James Austin Johnson can't get his best impression on “SNL”: 'It's always a resounding no'

Jamie McCarthy/NBC

Saturday Night Live's resident master impressionist isn't allowed to do his best impression on the show.

James Austin Johnson, who regularly portrays President Donald Trump, has one impersonation that he's repeatedly attempted to do onSNL, but he keeps getting shot down because it's just too obscure.

After show alumFred Armisenrevealed during a panel for the Television Academy earlier this year that his own impression ofThis American Lifehost Ira Glass never made it pastSNLdress rehearsal because "it was explained to me that he wasn't famous enough," the current cast member piped up that he could relate.

"Fred, I get that a lot at the table," Johnson said, referring to the meeting where writers and cast members read through potential sketches to see what gets the best reception from the staff. "I get that a lot. 'Why are we doing this, honey?' Because I do the voice. 'Yeah, nobody gives a s---.'"

Todd Williamson/NBC

Johnson was joined on the June 2 panel by hisSNLseason 50 costars Ego Nwodim, Heidi Gardner, Bowen Yang, Sarah Sherman, and Chloe Fineman. (Nwodim and Gardner later left the show ahead of the current 51st season.)

Sherman urged the comedian to reveal to the live audience what voice he was talking about.

"LongtimeRolling Stoneeditor David Fricke," Johnson declared, naming the music journalist who has had an illustrious career but may not be a familiar voice to the averageSNLviewer.

"Wait, did you really, did you really do it?" Armisen asked, amused at the reference, as Johnson's colleagues nodded that he had.

"I've done it so many times. It's always a resounding no from everyone in the room," Johnson replied.

"We laugh," several of his costars insisted.

"You laugh, you laugh because it's like, 'Oh, look at James, he's doing his little cartwheel for us,'" he retorted, insisting, "It's my best voice. It's my best impression. I nailed that guy. It's just, you know, that people don't want to see it."

After the group egged him on to do the impression, he warned, "It's the most boring voice you've ever heard in your life," before providing a demonstration of Fricke discussing Paul McCartney.

Check out Johnson's impression of Fricke below:

Armisen asked if the impression had ever made it to a sketch performed at dress rehearsal.

"No, no, no, no," Johnson replied. "Every single time they've been like, 'You gotta stop submitting that s---. You gotta stop. There's no time.'"

For comparison, you can watch the real Fricke discussing McCartney himself below:

Saturday Night Liveis currently on winter hiatus before making its expected return sometime in January with new episodes.

Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly

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James Austin Johnson can't get his best impression on “SNL”: 'It's always a resounding no'

Jamie McCarthy/NBC Saturday Night Live's resident master impressionist isn't allowed to do his best impression on the show. Ja...

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Billy Joel performs live for first time since brain disorder diagnosis

Billy Joelmade a New Year's surprise return to the stage for the first time since revealing he was diagnosed with thebrain disorder known as normal pressure hydrocephalus.

The "Vienna" singer paid a band that covers his music the ultimate compliment on Friday, Jan. 2, sitting in with them for a few songs at Wellington, Florida's 30th-anniversary celebration.

Joel, 67, who owns theMiddlesea Farmsproperty in the village, took the stage for a two-song concert during the tribute band Turnstiles' show at the village amphitheater.

He wore a winter jacket and a black cap and walked with a cane. There was no mistaking his voice, however, as he launched into his 1989 hit, "We Didn't Start The Fire," followed by "Big Shot," which he recorded in 1978.

"I wasn't planning on working tonight," Joel said with a laugh as he sat at the keyboard before the band, which takes its name from an album Joel released in 1976, and began to play. His daughters Della and Remy danced alongside during the two-song set.

Joel cancelled all upcoming shows after diagnosis

The "Piano Man" singercancelled all his upcoming concertson May 23 as his representatives confirmed that he was diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus, or NPH.

The disorder refers to when excess fluid accumulates in the brain, causing issues with thinking and reasoning as well as sometimes walking and bladder control,according to the Alzheimer's Association.

"This condition has been exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision, and balance," astatement posted to Joel's Instagram said. "Under his doctor's instructions, Billy is undergoing specific physical therapy and has been advised to refrain from performing during this recovery period."

