Justin Baldoni’s wife breaks silence with telling message amid messy legal battle with Blake Lively

Justin Baldoni’s wife, Emily, has broken her silence amid her husband’s messy ongoing legal battle with Blake Lively.

On Friday, Emily, 40, shared a sweet family photo featuring Justin and their two kids, Maiya, nine, and Maxwell, seven, alongside a telling message to mark his 41st birthday.

The photo appears to have been taken during their vacation in Hawaii – and Emily made it clear she will always “choose” her husband.

“Happy birthday my love. Celebrating the man, husband, and father that you are. I’d choose you again and again,” she penned.

Emily’s message comes after Justin’s lawyers released unedited footage from It Ends With Us with the intention of disproving Blake’s claim that he made her uncomfortable during filming.

On December 20, Blake filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department, accusing Justin – who directed and co-starred in the film – of creating a hostile work environment through sexual harassment, among other things, and using “sinister retaliatory tactics” in an effort to smear her name.

On New Year’s Eve, she filed a lawsuit against Justin in a New York federal court, mirroring her earlier claims. In addition to Justin, she is suing his production company Wayfarer Studios, and publicists Melissa Nathan and Jennifer Abel.

The video released by Justin’s lawyers on January 21 features a dance scene between Blake and Justin in the movie, which she claims was unprofessional because Justin nuzzled her neck.

However, his lawyers claim the footage proves both actors were behaving professionally. They said in a statement: “Ms Lively’s complaint alleges that during a scene Mr Baldoni and Ms Lively were filming for a slow dance montage, Mr Baldoni was behaving inappropriately.

“The following videos captured on May 23, 2023, clearly refute Ms Lively’s characterization of his behavior. The scene in question was designed to show the two characters falling in love and longing to be close to one another.

“Both actors are clearly behaving well within the scope of the scene and with mutual respect and professionalism. These are all three takes filmed of the sequence.”

After the clip surfaced, Blake’s team quickly hit back with a statement on why it proves her harassment claims in their eyes.

“Justin Baldoni and his lawyer may hope that this latest stunt will get ahead of the damaging evidence against him, but the video itself is damning,” the statement read.

“The video shows Mr Baldoni repeatedly leaning in toward Ms Lively, attempting to kiss her, kissing her forehead, rubbing his face and mouth against her neck, flicking her lip with his thumb, caressing her, telling her how good she smells, and talking with her out of character.”

The New York Times broke the news of the lawsuit on December 21, claiming Justin hired a crisis PR team to “bury” Blake and intentionally slander her credibility and reputation.

Days later, Justin filed a libel lawsuit against the publication’s coverage of Blake’s accusations, claiming it pushed an “unverified and self-serving narrative”.

He also filed a $400 million lawsuit against Blake, her husband Ryan Reynolds, 48, and their publicist, claiming defamation and extortion.

Justin has denied all allegations and last month, his lawyer Brian Freedman called them “false, outrageous and intentionally salacious with an intent to publicly hurt”.

Lanterns Series Finds Its Sinestro With The Blacklist Star

As DC begins production on its much-anticipated Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, another high anticipated object is rounding out its cast with a key character. Deadline is reporting that Ulrich Thomsen (Counterpart, The Blacklist) has been cast as the iconic villain Sinestro in DC’s Green Lantern television series Lanterns, joining an already stacked cast.

That cast includes Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan, Aaron Pierre as John Stewart, Kelly MacDonald Sheriff Kerry, Garret Dillahunt as William Macon, and Poorna Jagannathan as Zoe. Dillahunt could end up playing the role of Black Hand, but with Sinestro, the biggest Green Lantern villain of all time enters the fray.

Sinestro holds the distinction of being a former Green Lantern before turning to the villainous side, though he arrived at that place in a unique way. Sinestro was heralded as one of the greatest Lanterns before being exposed for his tyrannical methods by his rookie partner Hal Jordan.

That would send Sinestro on quite the journey, where he harnessed the power of fear and became a master of the yellow power ring. He would then create an entire Corps centered around Fear, which also held its own Power Battery, and later would clash many ties with the Green Lantern Corps. Sinestro has pushed Jordan and the rest of the Corps to their absolute limits on multiple occasions, so having him in the mix for the show raises the stakes tenfold.

Thomsen is known for a host of popular projects, including NBC’s hit series The Blacklist and Cinemax’s Banshee as Kai Proctor He’s also starred in the Scandinavian series Trom, Starz’ Counterpart, and HBO’s The Young Pope, and will also be featured in Uwe Boll’s Run alongside Amanda Plummer.

Chris Mundy is the showrunner for Lanterns, while Tom King and Damon Lindelof are co-writing and executive producing the series. James Hawes is also executive producing and will be directing the show’s first two episodes. Lanterns is expected to debut in 2026, but no specific release date has been announced yet.

Are you excited for DC’s Lanterns? You can talk all things Green Lantern with me on Bluesky @knightofoa!

Godzilla x Kong sequel adds The Last of Us season 2 star to cast

The sequel to Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire has found its next star.

