March 13, 2021 • No Comments • Entertainment News

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Palm Springs International Film Festival(LOS ANGELES) — Despite multiple reports claiming that Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez have split, sources tell ABC News that the couple are, in fact, still together.

The two were reportedly blindsided by the news of their split yesterday. While the two are said to be working out their issues, they have not broken up. Nor, as some have insinuated, is there anyone else involved.

“All the reports are inaccurate. We are working through some things,” the pair said in a statement to ABC News.

Currently, Jennifer is filming a new movie in the Dominican Republic, while Alex is working in Miami.

As previously reported, the two began dating in 2017 and got engaged in 2019.  They had to postpone their wedding twice due to COVID-19, and in January, Jennifer told ELLE magazine that there was “no rush” to wed.

By Andrea Dresdale
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

March 12, 2021 • No Comments • Entertainment News

ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images(NEW YORK) — Looks like the wedding is off for Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez.

The couple, who got engaged in 2019 and had twice postponed their nuptials during the pandemic, have decided to go their separate ways, sources told multiple outlets Friday.

J-Lo, 51, and A-Rod, 45, were photographed just last month together in the Dominican Republic, where J-Lo is filming her new movie, Shotgun Wedding. According to the New York Post‘s Page Six, A-Rod is now in Miami getting ready for baseball season, while J-Lo continues to film in DR.

In an interview last month with Allure, Jennifer revealed that she and Alex had been to couple’s therapy while in quarantine.

“I miss being creative and running on 150. But Alex, of all people, was like, ‘I love it. I love being at home. I love doing my Zooms. I love knowing the kids are there, and you’re there all the time,'” explained Lopez.

“It has been actually really good. We got to work on ourselves,” she continued. “We did therapy. I think it was really helpful for us in our relationship.”

The two had been dating since 2017. They were extremely public in documenting their relationship online and often spoke about how well their families blended together. Lopez has two children from her former marriage to singer Marc Anthony, and Rodriguez has two children as well with his former wife, Cynthia Scurtis.

By Andrea Tuccillo
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

March 12, 2021 • No Comments • Entertainment News

Dave J Hogan/Getty Images for Entone(LONDON) — Fans have been asking for it until they’re blue in the face, but the latter is exactly why Benedict Cumberbatch won’t be playing Star Wars baddie Grand Admiral Thrawn.

For the uninitiated, in the Star Wars Expanded Universe books, he’s the guy who took over the Empire after the death of Emperor Palpatine in Return of the Jedi. He was seen in Star Wars: Rebels and referenced in the second season of The Mandalorian, likely to be seen in its upcoming Rosario Dawson-led spin-off, Ahsoka. 

Thrawn also happens to be blue. And that’s why the Doctor Strange star says no. 

Truthfully, Cumberbatch never even heard of the character until Collider brought up the fan-favorite casting, in fact — but he tells the site the blue skin alone would be reason to decline. 

“That’s a straight no from me, right now,” the actor says. “There’s no way I want to be turned blue…I have precious time with my children and I think sitting in a makeup chair and being painted blue, and the amount of time it would take to do that and then take it off at the end of the day might just… it’s not the right time in my life for that.”

So Cumberbatch is out. Jason Isaacs, call your agent.

Star Wars Rebels: “Thrawn’s Ruthlessness” on Disney Video

By Stephen Iervolino
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

March 12, 2021 • No Comments • Entertainment News

ABC/Kelsey McNeal(LOS ANGELES) — Former The Talk co-host Holly Robinson Peete is speaking out about Sharon Osbourne following her heated exchange on The Talk where Osbourne defended Piers Morgan’s incendiary remarks about Meghan Markle.

In a tweet on Friday, Peete declared, “I’m old enough to remember when Sharon complained that I was too ‘ghetto’ for #theTalk…then I was gone,” the 21 Jump Street alum shared, alluding to CBS’ decision in 2011 not renew her and Leah Remini’s contract on the afternoon talk show.

“I bring this up now bc I was mortified watching the disrespectful condescending tone she took w/her co host who remained calm & respectful because…she HAD to,” Peete wrote, adding facepalm and shug emojis.

As previously noted, Osbourne tweeted early Friday morning that she had reflected on her behavior and was sorry.

“I have deep respect & love for the Black community,” she said in part. “To anyone of colour that I offended and/or to anyone that feels confused or let down by what I said, I am truly sorry.”

“I panicked, felt blindsided, got defensive & allowed my fear & horror of being accused of being racist take over,” Osbourne went on. “There are very few things that hurt my heart more than racism so to feel associated with that spun me fast! I am not perfect, I am still learning like the rest of us & will continue to learn, listen and do better.”

Osbourne’s exchange earlier in the week saw her on the defense. While supporting Morgan, Sharon yelled at co-host Sheryl Underwood, “Educate me! Tell me what [Piers] said that was racist!”

Underwood replied that Morgan’s negative comments about Markle had “the implication” of being racist.

By Candice Williams and Stephen Iervolino
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

March 12, 2021 • No Comments • Entertainment News

Courtesy HBO(LOS ANGELES) — (NOTE CONTENT) The bombshell Allen V. Farrow documentary concludes Sunday on HBO, which will deliver a deep dive into the disturbing allegations against embattled director Woody Allen brought against him by his family.

Allen is accused of molesting his daughter Dylan Farrow in the 90s, a claim he denies.

Allen V. Farrow co-director Amy Ziering sat down with ABC Audio to chat about the pending finale, which she says will cover a lot of material.

“There’s more shocking information. This is a story we thought was played out in the 90s, but it had this afterlife and reverberation for decades,” said Ziering. “Actually new information came forward in the 2010s.”

The finale will cover these new allegations and investigate to “see where where the truth lies,” says Ziering.

“We also we also find out what was the result of the criminal investigation and that you find out in episode four,” she teased.

Ziering also revealed that she offered to sit down with Allen and discuss the charges against him, but says he has yet to come to the table.

“We’d welcome talking with him,” said Ziering. “The offer is always there. Standing offer.”

Co-director Kirby Dick also discussed the impending series finale with ABC Audio to expand more on HBO’s offer to allow Allen to share his side of the story.

Dick mentioned how Allen said in a statement after the first episode aired that he was only invited to participate in the series a few months ago, and given just days to respond — which Kirby says is not the case.

“He was given… weeks to respond and he didn’t respond,” said Kirby.  “We obviously wanted to include an interview [with him.]”  

Allen V. Farrow wraps up Sunday night on HBO.

By Megan Stone and Jason Nathanson
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.