On a July 21 episode ofBill Maher's "Club Random" podcast, Joel said he was feeling "fine" but was having issues with his balance, adding, "It's like being on a boat." He said he initially thought his balance issues were from drinking, noting that he used to drink "like a fish."

"I feel good. They keep referring to what I have as a brain disorder, so it sounds a lot worse than what I'm feeling," Joel said.

Joel's career in music spans more than 50 years. He released his first albums in the early 1970s and became one of pop music biggest acts with the release of "The Stranger" in 1977.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Billy Joel delivers first performance since brain disorder diagnosis

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January 04, 2026

Billy Joel performs live for first time since brain disorder diagnosis

Billy Joelmade a New Year's surprise return to the stage for the first time since revealing he was diagnosed with ...

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Barry Manilow, 82, Posts a Selfie from His Hospital Bed and Shares Health Update After Lung Cancer Diagnosis

Barry Manilow/Instagram; Joshua Blanchard/Getty

NEED TO KNOW

• Barry Manilow gave fans a health update on Jan. 2

• The post came weeks after the singer revealed that a cancerous spot had been found in his left lung and he was undergoing cancer treatment

• Manilow has taken a break from touring to heal

Barry Manilowis giving fans a health update.

Weeks after revealing thata cancerous spot had been found in his left lungand he was undergoing cancer treatment, the "Copacabana" singer, 82, updated fans through anInstagram poston Friday, Jan. 2.

Sharing a selfie of himself wearing a green gown in a hospital bed, Manilow captioned his post, "Better Today!"

Barry Manilow/Instagram

In the comments section, Manilow's backup singer, Melanie Taylor, showed some support, writing: "That's my boss y'all!"

"He's making it through the rain! Love you B!" Taylor added, as Manilow's drummer, Matt Sorum, said, "Heal up Barry, much love."

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Last month, the "Mandy" musician revealed in astatement on his Facebook pagethat he'd need to take a break from performing after the cancerous spot was found on his left lung.

"As many of you know I recently went through six weeks of bronchitis followed by a relapse of another five weeks," Manilow said at the time. "Even though I was over the bronchitis and back on stage at the Westgate Las Vegas, my wonderful doctor ordered an MRI to make sure that everything was OK."

He continued, "The MRI discovered a cancerous spot on my left lung that needs to be removed. It's pure luck (and a great doctor) that it was found so early. That's the good news."

However, Manilow said the "bad news" was that he needed to have surgery to remove the spot.

"The doctors do not believe it was spread and I'm taking tests to confirm their diagnosis. So, that's it. No chemo. No radiation. Just chicken soup andI Love Lucyreruns," he explained.

After sharing the news of his diagnosis, Manilow told PEOPLE in a statement that he was feeling "great" and had "no symptoms."

"I'm thankful that my doctors were proactive and ran tests that typically wouldn't be done," he continued. "They caught it very, very early."

Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty

Speaking withBillboardabout his health in June, Manilow said he was "still healthy" and joked he wouldn't stop performing until he could no longer sing his 1978 hit song "Even Now" the way it is intended.

"There must be only a handful of people in my world that are still there. I'm still healthy. I'm strong andI've still got my voice and my energy," he said. "The night I can't hit the F natural on 'Even Now,' that's the night I throw in the towel. But I can still do it."

Read the original article onPeople

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Barry Manilow, 82, Posts a Selfie from His Hospital Bed and Shares Health Update After Lung Cancer Diagnosis

Barry Manilow/Instagram; Joshua Blanchard/Getty NEED TO KNOW Barry Manilow gave fans a health update on Jan. 2 The post came weeks after ...

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US military operation in Venezuela disrupts Caribbean holiday travel, hundreds of flights canceled

The U.S. military operationthat captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and flew him out of the country early Saturday also disrupted Caribbean travel at a busy travel time for the region.

No airline flights were crossing over Venezuela that day, according to FlightRadar24.com. And major airlines canceled hundreds of flights across the eastern Caribbean region and warned passengers that disruptions could continue for days after the Federal Aviation Administration imposed restrictions.

Flights were canceled to and from Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Aruba and more than a dozen other destinations in the Lesser Antilles island group north of Venezuela. Airlines waived change fees for passengers who had to reschedule flights.

