People in the News
Britney Spears hits car; owner sees it on video
Los Angeles – Oops, she dinged it again.
Paparazzi took pictures and videos of a puppy-toting Britney Spears steering her car into another one as she tried to turn into a spot in a Studio City parking lot. Then assessing the damage to her own car only. Then heading off to shop.
But the tale of the tape made it clear to the owner of the parked car just who it was who scraped up her silver Mercedes-Benz.
Kim Robard-Rifkin, 59, told the entertainment Web site CelebTV.com on Wednesday that nobody from Spears’ camp had contacted her about the damaged car.
“It’s sad because I was really hoping she’d step up and be a mensch, be a human being,” Robard-Rifkin said. “It was simply like my car didn’t matter to her, my inconvenience didn’t matter to her.”
A video on CelebTV.com, taken Monday, shows the 25-year-old pop star (with a puppy on her lap) attempting to park her black convertible and hitting the adjacent car.
Pompeo: Media focused on ‘the wrong things’
New York – Ellen Pompeo says Hollywood socialites “who are rich and famous for nothing” set a bad example.
“I just think the media should take this country in a different direction,” the 37-year-old actress tells the new issue of Los Angeles Confidential Magazine, on newsstands Wednesday.
“We’re so focused on the wrong things. We’re teaching young girls that this is what they should be focusing on: rich and famous girls who are rich and famous for nothing.”
In an apparent reference to coverage of Paris Hilton and her ilk, Pompeo says: “What are we doing to this younger generation? It’s not very responsible.”
Pompeo, who plays Dr. Meredith Grey on ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy,” also calls the media “irresponsible” for ongoing speculation that she has an eating disorder.
“I just worry about the girls who look up to me – I don’t want them to think I starve myself or don’t eat, and that to be like me that’s what they have to do,” explains the actress, who says she is naturally slender.
Martin seeks to adopt kids from around world
San Juan, Puerto Rico – Ricky Martin wants kids – perhaps adopting “one from each continent” if possible.
“It’s something we want to begin to create this year, a family of many colors,” the 35-year-old pop star told reporters Wednesday in Puerto Rico, where he is scheduled to perform this weekend.
Martin, who isn’t married, said he doesn’t expect special treatment in the adoption process.
“I want to do it right,” he said. “I don’t want any problems or misunderstandings. … Some think as celebrities we can manipulate the system to have a quicker adoption.”
Valerie Bertinelli used to hearing ‘fat’
Los Angeles – Valerie Bertinelli was used to hearing the f-word. F, as in fat, that is.
The 47-year-old actress is enjoying a career rebound since she became a Jenny Craig spokeswoman and pledged to lose 30 pounds, which she has since revised to 40 pounds.
“It’s so funny,” Bertinelli said. “If you say you’re fat, all of a sudden people like you! I’ve never had so many people be so kind and wonderful and giving and loving.”
Viewers will see a heavier Bertinelli in her latest role, which she filmed before dropping more than 22 pounds. She plays a widowed psychic who helps catch a serial killer in the TV movie “Claire,” airing Saturday on the Hallmark Channel.
Bertinelli was inspired by fellow Jenny Craig spokeswoman Kirstie Alley to go public with her weight battle.
“If Kirstie was able to do it so boldly, with such a great sense of humor and be so successful at it, who am I to pretend that people don’t see that I’ve gained all this weight?” she said.
“It took me a few days to prepare myself mentally. I thought, ‘Am I ready for this? It’s so public. What if I fail?’ Because of the response I’ve gotten from people, it’s the best job I’ve ever had,” she said.
Bonham Carter, Burton expecting second child
New York – Helena Bonham Carter is pregnant again.
The 41-year-old actress and her partner, Tim Burton, are expecting their second child together, her publicist, Karon Maskill, said Thursday. No other details were provided.
The couple have a 3-year-old son, Billy Raymond.
Bonham Carter stars as evil witch Bellatrix Lestrange in “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,” the fifth film adapted from J.K. Rowling’s wizarding saga.
She and Burton met during the filming of 2001’s “Planet of the Apes.” She has also worked with the 48-year-old director in “Big Fish,” “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” the animated “Corpse Bride” and the upcoming “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” co-starring Johnny Depp.
Burton has also directed “Edward Scissorhands,” “Ed Wood” and “Beetle Juice.”