Miley Cyrus explains her twerking phase, plus more news

By Wonderwall.com Editors 6:58am PDT, May 16, 2017

Miley Cyrus blames her twerking phase on Billy Ray

Was all that twerking and tongue displaying a form of rebellion for Miley Cyrus? She seems to think so. During an interview with the "Zach Sang" show last week, the "Malibu" singer explained that her outlandish phase was a response to working on "Hannah Montana" with her dad, Billy Ray Cyrus, for so long. "I didn't get a school escape like most people," she said after admitting she probably wouldn't do a reboot of the show. "I went to work with my dad. … That was really hard, every day from like 11 to 18. … And then I started driving my dad towards the end because I could start driving, and then my grandma went with me," Miley said, according to the Daily Mail. "So that was a lot of time spent, dad and grandma, which is why when I turned 18, you wondered why I was twerking at the Juicy J show. I just spent 10 years everyday with my dad and grandma. I had to break free."

Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin celebrate Apple's birthday with Beyonce and Jay Z

Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin made more strides towards winning the World's Most Amicable Exes award over the weekend when they teamed up to celebrate Mother's Day and their daughter, Apple's 13th birthday. Joined by pals Beyonce, Jay Z and Blue Ivy Carter, the pair feted Apple with a birthday cake and a group song at the Museum of Ice Cream in Los Angeles, according to the New York Post. "Happy 13th birthday, you gorgeous human," Gwyneth later wrote to Apple on Instagram. "You light up every room, my heart, the world. You. Are. Everything. I love you, schnapps."

Rachel Lindsay will address race right away on 'The Bachelorette'

Rachel Lindsay's slated to make history as the first black lead in any "Bachelor" franchise on when her "Bachelorette" series premieres on May 22 and she has no plans to skirt the issue on the show. "I always say, it's something that should be talked about. I'm happy to address it. I'm honored to be the first [black Bachelorette]," she told ET this week. "With the guys, you know, if it's something new to them, then I want to talk about it the same way that I [wanted] to talk to Nick about it: 'Have you ever dated a black woman before?'" she revealed. "I'll talk about my experiences as well. You know, it's about me, too, but I don't want it to be something that defines our relationship. But I think it's something important to address." The 31-year-old lawyer added that she has no "type" when it comes to skin color. "I don't just date a specific race. I date everyone. I'm open to everyone," she said. "I'm hoping to see a cast that reflects that as well, and I've told [producers] that."

Taylor Swift surfaces in Nashville

Mother's Day is apparently one event worth coming out of hiding for Taylor Swift. Though the singer's been underground in recent months, reportedly working on new music, TMZ spotted her boarding a private jet over the weekend. She was headed to Nashville, the website reports, to see her mom for the holiday. Taylor was later seen entering her mom's place in Tennessee before she got back on a plane the following day. She recently surfaced on social media, too, when a college graduate thanked her on Instagram for sending flowers and a handwritten card in lieu of attending the graduation party the student had invited her to.

Tori Spelling: Having baby No. 5 is 'like starting over'

What's life like for Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott now that they've welcomed baby No. 5? New. That's the gist of how she explained the feeling of becoming a mom again to her son Beau in a new interview with Us Weekly. "Our other four kids are at an age now that having a newborn in the house feels like a completely different experience," Tori said. "Because the others are 10, 8, 5 and 4, it feels like I am seeing the whole experience now through their eyes. Beau is truly our baby. We all take care of him together as a family." She also admitted it's been challenging dealing with a newborn. "It was like starting all over again. I truly felt like a first-time mom again. Which I kind of liked. It has all felt new again," Tori said. Her relationship with her kids isn't the only thing at home that feels new. Since fixing their marriage after Dean reportedly cheated a few years ago, Tori said she and her husband are on better footing. "Communication has been our key," she said. "We had both taken the ease of our relationship for granted. We both realize now that relationships and marriage take work. You get out of it what you put into it. We love each other so much though. We are willing to put in that work."

