A therapist hired to help Bethenny Frankel, Jason Hoppy coparent amicably quite after a year
Bethenny Frankel and her ex, Jason Hoppy, were back in court Tuesday, March 26, to continue fighting over the amount of time each parent will spend with their 8-year-old daughter, Bryn, and whether one parent will get sole decision-making power when it comes to her best interest. During the proceedings, a therapist who's worked as a "parent coordinator" for 15 years testified that after trying to help the two see eye-to-eye for a year, he had to quit. "I was able to get through to the mother to some degree. I didn't feel at the time that I was able to get through to the father," Dr. Rami Mosseri told a judge in New York City, according to the New York Post. The two had been trying to live together for Bryn's benefit, though they'd already split. According to the doctor, Jason "repeatedly complained about Frankel" in their sessions, telling him, "that she uses her child, which she nicknamed Peanut, in the media. … that she tweets about her … that she one time wore her child's pajamas in front of the newspapers and that was inappropriate." He allowed that Bethenny was "controlling" despite seeming more willing to compromise, but Jason seemed to have "his own idea of what was in the best interest of his child and stuck to it." In 2015, he sent the two an email announcing he was done trying to help. "Dear Bethenny and Jason, I'm afraid that in light of the level of conflict between the two of you, the lack of willingness to compromise … you will be better off with another [parent coordinator]," he wrote. Bethenny, who filed for divorce from Jason in 2013, currently shares joint custody with him. The therapist noted that he'd only quit on a couple like that twice before.
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Carrie Underwood and Mike Fisher's son is not quite ready for a career in espionage
Carrie Underwood and her husband Mike Fisher may have just discovered the reason most of the world's spies tend not to be … er … 4-year-olds. In a post on his Instagram Story on Monday, March 25, the former NHL star revealed what had happened when his son, Isaiah, got out of bed to practice his spy skills — with a photo of Isaiah clad in green PJs, under a table, snoozing next to his stuffed animal. "When you sneak out of bed to spy and fall asleep," he captioned the post (via Us Weekly). Before the spying began, Isaiah apparently had his mom, giggling, too. "My 4-year-old just told me that something is 'unreasonable,'" she tweeted. "Where does he get this stuff?" We can't answer that, but if it was bedtime he found unreasonable, at least there's now photographic proof that reason will win in the end!
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Gabrielle Union says she and Jessica Alba 'have reimagined what Hollywood can be like for working moms'
"I give myself permission to be human." That's how Gabrielle Union, who became a mom at 46 when she welcomed her daughter Kaavia with Dwayne Wade via surrogate, is getting through the trials and tribulations of balancing a baby, a career and her own basic needs. "When I need a minute to return emails or cry or mindlessly scroll through social media, I'll take it," she says in the new issue of Parents magazine (via People). "I'm not trying to be a perfect parent . … I'm OK with life not being balanced. I'm not hitting it out of the park in every area. There are times I should be studying lines, but I'm playing with my baby and I'm enjoying it." In fact, she's been able to do both thanks to her new role in "L.A.'s Finest," which allows her to bring Kaavia to the set with her. Gabrielle's costar, Jessica Alba, deserves some credit on that tip, as well. "Jessica outfitted my trailer like a nursery," says Gabrielle. "Together, we've re-imagined what Hollywood can be for working moms." Meanwhile, Kaavia's dad is finding out what life's like for working fathers who want to be as hands-on as possible. The Miami Heat star is now back on the court after taking a two-week paternity leave, but that hasn't made him any less close to his daughter. Joking that he's "like a stage mom," Gabrielle says, "When he's in Miami and we're in Los Angeles, he wants to know everything, from her poops to what outfit she's wearing." The actress has been open about her journey to motherhood for some time, sharing with fans her terrible experience with multiple miscarriages as well as her decision to use a surrogate. Says the star: "Kaavia really is the personification of hope for a lot of people like us, who maybe didn't have a lot to be hopeful about. When you take people on the low points of your journey, it's cool to let them be part of the joy … Plus, she's really cute."
