Melanie Griffith’s life has been quite a rollercoaster. The iconic actress, daughter of actress Tippi Hedren, made her debut on the screen at age 12 – and since then, she’s starred in several big productions. 

Melanie Griffith really had something in the ’80s. She was erotic and sexual in a way that European actresses sometimes are and American actresses almost always are not. And she could act, even though I don’t think Melanie ever truly realized her potential.

I loved her in the movie Working Girl and Paradise!

She was born on August 9, 1957, in New York City to parents Peter Griffith and superstar actress Tippi Hedren, most commonly known for her role in the Hitchcock classic, The Birds.

In hindsight, Griffith’s life has been rather incredible. However, it’s been tragic at the same time. The famous actress, who became known for playing strong-but-sexy characters, has been involved in a car accident, battled with drinking problems, and went through three divorces.

From the start of her life, she was exposed to the pressure of a life in show business. Her mother, Tippi, was, as mentioned, a superstar, and her childhood was extravagant in a very special way – even by Hollywood standards.

When Griffith was seven years old, her mother married agent and producer Noah Marshall. After coming back from a trip to Africa, the couple decided to make a film about lions. An animal trainer gave them a unique idea: to get to know the big cat better, they could welcome one into their home.

So, Melanie Griffith grew up with a pet lion, living with them in the 1970s at their home in Los Angeles, California.

”I grew up with lions, tigers, and two elephants,” Griffith said.

The pet lion, Neil, lived together with the family. Life Magazine documented the extraordinary event, with pictures showing Hedren resting on Neil’s back. The lion even slept under blankets in Melanie Griffith’s bed.

”It was stupid beyond belief,” Griffith later explained.

Even though she wasn’t involved in any incidents with Neil, years later, in another encounter, things didn’t end that well.

Met Don Johnson at 14

Melanie Griffith starred in her first commercial before she turned one. She continued to do commercials and modeling work for some years, and at 12, she made her debut in Extra!, even though she was uncredited.

At the age of 14, she appeared in The Harrad Experiment, and on set, she met her first big love. Griffith met actor Don Johnson on set, and the two fell madly in love. At the time, however, their age difference was somewhat controversial. Don Johnson was 22 at the time – eight years older than Melanie – but their love for one another didn’t stop them.

”I thought he was the most beautiful person I’d ever seen,” Griffith said.

Her mother feared for the two because of her age but eventually gave in. At 15, Melanie Griffith moved in with Don Johnson, and on her 18th birthday, the two got engaged.

”They were two beautiful, wonderful people, and here, my daughter was showing signs that I had never seen before in her, with an older man, and there was just sheer panic,” her mother, Tippi Hedren, recalled.

Griffith and Johnson tied the knot in Las Vegas in 1976. And, after just six months of marriage, the two split. However, they would rekindle their romance later on, exchanging vows a second time in 1989.

Melanie Griffith lion accident

Melanie Griffith started her promising acting career in the 1970s, starring in films such as Night Moves and Joyride.

In 1981, Melanie Griffith starred in the film Roar. Even though her mother and stepfather raised lions to shoot a film, things turned out ugly on the set of Roar. It was very dangerous being in front of the camera, and Melanie got injured.

She was mauled near the eye, and she feared losing her sight. She needed plastic surgery, while her mother Tippi Hedren contracted gangrene and needed skin grafts, according to a piece in the New Yorker.

As reported by The Guardian, Melanie Griffith said that the lioness ”didn’t mean to hurt me. Just, after seven years growing up with the lions, I forgot you have to be careful. You can never be sure you’re safe, and just a blow can pop your head like a ping pong ball.”

Melanie Griffith came through the scary incident. She continued to star in movies, however, without any live wild animals. She appeared in Body Double, Something Wild, and The Working Girl, among others, with the last one earning her an Academy Award nomination in 1989.

