Cele|bitchy

Cele|bitchy


AnnaLynne McCord: ‘I’m an abuse victim. The innocence of my mind was stolen.’

Posted: 27 Oct 2011 09:18 AM PDT

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OK! Magazine has a new very brief interview with sexy 90210 actress AnnaLynne McCord, 24. It seems like we only report on AnnaLynne when she’s half-dressed or dating a much older guy. She also had an on-off relationship with Kellan Lutz, but eventually quit getting back with him in favor of Dominic Purcell. Anyway, AnnaLynne told OK! that she was an abuse victim. This was at a event for a charity raising awareness of human trafficking and sexual slavery. She didn’t get into details though, and just seemed to be explaining why the charity was meaningful to her. What little she did say was moving to me.

AnnaLynne McCord is so passionate in her support of the Somaly Mam Foundation, which fights human trafficking and sexual slavery around the world. “I’m a victim of abuse,” AnnaLynne, 24, told OK! exclusively, without going into further detail, at a foundation fund-raiser on Oct. 20. “We have a connection to these girls. The innocence of my mind was stolen as a child. I’m not sorry, because I wouldn’t speak with the fervor that I speak with about these girls had I not known what it feels like.”

[From OK! Magazine, print edition, November 7, 2011]

It’s her story to tell, and if she wants to simply say that something happened to her as a child and not get into the details, that’s definitely her prerogative. It’s a powerful way to say it too, that “the innocence of her mind was stolen.” Somehow just thinking about that makes me angry and upset at the same time. I’m a mom and when I think about a kid being hurt at all my emotions are right at the surface. Good for AnnaLynne for helping out and for speaking out.

The Somaly Mam foundation was founded by sexual slavery survivor Somaly Mam. She’s shown in the pink dress next to Susan Sarandon in these photos. You can learn more about their work by visiting their website.

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Photo credit: WENN.com

Ashley Greene in L’Wren Scott, with Sparkles: budget or beautiful?

Posted: 27 Oct 2011 08:13 AM PDT

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Earlier this week, Ashley Greene and Robert Pattinson were in Paris, promoting Breaking Dawn Part I - CB had the story here. These are new pics of Ashley & Sparkles in Brussels, Belgium, still on promotional duty. I guess it's noteworthy that Sparkles is still front and center for the publicity campaign for the films, but it seems like Kristen Stewart wasn't able to get time off? Or maybe the studio fears that putting Kristen front and center on the promotional trail will end up being a disaster? Or K-Stew is just filming Snow White and the Huntsman right now, and she couldn't get away and I'm reading too much into things.

So Ashley Greene has stepped up to the plate. God knows, in Ashley's mind, SHE should be playing Bella Swan. Of course, she also thinks she's Angelina Jolie to Demi Lovato's Jennifer Aniston (and Joe Jonas's Bad Pitt!), and she thinks that if you're unsuccessful in life, it's because you suck as a person. Ashley wore this L'Wren Scott dress which… I almost always like L'Wren, but on Ashley, the dress looks kind of cheap, IMO.

My take on Ashley during this publicity tour? She's loving all of the camera time with Sparkles. She would "take" Sparkles in a heartbeat if he gave her a second glance, even though she's technically dating Reeve Carney at the moment (at least, that was the last I heard). Speaking of "taking" the Sparkle-dong, I am wondering about the state of Sparkles and Kristen Stewart's relationship. Allegedly, he's come to visit her in England a few times, but for the most part, they've been separated by distance for a while. Do you think there's something up?

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Photos courtesy of WENN.

