1. Kelly Rowland tells AMAs crowd to stop booing Chris Brown
It turns out not everybody hates Chris. During Sunday's American Music Awards, Kelly Rowland controversially came to the defense of Chris Brown amid boos from the crowd. Brown won the award for Favorite Male R&B Artist despite pleading guilty in 2009 to assaulting Rihanna and facing other allegations of violence against women, leading the audience to voice their displeasure. But Rowland, who was presenting the award, urged everyone to "chill out" before praising Brown, who wasn't in attendance. "I want to tell Chris, thank you so much for making great R&B music, and I want to tell him thank you for being an incredible performer," the Destiny's Child singer said, adding, "I love you." Brown was reportedly expected to perform a Michael Jackson tribute before he says it was canceled "for reasons unknown" — or, at least, unknown to anyone unable to Google his name.
TMZ Puck
2. Julia Fox claims she dated Ye to 'get him off of Kim's case'
File this one under profiles in courage, as Julia Fox now claims her short-lived romance with Kanye West was actually a heroic public service. In a bizarre TikTok, the Uncut Gems actress addressed a comment criticizing her for dating a "famously violent misogynist and antisemite," referring to her relationship with Ye earlier this year. In response, she insisted the whole thing was really an effort to get the rapper to stop bothering his ex-wife, Kim Kardashian. "I had this thought: Oh my god, maybe I can get him off of Kim's case," she said. "Like, maybe I can distract him." Not only that, but she says this was a success … at least, during the few weeks they were dating. "I will say that that month that we spent together … he didn't even talk about his relationship," she said, presumably setting herself up for a second try at the romance that she can spin as a sacrifice for the Jewish community.
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3. Ben Affleck and Matt Damon launch their own production company
How do you like them apples? Longtime buddies Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, who won screenwriting Oscars together for Good Will Hunting, have teamed up to launch their own production company, Artists Equity — and they've already secured $100 million from RedBird Capital Partners, according to The New York Times. Affleck will work exclusively for Artists Equity going forward and serve as chief executive. Damon, meanwhile, will serve as chief creative officer and star in films for their company. "This is the next act of my career for a long, long time," Affleck said. He also told the Times their goal is to share profits "in a way that's more equitable" than the big streaming services do — and presumably, the inevitable Bennifer documentary has just found its home. Damon reportedly plans to direct all of his profits from the new company toward buying more zoos.
The New York Times
4. Jay Leno released from the hospital, expected to 'make a full recovery'
Jay Leno is going home for the holidays. The former Tonight Show host was discharged from the Grossman Burn Center on Monday more than a week after he was seriously burned when one of the cars in his garage erupted into flames. "After a 10-day stay at the facility, Jay will receive follow-up care at the Grossman Outpatient Burn Clinic for burns to his face, chest and hands he received during a fire at his home garage," doctors said, and Leno's physician, Dr. Peter Grossman, said, "I am pleased with Jay's progress, and I am optimistic that he will make a full recovery." He underwent a skin grafting procedure while at the burn center. The first photo of Leno since the accident was also released, showing scarring on his face and hands as he smiles next to a group of nurses. "He is looking forward to spending Thanksgiving with his family and friends," doctors said, "and wishes everyone a wonderful holiday."
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5. Harry Styles and Olivia Wilde break up
Now that's what you call a Friday news dump, darling. Reports from People and Page Six on Friday evening confirmed Harry Styles and Olivia Wilde have broken up — or are at least on a break — and we're now getting more details about what went down. A source told Entertainment Tonight that the director and the singer "made the decision to call it quits a few weeks ago," though there can't be too much bad blood between them considering Wilde was spotted at his concert just last week. "He's gearing up for the international leg of his tour next week," the source added to ET, "so this was a fitting time to go their separate ways." The source also said the Don't Worry Darling collaborators plan to remain friends. In honor of the end, at least for now, of #WildeStyles, let's all pour out some salad dressing.
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