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MICHAEL JACKSON’s mother KATHERINE has had a renewed bid to take control of her son’s estate denied by a Los Angeles judge.
The Jackson family matriarch lost her fight to remain in charge of the Thriller hitmaker’s estate earlier this month (Jul09) after she was awarded temporary administration in the days immediately following the singer’s death on 25 June (09).
On 6 July (09), Los Angeles probate judge Mitchell Beckloff ruled that a 2002 will, in which the star nominated his attorney John Branca and veteran music executive John McClain as executors, was valid, leaving Katherine Jackson without a say in any decisions made about the estate.
In the will, which the Jackson family reportedly knew nothing about, the late star left his estate to a family trust and selected charities.
But Katherine continued to argue her case and, during a hearing at Los Angeles County Superior Court on Monday (13Jul09), lawyers for Branca and McClain lodged papers revealing Jackson’s mum had tried to strike a deal just hours before the morning court session.
The legal documents state, "As late as 4.10pm Sunday, July 12th, one of the attorneys for the Jacksons sent an email to Howard Weitzman (one of the attorneys for the Special Administrators) stating that it was his intent to have the order reflect that Katherine Jackson should be treated like a third trustee…" However, the presiding judge dismissed Katherine’s latest attempt to gain control of the estate, reports RadarOnline.com.
A new court date has been set for 3 August (09).

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Singer/actress ASHLEE SIMPSON-WENTZ is baffled by reports she’s recording an album of MICHAEL JACKSON covers, insisting she has no intention of doing so.
The star was alleged to be hitting the studio to pay her own tribute to the late King of Pop by giving fans her own take on some of his most famous songs as she tries to revive her flagging pop career.
But Simpson insists she would never attempt to remake a Jackson classic, because she has too much respect for the superstar.
She writes on her Twitter.com page, "Haha jeez. I loved MJ enough 2 (sic) never in my wildest dreams think of doing a tribute album. R.I.P. A legend. Enough with the goofy stories!"

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EMMA WATSON has dashed her HARRY POTTER co-stars DANIEL RADCLIFFE and RUPERT GRINT’s hopes of a romance with the pretty actress - she’s confessed to having a crush on fellow wizard actor TOM FELTON instead.
Grint recently admitted both he and Radcliffe have harboured affections for Watson since meeting on the set of the movie franchise eight years ago.
He told FHM magazine, "Emma’s a pretty girl. Have Daniel or I ever hit on Emma? Well, she’s quite popular with the cast. As for who has the worst crush on her - me or Radcliffe - I’d rather not say." But 19-year-old Watson has bad news in store for the pair - she’s never considered either of them to be more than close pals, unlike their co-star Felton, who plays Radcliffe’s onscreen nemesis Draco Malfoy.
She says, "I have to confess, I had a bit of a crush on Tom Felton in the earlier films, but never on Daniel or Rupert, they are just good friends."

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Jailed rapper REMY MA could soon be searching for a new lawyer - if her attorney fails to honour a plea deal after admitting withholding tax payments.
Ivan Fisher appeared in a New York court room on Friday (10Jul09), when he confessed to taxing his employees and failing to pass the money onto the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
He has agreed to pay $68,000 (£45,330) in back taxes, interest, penalties and fines, as per the terms of his plea deal with prosecutors, or he will face a year in prison.
Remy Ma - real name Remy Smith - is currently serving eight years behind bars for shooting a friend during a night out in New York.

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R&B star NE-YO has been slammed by nightclub bosses in the U.K. after allegedly shortchanging revellers who had paid to see him perform.
The Grammy winner was expected to perform five songs and meet VIP guests at Norwich, England’s Mercy club on Sunday night (12Jul09) - but a statement on the club’s website claims he turned up at 2am and walked out after singing just one-and-a-half songs.
The statement read, "Mercy nightclub would like to apologise to all persons that attended the Ne-Yo event. Ne-Yo was booked via an outside promoter and committed to a midnight performance of 5 tracks (minimum) and a meet & greet for VIP customers. For reasons beyond our control the artist arrived on stage at 2am, performed one song and left without reason or notice. Full refunds will be issued within 28 days." But just hours later, the statement was replaced with another message retracting the original - prompting fears ticketholders won’t get their money back.
The new release reads, "Due to legal reasons, Mercy Nightclub has been asked to retract the previous statement publicised on our website. The Ne-Yo event was organised by an outside promotion company (Powerhouse promotions). All ticket sale revenues are due to be paid to Powerhouse for this event. We are now in negotiation to resolve all the issues regarding this matter and will endeavour to keep everybody informed."

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Former HOLE rocker COURTNEY LOVE is forbidden from releasing music under the band’s name, after signing a contract when it split in 2002.
The singer recently revealed she planned to release a new solo album using the name of the group she formed back in 1989.
The news came as a shock to ex-bandmate Melissa Auf der Maur, who insisted she knew nothing about a reunion - and co-founder Eric Erlandson is similarly in the dark.
Furthermore, guitarist Erlandson insists a contract Love signed with him in 2002 bans her from using the name Hole for any future ventures, unless he’s involved.
He tells Spin magazine, "We have a contract. She signed a contract with me when we decided to break up the band, which was like 2002 or something, so I really don’t have comment on it except that I know my part in that band. The way I look at it, there is no Hole without me. To put it blunt. Just on a business level.
"Somebody told me (about Love’s plans) and it just sounds like something… it just sounds like the usual. I love her a lot and I wish her the best, and I’m open to discussions regarding the real Hole, and if she has a solo album together, I think that’s great. I think she should finish it and put it out and do that."

