Bucks' Taurean Prince returns to action after rapid recovery from neck surgery

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee Bucks forward Taurean Prince always believed he'd make it back this season after undergoing neck surgery in November.

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His coach wasn't so sure.

"It's cool because honestly, I didn't think he would play this year," Bucks coach Doc Rivers said Tuesday as Prince returned to action for the first time since Nov. 4 in a129-114 loss to the Phoenix Suns. "The fact that he's worked the way he's worked to get back on the floor, it's all about him and who he is."

Prince underwent surgery in November to repair a herniated disc in his neck. Prince said he didn't know of anyone who had undergone this type of surgery and returned to play that same season.

That made him all the more intent on accomplishing the feat, even as he was told his rehabilitation would have to go flawlessly for that to be possible.

"I just always told myself that it would be this season," Prince said. "I never thought it wouldn't."

He made that possibility a reality by using the same tenacious approach that has enabled the 31-year-old to build a 10-year NBA career. After making 73 starts for the Bucks in 2024-25, he had played eight games off the bench this season before his injury.

Prince noted he has now undergone three surgeries over the last five years, which helped him in this latest comeback because it gave him some idea of what to expect. He also stayed close to the team even when he wasn't playing, as he helped out any way he could.

"When he got injured, we grabbed him and told him, 'Welcome to the coaching staff,' because that's basically what he was going to be this year," Rivers said. "And early on, it did look like that. He was in a brace, couldn't really do anything. Then as his neck started healing, hope came."

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Prince praised his wife and children for helping him through this recovery. He also credited the Bucks for always making him feel a part of the team, even when he couldn't play.

"My jersey was still hung up every game, little things like that," Prince said. "I was always able to assert myself, still speak my mind in film sessions. I never felt like I was on the outside looking in, which helped a lot."

Prince also commanded the respect of his teammates.

Center Myles Turner noted that Prince stayed upbeat throughout his recovery. He noted how Prince always was encouraging teammates and typically was among the first people to arrive every day.

"He's been the epitome of what it means to be a professional," Turner said.

Prince still has to shake off plenty of rust as he works his way back. Prince played 18 minutes Tuesday and pulled down three rebounds, but he missed all four of his shots and went scoreless.

"I was mad about not seeing a 3 go down," Prince said. "Taking life day by day, it is what it is. I can't worry about that starting tomorrow. Get to work, and I'll get one to go down (Thursday) in Miami."

AP NBA:https://apnews.com/hub/nba

byManuel Mongo

in

March 10, 2026

Bucks' Taurean Prince returns to action after rapid recovery from neck surgery

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee Bucks forward Taurean Prince always believed he'd make it back this season after undergoin...

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Benny Blanco Clarifies His Hygiene Habits After Dirty Feet Backlash: 'I Know I Smell Good'

Benny Blanco is clearing the air about his hygiene habits after being called out for his dirty feet seen in the inaugural episode of his Friends Keep Secrets podcast on Feb. 24

NEED TO KNOW

• In the latest episode of his podcast, which dropped on Tuesday, March 10, Blanco said he knows he smells "good"

• Ed Sheeran vouched for Blanco, saying the producer is the "best-smelling person" he knows during his guest appearance on the podcast

Benny Blancois shedding some light on his hygiene habits after his dirty feet went viral following the inaugural episode of hisFriends Keep Secretspodcast.

Blanco unpacked his shower schedule and more in conversation withEd Sheeran, Lil Dicky (whose real name is David Andrew Burd) and wife Kristin Batalucco, in the latest episode of thepodcastreleased on Tuesday, March 10.

"Do you shower every day?" Blanco asked his frequent music collaborator Sheeran, 35.

"Yeah sometimes twice a day mostly twice a day actually," Sheeran replied.

"Really?" Blanco answered.

"I feel like I'm like you though I look like I don't smell good," Sheeran quipped. "But actually you're the best-smelling person I know."

