TomKat calls it quits
NEW YORK - Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, above, are calling it quits after five years of marriage.
Holmes' attorney Jonathan Wolfe said Friday the couple is divorcing, but called it a private matter for the family. Cruise, 49, wed the 33-year-old Holmes in 2006 in an Italian castle after publicly declaring his love on Oprah Winfrey's television show and emphatically jumping on her couch. The couple has a 6-year-old daughter, Suri.
Cruise, currently starring in "Rock of Ages," was previously married to Mimi Rogers and Nicole Kidman, with whom he has two children.
Adele pregnant
NEW YORK - Adele is celebrating another milestone - a pregnancy.
The superstar singer's representative confirmed Friday the 24-year-old is expecting a child with boyfriend Simon Konecki. The message was posted on her official website, which crashed due to a large amount of traffic after the news was announced.
"I'm delighted to announce that Simon and I are expecting our first child together. I wanted you to hear the news direct from me, obviously we're over the moon and very excited but please respect our privacy at this precious time," she said on the website.
It's unclear how far along the British singer is.
Competing close to home
LOS ANGELES - Beyonce will battle her husband for video of the year at the BET Awards, and now both performers are confirmed to attend.
Beyonce is the second most nominated act, up for six awards. Jay-Z is nominated for five. Kanye West leads the pack with seven.
Two of West and Jay-Z's collaborations are up for video of the year. Beyonce also is nominated twice in the category. The final nominee is Usher.
Chris Brown, Nicki Minaj and Usher are set to perform. And Whitney Houston's mother is part of a tribute for the late superstar that will include other singers.
Jamie Foxx, Quentin Tarantino and Tyler Perry will present awards. Samuel L. Jackson will host the show tomorrow at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.
Blige disses BK commercial
NEW YORK - Singer Mary J. Blige says the Burger King commercial that caused major backlash for her was a "mistake."
The clip released in April featured Blige singing about the fast-food chain's new chicken snack wraps. It immediately went viral, and some in the black community said it was stereotypical. Burger King pulled it after one day and said it was unfinished.
In an interview with radio station Hot 97 this week, Blige said Burger King "made me look ridiculous." She said she thought she "would be shot in an iconic way."
Says Blige: "I wanted to crawl under the bed."
Lauryn Hill pleads guilty
NEWARK - Eight-time Grammy-winning singer Lauryn Hill pleaded guilty Friday to not paying federal taxes on more than $1.5 million earned over three years.
Appearing in U.S. District Court in Newark, Hill admitted failing to file tax returns from 2005 to 2007. She faces a maximum one-year sentence on each of the three counts. She was charged three weeks ago.
Hill admitted she didn't pay taxes on about $818,000 earned in 2005, $222,000 in 2006 and $761,000 in 2007. The money was earned by four corporations she owned.
After the charges were brought, Hill posted a long statement on her Tumblr page explaining she hasn't paid taxes since she withdrew from society to guarantee the safety and well-being of herself and her family.
Locked up abroad
PRAGUE - Police say the frontman of U.S. death metal band Lamb of God has been arrested in the Czech capital in connection with the death of a fan in 2010.
Police spokeswoman Jana Rosslerova says singer Randy Blythe was arrested Wednesday, accused of causing bodily harm resulting in death. Rosslerova says Blythe has been in police custody since and a court is set to rule today whether to continue his detention.
The band's concert in Prague planned for Thursday was canceled.
Hill hinted Friday that she might expand on those comments at her sentencing. When Shipp asked her if anyone had directly or indirectly influenced her decision to plead guilty, she replied, "Indirectly, I've been advised my ability to speak out directly is for another time, at sentencing."
