Rihanna: Chris Brown 'had no soul in his eyes'
Rihanna on Friday described the horror she felt as her ex-boyfriend Chris Brown was biting and punching her during a violent argument in February, saying she saw "no soul in his eyes."
"There was no person when I looked at him," the 21-year-old singer recalled during portions of an interview with Diane Sawyer airing on ABC's "20/20" and, earlier, "Good Morning America." "He had no soul in his eyes. Just blank."
Brown was arrested Feb. 8, hours after he was accused of beating Rihanna after the two argued over another woman. He later pleaded guilty to felony assault.
In the interview, Rihanna, who is no longer with Brown, described him as "definitely my first big love." She said their relationship was intense.
"The more in love we became, the more dangerous we became for each other _ equally as dangerous," she said. "It was a bit of an obsession almost."
The attack occurred in Los Angeles' Hancock Park neighborhood as Brown drove a rented sports car. She said it was triggered when she saw a text message on his phone from another woman and confronted him about it. She said he lied about it and "I wouldn't drop it."
A search warrant affidavit filed in the case stated that Brown hit, choked and bit Rihanna and tried at one point to push her from the car.
"It was ugly," she said.
During the beating, the singer said she had no idea how it would end: "That's all I kept thinking the whole time, 'When is it going to stop? When is it going to stop?'"
Brown was sentenced to five years' probation, six months of community labor and a year of domestic violence counseling after he pleaded guilty to felony assault.
Rihanna said that, even after her physical wounds had healed, she felt embarrassment and shame.
"You start thinking, 'What could I possibly have said to make him hit me and do this?' ... I didn't talk about it to anyone. To no one. Not my friends, not my family. I didn't want people looking at me and feeling sorry for me, like, 'There goes the victim.'"
Rihanna warned other women facing domestic violence to not let themselves become blinded by love. She also said she regretted going back to Brown, saying it sent the wrong message to her fans.
Brown, 20, has apologized to fans and has said he has repeatedly apologized to Rihanna for the attack.
Despite the beating, Rihanna said she still cares about Brown.
"I don't hate him at all," she said. "I actually love and care about him and I'm concerned about him doing well. I want him to do well _ have a great career, have a great life, and grow up. Just take this as something that you had to go through to grow up and learn."
Rihanna's interview coincides with the debut of her new single, "Russian Roulette," from her upcoming album, "Rated R."
Nick Counter, Hollywood studios' negotiator, dies
Nick Counter, a longtime negotiator for Hollywood producers who led the studios through two grueling writers' strikes last year and in 1988, has died. He was 69.
The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers says Counter died at a Los Angeles hospital on Friday.
Counter served as the group's president for 27 years and negotiated more than 300 collective bargaining agreements with entertainment industry guilds and unions on behalf of movie studios, television networks and independent producers.
Current AMPTP President Carol Lombardini says Counter's ability to find consensus at the bargaining table led to a sustained era of labor peace.
His family says he was most proud of his work with the industry health and pension plans.
Joe Jackson seeks stipend from Michael's estate
Michael Jackson's father is seeking an allowance from his son's estate to help cover expenses that exceed $15,000 a month, according to court documents filed Friday.
The request seeking an unspecified amount for Joe Jackson was filed by lawyer Brian Oxman, who said there was no apparent reason for the administrators of the estate to not seek an allowance for the Jackson family patriarch.
Michael Jackson's 2002 will, however, omitted any mention of his father. The two had an often-strained relationship, and Michael Jackson said at one point that he would get physically sick _ as a child and as an adult _ at the sight of his father.
The singer's private trust calls for money to be paid to his mother, Katherine, his three young children, and various charities.
A judge has approved more than $26,000 in payments to Katherine Jackson each month, and a $60,000 monthly payment for the care of the children.
The latest court documents said Joe Jackson receives a $1,700 monthly Social Security payment and had relied on his son for support for many years.
"He does not have a regular or steady source of income, and he was dependent upon the money provided by his son, Michael Jackson, through his wife, Katherine Jackson, for his support," the filing stated.
"It was quite surprising to learn of the request," Howard Weitzman, an attorney for the administrators of Jackson's estate, said in a statement. "Mr. Jackson's petition will be considered as are all requests for money from Michael's estate."
Joe Jackson suffers from diabetes and had a stroke in 1998, the filing stated.
