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Today in Entertainment: Wendy Williams collapses during her live show; ‘House of Cards’ halts production in wake of Kevin Spacey accusations

Here’s what’s new and interesting in entertainment and the arts:

Wendy Williams collapses during her live show

(Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

How you doin’, Wendy Williams?

The answer is probably not as positive as usual, as the enthusiastic talk show host suffered a scary — not spooky — moment during Tuesday morning’s live broadcast.

Clad in a glitzy Statue of Liberty costume, Williams began slurring her words while introducing an audience participation segment late in the Halloween broadcast. Eyes wide, the host then went silent and stumbled before collapsing.

The show quickly cut to commercial, and upon returning Williams was adamant that her fall had not been staged.

“That was not a stunt. I’m overheated in my costume and I did pass out. But you know what, I’m a champ, and I’m back,” Williams proclaimed before continuing the show.

“Wendy fainted on-air this morning,” a spokesperson for “The Wendy Williams Show” told The Times via email Tuesday morning. “She is dehydrated and is on her way home to rest and sleep. She has been examined by medical professionals and finished the show in true Wendy spirit. She has never missed a day of work, and will continue all shows as planned. She will address this on-air tomorrow.”

It was a sentiment echoed on Williams’ official Twitter account as well.

“Everybody relax. I’m doing fine, just need some water and electrolytes,” read a tweet posted on Williams’ feed. “On another note, I stayed and laid Halloween, LOL! Shout out to my magnificent Glam Squad and Ceaser Galindo the costume designer. More on this tomorrow.”

Williams’ Halloween show wasn’t a total drag, however. Actor Jerry O’Connell stopped by in a truly disturbing costume attempting to depict multiple Kardashians at once.

Netflix halts ‘House of Cards’ Season 6 production in wake of Kevin Spacey accusation

Production has halted on “House of Cards” in the wake of a recent accusation levied against Emmy-nominated star Kevin Spacey, Netflix and Media Rights Capital said Tuesday in a joint statement.

“MRC and Netflix have decided to suspend production on ‘House of Cards’ Season 6, until further notice, to give us time to review the current situation and to address any concerns of our cast and crew,” the statement read.

“Star Trek: Discovery” actor Anthony Rapp came forward Sunday night with an accusation that Spacey had made an unwanted sexual advance on him in 1986, when Rapp was just 14.

Spacey quickly responded to Rapp’s allegation with an apology for his “drunken” behavior, which he said he did not recall, before using his official statement to come out as a gay man.

Some in Hollywood criticized Spacey’s timing as opportunistic and damaging to the LGBTQ community for conflating pedophilia and homosexuality.

On Monday, Netflix and MRC announced that “House of Cards” would conclude with Season 6. The companies also released a joint statement calling the accusation against Spacey “deeply troubling” and reporting that both organizations had sent executives to Baltimore to speak with cast and crew members currently on set.

“House of Cards” debuted in 2013 and quickly became a player in the prestige television movement, becoming the first original online-only streaming series to receive nominations in major categories at the Emmy Awards.

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Halloween is finally here, and these celebrities have conquered it

Cardi B channels Cruella de Vil.
(Donald Traill / Associated Press)

This year, a Tuesday Halloween arrives almost as an afterthought to the October costume parties that have flooded social media feeds for weeks.

You’ve seen the Kardashian family flit through dozens of costume combinations and witnessed a handful of celebs skulking down the red carpet as “Stranger Things” favorite Eleven, but have you seen some of the top-of-the-line costumes Hollywood has to offer?

Read on to find out which NBA stars are getting spooky, which couples are getting silly and which Oscar-winning actress is getting spoiler-y with some of the best celeb costumes of 2017.

Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade as Milli Vanilli

Beyoncé and Jay Z as Lil’ Kim and the Notorious B.I.G.

Neil Patrick Harris and family as Carnival of Curiosities

Demi Lovato as Selena Quintanilla

Kristen Bell as Elsa (not Anna) from ‘Frozen’

Steph Curry as Jigsaw

LeBron James as Pennywise

Gwyneth Paltrow as Gwyneth Paltrow’s head (as seen in the movie ‘Seven’) with Brad Falchuk

Jay-Z to receive Grammy Salute to Industry Icons Award

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

The Recording Academy and Clive Davis will honor Jay-Z with the Grammy Salute to Icons Award at Davis’ annual pre-ceremony gala.

A 21-time Grammy winner, Jay is being singled out for his storied rap career, business acumen and philanthropic work.

He will be presented with the award at the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel on Jan. 27, the night before the 60th annual Grammy Awards.

“Jay-Z is a quintessential icon and I couldn’t be happier and more excited to share the evening with him,” Davis said in a statement. “What a night this will be!”

The honor comes amid a big year for Jay: He became the first rapper to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, he executive-produced a poignant documentary on Kalief Browder that earned critics’ praise (and saw him feted by the L.A. Press Club) and his comeback effort, “4:44,” was a searing character dismantling that showed the rapper hadn’t lost any hunger in a career that stretches over two decades. He even signed a new 10-year touring deal with Live Nation worth a reported $200 million.

Past honorees include Davis, Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss, Irving Azoff, Martin Bandier, Richard Branson, Ahmet Ertegun, David Geffen, Berry Gordy, Lucian Grainge, Debra L. Lee, Doug Morris, Mo Ostin and Antonio “L.A.” Reid.

“We are absolutely thrilled and delighted to honor Jay-Z with this year’s Grammy Salute to Industry Icons Award. His contributions as an industry trailblazer and music visionary only begin to touch on the tremendous impact he’s made both in entertainment and beyond,” Neil Portnow, president of the Recording Academy, said in a statement. “Jay-Z also embodies the vibrant spirit of New York City and we couldn’t imagine a more fitting honoree as we return to Manhattan for this year’s Grammy Awards.”

