By Jessica Wedemeyer
8:02am PDT, Jun 19, 2020
"That '70s Show" star Danny Masterson charged with raping three women
On June 17, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office charged Danny Masterson with raping three women in separate incidents in 2001 and 2003. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the DA's office declined to file sexual assault charges against the former "That '70s Show" star in two other investigations due to insufficient evidence in one case and because the statute of limitations had passed for the other. Los Angeles police began investigating the actor, who maintains his innocence, in 2017.
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Stacey Dash files for divorce from husband Jeffrey Marty
Stacey Dash filed to divorce her husband of two years, Jeffrey Marty, in Pasco County, Florida, on June 15. According to "Entertainment Tonight," she listed their date of separation as Oct. 1, 2019. The actress and former Fox News contributor announced their plans to call it quits in late April.
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"Siesta Key" star Alex Kompothecras fired after alleged racist social media post resurfaced
MTV announced on June 16 — the same day the third season of "Siesta Key" debuted — that it's "cutting ties" with star Alex Kompothecras and "editing the current third season" of the reality show to "minimize his presence." Said a spokesperson for the network in a statement released to multiple media outlets, "He will not be in future seasons of 'Siesta Key.'" According to TMZ, MTV fired Alex after his racist social media posts and comments recently come to light.
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Kit Harington nearly unrecognizable after shaving head
Kit Harington made headlines when he debuted his newly shaved head while walking his dog in London on June 10. (See photos here.) It was a major departure for the actor, who's known for the long curly locks he sported to portray Jon Snow on "Game of Thrones."
Stassi Schroeder steps out with Beau Clark in first sighting since pregnancy news
On June 13, Stassi Schroeder and her fiancé, Beau Clark, made their first public outing since Bravo fired her from "Vanderpump Rules" on June 9. The duo were snapped holding hands while out and about in Los Angeles. (See photos here.) The blonde star, who is expecting their first child, wore an oversized cardigan over a minidress to keep her baby bump under wraps. Three days later, her rep told People magazine that their child is due "the first week in January."
Brian Austin Green spotted with Courtney Stodden following split from Megan Fox
Brian Austin Green sparked rumors that he's moving on from estranged wife Megan Fox with Courtney Stodden: The "Beverly Hills, 90210" alum and the blonde reality star were snapped picking up takeout from a Mexican restaurant in the Los Angeles area on June 13. (See photos here.) Three days later, TMZ reported that despite how things appeared, they're just friends. The actor and the model reportedly met "about a month ago via social media," and after "some friendly chats" about "the possibility of creating music together," they "decided to meet up and hang out." The webloid notes that things between them are "platonic" for now, "but things could change." TMZ adds that Courtney, who recently finalized her divorce from "Lost" actor Doug Hutchison, is "committed to herself and not looking for a relationship."
Kelly Ripa celebrates daughter Lola Consuelos' 19th birthday: "I'm so proud of her"
Kelly Ripa celebrated daughter Lola Consuelos' 19th birthday on the June 16 episode of "Live with Kelly and Ryan." After sharing that the family planned to mark the occasion with takeout sushi and a homemade red velvet cake, the mother of three noted that Lola said "all she wanted to do was sleep in for her birthday." Gushed Kelly, "The days are long but the years are short. … I've blinked and my daughter is 19 years old. I'm so proud of her." She also took to Instagram to wish her "baby girl" a happy birthday, captioning a slideshow of photos of Lola from over the years, "The heart and soul of our family. We love you BIG!"
Hayden Panettiere is in a "good place" after Brian Hickerson split
Us Weekly reported on June 17 that Hayden Panettiere and off-and-on love Brian Hickerson called it quits for good following his February arrest for domestic abuse. (It wasn't the first time they'd been involved in a domestic violence incident.) "She's in a good place right now. She's on the path to recovery," said one source. "She and Brian haven't had contact. He's moved back to his hometown in South Carolina, and friends are praying this is the end of her journey with him. … She's trying to move past the pain and focus on her future." According to a second source, the former "Nashville" star is "calmer and more relaxed" and "has done a 180-degree turn since her terrible ordeal with Brian." Said the insider, "She's moving ahead with her life and getting back into working in Hollywood and being creative again. It's all very therapeutic for her."
