24th July 2007
* MUSIC MOGUL ARDEN DIES
Music mogul DON ARDEN has died. He was 81.
The rock manager - who was the father of TV personality Sharon Osbourne -
passed away at a nursing home in Los Angeles on Saturday .
Arden launched the careers of music acts Small Faces, Electric Light
Orchestra and Black Sabbath and famously fell out with his daughter after
firing Ozzy from the band in 1979.
Osbourne was estranged from her father for 20 years, and revealed his violent
ways in her autobiography Extreme. However, the pair were reconciled in 2002
after he developed Alzheimer's Disease.
Arden famously dangled impresario Robert Stigwood over a balcony for trying
to lure one of his acts away. He also stubbed a cigar out on a man's head.
He is survived by daughter Sharon and his son David.
* RICHIE: 'NICOLE IS MORE FAMOUS THAN ME'
Soul veteran LIONEL RICHIE insists his daughter NICOLE is now more famous than
him - but he doesn't mind as he's now "cool by association".
The Hello star found fame in the 1970s with band the Commodores, but has seen
his 25-year-old offspring eclipse him in the media after shooting to stardom in
TV series The Simple Life with on-off pal Paris Hilton.
However, Lionel maintains he isn't bothered, as being related to Nicole has
introduced him to a new generation of fans and made him cool again.
He says, "I'll be in an airport and I'll hear a bloodcurdling scream.
There'll be a group of Italian kids on holiday, going to Disneyland or
something, and I'm thinking, the kids recognise me, thank you very much.
"And they rush over to me, and ask, 'Are you Nicole Richie's dad?' and I say,
'Yep. OK, I'll take that.' I'm just the dad. It seems to have made me a bit
cool."
* ELTON JOHN: 'I REGRET NOT SPEAKING UP FOR GAYS'
British superstar SIR ELTON JOHN has become an ambassador for homosexuals after
realising he's stayed quiet on gay rights issues for too long.
The singer sparked controversy in Poland last year when he urged a
Warsaw crowd to "be more tolerant of homosexuals" - but he concedes he should
have spoken out much earlier.
He says, "I have to speak my mind because as a gay man now I have a
responsibility to. I sat back too long. I mean when Act Up were
going in and trying to change the face of AIDS awareness in America because
nobody else was doing it, I sat back and did nothing.
"I don't know why I didn't do anything. I just look back and question myself.
Well why didn't you do something more positive then?"
* STEWART IN CHARGE OF BEER FOR WEDDING
Scottish rocker ROD STEWART had just two responsibilities at his recent wedding
to PENNY LANCASTER - the band and the alcohol.
The Maggie May hitmaker wed his long-term girlfriend, 36, on a yacht off the
Italian Riviera resort of Portofino last month .
And Stewart admits he didn't help much organising the big day - bar two key
areas.
Lancaster was told by her new husband, "I'll take care of the bands and the
booze. But all the rest is in your hands."
* WHIBLEY DEFENDS LAVIGNE'S TEMPER
Singer DERYCK WHIBLEY has defended wife AVRIL LAVIGNE's temper, insisting she
is misrepresented in the media.
The Sum 41 frontman, who married the Complicated pop punk in July 2006, says
his wife is kind-hearted and not as angry as people think.
He says, "It's a funny misconception with her.
"People always think she's really angry and she's really mad and she really
hates everyone, and doesn't care about anything, when the thing she cares about
most is her fans and her music."
* SONGWRITER MILLER DIES
Songwriter RON MILLER has died after a long battle with cancer. He was 74.
Miller died of a cardiac arrest at Santa Monica UCLA Medical Center on Monday
after fighting lung disease emphysema and cancer.
The record producer supplied a number of songs for soul legend Stevie Wonder
including For Once In My Life which was written on the day his daughter, Lisa
Dawn Miller, was born.
He also penned pop classics Touch Me In The Morning and worked with artists
Judy Garland, Diana Ross and Ray Charles.
Daughter Lisa Dawn says, "My father will be reborn every time someone sings
one of his songs. When they feel joy or sadness or any emotion, that will be my
dad and his words."
Miller is survived by his wife, Aurora Miller, and six children. A memorial
service has been scheduled for 4 August .
* KEMP: 'RONNIE KRAY MUGGED ME IN PRISON'
Former SPANDAU BALLET stars MARTIN and GARY KEMP were once swindled by
notorious London gangster RONNIE KRAY.
The brothers visited one half of the infamous Kray Twins in Broadmoor
Hospital, Berkshire, England, in 1990 while researching for their biopic The
Krays.
