
Superstar MADONNA is reportedly planning to ring in her 50th year with a special gig in New York City's Central Park.
The 48-year-old singer is in talks to mark her entry into her Quinquagenarian years on 16 August 2008, as part of a U.S. tour to promote her forthcoming album.
A source tells British newspaper The Sun, "One of the ideas she loves is to do Central Park on her birthday. She came up with it and has been discussing it as a serious possibility.
"She doesn't like getting older but she knows there's no way she can pretend her birthday isn't happening.
"She is planning to kick off a world tour next June in America to promote her new album. Playing at Central Park would be the highlight.
"She sees it as a huge televised event."
- MADONNA GETS THE SABBATH STARTED WITH NETANYAHU
- MADONNA COLLAPSES ON STAGE
- FASCINATING FACT: JESUS LUZ
- MADONNA'S LONDON JEWELLER ROBBED
- COWELL SIGNS 'MADONNA & RIHANNA FOR THE X FACTOR'
Source: WENN
LATEST: NEW ORDER bassist PETER HOOK and THE CHARLATANS frontman TIM BURGESS have paid tribute to late British music mogul TONY WILSON.
The Factory Records co-founder died on Friday (10Aug07) after losing a battle with kidney cancer.
Former Joy Division star Hook wrote on his MySpace page, ""It's a very, very, very sad day. I feel very lost out here in Japan. It's like my father dying all over again. I'm devastated.
"I'll be going back to England as soon as possible to pick up the pieces. My heart goes out to (Wilson's family) Yvette, Oliver, Hilary and Isabelle. I'm thinking of you all, my heart is broken."
Burgess laments, "He was my real hero when I was a kid. He gave our band exposure. It was amazing because he always brought music into my television - he was the guy.
"(Wilson) put out records by my favourite bands - Joy Division and New Order - which made me believe I could be in a band and put out records.
"I feel like I felt when Joe Strummer died. It's like losing a musical dad."
- NEW ORDER REUNITE FOR WILSON TRIBUTE
- EX-HAPPY MONDAY RYDER PRAISES LATE WILSON
- MORRIS SHOCKED BY WILSON'S SUDDEN DEATH
- WINFREY TO DEDICATE SHOW TO JACKSON
- JONES TEAMS UP WITH GREAT TRAIN ROBBER'S SON FOR BIGGS TRIBUTE
Source: WENN
The songs of BOB MARLEY are to be transformed to the London West End stage in a musical of the late reggae star's life.
Actor/playwright Kwame Kwei-Armah will use Marley's hits, such as I Shot The Sheriff and No Woman No Cry, to inspire the script.
Chris Blackwell, founder of Marley's music label Island Records, will produce.
Marley died in May 1981 at the age of 36 after refusing medical treatment for cancer.
- MARLEY TRIBUTE STATUE
- HILL TO PLAY RITA IN BOB MARLEY BIOPIC?
- BOB MARLEY RINGTONES PULLED FROM WEBSITE
- GLOVER JOINS MARLEY TRIBUTE
- MARLEY'S SONS STAGE CONCERT
Source: WENN
SUGABABES beauty AMELLE BERRABAH has ended her four year relationship with FREDDIE FULLER after battling depression and receiving death threats.
The 23-year-old singer split from tree surgeon Fuller in January (07) after he was arrested in relation to the alleged rape of Berrabah's younger sister.
Berrabah was reported to have given their relationship another try after Fuller strenuously denied the claims against him, but they have now split again.
She confirms, "I have split from Freddie for good and am recovering with the girls. My life is back on track.
The pop star's oldest sister Zakiya, 33, says, "Amelle has been going through a really tough time getting death threats and abuse because of her relationship with Freddie. She has even had the tyres slashed on her car. She wants to make it clear the relationship is over."
In June (07) the pop trio were forced to cancel a gig in Aberdeen, Scotland, claiming Berrabah was ill. However, Zakiya says Berrabah was suffering from depression and was too unhappy to perform.
