27th July 2007
* SPICE GIRLS EXTEND TOUR
THE SPICE GIRLS have added a string of extra dates to their comeback tour -
after a staggering three million fans registered to buy tickets.
There will be 14 new concerts in the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, China,
Germany, Spain, South Africa and Argentina at the end of 2007, beginning of
2008.
A statement from the band reads, "In true Girl Power tradition we are taking
over the world...again!
"We have just found out that we've had over three million ticket requests on
the website. As our own VB would say, that is Major!!"
The band recently revealed they will also perform a concert at a city voted
for by fans.
* SPEARS PUTS CUSTODY BATTLE IN JEOPARDY
Troubled pop star BRITNEY SPEARS has put her custody battle with ex-husband
KEVIN FEDERLINE in jeopardy by taking their kids out of Los Angeles, according
to reports.
The 25-year-old flew to Las Vegas on Wednesday in a private plane
with kids Sean Preston, 22 months, and Jayden James, 10 months, after news of
her erratic behaviour on a photoshoot for America's OK! magazine broke. Sources
tell People.com the singer made special arrangements to have her hotel room
childproofed prior to her visit.
Under California law, neither parent can take a child out of state without
written permission from the other, or a court order.
Sources tell People magazine Spears did not notify Federline - who is
fighting for sole custody of the couple's children - of the visit, nor his
attorney Mark Vincent Kaplan.
* ROWLAND: 'I WISHED I WAS WHITE'
DESTINY'S CHILD singer KELLY ROWLAND dreamed of being white as a child -
because she thought it would give her a better chance of success.
The 26-year-old still feels black performers have an unfair disadvantage in
the entertainment industry, but has learned to appreciate her own beauty with
the help of former bandmate Beyonce Knowles' mum.
Rowland says, "It's said that brown-skinned girls don't sell magazines,
that's sad. I wished I was fair-skinned, but Tina Knowles, Beyonce's mom, said,
'Don't you know how beautiful you are?'
"She made me come into my brown beauty. I didn't get it, now I do.
"I am chocolate and beautiful and loving it."
* RIHANNA STRUGGLES WITH SPLIT PERSONALITY
R&B star RIHANNA is struggling to reconcile her professional persona with her
'real self' - the character she is away from the bright lights and microphone.
The Umbrella singer - real name Robyn Fenty - burst onto the music scene in
2005 with hit single Pon De Replay and has since become a household name under
the pseudonym Rihanna, her middle name.
However, the 19-year-old confesses it's been difficult balancing public
expectations of her with the personality she is at home.
She tells the August/September issue of Vibe Vixen, "It wasn't that told me
what to do. It was more of what I couldn't do.
I couldn't wear red lipstick. I couldn't wear my hair in a ponytail; all kinds
of stupid things.
"Being 'Rihanna' wasn't natural. So I rebelled. I'm doing me. Now, Robyn and
Rihanna are much more similar."
* WILLIAMS TO PLAY CAPTAIN KIRK?
British pop star ROBBIE WILLIAMS will make his Hollywood debut as CAPTAIN JAMES
T. KIRK in the new STAR TREK movie, according to reports.
The Angels singer is said to be in final negotiations to take on the role
made famous by William Shatner in the original TV version of the sci-fi hit.
William's casting follows media reports Heroes star Zachary Quinto is set to
star as Spock in the J.J. Abrams-directed movie.
But the Lost creator has refused to confirm the reports saying, "I think
'd be a good Captain Kirk. The Kirk in my movie is quite young, it's
like the early years.
"But I can't comment on who we are casting just yet. You'll have to wait."
Star Trek XI will be released next year .
* BOYFRIENDS ARE OFF-LIMITS FOR AMERIE
R&B star AMERIE is banned from having a boyfriend - as her mother "doesn't
understand the concept of dating".
The 1 Thing singer admits her mum's traditional Korean values mean any
potential partners are off limits - only 'close' male friends are acknowledged,
and not romantic relationships with the opposite sex.
She says, "My mom is very traditional, and she didn't understand the concept
of dating. She didn't understand why I'd ever want to call someone a boyfriend.
It was a bad word in our house.
"We were just supposed to call them friends. If I had a boyfriend now, my mom
would still only call him my close friend."
* JANET JACKSON SHEDS THE FAT
R&B superstar JANET JACKSON has been showing off her newly toned body - just
weeks after she was pictured with a curvier figure.
