Whitney Leavitt is breaking her silence on Taylor Frankie Paul’s domestic violence scandal.
Close to one week after a video from Taylor’s 2023 dispute with ex Dakota Mortensen was released,…
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No matter how bad a week you’re having, Chappell Roan’s has almost certainly been worse.
As you’ve likely heard by now, the pop star’s troubles began over the weekend, with allegations that her bodyguard bullied Jude Law’s 11-year-old daughter.
And the PR setbacks have only continued from there.
Much of the discourse has revolved around Chappell’s past, with many pointing out that there seem to be some discrepancies between statements she’s made about her upbringing and the actual reality of her early life.
For starters, Roan has stated that she grew up in a trailer park and that she’d “been poor” prior to blowing up in the music biz.
But as many online sleuths have pointed out in recent days, she was actually born into one of the wealthiest families in Missouri.
The grandfather who inspired her stage name, Dennis K. Chappell, was an insurance and real estate mogul, and her uncle Darin Chappell is a Republican state representative with a very conservative platform.
Chappell’s parents are both medical professionals who found success with a mobile veterinary clinic.
Now, the phenomenon of pop stars hailing from wealthy backgrounds is certainly nothing new.
Taylor Swift, Lana Del Rey, and Gracie Abrams are all the products of highly privileged upbringings.
But many believe that Roan’s case is different, as she’s allegedly presented herself as rising from poverty, despite the fact that, as one X (formerly Twitter) user alleged, “Chappell might come from more money than any other pop girl.”
Like Taylor’s, Chappell’s family seems to have done everything they could to put her in a position to succeed, including sending her to “Grammys Camp” and producing a 2014 “mini-documentary” about her life not long before she signed with Atlantic Records.
Celebrities polishing their creation myths is not all that unusual, but the backlash against Chappell keeps growing and growing, with one X user going so far as to accuse her of racism and homophobia.
“Lmao, I went to high school her. Anyone who went to Willard from 2012 to 2015 can tell you how insufferable, homophobic and RACIST she and her boyfriend were,” this user wrote. adding:
“Oh the STORIESSSS I have. I wish I could access my old phone right now but yeah, BF was on the baseball team and said hella racist sh-t to the teams competing against him. Chappell used to call Mrs. Shepherd (black female securtiy guard) Rasputia and other stuff in our school [group chat].
“Constant bullying and harassment from them. Kayleigh was in the theater club and got kicked out for spreading memes and images of a disabled student through snapchat during our sophomore year. She left Willard in 11th grade I believe.”
It’s important to note that the claims of bigoted behavior are unsubstantiated, and the tweet has since been deleted (but that might have been the result of backlash from Chappell fans).
And just because there’s major wealth in her family, that doesn’t mean that Roan has never experienced financial hardship.
Maybe Chappell will eventually issue a statement that will clear all of this up. In the meantime, it doesn’t seem that she’s lost many fans — with the possible exception of Jude Law’s daughter.
Chappell Roan Accused of ‘Racist’ Behavior, Lying About Impoverished Past as … was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.
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It’s getting warmer out every day and if breaking a sweat is the last thing you want to do, there are products out there that can definitely help cool you down and make your life easier.
Even…
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Is Vince Vaughn ready to be the life of the party once again?
The Wedding Crashers actor—who starred opposite Owen Wilson as divorce mediators looking to seduce women in the 2005 romantic comedy—…
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Some folks like fast food saucy. However, if you try piling on extra packets for dipping McDonald’s nuggets or fries, your order may change in a surprising way.
Mashed – Fast Food, Celebrity Chefs, Grocery, Reviews
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Taylor Frankie Paul’s disastrous year might soon get even worse.
Just one week after ABC canceled Paul’s season of The Bachelorette, Paul is now facing yet another setback stemming from her alleged violent tendencies.
Multiple outlets have now confirmed that Taylor’s former boyfriend Dakota Mortensen contacted police in West Jordan, Utah to report an incident that occurred in 2024.
A spokesman tells NBC News that “the department is reviewing multiple videos connected to the alleged event to figure out details and timelines.”
Salt Lake County District Attorney Sam Gill revealed in a statement Tuesday that his office “requested all the investigative material to screen the most recent allegations for charges.”
He also confirmed that his office was looking into a case submitted by police in the town where Paul and Mortensen lived at the time of the alleged incident.
“We made the request because of the potential that if charges are filed, they could be enhanced due to a prior plea in abeyance to a domestic violence offense,” Gill stated.
Police said on Wednesday that they’ve taken Mortensen’s full account of the incident but have not yet spoken to Paul.
Paul could face up to 5 years in prison if she’s charged with felony assault.
In August of 2023, Taylor pled guilty to charges stemming from a February 2023 domestic violence incident.
When video of Paul attacking Mortensen leaked last week, ABC made the costly decision to cancel her season of The Bachelorette.
