PR-Inside.com Entertainment News

BLACKSTREET stars TEDDY RILEY and CHAUNCEY HANNIBAL have taken legal action against their former bandmates over accusations they are using the R&B group’s name without permission.
The singers are co-owners of the Blackstreet trademark and they are currently part of the latest incarnation of the band with Dave Hollister.
The pair has now filed a lawsuit against former members Mark Middleton and Eric Williams, who joined in 1996 but are no longer part of the group, claiming they have been illegally using the Blackstreet name to book their own shows.
The suit, filed in court in Virginia on 1 December (11), suggests Middleton and Williams have not adhered to several cease and desist letters ordering them to stop using the name.
The legal papers, obtained by Allhiphop.com, state, "Defendants have used the name and mark Blackstreet (sic) in such a manner as to create actual confusion and likelihood of confusion among prospective customers and/or purchasers of the services provided by plaintiffs. Defendants have harmed the goodwill of plaintiffs in the name and mark Blackstreet (sic), causing immediate and irreparable harm to plaintiffs."

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

MOTLEY CRUE are planning several sets for their upcoming Las Vegas residency to ensure fans who attend multiple gigs see different shows.
Rockers Nikki Sixx, Vince Neil, Tommy Lee and Mick Mars will appear live at the city’s Hard Rock Hotel and Casino for a three-week stint, kicking off on 3 February (12).
The concerts are expected to be a sell-out, and Lee and his bandmates are already hard at work on the running order and special effects.
He tells Loudwire.com, "We’ll have to switch up the set a lot since we’ll be doing several shows in a row, we’ll have have to change things up because on the weekend people might come (to) see us a few times.
"Some maniacs that I know will probably come every night, so we’ve already talked about making some different portions of the show that will require a lot of change; that’s probably going to happen, I’d imagine."

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

Promoters behind EMINEM’s Australian shows have come under fire from gig-goers who insist their concert experience was ruined by poor sound quality.
The rapper took to the stage at the Sydney Football Stadium for shows on 2 and 4 December (11) as part of his first tour Down Under in 10 years.
However, fans at both gigs have taken aim at organisers over allegations they were unable to hear the music because the sound quality was so poor.
A raft of complaints has been posted on the Facebook.com page of promotion company Dainty Group, with many fans asking for a refund.
One disgruntled Facebook user writes, "The Eminem (concert) I went to… last Thursday night was a disgrace. If I hadn’t waited 10 years for this concert, I would’ve walked out," and another adds, "Worst organisation! Horrible! We bought 4 tickets and every one of us are disgraced! Refund. We paid to listen to artists perform! We can’t listen to them if you can’t provide the sound!" A response from Dainty Group reads, "We’re sorry you had a negative experience at the event - if you look at the tour page you’ll see that overwhelmingly there was some incredibly positive feedback!"

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

R&B singer ERIC BENET is set to become a father again - his wife is expecting their first child.
Halle Berry’s ex-husband wed longtime partner Manuela Testolini - who was previously married to Prince - in July (11), and now they are preparing to become parents.
Benet took to his Twitter.com page to tell his fans the news and uploaded a photo of Testolini cradling her baby bump alongside the caption, "We’re expanding".
The singer is already dad to daughter India, from a previous relationship.

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

TOM HOOPER has opted out of using 3D technology for his upcoming LES MISERABLES film over concerns for moviegoers who "physically struggle" with the format.
The Oscar-winning director admits he was "very tempted" to shoot in 3D to enhance the big-screen adaptation of the popular stage show and even filmed practice scenes to test out the technique.
But Hooper has decided to stick with more traditional methods to ensure fans with sight problems will enjoy the film too.
He explains, "I can definitely announce it’s good old-fashioned 2D. If you have a certain type of eyesight (3D) can be more demanding than watching a normal movie.
"With a two-and-a-half hour film, I didn’t want to make something that anyone might think, ‘That’s not for me, because I don’t like the (3D) medium.’" Hooper’s Les Miserables, starring Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe and Anne Hathaway, is expected to start shooting early next year (12) ahead of a planned December (12) release.

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

Actress VEENA MALIK has taken legal action against bosses of a men’s magazine, alleging photos appearing to show her naked were "tampered" with.
The Pakistani star is suing chiefs of FHM India and claims she feels "cheated and duped" by her cover shoot, which shows her apparently nude.
Her legal team has demanded magazine bosses withdraw all copies of the issue from stores, and Malik wants $2 million (£1.25 million) in damages.
Her lawyer Ayaz Bilawala tells the BBC, "Ms Malik has been cheated and duped. She had a photoshoot, but there was no nudity. She had some clothes on. In the photos that were shown to her (for approval) she had her clothes on. She has suffered from a loss of reputation and we are demanding damages and withdrawal of the magazine from newsstands." FHM India editor Kabeer Sharma denies the allegations and adds, "We have seen the notice and forwarded it to our legal department for appropriate action. We are looking at various options, including filing a countersuit."

