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Bradley Cooper had a huge weekend. He finally won an award for rocking a fake baby and wearing beige booty shorts in American Sniper. MTV handed BCoop the best male performance award, and he dedicated the honor to Chris Kyle. Bradley was genuinely honored to play Kyle in this film, so I’m happy that BCoop won something. He worked the awards circuit so hard for a guy who was pretending not to care. He was thrilled to win this popcorn trophy, which allowed him to make a speech for Kyle. Bradley was also sporting one of those fancy Apple watches that haven’t hit stores yet.

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Something else happened earlier too. Remember how BCoop and Suki had a big breakup a few weeks ago? His team played dirty by putting out word that Suki didn’t support his career, and she partied too much. Bradley was spotted clubbing alongside another model to wash that Suki out of his hair. Then he wolfed down a burrito in Boston.

Oh, but true love has prevailed. Bradley and Suki hooked back up at Coachella. The Mail has some huggy photos of them together with Clint Eastwood. I thought perhaps Bradley and Suki were playing the “friendly exes” game. Yet this wasn’t simply an innocent, friendly hug to show goodwill. These two went into full-on makeout mode. Details from Page Six:

Bradley Cooper and his model girlfriend Suki Waterhouse have reunited at the Coachella Music Festival in Indio, Calif., this weekend, after breaking up in March.

American Sniper star Cooper, 40, and English model and actress Waterhouse, 23, who dated for two years before splitting in March, were spotted looking close Friday night during the music fest.

A witness told us they saw Cooper and Waterhouse “making out at Coachella backstage during [rock band] Interpol’s set.” They were also seen looking cozy together while lining up for food, and reportedly dined together in Los Angeles on Thursday before heading to Coachella.

[From Page Six]

I’m still scratching my head over the thought of Clint at Coachella. The thought of 40-year-old BCoop making out 23-year-old backstage is too much, so I’m glad there aren’t photos. CB is stunned that these two would skip out on Interpol to make out. I only hope they stay together until Wimbledon.

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Photos courtesy of Suki Waterhouse, Getty & WENN

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For all the ways that Scientologists harass, threaten, stalk and personally attack anyone who dares to question their cult, their legal strikes are perhaps the most effective. That’s why it’s notable that Scientology has yet to issue a single legal threat against HBO for their wildly popular Going Clear documentary. (Note that filmmaker Alex Gibney has said their lawyers have sent him letters. It’s unclear how ‘legal’ they are.) In a recently interview with CNN Money, HBO CEO Richard Plepler stated that they have yet to receive a legal threat from Scientology. HBO of course got their ducks in a row before airing the show, with the head of their documentary division stating that there were “probably 160 lawyers” involved in fact checking the film. As for why he hasn’t heard from Scientology, Plepler said simply that facts cannot be challenged. “Everybody’s entitled to their own opinion, but they’re not entitled to their own facts. I think the documentary bears up very well to any kind of scrutiny.”

Filmmaker Alex Gibney stated that their team of lawyers checked every detail to ensure that they would not be vulnerable to a protracted legal battle. “We were very rigorous in terms of how we checked our story, how we had it scrutinized extensively by lawyers – not only my own lawyers but by HBO’s lawyers.”

Now that the film is out and is a resounding success (it was the highest viewed documentary on HBO in ten years), Scientology is running scared. Going Clear revealed the malicious way that the cult achieved tax free status in America, by wiretapping, harassing and conspiring to intimidate IRS agents, which is basically business as usual for them. They didn’t meet the US Government’s requirements for a tax free religious organization and they still don’t. In a new editorial in the LA Times, Gibney lays out the reasons why Scientology should have it’s tax free status revoked. It’s a convincing, well reasoned essay that someone unfamiliar with the cult’s tactics can understand. Here’s some of what he wrote, with more at the source:

The church maintains that its activities are protected by the 1st Amendment as religious practices. Partially on that basis, the church convinced the Internal Revenue Service in 1993 that Scientology should be tax-exempt and that all donations to the church should be tax-deductible. (The film shows that the church’s method of “convincing” the IRS featured lawsuits and vilification of its agents.)

In the past, critics of the church have called for its tax exemption to be revoked because it is not a “real religion.” I agree that tax-exemption isn’t merited, but not for that reason. The Church of Scientology has a distinct belief system which, despite its somewhat strange cosmology — mocked by the TV show “South Park” and many others — is not essentially more strange than, say, the idea of a virgin birth. Scientologists are entitled to believe what they want to believe. And the IRS website makes it clear that anyone is entitled to start a religion at any time without seeking IRS permission. To maintain the right to be tax-exempt, however, religions must fulfill certain requirements for charitable organizations. For example, they may not “serve the private interests of any individual” and/or “the organization’s purposes and activities may not be illegal or violate fundamental public policy.”

