Entertainment
Candace Owens Claims Erika Kirk and Her Mom Wanted to Be Famous
Candace Owens is accusing Erika Kirk and her mother, Lori Frantzve, of being social climbers.
Speaking on episode 2 of her docuseries, Bride of Charlie, which dropped on Thursday, February 26, Owens claimed Erika, 37, and Lori have long held ambitions of being famous.
The conservative podcast host, 36, suggested that Lori had often encouraged Erika to work the room, even before Erika married prominent right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. (Charlie was shot dead at Utah university campus on September 10, 2025.)
“What people have said to me is she is the person who has always been the person in Erika’s ear. She’s this type A person that tells her who to go after in each and every room. She knows who those people are, who Erika should instantly transform into, what she has to say,” Owens said in the episode.
She continued, “I mean, one of [Erika’s] exes was very clear. He said to me, ‘I was warned by another person in the beauty pageant world that that girl will do anything to get to the top and her mother will do anything to help her get to the top.”
Owens went on to claim that outsiders suspected that Lori has likely been “the person in her ear” but also suggested that Erika was a willing participant in this as she had similar goals.
“She wanted Erika to be famous. But let’s not remove Erika from this. Erika desperately wanted to be famous. No one can deny that,” Owens added.
Owens also referenced Erika’s past relationships, including JT Massey. Erika and Massey, her then-boyfriend, auditioned to compete on The Amazing Race together in 2014.
Erika Kirk. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
“Tomorrow when we now begin in earnest to go through Erika’s life, you will see she’s never dated a normal guy. She’s never dated a guy with a nine-to-five job,” Owens continued. “You can see, like, she was going to be with somebody. She was, ‘Okay, you’re going to the NFL. You’re going to the MLB. We can be on the Amazing Race together.’”
Us Weekly has reached out to representatives for Erika Kirk and Lori Frantze for comment.
Erika took over the role as Turning Point CEO after her husband, Charlie, was fatally shot in the neck while speaking at an outdoor event on the Utah Valley University campus on September 10, 2025. He was 31. (A 22-year-old male was arrested in connection with the shooting on September 11, 2025, but has yet to enter a plea.)
Owens, a former Turning Point USA communications director, has grown increasingly critical of Erika since Charlie’s death.
Candace Owens is raising questions about Charlie Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, in her new multi-part docuseries, Bride of Charlie, exploring Erika’s upbringing and background. “I will tell you my personal opinion and experience with her. What alarms me about Erika isn’t so much the fact that she lies, which we will prove to you over […]
In January, Owens leaked audio of Erika, which was reportedly recorded two weeks after Charlie was fatally shot, and suggested the widow was possibly moving on too fast from the loss.
“That’s moving pretty quickly to the acceptance phase now,” Owens told her viewers at the time. “We know everybody grieves differently. In my imagination, I just thought she would be more upset.”
For her part, Erika shared a tribute to Charlie via her Instagram to commemorate turning 37 on February 20.
“I always loved celebrating you, and maybe because it was a reflection of how beautifully you always celebrated me. I romanticized growing old with you, the love of my life,” Erika, who has a son and daughter with Charlie, shared. “I used to wonder what our faces would look like with wisdom-wrinkles. You’d always tell me how you hoped I’d keep my long hair even when we were both gray and also that l’d always wear white (because it was the color you loved me wearing the most).”
Erika added, “We’d laugh about how you’d probably still be out on college campuses in your 80s, doing ‘Prove Me Wrong’ campus events because you loved those students. And then we’d both start to tear up when talking about our babies growing older and having a family of their own. A full life.”
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Entertainment
Michael Rapaport explodes on Johnny Weir, other stars forced to intervene during “Traitors” reunion tirade
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Maura Higgins shouted at Rapaport at the end of his meltdown, while host Andy Cohen even stepped in to curb the actor’s major scene.
Pink
Might Fill Kelly Clarkson’s Talk Show Slot!!!
Published
Pink is being eyed to take over Kelly Clarkson‘s spot on her NBC talk show, according to a new report.
The “American Idol” alum is closing out “The Kelly Clarkson Show” after 7 seasons this fall, and a source tells Page Six that producers see her fitting in as a permanent replacement. The insider says … “She’s been guest-hosting and it seems she’s doing very well, and that’s the plan.”
