Ariana Grande explains her upside down Christmas tree, plus more news

Ariana Grande explains her upside down Christmas tree

"Sometimes life just be upside down." That's how Ariana Grande explained why she hung her Christmas tree with the stump in the air this year when TMZ caught up with her in New York City on Tuesday, Dec. 18. The singer recently shared a video on social media that showed the tree — decorated with glowing lights by a pile of Santa-ready stockings — hanging the wrong direction from the ceiling, an apt representation of where anyone's head might be after the year Ariana's had. Though she released a hit album, "Sweetener," and hit single, "Thank U, Next," in 2018, she also said struggled with the death of her friend and ex, Mac Miller. Over the weekend, Ariana's Twitter exchange with Kanye West made its way to her ex-fiance, Pete Davidson, who defended Kanye, rather than Ariana. He later posted a disturbing message about not wanting to be on this earth anymore that prompted a wellness check from the NYPD. Ariana attempted to go see him at 30 Rock before "Saturday Night Live" began, but he reportedly would not see her.

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Amal Clooney's royal wedding look can be yours — for a mere four figures

If you're still recovering from a case of royal wedding-induced fashion envy — and you have a few thousand bucks to spare — Stella McCartney has made the slim-line yellow dress Amal Clooney wore to Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan's May nuptials available for purchase at Matches Fashion, according to the New York Post. Retailing for $1,1995, the "Amal tie-back crepe dress" is currently available for $1,995 at Matches Fashion. The designer also made the white halter gown Meghan wore to her reception (where Amal's husband, George Clooney spent some time playing bartender). That dress landed on Net-a-Porter last month as part of Stella's bridal collection. The white crepe halterneck gown will cost you a teensy bit more than Amal's dress, though. It's currently listed for $5, 200.

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Emails between Kylie Jenner, Khloe Kardashian show they wanted 'Rob & Chyna' terminated

After a judge ruled this week that Blac Chyna's case against the Kardashian-Jenner family will go to court in February 2020, emails between Khloe Kardahisan and Kylie Jenner surfaced showing the sisters truly wanted Rob Kardashian's show with Chyna to be terminated. At one point, Khloe even said "the sisters [are] considering" ending "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" if "Rob & Chyna" were to continue airing. "I feel very strongly about canceling Season 2 for Rob&Chyna," Kylie wrote in an email to Khloe and two people whose names were redacted from documents seen by Us Weekly. "The only reason Chyna wants to be with my brother is for this show. She does not love Rob and their relationship is too fake and destructive," she continued. "We all know filming isn't my favorite but I will sacrifice and promise you guys episodes and stories and I'm sure all my sisters will be on board to make up for all the episodes Rob&Chyna were supposed to bring in. The public has been exposed to what a fake relationship they have and it's embarrassing and makes us all look fake. The show is giving this toxic woman money and exposure she lives and breathes for and by continuing it. She will proceed with using and physically abusing my brother. … Her association is detrimental to our family and Keeping Up W the Kardashians." Khloe, meanwhile, chimed in: "The sisters are clearly concerned and uncomfortable for our brothers safety and the credibility of the brand at this point due to how they [Rob and Chyna] are both tarnishing it. … We are even considering not moving forward with our show if theirs continues. That's how strongly we feel this is damaging to our family." Chyna filed suit against the entire family in October 2017 for allegedly sabotaging "Rob & Chyna," the reality show she shared with Rob. Some family members have since been dropped from the case.

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John Legend and Chrissy Teigen aren't 'ruling out' the possibility of hosting the Oscars

Could these two lovebirds save the Academy Awards? As of Tuesday, Dec. 18, the ceremony, scheduled for Feb. 24, remained host-less after Kevin Hart stepped down form the gig following a controversy around homophobic language he'd used on Twitter in the past. "I feel like it's a thankless job. Nobody really wins from hosting the Oscars," John Legend told The Hollywood Reporter this week at an event in Los Angeles. "It doesn't really end up great for anybody … I'm not saying we're ruling it out," he added. Although the singer didn't say he or his wife, Chrissy Teigen, had been asked to host the ceremony, Chrissy tweeted on Dec. 7 that the Academy had not invited her take on the job. She offered suggestions including Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ellen DeGeneres, Anne Hathaway and James Franco. "I like some of her suggestions. I thought they were cool," John said, adding that he'd go for Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson or Wanda Sykes if it were up to him. Kevin, meanwhile, has remained somewhat stuck in the controversy that erupted after his tweets resurfaced, with celebs like Nick Cannon defending him amid ongoing backlash.

Demi Lovato's friend from rehab shares sweet pics of the pals from Utah

Demi Lovato's rehab stay in Utah seems to have made her at least one good friend. E! News reports a sweet photo booth strip showing Demi and a pal posted by Sheila O'Neill this week was likely during her treatment stay. Tagged at Robert Redford's Sundance Mountain Resort, it's unclear whether that's where the photo booth pics were shot. What is clear, however, is how much Sheila cares for Demi, who she can be seen blowing kisses and sharing snacks with in the cute pics. "Our friendship isn't a big thing, it's a million little things," the strip reads. Demi began her rehab stay this summer after a near-fatal overdose. "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," she posted on social media in early August. "It is something I must continue to overcome and have not done yet." The singer is rumored to have been getting close to designer Henry Levy, who's reportedly also been her sober companion.

