Jennifer Lopez is getting real about her whirlwind second relationship with Ben Affleck—one that ultimately ended in divorce—and in a new interview, she’s sharing how working on her latest film, Kiss of the Spider Woman, helped her see their marriage was unraveling.

As TMZ reported back in August 2024, Lopez filed for divorce from Affleck—and now, just over a year into being single again, she’s reflecting on the end of their marriage. In fact, she’s going so far as to call the split “the best thing that ever happened to me.”

Decades after their first romance fizzled, Lopez and Affleck reconnected, rekindled their love, and even made it down the aisle—winning over the nation all over again. But sadly, their second shot at love didn’t stick, and the pair called it quits last year.

Now, in a new chat with CBS News Sunday Mornings—where she’s promoting her upcoming film Kiss of the Spider Woman (Affleck serves as an executive producer)—Lopez is breaking down why she now sees their divorce as a positive turning point in her life.

“Because it shifted something in me,” she said—then clarified, “Wait, it didn’t change me. But it helped me grow in the exact way I needed to.”

Though their marriage ended in 2024, filming for Kiss of the Spider Woman was already underway when Lopez and Affleck were still together—and already grappling with marital issues. That overlap created a striking juxtaposition for Lopez: one that was both incredibly tough and surprisingly eye-opening.

At the same time, Lopez is quick to credit Affleck for his role in a project that’s since become deeply meaningful to her. “This movie never would’ve gotten made without him and his production company, Artists Equity,” she said. She recalled telling her then-husband, “This is the role I was born to play—I need to do this.” And sure enough, he and his team agreed to fund her dream. “I’ll always give him props for that,” she added.

On the personal front, though, things were far from smooth. “It was a really tough time,” Lopez admitted—and she didn’t disagree when the interviewer described making the film as a kind of “refuge” for her.

“It was impossible not to dwell on everything going on,” she said. “In a way, it was the best of times and the worst of times. Every second I was on set, every second I was in this role—I was so happy. But then I’d go home, and things were… not good,” she explained. “I kept thinking, ‘How do I make sense of this?’”

“But you push through it,” she went on. And now, looking back on that chaotic period, she says it ended up being a positive force in her life—one that helped her grow as a person and “become more self-aware.” “I’m a different person than I was last year,” she emphasized.

As for where she stands now? Lopez says she’s happier than ever. “This summer was probably the best summer I’ve ever had—I had so much fun,” she shared. “I’m able to enjoy things more now, and because I’m so much more grateful for them, that joy just multiplies.”

“I realized that joy is in living in the moment—really embracing life and everything it throws your way,” she explained. “That means embracing the lessons, the triumphs… all of it. The hard times? Those are the lessons. You have to wrap your head around that,” she added. “And once you do, everything feels a little lighter—and you can truly, truly fly.”

“I don’t think I would’ve understood any of that if this divorce hadn’t happened,” Lopez said, reflecting on the split. “And that’s the truth.”

Just one day after Selena Gomez broke the news of her marriage to Benny Blanco—posting a carousel of wedding photos and videos to mark the big moment—Blanco gave fans an even closer look at their special day. In his own social media share, he included cozy behind-the-scenes snaps and captioned it, “i married a real life disney princess.”

Selena Gomez is officially a married woman, and her loved ones couldn’t be more thrilled. The 33-year-old star took charge of sharing the happy update herself, posting a mix of photos and a video from her wedding to 37-year-old Blanco—her partner of two years. Blanco was quick to react to Gomez’s post too, leaving a sweet comment: “my wife in real life.”

The next day, the groom kept the excitement going by sharing his own set of wedding photos. The shots included intimate, unposed moments with his new bride—like a close-up of their wedding rings and a cozy snap of the newlyweds cuddled up in bed—all paired with his Disney princess-themed caption.

Sources report the couple said “I do” at a private estate in Montecito, an upscale neighborhood in Santa Barbara, California—and the guest list was stacked with A-listers. Among those who attended the ceremony were Gomez’s longtime best friend Taylor Swift, plus her Only Murders in the Building co-stars: Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Paul Rudd.

