Barry Manilow‘s fans suffer another crushing blow!

The singer seemingly shelved another performance for the second time this year, months after he postponed a few dates to focus on addressing his lung cancer diagnosis.

Barry Manilow revealed that he was diagnosed with stage 1 non-small cell lung cancer in late 2025 after his doctor ordered an MRI after dealing with a lengthy episode of bronchitis.

5

The songwriter shocked his fans by canceling his Tuesday night concert in Lexington. The announcement was made via X minutes before he was billed to take the stage at Rupp Arena, and he did not give a reason for the sudden rescheduling.

The Lexington show was postponed back in March when it was originally scheduled amid his recovery from surgery for his lung cancer. Rupp Arena has since assured ticket buyers that all previously purchased tickets will remain valid for the newly announced dates.

Page Six reported that a significant number of tickets for the standard package were still on sale, ranging from $39 to $578, while fan club tickets had sold out on Tuesday, August 4. Manilow is, however, expected to appear in Cincinnati, Ohio, for another leg of performances on Wednesday, August 5.

The ‘Could It Be Magic’ Hitmaker Was Uncertain About Regaining His Voice Post-Surgery

5

As shared by The Blast in early June, Manilow disclosed that his stage one cancer surgery was successful, but he harbored one concerning fear about the state of his vocals.

The singer shared that his left lung was taken out during the surgery, and he got to realize just how it may impact his career during his first soundcheck after his surgery.

Manilow was billed to open his first stadium show on June 25, ahead of his Las Vegas residency, which was slated for July. He confessed that his voice felt so unfamiliar, and that realization left him at a crossroads about whether to return to performing or move on.

“That is really upsetting. Because I don’t want it to stop,” the star noted, as he admitted that edging so close to losing a voice everyone once treasured made him value the richness of his tone differently. 

To address his diagnosis, Manilow revealed that he did not go through chemotherapy or radiation, as medics confirmed it was an early-stage tumor, which was sorted by a successful procedure.

Barry Manilow Did Not Have Smooth Sailing During Surgery Recovery

5

The performer shared that his cancer was discovered after his doctor decided to conduct more tests into his six-week battle with bronchitis, which led him straight to the roots of his health issues. He revealed that his team of doctors saw the spot on his lungs and, in their urgency, called for a surgical procedure almost instantly.

As soon as the process was done, Manilow headed into recovery, which totally left a not-so-great taste on his tongue as he had to deal with pneumonia. This interference in his health landed him in the intensive care unit, and he spent most of his time there wondering if he would make it out alive.

He also did a lot of introspection about his music and its effect on people over the years, wondering if he had made people happy. Manilow’s experience with the kind medical staff who tended to him in recovery also gave him hope that there is so much good in the world.

Throughout his career, Manilow has recorded and released over 51 chart-topping singles, including 13 number-one hits, and 13 platinum and 6 multi-platinum albums. The singer has sold over 85 million records worldwide as a solo artist, earning him a spot on the list of the world’s best-selling artists.

The 83-Year-Old Chose Healing Over Comeback Post Cancer Surgery

5

USA Today shared earlier in the year that Manilow announced in an Instagram post that he has decided to reschedule all performances from February through mid-March. He explained that despite maintaining a regular wellness routine ahead of an early-stage return, he still found it hard to sustain notes without taking breaks.

The singer added that, while he received a positive update from his doctor about his recovery, his doctor sternly warned him against considering a 90-minute performance. Although he was disappointed, the singer agreed that a quick comeback could jeopardize the pace of his recovery.

The music producer expressed optimism about returning to his Las Vegas residency later in March and early April, while profusely apologizing for the additional postponements and promising that his comeback would be worth it.

Barry Manilow Uncovered A New Purpose In Being A Grandfather Before His Health Episode

5

The music producer had been riding high after welcoming his first grandchild a few years before his lung cancer surgery. The Blast shared that the singer confessed that he never imagined stepping into fatherhood, but watching his granddaughter grow has been an experience of a lifetime.

Manilow stepped into grandfatherhood after his husband’s daughter Kirsten Kief welcomed a baby girl into the family via adoption. The family milestone came during a memorable year for the entertainer, who broke Elvis Presley’s long-standing record for the most performances at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino.

The award-winning singer shared that his late stepfather opened his eyes to the positive side of family and music via his extensive record collection. Manilow has also helped raise Kirsten from the tender age of two, remaining a significant part of her life. 

