“I really didn’t think this was going to happen,” the 31-year-old singer said as she took the stage to accept the honor for Female Vocalist of the Year. “I’ve had just a crazy year and I want you to know that this means everything to me. Country music saved me at a time that I needed it and this is all I’ve ever wanted in the entire world.”

The “What He Didn’t Do” songstress has been linked to the former MLB player since May when she shared a snap of him via Instagram Stories. One day before the CMAs, Pearce opened up about why she hasn’t been super public about their relationship in the past.

“It’s a big commitment to go public with somebody,” she said on Audacy’s Gunner & Cheyenne on Tuesday, November 9, noting that she “learned the hard way” that in the spotlight “can sometimes kick you in the butt.”

She continued, “He’s not new, I’m just not putting him out into the world like I have in the past. He’s hot. He’s so hot. … And I’m certainly not trying to hide him, but certainly don’t want to exploit my whole thing.”

Pearce was also nominated for Album of the Year but lost to Chris Stapleton. She also took the stage with Ashley McBryde at Wednesday’s show, performing their hit, “Never Wanted to Be That Girl.”

The “Should’ve Known Better” singer’s romance with King comes after she finalized her divorce from Michael Ray in September 2020. The twosome split after eight months of marriage that June.

“It was awful. I mean, I’m being completely honest with you, that it was so embarrassing. It was so shameful,” she told Us Weekly about the divorce in February. “I felt like I had failed. I felt like … I would never find love again because I was divorced at so young, and [I] was just embarrassed.”

Pearce added that her album 29 took her fans on a “journey of how I processed what all happened to me over the course of the year” — and she wouldn’t have done it any other way.

“I’ve always been somebody who never shied away from speaking the truth,” she explained. “I came out with a heartbreak ballad about an ex-boyfriend that hurt me with ‘Every Little Thing.’ I then told [fans] about my apology to my ex on ‘I Hope You’re Happy Now.’ So, it felt like I had to speak the truth and couldn’t shy away from it. So, once I kind of had this moment of like, ‘This is all you’ve ever done, is be honest,’ I just kind of decided I had to fully go there or fans weren’t going to believe it.”

This story originally appeared on: US Magazine - Author:Sarah Hearon

“I think Michelle will go down as one of the legendary Bachelorettes. I think she’s really great at it,” Ben, 32, recently told Us. “I’ve always said, when I watch it as a fan now, like, my mark of a good lead is one that is inquisitive and curious. But also doesn’t react but analyzes and kind of navigates the drama. I feel like she’s doing it well, she’s asking great questions and we’re getting to know these guys as a result. Some previous leads here recently, it felt like we went the whole season without ever getting to know the cast and a lot of that’s on them. They don’t ask any questions, they just kind of sit there and smile and then start kissing them.”

The season 20 lead believes that Michelle has done “the opposite of that.” He continued: “She also has a good touch, I think, on what’s going on in the house. But she’s also still affected by what’s going on in the house and I think that’s good because we get to see her emotions and the whole thing.”

Ben pointed to Joe Coleman and Nayte Olukoya as men Michelle is clearly connecting with. He is also rooting for Rodney Matthews.

“I don’t know if I’d feel that way if I went back on the show today, but when I started the show, I felt like I didn’t belong,” he explained. “And it wasn’t, maybe, because I didn’t. I’m not saying I didn’t belong there, [but] I just felt [like I didn’t]. And then when you feel it, you have to talk about it. And when you talk about it, it gets awkward because it shows some really deep insecurity and [Rodney] did it. I appreciate that about him. I’m hoping now he kind of takes that jump from, like, lack of confidence to the confidence cause he knows he belongs, and you can see him thrive.”

Ben admitted that he expected Clayton Echard, who is handing out the roses for season 26, to “shine from the very beginning,” which isn’t the case.

“We don’t dislike Clayton. We just don’t really know Clayton and I’m surprised because with the rumors and the, like, unofficial announcement from Jesse Palmer and Mike Fleiss that he is the Bachelor, we got to assume it unless it’s a really good trick,” Ben said. “We expected him to be a huge, like, likable character. So we don’t like him. He’s just, like, fine. He’s good. I’m excited to get to know him. Obviously, once he’s announced and we get to interview him and I’ll get to dig into his life, but that’s been a surprise to me. I really thought that they would use him being the next guy as kind of a conversation throughout the season to get the fans talking.”

For a complete recap of the Tuesday, November 9, episode of The Bachelorette, watch the video above.

This story originally appeared on: US Magazine - Author:Sarah Hearon

“A large part of DeLuca and Meredith’s demise was due to the fact that he was wrestling with his mental illness and wasn’t stable and hadn’t sought out the support system that he then later received allowing him to gain stability in his life,” the 32-year-old actor told Us while promoting Nobis Canadian Outerwear’s #NoColdShoulder campaign. “So just before DeLuca dies, the whole hospital has seen him upgraded to an attending, he’s medicated, he’s doing therapy, he’s exercising, he’s eating well, he’s making sure he’s getting enough sleep at night, he’s making sure he’s got a good work and personal life balance — all of these things that keep your mental health stable. … Seeing DeLuca stable, [it] would have been interesting to see is if there could have been sort of a coming back of Meredith and DeLuca [when] he was in, maybe, a better state of mind to be open to a romantic relationship and be able to give it his all.”

After joining the cast of the ABC series during season 11, Gianniotti left the medical drama during season 17. His character died after he was stabbed while chasing down a sex trafficker.

“What I had spoken to [showrunner] Krista [Vernoff] about is just doing service to this character who is suffering from a mental illness. And I wanted to make sure that story was done right,” Gianniotti told Us. “And if there was a way that he was to exit, it was to be done on a high, as a hero, as someone who was doing the good and that his good doing and his good deed was not because of his mania, but because of his character of who he was. I got to work on Station 19 and I loved those guys over there as well. I think the tricky part when you write off a character is time. So when they brought the idea of like, ‘Why don’t we do it on Station 19 [and] Grey’s Anatomy?’ That gives us two hours, instead of one, we can tell more story, make it more dynamic.”

Gianniotti’s last episode, which aired in March, ended with him on the beach Meredith dreamed of while in a COVID-19 coma. When asked whether he would consider returning in ghost or flashback form, he told Us that he thinks the show “played out those cards.”