On Friday, TMZ shared photos of the 35-year-old Swift arriving in California for the wedding, with her team holding up black umbrellas to shield her from the spotlight. The outlet also posted pictures of Martin, Short, and Rudd hanging out together ahead of Gomez’s rehearsal dinner later that night.

Celebs who couldn’t make it in person still rushed to send their love online. Camila Cabello commented on Gomez’s post, writing, “love looks good on you” alongside a string of emojis . Over on Blanco’s Sunday share, Timbaland dropped a warm note: “Congrats my brother.”

Amy Schumer chimed in with a simple yet heartfelt, “Breathtaking,” while Lily Collins added, “The most love to you both ever!!!” Per The Daily Mail, the pair also got love in the form of likes from stars like SZA, Sabrina Carpenter, and Sydney Sweeney.

Julia Michaels joined the celebration too, commenting, “So happy for you both .” Rachael Ray called them “Everyone’s favorite couple! So happy for you guys!” and Gordon Ramsay added, “So happy for the both of you. Congrats! Gx.”

Even official accounts got in on the fun: The social media page for Only Murders in the Building (Gomez’s hit show) wrote, “Our Mabel is MARRIED.” Meanwhile, Hulu— which streams the series—weighed in with, “This is everything and more.”

Selena Gomez just broke the internet with huge news: she’s married to Benny Blanco! The singer took to Instagram to share the exciting update, posting a carousel of wedding photos, polaroids, and short clips that put her breathtaking white gown and other lovely day-of details front and center.

Congratulations are definitely in store for Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco—they’ve officially said “I do!”

On Saturday, the 33-year-old took to Instagram to confirm she and the 37-year-old have officially tied the knot, posting a carousel of wedding snaps, polaroids, and clips that highlighted her stunning white gown, her bouquet, and other charming little details from the day. One sweet video shows the newlyweds walking hand-in-hand, with Gomez glancing back to smile at the camera. Another clip captures the singer fixing the record producer’s bowtie before leaning in for a kiss.

Gomez kept her caption simple yet heartfelt: “ 9.27.25 .”

Fans flooded the comments section to send their love, including Gomez’s beauty brand Rare Beauty, which wrote, “so beyond happy for you two🥹🤍.”

According to TMZ, both Gomez’s dress and Blanco’s black tuxedo were custom designs by Ralph Lauren. The couple is said to have exchanged vows at a private estate in Montecito, California—a spot known for its celebrity residents—and the guest list was packed with A-listers. Guests reportedly included Gomez’s closest friend Taylor Swift, plus her Only Murders in the Building castmates Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Paul Rudd.

TMZ shared photos from the days leading up to the wedding, too: On Friday, the 35-year-old Swift was spotted arriving in California, with her team holding up black umbrellas to keep her out of the spotlight. The outlet also posted pics of Martin, Short, and Rudd hanging out ahead of Gomez’s rehearsal dinner that night. One notable absence was fellow Only Murders in the Building star Meryl Streep—she couldn’t make it because she’s in Milan for Fashion Week, where she’s also said to be filming The Devil Wears Prada 2.

Gomez and Blanco’s relationship has deep roots: They first crossed paths in a recording studio when Gomez was still a teen. Over the years, they collaborated on multiple tracks for her music, and by 2023, their bond shifted from professional to romantic. They kept their romance low-key that summer, and Gomez made things official in December 2023 by interacting with fan account posts about them on Instagram—liking and commenting to confirm their status. She also shared a photo of the two of them on her Instagram Story. The couple made their first public appearance together at an NBA game in January 2024.

Just last December, Gomez announced her engagement to Blanco with an Instagram post featuring a close-up of her engagement ring.

The wedding comes a month after Gomez celebrated her bachelorette party in Mexico. The “Calm Down” singer shared a few photos from the trip, which included her long-time friends Ashley Cook, Raquelle Stevens, and Courtney Lopez.

