Today will likely be one of the most difficult days of Jennifer Hudson’s life As we type, the Oscar winner is taking the stand to testify in the trial of William Balfour, the man accused of murdering her mother, brother and nephew in 2008. Balfour – who has pleaded not guilty – faces first degree murder charges. Prosecutors believe he flew into a rage and committed these heinous acts after seeing a gift to Julia Hudson, Balfour’s ex-girlfriend and Jennifer’s sibling, that he thought was from a new man in her life. The trial got underway this morning. UPDATE : Jennifer reportedly broke down on the stand twice during her testimony when talking about her family and looking at a photo of her mom.
Despite her recent nightclub altercation (and the other, strikingly similar recent nightclub altercation ) Lindsay Lohan is set to star as the legendary Elizabeth Taylor in the Lifetime original movie Liz & Dick, the network itself confirms. Filming will begin in early June in Los Angeles, with LiLo as Liz. For nearly a quarter of a century, Taylor and Richard Burton were Hollywood royalty and the fiery romance they shared was often called “the marriage of the century.” It was the most notorious, publicized and celebrated love affair of its day. Swarmed by press, Taylor and Burton’s love affair was one of the first romances to play out in the public eye … something celebrity gossip staple Lohan can relate to. Says Lifetime of the film and its lead: “Despite their roller coaster romance for the public eye to see, Taylor and Burton shared an undeniable love greater than most people could have dreamed.” Regarding the announcement, Lohan said: “I have always admired and had enormous respect for Elizabeth Taylor . She was not only an incredible actress but an amazing woman as well.” “I am very honored to have been asked to play this role.” “We are thrilled Lindsay will portray beloved Hollywood legend Elizabeth Taylor,” added the network. “She is one of the rare actresses who possesses the talent, beauty and intrigue to capture the spirit of such a provocative icon.” With any luck, she’ll also stay sober throughout! [Photo: Pacific Coast News]
A couple weeks ago on Twitter, Demi Lovato bared her true face . Now, in the pages of British magazine Fabulous , the singer is baring her soul. In one of her more honest interviews to date, the 19-year old goes into detail about her pre-rehab drug use, telling the publication: “I was depressed. I would come offstage in front of 18,000 people and suddenly be alone in a hotel room. I’d come crashing down and would try to find a way to re-create that feeling, to stay ‘up.'” And you might be shocked to learn who fueled Demi’s habit. “Promoters gave me drugs and alcohol in restaurants or clubs,” she said. “They wanted me to come back so I would be seen there. They were basically kissing my ass.” Lovato, of course, entered a treatment facility in November 2010 and has talked since about her emotional and physical issues, citing an eating disorder and bi-polarity. But this is the first time she’s really discussed any kind of substance abuse. “Being a celebrity can be dangerous. Nobody says ‘no’. That’s why so many end up overdosing and dying. It could definitely have happened to me.” Instead, thank God, Demi has bounced back and her career is going strong. She performed last month on American Idol .
Looks like Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux are planning a wedding thousands of miles away from Tinseltown, possibly this summer, according to reports. No, this is not just some made-up tabloid story in response to Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie getting engaged. Jen really was seen recently scouting places in Crete . Sources connected with the Elounda Beach Hotel in Crete, an island south of Greece (where Jen’s dad was born) say she was there to check the place out. She also mentioned a possible July wedding, apparently. The hotel website boasts a wedding package that includes a dedicated consultant, a civil or religious ceremony and various decorations for just $2,300! Somehow we’re guessing Jen would add more extravagant touches … if she even has it there. One hotel employee says she hasn’t settled on his hotel. At least not yet. Jen is still considering other places on the island as well. As he put it, “She has connections on the other side of the island as well.” It pays to have those for possible wedding venues in Crete. [Photo: Fame/Flynet]
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie plan to tie the knot at last at their sprawling estate in France this summer, then move to England for at least two years, reports say. While the newly-engaged couple says there is no date planned for their nuptials, the New York Post says they’ve spent the last six months planning them. The plan, allegedly, is to hold a lavish wedding ceremony at their manse near the village of Correns, in the south of France, London’s Daily Star adds. The engaged Brangelina will reportedly exchange vows in a pre-Roman chapel on the grounds before 200-300 guests, many of them Hollywood elites. Pals George Clooney, Matt Damon, Johnny Depp, Tom Cruise, Jacqueline Bisset and her once-estranged father Jon Voight are expected to be on hand. “They have been quietly preparing for one of the most glamorous show-business weddings of all time for months,” a close friend of the couple said. “I’ve seen their chateau; it is one of the most romantic settings imaginable.” As soon as the Brad-Angelina engagement news spread, locals began buzzing about “Le Mariage de Monsieur et Madame Smith,” a takeoff on Mr. and Mrs. Smith . It seems like forever ago that Jolie caused an outcry after admitting she and Pitt fell in love during that flick, when he was still married to Jennifer Aniston. Jen is reportedly happy for the couple, if you believe what you read. All a distant memory now, in any case, as the couple and their six kids are set to spend at least two years making their home just outside London. Jolie is planning to shoot her next three movies in the United Kingdom, according to The Sun, including one that may co-star soon-to-be-husband Pitt. The two also are eager to be near London for the Summer Olympics and believe their kids will benefit from the immersion in UK culture, sources said. “They loved it when they were in the UK last year,” a source said. “They like the culture and are happy for their children to receive schooling here.” Will Brad and Angelina last?