Per Deadline, Kaitlyn Dever is in talks to join the next Godzilla x Kong entry in Legendary’s MonsterVerse. The new movie will continue centering the story around Kong and Godzilla as they interact with new human characters to face a “cataclysmic, world-ending threat.” Grant Sputore will direct from a screenplay by Dave Callaham. Sputore replaces Adam Wingard, who directed the previous two Godzilla Kong movies.

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Dever’s star has been on the rise since 2019’s Booksmart. Dever garnered Golden Globe nominations for her work in Netflix’s Unbelievable and Hulu’s Dopesick, with the latter resulting in an Emmy nod. Dever will next headline Netflix’s Apple Cider Vinegar, a Netflix series about an Australian scammer who launched a media empire by lying about a cancer diagnosis. Apple Cider Vinegar streams on February 6, 2025.

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After Apple Cider Vinegar, Dever will appear in The Last of Us season 2 as Abby, one of the most polarizing characters from the video game series. The HBO series returns for its sophomore season this April.

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire | Official Trailer 2

The two Titans first clashed in 2021’s Godzilla vs. Kong. Despite the day-and-date release, Godzilla vs. Kong became the eighth-highest-grossing movie of 2021 at $470 million.

The success of Godzilla vs. Kong spawned the 2024 sequel, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. Instead of fighting for global supremacy, Godzilla and Kong teamed up to face new threats in Hollow Earth. The film starred Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, and Dan Stevens. Released in March 2024, The New Empire became the highest-grossing Godzilla film at $571 million.

Warner Bros. has an upcoming MonsterVerse film slated for March 26, 2027. In all likelihood, that date is for the Dever-led entry.

Jewel apologizes to longtime fans for performing at Robert F. Kennedy

Jewel apologized to fans for performing for Robert F. Kennedy Jr’s Make America Healthy Again Inaugural Ball.

The artist sang Somewhere Over The Rainbow for Kennedy, who is Donald Trump’s pick for secretary of the Department of health and human services.

The singer, 50, said she decided to perform in order to help ‘shape policy’ involving mental health.

‘As many of you know, I am a mental health advocate. If there’s anything that I’ve learned in the past 20 years, it’s that mental health affects everybody’s lives – across party lines,’ Jewel said in the video she shared to her Instagram page Friday.

Jewel said she was ‘so sorry’ to her longtime fans if she caused them pain, especially her LGBTQIA+ fans.

‘I reached out to the last administration, spoke with the surgeon general about the mental health crisis that’s facing our nation. I don’t know if you guys know the stats, but it is bleak,’ she said.

Jewel apologized to fans for performing for Robert F. Kennedy Jr’s Make America Healthy Again Inaugural Ball

Adding: ‘If I wait to try until I agree 100% with the people that might be willing to help me, I’d never get off the bench. I don’t think that’s how activism works, waiting until everything’s perfect enough to participate.’

Jewel continued: ‘It’s actually… because things are so imperfect that we have to find ways to engaged and to participate. And we have to act now. We cannot wait until four years.’

Read More A-List singer performed for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. during surprise appearance at inauguration ball

‘I believe there are people in the new administration that are willing to help on this issue. And I do not agree on all the politics but if I can help shape policy, make sure mental health is in the conversation when it comes to American health, if I can help put resources or mental health tools into the hands of most vulnerable who need it, I’m going to try and I’m going to fight.

She continued: ‘And I understand that my words were overly simplistic. Half of our country feels hope right now. And I honor that. And half of our country feels disenfranchised and scared and vulnerable. And that is unacceptable.’

‘And I’m so sorry I caused pain, especially to my LGBTQIA+ community because you guys are treasures. You make the world a better place. You’ve made my life a better place. And I will not stop fighting. None of us can afford to stop fighting. And I really believe that the only way we change is in relationship. It isn’t isolation or by isolating, it’s by being in relationship, by reaching out, by having hard conversations. And I really hope that we can push through our hurt and move toward understanding on both sides.’

‘It pains me and i’m so sorry to some of my longtime fans who feel that I let them down. I want to be a ray of light in this world. I try hard to be a ray of light in your lives and I know that in times of darkness, we must grow light. And so I will wake up again tomorrow and try again and I will count on each of you to do the same. I have so much admiration for each of you,’ she concluded.

Jewel made the unexpected appearance during inauguration festivities for Donald Trump, as she took the stage to perform at the event, held on Monday night at the Waldorf Astoria in Washington, D.C.

The You Were Meant for Me hitmaker performed Somewhere Over the Rainbow for Kennedy, 71 — who has been picked by Trump as his choice for the new secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services — and Hines, 59.

The singer, 50, said she decided to perform in order to help ‘shape policy’ involving mental health

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Jewel delighted attendees of the Make America Healthy Again Inaugural Ball, with a surprise performance for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his wife, Cheryl Hines

Jewel was the surprise musical guest at the Make America Healthy Again Inaugural Ball, performing for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his wife, Cheryl Hines.

In a video shared on X Jewel took the stage, telling the crowd: ‘I am happy to be here. I want to thank Bobby for sacrificing so much to make America healthy again. To start treating us like we’re a whole human. We’re a physical, mental and an emotional body.’

The musician explained that she selected Somewhere Over the Rainbow for its symbolic significance.

‘I think that it sums up the hope that founded America and that I think we’re all feeling again,’ Jewel stated.

