Hip-hop mogul Chris Lighty found dead in apartment
hip-hop mogul who managed Sean "Diddy" Combs, 50 Cent and Mariah Carey was found dead in his New York City apartment Thursday in an apparent suicide, police said. Chris Lighty, 44, was discovered at his home in the Bronx with a gunshot wound to the head, and was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. No note was recovered, but a .9-mm handgun was found at the scene and there was no sign of forced entry, said Paul Browne, chief spokesman for the New York Police Department.  The medical examiner's office will determine a cause of death, but authorities say the shooting appears to be self-inflicted. Lighty was behind some of rap's leading figures, helping them not only attain hit records but also lucrative careers outside of music. He had been a part of the scene for decades, working with pioneers like LL Cool J before starting his own management company, Violator. But Lighty had been having recent financial and personal troubles. Twitter was abuzz with condolences on his death just hours after the body was found at about 11:30 a.m. "R.I.P. Chris Lighty," Fat Joe posted on his account. "The man that saved my life!" "Today, we lost a hip-hop hero and one of its greatest architects," wrote Russell Simmons. 50 Cent said in a statement issued through his publicist that he was deeply saddened by the loss: "Chris has been an important part of my business and personal growth for a decade. He was a good friend and advisor who helped me develop as an artist and businessman. My prayers are with his family. He will be greatly missed." Lighty was raised by his mother in the Bronx, one of six children. He ran with a group called The Violators, the inspiration for the name of his management company, according to the company website. He was a player in the hip-hop game since he was a kid DJ. He rose through the ranks at Rush Management (Simmons' first company) before eventually founding Violator Management in the late 1990s. (Mona Scott and James Cruz are partners). His roster ranged from Academy Award-winners Three 6 Mafia to maverick Missy Elliott to up-and-comer Papoose and perpetual star Carey. He made it his mission not so much to make musical superstars, but rather multifaceted entertainers who could be marketed in an array of ways: a sneaker deal here, a soft drink partnership there, a movie role down the road. In a 2007 interview with The Associated Press, Lighty talked about creating opportunities for his stars — a Chapstick deal for LL Cool J, known for licking his lips, a vitamin supplement deal for 50 Cent. "As music sales go down because kids are stealing it off the Internet and trading it and iPod sales continue to rise, you can't rely on just the income that you would make off of being an artist," he said at the time. Lighty is survived by his two children. He and his wife, Veronica, had been in the process of divorcing. The case was still listed as active, but electronic records show an agreement to end it was filed in June.  Lighty is survived by his two children. He and his wife, Veronica, had been in the process of divorcing. The case was still listed as active, but electronic records show an agreement to end it was filed in June. He was also having financial trouble. City National Bank sued Lighty, whose given name is Darrell, in April, saying he had overdrawn his account by $53,584 and then refused to pay the balance. The case was still pending. And New York state said in a March 2011 legal filing that Lighty owed $278,710 in unpaid state taxes. A state website lists the lien as still being unpaid. And New York City records show that the IRS put a $55,640 lien on Lighty and one of his companies in July. His tax problems were much steeper a year ago, but he cleared away millions of dollars in earlier IRS liens last October, after selling his Manhattan apartment for $5.6 million.

Coroner: Sage Stallone Died From Heart Condition

Coroner’s officials have determined that Sylvester Stallone’s 36-year-old son died from natural causes due to a heart condition. Sage Stallone died in July from a condition that causes blockage of the arteries. No other factors were involved. The coroner’s office says Sage’s death has been attributed to natural causes. He was found dead in his home by an employee and a relative on July 13. No foul play had been suspected, and toxicology results showed only a minimal amount of hydrocodone in his system. Sage Moonblood Stallone was the oldest of Sylvester Stallone’s children and co-starred with his father in two films. He also became involved in moviemaking, directing the 2006 short “Vic,” which screened at the Palm Springs Film Festival.

