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Jennifer Lopez says she 'feels free' for 1st time in her life

Jennifer Lopezis taking audiences through the story of her life and the lessons she's learned along the way in her new Las Vegas residency at Caesars Palace.

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The two-hour high-energy show blends Lopez's biggest pop hits with theatrical elements inspired by Old Hollywood, Broadway and classic Vegas spectacles.

Structured in four acts, the production celebrates the singer, actor and entrepreneur's decadeslong career, while also reflecting on her personal journey.

"I feel like my shows are always an athletic event," Lopez told ABC News' Juju Chang in an interview that aired Wednesday on "Good Morning America."

ABC News - PHOTO: Jennifer Lopez speaks with ABC News' Juju Chang in an interview that aired on

The residency marks a new chapter for the 56-year-old superstar, who says she's embracing what she calls her "happy era."

"I'm in my happy era," Lopez said. "I think for the first time in my life, I feel like I'm free. I am on my own. And it feels really good."

She continued, "I didn't really know what that felt like since I was in my early 20s. And even before that, you know, I've always had a boyfriend. There was always kind of, like, someone in my life and so many other things that I felt like were out of my control, and I just am at a point in my life ... where I really trust myself and have learned to kind of -- I guess this sounds funny -- appreciate myself a little bit more instead of being so hard on myself all the time and always trying to prove so many things."

Ben Affleck, Jennifer Lopez reunite on 'Kiss of the Spider Woman' red carpet

For her Las Vegas residency, Lopez performs reimagined versions of her songs backed by a full orchestra, something she says she had always wanted to do.

"I wanted to have an orchestra onstage for this show, which I've never done," she said. "And all of the songs are reimagined in that way."

ABC News - PHOTO: Jennifer Lopez speaks with ABC News' Juju Chang in an interview that aired on

The show pays tribute to the city that has long served as a home to many superstar residencies, while also incorporating elements of Broadway, Lopez's first love as a performer.

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"It's a celebration," Lopez said of the show. "That life is so precious. And, you know, even my kids going off to college now, it goes so quickly, and it's like ... you have to cherish and live every single moment."

Jennifer Lopez talks bringing her kids on tour this summer, her new film 'Atlas'

The residency comes after a difficult personal period for Lopez, following the highly publicized breakup ofher marriage to Ben Affleckin 2024.

She said that moment forced her to slow down and focus on herself and her family.

"I had stop everything. And I took a year off. I canceled tours. I decided to just be home and sit in what had happened without running away from it. Through work, through another person, through anything. Just sit," Lopez said.

"I needed to be home with my kids, and that was the priority at that time," she continued. "But I really needed to... I was just at a point where I was like, 'What is going on with you?' Because I couldn't blame anybody else. Because I don't think that that's where the lesson is. And so, I really wanted to figure myself out."

Amy Sussman/Getty Images - Jennifer Lopez attends the 83rd Annual Golden Globe Awards on January 11, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California.

That process, she said, helped her learn something she once feared -- being comfortable on her own.

Asked if she is currently dating anyone, Lopez replied, "No. No, I'm not. God forbid. I don't want to ruin anything. It's so nice right now. I'm so happy. It's the best. I just feel really good right now."

After decades in the spotlight, Lopez says she feels stronger than ever.

"I am a mom of graduates this year who are going to college. I am a showgirl and an entertainer and an actor and an entrepreneur," she said. "I am happy, and I am healthy, and I'm grateful. That's who I am today. And I'm surrounded by love, which is the best part."

Ultimately, Lopez said she hopes audiences leave the show with a simple lesson.

"It's definitely 'Get up no matter what happens and dance again,'" she said. "Because you will ... life kind of will throw things at you, but dance. Keep dancing, keep finding the joy in every moment, in every day. Because it's there."

Jennifer Lopez says she ‘feels free’ for 1st time in her life

Jennifer Lopezis taking audiences through the story of her life and the lessons she's learned along the way in her ne...
Kelly Clarkson says she never got car prize for winning

Kelly Clarksonrevealed that she was "lied" to about herAmerican Idolprize.

Entertainment Weekly Kelly Clarkson on Season 6 of 'The Kelly Clarkson Show'Credit: Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal via Getty

The "Since U Been Gone" singer shared her story while relating to recentThe TraitorswinnerRob Rausch, who has yet to receive his impressive $220,800 prize pot. Clarkson, who won the first season ofAmerican Idol, said she could "relate to this so hardcore" because she didn't receive $1 million, nor did she get the car prize.

'American Idol' winner Kelly Clarkson sings after winning the contest on Sept. 4, 2002Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty

"They were like, 'Oh you win a million dollars or whatever, da da da,'" she said on arecent episodeofThe Kelly Clarkson Show. "No, you didn't. They lied. You did not, no. It was like a million dollars worth of investment in you. ... And then they said you get a car. And I needed it, 'cause my car is bashed in and I couldn't afford the deductible."

While the pop star did not get a car she was promised, the investment in her career paid off. After winningAmerican Idolin 2002, Clarkson went on to score a dozen top-10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, which landed her on the publication's list oftop female artistsof the 21st century.

