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Monday, June 27, 2011

Lady Gaga Sued for Scamming Japan Earthquake Charity

Lady Gaga Sued for Scamming Japan Earthquake Charity


From gay rights to disaster relief, Lady Gaga is always at the forefront of activism or charity outreach, but now, one law firm is crying false when it comes to Gaga's Japan earthquake relief efforts.

A Southfield, Michigan based law firm, 1-800-LAW-FIRM, recently filed a class action lawsuit against mother monster for pocketing a portion of the proceeds from the sale of her 'We Pray For Japan' wristbands, benefiting relief for Japan's March earthquake -- proceeds gathered from customers who assumed their money was going directly to Japan.

"I'm suing Lady Gaga simply to hold her accountable for giving the money that she was raising for charity to the cause that she was trying to raise it for," 1-800-LAW-FIRM attorney, Ari Kresch, toldRadar Online.

Gaga sold the earthquake relief wristbands for $5, charged $3.99 for shipping and handling and tacked on an added $0.60 in taxes. The only problem? According to the law firm, Gaga exaggerated her costs and pocketed more than just her initial investment in the charity bracelets.

The firm's automated phone message states that they have "uncovered evidence" that not all of the proceeds were in fact donated to relief efforts and that Gaga's initial statements regarding the relief bracelets were "false." The message also urges those who purchased one or more bracelet to join the lawsuit.

So is Gaga guilty of scamming her own charity or is the seeming park bench law firm just hoping to get some publicity out of the suit? Either way, these lawyers are giving Gaga's poker face a run for her money.

Friday, June 24, 2011

Owen Wilson Splits From Baby Mama

Owen Wilson Splits From Baby Mama


With a hot ticket in the box office in 'Midnight in Paris,' it looks like Owen Wilson is saving his happy ending for the big screen. According to the UK's Daily Mail, Wilson has split from the mother of his child, Jade Duell.

Wilson and Duell welcomed their first child, son, Robert, five months ago but it turns out that a baby wasn't enough to keep the family together.

"Owen wanted the freedom to do what he wanted with his friends, both male and female, while remaining a family unit with Jade and the baby," a source close to the couple told the National Enquirer. "But Jade wasn't willing to go along with that, so Owen decided to end things with her instead of cheating behind her back."

It sounds like Wilson's 'Midnight in Paris' character may be rubbing off on him in real life, but he should know better than to think he could have it both ways. According to reports, Wilson remains in Santa Monica, California while his girlfriend and baby mama, Duell, moved back to New York with the couple's baby to be with her family. Wilson also flew solo at the majority of his 'Midnight in Paris' premieres and press events, making it seem as though Duell was either busy at home with baby Robert or the pair had been separated for quite some time.

The couple first met last year -- Duell was an air marshal sitting next to Wilson on a flight. Although their meet cute sounds like a Woody Allen movie in the making, it looks like the pair won't be getting a typical romcom ending.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Ashlee Simpson Caught Kissing HBO Star

Spotted: Ashlee Simpson and Her New Man
By Katelyn Mullen

It looks like love is in the air for Ashlee Simpson. The singer was spotted out with 'Boardwalk Empire' actor, Vincent Piazza, in New York City and the two looked to be way more than just friends.

They walked, arms cozily wrapped around each other, down the street with their iced beverages and smiles from ear to ear only stopping for a brief breather, sitting on the curb, locking lips right in front of the snapping paparazzi. It looks like these two aren't trying to hide their budding romance.

Simpson and soon-to-be ex-husband, Pete Wentz, were thought to be reconciling when they were seen out with their son Bronx back in March, but from the looks of her body language with Piazza, a reconciliation with Wentz is the furthest thing from her mind.



