Manuella Libardi
School
University Of Houston, Institut Barcelona D'Estudis Internacionals
Expertise
British Royals, Celebrity Relationships And Childhoods, Friends
- In 2015, Manuella covered the first alligator-related death in Texas since the early 1800s.
- She once unexpectedly dined with legendary Brazilian musician Gilberto Gil in Houston.
- Manuella once chatted up The Strokes' drummer Fabrizio Moretti in Portuguese.
Experience
Manuella started out as a hard news reporter in Texas in 2014 covering city hall, courts, and education for the Houston Chronicle and the Beaumont Enterprise. In 2018, she started writing about travel and lifestyle while living in Portugal and eventually branched out to entertainment news. Her newfound passion led her to Nicki Swift News as a writer in February 2021. She particularly enjoys writing about celebrity tragic pasts and messy relationships.
Education
Manuella has two separate bachelor's degrees from the University of Houston — journalism and English literature. She went on to receive a master's degree in International Relations from the Institut Barcelona d'Estudis Internacionals (IBEI).
Nicki Swift covers celebrity and entertainment news by way of an expert group of editorial professionals. We drive the conversation on everything from trending Hollywood news to star transformations, always striving to deliver the most compelling commentary, bolstered by quality expert opinions.
As we cover a wide breadth of pop culture, we're constantly reviewing, fact-checking, and updating stories to ensure they're accurate and current. Additional information on our editorial process available here.
Stories By Manuella Libardi
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Jelani Maraj, the older brother of rap icon Nicki Minaj, is serving some serious time for a crime that's beyond despicable. Here's what you need to know.
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Kris Jenner and Scott Disick might not have kicked things off on the right foot, but eventually, they hit their stride. Here's where they stand today.
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We've all come to know Stephanie Courtney as pitchwoman Flo from Progressive, but what did she do before her iconic role in the insurance company's commercials?
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Ryan Seacrest is well-known for his long-running gig as the host of "American Idol," but what do we know about his sister, Meredith Seacrest Leach?
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Singer and actor Cassie played the on-again, off-again game with Diddy for ages, and her husband has a rather unexpected link to the rapper.
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When Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness announced their separation in September 2023, they vowed to prioritize their privacy during the process.
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Former tight end Greg Olsen has been enjoying married family life in his retirement. Here's what he's shared about his relationship with wife Kara Dooley.
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Jodie Foster has been a familiar face since childhood, but she's kept her love life under serious lock and key. Here's what we know about her romantic history.
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When David Foster tied the knot with Katharine McPhee in June 2019, he was no stranger to the wedding march. Here's a look at where his four ex-wives are today.
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Thanks in part to "Keeping Up with the Kardashians," most of Caitlyn Jenner's children are super famous. But you might not know her oldest daughter, Cassandra.
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Right up to his death, was commonly reported that Jerry Springer and his wife Micki Velton had divorced in the '90s. The truth, however, is a bit murky.
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Fans raised eyebrows when Jaden Smith appeared noticeably slimmer. Here's what the actor has said about his health issues and how they have affected his weight.
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"Friends" fans were in for a shock when Bruce Willis strolled into Central Perk. Here's the reason his character never locked lips with Jennifer Aniston's.
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Country star Sara Evans' marriage to Craig Schelske ended in disaster, with the pair making defamatory claims about the other's private lives and parenting.
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Donald Trump has called Nikki Haley by a name different from the one she has used publicly. So, what is the presidential hopeful's real name?
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Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman have long been TV royalty. They've also managed to navigate a life together that's taken some very unusual turns.
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Fans were devastated when Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman split but despite neglecting to get divorced, rumors swirled that it was complicated behind the scenes.
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Christie Brinkley shares a super close bond with children. Here's what you need to know about the "Sports Illustrated" model's three grown kids.
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Lily Gladstone's role in "Killers of the Flower Moon" snagged her a Golden Globe and acclaim from critics, but her life before Hollywood was much different.
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Barry Keoghan once faced a serious illness that not only threatened to halt his career, but could have also taken the Oscar-nominated actor's life.
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Mitt Romney's longtime wife Ann Romney has experienced hardships, including serious medical diagnoses and devastating miscarriages that rocked their family.
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Once a dynamic duo on the big screen in "Paper Moon," Joanna Moore's daughter Tatum O'Neal found herself on the outs with her famous father for many years.
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Singer Jordin Sparks found fame as a teen when she won "American Idol" in 2007, but she's experienced more than her share of tragedy since then.
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Aaron Carter's sudden death sent a shock through the entertainment industry. Here's how his twin sister, Angel Carter, has coped in the aftermath.
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While they certainly won't be calling her "Grandma," let's not forget Martha Stewart is indeed one. Here's how many grandkids this lifestyle guru is spoiling.
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While Sean Hannity and Ainsley Earhardt play it coy, keeping their romance under wraps, that hasn't stopped a few strange tidbits from slipping out.
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Former pro footballer Gerard Piqué left singing superstar Shakira for Clara Chia Marti, and there's a few red flags about their new relationship.