Tara Reid's 'Sharknado' social media mystery, plus more news

Tara Reid backpedals on back pain apology

Last week, Tara Reid suddenly cut short her press tour for "The Last Sharknado: It's About Time" citing back pain, which has plagued her in years past, though many assumed she'd bailed because of her slurred speech and weird behavior during a live interview with the Australian show, "Today Extra." When The Blast caught up with Tara at a premiere party for the movie over the weekend, however, she balked at the notion she'd even posted the social media apology, which appeared on her Twitter feed as follows: "Due to some back issues I am having, I had to cut my press tour short. I wish I could've been there especially for my favorite show, @BUILDseriesNYC. Thank you for ur understanding & I am hoping to recover from this pain soon." The tweet was later deleted. Speaking to The Blast on Sunday, Aug. 19, Tara reportedly said someone else has access her social media, presumably her publicist, and implied that's who wrote the post — not her. "It made no sense," said the woman America just watched ride a dinosaur to combat a time traveling tornado made of sharks. "Why would I write that?"

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Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra visit an orphanage in Mumbai

For more than a decade, Priyanka Chopra's visits to Mumbai, India, have included stops at St. Catherine's Orphanage. The "Quantico" actress has even set up screenings of her films for the girls there, according to DNA India. So when she and her fiancé, Nick Jonas, came to town for an engagement party over the weekend, she made sure to schedule some time for the children at the home. In posts on their Instagram Stories, Priyanka and Nick shared footage from their visit, including a clip that showed Priyanka dancing with one of the girls to her music. "St. Catherine's orphanage today," Nick captioned the video (via E! News). "My heart is full." Priyanka later shared her gratitude for being able to take Nick with her to what's clearly a special place in her heart. "12 years of knowing these girls and in minutes they get all love struck by the #lovebug… thank you @nickjonas and our families," she wrote on Instagram. "Thank you to the sisters and all the girls at St. Catherine's orphanage for opening your hearts to us again. I'll see you next time."

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Is MTV capitalizing on Nicki Minaj's Twitter beef with Travis Scott and Kylie Jenner?

One the weekend, Nicki Minaj — no stranger to Twitter feuds — slammed Travis Scott, claiming her album would have had the top spot on the Billboard charts were it not for public interest in his relationship with Kylie Jenner and their daughter, Stormi. Turns out the MTV Video Music Awards — which are about as infamous for stirring up controversy as Nicki is for lashing out on Twitter — have placed Nicki directly in front of the "Astroworld" rapper and Kylie for this year's awards show, according to a seating chart photo published by TMZ exactly one day after Nicki's tirade. Coincidence?

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Cardi B won't perform at the VMAs after all: Report

In other MTV VMA news … Last week, the network teased that "everything might happen" when Cardi B opens the Aug. 20 show. Alas, fans who thought Cardi's appearance would involve her first musical performance since giving birth to her daughter, Kulture, may be out of luck. TMZ's production sources are reportedly saying she will not perform any music but will instead either give a monologue or participate in a skit. Cardi recently announced she was bailing on her planned tour with Bruno Mars so she could focus on being a mom.

Kaia Gerber teams up with Karl Lagerfeld for her own collection

Chanel announced some major news for Cindy Crawford's lookalike daughter, Kaia Gerber, this week. At just 16, the runway model is getting her own line of ready-to-wear clothing, footwear sunglasses and jewelry as part of a new collaboration with Chanel and Fendi creative director Karl Lagerfeld. "I have loved being a part of the creative process and working with Karl is a dream," Kaia wrote in a statement (via Us Weekly). "I've always thought that he's a genius, so it's amazing that he's shown me some of his trade. It has given me a new appreciation for how hard designers work, and how much creativity and thought goes into every collection," she added. The Karl Lagerfeld x Kaia collection goes on sale Friday, Aug. 31.

