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JAY-Z has not forgotten his former friends since he shot to fame - he’s written a letter to a judge offering a jailed pal a job.
The rapper’s former associate Emory Jones was sentenced to more than 16 years behind bars in 2000 after pleading guilty to drug trafficking.
Jay-Z wrote a letter of recommendation offering Jones a $50,000 (£33,333)-a-year executive assistant position at his Roc Apparel clothing company as part of a sentence reduction motion which was filed last August (09).
The document, obtained by Thesmokinggun.com, reveals Jay-Z has known Jones for 15 years. He calls his pal an "honest and reliable individual" and claims it "would be a privilege to offer him" employment.
The hip-hop mogul adds, "I believe his attributes, including intelligence, interpersonal skills and solid work ethic will be a significant asset for my organisation… I am strongly committed to hiring Emory and working with him as soon as possible." A judge granted the motion and took 36 months off Jones’ sentence. He was released in April (10).

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CHRISTINA MILIAN and THE-DREAM have avoided a bitter legal battle by agreeing a divorce settlement out of court.
The singer/producer filed for divorce just nine days before Milian gave birth to their first child, daughter Violet, in February (10), insisting the relationship was "irretrievably broken".
The-Dream - real name Terius Nash - claimed the couple had legally separated when he applied to make the split official, but Milian challenged the divorce petition, alleging they were still together and had "marital relations on numerous occasions" after The-Dream claimed they had parted ways.
She also alleged the relationship broke down because her partner had been unfaithful, leading to speculation the pair was set for an ugly court battle.
But a lawyer for Milian reveals the divorce settlement has now been agreed amicably without the need for a court showdown.
Attorney Randy Kessler tells the Chicago Sun-Times, "Ms. Milian strongly believes that peaceful resolution is better for their child and that (sic) she is very pleased with the settlement and that it was accomplished out of court." The couple’s financial settlement and custody plans for their daughter were not disclosed.
Milian has already dismissed speculation about a massive pay out, writing in a post on her Twitter.com page, "Not one thing that is stated in this fake version of what Terius and I have agreed on is real."

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JACK BLACK stunned customers at a posh restaurant in Sydney, Australia this week (beg22Nov10) by serenading staff as they handed him cocktails.
The actor/rocker is in the country to promote his latest movie, Gulliver’s Travels, and he took time out from his hectic promotional schedule to enjoy a night at Cafe Sydney.
Black provoked laughs from fellow diners as staff took his drinks order, by belting out a rendition of Rupert Holmes’ Escape (The Pina Colada Song), according to the Sydney Daily Telegraph.
The publication reports the funnyman kept the gag going throughout the evening by bursting into song every time he emptied his glass.
Black told the newspaper he plans to sample dinner at as many Sydney restaurants as possible during his trip, and even finished his press interviews early so he "will have more time for eating".
He adds, "I’m not messing around. I am a real foodie."

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MATTHEW SETTLE has dismissed speculation TAYLOR MOMSEN has been banned from the GOSSIP GIRL set, insisting his on-screen daughter is absent from filming because she’s busy concentrating on her band THE PRETTY RECKLESS.
The teenager’s role as Jenny Humphrey has been greatly reduced this season, and her appearances on the show have been sporadic.
Momsen’s last episode is set to air in the U.S. next week (begs29Nov10) and some reports suggested the star had been banned from the set because of her alleged attitude problems.
But Settle - who plays Momsen’s on-screen father Rufus - has cleared up the rumours, revealing the blonde is not onset because she’s working on her music career.
He tells British TV show This Morning, "(Saying she’s banned is) a severe way of putting it. I don’t think she’s been banned from the set. I think she’s off doing her own thing, creating her own music - she’s very good at music." TV style guru Tim Gunn sparked rumours about Momsen’s onset behaviour when he branded her "pathetic" following his guest cameo earlier this year (10), adding: "What a diva! She couldn’t remember her lines, and she didn’t even have that many."

