By Mark Gray
10:09am PDT, Jun 27, 2021
Health crisis
Rocker Mark Hoppus took to social media on June 23 to announce that he has cancer. "For the past three months I've been undergoing chemotherapy for cancer. I have cancer," the blink-182 bassist-vocalist wrote. "It sucks and I'm scared, and at the same time I'm blessed with incredible doctors and family and friends to get me through this. I still have months of treatment ahead of me but I'm trying to remain hopeful and positive," he added. "Can't wait to be cancer free and see you all at a concert in the hopefully near future. Love to you all."
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Testify!
Britney Spears has made it very, very clear that she wants to end the conservatorship that's ruled her life for the past 13 years, and she took aim at her family in the process. On June 23 during a court hearing, the pop star asked that her comments be made public then railed on her father, her care manager and her management team and compared herself to a slave. "I've lied and told the whole world I'm OK and I'm happy. It's a lie. I've been in denial. I've been in shock. I am traumatized. Fake it 'til you make it, but now I'm telling you the truth, OK? I'm not happy. I can't sleep. I'm depressed. I cry every day," she said. "I'm not here to be anyone's slave." Her words were explosive. She also said she wanted to sue her family for not protecting her. Britney also revealed she wants to have another child but said the conservatorship is preventing that from happening. "I have an IUD in my body right now that won't let me have a baby and my conservators won't let me go to the doctor to take it out. … I feel ganged up on. I feel bullied and I feel left out and alone," she said. Her arguments were compelling, lucid and daring. "I just want my life back," she said, leading dozens of Hollywood stars and fans to react on social media.
RELATED: Celebs react to Britney's bombshell conservatorship hearing revelations
Ousted
It's the end of an era for Bachelor Nation and fans watching at home. On June 8, Chris Harrison confirmed that he's leaving the franchise after 19 years at the helm. "I've had a truly incredible run as host of The Bachelor franchise and now I'm excited to start a new chapter," he wrote on Instagram. "I'm so grateful to Bachelor Nation for all of the memories we've made together. While my two-decade journey is wrapping up, the friendships I've made will last a lifetime." Page Six reported that Chris demanded a $25 million buyout. It's not known if he got it. Earlier this year, Chris had taken a leave of absence from the show after defending contestant Rachel Kirkconnell for her controversial racist past actions.
RELATED: Past, present, future: All the guest hosts of the "The Bachelor" franchises
Royal baby
Welcome to the world, Lilibet "Lili" Diana Mountbatten-Windsor! On June 4, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle welcomed their second child and first daughter. "It is with great joy that Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, welcome their daughter, Lilibet 'Lili' Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, to the world," the couple's Archewell charity said in a statement. "Lili was born on Friday, June 4 at 11:40 a.m. in the trusted care of the doctors and staff at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara, CA. She weighed 7 lbs 11 oz. Both mother and child are healthy and well, and settling in at home." The little girl was named after Queen Elizabeth II, whose family nickname is Lilibet. Her middle name, Diana, was chosen to honor Harry's late mother.
Shift change
Ch-ch-changes! "The Real Housewives of Orange County" is getting a makeover. On June 15, it was announced that Kelly Dodd, Elizabeth Lyn Vargas and Braunwyn Windham-Burke were all out. "Housewives" alum Heather Dubrow is back in. In the wake of the news, Braunwyn said she was "incredibly sad" to leave. Kelly added on social media, "The last five years have been an amazing experience. The next five years will be even better. I am so grateful for all the love and support and so excited about the future." Kelly also blamed Braunwyn for her axing.
It's over
Khloe Kardashian and Tristan Thompson are done… again. On June 21, reports revealed the two quietly split a few weeks ago. The breakup came after Instagram model Sydney Chase claimed in April that she and the NBA player hooked up. "They're getting along. There is no drama," a source told Page Six of Khloe and Tristan now, adding that "everything is amicable, and they are on the same page with co-parenting" their 3-year-old daughter, True. As the news hit, Khloe reposted a quote about being "at peace." The same day the breakup news broke, Daily Mail reported that Tristan was seen at a party a few days earlier where he went into a bedroom with three women and emerged 30 minutes later looking disheveled.
