The photos in this post are from 2018 and 2019, the only two times the Duchess of Sussex was invited to participate in the whole Trooping the Colour rigmarole. Trooping is the monarch’s annual birthday parade, only it’s not scheduled for a king or queen’s actual birthday. Instead, a date is chosen – usually a Saturday in early or mid-June – and in the olden days, QEII expected her whole family to turn up for the parade and the balcony wave. She included all of her kids and grandkids, random cousins and second-cousins and all of the married-in spouses. All of that changed when Prince Harry married Meghan.

Even before the Sussexit, there were conversations among Buckingham Palace, Clarence House and Kensington Palace courtiers about what to do to minimize Meghan, to show the world that a Black woman was not allowed full access to all of the Windsors’ white spaces. The Sussexit actually made it easier for for the courtiers to declare that Meghan would never again be “allowed” on the balcony. Post-Sussexit, the balcony issue has only come up one time – in 2022, when QEII invited the Sussexes to her Platinum Jubbly. The Windsors were so focused on snubbing the Sussexes and ensuring that they wouldn’t be allowed on the balcony, that’s year’s Trooping balcony seemed notably sad and bare.

It’s only gotten worse from there – last year’s Trooping was a mess, and don’t forget that Prince William stole his dad’s Trooping thunder by giving a big interview that same weekend. This year’s Trooping balcony will be even emptier than last year’s, as it’s looking like the Princess of Wales and her children probably won’t be around. So, how best to deflect from the six-months-long Where Is Kate conversation? I know, leak to People Magazine that the Sussexes are NOT invited to Trooping!

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry will be missing from Trooping the Colour later this month.

PEOPLE confirms the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have not been invited to this year’s annual celebration of the British monarch’s birthday in London, scheduled for June 15. They were also not invited to the event last year, which marked the first time Trooping the Colour took place during the reign of King Charles, Harry’s father.

Prince Harry, 39, and Meghan, 42, have been living in California since stepping back as working members of the royal family in 2020.

[From People]

This sounds obvious enough – of course the Sussexes were not invited and of course they wouldn’t even go if they were invited. They’re not popping over to England for every dumb event, especially when Harry’s dogsh-t father is doing the most to smear him over everything. Here’s my question though – who actually gave this to People? Did the palace courtiers release this as a “snub” to the Sussexes (and a deflection from Kate’s absence), or is this another version of Harry’s “my father is too busy to see me” statement? Like, is Charles going to throw another tantrum, this one about the Sussexes confirming that they weren’t invited to Trooping?

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Backgrid, Instar and Cover Images.

Last week, on her 18th birthday, Shiloh Jolie-Pitt filed to change her legal name to Shiloh Jolie. She apparently hired a lawyer on her own accord and paid for the legal fees herself, without her mother’s input or assistance. An insider just told Us Weekly that Shiloh’s choice to remove “Pitt” from her surname is “connected to the abuse history. That’s part of it.” I would imagine that Brad Pitt’s reaction to Shiloh’s name change reinforced her desire for a name change too – Brad’s team ran to People Magazine and announced that Brad is “aware and upset” about Shiloh’s filing, and then the Pitt insider said: “He’s never felt more joy than when she was born. He always wanted a daughter.” Brad was already a father to a daughter before Shiloh was born: he and Angelina had adopted Zahara the year before. Well, Entertainment Tonight gave Pitt’s team a chance to make a different statement and this is what Team Pitt chose:

Last week, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s daughter, Shiloh, filed a request to drop her famous father’s last name from her own. Now, the Oscar-winning actor, 60, is apparently having a hard time dealing with the emotional turbulence within his family.

A source tells ET, “Brad has always loved being a father and loves his children.”

“This situation is upsetting to him,” the source adds, “and he recognizes that things have been difficult for him and the whole family.”

On May 27, the day she turned 18, Shiloh filed a request with the court to allow her to drop her father’s surname from her own hyphenated surname, a source familiar with the matter told ET. The source added that the teen is requesting a new legal name, hoping to go by simply, “Shiloh Jolie,” as opposed to “Shiloh Jolie-Pitt.”

