Monday, March 4, 2013

In response to a Freedom of Information Act request, the FBI has released 128 pages of files on Whitney Houston.

And based at least some of the documents, it looks like Houston was the subject of an extortion plot in 1992.

In a letter actually marked "extortion," a woman threatens to release "certain details" of the singer's "private life" unless she is paid $100,000. A subsequent note ups the ask to $250,000 and makes a reference to Houston's "romantic relationships."

The FBI talked to Houston, her father and a pair of attorneys and the artist admitted in those conversations that she did discuss "personal things" with this blackmailing "friend."

There is then a reference to a confidentiality agreement sent to the woman by John Houston, along with a sum of money.

The case was closed soon afterward.

Other documents made public were based around frightening fan mail sent to the artist, including one that prompted investigators to fly to Brussels and track down a Dutch fan who claimed to have sent tapes to Houston.

This man accused Whitney of performing his music and in 1999 the FBI wrote that the individual "pledged there would be no further attempts on his part to communicate in any way with Houston."

Brendan Fraser is making $205,704.04 a month.

His expenses, unfortunately, are much higher.

Yes, he's in the red each month to the tune of $87,320.01, he reveals in his ongoing legal battle with his ex-wife, Afton Smith, to whom he owes $50,000.

A month. To prove his financial situation has diminished (by a lot) and his alimony should be reduced, Fraser listed his monthly income and expenses:

Drake threw it down at a Charlotte strip club over the weekend - or threw it up in the air, to be more precise. He dropped $50,000 in singles. Seriously.

The rapper rolled into Cameo Nightclub with cardboard boxes full of cash and by the time he left, he and his entourage had literally carpeted the floor.

Not exactly a good use of money if you ask us, but to each their own.

Fortunately, no one was injured that night, either by slipping on piles of money or by fist-fighting. Probably because Chris Brown was not present.

Check out more rain-making Drake pics after the jump!

He may have been the reason Justin Bieber and company were kicked out of a London club late last week, but he's definitely the new man on Kylie Jenner's arm.

Oh, yes, folks: Jaden Smith is reportedly dating this young reality star!

The stars have been spotted this week around London, with a source telling Us Weekly in no uncertain terms: "They're dating."

Lindsay Lohan's trial for allegedly lying to Santa Monica police last summer will proceed in the coming weeks after a judge refused further delays.

LiLo's lawyer asked to "give her leeway to show that she's worthy of compassion." L.A. County Superior Court Judge James Dabney wasn't moved.

"I don't know how the next two weeks is suddenly going to change the history of this case," Dabney said, scolding the incompetent Mark Heller.

Dabney warned that if Lohan continues to use Heller before the March 18 trial, she must waive her right to "competent" counsel under California law.

Sunday, March 3, 2013

A look at possible papal contenders

Technically, any adult Catholic male can be elected to the papacy, but the last pope not chosen from the College of Cardinals was Urban VI in 1379. The cardinals who seem to be front-runners to replace the current pope are referred to as "papabile," or translated from the Italian, "pope-able." The following is a list of some cardinals considered "papabile," according to John and correspondent for the National Catholic Reporter.