LONDON – Prince William and the former Kate Middleton plan to combine red-carpet glamour with serious charity work during a trip to California next month, palace officials said Wednesday.
The three-day visit to the Los Angeles area will be Middleton’s first visit to the United States. It will follow a longer trip to Canada where the royal couple, now known as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, will celebrate Canada’s national day in the capital, visit the remote Northwest Territories and open the Calgary Stampede.
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Private secretary Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton said the duke and duchess will attend a black-tie dinner at L.A.’s renovated Belasco Theater to introduce young British film talent to Hollywood executives on July 9.
He said the guest list for the red-carpet event is still being worked out.
“The goal is not to meet celebrities, the goal is to connect young British talent with Hollywood decision makers, the people in the back room who put the deals together,” Lowther-Pinkerton said.
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts is organizing the event, called “BAFTA Brits to Watch.” William serves as president of the academy.
Bristol Palin has house for rent as reality series nears
PHOENIX – Bristol Palin didn’t stay too long in her house in Maricopa. A real estate agent has confirmed the daughter of possible presidential candidate Sarah Palin is renting out the 4,000-square-foot house.
Nate Martinez with RE/MAX Professionals said the five-bedroom home went on the market this week. She’s asking $1,400 a month for the home she bought last year for $172,000.
She will return to TV by 2012, starring in a reality series for the Bio Channel.
Loren lends her voice to character in ‘Cars 2’
ROME – Sophia Loren said she has used her “thick Neapolitan accent” voice to dub a character in “Cars 2” for the sake of her grandchildren and the late Walt Disney.
Loren has lent her voice to Mama Topolino’s (Mamma Mickey Mouse) lines in the Disney sequel that opens next week in Italy.
The actress said Wednesday that she did her first-ever dubbing for an animated film for her grandchildren, as well as for Disney. Loren said she hopes her three grandkids will now say that Mama Topolino is grandma.
The 76-year-old Loren, looking sharp in a trim, white pantsuit, said that years ago she had an “unforgettable” meeting with Walt Disney. She did not elaborate.
Sheen lawsuit getting arbitrator
LOS ANGELES – Charlie Sheen may not get quite the audience he wanted for his $100 million lawsuit over his firing from “Two and a Half Men” — a judge on Wednesday ruled that an arbitrator should determine whether the case is handled privately or in a public courtroom.
Sheen’s contract with Warner Bros. Television has a valid clause requiring the private arbitrator to decide how the case proceeds, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Allan Goodman wrote in a 21-page ruling. The decision will likely dampen publicity about the case in the short term, although Sheen’s attorney said he will still argue the case should be heard publicly.
Sheen sued Warner Bros. and “Men” executive producer Chuck Lorre on March 10, days after Sheen was fired from his starring role.
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