February 25, 2020

Here's the Scoop...

A New York City jury on Monday found disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein guilty on lesser charges of rape and sexual assault, but acquitted him on more serious counts of predatory assault.

The Academy Award-winning producer had been accused of sexual misconduct by dozens of women but charged in the cases of two.

Weinstein, 67, was found guilty of third-degree rape in the case of Jessica Mann and first-degree sexual assault in the case of Mimi Haley. The jury acquitted him on the two more serious counts.

Jurors first told New York Supreme Court Judge James Burke Friday they were hung on the two predatory counts, but were told to keep working.

Weinstein will remain in custody until he is sentenced on March 11.

The accusations against Weinstein spurred the #MeToo movement in 2017, in which women and men spoke about incidents of sexual misconduct against powerful figures.

Weinstein did not testify at his trial, but his attorneys argued that his encounters were consensual and none of the women were forced into sexual situations. They argued that Weinstein had exchanged friendly communications with them after the incidents in question.

Weinstein still faces additional criminal charges in California, where prosecutors accuse him of raping one woman and sexually assaulting another in 2013. One of the women testified during the New York trail as a supporting witness.

Shaunna Thomas, executive director of the support group UltraViolet, said although the verdict sends a "clear message" that abusers can be held accountable, more must be done to protect victims.

"While the evidence against Weinstein was overwhelming, today's verdict was not guaranteed," she said in a statement. "Survivors of sexual abuse often face tremendous obstacles in the legal system that block them from winning the justice they deserve. We must do better to ensure that survivors are not only protected under the law, but empowered to pursue a path toward justice."

Be Well,
Steve

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Demi Lovato encourages struggling fans: 'You can't give up'

Demi Lovato has an encouraging message for fans who are struggling.

The 27-year-old singer and actress shared an uplifting message Thursday on Instagram Stories after discussing her battle with an eating disorder and substance abuse issues in an interview with the Pretty Big Deal with Ashley Graham podcast this week.

"Woke up feeling not super confident even tho my PDB episode just came out," Lovato wrote. "Let this be a reminder to anyone struggling out there - this life is a journey with tons of ups and downs but you can't give up."

Lovato credited her faith, fans, friends and family with helping her get through challenging times.

"I deal with [expletive] on the daily but I know I'm gonna be okay with God on my side," she said. "Also you guys, my friends and family are pretty helpful too."

Lovato appeared on Tuesday's episode of Pretty Big Deal, where she discussed her eating issues and how they played a role in her 2018 relapse and drug overdose.

"I'm tired of running myself into the ground with workouts and extreme dieting," the star said. "I thought the past few years were recovery from an eating disorder when it actually was just completely falling into it."

"I just realized that maybe my symptoms weren't as obvious as before, but it was definitely an eating issue," she added.

Lovato explained how she thought she was helping her recovery from an eating disorder and addiction issues by throwing herself into workouts.

"I honestly think that's what led to everything happening over the past year, was just me thinking I found recovery when I didn't and then living this lie and trying to tell the world I was happy with myself when I really wasn't," she said.

Lovato was hospitalized for an overdose in July 2018. She performed for the first time since the incident at the Grammys in January, and sang the national anthem at Super Bowl LIV this month.

Lovato will host the talk show Pillow Talk with Demi Lovato for the streaming service Quibi, which launches in April.

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Quentin Tarantino's wife Daniella Pick gives birth to son

Israeli singer and model Daniella Pick, the wife of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Pulp Fiction writer-director Quentin Tarantino, has given birth to their first child.

The filmmaker's representative confirmed the baby boy's birth Saturday to E! News and TMZ.

"Daniella and Quentin Tarantino are happy to announce the birth of their first child," a rep said in a statement.

The child's name has not been announced yet.

Tarantino, 56, and Pick, 36, married in November 2018.

They met in 2009 while the director was making his film Inglorious Basterds in Israel and got engaged in June 2017 after dating for close to a year.

LOOSE LIPS:

"It takes a lot of effort. But it's one example of providing an example of how things can be and telling these actresses, 'Now go off and demand this new standard.'"
--Olivia Wilde, on re-imagining the way film sets can work and setting a new and more secure precedent for filming sex scenes, to Katie Couric during the 2020 Makers Conference

??? Guess Who ???

Which singer will headline the Australian wildfire benefit?

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Brittany Snow has 'Pitch Perfect' reunion at bachelorette party

Brittany Snow celebrated her bachelorette party with her Pitch Perfect costars Anna Kendrick, Anna Camp and Chrissie Fit.

"A weekend I'll never forget #snowonebutyou #thefinalshowdown Thank you to the best crew," Snow said on Instagram Sunday alongside a group photo featuring her Pitch Perfect costars and friends.

Camp posted a selfie of herself and Snow from the weekend.

"She's getting married!!! And we love seeing the world through gold colored glasses," the actress captioned the image.

Snow, 33, became engaged to her boyfriend Tyler Stanaland, a realtor and former professional surfer, in February 2019.

Snow appeared as Chloe in the Pitch Perfect series with Kendrick as Beca, Camp as Aubrey and Fit as Flo.

'Suicide Squad' sequel nearly done shooting

Filmmaker James Gunn has announced via Instagram he is nearly finished shooting his antihero movie The Suicide Squad.

The film is the sequel to 2016's Suicide Squad.

Set for theatrical release on Aug. 6, it stars Margot Robbie, Viola Davis, Joel Kinnaman, Idris Elba, John Cena, Nathan Fillion, Peter Capaldi, Steve Agee, Joaquin Cosio, Daniela Melchior and Jai Courtney.

"That's a wrap on our time in #Panama. #TheSuicideSquad isn't quite done shooting but we're approaching the finish line and we did just wrap some key cast members - @joaquincosiooficial, @itsdanielamelchior, @joelkinnaman, @johncena and @steveagee," Gunn wrote in his post.

"Each one of them have defied expectations, gone above and beyond the call of duty, and touched my heart. I am grateful for all of them, as well as for the people of #ColonPanama and #PanamaCityPanama who helped to make our time here so special."

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??? Guess Who ???

Which singer will headline the Australian wildfire benefit?

Miley Cyrus, Lil Nas X, The Veronicas and Seb Fontaine are confirmed as performers for a March 13 concert to benefit victims of the recent bushfires in Australia.

"AUSTRALIA! I'm so excited to announce I'm headlining the World Tour Bushfire Relief charity concert on Friday March 13th in Melbourne!! Bringing out @LilNasX + more!" Cyrus tweeted Sunday.

"Proceeds from ticket sales will go to Australian charities working to restore forests, wildlife, and communities affected by the devastating fires."

Tickets are on sale now for the show, which will take place at Lakeside Stadium.

Cyrus' home burned down in the California wildfires of November 2018.