Here's the Scoop...

Gwen Stefani says working with boyfriend Blake Shelton on The Voice has been such a "fun" experience.

The 47-year-old singer discussed her professional dynamic with the 40-year-old country star on Wednesday's episode of the Today show, saying her work life with Shelton is "easy and comfortable," not "awkward."

"[I love] the chemistry between the coaches!" Stefani said. "Alicia Keys is just so magical. Adam [Levine] and I, we've known each other now for a while. And, of course, Blake, who I think is the greatest guy ever. It's just so fun. It's so easy and comfortable."

"[Working with Blake made me] nervous at first. I was like, 'Wait is this going to be awkward? How am I going to act?' It's just natural," she shared. "We actually do help each other, and I've learned a lot about country music -- just in the last year -- through him."

Stefani and Shelton met on The Voice in 2014, and started dating the next year following their splits from their respective spouses, Gavin Rossdale and Miranda Lambert. The couple were apart Tuesday for Valentine's Day, but still managed to connect.

"He forgot [to call]," the singer joked before sharing, "I got some beautiful flowers and lots of texts. It was fun."

Stefani and Shelton will both serve as coaches on The Voice Season 12, which premieres Feb. 27 on NBC. The singer previously served as a coach in Seasons 7 and 9, while Shelton has been with the show since Season 1.

"It's so good. It's just a different perspective being back and listening to all the music, and I have such an amazing team," Stefani told Access Hollywood. "I love [Adam Levine], and I love Alicia Keys, and obviously, I love Blakey. It's just so fun. I love it here."

Don't you think that Stefani and Shelton would just be sick of each other by now?

Be Well,
Steve

Comments? Questions? Nooz? Email Steve



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Kate Upton named 2017 Sports Illustrated swimsuit covergirl
Kate Upton is featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated's annual swimsuit issue for the third time in her career.

Unveiled on Jimmy Kimmel Live! Tuesday, the issue hits newsstands with three official covers featuring Upton in a trio of revealing beachwear.

"Is that really a swimsuit that you'er wearing because it seems just like a hammock that got torn to bits," Kimmel joked about one of her swimsuit's on display.

"I think it's just a rope," the model responded laughing.

Upton started her career modeling for Sports Illustrated's swimsuit edition in 2011 when the magazine named her Rookie of the Year. She has landed a spread in the swimsuit issue five times and appeared on the cover in back-to-back years in 2012 and 2013.

"It's a full circle moment for us," Sports Illustrated editor MJ Day said in a statement. "We started Kate in her career, and you know, we watched her grow and become not only this worldwide, superstar phenomenon; she changed the direction of the modeling industry. Kate Upton was really this trailblazer that led the way for the Ashley Grahams of the world and everything you're seeing happen that's different in fashion right now."

"I was very excited when MJ asked me to be back in the issue," Upton added. "Especially when this year's theme is about every woman of every age and every body type being accepted. It was inspiring to be asked to be a part of that issue."

"Those are the campaigns I want to do and the career I want to have - to inspire women to love themselves. That's a balance of working hard and eating healthy but also enjoying life and having cheat days and for the emphasis not to be on the ideal perfect body. It makes me proud to be asked back," she continued.


Scarlett Johansson on monogamy: 'I don't think it's natural'
Scarlett Johansson says she considers monogamy unnatural.

The 32-year-old actress discussed monogamy and marriage in the March/April issue of Playboy prior to news of her split from husband Romain Dauriac.

"I think the idea of marriage is very romantic; it's a beautiful idea, and the practice of it can be a very beautiful thing," Johansson said. "I don't think it's natural to be a monogamous person. I might be skewered for that, but I think it's work. It's a lot of work."

"The fact that it is such work for so many people -- for everyone -- the fact of that proves that it is not a natural thing," she elaborated. "It's something I have a lot of respect for and have participated in, but I think it definitely goes against some instinct to look beyond."

Word broke in January that Johansson and Dauriac, a 34-year-old French journalist, had split after two years of marriage. The actress was previously wed to Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds from 2008 to 2011.

"Being married is different than not being married, and anybody who tells you that it's the same is lying. It changes things," she told the magazine.

"I have friends who were together 10 years and then decided to get married, and I'll ask them on their wedding day or right after if it's different, and it always is. It is," the star said. "It's a beautiful responsibility, but it's a responsibility."

Johansson and Dauriac, who share 2-year-old daughter Rose, separated in the summer, according to People. Sources told Us Weekly the pair will remain "amicable" as they co-parent their daughter.

