Denial
A report out of Britain claimed that Brad Pitt had been secretly dating Charlize Theron for over a month. Talk about a bombshell! A source told The Sun that the duo met up at a fancy bar in Los Angeles and "they were ridiculously touchy-feely and his arm was around her back. At one point he winked at her. Brad seemed in a really good place — they both looked really happy." However, as the dating rumor began to grow, a source told People magazine that this is much ado about nothing. Brad and Charlize "did a shoot together six months ago. They have not been out together recently, and were never dating," a source said. "Reports of them being involved romantically are false." The initial report claimed Charlize's ex-fiance Sean Penn introduced them. "That couldn't be more false. Not in the slightest," the source added.
Wedding bells
Ever since Chris Pratt and Katherine Schwarzenegger were romantically linked in mid-2018, it seemed that an engagement was in the cards because they got so serious so quickly. On Jan. 14, that became a reality after Chris proposed. The actor announced on Instagram that he and Katherine are planning to wed. "Sweet Katherine, so happy you said yes! I'm thrilled to be marrying you," Chris captioned a photo of himself embracing his new fiancée while she shows off her big diamond ring. "Proud to live boldly in faith with you. Here we go!" The daughter of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver later posted the same photo, writing, "My sweet love. Wouldn't want to live this life with anyone but you." This will be her first marriage and Chris's second. The actor's first wife, Anna Faris, publicly supported the engagement, writing on Chris's Instagram, "I'm so happy for you both!! Congratulations!" E! News reported days later that a summer wedding is expected, while Chris told "Entertainment Tonight" that he hopes to have "lots of kids" in the future (he already has son Jack, 6, with Anna) and to "maybe [spend] less time working, more time … enjoying life."
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Baby No. 4
Kim Kardashian West and Kanye West are adding to their family again. On Jan. 2, Us Weekly reported that the couple will soon welcome their fourth child — and their second via surrogate. Kim later confirmed that she and Kanye are having a boy. "It's out there. I got drunk at our Christmas Eve party and I told some people, but I can't remember who I told," she said on "Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen" later in the month. People magazine reported that the surrogate the couple used for their 1-year-old daughter, Chicago, is a different woman than the surrogate they are using this time. Multiple reports claim the boy is due in May.
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Baby boy!
Carrie Underwood and her husband, retired NHL star Mike Fisher, welcomed their second son on Jan. 21. "Jacob Bryan Fisher entered the world in the wee hours of the morning on Monday… his mom, dad and big brother couldn't be happier for God to trust them with taking care of this little miracle," the country music star captioned a series of Instagram photos with the newborn. "Our hearts are full, our eyes are tired and our lives are forever changed. Life is good." Carrie and Mike also share son Isaiah Michael, 3.
Paris problem
Chris Brown was arrested and charged with rape in Paris on Jan. 22. After being released, he denied any wrongdoing, claiming the the woman was lying. "I WANNA MAKE IT PERFECTLY CLEAR…… THIS IS FALSE AND A WHOLE LOT OF C[R]AP," he wrote on Instagram. "FOR MY DAUGHTER AND MY FAMILY THIS IS SO DISRESPECTFUL AND IS AGAINST MY CHARACTER AND MORALS!!!!!" The incident stemmed from a woman's claim that the singer sexually assaulted her in a hotel dressing room for 25 to 30 minutes. She told Closer magazine that it was "brutal and violent." A few days later, Chris's legal team filed a defamation lawsuit against the woman for her "slanderous accusation."
Prison inmate
Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino is now paying his debt to society. The "Jersey Shore" star surrendered to authorities on Jan. 15 to begin an eight-month prison sentence. While en route to lockup, he recorded an Instagram Live video in which he proclaimed, "The comeback is always greater than the setback." For the majority of the year, Mike will call the Federal Correctional Institution in Otisville, New York, home. The MTV star pleaded guilty to tax evasion last January. Mike's wife, Lauren, accompanied him during his ride to prison. Afterward, she shared a throwback image of herself and Mike. "So proud to call this incredible man my husband," she wrote. "To the strongest man I know, I love you endlessly, see you soon honey."
Docu-series fallout
Where to even begin here? There was fallout from Lifetime's "Surviving R. Kelly" docu-series that aired in January all month long. The program caught the attention of authorities in Georgia who are investigating the R&B star for alleged sexual misconduct with girls, something that was explored in the scathing six-part documentary. The Lifetime show also looked into claims that the music star has held women as sex slaves. The Fulton County District Attorney has been actively investigating R. Kelly and a Johns Creek, Georgia, mansion where he previously lived, according to multiple media outlets. Sony has dropped the singer, and other artists have condemned him — both Celine Dion and Lady Gaga announced that they would be pulling their collaborations with R. Kelly from streaming services.