The network is expected to lose as much as $70 million in branding and endorsement deals, as well as production costs (the entire season had already been filmed).
Paul has kept a relatively low profile in the days since ABC decided to shelve her episode.
At the time, she issued a statement through her publicist in which she stated that she “is very grateful for ABC’s support as she prioritizes her family’s safety and security.”
“After years of silently suffering extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation, Taylor is finally gaining the strength to face her accuser and taking steps to ensure that she and her children are protected from any further harm,” the spokesperson continued.
Earlier this week, Taylor accused the public of making her daughter “relive” the 2023 fight between her and Mortensen.
(The daughter, who was 5 at the time, was struck by a chair during the incident.)
“Worst part is my daughter, [Indy], having to relive and see it all over again years later after extensive work with her and apologies [sic] to her about that night,” Paul tweeted on Monday.
We will have further updates on this developing story as new information becomes available.
‘
Taylor Frankie Paul Investigated For Third Assault Allegation, Could Face Jail Time was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.
The Hollywood Gossip
Anthony Bourdain’s openness and curiosity about food extended to who he ate it with. When asked if he would ever dine with Donald Trump, he said this.
Mashed – Fast Food, Celebrity Chefs, Grocery, Reviews
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Dayton Webber is a professional cornhole player and a quadruple amputee.
He has also been arrested for murder.
In fact, he was arrested as a fugitive from justice, but is facing first-degree murder charges in his home state.
Police did not offer an explanation for how the alleged homicide took place. But video evidence may clear that up.
Dayton Webber has been arrested
27-year-old Dayton James Webber is a professional cornhole player — and a champion at it.
He is also accused of killing a passenger in his car. The victim’s name is Bradrick Michael Wells.
According to the Charles County Sheriff’s Office, he and the man were in an argument on Sunday in Webber’s hometown of La Plata, Maryland.
(That is about 30 miles south of DC.)
The alleged murder took place in front of witnesses. And that doesn’t seem to be the most shocking part.
The witnesses were riding in the back seat of the vehicle.
Allegedly, the two 27-year-olds were in an argument during a drive when Webber pulled out a gun and shot Wells to death.
He then pulled over, the witnesses report, and asked them “to help pull the victim out of the car.”
Webber is a quadruple amputee, having lost all four limbs in an effort to save his life when he was only 10 months old.
The witnesses declined and (wisely) decided to simply leave. At this point, Webber allegedly “fled with the victim still in the car.”
Authorities found the victim’s body in Charlotte Hall
Nearly two hours later and about 14 miles away from the scene of the murder, a Charlotte Hall, Maryland resident reported “a body in a yard.”
Responders determined that the body was Wells, confirming that he was deceased.
Webber, on the other hand, was much farther away — over 100 miles away, in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Apparently, an officer with Virginia’s Albermarle County Police Department spotted Webber’s vehicle at a gas station.
Police then used the dystopian horror of omnipresent surveillance to locate Webber. Simply because a tool does something useful at times does not mean that it is not a blight upon our society.
As it turned out, Webber was at a local hospital “seeking treatment for a medical issue.”
It is unclear if the medical issue was related to the shooting death of Wells or to the disposal of his remains.
On Monday, March 23, authorities booked him in Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail, charging him as a fugitive from justice.
Webber is awaiting extradition to Maryland, where he awaits a first-degree murder charge, a second-degree murder charge, and “other related charges.”
Webber’s next scheduled court date is said to be “some time in April.”
How did a quadruple amputee allegedly pull out a gun and kill his passenger?
Naturally, many wondered how Webber had allegedly committed this crime. Notably, he doesn’t even use arm prosthetics when playing cornhole.
Police did not offer the public an explanation.
However, a YouTube channel that appears to belong to Webber shows his interests, including gaming — and a fondness for multiple types of guns.
As you can see in the videos (such as what we’ve included here, but also many more), he seems to have no trouble loading, aiming, and firing guns without the use of prosthetics.
This is not necessarily the inspiring example of how capable disabled folks can be that the disabled community would like to showcase. But this is, at least, a memorable example.
Dayton Webber, Pro Cornhole Player & Quadruple Amputee, Arrested in Shocking Murder was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.
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As you’ve likely heard by now, Joseph Duggar has been arrested amid allegations that he molested a 9-year-old girl.
Days after his arrest, Joseph’s wife, Kendra Caldwell, was also taken into custody.
Unlike Joe, Kendra was granted bail, but this might only be the start of her legal nightmare.
Kendra was charged with child endangerment and false imprisonment, but the particulars of her alleged crimes were not made public.
Now, a source close to the situation is speaking out and confirming that Kendra’s charges are not directly related to Joseph’s molestation arrest.
But they’re serious charges, nonetheless. In fact, Kendra could wind up serving eight years in prison if she’s convicted.
