* SCHWARZENEGGER IN JET DRAMA
A plane carrying actor-turned-politician ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER was forced to make an emergency landing on Friday evening (19Jun09) after the cockpit filled with smoke.
The California Governor was just 10 minutes into his journey from Santa Monica, California when the pilot reported smoke in the jet's control area.
The pilot quickly diverted to the nearby Van Nuys airport and landed safely.
Schwarzenegger's spokesman Aaron McLear says, "The Governor's jet was diverted from Santa Monica airport to Van Nuys airport this evening after the pilot reported smoke emanating from the instrument panel in the cockpit. There was no visible fire.
"Upon landing the Governor exited the jet and traveled to his house. The crew did an outstanding job and everyone aboard landed safely and unharmed." (CL/WNWCAG/ZN)
* HILTON'S FAMILY SLAMS REINHARDT
PARIS HILTON's family is delighted she split from DOUG REINHARDT, insisting THE HILLS star was "riding on her coat-tails".
The hotel heiress ended her six-month romance with baseball player Reinhardt earlier this month (Jun09) and has since been linked to soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo.
And The Simple Life star's relatives were ecstatic when they heard about the break-up - because they were suspicious of Reinhardt's motives for dating Hilton.
Her aunt, Kyle Richards, tells E! Online, "The stories out there about our family not approving of their relationship are completely true. Doug was riding Paris' coat-tails. The break-up affected me in a good way. It's definitely time for Paris to move on."
And Paris' mum Kathy wholeheartedly supports her daughter's decision to ditch Reinhardt: "I think Paris needs to be with someone who is a bit more mature, older and has their own thing." (CL/WNWE/ZN)
* HOLMES TO STAR IN TALENT SHOW FINALE
KATIE HOLMES has donned her dancing shoes to film a cameo for the finale of hit U.S. talent show SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE.
The Dawson's Creek star has been dogged with rumors about her involvement with the series after it emerged she was taking secret dance lessons and had met with the program's producer Nigel Lythgoe.
And now sources on-set confirm the actress is set to appear on the show after filming a cameo segment earlier this week (15Jun09).
An insider tells E! Online, "It taped last week. It's going to be on the finale. It's a Broadway does Hollywood number. It opens on a Broadway stage and then she walks into a Hollywood studio."
And Holmes dazzled everyone on set with her skills.
The source adds, "She was amazing. She was such a pro. Her legs are in great shape. She's got a hat and a cane and she's wearing a leotard and tights."
The season finale airs on 6 August (09). (CL/WNWE/ZN)
* WHITFORD & KACZMAREK TO DIVORCE
Former THE WEST WING star BRADLEY WHITFORD and actress JANE KACZMAREK have filed for divorce.
Whitford and Kaczmarek, who appeared in Malcolm In The Middle as neurotic mother Lois, applied for legal separation in Los Angeles on Friday (19Jun09).
The pair married in August 1992 and have three children; Frances Genevieve, 12, nine year old George Edward, and Mary Louisa, six.
A spokesperson for Whitford tells People.com, "He hopes the media will respect their wish for privacy as they focus on their children." (CL/WNWCPL/ZN)
* BALDWIN QUITS REALITY SHOW
STEPHEN BALDWIN has quit reality TV show I'M A CELEBRITY... GET ME OUT OF HERE!, according to reports.
The actor has proved popular on the series and was hotly tipped to win the survival competition, which ends next week (beg22Jun09).
But Baldwin has walked away from the jungle show, reports Access Hollywood.
No further information was available as WENN went to press.
The 43 year old is the second Baldwin brother to leave the jungle - his sibling Daniel was eliminated from the show earlier this month (11Jun09). (CL/WNVACC/ZN)
* NO ROMANCE FOR GREENE & GRENIER
TWILIGHT star ASHLEY GREENE and actor ADRIEN GRENIER have dismissed reports they're dating, insisting they hardly know each other.
Greene claims the pair met at a charity surfing event and spoke briefly - but she hasn't seen the Entourage star since.
And Grenier adds, "You can’t get snapped with anybody without them saying something." (KL/WNVACC/IG)
* FASCINATING FACT:
British model/actress LILY COLE has passed her first year at England’s Cambridge University with first class honors. The 21 year old is studying History of Art at the prestigious establishment. (CL/WNTMA/ZN)
* MADONNA DROPPED FROM FILM LAWSUIT
MADONNA's name has been removed from a lawsuit filed against the film company she helped create.
Film investor Jay Dykes, Jr named the Material Girl in his suit against Maverick Films, claiming that the company failed to return hundreds of thousands of dollars in loans, or list him as a producer on a film project.
Madonna's legal aides at Maverick insisted their client was wrongly named in the suit. Dykes agreed and filed court papers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on Thursday (18Jun09), dismissing Madonna from his suit - as part of a settlement agreement.
Madonna and her manager, Guy Oseary, founded Maverick Films in 2001, but she later divested her stake in the company. (KL/WNWCYA/CL)
* WARRANT DISTANCE THEMSELVES FROM BAD BOY LANE
The current members of heavy rock act WARRANT have distanced themselves from former frontman JANI LANE following his drink driving arrest in Los Angeles.