But Gary, who played Ronnie in the movie, was stunned when he was "mugged" by
the twin, despite being in prison.
He recalls, "We said our goodbyes and a warder came up to us and said,
'That'll be £30 please'. And we said 'What for?' And he said, 'That's for
the two crates of beer that Ronnie wants.
"And so it was that Ronnie mugged us!"
* THE THINGS THEY SAY:
"I love big women. There are so many of them in my family. Why I'm so thin I'll
never know." Pop star MIKA reveals the inspiration behind his song BIG GIRL.
* WATERS: 'TRAVOLTA KISSED ME'
Actor JOHN TRAVOLTA liked to kiss the actors on the set of HAIRSPRAY, according
to filmmaker JOHN WATERS.
Waters, who penned the original 1988 film, says Travolta often greeted him
with a lip lock during the shoot.
He tells the New York Daily News, "He kissed me hello. He kisses everybody!"
Waters, who also has a cameo appearance as a flasher in the movie, admits he
enjoys each new incarnation of his cult classic - after his original Hairspray
was turned into a Broadway show in 2002.
Waters adds, "Its a reinvention each time, but it's still not a bad story I
wrote. "Every time I've seen , I really liked it, so I don't have
to lie!"
* HEROES STAR TO PLAY SPOCK?
HEROES star ZACHARY QUINTO is set to play SPOCK in the new STAR TREK movie,
according to media reports.
Quinto, who plays Sylar in the hit TV show, is reported to be in final
discussions to play iconic sci-fi character Spock for the new Star Trek film.
Lost creator J.J. Abrams has been lined up to direct the movie, which will be
released next year.
* SHANKMAN UNSURE ABOUT WICKED MOVIE
HAIRSPRAY director ADAM SHANKMAN has ruled himself out of bringing the musical
sequel to THE WIZARD OF OZ to the big screen - because he's not convinced it
will translate well from the stage.
The filmmaker is delighted the musical Hairspray has wowed the critics and
would love to make another movie based on a Broadway hit, but is unsure what to
do next.
However, he's ruled out working on popular musical Wicked, which tells the
origin of the Wicked Witch Of The East and Wicked Witch Of West, as he is
unsure whether it will make a good movie.
He says, "I'm always being asked about Wicked, but I'm uncertain people will
fall in love with an actor who is green. There are big emotional moments and
she is green.
"It's one thing having an overweight girl in Hairspray - you see overweight
people all the time- but you never see green women crying."
* RAMSAY: 'I CAN'T WATCH MYSELF ON TV'
Celebrity chef GORDON RAMSAY refuses to watch himself on TV because he hates
his physical appearance.
The Hell's Kitchen star is so self-critical he considers cosmetic
enhancements when he watches re-runs of his shows.
He says, "I don't want to see myself and say 'I need Botox' or 'Those jeans
look terrible.'
* TENKO SERIOUSLY INJURED DURING MAGIC TRICK
Japanese magician PRINCESS TENKO has been seriously injured after a stunt
billed as "the spike illusion in the face of death" left her with broken ribs
and a fractured right cheek.
The star was supposed to escape from a box spiked with ten metal swords, but
was instead impaled for 30 minutes before the performance in Sabae, Japan, on
Sunday was called off.
Noboru Ochiai, Tenko's manager, says, "It will take a month to heal the
wounds.
" would have been stuck in her right eye if it were one centimetre
higher. She is suffering tremendous pain but is more shocked that
she had to call off performances."
Tenko's fans include North Korean dictator Kim Jong Il, who invited the star
to perform for him in 1998 and 2000.
* SHANKMAN TRICKED HAIRSPRAY CAST
HAIRSPRAY director ADAM SHANKMAN is a mean practical joker, according to the
movie's star NIKKI BLONSKY.
Blonsky, who plays tubby Tracy Turnblad in the musical, admits Shankman would
often play tricks on the movie's cast - and tried to convince her she was part
of a practical joke for MTV show Punk'd.
And the 18-year-old actress says Shankman would always tease her because she
was the youngest, reports the New York Post.
She says, "I would come to the set and go, 'There is no way I'm really here,
you guys! Did I really get the part? Am I really here?'
"Then one day, Adam looked at me and said, 'I just want to let you know,
we're punking you. It's probably the most expensive Punk'd in the history of
Punk'd.' I was like, 'Wait. Are you serious?' "
* RADCLIFFE CELEBRATES BIRTHDAY WITH CRICKET GAME
HARRY POTTER star DANIEL RADCLIFFE celebrated his 18th birthday on Monday
by watching a game of cricket.