But U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Saturday night that the restrictions would end at midnight EST and airlines would be able to resume normal operations Sunday.

Southwest Airlines said in a statement that it added six extra round-trip flights to Puerto Rico on Sunday's schedule and another eight round-trips on Monday to help get travelers home from their vacations. It also added two additional Sunday flights to Aruba.

At the Queen Beatrix airport in Aruba, a popular holiday destination for U.S. vacationers just 15 miles (24 kilometers) off Venezuela's coast, officials said they expected a return to normal Sunday after a day of canceled flights that stranded travelers or blocked them from flying to the island.

In Barbados, Prime Minister Mia Mottley said at a news conference that "the consequences of the conflict have been exceedingly disruptive to both of our ports of entry," an airport as well as a seaport from which cruise ships sail.

In Puerto Rico, Lou Levine, his wife and their three children were due to return to the Washington, D.C., area Saturday morning, but he woke up to his wife saying their flight was canceled. He found out why when he checked his phone.

They first tried calling JetBlue to reschedule. The airline called back about two hours later, but the agent was not able to help them. Levine and his wife saw others messaging JetBlue on social media and did the same. The airline responded and booked them on a flight Saturday, turning their weeklong New Year's holiday into a two-week sojourn.

Levine, a manager at a software company, said he is fortunate to have a flexible and understanding employer. But his daughter will be missing a week of high school. And then there are the unexpected expenses.

"I love it here. But we have dog-sitting and cat-sitting and car rental. It's fine. It's just really painful on the wallet," Levine said.

The Levines hoped to book an earlier trip back if possible.

This weekend was already past the peak 13-day holiday period when AAA projected that 122.4 million Americans would travel at least 50 miles (80 kilometers) from home, but there were plenty of travelers still trying to squeeze in some more time on tropical beaches before heading back to colder temperatures.

"The Caribbean is a top destination this time of the year," AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz said. "We do have a lot of people who are trying to get back home this weekend ahead of work and school on Monday."

Diaz said "it's understandable we want to unplug," but travelers should keep track of what's going on and allow airlines to send them phone alerts.

An announcement by Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico, that was posted on the social platform X said restrictions were put in place because of the "security situation related to military activity" in Venezuela.

As a result, nearly 60% of all flights to and from that airport were canceled Saturday, according to FlightAware.com.

Foreign airlines and military aircraft were not included in the restriction, the statement said. Air Canada said its flights to the Caribbean were operating normally, though it gave travelers an option to rebook. Another Canadian airline, WestJet, said it canceled Aruba flights "out of an abundance of caution."

All major U.S. airlines cancelled flights across the Eastern Caribbean Saturday because of the restrictions and adjusted their schedules.

Nearly two dozen island destinations were affected by the cancellations, including Anguilla, Antigua, Curacao, St. Lucia and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands. But destinations farther to the west like the Dominican Republic and Jamaica were generally not affected.

New York-based JetBlue said it canceled about 215 flights "due to airspace closures across the Caribbean related to military activity."

Dutch airline KLM said it too canceled flights affecting thousands of passengers but planned to resume service Sunday to and from Curacao, Aruba, Bonaire and other islands.

The flight disruptions also affected some travelers booked for Caribbean cruises. Cruise operator Virgin Voyages said airline travelers unable to make it to San Juan in time for an upcoming cruise departure would be able to get a full credit for a future trip.

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US military operation in Venezuela disrupts Caribbean holiday travel, hundreds of flights canceled

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Who is Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela’s leader after Maduro’s capture?

Following the capture of President Nicolás Maduro during a US military operation in Venezuela, the command of the South American country has fallen into the hands of Executive Vice President Delcy Rodríguez.

That is what Venezuela's constitution outlines in its different scenarios anticipating a president's absence. Under Articles 233 and 234, whether the absence is temporary or absolute, the vice president takes over the presidential duties.

Rodríguez – also minister for both finance and oil – stepped into the role on Saturday afternoon. Hours after the capture of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, she chaired a National Defense Council session, surrounded by other ministers and senior officials, and demanded the couple's "immediate release" while condemning the US military operation.

Standing before the Venezuelan flag, Rodríguez said the early-morning operation represents a blatant violation of international law and Venezuela's sovereignty. She added that the action must be rejected by Venezuelans and condemned by governments across Latin America.

