New details have emerged about the midnight altercation between Chris Brown and Rihanna that led to Brown being booked on a felony criminal threat charge on Sunday.
"Chris knocked her around," a source close to the couple tells PEOPLE. "Black eye, blood, bruises. She had to be treated by a doctor."
A police source confirms to PEOPLE that the singer suffered a black eye as well as "a swollen split lip and two red and purple contusions on either side of her forehead."
The source, who described police photos of Rihanna, added, "She looked distraught and in a lot of pain. Her eyes were closed because she was looking down."
The Barbados-bred beauty, 20 – who is currently in "a safe place," says a friend – is cooperating with detectives, according to the Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Police Chief William Bratton has said he expects the case will be handed over to the district attorney's office on Tuesday or Wednesday. At that time, the prosecutors could charge Brown, 19, with more crimes.
The case could be affected by how much Rihanna is willing to forgive her boyfriend. "Prosecutors back off somewhat when they see a couple trying to work out their own issues," says Steve Sitkoff, an L.A. defense attorney. But, says the friend, "I would be so sad if she went back to him."
In the meantime, both stars have canceled upcoming appearances: The NBA has issued a statement that Brown will no longer participate in their All-Star Game events in Phoenix this weekend, while Rihanna backed out of a Friday night concert in Malaysia.
Friends Call Brown a Good Kid
News of the alleged assault stunned fans and friends alike. Brown, known for his charm and Michael Jackson-style moves, has always been seen as a good kid. "I've never known Chris to be combative," says his high school gym teacher from Tappahannock, Va., Lyn Amos. "He's always low-key, easygoing." Adds Jean Segar, a restaurant owner who has known Brown since he was a child: "He's such a mild-mannered person. It's hard for me to believe [the charge]."
What makes the allegations even more shocking is that Brown has claimed his mother was physically abused by his former stepfather. "He made me terrified all the time," Brown told Giant, adding, "I hate him to this day."
The abuse allegations could have a long-lasting impact on Brown's career. On Monday, Wrigley temporarily suspended his Doublemint commercials, and as an industry source points out, "A lot of his fans are women."
2/17/09
2/16/09
Is Benji Madden Katy Perry's New Valentine?
Earlier in the night she may have called it "the horror that is Valentine's Day," but Katy Perry appears to have been struck by cupid's arrow – which also seems to have hit Paris Hilton's ex, Benji Madden.
Following her Valentine's show at Hard Rock Hotel's Wasted Space, Perry, 24, and Madden, 29, headed to Lavo – where the two conspicuously cuddled throughout the night, later prompting one observer to sense "some chemistry there."
Madden, in town to deejay, even danced for Perry during several songs – and at those rare times when their hands weren't on each other's legs.
Following her Valentine's show at Hard Rock Hotel's Wasted Space, Perry, 24, and Madden, 29, headed to Lavo – where the two conspicuously cuddled throughout the night, later prompting one observer to sense "some chemistry there."
Madden, in town to deejay, even danced for Perry during several songs – and at those rare times when their hands weren't on each other's legs.
Obamas Head Home for Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day not only provided sweet future memories for President and Michelle Obama, but also for Chicago's Table Fifty-Two chef and co-owner – with Julie Latsko – Art Smith.
"I was honored and humbled that President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama chose Table Fifty-Two as their Valentine's dinner retreat," Smith tells PEOPLE.
"I have cooked for many former presidents and Hollywood A-listers, and this was a milestone in my career – to serve my first acting President of the United States of America."
While Smith has cooked for the Obamas "many times" in the past, "having him on his first return to Chicago was awe-inspiring," the chef says.
A White House spokesman told PEOPLE that the first couple have "said they'll go home every six weeks or so just to keep everyone grounded and in touch with their friends."
When they entered the restaurant on Saturday night, the Obamas were applauded by the other guests – prompting Smith to blurt out, "Dinner and a show!"
As for the meal, "crispy catfish and our famous pistachio chicken were the fare of the evening, and I believe I saw a piece of our gooey crunchy pecan pie fly by," said Smith.
"I was honored and humbled that President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama chose Table Fifty-Two as their Valentine's dinner retreat," Smith tells PEOPLE.
"I have cooked for many former presidents and Hollywood A-listers, and this was a milestone in my career – to serve my first acting President of the United States of America."
While Smith has cooked for the Obamas "many times" in the past, "having him on his first return to Chicago was awe-inspiring," the chef says.
A White House spokesman told PEOPLE that the first couple have "said they'll go home every six weeks or so just to keep everyone grounded and in touch with their friends."
When they entered the restaurant on Saturday night, the Obamas were applauded by the other guests – prompting Smith to blurt out, "Dinner and a show!"
As for the meal, "crispy catfish and our famous pistachio chicken were the fare of the evening, and I believe I saw a piece of our gooey crunchy pecan pie fly by," said Smith.
