News
Nichelle Nichols Dead at 89: Celebs React to ‘Star Trek’ Icon’s Death

Published
1 year agoon
By
Press Room
Nichelle Nichols is dead at age 89. The Star Trek actress died on Saturday, July 30, in Silver City, New Mexico.
Her son, Kyle Johnson, confirmed her death on Sunday, July 31. “I regret to inform you that a great light in the firmament no longer shines for us as it has for so many years,” Johnson’s post on Nichols’ official Facebook page announced. “Last night, my mother, Nichelle Nichols, succumbed to natural causes and passed away. Her light however, like the ancient galaxies now being seen for the first time, will remain for us and future generations to enjoy, learn from, and draw inspiration. Hers was a life well lived and as such a model for us all.”
Johnson, 70, continued: “I, and the rest of our family, would appreciate your patience and forbearance as we grieve her loss until we can recover sufficiently to speak further. Her services will be for family members and the closest of her friends and we request that her and our privacy be respected.”
Nichols’ official cause of death was heart failure, according to the New York Times.
Born in December 28, 1932, in Robbins, Illinois, Nichols grew up in the Chicago suburb with father Samuel, the town mayor, and her mother Lishia, but she left at just 15 to start her career when she joined Duke Ellington’s tour as a singer and dancer. Porgy and Bess was her first onscreen role as a dancer in 1959. She made her way to Peyton Place and the TV series Tarzan before landing on Star Trek as Lt. Uhura in 1966.
The actress famously tried to quit the sci-fi series after just one season, intending to return to Broadway. She handed in her resignation to showrunner Gene Roddenberry and was told to take the weekend to think about her decision before he would agree to let her go. She changed her mind after meeting one particular fan — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
“That weekend, I went to what I remember as a NAACP fundraiser, though it could have been something else,” Nichols recalled to StarTrek.com in 2010. “Whatever it was, I was in Beverly Hills. I was being seated at the dais as other notables were coming to join us. One of the organizers came over to me and said, ‘Ms. Nichols, I hate to bother you just as you’re sitting down to dinner, but there’s someone here who wants very much to meet you. And he said to tell you that he is your biggest fan.’ I said, “Oh, certainly.’ I stood up and turned around and who comes walking over towards me from about 10 or 15 feet, smiling that rare smile of his, is Dr. Martin Luther King. I remember saying to myself, ‘Whoever that fan is, whoever that Trekkie is, it’ll have to wait because I have to meet Dr. Martin Luther King.’ And he walks up to me and says, ‘Yes, Ms. Nichols, I am your greatest fan.’ You know I can talk, but all my mouth could do was open and close, open and close; I was so stunned.”
King told Nichols that Star Trek was the only show that he and his wife, Coretta Scott King, allowed their young children to stay up and watch. Nichols was touched and said she’d really miss her costars, and the activist discouraged her from quitting.
“He said, ‘You cannot,’ and so help me, this man practically repeated verbatim what Gene said. He said, ‘Don’t you see what this man is doing, who has written this? This is the future. He has established us as we should be seen. Three hundred years from now, we are here. We are marching, and this is the first step. When we see you, we see ourselves, and we see ourselves as intelligent and beautiful and proud.’ He goes on and I’m looking at him and my knees are buckling,” she explained. “And he said, ‘You turn on your television and the news comes on and you see us marching and peaceful, you see the peaceful civil disobedience, and you see the dogs and see the fire hoses, and we all know they cannot destroy us because we are there in the 23rd Century.’”
She concluded, “That’s all it took.” She remained with the original Star Trek through 1969, appearing in 69 of the show’s 80 episodes. She returned as Uhura in the first six Star Trek movies and voiced the lieutenant in Star Trek: The Animated Series in the mid-1970s.
Breaking barriers was a theme throughout Nichols’ career. Uhura and Captain Kirk (William Shatner) shared the first interracial kiss on broadcast television in 1968. “I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Nichelle,” Shatner tweeted on Sunday. “She was a beautiful woman & played an admirable character that did so much for redefining social issues both here in the US & throughout the world. I will certainly miss her. Sending my love and condolences to her family.”
In 1992, she received a star Hollywood Walk of Fame and became the first Black actress to place her handprints in front of Hollywood’s Grauman’s Chinese Theatre.
Nichols helped inspire many young women to become astronauts, not only as her fictional character but also as a member of the Board of Directors for the National Space Institute (now the National Space Society) and her work with the Space Cadets of America. NASA awarded her a Public Service Award in 1984 for her help diversifying the field.
“We celebrate the life of Nichelle Nichols, Star Trek actor, trailblazer, and role model, who symbolized to so many what was possible,” NASA shared via Twitter on Sunday. “She partnered with us to recruit some of the first women and minority astronauts, and inspired generations to reach for the stars.”
Her final TV roles were on The Young and the Restless in 2016 and Sharknado 5: Global Swarming the following year. Her last film was the 2020 Star Trek parody Unbelievable.
Nichols was briefly married to Forest Johnson in 1951, with whom she shared Kyle, now 70. The pair divorced later that year, and the Illinois native was married to Duke Mondy from 1968 to 1972. After a 2015 stroke and a 2018 dementia diagnosis, Kyle filed for conservatorship in 2018, which is the subject of an ongoing lawsuit .
News of Nichols’ death spawned reactions from stars across Hollywood. Scroll down to see George Takei, Lynda Carter, Celia Rose Gooding and more pay tribute:
You may like
-
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Hung Out Several Times in a ‘Very Private Setting’
-
Below Deck Med Crew Is Rocked By a Death & a Shocking Departure
-
People Revealed Relationship Red Flags Vs. Green Flags, And Boy Do They Have Some Strong Opinions
-
Taylor Swift reportedly paid everyone’s bill to clear restaurant after attending Travis Kelce’s Chiefs game
-
Summer House’s Carl Radke and Lindsay Hubbard Saw Counselor Pre-Split
-
NFL Player’s Wife Feuds With ‘Jersey Shore’s’ Angelina Pivarnick Over DM Slide
News
Summer House’s Carl Radke and Lindsay Hubbard Saw Counselor Pre-Split