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Niall Horan’s ‘Flicker’ helps One Direction make chart history

Niall Horan on the “Today” show in New York City on Oct. 26, 2017.
Niall Horan on the “Today” show in New York City on Oct. 26, 2017.
(Charles Sykes / Associated Press)

One Direction has been on hiatus for two years, but the boy band is still making a bit of chart history.

With member Niall Horan’s solo debut “Flicker” topping the albums chart, One Direction has now joined the ranks of the Beatles as the only groups to have three of its members hit that No. 1.

“Flicker,” released on Oct. 20 through Capitol Records, moved 152,000 equivalent album units in its first week, according to Nielsen Music.

Horan follows Harry Styles’ album No. 1 earlier this year and a solo effort by Zayn Malik, who left the group ahead of its most recent album.

Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson have yet to release full-length projects, though both have scored hit singles since the band went on hiatus in 2015.

For those not well-versed in Beatles history, members John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison all dropped multiple solo albums that hit No. 1 (Ringo Starr peaked at No. 2).

In an interview with Billboard earlier this year, Horan said he was certain his old band would get back together eventually.

“When it will be, I don’t know,” he said. “I prefer not to do it after I’m 40. I’d prefer the next few years.”

Rose McGowan on months-old arrest warrant: ‘Are they trying to silence me?’

(Paul Sancya / Associated Press)

Actress Rose McGowan, who has been an outspoken voice in the Harvey Weinstein scandal, said that a months-old warrant for her arrest is an attempt to keep her quiet.

“Are they trying to silence me? There is a warrant out for my arrest in Virginia. What a load of ...,” McGowan tweeted Monday night in response to reports on the warrant.

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police Department issued an arrest warrant for the Encino actress on Feb. 1 for suspected possession of a controlled substance.

The felony charge stems from a police investigation of the “Charmed” alum’s personal belongings that were left behind on a United Airlines flight arriving at Washington Dulles International Airport on Jan. 20, and tested positive for narcotics, authorities told The Times.

“The Airports Authority police have attempted to contact Ms. McGowan so she can appear in a Loudoun County, Va., court to respond to the charge,” police said. The warrant was also entered into a national law enforcement database.

As of Monday, the warrant had not yet been served.

McGowan, 44, who appeared in the Weinstein Co.’s “Scream” franchise, is among the scores of women accusing the disgraced mega-producer of serial sexual misconduct and bringing decades-old accusations to light. The “Once Upon a Time” actress tweeted earlier this month that she was raped by a man with the initials “HW,” which she confirmed to the Hollywood Reporter was a reference to Weinstein, the Associated Press said.

The 44-year-old has been rallying her so-called #RoseArmy and victims of sexual harassment and assault to come forward.

Times staff writer Richard Winton contributed to this report.

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Stephen Colbert cannot contain his excitement about Paul Manafort indictment

It may be Halloween, but it was more like Christmas for Stephen Colbert, who could not help but break out into songs about Paul Manafort’s indictment on “The Late Show” Monday night.

“It’s almost Halloween, and this year is going to be super spooky for Donald Trump because special prosecutor and off-duty Lurch Robert Mueller just announced the first indictment in the Russia investigation,” Colbert said at the top of his show.

Mueller, of course, has been investigating possible connections between the Trump campaign and any efforts by Russia to influence the 2016 presidential election. Manafort, who served as Trump’s campaign manager, and his top aide Richard W. Gates III have been accused of 12 counts of fraud, conspiracy and money laundering.

Colbert made the Halloween-vs.-Christmas comparison before breaking out into various Yuletide tunes gloating about how Manafort was likely “just the first of many.”

Still, the host didn’t let his joy keep him from taking a jab at how the arrest went down.

“The charges were actually filed on Friday but they gave Manafort until today to turn himself in,” said Colbert. “Wow, we white people really do get arrested differently. They might as well have sent him a formal invitation.”

Colbert also had plenty to say about the numerous charges the political consultant faces.

“Manafort’s been charged with 12 counts, including conspiracy to launder money, tax fraud and conspiracy against the United States,” he said. “What’s that crime usually called again? I can’t remember, for some treason.”

In response to the indictment, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders insisted that the situation had “nothing to do with the president … the president’s campaign or campaign activity” and that “the real collusion scandal has everything to do with the Clinton campaign.

But Colbert was not buying it.

“My God, of course,” he said. “Hillary Clinton colluded with Russia to lose the election.”

Watch the segment above.

A Star Is Born: Dan Rather turns 86 today

(Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times)

When you report something important for people to know that somebody, somewhere in power doesn’t want them to know, you’re going to pay a price for it. People will try to discredit you.  

— Dan Rather, 2009

FROM THE ARCHIVES: Dan Rather, dogged plaintiff

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Producers Guild doubles down on Harvey Weinstein expulsion: Disgraced mogul is banned for life

The Producers Guild of America voted unanimously in October to expel Harvey Weinstein in the wake of serious sexual harassment and assault allegations. Now that expulsion is for life.
The Producers Guild of America voted unanimously in October to expel Harvey Weinstein in the wake of serious sexual harassment and assault allegations. Now that expulsion is for life.
(Chris Pizzello / Associated Press)

The Producers Guild of America has taken an unprecedented step to solidify its position on disgraced studio mogul Harvey Weinstein, announcing Monday that the organization’s board has voted unanimously to ban Weinstein from the guild for life.

“As was recently reported, the Producers Guild’s National Board of Directors voted unanimously to initiate proceedings to terminate the membership of Harvey Weinstein,” read a statement from the guild issued Monday. “The PGA Constitution requires that members be given 15 days’ notice before disciplinary action is taken. The Guild has received notice that rather than addressing the Guild’s charges, Mr. Weinstein elected to resign his membership in the Producers Guild.”

