Taylor Frankie Paul Blames Herself for Not Leaving Dakota Mortensen Sooner, Says He Made …

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Taylor Frankie Paul is set to return to The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives despite a tumultuous news cycle and some fallen friendships.

After everything that the public has learned, Dakota Mortensen will not be joining her.

Thinking back on her relationship, she accuses him of gaslighting her — but still blames herself for not leaving him sooner.

Her reflections are really resonating with commenters, many of whom find her story chillingly familiar to their own.

Taylor Frankie Paul attends Hulu’s Get Real House at Casa Lago on April 22, 2025. (Photo Credit: Monica Schipper/Getty Images)

‘You don’t even realize … what’s happening psychologically for a long time’

In a lengthy Instagram post, Taylor says that she blames herself for not leaving her toxic and abusive relationship with Dakota Mortensen much sooner.

She and Dakota share a child, 2-year-old Ever.

Taylor admits to having kept quiet about many of her private struggles.

This, she says, is how Dakota was able to take “advantage” of her situation and continue to allegedly mistreat her.

“What people aren’t understanding is you don’t even realize you’re in it and what’s happening psychologically for a long time,” Taylor wrote.

In this lengthy text post to Instagram, Taylor Frankie Paul expressed her feelings after reflecting upon her erstwhile toxic relationship. (Image Credit: Instagram)

“You solely believe you’re the only insane one,” Taylor said, speaking from experience.

She explained that this is “because they twist everything that you eventually feel insane.”

Taylor went on to alleged that Dakota had been “gaslighting” her into staying with him.

She expressed that it feels “twisted” that this went on for so long, again blaming herself.

Some folks use gaslighting when they really mean lying, particularly in a political sense. But actual gaslighting can and does take place within abusive relationships.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Taylor Paul (@taylorfrankiepaul)

Eventually, of course, the relationship did end

Taylor wrote that, when she finally left Dakota, she was “manipulated,” then “threatened,” then “physically hurt.”

And that was not the end of it.

She had the police called on her. A years-old video was released in an attempt to sabotage her relationship and personal success as The Bachelorette.

She lost her friends. Her reality TV series went on hiatus for over a month.

And Taylor has also ended up in court, fighting desperately for custody of Ever.

In the caption of her post, Taylor Frankie Paul had still more to say. (Image Credit: Instagram)

“The difference between us, my love was real for him without gaining anything, and people know that,” Taylor wrote about her ex.

She admitted that she is “not sure it was the same in return.”

Taylor went on to characterize that she and Dakota are “both in the wrong” in multiple ways, but she’s calling him out for trying to take her child from her on top of everything else.

She also addressed her recent rift with Mikayla Matthews. And no, it isn’t to apologize.

“She can go kick rocks instead of kicking me right now,” Taylor announced.

Taylor Frankie Paul Blames Herself for Not Leaving Dakota Mortensen Sooner, Says He Made … was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

Read More

Did Sydney Sweeney Double Down on ‘MAGA Barbie’ Image By Blasting Dems as …

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Sydney Sweeney is no stranger to controversy.

And even though she’s mostly steered clear of offering direct comment about current events, Sydney’s political beliefs have become a frequent topic of discussion.

Both fans and critics believe that Sydney has expressed her views in subtle, coded ways — which is one reason that the latest episode of Euphoria has sparked such intense debate.

Sydney Sweeney as Cassie on HBO’s Euphoria. (HBO/YouTube)

As we previously discussed, in the show’s third season, Sydney’s storyline has mostly revolved around her character’s OnlyFans page, as Cassie attempts to gain financial independence following her brief marriage to Nate.

Under the tutelage of her friend and manager Maddie, Cassie has increased her following both through increasingly edgy adult content and by spouting pro-male talking points on political podcasts.

“I just feel like American men have been treated like second-class citizens,” she said during a montage on Sunday night’s episode.

“Why is it that women hate men these days?” one host asks, prompting Cassie to reply:

“Well, in the past, men used to be hunters and gatherers and protectors, but now they’re being forced to walk around on their tippy toes.

“I mean, it’s not natural. Men should be free. They should be able to speak their mind and voice their desires.”

“Oh, you think they’re being too restricted by society?” a different host asks.

“Yes! Like if a man today were to say that he wants a girlfriend who could cook or clean, he might as well be screaming the N-word,” Cassie replies.

When a third host says, “Well, you sound like a Democrat,” Cassie replies, “I’m not r—rded.”

Now, it’s important to bear in mind that Sydney is an actress playing a character.

And while Cassie might genuinely subscribe to the beliefs she expresses, it’s equally possible that she’s merely regurgitating manosphere views in order to drum up more subscribers.

