Statement from the family:

“In one of the darkest moments of our lives we find it hard to find the words appropriate to this sudden tragedy we all had to encounter. Our beloved son, brother and father of three children has gone so unexpectedly, in such a tragic way and much too soon. It leaves us, his family, speechless and devastated to a point, where communication with the outside world seems almost impossible at times.

We miss Michael endlessly, our pain cannot be described in words. But Michael would not want us to give up now. So we want to thank all of his faithful supporters and loyal fans worldwide, you – who Michael loved so much. Please do not despair, because Michael will continue to live on in each and every one of you. Continue to spread his message, because that is what he would want you to do. Carry on, so his legacy will live forever.

In addition, Joseph Jackson wishes to personally convey: “My grandchildren are deeply moved by all the love and support you have shown for them and their father, Michael Jackson.”

Joseph Jackson & Family”

Perez Hilton sent a series of messages via Twitter in the early hours of this morning saying he was in Canada, bleeding and needed help. Read Below:

“I’m in shock. I need the police ASAP. Please come to the SoHo Metropolitan Hotel now. Please.”

“I was assaulted by Will.I.Am of the Black Eyed Peas and his security guards. I am bleeding. Please, I need to file a police report. No joke.”

“I called the police BEFORE I Tweeted about it. They were not showing up. I felt helpless.”

“I took photos and police have photos they took as well. The truth will prevail.”

“I can handle a verbal assault. But to hit me? To make me bleed? No. I can’t and won’t accept that.”

“I just feel so empty right now. In shock. I need to work.”

In a video posted on his own social networking site, Dipdive, the musician, famous for the hits Where Is The Love and Don’t Phunk With My Heart, accused Hilton of lying.

“This dude twists it and says that I assaulted him, when I was the one that came to him with respect and he was the one who called me a faggot.

“I hit you, Perez? Come on, dude. I didn’t hit you. I told you that I didn’t like the fact that you disrespected us,” he said.

He continued: “Instead of calling the police, you twittered that I assaulted you? Sounds like somebody wants mad attention and is not really concerned about his health.”

“I didn’t hit you. It’s very wrong that you are tweeting that I did that - once again disrespecting me and everything that I stand for - and they’re lies. Shame on you, shame on your behaviour, and that’s just messed up.”

See Will.I.Am’s video response here

Rihanna may testify in the Chris Brown case today. He is due back in court for a preliminary hearing, after which a judge will decide whether there is enough evidence for his case to go to trial.

Brown was arrested in February on suspicion of hitting and threatening then-girlfriend Rihanna after a pre-Grammy party.

A judge will decide after listening to testimony whether the case against Brown should continue to trial.

Dozens of reporters have signed up to cover Monday’s hearing, which is expected to last several hours.

Rihanna’s attorney, Donald Etra, says the 21-year-old singer will appear and testify if she is called to the stand. - source

Here is what Kelis had to say on her Twitter page about cheating recently

“This lovely day I would like to touch on cheaters. Super brief! Why be cowardly? Why not go after what you really want? Do people know what they want? Probably not which just goes into know and respecting ones self.

Also we can discuss whores I mean the nasty sub par tricks that participate in the cheating. Well let me say this, both parties are gross. And in reality they deserve each other.

All the scum bag coward husbands and the less then impressive sluts unite! You can all go down in flames together! Hooray! Who’s disgusted and bitter? Not I said the cat!

I have no patients for any of it but the problem is women usually blame the women. I am here to say the husband is way more at fault, now of course the woman/women who partake are stupid and pitiful.

And honestly I will say its expected from younger girls 23 and under, but after that I do think as women we need to take more responsibility. Men are driven by something different then we are.”

Embattled rapper DMX’s legal troubles may be over for now, it seems.

A source close to the rapper told AllHipHop.com exclusively that a Mariposa County, Arizona judge will dismiss the most recent charges brought against the rapper this week.

Speaking under condition of anonymity, the source said that as a result of the plea deal DMX accepted on Tuesday (June 2), the judge presiding over the case is set to dismiss the charges of felony attempted aggravated assault to which he pleaded guilty. - more

Kobe Bryant’s maid wants to make one thing clear: It’s her lawsuit and she can talk about the details if she wants to.

Maria Jimenez just filed papers in Orange County Superior Court, citing California’s anti-SLAPP statute which says Maria has the right to run her mouth, despite a confidentiality agreement she signed with the Bryants back when she first took the job.

The Bryants filed papers last month saying the opposite — that Maria could sue but couldn’t blab to the press. - source

Euna Lee and Laura Ling were seized on March 17 while working on a television documentary about North Korean exiles crossing the border into China. It is unclear if they crossed the border into North Korea or were apprehended by aggressive border guards while still inside China.

“The trial confirmed the grave crime they committed against the Korean nation and their illegal border crossing,” said the Korean Central News Agency, the official state news agency. It said the court had “sentenced each of them to 12 years of reform through labour”.

The trial of the two journalists began on June 4, however no details emerged from the closed hearing until today. The North has not specified the exact charges, or allowed foreign observers into the proceedings.

Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of State, said she was “incredibly concerned” about the fate of the two women, and that the charges against them “are absolutely without merit or foundation”. - more

Kimora Lee Simmons and Djimon Hounsou are the proud parents of a brand new baby boy!

The Baby Phat CEO, 34, announced the big news on Twitter in a post on Saturday that says, “It’s a boy! Thanks to everyone out there for all your well wishes!”

“Both mother and child are doing great,” a rep for Kimora Lee Simmons tells PEOPLE.

Although a name and details of the birth have yet to be released, Simmons promised there will be “more to come” in her Twitter update – and there’s reason to believe she’ll keep her word. - source