Kanye West Angered Over False Reports He Was Claiming ‘King Of Pop’ Title Following Michael Jackson’s Death

Kanye West may have made a lot of boasts in his career, but claiming to be the new King of Pop following the death of Michael Jackson is not one of them.

The superstar rapper hit his official Web site to shoot down rumors that he’s taking the title from the late Michael Jackson.

“I was just listening to [radio host] Wendy Williams and heard some quote about me saying I’m the new King of Pop,” he wrote. “Not only did I not say that, I haven’t said anything.”

Kanye also blogged that it upsets him that people would think he would make such a statement following Michael’s death.

“It makes me feel bad that obviously I made people feel that I would be corny enough to say something so whack after the passing of an idol, a legend and more than that a human being with feelings and a family,” the star continued.

The “Stronger” performer said he is angered that the fake comments went viral on the Internet.

“It scares me to think what people will believe, without even a source,” he wrote. “Any random person can type something on the Internet and then the world believes it. I don’t talk to press or do TV or do promotions of any sort. I’ve stopped chasing and buying into fame. Fame is like cigarettes with no surgeon general warning. It destroys most people as it did to the true and only King of Pop. We exploit ourselves and eat our own egos ‘Till there is nothing left.”

And, Kanye — who has previously blogged about being satirized on “South Park” and spoken out on other issues — vowed to no longer address the rumors about him.

“I have a feeling that this won’t be the last false statement with my name on it, but this will be the last time I defend myself. I’m done,” he wrote.

Jaime Pressly Engaged To Lawyer

Jaime Pressly is engaged to entertainment lawyer Simran Singh, a rep for the star confirmed to Access Hollywood.

A wedding date for the couple is to be decided, the rep added.

The news came at a festive time for the former “My Name is Earl” star. According to E! Online, Jaime is celebrating her 32nd birthday with a party tonight at Float at the Hard Rock Hotel in San Diego, where she’ll reportedly be joined by 50 friends at the rooftop bar. Her actual birthday was Thursday.

In November 2008, the actress announced her split from former fiance Eric Cubiche, the father of her son, Dezi, now 2.

“We are taking a break from our relationship but we are together everyday with Dezi and still love each other very much,” Jaime said told Access’ Nancy O’Dell at the time.

Paula Abdul Will Only Return To ‘Idol’ If Deal Is ‘Fair’

Paula Abdul confirmed she is still in talks to return to “American Idol” for the show’s ninth season, but will only return if she can secure a “fair” deal.

“Hi everyone. I’ve been quiet as we are trying to work out details of how I can return to #Idol,” she posted on her Twitter page on Thursday.

Earlier this month, Paula’s manager said there was a possibility the reality judge wouldn’t be returning to the FOX competition show.

“She’s not a happy camper as a result of what’s going on. She’s hurt. She’s angry,” David Sonenberg, the “Idol” judge’s manager, previously told the Los Angeles Times.

Paula herself Tweeted on July 18, that she was moved to tears over the support she received from fans, who heard the news she might not be back.

And on Thursday, she once again thanked her fans for their support, but said she would only come back to the show if she and “Idol” came to an equitable arrangement.

“Your support & encouragement means so much to me. I hope you understand I can only return to #Idol if the deal is fair,” she added.

Paula is reportedly battling over salary, just weeks after show host Ryan Seacrest inked a new contracted reportedly worth $45 million over three years.

According to Radar Online, she wants $20 million to return to the show. The Web site reported that “Idol” wanted to offer half of that amount.

Judge Simon Cowell is also in negotiations to renew his contract, while third judge Randy Jackson is attached to the show through 2011.

In related news, a source told E! Online that judge Kara DioGuardi’s “deal is done” and she would be returning to the show.

Debbie Rowe ‘Encouraged’ By Custody Arrangement Over Jackson Children

Debbie Rowe is said to be pleased with the arrangement she has come to with Katherine Jackson over the custody of her two children with Michael Jackson, KNBC’s Chuck Henry reported on Thursday.

“I am encouraged by the way things are working out,” Rowe told Henry on Thursday afternoon.

Henry said Rowe repeatedly told him that the custody arrangement is not connected with money and never has been. Rowe also told Henry that she received no money for the settlement the two parties recently reached, one which is scheduled to go before a judge next week.

However, Rowe told Henry she will not attend the custody hearing, set to take place in Los Angeles on Monday.

