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People: Ethan Zohn, Mindy McCready, Michelle Dockery, Michelle Obama, Fergie
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Singer Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas and her husband, actor Josh Duhamel, are expecting their first child.
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Longtime couple Ethan Zohn and Bridgeville native Jenna Morasca are ending their relationship.
"It is with much consideration and a heavy heart that we are announcing that after 10 years of a loving relationship, the decision was made to move on without each other," the couple said in an exclusive statement to People Monday morning.
"We will carry with us the memories of a relationship grounded in love, laughter, support and friendship," the statement continued. "We have experienced some of life's greatest joys and toughest challenges together, and our decision to be apart can never diminish that. We want to thank everyone for their support, and we ask that our privacy be respected as we move forward."
Morasca, 32, and Zohn, 38, have gone through an emotional journey over the years since meeting as winners of "Survivor." She won "Survivor: Amazon" while he won "Survivor: Africa." They also competed together on "The Amazing Race" and starred on their own show, "Everyday Health."
Most memorably, Zohn chronicled his very moving battle with Hodgkins lymphoma on People.com -- from diagnosis to remission to its return in 2011. He underwent a stem-cell transplant in February 2012, and through it all, Morasca was by his side as both were outspoken supporters of cancer survival and detection. Zohn even ran the New York City marathon in 2011 in support of a cure.
Zohn attended Morasca's May 2012 graduation from Columbia University, where she earned a master's degree in counseling and clinical psychology.
"To see her battle through all sorts of challenges and still find her passion for academics is such an inspiration," Zohn said at the time, calling her "Miss Smartypants" and adding: "Plus, now I don't have to pay for therapy."
The couple were in the Pittsburgh area in September 2012 for the annual "Run for Your Lives" zombie run.
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Mindy McCready's ex-boyfriend and the father of her 6-year-old son said Monday morning that he wasn't surprised when he heard that the troubled country singer had apparently taken her own life, People reports. (See story, Page C-5.)
"As sad as it is, it didn't come as a major shock," Billy McKnight told the "Today" show. "She's just been battling demons for so long."
He added, "I was around her when she attempted suicide twice, so I knew it was in her."
Cleburne County, Arkansas, sheriff's deputies responded to a report of gunshots Sunday at 3:31 p.m. and discovered McCready's body on the front porch of her Heber Springs house. Neighbors reportedly had heard two shots, and the deputies found dead at the scene McCready's dog and the singer.
"The demons that she hasn't beaten were there," McKnight said of McCready, 37, who had battled substance abuse.
"I feel for her mother and her family and especially my son," said McKnight, whose boy, Zander, was the subject of a bitter and prolonged custody battle with McCready.
After the death of David Wilson, Zander and his 10-month-old half-brother, Zayne, whose father is Wilson, were placed in foster care, where they remain. McKnight said that he wants his son returned to him: "He needs to come home."
As for the other child, "I don't know what is going to happen to Zayne," he said.
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The country music industry was rocked by news of McCready's death. Celebs and fellow country artists took to Twitter to offer their condolences.
Wynonna Judd: "Oh my! Mindy. Dear sweet girl. This is so sad. It just breaks my heart what addiction continues to take from this life. Addiction is a dis EASE & not a character flaw. When the pain becomes too much, it causes people to want that pain to stop. This is just so Unbelievable & so sad. God be with the family & those babies. Surround them with your grace & mercy. Sleep in Heavenly peace Mindy."
John Rich: "Very sad to hear about Mindy McCready. When I was in Lonestar she was our label mate and we were friends. A tragic end to a talented life."
Jason Aldean: "Just heard about Mindy McCready. My thoughts and prayers are with her 2 boys and her family."
Martina McBride: "So sad."
Chely Wright: "Really really sad to learn the news about Mindy McCready. I will pray for her children and I hope that people are gentle with her memory."
Spoiler alert for "Downton Abbey" fans who may be a little behind.
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No moss grows under Lady Mary, that's for sure. The Merry Widow may already have a new suitor.
British TV heartthrob Tom Ellis reportedly had an impressive audition for the producers of "Downton Abbey," to become what is being described as season 4's love interest for Lady Mary, played by Michelle Dockery.
According to the U.K. Mirror, an ITV source said of the 33-year-old, married father of three: "He really showed his versatility, and he's also incredibly popular with the female viewers."
Born in Wales, Ellis, whose wife is former "EastEnders" star Tamzin Outhwaite, appears in the comedy series "Miranda." Neither show has made it to the U.S.
Sunday night during "Downton's" season 3 finale, America learned that Mary's husband, Matthew Crawley, as played by Dan Stevens -- who asked to be released from the series for professional reasons -- came to a bloody end by crashing his sports car only minutes after meeting his newborn son and heir.
Apparently, the new mother and widow will not be lonely for long. Series' writer-creator Julian Fellowes drops a strong hint to that effect in Monday's New York Times, telling its TV writer Dave Itzkoff: "We begin Series 4 six months later. We don't have to do funerals and all that stuff. That's all in the past by then."
And because this is a series with a strongly devoted following that does not care for spoilers -- which immediately started crossing the Atlantic once episodes started airing in its native country last fall, ahead of America's January 2013 season premiere on PBS -- Fellows acknowledges, "I would vastly prefer that we all saw it together. The world is much more global. And so I look forward to the day when it changes, as I'm sure it will."
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Michelle Obama jokingly says a midlife crisis is what inspired her new haircut with bangs, The Associated Press reports.
The first lady revealed the new hairstyle last month on her 49th birthday, which came a few days before the festivities for President Barack Obama's second inauguration.
Mrs. Obama was asked about the new haircut during an interview with talk show host Rachael Ray.
Said Mrs. Obama: "This is my midlife crisis." She added that she cut her bangs because she can't get a sports car and won't be allowed to bungee jump.
The interview was conducted via Skype and is scheduled to air on Wednesday. The "Rachael Ray" show released excerpts on Monday.
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Fergie and Josh Duhamel are expecting a baby, the singer confirmed on Twitter Monday, People reports.
"Josh & Me & BABY makes three!!!" she tweeted.
This will be the first child for the couple, who wed in January 2009 in Malibu.
Both Fergie, 37, and Duhamel, 40, have been clear about their desire for children -- but kept the timeline open.
"Not right this second," the Black Eyed Peas frontwoman said in May 2011, while her husband added, "We'll go there at some point."
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A second cast member of the MTV reality series "Buckwild," which is based in West Virginia, is in trouble with the law.
An official at the jail in Charleston told media outlets that Michael Burford was arrested Thursday on a charge of aggravated driving under the influence. He has since been released from custody. Burford is known as "Bluefoot" on the show.
The Associated Press reported that Burford tweeted Saturday that he let many people down and takes full responsibility for his actions.
Earlier last week, cast member Salwa Amin was arrested on charges of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.
First Published February 19, 2013 12:00 am
