Russell Brand narrowly escaped serious injury on the set of his latest film.

The British funnyman was accidentally set alight while shooting a scene for ‘Get Him to the Greek’ – in which he reprises his ‘Forgetting Sarah Marhsall’ role as rocker Aldous Snow.

He explained: “I got set on fire once. There’s a bit in the movie where I do a concert, and there’s a wall of sparks raining down from the heavens. And it caught me on fire. I stood in the wrong place; I caught on fire for a little. That was a bad bit.”

Despite being known for his womanising ways, Russell – who is engaged to singer Katy Perry – hated having to film a sex scene for the movie because it was so “awkward”.

He explained to Tufts Daily website: “Sex scenes are actually sort of stressful. Not like actual sex – not as I know it.

“The threesome scene was really awkward and difficult. Because sex, when it’s done properly, is about creating a wonderful atmosphere of intimacy, escape and adventure. Sex scenes are about hesitant, angular, choreographed moves.

“And this is a comedy sex scene as well, so it goes on for ages, and you’re standing with no pants, hunched over someone. You’re aware of each other’s breath mingling but without the baseline of lust pounding rhythmically through the act. It’s awful.”

Source: BANG Showbiz

Hulk Hogan: My Insurance Co. Screwed Me

Hulk Hogan has sued his insurance company, claiming it compromised his $30 million fortune in the near-fatal car crash caused by his son.

According to the lawsuit, Wells Fargo Southeast — which provided insurance for the Hogan family — only paid $250,000 to John Graziano, who is severely disabled — the result of the Nick Hogan car crash.

Hulk claims the $250,000 policy limit exposed him to personal liability in settling the case.

Hulk’s beef — insurance company reps never advised him his policies needed to be reevaluated given that he had teenage drivers who posed a greater financial risk.

Hulk’s lawsuit does not disclose how much he personally paid to settle with the Grazianos.

Hulk is suing for unspecified damages.

Source: TMZ

There is a possibility  for the “New Moon” star Vampire Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson)  or Kristen Stewart to take away the best performer of the year on the British National Movie Awards.

According to the official website of the British National Movie Awards, this event will be held on 26th May 2010 and will be aired on ITV1.

The six different categories for the British National Movie Awards 2010  are as follows:

1. Action/Thriller Movie
2. Family Movie
3. Fantasy Movie
4. Most Anticipated Summer Movie
5. Breakthrough Movie
6. Performance of the Year

Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart are nominated for the Performance of the Year Awards, but surprisingly Taylor Lautner is also nominated in the same category for the same film Twilight Saga: New Moon.

The other 16 actors are as follows:

1. Gemma Arterton – Clash Of The Titans
2. Helena Bonham Carter – Alice In Wonderland
3. Jim Carrey – A Christmas Carol
4. John Cusack – 2012
5. Johnny Depp – Alice In Wonderland
6. Leonardo DiCaprio – Shutter Island
7. Robert Downey Jr – Sherlock Holmes
8. Rupert Grint – Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince
9. Aaron Johnson – Kick-Ass
10. Jude Law – Sherlock Holmes
11. Brad Pitt – Inglourious Basterds
12. Daniel Radcliffe – Harry Potter And The Half–Blood Prince
13. Zoe Saldana – Avatar
14. Emma Thompson – Nanny McPhee & The Big Bang
15. Emma Watson – Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince
16. Sam Worthington – Avatar / Clash Of The Titans

It seems a very tough competition for Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and co-star Taylor Lautner for the award of Best Performer of the Year. British National Movie Awards is based on votes from the public, who make their choices online and on the phone.

Former Heisman Trophy Finalist Arrested

TMZ has learned former NFL running back Chris Perry was arrested in Brooklyn yesterday, after cops say he got in a fist fight with a family member.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ Perry — a 2003 Heisman Trophy finalist — was arrested in his grandmother’s home after he allegedly socked his cousin in the face after an argument.

The arrest comes almost 6-years — to the day — that the Michigan standout was selected in the first round of the NFL draft by the Cincinnati Bengals … who ultimately cut the running back from squad in 2009.

Source: TMZ

Seagal’s Ex-Nanny: He Was a Total Gentleman

Another one of Steven Seagal’s former female employees is finally speaking up, but this time, the woman claims Steven NEVER acted inappropriately toward her — or anyone else — during her employment.

TMZ spoke with Sonam Choezom — who served as Seagal’s nanny in 1996. Choezom tells us she met Seagal through a relative who was active in Tibetan Buddhism.