According to reports, Katherine Jackson will maintain custody of the children, while Rowe will have the opportunity to develop a relationship with the youngsters.

Henry said Rowe told him her relationship with the children – Prince, now 12, and Paris 11 — “will take time.”

According to Henry, Rowe said she continues to want what is best for the children.

As for herself, Rowe told Henry she wants to grieve Michael Jackson’s loss, but she has been unable to because of paparazzi harassment.

Matt Damon Confirms Talks For New ‘Bourne’ Film

The long-awaited fourth “Bourne” film could be inching closer to becoming a reality.

On Tuesday, following a discussion of his new project, “The People Speak,” which premieres on the History channel this fall, Matt Damon confirmed he recently met up with the producer of the popular action film series.

“I just saw Frank Marshall and we were talking about it,” Matt revealed.

The actor, who plays ex-CIA agent Jason Bourne in the big screen action franchise, also confirmed he has been in talks with the director of “The Bourne Supremacy” and “The Bourne Ultimatum.”

“I’ve talked to Paul Greengrass quite a bit,” Matt confirmed.

Matt said, however, he won’t make a fourth “Bourne” film unless he can ensure it will be a high-quality film.

“We won’t do it unless it’s good,” he added.

In the meantime, the actor is heading to the East Coast for a film opposite Emily Blunt – “The Adjustment Bureau.”

“I’m starting work in New York in September,” he said. “George Nulfi is directing. He wrote the last ‘Bourne’ movie.”

Matt said a few other actors have yet to be cast in the film, which follows the story of an up-and-coming congressman and a beautiful ballet dancer.

“It’s kind of a fantastical love story,” he said.

Nurse Cherilyn Lee: ‘Michael Jackson Did Not Present Himself As A Drug Addict

When Michael Jackson died, all eyes turned to Dr. Conrad Murray.

Murray immediately made it clear he did not give Michael the two drugs most people were talking about – Demerol and Oxycontin. But now, according to a law enforcement official, Murray has admitted that he did inject Jackson with Diprivan on the morning he died.

Today, in a new interview, nurse Cherilyn Lee says she turned down Jackson’s request for the powerful drug, and revealed to Access Hollywood how sleep became something the pop star desperately wanted.

“Mr. Jackson did not present himself as a drug addict and from January to April, I didn’t see that in him,” Lee told Access. “Even when it came to the Diprivan, he was looking for something that was going to help him sleep.”

Lee said Jackson was not addicted to drugs. He only wanted to sleep. So at Jackson’s request, Lee sat in his bedroom with him and watched him as he tried to sleep.

“The night I stayed with him… He said, ‘I want to you to see how I sleep, ‘cause I want you to see that I don’t fall asleep. Or I fall asleep it takes awhile, but then I wake up after a couple hours.’ And that was before he started talking about the Diprivan,” she recounted.

“He said, ‘Once it hits my veins, I’m knocked out. And I wake up the next morning I feel good, I’m full of energy,’” Lee continued. “He was very excited about it – ‘Please find me someone.’”

Lee would not and her warnings that Diprivan could cause death went unheard by the pop star.

Lee said Jackson also asked for her help with his diet. He wanted more energy for his comeback concerts. But there was a problem when Lee tried to draw blood for a nutritional panel.

“When I was drawing his blood, his veins were awfully, awfully small. And he said, ‘Oh my goodness, I have these little squiggly veins,’ and he just started laughing about it,” Lee recalled. “He said, ‘Doctors always have a hard time finding my veins.’ And later it kind of dawned on me — why would doctors be looking for veins? Basically it’s nurses [that deal with veins].

“I’m sure people kept missing when they were doing whatever, and that’s why it looked like he had track marks,” Lee added.

But following Jackson’s death, Lee said she did have regrets.

“I did,” she said. “You can only the best you can with a person. You can lead them to everything that should do right… But you can’t make anyone do anything.”

A rep for Murray would not comment on the story.

“It’s a waste of time responding to all these timed ‘leaks’ from ‘anonymous’ sources,” a rep for Murray said in a statement to Access Hollywood.

Paris Hilton Talks New Documentary, Calls Sex Tape Scandal ‘A Big Learning Lesson’

Tonight, MTV will screen the new documentary, “Paris, Not France,” which highlights celebutante Paris Hilton’s rise to fame.

