Katherine Heigl defends participating in dog rescue fundraiser at Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago: 'Animals don’t vote'

Katherine Heigl is defending her decision to attend a dog rescue fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago, the exclusive Palm Beach club owned by Donald Trump.

Key Points

• "Animals don't vote. The only room they don't like is the euthanasia room at a shelter," the actress shared in a statement.

• Heigl has long advocated for pets' rights, establishing the Jason Heigl Foundation for animal welfare with her mother Nancy in 2008.

Katherine Heiglis hitting back at criticism over her recent attendance of a charity event held at Mar-a-Lago, Donald Trump's exclusive Palm Beach club.

TheGrey's Anatomystar was one of hundreds in attendance on Sunday at the 2026 edition of Wine, Women & Shoes, an annual fundraiser benefitting Florida's Big Dog Ranch Rescue, the nation's largest no-kill dog shelter. The event was held this year at the sprawling, 17-acre estate that serves as Trump's primary residence, as well as plays host to a wide variety of weddings, galas, and other special events.

Heigl has become an elusive star since the height of her fame in the late 2000s and early 2010s, and the rare red carpet appearance March 8 attracted a good deal of attention. Much of that attention has been critical due to the association with the sitting president, whoseapproval rating has been plummetingamid the ongoing war against Iran.

Never one to shy away from controversy, Heigl finally addressed her decision to the attend the event, which she contended existed in an entirely separate sphere from politics.

"Animals don't vote. The only room they don't like is the euthanasia room at a shelter," the actress said in a statement shared withPage Sixon Wednesday. "They are completely at the mercy of us, and they have no voice of their own."

"This event was about animal advocacy — something that has always been deeply personal to me... Anyone who knows me knows that protecting animals is one of my greatest passions," she continued.

Advertisement

Entertainment Weeklydid not immediately hear back from representatives for Heigl.

Heigl's advocacy for the cause of animal welfare is long running and well documented.

The actress and her mother Nancy established theJason Heigl Foundationfor animal welfare and advocacy in 2008 in honor of their late brother and son, who died in a car accident. The Heigls have raised "more than $8 million" since the organization's inception in order to support animals in need, according to itswebsite.

Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with ourEW Dispatch newsletter.

The three-day gala benefitting Big Dog Ranch Rescue raised $5.5 million in pursuit of its goal to open facilities in Alabama, Texas, California, and North Carolina, according toThe Palm Beach Post.

The event was co-chaired by Lara Trump, the president's daughter-in-law, and was attended by other figures in his extended circle, like Fox News host Jeanine Pirro, whom the president appointed United States Attorney for the District of Columbia back in August.

Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly

bySator Tenet

in

March 12, 2026

Katherine Heigl defends participating in dog rescue fundraiser at Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago: 'Animals don’t vote'

Katherine Heigl is defending her decision to attend a dog rescue fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago, the exclusive Palm Beach club...

Read More

Wisconsin, in familiar No. 5 Big Ten seed, seeks rerun vs. Washington

Wisconsin was the fifth seed in the Big Ten tournament in each of the past two seasons, and it reached the title game both times.

The 23rd-ranked Badgers (22-9) will look to make it three in a row out of the No. 5 post as they open tournament play with a third-round matchup against 12th-seeded Washington (16-16) on Thursday afternoon.

The Huskies advanced with an 83-79 overtime victory against 13th-seeded Southern California on Wednesday. Zoom Diallo led the way with 22 points and 11 assists, Wesley Yates III and Quimari Peterson each scored 15 points and Hannes Steinbach added 10 points and 11 rebounds for Washington, which rallied from a 13-point deficit in the second half.

"When we get down, this is a high character team," Washington coach Danny Sprinkle told Peacock after the game. "Adversity hasn't defined us all year. We've had guys quit. We've had guys get injured, and these guys keep battling."

The Huskies fell behind by three points early in the extra session, but a 7-0 run capped by a 3-pointer from Peterson put Washington on top 80-76 with 59 seconds left. Diallo went 2 of 2 at the line in the final seconds and Steinbach made 1 of 2 to seal the victory.

"Zoom was terrific," Sprinkle said. "Playing with four fouls the last 12:30 of the second half. I think he had a double-double that second half. It was tremendous. Everybody stepped up. ...