In a February 2025 joint interview with Interview magazine’s editor-in-chief Mel Ottenberg, Blanco opened up about knowing Gomez was “the one” from early on—even telling his mom right away.

“You know that feeling when you think you’ve met someone right, and you’re like, ‘Oh my god’—but this was totally different,” Blanco explained. “The minute we started hanging out, I thought, ‘This is my wife.’ I even told my mom right then, ‘This is the girl I’m gonna marry.’”

The pair also spilled details about Gomez’s engagement ring during the chat. “That ring is incredible,” Blanco gushed about the piece, admitting he “just tried not to mess up” when choosing the diamond. “It’s a marquise cut. Ever since the ‘Good for You’ era—man, that was so long ago—that’s the diamond I’ve always had in mind for her.”

He added that they tweaked the design halfway through: “I’d ask, ‘Yeah, but if I ever got you one, would you want it like this?’ Then she changed her mind—originally, it had huge baguette diamonds on the side, but she said, ‘I don’t want something that big.’” Blanco even shared their plan for the extra jewels: “Now I have those extra baguettes, and we’re gonna turn ’em into earrings for her. Basically, she’s got three wedding-related pieces now.”

When it came to how Blanco proposed, Gomez kept the details close to her chest: “I wanna save that story for our kids. It was really sweet, and he said all the right things.”

“I had about a Coke can’s worth of blood in my abdomen,” the Florence & the Machine frontwoman revealed, adding that emergency surgery ultimately “saved my life.”

Florence Welch is getting candid about a terrifying medical crisis that nearly cost her everything.

In a Saturday interview with The Guardian, the singer shared that she experienced an “ectopic pregnancy on stage” while headlining a Cornwall music festival in August 2023—an incident that led to urgent surgery.

“For me, the moment I came closest to creating life was also the moment I came closest to losing my own,” the 39-year-old recalled. “It felt like I stepped through a door, and on the other side, there were just women screaming.”

Welch explained that two years prior, she and her British guitarist boyfriend—whose identity she’s kept private—decided to try for a baby. To their surprise, they succeeded on the first try.

“It was my first time even attempting to get pregnant, and I thought, ‘There’s no way this will work—I’m too old,’” said Welch, who was approaching 37 at the time. “It was a huge shock, but it also felt magical. I’d followed this primal, bodily instinct, and it actually happened.”

Early in the pregnancy, the “Dog Days Are Over” star thought she’d had a miscarriage, The Guardian reports. What she didn’t know, though, was that she was experiencing an ectopic pregnancy.

“Since it was my first pregnancy and first miscarriage, I told myself, ‘This is just part of the process,’” she said. “I talked to my doctor, and they said miscarriages usually aren’t dangerous—devastating, sure, but not life-threatening.” She admitted she was “sad and scared” then, but felt like she was “coping.”

On the day of her Cornwall Music Festival set, Welch woke up feeling nauseous, in pain, pale, and bleeding heavily. After checking in with her doctor, she planned to get further care once she returned to London—and still went on stage.

“I was out in the wind and rain, and I just felt something shift in me,” she remembered, noting that the pain temporarily faded. “Then that familiar force took over—the one that’s always there, the safety of performing.”

The Grammy-nominated artist said the pain came back after her set, but by the next morning, she felt well enough to go to her hospital appointment alone—she didn’t even think her boyfriend needed to join her.

“You know the messed-up part? I didn’t want to get the scan,” Welch admitted. “I thought, ‘I did the show, I’m fine, I can handle this.’ But my doctor pushing me to come in? That saved my life.”

The scan revealed her fallopian tube had ruptured, and she was told she needed emergency surgery immediately.

“I had a Coke can’s worth of blood in my abdomen,” Welch said, her voice cracking as she recalled surgeons having to remove the damaged fallopian tube—they couldn’t save it. “I tried to run away.”

“I couldn’t go anywhere!” she added with a laugh, explaining her legs were in stirrups. “Then I felt ridiculous for making a scene.”

