newsmakers

newsmakers

Barbara Walters to have surgery

NEW YORK

Barbara Walters says she will have surgery later this week to replace a faulty heart valve. The television legend made the announcement Monday on ABC’s “The View.” Walters said she’s known about her condition for a while and thought the time was right for the surgery because she can take the summer off and “can come roaring back in September.”

Walters is 80. She’s one of television news’ best-known personalities for her interviews. She started the daytime talk show “The View” in the 1990s, and it became a durable hit. Asked by co-host Whoopi Goldberg if she is scared, Walters said: “Look, nobody wants to have this kind of surgery.”

Starlet burglarized actor Bloom’s house

LOS ANGELES

A reality starlet accused of burglarizing Orlando Bloom’s house pleaded no contest Monday to felony burglary and could avoid prison time in a deal with prosecutors.

Alexis Neiers, 18, an aspiring model who has been the subject of the E! Entertainment Television reality show “Pretty Wild,” entered the plea Monday shortly before her trial was slated to begin. Bloom, star of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “Lord of the Rings” film franchises, had been expected to testify.

As part of the deal, Neiers will be sentenced to two years of formal probation and 180 days in county jail for the July break-in. She also agrees to stay away from Bloom and his home.

Neiers is among six people accused of targeting homes of celebrities such as Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan and Rachel Bilson and stealing millions in jewelry, clothing and other luxury goods.

She had rejected plea deals that required jail time but was facing up to six years in state prison if convicted at trial.

Choreographers to join ‘Dance’ panel

LOS ANGELES

Oscar producer Adam Shankman and Emmy-winning choreographer Mia Michaels are coming back to TV’s “So You Think You Can Dance.” Fox says the two choreographers will serve as judges on the seventh season of the reality dance competition, which premieres May 27.

Michaels, whose credits include “West Side Story” and stints with Madonna and Prince, has served as a guest judge and contributing choreographer on the Fox dance show since 2005.

Shankman directed the film adaptation of “Hairspray” and has choreographed music videos for Whitney Houston, the B-52s, Barry White and Stevie Wonder. Both will serve as the show’s resident judges, alongside executive producer and co-creator Nigel Lythgoe.

Lenny Kravitz among Gulf Aid performers

NEW ORLEANS

Lenny Kravitz, Ani DiFranco and Mos Def are among the headliners for a benefit concert to support relief efforts for those affected by a massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Kravitz, who lives part time in New Orleans, was the first to sign up when asked by Rehage Entertainment president Steven Rehage to participate in Gulf Aid. Others participating are: Allen Toussaint, Zachary Richard, Jeremy Davenport and The Voice of the Wetlands Allstars, which features Dr. John and Cyril Neville.

The benefit concert will take place Sunday at Mardi Gras World River City, which overlooks the Mississippi River in New Orleans. Tickets cost $50.

Proceeds from the event will benefit fishermen and their families, whose livelihoods depend on the Gulf, and other organizations.