Entertainment Buzz

TMZ: Cameron Diaz's Father Dies Of Pneumonia

Actress Cameron Diaz's father has reportedly passed away. According to TMZ.com, Emilio Diaz died yesterday morning after coming down with pneumonia. A source told the website that Cameron, who is filming the movie "My Sister's Keeper," was shocked by the death. Production of the film was reportedly shut down yesterday as a result. Emilio Diaz was considered to be in "terrific health" prior to his passing. He was 58. Cameron's rep has yet to comment on the story.

Former Rob Lowe Nanny Files Lawsuit Against Star

Actor Rob Lowe is being sued by his former nanny. According to a lawsuit filed Monday in a Santa Barbara, California court, 24-year-old Jessica Gibson claims Lowe exposed himself to her while she was employed by Lowe and his wife. Gibson also says Lowe touched her in sexual ways. During an appearance by Gibson and her attorney, Gloria Allred, on NBC's "Today" show, a statement was read by the Lowes' attorney Larry Stein regarding Gibson's allegations. It claims Gibson worked for the Lowes on-and-off for seven years and each time she returned, she asked for more hours. The statement also said when Gibson quit in February, she said she loved the Lowes and was leaving the job only because she didn't want to be a nanny anymore.
Last week, Rob Lowe announced on the "Huffington Post" website that a former employee was threatening to accuse him and his wife of a, quote, "vicious laundry list of false terribles" if they didn't pay her one-point-five million dollars by the end of the week.

Alleged John Cusack Stalker To Stand Trial

A woman accused of stalking actor John Cusack must now stand trial. BBC News reports the ruling was made by a Los Angeles judge. Thirty-three-year-old Emily Leatherman is charged with stalking Cusack and violating the restraining order he had out against her. If convicted, she could get three years in prison. Leatherman was recently nabbed after police were called to Cusack's Malibu, California neighborhood. The actor was granted a restraining order against Leatherman in 2006, requiring her to stay at least 500 feet away from him, his home, work place, vehicle and offices. Leatherman has allegedly shown "unusual interest" in Cusack by stalking him, throwing "long letters of interest" over his fence, having her mail sent to his home and making unannounced visits to the offices of people he works with, in an attempt to meet him.

Priscilla Presley's "Careful" Rumba Her Last On "Dancing"

Priscilla Presley's dancing days -- at least in the TV competition -- are over. Elvis Presley's ex-wife is the latest to leave ABC's "Dancing With the Stars." The judges weren't pleased with her performance Monday night, saying she was too careful with the slow-paced rumba. In saying her goodbyes Priscilla agreed with the judges and expressed her delight with her time on the show, noting she's learned from the experience a lot about herself and what she can do. In addition, Presley and host Tom Bergeron tried to clear up a matter that has been plaguing her all month. "Dancing's" April 1st show included a reference to Priscilla's psychic hotline, and since then she's been inundated with calls from people wanting to know the number. Presley put the blame on Bergeron for not making it clear that the remark was an April Fool's Day joke.

Ali Becomes First Female "Biggest Loser"

Ali Vincent has a place in the history books of "The Biggest Loser" after last night's season finale on NBC. The crowd roared as the scale showed the 234-pound Ali was now a mere 122 pounds, becoming the first woman ever to win the final challenge. The previously-eliminated Ali took home the 250-thousand-dollar grand prize after losing nearly 48-percent of her total body weight throughout the season. The Mesa, Arizona resident was eliminated in the 4th week of the show, but made it back on during a game twist in week eleven. Prior to the finale, last week's viewer votes were announced as to which previously eliminated contestant would make it back to compete against the two female finalists, Ali and Kelly. The fan favorite ended up being Roger. After that, all the eliminated contestants came back for one final weigh in and a chance at the secondary prize of 100-thousand-dollars. Chicago resident Bernie proved to be the biggest loser among the eliminated contestants, dropping nearly 46-percent of his body weight.

