PR-Inside.com Entertainment News

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, KEITH RICHARDS, THE EDGE and ERIC CLAPTON have paid tribute to Fender guitar mastermind LEO FENDER, who was posthumously honoured by the Recording Academy of America during Grammy weekend (07Feb09).
Fender, who died in 1991, was honoured with the Academy’s Technical Award during a ceremony on Saturday.
His Stratocaster and Telecaster guitars revolutionised rock music, and the world’s top players use either one or both when recording and performing.
In a tribute piece in the Los Angeles Times newspaper, Clapton recalls the first time he saw a Fender: "It was the perfect design. It looked like a spaceship. I loved that it was new and exciting and like science fiction." And U2 star The Edge reveals he bought "the Strat" he performs on hits like Pride (In the Name of Love) and Where the Streets Have No Name as soon as the Irish rockers signed their first record contract.
Springsteen insists, "I will be buried with my Tele(caster) on," while Rolling Stones star Richards adds, "There’s a beautiful individuality about Leo’s work."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Movie star SAMUEL L. JACKSON has signed on to narrate a new golf documentary about the sport’s African-American pioneers.
The new film, Uneven Fairways, will premiere on America’s Golf Channel this week (11Feb09).
The documentary, based on the books Uneven Lies by Pete McDaniel and Forbidden Fairways by Calvin H. Sinnette, chronicles an era when "honour and fair play took a backseat to segregation".
The film celebrates the golfers who confronted prejudice and endured indignities for the right to play golf at its highest level - and paved the way for golfing greats like Tiger Woods, who appears in the documentary.
Jackson is one of the celebrity world’s top golfers.
Among the facts the new film throws up: Heavyweight boxer Joe Louis was the first African-American to compete in a PGA-sanctioned event at the 1952 San Diego Open in California.

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

CLIVE OWEN was shocked by the reaction of shoppers when he ran through a crowded Istanbul marketplace with a gun in his hand - most of them laughed at him.
The British actor was shooting a scene for his new movie, The International, in Turkey - and producers couldn’t get permission to shut the busy market down.
So Owen had to navigate the bazaar - while his dash was caught on cameras situated on nearby rooftops and other vantage points.
He says, "I had a security guy very close to me but some of the reactions were pretty shocking. People would see the gun and just laugh.
"If it was New York or London I’d be put up against the wall if I was running through the streets with a gun - no matter who I was." Producer Charles Roven adds, "We thought it would be a huge challenge - I mean Clive is running around with a gun in his hand and those were regular people. But they were surprisingly unfazed. Everybody went about their business. Some people looked away, like they didn’t want to get involved, and a lot of people just didn’t even look.
"Those people didn’t know that we were shooting because you just can’t close down the biggest shopping centre in the world."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

FANTASTIC FOUR star CHRIS EVANS was once so excited to meet his childhood crush, SANDRA BULLOCK, he went into "meltdown" and had to make a fast escape.
The actor was lovestruck with Bullock after watching her performance in 1994 movie Speed, and he couldn’t believe his luck when he finally got the chance to meet her.
He says, "When I saw Speed, I thought, ‘That’s the most beautiful woman’. I was backstage at an awards show once, and she was standing right next to me. I had a meltdown. I started sweating, got red in the face, and had to get the hell out of there."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

MADONNA’s reported former boyfriend ALEX RODRIGUEZ has hit the headlines again for taking a performance-enhancing, banned substance in 2003.
Sports Illustrated magazine broke the news on Friday (06Feb09) and now the New York Yankees baseball star has confirmed the report.
Rodriguez tells sports news network ESPN, "I did take a banned substance. For that I’m very sorry and deeply regretful." The slugger has become the latest sports star named and shamed in the steroids era - baseball superstars Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Jason Giambi and Eric Gagne have all been caught up in the controversy.

