King Charles III heads to Washington on a delicate mission to restore the UK-US relationship

WASHINGTON (AP) — Two and a half centuries after the American colonies declared independence from Britain under King George III, his descendantKing Charles IIIlands in Washington Monday withtrans-Atlantic ties under strainand security in the spotlight.

US-Britain-Royal Visit

Ashootingat a Washington dinner attended byPresident Donald Trumpon Saturday sparked a last-minute security review of the four-day state visit, intended to celebrate the United States’ 250th anniversary, and the U.S.-U.K. “special relationship.”

Buckingham Palace said the king “is greatly relieved to hear that the president, first lady and all guests have been unharmed.” After a security review, the palace said the trip “will proceed as planned.”

Trump praises the king but derides Starmer

A riftbetween the U.K. government and Trump over issues including the Iran war had already raised the political stakes for the British monarch's visit.

In recent weeks, Trump haslambasted Prime Minister Keir Starmerover his unwillingness to join U.S. military attacks on Iran, dismissing Britain’s leader as “not Winston Churchill” — the World War II prime minister who coined the phrase “special relationship” for the U.K.-U.S. bond.

It'spart of a wider riftbetween Trump and the United States’ NATO allies, whom he has called “cowards” and “useless” for not joining action against Iran. Aleaked Pentagon emailsuggested the U.S. could reassess support for the U.K.'s sovereignty over theFalkland Islandsin the south Atlantic. Britain and Argentina fought a 1982 war over the islands, also known as the Islas Malvinas.

The president insists the political chill won’t affect the royal visit. Charles “has nothing to do with that,” Trump said in March, meaning NATO.

The president has spoken in glowing terms about Charles, repeatedly referring to the monarch as his “friend” and a “great guy.”

He also continues to mention his “amazing” trip to the U.K. in September with first lady Melania Trump for anunprecedented second state visit. Starmer hand-delivered the invitation from the king in the Oval Office five weeks after the Republican president returned to office, in a very public attempt to woo the president.

The U.K. royal family laid on pomp and pageantry for the Trumps, with scarlet-clad guardsmen, brass bands and a sumptuous banquet at Windsor Castle.

“President Trump has always had great respect for King Charles, and their relationship was further strengthened by the president’s historic visit to the United Kingdom last year,” White House spokesperson Anna Kelly told The Associated Press. “The president looks forward to a special visit by Their Majesties, which will include a beautiful state dinner and multiple events throughout the week.”

Trump, meanwhile, told the BBC that the king’s visit could “absolutely” help repair the trans-Atlantic relationship.

“He’s fantastic. He’s a fantastic man. Absolutely the answer is yes,” the president said.

Some have called for the trip to be canceled

Kristofer Allerfeldt, a University of Exeter professor specializing in American history, said the two governments have very different objectives for the trip.

He said that for Charles, the trip is about “reinforcing long-term ties, showcasing the monarchy’s soft power and reminding the world that Britain still carries diplomatic weight.”

For Trump, it’s more about “a media event,” with emphasis on the optics of a visit that resembles a meeting of “two gilded monarchs.”

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Some U.K. politicians worry that the trip is fraught with opportunities for embarrassment. Trump’s recentbroadsides at Pope Leo XIVhave heightened those concerns.

Ed Davey, leader of the U.K. centrist opposition Liberal Democrats party, earlier this month called Trump “a dangerous and corrupt gangster” and implored the government to cancel the trip.

“I really fear for what Trump might say or do while our king is forced to stand by his side,” Davey said in the House of Commons. “We cannot put His Majesty in that position.”

Starmer defended the visit, saying “the monarchy, through the bonds that it builds, is often able to reach through the decades” and bolster important relationships.

Andrew and Epstein cast a shadow

Raising the stakes is the shadow of the king’s younger brother,Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who has been stripped of his royal title of Prince Andrew, exiled from public life and put under police investigation over his friendship withJeffrey Epstein. He has denied committing any crimes.

Epstein victims have urged the king to meet with them and other sexual abuse survivors. It's unlikely he will do so.