“Brad has made a tremendous effort to grow and learn from all of his experiences,” the source tells ET. “He would love to find a way to continue to do this, repair things with his kids, and for everyone to get to a better place.”

Shiloh is not the only one of Brad’s kids who has seemingly decided to stop using their father’s last name. Her younger sister, Vivienne, recently co-produced the Broadway production of The Outsiders, alongside her famous mom, and was credited as “Vivienne Jolie.” Additionally, Zahara recently joined the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, and during an introduction ceremony event, she introduced herself as “Zahara Marley Jolie.”

[From ET]

As always, beware of the passive voice. “He recognizes that things have been difficult for him and the whole family.” HE is the one causing all of the “difficulty.” He terrorized Angelina and the children on that plane in 2016. He repeatedly assaulted Angelina in the air and on the ground. He strangled one of his kids and struck another. Sidenote: this isn’t the first time I’ve posited this theory, but I honestly believe Pitt was blackout drunk on the plane and he truly doesn’t remember his violence. It’s not an excuse, but it would explain why his story has changed so many times and how he’s never understood why there was no coming back from it. Beyond that, his abuse of the kids and Angelina has extended past the 2016 plane terror. His team can talk until they’re blue in the face about how “Brad has made a tremendous effort to grow and learn” but the kids have shown for years that they’ve seen him without his mask and they want nothing to do with him.

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Backgrid.

The Princess of Wales has been “sighted” repeatedly over the past week by people who have never heard or seen a camera or a smartphone. She reportedly even popped into a fancy grocery store in Norfolk just long enough for Prince William to buy some chocolate, but not long enough for any bystander to see her or take a photo or video. On the same day last week, royal insiders insisted to multiple American publications that Kate has been out and about, running errands and spending time outdoors with her family. Personally, it felt like all of that was in reaction to a curious exclusive in the Daily Beast the previous week, in which “royal sources” fully admitted that Kate probably would not be seen publicly for the whole year. Well, after last week’s insistent briefings of Kate’s errand-running, Us Weekly’s cover story this week is all about how… Kate probably will never come back to the “royal role” in the same way. Some highlights:

They’re still insisting that Kate is on the road to recovery. During recent weeks, she’s been spotted running errands with family members and by herself. “Kate’s feeling strong enough to be very involved with the kids,” an insider exclusively shares in the latest issue of Us Weekly. “She’s been an active parent.” Adds a second source: “Kate’s recovery is going well. She’s not able to see many people because she is susceptible to getting sick and they don’t want her compromised, but she’s up and about.”

A return to royal work? Still, questions about her return to royal duty remain in the air, with the latest reports claiming she won’t resume work until the fall or even next year. “We have been really clear that [Kate] needs the space and the privacy to recover right now,” said the Palace, adding, “She will return to work when she has had the green light from doctors.”

A different kind of role: According to the second source, Kate’s team is “reevaluating what she’s going to be able to take on when she comes back,” noting, “She may never come back in the role that people saw her in before.”

The “lucky break” of the general election: The reprieve is a welcome one for the couple. “The announcement that the royals won’t be able to work as much has been unexpected, but it will allow Kate and William to spend more time together,” says the second source. “They’ve been reconnecting and are closer than ever.”

The Waleses are spending time at Anmer Hall: “They’re spending a lot of time as a family there,” the second source says. George, Charlotte and Louis will soon be off school for half term, “and they have lots of fun things” in the works, says the first source. When she’s not on mom duty, Kate’s been keeping busy cooking and baking. Adds the second source: “It’s one of her [favorite] activities.”

The Middletons are a constant presence: Their inner circle is small and tight. Kate’s mom, Carole Middleton, and her sister, Pippa, “are a constant presence,” says the second source. (Kate was spotted driving with her mother in early March.) “The Middletons have always been very close,” adds royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams. “The royal family has to be terribly careful about [who they let in], but Kate knows who to trust.”