He explained: “We’ve had those flashbacks. We had the beach. We did all that, and he kind of rode off into the sunset with his mother. When you make a final image, so kind of beautiful and complete, I feel like to add anything else would take away from it. So I don’t know. I mean, never say never. … If you’re a true great Grey’s Anatomy fan, then you know a lot of characters have left and come and gone, and they never really leave. They’re mentioned. They’re thought of, there’s a picture on a wall in a scene if you look close enough. They’re always present in the hallways even if they’re not referenced.”

Since wrapping his run and directing an episode of season 17, Gianniotti has begun production on a film in Italy. While he noted to Us that he misses “the people” from Grey’s, he’s “excited to start a new chapter” in his life, which includes the #NoColdShoulder campaign, Nobis Canadian Outerwear’s initiative, which encourages people to donate their gently used coats to someone in need.

“It’s the second year that we’re doing it. The reason we’re doing it a) is because Nobis has a big a history of giving back and having that be a really big pillar of the brand itself apart from being an elite outerwear fashion brand,” Gianniotti told Us. “[Seeing] how successful it was [last year] during probably one of the most difficult times — we launched it during the height of the pandemic last year with a lot of trials, a lot of tribulations, a lot of shipping and distribution sectors were shut down, making it very difficult to get the product to people.”

The brand has a goal of warming 15,000 people globally in 2021 by collecting coats through ego-friendly and reusable bags.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Giacomo Gianniotti (@giacomo_gianniotti)

“Our slogan at the moment for this is, ‘Think globally, act locally’ because we’ve partnered with so many people across the world to make sure that wherever you’re going and you’re donating your bag, it’s going to be brought to somewhere in your local community,” he told Us. “We’ve partnered with a lot of different organizations — One Warm Coat, New Circles Toronto. Based on where you’re donating, you’ll be giving a coat to someone in your direct community, which is a cool thing.”

Now through the end of November, Nobis will also donate $50 from every jacket purchase, and customers who purchase a coat from the brand will receive a donation mailer, a No Cold Shoulder beanie and pin pack with their purchase.

This story originally appeared on: US Magazine - Author:Sarah Hearon

Back at Bridgestone! After scaling things back for the 54th Annual Country Music Association Awards last year due to the coronavirus pandemic, the 2021 CMAs will be bigger than ever on Wednesday, November 10.

Luke Bryan is hosting the event at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.

“Being in front of the TV a lot with American Idol has gotten me more comfortable with the role of doing these things. I’m excited to be in the role and be confident in the role,” Bryan said during a radio interview on Monday, November 8. “You don’t ever want to be out there and you’re so nervous and freaked out that you can’t do a great job, which I’ll still be nervous and freaked out.”

Eric Church and Chris Stapleton are leading the pack with five nominations, including Entertainer of the Year. Rounding out the top category are Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood. Back in 2020, Church accepted the awards show’s biggest trophy.

Gabby Barrett has the third most noms as the American Idol alum is up for four honors.

“I thought she was incredible from the start. I thought that she was amazing throughout the whole process and I always really loved the way she used her voice,” Bryan said of the “I Hope” songstress. “She’s a powerhouse singer, and what I really love the most is right when American Idol got finished, she moved straight to Nashville and went to work.”

Following close behind with three nominations are Combs, Lambert, Brothers Osborne, Kane Brown, Ashley McBryde, Maren Morris and Chris Young.

Scroll through for a complete list of nominees and winners:

Entertainer of the Year
Eric Church
Luke Combs
Miranda Lambert
Chris Stapleton
Carrie Underwood

Single of the Year
“Famous Friends,” Chris Young with Kane Brown
“The Good Ones,” Gabby Barrett
“Hell of a View,” Eric Church
“One Night Standards,” Ashley McBryde
“Starting Over,” Chris Stapleton

Album of the Year
29, Carly Pearce
Dangerous: The Double Album, Morgan Wallen
Heart, Eric Church
Skeletons, Brothers Osborne
Starting Over, Chris Stapleton

Song of the Year
“Forever After All,” Luke Combs
“The Good Ones,” Gabby Barrett
“Hell of a View,” Eric Church
“One Night Standards,” Ashley McBryde
“Starting Over,” Chris Stapleton

Female Vocalist of the Year
Gabby Barrett
Miranda Lambert
Ashley McBryde
Maren Morris
Carly Pearce

Male Vocalist of the Year
Dierks Bentley
Eric Church
Luke Combs
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton

Vocal Group of the Year
Lady A
Little Big Town
Midland
Old Dominion
Zac Brown Band

Vocal Duo of the Year
Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Maddie & Tae

New Artist of the Year
Jimmie Allen
Ingrid Andress
Gabby Barrett
Mickey Guyton
Hardy

Musical Event of the Year
“Buy Dirt,” Jordan Davis and Luke Bryan
“Chasing After You,” Ryan Hurd with Maren Morris
“Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home),” Elle King and Miranda Lambert
“Famous Friends,” Chris Young with Kane Brown
“Half of My Hometown,” Kelsea Ballerini (featuring Kenny Chesney)

Music Video of the Year
“Chasing After You,” Ryan Hurd with Maren Morris
“Famous Friends,” Chris Young with Kane Brown
“Gone,” Dierks Bentley
“Half of My Hometown,” Kelsea Ballerini (featuring Kenny Chesney)
“Younger Me,” Brothers Osborne

This story originally appeared on: US Magazine - Author:Sarah Hearon

“They are so proud of me for doing this show and they both were just like, ‘Hey, you did it. You tried your best. We’re proud of you for putting yourself out there and we love you,’” the 22-year-old beauty guru told Us and other reporters on Monday. “So they’re great. They’re obviously very supportive and I think that they’re just like, ‘OK, she’s probably going to be very sad. So, I’m going to text her some really nice stuff right now.’”

Ahead of her Argentine tango to Janet Jackson’s “Any Time, Any Place,” which earned her and partner Val Chmerkovskiy a 36 out of 40, Olivia revealed that Mossimo, 58, was in the singer’s “You Want This” music video in 1993. It was the first time she shared memories about her dad on the show.

The Full House alum, 57, and the fashion designer, who are also the parents of 23-year-old daughter Bella Giannulli, were indicted in the nationwide college admissions scandal in March 2019 and subsequently served two months and five months, respectively, in prison. Olivia has been candid on the ABC reality competition about how she views the show as a second chance.