Zakiya continues, "There were stories that Amelle went to a hotel in Surrey (England) to get engaged, but she was actually in the room alone suffering depression.
"She has been struggling and has had to see a psychotherapist to get over her problems. Amelle was really suffering, but now she is feeling much better and is working really hard."
- BERRABAH INVOLVED IN PAL'S DUI ARREST
- SUGABABES TURN DOWN TIMBALAND COLLABORATION
- BERRABAH SPEAKS ABOUT SISTER'S RAPE CLAIMS
- BERRABAH QUITS HOMETOWN
- BERRABAH ARRESTED AFTER ROW WITH NEIGHBOUR
Source: WENN
BOBBY BROWN's lawyer has laughed off reports the singer is reconciling with his ex-wife WHITNEY HOUSTON after the pair were spotted dining together in Georgia.
The Don't Be Cruel star, 38, and Houston, 44, divorced in April (07) after nearly 15 years of marriage and a daughter Bobbi Kristina together.
After entertainment website published photos of Houston and Brown dining at Joe's Crab Shack in Alpharetta, fans began to speculate they were back together.
Brown's lawyer insists the couple are not reconciling and almost angrily dismissed reports either singer was under the influence of drugs at Joe's Crab Shack.
Phaedra Parks tells the New York Daily News, "I know that both of them are sober. They are being responsible parents and preparing for their daughter's school year. This has nothing to do with drugs."
- BROWN GETS SERIOUS ABOUT MANAGER GIRLFRIEND
- BOBBY BROWN'S SON EXPOSES HOUSTON AS POOR STEPMOTHER
- BROWN + WILSON RETEAM FOR REALITY INN SHOW
- HOUSTON'S DAUGHTER 'ATTEMPTS SUICIDE' - REPORT
- BROWN BLAMES HOUSTON FOR COCAINE ADDICTION
Source: WENN
Soul singer ANGIE STONE is planning to wed her fiance ASHANTI in the Bahamas next year (08).
The Wish I Didn't Miss You star, 46, has defended her decision to get engaged after only dating her fiance for eight months and says she will set a date later this year.
She tells Essence magazine, "No, it is not too soon when God chooses a man for you. I wasn't looking for him and he wasn't looking for me. I walked into the airport and he was working behind the desk and the rest is history.
"It was magic and we courted over the phone for about three months and when we finally met, we just hugged each other and I knew this was the man I was going to spend the rest of my life with and vice versa. He's an auditor for an airline, a wonderful father to his two kids, my best friend and a good man as well.
"I know we'll probably set a date by the end of the year, but I do know that we're going to get married at the Atlantis in the Bahamas."
- STONE THRILLED ABOUT RAP TRIO HONOUR
- STONE TO REVEAL ALL ABOUT BEYONCE AND JAY-Z'S SECRET ROMANCE
- STONE LEFT RECORD COMPANY OVER KEYS
- THE THINGS THEY SAY: JAY-Z
- 24 STAR RAJSKUB JOINS THE AUGUST 1 BRIDES
Source: WENN
THE BEATLES were mobbed by British diplomats during a visit to the country's embassy in Washington D.C. in 1964, according to newly-released government files.
British newspaper Daily Express reports the U.K. Foreign Office attempted to cover up the incident, in which the Fab Four were accosted by embassy employees at a charity ball hosted by the then-ambassador Baron Harlech and his wife Lady Sylvia Ormsby-Gore.
The diplomats were so out of control, one member of the group even snipped a lock of drummer Ringo Starr's hair.
An eyewitness report says John Lennon was pushed and pulled by "a rugby scrum of young Foreign Office officials" and George Harrison was trapped in a corner surrounding my over-zealous fans.
Ormsby-Gore wrote an apology to the group, saying, "I really am terribly sorry about the scene in the ballroom."