“In light of Mr. Weinstein’s widely reported behavior — with new reports continuing to surface even now — the Producers Guild’s National Board has voted unanimously to enact a lifetime ban on Mr. Weinstein, permanently barring him from PGA membership,” the statement continued. “This unprecedented step is a reflection of the seriousness with which the Guild regards the numerous reports of Mr. Weinstein’s decades of reprehensible conduct.”

The Guild’s National Board of Directors and Officers voted unanimously to expel Weinstein in an Oct. 16 meeting following high-profile allegations of sexual harassment and assault from dozens of women, including actresses Asia Argento, Rose McGowan and Gwyneth Paltrow.

At the same meeting, the PGA’s National Board — made up of 20 women and 18 men — voted to create a task force to research and address sexual harassment within the entertainment industry. While the membership ranks of Hollywood’s craft guilds reflect widespread gender imbalance across disciplines, 47% of the PGA’s 8,100 members are women.

A Los Angeles Times report comparing gender parity across guild organizations in Hollywood illuminates the stark juxtaposition of representation in the industry: In the Directors Guild, 23.4% of all members (including unit production managers, assistant directors and stage managers) are female and only 15.1% of its director members are women.

In its statement Monday, the PGA reiterated its commitment to forming a Hollywood task force to combat the kind of rampant harassment and abuse that the Weinstein scandal has forced to the fore: “Sexual harassment can no longer be tolerated in our industry or within the ranks of Producers Guild membership.”

Regrettes’ Lydia Night speaks out after onstage attack at local festival

The Regrettes, from left: Lydia Night, Sage Chavis, Maxx Morando and Genessa Gariano.
( (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times))

Lydia Night, the singer for the L.A. rock band the Regrettes, made her first public statement after being attacked onstage during a performance on Sunday, writing that “someone invaded my safe space in an aggressive manner and that is absolutely not okay.”

The incident took place while the Regrettes performed at the Growlers 6 festival at the L.A. Waterfront in San Pedro. Video from the festival posted on social media shows a woman in a superhero costume fighting through crowds, climbing onstage and shoving Night.

Representatives for the band said that Night does not have plans to file complaints against the festival or its promotion partner, Live Nation. Representatives for the Growlers 6 festival did not return for requests for comment and have not yet made a public statement on the attack.

“Being a performer is one of the most vulnerable things you can do. The last thing I want to worry about during a performance is being in danger in any way. The stage should always feel like a safe space for self expression and art,” Night said.

“Yesterday, someone invaded my safe space in an aggressive manner and that is absolutely not okay. Thank you for all of your concern and love. I am still pretty shocked about what went down, but I will be totally fine. I did not know the girl who attacked me. I was told she was on a lot of drugs and mistook me for someone else. Love you all and I’ll see you next month on the east coast.”

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Hollywood to host ‘Take Back the Workplace’ march in protest of sexual harassment

As allegations of sexual harassment and assault continue to pile up this year, some people are taking their disapproval and frustrations to the streets.

The Feminist Majority Foundation, along with Civican and We for She, are sponsoring a march they’re calling “Take Back the Workplace,” set for Nov. 12.

“We are marching in protest of sexual harassment in the workplace and to send a message to the people who commit it and to those who are complicit by allowing them to do it and covering it up,” reads the event’s official Facebook page.

The march will begin at Hollywood and Highland and wend its way through the streets before concluding outside the CNN building on Sunset Boulevard.

The demonstration arrives during a year rife with sexual assault accusations levied against powerful men, including Roger Ailes, Harvey Weinstein, Donald Trump, Bill O’Reilly and James Toback.

On Saturday, KTTV-TV Channel 11 reporter Lauren Sivan —who alleged she was harassed by Weinstein in 2007 — was announced as the celebrity chair of the event.

“We’re also looking at specific legislation and policies in our government that we can demand be implemented so that no man or women, regardless of the industry, has to face this ever again,” author and comedian Tess Rafferty, who is also the march’s co-organizer, wrote on Facebook.

The march is scheduled to begin with protesters gathering at the Hollywood & Highland shopping center at 10 a.m. before starting at 11 a.m.

Amid Kevin Spacey fallout, ‘House of Cards’ to end with upcoming season

“House of Cards” will end its run on Netflix with its upcoming sixth season.

Confirmation of the drama’s conclusion comes as its lead actor and executive producer, Kevin Spacey, who plays ruthless politician Frank Underwood, is caught up in allegations of sexual impropriety.

In an article published Sunday on BuzzFeed, “Star Trek: Discovery” actor Anthony Rapp alleged that Spacey made unwanted sexual advances toward him in 1986. (Rapp was 14; Spacey would have been 26.)

Hours later, in a statement responding to the allegations, the Oscar winner apologized for the alleged behavior and came out as gay. Spacey’s statement was met with criticism by the LGBTQ advocacy group GLAAD and others who say the actor deflected focus on Rapp’s accusation.

Netflix and Media Rights Capital, which produces the show, issued a joint statement Monday about the allegations.

“Media Rights Capital and Netflix are deeply troubled by last night’s news concerning Kevin Spacey,” the statement read. “In response to last night’s revelations, executives from both of our companies arrived in Baltimore this afternoon to meet with our cast and crew to ensure that they continue to feel safe and supported. As previously scheduled, Kevin Spacey is not working on set at this time.”

“House of Cards,” which premiered in 2013, was among Netflix’s early entrants in its push into original programming. The political drama, which also stars Robin Wright, has helped the streaming service’s ambitions to become a Hollywood heavyweight.

