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Day in Pop Report for 08/15/2012


Nicki Minaj Injures Her Vocal Chord
(TMZ) On Tuesday, Nicki Minaj was in New York City and stopped by The Today show to perform, despite the fact that she has a bruised vocal chord and has been advised to take time off from the stage.

On Monday, Minaj tweeted the news to fans, writing "The doctor has asked me to take 2 wks of voice rest� But�"

The singer shared an update tweet on Tuesday: "Another x-ray cmng up! Its a bruised Vocal Chord." Watch the Today Show performance

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Lady Gaga Releases Fame Video
(popmusiclife) Lady Gaga has offered up a preview video for her new fragrance, Fame. Directed by Steven Klein, the production values equal what fans are used to with Gaga's music videos.

Gaga shared the video along with a personal note to her fans, which reads as follows: A letter to my sweet fans.. Today is a really happy day for me. The past year was a challenge, and I'm so happy to have my spirit back. I felt in chains at times. Whether is be the record label disagreeing with me on single choices, or directors who could only create an idea of "gaga" or what i've "done before" and not able to move forward, and there was also of course the incessant dragging of the most important single of my career in dead-beaten-horse-mud. Then there were all the personal moments. Betrayed by lifelong friends, mentors I've had for years suddenly taking advantage of me, and a massive struggles with my body image.

I've grown and left most of these things behind, the monsters of fame are very real. But I wanted to thank you for baring with me a little bit. Today's film is what happens when there is love and respect amongst creatives, teams, management. This project was run solely by the HAUS OF GAGA, ATOM FACTORY, AND STEVEN KLEIN'S fantastic team. I am feeling blessed to have removed those from my life driven by money and luxury, its all about the art of it. I feel free today. Watch the video here.

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Kris Humphries and Kim Kardashian Case Headed To Court
(TMZ) Lawyers for Kris Humphries and Kim Kardashian will square off in court today. Lawyers for both sides must tell the judge what they have done to either settle the case or prepare for trial.

As TMZ has previously reported ... Kris has refused to settle, even though he signed what we're told is an iron-clad prenup that give him zilch in the 72-day marriage.

What makes things puzzling .... even though Kris won't settle, he hasn't prepared for trial. In fact, we know Kris' lawyers have not even taken Kim's deposition ... this, despite the fact the judge said all depos must be in the can by today's hearing.

As we previously reported, Kris' lawyers have said they want to put reality TV on trial, but it's unclear what their end game is because Kris has no damages. He made hundreds of thousands of bucks off "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" as well as the wedding special, and he signed a $24 million basketball contract -- and the notoriety that made him a celeb didn't hurt the negotiations.

Short story .. it's almost certain the judge will not screw around with the case by prolonging it. If Kris doesn't want to walk away with a clean divorce, the judge will almost certainly set the case for trial -- whether Kris and his legal team are prepared or not. more on this story

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Welcome Back, Kotter Horshack Actor Ron Palillo Dead at 63
(TMZ) Ron Palillo -- the actor who played Horshack on "Welcome Back, Kotter" -- died Tuesday morning at his home near Palm Beach from an apparent heart attack ... this according to someone close to the actor.

We're told Palillo was found by his partner of many years Joseph Gramm around 4:00 AM. Gramm called an ambulance and Palillo was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

We're told the heart attack was very unexpected. Palillo was 63. Palillo was known for calling out, "Ooh ooh ooh, Mr. Kotter" as one of the Sweathogs on the show ... which he appeared on with John Travolta from 1975 to 1979. more on this story

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Tone Loc Reportedly Suffers Seizure At Charity Event
(TMZ) Another scary moment for Tone Loc ... the rapper appeared to have a seizure during a comedy show at the Laugh Factory Monday night ... this according to multiple sources.

TMZ has learned ... Loc was attending a charity event to benefit "My Friend's House" -- which provides food to homeless people -- when he began to flail around in his seat.

