Three months after a condo fire tragically killed her dog, Ashley Greene is putting her life back together. With the help of two adorable new puppies. The Twilight Saga beauty showed off her positively adorable young canines in an Instagram photo this week, writing along with it: “Today felt like a great day to rescue a puppy… Or two! I couldn’t take a brother without his sister! #spotrescue #love #life #theosnewfam.” All readers together now: AWWW!!!!!
Paula Deen has filed a blistering response to the lawsuit that is torpedoing her career, claiming Lisa Jackson embellished or made up her racism allegations. Yes, Paula admitted using racial slurs in the deposition she gave, but remember that she has NOT admitted anything Jackson has accused her of. Deen said, under oath, that she has used racial epithets in the past, in conversations with friends and family – never in a discriminatory situation. She is fuming that Jackson, who was fired as manager of Uncle Bubba’s Seafood and Oyster House, is actually asking for damages based on racism. Citing discrimination and harassment, Lisa Jackson claims she is “African-American adjacent” – her partner has a biracial niece, she claims in the lawsuit. According to Deen, Jackson’s niece is NOT African-American , but Hispanic. Also, Paula is furious that Jackson alleges she used the n-word in connection with her brother Bubba’s wedding, yet has never offered any proof of this. Thus, Deen feels she was deposed in a lawsuit and forced to admit having used shameful – but quite possibly irrelevant – terms based on bogus claims. As we know, in the wake of the scandal, she’s been fired by Food Network … and Walmart, Caesars, Smithfield Foods, Target, and (sort of) QVC. The celebrity chef wants the case thrown out, and for a judge to throw the book at Jackson, fining her with sanctions for creating a BS harassment case. Stay tuned …
Kate Upton wished a friend happy birthday this week with an e-card. Innocent enough, but the subtle dig at her ex is what has the sports world talking. Frank Viola III, son of the famed left-handed pitcher with a similar name, is one of Justin Verlander’s best friends. Kate used to date Justin, the Tigers’ ace. Apparently, Kate’s friendship with Frank survived while her romance with Justin did not. Her e-card to Viola , included in her Tweet, was a good one, saying: “Happy birthday to a friend of a friend who I now like more than the original friend.” Upton and Verlander never actually said they were dating, although his grandfather confirmed it and there was plenty of other anecdotal evidence. But no longer. Kate Upton is single , and has made a point of putting that out there. What’s most noteworthy about this story is how relatable it is at its core. Two people date, they meet their friend’s friends, they break up, but don’t necessarily stop being friends with the other new friends. Awkward and true. Supermodels and baseball stars. They’re just like us, right THGers? Okay maybe not. We don’t know anyone who looks like this …
Paula Deen admitted during questioning in a discrimination lawsuit against her that she has used racial slurs in the past, but insists she is not a racist. The 66-year-old Food Network star and restaurant owner was peppered with questions about her racial attitudes and actions in a May 17 deposition. Lisa Jackson, a former manager of Uncle Bubba’s Seafood and Oyster House, is suing Deen and her brother, Bubba Hiers, who own the restaurant. Jackson claims that she was sexually harassed by Paula Deen and worked in a hostile environment rife with innuendo and rampant n-word use . A transcript of the deposition shows Deen being asked if she has used racial slurs. “Yes, of course,” Paula replied, although she added: “It’s been a very long time.” Asked to give an example, Deen recalled the time she worked as a bank teller in southwest Georgia in the 1980s and was held at gunpoint by a robber. The gunman was black, Deen told the attorney, and she thought she used the slur when talking about him. “Probably in telling my husband,” she said. Deen said she may have also used racial slurs when recalling conversations between employees at her restaurants, but couldn’t recall any specifics. “But that’s just not a word that we use as time has gone on,” Deen said. “Things have changed since the ’60s. And my children and my brother object to that word being used in any cruel or mean behavior. As well as I do.” William Franklin, Deen’s lawyer, said later that “contrary to media reports, Ms. Deen does not condone or find the use of racial epithets acceptable.” Deen and Hiers have both denied the allegations made by Jackson, who is white, and Franklin says Deen is “looking forward to her day in court.” It’s been a rough year and a half for Deen, who has also been feuding with Anthony Bourdain and has come under fire for pushing a diabetes drug. She has lost a lot of weight, however. Kudos on that.
Kim Kardashian truly loved Kris Humphries back in the day and never had any intention of frauding him into marriage. So the reality star swore Tuesday in her nine-hour deposition, which took place in Los Angeles at the office of her attorney, Laura Wasser. Details are still leaking out regarding the testimony in this terse Kris Humphries- Kim Kardashian divorce case, but sources tell TMZ that the former did not even show up for the proceedings. Kardashian testified that her family’s E! series played NO role in her decision to exchange vows with the Nets power forward. Reportedly, Humphries’ attorney did not press very much on the issue of Keeping Up with the Kardashian s, despite an oath from its producer this month that various segments related to Kim and Kris were staged . Perhaps the lawyer was aware that the staging and re-creating of these scenes simply proves that his client was in on the scripted nonsense all along. A hearing is set for May 6, where Kim hopes a divorce is granted, while Humphries and his legal team are still hoping for an annulment. On what ground? No one really knows.