Thirsty
The most talked-about person at the Golden Globes on Jan. 6 wasn't someone who won. It wasn't even someone who attended the awards telecast or someone you've heard of. A brunette dubbed "the Fiji Water Girl" stole the show as she photobombed tons of celebrities — including "Bodyguard" star (and new Globe winner) Richard Madden — on the red carpet. Twitter was set ablaze by the woman, who was later identified as model Kelleth Cuthbert. However, not everyone was a fan. On Jan. 8, Jamie Lee Curtis blasted Fiji for the marketing ploy. "I specifically moved away from the blatant promotions by Fiji and Moet where young women with their trays filled with their wares stood near a designated camera," Jamie explained on social media. "I knew why there was a photographer poised there and I moved away as I said out loud that I didn't want to be doing advertising for either. Clearly this angle shows that I moved from her being behind me and yet from the side it still happens. The sponsors of events need to get permission from people when they get them to take their picture next to products." Kelleth parlayed her photobombing skills into an appearance on a daytime soap opera.
Dating?
It looks like Kendra Wilkinson is embarking on another reality TV romance. The "Kendra On Top" star was spotted holding hands with former "The Bachelorette" villain Chad Johnson after a date in Los Angeles on Jan. 21. The couple were all smiles. "Kendra's an amazing girl," Chad told Us Weekly. In an interview with "The Tomorrow Show," Chad was asked how long he had known Kendra. "I mean, a while. It depends. No comment. Depends on how you, uh, I don't know. No comment," he said. "Yeah, she's cool, we're just…" he added before trailing off. On Jan. 25, she essentially laughed off the romance rumors. A few hours later, "Entertainment Tonight" reported that the two are working on a project together. A source said Kendra and Chad "aren't in any kind of romantic relationship."
Baby on the way
Kate Mara and Jamie Bell are soon going to become the Fantastic Three. On Jan. 9, Page Six reported that the "Fantastic Four" co-stars are expecting their first child together. Kate was overheard telling people she was pregnant at the 2019 Golden Globes. It's believed that she was five months along at the time. This will be Jamie's second: He has a 5-year-old son with ex-wife Evan Rachel Wood. The fiercely private couple hasn't officially confirmed the news.
Court date
Kevin Spacey appeared at a Massachusetts courthouse on Jan. 7 and pleaded not guilty to charges that he groped an 18 year old at a bar in 2016. It's one of the few times the once-celebrated actor has appeared in public since he was accused of sexual assault and harassment by others in late 2017. According to the criminal complaint pertaining to the Massachusetts case, the teen said he lied about his age to the actor while at a bar (he told Kevin he was 23). After that, Kevin allegedly bought the teen drinks and then groped him, the complaint explains. Kevin's next court appearance is scheduled for March 4. He was arraigned on a charge of indecent assault and battery, which is a felony. If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison. On Jan. 8, Kevin's team argued that the teen was the pursuer and was flirting with Kevin.
Engagement off?
Toni Braxton and rapper Birdman have ended their engagement. On Jan. 1, Toni posted an Instagram image of herself in a red dress, the caption implying that she's newly single. "Starting a new chapter isn't always an easy choice…," she wrote, "but ALWAYS choose to be chosen. Cheers to a new year." She also deleted all her Instagram images, many of which included the rapper. Birdman later confirmed the engagement was off on his Instagram Story, writing, "It's over…" But the two sparked reconciliation speculation after Birdman joined Toni onstage at the end of her Jan. 23 concert in Atlanta, where she hugged him before walking off hand in hand.
Radio silence
When Michael Strahan announced plans to leave "Live! With Kelly and Michael" in 2016 for a lucrative new gig on "Good Morning America," co-host Kelly Ripa was not pleased — reports revealed she was "blindsided" by the news. Reports followed claiming that the duo had long had an icy relationship off-camera. It seems that those sentiments have lingered. "I learned through all that went down with that, you can't convince people to like you," Michael told Time magazine on Jan. 24, though he credited Kelly for helping him reach new TV audiences. However, he added, "I haven't spoken to her in a long time." So, reach out and touch someone?
Splitting
Tom Arnold and his wife, Ashley Groussman, have split after nearly 10 years together. "It's a long time coming and we have been together for almost 11 years. And very grateful. I have many good years. I have my [two] children because of my wife," he told Us Weekly. "Sometimes in our society people put things on. Especially women, they can feel guilty. … And I kept saying, 'Hey, listen. … You have done everything. We've been together. You've been amazing. There doesn't have to be a reason. There doesn't have to be a bad guy." He said the last three years were "very unusual." He added, "But my kids and I have a whole life, a wonderful life. I've been telling my wife, 'It's OK. Just do whatever you gotta do.' So she moved out."