girlfriend

Ben Shelton messed up.

Sure, the U.S. tennis star advanced to his second U.S. Open semifinal in epic fashion, knocking off defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a five-set marathon that did not end until 3:33 a.m. ET Wednesday.

It was during his on-court interview afterward, however, that Shelton committed a bit of a faux pas while discussing the match that ended later than any other in tournament history.

“I’m just hoping that my best friend and my sister over there don’t have to be at work at 6 a.m. in three hours,” Shelton said following the 6-7 (5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (10-7) victory. “It’d be huge from their employers to let them have the day off today.”

Shelton certainly didn’t have to give a shout out to two of his loved ones for hanging in there for the entire 4 hours 28 minutes … but since he did, there’s one other person Shelton probably should have mentioned as well: soccer star Trinity Rodman, who also was sitting courtside throughout the match. TV cameras showed her laughing and apparently saying, “What about me?”

Shelton and Rodman have been dating for more than a year, after going Instagram official in May 2025. They are seen in the stands at each other’s sporting events when their schedules allow.

For the record, Rodman apparently did have to work hours later. The U.S. national team and Washington Spirit player posted a video later Wednesday morning on TikTok that showed her inside a gym with the caption, “Yes, I’m at training now.”

She doesn’t seem to hold a grudge over her boyfriend’s omission, though. Rodman posted a video on her Instagram Story of the match’s aftermath, with the caption, “The moment belongs to Shelton!”

And Shelton actually did include Rodman in that moment, with the two of them making eye contact and flashing his signature “dialed-in” hand motion to each other as he celebrated.

Rodman’s schedule with the Spirit hasn’t allowed her to attend all of Shelton’s matches at Flushing Meadows, but she has been to at least three. For his Round 2 victory against Hubert Hurkacz, Rodman wore a black crop top that read, “I ❤️ my boyfriend.”

For the quarterfinal, Rodman carried a Shelton figurine, possibly as a good luck charm.

Shelton will face fellow U.S. player Frances Tiafoe in Friday’s semifinals.

Josh Jacobs’ court appearance on two misdemeanor charges resulting from an alleged altercation with his girlfriend in May isn’t until Nov. 27. The Green Bay Packers, the team for which he stars at running back, will have played 11 regular season games by then.

That means the NFL will likely determine whether to let him play before knowing the outcome of his criminal case.

Jacobs was placed on the commissioner‘s exempt list, the league announced Sunday. He is not allowed to play or even practice — although he will be paid — and only commissioner Roger Goodell can remove him from it.

Former USC running back Marshawn Lloyd is expected to get the first shot at filling Jacobs’ shoes when the Packers open at the Minnesota Vikings on Sept. 13. Lloyd was a third-round pick in 2024 after leading the Trojans with 820 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. He averaged 7.1 yards per carry and 17.8 yards on 13 receptions.

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs during training camp in Ashwaubenon, Wis.

(Abbie Parr/Associated Press)

Injuries have kept Lloyd off the field for all but one game in his two seasons with the Packers. However, he has been healthy throughout training camp and worked with the first-team offense while Jacobs was slowed by a groin injury.

Lloyd will have competition. Shortly after Jacobs was placed on the commissioner’s exempt list Sunday, Green Bay acquired second-year running back Kaleb Johnson from the Pittsburgh Steelers. Johnson was a third-round pick out of Iowa, where he led the Big Ten with 1,537 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns in 2025. He rushed for only 69 yards with the Steelers last season, seeing action mainly on special teams.

Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said last week that the team was preparing for Jacobs serving a potential suspension.

“We’ll deal with that when that comes, but we’ve obviously prepared for [a suspension] in case that happens,” he said. “But at the same time I feel really good about the guys we’ve got in that room, and I think we can survive that.”

The only other running back on the roster besides Lloyd and Johnson is Chris Brooks, who served primarily as a blocking back and special teams contributor last season.

Jacobs’ attorneys released a statement underscoring that the NFL is reviewing his case. The time spent on the commissioner’s exempt list would be counted toward any suspension, although he would have to pay back salary earned while on the list.

