NEWSMAKERS

NEWSMAKERS

For Deen, everything’s coming up roses

PASADENA, Calif.

Paula Deen is out of her element.

Instead of a kitchen, the Food Network’s Southern-cooking queen was holding court Thursday in a lavish hotel suite. And instead of being home for the holidays in Savannah, Ga., she’s ringing in the new year serving as grand marshal of today’s Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Calif.

“I have rehearsed my wave,” she announced, with a playful grin. “They informed me that there are four or five different waves. One is the figure eight. One is the queen. One is screwing in a light bulb. But, would you like me to show you the Paula Deen wave?”

Deen then raised both arms in the air, shook them frantically and laughed long, loud and hard.

“I am not going to be able to be that regal and calm about it,” she added, smiling.

Deen really does love roses. “Roses and diamonds, what girl doesn’t?” she asked. But she acknowledged she wasn’t so excited when first pitched the grand-marshal gig, thinking the pitch was a prank. Then, after learning the offer was legit, she thought she was being told she was just one of many being considered.

It took a giant bouquet from the Tournament of Roses selection committee to fully convince her she was it. “I went over and read the card, and it said, ‘Thank you for accepting the role of grand marshal.’ I screamed bloody murder.”

The past year wasn’t all roses for the perpetually sunny Deen. Her former housekeeper was recently sentenced to 18 months in prison for stealing jewelry from the star’s home, and last holiday season, she got hit in the face by a flying ham.

But 2011 is another year, and Deen was planning to usher it in with a quiet New Year’s Eve dinner with family and an early bedtime in preparation for an ungodly parade call. “I have been told my makeup call is 2:30 a.m. or 3 o’clock,” explained the 63-year-old Deen.

And she won’t be making any New Year’s resolutions. “Because I’m weak,” Deen confessed, laughing again.

2nd arrest in break-in at Tyler Perry home

ATLANTA

A second teen has been charged with breaking into filmmaker Tyler Perry’s home in Atlanta.

Kamisha Boozer was arrested Wednesday and charged with prowling and criminal trespass. A judge released her on $1,000 bond for each count.

Her defense attorney said the 17-year-old was not at the break-in and that another defendant gave her name to authorities.

Atlanta police said the break-in at Perry’s home was captured on a video system. A bodyguard grabbed 18-year-old Chloe Ware moments after last week’s intrusion and turned her over to police. Two others escaped.

Police spokesman Curtis Davenport said investigators expect to have a third suspect in custody soon.

Mellencamp, wife split

LOS ANGELES

John Mellencamp and his wife are calling it quits.

A spokesman for the 59-year-old rocker says he and his wife of 20 years, model Elaine Mellencamp (nee Irwin), are splitting up.

Publicist Bob Merlis declined to say Thursday if the couple had filed for divorce.

Merlis says the Mellencamps “are proud of their 20 years together and are very happy with their accomplishments both as parents and as a family.”

He says they will continue to raise their two children in Indiana.

Mellencamp’s latest album, “No Better Than This,” was released earlier this year.

Associated Press