Celebrity Scandals - The Hollywood Gossip

Nicki Minaj Grammy Performance Deemed "Vulgar" By Catholic League

matt@iscribelimited.com (Hilton Hater) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 06:11:09 EST

And... there it is.

As expected, the Catholic League has issued a statement regarding Nicki Minaj's controversial performance of "Roman Holiday" at the Grammy Awards Sunday night, which featured choir boys, bishops, holy water, faux possessions, levitation and a confessional.

Nicki Minaj - "Roman Holiday" (2012 Grammy Performance)

"Nicki Minaj, fresh off looking like a fool with Madonna at the Super Bowl, showed up last night on the red carpet at the Grammys with a guy dressed like the pope. This was just a prelude of what was to come," wrote Catholic League President Bill Donahue, adding:

"Perhaps the most vulgar part was the sexual statement that showed a scantily clad female dancer stretching backwards while an altar boy knelt between her legs in prayer. Finally, 'Come All Ye Faithful' was sung while a man posing as a bishop walked on stage; Minaj was shown levitating."

Donahue concluded by calling out the Grammys themselves, writing:

"Whether Minaj is possessed is surely an open question, but what is not in doubt is the irresponsibility of The Recording Academy. Never would they allow an artist to insult Judaism or Islam."

What is Nicki's defense of her act? She told Ryan Seacrest it was all about an alter ego named Roman. Naturally.

"I had this vision for Roman, for him to be exorcised, but people around him telling him he's not good enough, that he's not normal, he's not fitting in with the average Joe," Nicki explained. "He wanted to show that not only is he amazing and confident, but he's never going to be exorcised and when they throw the holy water on him, he rises above it."

Well... okay then.

WHAT DID YOU THINK OF MINAJ'S PERFORMANCE AT THE GRAMMYS?

Tony Bennett Pushes for Legalization of Drugs

matt@iscribelimited.com (Hilton Hater) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 14:22:04 EST

In the wake of Whitney Houston's death, most celebrities are reacting with nothing but condolences and kind words about the iconic singer.

Some, however, are speaking out in more detail, with Celine Dion telling Good Morning America today that the celebrity culture itself bears some responsibility for Whitney's demise.

Tony Bennett, meanwhile, has taken a different, surprising tact. At Clive Davis' annual Grammy Awards party, held just hours after Houston passed away, the legendary artist went off on a different topic.

"First it was Michael Jackson, then Amy Winehouse, now, the magnificent Whitney Houston," he said. "I'd like every person in this room to campaign to legalize drugs. Let's legalize drugs like they did in Amsterdam. No one's hiding or sneaking around corners to get it. They go to a doctor to get it."

Not sure if that would have saved any of the aforementioned lives, but it's always an interesting debate. Where do you stand?

Should America legalize drugs?

Marston Hefner, Son of Hugh, Arrested For Attacking Claire Sinclair

steve@thehollywoodgossip.com (Free Britney) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 12:13:05 EST

Marston Hefner, the oldest son of Hugh Hefner, was arrested after he allegedly attacked his Playmate of the Year girlfriend Claire Sinclair, according to reports.

Police were called to the residence Marston shares with Sinclair in Pasadena, Calif., after one of Sinclair's family members called 911, claiming Marston had attacked her.

Officers observed visible injuries on Sinclair's body, including bruises and red marks, and Marston admitted the two had gotten into an argument earlier.

He did not admit striking Sinclair, however.

Sinclair told cops Marston punched her, kicked her in the stomach and refused to let her leave the residence, however. The model called family members after the alleged attack. Family members then made the decision to contact the authorities.

After a brief investigation, Marston was arrested for misdemeanor domestic violence at around 11:15 p.m., and hauled off to a nearby police station.

Marston was released on $20,000 bail a few hours later.

Sinclar, 20, was Playboy's POTY 2011. Marson Hefner, 21, whose mom is Hugh's ex-wife Kimberley Conrad, has been dating her on-and-off since August 2010.

[Photo: WENN.com]

Shanna Widner Breaks Silence 20 Years After Infamous Cheerleader Murder Plot Case

steve@thehollywoodgossip.com (Free Britney) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:24:26 EST

Shanna Widner is speaking out for the first time in nearly two decades about the scandal that saw her mother convicted of trying to kill off her cheerleader rival.

Now 34 and a mother of two herself, Widner is finally sharing her side.

Widner tells People that her mother's 1991 arrest, trial, conviction and brief jail sentence for a crime that inspired TV movies left her with scars she still carries.

Then 14, Widner would rock herself to sleep at night, sobbing and cursing God: "I kept thinking, 'Why are you doing this to us?'" she remembers. "'I hate you!'"

Her mother, Wanda Holloway, was facing charges for allegedly hiring a man to kill Verna Heath, an ex-neighbor whose daughter, Amber, competed with Shanna.

Both girls vied for junior high school cheerleading squads.

At school, where Shanna remarkably remained and attended classes with Amber during the ordeal, Shanna recalls, "I felt like I had a flashing neon sign on my forehead that said, 'Pom-Pom Mom's Daughter'," she says.