Charles hasvisited the U.S. 19 times,but this is his first state visit to the country since becoming king in 2022.His mother, Queen Elizabeth II, made four state visits to the U.S.

The king, who is 77 and was diagnosed in early 2024 withan undisclosed form of cancer, will spend four days in the U.S. accompanied by Queen Camilla.

In Washington, the king and queen will have a private tea with the Trumps and attend a garden party and a formal White House state dinner. The president and the king will also have a one-on-one meeting.

The royal couple will also visit the Sept. 11 memorial in New York and attend a 250th birthday “block party” in Virginia, where Charles will also meet Indigenous leaders involved in nature conservation — a favorite cause of the environmentalist king.

Three centuries after Britain’s kings and queens gave up any real political power, the royals remain symbols of soft power, deployed by elected governments to smooth international relationships and send messages about what the U.K. considers important.

A key moment will be the king’s speech to the U.S. Congress on Tuesday. It’s only the second time, after Queen Elizabeth II in 1991, that a U.K. monarch has addressed a joint meeting of both houses.

Elizabeth praised liberalism on that trip, spoke against the idea that “power grows from the barrel of a gun” and praised the “rich ethnic and cultural diversity of both our societies.”

The king’s treasured causes, including the environment and harmony among religious faiths, are in contrast to Trump’s. He's unlikely to accentuate differences, but Allerfeldt said that, in the monarch’s subtle way, the king could use his speech to send a message.

“He does have an unorthodox way of looking at the world, and I think maybe he can actually have something valid to say when he addresses Congress,” Allerfeldt said.

Jill Lawless reported from London.

byVaclavien Pynzarien

in

April 28, 2026

King Charles III heads to Washington on a delicate mission to restore the UK-US relationship

WASHINGTON (AP) — Two and a half centuries after the American colonies declared independence from Britain under King George III, his de...

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6 Celebrities Who Have Been Banned from Restaurants, Hotels and More

A-list status doesn’t guarantee a warm welcome everywhere.

Over the years, several celebrities have been banned from various places — sometimes for headline-making antics, other times for behavior that didn’t sit well behind the scenes.

In 2014,Miley Cyruswas barred from bringing her provocativeBangerztour to the Dominican Republic, whileBen Affleckwasbanned from playing blackjackat the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas after being caught counting cards.

A year later, footage ofAriana Grandelicking doughnuts on a tray(and not buying them) got her banned from a California shop. Then, in 2022,James Cordenwas temporarilybanned from a New York City hotspotafter allegedly mistreating staff on more than one occasion.

Here’s a look at six stars who’ve landed on the “not welcome” list — from restaurants to entire countries.

James Corden: Banned from N.Y.C. Restaurant Balthazar

N.Y.C. restaurateur Keith McNally "86'd" the comedian from one of his top establishments, Balthazar, due to reported mistreatment of the staff. The restaurant owner announced the ban on Corden via Instagram, where he called the TV personality a "tiny cretin of a human" and detailed two incidents of Corden's "abusive" behavior as a customer.

The first account claimed that the talk show host "was extremely nasty" in his demands of Balthazar's manager, reportedly commanding the employee to "take care" of their drinks so that Corden would not "write any nasty reviews in Yelp or anything like that."

Another alleged outburst occurred when Corden was dissatisfied with his wife's omelette and, according to the Instagram post, "began yelling like crazy to the server: 'You can't do your job! You can't do your job! Maybe I should go into the kitchen and cook the omelette myself!' "

McNally laterrescinded his banon Corden, explaining on Instagram that the late-night star had called and "apologized profusely" to him and his staff.

Ariana Grande: Banned from Wolfee Donuts in California

Lake Elsinore, Calif., doughnut shop Wolfee Donuts forbade the singer from returning after leaked video surveillance showed her licking unattended doughnuts from a tray. The footage prompted state police and health officials to investigate further, which resulted in the demotion of Wolfee's health grade from an A to a B.

Wolfee Donuts' owner, Joe Marin, confirmed that Grande was banned for life on the radio showRoz & Mochashortly afternews of the incidentbroke.

