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M.I.A. was hit hard by the sudden death of MICHAEL JACKSON, because his music was all she had access to growing up in Sri Lanka.
The Paper Planes hitmaker reveals she was raised on just the King of Pop’s hits until her family moved to the U.K. in her early teens.
M.I.A. tells Spinner.com, "He’s the only music that we had in Sri Lanka in terms of Western music. For my generation, anyway. The only tapes that made it to Sri Lanka were Michael Jackson. That was it. That was all we had. The whole village listened to Michael Jackson, they made bootleg tapes, tape to tape, for each other, and that’s kinda all we had."

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KID ROCK is giving his new album a hip-hop twist - he’s recorded songs with rappers LIL WAYNE and T.I..
The rocker performed with Lollipop hitmaker Lil Wayne at two prizegiving ceremonies last year (08) - at the MTV Video Music Awards and the Country Music Awards - when they took to the stage for a live rendition of Kid Rock’s hit single All Summer Long.
Now they’ve taken their live collaborations into the studio to record a track for Kid Rock’s upcoming disc.
According to reports, the rocker also secured a song with T.I. before he began his 366-day prison sentence for weapons possession in May (09), and Kid Rock’s turned to legendary producer Rick Rubin to help put the project together.
Kid Rock will return to the studio to complete the album, the follow up to 2007’s Rock N Roll Jesus, after he wraps his summer tour dates with his Twisted Brown Trucker band.

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Latin singing sensation MARC ANTHONY has kicked off another career - he’s become a partial owner of American football team the Miami Dolphins.
The 40-year-old sports fan has struck a deal with real estate entrepreneur Stephen Ross - who paid a reported $1 billion (£667 million) for 95 per cent stake in the franchise in January (09) - to become a minority owner.
The singer did not disclose the financial terms of the agreement but is convinced his costly investment will be worthwhile, because he’s already scoring points with wife Jennifer Lopez.
He tells People.com, "I’m a huge sports fan. These opportunities don’t come around too often. It’s quite an honour and a privilege to be able to sit here today saying that I’m a part-owner of an NFL (National Football League) team.
"It would have probably been cheaper just to buy season tickets. We spoke for quite a while about his vision for the team and, like I said, it was just intoxicating. It was just a win-win for everybody involved.
"Jennifer loves Miami. So she’s really, really happy about this because we’re going to be spending a lot of time down there."

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BRITNEY SPEARS’ ex-husband KEVIN FEDERLINE is planning a return to reality TV - he’s looking to land a deal documenting his day-to-day life with his two sons and his new girlfriend, according to reports.
Spears and Federline famously allowed TV cameras into their lives in 2005 for the MTV series Britney & Kevin: Chaotic.
Now the former backing dancer is planning a return to the limelight to give fans a peek into life at his Encino, California home, according to E! News.
Federline has been dating Victoria Prince for the last few months and he allegedly wants her to play a key role in the proposed show.
A source tells Eonline.com, "Victoria is a big part of the series. They are not engaged, but she lives with him full-time in his place in Encino."

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Rock legend JIMMY PAGE has ruled out the possibility of a LED ZEPPELIN-based video game - because their musical compositions are impossible to replicate.
Bands like Aerosmith, Metallica and even The Beatles have allowed the makers of computer games like Guitar Hero and Rock Band to use their songs in the software, giving fans the chance to recreate the music.
But Page has no plans to follow the trend for a future video game based on the Stairway to Heaven stars’ hits - because it just wouldn’t work.
He tells Starpulse, "Obviously, there have been overtures made to Led Zeppelin, but if you start with the first track on the first album, Good Times Bad Times, and you think of the drum part that John Bonham did there, how many drummers in the world can actually play that, let alone dabble on a Christmas morning? There could be a lot of alcohol consumed over Christmas, and you still aren’t going to get it." Instead, Page has urged wannabe rockers to pick up a real musical instrument if they’re serious about learning to master the art.
He adds, "You’ll see if you’ve got a passion to want to play the instrument, and that is a good initiation. From my experience, once I got a guitar that was relatively user-friendly, but not super-duper easy, I really came on as a guitarist, at that point. It helped. It wasn’t a super-expensive guitar either, but something needs to steer you a bit, if you’re playing an instrument that is really hard."

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Shamed baseball star BARRY BONDS’ marriage is back on track - his wife has asked a court to dismiss her request for a divorce.
Liz Watson filed for a legal separation in June (09), citing "irreconcilable differences" for the split after 11 years of marriage.
Bonds’ estranged spouse requested joint legal and physical custody of their 10-year-old daughter, but she’s now had a change of heart and has filed a motion to put a stop to the divorce, reports TMZ.com.
Bonds has been in the headlines in recent years after being linked to baseball’s steroids scandal.

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Actor WILLEM DAFOE visited a therapist’s office for the first time in his life to prepare for his role as a psychiatrist in LARS VON TRIER’s horror/drama ANTICHRIST.
The star was desperate to work with the Danish director, who was struggling with depression while writing and filming the movie, about a couple coping with the death of their only son.
Dafoe sat in on endless therapy sessions at New York’s Columbia University to get into character - because the 53 year old had never sought professional counselling himself.
He says, "I’ve never had therapy - though God knows lots of people have told me I need it - or had depression, so I had to work very hard." And he admits he began to feel very self-conscious after so much inward reflection: "When you get around these people you do start to develop phobic ideas yourself. I could see the triggers."

