One Direction

HERE’S WHAT WE KNOW

As more and more accusers come out against Sean Diddy Combs, we are hearing that Jennifer Lopez has now lawyered up as she’s anticipating getting dragged into the legal proceedings. Jennifer has been told to expect a subpoena and she’s quietly retained an attorney who specializes in these matters. We also heard Diddy is terrified that J.Lo could be the final nail in his coffin and he’ll never see freedom again.

Surprise, surprise! Donald Trump made the news again for another shocking reason. His former chief of staff, John Kelly revealed that Trump once invoked Adolf Hitler and wanted a military like he had. No surprise that pathological liar Trump DENIED the story, but we are hearing this. Allegedly an audio tape of the outburst exists, so don’t be too surprised if it gets released before Election Day. As my source puts it, any Jewish person who supports Trump now will likely have second thoughts once they hear the supposed recording.

Liam Payne’s drug fueled death in Buenos Aires is still dominating the headlines as more sordid details emerge. Here’s what we just heard. His former band, One Direction, is secretly planning to reunite for either a charity concert or a new song to raise money in Liam’s honor for mental health issues. It’s a huge secret and the countless details (not to mention egos) still need to be worked out, but behind closed doors the plan is being worked on.

Travis Kelce’s Kansas City Chiefs teammate, Rashee Rice, made headlines when his mom, Marsha was charged with a misdemeanor – for allegedly swiping a package off of a neighbors’s porch. We heard that although Rashee is out for most of the season with an injury, he’s still attending games and the powers that be have made it clear he’s not to be photographed anywhere near Taylor Swift when she attends games. Interestingly enough, this edict didn’t come from Taylor’s people, but from the Chiefs execs as they don’t want to risk Taylor getting any bad publicity for attending games.

Renee Zellweger is standing by her man, Ant Anstead, who just made headlines amid his company’s bankruptcy filing and allegations of fraud on his part! Our well placed source reveals that Renee is opening up her pocketbook and offered to help Ant with the mounting expenses of the filing. Ant previously revealed that he sunk the vast majority of his money into the bespoke car company and Renee (who is much much wealthier) isn’t fazed that his fortunes could be changing. As my source explains, although they don’t have a marriage license, Renee basically considers herself married to Ant and that means for richer or poorer.

And finally the Kardashians made the news for filming a top secret project this week. While the open book family usually shares way too much information on everything, this time they’re being notoriously tight lipped. Here’s what we know. The project involving the entire family was a Super Bowl commercial. Remember those commercials are basically mini movies and cost millions to produce and millions more to air. The entire family -and of course everyone involved- had to sign NDA’s so while we don’t know for sure what product or company the spot is for we have heard some rumblings that it was a commercial for Amazon Prime. This makes perfect sense since Kim and her mom Kris Jenner are close to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

Photo Credit: BACKGRID-USA Jennifer Lopez and Sean Diddy Combs in 2000

HERE’S WHAT WE KNOW

The biggest story of the week was also one of the saddest ones. One Direction’s former member Liam Payne apparently committed suicide by jumping off of a hotel balcony in South America. Here’s what we know. The troubled singer has been spiraling with drug and alcohol abuse and it got so bad that his former band mates (they haven’t spoke in ages) were contacted weeks ago by a concerned mutual friend about participating in an intervention. They were trying to coordinate their busy schedules, but unfortunately they didn’t in time, and now they’re riddled with guilt that they didn’t act sooner.

Bad boy Sean Diddy Combs is hoping his high priced legal team can get him out on bail in a third appeal, but we just heard this scoop. If his long shot request is approved, one former friend (an A lister) has already contacted the authorities about getting around the clock protection. My source explains that half of Hollywood seems to be terrified of Diddy and while they’re publicly staying mum, privately they’re praying he stays locked up, since they feel safer that way. This friend is especially concerned because they were allegedly a victim of his sexual harassment.

The Menendez Brothers dominated the headlines again this week as the LA District Attorney revisits their sentence. We just heard this interesting tidbit. If the brothers are released from prison, they already have jobs thanks to the Kardashians! Momager Kris Jenner wants to produce a reality show starring the boys as they acclimate to the world after 30 plus years behind bars. Imagine them discovering iPhones, Instagram and so SO much more. Kris is willing to provide housing and security for them as well, so it’s likely they will take her up on the offer if they’re released.

Vice President Kamala Harris made news for going into enemy territory and sitting down for an interview with conservative Fox News. Could you only imagine scaredy cat Donald Trump taking hard questions from liberal leaning CNN? Most agree that Kamala aced it and now we heard the feedback was so positive she offered to return to the network for round two! The strategy is to show the brainwashed Trump loving viewers that she’s not the incompetent person Trump is painting her out to be.

Speaking of the ever declining Trump, he made news for the strangest reason yet. He turned a town hall into a disco and stopped answering questions after mere minutes and instead instructed his people to play music including the gay anthem, YMCA. My source says that even those closest to him are worried he’s completely lost his mind and are now begging his wife Melania to start accompanying him on public appearances since she’s the only one who seems to be able to control him. For her part, she isn’t interested and as we reported is likely to file for divorce if he loses the election and winds up in jail.

Finally, Gisele Bundchen made the news for something she didn’t do – join her fellow supermodels and return to the runway for the much anticipated Victoria’s Secret fashion show. After a 6 year hiatus the show returned with a splash featuring tons of their previous models including Tyra Banks and Kate Moss. We heard that while Gisele publicly claimed she was done with runway shows, privately she told a pal that the offer just wasn’t good enough and that’s why she declined to participate.

