Paris luxury store apologizes to Oprah for being closed

Paris – The luxury store Hermes has apologized to Oprah Winfrey for turning her away from one of its Paris boutiques last week, saying it was closed for a public relations event when she came knocking.

The talk-show host and “an entourage” unsuccessfully tried to enter an Hermes boutique on Paris’ posh Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore at 6:45 p.m. on June 14, Hermes said in a statement.

The store’s normal closing time is 6:30 p.m., although high-end shops are known to make exceptions for celebrities. On that particular night, however, “a private public relations event was being prepared inside,” the statement said.

“Hermes regrets not having been able to welcome Madame Oprah Winfrey and the people accompanying her to give them all the attention and service that Hermes is committed to giving each of its clients in the world,” said the statement, released Tuesday.

“Hermes expresses its sincere regrets for any misunderstanding that these circumstances could have caused.”

Destiny’s Child ready for next chapter

New York – If you saw the breakup of Destiny’s Child coming based on the title of their latest album, you were right on target.

“‘Destiny Fulfilled’ … is not a coincidence,” Beyonce told AP Radio in an interview. “This was something that we thought about. And it was really important for us to end this chapter when we were successful.”

Beyonce, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams recently announced plans to disband after their world tour ends in the fall. The Grammy Award-winning trio have had a string of hits, including “Bootylicious,” “Survivor” and “Independent Women (Part I).”

“We don’t like the word ‘breakup,”‘ said Beyonce. “We’d like to say that it’s the end of a chapter in our lives.”

Beyonce says the trio believes they’re splitting up for the right reasons.

“Not because one person wants to go solo. Or not because we don’t like each other. Or because we’re not selling records anymore. But because it has to end at a certain point,” the 23-year-old singer said.

Alan Cumming to guest star on Showtime’s ‘The L World’

New York – Alan Cumming, who played the blue-skinned Nightcrawler in “X2: X-Men United,” will guest star as a party promoter on Showtime’s “The L Word,” now in production on its third season.

Cumming will appear in six episodes, Showtime said Wednesday. Twelve new hour-long episodes of the sexy melodrama about lesbian life in Los Angeles are scheduled to premiere next year.

He’ll play Billie Blaikie, who rose to fame in the underground club drag scene in New York City. Blaikie is hired by Pam Grier’s character to manage her restaurant and nightclub.

Cumming, 40, won a Tony Award in 1998 for his portrayal of the master of ceremonies in a revival of “Cabaret.”

His movie credits also include the “Spy Kids” films, “The Anniversary Party” and “Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion.”

Birthdays

Musician Mick Fleetwood is 63. Rock musician Jeff Beck is 61. Actor Peter Weller is 58. Actress Nancy Allen is 55. Rock singer Curt Smith is 44. Actress Danielle Spencer is 40. Singer Solange Knowles is 19.