In the 1980s, Melanie Griffith also found love for the second time. She married actor Steven Bauer in 1981, and four years later, they welcomed a son, Alexander Bauer.

Melanie Griffith – daughter Dakota Johnson

Their relationship lasted until 1989 when the couple divorced – with Griffith finding love in Don Johnson again. They divorced again in 1996, after welcoming daughter and now actress Dakota Johnson in 1989.

”You have to understand that we have a tie, and I love him,” Melanie Griffith said and added:

”I will always love [Don Johnson]. But just because you love someone doesn’t necessarily mean that you can live with them.”

Dakota Johnson has become a prominent actress, starring in Fifty Shades of Grey and The Social Network. But because her parents divorced when she was only seven years old, she had a turbulent childhood. She moved around plenty, went to several different schools, and was even homeschooled for a while.

She was often hanging around her parents on film sets from a young age. It made her want to become an actress as well, which she did.

However, the childhood of Dakota Johnson was also filled with much trouble because of her family situation. As a result, she started to go to therapy at age three.

“The whole shebang,” Dakota Johnson told Vogue. “All the help you can get.”

Melanie Griffith – marriage to Antonio Banderas

”I was so consistently unmoored and discombobulated, I didn’t have an anchor anywhere, I never learned how to learn the way you’re supposed to as a kid. I thought, ‘Why do I have to go to school on time? What’s the point when you’re living in Budapest for six months while your stepdad films Evita and you go to school in your hotel room?’ I was a disaster, and I thought for so long that there was something wrong with my brain. Now I realize that it just works in a different way.”

Dakota Johnson’s childhood could’ve become the thing that put her on the wrong foot. However, a new person soon entered her life, who changed everything. Just as she mentioned, she needed an anchor. And that was precisely what she got in her stepfather, Antonio Banderas.

In 1996, the same year as Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson split, Banderas also went through a divorce with Ana Leza, whom he’d been married to for nine years. He had long admired Melanie Griffith after seeing her in Gone Girl and on the red carpet at the Academy Awards.

“The first time I went to the Academy Awards after we got a nomination for Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, we got on the red carpet, and I saw this blonde woman, and I knew her because I saw movies of her, but I didn’t remember [her name] at the time,” Banderas told Vulture.

“So, I said to [director Pedro Almodóvar] ‘Who is she? Who is she? What is her name?’ Pedro said, ‘That’s Melanie Griffith!’ I said, ‘That’s it. Oh my God.’ Six years later, I was married to her.”

Dakota Johnson’s relationship with stepfather Antonio Banderas

The two met while filming the comedy film Two Much in 1995, and they had one actual thing in common. Both were unhappy in their marriages – and Banderas and Griffith recognized each other’s situations.

Antonio Banderas instantly felt an attraction to Melanie Griffith when working together. He thought she was funny, generous, sweet, and beautiful, and after Two Much, the two stayed in touch. In May 1996, the two tied the knot and welcomed daughter Stella later the same year.

Not only did Antonio Banderas become a father to Stella, but the well-respected actor also became a stepfather to Alexander – from her second marriage to Steven Bauer – and Dakota Johnson.

For both Alexander and Dakota, Antonio Banderas became vital, as they finally got a stepfather who was there for her all the time.

In the beginning, however, Banderas explained that it was difficult for the children to accept him because they didn’t know how long he’d stick around.

“I was totally inexperienced. Suddenly I had a 6-year-old girl, a 10-year-old boy, and Stella came along almost immediately,” he told AARP. “I was, ‘Oh, my God!’ But as soon as the kids knew that I was there to stay, they were fine. They needed solid ground in which they could grow. As soon as I realized that, I started establishing my relationship, giving them security, little by little doing the father thing.”

Changed Dakota Johnson’s life

Dakota and Alexander realized that Antonio Banderas was not a temporary man. He took on the role of their stepfather and helped them in any way possible.

For Dakota, this was especially important. Her childhood had been more than stressful and uncertain. In Banderas, she got a stepfather that taught her many things, including “true passion and discipline.”

