British singer books trip to space station
Sarah Brightman, the world’s biggest-selling soprano, said she has booked a trip to the International Space Station.
Brightman, who had a hit in 1978 with “I Lost My Heart to a Starship Trooper,” will become the first recording artist in space.
The British singer said Wednesday that after touring the world in 2013 for her new album, Dreamchaser, she will spend six months in Russia’s Star City cosmonaut training center.
Brightman, a UNESCO ambassador, said the trip would also serve as a way to promote the U.N. agency’s message, in particular by encouraging women’s education in the sciences and environmental awareness.
Brightman teamed up with the private company Space Adventures, which organizes trips for space explorers.
Bieber says items stolen in Tacoma
Justin Bieber says some of his belongings were stolen during a show in Washington.
The pop star tweeted to his nearly 29 million followers that he and his tour manager were victimized during the show Tuesday night at the Tacoma Dome. He didn’t lay out exactly what was stolen, but referenced a computer and a camera. He said what bothers him the most is that he had a lot of “personal footage” on them.
He adds that “people should respect other’s property.”
Singer-actress ill, cancels shows
A publicist says Debbie Reynolds has been hospitalized and is canceling upcoming appearances after suffering an adverse reaction to medication.
Reynolds’ publicist Kevin Sasaki said the singer-actress was hospitalized in Los Angeles. She is canceling shows and appearances through the end of the year.
Reynolds is famous for her role in “Singin’ in the Rain” and earned an Oscar nomination for her gutsy character in “The Unsinkable Molly Brown.” The 80-year-old performs numerous shows and makes appearances each year.
Last year, Reynolds sold her collection of film memorabilia, including dresses worn by Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn, for nearly $23 million.
The birthday bunch
Former U.S. Defense Secretary William Perry is 85. Actor Ron Leibman is 75. Rhythm-and-blues musician Andrew Woolfolk is 62. Pro Football Hall of Famer Steve Young is 51. Actress Joan Cusack is 50. Comedy writer and TV host Michael J. Nelson is 48. Actor Sean Patrick Flanery is 47. Actor Luke Perry is 46. Actress Jane Krakowski is 44. Rapper U-God (Wu-Tang Clan) is 42. Actress Emily Deschanel is 36. Golfer Michelle Wie is 23.