By Wonderwall.com Editors
6:33am PDT, Jun 30, 2021
TLC cancels 'Counting On' as Josh Duggar's trial looms
After 11 seasons, TLC is pulling the plug on the Duggar family's "Counting On" ahead of Josh Duggar's trial. The "19 Kids and Counting" spinoff was created after news broke revealing Josh had molested five girls, including some of his own sisters, when he was a teen. The 33-year-old father of six is now facing new heartbreaking allegations: He was arrested in April for allegedly possessing hundreds of child sexual abuse images. In a statement published by People and other outlets on June 29, TLC confirmed that the network "… will not be producing additional seasons of 'Counting On,'" adding that the network "feels it is important to give the Duggar family the opportunity to address their situation privately." The eldest son of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar's kids pleaded not guilty to the charges against him and is currently out on bail and confined to the home of family friends serving as his third-party custodians. If convicted, faces up to 40 years in prison, plus hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines. "19 Kids and Counting" was canceled in 2015, the same year "Counting On" premiered. (TLC has noted Josh never returned to the air after 2015.) Josh's trial was scheduled for July 6 and on June 29, a federal judge pushed the start date to Nov. 30. The former reality star's lawyer had asked the court to delay proceedings until February 2022.
Keep reading for the latest on Britney Spears' conservatorship drama, new music from Halsey and more …
RELATED: Talk show host controversies and feuds
Britney Spears' personal conservator Jodi Montgomery is reportedly working to give her 'the tools to get better'
Britney Spears' care manager and personal conservator, Jodi Montgomery, reportedly wants to see the singer find her way out of the conservatorship she described at a hearing last week as "traumatic" and abusive. A source tells People Jodi's "working with a team of experts concentrated on giving Britney the tools to get better," with, "the hope" being "that she can eventually get out of" the court-ordered arrangement that's put her father, Jamie Spears, and others in control of her life since 2008. During the hearing, Britney, 39, described being afraid of her father and his "harsh" punishments. She also said that since Jodi took over for her dad as her personal conservator in 2019 — he's now handling financial matters instead — Jodi has "made me feel like my dad does." People's source, meanwhile, claims that "under California law … Conservators are all closely monitored to assure nothing shady is happening." After making her statement last week, Britney headed to Hawaii with her longtime boyfriend Sam Asghari. She's since posted that she's focusing on her mental and physical health while on vacation.
RELATED: Celebs react to Britney Spears' bombshell conservatorship hearing
Mom-to-be Halsey teases fourth studio album (and fans hope Katy Perry is involved)
Halsey's taking a page out of Katy Perry's book and preparing to release a new album while gearing up to become a first-time mom. On June 28, Halsey — who's currently expecting her first child with screenwriter Alev Aydin — announced via Instagram that their fourth studio album is in the works. A follow-up to 2020's "Manic," the new recording, "If I Can't Have Love, I Want Power" will be produced by Oscar-winning film score composers Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross of Nine Inch Nails fame, according to Halsey's post. The album news garnered plenty of love from the singer's peers, including Katy, whose latest album, "Smile," dropped in August 2020, the same month she and Orlando Bloom welcomed their first child. "There it is," Katy wrote in the comments, sparking more than a few collaboration pleas from fans. Olivia Rodrigo chimed in, too, writing "YAS" under the announcement, while Grimes complemented Halsey on the "beautiful" album title. As of June 29, Halsey had yet to reveal the album's release date — or her baby's due date.
RELATED: Celebs who had babies in 2021
NeNe Leakes reveals her husband's cancer has returned: 'He's in the hospital'
NeNe Leakes' husband, Gregg Leakes, is battling cancer again two years after doctors gave him a "cancer-free" diagnosis following treatment. "He's in the hospital," NeNe shared in an Instagram Live with The Jasmine Brand this week. "He's been in the hospital, tomorrow it'll be a week," NeNe continued. "I'm sure he'll be home in about a week or so. He had to have a surgery, [because] his cancer did return." According to People, Gregg's initial cancer diagnosis came in 2018. By the following May, however, it had gone into remission. "He's had this surgery before and he was in the hospital for about 15 days," NeNe explained, adding that it's been "difficult" for both of them. "If you've ever been around somebody who's had cancer before, he's different," she said. The former Bravo star also said she'd be grateful to know fans were keeping the couple in their hearts. "I'd love for everybody to pray for Gregg, that would be beautiful. Pray for his strength," she said. "And pray for me too." NeNe, 53, announced her departure from "RHOA" in September 2020.