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NAS has hit back at estranged wife KELIS’ demands for financial support as she prepares to give birth to the rapper’s child, insisting his monthly salary is no where near as high as the singer thinks it is.
The pregnant Milkshake hitmaker filed for legal separation from Nas in April (09), and recently declared she was desperately seeking money from her ex to help cover her mounting medical bills and other expenses.
According to reports, she has asked for $3,500 (£2,335) for a baby nurse after the child’s birth this summer (09), and $20,000 (£13,335) for strollers, cribs and other baby supplies.
In her court papers, Kelis alleged Nas pocketed $11 million (£7.3 million) from his 2006 album deal with Def Jam Records as justification for her request for a big money deal.
But Nas claims he made just a fraction of that figure, stating, "I did not receive even half that amount", revealing his payment was closer to $4 million (£2.67 million).
The hip-hop star also declared his monthly income was in decline and he is currently earning $147,165 (£98,110) - with his own expenses mounting to $71,371.96 (£47,581.31) each month.
And Nas used the opportunity to dismiss Kelis’ allegations he has failed to contribute at all to cover costs of baby items, insisting he wants to be "fully involved" in the upbringing of the unborn tot. He claims he’s already agreed to pay $5,000 (£3,330) a month in child support, with $1,598 (£1,065) going towards the costs of two baby cribs, $450 (£300) for a baby sling, and $350 (£230) for a stroller, reports TMZ.com.
The former couple is due to face off in a New York court on 21 July (09), when a judge will rule on the case.
The child will be Nas’ second - the I Can hitmaker also has a teenage daughter from a previous relationship.

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NEIL PATRICK HARRIS has been handed the job of hosting this year’s (09) Emmy Awards.
Emmy bosses snapped up the How I Met Your Mother actor after watching him wow Broadway’s finest as MC at the Tony Awards in June (09).
Harris says of his new job, "After having had such a hoot hosting the Tonys, I was thrilled to get the call about the prime-time Emmys. I’m looking forward to the challenge of the show - adding my own voice to it, while honouring the nominees and the entire year in television. But which voice to choose? I’m torn between gangsta, foppish Brit, and robot. Really proud of my robot. We’ll see what happens on the night." The ceremony will take place in Los Angeles on 20 September (09).

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Actress/singer MOLLY RINGWALD is celebrating a double bundle of joy - she’s given birth to boy and girl twins.
The former Breakfast Club star, 41, and her husband Panio Gianopoulos welcomed the babies into the world on Friday (10Jul09).
The tots are Ringwald’s second and third - the couple also has a five-year-old daughter, Mathilda, reports People.com.

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Oscar-nominee GRIFFIN DUNNE married his girlfriend of two years, ANNA BINGEMAN, in a star-studded New York ceremony last week (04Jul09).
The actor/filmmaker and his Australian stylist bride tied the knot at their house in upstate New York with a glittering guestlist including Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman and Uma Thurman.
The My Girl star’s father Dominick Dunne tells the New York Post, "It was absolutely beautiful. They’re so in love." Bingeman is 54-year-old Dunne’s third wife. He has a 19-year-old daughter, Hannah, with his second spouse Carey Lowell.

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Actress MAURA TIERNEY is undergoing surgery to remove a tumour from her breast.
The former ER star, 44, was reported to have fallen ill on Friday (10Jul09), pushing production on her new NBC TV drama Parenthood back by eight weeks to September (09).
The exact cause of her illness was not disclosed at the time of the initial reports, sparking rumours about what could be causing the long delay with filming.
So Tierney has spoken out to reveal the true depth of her health scare in a bid to quell "confusion and undue alarm" about her ailment - assuring fans not to worry.
She says, "In an effort to guard my privacy, it seems that the wording of NBC’s press release has unfortunately caused some confusion and undue alarm about my health.
"I have discovered a tumour in my breast which requires surgery. I will not know either my exact diagnosis or course of treatment until that surgery is performed. My doctors have all assured me this is a very treatable condition.
"I’m very optimistic as to the outcome and want to thank everyone who has sent positive thoughts and support. I look forward to going back to work soon." It’s the second delay to hit Parenthood’s filming schedule - in April (09) the pilot was put on hold for two days after NBC’s vice president Nora O’Brien died unexpectedly on the set of the show in California.

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Actor DANIEL RADCLIFFE has added to his growing collection of awards after picking up two accolades for his stint in the New York production of EQUUS.
The young actor stripped off for theatre-goers in the Big Apple last year (08) when the Peter Shaffer play transferred from London’s West End to Broadway.
Radcliffe was a big hit with critics on both sides of the Atlantic, and he was made a double honouree at Saturday’s (11Jul09) 2009 Broadway.com Audience Awards at The Waldorf Astoria hotel in Manhattan.
The 19 year old was named Favorite Leading Actor in a Broadway Play at the prizegiving - in addition to scooping the award for Favorite Breakthrough Performance.