“It was pure animal instinct—just ‘run,’” she said, still chuckling. “But there was an ultrasound wand inside me, and this woman I’d never met before… I just wanted out.”

Welch noted she’d been set to leave for another festival shortly after—and that things could have ended horribly if she’d skipped the doctor’s visit.

“If I’d gotten on that plane, I would’ve come off on a stretcher,” she said. “Or worse.”

As she remembered the moment, Welch’s voice broke again—this time, talking about the howl that escaped her.

“I think the noise I made was like a wounded animal,” she said. “And then… it was over.”

“Ten days later, I was back on stage,” she added.

Back in August 2023, Welch announced she’d canceled several concerts due to “emergency surgery” but didn’t share more details at the time.

“I’m so sorry I had to cancel the last couple of shows,” she wrote in an Instagram post then. “My feet are fine—I had to undergo emergency surgery—details I wasn’t strong enough to share at the time—but it saved my life.”

“I’ll be back to wrap up the Dance Fever tour in Lisbon and Malaga (maybe I won’t jump as much, but you can jump for me),” she continued. “Suffice to say, I wish my songs weren’t so accurate with their predictions. But creativity is how I cope, and mythology is how I make sense of things.”

“The dark fairytale of Dance Fever—with all its weird prophecies—will give me the strength and release I need right now,” she concluded.

Less than a year before the ectopic pregnancy, in November 2022, Welch broke her foot on stage but still finished the show.

“When it comes to physical stuff, I have this weird, almost otherworldly strength,” she told The Guardian, reflecting on why she performed through her ectopic pregnancy symptoms. “Emotionally? I’m a disaster—I crumble instantly. But a broken bone? Fine. Internal bleeding? Let’s do this.”

According to the Cleveland Clinic, an ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus—most often in one of the fallopian tubes. The condition is life-threatening because it can cause severe bleeding in the person carrying the pregnancy.

“We’re just trying to get through each day—it’s such a hard time right now,” Rebecca Gayheart shared, speaking openly about how her husband Eric Dane’s battle with ALS is weighing on their family. The couple shares two daughters, 15-year-old Billie and 13-year-old Georgia, and Gayheart didn’t hold back on calling Dane’s diagnosis “heartbreaking.”

In a Saturday interview with People, the 54-year-old actress gave a candid update on how the family is coping with Dane’s ALS—a progressive neurodegenerative disease the 52-year-old actor first revealed in April. Most notably, she highlighted the toll it’s taking on their kids. “The girls are really having a hard time with it,” Gayheart said, adding that the family is leaning on professional therapists for support. “We’re taking things one day at a time, holding onto hope, and trying to get through this with dignity, grace, and love.”

Dane first announced his diagnosis in an April statement to People, emphasizing the comfort of his family’s presence. “I’ve been diagnosed with ALS, and I’m so grateful to have my loving family by my side as we step into this next chapter,” he said at the time. He also noted he was lucky to keep working, sharing excitement about returning to the set of HBO’s Euphoria—where he plays Cal Jacobs—the following week. “I kindly ask that my family and I be given privacy during this period,” he added.

ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis—commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease—is a nervous system disorder that damages nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, according to the Mayo Clinic. Over time, it robs patients of muscle control, and symptoms worsen progressively.

Gayheart and Dane married in 2004, but their relationship hit a rough patch in 2018, when Gayheart filed for divorce after 14 years of marriage. The split was never finalized, though—and just a month before Dane revealed his ALS diagnosis, Gayheart asked to dismiss the divorce paperwork.

When People pressed Gayheart on how she’s holding up amid her husband’s illness, she was honest about her struggle to find positivity. “I don’t think I’m in a place where I can pull out a bright side yet. Not right now,” she admitted. Still, she noted the hardship has brought the family closer—even if no one wants the reason behind it. “This is definitely something that’s brought us all together, and Eric will always be family—whether we’re married, living in the same house, or not,” she said. “But we hate why we’re closer. It’s a terrible disease, and I wish there was a cure. I hope they find one soon, because it’s just so devastating.”