Demi Lovato set to launch eponymous talk show next month
Demi Lovato's talk show is happening after all — and soon. The show's future was somewhat unclear after Quibi, the short-form (and short-lived) streaming service for mobile content was dissolved in December 2020. Roku picked up the content when Quibi went under, but little was known about what we could expect from "The Demi Lovato Show" until now. According to a new report from Deadline, Jameela Jamil, Lucy Hale and YouTube star Nikita Dragun are slated to join Demi as guests, along with experts who can help guide the conversation in areas including activism, feminism, gender identity, sex and more (including UFOs, the subject of Demi's upcoming reality docu-series). "Some conversations can be difficult, but I've never been one to shy away from speaking candidly about things," Demi said in a statement. "We wanted to create a space that normalizes living your own truth – where people can speak, engage and more importantly, learn, together. There's something therapeutic about having raw discussions that people can relate to and with 'The Demi Lovato Show' no topics are off limits and opinions are welcome," they added. "The Demi Lovato Show" premieres on the Roku Channel on July 30.
Freida Pinto and fiancé Cory Tran are expecting their first child
"Slumdog Millionaire" alum Freida Pinto is expecting her first child with fiancé Cory Tran. The actress and her photographer beau shared their happy news on Freida's Instagram on June 28. "Baby Tran, coming this Fall! ❤," she wrote, sharing photos of Cory cradling her growing belly. Cory reportedly proposed in late 2019, about two years after the pair were first linked romantically. "It all makes sense now," Freida mused in a post about their engagement. "Life makes sense, the world makes sense, the past tears and trials make sense, what wise old lovers said about love makes sense, where I am makes sense and where I want to go completely makes sense." She added, "You my love are just the most beautiful creation to have ever walked into my life. And you are here to stay. Well, I am making you stay. Ha! 😂 All my love with all my heart ♥️."
Gal Gadot welcomes her thid child with Yaron Varsano
Gal Gadot and husband Yaron Varsano are now a family of five! The "Wonder Woman" star, 36, announced on Instagram on June 29 that she's given birth to her third child with Yaron, 46. "My sweet family 🖐🏼I couldn't be more grateful and happy (and tired 🤪) we are all so excited to welcome Daniella into our family," Gal wrote on social media, including the name of her new little one. "I'm sending all of you love and health. GG ♥️🖐🏼🖐🏼🖐🏼🖐🏼🖐🏼," she added. Daniella joins big sisters Maya, 4, and Alma, 9.
Petition writer condemning James Corden for 'racist' segment says she's now getting death threats
The 24-year-old woman who started a petition opposing James Corden's "Spill Your Guts" segment says she's now getting death threats for speaking out about its anti-Asian undertones. In her 46,000 signature strong Change.org petition, Kim Saira explains argues the "Late Late Show" bit — in which guests have to eat whatever James presents to them if they opt not to answer an uncomfortable question — encourages anti-Asian hatred because many of the foods used have roots in Asian cultures. The host regularly describes the foods with in derogatory terms, calling them "disgusting," "horrific," and worse, which Kim has said "perpetuates anti-Asian crimes and bullying." Now, Kim tells TMZ she's being hit with large amounts of hate mail, much of which includes threats. Making matters worse, she says James has failed to apologize for offending anyone. Though he hasn't apologized, he did address the petition during a recent appearance on Howard Stern's SiriusXM Radio show, albeit in unspecific terms. "We heard that story, and the next time we do that bit, we absolutely won't involve or use any of those foods … Our show is a show about joy and light and love, we don't want to make a show to upset anybody," James told the shock jock on June 16, according to Today.com. Kim says she's waiting for a formal apology and wants to see James donate to Asian-owned businesses and restaurants.