The actor shunned a lavish birthday - despite gaining access to his estimated
$40 million fortune - and instead spent $40 on a ticket to
watch England play India at a cricket match.
He says, "People expected me to have some massive extravaganza bash with lots
of celebrities. But that is so not my thing."
* GILMORE GIRLS TO RETURN?
TV show GILMORE GIRLS could be returning - after the series's original creator
AMY SHERMAN-PALLADINO insisted she hasn't finished with the characters.
The American comedy drama, which traces the saga of a single mother and her
daughter, ended in May after seven seasons on air.
But Sherman-Palladino, who left the show on season six, still has a dream
ending she wants fans to see.
She says, "I love all those people. Lauren Graham's my
pal...Yeah, we've talked about doing a little song and dance sometime down the
road."
* THE THINGS THEY SAY:
"I'd go with Beckham." MATTHEW RHYS on who he would like his gay character
KEVIN on TV show BROTHERS & SISTERS to do a love scene with.
* THE THINGS THEY SAY:
"Most of the things I like cost £10 . It's CDs and books for me, not
sports cars." HARRY POTTER star DANIEL RADCLIFFE insists he's not going to blow
his £20 million fortune since turning 18 on Monday .
* SHAKUR'S MOTHER FIGHTS DEATH ROW IN BANKRUPTCY COURT
The mother of slain rapper TUPAC SHAKUR is fighting to prevent his former label
from selling previously unreleased tracks in an effort to settle Death Row
Records' bankruptcy case.
Former Death Row boss Marion 'Suge' Knight filed for bankruptcy in April
after running up debts of $137 million and lawyers are
desperately trying to raise money to cover the huge amounts owed by the
company.
Afeni Shakur went to a federal bankruptcy court on Friday , seeking
an injunction on Death Row's plans to release the California Love star's
material, arguing that the songs are property of the rapper's estate and
therefore not the company's to profit from.
Her lawyer, Donald N. David, claims the unreleased tracks should have been
given to the estate as per a 1997 agreement with the label upon the hip-hop
star's murder in September 1996.
David says it was only during the record company's bankruptcy proceedings
that "it was revealed an album's worth of unreleased Tupac material was being
advertised to potential buyers as the jewel in the crown of the Death Row
assets".
Shakur, who is also representing her company Amur Entertainment, is expected
to hear the verdict of her injunction request within the next four weeks.
* SPEARS BUYS LIOTTA'S £4 MILLION MANSION?
BRITNEY SPEARS has splashed out £4 million to purchase RAY
LIOTTA's Californian mansion, according to reports.
The pop superstar and mother-of-two is alleged to have made the offer on the
five-bedroom property in the Pacific Palisades area of California, after
placing her Beverly Hills mansion on the market following her split from Kevin
Federline earlier this year .
And Spears, who also owns a house in Malibu, is said to fallen in love with
Liotta's Mediterranean-style home after spending just 40 minutes checking out
the property.
The Goodfellas star put the spacious mansion up for sale in February ,
after he was arrested and charged for drink-driving.
* FANS CAMPAIGN FOR CASH PARDON
Fans of country legend JOHNNY CASH are campaigning for the star to be pardoned
for a 1965 arrest for drunkenness.
The A Boy Named Sue star is set to be honoured at a festival in Starkville,
Mississippi, in November , and locals are hoping city officials will crown
the event by wiping the late singer's record clean.
Cash was arrested in the city 42 years ago as he was leaving a party. He
later penned a song about his run-in with the law, documenting his experience
on the track Starkville City Jail.
Cash died in September 2003 after suffering complications from diabetes.
* WELLANDER STUNNED AT MAMMA MIA! SONG CUTS
Former ABBA guitarist LASSE WELLANDER is dumbfounded after discovering two of
the pop group's hit songs have been axed from the forthcoming MAMMA MIA! film
production.
Mamma Mia! The Movie is being directed by Phyllida Lloyd, but the filmmaker
is believed to have dropped the popular songs I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do -
also known as The Wedding Song - and Knowing Me Knowing You from the movie's
soundtrack because she is not a fan of those releases.
But Wellander, who played in the Swedish quartet's backing band, is stunned
at the news.
He says, "You'll just hear short bursts of at the end, I
gather. For some reason, it won't be played in full."
The axeman will contribute to the soundtrack for Mamma Mia! The Movie, which
is set to star Meryl Streep, Julie Walters and Pierce Brosnan.
* DOHERTY CHECKS INTO REHAB
Troubled British rocker PETE DOHERTY has checked into rehab in an attempt to
conquer his drug demons and avoid a prison sentence.