The final season, which is currently in production, will consist of 13 episodes and premiere in 2018.

Update, 1:05 p.m.: This story was updated with Netflix’s statement.

This article was originally published at 12:47 p.m.

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Corey Feldman ‘not playing around’ about naming Hollywood pedophiles — if his movie gets funded

Corey Feldman, who last week announced a campaign to fund a movie about alleged pedophiles in Hollywood, had to work to get his message across on the “Today” show Monday morning. Matt Lauer challenged Feldman’s claim that he needs $10 million to make that film.

Feldman said there is “a lot of darkness” in Hollywood right now, and it will keep unraveling, the actor and musician told Lauer. What we’re seeing now is just the tip of the iceberg, Feldman said, and a feature film is the best way for him to share what he witnessed and experienced as a former child actor.

Also, the subject matter he’s dealing with would require him to have a team of lawyers and a security detail to be around him at all times.

“I’m not playing around,” Feldman said. “It’s serious stuff and I vow I will release every single name that I have any knowledge of. Period. And nobody’s going to stop me this time. As long as people support this.”

As of Monday morning, Feldman had raised about $160,000 toward the $10-million goal.

When pressed by Lauer — who noted that “we’ve been down this road before” with Feldman, who said he was going to reveal Hollywood pedophiles in his 2013 memoir, “Coreyography” — the “Goonies” actor explained: “The publisher prevented me from writing the names down. They made me change the names.”

In the book, Feldman did share stories of his own abuse, and that of the late Corey Haim, while the two were young actors. Haim, who struggled with substance abuse when he was older, died in 2010 at age 38. In recent years, his mother, Judy Haim, has tried to distance herself from Feldman.

“If he finally decides to release names and tell the world who they are, for the sake of more victims, I will be 100% behind it. But if he’s waiting to release the names in the movie, I don’t support that. He doesn’t need $10 million to do it,” she said in a statement to “Today.”

Haim was more blunt to the Hollywood Reporter over the weekend, saying: “Come on. It’s a long con. He’s a scam artist. If he was serious about this, he’d share the information he has with the police.”

Feldman explained to Lauer that the statute of limitations had expired in California and, talking to Megyn Kelly on Monday in a different “Today” segment, said it wasn’t easy taking allegations to authorities even when he was within the 10-year period. He said he gave the names to authorities in Santa Barbara County when they were investigating Michael Jackson.

“When you’re an 18-, 19-, 20-year-old kid, you try telling the police, which is a very big thing to do,” he said, “and especially when it wasn’t even my situation, I was just answering for a friend, so the fact that I found the courage to even throw it in there and hopefully get some support, and then they were like, sorry, and they just shut it down.”

In his “Corey Feldman’s Truth Campaign” video, the “Lost Boys” actor linked the movie-financing effort to a recent marijuana-related brush with police and the sudden resignation of several of his band members, whom he said were “afraid for their lives.”

“There are thousands of people in Hollywood who have this same information,” Feldman told Lauer on Monday. “Why is it all on me? Why is it that if I don’t release the names in the next two months, six months, or a year, I’m the bad guy? I’m the victim here. I’m the one who’s been abused. I’m the one who’s trying to come forward and do something about it.”

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Kevin Spacey’s apology for alleged sexual misconduct triggers swift backlash

Zachary Quinto says Kevin Spacey’s coming out was a ‘calculated manipulation to deflect attention’

‘Stranger Things’ star Finn Wolfhard leaves APA as his agent is fired amid claims of sexual assault and harassment

Zachary Quinto says Kevin Spacey’s coming out was a ‘calculated manipulation to deflect attention’

(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Openly gay actor Zachary Quinto spoke out harshly on Monday against Oscar winner Kevin Spacey’s apology for an alleged incident with actor Anthony Rapp decades ago.

The “Star Trek: Beyond” and “American Horror Story” star called Spacey’s declaration “to live as a gay man,” which the “House of Cards” star mentioned in his Sunday apology to Rapp, a “calculated manipulation to deflect attention from the very serious accusation” that Spacey allegedly harassed Rapp when he was 14.

Quinto is among numerous celebrities and organizations to criticize Spacey’s statement. Here’s Quinto’s full statement:

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NBC News terminates Mark Halperin following sexual harassment allegations

NBC News terminated its contract with senior political analyst Mark Halperin following allegations that he sexually harassed a dozen women during his tenure at ABC News.

An NBC News spokesperson confirmed the termination Monday shortly before Eleanor McManus, one of Halperin’s accusers, appeared on the network’s “Megyn Kelly Today.”

Halperin has been off the air since the Wednesday report on CNN that women who worked at ABC News claimed they had been subjected to harassment, inappropriate physical contact or sexual assault by Halperin while he was political director from 1997 to 2007. A second report on Friday had detailed accounts from a total of a dozen women.

McManus, a forrmer CNN producer, appeared on “Megyn Kelly Today” on Monday to talk about one of the alleged incidents that occurred in the late 1990s.

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Kevin Spacey’s apology for alleged sexual misconduct triggers swift backlash

(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Hollywood is not happy with Kevin Spacey’s response to “Star Trek: Discovery” actor Anthony Rapp’s allegations that the Oscar-winning actor made an unwanted sexual advance on him when Rapp was 14 years old.

“I honestly do not remember the encounter, it would have been over 30 years ago. But if I did behave then as he describes, I owe him the sincerest apology for what would have been deeply inappropriate drunken behavior, and I am sorry for the feelings he describes having carried with him all these years,” Spacey said in an official statement Sunday night.

Spacey’s statement also confirmed that the notoriously private actor is gay, which did not sit well with celebs and LGBTQ organizations. Many saw that as a craven attempt to shift attention from the issue at hand: the accusations of predatory behavior toward a minor.

