Elizabeth Wagmeister-Senior Latest Celebrity News & Gossip

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentJamie Spears says that Britney Spears’ personal conservator, Jodi Montgomery, told him that his daughter is “mentally sick” and wanted to place her under a 5150 psychiatric hold.Now, in a statement obtained by Variety, Montgomery is pushing back on Mr. Spears claims — and, once again, asking him to step down from his daughter’s conservatorship.“Ms.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentBack in March, amid escalating controversy surrounding former host Chris Harrison, ABC Entertainment and Warner Horizon committed to hiring an executive producer of color for “The Bachelor.” Now, Variety has exclusively learned that the franchise has named its first-ever Black executive producer.Jodi Baskerville, a veteran producer who has been with “The Bachelor” franchise for nearly 10 years, has been elevated to EP, numerous individuals close to

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentLast week, when Paris Hilton was set to begin a press tour for her new Netflix show, “Cooking With Paris,” the socialite-turned-businesswoman woke up to tabloid rumors that falsely reported she and her fiancé, venture capitalist Carter Reum, were expecting their first child.Hilton’s response to the fake pregnancy news provides a glimpse into her ever-growing empire — and the brains behind her burgeoning businesses.“I can’t wait to have children in 2022,

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentTayshia Adams and Kaitlyn Bristowe have closed deals to serve as co-hosts for the upcoming 18th season of ABC’s “The Bachelorette.”ABC and Warner Bros. Unscripted Television have confirmed the news with Variety.Adams and Bristowe are currently co-hosting the 17th season of “The Bachelorette,” starring leading lady Katie Thurston, which is airing on Monday nights and wraps up with its finale later this month.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentWhen Paris Hilton woke up on Tuesday morning, she was ready to dive into a full day of press for her new Netflix series, “Cooking With Paris.” She was not, however, planning to field questions about the pregnancy rumors that had spread online, after a tabloid report was published, stating that the socialite-turned-businesswoman is expecting her first child, which Hilton says is not true.Although Hilton is used to rumors being spread about her, she tells

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentTommy Dorfman, one of the breakout stars of Netflix’s “13 Reasons Why,” has come out as a trans woman.Dorfman posted on Instagram on Thursday, proudly announcing: “Thrilled to reintroduce myself as the woman I am today.”“I’m especially grateful to every single trans person who walked this path, broke down barriers, and risked their lives to live authentically and radically as themselves before me,” the post continued.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentAfter 13 years of being silenced, Britney Spears’ voice has been heard around the world.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentLess than 10 years ago, a typical Friday night for powerhouse fashion executive Julia Haart consisted of making Shabbos dinner for her husband and family in the ultra-Orthodox community of Monsey in upstate New York.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentA judge on Wednesday allowed Britney Spears to hire her own lawyer, in the latest twist in the 13-year drama over her conservatorship.Ahead of the hearing, the #FreeBritney fans were in full force outside of the Stanley Mosk Courthouse, many dressed up in Britney merchandise and holding signs calling for the conservatorship to end.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentAs Britney Spears’ legal battle ravages on, the buzzy television documentary surrounding the pop star’s conservatorship and the #FreeBritney movement has been nominated for two Emmys.“Framing Britney Spears,” which was produced by the New York Times for FX and Hulu, has been nominated for outstanding documentary or nonfiction special and picture editing for a nonfiction program.The Emmy nominations for “Framing Britney Spears” come just one day before

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentParis Hilton is cooking up a new project: a new series with Netflix, “Cooking With Paris,” Variety has exclusively learned.The amateur cooking show will feature the hotel heiress and business mogul learning her way around the kitchen with the help of her famous friends.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentBritney Spears’ court-appointed attorney, Samuel Ingham III, will resign from the pop star’s conservatorship case, Variety has confirmed.Ingham filed paperwork on Tuesday, asking the Los Angeles Superior Court to dismiss him as Spears’ legal representative. “Samuel D.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentMeghan McCain is departing “The View,” after nearly four years on the ABC daytime show, Variety has confirmed.As the panel’s resident conservative talking head, McCain regularly sparred with her co-hosts, resulting in many viral — and highly-rated — on-air moments. Her last day will be at the end of the show’s season later this summer.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentA judge has shot down Britney Spears’ request to have her father removed from her conservatorship.New court documents that were filed by the Los Angeles Superior Court on Wednesday show that the judge has denied the request by Spears’ attorney, Samuel Ingham III, to remove her father, Jamie Spears, as her sole conservator.“The conservator’s request to suspend James P.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentGloria Allred, who represented many women who spoke up against Bill Cosby, is slamming the court’s decision to overturn the comedian’s sexual assault conviction.The high-powered attorney and women’s rights activist stated that the court’s decision is “devastating” for accusers, but does not vindicate Cosby.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentFollowing his daughter’s explosive testimony, Britney Spears’ father, Jamie Spears, has filed legal paperwork and is shifting blame.This week, an attorney for Jamie Spears filed new documents, obtained by Variety, with the Los Angeles Superior Court regarding the conservatorship of his daughter, stating that he is “concerned” about her treatment.But, the elder Spears is saying that he is not responsible, and he is placing the blame on others,

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentPhylicia Rashad is celebrating Bill Cosby’s shocking release from prison.Moments after word broke that Cosby’s sex assault conviction is being overturned by the court, his former TV wife took to Twitter to share her delight in the news.“FINALLY!!!! A terrible wrong is being righted- a miscarriage of justice is corrected!” Rashad tweeted, along with a photo of Cosby.Rashad played Cosby’s sitcom wife, Clair Huxtable, for all eight seasons on “The Cosby

