“This is why I say that hip-hop has done more damage to young African-Americans than racism in recent years. This is exactly the wrong message. And then to conflate what happened in the church in Charleston, South Carolina with the tragic incidents involving excessive use of force by cops is to equate that racist killer with these cops. It’s so wrong. It’s so counterproductive. It gives exactly the wrong message.”

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Kit Harington may not be the best at keeping secrets, as his uncut hair at Wimbledon revealed over the weekend. But we expected a lot more secrecy from "Game of Thrones" showrunners Dan Weiss and David Benioff.

Spoiler alert for the "Game of Thrones" Season 5 finale.

As it turns out, the two writers practically confirmed a major Jon Snow fan theory months ago, and we all missed it. As fans of the show know, Harington's Jon Snow was killed off in the "GoT" Season 5 finale. While this could mean Jon is simply dead, fans have speculated numerous ways the former Lord Commander of the Night's Watch could eventually return. One of those theories is that Jon will warg into his direwolf Ghost, or that he possibly already warged in the final moments of the episode. While this is just a theory, Weiss and Benioff have already discussed it in public.

Earlier this year, Weiss, Benioff, Harington and John Bradley (Samwell Tarly) discussed the series during a roundtable at the Oxford Union. When a fan asked what other character Harington and Bradley would want to play on the series, Harington said, "I'd like to be a warg. I'd like to put myself into a wolf." Yes, Harington actually said those words before we ever saw Jon Snow get stabbed. 

Even more shocking is what Weiss said in response. "Two words for you: Season 6." Either Weiss was just joking and playing into the fan theory, or he accidentally let a huge spoiler slip. Following the Season 5 finale, Harington flat out told Entertainment Weekly that he's "dead" and "not coming back next season." But that doesn't necessarily mean we won't see Jon outside of his physical body, whether that happens in Season 6 or possibly Season 7. Or perhaps it was just a cruel joke and Jon is really gone for good.

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The first teaser for "Independence Day: Resurgence" is here.

Jeff Goldblum shared the 12-second clip on his Facebook page over the 4th of July weekend (fitting). The video, which features a flickering landscape image, contains the ambiguous message, "We're fighting for our right to live. To exist." 

The film's official Twitter account shared their own teaser for the film as well: 

Goldblum also shared a behind-the-scenes photo from the set, in which he was photobombed by co-star Liam Hemsworth. He captioned the pic, "So there I was thinking about how I would save mankind when this guy photobombs me. Oh, why hello Facebook, nice to finally meet you. #IDR." 

The "Jurassic Park" actor will be joined again by Vivica A. Fox, Bill Pullman, Judd Hirsch and Brent Spiner for this latest installment, though it's been confirmed Will Smith will not reprise his role. Hemsworth, along with Charlotte Gainsbourg and Jessie Usher, are new to the franchise. 

The film is set to be released June 24, 2016, in line with the 20th anniversary of the original motion picture. 

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We haven't heard that much about Russell Wilson and Ciara's relationship, until now. 

The pair, who made their public debut as a couple back in April as they walked the red carpet at the White House Correspondents' Dinner together, were rumored to have ended their romance as soon as it started. But it turns out that's not the case. In a Q&A with San Diego pastor Miles McPherson at The Rock Church on Sunday, the Seattle Seahawks quarterback got really, really candid about the couple's sex life, or lack therof. 

"He has anointed both of us and I know that he's calling for us to do something miraculous," Wilson said. "I told her … If you can really love somebody without that, then you can really love somebody." 

Wilson was talking about not having sex, just in case that wasn't totally clear. 

He said the 29-year-old singer agreed with him, adding, "I ain't gonna lie to y'all now. I need y'all to pray for us! I know you seen her on the screen ... If there's a 10, she's a 15. Pray for me. Keep my mind clear. Keep my heart clear."

Good to know. Also good to know: Wilson, 26, was previously married to Ashton Meem, whom he divorced in 2014, while Ciara was previously engaged to rapper Future, with whom she has a 1-year-old son, Future Zahir Wilburn. 

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Actress Amanda Peterson, who was best known for her role opposite Patrick Dempsey in the 1987 teen movie "Can't Buy Me Love,"  has died at the age of 43, her father told TMZ. 

According to the website, Peterson's body was discovered in her home in Greeley, Colorado, on July 5 after her family hadn't heard from her in two days. 

Her cause of death is still unknown, but her father told the website, "She had some illness and a sleep apnea problem that may have contributed." 

Peterson got her start as a child actress in the early 1980s, landing small roles on "Silver Spoons," "Boone" and the movie musical "Annie," before nabbing her most memorable role in "Can't Buy Me Love."  The actress was last seen on screen in 1994's "Windrunner."  