Linnocent is “baring all” in Playboy, because she’s desperate for money

Posted: 27 Oct 2011 08:13 AM PDT

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I'm sure you've probably already heard about this, but since you bitches love a Linnocent post like the Cracken loves crack, here is your forum to discuss the details of LL's Playboy shoot. Now, a few days ago there was a report that made it seem like Linnocent wasn't really going to expose anything for her six-figure paycheck. No boobs, no vadge, maybe not even her ass. Which was a weird report, considering Linnocent has flashed all of that (and more) just within the past year. It's not like her vadge is some secret - we've all seen it. Anyway, LL has already done the Playboy photo shoot (Dina says it "went well" of course) and now details are beginning to "leak" out. Much like I'm sure there was some "leakage" at the photo shoot. Ew, I'm sorry. That was too gross. Basically, the Cracken is exposing everything and then some for her paycheck. 'Atta girl.

Lindsay Lohan didn’t wuss out for her Playboy shoot — TMZ has learned, the actress will BARE ALL in her upcoming spread … i.e. the holy trifecta … or as one source close to Playboy put it, “boobs, ass, and vag.”

As we previously reported, Lindsay recently locked down a nearly-million-dollar deal with PB for a full pictorial — and yesterday, she finally wrapped her 4-day shoot.

Reports circulated Lindsay would pull one of those lame semi-nude fiascos — all sideboob, no fun — but sources close to Hef & co. tell us, that is NOT the case. Lindsay did insist the photos be “tastefully done,” but we’re told she’s still going the full monty.

It’s unclear when Lindsay will grace the cover — but it could be the life-giving jolt Playboy needs for a comeback.

[From TMZ]

I mean… of course. Hugh Hefner might be a doddering old codger who couldn't find his dick with two hands and a map, but even HE knows that if you're going to hand LL a $900,000 check, the vadge must be included. Radar also has a report about WHY the crackie decided to go "full biscuit". Hint: she's a crackhead mess who is hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt.

Lindsay Lohan decided to do a Playboy photo shoot because she was extremely concerned about her financial situation and a possible jail sentence, RadarOnline.com is exclusively reporting.

The embattled actress is facing up to 18 months behind bars for a possible probation violation in her shoplifting case. LiLo’s probation violation hearing is scheduled for November 2.

“Lindsay still hasn’t signed her contract to be in the John Gotti biopic. Lindsay is extremely concerned about her finances, and she needs the money. Lindsay’s flow of income has been greatly diminished in the last year. With the possibility of being sent back to jail for over a year, she felt that now was the time to do the Playboy photo shoot,” a source close to the actress tells us.

As RadarOnline.com previously reported Lindsay arrived 20 minutes early for her court ordered community service at the Los Angeles Coroner’s Office Wednesday morning. LiLo was ordered to complete 16 hours per week at the morgue before her probation violation hearing next week. The judge handling Lindsay’s shoplifting case terminated the actresses’ probation last week after she was booted from the Downtown Women’s Center, a shelter for homeless women. DWC cut Lohan loose after she failed to appear on multiple days. Judge Stephanie Sautner had ordered Lindsay to perform more than 300 hours of community service at the Skid Row shelter as part of her probation in her shoplifting case.

Lindsay will be cleaning toilets, scrubbing floors and cleaning up after autopsies are performed.

[From Radar]

It makes sense. I mean… I'll bash LL for anything and everything, but posing for Playboy for a massive paycheck is one of the most rational decisions she's made in years. If Playboy is dumb enough to pay her, why not? And it shows a clear understanding on Linnocent's part that she's not some in-demand actress and model, that if she wants to have some money and pay her bills, she's got to make this kind of move.

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Photos courtesy of Fame & WENN.

Michael Lohan arrested again after trying to flee cops by leaping off balcony, running

Posted: 27 Oct 2011 07:39 AM PDT

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The last we heard of Lindsay Lohan’s abusive father, Michael, he was being charged with domestic violence after visiting his on-again girlfriend in Tampa, FL earlier this week ahead of a hearing they were set to attend for an earlier instance of domestic violence between them. Lohan’s girlfriend, Kate Major, claims that during that visit they had sex, after which she got upset because he didn’t pull out as she requested. Lohan also went wild, Gibson-style, over not getting a beej. Major told police that Lohan grabbed and shoved her, causing bruising, and that he threatened to throw her off the balcony and slit her wrists. After that happened Lohan was presumably told to stay away from Major. So of course he called her a bunch of times and probably taped it all. Major then called the cops to complain. When police went to Lohan’s hotel to arrest him, he jumped off the third floor balcony, got hurt of course and then tried to hide in some trees. Later he claimed that it was all Major’s fault anyway. What a dumbass.