Lindsay Lohan: Banned from Chateau Marmont

Lindsay Lohanwas said to be banned from Los Angeles' Chateau Marmont after her stay while filmingLiz & Dickduring the summer of 2012.TMZobtained a letter from the hotel's management requesting Lohan pay the outstanding $46,350.04 bill that she accumulated over the course of her 47-day residency.

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Though the letter did not explicitly ban Lohan, Shawn Levy's chronicle ofChateau Marmont historyclaims "the word was that she was effectively banned from the premises—hotel, restaurant, bar: all of it."

The actress was seen at the West Hollywood hotel not too long after the edict was supposedly handed down; according to Levy's book, the Chateau Marmont's owner was able to work with Lohan's side to settle her debts.

Miley Cyrus: Banned from the Dominican Republic

In 2014, the Dominican Republic banned the "Wrecking Ball" singer from coming to the country while on herBangerztour. The country's government commission responsible for public performances concluded that Cyrus often "undertakes acts that go against morals and customs, which are punishable by Dominican law," perBBC.

Tickets for the Santo Domingo concert had been on sale for about two months at the time of Cyrus' proscription, ranging in price from $27 to $370.

Madonna: Banned from Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Theaters

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema bannedMadonnafrom its theaters after she violated their no-texting policy during a screening of12 Years A Slaveat the 2013 New York Film Festival, perE! Online.

According to one viewer's eyewitness testimony (which film critic Charles Taylor shared in a Facebook post), theGrammywinner spent much of the movie typing on her Blackberry.

Drafthouse's CEO, Tim League, tweeted that, "Until she apologizes to movie fans, Madonna is banned from watching movies."

While another post on X claimed it was "really just a joke,"The Hollywood Reporterstated that a few days later, League sent a letter requesting that Drafthouse theater managers prohibit Madonna from seeing films "until she apologizes for her actions and acknowledges that texting during a movie is rude and disrespectful to the filmmaker and audience."

Ben Affleck: Banned from the Blackjack Table

In 2014, theGone Girlstar's suspiciously lucky night ended whenhe was discovered counting cardswhile playing blackjack in Las Vegas. One source told PEOPLE that security approached Affleck at the table and said, "We have to stop you because you're too good." They then banned him from playing blackjack.

However, the actor was not banned from the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino entirely.

"The hotel was really nice. [They] told him he could play other games," said the source.

The establishment issued its own statement clarifying that Affleck isn't banned from the whole property, and that as a valued guest, he "is welcome back any time."

Read the original article onPeople

byVaclavien Pynzarien

in

April 28, 2026

6 Celebrities Who Have Been Banned from Restaurants, Hotels and More

A-list status doesn’t guarantee a warm welcome everywhere. Over the years, several celebrities have been banned from various plac...

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Iconic Rocky statue gets its own exhibition in Philadelphia after decades of tension

TheiconicbronzefigureofRocky Balboa, arms triumphantly raised on the steps of thePhiladelphiaMuseumof Art, has long drawn global visitors – often overshadowing the masterpieces housed within.

For decades, the museum maintained an uneasy distance from this pop culture phenomenon, but that stance is now changing dramatically.

This weekend marks the opening of "Rising Up: Rocky and the Making of Monuments," anexhibitionthat finally embraces the fictional boxer's profound cultural impact. The show delves into how a character from South Philadelphia transcended the screen to become a potent real-world symbol, examining the statue's place within art history and the city's identity.

The exhibition is the vision of guest curator Paul Farber, whose extensive research into public monuments and the Rocky statue's meaning, including through his NPR podcasts, culminates in this significant institutional acknowledgment.

The exhibition spans more than 2,000 years of boxing imagery, tracing a thread of human struggle that Louis Marchesano, the museum’s deputy director of curatorial affairs and conservation, said helps explain Rocky’s enduring pull.

“The common theme that runs throughout 2,000 years of boxing imagery is that people respond to the body under struggle, a conflict in much the same way today as they did 2,500 years ago,” Marchesano said. “It’s not simply about watching two people beat each other up — it’s about endurance, internal fortitude and internal struggle.”