Manilow and his husband cum longtime manager Garry Kief have been together for more than 4 decades. They discreetly tied the knot in 2014 during an intimate ceremony attended by around 30 guests.

Literature saw a drastic transformation—or rather, several—throughout the 20th century. From the experimental nature of modernism, to the surge of global voices that came from postcolonial literature, to the post-Tolkien fantasy revolution, to the transformation of science fiction into a genre as respectable as any other—well, it’s no mystery why many of the greatest books ever written were published between 1901 and 1999.

Whether it’s a generation-defining Latin American gem like Pedro Páramo, a genre masterpiece like the revolutionary Dune, or a postmodernist masterpiece like Gravity’s Rainbow, the greatest book masterpieces of the 20th century are fascinating to study. These 100 years were perhaps the most radically transformative in literary history, and as such, the best books they produced are all essential reading.

10

‘Pedro Páramo’ (1955)

Image via Editorial RM

Studying the history and trajectory of 20th-century literature could never possibly be complete without looking at Latin America’s output during the era. Fittingly, no study of 20th-century Latin American literature could ever possibly be complete without reading Mexican writer Juan Rulfo‘s magnum opus, Pedro Páramo, one of the greatest and most important works of magical realism in the genre’s entire history.

Legendary Argentine writer Jorge Luis Borges once called Pedro Páramo one of the greatest texts ever written in any language, and it’s hard to disagree. Though it was originally a critical and commercial failure, Pedro Páramo nowadays stands as a paragon of Latin American literature. Framed with a revolutionary non-linear structure and full of haunting surrealism that makes the book hard to put down, it’s one of the most influential modern literary works not in the English language.

9

‘In Cold Blood’ (1966)

Image via Vintage

It’s difficult to pinpoint the origins of the non-fiction novel all the way back to a single book, but one thing is certain: the genre saw its boom around the mid-20th century. One of the most important non-fiction novels in history is Truman Capote‘s In Cold Blood, one of the best books of the 1960s, detailing the 1959 Clutter family murders that took place in Holcomb, Kansas.

Widely hailed as the grandfather of the true crime novel, In Cold Blood has aged like fine wine, and some 21st-century critics even call it the first true non-fiction novel. It’s a masterpiece built on surprisingly cinematic and free-flowing prose, without ever sacrificing Capote’s journalistic attention to detail. Exhaustively researched, perfectly paced, and wonderfully complex, it’s a must-read for anyone interested in the true crime genre.

8

‘The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle’ (1994–1995)

Image via Vintage Classics

Published as a three-volume novel between 1994 and 1995, and later published in English in 1997, The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle is almost universally regarded as the best 20th-century book by one of the greatest Japanese authors of all time, Haruki Murakami. Wildly ambitious and beautifully surreal, it’s a thought-provoking exploration of historical trauma and the search for personal identity.

It may be a bit too long, dark, and dense for someone who hasn’t read Murakami before, but that doesn’t detract from the fact that The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle is one of the greatest Japanese novels in history. Bolstered by Murakami’s uniquely dreamlike prose, a fascinating protagonist, and imagery that lends itself perfectly to infinite analysis and multiple re-reads, it’s yet another instance of flawless 20th-century magical realism.

7

‘Dune’ (1965)

Image via Chilton Books

Upon release, Frank Herbert‘s Dune was an immediate commercial and critical success. In the years since, praise for it has only kept growing larger, more widespread, and more mainstream. Today, few would be against saying that this is the single most important and influential work of science fiction of the 20th century.

Simply put, Dune is one of the best sci-fi book masterpieces of all time, a hugely ambitious and complex work that has only gotten better with age. It’s a cautionary tale against the dangers of messianic leaders and religious fanaticism, a study of the relationship between politics and religion, and a meditation on the way humans seek to control the environment. Epic in scale yet deeply intimate when it needs to be, Dune is a must-read even for those who typically don’t love science fiction.

6

‘The Great Gatsby’ (1925)

Image via Scribner

Advertisement

F. Scott Fitzgerald was primarily a short story writer, having written only four novels; and even though he died thinking he was a failure whose works were destined to oblivion, history remembers him among the greatest American writers of the 20th century. Who, if not one of the greats, could have written The Great Gatsby, a remarkably strong contender for the title of “The Great American Novel”?

It’s one of the most powerful tragedy novels of the 20th century, inspired by a romance Fitzgerald had with socialite Ginevra King in his youth. The book was a commercial disappointment, but in the years following, it became the subject of deep academic and critical re-evaluation. Today, it’s one of the most beloved classics of its time, a deeply nuanced and thought-provoking critique of the dark underbelly of the American Dream.