The All For You singer, 41, has struggled with her weight in the past, with
paparazzi shots of an out-of-shape Jackson poolside at her Miami, Florida,
mansion reportedly threatening her plans to release a keep-fit DVD.
But Jackson appears to have hit the gym and shed the pounds in the three
weeks since those photos were taken, as she appeared svelte and toned on a
recent night out.
An onlooker tells British newspaper The Daily Star, "Janet looked like she
was in great shape. She was all smiles and seemed happy to show off her new
look."
* BARAT MARRIED GIRLFRIEND IN SPOOF CEREMONY
British rocker CARL BARAT married his girlfriend ANNALISA ASTARITA in a spoof
ceremony at an English music festival last month - conducted by
CHARLATANS frontman TIM BURGESS.
The Dirty Pretty Things star insists he has no desire to marry for real - but
doesn't believe the ceremony at Glastonbury counts, because he couldn't
understand a word Burgess said.
Barat says, "It was just a bit of fun, we were just messing about. Honestly
being married by Tim Burgess. He could have said anything and I'd have said 'I
do', he's got a tendency to mumble.
"I pretended to do it but I couldn't understand what he was saying .Getting
married is not up there on my list."
* FASCINATING FACT:
Former Australian Idol contestant Dean Geyer has been cast in long-running soap
Neighbours. The singer, who came third in the TV talent show, will play an
aspiring singer on the series.
* ALIANA LOHAN BLASTS DAD MICHAEL
The sister of troubled star LINDSAY LOHAN has launched a scathing attack on her
father MICHAEL over his failure to be a supportive parent.
Thirteen-year-old Aliana Lohan insists her estranged parent is lying when he
claims he is a "great dad" - maintaining he was "never there" for the family.
In an email to David Caplan, of entertainment site 24/Sizzler , Ali writes,
"I want everybody to know the truth out there. My father is telling all lies to
people and saying he was such a great dad and was always there for us - my
father was never there for us.
And Aliana believes many of her elder sister's problems - which culminated in
Lohan, 21, being arrested on Tuesday for driving under the influence
for the second time in two months - stem from her father's irresponsible
behaviour in the past.
She explains, "I think that the whole reason why my sister is upset with
herself and not confident is because of my dad not being around and always
staying out late and not coming home for days. He just wants everybody in the
world knowing that he was a great dad. He wasn't - that is all a lie"
Earlier this week , a judge ordered Michael and estranged wife
Dina to see a family therapist as part of an ongoing custody war over their two
young children, Aliana and Dakota, 11. The couple was also ordered to stop
speaking negatively of each other in front of their kids and undergo
counselling.
* LOHAN WAS TAILING STAR THERAPIST
LATEST: LINDSAY LOHAN was chasing a therapist to the stars when she was
arrested for driving under the influence.
The actress was in pursuit of a car being driven by Michelle Peck, the mother
of her personal assistant Tarin Grahame, in Los Angeles in the early hours of
Tuesday .
Peck treats a number of Hollywood stars including Gwyneth Paltrow, Madonna
and Heather Locklear. She specialises in "intraceutical oxyfacials" which are
described as the perfect post-party remedy.
The therapist hid terrified in a parking lot and called 911 after being
tailed through Santa Monica by Lohan, according to cops.
Police spokesperson Alex Padilla says of the incident, "Why she was
trying to catch her, we don't know. The woman in the other car was so afraid.
She wasn't sure what was going on so she called us."
Lohan was arrested for DUI and possession of an illegal substance and bailed
* BEDI VOWS TO MOVE ON, EYES HOLLYWOOD
LATEST: Troubled Bollywood star MONICA BEDI has vowed to "move on" from her
fake passport scandal and controversial links with Indian underworld figure Abu
Salem.
The actress has returned to her family home in Hoshiarpur following her
release from prison on Wednesday when her father paid 25,000 rupees
bail. Bedi had been residing in Chanchalguda central jail in
Hyderabad, India, since last week , where she was transferred
after she was acquitted in a fake passport case in Bhopal on 16 July .
The 32-year-old was extradited from Portugal to Hyderabad in 2005 after she
and gangster boyfriend Salem were arrested in 2002 for entering the European
country on forged documents.
But Bedi now wants to move on from the controversial episode, and tells
reporters she is keen to reclaim her acting career - and break Hollywood too.