Vander Ark Claims Potter Encyclopedia Is Not Plagiarism

The author of a Harry Potter encyclopedia is denying he plagiarized any of J.K. Rowling's novels. Rowling, who is suing Steve Vander Ark, says his plans to release "The Harry Potter Lexicon" has stifled her creativity. She also says the stress of the lawsuit has caused her to stop working on a new novel. However, Vander Ark told a New York court that his encyclopedia was only a companion reference guide to help fans and readers of Rowling's Harry Potter series. Vander Ark also said he only wrote the book after he received requests from fans at a Harry Potter conference in Canada. He added that he did not use quotation marks and did not list Rowling as an author.

Report: Mills' Miss USA Gig Almost Didn't Happen

Heather Mills' judging gig at last Friday's Miss USA pageant reportedly almost didn't happen. According to the "New York Post's" "Page Six," Mills almost backed out because she didn't want to sign a contract agreeing to the event being rebroadcast. Apparently, Mills wanted to be paid if the footage of the pageant was re-aired. During the live broadcast on NBC, Mills was booed by the audience when introduced as a judge. Last month, Mills and former Beatle Paul McCartney settled their contentious divorce to the tune of almost 50-million-dollars. When asked recently to comment on reports surrounding Sir Paul and the new women in his life, Mills told Britain's GMTV morning, quote, "I think he's got three girlfriends. So I wish all the girls the best of luck." She then added, quote, "Better them than me." McCartney has been linked to two women in recent months, actress Rosanna Arquette and businesswoman Nancy Shevell.

Report: Ashlee Simpson Briefly Addresses Rumors

Singer Ashlee Simpson appears to be taking the rumors that she's expecting in stride. "People" reports that during a taping of MTV's "TRL" in New York City yesterday, the 23-year-old was asked about claims that she is pregnant. Simpson replied that if all rumors about her were true, she, quote, "would have had a baby by now." Simpson and her boyfriend, 28-year-old Fall Out Boy rocker Pete Wentz, recently announced their engagement. He told MTV News this week that there "is a witch hunt for people to be pregnant whenever they get engaged in Hollywood." Simpson was on "TRL" to promote her new album "Bittersweet World" out April 22nd.

Beyonce Cousin: Singer Planning Retirement

Pop star Beyoncé Knowles may be contemplating retirement. According to the "New York Daily News," the singer's cousin Angelica Knowles says the album Beyoncé is now working on will be her last. Angelica says Beyoncé will turn her focus to scouting new talent for her reported new husband, rapper and hip-hop mogul Jay-Z who is reportedly launching a new label to be called The Carter Music Group. Beyoncé's reps have not commented on the retirement report. Twenty-six-year-old Beyonce is rumored to have tied the knot with 38-year-old Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, April 4th at his New York City apartment. The nuptials have not been officially confirmed. Beyonce has been spotted wearing a large diamond ring and singer Mary J. Blige appeared to offer her congratulations to the couple during one of her recent concerts.

Alicia Keys Explains "Conspiracy" Theories

Alicia Keys says a magazine recently "misinterpreted" her words, making her appear to be a conspiracy theorist. According to SOHH.com, the singer called in to Ryan Seacrest's Los Angeles radio show yesterday to address the "Blender" magazine article. The multiple Grammy winner was quoted in the story as saying the U.S. government was behind the "gangsta rap" movement and even contributed to the deaths of Tupac Shakur and the Notorious B.I.G. Keys told Seacrest what she actually meant is that "gangsta rap" was an over-hyped term. She added, quote, "Everyday people, as well as the government, could've really done so much more to really obliterate and eradicate the things that were going on in the communities." As for the Tupac-Biggie feud, Keys believes the media's coverage of it was too sensational. Despite the misinterpretations, Alicia called the "Blender" article a great one.

