Real Housewives’ Ramona Singer loves success, being a mom

From last night’s tense installment of the ‘Real Housewives of New York’ you might think Ramona Singer has life on a plate. And she does – but it wasn’t always like that.

The 54-year old was born in the Hamptons and now has a comfortable life with her jewelry designer husband, Mario and 16-year old daughter Avery. But memories of a stormy upbringing still haunt her;

“I’m a self-made woman,” she tells us. “I was a victim of abuse. I saw my mother get the crap beaten out of her – I’d have to call the police. My father had a drinking problem, and I was on my own from 16.”

And Ramona credits her mother for the way she is now:

“My mother said ‘Don’t end up like me. I don’t have a college education, I have four kids. Please don’t make the same mistake. Have a career, and make sure you’re always making your own money, because that will give you strength – and they’ll respect you more.’”

And that’s how Ramona got into fashion; She graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology and got a job as a buyer for Macy’s, then segued into wholesaling Calvin Klein. (Read more...)

Casey Anthony’s plans to profit from case blocked by public disgust

In her new role as possibly the single most hated life-form in this nation sources close to Casey Anthony say she had plans to earn at least $5-million after her not-guilty verdict.. But public outrage over the case means she may never see one single dime

Since her acquittal on July 5th the reaction to Casey’s release has been vastly negative, and unrelenting. And the media outlets from whom insiders say Casey was reportedly hoping to profit have since canceled their plans, afraid of the public’s reaction.

Those plans included negotiations to buy her prison diary, a subscription-based web site, a two part documentary exploring her innocence, and numerous well-paid interviews for TV and print media. Well, not any more.

“There’s such hatred against her in Middle America, if any TV network speaks to her they’ll be boycotted – even if they don’t pay her,” a source at a major US network explains.

With the media’s door clearly bolted – at least for now – Casey apparently plans to stay in hiding for at least three months to undergo therapy and try and remodel her image as a cold-blooded killer.

“It’s disgusting!” one source shared. “They’re going to try (Read more...)

Weston Cage arrested on new domestic violence charges

In a continuing saga that will become either a reality show or a premature death, Nicolas Cage’s son, Weston Cage was arrested at around 5am yesterday for domestic violence. For the second time in a month. And Police say this time he had cuts on his arms.

The troubled 20-year old actor was arrested at the home he shares with new wife, Nikki Williams. He was transported to the local P.D and held all day, only getting free after posting a $50,000 bond.

And sources at the LAPD say they found several cuts on his arms that appeared to be self-inflicted. He was taken to a local hospital where the wounds were treated and dressed.

Police are refusing to give details on the cause of this latest incident but it’s believed to have been yet another physical disagreement between Weston and Nikki. Over what, we don’t know. But her mom has some good news:

“Nikki is safe and away from him,” she told E.

The pair were only married in April but both ended up in jail early this month after a similar 911 call. Weston then told his Facebook fans he was planning divorce – but that never (Read more...)

American Idol creator, Simon Fuller sues for X-Factor cash

Since Simon Fuller created ‘American Idol’ in 2002 it’s made him a very rich man. But he now claims Simon Cowell and Fox owe him millions more for his part in the success of ‘The X-Factor.’

When Simon Cowell launched ‘X-Factor’ in the UK in 2004, Fuller claimed it was a rip-off and sued. Fox worked out a truce in which Cowell got more cash for appearing on ‘Idol,’ but he had to keep ‘X-Factor’ off US screens until this year. And in return for dropping the lawsuit Fuller got a guaranteed piece of the X-Factor pie.

But Fuller now says neither Fox, nor Fremantle – the firm that makes both shows – will pay up.

“Fox and Fremantle made hundreds of millions of dollars thanks to the creative efforts of Fuller,” says the lawsuit filed in LA’s Superior Court. “When it is time to finally perform on unequivocal promises, Fox and Fremantle refuse to pay Fuller a fee commensurate with his stature.”

So he’s suing for breach of contract, breach of covenant of good faith and fair dealing, promissory estoppel and declaratory relief.

The two Simons have been trying to make more cash out of Idol for years. Fuller (Read more...)

‘Law & Order SVU’ to retell Arnold Schwarzenegger affair

The story of how the marriage between Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver unraveled has filled the headlines for weeks, and now “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” is turning it into a show.

63-year old Arnold and Maria split in May after 25-years together, following revelations of an affair between Arnold and the couple’s long-time housekeeper.

Sources close to the show say they won’t get too close to the true story – the L&O version will concern ‘Andrew Raines,’ a successful philanthropist in his mid-50′s and a member of one of “New York’s royal families” who gets caught in an affair which produces a child.

The episode, which will air as part of Law & Order’s fall season that opens on September 21, will be centered on a crime involving the couple’s entitlement-obsessed son, Tripp.

What do you think, guys – Is Arnold fair game or should TV stay out of such private matters? Let’s hear your views…

TVL

Jennifer Lopez crushed by divorce, friends insist

As we told you yesterday, Marc Anthony seems quite unfazed by his pending divorce from Jennifer Lopez, but J-Lo is not coping so well. Their marriage was rocky but she’s still really upset.