“I really found a drive and a work ethic that I think I’ve had since I was young, but maybe I haven’t been able to execute in the last few years,” she told reporters on Monday. “So it’s been really nice to find that again. And I think hard work really does pay off. That’s something I’ll carry forever.”

Olivia added, “It sounds so cliché and basic, but hard work does pay off. And when you really give something your all [and] that joy you genuinely feel from doing it, there’s nothing really like it. It’s so rewarding. [I’ll] just continue to work my absolute hardest at anything that’s thrown at me in the next few years.”

Chmerkovskiy, 35, also praised Olivia’s performance on the show.

“I’m very proud of her. I’m proud of us. I’m proud of this season,” the pro said. “It meant a lot to me to be in a position to help somebody, period. But also somebody that could have used it. I’m grateful for that opportunity. I’m grateful that it worked too. We did win some folks over. We did get a chance to shed a different light on her and show her in a different spotlight. And then also show that she earned it, that she wasn’t just given it. She earned her stay here and for eight weeks, it’s been a blast. I got a lot of love for this young lady and I got a lot of love for the universe for bringing us together and giving me a chance to do this season.”

There are six couples still left in the competition — including Chmerkovskiy’s wife, Jenna Johnson, and partner JoJo Siwa.

“They’re good. I think, obviously, really disappointed. I think we’re both disappointed for them,” Johnson said of her husband and Olivia’s elimination. “I was under the assumption — for me and my brain, it was so clear that they would be going to the finals. I think they deserved it. I’m really confused, [but] that’s the nature of the show, unfortunately.”

Dancing With the Stars airs on ABC Mondays at 8 p.m. ET.

This story originally appeared on: US Magazine - Author:Sarah Hearon

“I want to address something — I feel like I want to confirm if it’s real or a rumor,” Seth Meyers began on Monday, November 8. ”You’ve been reading a lot about in the press. … We appreciate you doing it here.”

“I’ve been wanting to talk about this,” the 27-year-old King of Staten Island star replied. “There’s a lot of people I walk by, people are like whispering and making eyes at me. But it is true.”

Davidson then joked, “I do have a show on Tubi coming out. The Tubi. A lot of people are shocked that I could get on a show like Tubi, but it’s a real thing.”

The Saturday Night Live star is referring to his new animated series, The Freak Brothers, which he is promoting after he was spotted spending time with Kardashian, 41, twice in the last week. The twosome’s unexpected friendship — and potentially blossoming romance — comes one month after the Keeping Up With the Kardashians star hosted SNL in October.

“He was a true professional the whole time they rehearsed and in between takes, but afterward things got flirty,” a source told Us Weekly on November 5. “They exchanged numbers and Pete asked if Kim would like to hang out sometime, which she agreed to straight away.”

The insider added that Kardashian likes how “witty and laid back” Davidson is.

“One of the first things Kim did was to get her family and friends’ advice, and they all encouraged her to go for it,” the source said. “It’s been very obvious for a while now that she’s been missing some fun and laughter in her life, and of course Pete offers that in abundance.”

The source noted, “People are happy for Kim, but at the same time they’re urging her not to get too carried away or ahead of herself.”

During Monday’s episode of Late Night With Seth Meyers, the host joked about the reports again during an interview segment with Emily Ratajkowski.

“He’s got the height, obviously women find him very attractive,” Ratajkowski 30, said.

“Did you hear he’s got a show on Tubi?” Meyers, 47, quipped. “They don’t just give that to everybody!”

The Skims founder is in the middle of a divorce from Kanye West. She filed to end their marriage in February, nearly seven years after they walked down the aisle. The pair share four kids: North, 8, Saint, 5, Chicago, 3, and Psalm, 2. While West, 44, was spotted with model Vinetria at a Donda Academy basketball game on Saturday, November 6, he said one day earlier that he still wanted to be with Kardashian, claiming on Revolt’s “Drink Champs” that he hasn’t seen the divorce “papers.”

“[It’s] no joke to me, my kids want their parents to stay together,” he said on Friday, November 5. “I want their parents — I want us to be together.”

This story originally appeared on: US Magazine - Author:Sarah Hearon

Selling Sunset, which stars Jason and Brett Oppenheimand the agents at the Oppenheim Group — including Chrishell Stause, Christine Quinn, Mary Fitzgerald, Heather Rae Young, Maya Vander, Amanza Smith and Davina Potratz — premiered in 2019. Following the success of the series, which debuts season 4 on November 24, Netflix ordered Selling Tampa from creator and producer Adam DiVello.

The Florida-based series will feature the women behind Allure Realty, including owner Sharelle Rosado. The Orange County show, meanwhile, will have more familiar faces as Jason leads the Oppenheim Group’s new office in Newport Beach.

“So excited for the new show!” he wrote in November 2021 via Instagram.

It’s too early to tell whether more members of the OG cast will appear on Selling the OC, but many fans speculated that Heather will be featured as she resides in Orange County with now-husband Tarek El Moussa and is listed as a Newport Beach agent on the Oppenheim Group’s website. Variety, however, reports that Heather is not leaving the original series for the spinoff.

It’s also possible that fans could see Chrishell on both shows as she is dating Jason. Us Weekly confirmed in July that the soap opera star’s friendship with her boss turned romantic following her divorce from Justin Hartley and brief romance with Dancing With the Stars’ Keo Motsepe.

“Chrishell and I became close friends and it has developed into an amazing relationship,” Jason told Us at the time. “I care about her deeply and we’re very happy together.”

While it’s unclear whether the Los Angeles agents will film in the OC, Variety revealed three names set to star on the new series: Alexandra Hall, Austin Victoria and Brandi Marshall.

Scroll through for everything to know about Selling the OC:

In order to view the gallery, please allow Manage Cookies

This story originally appeared on: US Magazine - Author:Sarah Hearon

During an August press conference, Rodgers spoke about the National Football League’s guidelines ahead of the 2021 season.

“You know, there’s a lot of conversation around it, around the league, and a lot of guys who have made statements and not made statements, owners who have made statements,” he said at the time. “There’s guys on the team that haven’t been vaccinated. I think it’s a personal decision. I’m not going to judge those guys. There are guys that’ve been vaccinated that have contracted COVID. It’s an interesting issue that I think we’re going to see played out the entire season.”