Watch the trailer for "Can't Buy Me Love" below: 

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The question of why Paula Deen exists takes two forms. In the wake of her posting a photo of her son in brown face, one might ask, Why do we let an unabashedly racist person continue to be racist while trying to kill us all via early onset diabetes? But before we can even tackle that very rational inquiry, we have to wonder how she got so famous in the first place. There are a lot of racist white ladies with large hair and an even larger predilection for bigotry living in the American South. Why do we care so much about Deen?

To really discuss Deen's fame, we should first consider the rise of the celebrity chef -- a phenomenon which is interesting if only for its surprising recency. The likes of Deen, Martha Stewart, Gordon Ramsey and the frosted-tipped beast known as Guy Fieri seem so ubiquitous at this point, it's strange to think the foreground for their sort of fame was only laid in the '90s. 

It all started with Shep Gordon, a master of public relations who we can thank for the likes of Emeril Lagasse and Wolfgang Puck. "Everybody eats," he told The New York Times in 1993, declaring that celebrity chefs would someday be a thing. "It has to be made more mass market," Gordon explained. "Nobody has taken these chefs in hand and managed their careers."

Long before Gordon's bright idea, of course, there were notable chefs such as Julia Child and Jacques Pépin, though they earned their fame in a different era, based on cookbooks leading to wider recognition. Gordon took the idea of accessibility so present in Child's work bringing French cuisine to the American kitchen and morphed it into a force in the marketplace. Gordon's chefs weren't just teaching the art of cooking  -- how often do audiences really make the food they watch celebrity chefs prepare? -- they were peddling a lifestyle. 

Deen earned her first show ("Paula's Home Cooking") on the heels of Martha Stewart's mid-'90s ascent as "the definitive American woman of our time." In fact, she told her agent Barry Weiner she wanted to "become the Martha Stewart of the South." But according to Allen Salkin's book From Scratch: The Uncensored History of the Food Network, it was 9/11 that really catapulted Deen into celebrity status, specifically the mounting desire for comfort food in the wake of disaster. In that newfound need, Weiner saw an opportunity for his Martha wannabe.

"One thing that we’ve all learned because of 9/11 is we’re all going to die," he is quoted saying in Salkin's book. "We know that. Whether we eat corned beef, or we don’t eat corned beef, or whether we eat fried chicken, or we don’t eat fried chicken, or whether we eat macaroni and cheese or we don’t, it’s not going to make a difference."

This nugget is interesting, because comfort food is inherently cheap and easy to come by. We didn't "need" Paula Deen any more than we need to eat a stick of butter at 1 o'clock in the morning. She filled an apparent consumerist void that emerged from a cultural moment. But now that cultural moment is over. 

At the end of the day, celebrity chefs are perhaps some of the most manufactured of our stars, because their presence is specifically engineered to sell products under the umbrella of a curated lifestyle. Unlike actors who entertain us and develop personas which are then attached to products, celebrity chefs are created as brands themselves.

The fact is that since she was first dropped from the Food Network in July of 2013, Deen's brand has transformed into something most accurately described as "deep-fried racist." Recognizing the way her presence was created (the way any famous food-maker is created, really) allows us --as the people who are supposed to be buying the schtick of butter -- a greater freedom in dismissing her as relevant.

So, let us say farewell to even giving a sh-t about the Queen of Cholesterol. May her leggings be loose and her calories be empty. Acknowledging the deliberate nature of her ascent comes with a liberating takeaway: We don't have to hang out on that plantation anymore.

Middlebrow is a recap of the week in entertainment, celebrity and television news that provides a comprehensive look at the state of pop culture. From the rock bottom to highfalutin, Middlebrow is your accessible guidebook to the world of entertainment. Sign up to receive it in your inbox here.

Follow Lauren Duca on Twitter: @laurenduca

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On Wednesday, pint-sized pop star and ponytail enthusiast Ariana Grande apologized for getting caught on camera saying that "I hate Americans" and  "I hate America," after she made the bizarre choice to lick donuts that she hadn't purchased.

Grande claimed her comments were taken out of context and she was "upset by how freely we as Americans eat and consume things without giving any thought to the consequences that it has on our health and society as a whole."  She then tried to make her case by citing child obesity rates, but at least one person out there isn't buying it, and that guy is Robe Lowe. He's calling her apology "#Lame."

Lowe definitely has a point, especially since Grande's apology didn't explain WTF she was doing licking donuts in the first place, which, let's be honest, is the real issue (or it should be). Her remarks weren't taken out of context and are pretty common comments people make when they are disgusted by the amount of causal gluttony that is so pervasive in this country. It's just something someone in Grande's position can't afford to get caught saying, especially after pulling such a weird stunt like licking donuts she didn't buy. (Okay, Lowe actually seems hung up on the America comment, he also tweeted, " Cannot wait for the new Arianna Grande/Dixie Chicks jam to drop! #IActuallyLoveAmerica" but he's missing the big picture).