In 2011, he revealed that the kids call him “Paponio, “which is a mix of “Papa” and “Antonio.”

During an award ceremony in 2019, when Antonio Banderas received the Hollywood Actor Award, Dakota Johnson and Melanie Griffith presented him with the trophy.

”I come from a family of many a marriage, and I got very lucky,” Johnson said in her speech.

”I got a bonus dad who I realized that, over time, is actually one of the most influential people in my whole life. When I was six years old, my mother married a man who brought an unbelievably bright light, a whole new world of creativity and culture, and one remarkably magical little sister into our family.”

”He loved my mother, and my siblings and I so big, and so fiercely and so loud, that it would change all of our lives together,” Dakota added in her speech.

Strong bond to this day

The relationship between Antonio Banderas and his stepchildren continued to be strong even after he and Melanie Griffith divorced in 2014.

Even though Melanie Griffith and Antonio aren’t married anymore, their family bond will forever be strong. As of today, Banderas is in a relationship with Nicole Kimpel. But as soon as he is in Los Angeles, he makes sure to spend time with his stepchildren and ex-wife.

The divorce between the two in 2014 wasn’t dramatic at all, for which his stepchildren were very grateful, Banderas explained.

He added that he will always cherish the time he and Melanie had together – and that he always will love her. And regarding his stepdaughter, Dakota Johnson, he is like her biological, very proud father.

“I remember those years as very effervescent and really beautiful. I am not married with Melanie anymore, but she is my family. She is probably one of my best friends, if not the best friend that I have. My family is there, Dakota [Johnson], Little Estella and Alexander,” Antonio Banderas told Vulture in 2019.

”I met her when she was five years old,” he added. “I followed every single step of it. I’m so proud of her. I saw her the other day in Toronto, and she looks — as I said in the social networks when I put a picture of her and myself, I put there, ‘My radiant Dakota.’”

Melanie Griffith today

At 65, Melanie Griffith is happily single. Her last appearance on the big screen was in 2020, when she had a minor role and co-starred alongside her daughter Dakota in The High Note.

Today, she devotes her time to her family, and according to BestLife, Melanie is currently writing her memoir. And there will probably be a lot to pen down – including her battle against cancer.

The actress was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2010, and eight years later, she revealed that she had been diagnosed with cancer.

Doctors had to remove a cancerous cell on her nose, the whole event took a toll on Melanie.

“It’s a scary thing when you’re an actress and you depend on your face for work,” the actress told InStyle and continued:

“But I realize I have to put a Band-Aid on it, and it’s fine. I just look like a dork.”

Luckily, everything went fine in the end – Melanie is now a loud advocate of cancer and also supports the efforts of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

Born Demi Gene Guynes on November 11, 1962, actress Demi Moore, who changed her surname after marrying her first husband, Freddy Moore, at the age of 18, has had a tough upbringing that profoundly affected her life and helped shape her identity.

Moore’s father left before she was born and she was raised by her mother, Virginia King, and her step-father, Dan Guynes.

Her childhood was traumatic because her mother battled substance abuse most her life. In fact, their relationship was strained and rocky from the start. Her mother attempted suicide multiple times, and Moore, although a young child, took the role of a caregiver at times and was there to save her mother. One time, she was forced to dig the pills her mom had swallowed out of her mouth.

In her book Inside Out, the Ghost star opened up about her dark past, writing that after her parents’ split, her mom would often take her to bars for men to notice her. Heartbreakingly, one of those nights ended in rape.

Moore was just 15 when she was sexually assaulted by a man whom her mother knew. Speaking to Diane Sawyer on Good Morning America, the actress revealed that after the assault, he asked her how it felt like “to be wh***d by your mother for $500.”

Asked if she believed the man’s words were true, Moore told Sawyer, “I think, in my deep heart no. I don’t think it was a straightforward transaction.

