Entertainment
Robert De Niro’s daughter Drena blames ‘internet’ for sons early death
Robert De Niro’s daughter Drena De Niro is opening up about the heartbreaking loss of her son, Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, and how deeply the tragedy changed her life.
Nearly two years after his death, she shared new details about the moments leading up to it, his battle with drugs and the aftermath that still affects her today.
Leandro died in 2023 after unknowingly taking fentanyl-laced pills.
Drena told Page Six that her son was trying to get help and didn’t fully understand what he had been exposed to.
“That was very sad to me because he wanted help,” she said.
“He knew he was over his head. I don’t think he even knew why. I think he had been exposed to much harder drugs that he didn’t know about.”
Shortly after his passing, she wrote on Instagram that “someone sold him fentanyl laced pills that they knew were laced yet still sold them to him.”
Months later, the New York City Chief Medical Examiner confirmed the 19-year-old died from a deadly combination of fentanyl, bromazolam, alprazolam, 7-aminoclonazepam, ketamine and cocaine.
In October, five people were arrested in connection with the case, but Drena admitted the news wasn’t simple to process.
She described it as “really strange” and “so bittersweet because you don’t feel any happier.”
She hopes the legal process leads to accountability, adding, “I’m hoping they do get some justice. If you’re going to sell drugs to young people, it doesn’t matter whether you made it, whether you know or didn’t know, you’re taking a chance.”
Even then, she shared she didn’t want to destroy another young life, saying, “I’m not interested in ruining some 24-year-old’s life.”
Drena also reflected on her son’s personality and the bond they shared. “He was just an amazing kid, he was so smart,” she said.
Losing him was instant devastation. She recalled the moment she found out, saying, “This detective stood there, and the whole world as I knew it collapsed.”
She spoke about how close they were and how her son gave her a sense of identity beyond being Robert De Niro’s daughter.
“We were extremely close,” she said. He had a special relationship with his famous grandfather too, and she described him as “just this pure soul.”
This year, Drena and Robert launched the Leandro De Niro Rodriguez Foundation to support families impacted by the fentanyl crisis and expand access to care.
She said part of her mission is to protect other families from feeling the same pain she carries now.
“It was really painful and shocking and violating for his story to go so viral, to hear people’s horrible thoughts,” she said, explaining that she refuses to let his legacy be reduced to headlines.
“He’s not going to be some horrible sound bite.”
Her focus today is keeping Leandro’s story alive in a way that helps others, and ensuring that awareness and compassion come before judgment.
Jake Paul has broken his silence after singing sensation Olivia Rodrigo mocked him during her Saturday Night Live appearance over the weekend.
The 23-year-old musician hosted the NBC’s flagship sketch show and mocked the YouTuber-turned-boxer of “beating up old guys on Netflix,” apparently referencing Jake’s fight against the boxing legend Mike Tyson.
During her monologue, Rodrigo recalled her childhood projects and quipped, “When I was 13, I was on a Disney show called Bizaardvark, and we have an incredible cast, which included acting legend Jake Paul.”
She also recalled the conversations both stars had at that time, saying, “And we’d always talk about our futures, me and Jake. I’d say, ‘I really wanna create music that explores the complexities of girls my age,’ and he’d say, ‘Well, one day I really wanna beat up old guys on Netflix’.”
In a 2024 bout livestreamed on Netflix, Jake defeated the 58-year-old legend Tyson, which was widely described as a spectacle more than a real fight.
Rodrigo is having a successful music career and Paul has transitioned from a social media sensation to a boxer, so apparently both achieved their childhood dreams.
The songstress said, “And we both did it, hooray!”
Jake took to X to respond to Rodrigo’s monologue and wrote, “We had the vision [crying laughing emoji] I told you that you would sell stadiums out and then we both did proud of you fr [for real].”
Olivia Rodrigo and Jake Paul starred together on the Disney Channel sitcom Bizaardvark, which ran for three seasons from 2013 to 2016.
Britney Spears will not go to jail after reaching a deal in a driving case that started earlier this year.
The 44-year-old singer was arrested on March 4 in Southern California after police said she was driving her BMW in a way that looked dangerous and at a high speed.
Britney was later suspected of driving under the influence.
In court on Monday, the Toxic singer’s lawyer appeared for her and accepted a lesser charge of reckless driving linked to alcohol or drugs. However, she did not attend the hearing herself.
After the arrest, the music icon reportedly went to a rehab facility as her team said the situation was not acceptable but also shared that she has been trying to make positive changes in her life.
The Gimme More singer’s lawyer went on to add that she has taken responsibility for what happened and has been working on improving herself.
He added that these steps helped the court reduce the charge and drop the DUI case.
Because of this agreement, Britney will avoid jail time.
The case is still being followed, and more details may come out as the situation continues to develop.
Emily Blunt has been seen all smiles as she stepped out to celebrate the strong success of the new Devil Wears Prada sequel, which is already making big money at the box office.
The film brings back major stars like Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway and Stanley Tucci and it has clearly connected with audiences very well.
Reports say it that has already earned around 233 million dollars worldwide in its opening days, with strong numbers from both US and other countries.
Emily, who plays Emily Charlton in the film, was seen out in New York with her husband John Krasinski on Sunday night.
The couple attended an awards event and looked very happy as they celebrated the film’s success.
Emily wore a clean white outfit with simple jewellery and heels, while John also looked sharp in a white suit.
They both, however, seemed relaxed and in a good mood as cameras caught them at the event.
Devil Wears Prada 2, released on May 1, has even done better than the original film’s opening.
It also saw a large female audience turnout as the story continue the old characters but also shows new changes in the media world.
Critics have mostly praised it for its style, fashion, and nostalgic feel.
Tarik Skubal to undergo elbow surgery, sidelining Tigers ace for months ahead of free agency
Jake Paul breaks silence after Olivia Rodrigo’s savage SNL joke
UAE says air defences engage Iranian missiles, drones as flights diverted
-
Tech1 week agoA Brain Implant for Depression Is About to Be Tested in Humans
-
Tech1 week agoAlmost 90% of women leave tech industry within 10 years | Computer Weekly
-
Business1 week agoPakistan’s oil market is fuelling the crisis | The Express Tribune
-
Business7 days ago‘I had £20,000 stolen and had to fight a 13-month fraud reporting rule to get it back’
-
Sports6 days agoPro wrestling star Steph De Lander reveals how colleague’s advice helped lead her to title triumph at ACW
-
Entertainment1 week agoNorway joins Type 26 Frigate Programme to boost NATO naval power
-
Entertainment1 week agoMelania Trump says ABC should ‘take a stand’ on late-night host Kimmel
-
Tech6 days agoThis Ambitious Laptop Doesn’t Leave Much Room for Your Hands