Elizabeth Wagmeister-Senior: Celebs Rumors

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior Correspondent Just as Harvey Weinstein’s Los Angeles legal battle came to a close, another accuser has publicly come forward to reveal her identity. Kate Jaggard was set to be Jane Doe No. 5 in Weinstein’s 2022 rape trial, but she was ultimately never called to testify. In turn, the four charges associated with her allegations were dropped. Little details were shared about Jaggard, other than her being an actor and model who lives in Australia. She is represented by attorney Gloria Allred, who revealed her identity to the media on Tuesday following the final hearing in Weinstein’s L.A. case.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior Correspondent Last year, Harvey Weinstein was found guilty by a Los Angeles jury — though in a mixed verdict, jurors could not reach a unanimous decision on all counts, with the judge declaring a mistrial on three of seven charges. On Tuesday, the judge dismissed those three remaining charges, and ruled that she would not be putting Weinstein back on trial. Prior to the judge’s decision, the prosecution announced the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office would not be proceeding with the remaining charges. Weinstein was sentenced last month to 16 additional years for his most recent conviction in L.A. He is already serving a 23-year sentence for his 2020 rape and sexual assault conviction in New York, and will all-but-likely spend the rest of his life behind bars. He is appealing both of his convictions.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior Correspondent “The Late Late Show With James Corden” might be making its final curtain call on CBS this spring, but CBS Studios is continuing its partnership with Fulwell 73, the production company behind the late-night show and much more. Fulwell 73 has re-upped its first-look development deal with CBS Studios for three more years, Variety has learned. A person familiar with the agreement says the renewal deal began last fall. Under the deal, Fulwell 73 will continue to develop scripted, alternative and digital projects for the studio across broadcast, cable, streaming and digital platforms. Fulwell 73 first inked a deal with CBS Studios in 2016. The company has been in business with CBS since 2015 when Corden began hosting “The Late Late Show,” which became a mega success for the company defined by countless viral moments during its run.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior Correspondent Evgeniya Chernyshova — formerly known as Jane Doe No. 1 in the Harvey Weinstein trial — sat down for her first television interview, revealing her identity on-camera and speaking about why she decided to come forward. Chernyshova was the first witness called in Weinstein’s Los Angeles trial last year. Her testimony compelled the jury to convict Weinstein on three charges of rape and sexual assault, ultimately resulting in a 16-year sentencing. Weinstein is already serving a 23-year sentence from his New York conviction in 2020. Once the most powerful man in Hollywood, the disgraced movie mogul is appealing both of his convictions. “You can stand. You can fight a monster. You can win,” Chernyshova said in a television interview with ABC News, which aired on Feb. 27.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior Correspondent After being sentenced to 16 additional years last week, Harvey Weinstein is all-but-likely to spend the rest of his life behind bars. Weinstein is appealing his rape and sexual assault conviction, but for survivors, they feel justice has finally been served. “Today, he will be sentenced. He cannot hurt anyone anymore,” Evgeniya Chernyshova, known in the case as Jane Doe #1, said at Weinstein’s sentencing on Feb. 23 at the criminal courthouse in downtown Los Angeles. “I truly believe that this verdict, and the maximum sentence, will restore the faith in the justice system for many survivors out there,” Chernyshova told the judge, moments before Weinstein was handed his punishment.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior Correspondent Harvey Weinstein was sentenced to an additional 16 years in prison on Thursday, but his lawyers will continue to fight for the disgraced producer to live a life outside of jail, pledging to appeal his Los Angeles conviction. Weinstein’s defense, led by Mark Werksman and Alan Jackson, is finalizing their notice for appeal and is expected to file as soon as late Friday or mid-next week, Variety has learned. Werksman and Jackson did not immediately respond for comment, but at Weinstein’s sentencing, they told the judge that they planned to appeal. When contacted by Variety regarding the appeal, Weinstein’s spokesperson, Juda Engelmayer, provided a statement claiming that Weinstein had an unfair trial.