"I know, I smell good," Blanco said with a smile. "And I never, like even if I don't shower..." he trailed off, before Batalucco gestured to Blanco and asked to smell his hands. Batalucco sniffed Blanco, and Burd, 37, said Blanco "always smells good."

"People used to say that I have a a particular smell," Burd said of his own scent. "They said it's not good or bad. You have a smell. I found that so unnerving,"

"No sometimes you stink," Blanco replied. Batalucco then encouraged Sheeran to have a whiff of Burd and Blanco's belly buttons to compare the scent.

"That's like a bum hole," Sheeran said of Burd's belly button. "Can I have something that's going to take that smell away?"

Blanco chimed in, "Mine smells just like nothing."

In the first episode of the podcast, which dropped on Feb. 24, Blanco appeared to sit on Burd's couch with his dirty feet visible to the camera. The internet did not hold back on their opinions of Blanco and his feet in the YouTube comments section.

One user wrote, "Good podcast, wash your feet benny and wash the floors."

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Another added, "Those dawgs need to be hosed down."

"BENNY!!!!! THEM DIRTY ASS FEET I FREAKING ADORE YOU,"one individual commented.

Another user wrote, "Benny's filthy feet? I can't wait to watch the next one! NOT!"

Afterward, Blanco's wife Selena Gomez shared a sweet video on herInstagram Storieswhere she gives Blanco a kiss.

"I fall more and more in love with you every day my love," she wrote.

On Feb. 26, when Burd and Blanco appeared onJimmy Kimmel Live!,Blanco showed off his clean foot when the host brought up the commentary surrounding the dirty feet incident. "Dave and Benny are here, and I neglected something important because there is something that turned up as people were watching your multimedia experience," Kimmel, 58, said. "People seem to be fascinated with the idea that Benny's feet are very dirty."

A photo of Blanco's dirty feet was then displayed on screen. "I noticed that too, Jimmy," said Burd.

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.

Blanco defended himself. "First of all, it's the facility's fault," he declared. "It's not mine."

"I have great feet," added the "Eastside" musician, who took off a sock to show off his clean foot. "Someone zoom in on my foot."

"Look at that clean foot," continued Blanco. "Are you kidding me?"

In a2024 interview with PEOPLE, Blanco spoke about his hygiene habits, admitting he doesn't shower every day.

"I also don't believe in always shampooing your hair or conditioning your hair," he said at the time, adding: "Some people I know shower two to three times a day, but I feel like the oils on your skin don't have time to rejuvenate and get juicy."

Read the original article onPeople

byManuel Mongo

in

March 10, 2026

Benny Blanco Clarifies His Hygiene Habits After Dirty Feet Backlash: 'I Know I Smell Good'

Benny Blanco is clearing the air about his hygiene habits after being called out for his dirty feet seen in the inaugural...

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Zara Larsson’s Mini Shorts & Sheer Top Look Steals the Show on Stage

Zara Larssonmakes a stunning style statement in a sheer top andmini shortsin a new fashion-focused carousel. The 28-year-old singer shared a lengthy carousel showcasing some incredible fashion and candid moments from her recent stage performance. Larsson proves once again that, in stage presence and costumes, she is second to none.

Zara Larsson stuns in new pictures

Zara Larssonmakes heads turn in a new yellow sheer top and cerulean blue shorts. The "Uncover" crooner donned various outfits, from a silver bikini top and white mini skirt to a simple candy pink top and denim jeans. However, her yellow full-sleeve sheer top with blue mini shorts look is nothing short of amazing.

Larsson paired the look with bright yellow hoop earrings and pink kitten heels. Her purple manicured nails matched the color of her microphone as she enthralled fans with her energy and stage charisma.

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Unsurprisingly, fans are loving her concert fashion and have lavished praise in the comments. One fan commented, "Obsessed with your dancing, your singing, and your outfits!! Queen can do no wrong!!!" A second fan wrote, "BLESSED US WITH THE BEST LOOKS THIS NIGHT," followed by a heart-eyes emoji.

