Entertaining Posts: 11/04/11

Friday, November 4, 2011

Justin Bieber on baby claim: "100 percent not true"

LOS ANGELES | Fri Nov 4, 2011 7:52pm EDT

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Teen heartthrob Justin Bieber is finding out the price of fame.

The Canadian singer, 17, has spent the past week trying to promote his new Christmas album while denying claims that he fathered a baby after a brief backstage encounter last year with a young California fan.

"They (the allegations) are definitely, 100 percent not true," he told celebrity website TMZ.com in a phone interview on Friday. "It is the first time something like this has happened. So it's kind of like, really crazy. I am sure it won't be the last."

"I just know there are going to be people who will make stuff up. I know I am a target," he added. "It is something that comes with the territory."

Bieber was responding to a lawsuit filed on Monday by a 20 year-old San Diego woman, claiming the teen singer was the father of a baby boy she gave birth to in July 2011 after having sex following a concert in Los Angeles in October 2010.

The woman wants Bieber to undergo a paternity test and pay child support, and the singer has been ordered to appear in court on December 15.

The "Baby" singer, who has been dating Disney Channel star Selena Gomez for several months, also denied the allegations in an appearance on Friday on the "Today" TV show.

"I'd just like to say basically that none of those allegations are true," he said. "I know that I'm going to be a target, but I'm never going to be a victim."

Earlier this week, Bieber said in a Twitter post that he was "going to ignore the rumors ... and focus on what is real. an opportunity to help by doing what I love. Judge me on the music!"

Bieber released his new, festive album "Under the Mistletoe", featuring duets with Mariah Carey, Usher and others, on Tuesday.

(Reporting by Jill Serjeant; Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)

Jury to return for more Jackson trial deliberation

LOS ANGELES | Fri Nov 4, 2011 8:03pm EDT

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The jury in the trial of the doctor accused of involuntary manslaughter in the 2009 death of pop star Michael Jackson ended its first day of deliberation on Friday with no verdict being announced.

The jury of seven men and five women will return on Monday for more discussion on the guilt or innocence of Dr. Conrad Murray after hearing six weeks of testimony in the trial, according to the Los Angeles Superior Court.

Murray, 58, who was hired to care for Jackson as he prepared for a series of planned comeback concerts in 2009, has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter, or gross negligence, in his care of the singer.

Murray, who did not testify at the trial, could face up to four years in prison if convicted.

Jackson was found lifeless at his Los Angeles mansion on June 25, 2009, at age 50. He was later ruled to have died from an overdose of sedatives and propofol, which is normally used in surgery.

Murray admitted giving Jackson a dose of propofol to help him sleep but his lawyers argued at trial that the "Thriller" singer caused his own death by taking an extra, fatal dose of the drug, along with a handful of sedatives, without Murray's knowledge.

Prosecutors say Murray is guilty of gross negligence for administering the powerful drug in a home setting, failing to monitor Jackson, delaying calling emergency services and omitting to tell medical personnel he gave the singer propofol.

(Reporting by Jill Serjeant; Editing by Bob Tourtellotte and Vicki Allen)

Lady Gaga gets TV Thanksgiving night special

NEW YORK | Fri Nov 4, 2011 2:20pm EDT

NEW YORK (Reuters) - So, will she wear a turkey-and-stuffing dress?

Lady Gaga is coming for Thanksgiving, via a 90-minute, prime time television special on ABC on November 24 which she will direct herself, the network said on Friday.

"A Very Gaga Thanksgiving" will feature Gaga performing eight songs for friends and family, as well an interview with Katie Couric.

Performances will include a duet of "The Lady is a Tramp" with Tony Bennett, as well as her newest single, "Marry the Night." And what holiday special would be complete without "White Christmas"?

"We all know Lady Gaga is a phenomenon," said Couric. "This is a chance to see more of who she is beneath the wild costumes and staged musical numbers," hinting that the singer known for her over-the-top theatricality might eschew outfits like the famous meat dress she wore at the Video Music Awards.

Celebrity chef Art Smith will stop by to help Gaga, 25, prepare a Thanksgiving feast of deep-fried turkey and waffles for her guests, ABC said.

The pop music phenomenon will also open up about her relationships with family and friends, share stories from her past and reflect on what her life is like now living in the white hot spotlight of fame, ABC said.

(Reporting by Chris Michaud; editing by Jill Serjeant)

Belfast braced for Bieber-mania at MTV awards

By Mike Collett-White

LONDON | Fri Nov 4, 2011 11:18am EDT

LONDON (Reuters) - Teen stars Justin Bieber and girlfriend Selena Gomez perform at the MTV Europe Music Awards on Sunday in Belfast, guaranteeing plenty of screaming fans and close media attention to what they say and do.

Canadian heartthrob Bieber hit the headlines this week after a young woman alleged that the chart-topper had fathered her child when he was 16. He appeared on the U.S. Today show on Friday and denied the claims.

"I'd just like to say basically that none of those allegations are true," said Bieber, now 17. "I know that I'm going to be a target, but I'm never going to be a victim."

Gomez, who is hosting the event and performing her new single, has had problems of her own recently.

On Thursday an Illinois man pleaded not guilty to stalking the American actress best known for her role in Disney television show "Wizards of Waverly Place," but was ordered to stay away from her for three years.

Thomas Brodnicki told a psychiatrist that he travelled to Los Angeles to see the star and had conversations with God about killing her, according to court documents.

In Belfast, the celebrity couple are expected to be joined by Coldplay, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga at what is billed as one of the biggest nights in music outside the United States.

Northern Irish rockers Snow Patrol, whose 2006 album "Eyes Open" sold over five million copies worldwide, also make an appearance as do the surviving members of Queen, who will pick up the Global Icon accolade.

U.S. DOMINATION

The annual awards tend to be dominated by U.S. acts even though they are held in Europe each year and are mostly decided by fans from the region.

Gomez said regional differences mattered less in the internet age.

"I think that it's not necessarily about America dominating anything," she told Reuters in a telephone interview.

"I think music is worldwide. Wherever people come from, whether they are from America or not, I think it's all definitely about creating great music.

"So I'm glad that a lot of European artists will also be attending."

Last year it was the flamboyant Gaga who dominated the MTV EMAs, picking up prizes for best female, best pop act and best song for "Bad Romance."

Due to prior commitments the 25-year-old New Yorker could not make the MTV event held in Madrid, but she is in the lineup on Sunday at the Belfast Odyssey Arena and also leads the nominations with six.

In four categories -- best song ("Born This Way"), best pop and live act and best female artist -- she is up against compatriot and rival chart-topping diva Katy Perry.

Lady Gaga's other two nominations are best video (Born This Way) and biggest fans, a new category introduced this year.

Bruno Mars joins Perry with four nominations -- best new, best male, best "push" act and best song for "Grenade."

Adele, Britain's best-selling chart sensation, is shortlisted three times -- best female act and best song and best video for "Rolling in the Deep."

Bieber competes for best pop, best male and biggest fans, while Thirty Seconds to Mars is up for best alternative, best world stage and biggest fans.

Bieber, who launched his new album "Under the Mistletoe" this week, has already been named the inaugural winner of the MTV Voices award in recognition of his charity work.

(Reporting by Mike Collett-White, editing by Paul Casciato)