LeAnn Rimes, Grammy Award Winning Country Singer, Involved in Traffic Collision in West Los Angeles, No One was Hurt

Grammy award winning country music singer LeAnn Rimes was involved in a traffic collision in West Los Angeles yesterday evening. Authorities said no one was hurt and the 26-year old singer was questioned by officers as part of an ongoing investigation.

Susan Novak, a spokeswoman for Rimes, said in a media interview that a police report had been filed and she was confident Rimes, a Mississippi native, will be cleared.

Still developing. More to follow....

Read more »

Actress Nia Long Says "There's No Difference Between Fur and Slavery or the Holocaust"

Actress Nia Long is the latest Hollywood star to pose for a PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) ad. It is quite obvious that the image has been manipulated by Photoshop, she stands behind the message -- "I'd rather go naked than wear fur." There are many people who are against wearing fur, but where does that leave leather? Would PETA supporters rather go barefoot than wear a leather shoe or sandal? I was equally amazed at Ms. Long rationale behind being against wearing fur:

“In being a responsible adult and really understanding what happens for one fur coat and how many animals are killed and slaughtered for one fur coat, it just isn’t worth it to me."

When I became a mother, I started to really understand the importance of all living creatures in a way that I didn’t ever think about before. And I’ve realized how important it is that we really take responsibility for … treating animals with love and care just like we would any human being.

There’s no difference, in my opinion, [between fur and] slavery or the Holocaust. It’s just that we’re not dealing with human beings, we’re dealing with animals, but it’s still a living thing.”

Really Nia? Wearing fur is no different from slavery or the Holocaust? Gee, let's see how many movie roles you get in Hollywood that are bankrolled or produced by a Jewish man or woman. Wearing fur does not compare in the least to slavery or the Holocaust.

Read more »

City of Gary, Ind. Paid $5,000 in Airfare for Joe Jackson, Seven Others to Attend Tribute for the Late Michael Jackson

Gary, Indiana Mayor Rudy Clay presents Joe Jackson, with a plaque during a memorial service for Michael July 10, 2009.
(Tasos Katopodis, Getty Images / July 10, 2009)

Once again, Joe Jackson, the father of the late Michael Jackson, has shown that he has no class. Rudy Clay, the mayor of Gary, Indiana, said his cash-strapped city paid $5,000 to fly Joe Jackson and seven other people out from Los Angeles to attend a memorial for his son in July. It seems like Joe Jackson, Latoya Jackson and Jermaine Jackson just won't go away and grieve in private like the rest of the family.

While city money helped pay to fly Jackson, the musical group the Chi-Lites and security from Los Angeles to O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Clay said donations already made or promised to the city will cover all of the memorial's expenses.

He said Gary is currently about $2,000 short of breaking even on the memorial's costs, though he could not provide the total cost for the tribute held at a minor league baseball park.

Clay said Joe Jackson never asked for help to pay for the trip to the city he moved his family away from in 1969 after the Jackson 5 recorded their first album.

Instead, Clay said he offered to pay airfare for Jackson as well as the Chi-Lites so that the group, whose lead singer Marshall Thompson is launching a new record label with Jackson, could accompany the Jackson family patriarch. Source: Breitbart

The last thing this city needed to spend its scarce resources on was a trip for Joe Jackson and his "posse" to visit Gary. I am appalled at the mayor for making such an offer, but not surprised that Joe Jackson, who shamelessly plugged a new record label on the red carpet at the BET Awards days after his son's death, would even accept such an offer. Sorry, but that $5,000 could have been used to service some of the needs of the city.

Read more »

Shah Rukh Khan, Bollywood Superstar, Says he was Racially Profiled at Newark Airport on Friday when His Name Appeared on Computer Alert List

Another case of racial profiling is spreading around the Internet. Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan said that he was racially profiled at Newark Airport and detained for two hours on Friday. Khan, who was cited last year by Newsweek magazine as one of the world's 50 most influential men, was reportedly released only after Indian diplomats intervened on his behalf. According to media reports, Khan said that he was waiting for his luggage when his name appeared on a computer alert list and security then pulled him aside.

Khan, who has appeared in more than 70 films, said he endured two hours of interrogation before he was allowed to call the Indian embassy in Washington. An official there vouched for the star, who was then released.

The actor insisted he had all the proper paperwork when he was brought to a detention room at the New Jersey airport. But, he said, Khan "is a Muslim name, and I think the name is common on their checklist."

What is ironic is the fact that Khan recently signed a deal with Fox Star Studios to finance and distribute his new movie, "My Name is Khan" - the story of a Muslim man mistaken for a terrorist in post-9/11 America.

Read more »

Kathy Griffin Steps Out with Teenage Baby Daddy Levi Johnston at the Teen Choice Awards

I'm not trying to start a fire, but I am just wondering why in the world comedian Kathy Griffin, 48 would step out with teenage baby daddy, Levi Johnston, 19, -- you know, the kid who knocked up failed former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin's teen daughter -- at the "Teen Choice Awards" and later to Katsuya.

This young man doesn't need to be corrupted by the loose lips of Kathy Griffin. Is this woman divorced? I thought she was married.

Read more »

John Hughes, 59, 80s Teen Flick Writer & Director, Dies from Heart Attack

Writer-director John Hughes, best known as the Hollywood impresario who captured the teen and preteen market with such movie hits as "Home Alone," "The Breakfast Club" and "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," died. Hughes, 59, died of a heart attack during a morning walk in Manhattan. He was reportedly in New York to visit family.

Hughes, who is a native of Lansing, Mich., rose from ad writer to comedy writer to silver screen champion with his affectionate and idealized portraits of teens, whether the romantic and sexual insecurity of "Sixteen Candles," or the rebellion against conformity in "The Breakfast Club." His comedies helped launch the successful careers of Molly Ringwald, Anthony Michael Hall, Ally Sheedy, John Cusack, Judd Nelson, Steve Carell and Macaulay Culkin. He wrote or directed hits such as "Pretty in Pink," "Planes, Trains & Automobiles" and "Uncle Buck.

Though Hughes retreated from public life as he advanced into middle age, he still left an indelible mark on the preteen and teen movie markets. He will be sorely missed.

Read more »

R&B Singer Maxwell Returns with Second Video, Featuring Actress Kerry Washington, from Certified Gold BLACKsummers' Night Album

I am very glad that singer Maxwell is back on the scene with a new album. Maxwell returns with the second video from his certified gold selling BLACKsummers’night album, Bad Habits which features actress Kerry Washington. The video premiered on SteveHarvey.com this morning and thanks to Steve and crew, it's blowing up the Internet.

This new video finds Maxwell struggling with the indecision on whether to stray or stay true to his significant other. The storyline fits the song to a tee. Ladies, there is a bonus -- a shirtless Maxwell and fellas, you have a bonus too, for a shirtless Kerry for the fellas. If I had to describe this video in one word: SIZZLING! Maxwell, what took you so long to come back?

According to Mediabase, "Bad Habits" is in the #9 on the Urban AC chart and trending upwards. This is one of the year's most heavily anticipated records, first-week sales of BLACKsummers'night hit 316,499. The album was released on July 7, it's the first full-length Maxwell release since his critically-acclaimed #1 album Now.

Read more »