Fitzwilliams on whether KP will release another video: Fitzwilliams believes that the public will likely be updated on her return date if she remains sidelined into the fall. “I hope [by then we] would have heard when it is appropriate from Kensington Palace because lessons should’ve been learned from what happened earlier,” he explains of the conspiracy theories that arose in the lead-up to Kate’s video message. “If you’re not told at all, and months pass, there’s clearly speculation, and that could happen again. So I’m sure that it will be handled differently.”

Kate must consider how much she wants to take on once she’s fully recovered. “Her role may look very different,” says the second source. “She’s looking at what it will shape into.”

[From Us Weekly]

“If you’re not told at all, and months pass, there’s clearly speculation, and that could happen again.” It’s already happening again. The past two weeks have felt like we’re right back to where we were in early March, with ridiculous “sightings” of Kate and crazy claims about when and where she might turn up. The public has not had a credible sighting of Kate in public since CHRISTMAS. And all of the palace briefings about “she’ll be out until autumn” and “actually she might never come back” have not inspired a lot of confidence. It feels likes the seasoned pros of Buckingham Palace took over in mid-March and currently, Kensington Palace’s clowns are trying to wrest the narrative back. All of which to say… it’s concerning.

Photos courtesy of Cover Images, screencaps courtesy of KP/BBC and cover courtesy of Us Weekly.

Big news, guys. For the first time in nearly 40 years, Pepsi has been dethroned as America’s second favorite soda. (Yes, I said second, no one can beat Old King Coca-Cola.) Dr Pepper, first concocted in 1885 making it the oldest of the top three, has officially seized silver with a very slight but still notable margin. Dr Pepper and Pepsi technically tie with the rate of 8.3% of the US soda market, while Coca-Cola leaves everyone in the dust (recycling bin?) claiming 19.2%. Many congratulations on your 139-years-in-the-making victory, Doctor.

Dr Pepper is officially the second favorite soda in the country!

According to new analytics data provided by Beverage Digest, Dr Pepper surpassed longstanding runner-up Pepsi to become the second most popular soda in the U.S. in 2023 behind top favorite Coke.

Dr Pepper secured the second-most favorite by a slight margin over Pepsi, which previously held the position since 1985, per CNN. Both drinks, however, tied with a soda market rate of 8.3%.

This wasn’t enough though to beat Coke — which holds steady at the top position with 19.2% of the soda market captured in the country last year. Other brands owned by Coca-Cola rounded out the top five, with Sprite in fourth position at 8.1% and Diet Coke in fifth at 7.8%.

Dr Pepper was founded in Waco, Texas, a year before Coca-Cola was created in 1885 and Pepsi in 1893. The brand’s increasing popularity is due to its many flavors, investments in strategic marketing and distribution efforts, Digest reported.

Editor of Digest Duane Stanford told CNN following the results, “Dr Pepper has been gaining, [Pepsi] has been declining, and they’re meeting in the middle.”

Dr Pepper’s new entry in the top two favorite sodas comes after the release of the brand’s range’s 24th flavor, Dr Pepper Creamy Coconut, in May.

The limited-time flavor, available in regular and zero sugar versions, has “layers of tropical coconut flavor and a delicious, creamy finish” and is the “only coconut-cream-flavored dark soda on the market,” per a press release.

In an exclusive first look and taste of the new summer-inspired drink, PEOPLE noted a distinct tropical scent upon opening the regular and zero sugar cans, providing a nice balance of the coconut flavor, which is reminiscent of a virgin pina colada, with the taste of the beloved soda.

[From People]

Don’t mind me, I’m just cleaning up after barfing over the mere mention of Dr Pepper Creamy Coconut. Just because some flavors can be put together, doesn’t mean they should be! I’m pretty sure I would rather suffer through a sip of 7-Eleven’s hot dog seltzer (which was an April Fool’s gag, after all) than a creamy coconut soda. Blech. That’s it, I can’t talk about it anymore or I’m gonna hurl again.