Choezom tells us soon after they met, Seagal learned that her father was very ill — so he offered to move her from Nepal to the U.S. and employ her as his nanny so she could afford her father’s health care.

Choezom claims once she took the job, Seagal was “always very nice and respectful” — and added that the actor never once made any sort of sexual advance toward her, including massages.

As far as the sexual assault lawsuit against Seagal is concerned, Choezom tells us, “I was very surprised.”

Source: TMZ

Anna Nicole Doc: No Grassy Knoll Here

One of the doctors charged in the Anna Nicole Smith drug case claims prosecutors have no evidence he conspired to pump Smith full of unwarranted prescriptions — so he’s asking the judge to throw out some of the charges.

Dr. Sandeep Kapoor’s lawyer, Ellyn Garofalo, filed legal papers asking the judge to reject — once and for all — the prosecution’s claim that Kapoor teamed with Howard K. Stern and Dr. Khristine Eroshevich to fuel Anna Nicole with scripts.

In the docs, Kapoor claims he prescribed drugs for Anna before he even met Eroshevich. Kapoor also claims he actually refused to fill a prescription wish list Eroshevich faxed him.

Kapoor also challenges the allegation he obtained Anna’s prescriptions by “fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation,” according to the filing.

In the court papers, Kapoor acknowledges filling a prescription for Anna under a pseudonym, but he claims he only did so to protect her privacy — and not to “divert drugs for illegal sale or use.”

Even if the judge grants the motion, Kapoor would still face 4 other counts.

Source: TMZ

Kourtney Kardashian loves her bigger bottom.

The reality TV star – who gave birth to her first child, son Mason, in December – piled on 40lbs during her pregnancy and although she prefers her new plumper butt, Kourtney admits she needs to keep it in check.

She said: “I want to try to do squats – stuff that will keep the booty up there!”

The 30-year-old socialite doesn’t just use the classic power move that helps lift, tone and define, as she’s recently become very serious about jogging too.

She said: “I’m big on running – just putting on my iPod Shuffle and going for a run by my house. You’ll be having fun and losing weight at the same time.”

Kourtney also credited a couple of small changes in her diet as making a difference to her body shape.

She told Life and Style magazine: “I used to always get a chai latte from Starbucks, but I just switched to one espresso shot. I’m allowing myself one serving of caffeine while breastfeeding baby Mason, and the latte was really all sugar and milk.”

Source: BANG Showbiz

The ‘Rude Boy’ singer was rushed to the accident and emergency department of the Hirslanden private clinic in Switzerland on Monday night (19.04.10) after hurting herself during her sell-out concert at the Hallenstadion venue, in Zurich.

The 22-year-old star’s publicist has now revealed Rihanna only “went to have it looked at to be sure it was nothing serious” and insists everything is now “OK, and the tour is going great”.

Rihanna – who was discharged from the hospital two-and-a-half hours after being admitted – was able to continue on the European leg of her ‘Last Girl on Earth’ tour and is now heading to Germany for a show in  Frankfurt on Friday (23.04.10) before playing in Oberhausen on Sunday (25.04.10).

She then travels to Switzerland, France, back to Germany and Luxemburg before flying over to the UK and Ireland for a number of dates.

Rihanna’s tour is her most ambitious yet and features a number of costume changes and rigorous dance routines.

She said: “We’ve never done a tour to this capacity. The production is unbelievable and so are the costumes, we just took it to a whole new level. We just keep growing.”

When asked about the concept behind her show, she recently said: “It’s my world, and I’m going to live it the way I want to. That’s how I think about everything, that way I’m focused on me, and my work.

“I like to think about myself as the last girl on earth because sometimes people make decisions based on the outlook of others and, you know, to me, my life is my life.”

Source: BANG Showbiz

Octomom — Living in Fantasyland

What does Octomom do right after she tells Oprah she has trouble paying her mortgage? She’s goes to Disneyland!!!!!

Nadya Suleman and one of her spawn were spotted at Disney’s California Adventure Park on Tuesday in Anaheim.

We’re told Octo and her kid had VIP passes and were able to bypass the lines. For the kid’s sake …. let’s hope they were comped.

Source: TMZ

Locklear Likely in the Clear

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ it’s “unlikely” prosecutors will file hit-and-run charges against Heather Locklear.