Published
56 mins agoon
September 26, 2023By
Press Room
Carl Radke and Lindsay Hubbard sought professional help to work on their problems ahead of their breakup, a source exclusively tells Us Weekly.
“They had actually seen a counselor. But Carl didn’t think it was a good way to start their forever together,” the insider says, telling Us that “Carl had major fundamental issues before the wedding and wanted to take an honest look at them.”
One of the toughest tests for the former couple stemmed from Radke’s sobriety, per the insider. “Sobriety was a big issue for him,” the source adds. “Lindsay had become sober, but then incorporated drinking back into her lifestyle.”
Hubbard, 37, was sober from the end of 2021 to spring of 2022 to show solidarity for Radke, 38, who has been alcohol-free since January 2021. While Radke exclusively told Us in February that he “fully” supported Hubbard “having a glass of wine with her aunt or having a Loverboy with whomever” his feelings seemed to change with time.
Summer House’s Carl Radke’s Battle With Addiction in His Own Words
Carl Radke has been candid about the ups and downs in his sobriety — all of which are captured on Summer House. The Pittsburgh native has been on the Bravo hit since its 2017 premiere. After four seasons of drunken antics with his costars, he got sober in spring 2020. Radke started drinking again, however, […]
“He was nervous about their future together without figuring things out,” the source says, noting, “Things were not resolved between Carl and Lindsay as the wedding was approaching.”
Us confirmed last month that Radke called off his engagement to Hubbard with cameras rolling for Summer House season 8.
“His intention was not to break up with her, he only wanted to address their relationship and it went south,” the insider tells Us, adding, “It wasn’t supposed to be a breakup, but it escalated.”
Since pulling the plug on their romance, Radke and Hubbard “haven’t spoken,” the source says. But the exes have “communicated via text through friends” as “things had to be dealt with around the wedding fallout.”