“Josh Jacobs has been placed on the commissioner’s exempt list, which is an administrative procedure used by the NFL while a matter is being reviewed,” the statement read. “It is not a final determination. Josh respects the NFL process, the Packers, and his coaches and teammates. He looks forward to his return to the team and the NFL.”

Jacobs was formally charged Thursday with misdemeanor battery and misdemeanor criminal damage to property, stemming from the May 23 incident at his home near Green Bay. The Brown County (Wis.) District Attorney’s Office released an incident report that describes video footage taken inside Jacobs’ garage. A felony and four misdemeanor charges pertaining to domestic violence were dropped.

Jacobs and his girlfriend quarreled over content on both of their phones, according to the report, and video from the garage allegedly shows that Jacobs grabbed her, threw her to the ground and she struck her head.

Packers coach Matt LaFleur said Friday that he expects Jacobs to remain with the franchise regardless of the outcome of the case. Jacobs would be subject to a fine of no more than $10,000 and no more than nine months in jail if he is convicted.

OLIVIA Attwood has sent fans into a spin after she shared a sweet snap of Pete Wicks wearing an “I love my girlfriend” t-shirt.

The documentary stars have finally been giving followers the relationship content they want to see after months of keeping their romance under wraps.

In a round-up of her week, Olivia posted a picture of her beau Pete donning the top while they played a game of pool.

The candid snap saw Pete, 37, chalking up his cue stick with quite the serious look on his face.

Olivia has been giving fans more of glimpse into their dynamic after hard-launching him on Instagram earlier this week and opening up during her Cosmopolitan interview.

“Love this round up and Pete’s t-shirt,” wrote one fan.

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Another fan penned: “The T-SHIRT, absolutely no notes.”

A third person said: “Love the t-shirt Pete xxx”

Meanwhile, a fourth fan added: “Can’t wait to hear Sam Thompson’s take on the t-shirt.”

Reality TV personality Pete made his intentions clear as he took matters into his own hands and hard-launched his romance with Olivia a whole month before she did.

Olivia recently revealed it was Pete who made the first move and since then their relationship has moved very quickly.

Last week, Olivia dropped a huge hint that things are getting serious with Pete as she leaked a telling WhatsApp message.

Olivia carefully omitted who sent the text which read: “You are the love of my life.”

She then finally went social media official with Pete, sharing a slew of steamy snaps of the pair looking loved-up in Ibiza.

The couple were seen heading out on a date night to the Broadwick hotel in Soho just days ago – the same venue where they were first spotted locking lips.

Loose Women panelist Olivia has reached new career heights this year and she’s certainly been busy as she shared some exciting moments alongside the picture of Pete.

The 35-year-old could be seen at multiple different shoots, her Savano cocktail party, at the gym and she of course showed fans the huge poster she had made for her magazine cover.

DAMON ALBARN has found the woman to drag him off his very own melancholy hill.

The Blur frontman’s 25-year relationship with Suzi Winstanley ended four years ago, but now I’m told he has been secretly dating long-time Gorillaz collaborator Rebecca Freckleton for almost a year.

And now, things have got more serious, as pals say the couple are shacked up in his London pad.

My exclusive photos show that Damon and Rebecca are absolutely smitten, and I’m told they’ve been inseparable for months.

I first heard whispers about their relationship late last year, with friends telling me Rebecca and Damon’s friendship was moving to the next level.

Over the past few months, the pair have been seen together in public on a handful of occasions.

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“Damon and Rebecca are in love and their friends couldn’t be happier for them,” one insider told me.

“After his split from Suzi in 2022, Damon took some time to find himself again. It was a few years later he started to grow closer to Rebecca.

“They’ve been seeing each other for almost a year now.

“He’s got a place in London and she’s there all the time with him.

“She’s been seen out walking his dog, too. They make a lovely couple and it’s been great to see Damon so happy again.”

I first revealed Damon and Suzi, the mother of his daughter, Missy, had split three years ago.

