Latest news with #BeverlyHilton
Buzz Feed
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Ray J Addresses Whitney Houston Death Rumor
You know Ray J. You also might know that Ray J dated legendary singer Whitney Houston shortly before she passed away in 2012. If you didn't, that's because the singer just confirmed his past relationship with her during an appearance on Cam Newton's Funky Friday podcast. According to Ray J, the pair had planned to go public with their relationship before her death in Los Angeles' Beverly Hilton hotel — which happened while he was performing a concert in San Diego. Despite that, Ray J claimed during the podcast interview that he's heard rumors that he was somehow involved with Whitney's death "since the beginning." 'That's the biggest cap I've ever heard," he said while addressing the allegation. Ray J went on to explain why he'd never addressed the rumors until now. 'When you know the truth, why do you have to jump out there and try to tell it to everybody?" he said. "I didn't care about what people were saying.' 'I was nowhere to be found and I hate talking about it because I have so much love for her," he went on to say. "I've never seen her in that state. So to make me that person when I wasn't even there and then to put murderer on top of that, it's fucked up.' Watch the entire episode here:
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Whitney Houston's tragic final moments 'feasting on food' with gravy boat in bathtub
The Bodyguard actress sold more than 170 million albums and won six Grammys but substance abuse led to her undoing - we take a look back at the premature end to her life Whitney Houston was once pop music's shining star but away from the spotlight, her life was in freefall. The How Will I Know singer was just 48 when she died, after battling drug addiction for decades. Despite entering rehab on numerous occasions, Whitney had been unable to break free from the addictive substances that shaped her life. Shockingly, the star earned £76 million over the years but by the time of her death in 2012, her fortune was all gone. We take a look back at the final days that marked a tragic end to Whitney 's once glittering career... READ MORE: Whitney Houston's bodyguard reveals he almost 'gave up everything' to be her lover At the top of her game, the singer from New Jersey's talent was unmatched but after marrying Bobby Brown in 1992, her drug use escalated. Whitney starred in smash hit movie The Bodyguard the same year. "After The Bodyguard it started getting heavy - cocaine, marijuana," she told chat show host Oprah Winfrey in 2009, admitting to spending seven months in her pyjamas, sitting on the sofa getting high on crack cocaine."You're living in the same house, and you're sitting next to that person and you're not saying a word for a week. And you just sit there watching TV. That bad," she said. "I didn't think about singing any more - I'd totally forgotten about that life. I had so much money by that time." Whitney walked out of rehab after just five days in 2004 and failed again the following year. She told Oprah she was drug free in 2010 but pulled out of a string of planned gigs in the UK and America the same year, citing ill health. By 2011 Whitney had returned to rehab in 2011 and in February 2012 was due to stage a comeback at the Grammys, arriving in Los Angeles several days before the award ceremony. Whitney reportedly appeared "dishevelled" and "erratic" and was spotted wandering aimlessly through the Beverly Hilton hotel with wet hair, waving her arms around. The star's last ever public appearance came on February 9 when she took to the stage with Kelly Price to sing Jesus Loves Me. On the morning of July 11, she had breakfast at the hotel with daughter Bobbi, then sources say she retired to suite Suite 434, ordered more food and took some Xanax ahead of Clive Davis' party where she was due to perform that evening. "She frequently took anti-anxiety medications to help her sleep after nights of heavy partying," a source told Radar Online. "She also took them before big performances to calm her nerves." Whitney apparently then took a phone call from her cousin, singer Dionne Warwick, about seating arrangements for that evening, followed by another from her mum, gospel singer Cissy Houston, which the publication described as 'cheerful and upbeat'. She is said to have told her assistant that she had a sore throat and was going to take a bath before the pre-Grammys bash. Next, the troubled star reportedly ordered more room service, eating a burger with fries as she ran the bath. She took a turkey sandwich and some jalapeno peppers into the bathroom with her, along with a gravy boat of olive oil - presumably to add to the bath to soften her skin. According to the report, her bodyguards heard her singing in the tub. But shortly before 3pm they realised she had been quiet for some time. One guard called out, but there was no answer, and when he knocked, there was no response so he opened the door and found Whitney face down in the bathtub. Paramedics attempted CPR but pronounced the iconic singer dead at the scene. Toxicology reports found Whitney had a mix of cocaine, cannabis, Xanax, Benadryl and Flexeril in her system. The Bodyguard star's autopsy report found that she had heart disease so advanced that one artery was 60 per cent blocked. Whitney's official cause of death was given as accidental drowning contributed to by heart disease and cocaine use. Tragically, her daughter with Brown, Bobbi Kristina, suffered a similar fate just three years later. Bobbi was just 22 when she was found unconscious in a bathtub at her home after ingesting drugs and alcohol.