A former steelworker, he managed and trained his children and organized the Jackson 5. He has been married to Katherine Jackson for 50 years, but he lists his home in Las Vegas. She lives at a family home in the San Fernando Valley north of Los Angeles.
The filings are inconsistent in several places, listing Joe Jackson's age as 80 in one place and 81 in another. A declaration states his monthly expenses exceed $20,000 a month, but an itemized list only includes slightly more than $15,000.
That list includes $1,200 a month on rent for his Las Vegas home; $2,500 to eat out; $1,000 on entertainment, gifts and vacations; $2,000 on air travel and $3,000 on hotels.
A phone message left for Oxman was not immediately returned.
A judge on Friday denied Joe Jackson's petition for an expedited hearing on the matter.
A hearing is scheduled for early 2010 at which time the payments to Katherine Jackson may be re-evaluated.
Actor Woods sues RI hospital in brother's death
Two-time Oscar-nominated actor James Woods has sued a Rhode Island hospital over the 2006 death of his younger brother.
Woods on Friday would not discuss the lawsuit in detail, but told The Associated Press he wants "justice" for his brother, Michael, who was 49 when he died at Kent Hospital in Warwick of what was believed to be a heart attack.
Woods, who is the executor of his brother's estate, claims his brother received negligent medical care. A spokesperson for the hospital did not return an e-mail seeking comment Friday. It was not immediately clear how much money or other damages Woods is seeking through the lawsuit.
A jury was selected this week and lawyers argued motions in court Friday, including one from the defense that sought to restrict the admissibility of statements of bereavement or mourning from Michael Woods's son, Peyton.
Opening statements are scheduled for Monday in Kent County Superior Court.
James Woods, who lived in Warwick growing up, received Oscar nominations for his performances in "Ghosts of Mississippi" and "Salvador." Other credits include "Nixon," "Casino," "Any Given Sunday," and the CBS legal drama "Shark."
Lawyers for both sides declined to comment after court Friday.
Michael Woods was also an actor who appeared in several of his brother's films, including "Rudy: The Rudy Giuliani Story," a 2003 TV movie. He twice ran unsuccessfully for mayor of Warwick and was also a coin dealer and appraiser and small businessman.
Matthew Broderick focuses on 'Wonderful World'
Matthew Broderick says he's puzzled by the bashing he's received for his actions during the first New York preview of "The Starry Messenger," a new play by good friend Kenneth Lonergan.
"We had to rush to our first preview and then I guess we got some press just after one show, which I don't really understand," the actor says.
Messages posted on various theater Web sites said a prompter in the front row needed to assist Broderick with his lines during the Oct. 26 performance of the three-hour play, produced by off-Broadway's New Group.
Broderick adds, "It's going very well now, I think, now that we've had a whole week. And it's going to be really good by the time it opens."
New Group artistic director Scott Elliott said "The Starry Messenger," the story of an astronomy teacher's affair with a younger woman, will open Nov. 23, a week later than originally planned.
For now, Broderick, who has appeared on stage in such hits as "Brighton Beach Memoirs" and "The Producers," has something else on which to focus _ a new movie.
At a cocktail reception to promote "Wonderful World" during the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, the still boyish-looking actor said the film was an opportunity to work with another friend _ screenwriter and first-time director Joshua Godlin.
"I just thought it was a beautifully written script. ... The director is my close friend, so I was very happy get to work with him," the 47-year-old Broderick says.
"We've been friends for 20 years," Godlin, who wrote the screenplay for the action film "Darkman," says. "I don't write with an actor in mind, but definitely knowing Matthew as I do, I always thought he'd be great in the role."
In "Wonderful World," a dark comedy, Broderick portrays a former children's folk singer and father who has fallen on hard times _ until he meets his roommate's flamboyant sister, played by Tony Award-nominated actress Sanaa Lathan.
R&B singer Usher's divorce from his wife is final
R&B singer Usher's divorce from his wife is final.
Fulton County Superior Court spokeswoman Jada Hudspeth says a final decree in the divorce case was issued Wednesday.
Usher, whose real name is Usher Raymond IV, filed for divorce from Tameka Raymond on June 12. He claimed there was "no reasonable hope of reconciliation" and the marriage was "irretrievably broken."
Lawyers for both declined to comment Friday.
The couple have two young sons, Usher Raymond V and Naviyd Ely Raymond. Usher was seeking joint custody of the boys, but it was not immediately clear whether a custody arrangement had been reached.