I am not a Dr Pepper imbiber myself (Coca-Cola, on the rocks), but I have encountered a smattering of Dr Pepper enthusiasts, and they are the most fervent beverage fans I have ever seen. In our office we have a soda bin in the fridge marked “For Clients Only.” Us worker bees mutually and silently understood this to mean “For Staff Only.” Leaning heavily on the Coke products (regular, diet, zero) along with some Canada Dry ginger ales, a couple months ago I noticed the addition of Diet Dr Pepper. This came at the request of two of my coworkers who very diligently ensure that they split the wares evenly and restock in a timely fashion. Naturally I consulted these colleagues for comments on this breaking news. Coworker 1 said “Those 23 just do it!” referring to the drink’s signature 23 flavor blend. Coworker 2 claimed it was the best of all the diet sodas, then really raised the stakes by saying, “There aren’t many things in life that I really love…” but Diet Dr Pepper was one of them. To my utter disappointment, and despite my best efforts at teeing each of them up, neither responded with, “Because it makes the world taste better.”

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Back in April, Dancing with the Stars’ Cheryl Burke went on T.J. Holmes and Amy Robach’s podcast and confirmed that she’s had relationships with three of her celebrity contestant partners. She only named one, however, and that’s former NFL player Chad Ochocinco, with whom she competed in Season 10. I admit, DWTS fell off my radar ages ago, and I somehow missed that Season 32 aired last fall! Well now, Cheryl is spilling some more tea about the emotional toll that filming DWTS can take on the contestants and their dance partners. On her podcast, Sex, Lies, and Spray Tans, Cheryl talked about how “intimate” and “vulnerable” teams have to get while rehearsing and competing. Her advice? It’s not a competition for married people.

Cheryl Burke has participated in 26 out of the 32 seasons of Dancing With the Stars, so she’s definitely an expert when it comes to the show.

The 40-year-old pro dancer is explaining why she thinks all celeb contestants should be single if they decide to do the show and why it’s dangerous for married stars to compete. Cheryl herself has had three romantic relationships with her celeb partners and there have been plenty of couples formed on the show. Six of them are still together today!

So, why should all contestants be single?

“Be single if you do ‘Dancing With the Stars.’ That’s all I’m saying,” Cheryl said on the latest episode of her podcast, Sex, Lies, and Spray Tans.

“It’s an arranged marriage,” she said. “And it is black and white. Either love each other or hate each other for real.”

“You’re not like, ‘Oh yeah, he’s cute. Like, no, no, I either like you or I don’t because you’re constantly [together] eight hours a day, seven days a week,” she added. “That’s insane. For three months? And you’re vulnerable”

Cheryl revealed that one married contestant once had a crush on their married pro partner, and while nothing happened between them, there was suspicion in the family.

“It’s so intimate, and you’re stuck with this person. Like, you better try and make it work at least,” she said. “You get close in so many ways. These celebrities are so vulnerable because in order to succeed you have to strip it all down. And that alone? I bet you most of these married celebrities have never even done that with their wives.”

[From Just Jared]

I get what Cheryl is saying, but I don’t know if she’s being tongue in cheek or actually thinks the show is ripe for infidelity or emotional affairs. Still, it’s something interesting to think about, the bond that dancing partners form while rehearsing and performing on a reality TV competition. On the other hand, people form strong bonds with coworkers all the time and that doesn’t necessarily translate into an affair. I’m sure Cheryl’s seen a lot of gossipy sh-t during her time on the show, though. And I’m sure a lot more has gone down behind-the-scenes than she’s saying publicly. Season 33 of DWTS airs in September. Although it’s not fully confirmed, here’s the rumored cast list.

