baby magic

Criss Angel and his wife welcome second child

By Wonderwall

This is no illusion — Criss Angel is a father for the second time.

KCR/REX/Shutterstock

The "Mindfreak" star and his wife, Shaunyl Benson, welcomed a son in Las Vegas on Jan. 22, just a few days after the magician opened his much-hyped Vegas show at Planet Hollywood.

"The most beautiful magic of all… #life We @shaunylbenson are so blessed with a beautiful healthy baby boy," he captioned a video, telling his followers that they named the boy Xristos Yanni.

"Another natural birth at 39 weeks," Shaunyl wrote on Instagram. "We are so happy and blessed to be a family of 4."️

The couple already shares son Johnny Crisstopher, who turns 5 next month.

Shortly after announcing the birth, Criss posted a photo of the family with their new addition.

"Our growing family @shaunylbenson ❤️ btw only one of us is really sleeping…," he joked.

On his Instagram Story, the magician shared several images of family members holding Xristos, while revealing that he was backstage at his show when he got the birth news. He was seen smoking a cigar, saying, "Good job, my love. Another boy."

The fact that Xristos is healthy is music to Criss and Shaunyl's ears. Last month, Johnny Crisstopher ended an extensive chemotherapy treatment program to offset a rare form of leukemia.

The tyke is now cancer free, Criss said, telling the Daily Mail on Jan. 19, "God willing, after three years of treatment, Johnny's last chemo treatment was about a month ago."

Hair care

George Clooney admits to using a Flowbee for his haircuts

By Wonderwall

Sheer didn't see this coming! George Clooney has been giving himself a DIY haircut for more than two decades with the help of an infamous informercial product. 

James Veysey/Shutterstock

The actor dropped the "lock bomb" on CBS Sunday Morning, telling Tracy Smith that he uses a Flowbee.

"I've been cutting my own hair for 25 years," he said when asked about how he's been adjusting to the pandemic. "My hair is really like straw, so it's easy to cut. You can't really make too many mistakes."

The "Ocean's 11" star said he bought a Flowbee many years ago and still has it.

Flowbee's, which are essentially part hair clippers and part vacuum, were an infomercial staple in the late 80s. The device has been the butt of many jokes since it came out.

George said he still swears by the Flowbee to this day. 

"My haircuts take literally two minutes," he said. 

Following George's stunning hair reveal, the official Twitter account for "The Midnight Sky," George's newest movie, tweeted a picture from the film.

"We can neither confirm nor deny the use of a Flowbee on the set of #TheMidnightSky," the message said.

Wedding bells

'Duck Dynasty' star Bella Robertson, 18, is engaged

By Wonderwall

"Duck Dynasty" star Bella Robertson said "yes."

The 18-year-old took to Instagram over the weekend to share the celebratory news. 

"i was thankful for you yesterday, i am thankful for you today, and now i get to be thankful for you the rest of my life! i am blown away by Gods goodness and grace," she captioned a black-and-white photo with beau Jacob Mayo. "@jacobdmayo lets get married!! i love you forever!"

The images also read, "She said yes! Bella & Jacob."

After Bella's announcement, Jacob posted several images of the proposal, which took place in a barn romantically adorned with rose petals and candles.

"Bella is many things to me. She is my best friend. She is the person I can lean on in any problem with no judgment. But with the honest truth when I'm acting out," he wrote on Instagram. "She loves Jesus. She holds me to a higher standard that she doesn't let waver. She unconditionally loves me whether I'm doing what she likes or the opposite side of the spectrum. She's the one for me forever. She's my everything. I thank God for her. #tothemayos."

Bella, who's been dating Jacob for six months, posted several of the proposal images to Instagram on Nov. 29.

Bella Robertson/Instagram

The reality TV family seemed gleeful about the proposal, as many of them commented on Bella and Jacob's new relationship status. 

"Our fam is growing again," Bella's mom, Korie Robertson, wrote on Instagram. "@bellarobb got engaged last night to the sweetest man @jacobdmayo My baby girl. All the emotions!! Jacob, we love you and are so excited to welcome you into the fam. It's been so much fun to see your love story unfold. From coming around for tennis, to family trips, to us all growing to love you. Together, you two are a strong, kind, fun, generous, grace-filled, bright light in the world."

She added, "Also, 2021 is going to be so much fun."

Bella's sister Sadie, who is expecting a baby next year, said, "HOW IS MY LITTLE SISTER ENGAGED?!? I thought you were still 7?!? But as wild as this is to me I'm thankful it's to such a good man like Jacob. We can't wait to welcome you into this crazy family even though I kind of already feel like you are a part of it."

She added, "bella, you have always had the best heart and you're going to be the most incredible wife. Thankful for our family growing. 2021 is going to be one for the books that's for sure."

Controversy sells

There's a waitlist for Harry Styles' controversial Vogue cover

By Wonderwall

Harry Styles is a man in demand!