When the bronze statue was left on the steps after filming theRockymovies, the museum fought to have it removed. It was eventually relocated to South Philadelphia before returning to the bottom of the steps in 2006. It was welcomed back, but never fully embraced. The city owns the spot where the statue sits — not the museum.

“The museum has had — and I hate to say this, no pun intended — a rocky relationship with the statue,” Marchesano said.

“It took us decades to come to terms with it,” he added. “But I’m glad that we did.”

According to the Philadelphia Visitor Center, about 4 million people visit the steps each year — rivaling the nearby Liberty Bell in annual foot traffic.

David Muller, a wrestling coach from France who recently brought his students to the steps, said he thinks Balboa’s trials and travails are “good for the next generation.”

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“The movie ‘Rocky’ is important for the mind of sport and the mind of life,” Muller said, after running with them up the steps as they raised their hands at the top, smiling and punching the air like boxers.

Kate Tarchalska traveled from Poland with family and made the statue one of their stops.

“He was my hero when I was younger,” she said. “And now I am so glad I could be in the same spot as him.”

Suraj Kumar, visiting his aunt in Philadelphia from St. Louis, made a point to photograph the statue to share with his father, who first introduced him to the films when he was growing up in Bengaluru, India.

“When I got to know this statue is here, I was like, I really have to come down here,” he said.

One gallery places Rocky in the global boxing fever of the 1970s, featuring works by Keith Haring, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Andy Warhol — all created during a time when boxing had the world’s attention.

“In the 1970s, we knew minute by minute who the heavyweight champion of the world was,” Marchesano said. “The artists in this gallery are responding to that global frenzy.Sylvester Stallone, in ‘Rocky,’ was doing the same — thinking about internal and external struggle.”

Another gallery turns to Philadelphia itself, presenting photographs of the Blue Horizon boxing gym and a section on Joe Frazier, whose real-life story at least partially inspired Rocky.

“Without Joe Frazier, Rocky doesn’t exist,” Marchesano said.

When the exhibition closes in August, the statue inside will move to a permanent home at the top of the museum’s steps — a place it has never officially held. The statue currently outside remains on loan from Stallone.

Rocky’s longtime spot at the bottom of the steps won’t be empty — a statue of Frazier will replace it.

byVaclavien Pynzarien

in

April 28, 2026

Iconic Rocky statue gets its own exhibition in Philadelphia after decades of tension

TheiconicbronzefigureofRocky Balboa, arms triumphantly raised on the steps of thePhiladelphiaMuseumof Art, has long drawn global visito...

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Top travel firms vow not to apply ‘war’ surcharges to summer holidays

The first casualty of war is truth, but travel is never far behind. And this week, European officials have been talking about travel in soundbites of questionable veracity. Both the boss of the International Energy Agency and the EU energy commissioner have made pronouncements of imminent aviation fuel shortages that are not borne out by my study of the available data.

Careless talk costs holidays. “Every other question is about fuel,” one leading independent travel agent tells me. I can be quite certain that, two months ago, the number of customers wondering about whether their holiday flight would take off due to a lack of fuel was zero.

It is eight weeks since we woke up to the news that Iran had retaliated against attacks by the US and Israel, and that a large swathe of the Middle East was off-limits to civil aviation. The big airports of the Gulf are still on the Foreign Office no-go list, with Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways still struggling to repair their schedules.

As I have written, though, bargains abound: this is a real buyers’ summer. Buy now, and you are covered by strong consumer protection. If, for any reason, the flight fails to go ahead, the airline must find you an acceptable alternative.

But some travellers, looking at the soaring price of aviation fuel, are still concerned: “Won’t they ask for more money?”

No. Plenty of airlines have introduced surcharges for new bookings, from £2 (Aurigny) to £260 (Japan Airlines). But they do not apply to people holding tickets.

Most airlines and holiday companies “hedge” the majority of their forecast energy requirements: they enter into financial deals to lock into a fixed price for a certain quantity of fuel. So holidaymakers this summer will be flying on planes powered at pre-crisis prices.

