It was back in February, a little more than five months ago, when Chris Brown attacked Rihanna as they drove home from a pre-Grammy party. All hell broke loose, and for weeks there was constant speculation as to the exact circumstances of the incident. A photograph of Rihanna’s injuries was leaked from the LAPD just days after the beating that show (in my mind) what happened that night – a young man beat the hell out of his young girlfriend.

Initially, Chris Brown released a lukewarm statement on the incident, saying that “words cannot begin to express how sorry and saddened I am over what transpired.” Chris said he was seeking counseling, and then went on to point out that “Much of what has been speculated or reported on blogs and/or reported in the media is wrong.” Chris and Rihanna even spent time together after the incident, and it looked like she might forgive him or go back to him for a short while. Thankfully, someone must have talked some sense into her, because after a few weeks, Rihanna began steering clear of Chris.

Meanwhile, in the past few months, Chris’s actions and words seem to show that he wasn’t really sorry or concerned with learning any life lessons from the incident. In May, Chris made a video telling his fans and the world “We ain’t goin nowhere. Everybody that’s haters, they’ve just been haters. All my real fans, I love y’all. I aint a monster.” After Chris pled guilty and received five years probation, he seemed to celebrate by going on vacation and making the rounds on the party circuit with P. Diddy.

Perhaps Chris was concerned that his image may be permanently damaged by everything that’s transpired the past five months. Perhaps Chris really is sorry. In either case, Chris made a new video, this time giving a more soul-searching and in-depth apology. In the two minute video, posted first on TMZ, Chris does seem genuine and honest as he takes full responsibility for the incident that he now claims he’s “ashamed” of. Here’s the transcript of the statement:

“Hi, I’m Chris Brown. Since February my attorney has advised me not to speak out, even though since the incident I wanted to publicly express my deepest regret and accept full responsibility.”

“Although I would do some interviews and answer some questions in the future, I felt it was time you heard directly from me that I am sorry. I have tried to live my life in a way that would make those around me proud of me, and until recently, I think I was doing a pretty good job. I wish I had the chance to live those few moments again, but unfortunately I can’t.”

“I cannot go into what happened, and most importantly, I’m not going to sit here and make any excuses. I take great pride in me being able to exercise self-control and what I did was inexcusable. I am very sad and very ashamed of what I’ve done.”

“My mother and my spiritual teachers have taught me way better than that. I have told Rihanna countless times, and I’m telling you today that I am truly, truly sorry, and I wasn’t able to handle the situation both differently and better. I recognize that I’ve truly been blessed. I’ve been blessed with a wonderful family, wonderful friends and fans. God has been generous in giving me the ability which has brought me fame and fortune.”

“I have done a lot of soul-searching, and over the past several months I’ve talked with my minister and my mother, and I spent a lot of time trying to understand what happened and why. I have let a lot of people down, and I realize that.”

“No one is more disappointed than in me than I am. As many of you know, I grew up in a home where there was domestic violence and I saw firsthand what uncontrolled rage could do. I have sought and am continuing to seek help to ensure that what occurred in February can never happen again.”

“As I sit here today I can tell you that I will do everything in my power to make sure that it never happens again, and I promise that. What I did was unacceptable, 100 percent. I can only ask and pray that you forgive me, please. I hope that others learn from my mistakes. I intend to live my life so that I am truly worthy of the term ‘role model.’ Thank you.”

[Transcript via US Weekly]

As I said, I do think the general emotion behind this is genuine. I do hope Chris is sorry, and I hope and pray he learns from his mistakes. I don’t think he’s learned the lesson yet though, for all of this “taking full responsibility” talk. I think Chris has learned from the incident that he can beat the hell out of his girlfriend and she’ll forgive him, many of his fans will forgive him, and he can walk away without going to jail. In child rearing, that’s considered positive reinforcement of negative behavior.

My greatest fear is that everyone will look at this video and say “Oh, okay, he really is sorry, let’s not make a big deal about this anymore.” It is a big deal, whether or not he’s contrite, whether or not that contrition is real or fake or private or public. What I’d like to hear from him is “I will never strike a woman again ever, in my life, so help me God, and if I ever break this promise, send me to jail and throw away the key.”