Witnesses tell us ... Loc fell to the floor and was "gasping to breath" ... as friends wiped the sweat from his head and cooled him off with cold water.

Someone called for an ambulance ... but we're told Loc recovered quickly ... so the ambulance was canceled.

Sources say Loc left the event immediately following the medical scare ... and we're told he's at home resting.

As TMZ previously reported, Loc told police he suffers from seizures after he was pulled over for DUI last year.

Still, Tone's manager insists Tone did NOT suffer a seizure last night ... telling us Tone merely got sick from bad food.

Interestingly, the reps also said bad food was to blame when Tone was pulled over for DUI. more on this story

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Dexter Star Patches Up Homeless Man's Bloody Head Wound
(TMZ) "Dexter" star James Remar [Harry on the show] is a real life good Samaritan ... rushing to the aid of a homeless man who had a massive, bloody head wound ... and TMZ has the photo evidence.

We spoke with an eye-witness who saw Remar approach the man outside of an L.A. grocery store on Friday ... and noticed he was bleeding profusely from his head.

So Remar, being a former EMT and an all-around nice guy, went into the store ... bought a bandage and antiseptic cream ... went back to the homeless man and cleaned and dressed the wound.

We're told Remar also gave the man advice on how to keep the wound from becoming infected.

TMZ spoke to Remar's rep ... who told us James sprung into action simply because he felt it was the right thing to do.

The Code of Harry ... redefined (Dexter fans will understand). See the photo here.

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Evelyn Lozada Divorcing Chad Ochocinco Johnson
(TMZ) Chad Johnson's wife of 6 weeks has filed for divorce ... TMZ has learned. Evelyn Lozada filed legal docs yesterday in Florida, claiming her marriage is "irretrievably broken."

The trigger for the divorce was the domestic violence incident over the weekend, in which Chad Johnson was arrested after allegedly headbutting her during an argument.

Evelyn claimed she found a receipt for a box of condoms in his car.

According to the divorce docs, the couple had a prenup -- but that won't be a big deal since the marriage was shorter than Kim Kardashian's.

FYI -- Evelyn and Chad JUST got married on July 4th in St. Maarten ... and the whole ceremony was recorded for a VH1 reality show (VH1 has since pulled the plug on that ... for obvious reasons). more on this story

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Michael Jackson Estate Wants To Pay Portion Of Janet's Mortgage
(TMZ) The Michael Jackson Estate wants to pay for a portion of Janet Jackson's mortgage on her posh Las Vegas condo ... TMZ has learned.

The Estate filed documents asking the Probate judge to foot a portion of the bill on Janet's mortgage. Sources tell us ... Katherine Jackson has spent time at the condo and the Estate is willing to pay a pro rata share of the mortgage based on how much Katherine uses Janet's Vegas crib.

A hearing is pending on the Estate's request, which was filed before the whole Arizona thing. Two interesting things.

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Will.i.am Believed His Expensive Car Was Stolen
(TMZ) Will.i.am believed someone JACKED his futuristic, ultra-customized super car while he was inside an L.A. nightclub Monday night, [but it was a false alarm.]

It all went down when Will was in Bardot nightclub -- Will claims he left the car with the valet ... but when he went to retrieve the ride at the end of the night, nobody would give it back to him.

Will tried to explain the situation ... "I gave my car to the valet people ...and then I came out here and the valet is closed."

"Instead of flipping out, because I should flip out because the car cost several hundred thousand dollars ... I'm trying to stay calm."

Will eventually got in a waiting black SUV and left the scene ... but it doesn't seem like he ever got the car back ... 'cause a little while later he tweeted, "My car was stolen...what the f*ck."

He added, "I'm going to be optimistic and pray that my car is returned and safe."

We spoke to the LAPD who told us no stolen vehicle report was filed by Will.i.am and they never got a call to that area reporting a stolen car.

Update: Will's rep sent us an email saying, "Everything is fine, he has his car." more on this story

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Gym Class Heroes Plan North American Club Tour
Gym Class Heroes will be hitting the road in October for a tour of intimate venues across North America.