“They had a very up and down marriage,” a source shares. “They’d get into heated, horrible fights. They’d also go through times where they were extremely loving and romantic. It was a roller coaster from the beginning.”

Another close friend agrees, saying the pair had tried therapy without any effect and finally decided to end their seven-year marriage after “months of nonstop arguing.”

“She tried everything to make it work,” we’re told by a friend. “They went to marriage counseling, she did everything he wanted her to, they just exhausted all the possibilities.”

And while Marc could make jokes, J-Lo is apparently finding no cause for humor at all;

“She’s absolutely beside herself,” the friend insists. “This is someone to whom she dedicated a long time and truly loved.”

But the couple still plan to work together on their new talent show and Jennifer is getting through the tough times by focusing on her work:

“She’s looking forward to the future,” says another source. “She’s jumping (Read more...)

Lakers star, Lamar Odom ‘devastated’ by crash victim’s death

We reported on Sunday that LA Lakers star and husband of Khloe Kardashian, Lamar Odom was involved in a car accident while visiting New York, in which a motorcyclist was knocked down and a pedestrian was injured. Well, it’s just been reported the pedestrian died.

Lamar, 31, was in New York on Thursday for a cousin’s funeral and hired a limo service to get around. He was being driven to a barber shop in Jamaica, Queens when the car impacted the bike, sending it and the rider skidding across the street where it hit a 15-year old boy, who was knocked to the ground.

The boy sustained serious head injuries from the fall. He was immediately rushed to Elmhurst Hospital and underwent surgery, but his family have just confirmed he died late on Friday.

The boy’s name has not been released but a source close to the Kardashians says Lamar is “devastated” by the loss.

“My heart/soul goes out 2every1 in pain from any suffering,” Khloe has tweeted. “Pray 4 all of the angels surrounding us constantly. May our spirits stay strong. Above all, love each other deeply. Offer hospitality 2 1another without grumbling 1 Peter 4:8-9.”

Our thoughts (Read more...)

Charlie Sheen confirms ‘Anger Management’ role

We recently told you how ex ‘Two and Half Men’ star, Charlie Sheen was reportedly planning a return to TV as the star of a sitcom version of Adam Sandler’s 2003 film ‘Anger Management.’ Well, today it’s confirmed.

The new show will see Charlie revive Jack Nicholson’s role from the movie, playing a former athlete who tries to counsel defendants facing their first taste of the criminal justice system, but who has more issues than all his clients combined.

“I chose ‘Anger Management’ because, while it might be a stretch for me to play a guy with serious anger management issues, I think it’s a great concept,” Charlie tells THR. “It also provides me with a certain amount of creative control and the chance to do business with one of my favorite producers, Joe Roth.”

Charlie worked with Joe on the 1988 comedy ‘Young Guns’ and 1989′s ‘Major League,’ which most fans say are among his best films, so that’s a good sign.

When rumors of a new show surfaced two weeks ago it was claimed Lionsgate – the same people behind ‘Mad Men’ – were in charge, but they denied all connection. And in a telling illustration of (Read more...)

Rapper, Ja Rule facing three years in jail for tax fraud

In a life that has seen more than its share of legal troubles, rapper Ja Rule is now facing his biggest one yet – The New York-born artist is due to be sentenced later today in Newark, New Jersey for tax evasion and faces three years in jail.

The 35-year old ‘Rule’, who was born simply ‘Jeffrey Atkins.’ was found guilty in March of not filing tax returns in 2004 and 2006, during which time he’s known to have earned more than $3-million.

Rule is also facing a further two years behind bars after a gun was found in his sports car in 2007. He was found guilty of ‘Attempted criminal weapon possession’ last year.

And this is far from the first time Ja has encountered the law – In 2003 he was accused of assault but settled that case out of court. The next year he was suspected of involvement in a fatal shooting, and was arrested again four months later for driving with a suspended license and drug possession.

Then in July of ’07 he was arrested with fellow rapper, Lil Wayne on drug possession and gun charges.

But there have been some good points – He’s been (Read more...)

Real Housewives’ Tareq and Michaele Salahi sued for fraud

You might remember Michaele Salahi and her husband, Tareq from their unplanned arrival at a White House party in 2009, to which they were not invited. Michaele’s later attempts to court fame have all failed and now she’s also being sued for alleged fraud.

Early this year a woman named Emily McCallum earned a Master’s Degree and decided to celebrate with a tour of Virginia’s wine country, along with some friends. She booked the tour and paid in full, but then the problems began:

“She scheduled it with a company owned by the Salahis,” a friend shares. “They never showed up and Emily had to get another company. She’s been unable to get her money back, so I’m really glad she’s taking them to court.”

And Emily’s not alone – Several other wine buffs booked tours and claim they got cheated, but Emily is the first victim to press her claim in a courtroom.

In a side note, Michaele also has the rare distinction of being dismissed from ‘Celebrity Rehab’ in March of this year because the producers found out she had no addictions, she just wanted the exposure.

And the story so far has an ending you just had (Read more...)