Michael Lohan was just arrested AGAIN in Florida after allegedly contacting his GF Kate Major — and law enforcement tells TMZ, he tried to escape by jumping off a 3rd-story balcony … and plummeting 34 feet to the ground.

According to law enforcement sources, Tampa police responded to a call early this morning from Kate, who claimed Michael had been trying to contact her by phone and wouldn’t leave her alone.

We’re told officers interviewed Kate at her apartment after she made the call — the same apartment where Michael allegedly bruised her up earlier this week — and while they were there, Michael allegedly called again.

According to law enforcement, officers believed Michael was a “threat” — so they rolled up to his hotel to arrest him.

But here’s the crazy part — law enforcement tells TMZ, Michael tried to escape by hopping his 3rd story balcony … but crashed to the ground … and then tried to hide in some trees.

After officers pulled him down, Michael was placed under arrest for violating a condition of his pretrial release (presumably for contacting Kate) … and resisting arrest without violence.

Michael is currently back in custody — at the same jail he was released from less than twelve hours ago.

5:30 AM — Michael is currently in the hospital getting a possible foot injury checked out.

[From TMZ]

Well at least he doesn’t have to claim he’s suffering from chest pains in order to go to the hospital instead of the jail this time! Major issued a statement to TMZ claiming that “I am sick of being lied about by Michael Lohan Sr.’s false allegations about his continual physical and mental abuse toward me.” Lohan spoke to paparazzo (video below and onRadar) stating that “Major ‘baited’ him into calling her by claiming she was about to be evicted from her apartment.” I believe Major, not that I care too much either way. How much do you want to bet that Lohan called the photographer himself and then sold the footage?

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Duchess Kate shows some skin for her first solo royal event: lovely or gauche?

Posted: 27 Oct 2011 07:38 AM PDT

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These are new photos of the Duchess of Cambridge last night, doing her first solo royal event. Huzzah! To make matters even better, Kate opted for this surprisingly sexy and revealing gown, designer unknown (at this point). Look, Kate's naked shoulders! Gasp. The bodice is very pretty, and it makes her boobs look bigger - or maybe they really are bigger because she's pregnant? Unknown. Some are calling the color "aqua" but to me it just looks off-white. Prince Charles was due at this dinner, but he had to leave the country at the last minute, so Kate stepped in:

With only 24 hours’ notice, the Duchess of Cambridge went to her first solo engagement in London Wednesday evening, stepping in for her father-in-law, Prince Charles.

Kate, 29, represented Charles, 62, at a dinner for the charity In Kind Direct, because he was suddenly called to Riyadh to pay his respects to the Saudi Arabian Royal Family following the death of the Crown Prince.

“You would never know it was her first solo engagement. It was as if she had been trained by the Prince of Wales,” the charity’s chief executive Robin Boles tells PEOPLE. “She was completely natural, professional and charmed everyone. She spoke to every single guest and was genuinely interested, and interested in continuing to help.”

“She said she had already called her mum to tell her about us in case Party Pieces [the family's children's party company] had surplus products.”

Adds a Palace aide: “She was so pleased that her first solo engagement was for the Prince of Wales, who has shown her so much support over the years.”

In Kind Direct was founded by Charles to encourage companies to donate surplus goods to charities, either for use by them or for their charitable work.

Guests at the dinner, held for 30 guests at Clarence House, were informed that Charles was sorry to miss the dinner but was sending his “darling daughter-in-law.”