Dane himself opened up about a scary moment with his daughter Georgia back in June, during an interview with Diane Sawyer on ABC’s Good Morning America. Shortly after his diagnosis, the family was on a boat trip when Dane jumped into the ocean—only to realize he couldn’t swim hard enough to get back. “I thought, ‘Oh God, I’m not safe in the water anymore,’” he recalled. That’s when Georgia stepped in: She dragged him back to the boat, a moment that left Dane in tears. “I was heartbroken, but I made sure she got back in with her friend to keep snorkeling with the guide,” he said, getting emotional as he spoke.

Gayheart’s latest comments come just weeks after Dane used his platform to advocate for ALS research. The Euphoria star missed his scheduled appearance at the 2025 Emmy Awards, but the next day, he posted an Instagram video partnering with the organization I AM ALS for its “Push for Progress” campaign—a movement aimed at speeding up research, funding, and treatments to one day find a cure.

“I’m Eric Dane: an actor, a father, and now someone living with ALS,” he began in the video. “For over 100 years, ALS has been incurable—and we’re done accepting that. We need the fastest path to a cure.” He went on to detail the campaign’s goal: raising $1 billion over the next three years. “Together, we’ll renew the landmark ALS act, get promising treatments to thousands of patients like me, and finally—finally—work to end this disease,” he said. “There’s so much more to learn, so much more to do, and we have to act now.” He ended the video urging viewers to “get involved.”

Law & Order: SVU delivered a brutal surprise in its Season 27 premiere Thursday night: the death of a character who’s been part of the show since its very first season. Coming on the heels of a major cast shakeup, the twist left viewers reeling.

The episode kicks off with Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) walking into a bar transformed into a memorial space — and it’s quickly revealed the gathering is for former captain Donald Cragen (Dann Florek). The moment felt extra special for long-time fans, thanks to surprise cameos from beloved characters: psychiatrist George Huang (BD Wong) and detective Brian Cassidy (Dean Winters both turned out to honor Cragen).

“He was the best boss I ever had — seriously, everything I know about being a captain? I learned it all from him,” Benson says during the memorial, her voice tight with emotion. Later, outside the bar, she leans into a quiet moment with Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni) and admits, “I feel like we’re stepping into the era where all our friends start dying.” Stabler nods, solemn, adding, “We had a pretty good run while it lasted, though.”

The memorial also features a video of Cragen, seemingly filmed at his retirement party. In the footage, he gets reflective: “It’s been a long road. Not always pleasant, not ever easy, but I lived for this job. I don’t think that’s a secret to anyone, and I couldn’t picture my life any other way. Getting to serve alongside all of you? That’s been a privilege.”

The show didn’t reveal how Cragen died, leaving that detail up in the air. For fans who’ve followed the character, his absence will hit hard: Cragen’s last SVU appearance was in 2021, though he popped up again in a 2024 episode of Meloni’s spinoff, Organized Crime. Florek even joined the cast on set for the memorial scenes — photos of him with Hargitay and Meloni were shared on Meloni’s Instagram back in August, giving fans a small, unspoiled glimpse of the moment.

Cragen’s death isn’t the only big change for SVU lately. After Season 26, Octavio Pisano and Juliana Aidén Martinez both left the series, making this latest loss feel like a one-two punch for viewers. Unsurprisingly, fans took to social media to share their shock — for many who’ve watched since Season 1, losing Cragen feels like saying goodbye to a core piece of the show’s identity.

Following Corey Feldman and Jenna Johnson’s exit from Dancing with the Stars, Feldman is setting the record straight about their partnership—directly addressing speculation that arose after Maksim Chmerkovskiy (brother of Johnson’s husband, Val Chmerkovskiy) claimed Johnson had faced challenges with her partner this season.

Feldman, best known for his role in The Goonies, made his stance clear in the comments section of a post Johnson shared earlier this week, reflecting on their time together after their elimination.

