By Mark Gray
6:19am PDT, Oct 27, 2020
Cancer battle
Jeff Bridges revealed on Twitter that he has been diagnosed with lymphoma. "Although it is a serious disease, I feel fortunate that I have a great team of doctors and the prognosis is good," the Oscar-winning actor wrote on Oct. 19. "I'm starting treatment and will keep you posted on my recovery." He added, "I'm profoundly grateful for the love and support from my family and friends." After Jeff's announcement, many of entertainment's biggest names voiced their support for him.
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Affair to remember?
On Oct. 11, photos were taken that show "The Affair" star Dominic West and "Cinderella" actress Lily James snuggling up over lunch in Rome and exploring the city on a shared electric scooter. One photo showed Dominic caressing Lily's head; another showed him kissing her neck. The problem? He's married. Afterward, a report claimed the actor's wife, Irish landscape designer Catherine FitzGerald, was "devastated." But after Dominic flew home to England following the two-day trip to Italy, he and his wife posed outside their home and shared a kiss as cameras snapped away on Oct. 13. They also handed a photographer a note signed by the two of them. It read, "Our marriage is strong and we're very much still together." After all that, The Daily Mail claimed that Lily actually flew to London with Dominic — an onlooker said they were making out on the flight. Amidst the drama, Lily canceled several pre-scheduled interviews she was slated to do to promote her new film with Armie Hammer, "Rebecca."
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R.I.P.
EVH forever. On Oct. 6, Eddie Van Halen passed away following a lengthy battle with cancer. Eddie's son, Wolfgang, announced the news on social media. The Van Halen co-founder was surrounded by his family at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, California, when he took his final breath. Eddie — widely considered one the greatest guitar players of all time — had been traveling to and from Germany for five years to treat throat cancer, TMZ reported. He in 2015 said he believed the tongue cancer he was diagnosed with in 2000 was caused by metal guitar picks he used to frequently hold in his mouth. Following his death, artists from all walks of music publicly mourned the music star. Gene Simmons called EVH a "Guitar God." John Mayer called him "a true virtuoso." Keith Urban was shattered over the news. "There are lots of great guitar players in the world, but very VERY few true innovators," he wrote. "Players who seem to have arrived from a far distant planet , and who bring a completely new color to the rainbow. Eddie Van Halen was this and so much more."
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White House drama
Ice Cube has delved into politics, and not everyone is happy — but he doesn't care! For several months, the rapper has been promoting his "Contract With Black America" initiative, which is essentially a list of issues he feels are affecting Black Americans. He's made it clear he wants answers to his demands before a candidate will get his vote. On Oct. 14, a top advisor to President Donald Trump said Cube met with the POTUS's team about developing a plan. Afterward, a fan accused the music star, who once said he'd never vote for Trump, of going to the "dark side." Cube replied, "Every side is the Darkside for us here in America. They're all the same until something changes for us. They all lie and they all cheat but we can't afford not to negotiate with whoever is in power or our condition in this country will never change. Our justice is bipartisan." As fans came down on him, he didn't back down, though he was quick to point out that he still hasn't endorsed anyone in the presidential race. "Facts: I put out the CWBA. Both parties contacted me. Dems said we'll address the CWBA after the election," he tweeted. "Trump campaign made some adjustments to their plan after talking to us about the CWBA." On Oct. 15, he again created waves when he said CNN canceled his scheduled appearance on "Cuomo Prime Time" because "it seems like they can't handle the truth." He also scoffed at the notion he was being used as a political pawn or that he's a "sellout."
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Ellen effect
They say relationships matter… For Anne Heche, it wasn't a good thing. The actress revealed that she lost out on a decade of work — including at least one blockbuster film — due to her highly publicized relationship with Ellen DeGeneres 20 years ago. Before being eliminated from "Dancing With the Stars" on Oct. 5, Anne spoke on the show about the impact of the three-year romance she and Ellen shared from 1997 to 2000. "My story is a story that created change in the world, moved the needle for equal rights forward," she said. "In 1997, I met Ellen DeGeneres at the Vanity Fair party and that was the night that changed my life forever. My movie premiere for 'Volcano,' I had told them that I was taking Ellen as my date and I was told if I took Ellen I would lose my Fox contract. At that moment, she took my hand and said, 'Do what they say,' and I said, 'No thanks.'" At that time, the world was not ready for an unapologetic and high-profile same sex relationship between women. "I took Ellen to the premiere and I was ushered out by security before the movie even ended and was told I was not allowed to go to my own afterparty for fear they would get pictures of me with a woman," Anne said. "I was in a relationship with Ellen DeGeneres for three-and-a-half years and the stigma attached to that relationship was so bad that I was fired from my multimillion-dollar picture deal and I did not work in a studio picture for 10 years."