[From People]

Well, good on Kate. I wonder how much time she had to prepare for the event? The Mail has a report in which they exhaustively detail whether or not Kate is wearing hair extensions or some kind of weave. The Mail has closeups here - it does look like the Duchess of Hair is cheating it a bit to give herself bigger, more voluminous hair.

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Photos courtesy of Buckingham Palce via The Mail.

Kate Bosworth vs. Rachel Zoe: who looked better in Burberry?

Posted: 27 Oct 2011 07:29 AM PDT

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I'm too tired and sick to come up with a clever "explanation" for why all of the super-skinny girls were at the Burberry event last night in LA. It was the launch of Burberry's body fragrance, and the evening was hosted by Burberry's current face, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. But Rosie wasn't even the skinniest girl there - Kate Bosworth and Rachel Zoe also showed up. Let's talk about Rosie first - I like her dress, but every photo I see of her, I realize more and more that she's just about styling. On her own, she's a moderately pretty, although rather strange-looking girl. The styling makes all of the difference.

Next up: Rachel Zoe. I unabashedly LOVE this Burberry coat. I lurve it. It's gorgeous. I could never pull it off, though. You have to be skinny and have little to no bust to really make this kind of slim-cut, double-breasted jacket/coat work. Also: Rachel's FACE. Why isn't she a Halloween costume?

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And finally, Kate Bosworth. Now… I was going back and forth about The Bos. On one side, her arms look slightly fleshy, like she's actually eaten a solid recently. On the other side, her legs are still "pin thin". Actually, even pins are like, "Damn, that's thin." However, I think The Bos looks pretty good for her. She looks so much better with loose hair, and the Burberry dress is flattering and pretty on her. It's nice to see her in a bold print with bold colors, too. Usually she sticks to neutrals.

By the way, in a recent interview, The Bos referred to her relatively new boyfriend Michael Polish as her "life partner". They've been dating for what? Like, four months? She told The Sunday Times Style Magazine, “He’s a special one. There’s nobody in the world I admire or respect more. When I look at him, it’s not a crazy infatuation, it’s more like we are each other’s life partners.” Yikes.

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Photos courtesy of WENN.

Tom Cruise in a new ‘MI4′ “death-defying” stunt video: manly or trying too hard?

Posted: 27 Oct 2011 07:05 AM PDT

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As everyone is well aware by now, Tom Cruise is extremely committed to proving his masculinity on the big screen. His most recent instance of testosterone-laden celluloid implantation is through his “very sensitive” and controversial One Shot casting. But that’s not all, of course. Tom’s also proven himself to be a very manly man by giving us free tickets to his gun show and strategically posing for, depending on how you look at it, oddly lumpy or fabulously hot shirtless photos of himself on the set of Mission: Impossible 4 - Ghost Protocol. About a year ago, Tom filmed scenes atop the Burj Khalifa Tower (the tallest building in the world) in Dubai and freaked out a tourist on the observation deck in the process. It goes without saying that the Burj Khalifa resembles a giant phallus, right? Well, here’s a newly-released featurette that shows Tom gleefully intensely having a ball while swinging from the Burj:

<a href='http://video.uk.msn.com/?mkt=en-gb&#038;from=null&#038;vid=1aff72fe-4584-4683-a718-4bfd56fe0c80&#038;src=FLPl:embed::uuids' target='_new' title='Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol: Burj Khalifa sizzle' >Video: Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol: Burj Khalifa sizzle</a>

It’s been widely reported that Tom Cruise performed his own stunts for the latest installment in the Mission: Impossible series, Ghost Protocol.

But a new video shows the moves are truly death-defying.

In the gasp-inducing sneak peek, Cruise, 49, dangles from a suspension cord and runs up, down and sideways along the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa in downtown Dubai, which stretches 2,723 feet (just over half a mile) into the sky.

The scene was filmed using cameras in the building as well as a helicopter crew circling it.

“This is just another day at work on Mission: Impossible,” according to director Brad Bird.

Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol will hit theaters Dec. 21.

