Ariana Grande ‘Kept In Touch’ With Ricky Alvarez Throughout Ethan Slater …

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As we previously reported, Ariana Grande is back together with Ricky Alvarez.

News of the rekindled romance comes just over a month after the world learned that Grande had broken up with Ethan Slater after three years together.

The timing was enough to make fans wonder if there was any overlap between these two relationships.

Ariana Grande attends the “Wicked: For Good!” New York Premiere at David Geffen Hall on November 17, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Thankfully, a source close to the situation assures the Daily Mail that Ariana “never crossed the line while she was with Ethan.”

So no, despite rumors to the contrary, Ari is not guilty of “branch-swinging” (the term for when you start a new relationship while still another one).

But it seems that Ethan didn’t hear the news of Ariana’s new relationship directly from his ex.

“Ariana hasn’t told Ethan specifically, but mutual friends have told him that she is now dating Ricky again,” an insider told the Mail on Friday.

The revelation comes just days after reports confirmed that Grande and Alvarez — who dated from 2015 to 2016 — have given their relationship another chance.

And apparently, Ethan found out through people in their shared circle after news of Ariana’s reunion with Ricky began spreading.

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Despite the awkward circumstances, the source insisted there isn’t any lingering hostility between the former couple.

“There isn’t any bad blood,” the insider claimed, adding that Grande and Slater remain on good terms despite ending their relationship several months ago.

The report also pushes back on any suggestion that Grande’s romance with Alvarez began before her relationship with Slater ended.

According to the source, Grande and Alvarez stayed friendly over the years because they share many mutual friends, but they never crossed any romantic boundaries while she was still dating Slater.

Only after Grande’s relationship with the Broadway actor came to an end did she and Alvarez begin spending more time together one-on-one.

The insider described the reunion as a more mature relationship than the one they shared nearly a decade ago.

“They’ve both talked through what went wrong the first time,” the source said, adding that they’re approaching this chapter differently.

Ariana has already altered the lyrics to “thank u, next” in live performances in order to better express her change of heart toward Ricky.

And the way things are going, it sounds like she might be writing whole songs about him soon!

Ariana Grande ‘Kept In Touch’ With Ricky Alvarez Throughout Ethan Slater … was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

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Donald Trump $1 Coin in Production at US Mint in Direct Defiance of Multiple Federal …

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The ritual defilement of America continues.

Trump’s greening of the Reflecting Pool. Slapping his name onto the Kennedy Center. The partial demolition of the White House. The fighting arena on the White House lawn. His face on some people’s passports.

Donald Trump’s latest desecration is in on American money. And no, we don’t just mean skyrocketing prices.

The commemorative token is a vanity $1 gold coin featuring his face, ostensibly to celebrate 250 years of America.

Donald Trump looks on during a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office on July 14, 2026. (Photo Credit: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Your sleep paralysis demon’s favorite coin is coming out soon

This week, the Trump regime unveiled the final design for what is supposedly an America 250 commemorative token.

It is a $1 gold coin, The Guardian details.

One side is fairly straightforward, reading “United States of America” and “One Dollar” around the Great Seal of the United States.

The other side bears an approximation of Trump’s face, giving him more hair and less face-and-neck than the real thing.

Next to his stern countenance it conspicuously reads “In God We Trust.” That’s on all money, Constitution be damned, but it’s a little brazen when placed right beside Trump’s approximate likeness.

The US Mint will begin striking a $1 gold coin featuring President Trump, announces Treasury Secretary Bessent.

[image or embed]

— Steve Herman (@newsguy.bsky.social) July 15, 2026 at 6:56 AM

There are, obviously, so many issues with this.

The first has to be that no living President in United States history has been depicted on money in this manner while alive. It’s also pretty specifically illegal.

In 1866, the Thayer Amendment outlawed the appearance of any living person on “the bonds, securities, notes, or postal currency of the United States.”

However, there was a close call on a half-dollar coin in 1926, depicting then-President Calvin Coolidge alongside President George Washington. Coolidge was alive at the time, but it was a commemorative coin — seemingly an exception.

In 2005, the Presidential $1 Coin Act specifically prohibited any coin from bearing “the image of a living former or current President.”