Kelly Clarkson revealed that 'American Idol' season 2 runner-up Clay Aiken won cars for him and his motherCredit: SGranitz/WireImage

Still, Clarkson was annoyed about not receiving her reality TV prizes after learning thatAmerican Idolseason 2 runner-upClay Aikenand his mother were gifted cars from production. Aiken had lost the top spot toRuben Studdardin 2003.

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"Clay Aiken, who didn't win the second season, got a car and his mom," the "Behind These Hazel Eyes" singer said. "I was like, what the f---? I remember Clay telling me that the second season. He was like, 'Yeah, they gave my mom one.' I was like, 'I'm gonna actually kick your a-- right now.'"

'The Traitors' season 4 winner Rob Rausch said he hasn't received his prizeCredit: Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty

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

As for Rausch, his payday may be imminent.The Traitorsseason 3 winner Gabby Windey, who triumphed alongside fellow Faithfuls Dylan Efron, Dolores Catania, and Lord Ivar Mountbatten,experienced delaysreceiving her winnings, too.

Check out the full interview between Kelly Clarkson and Rob Rausch onThe Kelly Clarkson Showbelow.

Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly

Kelly Clarkson says she never got car prize for winning “American Idol”: ‘I was like, what the f---'

Kelly Clarksonrevealed that she was "lied" to about herAmerican Idolprize. The "Since U Been Go...
Three more vessels hit by projectiles in Strait of Hormuz, showing merchant ships remain in firing line

DUBAI, March 11 (Reuters) - Three more vessels have been hit by unknown projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz, maritime security and risk firms said on Wednesday, bringing the number of ships struck in the region since the Iran conflict began ‌to at least 14.

Reuters The Thailand-flagged cargo ship Mayuree Naree engulfed in black smoke in the Strait of Hormuz, March 11, 2026. ROYAL THAI NAVY/Handout via REUTERS The Thailand-flagged cargo ship Mayuree Naree engulfed in black smoke in the Strait of Hormuz, March 11, 2026. ROYAL THAI NAVY/Handout via REUTERS The Thailand-flagged cargo ship Mayuree Naree engulfed in black smoke in the Strait of Hormuz, March 11, 2026. ROYAL THAI NAVY/Handout via REUTERS The Thailand-flagged cargo ship Mayuree Naree engulfed in black smoke in the Strait of Hormuz, March 11, 2026. ROYAL THAI NAVY/Handout via REUTERS

The Thailand-flagged cargo ship Mayuree Naree engulfed in black smoke in the Strait of Hormuz

Shipping along the narrow strait has come to a near standstill since the United States and Israel began ‌strikes on Iran on February 28, preventing exports of around a fifth of the world's oil supply and sending global oil prices surging to highs not seen since 2022.

Iran's ​Revolutionary Guards have warned that any ship passing through the Strait will be targeted. U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to ramp up U.S. attacks on Iran if it continues to obstruct the strait.

The Thai-flagged Mayuree Naree dry bulk vessel was struck by "two projectiles of unknown origin" while sailing through the Strait on Wednesday, causing a fire and damaging the engine room, the ship's Thai-listed operator Precious Shipping said in a statement.

"Three crew members are reported ‌missing and believed to be trapped in the ⁠engine room," Precious Shipping said.

"The company is working with the relevant authorities to rescue these three missing crew members," it said, adding that the remaining 20 crew members had been safely evacuated and were ashore in Oman.

Images provided ⁠by the Thai navy showed smoke pouring out of the back of the ship.

Iran's Guards said in a statement carried by the Tasnim news agency that the ship was "fired upon by Iranian fighters", suggesting the first direct engagement by the Guards who have previously fired missiles or drones.

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The U.S. Navy has refused ​near-daily ​requests from the shipping industry for military escorts through the Strait of Hormuz since ​the start of the war on Iran, saying the ‌risk of attacks is too high for now, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. Trump has said the U.S. is prepared to provide naval escorts whenever needed.

TWO OTHER SHIPS SUSTAIN MINOR DAMAGE

Earlier on Wednesday, the Japan-flagged container ship ONE Majesty sustained minor damage from an unknown projectile 25 nautical miles (46 km) northwest of Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates, two maritime security firms said.

Its Japanese owner Mitsui O.S.K. Lines and a spokesperson for Ocean Network Express (ONE), its charterer, said that the vessel was struck while at anchor in the Gulf and an inspection of ‌the hull had revealed minor damage above the waterline.

All crew are safe, they ​said, adding that the vessel remains fully operational and seaworthy. The owner said the ​cause of the incident remained unclear and was under investigation.

A third ​vessel, a bulk carrier, was also hit by an unknown projectile approximately 50 miles northwest of Dubai, maritime security ‌firms said.

The projectile had damaged the hull of the ​Marshall Islands-flagged Star Gwyneth, maritime risk management ​company Vanguard said, adding that the vessel's crew were safe. Owner Star Bulk Carriers said the ship was hit in the hold area whilst anchored. There were no crew injuries and no listing.