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One caveat is that, under the Package Travel Regulations, the tour operator (the company that organises the holiday) is allowed to ask for more money if “the price of the carriage of passengers resulting from the cost of fuel” has risen. But this can only happen if the firm shows its working. And if the proposed surcharge is above 8 per cent, then you have the right to cancel for a full refund. Unsurprisingly, surcharges often turn out to be exactly 8 per cent, representing an extra £80 on a £1,000 holiday.

If you have (wisely) booked a package holiday, you may be concerned. Happily, two out of three of the UK’s biggest tour operators have vowed not to surcharge summer holidaymakers.First was Jet2, Britain's biggest holiday company.

Speaking on Friday, chief executive Steve Heapy said: “Holidaymakers should have every right to book their hard-earned break in the sun, without worrying about being hit with additional costs, and they can have that complete assurance when they book a flight or holiday withJet2. Customers booking with Jet2 know that they are locking in their price without additional cost surprises later.”

Across ateasyJetHolidays, CEO Garry Wilson said on Saturday: “We know that holidaymakers may have questions about what recent global events might mean for their travel plans this summer, so we are giving our customers absolute peace of mind that no surcharges will be added to their flights or package holidays.” He added that customers can be confident their holidays will “go ahead as planned”.

I predictTui, the third giant company, will follow suit.

ButIAG– which ownsBritish Airways, Aer Lingus and Iberia of Spain – is talking of “pricing adjustments to reflect these higher fuel costs”. A spokesperson said: “We are not seeing jet fuel supply interruptions, but fuel prices have risen sharply and, despite our hedging strategy, which gives some shorter-term mitigation, we are not immune to the impact.”

Don’t fret about this: BA will not come after you for more cash, and the airlines can charge only what the market will bear. Andjudging from some of the prices on offer, that isn’t a lot.

Simon Calder, also known as The Man Who Pays His Way, has been writing about travel for The Independent since 1994. In his weekly opinion column, he explores a key travel issue – and what it means for you.

byVaclavien Pynzarien

in

April 27, 2026

Top travel firms vow not to apply ‘war’ surcharges to summer holidays

The first casualty of war is truth, but travel is never far behind. And this week, European officials have been talking about travel in...

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Victoria Beckham Says There's One Specific Spice Girls Outfit Daughter Harper, 14, Won't Be Inheriting Anytime Soon

Victoria Beckham said there is one specific Spice Girls outfit 14-year-old daughter Harper won't be getting her hands on anytime soon

NEED TO KNOW

• “She loves fashion. She loves beauty. And I'm pretty sure she would love to get her hands on those Spice Girls costumes,” the fashion mogul and former girl group member said

• Victoria shares Harper, as well as three sons — Brooklyn Peltz Beckham, Romeo Beckham and Cruz Beckham — with husband David Beckham

Victoria Beckhamhas no plans to let daughterHarper Beckhamwear one of her most iconicSpice Girlslooks anytime soon.

During the Time100 Summit in New York City on April 22, Victoria, 51, spoke at length about her eponymous luxury fashion label, as well as where she hopes to eventually take the brand in the future.

At one point during the live conversation, Victoria was asked whether Harper, 14, would ever inherit any of her formerSpice Girls looks.

“She loves fashion. She loves beauty. And I'm pretty sure she would love to get her hands on those Spice Girls costumes,” Victoria said of the teen she shares with husbandDavid Beckham.

She further explained, however, that one item is currently off-limits. “Not the PVC catsuit just yet. She's 14, okay? So we're going to wait for that,” Victoris said, referring to the iconic black outfit she wore in the "Say You'll Be There" music video in 1996.

Victoriarecreated the look22 years later in 2018 as she celebrated her most iconic fashion moments withBritish Vogue.

During the conversation at the Time100 Summit, Victoria also said that Harper is just as “obsessed” withVictoria Beckham Beauty— the clean, luxury makeup and skincare line launched in 2019 — as she is.

