"American Idol" Top 36 -- Only One Ex-Con?
It seems as though you can count on every group of fresh-faced "American Idol" finalists to harbor at least a few hardened criminals. But surprisingly, it looks like only one of this year's Top 36 has spent time in the slammer.
Jessica Langseth, a singer from Minneapolis, was busted a few years back on DUI. She pled guilty, spent four days in jail and was put on probation for two years -- more than enough time to master the art of bare-knuckled combat. Jessica's probation was cut short and she officially became a free woman last December.
Let's just hope there aren't any sharpened toothbrushes lying around the set. You know, for Simon's sake.
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Jayson Williams' Wife Wants D from Jay
The wife of former NBA star Jayson Williams is throwing everything plus the kitchen sink in a new divorce filing -- a sink in which he allegedly urinated in.
Tanya Young Williams claims she's the victim of "cruel and inhumane treatment" and that it's unsafe to live with her hubby anymore.
In divorce papers filed today in New York City and obtained by TMZ, Tanya claims, among other things, Jayson faked suicide and stomach cancer, and told her he was "going down on white girls" (she's Black).
Tanya also claims she found cocaine and condoms in Jayson's drawer. She says he threatened to kill her and once threatened to kill her. She also says Williams repeatedly refilled prescriptions for Cialis, even though they had limited sexual interaction.
And she claims he peed in the sink.
Tanya wants a cut of Jayson's assets, their New York home, sole custody of their two kids, spousal support and other stuff.
Williams is awaiting retrial for allegedly shooting his chauffeur to death.
A rep for Williams could not be reached for comment.
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Who Wants to Buy Dina Lohan's Debt?
In today's economy, buying a tax lien off of a small Long Island town doesn't sound like the shrewdest of investments. But if that's your thing, perhaps you'd like to purchase Dina Lohan's?
According to a public notice that ran today in the Merrick Life newspaper, unless DiLo forks over the $11,485.74 she owes Nassau County in taxes by tomorrow, the tax lien placed against her home will go up for auction next week. Should you choose to purchase the lien, you can collect 10% interest on one of the most famous mothers in Hollywood.
Usually, it's her collecting the 10% ... off her kids.
OctoMom -- It Was a Very Goodyear
The only thing more painful than having eight babies cut out of you: Carrying them in your ridiculously distended belly. Ouch!
This picture of a ready to explode Nadya Suleman was taken eight days before giving birth to the last eight of her fourteen kids. Pass the Jessica Simpson mom jeans.
Octopussy may not have to pimp out her wombmates for dollars on her website anymore, as this "Alien" photo has just landed her a new gig ... the poster mom for anti in vitro fertilization.
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Motocross Champ's Bad Week Gets Worse
Motocross legend Brian Deegan was arrested for an alleged bar brawl on Saturday ... the same day his best friend sustained injuries in a bike crash that would later take his life.
Deegan was arrested for suspicion of assault after a throwdown at the iLounge bar in Orange County, where he allegedly sliced open a patron's face by hitting him with a glass.
The same day, Brian's best friend, Jeremy Lusk, sustained major injuries during a botched back flip at a freestyle motocross event in Costa Rica. Lusk never regained consciousness after the wreck -- and passed away on Tuesday.
Toby Keith Opens Can of Whoopass -- On Tape!
We now have incredible video of Toby Keith going after a fan at a Kentucky concert this weekend -- have you ever seen a country star grab someone by the face and the hair at the same time?!
After the concert-goer allegedly tossed a beer on stage and flipped Toby off -- the 6'4," 250 lb singer jumped into the crowd, busted through security and fans, violently wrangled the dude into a death grip and then began screaming at him.
We're not sure what Toby said, but we think these words: &*$#, *&^%$ and @!#$&$%^$ were used.
Ironic part: Toby was right in the middle of singing "A Little Less Talk And A Lot More Action."
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Weakness in Chris Brown Case -- Prior Attacks
Chris Brown may have gotten lucky because the charge he was booked on is kinda weak, law enforcement sources tell TMZ. But he's still in big trouble, and Rihanna says it's not the first time he's attacked her.
Sources say the Los Angeles County District Attorney kicked the case back to the police for further investigation because evidence that he made criminal threats against Rihanna is kind of thin. Our sources are quick to say he will, however, almost certainly be charged with felony domestic battery, a lesser offense but still serious.
Here's how it went down, according to the police report. After Chris received a text message from a woman who wrote about getting together, an argument erupted. By the way, initially, Rihanna would not tell cops what started the argument.
She did, however, tell them that during the argument, he started hitting her. According to the police report, she ordered him to drive her home and "faked a call" to someone, saying things like, "He's dropping me off. Make sure the cops are there."
Rihanna told cops the fake call enraged Brown. He said something to the effect of "You are really fu**ed up now. I'm going to kill you." This statement is the basis of the criminal threats charge.
At that point, according to the report, Brown allegedly began a violent attack with his fists. At some point, Rihanna took the keys out of the ignition and threw them outside.
And there's this. According to the police report, she told cops this was not the first time Brown hit her. She referred to it as an ongoing and escalating abusive relationship.