She says, "Ups and downs are a natural part of life and once you understand
this you will not lose your poise to attain peace and to achieve goals. If
these are taken seriously then life becomes a bed of thorns instead of facing
them in a lighter manner then it would be a bed of roses''
Bedi's lawyers have always denied she was romantically involved with Salem,
and claimed he was holding her hostage.
In September 2006, Bedi was sentenced to five years in prison in Hyderabad
after being convicted of passport forgery.
* MEN CLAIM LOHAN COMMANDEERED THEIR CAR ON NIGHT OF DUI ARREST
Three men are claiming troubled star LINDSAY LOHAN commandeered their car the
night she was arrested for driving under the influence.
The men, Dante Nigro, Jakon Sutter and Ronnie Blake claim they had been
partying on Monday night in Malibu with Lohan and her assistant Tari
Grahame and her boyfriend.
They allege Lohan was drinking heavily - despite wearing an alcohol-detecting
ankle bracelet. They tell website TMZ.com Lohan and Grahame rowed at the party;
Graham told the actress she was quitting and drove off. Lohan is then described
jumping into the car - owned by Nigro - and chasing Grahame, with Nigro, Sutter
and Blake in the passenger seats of the 'hijacked' vehicle.
Blake claims he jumped out of the car and Lohan ran over his foot. The other
two men stayed in the car and attempted to reason with Lohan - who was driving
at high speed - but she threatened them saying "If you touch me I'll sue you"
and adding "I can't get in trouble. I'm a celebrity. I can do whatever the f**k
I want."
They tell the website Lohan lost Grahame mid-pursuit, so the starlet drove to
her mother's house in Santa Monica - to discover her assistant's therapist mum
Michelle Peck arriving at home. Peck reportedly panicked when she saw the car
behind her and drove off - only for Lohan to give chase to her.
Peck called police and the two cars finally stopped at a parking lot, where
cops apprehended Lohan and she failed a sobriety test.
Nigro alleges that the star tried to claim he had been driving. He believes
he heard her say, "I wasn't driving. The black kid was driving."
* FISHER WRITES HER OWN ROLES
Actress ISLA FISHER is so tired of sexist Hollywood films, she's begun writing
scripts herself to create a good female role.
The Wedding Crashers star admits she's very picky when it comes to choosing
parts.
She says, "I realised after Wedding Crashers that there are not that many
comic opportunities available for women in Hollywood. All the scripts are
written for men and as a woman you end up playing the smallest roles rather
than getting to the protagonist.
"There's never a female Clouseau and I get bummed about that so I got
together with some great writers, started writing for myself and pitching ideas
and scripts to studios."
* ZETA-JONES' APRON FANTASY
CATHERINE ZETA-JONES has hinted she makes husband MICHAEL DOUGLAS dress up as a
chef, wearing nothing but an apron.
The actress plays a top cook in new movie No Reservations, and confesses
developing a kitchen-inspired fantasy on set.
Zeta-Jones says, "There's something very sexy about a man in an apron,
clothes on or off. Come on, we all fantasise about a naked guy in a pinny when
all you see is his little tush leaning over a stove."
* GISELE: 'MODELLING ISN'T GLAMOROUS'
Brazilian catwalk queen GISELE BUNDCHEN has dismissed the reputation of
modelling as "glamorous", insisting there have been many low points in her
career.
The 27-year-old beauty was recently rated the world's most successful
supermodel with annual earnings topping £16.5 million - but she
claims she never started her career to find fame.
She says, "It's flattering people might think I am number one but I never set
out to be famous.
"A model's life is not as glamorous as everybody thinks it is. It is a great
business and we make a lot of money but it's not glamorous.
"You get up at 4am and you shoot in horrible conditions sometimes. There are
highs and lows."
* DANNY LA RUE PLANS COMEBACK AFTER STROKE
Veteran British drag artist DANNY LA RUE is refusing to let a stroke at the age
of 79 stop him from performing dressed as a woman.
The stage star suffered the stroke last year but, despite recently
celebrating his 80th birthday, he is already planning his comeback.
La Rue says, "The stroke was rather exaggerated. I'm much better now and look
forward to doing more appearances. I don't think I will ever hang up my bra for
good and when I do, I want my boobs dipped in gold."
* THE THINGS THEY SAY:
"I do want to admit - and you can make fun of me all you want - but I got a
little depressed after, because the party was over. I wanted everybody to come
back and do the party again." Newlywed Jerry O'Connell is desperate to repeat
his matrimony earlier this month to REBECCA ROMIJN.