“I mean, she's been sitting on my lap through product development meetings since she was a baby. I mean, she is as obsessed with [the] products as I am,” Victoria said.

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Harper can sometimes even be spotted on Victoria's social media feeds, providing quick makeup tutorials and product highlights.

Victoria — who is also a mom to three sons:Brooklyn Peltz Beckham,Romeo BeckhamandCruz Beckham— said that even though she no longer makes music, she believes there is a strong through line between her former career as a pop star and her current one as a beauty and fashion mogul: female empowerment.

Sign up forFrom the Editor, our free weekly newsletter from PEOPLE's Editor-in-Chief, Charlotte Triggs.

“The Spice Girls were about girl power, and for me, my north star is empowering women,” Victoria explained.

“It started throughempowering womenthrough music. Now, I want to make women feel strong and powerful and like the most beautiful versions of themselves,” she continued, highlighting how her customers put their trust in her to create the best, most detail-oriented products possible.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“It's really important to me to get to know my customer,” Victoria said.

“I love to do in-store events where I'm meeting my customer and asking her how she feels in the clothes, what does she like. Those kinds of details are really, really important to me,” she added.

Read the original article onPeople

byVaclavien Pynzarien

in

April 27, 2026

Victoria Beckham Says There's One Specific Spice Girls Outfit Daughter Harper, 14, Won't Be Inheriting Anytime Soon

Victoria Beckham said there is one specific Spice Girls outfit 14-year-old daughter Harper won't be getting her hands on anytime so...

Read More

Demi Lovato and Husband Jutes Give Special Performance of Their Wedding Song During N.Y.C. Concert

Demi Lovato brings her husband Jutes out as a special guest during her New York It's Not That Deep Tour stop

NEED TO KNOW

• The Canadian musician and the pop star performed “Iris” by Goo Goo Dolls, which was their wedding song

• When she and Jutes tied the knot in May 2025, the band's frontman, John Rzeznik, performed an acoustic version of the 1998 hit

Demi Lovatoand her husbandJutesare reminiscing on their wedding day.

During the Friday, April 24, show of the pop star's It's Not That Deep Tour, she brought out the Canadian musician, 35, to perform a duet of “Iris” by theGoo Goo Dolls.

Video captured Lovato, 33, onstage at Madison Square Garden, belting out the lyrics of the 1998 hit song with her husband as the audience joined in on the sweet moment.

The “Cool for the Summer” singer and Jutes, whose real name is Jordan Lutes, have been fans of the song for years, even having Goo Goo Dolls frontmanJohn Rzeznikperform it at their May 2025California wedding.

Almost a year before the couple tied the knot in a romantic California ceremony, Lovato appeared onToday with Hoda and Jennaand shared her dream scenario for her big day.

"I would love the Goo Goo Dolls to be able to perform 'Iris' at my wedding as a first dance," she said in the February 2024interview. "That would be so special and so incredible."

That wish came true on May 25, 2025.

During an interview on theZach Sang Showin December, Jutes opened up about the "unreal" experience of having Rzeznik perform live at their wedding.

“That's like one of the coolest things,” Jutes said. “That was, in the moment, me and Demi were looking at each other, and I was just like, ‘What's going on right now?!' I was like, ‘This is the most iconic song ever. He's right there, and it's for us!'"

"Icon. Such a legend for doing that," he added of Rzeznik, 60. "Forever grateful.”

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For him, having the superstar sing the hit song on an acoustic guitar was like "a movie moment."

Lovato also gushed about the performance, tellingVogueshortly after the ceremony that having Rzeznik there for her and Jutes' special day was "surreal."

“This was a pinch-us moment. It's our favorite song and has so much meaning to both of us," she said.

The band also paid tribute to the newlyweds with a sweet post to social media, showing a black-and-white photo of the couple having their first dance with Rzeznik playing his guitar in the background.

“It was an absolute pleasure attending the wedding of@ddlovato&@jutesmusicand performing 'Iris' during their first dance together as husband & wife ❤️💍,” the Goo Goo Dolls' officialInstagramaccount captioned the post.