Embed from Getty Images

Photos credit: Faye’s Vision/Cover Images, JPI Studios/Avalon, Enzo Fornino/Avalon, Getty

Last month, Demi Moore was one of the biggest names at the Cannes Film Festival. She was promoting The Substance (which got pretty good reviews) and partying at the festival. She was also one of the big-name attendees at the Cannes amfAR gala. Just after Cannes, Joe Jonas and his bros were in Monte Carlo for the Monaco Grand Prix. Meaning, Demi Moore and Joe Jonas were in the same general vicinity around the same time. Weirdly enough, there are photos of Demi and Joe having lunch together at the infamous Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, and Page Six claims that something might be happening?

Demi Moore is continuing her “Demi-sance” with a flirty new friendship with Joe Jonas, sources tell Page Six. The 61-year-old actress — who stole the show at Cannes Film Festival with a series of attention-getting red-carpet looks — met the 34-year-old singer while in the South of France last month, according to insiders.

“Demi and Joe have struck up a friendship. They have mutual friends and they bonded,” one well-placed source told us of the pair, who were seen having lunch together at the exclusive Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes, France.

While one insider told us that things were already getting romantic, the well-placed source was quick to dispel any rumors of hanky-panky.

Moore — whose new horror film, “The Substance,” was all the buzz at Cannes — hosted the amfAR gala during the festival, where Joe made a surprise appearance onstage alongside his brother Nick. While Nick, 31, was scheduled to perform at the event, it was the addition Joe for his band DNCE’s hit “Cake by the Ocean” that got the crowd out of their seats. Moore was seen dancing with Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh during the song. Moore was later spotted dining with Joe, his brother Kevin and supermodel Heidi Klum. We’re told that Joe is also friends with Moore’s stylist Brad Goreski and her manager Jason Weinberg.

The new friendship comes on the heels of Joe’s break-up with model Stormi Bree, after five months of dating, as Page Six confirmed last month. “He’s been busy working on his solo album,” a source told Page Six at the time.

Joe has been sharing photos from his vacation at the luxurious One&Only Portonovi resort in Montenegro in the Balkans, while Moore was last seen over the weekend in Vienna, Austria, at Cartier’s High Jewelry masquerade ball.

[From Page Six]

While Demi is beautiful and interesting and I totally believe she could still pull much younger men, I don’t think Joe Jonas would be into it. He seems to like much younger women. He’s a big age-gap guy. But I’m curious about how they struck up a friendship and what they even have to talk about. While I believe that Joe is probably single these days, his next girlfriend is going to be under the age of 25, you can put money on that.

Demi Moore strikes up flirtatious new ‘friendship’ with Joe Jonas: sources https://t.co/Fz6WPrp1o5 pic.twitter.com/4h3U0sIbcG

— Page Six (@PageSix) June 4, 2024

Photos courtesy of Backgrid, Cover Images.

Boy Meets World actress Trina McGee announces her pregnancy. She’s 54 years old and it sounds like this was a big surprise. [Buzzfeed]
I agree – what’s happening with Jennifer Lopez isn’t some huge conspiracy, her marriage struggles and tour struggles are very real. [LaineyGossip]
Jennifer Love Hewitt: Enrique Iglesias cried when Aaliyah died. [OMG Blog]
Texas professors want to be able to fail students for having abortions. [Jezebel]
Spoilers for Benedict Cumberbatch’s new Netflix series. [Pajiba]
Elle Fanning is going to make a Predator-universe movie. [JustJared]
This is so random from Katy Perry. [Socialite Life]
Avril Lavigne reunites with an ex-husband (no, not that one). [Hollywood Life]
Flavor Flav wants to save Red Lobster. [Seriously OMG]
Olivia Cooke wore Loewe. [RCFA]

For years now, whenever the royalists want a quick anti-Sussex headline, they dust off the “should Prince Harry and Meghan’s titles be removed” conversation. Nevermind that it never goes anywhere, nevermind that it would likely take a government intervention to remove the titles, nevermind that Harry actually offered to “give back” the Sussex titles when he and Meghan Sussexited in 2020. The royalists and the actual monarchy want to continue to hold the titles over Harry and Meghan’s heads, like removing the titles is some big threat or punishment. As I’ve said for a while now, the real issue is that the monarchy uses those titles as THEIR tie to Harry and Meghan, as their claim of ownership over H&M. In recent months, even the royalists acknowledge that the title-removal talk is a huge trap, but that hasn’t stopped King Charles and Prince William from talking about it constantly. Well, Ingrid Seward has some thoughts and she’s giving one explanation I haven’t heard verbalized before.

