Ashanti's new job will have her promoting Nassau County on New York's Long Island. According to "E! News," the 27-year-old singer was named a "tourism ambassador" for the area where she grew up. Ashanti was handed an orange blazer Tuesday to commemorate her new assignment. She told reporters, quote, "It was amazing to be asked, and I wanted to give something back to the community." Ashanti was born and raised in the Nassau County city of Glen Cove. Ironically, Tuesday's ceremony took place at Rockefeller Center, which is on the island of Manhattan in New York County.
Teen superstar Miley Cyrus is auctioning herself off for charity. "People" reports a lucky bidder could soon win a date with the 15-year-old Disney Channel queen. The highest bidder will attend the premiere of Cyrus' new Disney film "Bolt" which opens November 26th. The eBay bidding begins at two-thousand dollars. Fans can also try and snag the star's clothes, signed CDs and posters which are also up for auction. The money will go toward the Cyrus family charity called Pappy Cyrus Family Foundation for underprivileged children. Cyrus' new album "Breakout" hit shelves earlier this week.
The new action-packed series "Flashpoint" moves to its new night tonight on CBS at 10 p.m. Eastern. The show depicts an emotional journey into the risk-filled lives of a group of cops in the Strategic Response Unit. It's inspired by Toronto's Emergency Task Force. Hugh Dillon, who plays Ed Lane, describes the research he did for his role. Dillon says the officers portrayed in the show often don't get the credit they deserve in real life. He said, quote, "these guys put their lives on the line and a lot of them are heros." Dillon says it was a really proud moment for him when the, quote, "real guys" called him to say they did the team justice in the show.
Controversy or not, Nas' latest CD has debuted on top of the Billboard 200 Album chart. Billboard.com reports the untitled disc, which originally used the racially-charged "N-word" as its title, sold 187-thousand units in its first week out. That was enough to unseat Lil Wayne's "Tha Carter Three," which had held the top spot for three out of the last five weeks. Nas' last album, 2006's "Hip Hop Is Dead," sold 350-thousand units sold in its first week out during the Christmas holiday season.
Nas didn't appear to have much time to celebrate his CD success yesterday, though. The rapper was at the New York office of Fox News as part of a protest. Nas joined nearly 150 members of MoveOn.org and ColorOfChange.org in handing over a petition that called for the network to stop promoting what protestors say is racist coverage of the presidential campaign. The group cites incidents where Fox broadcasters called Barack Obama's wife Michelle his "baby mama," and a fist bump between the couple was referred to as a "terrorist fist jab." Fox responded by saying they believe people have the right to free speech, adding, quote, "Including Nas, who has an album to promote."
Food Network's "Road Tasted" is back with a new season and new hosts. The latest edition features "Down Home with the Neelys'" stars Pat and Gina Neely as they go cross-country in search of the best local, handcrafted foods. Pat says that one thing about the show is that home viewers get to enjoy the finds too. "Road Tasted with the Neelys" airs new episodes Tuesdays at 8:30 p.m. on the Food Network. The show also runs at various other times throughout the week. Visit FoodNetwork.com for additional information. "Down Home with the Neelys" became the Food Network's highest-rated series debut ever when it premiered in February.
Actor Brad Pitt is getting some heat by the British press over photos that show him driving a golf cart with his two-year-old daughter Shiloh on his lap, apparently unrestrained. The "Evening Standard" reports that the photos were taken while Pitt and several of his children spent a day at a quad bike track in Miraval, France. Sons Maddox and Pax are shown driving a four-wheeler and a motorized bike while wearing helmets, but Shiloh doesn't appear to be wearing a seat belt or a helmet. Pitt, his partner Angelina Jolie and their family have been staying in France for several months. Jolie gave birth to the couple's newest additions, twins Knox and Vivienne, on July 12th.
Another Amy Winehouse has arrived in London, but this one shouldn't cause too much controversy. "People" reports a wax replica of the troubled pop star has been unveiled at London's Madame Tussauds. The figure features Winehouse posing in a bright yellow dress with black high heels and holding a microphone. She stands in the museum's Music Zone next to other celebrities such as Beyoncé and Justin Timberlake. Amy's father, Mitch Winehouse, says the wax version of his daughter caught her likeness perfectly. He said, quote, "this is the reward for her musical achievements and her talent." The Grammy winning singer has made numerous headlines over the past year for outrageous behavior and her reported battle with substance abuse.