The couple married in August 2007 in a lavish ceremony just outside Atlanta in front of about 200 people.
Deja vu: Wal-Mart, Amazon, Target in DVD price war
First it was books. Now it's DVDs.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. started another price war Thursday, trimming the online preorder prices of some upcoming DVDs following its price cut on books last month. And, once again, competitors Amazon.com and Target scrambled to match the prices.
It's the latest salvo in an ongoing online push by Wal-Mart designed to make sure everyone knows it intends to be the low-price leader on the Web, as well as in stores.
The retailer, based in Bentonville, Ark., said late Thursday that it would lower the online prices of new DVDs such as "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince" and "Star Trek XI" to $10.
But when Amazon reduced some of its DVD prices to $9.99, Wal-Mart shot back by cutting its DVDs to $9.98 as of Friday morning. Target got into the act Friday morning, too. All three companies also sweetened the pot by offering free shipping for the DVDs being sold.
The goal of such tactics is to drive higher volume, said BMO Capital Markets analyst Wayne Hood. He noted that some businesses like Wal-Mart and Target can afford to lower their prices and still be profitable because of their low-cost distribution models.
But not all retailers appear to be engaging in the tug of war, as Best Buy Co., Barnes & Noble Inc. and Borders Group Inc. all had higher prices for some of the DVDs Friday.
That might cost them some sales, but also might not be a bad idea.
Hood said it is important for some of Wal-Mart's rivals to remain competitive on price, but that trying to undercut Wal-Mart, with its huge scope and buying power, is a losing game. The retail giant sells enough products in enough categories to make up for any losses on individual items that it uses to pull people into stores or onto its Web site.
"On an everyday basis, customers expect Wal-Mart to be the benchmark or standard for pricing," he said.
Wal-Mart, which generated more than $400 billion in sales last year, has been aggressively trying to stake its claim online. The DVD discounts and last month's book discounts are part of a series of maneuvers the retailer has taken to draw shoppers to its Internet home.
Wal-Mart's book price war with Target and Amazon.com in October saw the companies lower the online preorder prices on titles such as "Under the Dome" by Stephen King and "Ford County" by John Grisham. Prices dropped as low as $8.98.
As books in the price war have come to market, prices have gone up, though the sellers are still discounting them heavily.
Wal-Mart's DVD price cut follows its announcement late last month that it would reduce prices weekly on top-selling items from bananas to board games and hold those cuts through the holiday season. It is also offering more than 100 toys at $10 during the holidays.
Aside from the discounts, Wal-Mart has tried to drive people to its Web site with a massive boost to its online product offerings. In late August the company said it would allow outside retailers to sell nearly 1 million items _ from baby products to sports memorabilia _ on Walmart.com. And in October Wal-Mart said it would start selling health and beauty products online.
Wal-Mart's stock fell 29 cents to $50.99 in afternoon trading, while shares of Target shed 7 cents to $49.63. Amazon.com's stock gained $5.18, or 4.3 percent, to $125.79. The shares hit a 52-week high of $126.98 earlier in the session.
Elton John on mend, resuming tour dates
Elton John has been released from a London hospital after being treated for flu and an E. coli bacterial infection.
The singer's spokesman Gary Farrow says John was at home Friday and was feeling fine. He left the hospital early Thursday.
He says John planned to resume his suspended tour and would play scheduled U.S. dates with Billy Joel starting in Oakland, California on Nov. 14.
Illness has forced the 62-year-old musician to cancel several gigs in Britain, Ireland and the U.S. over the last few weeks.
Calle 13 wins 5 Latin Grammys in Las Vegas
Puerto Rican duo Calle 13 won all five awards it was nominated for Thursday at the Latin Grammys in Las Vegas, including two of the top awards of the night and honors in both urban and alternative categories.
The awards show ran late because Mexico's "Divo of Juarez," Juan Gabriel, sang for 40 minutes straight while mariachis stomped on stage and the audience clapped and sang along.
Calle 13 won album of the year its innovative collaborations and politically charged reggaeton. Left with little time to accept the golden gramophone for the top honor, lead singer Rene Perez, who raps as "Residente," dedicated the award to Argentine folk singer Mercedes Sosa, who died in October at age 74.
"May she rest in peace. An applause for Mercedes Sosa, please," he said.
