young duchess

Katharine McPhee shares amazing throwback pic with Duchess Meghan

By Wonderwall

Katharine McPhee had an up close and personal brush with royalty many years ago without even knowing it.

On Thursday, the singer posted an amazing throwback image of her and a young Duchess Meghan from the early 2000s when they starred in a musical together.

"Meghan and I did musicals together as kids. She grew up to be the Duchess of Sussex and I grew up to star on the West End, so same life if you ask me," Kat joked on Instagram on Jan. 31.

Katharine is currently near her old musical buddy in London, as she prepares to play Jenna in the United Kingdom premiere of "Waitress."

Perhaps Prince Harry and Meghan will even attend, as they've been known to check out West End shows from time to time.

Chelsea Lauren/WWD/REX/Shutterstock

Of course, a lot has changed for the two women since Kat's baby-faced image was taken. Meghan, 37, is now royalty and expecting her first child with Harry. Katharine, 34, is engaged to David Foster, 69.

Earlier this week, a source told Us Weekly that Kat and David were "leaning toward a small wedding." Meghan, as you'll recall, knows nothing about that. Reports suggest that upwards of 2 billion people watched Meghan and Harry tie the knot on TV, while thousands more lined the streets near their wedding venue.

REX/Shutterstock

Kat and David, a second source tells Us, prefer "a very small wedding in London for about 30 people. They both want to make it a very private, small event."

Job offer

Tara Reid offered Nicole Kidman a job over Instagram

By Wonderwall

Shoot your shot, Tara Reid.

Broadimage/Shutterstock

Over the weekend, the "American Pie" actress made a pitch to Nicole Kidman in hope of casting "The Undoing" star in an upcoming film. Normally this would't be noteworthy, but what made this particular pitch so unconventional is that it happened in the comments section of Nicole's Instagram.

The "Official Sean Penn Instagram" account (not the Sean Penn) captured a screen shot of Tara's grammatically incorrect comment, which came after Nicole posted a photo overlooking New York City. 

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"You are truly amazing in everything you do," Tara began. "I've b en [sic] a huge fan forever. Hopefully one day we can work together soon."

She added, "I'm producing a movie Masha's Mushroom it starring Vivica Fox, Billy Zane, Beverly Deangelo, myself Tara Reid, Sade and others it truly an amazing script."

"I would love for you to read it. Shoreline and Universal are doing it. It's a franchise of 5 films," she said. "If you can follow me so I can tell you more. Kindly, Tara."

It's unknown if Nicole responded or following Tara back. 

BTS Bill

South Korean government lets BTS delay mandatory military service

By Wonderwall

South Korean lawmakers are allowing BTS members to delay their required national military service due to the K-pop group's international popularity.

KIM HEE-CHUL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

As part of the Military Service Act, all able-bodied South Korean men must serve at least 20 months in the national military before they turn 28. On Dec. 1, legislators overwhelmingly passed a bill — unofficially dubbed the "BTS bill" — which allows top K-pop artists to defer military service for two years. This is especially meaningful to BTS member, Kim Seok-jin, who turns 28 this week.

The bill is expected to be signed into law by President Moon Jae-in.

Under the law, deferment waivers would be granted to pop musicians who have won awards and bring cultural and economic prosperity to the country. One lawmaker noted that the band's first No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 brought an estimated $1.5 billion into South Korea's economy. With BTS' success only rising, the Asian nation doesn't want to mess with the group's mojo and the financial boon it brings to the country right now. 

There are exceptions to the mandatory military service rule. Professional athletes are except, as are award-winning musicians from non-pop genres.

Squashed

Dwayne Johnson and Tyrese finally squash their three-year feud

By Wonderwall

Things are less contentious between feuding "Fast & Furious" stars Dwayne Johnson and Tyrese Gibson.