“Coming-out stories should not be used to deflect from allegations of sexual assault,” said GLAAD president and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis in a series of tweets Monday morning.

“This isn’t a coming-out story about Spacey, but a story of survivorship by Anthony Rapp & those who speak out about unwanted sexual advances. The media and public should not gloss over that,” Ellis wrote.

Beyond the timing of Spacey’s announcement, others were incensed by what they considered a dangerous conflation of homosexuality and pedophilia, a tactic deployed against the LGBTQ community for decades.

Here’s a sampling of the initial reaction to Spacey’s announcement.

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Selena Gomez details kidney transplant in emotional ‘Today’ interview

Selena Gomez shared the details of her harrowing kidney transplant in an emotional interview Monday morning. And her pal Francia Raisa, who donated her kidney to save Gomez’s life, was right there by her side.

The singer was diagnosed with lupus five years ago and revealed in September that she underwent surgery over the summer after the autoimmune disease started attacking the organ.

Gomez, 25, was suffering from arthritis and she was weeks away from dialysis when her friend stepped up to donate her kidney, Gomez said Monday in the first part of her “Today” show interview.

“I got to the point where it was really kind of life or death. It’s really hard to think about or swallow,” the Disney Channel alum said, explaining that since the transplant her arthritis went away and her blood pressure, energy and life have improved. Her lupus has only a 3% to 5% chance of coming back, she said.

“[Raisa] lived with me at an interesting time when my kidneys were just done. That was it,” Gomez said.

The donor list had been seven to 10 years long, and Raisa, seeing how much pain Gomez was in, volunteered to get tested after no one in Gomez’s family was a match. When they learned Raisa was a match, “The Secret Life of the American Teenager” actress went through a grueling panel of testing in a day -- a process that should have taken six months, she said.

“The fact that she was a match, I mean that’s unbelievable. That’s not real,” Gomez added.

The duo, sitting side-by-side for the emotional interview with Savannah Guthrie, rehashed the operation itself and what they had to do to prepare for it. Raisa, 29, had to write a will, “which was scary because there’s no guarantee you’ll wake up,” she said.

Raisa’s procedure went smoothly, then it was Gomez’s turn. When Gomez woke up two hours later, she soon began hyperventilating and experiencing pain. The new kidney was turning around inside her body because one of the arteries had flipped. She had to undergo an additional six-hour procedure to correct in.

The tearful Gomez said her friend saved her life and they shared their story to raise awareness.

“I just really hope that we can help somebody. I don’t think what we went through is easy. I don’t think it was fun. I just hope that this inspires people to feel good to know that there [are] really good people in the world,” the singer said.

A Star Is Born: Harry Hamlin turns 66 today

(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

I’m very lucky in that my career has never gotten to the point that I could sit back and rest on my laurels and buy a big boat or a plane and get fat. I’ve always had to stay reasonably lean and mean if I wanted to continue working.

— Harry Hamlin, 2013

FROM THE ARCHIVES: Harry Hamlin on keeping fit, staying sharp amid hectic acting life

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Kevin Spacey apologizes to Anthony Rapp for alleged sexual advance and says he chooses ‘now to live as a gay man’

Kevin Spacey on Sunday evening issued a public apology to “Star Trek: Discovery” actor Anthony Rapp, who claimed that the “American Beauty” Oscar winner made an unwanted sexual advance on him in 1986. Rapp was 14 years old at the time. Spacey would have been 26.

In the statement, Spacey said he chooses “now to live as a gay man.”

Rapp, 46, came forward with his allegation in a BuzzFeed article published Sunday evening. The piece described an encounter with the older actor that transpired when he was a teen working on Broadway in New York.

After a party at Spacey’s apartment, Rapp said he wandered into the bedroom and spent the evening watching TV. Later, Rapp said, Spacey entered.

“He picked me up like a groom picks up the bride over the threshold,” he told BuzzFeed’s Adam Vary. “But I don’t, like, squirm away initially, because I’m like, ‘What’s going on?’ And then he lays down on top of me.”

“He was trying to seduce me,” said Rapp, whose film credits include “Adventures in Babysitting,” “School Ties,” “A Beautiful Mind” and the musical adaptation of “Rent,” in which he reprised the role he originated on Broadway. “I don’t know if I would have used that language. But I was aware that he was trying to get with me sexually.”

Less than three hours after Rapp’s story appeared online, Spacey responded to the allegation on Twitter.

“I have a lot of respect and admiration for Anthony Rapp as an actor. I’m beyond horrified to hear his story,” Spacey said in the statement.

“I honestly do not remember the encounter, it would have been over 30 years ago. But if I did behave then as he describes, I owe him the sincerest apology for what would have been deeply inappropriate drunken behavior, and I am sorry for the feelings he describes having carried with him all these years.”

In addition to apologizing to Rapp, the intensely private Spacey revealed that he is gay.

“This story has encouraged me to address other things about my life,” his statement continued. “I know that there are stories out there about me and that some have been fueled by the fact that I have been so protective of my privacy. As those closest to me know, in my life I have had relationships with both men and women. I have loved and had romantic encounters with men throughout my life, and I choose now to live as a gay man. I want to deal with this honestly and openly and that starts with examining my own behavior.”

Rapp said that he has wrestled with the events of the night in question for decades and over the years had confided to friends, who confirmed to BuzzFeed that he told them of the encounter. He said that he was emboldened to share his story by recent accusations of severe sexual assault made public by dozens of women speaking out against disgraced mogul Harvey Weinstein.

“I came forward with my story, standing on the shoulders of the many courageous women and men who have been speaking out, to shine a light and hopefully make a difference, as they have done for me,” Rapp said in a statement, which was posted to Twitter after the article’s publication.

