Photo: Jessica Simpson/Instagram; Taylor Hill/WireImage; Jeremy Bustos
Though the follow-up year to a tough 2020 wasn’t exactly the “normal” one many hoped for, it did give us headlines that didn’t have to do with COVID-19, thanks in large part to the daily, and often dramatic, happenings of celebrities.
As the end of 2021 nears, look back on the 10 PEOPLE stories that compelled us all.
10. Kim Kardashian Fluffs Paris Hilton’s Wedding Dress at the Heiress' Nuptials to Carter Reum
Steve Granitz/FilmMagic
Paris HiltonandCarter Reumhad one of themost extravagant celebrity weddingsof the year, complete withmultiple designer gowns, a caviar station, a flash mob, astar-studded guest list, Demi Lovato as the wedding singer, a 6-ft.-tall cake and a 13-part docuseries calledParis in Loveto document it all. It also brought a particularly joyous moment for fans: watching longtime Hilton palKim Kardashian step in to fluff the tulle skirt on the bride’s custom Oscar de la Renta wedding dress(which took designers Fernando Garcia and Laura Kim months to create). Theheartwarming photowas a nice full-circle moment considering all the two reality stars have been through together.
Demi Lovato.
Demi Lovato left no stone unturned in theirDemi Lovato: Dancing with the Devildocuseries, which revealed the details of theirnear-fatal 2018 drug overdosevia interviews from Lovato and close confidants.
In the YouTube series, Lovato talked about being hospitalized and how it affected their life and long-term health. They saidthey had three strokes and a heart attack, which left them with brain damage.
“Everything had to happen in order for me to learn the lessons that I learned,” Lovato told PEOPLE about the aftermath of the overdose. “It was a painful journey, and I look back and sometimes I get sad when I think of the pain that I had to endure to overcome what I have, but I don’t regret anything.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, please contact the SAMHSA substance abuse helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.
Alex J Berliner/ABImages
Guest added: “You’ve done the most you can, and that’s all I want. Helping others is something everyone should do. I don’t think it’s only our household thing. It should be a human thing.”
7. DMX’s Family Speaks Out About His ‘Serious Health Issues’ as Manager Says Rapper Is in ‘Vegetative State’; He Dies at 50
DMX.Prince Williams/Wireimage
Family and friends gathered outside of the White Plains, New York, hospitalwhere the beloved rapper remained on life support, sharing their memories of the star and playing his music. A week later, Simmons was pronounceddead at 50.
6. Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez Officially Call Off Engagement: ‘We Are Better as Friends’
Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez.ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images
The news ofJennifer Lopezand Alex Rodriguezending their engagement first broke in March, but it was a month later when the former coupleofficially shared a joint statementon their relationship status.
“We have realized we are better as friends and look forward to remaining so. We will continue to work together and support each other on our shared businesses and projects. We wish the best for each other and one another’s children. Out of respect for them, the only other comment we have is to say is thank you to everyone who has sent kind words and support,” the statement read.
The stars were together for almost four years, and engaged for two. Rodriguezproposed in the Bahamasin March 2019. Lopez is nowback with ex Ben Affleck.
5. Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton Get Married in Jeans for Him, Sky-High Cowboy Boots for Her
Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton.Jeremy Bustos
Gwen StefaniandBlake Sheltonput their own personal touches on their big day in July. The couple had anintimate at-home wedding at Shelton’s ranchin Tishomingo, Oklahoma, whereShelton wore a classic black tuxedo and blue jeanswhile Stefani put on a pair of sky-high custom stiletto cowboy boots fromLe Silla, which featured Swarovski crystals with the monogram of the couple’s initials on the sole.
The Voicehost Carson Daly officiated, and also revealed thatShelton had written a songfor his bride. “We Can Reach the Stars” was later released as a bonus track on the deluxe edition of the country crooner’sBody Languagealbum.
Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth.Tim Graham/Getty Images
Josh Duggar.Washington county arkansas
The controversial TLC star ultimately confessed to having a pornography addiction, cheating on his wife Anna Duggar and apologized for his “wrongdoing” after a 2006 police report revealed that he had been investigated as a teen for inappropriately touching five underage girls, including two of his sisters, Jill and Jessa.
In December,Josh was found guilty of two chargesof knowingly receiving and possessing child pornography, also known as child sexual abuse material. He faces up to 20 years of imprisonment and up to $250,000 in fines. His sentencing is expected in early 2022 pending a pre-sentence investigation; because possession is a lesser included offense, he will only be sentenced for the receipt crime.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s pregnancy reveal on Feb. 14.Misan Harriman
1. Jessica Simpson Celebrates 4 Years Sober with Candid Photo Showing ‘Unrecognizable Version of Myself’
Jessica Simpson on Nov. 1 , 2017.Jessica Simpson/Instagram
On Nov. 4,Jessica Simpsonshared a photo of herself from four years agoto honor the start of her sobriety journey and detail her experience as she celebrated being four years sober.
“This person in the early morning of Nov 1, 2017 is an unrecognizable version of myself,” she began herInstagramnote. “I had so much self discovery to unlock and explore. I knew in this very moment I would allow myself to take back my light, show victory over my internal battle of self respect, and brave this world with piercing clarity. Personally, to do this I needed to stop drinking alcohol because it kept my mind and heart circling in the same direction and quite honestly I was exhausted.”
“I wanted to feel the pain so I could carry it like a badge of honor. I wanted to live as a leader does and break cycles to advance forward- never looking back with regret and remorse over any choice I have made and would make for the rest of my time here within this beautiful world,” she continued. “I can’t believe it has been 4yrs! It feels like maybe 2. I think that is a good thing. Ha. There is so much stigma around the word alcoholism or the label of an alcoholic. The real work that needed to be done in my life was to actually accept failure, pain, brokenness, and self sabotage. The drinking wasn’t the issue. I was. I didn’t love myself. I didn’t respect my own power.”
She concluded, “Today I do. I have made nice with the fears and I have accepted the parts of my life that are just sad. I own my personal power with soulful courage. I am wildly honest and comfortably open. I am free.”
source: people.com
