newsmakers

newsmakers

Rapper T.I. released from prison early

ATLANTA

Atlanta-based rapper T.I. was released Wednesday one month early from a federal prison, where he was serving a weapons- violation sentence.

Bureau of Prisons spokesman Chris Burke said the artist, whose real name is Clifford Harris, was released at 7:29 a.m. Central time from the Forrest City low-security prison in Arkansas.

The rapper was sentenced to 11 months in prison in October for breaking his federal probation after he was arrested in Los Angeles on drug charges. He had been set for release at the end of September.

The rapper’s trip from the prison to a halfway house in Atlanta was aboard a luxury motor-coach bus that was followed by a motorcade of four dark cars.

Dressed in a red and blue striped polo shirt and white shorts, T.I. stepped off the bus Wednesday evening with his entourage to check into the halfway house.

The rapper posted on his Twitter account: “The storm is over & da sun back out. IT’S OUR TIME TO SHINE SHAWTY!!!!!” shortly after his release. “Welcome to the beginning of our Happy Ending!!!!”

He previously served about seven months in the Arkansas prison in 2009 before being released on probation.

Harris originally was arrested in 2007 after trying to buy unregistered guns and silencers from undercover federal agents. That came after Harris’ best friend was killed after a post-performance party in Cincinnati in 2006. The rapper has said the bullets that killed his friend were meant for him.

Bravo going ahead with ‘Housewives’

NEW YORK

The Bravo network says it is going ahead with Monday’s season premiere of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” despite the suicide of a cast member.

Bravo Media President Frances Berwick said Wednesday that producers taped brief interviews with other cast members to introduce the premiere. The network also will air several suicide-prevention public-service announcements during the show.

Russell Armstrong, whose wife, Taylor, is one of the “Real Housewives,” hanged himself Aug. 15. He left no note. The couple’s marital strife was a story line in the reality show’s first season and was expected to be a feature of the upcoming second season.

Berwick did not say what type of editing would be done on the series.

Mel Gibson to pay ex $750K to settle case

LOS ANGELES

A judge says Mel Gibson will pay his ex-girlfriend $750,000 to settle a long-running custody dispute and establish a trust to benefit their young daughter.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Peter Lichtman announced terms of the settlement Wednesday at a hearing attended by both the Oscar winner and Russian musician Oksana Grigorieva.

The agreement calls for Gibson to continue paying for a multimillion-dollar home for Grigorieva and their daughter, Lucia, who turns 2 in late October. When the girl turns 18, the home will be sold, and the proceeds will go to her.

The settlement calls for the former couple’s daughter to receive the same level of financial support as Gibson’s seven other children.

Lichtman also says neither Gibson nor Grigorieva can speak or write about their relationship.

Robert Downey Jr., wife expecting child

NEW YORK

Robert Downey Jr. and his wife, Susan, are expecting their first child together.

A representative for the 46-year-old actor confirmed a report Wednesday on People magazine’s website. The baby is due early next year.

The couple were married in 2005. They met on the set of the film “Gothika,” which Susan co-produced.

Downey has a teenage son, Indio, with ex-wife Deborah Falconer.

He received Oscar nominations for his roles in “Chaplin” and “Tropic Thunder.”

His film credits also include “Sherlock Holmes” and the “Iron Man” films.

Vindicator wire services