5

‘The Catcher in the Rye’ (1951)

Image via Little, Brown and Company

Advertisement

Another book that some would dare to refer to as the greatest American novel of all time, J. D. Salinger‘s The Catcher in the Rye is at the very least a remarkable masterpiece. Partially serialized between 1945 and 1946, until finally being novelized in 1951, it has aged as one of the most important coming-of-age novels written in the modern era.

Calling it one of the best books of the 1950s is quite the understatement. Originally written for adults, the book has since become an icon for teenage angst and rebellion, thanks to its profound exploration of themes of loss, innocence, and identity. Imbued with a raw emotional honesty and highly accessible, colloquial prose that feels refreshing even today, it’s a classic that’s incredibly easy—and crucial—to read.

4

‘The Lord of the Rings’ (1954–1955)

Image via HarperCollins

Published in three volumes, J. R. R. Tolkien‘s The Lord of the Rings was originally envisioned as a simple sequel to Tolkien’s iconic children’s novel The Hobbit, but gradually started transforming into something far larger and more epic. Today, it’s widely remembered as the greatest work of fantasy literature of the 20th century, a true turning point for the entire genre.

Since 1955, many books have tried to be “the next Lord of the Rings,” yet not even the best ones have ever managed to match the level of quality of Tolkien’s writing. It really is one of the greatest genre novels ever written and one of the best fantasy book masterpieces, boosted by Tolkien’s gorgeously detailed use of language and the worldbuilding’s tremendous depth and density. One can’t fully understand the history of 20th-century literature without reading The Lord of the Rings.

3

‘Gravity’s Rainbow’ (1973)

Image via Viking Press

Thomas Pynchon is far and away one of the most important postmodern writers ever, an author whose deep imagination and perfectly effective sense of humor helped him reshape modern literature. In order to understand Pynchon’s importance to 20th-century literature, one needn’t go any further than the book typically recognized as his very best: Gravity’s Rainbow, one of the heaviest sci-fi books ever written.

It’s a sprawling monster of a book whose cultural impact and deep influence can still be seen today. Gravity’s Rainbow is a work of true genius full of complex ideas and the sort of aesthetic experiments that you can expect from any Pynchon book, a techno-paranoid gem whose analysis of the dehumanizing effects of technology has tragically aged like fine wine. It’s not an easy read, but it’s an essential one nonetheless.

2

‘One Hundred Years of Solitude’ (1967)

Image via Harper & Row

It’s a very nuanced and subjective debate, but if any book has a claim to the title of “most important work of Spanish-language literature since Cervantes‘ Don Quixote,” it’s Colombian author Gabriel García Márquez‘s One Hundred Years of Solitude. Heavily inspired by Pedro Páramo, this is arguably the greatest work of magical realism in the history of literature.

One Hundred Years of Solitude proved that the major axis of world literature in the mid-20th century was Latin America, and it’s just as profoundly engrossing a read today as it was almost 60 years ago. Masterfully structured, gorgeously atmospheric, and profoundly human in ways that very few books have ever been, it’s a masterpiece that absolutely everyone should read at least once in their lives, regardless of what their native language is.

1

‘Ulysses’ (1922)

Image via Penguin Modern Classics

James Joyce‘s Ulysses is to the modernist literature of the first half of the 20th century what Gravity’s Rainbow is to the postmodernist literature of the century’s latter half. It’s a modern take on Homer‘s The Odyssey, modeled after both the structure and story of the foundational epic poem. But where many classics can be a bit of a chore to get through nowadays, the uniquely experimental style with which Joyce approached Ulysses makes it a thoroughly enjoyable read to this day.

There’s not much of a plot here. Instead, Joyce structures the story with the free-flowing pace of a stream of consciousness, exploring an entirely ordinary day in Dublin with entirely extraordinary detail and vibrancy. Joyce toys around with the English language in ways that you just can’t get in any other book ever written, and that alone is more than enough to make Ulysses an essential read. It’s hard to point to a single novel and call it the best of the 20th century, but if any one deserves it, it’s this one.

Terrence Howard shared a series of vacation videos on Instagram on Tuesday, August 4, and his hilarious attempts to wrangle a centipede have the internet in stitches. Not only that, witty fan reactions ensued.