"I felt," she adds, "very alone."

But over the years, the eighth-grade teacher and mother of sons, ages 9 and 11, managed to find joy again, and some closure with her mother.

Read the full story by People.

Halle Berry Fleeing U.S. Due to Death Threats?

steve@thehollywoodgossip.com (Free Britney) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:23:12 EST

Halle Berry does not want to move to France with young daughter Nahla and fiance Olivier Martinez to spite Gabriel Aubry - she fears for her life, according to reports.

TMZ reports that Halle is motivated by security in asking a judge for permission to move to France with Nahla - something Gabriel Aubry is trying to block.

There have apparently been serious threats to Halle's life - from one man in particular - and she feels the move out of the country is a life or death situation.

Robert Hoskins, a mentally unstable man, escaped from a mental institution last week and has made threats against Halle, specifically to "slit her throat."

Hoskins threatened to slit Madonna's throat in the past and was actually shot by her bodyguard in 1995 after he trespassed onto the pop star's property.

As if that weren't enough, another stalker who recently trespassed onto Halle's property multiple times in the past has just been released from jail.

Halle is particularly concerned because Starmaps and some Hollywood bus tours literally take tourists to her doorstep, and it freaks her out.

The actress is also concerned that Gabriel Aubry, Nahla's father, is parading in front of paparazzi almost daily and possibly putting her at risk.

A judge has yet to rule on her request to skip town.

[Photo: WENN.com]

Did George Huguely Murder Yeardley Love?

steve@thehollywoodgossip.com (Free Britney) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:22:27 EST

Former University of Virginia lacrosse player George Huguely is on trial for murdering his ex-girlfriend, Yeardley Love, in a case that has garnered national attention.

His first-degree murder trial included dramatic testimony Wednesday in Charlottesville, Virginia, from Love's two roommates, serving as witnesses for the prosecution.

The saga is People's cover story this week. What makes it so noteworthy?

The element of mystery surrounding the case, for one, and the fact that the accused is a Division I lacrosse star - who professes his innocence.

Caity Whiteley, who lived with Love and was on the lacrosse team with her, described returning to Love's apartment to ask her to go out with them.

With Yeardley Love, 22, face down in bed, just as Whiteley had last seen her, nothing appeared to be out of the ordinary, at least at first.

"Her hair was all messed up and pulled aside," Whiteley said, according to Charlottesville's Daily Progress. "I moved her hair, and then that's when I noticed."

"There were cuts on her face, and it was just messed up." Whiteley also testified that Love's body was warm but that her feet were cold at the time.

On Thursday, when graphic photos of Love's lifeless body were shown in court, her family sobbed, while George Huguely, 23, kept his head down.

Whiteley said that in the months before Love's death her already on-again-off-again relationship with Huguely, had become even "more rocky than usual."

Huguely reportedly was observed choking Love during a party.

Love and Whiteley's other roommate, Kaitlin Duff, said oLove had become "very upset" in late April after she learned Huguely was with another woman.

Another witness was Anna Lehman, who lived in the apartment below Love. Describing a loud noise she heard from the floor above shortly before midnight, Lehman testified, "I thought that maybe like a stereo set had fallen, or a bookshelf."

Right after that she saw a dark-haired man in a royal blue T-shirt leaving Love's apartment. She described him as looking "like a male student."

The defense reportedly does not dispute that Huguely was in the apartment that night. In opening statements Wednesday, Huguely's lawyer said his client was very drunk the night Love died and was incapable of plotting to kill her.

Huguely has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, robbery, burglary, breaking and entering, grand larceny and murder in the commission of a felony.

According to an affidavit, Huguely admitted that he kicked in Love's door and shook her, repeatedly hitting her head against a wall, back in May 2010.

Huguely's attorney Francis Lawrence told reporters, "We are confident that Ms. Love's death was not intended but an accident with a tragic outcome."

Reports say that prosecutors said in court Wednesday that two days before Love's death, Huguely accused her of having another relationship.

Prosecutor Dave Chapman told jurors Huguely assaulted Love and wrote to her saying he was upset because she had slept with someone else.

According to prosecutors, Huguely sent angry e-mails to Love, including one that said, "I should kill you." When it came time for Huguely's attorney Lawrence to address jurors, he reportedly relayed the rest of the e-mail's message:

"I should have killed you. You should've killed me. You're so [expletive] up.

Prosecutors also outlined Huguely's pattern of violence against Love and said he intended to kill her and steal her laptop to destroy evidence.

Suge Knight Arrested For Marijuana Possession

steve@thehollywoodgossip.com (Free Britney) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:34:28 EST

Marion "Suge" Knight was arrested in Las Vegas yesterday after a traffic stop. Cops say the hip hop mogul was carrying marijuana on him at the time.

Law enforcement sources say the one-time Death Row CEO was pulled over at 5:34 p.m. Wednesday for making an unsafe lane change in his Bentley.