"Scarlett initiated splitting up and made the decision," an insider said. "She felt like they didn't have much in common as far as lifestyle."


LOOSE LIPS:
"You have to fight for love. You can't live in fear of what people might say."
--Tom Hiddleston, on his whirlwind relationship with Taylor Swift, to GQ



??? Guess Who ???
Which current Bachelor contestant has been named the next 'Bachelorette'?


Ricki Lake mourns the death of ex-husband Christian Evans on social media
Ricki Lake has taken to social media to announce the death of her ex-husband, Christian Evans.

"It is with a heavy heart that I share that my beloved soulmate, Christian Evans has passed," the former talk show host wrote on Instagram Tuesday alongside a photo of herself and Evans embracing each other.

"The world didn't understand this man, but I did. He succumbed to his life long struggle with bipolar disorder. For anyone who has ever lost a family member or friend to mental illness, my heart goes out to you," she continued.

"I am a greater person for having known him and spent the past 6 and a half years of my life with him. He was a man of love and what mends my broken heart today is knowing that he is finally at peace and his spirit is free. Rest in peace, my love."

Lake and Evans, a jewelry designer, were engaged in August of 2011 before tying the knot in April of 2012. The pair remained married for two years before Lake filed for divorce in October of 2014 citing irreconcilable differences.

Lake was previously married to Rob Sussman whom she shares sons Milo, 19, and Owen, 15.


Playboy brings nudity back to its pages
Nudity is returning to Playboy magazine with its upcoming March/April 2017 issue following a year without it.

Cooper Hefner, the 25-year-old son of founder Hugh Hefner who replaced his father as Playboy's chief creative officer last year, posted about the move back to nudity on Twitter.

"I'll be the first to admit that the way in which the magazine portrayed nudity was dated, but removing it entirely was a mistake," Cooper wrote Monday alongside a photo of himself.

"Nudity was never the problem, because nudity isn't a problem. Today we're taking our identity back and reclaiming who we are," he continued.

Playboy had announced they would no longer publish nude photos of women citing their increasing irrelevance due to the internet and continued concern about women's portrayal in the media in October of 2015. Pamela Anderson graced the then final nude issue for Playboy's January/February edition.

The new issue will contain nude pictorials of Miss March Elizabeth Elam and Miss April Nina Daniele along with an interview with Scarlett Johansson, a profile on CNN commentator Van Jones and an article on rap group Run the Jewels when it reaches newsstands Feb. 28.

Cooper will also be bringing back the Party Jokes section of the magazine alongside The Playboy Philosophy, a column he will write 40 years after his father penned the section.

Other changes include a Heritage section looking at Playboy's history and a removal of the front-cover slogan "Entertainment for Men."

"Playboy will always be a lifestyle brand focused on men's interests," Cooper said in a statement to USA Today. "But as gender roles continue to evolve in society, so will we."


??? Guess Who ???
Which current Bachelor contestant has been named the next 'Bachelorette'?

ABC has announced that Rachel Lindsay will be the network's next Bachelorette.

The announcement was made Monday on Jimmy Kimmel Live! with the late night host acknowledging that the news spoils the current season of the Bachelor as fans now know that Lindsay will not be Nick Viall's final pick.

According to Lindsay who appeared on the talkshow, the early reveal was made as casting for Season 13 of The Bachelorette is already underway.

"We're a couple of weeks from filming," she said. "We're ready to get this started. I'm ready to find love, find a husband, so if you know anybody out there who needs to apply, sign up, go ahead and get started!"

The Dallas attorney also detailed how she is looking for "someone who's ready to start a family" and to meet someone "who can make me laugh."

Viall would take to Twitter to congratulate Lindsay writing, "My heart is full of joy for you Rachel. Congrats!! You will be one hell of a Bachelorette!! Beauty & class.. you have it all!!"

Notably, Lindsay represents the first African American lead for the franchise male or female. She was also the first African American contestant to receive the show's "first impression rose" during this season's premiere.

"We're thrilled to have Rachel Lindsay as our next Bachelorette," Robert Mills, who oversees the franchise for ABC said in a statement.

"This coveted role is always reserved for a fan-favorite from the previous season, and Rachel is no exception and has been the fans' choice since she exited the limo. She is an accomplished, confident and beautiful woman who knows what she wants in life. We all look forward to joining her on the joyous journey as she looks for that one special man," he continued.

The Bachelorette is set to premiere May 22 on ABC.