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Sunday, 2 March 2008

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29 February 2008

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Lohan: "Work Stress Was the Root of My Problems"

Lindsay Lohan has blamed "work stress" for the substance abuse problems that landed her in rehab last year. The Mean Girls star, who spent last summer at a Utah rehabilitation center, also claims she used drink and drugs to escape from the emotional pain brought on by being estranged from her father Michael. Lohan, who reunited with her dad in rehab, says, "I had a lot going on in my life and that was a way of hiding from it. I hadn't seen my dad. I had a lot of work stress because I was constantly working and never took time to stop. Everything was go-go-go, and the easiest thing was to run away from it, going out and drinking at night. You know, you don't have to think when you let go sometimes. But I didn't realize it was getting in the way of my work, what I've worked for my whole life."

LaBeouf Opens Up About "Utterly Insane" Arrest

Actor Shia LaBeouf bitterly regrets his 2007 arrest for trespassing in a Chicago, Illinois drugstore, insisting the incident occurred in a moment of "utter insanity." The Transformers star, 21, was charged with a public misdemeanor in November, after refusing to leave the store while drunk. The charges were later dropped. But LaBeouf admits the bizarre event was an isolated incident, which he is putting behind him as a life lesson. He tells British magazine Empire, "That was complete and utter insanity. I was an a*****e, and it was a mistake I'm still completely embarrassed about. I was in the middle of a strange mind state, having just come off a three-month window of focus. I can't diminish what happened at all. But I can say this: I'm not the first 21-year-old to be arrested for a misdemeanor. There are lessons in life I need to learn, and I'm learning all of them in front of the public."

Jolie Urges America To Increase Aid for Iraqi Refugees

Humanitarian actress Angelina Jolie has called on U.S. government officials to keep troops in Iraq and increase the "financial and material assistance" to refugees there. Jolie, who is a United Nations High Commissioner For Refugees (UNHCR) goodwill ambassador, has written an article, titled "Staying To Help In Iraq," for The Washington Post newspaper. The A Mighty Heart star, who recently visited the war-torn country, writes: "My visit (to Iraq) left me even more deeply convinced that we not only have a moral obligation to help displaced Iraqi families, but also a serious, long-term, national security interest in ending this crisis. Today's humanitarian crisis in Iraq - and the potential consequences for our national security - are great. Can the United States afford to gamble that four million or more poor and displaced people, in the heart of the Middle East, won't explode in violent desperation, sending the whole region into further disorder? What we cannot afford, in my view, is to squander the progress that has been made. In fact, we should step up our financial and material assistance." The UNHCR is asking for $261 million in aid in 2008 to help displaced refugees.

Heath Ledger Doctors Probed by Feds

Two of late actor Heath Ledger's doctors are under investigation by U.S. authorities, to determine whether the prescription drugs that killed him were given to him illegally. Ledger was found dead in his New York apartment on January 22, aged just 28, after accidentally overdosing on powerful painkillers, anti-anxiety pills and sleeping pills - all of which had been prescribed to him. A federal investigation into his death has centered on a doctor in California and another in Texas, who are believed to have supplied the Oscar-nominated star with pain pills Oxycontin and Vicodin. There has been no suggestion the doctors acted improperly - but officials hope to clear up any suggestion of illegal activity. A source tells the New York Daily News, "It's an ongoing investigation. It's not clear if there is any wrongdoing."

Panettiere Opens Up About Colletti Split

Heroes star Hayden Panettiere has spoken for the first time about her split from boyfriend Stephen Colletti, revealing she just wanted some time alone. The 18-year-old beauty ended her one-year relationship with the Laguna Beach star last September - insisting the pair had parted on amicable terms. And Panettiere, who is now dating her Heroes co-star Milo Ventimiglia, admits she desperately needed her own space. She tells American magazine Seventeen, "I just knew I wanted to breathe. I wanted to be single at the time. It just hit me like a ton of bricks - this is the time I need to be with myself." And she admits she's not an easy girlfriend: "It takes such a secure person to be with someone like me; it takes so much confidence, it takes so much trust."

Barton's Lawyer Bids for DUI Deal

Mischa Barton is bidding to escape with probation when she is sentenced for driving under the influence in April. The actress was charged with DUI, possession of marijuana and driving without a license this week, following her arrest in West Hollywood in December. On Thursday, a Beverly Hills court granted a continuance, but Barton's lawyer Anthony Salerno is confident he can secure a deal for the star before the next hearing on April 10 - an agreement which is expected to involve probation plus alcohol awareness classes, reports PageSix.com.

Police Deny Formal Investigation Into Spears "Drugging" Accusations

Los Angeles police have denied a formal investigation is underway into claims Britney Spears was drugged by her now estranged manager Sam Lutfi. Lutfi was served a restraining order earlier this month and was instructed to keep his distance from the Spears family after Britney's mother Lynne claimed he had admitted drugging her daughter. And now Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has confirmed that "issues" regarding the singer are being looked into but insisted there is currently no official investigation underway and no formal suspects, according to Tmz.com. Captain Kyle Jackson of LAPD's Robbery Homicide division issued the following statement: "The issues regarding Britney Spears are being considered by the department to determine if laws have been violated. Particular suspects have not yet been fully identified nor has a formal investigation into open charges officially commenced. At this time we don't know whether or not a formal investigation will be initiated."

Walsh Apologizes for Benefit Concert Drop-Out

Actress Kate Walsh has apologized to fans for dropping out of a star-studded musical benefit concert featuring the cast of hit medical series Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice. The star will not be performing in Good Medicine at the UCLA's Royce Hall in Los Angeles on Friday - citing a prior commitment in Australia which she "can't get out of." The show has been organized to raise money for the Solidarity Fund - a charity set up by the Writers Guild of America to help crew members of film and television productions who were put out of work by the recent writers strike. Stars TR Knight, Chandra Wilson, Audra McDonald and Sara Ramirez, are all billed to take to the stage and sing - while there will also be appearances from Katherine Heigl, Sandra Oh, Justin Chambers and Eric Dane. And Walsh insists she is disappointed she is now unable to attend. She says in a statement, "I'm really sorry. I have a prior commitment that I tried to get out of and couldn't. I am so sorry. And so so bummed. I hate to miss what promises to be an unbelievably great evening. Basically everyone's gonna be there. Except me. I cannot believe I have to miss this. Crap. Our crews are the people who make all of it possible. I am so excited this evening is happening to raise money for them and so so sad I won't be there. I hope you forgive us and I hope you have a wonderful time."

Houston Plans London Live Comeback

Whitney Houston is set to make her live comeback in London on May 8. Organizers of the Caudwell Children's Legend Ball in Battersea have revealed they've booked the diva for a charity show. Charity founder John Caudwell tells Britain's Marie Claire magazine, "We are thrilled to have an artist of Whitney's caliber to headline the event." The comeback concert isn't a big surprise - Tina Turner came out of retirement to perform at the charity's 2007 gala, which helped Caudwell raise over $2 million for disabled children. Houston is currently recording a new album with her mentor, music mogul Clive Davis, who claims the comeback project will be released in November.

Sheen Asks Fans To Boycott Richards' Reality Show

Charlie Sheen is urging television viewers to boycott his ex-wife Denise Richards' new reality show. The actor is furious his two young daughters with the actress - Sam, three, and Lola, two - will appear in the program, after a judge rejected his attempt to block it. And now the Two And A Half Men star is encouraging fans to avoid the show, which is due to air later this year. He tells U.S. magazine OK!, "I think we should all just boycott the damn thing. You don't go to court and make a stand to prevent that if you don't firmly believe in it. It's just the situation where the world is upside down sometimes."