“I think there are a lot of people that have misconceptions about me,” Paris told Access Hollywood’s Tony Potts in a new interview. “They assume I’m just a party girl and they don’t realize there’s a business behind it. I’ve created this over the past 10 years.”

The documentary showcases Paris’ high points, but it also looks into her lows – including her notorious sex tape, which she opened up about to Tony.

“Was the sex tape a [pivotal] moment in changing your life?” Tony asked.

“It was definitely very painful,” Paris said. “When you trust someone and love someone — for them to do that to you, it’s really hard… It’s something that bothers me everyday.”

The tape, recorded by her ex-boyfriend, Rick Salomon, surfaced in 2003. And it took Paris’ fame to a new level — but for the wrong reason.

Paris dedicates a large portion of time to the scandal in her new MTV documentary, something she said was difficult.

“By putting it in the film, it was really hard for me to have it in there, because it’s something I never discussed,” Paris told Tony. “But I also think it’s a big learning lesson, because I think a lot of girls, when they’re in a relationship, they will love someone and trust them and maybe let them do that. I know that’s happened to a lot of people… And you never know what they could do with it.”

“Take me from that moment of what you were feeling and how you somehow turned it all around,” Tony said.

“Well, obviously I was humiliated, embarrassed and in shock that it happened,” Paris explained. “It wasn’t my fault, it was something that someone did to me, so I’ve just learned to be a strong woman and nothing can hurt me at this point.”

But beyond the sex tape scandal, the film reveals the stunning empire Paris has built, beginning with more home movies – some of Paris as a happy little girl.

“It’s really fun to see myself when I was little and probably the part that touches my heart the most is watching my grandmother because she died a couple years [later] from breast cancer,” Paris told Tony. “We were so close and every time I watch that part I just cry.”

And the film also follows what Paris calls her dream – to turn into a business mogul.

“It’s always been a dream when I was a little girl to do this,” Paris told Tony.

“What are some of the [misconceptions] you really wanted to hammer home, and say, ‘Look this is what you think, but this is what I am?’” Tony asked.

“Well, I think when people haven’t met me and they just read certain things that aren’t untrue, they might think that I’m spoiled, that I’m a brat, that I haven’t worked for what I have when really it’s the complete opposite. I’ve worked very hard for what I’ve achieved,” Paris said. “None of this was given to me. I’ve done it all by myself.”

Lawyers For Jackson’s Mom Seek Info From Executors; Judge Rebuffs Requests

The legal team for Michael Jackson’s mother on Tuesday asked a judge for the power to press the administrators of her son’s estate for more information ahead of a key hearing next week, but the judge rebuffed the effort.

Lawyers for Katherine Jackson on Tuesday requested the authority to interview attorney John Branca and former music executive John McClain this Friday, as well as demand they produce business contracts and other documents related to the late pop star.

Her lawyers argued in a court filing that the information was “potentially crucial” to a hearing set for Monday that could determine the permanent representatives of Jackson’s estate, which is estimated to be worth more than $500 million.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff put off dealing with their request until Monday, effectively quashing it.

Beckloff may determine at Monday’s hearing whether special administrators Branca and McClain will transition from temporary to permanent representatives of the estate, and whether an allowance will be granted to Katherine and Jackson’s three children.

Jackson’s 2002 will puts his assets in a trust that benefits Katherine, his three children and unnamed children’s charities.

Tuesday’s filing was meant to expedite the process of obtaining “important personal, business and legal information and documents relating to Michael Jackson” including his deal with concert promoter AEG Live, according to a written statement from L. Londell McMillan, who is part of Katherine Jackson’s legal team.

They’re also seeking “life insurance policies, settlements and disputes as well as agreements between the temporary special administrators and Michael Jackson (and others).”

McMillan said they’d requested some of the documents before and had hoped to see them before the Aug. 3 hearing.

Katherine Jackson’s lawyers alleged in filings that Branca and McClain were “intent on keeping her in the dark as much and for as long as possible.”

Branca and McClain’s legal team responded that the singer’s mother had made “voluminous, burdensome and invasive discovery demands” that were impossible to meet in a short time frame.

It added that it could not produce the contract detailing Jackson’s comeback tour with promoter AEG Live because of confidentiality provisions, but was willing to share the contract if Katherine Jackson agreed to the provisions. The parties were unable to agree on the terms.