* JIMMY PAGE TESTIFIES IN BOOTLEGGER'S COPYRIGHT TRIAL
LATEST: LED ZEPPELIN rocker JIMMY PAGE has appeared in court as a witness to
give evidence against an man accused of infringing copyright laws by selling
bootlegged CDs and DVDs.
The guitarist, 63, testified against Robert Langley, who was caught selling
the illegal copies - including some unreleased performances of Led Zeppelin -
at a British record fair.
He was arrested and charged on 12 counts of breaching copyright and trademark
law.
On Thursday , Page told the court that his large "personal
collection" of previously-unseen footage of his band performing and "fun"
studio sessions had been stolen from his home in Berkshire, England, in the
1980s.
Addressing the sale of a £220 DVD box set of Led Zeppelin concerts,
Page told prosecutor Judith Hutchinson he would "never sanction" those
performances because he is "a perfectionist" and very specific about the live
footage the band release.
He said: "There was a time when I had an injured finger while I was playing,
so I would not want that sold. It is just the same when Robert
Plant had a croaky voice - we would not want that sold."
He added: "Fans trade music but once you start packaging it up you are
breaking the rules."
The trial at Glasgow Sheriff Court in Scotland continues.
* GELDOF SLAMMED BY CRASH VICTIM FOR RECKLESS DRIVING
LATEST: Rocker BOB GELDOF has been blasted for reckless driving by the victim
of his bike crash on Thursday , who insists he "didn't stand a chance"
in the accident.
The former Boomtown Rats frontman was doing a U-turn in a busy London street
when motorcyclist Andrew Quinn collided with his vehicle.
The clash sent the 39-year-old biker flying into the air and he was taken to
hospital with minor knee and groin injuries.
But doctors have revealed Quinn's injuries to be much worse than initially
thought - he's facing a lifetime of surgery and joint pain.
He says, "I was riding carefully. Nothing was coming the other way.
"Suddenly this car appeared in front of me doing a U-turn. I hit the brakes
but... I didn't stand a chance.
"I'm now facing surgery and injuries that may be with me the rest of my
life. And it's all because he didn't pay enough attention when he pulled out."
* JERRY GARCIA ITEMS TO BE PUT UP FOR AUCTION
GRATEFUL DEAD fans have been given the chance to buy items once belonging to
JERRY GARCIA; everything including the kitchen sink - literally.
Californian Henry Koltys is giving fans of the late guitarist the chance to
snap up household items including stereo speakers, a two-person jacuzzi and a
bidet from the star's former house.
Koltys bought the property in Marin County 10 years ago and has decided to
put the items up for sale in a bid to clear out the mansion.
He says, "I'm hoping that someone will come along and say, 'His Jacuzzi,
wouldn't that be great. People are just kind of fanatics when it comes to
that."
The auction lots have been estimated at a total of $75,000 and will
go on sale on eBay between 12 and 19 August .
All proceeds will be donated to the Sophia Foundation, a non-profit
organisation which supports children and families dealing with separation or
divorce.
* ROD STEWART GIVES HIS APPROVAL TO TOMMY LEE
ROD STEWART has given his daughter KIMBERLEY his blessing to date bad boy
American rocker TOMMY LEE.
The Maggie May singer was previously said to have objected to his 27-year-old
offspring being romanced by Lee, 44, but Pamela Anderson's ex seems to have won
him over with his bizarre date ideas.
The Motley Crue drummer was recently left red-faced when he recently hired a
helicopter to woo Kimberley and attempted to land the aircraft in the garden of
Stewart Snr's Los Angeles mansion - only to be told by authorities to move on.
But Lee's crazy idea has won the praise of the veteran rocker.
Stewart says, "I've tried some manoeuvres in my time to pursue a woman, but
I've got to admit this is a pretty strong move.
"Attempting to land a helicopter in my garden just to impress my daughter...
That is quite something!"
* JAGGER WILL NEVER GO UNDER THE KNIFE
The ROLLING STONES frontman SIR MICK JAGGER would never consider having plastic
surgery to preserve his ageing looks, his daughter Elizabeth has claimed.
The rocker celebrated his 64th birthday on Thursday , and while many
of his peers have gone under the knife to keep their youthful features, the
thought of having cosmetic surgery has never crossed Jagger's mind.
His model daughter Elizabeth says, "He might have one of the craggiest
faces in the world but it's all his own and it makes him so
recognisable.