In the newest issue of Vogue, the singer appears in a skirt. Although the photo caused some controversy, the magazine is already a huge hit. In fact, there's a waiting list for fans to get their hands on a copy, Page Six reports.

"We sold 40,000 subscriptions since launch a little over a week ago, and have already ordered a second print run," a Condé Nast source said.

Harry made history with the issue, as he became the first man to ever appear solo on the cover of Vogue. While that news was certainly something to celebrate, controversy ensued after popular conservative commentator Candace Owens skewered the pop star for wearing a skirt on the cover.

Harry's outfits were "steady feminization of our men," she said, also adding that society needs to "bring back manly men."

Charles Sykes/Invision/AP/Shutterstock

The comments prompted a slew of celebrities to back Harry and his fashion choices. 

"I think you've missed the definition of what a man is. masculinity alone does not make a man. in fact, it's got nothing to do with it," Elijah Wood commented. 

Sara Bareilles said, "One of the 'manliest' (barf) men I know said, 'if Harry Styles in a dress scares you, it's more about you than about him'… my kind of 'man.'"

Olivia Wilde was more direct, telling Candace, "You're pathetic."

Citizenship

Tristan Thompson becomes U.S. citizen

By Wonderwall

Meet the newest citizen of The United States of America: Tristan Thompson.

Tristan, who was born in Canada, was sworn in as an American citizen earlier this week.

Brian To/Shutterstock

According to United States Citizen and Immigrant Services, the NBA star became a full-fledged citizen on Nov. 24. 

"I came to the US on a student visa and have always had big dreams. I'm now truly living the American dream," the USCIS quoted Tristan as saying.

The citizenship comes just days after Tristan signed a 2-year, $19 million contract with the Boston Celtics. The contract, though, will have little significance on his living situation with girlfriend Khloe Kardashian. 

Last week, reports said the reality TV star has no plans to move from Los Angeles to Boston so that she and 2-year-old True, the daughter Khloe and Tristan share, can be closer to him. 

Shutterstock

True, TMZ said, has a routine in L.A. and Khloe doesn't want to mess with it. Plus, her cousins are all in California. Tristan, the report states, is completely on board with the decision for Khloe and True to remain in the Golden State. 

Khloe and Tristan will maintain in a long-distance relationship. 

The couple has certainly been down this road before, as she often traveled to Cleveland when he was playing for the Cavaliers (True was actually born in Cleveland). The "Keeping Up With The Kardashians" star's back-and-forth between Los Angeles and Cleveland halted when Tristan was caught cheating on her. The two worked it out, but Tristan was again involved in another cheating scandal a few months later, this time with Jordyn Woods, who was Kylie Jenner's BFF at the time.

Khloe spoke openly about her heartbreak following the Jordyn incident, but said she wouldn't forbid Tristan from seeing their daughter. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Khloe and Tristan reconciled.

Health concern

Larry King, 87, expected to be released from hospital

By Wonderwall

After reportedly spending the past week in the hospital with a heart issue, Larry King is expected to be released.

His release could come as early as today, the New York Post's Page Six reported on Nov. 28.

MediaPunch/Shutterstock

Larry, 87, is supposedly feeling much better.

On Thanksgiving, Page Six said the TV icon has secretly spent the past week in the hospital — presumably near his home in Los Angeles — due to "heart issues and other things." Now, the report says Larry was in the hospital "with a blood-flow issue."

Larry spent his most recent birthday in the hospital.

Larry's health has made headlines before. In 2017, he revealed that he had been secretly battling lung cancer. Last year, Larry was also hospitalized after experiencing chest pains. Some reports at the time suggested that he suffered a heart attack, but his rep denied the speculation, claiming, "His doctor successfully performed the angioplasty and inserted stents to reopen the previous bypass from 1987."

In November 2019, he told Page Six that that March he'd "had what they call a slight stroke." 

"They thought I was going to die," he said, "it was really touch-and-go."

Concern

Maria Menounos sparks concern with worrisome tweets

By Wonderwall

Maria Menounos has worried her fans after two cryptic tweets calling for prayers for her family.

Chelsea Lauren/REX/Shutterstock

The Emmy-winning journalist first tweeted on Nov. 25, "Need some prayers. Please send some prayers to my family."

Many of Maria's 653,000 Twitter followers asked her for more details, but the "Extra" host didn't respond.

A few hours after her initial tweet, Maria posted another message that referenced her plea.

"Thank you for the prayers. We really need them right now," she wrote just before midnight on Nov. 25. "I believe in the collective energy of good people wishing well or I wouldn't ask."

She continued, "Thank you & if you can keep them coming I would be forever grateful. Focusing on what I desire not the fear. Trying."

A few of Maria's fans suspected that her tweets had something to do with her mother, but she didn't confirm the speculation. Litsa, Maria's mom, was previously diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive malignant tumor. Back in October 2019, Maria announced that her mother's brain cancer had reappeared.

