Protective plan

Demi Lovato's team prepares to clean house to cut friends, bad influences after overdose

On Aug. 5, Demi Lovato spoke out for the first time since her July overdose, thanking God "for keeping me alive and well," her fans for their support, her family, her business team and the doctors and nurses at the Los Angeles hospital who've been treating her for the last 13 days.

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The following day, Aug. 6, TMZ reported that now that Demi has made it clear that she wants "to heal and focus on my sobriety and road to recovery," her team is preparing to help her clean house of all the negative friends and influences in her life who might have contributed to her heartbreaking decision to break six years of sobriety with devastating consequences.

Sources close to the pop star, who turns 26 on Aug. 20, tell TMZ that "there will be a major focus on separating her from toxic people in her life once she gets out of rehab — including even a distant relative who is believed to have a negative impact on her," the site explains, adding that there's one friend in particular who's at the top of the hit list.

If friends and acquaintances don't have Demi's best interests in mind, they won't be tolerated. That includes "partymongers, drug users or 'yes' friends who allow her to get in harm's way," TMZ writes.

Demi will be advised to get a new phone number and only share it with those who won't use it to tempt her back down a dark path.

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Cutting out bad influences — as well as access to drug dealers — is exactly what Demi's team encouraged her to do the first time she got sober in 2012 during a life-changing intervention.

She previously rejected their efforts to help her get clean, but during that "final [intervention], everyone was like, 'We are no longer going to leave, we are leaving,'" Demi said on "The Jonathan Ross Show" in 2017. "That was the moment when I thought, 'Okay, I really need to get help and get sober.' [That] time I knew… I had hit rock bottom and I just needed to do this for myself."

In Demi's 2017 YouTube documentary "Simply Complicated," her then-manager, Phil McIntyre — whom she stopped working with a few moths ago — described the 2012 intervention as "the showdown of all showdowns." He and others confirmed that Demi's whole team — managers, agents, attorneys — had all agreed to cut ties with her if she wouldn't get sober.

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Demi — who'd been trying to hide that she was doing bags of pills and eight balls of cocaine, the documentary revealed — smashed her cell phone and submerged it in a vase of water in order to cut contact with her drug dealers as well as bad influences and agreed to seek help. Her manager showed the cracked and battered phone, which he'd saved after all those years, during the documentary. "It was the beginning of the process of surrendering," Demi explained.

According to TMZ, in the wake of her July OD, the singer has agreed to go to rehab — which wasn't a given early on in her health crisis, multiple reports revealed — and her team has arranged for her to enter a live-in facility as soon as she's released from the hospital.

In the statement she posted on Instagram on Aug. 5, Demi implied that she intended to seek help. "I have always been transparent about my journey with addiction. What I've learned is that this illness is not something that disappears or fades with time. It is something I must continue to overcome and have not done yet," she wrote.

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The statement continued, "I want to thank God for keeping me alive and well. To my fans, I am forever grateful for all of your love and support throughout this past week and beyond. Your positive thoughts and prayers have helped me navigate through this difficult time. I want to thank my family, my team, and the staff at Cedars-Sinai who have been by my side this entire time. Without them, I wouldn't be here writing this letter to all of you."

She concluded the note, "I now need time to heal and focus on my sobriety and road to recovery. The love you have all shown me will never be forgotten and I look forward to the day where I can say I came out on the other side. I will keep fighting."

Living situation

Bruce Willis' current wife addresses report that Demi Moore is now living with them to help care for the actor after his dementia diagnosis

Demi Moore is sharing the same roof with her ex-husband, Bruce Willis, and his current wife, Emma Heming, according to a new report. A source told RadarOnline.com on March 8, "Demi has moved in, and she is not leaving until the very end."

However, later in the day, Bruce's wife, Emma Heming, denied it. "Let's nip this one in the bud. This is so dumb. Please stop," she wrote on her Instagram Story.

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Bruce and Demi, who were married for 13 years and share three children, have had a close relationship for years. 

"At first no one outside the family could understand what Demi was doing living with her ex and his new wife, but now it makes sense," the source told Radar. "Demi has been a rock for the family and is determined to make sure every day Bruce has left on earth will be filled with love."

Last March, Bruce's family announced that the "Pulp Fiction" star was retiring due to Aphasia, a condition that affects a person's ability to communicate — to speak, write and understand language. Then, last month, the family announced that he has been diagnosed with dementia — this in addition to his battle with aphasia. 

