May 2012 Archives

Kanye West pleaded guilty to misdemeanor criminal mischief this week and caused quite a stir in a Manhattan courtroom.

"Kanye! For real?" defendants excitedly said as they checked the docket and recognized the famous name, the New York Post reports.

Turns out, it wasn't hip-hop star Kanye West, but a female street performer from Chicago who legally changed her name to Kanye West last year.

When one of those street performances went south, the female Kanye West admits she went bezerk.

"What you talkin' 'bout, Willis?" may be what Todd Bridges' fans are asking after the former "Diff'rent Strokes" star announced he's divorcing his wife Dori after 14 years.

"Me and my wife our [sic] divorcing our lives are going different directions," Bridges said via Twitter on Friday, according to gossip website TMZ. The tweet has since been deleted, but Bridges followed up with other tweets including, "May God help us get passed [sic] this situation" and "People grow apart and we did."

It's not clear if Bridges or his wife have actually filed for divorce, but the couple -- and their divorce lawyers -- may soon be talkin' 'bout issues including property division and child custody and support.

Justin Bieber a suspect in a battery case? The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has confirmed that its officers are currently investigating the teen dream. He allegedly hit a photog after the man snapped a few photos of him and actress Selena Gomez at a high-end shopping center.

Bieber and Gomez were gone by the time officers arrived, but the paparazzo complained of pain. He was taken to a nearby hospital, treated and then released.

Kim Kardashian was in an uproar over the weekend after some personal items went missing from her luggage.

The star of... hmm, why is she a celebrity again? Anyway, Kardashian has accused British Airways of being the culprit. She ranted via Twitter that the airline opened her luggage and took some irreplaceable and "sentimental" belongings from her. She was flying back to Los Angeles from the Cannes Film Festival in France, Us Magazine reports.

But Kardashian's online rampage didn't stop there.

Former adult film star Jenna Jameson was arrested early Friday morning on misdemeanor suspicion of driving under the influence. Jameson's DUI made for an interesting arrest.

The 38-year-old porn legend allegedly ran her car into a light pole in Westminster, Calif., the Associated Press reports. The single car accident occurred around 1:30 a.m. Jameson appeared to show signs of intoxication, according to sources. Police officers reportedly administered a field sobriety test. After presumably determining she was under the influence, they then took the iconic porn queen into custody for suspected DUI.

Talk about a pole dance gone wrong. So where is Jameson now?

An Illinois judge has approved an $18.5 million settlement to be paid to a Transformers 3 extra who was injured during a September 2010 shoot.

Gabriella Cedillo and about 80 other extras were asked to drive their own vehicles at the time of the accident. While filming the shot, a cable pulling a stunt vehicle snapped and crashed through her window. It hit her head and caused her to car to fly into a road divider.

Jillian Michaels recently adopted a 2-year-old girl, Lukensia, from Haiti.

The former "Biggest Loser" trainer and her partner, Heidi Rhoades, welcomed Lukensia only days after Rhoades gave birth to a boy on May 3. Michaels hasn't answered emails or done much of anything else other than care for her children, The Star-Ledger reports.

While Michaels and Rhoades were able to adopt a child, the road to becoming parents isn't always easy for same-sex couples.

The John Travolta sex assault lawsuit just keeps getting weirder. And in its latest twist, celebrity attorney Gloria Allred's been sued.

Okorie Okorocha, the attorney behind the original suit, is suing Allred for allegedly stealing his clients. After news broke that Travolta was in New York City at the time of the alleged attack, Okorocha reportedly told John Doe No. 1 he'd need to find a new lawyer. He did -- Gloria Allred.

But Okorocha claims Allred then solicited John Doe No. 2 even though he was not looking to change lawyers.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg wed longtime girlfriend Priscilla Chan on Saturday in a small surprise wedding in the couple's Palo Alto backyard. Together for nine years, the day capped off a big week -- Chan's graduation from medical school, Zuckerberg's birthday and the Facebook IPO.

Though there's no indication that the Zuckerberg wedding had anything to do with the IPO, its timing couldn't have been better. At least if the pair ever decide to divorce.

With rapper Young Buck's eviction from his Tennessee mansion, the "Straight Outta Cashville" artist appears to be one step closer to emerging straight outta bankruptcy.

Young Buck, 31, whose real name is David Darnell Brown, was apparently ordered to move out of his 5,000-square-foot mansion by May 16, gossip website TMZ reports. Buck was seen carrying boxes out of the home last week, sources told the website.

The eviction follows a bankruptcy judge's order that Young Buck's home be sold to pay off Buck's debt for unpaid taxes, according to TMZ.

A man previously arrested for stalking actress Mila Kunis has been arrested again for stalking her. Apparently, he just can't get enough.

Stuart Lynn Dunn, 27, has been charged with stalking and violating a restraining order, the Associated Press reports. Dunn was arrested on two other occasions for stalking the "Black Swan" star earlier this year. He was ordered to stay away from Kunis after he was found living in an empty condo owned by the actress. Earlier this month, Dunn was arrested again outside of Kunis' gym.