We're told the criminal threats charge is based on that one statement Brown allegedly made. As one law enforcement source told us, "It's kinda weak, and the D.A. is not going to prosecute a high profile case like this unless it's solid." That's why it was kicked back for further investigation.
Given the brutal nature of the attack, which the photos clearly show -- contusions on the face, swollen eyes, cut lip, bloody nose, bite marks on fingers and arm -- a felony domestic battery charge is virtually a done deal. That, however, is a less serious offense than making criminal threats.
"American Idol" Contestant Booted
TMZ has learned Top 36 "American Idol" contestant Joanna Pacitti was forced to pull out from the show because of ties to an A.I. exec.
Last night Joanna made the cut, but this morning "American Idol's" website revealed this: "It has been determined that Joanna Pacitti is ineligible to continue in the competition."
So what the hell does that mean? Glad you asked: Joanna's former manager at Geffen (yeah, she had a record deal) is now a big wig at 19 Entertainment (which produces "Idol"). It's unclear how that went unnoticed for five months, but we're told producers demanded her resignation yesterday. We're told Joanna refused to do it.
"American Idol" told us "No comment." Felicia Barton took her spot.
Lakers Legend Claims Clippers Steered by Racist
Former legendary L.A. Laker Elgin Baylor has just filed a lawsuit against the L.A. Clippers and the NBA, claiming he's the victim of rampant racial discrimination.
In the lawsuit, filed today in L.A. County Superior Court, Baylor -- who was unceremoniously dismissed as VP and General Manager last October -- claims the team has "egregious salary disparities" based on race. Baylor claims he was told to "induce African American players to join the Clippers, despite the Clippers' reputation of being unwilling to fairly treat and compensate African American players." Baylor says the owner, Donald Sterling, has a "pervasive and ongoing racist attitude."
Baylor cites the case of NBA player Danny Manning, where Sterling allegedly said, "I'm offering a lot of money for a poor Black kid." The suit claims Sterling repeatedly referred to the team as "poor Black kids" and "he wanted a White coach directing the Clippers." Sterling is being sued as well.
Baylor says he personally got stiffed, only being paid $350,000 a year since 2003, when a "Caucasian head coach was given a 4 year, 22 million dollar contract."
Here's the best part. The suit says, "At all relevant times mentioned here, Mr. Baylor was an African American male over the age of 40."
Jimmy Connors Cleared!
Tennis great Jimmy Connors has just dodged a bullet.
A Santa Barbara judge has just dismissed the criminal charge against Jimmy Connors. Jimmy Boy had been charged with trespassing after allegedly going a little crazy last November at a UCSB basketball game.
McEnroe -- your move.
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Phelps "Disappoints" Hot Softball Legend
There are several reasons to watch this clip: 1) Jennie Finch is hot. 2) Jennie Finch, who won a gold medal in the same Olympics as Michael Phelps, guilt trips the dude over his bong scandal 3) Jennie Finch is really hot.
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Chris Brown -- What You Didn't See
Chris Brown was too busy turning himself in to the cops for allegedly assaulting Rihanna to perform at the Grammys last night -- but now we've got exclusive rehearsal video of what his routine would have looked like.
This video was taken Friday during his Grammy rehearsal for "Forever," the song he was slated to perform.
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Toby Keith Splashes Down on Beer Tosser
Toby Keith was his own personal security task force at a concert this weekend -- going after the "punk-ass mother f***er" who allegedly fired a beer on stage.
It all went down at a concert in Pikeville, Kentucky on Saturday night when Keith says one rowdy fan threw him "the bird" ... and then threw a beer.
Keith's reps tell TMZ Toby jumped off the stage and confronted the guy face-to-face. After Toby fired off a few choice words, the guy backed down and security dragged him out.
Toby apologized for the incident moments after it happened -- as you can see in the video -- but no arrests were made and the rest of the concert went off without a hitch.
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Brown's Rented Lamborghini Impounded
It appears this is the silver rental Lamborghini Chris Brown had driven the night of the alleged incident. We're told cops towed a vehicle from the scene at Hancock Park to a nearby police impound lot, where it still remains behind a chain-link fence.
Chris Brown Arrested Caught On Tape
Chris Brown has officially been booked into the custody of the Los Angeles Police Department. He was driven to the station by high-powered attorney Mark Geragos.
Brown has been charged with one count felony criminal threats. His bail has been set at $50,000. He is still being investigated for a possible battery.
Geragos' past clients include Michael Jackson, Winona Ryder and Scott Peterson.
UPDATE 11:42 PM EST: TMZ has learned Chris paid his bail and was released.
Story developing...
Chris Brown Turns Himself In
TMZ can confirm that Chris Brown just entered an LAPD station, where he turned himself in to police.
Chris is being investigated by the LAPD for an alleged domestic violence felony battery that occurred early this morning near Hancock Park in L.A. Police officials said earlier today they may arrest Brown when they find him. Well, now they know where he is.
According to the female victim -- who cops refuse to identify -- she and Chris got into an argument which turned violent. Cops say when they arrived at the scene, Brown had split, but the woman had "visible injuries and identified Brown as her attacker."
Brown and his girlfriend Rihanna were together earlier last night, attending Clive Davis' pre-Grammy party -- and both canceled their scheduled performances at tonight's event.
Brown is currently being interviewed by detectives.
Story developing...