The Babyshambles frontman was ordered by a judge to undergo rehab by 7 August
or face jail - after recently pleading guilty in a London court to drug
possession charges relating to an arrest in May .
Doherty arrived at the Detox 5 clinic in Harrogate, England, on Monday
- exactly one week after his initial visit - and signed up to the
£3,000 intensive five-day programme to kick his heroin addiction.
After spending his first night in rehab, Doherty is more positive about his
stay.
His spokesman says, "It's going well."
* BANNER TREATS UNDERPRIVILEGED KIDS TO A DAY OUT
Rapper DAVID BANNER showed his charitable side on Friday - he treated
80 children to a trip to an American theme park.
The Like A Pimp hitmaker sent the underprivileged teens, from his native
Jackson, Mississippi, on an all-expenses-paid outing to Six Flags in Georgia
through the Stewpot Neighborhood Children's programme.
Sherry Adams, the programme's community services counsellor, says, "The
children that we serve at Stewpot would not normally be able to go on an 'out
of town' trip. Most of the kids in the community have not been out of
Mississippi.
"Because of Banner's love for our community, he makes it possible for our
kids to travel outside of Mississippi, on a fun and exciting summer trip every
year. David made is all possible because these kids don't have to pay a dime."
The hip-hop star and philanthropist has treated 200 youths with free days out
since he began donating to the Stewpot Neighborhood Children's programme in
2005.
* THE THINGS THEY SAY:
"Everyone in LA does pilates, so I'll give it a go." SPICE GIRL VICTORIA
BECKHAM tries desperately to fit in with exercise-mad Hollywood.
* BUSH GIVEN THE ALL-CLEAR
LATEST: U.S. PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH has been given the all-clear after
undergoing a colonoscopy to remove several possibly cancerous lumps from his
colon.
The surgical procedure took place in Camp David, Maryland, on Saturday
, when Bush temporarily transferred power to Vice President Dick
Cheney.
Five small growths, or polyps, had been removed to test for signs of cancer,
but doctors revealed on Monday the results were negative.
Bush's spokesman, Tony Snow, says, "The President is in good health. There is
no reason for alarm."
The American premier is expected to have his next cancer scan in 2010.
* WILL SMITH SHARES CRUISE ADVICE WITH BECKHAM PARTY GUESTS
Actor WILL SMITH has been taking advice from TOM CRUISE - and the MEN IN BLACK
star was keen to share the important life tips with his new friends, DAVID and
VICTORIA BECKHAM.
Smith and his wife Jada Pinkett joined the Mission: Impossible star and his
spouse Katie Holmes to welcome the Beckhams to Los Angeles at a star-studded
party on Sunday , with celebrities like Eva Longoria, Jamie Foxx,
Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore among the invited guests.
And Smith took the opportunity to pass on Cruise's love and life advice to
the A-list crowd.
He said, "Tom said to me the most important decision you'll ever make in your
life is the groups you choose to be a part of.
"He said that when you choose your wife you're choosing a life, and when you
choose your friends you are choosing your life."
* SHETTY'S COMPANY SUED FOR UNPAID BILLS
Bollywood actress SHILPA SHETTY's management firm has been hit with legal
trouble after her company failed to pay off debts worth £13,000.
Shetty's Cine Entertainment owes London law firm Carter Ruck £10,000
for legal advice and guidance given to her in the aftermath of the
British Celebrity Big Brother race scandal earlier this year , while
security company CTR Services also claims to be owed £3,000 in unpaid
bills.
The Phir Milenge star's agent, Farnath Hussain, told U.K. newspaper The Sun
he was "in the process" of paying off the debts.
The news comes as the Indian actress has reportedly been dropped from PR guru
Max Clifford's client list after a series of clashes with his employees.
Shetty was caught up in controversy earlier this year on reality TV show
Celebrity Big Brother, when she was the target of alleged racist bullying by
housemates Jade Goody, Danielle Lloyd and Jo O'Meara.
* ZETA-JONES DISMISSES 'DIVA' REPUTATION
CATHERINE ZETA-JONES has laughed off reports she is a diva, insisting she is
incredibly shy and riddled with insecurities.
The Chicago actress - who is married to Michael Douglas, 62 - has earned
herself a name in Hollywood for being one of the more demanding stars in the
industry, but the 37-year-old Welsh beauty believes it is all a big
misunderstanding.
She says, "There is a much shyer quality to me that people don't usually
see.
"I get perceived as 'Here comes the showgirl', when in fact I have my
insecurities. I'm a lot more reserved than I let on."
