News
Katie Couric Asks Manti Te'o If He's Gay & Why He Lied To His Father! – Watch The Segment!
Courtesy/ABC
Score one for Katie Couric! On today’s episode of her syndicated talker, Katie, Couric nabbed an exclusive interview with Notre Dame Football star and Heisman Trophy candidate, Manti Te’o.
Te’o has been in the news of late and all the rage with the confusing and mysterious “catfish” scheme where Te’o was reportedly duped into an online relationship with a fake girlfriend who he originally believed had died! However in the interview with Couric, Manti revealed he maintained the illusion of his dead girlfriend in the weeks after he received a call claiming that Lennay Kekua and her death were hoaxes claiming: “Katie, put yourself in my situation. I, my whole world told me that she died on September 12. Everybody knew that. This girl, who I committed myself to, died on September 12th.”
Te’o has said he believed Kekua, whom he thought was his girlfriend despite never meeting her face to face, had died of leukemia on September 12 after a car accident left her hospitalized. “Now I get a phone call on December 6, saying that she’s alive and then I’m going be put on national TV two days later. And to ask me about the same question. You know, what would you do?” Te’o said.
In addition, Couric pointedly asks the question that has come up across the country that was this all a cover-up because Manti is actually gay? Te’o answered a resounding, “No, far from it.” Later, Te’o revealed he did lie to his father and when Couric asked why, Te’0 responded it was his way of getting approval from his dad of this young lady, and he thought if he told his dad he never met her, his father would say it is a red flag. He then stated, “It was a red flag. I obviously should’ve seen.”
After the jump, watch the clip of Katie asking Manti if he is gay, and why did he lie to his father. Then tell us what do you think of this bizarre scheme? Do you now believe 100% that Manti was duped?
Days Of Our Lives
‘Brilliant Minds’ Officially Canceled After 2 Seasons at NBC; DAYS Alum Al Calderon, OLTL Alum Teddy Sears and Zachary Quinto Among the Cast
After languishing on the bubble for months, on Friday, NBC handed down the decision and canceled the medical drama Brilliant Minds after two seasons.
Brilliant Minds stars Zachary Quinto as neurology physician Oliver Wolf, who’s character and the series is inspired by the life and books of neurologist. Oliver Sacks. The series focuses on the medical mysteries of the mind, as Wolf a larger-than-life neurologist and his team of interns explore the last great frontier, the human mind, while grappling with their own relationships and mental health.
The final six episodes of what will now be the end of its second and final season were already set to air beginning on May 27, after being pulled off the network schedule in February as viewership saw a steep decline. Brilliant Minds second season became the lowest-rated drama on linear TV viewing, which didn’t bode well fo a network renewal, although it had its hard core fan base.
Photo: NBC
There are some exceptional notables in the cast along with the talented Quinto that includes Days of Our Lives alum, Al Calderon (ex-Javi Hernandez) who joined the series in its second season as Nurse Nico Silva, and One Life to Live alum, Teddy Sears (ex-Chad Bennett) who plays Wolf’s love interest and fellow physician, Dr. Josh Nichols.
The rest of the talented cast includes: Tamberla Perry, Ashleigh LaThrop, Alex MacNicoll, Aury Krebs, Spence Moore II, Donna Murphy, John Clarence Stewart, and Brian Altemus.
In an ironic twist of fate on Thursday, April 30, Days of Our Lives finally revealed the actor who was Al Calderon’s successor in the role of Javi, when they announced that actor Jacob Martinez had now stepped into the role. Since DAYS tapes ten months ahead of streaming new episode, Calderon left in the spring of 2025, but will be seen in the part for the final part this month, and then on June 20, Martinez debuts as Salem’s new Javi.
Taking to his Instagram with a sorrowful and heartfelt post on the Brilliant Minds cancellation was Teddy Sears who wrote, “Thank you, Brilliant Minds. I got the call today and I didn’t want to hear, but I knew that it would come, You have to be a particular vintage to quote Don Henley from memory, but that’s the line that came to mind earlier today after I got off the phone with our inimitable showrunner Michael Grassi who delivered the news that NBC has cancelled the series”.