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Actress CHERYL HINES has paid tribute to Emmy-winning TV producer DENISE CRAMSEY, who died on Tuesday (23Nov10).
The 41-year-old TV guru passed away after suffering a brain aneurysm.
The Curb Your Enthusiasm star worked with Cramsey when they both served as executive producers on makeover series School Pride, and she has now spoken out about the tragedy.
In a statement to Deadline.com, she says, "I am overcome by the loss of Denise Cramsey. She was a talented, strong, inspirational woman. I only hope her family can find some comfort in knowing that she gave thousands of children hope and happiness with the exceptional work she did on School Pride.
"When I think of Denise, I remember her surrounded by the friends she loved to work with, laughing at the little, unexpected moments most might have overlooked."

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MELANIE BROWN’s representative has laughed off rumours the star is romantically involved with actor TAMER HASSAN after they were spotted together in London - insisting they are just "friends".
The former Spice Girl, who is married to Stephen Belafonte, was photographed sitting on The Business star’s lap at the May Fair hotel in the British capital on Tuesday night (23Nov10), while her husband was looking after their three children in Los Angeles.
The married actor and Brown were reportedly "being very intimate" throughout the evening, according to Britain’s The Sun.
A source tells the publication, "Mel’s behaviour was not what you’d expect from a married woman. Tamer was lapping it up and who can blame him?" But the singer’s spokesperson has brushed off the speculation with a statement reading, "She was having a business meeting at the hotel. Tamer was also staying there and came over to say hello.
"They have been friends for 15 years and chatted. It’s nothing more than that."

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KATY PERRY has defended her best pal RIHANNA for failing to show up to her wedding, insisting although she "was upset" the singer couldn’t make the nuptials, it was "just one of those really unfortunate things".
The I Kissed A Girl hitmaker married British funnyman Russell Brand in India last month (23Oct10) and Rihanna, who organised Perry’s bachelorette party, was expected to be a star guest at the ceremony.
But the Umbrella hitmaker was unable to fly out for her friend’s big day because of her heavy workload, and now Perry has spoken out on behalf of Rihanna, insisting she completely understands why she was unable to be present and claims they are "still the very best of friends".
She tells Britain’s Now magazine, "I was upset she couldn’t make it but let me promise you, there was no one more upset about it than her. When you have an album coming out you don’t have a spare second in the day and you’re answerable to the record company.
"She felt really bad she couldn’t be there but we’re still the very best of friends. My girl organised the best bachelorette party ever and I’ll always love her to bits. It was just one of those really unfortunate things."

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GEORGE CLOONEY’s ex-girlfriend LISA SNOWDON has been diagnosed with viral meningitis after she was hospitalised with flu-like symptoms.
The former model and current TV and radio presenter started to feel ill as she hosted a Christmas lights switch-on ceremony in London last week (18Nov10), and she checked into hospital with major aches and pains and a migraine on Friday (19Nov10).
She was diagnosed with meningitis and immediately cancelled her breakfast radio show appearances on London station Capital.
A representative for the beauty says, "She is now on the mend, but is unlikely to be returning to the breakfast show next week."

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JLS star ASTON MERRYGOLD has been left in "shock" and "fearing for his life" after a female intruder reportedly broke into his home while he was away rehearsing for the boy band’s upcoming tour.
The British singer was practising his concert routines in Manchester, England on Tuesday (23Nov10) when his roommate is said to have discovered a woman in Merrygold’s bedroom in their North London apartment.
Merrygold’s clothes were found strewn across the floor but nothing was taken, according to Britain’s Daily Mirror.
Security officials at the gated development have reportedly banned the unnamed woman and threatened her with a restraining order if she returns.
A source tells the publication, "A woman had climbed up the balcony to his bedroom and got in through the window. She was believed to have been watching Aston’s movements and was tracking him that day outside his home.
"She waited for his car to take him to Manchester before she made her move. She was discovered in Aston’s bedroom soon afterwards. His clothes were sprawled on the floor but nothing was taken.
"Aston was freaked out when he heard - he’s in total shock. It makes him fear for his life and he shudders to think what might have happened if he’d been in at the time."

