Top Story
Halle Berry, who is currently promoting her movie Monster’s Ball at the Berlin film festival, said at a press conference there that her father helped her play the role of an alcoholic in the film, the Associated Press reports. Berry said her dad “had never been loved himself,” and her mother struggled to raise two children with an absent, alcoholic husband. In related news, Monster’s Ball director Marc Forster defended the long, involved sex scenes in the film, saying they’d actually been much longer and more involved before they were edited for ratings. “I had to cut a minute to get the rating,” he said. “I tried to convince them the scene was vital. It seems you can’t have too much thrusting. We cut some out.”
Deaths
Princess Margaret died in her sleep Saturday at the age of 71, according to the BBC. This comes in the midst of her older sister’s–the Queen of England’s–Golden Jubilee, a celebration of the monarch’s 50-year reign.
In Courts
In Florida, a Broward County judge sent actor Brad Renfro (Ghost World), 19, to rehab for 30 days for violating the terms of his probation, Florida’s Sun-Sentinel reports. The actor was charged with driving without a license and public intoxication in his hometown of Knoxville, Tenn., last month, and he turned himself in to Broward County authorities on Jan. 31. Renfro is on probation for attempting to steal a boat from a Fort Lauderdale, Fla., marina in August 2000. Unfortunately for him, he and a friend, who was also charged, forgot to untie the mooring lines, and the boat snapped back into the dock. Oops.
In General
Saturday, for New York’s fashion week, Sean “Puffy” Combs presented his 2002 men’s fall clothing line with 64 outfits, Reuters reports. The Grammy-winning rapper/ producer featured a softer style this year unlike previous years, and there were no “gangsta” looks. Instead, the models donned V-neck sweaters, turtlenecks and cashmere scarves.
Tune into Jay Leno‘s The Tonight Show Monday, Feb. 11 for the second in a series of 11 Olympic specials. The guests will include first lady Laura Bush, pop-goddess Britney Spears and rock band Foo Fighters, CNN.com reports.
Harrison Ford stopped off in Fort Wayne, Ind., last Monday evening and parked the plane he was piloting at the Fort Wayne International Airport because of bad weather, the AP reports. He went to a restaurant and stayed the night in a hotel.
Ben Stiller‘s flick Zoolander has been banned in Singapore, the BBC reports. While no official word has been given, the country often bans or censors media with excessive sexual or drug references.
If you’re a Friends fan, you might be moved to tears during the final show of the season. Star magazine reports Jennifer Aniston‘s character, Rachael, will die in childbirth.
Jack Black (Orange County) says when he performs with his band Tenacious D, his fans yell out the names of his movies rather than his songs, the AP reports. While the multi-talented Black admits acting has helped his songwriting career, he says, “It’s all wrapped up in a delicious entertainment burrito.”
Alicia Keys’s album Songs in A Minor is giving the singer a lot of award attention. She recently received four nominations for the 169th annual Soul Train Music Awards, and she’s also up for six Grammys. The winners will be announced Feb. 27 and March 20, respectively.
Victoria Beckam (a.k.a. Posh Spice), 27, will perform her first solo concert for a charity benefit Sunday night at Edinburgh’s Festival Theatre, the BBC reports. Concert proceeds will aid local children with special needs.