The Grammy Award-winner was a vision in a timeless black-and-white gown.

The appearance from Jewel, who did not publicly endorse any presidential candidate during the 2024 election, was Kennedy’s gift to Hines, as she is his wife’s ‘favorite’ artist.

Read MoreEXCLUSIVE Carrie Underwood’s demands for Donald Trump’s inauguration performance revealed

Hines was moved to tears by Jewel’s a cappella performance, as she watched from the side of the stage.

Kennedy spoke to the crowd at the ball, recalling how Jewels’ performance came to be.

‘I got a call from a woman, who is Cheryl’s favorite musical artist in her whole life, and she said to me, “I’m going to come and sing to the crowd tonight,”‘ he told the audience, adding, ‘We have a special treat. Please welcome Jewel.’

The singer was not previously included on the list of performers for the 2025 Inauguration events.

In the video Kennedy was also heard telling the crowd: ‘We’re going to go out and make America healthy again.’

The ball also featured appearances from Russell Brand and Rob Schneider.

The singer made an unexpected appearance during inauguration festivities for Donald Trump, held on Monday night in Washington, D.C.; Kennedy and Hines pictured at the event

The hitmaker performed Somewhere Over the Rainbow for Kennedy, who has been picked by Trump as his choice for the new secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services

In a video shared on X Jewel took the stage, telling the crowd: ‘I am happy to be here. I want to thank Bobby for sacrificing so much to make America healthy again’

Hines was moved to tears by Jewel’s a cappella performance, as she watched from the side of the stage

The appearance from Jewel, who did not publicly endorse any presidential candidate during the 2024 election, was Kennedy’s gift to Hines, as she is his wife’s ‘favorite’ artist he told the crowd

The inaugural event was billed as a ‘celebration of health’ and ‘unity’ to ‘champion a healthier, brighter future for all’, per Entertainment Weekly.

Earlier this month Jewel shared a photo featuring her with Kennedy and his kids while attending an event for the Inspiring Children Foundation.

Not all her fans are pleased by her association with the Trump administration.

Underneath her photo with Kennedy one fan wrote: ‘What a disappointment. I have shed actual tears over this, as ridiculous as that may sound. For some reason I thought you were different. You’re free to think how you want, obviously, but your message heretofore has been one of love and compassion-the exact opposite of what the incoming administration is about.’

‘Eww RFK Jr? Who will save your soul?’ another wrote.

‘The first pics with RFK jr was certainly a choice and a message. So sad when your favorites go to that dark side.’

‘A profound unfollow,’ another wrote, while someone else chimed in with, ‘ewww between your love for the Trump family and RFK, I’m out. I used to think you were better than this.’

She is not the first performer who received backlash from fans for attending inauguration events.

Earlier this month Jewel shared a photo featuring her with Kennedy and his kids while attending an event for the Inspiring Children Foundation

Not all her fans are pleased by her association with the Trump administration

A number of performers have received backlash from fans for attending inauguration events, including Carrie Underwood; She is seen performing at President Trump’s inauguration

Carrie Underwood took to the stage to sing America The Beautiful at the U.S. Capitol during Trump’s inauguration.

Ahead of her appearance, Underwood faced backlash for agreeing to perform at the ceremony.

Despite criticism, the singer has maintained that she decided to sing at Trump’s inauguration simply out of pride for her country.

‘I love our country and am honored to have been asked to sing at the Inauguration and to be a small part of this historic event,’ she said in a previous statement.

‘I am humbled to answer the call at a time when we must all come together in the spirit of unity and looking to the future.’

Rappers Nelly and Snoop Dogg also faced fierce criticism for performing at the inauguration events.

‘Paradise’ review: Sterling K. Brown powers through Hulu’s wobbly political thriller

After 10 years as an accomplished screenwriter, Dan Fogelman (Crazy, Stupid, Love) became a household name with This Is Us, the hit NBC drama that initially hooked viewers with its exhilarating premiere twist. Now Fogelman is back with Hulu’s Paradise, a political thriller that shares nothing in common with This Is Us except its star, Sterling K. Brown, and its own mind-rattling revelation in the opening hour. Paradise starts strong, but the series undermines its compelling opener with predictable, trope-heavy storytelling that’s only partially salvaged by the drama’s excellent leads.

Brown plays Xavier Collins, a Secret Service agent who lives with his two kids, James (Percy Daggs IV) and Presley (Aliyah Mastin), in the quiet community of Paradise. He spends his days protecting U.S. President Cal Bradford (James Marsden), one of the city’s many high-profile residents. But Xavier’s daily routine is shattered one morning when he discovers President Bradford dead in his bedroom — a development that immediately places him and fellow agent Billy Robinson (Jon Beavers) under suspicion. As Samantha Redmond (Julianne Nicholson), one of the President’s top advisors, takes charge of the investigation, Xavier launches his own search for answers, which is made infinitely more urgent and complicated by [BIG REDACTED TWIST HERE].