A new mockumentary on the behind-the-scenes making of a horror movie is now on DVD. "Brutal Massacre: A Comedy" follows a director as he attempts to make a good horror film, after a string of flops. Star Brian O'Halloran says the script for the flick was inspired by the creator's work on a real horror movie. "Brutal Massacre: A Comedy" also stars Gunnar Hansen from the original "Texas Chainsaw Massacre," David Naughton from "An American Werewolf in London" and Ken Foree from the original "Dawn of the Dead." More information on the mockumentary can be found at BrutalMassacre.com.
Producers are keeping tight-lipped about the plot details of the new "X-Files" movie, but Internet fan sites are buzzing with rumors of a possible romantic subplot involving "X-Files'" characters, Fox Mulder and Dana Scully. While the cast and crew are not giving up much information about the rumors, Mulder actor David Duchovny says he can understand why fans might think that way. "The X-Files: I Want To Believe" is the second feature film based on the former Fox sci-fi TV series. The first "X-Files" movie was released ten years ago in 1998. "The X-Files: I Want To Believe" opens in theaters this Friday.
Britney Spears' mom Lynne has had a tragic secret revealed involving a fatal car accident. The "National Enquirer" reports the pop star's mother ran over and killed a 12-year-old boy back in 1975. Lynne Spears was just 20 years old at the time of the incident and living in Kentwood, Louisiana. She was reportedly driving her injured brother to the hospital when she hit the young cyclist. A friend of the family says Spears has never fully overcome the tragedy and, quote, "gets a terrified look in her eye when she is thinking about it." The source adds Spears has only revealed the secret to a few select people.
Actress Sienna Miller is suing two British tabloids and a photo agency over published pictures that showed her topless and on vacation with recently separated actor Balthazar Getty. According to London's "The Guardian," Miller claims that "News of the World" and "The Sun" violated her privacy by printing the pics and stories about her apparent relationship with Getty. This week, Getty announced he and his wife Rosetta, with whom he has four children, had separated. He also said he felt the need to acknowledge the split publicly as a result of the photos of he and Miller. He said the photos, quote, "caused myself and my family great embarrassment." Getty plays oldest son Tommy Walker on ABC's "Brothers and Sisters."
Additional information has come to light regarding the supposed arrest of "The Dark Knight" star Christian Bale this week. The actor, who plays Batman in the film, turned himself into police in London Tuesday after his sister and mother accused him of assaulting them in his hotel suite in the city on Sunday. According to London's "Daily Mail," Bale apparently confronted his mother after she allegedly insulted his wife. Meanwhile, London's "The Sun" newspaper says that Bale's mother claims she was pushed by her son. Bale was questioned by police Tuesday and released. His attorney says that Bale denies the allegations and has not been charged. His mother has told reporters that there was a, quote, "family situation, but the police are handling it," adding, "we didn't call police." The just-released "Dark Knight" pulled in more than 155-million-dollars in its first weekend in theaters to set a new record for a film opening.
Police in Shreveport, Louisiana are denying reports that actors Josh Brolin and Jeffrey Wright were mistreated by police when they were arrested there July 12th. There have been claims that an alleged cell phone video shows both men being Tasered and pepper-sprayed without warrant. However, a spokesman for the Shreveport police downplays the video, telling the "New York Daily News" the department has heard about the tape and would "love to see it." He also says that while there are rumors of racial slurs being hurled at Wright, who is African-American, they are, quote, "just rumors" and if they were true, those arrested would have filed a complaint. The police also have their own video and audio tapes of the incident, but have not released them. The actors, as well as five crew members, were arrested at a wrap party for the Oliver Stone film "W." The group is now facing charges for interfering with police. They are due in court December 2nd.
"Melrose Place" alum Heather Locklear is reportedly back home. According to "People," the actress has successfully completed four weeks of treatment at a psychological facility in Arizona. When Locklear entered the center, a rep for the 46-year-old said that Locklear had, quote, "been dealing with anxiety and depression. She requested an in-depth evaluation of her medication and entered into a medical facility for proper diagnosis and treatment." Back in March, Locklear's psychiatrist spoke with the actress and reportedly became concerned because she was, quote, "upset," and he feared she might overdose on medication prescribed for depression. The psychiatrist then apparently called 911 to report a "suicide attempt." A rep for Locklear told TMZ.com at the time that the actress was "fine," adding that Locklear "never requested medical assistance and did not place a 911 call." The paramedics dispatched to the scene reportedly failed to find anything wrong with Locklear.