Photo: NBC
Sears continued, “To say that I feel sad to be moving on from these stories, this character, and this cast and crew just doesn’t paint the entire picture. I’m sad, sure. But I’m also deeply grateful that I got hired to play this part, so proud of the stories we told, and the other actors I got to play alongside. I’m excited to see what comes next, what adventures await, and terrified to be without a professional home. A quick and heartfelt thank you to everyone, all over the globe, who found us and found themselves in us, in our characters and in our stories. We wouldn’t have been able to tell them without you. And we still have 6 fresh episodes yet to air, and I do hope you tune in enjoy the remainder of the series. They’re the best we’ve done.”
As he wrapped up his sentiments, Sears signed off with, “The more I know, the less I understand. All the things I figured out I have to learn again. I’ve been trying to get down to the heart of the matter. But everything changes…Thank you, Brilliant Minds.”
The medical drama was created and executive produced by Michael Grassi alongside Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Leigh London Redman, Lee Toland Krieger, DeMane Davis, Jasmine Russ, Henrik Bastin, Jonathan Cavendish, Andy Serkis and Shefali Malhoutra.
So, what do you think of NBC’s decision to cancel Brilliant Minds after two seasons? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’
Many things are coming up roses for Jonathan Bennett! On the heels of the news that he is set to debut this month in the role of Joe Fitzpatrick on General Hospital, who is rumored to be a new love interest for Lucas Jones (Van Hansis), comes the news that Bennett’s reality series, Finding Mr. Christmas has received 3 nomination for the Critics Choice Real TV Awards.
Bennett’s Hallmark Channel series finds itself in tough competition alongside fellow nominees: RuPaul’s Drag Race (MTV), Squid Game: The Challenge (Netflix), Survivor 50 (CBS), Top Chef (Bravo) and The Traitors (Peacock). In addition, Jonathan himself is nominated for Best Show Host and the series participants as the Best Ensemble Cast in an Unscripted Series.
The Critics Choice Association (CCA) revealed the nominees for the eighth annual Critics Choice Real TV Awards on Thursday, which recognize excellence in nonfiction, unscripted and reality programming across broadcast, cable and streaming platforms. Winners will be announced online at CriticsChoice.com on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 9:00am PT/12:00pm ET.
Photo: Hallmark
Taking to his Instagram to celebrate the nominations, GH’s Bennett, enthused, “3 Critic Choice Nominations! I’m so proud of the FINDING MR CHRISTMAS and to be in the company of all the legends in all these categories is so surreal! Congrats to Hallmark Channel and to our nominated cast and nominated show and everyone who made this magical show possible. This is crazy! This gives FMC 6 Critics Choice nominations in 2 years. Not bad for a little show on Hallmark Channel. What are your thoughts on our show?” Jumping first into the comment thread was one of his new GH co-stars, Dominic Zamprogna (Dante) who expressed, “Yeah buddy!!!🔥🔥”
In the series, Bennett, the host and co-creator spends eight weeks guiding 10 aspiring actors through a series of “festive face-offs” and acting challenges alongside actors like soap opera notables, Hunter King (ex-Summer, Y&R) and Alison Sweeney (Sami, DAYS). Along the way, they develop their skills and a bond with one another. The show, which is available on Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Plus, highlights LGBTQ+ representation with openly gay contestants vying to be the next Hallmark star.
It should be noted that Traitors received the most Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations with 6 nods, followed by Dancing with the Stars with 4.
Bennett is very familiar to daytime fans having started his career as JR Chandler on All My Children in 2000-2001, before landing the part of Aaron Samuels in the motion picture, Mean Girls in 2004 starring Lindsay Lohan, which would become his breakout performance.
You can check out the full list of Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations here.
So, excited for Jonathan Bennett’s General Hospital debut this month? Have you ever watched Finding Mr. Christmas on Hallmark? Let us know via the comment section below.
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General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Kelly Thiebaud on Britt and Cassius Sibling Drama, But Who Will Ultimately Blow His Cover?
On the April 30 episode of General Hospital, Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) had some choice words and warning for her brother Cassius Faison (Ryan Paevey) who has been masquerading as his twin, the very dead, Nathan West.
As the story has unfolded, viewers learned that Britt knew all along that when “Nathan” showed up in Port Charles seemingly resurrected with a missing 7 years of his life unexplained, that Cassius was taking his place.
Now in developments on today’s GH, Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) is figuring out that this guy pretending to be Nathan is someone else, and Cassius learns from Britt, that Joss is not just a ditzy sorority girl as he claimed, but a WSB agent! The moment stuns Cassius. Are the walls about to close in on him and his charade?
Courtesy/ABC
Daytime Emmy winner, Kelly Thiebaud spoke to Soap Opera Digest, about the story point and getting the opportunity this time back at GH to work with Ryan Paevey, when she hadn’t had the chance to before.