NSIDE STORY: How Tameka Raymond's Plastic Surgery Went Wrong
A Brazilian plastic surgeon has revealed details of the procedure that temporarily left Usher's wife, Tameka Raymond, in a medically-induced coma.
Two months after giving birth to the couple's second son, Raymond, 38, traveled to Brazil to have liposuction on her stomach, says Ellen Dasptry, a rep for Sao Paulo plastic surgeon Dr. Silvio Sterman, who was to have performed the surgery.
"Tameka Raymond came here on Friday to do a liposuction. Shortly after she went under [general] anesthesia, she suffered a cardiac arrest," Dasptry tells PEOPLE.
Induced Coma
Raymond never had the liposuction. According to Dasptry, after her cardiac arrest, Raymond was immediately revived and placed in an induced coma.
"When an attack like this happens, the doctors put the patient to sleep... and make sure that everything is okay and that there has not been any damage," explains Dasptry. "This is the protocol every time and this is what was done."
After a day in the ICU, Raymond was transferred to a larger facility, Sao Paulo's Hospital Sírio-Libanês, considered one of the finest in Brazil, says Dasptry. After nearly a week of recovery, she "is doing very well," says the surgeon's spokeswoman.
Usher Flies to Her Side
On Saturday, Usher canceled a performance at Clive Davis' pre-Grammy gala to fly to Brazil to be at his wife's side. Davis told partygoers the singer had to leave due to "serious injury in the family." Usher and Raymond have two sons: Usher Raymond V, 1, and Naveid Ely Raymond, who is two months old. Raymond also has three sons from a previous relationship.
On Feb. 8, Usher's rep Simone Smalls issued a statement on the star's behalf: "Tameka Raymond is in stable condition after suffering complications from routine surgery in Brazil. Her husband Usher is with her at the hospital. No further details will be released, and the family requests privacy at this difficult time."
Raymond's case has stirred debate within the medical world over whether a wait of two months between giving birth and undergoing liposuction is sufficiently long.
Surgery Too Soon?
According to New York City cosmetic surgeon and dermatologist Neil Sadick, "The general feeling is no abdominal surgery should be performed within eight weeks because of the distension and inflammation of the abdomen/uterus due to pregnancy. [Women] should wait at least three months postpartum before undergoing any type of procedures to the abdomen... They would need to get clearance from their OB/GYN and internist."
But Dasptry says Raymond met with her Brazilian surgeon Feb. 6 to undergo tests and was determined to be "in good health." "In plastic surgery all over the world, there is no rule that says a woman can't have plastic surgery performed two months after childbirth," says Dasptry.
Two months after giving birth to the couple's second son, Raymond, 38, traveled to Brazil to have liposuction on her stomach, says Ellen Dasptry, a rep for Sao Paulo plastic surgeon Dr. Silvio Sterman, who was to have performed the surgery.
"Tameka Raymond came here on Friday to do a liposuction. Shortly after she went under [general] anesthesia, she suffered a cardiac arrest," Dasptry tells PEOPLE.
Induced Coma
Raymond never had the liposuction. According to Dasptry, after her cardiac arrest, Raymond was immediately revived and placed in an induced coma.
"When an attack like this happens, the doctors put the patient to sleep... and make sure that everything is okay and that there has not been any damage," explains Dasptry. "This is the protocol every time and this is what was done."
After a day in the ICU, Raymond was transferred to a larger facility, Sao Paulo's Hospital Sírio-Libanês, considered one of the finest in Brazil, says Dasptry. After nearly a week of recovery, she "is doing very well," says the surgeon's spokeswoman.
Usher Flies to Her Side
On Saturday, Usher canceled a performance at Clive Davis' pre-Grammy gala to fly to Brazil to be at his wife's side. Davis told partygoers the singer had to leave due to "serious injury in the family." Usher and Raymond have two sons: Usher Raymond V, 1, and Naveid Ely Raymond, who is two months old. Raymond also has three sons from a previous relationship.
On Feb. 8, Usher's rep Simone Smalls issued a statement on the star's behalf: "Tameka Raymond is in stable condition after suffering complications from routine surgery in Brazil. Her husband Usher is with her at the hospital. No further details will be released, and the family requests privacy at this difficult time."
Raymond's case has stirred debate within the medical world over whether a wait of two months between giving birth and undergoing liposuction is sufficiently long.
Surgery Too Soon?
According to New York City cosmetic surgeon and dermatologist Neil Sadick, "The general feeling is no abdominal surgery should be performed within eight weeks because of the distension and inflammation of the abdomen/uterus due to pregnancy. [Women] should wait at least three months postpartum before undergoing any type of procedures to the abdomen... They would need to get clearance from their OB/GYN and internist."