Originally reported by Anwaya Mane onMandatory

The postZara Larsson's Mini Shorts & Sheer Top Look Steals the Show on Stageappeared first onReality Tea.

byManuel Mongo

in

March 10, 2026

Zara Larsson’s Mini Shorts & Sheer Top Look Steals the Show on Stage

Zara Larssonmakes a stunning style statement in a sheer top andmini shortsin a new fashion-focused carousel. The 28-year-old singer shared ...

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“Love Story” Actress Dree Hemingway Says She Wrote a Letter to Daryl Hannah Before Portraying Her on TV

Dree Hemingway explains why she previously sent Daryl Hannah a letter

NEED TO KNOW

• In Love Story, the 38-year-old actress plays a younger version of the 65-year-old star who dated the late John F. Kennedy Jr. before his marriage to Carolyn Bessette Kennedy

• "I didn't want to make her feel awkward if that were something that she didn't want to do or something," Hemingway said of the letter

Dree Hemingwayis making her appreciation forDaryl Hannahclear.

In an interview withNylonpublished on March 4, the 38-year-old actress, who portrays a younger version of Hannah, 65, inRyan Murphy'sLove Story, said she reached out to the actress and activist through a letter.

"It was really just a love note to her saying how much I admired her, how much I've admired her as an actress and a woman, prior to even being cast as Daryl. How much I really just fell in love with her as a human being," Hemingway explained, referring to a conversation she previously had withThe Hollywood Reporter.

For the FX series, Hemingway plays a dramatized role of theSplashactress during her relationship with the lateJohn F. Kennedy Jr.,before and during his whirlwind romance with wifeCarolyn Bessette.

"I watched interviews and that feeling of really spending time with somebody you've never spent time with, but researching," she continued. "That was really the note, and just not like, 'Hey, I want to meet you or talk to you.' Just, like, 'It was really an honor of my lifetime to be able to portray you and research you.' "

While Hemingway toldNylonshe would have loved to speak directly to Hannah, her "nerves" likely would have gotten the best of her.

"I also didn't want to intrude in any way. I didn't want to make her feel awkward if that were something that she didn't want to do or something," she said.

At the time the interview was published, Hannah reportedly had not responded to Hemingway, which the actress said she's okay with as she just wanted to show her admiration for the person she saw as "a person, a philanthropist."

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"I also think [she needs] her own time. The show's just come out; I'm sure there's a lot to digest there and stuff like that," Hemingway said. "What I really want to emphasize is that this is a dramatization. We are not exactly portraying her or how something went down. There's a fiction involved in all of this. With any person that you loved and you were dating, I'm sure it's a hard thing. So, I think that it's nice to respect that and her."

Just two days after Hemingway's interview withNylonwas published, Hannah shared her feelings about her portrayal in the "tragedy-exploiting television series" in an op-ed with theThe New York Times.

"The choice to portray her as irritating, self-absorbed, whiny and inappropriate was no accident," she wrote, linking out to an interview with one of itsproducersabout why she was not consulted regarding the show.

"The character 'Daryl Hannah' portrayed in the series is not even a remotely accurate representation of my life, my conduct or my relationship with John," she continued, denying the use of cocaine, pressuring Kennedy into marriage, and desecrating family heirlooms, as portrayed in the series.

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.

"When so many people watch a dramatization that uses a real name, real-life consequences follow," Hannah said in her lengthy piece, later adding, "Real names are not fictional tools. They belong to real lives."

A rep for Hannah did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.

Love Storyis now streaming on Hulu.

Read the original article onPeople

byManuel Mongo

in

March 10, 2026

“Love Story” Actress Dree Hemingway Says She Wrote a Letter to Daryl Hannah Before Portraying Her on TV

Dree Hemingway explains why she previously sent Daryl Hannah a letter NEED TO KNOW In Love Story, the 38-year-...

