By Mark Gray
8:27am PDT, May 24, 2019
Discharged
Ric Flair was released from the hospital on May 22 after a week-long stay. The legendary wrestler underwent surgery in Atlanta earlier in the week for "ongoing health complications," his wife said. "The Naitch Is Home!!!" he tweeted after leaving the hospital in a wheelchair. "Thank You To All The Incredible Staff And Doctors At Gwinnett Medical Center Once Again! I Am So Thankful For All My Family, Friends, And Fans For All The Love. At This Time In My Life, I Never Take It For Granted. I Will Be Back Up And WOOOOOing In No Time!" Ric's wife, Wendy Barlow, said Ric is expected to "fully recover." Health issues caused Ric to pull out of a weekend event being held in his honor.
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Engaged
Scarlett Johansson and Colin Jost are getting married. On May 19, the actress's publicist told The Associated Press that the couple is engaged after two years of dating. The "Avengers" star and the "Saturday Night Live" writer-comedian were seen celebrating at a glitzy restaurant days before the announcement. There's speculation that Colin popped the question at the Blue Hill Stone Barns restaurant in Pocantico Hills, New York, where Scarlett was seen "sporting a huge shiny ring in the dining area" as they called friends and family to share the news, TMZ reported. This will be Scarlett's third marriage and Colin's first.
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Splitsville
Single lady! Kendall Jenner and NBA star Ben Simmons are no longer together, according to multiple reports. Us Weekly claimed that things had been cooling for a while for the duo, who started dating in March 2018, broke up in September and reconciled a few months later. This latest split "wasn't so sudden," a source said. "Things have wound down between them. They aren't seeing each other anymore." A source told People magazine that Ben and Kendall are now "on a break… The relationship ran its course. She's spending time with her friends and [is] back to being in fun mode." Page Six reported that they split in mid-May.
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Fight!
Wendy Williams' son, Kevin Hunter Jr., was arrested on May 22 for assault after he allegedly got into a fistfight with his father, Kevin Hunter Sr. According to The Blast, the incident happened in a store parking lot after the 19 year old called his dad out for treating Wendy poorly. Kevin Sr., who's in the midst of a divorce with Wendy in the wake of claims he recently fathered a baby with another woman, allegedly put his son in a headlock; once the teen broke free, he punched his dad in the face. Someone saw the altercation and called police. Kevin Jr. was released from custody shortly after being arrested. Afterward, Kevin Sr. said, "I love my son very much and I will not be pursuing this matter legally. Things are not always how they appear."
Hitched!
Cheryl Burke of "Dancing With the Stars" fame married actor Matthew Lawrence on May 23 at the Fairmont Grand del Mar resort in San Diego, People magazine reported. Actress Leah Remini served as Cheryl's matron of honor while sister Nicole and former "DWTS" pro Kym Johnson Herjavec were among the bridal party. Matthew's famous brothers, actor Joey Lawrence and musician Andy Lawrence, served as his best men.
Conservatorship update
Britney Spears' father, Jamie Spears, wants to extend his conservatorship over his famous daughter and make it valid in three more states. It's currently only valid in California, where Britney lives. Jamie has told the court that he plans to file documents declaring him her conservator in Florida, Louisiana and Hawaii, three places Britney likes to visit. Last week, Britney reportedly asked a judge to either end the 11-year conservatorship — which her dad has overseen since she had a breakdown in 2008 — or grant her more freedoms. She and a lawyer for her mother, Lynne Spears, also alleged that Jamie had Britney committed to a mental health facility this spring against her will and also forced her to take drugs, TMZ reported. Despite the claims, "Entertainment Tonight" reported on May 22, Britney and her dad speak several times a day.
Delayed sentencing
Former "The Bachelor" star Chris Soules was scheduled to be sentenced on May 21 for his role in a fatal 2017 car accident, but the sentencing was delayed. Why? The former reality TV star's legal team argued that victim impact statements should be thrown out, and the judge agreed to grant the motion. The judge also granted a motion to draft a new pre-sentencing investigation report, something both the prosecution and defense asked for. Back in 2017, Chris was charged with a felony for leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death. He pled not guilty. But last November, he struck a deal and pleaded guilty to one count of leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, which is an aggravated misdemeanor. Chris could get up to two years in jail. WeAreIowa.com reported this week that Chris and his parents will pay $2.5 million to the family of the victim, farmer Kenneth Mosher, as part of a wrongful death lawsuit settlement.
Stay-away order
Hayden Panettiere's boyfriend can no longer contact her and also has to stay 100 yards away from the actress after a Los Angeles judge issued a protective order stemming from a felony domestic violence arrest earlier this month. Brian Hickerson pleaded not guilty to the charge on May 23. The Los Angeles District Attorney claimed in court that there were other unreported incidents of domestic violence in the relationship, but did not elaborate. TMZ reported that the arrest occurred after an evening of drinking. An argument allegedly ensued at their home, leading someone to call police. TMZ reported that Hayden had "serious" injuries.
Probation violation
"The Real Housewives of New York City" star Luann de Lesseps was taken into custody — in handcuffs — on May 23 for alleged probation violations, but she will not be seeing any jail time. Luann has been on probation after striking a plea deal in a case in which she allegedly attacked a Florida police officer on Christmas Eve 2017. As part of the deal, she's prohibited from drinking alcohol. However, probation officers insist she's violated that at least twice. On May 23, a judge said the reality TV star isn't taking probation seriously. The Florida judge changed the terms of her probation and she now has to keep a breathalyzer in her car. TMZ said other requirements include weekly telephone counseling, monthly in-person meetings with a psychiatrist and taking the prescription drug Antabuse, which treats alcoholism. All the terms of her initial probation also remain meaning that among other things, she can't drink alcohol.
Secretly married
Zoe Kravitz and Karl Glusman recently wed in secret, Us Weekly reported on May 22. The "Big Little Lies" star and her beau of three years are "legally married," a source told Us, but they still plan to have a ceremony and celebration for family and friends in France in June. It's not known when the two actually tied the knot. Zoe revealed to Rolling Stone last fall that she and the "Love" actor had quietly gotten engaged in early 2018. "He nailed it," she said of the proposal. "And I love that it wasn't this elaborate plan in Paris. It was at home, in sweatpants."
On-set injury
Daniel Craig will require surgery after hurting himself on the set of the newest James Bond film. "Daniel Craig will be undergoing minor ankle surgery resulting from an injury sustained during filming in Jamaica," the official Twitter account for "Bond 25" revealed on May 22. "Production will continue whilst Craig is rehabilitating for two weeks post-surgery." The tweet comes a week after a report indicated that the actor hurt his ankle after slipping and falling on a dock. The injury is not expected to change the film's April 2020 release date.