Related: Lindsay Hubbard and Carl Radke’s Relationship Timeline
Lindsay Hubbard and Carl Radke have been through it all on Summer House — from breakups to makeups and more — before calling off their engagement in August 2023. When the series premiered on Bravo in January 2017, Hubbard and Radke were part of the OG cast of Summer House and have since returned for […]
Earlier this month, Radke emailed his and Hubbard’s wedding guests to inform them that the November ceremony, set to take place in Mexico, was officially off.
Radke expressed sadness in his email, writing, “There have been a lot of false narratives and misunderstandings that have made this all the more painful but sadly at this time we are not moving forward with the wedding. The fact of the matter is Lindsay is devastated and I’m crushed with how all this transpired. I graciously ask for some patience and grace to heal and recover while we navigate this extremely difficult time.”
While Radke seemed to speak on behalf of both him and Hubbard in the letter, the source tells Us, “The email he sent was an issue with her,” pointing out that reports claimed Hubbard was “blindsided” by the message to their guests. However, the insider claims to Us that “Carl has said he did not blindside her” by sending the correspondence.
The former fiancés may not be on the same page about how things ended, but Hubbard has remained steadfast in her claim that Radke was the one who didn’t want to move forward with their relationship.
“My entire life and future was ripped out from underneath me and I’ve had a hard time making sense of it all — with no answers or closure on why,” Hubbard wrote via Instagram on September 14, breaking her silence on the split. “I feel humiliated by how it went down, and simultaneously heartbroken that it happened in the first place. My trust has been betrayed, and coming to terms with that has been difficult for me.”
Hubbard has since bounced back and chosen to focus on her own happiness. Part of that journey included keeping her bachelorette party in the Bahamas. Over the weekend, she celebrated the next chapter of her life with her closest friends.
Thank You!
You have successfully subscribed.
“I didn’t know this amount of love could exist in one photo. I feel completely overwhelmed by my best friends, and their friendship, love, and strength,” she wrote via Instagram on Monday, September 25, sharing a photo of her squad. “The way these girls have rallied around me the last 3 weeks, held my hand, sat in showers and cried with me, picked me up, never left my side, never let me feel alone, and then took me on a trip — that was originally planned for completely different reasons — and yet still carried on with this trip because it became more important.”
Hubbard concluded: “I’m beyond blessed and thankful for every single one of these girls. This is a story about sisterhood, and I could not do life without them.❤️🔥.”
News
Are Lindsay Hubbard, Carl Radke Dating? Relationship Timeline

Published
2 hours agoon
September 26, 2023By
Press Room
Lindsay Hubbard and Carl Radke have been through it all on Summer House — from breakups to makeups and more — before calling off their engagement in August 2023.
When the series premiered on Bravo in January 2017, Hubbard and Radke were part of the OG cast of Summer House and have since returned for every season. During season 4, the pair attempted to turn their friendship into a romance, but it quickly fizzled out.
Despite their breakup, Hubbard supported Radke following the sudden death of his brother during season 5 of the Bravo show — and as he worked through substance abuse issues, getting sober in January 2021.
The following year, the duo admitted that they were in item. “I’m happy to report, we are dating and things are really good,” Radke exclusively told Us Weekly in January 2022. “We’re very happy. She’s someone that’s been an incredible support and part of my life [for years]. … I mean, we make each other laugh like crazy. I’ve never felt more myself around someone than her. And for me, that’s powerful.”
Thank You!
You have successfully subscribed.
Us confirmed the pair had gotten engaged in August 2022, while filming Summer House season 7. Hubbard and Radke called it quits, however, before they could walk down the aisle.
Scroll through for a timeline of their relationship:
News
RHONJ’s Jennifer Aydin, Danielle Cabral’s Altercation: What to Know