No word on where in the process Pink is. TMZ has reached out to her reps for comment … so far, no word back.
The “So What” singer is scheduled to guest-host for Kelly for a week beginning Monday.
Pink has reportedly moved to the city after spending several weeks in the Big Apple last summer. She’s lived on a 25-acre vineyard in California with her husband, Carey Hart, and their children for several years.
The new report comes after People magazine claimed she and Carey were heading to splitsville after 20 years of marriage … Pink responded to the rumor on social media by calling it “fake news.”
Matlock found a way to subtly throw shade at David Del Rio‘s exit as Billy after offscreen allegations of sexual assault.
The CBS show returned on Thursday, February 26, with Sarah (Leah Lewis) and Matty (Kathy Bates) meeting with HR representative Gwen Easton (Sarah Wright-Olsen), who asked about Billy’s absence.
“Out sick. Very, very sick. Vomiting,” Sarah said, to which Gwen joked, “Yay, so no need for him to return! Job eliminated. …. Kidding again! It was nice to meet you two.”
Gwen also floated the idea of one of the three people working for Olympia (Skye P. Marshall) being on the chopping block. “Could she make do with two people if one of you takes the generous severance package being offered?” she asked.
Matlock teased a surprise paternity story line for Billy in season 2 before David Del Rio was fired for allegedly sexually assaulting his costar Leah Lewis. The hit CBS series, which premiered in September 2024, follows a wealthy retired lawyer named Madeline Kingston (Kathy Bates) who pretends to be a poor widower named Matty Matlock […]
Del Rio, 38, has been absent from the show since news broke in October 2025 about an alleged incident involving him and his then-costar Lewis, which took place one month prior. Del Rio was “fired and escorted off the lot the same day the alleged assault was reported,” according to reports released at the time.
Lewis, 29, broke her silence at the time by sharing a photo with her mother from set.
“Mom is here, we’re moving forward in love and strength. I’m in good hands,” she wrote via Instagram in October. “Thank you to everybody for any kind of support and care. Truly, we’re moving forward in strength. Key word, strength. Please, let that be the take away.”
David’s wife, meanwhile, posted Instagram Stories calling Lewis a “disturbing human being” before deleting them hours later.
Before the scandal, Del Rio spoke to Us Weekly in May 2025 about how the show would be committing to the paternity twist involving his character, Billy. “I’m really excited to see how Billy handles the work balance with the personal balance of it all,” he shared before the season 2 premiere. (His character was written off in the midseason finale when Billy found out his girlfriend miscarried.)
Lewis also weighed in on what was awaiting Sarah in season 2 during the joint interview.
“I remember reading the finale and hoping at the end that Sarah was going to get away scot free with this wonderful victory. Of course the thing happens with Simone and she might need to take accountability,” Lewis hinted. “To be honest, this is where we really get to see if Sarah can step up to the plate for the thing that she has been begging for, asking for and working so hard for. You want to get treated like a big dog. We’ll start acting like a big dog. I feel like this season we’ll definitely probably get to see her mature a bit more on that aspect. Her professional win is not over yet.”
While David has yet to address his firing, Us confirmed in December 2025 that CBS reopened its investigation into the incident.
“David has provided evidence, including text messages between David and Leah and names of witnesses who are willing to talk,” a source exclusively told Us earlier this month. “In light of the evidence, the investigation was reopened.”
The insider claimed Del Rio “has evidence and witnesses that he believes could disprove Leah’s allegation,” adding, “David’s team believes he was fired without appropriate due process or a proper investigation.”
The network’s supplemental investigation concluded earlier this month with CBS standing by their original decision to dismiss Del Rio from the show.
Matlock airs on CBS Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET.
Benny Blanco
Dirty Hobbit Feet Weren’t My Fault!!!
Published
ABC
Benny Blanco is well aware his feet have gone viral after a recent podcast taping showed his bare tootsies were absolutely filthy … but he says he’s really not the Peanuts’ Pig-Pen.