Kim Kardashian West says Scott Disick's in-person birthday party was "kind of scary" amid coronavirus pandemic
On June 13, Kim Kardashian West took to Instagram to share a slideshow of photos from Scott Disick's recent socially distanced birthday party. (He turned 37 on May 26.) "We celebrated Scott's bday a few weeks ago with just family and it was really my first time being around a group of people (small group). It was kind of nice but kind of scary too. How is everyone feeling about being out and about?" she wrote in the caption, referencing social distancing guidelines amid the coronavirus quarantine. The slideshow included a selfie with the birthday boy, a photo of Kim and mom Kris Jenner posing together barefoot, a shot of Kim looking chic with sisters Khloe Kardashian and Kourtney Kardashian (Scott's off-and-on partner of a decade) and a sweet photo of Kim posing with son Saint West and cousin Cici Bussey.
Becca Kufrin: "I don't know" if my future is still with Garrett Yrigoyen
On the June 16 episode of her "Bachelor Happy Hour" podcast with Rachel Lindsay, Becca Kufrin admitted that she and her fiancé, Garrett Yrigoyen, are on the rocks in the wake of his headline-making comments in support of the police amid Black Lives Matter protests. "For those who are curious about my relationship with Garrett at this point, all I can say right now is I don't know," she said. "I can't give anything more than that. It's something that we are trying to work through and discuss and do work on at home at this time and that's where the work will remain and that's really the best I can give you at this point." The former star of "The Bachelorette" has said that she doesn't agree with her beau's controversial viewpoints.
"Below Deck Mediterranean" star Peter Hunziker fired after racist post
On June 17, Bravo announced that "Below Deck Mediterranean" star Peter Hunziker "has been terminated for his racist post." The network added that it's editing the current fifth season of the reality show "to minimize his appearance for subsequent episodes." (The licensed U.S Coast Guard shared a racist and misogynistic meme on his Instagram Story.)
Chris D'Elia denies sexual misconduct allegations
On June 17, TMZ published a statement from Chris D'Elia — who played a sexual predator on the second season of Netflix's "You" — denying that he asked underage women to send him explicit photos of themselves. "I know I have said and done things that might have offended people during my career, but I have never knowingly pursued any underage women at any point," he said. "All of my relationships have been both legal and consensual and I have never met or exchanged any inappropriate photos with the people who have tweeted about me. That being said, I really am truly sorry. I was a dumb guy who ABSOLUTELY let myself get caught up in my lifestyle. That's MY fault. I own it. I've been reflecting on this for some time now and I promise I will continue to do better." On June 16, a woman named Simone Rossi took to Twitter to share several texts and emails that the comedian allegedly sent a few years ago when she was just 16. Several other anonymous sources then alleged that Chris solicited them for sex and explicit photos when they were also underage.
Sunny Hostin breaks silence on alleged "racist comments" from ABC News executive
On the June 15 episode of "The View," Sunny Hostin addressed recent allegations that ABC News executive Barbara Fedida made offensive comments about her and other black on-air talent in the past — the network's vice president of talent and business affairs reportedly referred to the lawyer-journalist as "low-rent." Said Sunny, "I was really disappointed and saddened and hurt when I learned about the racist comments that were made allegedly about me, my colleagues and my dear friends." She also noted that she's "been very open about growing up in public housing," making the comment about her being "low-rent" all the more offensive. She went on to say that Barbara's comments prove "that systemic racism touches everything and everyone in our society, regardless of social stature" and that "no one is immune." Continued Sunny, "It's the type of racism that black people deal with every single day and it has to stop." She added that she looks forward to the results of ABC's "independent external investigation" into the matter. After thanking her "The View" colleagues for their support, Sunny concluded, "This has got to stop. And I just look forward to changes, if all this is true, here at ABC and just in our country." ABC News announced that Barbara has been placed on administrative leave amid the scandal.