Source: WENN
Beverly Hills, Caliornia - 12.08.07
- THE THINGS THEY SAY: CAMERON DIAZ
- DIAZ IS A RECORD BREAKER
- Movies This Week
- FASCINATING FACT: CAMERON DIAZ
- DIRECTOR IMPRESSED WITH DIAZ AS A DESPERATE MUM
Source: Wenn
New York City, USA - 12.08.07
- PREGNANT RICHIE REFUSES TO SLOW WORK SCHEDULE
- RICHIE PLANS TO NAME BABY AFTER JACKO
- BARTON'S PARTYING AFFECTED RICHIE FRIENDSHIP
- MADDEN: 'SECOND PREGNANCY IS MUCH EASIER'
- RICHIE CHECKED INTO REHAB WITH NICOLE
Source: WENN
Remixing his solo hits for a new best of package convinced SIR MICK JAGGER to revisit an album he recorded with producer RICK RUBIN and vowed never to release.
Jagger and Rubin recorded King King with Los Angeles blues band The Red Devils in a day during the sessions that became the rocker's 1992 album Wandering Spirit.
But perfectionist Jagger was unhappy with the end results and decided not to release the album - much to Rubin's surprise.
In a recent interview, the hip-hop pioneer-turned-superproducer urged Jagger to reconsider, stating, "It's incredible, (but) it's up to Mick. He's the artist... he gets to do what he wants to do. But it's great, and I hope it comes out."
And, while remixing his back catalogue for new album The Very Best of Mick Jagger, the Rolling Stones frontman admits the King King session has stood the test of time.
He says, "The difficult decision I was faced with when listening to the tracks I recorded with The Red Devils, and having to choose only one, reminded me what a great band they were."
The track that features on the new best of is Jagger's version of blues legend Sonny Boy Williamson's Checkin' Up On My Baby.
- FASCINATING FACT: MICK JAGGER
- JACKMAN'S WIFE TURNED DOWN JAGGER
- JAGGER TALKS FASHION WITH AUDIGIER?
- SUPERGROUP PLAN FOR 2012 OLYMPICS
- LEWIS EYES STONES FOR NEW RECORD
Source: WENN
MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE frontman GERARD WAY has apologised to fans who were left confused by his early onstage comments - because he was 'touched in the head'.
Gerard Way of My Chemical Romance performing at Rock am Ring at Nuerburgring - Day 1. Adenau, Germany - 01.06.07
The Welcome To The Black Parade singer admits the group's first concerts were peppered with bizarre things he felt he had to say between songs.
He explains, "There was a brief amount of time where it felt like you drank gasoline and s**t glass, and you were always covered in your own sweat, somebody else's spit or blood or something. And I felt that.
"I would make crazy speeches that made no sense onstage. I would talk about purifying flames being shot out of our cabinets at max volume to destroy evil and s**t like that. I was, you know, touched in the head."
Now clean, sober and sane, the reforming alcohol abuser, admits he tries to recall his mad moments because they inspire his songwriting.
He tells Rolling Stone magazine, "When you get touched in the head like that, I think your job at that point, for the rest of your career, is to remember what it was like to be touched in the head, and kind of keep that going."
- WAY'S UMBRELLA ACADEMY HEADING TO THE BIG SCREEN?
- MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE STAR ATTACKED BY COMIC BOOK MENTOR
- WAY: 'EMO IS GARBAGE'
- WAY DENIES GROUPIE AND CHEMICAL ROMANCES
- MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE STAR STILL ASHAMED OF DRUNKEN BEHAVIOUR
Source: WENN
Country star WYNONNA JUDD is so determined to curb her eating she spent her recent 43rd birthday in rehab.
Wynonna Judd performing at The ASCAP American Troubadour Award ceremony, held at The Cannon House Office Building. Washington DC, USA - 13.03.2007
The larger-than-life singer is a self-proclaimed food addict, but she hopes her most recent stint at the Shades of Hope recovery centre in Texas will help her conquer her over-eating disorder.