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior Correspondent Jennifer Siebel Newsom, one of the star witnesses of Harvey Weinstein’s west coast trial, says justice was served with the convicted rapist’s 16-year sentencing on Thursday, but warns there is more work to be done. A filmmaker and actor, Siebel Newsom is married to California Gov. Gavin Newsom, making her the First Partner of the state. She testified in Weinstein’s trial, accusing him of raping and sexually assaulting her in 2005. While the jury found the disgraced Hollywood producer guilty on three charges, they acquitted him of the two charges related to Siebel Newsom’s accusations. Speaking in a video posted to her social media on Thursday, Siebel Newsom spoke about her experience throughout the trial and called on the public to end the culture of sexual abuse.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior Correspondent Harvey Weinstein made a final plea to the court on Thursday, just before a judge sentenced him to 16 years in prison. “I maintain that I’m innocent,” he said. “I never raped or sexually assaulted Jane Doe 1. I never knew this woman, and the fact is she doesn’t know me. This is about money and coming after me.” Weinstein did not stand up to address the court, noting that he has a spinal condition. From his chair, he took aim at a “cottage industry of lawyers” who “put victims on the stand” and then file civil suits. “I did not rape this woman. I did not see this woman. She perjured herself,” Weinstein said. “This is a made-up story. With all due respect, Jane Doe 1 is an actress and can turn on the tears.” 

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior Correspondent Harvey Weinstein has been sentenced to 16 years, effectively ensuring the former Hollywood mogul and convicted rapist will spend the rest of his life behind bars. Weinstein’s sentencing was held in downtown Los Angeles on Thursday morning, nearly two months after his Los Angeles trial concluded with a jury convicting him on three counts of rape and sexual assault. Weinstein is already serving a 23-year sentence in New York, after being convicted of rape and sexual assault in that jurisdiction in his 2020 criminal trial. All three charges on which Weinstein were convicted were based on the counts relating to Jane Doe #1, a European model who testified she was raped by Weinstein at Mr. C Hotel after the L.A. Italia Film Festival in 2013. Weinstein’s attorneys have stated that Weinstein had an unfair trial — and therefore, conviction — because the court, his lawyers claim, precluded the defense from admitting relevant evidence and argument, particularly centering around Jane Doe #1.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior Correspondent Reba McEntire will join “The Voice” as a mega mentor for Season 23, Variety has learned. McEntire joins the A-list lineup of coaches Chance the Rapper, Kelly Clarkson, Niall Horan and Blake Shelton for the new season that premieres on Mar. 6 on NBC. Season 23 is Shelton’s final season. He has been part of the musical competition show from the very beginning, as the only coach who has remained for the entirety of the show’s run. Having McEntire on board brings another country superstar into the show’s mix. It also marks McEntire’s return to “The Voice,” as she served as a Battle Advisor to Team Blake during the show’s inaugural season in 2011. Now, having her back on the series as Shelton coaches his final group of artists and bids farewell to the competition is a fitting full circle reunion.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior Correspondent SPOILER ALERT: This story contains spoilers from episodes 1-8 of Netflix’s “Perfect Match.” If you’ve tuned into Netflix’s newest dating show, “Perfect Match,” you’ve seen singles frolicking around and romancing each other, in hopes of finding their so-called perfect match. And as part of this quest to find love, the reality TV contestants do not discriminate when it comes to jumping into the dating pool. The cast flip-flops dating each other and each other’s exes, as they test the waters to see who they might discover to be the best companion.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior Correspondent Netflix’s popular dating show “Love Is Blind” will premiere its latest season next month. The streamer announced that Season 4 will launch on Friday, March 24 with batches of new episodes dropping on weekly basis on Fridays. The new season consists of 12 episodes. Netflix dropped the first teaser to preview Season 4, though the cast has not been revealed yet. “Love Is Blind” follows singles who will choose someone to marry without ever meeting them. The format sees contestants going on dates with each other by meeting in pods, speaking through walls and never meeting face-to-face, until they accept a marriage proposal in the pods. Then, over several weeks, the newly engaged couples will move in together, plan their wedding and find out if their physical connection matches their emotional bond developed in the pods. By the time their wedding day arrives, will they marry the person they fell blindly in love with, or will they break up at the altar?

