The Biggest Celebrity News Stories Of December 2018
December 2018 has been exciting, action-packed, and full of drama — all courtesy of our favorite celebrities. Wedding bells were ringing for Arrow actress Katie Cassidy and her beau, Matthew Rodgers, as well as Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas who said their "I do's" in a stunning wedding in her home country of India. Cardi B announced she and her husband, Offset, were going their separate ways, and Demi Lovato's reported sober companion has allegedly turned out to be her new love interest — and that's just the beginning of this month's insane tabloid fodder.
While some of December's headlines were full of all the juicy and salacious details that gossip is known for, other news left us feeling incredibly sad, such as the funeral for former President George H.W. Bush. When tragedy strikes in the celebrity world, it definitely takes a toll on all of us.
Let's take a closer look at the biggest celeb news stories of December 2018.
Cardi B and Offset called it quits
She told him to be careful, but he didn't listen! In a Dec. 4, 2018 since-deleted Instagram post (via TMZ), Cardi B announced that she and her husband, Offset, were calling it quits after just over one year of marriage.
In the Instagram video, the "Money" artist revealed she and the Migos rapper were "trying to work things out ... for a hot minute," before adding, "I guess we grew out of love, but we're not together anymore. I don't know, it might take time to get a divorce and I'm gonna always have a lot of love for him because he is my daughter's father." Offset reportedly replied in the comments section (via E! News), "Y'all won," before taking to his Twitter to issue a caps-locked, heartfelt plea to his estranged wife that simply stated, "F**K YALL I MISS CARDI."
News of the couple's demise came after Offset was caught up in yet another cheating scandal. This time, the "Bad and Boujee" MC was exposed by a woman named Summer Bunni who revealed text messages they had exchanged. In the leaked messages, Offset was allegedly attempting to arrange a possible threesome with Summer Bunni and rapper Cuban Doll.
We would love for this couple to have a happy ending, and considering Cardi B deleted her Instagram split announcement, perhaps they're trying to patch things up behind the scenes. We'll have to wait and see how this story unfolds.
Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra got married
After a whirlwind courtship, Nick Jonas and actress Priyanka Chopra officially tied the knot on Dec. 1, 2018, according to People magazine. Their wedding ceremony took place "in Chopra's home country of India ... at the Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur, Rajasthan."
Chopra looked like a princess on her big day, wearing a stunning custom-made Ralph Lauren wedding gown, which People magazine noted Chopra "worked closely" with the design house to craft every intricate detail. The final piece included "floral and scroll motifs, lace-effect tulle appliqués, scalloped sleeves and a high-neck collar," the magazine reported, as well as "2,380,000 mother of pearl sequins."
To pay tribute to the people she loves the most, Chopra had the Ralph Lauren team hand-stitch Jonas' full name, their wedding date, and her parents' names on her gown. She also included a piece of Jonas' mother's lace wedding gown and had it "sewn into her dress," the publication revealed. But the show-stopping piece of her wedding gown was definitely her 75-foot tulle veil, and the dress's embroidery, which took "a total of 1,826 hours to complete," according to Ralph Lauren.
The groom looked equally as dazzling in a custom Ralph Lauren black tuxedo. The tab also reported that Jonas' duds included their own tribute: The Urdu words my jaan — which translate to "my life" — were embroidered on a piece of lace from Chopra's gown and tucked into his lapel. Aww! We wish this smitten duo nothing but the best!
All living presidents said goodbye to George H.W. Bush
Former United States President George H.W. Bush died on Nov. 30, 2018 at the age of 94, according to an official statement made by his office. Days later, on Dec. 5, 2018, every living president and their first ladies came together to pay their respects. In a move of bipartisan solidarity, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump sat front row at the Washington National Cathedral, alongside Barack and Michelle Obama, Bill and Hillary Clinton, and Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter.
Bush's son, 43rd President of the United States, George W. Bush, sat across the aisle with his family and eventually gave an emotional eulogy in honor of his dad, The Washington Post noted. "The best father a son or daughter could have," he said. "And in our grief, let us smile, knowing that dad is hugging Robin and holding Mom's hand again."
Following his life being honored at funerals in both Washington, D.C. and Houston, the 41st president was laid to rest in College Station, Texas. He was buried alongside his wife of 73 years, Barbara Bush, who died in April 2018 from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and congestive heart failure, and their daughter, Robin, who passed away in 1953 at the age of 3 after battling leukemia, The Washington Post reported.
Kevin Hart backed out of the Oscars after homophobic tweets resurfaced
Kevin Hart was slated to host the 2019 Oscars, but the comedian decided to pull out of the event after some of his homophobic tweets from 2009 and 2011 resurfaced.
One since-deleted tweet (via CNN) read, "Yo if my son comes home & try's 2 play with my daughters doll house I'm going 2 break it over his head & say n my voice 'stop that's gay'."