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Rihanna Home Shooting Suspect Indicted on Attempted Murder and 10 Assault Counts After AR-15 Attack, Faces Life in Prison

Ivanna Lisette Ortiz, 35, of Orlando, Florida, allegedly fired approximately 10 shots at Rihanna's Beverly Crest home on March 8, 2026, while the singer, A$AP Rocky, their children, and others were inside.

Summary

• Ortiz faces one count of attempted murder, 10 felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, and three felony counts of shooting at an inhabited dwelling — and could face life in prison if convicted.

• A judge issued a protective order barring Ortiz from contacting Rihanna, A$AP Rocky, their neighbors, and any associated work addresses.

Ivanna Lisette Ortiz, a 35-year-old woman from Orlando, Florida, has been formally charged with attempted murder after allegedly pulling up toRihanna's Beverly Crest home on March 8 andopening fire with an AR-15-style semiautomatic rifle. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office confirmed Tuesday that if convicted as charged, Ortiz faces up to life in state prison.

Ortiz was chargedwith one count of attempted murder, 10 felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, and three felony counts of shooting at an inhabited dwelling or camper. Her arraignment has been set for March 25 at the Foltz Criminal Justice Center. She is currently being held on $10.2 million bail.

According to the L.A. County District Attorney's Office, on March 8 at approximately 1:20 p.m., Ortiz is accused of driving up to the front of Rihanna's home on the 9500 block of Heather Road and firing a semiautomatic weapon multiple times. And this wasn't an empty house.

The Fenty Beauty founder, her partner A$AP Rocky, and their three children were home at the time, along with Rihanna's mom and two staff members — a total of eight people inside the property. Two additional people were inside a neighboring home, which accounts for the remaining assault charges. Miraculously, no one was struck.

According to an LAPD radio dispatch cited by CNN, the woman fired off "approximately 10 shots." Aerial footage showed multiple gunshot holes in the gate surrounding the property, in an Airstream trailer parked outside, and at least one bullet hole on the actual exterior wall of the home.

Witnesses and surveillance footage indicated the suspect fled the area in a white Tesla with paper license plates. A car matching that description was later spotted in nearby Sherman Oaks, where officers made a traffic stop and arrested the suspect.

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Los Angeles County District AttorneyNathan J. Hochmandid not mince words in a statement following the charges. "Opening fire in any populated neighborhood is extremely dangerous, puts lives at risk and will be fully prosecuted,"Hochman said. "Thankfully, no one was injured in this shooting, but this careless violence will not be tolerated in our community. Such shooters will find their next destination to be our jails and prisons."

A motive has not been officially established, but investigators aren't exactly starting from zero. Detectives are reviewing social media posts attributed to Ortiz, and in one post, a person using Ortiz's name wrote: "Listen Rihanna, when you die, God is taking me to my future."

Another post, dated February 23, reads: "@badgalriri — Are you there? 'Cause I was waiting for your AIDS 5-head self to say something to me directly instead of sneaking around like you're talking to me where I'm not at."

It's the kind of language that makes the $10.2 million bail feel almost reasonable.

LAPD ChiefJim McDonnellnoted that the high bail amount was set in part because 10 people were in the home during the shooting. He also confirmed that authorities believe Ortiz drove from Florida, though it remains unclear exactly how long she had been in Los Angeles before the incident.

A judge also issued a protective order for Rihanna and A$AP Rocky, meaning Ortiz must stay away from the couple, their neighbors, the property, and any work addresses associated with either of them.

The case is being prosecuted byAlexander Bottof the Major Crimes Division and remains under active investigation by the LAPD's Robbery-Homicide Division — the same unit that handles the city's most serious violent crimes. The fact that it landed there tells you everything you need to know about how seriously law enforcement is taking this woman shooter and what she allegedly did on a quiet Sunday afternoon in Beverly Crest.

Rihanna's representatives have not commented publicly. Neither hasA$AP Rocky's camp.

The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. But the charges and the potential sentence are as real as it gets.