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior Correspondent It’s Monday after the Super Bowl, and at 8:30 a.m., Emma Grede has been awake for hours. After getting up at 5:00 a.m., Grede has just dropped off one of her four young children at school, and is now on her way to her offices in Culver City. The British businesswoman lives with her family in Bel Air, but is feeling extra rested after having spent the weekend at her second home in Malibu where she woke up this morning. “What have I ever been doing? This is why you live in California,” a chipper Grede says over the phone from her car. “I worked a paper route when I was 12, and I really learned the joy of the morning — that quiet time, it’s so precious. I have my coffee, I like to have a moment to think and I do a workout. But I wake up naturally. I wake up 15 minutes before any alarm goes off.”

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior Correspondent A judge ruled Thursday that no additional victims — beyond the one woman whose testimony was the basis for Harvey Weinstein’s conviction — will be able to give victim impact statements at Weinstein’s sentencing next week. The ruling comes amid calls from attorney Gloria Allred to allow more victims to speak at the sentencing, which she says is the “right of a victim.” Allred represented three women in Weinstein’s Los Angeles trial, and has argued that all women involved in the case, regardless of the verdict, should be able to speak at the sentencing to let their voice be heard and provide relevant information for the court to consider. At the Thursday hearing, prosecutors Paul Thompson and Marlene Martinez asked the judge to hear from Allred in court.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior Correspondent Francesca Farago broke out into reality superstardom during the pandemic when Netflix launched the first season of “Too Hot Too Handle” in 2020. Inarguably the biggest star to come from that show, Farago blew up on social media after becoming known for owning her sexuality, her shameless personality and one-liners that would not fly on broadcast television. Love her or hate her, she is reality TV gold. Farago is now back on “Perfect Match,” Netflix’s new reality dating show mega-mashup, which brings together all-star alums from the streaming service’s portfolio of series such as “Too Hot To Handle,” “Love Is Blind” and “The Circle” to frolic around in their bikinis and crop-tops at a tropical locale. There, they all live at a luxurious villa under one roof — and mayhem ensues. Cocktails are flowing, the drama is high and contestants are put to the test in raunchy “Double Dare”-like challenges on the beach, all in an effort to — of course — find their perfect matches.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior Correspondent Fulwell 73 Productions is teaming up with NBA Entertainment to produce a docuseries that will follow the 2023 basketball playoffs, Variety has learned exclusively. The 10-part docuseries, which is currently untitled, will soon be brought to market. The project is described as the “defining series on the league’s annual marquee event.” Fulwell 73 is behind “The Late Late Show with James Corden,” “Carpool Karaoke,” “The Kardashians,” the Grammy awards, the “Friends” reunion and Adele’s Emmy-winning CBS special, among others. The production company also has produced nearly a dozen sports docs, including Amazon’s “All or Nothing: Juventus,” which followed the Juventus football club in the Italian Premier League for the 2020-21 season, and the Netflix documentary “Sunderland ‘til I Die,” which chronicled the English club through the 2017-18 season.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior Correspondent After more than a decade ago on “The Voice,” Blake Shelton is preparing to say goodbye. NBC has announced that the next season of the singing competition will be Shelton’s last. Shelton has served as a coach on “The Voice” for all of its 22 seasons. Season 22 is currently airing on NBC, and Season 23, which airs in the spring of 2023, will be his last. “I’ve been wrestling with this for a while and I’ve decided that it’s time for me to step away from ‘The Voice’ after season 23,” Shelton said in a statement. “This show has changed my life in every way for the better and it will always feel like home to me.”

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior Correspondent On the second day of jury selection in Harvey Weinstein’s Los Angeles trial, the former movie producer was wheeled into the courtroom, having changed from his jail attire into a suit. “Hi everyone,” he said, greeting jurors from the defense table where he had climbed into a seat from his wheelchair. But before Weinstein faced a group of 71 potential jurors in his rape and sexual assault trial, his attorneys had another issue to raise with the court: the “unsanitary” and “fetid” conditions of Weinstein’s holding cell. “It’s almost medieval, the conditions. I’m concerned about his health and his ability to survive this ordeal,” one of Weinstein’s lawyers, Mark Werksman, told Judge Lisa B. Lench. “I’m worried about him surviving this ordeal without a heart attack or stroke.”

