Entertainment
Miniature Poodle Named Sage Wins Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
NEW YORK — Sage decided on a final hurrah.
Sage, a miniature poodle, earned the top prize Tuesday night at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show, which veteran handler Kaz Hosaka said would be his final appearance at the United States’ most renowned canine event. He intends to retire after 45 years of competing and winning two show dog championships.
Sage became the 11th Westminster winner for poodles of various sizes, trailing only wire fox terriers in that category. Spice won the prize with Hosaka in 2002, the last miniature poodle to do so.
“No words,” he stated in the ring to explain his reaction to Sage’s victory before adding a few: “So happy—exciting.”
AP – VOR News Image
Miniature Poodle Named Sage Wins Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
The inky-black poodle walked briskly and proudly around the ring, “gave a great performance for me,” Hosaka noted.
Sage defeated six other contestants to win best in the show. Mercedes, a German shepherd, finished second, and her manager, Kent Boyles, had previously shepherded a best-in-show winner.
Other dogs in the final round included Comet, a shih tzu who won the big American Kennel Club National Championship last year; Monty, a giant schnauzer who arrived at Westminster as the nation’s top-ranked dog and was a Westminster finalist last year; Louis, an Afghan hound; Micah, a black cocker spaniel; and Frankie, a colored bull terrier.
A protester with a poster urging people to “boycott breeders” attempted to enter the ring as Sage was walking around it, but security quickly stopped him. According to police and the animal rights organization PETA, three activists were arrested. Charges have not yet been determined.
In an event where all contestants are champions under the dog show’s point system, winning can come down to subtleties and a memorable performance at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, home of the US Open tennis competition.
The best-in-show judge, Rosalind Kramer described the final lineup as “excellent and glorious.”
Katie Bernardin, Monty’s handler and co-owner, says, “Just to be in the ring with everyone else is an honor.”
“We all love our dogs. “We’re doing our best,” she remarked in the ring following Monty’s semifinal victory. “A stallion” of a dog, he’s robust, powerful, and “very spirited,” said Bernardin of Chaplin, Connecticut.
AP – VOR News Image
Miniature Poodle Named Sage Wins Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
Bernardin was so lively that she kept Monty stimulated by doing obedience and other canine sports while she was pregnant.
Dogs first compete against members of their breed. Then, the winner of each breed competes against others in its “group.” The seven group winners compete in the final round.
The best-in-show winner receives a trophy and a position in dog-world history but no monetary reward.
Other canines were popular with the crowd besides the victors. A lagotto Romagnolo named Harry made the stadium audience laugh by sitting up and demanding a treat from his handler, while a vizsla named Fletcher captivated fans by leaping up on its handler after completing a spin around the ring.
There were also large shouts for Sebastian, a frisky great Pyrenees, and Emilio, a Doberman pinscher.
Stache, a Sealyham terrier, was another dog who competed but did not make it to the finals. He won the National Dog event, televised on Thanksgiving, and took first place at a major terrier event in Pennsylvania last fall.
Stache features a rare breed considered endangered even in its home, Britain.
“They’re a little-known treasure,” said Stache’s co-owner, co-breeder, and handler, Margery Good of Cochranville, Pennsylvania, who has been breeding “Sealys” for 50 years. Originally evolved in Wales to hunt badgers and other burrowing wildlife, the terriers with a “fall” of hair over their eyes are brave but funny — Good calls them “silly hams.”
Westminster can seem like a study of canine contrasts. Walking around, a visitor could notice a Chihuahua staring out of a carrying bag at a stocky Neapolitan mastiff, a ring full of honey-colored golden retrievers next to a row of stark-black big schnauzers, and handlers with dogs much larger than themselves.
AP – VOR News Image
Miniature Poodle Named Sage Wins Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
Shane Jichetti was one among them. Ralphie, the 175-pound (34-kg) great Dane she co-owns, outweighs her significantly. Showing such a large animal requires extensive skill, but “if you have a bond with your dog and just go with it, it works out,” she said.
Plus, despite his girth, Ralphie is “so chill,” according to Jichetti. He’s playful at home on New York’s Staten Island, but when it comes to the ring, he’s on point — just like his harlequin-pattern coat.
“He’s just an honest dog,” Jichetti remarked.
The Westminster show, which dates back to 1877, focuses on conventional purebred judging, which results in the best-in-show prize. However, over the last decade, the organization has expanded its agility and obedience events to include mixed-breed dogs.
This year’s agility competition saw its first non-purebred winner, a border collie-papillon mix named Nimble.
Kramer, the best in show judge, went on to thank “every dog, whether it’s a house dog or a show dog.”
“Because you make our lives whole.”
SOURCE – (AP)
Entertainment
Vanessa Hudgens ‘Disappointed’ Her Privacy Was Invaded With Paparazzi Pictures Of Her New Baby
Vanessa Hudgens is thrilled to be a new mother but wishes she had more say over how the news was announced.
Vanessa Hudgens | People Image
Vanessa Hudgens ‘Disappointed’ Her Privacy Was Invaded With Paparazzi Pictures Of Her New Baby
The “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” star wrote in an Instagram post Thursday, “We’re disappointed that our family’s privacy was violated and exploited during this very special time due to the greed of a long-lens camera feeding the media.” Despite this, Mom, Dad, and Baby are happy and healthy.
Vanessa was alluding to reports published earlier this week that showed her leaving a hospital with her infant.
