Unbeknownst to her, Diane O’Meara played a critical role in the Manti Te’o girlfriend hoax. O’Meara, a 23-year old marketing executive in Los Angeles, appeared on The Today Show this morning and confirmed her photo was the one used – without her knowledge – in creating Lennay Kekua . The photograph (below) was taken off her Facebook page by Ronaiah Tuiasosopo and passed off as Kekua to Te’o. O’Meara adds that Tuiasosopo called to admit his role in the scheme and apologize for it the day this bizarre story broke. “I don’t think there’s anything he could say to me that would fix this,” said O’Meara. O’Meara went to high school in California with Tuiasosopo, but emphasizes that the pair is not close. He has not spoken out since this scandal hit, but may do so this week. Te’o, meanwhile, will give his first on-camera interview to Katie Couric Thursday.
UPDATE : Whoops, never mind. In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter , Snyder’s rep has flatly denied the report. “While he is super flattered because he is a huge fan,” the statement says, “Zack is not involved in any way with the new Star Wars . He is currently in post on his two films, Man of Steel and 300: Battle of Artemisia .” Looks like the Internet got played by a fun-having rumor monger. I look forward to seeing if there’s any kernel of truth to anything else in the report. Original story continues below… *** In case you were wondering, you can rest easy in the knowledge that Disney has absolutely no intention of treating the Star Wars franchise like a finite resource. Instead, they plan to mine it like spice from the cruelest mines of Kessel, and the proof is the possibility of a Kurosawa-inspired film set in the galaxy far, far away, brought to you by Zack Snyder , the man currently tasked with finally bringing a post-Christopher Reeve Superman to theaters. Vulture has brought us news of a rumor blowing up like the Death Star that 300 , Watchmen and Man of Steel director Snyder is developing a new stand-alone Star Wars film based on Akira Kurosawa’s The Seven Samurai that would exist, almost certainly, separate from the planned Episodes 7, 8 and 9. The plot would replace feudal Japanese swordslingers with lightsaber wielding Jedi. And since the original Star Wars was heavily based on Kurosawa’s The Hidden Fortress , it would allow us to declare — and you knew this was coming — that the circle is now complete. The setting is unclear, but Vulture ‘s source claims it would take place after the events of Return of the Jedi . As we know, Episodes 7, 8 and 9 are also going to take place long after Jedi . How awesome does that sound? My mouth already waters at the notion of a live action Star Wars TV show set in the aftermath of the rebellion against the Empire. This makes me positively drool. That said, I’d prefer there just be Seven Samurai … IN SPAAAACE, without having to graft the Star Wars brand name onto it. But since Roger Corman already covered that with his schlocky B-movie classic Battle Beyond The Stars , I’ll take what I can get. Especially since it’ll be awesome exploring the idea of Jedi Ronin in the post-Empire galaxy. Bring it, and may the force be with us. And maybe next, we can get the Star Wars version of Zatoichi . Please, please hire Ian Holm for that. [via Vulture ]
He’s promoting his new flick and wasn’t holdin’ back on his frustrations with politics. According to the Daily Mail , Matt says he lost hope that the movie would even have some damn impact in Washington: ‘We’re at a point where politicians don’t really get any benefit from engaging with long-term issues,’ he said, according to Politico. ‘Instead, it’s all about the next election cycle. Those guys in the House don’t do anything now but run for office. So unless they can find some little thing that zips them up a couple of points in the polls, they’re not interested.’ Damon’s soured attitude toward the American political system has been a couple years in the making. He made headlines last year when he famously criticized Obama’s first term, even though Damon is a Democrat and supported Obama in 2008. ‘I’ve talked to a lot of people who worked for Obama at the grassroots level. One of them said to me, “Never again. I will never be fooled again by a politician,”‘ Damon said in 2011. ‘You know, a one-term president with some balls who actually got stuff done would have been, in the long run of the country, much better.’ But Damon told Playboy that he voted for Obama in November, despite his criticisms of the president. ‘I assume there will be some Supreme Court appointments in this next term; that alone was reason to vote for him,’ he said. Damon was also asked about Clint Eastwood’s performance at the Republican National Convention. ‘I heard the backlash, but I never saw the whole thing because I just didn’t want to see my friend … you know,’ he said. ‘Look, his knowledge of filmmaking is so vast and deep that he can wing it beautifully on the set. What he did at the RNC was an unrehearsed bit he decided to do at the last minute. You can’t go onstage and do 12 minutes of stand-up completely unrehearsed. But I agree with what Bill Maher said — Clint killed it at the convention for 12 minutes, and the audience loved him. I wouldn’t do that unless I spent a month rehearsing.’ Asked what politics were behind his new movie, he said, ‘We went to the studio saying, “Who f**king wants to go see an anti-fracking movie?” and were all in agreement. When we were working on the script, it was about wind farms, but we changed it to fracking — a good issue because the stakes are so high. That sh*t is real. They’re debating about letting it happen in New York now. To us, the movie was really about American identity. We loved the characters because they felt like real people making the kinds of compromises you have to just to live your life.’ Do you think Washington can’t be changed?? Images via tumblr/facebook
Connecticut school shooter Adam Lanza learned everything he knew about firearms – and obtained the ones he used in Friday morning’s massacre – from his mother. Adam’s mom, Nancy Lanza, became his first victim that fateful day. An avid gun collector, she reportedly bragged to friends and neighbors about her weapons and took her son to several firing ranges to teach him how to shoot. All in the months leading up to Adam murdering 27 innocent people. One of Nancy’s neighbors, Dan Holmes, said that Nancy was a gun enthusiast and collector, often taking her kids, Adam and Ryan Lanza , to the gun range. According to the N.Y. Post , this fed his knowledge of firearms, and will surely be discussed as part of the obligatory and necessary gun control debate . Adam Lanza used several different guns when he opened fire on Sandy Hook Elementary School. It is believed that all three weapons were registered to Nancy. Nancy Lanza was not a teacher at the school, despite initial reports claiming this. Nor was she killed at the school; Adam, who lived with her, shot her at home. From there, he went on to kill 20 kids and six adults before taking his own life as police arrived, making for one of the worst mass murders in U.S. history. Police have yet to disclose a motive for the attack, which left those who knew Lanza trying to discern whether anything in his past could have foreshadowed this. One of Lanza’s aunts, Marsha, described Lanza as a “quiet, nice kid” who had issues with learning, she said. Her husband is Lanza’s paternal uncle. “He was definitely the challenge of the family in that house. Every family has one. They have one. I have one. But never in trouble with the law, or with anything.” As for her connection to the school, if any? It’s unclear, though Lanza’s mother “battled” with the school board and ended up having her son home-schooled. “She had issues with school ,” said the aunt, who lives in Illinois. “I’m not 100% certain if it was behavior or learning disabilities, but he was a very bright boy. He was smart.”
We’ve been basking in glorious movie nudity recently with Helen Hunt making her full frontal debut in The Sessions (2012) and Nadine Velazquez doing the same in Flight (2012). Unfortunately the good times are taking a break this week because there is a dearth of skin in theaters. First up, the big budget teen vampire series The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2 (2012) comes to its epic conclusion. There’s no nudity here, but the knowledge that Kristen Stewart goes topless in On The Road (2012) may get your stake pounding. Next slinky stunner Keira Knightley stars as the titular Anna Karenina (2012), but doesn’t show off any of her period pieces. Then Jennifer Lawrence is non-nude in Silver Linings Playbook (2012), but the silver lining is a topless shower scene from nudecomer Brea Bee 14 minutes in. More after the jump!
