Songwriter, gospel singer Jessy Dixon dies at 73

Jessy Dixon, a singer and songwriter who introduced his energetic style of gospel music to wider audiences by serving as pop singer Paul Simon's opening act, died Monday. He was 73.Miriam Dixon said her brother died Monday morning at his Chicago home. She said he had been sick but declined to provide additional details. During a more than 50-year career, Dixon wrote songs for several popular singers, including jazz and rhythm and blues singer Randy Crawford. He later wrote songs performed by Cher, Diana Ross, Natalie Cole and Amy Grant. Dixon also played keyboard with Earth Wind and Fire and guitarist Phillip Upchurch. During his career, Dixon was able to produce five gold records and garner several Grammy nominations. Dixon, is survived by a brother and sister.



Ellen DeGeneres treated for chest pains
Ellen DeGeneres suffered chest pains resulting in a visit from an EMT crew. DeGeneres was in a meeting on the Warner Bros. lot when she started feeling chest pains. Someone on DeGeneres' staff called 911 and the Burbank Fire Department dispatched a crew to check on the talk show host. DeGeneres is reportedly fine and was later spotted walking on her own.


Cee-Lo to Star in Sparkle Remake
Atlanta rapper/singer Cee-Lo Green has been tapped to star alongside Whitney Houston in the remake of the movie "Sparkle." The upcoming version of "Sparkle" is a remake of the 1976 film that followed the careers of three sisters in Harlem who become a successful girl group. The original version of the film was set in the late 1950s, while the updated version takes place in 1968, in Detroit. In addition to Carmen Ejogo, Tika Sumpter and Omari Hardwick, comedian Mike Epps has a role in the film, while R. Kelly has signed on to write an original music for the film.



Taylor Lautner and Lily Collins break up
Another young couple bites the dust as Taylor Lautner and Lily Collins have reportedly ended their relationship. The split between theAbduction co-stars occured a week before the movie's red carpet premiere in Los Angeles.
 Jason Derulo celebrated his 22nd birthday cuddling up to his new "It Girl," Jordin Sparks on Sunday night. Though Derulo was on tour in Europe on his actual birthday, Sept. 21, the two, who are officially dating, Derulo's rep says, had a belated celebration at Phillipe Chow in Hollywood with friends and music industry executives.

'Playboy Club' star Sean Maher opens up about his sexuality: 'This is my coming out ball'

Firefly alum and Playboy Club actor Sean Maher has worked steadily in Hollywood for 14 years, and during that time, he made the choice to be closeted about his personal life as a gay man — until now. For the first time, Maher opens up about his sexuality in an exclusive interview with Entertainment Weekly. “I was nervous coming here today because I’ve just never talked about it,” Maher says, while sitting down to chat at Little Dom’s Italian bistro in Los Angeles’ trendy Los Feliz neighborhood, the area where the actor lives with Paul, his partner of nearly nine years, and their two children, Sophia Rose, 4, and Liam Xavier, 14 months. “But, it’s so liberating. It was interesting to be coming to have a conversation that I was always afraid to have.” Despite his trepidation, he adds with a big smile: “This is my coming out ball. I’ve been dying to do this.” “I’ve never discussed it publicly,” the 36-year-old continues. “I’ve never been asked about it publicly, but I would be lying if I said I didn’t paint a different picture.” Maher says that not coming out wasn’t so much a choice as much as it was a reality of the business when he first came to L.A. fresh out of college back in 1997. Despite pressure from his manager and agent, both of whom he has since parted ways with, it was ultimately Maher’s decision to stay in the closet, out of concern that he wouldn’t otherwise be able to book leading-man roles. But being in the closet tormented Maher. “It was so exhausting, and I was so miserable,” Maher says. “I didn’t really have any life other than work and this façade I was putting on." In the end, coming out publicly is what Maher feels he needed to do to tie his life together, personally and professionally.
 In an idyllic outdoor setting, the model/actress/jewelry designer, 38, wore a flowing white Marchesa wedding gown and carried a peach-colored bouquet of flowers on her special day. The groom, 42, wore a black Tom Ford tuxedo and white tie, and the bridesmaids donned Elizabeth Kennedy dresses. Stuber, who has produced such films as Love and Other Drugs and Role Models, popped the question to Sims in May.

Vick: I won't complain any more

The star quarterback blasted officials after injuring his right hand in Philadelphia's 29-16 loss to the New York Giants on Sunday, saying he takes too many late hits without getting the benefit of roughing-the-passer penalties. ''The refs have to do their jobs and they have tons of things to look over,'' Vick said Monday. ''I was kind of out of character and being too candid in that aspect. Ultimately, I have respect for the referees and their decision to make calls. You won't hear me complaining about it no more.'' Vick bruised his right hand — the team initially said it was broken — after taking a hard shot from Chris Canty in the third quarter. His status for next Sunday's game against San Francisco is uncertain. ''At some point something catastrophic is going to happen,'' Vick said after the game. ''Not to blame the refs or say that it was their fault, it's just one of those unfortunate situations and I just think more precautions should be taken when I'm inside the pocket. If you look at all the replays, I'm on the ground every time and it's unfortunate for myself and it's unfortunate for my team and I'll be lying if I said I wasn't, if I were to sit here and say I wasn't frustrated right now because of that.''

Kristin Cavallari & Jay Cutler 'Working It Out,' Says Source

When reality starlet Kristin Cavallari and Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler called off their engagement in July, the Dancing with the Stars contestant was "absolutely devastated," a source said at the time. After a summer apart, though, a source explains the pair are "working it out." "They're not officially back together but they're definitely talking and figuring things out," the source says. The two, who were planning a spring wedding, got engaged in Mexico in April after dating for seven months. "Everything happened too fast when they first got together," explains the source. "So this time they're taking things slow."



Rapper G. Dep Facing 15 Years
Former Bad Boy Records rapper G. Dep is facing a minimum of 15 years in prison, after prosecutors refused to downgrade a murder charge to manslaughter. The rapper entered a Manhattan police station last year and admitted to a 17-year-old shootingHe was arrested after police reopened the cold case and learned that the victim, John Henkel, died from his gunshot wounds. G. Dep., born Trevell Coleman, was hoping to have the charge reduced to manslaughter, since he confessed, as part of a 12-step drug rehab program.  G. Dep must either take the deal or face trial and a possible lengthier sentence for the shooting, which occurred during a robbery in 1993. "His decision was made for all the right reasons," the lawyer reportedly said. "The DA should ask themselves whether they made their decision for the right reasons." G. Dep has pleaded not guilty and will face trial in November if he does not accept the plea deal offered by prosecutors on Thursday.

 

Kevin Costner drops out of Quentin Tarantino's 'Django Unchained'

Kevin Costner has dropped out of Quentin Tarantino’s upcoming spaghetti Western-cum-period-slavery-picture Django Unchained. His role as Jonathan Kent (Clark Kent’s human father) in Man of Steel, and his upcoming History miniseries The Hatfields and McCoys, meant Costner’s schedule became too crowded. Coster had been cast as Ace Woody, a ruthless trainer of male slaves pitted against each other gladiator-style in a ranch owned by the main villain, Calvin Candie, to be played by Leonardo DiCaprio. Jamie Foxx will play the title character, a former slave whose wife is Calvin’s captive. Christoph Waltz and Samuel L. Jackson round out the cast. No word yet on who will replace Costner.