After news broke that Rodgers had contracted coronavirus in November, he claimed that he underwent his own protocol and treatments to “stimulate my immune system to create a defense against COVID” following his own “research” into the COVID-19 vaccine.

“I didn’t lie in the initial press conference,” the football player claimed on The Pat McAfee Show on November 5. “And at the time my plan was to say I’ve been immunized. It wasn’t some sort of ruse or lie … I found an immunization protocol that could best protect me and my teammates. And it was a long-term protocol that involved multiple months.”

Infectious disease epidemiologist Tara C. Smith subsequently told The Washington Post: “People like Rodgers and others who are publicly doubting vaccines take the opposite tack and just find research that already confirms their preexisting biases. And that’s not how science works. … Sometimes treatments can reduce the severity of illness or reduce the length of time you are sick, but vaccination prevents you from becoming sick in the first place.”

During his lengthy appearance on the SiriusXM show, Rodgers claimed that the NFL was aware of his vaccination status, and he was following the guidelines as an “unvaccinated person” despite attempting to appeal the league’s ruling with “500 pages of research.”

According to Rodgers, he was forced to wear a yellow wristband during practice and events with the team to identify his unvaccinated status, is not allowed to leave the hotel or eat with the team during road games, must work out on his own in the weight room and cannot use the sauna.

“Some of the rules are not based in science at all. They’re based purely in trying to out and shame people,” he argued. “Personal health decisions should be private. The shaming and the outing … Everyone has their own story. This shamming, cancel society, that is wrong.”

In addition to missing at least one game of the season, Rodgers has faced backlash and lost a partnership with a health care company. Scroll through for a breakdown of the controversy:

In order to view the gallery, please allow Manage Cookies

This story originally appeared on: US Magazine - Author:Sarah Hearon

Making tweaks! Teresa Giudice recently underwent cosmetic surgery on her nose — and not all of her costars were supportive of her decision.

“I don’t know if anybody knows, but I did get the tip of my nose done and I was so nervous about getting it. So I guess I got a nose job — the tip of it — and I used Dr. Tobias in Englewood, [New Jersey]. He was amazing,” Giudice, 49, said at the New Jersey Ultimate Women’s Expo at the NJ Convention and Expo Center in Edison, New Jersey, on Sunday, November 7. “After I got it done, I didn’t feel [any] pain whatsoever.”

The Real Housewives of New Jersey star, who was a keynote speaker at Sunday’s event, admitted that she always felt like she had a “tomato nose” as the top of her nose was “very round.” She had fiancé Luis “Louie” Ruelas’ support.

“I asked Louie, I’m, like, ‘Babe, should I get my nose done?’ And he’s like, ’Is it going to make you feel better?’ And I said, ’Yes.’ So he said, ‘Do it,'” Giudice explained before claiming that Margaret Josephs tried to talk her out of going under the knife. “She’s like, ‘No you don’t need to do it.’ Like, ‘Really, bitch?’ Sorry, like, ‘You got so much plastic surgery, why [are] you telling me that?'”

Giudice laughed before adding, “But then I asked Louie and he’s like, ‘Babe if it’s going to make you feel better, do it.’ And after I did it, it made me feel better.”

The Standing Strong author’s nose confession comes more than one year after her daughter Gia, now 20, revealed she visited the same doctor.

“Yes, I got a nose job. Yes, I’m swollen. Thank you so much, @drtobiasnyc. I’m absolutely in love with it😍,” the college student wrote in July 2020 via Instagram. “I am an adult now. This has been an insecurity of mine for a while and I’ve never been happier and so comfortable in my own skin!!”

The Bravo star is also the mother of Gabriella, 17, Milania, 15, and Audriana, 12, with ex-husband Joe Giudice. Teresa got engaged to Ruelas during a trip to Greece last month.

“Gia’s in the Bahamas right now and they’re going there for Christmas. Right now, he’s in the Bahamas and he started working a big job in construction so whenever he’s free and if it works with their school schedule, then he goes there,” she explained on Sunday of her former spouse, who was deported in 2019 after completing his jail sentence for fraud. “He’s living six months in the Bahamas and six months in Italy.”

Teresa added that she and Ruelas spoke to her eldest daughter and ex on the phone before she took the stage on Sunday.

“Right before we came here, Louie and I, we’re talking to Joe and Gia. They’re on the beach. I’m like, ‘Nice life,’” she joked. “And she’s like, ‘Mom, I like the island life.’ She’s like, ‘I really like this, I can get used to this.’ And I’m, like, ‘Well you gotta finish college and then we’ll see what happens after that.’”

With reporting by Diana Cooper

This story originally appeared on: US Magazine - Author:Sarah Hearon

“I’m going to miss people. I know it because I always do,” Higgins, 32, told Us Weekly exclusively while promoting his partnership with Rudi’s Rocky Mountain Bakery. “My cohost of ‘Almost Famous’ Ashley Iaconetti, my former cohost and now the sole host of the Bachelor Live on Stage, Becca Kufrin, [are coming]. Jared [Haibon] will be there, Thomas [Jacobs] will be there as well.”

Higgins, who noted that the nuptials will be the first time he meets Kufrin’s new man, Jacobs, also named Dean Unglert and Caelynn Miller-Keyes, Chase McNary and girlfriend Ellie White, Blake Horstmann and Elyse Dehlbom, and Becca Tilley as guests.

“Wells Adams is an usher in my wedding. He’s the only Bachelor alum that’s an usher. I love Wells. We became really good friends over the years,” Higgins continued. “Nick Viall will be there with his girlfriend, [Natalie Joy]. Chris Soules will be there. Shawn Booth will be there.”

After Us pointed out all the potential ex run-ins based on his guest list, Higgins noted that Tilley was part of his season and Soules’ season 19. When asked about Kufrin and Horstmann, he acknowledged that they’ve already seen each other since their “little escapades” following season 14 of The Bachelorette.

“Unfortunately, Kaitlyn Bristowe’s on tour right now for her podcast so her and Jason [Tartick] can’t be there. They have a Boston show that night and that is important to them,” Higgins continued. “There’s a lot of people that, you know, Jared, myself, Shawn, so she would have had, like, a reunion.”