BROTHERLY LOVE?
Thiebaud expressed on sharing scenes with Ryan Paevey, “It’s just been so wonderful to have him back and to actually work with him! When he first came onto the show (as Nathan at the end of 2013) I was kind of heading out — it was right towards the end of my contract, so we didn’t actually work together a ton. It’s been really refreshing and so much fun to really spend time together and get to know each other and work together. I think we have really great on-camera chemistry and banter with each other. I really enjoy working with him.”
With the stakes at an all-time, Thiebaud explained how she views her on-screen alter-ego’s involvement with her more hot-to-temper sibling and why Britt revealed the truth about Josslyn to him. “People finding out about Cassius would expose what she’s involved in and what she agreed to do,” explains Kelly “And now Josslyn is digging around, and she’s connected to Carly (Laura Wright) to Jason (Steve Burton) and that whole dynamic! It’s messy!”
BRITT’S MURKY FUTURE
Britt has currently also reached her breaking point with Jason being carted away by the WSB, Rocco (Finn Carr), the child she gave birth to, shooting Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) to protect her and Jason, Marco (Adrian Anchondo) being killed after trying to help her, and Cullum holding over her head getting her Huntington’s disease medication to control her symptoms, while blackmailing her into finishing the research on her father, Cesar Faison’s, final project. Thiebaud summed it up best for Britt right now, sharing, “It’s been a really tough time for her.”
So, who do you think will be the person to blow Cassius’ cover? Will it be Britt herself? Josslyn? Liesl? Brennan? Nina? Lulu? Rocco, Maxie, Cullum or someone else? Let us know your pick in the comment section.
‘Brilliant Minds’ Officially Canceled After 2 Seasons at NBC; DAYS Alum Al Calderon, OLTL Alum Teddy Sears and Zachary Quinto Among the Cast
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I simply do not understand why this is news worthy, and why it is gettng the attention that it is. Okay so Katie is interviewing him today. I still won’t watch. But my big question is to you Michael why are you waisting time on this crap?
I have to agree. I know its included here because Katie is a part of daytime, but in this day and age for her to be asking if he’ s gay is dumb. And putting it as the headline for this story here, well I have to say I don’t see the point.
“….why are you wasting time on this crap?”
Your soap box is loaded with excrement.
You are right on Angela. I had hoped when I saw this that NO ONE would comment, but people are. So here are my two cents:
I remember when KATIE was making the rounds and trying to drum up interest. So I went back to see what the whole premise for her show was SUPPOSED to be about. Well I found that it was “news and topics that people care about.”
THIS subject is something that we should care about? They should dry that one out and fertilize the lawn with it.
I am jubilant that people are expressing their two cents.
sexual orientation vs. like minds…. etc….
I care about THIS persons feelings.
Well here is my two cents he got his behind handed to him for the Heisman Trophy this year by a freshman Johnny Manziel from Texas A&M.
Thank-you Angela!!!
Food for Thought….
I hope Rhode Island is the next… 10th state to marry ALL People….
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As In President Obamas’ Impassioned Presidential Election Address:
“Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law,” he said. “For if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well.”
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The Military that we hold close to our hearts… ALLOWS all Men and Women regardless of sexual orientation to serve Proudly.
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The Sports World…. (if in fact Manti Te’o is Gay) So be it. I don’t know that Katie had that right to ask him that, on nat’l television…. I haven’t been keeping up on this persons life.
Her asking him that on TV… could be more detrimental than the story itself… if he wasn’t ready to acknowledge his feelings… his being… This is the kinds of behaviour that can cause one to retreat in to themselves… SPORTS FIGURES NEED TO MAN UP AND SHELVE INSECURITY.
Sports figures, Public figures, Elected officials…. all have the right to be who they are. with pride and without prejudice.
I agree asking if he was gay is none of her business- does she ask her guests if they are straight- I don’t think so. As to covering this topic here- well if his story was a soap opera story line we would be rolling our eyes about how lame it is. Honestly, who calls a person they never met their girlfriend? And if he thought she was why didn’t he want to go her funeral when he thought she was dead? This story is so fill with gaps and makes no sense- are we sure MAB wasn’t his script writer? Perhaps Days could hire whoever came up with this story- they would fit right in there.
A persons’ Life isn’t hanging in the balance, here?…. if one person is affected/effected by, what people say think and do. That happens way too often.