The premiere, scripted by Fogelman, unveils Paradise’s massive surprise with the kind of skillful, unhurried confidence that will prompt many viewers to watch the episode again in search of clues they missed. Regrettably, that finesse falls away as the season progresses, jumping between two timelines: Before and after Bradford’s death. Sidelined by Redmond while the investigation is ongoing, Xavier pushes another one of the President’s advisors, Dr. Gabriel Torabi (Sarah Shahi), for insider intel. Torabi used to be Redmond’s personal therapist, and as a character, her motivations are murky and vaguely drawn enough that we’re probably supposed to suspect that she’s hiding something. Seven episodes into the eight-part season, though, it seems the good doctor’s main purpose is providing exposition and serving as a lukewarm love interest for Xavier.

Far more interesting is Redmond herself. Part Sheryl Sandberg, part Bond villain, Samantha Redmond — whose Secret Service code name, we’re told multiple times, is “Sinatra” — clearly knows more about Bradford’s death than she’s letting on. “Something’s not right with that woman,” Xavier intones. He’s correct; humanizing flashbacks reveal the tragic events that led Redmond to hold such a position of power in Paradise. Nicholson plays the dueling aspects of her character to the hilt — I mean that as a compliment — making both her despair and her icy domination fully believable.

As for the victim, President Cal Bradford had enough enemies to power Paradise’s murder mystery for much of the season. Cal was carrying on an affair with Agent Robinson (Krys Marshall), though he was still married to his estranged wife (Cassidy Freeman). Xavier himself had a falling out with his boss several years ago, and the [BIG REDACTED TWIST HERE] certainly could have left the President open to violent feedback from other unhappy citizens. Publicly, Cal Bradford is immensely charming, joking that he doesn’t know where Syria is on a map and taking pride in being, in his words, “the funniest president.” But he was also an alcoholic who spent his last few days before his death wandering around in a bathrobe with a drink in his hand, second-guessing his decisions as leader of the free world. Marsden, a soulful actor in a matinee idol’s body, is phenomenal as Cal, especially in his scenes with Gerald McRaney, who plays the President’s dictatorial and dementia-stricken father, Kane.

After premiering with three episodes on January 28, Paradise will roll out weekly. Each hour ends with a new cliffhanger, but none are as effective as the premiere twist — and most are more frustrating than tantalizing. A subplot with Xavier’s pilot father (Glynn Turman) appears to peter out with no resolution; reveals are telegraphed; and the other romantic storyline, between Presley and Cal’s brooding musician son (Charlie Evans), also fizzles. Though Xavier toggles between grim resolve and tamped-down grief, Brown is never not watchable, and he rises above Paradise’s uneven writing.

Viewers who hold out until episode 7 (dropping February 25) will be rewarded with an excellent hour of television — propulsive, suspenseful, moving, and terrifying. It’s one of those How We Got Here™ flashbacks, and it’s immensely satisfying. Hulu did not make the finale available to critics, so it’s difficult to say with certainty whether viewers should push through to the end. If it weren’t for professional obligation, I might have turned Paradise off around episode 4. Ultimately, I’m glad I didn’t. While the penultimate episode doesn’t make up for all the series’ shortcomings, it confirmed that Fogelman has an intriguing story to tell — one that probably didn’t need to contort itself with so many narrative gymnastics. Twists can be fun, but sometimes simplicity is heaven. Grade: B-

DJ Unk, ‘Walk It Out’ and ‘2 Step’ Rapper, Dies at 43

DJ Unk, ‘Walk It Out’ and ‘2 Step’ Rapper, Dies at 43

Steven J. Horowitz

January 25, 2025 at 1:46 AM

DJ Unk, the Atlanta rapper behind the hits “Walk It Out” and “2 Step,” died at the age of 43.

Unk, born Anthony Platt, was one of the key figures in snap music, a subgenre of crunk that came to prominence in the mid-2000s. As a solo artist, he scored the hits “Walk It Out” and “2 Step” in 2006, the former of which peaked at No. 2 and the latter which reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot Rap Songs chart.

Several family members and longtime associates on social media confirmed news of Unk’s death. “Please respect me and my family,” wrote his wife Sherkita Long-Platt on Facebook. “I just lost my husband and my kids just lost their father. Our life will never be the same. I LOVE YOU ANTHONY FOREVER.”

A representative from his former label Big Oomp Records also confirmed the news on social media. “It is with a heavy heart and profound sadness that we announce the passing of a true ATL legend, Anthony Platt better known as ‘DJ Unk,’” reads a statement reshared to Oomp’s Instagram Stories. “DJ Unk was not just a legendary DJ, rapper and producer, but a true cornerstone of our label and the imprint that he left globally will be cherished forever.” A cause of death has not been revealed.

In 1998, Unk began spinning records at the age of 17, linking up with DJ Jelly and DJ Montay as the Southern Style DJs. In 2000, Unk signed to Big Oomp Records and released his debut album “Beat’n Down Yo Block!” in 2006 through Koch Records, touting guest appearances from Jazze Pha, DJ Montay and Baby D. “Walk It Out” was its runaway smash, spawning a remix featuring André 3000 and Jim Jones. He released his sophomore album “2econd Season” in 2008 and it performed slightly better than its predecessor but failed to produce singles that achieved the same success.

In Aug. 2009, Unk suffered a heart attack, which he blamed on a combination of nonstop touring, poor eating habits, and drinking and smoking. “It comes from not exercising, from not eating right,” he told XXL Magazine in 2010. “Basically man, I work hard everyday. Everything I do every day I try to make something happen in my household. I constantly be on the go, I constantly be on airplanes, in different weather and you know it just took a toll on me. It was stress.”