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JUSTIN BIEBER has issued a new public service announcement (PSA) in a bid to prevent bullying, insisting "there’s nothing cool" about teasing helpless victims.
The Baby hitmaker has previously opened up about his experiences at the hand of bullies, telling U.S. host Ellen DeGeneres earlier this month (Nov10), "Everybody goes through bullying. Everybody has, even me. On my YouTube page there are so many haters." Now Bieber has stepped up his campaign to help youngsters by recording a plea for the It Gets Better project, following a recent spate of suicides in America.
He says in the clip, "Hey guys, I’m Justin Bieber. I just wanted to say there’s nothing cool about being a bully and if you’re getting bullied make sure to tell someone and, you know, it gets better.
"And if you’re a bystander make sure to step in and, you know, help out."

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Rocker BILLY JOEL is recuperating "extremely well" after undergoing hip surgery in New York over the weekend (20-21Nov10).
The Piano Man has been hobbling around with a cane due to a congenital hip ailment in recent weeks and he checked himself into a hospital in Long Island on Saturday (20Nov10) to have the problem fixed.
Joel is now spending the Thanksgiving holiday (25Nov10) recovering from the operation.
His spokesperson, Claire Mercuri, tells People.com, "Billy Joel is doing extremely well following bilateral hip replacement." It is not known how long it will be until Joel is well enough to take to the stage again.

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MONTY PYTHON star MICHAEL PALIN is keen to reprise his acting career - but only "if the right thing comes along".
The British actor last appeared on the big screen in 1997’s Fierce Creatures, the sequel to A Fish Called Wanda, and he has since gone on to present a number of travel documentaries.
But Palin is now hoping to land another film role, although he’s adamant he wouldn’t be able to dedicate too much time to a movie project because of his adventure series.
He tells Britain’s Daily Express, "I want to act again. But not in a big movie. It would have to be a small one because my travel documentaries are quite intense and take up time.
"But I do love acting still so if the right thing comes along I would do it."

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GLEE star DARREN CRISS has blasted bands such as KINGS OF LEON for publicly boasting about turning down the chance to have their songs covered on the hit show.
Coldplay were also among those who rejected an offer to have their music featured in the all-singing, all-dancing programme, but the British rockers have since asked for their tracks to be reconsidered.
But Criss, who plays Blaine in Glee and is a singer himself, insists he’s unimpressed with stars who apparently try to seem "cooler" by declaring they’ve snubbed the series.
He tells Spinner.com, "I’m a musician and I understand that; I don’t think it’s a bad thing. I just don’t see why they feel the need to make it public.
"It seems as if (being part of the show) could be a negative thing, the connotation is that they’re somehow cooler than Glee.
"I think that’s their choice, and there doesn’t need to be any kind of malice created from it. They’ve got the music, they’ve got nothing to prove. They’re great bands."

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Grieving actor JOSEPH GORDON-LEVITT is readying himself to resume his work commitments following the tragic death of his brother last month (Oct10).
The Inception star was left devastated when his older sibling Dan passed away in October (10) at the age of 36.
Gordon-Levitt pulled out of a series of promotional talks earlier this month (Nov10) about his online collaborative production site, HitRECord.org, to allow himself time to mourn, insisting, "I feel like I’ve just had an arm chopped off and so I’m finding myself less than capable these days." The 29 year old is now preparing to return to his normal routine, although he admits he’s not quite ready to take on his full schedule.
In a video blog for his website’s Regularity series, he says, "To level with you, I still can’t really handle the workload that I usually do, but I wanna start getting back to some projects.
"Been a while since I did a ‘Regularity’ video - my life has been irregular. Thanks everybody for all the love and support… It’s meant a lot to me… I’m gonna get back to full regularity at some point; I just don’t want to make a commitment I can’t live up to right now."

