By Mark Gray
8:08am PDT, May 26, 2017
Celebrity news paled in comparison to the tragic events that happened in the United Kingdom this week: On May 22, a suicide bomber cruelly detonated a nail bomb at an Ariana Grande concert, killing 22 people — many of them children — and injuring more than 60 others. Ariana said she was "broken" after the terrorist attack that occurred in the Manchester Arena foyer just minutes after she sang her last note to a sold-out crowd of 21,000. ISIS took credit for the attack, saying it was carried out by one of its "soldiers." It was reported that Ariana's mother helped rush several fans backstage after hearing the bomb go off. The next day, Ariana tweeted: "broken. from the bottom of my heart, i am so so sorry. i don't have words." She suspended the remainder of her tour. President Donald Trump tweeted, "We stand in absolute solidarity with the people of the United Kingdom." Former President Barack Obama also tweeted his support: "Our hearts go out to those killed and wounded in Manchester. Americans will always stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of the UK."
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Ready to settle feud
Katy Perry seems ready to end her longtime feud with nemesis Taylor Swift. While speaking to late-night host James Corden on May 22, the singer finally addressed her issue with Taylor. "Honestly, it's really like she started it and it's time for her to finish it," Katy said, finally confirming that their years of discord started over backup dancers. Katy said she's tried to talk to Tay Tay about it, but Taylor shut her down and wrote a song about it instead (um, that would be "Bad Blood"). "But what I wanna say is that I'm ready for that B.S. to be done," Katy continued. "Now, there is the law of cause and effect. You do something and there's going to be a reaction. And trust me, Daddy, there's going to be a reaction. It's all about karma." (Katy might be referring to her latest single, "Swish Swish," which is aimed at Taylor.) She finished by saying she'd happily patch things up, but Taylor has to make a move. "Women together will heal the world," she said.
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HIV test sales skyrocket
There is a silver lining to Charlie Sheen's health situation. A new study revealed that after Charlie announced to the world that he was HIV positive in 2015, sales of HIV test kits skyrocketed 95 percent, and researchers are attributing the sales boost to the actor. They're calling it "The Sheen Effect." "I think people just saw what happened to me and said, 'I better take a little bit of precaution,'" Charlie told TMZ on May 22. "It's exciting and it's great to be of service at that level, because if you can take the steps to find out, then you're protecting yourself as well as others… I've been called to a higher order."
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New romance
Scarlett Johansson might have a new man in her life — "Saturday Night Live" star Colin Jost. Page Six reported that the actress and Colin were "flirting and canoodling in full view of everyone" and "made out at least twice" at the "SNL" season finale afterparty in the wee hours of May 21. E! News reported that the two have have actually been quietly (but not exclusively) dating for several months.
Post-baby red carpet debut
Welcome back to the red carpet, Irina Shayk. The Victoria's Secret model walked her first carpet since giving birth to daughter Lea de Seine Shayk Cooper barely two months ago — and she was a show-stopper. On May 23, the new mom donned a custom yellow Versace gown for a screening of "Radiance" at the Cannes Film Festival. "Such an amazing time being back in Cannes," she posted on Instagram. Motherhood looks good on Irina.
"No pressure" romance
Although reports surfaced several weeks ago about Kourtney Kardashian seeing more and more of her new beau, this past week was their unofficial coming-out party. Kourtney, 38, and boxer-turned-model Younes Bendjima, 24, were photographed all over Cannes, France. They were seen smooching on a boat, riding Jet Skis, walking hand-in-hand leaving dinner and a club. They were everywhere and didn't seem to mind that the world was watching. In an email interview with Page Six, Younes didn't confirm the relationship but said he's "still the same" despite being thrust into the spotlight thanks to his lady. "There's no pressure at all," he explained. "I'm still the same. I don't forget where I'm from. I care about the fam and still hang out with my home boys… I'm still doing my thing." Meanwhile, Kourtney's ex, Scott Disick, was also in Cannes, where he was seen kissing and cuddling 19-year-old actress Bella Thorne on May 24… then just one day later was photographed groping ex-flame Chloe Bartoli — the same stylist he was caught with in July 2015, which triggered his split from Kourtney.
New mother-daughter drama
The battle rages on. Over the last 16 years, Bethenny Frankel and her estranged mother, Bernadette Birk, have feuded publicly. Last year, the reality TV star said the two had called a truce. Well, that's off. Bernadette blasted her daughter to Life & Style magazine on May 24 after being asked about Bethenny's guest-starring role on "Shark Tank." "She is a moron," her mom said. "She got very lucky, and she just knows how to surround herself with people who are intelligent." She later added, "Bethenny is a liar and a shark. She ran through my guts. She will get along with the other sharks." Bethenny has yet to volley back.
Burglary victims
The rash of Hollywood burglaries continues. On May 21, it was reported that both Michael B. Jordan and Scott Disick's homes were burglarized. In Michael's case, the hit seemed to be random, as the crook reportedly broke a window to gain entry. Cash and jewelry were taken. In Scott's case, it might have been an inside job since the burglar seemed to know where the security cameras were and was able to get in undetected. Scott's home was "at least partially ransacked," TMZ reported.
Gender reveal
Already the father to two girls, Jason Aldean is about to have a mini-me. The country star and his wife, Brittany Kerr, revealed on Instagram on May 22 that they are expecting a boy. "Today is the day….. whats it gonna be? boy or girl! #genderreveal," he captioned a snapshot that was seen by his 1.8 million followers. Moments later, the duo — along with Jason's two daughters from his first marriage, Keely, 14, and Kendyl, 9 — popped balloons to see if they were filled with blue or pink confetti. Upon seeing blue paper rain down, the modern family screamed in excitement.
Engaged?
Is Selma Blair engaged? The actress sparked a lot of speculation on May 23 when she was spotted rocking a little bling on her left hand on that ever-so-telling ring finger. Selma has been dating Ron Carlson for two years, but hasn't confirmed any engagement news. So, congrats, Selma?