Ed Sheeran sets touring record with $432M in ticket sales

Ed Sheeran's stage style may not be on par with Beyonce's, but his onstage earning power sure is — and then some. Pollstar reported this week that Ed's Divide world tour made more money than any single year tour in the three decades Pollstar's been keeping track of ticket sales. In 2018, the singer's 94 shows pulled in $432 million in ticket sales — nearly double the $254.1 million Bey and JAY-Z made with their On the Run II tour. The New York Post points out Ed mostly performed solo, too — meaning more cash in his pocket. Taylor Swift's $345.1 million grossing Reputation tour landed between Ed and Bey and Jay's gross sales, according to the report.

Kendra Wilkinson has 'no interest in' dating

When Kendra Wilkinson took her kids to see the Disney on Ice presentation of "Dare to Dream" last week, she made it quite clear Alijah and Hank, Jr. were the only social partners she needs these days. Asked if she was dating in the wake of her divorce from Hank Baskett, she told Us Weekly, "Oh, no." She then made sure the tab got her message, adding, "No way. Oh, no, no, no. Date night with my kids, yeah!" It seems that while there's been interest from men, Kendra's simply not in a romantic head space right now. "Honestly, I actually have a lot of text messages," Kendra admitted. "Guys are hitting me up, but I want nothing to do with it." Her ideal evening, instead, revolves around relaxing at home. "I like to Netflix and chill with my wine," she said. "Actually, I'm such a nerd now. I would rather stay at home, build a computer and do nerdy things and game. I'm a big gamer. So I would rather do that than go out." In September, the reality star was reportedly dating businessman Frankie Conti.

Angelina Jolie writes a piece for The Economist on how to alleviate the refugee crisis

With 2019 just around the corner, Angelina Jolie is making a case for how the world can alleviate the growing refugee crisis. In an essay for The Economist, the special envoy of the UNHCR says that with "68 million forcibly displaced people" worldwide – a number that's risen consistently for the past six years — there will be "severe consequences in 2019" if action to solve the root of the problem isn't taken on a global scale. "The answer does not lie in countries adopting harsh unilateral measures that target refugees and that run counter to humanitarian values and responsibilities. That will only inflame the problem," she writes. "Instead, we must reduce the number of displaced people worldwide by preventing and solving the conflicts that drive them from their homes. We must rally people and countries to act together based on common interests and universal aspirations for security, dignity and equality. This does not have to come at the expense of our safety and economic well-being at home, but is an essential requirement when facing problems of international dimensions." She goes on to acknowledge that a strategy to solve the crisis "will take vision and persistence and strength" as well as "the will and diplomatic skill needed to negotiate peace settlements, stabilize insecure countries and uphold the rule of law." She also points to a time when she first started working with the United Nations when the organization's actions did affect change and the refugee numbers went down. "A refugee is a man, woman or child at their most vulnerable: forced from their home, living without the protection of their state, and in many cases without the bare means of survival. It is the human condition that tests our belief that all human beings have equal rights and deserve protection," she writes, before concluding: "We live in divisive times. However, history also shows our ability to unite, overcome a global crisis and renew our sense of purpose and community with other nations. That is the greatest strength of an open society."

Carey Mulligan and Marcus Mumford raise more than $1.5M for child refugees

Angelina Jolie's not the only star focused on the needs of refugees going into the new year. Last week, Carey Mulligan and her husband, Marcus Mumford of Mumford & Sons hosted a fundraiser in support of Children in Conflict, the U.S. arm of War Child U.K., which works to "protect, educate and stand up for the rights of children caught up in conflict," according to the organization's website. For the fundraiser, which People reports raised about $1.7 million, they teamed up with a former child refugee named Oscar whose experience in a refugee camp in Uganda after he and his family fled the violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo led him to begin advocating for other young refugees when he was just getting into his teenage years. "We both feel so privileged to meet children who are incredible brave and courageous who have endured unspeakable things, but they shouldn't have to be brave. They should go to bed at night the way our children go to bed at night, feeling safe and warm and knowing there's someone looking out for them," Carey told People. "That's what Children in Conflict does to many of these kids, they're providing that comfort that we are lucky enough to be able to give our own children. They can go to bed knowing they're okay, and I think that's what Children in Conflict's mission is, to try and make children feel safe. That definitely feels so much stronger since we've had our own kids." Carey and Marcus, who met as childhood pen pals, share a daughter, Evelyn, and a son, Wilfred.

Cardi B finally gets her name trademarked

Belcalis Almanzar can finally rest assured her stage moniker belongs to her, alone. According to The Blast, Cardi B finally got a certificate from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Dec. 11, alerting her she owns the trademark to the name she uses as a rapper for various "entertainment services." She reportedly filed documents requesting the trademark in February 2016. Since then, problems including a lack of the correct signature prevented the request from being granted. It was even suspended and then abandoned at one point, The Blast reports.