The tour will kick off on October 18th at Chicago's Bottom Lounge and then continue through the month.

The group is currently touring Asia, with major festival appearances slated for Japan, Indonesia, South Korea, and the Philippines. more on this story

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Jason Castro Previewing New Album With EP Release
Jason Castro will release his new album, Only A Mountain, on January 15, 2013 but fans will be able to get some of the new music this month.

On August 28, Castro will release both a digital and Walmart exclusive EP, entitled Starting Line EP, both featuring tracks from the new album. The digital EP will be available at all online retailers.

"I really can't begin to tell you how excited I am about my new album, Only A Mountain. I've had some amazing things happen to me recently � marrying my wife, the birth of our daughter - and now this. Life really is beautiful, and that's what I want people to be reminded of when they listen to these new songs," said Castro. "It's been a long and exciting road getting to this point where I am now. A place where I feel like I have really discovered myself, both musically and personally, and this album really captures that journey. A journey full of struggles, but never absent of hope. I think that's what comes out in these songs. Regardless of where you come from or what you're going through, there's hope here for everyone." more on this story

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Steven Spielberg Producers Receive Death Threats
(TMZ) Two producers who have teamed up with Steven Spielberg on films such as the "Indiana Jones" trilogy and "The Color Purple," have just won a permanent restraining order against a man who they say has threatened to kill them.

Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall claim in legal docs Bret McDonnell left 17 phone messages at their offices within a few days last month, warning Frank was going to die. In the messages, he also referenced a "suicide" note for Kathleen Kennedy. And, McDonnell allegedly claimed he was an emergency responder who discovered 17 dead bodies on one of Kathleen's movie sets. According to the docs, McDonnell also threatened the lives of various children.

Kennedy and Marshall got a 3 year restraining order today against McDonnell, prohibiting him from coming within 100 yards of them, their company, Amblin Entertainment, Universal Studios, DreamWorks Studios or Lucas Films. more on this story

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Frasier Star David Hyde Pierce Makes Nearly Double on Mansion Sale
(TMZ) Take note, Michael Phelps -- "Frasier" star David Hyde Pierce knows how to play the real estate market ... because the actor just dumped his massive L.A. mansion for nearly DOUBLE what he paid.

Sources tell TMZ, Pierce listed the gated 8,184 sq. ft. Los Feliz home back in April for $7.5 million -- and it sold July 31st for $7,050,000. We're told it was the highest-priced sale in the neighborhood in recent memory.

But that's not the craziest part -- Pierce purchased the 7-bedroom 8.5-bathroom home back in 2003 ... for a mere $3,625,000 ... meaning he nearly doubled his investment in 9 years.

Frasier would be proud. more on this story

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Suri Cruise Builds A Pooch
(TMZ) Suri Cruise was drunk ON FUN this weekend ... she hit up a Build-A-Bear shop with the lady she calls her mother, Katie Holmes, but instead of building a bear ... she built a German Shepard. JA!

The littlest Cruise was out shopping at the Westfield Franklin Park Mall in Toledo, OH on Sunday ... when she and Tom Cruise's ex hit up the Build-A-Bear workshop for kicks and giggles, JA!

Sources on scene tell TMZ ... after perusing the options, the mini Cruise ditched the bears and picked out an 18" black & tan German Shepard instead ... which Build-A-Bear says "will bring a lifetime of love and hugs!" JA!

The fun didn't stop there ... we're told Suri chose the name "Sara" for the pooch's "birth certificate" ... but was adamant that "Sara" be spelled using ONLY four letters ... because "Suri" has just four letters too.

Good thinking mini cruise. JA! See photo here.

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Baywatch Star Continues Noah's Ark Search Despite Injuries
(TMZ) Despite having her face busted up this weekend in Turkey ... former "Baywatch" star Donna D'Errico is determined to suffer through the pain and continue her hunt for Noah's Ark, TMZ has learned.

