How James Franco feels about his Oscar snub
It may not be a great time for James Franco to go on-camera on a red carpet or onstage in front of his Hollywood peers. Amid five allegations of sexually inappropriate and exploitative behavior, the "Disaster Artist" star seems to understand that, according to an E! News source. "James is disappointed in not getting an Oscar nomination, but also very understanding and somewhat relieved. He doesn't want it to look like the snub is correlated with the allegations against him," says the insider. James has denied the allegations, maintaining in a recent conversation with Seth Meyers that he doesn't feel the incidents in question have been described as he recalls them. Still, he says it's more important for those who feel they need to speak out now to do so. "There are people that need to be heard. I have my own side of this story, but I believe in these people that have been underrepresented getting their stories out enough that I will hold back things that I could say just because I believe in that much," he told Seth. Meanwhile, E! reports the actor is "not doing well" and his friends are very concerned about him. Said one close friend: "James is trying to get through this rocky patch and hopes everything will blow over appropriately. He is really leaning on his family right now and trying to stay under the radar as much as possible." The pal added: "He is really hurt because he didn't know that we would be in a place where giving someone a voice would be giving someone a license to speak without any accountability." E! has contacted the actor's rep for comment.
Aaron Paul and Lauren Parsekian's baby is due 'any minute now'
The stork is due to arrive "any minute now" for Aaron Paul and Lauren Parsekian, according to the "Breaking Bad" alum, who checked in with Jimmy Kimmel this week about the impending arrival of he and his wife's first child. "I'm over the moon excited. I love babies, I've always loved babies," he gushed (via People). As they focus on getting ready to welcome their little girl, the couple is working with a doula. "I had no idea what a doula was but she's teaching us some stuff," Aaron told Jimmy. "She said, 'First thing you need to know is never say the word relax and don't ever say breathe.' She said that my wife would most likely hit me if I do." Fair enough. "She's just telling me what not to do," he added. While Aaron practices not instructing Lauren to calm down as she pushes a human out of her body (ahem), he and Lauren are apparently warming up the space their little one will soon call home. "We just hang out in our nursery a lot," he said. "It's our favorite room of the house, and yeah, everything's ready."
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Kesha's Grammy performance will dovetail with #MeToo issues
When Kesha takes the stage at the Grammy Awards in New York City on Sunday, Jan. 29, you can bet anyone in the theater sporting a "Time's Up" pin will be listening closely. Speaking to Yahoo, the event's executive producer Ken Ehrlich revealed the singer will deal with what she's been through as a result of her relationship with Dr. Luke, whom she maintains abused her sexually, physically and verbally when they worked together. "Kesha's performance is definitely going to reflect what has happened to her in the past couple of years. 'Praying,' that is what that song is all about, and that's what she's going to perform on the show," he said (via the Daily Mail). "I think people will come away with the sense that we are supporting or allowing the artist to make a statement." He previously told the Daily Beast plans for Kesha to perform her song were in the works prior to the #MeToo and Time's Up movements began. "I think it's going to wind up being an important piece of the show," he said at the time. In "Praying," Kesha sings about finding strength she "never knew" she had as a result of the "hell" the person she's addressing put her through. "And we both know all the truth I could tell," she sings repeatedly, "I'll just say this β¦ 'I wish you farewell.'" This year, Kesha's nominated for her first two Grammy Awards β "Praying" earned some love in the solo pop vocal performance category, while her album, "Rainbow," is up for Best Pop Vocal Album. Of the 17 performances slated for the show, only Kesha's is expected to address issues connected with #MeToo explicitly, according to the Mail. Though Dr. Luke has denied Kesha's allegations, a slew of stars have publicly sided with singer, stated they believe her and urged her label, Sony, to release her from her contract.
Will Justin Timberlake reunite with NSYNC or Janet Jackson at the Super Bowl?
Sorry, NSYNC superfans. The boy band won't be revisiting the early aughts onstage with Justin Timberlake at the Super Bowl Half Time Show on Sunday, Feb. 4. TMZ caught up with NSYNC alum Joey Fatone over the weekend and he assured the website's reporter there is no reunion in the works. "If I was doing something I would be in rehearsal right now," he said. "Here's your proof." He added that "there's nothing wrong with" leaving NSYNC out of the spotlight during the big game. Does that mean there will be room on the stage for Janet Jackson to make an appearance in reference to the infamous wardrobe malfunction of yore? Joey doesn't think so. "He's not the kind of person," he said. "He's not controversial like that." Speaking to Zane Lowe on Beats 1 Radio recently, Justin said that since the chest-exposing incident, he and Janet have "absolutely" made peace. Janet's rep had no comment when asked about Justin's assertion by multiple outlets.