But Dasptry says Raymond met with her Brazilian surgeon Feb. 6 to undergo tests and was determined to be "in good health." "In plastic surgery all over the world, there is no rule that says a woman can't have plastic surgery performed two months after childbirth," says Dasptry.
A 'Saddened' Chris Brown Releases Statement
The following statement was issued Sunday by a spokesman on behalf of Chris Brown:
"Words cannot begin to express how sorry and saddened I am over what transpired. I am seeking the counseling of my pastor, my mother and other loved ones and I am committed, with God's help, to emerging a better person.
"Much of what has been speculated or reported on blogs and/or reported in the media is wrong.
"While I would like to be able to talk about this more, until the legal issues are resolved, this is all I can say except that I have not written any messages or made any posts to Facebook, on blogs or any place else.
"Those posts or writings under my name are frauds," the statement concludes.
Brown, 19, allegedly attacked girlfriend Rihanna, 20, in Los Angeles on Feb. 8. He was arrested and may face charges from the district attorney.
"Words cannot begin to express how sorry and saddened I am over what transpired. I am seeking the counseling of my pastor, my mother and other loved ones and I am committed, with God's help, to emerging a better person.
"Much of what has been speculated or reported on blogs and/or reported in the media is wrong.
"While I would like to be able to talk about this more, until the legal issues are resolved, this is all I can say except that I have not written any messages or made any posts to Facebook, on blogs or any place else.
"Those posts or writings under my name are frauds," the statement concludes.
Brown, 19, allegedly attacked girlfriend Rihanna, 20, in Los Angeles on Feb. 8. He was arrested and may face charges from the district attorney.
Sarah Palin's 'Secret' Pregnancy – & How Family Found Out
A new biography of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin reveals that her secret pregnancy with son Trig was nearly uncovered when one of her daughters discovered Trig's prenatal ultrasound scan and confronted Palin with the picture.
"Sarah made one slip-up – but [she] dampened suspicion by explaining it away," reports Trailblazer: An Intimate Biography of Sarah Palin, by PEOPLE Assistant Editor Lorenzo Benet and being published Tuesday by Simon & Schuster's Threshold Editions.
Palin also was aware Trig had been diagnosed with Down syndrome but did not disclose this to her four other children until his Trig's birth last April 18, several weeks after she went public with her pregnancy.
"Not discussing the pregnancy with her daughters, she felt, would shorten the process and spare them from unwanted attention," according to the book, which was not authorized by Palin.
Trailblazer also reveals another reason Palin kept the pregnancy quiet. She tells Benet, who interviewed Palin and her family for a 2008 PEOPLE cover story: "Not knowing in my own heart if I was going to be ready to embrace a child with special needs – I couldn't talk about it."
In the course of preparing the book, Benet received the cooperation of Palin's parents, Chuck and Sally Heath; the governor's older sister, Heather Bruce; as well as in-laws, political allies and rivals.
Health Problems at Birth
The biography also reports that Trig's health was problematic from birth – he was born with a congenital heart defect typically found in half the babies with Down syndrome – but it cleared up on its own without surgery.
The Palin home is portrayed as running at a frenetic pace; one-on-one basketball games, take-out pizza dinners, razzing between kids and parents.
Extended family is in abundance, and while they have helped Sarah and Todd Palin raise their children – enabling her to serve as governor and pursue her political career last fall during the presidential campaign – the couple hired a Wasilla nanny to help out at home, the book reveals.
Bristol and Levi
Trailblazer also sheds new light on the relationship between Palin's eldest daughter, Bristol, and her fiancé, Levi Johnston, the father of Bristol's son, Tripp, born Dec. 27, 2008.
While Bristol was pregnant last year, she was living in Anchorage with her aunt and uncle, Heather and Kurt Bruce, and working at two espresso shops – while also attending West High School. Levi was 40 miles away in Wasilla, but, "there was certainly no ban on them dating," reports Trailblazer. "Levi used to drive to Anchorage to take Bristol out."
Heather Bruce is quoted as saying in the book, "He used to bring her flowers and take her to dinner and a movie. He would come in and say hello, but he says few words. He's a quiet boy."
Palin, who became an overnight sensation once John McCain tapped her to become his running mate, can fall victim to being star-struck. She once told husband Todd she was going shopping at Costco in Anchorage but detoured to J.C. Penney's to meet Ivana Trump – in town to promote a cosmetics line.
"Sarah made one slip-up – but [she] dampened suspicion by explaining it away," reports Trailblazer: An Intimate Biography of Sarah Palin, by PEOPLE Assistant Editor Lorenzo Benet and being published Tuesday by Simon & Schuster's Threshold Editions.
Palin also was aware Trig had been diagnosed with Down syndrome but did not disclose this to her four other children until his Trig's birth last April 18, several weeks after she went public with her pregnancy.
"Not discussing the pregnancy with her daughters, she felt, would shorten the process and spare them from unwanted attention," according to the book, which was not authorized by Palin.
