Things are looking up for Lori Loughlin ahead of college admissions trial, plus more news

New evidence could be a big win for Lori Loughlin, Mossimo Giannulli in college admissions case

Lori Loughlin and Mossimo Giannulli recently lost their bid to have their college admissions scandal case dismissed. But comments made by the judge in new court documents suggest the defendants could be at a major advantage when they head to trial in October. Loughlin and Giannulli's attorneys asked for the case to be thrown out after discovering what could be proof of a crime in notes written by Rick Singer, the so-called "mastermind" behind allegedly getting the couple's daughters into USC as rowing recruits despite their never having participated in the sport. In Singer's notes, he seems to indicate federal agents encouraged him to lie in order to implicate Loughlin, Giannulli and other parents he was working with. (People previously reported lawyers for the defense had evidence the FBI urged Singer to lie to parents about how the money they were paying him would be used.) According to USA Today and Fox News, the judge's latest memorandum said he found the allegation about the agents "serious and disturbing." He wrote: "While government agents are permitted to coach cooperating witnesses during the course of an investigation, they are not permitted to suborn the commission of a crime." The judge then demanded that the prosecution "respond specifically … to the allegations." As a source told People in February, "Any new development that might challenge the prosecution's allegations is good for [Loughlin and Giannulli]." The couple pleaded not guilty to charges including bribery, money laundering and conspiracy related to their alleged payment of $500,000 to get their daughters into USC on false athletic pretenses.

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Brad Pitt plays celebrity weatherman on John Krasinksi's new show

A few years ago, Brad Pitt had a recurring cameo as a bleak, existential (and hilarious) weatherman on "The Jim Jeffries Show." His character was eventually fired for, well, bumming everyone out. That made his Sunday. April 19, cameo on John Krasinski's new digital series, "Some Good News," even funnier. Brad was in meteorologist mode once again when John announced he needed a breather on Sunday's show. "We should do a check on the weather," John said, according to CBS News. "Brad, how's it looking out there?" The Oscar winner, then materialized on the screen, popping his newsboy cap-clad head out of a door onto a balcony. "Looks, ahh …," said Brad, testing the air with his face, "… pretty good, yeah." That was the whole forecast. And in today's climate, we'll totally take it.

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Ellie Goulding surprises nurse at her virtual wedding: 'We all love you'

Ellie Goulding found a unique way to thank one special health care worker through music over the weekend. When Hayley Pitman, a nurse with the UK's National Health Service, ended up tying the knot with her fiance Harvey Skelton online via video chat, having postponed their wedding because of the coronavirus pandemic, Ellie stunned the couple by showing up unannounced to sing her hit, "Love Me Like You Do" through the video chat friends and family used to be virtually part of the festivities, according to People. Guitar in hand, Ellie popped up after the couple said "I do" and offered her congratulations before performing for their first dance. Her involvement was reportedly organized by the charity organization, Just Giving, For Better For Worse. As Ellie told the newlyweds before she sang for them, "You're both heroes and we all love you."

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Goldie Hawn shares a sweet HBD message for Kate Hudson her birthday

Social distancing requirements didn't get in the way of Kate Hudson's birthday love as the actress rang in her 41st on Sunday, April 19. Kate's mom, Goldie Hawn, sent her not-so-little girl big love via Instagram, writing, "I love you deeply and can't imagine my life without you. You entered this world wide eyed and ready to roll. And look at you now! I'm so proud! ❤️❤️❤️." Her brother, Oliver Hudson, chimed in on social media, too. "Happy birthday to my partner in crime, the wind beneath my wings, the motorcycle on my sidecar, my AAA discount, the animal style on my In n' Out!" he wrote (via People). "I love you so much!! Here's to you @katehudson and at least 6 more years of a great relationship!!" Other famous friends who sent the star happy wishes over the weekend included Kate's good friend, Chelsea Handler, Courteney Cox and Josh Gad, who dubbed the birthday girl "one of my favorite human beings on Earth." HBD, Kate!

Eva Mendes explains personal life / social media boundaries to a fan

Eva Mendes is once again explaining why she keeps her longtime partner, Ryan Gosling, and their two young daughters, off her social media pages. On Sunday, April 19, after Eva shared one of her favorite paintings — an image of two people with cloth covering their heads — on Instagram, a fan asked in the comments about her privacy policy, which she'd mentioned in the post. "During these times, I'm so confused about what to post so I'm going to post things that move me in hopes that they move you as well," Eva wrote alongside the painting. "Since I don't post my about immediate family, and it feels so wrong to post about work, here you go…,One of my favorite pieces of art from one of my favorite artist René Magritte. I've always loved this one and it feels especially relevant right now. sending lots of love out there." When the fan questioned her decision to keep her immediate family off the 'Gram, Eva responded by explaining she's "always had a clear boundary when it comes to my man and my kids." She continued: "I'll talk about them of course, with limits, but I won't post pictures of our daily life. And since my children are still so little and don't understand what posting their image really means, I don't have their consent. And I won't post their image until they're old enough to give me consent." Eva added that, "as far as Ryan and I, it just works for us this way, To stay private." he signed off with a thoughtful, "Sending loads of love to you at this time."