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Julia Roberts 'took a drive' down Hollywood Boulevard with prostitutes to prepare for 'Pretty Woman'
When Julia Roberts announced her research plan to play prostitute Vibvian Ward in 1990's "Pretty Woman," she did so in the most Julia Roberts way possible. She showed up at the free clinic where the movie's director, Garry Marshall's wife Barbara Marshall was volunteering, chatted with a pair of hookers and promptly hollered — in her characteristically bright and warm style — that she and the girls were off to hit L.A.'s ground zero for streetwalking. Barbara, a former nurse who has been writing her memoirs, recently shared her memories from that day in 1989 with the New York Post. "Garry would never visit me at the clinic, because he was a hypochondriac and afraid of getting a disease. But he asked if Julia could come and talk to some of the patients," she recalled. "I recruited two young women who came to the clinic regularly, and I paid them $35 each to meet with Julia. I went back to work, and about 20 minutes later, Julia yelled from the end of the hall, 'Bye, Barbara. We're going to take a drive. We'll be back later.'" In a panic, Barbara called her husband. "Your star just left with a group of girls, and I think they were heading to Hollywood Boulevard," she told Garry, adding, "I'm worried. What if she doesn't come back?" Julia, of course, came back and was just fine. Barbara also said she remains touched that her late husband included a moment in "Pretty Woman," where Vivian offers a "bouquet of condoms" to Richard Gere's Edward Lewis, telling him she's "a safety girl." "I was so proud, because I realized that Garry was paying attention to my work and respecting the importance of preventing sexually transmitted diseases," Barbara said. Over the course of her 50-plus-year marriage to the legendary director, Barbara said she also helped with plotlines for "Laverne & Shirley" and "Happy Days." "I will always be honored that he was able to steal stories from my life and turn them into charming moments on film," she told the Post.
Solange Knowles twerks to Ariana Grande before getting candid about body image struggles
Solange Knowles seems to be feeling more empowered than ever when it comes to body image. After sharing a super fangirl video that showed her twerking to Ariana Grande's "Sweetener" in a bikini, she traded a handful of questions and answers with fans on Twitter. Asked where she was "at spiritually" with her new album, "When I Get Home," she acknowledged how the music she was making helped her come to terms with herself, physically, in some ways. "My body took a lot from me when i started this record," she tweeted. "Real scary times, ill tell y'all one day. I had to learn to accept a lot of things about myself & this short time we got here. I had some real ugly parts i need (& still need) to work thru, but thru this albummmmm… I tried to do the work that would simply bring me the most joy that would make me confront the things i am most afraid of to reinforce those things until i really believed them to realize time & space are big mysterious and I can only align on my own still got further to gooo." She's touched on issues related to ownership and her body before, telling London's Evening Standard in 2017 that it had been year in which "owning my body this year was really important to me." She continued: "That can mean a lot of things. That can be in physical form – wanting to have control over my physical body – and also wanting to have control in the way it is presented to the world." She added that she "often" has to give up certain "opportunities based on my will to want to navigate through that ownership of my body in the most authentic way." Sounds like it's been worth it so far.
Mila Kunis weighs in on 'Puppygate'
"Puppygate" is quickly becoming the "Real Housewives" scandal that wouldn't die — and even "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" superfan Mila Kunis is dishing on it. In a preview clip from Mila's upcoming guest hosted "Ellen DeGeneres Show," she asks Erika Girardi if she agrees with "RHOBH" castmembers who believe Lisa Vanderpump secretly masterminded a situation involving a rescue dog and Dorit Kemsley in order to promote her dog shelter while making Dorit look bad. "Did Lisa Vanderpump [want the story out] … and so she manipulated somebody else to jump in and produce the drama?" Mila asks Erika in the clip (via the New York Post). "In my opinion, yes," says Erika. Mila then agrees, "I do, too." "Puppygate," as it's now being called, began when Dorit adopted a dig from Vanderpump Dogs and gave it to a pal who ended up taking the pup to a shelter where the dog could have been put down. Much of the cast has said they think Lisa just wanted to get the negative press out against Dorit. "I'm on the truth's side," Erika says in the clip.