So what potential penalties await the star's alleged stalker?

John Travolta's accusers may not be done with the "Pulp Fiction" star just yet. Headline-seeking attorney Gloria Allred has confirmed that she's been hired and there may be a new legal action filed against the actor.

This plaintiff (known only as John Doe #2) fired his previous attorney, Okorie Okorocha, CNN reports. Both he and the other plaintiff (John Doe #1) have retained Allred. John Doe #1 was also previously represented by Okorocha. Both plaintiffs have accused Travolta of groping them during the massages they each gave him. The alleged incidents took place in Los Angeles and Atlanta.

However, will the plaintiffs be allowed to file a new suit after their first attempt was dismissed?

A New York judge has dismissed the "Johnny Bananas" lawsuit brought by MTV reality star John Devenanzio. Nicknamed Johnny Bananas, he had alleged that HBO's Entourage improperly gave his name to a fake cartoon gorilla played by Kevin Dillon's character.

He sued, further claiming that the faux gorilla, which happens to look remarkably like Dillon, has caused him "tremendous emotional distress." He also suffered from "great mental anguish and pain."

Is Terminator 3 actor Nick Stahl missing? His wife, Rose Murphy, thinks so.

The Los Angeles Police Department has confirmed that Murphy filed a missing person report on Monday. She last saw the 32-year-old actor on May 9. That's nearly five days before she filed the report.

It's unclear why she waited so long, as there is no waiting period to file a missing person report.

Rocker Bret Michaels has settled his lawsuit against organizers of the Tony Awards.

The Poison frontman filed the suit after being hit by a piece of scenery during the 2009 awards show, the Los Angeles Times reports. Michaels had just finished performing and claims he was told to exit the stage towards the hazard.

His nose was broken and he received three stitches in his lip. He also blamed the incident for a near-fatal brain hemorrhage he sustained 10 months later.

So what's the "Rock of Love" reality star getting for his troubles?

Rapper Mystikal just checked into a Louisiana jail to serve out the remainder of his 90-day sentence, TMZ reports. The punishment stemmed from a domestic violence charge back in February.

Mystikal (real name Michael Tyler) was arrested in Baton Rouge for domestic abuse. It's remains unclear what actions led to his arrest, but a judge ruled that it was enough to violate his probation.

Yes, the singer of hits as "Shake Ya Ass" and "Bouncin' Back (Bumpin' Me Against the Wall)" was on 5-years probation at the time. But why was he on probation to begin with?

Teen Mom Amber Portwood lied. Shocker. Or not.

The reality star will be spending this Mother's Day behind bars, apparently for violating the terms of her drug court program. She was placed in the diversionary program in February in lieu of serving a jail term.

Now gossip website TMZ reports she lied to her case worker about having a medical condition so she could skip her obligatory weekly appointments.

Former Miss USA Rima Fakih has been sentenced for her drunk driving arrest, the Detroit Free Press reports. Fakih was given six months probation, 20 hours of community service, and $600 in fines and costs.

Fakih, 26, must also attend alcohol safety and victim impact classes. She pleaded no contest to her Michigan DUI charge last month. Fakih is the first Arab American Miss USA. She was arrested last December after a cop saw her speeding and changing lanes without signaling in her 2011 Jaguar XJR.

Quite the fancy car. However, Fakih should consider herself lucky. It could've been a lot worse.

The anonymous masseur who's suing John Travolta for sexual battery and emotional distress may soon be slapped with a malicious prosecution lawsuit, The Hollywood Reporter reports.

Travolta's attorney, Marty Singer, says he can prove the unnamed man's allegations are lies. The masseur wants $2 million from the Pulp Fiction star. He claimed the actor tried to turn his Los Angeles massage into a sexual encounter. But Singer alleges Travolta wasn't even in the city at the time.

Travolta's lawyer has vowed to file a malicious prosecution claim against both the unnamed man and his attorney, Okorie Okorocha. And judging from Singer's background, he's definitely the right person to handle Travolta's legal troubles.

Hip hop group Beastie Boys has been sued for copyright infringement. The lawsuit accuses the rappers of illegally sampling music in their 1986 album "License to Ill" and the 1989 album "Paul's Boutique."

The suit was filed in New York federal court by TufAmerica, Inc. on May 3rd, The Hollywood Reporter reports. Just a day later, Beastie Boys founding member Adam "MCA" Yauch died after a nearly three-year battle with cancer.

It's terrible timing for sure, but TufAmerica plans to continue forward with its lawsuit. So what does the company want out of its cause of action?

"Lost" actor Matthew Fox was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence. Fox was charged with DUII -- driving while under the influence of intoxicants, as it's called in Oregon -- after police pulled him over Friday at 3:23 am in Bend, Oregon.

The star was apparently going to a fast food restaurant, TMZ reports. Police noticed he failed to signal properly or stay in his lane. Fox was taken into custody, but was released later the same day.