“In the end, our journey was cut short—but I’m so grateful for the amazing weeks we did get to share!” Johnson wrote in her post. “Thank you for the laughs we had every day in rehearsal, for bringing your all to every practice, and for opening up about your life lessons and memories with me. I’ll hold this friendship close forever. Never stop dancing And everyone—go check out his brand-new EP!”

The 54-year-old Feldman fired back with a heartfelt response, praising Johnson while pushing back against any talk of tension between them.

“Thank you, Jenna! Working with you was an absolute delight,” he commented. “I’m so sorry the media’s using this to spin a fake story that our time together was anything less than wonderful. You know as well as I do—I showed up seven days a week for the past three weeks, giving this everything I had to make you proud, even if the judges didn’t see it. God bless your family, and keep chasing that dancing dream.”

The thread was also flooded with love from fellow DWTS stars. Dancer Alan Bersten chimed in with a simple, excited “Corey!!!” Daniella Karagach added, “You’re incredible,” while Sasha Farber wrote, “You two crushed it.” Contestant Elaine Hendrix gushed, “I love you both so much!” and Ailx Earle shared, “Coreyyyyy—gonna miss you! You guys killed it last night.” Joey Graziadei also weighed in: “You’ll be so missed in the ballroom, Corey!!”

But it was Maksim Chmerkovskiy’s earlier remarks that first fueled rumors of trouble between Feldman and Johnson. Speaking to Daily Mail, Maksim—who’s married to Johnson’s sister-in-law—opened up about his concerns for the dancer.

“Obviously, Jenna’s had a bit of an uphill battle with Corey, and it’s easy for people to judge from the outside,” he said. “But I know she’s been having a much tougher time with all this than people realize—it’s really taken a toll. I wish her nothing but the best; we’re all here for her if she needs us. And let’s be clear: she’s a reigning DWTS champion. Everybody needs to show her some respect.”

Maksim’s comments came after fans started questioning why Feldman and Johnson hadn’t shared any rehearsal videos together since the cast was announced. At the time, Johnson noted she hadn’t seen the actor-singer since their appearance on Good Morning America—but later clarified that the pair “stayed in touch the whole time.”

“He had some prior commitments he couldn’t reschedule, and we both went into this knowing we might miss a little time together,” she explained, putting to rest early worries about their dynamic.

Alyson Stoner, the dancer and actor who brought Caitlyn Geller to life in 2008’s Camp Rock and its 2010 follow-up Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam, is speaking up about the highly anticipated third film—and they’ve made it clear they won’t be stepping back into Caitlyn’s shoes. This update comes just days after Disney announced Camp Rock 3 is officially in the works, with the Jonas Brothers set to return and Demi Lovato taking on an executive producer role.

Stoner shared their thoughts during a panel at the 2025 Teen Vogue Summit over the weekend, telling E! News, “I haven’t gotten any details beyond what’s been announced, but honestly? That sounds awesome.” They also offered a guess at the film’s direction, hinting it could follow a familiar Disney playbook: “I think it might be similar to how Disney handled High School Musical with its Disney+ spinoff—bringing in a whole new generation. That’s my best bet, anyway. But hey, it still sounds great.”

While the 32-year-old—who’s currently promoting their new memoir, Semi-Well-Adjusted Despite Literally Everything—isn’t returning as a cast member, they didn’t shut the door entirely on a future role in the franchise. “If they need a coordinator on set, just hit me up,” Stoner joked (though their tone left room for possibility).

Disney’s recent announcement shed more light on the film’s core team: The Jonas Brothers—Joe, Nick, and Kevin—will reprise their roles as Shane, Nate, and Jason Gray, respectively. Lovato, who played lead character Mitchie Torres in the first two films, won’t be returning as an actor but will serve as an EP alongside the trio. Maria Canals-Barrera, who portrayed Mitchie’s mom Connie Torres, is also set to make a comeback.