The pair ended their relationship in 2022, with friends revealing the news early the following year.

Damon, who wrote On Melancholy Hill for Gorillaz album Plastic Beach in 2010, poured his heartbreak into Blur’s comeback album, The Ballad Of Darren, which came out in 2023 and went straight to No1.

And he had the same success with Gorillaz’s latest record, The Mountain, which hit the top spot in the album chart back in March.

Rebecca was on board for that project and sang backing vocals on their track, The Empty Dream.

Damon certainly won’t have any of those with Rebecca by his side.

Ayda now inactive

WHEN one door closes, another opens – and that’s exactly what’s happened to Robbie Williams and his wife Ayda Field.

After he launched new clothing line Hopeium last week, hers, Ayda Activewear, was put on ice.

Former Loose Women panellist Ayda debuted her range of cool athleisure clobber back in 2022 and it was initially a big success – but things became more tricky.

A source said: “The market is fiercely competitive and while Ayda Activewear did take off, business has been tough recently.

“The way the markets are, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for brands like this to operate.

“Naturally she hopes one day she could open it back up, but only time will tell.”

Shoppers visiting Ayda’s website are now greeted with a message blaming “sizeable tariffs and overall economic uncertainty” for a “pause” in trading.

In a personal note, she wrote: “I envisioned clothes that were ready to reflect and tackle the chaos of my life and make me feel f***ing fantastic while doing it. Thanks to you all, I got to do just that.

“It’s been an absolute pleasure and I thank you so much for the enduring support. For now we’re hitting the pause button but don’t worry – we’re still stretching and dreaming . . .  and wearing leggings every damn day.”

Amen to that, Ayda.

SAM SMITH says they have never been as proud of an album as new record, Hazel Eyes.

The LP came out yesterday and is reminiscent of their 2014 debut, In The Lonely Hour. It is all about falling in love with fashion designer Christian Cowan.

Sam, who confirmed their engagement last month, said: “I don’t think I’ve ever been as proud of myself or an album.

“This album will always mark one of the most magical, confronting, happiest and challenging times of my life as a person and an artist.”

Sam will play two nights at Manchester’s Albert Hall on September 3 and 4 before kicking off an eight-night residency at the London Coliseum on September 8.

NETFLIX has snapped up the rights to a documentary all about US singer and actress Jessica Simpson.

The project will be headed up by Joe Pearlman, who directed Robbie Williams’ 2023 series on the platform.

Jessica found fame as a pop star in the early noughties alongside Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera, with hits like I Wanna Love You Forever, With You, and a cover of These Boots Are Made For Walkin’.

She’s since sold 20 million records and had a high profile marriage, and divorce, to American singer-songwriter Nick Lachey.

CELEBRITY Big Brother star Danny Beard may wear wigs in his drag shows, but he wants everyone to know the importance of hair care.

The performer is the new face of the Method haircare brand – creating a full dance video to show off his not-so-natural locks.

Apparently, 71 per cent of us say freshly washed hair has a positive effect on our mood.

To be fair to Danny, I also perform a full choreographed dance routine in the shower.

Pixie: I’ll do Marilyn proud

PIXIE LOTT arrived in style for the press night of her new West End show, Who Killed Marilyn?, in a white Cadillac.

She wore a slinky pink, white and gold dress for the event at London’s Emerald Theatre and told how she hopes to show the real person behind Marilyn’s Hollywood alter-ego.

Pixie, who posed for pics with husband Oliver Cheshire, said of the play: “Marilyn was the character she created, but this is more from her Norma Jeane side. It’s her telling her own story, right from the beginning, right up until the end.

“ I was always aware of obviously the very glamorous Hollywood icon side and maybe more of her vulnerable side and fragile side, but not this strength and the intelligence – that side of her that hasn’t really been spoken about.”

Shaggy’s 007 heaven

SHAGGY lived up to his name when he got hitched at the GoldenEye resort in Jamaica – where Ian Fleming wrote James Bond – by intimating he got frisky on the author’s desk.

