Canadian singer Justin Bieber performs on stage during a concert in Zurich, Switzerland Friday, March 22, 2013.Walter Bieri/The Canadian Press
HIGH MILE CLUB
So what really happened onboard Justin Bieber's private jet flight from Toronto to New Jersey last week that caused U.S. officials to detain the plane and question the Canadian pop star? Reports have now surfaced claiming Bieber and his entourage were allegedly "extremely abusive" to a flight attendant, who eventually took refuge in the cockpit. Also, the pilots working the flight were allegedly so concerned about inhaling marijuana smoke (which could show up on a subsequent drug test) that they were forced to wear oxygen masks. Bieber's trial for his recent Miami DUI arrest is set to begin on March 3.
Source: MTV News
GETTING BETTER
Selena Gomez allegedly went to rehab last month. According to TMZ reports, the actress-singer and former Justin Bieber girlfriend reportedly spent two weeks in an Arizona treatment center called The Meadows for a combination of personal problems, including addictions to alcohol, marijuana and the prescription medication Ambien. The Meadows facility currently runs a two-week program called DAWN, which is designed for people between 18 and 26 afflicted with substance dependence, trauma and other mental-health issues.
Source: TMZ
BATTLE ROYALE
Let's get ready to rumble: Rapper DMX will step into the ring with George Zimmerman for a charity boxing match. Zimmerman, who was acquitted in Florida last year in the murder of teen Trayvon Martin, issued the open invitation to fight two weeks ago on the website Radar Online, with the proceeds from the scrap going to the charity of his choosing. Promoter Damon Feldman says DMX (real name Earl Simmons) was chosen for the fight from a pool of 15,000 applicants. The fight will take place at an undisclosed location on March 1 and will broadcast as a pay-per-view online event.
Source: Time
SOUND EFFECTS
So that's why the Red Hot Chili Peppers' instruments were unplugged during last Sunday's halftime performance at the Super Bowl. RHCP bassist Flea admitted that the band wasn't actually playing when they accompanied Bruno Mars for one song during his halftime show, but singer Anthony Kiedis really was singing. In Flea's words: "It was made clear to us that the vocals would be live, but the bass, drums and guitar would be pre-recorded … There was not any room for argument on this. The NFL does not want to risk their show being botched by bad sound, period."
Source: Gawker
LENA LASHES OUT
Girls' star Lena Dunham is speaking out in defence of Dylan Farrow, and sexual abuse victims in general, in the wake of Farrow's renewed allegations against Woody Allen. One day after Farrow, the adopted daughter of Allen and former partner Mia Farrow, issued her open letter to The New York Times resurrecting her claim that her father molested her when she was seven, Dunham went on Twitter to take her stance. "In wake of Dylan's letter, I've noticed a lot of guys obsessed with the idea of being falsely accused. As if you'd be walking down the street one day, get accused of assault or sexual misconduct, and suddenly life would derail." Dunham also pointed out that "most victims NEVER speak up," adding "Most never feel they can. These are not stories we tell for fun, attention or revenge."
Source: Zap2it
COZY CONCERT
The quirky pop legend known as Prince kicked off his series of U.K. gigs with a performance in a London living room. The singer-songwriter arrived in London Tuesday to launch a still-growing list of concert dates in support of his upcoming album Plectrum Electrum. His first stop was the East London resident of British singer Lianna La Havas, who met Prince last year while she was touring the U.S. Once settled in the cozy confines of her living room, Prince and his current musical group, the all-female trio 3rd Eye Girl, performed two acoustic tracks before a crackling fire. Later that night, Prince and company played a more traditional set at the iconic Camden club The Electric Ballroom.
Source: CBC