ARIANA GRANDE & PETE DAVIDSON CALL OFF ENGAGEMENT – (10/15/2018)

Ariana Grande and Pete Davidson have reportedly called off their engagement. People reported Sunday that the couple called it quits over the weekend, with a source close to Grande saying that the split was “not shocking to anyone” and that “It was way too much too soon.”

Meanwhile, TMZ reported that sources close to the couple are saying the decision was mutual, with both agreeing that the timing wasn’t right.

The singer and the Saturday Night Live castmember had been engaged since June after only dating for a few weeks. Over the summer, they moved into a Manhattan apartment that was reportedly on the market for $16 million. The pair were scheduled to attend the 2018 Emmys together last month, but chose to stay home in New York instead.

“Given the events of the past couple of years, Ariana is going to take some much needed time to heal and mend,” a rep for Grande said at the time. “She will be staying close to home and using this period to spend time with her loved ones and work on new music without deadline. She thanks her fans for their understanding.”

Grande has been vocal about her need to step away from the spotlight in the wake of her ex-boyfriend Mac Miller’s death of an apparent overdose and a May 2017 terrorist attack at her show in Manchester, England, that killed 22 concertgoers and injured more than 500 others.

Just a few weeks ago, she tweeted a series of messages alluding to her mental state, including “can i pls have one okay day. just one. pls.” and “i’m so tired pls” and “everything will be okay.”

Meanwhile Ariana was a no-show at the 2018 F*ck Cancer Barbara Berlanti Heroes Gala, held Saturday in Los Angeles. Scooter Braun, Ariana’s manager, was in attendance to speak about his wife, Yael Cohen Braun, who received an honor as co-founder of the organization.

Ariana was supposed to perform, but did not because of “things that she’s going through.” “One of the most amazing things about this organization is that they help people when they’re having the worst moments in their life, and they give sympathy and a calm nature to people in need in those moments,” Scooter said. He continued, “And you saw your invite, someone I’m very close to was supposed to come sing for you today, and because of things that she’s going through, she couldn’t be here today. And while I was frustrated, being the manager, my wife, being who she always is, just looked at me and she goes, ‘She needs this time’.”

Scooter said he “called in a favor” and arranged for The Daily Show host Trevor Noah, Yael’s favorite comic, to perform a short stand-up act in Ariana’s place.

Not surprisingly, the internet blew up after the breakup news. One fan created a Go Fund Me for the comedian, calling it “Pete Davidson Homeless” and seeking to raise $2,500. “As you may all know, Pete Davidson and his fiancé have recently broken up. He will need somewhere to sleep tonight.”

While some fans were sadden, some thought it was a good thing that the pair had ended their romance.

DID MAC MILLER’S DEATH DOOM ARIANA & PETE’S RELATIONSHIP: Mac Miller’s death was ultimately what caused Ariana Grande and Pete Davidson’s breakup, TMZ reports. Sources say that Grande, who dated Miller, went into “an incredibly dark place” following Miller’s fatal overdose. Sources also say his death made her realize she couldn’t emotionally invest in her relationship with Davidson and that she’d rushed into marriage. Grande is the one who ultimately pulled out, the website reports.

MEGHAN MARKLE AND PRINCE HARRY ARE EXPECTING: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are expecting their first child in the Spring, Kensington Palace shared Monday. The news comes as the pair touch down in Sydney to begin a 16-day visit to  Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. “Their royal highnesses have appreciated all of the support they have received from people around the world since their wedding in May and are delighted to be able to share this happy news with the public,” the palace said in a statement. The lovebirds married in May.

SOUND MIXER DIES ON SET OF TOM HANKS MOVIE – (10/15/2018)

An award-winning sound mixer has died after falling from a balcony on the set of a Tom Hanks film. James Emswiller won an Emmy Award in 2015 and appears to have fallen during  a break in shooting on the set of a biopic about Fred Rogers, aka Mr. Rogers, the iconic children’s programmer who hosted Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood from 1968-2001. 

Police say Emswiller, 61, “was alone on the balcony taking a cigarette break when he may have suffered a medical emergency resulting in his fall from the balcony.”

No foul play is suspected and multiple reports cite the strong possibility that he suffered a heart attack before he fell. Emswiller previously worked on The Avengers and The Fault in Our Stars. 

Hanks, who plays Rogers, was reportedly on the set at the time of the accident. Filming of the provisionally titled You Are My Friend has been halted while the fall is investigated. The film is set to hit theaters in October of next year. 

Sony Pictures, which is set to release the film, said in a statement, “This is a devastating tragedy and the studio is investigating the matter. Our thoughts and prayers are with Jim’s loved ones, friends, and colleagues.”

RYAN COOGLER TO WRITE & DIRECT BLACK PANTHER SEQUEL: Ryan Coogler will begin writing the follow-up to his $1.3 billion Black Panther original next year, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Marvel is mum on when it will land. Chadwick Boseman and other stars are widely expected to return.