Archive for June, 2009
Jackson To Lie In State At Neverland
Tuesday, June 30th, 2009
Thousands of Michael Jackson’s most faithful fans are expected to converge on his beloved Neverland Ranch this weekend, as the pop superstar returns home for the last time.
A public memorial is planned over the upcoming holiday weekend to allow Jackson’s fans to pay their final respects. The family is still finalizing plans for the gathering. The Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Department revealed to E! News, “Our guys are meeting as we speak with the California Highway Patrol to discuss the security issues.” The singer’s body will be transported up the coast from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara on Thursday, with a public viewing set for Friday and a private funeral on Sunday.
There’s certain to be an outpouring of grief which will rival that of the days following the death of Elvis Presley 32 years ago, as another legend is laid to rest.
UPDATE: The Jackson family has issued a statement refuting reports of memorials for Michael. “Contrary to previous news reports, the Jackson family is officially stating that there will be no public or private viewing at Neverland. Plans are underway regarding a public memorial for Michael Jackson, and we will announce those plans shortly.”
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Hayden Bares All
Tuesday, June 30th, 2009
“Heroes” star Hayden Panettiere isn’t shy about showing her body onscreen—and her new film gives her fans an plenty to look at!
The actress told People about her cheeky scene in the film film “I Love You, Beth Cooper,” which debuts July 10. Panettiere plays the Beth of the title, a popular cheerleader who is the lust object of a dweeb played by played by Paul Rust, and she teases him by dropping her towel in the shower. How did the young star feel about baring it all?
“If I can’t flaunt it at 20, come on!” She added, “I mean I might as well show it now.” While she does have a point there, Hayden may feel differently if every role she’s offered in the future involved taking it all off.
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BET’s Brown-Out
Tuesday, June 30th, 2009
Chris Brown may have gotten off without jail time for assaulting Rihanna, but his tarnished image can’t be repaired with a plea bargain.
Gatecrasher reports that the producers of Sunday night’s BET Awards pulled Brown’s performance on the Michael Jackson love-fest. Sources finger Rev. Al Sharpton and mogul Jay-Z for nixing the singer’s performance. “Al made such a fuss to the BET executives that they pulled Chris. Jay is a big name in the BET community, and he was very vocal about his displeasure with Chris attending the ceremony. He didn’t want Chris anywhere near the awards so close to the court’s ruling.”
Brown is furious over the snub, but he might as well get used to it. He’s likely to face more rejection, unless he truly devoted himself to convincing the public that he’s genuinely sorry for what he did.
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Simon’s Big Payday
Tuesday, June 30th, 2009
“American Idol” judge Simon Cowell will have the opportunity to sharpen his tongue on another season of contestants—and be paid very well for it.
The NY Daily News reports the acerbic Brit is getting a whopping raise for his services, up from $36 million last season to $144 million for the next.
So at least one more batch of “Idol” hopefuls will get their hopes dashed by Cowell, while Randy mutters “Dawg,” and Paula looks loopy. Isn’t that what keeps us watching?
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Jackson’s Kids – Who Are The Real Parents?
Tuesday, June 30th, 2009
The bizarre revelations about the life and death of pop icon Michael Jackson keep coming, but this has to be one of the strangest so far.
Sources have told TMZ that Jackson is not the biological father of his three kids Prince Michael I, Paris and Prince Michael II (Blanket), which doesn’t really surprise anyone. But here’s the zinger—Debbie Rowe isn’t their bio-mom, either. All three are “designer babies” conceived in vitro and carried by surrogates. The sperm donor for the two older children was Rowe’s boss, Jackson’s dermatologist Arnold Klein. The donors for the youngest child have not been determined.
This is bound to further complicate the already tangled issue of Jackson’s estate. He did not legally adopt any of the three children, although he and Rowe are likely to be considered the legal parents of the two older kids, as they were married when they were born.
It’s a shame that someone with Jackson’s money and power couldn’t have taken steps to assure the financial and emotional future of the children he loved so much. As it is, they are the innocent pawns in what is sure to be a bitter and protracted battle over their father’s estate.
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