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentTonight, a familiar face will return to Bachelor Nation.Blake Moynes was first introduced as a contestant on Clare Crawley and Tayshia Adams’ season of “The Bachelorette,” but now, he’ll fight for another leading lady’s heart, as he makes a surprise entrance on Katie Thurston’s season.Moynes is a late addition to Thurston’s group of suitors, and will certainly raise the level of drama among the cast of men, who are already at an all-time competitive

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentJamie Lynn Spears has broken her silence, speaking in support of her sister Britney Spears, following the pop star’s explosive testimony, amid her conservatorship battle.The younger Spears addressed the issue Monday in a series of videos on her Instagram stories, explaining why she had not spoken up until now — in recent days, after her older sister’s court hearing, social media users had been calling for her to speak up, questioning why she had not yet

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentBritney Spears publicly faced a judge in open court this week, for the first time since she was placed under a conservatorship nearly 13 years ago.Her testimony was explosive.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentBritney Spears gave an explosive testimony earlier this week, addressing the court publicly for the first time in the nearly 13 years she has been under a conservatorship.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentBritney Spears continues to speak her truth, as the pop star has decided she will no longer live in silence or in fear of her conservatorship.One day after her explosive testimony at her Wednesday court hearing in her continuous legal battle, Spears has taken to Instagram to speak directly to her fans.“I just want to tell you guys a little secret,” Spears posted on her Instagram on Thursday, along with an image of a whimsical little girl walking into a

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentJustin Timberlake is sending a public message of support to his ex-girlfriend Britney Spears, just hours after she made a passionate statement in court, pleading with a judge to end her controversial conservatorship.“After what we saw today, we should all be supporting Britney at this time,” Timberlake tweeted on Wednesday evening. “Regardless of our past, good and bad, and no matter how long ago it was…what’s happening to her is just not right.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentNow that Chris Harrison is out of “The Bachelor,” who will take over his role as host of the reality dating franchise?ABC and Warner Bros. are in no rush to name a replacement after Harrison departed the franchise he had hosted for 19 years, numerous insiders previously told Variety.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentOn Feb. 9, everything changed for Chris Harrison.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentTayshia Adams and Kaitlyn Bristowe were named temporary replacement co-hosts for Chris Harrison on the current season of “The Bachelorette,” as the longtime host stepped aside amid controversy in March. Harrison’s full departure from the franchise became official shortly after the new season premiered.Now, the door is wide open for a new face of the ABC series.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentChelsea Handler is vaccinated, horny and ready to get back on stage.The comedian is launching a standup comedy show, the “Vaccinated and Horny Tour,” this summer through the end of 2021, Variety has learned.Handler has set 40 nationwide dates with tickets going on sale Friday, June 18.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentAfter 20 seasons, the Kardashian-Jenner family signed off on “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” with the series finale airing Thursday night, marking the end of a reality TV era.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentAs part of the Hollywood Commission’s continuous mission to achieve inclusive workplace safety and equity across the entertainment industry, the Anita Hill-run organization has released resources to help employees at production companies, Variety has exclusively learned.On Thursday, the Hollywood Commission relaunched their website, providing free resources — a sample workplace conduct policy, employer toolkit and a worker’s guide — to be accessed by

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentIn a dramatic twist that rivals all on-screen antics from “The Bachelor,” Chris Harrison officially departed the hit dating franchise this week, after nearly 20 years as host of the series.As the face of “The Bachelor,” “The Bachelorette,” “Bachelor in Paradise” and all of the other spinoffs within the ABC juggernaut, Harrison has hosted more than 50 seasons altogether, dating back to 2002.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentWhen “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” premiered in 2007, production didn’t have the budget to provide hair and makeup.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentChris Harrison is being replaced by a slew of celebrities on “Bachelor In Paradise” this summer: Lil Jon, David Spade, Tituss Burgess, Lance Bass, Wells Adams and Sarah Hyland, Variety has learned.The celebs will serve as rotating hosts through the summer season, which just went into production in Mexico this week.Deals have closed for Lil Jon, Spade, Burgess and Bass, Variety has confirmed with ABC.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentIt’s official: Chris Harrison will never return to “The Bachelor” franchise, Variety has confirmed.Harrison’s departure comes following a media spectacle of a controversy that erupted when the longtime host made racially insensitive comments, defending a contestant from the franchise.Numerous insiders tell Variety that Harrison wanted to stay with the hit franchise, which he has hosted since day one when it premiered in 2002.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentIn the midst of off-screen drama surrounding the franchise, “The Bachelorette” returns with a new season on Monday night — one that will look different than ever before.In addition to a new lead in Katie Thurston, for the first time ever the series will not feature Chris Harrison, who has been the host of the hit dating show since day one.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentIn a new interview with Variety, Tony-winning star Sutton Foster says she did not feel comfortable continuing with her role in the Broadway musical “The Music Man,” if disgraced producer Scott Rudin was involved with the upcoming Broadway show.After allegations of abusive workplace behavior that surfaced in April, Rudin announced that he would be stepping back from his Broadway productions, which include “The Music Man.”Foster is set to co-star alongside

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentChris Harrison’s future with “The Bachelor” franchise still remains in limbo, as the longtime host — who came under fire for a racially insensitive controversy — will sit out this summer’s season of “Bachelor In Paradise,” sources tell Variety.In lieu of Harrison, the role will be filed by celebrity comedians — including David Spade — who will serve as guest hosts, according to those with knowledge of the plans.