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Actress DENISE RICHARDS is convinced she’ll be a flop on talent show DANCING WITH THE STARS, because she has a terrible memory and "two left feet".
The former Bond girl is among the contestants who will take part in the next season of the hit U.S. show, which kicks off on 9 March (09) - but she’s warning fans not to back her to win, because she has never danced in her life.
Richards says, �My biggest fear is just forgetting everything right before going on live, that�s what I�m scared of. All I hope is that I don�t embarrass my girls (daughters).
�I�m completely out of my element because I�ve never danced before. Never!�

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Modest country star CARRIE UNDERWOOD was so worried her Grammy Awards outfit was too sexy, she had to check with her mum the minute she came off stage.
The Grammy winner wore a short see-through dress, which showed off her silver underwear - and she admits she felt far from comfortable.
She explains, "My mum texted me and she’s like, â��You look great. You sounded great.â�� I said, â��Was the dress too short?â�� And she was like, ‘You’re fine’."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

R&B star NE-YO has broken his silence over a Christmas (08) brawl with rapper JIM JONES, insisting neither party intended to do harm during the New York incident.
Jones has pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanour assault charge, stemming from the Christmas Eve (24Dec08) fight at a Manhattan Louis Vuitton store, where members of his entourage clashed with Ne-Yo’s manager, JaVogn Smith.
The Miss Independent singer claims he was shopping with Smith when Jones and two pals walked into the store and confronted them for reasons unknown to Ne-Yo.
And the Grammy winner insists that what began as a heated exchange simply got out of hand.
He says, "I guess Jim Jones and Vogn have had drama in the past, or whatever, so Vogn taps me on the shoulder, like, ‘Look who just walked in here.’ â��So I turn and I see Jim, (and he) beelines straight for us. And they get to exchanging words back and forth, back and forth." Ne-Yo adds, "Jim Jones wasnâ��t necessarily trying to hurt nobody, he was more trying to embarrass (sic), trying to humiliate Vogn. And Vogn, being who he is, wasnâ��t going for that.
"So, at one point, it escalated to where Jim Jones pulled out his cell phone and started recording, put the phone right in Vogn’s face, talking â��bout, â��You a punk, you a this, you a that…â�� Vogn, at that point, couldnâ��t take anymore, smacked the phone outta Jimâ��s hand. (And) they got to wrestling on the floor in the Louis store."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

British rockers KAISER CHIEFS have blasted rumours they are planning a hiatus.
Recent reports suggested the band were unhappy their most recent single Good Days Bad Days failed to make the top 10 in Britain, and were "taking time to take stock and reflect".
The gossip has prompted a statement from group members, who want to reassure fans they are going nowhere.
A statement given to music magazine NME reads, "We’re not usually ones to defend our patch, we don’t need to, but just occasionally a time comes to speak up.
"What do we have to be devastated about? We’re halfway though our most enjoyable and biggest tour of Europe, and couldn’t be happier with the way it’s going.
"Don’t believe all you read!"

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

The scandal over pictures of MILEY CYRUS appearing to mock Asians is refusing to die down - officials at a leading Asian-American organisation have rejected her apology, insisting it’s "not enough".
The 16-year-old pop star was forced to say sorry after photos of her and a group of male pals making slanty-eyed gestures appeared online.
Cyrus said, "I’ve… been told there are some people upset about some pictures taken of me with friends making goofy faces! Well, I’m sorry if those people looked at those pics and took them wrong (sic) and out of context! "In NO way was I making fun of any ethnicity! I was simply making a goofy face." But officials at the Organization of Chinese Americans, who first complained about the candid shots, aren’t satisfied. Director George Wu says, "It’s not a real apology. We’re not backing down without a fuller apology."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

A gum ad featuring embattled R&B star CHRIS BROWN has been suspended following the singer’s weekend (08Feb09) felony battery arrest.
Bosses at Wrigley have temporarily pulled the commercial, fearing Brown’s image won’t help them sell gum after he was involved in a fight with girlfriend Rihanna in the early hours of Sunday (08Feb09).
A statement from Wrigley bosses reads, "(We are) concerned by the serious allegations made against Chris Brown. We believe Mr. Brown should be afforded the same due process as any citizen.
"However, we have made the decision to suspend the current advertising featuring Brown and any related marketing communications until the matter is resolved." Brown turned himself in to Los Angeles police on Sunday night. He was released from custody after posting $50,000 (£34,250) bail.
He will face charges in court on 5 March (09).

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

JESSICA SIMPSON is looking to expand her self-branded fashion line to include home interiors.
The singer already has a successful range of dresses, handbags, shoes and boots, and is currently working on lingerie and sleepwear to add to the line.
But she has her sights set on bigger things - and is working on her ideas with her mother Tina.
She says, "I’m blessed to have so many ways to express myself. The ability to sit with my mum and find patterns, to go vintage shopping and create dresses - that’s a mother and daughter’s dream.
"We’re talking luggage and bedding now. What I’m really looking forward to is jeans and all the comfy clothes. That’s what I wear every single day of my life!"