Ian Somerhalder had three glasses of wine, then this happened …
Welp. the stylist on Ian Somerhalder's upcoming Netflix series, "VWars," is going to have his or her hands full when it comes time for reshoots. As Ian shared alongside a hilarious faux-hawk gone wrong pic on Instagram this week, he was so excited about knocking out his New Year's goals — which included getting a "new look," releasing the show and "launching a wine company," among others — that he spaced when he set out to give himself a fresh 'do. "2019… It was supposed to be the year of the Faux hawk(ish)," he captioned a pic of his not quite complete hair transformation. He then ticked off the year's "priorities" before explaining his awkward cut. "After the 3 glasses of wine wore off and the clippers ran out of battery… something hit me like a ton bricks," he wrote. "… A little thing called "continuity" for aka #VWars reshoots! I stopped trimming… S—." The plan? "Biotin smoothies here we come- gotta grow this s— out fast… Hair growing out and gearing up for production now …"At least you're back on track, buddy.
Hilary Duff sets up baby Banks in a 'home away from home' nursery while filming 'Younger'
Hilary Duff's daughter, Banks, hit her five-month-old milestone on Monday and as the infant's mama filmed "Younger" in the Big Apple, it was clear how happy she was knowing her little one was comfy, cozy and nearby in New York City. A handful of posts on Hilary's Instagram and Instagram Stories (via the Daily Mail), showed the adorable tot lying on her back on a soft rug before her crib in a neutral toned nursery. "B's cozy nyc nursery…. @aleahome had everything on my list to make this sweet little home away from home just perfect," she wrote. "I love you guys and could spend hours in your store." The post came on the heels of a video clip that showed Hilary in a birthing pool shortly after Banks had arrived. In the black and white clip, the baby instinctively reaches for her mom, who pulls her close for their first hug. "It was so absolutely lovely and rewarding (and shocking) that after giving birth to my baby girl we hugged…for the first time," she wrote. "In my mind I like to believe that she was saying good job mom. Go team go. We did it. Together." Banks, who was born Oct. 25, joins big brother Luca, who turned 7 last week.
Aretha Franklin's family pays tribute to the late singer on her birthday in Detroit
The late Queen of Soul was celebrated in Detroit on Monday, March 25 – the day she would have turned 77. The New York Post reports Aretha Franklin's family gathered in a chapel at Woodlawn Cemetery where they held a memorial service and screened a documentary film about the singer. "Our family thought it might be a good idea for us to start today the right way, in prayer. And ask for God's blessing on today as we go through these very exciting events of the day," said Aretha's niece, Sabrina Owens. Aretha's sons, Kecalf Franklin, Edward Franklin and Ted White Jr., were also on hand for the service, which featured tributes to other deceased family members, as well. "It's always very emotional, mixed emotions, when I come here, because not only is my aunt here, but my mom is here. And my uncle Cecil," said Sabrina. "I think about my life with them growing up and what each of them meant to me." That same evening, the Detroit Institute of Arts presented a premiere of "Amazing Grace," a 2006 film about Aretha's 1972 performance at a church in Los Angeles. It's due out later this year. Aretha died of pancreatic cancer in August of last year.
Paris Jackson is 'on the mend' after medical scare
Whatever happened to Paris Jackson that required an ambulance to come to her home on March 16 appears to be behind her. A source tells E! News the soon-to-be 21-year-old, who quickly dismissed rumors another suicide attempt had prompted the 911 call, is "doing much better" right now than she has in the past. "She is really on the mend and is listening to people who are giving her solid direction," says the insider. "She's been much more positive lately, so it's great to know she is doing a lot better." That change is likely due to a mox of factors including her January stay in a treatment center to "reboot, realign and prioritize her physical and emotional health," and her work with her band the Soundflowers. "She is very musically motivated and it's been therapeutic for her," the source told E! recently. It hasn't hurt that she's been in a relationship with another musician, Gabriel Glen for the past few months. "[He's] super supportive and understanding about how hard the last few weeks have been for Paris," a second source tells the outlet. "He's been there for her and they have grown closer through this. He's been a constant in her life and she really needs him right now." As for her upcoming birthday on April 3, the first source says her friends and family are all "hoping this is going to be a new day for Paris."