By Mark Gray
8:45am PDT, May 19, 2017
This past week in celebrity news saw some lives changed forever. A cloud of sadness, though, hovered over music on May 17. The entertainment world was rocked upon hearing the news that Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell was found dead in a Detroit hotel room. He was 52. Police said it was a suicide. "Sad 2 hear of Chris Cornell passing..great singer and artist… another blow…RIP," wrote Billy Idol. Elton John tweeted, "Shocked and saddened by the sudden death of @chriscornell. A great singer, songwriter and the loveliest man." The local medical examiner said his death was ruled a suicide by hanging. His family urged everyone not to rush to judgement. "Without the results of toxicology tests, we do not know what was going on with Chris—or if any substances contributed to his demise," the Cornell family said in a statement, firmly believing that prescription drugs may have played a role. Chris had played a show at Detroit's Fox Theater just hours before his death.
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Age-defying romance?
David Foster and Katharine McPhee ignited romance rumors on May 15 when E! reported that the music producer, 67, and the singer-actress, 33, enjoyed a romantic dinner in Malibu, where they were seen sneaking kisses at a private table at a popular sushi spot on May 12. "David was seen grabbing Katharine's face and kissing her cheek several times. Katharine was doing the same to David's face and they were acting as if they were a couple," a source told E!. The music producer and the "American Idol" alum have known each other for more than a decade and were seen together last month at Barbra Streisand's 75th birthday party. They also attended a tennis match together in March. Kat's rep, however, told "Entertainment Tonight" on May 18 that there's nothing romantic brewing: "Katharine and David have known each other for over 11 years. They are nothing more than friends."
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Secret romance
Taylor Swift has a new man in her life… Actually, he's not new at all. The pop star has been secretly seeing British actor Joe Alwyn for months, according to reports. Throughout the week, multiple outlets confirmed that Taylor has been keeping things under wraps by wearing disguises and traveling in and out of remote airports in Britain when she visits him. "This isn't a new couple alert or a secret relationship — the only people this has been a secret to is the media because all of us, Taylor and Joe's closest friends and their families, were aware they have been together for several months and have known each other for a long time," a source told The Sun. E! reported on May 17 that Taylor was "bummed" that news finally got out about her secret romance, but a source said, "At the same time, she is really excited about being with Joe and is hoping she can relax a little bit more now and just enjoy being with him."
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Killing cancer with 'love'
Val Kilmer is claiming that love and prayer cured his cancer. After much speculation, the actor finally admitted in April that he had cancer after initially denying it. He now says he's cured. In a Reddit "Ask Me Anything" on May 16, he said that "love heals" all. "I am very grateful for all the prayers and good thoughts from around the world. People that know I am a Christian Scientist make the assumption that I have somehow endangered myself," he wrote after someone asked about his status. "But many many people have been healed by prayer throughout recorded history. And many many people have died by whatever was modern medicine." The actor said he met the man who invented the defibrillator. "I asked him what was the most important thing for a doctor to do when a patient fears for their life," Val wrote. "He started to weep without his voice wavering and he leaned into me and said, 'Fluff their pillow. That's what I tell all the interns. LOVE. Love heals. More than any other skills, I urge them to LOVE the life they are entrusted to save.'"
Dunzo
Ben Higgins is a bachelor once again. Ben, who was the star of Season 20 of the "The Bachelor," and fiancée Lauren Bushnell have split. The couple met on "The Bachelor" and Ben proposed to Lauren on the season finale. "It is with heavy hearts that we announce our decision to go our separate ways," they said in a statement. "We feel fortunate for the time we had together, and will remain friends with much love and respect for one another. We wish nothing but the best for each other, and ask for your support and understanding at this time."
Home invasion
This is scary! Former "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" star Dina Manzo and her boyfriend were bound, beaten and robbed during a home invasion in New Jersey. NBC 4 New York reported that Dina and David Cantin walked into their house on May 13 to find two masked robbers already inside. The men attacked David with a baseball bat while Dina was punched in the face several times. While the couple was tied up, the thieves went through the house and stole cash and jewelry. After the criminals fled, David was able to free himself and call police.
It's over
After a year and a half together, it's curtains for comedian Amy Schumer and furniture designer Ben Hanisch. It was reported on May 16 that the couple had split. Amy's rep confirmed the news to People magazine, saying, "Amy and Ben have ended their relationship after thoughtful consideration and remain friends." Throughout their romance, they both spoke openly about their love for each other and didn't shy away from discussing their long-term future together. She said in April that she told him, "I'm falling for you." In November 2016, he called her the "love of my life."
Engaged
She's got her man! Felicity Jones is engaged to her boyfriend of two years, Charles Guard. The two are fiercely private and haven't spoken about their relationship publicly, although she did confirm the romance last year. In 2014, before she began dating the British director, she told The Telegraph that she was looking forward to meeting the love of her life. "I am definitely romantic and I love romantic stories — that's why I keep making romantic movies," she said. "It's funny how seeing a love story never gets boring because it's the dream isn't it? It's the dream to have a true connection with another human being."
Single again
Leonardo DiCaprio is ready for his next model. The actor and his model girlfriend of a year, Nina Adgal, have split up. The duo never spoke publicly about their romance. "They remain in touch and remain friends," a source told E! News on May 18. "It's an amicable split, and they're moving forward." The couple's romance was essentially a world tour, as they were spotted together everywhere from Cannes, France, and New York City to The Hamptons, Malibu, French Polynesia and St. Barts. Leo has a long, distinguished history of dating models and A-listers, so we can't wait to see who he hooks up with next.
Split
Antonio Sabato Jr. and his wife of five years are dunzo, and the split is already getting nasty. According to TMZ, Cheryl Moana Marie is alleging that he's a drug abuser and has said she's scared for their son to be around him. She filed for sole custody, while he filed for joint custody. Cheryl claims that her ex has struggled with prescription drugs. He has been to rehab in the past for a sleeping pill addiction. He said he's sober and has been for years and that everything his estranged wife says is a "bunch of lies," according to TMZ.
Baby on the way
Kevin Hart and wife Eniko Parrish announced on May 14 that they are expecting a son. "Celebrating Mother's Day with my beautiful wife. We are laughing at the fact that this time next year we will be celebrating her 1st actual Mother's Day. #Harts #Blessed," he captioned a photo of them together. Eniko shared a photo of her sonogram. "First comes love,❤️ then comes marriage,💍 then comes the harts with the baby carriage! .. all on God's Timing," she wrote. "I am so ready for our next chapter… Overjoyed! it's been an amazing experience thus far and I can't wait for what's to come.. thank u guys for all of your well wishes. Happy Mother-to-be Day to me! P.S. It's a boy, straight chillin' already." Kevin has two children from his first marriage.