Randy Jackson Returning To American Idol Looks like the American Idol executives will have one less seat to fill for the upcoming season of show after all. Despite numerous early reports to the contrary, it turns out the American Idol veteran Randy Jackson will be returning to the judges table in this upcoming season alongside Mariah Carey. Allegedly the deal was completed after talks with Latin singing star Enrique Iglesias fell through. Ace Showbiz reports: Randy Jackson will serve as a judge on “American Idol” for another season, latest report says. Following speculations about his future on the show, Deadline learns from “sources close to the situation” that the R&B singer/music producer has closed a deal with FOX to stay on the show with the same role. According to the site, the deal-making was wrapped quickly after talks with Enrique Iglesias broke off. While the network hasn’t confirmed it yet, Simon Cowell stated the same with his tweet. The British producer, who was also a judge on the veteran singing competition, shared to his Twitter followers on Monday, September 10, “Just heard randy is back on idol. Right decision.” Randy himself refused to address his status on the veteran singing competition when visiting “Today” that morning. Asked by co-hosts Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb if he’s still a judge on “Idol”, he dodged the question by saying, “Listen, it’s an amazing show. My friend Mariah Carey is there. I think she’s going to bring a lot of excitement to it. Let’s see what happens.” So wait, who’s place will Randy be taking ? American Idol has made some pretty lucrative offers to a couple of Hollyweird heavyweights…will the return of the dawg leave somebody jobless? Source
Is it just us or are we all liking the ‘new’ NeNe Leakes ? She rubbed us the wrong way in past seasons on RHOA but it seems NeNe may have gotten an ego check for real. Peep her interview from Essence mag: ESSENCE.com: How much of your character Rocky is NeNe? NENE LEAKES: Rocky is definitely part of NeNe. She’s outspoken and she’s smart and she’s very protective of her gay boss, Bryan, who is played by Andrew Reynolds. One of the things she does that NeNe does not do is use her boss’ credit card without his knowledge and buys stuff. ESSENCE.com: What are you thoughts on the show being banned in Utah since you’re a supporter of gay rights? LEAKES: In my real life, both my bosses are gay. On the Real Housewives of Atlanta, Andy Cohen is gay, everybody at Bravo is gay – we call them the gay mafia (laughs). Over at Glee and The New Normal, my boss Ryan Murphy is gay. On the show, my boss, played by Andrew Reynolds is gay in real life. I’m surrounded by all my gay bosses. But I think it’s absolutely ridiculous the show was banned without being seen. I think viewers think it is the new gay show and it’s not. This show is not about being gay or anything. It’s about love, it’s about comedy, it’s about drama. If they would at least tune in and give it a chance. I’m not gay. [The main characters] aren’t even saying they’re gay. They are two professional men. One is an OBGYN and the other runs a production company. It’s based off of Ryan Murphy’s life. They aren’t walking around hugging and kissing. They are just like any other normal family. It’s just that they’re two men looking to have a baby. I think the people who are going to love the show the most are people who are not traditional. ESSENCE.com: Are you hoping the show will broaden the mindset of a few Americans? LEAKES: It’s not unusual to see two gay guys sitting at the coffee shop down the street or going shopping together or holding hands. I am really shocked when people are that closed minded. It’s 2012 and people are living the life that they want to live. It’s exactly how you should live… I love gays, but I never really liked gay guys who aren’t out of the box or out of closet. I prefer them to be out of the closet, very open, because I know from my experiences in life how freeing it is to do you and be who you are. It’s Utah, these people might be very closed minded. I don’t know but I can guarantee there are gays in Utah. Once the show airs and they see we’re about love, family, comedy and drama I hope they will decide to put the show on out there. ESSENCE.com: What are your thoughts on gay marriage? LEAKES: I’m for all kinds of gay rights. I’m almost like a gay man myself. I think people should marry who ever they want to marry. That’s going back to living the life you want to live. There are people who never want to be married. My dad never married in his life. He never wanted that kind of commitment. I think it’s whatever works for you and it worked for him. If you want to be married, be married. I think you should do whatever you want to do as long as you’re not breaking the law or doing anything illegal. ESSENCE.com: How is your granddaughter? LEAKES: I have a glam-baby. Let’s be correct, now. I’m way too young and too fabulous to be a grandma. I’m a glam-mom…At first I wasn’t happy about it, when I heard she was pregnant. I felt like they were young. This is a different time. I felt like they need to enjoy being young. I wanted him to be married. I also want my son to date a lot. So you can figure out what it is you like and don’t like in a woman. I didn’t want him to have children at an early age. We just love her to death. I can’t wait until she gets a little bit bigger, I have already introduced her