Regardless, a surprising number of viewers took the view that the scene was inspired by Sydney’s real-life worldview.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sydney Sweeney (@sydney_sweeney)

“Sydney Sweeney officially came out as MAGA ON Euphoria tonight,” one viewer wrote on X (formerly Twitter), according to Radar Online.

“Either they wrote this to adapt to Sydney Sweeney, or she was doing an Emmy-worthy method acting long con for the past two years,” another added.

“What if Sydney Sweeney was method acting this whole time, pretending to be MAGA and doing a whole conservative grift to tease Cassie’s arc on the new season,” a third remarked.

Perhaps the writers drew inspiration from Sydney’s American Eagle controversy, or the fact that she’s a registered Republican.

But given the production time on these shows, the script was probably written before those developments, meaning that any overlap in Sydney and Cassie’s politics is strictly coincidental.

Did Sydney Sweeney Double Down on ‘MAGA Barbie’ Image By Blasting Dems as … was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

Read More

Britney Spears Visited Liquor Store Ahead of ‘Barking’ Dinner: What Did She …

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Last month, Britney Spears checked herself into rehab. She’s now back in LA, and all eyes are on her.

In fact, she’s getting so much attention that an energetic dinner out on Wednesday night made headlines.

At a tavern, she reportedly carried a knife through the dining area, lit a cigarette indoors, and barked.

Now, a new report says that she stopped by a liquor store beforehand. But what did she actually get?

Singer Britney Spears performs onstage during 102.7 KIIS FM’s Jingle Ball 2016 presented by Capital One at Staples Center on December 2, 2016. (Photo Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for iHeartMedia)

What did she get from the liquor store?

The Daily Mail obtained surveillance footage of Britney and a friend stopping by a Sherman Oaks liquor store on Wednesday ahead of their dinner.

The footage shows the music superstar stop by Wines of the World with her companion in the LA neighborhood.

In the video, Britney walks around the store and seems to be in a good mood — from what one can tell in a video.

Her companion selected a canned beverage. The two then went up front to pay.

Britney selected a pack of gum and added it when it was time for him to pay.

So, just to clarify, this is footage of a 44-year-old woman buying gum before going to dinner with two companions.

She didn’t buy alcohol. It’s unclear if companion actually purchased an alcoholic beverage.

(Liquor stores do generally offer other items — such as, for example, gum.)

Rather than a look at a “wild” post-rehab Britney, we’re instead facing the jarring reality that has defined her world for the past quarter of a century.

Wherever she goes, she is surveilled. Her every action is under a microscope.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Britney Spears (@britneyspears)

So, aside from being messy (and lighting up before leaving the restaurant), she did nothing wrong, right?

Admittedly, a liquor store is probably an ill-advised place for someone to visit in general after rehab.

Many people who visit rehab facilities may be struggling with addiction rather than simply with substance abuse.

Addiction is complex, and can wear down someone’s impulse-control until they might tell themselves anything to justify indulging once again.

That doesn’t seem to be the case with Britney. In her case, the big worry might be optics.

In a sense, one might argue that this surveillance footage is doing her a favor. Yes, it’s deeply intrusive. But it also shows her buying gum — rather than a vague mention of her simply stopping at a liquor store.

Britney’s rep highlighted that the dinner was a pretty normal dinner out.

The statement specified that she was at the dog-friendly tavern with her assistant and bodyguard.

For the knife, well, she was at a restaurant and wanted to cut her burger. (Some of us don’t touch burgers with our hands, but in her case, it was just to slice one in half.)

As for the “barking,” she was telling a story about her own dog. At a restaurant that welcomes dogs on its patio.

One wonders if all of the hysteria surrounding Britney’s every move and Instagram post has primed people to imagine her actions as more dramatic and messy than they actually are.

Britney Spears Visited Liquor Store Ahead of ‘Barking’ Dinner: What Did She … was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

Read More

Carl Radke Blasts Amanda Batula-West Wilson PDA on Latest ‘Summer House’ …

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Knowing what transpired after filming wrapped, it’s often a bit uncomfortable to watch Summer House Season 10 play out on our television screens.

After all, the Amanda Batula-West Wilson affair has evolved into the biggest reality TV scandal since Vanderpump Rules‘ Scandoval.

And as Carl Radke pointed out on last night’s Watch What Happens Live, Amanda and West didn’t always take great pains to hide their affection for one another.

Carl Radke attends SiriusXM’s Front Row Series with the cast of Bravo’s ‘Summer House’ at SiriusXM Studios on January 27, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for SiriusXM)

The episode — which was filmed in August 2025 — showed tensions erupting between Radke and Kyle Cooke after cast members confronted Cooke for making career decisions without taking Batula into account.

Things escalated quickly, with Radke and Cooke nearly coming to blows before the group stepped in to separate them.

But as the house rushed to de-escalate the situation, Wilson had his attention fixed on Batula.

