newsmakers

newsmakers

Judge grants divorce to Kelsey Grammer

LOS ANGELES

A judge has granted Kelsey Grammer a divorce, clearing the way for the actor to remarry later this month.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Maren Nelson agreed Thursday to grant Kelsey and Camille Grammer a divorce and settle financial issues at a later date.

Camille Grammer has estimated in court filings that the former couple’s shared property may be worth $20 million. Kelsey and Camille Grammer were married in 1997 and have two young children together.

The 55-year-old actor told David Letterman last month that he plans to marry Kayte Walsh sometime in February.

Bob Dylan, Dr. Dre added as performers

LOS ANGELES

The Grammy Awards will feature star-studded performances by music icons Bob Dylan and Dr. Dre. Dylan, a 10-time Grammy and lifetime achievement winner, will join nominee Mumford & Sons and The Avett Brothers for a salute to acoustic music, while Dr. Dre will make his debut on the Grammy stage when he joins prot g Eminem. It will be Dr. Dre’s first performance on live television in a decade.

Jennifer Hudson trying to make mom proud

CHICAGO

In a tearful interview, singer and actress Jennifer Hudson said she’s still trying to make her mother proud, and that’s what has kept her going since her mother and two other family members were murdered.

Hudson, who has repeatedly declined to talk publicly about the killings, didn’t directly address the details of the October 2008 slayings in Chicago of her mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew. But in an interview on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” that was broadcast Thursday, she discussed the source of the drive that quickly got her back on stage and in the recording studio just months after the tragedy.

“I try to do everything to say, ‘OK, will my mother like this? Will she be pleased? Will she be proud of that? How do I know she’s happy and she’s smiling down at me from heaven?’” Hudson said. “And that’s what I try to go by and walk by.”

In October 2008, the bodies of her mother, Darnell Hudson Donerson, and brother, Jason Hudson, were found in the family’s Chicago home. The body of her 7-year-old nephew, Julian King, was found days later in a sport utility vehicle about 10 miles away. All three had been shot.

Charlie Sheen, wife are granted divorce

LOS ANGELES

Charlie Sheen can go back to being single, but he’ll have to wait a few months before it’s official, a judge ruled Thursday. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Hank Goldberg finalized Sheen’s divorce from his wife, Brooke Mueller Sheen, but the pair will not be legally single until May 2.

The actor and Brooke Sheen filed dueling divorce petitions in November, citing Christmas Day 2009 as the day of their breakup. Charlie Sheen was arrested in Aspen, Colo., that day on suspicion of domestic violence against his wife. He later resolved the case and spent 30 days on probation.

The Sheens signed a prenuptial agreement before their May 2008 wedding, which called for Charlie Sheen to pay Brooke Sheen more than $750,000.

Kid Rock defends decision to perform

DETROIT

Kid Rock has posted an expletive-laden message on his website aimed at those critical of his decision to perform as scheduled in snowy Arkansas.

The post came after some fans who were unwilling or unable to brave the conditions to get to the Verizon Arena in North Little Rock, Ark., for Wednesday’s concert voiced their displeasure on Kid Rock’s website.

The Detroit musician fired back, telling fans that if they purchased tickets to the show and couldn’t make it, “YOU WILL BE GETTING A REFUND, STRAIGHT OUT OF MY POCKET.”

Rock writes he’s “never ripped any of my fans off” and has never missed a show.

The posting also includes a profane response to those Rock says accused him of being “greedy” for deciding to go forward with the performance.

Associated Press