ZAYN MALIK: LETTING HIMSELF GO?

We happen to think Zayn Malik was drop-dead gorgeous when he was in One Direction– but since he unceremoniously quit, he hasn’t seen any of his former band members – or his barber either! He’s been living as a recluse on that Pennsylvania farm with his almost two year old daughter Khai since he and Gigi Hadid split in Oct 2021. Zayn and Gigi share custody. We used to see Gigi pushing Khai in her stroller around NYC, but she’s been invisible since the split. The parents must have a “no publicity for the baby” agreement so Khai is a recluse like her dad. Meanwhile, Zayn has been growing out his hair (from a shaved head) and he wears it in the style of a surfer (or a homeless person, depending on who’s looking) and now he’s selling sweatshirts and t-shirts to fans with his “art” on them called Paynt by Zayn. You can buy the hoody he’s wearing for $70.

Photo: Instagram

ZAYN MALIK COVERED UP HIS BIGGEST ASSET

Been wondering why you haven’t seen Zayn Malik around lately? Could be because he doesn’t look the same! Some men just don’t appreciate what they have. Zayn Malik has always stood out of the crowd because of his exceptional good looks. He might not have been the best singer in One Direction, or the most charming, but he WAS the hottest. His anxiety about performing doesn’t work well with his now solo career. Funny – he took the one thing he could depend on, and covered it with a scraggly BEARD. Now he looks like any other guy on the street…

Photo Credit: BACKGRID-USA

HARRY STYLES IS NO SNOB WHEN IT COMES TO MAGAZINE COVERS

We admit we might not have noticed that Harry Styles, 26, was on the cover of Better Homes & Gardens this month if we hadn’t perused Roger Friedman’s Showbiz 411. Harry’s the coverboy for the magazine’s online version, probably because he just released his new album called Harry’s House. The magazine interviewed Harry but they never got to see his house – if he HAS one. He talked about his reputation as a likable nice guy and the fact that he feels “lucky every day.” (Not ONE word about Olivia Wilde) We liked his ex-group One Direction, but always had a weakness or preference for the super good-looking Zayn Malik, who turned out to be a big disappointment. Harry has that great personality and sense of fun that’s irresistible – even when he’s wearing a dress! What other popstar would get a kick out of being on the cover of Better Homes & Gardens?

HARRY STYLES IS A POLICEMAN LIVING DANGEROUSLY

While handsome Zayn Malik is trying hard NOT to get attention, his former One Direction bandmate Harry Styles is becoming a real movie star. One Direction broke up when Zayn left in 2015, and Harry went on to great success as a solo artist and also racked up four feature films. He finished My Policeman this summer and the story is fascinating. Harry plays a police officer in the 50’s who is happily in love with his girlfriend UNTIL the couple meets another man, who falls in love with Harry’s character. Harry has feelings for him too, and the threesome end up living together (remember, homosexuality was illegal in those days) – until jealousy breaks them up. Fast forward to the 90’s and the “other man” re-enters the lives of the now married couple with serious consequences. Harry looks adorable in 50’s hair and clothing…

Photo Credit: BACKGRID-USA

THE LUCKIEST GUY IN NEW YORK

He enjoys NOT being noticed SO much that Zayn Malek will probably continue wearing a mask long after everyone else has stopped, in spite of the fact that he was blessed with drop-dead good looks. He’s also lucky to have a girlfriend (Gigi Hadid) who is not only gorgeous but VERY successful, and she just gave birth to his child with no marriage commitment. Zayn blames extreme anxiety for his antisocial behavior, but he should have gotten a grip on it by now. In 2015 he walked out on perhaps the most successful music group of all time – One Direction -at the height of their popularity, and left his bandmates in SHOCK. He didn’t even try to explain or mend friendships with them. Why? He says he wants to have a solo career, but backed out of touring. Zayn is extremely lucky, but remains his own worst enemy.

Photo Credit: BACKGRID-USA

HARRY STYLES DOESN’T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT HIS PEARLS

LOVE that men are now wearing pearls! Harry Styles flaunts his pearls day or night with t -shirts and tuxedos. The first time we saw a guy wearing pearls it was a rapper shopping at Dover Street Market. Since then we’ve seen more rappers (they love their jewelry) and it’s slowly starting to catch on. Harry is one of the early brave ones…

Photo Credit: BACKGRID-USA

ZAYN MALIK: LONG TIME NO SEE

Five years ago when One Direction was on top of the world in terms of popularity, Zayn Malik (who was generally considered to be the best looking member of the group) WALKED AWAY! He wasn’t happy with the music they were making for their teen fans, but he also had problems adjusting to his lack of privacy. Zayn was the quietest in the group and didn’t seem to have a sense of humor about his success. He suffered with anxiety and continued making his own music, but became more reclusive. Certainly that contributed to the split with his sociable girlfriend Gigi Hadid. For the past year he’s rarely been seen in public. This week Zayn and Gigi were spotted out together twice- are they more than just friends? Hopefully she can help him appreciate his success.

Photo Credit: BACKGRID-USA

LIAM PAYNE GOT IT ALMOST RIGHT

Now this is a clever and easy-do Halloween costume. Former One Direction boy bander Liam Payne already had a black suit and tie – all he needed was a pair of glasses (in his hand) and a superman t -shirt and he became Clark Kent! (If you recall, Clark Kent used to duck into a phone boot and tear off his suit when he became Superman.) A close shave would have helped a lot, however.

Photo Credit: BACKGRID-USA