Miley Cyrus’ VMA date wanted in Oregon
The young homeless man who accompanied Miley Cyrus to the MTV Video Music Awards has a warrant out for his arrest in Oregon.
Jesse Helt, 22, was arrested on charges of criminal mischief, criminal trespass and burglary in 2010. According to court records, he broke into the apartment of a man who had been selling what Helt believed to be bad marijuana.
Helt, who was 18 at the time, pleaded guilty to criminal mischief and criminal trespass, both misdemeanors, and was sentenced to 30 days in jail and probation. The arrest warrant was issued in November 2011 after he violated probation.
Helt moved to Los Angeles and lived on the streets while trying to find work as a model.
He gained worldwide attention Sunday when Cyrus let him accept her award for video of the year. Helt, who met Cyrus through the Hollywood homeless center My Friend’s Place, used the platform to call attention to the issue of youth homelessness.
Polk County Director of Community Corrections Martin Silbernagel said Tuesday officials are trying to locate Helt and arrest him. He said Helt repeatedly failed to meet with his probation officer.
Court records show Helt was arrested by Salem police three times as a juvenile, for offenses such as marijuana possession and being a minor in possession of tobacco products and liquor.
As Helt’s moment in the sun took a dark twist, Cyrus said via Twitter: “People who are homeless have lived very hard lives. Jesse included.” She then asked: “Does looking down upon the homeless help people excuse their inaction?”
Stewart late-night paycheck king
While a new crop of TV talk show hosts are jockeying for ratings success, Jon Stewart is the king of the late night, at least in terms of his paycheck.
The host of Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show” is earning $25 million to $30 million a year, surpassing the retiring David Letterman, who will make $20 million in his final year as host of the “Late Show,” according to TV Guide Magazine.
The magazine’s sixth annual “TV’s Highest Paid Stars” issue hits newsstands this week.
In addition to Stewart, top annual earners include Judy Sheindlin, who presides over the syndicated “Judge Judy,” at $27 million, and “Today Show” co-host Matt Lauer, who makes $22 million to $25 million on the NBC morning talk show, according to TV Guide.
Among other stars raking in big bucks, Jim Parsons of “Big Bang Theory” gets $1 million per episode, as are his fellow cast members. Ashton Kutcher takes in $750,000 per episode of “Two and a Half Men,” and Mark Harmon is making $525,000 episode plus profit sharing for “NCIS.”
The birthday bunch
Actress Tuesday Weld is 71. Actor Paul Reubens is 62. Country singer Colt Ford is 45. Rapper Mase is 37. Actor Aaron Paul is 35. Singer Mario is 28. Actress Alexa Vega is 26.