Forbes
21-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
First Look: The Beverly Hilton Unveils Its Most Ambitious Renovation Yet
The star-studded hotel is preparing for a head-turning makeover. The Beverly Hilton As The Beverly Hilton celebrates its 70th anniversary this summer, the legendary hotel revealed exclusively to Forbes Travel Guide its plans for the most comprehensive renovation in its storied and star-studded history — a sweeping transformation that will honor its past while embracing contemporary luxury. Set to be completed in 2027, the ambitious project is led by David Collins Studio (whose projects include suites by David Beckham at The Londoner Hotel in Macau; Mandarin Oriental, Doha; and Café de Paris Monte-Carlo) and will touch nearly every corner of the Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star hotel, including a revamped lobby where countless stars have made their grand entrances; renovated event spaces, guest rooms and suites; and new restaurants and luxury boutiques. The property will honor the past while embracing contemporary luxury. The Beverly Hilton The Beverly Hilton opened to much fanfare in 1955. Conrad Hilton, the founder of the eponymous hotel, had women sit atop pink-painted elephants at the entrance. Beyond the theatrics, the property established itself as an innovator, pioneering hotel technology with high-speed elevators and individual air-conditioning thermostats in guest accommodations. The hotel also housed an outpost of the famous Trader Vic's — owner 'Trader' Vic Bergeron claimed to have invented the rum-spiked mai tai in 1944 — which quickly became a favored haunt of the Rat Pack and Hollywood's elite. The renovation seeks to honor the Beverly Hills hotel's glamorous heritage while introducing contemporary sophistication. The property will retain its white mid-century modern Welton Becket façade, featuring a cherry-red 'The Beverly Hilton' sign, but it will receive a reimagined porte-cochère. The hotel will serve as a cultural and architectural anchor of One Beverly Hills, a 17.5-acre destination devised by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Norman Foster, in collaboration with Kerry Hill Architects, that will connect the property and next-door neighbor Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills to Aman's forthcoming urban hotel, its first on the West Coast (the East Coast urban outpost opened in 2022); luxury residences; a private members' club; and lush botanical gardens with more than 200 species of California native and water-wise plants and trees. The centerpiece of the redesign will be the iconic Aqua Star Pool. Swimming champion and Old Hollywood starlet Esther Williams christened Beverly Hills' largest pool when hotelier Conrad Hilton debuted his flagship property. The pool also made a splash when Angelina Jolie took a plunge in it wearing a silver sequined Randolph Duke gown after winning a Golden Globe for Gia in 1999. The iconic Aqua Star Pool will be a part of the transformation. The Beverly Hilton 'The Beverly Hilton has long been the stage for Hollywood's most unforgettable moments, from red carpet triumphs to legendary celebrations,' said general manager David Ecija. 'As we celebrate this remarkable anniversary, we're proud to invite guests into a year of exceptional experiences.' One of these experiences will start in August. The property will host Decades Dinners, a series of invitation-only meals in the Presidential Suite meant to help guests travel back in time with menus and cocktails inspired by different eras from the hotel's history, with vintage-looking tablescapes and more. You can also relive moments from the hotel's glory years with the 70th Anniversary Package, which includes a Penthouse Suite (where you will find some surprise nostalgic amenities), a rental from Hollywood Classic Cars and a seven-course Decades Dinner drawn from the hotel's archival menus. Toast the hotel's milestone with the limited-edition Beverly Hilton Reserve. Made in partnership with Beverly Spirits, the 100-proof American whiskey blends 60% bourbon and 40% rye. The spirit will be available in a cocktail at the property's CIRCA 55 Rooftop Restaurant + Lounge as well as served as part of the Decades Dinners. The ambitious project should be complete by 2027. The Beverly Hilton The Beverly Hilton also teamed up with local artist Henry Kaye to create original illustrations and designs that honor its legacy. You can see his work across the hotel, from keepsakes to the special Iconic Decades cocktails menu at the Decades Dinners and CIRCA 55. You can experience the hotel's glitzy past in the lobby, where a selfie station features a piece of the red carpet from the Golden Globes — the hotel's International Ballroom has hosted the famed awards ceremony since 1961, one of 175 red-carpet events the property holds each year (Forbes Travel Guide even held its annual invitation-only Summit, the preeminent luxury travel conference, at the property in 2018 and 2019). For another photo op, head to the CIRCA 55 Rooftop and step into the only operating analog film photo booth in Beverly Hills. The restored 1950s-era booth from Photomatica spits out black-and-white photo strips on film for a personalized keepsake. MORE FROM FORBES Forbes 27 Hotels With Luxury Car Collaborations By Melinda Sheckells Forbes Forbes Travel Guide's Best Hotel Bars For 2025 By Jennifer Kester Forbes 18 Undiscovered Beach Getaways By Forbes Travel Guide Forbes Wynn Las Vegas Gathers Culinary Icons, Including Ducasse And Lagasse, For A Once-In-A-Lifetime Dinner By Jennifer Kester
