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The truth about Drake Bell’s controversy with an underage fan and his conviction

Warning: This article contains potentially disturbing information related to sexual assault and substance abuse. Please read with care.

It’s nearly impossible to recall the early era of teen sitcoms from the late 1990s and early 2000s and not think of two of Nickelodeon’s most popular series, The Amanda Show and Drake & Josh. Both aired from around 1999 to 2007. Both are considered by many to be of the Golden Age of the teen sitcom genre. And both starred American actor Drake Bell. 

Bell’s acting career carried him through nearly three decades, from the mid-1990s to the early 2020s. He starred in a plethora of small TV shows and even voiced the role of Peter Parker aka Spider-Man in a number of animated Marvel shows from 2012 to 2017, including Disney XD’s Ultimate Spider-Man. Throughout this time, Bell also leaned into a career in music, a profession to which he’s devoted years of his time, and even released almost half a dozen albums.

As is, unfortunately, the case for child actors, Bell’s time in the spotlight as he grew older was marred by controversy, a common occurrence for those who spend so many years under a microscope from such a young age. By 2015, the actor and musician was arrested for driving under the influence. Then, in 2021 he was hit with his biggest problem yet after a Cuyahoga County grand jury in Ohio indicted him for “charges of attempted endangering children, a fourth-degree felony, and disseminating matter harmful to juveniles, a first-degree misdemeanor,” according to ABC News 5 Cleveland. 

Still, there was more to come. Let’s look at Bell’s conviction, the controversy surrounding it, and the guilty plea he ultimately entered, as well as the addiction problems that plagued his adulthood.

Being accused of sexual contact and grooming an underage fan

Drake Bell wearing a blue and red puffer jacket while sitting on stage holding a microphone and holding one hand to his forehead.

In 2021, it was announced that Drake Bell, 34 years old at the time, had been charged with grooming an underage fan and attempted child endangerment, as well as sexual misconduct. Bell ultimately pled guilty to the child endangerment charges, and was sentenced to two years probation and 200 hours of community service.

In a virtual sentencing, the victim, who is now in her 20s, claimed she had been made to perform oral sex on Bell when she was just 15 years old. “He was calculating, he preyed on me and sexually abused me,” she said in her statement, as reported by Daily Mail. “He is a monster and a danger to children.”

She went on to claim that Bell is “the epitome of evil” and called him a pedophile. “’I deserve better than to be used for his sick desires, and for my suffering to be used for his amusement. Jared Drake Bell is a pedophile and that is his legacy,” she said.

Upon seeing the surprised look on Bell’s face at the mention of these accusations, she then added, “Don’t look at me like that!”

Why Drake Bell says he pled guilty

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Shortly following the news of his guilty plea, Drake Bell took to Instagram to address the situation himself. “Most of the news you’ve heard recently is entirely false and wrong,” he said in a video clip. “I feel that you deserve, and I owe you, an explanation.”

According to him, the situation was not as spontaneous as it appeared from the outside. After a three-year ordeal, he decided to plead guilty, as it was the quickest and easiest way out, although he still maintains that the claims about him are false. Nevertheless, he also agreed that his interactions with the victim were “reckless and irresponsible.”

“I know that this has moved very quickly for you, but for me, it’s been a three-year, thorough investigation into every false claim that has been made. And, it’s not me telling you that the claims are false, but the state of Ohio has proven the claims to be false. If these claims were remotely true, my situation would be very different. I would not be here at home with my wife and my son.

“I responded to a fan whose age I didn’t know. Yet when I became aware of their age, all conversation and communication stopped. And this individual continued to come to shows and pay for meet and greets, all while I was unaware that this was the same person I was communicating with online, and that’s what I plead guilty to.

“It was reckless and irresponsible text messages. I want to make clear that there were no sexual images, nothing physical between me and this individual, I was not charged with anything physical. I was not charged with disseminating of photographs or images or anything like that. This is strictly over text messages. And when I was presented with a plea deal, because of the messages, I felt that it was the best way to get this over quickly and for everybody involved to be able to move on, and for me to get back to doing what I love. And that’s making music for you.”