RELATED: Druski Has The Internet Crackin’ Up After Sharing Hilarious Auditions For Coulda Been Records (VIDEO)

Terrence Howard Shares Hilarious Vacation Video

Howard shared footage from his vacation with his ex-wife and current partner, Mira Pak, on Instagram. As a panicked Pak recorded between shrieks and laughter, Howard chased a centipede around the hotel room trying to capture it in a glass jar.

The first video is captioned, “Part 1… trying to catch and release a centipede #makewayforlife.”

“I can handle it as long as he don’t move,” said the actor.

He then attempted to capture the critter inside a mason jar, to no avail. In a second video, as he tried to get the centipede in a jar, it started wiggling ferociously.

“Gimme a spatula,” Howard shouted. “Gimme a spatula and stop standing around! Oh…. he’s doin’ the jiggle wiggle.”

“Honey, I’m sorry, Here! Here,” said Pak as she handed him a spatula.

The next video shows Howard chasing the centipede with the glass jar and spatula, but the centipede was too fast for the actor.

“Get it into the jar!…. Honey, pleaaaase,” begged Pak.

In the fourth video, Howard finally captured the centipede in a jar with a pair of salad tongs, much to Park’s delight.

“Put the lid on it,” shouted Park. “Put the lid!”

Fan Reactions Ensued

Fans reacted to the video after it was shared on TSR’s Instagram page, and folks were hollerin’.

User @faithdonna.z wrote, “The centipede moved like it had groceries to unpack.😭🤣💀.”

User @bundleofbunnie, “Yall be trynna be nice to the bugs maaaaaane, STEP ON ITTTT!🤣😭💯.”

@trinidadrellbackup joked, “Me trynna flip the bacon before one side burns 😂😂.”

User @tef_lon_don wrote, “Lmaooo she would’ve had to get on out of the room w all that HONEY! ish like girl hush in this intense moment I’m tryna concentrate 😂😂.”

@itsebonyy___ agreed. “She would’ve pissed me off…all that hootin and hollerin😒😂😂.”

@ohkayshay added, “If she ‘Honey’ him one more time 😂.”

User @imjustme_tae joked, “Girl hush honey is trying 😩.”

@jalyeigh added, “Girl hushhhhh and let the man focus on getting that dinosaur up!”

User @loveesme__ replied, “A Jamaican would get the machete😂😂.”

Pak Begged Hoard Not To Release The Centipede Outside

The fourth video Howard shared also features Pak begging him not to release the critter outside for fear it would crawl back in.

“Please don’t! It’ll come back into the house,” she exclaimed.

Howard demanded that Pak “open the d*mn door” in a fifth video, to which she complied.

He captioned the fourth video, “Part 4… we checked out early the next day.”

RELATED: The Big 3! Rihanna & A$AP Rocky Celebrate Riot’s Birthday With A Spider-Man Party (VIDEO)

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ prison release date has changed again.

Just a week after Us reported that the disgraced music mogul was now scheduled to be released from federal prison on January 24, 2028, the Federal Bureau of Prisons pushed back the star’s release date by just under a month.

Online records viewed by Us on Wednesday, August 5, show that Diddy, 56, is now eligible for release on February 20, 2028.

Diddy was sentenced to 50 months in federal prison in October 2025 after being found guilty on two charges of transportation to engage in prostitution. He is serving his sentence at FCI Fort Dix in New Jersey.

Related: Diddy’s Intake Photo From New Jersey’s Fort Dix Prison Revealed 

A new glimpse of Sean “Diddy” Combs as an inmate in federal prison has been revealed. CBS News published Diddy’s intake photo at FCI Fort Dix in New Jersey on Monday, November 10. The former music mogul, 57, was transferred to the facility on October 30, several weeks after being sentenced to four years behind […]

The Bad Boy Records founder was initially scheduled to be released on June 4, 2028, however, that date has changed multiple times. In March, Us reported that the star’s release was moved up to April 25, 2028. Two months later, it changed to February 23, 2028. As of July 29, he was due to be released in January 2028.

“At this point we do not have the necessary information to respond with any clarity,” a spokesperson for Diddy told Us last week.

The recent changes to Diddy’s release date come after multiple reports that the rapper was involved in an alleged altercation with another inmate at FCI Fort Dix. The fight was reportedly broken up by prison staff, and Diddy was apparently moved to solitary confinement.

Diddy’s reps did not respond to Us’ comment on the alleged fight at the time. FCI Fort Dix declined to confirm whether Diddy was moved to solitary confinement.