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior Correspondent Jury selection in Harvey Weinstein’s trial is officially underway. Weinstein, who was convicted of rape and sexual assault in his New York trial in 2020, faces 11 new charges in Los Angeles in a trial that began Monday morning at the criminal courthouse in downtown L.A. Nine women are expected to testify in a trial that could effectively put Weinstein behind bars for life, if convicted. Weinstein — whose monumental fall was the fuse the ignited the #MeToo movement — is already serving a 23-year sentence from his 2020 conviction where Weinstein was found guilty of third-degree rape and a first-degree criminal sexual act. The New York Court of Appeals, which is the highest court in that state, has agreed to hear his case. Weinstein was extradited in July 2021 to L.A. from N.Y., where he was serving his sentence.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior Correspondent Vanessa Hudgens is going on a spiritual, supernatural journey — and wants to take viewers with her. Hudgens teamed up with Bunim-Murray Productions to produce an unscripted film, “Dead Hot: Season of the Witch,” Variety has learned exclusively. The project documents Hudgens’ journey in Salem, Mass., along with her best friend, musician GG Magree, as they set out to learn about witchcraft, ghost hunting and connecting with the spirit world. “Dead Hot” is in post-production, and the project is currently being shopped to outlets. Banijay Rights, the international distribution division of Banijay (which owns Bunim-Murray), is handling distribution.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior Correspondent Guy Fieri has recently become a thing on social media. If you haven’t perused through TikTok to see him vibing at a rock concert, you might have seen one of his mock movie posters on Instagram. In August, Fieri inserted an image of himself over Brad Pitt on a prank poster for “Burger Train” (i.e., “Bullet Train”); and in September, he photoshopped himself into a poster for “Don’t Worry Diner” (i.e., “Don’t Worry Darling”), with the tagline “Welcome to Flavortown” and a caption that’s a wink and a nod to star Harry Styles’ now-infamous quotable from the Venice press conference. Despite his love for movies, Fieri is no entertainment expert. When asked to play a game of pop culture trivia at breakfast at the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills, Fieri is unaware of Elton John’s new single with Britney Spears, though he thinks it’s cool, and responds, “When do we get to talk about food?”

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior Correspondent Prince Andrew, Duke of York is the subject of a new documentary coming soon to Peacock. Titled “Prince Andrew: Banished,” the 90-minute doc will explore the sexual assault allegations against the royal and his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, which eventually caused Queen Elizabeth II to strip her son of his military titles and royal patronages.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior Correspondent You know how they always say this is the most dramatic finale in “Bachelor” history? Well, this really might have been it. “The Bachelorette” Season 19 began with leading ladies Rachel Recchia and Gabby Windey both in seemingly happy relationships, with each only having one suitor left — for Rachel, it was Tino Franco; and for Gabby, it was Erich Schwer. Both women were hoping for proposals and they got them. But their fairytale endings were short-lived, as off-camera scandals soon ensued. Gabby and Erich weathered their storm of Erich texting one of his exes, who came forward on social media. The pair are still happily engaged. The same cannot be said for Rachel and Tino, who admitted to cheating on her after the season had wrapped production — of course, cameras followed the couple as they had one of the franchise’s most hard-to-watch conversations of all time. Needless to say, they are broken up.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior Correspondent This week’s season finale of “The Bachelorette” saw a happy ending for leading lady, Gabby Windey, who received a proposal from her final suitor, Erich Schwer. But despite the couple’s engagement, their road to find love on reality TV was not without controversy — and not just the on-screen drama you expect from a dating show, but the real trouble that comes with being thrust into the public spotlight. Towards the end of the season, an old photo from Schwer’s high school yearbook surfaced online, showing the then-teenager wearing blackface as part of a high school Halloween costume in which he dressed up as Jimi Hendrix with dark makeup and an afro wig.