Simon Cowell critiqued

Singapore — Ryan Seacrest, the host of singing competition “American Idol,” said judge Simon Cowell was arrogant and pompous and said things that were “too harsh,” a report said Wednesday.

But Seacrest added that Cowell was a good friend and the “most honest” of the show’s three judges, in an interview with the Straits Times newspaper in Singapore, where a local version of the program is planned.

“I think that he’s pompous. I think that he’s arrogant. So my feelings about him, and the way that I address him on air, are very real,” the 29-year-old Seacrest said in the interview.

Cowell is famous for his searing put-downs of contestants.

Eminem’s ex-wife arrested

Ann Arbor, Mich.– The ex-wife of rapper Eminem, wanted by authorities after skipping out on a court-ordered drug treatment program, was arrested in a hotel, police said Wednesday.

Police arrested Kimberly Mathers Tuesday afternoon in an Ann Arbor hotel room after a caller reported that she was staying there, Sgt. Brad Hill said. She was turned over to the Macomb County Sheriff’s Department.

A Macomb County judge had issued a warrant for Mathers in April. She has dropped out of a court-ordered drug treatment program twice and served jail time earlier this year after dropping out the first time.

Mathers and Eminem, whose legal name is Marshall Bruce Mathers III, have a daughter, Hailie Jade Mathers.

Prince countersues photographer

Minneapolis — Prince is denying allegations that he instructed his bodyguard to assault a college student who took the musician’s photo at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

Prince filed a counterclaim Monday in Hennepin County District Court, alleging the student invaded his privacy and violated trademark and copyright law.

Anthony Fitzgerald of Edina sued Prince and his bodyguard in April for damages of at least $50,000. Fitzgerald said he was assaulted at the airport Dec. 29 and that his new digital camera was confiscated when he took a photo of Prince as the rock star was getting off a plane.

Prince’s countersuit also seeks at least $50,000 in damages.

One way to meet a mate

Longmont, Colo.– The latest bachelor on the NBC reality show “Who Wants to Marry My Dad?” is a divorced delivery man for Frito-Lay who says he “can’t think of a better way to meet someone.”

Marty Okland is this season’s bachelor whose daughters pick his new love from 13 women over a three-week period. Okland said he heard a casting call on the radio.

“I was ready for a new lease on life,” he said Monday. “My girls are 29, 27 and 24. I was married for 27 years to a wonderful lady, and now I’m ready to find someone special. I wanted to give this a try.”

The show premieres at 9 p.m. Monday.