"I am very proud of him and his face. He will never have plastic surgery and
nor should he because facelifts on men are just yuck."
* KELLY OSBOURNE SET FOR ROLE IN CHICAGO?
OZZY OSBOURNE's daughter KELLY is set to take to the London stage in hit
musical CHICAGO.
The singer-turned-actress, 22, has been in negotiations to play Mama Morton
in the West End version of the show, a role made famous by Queen Latifah in the
movie adaptation - when she was a more mature 32 years old.
A spokesman for Osbourne says, "They've been talking about it but nothing has
been signed yet.
"If they do sign something it will be next week . It all depends
on timing because there might be a film in the pipeline too."
* THE THINGS THEY SAY:
"I didn't get it for free, but got a friend to wait in line for me. I paid them
a million bucks!" PANIC! AT THE DISCO singer BRENDON URIE jokes about the
extreme measures he undertook to get an own Apple iPhone.
* SCHREIBER AND WATTS NAME BABY BOY ALEXANDER
LATEST: Actors LIEV SCHREIBER and NAOMI WATTS welcomed baby boy ALEXANDER PETE
SCHREIBER on Thursday afternoon , it has been confirmed.
The Hollywood couple's first child weighed in at eight pounds and four ounces
when he was born at 3.59pm local time in a Los Angeles
hospital.
Reports claiming Watts had given birth surfaced early on Friday
with the news now been confirmed by the couple's spokesman.
Mother and baby are resting comfortably in the hospital, close to the
couple's Brentwood, California mansion.
* ZSA ZSA GABOR'S HUSBAND ROBBED AT GUNPOINT
ZSA ZSA GABOR's husband PRINCE FREDERIC VON ANHALT was robbed at gunpoint in
Los Angeles on Thursday and left chained to the wheel of his car -
nude.
The German-born socialite was driving his Rolls Royce in the Bel Air district
of L.A. when he was stopped by three women in a white convertible, who asked
for his autograph.
As he willingly obliged, one of the assailants pulled out a gun and her two
accomplices stripped von Anhalt of his money, jewellery and clothes, before
handcuffing him to his steering wheel.
Von Anhalt was unharmed and managed to call police with his car phone to
notify them of the crime, although the suspects are still on the run.
* ALBA'S 'NO SEX' VOW
Hollywood beauty JESSICA ALBA is putting an end to her raunchy reputation -
she's vowed never to disrobe on camera.
The newly-single actress is renowned for her role as sexy stripper Nancy
Callahan in 2005's Sin City, but the star has yet to go nude in a movie - and
she won't ever do so on film.
She says, "I'm attracted to roles that are more innocent. I haven't done a
sex scene and I've never done nudity."
And Alba, 26, added she is disgusted by actresses who do, adding: "I like to
get away from those mouthy and in-your-face ."
The Fantastic Four star famously threatened to sue Playboy magazine when she
appeared on the cover of the March 2006 issue among its 25 Sexiest Celebrities.
She complained the publication had used her image without her consent, allegedly
giving the appearance she
was featured in the issue in a "nude pictorial".
The lawsuit was later dropped after receiving a personal apology from Playboy
owner Hugh Hefner, who agreed to make donations to two charities which Alba
supported.
* TOP FILMMAKERS BATTLE IT OUT FOR VENICE'S GOLDEN LION
Filmmakers KENNETH BRANAGH, ANG LEE, KEN LOACH and WES ANDERSON are among the
directors who will battle it out for the top prize at the Venice Film Festival
later this year .
Branagh's remake of Sleuth will go up against Lee's Chinese thriller Lust,
Caution, Loach's It's A Free World and Anderson's The Darjeeling Limited for
the prestigious Golden Lion award.
But they will also face stiff competition from the likes of Brian De Palma
, Todd Haynes and Tony Gilroy, whose movie Michael
Clayton stars George Clooney.
Other Hollywood stars featured in the competing films include Brad Pitt ,
Quentin Tarantino , Charlize Theron
and Keira Knightley and James McAvoy,
who both star in Joe Wright's Atonement.
The big-screen adaptation of Ian McEwan's novel will open the festival on 29
August .
* CRUZ HAILS BONO HER 'HERO'
Actress PENELOPE CRUZ is in awe of U2 star BONO's charitable nature and has
hailed him as her "hero".