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior Correspondent It’s official: Zach Shallcross will be the next star of “The Bachelor,” which heads into its 27th season in 2023. Shallcross — who Variety previously reported would be ABC’s next leading man — was a contestant from the current season of “The Bachelorette,” which wraps up its season tonight. “The Bachelor” announcement was made Tuesday night during the live finale by host Jesse Palmer. This season of “The Bachelorette” made history, starring two women for the first time: Gabby Windey and Rachel Recchia. Shallcross was a finalist, having dated “Bachelorette” star Recchia as one of the most promising suitors of the season. But after a heartbreaking and surprising breakup on the show, Shallcross’ journey became one of the most dramatic storylines towards the end of the season.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior Correspondent Nothing is official until it’s official, but sources tell Variety that ABC is all-but-set on Zach Shallcross being its next star of “The Bachelor.” Two individuals familiar with “The Bachelor” search have told Variety that Shallcross is the network’s pick to lead Season 27, which will likely air in early 2023. Shallcross is expected to be announced as the new “Bachelor” on next week’s season finale of “The Bachelorette,” during “After the Final Rose” on Tuesday, Sept. 20. Shallcross was a contestant on the current 19th season of “The Bachelorette,” which stars two women: Rachel Recchia and Gabby Windey.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior Correspondent SPOILER ALERT: Do not read ahead, if you have not watched “The Bachelorette” Season 19 finale, part one, which aired on Sept. 13 on ABC… In an episode so dramatic, ABC had to unexpectedly extend the two-hour runtime, “The Bachelorette” began its journey to its grand finale, airing the first part of its live finale on Tuesday night. Leading ladies, Rachel Recchia and Gabby Windey, have both dwindled down their suitors to one man each. But will next week’s big finale see an engagement for either woman? Both women faced similar situations with men who say they love them, but aren’t quite ready to propose at the end of the reality show. The contestants say they want to spend the rest of their lives with Recchia and Windey, respectively, but hope to experience a more realistic relationship timeline than tying the knot on TV, after just a handful of weeks.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior Correspondent Jennifer Hudson didn’t win “American Idol” 18 years ago — she came in seventh place. But it didn’t matter: She was soon destined for a tremendous, award-winning career. The superstar became the first and only “Idol” alum to win an acting Oscar, nabbing the best supporting actress trophy in 2007 for her stellar turn in “Dreamgirls.” Fast-forward to 2022 and Hudson is now an EGOT, having also won a Tony Award, Grammy and Daytime Emmy along the way. Now, she’s adding another credit to her lengthy resume: talk show host. Hudson will debut “The Jennifer Hudson Show” on Sept. 12, which also happens to be the star’s birthday. But why a talk show?

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior Correspondent Sherri Shepherd will debut her own talk show next week. It’s a job she’s been preparing for her entire life — long before she was a co-host on “The View.” “It’s something that I used to dream about when I was a little girl. I would line up my Teddy bears with my Barbie dolls and I have a toilet paper roll and I would put them on chairs,” Shepherd tells Variety. Growing up, Shepherd would watch “The Phil Donahue Show” and Dinah Shore’s syndicated daytime talker with her grandmother. Later in life, she looked at Oprah and Sally Jessy Raphael as chat show inspirations. Now, she’s hoping to have a similar effect on her own viewers.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior Correspondent “House of Hammer,” a new Discovery+ docuseries about the sexual abuse allegations against Armie Hammer, is making a change following its release, removing an on-screen image of a bite mark that one of the actor’s exes believed to be a photo of her own body. Turns out, the image in question appears to be a bite mark tattoo from Pinterest. In “House of Hammer,” Courtney Vucekovich  — one of Hammer’s former partners, who has accused him of improper sexual behavior — discusses the love-bombing, coercion and abuse she alleges to have endured during her relationship with the actor. In an on-camera interview, she says the actor convinced her into BDSM situations that did not make her feel safe, including rope bondage and biting.