The 22-year-old's donut drama isn't over yet, as The Associated Press reported that police in Lake Elsinore, Calif., where Wolfee Donuts is located, are investigating the video with Riverside County public health officials. Additionally, a cashier at the shop told the AP, that Grande didn't buy any of the donuts she licked and added that "she was really rude."  

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Simply stunning.

Caitlyn Jenner looks absolutely radiant in a black lace evening gown in the promotional photo shoot for her upcoming docuseries, "I Am Cait." In a snapshot, the 65-year-old opted for a floor-length dress complete with a sheer back panel and kept her brown locks up in a chic messy bun: 

In a preview for the upcoming series, which premieres on E! on July 26, the former Olympian meets with transgender youth and shares inspiring words of encouragement. 

"Hang out with people that love you and respect you. We're all beautiful," she tells the group. 

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Patti LuPone does not have time for your texting.

During a performance of her play "Shows for Days" at Lincoln Center Theater on Wednesday night, LuPone took a cell phone out of an audience member's hand. According to Twitter, LuPone stopped mid-performance to take the phone as the user was texting. Lincoln Center confirmed the incident to BroadwayWorld.com and LuPone has since issued a statement.

“We work hard on stage to create a world that is being totally destroyed by a few, rude, self-absorbed and inconsiderate audience members who are controlled by their phones," LuPone said in a statement to the Daily News Thursday morning. "They cannot put them down. When a phone goes off or when a LED screen can be seen in the dark, it ruins the experience for everyone else -- the majority of the audience at that performance and the actors on stage.”

In case you were wondering, the owner did get their phone back. According to Gothamist, the cell phone was returned after the show. 

The incident doesn't come much as a surprise since LuPone famously stopped mid-song during a 2009 performance of "Gypsy." The actress yelled at an audience member for taking photos during the show.

But cell phone rudeness is clearly having a moment on Broadway. Last week, an audience member jumped on stage before a performance of "Hand to God" started to plug in his cell phone to an electrical outlet on stage. On Monday, a video of the incident surfaced. After LuPone's reaction though, we doubt anyone will have the audacity to bring their phones to the theater. (But for real, not cool, guys.) 

For more, head to the Daily News.

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Natalie Portman is the latest star to cover Harper's Bazaar, and she looks absolutely stunning. 

The "Black Swan" actress appears on the glossy's August 2015 issue, channeling her inner Lana Del Rey with lush flowers crowing her head. She's wearing a pink Prada dress along with Bulgari earrings and a Harry Winston bracelet and ring. 

Inside the issue, the 34-year-old discusses what it's like living in Paris (where she resides with her husband, choreographer Benjamin Millepied, and their son Aleph) as opposed to America. 

"It’s magical. But the cultures are different in ways you don’t even realize. And there’s stuff you don’t know you’ll miss until you’re away," she says. "Like indoor gyms where kids can just run around and jump. They don’t have those there. [In Paris] if you’re running around on the playground chasing your kid and playing a game, people think you’re nuts."

The mother of one goes on to discuss balancing parenthood and her career, admitting she's asked fellow actress Cate Blanchett for advice. 

"Very early on, I asked [Cate Blanchett] about being a parent. I said ‘How do you do it? You’re a mom. You’re the best at what you do.’ She said, ‘You just do. Stressing about it doesn’t help,'" she explained to the magazine. 

Portman also talks about Hollywood's strong focus on fashion and gender inequality. 

"I like to look at what people are wearing, but I do see the sexism in it. Yeah, you could reject it all, but I don’t know anyone who has done that and been able to maintain the level of work that I’d like to maintain."   

You can read Natalie's entire interview online or pick up a copy of the issue when it hits newsstands July 21. 

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Just like Jon Snow, Kit Harington knows nothing, at least when it comes to his tennis player, Charles Poole.

In a new clip from HBO's upcoming sports mockumentary, "7 Days In Hell," Harington's Poole proves to be quite the dimwit. When an interviewer asks Poole how he continues to be the No. 2 tennis player in the world, Poole responds with a thorough, step-by-step explanation of how to play tennis. Oh, sweet, blockheaded, beardless Harington.

"7 Days In Hell" follows Harington's Poole and Andy Samberg's Aaron Williams during a (fictional) epic weeklong Wimbledon match. Watch the two tennis rivals duke it out on the court when the mockumentary airs on HBO on July 11.

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Here's a photo of Kim Kardashian wearing a weird nude bodysuit while posing on a pile of dirt for System Magazine.

Styled by her husband Kanye West and shot by Juergen Teller in the French countryside earlier this year when Kim was still in her platinum-phase, we imagine the reality star thinks the whole photo shoot, which also featured her posing on top of hay, was really "edgy." 

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Ariana Grande confused the world yesterday when a security video showing her  licking doughnuts and saying she hates America and Americans surfaced online, but she's got the support of at least one person.