* LIFE OF BRIAN VOTED BEST BRITISH MOVIE OF ALL TIME
MONTY PYTHON'S LIFE OF BRIAN has been named the best British movie of all time
in a new poll.
The 1979 comedy, which stars John Cleese, Eric Idle and Terry Gilliam, beat
off competition from The Full Monty and Four Weddings and a Funeral to claim
the top spot in the poll for the website of British TV magazine, Radio Times.
Director Danny Boyle's Trainspotting and 1962 classic Lawrence of Arabia also
made the list to round out the top five.
* MIRREN CAN'T UNDERSTAND 'RIDICULOUS' WI COMPETITIONS
DAME HELEN MIRREN would never consider joining the Women's Institute -
because she believes the organisation's members waste their time on
"ridiculous" competitions instead of pursuing high-flying careers.
The Oscar-winning actress - who is married to director Taylor Hackford -
played the role of W.I. member Chris Harper in the 2003 movie Calendar Girls.
And despite hailing the British women's group - which is famed for its
wholesome activities such as baking competitions and crafts - as "wonderful",
the 61-year-old can't understand why the strong and determined members would
choose to have a traditional family life over that of a successful
careerwoman.
She says, "Meeting Tricia , who was a very big
personality, it was hard for me to understand how someone like that could live
within such a small, confined community.
"Where did all that energy go? That woman could have been the head of a major
industrial company, yet it all went into baking cakes and going in for those
ridiculous WI competitions.
"They are wonderful women, who could have risen to the very top. It is just
that they have not chosen that route and instead have got married, had children
and enjoyed their lives. I am not being critical."
* BECKHAM 'NERVOUS' PAPARAZZI CRAZE WILL THREATEN HIS FAMILY'S SAFETY
British soccer superstar DAVID BECKHAM fears for his family's safety every time
they step out in Los Angeles - because he worries the "over the top" paparazzi
following will one day cause a horrific accident.
Beckham, his wife Victoria and their three sons moved to the U.S. earlier
this month after the sportsman signed to from Spanish side Real Madrid
to L.A. Galaxy.
But the 32-year-old is having difficulty getting used to the increased media
attention, and cannot believe how many photographers are trying to get their
picture.
He says, "It's definitely over the top here in L.A. In London, if we'd go out
to dinner there would be four or five cars following us.
"The other night we had 47 . No joke. I get
nervous. They run red lights and you're just waiting for accidents to happen."
* EVERETT RULES OUT ADOPTION
SHREK star RUPERT EVERETT has ruled any chance of adoption - because he doesn't
believe gay couples should father children.
The openly-homosexual actor is adamant he will never succumb to the growing
Hollywood trend of adopting kids, because he wouldn't want the child to grow up
embarrassed by his or her two male parents.
He says, "Oh God, I could never do that to a child. Can you imagine what it
would be like, having your two dads coming to school speech days? And hearing
those awful queeny rows while you are trying to get to sleep?"
* THE THINGS THEY SAY:
"Sex? I don't even remember the word." Legendary actress LAUREN BACALL's love
life has slowed in her old age.
* SPEARS UNLEASHES PAPARAZZI RAGE ON HEAVYWEIGHT CAMERAMAN
BRITNEY SPEARS served up expletive-laden diet tips to an overweight video
cameraman after she was surrounded by paparazzi in Beverly Hills on Sunday
.
The pop superstar pulled her Mercedes Benz over to the side of the road to
attend to her sobbing son in the back of the car and she was far from amused
when one heavyweight snapper blocked her exit.
Angry Spears wound her window down and said, "You gonna get on a diet? Have
you ever tried WeightWatchers?"
Then, as she continued to struggle to drive away, the singer added, "Why
don't you run; you need to f**king jog."
The paparazzi attack, which took place while Spears' kids continued to scream
in the back of the car, came after the singer approached the paparazzi mob
following her car and asked them politely to leave her alone.
She said, "You've got to stop using the cameras and following people. This is
illegal."
* COMBS ASSAULT LAWSUIT DROPPED
Hip-hop mogul SEAN 'DIDDY' COMBS is celebrating after a lawsuit accusing him of
assault was dropped due to "insufficient evidence".
The rapper was alleged to have lost his temper with Gerald Rechnitzer at a
post-Oscars party at Hollywood's Roosevelt Hotel in February , when Combs
was confronted for flirting with the clubber's fiancee.
In court documents, Rechnitzer claims Combs shouted, "What the f**k you
looking at, dude?" before threatening to "smack flames out of your ass".