Robin Roberts' mother dies

The mother of Good Morning America“co-host Robin Roberts has died. Jeffrey W. Schneider, senior vice president of ABC News, said 88-year-old Lucimarian Roberts died Thursday night. ABC’s Facebook page said Robins traveled “home to Mississippi just in time to see her.” The death came on the same day Roberts said goodbye to her co-workers and audience before starting medical leave for a bone marrow transplant. Her departure had originally been set for Friday. But in a last-minute change of plans she told her viewers she was leaving a day early to visit her ailing mother.

 

Eddie Van Halen has emergency surgery, band postpones Japan tour

Eddie Van Halen has undergone emergency surgery for "a severe bout of diverticulitis," Van Halen posted on its website, and will spend the next four to six months recovering. As a result, the rockers are rescheduling a tour of Japan that had been slated for November. "The band looks forward to seeing and playing for their fans in 2013," read a brief statement.  Diverticulitis is a digestive disease that occurs when pouches of the inner lining of the intestine, most often in the colon, become inflamed or infected. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, fever and cramping. Van Halen also canceled a series of dates earlier this summer. Although there was talk at the time that the musicians weren't getting along, singer David Lee Roth said in a video that the group had simply "bit off more than we could chew," a sentiment Eddie Van Halen echoed in an interview.  The band this year released "A Different Kind of Truth," Van Halen's first album with David Lee Roth in 28 years.

 Black Eyed Peas star will.i.am is wearing a neck brace following his car crash on Wednesday. The rapper was driving along a street in Los Angeles with British singer Cheryl Cole in the early hours of the morning when his vehicle smashed into the side of a parked car. A spokesman for the star initially tried to play down the incident by describing it as a "minor fender-bender" and insisting no one got hurt, but photographs have since emerged showing the pair bloodied and stunned in the aftermath of the crash. In the images, will.i.am can be seen with blood streaming down his face after the vehicle's airbag deployed to prevent his head from striking the steering wheel.  Cole is also shown looking shocked as blood pours out of her nose and over her lips, while the rapper reaches across to comfort her. Police were called to the scene, and will.i.am was then taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for treatment. He later emerged wearing a neck brace. Cole was reportedly treated for her injuries at the scene and was not taken to hospital. Cole is in Los Angeles rehearsing for a solo tour and working on new tracks in a studio with will.i.am.

Tori Spelling Welcomes Son Finn Davey

The Craft Wars host, 39, announced the arrival of her fourth child with husband Dean McDermott on her website, writing, “We are so excited to announce the birth of the newest member of the McDermott family!” Finn Davey McDermott was born Thursday, Aug. 30 at 5:39 p.m. He weighed in at 6 lbs., 6 oz., and is 20 inches long. Baby’s middle name, the same as his mother’s, honors Spelling’s paternal grandfather. Spelling and McDermott, 45, already have three children together — Liam Aaron, 5, Stella Doreen, 4, and Hattie Margaret, 10 months. McDermott is also father to son Jack, 13, from a prior marriage.
  Andy Roddick is ready to put down his racket – for good. On Thursday, the athlete announced his plans to retire from professional tennis after the current U.S. Open in New York. "I have decided that this is going to be my last tournament," Roddick, who is married to model-turned-actress Brooklyn Decker, told reporters during a press conference. "I don't know if I'm healthy enough or committed enough to continue another year." Roddick, who turned 30 on Thursday, will play 19-year-old Australian Bernard Tomic at the U.S. Open at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, which could be his last match ever, depending on how he does. "I wanted an opportunity to say goodbye," he said Thursday. "I hope I'm sticking around." Perhaps the highlight of Roddick's career was winning the U.S. Open in 2003. He ended the season that year ranked at No. 1, the youngest American ever (age 21 years and 3 months) to be ranked at No. 1. He played in the finals of Wimbeldon three times, but lost each time to Roger Federer.