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Actor DEEZER D has been discharged from a Los Angeles hospital just days after undergoing major heart surgery.
The former ER star, who played Nurse Malik McGrath of the hit medical drama, had his aorta replaced and a leaking heart valve fixed in a gruelling six-hour operation last week (14Jul09).
The actor - real name Dearon Thompson - has now been released to continue recuperating at home and he is thankful to his former TV co-stars and fans for lending their support in his time of need.
He tells RadarOnline.com, "Most of the cast from ER supported me - Eriq La Salle, Noah Wiley were at my bedside before and after my surgery. Shi McBride came and stayed with me and supported me." And Thompson admits his health scare has strengthened his belief in a higher power.
He adds: "Thanks for all the prayers and love, the entire experience made God more tangible in my life. I just can’t explain in words what I felt."

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Comedian WILL FERRELL was summoned to court on Monday (20Jul09) to report for jury service.
The Anchorman star appeared in a Los Angeles courthouse to perform his civic duty but he was let off by officials, according to TMZ.com.
Ferrell is not the first star to avoid jury duty - The A-Team star Mr. T escaped his civil responsibilities in April (09), while Jake Gyllenhaal was also excused earlier this year (09).

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Singer/actress DEMI LOVATO has ended her budding romance with MILEY CYRUS’ rocker brother TRACE because the two stars are never in the same place at the same time.
The Disney star, 16, has been romantically linked to Trace Cyrus since earlier this year (09), but distance has forced the couple apart. Lovato has been busy juggling her music and screen commitments while the 20 year old’s band Metro Station has been touring the U.S.
Trace tells People.com, "Demi is one of my good friends and I definitely became very, very close with her in the past few months, and it’s something I really wanted to make work. But unfortunately, we both have very busy schedules - we’re both on tour right now.
"I’m always on the other side of the world and so is she, so it just seemed like something that can’t work out at this time." Trace admits the four-year age gap contributed to their break-up, but he refuses to rule out a reconciliation in the future as they are still close friends.
He adds: "We gave it a shot and that’s all you can do. Every time I hung out with that girl or talked on the phone with her, it was amazing. She’s someone I can totally relate to.
"But she is a lot younger than me. When someone is that much younger, you’re looking for different things in relationships. Maybe when she’s older and we’ve both matured, we’ll be looking for the same thing and it can work out."

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American football star BEN ROETHLISBERGER is facing a legal battle with a hotel employee who alleges he sexually assaulted her.
The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback is accused of forcing Andrea McNulty to have sex with him in his room at Harrahs in Atlantic City, New Jersey back in July 2008.
The civil charges she is levelling at him include one count of assault, sexual assault and battery, false imprisonment, fraud and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Roethlisberger’s attorney David Cromwell has dismissed the allegations, suggesting McNulty is only making a complaint now because his client won the Super Bowl back in February (09).
He says, "Ben has never sexually assaulted anyone… The timing of the lawsuit and the absence of a criminal complaint and a criminal investigation are the most compelling evidence of the absence of any criminal conduct. If an investigation is commenced, Ben will cooperate fully and Ben will be fully exonerated."

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R&B singer CIARA was devastated to learn about the death of MICHAEL JACKSON - because the pair had struck up a friendship years before.
The King Of Pop passed away last month (25Jun09) after suffering a cardiac arrest, leaving the Goodies hitmaker in mourning.
Jackson had approached Ciara about appearing on a planned charity record to benefit the victims of 2005’s Hurricane Katrina - and she was stunned to receive a personal call from the Thriller hitmaker.
She says, "I was at Whitney Houston’s house for a Super Bowl night about two years ago and I met Janet Jackson. I even had a conversation with Michael Jackson - he wanted me to be part of the Hurricane Katrina charity song which he was doing.
"I was like, ‘Of course!’ And he called me and that was really cool. I was like, ‘This is so surreal’."

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LINDSAY LOHAN’s on/off relationship with SAMANTHA RONSON is in trouble again after a vicious late night argument - the DJ was snapped evicting the actress from her Los Angeles home and throwing her clothes out on to the street.
The Mean Girls star and Ronson have endured a turbulent romance and split on numerous occasions, but appeared to be back on track after reconciling last month (Jun09).
Earlier this month (Jul09) Lohan admitted she feared splitting from the musician on a daily basis, saying, "I am so in love with Sam but the truth is neither of us can ever stop arguing with one another. I wake up every morning and despite being more in love with Sam than I have been with anyone in the past, in all honesty I don’t know if we’ll still be together by the time we go to bed." And it appears the couple’s relationship is on shaky ground again after Lohan’s latest visit to Ronson’s Hollywood Hills property ended with a ferocious bust-up in the early hours of Monday morning (20Jul09).
The pair reportedly argued about Ronson’s close pal, Sopranos actress Drea De Matteo, who the DJ had dined with earlier in the evening.
An onlooker tells British newspaper the London Paper, "There was lots of shouting. Lindsay was accusing Sam of being a liar." And Ronson appeared to have had enough of Lohan, allegedly demanding she left the house and throwing a bag of her clothes out onto the street.
The 23 year old was seen hastily gathering up her belongings before leaving the property, tailed by a throng of paparazzi.