Police ran Suge's name in the system (must have sat there for hours) and found multiple warrants out for his arrest, stemming from traffic violations.

After a quick search, police say they discovered a small amount of marijuana in Suge's possession. Knight was hauled off to a nearby jail for processing.

He was released a short time later after the obligatory mug shot.

Things could get worse for the man, though. Suge Knight is currently on three years unsupervised probation for driving on a suspended license.

Might wanna considering just getting a driver, Marion.

Alyssa Bustamante Sentenced to Life in Prison

steve@thehollywoodgossip.com (Free Britney) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:28:14 EST

Alyssa Bustamante, a Missouri teenager who confessed to strangling, cutting and stabbing a 9-year-old girl because she wanted to know how it felt to kill someone, was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison with the possibility of parole.

She murdered Elizabeth Olten in St. Martins, Mo., in 2009.

The judge also ordered Alyssa Bustamante, now 18, to serve a consecutive 30-year term in the armed criminal action charge. Here's her booking photo:

Alyssa Bustamante was 15 years old when she confessed to strangling Elizabeth, repeatedly stabbing her in the chest and slicing the girl's throat.

She led police to the shallow grave where she had concealed Elizabeth's body under a blanket of leaves in the woods behind their neighborhood.

With her hands shackled to her waist and her feet shackled together, Bustamante rose and faced Elizabeth's mother and siblings on Wednesday.

"I know that words," she said, pausing for air, "can never be enough and they can never adequately describe how horribly I feel for all of this."

She added: "If I could give my life to get her back I would. I'm sorry."

Elizabeth's mother, Patty Preiss, who on the first day of Bustamante's sentencing called her "an evil monster" and declared that she "hated her" sat silently, staring forward during Bustamante's apology in the courtroom.

The Olten family declined to comment, as did Bustamante's family.

Bustamante had been charged with first-degree murder and by pleading guilty to the lesser charges she avoided a trial and the possibility of spending her life in prison with no chance of release. There remains a chance of parole.

The teenager's attorneys had argued that Bustamante's use of the antidepressant Prozac had made her prone to violence. They said she had suffered from depression for years and once attempted suicide by overdosing on painkillers.

But prosecutors sought a longer sentence. They noted that Bustamante had dug two graves several days in advance, and that on the evening of the killing had sent her younger sister to lure Elizabeth outside with an invitation to play.

Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. David Rice testified that the teenager told him "she wanted to know what it felt like" to kill someone.

"I strangled them and slit their throat and stabbed them now they're dead," Bustamante wrote in her diary, read in court by a handwriting expert.

"I don't know how to feel atm. It was ahmazing. As soon as you get over the 'ohmygawd I can't do this' feeling, it's pretty enjoyable. I'm kinda nervous and shaky though right now. Kay, I gotta go to church now...lol."

Bustamante then headed off to a youth dance at her church.

Ellen DeGeneres Responds to JC Penney Protest, Lists Her Traditional Values

matt@iscribelimited.com (Hilton Hater) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:42:46 EST

Ellen DeGeneres was recently named a spokesperson for JC Penney.

Once this news broke, a conservative organization known as One Million Moms quickly launched an offensive to get the comedian fired from the gig. Bill O'Reilly addressed this topic on Fox News last night, taking the side that anyone is free to simply not shop at JC Penney... but to lobby for Ellen's ousting is un-American and wrong.

DeGeneres also touched on the scandal during her talk show monologue, keeping it short, but relying on two points:

A number of comments left on the One Million Moms' own Facebook page are in support of JC Penney and express their authors' intention to shop there even more now.
Have a problem with Ellen's "traditional values," as the group claims citizens should? Here they are: Honesty. Quality. Kindness. Compassion.

Ellen DeGeneres Reacts to Prop 8, JC Penney Flap

Vote now: Do you think Ellen should be fired from this role?

Amy Duggar Targeted in Extortion Plot; Teresa Hunt Arrested For Shopping Racy Photos

steve@thehollywoodgossip.com (Free Britney) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:54:06 EST

Amy Duggar from 19 Kids and Counting was targeted by a woman in Iowa who claimed to have compromising photos of her and tried to leverage money from TLC.

Federal court documents show Teresa Hunt was arrested February 1 after she apparently sent TLC executives letters demanding that they either:

Cancel 19 Kids and Counting, or
Pay her $10,000 in exchange for her not releasing photos of Amy and a 56-year-old musician engaged in "apparently intimate situations."

Amy, an aspiring country singer and the 25-year-old niece of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, said in a statement that there are no compromising photos of her with the musician, whom she has known for quite some time as a friend.

"It's totally untrue. He is a longtime family friend who has always been supportive of my music career. He's a good Christian man and it's upsetting that his generosity has been exploited like this," Amy Duggar said.

It's not clear why Teresa Hunt felt they were worth selling in that case, but good to know the 19 Duggar kids can still look up to their cousin.

No word if Amy's as psyched up about Rick Santorum's wins in the Republican primary race last night as Jim Bob, Michelle and their brood.