The Guards' statement included a reference to another ship, which it ​said was hit by projectiles - usually a reference to ‌drones - on Wednesday morning. Reuters was not immediately able to confirm that report.

(Reporting by Jonathan Saul in London, Yannis Souliotis ​and Renee Maltezou in Athens, Panarat Thepgumpanat in Bangkok and Kentaro Okasaka in Tokyo, Tala Ramadan, Nayera Abdallah in Dubai ​and Enes Tunagur in London; Editing by Louise Heavens and Philippa Fletcher)

Three more vessels hit by projectiles in Strait of Hormuz, showing merchant ships remain in firing line

DUBAI, March 11 (Reuters) - Three more vessels have been hit by unknown projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz, maritime sec...
Humanitarian crisis looms in Lebanon where nearly 750,000 people have been displaced by war

A humanitarian crisis is looming inLebanonwhere more than 750,000 people have been displaced in the 12 days since the U.S. and Israel began their war with Iran and its proxies in the Middle East, figures released by the Lebanese government show.

NBC Universal

The pace of displacement was "unprecedented," along with the "panic, also, that this has all created," Imran Riza, the United Nations humanitarian coordinator in Lebanon, told Reuters on Tuesday. More than 100,000 people were registered as displaced between Monday and Tuesday alone, the data showed.

The majority come from Lebanon's south, where the Israeli military has enforcedsweeping evacuation orderswhile launching multiple strikes on the region, a stronghold of the militant group Hezbollah. The U.S. military has not struck Lebanon.

Lebanon Israel Iran (Bilal Hussein / AP)

The Israeli military said Tuesday that it was "operating with determination" against Hezbollah after the Tehran-backed group launched missiles at Israel in what it said was retaliation for the joint U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.

Since the start of the war Feb. 28, more than 570 people have been killed and around 1,400 injured as of Tuesday, according Lebanese government figures. Scores of children are among the dead, according to UNICEF.

Sleeping on streets

The numbers "are really shocking because they really jump so high," Dr. Tania Baban, the Lebanon country director for the Chicago-based nonprofit MedGlobal, told NBC News in a telephone interview Wednesday.

Baban said part of the rapid rise in the number of people identified as being internally displaced was likely due to the recent release of an online platform allowing people to formally register with the government as having been displaced.

03 March 2026, Lebanon, Beirut: A  family takes refuge in downtown Beirut on March 3,m 2026, after fleeing their home in the city's southern suburbs.  (Marwan Naamani / dpa via AP)

The overall total was likely higher than 750,000, given that not everyone will have been able to access the platform, she added.

While the data showed just more than 120,000 people were listed as being housed in shelters set up across the country, Baban said many were sleeping in tents on the streets of Beirut or in parked cars.

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APTOPIX Lebanon Israel (Mohammad Zaatari / AP)

"People who have bigger cars are more fortunate," she said, adding that she had come across one father sleeping out "on a chair on the pavement" while his family, including four children, slept in their car.

Some were deciding not to move to shelters in northern Lebanon and opting to stay in Beirut so they could remain closer to their homes in the south, she said.

Riza, at the United Nations, told Reuters that the majority of the million or so people displaced in Lebanon during the war between Israel and Hezbollah in 2024 did not go to collective shelters. That would likely be the case during the current hostilities consuming the region, he added.

"There are about 100,000 people ​that are, as of this morning, in some 477 collective shelters. There are some 57 shelters that still have ‌some ⁠space, but basically the capacity is being reached very, very quickly," he said, with churches and Beirut's Sport's City Stadium converted into shelter sites.

Image: LEBANON-ISRAEL-IRAN-US-WAR (Anwar Amro / AFP - Getty Images)

Baban said humanitarian groups on the ground were also hearing of local municipalities seeking to discourage residents from renting homes to displaced people coming from the south over fears their areas could be targeted if suspected Hezbollah members were among them.

The sweeping displacement and growing death toll in Lebanon come as Human Rights Watchissued a report this weekaccusing the Israeli military of illegally using white phosphorous munitions over homes in the southern Lebanese town of Yohmor on March 3.

It said it had verified at least eight images appearing to show white phosphorus used over a residential area of the town and civil defense workers responding to fires.

APTOPIX Lebanon Israel Iran (Bilal Hussein / AP)

"The incendiary effects of white phosphorus can cause death or cruel injuries that result in lifelong suffering," Ramzi Kaiss, Lebanon researcher at Human Rights Watch, warned in a statement Tuesday.

The Israeli military said in a statement Wednesday it was "currently unaware and cannot confirm use of shells that contain white phosphorous in Lebanon as claimed." While its primary smoke shells do not contain the substance, it said some of them did contain "a certain amount," which "are lawful under international law." These were used to create smoke screens and were not used for targeting or causing fire, it added.

Humanitarian crisis looms in Lebanon where nearly 750,000 people have been displaced by war

A humanitarian crisis is looming inLebanonwhere more than 750,000 people have been displaced in the 12 days since the U.S...

 

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