Advertisement

Related: Diddy Files New Appeal Accusing Judge of Acting as a ’13th Juror’

INF/INSTAR Sean “Diddy” Combs had been under investigation for at least a year after being accused of sexual assault by multiple people. The rapper and music mogul made headlines in November 2023 after his ex-girlfriend Cassie accused him of sexual abuse in a bombshell lawsuit. She accused Diddy of beating her, forcing her to take […]

“We are not at liberty to disclose or provide internal information pertaining to any inmate in our custody,” a spokesperson for the facility told TMZ in a statement on July 24. “Such information would not be available for the public domain.”

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Advertisement

Diddy was initially arrested on charges including sex trafficking in September 2024. The case went to trial in May 2025 and concluded in July 2025. He was convicted on two prostitution-related charges, however, he was cleared of two counts of trafficking and one count of racketeering conspiracy. The star has maintained his innocence and denied all of the charges against him.

During his October sentencing, Judge Arun Subramanian also ordered Diddy to pay a $500,000 fine and complete five years of supervised release when he leaves prison.

During the sentencing hearing, Subramanian encouraged Diddy to “make the most” of his “second chance,” telling the star, “There’s a true path to redemption here. What went wrong and what can be made right.”

Porsha Williams is among the principal cast of Bravo’s “The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th.” While discussing the upcoming limited series, she opened up about her time away from “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” and how she knew it was time to return. This comes ahead of the “RHOA” season 17 reunion.

Regarding “The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th,” the main cast also includes Vicki Gunvalson, Kyle Richards, Teresa Giudice, Luann de Lesseps, Gizelle Bryant, and Lisa Barlow. It premieres on August 9, following part of the “RHOA” reunion.

4

The seven main ladies from “Roaring 20th” sat down with The Hollywood Reporter for an almost hour-long discussion. During the interview, they discussed everything from the legacy of their respective shows to personal struggles they’ve shared with fans over the years.

During a portion of the interview, Williams said, “At first, every year I wanted to leave the show. I was like, ‘What am I doing? This is not it.” She then stated that later in her run on the show, “something happened” and she learned she could use her platform for good.

According to her, “Purpose started arriving after I had been through so much… You realize, I can use this platform for the better for women.”

The Mom Of One Left The Show For Three Years

4

Williams continued discussing her legacy as a housewife by mentioning the multi-year break she took from the series. She said, “I think I’m probably one of the only ones who took a break. I was gone for three years.” Regarding why she returned, Williams shared that “Ultimate Girls Trip: Thailand” was one reason.

The 45-year-old explained, “It was similar to this experience for me. Now, the break was great, but during that break and I came back, and I did ‘Ultimate Girls Trip,’ I remember telling my manager, and I told some of the executives, I said, ‘I miss the sisterhood.’”

She went on to say that “no one” can relate to the experience of being a housewife. According to her, “No one knows what we know. No one has felt what we have been through. Specifically, she was referring to the fact that their personal experiences are watched by millions of people.

Williams continued, “I remember when I survived this, where I wanted to be under a rock, and I was in front of a camera.” She then said, “So, when I experienced that after those three years, I said, ‘I’m ready to come back.’”

Porsha Williams Announced Her Exit In 2021

Williams joined “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” in 2012 for its 5th season. She quickly became a fan favorite in the franchise, which meant many were shocked when she announced she was leaving the show in 2021. The “Flatline” singer shared the news on her official Instagram in September of that year.

She said at the time, “After ten life-changing, gratifying, incredible years, it is finally time to begin my next chapter. Next season, I will not be returning to the Real Housewives of Atlanta franchise. This was a difficult decision not only to make but also to come to terms with. It’s one I have put a lot of thought into, and because of that, I know it’s the right one.”

Then, years later in February 2024, Williams shared that she would be returning to the show for its 16th season, which served as a soft reboot. According to Benijay Americas, she said in a statement, “I’m incredibly thankful for the vision and faith NBCUniversal has put in me to be a larger part of their family. I’m looking forward to being back on ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta,’ and showing the world my new world!”

Bravo Released A First Look At ‘Roaring 20th’

4

Bravo has released multiple clips from “The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th.” The first was the official trailer, which the network unveiled in July, offering an overview of what fans can expect, along with iconic moments from the past 20 years of “Real Housewives.”

Additionally, in August, Bravo shared the first several minutes of the premiere episode. In it, former “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star NeNe Leakes could be seen arriving at Williams’ home as she packs for “Girls Trip.” Notably, this will serve as Leakes’ first appearance on Bravo since leaving the show in 2020.