"We call on the peoples of the great homeland to remain united, because what was done to Venezuela can be done to anyone. That brutal use of force to bend the will of the people can be carried out against any country," she told the council in an address broadcast by state television channel VTV.

An official with Maduro's 'full trust'

Rodríguez, 56, is from Caracas and studied law at the Central University of Venezuela.

She has spent more than two decades as one of the leading figures of chavismo, the political movement founded by President Hugo Chávez and led by Maduro since Chávez's death in 2013.

Alongside her brother Jorge Rodríguez, the current president of the National Assembly, she has held various positions of power since the Chávez era. She served as minister of communication and information from 2013 to 2014 and later became foreign minister from 2014 to 2017. In that role, she defended Maduro's government against international criticism, including allegations of democratic backsliding and human rights abuses in the country.

As foreign minister, Rodríguez represented Venezuela at forums such as the United Nations, where she accused other governments of seeking to undermine her country.

In 2017, Rodríguez became president of the Constituent National Assembly that expanded the government's powers after the opposition won the 2015 legislative elections. In 2018, Maduro appointed her vice president for his second term. She retained the post during his third presidential term, which began on January 10, 2025, following the controversial July 28, 2024, elections. Until the president's capture, she served as Venezuela's chief economic authority and minister of petroleum.

Venezuela's opposition maintains that the 2024 elections were fraudulent and that Maduro is not a legitimately elected president. They insist that the true winner was former ambassador Edmundo González Urrutia, a position supported by some governments in the region.

José Manuel Romano, a constitutional lawyer and political analyst, told CNN that the positions Rodríguez has held show she is a "very prominent" figure within the Venezuelan government and someone who enjoys the president's "full trust."

"The executive vice president of the republic is a highly effective operator, a woman with strong leadership skills for managing teams," Romano said.

"She is very results-oriented and has significant influence over the entire government apparatus, including the Ministry of Defense. That is very important to note in the current circumstances," he added.

On the path to an understanding with the US?

Hours after Maduro's capture, and before Rodríguez addressed the National Defense Council, US President Donald Trump said at a press conference that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had spoken with the vice president. According to Trump, she appeared willing to work with Washington on a new phase for Venezuela.

"She had a conversation with Marco. She said, 'We're going to do whatever you need.' I think she was quite courteous. We're going to do this right," Trump said.

Trump's remarks, however, surprised some analysts, who believe Rodríguez is unlikely to make concessions to the United States.

"She is not a moderate alternative to Maduro. She has been one of the most powerful and hard-line figures in the entire system," Imdat Oner, a policy analyst at the Jack D. Gordon Institute and a former Turkish diplomat based in Venezuela, told CNN.

"Her rise to power appears to be the result of some kind of understanding between the United States and key actors preparing for a post-Maduro scenario. In that context, she would essentially serve as a caretaker until a democratically elected leader takes office," the analyst added.

In her first messages following Maduro's capture, Rodríguez showed no signs of backing down and, without referencing Trump's statements, closed the door to any potential cooperation with the United States.

Earlier in the morning, during a phone interview with VTV, Rodríguez said the whereabouts of Maduro and Flores were unknown and demanded proof that they were alive. Later in the afternoon, during the National Defense Council session, she escalated her rhetoric, condemned the US operation and, despite the circumstances, insisted that Maduro remains in charge of Venezuela.

"There is only one president in this country, and his name is Nicolás Maduro Moros," said Rodríguez — now, by force of events, the most visible face of the government.

Reuters news agency contributed to this report.

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Who is Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela’s leader after Maduro’s capture?

Following the capture of President Nicolás Maduro during a US military operation in Venezuela, the command of the South American country ha...

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Venezuelan opposition leader releases letter after Maduro's capture

María Corina Machadoreleased a letter addressing the Venezuelan people after leaderNicolás Maduroand his wife were captured in a U.S. operation overnight Saturday.

Machado, an opposition leader who has mostly been in hiding over the last year, said Maduro will "face international justice for the atrocious crimes committed against Venezuelans and against citizens of many other nations."

"The time for freedom has come!" Machado, who was awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, wrote in theletter posted on X.

