Tom Cruise's meltdown goes viral and more ICYMI news

This week we learned that Tom Cruise takes COVID-19 protocols very seriously while on set of "Mission: Impossible 7." On Dec. 15, The Sun leaked audio of the actor and producer laying into crew members for violating COVID-19 protocols. In the expletive-laced tirade, Tom said, "They are back there in Hollywood making movies right now because of us, because they believe in us and what we're doing. We are creating thousands of jobs…," he yells in the recording. "I don't ever want to see it again. Ever! And if you don't do it, you're fired, and I see you do it again, you're f****** gone." Tom said the "M:I 7" production is the "gold standard." In his outburst, he noted how important following the rules is from a financial standpoint. "You can tell it to the people who are losing their f****** homes because our industry is shut down. It's not going to put food on their table or pay for their college education. That's what I sleep with every night," he said. "So I'm sorry, I am beyond your apologies. I have told you, and now I want it, and if you don't do it, you're out." After the rant, many celebrities backed Tom's feelings. Not everyone applauded it, however, as reports claimed at least five staffers quit after Tom's outburst. Several former high-profile Scientologists also spoke out to criticize the actor's approach, with Leah Remini characterizing the outburst as "all for publicity."

RELATED: Celebs react to Tom Cruise's on-set meltdown

Mass gathering

Kirk Cameron is happily shunning California's COVID-19 restrictions, and he's catching heat for it. The former "Growing Pains" star has hosted two different mass gatherings recently so that people (nearly all of them maskless) could sing Christmas carols. Kirk first partnered with Sing It Louder USA on Dec. 6 to protest California's stay-at-home orders, which have been implemented to curb the spread of the coronavirus. There, several hundred people huddled up in a mall parking lot to belt out some holiday classics. On Dec. 13, he did it again, but this event — again, where there was nary a mask in sight — was even bigger. "Have you ever sung Christmas carols by candlelight at a time where your state governor has prohibited you from doing that?" he asked in an Instagram video. "People had such a great time. It lifted our spirits. Over 500 people gathered in our local community for this peaceful protest." Like the virus, word spread about about Kirk's events, and many, many people sounded off in the comments section of his Instagram.

RELATED: Royals wearing face masks

Single and in "crisis"

After 14 years together, Tyler Perry and his girlfriend, Gelila Bekele, have split up. The "Madea" creator announced that he was "single." In posting a selfie to Instagram on Dec. 16, Tyler said, "This is what a midlife crisis looks like. I'm 51, single and wondering what the next chapter in my life will look like. Whatever it looks like I'm going to walk with God, be the best father and man I can be, hold my head up high, and try to look my best doing it!!" The exes met in 2007 at a Prince concert and welcomed a son in 2014. "Their focus is on being the best parents they can for their son," a source told People magazine.

RELATED: Celeb splits of 2020

New 'dos

Britney Spears is looking different, y'all. On Dec. 16, the pop star debuted a new look — one with shoulder-length hair. Prior to the cut, her hair fell to the small of her back. In debuting her look on Instagram, Brit said, "You know what they say …. out with the old …. in with the new !!!!! Now let us pray." For what it's worth, Britney's boyfriend, Sam Asghari, voiced his opinion about her new 'do. "I love it," he commented alongside four heart emojis. Britney wasn't the only high-profile name to debut a headline-making haircut this week. On Dec. 16, Princess Charlene of Monaco revealed a very bold new look, earning herself the nickname "punk princess" when she stepped out for a Christmas event at the palace sporting a half-shaved head. See her new look here.

Album denial

Sorry Swifties, but a third surprise album from your hero isn't in the works. Over the summer, Taylor Swift dropped a surprise album, "folklore." Then, last week, she suddenly dropped a sister album, "evermore." Fans, though, thought she might be making a third surprise album, possibly titled "woodvale." Not so fast. Taylor — a big fan of leaving Easter eggs for her followers to pick up on — told Jimmy Kimmel on Dec. 14 that she understood why fans speculated: While making "folklore," she was "too afraid to even unveil the title of the album to even my closest teammates and management." She added, "I didn't tell anybody the album title until right before it came out. And so I came up with a fake code name that had the same amount of letters as 'folklore.'" She had mock covers created that said "woodvale" as a placeholder. Then she decided she didn't want the album name on the cover but forgot to take the code name off. So it was all really just a big mistake. Her code name for her "evermore" album, by the way, was "November."

Engagement rumors

Dakota Johnson and Chris Martin are being hit with engagement speculation. On Dec. 15, multiple outlets published pictures showing the actress wearing a huge green ring on her wedding finger. Chris and Dakota, who've dated since 2017, are notoriously private, so the are-they-or-aren't-they question isn't likely to get answered. 

Big winners

Two reality TV competition shows concluded their seasons this week. On Dec. 16, season 4 of FOX's "The Masked Singer" revealed LeAnn Rimes — who secretly competed as "The Sun" — as its winner. One night earlier on Dec. 15, 15-year-old vocalist Carter Rubin won season 19 of "The Voice," also giving coach Gwen Stefani her first ever victory on the NBC show.

Ring thing

Keshia Knight Pulliam said "yes." On Dec.16, the former "The Cosby Show" star announced that she's engaged to actor Brad James. Keshia posted a photo from their engagement dinner to Instagram. "My desire is a lifetime and beyond filled with love & family," she wrote. "My heart is so filled with joy!! So excited to continue to choose each other & our family every day." Keshia was previously married to former NFL player Ed Hartwell. The actress, who once played the lovable Rudy Huxtable, married Ed on New Year's Day in 2016, just a few days after they became engaged. Seven months later, she announced her pregnancy. A week later, Ed filed for divorce.

Pregnant?

Is Pippa Middleton eating for two? That's the rumor. On Dec. 14, Page Six reported that Duchess Kate's sister is expecting her second child with husband James Matthews. "Pippa and James are thrilled, it's fantastic news amid a difficult year. The entire family is delighted," a source said. The royal-adjacent socialite and James share one child, 2-year-old son Arthur.