NEWSMAKERS: Olympic swimmer to write memoir

NEWSMAKERS

Olympic swimmer to write memoir

NEW YORK

Gold medal-winning Olympic swimmer Amanda Beard wants to set an example outside the water as well as in it.

Touchstone announced Tuesday that Beard is working on a memoir that will tell of her life away from the pool, a “harrowing journey” through drugs, alcohol and eating disorders.

The 29-year-old Beard won Olympic gold medals in 1996 and 2004.

Beard says she hopes her memoir “will help others, especially high school and college-aged women, who may be dealing with some of the same issues.”

“In the Water They Can’t See You Cry” will be released in April 2012. The book is timed to come out before Beard competes for the 2012 games in London.

Touchstone is an imprint of Simon & Schuster.

George Clinton sues Black Eyed Peas

LOS ANGELES

Funk pioneer George Clinton wants a federal judge to force the Black Eyed Peas to shut up when it comes to sampling his music.

Clinton sued the Grammy-winning pop group in Los Angeles on Friday, claiming it used elements of his 1979 song “(Not Just) Knee Deep” in remixes of their song “Shut Up.”

The song first appeared on the group’s 2003 album “Elephunk,” and it released “Shut Up Remix” the same year. It also was used in another remix included on the deluxe edition of the Peas’ 2009 release, “The E.N.D.,” according to the complaint.

Clinton says he never granted permission for the use of his music, and he is seeking copyright infringement damages and an injunction to block further sales of the remixes.

Frenzied fan kicks Usher in the face

NEW YORK

Being a sex symbol has its dangers as Usher learned firsthand at his New York City concert.

The crooner brought an ecstatic female fan onstage Monday night for a serenade of his sensual song “Trading Places” at Madison Square Garden. He sat her on a couch while he caressed her.

Then, after they changed positions, the overexcited fan tried to move her leg to get closer to him. Her stiletto boot heel knocked him in the nose.

Usher wasn’t hurt and cracked a joke about it.

Vindicator wire services