Unk’s music output trickled in the years that followed, with a few one-off singles and a full-length titled “Fresh Off Dem Papers” that dropped in 2017. He appeared on stage at the BET Awards in 2023 to perform “Walk It Out” as part of a medley that also featured Soulja Boy and F.L.Y.

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‘Pee-wee Herman’ star Paul Reubens comes out as gay in posthumous…

Late actor Paul Reubens, known for portraying the character Pee-wee Herman, came out as gay in his posthumous HBO documentary.

The two-part HBO special, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival Thursday night, features Reubens’ final interviews before he died of cancer in July 2023 at age 70.

Sitting down with director Matt Wolf for 40 hours worth of interviews, Reubens revealed that he was “secretive about [his] sexuality even to [his] friends.”

“[It was] self-hatred or self-preservation,” he said. “I was conflicted about sexuality. But fame was way more complicated.”

Despite never having come out of the closet while he was alive, he had a boyfriend named Guy before his Hollywood career skyrocketed.

When Reubens’ Pee-wee Herman character started gaining traction, he decided to keep his sexual orientation private.

“I was out of the closet, and then I went back in the closet,” he said in the doc. “I wasn’t pursuing the Paul Reubens career, I was pursuing the Pee-wee Herman career.”

The “Pee-wee’s Big Holiday” star recalled visiting Guy in the hospital when he was dying of AIDS.

“To talk about seeing someone at death’s door. He probably died a couple hours after that,” Reubens shared.

The actor drew inspiration from Guy, like when he would say, “Mmmm! Buttery!” in a Yoda-like tone.

“You can see where that led me,” Reubens said, referring to Pee-wee’s famous one-liner, “Mmmm! Chocolatey!”

Reubens admitted that he had “many, many secret relationships” but that his career always came before his love life.

The improv star “hid behind an alter-ego” and shared that he never told anyone that he was a “huge weed head” or that he was gay.

Reubens was often spotted looking cozy with actress Debi Mazar, who asserted in the doc that he was truly her boyfriend.

“I know people will say, ‘He was gay!’ So what?” Mazer said.

The pressures of concealing Reubens’ true self resulted in a scandal that unraveled his entire career.

In 1991, he was arrested at an adult movie theater and charged with indecent exposure — to which he pleaded no contest.

“I kept who I was a secret for a very long time,” Reubens said. “That really backfired when I got arrested. People had never seen a photo of me other than Pee-wee Herman. And all of a sudden, I had a Charlie Manson mugshot.”

“I lost control of my anonymity. It was devastating.”

To mitigate the backlash, his crisis PR team staged a paparazzi photo of Reubens on a date with a woman at a Los Angeles restaurant. He also appeared as Pee-wee at the 1991 MTV Music Awards and was a guest on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” and “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.”

Still, the damage was done and Reubens said he never fully recovered from the incident.

“It’s shocking what horrible, awful stuff people think about me,” Reubens said. “It’s still a significant footnote… 30 years later I still feel the effects all the time.”

Nearly a decade after his first arrest, Reubens made headlines again when his home was raided and he was charged with possessing images that were believed to be child pornography.

Reubens, an avid collector of rare memorabilia, argued that the photos were “vintage erotica” that even existed in college libraries. The charges were eventually dropped in 2004 and he pleaded guilty to a lesser obscenity charge.

Mazer, as well as David Arquette and his then-wife Courteney Cox, all stood by Reubens’ side throughout the fallout.

He eventually had a small comeback, starring in “The Pee-wee Herman Show” on Broadway in 2010 and making the 2016 film “Pee-wee’s Big Holiday,” among other smaller acting and voice roles.

Reubens wanted to make the documentary so he could share the truth about his legacy.

“More than anything, the reason I wanted to make a documentary was for people to see who I really am, and how painful and dreadful it was to be labeled something I wasn’t,” he said. “To be labeled a pariah; to have people be scared of you, or untrusting.”

While the intention was to tell his whole story, text messages show that Reubens stopped replying to Wolf and other movie staffers when he was asked about the obscenity.

He never sat for another interview, but as his health started waning, Reubens decided to send a final audio message to the director – never revealing that he was dying of cancer.

“My whole career, everything I did and wrote, was based in love,” he said in his final note.

Troubling reason Michael Jackson biopic’s release date delayed

The hotly-anticipated Michael Jackson biopic had its release date delayed by six months due to legal issues over dramatizing sexual abuse accuser Jordan Chandler and his family.

Michael, starring the King of Pop’s nephew Jaafar Jackson, was originally set for release on April 18, 2025 but Lionsgate announced last November the film will hit theaters months later on Oct. 3, 2025.

In 1993 Chandler won a reported $23million settlement from Jackson after his father Evan Chandler launched accusations that MJ sexually abused him at the age of 13. The singer was never charged over the allegations.

Now Puck co-founder Matthew Belloni reports the film’s storyline, the conclusion of which ‘hinges specifically on the impact of the Chandler circus’ will have to be rewritten and reshot.