Meghan Markle would be known as Princess Henry if she loses her title as the Duchess of Sussex, according to a royal expert. Ingrid Seward, editor in chief of Majesty Magazine, told The Royal Beat that it’s unlikely Meghan, 42, and Prince Harry, 39, will be stripped of their royal titles by King Charles III, even though they quit their royal duties in 2020.

“I don’t think anything will happen to the titles because, if they lose their titles, Harry is still a prince of the blood and Meghan instead of being the Duchess of Sussex, [would] be Princess Henry,” Seward said, according to The Mirror.

“That really would [confuse the Americans],” she added. “I think [it’s] probably best just to leave it because it looks unkind, it looks unnecessary.”

Prince Harry was born Prince Henry Charles Albert David, but he obviously goes by Harry. So, if Meghan lost her title as Duchess of Sussex, she would technically be called Princess Henry, since it’s royal tradition that a princess takes an official title with her husband’s name. The same rule applies for Kate Middleton, who was technically known as Princess William — but is referred to as the Princess of Wales or the Duchess of Cambridge — when she married Prince William in 2011.

However, as Seward pointed out, Harry and Meghan will likely be known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex forever.

“The Queen gave them the titles, let them keep them – they’re going to be ‘H and M’ anyway,” she said. “I think the best thing is to leave them, ignore them, and let them get on with it – which is really what the Palace and the Royal Family are doing.”

[From Page Six]

“That really would [confuse the Americans].” I mean… she’s actually right, but I can’t believe Seward is admitting that “what will the Americans call H&M” is a factor in the monarchy’s discussions. People Magazine and other American outlets already conflate titles and create shorthand names for royal women, as we do on this blog as well, mostly as a space issue in headlines. “The Duchess of Cambridge” became Duchess Kate, then the Princess of Wales became Princess Kate. It’s easier to refer to them as “the Sussexes” too – less complicated, and it’s simply their “brand” and celebrity name.

Also, there’s a hidden reason for why the titles will not be removed – it’s an admission that the titles are arbitrary, that the Special Royal Blood Club isn’t real, and if titles can be removed on a whim, why have those whims never been extended to Prince Andrew, the Duke of York?

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Backgrid.

Note: the photos in this post are from last November, during the South Korean president’s state visit to the UK. For that visit, Prince William and Kate were put on display and expected to behave as the dignified Prince of Wales and Princess of Wales. Kate showed up in a giant red cape and flashed everyone. There hasn’t been another state visit since then! There was some question about whether a planned state visit for Japan’s Emperor and Empress would go through later this month. Given the dual health crises for King Charles and Kate, and given the upcoming British general election, it felt like the Japanese state visit was on the fence. Well, Buckingham Palace just confirmed that the visit is going ahead with some adjustments, and at no point should we expect to see the Princess of Wales. This is like a blaring advertisement for “Don’t Expect to See Kate Whatsoever In June.”

King Charles and Queen Camilla are preparing for hosting mode! Buckingham Palace announced on June 4 (local time) that the Emperor and Empress of Japan will pay a state visit to the U.K. from June 25 to June 27. Emperor Naruhito, 64, and Empress Masako, 60, will be the guests of King Charles, 75, during the state visit to London, hosted by the monarch and his wife, 75.

The Emperor and Empress of Japan are due to arrive in England on June 22 and conduct a series of private engagements. The state visit will officially begin when Prince William takes on a key role: welcoming the couple at their hotel on June 25. The Prince of Wales, 41, will greet the couple on behalf of his father and travel with them to Horse Guards Parade in London for their ceremonial welcome.

