Connect with us

Published

on

Love was in the air for Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce during this year’s Super Bowl – but they’re not the only couple who are head over heels. 

Usher and his partner Jenn Goicoechea got married in Las Vegas just hours after the R&B superstar’s headline appearance at the Super Bowl half-time show.

According to their marriage certificate, which was released publicly on Monday, the couple tied the knot at Vegas Weddings with Usher’s mother Jonnetta Patton being one of the witnesses.

Pic: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports/Reuters
Image:
Usher during his Super Bowl half-time show. Pic: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports/Reuters

Sunlight bathes Vegas Weddings, a downtown Las Vegas business, Monday, Feb. 12, 2024, where R&B superstar Usher and longtime partner Jenn Goicoechea married a day earlier, just hours after his headline appearance at the Super Bowl halftime show. Records show the ceremony was conducted by a minister who often impersonates Elvis Presley and was witnessed by Usher's mother. (AP Photo/Ken Ritter)
Image:
Vegas Weddings, where Usher and Ms Goicoechea married on Sunday. Pic: AP

Rev Ronald Joseph Polrywka – who usually dresses up as Elvis Presley – carried out the ceremony.

Usher, 45, and Ms Goicoechea, 40, have been together since 2019 and have two young daughters.

The singer divorced his first wife, Tameka Foster, in 2009 after two years together, and he received custody of their two sons.

In December 2018, the singer filed for divorce after three years with his second wife and former manager, Grace Miguel.

Usher’s representative did not immediately respond to questions including whether the service was carried out in the chapel or in the drive-thru lane.

Lynn Marie Goya, Clark County clerk and head of the county’s marriage licence bureau, confirmed her office issued a licence to the couple last week.

“Naturally they got married in Las Vegas,” she said. “What better place than the Wedding Capital of the World?”

Read more:
Robert F Kennedy’s family ‘appalled’ over Super Bowl advert
The VIPs in Taylor’s suite – and the other celebs at the Super Bowl

Melody Willis-Williams, the owner of the Vegas Weddings Chapel, said: “Congratulations to the newlyweds! We were beyond thrilled to host this epic day for Usher and his new wife.”

The statement added: “As much as we love love, this is the couple’s news to share any further details on. We’ll always be fans of Usher! Yeah!”

Usher’s Super Bowl half-time performance at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday included guest appearances by stars including Alicia Keys, HER, Jermaine Dupri, Lil Jon and Ludacris.

Usher and Alicia Keys. Pic: Mark J Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports/Reuters
Image:
Usher and Alicia Keys. Pic: Mark J Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports/Reuters

Usher and Lil John perform together. Pic: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports/Reuters
Image:
Usher and Lil John perform together. Pic: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports/Reuters

The singer recently ended a two-year Las Vegas Strip residency where he performed Usher: My Way at the Park MGM.

He has also just released his first solo album in eight years, and is scheduled to kick off a 24-city US tour titled Past Present Future in August.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Los Angeles fires: Hanks, Affleck, Witherspoon and Star Wars legend among stars evacuated as fires spread

Published

on

By

Los Angeles fires: Hanks, Affleck, Witherspoon and Star Wars legend among stars evacuated as fires spread

Hollywood celebrities are among thousands of people to have been evacuated from their homes as fires rip through areas of Los Angeles.

Sky News’ US correspondent Martha Kelner reported that Tom Hanks, Ben Affleck and Reese Witherspoon were all evacuated on Tuesday as wildfires continued to spread in the Pacific Palisades suburb of LA.

The blaze spreading there is one of four raging in California.

Follow latest: At least two killed as flames spread

The US flag flies as flames from the Palisades Fire engulf a structure during a windstorm on the west of Los Angeles. Pic: Reuters
Image:
The US flag flies as flames from the Palisades Fire engulf a structure during a windstorm on the west of Los Angeles. Pic: Reuters

A wildfire-ravaged property in the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood of Los Angeles. Pic: AP
Image:
A wildfire-ravaged property in the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood of Los Angeles. Pic: AP

The area, which is home to billionaires as well as Hollywood A-listers, is located between Santa Monica and Malibu.