Won’t someone stop him?

A couple of years ago, SCOTUS effectively declared that Trump was a king of sorts.

In recent years, the conservative majority on the court have consistently ruled that Trump, specifically, has broad executive powers and is largely immune to prosecution for acts taken in office.

It turns out that Nixon was kind of right: in the eyes of these six individuals, if the president does it, it’s not illegal.

(Of course, this is the same crowd who said that Biden couldn’t forgive student loans. These broad executive powers don’t seem to apply to every POTUS.)

We mention this to point out that Trump is doing this because he doesn’t expect to get into any trouble for it. And his cronies are helping him for the same reason.

One funny tidbit about these hideous little tokens is that they are not, in fact, gold coins.

Despite the initial concept, the revised version is merely gold-finished. Just like Trump’s hideous redecoration of the Oval Office and other aspects of the still-standing portions of the White House.

(To be fair, at the current value of gold, there would have been a rush to acquire these and then melt them down — however illegally — if they had been solid gold. Alas.)

Like the Reflecting Pool’s Greenwater scandal, this appears to be heavy-handed symbolism about Trump and his deleterious impact upon the United States in every way, shape, and form.

It’s likely that no one can stop him from printing all of the ugly gold-finished coins that he wants. Perhaps, as with the meme coin that he has pumped and dumped to ten-figure profits, his sycophants and stans will rush to collect them.

Donald Trump $1 Coin in Production at US Mint in Direct Defiance of Multiple Federal … was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

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Amy Duggar: I Talked to Joseph’s Victim! She’s Really Brave!

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Like many of her relatives, Amy Duggar King has been deeply affected by Joseph Duggar’s criminal cases.

During a recent interview, she shared that she has actually spoken to Joseph’s alleged victim.

Amy says that she offered encouragement and praise to the girl, who was only 9 for the series of 2020 incidents.

She also expressed dismay that Joseph could confess but then take it back and force this girl to endure his trial.

On ‘The Sarah Fraser Show,’ Amy Duggar opened up about speaking to her cousin’s teenage accuser. (Image Credit: YouTube)

‘You are such a strong person’

During her recent interview on The Sarah Fraser Show, Amy revealed that she has spoken with the girl at the center of Joseph’s criminal case in Florida.

In 2020, Joseph went on a family vacation. Traveling between states to vacation during the first month of a deadly pandemic is, sadly, the least horrific detail of this story.

The unnamed accuser, who is now in her early teens, was only 9 years old when she says that Joseph repeatedly molested her during the trip.

It was only earlier this year, it seems, when she told her family. Her father called Joseph, who reportedly confessed twice to the despicable crime — though he has since pleaded not guilty in court.

“I just gave her hope. I said, ‘This doesn’t have to destroy you. It really truly doesn’t,’” Amy reported of having spoken with the girl. “I told her that if she ever just needed a safe place to talk, that I’m here.”

According to Amy, she also praised the girl’s strength for coming forward.

“You speaking out and you being so honest and vulnerable,” she correctly assessed.

Amy added that “knowing the backlash and knowing the people that would turn their backs on you and not believe you, you are such a strong person.”

Admittedly, we’re unclear on why Amy and the girl spoke. It seems unlikely that any courtroom wants to hear about a relative of the defendant speaking to the victim ahead of trial.

However, she’s right when she says that coming forward takes tremendous courage. Particularly if, as many suspect, the girl is from a similarly insular, fundamentalist social circle where girls are second-class at best, and where consent is not really taught or understood.

On ‘The Sarah Fraser Show,’ Amy Duggar discussed her disgraced cousins and late grandfather. (Image Credit: YouTube)

‘I don’t understand …’

Like many, Amy expressed dismay at how Joseph reportedly confessed more than once to the crimes but then entered a plea of not guilty when it came to his arraignment.

“I don’t understand how you can admit to it and say you did it, and then backtrack and change it,” she expressed.

Amy continued: “And be like, ‘Well, I might have said that, but I didn’t mean that.’”

Obviously, many confessions are coerced out of people, some of whom may lack legal representation and may have been subjected to sleep deprivation.