Prince William similarly led the royal welcome with his wife, Kate Middleton, in November 2023 for the state visit of the President of South Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol, and his wife, First Lady Kim Keon Hee. Princess Kate, 42, has stayed out of the public eye for most of this year after announcing in March that she has cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy, and it’s unclear if she will participate in the upcoming state visit. Although Kate usually helps host state visits, she was not included in the itinerary. (The Princess of Wales will not take the salute at the Trooping the Colour rehearsal on June 8, Kensington Palace confirmed, and her attendance at King Charles’ birthday parade on June 15 remains unknown.)

King Charles and Queen Camilla will welcome Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako to Horse Guards Parade with military pageantry, and the two couples will travel by carriage along The Mall to Buckingham Palace with Prince William.

That night, King Charles and Queen will reconvene with the Emperor and Empress of Japan for a state banquet at Buckingham Palace thrown in their honor. The diplomatic dinners call for a glamorous dress code, and royal women often slip on tiaras, meaning that Queen Camilla may pick a sparkling headpiece from the royal jewelry collection for the evening. Other members of the royal family are also expected to attend.

[From People]

There’s been so much focus on whether Kate will appear at Trooping the Colour (June 15), meanwhile Buckingham Palace is making it clear that Kate will not be seen at all during a state visit one week later. They’re not even playing the “maybe she’ll come out for a state dinner or the official greeting.” I wonder if we’ll still be getting all of those ridiculous reports of “Kate sightings” and assurances that she’s absolutely running errands and out and about. Hm. Also: if there’s a state dinner, you know Rose Hanbury and David Rocksavage are invited.

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Cover Images.

Last Friday, Jennifer Lopez announced the cancelation of her This Is Me… Live Tour, which was supposed to start this summer. Jennifer has been in the dance studio for months, working out the show, so it came as a surprise in a narrow way – Jennifer is a workaholic and it felt like she would just barrel through with the tour, even as her life was falling apart. Now, that being said, I’m sure she was hurt by the poor ticket sales and the general ambivalence towards the album and the tour too. It was going to be a flop tour to support a flop album and the optics would have been awful. Jennifer spent the weekend being seen out and about in LA, going to the farmer’s market with Emme and going to her stepson’s basketball game. According to People Mag, J.Lo’s life is “a lot right now.”

Jennifer Lopez is taking time to recalibrate her life after canceling her upcoming tour. A source close to the singer-actress tells PEOPLE that Lopez is “devastated” to call off her summer concert tour but understands the extra time to dedicate to herself and her loved ones is key.

“Life is a lot right now. As sad as she was to cancel the tour, she’s also relieved. She needs to take care of herself,” says the source.

“The decision was something that her team encouraged,” the source adds. “Everyone is supportive of her focusing on family right now.”

Lopez’s This Is Me… Live tour, in support of her latest album but also rebranded to be a greatest hits concert, was set to kick off June 26 in Orlando, Florida, and travel for shows in Austin, Dallas, Las Vegas, Miami, Toronto, New York City, Boston and more. It would have been her first tour since 2019’s It’s My Party Tour.

The news comes as sources told PEOPLE that Lopez’s marriage with husband Ben Affleck is “not in the best place at the moment.” The two, who famously rekindled their decades-old romance before marrying in 2022, have been living under different roofs while both in Los Angeles.

[From People]

It feels like no one is capable of giving both Jennifer and Ben the benefit of the doubt here. I think it’s more than possible that Ben gave her an ultimatum: it’s our marriage or this dumb tour. As in, you need to stick around this summer and we need to spend time as a family, or else it’s over. Now, was Ben also following the fact that the concert tickets weren’t selling and the whole thing was going to be a disaster? For sure. Anyway, I genuinely hope that Jennifer spends the summer… chilling out with her kids and stepkids and working on her marriage.

Photos courtesy of Backgrid.