Rzeznik wrote the song for the 1998 filmCity of Angels. It is also featured on their albumDizzy Up the Girland has become a staple of their live concerts.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Jutes and Lovatowent public with their romancein August 2022.A source told PEOPLEat the time, "It's a really happy and healthy relationship. He's a super great guy."

On Dec. 16, 2023, PEOPLE confirmed that Jutespopped the questionin a “personal and intimate proposal” in Los Angeles.

Read the original article onPeople

byVaclavien Pynzarien

in

April 27, 2026

Demi Lovato and Husband Jutes Give Special Performance of Their Wedding Song During N.Y.C. Concert

Demi Lovato brings her husband Jutes out as a special guest during her New York It's Not That Deep Tour stop NEED TO KNOW ...

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Megan Thee Stallion Reveals Why She Broke Up With Klay Thompson

THE RUNDOWN

• Megan Thee Stallion and Klay Thompson confirmed they were officially dating in July 2025 when they made their red carpet debut at the inaugural Pete & Thomas Foundation Gala in New York City.

• The couple shared bits of their relationship on social media while they were dating.

• On April 25, 2026, Megan revealed she ended her relationship with Thompson, explaining in a statement, “Trust, fidelity, and respect are non-negotiable for me in a relationship.”

Megan Thee Stallion and Klay Thompson essentially announced they were dating in early July 2025, both sharing discreet yet obvious snaps of one another on Instagram.

Days later, the couple confirmed the dating rumors by making their red carpet debut in New York on July 16. They dated until April 2026, with the singer confirming their breakup in a statement toTMZ.

“I’ve made the decision to end my relationship with Klay,” she said. “Trust, fidelity, and respect are non-negotiable for me in a relationship, and when those values are compromised, there’s no real path forward.”

So who is Klay Thompson? Here’s everything to know about the Dallas Mavericks star and his relationship with the Grammy winner.

Klay Thompson is a Dallas Mavericks player.

Sports fans might laugh at the question, because Thompson is a four-time NBA champion who is very well known for his incredible athleticism.

Thompson was born in Los Angeles to parents Julie and Mychal Thompson, both successful athletes as well. His mother was a volleyball player, and his dad was the first overall pick of the 1978 NBA draft, perThe Columbian. The family moved to Oregon when Thompson was only two, before heading back to California for his high school career. He was invested in basketball early and went on to play at Washington State University for college. He was selected 11th overall by the Golden State Warriors in 2011, the team where he won four NBA championships.

Thompson was traded to the Dallas Mavericks in 2024. He is also a member of the U.S. national team, and won a gold medal at the 2016 Olympics.

The couple didn’t share when they started dating.

It’s not clear when exactly the couple linked up. Megan was last romantically involved with NBA forwardTorrey Craig, reportedly splitting with him in April 2025. Megan and Thompson confirmed their relationship in July 2025.

They made their red carpet debut on July 16, 2025.

Megan and Thompson made their first official appearance as a couple at the inaugural Pete & Thomas Foundation Gala on July 16, 2025, in New York City. The rapper, whohosted the event and founded the organization, walked the carpet with Thompson at Gotham Hall, where they posed together.

“This is my first relationship where I’ve ever been with somebody who’s genuinely a nice person,” Megan toldPage Sixon the red carpet. “He makes me genuinely happy.”

She added, “I’ve never dated somebody like him before and I’m just grateful that he’s here by my side and he feels the same way about me.”

Megan shared a video of them working out together in July 2025.

On July 19, the rapper posted an Instagram Reel co-narrated with Thompson, showing their workouts as a couple at the gym. Both of them are very committed to fitness and appear to be having a lot of fun challenging one another during their routine.

Throughout the reel, they make each other laugh as they describe what’s happening, especially while working on their cores. At one point, Thompson supports Megan as she does some assisted pull-ups, and she laughs about how he pushed her from the bottom. They then stop to share a kiss.

The couple went on a golf date in July 2025.