The record producer dropped by “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on Thursday, along with Lil Dicky, to talk about their new “Friends Keep Secrets” podcast … which is already a hit thanks to BB’s filthy bare feet on the pilot episode.
Benny defended his dogs … saying Dicky’s floors were dirty, and that’s the reason why his feet were so nasty. He then took off a boot and his sock to show Jimmy, and viewers, his feet are pretty clean.
Of course, it wasn’t just haters coming at Benny … others suggested he could make some decent dough if he posted snaps of his dirty feet and sold them on fetish websites … something Kimmel also brought up.
Friends Keep Secrets
It makes sense … after the podcast moment went viral, his feet made it onto wikiFeet — a website where all lovers of the foot can gather to rate feet … Benny has an overall score of 3/5.
Lisa Rinna is stirring up Hollywood chatter once again. During a recent late-night appearance, the former reality star made a bold claim involving two of the industry’s most recognizable leading men and her own daughters.
What began as a lighthearted game quickly turned into a headline-grabbing moment, as Rinna alleged that Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire once showed interest in her model girls, igniting fresh debate about age gaps and celebrity dating patterns.
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Lisa Rinna Says Leonardo DiCaprio And Tobey Maguire Reached Out
During a playful segment called “Trait-ing, Truth and Falsehoods,” the topic shifted to DiCaprio and Maguire, and Rinna did not hold back.
She claimed the “Titanic” star “hit up” her daughters and added that “so did Tobey Maguire.” The comment immediately stood out, especially given the actors’ ages.
DiCaprio, 51, and Maguire, 50, are roughly three decades older than Rinna’s daughters, Delilah, who is 27, and Amelia, 24.
Rinna then suggested that the attention wasn’t unusual in their world, remarking per the Daily Mail, “A lot of ’em have hit the girls [up], as you know.”
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While she did not share details about when or where the alleged interactions took place, the statement alone was enough to spark buzz.
Delilah and Amelia Hamlin have built impressive modeling careers, working with major brands like SKIMS, Guess, and Versace.
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Rinna’s Comments Highlight The Actors’ Dating Histories
Lisa Rinna’s remarks also revived long-running conversations about DiCaprio and Maguire’s personal lives.
Both actors launched their careers in the 1990s and have remained fixtures in Hollywood ever since.
DiCaprio has frequently been linked to younger models. He is currently dating 27-year-old Italian model Vittoria Ceretti, who is 24 years younger than him.
Over the years, he has dated several high-profile women, including Gisele Bündchen, Blake Lively, Bar Refaeli, and Gigi Hadid.
On the other hand, Maguire was married to jewelry designer Jennifer Meyer from 2007 until 2016. The former couple shares two children, Otis and Ruby. Meyer, now 48, is expecting her third child with fiancé Geoffrey Ogunlesi.
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In recent years, Maguire has been spotted with younger women, including Tatiana Dieteman, Lily Chee, and Mishka Silva.
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Lisa Rinna’s Daughters Also Navigate High-Profile Age-Gap Relationships
Rinna’s daughters have experienced their own share of headline-making romances, particularly when it comes to age differences.
Amelia previously dated Scott Disick from 2020 to 2021. Disick, who is 18 years her senior, shares three children, Mason, Penelope, and Reign, with Kourtney Kardashian. Their relationship drew heavy media attention during its run.
Nearly five years after that relationship ended, Amelia is now dating 31-year-old Nicolai Marciano, heir to the Guess Inc. fashion empire, and the pair made their red carpet debut in November 2025.
Meanwhile, her sister Delilah has been romantically linked to Eyal Booker from 2019 to 2021 and Aidan Reilly in 2014.
Rinna Speaks Candidly About Her Husband’s Sexuality
Lisa Rinna’s latest revelation comes after she finally addressed the longstanding rumors about her husband, Harry Hamlin’s sexuality, shutting them down in her new memoir “You Better Believe I’m Gonna Talk About It” and making her stance “crystal clear.”
As The Blast reported, the “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” alum revealed that her husband is “heterosexual” and insisted he is not gay “in any way, shape or form.”
Rinna also noted that there’s nothing wrong with being gay. She suggested the speculation began after Harry starred as a gay man in the 1982 film “Making Love,” explaining that the role was “brave” but also led some to assume it reflected his personal life.