Holly Madison's Baby Daddy Pasquale Rotella Could Face Jail Time

Is Holly Madison already heading for an uphill battle when it comes to raising her unborn child? Though the former Playboy Playmate, 32, and her boyfriend, Pasquale Rotella, are excited about the pregnancy, their joy could be clouded, considering Rotella is facing up to 13 years behind bars. The founder and CEO of Insomniac, a producer of large-scale electronic-music concerts, Rotella was indicted in April on 29 counts of bribery, embezzlement, conspiracy and conflict of interest in Los Angeles. He was one of six individuals charged in a corruption case stemming from raves held at the city's Memorial Coliseum. Prosecutors claim Rotella rerouted more than $2.5 million from the venue to pay off city officials via backroom deals. Rotella has maintained his innocence throughout the 13-month investigation. In March, his attorney said Rotella "has always acted lawfully and appropriately with respect to all of his dealings with the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum," and called the charges "completely baseless and flat-out wrong." The attorney added that the charges are "politically motivated and publicity driven. Mr. Rotella will vigorously defend himself to clear his good name and looks forward to being completely vindicated." Rotella, currently out on bail, will back in court Sept. 25 for a pre-trial conference. If convicted on all counts, he could face 13 years and 8 months in jail.

Adele Shoots Down Wedding Rumors: ‘I’m Not Married’

Looks like Adele isn’t married just yet. The “Rumor Has It” singer, 24, took to Twitter on Thursday to shoot down reports claiming she had secretly wed boyfriend Simon Konecki. “I’m not married…Zzzzzzz,” she Tweeted on Thursday, following reports by Life & Style and the UK’s Daily Mail stating the British chanteuse had tied the knot with her entrepreneur beau. Though the singer — who is expecting a baby with Simon – denied the marriage rumors, she was photographed wearing what appeared to be a wedding band in London in July.

LeAnn Rimes Sues 2 Women Over Recorded Phone Call

LeAnn Rimes has sued two women she claims illegally taped a phone conversation with her and posted edited snippets online. The country singer’s lawsuit filed in Los Angeles seeks damages of more than $25,000 against Kimberly Smiley and her daughter Lexi, who are described in the case as supporters of the ex-wife of Rimes’ husband Eddie Cibrian. The suit claims Rimes did not know she was being recorded and spoke to the Smileys to get them to stop posting negative things about her online. Kimberly Smiley says the case is a publicity ploy. The lawsuit comes one day after the 30-year-old entered an in-patient treatment facility in what her publicist Marcel Pariseau describes as an attempt to “learn and develop coping mechanisms.” Rimes will perform on weekends through September.

Jersey Shore Canceled After Six Seasons

Almost three years after the world was introduced to Guidos and grenades, MTV will air the premiere of Jersey Shore's final season on Oct. 4 at 10 p.m. ET, the network announced in a statement on Thursday. On Sept. 6, the network will air a special called Gym, Tan, Look Back, airing at 6 p.m. ET, where the cast will reflect on prior seasons and a sneak peak will be shown of what's to come in the final one.  Although the reality show is MTV's highest rated series in its history, once the program's biggest star, Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi, 24, got pregnant, a rep for the network said they were unsure about even a sixth season. But this isn't the end of the TV road for all of the cast mates. Polizzi – who gave birth to son Lorenzo on Sunday – and her Shore bestie, Jennifer "JWoww" Farley's spinoff Snooki & JWOWW has been picked up for a second season, while Paul "Pauly D" DelVecchio's The Pauly D Project still awaits its season two fate. The Shore gang's final season takes place in Seaside Heights, N.J., where it all began.


Kris Humphries says He Didn't Give Anyone Herpes

Kris Humphries says he's "100 percent sure" he did not transmit herpes to a woman he allegedly nailed back in 2010 ... claiming she's a liar who's making a shameless and baseless money grab.  Humphries has been sued by Kayla Goldberg ... who claims Kris knew he had the herp when they hooked up in 2010 and didn't tell her. Now, Kris' rep says the allegations are "completely bogus." The rep also says Kris is “100 percent sure [Kayla] did not contract [herpes] from him." The rep also says Kayla threatened him with the lawsuit last year and warned him she would go public unless he paid her at least $1,000,000.