Backstage drama on 'The View' heats up after Abby Huntsman quits, plus more news

By Gena Oppenheim 8:30am PST, Jan 15, 2020

Abby Huntsman's exit from 'The View' sparks major drama behind the scenes

Abby Huntsman announced her plans to leave ABC's "The View" on Monday, Jan. 13, but her abrupt exit has apparently sparked major behind-the-scenes drama. Though she said she's quitting to help her father, Jon Huntsman Jr., campaign for Utah governor, the network is in a tizzy over rumors she really left because of the show's "toxic culture." Last week, after Page Six reported that Abby was feeling like an outcast amongst her co-hosts — with an emphasis on Meghan McCain — producers have become super-fearful of more backstage drama being leaked to the press. So much so, they allegedly nixed a meeting between Abby's temporary fill in Yvette Nicole Brown and a few of the other panelists because Meghan wasn't available and they thought the powwow would seem shady without her present. ABC execs also asked Abby to counter the unhealthy-workplace claims on air and when she didn't, sources at Daily Beast say, "they threw Abby under the bus." But other reports cite the real problem as tensions between Abby and Meghan, who were seemingly good friends before fighting over a recent panel discussion. Meghan allegedly reamed Abby off camera for being insensitive to her fertility struggles (including a miscarriage last year) by talking incessantly about her kids on the show. "Abby was sick of being berated by Meghan for perceived slights," an insider told CNN Business. When approached for comment, Meghan spoke up to clarify that they're in good standing, but also deflected a bit by calling out the publication for spewing "sexist" gossip only about women. "I find it hard to believe that CNN would cover a story about men this way," she told Business Insider on Jan. 14. "Abby has been my friend for years and will always be my friend. I love her and her family very much." Amid all the caddy drama, Abby's last day on "The View" is set for Friday, Jan. 17.

Kim Kardashian denies heckling Tristan Thompson at Lakers game

Kim Kardashian West set the record straight over suspicions she was heckling Tristan Thompson courtside at a basketball game between the LA Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers earlier this week. The social-media shade started to roll in after she was spotted by a fan standing up during his turn at the free-throw line, though hubby Kanye West and celeb seatmates Jennifer Meyer and Courteney Cox stayed in their chairs. Onlookers assumed Kim got up to boo sister Khloe Kardashian's (cheating) baby daddy, but she claims that's far from the truth. "I was there to support him!," she tweeted on Tuesday, Jan. 14. "And was cheering screaming LETS GO TRISTAN!!!!! I would never go boo anyone. I don't go to hate, only to cheer!" Despite her clap back, Kim and Tristan's rocky relationship is impossible to deny. While filming an episode of "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" last year, she called him a "loser" for blocking her on Instagram after news of his infidelity broke. Videos of him with other women surfaced just days before Khloe gave birth to their now 1-year-old daughter, True, and to make matter worse, he then hooked up with youngest sister Kylie Jenner's BFF, Jordyn Woods. But Khloe has been trying to keep things cordial with Tristan for the sake of co-parenting (though they're not back together), so it makes sense that Kim would be on board to support her efforts.

Prince William and Duchess Kate laugh over milkshakes amid royal drama

Things have been pretty tense at Buckingham Palace since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced they'd be taking a step back from their royal duties last week, but his older brother, Prince William, doesn't seem that perturbed. He and wife Duchess Kate were all smiles during their first public appearance together following all the drama, stepping out for a meeting at Bradford's City Hall and surprise visit to a local British-Asian eatery called MyLahore on Wednesday, Jan. 15. According to ET Online, the royal couple merrily greeted fans gathered outside while politely deflecting any questions from the crowd about the recent news. At the restaurant, Will and Kate still looked totally unfazed as they got behind the counter to help whip up a batch of mango lassi — an Indian milkshake made with yogurt and spices — and joked around with the staff. Harry and Meghan, who wed in May of 2018, claim their decision to take some space from the royal family and split their time between England and Canada (where Meghan is from) stems from their 8-month old son Archie. They not only want to raise him in both continents, but also want to focus on their own financial independence. While many assumed matriarch Queen Elizabeth II would be up in arms over their choice, she gave her grandson her full support after a family meeting this week. "Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working members of the royal family," she said in a statement on Jan. 13, "we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family."

Lana Del Rey shares rare photo with boyfriend Sean Larkin on Instagram

It's not every day we get a glimpse into Lana Del Rey's uber-private love life, but she surprisingly shared a sweet moment with boyfriend Sean Larkin on social media this week. The "Don't Call Me Angel" singer posted a smiley selfie with her police officer beau — taken during what looks like a romantic hike — on Tuesday, Jan.14 with a cute heart-eyed emoji in the caption. We haven't seen anything from the new couple since they made their relationship Instagram official with a kissy pic last December though they were rumored to have started dating a few months prior. Lana has managed to keep her personal life under wraps after breaking off her engagement to guitarist Barrie-James O'Neill back in 2014. After the public split and rumors she'd been linked to the likes of Marilyn Manson, A$AP Rocky and Axl Rose in the past, she admitted, "I've slept with a lot of guys in the industry." But it looks like she finally learned her lesson and found love with a normal guy! Sean is a full-time cop in Tulsa, Oklahoma, though he does host A&E's police documentary show "Live PD Presents: PD Cam."