An alleged stalker of "Saturday Night Live" creator Lorne Michaels has been nabbed. The "New York Post" reports 31-year-old Evans Pidhajecky of Oyster Bay, Long Island is accused of mailing, calling or visiting Michaels at least six times last year in hopes of speaking with Michaels. Pidhajecky claims that Michaels somehow "overheard" his private conversations and used them on "SNL" without his consent. The attorney for Pidhajecky says all his client wanted to do was try to peaceably talk to a public personality. However, the judge presiding over the case has said that due to the number of celebrity stalking occurrences, Michaels had, quote, "ample reason to be in fear." The case will be back in court next Wednesday. The new season of "SNL" premieres on NBC September 13th.
It's a girl for actor Ethan Hawke. His rep, Mara Buxbaum, has confirmed to "People" magazine that Hawke's wife, Ryan Shawhughes, gave birth to their daughter, Clementine Jane Hawke, Friday in New York City. Buxbaum adds that the couple is "thrilled" about the arrival of their first child together. Hawke and Shawhughes wed last month in June in a small ceremony. The couple first met when she was employed as his nanny during his marriage to actress Uma Thurman. Hawke and Thurman have two children together, a ten-year-old daughter named Maya and a six-year-old son named Levon. The former couple divorced in 2003 after five years of marriage. Thurman recently became engaged to London-based millionaire Arpad Busson, who has two children with former girlfriend, supermodel Elle Macpherson.
The son of late "Meet the Press" host Tim Russert may have launched his own television career. According to the "New York Post's" "Page Six," NBC executives were apparently so impressed with the way that Luke Russert handled himself while discussing his father's death and funeral last month, they are considering recruiting him to help cover the upcoming presidential election. Twenty-two-year-old Luke Russert graduated from college earlier this year. At his father's funeral, Luke described his dad as his, quote, "best friend" and told those in attendance, "we are all a small part of a grand design." Fifty-eight-year-old Tim Russert died suddenly June 13th after suffering a heart attack. NBC News veteran Tom Brokaw has taken over the "Meet the Press" hosting duties through the presidential election.
Lifetime is honoring Estelle Getty on July 25th with a Golden Girls marathon. The 10 episodes that will air will all feature her character, Sophia.
On Tuesday, the California Highway Patrol gave Paris Hilton a warning for weaving in and out of traffic.
The Daily Star reports Christian Bale confronted his mother after she insulted his wife. A source says, “Christian was stressed, but he didn’t lay a finger on anyone. Instead, he flew off the handle and cussed his mother. He just got very loud because his mother was saying some very outrageous things about him, and his wife. Normally Christian would just call a friend and go out to a pub to cool off. But he was literally trapped into this confrontation with his mother and sister because there was an army of fans and paparazzi outside.”
The Sun reports Christian Bale confronted his mother after she and his sister asked him for $200,000. A source says, "Christian is a very wealthy young man and was asked to help his sister out financially. He was asked to loan her $200,000 but he refused and that caused an almighty row. Both Jenny and Sharon are terribly upset over what happened. They did not want any publicity and the last thing they wanted to do was wreck his premiere evening. But they say he bullied them."
Matthew McConaughey says he danced in the delivery room to ease the tension brought on by his girlfriend’s 14-hour labor. “Contractions started kicking in, and we found a great rhythm. We had a 14-hour session, her and I did. I sat there with her, right between her legs. We got tribal on it. We danced to it. I was DJing this native Brazilian music.”
The Star reports that Matthew Broderick has been cheating on Sarah Jessica Parker with a redhead he met in a NYC bar. She's a youth counselor, who piqued his interest with sexy text messages. A source claims they've been able to keep their secret relationship under wraps by meeting at his friend's townhouse.
Lindsay Lohan and Sam Ronson have declared their love for one another by getting matching red infinity lock bracelets. A source says, “The bracelets represent their relationship — they have each other on lockdown, and there’s no one else who can open up the key to their hearts."
Bono and Eurythmics star Dave Stewart have penned a new song for Barack Obama' entitled “American Prayer.” Timbaland, Dr. Dre, the Neptunes, Beyonce and Jennifer Lopez also helped with the song, which should be released in the next 10 days. Oprah Winfrey, Beyonce, Cyndi Lauper, Macy Gray, Margaret Cho and Whoopi Goldberg all sing in the “American Prayer” music video.
