Bad timing for Kim Kardashian's chimp debut
She's either stunningly insensitive or totally brainless.
Kim Kardashian , star of the hit E! show "Keeping Up With the Kardashians," has apologized after she posted photos of her new pet chimp on her Web site.
The buxom brunette's timing couldn't have been worse.
Kim, 28, chose to reveal her new playmate, Suzy, to the world the same week a crazed chimp mauled a Connecticut woman.
"I understand my timing was not appropriate and it was insensitive of me," Kim wrote on her blog. "What happened to the woman that was attacked by the chimpanzee was devastating. ... Our family is praying for everyone involved in that traumatizing attack. In no way did I mean to insult or offend anyone by posting these pictures."
In a further bid to clear the air, Kim -- who is famous for just, well, being famous -- wrote that she and her sisters rented the chimp for only a week as a prank on her mother.
"My mom has been begging Kourtney , Khloe and I to settle down and have kids, so we thought it would be funny to rent a baby chimpanzee for a week and leave her with my mom!" Kim wrote.
Kim unveiled the newest member of her family last Friday, the same day chimp victim Charla Nash was transferred to a Cleveland hospital to have her horribly disfigured face repaired.
The posting on her Web site was flawed from the start.
"We got a monkey!" Kim, apparently unaware that a chimp is an ape. "Her name is Suzy, she is three years old, and she is a handful! She steals our BlackBerrys and climbs up my mom's bed."
The posting included several photos, showing the young simian trying to play the piano and hanging from a pole.
Even in her apology, Kim couldn't resist plugging the chimp's appearance in the latest season of her show.
"You guys will see what happens this season with Suzy!" Kim wrote.
-- New York Daily News
Woman sues Morgan over crash injuries
The woman who was with Morgan Freeman the night of a car crash that injured both of them insists she was never romantically linked to Morgan and is suing the actor for negligence.
Demaris Meyer and her lawyer, Gloria Allred, held a news conference yesterday announcing that Demaris has filed a lawsuit against the 71-year-old Academy Award winner.
"I have been labeled as the other woman and have been accused of having caused the breakup of Mr. Freeman's marriage," Demaris said. "Nothing could be further from the truth. I had hoped and prayed that Mr. Freeman or his representatives would have set the record straight and cleared my name, but they have not done so and that is why I have chosen to come forward to tell the truth about our relationship."
In the days after the accident last August, Morgan's lawyer, Bill Luckett, told media outlets that Morgan and his wife of 24 years, Myrna Colley-Lee , had been separated since December 2007 and were getting a divorce. Several media outlets reported that the 48-year-old Demaris was Morgan's mistress.
Demaris said yesterday she met Morgan the night of the accident at a dinner party at the Bayou Bend Golf and Country Club that she had been invited to by Bill. Demaris said Morgan had been a "perfect gentleman" that evening and agreed to let her stay at one of three houses on his property, so that she "would have an easier drive to work the next morning."
Gloria said the accident occurred when Morgan was driving Demaris' car with Demaris in the passenger seat from Bill's home in Clarksdale, Miss., to Morgan's property in Charleston, Miss., some 40 miles away.
Demaris would not comment on whether Morgan was drinking that night or specify what caused the accident that left the actor with a broken arm, broken elbow and shoulder damage. Demaris' injuries included a broken left wrist, right scapula and a torn labrum.
"The accident and its aftermath has literally changed my life in every respect," she said. "I sustained numerous injuries. I was unconscious following the accident ... I could not take care of myself for several months. I have not been able to go back to work and still am suffering both physically and emotionally as a result of the accident."
The lawsuit claims that Morgan failed to keep a proper lookout, maintain attention, keep the vehicle under control and obey the posted speed limit.
Demaris is suing for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, permanent disability and property damage. Gloria did not specify how much in damages that Demaris, who worked as an executive assistant, is seeking with the lawsuit filed with the U.S. District Court in Northern Mississippi. She said that Morgan has only provided "minimal support" for Demaris following the accident.
-- The Associated Press
Britney afraid of ex-manager⢠Her hairdresser knows
Britney Spears ' hairdresser testified yesterday that the pop superstar told her she was scared of her former manager and friend, Osama "Sam" Lutfi .
The testimony came as lawyers for Britney's father seek lengthy restraining orders against Britney's ex-boyfriend Adnan Ghalib , attorney Jon Eardley and Sam. A judge yesterday extended temporary restraining orders against the men and plans to hear further testimony April 1.
Hairdresser Roberta Romero said Britney's comments came after Sam repeatedly sent her text messages in late December. She said Sam was trying to get her to convey messages to the singer, including that he was making efforts to "free" her.
Roberta, who has worked as Britney's stylist for more than a year, said the singer told her to tell Sam to leave them alone. Roberta and Britney notified the singer's security staff about Sam's text messages.
Roberta said she only spoke to Sam once, weeks before Britney's security became involved. She said he was not threatening over the phone, but that the singer told her to avoid her former friend.
"She told me she's scared of him and not to talk to him," Roberta said.
Joel Boxer, a lawyer for Britney's father Jamie , read some of the text messages in court yesterday. One message said: "Very close to getting her free now."
Sam's attorney, Bryan Freedman, declined to comment after the hearing about the text messages.
-- The Associated Press
Even more charges for DMX
Jailed rapper DMX now is facing additional charges after he allegedly threw a tray of food at a Maricopa County detention officer.
DMX, whose real name is Earl Simmons, was booked on aggravated assault charges yesterday, according to County Sheriff Joe Arpaio.
The 38-year-old rapper already is serving a 90-day jail sentence after pleading guilty to felony charges of theft, drug possession and a misdemeanor charge of animal cruelty Dec. 30.
The sheriff says DMX became upset Sunday after being told he could not have a meal he took from a serving tray. Arpaio says DMX then threw the tray and its contents at an officer, who wasn't injured.
DMX has been on a bread and water diet as punishment for an earlier jail violation.
A message left with DMX's attorney was not immediately returned.
-- The Associated Press
