Rihanna sued over cancelled concert

 R&B star Rihanna is being sued for allegedly bailing on a scheduled concert in Nigeria.

Rihanna. Pic/Santa Banta

A man named Chris Ubosi claims he paid the star USD 160,000 for a 2013 concert that was eventually scrapped, reported TMZ.

Ubosi says in the suit that he signed a deal with two people claiming to be reps for Rihanna, Roc Nation and the label's boss Jay-Z.

He agreed to pay her USD 425,000 for a 65-minute gig that was supposed to take place in May that year. He had made three payments totaling USD 160,000 before Rihanna's team asked him to postpone the show.

Ubosi was willing to delay it only if Rihanna announced a new date on her social media. Rihanna never complied and the show was eventually canceled. She never returned the money and now Ubosi's suing her in attempt to get his money back.

Sources close to Rihanna, however, say that she never made such a deal with Ubosi.

MIDDAY.

Did Karan Johar recommend Fawad Khan for hosting award show?

Apparently, the filmmaker lobbied for the actor to co-host an upcoming award show with him Looks like Fawad Khan and Karan Johar are the new BFFs in town. For, not only are they rumoured to be collaborating on more projects together after 'Kapoor & Sons' and 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil', but also, the actor recently bagged the opportunity to co-host an award ceremony because of the filmmaker.

Karan Johar and Fawad Khan

Says a source close to the organisers, “Initially, the organisers had thought of approaching a number of A-list stars for co-hosting the ceremony with Karan. However, when they discussed it with filmmaker, he recommended Fawad.

Adds the source,“ Karan has been working us for many years and we share a good rapport with him. So when he suggested that Fawad co-host the gala, we were more than happy to get him on board as he is a popular star both in India and overseas. He is the perfect fit.”

Karan and Fawad’s spokespersons remained unavailable for comment.

Recently, Karan even planned a special dinner for Fawad as he could not attend the director’s birthday bash in London.

Benedict Cumberbatch's 'Grinch' film pushed to 2018

 The release of British actor Benedict Cumberbatch's upcoming film "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" has been pushed from 2017 to 2018.

Benedict Cumberbatch

Illumination Entertainment and Universal Pictures have rescheduled the film from November 10, 2017 to November 9, 2018, reports aceshowbiz.com.

The film is an adaptation of Dr. Seuss's 1957 children picture book about a misanthropic green creature who hates Christmas and tries to keep the residents of Whoville from enjoying it.

Cumberbatch will voice the title character, while Kaitlyn Maher will voice Cindy Lou, who thinks the Christmas spirit in Whoville is lost.

The film will be directed by Pete Candeland and Yarrow Cheney, based on a screenplay by Michael LeSieur. Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri will serve as the producer alongside Janet Healy and Scott Mosier. Audrey Geisel will executive produce with Chris Renaud.

MIDDAY.

Alia Bhatt denies signing 'Aashiqui 3' with Sidharth Malhotra

Even though Mukesh Bhatt and Sidharth Malhotra have confirmed that Alia has been cast in 'Aashiqui 3', the actress herself says she has not signed the film as yet

Ever since 'Aashiqui 3' was announced last year, there were speculations surrounding the casting of the lead pair. Several names such as Hrithik Roshan, Sonam Kapoor, Kangana Ranaut did the rounds. However, Sidharth Malhotra put all rumours to rest last month after he confirmed that Alia Bhatt and he are part of the project. In fact, even Mukesh Bhatt had gone on record to say that the two have been roped in and fit the bill. He had said, "Yes, it is true. We have signed Sidharth and Alia for the film. They completely fit the role. When we make films we look for the perfect casting. They both fit the bill."

Sidharth Malhotra and Alia Bhatt. Pic/Sameer Markande

Therefore, it came as a surprise when the actress denied having signed 'Aashiqui 3' at a recent media interaction. When quizzed about her upcoming film with rumoured boyfriend, she says, "It's true that both Sidharth and I have shown interest in the project but it (the film) is in the scripting stage at the moment. And whether I am part of the flick or not I will only be able to reveal when I sign the film."

There is curiosity around her debut with the home banner and we wonder if her decision to be part of the project is pending because of her changing equation with Sidharth Malhotra.

MIDDAY.

Elizabeth Banks, Reese Witherspoon honoured at Women of Year Awards

"Spider-Man" star Elizabeth Banks, Gemma Arterton, Reese Witherspoon and pop group Little Mix are among those, who picked up prizes at the 2016 Glamour Women of the Year Awards.

Elizabeth Banks and Reese Witherspoon. Pic/Santa Banta

"Pitch Perfect" director Banks scooped the Filmmaker of the Year gong at the ceremony held here, and used her acceptance speech to pay tribute to her mother, reported Female First.

"I want to thank my mom, because she worked too. And it can be done," she said.

Little Mix, which comprises Jesy Nelson, Perrie Edwards, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jade Thirlwall, was presented with the Musical Act of the Year award by DJ Greg James.

Arterton won Cointreau's Theatre Actress of the Year award for her starring role in "Nell Gwynn" on the West End stage while Reese was presented with the Entrepreneur of the Year prize.

Other winners at the 13th annual Glamour Women of the Year awards included Rose Byrne for Comedy Actress of the Year, Donatella Versace for Fashion Designer of the Year and Naomie Harris for Film Actress of the Year.

"War & Peace" actor James Norton won Man of the Year while Jennifer Saunders received an award for Outstanding Contribution and Sigourney Weaver took home the Icon Award.

Other stars, who attended the bash, included Kourtney Kardashian, Freida Pinto and Jenna Coleman.

MIDDAY.

Priyanka Chopra, Sarah Michelle Gellar in awe of each other

Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra and Hollywood actress Sarah Michelle Gellar seem to have formed a mutual admiration club.

Priyanka Chopra and Sarah Michelle Gellar. 

In an interview the 33-year-old 'Quantico' actress said that during her school days in the USA she used to look up to Gellar as Buffy from 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer'.

"When I was in high school in America, I didn't see anyone, who looked like me hardly ever. I just thought that was normal because you don't know any better. So I used to idolise so many other people, like Sarah Michelle Gellar on 'Buffy.'

"But when I went back to India at age 17 and started travelling for work, that was when I slowly realised that we don't all look like one person," Priyanka said.

Gellar, 39, who was touched by the praise, took to Twitter to thank the "Baywatch" actress.

"@priyankachopra I love watching you (and all that you represent) so you can imagine how honoured I was at the mention," she wrote.

Priyanka replied back to the "Cruel Intentions" star thanking her for helping her overcome tough times.

"Thank you for the kind words @SarahMGellar Buffy got me through some rough years in high school. Much love. @latimes," she tweeted.

MIDDAY.

Nina Dobrev 'heartbroken' over Austin Stowell-Emma Stone romance

 Actress Nina Dobrev is reportedly "heartbroken" over her former boyfriend Austin Stowell and Emma Stone's romance.

Nina Dobrev.

According to entertainment website Celeb Dirty Laundry, "The Vampire Diaries" star was upset when she heard the rumour that her ex-boyfriend dated his "Battle of the Sexes" co-star, reports aceshowbiz.com.

The site also claimed that Dobrev's "unbearable heartbreak" caused her to plan a return to "The Vampire Diaries" to "hide the pain".

Stowell and Dobrev called it quits earlier this year after seven months of dating. They broke up reportedly due to their conflicting schedules. Though they are no longer a couple, they are reportedly on good terms with each other.

MIDDAY.