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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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KATHERINE HEIGL is on a crusade to "embarrass" her GREY’S ANATOMY bosses - after she was forced to work a 17 hour day when the show came back from hiatus last week (15Jul09).
The actress is furious she was forced to shoot for such a long stretch and wants the world to know how hard she has to work.
Heigl says, "Our first day back was Wednesday, and I keep saying this because I hope it embarrasses them - 17 hour day. I think it’s cruel and mean." Despite her rant, Heigl insists she hopes to keep working on Grey’s Anatomy, regardless of rumours she plans to quit so she can concentrate on her movie career.
She adds, "It was great to be back, all my friends are there and it’s sort of like family. I think we have another two years in the contract but hopefully the show goes into (longrunning show) E.R. time. That would be cool."

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Former Ultimate Fighting Championship star KIMO LEOPOLDO has died at the age of 41.
Online reports claim the German mixed martial arts fighter suffered a fatal heart attack this week (begs20Jul09), although the rumours have yet to be confirmed.
Leopoldo made his name in the sport in 1994 and enjoyed a career spanning 12 years. By the time he retired in 2006, he had 10 wins under his belt.
However, the fighter’s victories in the ring were blighted by his drug problems. He tested positive for steroids twice in his career, with his 2006 suspension for drug use prompting his subsequent exit from the sport.
Earlier this year (Feb09), he was also arrested in California for possession of marijuana.
Further details about Leopoldo’s death were unavailable as WENN went to press.

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JACKASS prankster BAM MARGERA embarked on a four-day drinking binge that ended in his hospitalisation, because he’s depressed about the state of his crumbling marriage.
The 29-year-old TV star sparked reports he had suffered an overdose on Sunday (20Jul09) after his wife Melissa called emergency services to their home in West Chester, Pennsylvania.
Margera admits he took prescription drug Ambien during what he called a "four-day bender".
Doctors released the star after flushing out his system and sent him to speak to a psychiatrist, reports TMZ.com.
He explains, "I may be getting a divorce… booze helps." The couple married in February 2007.

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FARRAH FAWCETT’s longtime partner RYAN O’NEAL is mending his relationship with their troubled son REDMOND - by sending him the late star’s fan mail as he serves jail time for drug charges.
The Charlie’s Angles star, who shared 24-year-old Redmond with the actor, lost her battle with anal cancer on 25 June (09), aged 62.
Redmond - who was only allowed out of prison to visit his cancer-stricken mother twice after he was locked up in April (09) - was granted a three-hour release from jail to attend Fawcett’s funeral service in Los Angeles last month (30Jun09).
And his father has reached out to help Redmond grieve the loss of his mother from behind bars - forwarding the mail that’s poured in from fans since the actress’ death.
Ryan says, "She taught us how to cope. It’s extraordinary. I’m the new rock and I’m using what she taught me to survive, to go on, to care for my son, Redmond. I’ve launched into this massive job of answering the mail that’s come in for her over the last few weeks… I send it out to Redmond so he can see what people felt about his mother. It gives him the strength to carry on his fight too, because he’s in a dog fight."

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JENNIFER LOVE HEWITT insists there is "no truth" to reports she is engaged to comedian JAMIE KENNEDY.
The pair were reportedly set to walk down the aisle after Kennedy, 39, pulled his girlfriend, 30, up onstage during his comedy act in a California club on Saturday (18Jul09).
But a spokesperson for Hewitt insists the pair are not engaged, telling Usmagazine.com, "There is no truth to the report." Hewitt has been dating her Ghost Whisperer co-star since December (08), after calling off her marriage to fiance Ross McCall.

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JESSICA SIMPSON’s split from TONY ROMO was not linked to her former lover JOHN MAYER, according to reports.
The couple broke up earlier this month (09Jul09), just a day before the pop star’s 29th birthday, leaving Simpson devastated.
Reports suggested American football star Romo dumped the singer when he discovered she was still in touch with rocker Mayer, from whom she split in 2007.
A source told RadarOnline.com, "They (Simpson and Romo) were hanging out and he picked up her phone and she got defensive about it. Tony found messages from John and went ballistic. He dumped her right then. He walked out and that was it." But friends of the Daughters hitmaker have hit back at the claims, insisting Romo had no reason to be jealous over any contact Mayer and Simpson had - because there is "no chance" of a reconciliation between the old flames.
A source tells Britain’s OK! magazine, "Maybe they texted but there would be nothing romantic or threatening to Tony behind the message - if it happened. There is no chance of them getting back together."

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DEMI MOORE has shocked fans with a hair-raising internet hoax - after debuting doctored photos of herself with a shaved head and Mohawk.
The 46 year old’s actor husband Ashton Kutcher caused a stir on Monday (20Jul09) when he posted a picture of the brunette on networking website Twitter.com, showing Moore laughing after appearing to have chopped off her long locks.
The Punk’d star wrote, "Wifey just got a new hair cut, what do you guys think? I love.'’ And the actress proved she was keen to keep the joke going, and prove her loyalty to her husband, adding, "Thank you love. How ’bout I shave your initials into my head.'’

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British actress SIENNA MILLER accidentally set her chest on fire when an explosion went awry as she filmed new movie G.I. JOE: THE RISE OF COBRA.
The Alfie star, who donned a black leather catsuit for her role as villainous The Baroness, admits one scene left her painfully singed after a spectacular special effect mis-fired.
She says, "Luckily it wasn’t my breasts, it was the bit in-between. It got a bit burnt when an explosion got a bit close."