"Now Bruce will leave before [Demi] does," the source claimed. 

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On Sunday, March 5, Emma issued a PSA about her husband after seeing paparazzi images of him getting coffee with friends. 

"If you are someone who is looking after someone who has dementia, you know how difficult and how stressful it can be, just to get them out into the world and navigate them safely – even just to get a cup of coffee," she said. "In the spirit of raising awareness for dementia, it's clear that a lot of education needs to be put forth."  

Emma continued by pleading with paparazzi to give Bruce his "space" if they see him out and about. 

"Allow for our family or whoever is with him that day to get him from point A to point B safely," she said. 

On hold

Amanda Bynes on psychiatric hold after early morning episode on the streets of downtown Los Angeles

Amanda Bynes has been placed on psychiatric hold after being found naked and alone while roaming the streets in downtown Los Angeles. 

TMZ reported that Amanda was nude when she waved down a car in the early morning hours of Sunday, March 19, and informed the driver that she was coming off of a psychotic episode. She then called police herself. 

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After being taken to a nearby police station, the former "Hairspray" actress was placed on a psychiatric hold in a hospital. A typical psychiatric hold lasts 72 hours, but they can go longer. 

Amanda was not hurt during the episode, which went down in a potentially dangerous part of L.A.

The "Easy A" alum has led a turbulent life. In October 2014, she landed in a treatment center after lashing out at her father on social media, shoplifting and DUI. The previous year — following an involuntary psychiatric hold, which came after she set off a small fire on a neighbor's driveway — Amanda spent time in a psychiatric hospital and then lived with her parents for several months. Her mom, Lynn, was named her conservator back in 2014.

Also in 2014, she was kicked out of fashion school for her troubling behavior: Other students accused her of attending classes with sunglasses on while high on weed, of paying others to finish her homework and of blatantly cheating off of classmates during tests.

In October 2015, she was allowed to return to the school, and in 2019, she finally graduated.

Since then, Amanda has largely cleaned up her life, and a judge terminated her conservatorship on March 22, 2022.

TV return?

Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes 'aggressively pitching' Ellen producers on new show

Former "GMA3" co-hosts Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes are hoping to openly showcase their love on TV.

The duo is "aggressively pitching" a show to the producers behind "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," an insider tells Page Six, adding Amy and T.J. "welcome ongoing coverage" of their relationship.

"It's easier for them to pitch a show if they stay in the news, and they think they're rock stars. They're selling their chemistry," the source said.

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Amy and T.J. are still going strong amid a tumultuous few months. On Nov. 30, 2022, DailyMail.com published a bombshell story alleging that the duo — who were both married to other people at the time — had evolved their friendship into a romantic relationship many months earlier. In the wake of the scandal, ABC pulled both Amy and T.J. off the air on Dec. 5 while the network's president figured out next steps, and nearly two months later on Jan. 27, 2023, both were let go. 

"After several productive conversations … about different options, we all agreed it's best for everyone that they move on from ABC News," an ABC News spokesperson said. 

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Both T.J. and Amy have split from their respective spouses and haven't hidden their blossoming relationship, having been photographed in New York, Los Angeles, Miami and Mexico. Still, despite their love tour, the couple really wants to be together in front of the camera again. 

"They absolutely believe that their chemistry would sell, because it sold at ABC," the insider said. While at ABC, Amy and T.J. "sold this brother/sister chemistry. Now, they're selling sex," the source said. 

The couple is using another real-life duo as their on-air inspiration, the source continued, claiming Amy and T.J. are "pitching a show a la Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos." The insider noted that the couple received packages from ABC after their axing, but they have to work eventually.

"Whatever deal they got from ABC is not going to sustain them," the source stated.

On set issues

Jamie Foxx's on set 'meltdown' throws Cameron Diaz's acting comeback into 'chaos'

No Foxx given? Cameron Diaz's return to acting hit a major speed bump after her Oscar-winning co-star's on-set "meltdown."

Jamie Foxx has been increasingly upset with production issues on the "Back In Action" set, which resulted in the firing of several crew members, The Sun reported, adding that the film is "in chaos."

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"There have been some issues on set and Jamie has had a major meltdown over it all," a source said. "He demanded the problems be sorted immediately and [fired] four of the production staff — as if that would magically improve the situation."