The Ride Along star took to his Twitter on Dec. 6, 2018, to announce his decision. "I have made the choice to step down from hosting this year's Oscar's [sic]...this is because I do not want to be a distraction on a night that should be celebrated by so many amazing talented artists," he tweeted. "I sincerely apologize to the LGBTQ community for my insensitive words from my past."
In an Instagram video posted earlier that day, Hart stated the Academy Awards had asked him to "apologize for [his] tweets of old" or else they would replace him. "I chose to pass. I passed on the apology," he said. "The reason why I passed is because I've addressed this several times. ... I'm not going to continue to go back and tap into the days of old when I moved on and I'm in a completely different space in my life."
As of this writing, a new host has yet to be chosen for the Feb. 24, 2019 event.
Candace Cameron Bure hospitalized, and her brother is to blame!
What was supposed to be a fun family event turned into actress Candace Cameron Bure being admitted into the hospital, and her injuries were courtesy of her brother, fellow actor, Kirk Cameron. "Our fun family day ended up with me in the emergency room. I got into a go-carting accident and my brother ran me over," the Fuller House actress shared on her Instagram Story on Dec. 6, 2018 (via AOL). "I'm waiting to see if I broke my hand or fractured it or what. I think I bruised my shoulder up pretty badly too, but I can't tell because they haven't taken my shirt off."
Cameron even chimed in on her sister's Instagram Story. "I'm the culprit. I'm the crazy driver," he said. "It was my fault completely. I tried to cut her off and take the lead."
Bure shared pictures of her swollen, bloody hand to her follows, and described her injuries as "ugly." But, thankfully, she received some great news. "We got the X-Rays back and I'm fine, I'm just really bruised, which is amazing to me," she explained. "I'm shocked there's nothing broken." Once she was back at home and resting comfortably, Bure revealed that despite her brother's risky Formula 1-style maneuver, she still beat him in the go-cart race. Thatta girl!
Natalie Portman & Jessica Simpson's feud simmered down
Singer turned fashion maven Jessica Simpson and actress Natalie Portman became entangled in a feud when the Black Swan star bashed the way sexuality is used to promote music. "I remember being a teenager, and there was Jessica Simpson on the cover of a magazine saying 'I'm a virgin' while wearing a bikini, and I was confused. Like, I don't know what this is trying to tell me as a woman, as a girl," Portman told USA Today on Dec. 4, 2018.
Simpson took offense to the actress' remarks, so she hopped on Instagram the following day and wrote, in part, "@Natalieportman- I was disappointed this morning when I read that I 'confused' you by wearing a bikini in a published photo taken of me when I was still a virgin in 1999."
Simpson also wrote that "being sexy in a bikini" does not equate to having sex. Portman then apologized in the comments section of Simpson's Instagram post. "Thank you for your words," she wrote, in part (via E! News). "I completely agree with you that a woman should be allowed to dress however she likes and behave however she likes and not be judged." Portman then clarified that her critique was meant to be directed at "the media's mixed messages about how girls and women were supposed to behave."
As of this writing, Simpson has yet to publicly respond to Portman's apology.
Demi Lovato's sober buddy-turned-boyfriend
In November 2018, Nicki Swift reported singer Demi Lovato was spending a great deal of time with her new sober companion, Enfants Riches Déprimés clothing founder, Henri Alexander Levy. Though they were spotted grabbing dinner and coffee during two separate outings, a source told E! News the pair "seemed like good friends who were catching up and excited to see one another."
But according to a Dec. 9, 2018 TMZ report, the "Sorry Not Sorry" singer and Levy are now more than friends. They were spotted at Nobu restaurant in Malibu, Calif. on Dec. 8, 2018, and the gossip website noted that sources previously told them Demi and Levy "were mostly supporting each other in sobriety, but seems like it's now blossomed into a full-fledged relationship."
The news of their budding relationship came less than five months after Lovato allegedly overdosed on heroin. After completing 60 days in rehab, she was spotted in public for the first time with Levy, who now appears to be a loving, supportive figure in her life.
'Arrow' star Katie Cassidy married her longtime boyfriend
Arrow actress Katie Cassidy took to her Instagram on Dec. 9, 2018, to announce that she and her fiancé, Matthew Rodgers, were officially husband and wife. "I can't help falling in love with you... YES! It's official! #MrsRodgers I love you my husband," she captioned the adorable photo of them smooching on their wedding day.
The couple got engaged in June 2017, and the actress — the daughter of the late David Cassidy — gushed about her beau following the proposal. "We were friends at first," she told E! News, adding, "He surprised me during a romantic dinner and dropped to a knee! It was so perfect!"
According to People magazine, they tied the knot in an outdoor ceremony in Sunset Key, Fla. The bride "wore a long-sleeve, lace Pronovias gown," and her groom sported "a white jacket over black pants," E! News reported.
Congratulations to Cassidy and Rodgers. Here's to a lifetime of marital bliss!