Advertisement

The ‘RHOA’ Season 17 Reunion Will Have 3 Parts

4

Season 17 of “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” premiered in April 2026, with the finale airing on August 2. Now, ahead of the reunion, Bravo has released the trailer, with Andy Cohen confirming in the clip that, as is usually the case, there will be three parts.

In the trailer, not only does Williams face off against her former best friend Shamea Morton, but she and K. Michelle also discuss their issues, as they’re both sitting opposite Cohen. It was also confirmed that there will be a pregnancy reveal at the reunion.

Megan Moroney is turning her signature country-pop aesthetic into an American Girl collection, and an 18-inch doll inspired by the singer is coming next. The country star has partnered with American Girl and Mattel on a concert-themed lineup featuring sparkly stage fashions, fan accessories and an iridescent guitar modeled after the one Moroney uses on tour.

The collection launches August 5 as Moroney embarks on her first-ever arena tour. Her American Girl doll will follow during the holiday season, arriving exclusively through Target later this year. For Moroney, who grew up staging imaginary performances with her own American Girl doll, the partnership represents a childhood dream coming full circle.

5

Moroney revealed that one of her most memorable childhood Christmas gifts was her first American Girl doll, which she still owns today. “I’ve been an American Girl fan for as long as I can remember. One of my favorite Christmas gifts was getting my first American Girl doll, and I still have her in the box at my parents’ house,” Moroney said via a press release sent to The Blast.

Long before she began performing in arenas, the singer used her dolls to create the same types of shows and stories that inspired the new collection. “As a kid, dolls let your imagination run wild…I had mine doing cheerleading stunts and performing concerts, while I also probably cared a little too much about her outfits,” she continued.

That childhood attention to fashion can now be seen throughout the collaboration, which draws directly from Moroney’s sparkling stage wardrobe and personal style. “Getting to create a collection inspired by my own style feels like such a full-circle moment, and it’s something I’ll always cherish,” the country music star said. “I hope fans have just as much fun making the collection their own, expressing themselves, and letting their imaginations run wild.”

American Girl Collection Recreates Her Concert Style

5

The American Girl x Megan Moroney collection features five separate products designed for the brand’s 18-inch dolls. Each outfit transforms one of the singer’s recognizable performance looks into a doll-sized ensemble. The bright pink sequined outfit reflects Moroney’s love of sparkles and the glamorous fashion associated with her live shows. Meanwhile, the Fan Fashion Outfit offers a more casual concert look, combining denim with sparkling details inspired by the way Moroney elevates everyday clothing.

Fans can complete the experience through the Concert-Ready Accessories and VIP Accessories sets. The products are intended to recreate the excitement of attending a Moroney concert, from planning an outfit to imagining a front-row or all-access experience.

All four fashion and accessory sets will be available through AmericanGirl.com and American Girl retail locations nationwide beginning August 5.

Megan Moroney’s Iridescent Guitar Inspires New Playset

5

The collection also transforms two important pieces of Moroney’s touring setup into a doll playset. The American Girl x Megan Moroney Guitar & Mic Stand set is modeled after the iridescent guitar and microphone stand the country singer uses during her performances. The showpiece allows fans to imagine their dolls taking center stage and staging their own country-pop concerts.

Each product was designed around the themes of creativity, confidence and self-expression, giving children the freedom to re-create Moroney’s performances or invent entirely new stories.

By timing the launch to her first arena tour, American Girl is connecting Moroney’s career milestone with the imaginative concerts she once created with her dolls as a child.

American Girl Praises The Country Star’s ‘Authenticity’

5

Pamela Velarde, head of American Girl at Mattel, said Moroney’s creativity and relationship with her young audience made her a natural fit for the brand.

“At American Girl, we’re always looking for new ways to encourage girls to dream big and express who they are through play and fashion,” Velarde said, per a press release sent to The Blast. “Megan’s authenticity, creativity, talent and unmistakable sense of style have made her a role model for so many young fans, and we’re thrilled to partner with her on a collection that encourages girls to celebrate what makes them unique.”

The collaboration allows American Girl to enter Moroney’s “Cloud 9” world while keeping the brand’s focus on imaginative play. Rather than limiting the collection to replicas of her costumes, the products encourage children to place themselves in different parts of the concert experience, as performers, fans, or VIP guests.