At one point, while Batula attempted to calm Cooke down, Wilson approached her from behind, whispered in her ear, and tried to pull her back by her midriff.

Once the tension finally eased, Wilson and Batula shared what quickly became one of the most talked-about moments of the episode: a notably intimate hug away from the rest of the group.

During the embrace, Wilson cradled Batula’s head in his hands and kissed the side of her head multiple times as she cried into his shoulder.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by YES Network (@yesnetwork)

The two eventually pulled apart and said, “I love you,” with Wilson checking to make sure she was OK.

Even Batula acknowledged Wilson’s protective behavior in the moment, thanking him “for pulling [his] chair next to [her]” when the argument first broke out.

Following the episode, Radke appeared on WWHL, where host Andy Cohen pressed him on Wilson’s behavior toward Batula. Radke didn’t mince words.

“It’s uncomfortable to watch. I will say, some of West’s hands on a woman who’s married, I’m not cool with,” he said.

“Like you don’t touch women in their midriff or their neck if they are in a committed relationship like that,” he continued.

“I don’t care how friendly you are, some of the touching watching is really uncomfortable and not OK.”

Radke added that he doesn’t believe Wilson and Batula’s relationship will go the distance, and he revealed that while he has spoken with Batula, he has completely cut off communication with Wilson.

In the weeks since Amanda and West’s relationship was revealed, tensions within the Summer House group have only intensified.

Ciara Miller reportedly labeled Batula a “snake” in a leaked audio clip from the reunion, while Cooke has expressed concern about Batula’s mental health amid the backlash and called Wilson a “schmuck.”

And in an added wrinkle, Page Six now confirms that Wilson was in an “exclusive relationship” with another woman when his romance with Batula first came to light — further fueling the messiness.

We will have further updates on this developing story as new information becomes available.

Carl Radke Blasts Amanda Batula-West Wilson PDA on Latest ‘Summer House’ … was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

Read More

James Van Der Beek Honored & Mourned by Widow 3 Months Later: ‘The Comforts of …

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Kimberly Van Der Beek did not plan to become a widow at 44.

James died just over three months ago.

His wife and children continue to process this terrible loss.

After three months, Kimberly says that the “comforts of shock” are gone … and the reality is inescapable.

James Van Der Beek (R) and Kimberly Van Der Beek attend HFC’s Brain Health Dinner on September 30, 2023. (Photo Credit: Rick Kern/Getty Images for Hilarity for Charity)

‘Yesterday was three months since …’

On Tuesday, May 12, Kimberly Van Der Beek took to Instagram to share a heartfelt tribute to her late husband.

“Yesterday was three months since we lost @vanderjames,” she began.

“To say I’m heartbroken is a severe understatement,” she acknowledged.

“Words just don’t capture what grief is,” Kimberly wrote.

She shared: “The comforts of shock have worn off.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kimberly Van Der Beek (@vanderkimberly)

“The reality is settling in… and I miss him,” Emily acknowledged.

“We all miss him,” she affirmed.

She and the late actor share six young children.

“Yet, there is a different kind of magic in the air,” Kimberly added.

“I feel him,” she expressed. “I know him more deeply.”

In May 2026, Kimberly Van Der Beek marked three months since her husband’s tragic passing. (Image Credit: Instagram)

‘The outpouring of support has been tremendous’

“My conscious connection to God has deepened,” Kimberly reported.

Poetically, she added: “The veils of the universe have thinned.”

Kimberly then continued to expound upon this more mystically flavored side of grief.

She wrote: “And I trust that this is the path me and my family have always been intended to walk.”

At that point, her caption addressed fans and followers of her late husband, many of whom gave direct and tangible support to the Van Der Beek family in recent months.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kimberly Van Der Beek (@vanderkimberly)

“The outpouring of support has been tremendous,” Kimberly acknowledged.

“It’s held our family in the most beautiful of ways,” she praised.

“You all went absolutely above and beyond anything I could have ever expected in supporting us and honoring James,” Kimberly acknowledged.

“I am deeply grateful,” she expressed.

“There is so much more to share here,” Kimberly concluded. “And in time — I will.”

James Van Der Beek Honored & Mourned by Widow 3 Months Later: ‘The Comforts of … was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

Read More

Lisa Kudrow Coolly Exposes Bravo, ‘RHOBH’ for Fakery

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Be careful which questions you ask.

Lisa Kudrow called out Andy Cohen — and Bravo and Real Housewives — for a piece of all-out trickery.

During the confrontation, she acknowledged deceptive editing that portrayed one Housewife in a terrible light.

The Dorit Hive is thanking Kudrow. Bravo fans are roasting RHOBH for twisting the facts.

In a May 2026 appearance on ‘Watch What Happens Live,’ Lisa Kudrow roasted Bravo’s editing. (Image Credit: Bravo)

‘You don’t want me to discuss it’

Like so many of us, plenty of celebrities are Bravoholics. Kudrow is no exception.