On these points alone, it is hard to see why Americans should subsidize Scientology through its tax-exemption.

Regarding “private interests,” it seems clear that Scientology is ruled by only one man, David Miscavige. Further, powerful celebrities within the church, particularly Tom Cruise, receive private benefits through the exploitation of low-wage labor (clergy members belonging to the Sea Org make roughly 40 cents an hour) and other use of church assets for his personal gain.

It appears that many church activities may have been either illegal or in violation of public policy. Numerous lawsuits, my film, other media accounts and an abandoned FBI investigation have turned up allegations of false imprisonment, human trafficking, wiretaps, assault, harassment and invasion of privacy. And the church doctrine of “disconnection,” in which members are forced to “disconnect” from anyone critical of the church, seems cruelly at odds with any reasonable definition of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

A proper criminal investigation that followed the money — a virtual river of cash from tax-exempt donations and fees — could sort out some of these issues. Or a congressional subcommittee investigation could force Miscavige — who was unwilling to answer questions for Wright’s book or the film — to testify under oath about allegations of abuse.

[From The LA Times]

Gibney goes on to cite legal precedent for revoking an organization’s tax free status, and he states that it’s done over 100 times a year in the US. I really like the fact that he separates out the cult’s belief system from its criminal activities. I’ve heard this argument so many times from people unfamiliar with cults in general and Scientology in particular: that they’re welcome to believe/worship/practice whatever strange or bizarre thing they want. Of course they are, but it is illegal to harass, torture, imprison and control members. They ruin lives, separate families and engage in human rights abuses. Their tax free status should be revoked and this documentary is a strong step in the right direction.

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Here are some more photos of Kim and Khloe Kardashian, plus Kanye and North West, in Armenia. They’re really going all out with this trip, seemingly with the full support of the Armenian government. Like, Kim and Khloe met Armenian Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan, and it looks like they have police/military escorts wherever they go. On Friday, Kim, Khloe and Kanye visited the memorial for the Armenian genocide. Then on Saturday, the whole clan (including a not-happy North) visited the Kardashian ancestral home, where Robert Kardashian Sr.’s family had lived. They also visited a church in Gyumri.

Surprisingly, it seems like all of Armenia is in agreement that the Kardashian visit to their country is an overwhelming good thing. And I kind of agree. It’s cool that Kim and Khloe are interested in their father’s side of the family and their deep connection to Armenia. Even though some Armenian politicians are “eh” on Kim and her family, this visit is basically one of the best things to happen for Armenian tourism and awareness. Here’s something I find interesting though: most of the Armenian politicians commenting about this trip are just focusing on Kim. It’s almost like… people don’t think Khloe is really a “Kardashian” and she really doesn’t have any Armenian blood. Hm.

Kim and Khloe got a special gift in Armenia too – an Armenian company gave “the Kardashian family” a plot of land outside Yerevan. That’s nice. Some were wondering why Kourtney didn’t make this trip – well, she only recently gave birth to her third child, so that’s one reason to not travel unnecessarily. Kourtney posted on Instagram: “I didn’t end up going to Armenia because it was making me too anxious with three young children. I do wish that I could have experienced the trip with my sisters but I do know that we will all go to Armenia together someday.”

Kim has been posting Instagrams throughout the trip – go here to see.

Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet.

Some of our favorite celebrity parents rocked the 2015 MTV Movie Awards in Los Angeles, Calif. on Sunday (April 12).

Mom-of-two Jennifer Lopez won the Best Scared-As-S**t Performance award for her work in The Boy Next Door. The Best Comedic Performance went to dad-of-one Channing Tatum for his role in 22 Jump Street, and father-of-three Robert Downey Jr. brought home the MTV Generation Award.

Teen Mom stars Catelynn Lowell and Tyler Baltierra enjoyed a date night after the recent birth of their daughter Nova. They were joined by costars Amber Portwood and Farrah Abraham.

Continue reading about some of our favorite celebrity parents who attended the MTV Movie Awards.

The Boy Next Door actress Jennifer Lopez hit the blue carpet in a Versace jacket, belt and skirt, paired with Giuseppe Zanotti shoes and a Salvatore Ferragamo clutch.