The Spanish beauty, who partied with the rocker in the trendy French city of
St. Tropez earlier this week , is impressed by Bono's philanthropy
and his dedication to raising awareness about causes like the fight against
Aids and poverty in Africa.
She says, "He is so powerful yet so human. Seeing him investing all his time
and effort is something to admire. He's changing the world."
* GRAHAM BLAMES 'SEXUAL REPRESSION' ON HER UPBRINGING
Actress HEATHER GRAHAM blames her strict Catholic upbringing for making her
uncomfortable around the opposite sex.
The 37-year-old - who played Felicity Shagwell in hit movie Austin Powers:
The Spy Who Shagged Me - admits struggling with relationships and her sexuality
because of a religiously repressed childhood.
She says, "I was always taught that sex was merely something to do once you
were married so that you could have children. Not surprisingly, I grew up
feeling that sex must be a bad thing and I used to feel guilty as a young woman
for having any kind of sexual thoughts.
"Men I meet tend to think of me as this super sexy, wild woman, when in fact
it has taken me a long time to be able to express that side of myself."
* GRINT WANTS TO PLAY A PSYCHO
HARRY POTTER star RUPERT GRINT is desperate to move away from his innocent
screen image and dreams of playing a "psychotic killer".
Grint, who plays Ron Weasley in the boy wizard franchise, is keen to test his
skills in a more grown-up role.
He says, "I'd play a love story role or a psychotic killer, anything
different."
* THE THINGS THEY SAY:
"He's doing them, he just has a few more ice packs and a few more massages."
KATHLEEN KENNEDY, co-executive producer of the forthcoming INDIANA JONES
sequel, assures fans HARRISON FORD is still every inch the action man - the
65-year-old is still doing his own stunts.
* SPEARS FIRES NEW ASSISTANT
Troubled pop star BRITNEY SPEARS has fired her new assistant just days after
her disastrous photo shoot and interview with America's OK! magazine, according
to reports.
The 25-year-old raised fears for her mental health earlier this week
when OK! editor-in-chief, Sarah Ivens, revealed the meeting with
Spears had been "heartbreaking".
Reports later claimed the interview had ended with the singer storming off
after two hours with more than $15,000 -worth of designer clothes and
jewellery, which had been hired for the accompanying photo shoot.
But Spears is allegedly blaming her recent negative publicity on her personal
assistant Shannon Funk, who was hired earlier this month .
A source tells U.S. magazine Life & Style, "Britney felt a lot of her recent
troubles started and stopped with Shannon. Britney thought she was talking
badly about her.
"She was very rude and Britney felt she was letting business emails fall by
the wayside."
Funk replaced Spear's cousin Alli Sims as the mother-of-two's assistant after
they fell out in June. They have since reconciled.
* FORENSIC EXPERT IN SPECTOR CASE POINTS AT 'HOLES' IN PROSECUTION'S 'PUZZLE'
LATEST: Forensic expert DR. WERNER SPITZ has claimed the prosecution's murder
theory in the PHIL SPECTOR case is inaccurate and riddled with "holes".
Spector is currently standing trial accused of the fatal shooting of actress
Lana Clarkson at his Alhambra, California mansion in February 2003, a charge he
denies.
The music producer claims Clarkson shot herself in the mouth - allegations
which were supported by Spitz's testimony on Wednesday , in which he
concluded it was "most likely" suicide.
On Thursday , Spitz was subjected to a lengthy and intense
cross-examination by Deputy District Attorney Alan Jackson, where he told the
court it was possible Clarkson had breathed out the blood which was found on
Spector's jacket - although he objected to Jackson referring to "all the spray"
landing on the producer.
Spitz came to his previous conclusion after studying photos and personal
accounts of Clarkson from her friends and close associates, taking into account
her history of depression and her mental state at the time of her death.
He told Jackson he disagreed with the theory that Spector and Clarkson
struggled moments before the gun was fired, saying: "When you work on a puzzle,
you don't know what is the picture. To comply with that theory, you would have
a lot of holes in that puzzle. It doesn't fit in this case."
But Spitz admitted he had re-evaluated his final decision on Clarkson's death
after Wednesday's court proceedings, stating, "I came to the conclusion that my
opinion as rendered was correct... I would not say she committed suicide.
I would say she shot herself."
* WEST HITS BACK AT BEANIE SIGEL'S GAY JIBES
KANYE WEST has attacked rap rival BEANIE SIGEL after he accused him of being
gay and urged him to "come out of the closet".