It was claimed that as part of the settlement the Jackson family signed with Chandler, they are prevented from ever dramatizing the Chandler family or the incident

It was further claimed that part of the deal was not revealed to Michael producers and director Antoine Fuqua until last fall, when the $150million biopic had competed filming.

The hotly-anticipated Michael Jackson biopic had its release date delayed by six months due to legal issues over dramatizing sexual abuse accuser Jordan Chandler and his family – pictured Jaafar Jackson as MJ in the film

Belloni writes: ‘In the script I read – which I’m told was close to final, but obviously these things are often revised – a tense sequence involves Branca (Miles Teller), Johnnie Cochran (Derek Luke), and other Jackson lawyers discussing whether to pay off Chandler and his family.”

‘At one point, the lawyers play the infamous recording, submitted in court, of Jordan’s father threatening to leverage his son’s accusations to ‘destroy’ his ex-wife and Jackson’s career.

‘The ensuing scenes dramatize the extensive police investigation, including a ‘traumatizing’ strip search of Michael that scars him for life.’

Michael is co-produced by Graham King alongside John McClain and John Branca who are executors of the Michael Jackson estate.

Therefore ‘several key scenes’ are now ‘unusable and the film is under threat unless Universal agree to expensive reshoots, the publication claims.

Belloni said his sources are ‘confident and hopeful’ the issues will be resolved before the film’s October release.

A source connected to the film told TMZ there will be reshoots in March but declined to comment on whether these will eliminate Chandler scenes.

DailyMail.com has contacted representatives for Michael Jackson’s Estate, Universal, Fuqua and King for comment.

In 1993 Chandler won a reported $23million settlement from Jackson after his father Evan Chandler launched accusations that MJ sexually abused him at the age of 13. The singer was never charged over the allegations – pictured 1992

It was claimed that as part of the settlement the Jackson family signed with Chandler, they are prevented from ever dramatizing the Chandler family or the incident – Jaafar pictured in the film

MJ faced trial in Santa Maria, California in 2005 in connection with claims of child sexual abuse, of which he was acquitted

The movie also stars Colman Domingo and Nia Long in the roles of Jackson’s parents Joe and Katherine Jackson. Rounding out the cast include Laura Harrier, Kat Graham, Larenz Tate and Jessica Sula.

The film is expected to cover all aspects of Jackson’s life and career, including his legal issues.

Lionsgate comedy Good Fortune which stars Aziz Ansari, Seth Rogen, Keke Palmer, Sandra Oh and Keanu Reeves will debut October 17 2025.

Read More Michael Jackson’s biopic Michael will be ‘the biggest movie we’ve ever had,’ studio exec predicts

Michael is garnering huge expectations from the studio.

‘I think that’ll be the biggest movie we’ve ever had,’ said Lionsgate president of worldwide television distribution Jim Packer while speaking at a symposium for Gabelli Media & Entertainment Symposium, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Packer said that hype was high for the forthcoming film, which is which is directed by Antoine Fuqua.

‘The buzz that we’re getting every time a photo gets released is kind of crazy,’ Packer said of the motion picture, which comes on the heels of biopics about other musical icons such as Elvis Presley, Elton John and Freddie Mercury.

Packer said during the session that Lionsgate is going to focus on intellectual property and ‘produce [and] distribute film and TV’ projects.

Packer said Lionsgate is going to focus on intellectual property and ‘produce [and] distribute film and TV’ projects.

Jaafar, who is the son of Jermaine Jackson and Alejandra Genevieve Oaziaza, has been busy in recent months with production on the motion picture.

He filmed scenes for the biopic last month in Los Angeles, recreating the iconic video for Thriller; in May in downtown Los Angeles; and in Encino, California in March.

Jackson was pictured onstage on London in 1987

A trailer for the film aired to a strong reaction in April at CinemaCon in Las Vegas, Variety reported, as the preview was part of Lionsgate’s showcase to movie theater owners.

In the preview, a voice attributed to that of his mother Katherine Jackson could be heard telling her son, ‘There might be some people who think you’re different and that’s gonna make life a little harder for you.

‘But you never were like anyone else – Michael, you have a very special light – so make that light shine onto the world.’

A voice attributed to Michael Jackson is heard saying, ‘When I’m not onstage everything feels foreign to me.’

Ahead of the cinematic showcase, the film’s producer Graham King said the movie would be ‘an inside look at the most prolific artist who ever lived’ as ‘there are elements of drama, intrigue and emotional states.’

King said he’s been working on this film for seven years and conducted hundreds of interviews in an effort to get the best insights for the forthcoming project.

Jaafar showed he had nailed his late uncle’s signature dance moves as he posed on his toes, while clad in a black hat, suit and white top; Michael pictured in 1988

MJ also faced trial in Santa Barbara, California in 2005 in connection with separate claims of child sexual abuse, of which he was acquitted.

King said the film will ‘get into all of it,’ adding that ‘behind the unrelenting scrutiny and the accusations and the spotlight, he was simply a man – a man with a very complicated life.’

King said people told him he would be challenged to find an actor to fill the role, which he feels Jaafar has done splendidly.

‘When I started out, everyone said, “You’ll never find anyone to play him,”‘ King said.