It was not clear on Saturday if Machado, whoescaped to Norway in a secret missionlast month, was in Venezuela. Shetold CBS Newsin mid-December that she was "absolutely" supportive of President Trump's increasing military pressure on the Maduro regime and said she would welcome "more and more pressure so that Maduro understands that he has to go."

Read the full text of her letter, translated by CBS News, below.

María Corina Machado's letter to Venezuelans

Venezuelans, The time for freedom has come!

Nicolás Maduro from today will face international justice for the atrocious crimes committed against Venezuelans and against citizens of many other nations. Given his refusal to accept a negotiated solution, the United States government has fulfilled its promise to enforce the law.

The time has come for popular sovereignty and national sovereignty to prevail in our country. We are going to restore order, release the political prisoners, build an exceptional country, and bring our children back home.

We have fought for years, we have given it our all, and it has been worth it. What was meant to happen is happening.

This is the hour of the citizens. Those of us who risked everything for democracy on June 28th. Those of us who elected Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia as the legitimate President of Venezuela, who must immediately assume his constitutional mandate and be recognized as Commander-in-Chief of the National Armed Forces by all the officers and soldiers who comprise it.

Today we are ready to assert our mandate and take power. Let us remain vigilant, active, and organized until the democratic transition is complete. A transition that needs ALL of us.

To the Venezuelans who are currently in our country, be ready to put into action what we will be communicating to you very soon through our official channels.

To Venezuelans abroad, we need you to be mobilized, engaging the governments and citizens of the world and committing them from now on to the great operation of building the new Venezuela.

In these crucial hours, receive all my strength, my confidence, and my affection. We remain vigilant and in contact.

VENEZUELA WILL BE FREE! We go hand in hand with God, until the end.

Nicolás Maduro captured, flown out of Venezuela, Trump says | Special Report

Venezuela's Maduro and wife captured, flown out of country in U.S. operation, Trump says

ISIS-inspired New Year's Eve terror attack in North Carolina was prevented, officials say

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Venezuelan opposition leader releases letter after Maduro's capture

María Corina Machadoreleased a letter addressing the Venezuelan people after leaderNicolás Maduroand his wife were captur...

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All About “RHOSLC” Star Mary Cosby's Son, Robert Cosby Jr.

Mary Cosby/Instagram ; Jason Mendez/Getty

NEED TO KNOW

• Mary Cosby and her husband, Robert Cosby Sr., welcomed their son Robert Cosby Jr. in the early 2000s

• Mary and her only child have appeared on The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, in which Robert Jr. has opened up about his substance abuse

• Mary and her husband are the subjects of the TLC docuseries The Cult of the Real Housewife

Mary Cosby's son,Robert Cosby Jr., has been appearing alongside her onThe Real Housewives of Salt Lake Citysince its debut in 2020.

Robert Jr. is the only child of Mary and Robert Cosby Sr., both of whom lead the Faith Temple Pentecostal Church in Salt Lake City and are subjects of the TLC docuseriesThe Cult of the Real Housewife. Mary and Robert Sr. welcomed their son in 2002 after trying to start a family for four years, she revealed in a season 5 episode of the reality series.

"Robert was like the perfect child," Mary said during a confessional interview. "He was very good in school. He got straight A's all the way up until he graduated. When he set his mind to do something, he did it. He was like our prize, very smart, very advanced."

During Robert Jr.'s time on the show, he has talked about several coming-of-age experiences, including his first girlfriend and, later, his courthouse wedding. But Mary and Robert Jr. have also had other candid on-camera conversations, including when he opened up for the first time about his struggles withsubstance abuse and suicidal ideation.

Since then, Mary has stood by her son as he embarked on his sobriety journey, which she has described as "a hardcore road."

"I can just only push him, encourage him and love him. And that's what I'm doing," Mary said during a September 2025 appearance on SiriusXM'sReality Checkedradio show. "I have hope and I believe in him. ... I know he's got all the tools and he's got all the will, the willpower that he needs and the support."

Here is everything to know about Mary Cosby's son, Robert Cosby Jr.

He is an only child

Mary Cosby/Instagram

Robert Jr. is the only child born to his parents, Mary and Robert Sr. The couple wed in September 1998 and welcomed their son in the early 2000s. (Robert Sr. was previously married to Mary's grandmother.)