“But she still – she did give him the access and put me in harm’s way.”

Despite the struggles and the challenges she had faced because of her mother, Moore tried to reconcile with her multiple times throughout her life. Eventually, Virginia King passed away in 1998 due to cancer.

Moore was able to distance herself from her mother during her teenage years and to protect herself from her destructive behavior.

Eventually, she made a name for herself and became an A-list actress with a number of famous movies under her belt.

In 1987, she married actor Bruce Willis with whom she has three daughters. Their union lasted for 13 years. However, the divorce affected her relationship with Willis and her daughters, and with that, her physical and mental health.

“I guess the fundamental question that came forward for me was, ‘How did I get here?’” Moore told Sawyer. “I mean, from where I started to what I’ve experienced, where I’ve been, like, how did I get here?”

Just like Moore’s relationship with her own mother, her connection with one of her daughters, Talullah Willis, has also been a troubled one at some point. This was influenced by various factors, and Moore’s high-profile marriage to actor Ashton Kutcher, who was 15 years her junior, added another layer of complexity to their relationship.

Though they have faced difficulties, they have strived to improve their relationship and have shared moments of reconciliation.

Both have expressed a commitment to backing each other and have openly admitted their efforts to foster a more profound connection.

A 13-year-old boy has died after being struck by a falling bullet that was likely shot into the air like a firework in northwest Indiana last weekend.

Noah Inman, of the 1600 block of 171st Pl. in Hammond, was pronounced dead at 2:06 p.m. Friday, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office.

At around 9:30 p.m. on July 1, police said Inman had been playing basketball with a group of kids in the 7300 block of Harrison Ave. when he suddenly fell down.

Witnesses at the scene thought he may have had a seizure and called for an ambulance. Once at the hospital, officials discovered Inman had been hit by a falling bullet that was shot into the sky by someone in a nearby community.

He was flown to Comer Children’s Hospital in Chicago where he died Friday.

Police said an investigation determined the bullet was “most likely fired into the air like a firework.”

“The Hammond Police Department would like to offer our heartfelt condolences to the Inman family,” police said in a statement Sunday.

“We wish you peace to bring comfort, courage to face the days ahead, and loving memories to forever hold in your hearts,” the statement continued. “Our hearts go out to you in your time of sorrow. When reason fails, pray for peace. We will be praying with you.”

Hammond authorities issued a reminder that it is never legal to discharge a weapon in city limits, and asked the public to call 911 to report anyone they believe is using a firearm as part of a celebration in the summer holiday season.

No one is in custody in connection with the shooting, according to Hammond police, who continue to investigate.

• Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps remains a beloved figure, not just for his astounding sporting achievements but also for his endearing charm that continues to captivate fans.
• While Phelps’s Olympic medals solidify his status as one of the greatest athletes of all time, it’s his heartwarming love story with former Miss California, Nicole Johnson, that adds a charming twist to his remarkable journey.
• Fans admire not only his athletic prowess but also Phelp’s good looks and his wife’s striking beauty.

A Johnny Depp fan uploaded videos and images of the actor after meeting him for the first time during his trip to the Bahamas. The post brought the focus back to Depp’s teeth which looked different compared to how damaged they were before.

This boy came from a poor family, but he had big dreams that he believed in.

He pursued his dreams relentlessly and achieved them despite several obstacles he faced.

The boy is now a famous comedian, a celebrated TV host, and an accomplished author and businessman.

This African-American boy knew from a very young age that he wanted to be on TV. His philosophy in life was to dream big and believe that one day, he would succeed. So, the boy held on to his dreams of being on TV as much as he was a stutterer.

The boy was born on January 17, 1957, in Welch, West Virginia, to his dad, Jesse Harvey, a coal miner, and mom, Eloise Vera Harvey, a Sunday school teacher. The boy grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, and the place still remains special in his heart.