TMZ broke the story that Heather was arrested Saturday for allegedly striking a “no parking” sign near her house and then fleeing the scene.  A neighbor heard a crash at around 4:00 AM Saturday but didn’t call the cops until 15 hours later.

Our law enforcement sources say cops don’t have the ammo to prove Heather was driving the car in question.  Here’s what we know:

- Cops went to the guard shack last Saturday at Heather’s development and the guard on duty said he saw a BMW with right wheel well damage that was consistent with the accident.

- Cops checked the surveillance video which shows the BMW going into the complex hours after the incident but the driver can’t be ID’d.

- One of the investigating deputies picked up a piece of plastic at the scene and it matched a piece missing from Heather’s car.

- Sources say as of now there is “nothing approaching proof beyond a reasonable doubt” that Heather drove the car that hit the sign, making it “extremely unlikely” prosecutors will file charges.

And there’s this — the “Ghostbusters” defense.  Even if there were proof that Heather hit a “no parking” sign, who’s she gonna call at 4 AM on a Saturday?  It’s not like hitting a car where you leave a note for the owner — who leaves a note on a “no parking” sign?

Source: TMZ

Jon’s Lawyer: Kate’s a Shameless Self-Promoter

TMZ has learned Jon Gosselin will press on with his “absentee mom” argument in custody court, in spite of the fact that Kate Gosselin just got booted from “Dancing with the Stars.”

Jon’s lawyer, Anthony List, tells TMZ, “‘Dancing with the Stars’ is just the tip of the iceberg for Kate, as surely there will be many other projects to take its place soon.”

List notes … Kate has already signed on for two new shows — both on TLC.  And, he scoffs, “She’s always promoting something … and most of the time it’s herself.”

Jon is asking the court for primary custody of their 8 kids.  He also wants child support from the parent who is hands down becoming the breadwinner in the dysfunctional family.

Source: TMZ

Annie Lennox the “Why” hitmaker shocked everyone on ‘American Idol’ annual ‘Idol Gives Back’ show, where she performed with iconic Arethra Franklin wearing a black shirt which had “HIV POSITIVE” written on in it.

Annie Lennox is not a HIV positive but she is campaigning to help raise awareness against HIV or AIDS .  She was honored with the 2009 Woman of Peace Award for her contribution to the HIV Positive / AIDS campaign.

Annie Lennox had to perform on the show via satellite because she was unable to travel due to the volcanic ash.

Idol Gives Back is the name of a charitable campaign where the money raised is donated to Children’s Health Fund, Malaria No More, Save the Children’s US Programs and the United Nations Foundation.

In 1990, Lennox recorded a version of Cole Porter’s “Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye” for the Cole Porter tribute album Red Hot + Blue, a benefit for AIDS awareness. A video was also produced. Lennox opened the 2009 Edinburgh Festival of Politics with a stinging attack on Pope Benedict XVI’s approach to HIV/AIDS prevention in Africa.

Marie Osmond’s Son Attempted 3 Suicides

Marie Osmond’s son had been suffering from depression due to “bad school grades and a recent visit from a former girlfriend,” this according to witness statements in the L.A. County Coroner’s report on Michael Bryan’s suicide.

Ruthann Clawson — a close friend of Michael’s — said the young man also confided in her that he had three previous suicide attempts by hanging.

Clawson said Michael smoked cigarettes daily and was a social drinker, but had not recently used illegal drugs.

Clawson also told Coroner’s investigators, on the night of Michael’s death, she received several text messages from him, including one where he said he was “feeling like s**t.”

At 9:23 PM the day Michael died, he texted her, “I have a letter for you on my bed.”  She ran downstairs into his bedroom and found a handwritten suicide note.  She went to the balcony, looked down and saw Michael lying on the sidewalk below.

Source : TMZ

Lindsay Lohan’s Butt on the Line

TMZ has learned … the people suing Lindsay Lohan over a wild ride down Pacific Coast Highway now want a judge to throw the book at her for being a no-show at her deposition.

Lawyers for three passengers in Lindsay’s car — along with the passenger in the car Lindsay was chasing — are going to court Thursday morning, asking a judge not only to force Lindsay to sit for her depo … but they also want a default judgment against Lindsay for failing to appear.

As TMZ first reported, Lindsay bailed on her depo last week and then again Tuesday — she had things to do and people to see, and she couldn’t get a ride.

We’ll be in court, so stay tuned.

Source: TMZ

Marie Osmond’s Son — Drugs Not Involved

The coroner just released the autopsy findings for Maria Osmond’s son, which show the cause of death was solely from the jump — a suicide.

The cause of death was determined to be multiple blunt trauma.

According to the L.A. County Coroner’s Office, drugs were not found in Michael Bryan Blosil’s system.

Bryan died on February 26 after he jumped from his apartment building in downtown Los Angeles.

Story Developing…

Source: TMZ

Warrant Issued for ‘Deadliest Catch’ Star

Jake Harris — one of the stars of “Deadliest Catch” — is officially a wanted man after blowing off a critical court appearance in his reckless driving case today.

TMZ has learned a judge in King County, Washington issued a bench warrant for the 24-year-old after he failed to appear for his pretrial hearing today.

Jake — the youngest son of the late Captain Phil Harris — was arrested back in February after allegedly driving recklessly and causing a late-night car crash.

In addition to reckless driving, Jake was originally charged with DUI and hit-and-run — but those two charges were eventually dropped.

Calls to Jake’s reps have not yet been returned.

Source: TMZ

Kim Kardashian’s bottom is “like a water bomb”.

The US reality TV star invited Australian talk show host Chrissie Swan to grab her rump in order to prove its authenticity live on television, prompting her to compare it to a soft, water-filled balloon.

Referring to her behind, Kim said: “While I’ve been here, a few people have asked if it’s real, so you can grab it if you want.”

Chrissie duly obliged and proclaimed: “It’s juicy and real! It’s like a water bomb. “

Kim questioned: “Maybe a little too juicy?”

But ‘The Circle’ host disagreed, saying the reason many people admire the former ‘Playboy’ model is because of her natural looks.

Kim recently appeared naked in a photoshoot for Harpers Bazaar magazine, and said she felt more comfortable than when she appeared in Men’s magazine ‘Playboy’, and is proud that she is seen as a role model to younger girls

Kim, 29, said: “It’s definitely scary, but it’s very liberating. I think the message is embrace your curves and who you are. I feel proud if young girls look up to me and say, ‘I’m curvy and proud of it now.’

“I might have a little bit of cellulite. I might not be toned everywhere. I might struggle in this area or that.”

Source: BANG Showbiz

Heather Locklear — Surveillance Video

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ Heather Locklear’s swanky neighborhood security system is what led deputies to her doorstep last Saturday … which then led to her arrest for hit-and-run … but there may be a big problem fingering Heather as the driver.

Sources say police checked the surveillance footage from the guard shack at her Westlake Village neighborhood sometime after her alleged crash … and saw footage of Heather driving her black BMW into the complex … and the BMW had damage in the right wheel well area consistent with the accident scene.

But here’s the hole in the case.  The video was recorded many hours after the accident … so even if there’s clear proof Heather’s car was in the accident at 4 AM Saturday, there is no smoking gun placing her behind the wheel at that time.

Cops also collected debris from the crash scene — which matched up with Locklear’s damaged ride … but still, there’s no clear proof Heather was the driver.

As we first reported, Locklear was arrested Saturday night for misdemeanor hit-and-run

Source: TMZ

Lindsay Lohan – 2nd Time, Not a Charm

Lindsay Lohan is 0 for 2 in the deposition department.  TMZ has learned Lindsay was a no-show again … in what is looking like a futile attempt to find out what really happened during her 2007 wild ride.

Three passengers in Lindsay’s car — along with the passenger in the car she was chasing — are suing her, claiming she endangered their lives in a drunken chase down Pacific Coast Highway.

The passengers were scheduled to take Lindsay’s depo yesterday at 10 AM but her lawyer, Ed McPherson, tells TMZ she couldn’t get a ride until 11 AM — she’s not allowed to drive as a condition of her probation.

Lindsay bailed on her depo earlier this month because of a schedule conflict.

BTW, the photo in this post was taken at 2:30 AM today outside Trousdale nightclub in West Hollywood.

Source: TMZ

Heather Locklear Arrested for Hit-and-Run

Heather Locklear was arrested for hit-and-run last Saturday … TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ at around 4 AM, someone heard a crash near North Ranch Country Club in Westlake Village, CA.

The person who heard the crash didn’t call the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department until 7:48 PM that night.  Deputies went out to the area and found a knocked over “no parking” sign and obvious signs of a car that went up the curb, striking the sign.

Deputies confirmed through investigation that the car in question was Locklear’s black BMW.  The collision was very close to Locklear’s home.

Deputies then went to Locklear’s home, saw damage to the BMW that was consistent with the collision, and arrested her for hit-and-run.

