HOLLYWOOD HEADLINES

Megan Markle made a surprise appearance at the season finale of America’s Got Talent. She wished Archie Williams good luck before his performance (quote) “We’ve been cheering you on every week and it’s not just because we’re partial to the name: Archie, we are proud of you and are rooting for you, we can’t wait to see what you do. We’re in your corner, have a good night.”

The 5 Seconds of Summer drummer will release a solo album next month. Ashton Irwin calmed followers by saying (quote) “I am in a band that allows me to create freely inside and outside of it.” The first single “Skinny Skinny” was released Wednesday. Ashton said at Instagram about his debut album (quote) “”#Superbloom explores my inner philosophies and feelings.” (People)

New York City will behave cautiously on New Year’s Eve. The annual ball drop will be a “virtually enhanced celebration” with “extremely limited” capacity in Times Square. The event’s co-producer said what we’re all thinking (quote) “The world desperately needs to come together virtually to celebrate the people and things we love and to look forward with a sense of renewal and new beginnings.” (TMZ)

A co-founder of WhatsApp paid $125 million – in cash – on the Beverly Hills mansion once owned by Quibi co-founder Jeffrey Katzenberg. This is the third-largest real estate deal in California following Jeff Bezos spending $165 million in Beverly Hills and Fox News family member Lachlan Murdoch paying $150 for a Bel Air mansion. (Variety)

The Hallmark Channel holiday movies start the week before Halloween, October 23. In less than one month, Hallmark will release 40 original, saccharine made-for-TV movies. This year’s selection includes a Hanukkah film based on surprise DNA test results. Also a married gay couple will adopt a child for Christmas. (Entertainment Tonight)