Other celebrities who have fled their homes include the award-winning actor James Woods, who said last night he had been safely evacuated from his home in Pacific Palisades.

But he added in a post on X: “I do not know at this moment if our home is still standing.”

Actor Mark Hamill, best known for playing Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars films, also posted on social media last night saying he evacuated his home in Malibu and his family were “fleeing for our lives”.

This Is Us actress Mandy Moore was also forced to leave her home due to the fires.

She said in two Instagram stories she had fled the Eaton fire, which is raging near Altadena, with her children, cats and dog. They have found temporary refuge with friends.

The actress said: “Trying to shield the kids from the immense sadness and worry I feel.

“Praying for everyone in our beautiful city. So gutted for the destruction and loss. Don’t know if our place made it.”

Mark Hamill and Mandy Moore. File Pics: Reuters
Image:
Mark Hamill and Mandy Moore fled their homes. File Pics: Reuters

Ben Affleck Reese Witherspoon Tom Hanks
Image:
Tom Hanks, Reese Witherspoon and Ben Affleck were all evacuated from their homes. Pics: AP

According to Velvet Ropes, which maps celebrity properties, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, Matt Damon, Steven Spielberg, Hilary Swank and Sally Field all have homes close to where fires are raging.

Dr Dre, Adam Brody and Leighton Meester, Tyra Banks, Martin Short, Anna Faris, Milo Ventimiglia, Linda Cardellini, Mary McDonnell, Adam Sandler, Miles Teller, and Jennifer Love Hewitt are also said to have houses in affected areas.

The Palisades Fire burns a Christmas tree inside a residence in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood. Pic: AP
Image:
The Palisades Fire burns a Christmas tree inside a residence in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood. Pic: AP

The skyline of Los Angeles covered with smoke due to wildfires raging in the area. Pic: Reuters
Image:
The skyline of Los Angeles covered with smoke due to wildfires raging in the area. Pic: Reuters

In neighbouring Malibu, which was also affected by fires in December, stars including Beyonce and Jay-Z, Kim Kardashian, Lady Gaga and Billie Eilish are said to be among the celebrity residents.

The Palisades blaze has already burnt through more than 11,000 acres of land while the Eaton one has caused the death of two people, Los Angeles County fire chief Anthony Marrone said on Wednesday.

The two other fires are known as Woodley and Hurst, after the main areas affected.

All four blazes are still growing, Mr Marrone said.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Star of The Hills and Made In Chelsea says family’s homes have burnt down in LA wildfires

Published

on

By

Star of The Hills and Made In Chelsea says family's homes have burnt down in LA wildfires

A reality TV personality known for appearing on shows like The Hills and Made In Chelsea has told Sky News her family have lost their homes in the California wildfires.

Stephanie Pratt, a model and the sister of fellow reality TV celebrity Spencer Pratt, lives in the Pacific Palisades in Los Angeles, where more than 30,000 people have fled their homes due to the fast-moving blaze.

Los Angeles fire chief Anthony Marrone said on Wednesday that the Palisades fire is still growing and that “well over 5,000 acres” have been burnt.

At least two people have been killed so far, with around 1,000 buildings destroyed.

Follow latest: Two killed in LA wildfires

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

House surrounded by flames during wildfire

A firefighter shields their face as the Palisades Fire burns down a home in Los Angeles. Pic: AP
Image:
The flames burning down a home in Los Angeles. Pic: AP

The Palisades Fire burns a residence in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
Image:
Some of the damage after the wildfire. Pic: AP

California governor Gavin Newsom earlier declared a state of emergency over the four wildfires in the south of the state.

Speaking to Sky News from London, an emotional Ms Pratt said: “It’s just so crazy, I had no idea what was happening.

“I talked to my dad yesterday and he said ‘The Palisades is burning’. He said that he was at my brother’s house on Chautauqua [Boulevard] and they were just watching the flames come.

“The firefighters came and said you got to leave.”

Former Made in Chelsea star Stephanie Pratt on her brother who has lost his home in the wildfires.
Image:
Former Made In Chelsea star Stephanie Pratt speaking to Sky News

Map showing wildfires in California.
Image:
Map showing wildfires in California.

