Skateboard Company Backlash Over Asian Slur T-Shirt
A major skateboard company is being accused of putting "racism for sale" ... after selling a shirt featuring two Asian men under the words, "Gooks of Hazzard."
The company under fire is Baker Skateboards ... which is owned by skating legend Andrew Reynolds ... who's been featured as a character in several of the Tony Hawk Pro Skater video games.
Baker is currently selling the "Hazzard" shirt on its website. The shirt features two Asian men in a car named the "General Li." One of the men is pro skater Don "The Nuge" Nguyen -- who's sponsored by Baker.
The shirt also features a tagline, "Good Orr Boys" ... a play on the stereotype of an Asian accent.
But while it appears The Nuge approves of the shirt, the Asian American Justice Center feels differently ... a rep for the organization tells us it's "unacceptable for Baker Skateboards to create a depiction of Asian Americans which uses racial slurs and perpetuates racist stereotypes.”
The org. adds, "Baker Skateboards, and the outlets that sell this shirt, should be aware that use of the term 'gook' on their apparel is offensive and quite simply amounts to racism for sale. No one should seek to profit from racism.”
We reached out to Baker Skateboards -- as well as Don “The Nuge” Nguyen -- so far, no word back from either.
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LaBeouf vs. Theroux The Rich Celebrity Hipster Olympics
While Olympians vie for medal glory in London, a different battle was being waged by actor Shia LaBeouf and Jennifer Aniston's main man Justin Theroux on the streets of NYC yesterday ... the rich celebrity hipster challenge.
Representing the scraggly, bearded, thrift store twenty-something contingent was contractually bound "Transformers" star LaBeouf (left), while unfortunate "Rock of Ages" screenwriter Theroux defended the muscled, goth, skinny jean clad, 40 and over intelligentsia (right).
Question is ...
Bar Refaeli The Hottest Stocking Stuffer Ever!
Leaving little to the imagination -- and looking ridiculously sexy -- in some sort of black lace body stocking thing, supermodel Bar Refaeli tweeted a pic of her gorgeous self on the set of her latest photo shoot in London on Monday.
This is definitely worthy of an Olympic gold medal.
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Vanessa Bryant Arrives in London -- Let the Shopping Begin!
Angry Vanessa Bryant is GREAT for the British economy ... 'cause Kobe's estranged wife has arrived in London ... and already taken a high-end shopping spree.
As we previously reported, Vanessa had planned to fly to the U.K. with the couple's two daughters long before she saw the pics of a topless Kobe hangin' with a couple of chicks at an afterparty in Barcelona.
We're told Vanessa was less than pleased with the photos, but Dolce & Gabbana can make you forget a lot.
There's more than shopping on her itinerary though -- a rep tells us Vanessa's staying in London for the full 2 weeks of the Olympics. We're told she's already attended several events ... including one of Ryan Lochte's races.
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'2 Broke Girls' Star Kat Dennings CLEAVAGE BATTLE with 'Mad Men' Chick
"2 Broke Girls" star Kat Dennings ripped a page from the Christina Hendricks guide to the red carpet ... by squeezing her gals into a very cleavage-friendly blue dress this weekend.
Dennings was trying to generate interest in her show at a media event for the Television Critics Association in Beverly Hills. Mission accomplished.
Meanwhile, here's a shot of Christina at an event back in September 2011.
Naturally, we gotta ask ...
Lindsay Lohan's Sister Modeling Agent Ships Her Off To KOREA
Let's hope Lindsay Lohan's little sister likes to chow down on things like kimchi and bibimbap ... because her modeling agency just sent her 6,000 miles away to go find work in ... KOREA!
According to our sources ... 18-year-old Ali Lohan will spend the next 30 days or so living in Korea (South, not North) with a group of 3-4 other Americans in a "model house" as they all try to book gigs in the Asian market.
Sources close to Lohan tell TMZ ... Ali had no issues with peacing out of the U.S. for a few weeks -- she'll now be an entire ocean away from Dina -- and told friends she'll keep in touch via Skype.
Her family said goodbye last week with a sendoff dinner in NYC (below) ... but LiLo couldn't make it because she's too busy shooting "The Canyons" with that porn star guy.
Good luck Ali ... and if you see a sign that says "Nuclear Testing Ground" ... walk the other way.
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Janet Jackson The Bathing Suit Wardrobe Malfunction
Janet Jackson enjoyed soaking up the warm Italian sun on a yacht yesterday ... by laying out fully dressed in black long sleeves, pants and a top hat.
With her Slash impersonation in full effect, the 46-year-old pop icon takes the concept of a beach cover-up to a new level.
No question about it, Janet's got a really hot body.
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Supermodel Izabel Goulart Takes the Jolie Leg to New Heights!
Nearly six months after Angelina Jolie stole the show at the Oscars with her awkward leg flash, Brazilian supermodel Izabel Goulart took it up a notch -- or three -- by exposing her ridiculously long luxurious bronzed leg ... and thigh ... and hip ... and nearly everything else at an event in Lima, Peru on Thursday.