Adele's drastic weight loss transformation was 'really about something bigger'

Adele has been in the spotlight as of late after showing off some pretty drastic weight loss, but an insider revealed that her transformation wasn't even about wanting to change her appearance. "It's easy to just focus on her physical transformation," the source told People mag on Wednesday, Jan. 15, "but this is really about something bigger." The powerhouse singer, who split with ex-husband Simon Konecki last year, was inspired to get into shape so she could be, "the healthiest mom possible," to their 7-year-old son, Angelo. Adele has lost about 100 pounds since she started to eat cleaner, cut down on her drinking and regularly incorporate cross-training and Pilates into her workout routine. And while some social-media haters have voiced their concern over her quickly shrinking frame (especially after she was spotted looking leaner than ever on the beach in Anguilla last month), the insider insists she's just trying to be a healthier person. They added: "Her whole focus during the weight loss journey has really how been all about how she can be healthier and how can she treat her body better. It was never about losing weight." Body-shamers and numbers aside, Adele's lifestyle change has apparently made her, "a happier person overall," and that's what really matters, right?

Mark Whalberg challenges Dr. Oz to a workout amid fitness feud

Dr. Oz may have to put his money where his mouth is because Mark Wahlberg isn't backing down when it comes to his personal views on fitness. They struck up a mini-feud last week when Mark disagreed with "The Dr. Oz Show" host's recommendation to cut out breakfast. Dr. Oz jokingly clapped back, telling TMZ he wanted to see if Mark could do 20 one-legged push-ups as well as him, but on a full stomach. Mark took his words seriously and recorded a video in the gym officially challenging the doctor on Tuesday, Jan. 14. "Listen, we got beef now," he says in the 1-minute clip on Instagram. "You don't want this smoke." The "Deepwater Horizon" actor is accompanied by his physician of choice, Dr. Vincent, who chimes in about the benefits of the keto diet and intermittent fasting, but Mark keeps his eyes on the prize and calls Dr. Oz to action. "I'll come hungover, eat a big steak and you could do your little 20 push-ups with one leg, your assisted pull-up," he added. "I'm telling you, you'll need a defibrillator when I'm done with you!" With Mark's impressively sculpted frame, we honestly can't wait to see where this goes…

Taylor Swift's 'Miss Americana' Netflix documentary finally gets release date

News of Taylor Swift's plans to release a Netflix documentary offering an intimate look at her life first broke towards the end of last year and fans have been itching for more details ever since. This week, the streaming service finally announced a concrete release date for "Taylor Swift: Miss Americana!" The flick is slated to go live at the end of the month on Jan. 31, though it's set to officially premiere at the Sundance Film Festival a few days prior. Filmmakers told People mag that Taylor really opened up to shoot the documentary and wanted to give her devout Swifties a, "raw and emotionally revealing look," at her evolution as a performer. The movie will focus on, "a transformational period in her life as she learns to embrace her role not only as a songwriter and performer, but as a woman harnessing the full power of her voice." We can only imagine how much this is going to boost the "Lover" singer's $360 million net worth…

Courteney Cox plays around with 'Friends' filter on Instagram and results are hysterical

Jennifer Aniston has been getting practically all the attention since breaking Instagram with her recent debut onto the social media platform, but "Friends" co-star Courteney Cox is here to steal some of the spotlight. She bought into the latest filter craze — in which Instagram generates what character you're most like in different movies or shows — and tried her hand at the "Friends" version. Ironically, Courteney got matched with every other character on the sitcom (including the guys) before getting her own persona, Monica Gellar, on her very last try. "Finally got Monica," she captioned a funny video of the filter experiment on Tuesday, Jan. 14 with a joke about the obscure always-naked neighbor on the show. "Thought I was gonna be Ugly Naked Guy for sure! #identitycrisis." But Courteney doesn't even need a filter to stay in touch with her former co-stars. Jennifer posted a pic at dinner with her and Lisa Kudrow over the weekend, writing, "Hi from the girls across the hall."

Robert De Niro reveals career advice for his kids and grandchildren

Robert De Niro is a true Hollywood legend, but that doesn't necessarily mean he wants his children and their children to follow in his footsteps. The "Irishmen" actor recently opened up about the career advice he gave to his brood of six over the years, telling People mag, "For my kids, I tell them, 'If you want to be an actor or you want to do this or that, that's fine as long as you're happy. Just don't sell yourself short.' That's the most I would say." Robert's first two children with ex-wife Diahnne Abbott both ended up dabbling in acting; daughter Drena, 52, continues to work in the industry after making appearances in movies like, "A Star is Born" and "Joy," while son Raphael, 43, ultimately became a real estate agent after starring in a few small films. But the Oscar winner is just glad they eventually found their calling. "Push yourself a little more and reach for what you really think it is you want to do," he added. "Don't be afraid. It's important for them to find their own lane." Robert also shares 24-year-old twin boys, Julian and Aaron, with former model Toukie Smith, as well as son Elliot, 21, and daughter Helen, 8, with ex-wife Grace Hightower. He's slated to receive the Screen Actors Guild's Life Achievement Award later this month.

Kristen Doute announces she's officially single after split with Brian Carter

Kristen Doute has dragged viewers and all of her friends on "Vanderpump Rules" through her rocky on-and-off relationship with Brian Carter since 2015! But, their tumultuous relationship saga seems to finally be over after Kristen announced that she's single during a taping of "Watch What Happens Live" on Tuesday night, Jan. 14. "We are definitely not together now," she told host Andy Cohen. "I'm single. Ready to mingle." She reiterated the news again, telling People mag, "I'm back. I'm really single." The exes claimed to have broken up over the summer of last year, but were still living together and hooking up on the Bravo reality show's recent season 8 premiere. "I haven't come to terms with everyone wanting a black and white answer of where Carter and I stand," she wrote on Instagram last September. "I want to scream, what about the gray parts of this, the undefinable aspects of loving and caring for someone, while knowing that they aren't your person anymore?" Here's to hoping she moves on for good this time!