The road to success wasn’t an easy one for the boy, but he relentlessly pursued his dreams. The boy wrote on a piece of paper when he was ten that he would be on TV one day. He didn’t get on TV until he was 38. Now, he is a New York Times best-selling author, Emmy Award-winning entertainer, businessman, philanthropist, motivational speaker, and radio personality.

The boy has thrived against all odds. He was born to parents who didn’t have much to their name, but that didn’t stop him from dreaming big. His dad, a father to five kids, made $5 a day as a coal miner. The boy also worked in his uncle and grandfather’s farm in West Virginia until he was 16. He narrated:

“I grew up very poor, I flunked out of school, I’ve been homeless. I lived in a car for three years. I got the first car in my name, the first car ever put in my name was a used car, and I got it at 38.”

The boy’s family was so poor that he didn’t see a proper toilet with a flush until he was 5. Still, the boy made it big. He promised God that if succeeded, he would thank him and praise his name. Now, as a global figure, the boy honors his promise to God by sharing his gratitude with his audience at the end of every show.

One time, when he was homeless, he hid in a hotel washroom to wash up, and it just dawned on him that he was at his lowest point ever.
This boy learned to embrace God from his mother, who also taught him the importance of dressing up and maintaining one’s image. The boy’s siblings said he behaves just like his dad and that his mom was a sweet angel who was non-judgmental.

The boy is now an inspiration to other people with speech impediments. This boy said he used to stutter so badly but now encourages other people, noting that it is curable and if they get the right care, they can live normal lives like he has. From being a stuttering boy to being homeless, the boy is now a famous millionaire

The boy who moved from rags to riches is Steve Harvey. Steve’s comedy journey started when he performed at an open mic comedy night in 1985, and he stunned the audience. The next day, he quit his job to become a comedian, but this move led to his separation from his wife. The comedian found himself with no wife, no job, and living on as little as $50 a week.

After leaving his job to be a comedian, Steve didn’t get into professional comedy until he was 27. He confessed that he was homeless from age 30 to 33, where he lived in his car. He now uses his struggle and success story to motivate people never to give up on their dreams.

The car Steve lived in wasn’t even his. He had been given the car by his dad, an old and used car. When Steve finally got on TV, he used the money he got from the TV channel to buy a car at 38. He recalled that as a homeless man, he didn’t have anything, but now, he is doing well for himself.

Even through his hard work and determination, Steve wasn’t sure he would make it. He always hoped that one day he wouldn’t be poor and struggling, but the success he has achieved is above and beyond what he ever dreamed of. “My imagination didn’t even go this big,” he confessed.

Steve recalled that he almost gave up. One time, when he was homeless, he hid in a hotel washroom to wash up, and it just dawned on him that he was at his lowest point ever. He sat down and started crying, but a voice told him not to quit and keep going. Steve felt that this was the voice of God telling him that he would take him to places he’d never been.

Shortly after this difficult moment, doors began opening for Steve. He won a national comedy competition in 1990, which played a role in him getting a high-profile job performing on “Showtime at the Apollo” in 1993 and then a sitcom.

More opportunities came coming up for the comedian from that moment onwards. Now, he is a television mainstay who runs his own show, and he is known as the busiest man in Hollywood. Familywise, Steve is in a happy marriage and has a thriving family life.

Steve is married to Marjorie Harvey. He first saw Marjorie in 1987 at a Memphis comedy club, and he was stunned by her. Marjorie arrived late to the show, but when she walked in, Steve looked at her and said, “I don’t know who you are, but I’m going to marry you one day.”

However, the two lost touch after their first meeting. They reconnected years later via a mutual friend and have been a pair ever since. Steve and Marjorie dated for one year, and then the comedian proposed. They exchanged vows on June 25, 2007.

On their 15th wedding anniversary, Steve bared his heart to Marjorie and confessed that she made him happy and gave him peace. He added that Marjorie handled motherhood amazingly and that she was a better parent than him. “You are the single biggest reason outside of God’s grace that I am where I am today. You’re the one,” he concluded.