Addiction, the dissolution of his marriage, and going missing

Janet von SchmelingImage via Drake Bell/ Instagram

In January 2023, while still in the midst of his two-year probation for child endangerment, Bell and his wife Janet Von Schmeling, with whom he shares a son, quietly separated after five years of marriage, according to People. The news came just one month after photographs revealed Bell inhaling balloons in the front seat of his car while his son sat in the back, as reported by the Daily Mail.

Bell ultmately entered an outpatient clinic for substance abuse shortly thereafter, according to People. “Drake needed to take time to get help and focus on his health,” a source for the magazine said.

On April 20, a week after Bell was reported missing and then later found, Von Schmeling formally filed for divorce. Bell addressed the topic of his whereabouts in a since-deleted post on X (then known as Twitter), saying “You leave your phone in the car and don’t answer for the night and this?”

Ever since, Bell has continued interacting with his fans on social media and promoting his music. In August he set out on a 6-stop tour across Mexico titled the “Non Stop Flight Tour.” He’s also released new music, which he promotes on his social media channels.

On Aug. 19 he responded to a fan letter during in Instagram Live video in which he emotionally adressed the “crazy few years” that have occured since his his legal woes began. With visibal tears in his eyes, Bell said it’s been “so nice to be out on the road again” and expressed “how much it means to me that I can still continue to share my music. My words, my thoughts, and translate that into song, and that you all are still showing up.” He concluded by saying, “It’s awesome. It’s just awesome.”

Bell comes out as a victim of sexual abuse

In March 2024, Bell made headlines again, for an equally shocking reason but this time it was on his terms. A trailer for Investigation Discovery docuseries Quiet on Set, taking a look at a convicted child abuser who worked for Nickelodeon in the ’90s and ’00s, confirmed that Drake Bell will take part in the program, opening up about his own experiences as a victim of sexual abuse at the age of 15 for the first time.

The subject of the series is Brian Peck, a former dialogue coach who was arrested in 2003 on 11 charges of child abuse. Up until now, Bell was not known to be one of Peck’s victims, nor has he ever come forward about any experiences of abuse in his past. The revelation has shocked his long-term fans, then, and all eyes are on Quiet on Set to unveil the full story. The two-part series is set to air across March 17-18.

By: Cody Raschella
Title: The truth about Drake Bell’s controversy with an underage fan and his conviction
Sourced From: wegotthiscovered.com/celebrities/the-truth-about-drake-bells-controversy-with-an-underage-fan-and-his-conviction/
Published Date: Thu, 07 Mar 2024 11:48:29 +0000

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Manoj Bajpayee On Making 100th Film as Bhaiyya Ji Release Date Nears

Manoj Bajpayee Bhaiyya Ji release dateManoj Bajpayee Bhaiyya Ji (Photo Credit: Bhanushali Studios, SSO Productions and Aurega Studios)

As the release date of Manoj Bajpayee’s highly anticipated film Bhaiyya Ji draws near, the actor is not just preparing for another premiere but is marking a monumental milestone — his 100th film in the industry. This remarkable achievement comes with a mix of surprise and reflection for Bajpayee, who shared his thoughts on reaching this significant number in his illustrious career.

Manoj Bajpayee says ‘miracle’ on completing 100th film with Bhaiyya Ji

From Satya (1998) and Gangs of Wasseypur (2012) to The Family Man (2019) and Joram (2023), Manoj Bajpayee has come a long way with a string of iconic projects. Now, the actor is gearing up to release his 100th film in the industry. Fans and him alike are astonished by such a feat. 

In a recent conversation with Pinkvilla, Manoj Bajpayee shared his disbelief. It was when Bhaiyya Ji’s director Apoorv Singh Karki informed him about the milestone. “He told me one day, ‘Sir do you know that you have completed your 100 films’ and I was completely surprised,” said Bajpayee.

The actor described this moment as a “miracle,” reflecting on his humble beginnings and the unpredictability of his career path. “When I look back at the time when I first came to Mumbai, I never thought I’d even be able to do 10 films. But now see – I am 100 films down.”