Last week, David Arquette was promoting his work with Feeding America, a wonderful organization that focuses on issues of hunger and poverty in America. To promote this great cause, David was pulled a David Blaine-esque stunt in Madison Square Garden by sitting in a Plexiglas “hot box” during Tuesday and Wednesday. David also made the network and cable news rounds. CB showed David’s interview with NBC’s Today Show, but unfortunately it was David’s interview with Fox & Friends that made some minor headlines.

Fox’s morning co-anchor Steve Doocy asked David for his opinion about Judge Sonia Sotomayor, President Obama’s nominee for the Supreme Court. David replied: “I think Latina women are, I mean, it depends on the woman, but I think they are very, they have great judgment, but there are some that are just nuts. I’m just saying.” Dude… forget the racial politics and stereotypes for a second, and just acknowledge the supreme idiocy of David “Really Nuts” Arquette/Pot calling the the Latinas/Kettle “nuts”. Well, controversy settled, because David apologized, and it’s a pretty good one:

Despite disparaging comments earlier in the week, David Arquette insists he has love for Latina women.

Chatting with Fox News earlier this week, Arquette, 37, remarked: “I think Latina women are, I mean, it depends on the woman, but I think they are very, they have great judgment, but there are some that are just nuts. I’m just saying.”

On Friday, the Scream star – who just signed of for a fourth installment of the horror series with wife Courteney Cox – issued the following apology:

“I would like to issue an apology for the comments I made on Fox and Friends. My intent was to be humorous and not offensive,” said Arquette, who has been in New York City this week raising awareness about U.S. hunger.

“I have nothing but love and respect for Latina women and women in general of all cultural backgrounds. What saddens me most is that it took away from the issue of Hunger in America, for which I was on the show to begin with,” he continued. “I work in a pantry in Venice California with a Hispanic women named Delpia (who has been feeding people at St. Joseph’s Center for 29 years) and she is my personal hero. Having been raised in Los Angeles I have grown up with a deep and profound love for the Latino culture.”

[From US Weekly]

I always love when someone is accused of racism against an entire ethnic group, they always point to a “friend” they have of that ethnic group. In David’s case, I actually believe it though. I really do think he was trying to make a half-hearted attempt at a joke, and it might have just come out wrong. Or maybe he just really thinks some Latinas are “nuts” and feels badly that he admitted it publicly. Nuts!

David Arquette is shown on 7/14/09. Credit: WENN.com

Jamie Foxx went on a shocking and unprovoked rant on Miley Cyrus on his Sirius radio show over the weekend. Along with his co-hosts, he ripped on Miley for getting offended after Radiohead refused to meet her at the Grammys. In a clip of the show posted on YouTube, you hear a female DJ telling Miley to “go make a sex tape” and Foxx agrees saying “go make a sex tape,” the female DJ adding “with your daddy.” Foxx then takes it farther “Do like Lindsay Lohan and start being a lesbian… put some crack in your pipe. Catch chlamydia on a bicycle seat.” He want on to suggest that Cyrus try heroin.

Foxx has publicly apologized to Miley for his obnoxious comments. On the Tonight Show last night he initially gave the lame excuse that he’s a comedian, but then told Miley he did apologize to her directly and said he would call her:

The Oscar-winning actor appeared on Tuesday night’s Tonight Show with Jay Leno to admit that maybe… just maybe… he might have been a bit too harsh on the 16-year-old Hannah Montana star.

“I am a comedian, and you guys know that whatever I say, I don’t mean any of it,” he tried to explain to Jay. “And sometimes, as comedians, as we do, we go a little bit too far… There was a situation with Miley Cyrus, and I just want to say, I apologize for what I said. I didn’t mean it maliciously.”

As if that weren’t enough, the actor looked directly into the camera to beg for mercy from the teen superstar. “Miley, I apologize, so I’ll call you,” he said. “I got a daughter too, so I completely understand.”

Of course, the real test will come next weekend, when Jamie’s new film The Soloist, co-starring Robert Downey, Jr., hits theaters and goes up against the current box-office champ, Miley’s Hannah Montana flick.