Those supposedly canned included an executive producer, an assistant director, a unit director and Jamie's driver. 

"Some people working on it are totally fed up with how this has played out and Jamie has become pretty unpopular," the source added. 

The movie, which is being filmed in London, is set to be Cameron's return to acting after essentially retiring. The actress' last film was 2014's "Annie," which coincidentally also starred Jamie.

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Jamie, who has worked with the "Charlie's Angel" star on several other films, managed to convince Cameron to end her acting hiatus for "Back In Action." 

In a phone chat, that was released online, Cameron said: "Jamie Foxx, only you could get me back in action. I can't frickin wait it's gonna be a blast!"

Name game

LGBTQ+ 'Sister Wives' star to change name after marriage

Gwendlyn Brown is ready to a become a wife and leave her last name in the dust.

The "Sister Wives" star, who is one of Christine and ex Kody Brown's six children, plans to take her fiance's surname after she gets hitched to Beatriz Queiroz.

Gwendlyn made her reveal in a special YouTube video, after receiving a Creator Award from the platform for having over 100,000 subscribers.

"It's addressed to Gwendlyn Brown, but since I'm getting married soon, I had the name tag, it says 'For Gwendlyn Queiroz,'" she said. "That's what I'm going to be in, like, five months, less than five months. It's coming up."

Gwendlyn, who came out as bisexual in October 2022, got engaged to her lady love in November 2022 after eight months of dating.  

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While Gwendlyn preps for a wedding, her mother has also found her happiness, too. On Valentine's Day 2023, Christine — who left her plural marriage to Kody in late 2021 after 25 years together — made things Instagram official with her new man, David Woolley. 

"I finally found the love of my life, David. The first time he held me close, it felt like my soul took its first breath," she captioned an Instagram selfie on Feb. 14. "He's wonderful and kind, incredible with my children and an adorable grandpa. I never dreamed I could find a love like this. #blessed #soulmate #feelinggood #lovemylife #partner." David shared a different pic of himself with Christine, captioning it "My Queen."

Then, earlier this week, Christine against gushed about her man again, indicating she's "unbelievably happy." 

"I can't express how amazing it's been to have David in my life," she said. "He's an incredible man and he treats me like his Queen." 

Mea culpa

Brooke Shields apologized to college beau Dean Cain decades after romance

Brooke Shields dated Dean Cain decades ago, but she still feels bad about the way she treated the actor during their romance. 

While chatting with People magazine, the actress gushed over her college relationship with the "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman" star, calling him "beautiful" and "mouthwatering." However, because Brooke — who called herself the "most famous virgin in the world" — was sexualized early on in films, she couldn't really let herself go with him.

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"We had a great relationship, broke up, got back together again after three years. And that should have been a delicious time for me of reveling in it and feeling proud and free because I was in love," she said. "But it was as if I was just paralyzed from shame, thinking everybody was going to know, thinking of letting my fans down because I had professed one thing."

Brooke has previously said she lost her virginity to Dean, eventually.

"He just was so loyal and loving and just so in love. And I did not make it easy," she told People. 

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After having years to reflect on the romance, Brooke realized she owed Dean an apology for not enjoying the moment more. And, she did apologize to him "a few years back."

"I said, 'I'm sorry for you, and I'm really sorry for me,' " she remembers.

Arrested

Julia Fox pays $450,000 bail for brother following his NYC arrest

Julia Fox put up $450,000 to bail her brother out of jail following his arrest for allegedly producing ghost guns and manufacturing drugs, including fentanyl.

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The New York Post the "Uncut Gems" actress co-signed the bond with her parents. She listed her profession as "actress/model" with the word "retired" penciled in. The bond to release Christopher Fox was reportedly secured with assets belonging to Julia and Christopher's dad, Thomas Fox. Considered a flight risk, Christopher was forced to surrender his passport. 

"Of course Ms. Fox seemed upset," bail bondsman Ira Judelson, who posted the bond, told the New York outlet. "It is her brother."

Last week, Julia's bother and father were arrested after police found ghost guns and evidence of narcotics manufacturing in their New York City apartment. Julia's father was ultimately not charged. 

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At Christopher's arraignment, prosecutors alleged that he made nearly $350,000 from untraceable gun sales from April 2020 and January 2023.  It's reported that he produced the gun parts with a 3D printer.