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The 62-year-old said she first noticed rumors intensifying when she joined “RHOBH” in 2014 and called much of the chatter ridiculous, emphasizing that her husband’s sexuality has never been in question between them.
Lisa Rinna Reveals Who Her Biggest Bully In Hollywood Is
Rinna also revealed in her new memoir that the person she considers the “biggest bully in Hollywood” wasn’t a “Real Housewives” castmate.
Instead, it is her former “Days of Our Lives” co-star, Robert Kelker-Kelly, who she says made her life “a living hell” on set in the early 1990s.
According to The Blast, the actress wrote that while she and Kelker-Kelly’s characters had a passionate on-screen romance, behind the scenes, the dynamic was hostile, with her co-star allegedly acting “verbally abusive, passive-aggressive, manipulative” and playing “weird mind games.”
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Rinna claimed that if she didn’t do what he wanted during scenes, sometimes while filming love scenes, he would give her the silent treatment and be unpredictable, calling him “a ticking time bomb” who left her exhausted and emotionally drained.
The tension was so pronounced that Rinna says NBC even provided a security detail for her and another cast member after Kelker-Kelly abruptly disappeared from the show.
Rihanna
Please Don’t Stop The Music …
Back In the Studio
Published
Rihanna is doing nothing but work, work, work, work, work … sharing a new video from inside the studio — and fans are hoping it’s a sign fresh tunes are finally on the way.
RiRi took to social media Thursday to show a glimpse of her packed schedule … kicking things off with a late-night meeting with her Savage x Fenty team. The session stretches deep into the night, with Rihanna seen reviewing ideas and signing off on concepts.
Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.
Then, just after 2 AM, it’s off to the studio.
Rihanna looks fully locked in … working the mixing board, scribbling notes, and vibing out in the booth. There’s no audio in the clip, but that hasn’t stopped the fans from spiraling … lighting up the comment section elated about potential new music.
Believe it or not … Rihanna’s last album “ANTI” dropped a decade ago. Feel old yet?
RiRi’s still not calling it a night … once the sun comes up, she pivots straight into mommy mode — crafting a Mardi Gras costume for her son, Riot. She goes all out, putting together a custom umbrella and a festive jacket-and-jeans fit that looks stellar.
Whether it’s a studio grind or mom time … Rihanna’s not missing a beat.
The hip-hop world is still reeling after the untimely death of 25-year-old rapper Lil Poppa, and attention has turned to Toie Roberts — Rick Ross’s daughter and mother of Poppa’s only child. Roomies, she’s giving fans a glimpse into her grief, the love they shared and him as a father.
RELATED: Forever Missed! Lil Poppa’s Sister Shares Heartfelt Tribute After His Passing (PHOTOS)
Toie Shares Emotional Tribute Honoring Lil Poppa
In a heartfelt TikTok video this week, Toie shared a caption reading, “till forever ends & that’s NEVER! so don’t give uppppppppppp on us…” alongside several sentimental emojis. Over a one-minute montage, she posted intimate clips showing Lil Poppa, herself, and their son, offering fans a personal look at the bond they shared as a family and the legacy he leaves behind beyond music.
Fans Flood TSR With Condolences For Toie
Roomies immediately flooded TSR’s Instagram comment section, sharing their reactions to Toie Roberts’ heartfelt tribute. Some fans noted how happy Lil Poppa seemed whenever he was with her, highlighting the love they shared. Many others offered condolences, sending prayers and support to Toie and his family during this heartbreaking time.
One Instagram user @wastb said, “i keeppp rewatching this! he really lovedddd you 😢 you bought out that side i see when his family post him“
This Instagram user @nooniezyekasiaa commented, “giving you the biggest virtual hug Eva“
And, Instagram user @Sweetie added, “I couldn’t imagine this pain🥹💔praying for you and pj🙏🏽!!!!”
Meanwhile, Instagram user @ms.darylneisha_ wrote, “Girlllll im so sorry you have to experience this I wish nothing but strength on you 🥺🥺🥺”
While Instagram user @edvanced shared, “This really made me sad. Praying for healing 😩😩”
Lastly, Instagram user @dajabtw added, “I hate this for her, she was the first person I thought about when he died😢”
What Happened To Lil Poppa?