Today, Steve’s greatest accomplishment is his family of seven children and seven grandchildren. He is devoted to his family and once shared on Facebook that his grandchildren are the reason why he wakes up every morning to do what he does. Together with Marjorie, Steve has nurtured a home and family life he loves and enjoys.

Hollywood legend Mel Gibson celebrates his 67th birthday today (January 3), and it turns out that his son, Milo Gibson, is also carving his path in the acting world, bearing a striking resemblance to his famous father.

At 32 years old, Milo has already made a name for himself with roles in movies like Hackshaw Ridge and Under The Stadium Lights. He is one of six children from Mel’s previous marriage with Robyn Moore and is part of a total of nine siblings.

Although acting now seems to be in his blood, Milo explored various career paths before finding his passion. From working as a masseuse to an electrician, he ventured into the world of acting after growing up around film sets with his dad.

Reflecting on his journey, Milo shared with W Magazine, “We didn’t grow up in the Hollywood lifestyle clique. I basically did everything other than going into the career of acting; I wanted to do more of a blue-collar job that involved real people.”

However, as he grew older, the allure of acting became irresistible. He explained, “When you’re growing up and you’re not pushed in a path, it makes you feel like if you do go in that direction, it might not be okay. But as I got older, I realized that it was my life, and I wanted to act because I love it.”

Milo, along with his brother Louis, who is now a director, used to make home videos during their childhood. But as the desire to act grew stronger, Milo didn’t want to look back with regrets. He commented, “One day it hit me, you know, I don’t want to be 60 years old and regret not going for it – I think a lot of people regret a lot of things in life – and I didn’t want to be one of those people.”

In 2016, Milo officially stepped into the world of acting after studying drama in Santa Monica, California. His breakthrough came with his role as Lucky Ford in the war film Hackshaw Ridge, directed by his father Mel and featuring stars like Andrew Garfield, Vince Vaughn, and Teresa Palmer.

Since then, Milo has showcased his talent in various films, including The Outpost, Gangster Land (as Al Capone), and Under The Stadium Lights (as Chad Mitchell). He even starred in his first leading role as Harry in Breaking and Entering, directed by Twilight alumni Peter Facinelli, and more recently, portrayed Dave Hayes in 2022’s Manifest West.

Milo has also received valuable advice from his father about acting. He revealed to The Hollywood Reporter, “Something that stuck with me [that my father told me] was, when you’re working, to be truthful to your character and emulate them as much as possible, and of course, have fun. Forget the camera is there. They say the camera is your best friend, but I find it most useful forgetting that it’s there because if you’re aware of it, you’re not being truthful to what you’re doing. So, [his advice was] to be honest.”

While Milo tends to preserve his personal life away from the spotlight, it’s known that he has been approached for modeling work. Embracing new opportunities, he told W Magazine, “I’m new to it, so I’m just going to take it all in and see where it takes me.”

At times, it’s genuinely astounding to behold the exceptional abilities that children possess. We’ve encountered numerous enthralling accounts of youthful prodigies who, devoid of formal schooling, extensive practice, or specialized instruction, excel in domains like cinema, theater, visual arts, dance, and music. Today, allow us to introduce you to one such extraordinary young talent, merely 13 years old, whose captivating performance on a prestigious talent showcase rendered both judges and spectators utterly speechless.

Meet Laura, a name poised to leave an indelible mark on the entertainment realm. She debuted on the juvenile edition of the renowned television program «The Voice.» Opting for Whitney Houston’s legendary anthem, «I Will Always Love You,» might appear ambitious for such a fledgling artist, given its profound emotional resonance and mature themes. Nevertheless, Laura surpassed expectations, delivering a rendition that enchanted all who beheld it.

Jennifer Lopez took her child Emme on a shopping spree on Sunday just hours after she was seen for the first time since filing for divorce from Ben Affleck.