Representatives for Spacey and Rapp declined to comment further.

“Everything I wanted to say about my experience is in that article, and I have no further comment about it at this time,” Rapp posted.

A Star Is Born: Gabrielle Union turns 45 today

(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Rape is a wound that throbs long after it heals. And for some of us the throbbing gets too loud. Post-traumatic stress syndrome is very real and chips away at the soul and sanity of so many of us who have survived sexual violence.

— Gabrielle Union, 2016

FROM THE ARCHIVES: ‘Birth of a Nation’ actress Gabrielle Union: I cannot take Nate Parker rape allegations lightly

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A Star Is Born: Julia Roberts turns 50 today

(Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

I’ve never taken my kids to an event or a premiere. We appreciate privacy. We don’t hide, but we want to keep our family to ourselves. I don’t want my kids photographed. They’re my children.

— Julia Roberts, 2009

FROM THE ARCHIVES: Julia Roberts and a part-time idol’s choices

Claire Foy ‘can’t wait’ to see Olivia Colman take the reins on ‘The Crown’

Claire Foy, left, plays Queen Elizabeth II in the first two seasons of "The Crown." Olivia Colman has been tapped to take over as the queen in the next two seasons.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times, left; Jonathan Short / Associated Press)

If there’s one (fictional) queen saying “YAS” to news of Olivia Colman joining the cast of “The Crown” for seasons 3 and 4 as Queen Elizabeth II, it’s Claire Foy.

Foy, who played the key role for the first two seasons, had known from the start that her time on the Netflix drama about the British monarch’s long reign would be brief. Series creator Peter Morgan had always intended to replace key cast members in later seasons as the characters aged.

Colman, whose other credits include the U.K. drama “Broadchurch” and AMC’s “The Night Manager,” will now take the crown, the Los Angeles Times confirmed. And her predecessor approves.

“All I want to do is shout from the rooftops!” Foy told The Times by phone Friday afternoon. “I think she’s just amazing. She’s an extraordinary actress. I think the best thing about it is, she’ll completely reinvent it and make it her own.

Foy, who is currently promoting the upcoming second season of “The Crown,” said she and Coleman have talked on the phone about the gig — mostly about what to expect production-wise.

“If she ever wants to know anything about the queen, I’m more than willing to divulge,” Foy said. “But at the same time, everything is out there already. I think the most important thing for her is to just go out and do it and not think about anyone else who has ever done it before.”

“I can’t wait to see her in it,” she added. “I can’t wait. I can’t wait.”

In the meantime, there’s still plenty of Foy as Queen Elizabeth II to see. The second season of “The Crown” comes to Netflix on Dec. 8.

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Simon Cowell back home after brief hospitalization

(Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)

Reality competition mainstay Simon Cowell is back home after a fall resulted in a brief hospital visit.

The “America’s Got Talent” judge was taken from his house early Friday morning on a stretcher and was seen wearing a neck brace, the Associated Press and TMZ reported. Cowell reportedly fainted and tumbled backward down a steep staircase at his London home.

Upon returning Friday afternoon, the 58-year-old “American Idol” alum was photographed giving a thumbs-up as he walked himself into the mansion.

“I’ve got a bit of concussion. I feel better now,” Cowell told the Daily Mirror.

Cowell is slated to appear as a judge on the new season of the U.K. talent show “The X Factor” on Saturday.

“I will be back, but I don’t know about tomorrow,” he said to the Mirror.

Rose McGowan delivers fiery speech at inaugural Women’s Convention: ‘It’s time to rise’

In her first public address since helping blow the Harvey Weinstein exposé wide open and igniting the exposure of several more prominent Hollywood figures accused of sexual misconduct and abuse, Rose McGowan addressed a crowd of “Me Toos,” reclaimed her time and roared.

“My name is Rose McGowan, and I am brave — and I am you.”

The filmmaker, actress and activist kicked off the inaugural Women’s Convention in Detroit on Friday with a stirring and personal speech two weeks after accusing Weinstein of rape in a series of tweets.

She began by thanking her “fabulous, strong, powerful” #RoseArmy of supporters.

“I have been silenced for 20 years. I have been slut-shamed. I have been harassed,” she said. “I have been maligned. And you know what? I’m just like you. Because what happened to me behind the scenes happens to all of us in this society. And that cannot stand, and it will not stand.

“We are free. We are strong. We are one massive, collective voice — that is what #RoseArmy is about,” she continued. “No more will we be shunted to the side. No more will we be hurt. It’s time to be whole. It’s time to rise. It’s time to be brave.”

Rose McGowan speaks at the Women's Convention in Detroit on Friday.
(Paul Sancya / Associated Press)

McGowan didn’t utter Weinstein’s name once. She didn’t need to. Acknowledging that seeing “the monster’s face” plastered across media reports in the past few weeks has been difficult for her, she called for resilience and unity in a widening cultural movement that reaches beyond Hollywood’s power structure.

“In the face of unspeakable actions from one monster, we look away to another — the head monster of all, right now — and they are the same. And they must die. It is time. The paradigm must be subverted,” she said.

Encouraging the continued exposure of abusers within and outside of the entertainment industry, McGowan also called for more diverse representation behind the camera.

“Hollywood may seem like it’s an isolated thing, but it is not. It is the messaging system for your mind,” she said. “It is the mirror that you’re given to look into. This is what you are as a woman. This is what you are as a man. This is what you are as a boy, girl, gay, straight, transgender, but it’s all told through 96% males in the Directors Guild of America.”

The DGA’s membership is currently 76.6% male, yet a 2015 study by the DGA found that only 6.4% of all feature film directors were women. And a USC Annenberg study of 900 top-grossing films over the past decade found that women directed a paltry 4.1%.

