By Wonderwall.com Editors
2:40am PDT, Sep 30, 2023
Duggars update
Before Jill Duggar Dillard published her new memoir, "Counting the Cost," the former reality star spoke out about her controversial family in the Prime Video series "Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets," calling them "cult-like." Now that she's shared her story — including the sexual abuse she endured from her brother, Josh Duggar — Jill says she's gone "from the golden child to the black sheep" of the family in their eyes. In her book, the former "Counting On" star writes about everything from her upbringing in the Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP) faith to the payment her parents allegedly sought in return for putting the family on television.
Asked about her current relationship with her father, Jim Bob Duggar, Jill recently told "Entertainment Tonight" that despite the "very hurtful things that happened," she's "chosen to forgive him and to hopefully move on with better boundaries and better rules in place… so that hopefully that level of control and hurt won't be allowed to happen again." Jim Bob now knows Jill and her husband Derick Dillard are "serious about boundaries," she added, and while they "don't have a whole lot of one-on-one contact," they "occasionally" see one another at family gatherings.
As for her mom, Michelle Duggar, Jill said she tries to let her "just be Mom or be Grandma," rather than feeling obligated to "be the go-between" for Jill and Jim Bob, telling ET: "It is very separate. I try to keep it that way, because I think it's healthier right now." Though she acknowledged things are "sad" and "uncomfortable" for everyone involved, Jill also said she's "hopeful about moving forward — not naive, but hopeful."
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Willis family pride
Bruce Willis and Demi Moore's daughters praised their stepmom, Emma Heming, for her "courage" in discussing Bruce's battle with dementia on the "Today" show on Sept. 25. "I truly could not be more proud of @emmahemingwillis for being willing to step out into the public eye, (even though it's terrifying!!!) to share our family's story in service of spreading awareness about FTD," Scout Willis wrote on her Instagram Story while sharing a clip from the appearance, as reported by People magazine. "Emma you are such a champion for this cause and you inspire me EVERY SINGLE F****** DAY with your bravery and deep loving. Your courage is moving mountains," she added.
In Emma's emotional interview with Hoda Kotb, she spoke candidly about how Frontotemporal Dementia, or FTD, becomes a "family disease," affecting everyone who loves the person suffering from the incurable degenerative illness. Bruce's family confirmed his FTD diagnosis in 2023 following an aphasia diagnosis in 2022.
On "Today," Emma admitted it's "hard to know" if her husband is aware he has FTD. She said "it was a blessing and a curse to finally understand what was happening to him," adding that she's been "honest and open" about it with their daughters: Mabel, 11, and Evelyn, 9. "I wouldn't want there to be any stigma or shame for their dad's diagnosis or any form of dementia," she explained. "He is the gift that keeps on giving. Love, patience, resilience. So much that he's teaching me. And it's teaching [our kids] so much. How to care, how to love. It's a beautiful thing amongst the sadness."
Tallulah Willis later reposted her sister's loving message about Emma on her own Instagram Story. "So proud of my family," she wrote.
MORE: See Bruce Willis' life and career in photos
New tax evasion charges
Spanish authorities have accused Shakira of tax evasion for the second time, the Associated Press reported on Sept. 26. Prosecutors allege the "Hips Don't Lie" singer failed to pay 6.7 million euros — or $7.1 million — on income she earned in 2018, according to a statement obtained by the outlet. They further claim she used an offshore tax haven to dodge the payment.
Shakira's also facing a November trial in Barcelona regarding her income from 2012 through 2014. Prosecutors in that case claim the singer spent more than half of that time in Spain and therefore owes 14.5 million euros, or $15.4 million, in unpaid taxes. Shakira reportedly claims she lived and spent most of her time in the Bahamas from 2012 to 2014.
The Columbian star was made aware of the charges in Miami, where she now resides, according to the AP. As of Sept. 26, reps for Shakira had not yet commented on the latest allegations.
Intervention attempts
"Euphoria" director Sam Levinson tried repeatedly to help Angus Cloud get sober before the actor died of a drug overdose at 25 on July 31. "I could always feel that he didn't want [sobriety] as much as we all wanted it for him," Sam told People in an interview published on Sept. 25, less than a week after the Alameda County Coroner's Bureau confirmed Angus died of a lethal mix of drugs including fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine and benzodiazepines. "That's where it gets tricky because the whole world can want it for you. But he didn't want it," Sam continued. "It's just the self-destructive side of addiction and it outweighs everything."
Angus, who played drug dealer Fezco "Fez" O'Neil on the hit HBO series, "didn't look well" when Sam first suggested to his mom, Lisa Cloud, that he attend rehab, the director recalled. Fez was slated to be killed off the show after one season, but Sam ordered rewrites to keep Angus in the cast because of his talent, the director said. Despite attending a 30-day inpatient rehab program followed by outpatient treatment, Angus continued to struggle with addiction. Sam staged another intervention after they wrapped season 2 in February 2022, but Angus kept using, according to People.
The young star died shortly after his father died of cancer. He and his sisters "were devastated," said his mother, who recalled how pain from a brain injury at 15 introduced her son to opioids. The night before she found him unresponsive at his desk in her home, she said he hugged her. "'I love you, mama. You're the best,'" Lisa recalled Angus told her in what would be their final exchange. "'I'll see you in the morning.'"
Silver linings
Album of the Year Grammy winner Jon Batiste shared an update on the health of his wife, Suleika Jaouad, this week, telling Sherri Shepherd on her eponymous talk show that Suleika is making great progress as she continues to battle leukemia. "It's a miracle," said the musician and former "Late Show with Stephen Colbert" star on "Sherri" on Sept. 25. "She's doing so much better after her transplant."
Suleika, 35, underwent her second bone marrow transplant in 2022 shortly after she tied the knot with Jon, 36. She wrote about her first transplant — as well as her diagnosis at 22 and her remission — in the New York Times bestseller "Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of Life Interrupted." Though she's still in treatment for the cancer, Suleika and Jon, who met as kids at band camp, have found silver linings in her experience, Jon said. "When you get that close to the veil of life, you realize how much really matters. You realize how much we have in the moment, and that's really all we have. This," he told Sherri. "So, as wild as it is to say, I think this season has been a blessing to us."
Sales spike
The dating rumors that continue to swirl around Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are already bringing in big bucks for the NFL star's team, the Kansas City Chiefs. On Sept. 24, Taylor made headlines after she was photographed rooting for Travis and snacking on chicken in Travis's family suite as the Chiefs battled the Chicago Bears in Kansas City. Just one day later, Travis's No. 87 jersey "saw a nearly 400% spike in sales" on e-commerce sites like NFLShop.com, a spokesperson for the league's partner Fanatics told TMZ on Sept. 25.
Clad in a white tank top and a Chiefs-red jacket, Taylor appeared to be sitting with Travis's mom for the game at Arrowhead Stadium. Neither the pro ball player nor the 12-time Grammy winner has confirmed or denied whispers about their apparent relationship. "This is like the old school game called telephone, where everybody is just whispering in everybody's ear," Travis recently said on ESPN's "The Pat McAfee Show" when asked about the rumors. "No one actually knows what's going on."