Howard Stern addresses resurfaced blackface sketch from 1993
On the June 15 episode of his eponymous SiriusXM radio show, Howard Stern addressed a recently resurfaced sketch from 1993 in which he wore blackface and used derogatory language while impersonating Ted Danson, who notoriously wore blackface and used derogatory language during a New York Friars Club roast earlier that year. "If I had to do it all over again, would I lampoon Ted Danson, a white guy in blackface? Yeah, I was lampooning him and saying, 'I'm going to shine a light on this,'" he said. "But would I go about it the same way now? … I wouldn't." After admitting that the bit was "crazy," the shock jock said that he doesn't recognize himself in old shows due to his previously wild and offensive behavior, which enraged everyone from the FCC and the right wing to "Nazi groups" and the KKK. "Everybody had a bone to pick with me," he said, adding that he went to therapy and ultimately decided to change his ways. "[I realized] I can't be insane completely 24 hours a day," he said. "So I evolved and changed." He then questioned why Donald Trump Jr. resurfaced the blackface sketch: "You want to concentrate on me and bully me, and expose me, with all the TV shows I've done? They're all out there. There's nothing new here. We all know. I was the craziest [person] on radio. There will never be another show crazier than mine. There will never be another show, ever, that was as … wacky as my show. … I would do anything. By the way, if you did some more digging, you would find I was fired by a ton of radio stations for a lot of different reasons." Concluded Howard, "Am I a bad guy? I don't think so. Donald Trump didn't think so. He was on my show 27 times."
"The Walking Dead" star introduces transgender 11-year-old son on Twitter
On June 15, "The Walking Dead" star Khary Payton took to social media to introduce his 11-year-old transgender son, Karter. "This my kid. One of the most happy, well-adjusted individuals I've ever known. My son, Karter. Karter with a K because it reminded him of my name. He chose it. You see, he was born female but has always identified as a boy," the actor captioned a photo of his little boy in honor of the historic Supreme Court ruling affirming that federal law prohibits workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. "He thought it would be cool if I announced it on social media," the actor continued of his son. "I told him that there would so many supporters but also a lot of jerks who would be harsh. He said, 'Yeah, I know about trolls, Daddy. I can handle trolls.'" … Man, there is nothing more beautiful than watching your child feel the joy of exploring what it means to be true to themselves. This is his journey, and I am here for it. I hope you all have the opportunity to feel the unquenchable love that I am feeling right now."
Eva Marcille is leaving "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" — "I believe my time is up"
On the June 16 episode of "The Rickey Smiley Morning Show," Eva Marcille announced that she's leaving "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" after three seasons on the hit reality show. "I appreciate the bond of friendship that I've made with my castmates and strong personal relationships I have with numerous executives and producers of Bravo," she said. "I am thankful for the opportunity I was provided, however, after speaking with my family and representatives, I believe that what I hope to accomplish for the culture and community will be better served by focusing on other opportunities. I look forward to serving the community on 'The Ricky Smiley Morning Show' and finding other ways to be a voice during this transformational time during our country for people of color." Continued the actress, "The time that I spent on 'Housewives' I enjoyed myself. I cried, I laughed, I obviously fought. Most importantly, I made some great friendships with some beautiful women. … I believe my time is up. I have a 6-year-old daughter and two young boys still in diapers. They are 24 hours a day and there is a lot of work to be done. I decided to spend my time and energy focusing on my kids and my community. And not so much reality show business." Concluded Eva of her former co-stars, "I love every single one of those black women. They are all queens all in their own right. They are stars and I wish them the most successful season and transformational season 13 that 'The Real Housewives of Atlanta' has ever seen."