to the Neiman Marcus kid’s department. She’s ready to go shopping at any time. I’m excited about piercing her ears and polishing her nails. I never had a girl and I’m excited about her. ESSENCE.com: You talked about having a troubled past with domestic violence. What are your thoughts on Evelyn Lozada and Chad Johnson? LEAKES: I wanted to reach out to her, but I didn’t. I feel like when people are going through something I’m confused about whether I should say something or not, because so many people are saying stuff to them. I don’t talk to Evelyn regularly, but I do know her, we do text if we need something from another. The only advice I would have for Evelyn is to be quiet. I wouldn’t say anything else. To me, it makes matters worse and I would be quiet and try to it handle privately. It’s probably impossible but here’s hoping NeNe has left her “Rich Itch” big-head days behind! Source Images via WENN
These militias aren’t playing… The recent arrests of several suspected domestic terrorists, and alleged murderers, who were active in the U.S. army have also revealed shocking ties to the Republican party: Isaac Aguigui, the Army private and alleged ringleader of a plot to assassinate Barack Obama and “take over” Ft. Stewart in Georgia, apparently served as a page at the 2008 Republican National Convention in Minnesota. That’s his mug shot after he was arrested for the alleged murder of Pvt. Michael Roark on the left. At right is a 2008 Reuters photo with the caption: “Republican National Convention page Isaac Aguigui watches from the edge of the floor at the start of the first session of the 2008 Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota September 1, 2008.” Aguigui, according to Georgia prosecutors, financed a plot to kill the president, take over Ft. Stewart and poison apple orchards in Washington state with a $500,000 insurance settlement he got last year after his wife’s death. The group—its numbers are unknown—called itself F.E.A.R., for Forever Enduring, Always Ready. Aguigui is one of four soldiers charged in Roark’s death, allegedly because he was a “loose end” who threatened to foil their plans. According to the AP, Aguigui and his compatriots bore “distinctive tattoos that resemble an anarchy symbol,” but that’s the extent of the reporting thus far on their political motives. What the hell???? Here’s more on their plot via AP reports : Four Army soldiers based in southeast Georgia killed a former comrade and his girlfriend to protect an anarchist militia group they formed that stockpiled assault weapons and plotted a range of anti-government attacks, prosecutors told a judge Monday. Prosecutors in rural Long County, near the sprawling Army post Fort Stewart, said the militia group of active and former U.S. military members spent at least $87,000 buying guns and bomb components. They allege the group was serious enough to kill two people – former soldier Michael Roark and his 17-year-old girlfriend, Tiffany York – by shooting them in the woods last December in order to keep its plans secret. “This domestic terrorist organization did not simply plan and talk,” prosecutor Isabel Pauley told a Superior Court judge. “Prior to the murders in this case, the group took action. Evidence shows the group possessed the knowledge, means and motive to carry out their plans.” One of the Fort Stewart soldiers charged in the case, Pfc. Michael Burnett, also gave testimony that backed up many of the assertions made by prosecutors. The 26-year-old soldier pleaded guilty Monday to manslaughter, illegal gang activity and other charges. He made a deal to cooperate with prosecutors against the three other soldiers. Prosecutors said the group called itself F.E.A.R., short for Forever Enduring Always Ready. Pauley said authorities don’t know how many members it had. Burnett, 26, said he knew the group’s leaders from serving with them at Fort Stewart. He agreed to testify against fellow soldiers Pvt. Isaac Aguigui, identified by prosecutors as the militia’s founder and leader, and Sgt. Anthony Peden and Pvt. Christopher Salmon. All are charged by state authorities with malice murder, felony murder, criminal gang activity, aggravated assault and using a firearm while committing a felony. A hearing for the three soldiers was scheduled Thursday. Prosecutors say Roark, 19, served with the four defendants in the 4th Brigade Combat Team of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division and became involved with the militia. Pauley said the group believed it had been betrayed by Roark, who left the Army two days before he was killed, and decided the ex-soldier and his girlfriend needed to be silenced. Burnett testified that on the night of Dec. 4, he and the three other soldiers lured Roark and York to some woods a short distance from the Army post under the guise that they were going target shooting. He said Peden shot Roark’s girlfriend in the head while she was trying to get out of her car. Salmon, he said, made Roark get on his knees and shot him twice in the head. Burnett said Aguigui ordered the killings. “A `loose end’ is the way Isaac put it,” Burnett said. Also charged in the killings is Salmon’s wife, Heather Salmon. Pauley said Aguigui funded the militia using $500,000 in insurance and benefit payments from the death of his pregnant wife a year ago. Aguigui was not charged in his wife’s death, but Pauley told the judge her death was “highly suspicious.” She