John Shearer/Invision/AP/Shutterstock

The two actors' public spat first went public in 2017 when Tyrese publicly criticized The Rock for signing on to do the "Hobbs & Shaw" movie — a spinoff of the "Fast & Furious" franchise. At the time, Tyrese called Dwayne "selfish" for agreeing to do the spinoff, while also accusing him of making decisions based on "his own self interests."

Around the same time, Tyrese also said The Rock wouldn't respond to his text messages despite the two being friends and having starred in four "Fast & Furious" films together.

The following year, Dwayne said the public disagreement was "pretty disappointing." 

"I always feel like a beef requires two people to actually jump in it, and it was really one-sided, and he had voiced his opinion a lot on social media," Dwayne said. "Apparently, he was going through some stuff too in his personal life. We haven't talked and I don't see where we would, and to me, there's no need to have a conversation."

Eric Charbonneau/Shutterstock

Last year, Tyrese slammed The Rock after the "Hobbs & Shaw" opening. 

Now, though, things have apparently simmered. 

"We talked," Tyrese told Comedy Central's Stir Crazy with Josh Horowitz this week. "We talked for at least four hours. It was great."

"What's interesting about 'The Fast and The Furious' is it's not about any of us individually," he continued, speaking specifically about the franchise's spinoffs. "We're like the UN at this point. Everyone gets to go to the theater and say, 'He and she looks like me.' If I did it with [Ludacris's Tej], then who are we going to play off of? I could not just make it about me. I just could not."

Splitsville

Meghan King and boyfriend split after six months

By Wonderwall

Meghan King and her boyfriend of six months, Christian Schauf, have gone their separate ways. 

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E! News broke the split news on Nov. 30, reporting that Christian, a Utah-based businessman, didn't like the publicity that came with the romance. However, he told Page Six that's not the case.

"I've never had any problem with any form of publicity," he said. "We lead very different lives and knew that when we met. Sometimes this happens. I wish nothing but the best for Meghan and the kids and we're on good terms."

Fans suspected a split occurred when the former "The Real Housewives of Orange County" star recently gave a tour of her home on Instagram Live. She made no mention of Christian but did give her three kids and dog a shoutout.

"No one is moving in this home except for me, Girly Girl, Aspen, Hart and Hayes," she said. "That's it. That is everyone who will be living in this house."

Meghan and Christian first met on a dating app earlier this year — several months after her contentious split from her ex-husband, former baseball player Jim Edmonds. The duo went "Instagram official" in May. At the beginning of their romance, some critics assumed Christian was only dating Meghan for notoriety.

"I found that pretty funny because if fame was what I was after, I've had dozens of opportunities in my life to do something for fame," he said. "I don't think moving from Los Angeles to Park City is something that somebody who's fame-hungry [would do]. I'm a dude that's been pretty career-focused, and has been trying to meet the right person."

In memory of...

Paul Walker's daughter honors him on anniversary of his death

By Wonderwall

It was seven years ago when Paul Walker died in a car crash, but his daughter is keeping his memory alive. 

On Nov. 30, Meadow Rain Walker, Paul's only child, posted a throwback photo with the "Fast and Furious" actor. In the sweet snap, a young Meadow sleeps on her dad.

"A silly day to remember in sadness," she captioned the snap. "Today's a celebration of the love and happiness you brought to the world. Here's a photo of my best bud & I napping."

Following the posting, several of the late actor's friends commented on the post.

"We miss him so much. Of all the things he gave to the world……. You are the most beautiful of them all!," actress Nathalie Emmanuel, who starred in "Furious 7" with Paul.

Tyrese, who starred in four movies with Paul. added, "We love you Meadow! We love you and miss your father everyday……. Prayers love and light to you angel….. I know none of this has been easy especially days like this."

Richard Young/REX/Shutterstock

Since the beloved actor's sudden passing, Meadow, 22, has occasionally used social media to post tributes about him. She was 15 years old when her father passed on Nov. 30, 2013.