Lindsay Lohan’s schedule is too packed with jet-setting and partying to sit for a deposition in a lawsuit, according to the photographer who’s suing her. Grigor Balyan sued Lindsay and her assistant last year, claiming the assistant crashed into him in 2010 outside an L.A. nightclub while driving Miss Crazy. Lindsay was riding shotgun and wasn’t injured, but the celebrity news photographer says he ended up in the hospital – and wants Lohan to pay for it. Balyan says his attorney has been trying in vain to get Lindsay to sit for a deposition, but she says she’s too busy … a claim which really pisses them off . After all, besides making terrible movies on occasion, Lindsay Lohan photos prove she’s “busy” partying around the world or dragging her ass to court. Balyan also claims LiLo said she couldn’t come to L.A. last week for the deposition, yet as we know, she flew all the way from NYC for her probation hearing. Balyan is asking a judge to ORDER Lindsay to sit for a deposition regarding this case ASAP, and also wants her to pay $4,842.43 for his lawyer fees. Just add it to the list …
Lindsay Lohan’s schedule is too packed with jet-setting and partying to sit for a deposition in a lawsuit, according to the photographer who’s suing her. Grigor Balyan sued Lindsay and her assistant last year, claiming the assistant crashed into him in 2010 outside an L.A. nightclub while driving Miss Crazy. Lindsay was riding shotgun and wasn’t injured, but the celebrity news photographer says he ended up in the hospital – and wants Lohan to pay for it. Balyan says his attorney has been trying in vain to get Lindsay to sit for a deposition, but she says she’s too busy … a claim which really pisses them off . After all, besides making terrible movies on occasion, Lindsay Lohan photos prove she’s “busy” partying around the world or dragging her ass to court. Balyan also claims LiLo said she couldn’t come to L.A. last week for the deposition, yet as we know, she flew all the way from NYC for her probation hearing. Balyan is asking a judge to ORDER Lindsay to sit for a deposition regarding this case ASAP, and also wants her to pay $4,842.43 for his lawyer fees. Just add it to the list …
Lil Wayne was a no-show at his scheduled trial date Monday, and the judge presiding over the rapper’s lawsuit against Quincy Jones III is far from impressed. Weezy apparently suffered “several seizure-like episodes” and will sit the trial out , meaning the jury will only have his video deposition to go on. Yes, this deposition: Lil Wayne Suing Quincy Jones III Lil Wayne Talks to God (G-O-D) Wayne is suing Quincy Jones III over a documentary he filmed about the Young Money founder that he calls a “scandalous portrayal.” But he won’t show up in person. LW did not appear today, however, due to a “medical emergency” on Thursday on board a private jet. The pilot said he had seizures and was hospitalized. The judge chastised Wayne for displaying “unreasonable conduct in the deposition” and “irresponsible behavior” for not bothering to show up in court. His lawyer will play his deposition for the jury, but the virile, tattooed hit-maker won’t be there. The Lil Wayne deposition video , of course, shows him giving smart-ass, nonsensical non-answers to the opposing counsel’s questions and acting like a total jackass. Hilarious to celebrity gossip fans, yes. Effective testimony in a lawsuit? Mmmnot so much.
While she’s long since moved on, Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries are still technically married, and their divorce proceedings are likely to be contentious. The former couple is scheduled to have their depositions taken in their ongoing divorce proceedings at the end of June, with plenty of unresolved matters. How can this be, considering that they did have a prenup and have now been apart much longer than they were even married? Depends who you ask. Kim’s camp insists Kris is dragging this out to keep his name in the news (unlikely) and hoping to secure the best possible settlement (slightly less unlikely). Humphries’ lawyer plans on asking Kim about her decision to keep her engagement ring , the $325,000 Ferrari wedding gift they got, and much more. Kardashian filed for divorce after only 72 days of marriage, which Kris says was based on fraud and deceit … never a bad assumption with Kim really. Whatever his motivation, the two are approaching this quite differently. “Kim is just livid that she has to be deposed. She’s tried to get out of it, but there is no way she can,” a source says. “Kris is ready for his deposition and wants the truth to come out about what really happened when they were dating and after the wedding.” At least Kim can distract herself by moving in with Kanye West . Kim’s deposition will take place at her lawyer Laura Wasser’s office at the end of June and Kris’ attorney Lee Hutton will do the majority of the questioning. Kris’ deposition will take place in Minnesota, where he resides, later this month as well. Wasser will fly in for that, though Kim almost certainly will not. [Photos: WENN.com]
Filed under: Oksana Grigorieva , Mel Gibson , Kristian Otto Herzog , Celebrity Justice Oksana Grigorieva ‘s secrets are safe for now — her former bodyguard is calling in sick and will miss his deposition in her child custody battle with Mel Gibson … TMZ has learned. Kristian Herzog was scheduled to testify under oath Friday — but… Read more