[From OK! Magazine]

E! Online’s Marc Malkin reported yesterday that Miley and her dad were disappointed by Foxx’s comments, particularly since they’ve met him and are fans. Miley and Billy Ray Cyrus are said to have made the decision not to talk about the controversy in an attempt to let it die down. Now Miley looks like the wronged party for once instead of just a teenage girl making careless comments and offending people. Foxx and his radio buddies should have known better than to say such incredibly rude things about a 16 year old girl, but at least he apologized. A little more contrition would have been appreciated like “I was entirely in the wrong,” instead of just “I didn’t mean it that way.”

I’m really looking forward to seeing The Soloist as it looks like an incredible film. This controversy should blow over by then, and hopefully Foxx’s stupid comments haven’t affected people’s willingness to see his film.

Photo credit: PRPhotos/WENN.com

Renowned deaf actress Marlee Matlin has a new biography out, I’ll Scream Later, in which she details the abuse she suffered over twenty years ago at the age of 19 from a then 35 year-old William Hurt. They were together for over two years, and Matlin says that during that time she “was always afraid,” and “had fresh bruises everyday.” Details about the book seem to suggest that he raped her as well, although the example given only goes as far to say that he ripped off her clothes. Commenter gg mentioned that this isn’t new information and that Matlin briefly talked about the abuse to People Magazine at the time without going into great detail.

For his part, Hurt has acknowledged Matlin’s claims with a brief statement that he apologizes for his actions. It also sounds like he is trying to distance himself from the past:

The actress, now 43, recounted one particular incident on the night of her Best Actress win for Children. She claimed Hurt threw her on a bed and stripped her naked as she cried, “No, no, no. Please Bill, no.”

In a statement to E! News on Tuesday, Hurt said that both he and Matlin had moved on.

“My own recollection is that we both apologized and both did a great deal to heal our lives. Of course, I did and do apologize for any pain I caused. And I know we have both grown. I wish Marlee and her family nothing but good.”

Matlin, whose credits also include The West Wing and Dancing With the Stars, also said she eventually became addicted to cocaine while Hurt had his own struggles, and the combination proved dangerous.

“I was so wrapped up in his world and my drugs,” she told Access. “The drugs took over my life, took over my brain.”

Matlin said that she hasn’t seen Hurt in three years.

[From E! Online]

As far as apologies go, it’s not bad and at least he said something. Why did he say “we both apologized,” though? What did she have to apologize for as his target for two years, that she didn’t always get out of the way? He could have added “there is no excuse for my actions,” “I am ashamed of that time in my life,” etc. but maybe he doesn’t want to admit how terrible he was or simply doesn’t remember. It was a long time ago. I stand by my statement yesterday that this is her story and she has every right to tell it when she’s comfortable. It still amazes me that people feel otherwise.

Marlee Matlin is shownat Bookends bookstore in Ridgewood, NJ yesterday, 4/14/09. She is shown on the header in NY on 4/13/09. William Hurt is shown on 9/11/08. Credit: PRPhotos.

She’ll always be known as the first (and arguably best) winner of the hit talent show American Idol, but there was a time when Kelly Clarkson wanted nothing to do with the show that made her famous. But when Kelly wanted to appear on American Idol a few weeks ago to perform her new single, “My Life Would Suck Without You,” it came with a condition: she had to apologize to AI judge Simon Cowell, along with other show executives, for dissing the show in the past.

Kelly Clarkson has come crawling back to Simon Cowell.

The Season 1 American Idol winner performed her new single “My Life Would Suck Without You” on the March 11 show – but Simon and other AI execs wouldn’t approve her appearance until she apologized for slighting them in the past.

“American Idol made Kelly a star, but she’s tried to distance herself from the show,” said a source close to the show. “Kelly has appeared on Idol when she’s needed to promote her music, but has acted embarrassed to be associated with the show when she didn’t need a career boost.

“Because of Kelly’s lack of loyalty, Simon has always felt that Kelly bit the hand that fed her.”

Simon called out the former Texas cocktail waitress for refusing to let Season 5 contestants sing her songs.

“No matter how talented Kelly Clarkson is, she would not be in the position she’s in now without winning this show,” Simon complained in an interview. “It’s a shame.”

Kelly, 26, returned to Idol two seasons after that bitter controversy, but Simon continued to hold a grudge, say sources.