"It came down to getting stops and guarding without fouling in that last five minutes of regulation, really eight minutes of regulation, and then overtime. Just kept finding a way to win."

Advertisement

The Badgers defeated the Huskies 90-73 on Feb. 28 in Seattle as Braeden Carrington came off the bench to score a career-high 32 points, making a school-record nine 3-pointers.

"We don't need them to make (17) threes like they did in the first meeting," Sprinkle said. "We didn't play with any force that game. Give Wisconsin credit. They played great, but hopefully we play with a lot more energy (Thursday)."

Badgers coach Greg Gard and his staff had to prepare for multiple potential quarterfinal opponents.

"They've all put their heads together to continue to come to me with how we want to adjust game plans from player to player and game to game," Gard said of his assistant coaches. "It took a little while for us to kind of get it up and really rolling in the right direction, but I think it's made us much more efficient, much more effective."

All-Big Ten second-team selection Nick Boyd leads the Badgers with averages of 20.1 points and 4.0 assists per game. John Blackwell, chosen to the All-Big Ten third team, puts up 18.4 points and 4.8 rebounds per game.

"They've got two of the best guards in the league, and they're going to be coming with a chip on their shoulder because they both could have easily been first-team all-league," Sprinkle said of Boyd and Blackwell."

--Field Level Media

bySator Tenet

in

March 12, 2026

Wisconsin, in familiar No. 5 Big Ten seed, seeks rerun vs. Washington

Wisconsin was the fifth seed in the Big Ten tournament in each of the past two seasons, and it reached the title gam...

Read More

Alix Earle Flexes Her Flexibility in Cutout Minidress for Campaign

Alix Earleis making jaws drop with her new photos. The influencer recently collaborated with the energy drink brand, GORGIE. For the ad campaign, she wore a short dress with bold cutouts in the back. But it was her unique pose that became a marker of her flexibility.

Alix Earle stuns in striped micro minidress with back cutouts for GORGIE campaign

Take a look at the latest photos of Alix Earle stunning in a striped micro minidress with back cutouts for the GORGIE campaign:

Advertisement

The TikToker took to her Instagram to share a picture from her GORGIE campaign. She captioned the post, "Would bend over backwards to get my hands on some @getgorgie." In the picture, Earlie is seen bending backwards in a garden while holding a drink from the brand.

Talking about her fashion statement, she donned a cream-colored minidress with blue parallel strip lines. The outfit also had a bralette-type design tied to the back featuring bold cutouts. Her blonde, wavy hair moved with the flow while her soft makeup, especially her lip gloss, enhanced the sunny vibes.

The postAlix Earle Flexes Her Flexibility in Cutout Minidress for Campaignappeared first onReality Tea.

bySator Tenet

in

March 12, 2026

Alix Earle Flexes Her Flexibility in Cutout Minidress for Campaign

Alix Earleis making jaws drop with her new photos. The influencer recently collaborated with the energy drink brand, GORGIE. For the ad ca...

Read More

Kylie Jenner’s Boyfriend Labeled ‘Tone-Deaf’ by Insider Over Opera Comments

Kylie Jenner's boyfriend,Timothee Chalamet, has been in the news over his opera and ballet comments. During a town hall discussion, the "Marty Supreme" star stated that "no one cares" about the art form. Although he tried to rectify his remarks, it didn't affect the backlash. Recently, an industry insider labeled the actor "tone-deaf" and criticized his "attitude on the press tour." Furthermore, the report claimed that Chalamet's comments might jeopardize his chances at the Oscars.

Timothee Chalamet could jeopardize his chance at Oscars over opera comments, says insider

Kylie Jenner's boyfriend, Timothee Chalamet, was recently slammed online over his opera comments. A couple of weeks ago, he and Matthew McConaughey got together for a candid discussion in a Town Hall event. During the conversation, Chalamet took a dig at opera and ballet, claiming "no one cares" about them.

Since then, people from the arts community and Hollywood have openly criticized the 30-year-old actor. Recently, an industry insider toldPEOPLEin this regard, "A tone-deaf delivery. But what he said isn't inaccurate." They added that Chalamet's controversial remarks were "dumb," and that he has also become "very cocky" during the press tour of "Marty Supreme."

Advertisement

While Jenner's boyfriend might not have assumed the extreme backlash, the source claimed that the comments might cost him the Oscars. For those unversed, the Hollywood star has been nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role for "Marty Supreme" at the 98th Academy Awards.