The 27-year-old accused the Last Night hitmaker of "intentionally, willfully,
knowingly and unlawfully attacking, assaulting and battering" him at the party
and filed the suit in March , seeking compensatory and punitive damages.
But, according to the New York Post, the court case has fallen through, with
a spokesman simply stating, "There was insufficient evidence."
Combs has always denied the allegations, branding them "fabricated" and a
"flat-out lie".
His lawyer Benjamin Brafman adds, "People who are superstars are always
vulnerable to these allegations."
* MORALES FIGHTS SEXUAL ASSAULT CHARGE
LATEST: Actor ESAI MORALES has reassured fans sexual assault charges filed
against him by an ex-girlfriend are "without merit" in a post on his MySpace
profile.
The former NYPD Blue star explains he has been advised not to comment on
charges he gave a former live-in girlfriend herpes after assaulting her, but he
admits he felt he owed fans an explanation.
In a posting addressed, "To My Fans", Morales writes, "I need to assure you
personally that the charges that have been leveled against me are absolutely
false and without merit and I am prepared to vigorously defend myself and my
reputation.
"You know me. You've known me for nearly three decades. And you know in your
hearts that these claims are baseless. This is not the way I live my life and I
am incapable of committing these kinds of acts... I will not let a personal
attack deter me from the bigger picture."
In court papers filed last week , the actor's ex, Elizabeth
Mazzocchi, claims Morales knew he had herpes but never told her about it,
leaving her with "an incurable disease that will have associated medical
expenses, pain and discomfort for the rest of her life."
* ROLLING STONES POLISH GIGS IN DOUBT AFTER PILGRIM BUS CRASH
The ROLLING STONES' upcoming gigs in Poland have been plunged into doubt -
because the country is in mourning following a fatal bus crash in the French
Alps on Sunday .
The rockers are due to play at the Sluzewiec Hippodrome on Wednesday night
- in what would be their first live date in Poland for nine years -
but the country's president, Lech Kaczynski is expected to call off the
open-air concert out of respect to the 26 native Roman Catholic pilgrims who
were killed in the accident.
The victims had been on their way back to Poland after a trip to the holy
Sanctuary of Notre Dame de la Salette, when the driver lost control of the bus,
which crashed 50 feet down a river bank before bursting into
flames.
President Kaczynski declared three days of national mourning on Monday
upon his return from France, where he had visited the crash site with
French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
* VANILLA ICE FAILED TO GET IN TOUCH WITH DYING TAMMY FAYE
Rapper VANILLA ICE is upset he didn't get a chance to speak with televangelist
pal TAMMY FAYE MESSNER before she died on Friday .
The Ice Ice Baby hitmaker befriended the beloved Christian when they were
cast together on reality TV show The Surreal Life and he was devastated when he
saw a frail Messner talking about her cancer battle on CNN show Larry King Live
on Thursday .
He immediately picked up the phone and attempted to reach the ailing
65-year-old - to offer her his support and prayers.
The rapper says, "I got a hold of her manager; I was gonna go see her."
Vanilla Ice admits he was very impressed with his friend's final TV
interview: "When you're looking at death and you can be that strong, that's
really something to admire."
* LILY ALLEN HITS OUT AT COURTNEY LOVE
British pop star LILY ALLEN has criticised COURTNEY LOVE for her wild partying
- insisting one night with the rocker almost drove her to rehab, according to
reports.
The Smile hitmaker met Love, 43, in Los Angeles in April , where they
partied together at the popular Hyde nightclub.
But Allen wasn't impressed with the former Hole singer's antics, and in a
message to a friend on social networking site MySpace, the 22-year-old is
alleged to have poked fun at Love and her relationship with the late Nirvana
frontman, Kurt Cobain.
According to U.K. newspaper The Sun, Allen wrote: "I am not bfs C Love,
one night with her made me realise why Kurt
killed himself. I nearly checked into rehab."
Cobain committed suicide in 1994, aged 27.
* DUFF FEELS FOR SPEARS & HER MUMMY MISHAPS
Pop star HILARY DUFF has a great deal of sympathy for one-time chart rival
BRITNEY SPEARS - because she can't make the mistakes her mother did.
The So Yesterday singer feels sorry for Spears because she can't leave her
home without leading a trail of paparazzi, who photograph her every mishap.
Duff tells Hollywood Life magazine, "I remember when all that stuff came out
about her not strapping her baby in the car seat right. I was just like, 'Leave
her alone.'
"My mom said to me, 'Do you know how many times I dropped you on your head or
let you fall off something accidentally?' It just happens."
