‘That one actually wasn’t one of [them] we were supposed to be recording,’ Harry Styles tells MTV News. By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Christina Garibaldi One Direction Photo: MTV News
Kevin Clash, the voice of Sesame Street’s Elmo, agreed to pay his accuser $125,000, under one condition – that Sheldon Stephens retract the allegation that he was underage. Stephens alleged he was only 16 when Clash began an affair with him. Clash admits an affair , but insists it started when Stephens, now 23, was an adult. Stephens recanted his allegation days later, but only after a secret settlement was struck between the two parties. Under the terms of the settlement: Clash agreed to pay Stephens $125,000 . He releases a statement saying he [Stephens] wants it to be known that his sexual relationship with Mr. Clash was an adult consensual relationship. If Stephens is asked by anyone about his relationship with Clash, he must only repeat the statement in the settlement that recants his story. Although Sheldon Stephens signed the document, he insists Clash, now 52, had sex with him when he was a minor and was pressured into signing the settlement. According to TMZ, Stephens was crying during the final negotiations with Clash’s lawyer and repeatedly insisted he didn’t want to sign; he did, however. It’s unclear who leaked these details to the celebrity gossip site, but it makes you wonder.
Joe Simpson pleaded no contest in his DUI case and will serve three years of probation, according to reports. He will also attend alcohol education classes. The embattled father of Ashlee and Jessica Simpson entered the plea to one misdemeanor count via his attorney Tuesday. A second count was dismissed. The 54-year-old, who has also been in the tabloids lately over his alleged trysts with Bryce Chandler Hill and Joey Anderson , was pulled over in August. He spent the night in jail after his arrest. A source said at the time that Simpson had had “a couple of glasses of wine at dinner with his wife” in Sherman Oaks (Calif.) and took a Breathalyzer voluntarily. Simpson, meanwhile, is in the midst of a divorce proceeding. His wife Tina Simpson , 52, filed for divorce in Texas last month, citing “discord or conflict of personalities” as the grounds for separation in court papers. Rumors that Joe is a closeted gay man have persisted, but the couple has said nothing publicly other than to say that the split has amicable. [Photo: WENN.com]
Chamique Holdsclaw, the ex-WNBA and University of Tennessee basketball star, is currently free on bail, following her arrest this week for allegedly firing a gun at ex-girlfriend Jennifer Lacy . But new, disturbing information has leaked out regarding the incident, courtesy of a 911 call placed by a friend of Lacy’s, who was in the vehicle when the Holdsclaw confrontation took place. This friend describes Holdsclaw as “mentally unstable.” She goes on to tell the operator that the former Rookie of the Year poured gasoline all over Lacy’s Range Rover, presumably to set it on fire. She specifically says that Holdsclaw attempted to “destroy” the car. Holdsclaw fled the scene before she could do so and before authorities arrived. She then turned herself in and is clearly in major trouble.
And… we have a winner! With Kiara Belen, Laura James and the returning Leila Goldkuhl the trio of contestants remaining last night on the America’s Next Top Mod el finale, the ladies were tasked with photo shoots for sponsors Nine West and Nylon . They then strutted down a haunted house-themed runway. Who was able – in Tyra’s actual words – to “reclaim her immortal smize?” LAURA JAMES! “I’ve been dreaming of this for such a long time,” James said upon earning the title and winning $130,000; a spread in Nylon ; and a contract with two model agencies. As the champion of the first-ever college cycle, Laura also be the face of the fragrance, Dream Come True. Is she a deserving winner?
Ladies and gentlemen, presenting… Tarry? According to Mario Lopez, Taylor Swift – who performed Thursday night on The X Factor – is involved romantically with Harry Styles of One Direction. Just read what the co-host said last night on his 104.3 MY FM radio show: “During rehearsals, Harry from One Direction came and slapped me on the back, and said, ‘Hey, Mario, how ya doing?’ And I said, ‘What are you doing here?’ And he sort of [pointed] toward Taylor.” Swift, of course, recently split with Conor Kennedy . But she isn’t typically one to remain single for long. Lopez says he saw the pop singers “walking off hand in hand,” adding: “So Taylor Swift and Harry from One Direction — you heard it here first.” And we’ll all hear more about it later, after these two break up and Swift comes out with a new album.
Ladies and gentlemen, presenting… Tarry? According to Mario Lopez, Taylor Swift – who performed Thursday night on The X Factor – is involved romantically with Harry Styles of One Direction. Just read what the co-host said last night on his 104.3 MY FM radio show: “During rehearsals, Harry from One Direction came and slapped me on the back, and said, ‘Hey, Mario, how ya doing?’ And I said, ‘What are you doing here?’ And he sort of [pointed] toward Taylor.” Swift, of course, recently split with Conor Kennedy . But she isn’t typically one to remain single for long. Lopez says he saw the pop singers “walking off hand in hand,” adding: “So Taylor Swift and Harry from One Direction — you heard it here first.” And we’ll all hear more about it later, after these two break up and Swift comes out with a new album.
In an episode airing Thursday, the guys open up to Ellen DeGeneres about their love lives and affinities for tattoos. By Jocelyn Vena Ellen DeGeneres checks out Harry Styles’ new tattoo on “Ellen” Photo: Warner Bros.
‘We weren’t expecting people [to buy the album],’ Marcus Mumford tells MTV News about huge-selling second album. By James Montgomery Marcus Mumford and Country Winston Marshall Photo: MTV News