Oprah Winfrey visits grave of Recy Taylor, whom she referenced in Golden Globes speech
Among the powerful messages Oprah Winfrey shared in her speech at the 2018 Golden Globes was the story of Recy Taylor, an African-American woman who was raped by six white men on her way home from church in Alabama. Two all-male, all-white juries failed to indict the men, despite their multiple admissions of having had sex with her. This week, she Oprah shared a photo from Recy's grave site β at the church she was leaving before the incident that took place when she was 24. "I don't believe in coincidences, but if I did this would be a powerful one," Oprah captioned the post. "On assignment for @60minutes I end up in the town of Abbeville where #RecyTaylor suffered injustice , endured and recently died. (GGspeech) To be able to visit her grave so soon after 'speaking her name 'sharing her story, a woman I never knew. Feels likeππΎβοΈβ€οΈ" The Alabama Legislature eventually apologized in 2011, 67 years after Recy was attacked. As for her assailants, Oprah said at the Globes, "Their time is up. And I just hope that Recy Taylor died knowing that her truth, like the truth of so many other women who were tormented in those years and even now tormented, goes marching on."
Pamela Anderson is living in France with her 32-year-old soccer-star boyfriend
Things are getting serious for Pamela Anderson and soccer star Adil Rami. The couple reportedly met at the Grand Prix in Monaco in May. TMZ reports they're now sharing a home, along with Pamela's pooch Zuzu, in Marseille, France, where his team, the Olympique de Marseille, is based. That would explain why Pam recently listed her home in Malibu, California, on the rental market for $40,000 a month. According to TMZ, Pam's sons have been visiting regularly. Adil is a parent too β he reportedly shares twins with an ex.
Princess Charlotte is 'looking forward' to becoming a big sister
Life's about to change for Princess Charlotte, whose parents Prince William and Duchess Kate are expecting their third child in April, and Charlotte's said to be "looking forward" to it. "William and Kate like to keep Charlotte involved and part of the excitement around having a new sibling. She's very aware she's going to have a new baby brother or sister," a source tells Us Weekly. The insider admits there might be a learning curve for the doll-loving 2-year-old, though. Pointing out that Charlotte "plays baby with" her dolls, the source says, "I think she is probably expecting the new brother or sister will be the same game β but in real life." Shortly after she becomes a big sister, Charlotte is set to take on another new role β as a flower girl in Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's May 19 wedding.
'KUWTK' producers question Blac Chyna's motives in latest lawsuit demand
The court battle between Blac Chyna and her ex, Rob Kardashian and his family, now involves the producers of "Keeping Up With the Kardashians," too. The Blast reports Bunim-Murray Productions filed documents on Jan. 16 requesting a court ordered limit to the number of documents Chyna can demand as part of the subpoena she sent the company recently. Bunim-Murray also was Chyna to for over $12,000 in connection to the cost of their having to file a motion in court. To backtrack: Chyna's subpoena asked the company to turn over "all documents in their possession which include discussion of her, Rob or other members of the Kardashian family," according to The Blast. Bunim-Murray claims a search revealed that would be more than 185,000 documents β an amount it would "take a team of three lawyers, each working up to 40 hours a week for nearly six months, to pull." The company believes Chyna's request is improper to begin with, since her subpoena was tied to the lawsuit Rob filed against her in September. Bunim-Murray says she wants to use the information in the separate suit she filed against Rob and his relatives. Last week, Chyna took a hit in her case when a judge dismissed Kim Kardashian West and Kris Jenner from the suit, which alleges, among other things, the Kardashians and Jenners intentionally tried to sabotage Chyna's brand and now defunct reality show. Are we having fun yet? Oof β¦
The Chainsmokers' Alex Pall wants 'to be a better person' after cheating reveal
When The Chainsmokers' singer Alex Pall's longtime girlfriend Tori Woodward discovered, via security footage, proof her boyfriend had been cheating on her, she posted the video on Instagram and announced, "I'm moving on with my life." For his part, Alex says he hopes she finds someone more deserving. "It's been a little rough," he admitted when TMZ caught up with him at the Los Angeles International Airport this week. "She deserves the best," he continued when pressed to open up. "She deserves a better guy than me." Asked what he's learned from the experience, Alex didn't hesitate in responding. "To be a better person and take care of those who love you," he said.
Will Daniel Day-Lewis go into producing next?
Last year, Daniel Day-Lewis announced he'd made a "private decision" to quit acting. That may not mean he's done with Hollywood altogether, though. In a new report, the New York Post cites multiple sources who say the Oscar-winning "Phantom Thread" star has his eye on becoming a producer. "He's been taking meetings about producing projects," said a source who claims that in 2017, Daniel visited A24 Films headquarters. The independent distributor's latest big hits include "Lady Bird" as well as "The Florida Project" and "The Disaster Artist." According to a second insider, Daniel "is trying to help a friend get a film financed and produced." He's currently up for Best Actor for "Phantom Thread," which is also nominated for five other Academy Awards, including Best Picture. A third source suggested to the Post the star could also pursue a career as a screenwriter.