The superstar, 55, appeared in high spirits as she navigated the Century City Mall in Los Angeles with her 16-year-old skateboarder in tow.

Wearing a chic cream tank top and a denim skirt, Lopez beamed with her signature smile. Her wedding ring finger was noticeably bejeweled with a band, and she also flashed a dazzling diamond on her pinky finger.

At one point, the former Fly Girl even showcased her famous dance moves while riding the escalator.

Emme, whom Lopez refers to using gender neutral they/them pronouns, filmed the impromptu choreography on their phone while rocking a retro T-shirt, cargo pants, and a dark bandana in their hair.

Jennifer welcomed Emme and their fraternal twin brother Max during her seven-year marriage to four-time Grammy winner Marc Anthony, which ended in 2011.

The mother-of-two filed to end her marriage from Affleck on August 20, which happened to be the anniversary of their second wedding in Georgia back in 2022.

The day after she made her first social media post since she filed for divorce, citing ‘irreconcilable differences,’ the Let’s Get Loud hitmaker maintained a stoic expression as she made her first public appearance in weeks.

As she stepped out to attend an event in Beverly Hills on Saturday, the superstar, 55, was seen rocking a white halter crop top with a racy cutout across her chest and flared jeans.

The outings come after Ben indulged in a takeout delivery to his Los Angeles home after denying a romance with Kick Kennedy.

He now lives in a $100K a month home near his ex, Jennifer Garner, with whom he shares three children: Violet, 18, Fin, 15, and Samuel, 12.

The 52-year-old Batman alum was seen waiting for a bag of tasty food from Tocaya Organica to arrive at his Brentwood pad on Friday.

The matinee idol wore a light purple T-shirt and gray pants as he peeked out from behind his driveway gate, checking to see if his meal had arrived.

He appeared concerned about possibly missing part of his order as he stepped out from behind the gate and searched for any remaining items from the delivery.

Ben’s afternoon meal comes a few days after his rep denied reports that he is dating Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s daughter, 36, amid his split from the Love Don’t Cost a Thing singer, 55, and even cast doubt on the duo knowing each other.

The denial came after multiple sources had alleged that Ben and Kick had been ‘hanging out’ and that they had previously dated before Ben had rekindled his relationship with JLo.

And now, sources have told DailyMail.com that Ben is putting his connection with Kick on pause over concerns it could be detrimental to his divorce proceedings, and his fears about being connected to Trump after Kick’s father endorsed him.

‘Ben should have said nothing,’ one insider said. ‘He tried to erase Kick from his existence, and it was just not fair for her, or for anyone who knows her.

‘He is trying to pull the “I don’t know her” card but what he failed to realize is that they weren’t the only two people in the world that knew that they used to hook up, or that they were hanging out again.

‘He fears that this will affect his divorce and, even though there was no overlap, saying he didn’t even know her was not the right move.’

Another insider claimed that Ben ‘doesn’t like the intrusion that comes with celebrity, like dealing with his name in the news all the time – and he didn’t like the DNC mention.’

They continued: ‘And now, when it comes to Kick, he is worried about being connected to Trump in the wake of her father’s endorsement.

‘Given the current political climate Ben is putting the brake on Kick.

‘But not only because of the Trump connection. He is also concerned about what JLo would think.’

On Tuesday, Ben’s rep Jen Allen told PEOPLE that he is not dating Kick.

She said: ‘There is no truth to any of it. I don’t know if they even know each other.’

On Wednesday, sources claimed Jennifer was ‘very upset’ with Ben amid rumors that he has been ‘hanging out’ with Kick again in recent weeks.

‘It’s really hit her hard. She’s very upset and disappointed with Ben,’ they told People.

Last week, insiders revealed to DailyMail.com that Kick and Ben had been ‘enjoying spending time’ together, but that the writer is remaining ‘tight-lipped’ about their connection because she doesn’t want to be seen as a ‘mistress.’