According to the insider, the award ceremony prioritizes "humility" and "not whatever he's doing." Adding to that, the outlet quoted a communications strategist, who labeled opera and ballet as the "Olympics of the performing arts." Furthermore, they advised, "It's also a small industry. Timothée might want to remember the golden rule: if you don't have something nice to say…"

Meanwhile, a Hollywood publicist supported Chalamet and claimed that "a vast majority of Americans already believe" what the actor said. "Those feigning outrage might start proving their support by posting a photo of the last ticket they actually bought to a ballet or opera performance," they stated.

The postKylie Jenner's Boyfriend Labeled 'Tone-Deaf' by Insider Over Opera Commentsappeared first onReality Tea.

bySator Tenet

in

March 12, 2026

Kylie Jenner’s Boyfriend Labeled ‘Tone-Deaf’ by Insider Over Opera Comments

Kylie Jenner's boyfriend,Timothee Chalamet, has been in the news over his opera and ballet comments. During a town hall discussion, th...

Read More

World Cup games set for Foxborough after deal with town reached

An agreement between the owners of the New England Revolution and New England Patriots, the regional World Cup organizing committee and the town of Foxborough, Mass., will allow the town's planned World Cup games to move forward.

The sides announced the deal on Wednesday, ending a standoff in which the town had threatened to deny the necessary licenses unless it was assured of receiving $8 million for security. Foxborough was steadfast in refusing to foot the bill with public money.

A joint statement regarding the agreement read in part, "As part of this arrangement, the Town of Foxborough will not incur any cost or financial burden related to the FIFA World Cup, with Boston Soccer 2026 providing advance funding for security-related capital expenditures and the full extent of deployment that public safety officials have determined is needed to execute the event with Kraft Sports + Entertainment's backing."

The Kraft Group, fronted by Robert Kraft, owns the Foxborough-based NFL and MLS teams as well as their home venue, Gillette Stadium.

Advertisement

Seven World Cup games are scheduled to be played in Foxborough, including England-Ghana on June 23, Norway-France on June 26, a round-of-32 contest on June 29 and a quarterfinal on July 9.

The town of Foxborough is now expected to approve FIFA's license on March 17.

Town Select Board chair Bill Yukna said in a statement, in part, "On behalf of the Town of Foxborough, I'm very pleased to say that all of our funding concerns have been addressed. I want to personally thank KSE and Robert Kraft for his involvement in bringing the funding concerns to a resolution. We expect that any open issues in the license will be resolved before the 17th public hearing and we look forward to a very successful and safe World Cup event."

--Field Level Media

bySator Tenet

in

March 11, 2026

World Cup games set for Foxborough after deal with town reached

An agreement between the owners of the New England Revolution and New England Patriots, the regional World Cup organ...

Read More

Canada advances past World Baseball Classic first round for first time, beats Cuba 7-2

Canada advanced past the first round of the World Baseball Classic for the first time, beating Cuba 7-2 Wednesday in a winner-take-all game at San Juan, Puerto Rico, behind Abraham Toro's homer and Otto Lopez's two-run single.

WBC Canada Cuba Baseball

Brothers Bo Naylor and Josh Naylor drove in runs, Owen Caissie had two RBIs and reliever James Paxton struck out six over 2 2/3 scoreless innings for Canada (3-1), which eliminated the Cubans (2-2) and won Group A over Puerto Rico (3-1). Cuba was knocked out in the first round for the first time.

Canada and Puerto Rico will play quarterfinals in Houston this weekend.

Cuba finished with three errors, and left fielder Ariel Martinez allowed Toro's catchable fly starting the seventh to fall for a double. The Canadians broke open the game with a three-run sixth inning that included a dropped popup, a foul pop that fell, a wild pickoff throw and a catcher's interference call on Andrys Perez, whose passed ball led to Canada's first run.

Later Wednesday, Mexico and Italy were to play at Houston in a Group B game that will determine whether the U.S. advances.

Cuba escaped a bases-loaded jam in the first when Matt Davidson hit an inning-ending popout off loser Livan Moinelo, but Canada went ahead in the third on Caissie's sacrifice fly. Toro homered in the fifth on a splitter from Yariel Rodríguez, a 420-foot drive to right.