[From People]

Poor Tom wants to be taken so seriously as an action hero. Sure, Tom was brave enough perform these stunts, but I have no doubt that they was not “truly death-defying” because the film’s producers simply wouldn’t have taken that chance. If something would’ve happened to Tom, they would’ve lost many millions of dollars. Thus, they had the best people working on these stunts with Tom, reinforcing them, and testing them beforehand. All so Tom could look like a big (emphasis on the big) tough guy … while danging from a phallus.

Meanwhile, actresses such as Hayley Atwell, Diane Kruger, Kate Beckinsale are battling it out for the female lead alongside Tom in Oblivion, a science-fiction adventure film. No doubt, Tom will wear lifts in that movie too. And exactly what (other than shopping) has wife Katie Holmes been up to lately? She’s been filming a guest spot on CBS’ “How I Met Your Mother” as Naomi, a.k.a., “The Slutty Pumpkin.” The Halloween-themed episode will air next Monday, and here’s a video preview from Us Weekly:

Uh, that pumpkin was far from slutty. I bet Tom likes it though.

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Photos courtesy of WENN, AllMoviePhoto & Bauer-Griffin

Heidi Klum looks like a fancy chess piece in Versace: hot, weird or both?

Posted: 27 Oct 2011 06:58 AM PDT

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Here’s Heidi Klum in a black and green Versace black a-line dress accessorized with Lorraine Schwartz bangle bracelets. I swear I saw these photos and thought that her shoes were too plain before I read this article on a blog Kaiser and I use to identify the designers, which basically says the same thing. She’s going for fashion-forward but her shoes are too conservative. Still, Heidi looks incredibly hot here. That dress is striking and looks great without being too clingy or short. I love her hair and makeup too. Remember when she used to have that terrible mom hair last year? She finally grew that out, thank goodness.

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Heidi is shown in these photos at the TeenNick HALO Awards last night, and I was about to make fun of Nickelodeon for having yet another awards show, but these are actually for a good cause. They honor kids who make a difference in volunteerism and community service.

Heidi and her husband Seal are of course known for their awesome celebrity Halloween parties. They’ve worn some incredibly creative costumes in the past and this year will be no different. Heidi gave People a sneak peek at her costume and it’s going to involve a bodysuit that shows all the human musculature. This reminds me of that dude that was on PBS kids when I was growing up. (What was his name…Slim Goodbody, yay! I love the Internet.) Heidi told People that she loves to make her costumes unique. This one will involve some crazy face paint for sure.

"It's kind of like a dead body with the first layer of skin ripped off," she tells PEOPLE of her costume. "It's basically like me naked." In fact, every vein and muscle was painted on to replicate her own body structure. "All my veins and blood will all be visible," she says with a laugh. "You don't feel quite naked with it because it is so colorful." As for her husband Seal, she says, "He liked it!"

Klum, this year's UNICEF Trick-or-Treat Ambassador, admits that Halloween is her favorite holiday, and it shows: in the past several years, the party hostess has dressed up as an apple from the Garden of Eden, Lady Godiva and, in 2010, a larger-than-life superhero. So she suggests going all out when creating your own disguise.

"The amazing thing about creating your own costume," she explains, "is that you can be sure no one else has the same." Some of her favorites? "One guy came as a mattress one year," she says of a past party. "It was annoying but it was an awesome costume."

But beware: creativity is key for getting into a Klum-hosted Halloween bash. "I always put on my invitation, 'Costume required,' because if you're not dressing up, you're not getting in," she warns.

One year, she recalls, Prince Andrew showed up — but she thought it was someone dressed as the royal. "I said to him, 'Who are you coming as, Prince Andrew?'" recalls Klum. "He wasn't dressed up at all and I was like, 'How did they let you in?'" At first he looked a bit perplexed until she realized he was the real thing. Then, she says, "I had bright red lips so I smooched his face and he had kisses all over."