Someone else who made the guest list but won’t be in attendance? Former Bachelor host Chris Harrison, who recently announced an engagement of his own to girlfriend Lauren Zima.

“I’m super happy for him. Lauren Zima was the very first interview I ever did when I was the Bachelor, so we have a long history and we became good friends from there. She’s close to my age and she was new to this and I was obviously new to this. And we were like, ‘Let’s make this the best for both of us,’” Higgins explained. “Chris has had a huge impact in my life [and] always will be a friend of mine. They, unfortunately, cannot make it to the wedding. I wish they could, but we’ve kept in contact.”

After three years together, Higgins and Clarke will wed in Tennessee on Saturday, November 13, with three officiants — Higgins’ pastor, Clarke’s pastor and reality TV personality’s parents’ pastor and best friend — who are “going to take turns” during the “fairly traditional ceremony” before the reception.

“We want it to be a party as soon as you walk through the door. We’re not having a sit-down dinner,” Higgins said, noting there will be “COVID-19 friendly” food stations with including pizza, wraps, chips and salsa and nachos. “We will do our traditional dances, but we wanted people just moving and grooving for the reception and one of the big catalysts to that was I believe that we have the best wedding band in the world — Taylor Pace Orchestra.”

Leading up to the wedding day, which was postponed amid the COVID-19 crisis, Higgins is focused on his partnership with Rudi’s Rocky Mountain Bakery.

“We know what the last few years, there’s been a lot of isolation, a lot of pushing aside. … When I’m breaking bread with friends or family around the table, growing up, you know, I enjoyed it. I enjoy that now. And this Slice of a Home campaign is really about that for Rudi’s. People love to connect over meals and love to share these meals together,” Higgins told Us of the Colorado-based company, which he noted is a leader in small-batch, organic baking. “One of the cool things that I got to do for this campaign, I made a sandwich. … It’s a California club. It has incredible flavor, really great texture, but I started a hack with it, I guess you would say. I grow my own tomatoes and basil here now in Colorado. I use that for my sandwiches and for this sandwich and it really brings a whole freshness to it. There’s a little pride that I have when my buddies bite into a sandwich or my fiancée bites into to a sandwich that I know I have a part in growing and fostering.”

The partnership also includes a giveaway, which ends Monday, November 8, to win a Rudi’s Slice of Home mailer, a toaster and a $100 Whole Foods gift card.

“You can tag a friend [in my Instagram post] for the chance to win a Rudi’s Slice of Home mailer which I’ve received. Trust me, it’s a great thing,” Higgins said. “[And make sure] you’re following Rudi’s Organic on Instagram and myself to enter.”

This story originally appeared on: US Magazine - Author:Sarah Hearon

“I talked to her when she came back, but before it aired, so I was very biased watching it. I knew, for instance, that she had not gone on to date Joe,” Jacqueline, 30, said on the Wednesday, November 3, episode of Us Weekly’s “Here for the Right Reasons” podcast. “It was much more about, you know, this place was very special to both of them. And I think watching her ex go back in and use that same place to create new meaning was just something she wanted to do kind of side by side, like, to kind of reclaim it together instead of one of them going and kind of sullying the memory of that. I was upset to see the edit so clearly make it look like she was trying to get him back.”

Kendall, 30, and Joe, 35, dated for nearly two years after meeting during season 5 of BiP in 2018. After calling it quits in early 2020, they both returned for the 2021 season of the beach spinoff and he quickly connected with Serena, 24, and proposed during the October finale.

“I was just really upset by the people dragging her for coming on the proposal day because she didn’t know he was getting engaged that day,” Jacqueline, who met Kendall on season 22 of The Bachelor, told Us. “I know what’s produced and I know the real reasons for things and I just think she’s one of the most genuine people ever. She hasn’t lost her weird, quirky side, you know, she uses her Instagram to tell, like, weird animal sex facts, and get people excited about nature and [her] coffee stain paintings.”

The “A Little Help For Our Friends” podcast host added, “There’s a sense that the show — she got two great edits, the first time and the second time — it’s always a risk to go back and it’s just painful watching. I love these producers and I have a love for the show and it’s hard to watch them, like, take down someone I love in a way and so I’m a bit angry about that.”

Kendall has stayed fairly mum amid the aftermath of BiP, but Joe told Us last month that he wishes her the best.

“I don’t have any resentment — it was a little confusing,” the Chicago native told Us on October 6. “The timing, I would say, wasn’t the best. I was just really focused on Serena and getting to that moment. I had a ring in my back pocket. So it was more like, ‘OK, I get that you’re here, you know, I wish you the best, but it’s not the time. Now is not the time.’ But I hope she’s happy.”

Serena added, “I definitely feel the same way as Joe. … I hope she’s happy. I wish her the best. And, you know, we’re just happy to focus on our relationship now and kind of keep those special moments between us and keep them private and special in their own way.”

This story originally appeared on: US Magazine - Author:Sarah Hearon

For instance, original RHOA star NeNe Leakes left the show in season 7 before rejoining the cast in 2018. “It’s been a long process but we’ve finally reached an agreement! All hail the Queen for season 10 of #RHOA @bravotv #thethreatisback,” she announced via Twitter one year earlier.

After two seasons, the New Normal alum went on to leave the show again in 2019, telling fans in a YouTube video that “it was not an easy decision [but] I do know that the decision I have made was the right decision for me at this time in my life.“

In the clip, NeNe explained that she had “been on an extremely, extremely long, exhausting, tiring, emotional negotiation. There has been a lot of emotion flying on both sides,” she said. “I’m just so happy that I can say that I was a part of a genre that opened doors for Black ensemble reality shows.”

Despite all of the drama over the years, NeNe has hinted that she’s open to coming back to the hit reality series in the future. Perhaps, the third time’s the charm? “I’m OK with returning to the show as long as we can work through a few things,” she told The Real in November 2021.

Meanwhile, there are other cast members who have decided that one season was enough for them — including Kim Fields.

After joining the Bravo series in 2015 for season 8, the former child star decided it was best to not overstay her welcome. “At the beginning of the season, what did my mama say? ‘Get in and get out,’” she said during a 2016 episode of The Rickey Smiley Morning Show. “Listen to your mama.”