The administrators’ legal team also argued that it was unclear why Katherine Jackson was demanding so much information. Her subpoena and deposition notices had “all the earmarks of a protracted and expensive legal battle which does not appear to be justified,” the administrators’ lawyers said in a filing.

Madonna’s Love Letters, Erotic Tapes In NY Auction

Madonna’s love letters and erotic answering machine messages to an ex-boyfriend are up for sale in New York City.

The Material Girl’s material is among nearly 500 personal celebrity items including Jimi Hendrix’s $1 performance contract and Muhammad Ali’s training robe being offered in an online auction ending Aug. 5.

The Gotta Have It! auction house says the 1965 contract between Hendrix and PPX Enterprises is believed to be his first.

Ali trained in the terry cloth robe for his third fight against Ken Norton in 1976 at Yankee Stadium. Ali won.

Madonna faxed love letters to her then-boyfriend Jim Albright and left naughty messages on his answering machine in the early 1990s. The messages are on two micro-cassette tapes estimated to sell for up to $40,000.

The items belong to 150 consigners including collectors.

Law Enforcement Official: Jackson’s Doctor Administered Anesthetic Believed To Have Killed Him

A law enforcement official with knowledge of the investigation into Michael Jackson’s death says the pop star’s personal doctor administered the powerful drug that authorities believe killed him.

Jackson regularly received the anesthetic propofol to go to sleep. The official, who requested anonymity because the probe is ongoing, told The Associated Press on Monday that Dr. Conrad Murray gave Jackson the drug the last night of his life.

Murray was with Jackson when he died June 25 and has been identified in court papers as the subject of a manslaughter investigation.

Murray’s lawyer has said the doctor didn’t prescribe or administer anything that should have killed Jackson.

Private Family Funeral Set For Michael Jackson

The private family funeral for Jackson will be held on Tuesday morning, prior to the public service at Staples Center in Los Angeles on July 7.

No details were available on the location of the private funeral. However, several reports have suggested that Michael will be laid to rest at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in the Hollywood Hills.

Grammys producer Ken Ehrlich, who will produce the Jackson memorial at Staples Center,The public service would not be an extravagant tribute concert.

“It will be a memorial service reflecting the dignity of what the family wants,” Ehrlich said. “It will be a fitting memorial to Michael Jackson – no dance numbers.”

However, Ehrlich did say the service would include “some types of performances.”

Police Looking To Speak With Jackson Nurse Over Powerful Drug Found In Singer’s Home

Police are looking to speak with Michael Jackson’s nurse about a powerful drug found in the singer’s home at the time of his death.

According to NBC’s Dateline, authorities want to speak with Cherilyn Lee, a registered nurse who worked for the star, who has said Jackson asked her for Diprivan – also known as Propofol.

The drug, which is typically administered intravenously, is used in hospitals to induce rapid unconsciousness before medical procedures. According to Dateline, the drug is now a focus of the investigation surrounding the star’s death.

Lee previously stated that she received a frantic phone call from a member of Jackson’s staff, just four days before his death.

“He called and was very frantic and said, `Michael needs to see you right away.’ I said, ‘What’s wrong?’ And I could hear Michael in the background …, ‘One side of my body is hot, it’s hot, and one side of my body is cold. It’s very cold,’” Lee told the Associated Press. “I said, ‘Tell him he needs to go the hospital. I don’t know what’s going on, but he needs to go to the hospital … right away.

“At that point, I knew that somebody had given him something that hit the central nervous system,” she added. “He was in trouble Sunday and he was crying out.”

Jackson suffered cardiac arrest at his home in the Holmby Hills area of Los Angeles on June 25. He was pronounced dead later that day.

However, Lee noted Jackson wasn’t looking to get high from the powerful drug – but rather, find some relief from a reported bout with insomnia.

“He wasn’t looking to get high or feel good and sedated from drugs,” Lee told the AP. “This was a person who was not on drugs. This was a person who was seeking help, desperately, to get some sleep, to get some rest.”

However, because the drug is so powerful, medical officials have stated accidental death due to overdose can occur.

If someone takes too much of the drug, it can stop a person’s breathing. According to Dr. John Dombrowski, a member of the board of directors of the American Society of Anesthesiologists, an overdose from Propofol that stops breathing can result in a build up of carbon dioxide, causing the heart to bear erratically and leading to cardiac arrest.