Advertisement

Cuba scored in the bottom half on Yoelkis Guibert's run-scoring groundout off winner Cal Quantrill, who allowed an unearned run and two hits over five innings.

Canada opened a 3-1 lead in the sixth on Bo Naylor's RBI double.

Martinez drove in a run in the bottom half with his third hit and Josh Naylor had an RBI single in the seventh on a soft fly to left that popped up of the glove of Martinez, who tried for a sliding catch.

Cuba went 1 for 7 with runners in scoring position. Adam Macko escaped a bases-loaded jam in the sixth when Yiddi Cappe swung over a curveball and James Paxton struck out Moncada in the seventh to leave runners at the corners.

AP MLB:https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

bySator Tenet

in

March 11, 2026

Canada advances past World Baseball Classic first round for first time, beats Cuba 7-2

Canada advanced past the first round of the World Baseball Classic for the first time, beating Cuba 7-2 Wednesday in a w...

Read More

Leonardo DiCaprio Is a “Jersey Shore” Fan and Once Asked to Be Introduced to the Cast at a Club, Says Simon Rex

Simon Rex revealed during the taping of the March 12 Drew Barrymore Show episode how he learned Leonardo DiCaprio is unexpectedly a fan of Jersey Shore

NEED TO KNOW

• Rex explained that he learned of the Oscar winner's interest after DiCaprio asked Rex to introduce him to the cast following Jersey Shore's 2009 debut

• The Jersey Shore cast was "just blown away, like, 'He knows who we are,' " Rex recalled

Leonardo DiCapriois apparently a fan of at least one reality TV show.

The Oscar winner knew all about the MTV classicJersey Shore,Simon RextoldDrew Barrymoreduring the taping of her March 12Drew Barrymore Showepisode.

In a sneak-peek clip, Barrymore, 51, tried to guess whether a group of statements about Rex, also 51, were true or false. The game began with: "I introduced Leonardo DiCaprio to theJersey Shorecast at a club."

Barrymore hesitated before accurately guessing "true," and Rex simply replied, "That happened, yeah." TheE.T.actress then asked him to tell her "about that moment."

The former MTV video jockey obliged and explained that he was out at a club, and that DiCaprio, now 51, was there as well. He clarified they had a friendly dynamic, "I'm not friends with Leo, but I'd say what's up to him."

As theTowstar was greeting DiCaprio at his table, theJersey Shorecast was at a nearby table. "[DiCaprio] goes, 'Is that theJerseyShore guys over there?' " Rex said before asking him, " 'Did you watch that?' "

TheTitanicstar confirmed he did and said, " 'I wanna meet them," " Rex recalled.

Advertisement

"So I brought him over," Rex said. "They were just blown away like, 'He knows who we are,' and it was just this funny moment where he was talking to them."

"I just sat back, like, I did my work. I'm done here," Rex joked, to which Barrymore added, "Pop culture meets pop culture."

While Rex didn't specify the year this occurred, the hit MTV series first premiered in 2009 and ran for six seasons until its conclusion in 2012. The first cast includedAngelina Pivarnick,DJ Pauly D,Jenni "JWOWW" Farley,Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino,Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi,Ronnie Ortiz-Magro,Sammi "Sweetheart" GiancolaandVinny Guadagnino, with the addition ofDeena Cortesein its third season.

The show became a cultural phenomenon chronicling the summers of a group of 20-somethings living and partying in a Seaside Heights, N.J., beach house. In the years since its initial debut, MTV has expanded theJersey Shoreuniverse into a pop-culture force, creating multiple spinoffs with nearly 300 episodes.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Over almost two decades of filming, the roommates have grown up on camera, navigating relationships, marriages, sobriety, parenthood, and career reinventions — all while maintaining the chemistry that first made them famous.

The latest iteration,Jersey Shore: Family Vacation, will come to a closewith its eighth season premiering on May 7. MTV announced on March 4 that the upcoming season will be the farewell season and the "last hurrah for a cultural icon."

Read the original article onPeople

bySator Tenet

in

March 11, 2026

Leonardo DiCaprio Is a “Jersey Shore” Fan and Once Asked to Be Introduced to the Cast at a Club, Says Simon Rex

Simon Rex revealed during the taping of the March 12 Drew Barrymore Show episode how he learned Leonardo DiCaprio is u...

Read More