 years. It’s part of our identity. I don’t think we’d be here today if we didn’t have the hair, but this is the first time we’re going to have our hair like this since the beginning of Jedward.”

The Eurovision star then joked that he’d be investing in hats and sunscreen – before hilariously catching his reflection and screaming “Jaysus! Jaysus!”

“Who am I? Who is this person?,” John exclaimed before joking that he was a doppelgänger for Sinead O’Connor. 

The brothers then treated everyone to an impromptu rendition of their fellow Irish star’s biggest hit, Nothing Compares 2 U.

It was all just as brilliantly chaotic as you’d expect.

Jedward’s efforts helped raise €2.5million (£2.1m) for the Irish Cancer Society. 

Earlier in the show, Jedward performed an acoustic rendition of Cyndi Lauper’s True Colours. They also shared that as well as their mum battling cancer, their grandad had previously been diagnosed with lung cancer and skin cancer. 

To donate to Daffodil Day, visit the Irish Cancer Society.

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Sharon Osbourne Leaves US Show The Talk Following Heated On-Air Discussion About Piers Morgan And Racism

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Sharon Osbourne has left US chat show The Talk following a heated on-air discussion about racism.

It came after her friend Piers Morgan left Good Morning Britain following comments he made about Meghan Markle.

The Talk has been off air while CBS investigated the incident and has now announced Sharon has left the programme.

It said her behaviour during the 10 March episode “did not align with our values for a respectful workplace”.

CBS Photo Archive via Getty Images

Sharon Osbourne on The Talk.

In a statement obtained by the PA news agency, it said: “Sharon Osbourne has decided to leave The Talk.

“The events of the March 10 broadcast were upsetting to everyone involved, including the audience watching at home.

“As part of our review, we concluded that Sharon’s behaviour toward her co-hosts during the March 10 episode did not align with our values for a respectful workplace.”

Responding to Sharon’s claims she had been set up by producers, CBS said: “We also did not find any evidence that CBS executives orchestrated the discussion or blindsided any of the hosts.”

However, CBS said it acknowledges the network, studio teams and producers are “accountable for what happened during that broadcast” because “it was clear the co-hosts were not properly prepared by the staff for a complex and sensitive discussion involving race”.

CBS Photo Archive via Getty Images

L-R: Elaine Welteroth, Carrie Ann Inaba, Sharon Osbourne, Sheryl Underwood and Amanda Kloots, hosts of the CBS series THE TALK

CBS said during The Talk’s hiatus it will coordinate “workshops, listening sessions and training about equity, inclusion and cultural awareness for the hosts, producers and crew”.

It added: “Going forward, we are identifying plans to enhance the producing staff and producing procedures to better serve the hosts, the production and, ultimately, our viewers.”

The Talk is set to return to US screens on Monday 12 April.

The former X Factor judge has been contacted for comment.

Sharon’s future on The Talk was thrown into doubt after she clashed with co-host Sheryl Underwood, during a discussion about Piers’ comments on Meghan’s recent interview with Oprah Winfrey.

He was criticised for saying he does not believe the duchess after she revealed she had suffered with her mental health and had suicidal thoughts.

CBS Photo Archive via Getty Images

Sheryl Underwood, host of the CBS series THE TALK

During a heated discussion, Sharon said: “I feel even like I’m about to be put in the electric chair because I have a friend who many people think is a racist so that makes me a racist.”

Sharon confronted co-host Sheryl, who is Black, and told her “don’t try and cry, because if anyone should be crying, it should be me”.

She added: “You tell me where you have heard him say, educate me, tell me when you have heard him say racist things.

“Educate me. Tell me.”

Sheryl said it was “not the exact words of racism” but “the implication and the reaction to it, to not want to address that because she is a Black woman and to try to dismiss it or to make it seem less than what it is, that’s what makes it racist”.

Sharon, wife of rocker Ozzy Osbourne, later said she was “truly sorry” if she caused offence with her comments.

She gave an interview to Entertainment Tonight and alleged she had not been sufficiently prepared for the conversation by producers.

Sharon said her co-hosts “had preparation, they had written questions for them” but she was only approached eight minutes before filming began and was asked if she was OK with discussing Piers.

She told ET she felt she had been “set up,” adding: “My anger was like, I cannot believe this, I’m your sacrificial lamb.”

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Seth Rogen Clarifies Rumours About Emma Watson Walking Off Set Of This Is The End

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Seth Rogen has clarified reports about Emma Watson walking off the set of This Is The End, due to the outrageous content of one of its scenes.

In 2013, Seth co-directed and co-wrote the star-studded disaster comedy, which sees a number of celebrities playing themselves as they deal with the end of the world.

The Harry Potter star was supposed to have been involved in a scene that featured Channing Tatum being led around on a dog leash while sporting a thong, while Danny McBride led a group of cannibals.

Reports after the film was released claimed the sequence proved too much for Emma, who decided she couldn’t be involved and walked off set, although she did appear in other scenes and helped promote the film when it was released.

Danielle Levitt/British GQ

Seth Rogen in his GQ photo-shoot

Asked about the rumours during an interview with GQ magazine, Seth said: “I don’t look back on that and think: ‘How dare she do that?’ You know? I think sometimes when you read something, when it comes to life it doesn’t seem to be what you thought it was.

“But it was not some terrible ending to our relationship. She came back the next day to say goodbye. She helped promote the film.

“No hard feelings, and I couldn’t be happier with how the film turned out in the end.”

“She was probably right,” Seth added. “It was probably funnier the way we ended up doing it.”

Paul Bruinooge via Getty Images

Emma Watson at the premiere of Little Women in 2019

HuffPost UK has contacted Emma Watson’s publicist for comment.

Although he didn’t name anyone directly, actor James Franco previously alluded to the incident in Interview magazine.

He said: “The movie is a comedy, but it’s kind of an outrageous one, and this actress—I won’t say who, but she had a smaller role in the film—walked off the movie in the middle of a scene.”

James continued: “I’ll admit that the scene we were doing was pretty crazy. There’s not any nudity, but it is pretty outrageous. It’s not as if the scene wasn’t in the script, though.

“In any case, I didn’t see any of this go down, but I guess she basically went up to the directors, Seth and Evan [Goldberg], and said, ‘I don’t think I can do this’. She, by the way, didn’t have to do anything crazy in the scene. But what was going on around her was, I guess, too extreme for her.

“So Seth was like, ‘Well, what can we do to fix it?’. And she said, ‘There’s nothing you can do to fix it. It’s just everything’. And he said, ‘Well, let’s just shoot it and I promise you can come to the editing room, and, if you don’t like what we’ve cut together, then we will not put it in the movie’. And she said, ‘No, that’s still not good. I just can’t do this. I can’t be here’. And he said, ‘Do you want to leave?’. And she said, ‘Yeah, I’ve got to leave’.”

Read Seth’s interview in full in the May issue of British GQ available via digital download and on newsstands Thursday 1st April.

Danielle Levitt/British GQ

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