Bad breakup
Former "The Bachelor" star Colton Underwood has become a thorn in ex-fiancée Cassie Randolph's side since they split earlier this year, she claimed in October. In September, Cassie obtained a temporary restraining order against Colton after alleging stalking and harassment. That restraining order was then extended to Nov. 6. Further, TMZ reported that Cassie, whom Colton picked at the end of his "Bachelor" season, has now filed a police report claiming the former NFL player put a tracking device on her car after they broke up so that he could follow her moves. The case is now in the hands of police.
"I do"
John Cena has found his tag team partner. The wrestler-turned-actor married Shay Shariatzadeh on Oct. 12, according to marriage records obtained by multiple media outlets. The couple wed in Tampa, Florida, a few days after quietly obtaining a marriage license. John and Shay were first linked in March 2019. A year later, the two were hit with engagement speculation when Shay was seen wearing a wearing a huge diamond ring on her left hand. Marriage rumors started last week when John tweeted, "Love involves constant effort. When you are truly ready to let love in and give to love all it needs to flourish, I feel there is no greater more rewarding connection."
Trump vs. Hollywood
On Oct. 1, President Donald Trump announced that he'd tested positive for COVID-19. The following day, he checked into the hospital, where he stayed for three days. As he returned to the White House, he claimed he felt 20 years younger. "Don't be afraid of Covid. Don't let it dominate your life," he wrote. Following his statement, Hollywood, a typically liberal bunch, unleashed. Chris Evans wrote, "Don't be afraid of Covid?! You've been under round-the-clock care by the best doctors using the best drugs. Do you really think everyone has access to that?! Sadly, I'm sure you're aware of that disparity, you just don't care. This is reckless to a shocking degree, even for you." Amanda Kloots, who lost her husband, Broadway star Nick Cordero, to COVID-19 complications, went hard. "Unfortunately it did dominate our lives didn't it? It dominated Nick's family's lives and my family's lives. I guess we 'let it' — like it was our choice?? Unfortunately not everyone is lucky enough to spend two days in the hospital," the normally non-political actress said. "I cried next to my husband for 95 days watching what COVID did to the person I love. It IS something to be afraid of. After you see the person you love the most die from this disease you would never say what this tweet says. There is no empathy to all the lives lost. He is bragging instead. It is sad. It is hurtful. It is disgraceful."
"SNL" ouster
Country singer Morgan Wallen was dropped from his "Saturday Night Live" performance after breaking COVID-19 protocols in early October — social media videos surfaced and showed the "Whiskey Glasses" singer mask-less and kissing women at a college party in Alabama days earlier. "My actions this past weekend were pretty short-sighted and they have obviously affected my long-term goals and my dreams," he said in an apology video on Oct. 7, adding that he had not tested positive for COVID-19. Morgan said that he hopes to play "SNL" in the future. In the meantime, he plans to step away from the limelight. "I think I have some growing up to do. I think I've lost myself a bit. I've tried to find joy in the wrong places… and it's left me with less joy so I'm going to try to work on that," he said. "I'm going to take a step back from the spotlight for awhile and go work on myself…It may be a second before you heard from me for awhile… I'm going to work on me."
Marriage… and other matters
What a month for Kelly Dodd! On Oct. 4, the "The Real Housewives of Orange County" star posted a multitude of photos to Instagram from her bridal shower. One of the images showed her wearing a hat that read "Drunk Wives Matter," a play on "Black Lives Matter." Fans were not feeling it, believing she was mocking the movement. She was called "out of touch," "insensitive" and "callous" for happily wearing the hat. On Oct. 6, Kelly, as she's done before, half-heartedly apologized. While confirming speculation that the hat was a gift, Kelly said, "It was not intended to offend or make any kind of statement. Of course I support black lives and racial equality!" Other fans were taken aback after no one seemed to be wearing masks or social distancing at her party. Kelly, who's been blasted for her coronavirus beliefs in the past, replied to a fan who cited President Trump's hospitalization for COVID-19. "He's 74 and fat!!" After another person slammed her for that response, Kelly said of the virus, "You get sick and get better!!" On Oct. 10, Kelly married Fox News correspondent Rick Leventhal.
