Lopez splits with label

Lopez splits with label

NEW YORK — Jennifer Lopez is off of Sony’s block. The singing and acting diva has confirmed she has split from Sony Music after more than a decade. Sony’s Epic Records put out her first CD, “On The 6,” in 1999. Since then, she’s sold millions but also had a couple of CDs with disappointing sales.

A new album called “Love?” was due to be released by the label this spring. But in a statement released Tuesday night, Lopez said: “At this point, I have fulfilled all my contractual obligations to Sony/Epic, [and] we have come to an amicable decision.” Lopez says she has a new label home and her album will be out in the summer, but she did not specify the label.

Leif Garrett enters plea

LOS ANGELES — Leif Garrett has pleaded not guilty in a felony drug-possession case in Los Angeles. The plea came Wednesday during the arraignment of the musician and former teen heartthrob.

Defense attorney Andrew Flier said authorities illegally searched Garrett before he was arrested Feb. 1 for investigation of carrying heroin in the city subway system. Flier says Garrett disputes the contention that he was nervous and sweating profusely, which prompted his search and arrest. Garrett, who is free on bail, did not speak to reporters. The 48-year-old has had a series of drug arrests since the height of his popularity in the 1970s.

Octomom shares views

NEW YORK — Octuplets mother Nadya Suleman says she doesn’t plan on having more children unless she gets married someday “far” in the future. She says if that ever happens, she would have only one child.

Widely known as “Octomom,” Suleman has six older children. She appeared Wednesday on ABC’s daytime talk show “The View,” where she has been a frequent topic of debate. Suleman’s octuplets celebrated their first birthday in January.

Today’s birthdays

Country singer Ralph Stanley is 83. CBS newsman Bob Schieffer is 73. Actress Tea Leoni is 44. Comedian Carrot Top is 43. Actress Rashida Jones (“Boston Public”) is 34. Actor Justin Berfield (“Malcolm in the Middle”) is 24. Actors James and Oliver Phelps (“Harry Potter”) are 24.