Sigel criticised West's dress sense during a recent U.S. radio interview, and
suggested his Roc-A-Fella labelmate was a homosexual.
The Gold Digger hitmaker used an interview with Hot 97 DJ Angie Martinez to
hit back, describing the comments as "so disrespectful".
He also appeals to Sigel, saying, "Why wouldn't you come to me and talk to me
about it?"
* LOU REED JOINS THE TECHNO REVOLUTION
Veteran rocker LOU REED is struggling with his new gadget accessory - an Apple
iPhone.
The 65-year-old Velvet Underground frontman has bought one of the phones to
keep in touch with his friends and family and keep up with new music - but he
admits he is a technophobe.
Reed tells TMZ.com, "It's taking a while to get it right, having said that,
it's fantastic."
* CHINGO BLING LANDS HIS OWN IMPRINT
Latino rapper CHINGO BLING has been handed his own imprint by music label
Asylum Records.
The star's next album, They Can't Deport Us All, will be the first release on
the Big Chile Enterprises label.
Bling, who already has his own vast range of merchandise, says, "Everyone
wants to look like everyone else and talk about the same old s**t. Hardly
anybody today has their own style, their own voice. You gotta find what you're
about, and these days people aren't about too much. I represent for my people,
the millions of Mexican Americans who started with nothing and really found
their way."
* THE THINGS THEY SAY:
"I'm a totally normal guy. I'm what we call 'TV Ugly': handsome enough to be
cast as the ugly friend. I'm 'TV Fat', a thin guy compared to most of the
population, but, well, you know..." FALL OUT BOY star PATRICK STUMP understands
why he is not considered to be a heart-throb.
* LOHAN 911 CALL RELEASED
The frantic emergency call made to police moments before LINDSAY LOHAN's arrest
on Tuesday morning has been released.
The 911 call is believed to have been made by Michelle Peck, the mother of
Lohan's former assistant Tarin Graham, who quit on Monday - although
Peck's identity has yet to be confirmed by local authorities.
The Mean Girls star was arrested in the early hours of Tuesday for driving
under the influence and possession of cocaine, after she was reported for
driving erratically through the streets of Santa Monica, California, in hot
pursuit of a car being driven by Graham's mother.
The woman in the car was unaware Lohan was in the SUV which came "out of nowhere",
mistaking the driver for a man as she was
chased along the road.
She told police: "We were just about to park our car. We are turning home and
out of nowhere a huge white GMC came up.
"We're being followed by a GMC... the gentleman jumped out of the car. Oh my
God, sir, they're following us. We need help."
The cars eventually came to a stop outside a police station, where
authorities claim the pair had a "heated debate", before cops intervened,
resulting in the 21-year-old actress' arrest.
Lohan is currently free on $25,000 bail and is seeking "medical
care", according to her lawyer.
* SCHREIBER AND WATTS BECOME PROUD PARENTS
Hollywood stars LIEV SCHREIBER and NAOMI WATTS are celebrating after the
actress gave birth to their first child - a week earlier than expected,
according to U.S. reports.
The Mulholland Dr. star, 38, gave birth early on Thursday morning
at a hospital in Los Angeles with Schreiber by her side, although the couple
has not revealed the sex of the baby, reports Life & Style magazine.
A source says, "Naomi was planning on giving birth next week - her due date
was early August - but since she insisted on delivering naturally, she knew
there was a chance she would have the baby before the due date. That's what
wound up happening.
"This is a dream come true for both of them and they've done everything in
their power to make it as special as possible, right down to staying in the
dark about the baby's sex right up until Naomi gave birth."
Watts is said to be resting comfortably in the hospital, close to her
Brentwood, California mansion.
* ANISTON SPLITS WITH BRITISH MODEL
Former FRIENDS star JENNIFER ANISTON has split from British model PAUL SCULFOR
after a two-month romance, according to reports.
The actress was first spotted with the ex-builder in May , and Sculfor
allegedly moved into Aniston's Beverly Hills, California, home in mid-June.
However, British tabloid reports claim the couple have been forced apart by
their demanding schedules and Aniston's willingness to have children.
A source tells The Sun newspaper, "There was chemistry, but the truth is that
Jen wants to settle down with a reliable man and start a family.
"Paul wants travels a lot and is constantly surrounded by beautiful women.
They remain friends, but are just in different places."