As previously reported, Lil Poppa’s passing has officially been ruled a suicide, the result of a gunshot wound to the head. The news hit just as fans were still reeling from the shock of his sudden death, sending social media into a whirlwind of grief and tributes. Coming shortly after the release of his single ‘Out Of Town Bae,’ many are now reflecting on his recent music, wondering what struggles he may have been facing behind the scenes and mourning the talent taken far too soon.
RELATED: Lil Poppa’s Cause Of Death Confirmed As Close Collaborator Breaks Silence (UPDATE)
What Do You Think Roomies?
Andy Cohen shared a touching message to The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star Mary Cosby following the death of her son Robert Cosby Jr.
At the end of the Thursday, February 26, episode of Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen, Cohen, 57, directed heartfelt words to Mary and her family as they continue to grieve the loss of Robert Jr.
“Before we go, I want to send all my love and heartfelt condolences to Mary Cosby and her family after news broke yesterday about the tragic passing of Mary’s son Robert Jr. This devastatingly sad news is every parent’s worst nightmare,” Cohen said. “My heart breaks for Mary. I will always appreciate getting a small window into the unconditional love between Mary and Robert Jr.”
Cohen went on to praise Mary, 53, for the way she dealt with her son’s struggles over the years, saying, “Mary, you did such a good job.”
The Bravo personality then publicly thanked both the mother and son duo for sharing their story so openly, which he believes will assist others fighting the same battle.
“I know their bravery and their vulnerability in sharing their story has helped and will continue to help countless people who are struggling,” Cohen continued. “Rest in peace Robert Jr. and thanks.”
Us Weekly confirmed on Wednesday, February 25, that Robert Jr. died at age 23 following a suspected overdose in his parents’ Utah home.
Mary Cosby. (Photo by Maya Dehlin Spach/Getty Images)
“Our beloved son Robert Jr. has been called home to the Lord,” Mary shared in a statement to Us. “Though our hearts ache, we take comfort in God’s promise and in knowing he is finally at peace. We are grateful for your prayers and trust in the Lord to carry us through this time of sorrow.”
Robert Jr.’s addiction battle was featured on RHOSLC throughout the past two seasons. Viewers often applauded Mary for her candid approach to opening up about her son’s struggles.
Cohen previously shared his condolences while speaking on the Wednesday, February 25 episode of SiriusXM’s “Andy Cohen Live.”
“We’re so sad to read the news about Mary Cosby’s son, Robert and I can’t think of anything worse than losing a child and in this way,” he said. “[Cohost] John [Hill], you and I have talked so much on this show about addiction and the heartbreak that is associated and I have so much love for Mary.”
The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City’s Mary Cosby and her husband, Robert Cosby Sr., are “struggling to understand” son Robert Cosby Jr.’s death. “Robert Sr. and Mary Cosby are mourning the loss of their beloved son, Robert Clinton Cosby, Jr.,” Clayton Simms, an attorney for the Cosby family, exclusively told Us Weekly on Wednesday, […]
Cohen shared that he spoke with Mary for “a while” on Tuesday, February 24 — one day after Robert Jr. died, emphasizing that this is “every parent’s worst nightmare.”
“You and I talked about this too, just about how much respect we had for the way that she spoke to Robert when we saw them talking about this on air and what I really admired was that she kind of met him where he was in a way, and she was kind of gently steering him or guiding him,” Cohen said.
Cohen recalled that Robert Jr. was in jail when the RHOSLC season 6 reunion was filmed. (Robert Jr. violated a protective order in 2025. He pleaded guilty to the charges and was released from jail earlier this month.)
“She was really hoping that he would be scared straight and I guess that didn’t happen,” Cohen claimed. Cohen added that they are “sending all our love to Mary and Robert.”
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“Scream 7” will see the return of Neve Campbell’s Sidney Prescott, but is notably missing rising stars from prior installments.
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Why did Billy Burke and Stephanie Arcila leave “Fire Country”? What we know about their exits (and potential returns)
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Arcila was as surprised by her departure as the audience was.
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