Ashlee Simpson, Vincent Piazza


Tuesday, June 21, 2011

'Lost' Actor, 51, Marries 16-Year-Old


Doug Hutchison, 51-Year-Old 'The Green Mile' Actor, Weds 16-Year-Old Country Singer Courtney Stodden
Talk about a strange couple. E! Online reports that actor Doug Hutchison of 'The Green Mile' and 'Lost' has married country singer Courtney Stodden in Las Vegas. This may not seem out of the ordinary until you consider that Hutchison is 51, while Stodden is a mere 16-years-old.
The couple provided a statement to E!:
"We're aware that our vast age difference is extremely controversial," the couple said through their spokeswoman.
"But we're very much in love and want to get the message out there that true love can be ageless."
PopEater reports that Stodden likely had permission from at least one of her parents:
According to the Clark County, Nevada Marriage Bureau, both marriage license applicants must be at least 18 years of age. But minors (below the age of 18) are able to obtain a license with the consent of a parent or legal guardian -- reasoning that at least one of Stodden's parents approves of their daughter's May-December marriage.
In fact, RadarOnline posted a statement from Stodden's father expressing support for the union:
“Courtney is one of the most level headed girls out there and I’m not just saying that because she’s my daughter. Doug is the nicest man I’ve ever met in my life,” Alex said of his 51-year-old son-in-law, who tied the knot with his daughter in Vegas on May 20.
Celebuzz has more information about Hutchison's new bride, as well as some photos and even one of her music videos.
So is this whole situation real? Fake? Or just plain gross? Let us know what you think in the comments.

'Basketball Wives LA' cast revealed


'Basketball Wives LA' cast revealed
By Alla Byrne


A new team of basketball wives will soon be holding court in Los Angeles.

"Basketball Wives LA," premiering August 29 as the latest installment of the popular VH1 reality series, will follow five women as they navigate the ups and downs of their relationships with NBA superstars -- and each other.

The cast includes Kimsha Artest, wife of Los Angeles Laker Ron Artest; Jackie Christie, wife of Doug Christie, former player for the Los Angeles Clippers; and Imani Showalter, ex-fiancée of Charlotte Bobcats' Stephen Jackson.

Fans of the original series, which takes place in Miami, will recognize Gloria Govan, fiancée of Laker Matt Barnes. Gloria bitterly feuded with other cast members during season one, but this time her sister Laura Govan will be there for back up.

If its predecessor is any indication, "Basketball Wives LA" is bound to bring drama.

See full article at PEOPLE.com.

Monday, June 20, 2011

'Jackass' Star Dies in Car Crash


'Jackass' Star Dies in Car Crash

By Kiki Von Glinow


'Jackass' star Ryan Dunn died early Monday in a Pennsylvania car crash. April Margera, the mother of a fellow 'Jackass' dare devil, Bam Margera, confirmed to TMZ that Dunn was killed in the car wreck that also left one other, who has yet to be identified, dead.

The 34-year-old was a part of the 'Jackass' film franchise -- often pulling off eyebrow raising stunts to the delight of his fellow thrill-seeking buddies.

A photo of the charred wreckage of the car was posted on Twitter and Flickr, apparently by the towing company. The image shows the extent of the fire that must have engulfed the vehicle.

Just hours before his death, Dunn tweeted photo of himself and two pals -- documenting their night out, beer and cigarette in hand.

Although it has not yet been confirmed who was driving the vehicle when it crashed or the cause of the accident, according to Chester County's Daily Local News, Chief Deputy Coroner David Garner confirmed that there was only one vehicle involved in the crash.

"Preliminary investigation revealed that speed may have been a contributing factor to the accident," police said in a statement.

96.1's The Morning Freak Show is reporting that Dunn was at the wheel when his Porsche careened over the road's guardrail and into the woods before bursting into flames. The collision occurred at roughly 3:00 AM Monday morning on Pennsylvania's Route 322.

The identity of Dunn's passenger will be revealed pending autopsy results due out later today.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Reports: Weiner Will Resign Today