While the circumstances surrounding the announcement were not ideal, the singer and actor’s Instagram message served as her first confirmation that she had given birth to her kid, her first child with husband Cole Tucker.
CNN has contacted Hudgens’ agents to see if she has more comments.
On Oscar night in March, Vanessa disclosed that she and the Major League Baseball outfielder were expecting their first child.
Vanessa Hudgens | CNN Image
Vanessa Hudgens ‘Disappointed’ Her Privacy Was Invaded With Paparazzi Pictures Of Her New Baby
Vanessa and Tucker reportedly married in December in Tulum, Mexico, after announcing their engagement early last year.
Vanessa and Tucker were initially linked in 2020 when she tweeted a selfie of herself titled “date night” and was caught holding hands later that evening.
SOURCE – CNN
Entertainment
For ‘Love Island USA’ Superfan Ariana Madix, Hosting The Show ‘Does Not Feel Like Work’
Before the real-life infidelity scandal known as Sandoval, there was a scene in Season 10 of Bravo’s “Vanderpump Rules” in which Ariana Madix and her then-boyfriend Tom Sandoval admitted to not spending enough quality time together. Sandoval wanted to party like a rock star, but Madix preferred that he stay at home with her and watch her favorite TV show, “Love Island USA,” with pals.
“I do not have time to watch 50 (expletive) episodes of ‘Love Island.'” “No, I don’t.” he replied.
Ariana Madix | AP News Image
For ‘Love Island USA’ Superfan Ariana Madix, Hosting The Show ‘Does Not Feel Like Work’
After roughly a year and a half, Madix and Sandoval split. Sandoval had been cheating on Madix for almost six months with a “Vanderpump” co-star. Madix is presently the host of “Love Island USA” on Peacock, succeeding Sarah Hyland.
It’s a fitting development for Madix, whose nearly decade-long romance ended publicly. Since then, she has appeared on “Dancing with the Stars” and on Broadway as Roxie Hart in “Chicago.” Her original tenure was extended due to high ticket demand, and she will return to the position next month. Madix, a former bartender, published a best-selling cocktail recipe book and launched a sandwich business called “Something About Her” in Los Angeles with “Vanderpump” co-star Katie Maloney.
Madix has spent the past month in Fiji filming “Love Island USA.” She describes the work as a dream come true for a superfan like herself.
“I love watching how this show is made,” Madix stated in a recent Zoom interview. “There’s a crew of about 400 people who work on the show to make it happen and turn these episodes around virtually in real time. It is really stunning.”
Ariana Madix | AP news image
For ‘Love Island USA’ Superfan Ariana Madix, Hosting The Show ‘Does Not Feel Like Work’
On “Love Island USA,” a group of single men and women move to an isolated villa in the hopes of finding love. The candidates form couples based on their first impressions. These relationships are put to the test. Do they have lasting chemistry? They can also make connections with others, including a constant influx of fresh singles. At various points, viewers are allowed to vote for their favorite couples. Contestants are eliminated at various points, and the public ultimately votes for the winning couple, who receives a financial award.
SOURCE – (AP)
Entertainment
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Accused Of Sex Trafficking And Sexual Assault In Lawsuit By Former Adult Film Actress
Adria English, a former adult video actor who claims to have worked for Sean “Diddy” Combs from 2004 to 2009, accused the music mogul of sex trafficking and sexual assault in a lawsuit filed Wednesday.
The 114-page complaint claims that Combs and other defendants in the case exploited English as “a sexual pawn for the pleasure and financial benefit of others” during “White Parties” at Combs’ mansions in the Hamptons, New York, and Miami, Florida. The case, filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, also claims Combs compelled English to “engage in prostitution and sex work” from 2006 to 2009.
P diddy Combs | CNN Image
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Accused Of Sex Trafficking And Sexual Assault In Lawsuit By Former Adult Film Actress
The lawsuit is the ninth against Combs since November and the eighth expressly accusing him of sexual assault. One of the eight lawsuits filed by former girlfriend Cassie Ventura has been resolved. Another lawsuit accuses his son Christian Combs of sexual assault, while Sean Combs is accused of aiding and abetting.
“No matter how many lawsuits are filed, it won’t change the fact that Mr. Combs has never sexually assaulted or sex trafficked anyone,” stated Jonathan Davis, an attorney for Combs, in response to English’s claim.
“We live in a society where anyone can bring a lawsuit for any reason and without providing proof. Fortunately, a fair and impartial judicial process exists to determine the truth, and Mr. Combs is confident in his ability to succeed in court against these and other unfounded charges,” the attorney continued.
English’s claim wants a jury trial and undisclosed punitive damages.
Combs has aggressively refuted charges in many of the civil complaints but has not responded to them. In December 2023, after four lawsuits were filed against him, Combs issued a vehement denial on social media, claiming that “sickening allegations” were made by accusers “looking for a quick payday.”
He said, “Let me be absolutely clear: I did not do any of the awful things being alleged.”
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Accused Of Sex Trafficking And Sexual Assault In Lawsuit By Former Adult Film Actress
Federal investigators are also prepared to put Combs’ accusers before a federal grand jury, two individuals familiar with the investigation previously told CNN, indicating that the US Justice Department is considering an indictment of Combs.
Bringing those who have filed civil complaints against Combs before a grand jury would represent a significant step forward in the government’s continuing investigation into the producer and Bad Boy Records founder.
SOURCE – (CNN)
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