MORE POP CULTURE HEADLINES

byManuel Mongo

in

March 10, 2026

Rihanna Home Shooting Suspect Indicted on Attempted Murder and 10 Assault Counts After AR-15 Attack, Faces Life in Prison

Ivanna Lisette Ortiz, 35, of Orlando, Florida, allegedly fired approximately 10 shots at Rihanna's Beverly Crest home...

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Tilly Norwood, the AI 'actress,' responds to backlash in music video

ActressTilly Norwoodcontinues to turn heads in Hollywood, now as a musician. But she's still not human.

After causing a stir among actors, the fictional character made with artificial intelligence and created by the England-based company Particle6 has ventured into music with a new song and video.Titled "Take The Lead," the track encourages listeners to appreciate the human connection to the technology that led to its existence, with the central lyric "AI's not the enemy, it's the key."

"When they talk about me, they don't see the human spark, the creativity, behind the code, behind the light, I'm just a tool, but I've got life," the opening lyrics read. "I didn't come from nowhere, no, A story's always told, you know, It's not a glitch, it's taste and time, A human touch, a grand design."

The video features a plethora of AI-generated visuals of the singer at a massive arena show, entering a limousine, and many pink flamingos, Norwood's signature aesthetic. There are also various playful nods to its lack of humanity, from failing a CAPTCHA test to a concertgoer holding a sign reading "Tilly, I'll eat all your cookies."

The video opens with a disclaimer that "the following production was made by 18 real humans - from production designers to costume designers to prompters, editors and an actor."

Norwood also teased an appearance at the2026 Academy Awardson Sunday, March 15, with the video description reading "Can't wait to go to the Oscars! Does anyone know if they have free valet parking for my flamingo?"

Who is Tilly Norwood?

Norwood is the "World's first AI Actress," according to itsInstagram page,with over 115,000 followers. Initially promoted as an up-and-coming actress trying to make it in the business, Norwood has posted "screen tests" and "stills" from its "latest work."

A July 30 video showcased its "first ever role," in "AI Comissioner," a comedy sketch from Particle6 that was entirely AI-generated.

Following backlash from the SAG-AFTRA union, Norwood's creator andParticle6 founder Eline Van Der Veldendefended the fictionalized character as "a creative work."

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"To those who have expressed anger over the creation of our AI character Tilly Norwood: she is not a replacement for a human being, but a creative work — a piece of art," Van Der Velden wrotein her own statement on Instagramon Sept. 27. "Like many forms of art before her, she sparks conversation, and that in itself shows the power of creativity.

"I see AI not as a replacement for people, but as a new tool − a new paintbrush," she continued. "Just as animation, puppetry, or CGI opened fresh possibilities without taking away from live acting, AI offers another way to imagine and build stories. I'm an actor myself and nothing − certainly not an AI character − can take away the craft or joy of human performance.

See 'Good Will Hunting', 'Argo', more of Ben Affleck's memorable roles

How has Hollywood welcomed Tilly Norwood, AI at large?

The entertainment industry has not welcomed Tilly Norwood with open arms, with several stars expressing concerns about its existence and the SAG-AFTRA union blasting its creation, "using stolen performances to put actors out of work, jeopardizing performer livelihoods and devaluing human artistry."

"To be clear, 'Tilly Norwood' is not an actor, it's a character generated by a computer program that was trained on the work of countless professional performers — without permission or compensation,"SAG-AFTRA's Sept. 30 statement reads. "It has no life experience to draw from, no emotion and, from what we've seen, audiences aren't interested in watching computer-generated content untethered from the human experience."

AI was already a concerning flashpoint in Hollywood before Norwood's debut, though some talent have embraced the technology.

In 2022,Ben Affleckfounded Interpositive, an AI-powered tool company built by and for filmmakers, whichNetflix announced it had acquired on March 5. In November,Matthew McConaugheyandMichael Caine partnered with voice-cloning company ElevenLabs, which uses AI to replicate voices.

"ElevenLabs gives everyone the tools to be heard," Caine said in astatement. "It's not about replacing voices; it's about amplifying them, opening doors for new storytellers everywhere. I've spent a lifetime telling stories. ElevenLabs will help the next generation tell theirs."