Lane is facing a charge of driving under the influence (DUI) after he was involved in a minor traffic collision on Wednesday (17Jun09).
The Warrant frontman, 45, was taken into custody by Los Angeles police following the crash in the San Fernando Valley - and his former bandmates want nothing to do with him.
A statement from the group reads, "Jani Lane, who was officially dismissed from the band Warrant in 2008, is in no way affiliated with Warrant at present.
"It is to be known that Jani Lane's actions should not be misrepresented as those of the lead singer of Warrant. Warrant, whose line-up consists of Jerry Dixon, Joey Allen, Erik Turner, Steven Sweet and Robert Mason, express concern for the possible dangers that Mr. Lane's actions pose.
"Warrant wish to avoid any negative opinions and publicity that wrongful association to Mr. Lane might cause, resulting from his poor judgment." (KL/WNWC/CL)
* STEFANI 'EXHAUSTED' AS WORKING MOM
GWEN STEFANI is finding it hard to juggle her NO DOUBT touring commitments with motherhood - she's "exhausted" from overworking herself.
The singer reunited with the band for a tour following a five-year hiatus during which she released two platinum-selling pop albums as a solo artist.
During that time, Stefani also had two children - Kingston, three, and Zuma, 10 months - with husband Gavin Rossdale, and worked hard on her clothing line L.A.M.B.
But Stefani is struggling to keep on top of all her business ventures and look after her two young kids.
She says, "I am exhausted. I'm not going to lie, with the babies, and the band, and the records, the tour, designing. But I'm so grateful we're still able to do this." (CL/WNTRE/ZN)
* GALLAGHER SLAMS MONEY-GRABBING FANS
NOEL GALLAGHER has hit out at 20,000 OASIS fans who demanded a refund after a troubled gig - branding them "cheeky" for wanting their money back.
The Wonderwall hitmakers' homecoming show in Manchester, England earlier this month (04Jun09) was plagued with sound difficulties and meant the band spent long periods of time off stage.
When the set resumed, Gallagher and his brother Liam promised all 70,000 people in the crowd a refund.
Around 20,000 gig-goers have since applied to get their ticket money back - and Gallagher is astounded so many people took him up on the offer.
He writes on his blog, "So you were genuinely disappointed? I don't recall seeing a 20,000 gap in the crowd. Cheeky c**ts! Tsk... some people." (CL/WNWCCB/ZN)
* WEST REUNITES WITH ROSE
KANYE WEST has sparked rumors he has rekindled his romance with ex-girlfriend AMBER ROSE, just a week after announcing their split.
The Stronger hitmaker and the music video vixen had been dogged by rumours of a break-up for weeks during their union, and West confirmed they had split earlier this month (10Jun09).
But the couple reunited on Thursday night (18Jun09) for a dinner date at a Hollywood restaurant, and were "very happy and very affectionate", according to website Hollyscoop.com. (CL/WNWCPAB/ZN)
* BECKHAM BLASTED OVER 'CROC' BAG
Former SPICE GIRL VICTORIA BECKHAM has been slammed by bosses at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals for supporting a fashion chain which uses crocodile skin in its products.
The singer-turned-designer is regularly seen with a Hermes handbag on her arm, but officials at PETA are urging her to give up the luxury brand because they frequently use animal skin.
A PETA spokesperson says, "We will send Victoria Beckham, a compassionate person who won't wear fur, our undercover footage that shows how alligators and crocodiles are beaten to death and how snakes are nailed to trees and skinned alive for these products.
"The mere thought of purposefully breeding and killing crocodiles for an outdated, overpriced handbag should make any fashionista's skin crawl." (CL/WNTEX/ZN)
* COWELL: 'BOSSES MADE BLUNDER OVER BOYLE'
Music mogul SIMON COWELL has apologized for failing to look after Scottish singing sensation SUSAN BOYLE properly during her time on BRITAIN'S GOT TALENT.
The spinster took the world by storm with her extensive vocal range and finished second on the show earlier this month (Jun09), but was admitted into London's Priory Hospital just a day after the final showdown, suffering from exhaustion.
And American Idol judge Cowell confesses he could have helped Boyle cope with her overnight stardom better.
He tells Britain's Daily Mail newspaper, "I'm the first to hold my hands up and admit I've made mistakes. Looking back on it all, it has become clear to me that we didn't handle the situation with Susan as well as we could have.
"After she sang, I thought she had come over well, but not sensationally. I certainly didn't think: 'Here comes a phenomenon who is going to become the most famous woman in the world, I wonder if she can mentally cope with it?' I thought she looked a bit eccentric and certainly a character, but that was all.
"It had become clear that Susan was finding the experience difficult to cope with. So I said, 'Make sure she has a friend with her all the time. Make sure she has any help that she needs.' Just before the final, I went to see her. She looked tired, but had one of her closest friends with her who was being a great support."
But Cowell is adamant the hit show has had an overall positive effect on Boyle: "Yes, there have been problems, but overall I think it is a positive experience for her. I'm glad we gave her this opportunity and - more importantly - I think Susan is as well." (CL/WNTMA/ZN)
Homero Tercero/ wenn.com
Arnold Schwarzenegger gets into his 6.1-liter V-8 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 with his son after having lunch at Babalu restaurant - June 20th, 2009.