Reports: Weiner Will Resign Today

Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) has told his friends he is prepared to resign from Congress, the New York Times reports.
A Democratic source tells HuffPost's Sam Stein that Weiner called Rep. Steve Israel (D-N.Y.), who chairs the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday night to alert them of his plans to step down today.
A Democratic source tells HuffPost's Mike McAuliff, "At least the nightmare is over."
In recent weeks, the embattled congressman has resisted calls to resign from his post amid intense controversy surrounding inappropriate interactions headmitted to engaging in online and lewd photos surfacing of the congressman.
The AP relays background on the controversy:
The scandal got even stranger Wednesday, when a former porn actress who exchanged emails and messages with Weiner said he asked her to lie about their interactions
Weiner has acknowledged sending sexually explicit messages and suggestive photos of himself to various women and then lying about it. The New York congressman has taken a two-week leave from the House and is reported to be in treatment at an undisclosed location.
Last weekend, Democratic party leaders urged Weiner to step down. Their calls came the same day the congressman signaled he would enter treatment and take a temporary leave of absence from his job. HuffPost's Sam Stein reported at the time:
In successive statements, Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chair Steve Israel (D-N.Y.) and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) urged Weiner to conduct his rehabilitation outside the confines of public office. Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) the ranking member of the Budget Committee and former DCCC head, followed with the same request 45 minutes later.
“Congressman Weiner has the love of his family, the confidence of his constituents, and the recognition that he needs help," said Pelosi, whose word carries the most weight of the group. "I urge Congressman Weiner to seek that help without the pressures of being a Member of Congress.”
Just days later, President Barack Obama told NBC's Ann Curry in an interview that if he were Weiner, he would resign.
Prior to news of Weiner's intention to step down, the New York lawmaker had signaled he would wait for his wife to return from a trip before determining his next step in response to calls for him to give up his seat. His wife Huma Abedin returned from traveling overseas with her boss Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Wednesday. It was recently reported that Abedin is pregnant with the pair's first child.
At her weekly press conference on Thursday morning, Pelosi said, "If you are here to ask a question about Congressman Weiner I won't be answering." She added, "I have made the statements I am going to make."
Weiner is expected to hold a press conference himself on Thursday at 2:00 p.m. ET in his New York district. Pelosi said, "After that I will have a statement available."

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Arnold Schwarzenegger's Mistress Speaks for First Time

Mildred Baena on Love Child: 'It Wasn't Arnie's Fault, It Takes Two'
By
Kiki Von Glinow

After the story broke that Arnold Schwarzenegger fathered a love child with his housekeeper, Mildred Baena, she and her 13-year-old son went into hiding -- hoping to wait out the media storm that followed. But now, Baena is ready to tell her side of the story, admitting that she is just as guilty for the adulterous affair as her former boss.

But Baena, 50, didn't always know that her son, Joseph, belonged to 'The Terminator.' Although, she had her suspicions when the young boy began to resemble his Austrian father.

"It was as Joseph grew and I started to see the resemblance that I wondered -- but it became more apparent as time went on," Baena told Hello! magazine. "I knew Arnold was the father, and maybe as Joseph got older and began to look like him, [Arnold] wondered. But he never said anything to me."

Unfortunately it wasn't only Schwarzenegger and Baena that had suspicions that their affair could have resulted in a child. The former governor's wife, Maria Shriver, alluded to Baena that she also noticed the similarities between Joseph and his biological father, her husband.

"She would say things like, 'I'm here if you need to talk,'" Baena recalls. "Finally, she asked point blank. Maria asked me directly if Joseph was Arnold's son, and I just broke down. I dropped to my knees and I was crying, saying that yes he was and I was so sorry."

But Baena was not confronted with your average rage-filled wife, having just discovered that her husband classically cheated on her with the family's housekeeper of twenty years.

"She was so strong," Baena said. "She cried with me and told me to get off my knees. We held each other and I told her it wasn't Arnie's fault, that it takes two."

Although the news was difficult for Shriver to digest, Baena's son had a much different reaction. When she explained to him, at the age of 13, that Schwarzenegger was his biological father, Joseph simply responded, "Cool."

Shriver recognized that her heartbreak could not get in the way of doing what was best for her husband's son.

"Since I was retiring soon, I said I would pack and leave right away," Baena said of her initial thought to immediately leave the Schwarzenegger household. "But [Shriver] said to stay until after the holidays."

Taking responsibility for her role in devastating a family, Baena hopes that her former employer and lover will be able to reconcile with his wife.

Mildred Baena Arnold Schwarzenegger interview

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Molly Sims Shows Off Engagement Ring

Molly Sims Shows Off Engagement Ring
Positively glowing from her recent engagement, Molly Sims stepped out over the weekend with her brand-new diamond ring on display. Her fiancé, producer Scott Stuber, popped the question on May 20.
The couple, who have been dating for 18 months, got the jewel from Diane von Furstenberg. Sims told US Weekly, "One of my girlfriends [is] one of the heads of DVF; they have been working on it for several months."
Sims' ring is impressive, befitting her supermodel status... but we'd venture to say it still doesn't hold a candle to Kim Kardashian's rock. Not that it's a competition or anything.
Congrats!

