Willis says goodbye to Idaho ski area
“Die Hard” star Bruce Willis is saying goodbye to a small ski area in Idaho he’s owned since the 1990s – by donating it to a nonprofit group.
Willis said he’s happy with the people from Fairfield who formed a nonprofit to take over operations at Soldier Mountain, the Idaho Statesman reported Thursday.
The actor said in a news release that he wishes the group “the very best” now that he’s exiting the scene.
“I couldn’t be more pleased with the organization that will be responsible for the management of Soldier Mountain Ski Area,” Willis said. “It was exciting to see that the very people who ski at Soldier care so much about its future.”
Russian court tosses Madonna lawsuit
A Russian court on Thursday dismissed a lawsuit that sought millions of dollars in damages from Madonna for allegedly traumatizing minors by speaking up for gay rights during a concert in St. Petersburg.
The ruling came after a one-day hearing that bordered on the farcical. During it, plaintiffs claimed that Madonna’s so-called “propaganda of perversion” would negatively affect Russia’s birthrate and erode the nation’s defense capability by depriving the country of future soldiers.
In the end, the Moskovsky district court in St. Petersburg threw out the Trade Union of Russian Citizens’ lawsuit and the $10.7 million it sought from the singer.
Madonna did not attend the trial.
Chris Brown cancels Guyana concert
Organizers say American R&B star Chris Brown has canceled a stadium concert in Guyana after local protests over his 2009 beating of then-girlfriend Rihanna.
Brown was billed to headline a Dec. 26 show. But he drew the ire of women’s rights groups and opposition lawmakers who said Brown would not be welcome in Guyana three years after his assault of Barbadian superstar Rihanna.
Concert promoter Hits & Jams Entertainment said Thursday that Brown backed out, citing discomfort with the protests.
In 2009, Brown hit, choked and bit Rihanna during an argument in Los Angeles. He later pleaded guilty to assault.
Since then, Brown has worked to repair his image, undergoing violence counseling and putting out a new album. He has a duet with Rihanna on her recently released record.
The birthday bunch
Actor-comedy writer Bruce Vilanch is 65. Singer Bruce Hornsby is 58. Actor Maxwell Caulfield is 53. TV personality Robin Roberts (“Good Morning America”) is 52. Actress-singer Miley Cyrus is 20.