Johnny Depp says he punched crew member in self-defense

Johnny Depp has asked that a lawsuit filed against him by a former crew member of the film, "City of Lies," be dismissed. In new documents excerpted by The Blast, Johnny says he punched location manager Gregg "Rocky" Brooks on set only because the star "feared for his safety" and was acting in self-defense and in the hope of defending others involved with the film, including director Brad Furman. Rocky, meanwhile, maintains Johnny "smelled of alcohol" when he punched Rocky in the ribcage and allegedly had to be held back by bodyguards after Rocky tried to stop filming to due a location permit restriction late one night. Rocky was fired from the film three days after the dustup because he refused to sign a release about the incident, according to The Blast. Johnny is also asking the court not to grant Rocky damages or other payment. It's unclear what Johnny claims he was afraid of, exactly, with regard to the location manager's alleged behavior.

Duchess Meghan's gown could become part of a public exhibition at Windsor Castle

The dress Meghan Markle wore when she married Prince Harry could have another moment in the spotlight. The Daily Express reports Kensington Palace is thinking about displaying the Duchess of Sussex's Givenchy wedding gown in a public exhibition at Windsor Castle. The silk cady gown, which Meghan wore with hand-embroidered veil that referenced the 53 countries of the British Commonwealth, was designed by Clare Waight Keller. According to Page Six, the dress was a riff on the Hubert de Givenchy's design for the wedding dress Audrey Hepburn wore in "Funny Face," according to Page Six.

Sara Foster: The age difference between David Foster and Katharine McPhee 'means nothing'

The age gap between David Foster, 68, and his fiancee, Katharine McPhee, 34, seems never to have surprised David's daughter, Sara Foster. "He's like forever young," Sara told Us Weekly over the weekend. "His essence and his aura is that of like a 40-year-old. My 30-year-old friends have always wanted to date him. Always!" Sara, who's three years older than her soon-to-be mother-in-law, added that those who take issue with the couple's engagement "need to just get over it" and mind their own business. "[I've]known [Katharine] for a really long time, and I think she's a really, really lovely girl," said the "90210" alum. "The age difference means nothing."

Chris Hemsworth opens up about moving back to Australia

It's not easy for a pair of Hollywood stars to keep their personal lives, well, personal. It's something Chris Hemsworth and his wife, Elsa Pataky have struggled with, particularly with regard to their children, whom they rarely post about on social media. But as Chris explains in the new issue of GQ, moving to his native Australia in 2014 has helped — although it took some convincing for Elsa. "Both trips we did [to visit Australia], it was like pouring rain. And she was like, 'I don't know what the big fuss is,'" Chris recalls. "Then I said, 'Let's do a trip up to Byron Bay,' and we get off the plane and it's raining. I'm like, 'Oh, my God. I'm not selling it.' And she instantly went, 'No, there's something different about this place. It is a very special place.' She went, 'This could be it. It could be the best decision we've made.'" These days, they call Byron Bay home remain vigilant when it comes to potentially exploitative social media situations. "I really do feel a sense of ease for the first time in years," says the "Thor" star, who's now working on a new "Men In Black" with Tessa Thompson. "I don't mean that as an assessment of my achievements," he adds. "I just mean I'm content with what's going on and relaxed and open about it."

Arie Luyendyk's fiancee, Lauren Burnham, feted with bridal shower

Lauren Burnham's pals put together a tropical-themed bridal shower in Virginia Beach, Virginia over the weekend to celebrate her upcoming wedding to "Bachelor" star Arie Luyendyk Jr. Showing off photos from the bash, Lauren gushed on Instagram that she was "feeling so grateful for my amazing friends and family," on Monday, Aug. 20. "You ladies really know how to make a girl feel special. Thank you for everything you do and for the best bridal shower I ever could've dreamt of. Can't wait till Janularie!! 🌺" Arie also shared a photo from the shower, praising the party throwers for having gone "all out for my love." Lauren, who got engaged to Arie after he proposed to, then broke up with contestant Becca Kufrin, is slated to walk down the aisle in Maui on Jan. 12, 2019, according to Us Weekly.