Singer Chris Brown said that although he used "gay" as an insult while criticizing a paparazzo, he didn't mean it, according to Advocate.com . TMZ caught Brown on tape talking with a parking-meter attendant. When he saw the cameraman, he said, "Ya'll [n words] is weak. Did ya'll call them to try and film me? Ya'll [n words] is gay." He later tweeted, "I have total respect for Gay community and my intention was not to insult anyone in it," tagging the post with a homemade hashtag, "#REALSHIT."
James Franco—who's played gay in such movies as Milk and Howl—has written, starred in and directed a film on the life of gay poet Hart Crane, according to Advocate.com . The black-and-white movie is called The Broken Tower, named for one of Crane's last publications, and it features graphic sex scenes as well as Crane reading a poem out loud for 10 minutes. The poet killed himself in 1932 at age 32.
Reggae singer Buju Banton—whom gay-rights groups have vilified because of his anti-gay songs—was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his role in a Florida cocaine deal, according to Advocate.com . Banton, 37, was convicted in February of organizing a drug deal and has been in custody since December 2009. Banton (real name: Mark Myrie) will also get five years of probation after his jail time.
Rapper Missy Elliott has been diagnosed with Graves' disease, according to Digital Spy. The musician—known for such hits as "Get Ur Freak On" and "Work It"—said that the condition's symptoms (which include increased sweating and shortness of breath) came over suddenly three years ago. Elliott, 39, has said that she has been undergoing treatment for the disease, in which a hyperactive thyroid causes a hormone imbalance.
Oprah Winfrey has denied rumors that O.J. Simpson has confessed to murdering ex-wife Nicole Brown and her friend, Ron Goldman, according to Digital Spy. The National Enquirer reported that Simpson confessed in jail and that he plans on speaking with Winfrey for a televised interview. However, Winfrey's rep at Harpo Productions has said, "It's not true." Simpson was acquitted of the murders in 1995, but is currently serving a 33-year jail term for a 2007 robbery in Las Vegas.
After being ordered to attend court June 23 for testing positive for alcohol, Judge Stephanie Sautner ruled that Lindsay Lohan will not go to jail, Digital Spy reported. Sautner said that Lohan had not violated the terms of her probation; however, the judge ruled that the actress will be restricted to inviting only one friend at a time to her home as long as she is under house arrest.
In Rome, Lady Gaga sang her hit song "Born This Way" and demanded the end of discrimination at a gay-pride rally, according to USA Today. Wearing a green wig, she played the piano and sang a few numbers. She cited her Italian roots—saying her real name is Stefania Giovanna Angelina Germanotta—and proclaimed herself a "child of diversity."
Speaking of Gaga, a federal class-action lawsuit alleges that the singer pocketed donations that should have gone to a recovering Japan, according to the New York Daily News. She is accused of increasing shipping costs on the "We Pray for Japan" wristbands she designed and sold on her website after the March earthquake and tsunami in the Asian country. So far, Gaga's camp has not answered the charges.
Former The Biggest Loser trainer Jillian Michaels said that she does not like her posterior, according to Digital Spy. Michaels said that, despite a strict fitness regimen, she still struggles with cellulite. She added, "It's not so much about aesthetics for me these days. Instead, I think a lot more about the mark I'm going to make on the world than about the back of my ass." Michaels came out as bisexual last year, Autostraddle.com reported.
Actor Stephen Baldwin has said that Tom Cruise's singing in the big-screen musical Rock of Ages is "intergalactic," according to Digital Spy. Baldwin—whose brother, 30 Rock star Alec, will portray Dennis Dupree in the Broadway version—said that Cruise's singing voice will pleasantly surprise audiences. The musical, directed by openly gay Adam Shankman and slated for release next June, also stars Catherine Zeta-Jones and Russell Brand; Cruise will portray Stacee Jaxx.
Describing himself as "a hopeless romantic," Lance Bass told People magazine that he surprised his boyfriend, Lorenzo Martone, with a plane ticket to an island paradise in the Mediterranean. Bass added, "I just like the little things; I love [leaving] little notes. ... [Also,] I love cooking. It's one of my favorite things to do." The former N*SYNC member, 32, said that he still wants to have three kids—when the time is right.
Actress Lisa Edelstein has gone from her shocking exit from the TV show House to a multi-episode arc on the CBS show The Good Wife, according to TVLine.com . Edelstein—who has guest-starred on shows such as The West Wing and Ally McBeal (where she played a transgender individual)—will play an attorney and poker player on The Good Wife. She left House after failing to reach terms on a new contract.
Glee star Cory Monteith (who portrays Finn) has a record deal, according to AOL TV. Monteith told Parade magazine, "I have a solo deal with Columbia Records. So it's about, do I want to release an album, when can we do it, what kind of album should it be, how should it be released and marketed and what's the right timing?" Monteith, 29, also talked about a past drug problem and revealed that he is a high-school dropout.
Adding to the mystery regarding if Jennifer Lopez will return as a judge on TV's American Idol is the fact that she's in talks to star in two feature films, according to Deadline.com . She is reportedly in discussions to play the female lead opposite Jason Statham in Parker, an action movie. She is also supposedly talking about a supporting role in What To Expect When You're Expecting, the film based on the bestselling how-to guide to preparing for childbirth; Cameron Diaz and Matthew Morrison are starring.
Openly gay actor John Barrowman said that viewers should "expect man sex and nudity" in the next season of the sci-fi series Torchwood, according to Pink News. Barrowman, 44—who plays the "omnisexual" Captain Jack Harkness—told the Press Association, "I'm naked in one episode—I am full-on naked. I am bumping and grinding in this one. I am having man sex." Torchwood: Miracle Day will premiere on Starz July 8, and will co-star Eve Myles, Mekhi Phifer and Bill Pullman.