Manoj Bajpayee attributes this unexpected milestone to a blend of several known and unknown factors. “It was just destiny, and destiny’s game and play. And I am happy that this is my 100th film. Because when I was growing up in Bihar, all the 70s commercial films used to mesmerize me,” he explained. This nostalgia is fitting as Bhaiyya Ji will showcase Bajpayee embracing a full-circle moment. The actor will adopt a mass-market action hero persona reminiscent of those early inspirations.

As the countdown to the release begins, the excitement among fans is palpable. Stay tuned for more updates!

The post Manoj Bajpayee On Making 100th Film as Bhaiyya Ji Release Date Nears appeared first on ComingSoon.net – Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.

By: Devanshi Basu
Title: Manoj Bajpayee On Making 100th Film as Bhaiyya Ji Release Date Nears
Sourced From: www.comingsoon.net/indian/news/1722261-manoj-bajpayee-on-making-100th-film-as-bhaiyya-ji-release-date-nears
Published Date: Thu, 16 May 2024 11:30:59 +0000

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Who plays Missy in ‘Young Sheldon’?

Young Sheldon is about, well, a young version of Sheldon Cooper. It’s right there in the title. The sitcom has been on the air for seven seasons, however, so the writers and producers have clearly managed to do a good job in fleshing out the rest of the Cooper family. One of the most essential pieces of the show’s success has been Sheldon’s sister, Missy Cooper.

Missy has become a fan favorite during Young Sheldon‘s CBS run, despite having already been introduced in its predecessor show, The Big Bang Theory. She’s a perfect foil for the precocious genius, bringing a different perspective to the family household that helps Sheldon grow. Even if the siblings do get on each other’s nerves from time to time. Young Sheldon recently aired its series finale, which has been cause for fans to reflect, appreciate, and enjoy the talented people who brought it to life. One of these talents is, of course, the actress who plays Missy.

Sheldon Cooper’s sister is played by Raegan Revord

Raegan Revord, Annie Potts, Iain Armitage, Montana Jordan, Lance Barber, and Zoe Perry as Missy, Connie, Sheldon, Georgie, George Cooper Sr, and Mary in 'Young Sheldon'Image via CBS

Raegan Revord has played Missy Cooper for the duration of Young Sheldon. She has played the character for almost half her life, as she’s currently 16 years and old and she was cast when she was only 9. She was initially introduced as the cute comic relief to Sheldon’s storylines, but the older she got, the more Revord was allowed to showcase her acting chops.

Young Sheldon showrunner Steve Holland reflected on this maturation during an interview with People Magazine. He noted that the actress was relegated to “one-line zingers” at the onset, but the writers gave her subplots that actually challenged her as she got more screen time.

“We could really lean on [Revord] for a whole story or an emotional story, and it just opened up the kind of things that we could write,” Holland noted. “And I think it let the show kind of grow up with the kids, where the stories we could tell could get a little bit more adult and a little bit deeper as the show went on.”

Revord’s lengthy involvement with the show has led to long-lasting friendships. She told the outlet that she considers her onscreen siblings to be like real siblings, and she plans to remain close with them despite Young Sheldon no longer being on the air:

We’re telling people, ‘Yeah, we’re actually brother and sister,’ and I love it I actually now have my own brothers.

Revord is hesitant to return for the spinoff series

Image via CBS

The Big Bang Theory has really proved to have legs as a franchise. The show not only sparked the wildly successful Young Sheldon, but the upcoming spinoff George & Mandy’s First Marriage. The latter will continue the storyline of the titular characters after Young Sheldon, which has led many fans to question whether Raegan Revord and the rest of the cast will return for cameos.

The actress told TV Line that she’s reluctant to step back into the shoes of Missy Cooper so soon. Her reasoning? She wants to try different things. “I’m not sure,” she admitted. “I mean, if Young Sheldon had gotten more seasons, I would have 10,000% signed on to do more. But now that it’s over, I’m also kind of excited to see what else is out there and try different things. Something dramatic would be a lot of fun.”