said Aguigui used the money to buy $87,000 worth of semiautomatic assault rifles, other guns and bomb components that were recovered from the accused soldiers’ homes and from a storage locker. He also used the insurance payments to buy land for his militia group in Washington state, Pauley said. In a videotaped interview with military investigators, Pauley said, Aguigui called himself “the nicest cold-blooded murderer you will ever meet.” He used the Army to recruit militia members, who wore distinctive tattoos that resemble an anarchy symbol, she said. Prosecutors say they have no idea how many members belong to the group. “All members of the group were on active-duty or were former members of the military,” Pauley said. “He targeted soldiers who were in trouble or disillusioned.” The prosecutor said the militia group had big plans. It plotted to take over Fort Stewart by seizing its ammunition control point and talked of bombing the Forsyth Park fountain in nearby Savannah, she said. In Washington state, she added, the group plotted to bomb a dam and poison the state’s apple crop. Ultimately, prosecutors said, the militia’s goal was to overthrow the government and assassinate the president. It’s not a game people. Domestic terror plots are very real. These guys bought nearly six figures worth of weaponry!!! And to think — this guy was an RNC page just four years ago! SMH @ Aguigui possibly murking his pregnant wife to get the money to fun his evil plot. Source
‘Magic Mike’ co-stars might be teaming up again, they reveal during Movie Awards Sneak Peek Week. By Amy Wilkinson, with reporting by Josh Horowitz Channing Tatum and Matthew McConaughey Photo: MTV News UNIVERSAL CITY, California — ” Magic Mike ” co-stars Channing Tatum and Matthew McConaughey have been seeing a lot of each other lately — and we’re not just talking about the thong-heavy wardrobe for their upcoming stripper flick, due June 29. As part of our Sneak Peek Week leading up to the 2012 MTV Movie Awards on Sunday, June 3, the castmates, along with producer/screenwriter Reid Carolin, took to the Universal Studios CityWalk stage in L.A. to debut an exclusive clip from their film and participate in a 30-minute Q&A session. When MTV News’ Josh Horowitz pointed out that Tatum and McConaughey seem to have great chemistry, wondering aloud if they’d ever collaborate again, Tatum let a few juicy tidbits slip. “Actually, a script just got turned in,” he revealed. Asked whether the film would be a drama, comedy or something of the stripper variety, the actor’s answer was coy, yet titillating: “It’ll be dirty, let’s just say that. Dirty and dangerous.” With the pair portraying exotic dancers in their latest endeavor, it’s hard to imagine how much more dirty and/or dangerous things can get. We’ll have to wait and see! In the meantime, you can catch Tatum at this weekend’s Movie Awards, where he’s nominated for five Golden Popcorn trophies, including Best Male Performance (“The Vow”), Best Cast (“21 Jump Street”), Best Fight (“21 Jump Street”), Best Kiss (“The Vow”) and Best Hero (“21 Jump Street”). Head over to MovieAwards.MTV.com to vote for your favorite flicks now! The 21st annual MTV Movie Awards air live Sunday, June 3, at 9 p.m. ET. Related Videos Movie Awards Sneak Peek Week: ‘Magic Mike’
‘Jersey Shore’ stars have soft spot for Channing Tatum, up for Best Male Performance at Sunday night’s show. By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Vaughn Schoonmaker JWoww and Snooki Photo: MTV News “Jersey Shore” stars Snooki and JWoww certainly have strong opinions about the contenders in the Best Male Performance category at Sunday’s 2012 MTV Movie Awards . When the rowdy pair sat down with MTV News recently, they weighed in on the five equally fine guys duking it out at the show. And they’ve offered up some colorful commentary about some of the nominees. Regarding Daniel Radcliffe, who is up for his work in the last “Harry Potter” flick, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2,” JWoww said, “He’s Harry — not literally.” Meanwhile, Snooki added, “He looks like he can party.” As for Ryan Gosling, nominated for his work in “Drive,” JWoww said, “Ryan Gosling’s supposed to be, like, the hottest male ever, right?” The ladies had even warmer feelings for “The Vow” star Channing Tatum. Snooki could barely form together a complete sentence when it came to describing his beefiness. She said, “Channing Tatum, ‘The Vow,’ he was really hot.” Mirroring the mama-to-be’s sentiments, JWoww added, “I’d have sex with him.” As for Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Josh Hutcherson, well, the two ladies were a bit out of the know about those guys. Perhaps they should bone up on their knowledge of them a bit more before Sunday’s show since one of them just might win. One of these guys will take home the prize in the Best Male Performance category at the 2012 MTV Movie Awards taking place this weekend. The show will be hosted by Russell Brand and will feature performances from Fun. , the Black Keys, Martin Solveig and Wiz Khalifa . It all goes down at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, California, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Sunday, June 3. Head over to MovieAwards.MTV.com to vote for your favorite flicks now! The 21st annual MTV Movie Awards air live this Sunday, June 3, at 9 p.m. ET. Related Videos Behind The Scenes At The 2012 MTV Movie Awards