They named him Robert Clinton Cosby Jr. after his father, Mary revealed in a season 1 episode ofTheReal Housewives of Salt Lake City.

"I have a beautiful son," she said. "When I had my son, I went into a whole other level of love."

Mary added, "Robert Sr., he's in love with his son. He'll do anything for him. And I'm like the helicopter mom."

The family often traveled, visiting places like Dubai and Japan for Robert Jr.'s birthdays. "Anywhere that he wanted to go that he found of interest, I took him," Mary shared.

She also ensured that Robert Jr. grew up with everything that she didn't have. Notably, they moved from Utah to New York for eight years, Mary revealed atthe season 5 reunion, so that Robert Jr. could grow up in "a diverse atmosphere" with "the best education."

He lives in Salt Lake City with his parents

The Cosbys have homes in Florida, New York, Nevada and Indiana, but Robert Jr. lives at their Salt Lake City residence with his parents.

He once had ambitions to become a fashion designer, but, as of 2024, he was still living at home and being supported by his parents, Mary revealed in season 5 ofRHOSLC.

However, she took the responsibility for Robert's unemployment and revealed that she did not want him to move out of their Salt Lake City home.

"I just feel like he's very sheltered, and I feel like that's my fault," Mary said in the episode. "So that's why I don't mind him staying home."

She added, "One day I'll give him the boot, but not right now."

He secretly married in August 2022

Robert Jr.wed his girlfriend, Alexiana Arian Smokoff, in a Utah courthouse in August 2022, according toTMZ. However, he kept the nuptials a secret from his parents for nearly a year.

"Robert Jr. has a girlfriend, but everyone's telling me it's his wife," Mary said in the season 4 premiere ofRHOSLC.

She later addressed the rumors head-on when she sat down with Robert Jr. and asked him if there was any truth to the rumors that he was married. The then-20-year-old admitted that he and Alexiana had snuck to the courthouse a year prior and said, "I do" — a revelation that left Mary emotional.

She then explained in a confessional how Robert Jr. and Alexiana were able to conceal their marriage from her for nearly a year, despite all three sharing a home.

"They both live in my house, but I don't see them much," she said. "We kind of have our own wings."

Mary continued, "One day, they were getting dressed, and he was rushing to go do something. And he was dressed up nice and she was dressed up nice. But they were running — like, full-blown running with all their might. But I didn't know they were running to go get married."

He revealed his struggles with substance abuse and mental health onThe Real Housewives of Salt Lake City

Robert Jr. has dealt with a years-long drug addiction, using both prescription medications and recreational drugs.

He opened up for the first time about his troubles with substance abuse in a season 5 episode ofRHOSLC, which aired in November 2024. In the candid conversation with his mother, the then-21-year-old admitted to using the anxiety medication Xanax since he was 16, after first trying it at a party.

In addition, Robert Jr. revealed he had been abusing other prescription drugs, including the ADHD medication Adderall and the opioid painkiller OxyContin, taking as many as 10 at once. "I couldn't even feel it," he recalled. "I couldn't feel it at all."

As his drug addiction worsened, Robert Jr. told Mary thathe had tried heroin. But perhaps his most honest admission came when he shared with his mother that he had "wanted to die at the time."

"I felt like a stain — I just felt like this world wasn't for me," Robert Jr. shared. "You're the only reason I didn't kill myself," he added, referencing his mother.

Mary took the news of Robert Jr.'s struggles with substance abuse and his mental health particularly hard. She placed the blame on herself, telling the cameras she felt like she had "let him down somewhere" and "missed the mark."

"If I don't blame myself, whose fault is it? I feel I'm responsible," Mary said in a later episode.

Afterward, Robert Jr.completed a month-long stay in rehab, Mary shared in a December 2024 appearance onWatch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen. His wife, Alexiana, also went to rehab.

"He completed it. He did an excellent job. He came out a new person," Mary said.

He has had multiple run-ins with the law

2025 Salt Lake County

Apart from his struggles with substance abuse, Robert Jr. has also faced legal troubles over the years.