Newsweek
10-07-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Bill Ackman's Abysmal Pro-Tennis Debut Sparks Mockery: 'Biggest Joke'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Billionaire Bill Ackman has been mocked online following his pro-tennis debut at the Hall of Fame Open doubles tournament in Newport, Rhode Island, with former tennis player Andy Roddick calling it the "biggest joke" he'd seen in the sport. Newsweek has reached out to Ackman via email outside of regular working hours for comment. Why It Matters Ackman, 59, is a hedge fund manager who is the founder and CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management. Forbes currently estimates his net worth at some $9.4 billion. Ackman is known for his philanthropy and was a longtime donor to Democratic organizations and candidates but endorsed President Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election. Bill Ackman, Founder and CEO, Pershing Square Capital Management, attends the 28th annual Milken Institute Global Conference at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California on May 6, 2025. Bill Ackman, Founder and CEO, Pershing Square Capital Management, attends the 28th annual Milken Institute Global Conference at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California on May 6, 2025. PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images What To Know Ackman played in a doubles game Wednesday with American pro tennis player Jack Sock against Australian pro players Bernard Tomic and Omar Jasika. Ackman is a well-known fan of tennis and is the board chair for the Professional Tennis Players Association. However, he appeared to make numerous mistakes and double faults. He and sock lost the match. Bill Ackman Newport Challenger highlights 🔥 — Keebler Chips Deluxe (@_chipsdeluxe) July 9, 2025 Roddick, the former professional tennis player who previously ranked as the world No. 1 in the men's singles, said on his podcast Served that the game was "the biggest joke I have ever watched in professional tennis." He added that it was "hard to watch," and that it was "breaking my heart a little bit" that it had happened at the Hall of Fame. Part of the criticism stemmed from Ackman, who was entered as a wild card, having potentially been allowed to take the place of a pro tennis player. Roddick's podcast pointed to the match being an ATP Tour challenger, explaining that the event gives players an opportunity to improve and rise through the ranks. What People Are Saying Andy Roddick, former professional tennis player, speaking on his podcast Served: "It [the game] was a disaster.... This was beneath the Hall of Fame, in my opinion. It's nothing personal against Bill Ackman, he can do what he wants. If his dream was to do it and someone's gonna let him do it. I mean, it's not his fault, I don't blame him, right. Someone has to say yes to this.... It was rough." Randy Walker, author and U.S. Open press officer, wrote on X, formerly Twitter: "I just watched the absolute worst professional tennis match I have ever seen...." @DylanDittrich, an author, wrote on X: "Jack Sock is an absolute monster in doubles. At one point in 2018, he was World No. 2. That wasn't enough to drag 59-year-old Bill Ackman across the finish line at the Hall of Fame Open in Newport, RI. But why on earth would it be?!" @tennisweeklypod, a social media account for a tennis podcast, posted on X: "These publicity WCs [wild cards] should not happen. Give spots to players who earn it, not bought their way in." What Happens Next Whether Ackman will continue playing tennis or appear at another pro tennis game remains to be seen.
UPI
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- UPI
Look: Olivia Munn says her mother is battling breast cancer
Olivia Munn's mom Kim is battling breast cancer two years after the actress fought the same disease. File Photo by Greg Grudt/UPI | License Photo July 10 (UPI) -- Breast cancer survivor Olivia Munn says her mother Kim is battling the same disease. "My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer," the Newsroom and Your Friends and Neighbors actress, 45, wrote on Instagram Wednesday. "You may know that when I talk about my own battle with cancer I bring up the Lifetime Risk Assessment test that saved my life. I never would've predicted it would save my mom's life as well." Accompanying the message is a gallery of photos of her mom undergoing treatment and recovering with Munn and Munn's husband, comedian John Mulaney, by her side. Munn's mother has already undergone a double mastectomy and 12 rounds of chemotherapy. Munn battled the disease in 2023, undergoing a hysterectomy and double mastectomy as part of her treatment. Olivia Munn, Nicky Hilton attend Women's Cancer Research Fund benefit Olivia Munn arrives for "An Unforgettable Evening" benefiting the Women's Cancer Research Fund at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif., on April 28, 2025. Photo by Greg Grudt/UPI | License Photo
