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Houston, drug claims back in tabs
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Whitney Houston is once again the subject of speculation after stories in UK tabloid The Sun and the stateside scandal tab National Enquirer reported the Alpharetta-dwelling diva is back on drugs. Both published a photo they say is of Houston’s bathroom filled with drug paraphernalia. The papers say the photo was provided by Tina Brown, sister of Houston’s husband, Bobby Brown.
On Thursday afternoon, CNN reporter Denise Quan rang our newsroom looking for leads.
Buzz dutifully rang Houston’s Atlanta attorney Mark Trigg and Brown’s Atlanta attorney Phaedra Parks, seeking comment. Promptly returning our voice mail message, Trigg told us he was in a meeting with Houston when we called. “The official position is no comment at this juncture,” Trigg said. Parks didn’t get back to us before press time.
Overscene
Dreamworks studio honcho Jeffrey Katzenberg, “Over the Hedge” director Tim Johnson and actress/comic Wanda Sykes taking in a behind-the-scenes, private tour of the Georgia Aquarium downtown Wednesday, prior to unveiling a “work-in-progress” print of the animated feature for the press at Atlantic Station. The film is due out May 19. In the flick, Sykes voices a skunk named Stella. We’re told that Sykes graciously declined donning a wetsuit to take a swim with the whale sharks during the tour. Katzenberg had requested the field trip after seeing the aquarium review in last week’s New York Times. While the trio was on a tight schedule (they arrived in town at 2:30 p.m. and jetted out around 8 p.m.), the aquarium stop was a priority for the film mogul. … Singer Lalah Hathaway at downtown’s new soul food spot, the Harlem Bar, after her performance at the Atlanta Civic Center with Mint Condition … Rapper Bubba Sparxxx polishing off steak and eggs at Thumbs Up on Edgewood Avenue the morning after Antwan “Big Boi” Patton threw him a CD release party … Our old pal Shannon Gray reports that the Royal International Social Club on Trinity Avenue downtown was the gathering place for attendees after the “ATL” premiere at Atlantic Station on Tuesday night. A-listers included film and record producer Dallas Austin, comic and actor Chris Tucker, tennis pro Serena Williams and performers Young Jeezy, Joi and Too Short.
Britney’s bodyguards: Pay me one more time
Let’s hope these aren’t the same high-beam happy, flashlight-armed bruisers that were on duty early Sunday morning in the VIP section at Vision nightclub in Midtown. Three men hired to guard Britney Spears are suing her, claiming they worked long hours and were not paid overtime.
The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court, names three companies — Britney Brands Inc., Britney Touring Inc. and Team Tours Inc. — as responsible for not properly compensating former bodyguards Lonnie Jones, Randy Jones and Silas Dukes.
Together, the three men are seeking damages exceeding $25,000 for unpaid wages and benefits, says their lawyer, Daniel Emilio.
Messages left at the office of the 24-year-old pop singer’s publicist, Leslie Sloane Zelnik, weren’t immediately returned.
Randy Jones and Dukes worked 12- to 16-hour shifts and were required to be on call 24 hours a day during trips with Spears, according to the lawsuit. Lonnie Jones worked 12-hour shifts, the lawsuit said.
The trio claimed they were only paid a “straight salary,” missed meals and didn’t receive overtime pay.
There was no immediate word on whether the guards were reimbursed for their expensed flashlight batteries.
Celebrity docket
Anger management flunkee Naomi Campbell was charged with second-degree assault Thursday after allegedly clocking her housekeeper in the head with a phone during an argument in Campbell’s Park Avenue apartment Thursday, according to New York police.
The 35-year-old British-born supermodel was taken into custody shortly after police went to Lenox Hill Hospital to investigate the reported assault, police said.
Campbell was charged after questioning at the Midtown North Precinct.
According to police, Campbell’s 41-year-old housekeeper received four stitches to the head. When investigating officers arrived at the hospital, the alleged victim, who wasn’t identified, said Campbell had attacked her.
The incident allegedly happened around 8 a.m. in Campbell’s tony Park Avenue apartment.
In a statement, a Campbell spokesman said the supermodel wasn’t responsible for any assault.
“We believe this is a case of retaliation, because Naomi had fired her housekeeper earlier this morning,” said the statement from J.R. Johnson. “We are confident the courts will see it the same way.”
In 2003, Campbell was sued by a former administrative assistant who alleged that Campbell had thrown a phone at her during a tantrum two years earlier.
Campbell pleaded guilty in Toronto to an assault charge for beating another assistant while making a film in Canada in 1998.
Celebrity birthdays
Actor William Daniels (“St. Elsewhere”) is 79. Actor Richard Chamberlain is 72. Musician Herb Alpert is 71. Actor Christopher Walken is 63. Actress Rhea Perlman (“Cheers”) is 58. Guitarist Angus Young of AC/DC is 51. Actor Ewan McGregor is 35.
Contributing: Sonia Murray, news services. If you have a tip, 404-526-2749. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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