Kimye keep their surrogate at a distance other than medical updates
There's a good chance Kim Kardashian West and Kanye West are spending more time physically checking in on Kim's sisters' baby bumps than that of their surrogate. TMZ reports that while Kimye have been getting updates from doctors about the health of the surrogate and baby on a regular basis and that everything has been "smooth," they haven't been visiting her much. That may have been part of the game plan from the beginning, depending on what boundaries the surrogate mapped out in the initial contract between the parties. Meanwhile, guests at Kim's recent baby shower reportedly told TMZ she's been mellow about the surrogacy and focused on getting the nursery in their new home ready with Kanye ahead their third child's arrival, which is expected to be in January.
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JAY-Z, Beyonce and Blue Ivy step out for a yacht cruise in Miami
After a string of performances around the Gulf Coast region over the past week, JAY-Z took a break from work for some R&R with his family. On Monday Nov. 13, the Roc Nation exec was spotted on a chartered Petrus yacht in Miami with Beyonce and their 5-year-old daughter, Blue Ivy. The high-profile fam spent about two hours sailing around the bay and sharing some lunch with friends on the boat, according to the Daily Mail. The night before their boat ride, Jay performed in Miami, where he stopped the show at one point to speak out in support of NFL players and others who have taken to expressing their concerns about social justice issues in the United States during performances of the National Anthem. "I want y'all to understand, when people are kneeling and putting their firsts up, and doing what they're doing, it's not about a flag," Jay told the crowd of the protests, according to The Fader. "It's about justice, it's about injustice," he continued. "And that's not a black or white thing — it's a human issue." Jay's 4:44 tour continues Tuesday, Nov. 14, in Atlanta.
Simon Cowell cuts way back on smoking, gives up booze after fall
When he fell down the stairs in his London home last month, Simon Cowell could have died — and he knows it. That's why he's started to make changes with regard to his health. In a new interview with now magazine (via the New York Post), the "X Factor" star says he's given up his longtime habits of smoking heavily and drinking vodka "to spark creativity." Says Simon: "I've cut down smoking to two [cigarettes] a day. That's it." He's said in the past he would sometimes smoke as many as 80 cigarettes in a day. "I'm just eating [and drinking] water," he assured the magazine. When he fell, Simon's partner Lauren Silverman was out of the country and he was the only one home with their 3-year-old son. "Sometimes we get a reminder that we're not invincible and this was certainly mine. It was a huge shock," he told The Sun after his accident. "They think I fainted because I had low blood pressure and so I have got to really take good care of myself to sort that out. … After all I am a dad and have more responsibility than ever."
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Keegan-Michael Key and Elisa Pugliese are engaged
These two lovebirds are making their romance official. Yep, Keegan-Michael Key and producer and director Elisa Pugliese are engaged, a rep for the stars confirms to E! News. The pair have kept their relationship relatively low-key other than making a few public appearances together around the Emmys, Tony Awards and U.S. Open, which may be in part because of their busy schedules — Keegan-Michael is slated to star in the live-action "Lion King" and Elisa is producing a forthcoming cop drama that stars her fiance and Olivia Munn. Keegan-Michael was previously married to Cynthia Blaise for 15 years. He filed for divorce on Dec. 31, 2015.
Alison Brie says marriage has made her feel 'more free'
It's easy to think of marriage as being a kind of last-stop shop in the romance department. But the way Alison Brie sees it, getting hitched with Dave Franco opened her life to the possibility of new experiences. "Something about being married made me feel so settled, almost more free, I guess, rather than like trapped. It's great. So now, let's go do whatever we want. Onward and upward," the "GLOW" star explained to People this week. She added that working on the hit series, a riff on the '80s-era all-women's wrestling show of the same name, contributed to her feeling hopeful and open around the same time she got married in March. "That was such a body-positive experience and everything in general," Alison said "I think I had a lot of confidence coming out of that." The couple met at a Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans in 2011 and announced their engagement in 2015.
Joe Jackson compares Blanket to Michael Jackson
Joe Jackson is reaching out to his grandson, Blanket Jackson in a rare and public way. This week, he posted a video on his website for the 15-year-old, "To my grandson Blanket. You are like your father in so many ways, and you remind me most of him. Enjoy life, see lots of good movies, stay healthy and remember, I do love you!" he captioned the clip (via E! News). Joe, 89, opens the video with a "hello, Blanket!" before praising the teenager for his apparent good health, giving him general advice on life and comparing him to his famous father, Michael Jackson. "This is Joe Jackson, and you're healthy as I don't know what. You're like your father. Now I understand why your father had you wear masks all the time 'cause news people was bothering him so much and he tried to disguise you as much as possible …" Joe says to the camera. "Well, I want you to stay healthy and stay off those bikes too, you know? Don't drive now, but anyway tell all your brothers I said hello and stay clean and healthy," he continues. "And see a lot of movies as you can, good movies of course. Be like me: Be tough, be tough in a good way and you'll live a long time. Above all, I love you all. Take care man, be good and I see you next time I come to LA, OK? Adios." The bike reference is likely related to Blanket's brother Prince Jackson's recent fall from his motorcycle. It's unclear what inspired the rest of the message.