A$AP Rocky Trial: Lawyer Says Rapper Fired ‘Two Warning Shots’ from Starter Pistol to Protect Pal

Sean Combs’ Lawyers Say ‘Freak Off’ Videos Show ‘Fully Consenting Adults’

A$AP Rocky sat in a California courtroom with everything on the line Friday as prosecutors told jurors he fired multiple shots from a 9mm semiautomatic pistol during a fight with former friend A$AP Relli on a Hollywood street corner three years ago. Rocky’s lawyer said the rapper didn’t shoot anyone, calling Relli’s allegation a lie concocted for cash.

In a dramatic rebuttal to prosecutors’ opening statement on the first day of Rocky’s gun assault trial, defense attorney Joseph Tacopina said publicly for the first time that Rocky, born Rakim Mayers, admits he pulled the trigger on the firearm he was carrying that night. He said Mayers fired “two warning shots” from his “starter gun” to break up an alleged scuffle between Relli and A$AP Illz, another member of their A$AP Mob collective whose legal name is Illijah Ulanger.

“Rocky fired that prop gun,” Tacopina told the jury. “He fired twice, hoping the sound would be enough to scare off Relli and protect Illz.”

The defense lawyer said the evidence will show lots of people in Mayers’ inner circle knew he carried a “fake gun” to “scare off attackers” after he was the victim of prior violence and a stalker. Tacopina said the specific gun in Rocky’s hands that night was a starter pistol “prop gun” that came from the set of a music video he filmed months earlier with his superstar girlfriend Rihanna, the mother of his two young sons.

“This case about one mans’ lies, jealousy and greed,” Tacopina said, calling Relli the “source of all the evidence” in the case. “Ladies and gentleman, this case is all about money. The evidence will show it’s nothing more than a money grab,” Tacopina said. “The evidence will make clear Relli is trying to leverage a fabricated story to extract money.”

In the state’s opening statement, prosecutors showed some of their own evidence for the first time. They introduced a 911 call in which a woman said she witnessed the “shooting” and showed a photo of a loaded 9mm gun magazine allegedly recovered from Rocky’s home during a search.

“This is not a complicated case,” Deputy District Attorney Paul Przelomiec told the jury in downtown Los Angeles. He asked the panel of seven women and five men “to not leave your common sense at the door.”

Rocky, 36, is on trial for allegedly shooting Relli, born Terell Ephron, amid a caught-on-camera quarrel not far from the famed intersection of Hollywood and Vine on Nov. 6, 2021. It was during a hearing on Tuesday that Tacopina first claimed in open court that the gun was a starter pistol incapable of firing actual bullets.

Much of Przelomiec’s opening statement covered the video evidence presented during a probable cause hearing in November 2023. He played the 911 call to set the scene and connect Mayers to the alleged shooting by physical description. “There’s been a shooting,” the female caller, who identified herself as a nearby resident, says in the audio played in court. “We watched it. … The guy in the black sweatshirt pulled out a gun.” Przelomiec said the woman later declined to speak with police.

Przelomiec showed grainy video of the alleged incident in which four tiny figures are seen sparring on at the intersection of Selma Ave. and Vista Del Mar Ave. after an initial confrontation near a parking garage outside the W Hotel. The blurry black and white video shows no muzzle flash and had no sound when it was recorded. Unlike when it was played at a preliminary hearing in November 2023, the video played in court Friday was synchronized with the sound of two loud cracking noises that was captured as the audio to a surveillance video recorded by a building around the corner. Przelomiec told jurors they were able to marry the two videos thanks to a security floodlight that activated at one point during the incident.

Przelomiec also said for the first time that when police searched Mayers’ home on April 20, 2022, they found a magazine for a semiautomatic pistol loaded with six 9mm Luger bullets in a box in his bedroom closet. He said there was “no handgun to go with it” but that two expended casings allegedly recovered from the scene by Ephron were 9mm casings.

In his dueling presentation, Tacopina said seven police officers responded to the scene of the alleged shooting and never found any casings. He said surveillance video of Ephron back at the scene a short time later showed him scouring the same area police previously searched with their flashlights. The lawyer also told jurors the brand of bullets in the magazine at Mayers’ house did not match the casings handed over by Ephron. He said a witness is expected to further testify that the magazine belonged to someone other than Mayers.

Mayers’ trial on two counts of assault with a semiautomatic weapon comes at a pivotal time in his life and career. He’s now the father to two children with superstar singer and “life partner” Rihanna. He’s also set to headline the Los Angeles Rolling Loud California festival set for March, and he was tapped to serve as co-chair of the next Met Gala alongside Pharrell Williams and LeBron James in May. Music fans are awaiting the imminent release of his fourth studio album, Don’t Be Dumb. Mayers is due to make his acting debut as one of the main characters in Spike Lee’s upcoming “reinterpretation” of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 kidnapping drama High and Low. The new film, titled Highest 2 Lowest, was shot last year in New York with co-stars Denzel Washington and fellow rapper Ice Spice.

With so much at stake, it was a telling moment Tuesday when Mayers rejected a last-minute plea deal from prosecutors offering six months in county jail, a 7-year suspended prison sentence and three years of supervised probation. “I respectfully decline, thank you,” Mayers told the court. If convicted as charged, Mayers is facing a maximum sentence of 24 years in prison, though prosecutors said they would recommend between 10 and 12 years. Tacopina has repeatedly said he considers the defense position “strong.” Mayers has been walking in and out of court this week with a distinct air of confidence.