She tells the new issue of Ladies Home Journal, "I spent my 43rd birthday back at Shades of Hope for a weeklong intensive session. I was having some challenges in my recovery. Sometimes you have to leave and go off.
"I've learned a lot about my ability to be co-dependent for my own happiness. I have enabled people. I've kept people on the payroll thinking I was going to help them and actually they got sicker and it wasn't until I let them go that they sought help.
"I finally get it: 'OK, I'm 43, my name's Wynonna, and I'm a recovering entertainer.'"
- JUDD CALLS HER AUNT FOR CHARITY CASH
- JUDD'S HUSBAND JAILED
- JUDD HELPS CHARITY FUNDRAISER FOR TORNADO VICTIMS
- WYNONNA: 'MARRIAGE WAS DOOMED FROM THE START'
- WYNONNA JUDD TO DIVORCE JAILED HUSBAND
Source: WENN
Berlin, Germany - 11.08.07
- DOWNEY JR TO TAKE ON CRUISE'S VAMPIRE ROLE
- WOMAN ALLEGES SHE AND JACKSON PARENTED CRUISE'S ADOPTED SON
- CRUISE & DIAZ TO PLAY LOVERS IN COMEDY
- FASCINATING FACT:
- CRUISE CONSIDERS BROADWAY BOW
Source: Wenn
Beloved boy band the BACKSTREET BOYS are determined to follow the career of rock greats the EAGLES - and never split.
Despite losing a fifth of the group, following the departure of KEVIN RICHARDSON last year (06), the remaining four bandmates have no plans to wrap up their 15-year career any time soon.
Singer HOWIE DOROUGH says, "We hope to be around, God willing, as long as the Eagles.
"Each of us have always said, since day one, we're gonna support each other and each other's individual endeavours and give each other the chance to spread their wings, kind of like what the Eagles did and come back together every so often and do group records.
"We're really tight, we're like a family."
- BACKSTREET BOYS' DOROUGH TO BE A DAD
- DOROUGH'S DAD DIES
- McCLEAN BACKS NEW KIDS REUNION
- A.J. GOES SOLO
- BACKSTREET BOYS IN 'NO DANGER' OF LOSING RECORD CONTRACT
Source: WENN
British pop newcomer KATE NASH went straight to the top of the U.K. album charts with her debut disc MADE OF BRICKS on Sunday (12Aug07).
Kate Nash performs live and signs copies of her new CD 'Made Of Bricks' at HMV Oxford Street. London, England - 06.08.07
The 20-year-old singer's knocked last week's (05Aug07) number one, talent show winner Paul Potts' disc One Chance off the top spot, despite competition by new albums from The Coral (Roots + Echoes) and rock newcomers Ben's Brother (Beta Male Fairytales).
Meanwhile, Swedish pop sensation Robyn is ruling the singles charts with her Eurodance anthem With Every Heartbeat, knocking last week's number one The Way I Are by Timbaland featuring Keri Hilson to number two.
New entries in the singles chart include Kanye West's Stronger at three and The Plane White Ts at six with Hey There Delilah.
- JONES PLOTS COMEBACK WITH WINEHOUSE AND NASH HITMAKERS
- NASH FALLS OUT WITH PRODUCER
- NASH: 'I DESERVED TO BEAT LEWIS AT THE BRITS'
- NASH ATTACKS INDUSTRY BOSSES WITH BOOZE
- ADELE PLANS THE 'BEST GIRL BAND EVER'
Source: WENN
LATEST: LINDSAY LOHAN's father MICHAEL is set to launch a legal suit against his daughter's former bodyguard following comments the minder made about him and his estranged wife Dina.
Tony Almeida, who was Lohan's bodyguard for three years from 2002, sat down for exclusive interviews with U.S. TV news show Entertainment Tonight and magazine In Touch to talk about his concerns for his former client after she checked into her third rehab facility this year.
Almeida squarely blamed the actress' parents for not showing enough control around their daughter - and allowing her to run wild from an early age.