That person is none other than Susan Sarandon. The 68-year-old actress expressed her support for the "Problem" singer on Twitter, encouraging her followers to "lick a doughnut in solidarity with @ArianaGrande. A sweet, talented, true American." 

We're not lying. She actually tweeted that. We don't even know what's going on anymore. (But on the flip side, we do love doughnuts, so we're not totally opposed to her suggestion.)

Grande issued an apology for her words and actions, which took place at Wolfee Donuts in Lake Elsinore, Calif., yesterday, saying she is "EXTREMELY proud to be an American" and "I love my country."

She also explained that "as an advocate for healthy eating, food is very important to me and I sometimes get upset by how freely we as Americans eat and consume things without giving any thought to the consequences that it has on our health and society as a whole." 

Actor Rob Lowe called the apology "#Lame" on Twitter, adding, "As my grandpa would say: 'Yeah, sure. Pull the other leg, it plays jingle bells!'"  

And the pint-sized pop star's doughnut drama is far from over. The Associated Press has reported police in Lake Elsinore are investigating the video with Riverside County public health officials. A cashier at the shop also told the AP Grande didn't buy the donuts she licked and said "she was really rude." 

Welp, looks like now she's got a problem. 

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North West and Penelope Disick can confirm: cousins are the greatest.

West's mom, Kim Kardashian, shared several cute photos of the toddler girls in honor of Disick's third birthday. "These wild ladies always help each other when they have boo boo's!" she captioned one of the photos (in which West seems to be recovering from a very minor knee boo-boo).

Kardashian also shared a sweet photo of the "best friend ballerinas" playing together in matching white outfits.

Kourtney Kardashian shared some photos from her daughter's Disneyland birthday celebration on her Instagram. "Happy birthday to the sweetest little girl in the world," she wrote on the photo. "Watching your every little move every day brings me immeasurable happiness."

Kourtney has yet to publicly comment on her recent split from long-time boyfriend Scott Disick, with whom she has three children. Scott posted a birthday message of his own for Penelope -- though his was much more sad than celebratory.

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NEW YORK (AP) — Say good morning to Regis Philbin again!

The veteran daytime-TV host is joining NBC's "Today" as a contributor to the fourth hour, reuniting him with his longtime co-host, Kathie Lee Gifford, who co-anchors the hour with Hoda Kotb.

Philbin, who has made multiple guest appearances recently, will appear about once a month in his new role, NBC said.

The 83-year-old Philbin hosted "Live! With Regis and Kathie Lee" from 1985 to 2000. He retired from the program in 2011 after nearly three decades.

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"You're being naive and stupid, something you never were before," Mandy Patinkin's Saul tells Claire Danes's Carrie in the first trailer for "Homeland" Season 5. In typical Carrie fashion, she responds saying, "I'm just trying to do good work." 

The new season of the Showtime drama will take place two years after Season 4 and mostly be set in Germany. No longer working for the CIA, Season 5 finds Carrie exiled in Berlin as the head of a security firm. But according to the teaser, she'll be facing just as much danger as usual.

"Homeland" returns this fall on Showtime.

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LOS ANGELES (AP) — A coalition of black civil rights activists is calling on the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce to remove Bill Cosby's star from the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The activists, including Earl Ofari Hutchinson, called for the star's removal Thursday.

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce released a statement saying it has never removed a star from the Walk of Fame and will not do so in Cosby's case.

Most of the activists previously remained largely neutral on Cosby and the allegations against him. But they made the request after recently released court documents from a 2005 disposition, where Cosby acknowledged buying Quaaludes to drug women he wanted to have sex with.

More than 40 women have alleged Cosby sexually assaulted them. The comedian has vehemently denied the accusations.

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Hugh Jackman recently announced he'll be stepping down from his role as Wolverine after the third film, but judging by a new collection of unofficial "audition tapes" released by Conan O'Brien, the role will be left in good hands claws. Kind of. 

The late-night host "leaked" a series of celebrity audition tapes on Wednesday night's episode showing everyone from Larry King Jr. to Nick Offerman and even Betty White, who's an absolute natural, vying for the role. The resulting clips are hilarious, naturally. 

You can watch all the auditions in the video above. 

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Jennifer Lawrence is one of the biggest movie stars in the world, but she's also a total fangirl. Remember what happened when she met Jack Nicholson at the 2013 Oscars? Or when she ran into Jeff Bridges that same year at Comic-Con? And then there was that time she freaked on the red carpet at the 2014 SAG Awards over "Homeland" star Damian Lewis. 

Lawrence continued her tradition of fangirling out when she crossed paths with Bill Murray backstage at Comic-Con in San Diego on Thursday, before she would join other cast members of "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2" on stage for a Q&A session about the franchise's final film. 

Keep up the good work, Jen. 

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