Celeb news is best straight from the source’s mouth
When it comes to tabloid rumors, stars are starting to talk back to set the record straight.
Usually, celebrities ignore gossipy stories or have their publicists make denials. But in recent weeks, some have responded personally, reports USA Today:
• Kate Hudson landed on the cover of Us Weekly by dispelling a report in Star that her marriage to Chris Robinson was in trouble.
• Last month, Cameron Diaz phoned Us to declare her undying love for Justin Timberlake days after the magazine published a cover story about rumors the couple had split.
• In June, Jennifer Aniston informed a pack of paparazzi: “By the way, I am not pregnant!”
“For a long time, celebrities took the stand that they would not dignify a rumor” by talking about it, says Janice Min, editor in chief at Us.
Now, thanks to the Internet and weekly celeb magazines like Us and In Touch, they have to put an end to rumors swiftly.
“These stories die quickly when celebrities come out to set it straight,” Min says.
Guess they pulled the wool over her eyes
Supermodel Cindy Crawford, who was prominently featured in People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals’ “I’d rather go naked than wear fur” campaign a decade ago, has signed to represent Blackglama – a company that makes high-end furs.
A change of heart? Not necessarily. According to a Blackgama exec, Crawford posed in a fake fur hat for a photographer who turned out to be an animal rights activist, and a PETA logo was added to the pic later.
Reagan to PETA: Forget it
Meanwhile, Nancy Reagan and PETA are battling it out over the image of her late husband, reports MSNBC.com.
The group was planning to use former president Ronald Reagan‘s picture in a campaign promoting vegetarianism as a way to prevent Alzheimer’s disease.
“Win one for the Gipper” read the ad, which showed a smiling photo of the 40th president along with the words: “Animal fats DOUBLE your risk of Alzheimer’s.”
PETA president Ingrid Newkirk wrote to the widow Reagan, outlining the research behind the claim, but the only reply was a cease-and-desist letter.
Hasta la Fiesta, baby
An Ohio car dealership has settled a lawsuit by California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger for using a photo from his “Terminator” days in ads without permission.
The Fred Martin Motor Co. ads showed a photo of Schwarzenegger in his “Terminator” role, along with language inviting potential customers to “Terminate Early” on their existing auto leases and switch to Martin.
Along with apologizing, the dealership agreed to pay a “substantial” amount of money to Arnold’s All-Stars, an after-school program founded by Schwarzenegger.
Chrysler to Trump: You’re crazy!
DaimlerChrysler AG says it has dropped its title sponsorship of Donald Trump‘s hit reality show “The Apprentice” because of a price increase from NBC.
Ads for the automaker’s Chrysler unit were prominently featured during the show’s first season, and winner Bill Rancic was awarded a 2005 Chrysler Crossfire.
“You would have hoped that given the fact that we were the founding sponsor … that would count for something,” said Chrysler spokesman Joe Eberhardt. “But they were asking for way too much money.”
The birthday bunch
Actor Kenny Baker (R2-D2 in “Star Wars”) is 70. Actor Joe Regalbuto (“Murphy Brown”) is 55. Actor Steve Guttenberg is 46. Talk-show host Craig Kilborn is 42. Actress Marlee Matlin is 39. Country singer Kristyn Osborn (SheDaisy) is 34. Actor-comedian Dave Chappelle is 31. Actor Chad Michael Murray (“One Tree Hill,” “A Cinderella Story”) is 23. Actor Rupert Grint (“Harry Potter”) is 16.