[From People]

See she didn’t turn a non-costumed Prince Andrew away! I wonder if a regular non-celebrity with an incredibly awesome disguise could ever get into Heidi and Seal’s bash. I bet they could.

Here are some bonus pics of Heidi and Seal outside lunch on 10-22 and at the pumpkin patch on 10-15. Seal looks good!

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Photo credit: WENN and Pacific Coast News

Sam Taylor-Wood (43) & Aaron Johnson (21) are still loved up & expecting

Posted: 27 Oct 2011 06:33 AM PDT

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Here are some new photos of Sam Taylor-Wood (44) and Aaron Johnson (21) at last night's BFI London Film Festival Awards. As you might remember, she's pregnant with her fourth child - her second with Aaron. She gave birth to their daughter last year, and quickly got knocked up with Aaron's second kid in the Spring of this year. He's blonde and mustached because he's currently filming Anna Karenina. Just last month, I think he finished filming Savages (or "The Savages" - whatever) with Blake Lively and Olivier Stone. His career continues to grow by leaps and bounds - he's probably one of the most in-demand young British actors out there. This awards season, he'll be seen in Albert Nobbs with Glenn Close.

The question I always have about the possible longevity of Sam and Aaron's relationship has less to do with their ages and more to do with the differences in their respective careers. Sam is an established photographer, director and artist, and has been for many years. Aaron is basically just starting out. Even though Sam claims that Aaron is the one who "brought family values" to their relationship, and he's the one prioritizing their family, what happens when the pull of his career is too much? When he gets a job that has him in some far-flung country for five months? I do worry about these two.

But for now, they look happy and loved-up. Good for them?

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Photos courtesy of WENN.

Madonna’s 55 year-old homeless brother: “How did I end up here? Ask my family.”

Posted: 27 Oct 2011 06:18 AM PDT

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When I reported on Madonna’s homeless brother Anthony a few days ago, a few of you took me to task for suggesting that Madonna should do something to help him. Some of you have addicts in your family or do close work with the homeless, and have learned from painful experience that there’s nothing you can do to help someone who doesn’t want to quit drinking and drugging. I wrote in a comment that I respect that opinion and that it’s true that I haven’t experienced anything like that first hand. Having read another interview with Madonna’s brother, I really see your point.

Madonna’s brother Anthony Ciccone, 55, lives under a bridge in Michigan and spends his time drinking and finding money to continue drinking. It’s sad and it’s pointless, but after reading this interview I see that it’s something that only he can change, and that all the money in the world isn’t going to help the guy. Commenter Valleymiss repeated something she’s heard in the past about addiction that hit home for me. “When it comes to helping an addict, $20 is too much money and a million isn’t enough.This comment by ahappyrobot really got me to see how severely addiction can ruin someone’s life, and the lengths people can go through to get drugs, screwing their entire family over in the process. So anyway here’s more from Madonna’s brother. Again, this is not the same brother who wrote a tell all about his sister, this is another guy. Anthony does blame his family somewhat, but it’s clear that he’s the one who screwed his life up.

He said: “How did I end up here? Ask my family.”

His nicotine-stained hands shook as he lit a cigarette before continuing: “I haven’t had anything to do with Madonna in years. I doubt if she cares about my predicament.

“The only reason people seem to care about me is who my sister is. I know I could tell stories about her but I won’t. She wants nothing to do with me. She has her life.”

Surrounded by empty beer cans and soggy old blankets beside the river in Traverse City, Anthony looked like a weather-beaten pensioner with his straggly white beard and ruddy face. He added: “Being homeless is hard but I’ve got nowhere else to go. I used to live in Manhattan, in the East Village.

“Then I went to Hollywood to work as a carpenter in the movies. Then I came back here to Michigan to work for our father’s vineyard — and it all went wrong.

“I’m the eldest and I’m what I call the red-headed stepchild — that’s an American expression for an unwanted kid. The black sheep of the family, if you like.

