By Mariel Turner
8:37am PST, Feb 8, 2019
Deaths of James Brown, wife investigated in new CNN series
James Brown's 2006 death is being questioned thanks to a new CNN investigative series. At least 13 people have spoken out in the documentary to call for an autopsy or a criminal investigation into his death. "He changed too fast," James's physician, Dr. Marvin Crawford, said. "He was a patient I would never have predicted would have coded… But he died that night, and I did raise that question: What went wrong in that room?" The 1996 death of the music legend's third wife, Adrienne Brown, is also explored in the series as a potential crime.
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Tekashi 6ix9ine pleads guilty, cooperating with federal investigators
Rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine is cooperating with federal investigators after pleading guilty to nine racketeering, gun and drug charges, according to unsealed legal documents released on Feb. 1. The 22 year old owned up to several crimes in a secret plea hearing in Manhattan Federal Court in January, including selling a kilo of heroin. He's facing a mandatory minimum sentence of 47 years in prison but might receive less time because of his cooperation.
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21 Savage's legal team fights for his release after rapper detained by ICE
21 Savage's lawyers are arguing for his immediate release following the rapper's arrest by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials, who've held him without bond since Feb. 3. According to his lawyer, Charles H. Kuck, the rapper was detained by ICE "based upon incorrect information about prior criminal charges and [is] now refusing to release him on bond of any amount, despite the fact that he has a pending U-Visa application (as the victim of crime) with USCIS, and that he has relief from removal available to him." While many thought the music star was from Atlanta, it's been revealed that he's actually a British citizen who came to America with his family as a teen.
Ariana Grande: Grammys producer is "lying" about why she's not performing
After Grammys producer Ken Ehrlich claimed in an interview that Ariana Grande — who's up for two awards this year and has been a big part of the music award show's advertising campaign — decided not to take the stage during the Feb. 10 telecast because "she felt it was too late for her to pull something together for sure," the pop star hit back. "i've kept my mouth shut but now you're lying about me," she tweeted on Feb. 7. "i can pull together a performance over night and you know that, Ken. it was when my creativity & self expression was stifled by you, that i decided not to attend. i hope the show is exactly what you want it to be and more." She said she offered three different songs but got pushback. "it's about collaboration. it's about feeling supported. it's about art and honesty. not politics. not doing favors or playing games. it's just a game y'all.. and i'm sorry but that's not what music is to me."
Katy Perry's stylist sued after $120K worth of jewelry goes missing
Katy Perry's personal stylist is being sued by an insurance company after $120,000 worth of jewelry borrowed for the 2017 Grammy Awards was never returned. Lloyd's of London insured Firestar Diamonds, which makes Nirav Modi jewelry. The company claims it lent JHSTYLING, which is run by Katy's stylist, Jamie Schneider Mizrahi, 18 pieces of jewelry but that only 14 pieces were returned, leaving three rings and an earring unaccounted for, according to legal documents released on Feb. 6.
Country singer Doug Supernaw diagnosed with stage 4 cancer
Doug Supernaw is receiving treatment at a local hospital after being diagnosed with "advanced" forms of lung and bladder cancer. "After struggling with a prolonged cough, Doug was admitted to the hospital on January 25th, where it was determined he was suffering from pneumonia," the country star's team wrote on Facebook on Feb. 2. "Additional tests found fluid on his heart and lungs which put his heart in A-Fib condition."
Celebrity deaths
George Klein, a radio host and DJ who was close friends with Elvis Presley, died on Feb. 5 at 83. Elvis's ex-wife, Priscilla Presley, told the Associated Press that George died in hospice care in Memphis, Tennessee.
Michael Bolton denies rumors that he fell asleep on live TV
Michael Bolton wants everyone to know he was wide awake during a live interview on Australia's "The Morning Show." After a video surfaced showing Michael seemingly dozing off on Feb. 5, the singer said he was just tweeting. "I got my first record deal when I was 15 and I haven't slept since!!" he joked on Twitter. "In all seriousness there were technical issues with the live feed and they caught me tweeting! We had a great interview once they fixed the glitch. #FakeNews #50thAnniversary #SymphonyOfHits."
