Celebrity Buzz

Apr 10, 2018 | 6:15 AM

PRINCE HARRY AND MEGHAN MARKLE REQUEST CHARITABLE DONATIONS: Forget the blenders and toasters, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle want well-wishers to make a charitable donation in their name in lieu of wedding gifts. “Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle are incredibly grateful for the goodwill shown to them since the announcement of their engagement and are keen that as many people as possible benefit from this generosity of spirit,” Kensington Palace stated via a press release. “The couple have therefore asked that anyone who might wish to mark the occasion considers making a donation to charity, rather than sending a wedding gift.” They chose seven organizations they would like to help: CHIVA (Children’s HIV Association), Crisis, the Myna Mahila Foundation, Scotty’s Little Soldiers, StreetGames, Surfers Against Sewage and The Wilderness Foundation UK.

L.A. D.A. REJECTS FIVE CASES AGAINST JAMES TOBACK: Director James Toback has been cleared by the L.A. County District Attorney in five cases involving sexual misconduct. Toback has been accused of harassment and assault by dozens of women. TMZ says the cases were rejected because they were outside the statute of limitations.

BROOKE BURKE OPENS UP ABOUT SPLIT FROM DAVID CHARVET: After filing for divorce from David Charvet after six years of marriage, TV host and Dancing With the Stars season seven champ Brooke Burke opened up about their split on the blog Modern Mom. “I have struggled with trying to find worthy words to speak to this life change my family is going through but I do want to share my personal thoughts,” the 46-year-old actress wrote. “You may have heard that David and I are divorcing. We have tried to keep our separation private for some time out of respect for our children and family. Although I believe this is a positive change, I am deeply saddened because I loved being married.” The pair share two children: Shaya, 10, and Heaven, 11. She also shares two children, Neriah and Sierra, from her previous marriage to Garth Fisher. She said they are all committed to moving forward as a loving family.

BLUME IN LOVE STAR SUSAN ANSPACH DIES: Susan Anspach, who rose to fame for her roles in Five Easy Pieces and Blume in Love, has died at age 75. Her son Caleb Goddard said the cause of death was heart failure. Her most recent credits include the 2002 television film Dancing at the Harvest Moon and the 2009 drama Wild About Harry, according to USA Today. She was also a political activist, marching with the United Farm Workers and protesting apartheid in South Africa.

SEX CULT RECRUITING BROOKLYN HIPSTERS? A branch of the so-called sex-cult Nxivm (which reportedly brands female recruits with its founder’s initials) has turned to the Brooklyn art crowd for new blood, Page Six reports. The founder, Keith Raniere, was arrested in Mexico last month on sex-trafficking charges, and his partner, Smallville actress Allison Mack, is reportedly next on the list for arrest. (She was with Raniere when cops arrested him). Sources tell Page Six the party screened a video showing Raniere and Mack discussing Nxivm, and partygoers were pitched a $10K “curriculum” aimed at “life improvement.”

BILLIE LOURD SHARES ROMANTIC SNAP WITH AUSTEN RYDELL: Billie Lourd jetted to Tokyo, Japan this weekend with her boyfriend Austen Rydell. She shared a cute shot of them embracing under a tree of cherry blossoms. The pair also celebrated his birthday during their getaway. The pair rekindled their romance last year. They were first seen together in October. (They briefly dated in 2016).