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Derek Hough Holds Back Tears While Remembering Len Goodman on ‘DWTS’ on November 29, 2023 at 4:11 am Us Weekly

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Derek Hough got emotional while praising Dancing With the Stars contestant Xochitl Gomez during the semifinals on Tuesday, November 28.

“I was thinking how important this season is, what the gravity of this season means … because this is the first time that we have the Len Goodman trophy,” Hough, 38, told Gomez, 17, after her Waltz with partner Val Chmerkovskiy to “La Vie En Rose” by Lady Gaga.

“And I’ll tell you right now, Len would’ve loved that dance,” Hough continued, as he held back tears. “That was absolutely perfect. Perfect.”

Goodman died at age 78 in April, less than one year after he retired from DWTS following season 31. He served as a judge on the reality competition series from 2005 to 2022. In September, DWTS’ grand prize, the Mirrorball Trophy, was renamed in Goodman’s honor.

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Related: Len Goodman Through the Years: The ‘DWTS’ Judge’s Life in Photos

Remembering a dance legend. After achieving success as a ballroom dancer, Len Goodman found fame as a TV judge on Strictly Come Dancing and Dancing With the Stars. Goodman — who died in April 2023 at age 78, just three days shy of his 79th birthday — began his career on the dance floor at […]

“The Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy will now be lifted on Dancing With the Stars like the Vince Lombardi trophy is lifted at the Super Bowl,” executive producer Conrad Green told USA Today at the time. “We wanted to make Len a permanent part of this show, to always remind people the importance he’s had to Dancing With the Stars and how much he meant to all of us.”

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The show further celebrated Goodman’s legacy last month when former DWTS pros including Maks Chmerkovskiy, Mark Ballas and Karina Smirnoff returned for a tribute dance to the late judge set to Henry Mancini’s “Moon River.”

Ahead of the moving performance, the performers shared memories of Goodman via a pre-recorded video.

“One of the things I’m most thankful for [about] being able to judge alongside Len, is I was able to spend a little bit more extra time with him,” Hough said, getting choked up.

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Related: ‘DWTS’ Judges Through the Years

The judges have spoken! Len Goodman, Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli have been staples on the Dancing With the Stars‘ judging table since day one — but they aren’t the only stars who’ve weighed in on the contestants’ performances. Since the show’s 2005 start the trio of judges have been joined by a variety […]

Len Goodman. Vince Bucci/Getty Images

After Hough invoked Goodman while praising Gomez on Tuesday, the other judges shared similarly glowing feedback.

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“There is dancing and there is artistry,” Bruno Tonioli told the actress. “You have an amazing future in front of you.”

Carrie Ann Inaba also got emotional after watching the performance. When cohost Alfonso Ribeiro reminded her to lock in her score, she apologized, saying she was “taken aback.”

Inaba, 55, then told Gomez: “You really touched my heart. It transported me to another world. I just felt like I never wanted it to end and that’s so rare after 32 seasons of watching dances and dances. That was stunning.”

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Related: ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Winners Through the Years: Photos

See pictures of every Dancing With the Stars winner through the years, from Kelly Monaco in season one to Meryl Davis in season 18

Xochitl Gomez and Val Chmerkovskiy on ‘Dancing With the Stars.’ Disney/Eric McCandless

Gomez was the only contestant of the night to receive perfect scores for both of her dances. At the end of Tuesday’s episode, Ribeiro, 52, and his cohost, Julianne Hough, announced which duos had made it to the finale until only Gomez and Chmerkovskiy, 37, and Ariana Madix and Pasha Pashkov remained.

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“The couple dancing in the finale will be … both of you!” Ribeiro revealed.

“That’s right, no one is going home tonight,” Julianne, 35, explained. “Everyone here has made it to the finale. For the first time ever, we will see five couples dancing for the trophy.”

The Dancing With the Stars season 32 finale airs on ABC Tuesday, December 5, at 8 p.m. ET.

Derek Hough got emotional while praising Dancing With the Stars contestant Xochitl Gomez during the semifinals on Tuesday, November 28. “I was thinking how important this season is, what the gravity of this season means … because this is the first time that we have the Len Goodman trophy,” Hough, 38, told Gomez, 17, after 

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Kim and Kanye’s Daughter North West Faces Criticism Over Her Tattoos

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North West, the 12-year-old daughter of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, is under the spotlight once again — this time for showing off a collection of tattoos that set social media on fire. In recent photos and videos circulating online, North was seen with several arm designs, including tributes to her parents and fashion-inspired symbols. While fans were quick to admire her bold style, not everyone was impressed.

Critics argue that the tattoos — even though they appear to be temporary — are another example of celebrity children being pushed into adult trends too early. Comments flooded social media platforms, with some users saying Kim allows North too much freedom, while others defended the reality star’s parenting approach, praising her for letting her daughter explore creativity and self-expression.

“Kids should be kids,” one commenter wrote, reflecting a broader sentiment among parents online. Meanwhile, supporters pointed out that North comes from one of the most fashion-forward families in the world and that experimenting with style is part of her upbringing.