Still, she has overall kept a low profile since that fateful day. She didn't appear in 2018's "I Am Paul Walker" documentary, which featured much of his family.

"She's a reserved young lady. She's on the shyer, more reserved side," Paul Walker's brother, Caleb Walker, told E! News. "Maybe she needed a few more years, who knows. But we totally respect that. Obviously we would've loved to have her in it, but she wasn't ready."

Health concern

Original 'Bachelorette' reveals husband secretly battling mystery illness

By Wonderwall

The very first "Bachelorette," Trista Sutter, is looking for answers in regards to her husband's health.

The former reality TV star revealed on Instagram over the weekend that Ryan Sutter, whom she met on the show, is dealing with a mystery illness. The good news is that it's not cancer; the frustrating news is they don't know what it is.

While speaking about Thanksgiving, Trista said, "I know I should be thankful, but I don't want to be fake. And, I'm struggling. This guy…my rock, my best friend, my hero, my love…is struggling. Not everyday, and not to the point that he can't work or cook or exercise or be with family, but enough. We've been struggling for months. Struggling to get answers. And this week, we got an answer that would normally be the best answer of all good answers. We found out that Ryan doesn't have cancer."

The fact that he doesn't have cancer is a "HUGE relief," she said. 

"Part of us was wanting a diagnosis. Wanting to be able to fight for him to be cured instead of fighting for an answer. How messed up is that? Don't worry, I know. It's messed up," she said. "But, that's where we are. In a holding pattern of not knowing." 

Broadimage/Shutterstock

Trista and Ryan, who met and married in 2003, know things could be worse, particularly in a pandemic.

"I am thankful. Thankful to not have to be separated from a loved one who is dying due to COVID. Thankful to not have 2 children with a cancer diagnosis. Thankful to have each other and health insurance and jobs and a home and food on the table and healthy family members and all the things that make this life struggle-free," she wrote. "But if I'm not posting or answering emails or emotional or disconnected, please remember that everyone is struggling in some way, behind closed doors." 

"We are young-ish and blessed, but not immune. We lived a fairy tale on TV and have a great life for all intents and purposes, but answers would be nice," she continued. "So, I'm going to keep praying for answers and am hopeful that if you are the praying type, that you'll think of Ryan when the time comes to send up a message."

Back on

Lil Wayne and ex appear to have reconciled after political fallout

By Wonderwall

Lil Wayne and Denise Bidot seem to have put their political differences aside.

Rumors of a reconciliation started swirling a month after the duo split when Denise shared multiple social media posts featuring the rapper. 

On Nov. 29, the model posted about Wayne's new album on Instagram. Just last week, she also posted a photo with Weezy, which she captioned, "Mornings with bae." Denise later added another image — a selfie from inside the rapper's car, The Blast reported.

The couple reportedly split in early November after the rapper came out in support of President Trump's reelection. "Sometimes love just isn't enough…" she cryptically tweeted at the time. Multiple blogs, meanwhile, reported that Denise didn't want to continue a relationship with Wayne due to his affiliation with Trump.

However, she later implied that Wayne ended the romance.

"Imagine being dumped over an IG post…that expressed MY political view and encouraged people to vote… It's definitely 2020," she wrote on her Instagram Story amid the breakup rumors.

Further fanning the breakup flames, Wayne stopped following Denise on Instagram (she was the only person he followed). He is now back to following her again. 

The relationship news comes while Wayne deals with a potentially serious legal situation — one that could see him land behind bars.

On Nov. 17, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida charged the rapper with one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. The charge stems from a December 2019 incident at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport: Federal agents searched a private plane after getting a tip that it was allegedly transporting drugs. Police found a gun aboard, and according to the charging documents, federal prosecutors believe Wayne was the one illegally in possession of the gun and ammunition. 

Frank Micelotta/Fox Sports/Picturegroup/Shutterstock

Wayne's attorney told TMZ that feds found a gold-plated handgun in Wayne's luggage.

