Michael Jackson crypt gets thousands of sunflowers

GLENDALE, California. – Sunflowers are now blooming outside Michael Jackson's crypt.

Grower Jason Levin on Friday delivered up to 2,000 sunflowers to the massive marble and concrete Great Mausoleum at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale.

Jason Levin says he decided to donate the $3,000 to $5,000 worth of bright yellow flowers after hearing Lisa Marie Presley complained there were only a few bouquets, candles and gifts surrounding the tomb. And Jason Levin heard sunflowers were the late pop star's favorite.

Jason Levin, the owner of The Sunflower Guy in San Diego County, loaded up a truck and left Vista at dawn. 3 hours later, he was unloading the flowers outside the heavily guarded mausoleum. Forest Lawn officials told him they would take them inside.

Michael Jackson died at age 50 on June 25

Jamaica: 'Flex' singer shot, in critical condition

KINGSTON, Jamaica – A Jamaican dancehall performer best known for the song "Flex" has been shot and is in critical condition.

Police say 42-year-old singer "Mad Cobra" was shot 3 times Tuesday night at his house in Portmore, on the outskirts of the capital of Kingston.

A statement released Wednesday says no arrests have been made and no motive has been uncovered.

Authorities do not think the assault is related to Monday's shooting of dancehall singer Oneil Edwards.

Mad Cobra's real name is Ewart Brown. He recorded numerous albums after the 1992 hit "Flex," and makes occasional appearances in clubs in Jamaica.

Barrier-breaking jazz star Lena Horne dies at 92

NEW YORK - US singer and actress Lena Horne has died in New York at the age of 92.

Renowned for her beauty and sultry voice, Lena Horne battled against racial segregation to become Hollywood's first black sex symbol.

In 1943, Lena Horne played Selina Rogers in the all-black film musical Stormy Weather, the title song of which was to be a major hit and her signature tune.

Her career spanned more than 60 years. Later on she embraced activism and became a voice for civil rights in the US

Actress Lynn Redgrave to be laid to rest in New York

KENT, CONNECTICUT – A funeral will be held for Lynn Redgrave near her Connecticut home, almost a week after the 67-year-old actress died of cancer.

Lynn Redgrave died Sunday night at her home in Kent., Conn., surrounded by her children. She had been diagnosed with breast cancer in the year 2002.

Her death came during a difficult time for the famous acting family. Lynn Redgrave older brother, Corin Redgrave, died last month and her niece, Natasha Richardson, died last year at age 45 from head injuries suffered in a skiing accident.

Not as acclaimed or outspoken as her older sister, Vanessa Redgrave, Lynn Redgrave still enjoyed a long career in film and stage, counting an Oscar nomination for her 1966 star-making turn in "Georgy Girl."

Lynn Redgrave will be buried near her mother later Saturday in upstate New York.

Italian opera star Giulietta Simionato dies days before 100th birthday

ROME – Italian opera star Giulietta Simionato, died Thursday in Rome days before her 100th birthday, Milan's La Scala opera house said in a statement.

"Giulietta Simionato has definitively entered our memories and the history of the opera", La Scala said about the mezzo-soprano, who was born on May 12, 1910.

Giulietta Simionato first sang at La Scala in 1936 and became one of its star attractions, while also touring the world also developing a broad repertoire that included Carmen, Dalila and Charlotte in Werther.

Giulietta Simionato was part of the renaissance of the "bel canto" singing technique in the 1950s alongside Maria Callas, before retiring in 1966.

'Idol' viewership down as Cowell nears finale

NEW YORK — The Simon Cowell era of "American Idol" is sputtering to a close on Fox.

Viewership of the annual contest that has dominated television for much of the past decade is off. The Nielsen Co. said that the 19.4 million people who watched last Tuesday represented a 17 % decline from the same week in 2009. Wednesday's show was off 10 %.

"Idol" is coming back to the pack. The 2 airings were still the 2nd- and 3rd-most popular prime-time programs last week, but ABC's "Dancing With the Stars" was No. 1.

The caustic Cowell, "American Idol's" most dominant celebrity, announced in January this would be his final season. He is doing it without his frequent foil, Paula Abdul, who was replaced by Ellen Degeneres.