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior Correspondent “This documentary contains graphic descriptions of violence, sexual abuse and coercive control.” That’s the warning viewers see when they first tune into “House of Hammer,” a new three-part docuseries from Discovery+, which exposes details surrounding the sexual abuse allegations against Armie Hammer. In early 2021, an onslaught of unverified messages that “The Social Network” star had allegedly sent to women surfaced on social media after one of his exes began to anonymously post graphic messages in which Hammer allegedly texted, “I am 100% a cannibal” and “I want to eat you.” The messages snowballed and Hammer’s career went into freefall.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior Correspondent In early 2021, Armie Hammer’s world began to unravel. The actor with a seemingly perfect life had recently announced a divorce with his wife of 10 years with whom he shares two young children – and then explosive social media posts regarding Hammer’s sexual proclivities spiraled into a media firestorm. Hammer was swiftly dropped from a number of projects and his agency, WME. The unverified texts allegedly sent by Hammer depicted him telling women he wanted to bite them and tie them up. “I am 100% a cannibal,” one of the alleged text messages from Hammer read. “I want to eat you.” As the story progressed, numerous women claimed Hammer was abusive, controlling and coercive. One woman accused him of rape. The actor was named the main suspect in an ongoing sexual assault investigation by the LAPD.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentFree Britney, at last! Britney Spears’ fans around the world are praising the pop star’s return to music after she dropped her new single with Elton John.Spears collaborated with John on “Hold Me Closer,” a new spin on his hit song “Tiny Dancer.” The single marks the first music to come from Spears since her conservatorship was terminated in November 2021.Throughout the conservatorship, Spears recorded music, went on tour and held a Las Vegas residency, but testified last summer that she was forced to work against her will throughout the 13-year court-ordered arrangement.Spears’ legal battle continues, as the singer fights against her father, Jamie Spears, who oversaw her conservatorship, and her former business manager, Tri Star Sports & Entertainment Group. Spears claims that her father and Tri Star took advantage of her finances throughout the conservatorship and has made damning allegations about their alleged behavior towards her, which she has categorized as “conservatorship abuse.” The judge recently sided with the singer, ordering that her father must sit for a deposition this month, and ruling that she would not be deposed.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior Correspondent If you haven’t heard of “Don’t Worry Darling,” you’ve probably read something about it. Olivia Wilde’s upcoming movie has become one of the most talked-about films of the year, especially considering it doesn’t even hit theaters for another month. Ever since “Don’t Worry Darling” was announced, the psychological thriller has attracted considerable attention in the tabloids and across social media with internet sleuths picking apart each and every detail of the film that stars Florence Pugh and Harry Styles. The latest gossip to come from the “Don’t Worry Darling” rumor mill claimed that Styles made more than three times Pugh’s salary on the film. (While Styles is the male lead, Pugh is, without question, the star of “Don’t Worry Darling.”)

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior Correspondent Harry Styles is one of the most famous musicians on the planet, and this year, he will become a bonafide movie star. Having previously appeared in Christopher Nolan’s 2017 war drama “Dunkirk,” Styles has now taken on two leading roles: Olivia Wilde’s “Don’t Worry Darling,” in theaters Sept. 23, and “My Policeman,” which Amazon Studios will release on Oct. 21. In “Don’t Worry Darling,” Styles plays Jack, the on-screen husband to Florence Pugh’s Alice. But he doesn’t just act in the upcoming psychological thriller — Variety can reveal that Styles also brought his musical talents to the film, writing a key song in the movie.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior Correspondent This past April, Olivia Wilde was excited to introduce her upcoming film, “Don’t Worry Darling,” to theater exhibitors at CinemaCon, a ticketed industry convention. Wilde was onstage and ready to show the first footage from her second directorial project, a psychological thriller starring Florence Pugh and Harry Styles. Suddenly, she was handed a mysterious manilla envelope, which was first reported to have had a script inside — soon after, it was reported that the contents of the envelope were actually child custody papers from her former partner, Jason Sudeikis. At the time, Sudeikis declined having anything to do with the incident, stating he had no prior knowledge that Wilde would be served at the event.