During a recent episode of Watch What Happens Live, Andy asked the The Comeback star if she still watches Housewives.

When Kudrow confirmed — very coolly — that she has seen Season 15 of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, he asked what she thought.

“You don’t want me to discuss it,” she told him bluntly.

“I’m just gonna say, black Mercedes Sprinter [van] … twins,” she told him when he pressed the question. “Caught that.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @bravowwhl

Andy Cohen did not give much of a response. And, honestly, how could he?

What Kudrow is referring to is the RHOBH storyline about Dorit Kemsley “abandoning” Kyle Richards and Erika Jayne.

As you may recall, the cast’s trip to Italy involved Dorit departing — with Kyle and Erika supposedly stranded without a ride.

But Kudrow noticed what other viewers have pointed out: two identical vehicles.

Dorit left in one of them. Kyle and Erika certainly had another ride on hand, even if — at worst — this meant having to share a vehicle with producers.

As you can see, social media users were quick to fill in the blanks after the ‘WWHL’ awkwardness. (Image Credit: Twitter)

‘Caught that’

As you can see, those who were unaware of this quickly got a full explanation on social media.

Admittedly, some folks don’t seem to grasp the full picture.

There are some who believe that this was “scripted” — that producers coached each Housewife on her lines, told Dorit to depart, etc.

That is not the case. In fact, it is almost never how reality television works.

As we have seen on numerous series — particularly specific storylines on 90 Day Fiance — most reality TV fakery happens in the editing room. Nuance is erased, and a mild inconvenience is made to look like stranding someone.

Dishonest editing like this can be a real pain for reality stars.

In some cases, they are contractually barred from exposing dishonesty. That could mean Dorit needing to defend “stranding” them, rather than to simply point out that she didn’t — she just left.

But dishonest edits can also be a real pain for viewers.

There is so much excellent scripted television out there. But when someone watches Real Housewives, they want editors who show contrasting moments back-to-back and give drama and meme-worthy clips the time that they deserve.

Reality stars are, with some exceptions, deeply ludicrous people with either behavioral problems, emotional disregulation, or both. They really don’t need editors’ help being messy.

And viewers (Kudrow included) will find out — and hate it.

Lisa Kudrow Coolly Exposes Bravo, ‘RHOBH’ for Fakery was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

Read More

Rex Reed Cause of Death: Famed Film Critic Was 87

Reading Time: 2 minutes

We have tragic news to report out of Hollywood today.

One of the movie world’s most iconic critics, Rex Reed, has passed away.

The veteran writer and television personality known for his biting reviews, unmistakable wit, and larger-than-life media persona was 87.

Rex Reed, Recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award in Cinema. (Photo by M. Von Holden/WireImage)

News of Reed’s passing comes courtesy of longtime friend William Kapfer, who noted that Reed died “surrounded by his closest loved ones.”

No cause of death was given.

A fixture in pop culture for generations, Reed built a career out of saying exactly what many critics wouldn’t dare — and occasionally what many readers wished he hadn’t.

Born on October 2, 1938, in Fort Worth, Texas, he first rose to prominence in the 1960s and 1970s with his work for publications such as the New York Daily News and Vogue.

In 1987, he became the film critic for the New York Observer, a position he would hold for several decades, publishing his final review for the outlet in November of 2025.

At a time when movie criticism could feel stuffy or academic, Reed brought something flashier to the table, incorporating celebrity gossip, personal anecdotes, and opinions so brutally candid they often became headlines themselves.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Amazing Time Capsule (@amazingtimecapsule)

He was also a familiar face on television, appearing as a guest commentator on talk shows and entertainment programs while cultivating an image that felt equal parts old-school Hollywood insider and provocateur.

Reed developed a reputation for blistering critiques that occasionally overshadowed the films themselves.

Perhaps most famously, he drew backlash for his remarks about actress Melissa McCarthy in a 2013 review of Identity Thief, comments that many readers and fellow critics condemned as cruel and unnecessarily personal.

Still, Reed never backed away from his signature style.

In an era increasingly shaped by social media discourse and softened celebrity access journalism, Reed remained stubbornly old-fashioned, opinionated, theatrical, and entirely uninterested in popular opinion.

Beyond criticism, Reed appeared in films, wrote books, and became a staple of Manhattan cultural life, often documenting the glamorous and absurd corners of show business with equal enthusiasm.

Even those who vehemently disagreed with him acknowledged his outsized influence on entertainment media. Long before online influencers and Rotten Tomatoes scores, Reed understood that critics could be as entertaining and engaging as the films they discussed.

Within minutes of the news of his death, Reed became a worldwide trending topic on social media.

Our thoughts go out to his loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.

Rex Reed Cause of Death: Famed Film Critic Was 87 was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

Read More