Halle Berry reveals her go-to, make-at-home beauty mask in shower selfie

In other pandemic silver linings news, Halle Berry's been spending much of her quarantine time sharing beauty and fitness tips on Instagram. On Sunday, April 19, the age-defying star shared a photo from what looked like the inside of her shower. She was modeling a make-at-home mask — of the fun and indulgent rather than the necessary and plague-avoiding variety. "No better time than now for a #SelfcareSunday," Halle wrote in the caption, adding a shoutout to re•spin, the digital health and wellness community she created recently. "This potion brightens, tightens, reduces fine lines and enhances that natural glow ✨ and it's super easy," she said of the mask of brewed green tea ⁣(2 tablespoons), turmeric powder (1 pinch), lemon juice (1/2 teaspoon) and plain yogurt (1/4 cup) (via respin). So how do you make the mask for your own self-care Sunday? According to Halle's page: "Mix ingredients together and stir vigorously. ⁣⁣Apply a generous coat and leave on for 3 min. ⁣⁣[Then] add a second coat and leave for 10 min. Rinse with cold water water and apply moisturizer per usual."

Nick Cordero's GoFundMe surpasses $350k goal after leg amputation

Amid news Broadway actor Nick Cordero's leg was amputated over the weekend as a result of complications from COVID-19, fans, friends and loved ones of the Tony-nominated star raised nearly $372,000 via a GoFundMe campaign, as of Monday, April 20. The page's initial goal was set for $350,000. Nick, 41, was still in a medically-induced coma and on a ventilator two days after the surgery, which was required because of blood clot issues that had developed. "It came down to a point where honestly it was life or leg, and we had to choose life," his wife, Amanda Kloots, said on Monday's edition of "Today." "I choose life," she added. Over the weekend, she posted about the GoFundMe on her Instagram Story, explaining that the couple will face expenses including necessary changes to their home, which was already being renovated, as well as medical bills and the cost of rehabbing Nick following the amputation.

Drew Barrymore's 7-year-old shot her mom's latest magazine cover

Drew Barrymore's 7-year-old daughter, Olive, just shot her first magazine cover, a fact Drew proudly announced on social media by sharing a cute rehash of the conversation she had with her little girl about taking the pictures for The Sunday Times Style magazine. After being apprised of current events — "the world is in a crazy place," Drew told Olive — Olive said she'd "be honored" to take the shots for a story Drew said was initially pegged to her Flower Beauty line's expansion. Ultimately, Drew wrote a personal essay for the mag — and Olive took to her shutterbug role happily. "Olive's attitude to style is the same – though I have in no way encouraged or influenced this!" Drew wrote (via ET). "She always has different colored hair. She loves to change it – the bluer to pinker the better. The morning of our shoot she found my black eyeliner and drew all over her face like an alternative rock star. She even alters her own clothes with scissors and safety pins [I've got my own Little Edie!)]."

Josh Brolin apologizes for breaking social distancing mandate by visiting parents

Josh Brolin's Instagram bio reads, "Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. — Beckett." The quote resonated after Josh shared a video on his page on Friday, April 17, in which he apologized for apparently having broken social distancing regulations by visiting his dad, James Brolin and stepmother, Barbra Streisand, at their home. "My father lives next door to us and we had a plan to go see them and not be near them and that plan was broken and that is our responsibility," Josh told followers after Barbra's post about how happy she was to see Josh, his wife and their daughter, garnered critical comments. "We were going to pick something up and show Bean the pool because we don't have a pool and I think it was irresponsible," Josh continued, according to JusJared. "It's hard to be honest sometimes, it's hard to be honest and say, 'Well maybe I screwed up.' and I knew that was in the air. The responses brought me back to my own truth. It's humbling as hell because I know there are some people out there with no masks, no gloves, no interest in it, they think it's in your head, that you'll survive because of immunity that is created from your own psychic weight," he said. "But I know for me that's not the case and we've been very responsible and I apologize about that." The apology was met with more support than anything else, as fans and followers said they were unclear how he'd broken the regulations, since he and his immediate family appeared to have masks on and were pictured more than 6-feet away from James and Barbra, with glass between them. The California rule mandates that all residents stay home "except to get food, care for a relative or friend, get necessary health care, or go to an essential job."

Offset loses great uncle to COVID-19

Offset has added his name to the growing list of celebrities personally affected by COVID-19. While he and his wife, Cardi B, are reportedly healthy, the Migos rapper announced in an Instagram Story over the weekend that his great uncle Jerry died after contracting coronavirus, according to Billboard. After announcing the sad news, Offset shared a second story post urging users to pray for his family. Cardi, for her part, has been posting regularly about her concerns about the pandemic, urging fans at one point not to be xenophobic about the disease. More recently, she spoke with Bernie Sanders in an Instagram Live video about the effects of the outbreak on the economy.