Hot Pursuit costars Reese Witherspoon and Sofia Vergara presented the Best Kiss Award. Mom-of-three Reese looked lovely in a Mugler dress, Christian Louboutin shoes, and JHadley jewelry. Meanwhile, mom-of-one Sofia looked beautiful in a blue dress.

New mom Scarlett Johansson rocked a coral Zuhair Murad jumpsuit with Sophia Webster shoes, a Roger Vivier bag, and her own and Sonia Boyajian jewelry.

Funnyman Kevin Hart wore a white and gray outfit with striped detail. The Top Five actor won the Comedic Genius Award and brought his kids Heaven, 10, and Hendrix, 7, onstage while accepting the award.

Continue looking through our gallery for all the red carpet fashions. Who was the best – and worst – dressed of the evening?

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Winning loser?

Whatever. He lost out on the Olivier Award for Best Actor to Mark Strong but I don’t know that anyone can call James McAvoy a loser. Not when he’s out there, saying what he means and meaning what he says, about the arts, about how privilege can influence who becomes an artist, …      

Winning loser?

Whatever. He lost out on the Olivier Award for Best Actor to Mark Strong but I don’t know that anyone can call James McAvoy a loser. Not when he’s out there, saying what he means and meaning what he says, about the arts, about how privilege can influence who becomes an artist, …      

I guess I’m an idiot, because I didn’t realize that everyone would want to talk about Gwyneth Paltrow deigning to try the Food Stamp Challenge, so I dumped the story in Friday’s links. So, let’s talk about it. Apparently, Gwyneth’s dear friend Mario Batali convinced her to try it – the official name for the stunt (it’s a good stunt, but it’s a stunt, let’s call a spade a spade) is the Food Bank NYC Challenge. Batali got Goop and other people to try to live on $29 a week, which is what families living below the poverty line get in food stamps (SNAP) in the real world to spend on food. Gwyneth posted this photo on her Twitter:

This is what $29 gets you at the grocery store—what families on SNAP (i.e. food stamps) have to live on for a week. pic.twitter.com/OZMPA3nxij

— Gwyneth Paltrow (@GwynethPaltrow) April 9, 2015

Many of you were questioning all of the limes. I don’t really get it either. Maybe she was making a Key Lime pie? Or something like that. Something nice: it’s good to raise awareness of these issues of food insecurity, food inequality and how people below the line actually get to very little money to spend on food for their family. It’s good when a celebrity with a huge megaphone calls attention to those issues.

Something not nice: Gwyneth really isn’t the best advocate for this or any cause involving food, hunger or anything relating to peasants. She blows all of her imaginary SNAP money on limes and then she goes out to lunch at Tavern in Brentwood. These photos – of Gwyneth in what looks like navy and white pajamas – are of Gwyneth going out to eat on Saturday. Yeah, way to raise awareness, girl! “I’ll just post some photos of all my lovely limes and then go out to eat. I’m famished! Trying to care about fat peasants is exhausting.”

Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet.

Beyonce was spotted at Coachella on Saturday. Her Coachella outfit? Valued at $8000. Click here for the breakdown.

She showed it off on Instagram after getting off her private plane:

Coachella ????????????????????

A video posted by Beyoncé (@beyonce) on
…      

Beyonce was spotted at Coachella on Saturday. Her Coachella outfit? Valued at $8000. Click here for the breakdown.

She showed it off on Instagram after getting off her private plane:

Coachella ????????????????????

A video posted by Beyoncé (@beyonce) on
…      

George Clooney was filming scenes for his new movie, Money Monster, in NYC this weekend. I’m including some photos of George – in character – wearing some kind of suicide vest. Jack O’Connell is in this movie too. George’s hair is the best it’s looked in years, right? Is that a wig or is that his real hair?

But what’s important here is that George’s biker-chick wife came out to watch some of the filming. Amal stopped by the set and watched George film a scene. She wore ripped up (designer?) jeans, a cute white blouse and this Balenciaga motorcycle jacket. I usually think Balenciaga jackets are overworked (they did too much with leather quilting), but this jacket is really cute. Would I wear it? Probably not. But for Amal’s hit-and-miss relationship with casual clothing, this is fine. My biggest issue is with those absolutely terrible shoes. Amal has a terrible fashion secret: awful taste in casual footwear.

We don’t have all of the photos from Amal’s set visit, so you can see more of them here. Amal brought two dogs with her. Are these the Clooney puppies?! They look like two adorable cocker spaniels, one honey-blonde and one black. Why haven’t we seen more of these magical dogs?!

Photos courtesy of Pacific Coast News, WENN, Fame/Flynet.