If anyone tries to outdo Izabel's Jolie leg ... police will need to be called.
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Lindsay Lohan Yet Another Hair-Raising Moment
Years of extensions, weaves and dye jobs have finally taken their toll on Lindsay Lohan ... as her exposed scalp made an impromptu appearance through her scraggly ginger locks when she picked up dinner at -- the appropriately named -- E. Baldi restaurant in Beverly Hills on Thursday.
If this keeps up, it won't be long before the rehabbed 26-year-old wigs out again.
Vera Wang My Marriage Has Gone Flaccid
Vera Wang -- wedding dress designer to the stars -- has separated from her husband ... this according to Wang's rep.
The President of Wang's company released a statement saying, "Vera Wang and Arthur Becker have mutually and amicably agreed to separate. They remain devoted parents to their two daughters.”
Wang and Becker married in 1989. So far, it's unclear if either party has filed divorce papers.
63-year-old Wang is estimated to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars -- which could lead to a very complicated divorce.
One item that might become a source of tension -- a $10 million glass-walled home Vera purchased in L.A. last year.
You know what they say about people in glass houses ...
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Kanye West & Kim Kardashian Touchy-Feely in Paris
Despite being dressed like opposites in white and black, Kanye West and Kim Kardashian solidified their love with a very public display of affection by holding hands in France on Wednesday.
The fashion forward couple celebrated Independence Day by hitting up Paris Fashion Week with supermodel Bar Refaeli.
Despite being out of the U.S., K&K made their own 4th of July fireworks.
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Hayden P's Bikini In a Tight Spot
And now ... some photos of Hayden Panettiere in a really small, wedge-tastic bikini ... because it's summer.
Hayden hit the beach in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico this week ... showing off her tiny physique as she tanned by the pool.
Hayden's NFL player BF Scotty McKnight was there too ... no shirt, no problem.
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Larry King Ryan Seacrest Picks Out My Clothes
There's a reason Larry King always looks like a million bucks -- the news icon tells TMZ, Ryan Seacrest personally picks out his flashy duds.
78-year-old King was at LAX last week with his wife Shawn ... and we asked the question on everyone's mind ... HOW DOES HE STAY SO SHARP?
The King's secret -- Ryan Seacrest picks out most of his jeans.
As for who buys the rest of King's clothes -- the answer may come as a surprise ... then again ...
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'Fear the Brow' Owner Anthony Davis Can Have My Trademark ... For a Price
Anthony Davis will have to pay through his nose if he wants to buy the famous "Fear the Brow" trademark -- at least according to its current owner, who tells TMZ, he doesn't plan to sell out for cheap.
Reid Coffman -- owner of the University of Kentucky apparel store Blue Zone -- trademarked "Fear the Brow" last November for his popular Davis-themed merchandise. Davis attempted to trademark the SAME phrase earlier this month.
Davis -- who was drafted to the New Orleans Hornets last night -- hasn't officially challenged Coffman's trademark, but his recent trademark filing is a clear sign Davis plans to go to war over the slogan.
Unfortunately for Coffman, it's not a cut-and-dry case just because he filed first. Anthony arguably has a viable claim to the trademark because the "Fear the Brow" slogan trades off his persona, particularly his extremely unique face hair.
Nevertheless, Coffman insists he owns the full rights to the trademark because he created the slogan -- and if Davis wants to buy it ... he's willing to play ball.
Coffman wouldn't specify a selling price -- but tells us, "If someone like Nike took this slogan over it could be worth millions." Coffman says he's currently ready to accept offers.
Calls to Davis' reps were not returned -- but moments before he was drafted, Davis was asked about the trademark filing ... and he responded, "My agents and my parents talked it over and they came at me with the idea. And I loved it. Who doesn't love money?"
Trademark Wars
Snooki The Sober Stumble for Two
Just because she's carrying an unborn baby inside her and not downing tequila shots doesn't mean anything has changed for Snooki ... as the pint-sized mother-to-be once again stumbled to the ground in Seaside Heights on Thursday.
Rockin' a pair of maternity platform sandals, the unmarried "Jersey Shore" star lost her footing and took a sober tumble on to the sidewalk yesterday. Luckily, she was uninjured, quickly got up and went on her non-alcoholic merry way.
Snooks isn't letting pregnancy stop her from getting on her knees.
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Miley Cyrus Bottoms Out in Daisy Dukes
While shopping for some new hipster gear at American Apparel in Studio City on Wednesday, newly engaged pop tart Miley Cyrus let it all hang out ... through her high waist daisy duke cutoffs.
Dressed like she was hitting up a Pearl Jam concert in 1992 with a frat flannel and some Lilith Fair motorcycle boots, the 19-year-old was all about showing off her round and perky cheeky sides in a pair of denim short shorts.
For Liam Hemsworth's fiancee, grunge is definitely, er, back.