Entertainment News Page 4628

The first ever Billies Awards, a new awards ceremony recognizing coverage of women's sport, was attended by such celebrities as Elton John, Sharon Stone, and Geena Davis. While John received an honorary award and performed, Stone and Davis attended the ceremony along with a host of sportswomen.

Billies Awards actually is named after tennis champion Billie Jean King. The event is held to recognize media excellence in women's sports and physical activity. King started the awards to support the cause of her Women's Sports Foundation - to remove barriers from girls getting into sport.

Several Latino artists, including the likes of Gloria Trevi, Puerto Rican reggaeton Ivy Queen and Tito El Bambino, are recording a Spanish-language version of the U.S. national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner", to show support for migrants in the United States.

The release of the new version of the anthem reportedly will coincide with the U.S. Senate's debate on immigration legislation next week, the Latino-oriented record label Urban Box Office (UBO) revealed Saturday April 22nd, 2006. The song will be primarily in Spanish with a few words sung in English.

Starting from April 28 fans of Neil Young can log onto the singer's Web site, www.neilyoung.com, and listen to his newly recorded protest album "Living With War," containing 10-track collection in its entirety, free of charge. That's according to Bill Bentley, a spokesman for Warner Music Group's Reprise Records.

The album, moreover, will first become commercially available as a digital download beginning May 2, "and we plan to get it into retail stores as soon after that as we can get them manufactured," Bentley added. And as Neil Young wants the set to hit the market as soon as possible, the label consequently anticipates getting the album into retail outlets between May 5 and May 15.

Who's Sienna Miller dating? It reportedly happens to be New York model Nico Malleville. The two are said to have had a romantic holiday to the Coqui Coqui spa in the Mayan Riviera, Mexico before then flew back to New York.

Sources said "The spa was the perfect retreat for them. It's like your own personal tropical hideaway, so it was ideal for Sienna and Nico to get to know each other better away from prying eyes."

David Arquette, Christina Applegate, and No Doubt's Tony Kanal were among the guests attending the posh £20k baby shower held by pop singer Gwen Stefani in a Los Angeles mansion.

"I love being pregnant and I'm really excited about having the baby," commented Stefani whose baby is due within the next two months. Many of the gifts received are said to be from exclusive Los Angeles boutique Petit Tresor.

Why should the government named Bo Derek its newest advocate for wildlife trafficking? Partly because the model has proven to make good with sorts of animals as she keeps Iberian horses and German shepherds at her home in California.

Thus the beauty has, at an Earth Day ceremony at the State Department on Friday, been named a special envoy on wildlife trafficking. "I'm very excited. I think I'll learn as I go exactly what my role will be," Derek said on her choosing. "We are at a critical time where we're just about to lose control over our wildlife and their habitats. ... But it's not hopeless. And I think that's what appeals to me also."

Living her marriage with Charlie Sheen apparently has become too tough to undergo for Denise Richards. The actress alleged in court papers filed Friday in Los Angeles Superior Court that Sheen pushed her, shoved her, and threatened her and her parents. In the 17-page court declaration Richards, furthermore, revealed Sheen's drug and gambling addictions and his threats to harm, or even kill her.

"I am disappointed that the situation has deteriorated to the point that it has become necessary to seek the assistance of the court," Richards said while adding "However, my primary concern is and always has been the welfare of the children and this action today was taken to ensure their safety as well as mine." As of Sheen, the actor obviously denied Richards' claim, saying "I deny having engaged in any such conduct."

Finally both sides make it good. Nelly and Jerry Livingston, a freelance photographer who claimed he was roughed up by the rapper's bodyguard, have reached a settlement.

Nelly reportedly has agreed to pay $20,000 to settle the claim brought by Jerry, in which he alleged to be dragged to the side of the stage, thrown on the ground and pummeled because it was believed that he was illegally videotaping the star's April 12, 2005, concert, because of which Jerry sprained his knee and had neck and back pain.

With the help of friends and guests, Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers are ready to hit the road, plan to kick off a summer North American tour June 9 in Charlotte, N.C. The first eight shows of the trek will be opened by former Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio before then followed by six double-bills with Pearl Jam through July 2-3 in Denver.

As of the second leg, held in July and August, it will among others feature The Allman Brothers Band and Derek Trucks Band. Click on the singer's official site for a complete tour dates.

Famous rapper Snoop Dogg is facing a $22 million lawsuit filed by a fan of his who claimed he was assaulted, humiliated and robbed after being called onto stage during a concert. In his lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, Richard Monroe II alleged that he was beaten soundly by security guards after being invited to come up on stage during Snoop's performance of his legendary cut "Gin and Juice" last year.

Detailing on the incident Monroe said that when he attempted to place his arms around Snoop in a friendly manner, he was grabbed by bodyguards who punched him and stomped on his prone form for approximately 35 seconds. Moreover, he also insisted that the rappers themselves, naming the likes of The Game, Kurupt, Daz Dillinger and Soopafly, joined in on the beating. Monroe's lawyers say their client was robbed of his wallet, rings and cell phone as well.

Becoming an "American Idol" judge Paula Abdul is planning to expand her career more and more.

The beauty reportedly is in talks with CBS Paramount Domestic Television to develop and produce potential syndicated projects focusing on her.

A John Lennon schoolbook containing the music legend's thoughts, drawings and poems has been sold at auction for £126,500.

The 10-page red exercise book, entitled "My Anthology", was copied when Lennon was still 12 years old and includes an illustration of a walrus, from Lewis Carroll's poem "The Walrus and the Carpenter".

"Superman Returns: The Videogame" will soon hit the market, on June 26th to be exact. But prior to the release of the set, "X-Men: The Official Game" will be released earlier on May 16th, ten days before "X-Men: The Last Stand" hits worldwide theater.

And to make sure the game remains true to the movie version, not only it will include the likenesses and voices of several stars from the action drama fantasy flick, but it brings in too the screenwriter from the film. Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Alan Cumming and Shawn Ashmore will all reprise their film roles.

As for Ben Harper there won't be time for relaxing in the coming days for the singer/songwriter has lots of things to do. First on his schedule, he is slated to serve as the musical guest for an entire week's worth of "Last Call With Carson Daly."

Harper will tape his performances next week in Los Angeles and will have the set aired May 2-5 on NBC. In the meantime, he also will headline an 11-date October tour of France in support of his album "Both Sides of the Gun". Kicked of on Wednesday at Jack Johnson's Kokua Festival in Hawaii, the trek will run through September 15 in Atlanta with Damian Marley about to support on the North American dates.

Brendan Fraser is such person who likes challenge so it's not surprising then to find out the actor signs to topline "Journey 3-D," a contemporary, 3-D update of the Jules Verne classic.

Of action adventure science fiction genre, "Journey 3-D" follows the story of Brendan's character, a geologist who, with his teenage son, discovers a message hidden in an ancient artifact, leading them into a previously unseen world.