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Pop star JESSICA SIMPSON and American footballer TONY ROMO have ended their relationship, according to U.S. reports.
The Dallas Cowboys quarterback sparked fresh break-up rumours when the singer was noticeably absent from an entourage of pals who joined him on a night out in Hollywood on Friday (10Jul09), Simpson’s 29th birthday.
According to People.com, Romo ended the pair’s relationship one day before (09Jul09) - just four months after the pair fought off rumours of a split amid reports Simpson’s father disapproved of their relationship.
A source says, "He had quite a few girls stop by his dance floor table. Romo was sipping Grey Goose and having a fun time with the boys.
"She is heartbroken. She loves Tony. But it’s been difficult lately. He’s busy with his career and she’s getting ready to shoot her show (The Price of Beauty). They decided to part ways." Simpson, who was previously married to singer Nick Lachey, has been dating Romo since November 2007.
A spokesperson for Simpson had no comment as WENN went to press.

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Pop star LILY ALLEN has defended her decision to pose topless for a new magazine photoshoot after she was criticised for the saucy snaps online.
The Smile hitmaker can be seen baring her breasts for the latest edition of design publication i-D in a series of revealing pictures.
The daring images attracted some snide comments from outspoken celebrity blogger Perez Hilton, who was engaged in a bitter war of words with Allen earlier this year (09).
He wrote on his website, "More known for her outrageous behaviour than her music, Lily Allen continues with her ‘antics’. The hard-pAArtying (sic) Brit goes topless in the new issue of i-D magazine. Why? Well, why not??? We’ve already seen ‘em before - a lot!" But Allen has hit back, insisting she’s not ashamed of her naked form.
And she couldn’t resist poking fun at Hilton’s figure as she replied to his comments.
She writes on her Twitter.com page, "Just saw Perez’s views on my topless i-D pics. It may come as a surprise but I’m completely comfortable with getting them out. T**s are t**s.
"I wish mine were as big as Perez Hilton’s though."

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Italian movie icon SOPHIA LOREN helped to christen a new cruise ship in Barcelona, Spain on Sunday (12Jul09) by smashing a bottle of champagne against the vessel’s bow.
The actress was a guest of honour at the MSC Splendida celebrations, along with oprah singer Jose Carreras.
It’s not the first time Loren’s bottle-breaking expertise has been called upon - she also christened the MSC Poesia last year (08) when it was launched in the U.K.
The Splendida departed for its maiden cruise on Monday afternoon (13Jul09), when it embarked on a round trip with stops in Tunisia, Malta, Italy and France.

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BRITNEY SPEARS has taken time out of her busy rehearsal sessions for her ongoing CIRCUS tour to head back into the studio and begin work on her next album.
The pop star is currently on the European leg of her global jaunt, but she reveals she’s already coming up with new tunes for a follow-up to her 2008 LP Circus.
And she’s reunited with longtime collaborator Max Martin, the brains behind her hit singles Oops I Did It Again and …Baby One More Time, during a tour stop in the producer’s native Sweden.
Writing on social networking site Twitter.com on Sunday (12Jul09), she says, "In Stockholm in the studio with Max Martin."

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Island Records founder CHRIS BLACKWELL was celebrated at Switzerland’s annual Montreux Jazz Festival at the weekend (10-12Jul09) as artists including ANGELIQUE KIDJO and RAY LEMA paid tribute to the music mogul.
Blackwell set up his label in 1959, and went on to discover Bob Marley and give U2 their big break.
His efforts were applauded at the European festival as Island Records celebrates its 50th anniversary this year (09), with Grammy winner Kidjo admitting she had Blackwell to thank for her career.
The Benin-born singer/songwriter, who was signed by the businessman in 1991, told the crowd, "Without Mr. Chris Blackwell, you wouldn’t have me before you tonight. That’s all I have to say." Lema continued the tributes, kicking off his set with a mix of jive and reggae, telling Blackwell, who sat in the audience, "I know you are a man of passion. In other people this passion dies away. So I just want to thank you for your passion, Chris Blackwell."

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Rapper PITBULL has escaped a prison term for driving under the influence after he was found not guilty of the charge by a Miami, Florida jury.
The hip-hop star, real name Armando Perez, faced time behind bars following his 2007 arrest, when he was caught allegedly speeding down a highway at 93 miles-an-hour (149 kilometres-an-hour).
Pitbull argued his innocence, claiming police had only stopped him because of his fame, telling the Miami-Dade courtroom last week (ends10Jul09), "I was targetted because I am a celebrity." The arresting officer took the stand on Wednesday (08Jul09), testifying that Pitbull had refused to step out of his car during the incident and when he did, failed to walk in a straight line as part of a series of sobriety tests.
But the jury appeared to agree with the star and he was acquitted on Thursday (09Jul09) after just three hours of deliberations.

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