Aniston's failed relationship follows the breakdown of her marriage to Brad
Pitt in 2005. The Ocean's Thirteen star has since gone on to start a family
with Angelina Jolie.
* ZIERING SNUBBED AS BARKER'S REPLACEMENT
Former BEVERLY HILLS 90210 star IAN ZIERING was snubbed as host of THE PRICE IS
RIGHT, but has praised DREW CAREY as a "great" choice for the job.
Ziering - who recently appeared on Dancing With The Stars - was desperate to
be retiring host Bob Barker's replacement.
Revealing his anticipation, the former Beverly Hills, 90210 actor says, "For
the last month, I've been so titillated, my family has been excited at the mere
notion of me hosting The Price is Right.
"Unfortunately, it didn't go my way. I guess I was a little disappointed. I
was really kind of hoping that would happen. But they got a great host in Drew
Carey. I've always been a big fan of his. I think he's going to do great."
But Ziering is still confident about finding work: "I'm in a great space
right now. I feel good. Everything is going in the right direction. That's one
thing about this business, that there are so many mediums to perform in. I'm
not really too bummed, because something else usually turns up."
* MO'NIQUE DEFENDS THE 'N' WORD
Actress MO'NIQUE has defended black musicians who use the word n**ger in their
lyrics, insisting it is a term of endearment.
The comedienne believes African-Americans have a responsibility to banish the
negativity surrounding the word and is keen to reclaim it as an accepted term
among the black population.
She says, "Do I use the word n**ger? Yes, in my comedy routine and in life
because it's our word.
"Here's the thing. We need to stop giving people the power over that word. We
take it and turn it around to make it beautiful. You see, they gave us that
word back then. They called us n**ger back then.
"So yes, I hold on to it. And I say it to the n**gers, keep doing your thing
with pride and honour. Look how we overcame. Her name is Oprah Winfrey. His
name is Shawn Carter. Her name is Condoleezza Rice. Look at them n**gers."
* ROWLING PROUD POTTER'S FATE WAS KEPT SECRET
HARRY POTTER author J.K. ROWLING is proud she was able to fool fans into
believing she would kill off her hero in the final book.
Up until the seventh installment hit store shelves on Saturday ,
devotees of the fantasy series feared the boy wizard would meet his untimely
end.
And Rowling takes pride that she was able to keep the biggest secret in the
world.
She says, "I'm very proud of the fact that as we went into this book, many,
many readers thought it was a real possibility that Harry would die. That's
what I was aiming for, that everyone was up for grabs."
* JAMIE KING: 'LOHAN'S ARREST IS A BLESSING IN DISGUISE'
Supermodel and former hellraiser JAMIE KING believes LINDSAY LOHAN's arrest for
DUI may have saved her from a fate much worse.
The catwalk star battled drink and drugs as a teenager in the 1990s and
insists there's hope for Lohan - who was arrested on Tuesday - now
that her problem is recognised.
King tells TMZ.com, "Maybe it's a blessing in disguise."
* RUKH KHAN: 'I'M THE LAST INDIAN SUPERSTAR'
Actor SHAHRUKH KHAN has described himself as the last "superstar" of
Bollywood.
Khan claims that changes in the entertainment industry means superstars are a
dying breed.
He says, "The entertainment industry is changing rapidly, with the growth of
satellite channels and multiplexes. Soon there will not be any superstars. I
would like to believe that I am the last superstar of India."
* BARTON ADMITS TO BAD FASHION CHOICES
Actress MISCHA BARTON is amazed to find herself a fashion icon - because she
used to be a style disaster.
The former The O.C. star - who has appeared in campaigns for Calvin Klein -
cringes when she thinks of clothes she used to wear.
Barton says, "You'd get sneakers made into high heels or cut up your clothing
and put pins on your shirts and bags.
"Then I was into the sweatpants look - hip-hop didn't pass me by!"
* KLUM: 'I AM A BAD ACTRESS'
Supermodel HEIDI KLUM plans to concentrate on her modelling career after
failing to become a successful actress.
The German beauty has starred in numerous sitcoms and in the 2004 movie The
Life And Death Of Peter Sellers - but has decided she is better at modelling
than acting.
She says, "I tried acting, but that wasn't my thing. I can't do full drama
where I have to start crying, I'm more goofy. I've gone to different auditions
in LA, but it's just not for me.
"I'm not believable if I bitch at people and whine. I can't make myself cry;
can't 'go to that place', as they say. I'm a very happy person."
