Winfrey to try poverty

Winfrey to try poverty
CHICAGO -- American TV chat-show queen Oprah Winfrey is ditching the high life to star in a poverty-stricken reality TV series, reports IMDB.com. The 51-year-old media mogul, who is one of the world's richest women with an annual income of more than $300 million, has agreed to live a life of poverty in the hard-hitting documentary. Winfrey will live in a notoriously tough Chicago neighborhood for a month. The series plans to highlight America's urban housing crisis. A spokesperson for Winfrey's Harpo Productions company says: "She has interviewed just about every major celebrity and done shows on almost every subject imaginable. But now she intends to tackle really tough, serious issues, putting herself right in the front line." However, to ensure Winfrey's safety, she will be shadowed by security guards during her stay. But the spokesperson adds, "In every other respect she will have to fend for herself, just like the many people who have to live in these substandard conditions."
Parker dumped by Gap
LOS ANGELES -- Sarah Jessica Parker is reeling after being ditched as the face of clothing giants Gap in favor of teenage singing sensation Joss Stone, IMDB.com reports. The announcement, coming in the same week Parker's Gap spring campaign was launched, stung the style icon. Parker raked in more than $38 million from the lucrative advertising campaigns since the demise of her hit cable series "Sex and the City." According to IMDB.com, a friend of the actress said, "Sarah's spring campaign for Gap has only just started, and she feels the announcement of her replacement in the same week that the new ads are appearing is a bit of a snub. Joss is not only a teenager, she is a virtual unknown. Had her replacement been a big star, perhaps Sarah wouldn't have minded so much."
Idol plans a comeback
LONDON -- Rock star BillyIdol is on the comeback trail more than a decade since he made his last studio album, reports the BBC. The British-born singer, who scored a string of hits in the 1980s with tracks such as "White Wedding," "Rebel Yell" and "Mony Mony," still has the trademark shock of blond hair and snarling lip curl. Idol, who celebrates his 50th birthday later this year, is releasing a new collection, "Devil's Playground." "I'd like to add to the body of work that I've done. I'm not exactly dead, and I love rock and roll," Idol said. The singer says the approach of his 50th birthday has fueled his decision to stage a musical renaissance. "Being in the throes of putting out a new album seemed the best way to celebrate it. 'Devil's Playground' is my birthday card to myself," he said. After a serious motorcycle accident and an overdose in the early '90s, Idol remains unsure whether he will turn into an aging hell-raiser. "My mission is to map the Billy Idol world, but whether that takes craziness or a clear head, I've yet to find out," Idol said. "I'm still waiting to see what the hell I turn into. But right now I'm enjoying what I do."
Kournikovas settle feud
MIAMI -- Anna Kournikova and her parents have settled their dispute regarding the ownership of a $5 million waterfront home in Miami Beach, the attorney for the tennis player's parents said. Sergei and Alla Kournikova sued their daughter in Miami-Dade Circuit Court last year, saying they wanted money for their share of the house that they alleged Anna Kournikova took over. Anna Kournikova filed a countersuit soon afterward, seeking to remove her parents' names from the deed. Each of the Kournikovas is still listed as an owner of the property, according to county records viewed Monday.
"Everybody is pleased with the result of the settlement," David Leacock, the parents' attorney, told The Associated Press. "The settlement itself is confidential." In her lawsuit, Anna Kournikova claimed she paid the entire purchase price for the seven-bedroom, seven-bath, 6,630-square-foot home, plus an additional $1 million for improvements. She has never won a pro tournament, and has not played competitive tennis for two years.
Today's birthdays
Comedian Marty Allen is 83. Movie director Mark Rydell is 71. Singer-producer Ric Ocasek is 56. Singer Chaka Khan is 52. Actress Amanda Plummer is 48. Actress Hope Davis is 41. Comedian John Pinnett is 41. Actor Richard Grieco is 40. Country musician Kevin Griffin (Yankee Grey) is 40. Rock singer-musician Damon Albarn (Blur) is 37. Actress-singer Melissa Errico is 35. Rock musician John Humphrey (The Nixons) is 35. Actress Keri Russell is 29. Actress Nicholle Tom is 27. Country singer Paul Martin (Marshall Dyllon) is 27.