Halle Berry and Gabriel Aubry Split!

Halle Berry is reportedly splitting from longtime time Gabriel Aubry, ending a 5-year relationship.

The couple is working on a custody agreement for their daughter Nahla Ariel Aubry, according to TMZ. Halle Berry and Gabriel Aubry are sorting things out and will formalize their long-term custody plan in the future.

Halle Berry reportedly consulted with a divorce lawyer 3 weeks ago to talk custody agreements, but nothing longer-term was decided upon. She and Gabriel Aubry have agreed to short-term agreements in the meantime.


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Sandra Bullock divorces husband Jesse James, adopts a baby

Oscar-winning actress Sandra Bullock has revealed she secretly adopted a newborn baby and is also to divorce her husband Jesse James, according to People magazine.

Sandra Bullock, 45, adopted the little boy, called Louis (pronounced Lew-ee), three months ago.

Sandra Bullock and husband Jesse James, 41, began the adoption process 4 years ago and decided to keep the news to themselves until after the Academy Awards.

But they split in March after Jesse James was accused of having an affair. Sandra Bullock said she had begun divorce proceedings.

Marilyn Monroe writings to be released this fall

NEW YORK - Musings about life, literature and other hardly ever seen writings by Marilyn Monroe will be published this fall.

Farrar, Straus & Giroux announced Tuesday that "Fragments" would come out in October 2010. Editor Courtney Hodell says the book will include poems, reflections on third husband Arthur Miller and other men in Marilyn Monroe's life, and references to works by Samuel Beckett, James Joyce and many other authors.

Marilyn Monroe died in 1962.

Amy Spanger: 'Dexter' star 'fully recovered' from cancer

NEW YORK – Amy Spanger , wife of Michael C. Hall says the "Dexter" star is "fully recovered" from cancer and has returned to work.

Jennifer Carpenter said Friday that Michael C. Hall was "incredibly brave" when he announced in January that he was undergoing a treatment for Hodgkin's lymphoma, a cancer that attacks the lymph nodes.

The 38-year-old Michael C. Hall went into remission and continued treatment at a health facility near Los Angeles.

Michael C. Hall won a Screen Actors Guild Award and a Golden Globe Award earlier this year for his portrayal of “Dexter”, a serial killer who targets other murderers. Jennifer Carpenter stars on the bloody Showtime hit series as Dexter's seemingly unknowing sister.

Heather Locklear cited for hit & run in 4 a.m. collide

LOS ANGELES – Actress Heather Locklear has a court date next month on misdemeanor hit-and-run charges after an early-morning collide knocked down a street sign.

Ventura County Sheriff's Captain Eric Dowd says Heather Locklear was cited and released Saturday after a resident reported hearing a collide around 4 a.m. An investigation led police to Heather Locklear, whom they believe was behind the wheel at the time of the crash.

Blair Berk, an attorney for the 48-year-old actress, confirmed Heather Locklear was cited as the car's registered owner but said "it’s not yet clear who was driving the vehicle."

The matter will be heard May 17 at Simi Valley Court, Eric Dowd said.

Heather Locklear was arrested in 2008 for driving under the influence of prescription drugs. She pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of reckless driving in January 2009.

Carrie Underwood has made history achieves country awards first

Carrie Underwood, an American country singer-songwriter and occasional actress has made history after becoming the 1st female artist to win entertainer of the year at the Academy of Country Music Awards twice.

The former American Idol winner, 27, who finally picked up the award in 2009, also won a special triple crown prize.

The honour signals that Carrie Underwood has won the female vocalist, entertainer of the year and newcomer prizes in her career.

Trio Lady Antebellum were given 5 awards whereas Taylor Swift went home empty-handed, despite 5 nominations.

Carrie Underwood was up against Taylor Swift and other artists including Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban and Brad Paisley.

Shakira teams with South African band Freshlyground for World Cup anthem

JOHANNESBURG — Colombian pop star Shakira and South African band Freshlyground has been selected as the official World Cup anthem.

The song, "Time for Africa," is likely to be released to radio stations across the world next week and will be available for download beginning April 26.