* M.I.A: NO REGRETS OVER SONGS THAT LED TO VISA PROBLEMS
Fiery British hitmaker M.I.A. has no regrets about militant leaning songs that
contributed in landing her on America's people-of-interest list - because she
felt it was her duty to rap about terrorism.
The rapper, real name Maya Arulpragasam, had to pull out of a performance at
the Sasquatch music festival in Washington in May after failing to sort
out visa issues in time.
Many believe M.I.A's provocative lyrics about the Palestinian Liberation
Organisations and terrorist groups around the world contributed to her visa
issues.
But M.I.A, the daughter of a former Tamil Tigers militant, says, "That came
out of me. That was me talking about those things I wanted to.
"In 2002 and 2003, those things needed to be said, in my opinion.
"No one was singing about a million people dying in Iraq and us f**king up
and Saddam being hanged."
* INTERPOL STAR CLEANS UP AND TRIES ACTING
INTERPOL rocker CARLOS D was forced to clean up his life after a series of
Internet attacks targeting his bad behaviour, because the criticism started to
upset him.
The guitarist admits he grew tired of reading Internet blogs such as Carlos D
Has Herpes as fans started turning on him - and he decided it was time to get
sober after years of wild nights.
The rocker explains, "After a certain time, your body can't take it. I think
a lot of people didn't take me seriously. They didn't assume I had feelings or
wants or needs, because they thought the hedonistic attitude took up everything
inside me.
"For a while, I even believed that about myself, but I came to realise I'm so
much more than that... I'm not that much of a hedonist anymore."
After sobering up, the rocker changed his familiar image so he could attend
acting classes without getting mobbed by Interpol fans.
He adds, "It was a way for me to push everybody away so I could have more
space to realise what my life is about. Everyone stopped recognising me on the
street. I forgot what it's like to just be a normal person. It felt so good."
* WHITE STRIPES TOP LIVE BAND LIST
The WHITE STRIPES are the best touring band to see live, according to a new
U.S. poll.
The duo, Jack and Meg White, beat Radiohead, Pearl Jam and the newly-reunited
Rage Against The Machine in the online Rolling Stone magazine vote.
The Best Live Band Playing Right Now top 10 is:
1. White Stripes
2. Radiohead
3. Pearl Jam
4. Rage Against the Machine
5. U2
6. Metallica
7. Flaming Lips
8. My Morning Jacket
9. The Hold Steady
10. Arcade Fire.
* FASCINATING FACT:
Rapper SEAN 'DIDDY' COMBS has renamed his new single Through the Pain to address
his failed relationship with model/actress Kim Porter. The
couple split earlier this month , and the song is now called Through the
Pain .
* THE THINGS THEY SAY:
"Wormwood, when you distil it, makes this thing called thujone; it's like the
equivalent of THC in marijuana. I have a guy who sends it to me in a dropper."
MARILYN MANSON on what makes his absinthe extra special.
* FASCINATING FACT:
R&B star RIHANNA has teamed up with fashion company Totes to launch her own
range of umbrellas, following the worldwide success of her JAY-Z collaboration,
UMBRELLA.
* NIELSEN TOASTS EX FLAV AFTER LEAVING REHAB
BRIGITTE NIELSEN has spoken out for the first time since her release from rehab
- and she feels like "a new-born person."
The leggy Dane, who was briefly married to Sylvester Stallone, joined the
stars at a roast for former boyfriend Flavor Flav in Hollywood on Sunday
- her first public appearance since taking time out to address
alcoholism issues at a retreat.
The actress checked into rehab in North Hollywood earlier this month ,
following a family intervention.
She said, "I'm feeling good... I made a choice about a new life. It's not
been easy but it was definitely time. And now I'm very happy to be out of
rehab."
But, despite reports she fought family and friends who urged her to attend
rehab for a drinking problem, Nielsen admits she's happy to have checked in.
She adds, "It has to do with your family... It was to do with your friends,
who are honest with you. So you know maybe it's time to change - and that's
exactly what I did. I cannot thank God more."
Nielsen tells America's People magazine she's almost 20 days sober and has no
plans to drink alcohol again.
* CINEMATOGRAPHER KOVACS DIES
Hollywood cinematographer LASZLO KOVACS has died. He was 74.
The Hungarian-born star passed away in his sleep on Saturday night
at his home in Beverly Hills.
Kovacs left his native country in the 1950s to escape the revolts against
Hungary's Communist regime and entered the U.S. as a political refugee in
1957.
He enjoyed a lengthy career as one of the industry's most respected directors
of photography, and gained recognition for his work on movies such as Easy
Rider and GhostBusters.