The bodyguard also claimed to have been a witness to Lindsay's underage drinking and a fight she had with her father on a New York freeway, which Michael Lohan denies.
And he tells In Touch he once hired 24-hour surveillance to keep Michael away from his estranged daughter, revealing, "Early one morning, he actually got inside her house through the pool area. Lindsay was terrified."
Michael Lohan insists he isn't going to let the bodyguard get away with his efforts to make money from selling what he claims are lies and inaccuracies.
Michael Lohan says, "Why he would say such things, I can only speculate. Tony is destitute. He is scraping from the bottom of the barrel.
"I pray for him. He's selling these interviews for money and he's going to get sued for far beyond any money he would have made."
- LOHAN'S FATHER OK WITH RONSON RECONCILIATION - FOR NOW
- LOHAN'S DAD HOPES ARREST WARRANT IS A 'WAKE-UP CALL'
- LOHAN'S FATHER FEARS FOR HER HEALTH
- MICHAEL LOHAN ATTACKS RONSON IN FINAL BLOG
- LOHAN'S DAD CALLS 'TRUCE'
Source: WENN
Tennis couple MARTINA HINGIS and RADEK STEPANEK have called off their nine month engagement.
Martina Hingis and Radek Stepanek
The Swiss player, 26, and Czech tennis ace, 28, announced their plans to marry last January (07) after becoming engaged the month before (Dec06).
A spokesman for the Association of Tennis Professionals says, "Radek asked me to pass on a message announcing that he and Martina Hingis have split up, they will remain good friends, and that is all I have to say."
- BANKS SPARKS ENGAGEMENT RUMOURS
- TWAIN 'NOT ENGAGED'
- SPEARS SPARKS ENGAGEMENT RUMOURS
- THE THINGS THEY SAY: NICOLE SCHERZINGER
- KARDASHIAN DENIES ENGAGEMENT REPORTS
Source: WENN
Former First Lady NANCY REAGAN has become among the first celebrities to pay tribute to late TV mogul MERV GRIFFIN, who died in hospital on Sunday (12Aug07).
A longtime friend of the former talk show king-turned-game show mastermind, Reagan has called Griffin's death "heartbreaking".
In a statement released hours after Griffin's death, she said, "Ronnie (Reagan) and I knew Merv for more years than I can even remember - more than 50, I'm sure.
"He was a dear, dear friend and we became even closer in the last 15 years. He was there for me on some of the hardest days when Ronnie was fighting Alzheimer's and he was there for me every day after Ronnie died. Merv meant the world to me.
"I will miss him and his brilliant smile, his wonderful voice, and the twinkle in his eyes, every day for the rest of my life. My love and prayers are with (Griffin's son) Tony and the entire family."
Griffin died at Los Angeles' Cedars Sinai Medical Center early on Sunday after losing his battle with prostate cancer.
- THE THINGS THEY SAY: NANCY REAGAN
- REAGAN HOME AFTER HOSPITAL STAY
- TV TITAN MERV GRIFFIN DEAD AT 82
- WINFREY TO DEDICATE SHOW TO JACKSON
- JONES TEAMS UP WITH GREAT TRAIN ROBBER'S SON FOR BIGGS TRIBUTE
Source: WENN
U.S. TV star JILL HENNESSY has confirmed she's almost six months pregnant with her second son.
JILL HENNESSY and PAOLO MASTROPIETRO
The Crossing Jordan star, 39, admits she has been trying to keep her baby news secret, but people have started noticing her growing stomach.
The actress and her husband, Paolo Mastropietro, welcomed their first son, Marco, in 2003.
- HENNESSY REMEMBERS TRAGIC MURDER VICTIM IN NEW SONG
- THE THINGS THEY SAY: RUMER WILLIS
- LIL WAYNE CONFIRMS HE IS TO BE A DAD TWICE IN 2009
- CHALKE TO BE A MUM
- FASCINATING FACT: AMY RYAN
Source: WENN
Actress ROSARIO DAWSON blasted an ignorant movie fan at a recent screening of her harrowing new rape film after he suggested her character was 'really rough' on her attacker.
