Author: Michael Lewittes

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Laurie Hernandez’s winning of “Dancing With The Stars” was NOT “rigged,” despite a new report. Gossip Cop can exclusively correct this falsehood. We’re assured it’s “nonsense.”

According to the repeatedly disproven National Enquirer, Hernandez’s win during Tuesday’s finale of “Dancing with the Stars” has brought “new talk of the show being rigged.” The supermarket tabloid alleges a “show insider” told the publication the Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast was a “favorite” of the show’s producers to win Season 23, much like “Bindi Irwin was always set to win the show’s 21st season.” A so-called “on-set source” is quoted as saying, “[Laurie]’s this year’s Bindi… Squeaky-clean, adorable and incredibly popular. She’s the anti-Lochte. It sets up a natural rivalry and a huge reason to tune in.”

The often unreliable magazine boasts how its sister outlet RadarOnline previously reported “Amber Rose had her own suspicions about the competition.” The tabloid quotes the website’s ill-informed “insider” alleging, “Amber saw the way Laurie Hernandez was given the top spot in the GMA cast announcement, and it made her think that they are playing favorites.” Rather than dealing with the facts and scores, the Enquirer fixates on Irwin for the remainder of the article, and has its supposed “source” claim, “Show execs always prefer a good story to good dancing.” If that were the case, Season 23 runner-up James Hinchcliffe, who nearly died in a car crash, had a far better “story” than Hernandez.

Of course, anyone who watched this season’s “Dancing With The Stars” knows the show was not “rigged” for Hernandez to win. The teen is a gold medal-winning athlete, who has perfected numerous routines that made her an Olympic superstar. Much like that, she similarly perfected dance numbers that put her week-after-week on the top of the “Dancing With The Stars” leader board. Perhaps one can argue whether or not it’s fair to have a skilled gymnast like 16-year-old Hernandez compete against 66-year-old former Texas governor Rick Perry, but the dance competition was most assuredly not “rigged” in her favor. And Hernandez is legitimately so talented a dancer, she’s joining the show’s pros on tour.

As for the allegation that Irwin’s season was rigged, too, that’s absurd. Throughout Season 21, the young actress and TV host simply outperformed her competitors fair and square. Oddly, the tabloid doesn’t claim Season 22, in which Nyle DiMarco won, was rigged. And Gossip Cop already refuted the contention that Rose thought “Dancing With The Stars” was fixed in Hernandez’s favor. At the time that story was published, a source close to Rose assured us the report was 100 percent “not true.”

Still, Gossip Cop checked with a “Dancing With The Stars” insider who tells us the tabloid’s latest article about the competition being “rigged” in favor of Hernandez is complete “nonsense.” Picking up on the story’s verbiage about the gymnast being “incredibly popular,” our impeccable source says, “That’s because she’s such a phenomenal dancer. Period.” Besides, as our insider notes, “The judges gives their scores. But America votes and James [Hinchcliffe] was spectacular, but Laurie was hands-down consistently the winner.”

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Celebrities are reacting to the death of Florence Henderson. See stars’ reaction tweets and tributes below.

Henderson, best known as Carol Brady on “The Brady Bunch,” died on Thursday at the age of 82. The actress passed away at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles from heart failure, confirm her reps. She was surrounded at the time of her death by friends and family members. Just days earlier, Henderson was at the “Dancing With The Stars” finale in support of Maureen McCormick, who played her daughter on “The Brady Bunch” from 1969-1974 and was a contestant this past season on the dance competition show. Henderson herself was on “Dancing With The Stars” in 2010.

Shortly after the news of her death, celebrities began to react on Twitter to Henderson’s death. McCormick tweeted, “Florence Henderson was a dear friend for so very many years & in my [heart] forever. Love & hugs to her family. I’ll miss u dearly #RIPFlorence.” Tom Bergeron wrote, “Heartbroken. I’ll miss you, my friend. #RIP @ItsFloHenderson.” Debra Messing said, “RIP Florence Henderson. ‘The Brady Bunch’ was everything.” And Arsenio Hall noted, “Thankful that I knew Florence Henderson. #Thanksgiving #rip #greatlady #brightlight.”

Josh Gad offered, “RIP #FlorenceHenderson – Mrs. Brady was a mother to us all. You will be missed.” “Weird” Al Yankovic stated, “So terribly sad to hear of the passing of the great Florence Henderson. It was a true honor to have known and worked with her.” Marlee Matlin expressed, “I will miss you Florence Henderson.” Carl Reiner added, “Sad to read about the passing of Florence Henderson, one of the lovliest, most lovable and beloved people in our business.”

Carrie Ann Inaba tweeted, “Broken hearted. She was like a mom to us all. I’m grateful I had the chance to get to know you these past few years. RIP #FlorenceHenderson.” “Dancing With The Stars” pro Sasha Farber felt, “We just lost a legend some one who always remembers everyone’s name, and is one of the sweetest people I know R.I.P #florenceHenderson.” Boy George wrote, “R.I.P Florence Henderson. I grew up with the Brady Bunch!” “Florence Henderson was a doll and a dame and funny as hell. RIP,” added Michael McKean.

Larry King offered, “Rest In Peace Florence Henderson, a dear lady with a great sense of humor & a terrific laugh. ‘America’s mom’ has died.” Danica McKellar shared, “The lovely Florence Henderson has died. When I came to #DWTS, she said, ‘Welcome to the club.’ Such warmth. A treasure. #RIPFlorence.” Penn Jillette tweeted, “I”m going to miss Florence Henderson so much. I loved her. What a smart, wonderful, kind woman. A good friend.”

“I’m deeply saddened by the loss of Florence Henderson. So many of us grew up watching the Brady Bunch! RIP Carol Brady you will be missed,” expressed La Toya Jackson. Patricia Arquette noted, “Florence Henderson-Warm Talented & kind passed away today. Thank you Florence for being such a kind generous friend to Alexis.” “So sad to hear of Florence Henderson’s passing, I’ll truly miss her. We’d always sit together at @DancingABC, she was such a lovely woman,” wrote Chaz Bono. Gossip Cop will continue to update as more celebrities react to Henderson’s death.

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It’s Thanksgiving, and celebrities are sharing their wishes, messages and personal holiday memories on Twitter and Instagram. Mostly, they’re expressing their thanks for all the good things in their lives, while a few others are making Turkey Day jokes. See the stars are saying below.

Bethenny Frankel tweeted, “Happy Thanksgiving! Positive thoughts today. I’m so blessed & grateful. Thinking of those less fortunate today & working on my plan to help.” Hugh Jackman wished, “Happy Thanksgiving one and all.” Donald Trump Jr. wrote, “Gobble Gobble. Happy #thanksgiving everyone. #turkey #family #famikytime.” Chelsea Handler offered, “Happy thanksgiving to everyone in the world who feels lost. Know that there are many strangers who love you even if we haven’t met. We will.”

Garth Brooks expressed, “We are thankful for all of YOU! Have a happy and healthy Thanksgiving with your loved ones! love, g & t.” The Chainsmokers wrote, “So thankful for all of you. Well not all but most for sure haha happy thanksgiving everyone! Enjoy your friends and family.” Bill Idol simply wished, “Happy Thanksgiving Day,” while Soulja Boy similarly said, “Happy thanksgiving.” He followed that by asking everyone, “What’s your favorite food to eat on thanksgiving?” “Happy Thanksgiving, y’all,” added Stephen King.

Gossip Cop, of course, is thankful for each and every one of you who visits us daily and spreads the word about us. We will be updating throughout the day as more celebrities share their Thanksgiving wishes and messages.