Is the FBI involved in Meek Mill's probation violation case?
The rallies, petitions and general public outcry over Meek Mill's multi-year sentence for a probation violation may have helped pique the FBI's interest. As the rapper sits in solitary confinement, serving his two-to-four year prison term despite requests from the D.A. and his probation officer that he not go to jail for the probation issues, a new report from the New York Post claims the organization is investigating Judge Genece Brinkley. The report comes on the heels of multiple filings by Meek's lawyer citing the judge's allegedly biased behavior. The attorney has said the judge asked Meek to record a Boyz II Men song and give her a shoutout in the track and that she urged him part with Roc Nation and sign with Charlie Mac, a Philadelphia-based music exec the judge claims to know. Charlie Mac also happens to manage Boyz II Men. "The feds have an interest in the judge and [her] potential relationships. This is an investigation looking into a possible extortionate demand. Undercover agents have been in the courtroom monitoring the Meek proceedings since April 2016," a source tells the Post. "Mack had previously told Meek how he 'knows the judge and he could help him with his case,'" the insider said. Now, Mack is reportedly saying he doesn't know the judge, that "there is no conspiracy" and that he's been friends with Meek for more than 30 years. The judge, Meek's lawyer and a rep for the local FBI office all told the Post they cannot on the matter. JAY-Z and other stars have spoken out i support of Meek, slamming the judge and the criminal justice system for the harsh terms of the sentence.
Pamela Adlon axes manager amid Louis C.K. sexual misconduct scandal
The backlash isn't over for Louis C.K. and those who work or have worked with him. After the comic confirmed he behaved in a sexually inappropriate manner towards the five women who came forward in a New York Times expose, his longtime management company, 3 Arts Entertainment, and manager and friend Dave Becky dropped him from their client list. Now, Louis' partner on "Better Things," Pamela Adlon, has dropped Dave Becky, who was also her manager, according to the New York Post. In a statement after the story came out, Pamela said she was "devastated and in shock after the admission of abhorrent behavior by my friend and partner, Louis C.K," adding that she felt "deep sorrow and empathy for the women who have come forward." She reportedly fired Dave over the weekend. The manager still works with A-list comics including Kevin Hart, Aziz Ansari and Amy Poehler.
Joe Manganiello reveals his Thanksgiving plans with Sofia Vergara
We're starting to sense a pattern here. After Sofia Vergara and Joe Manganiello tied the knot in 2015, Sofia admitted they had some trouble keeping the guest list down — and by down, we mean under 400 people — since her family is large and super excited to share in her big day. Welp, looks like the happy couple is prepping for another massive throw down. Speaking to "Extra," Joe said he and Sofia are hosting Thanksgiving this year and it sounds like the dinner could be something of a wedding deja vu, guest-wise. "It was supposed to be small, but now it's gonna be gigantic," he told Jerry Penacoli at a recent gala to benefit the Down Syndrome Foundation. On the plus side, he won't have to do much cooking. The "Magic Mike" star noted that he and his wife aren't exactly pro chefs, so Sofia's 26-year-old son will be on turkey duty.
Amy Schumer's rumored new boyfriend: Get the scoop on Chris Fischer
Whatever's going on with Amy Schumer and New England-based chef Chris Fischer, wine and candlelight seems to be involved, sparking outlets to E! News to wonder if the comedian and former Mario Batali sous-chef are dating. E! did a little digging after Amy and Chris were spotted sharing dinner and some vino in New York City recently, and shared a few fun facts about the dark-haired, smile-prone chef and cookbook author. For starters, Chris, now 37, reportedly appeared on "Inside Amy Schumer" briefly in 2016. It turns out his sister is Amy's personal assistant, so there's a chance she introduced the two. Chris reportedly runs his family's Chilmark, Mass. farm, Beetlebung, where he now runs a produce market and has plans to eventually use the market and farm to sustain a restaurant. (His previous restaurant, Beach Plum Inn on Martha's Vineyard, has been cited by the Obamas as their go-to date-night venue on the island.) Last but not least, Chris, like Amy, has been celebrated for his writing: In 2016, he won a James Beard Award for his Beetlebung Farm Cookbook.