April 7th Celebrity News Roundup

On Easter Sunday, Taylor Frankie Paul announced she is stepping away from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star shared on Instagram that "it's time to detach myself from it." This revelation comes after ABC canceled her anticipated season of The Bachelorette, following the emergence of a 2023 video showing a confrontation with her ex, Dakota Mortensen.

Melissa Gilbert expressed complete confidence that her husband, actor and director Timothy Busfield, will be cleared of child sexual abuse allegations. Speaking on Good Morning America, Gilbert described the ordeal as “the most traumatizing” experience they have faced. She emphasized her full trust in Busfield, calling him “honorable” and “caring.” Busfield has denied all accusations.

Netflix is broadening its lineup of children’s content by releasing new episodes of Ms. Rachel and Sesame Street, in addition to launching a new gaming application called Netflix Playground. This app targets children aged eight and under and features no advertisements or in-app purchases. Furthermore, Netflix has renewed the series Trash Truck and The Creature Cases and approved a new musical show titled Young MacDonald.

Hulu confirmed that the role of Dewey in Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair will be portrayed by newcomer Caleb Ellsworth-Clark. The original actor, Erik Per Sullivan, declined the opportunity to reprise his role despite producers reportedly offering him “buckets of money,” as stated by co-star Jane Kaczmarek. Sullivan retired from acting at age 18 and has maintained a private life since then.

Hugh Jackman is set to deliver the commencement speech at Ball State University’s spring graduation ceremony on May 2nd in Muncie, Indiana. In addition to speaking, Jackman will be honored with an honorary Doctor of Arts degree from the university. This event marks his return to campus after previously visiting last September to join his partner, Sutton Foster, who teaches theatre at Ball State, during one of her classes.

Todd Meadows, a crew member of Deadliest Catch, tragically died by drowning and likely hypothermia after falling overboard while filming the show. The 25-year-old was working on the Aleutian Lady on February 25th when he entered the frigid Alaskan waters. His mother has requested that Discovery refrain from broadcasting any footage of the accident. Discovery described the loss as “devastating.”