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

ROBERT DOWNEY, JR. dressed in women’s clothes on the set of his new SHERLOCK HOLMES movie after suggesting the idea to producers.
The actor has revealed his super-sleuth character was supposed to go undercover as a priest for a scene in upcoming sequel Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, but he felt a transvestite disguise would be more interesting.
Downey, Jr. was surprised when movie bosses accepted his idea and he was left feeling "a little self-conscious" when the time came for him to dress up as a woman.
He tells E! Online, "I thought I looked like if my sister was training for the Russian Olympics… on steroids… Here’s the dumb thing. This was my idea. It was not in the script. I think originally it was a priest, and I said, ‘Oh come on, that’s dumb… that’ll be obvious.’ "When I walked on set I felt a little self-conscious about the fact that most people knew it was my idea. ‘Did Robert want his transvestite day, and did the studio accommodate him?’"

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

Welsh screenwriter RUSSELL T DAVIES has put his career on hold after his partner was diagnosed with brain cancer.
Davies, who is best known for his work on British sci-fi series Doctor Who and for creating its spin-off, Torchwood, has returned from Los Angeles to his home in the U.K. as boyfriend Andrew Smith receives treatment in his health battle.
Smith underwent surgery earlier this year (11) and has had months of chemotherapy and radiotherapy - and the sessions will last into 2012.
Davies tells PinkNews.co.uk, "When we got the results they told us he had cancer of the brain. They needed to operate straight away. Three days later he was having surgery. That’s where we are now. He’s had 30 consecutive days of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and we’ve got six months of chemotherapy ahead of us." The couple is now living in Manchester, north-west England, close to a specialist cancer hospital, The Christie, and Davies has put all his TV projects on hold.
He adds, "It was a simple decision - he’s more important. Who gives a f**k about writing scripts if I can stay at home with him and make his day a bit happier? I don’t know when I’ll start work again. I’ve got to see how Andrew’s health goes."

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

AMY WINEHOUSE’s film director boyfriend REG TRAVISS has turned down an offer to make a movie of the late singer’s life, as the project would be too painful.
The moviemaker has been approached to film a biopic about the tragic star, who died in July (11) after drinking too much alcohol.
However, Traviss is adamant he won’t agree to work on a film about his lover.
He tells Britain’s Sunday Mirror, "I guess a biopic is inevitable. I have been asked but I honestly don’t think I could do it. I’d be too close to it. But whoever does write and direct the film may exaggerate certain points to make it more Hollywood.
"The family would want to be involved to make sure that it’s done justice. But right now it’s all too raw."

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

British pop star NATASHA BEDINGFIELD learned to sing in both Swahili and Filipino so she could record her new single in six different languages.
The singer has created several different versions of her new festive track Shake Up Christmas for release around the world, and she admits she relished the challenge to record vocals in so many different dialects.
She tells Britain’s Mail on Sunday, "I’ve recorded the single, Shake Up Christmas, in six languages and worked with dialect coaches. Singing in Swahili and Filipino were the most challenging but I loved every minute."

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

LILY ALLEN turned down the chance to appear in a music video for her T-PAIN collaboration while pregnant - because she didn’t want to "look chubby" in the promo.
The rapper sampled Allen’s track Who’d Have Known in his latest single 5 O’Clock but the singer, who became a mum last month (Nov11), refused to film a video and asked for a body double instead.
T-Pain explains, "Lily loves the track but she said no way would she be in the video because she didn’t want to look all chubby when she was pregnant. So she hand-picked a lookalike to play her. She emailed me back and forth until we got it just right." The promo, which also stars rapper Wiz Khalifa, features shots of a slim brunette named Lily lounging in a luxury apartment.
Allen became a first-time mum after giving birth to a daughter on 25 November (11).

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

Actress HILARY SWANK insists she only has herself to blame for the controversy that erupted after she appeared at a birthday party for vilified Chechnyan President RAMZAN KADYROV earlier this year (11) - because she had no idea who he was and couldn’t even pronounce his name.
The Oscar winner joined Seal, violinist Vanessa Mae and Jean-Claude Van Damme at the leader’s 35th birthday bash in Grozny on 5 October (11) - but she insists she was only there as a representative of a Turkish real estate company and thought she was a part of a peace tribute.
She explains, "I was invited by a Turkish real estate company to go and help be a proponent of peace by celebrating the rebuilding of a war-torn city in Chechnya… I thought, ‘Absolutely, yes… I love to travel, I love to meet people…’ Then, once there on the side of the stage, someone said, ‘It’s the President’s birthday; could you wish him a happy birthday?’ "I’d never heard of him before and in fact when they said his name I couldn’t even say it so I said, ‘I’ll just say, Mr. President’. So I went out and said, ‘Happy Birthday Mr. President after I said my whole speech about it’s great to be a proponent of peace and you guys are doing incredible things. Then, when I got back (to America), only then was I made aware of who he was… Now I can say his name. His name is Kadyrov and he’s a bad guy." Swank has already handed over the money she received to attend the party and she has linked with the human rights activists who tried to warn the actress about going to Chechnya and saluting a leader allegedly responsible for the brutality and torture of his own people.
Speaking to U.S. chat show host Jay Leno on Friday (02Dec11), she adds, "Human rights organisations had reached out to warn me before I went but I did not get those warnings, they weren’t shared with me… I had never known and I thank the human rights organisations for reaching out… The silver lining is I’m actually working with the Human Rights Watch now." And she insists there’s no excuse for what she did - admitting she should have done her research.
Swanks adds, "Shame on me. I should know where I’m going and I should do better research and I definitely can guarantee I won’t go anywhere ever again without doing full research… I actually didn’t know that Chechnya was separate from Russia… I had no idea. "

