By Mark Gray
8:27am PDT, Sep 25, 2019
Car accident
Kevin Hart is recovering from a terrible car accident in Los Angeles that occured in the early morning hours of Sept. 1. He was not driving; two other people were also in the vehicle. Following the crash — his classic car careened off the road, through a fence and down into a ditch — Kevin's security got him out and took him home. He was then transported to a hospital, where it was determined that he'd suffered three spinal fractures, which required back surgery. On Sept. 11, Kevin was released and transferred to a live-in rehab facility to begin grueling physical therapy. After about a week, he was finally allowed to head home, where he continues physical therapy. After seeing photos of the wreckage, Kevin realized he's lucky to be alive. Reports indicate that a lawsuit is "almost certain" to be filed.
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Sentenced
The sentence is in: Felicity Huffman is headed to prison for her role in a college admissions cheating scandal. On Sept. 13, a judge sentenced the actress to 14 days in prison, a $30,000 fine and community service. Prosecutors wanted her to spend a month in jail and pay a $20,000 fine. She was hoping for probation and 250 hours of community service. The sentencing hearing was incredibly tense, as both sides tried to use her celebrity to validate their case (prosecutors said she shouldn't get a slap on the wrist because she's a celebrity; her side said she's being treated differently than other people who've escaped jail time for doing similar things). "I have inflicted more damage than I could've ever imagined," Felicity told the judge before she was sentenced. "I take full responsibility for my actions… I am prepared to accept whatever sentence you deem fit." Earlier this year, Felicity, pleaded guilty to mail fraud and honest services fraud while admitting to paying a man $15,000 to help inflate her daughter's SAT score. Felicity's husband, William H. Macy, joined her in the courtroom. She's expected to report to a low-security prison in Northern California on Oct. 25.
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Hard month
With apologies to Green Day, wake Britney Spears up when September ends. It was reported on Sept. 3 that Britney's ex-husband, Kevin Federline, alleged that the pop star's dad, Jamie Spears, abused one of their kids. Kevin claimed Jamie put his hands on 14-year-old Sean Preston during an argument in August, The Blast reported (Kevin claimed his former father-in-law "violently shook" the boy, according to the report). Eventually, the District Attorney said child abuse charges wouldn't be filed. The same day the child abuse report came out, it was reported that Britney and Kevin had formally agreed to a custody arrangement that has her getting their two kids — Sean and Jayden — 30 percent of the time; Kevin gets them 70 percent of the time. Then, on the heels of the child abuse investigation, Jamie relinquished some of his powers of Britney's personal conservatorship, allowing the singer's "care manager" to take over duties until Jan. 20, 2020, when Jamie — who maintains control over Britney's finances — plans to grab ahold of the reigns again (Britney reportedly wants the conservatorship to end). Brit's mom, Lynne, also reportedly challenged the conservatorship, but a judge decided that it will remain in place as it is, and that Jamie can take control again in January 2020.
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Freedom!
There's a Situation in New Jersey: Mike Sorrentino is a free man. The "Jersey Shore" star was released from prison on Sept. 12 after serving eight months for tax evasion. "We are elated to finally close this chapter of our life. Thank you to our family, friends and fans for the continuous love and support during this time, it brought us so much peace and comfort," Mike and wife Lauren said in a statement after he was set free from a federal prison in Otisville, New York, at 8:30 a.m. "We look forward to continuing our life as husband and wife and working on baby situations! We truly believe that the comeback is ALWAYS greater than the setback and we can't wait to show the world ours." His first post-prison meal? His favorite pizza. And yes, MTV was there to document it all.
Divorce filing
It's official: Adele is pulling the plug on her marriage. On Sept. 12, the singer formally filed for divorce from Simon Konecki, her partner of seven years. This isn't much of a shock, as Adele announced that she and Simon had separated back in April. The couple share a son, Angelo. Her reps previously said that she and Simon were "committed to raising their son together lovingly." Adele is already supposedly working on new "upbeat" music, and she now feels "free" to move on with her life.
Cancer reveal
Rod Stewart was diagnosed with prostate cancer but is now cancer free, he revealed. "Two years ago I was diagnosed with prostate cancer," the 74-year-old music star said during a Prostate Project fundraiser on Sept. 15. "No one knows this, but I thought this was about time I told everybody. I'm in the clear, now, simply because I caught it early." Rod now plans to bring awareness to prostate cancer and early detection. "Guys, you've really got to go to the doctor," he said. "If you're positive, and you work through it and you keep a smile on your face … I've worked for two years and I've just been happy, and the good Lord looked after me."
New love
After four years of marriage, Zooey Deschanel and Jacob Pechenik announced on Sept. 6 that they have called it quits. They share children Elsie and son Charlie. Zooey, though, wasn't single for long, as she quickly moved on with "Property Brothers" star Jonathan Scott. Zooey and Jonathan, it turns out, met while filming a segment for James Corden's "Carpool Karaoke" series last month when she was single. "They like each other a lot. They are still in the getting-to-know-each-other phase," a source close to Zooey told E! News. "She seems excited about him and that it's new and fun. They have a lot in common and it has surprised her that they have so many things to talk about… They are always laughing."
Back in chemo
Alex Trebek is headed back for another round of chemotherapy. The "Jeopardy" icon, who was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer in March, announced the treatment update on Sept. 17, explaining that his "numbers went south, dramatically and quickly." Alex said, "This past summer we thought I was finished with chemo. That was a bit premature and certainly overly optimistic. I began immunotherapy, but that didn't go very well at all."
Hospitalized
Dog the Bounty Hunter was hospitalized in mid-September after suffering a "heart emergency." After a few days in a Colorado hospital, it was determined that Dog did not suffer a heart attack and will not need surgery, as was originally feared. He was released from the hospital on Sept. 16. "Dog is back at home and resting comfortably," his rep said in a statement. "He is overwhelmed by the support of fans and friends from around the world, and is deeply touched by the outpouring of prayers, love, and encouragement. While he is following doctor's orders and taking time to heal." The Blast reported that Dog sees the incident as a huge "wake up call" to start living a healthier and less stressed life. Dog, by the way, says he was admitted for a "broken heart," a clear reference to his wife's death in June.
Retiring?
She gone! Nicki Minaj dropped a bombshell on Sept. 5, announcing that she's leaving the music business to become a mother. "I've decided to retire & have my family. I know you guys are happy now. To my fans, keep reppin me, do it til da death of me, X in the box- cuz ain't nobody checkin me. Love you for LIFE," she wrote. Fans were understandably confused, many thinking it was a joke. Nicki has been dating old friend Kenneth "Zoo" Petty since late 2018. The two got a marriage license over the summer and she already changed her Twitter name to "Mrs. Petty."
Divorce finalized
Matt Lauer and Annette Roque are no longer hitched to each other. Multiple media outlets confirmed that a judge in New York's Suffolk County signed off on their divorce, confirming the end of their 20-plus-year marriage on Sept. 5. Little is known about the divorce, but it was reported in June that Annette is getting up to $20 million plus their horse farm in the Hamptons. The couple split in 2017 after the morning program anchor was accused of sexual misconduct in the workplace and fired from the "Today" show.
Pregnant!
Congrats! Jenna Dewan and her boyfriend, Broadway actor Steve Kazee, are expecting a child — their first together. "We are beyond overjoyed and couldn't be happier to be expanding our family!" the couple told People magazine. Jenna already shares 6-year-old daughter Everly with ex-husband Channing Tatum. Jenna and Steve, a Tony Award winner, have been together for over a year.
