Two Boys From School Shooting Remain in Critical Condition After Surgery

Maura Higgins has revealed why she chose not to partner with professional dancer Gleb Savchenko ahead of her upcoming appearance on Dancing with the Stars, saying her decision was based on friendship rather than drama. The Irish television personality and model recently spoke with E! News about joining the hit dance competition, which returns in September 2026. During the interview, Higgins addressed speculation surrounding her professional dance partner and explained why she decided against being paired with Savchenko. According to Higgins, the two have become good friends over the years, and she felt working together on the competition could make things uncomfortable rather than enjoyable. (E! News⁠) Higgins said she values her friendship with Savchenko and believes maintaining that bond is more important than forcing a professional partnership. She explained that while they get along well off the dance floor, competing together would change the dynamic of their relationship, especially given the intense training schedule and pressure that comes with the show. Savchenko also reacted to Higgins’ comments, admitting he was disappointed that she did not choose him as her partner. However, his response was delivered with humor, as he joked that her decision had left him frustrated. Despite the playful remarks, there appears to be no serious conflict between the pair, with both continuing to speak positively about one another. Higgins rose to international fame after appearing on Love Island UK and has since established herself as a successful television personality and influencer. Over the past few years, she has taken on a variety of entertainment projects, and joining Dancing with the Stars marks another major step in her television career. The upcoming season has already generated excitement among fans, with viewers eager to see how Higgins performs on the ballroom floor. Although she admitted dancing is outside her comfort zone, she said she is ready to embrace the challenge and give the competition everything she has. Savchenko, meanwhile, remains one of the show’s most recognizable professional dancers. Known for his impressive choreography and competitive spirit, he has partnered with numerous celebrities throughout his time on the series and continues to be a fan favorite. Fans have reacted with curiosity to Higgins’ decision, with many praising her for prioritizing a genuine friendship over potential headlines. Others are excited to find out which professional dancer she will ultimately be paired with when the new season begins. As anticipation builds for the September premiere, Higgins is focused on preparing for the demanding competition. Her decision to decline a partnership with Savchenko highlights the importance she places on personal relationships, proving that sometimes protecting a friendship matters more than creating a headline. With rehearsals set to begin soon, all eyes will be on Higgins as she steps onto the Dancing with the Stars stage for the first time.

Perez Hilton reportedly reached out to several celebrities to make amends for his past treatment of them before his recent mental health crisis. Among those he contacted were Britney Spears and Khloé Kardashian, two stars who had been the subject of his celebrity coverage during his years as one of Hollywood’s most controversial gossip bloggers. The revelations came from an interview with Sean Hannity that was recorded on July 14 and released on August 6, just days after Hilton was hospitalized following a distressing TikTok livestream. Hilton discussed his efforts to repair relationships and take responsibility for his past behavior. (Page Six⁠) Hilton wanted to make amends During the interview, Hilton explained that he had privately contacted a number of people he believed he had wronged. His outreach to Spears and Kardashian was part of what he described as a personal effort to confront his past. Hilton said he had reached out to Spears through an intermediary. While he indicated that Spears did not directly respond to him, he appeared to accept that she was not obligated to do so. His experience with Khloé Kardashian was different. Hilton said he contacted Kardashian privately and received a kind response from her. He also acknowledged that some people he contacted did not respond, adding that he understood and respected their decision. (Page Six⁠) A change in Hilton’s approach The outreach appears to be connected to Hilton’s broader reflection on his career. During the interview, he acknowledged that his earlier approach to celebrity coverage could be cruel and invasive. Hilton became famous for mocking celebrities’ appearances, commenting on their private lives and pushing boundaries in his coverage. In recent years, however, he has spoken more openly about changing his approach. He told Hannity that he realized he could still be entertaining without being unnecessarily harsh. He also discussed the idea of “counsel culture,” a concept associated with encouraging people to learn from their mistakes rather than permanently defining them by those mistakes. (Page Six⁠) Hilton’s hospitalization On August 4, Hilton was hospitalized in Miami after authorities responded to reports concerning a serious mental health crisis during a TikTok livestream. His family later confirmed that he was receiving medical care and was able to communicate. They asked the public to respect his privacy while he recovers. (People.com⁠) The timing of Hilton’s reconciliation efforts has drawn attention because they came shortly before the incident. However, there is no confirmed evidence that his conversations with Spears or Kardashian caused or directly influenced what happened. Instead, his comments suggest that Hilton had already been reflecting on his past and attempting to repair relationships. His outreach to former targets shows a public figure confronting the consequences of his earlier work while trying to move forward in a different direction. For now, Hilton’s family says the focus remains on his recovery and well-being.

Travis Barker has opened up about his brief first marriage to Melissa Kennedy, offering a glimpse into the personal choices that contributed to their relationship ending. The Blink-182 drummer married Kennedy in 2001, but their marriage lasted only about nine months before he filed for divorce in August 2002. (Wikipedia⁠) While little is publicly known about Kennedy or the couple’s relationship, Barker has discussed the marriage in his 2015 memoir, Can I Say. His comments suggest that he entered married life while still struggling with a strong desire for attention from other women. Barker acknowledged that he was “constantly looking for other girls” even before marrying Kennedy. He also admitted that his behavior extended to his bachelor party, when he was still thinking about other women despite preparing to get married. (HELLO!⁠) Those revelations provide important context for the short-lived relationship. Although Barker has not publicly described one specific incident as the official reason for their divorce, his own reflections point to his behavior and mindset at the time as major factors in the marriage’s failure. The timing of the split also came during a major period in Barker’s career. Blink-182 was enjoying enormous success after the release of its 2001 album Take Off Your Pants and Jacket, while Barker was becoming increasingly recognized as one of the band’s standout members. His professional life was moving quickly, and his personal life was changing just as rapidly. Barker and Kennedy officially went their separate ways in August 2002. The drummer later moved on with actress and model Shanna Moakler, whom he married in 2004. Their relationship became much more public through MTV’s Meet the Barkers, and the couple welcomed two children together. (Wikipedia⁠) Looking back, Barker’s comments about Kennedy show how different his life and relationships were in his younger years. His memoir did not simply revisit the end of the marriage; it also acknowledged some of his own mistakes. Today, Barker is married to Kourtney Kardashian Barker. The couple, who married in 2022, have spoken openly about communication and accountability as important parts of maintaining their relationship. (People.com⁠) His reflections on his first marriage therefore offer a rare look at the musician’s past and the lessons he appears to have carried into his later relationships.