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

JAMES BOND star DANIEL CRAIG seriously considered life as a war journalist and almost found himself on the front lines in Beirut, Lebanon.
The actor admits a boozy night with war correspondent pals made him think about reporting from conflict zones.
He tells Men’s Journal magazine, "They’d asked me to come along with them. We had late-night drinking sessions where Beirut was an option. Over a couple of drinks it seemed like a good idea at the time." But Craig quickly saw sense: "That takes a level of bravery I don’t have."

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

GWYNETH PALTROW won her big break as a young Wendy Darling in godfather STEVEN SPIELBERG’s HOOK during a drive home from a screening of THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS.
The director, who was driving, caught Paltrow’s terrified expression in the rear-view mirror as she quizzed him about the film - and he knew he’d found the star of his 1991 Peter Pan film.
He recalls, "Bruce (Paltrow - Gwyneth’s late father) and Kate (Capshaw - Spielberg’s wife) and I had taken Gwynnie to see The Silence of the Lambs… We were driving back from the movie theatre, and I was going back to work (on Hook) the next day. I was looking in the rear-view mirror and she was talking about the film and she had this really frightened look on her face, and it suddenly clicked, and I said, ‘Hey, you could be the young Wendy! You could be the young Maggie Smith.’" He tells Entertainment Weekly magazine, "I turned around and said, ‘Do you want to make a movie?’ She got a SAG (Screen Actors Guild) card because of it."

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

Toy company bosses have fashioned a Barbie doll inspired by pop star KATY PERRY to raise funds for charity.
Staff at toy giant Mattel have created a new doll in the image of the singer to help raise money for the Project Angel Food organisation, which provides meals for sufferers of HIV/AIDS and other serious illnesses.
The Katy Perry Barbie has blue hair and is dressed in a glittery dress reminiscent of the singer’s wacky stage outfits.
The doll comes complete with 70 hand-painted cupcakes, a glittered candy cane microphone and stockings studded with Swarovski crystals.
The doll is being sold via an auction on Charitybuzz.com and bidding ends on 19 December.

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

LADY GAGA refused to "tone down" her wacky outfits after her record label bosses begged her to "be a bit less weird".
The pop superstar has become as well known for her quirky style sense as her music since she shot to fame, and she has appeared in public in numerous bizarre creations, including an outfit made from raw meat at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards.
Gaga admits executives at her record label often ask her to be less outrageous, but she is determined to stick with her fashion decisions, no matter how wacky they are.
She says, "Every now and again my record label asks me to tone it down and be a bit less weird. It’s usually after I"ve worn a meat dress or something. The thing is I always get the best reaction when I just do it the way I want to."

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

BEYONCE has laughed off "ridiculous" reports suggesting she’s not really pregnant, but reveals her mum and sister are still mad about the stories.
The Irreplaceable singer revealed her baby news at the MTV Video Music Awards in August (11) and she has been dogged by rumours suggesting she’s faking the baby bump ever since.
Gossips went crazy when footage from an Australian chat show hit the internet and appeared to show the singer’s bump crumple like a piece of fabric as she sat down.
But Beyonce is refusing to let the comments upset her.
She says, "There’s some things that a so far (fetched) that it doesn’t even upset you. (But) my mother, she’s like, ‘Nobody’s talking about my grandbaby (like that). My grandbaby’s not even here yet… I don’t like it!’ "I’m like, ‘Calm down mom, it’s OK, it’s really silly.’ My mom is really protective and so is my sister, but I’m cool. It’s so ridiculous and over the top."

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

Singer DEMI LOVATO has returned to the treatment centre where she spent the holidays last year (10) to share her story of recovery with current patients.
The Skyscraper singer took a three-month break from the limelight at the end of 2010 to seek help and counselling for a series of emotional issues, which had led to an eating disorder and self-harming.
Now on the road to recovery, Lovato returned to Timberline Knolls in Illinois to meet the women and girls struggling with their own issues.
In a series of tweets on Sunday (04Dec11), she wrote, "Wow what an inspiring day… Many tears were shed and many memories were brought back at Timberline Knolls today.
"Today I went back to the treatment center I went to last year, to speak to the beautiful women fighting their inner demons… was so honored… To be able to share my story and let them know that it gets easier. Life is beautiful…. You are worthy of it." She then urged fans and followers to "say a prayer for all of those struggling with eating disorders, self harm, mood disorders, and substance abuse."

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