Support for ALL people is the ultimate road taken…
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I refuse to make light and be nonsensical about issues that are a part of all of us.
Okay Patrick you want to be serious- I can be serious. Firstly I wasn’t making light of this man’s story I was answering the question asked, which was whether I believe he was duped. I do not- the story sounds too fake to me, so I used the whole soap opera metaphor to illustrate how fake his story sounded- I was being sarcastic.
This is a website for soap operas, therefore if you wish to engage in thoughtful and lively discussions about politics, religion or civil rights, I suggest you find sites that engage in those discussions, so you won’t be so frustrated by what you read. But since life is life and often these topics do come up in posts here all I can say is if you wish people to respect your opinions it is best to respect them for theirs.
Respect doesn’t mean you have to agree with them, or you cannot challenge their beliefs, but it means doing it with language that respect the person as a human being, words that do not attack their character, merely their ideas.
Over the months I’ve been on this site have come to look forward to reading posts from certain individuals because I come to respect the way they handle themselves in these posts. You were one of those individuals, but I find the way you have conducted yourself today in these posts to be beneath you. Was telling Angela that her opinion is full of sh**t really leaving her open to hear your views on the topic?
If this man was lying in order to cover up the fact he was gay, then yes that would be a shame, and the fact that many gay people around the world live in fear and feel it necessary to lie about who they are is a situation that has gone on far too long. By your post I get the impression it is that injustice, living in a free America, yet not having all the freedom equally given to all, makes you angry and makes you have compassion for those who feel they need to lie about who they are. And you should feel angry about, because it is an injustice.
I didn’t think this was the case with this man, I thought it was more a case of something being a news hog, wanting the media attention anyway he can get. I thought his story was more about promoting himself rather than him being a victim. And in that case then no I have little sympathy for a situation he created and exploited for his own promotion. If he was lying to cover up being gay, then I apologize to you if I sounded like I didn’t care because if I thought that was the case I wouldn’t been that sarcastic about it.
I truly hope everyone out there living with a lie for whatever reason will find the peace of one day living a life filled with truth. Respectfully yours- Mary.
“…Frustation”, and “…anger”; are not what i’m advocating….
I want; that the LGBT Community has a voice…. in sharing with you and I myself, am learning, along the way… that give and take… right and wrong… civil liberties and respect… be gleaned and minded…. by All persons choosing to read all perspectives.
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if convesations are dissected and taken out of context… then, i choose to see this as a cumulative of… and letting all the facts and opinions, be given equal time.
I will say…. when i first read the headline…. I. like Christine… was… here we go again….
and when i read the first post… ie: Angela….. “…why are you wasting time on this “crap”. operative word…. “wasting time on crap”… well, that gets tiring… and yeah… can fire up the best of them….
ire, frustation, anger, jubilant, misled, tested, it’s my way or the highway….
it’s all a mixed bag…. if i’m steadfast in my beliefs… and have convictions… that are strongly opposed and differing… I will rise to the occasion and man up… I am not on here steering any “one” wrongly… that’s up to you and your spirt.
This post is not directed at any one person…. I like to think my posts are not directed soley at any one – but to educate. (myself, as well), and put out their that there are people who believe otherwise and it’s with an educated mindset that I hopefully share.
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not since chic fil’a…. has their been any “angst” or intrepidation….
that being said… I applaud all person who post…..
These are the best of times, currently… with the soap world… and I love this stuff.
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have i said things that give pause for reflection…. Yes.
Patrick- Sometimes we all forget the power words can have- words can bring healing or understanding, but they also can cause division and pain. I hope you did not think I was berating you, I was not. I was merely challenging you to the bigger person, to use your words wisely, so those you wish to hear you, will listen.
When we use our words to put down others, even though they were guilty of doing the same, they will no longer hear us, and I believe your opinions deserve to be heard. I still don’t believe this particular website is the best place to give voice to your concerns, but you have every right to voice them here or anywhere else. And I hope I didn’t give you the impression I was trying to tell you not to express those thoughts.
Your posts helped me to see there may be more to this story than meets the eye. And perhaps because of the overexposure of this story in the media I became a bit cynical to the plight of this person. So I agree we all can learn from each other, which makes being human so extraordinary and this forum remarkable.
I stopped believing he was duped last week, because at certain times throughout the interview, he was laughing about all of this…Check his expressions closely. I think he wants the attention to set off his NFL career, and got two friends to help him do it. We’re the ones being duped at this point imo.