Neil Patrick Harris has announced his engagement to longtime partner David Burtka, according to Digital Spy. Harris and Burtka revealed on Twitter profiles that they had proposed to each other more than five years ago, but kept their engagement secret until New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo legalized same-sex marriage. Harris had previously celebrated the gay-marriage ruling, tweeting: "It Passed! Marriage equality in NY!! Yes!! Progress!! Thank you everyone who worked so hard on this!! A historic night!"
Superstar Janet Jackson said that she still feels like a bit of a tomboy, and often struggles to choose feminine clothes for herself, according to a Digital Spy item. The "Nasty" singer, 45, said that he has preferred masculine clothes because they're more comfortable. Despite having had issues with her weight, Jackson insisted that she is more comfortable with herself than ever.
Kate Winslet said that working on the HBO miniseries Mildred Pierce was one of the most grueling experiences of her life, Digital Spy reported. Winslet—who stars with Guy Pearce and Evan Rachel Wood in the five-part project—said, "It was like doing two-and-a-half films in 16 weeks. I think this was so much harder than any film project I've done since Titanic." Out director Todd Haynes helmed the miniseries.
In the world of television, legendary actress/comic Carol Burnett will make a final appearance on the daytime ABC sudser All My Children this September before the show ends, according to Digital Spy. Burnett has portrayed Verla Grubbs on the show since 1976, and has made several return appearances since leaving, most recently in 2005. All My Children will air its last episode Sept. 23.
Dancing with the Stars pro Mark Ballas has said that he'd be fine dancing with another guy, according to Popeater.com . "I would be totally cool with it," Ballas said. "There are other competitions where they have same-sex couples. I'd support it. There is a slight inherent disadvantage. Two girls and two men just can't move like a man and a woman. But you can try." Louis Van Amstel, another pro on the show, is out of the closet.
Daniel Craig, the latest James Bond, and Oscar-winning actress Rachel Weisz have secretly married, Popeater.com reported. Weisz, 41, and Craig, 43, tied the knot recently in New York City. Only four insiders close to the couple attended the event, including Craig's 18-year-old daughter, Ella, and Weisz's 4-year-old son, Henry.
The Supreme Court has ruled against the estate of Anna Nicole Smith, who sought $300 million allegedly promised from oil tycoon J. Howard Marshall, according to Popeater.com . Marshall married Smith when he was 89 and she was 26. The five-member conservative part of the court ruled against Smith's estate, headed by Larry Birkhead, who fathered a daughter with the model, and attorney Howard K. Stern.
Bluewater has announced a special comic-book project featuring Madonna, according to a press release. "Female Force: Madonna" will be released in August and have a cover price of $3.99. CW Cooke and drawn by Michael Johnson will write the pop icon's bio. The "Female Force" comic series offers a broad examination of strong and influential women who are shaping modern history and culture; past issues have featured Hillary Clinton, Oprah Winfrey, JK Rowling and Ellen Degeneres, among others.
Cee-Lo Green—who recently sent a music critic an anti-gay tweet about Green's own masculinity—donned a Patti LaBelle wig and blouse in a tribute to the legendary singer at the recent BET Awards, according to ABC News. LaBelle, who was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award, sang a couple classics, including "Lady Marmalade." Other highlights included a duet featuring Mary J. Blige and Anita Baker as well as a memorial segment that recognized singer Teena Marie and saxophonist Clarence Clemons, among others.
Singer Katy Perry may break Michael Jackson's record for the most number-one songs from one album, according to the New York Daily News. Her newest single, "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)," is expected to reach the top of the Billboard Hot 100 charts, which would give her five—the most since Jackson performed the same feat with 1987's Bad. His five number ones were "Bad," ""The Way You Make Me Feel," "Man in the Mirror," "Dirty Diana" and "I Just Can't Stop Loving You." Perry's next single from Teenage Dream, "Peacock," is already number one on Billboard's Hot Dance Club chart.
Actor Ryan O'Neal is squaring off against the University of Texas over an Andy Warhol-designed silkscreen of Farrah Fawcett that is valued at $30 million, according to the New York Post. The school believes the silkscreen—one of two Warhol made in 1980— is "missing" from the artwork she bequeathed to her alma mater when she died two years ago. O'Neal claims that Farrah gave him the silkscreen and that he owns it outright. O'Neal's daughter, Tatum, reportedly tipped off school officials in her new book, Found: A Daughter's Journey Home.
Ugly Betty star America Ferrara recently married longtime boyfriend Ryan Piers Williams, according to People.com . Guests at the ceremony includedVanessa Williams and Rebecca Romijn, her co-stars on the very gay-friendly show, as well as Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants co-star Blake Lively.
Beyonce recently made history as the first female to headline England's Glastonbury Festival, according to the New York Post. When told of the honor, Beyonce said, "I never, ever thought I would be able to headline Glastonbury. ... I'm so honored that I am the chosen woman and I promise, ladies, I'm going to rock!" Among the dozens of other acts at the festival this year were Paul Simon, Mumford & Sons, Robyn, U2, B.B. King, Coldplay, Wu-Tang Clan, Fatboy Slim and Neneh Cherry.
True Blood's gay secret has been exposed: Sookie's best friend, Tara (played by Rutina Wesley) has become a cage-fighter and is sleeping with a sexy girlfriend named Naomi (played by Vedette Lim), according to Advocate.com . "When I first got the script, I thought it was great," said Wesley in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. "They've always given me stuff that challenged me as an actor and that was fun. I think Tara—if she is going to have a love interest this season—she's finally ready for it." However, Wesley is reluctant to label Tara as bisexual or lesbian: "I think it just happened."