Mayers was first arrested over the case in April 2022. Back then, the incident was described by police as an argument between acquaintances that escalated into gunfire. Rolling Stone was the first to identify the alleged victim after learning Ephron had filed a civil complaint.

At Mayers’ probable cause hearing in November 2023, Ephron testified that he and Mayers were fighting because he believed Mayers had failed to pay for a friend’s funeral. He recalled sending an embittered text on Oct. 28, 2021, because he believed Mayers had become “big-headed.” “You so fucking fake it’s sad,” the text shown on a screen in court read. “Don’t ever forget who introduced you to this life,” Ephron wrote in another text. He told the court he was the one who brought Mayers into the A$AP fold when they were high school students in New York. (Under cross-examination, Ephron said he eventually learned Mayers paid for the entire funeral.)

Describing the night of the alleged assault, Ephron testified that he was staying at a hotel when Mayers suggested they meet face to face. He claimed the meeting turned into an armed ambush, with Mayers brandishing a gun while flanked by Ulanger as well as Jamel Da’Shawn Phillips, also known as A$AP Twelvyy. In his testimony, he said the argument continued down the block. He claimed he taunted Mayers before the rapper allegedly turned around and fired an initial shot that “grazed” the knuckles on his left hand. He claimed he rushed to grab Ulanger to use him “as a shield.” He said Mayers fired two or three more times before everyone fled the scene.

LAPD detective Frank Flores testified at the 2023 hearing that no weapons were ever recovered in the case. He also conceded the video was inconclusive. “[There’s] nothing clear that shows it,” meaning the purported gunfire, he said. The detective claimed that “collectively,” the videos tell a plausible story, but Tacopina pushed back. “I’m not asking for opinion,” Tacopina interrupted, asking again if the video showed a shooting. “Nothing definitively shows,” the detective answered.

Tacopina, an aggressive defense lawyer known for representing high-profile clients including Meek Mill, YG, and Donald Trump, has deflected repeated questions about whether Rihanna would attend the trial. “I know Rocky is very protective of Rihanna and doesn’t want her anywhere near this proceeding. But that’s a family decision they’ll make,” he said Jan. 15.

On Tuesday, Tacopina told Judge Mark Arnold that the “Umbrella” singer likely would make a cameo. “I anticipate at some point, but certainly not every day, and certainly not now,” Tacopina said.

At multiple hearings leading up to trial, Judge Arnold inquired about Rihanna. But he also stated Mayers’ celebrity standing would have no bearing on his oversight of the trial. “You’re not going to get any special treatment. Your status as an entertainer, your status as the significant other of Rihanna, that’s not going to inure to your benefit, and it’s not going to inure to your harm,” he told the artist.

“You are aware that if convicted, you will go into custody and it’s very likely you will get a significant prison sentence?” the judge asked Tuesday.

7 Benefits of Year-Round SPF Application

**Shine On: Why Year-Round SPF Protection is a Game-Changer for Your Skin**

No more excuses, folks—it’s time to gear up and embrace SPF as a staple in your daily routine. We often associate sunscreen with the sun-kissed days of summer, but the truth is, those pesky UVA and UVB rays aren’t going on vacation anytime soon. They’re out there, with a mission to wreak havoc on your skin. Let’s unpack why sunscreen is more than just a sunny-day essential—it’s your skin’s year-round best friend.

**Apply SPF Daily**

Make SPF your daily armor—no debates, no forgetting. Sunscreen isn’t just a summer love affair; it’s a lifelong commitment to keeping your skin healthy. Shield your skin from the sun’s relentless rays and step out with confidence, knowing you’ve got this.

**Understand UVA and UVB Rays**

Put these rays under the microscope—UVA rays are sly, slipping through clouds and windows, accelerating aging as they go. UVB rays pack a punch, leading to burns and upping the risk of skin cancer. Both are plotting against your skin, so stay vigilant.

**Maintain Skin Evenness**

Consistent protection sets the stage for even-toned, stunning skin. By warding off UV-induced pigmentation, your face will thank you with a radiant glow that’s truly your own.

**Limit Premature Aging**

Sunscreen is like hitting pause on the aging process—a magical elixir aiding in keeping those fine lines at bay. Say goodbye to premature age spots and hello to smooth, youthful skin.

**Combat Cloud Coverage Myths**

Cloudy day? You’re not off the hook. Those crafty UVA rays are still in full force, penetrating clouds to sneak their way into your skin’s layers. Don’t let the gray skies fool you—SPF is your trusty shield.

**Enhance Skincare Routine**

With SPF in your corner, every other serum and cream works in harmony, unimpeded by UV sabotage. Your skincare efforts remain intact, promoting an all-day-long defense.

**Minimize Risk of Skin Cancer**

This isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about health. Daily SPF application dramatically reduces your risk of skin cancer, a serious contender you’d rather not face off with.

So, take the reins on your skincare regimen and let sunscreen be your year-round hero. Your future self will thank you for your diligence, as you stride forward with unstoppable, glowing confidence.