The insider alleges that while police were searching Joe and Kendra’s home, they discovered that the doors to their children’s bedrooms had locks on the outside.
From this, the investigators concluded that Joe and Kendra were in the habit of locking their children in their rooms.
“I can tell you the arrest was a result of a home inspection, and the door locks being on the exterior of the doors,” the source tells People, adding:
“She’s not suspected or accused of participating in his alleged crime.”
If you’ve been paying attention to the Duggar family for any length of time, then you’re probably aware that they hold some very controversial views with regard to child rearing
In fact, many of the punishments used by Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar have been described as child abuse.
It seems that Joe and Kendra allegedly followed in his parents’ footsteps with regard to harsh punishments, and now, they find themselves facing legal consequences.
(In addition to his lewd and lascivious behavior – molestation of a victim less than 12 years old, and lewd and lascivious behavior conducted by a person 18 years or older charges, Joseph is also facing child endangerment and false imprisonment charges.)
It’s unclear, at this time, when Kendra will be due back in court.
Joseph is still awaiting extradition to Bay County, Florida, where his alleged crimes took place.
Bay County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigator Chase Norris wrote an affidavit alleging that Joseph confessed to his crimes in a conversation with the alleged victim’s father.
Norris says that after he learned of the confession, he “requested the detective and victim’s father call [Joseph],” who “admitted his actions” and said “he touched the victim over her clothing” (per People).
Between them, Joseph and Kendra are facing a total of 16 charges.
According to the Florida penal code, Joseph’s crime carries “a split sentence that is a term of at least 25 years’ imprisonment and not exceeding life imprisonment, followed by probation or community control for the remainder of the person’s natural life.”
We will have further updates on this developing story as new information becomes available.
Kendra Caldwell Facing 8 Years in Prison Following Police ‘Home Inspection’: … was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.
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After everything, Diddy received only two convictions and a mere 50-month sentence.
Many are expressing their horror — not only for victims, but for our society and our justice system.
Usher, however, insists that he doesn’t have a single negative thing to say about the alleged sex trafficker.
He believes that Diddy has been “misrepresented,” and sings his praises.
Well, this is disappointing
During an interview with Forbes‘ The Enterprise Zone, Usher seemed to have only nice things about the disgraced criminal whom he views as a “mentor.”
The singer played a game of word-association. When “Diddy” came up, he didn’t go with “crime” or “Cassie” or “baby oil” as many might.
Instead, Usher’s most associated word, he claimed, was: “Legacy.”
He admitted that he has a “controversial” opinion, which is that “we can’t ignore the reality of the history.”
“In many ways, I think certain people are prosecuted and maybe not recognized for the greatness that they offer,” Usher then claimed.
Usher’s next line was truly shocking. Perhaps not surprising, but shocking.
“I don’t have anything negative to say about Sean Combs,” he announced, “because my experience was not what the world has seen and how he’s been misrepresented.”
That first part of the explanation is the usual annoying line — someone insisting that, because they are not personally a victim, it’s fine for them to speak in support of someone.
It’s at the end that Usher takes a more sinister turn.
He claims that Diddy has “been misrepresented.”
‘And that’s why I see him as legacy’
“I can’t, with any sense of humanity, not recognize the valuable contributions that this man made for us as Black entrepreneurs,” Usher insisted.
He continued: “For us as businessmen, for us as people who transition culture and ideas into something that’s tangible and becomes business.”
Usher acknowledged: “So many people benefited from what he created. And I acknowledge that.”
Yes, powerful and wealthy men often get away with their heinous deeds because others benefit from their wealth.
He added: “And that’s why I see him as legacy.”
Usher also praised “Puff” as “a mentor.”
He likened Diddy to a “really, really hard teacher” who was able to educate him “in real time.”
Usher continued: “I put respect on his name.”
He explained that this is “because I realized that what I learned as a businessman before I even understood what business was came as a result of seeing the incredible things that he was able to do.”
Saying businessman once again, Usher added: “And the way that he positioned himself as a businessman.”
What does this mean for Usher fans?
As for what we should take from this … a profound sense of disappointment, albeit without feeling truly surprised.
There is a horrific video of Diddy and Cassie Ventura, one that we won’t describe here. And she is not his only alleged victim.
The idea that anyone would support the man after seeing that should be unthinkable. But, sadly, it is not.
We live in a world where men will bend over backwards to defend other men — because condemning them is inconvenient, because they feel a misplaced sense of loyalty, or because they fear facing justice themselves.
In Usher’s case, this looks like a case of misplaced loyalty. Which is perhaps why he has such a beef with Justin Bieber these days, since the Biebs clearly doesn’t feel the same way.
Usher Praises ‘Mentor’ Diddy, Refuses to Criticize Disgraced Criminal was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.
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