For Lady Antebellum member Dave Haywood, just a kiss yesterday signified a lifetime commitment to girlfriend Kelli Cashiola. The pair got married outside Nashville! The ceremony took place at Front Porch Farms in Ashland City and attendees include bandmates Charles Kelley and Hillary Scott, the latter of whom also tied the knot this year. Haywood and Cashiola (a record executive) were friends for years before they started dating, going public with their romance in early November. Haywood then proposed the following month by spelling out Will you marry me? on the side of Cashiola’s house in Christmas lights. We wish these two nothing but the best! [Photo: WENN.com]
Eight months after announcing her engagement to Christian Evans , Ricki Lake is a married woman. She eloped with her fiance, according to reports! “They had been planning on doing it this way and didn’t want a big spectacle,” a source explained to Us . ” Ricki is so happy ! She really found love again.” Lake dropped a not-so-subtle hint on Twitter Tuesday with a fuzzy but stunning shot of herself, clad in a lacy wedding gown and holding a bouquet. That could be construed as a wedding announcement of sorts: “Yup, this is me,” the actress and talk show host, 43, Tweeted along with the photo seen above. “Sadie Sadie married lady. 🙂 🙂 Love is in the air. Xo” Congratulations to Ricki and Christian Evans! On a side note, no wonder Facebook bought Instagram for $1 billion, no one uploads a pic without it anymore.
Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel are getting married this summer , and while they have kept a low profile about their engagement, they are going all out. The couple are pulling out all the stops for a big wedding, reports say. “Justin and Jessica are planning a big [summer] wedding,” a source close to the pair tells People . “Jessica initially wanted a smaller, more intimate wedding, but Justin from the beginning wanted a big wedding and that’s what they have decided on.” According to the source, Timberlake, 31, and Biel, 30, have decided they want to ” include all their friends ” in the wedding celebration, says the source. The pair have recently been spending time together in Atlanta where the burgeoning film star is shooting his latest project, Trouble with the Curve . Biel, who was seen sporting her engagement ring last month, has yet to decide on her dress, the source notes, but is “very involved” in the planning. As for the groom-to-be, the source says: “Justin has promised her the best day ever.” Can’t fault the guy for setting the bar high, can you? [Photo: WENN.com]
How to Make It in America ‘s Lake Bell is engaged! To tattoo artist Scott Campbell! So, how did the proposal go down? Details are being kept under wraps for now. But it looks like starring on the HBO show paid off in the romance department for Bell, who reportedly met her newly cemented fianc
Dick Van Dyke is now a married man. The 86-year-old Mary Poppins star wed Arlene Silver , his 40-year-old girlfriend, on February 29. The happy couple used a quadrennial occasion to make it official. “Kinda on the spur of the moment, we just decided Leap Day would be the best time to do it,” says Van Dyke of marrying his significant other of six years. Dick Van Dyke met Arlene Silver six years ago at the SAG Awards, where he was “bowled over by her beauty” and hired her as his personal makeup artist. The two became friends, then within the last few years, “fell in love.” This is the second marriage for Dick. Van Dyke was previously married to the mother of his four children, Margie Willett, but they eventually divorced. He then lived with Michelle Triola for more than 30 years until her 2009 death. Now, despite the age difference, he says he’s found his life partner again. “I’m not a loner. I have to have a partner. I found the perfect one.” [Photo: WENN.com]