McGowan capped her speech at the first annual Women’s Convention, coordinated by the organizers of the Women’s March and held this weekend at Detroit’s Cobo Center, by raising her fist in the air: “My name is Rose McGowan, and I am brave and I am you.”

For the record, Oct. 28, 11:48 am: A previous version of this post said that current membership of the Directors Guild of America was 85% male and that women comprised less than 7% of the DGA in 2013 and 2014. According to the most recent statistics from the DGA, the guild’s membership is 76.6% male. Also, the 2013 - 2014 number was an accounting of the number of women who directed feature films, not the total membership.

Read The Times’ full coverage of the Harvey Weinstein sexual harassment scandal.

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Why, Alexander Skarsgård, why? What happened to his hair?

( Nicholas Hunt / Getty Images)

It’s hair today, bald tomorrow for Alexander Skarsgård.

The Swedish tall drink of water debuted a shocking new haircut on the red carpet for Louis Vuitton’s “Volez, Voguez, Voyagez” exhibit in New York on Thursday night.

The “Big Little Lies” and “True Blood” alum shaved the top of his head, leaving a nearly bare scalp and neatly trimmed sides as the remaining evidence of his once-glorious golden locks.

According to Yahoo and TMZ, the new mane — or lack thereof — is believed to be for his role in Kim Nguyen’s drama “The Hummingbird Project,” which he is shooting with Salma Hayek and Jesse Eisenberg.

On the bright side, we’re guessing his hair will grow back. (Please.)

Watch Taylor Swift battle with her doppelganger in new video for ‘...Ready for It?’

Giving fans another sneak preview of her forthcoming album, Taylor Swift unveiled a new video for the song “...Ready for It?” on Friday.

But maybe you won’t be ready for a CGI-augmented Swift on the prowl, driven by a gritty beat that wouldn’t sound out of place at a Skrillex party.

Directed by recent visual collaborator Joseph Kahn, the video is dense with allusions to our hooded heroine’s labyrinthine psyche. She walks through graffiti-filled corridors, past objects and clues that might or might not mean something.

Where’s she headed? Toward a stage, where a seemingly nude and sexless version of herself is crouched on the ready. The song’s rhythm bangs as, before our very eyes, this Swiftian tabula rasa transforms into some sort of android. Within moments, she’s on an android stallion. (Wait, is this a Björk video?)

Her hooded doppelganger watches this and apparently has an issue with what’s going on. With the touch of an invisible screen, the horse vanishes and android Swift drops to the ground, rendered helpless.

Not so fast, though. (Spoiler alert!) All is not lost.

As this unfolds, the song’s lyrics move into the bridge: “Baby, let the games begin!/ Baby, let the games begin!”

“Reputation” will be released Nov. 10. Watch Swift’s new video below.

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Ken Baker of E! News accused of sexual harassment, reports say

(Leon Bennett / Getty Images)

E! News senior correspondent Ken Baker, who has been an outspoken critic of disgraced producer Harvey Weinstein, has now been accused by two women of sexual harassment and is under investigation at the cable network, according to published reports.

A former E! News employee alleged that Baker invited her to sit on his lap after calling her into his dimly lit office in 2012, according to the Wrap. She said that he often made inappropriate comments or touched her in ways that made her uncomfortable.

In addition, a former E! News intern alleged that Baker repeatedly propositioned her for sex over the years. She also accused Baker of kissing her in 2011 without her consent and sending her a text message in 2015 in which he said he wanted to give her a Tiffany & Co. sex toy with his name engraved on it. The former intern provided a picture of the text message to the Wrap, which published it on Friday.

The women shared their stories about Baker with the Wrap under the condition of anonymity.

Baker did not immediately respond to The Times’ requests for comment. However, in a statement to the Wrap, he said he was “very disturbed by these anonymous allegations, which make my heart ache.”

“I take them very seriously,” he said. “I care deeply for people’s feelings and sincerely live in a way that treats people with dignity and respect.”

The entertainment journalist and author, 47, was also named in a 2007 lawsuit during his time at Us Weekly and was accused of putting his children’s nanny on the magazine’s payroll, sending her inappropriate text messages and threatening to damage a news editor’s career.

Meanwhile, E! News, which is owned by NBCUniversal, told The Times that it “has a longstanding commitment to providing a safe working environment in which everyone is treated with respect and dignity.” The network said that it takes all complaints of misconduct seriously and thoroughly investigates all allegations of harassment.

According to Variety, Baker will not appear on the air while the company investigates the allegations.

Seth Meyers explains why Fox News seems to prefer ‘an alternate reality where Hillary Clinton is president’

Seth Meyers is not exactly Donald Trump’s biggest fan, but on Thursday night’s episode of “Late Night” the host shared how even members of the political right seem to prefer a world where Hillary Clinton is president.

“The Trump administration seems permanently inundated by scandal and constantly under siege, including from senior members of Trump’s own party,” said Meyers. “Which might explain why many on the right seem to want to live in an alternate reality where Trump actually isn’t president”

Meyers pointed out that despite Republicans’ decrying him as “a threat to democracy and national security,” Trump kept his focus this week on touting his superior intelligence and memory and the unbelievably good things others have said about him.

“Now to be fair, you might also have an inflated ego if there was a whole TV channel dedicated to showering you with praise,” said Meyers, who seemed disgusted with Fox News’ coverage of the president.

In fact, the only thing Fox News hosts seem to like to do more than interview Trump is revisit “debunked and overblown stories” regarding Hillary Clinton, he said.

Meyers then blasted Fox News for trying to claim that the “real” Russia scandal is how the Clinton campaign and the Democratic National Committee helped fund the research that led to the infamous “Russia dossier.”