Still, Kim doesn’t regret her decision to appear on the show. “It was for the experience,” she told radio host Rickey Smiley. “It was to be able to do a genre that I’d been asked to do before and finding a way to do it that made sense for my team and for the family.”

Phaedra Parks’ exit from RHOA in 2017 after three seasons was a bit more controversial than Kim’s — but she looks back fondly on those times as well.

“I’m always happy for those years I spent [on the show],” she told Us in 2020. “But everybody has to grow.”

Keep scrolling to find out where the former stars of the Real Housewives of Atlanta are now:

In order to view the gallery, please allow Manage Cookies

This story originally appeared on: US Magazine - Author:Sarah Hearon

As tensions remain high between Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott, a source tells Us Weekly that Candy Spelling plays a role in their marital woes.

“Dean doesn’t get along with Candy and she’s never really approved of him,” the insider says, adding that the 76-year-old theater producer’s feelings about McDermott, 54, have “compounded things.”

The source adds, “When Dean is out of picture, Tori thinks Candy will step up with financial support.”

Us reported in June that the Beverly Hills, 90210, alum, 48, and her spouse have been having “major issues” for a year after Tori ditched her wedding ring on multiple occasions, removed “wife” from her Instagram bio, revealed they slept in different beds and didn’t publicly acknowledge McDermott on their 15th wedding anniversary.

“Tori knows her kids see what she says online, so for her to say something publicly means the end could be very near,” the insider added of sons Liam, 14, Finn, 8, and Beau, 4, and daughters Stella, 13, and Hattie, 9.

More recently, an insider told Us that there was “no trust” between Tori and McDermott.

“It’s been building up over time,” the source said earlier this month. “He thinks sometimes he is single and he can take trips to see his friends. But he has a wife and kids, and she is stuck at home.”

Last month, the Mystery Girls alum was spotted outside of a lawyer’s office holding pieces of paper with notes about “assets,” “support” and “custody.”

“It’s gotten really bad and those close to them feel it won’t last much longer,” a fourth insider told Us earlier this month. “They can’t stand to be around each other. There’s a lot of tension built up.”

Several sources have also told Us that Tori hasn’t made official moves to end the marriage because of the kids.

“No matter what [happens], their kids will come first and always be their number one priority,” one insider concluded.

While McDermott previously downplayed speculation about their marriage in September, the Stori Telling author refused to answer a question about the former Chopped Canada host on The Wendy Williams Show on October 26. Candy, for her part, hasn’t publicly commented on the reports. Back in 2014, a rep for the wife of the late Aaron Spelling denied McDermott’s claims that she hasn’t offered to help their family over the years.

“Candy has provided financial help in the past and has offered repeatedly to pay for the children’s private schooling and Tori has never told her where to send the money,” her rep told Access Hollywood at the time. “Candy reaches out often to see them and unfortunately Tori and Dean are not often responsive.”

This story originally appeared on: US Magazine - Author:Sarah Hearon

Us Weekly can confirm cameras were rolling when the 38-year-old Talentless designer and the 65-year-old momager stepped out for lunch at Maria’s Italian Kitchen in Woodland Hills, California, on Wednesday, November 3. The sighting comes less than one month after Us reported that Kourtney Kardashian’s now-fiancé, Travis Barker, will be featured on the new show as Hulu captured the October 17 proposal.

“Travis spent forever getting the details right,” a source told Us at the time. “Kourtney was very surprised at the timing. They both have talked about their wedding and engagement before but Kourtney was very surprised.”

Disick, for his part, has yet to publicly congratulate Kardashian, 42 — or comment at all on the engagement news. He previously told Andy Cohen that he gave his ex his “blessing to be happy” with Barker, 45, before taking a dig at her former flame Younes Bendjima.

“I just want to kill them. … Well, the last guy,” he said during the Keeping Up With the Kardashians reunion, which aired in June. “Let’s all be honest here.”

Disick’s disdain for Bendjima, 28, seemingly changed by August when he DMed the former boxer to shade Kardashian and Barker’s PDA.

“Yo is this chick ok!????? Brooo like what is this. In the middle of Italy,” Disick he wrote at the time, unaware that Bendjima was going to put him on blast.

Following the proposal, a source told Us that the New York native was “furious” about the mother of his three children — the former couple share Mason, 11, Penelope, 8, and Reign, 6 — officially moving on.

“He knew it was possible, but is very jealous of Kourtney and Travis’ relationship,” the source said in October. “Scott still thinks that they could call things off before the wedding.”

It’s possible Disick will break his silence on the proposal on the upcoming Hulu show, which Khloé Kardashian previously teased will be available to stream in early 2022.

Scroll through to see photos of Jenner and Disick’s outing:

In order to view the gallery, please allow Manage Cookies

This story originally appeared on: US Magazine - Author:Sarah Hearon

More to the story? Ross Butler is reigniting speculation about his relationship with Madelyn Cline after previously denying rumors that they were dating.

The 13 Reasons Why star left two very telling emojis on her post — a drooling face and a hot face emoji — on photos from the Outer Banks’ star’s Hollywood Reporter photo shoot.

“@hollywoodreporter NEXT GEN ❤️,” Cline captioned two snaps on Wednesday, November 3, via Instagram.

Butler and Cline were spotted spending time together in Italy in late September, dancing at the CERA restaurant in Milan. After the actor touched back down in California, he told TMZ in October that she was “just a friend.”

“I dance with a lot of people,” Ross said. “Just friends.”

Cline’s European travels fueled fan chatter that she and Chase Stokes had called it quits. A source confirmed to Us Weekly earlier this month that the pair quietly ended things after more than one year together.

“They’ve been trying to work it out for quite some time but decided going their separate ways was best,” a source told Us. “They both have busy schedules, which made it hard for them to spend a lot of time together. They have no bad feelings toward each other and remain friends.”

Cline and Stokes met while filming season 1 of Outer Banks and started dating in April 2020. He previously told Us that the duo made an effort to keep things professional until after they wrapped the first season playing love interests John B and Sarah Cameron.

“At that point in time, we were so anxious about the show and so nervous about constantly screwing up. I think we were all under this sort of strange umbrella of, like, ‘Dear God, we got an opportunity. Let’s not screw it up!’ So, it was just always work-oriented — really until the day we wrapped,” Stokes exclusively told Us in February. “It wasn’t until after that, until we started to kind of get into the lockdown where we were like, ‘Is there something here or am I crazy?’ That’s sort of where it bloomed from there. I think we were just so invested in the work.”