Pop star Shakira and Cape Town's Freshlyground will perform the song at the World Cup kickoff concert in Soweto, South Africa on June 10, and at the tournament's opening ceremony and before the July 11 final.

Freshlyground made the statement Friday.

Melissa Etheridge and partner actress Tammy Lynn Michaels Etheridge announce separation

NEW YORK – American rock singer-songwriter and musician Melissa Etheridge and her partner, actress Tammy Lynn Michaels Etheridge, have announced their separation.

In a statement Thursday, both of them asked for "consideration and respect for our family as we go through this difficult period."

The 2 held a commitment ceremony in Malibu, Calif., in 2003. Tammy Lynn Michaels Etheridge, 35, gave birth to twins a son, Miller, and a daughter, Johnnie Rose in the year 2006. The couple used an unidentified donor from a sperm bank.

The 48-year-old Rocker shares custody of daughter Bailey Jean and son Beckett with former partner Julie Cypher. Musician David Crosby was the sperm donor for the children, who were delivered by Julie Cypher.

Melissa Etheridge was diagnosed with breast cancer in the year 2004.

Shakira visits Haitians living in tent camps

Colombian pop star Shakira is meeting with Haitian peoples living in temporary camps & she also find the land to build a school for poor children.

She was welcomed by actor Sean Penn. Sean Penn is offering humanitarian aid at Haitian refugee camps. The 2 stars spoke regarding problems confronting Haiti since the Jan. 12 disaster. The singer waved to onlookers & greeted infants living on a Haitian golf course that has turned into a sprawling makeshift camp for 50,000 quake survivors.

Her Barefoot foundation offers nutrition to above 6,000 children in Colombia, & she is also a member of the ALAS foundation that advocates for children across Latin America.

Actor Corey Haim got 553 pills

Corey Haim death is a believed accidental drug overdose. Actor Corey Haim went to “doctor shopping” & takes a minimum 553 pills of powerful drug medications from 7 doctors & as several different pharmacies, California's attorney general said Tuesday.

Attorney General Jerry Brown said he’s visited physicians at offices, urgent-care facilities & emergency rooms to get hold of the potential deadly collection of pills & on one occasion used an alias.

Sheen requires 'new challenges'

Stan Rosenfield said his client's agreement with Warner Bros. is up this period, while CBS network has a contract for the hit show for at least 2 more seasons.

Charlie Sheen, who faces domestic violence, indicts stemming from a Christmas Day fight with wife Brooke Mueller, go into rehab in February. Rosenfield said his desire to leave the show is not connected to Sheen's anxieties about the pending court case. Rather, Rosenfield said, his client is looking on to other scopes.

"Charlie has completed this for 7 years. There is lot of new things to do, new challenges," he said. "He wants to do act lot of movies, & doesn't always get the opportunities during of the show."

Superman comic sold by $1.5m

A copy of the comic in which Superman complete his first appearance was sold at a US mart for $1.5m (£995,500) - weeks after a Batman comic had sold by $1.075m.

Actually in the year 1938 edition of Action Comics No 1 was sold originally for just 10 cents.

This is the 3rd time the record has been beaten recently, a copy of the same Superman comic sold at $1m just days before the Batman comic was sold.

Tim McGraw speaks about bullock

Tim McGraw, who plays Sandra Bullock’s husband in The Blind Side, is speaking out about his costar, who is dealing with allegations of disloyalty by her husband Jesse James. "I just wish her not anything but the best" Said McGraw.

He said in Vancouver before his concert, further that Bullock, 45, can weather this wedded hurricane.

As for Bullock’s Best artists Oscar win for The Blind Side, he says, "It’s such a mysterious trophy, but her performance was too good that it was just so hard to overlook that."

Michael Jackson witness explanation 'inconsistent'

A lawyer acting for Dr Conrad Murray, who is alleged with the involuntary murder of Michael Jackson, has criticized a leaked witness statement.

An alleged report of the night Jackson died given to investigators by Alberto Alvarez, Jackson's logistics director, was discovered.

Alvarez's statement claims Dr Murray stopped revival on the dying pop star & delayed calling paramedics. Dr Conrad's lawyer, Ed Chernoff, said in the statement was "inconsistent".