Megan Moroney American Girl Doll Is Coming To Target

5

Although the initial August launch centers on clothing, instruments, and accessories, the collaboration will expand with a dedicated Megan Moroney doll during the holiday shopping season.

The new 18-inch American Girl x Megan Moroney doll will be released exclusively through Target and is scheduled to become available on Target.com on November 22 before arriving in Target stores in early December.

Hollywood’s most bitter celebrity divorces rarely end with both sides claiming a measure of victory, and Ioan Gruffudd’s years-long legal fight with Alice Evans proved no exception. 

After nearly four years of public accusations, courtroom clashes, and financial disputes, a judge handed down a decision that split the outcome in dramatic fashion. 

While Gruffudd secured another five years of legal protection from his ex-wife, the financial rulings largely favored Evans, leaving the “Fantastic Four” actor responsible for ongoing support payments despite his attempts to end them.

5

The marathon legal dispute reached its conclusion after a nine-day hearing in Los Angeles, where both sides scored significant wins.

According to a report from the Daily Mail, Ioan Gruffudd successfully convinced Judge Michael J. Convey to renew the restraining order protecting both him and his wife, Bianca Wallace, for another five years. 

The judge concluded that Evans had harassed and abused the couple, finding that her conduct caused them significant emotional distress.

However, the courtroom victory quickly gave way to disappointment when attention shifted to the financial issues dividing the former spouses.

Gruffudd argued that he had overpaid Evans by roughly $400,000 during the divorce proceedings. After examining competing reports prepared by forensic accountants for both parties, the court rejected that claim and determined the overpayment totaled just $27,000.

His attempt to eliminate spousal support also fell short. Rather than ending the payments, Judge Convey ruled that the actor must continue paying Evans ten percent of his gross income, approximately $1,862 each month, under the terms of the pair’s prenuptial agreement. 

The ruling came in addition to the $3,579 in child support the actor had already agreed to pay. The court also acknowledged that Evans has primary care of the former couple’s daughters, Ella and Elsie, “100 per cent” of the time.

Gruffudd’s Financial Claims Were Rejected Even As The Judge Questioned Evans’ Conduct

5

Although Alice Evans prevailed on several major financial issues, Judge Convey was openly critical of parts of her handling of the case.

One point of contention centered on a Coutts savings account containing $168,000. While the judge ruled the money belonged solely to the actress, he also found she had failed to disclose the account in a “timely manner,” adding that the omission “impaired her credibility.”

Evans testified that the account had been depleted to cover her living expenses following the couple’s separation in early 2021 after the breakdown of their 14-year marriage.

The judge also reviewed four financial accounts belonging to Ioan Gruffudd after the actor reportedly changed his position over whether they should be considered community property. Judge Convey ultimately found the revised argument unconvincing.

Ioan Gruffudd Receives Strong Judicial Backing Over Harassment Findings

5

Although Gruffudd left court without the financial ruling he wanted, the judge’s written decision strongly backed his claims that years of online harassment had taken a serious personal and professional toll.

In one of the ruling’s strongest passages, Judge Convey wrote, “First and foremost, she committed domestic violence upon Ioan and his wife, Bianca.”

Judge Convey also concluded that the consequences of Evans’ conduct extended far beyond emotional distress. 

In his written decision, he said there was “ample, persuasive and credible evidence” that her actions had a profound and lasting effect on both Gruffudd and Wallace’s emotional well-being, adding that it prevented the actor from remaining “fully and gainfully employed to the same extent as he was during the marriage.”

The judge further criticized what he viewed as Evans’ failure to make a sustained effort to stop the behavior, writing, “Another important and weighty factor was Alice’s lack of sincere and sustained effort over an extended time, to cease the abusive behaviour (she could start by staying off social media).”

Gruffudd Opens Up About The Career Fallout From Bitter Split

5

The judge’s ruling marked the end of Ioan Gruffudd and Alice Evans’ lengthy legal battle, but it also echoed claims the actor had been making long before the final decision.

As the Daily Mail reported in February, Gruffudd painted a bleak picture of how the breakdown of his marriage allegedly affected every aspect of his life, insisting the fallout extended far beyond his personal relationships. 

The actor testified that he believed Evans was determined to destroy both his reputation and career, claiming she repeatedly threatened to “Amber Heard” him if he left the marriage. 

Gruffudd told the court he lived in fear that false allegations would end his career, alleging Evans called him “a child molester, a pedophile and a drug addict” and even encouraged their daughters to report him if they believed he had behaved inappropriately. 