Trailblazer also reveals another reason Palin kept the pregnancy quiet. She tells Benet, who interviewed Palin and her family for a 2008 PEOPLE cover story: "Not knowing in my own heart if I was going to be ready to embrace a child with special needs – I couldn't talk about it."
In the course of preparing the book, Benet received the cooperation of Palin's parents, Chuck and Sally Heath; the governor's older sister, Heather Bruce; as well as in-laws, political allies and rivals.
Health Problems at Birth
The biography also reports that Trig's health was problematic from birth – he was born with a congenital heart defect typically found in half the babies with Down syndrome – but it cleared up on its own without surgery.
The Palin home is portrayed as running at a frenetic pace; one-on-one basketball games, take-out pizza dinners, razzing between kids and parents.
Extended family is in abundance, and while they have helped Sarah and Todd Palin raise their children – enabling her to serve as governor and pursue her political career last fall during the presidential campaign – the couple hired a Wasilla nanny to help out at home, the book reveals.
Bristol and Levi
Trailblazer also sheds new light on the relationship between Palin's eldest daughter, Bristol, and her fiancé, Levi Johnston, the father of Bristol's son, Tripp, born Dec. 27, 2008.
While Bristol was pregnant last year, she was living in Anchorage with her aunt and uncle, Heather and Kurt Bruce, and working at two espresso shops – while also attending West High School. Levi was 40 miles away in Wasilla, but, "there was certainly no ban on them dating," reports Trailblazer. "Levi used to drive to Anchorage to take Bristol out."
Heather Bruce is quoted as saying in the book, "He used to bring her flowers and take her to dinner and a movie. He would come in and say hello, but he says few words. He's a quiet boy."
Palin, who became an overnight sensation once John McCain tapped her to become his running mate, can fall victim to being star-struck. She once told husband Todd she was going shopping at Costco in Anchorage but detoured to J.C. Penney's to meet Ivana Trump – in town to promote a cosmetics line.
Labels:
Alaska Gov,
business,
celebrities,
entretainement,
news,
world
Salma Hayek Marries French Billionaire
Salma Hayek has married French businessman Francois-Henri Pinault, Monday's online edition of the weekly French newsmagazine Le Point reports.
Hayek, 42, and Pinault, 46, were married on Saturday – St. Valentine's Day – in the City Hall of the Sixth Arrondissement in central Paris, according to the publication, which is owned by the Pinault family.
Sixth Arrondissement Mayor Jean-Pierre Lecoq subsequently confirmed the report to the French news agency Agence France-Presse.
There had been recent reports that the couple – whose daughter, Valentina Paloma Pinault, was born in Los Angeles in September 2007 – had reunited after they had called off their marital engagement in July 2008.
The two had originally announced their engagement in March 2007.
Romance Rekindled
Friends of the couple tell PEOPLE that a Paris trip in September (when Hayek attended the Balenciaga fashion show) and another in November helped rekindle the pair's relationship. Adds a source, they were "very evidently in love with each other, very affectionate in public" together at the Dubai Film Festival in December.
Only last week, Hayek, who's been appearing on NBC's 30 Rock, told TV host Rachael Ray that when she kisses Alec Baldwin on the show, "I keep telling Francois, 'I imagine I was kissing you.' "
Pinault is CEO of the luxury giant PPR and the son of one of France's richest men, Francois Pinault, whose fortune last year was estimated to be $16.9 billion by Forbes magazine.
Besides his daughter with Hayek, Pinaut also has two children from a previous marriage.
Hayek, 42, and Pinault, 46, were married on Saturday – St. Valentine's Day – in the City Hall of the Sixth Arrondissement in central Paris, according to the publication, which is owned by the Pinault family.
Sixth Arrondissement Mayor Jean-Pierre Lecoq subsequently confirmed the report to the French news agency Agence France-Presse.
There had been recent reports that the couple – whose daughter, Valentina Paloma Pinault, was born in Los Angeles in September 2007 – had reunited after they had called off their marital engagement in July 2008.
The two had originally announced their engagement in March 2007.
Romance Rekindled
Friends of the couple tell PEOPLE that a Paris trip in September (when Hayek attended the Balenciaga fashion show) and another in November helped rekindle the pair's relationship. Adds a source, they were "very evidently in love with each other, very affectionate in public" together at the Dubai Film Festival in December.
Only last week, Hayek, who's been appearing on NBC's 30 Rock, told TV host Rachael Ray that when she kisses Alec Baldwin on the show, "I keep telling Francois, 'I imagine I was kissing you.' "
Pinault is CEO of the luxury giant PPR and the son of one of France's richest men, Francois Pinault, whose fortune last year was estimated to be $16.9 billion by Forbes magazine.
Besides his daughter with Hayek, Pinaut also has two children from a previous marriage.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