If you recall ... Donna was badly injured this weekend near Mount Ararat in Turkey while searching for the Biblical vessel ... sporting cuts and bruises all over her face, arms and legs.

Sources close to Donna tell us ... the actress sustained her injuries during a "major fall" while hiking.

Despite the setback, we're told the actress still wants to finish out the final two days of the journey -- before flying back to the states.

The reason she's willing to power through it ... we're told a trip like this takes extensive planning, research and permit approvals ... and Donna doesn't want all that hard work to go to waste by leaving early.

Not only that ... we're told Donna will be going back AGAIN next month to continue the search. more on this story

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Bank Exec Sues Over Alleged LAPD Beating
(TMZ) A powerful honcho at Deutsche Bank is suing the LAPD and the City of L.A. for millions of dollars -- we're told up to $100 mil -- for allegedly being forced into a motel room by cops and then beaten to a pulp.

Brian Mulligan, the Managing Director and Vice Chairman of Media and Telecommunications for the Bank, claims on May 15, he was in the L.A. suburb of Highland Park -- near a marijuana dispensary -- when he was approached by 2 LAPD officers.

We're told Mulligan claims the cops walked up to him and asked why he was in the area, and then proceeded to search both him and his car. Mulligan says the officers found a large amount of cash in the car -- thousands of dollars -- and then put him in a police car and drove to a nearby motel.

We're told Mulligan says the cops told him to stay in the room until they returned. He claims he waited several hours, but the cops never came back. He says he felt he was being set up to be robbed or killed, so he made a run for it. As he ran out, he says cops were right there and began beating him mercilessly.

Mulligan says he was taken to a hospital, where doctors treated him for 15 fractures to the nasal area, a broken scapula, and severe facial laceration to a point where he "barely looked human."

Mulligan was booked for resisting arrest and interfering with law enforcement.

The L.A. County D.A. declined to prosecute Mulligan and referred the case to the City Attorney where a lesser charge could be filed. But all indications are the City Attorney won't file a criminal case either.

Sources tell us Mulligan will file a claim next week against the LAPD and the City of L.A. -- something he's required to do before filing a lawsuit. We're told the lawsuit will demand $100 million.

The LAPD tells TMZ ... cops were in the area looking for a suspect who was jimmying car doors, and Mulligan matched the description. The LAPD says when they approached Mulligan, he seemed to be under the influence of something, but they determined he was sober. Cops say Mulligan told them he was tired and needed to sleep, so they took him to the motel as a courtesy.

A few hours later, cops got another call from someone who said a man matching Mulligan's description was jimmying car doors near the motel. When they approached him he charged the cops so they took him down.

We're told the LAPD is conducting an internal investigation, which is standard in major injury cases.
more on this story

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Boys Like Girls Release Be Your Everything Video
Boys Like Girls have released a new music video for their new song "Be Your Everything."

The track is the first single from the upcoming album Crazy World and you can watch the video clip here.

The band will be out on tour with All-American Rejects, The Ready Set, and Parachute this fall. more on this story

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Library of Congress To Salute American Voices With Concert Series
The Library of Congress sent over the details for their 87th concert season, which salutes great American voices from the past:

The 2012-2013 Concerts from the Library of Congress season offers a packed lineup of 40 concerts, lectures, film screenings, master classes and workshops, all celebrating the rich tapestry of the nation's musical heritage. Concerts kick off Saturday, Oct. 6 at 8 p.m., with a performance by the Moscow Sretensky Monastery Choir.

The Library's 87th concert season salutes great American voices from the past, including Woody Guthrie, John Philip Sousa, Victor Herbert, and John Cage. New voices in American composition are in focus throughout the year, in Library of Congress commissions from Nico Muhly, whose "Autogram" will be premiered by violinist Daniel Hope and pianist Jeffrey Kahane; and Chaya Czernowin, whose chamber ensemble work will be unveiled by Orchestra 2001. Top contemporary music ensembles ACME and yMusic will introduce new works by American composers under age 35. more on this story

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