The new Camp Rock will welcome a mix of Disney veterans and fresh faces to its cast. Joining the fold are Liamani Segura (Descendants: Wicked Wonderland) as Sage, Malachi Barton (ZOMBIES 4: Dawn of the Vampires) as Fletch, Lumi Pollack (Electric Bloom) as Rosie, newcomer Hudson Stone as Desi, Casey Trotter (The Thundermans) as Cliff, Brooklynn Pitts as Callie, Ava Jean as Madison, and Sherry Cola as a character named Lark.

According to Disney, the sequel’s plot centers on Connect 3 (the Jonas Brothers’ band in the franchise) losing their opening act right before a major reunion tour. Their solution? Head back to the Camp Rock they know and love to scout the next breakout star. “As campers compete for that once-in-a-lifetime spot to open for their favorite band, tensions run high, friendships get put to the test, and unexpected alliances, big revelations, and even some romances start to take shape,” the synopsis adds.

Disney also highlighted the new campers’ personalities: There’s bold, driven Sage (Segura) and her laid-back brother Desi (Stone); cello prodigy Rosie (Pollack); Cliff (Trotter), a drummer with a unique style; choreography whiz Callie (Pitts); intimidating influencer Madison (Jean); and Fletch (Barton), the camp’s resident “bad boy.”

Ayo Davis, president of Disney Branded Television, summed up the film’s significance in a statement: “Camp Rock is such a cornerstone of the Disney Channel Original Movie legacy—unforgettable music, energetic stories, and characters that still live in fans’ hearts today. Bringing it back with Kevin, Joe, Nick, and Demi feels like a full-circle moment, and we can’t wait to bring this world back and introduce it to a whole new group of fans.”

“Are you serious? I put out an experimental concept album about nearly dying—and now they’re acting like those numbers are a flop?” Halsey said of her latest record, The Great Impersonator, during a recent interview, as she opened up about the sales figures her label reportedly deems a “failure.”

The singer is finally explaining why fans haven’t gotten new music from her since her 2024 album dropped. In a conversation with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe, Halsey claimed her record label is barring her from making a new album, all because of how The Great Impersonator performed commercially.

“I can’t work on a new album right now—I’m not allowed to,” Halsey told Lowe. “That’s the truth. The Great Impersonator didn’t do as well as they thought it would, so they’re holding it back.”

She didn’t hold back when breaking down the numbers, either: “Let me be real with you—The Great Impersonator sold 100,000 copies in its first week. That’s a huge first week, especially for an artist who hasn’t had a massive hit in a while.”

Halsey also pointed to her recent tour success to back up her point: “My tour right now is the highest-selling one of my entire career. But they keep wanting Manic-level numbers from me. Everyone does. I can’t hit that mark every single time.” She was referencing her 2020 album, a commercial standout. “It should be enough that I’ve done it once, y’know? That I had that moment.”

Lowe seemed to echo her frustration, chiming in, “It should be enough.”

“But it’s not,” Halsey shot back. “For most artists, 100,000 albums in the first week would be a success story—especially now, when physical music barely sells, and I had no radio hits, no big push behind it. But for them? It’s a failure… because it’s not up to the standard of success I had before.”

She added that her past as a pop star makes the pressure even harder: “That’s the worst part of having been a pop star once—I’m not one anymore, but they’re still comparing me to people I don’t even see as my peers.” She referenced the era when she and Ariana Grande were both vying for No. 1 on the charts with their hits “Without Me” and “Thank U Next,” respectively.

“We weren’t ‘fighting,’ though—we were texting each other the whole time. We loved it. That era was the best, honestly,” Halsey recalled, smiling as she described the experience as “amazing.”

“But now? If my album sells 100,000 copies first week—with no radio play, no real support—and they’re like, ‘Why isn’t she doing Taylor Swift numbers?’ Are you kidding me? I made an experimental album about almost dying. I’m never gonna hit those numbers, but I’m doing really well. Those are strong numbers—they still land me in the top 10 first weeks for female artists. But it’s not enough because I’m not the pop star I used to be.”

Even amid the label’s apparent disappointment, Halsey took a moment to praise her fans for standing by her. “I love them—God bless them. They’re the only reason I can even make music like this anymore, the only reason an experimental concept album about death can sell 100,000 copies in a week. Their support means everything.”