But, as with every celebrity arrest, the burning question is, where's his mug shot?

Deion Sanders gets custody! And a restraining order against his wife.

These are just the latest legal decisions in the highly publicized and bitter divorce battle between Deion and Pilar Sanders. The estranged couple found themselves in court on Monday to deal with an April 24 altercation.

The former NFL star famously tweeted a photo of himself and his kids filling out police reports last month, after Pilar attacked him in front of their children. Pilar then filed her own police report, and they both ended up asking the court for a restraining order.

A "Hawaii Five-O" lawsuit seeks at least $10 million in punitive damages for an alleged contract breach, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The suit was filed by talent agent George Litto. Litto represented Leonard Freeman, the writer-producer of the original "Hawaii Five-O" in 1966. After Freeman's death in 1974, Litto claims he negotiated a contract in which he and Freeman's widow would split the profits from any future productions of the TV series. Profits were to be deposited in the family's trusts.

Litto is now suing the trusts' overseer for $10 million, along with profits from the recent CBS remake. So why did he wait so long to sue?

Crazy lawsuit alert. A masseur -- that's a male masseuse -- is accusing John Travolta of sexual assault. The $2 million lawsuit details a day at the Beverly Hills Hotel during which the Grease star allegedly made sexual advances.

The unnamed victim was apparently so desirable Travolta allegedly refused to take "no" for an answer, gossip website TMZ reports. Travolta pleaded with the masseur, and even offered to perform a sex act in exchange, the lawsuit states.

There may have also been an offer to have a threesome with a Hollywood starlet, according to E! Online.

Another Amanda Bynes hit and run? Oh yeah. The former child star allegedly sideswiped another vehicle on Friday night while driving through Hollywood. When she didn't stop, the other driver called police and followed her, sources told gossip website TMZ.

Six cop cars and a helicopter finally caught up to the actress who claims to have not noticed that she hit the other vehicle. Officers believed her story, noting that the damage was so minimal it's possible she didn't feel the bump.

Though she wasn't cited for this hit and run, the actress is still in the running to lose her license.

Here's lookin' at lawsuits. Burberry has sued to use Humphrey Bogart's picture on its Facebook page, The Hollywood Reporter reports.

The lawsuit was filed against Bogart LLC, the owner of the late actor's name and image. The dispute started when the British clothing retailer posted a picture of Bogart from "Casablanca" on its Facebook timeline. Bogart is wearing a Burberry trench coat in the photo.

The company claims it's using the picture to show Burberry's fashion history, and not to sell its products. But Bogart LLC disagrees.

"The Bachelor" host Chris Harrison and his wife are divorcing, People Magazine reports.

Harrison, 40, and Gwen Jones announced they would be separating after 18 years together. The decision to part was "incredibly difficult," but they still have "love and mutual respect" for each other, the couple said in a joint statement. Harrison and Jones live in California with their two children, Joshua, 9, and Taylor, 7.

So far, everything seems amicable. That's good news for the couple since California is a community property state.

An Australian music festival promoter has taken to the wall -- Flo Rida's Facebook wall, that is. The hip hop artist was apparently scheduled to perform at the Fat as Butter festival in October. But instead of showing up, he took the $55,000 fee and ran.

As expected, promoter Brent Lean filed a lawsuit. But when he was unable to physically locate the star, an Australian judge gave him permission to serve Flo Rida on his Facebook wall.

Lean has since posted a link on Flo Rida's fan page, directing him to the court papers.

George Clooney and Julia Roberts have reunited to sue the pants off of two electronics companies. Sorry fans, no "Ocean's Thirteen" sequel here. Just two Hollywood stars looking to protect their intellectual property rights.

Clooney and Roberts (suing under her real name, Julia Moder) filed suit against Beyond Audio, Inc. and Digital Projection, Inc. Apparently, both companies got the idea to use the stars' names and images to promote their high-end projectors and entertainment systems, according to the complaint. Beyond Audio does business out of Canada and Digital Projection operates out of Georgia.

The duo we'll combine to call Robney (because Clooberts sounds like a bad kid's TV show character) have alleged four causes of actions against the companies. But do any of them hold water?

"Octomom" Nadya Suleman has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and now says she's willing to do soft-core porn, ABC News reports.

The mother of 14 claims she owes from $500,000 to $1 million to creditors. Some of them include Verizon Wireless, Kaiser Permanente, and the owner of her home. She has less than $50,000 in assets, according to court documents.

While filing bankruptcy can discharge much of her debt, hopefully Octomom knows the process isn't as easy as it seems on television.

There may soon be a bit more room in "Big Momma's House," as actor Martin Lawrence has filed for divorce, gossip website TMZ reports. His next act will likely involve lawyers, and discussions about child custody.

But don't expect too much drama as Lawrence, 47, and his soon-to-be ex-wife Shamicka proceed with their split after less than two years of marriage.

"Out of love and respect for one another, we will continue to remain friends and raise our two beautiful daughters together," a joint statement by the couple said, according to TMZ.