By Mariel Turner
8:26am PST, Jan 25, 2019
Chris Brown sues rape accuser for defamation
Chris Brown's legal team has filed a defamation lawsuit against the woman who accused him of rape at a Paris hotel just a few days after he was arrested on the charge and released. The singer's attorney is seeking a criminal prosecution for the "slanderous accusation," according to legal documents submitted to the Paris prosecutor's office on Jan. 24.
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JAY-Z and Meek Mill launch criminal justice reform initiative
JAY-Z, Meek Mill and several other entertainment and sports leaders announced the launch of a new criminal justice initiative, The Reform Alliance, during a special event in New York City on Jan. 23. The rappers were joined by New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, Philadelphia 76ers co-owner Michael Rubin, Brooklyn Nets co-owner Clara Wu Tsai and CNN host Van Jones. The group collectively pledged $50 million with plans to get at least one million people out of jail over the next five years.
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Cher slams President Trump's trans military ban
Cher has had enough of the Donald Trump administration. The music icon took to Twitter to share her frustrations after the Supreme Court voted to allow Trump's transgender military ban to go into effect on Jan. 23. "No One Is Really Safe In trump's America Unless They're MEMBER OF MAR-A-LAGO, LIVE IN trump TOWER, WHITE, OR WEARS MAGA HAT. My Amazing Trans Son Is Kind, Smart, Strong Loving, Talented & Patriotic American🇺🇸. trump 'Judges NO ONE By The The Content Of Their Character," wrote Cher, whose son Chaz Bono is a noted LGBTQ activist.
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John Berry reveals throat cancer diagnosis
Country music singer John Berry announced in a video posted to his Facebook page on Jan. 22 that he's battling throat cancer. "You don't see fear on these faces," John's wife Robin said in the video. "We have a planned regimen and John is undergoing treatment for about five weeks. We've had to move a couple of tour dates around. All is going well. We are trusting God to get us through this time." John added that the cancer is "highly treatable and has an incredible cure rate."
Cardi B lands first Las Vegas residency
Cardi B is starting off the New Year with a major win! The rapper landed her first Las Vegas residency, the Palms Casino Resort announced on Jan. 23. She will be performing at KAOS, a new dayclub and nightclub amphitheater-style complex that's scheduled to open in April.
Lionel Richie's son allegedly threatens to detonate bomb at London airport
Lionel Richie's son, Miles Richie, "accepted a caution" from police after he allegedly threatened to detonate a bomb and punched a security guard at London's Heathrow Airport on Jan. 19. The 24 year old reportedly became upset after he was not allowed to board a plane. He then allegedly claimed that he was carrying a bomb in his luggage and threatened to detonate the device if not allowed to board. "On Saturday, 19 January, a 24-year-old man accepted a caution for communicating false information causing a bomb hoax and battery following an incident at Heathrow Terminal 5 earlier that morning," the Metropolitan Police told People magazine.
Celebrity deaths
Oliver Mtukudzi, one of Zimbabwe's and Africa's biggest musicians, died on Jan. 23 at 66. Reggie Young, a celebrated guitarist who worked with Elvis Presley, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and more, died on Jan. 21 at 82. Maxine Brown Russell, a Country Music Hall of Fame member who was part of the sibling singing trio The Browns, died on Jan. 22 from complications of heart and kidney disease. She was 87.
Ozzy Osbourne releases detachable head toy in celebration of bat-biting 37th anniversary
It's been 37 years since Ozzy Osbourne bit the head off a bat and he's celebrating with the release of a 12-inch, $40 plush toy with a detachable head. "Today marks the 37th Anniversary since I bit a head off a f—ing bat! Celebrate with this commemorative plush with detachable head," Ozzy tweeted on Jan. 21.
