DIDDY GOES HOLLYWOOD
Diddy has arrived in Hollywood, and he wants everyone there to know it.
On Friday, the singer-producer-and-now-actor got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Then he did a round of interviews, and on Friday night he was set to celebrate at a swank Beverly Hills party.
“It’s also like my coming-out party here in Hollywood,” Diddy, who is using the name Sean Combs for his budding acting career, told The Associated Press. “I don’t have nothing to hide about that. If I’m going to come someplace, I’m going to make some noise, and you’re going to know I’m here.”
Combs said the celebration would be an “intimate 250-person party.” He wouldn’t reveal the guest list, nor confirm its rumored price tag of $4 million.
“It’s up there, but I can’t confirm it’s $4 million,” he said. “It’s priceless.”
THE DIGIT
81
The number of outfits Sarah Jessica Parker wore as Carrie Bradshaw in “Sex and the City: The Movie,” which comes out later this month, according to the “Oprah” episode that featured the cast.
‘Idol’ boss backs Paula Abdul
Despite Paula Abdul’s slip-ups on “American Idol,” one of the show’s boss isn’t voting her off.
“Why would we get rid of Paula?” Cecile Frot-Coutaz asked when questioned by The Associated Press.
The judge’s latest gaffe came Tuesday when she began critiquing both of Jason Castro’s performances — even though he had sung only once. But she’s been criticized for loopy behavior throughout the popular show’s run.
“Idol” executive producer Frot-Coutaz isn’t worried about reaction that the competition might not be authentic.
“I love that everyone was talking about it,” she said referring to Tuesday’s incident. “It was so unexpected. It was something that took up 2 seconds of airtime. You’d think there was no other news on television.”
Call for backup
Calling all Alicia Keys wannabes.
The singer is auditioning backup singers through her MySpace page. Those interested have until Monday to submit to the site a 30-second or longer video of themselves singing.
According to the qualifications posted on Keys’ MySpace profile, candidates must be female, ages 21 to 30, have a valid passport and experience, and be “physically fit and able to dance.” She says she’ll pick one lucky singer.
Going public
Before Radiohead kicks off its U.S. tour Monday, the band wants fans to do something: Take public transportation.
In a message at radiohead.com, the band says that last year it commissioned a study to calculate carbon emissions on two previous U.S. tours. The report showed that fans traveling to and from concerts pumped large amounts into the air.
Now the band is asking people to take public transport or carpool to concerts to reduce those emissions.
And Chicago, that includes you. The band plays Lollapalooza in Grant Park at the beginning of August, so CTA all the way.
Guess who’s here?
Look out, Oprah, Ellen DeGeneres is invading your territory.
The talk show host will tape an outdoor episode of “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” on Saturday afternoon on Michigan Avenue between Tribune Tower and the river. The show’s publicist said she expects an audience of 3,000 to attend — and no more tickets are available.
DeGeneres (below) will chat up Chicago native Robin Williams, as well as present a “TV exclusive” duet by “American Idol” rejects Michael Johns and Carly Smithson. According to the publicist, DeGeneres also taped a segment around the city on Friday.
The episode is scheduled to air at 3 p.m. Tuesday on NBC5/WMAQ.
Sarah (hearts) Jimmy
Sarah Silverman is talking about an important man in her life — and no, it’s not Matt Damon.
It’s her boyfriend of five years, Jimmy Kimmel.
She told people.com that their relationship is still going strong but marriage isn’t in the cards, at least for now.
“I don’t want the government involved in our love,” she told People. “When my friends get married I think it’s romantic, I cry, whatever. … But it’s not for me.”
They do like spending their mornings and nights together, Silverman said.
“We set our alarms an hour earlier in the morning just so we can lie in bed and listen to Howard Stern, and at night we’re watching ‘Lost’ or ’24.’ “
