Eddie van Halen says he's NOT ASHAMED by his fragile, cutesy-wootsy little pomeranian doggie ... despite his macho rock-god image ... telling TMZ he loves the little guy, no matter what other people think.
EVH was out in NYC last night ... cradling his poochie Kody on the way from his hotel to a waiting tour bus. The footage shocked some of the people in our newsroom who expected the rocker to own something a little less ...um ... Paris Hiltony.
But sources close to the dog tell TMZ ... Eddie has a strong bond with Kody ... and takes great care of his pet ... walking him, feeding and loving him every day.
Still, we're told Eddie has one rule -- he won't pick up the dog crap. He is a rock n' roll god after all.
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Eddie Van Halen -- I Own a Tiny Dog ... and I'm DAMN Proud Of It! | TMZ.com
Friday, March 30, 2012
Kardashian Scandal -- Shoe Company Calls BS on 'Slave Labor' Reports | TMZ.com
The company behind the Kardashian shoe line is adamant ... there is NO CHILD LABOR taking place in any of its China factories ... claiming it's never even been contacted by the "agency" making the claim.
Robert Shapiro -- the famous lawyer-turned-entrepreneur who owns ShoeDazzle -- tells TMZ ... his team has invested tons of time, energy and money to ensure the factories are operating in good standard.
One of the people who has personally visited the factories is ShoeDazzle COO Deborah Benton .... who tells us "This issue of child labor is of paramount importance to us. We've been very focused on this from the very beginning."
She adds, "Factories are routinely inspected and always pass inspection."
Benton says the company has a full-time employee -- who graduated from UCLA -- who moved his family to China ... with the specific task of checking the factories on a daily basis. Benton says she's never received a report of "slave labor" conditions.
Benton also says the company has not been contacted by the agency that allegedly conducted the investigation -- but says, "I'm more than happy to work with any organization that reaches out to us with a concern."
Katy Perry Covers Kanye West & Jay-Z's 'N**gas In Paris' ... In England | TMZ.com
Katy Perry threw on a Yankees hat ... and belted out a rendition of the Jay Z/Kanye West track, "N**gas in Paris" ... and it's ... interesting.
It all went down a few hours ago during a performance for BBC Radio 1 in London. Don't worry, Katy used the word "ninjas" instead of the OTHER n-word.
It ain't the first time Katy's covered a Jay Z rap song ... last year she covered "Big Pimpin'" during a performance in Auckland.
But back to the new song ... we gotta ask ...
Al Pacino -- Dog Day Afternoon | TMZ.com
Heidi and Spencer -- WE'RE NOT BROKE!!! | TMZ.com
Spencer Pratt is telling friends he DOES NOT owe hundreds of thousands of dollars to his former agent, despite reports to the contrary ... because he's NEVER had an agent!!!
TMZ spoke with sources close to Pratt ... who tell us the couple worked with a lawyer when they were negotiating their deals for "The Hills" back in the day ... but they never involved an agency. We're told Spencer insists the lawyer was paid IN FULL.
We're told Spencer is now studying political science at USC ... and at the moment, he isn't actively pursuing work in Hollywood.
As for Heidi, one source told us she DOES have an agent -- whom she pays -- and she currently has "a couple of projects in the works."
Lindsay Lohan -- I'm Living & Breathing Liz Taylor to Prep for Movie Role | TMZ.com
Lindsay Lohan ain't no slacker -- TMZ has learned, the actress is studying up hardcore for her new movie role ... doing everything she can to accurately portray a young Elizabeth Taylor.
In case you haven't heard -- Lindsay just inked a deal with Lifetime to play Liz Taylor in the network's new made-for-TV biopic called "Liz and Dick." Production is scheduled to kick off late March, after Lindsay's probation is terminated.
Lindsay is telling friends, she's taking her new gig extremely seriously -- "obsessing over getting the part right" for the film.
According to sources, Lindsay is doing nothing but watching old Liz Taylor movies to help her recreate the Hollywood icon's posture, speech, and every other little detail.
We're told Lindsay has also been watching old Liz interviews online and reading a bunch of Liz biographies.
Lifetime is taking a hard stance with Lindsay too -- demanding she complete ALL her probation requirements before filming begins ... which Lindsay has promised to do.
Justin Bieber's Bodyguard Opens Israeli Can of Whoop Ass on Rogue Photog | TMZ.com
Sources inside Bieber's camp tell us, Bieber had just arrived and was getting into an SUV to leave the airport ... when a photog ran in front of the car to take several shots.
We're told the bodyguard asked the photog to get out of the way -- but the guy refused, and persisted to take photographs.
At that point, we're told the bodyguard tried to guide the photog to the sidewalk -- and the guy took a swing at him.
That's when the bodyguard ducked, and then knocked the photog out with one punch. We're told the bodyguard then held the photog down until cops arrived.
We're told the photog was detained -- so far no word if it will turn into an arrest.
We've obtained video of the brawl ... check it out here.
'Dancing w/ the Stars' -- Sorry for All the D-Listers | TMZ.com
Say goodbye to the likes of Ralph Macchio and Kendra Wilkinson on "Dancing with the Stars" ... TMZ has learned producers are on the hunt for more "high profile" celebs next season ... in the hopes of cutting down on the gimmicky stars they've booked in the past.
Sources connected to the show tell TMZ ... producers are under direct orders to find "more high profile" people than in the past seasons ... after booking a string of D-listers like The Situation, Kate Gosselin, Audrina Patridge, Jake Pavelka and Holly Madison.
In order to lock down the BIG names, we're told producers are offering A-listers complete control over their rehearsal schedule -- telling them there's NO minimum rehearsal requirements ... and they can practice as little or as much as they want.
Celebs will also have final say on music selections and costume design ... including colors, cuts and styles.
So far, no word if producers have signed any of the "high profile" people in their crosshairs.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
'The Artist' Star Penelope Ann Miller Files for Separation | TMZ.com
Actress Penelope Ann Miller -- who played Doris in "The Artist" -- has filed for legal separation from her husband, TMZ has learned.
48-year-old Miller -- who was also naked in "Carlito's Way" -- filed the docs in L.A. County Superior Court last week, citing "irreconcilable differences." Miller also starred opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger in "Kindergarten Cop."
Miller and her husband James Huggins got married in 2000. They have two children together.
Fun fact: Miller was married to "Arrested Development" actor Will Arnett for one year from 1994-1995.