Kovacs was honoured with the American Society of Cinematographers Lifetime
Achievement Award in 2002.
He is survived by his wife Audrey and his two daughters Jullianna and Nadia.
* MOAKLER 'DEVASTATED' BY SECOND MARRIAGE SPLIT
Former beauty queen SHANNA MOAKLER has been left devastated after splitting
from husband TRAVIS BARKER for a second time - because she realises the punk
rocker is the love of her life.
Moakler and Barker went through a messy separation last year and started
divorce proceedings, only to reconcile at the beginning of 2007 and give their
marriage another chance.
But now Moakler feels the couple has split for good.
She says, "It's very disappointing. I consider him the love of my
life.
"I think the demise of a marriage is like a death, and there is a mourning
that goes with it. It's devastating."
Moakler insists she'll spend the rest of 2007 celibate and single until she
recovers from the marriage split.
She says, "Even my dad was like, 'You are not allowed to date for three to
six months.' I don't think I should either."
Barker and Moakler wed in October 2004. The couple has two children: Landon,
three, and Alabama, 19 months. Moakler also has another child, fathered by
boxer Oscar De La Hoya.
* DELPY'S POOR EYESIGHT LEFT HER FEELING 'RETARDED'
French movie star JULIE DELPY's parents feared the actress was "a retard" when
she was a child - because she kept bumping into things.
It took years for the family to realise Delpy had terrible eyesight.
She explains, "I don't have a sense of depth, no three dimensional vision. It
affects my life a certain way.
"All my childhood I was thought a clumsy person. I just didn't see distance,
so I would bump into everything. I always thought I was retarded."
* METCALFE UNPLUGGED FOR BAHAMAS DEBUT
Former DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES star JESSE METCALFE showed off his musical skills
at the weekend when he performed an unplugged set of new songs at the
opening of Cain at the Cove in the Bahamas.
The actor was a last-minute addition to the festivities at the new music
venue and hoped his music would come as a surprise to many.
Metcalfe says, "I think a lot of people will be surprised to learn that I
actually have talent. I love playing to an audience. It's really gratifying."
The celebrities who caught Metcalfe's show included actresses Jamie King and
Chloe Sevigny.
His acoustic guitar set featured songs he wrote and recorded for his upcoming
album, Darklight.
The event was sponsored by vodka company Snow Queen, but teetotaller Metcalfe
steered clear of alcohol after recently completing a stint in rehab.
He tells People magazine, "I drank nothing stronger than Red
Bull. I'm taking care of myself. I have too much going on right now to mess it
up."
* THE PRICE IS RIGHT FOR CAREY
Comedian DREW CAREY will replace beloved gameshow host BOB BARKER as the new
presenter of long-running U.S. programme THE PRICE IS RIGHT.
Carey, the star of his own namesake sitcom and the host of improvisational
comedy show Whose Line Is It Anyway? was named retiring Barkers' replacement on
Monday after weeks of speculation.
The comic confirmed he was the man for the job during a taping of The Late
Show with David Letterman, which aired on Monday night.
Barker has been the host of the popular gameshow for the past 35 years.
Carey has suddenly become America's new gameshow king - he also hosts new
primetime show, The Power of 10.
* LOVE HEWITT TOPS WORST ALBUMS LIST
JENNIFER LOVE HEWITT has topped a new shame list of actor and actresses who
record albums.
The movie star's five albums land her at the number one spot on King
magazine's Worst Celebrity Albums poll.
Supermodel Naomi Campbell comes in second with her Baby Woman effort and
Jamie-Lynn Sigler's Here To Heaven is named the third worst album.
Also featured in the top 10, are David Hasselhoff, Jada Pinkett Smith and
Eddie Murphy.
* THE THINGS THEY SAY:
"It's one thing I'd like to try but I'm not allowed to do many water sports for
insurance reasons. I can't jet ski, water ski, ride motorbikes, ride horses."
Soccer superstar DAVID BECKHAM hopes to perfect his surfing skills now he's a
Los Angeles native.
* FASCINATING FACT:
Actress MICHELLE RODRIGUEZ booked THE VILLAGE PEOPLE's 'cowboy' RANDY JONES to
perform at her 29th birthday party at The Plumm in New York at the weekend.
* THE THINGS THEY SAY:
"Of all the young actors who are running around, LINDSAY is the best actress by
far. But she shouldn't be in the media more than the Lakers."
Movie maker GARRY MARSHALL on his GEORGIA RULE star LINDSAY LOHAN.