Harry Styles gets teased about Kendall Jenner

Another day, another uncomfortable moment for Harry Styles. The singer's current promotional tour in support of his eponymous solo album has already involved multiple awkward moments with regard to rumors his song "Two Ghosts" is about his ex, Taylor Swift. On "The Late Late Show With James Corden" on Monday, May 15, James and his other guest, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, helpfully expanded talk about Harry's previous relationships to Kendall Jenner, whom he dated on and off a few years ago. Aaron was explaining that he has chickens, all of which are named after members of the Kardashian-Jenner family. "I think the first two [that died] were Kim and Khloe, There's Kylie, Kendall, Kourtney, Khloe, Kim, Kris and Caitlyn. And they are called the Kardash-ikens," Aaron said (via Us Weekly). When he mentioned Kendall's name, however, Harry looked visibly nervous, grabbing his mug and looking at the floor. "They lay [eggs] every day," said Aaron. Enter James: "Do they lay every day, Harry?" the host asked not so innocently. Harry, for his part, looked away and did not answer. Ahem.

Kara McCullough clarifies statements on health care, feminism

Newly minted Miss USA Kara McCullough has clarified her statements about health care and feminism after she was hit with a wave of backlash following her assertion that health care is "a privilege" not a right and her dismissal of feminism during the Miss USA pageant. Speaking to Michael Strahan on "Good Morning America" this week, Kara declared, "I am a woman, I'm going to own what I said," (via E! News) before back-peddling a bit on her original comment. "I am privileged to have health care and I do believe that it should be a right and I hope and pray moving forward that health care is a right for all worldwide," she said. "I am privileged to have health care. I want people to see where I was coming from. Having a job, I have to look at health care like it is a privilege." Kara also shed more light on her preference for the term "equalism" to feminism. "For me, where I work at with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, equalism is more of a term of understanding that no matter your gender, you are still given the same accolades on your work, so I believe [if] the person does a good job, they should be, you know, credited for that in a sense," she said. "But I don't want anyone to look at [it] as if I'm not all about women's rights because I am. We deserve a lot when it comes to opportunity in the workplace as well as leadership positions."

Amber Rose nixes Kanye West, Wiz Khalifa songs

Thou shalt not play Yeezus' "Famous"? At a party Amber Rose recently hosted in Miami, she ordered the club not to play any music by her exes, according to the New York Post. "[Amber] was specific in asking for no Kanye, and definitely no Wiz songs," a source tells the tab. "She wanted the night to be about herself and she succeeded." Amber was reportedly hanging out in Miami with French Montana. Amber has previously feuded with Kanye over his public beef with Wiz.

Brad Pitt on his family situation: It's just life

"Keeping the ship afloat." That's how Brad Pitt describes his current mission of figuring out how his family will work in the wake of his split from Angelina Jolie. The actor recently checked in with the AP, explaining that the six kids he shares with his ex are his main priority. "Kids are everything," he said (via E! News). "Kids are your life. They're taking all the focus, as they should anyway." Brad also addressed concerns about his wellbeing, assuring the reporter, "I'm not suicidal or something," with a laugh. "There's still much beauty in the world and a lot of love. And a lot of love to be given. It's all right. It's just life," he continued. "I've got no secrets. I've got nothing to hide. We're human and I find the human condition very interesting. If we're not talking about it, then we're not getting better."

Bill Cosby: Racism 'could' have motivated accusers

As Bill Cosby prepares to face off against Andrea Constand in court next month over sexual assault allegations, the comic continues to deny he attacked nearly 60 women between 1965 and 2008. He sat down recently with Sirius XM radio host Michael Smerconish for an interview set to air Tuesday, May 16, in which he said his accusers may be motivated by racism — a sentiment his daughter Ensa Cosby made public with a statement to The Breakfast Club this week. "I believe that racism has played a big role in all aspects of this scandal," she said, according to E! News. "The accusations against my father have been one-sided from the beginning. I've witnessed my father's reputation and legendary works be dismissed without any proof. … My father has been publicly lynched in the media." Asked if he thinks racism played a role in the allegations, Bill told Sirius: "Could be. Could be. I can't say anything, but there are certain things that I look at, and I apply to the situation, and there are so many tentacles. So many different — 'nefarious' is a great word. I just truly believe that some of it may very well be that." The show host pointed out his accusers are not all white, sparking this reply: "Let me put it to you this way: When you look at the power structure, and when you look at individuals, there are some people who can very well be motivated by whether or not they're going to work. Or whether or not they might be able to get back at someone. So, if it's in terms of whatever the choice is, I think that you can also examine individuals and situations and they will come out differently. So, it's not all — not every — but I do think that there's some." As for the number of women (58 have spoken out) who say Bill attacked them? "I think that the numbers came because the numbers prior to the numbers didn't work," he said. "The piling on, so to speak, is a way — and certainly an impressive, impressive way — to get public opinion to come to the other side." He returns to court June 5.