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R&B singer USHER is burying himself in work - to cope with the heartache of splitting from his estranged wife TAMEKA FOSTER.
The Yeah! hitmaker, 30, filed for divorce last month (12Jun09), revealing he had been living apart from the stylist since July 2008 and stating there was "no reasonable hope of reconciliation".
The singer - who shares two children with 38-year-old Foster - is coping with the collapse of his marriage by undertaking a hectic work schedule.
He tells Vegas magazine, "(To be) able to balance it all and to keep your sanity, you have to have people who truly care about you. But staying busy makes it a little bit easier." Usher is seeking joint custody of the pair’s two sons, Usher Raymond V, 19 months, and Naviyd, seven months.

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SIR PAUL McCARTNEY’s ex-wife HEATHER MILLS has re-ignited her feud with the British press - by insisting journalists who write "horrible things" about her will be struck down with cancer.
Mills and McCartney endured a messy public divorce last year (08) after six years of marriage, and the former glamour model later accused the U.K. tabloids of vilifying her - insisting she received "worse press than a paedophile or a murderer".
In an explosive interview on British TV in 2007, Mills said: "They make up such lies. They’ve called me a whore, a gold-digger, a fantasist, a liar, the most unbelievably hurtful things." Mills has now revived her war of words with the media - insisting people who spread "lies" about her will be punished.
She tells U.K. newspaper The Observer, "The truth always outs in the end… no one gets away with those things. Certain journalists have written horrible things, and then they’ve got cancer, or they’ve had a tumour, or they’ve died. And it’s terrible for them, but they’ve done really evil things. I truly believe things come back round."

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Fledgling British singer FLORENCE WELCH is the hot favourite to scoop the prestigious MERCURY PRIZE with her debut album LUNGS - just two weeks after it was released.
The 20-year-old Londoner performs with various musicians under the name Florence and the Machine, and has been widely-tipped for fame since scooping the Critics’ Choice honour at the Brit Awards earlier this year (09).
Her first record was released on 6 July (09) - and just 15 days later, it has been announced as joint favourite to take away the Mercury Prize, which is given to the most groundbreaking and influential British album of the year.
In a statement, the award’s organisers say: "Lungs is a bold and exciting showcase for a maverick new voice on the British music scene. A work of art and power." Kasabian’s West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum is also tipped for success on the Mercury shortlist alongside Welch, while self-titled records by La Roux and Glasvegas, along with Two Suns by Bat for Lashes, are joint second favourites.
Speech Debelle’s Speech Therapy, Primary Colours by The Horrors, Lisa Hannigan’s Sea Sew, and Friendly Fires’ eponymous debut are third favourites.
The other albums in the running for the prize are Led Bib’s Sensible Shoes, The Invisible by The Invisible, and Sweet Billy Pilgrim’s Twice Born Men.
The winner of the Mercury Prize will be announced at a ceremony in London in September (09).

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Rocker JACKSON BROWNE has settled a legal dispute with former U.S. presidential candidate JOHN MCCAIN after the Republican used one of his songs in a political video without permission.
Browne, a self-confessed liberal, was furious when his track Running on Empty appeared in a promotional tape for McCain last August (08) and immediately filed suit.
Lawyers for McCain argued the Arizona senator was legally allowed to use the tune because he was not seeking to gain profit from it - and unsuccessfully tried to have the case dismissed in November (08).
Nine months after losing out in the race to the White House to Barack Obama, McCain’s legal team has reached a settlement with Browne over the copyright infringement and has issued a public apology to the singer.
A statement from McCain and the Republican Party reads, "We apologise that a portion of the Jackson Browne song Running on Empty was used without permission." The terms of the financial settlement have yet to be disclosed.

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American TV presenter/producer DON CORNELIUS has been granted a quickie divorce after he pleaded with a judge to let him die alone.
The 72 year old, the creator of hit music show Soul Train, filed for legal separation from his estranged spouse Viktoria after a troubled 2008, which saw her file two restraining orders against the TV personality.
He was later convicted of spousal battery following a fight at their Hollywood home in October (08).
Cornelius was so desperate to end his seven-and-a-half-year marriage, he stated his intent clearly in the divorce papers he submitted to Los Angeles County Superior Court.
According to TMZ.com, the papers read: "I am 72 years old. I have significant health issues. I want to finalise this divorce before I die." Cornelius’ wishes were granted - the divorce was approved in early July (09).

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RUPERT EVERETT was left fuming after tabloids suggested he had a facelift - because the speculative "before-and-after" photos prompted a director to fire him.
A picture of the actor looking noticeably fresh-faced and wrinkle-free was printed in April (09), fuelling rumours the 50 year old had undergone a drastic cosmetic procedure.
A spokesperson moved swiftly to deny the gossip, but Everett claims the damage had already been done to his career.
He explains, "That’s just pathetic. This is where perception overtakes truth. Those images went all the way round the world, and at one point I lost a job from a great Australian director because of him seeing the before-and-after images in a newspaper.
"You can protest as much as you like, but they just doctor the photos." And while Everett admits he has used wrinkle-freezing Botox injections before, he would think twice before having a facelift He adds, "A man shouldn’t really have a facelift, because their faces don’t deal with it well. But it’s not reality, it’s a patronising fantasy. I haven’t had one."

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