Later in the pressroom, Residente explained his admiration for the woman who helped found the "Nueva Cancion" movement, which merged folk traditions and leftist politics in the 1960s. "She is a voice who should never die, and young people should listen to her," he said. "In an era of dictatorship and difficult times, she wasn't afraid. That's why I dedicated it to her."
Residente and his half brother Eduardo Cabra, who goes by "Visitante," also won recording of the year for "No Hay Nadie Como Tu," their collaboration with Mexican rockers Cafe Tacuba, aka Cafe Tacvba. Their album "Los de Atras Vienen Conmigo" also won best album in the urban category, competing against other reggaeton acts.
During the ceremony, Calle 13 performed "La Perla," an ode to a seaside slum in San Juan, with salsa legend Ruben Blades, while dancers from Cirque du Soleil's "Mystere" leaped across the stage. "La Perla" won the award for best short-form video.
The Latin Recording Academy also paid homage to Sosa with a brief video set to the gentle anthem "Gracias a la Vida."
"Mercedes Sosa represents courage and strength for those of us who continue to support her efforts" for social justice in Latin America, Blades said in his introduction.
Italian singer Laura Pausini, who won best female pop vocal album, performed "En Cambio No," to open the show, which was hosted by Mexican comedian Eugenio Derbez and Mexican singer and actress Lucero.
Showgirls added Sin City flavor to a hip-shaking salsa jam by Venezuelan Oscar D'Leon and Puerto Rican Gilberto Santa Rosa. They also lent their moves to Los Tucanes de Tijuana's "Se Fue Mi Amor," which won for best regional Mexican song.
Performance highlights also included Spanish singer Alejandro Sanz and Alicia Keys singing her "Looking for Paradise," Spanish folk rocker Natalia Jimenez of La Quinta Estacion belting out "Me Dueles," and Juan Gabriel's medley of hits with a mariachi band and folkloric dancers in colorful skirts.
The "Divo of Juarez" was honored with the Latin Recording Academy's person of the year award the night before.
"For Mexico!" he said as he showed off his statuette.
He was scheduled to perform three of his hits, but when the band tried to wrap up his performance, Gabriel kept singing. He paraded through the theater while crowd members kissed and hugged him.
The audience laughed when he swung his wine glass in the air to the rhythm of "No Me Hagas Llorar," spilling its contents across the stage and all over his lace-covered jacket and pink vest.
Most of the 49 awards were handed out during a pre-show ceremony. The variety of categories befitted the diverse musical traditions of the Americas, including best albums in Christian, grupero and Brazilian sertaneja music.
Members of the Latin Recording Academy voted for the winners of the 10th annual awards.
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Estelle, Ludacris pay tribute to late Otis Redding
Grammy-winning singer Estelle remembered when she used to strut in the living room when she was younger, singing many of soul legend Otis Redding's classic songs like "Sittin' On The Dock of the Bay."
On Thursday night, she had a bigger audience as she and others paid homage to the soul singer in a two-hour performance at the Woodruff Arts Center in Atlanta.
"I'm just trying to do his song justice," said Estelle, who sang "Satisfaction," the Rolling Stones song that Redding covered. "I hope I come close to making the song sound great just like him."
Estelle was joined in honoring Redding by Anthony Hamilton, married couple Kenny Lattimore and Chante Moore, and Redding's sons Dexter and Otis III.
"Singing the same songs he used to sing makes me realize how much of an impact he had in music," said Anthony Hamilton, who performed "Try a Little Tenderness" with Dexter and Otis III.
Redding established himself in the early 1960s as a first-rate songwriter, penning and recording "Respect," which Aretha Franklin made a No. 1 hit. His biggest hit, "Sittin' On The Dock of the Bay," was released after his death in a plane crash in December 1967.
"Tonight, his name lives on," said Redding's wife, Zelma. She established the Big "O" Youth Educational Dream Foundation, which also honored NASCAR's Kyle Petty, rapper Ludacris and talent developer Devyne Stephens for their foundation's outreach programs.
"Otis would be so proud of what so many of these people have done in the community," Zelma Redding said.
Rapper Ludacris said he was humbled after meeting and sitting next to Redding's wife, sons and daughter.
"I'm just a fan of Otis Redding," the rapper said. "His legacy will live forever and he has been one of the major influences in who I am. It's as simple as that."
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