Joseph reportedly first confessed to the child’s father and then, over the phone, to police. That’s not quite the same scenario as someone kept up all night and then at risk of losing their job if they show up late to work the next day, believing that they can leave an interrogation room if they just sign a false confession.

Some on social media have speculated that perhaps the child and her family are known to the broader Duggar family, and not only to Joseph.

If so, that might explain why Amy was allowed to speak with her. Were the Duggars unknown to the family except for Joseph, that could still happen, but would seem less likely.

As for the “not guilty” plea … one can only assume that either the reality of losing everything set in, or Joseph simply spoke with an attorney who (in all fairness, doing their job) told him the realities of prison.

Without knowing more, it’s hard to say whether his previous confessions can be effectively used against Joseph in court.

It seems likely that any defense attorney would move to preclude the prosecution from even mentioning them, let alone entering any recordings into evidence, playing them for the jury, or bringing testimony about the confessions from those who heard them.

It is just a shame that this girl will likely have to testify and even face cross-examination in court.

Amy Duggar: I Talked to Joseph’s Victim! She’s Really Brave! was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

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Taylor Frankie Paul’s Kids Labeled ‘Abused, Neglected, or Dependent’ by …

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Taylor Frankie Paul is fighting a custody battle on two fronts.

She’s fighting for two of her kids with her ex-husband, Tate Paul. She’s fighting for her youngest kid with ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen.

Now, a damning leak from DCFS seeks to label her kids “abused, neglected, or dependent” and appoint a guardian ad litem.

Is Taylor a bad parent? Is this leak an attempt to smear her? Both?

Taylor Paul attends the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026. (Photo Credit: Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

The leak paints a portrait of an overwhelmed and immature mother

On Wednesday, July 15, TMZ reported on a leaked filing by the Utah Attorney General on behalf of the state’s Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS).

The agency responsible for child safety wants all three of the Hululebrity’s kids declared as “abused, neglected, or dependent.”

This is a necessarily broad classification. What does that mean for them?

For one thing, it would require a court order of protective supervision over the children. It would also require the appointment of a guardian ad litem to watch after the children’s best interests.

Taylor shares both 8-year-old Indy and 5-year-old Ocean with Tate. She and Dakota share 2-year-old Ever.

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Interestingly, the leaked petition only appears to contain information about Taylor, though both she and Dakota have had home visits and interviews.

DCFS documented points of concern, including an incident when Taylor allegedly “stormed out” of her home, taking her kids with her, seemingly angry after social media messages.

Taylor also allegedly felt that she was “being treated unfairly” due to her reality TV fame.

Other times, she allegedly “became escalated and dysregulated” and was comforted by her young children while DCFS spoke to her about programs, interventions, and counseling that she could undergo.

These reports, when summarized, might say that Taylor is emotionally immature and sometimes seems more focused upon how these circumstances impact her than upon how they impact her children.

8-year-old Indy should not have to be doing the work of a parent

On Thursday, July 16, TMZ published additional information from the Utah DCFS filing. Again, only about Taylor.

This update included concern about Taylor’s mental health, though Taylor reportedly assured caseworkers that she is not suicidal.

Taylor did reportedly tell caseworkers that they “should know who killed her if she ends up dead because she felt no one believes her.”

Another point of concern is that 8-year-old Indy participated in childcare for 2-year-old Ever, including preparing bottles and changing diapers. (It may be some surprise to eldest kids, and especially eldest daughters, but these are actually the responsibilities of parents, not siblings.)

DCFS also expressed concern about the emotional and psychological impact that having heard Dakota and Taylor fight was having upon the children.

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Taylor’s attorney told TMZ that this juvenile court filing is “a common step for families engaged in highly contentious, complex custody matters.”

The attorney’s statement said that she “welcomes the added structure and oversight” and that she looks forward to “becoming the healthiest version of herself.”

Additionally, a source close to Taylor emphasized that the leak of the report is not in the best interest of the kids — and, perhaps more damningly, delivers an incomplete picture.

“It leaves out DCFS’s documented concerns about the other side [the kids’ fathers], which are on-record in district court and with law enforcement,” the insider lamented. “The juvenile court will weigh all of that in full.”

