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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Miley fires back at tabloid press

Miley Cyrus (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)

Miley Cyrus making fun of Asian people?

As if!

The “Hannah Montana” star, answering criticism that she mocked Asians in a photo that saw the tween star stretching the corners of her eyes, is incredulous at the charge.

“In NO way was I making fun of any ethnicity!” Cyrus wrote in a Thursday blog post. “I was simply making a goofy face. When did that become newsworthy? It seems someone is trying to make something out of nothing to me.”

The photo, making the rounds online, shows the “Hannah Montana” star and five friends squinting their eyes into a slanted expression. An Asian man sits next to Cyrus, not participating in the group pose.

The OCA, a group dedicated to advancing the social, political and economic well being of Asian Pacific Americans, criticized the 16-year-old star this week for setting “a terrible example for her many young fans” by “mocking and denigrating individuals of Asian descent.”

George Wu, the OCA’s executive director said the group hopes Cyrus will apologize.

“Well, (I’m) sorry if those people looked at those pics and took them wrong and out of context!” Cyrus wrote. “I definitely feel like the press is trying to make me out as the new ‘BAD GIRL’!” she added. “I feel like now that Britney (Spears ) is back on top of her game again, they need someone to pick on! Lucky me!”

‘Love’ seldom lasts forever

Shaniqua Tompkins claims the rapper 50 Cent promised he would support her forever. Maybe. But in throwing out Tompkins’ claim for half the 32-year-old rapper’s $50 million fortune, Manhattan State Supreme Court Justice Carol Edmead said the relationship was “an unfortunate tale of a love relationship gone sour.” Tompkins and 50 Cent, aka Curtis Jackson, have an 11-year-old-son.

Rockin’ like 1979

When it comes to her second CD, British singer Lily Allen is trying to turn back the clock. The 23-year-old British star is teaming up with MySpace Music and Amazon.com in a promotion that will offer her sophomore CD, “It’s Not Me, It’s You,” for a mere $3.99 until Feb. 16. MySpace Music has already been offering a free preview.

You gotta have … kidney?

Natalie Cole, diagnosed with hepatitis C last year, says she hopes to have a kidney transplant in the near future. “We just don’t know when,” says the singer, who undergoes dialysis treatments three times a week. “My son may be a possible match, which would be great.”

Hef castoff stars in spinoff

Kendra Wilkinson, star of “The Girls Next Door” who dumped octogenarian Hugh Hefner, E! Entertainment is launching a spinoff of her former show devoted entirely to Wilkinson. “Kendra” will follow Wilkinson’s new life as the fiancee of Philadelphia Eagles receiver Hank Baskett.

The birthday bunch

Country singer Wilma Lee Cooper is 88. Actor Miguel Ferrer is 54. Comedian Robert Smigel is 49. Actor James Spader is 49. Country singer Garth Brooks is 47. Keyboardist David Bryan of Bon Jovi is 47. Comedian Chris Rock is 44. Actor Jason Gedrick is 42. Guitarist Wes Borland (Limp Bizkit) is 34. Actor Ashton Kutcher is 31. Actress Tina Majorino is 24.