Lil’ Kim was charged Wednesday with lying to a grand jury about a 2001 shootout involving her entourage. Maybe now’s not a good time to mention that her last album was called “La Bella Mafia.”
Anyway, the hip-hop star turned herself in to federal court in New York, where she was to appear before a judge. She is charged with conspiracy to commit perjury, making false statements and obstructing justice. If convicted, she could face up to 30 years in prison. Her attorney, Mel Sachs, called the charges “baseless.”
Also charged in the case were her manager, Damion Butler, bodyguard Suif Jackson and a friend, Monique Dopwell.
Authorities said the shooting apparently happened as Lil’ Kim’s entourage was leaving hip-hop station Hot 97 in New York and the entourage of rival rap group Capone-N-Noreaga was arriving. Police said the shooting resulted from a feud between Lil’ Kim and fellow female rapper Foxy Brown, who has appeared on a Capone-N-Noreaga album.
Prosecutors said Lil’ Kim refused on the day after the shooting to tell police the identities of anyone who had accompanied her to the radio station. They say she testified falsely before a grand jury three times last year to protect the others charged in the shooting.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Look for “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy’s” Ted Allen, the show’s food and wine expert, to stop back in his hometown later this month.
Allen will be at Columbia College on April 30 to talk about the growing interest in cooking and the culinary arts. He’ll also lead a panel discussion, which will include Art Smith, Oprah Winfrey’s personal chef, and Carol Haddix, food editor at the Chicago Tribune.
Tickets for the event are $25. You can get them by calling 312-344-8541.
DOLLARS DOWN UNDER: Oscar winner Nicole Kidman more than doubled her annual income in 2003, making her Australia’s richest entertainer, Aussie magazine Business Review Weekly reported Wednesday.
In its annual survey of the top 50 entertainers, Kidman earned an estimated $18.6 million last year, catapulting her from eighth place to the top of the list. Kidman’s 2003 roles included star turns in “Cold Mountain,” “Dogville” and “The Human Stain.”
Her income in 2002 was reported at $8.63 million. Kidman can probably expect an even heftier pay hike next year, when she reports income for blockbusters “The Stepford Wives” and “The Interpreter” with Sean Penn.
THE LAST WORD: After a turbulent year on the big screen and on magazine covers, J.Lo could use a little slice of heaven.
“Inside the Actors Studio” host James Lipton asked La Lopez, “If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive?”
She replied: “Nice going, you did your best. There are no paparazzi here.”
STAR LOOPHOLES: Donald Trump might be in a higher tax bracket, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s losing his fortune to the IRS, people.com reports.
Software program TurboTax’s Web site says The Donald can write off his $37 million Boeing 727, his $11 million personal helicopter and his $260,000 customized stretch limo as long as he used them for business-related travel.
Ditto for Angelina Jolie, who can write off all travel expenses, meals and lodging that relate to her duties as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations. And Scientologists John Travolta, Tom Cruise and Lisa-Marie Presley can write off gifts to their church as charitable donations.
Not a bad gig, this star stuff.
WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING
The best late night one-liners
“Jennifer Lopez says she regrets giving herself the nickname ‘J.Lo.’ Yeah, Lopez said, ‘Never take nickname advice from a man named P. Diddy.’ “
–Conan O’Brien
on Wednesday’s “Late Night”
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Beyonce says performing live is her favorite thing to do, but the Destiny’s Child singer admits she’s glad people are starting to recognize her songwriting.
She wrote or co-wrote most of the songs on “Dangerously in Love,” served as the album’s executive producer and has helped design the look of her videos, live performances and even costumes, The Hartford Courant reports.
“Everything, I’m involved in … Finally I’m getting acknowledged for those things,” she said. “But, you know, I was the first black woman to win songwriter of the year. And … I’ve accomplished so many other things that people don’t really like to acknowledge. And it is frustrating at times. But I think once you see me live, you really have no choice but to respect me as a true artist.”
Beyonce says she has that kind of respect for Alicia Keys and Missy Elliott, her buddies on the Verizon Ladies First tour.
“I think it’s just incredible that all of us write our own songs and produce our own music,” Beyonce said.
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Compiled from RedEye news services and edited by Leo Ebersole (lebersole@tribune.com) and Ben Delery (bdelery@tribune.com)