When it comes to leaks in this case, Taylor seems to be on the receiving end of the bad press.

Still, as sympathetic as she may be in many ways, the first priority must always be the well-being and safety of the children.

Taylor Frankie Paul’s Kids Labeled ‘Abused, Neglected, or Dependent’ by … was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

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Kim Kardashian Blasted For Insensitive Instagram Post In Wake of Grandmother’s Death

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On Thursday, we reported the sad news that Kris Jenner’s mother, Mary Jo “MJ” Campbell, had died at the age of 91.

The beloved matriarch of the Kardashian-Jenner clan made numerous appearances on the family’s reality shows over the years, and her death was widely mourned across social media.

But not by Kim Kardashian.

Kim Kardashian attends SiriusXM’s Town Hall with the cast of “All’s Fair” hosted by Andy Cohen at SiriusXM Studios on October 27, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for SiriusXM)

No, instead of the expected tribute post, Kim’s Instagram page featured a carousel of photos of her enjoying a lakeside vacation with family.

The post was captioned simply, “Lake life,” and made no mention of Mary Jo.

Not surprisingly, Kim caught some serious backlash from fans who wondered why she seemed to be so indifferent to her grandmother’s death.

“Didn’t your grandmama just pass? This couldn’t wait to the weekend?” one follower wrote (via Us Weekly).

“I’m so confused,” another added.

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“Somebody’s publicist is getting fired,” a third commenter chimed in.

Others were more compassionate, noting that Kim’s post had clearly been scheduled well in advance of MJ’s death.

“Do you guys really think she would post this intentionally at the same time as the news of her grandma passing? It’s clearly a scheduled post. Get a grip,” wrote one such user.

Kim later confirmed that that version of events was accurate.

“This post was scheduled a few days ago before we lost MJ, so its timing came right alongside her passing,” she wrote in the comments.

“I’ve been by my mom and grandma’s side this past week, and my heart is completely with my family right now. We love and miss her so deeply, and in the days ahead, we’ll be focusing on celebrating her beautiful life.”

Clearly, this was a case of a minor social media mix-up, and we’re sure Kim’s grief for her beloved grandmother is genuine.

She and MJ famously enjoyed quite a close relationship, and right now, Kim is likely focusing on being there for Kris, who has now lost both parents.

Our condolences go out to the entire Kardashian-Jenner family at this enormously difficult time.

Kim Kardashian Blasted For Insensitive Instagram Post In Wake of Grandmother’s Death was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

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Mary Jo Campbell, Mother of Kris Jenner, Passes Away at 91

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We have some very sad news to report from the world of reality television today:

Mary Jo Campbell — the beloved mother of Kris Jenner — has passed away.

She was 91 years old.

Kris Jenner attends the #BoF500 Gala during Paris Fashion Week at Shangri-La Hotel Paris on September 30, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images for The Business of Fashion)

Over the years, Mary Jo put in numerous appearances on the Kardashian-Jenner clan’s reality shows, often providing wry commentary and comic relief.

News of her passing comes courtesy of a post on Kris’ Instagram page.

“Today, we said goodbye to my beautiful Mommy MJ. There are no words that could ever capture what she has meant to me or the heartbreak of having to say goodbye. My mom was the heart of our family,” Kris wrote, adding:

“She taught me everything that truly matters… to love your family fiercely, to be kind, to show up for the people you love, and to never take a single moment together for granted.

“She taught us that family is everything. She showed us how to love unconditionally and how to find joy in the little moments.”

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Kris went on to detail the many ways in which Mary Jo enriched her life, as well as the ways in which the entire family plans to honor her memory going forward:

“She showed me how to face life’s challenges with resilience and faith. Mom, thank you for every sacrifice you made, every piece of wisdom you shared, and every moment you loved us so completely,” she wrote, adding:

“I will miss our daily talks, your smile, your laughter… Our hearts are broken, but we find comfort knowing that love like yours never truly leaves us. Your love will live on in our family, in our traditions, in every moment we are together, and in every life you touched.

