Book: Obama marriage strained by House race

Washington — For all the smiling photos of Barack and Michelle Obama, the couple went through a tough time in their marriage in earlier years, according to a new book.

“Renegade,” by journalist Richard Wolffe, says the couple’s marriage was strained by Barack Obama’s unsuccessful 2000 run for Congress.

Wolffe writes that Michelle Obama “hated the failed race for Congress in 2000, and their marriage was strained by the time their youngest daughter, Sasha, was born a year later.”

“There was little conversation and even less romance,” Wolffe writes. “She was angry at his selfishness and careerism; he thought she was cold and ungrateful.”

When Obama ran for the Senate in 2004, his wife still had mixed feelings about her husband’s love of politics, and played no part in the campaign, the book says.

By the time Obama decided to run for president, the couple’s two children were older and Michelle Obama was more supportive.

“We’re going to be fine,” the book quotes her as saying. “We just have to make sure the girls are fine. We’re strong enough to take anything on and be OK at the end.”

Wolffe covered the presidential campaign for Newsweek, and is a political analyst for MSNBC.

Cirque du Soleil founder space-bound

Montreal — Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberte is set to become Canada’s first space tourist when he travels on a Russian Soyuz spacecraft in September.

Chantal Cote, a spokeswoman for the circus troupe, confirmed the trip Wednesday but would not provide further details before a news conference today.

The 49-year-old Laliberte is in Moscow for the official announcement, which will be made simultaneously at the Canadian Space Agency in Montreal.

The Quebec billionaire will become the seventh private citizen to visit the orbiting space lab since April 2001 and the third Canadian to visit the International Space Station this year. One Canadian astronaut is there now and another is expected shortly.

Past visits by paying space tourists have lasted anywhere from a week to 13 days. A trip aboard a Soyuz spacecraft is estimated to cost at least $25 million.

Paris Hilton bringing reality series to Dubai

New York — Dubai is synonymous with glitz and excess — but can the Middle Eastern hotspot handle the likes of Paris Hilton?

The fame-loving heiress is about to make her first trip to Dubai. The city, located in the United Arab Emirates, will be the location for an upcoming edition of her reality series “Paris Hilton’s My New BFF.”

Producer Michael Hirschorn said Wednesday that filming will begin later this month and last some three weeks. The finale will be filmed in Los Angeles.

Hirschorn said the show — and Hilton — will respect the culture of the region, and will be “walked through in great detail what is expected” and allowed.

Casting is under way to find contestants to compete for the chance to be Hilton’s new best friend forever — or BFF.

Hilton, 28, wants to expand her brand in the Arab world, said Hirschorn.

He said the plan is to build “My New BFF” into a global franchise, with Hilton searching for BFFs around the world.

Joe Jonas boogies to promote new album

Los Angeles — Watch out, Beyonce. Joe Jonas is stealing your dance moves.

In the latest “Single Ladies” spoof, the middle Jonas brother tries to crib the diva’s dance style in a new online video.

Wearing a black catsuit and matching high heels, Jonas meagerly attempts a few moves while half lip-synching to the hit song.

His brothers and bandmates, Nick and Kevin, are shown at the beginning of the video prodding him to perform, saying, “You have to do it.”

The Jonas Brothers fourth album, “Lines, Vines and Trying Times” is set for release June 16.

Woman sues comedian over ‘Bruno’ skirmish

Lancaster, Calif. — Sacha Baron Cohen’s new movie is already getting the same sort of buzz and legal backlash that came with his last hit. This time, though, a woman is alleging injuries far beyond just a bruised ego or reputation.

Richelle Olson sued the 37-year-old actor-comedian and NBC Universal on May 22, claiming an incident at a charity bingo tournament that was filmed for the upcoming “Bruno” left her disabled.

Olson claims she was severely injured after struggling with Baron Cohen and his film crew at the event in Palmdale, Calif., two years ago. The lawsuit states she now needs a wheelchair or cane to move around.

The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages of more than $25,000.

Phone and e-mail messages left with publicists for Baron Cohen and NBC Universal weren’t returned Wednesday.

His 2006 film “Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan” produced numerous lawsuits by people claiming they were duped and humiliated by his antics.

A New York judge last year threw out claims by a driving instructor and two etiquette teachers after determining they signed agreements releasing filmmakers from liability.