Madonna To Perform Special Online Concert For Upcoming Album

Madonna will be promoting the release of her upcoming album, "Hard Candy" with a cyber event. Billboard.com reports the pop diva will be on stage at New York's Roseland Ballroom for a special show on April 30th, the day after the U.S. release of the album. The performance will be broadcast live on the Internet on MSN's Music in Concert website for U.S. viewers, and rebroadcast on May 15th internationally. Tickets for the concert will be available at the venue on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Rep: Faith Hill "Not Pregnant"

Country singer Faith Hill is not growing her family. A rep for the singer tells UsMagazine.com that despite online rumors that the 40-year-old star is expecting, Hill is, quote, "not pregnant." Talk that Hill might have a baby on-the-way was reportedly sparked by her appearance wearing a flowy top at Monday's CMT Music Awards in Nashville. Hill and her husband, fellow country singer Tim McGraw, have been married since October, 1996. They have a ten-year-old daughter named Gracie, a nine-year-old daughter named Maggie and a six-year-old daughter named Audrey. The family lives in Nashville when Hill and McGraw aren't touring.

Actress Kate Hudson Ready For A 2nd Child

Actress Kate Hudson is ready to become a mother for a second time. The actress tells the U.K.'s "Sunday Times," that she "can't wait" to have more kids," adding, "I'm at that place when I'm ready to have another one and Chris and I are not together." Twenty-eight-year-old Hudson has a four-year-old son with her ex-husband, Black Crowes frontman Chris Robinson. She says any guy she meets now is always going to come second to her son, adding, quote, "and you get to weed out the boys from the men. You definitely know which ones are the boys." Hudson is rumored to dating actor Owen Wilson again. Her most recent turn on the big screen was in the romantic comedy "Fool's Gold" with Matthew McConaughey.

ABC Gives "Lost," "Grey's Anatomy" One More Episode

ABC's strike-shortened schedule is expanding. The network has announced plans to tack one additional episode onto the new seasons for "Grey's Anatomy" and "Lost" this year. This will allow for both dramas to have two-hour season finales. ABC had originally ordered just five additional episodes of each show this spring after the writers' strike ended, but once filming resumed, it was found that one more episode for each was needed. "Grey's Anatomy's" two-hour finale will air Thursday, May 22nd, while "Lost" will wrap for the season on Thursday, May 29th. ABC's "Ugly Betty" will air its season finale Thursday, May 22nd, just prior to "Grey's."


Today's Birthdays

Actress Edie Adams is 81. She had the title of Miss U.S. Television in 1950. Her early TV work included "The Ernie Kovacs Show," "Here's Edie," and the TV movie "Cinderella," while later TV credits include the miniseries "The Seekers and "Tales of the City" and the TV movies "A Cry For Love" and "The Haunting of Harrington House." Her big screen credits include the movies "The Apartment," "The Oscar," "The Honey Pot," and "It's A Mad Mad Mad Mad World."

Newsman Ike Pappas is 75.

Film producer Robert Stigwood is 74. He has produced several hit films including "Evita," "Grease," and "Saturday Night Fever." He was also prominent in the development of The Bee Gees' career, and behind the RSO Record label.

Singer Bobby Vinton is 73.

Singer Gerry Rafferty is 61. He's best known for the hit "Baker Street."

Emmy Award-winning actress Ellen Barkin is 54. She won the Emmy for the TV movie "Before Women Had Wings. Her other credits include the movies "Palindromes," She Hate Me," "Someone Like You," "Diner," and "Tender Mercies."

Singer Jimmy Osmond is 45. He is the youngest member of the group The Osmonds.

Musician David Pirner is 44. He's the frontman for the group Soul Asylum.

Actor Jon Cryer is 43. His credits include the film "Pretty in Pink" and the television shows "Two and a Half Men" and "The Famous Teddy Z."

Actor, comedian Martin Lawrence is 43. His credits include the movies "College Road Trip," "Wild Hogs," "Big Momma's House," "Big Momma's House 2," "National Security," "Black Knight," and the "Bad Boys" films and the sitcom "Martin."

Actor Lukas Haas is 32. His credits include the movies "Material Girls," "Barry Dingle," "Witness," "Mars Attacks!" "Everybody Says I Love You," and "Rambling Rose."