“When I look at my kids and my grandkids, I will forever see pieces of you in all of us. There is not a part of me that isn’t shaped by you. And if I have done anything right in this world, it’s because I spent my life trying to live in a way that would make you proud.

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Kris concluded with a message of gratitude for the lessons she learned from her belioved mother:

“Every memory, every moment, every blessing, it was all because of you, and I will forever thank God every single day for making you my mommy. My heart is broken into a million pieces… thank you for giving me the greatest childhood and oh what a beautiful blessed life,” Kris wrote, concluding:

“I love you forever Mommy. Thank you for giving us everything.”

Kim Kardashian famously enjoyed a very close relationship with her grandmother Mary Jo, and we’re sure she and her siblings will be offering tributes of their own in the near future.

Our condolences go out to the entire family as they begin their grieving process.

Mary Jo Campbell, Mother of Kris Jenner, Passes Away at 91 was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

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Brad Pitt Blames Angelina Jolie for ‘Alienation’ of Kids: Report

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With both Maddox and Zahara Jolie expunging the -Pitt from their names, legally as well as socially, how does their estranged dad feel about it?

That sort of depends upon whom you ask.

A new report says that Brad Pitt believes that Angelina Jolie, not his own actions, turned the kids against him?

Is there any surprise that, by these sources, Pitt seems to believe that his children’s choices are things being done to him?

Brad Pitt poses for a photo on June 09, 2025. (Photo Credit: Manuel Velasquez/Getty Images)

‘Harmful alienation campaign against the kids’ father’

The Daily Mail spoke to inside sources close to Pitt, who shared that the once-beloved actor seems to mask anger over his children separating themselves from him by putting on a thin air of resignation.

“He’s always going to respect his kids’ choices at the end of the day,” claimed one insider.

Boldly, the source added that “any parent intentionally excluded from their children’s lives as punishment is obviously going to be upset by it.”

Intentionally excluded as punishment is a wild and, frankly, entitled response from someone whose adult children have cut ties with him.

Though that line appears to be detached from reality, other aspects of the report at least partially acknowledge the truth.

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A post shared by Angelina Jolie (@angelinajolie)

“None of the kids respect Brad because of what he has done to their mother,” the insider acknowledged.

Skipping over the events of the 2016 flight that ended the marriage, the source simply shared: “They remember how awful it was when they were married, all the fights and drama.”

Don’t worry — the commentary loses its hinges and begins flailing about very quickly.

“This very sad situation is the result of a deliberate, devastating, harmful alienation campaign against the kids’ father by the mother,” claimed the first insider.

To be clear, there is no evidence of any “alienation campaign.” Unless this insider meant to say that Pitt alienated his children alongside his wife, but that does not seem to be the claim here.

‘They feel bad for their mom’

Despite repeated claims that Angelina Jolie has somehow hypnotized her kids against their dad instead of them just having a healthy and rational response to his behavior, the second source does allow that he’s continued to drive them away even after the breakup.

‘They hate that Brad has been so difficult with Miraval,” the second insider admitted, referring to the ugly lawsuit that Pitt launched.

“They feel he is punishing their mother with the constant bickering over money from the winery,” the source continued.

It is a very common belief that, when their divorce (which took longer than their actual marriage lasted) finally ended, Pitt used the winery lawsuit in a vindictive campaign against his ex. However, we cannot claim to know the inner workings of his mind.

“She has had to spend a fortune on lawyers,” the insider acknowledged, “and they feel bad for their mom.”

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Another issue is that Jolie has been an actual loving parent to her children, and has “built a very positive and creative world for them, and they are grateful.”

The second source continued: “She is even helping them build their careers, which Brad has never done. Maddox, Pax and Vivienne are thriving behind the scenes in showbusiness.”

Meanwhile, the insider says that Pitt feels that he is in an “impossible position as more of his children have chosen to drop his last name.”

The source added: “He views the situation as deeply painful and believes Angelina’s role in how things unfolded is the ultimate betrayal.”

Pitt is entitled to view things however he likes. But blaming others for the natural consequences of your own decisions, behavior, and actions doesn’t sound like a good way to go through life.

Brad Pitt Blames Angelina Jolie for ‘Alienation’ of Kids: Report was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

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