The Great Impersonator, Halsey’s fifth studio album, arrived in October 2024 and marked her first release with Columbia Records—she parted ways with Capitol Records back in 2020. As she noted, the album is a deeply personal concept project that addresses her recent health struggles: In 2024, Halsey revealed she’d been diagnosed with lupus and a rare T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder in 2022.

Earlier this year, from May to June, Halsey embarked on her For My Last Trick tour, which tied into The Great Impersonator and was widely considered a success. Next month, she’ll kick off her sixth headlining tour, Back to Badlands, celebrating the 10th anniversary of her debut album, 2015’s Badlands.

Lauren Sorrentino—wife of Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino—crash-landed the “Jersey Shore Family Vacation” reunion, and it’s safe to say Angelina Pivarnick wasn’t thrilled about the surprise.

In an exclusive TooFab preview of the reunion’s second part, Angelina explodes at Lauren over a comment she says painted her as a “toddler,” firing off: “You can say whatever you want to gaslight me, but I’m not your kid.”

Here’s the backstory: During the cast’s Jamaica trip, Angelina pressed Mike and Lauren about their sex life—a line of questioning that rubbed Lauren the wrong way. The two later hashed it out, hugged it out, and seemed to bury the hatchet. But in a separate confessional, Lauren mentioned she’s “conditioned to have tons of patience” as a mom to toddlers. When Angelina found out about that line last week, she fumed, calling it “petty” and “gross”—insisting it felt like Lauren was calling her a toddler.

Fast forward to the reunion: Host Justina Valentine introduced Lauren as a “very special surprise guest,” joking that she’d “tucked her toddlers in and made the trip” to join the crew. Angelina didn’t waste a second confronting her.

“Can I ask why we squashed our issues, then you had to call me a toddler?” Angelina demanded.

“I never called you a toddler,” Lauren replied calmly. “What I said was, I have toddlers—and that experience has taught me how to stay patient when navigating hard conversations or arguments.”

“You can spin it however you want to gaslight me, but I’m not your child,” Angelina shot back. When Lauren pressed if she’d actually called her a toddler, Angelina yelled, “Yes!”

Justina and Lauren both noted that “toddler” seemed to be a “sensitive word” for Angelina—something that triggered her. But Angelina didn’t back down, lashing out at both Lauren and Justina: “I’m not a kid. I’m done with people calling me a f–king child. C’mon, Justina—you know I’ve been through enough in my life… I’m not gonna let anyone call me a toddler or any other garbage term. So save the gaslighting bulls–t.”

When Lauren tried to ask a follow-up question, Angelina cut her off: “They’re never gonna stick up for me, Lauren. Don’t even bother asking.”

Surprisingly, Jenni “JWoww” Farley stepped in to play peacemaker—without picking sides. “I’m gonna defend you, Angelina, but I gotta defend Lauren too,” she said. “I get it—like you, I blow up fast. I’m loud, I escalate things just like you do. But Lauren? She handles stuff differently, thanks to her own life. I think that confessional was just her explaining how she deals with tough moments, from her perspective.”

Angelina then circled back to the root of the drama, bringing up a time Mike asked Vinny about his “favorite sex position” with her—and how Lauren reacted. “She laughed instead of getting mad at her husband,” Angelina said. “It’s fine when it’s me, but when I push back at you guys? Suddenly it’s a problem. That’s hypocrisy.”

Jenni agreed: “You’re right—hypocrisy doesn’t fly here.”

Mike finally weighed in, saying he get where Angelina was coming from but argued the two situations weren’t the same. “It’s apples and oranges,” he said. “In Jamaica, you were in your room until midnight—”

Angelina cut him off, voice cracking: “Because I was grieving my dog! I just lost my f–king dog!”

“I’m not finished,” Mike said, frustrated. “One person talks at a time. This isn’t your first fight!”

Catch all the chaos when Part 2 of the “Jersey Shore Family Vacation” reunion airs tonight on MTV.