NEWSMAKERS
NEWSMAKERS
Javier Colon wins ‘Voice’ competition
los angeles
Javier Colon is the winner of NBC’s new singing contest “The Voice.”
He was crowned during the show’s season hour-long finale Wednesday. The 34-year-old Colon of Stratford, Conn., triumphed over three other finalists, including runner-up Dia Frampton of St. George, Utah.
“The Voice” featured pop stars Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green, Adam Levine and Blake Shelton as “coaches” for the contestants. In a twist on the talent show format, the contestants initially were picked sight unseen and on the basis of their voice.
Based on a Dutch series, “The Voice” proved a ratings hit for NBC. Winner Colon will receive a $100,000 prize and a recording contract.
Elizabeth Taylor collection on tour
NEW YORK
Elizabeth Taylor’s collection of jewelry, art, designer clothing and other memorabilia will go on an international three-month tour before it is sold in New York in December, Christie’s auction house announced Wednesday.
The tour will begin in September and include stops in Moscow, London, Dubai, Geneva, Paris, Hong Kong and Los Angeles. It will end in New York, where Christie’s plans a “museum-quality exhibition” of the late actress’ collection that will fill its entire gallery space from Dec. 3-10.
The auction will take place from Dec. 13-16.
Taylor, who was infamously married eight times to seven husbands, was also known for her passion for opulent diamonds. She died in March at age 79.
Lohan released from house arrest
LOS ANGELES
Lindsay Lohan was freed from house arrest Wednesday morning, ending a drama-filled 35 days and opening the next chapter in the troubled starlet’s efforts to put her court troubles behind her.
Sheriff’s spokesman Steve Whitmore said Lohan’s electronic monitoring equipment was removed shortly before 10 a.m., and she was removed from the jail system around 10:20 a.m.
Lohan is not entirely free. She still has to complete 480 hours of community service, complete an anti-shoplifting class and comply with other terms of her release.
Her spokesman, Steve Honig, said Lohan is “very focused” on resuming her community service, which is being performed at a downtown Los Angeles women’s shelter and will also require her to work at the county’s morgue.
Lohan, 24, was sentenced to four months in jail in May for violating her probation in a 2007 drunken-driving case by taking a necklace from a jewelry store without permission earlier this year. She pleaded no contest to the theft and received no additional penalties, but will remain on probation for several more months.
Wyo. city in running for ‘Modern Family’
JACKSON, Wyo.
Jackson Hole, Wyo., is reportedly in the running to be the setting for the premiere of “Modern Family.”
The Jackson Hole News & Guide reports Wednesday that producers of ABC’s “mockumentary” sitcom named the resort town as their top pick but that network approval is still pending. The proposal would have the show’s characters on a family vacation at the Lost Creek Ranch, a lodge and spa.
ABC officials declined to comment.
The newspaper reports that Jackson emerged as the front-runner after the Snow King Resort offered to set aside rooms for the production crew and actors, and the lodging tax board agreed to help pay for the rooms.
The show has also considered sites in Tucson, Ariz.; Bozeman, Mont.; and Steamboat Springs, Colo.
Vindicator wire reports