In 2022, the reality TV personality was arrested for a DUI after police claimed he was operating a vehicle without a license and disobeyed traffic laws, PEOPLE previously reported. He later took a plea deal, where he pleaded guilty to the DUI in exchange for the other charges being dropped.

Then, in September 2025, Robert Jr. wasarrested on multiple charges, including criminal trespassing, assault, failure to stop at the command of law enforcement and three counts of violating a court order, per his booking record viewed by PEOPLE. The arrest stemmed from an incident that took place at his father-in-law's home outside of Salt Lake City, where his wife was staying at the time.

According tocourt documents, Robert Jr. allegedly attempted to climb through a dog door to break into his father-in-law's house. He was also accused of vandalizing his father-in-law's home, attacking him on his front lawn, and biting a law enforcement officer on the hand after he failed to comply with orders and had to be physically restrained. Robert Jr. reportedly needed to be tasered to be brought under control.

Mary later explained to PEOPLE that the arrest occurred after she and Robert Sr. moved Alexiana out of their house. Robert Jr. and Alexiana snuck out to be together, according to Mary's account, and, as a result, her parents had him arrested for trespassing. Though it "devastated" her at the time, Mary later shared that she felt Robert Jr.'s arrest was "a blessing in disguise."

"It was for his good," she said in November 2025. "I think he needed that. He's never encountered anything like that. ... I feel like he needed that and that he understands that that's the wrong journey."

Robert Jr. also opened up about the arrest to PEOPLE, sharing that he's "not where I want to be, but I'm certainly not where I used to be." He added, "I will get there!"

In November 2025, Robert Jr. was arrested again and accused of violating a pretrial protective order. The same month, he pleaded guilty to eight of the 14 total charges he was facing: One count of felony property damage or destruction greater than or equal to $5,000; two counts of violation of a pretrial protective order (which was obtained by his wife, Alexiana), one count of assault on a peace officer, one count of violation of a jail release court order, two counts of criminal trespass on a dwelling with intent to cause annoyance, injury, or fear (all Class A misdemeanors); and one count of Class B misdemeanor assault. The remaining six misdemeanor charges were dismissed with prejudice.

Robert Jr. was booked into Salt Lake County Jail in November 2025. He will remain there without bail until his sentencing in February 2026, when a judge will determine the length of his remaining time behind bars.

His wife filed for divorce in November 2025

On Nov. 24, 2025 — two weeks after Robert Jr. was arrested for violating a protective order and one day before his pleading guilty in court — his wife, Alexiana, filed for divorce after three years of marriage.

The petitionlisted several prohibited actions for both parties, including requiring them not to "harass, intimidate or disturb the peace of the other party, by any means, including electronically."

Robert Jr.'s lawyer, Clayton Simms, provided an exclusive statement to PEOPLE after his client pleaded guilty to several of the charges he was facing in court. In it, he shared that Robert Jr. had a "difficult" time accepting that the relationship was over "based on his religion and background."

"To him, marriage is sacred and forever," Simms said. "His parents were his example and they've been married for 27 years. Robert was slow to recognize and accept his marriage was over and continued to connect with his soon-to-be ex-wife. Robert has accepted responsibility for his mistakes and has pleaded guilty to several misdemeanors."

Mary had previously expressed doubt that Robert Jr. and Alexiana's marriage was even legal.

"I still don't believe she's his wife," Mary told PEOPLE in November 2025. "I think they were out of their mind, and they maybe made up something. They said that the marriage license is in a safe, and the safe is locked, and they have to bust it open because they lost the key."

Mary refers to him as her "everything"

Rich Polk/Bravo via Getty

Throughout Robert Jr.'s sobriety journey and the difficulties in his personal life, Mary has ensured her son knows he is loved and supported.

When Robert Jr. opened up to his mother about his drug addiction, Mary responded by telling him that he is "the only thing" that ever brought her happiness.

"You have to know I love you more than anything," she said. "You're my friend, you're my son, you're my gift. God gave you to me. You're the only thing that ever made me happy. Before I had you, I was never happy. You came, and you were so real. It was everything I hoped for in a person."

In the same conversation, Robert Jr. admitted to Mary that he "felt like a stain," a moment that she later reflected on at the season 5 reunion.

"You don't want to hear your child say that when they're not," she said. "He's everything."

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go tothehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

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January 04, 2026

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