Revord is not limiting herself to acting, either. The multitalented artist is currently working on her debut novel, Rules for Fake Girlfriends, which is set for release in fall 2025.

By: Danilo Castro
Title: Who plays Missy in ‘Young Sheldon’?
Sourced From: wegotthiscovered.com/tv/who-plays-missy-in-young-sheldon/
Published Date: Thu, 16 May 2024 11:00:16 +0000

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Alaya F Movies List: Srikanth, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, Freddy & More

Alaya F's FilmographyAlaya F's Filmography (Photo Credit: Pooja Entertainments & AA Films)

In recent years, actress Alaya F has emerged as a force to be reckoned with. She has captivated audiences with her stellar performances across a myriad of genres. From heartwarming dramas to adrenaline-pumping thrillers, she has demonstrated her versatility and depth as an actress. Let’s explore her diverse range:

Srikanth

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Her latest release is Srikanth, directed by Tushar Hiranandani. Alaya F portrays a pivotal role alongside Rajkummar Rao. The film chronicles the extraordinary journey of Srikanth Bolla, a visually-impaired industrialist who defied all odds to establish Bollant Industries. Through her portrayal, Alaya F brings to life the resilience and determination of Veera Swathi, Srikanth’s wife. Alaya’s performance adds emotional depth to the narrative.

Bade Miyan Chote Miyan

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The action-packed sci-fi thriller Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, sees Alaya as Pam. Alaya F shares the screen with an ensemble cast including Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff. Her presence adds an extra layer of excitement to the film. The film is about two former soldiers reunited to thwart an imminent national threat. Her dynamic performance elevates the film’s adrenaline-fueled action sequences and keeps audiences on the edge of their seats.

Freddy

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Freddy is a gripping psychological thriller directed by Shashanka Ghosh. In Freddy, Alaya F explores the complexities of the human psyche alongside co-star Kartik Aaryan. Alaya plays Kainaaz, a seemingly innocent but cunning woman embroiled in a crime. She navigates the dark corridors of the mind with poise and intensity. Through her nuanced performance, Alaya immerses viewers in a world of suspense and intrigue.

Jawaani Jaaneman

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In Nitin Kakkar’s Jawaani Jaaneman, Alaya F makes her Hindi film debut. She featuresalongside industry legends Saif Ali Khan and Tabu. She delivers a standout performance as Khan’s daughter. Alaya’s role adds a layer of emotional depth to the film’s narrative. Her portrayal of a young woman struggling with the revelation of her father’s existence and impending pregnancy has earned her praise from audiences and critics alike.

U-turn

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In the spine-chilling supernatural thriller U-Turn, directed by Arif Khan, Alaya F takes on the role of Radhika. Radhika is a news intern involved in a maze of mystery and suspense. With her fearless portrayal, she follows the eerie corridors of the unknown, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats with every twist and turn. Through her strong presence and unwavering resolve, she leads audiences on a gripping journey into the heart of darkness, leaving them spellbound by her performance.

Almost Pyaar With DJ Mohabbat

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Alaya F embarks on a journey of unrequited love and social barriers in the honest musical drama Almost Pyaar with DJ Mohabbat, crafted by director Anurag Kashyap. Paired opposite newcomer Karan Mehta, she infuses her character with vulnerability and depth, capturing the essence of raw emotion and romantic longing. Through her evocative performance, she explores themes of social inequality and personal sacrifice, relating with audiences on a profound emotional level.

Alaya F’s diverse filmography and exceptional talent continue to impress audiences, making her as one of Bollywood’s most promising young actresses. As she continues to explore new horizons, fans eagerly anticipate the next chapter in her amazing career.

The post Alaya F Movies List: Srikanth, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, Freddy & More appeared first on ComingSoon.net – Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.

By: Debmitra Chatterjee
Title: Alaya F Movies List: Srikanth, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, Freddy & More
Sourced From: www.comingsoon.net/indian/news/1718401-alaya-f-movies-list-srikanth-bade-miyan-chote-miyan-freddy-more
Published Date: Thu, 16 May 2024 11:57:02 +0000

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