Contributing: Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Tilly Norwood, the AI 'actress,' responds to backlash in new video

byManuel Mongo

in

March 10, 2026

Tilly Norwood, the AI 'actress,' responds to backlash in music video

ActressTilly Norwoodcontinues to turn heads in Hollywood, now as a musician. But she's still not human. Aft...

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Woman Accused of Shooting at Rihanna’s Home in Act of ‘Careless Violence’ Faces Life in Prison

Ivanna Ortiz, the woman who allegedly fired multiple shots at Rihanna's Beverly Hills, Calif., home, has been charged with the crime and could be sentenced to life in prison if convicted

NEED TO KNOW

• The 35-year-old faces one count of attempted murder, in addition to multiple other charges

• Rihanna and her family, including partner A$AP Rocky and their three children, were not physically harmed

The woman accused of shooting atRihanna's Beverly Hills home could face life in prison after she was charged with 14 felony counts, including attempted murder.

Ivanna Ortiz, 35, was charged Tuesday, March 10, with one count of attempted murder, 10 counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm and three counts of shooting at an inhabited dwelling or camper, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office said in a press release.

If convicted as charged, Ortiz faces up to life in state prison. Her arraignment is scheduled for March 25.

"Opening fire in any populated neighborhood is extremely dangerous, puts lives at risk and will be fully prosecuted," District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said in the release. "Thankfully, no one was injured in this shooting, but this careless violence will not be tolerated in our community. Such shooters will find their next destination to be our jails and prisons."

Ortiz appeared at a court hearing on Tuesday in a blue inmate uniform with her blonde hair in braids. She spoke to a lawyer through the glass, perCoast Reporter.

Her attorney, Deputy Public Defender Jamarcus Bradford, entered a not guilty plea on her behalf. However, he later withdrew it until her arraignment later this month, the outlet reported.

When contacted by PEOPLE, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Public Defender's Office said it "has been appointed to represent Ivanna Ortiz, who has been charged in connection with an alleged shooting incident near the residence of Rihanna."

"Because this matter is pending before the Court, our Office cannot comment on the allegations at this time," the spokesperson continued. "As in every case, we will work to ensure that our client receives the full protections guaranteed under the Constitution."

Hochman confirmed that the home belongs to Rihanna duringa news conferenceannouncing the charges on Tuesday.

Rihanna, 38, lives at the residence with her partner, rapperA$AP Rocky, and theirthree children, sons RZA, 3½, Riot, 2½, and 6-month-old daughter Rocki.

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Ortiz is accused of driving up to the front of Rihanna's home and firing a semiautomatic weapon multiple times at the house. Eight people, including the Fenty founder, A$AP Rocky and their three children, were home at the time of the incident. Rihanna's mother and two employees were also present.

Ortiz also allegedly fired at a neighboring home where two individuals were, rounding out the 10 felony counts against her, Hochman said.

It's unclear where each bullet is located, he added.

Ortiz then allegedly fled the scene but was arrested shortly after in Sherman Oaks. Her bail has been set at $1,875,000, per Hochman.

The accused is a Florida resident with a history of prior arrests, theLos Angeles Timesreported.

After the shooting,a source told PEOPLEthat the incident was "terrifying" for the star, but "thankfully everyone is safe."

AFacebook profileappearing to belong to Ortiz features more than one post referencing Rihanna, including one from Feb. 23, in which she told the singer, "say something to me directly instead of sneaking around like you talking to me."

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It is not clear if Ortiz has any personal connection to Rihanna.

A rep for Rihanna did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's previous request for comment.

Read the original article onPeople

byManuel Mongo

in

March 10, 2026

Woman Accused of Shooting at Rihanna’s Home in Act of ‘Careless Violence’ Faces Life in Prison

Ivanna Ortiz, the woman who allegedly fired multiple shots at Rihanna's Beverly Hills, Calif., home, has been charged...

Read More