‘I don’t know if my house is there’

Ms Pratt said her parents and brother Spencer, who like her starred in the reality series The Hills, were safely evacuated from the area.

However, the 38-year-old added that “all of the phones are disconnected” and that she doesn’t know what had happened to her home.

“I talked to my neighbour last night and she told me that [Palisades Charter High School] had burnt down, and that’s directly behind me, and so had Gelson’s Supermarket which is adjacent,” she said.

“I just can’t reach anyone to see if my house is okay. I just Googled it and it said that it’s destroyed and terrible… I don’t know if my house is there.”

Read more:
Terrifying firestorm tears through film stars’ homes
Why are there wildfires in January?

Reality TV personality Stephanie Pratt in 2010. Pic: Reuters
Image:
Reality TV personality Stephanie Pratt in 2010. Pic: Reuters

‘This is where they raised their kids’

When she asked her dad about Spencer, 41, who is married to 38-year-old Heidi Montag – another co-star of The Hills – Ms Pratt said he told her “I’ve never seen him like this”.

“I’m assuming he’s just completely catatonic,” she added. “We don’t care about the material things or anything like that, but this was their family home.

“This is where they raised their two little kids.”

Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2008. Pic: Reuters
Image:
Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2008. Pic: Reuters

The Palisades fire is one of five blazes currently burning in southern California – evacuation orders were in place on Tuesday in Altadena after another fire, called the Eaton fire, started near a nature preserve.

A third blaze, called the Hurst fire, also ripped through Sylmar in the north of the city.

And according to the state department Cal Fire, two more blazes – the Woodley fire in Los Angeles and Tyler fire in Riverside – broke out on Wednesday.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

School Of Rock wedding: Co-stars marry decades after first meeting on set of film

Published

on

By

School Of Rock wedding: Co-stars marry decades after first meeting on set of film

Two School Of Rock co-stars, who met at the age of 10, have got married.

Caitlin Hale and Angelo Massagli, who played Marta and Frankie respectively in the 2003 classic alongside Jack Black, tied the knot in New York on Saturday.

The couple brought some of the original cast of the film, which centres on a pretend substitute teacher turning a group of musically gifted school children into a rock band, together to celebrate their nuptials.

Posting on Instagram, Hale, 33, shared various images of the day, including a photobooth picture with a handful of their former cast mates.

The former actress, who now works as a sonographer, wrote under the post: “Special thank you to everyone who contributed to an unforgettable day!”

More from Ents & Arts

Set
5882970

Image
5882970e

Photographer
Andrew Schwartz/Paramount/Scott Rudin Prods/Mfp/New Century/Sor Prods/Kobal/Shutterstock

School Of Rock - 2003
Maryam Hussan, Cuitlin Hale, Jack Black

2003
Image:
Caitlin Hale (middle) with Maryam Hussan and Jack Black. Pic: Andrew Schwartz/Paramount/Scott Rudin Prods/Mfp/New Century/Sor Prods/Kobal/Shutterstock

Rivkah Reyes, who played bass player Katie in the film, also posted about the wedding, sharing a video on TikTok.

The clip, set to Stevie Nicks’s Edge Of Seventeen, included cameos from Brian Falduto, who played Billy, Joey Gaydos Jr, who played Zack, and Aleisha Allen, who played Alicia, among others.

The use of the song was a nod to one of the scenes from the film where Black and Joan Cusack, who plays headteacher Rosalie Mullins, sing the song in a bar.

“Celebrating the marriage of Caitlin & Angelo with my forever fam #schoolofrock #wedding,” Reyes wrote alongside the video, which showed them all dancing together.

After appearing together in the film the only contact Hale and Massagli had was through a WhatsApp chat set up with the entire cast, according to The New York Times.

The pair then both left show business and coincidentally reconnected while studying in schools in Florida.

Massagli, 32, who now works as a lawyer for TikTok, according to The Times, told the paper the familiarity they both had due to working together when they were younger “cut through some of those early relationship hurdles”.

The couple got engaged in June 2023.

Continue Reading

Trending