Hospitalized

Larry King hospitalized with 'heart issues': Report

By Wonderwall

Larry King has been secretly hospitalized in Los Angeles for the past week, according to a report.

MediaPunch/Shutterstock

A source told Page Six on Nov. 26, "Larry has been in the hospital with heart issues and other things."

The TV icon even spent his 87th birthday there. 

Larry's health has made headlines before. In 2017, he revealed that he had been secretly battling lung cancer. Last year, Larry was also hospitalized after experiencing chest pains. Some reports at the time suggested that he suffered a heart attack, but his rep denied the speculation, claiming, "His doctor successfully performed the angioplasty and inserted stents to reopen the previous bypass from 1987."

The former "Larry King Live" host has suffered two previous heart attacks.

Lawsuit

'Couples Retreat' star sues Universal, alleges racism over movie poster

By Wonderwall

A decade-old fight between comedian Faizon Love and Universal Studios over a promotional movie poster for "Couples Retreat" has culminated into a lawsuit. 

Alex Berliner/BEI/Shutterstock

Faizon, who was one of the main stars in the 2009 film, is accusing the studio of racial discrimination for scrubbing him from the overseas version of the film's poster while leaving his white costars in it. 

The actor, who is Black, states in the lawsuit that his image and his name were featured in the United States version of the promotional poster. However, neither his likeness nor his name were included in the international ad. Faizon's love interest in the film, Kali Hawk, was also included in the U.S. version, but not the overseas version. She, too, is Black.

Wild West Picture Show Productions/Kobal/Shutterstock

The controversy made headlines in 2009. At the time, a Universal spokesman said the poster was changed to "simplify" it internationally. 

Faizon is suing for violations of the Fair Employment and Housing Act and Unfair Competition Law, as well as for breach of contract and fraud. He is also seeking unspecified damages.

"This act of racism deeply aggrieved Mr. Love. After decades spent honing his craft and compiling more than 50 acting credits, Mr. Love reasonably believed Couples Retreat was his opportunity to present to national and international audiences his talents as a prominent Black comedic actor," the lawsuit states, according to The Daily Mail. "Mr. Love and his Black costar, Kali Hawk, were expunged completely from the film's principal international advertisement, while the other 'couples' basked in the publicity and acclaim of an international box office hit."

Moviestore/Shutterstock

Faizon claims he brought the removal to the attention of Universal way back in 2009, as the film was on its way to raking in $171 million worldwide. The studio, Faizon claims, failed on its promise to take the overseas poster out of circulation. At the time, Faizon also said Universal promised him "lucrative, career-making film roles," but says those roles were never offered. 

Faizon, known most famously for his work in "Elf" opposite Will Ferrell, said he ultimately decided to file the lawsuit after realizing the "humiliating" and "racist" poster is still being used to promote the film 11 years later. 

Lyric police

Paul McCartney admits that he forgets Beatles song lyrics

By Wonderwall

Sir Paul McCartney admits that he sometimes needs a little "help" when it comes to remembering lyrics to some of his best-known songs.

It's not so much that he forgets, the music legend says, it's more that his mind wanders… even in front of an arena packed with fans.

imageSPACE/Shutterstock

"I'll be doing a song, let's say 'Eleanor Rigby' or something, and I'm on autopilot," he said on the Smartless podcast. "I'm starting to think 'Oh, what am I going to have for dinner later? Maybe you won't have the soup but maybe you'll just go for the main course…' And I go 'STOP!' Because I'm singing 'Eleanor Rigby.'"

Because of this, Paul, 78, uses a teleprompter on stage so that he doesn't slip up.

He's also not exactly a historian of the Beatles.

"I'm the world's worst rememberer of Beatles' history," he said in a recent chat with Taylor Swift for Rolling Stone. "I just think, 'Well there's always going to be someone who knows. So, I'll just ask someone!'"

Globe Photos/Mediapunch/Shutterstock

That fact that he's "Paul McCartney" isn't lost on him either. While chatting with Taylor, he said he compartmentalizes the famous singer from Liverpool, England, from the man from Liverpool, England. 

"I know I'm very famous, but I don't want to walk around like I'm very famous. I like that bit that I had when I grew up of just going on a bus and just being, you know…" he said. "But I do separate 'him' from 'me.' So, me, I don't like to take pictures when people say, 'Can I have a picture?' because everyone has got a camera in the world. And so I say 'I'm sorry, I don't do pictures.'"

He continued, "I sometimes feel like I have to say, 'Look, I'm happy to talk to you. Sit down. We can talk.' Because I like that. Because I'm still me. The minute I put my arm around you, or you put your arm around me, I feel like the monkey in St. Tropez. 'Come and have your picture taken with the monkey.' I don't like that. It puts me off."

See More