Published
3 hours agoon
September 25, 2023By
Press Room
Jennifer Aydin and Danielle Cabral are currently suspended from filming season 14 of The Real Housewives of New Jersey — and Us Weekly has exclusive details on what led to the suspension.
According to a source, the costars got into a “mutual physical” altercation on Thursday, September 21, over several issues. “Jennifer and Danielle got in a fight about a hairdresser they both use and money for a charity event that Danielle allegedly didn’t donate too,” the insider shared with Us. “They are likely going to face some sort of long term suspension.”
Jennifer, 46, didn’t face serious injuries but allegedly also suffered from some light “bleeding” after the incident, which took place while cameras were rolling.
“Bravo released new rules about physical altercations the day after the fight,” the source continued before confirming that “the rest of the cast is still filming” through the end of the month.
A second source tells Us noted that Bravo’s new guidelines about physical altercations were set to be released to talent before the RHONJ drama. The insider said Jennifer — who pushed Danielle first — was on the mend after the small injury, which came as a result of a plastic cup being thrown at her.
Us confirmed on Sunday, September 24, that Jennifer and Danielle, 38, are suspended from filming pending an investigation.
Neither reality star has addressed the news directly on social media. Danielle, though, seemed to allude to the situation with a cryptic quote.
“Focus on the good. And let God handle the rest,” she posted via her Instagram Story on Sunday. As for Jennifer, she has continued to show support for Teresa Giudice and her family on the online platform.
Related: ‘The Real Housewives of New Jersey’ Season 14: Everything to Know So Far
Bravo fans, it’s time to head back to the Garden State because The Real Housewives of New Jersey is officially returning for season 14. Season 13 ended on a heated note when costars (and sisters-in-law) Teresa Giudice and Melissa Gorga nearly came to blows over their ongoing feud at the tell-all reunion. Rumors previously circulated […]
Before the duo found themselves at odds, Jennifer came to Danielle’s defense during her first season at Bravo. Jennifer previously called out viewers who questioned Danielle’s story about being estranged from her brother and his side of the family.
“I didn’t think there was anything more to the story. I was like, ‘This is so wild to me that we have a new friend that’s opening up to us. [She’s] telling us how vulnerable she is because of her situation.’ And as friends, does that mean that we have to question everything that we say?” Jennifer exclusively told Us in March about the season 13 newcomer. “I don’t know what kind of friends you are. But my friends, when they come and they vent to me about something, I just listen. I listen, I hold their hand, I take their words for what it is.”
She continued: “I don’t sit there and think, ‘Well, what did you do? Or what did you do to [cause that]?’ I’ve never treated a friend that way. And ultimately, obviously, there was a slew of things that happened before she blocked them on Instagram. I don’t know what any of that is.”
Jennifer maintained that she couldn’t understand why viewers think “there’s more” to Danielle’s story.
Thank You!
You have successfully subscribed.
“But I do think the catalyst — what broke the camel’s back — was her blocking him. From what she has told me — and she’s my friend and I believe what she says — she said he was very angry. [She said], ‘He blocked me off Instagram and [took me out of his] wedding.’ And that’s how she portrayed the story. I didn’t get why everybody was investigating or [what] everybody wanted,” she concluded. “Like, dude, we just met the girl and already you’re interrogating her. So I didn’t buy any of that. Which is why you heard me say nothing. Because I was basically the one saying, ‘I don’t understand. Our friend is telling us she’s going through something. Why does it matter? Why can’t we just be a friend?’”
With reporting by Andrea Simpson and Nicole Massabrook


Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Hung Out Several Times in a ‘Very Private Setting’

Below Deck Med Crew Is Rocked By a Death & a Shocking Departure

People Revealed Relationship Red Flags Vs. Green Flags, And Boy Do They Have Some Strong Opinions

Taylor Swift reportedly paid everyone’s bill to clear restaurant after attending Travis Kelce’s Chiefs game

Summer House’s Carl Radke and Lindsay Hubbard Saw Counselor Pre-Split

Shannon Beador Allegedly Tipsy at Bar Before Arrest, ‘Bitching’ About Alexis Bellino

Everything That Has Resurfaced About Russell Brand Since He Was Accused Of Rape & Sexual Assault

Leonardo DiCaprio’s Dating History: Gisele, Blake Lively, Camila Morrone

Channing Tatum Shares Sweet Polaroids of 10-Year-Old Daughter Everly

Hugh Jackman Addresses ‘Difficult’ Deborra-Lee Furness Separation

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Hung Out Several Times in a ‘Very Private Setting’

Summer House’s Carl Radke and Lindsay Hubbard Saw Counselor Pre-Split

NFL Player’s Wife Feuds With ‘Jersey Shore’s’ Angelina Pivarnick Over DM Slide

Are Lindsay Hubbard, Carl Radke Dating? Relationship Timeline

‘NCIS’ Actor David McCallum Dead at 90
Trending
-
TV & Movies6 days ago
Shannon Beador Allegedly Tipsy at Bar Before Arrest, ‘Bitching’ About Alexis Bellino
-
Trending6 days ago
Everything That Has Resurfaced About Russell Brand Since He Was Accused Of Rape & Sexual Assault
-
News7 days ago
Leonardo DiCaprio’s Dating History: Gisele, Blake Lively, Camila Morrone
-
News1 week ago
Channing Tatum Shares Sweet Polaroids of 10-Year-Old Daughter Everly
-
News1 week ago
Hugh Jackman Addresses ‘Difficult’ Deborra-Lee Furness Separation
-
Trending5 days ago
People Revealed What It’s Like Being In Relationships With Huge Age Gaps, And It’s Eye-Opening
-
Celebrity7 days ago
Sydney Sweeney Transforms Into an ’80s Prom Queen for 26th Birthday
-
News7 days ago
Josephine Langford’s Upcoming Movie ‘The Other Zoey’: What to Know