NEW ORLEANS — Country music star Faith Hill says giving back just comes naturally for the Mississippi native, and she has a message for those still recovering from Hurricane Katrina.
“We are here for you still and you are not forgotten,” Hill said before headlining a free concert Tuesday evening in New Orleans to support those still rebuilding five years later.
Additional Photos
She says the evening at the Mahalia Jackson Theater was intended to celebrate how far the Gulf Coast has come since the 2005 storm flooded New Orleans and surrounding areas of Louisiana and Mississippi.
“I feel like it’s my responsibility to give back,” Hill said. “When you’ve been given so much, it’s only right that I do what I can to help, if I can.”
The Dirty Dozen Brass Band was asked to open Tuesday’s event and about 2,200 tickets were distributed in New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Lafayette and the Mississippi cities of Biloxi and Jackson.
Hill’s husband, country singer Tim McGraw, is a Louisiana native and both are veterans of employing celebrity clout to help raise money or awareness for causes.
The couple helped organize a flood-relief benefit concert for Nashville after the Tennessee city was deluged by historic rains that left 22 dead in early May.
“Sometimes, with celebrity, you can make things happen pretty easily,” said Hill.
Douglas’ ex sues for ‘Wall Street’ money
NEW YORK — Michael Douglas’ return to his Academy Award-winning “Wall Street” role also spawned a legal sequel to his decade-old divorce.
Lawyers representing the actor and ex-wife Diandra Douglas tangled in a New York court Tuesday over her claim that she’s entitled to half his earnings from “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps,” set to open Sept. 24. The former couple’s multimillion-dollar divorce in 2000 gives Diandra Douglas the right to share in proceeds from spinoffs and other projects related to work Michael Douglas did while they were married. But Michael Douglas’ lawyer says his ex is misinterpreting the agreement.
Man with knives charged in Paris Hilton break-in
LOS ANGELES — A man has been arrested at Paris Hilton’s Los Angeles home after the socialite said he tried to break into her house while holding two big knives.
Police Officer Gregory Baek says the man was arrested about 6:30 a.m. Tuesday but his name hasn’t been released.
Hilton said on her Twitter page: “So Scary, just got woken up to a guy trying to break into my house holding 2 big knifes. Cops are here arresting him.”
Baek couldn’t confirm if the man was armed.
Baek says the break-in was reported by telephone but he didn’t know if it came from Hilton or an alarm company.
Hilton posted a photo on Twitter of police arresting the man.
George Michael slow-crashes
LONDON — It was a slow-motion car crash – a handy metaphor for George Michael’s career.
The multimillion-selling singer was warned Tuesday that he may face jail time after driving his car into a London photo shop while under the influence of drugs.
It was the latest in a string of bizarre automotive and drug-related mishaps that have raised fears for Michael’s safety. He was charged after plowing his Range Rover into a branch of Snappy Snaps in Hampstead, north London, in the wee hours of July 4. The dent in the wall is still visible, and someone has added one word of graffiti: Wham.
The car’s engine was still running when police arrived, but Michael had to be roused, police said.
Copy the Story Link
Send questions/comments to the editors.
Success. Please wait for the page to reload. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page.
Enter your email and password to access comments.
Hi, to comment on stories you must . This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login.
Already have a commenting profile? .
Invalid username/password.
Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.
Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.
Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.