The costars have yet to publicly comment on their breakup. While Netflix hasn’t officially announced plans for season 3, they are expected to return for another installment of the popular drama.

This story originally appeared on: US Magazine - Author:Sarah Hearon

Here’s hoping there’s a Winter House reunion! Austen Kroll and Lindsay Hubbard’s friendship has officially hit a rough patch amid a love triangle with costar Ciara Miller.

After Austen, 34, picked Ciara, 25, over Lindsay, 35, during a game of “Pick Your Winter Spouse!” on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen on October 27 — in front of the publicist who was in the audience — the Summer House OG decided she needed a “break” from their friendship.

“The tea on Watch What Happens Live is she ended up, like, you know, blocking me,” Austen explained during a “Pillows and Beer” livestream with costar Craig Conover as they watched the Wednesday, November 3, episode of Winter House. “I saw weeks prior to Watch What Happens Live, she found out that I was going on and she was like, ‘Oh, my gosh, my aunt’s in town, I want to come.’ I was like, ‘Cool, great, you know, I’ll call my sister.’ … I thought that they’re gonna hang out in the green room and then Andy [Cohen] found out that she was there and was like, ‘Let’s put you in the front row.’”

The Kings Calling Brewing Co. founder continued: “As I’m in the back, like, getting on my makeup and whatnot, she, like, falls on the ground, like, ‘Oh, my God, they want me in the front row?’ And then they’re like, ‘Well, you don’t have to,’ and she’s like, ‘No, no, I’ll do it.’ And I was like, ‘Yeah, no s—t. No s—t that you’re gonna say yes.’”

Following the awkward interview, Lindsay told Kate Casey that it’s “not in the cards” right now for her to stay in touch with Austen.

“You never know what kind of questions or quizzes are going to be asked. I was definitely taken aback at the responses that Austen gave. I think he could have been a little bit more respectful to me and to our friendship. We’ve had conversations about that in the past. Specifically, after Winter House filming, I had a conversation with him about that,” the New Yorker said on Wednesday’s episode of the “Reality Life With Kate Casey” podcast. “I can’t be [OK] with keeping that kind of person in my life. Like, I spend so much time caring and nurturing for my friendships and being the best friend I can be to everyone around me. If it’s not going to be reciprocated [after] almost four years of friendship and if it’s still not there, then I don’t need to train a 34-year-old man how to be a good friend to me.”

When Austen and Lindsay arrived in Vermont to film Winter House in February, the pair had different ideas of what their relationship was, according to the Southern Charm star.

“I thought that we were moving on and being, like, much more adult about it to be totally honest,” the Charleston resident said on Wednesday, adding that he didn’t think they were planning to explore that “romantic side” again after a hookup “four years” ago.

Lindsay, for her part, told Us Weekly that she and Austen had a “history of friendship and physical history of romance” pre-Winter House.

“We’re living in a very different environment than most people and you need as many friends as you can to just bounce ideas off and try to work through certain situations,” she explained. “If you can find that person in somebody else on a different show who understands what you’re going through, but it’s not too close to the situation, that’s where we became friends and we’ve been nurturing that friendship for the last three years. [Fans will] start to see that development, that friendship. I know it feels like it came out of nowhere, it really does, [but] it really has not come out of nowhere.”

While Lindsay claimed on Wednesday’s episode of the Bravo show that Austen said one of his 2021 goals was to “date” her, he downplayed his comments during his livestream.

“Oh, now she’s flipping it on me? Unbelievable,” he said watching the show with Craig. “It’s funny to see this edit, you know, you’re like, ‘Oh, OK,’ as if I was, you know, leading [Lindsay] on.”

He later concluded that he has a “lot of love” for his costar.

Winter House airs on Bravo Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET.

This story originally appeared on: US Magazine - Author:Sarah Hearon

The 41-year-old KKW Beauty founder was spotted arriving at Zero Bond in Manhattan on Wednesday. Shortly before Kardashian got to the hotspot, TMZ and Page Six report that the 27-year-old comedian arrived and the twosome were joined by a group of friends. Wednesday marked the second time this week that the duo were seen together.

Us Weekly confirmed Kardashian and Davidson dined in a private room at Campania’s on Tuesday, November 3, on Staten Island, sharing a “couple of pizzas.” A source told Us that everyone in the restaurant “let them have their space.”

The Keeping Up With the Kardashians alum and the Saturday Night Live star made headlines last month when they kissed during a skit as she hosted the NBC series for the first time. Three weeks later, she was spotted clutching his hand on a roller-coaster at Knott’s Scary Farm in California on Friday, October 29. Kourtney Kardashian, Travis Barker and more pals were also in attendance.

“No one really knows what is going on with Kim and Pete,” a source told Us after the Halloween outing. “They are just friends right now, but things could turn romantic. Kim is single and having fun at the moment.”

Another source added that Kim was “surprised” by the chemistry between her and the King of Staten Island star.

The reality TV personality is in the middle of a divorce from her husband of seven years, Kanye West. The pair — who share four kids: North, 8, Saint, 5, Chicago, 3, and Psalm, 2 — officially called it quits in February after months of speculation about their relationship.

“She’s not focused on dating at the moment but actually worries that guys will not want to date her because of how public her relationship was with Kanye,” a source told Us in June. “She also knows how hard it is to build trust with someone, so she thinks it’s going to take time before letting someone into her private life. It was easy with Kanye because they were friends before so they had years’ worth of trust.”

Davidson, for his part, was most recently linked to Phoebe Dynevor. The twosome split in August after several months of dating. “The distance put a strain on the relationship and it made it hard to maintain,” an insider told Us at the time.

This story originally appeared on: US Magazine - Author:Sarah Hearon

“I’m sure that was taken out of context. It was just a joke, and it was a funny one,” Amabile, 35, told Us Weekly exclusively while promoting his partnership with Hotwire. “I actually said it on [the] ‘Clickbait’ [podcast] as well. Sometimes I tell funny jokes, what am I gonna do?”

When the reality TV personality and fiancée Serena Pitt appeared at the “Chicks in the Office” live show in Chicago earlier this month, Amabile poked fun at Thurston and Moynes’ split announcement, asking future Bachelor couples to be more honest in breakup posts.