“A year or so ago my father ordered me out. I had nowhere else to go. I have an ex-partner and a son out in the Midwest who I haven’t seen in years. And although I am the eldest of eight children, my siblings don’t want to know…

“I am not going to ask Madonna for anything. Why would I? We had little to do with each other, even in the 1980s when I was in New York and she moved there to find fame and fortune.”

Madonna has spoken in the past about the pain of losing her mother — also called Madonna — to breast cancer in 1963 and how she and her siblings, including Anthony, had struggled to cope.

Their father, Silvio, later married the family’s housekeeper, Joan Gustafson, and went on to have two more children, Jennifer and Mario.

Silvio is now in charge of the family’s vineyard on Michigan’s picturesque Leelanau peninsula, from which Anthony was fired last year.

He added: “This area of Michigan is beautiful. It’s the cherry capital of America.

“The homeless have gravitated to it because local churches provide food and you can sleep in the lobby of the local jail when it’s cold.

“The police directed me to this river bridge. It’s out of the way — the tourists can’t see us hidden down here. But it is rough.

“I’ve seen people get thrown in the river. The native Americans get drunk and start fights.

“I fell in the river once. I slipped on ice and cracked my head open. I was rescued by a cop.

“Last winter I got frostbite on my toes. The pain is excruciating but luckily I got treatment. I have a friend who lost all ten toes to frostbite. Now he gets about with a cane — he can just about walk. And he’s still homeless. I saw him at the church for breakfast this morning.

“People have died out here of hypothermia. Of course, given the chance I wouldn’t be out here but I don’t really have a choice.

“In Manhattan I had a rent-controlled apartment in Alphabet City. It was a s***hole but it only cost $300 (£190) a month.

“I was a carpenter and I wanted to work on the movies, so I moved to Hollywood. I did videos, commercials, the odd TV and film show. But I never worked with Madonna on anything. She didn’t ask me.

“People said I should be in front of the cameras but I never did it. Should have done really…

Anthony’s average day begins when the homeless are ordered out of Traverse City jail at 7am. He usually wanders the streets until 8.30am, when the Methodist church serves breakfast to the hungry.

He chats to pals, pops out constantly to smoke roll-up cigarettes and to cadge whatever money he can to buy strong beer.

By 11am he descends the broken wooden steps to the river bank and makes his way to the pile of old clothes and blankets left by other homeless people.

Waving his arms at the filthy bundle of rags and quilts he said: “In the summer months we all sleep here. It’s not great but I don’t have any choice. The police are OK but the powers in this town want us gone. They think we put off the tourists.

“If it wasn’t for the tourism, this place would be Bumf***, Iowa, and nobody would care.”

Asked if he would like a warming cup of coffee, Anthony said: “No, I want another beer.” It was still not even lunchtime…

Locals branded him a “druggie” but his homeless pal insisted he had kicked the habit and now relies on booze to get through the day.

Jerilyn DeBoer,who runs Cousin Jenny’s Cornish Pasty, a British-themed café yards from the bridge where Anthony hangs out, said: “The family have tried but there’s nothing more they can do.”

[From The Sun]

So I get it, I guess. Your stories really changed my position on this. So did a memoir I read a few years ago called The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, a former MSNBC columnist. Walls’ family lived a meager existence and her parents ended up homeless. She described in detail how they gradually pissed away every opportunity they had. She later learned that her mother owned land worth over a million dollars. I don’t think all homeless people put themselves there, that there’s no hope for them or that they deserve it. It’s complicated. Over the summer I heard a segment on NPR about “wet shelters,” which are controversial as they house homeless people while allowing them to drink. The arguments for wet shelters are that at least the homeless have a roof over their head, and that the cost to the taxpayer is lower in the long run. The arguments against them include the fact that they enable addiction. It’s not a simple issue and this story about Madonna’s brother reminds us that it’s not going to be solved anytime soon. I still can’t stand Madonna though.

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Photo credit: PRPhotos

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