“After her last controversial album, My December, Kelly felt she needed to return to Idol to promote her new album, All I Ever Wanted. Kelly went with hat in hand and apologized for her part in the differences they had,” the source said.

[From The National Enquirer print version, April 6, 2009]

I can see why Kelly Clarkson and other artists would want to appear on the show, as American Idol continues to pull in monster ratings, even in its 7th season. And I can also understand why Idol producers would want to clear the air with Kelly. Like it or not, Idol made her a superstar. I think the show’s producers have learned their lesson since their conflict with Kelly- more recent winners and contestants such as Carrie Underwood, Chris Daughtry and David Cook have all fallen in line with Idol and if they do have any negative thought about their time on the show, they’ve learned to keep them quiet.

Here’s Kelly in New York City on March 12th. Images thanks to INF News and Features.

Sharon Stone has issued an apology for her ignorant and obnoxious remarks about the Chinese earthquake. She was asked on the red carpet at Cannes what she thought of the crisis in China and she got really haughty about it. Instead of focusing on the terrible humanitarian crisis there or even mentioning the fact that tens of thousands of people are dead with thousands more missing, injured and homeless she said “You know it was very interesting. At first I’m not happy about the way the Chinese are treating the Tibetans, because I don’t think anyone should be unkind to anyone else… And then all this earthquake and all this stuff happened, and I thought, is that karma?”

The news came out Monday and Stone finally issued an apology that was released today. At least she apologized and said she was deeply sorry, not something like “I regret if people were offended.” The way she’s following up on it sounds kind of half-assed. She said she was “willing” to do charity work. She didn’t pledge money or say she had arranged to work for a charity, she just said she was “willing” to. It’s something I guess and maybe she didn’t have time to make specific plans yet.

“Due to my inappropriate words and acts during the interview, I feel deeply sorry and sad about hurting Chinese people,” the actress, 50, said in the statement. “I am willing to take part in the relief work of China’s earthquake, and wholly devote myself to helping affected Chinese people.”

Christian Dior — which released the statement from the actress — also dropped her from its Chinese ads after her remark last week at the Cannes Film Festival.

Stone (a staunch Tibetan rights advocate) had tied the natural disaster — which has claimed at least 65,000 lives — to Beijing’s policy on Tibet.

[From US Weekly]

There could have been more groveling in there, but it’s not a bad apology as far as they go. I was looking for a large monetary donation from Stone, but her money is probably all tied up in furs and jewelry and it’s not like she’s getting a lot of work lately. She could auction off some of her luxury items for the affected Tibetans, if she only cares about them and not the rest of the innocent people affected by this horrible natural disaster. Saying she’s willing to help is a start I guess. When she’s down on her knees sifting through rubble and helping cleanup efforts, that’s when I’ll consider her apology sincere.

Sharon Stone is shown at the Dior and Elle evening dinner at Cannes on 5/23/08, thanks to WENN.

Lisa Marie Presley won an apology from the U.K.’s Daily Mail, which implied that she was overweight and overeating. They published some very unflattering photos of Presley, which forced her to announce that she was actually pregnant – well before she planned on it. The Daily Mail didn’t just call Lisa Marie fat – they compared her to her father Elvis, who in his later years developed quite the voracious appetite.

Last month, Britain’s Daily Mail published a photo of Presley, dressed down and without makeup, eating with friends in Los Angeles, and the accompanying article said she was “growing just like her dad.”

Presley’s lawyers sued for libel, and on Friday the newspaper printed an apology. In fact, Presley, 40, felt forced to reveal her pregnancy secret two days after the article appeared. “I have had to show my cards and announce under the gun and under vicious personal attack that I am in fact pregnant,” she wrote on her MySpace Celebrity blog.

“My client is deeply upset and offended by this article, especially as it was widely published just as she and her family were meant to be celebrating her happy news,” her legal rep, Simon Smith, said at the time.

[From People]

I searched for the offending article, and it appears that the Daily Mail has removed it. Their apology is that typical terse stuff that somehow reads, “We’re technically apologizing for calling you fat, but only because we have to.”