New "Housewives" stars
Bravo's "Real Housewives" franchise is embracing diversity in the Big Apple and in Beverly Hills. On Oct. 8, Eboni K. Williams confirmed that she'd been hired as the first ever Black cast member in the 13-year history of "The Real Housewives of New York City." "NYC is filled with successful and dynamic Black women. I'm excited to join this legendary franchise as the first Black housewife," she said in a statement. "Can't wait to share a slice of life in this city that hasn't been seen before. Anyone who's aware of my work knows I don't hold back. I'm going to keep it just as real here as I do everywhere else." Then on Oct. 26, People magazine and E! News reported that "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" had tapped its first Asian American cast member following the exits of Teddi Mellencamp and Denise Richards: entrepreneur Crystal Kung Minkoff, the founder of Real Coco who's married to filmmaker Rob Minkoff, who directed 1994's "The Lion King," "Stuart Little" and its sequel, "The Haunted Mansion" and more.
Serious legal issues
"Home Improvement" star Zachery Ty Bryan was arrested in Oregon on Oct. 16 after allegedly choking his girlfriend. Police in Eugene, Oregon, said a neighbor called 911 after hearing a scuffle coming from an apartment. The police report claims the actor woke his girlfriend up because he was angry about missing phone chargers. Zachery was reportedly shouting obscenities at the woman and even allegedly pulled her out of bed by her hair. At that point, he allegedly started beating her, the report states. She claimed to have tried calling police but said Zachery disconnected the line. When authorities called back, he was standing next to her listening to the conversation. When police arrived, the found the actor, who played Tim Allen's eldest son on the popular sitcom, sitting outside the apartment unit. His girlfriend, meanwhile, was hiding at a friend's place nearby. Zachery, who was reportedly evasive while speaking to police, was initially arrested on a charge of felony strangulation as well as charges of fourth-degree assault and interfering with making a report, both of which are misdemeanors. Prosecutors later increased the charges, hitting him with strangulation and coercion charges, both of which are felonies. He's also being charged with six misdemeanors.
Heart surgery
Arnold Schwarzenegger underwent his second heart surgery in two years this month. On Oct. 23, the "Terminator" star said he was feeling "fantastic" after having aortic valve replacement surgery in Cleveland, Ohio. The actor, 73, shared an image of himself in a hospital bed on Instagram, but he also attached images that showed him walking around the city. "Thanks to the team at the Cleveland Clinic, I have a new aortic valve to go along with my new pulmonary valve from my last surgery," he wrote. "I feel fantastic and have already been walking the streets of Cleveland enjoying your amazing statues." He didn't disclose when the surgery occurred. In 2018, Arnold underwent surgery to replace a pulmonic valve.
Baby bliss
Oh baby! On Oct. 8, multiple outlets reported that Katharine McPhee and David Foster are expecting their first child together. While this will be the "American Idol" star's first baby, it will be David's sixth, although all his kids from previous relationships are now adults. News of the pregnancy came after she was seen sporting an obvious baby bump. Paparazzi pictures also showed Kat, 36, and David, 70, shopping in baby stores in Los Angeles. There had been some suspicion that Kat was expecting after, on Oct. 3, she sang "She Used to Be Mine" from "Waitress" for a YouTube video. During the line in which she sings, "… and the life that's inside her, growing stronger every day," Kat touched her stomach.
Who's laughing now?
Not everyone was laughing at Chris Pratt's politically tinged joke on social media this month. In early October, Chris posted a joke about voting, but it had nothing to do with the 2020 election or any hot-button issues. Instead, he encouraged his fans to cast a vote for a 2020 People's Choice Awards for his animated movie "Onward." "With all that's going on in the world it is more important than ever that you vote. Just ask any celebrity. They will tell you. Every day. Several times a day. To vote. But me? I will tell you EXACTLY who to vote for," he wrote. "The heroes before us did not spill their blood only to have their sacrifices wasted by your apathy. The upcoming 2020 People's Choice Awards is the most consequential vote in the history of mankind times a million infinity. Vote for #Onward for family movie of the year. Or else. You WILL die. No hyperbole." The jury was split on whether the joke was funny or not funny or tacky. Some liked that Chris didn't get political (while they, themselves, got political in their responses). Others thought it was "insensitive." A few weeks later on Oct. 20, he was ranked "the worst Chris" online among himself, Chris Hemsworth, Chris Pine and Chris Evans, though many big names in Hollywood quickly jumped to his defense.