"The defendant possessed enough gun parts to assemble an assault weapon-style rifle," Assistant District Attorney Cyril Heron said, adding that police also found drug paraphernalia and chemicals in his apartment, including pressure cookers, fentanyl, chloroform, heroin, crack and cocaine.

Incidentally, Julia called her bother "a mad scientist recluse" who "builds 3D printers for fun" in an interview with highsnobiety.com.

Not buying it

Former 'Housewives' star raises conspiracy theory about 'Vanderpump' affair

"Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" alum Teddi Mellencamp thinks there's something a little inauthentic about the "Vanderpump Rules" cheating scandal.

In fact, Teddi wonders if her former friend Lisa Vanderpump orchestrated the whole thing behind the scenes to boost ratings for the Bravo show.

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"She probably paid Raquel [Leviss] to do this," Teddi said, referring to the cheating scandal involving "Vanderpump Rules" stars Tom Sandoval and Raquel.

The former "Housewives" star said on an episode of Melissa Gorga's "On Display" podcast that "nobody cared" about Lisa's show "until now."

"I think [Lisa] wants the best for herself, as I would, as well," Teddi said. "You guys wouldn't? You want your shows to tank?"

Teddi even went on to "guarantee" that Raquel will be "engaged and pregnant within a year," which only increases interest. 

On March 1, news broke that Ariana Madix dumped Tom, her boyfriend of nearly 10 years, after discovering he'd been cheating on her with Raquel, their "Vanderpump" costar. Tom and Raquel has apologized for the scandal. 

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Lisa appeared on "Watch What Happens Live" last week to discuss the scandal and defend her costars. 

"Actually, I really want to talk about this because this kind of vigilante justice I don't agree with at all," she said, referring to backlash and even death threats being lobbed at Tom and Raquel. "I think these are people that are living their life in a public forum, which is very difficult. There's so much infidelity in the world. It's not like they murdered anyone."

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Lisa added, "I'm not saying we should let them off the hook. Condemn their actions, but don't condemn the people. All this aggression … it can have serious ramifications. I really mean that. I think everybody should be careful with that. I don't like it and I don't want to see it."

Backing Ashley

Veteran journalist praises Ashley Graham for how she handled awkward Hugh Grant interview

"Access Hollywood" journalist Jason Kennedy is throwing support to Ashley Graham following her viral interview with Hugh Grant at the Oscars

"Don't worry @ashleygraham … now you see why Hugh Grant isn't one of our favorites to interview live," Jason tweeted. "Well done working around his nonsense."

On Sunday, Ashley chatted with the "Notting Hill" star for ABC's "On the Red Carpet Live," but things quickly got awkward, as the actor seemed disinterested in the chat and in the show itself. 

During the interview, Hugh told Ashley he wasn't cheering for anyone in particular; said he was wearing "just my suit" but didn't name the designer; and said he "almost" had fun during his "three seconds" in the movie "Glass Onion." 

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It seems that not everyone was sympathetic to Ashley.

"As a pro, maybe Ashley could have kept in mind his history of interviews & been more strategic if she wanted to interview him so badly," one person tweeted. They added, "Weren't there any number of other people to speak with."

Jason immediately chimed in, noting that red carpets are chaotic and interviews are often prearranged.

"Not the case," Jason reacted to the claim that other celebrities were available to speak with. "It's pre produced for a broadcast like that, not her call."

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In media circles, Hugh is notorious for being difficult to interview, and he's aware of his reputation. He recently admitted to getting cranky on the set of "Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves."

"I lost my temper with a woman in my eye line on day one," he told Total Film magazine. "I assumed she was some executive from the studio who should have known better. Then it turns out that she's an extremely nice local woman who was the chaperone of the young girl."

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After the Oscars interview, "Good Morning Britain" host Susanna Reid said she's had a rough go with Hugh before too.

"I've been there on the red carpet and the problem of course is if you are the reporter, it's knowing exactly who's coming towards you. It's also a problem if the person you interview doesn't particularly want to give you an interview," she said. "Spare a thought for ABC's Ashley Graham. She saw Hugh Grant, who is famous for sometimes being a little bit short with his words."

For her part, Ashley reacted to the now-notorious interview in a brief chat with TMZ. Her goal, she said, is to "kill people with kindness."