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ADRIEN BRODY has spoken out after a judge banned the makers of Italian thriller GIALLO from using the actor’s image until he is paid for his role, insisting he is "greatly appreciative" of the ruling.
The Oscar winner was promised a ‘play-or-pay’ deal to star in director Dario Argento’s movie, meaning he would receive his $640,000 (£426,700) fee whether the film was made or not.
In a lawsuit filed at a California federal court last month (Oct10), Brody claimed he never received his pay cheque and was misled about a $2 million (£1.3 million) distribution deal.
And on Monday (22Nov10) U.S. District Judge Dale S. Fischer ruled in Brody’s favour, ordering filmmakers to halt distributing, marketing or selling the thriller in America until the fee was settled.
Now Brody has publicly addressed the matter, admitting he was "left with no alternative" but to take legal action.
In a statement given to the Associated Press on Wednesday (24Nov10), he says, "At no point did I ever wish to be involved in a legal dispute, but after over a year of attempting to resolve this matter I was left with no other alternative.
"I am greatly appreciative of the court’s ruling which protects me, and shows support for all artists who have been manipulated and taken advantage of by unscrupulous employers."

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MICHAEL DOUGLAS has given his fans something to be thankful for this Thanksgiving holiday - it appears he’s winning his cancer battle.
The Oscar winner underwent treatment for stage four throat cancer last month (Oct10) and has been photographed in recent weeks looking pale and gaunt, but he was the picture of health in a family shot at Disney World on Wednesday (24Nov10).
The actor travelled to Florida with his wife Catherine Zeta-Jones and their two young children, Dylan, 10, and Carys, seven.
Tanned and smiling, the Douglases posed before the themepark’s Christmas tree.
The Florida trip came just days after Michael and Catherine celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary on 18 November (10).

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RIHANNA is beginning to think about starting a family with baseball player boyfriend MATT KEMP, but insists she’d have to put her career on hold to become a mum.
The pop star, who debuted her new album Loud in the U.S. top five on Wednesday (24Nov10), insists she’s not pregnant right now but accepts she could be a first-time mum in a year.
She tells Interview magazine, "It could be a year from now. It could be 10 years from now. Whenever is right. I mean, I have a lot of other stuff to accomplish before I get to kids. Whenever the time is right, I’ll just know." And she insists she’ll make a great mum - unless her first child is a daughter: "If I had a girl, she’d probably be really rebellious. She would be like a bundle of karma." Rihanna is also considering where she’d like to raise a family, admitting her dream of returning home to Barbados is a little far fetched.
She adds, "I can’t live that far away from everything now, without kids, so I certainly couldn’t raise kids (there) with the demanding schedule that I have."

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Actor DOMINIC MONAGHAN struggled with his MEGAN FOX kissing scenes in EMINEM and RIHANNA’s LOVE THE WAY YOU LIE video - because he wanted to be respectful to the newlywed.
The Lord of the Rings star was thrilled when he learned he’d be making out with the actress in the promo - but admits he went to great lengths to try and make sure he didn’t upset her new husband Brian Austin Green.
Monaghan initially spoke to his co-star about what would be appropriate onset as they played passionate and fiery lovers and he felt the shoot went well.
But his best intentions were wrecked days later when the news of the video leaked and he was asked about the project.
He says, "I did all these interviews post the Eminem thing and they (reporters) said, ‘How was it kissing Megan Fox?’ And I said, ‘It was Ok, it was good’ - ‘cos I wanted to be respectful of their marriage.
"And then it came out that I was, like, non-plus about the fact that I was making out with Megan Fox, which wasn’t true; I had a great time, a very enjoyable time." And then the gay rumours started.
He adds, "It didn’t quash the gay rumours about (Lord of the Rings co-star) Elijah Wood and I."

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