The It Wasn’t Me singer, who married wife Rebecca in 2014, admitted: “It’s a magical desk. I did a different kind of magic on the desk – but we’re not going to talk about that.”

On Alan Carr’s travel podcast Life’s A Beach, Shaggy also said one of the best things about being a celeb is never complaining.

“I just have someone complain for me,” he said. “I’m famous. I can do that.”

Some claim new MJ biopic is a cover-up

MICHAEL JACKSON’s biopic sequel will explore the sexual abuse allegations made against the late King of Pop, but won’t tell it from the victims’ side.

The Smooth Criminal singer’s nephew Jafaar Jackson, played him in the first film, Michael, which came out this year and made more than $1billion at the box office.

He has said the follow-up will be from MJ’s point of view. But that has already ruffled feathers among people who believe it will skate over the serious allegations.

Jafaar told GQ Middle East: “The second film will give more insight from his point of view, because [the allegations] are always from someone else’s.

“It’s someone else’s story . . .  and it’s mainly driven by an agenda. That’s the issue we have as a family – not having Michael’s voice heard. That is very important.”

There are high hopes for the sequel, after the first movie became the highest-grossing biopic and has sent Jacko’s greatest hits album back up the charts.

BIG screen star Jacob Elordi booked a hotel’s £60,000-a-night penthouse to impress girlfriend Kendall Jenner.

The Wuthering Heights Heathcliff actor splashed out on the Claridge’s suite so she could “see the stars” sources said.

Reality TV star Kendall, 30, joined Jacob, 29, for his whistlestop London visit as he promotes Ridley Scott’s new post apocalyptic thriller, The Dog Stars.

The pair were pictured out with his dad John at posh Italian restaurant Cipriani in London on Wednesday night.

Insiders said Australian Jacob secured the Mayfair suite, billed as the most expensive in London, for Kendall while he worked.

A source said: “Jacob is a proper romantic and he wanted Kendall to have that amazing view over London where you can see the stars.

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“It costs £60,000 a night to stay there.

“But upgrading was worth the money.”

The couple arrived yesterday ahead of last night’s premiere in Leicester Square.

They started dating in February and have since been seen on a number of double dates with Kendall’s sister, Kylie, and her boyfriend, film star Timothee Chalamet.

Jacob was photographed at the premiere with co-stars, including Josh Brolin and Margaret Qualley.

The Dog Stars is released next Friday.

LIAM Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy has revealed that she’s ‘living her best life’ after making one change since his passing.

The social media star was in a relationship with the 1D singer before his tragic death at the age of 31 in October 2024.

In her latest TikTok video, Kate explained she was putting herself first and said: “Your best life starts when you put yourself first.”

The highlight clip included Kate being carried across a grassy field at a festival and wearing a green halter‑style outfit with a matching scarf as she posed for a selfie.

She was also seen in sunglasses with a friend at a huge gig as they partied with a crowd behind them.

Another showed Kate driving with a friend in a red convertible as they cruised down a sunny street.

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Another image showed her sitting on a huge swing with chain supports, as she leaned back with her arms outstretched.

She accompanied the video clip with the hit tune Stop The Wedding by Ashe.

Fans flocked to comment and one wrote: “Keep glowing babe.”

Another added: “I’ve been a fan for a while and I love too see you keep glowing as the time goes on.”

A third added: “You give me so much hope. May you live happy.”

This comes days after Kate hit back at trolls who accused her of abandoning the dog she shared with the singer.

The influencer and her late One Direction star boyfriend adopted their rescue pup Nala just a month before the singer’s tragic passing.

In a TikTok post, a jubilant Kate revealed she was flying off on another trip.

Sharing a video from the airport, she wrote over the top: “I’ve been flying out of town for some peace of mind.”

However, some fans wanted to know where Nala was, while she went off on her holiday.

But Kate was quick to shut down speculation she had left her dog home alone.

“Nala is literally staying with Anna everyone plzzzz,” she snapped back.

Liam tragically lost his life when he fell from the balcony of the hotel he was staying at in Argentina in 2024.