Monday, June 13, 2011

Kim Kardashian's Outrage Over Old Photos

Kim Kardashian's Outrage Over Old Photos
Oh. My. Gawd. Like, how dare Khloé keep pictures of Kim and her ex-boyfriend up in her apartment? That is, like, so unkool!

Reaching for drama as desperately as Kim once reached for pop stardom, the new season of 'Keeping Up With the Kardashians' (Sun., 10PM ET on E!) debuted with one of the silliest sister feuds ever.

Kim threw a hissy fit after spying framed photos of one of her former lovers in Khloé's pad. But Kim's reaction was nothing compared to Khloé, who violently slammed the photos into the garbage can, frames and all.

Perhaps reacting to how Kim seems to change men like she changes hairstyles, Khloé was struggling with how much she should "invest emotionally" into getting to know Kim's new man Kris Humphries.

Maybe we'll get to see Khloé and the rest of the Kardashian crew warm up to Kris this season. He and Kim did get engaged in May, after all.

Friday, June 10, 2011

Gwyneth Paltrow Gives Her Take on 'Homosexuality in the Bible'

Gwyneth Paltrow Gives Her Take on 'Homosexuality in the Bible'


Gwyneth Paltrow took on the controversial topic of homosexuality and the Bible head on when she wrote a post on her GOOPnewsletter titled 'Homosexuality in the Bible'.

In the post Paltrow says, "A few months ago, in the heat of the tragic teen suicides that came about from intolerance of homosexuality, I saw a man on television who was apologizing for wishing death on gays from his facebook page. This member of an Arkansas school board was contrite for the violence in his words, but maintained that his values pertaining to homosexuality would remain, as he felt homosexuality was condemned in the bible."

She continues, "This concept, while foreign to me, is interesting, as it used to justify so much judgement and separation in our society. When my daughter came home from school one day saying that a classmate had two mommies, my response was, "Two mommies? How lucky is she?!"

The 38-year-old actress and singer then asks, "What does it actually say in the bible that will cause some people to be upset by my line of thinking?"

Paltrow concludes by saying, "Happy pride. Love, gp"

E! Online is also reporting that the Oscar-winning actress also includes a couple of pro-gay writings from Episcopal priests as well as one from Kabbalah guru Michael Berg.

Paltrow also posted an argumentative piece against homosexuality from Dr. John Stott of All Souls Church in London. She also added a note before the piece which said, "We wanted as many perspectives as possible on this issue and so we are also including a more conservative voice here below."

Monday, June 6, 2011

The tragic case of Billy Bob's Thornton's daughter

The tragic case of Billy Bob's Thornton's daughter
By Sara Hammel

While Casey Anthony's murder trial played out in front of the nation last week, another, quieter case involving a dead child was being tried in the same Orlando courthouse.

Amanda Brumfield, 32, the estranged daughter of Billy Bob Thornton, sat just 13 floors below in Florida's Orange County Courthouse, accused of murdering 1-year-old Olivia Madison Garcia. On Friday, she was convicted of aggravated manslaughter.

How did a baby -- Brumfield's goddaughter, no less -- die while in her care on that day in October 2008?
Brumfield claims Olivia's death was an accident, and that the baby had simply fallen a short distance out of a playpen. But prosecutors said it would be "impossible" for that type of fall to cause the 3-inch fracture found on the girl's skull and the bleeding and swelling on her brain.

RELATED: Billy Bob Thornton's Daughter Guilty of Manslaughter in Baby's Death

An Estrangement
Since Brumfield's arrest, the details of the case have been intertwined with questions about Brumfield's relationship with her Oscar-winning father.

Thornton, 55, has admitted he wasn't around for her when she was young; he and her mother, Thornton's first wife Melissa Gatlin, split in 1980, and Brumfield has made clear the separation stung.