Kim Kardashian has not directly addressed the controversy, but she has often spoken about encouraging her children to express themselves authentically. North, already known for her viral TikTok appearances and fashion collaborations, seems unfazed by the criticism.

At just 12, North West continues to blur the lines between youth culture and celebrity identity — reminding the public that in the Kardashian–West household, individuality isn’t just allowed, it’s celebrated.

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Jennifer Lopez’s Ex Fires Back: “You Are the Problem”

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Ojani Noa Accuses J.Lo of Cheating After “Never Been Loved” Comments

Jennifer Lopez is once again at the center of a media storm — but this time, it’s her first husband, Ojani Noa, turning up the heat. Following Lopez’s recent Howard Stern Show interview, in which she claimed she has “never been truly loved” by any of her exes, Noa has publicly accused the superstar of cheating and playing the victim.

In the viral Instagram post that has now spread across major outlets like TMZ and New York Post, Noa didn’t hold back.

“Stop putting us down. Stop putting me down with your victim card,” he wrote. “The problem is not us. Not me. The problem is you. You’re the one who couldn’t keep it in your pants.”

“You Chose Fame and Lies Over Love”

Noa and Lopez were married briefly from 1997 to 1998, before her rise to Hollywood superstardom. In his explosive statement, he accused her of being unfaithful during their marriage, claiming she prioritized fame over their relationship.

“You have been loved a few times. You’ve been married four times. And have had countless relationships in between,” Noa continued. “You decided to lie, to cheat on me. You begged me to keep the marriage intact to avoid bad press.”

Noa described himself as “faithful, honest, and loving,” saying he uprooted his life and career to support Lopez at the beginning of her entertainment journey. “I left my family, my friends, everything behind for you,” he wrote, “but once fame came calling, you left me behind.”​

Lopez Silent Amid Growing Backlash

As of now, Jennifer Lopez has not publicly responded to Noa’s allegations. During her Howard Stern interview, the singer and actress claimed her former partners “weren’t capable” of loving her, saying, “It’s not that I’m not lovable… it’s that they’re not capable.”

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Her remarks were widely interpreted as referencing all of her ex-husbands — including Marc Anthony, Cris Judd, and Ben Affleck — but it was Noa who reacted first and most forcefully. His comments have ignited widespread debate online, with many questioning whether Lopez’s honesty came at the expense of others’ reputations.

Public Response and Media Fallout

The online reaction has been intense, with social media users split between defending Lopez’s right to share her truth and blasting her for allegedly rewriting history. Meanwhile, entertainment analysts note that the controversy adds to an increasingly turbulent year for the singer, following canceled tours, underperforming films, and ongoing scrutiny over her marriage to Affleck.

This latest backlash has also reignited conversations about Lopez’s highly publicized romantic history. As tabloids and fans speculate whether more exes might respond, the situation underscores an old truth in celebrity culture — that every candid confession comes with consequences.

For now, Jennifer Lopez remains silent. But in the court of public opinion, the debate about who’s really at fault in her love story is only just beginning.

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Selling Your Soul in Hollywood: The Hidden Cost of Fame

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By all appearances, Hollywood is a dream factory — a place where charisma, talent, and luck collide to create stars. But behind the camera lights and red carpets lies a conversation few inside the industry speak openly about: the spiritual and moral price of ambition.

For actor Omar Gooding, the idea of “selling your soul” in Hollywood isn’t a metaphor — it’s a moral process that begins with tiny compromises. In an October 2025 interview, Gooding explained that no one in Hollywood makes a literal deal with the devil. Instead, it’s the quiet yeses, the moments when comfort overrides conviction, that mark the beginning of the trade. “They don’t say, ‘Take this or you’ll never make it,’” he said. “They just put it in front of you. You choose.”

Those choices, he argues, create a pattern. Once you show that you’ll accept something you once resisted, the industry notices. “Hollywood knows who it can get away with what,” Gooding said. “One thing always leads to another.” The phrase “selling your soul,” in this context, means losing your say — doing what you’re told rather than what you believe in.

That moral tension has long shadowed the arts. Comedians like Dave Chappelle, who famously walked away from millions to preserve his creative integrity, often serve as examples of where conviction and career collide. In resurfaced interviews, Chappelle hinted that he felt manipulated and silenced by powerful figures who sought control of his narrative, warning that “they’re trying to convince me I’m insane.”

This isn’t just about conspiracy — it’s about agency. Hollywood runs on perception. Performers are rewarded for being agreeable, moldable, entertaining. Those who question the machine or refuse the script risk exile, while those who conform are elevated — sometimes beyond what they can handle.

We see the ‘collections’ all the time,” Gooding explained. “When the bill comes due, you can tell. They made that deal long ago.”

But the story doesn’t end in darkness. Gooding also emphasizes that in today’s entertainment landscape, artists have more control than ever. With streaming, social media, and creator‑driven platforms, performers don’t have to “play the game” to be seen. Independent creators can build their own stages, speak their own truths, and reach millions without trading authenticity for access.

Still, the temptation remains — recognition, validation, quick success. And every generation of artists must answer the same question: What are you willing to do for fame?

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As Gooding put it, “You just make the best choices you can. Because once it’s gone — your name, your peace, your soul — there’s no buying it back.”

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