He also claimed she threatened to accuse his now-wife, Wallace, of criminal conduct in an effort to have her deported. 

Gruffudd maintained that the years of public accusations severely damaged his professional standing, leaving him with fewer acting opportunities and a dramatic decline in income since the couple’s split. 

Ioan Gruffudd’s Attorney Blames Alice Evans For Dramatic Career Decline

5

During closing arguments in the court battle in May, Gruffudd’s attorney echoed the same sentiments, arguing that the “King Arthur” actor’s financial collapse was directly tied to what he described as Evans’ years-long campaign to destroy his reputation. 

According to The Blast, attorney Joseph Langlois claimed Evans spread “false narratives” and “malicious” accusations following their 2021 split, causing Gruffudd’s annual income to fall from approximately $585,000 to just $125,000 as acting opportunities dried up. 

Langlois told the court that the allegations severely damaged Gruffudd’s standing in Hollywood, making it increasingly difficult for him to secure work and continue paying substantial spousal support. 

The attorney argued that Evans’ conduct amounted to an attempt to “ruin” her ex-husband’s career, citing years of public accusations and social media activity.

Aaron Pierre is opening up about the values that keep him grounded as his Hollywood career reaches new heights.

The actor revealed how fatherhood influences every career decision he makes, reflected on navigating his rapid rise to fame after Rebel Ridge, and shared how he’s approaching the iconic role of John Stewart in HBO’s Lanterns.

With Aaron Pierre set to appear in HBO’s Lanterns, his profile is expected to rise even further following acclaimed performances in Rebel Ridge, where he portrayed former Marine Terry Richmond, along with voice roles in Mufasa: The Lion King and GOAT.

While many actors choose projects that further elevate their fame, Pierre says his decisions are guided by what will ultimately benefit his son, whose name he has chosen to keep private, as well as the child’s mother.

“If ever I accept an opportunity that takes me away from him, it needs to be something that contributes to the legacy that I am building to directly inspire my son,” the actor told GQ.

Aaron Pierre Says Family Comes Before Fame

4

Pierre’s commitment to fatherhood is already reflected in his voice work on Mufasa: The Lion King and GOAT. For the latter, he even brought his son into the recording studio, where the youngster helped shape the character Mane Attraction, whom Pierre voices in the 2026 film.

“He was giving me notes—he wanted me to give variety. That character would not be what it is today without his input,” Pierre said.

Beyond putting his son first, Pierre says his loyalty remains with his family and close friends before his career.

“I am a father, a son, a brother, a grandson, a friend,” Pierre said before adding, “I’m all of those things, and then I’m an actor.”

Aaron Pierre Admits Fame Initially Overwhelmed Him

4

From 2017 to 2023, Pierre appeared in a handful of stage productions, television episodes, and films.

His breakout arrived with Netflix’s 2024 hit Rebel Ridge, which attracted more than 30 million views within its first three days of release.

Reflecting on being thrust into the spotlight, Pierre said the experience “kind of went in stages.”

Initially, he isolated himself by avoiding public outings altogether. After growing tired of staying home, he began wearing disguises to avoid being recognized.

“I just didn’t know how to navigate it yet,” Pierre admitted of his sudden rise to fame.

Aaron Pierre Credits His Sister For Keeping Him Grounded

4

Elsewhere in the interview, Pierre revealed he leaned on his family while adjusting to his new reality.

He invited his “emotionally intelligent” younger sister over for a conversation, and he says the discussion gave him “the toolkit” he needed to move forward.

“I needed to navigate the next chapter in my life—that was now my reality and always will be my reality,” Pierre said of the conversation following Rebel Ridge. “Even if I stopped acting today, that experience is still going to be what it is.”

He added, “There’s no training for that. It either happens or it doesn’t. And when it does, it happens with immediate effect.”

Aaron Pierre Teases His Take On Green Lantern

4

Next in Pierre’s rapidly rising career is stepping into the role of one of DC’s most iconic superheroes, Green Lantern.

The actor will portray John Stewart in HBO’s upcoming series Lanterns, a project that has already generated significant anticipation among fans.

Discussing the role, Pierre said he felt a responsibility to approach the character in an “authentic, original way.” That mindset led him to work closely with the show’s creators to emphasize the human qualities behind the superhero.

“One of my favorite things about being a Green Lantern is that, yes, they’re superheroes, but they’re very relatable folks,” he said. “My hope is that people watch the series and think: if I can just figure out where to get my application in, I might be able to join the Green Lantern Corps too.”