NEWSMAKERS

April 17, 2013 at 12:00a.m.

NEWSMAKERS

Ozzy Osbourne denies marriage-split rumors

LONDON

Rocker Ozzy Osbourne has denied rumors of a split from his wife, Sharon, and apologized to his family for returning to drink and drugs.

The Black Sabbath singer says he was in a “dark place” but has been sober for 44 days.

In a message posted Tuesday on his Facebook page, 64-year-old Osbourne said that “for the last year and a half, I have been drinking and taking drugs.”

Osbourne added: “Just to set the record straight, Sharon and I are not divorcing.”

‘Idol’ contestant: Stutter didn’t get him votes

NEW YORK

“American Idol” contestant Lazaro Arbos won the hearts of viewers because of his singing and because of his personal story.

The 22-year-old from Florida suffers from a severe stutter that disappears while he’s performing. Though the Cuban-born performer acknowledges that his speech impediment got him attention, he doesn’t think it won him votes.

“I think that I had really good songs. I had bad songs, but I had really good ones, [too], and when I messed up, they stopped voting for me,” he said Monday.

He went on to say that if he didn’t stutter, he thinks he would have lasted longer on the show.

Abros placed sixth on “Idol,” which airs Wednesdays and Thursdays on Fox. He was voted off last week and was the last male competitor this season.

Songwriters receive Hall of Fame honor

NEW YORK

Benny Blanco, who co-wrote and co-produced hits such as Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream” and Maroon 5’s “Moves Like Jagger,” is getting a songwriting honor.

The Songwriters Hall of Fame announced Tuesday that the 25-year-old will receive the Hal David Starlight Award at its annual gala June 13. Past recipients include Taylor Swift and Alicia Keys.

Blanco has been behind a slew of hits in the last few years, including Rihanna’s “Diamonds” and Ke$ha’s “TiK ToK.” He’s also worked with Bruno Mars and Nicki Minaj, and often collaborates with mega-hitmaker Dr. Luke, who is his mentor.

Tony Hatch, Mick Jones and Lou Gramm, Holly Knight, JD Souther, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry will be inducted into the hall of fame at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York.

Ex-baseball catcher rehearsing for ballet

MIAMI BEACH, Fla.

Mike Piazza knows that some people think it’s funny for a baseball player to take up ballet, but the former catcher hopes to turn whoever is jeering him now into dance fans when he takes the stage with Miami City Ballet next month.

“You gotta sometimes have the courage to go out there and do something like this, and I think the overall effect will be positive,” Piazza said Tuesday after his costume fitting for a gangster role in “Slaughter on Tenth Avenue.”

Piazza will walk on stage and say a few lines in the company’s May 3 production of the ballet George Balanchine choreographed as part of the 1930s musical “On Your Toes.”

Vindicator wire services