After reminding viewers that the research was initially funded by a Republican client during the primary, Meyers gleefully slammed Sean Hannity, who has been an especially vocal proponent of this “real” scandal narrative.

For Meyers, it’s perfectly clear why Fox News hosts can’t stop focusing on Clinton.

“Fox News would much rather talk about Hillary than Donald Trump … because the right, in the Trump era, doesn’t have coherent principles or an ideology,” Meyers said. “It just has enemies, which is why they prefer to inhabit an alternate reality where Hillary Clinton is president.”

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A Star Is Born: John Cleese turns 78 today

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

I really have never much enjoyed acting on film. I once compared it to spending three months at Heathrow Airport waiting for your plane to take off. I find it immensely boring and not very satisfying at the end of the day. Whereas if Iain [Johnstone] and I sit down and produce 2 1/2 sheets of words, at 5 o’clock I feel I’ve added something to the sum total of the knowledge in the world.

— John Cleese, 1994

FROM THE ARCHVES: Cleese & Co. Building a Better ‘Fish’

Tween series ‘Andi Mack’ to feature Disney Channel’s first story arc about a character coming out as gay

“Andi Mack” will feature the Disney Channel’s first story arc about a character coming out as gay.

The tween series will introduce the storyline during its Season 2 premiere on Friday when the titular character’s best friend, Cyrus (Joshua Rush), shares that he has a crush on the same boy she does. Cyrus comes out to his and Andi’s pal Buffy (Sofia Wylie).

“In the season premiere of #AndiMack, a teen girl and her friends model inclusion and respect for others. Friday 8:00 p.m.” said a tweet from the network’s public relations account.

It will be the first time the Disney Channel depicts a character’s journey to self-discovery as an LGBTQ individual, according to ABC News, whose parent company is Disney. The series reportedly consulted child-development experts for the episode and screened it in advance for LGBTQ advocacy groups such as GLAAD, Common Sense Media and PFLAG.

“‘Andi Mack’ is a story about ‘tweens’ figuring out who they are,” a Disney Channel spokesperson said on Tuesday. “[Creator] Terri Minsky, the cast and everyone involved in the show takes great care in ensuring that it’s appropriate for all audiences and sends a powerful message about inclusion and respect for humanity.”

While the storyline is groundbreaking for the network, it isn’t the first time an LGBTQ character has appeared on the Disney Channel. A 2014 episode of “Good Luck Charlie” featured a lesbian couple, GLAAD said.

“With more and more young people coming out as LGBTQ, Andi Mack is reflecting the lives and lived experiences of so many LGBTQ youth around the country,” GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said in a statement.

The series revolves around 13-year-old Andi Mack (Peyton Elizabeth Lee) and her contemporary coming-of-age story when she learns that her older sister Bex (Lilan Bowden) is in fact her mother. Her journey to self-discovery is aided by her best friends, Cyrus and Buffy, who are also figuring out their places in the world.

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Twiggy Ramirez responds to assault allegations that got him booted from Marilyn Manson

Guitarist Jeordie White, who made his name as Twiggy Ramirez in Marilyn Manson’s shock-rock outfit, has responded to allegations that led Manson (Brian Warner) to release him from the band.

In a statement addressing a former girlfriend’s accusations that he raped her, White said that he had only recently been made aware of the allegations, which date from more than 20 years ago.

“I do not condone nonconsensual sex of any kind,” White wrote, according to Pitchfork, adding later that “if i have caused anyone pain, I apologize and truly regret it.”

White also told the site Metal Injection that he wishes to “spend this time with my family and focus on maintaining my several years of sobriety.”

Unclear, however, is the precise nature of White’s break from the band. White characterized his departure as “taking a leave of absence from Marilyn Manson.”

Earlier in the week, Manson posted a statement to Twitter that suggested the erstwhile Twiggy had been given his walking papers.

Asked on Thursday morning about the apparent discrepancy in the statements, Manson’s rep told The Times that, according to management, Manson has indeed “parted ways” with White, and added, “Twiggy can say whatever he wants to say but [that] they parted ways is official.”

Update, 12:37 p.m.: The story was updated with a statement from Marilyn Manson’s representative.

Samantha Bee reminds us that climate change is real with a terrifying song from Ingrid Michaelson

Samantha Bee skipped recapping Donald Trump’s latest feuds and devoted Wednesday night’s entire episode of “Full Frontal” to climate change.

“This week we are taking a break from talking about the president attacking Gold Star families and instead talking about something else: our planet constantly attacking us in every way imaginable,” said Bee.

She was referring to the multiple severe hurricanes and devastating wildfires that have ravaged the country this year.

“Despite all these disasters, climate change is never the top story,” said Bee. “But we can’t avoid the subject any longer.”

While Bee made it clear that climate change didn’t cause the storms or fires, she pointed out that the science behind it does affect the severity of those natural disasters. She even noted how climate change is also linked to the increasing spread of Lyme disease.

“Look, I get it, it’s hard to remember that climate change is slowly destroying the world,” said Bee. “Maybe because it doesn’t have a Twitter account to remind us of our mortality every five minutes.

“Climate change isn’t some far-off threat in the distance future like Beyoncé aging. It is upon us, like Billy Crystal turning back into a baby,” Bee added.

But, of course, there are plenty of climate-change deniers out there. In fact, it turns out that, according to some polls, Americans are more afraid of clowns than climate change.

So Bee enlisted singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson for a little ditty about how much the Earth is not OK. Sure, the song was catchy, but also terrifying.

Bee even used actual physical fear to persuade climate-change skeptics to change their minds by sending them through a special horror house.

You can check out Michaelson’s performance here, and watch Bee join her guests in the horror house here. Both segments contain some adult language.

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