On March 4, we published a photograph of Lisa Marie Presley while she was dining with friends. We suggested she might have an unhealthy appetite similar to her late father. We now accept that the suggestion is untrue and apologise to Ms Presley for any distress caused.

[From the Daily Mail]

Lisa Marie is believed to be expecting twins, but mom Priscilla was sort of tricked by a TMZ photog into answering the question. He asked, “How do you feel about Lisa having twins?” and she said “It feels great!”

The Daily Mail can provide some good articles once in a while, and has decent coverage of Brittan’s bigger stars. But at least a few times a week they seem to run out of stories to cover, and instead of finding something useful they find a bunch of unflattering photographs and dissect people’s appearance. I’d love to say that this will stop them, but there were no financial penalties, so I doubt it. But at least Lisa won a moral victory.

Here’s Lisa Marie Presley leaving Madeo restaurant with her husband Michael Lockwood on April 7th. Images thanks to WENN.

People aren’t just laughing at Britney Spears for her performance at the VMAs, they’re mad at her. A ton of websites and blogs are saying she should apologize for her performance. I’m not sure to who, specifically… I guess the public in general. I’m not sure she needs to apologize per se, but she should acknowledge that she messed up, and take responsibility. She should also probably make some type of comment about what she’s going to do to improve her career and her life. She also shouldn’t make excuses. Don’t blame your hairstylist, don’t blame Sarah Silverman, the media, or all the stuff you’ve been “going through.” She’s been doing it to herself. It should be quick and clear, and then she should get the hell outta there before she can say anything that’ll make it worse.

Apparently Britney has been considering apologizing at the Emmy Awards on Sunday. I’m not sure that’s really the proper forum.

“Is Britney Spears considering gracing another awards show stage just a week after her MTV Video Music Awards disaster?

“Yes, according to an Emmy Awards show source, who tells Usmagazine.com that Fox network brass were ‘in negotiations’ with Brit’s camp as of Thursday afternoon to get her on this Sunday night’s annual telecast. The source adds that while her appearance has not yet been confirmed, ‘the idea is to have her come on and apologize for the VMAs. She’s weighing the offer.’

“Spears, 25, opened last Sunday’s MTV Video Music Awards to scathing reviews. Since then, her lackluster performance has been blamed on just about everything, from her hair to her work ethic to her entertainment lawyer.

“Though Spears has been keeping a low profile since the show, a source tells Us that at least some within her inner circle are receptive to the Emmy idea and are urging her to do it.

“However, a source close to Spears says: ‘I can’t say this is 100 percent not true. All I can say is that the Emmy people aren’t dealing with her record company, her manager or her agents at William Morris. So if she is doing anything for the Emmys then it’s not going through the official channels.’”

[From US Magazine]

I don’t think an awards show is really the format for tearful apologies. Isn’t that what “Access Hollywood” is for? Maybe Barbara Walters, if you’re a big celebrity. Brit could probably negotiate that. But apologizing in front of a big audience of nicely dressed actors seems like the wrong idea for a trashy dressed singer. The Emmys are about a song and dance number and a few tear-stained montages. It just sounds really awkward. I image Britney’s apology would go something like this:

“Hi y’all. No, I’m not here for an award. I’m here to tell ya’ll I’m sorry y’all [smacks gum]. I was up ‘till morning drinking before my performance, and everyone keeps s’ain it shulda been gooder [smacks gum]. I didn’t drink that much y’all. Jus some wine coolers, some cosmos, a couple appletinis, a Yellow Parrot or two, then a Bee Sting and a few Pink Squirrels. I think I had a Rhett Butler and a Roman Snowball, but I’m not sure. [Blows bubble] There was definitely a Turkey Trot and a London Fog. But I stopped ‘cuz I wanted to put on a good show for y’all. I think someone put s’mthin in my drink, ‘cuz I was crazy hung over the next morning y’all. Sorry y’all. Next time, I’ll make my dancers work harder. They really screwed me. And that wardrobe lady. She really screwed me too. And those hairstylists. And the stage director. And the set designer. I’ll make sure they never do that to me again, y’all. God bless.”

Picture note by JayBird: Images from Brit’s VMA performance via The Blemish. Header image of Britney out after the VMAs with her brother Brian. Images thanks to WENN.