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BLUE star SIMON WEBBE knew his bandmate DUNCAN JAMES was bisexual "all along" and vowed to protect his friend’s secret until he was ready to talk about it.
The British boy band singer recently admitted publicly that he has had relationships with both men and women - and has kept his sexuality quiet for nearly ten years.
Webbe reveals James told the rest of the group many years ago and they supported him as he dealt with his feelings in private.
Webbe tells British magazine Now, "I knew all along. When he first had his feelings he came to me. We had a long chat about it eight years ago, a year after we formed Blue. I wasn’t shocked. It doesn’t matter what Duncan’s sexuality is. He’s my boy. I said, ‘Look I’m here, and I know all the other guys will be here for you too. I love you and nothing’s changed.’ "We didn’t speak about it in the group because it was never an issue. We never talked about in public unless Duncan mentioned it. Nothing’s changed. I’ll never turn my back on Duncan, no matter what."

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Mexican opera singer ROLANDO VILLAZON is recovering well after undergoing a successful operation to remove a cyst from his vocal cords.
The tenor, 37, was forced to cancel his concert plans for 2009 after his doctors spotted the condition.
The diagnosis followed a series of vocal problems for Villazon in 2007, which forced him to take a break from his stage commitments.
But he is now back in training and is optimistic for the future.
He writes on his website, "I am very happy to tell you that my surgery went very well, and that everything looks even better than we could have hoped. I have begun the re-training process, and am in very good spirits.
"I can’t wait to sing for you again."

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Rapper COREY MILLER’s murder retrial will begin proceedings as planned next month (Aug09) despite a jailed pal of the star reportedly confessing to the 2002 crime.
The embattled MC, formerly known as C-Murder, is facing second degree murder charges following the shooting death of 16-year-old Steve Thomas during a brawl at a New Orleans, Louisiana nightclub.
He was convicted in 2003 and handed a life sentence, but it was overturned in 2006 after he had spent three years in a Louisiana prison. A new trial was granted based on claims prosecutors improperly withheld criminal background information on three of their witnesses.
However, the case was thrown into doubt after Juan Flowers, who is serving life behind bars in Georgia for a separate murder, told officers he fired the fatal shot that struck Thomas - not Miller.
Prosecutors requested Miller’s murder trial be delayed to allow them time to investigate the claims, but Judge Hans Liljeberg denied their motion during a court hearing on Monday (20Jul09).
Liljeberg insisted jury selection in Miller’s trial should proceed as scheduled on 3 August (09), while the case will be heard next year, on 12 January, 2010, according to AllHipHop.com.

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R&B singer KELIS is moments away from becoming a first-time mother - she went into labour on Tuesday morning (21Jul09).
The Milkshake hitmaker has been admitted to a hospital in New York as she prepares to give birth to rapper Nas’ son.
As WENN went to press, Nas was not believed to be by his estranged wife’s side, although his lawyer Mark Vincent Kaplan told TMZ.com the rapper was "rushing to the hospital to be with her".
The I Can star expressed his excitement at the impending arrival of his first son during his set at the Rock the Bells festival in Long Island, New York on Sunday (19Jul09), telling the crowd, "My son should be born this week!" The estranged couple, which is in the midst of divorce proceedings, was due to appear in court on Tuesday to negotiate the financial terms of its legal separation.
Kelis is requesting spousal and child support, in addition to $20,000 (£13,335) in prenatal expenses and a further $3,500 (£2,335) for a baby nurse.
It is unknown whether the two parties will be represented in court by their respective lawyers as the stars eagerly await the birth of the baby.
The child will be Nas’ second - he also has a teenage daughter, Destiny, from a previous relationship.

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TYLER PERRY has showed off his generous side - the actor/director is paying for 65 children to go to Walt Disney World following allegations they were refused entry to a swimming club.
Bosses at The Valley Club in Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania insist a group of black and Hispanic kids at Creative Steps Inc. were turned away because of a safety issue as many of the children could not yet swim.
Controversy grew when a club boss told two local television stations the children had changed "the complexion" and "atmosphere" of the club, causing protesters to flock to the facility.
In a statement posted on his website, Perry says: "This made me so angry. This is awful, and for anyone that has grown up in the inner-city, you know that one small act of kindness can change your life. I want them to know that for every act of evil that a few people will throw at you, there are millions more who will do something kind for them. This is all about the kids." Camp leaders have praised Perry after the filmmaker announced he would foot the bill for the kids to take a trip to the theme park next month (Aug09) after he read about the incident.
Creative Steps director Alethea Wright adds, "I am ecstatic for the children," adding the kids can relate to the star because he "comes from humble beginnings".

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