“I just want a couple in Bachelor Nation to break up and just be like, ‘We mutually f—king hate each other. We hate each other, thank you for all the love and support, but the past six months have been terrible,’” he quipped. “If [Serena and I] breakup, like, it’s going to get ugly, like, we’re going to talk s—t and ‘f—k you.’”

Pitt, 24, assured the crowd that the pair were solid, but agreed with her fiancé.

“We’re engaged, we’re in love, we plan to spend the rest of our lives together, it’s not going to be a small hiccup, like, it’s going to be ugly or something huge that breaks us up,” Pitt explained, adding, “Hopefully that doesn’t that happen.”

Thurston, 30, and Moynes, 31, announced their split on October 25 via the same statement on Instagram: “It is with mutual love and respect that we have decided to go our separate ways. We are so grateful for the moments we shared together and the entire journey that has unfolded this year, but we ultimately have concluded that we are not compatible as life partners, and it is the most caring choice for both of us to move forward independently. We ask for kindness and privacy as we both navigate this transition. Both of us will forever want the best for one another and ask you to please support us in our decision.”

Amabile, for his part, told Us that he is rooting for both of them.

“I think whatever is best for them individually is what they need to do at this time,” he concluded. “I’m gonna give them their space, obviously, and I hope nothing but the best for them.”

In the meantime, Amabile is focused on Hotwire’s Love at Last Minute contest, which is open until Friday, November 5.

“We are looking for couples that met during quarantine and haven’t had a chance to take a trip together. There’s a poll, like, 74 percent of Americans said traveling is the best compatibility test and I actually believe that myself,” he explained. “So I have picked the cities — Charleston, Atlanta, and my hometown, Chicago — and we are choosing three couples that we think could potentially go the distance to win these trips. All they have to do is go to quickie.hotwire.com and send them a video showing off themselves basically. … And after that trip, we’re going to reevaluate and if we think one of the couples or all three of them could go the distance, they will win a $10,000 fancy trip on Hotwire.”

This story originally appeared on: US Magazine - Author:Sarah Hearon

When it premiered on Bravo in January 2017, the publicist and the Pittsburgh native were part of the OG cast of Summer House and have since returned for every season. During their fourth outing to the Hamptons in 2019, they attempted to turn their friendship into a romance, but things briefly turned tumultuous when he confessed that he wasn’t interested in a serious relationship with her. They took another turn when Radke asked out a fitness instructor — in front of Hubbard.

“Shortly before filming this past summer, Carl and I wound up single at the same time. It was then that he decided to shoot his shot. Honestly, good for him. As he should have,” Hubbard wrote in March 2020 via Instagram as the reality aired. “You have seen this all play out on the last 5 episodes of #SummerHouse But there is no rule book written on how to go from best friends to then being romantic and then back to friends again. And to do it while we are filming, and while living in the same house under the scrutiny of everyone around us. It truly was a rollercoaster of emotions, and you guys are on that rollercoaster with us.”

Radke, who is now sober, acknowledged at the time that alcohol may have played a role in his decisions.

“Lindsay’s a beautiful girl. Like, you’re drinking, having fun, I’m single … and they say date your best friend. Usually, that goes well,” he said while promoting season 4, adding during an interview with Entertainment Tonight, “There were a few mornings when I woke up and didn’t even know what happened the night before.”

Hubbard and Radke subsequently continued their friendship and she supported him following the sudden death of his brother during season 5 of the Bravo show. As he worked through substance abuse issues, the Loverboy businessman revealed in October 2021 that he marked 10 months of sobriety. His relationship with Hubbard, meanwhile, made headlines again that fall after they shared several cozy snaps via social media — and wore a couples costume on Halloween.

“He’s such an amazing guy, and I have loved his sobriety journey … I’ve always seen the good in Carl, but it was sometimes masked by the bad that his drinking would bring out of him, and once he eliminated that, it’s just all good all the time,” she said during a November 2021 appearance on the “Reality Life With Kate Casey” podcast. “We hang out all the time. We do everything together. We live in the same building.”

Scroll through for a timeline of their relationship:

In order to view the gallery, please allow Manage Cookies

This story originally appeared on: US Magazine - Author:Sarah Hearon

“[Things] get better and better every day,” Amabile, 35, told Us Weekly exclusively while promoting his partnership with Priceline. “[The best part] I think is just being in a caring, loving relationship and in a normal one, you know? Being able to go out and go to a restaurant.”

The Chicago native proposed to Pitt, 24, during the October finale of the reality show. He told Us that they want to “tackle” deciding where they’ll live before they start planning their nuptials.

“We’re more or less trying to figure out where we’re going to live, we’re excited about that,” Amabile said. “We’re still in talks about that, but we’re on the same page. It’s between the three cities, Chicago, Toronto or New York.”

The duo are set to visit NYC for the first time as a couple in the upcoming weeks.

“We’ve been there separately, so now we’re going to really see if we like it together,” he told Us. “We’re going to be with each other for the holidays. We still haven’t quite figured out how we’re going to do it, but we will be with each other.”

Amabile and Pitt were one of three couples that got engaged in Mexico during the summer. While fans of the ABC franchise are often speculating about the status of Bachelor Nation couples, he told Us he doesn’t feel any added pressure.

“I don’t really let it affect me or my relationship,” the season 14 Bachelorette alum said. “Right now, to be completely honest, it’s been really nothing but love. We have a great support system with our friends and family and honestly, Bachelor Nation and all the people out there have really just been great to say the least.”

After finding success on BiP, Amabile has teamed up with Hotwire for their Love at Last Minute contest.

“We are looking for couples that met during quarantine and haven’t had a chance to take a trip together. There’s a poll, like, 74 percent of Americans said traveling is the best compatibility test and I actually believe that myself,” he told Us. “So I have picked the cities — Charleston, Atlanta, and my hometown, Chicago — and we are choosing three couples that we think could potentially go the distance to win these trips. All they have to do is go to quickie.hotwire.com and send them a video showing off themselves basically. … And after that trip, we’re going to reevaluate and if we think one of the couples or all three of them could go the distance, they will win a $10,000 fancy trip on Hotwire.”

Couples can enter Hotwire’s contestant until Friday, November 5.

This story originally appeared on: US Magazine - Author:Sarah Hearon