Chad Faust and Rosario Dawson 'Descent'
The Sin City star's character in Descent is brutally assaulted and then seeks revenge on her attacker, hiring a friend to anally rape him - and she was left furious when one fan sided with the film's rapist.
Dawson tells Movies.com, "The whole rape thing was just making me really, really angry. At the first screening we had a Q + A, and a man said, 'It looked like she was into it when she was raped and then she really is rough on him at the end.'
"I'm like, 'What movie were you watching?'"
Dawson reveals her co-star, Chad Faust, really struggled with the rape scenes: "Poor Chad Faust was devastated when we filmed those scenes. At one point he burst into tears, and I had to console him between takes."
- DAWSON WORRIED NEW FILM MAY UPSET MUM
- DAWSON DENIES ENGAGEMENT
- DAWSON PENS VOTING MUSICAL
- DAWSON ENGAGED?
- GRITTY LOVE STORY WINS PRAISE AT SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST
Source: WENN
LATEST: The mum-of-three seeking a full DNA test from funnyman CHRIS ROCK insists she'll celebrate whether the comic is named the father of her teenage son or not.
Rock has already tested negative to one test, but Kali Bowyer claims he has another one to go before he can be ruled out as the father of 13-year-old Jordan.
And even then, the former actress, who claims to have dated Rock briefly in the mid-1990s, insists she'll accept the decision either way - because she'll know for definite who the father is.
She says, "If Chris is not the father, I know who is; it can only be one other guy." Bowyer tells WENN the other candidate is an abusive ex-fiance, who hasn't spoken to Jordan since 2004.
She adds, "He signed Jordan's birth certificate but there's still some doubt in his mind."
Meanwhile, Bowyer admits she's currently receiving criticism after Rock sailed through his first DNA test last week (ends03Aug07) - and she's keen to point out that she never went after her alleged comedian ex for his money.
She says, "I never sued for child support, I requested to establish paternity. This is about my son knowing who his father is.
"I've said to him, 'I'm really sorry that this is happening.' And my son said, 'Mom, you're doing nothing wrong.'
"He only knew about all of this because he walked in on a conversation between me and Chris Rock's attorney. He then asked to see all my diaries dating back to when I was dating Chris."
Source: WENN
MELANIE BROWN's new husband STEPHEN BELAFONTE owes a New Jersey court a $600 (GBP300) fine after he was allegedly found guilty of killing a duck.
The film producer, 32, was found guilty of an animal control charge after he admitted of throwing a brick at a mallard outside his home in Point Pleasant, according to British newspaper The Sun.
An Ocean County court spokeswoman said: “A warrant has been issued over unpaid fines and costs relating to an animal control offence. He will be arrested if he returns to the area.”
Belafonte, who wed the Spice Girl in secret in June (07), admitted attacking his ex-partner Nicole Contreras and was given a suspended jail sentence.
Source: WENN
Soul singer D'ANGELO has been fined $1,500 (GBP750) and given a six month suspended jail sentence for driving under the influence.
The star, real name Michael E. Archer, pleaded guilty to driving with a suspended license and driving under the influence at Powhatan General District Court, Virginia on Friday (10Aug07).
The charges stem from D'Angelo's September 2005 car accident in Powhaten, which left him and his passenger Lynne Sellers injured. D'Angelo wasn't wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash and was thrown from the vehicle.
Judge Paul Cella fined the Brown Sugar singer $1,500 - GBP750 (GBP375) of which was suspended - and suspended his driving license for 12 months. He managed to escape charges of reckless driving.
Sellers' no-show in court on Friday weakened the case according to Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Richard Cox, who said she was the star witness in the case.
D'Angelo, 33, was driving on a suspended license at the time of the accident - in April 2005 he pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol and possession of marijuana following a January 2005 arrest.
Source: WENN