"He's pretty much made me feel like I've been shut out," Brumfield told Inside Edition in 2001. "I mean, I have nothing against him. I love him. He's my father. I just want him to be around. I don't want to cry, but it's not fair to watch him on TV every day, and I can't even get a call."

Thornton, who has three younger children by two other women, has spoken about his guilt regarding Brumfield.

"She didn't grow up with me, and so we were pretty much strangers for years," Thornton told the U.K.'s Mail on Sunday in 2005. "Then a few years later, we reconnected, and it's really good now."
But the reconciliation didn't take. After Brumfield was arrested, Thornton's rep told CNN that father and daughter had been estranged "for quite some time" and offered a terse reaction quote from Thornton.
"Anytime a baby's life is lost is an unimaginable tragedy, and my heart goes out to the baby's family and loved ones," the actor said in a statement.

Trial and Verdict
Indicted in June 2009 on several charges, including first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse and aggravated manslaughter, Brumfield went on trial last month in the shadow of the Casey Anthony murder case.

Brumfield's public defender, David Barszcz, focused on the close relationship his client had with her best friend and Olivia's mom, Heather Murphy, who even had a key to Brumfield's home.

He pointed out that Brumfield kept diapers and a playpen at her home for Olivia, and relayed how she'd planned to take her to Sea World to celebrate her birthday, the Orlando Sentinel reports.
"The bottom line is they were very, very close," Barszcz told the court.

In fact, the defense argued, Olivia was trying to climb out of the playpen and fell, causing something called "second-impact syndrome," meaning the impact aggravated an existing injury, according to the Sentinel.

What exactly happened isn't known, but Brumfield's behavior that night was odd. She waited more than two hours to call police for help. Even stranger, after the injury, she painted Olivia's toenails and fed her bananas, and then lay on the floor with her.

The jury found merits in both the prosecution and defense cases, convicting Brumfield of manslaughter but acquitting her of first-degree murder and aggravated child-abuse. Brumfield will be sentenced in July.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Arnold Schwarzenegger Hires Hollywood Divorce Lawyer

Arnold Schwarzenegger Hires Hollywood Divorce Lawyer
By Kelly Fisher 



The time has come for 'The Terminator' to lawyer up. Arnold Schwarzenegger has hired a top Hollywood divorce attorney to represent him in what will likely be a major divorce battle with estranged wife Maria Shriver.

According to TMZ, the former California governor hired Bob Kaufman to handle the imminent divorce, and he's not wasting any time.

Sources revealed that Kaufman has been in touch with Shriver's lawyer, Laura Wasserman, and that they are "moving forward" with divorce proceedings.

Schwarzenegger and Shriver announced they were separating last month. It was unclear why the former power pair, who have been married for over 25 years, decided to split until Schwarzenegger shockingly revealed that he had fathered a child outside of their marriage.

Shriver was the first of the couple to retain a divorce attorney, hiring Wasserman just days after Schwarzenegger publicly admitted to the affair.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Naomi Campbell: Cadbury Ad 'Insulting & Hurtful'


Naomi Campbell: Cadbury Ad 'Insulting & Hurtful'

Naomi Campbell is considering "every option available," including a lawsuit, after Cadbury used her name to promote its new Bliss chocolate bar, theIndependent UK reports.
The advertisement reads, "Move over Naomi, there's a new diva in town," with an image of the candy posed on a mound of diamonds. According to theIndependent, Campbell said, "I am shocked. It's upsetting to be described as chocolate, not just for me, but for all black women and black people. I do not find any humour in this. It is insulting and hurtful." Her mother, Valerie Morris, explained, "I'm deeply upset by this racist advert. Do these people think they can insult black people and we just take it? This is the 21st century, not the 1950s. Shame on Cadbury."
The Daily Mail writes that black rights groups have backed Campbell's cause. Simon Woolley of the UK's Operation Black Vote, called for a boycott of the brand's products, adding, "Racism in the playground starts with black children being called 'chocolate bar.'" He has also contacted both Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson.

A spokesperson for Kraft Foods, which owns Cadbury, told the Mail that all billboards featuring the ad have been taken down, adding, "It was certainly never our intention to cause any offense and the campaign itself is a light-hearted take on the social pretensions of Cadbury Dairy Milk Bliss."
The ad: