Amar’e Stoudemire — I MIGHT Be Jewish …

Don’t break out the Manischewitz just yet … TMZ has learned NBA superstar Amar’e Stoudemire has not found concrete evidence that proves he comes from Jewish lineage … but he’s definitely looking.

Stoudemire’s agent tells us, “I know there are some reports that he is Jewish, but he is not. He thinks there may be some Jewish blood on his mother’s side and he is researching it.”

Amar’e — who just signed a $100 million contract with the NY Knicks — is currently vacationing in Israel, where he’s learning Hebrew and “studying the religions there.”

Source: TMZ

Audrina Patridge thinks Justin Brescia is always “in character”.

Despite dating her hunky ‘The Hills’ co-star on-and-off for over four years, the 25-year-old beauty claims she never really got to know the real Justin because he was always playing out a different part for her and the cameras.

Audrina – who split from Justin, who was known as Justin-Bobby on the series, for good earlier this year – exclusively told BANG Showbiz: “I don’t see him anymore, no. I saw him at the finale but that was it.

“I feel like every time I see him, he looks like somebody different. He is attractive. But it’s like he’s always in character.”

The former couple’s on/off romance was heavily featured in the MTV reality show, with their frequent break-ups and make-ups keeping fans tuning in week after week.

However, Audrina says the constant camera presence put a huge strain on their relationship, and she wishes they hadn’t been as open about their romance.

She said: “It was really hard. That’s one bit of advice I’d give anybody about to appear in a reality show – don’t bring anyone that your dating onto the show if you really like them. It just makes it awkward, because when you’re on camera, it’s almost as if you’re having two different relationships. That’s what started happening to me. Two or three months later they’d show those episodes where I was talking to the girls about what happened, then he’d be like, ‘I can’t believe you said that!’ And it causes a fight, because of that.”

Rows between the pair often escalated in front of the cameras, and Audrina admits she would have done anything for some privacy.

She explained: “Oh I would try to run away from the cameras and they would chase me. There’s no getting away from them. I would take my mic off and shout, ‘Stop, go away’. But there was nothing I could do. I signed the contract.”

The final episode of ‘The Hills’ will air on MTV UK on Sunday August 15 at 9pm. ‘The Hills Season 5’ box set is out now.

Source: BANG Showbiz

Troy Aikman — I’m Doing ‘Dancing with the Stars’

Following in the rhinestone capezios of his former Dallas Cowboys teammate Emmitt Smith — legendary QB Troy Aikman told us last night that he’s officially on board for the next season of “Dancing with the Stars.”

Troy was leaving Red O restaurant in L.A. when he broke the news.

It’s pretty unusual for a celeb to spill the beans before ABC makes its official announcement … so if he was being serious, there might be some hell to pay down the line.

Calls to ABC have not yet been returned.

Source: TMZ

Oksana’s Smoking Gun in Brutality Allegation

Sources connected to Oksana Grigorieva tell TMZ that there are “third party witnesses” who will tell L.A. County Sheriff’s investigators they saw Mel Gibson punch Oksana on January 6 during the blowout at her home.

The sources say the witnesses have not yet spoken to Sheriff’s investigators, but they will come forward soon.

Although the sources would not be specific, it appears at least one of the witnesses is someone who works with Oksana on her music. The sources also say at least one of the third party witnesses saw Mel pull a gun on Oksana on January 6, after he allegedly punched her.

We’re told these witnesses do not include Oksana’s 12-year old son Alexander, who has already spoken with Sheriff’s investigators. Sources say during the mediation in May, Oksana said Alexander was hiding under the bed during the January 6 argument.

Source: TMZ

Natalie Portman (born June 9, 1981) is an Israeli-American actress. Her first role came in the 1994 French action film Léon (known in the United States as The Professional). During the 1990s, she had major roles in films like Beautiful Girls and Anywhere but Here, before being cast for the role as Padmé Amidala in the Star Wars prequel trilogy.

In the year 2001, Natalie opened in New York City’s Public Theater production of Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull, alongside Meryl Streep, Kevin Kline, and Philip Seymour Hoffman. In 2005, Portman received a Golden Globe Award as Best Supporting Actress in the drama Closer. Natalie starred in V for Vendetta (2006), having her head shaved, and learning to speak with an English accent in preparation for the role. Natalie played leading roles in the historical dramas Goya’s Ghosts and The Other Boleyn Girl. In May 2008, she served as the youngest member of the 61st Annual Cannes Film Festival jury. Portman’s directorial debut, Eve, opened the 65th Venice International Film Festival’s shorts competition in 2008.

Suorce: Wikipedia

Miranda Kerr will have a “crazy-hot baby”.

The pregnant Australian catwalk beauty’s fellow Victoria’s Secret model Jessica White has congratulated Miranda and her husband Orlando Bloom on their happy news and insists the tot couldn’t get a better start in life when it comes to good looking genes.

Jessica told America’s OK! magazine: “She’s preggos! I’m very excited.

“I’m happy for her. Love is in the air, and good for her. I think she and Orlando make a really beautiful couple and they’ve been together for a while, so I wish them all the best. And it’s going to be a crazy-hot baby.”

The pregnancy news broke yesterday (28.07.10) with Miranda reportedly telling friends she was expecting.

A source said: “She’s definitely pregnant… Miranda’s thrilled. She’s telling all her friends, mostly other models, about it.”

It has now been claimed Orlando, 33, let slip to hotel staff the 27-year-old model was pregnant during their honeymoon on the Caribbean isle of Anguilla last week.

A hotel worker said: “He kept apologising for Miranda being grumpy.

“He said she wasn’t well as she was pregnant. They looked very much in love.”

Source: BANG Showbiz

Casey Affleck Challenges Harassment Accuser’s Case

Casey Affleck and his attorneys are firing back at the woman who claims he sexually harassed her while filming a Joaquin Phoenix documentary.

Affleck’s powerhouse attorney Marty Singer filed a motion to compel arbitration today in L.A. County Superior Court.

In the docs, Singer claims Amanda White – the accuser — signed an agreement with the production company that said, “All disputes that may arise between the parties … will be determined solely by arbitration.”

Source: TMZ

Drew Carey — ‘Bob Can Say Whatever He Wants’

Drew Carey has finally responded to Bob Barker’s sharp criticism of his “Price is Right” hosting skills … and it turns out, there won’t be a showcase showdown after all.

As we first reported, Bob took a shot at Drew the other day … describing Carey’s hosting style as less than exciting.

But yesterday, TMZ spoke to Drew outside his favorite diner in Los Angeles … and it was clear dude  didn’t take it personally.

Source: TMZ

Michael Lohan — The Song I Wrote for Lindsay

The private meetings and public pleas didn’t work … but Michael Lohan may have found a way to reach his daughter — through the majesty of song … a song he wrote and produced … and then got a friend to perform.

We’re told Michael penned the song while he was in jail — we’re not sure which stint — and produced the whole thing with synthesizers that would make Journey weep.

The song contains lyrics like “a father’s love will never die” and “always daddy’s little girl” — click on the link and check it out for yourself!

Source: TMZ

Chelsea Clinton Wedding Location — No-Fly Zone

Chelsea Clinton’s high profile wedding is expected to draw so many powerful people, that birds will be the only things allowed to fly anywhere near the location where she’s getting married … TMZ has learned.

According to the FAA, a temporary flight restriction has been issued for the area where Chelsea is tying the knot on Saturday in Rhinebeck, NY — and will last from 3 PM EDT Saturday until 3:30 AM EDT Sunday.

The flight restriction — which was issued due to a “VIP (Very Important People) Movement” — will cover a land mass with a 1.5 nautical mile radius … and extend from zero to 2000 feet above ground level.

Sorry, paragliding paparazzi … no shots for you.

Source: TMZ

Oksana Held Back Cards During Mediation with Mel

Sources directly connected with Oksana Grigorieva tell TMZ that she purposely kept at least one key piece of evidence out of play during the mediation with Mel Gibson — alleged photos of her black eye.

As we first reported, Sheriff’s investigators are taking a hard look at the details of that 2-day negotiation because they believe it is relevant to Mel’s extortion claim against Oksana — and her domestic violence claim against Mel.

The source — who’s not a member of Oksana’s legal team — says Oksana never made an issue of the alleged black eye or whipped out pics of it during the mediation because she felt, at that point, that she had more than enough on the table — for instance, the secretly recorded telephone rant.

There are reports that Oksana suffered the injury to her eye during the Jan. 6 blowout.

Now the obvious question is, why hold anything back? Several sources tell us the intent of the mediation was to lay everything out and then hammer out a deal. Once it was signed all evidence would be confidential, we’re told, so any unused ammo would be rendered useless.

The talks ended with Mel’s side offering Oksana $15 million — which she first accepted … before reneging on the deal.

Source: TMZ

Kate Hudson and Muse frontman Matt Bellamy are house-hunting together.

The ‘Fool’s Gold‘ actress and the British rock star are looking for a property in New York after dating for just four months.

The couple have been inseparable since meeting at the Coachella Festival in California earlier this year and believe the time is right to set up home.

A source told The Sun newspaper: “They’re very loved-up, they just click.

“Kate’s had a place in the city for five years but she wants somewhere bigger, so Matt’s suggested pooling their resources.”

Kate wants the home to have a playroom for her six-year-old son Ryder – her child from her marriage to Black Crowes singer Chris Robinson -while Matt needs a studio to make music.

The source added: “Kate wants a studio for Matt and playroom for Ryder.”

Despite being snapped in public at the start of this year at a New York eatery, Kate and Matt decided to make their first official public appearance at the Glastonbury music festival in June – at which Muse was headlining.

The 31-year-old actress watched her man perform from the side of the stage and the loved-up pair spent the rest of their time at the famous event partying with pals.

Matt, 32, also met Kate’s mother, actress Goldie Hawn, earlier this month and admitted he was “quite nervous” beforehand.

And he also revealed marriage wasn’t out of the question.

He said: “We just have fun together and are seeing how it goes. Kate is great.

“It’s a little bit too soon to talk about weddings and stuff. Ask me in a few months though. I’ll let you know how it goes with Goldie – and then who knows?”

Source: BANG Showbiz

Why Rachel Uchitel Ran From Rehab — Dad’s Death

The issue that drove Rachel Uchitel to run away from rehab had nothing to do with Tiger Woods – instead it was an intense talk about her father’s death.

Sources closely connected to the production of “Celebrity Rehab” tell TMZ that Rachel’s breaking point came during a recent one-on-one therapy session where the main topic was her dad.

We’re told Rachel’s father died of a cocaine overdose in his 40s, and Rachel was 15 at the time.

Rachel split from Dr. Drew Pinsky’s facility in Pasadena and stayed at a Beverly Hills hotel for one night — and, according to our sources, she only came back the next day because her ‘Rehab’ castmates called and urged her to rejoin them.

Source: TMZ

Seems like Twilight’s Kristen Stewart have to miss out of ‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo‘. The 20-year-old star, who was considered to be a favorite candidate to star in the movie as Lisbeth Salander might have to miss out for her busy filming schedule.

A source told E! Online, Kristen Stewart is being considered, but she has not screen-tested”. “It looks like she may be out of the running because of Twilight scheduling conflicts.”

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is an award-winning crime novel by the late Swedish author Stieg Larsson. David Fincher is set to direct a
Hollywood adaptation of the book, for release in December 2011. Daniel Craig was officially confirmed as the lead in July. He would star as Mikael Blomkvist, journalist, publisher of Millennium magazine, and amateur sleuth.

Lisbeth Salander’s character in the movie is interesting. She is an extremely intelligent researcher, specialized in investigations of persons. She has a photographic memory, and is believed have Asperger syndrome.

Oksana Gets a PR Makeover

TMZ has learned Oksana Grigorieva has someone new to handle her public relations — crisis manager supreme Howard Bragman.

Sources tell us Bragman and Oksana have reached an agreement “in spirit,” and that paperwork is being finalized.

Oksana moves quickly — her last publicist, Steve Jaffe, just jumped ship this morning.

Bragman — who’s worked with the biggest names in Hollywood — will have his hands full stepping into the middle of Oksana’s ongoing war with Mel Gibson.

Source: TMZ

Zac Efron wants to go long-distance sailing.

The 22-year-old actor had to learn how to handle a boat for his role in new movie ‘Charlie St. Cloud’ and though he found it difficult, he would love to pursue it further and is now planning an epic trip with his father.

He said: “Sailing is sort of hard. You can’t just say ‘I’m going sailing this weekend’. There is a lot of preparation that goes into it. You need to get a boat and a crew.

“It’s not like surfing where you just grab your board and go. But, I’d love to do it in the future. I’d like to go some long-distance sailing. I think that would be really fun. Me and my dad want to do that.”

Zac’s dream sailing trip would be to the islands of Hawaii – but he is unsure if he would make the return journey.

He added to TeenHollywood.com: “I don’t know where I would go but the sail to Hawaii is supposed to be really fun. It takes about ten days to get there. That would be a big commitment. You’d need a pretty devoted crew.

“That would take weeks and then we wouldn’t want to leave the island for the big sail back. But somewhere with clear blue water would be really fun to sail.”

Source: BANG Showbiz

Katheryn Hudson (born October 25, 1984), better known by her stage name Katy Perry, is an American singer-songwriter and musician. She was born in Santa Barbara, California, and raised by Christian pastor parents; she grew up listening to only gospel music and sang in church as a child. After earning a GED during her freshman year of high school, she began to pursue a music career. Katy released a self-titled gospel album in 2001 as Katy Hudson which failed with the closing of its record label that year. Katy recorded an album with production team The Matrix and completed most of a solo album from 2004–2005, neither of which were released.

Katy released her first Internet single, “Ur So Gay”, that November, which garnered attention but did not chart. She rose to fame with her second single “I Kissed a Girl” in 2008, which topped international charts. Perry’s first mainstream album One of the Boys followed later that year and was eventually announced to be the thirty-third best selling album of 2008 worldwide. It was accredited platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America; “I Kissed a Girl” and her second single “Hot N Cold” both received multi-platinum certifications. Perry was ranked the 97th Artist of the 2000-10 decade by Billboard.

Source: Wikipedia

NASCAR Team Owner — The Moment He Lost Control

TMZ has obtained several photos of the moments before and after NASCAR team owner Jack Roush crashed his airplane yesterday in Wisconsin … a crash Roush was lucky enough to walk away from.

In the photos — which were taken around 6:15 PM on Tuesday at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh — you can see the plane veer to one side while attempting to land … and then violently crash.

Roush — who’s the owner of Roush Fenway Racing — and his only passenger Brenda Strickland were both transported to a local hospital and treated for non-life threatening injuries.

Incredibly, this is the second time Roush has crashed a plane and lived to tell about it … back in 2002, his aircraft ended up in a lake in Alabama, where he was rescued by an ex-Marine who lived close by.

Source: TMZ

Sheriff’s Dept. Hones in on Oksana’s Deal

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department is inquiring about the $15 million deal Oksana Grigorieva struck with Mel Gibson during their mediation — and the mediation is relevant both for Oksana’s domestic violence claim and Mel’s extortion claim.

Sources say Sheriff’s investigators are interested in both the evidence presented during the mediation and the evidence that is notably absent.

For example, there are now reports that Oksana claims to have photographic evidence of a black eye following the Jan. 6 fight. Sources involved in the mediation tell TMZ Oksana never mentioned a black eye nor did she present photos to anyone connected to the mediation. The black eye issue was never raised in any form whatsoever, sources tell TMZ.

Furthermore, we’re told, the tapes were the 800-pound elephant in the room that led to the $15 million agreement — which Oksana later disavowed.

As one source connected with the mediation said, “Oksana and her lawyer pulled out all the ammo they had that would embarrass Mel, and now things are surfacing after the fact that call her credibility into question.”

We’re told Sheriff’s investigators are looking at the mediation both to evaluate Oksana’s credibility and to determine if there is evidence of extortion

Source: TMZ

Kate Major Unleashes Lawyer Over Topless Pics

TMZ obtained a copy of the non-love letter Kate Major just fired off to her ex-fiance Michael Lohan — and it’s all over those topless pics of her on the Internet.

The cease and desist letter to Lohan reads, “We have recently become aware that you are illegally selling or offering for sale one or more nude photographs of Ms. Major to kikster LLC and other websites.”

The letter states that the photos were taken without Kate’s knowledge and that she did not consent to them going public. Kate and her attorney are demanding that Michael stop pitching the pics.

A similar letter was sent to kikster.com demanding that it take down the photos.

For his part, Michael has denied selling the photos and insists they were stolen.

Source: TMZ

Gloria Allred Starving For Attention … Literally

Gloria Allred plans to starve herself for the next 30 days in order to support women everywhere … even ones she doesn’t represent.

The attorney who helped Rachel Uchitel score some serious bread says she is going on a solid food fast — skipping a total of 90 meals — to draw attention to the need to pass the Equal Rights Amendment.

Allred’s strike will end on August 26 which is the 90th anniversary of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote.

Allred tells TMZ her last supper before the strike was hors d’oeuvres.

Source: TMZ

MJ’s Alleged Baby Mama: The Kid is NOT My Daughter

Michael Jackson’s alleged illegitimate daughter just suffered a devastating blow to her far-fetched claims … because the woman who supposedly gave birth to her — Diana Ross’ sister — says it’s all a bunch of BS.

TMZ just spoke to Dr. Barbara Ross-Lee, who tells us she’s pretty damn sure that Mocienne Petit Jackson “is not my daughter” — adding MPJ is “delusional” and calls the situation nothing short of “bizarre.”

Dr. Ross-Lee also points out a major hole in MPJ’s story — saying it would have been impossible for her to have conceived a baby with Michael back in 1975 … because she never even met the guy.

Dr. Ross-Lee says there was a time when MPJ “was really harassing me at my office” — and was forced to have her employer contact the police to get MPJ to stop.

According to Dr. Ross-Lee, she responded to one of MPJ’s emails a few years ago to tell her she was mistaken and to wish her well.

As we first reported, MPJ filed documents yesterday requesting a judge allow her to take a DNA test to prove she’s MJ’s daughter … and therefore lay claim to part of his fortune and be granted custody of his kids.

Good luck with that …

Source: TMZ

The pop star – whose most famous hit is ‘I Kissed A Girl’ – has a crush on the ‘Other Boleyn Girl’ actress and thinks it would be incredible to lock lips with her.

She said: “I used to want to kiss Megan Fox, but now she’s married and I’m not so sure about that anymore. Probably Natalie Portman now -she’s hot and smart.”

Although she would happily kiss Natalie, Katy wouldn’t be comfortable posing naked for Playboy magazine.

The 25-year-old singer is happy to squeeze her sexy figure into skin-tight latex dresses but isn’t prepared to expose it to the world.

When asked if she would strip off for the men’s publication, she said in an interview with YouTube: “I think I would probably say no because that’s like showing all your cards and I always want to keep a couple of aces up my sleeve and, plus, I think there’s a fine line between being a tease and just giving it away. I like to be considered more of a tease, so unfortunately guys you’re never going to get it.”

Katy feels happier with her body now than ever before and credits her relationship with fiance Russell Brand for her confidence.

She explained: “I’m very comfortable with my body now, you know, I’m 25 and I’m like, ‘OK this is what I’ve got.’ And of course I’m very loved-up which helps.”

Source: BANG Showbiz

Zac Efron reportedly spent more than $2,000 on lap dancers and vodka at a New York strip club.

The actor and two male friends – including his ‘High School Musical’ co-star Corbin Bleu – visited Flashdancers Gentlemen’s Club on Broadway on Sunday night (25.07.10) and stayed until 3am.

The ‘Charlie St. Cloud’ star – who has been dating actress Vanessa Hudgens since 2005 – is said to have requested dances from three pretty brunettes.

A witness at the club told the New York Post newspaper: “Zac came in Sunday night around midnight with Corbin and one other male friend, who paid for everything. They were seated in the VIP lounge behind the main stage. There was only a rail between them and the girls who were dancing.

“They ordered one bottle of Belvedere vodka and were enthralled with the dancers. They were interacting a lot with the girls and reaching out and showering money on them. There were three girls who Zac and his friends particularly liked and they asked to do personal dances at their table.”

The source continued: “The girls were all slim pretty brunettes, a bit like Zac’s girlfriend, Vanessa Hudgens. They were two Americans, called Shannon and Brandi, and a gorgeous Brazilian called Raquel.

“Zac and the boys had a great time and left around 3am.”

The next day Zac attended the New York premiere for his new movie ‘Charlie St. Cloud’ – in which he stars alongside Kim Basinger.

Source: BANG Showbiz

Katherine Jackson claims she “hasn’t been doing so well” since MJ died — in fact, according to a never-before-seen interview from last month, the singer’s mother has basically been an emotional wreck.

During the moving interview — which took place before the anniversary of Michael’s death — a visibly upset Katherine claims, “Not a day goes by that I don’t think about my son.”

The clip was shot by the same website hawking Katherine’s new book “Never Can Say Goodbye” — and according to our source, the footage is all part of a larger documentary on Jackson’s life.

As for who’s behind the whole project — we’re told it’s an equal partnership between Katherine and Howard Mann — the same guy who co-wrote her book.

Source: TMZ