Jessica Simpson takes issue with Natalie Portman's bikini pic critique, plus more news

Jessica Simpson responds to Natalie Portman's bikini pic critique

Jessica Simpson has some words for Natalie Portman … "I was disappointed this morning when I read that I 'confused' you by wearing a bikini in a published photo taken of me when I was still a virgin in 1999," Jessica told the actress on Instagram on Wednesday, Dec. 3 (via The Blast). It seems Jessica had recently seen a comment Natalie made in an interview in which she was discussing the odd virgin-to-vixen paradigms that were popular in the '90s. As an example, Natalie offered: "I remember being a teenager. and there was Jessica Simpson on the cover of a magazine, saying, 'I'm a virgin' while wearing a bikini. I was confused. Like, I don't know what this is trying to tell me as a woman, as a girl." Jessica tried to clarify things for Natalie. "As public figures, we both know our image is not totally in our control at all times, and that the industry we work in often tries to define us and box us in," she wrote. "I believed then – and I believe now – that being sexy in a bikini and being proud of my body are not synonymous with having sex … I have always embraced being a role model to all women to let them know that they can look however they want, where whatever they want and have sex or not have sex with whomever they want." In conclusion, Jessica noted that it was maybe uncool of Natalie to slam other women in entertainment in the current climate in Hollywood. "I have made it my practice to not shame other women for their choices. In this era of Time's Up and all the great work you have done for women, I encourage you to do the same," she wrote. As the story festered on Wednesday, Natalie apologized. "I would never intend to shame anybody and that was absolutely not my intention," she told Entertainment Tonight. "I was really talking about mixed media messages out there for young women and completely apologize for any hurt it may have caused because that was definitely not my intention … It is a mistake to say anyone's name. I could have made my message without naming."

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Travis Scott beefs up security on tour for Kylie Jenner, Stormi amid engagement rumors

Travis Scott is not messing around when it comes to the safety of his love, Kylie Jenner, and their daughter, Stormi, when they visit him on tour. TMZ reports sources close to the rapper say he beefs up his security detail by five or six extra guards whenever his so-called "wifey" comes to an "Astroworld" concert. — which they have been doing often much to the delight of Travis' team, which says their presence always puts Travis "in a much better mood." For each show the two attend, Travis' security guards reportedly spend more than an hour doing "sweeps" of the backstage area and dressing rooms and determine the safest exit options for the young family in case of an emergency. It seems this is way above and beyond the regular security deal when Travis is solo. Finally, Kylie and Stormi's travel itinerary is kept confidential by their security and management team. Speaking of confidentiality, neither Kylie nor Travis seems interested in confirming or denying the latest round of engagement rumors that hit the two after Kylie shared a post on her Instagram Story that featured the couple looking smitten with one another — beneath a diamond ring Emoji. Kylie's sister, Kim Kardashian West, isn't giving up any details, either. Speaking to ET this week, Kim said, "You know, I literally need to ask her," when asked if her sis was engaged. "That is going to be my next question in our group chat," she added. As for the couple's habit of addressing one another publicly as "hubby" and "wifey," Kim said, "I think we just all think that's, like, you know, what they call each other, but I have no idea."

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Willow Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Will Smith

The whole Smith family seems to be relishing their newfound candidness when it comes to family relationships. Jada Pinkett Smith's been opening up about family matters alongside her 18-year-old daughter, Willow Smith, and her mother, Adrienne Banfield-Jones, through her "Red Table Talk" Facebook Watch series. Will seems to have no fear of being honest about similar issues lately, a fact he puts on display in a new interview with Haute Living magazine. "One of the major things that happened is that I hit that midlife-crisis point, where I've built all of the things I've ever dreamed of," he explains in the new issue. "And in my family — 2012 I secretly call the year of the mutiny. And 2012 was really the year that my family rejected the direction of my leadership." He went on to explain how after being "used to the whole family working the family business and being run like a military unit," his daughter forced him to see things in a new light. "Willow was really the first person during 'Whip My Hair' that decided she didn't want to do what I said," he admits. "Because she was the baby girl, she really had the most power over me. As a man — if your daughter says no, there's really nothing you can do. She really tested me. She was like, no she didn't want to. She was done with 'Whip My Hair.' She was done with performing, and as a protest she shaved her head bald." She's since revealed she also went through a phase of self-harm. The whole thing made him see that his family wasn't as satisfied as he thought. "I felt we were doing well, and my family wasn't happy. So, I took two years off," Will says. The change inspired him to start using social media as an "outlet" through which he could "deliver the lessons that I had learned to the world." Jada's in a similar place. As Will explains to Haute Living: "She has finally found a lane for her voice. Acting didn't really do it for her; music didn't really do it for her; parenting didn't really give her the full expression that she wanted. Starting a family was beautiful for her, but it wasn't the full expression of herself that she had been seeking. And Red Table Talk was the first thing I've ever seen where she gets to be her fully unapologetic and doesn't have to feel unwelcomed or judged."