On July 23, Megan posted avideothat chronicled their recent golf date. At the beginning of the clip, Thompson shows off some cute outfits that he picked out for her. And later, we see them playing on the course.

They kiss at the end of the video, and Thompson reveals that “ever since I’ve been in love, my golf game’s reaped all the benefits.”

Megan released “Lover Girl” about Thompson in October 2025.

On October 24, Megan released her new single “Lover Girl,” a song inspired by her relationship with Thompson. In the track, she raps about the moment she knew he was the one: “I had to lock in when I found out he could handle me… This shit be easy when you find somebody on your level.” She also references marriage, saying that she’s “the type of fine that makes a man run to the altar.”

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In the moments leading up to the song’s release, MeganpostedInstagram photos with Thompson, writing “LOVER GIRL 💙.”

Megan shared a birthday tribute to Thompson in February 2026.

Megan marked Thompson’s birthday with acelebratory Instagram post. On February 10, she shared a carousel of photos of the couple from the festivities, writing simply, “Klay Day ⚓️💙.”

Megan opened up about Thompson in a new interview in February 2026.

In a new interview withPeople, the rapper talked about where she was at mentally and emotionally when she fell in love with Thompson.

“Well, I don’t never want to tell [anybody] to just jump in a relationship just because everybody else got one, and I’m not going to tell you to just jump in a relationship because you have to,” she said. “I didn’t even know I was going to be in my relationship, to be honest.”

She continued, “I think that because finally I started being in a better mind space about myself and my life, and I had already been doing a lot of work to heal me. I had been going to therapy, I had a bunch of activities that I started doing for myself; maybe God just opened up that space for me to have somebody that loved me right.”

Being with Thompson has offered her a level of safety and comfort she hasn’t experienced before.

“This is one of the first times that I’ve ever been just overly comfortable,” Megan explained, adding, “I’m comfy, babe!”

As for how other people can find what she and Thompson have, Megan advised those looking for love to focus on themselves.

“People got to stop trying to be in love and trying to chase love,” she said. “They just got to let it come to them. When it’s meant for you, it’s going to happen. God does not give you nothing that is not meant for you.”

In February 2026, Thompson gave Megan a car for her 31st birthday.

On February 17, Megan revealed that Thompson helped ring in her 31st birthday with a tropical getaway and a very special gift. Sharing photos from the trip onInstagram, she wrote, “Aw man I was not ready for this birthday trip to be over 🥺 A time was definitely had 🏝️🥂🥳 THANK YOU BABY⚓️.”

One of the photos showed a light-blue Bentley adorned with an oversize bow. A source toldTMZ Sportsthat Thompson bought Megan the car as a birthday gift.

In February 2026, Megan said she’s “manifesting” her engagement.

On February 24, Megan spoke about marriage during aYouTube Shortfilmed in Milan with Team USA athletes Brittany Bowe, Hilary Knight, and Leila Edwards. After congratulating Bowe and Knight on their engagement, she said, “I hear y’all just got engaged, congrats.”

Watching a video of the proposal, Megan added, “I love love, that’s so sweet,” before crossing her fingers and saying she was “manifesting my engagement, too.”

She shared a rare mirror selfie with Thompson in March 2026.

In a carousel of photos shared on March 26, Megan posted a picture she took in the mirror with Thompson, in which she is wearing black pants and a black T-shirt reading “Hollywood,” and he is standing shirtless behind her. Thompson appears to be kissing the back of the rapper’s head as she reaches towards him.

The rest of the pictures seemed to be mostly focused on her recent appearance inMoulin Rouge.

Megan confirmed she broke up with him on April 25, 2026.

Megan released a statement toTMZthrough her rep, explaining why she ended her relationship with Thompson. (She drew attention for an Instagram Story she posted earlier that day about relationship issues.)

“I’ve made the decision to end my relationship with Klay,” she said. “Trust, fidelity, and respect are non-negotiable for me in a relationship, and when those values are compromised, there’s no real path forward. I’m taking this time to prioritize myself and move ahead with peace and clarity.”

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byVaclavien Pynzarien

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April 26, 2026

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