Wayne, who was convicted of a felony gun charge in New York back in 2009, faces up to 10 years in prison if he's convicted.

animal love

Cher travels to Cambodia for 'World's Loneliest Elephant'

By Wonderwall

Cher made good on her promise to be there for an infamous viral elephant.

Over the weekend, the singer traveled to a sanctuary in Cambodia to greet an elephant named Kaavan after it was transferred from a Pakistani zoo.

AFP via Getty Images

Kaavan has become a viral sensation, somewhat thanks to the "Believe" singer. The elephant was gifted to the Pakistan zoo several decades ago. There, Kaavan has languished for 35 years and has been solo since losing his partner in 2012. Following years of severe negligence, Kaavan was diagnosed by veterinarians as both overweight and malnourished and also suffers from behavioral issues due to his isolation.

He has become known as "the world's loneliest elephant."

In May, Pakistan's high court ordered the closure of Marghazar Zoo in the capital of Islamabad, where Kaavan lived for most of his life, the New York Post said. A movement, involving Cher, soon began to get Kaavan moved to the sanctuary in Cambodia.

Eventually, the hard work paid off, and on Nov. 30, Cher greeted Kaavan at a Cambodian airport. 

"I thought long & Hard about going out into Covid But Kaavan's Freedom was a Promise I Made. On My Site I Say 'Stand & Be Counted,Or Sit & Be Nothing' WE ALL STOOD & WE WERE COUNTED & KAAVAN WILL BE FREE," she happily tweeted.

AFP via Getty Images

Pictures showed her waiting for Kaavan with a white rose in hand.

Kaavan's story will be featured in an upcoming documentary, Cher said on Twitter. 

"Kaavan's journey to freedom from captivity in Islamabad to Cambodia will be a 2021 @SmithsonianChan documentary," she said. The documentary, she previously wrote, "will be heartwarming."

Rule breaker

Rita Ora admits it was 'inexcusable' to throw 30th birthday party amid COVID-19 crisis, pays $13,000 fine

By Wonderwall

Rita Ora made a bad decision, and now she's paying for it.

David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock

The British pop star turned 30 on Nov. 26. To celebrate — despite strict COVID-19 rules in effect in London as coronavirus cases surge — she threw a party at a West London restaurant on Oct. 28 that, according to The Sun, was attended by about 30 friends.

The breach drew the attention of police and upset some fans. A source told The Sun that Rita voluntarily paid a £10,000 fine (about $13,000). Authorities were photographed paying her a visit at home on the morning of Nov. 30.

RELATED: Stars turning 30 in 2020

Early the same morning, Rita posted an apology on her Instagram Stories. "Hello all, I attended a small gathering with some friends to celebrate my 30th birthday. It was a spur of the moment decision made with the misguided view that we were coming out of lockdown and this would be OK… I'm deeply sorry for breaking the rules and in turn understand that this puts people at risk," she began.

"This was a serious and inexcusable error of judgement. Given the restrictions, I realise how irresponsible these actions were and I take full responsibility," she continued.

RELATED: Celebrity turkeys: Stars who made bad decisions in 2020

Rita added, "I feel particularly embarrassed knowing first-hand how hard people have worked to combat this terrible illness and being fully aware of the sacrifices that people and businesses have made to help keep us all safe. Even though this won't make it right, I want to sincerely apologise."

Beretta/Sims/Shutterstock

The pop star further told The Sun she is "deeply sorry for breaking the rules."

According to The Sun, models Poppy and Cara Delevingne were among Rita's guests at Casa Cruz restaurant in London's Notting Hill neighborhood.

"Rita and her sister came to the restaurant first, all dolled up and clearly looking forward to a good night," an insider told The Sun. "There were a number of guests, all dressed up very glamorously, and everyone entered the building through the back, with security watching the front to make sure no one else went in. It went on until the early hours."

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