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Pop star RIHANNA has been named as the alleged victim in the domestic violence investigation involving her boyfriend CHRIS BROWN, according to internet reports.
Brown, 19, turned himself into police on Sunday (08Feb09) for making criminal threats after getting into a heated row with a then-unidentified woman in a vehicle in Los Angeles earlier that day.
Police have so far refused to officially release a statement indicating the victim’s identity, but new images and documents suggest Rihanna is at the centre of the claims.
According to TMZ.com, crime reports indicate the victim’s name is Robyn Fenty, Rihanna’s birth name.
The Kiss Kiss singer was also photographed behind the wheel of a rented Lamborghini with Rihanna in the passenger seat after the pair attended music mogul Clive Davis’ pre-Grammy Gala in Beverly Hills on Saturday (07Feb09) - just hours before the alleged incident.
The police report states, "After stopping his car, Brown and the woman got out and the argument escalated. The woman suffered visible injuries and identified Brown as her attacker." Brown was released from custody after posting $50,000 (£34,250) bail on Sunday evening.
Both stars cancelled their scheduled performances at Sunday’s Grammy Awards.
The case is being presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office, when additional charges may be filed.
Brown is due in court on 5 March (09) and he has hired attorney Mark Geragos to fight his case. Geragos is best known for defending Winona Ryder after her 2001 arrest for shoplifting, and Michael Jackson during his child molestation trial.

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

USHER’s wife TAMEKA FOSTER is recovering from surgical complications after undergoing a medical procedure in Brazil - two months after giving birth to the couple’s second child.
The R&B singer pulled out of his performance at Clive Davis’ pre-Grammy Awards party on Saturday (07Feb09) citing a "serious illness in the family" for the missed appearance.
A representative for the Yeah! hitmaker tells Usmagazine.com, "(Foster is) in stable condition after suffering complications from routine surgery in Brazil. Her husband, Usher, is with her at the hospital. No further details will be released, and the family requests privacy at this difficult time." Foster, 37, and Usher, 33, are parents to two-month-old Naveid Ely Raymond and Usher Raymond V, 15 months.
Foster also has three sons from a previous relationship.

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

MADONNA will set pulses racing with a raunchy new magazine spread picturing her cavorting half-naked with four Brazilian models - including her rumoured new toy boy JESUS LUZ.
The pop superstar was shot by top fashion photographer Steven Klein for an explicit W magazine feature, in which she can be seen straddling a man on a hotel bed in one image, and simulating sex in another.
The spread has increased speculation over her relationship with 22-year-old Luz, who was alleged to have joined the singer on vacation in the Maldives in December (08).
However, her representative Liz Rosenberg has played down the romance claims, telling the New York Daily News, "I’m told they’re kind of friends."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

MERYL STREEP is shunning designer dresses for this awards season in favour of existing outfits in her own closet - because she’s convinced that’s the lucky charm which will help win her an Oscar this month (Feb09).
The actress rejected a designer gown and picked out one of her own frocks for the recent Screen Actor’s Guild Awards - and was stunned when she won the Best Actress prize for her role in religious drama Doubt.
So Streep - nominated for a Best Actress Academy Award for Doubt - has vowed to stick to her own clothes for the rest of the awards season.
She says, "I’ll never buy a dress again."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART’s musician sister is the subject of a forthcoming biopic - 25 years after her more famous sibling was immortalised on the big screen.
Nannerl - the nickname of Maria Anna Mozart - will tell the true tale of a talented 18th century violinist, and friend of the future French king Louis XVI, who was forced to give up music by her controlling father.
The movie will have a budget of $4.5 million (£3 million) and will begin shooting in October (09), directed by Rene Feret.
Mozart himself was portrayed on the big screen in 1984’s Amadeus by actor Tom Hulce.

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Actress KRISTEN BELL is taking her new role as a magician’s assistant seriously - she let a U.S. talk show host saw her in half after a TV interview.
The Forgetting Sarah Marshall star was twirled around in a locked box on Friday’s (06Feb09) The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson by the host, with only her head and feet in view.
And Bell, who popped out of the box in one piece minutes after she was cut in half, has vowed to keep silent about how she managed to fool the audience with the classic trick, insisting the stint inducted her into a new secret society.
She tells Ferguson, "A magician can never tell his tricks, and now I’m a magician, so I can’t talk about this anymore."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)