Hollywood Headlines: A week in review
The actor of “Prison Break” fame openly announced his homosexuality in a letter protesting Russia’s recently instated anti-LGBT laws. The statement was his way of declining an invitation to the St. Petersburg Film Festival as a guest of honor. “I cannot in good conscience participate in a celebratory occasion hosted by a country where people like myself are being systematically denied their basic right to live and love openly,” he wrote. (Kiyoshi Ota / Getty Images)
A revealing interview, dangerous car fire, concert mishaps and much more.
The rumor mill has spun a delicious wisp that ‘90s groupies hope will materialize: Justin Timberlake plans to invite his old boy-band entourage to the MTV Video Music Awards stage. The singer is slated to receive the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award and has been added to the entertainment lineup. We’ll find out this Sunday whether ‘N Sync will be saying “Hi, hi, hi.” (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)
The tweet read like this: “If a girl is drunk, is it OK to have sex with her? Reply yes or no to @drphil #teensaccused.” Angry responders rebuked the television host for suggesting nonconsensual sex might be all right. (Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images)
Elmore Leonard, best known for his works “Get Shorty” and “Out of Sight,” wrote a total of 26 novels and short stories that were adapted for the Hollywood screen. The author died of complications from a stroke at the age of 87. (Vince Bucci / Getty Images)
The former Disney star, who more recently appeared on “Rizzoli & Isles,” reportedly died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. “Lee was more than just a brilliant young actor, he was a wonderful and gentle soul who will be truly missed,” his manager wrote in a statement. (Peter Kramer / Getty Images)
The singer’s glittery blue dress came undone during a performance in New Jersey, causing her to expose her entire backside to the audience. Braxton recovered gracefully with a man’s blazer and worked through the blooper, turning her onstage dress re-pinning into a mock burlesque show. “I just thought how lucky I was that the whole thing didn’t come apart,” she said. “We laughed about it and we made it work, but that’s all you can do. Breathe through it all.” (Erik S. Lesser / Los Angeles Times)
The acting veteran, pulled from his flaming car on Monday, seems to think he didn’t need saving. “My ‘rescue’ was like the Boy Scout who helped the old lady across the street, who didn’t want to cross the street!!” he tweeted. Van Dyke said he was dialing for help, but his rescuer felt more urgency. “I opened the door and it was smoky, very smoky in the car,” Jason Pennington told CNN. “Once I felt the flames they got really big and the whole front of the car was on fire, that’s when I just yanked him out by his arm.” We’re just glad he’s fine. (Matt Sayles / Invision/AP)
Imagine the R&B diva’s astonishment when she stepped out on stage at the Nelson Mandela Sports and Cultural Day concert only to be greeted by about 40 people in a venue that seats 90,000. As an unannounced musical act, Brandy was supposed to be the one doing the surprising. Perhaps PR was too good at keeping secrets this time around. (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