The offense is a misdemeanor, so Locklear was not taken into custody — just cited and released.  An official from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department tellsTMZ a hit-and-run citation constitutes an “arrest.”

Back in 2008, Locklear was arrested in Santa Barbara for allegedly driving under the influence of prescription medications.

She ended up pleading no contest to a misdemeanor charge of reckless driving and was placed on three years informal probation.  A Santa Barbara prosecutor tells us he’s looking into the latest incident, which could be a probation violation.

Source: TMZ

Corey Haim’s Mom Moves Closer to Son’s Grave

Corey Haim’s mom Judy Haim claims she just moved to Toronto — thirty minutes from where Corey is buried — so she could be closer to her son.

Judy tells TMZ she visits the late actor’s grave seven days a week … for an hour or more a day.

According to Judy, the outpouring of support has been incredible — every time she visits, the grieving mother finds DVD covers, cards, flowers and plants from fans.

Corey Haim — who starred in several ’80s blockbusters like “The Lost Boys” — passed away last month. He was 38.

Source: TMZ

MJ’s Dancer — I Wanna Join the Cirque

All sorts of people connected to Michael Jackson are bursting at the sequined seams to be a part of the upcoming MJ-themed Cirque du Soleil show — including one of the dancers from Michael’s “This Is It” tour.

TMZ has learned Danielle Rueda-Watts — one of the 12 dancers picked by Jackson for the London concerts — has actually worked with the Cirque before (on the “Love” show) and she tells us it would be “great to work with these people again.”

As we first reported, the first Cirque show will open in the fall of 2011 and will be focused heavily on dancing — with the trademark Cirque acrobatics.

Watts just happens to be a master of all of the above … not to mention a pro at pole dancing.

Source: TMZ

Seagal’s New Accuser — Ray Charles Connection

The Steven Seagal alleged sexual assault scandal  now has a Ray Charles connection …  — TMZ has learned one of the women who just came forward accusing Seagal of making unwanted sexual advances is Ray’s granddaugher.

As we first reported, two new women have given sworn declarations to back up Kayden Nguyen’s lawsuit against the star.  One is Blair Robinson — who claims she first met Seagal at her granddaddy Ray’s funeral in 2004.

According to Robinson, she was invited to Seagal’s home after the funeral — along with her father Ray Charles Jr. – to discuss a job opportunity with the actor.

In the declaration, Blair claims she took a job as Seagal’s assistant one month after the meeting — but on day 1, she claims Seagal came to her room and told her she was required to give him massages. In the docs, Blair also claims Seagal tried teaching her the proper method by massaging her.

In the docs, Blair states, “It became clear to me that he wanted and expected sexual favors as part of my job duties.” Blair claims she quit after the first day.

Seagal’s lawyer, Marty Singer, vehemently denies the accusations and claims Seagal has “no knowledge” of either Blair or the other woman who provided declarations.

Singer added, “The declarations were clearly prepared by Nguyen’s lawyer to be leaked to the media to help bolster his client’s meritless claim

Source: TMZ

Secret Service Investigating Kal Penn Robbery

The scumbag who robbed Kal Penn at gunpoint in D.C. yesterday picked the wrong guy to mess with — law enforcement sources tell TMZ the Secret Service is now on the case.

Turns out, the bad guy didn’t just take Penn’s wallet, the perp also made off with Kal’s two cell phones — one of which belongs to the U.S. government.

Penn is currently a member of President Barack Obama’s staff — serving as the Associate Director in the Office of Public Engagement — and since the crook took Kal’s government issued cell, the Secret Service is now joining with the D.C. Metro Police Department to hunt for the bad guy.

Sources tell us Penn contacted White House communications, who stopped service on the stolen phone ASAP and issued him a new cell. We’re told “no information was compromised because no official numbers were in the phone.”

Source: TMZ

Paris Hilton — Where There’s Smoke …

As we first reported, fire trucks went screaming to Paris Hilton’s home in the Hollywood Hills yesterday after someone in the place called 911 … and now we’ve learned it all had to do with a broken appliance.

Sources close to Paris tell us Hilton’s assistant was watching the place — because Paris was driving back from Coachella – when she noticed smoke pouring out of the AC vents and immediately called 911.

The L.A. City Fire Department checked out the house — and determined that no one was in danger and that Paris should simply get in touch with a good air conditioning guy.

Crisis averted.

Source: TMZ