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Ariana Grande: 'There's not much I'm afraid of' after the past year

In the midst of a painful and tumultuous year, Ariana Grande managed to release a No. 1 album, "Sweetener," which broke streaming records. Her hit single, "Thank U, Next" recently became her first No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and a handful of others have soared up the charts, as well. The singer reflects on her success — and the challenge of dealing with a terrorist attack at her Manchester concert, the death of her ex-boyfriend and the breakup of her engagement to Pete Davidson — in the new issue of Billboard, which has crowned her its 2018 Woman of the Year. "I guess there's not much I'm afraid of anymore …," she admits in the cover story. "When life tries you with such serious s— so many times, your priorities change. I don't give a s—. I just want to be happy and healthy — one day — and make music." It sounds like after everything she's been through, she's lost interest in worrying what she's "supposed to do" in a given situation, as well, telling Billboard she's making music "on my own terms now." Asked about her seeming willingness to get involved with men who are also in the spotlight, she points out she doesn't have a lot of other options. "This is how I meet people — I can't just, like, meet someone at a bar," Ariana says. "I live fast and full-out, and I make mistakes, and I learn from them and I'm grateful no matter what happens."

Angelina Jolie fights stigma of sexual violence survivors — and discusses it with her children

Last month, Angelina Jolie's Presenting Sexual Violence in Conflict initiative held a film festival in London aimed at opening up the conversation about sexual violence in war zones. In an interview with Marie Claire published this week, she spoke candidly about how she handles the topic with the six kids she shares with Brad Pitt. "Sexual violence in conflict is still a taboo subject," said Angelina, who recently reached a joint physical and legal custody settlement with Brad. "Female and male survivors, and children born of this rape, are often treated as if they are the ones who have done something wrong," she continued. "They are rejected and stigmatized, while their attackers go unpunished. That's what has to change, and breaking the taboo is part of that." Addressing her film festival, she said she believes movies can help viewers "live inside another person's experience," something she feels is essential as far as this issue, since it tends to be avoided by those who most need to discuss it. "Too often after a war, sexual violence is the subject no one wants to talk about, that gets swept under the carpet. And if no one talks about it, there is no justice and no healing and no closure," she explained. Not surprisingly, the topic does not get swept under the rug in Angelina's home. "I don't just speak to my daughters. I speak to them with their brothers. That is maybe the first most important distinction. This is not just a problem for women, and the solution is working with women and men. And girls and boys," she said. "Not only are men and boys also victims of these crimes, but those who are perpetrating these crimes need to have other men remind them what it really is to be a man. A man with a healthy relationship to women," she added. "And all societies need to be clear about not tolerating this behavior."

Sailor Brinkley-Cook and Christie Brinkley are twinning again …

Look alike much? When the seemingly ageless Christie Brinkley and her 20-year-old daughter, Sailor Brinkley-Cook hit the red carpet for the Footwear News Achievement Awards in New York City on Dec. 4, 2018, it was pretty clear which parent Sailor takes after, with her flowing blonde locks and sun-kissed skin. Christie, 64, was honored with Sailor as well as her daughter, Alexa Ray Joel with the event's first multigenerational Style Influencer Award, according to Footwear News. "I feel like ageism is the last frontier in America that we really need to address because there's so much of it going on, and women my age, they very often feel invisible," Christie told the outlet. "Everybody's different, and everybody should make their own rules…I want women to feel like fashion is fun. Fashion is about change, and change is good; change keeps you young."