Beauty pageant controversy
Ellie Kemper found her name on the wrong end of social media in early June after her involvement in a debutante ball with a troubling history made headlines. As a teen, the star of "The Office" and "The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" was crowned the "Queen of Love and Beauty" at the Veiled Prophet Ball in St. Louis. The organization that puts on the ball was founded by former Confederate officers and didn't allow Black members for 101 years. After a week of backlash, Ellie broke her silence on June 7. "The century-old organization that hosted the debutante ball had an unquestionably racist, sexist and elitist past. I was not aware of the history at the time, but ignorance is no excuse. I was old enough to have educated myself before getting involved. I unequivocally deplore, denounce, and reject white supremacy," she said. She continued, "At the same time, I acknowledge that because of my race and my privilege, I am the beneficiary of a system that has dispensed unequal justice and unequal rewards. I believe strongly in the values of kindness, integrity and inclusiveness. I try to live my life in accordance with these values. If my experience is an indication that organizations and institutions with pasts that fall short of these beliefs should be held to account, then I have to see this experience in a positive light."
Rehab stint
Armie Hammer checked into a Florida in-patient rehab facility at the end of May to seek treatment for "drug, alcohol and sex issues," Vanity Fair reported on June 8. In January, the actor was accused by multiple women of sexual violence and emotional abuse. Meanwhile, he left multiple projects in the wake of those allegations and the emergence of screen grabs allegedly written by him in which he discussed cannibalism and sexual fantasies involving rape. According to Vanity Fair, Armie checked into rehab on May 31 and plans to stay for "as long as it takes to get healthy." A friend added, "This is a clear sign that he is taking back control [of] his life and knows that this [is] a step towards his overall well being."
Mea culpa
Chrissy Teigen again publicly apologized for her past behavior in which she cyberbullied Courtney Stodden and others. On June 14, the model and cookbook author posted a lengthy message on Medium, noting it had been a "VERY humbling few weeks." Chrissy wrote, "I know I've been quiet, and lord knows you don't want to hear about me, but I want you to know I've been sitting in a hole of deserved global punishment, the ultimate 'sit here and think about what you've done.'" She added, "Not a day, not a single moment has passed where I haven't felt the crushing weight of regret for the things I've said in the past. As you know, a bunch of my old awful (awful, awful) tweets resurfaced. I'm truly ashamed of them. As I look at them and understand the hurt they caused, I have to stop and wonder: How could I have done that?" Chrissy also addressed Courtney. "I've apologized publicly to one person, but there are others — and more than just a few — who I need to say I'm sorry to," she said. "I'm in the process of privately reaching out to the people I insulted."
Unapologetic slur
Kid Rock was captured on video casually hurling a homophobic slur while on stage at a Tennessee bar on June 5. "You f****** f****** with your iPhones out!" he screamed at a crowd recording videos of his performance. He then told the iPhone camera users to post clips of his crotch and pointed at it, rather than videos of him. A few days later, he doubled down on his words but he tried to distance himself from his "Kid Rock" persona and addressed his Twitter followers by his real name. "If Kid Rock using the word f***** offends you, good chance you are one," he wrote. "Either way, I know he has a lot of love for his gay friends and I will have a talk with him. Have a nice day. -Bob Ritchie."
New hosts
Welcome to Bachelor Nation 2.0. Now that Chris Harrison has officially left the "The Bachelor" franchises, several names will host the shows. The upcoming "Bachelor in Paradise" season, for instance, will see a rotation of hosts including David Spade, Lance Bass, Lil Jon and Tituss Burgess. There are rumors of others too. The current "The Bachelorette" season is being hosted by Tayshia Adams and Kaitlyn Bristowe. Welcome to the Bachelor A.C. (After Chris.)