‘Ben and Kick had a fling before he got back together with JLo,’ the source began. ‘They met because Ben is from Boston and when you live in Boston, the Kennedy family is royalty.’

The insider continued: ‘So when he started hanging out with Kick, he legit thought that he had landed into the Kennedy family. But she was too young and not ready for anything serious.’

The source stressed that the pair’s romance did not ever overlap with the actor’s rekindled relationship with Jennifer as they continued: ‘They didn’t have any affair during his marriage, but it is interesting to Kick’s friends that as soon as this divorce happened all of a sudden Ben is hanging out with an old hookup whose family he sees as royalty.’

As for how Kick views the actor, the insider stated: ‘She thinks that he is intelligent and very much her style but is being incredibly tight-lipped because she does not want to be seen as a mistress.

‘She is not a mistress. She is nothing like JLo and likes to keep her private life private.’

The source explained that Kick isn’t wasting much time worrying about how Jennifer might feel about Ben’s decision to reconnect as they added: ‘Kick is fond of Ben, and she does not care what JLo thinks honestly.

‘When they started hanging out, he and JLo were separated. He made this very clear with her. JLo listing their separation as April only confirmed this.’

The source continued: ‘They are both taking it day by day but so far, she is enjoying spending time with him. They hang out at Beverly Hills Hotel because it offers a level of privacy to celebs that nowhere else does.

‘The fact that people say she looks like Jen Garner is flattering to her as she thinks Jen is beautiful.’

Meanwhile, a second source confirmed that the pair were simply getting to know each other better as they stated: ‘Ben has been spending time with Kick but there is nothing there yet.

‘They are friends and enjoy hanging with each other and it is true that she really doesn’t have any thoughts about what JLo would think of her spending time with Ben. He’s a great guy and they are getting to know each other.’

Although it is also not clear how Ben and Kick initially met, the daughter of RFK Jr. has an interest for the entertainment industry.

Kick, born Kathleen Alexandra, is an actress who has enjoyed small parts in several TV shows and movies, including Curb Your Enthusiasm, starring her stepmother Cheryl Hines, 58, who tied the knot with RFK Jr. in 2014.

Her most recent role was as a ‘lazy tourist’ in 2021’s Fear and Loathing in Aspen.

She is a graduate from Stanford University in California where she studied both history and theater.

The actress has a social media presence, boasting 17,100 followers on Instagram, but hasn’t posted anything there since August 24, 2023, in which she appeared with a Saker falcon.

She has mingled with other celebrities such as Taylor Swift, who notably dated her brother Conor in 2012.

According to her IMDB page, she is an actress and writer, as well as a philanthropist and activist.

Kick’s mother is Emily Ruth Black, who was married to RFK Jr. from 1982 until 1994, when he tied the knot with Mary Richardson. They divorced in 2010. Two years later, she committed suicide. Kick has five other siblings.

After months of split rumors, Jennifer officially pulled the plug on her marriage to Ben when she filed for divorce on August 20.

She cited ‘irreconcilable differences’ as the reason for the split, and listed April 26, 2024 as the official separation date.

Ben and The Wedding Planner actress first started dating in 2002 after bonding on the set of the film Gigli, and they quickly got engaged.

But they called it quits in 2004, just before they were set to become husband and wife.

They both went on to wed other people – she exchanged vows with Marc Anthony in 2004, while Ben walked down the aisle with Jennifer Garner in 2005 – but after splitting from their respective partners, they eventually got back together in 2021.

The superstar couple first tied the knot at a chapel in Las Vegas in July 2022, followed by a larger and lavish ceremony at his Georgia estate the following month.

It was recently revealed that Ben and Jennifer had ‘planned’ their divorce before she officially filed.

• The Oklahoma-born woman shown in the cover photo lived with a “cruel” dad when she was younger.
• Years later, she became a hugely successful country star and found love after her ex moved on with her friend.
• She found love again with someone new years after her divorce.