R. Kelly's ex-wife thinks gun threats at 'Surviving R. Kelly' screening were 'connected to him'

After a gun threat that forced a theater to evacuate at a screening of the new Lifetime series, "Surviving R. Kelly," the rapper's ex-wife, Drea Kelly, told Variety she thinks the scare was tied to her former husband and alleged abuser. Drea was one of seven women slated to speak about their allegations Robert Kelly sexually assaulted them on Tuesday, Dec. 4. Held after the documentary was shown, the discussion was about 15 minutes underway when multiple anonymous threats sparked authorities to shut down the event and ensure everyone's safety. "I can't speak to what he would or would not do because I don't know what his mindset is right now," Drea told Variety. "But I would say that I don't believe in happenstance, I don't believe that anything is a coincidence. I do believe that in some shape, form or fashion it is connected to him. Now, whether he orchestrated it or not, that I cannot say. But I just do not believe in coincidences. Of all the theaters, of all the nights, of all the premiers, it happened with us."

Lena Dunham apologizes to actress for defending 'Girls' producer in rape claim

Lena Dunham has finally issued a public "mea culpa" to the woman who claimed a producer on "Girls" raped her when she was 17. Lena defended the producer at the time. The apology appeared in a letter from the editor penned by Lena, who guest edited The Hollywood Reporter's Women in Entertainment issue, according to Page Six. Calling her defense of Murray Miller a "terrible mistake,": Lena addresses Aurora Perrineau directly, telling her she's "been on my mind and in my heart every day this year," and saying she's a "better feminist" as a result of being forced to rethink her initial defense of Murray. From there, the letter basically veered off into being about Lena and the patriarchy, with the actress and writer saying she must have "internalized the dominant male agenda that asks us to defend it no matter what," and telling Aurora, "I hear you … I believe you." A list of personal experiences Lena says she's had with sexual misconduct followed. "It took a chorus of women much braver — more open and honest than I've ever been — to expose the fact that these are not isolated incidents," she continued. Finally, she saluted Aurora's "bravery, openness, forgiveness, dignity and grace in the face of legal proceedings and endless questioning," before signing off with, "Sometimes healing starts with the words: I'm sorry."

Blac Chyna reaches a settlement in BMW lawsuit

Blac Chyna has one less lawsuit to deal with. Though she's still duking it out with the Kardashian family over her claim they tried to ruin her career, Chyna's settled with Zohar Mizrahi and Michaela Mesica in a claim they brought against Chyna and her former friend, Paige Addison, on grounds Paige hit them with Chyna's BMW then fled the scene. Chyna was not in the car when the accident took place in 2015 — and later said she'd told her friend specifically not to drive it. She was still made a defendant in the case, which The Blast reports is now mostly over and done with thanks to a settlement. The claims made in the case have reportedly been dropped. Both the plaintiffs and the defendants are due in court next month to seal the deal and move on.

Twitter is irked that Gwyneth Paltrow seems to think she invented yoga

Oh, Gwyneth Paltrow, when will you learn, girl?! What could have been a WSJ Magazine story about the actress' GOOP success and recent marriage to Brad Falchuk was taken by the internet as more evidence of Gwyneth's believe the world "revolves around" her, to quote one Twitter user excerpted by HuffPo. The feature first includes a comment where Gwyneth says she was ostracized as a "crackpot" for believing "food can affect your health" in which she also notes, "I remember when I started doing yoga and people were like, 'What is yoga? She's a witch. She's a freak.'" Later, she offers a "forgive me if this comes out wrong," which she should maybe know was going to come out wrong by now, given her track record. She then tells this story: "… I went to do a yoga class in L.A. recently and the 22-year-old girl behind the counter was like, 'Have you ever done yoga before? And literally I turned to my friend, and I was like, 'You have this job because I've done yoga before.'" Oh, boy. Cue the social media haterade. Among the "ugh" tweets? "Me at the post office: 'You have this job because I've done yoga before.' Me to my shrink: 'You have this job because I've done yoga before.' Me to the coffee-cart guy: 'You have this job because I've done yoga before.' Me taking notes at The Cher Show …" you get the idea. Other users slammed her without irony for being delusional, while a third Twitter user reminded us that yoga came from India, not from Gwyneth, tweeting: "My brown self did not know that Gwyneth Paltrow invented yoga. This is Peak White Nonsense."