McCartney in Israel preparing for concert
TEL AVIV, Israel, Sept. 24 (UPI) -- British rock 'n' roll icon Paul McCartney reportedly has arrived in Israel and is rehearsing to prepare for his upcoming concert in Tel Aviv.
Thursday's "Friendship First" show marks the first time McCartney will play before an Israeli audience.
The BBC said the famed recording artist landed at Ben-Gurion airport and was scheduled to rehearse at Tel Aviv's Yarkon Park Wednesday, the day before his historic gig.
His visit has drawn some criticism, particularly from protesters who pleaded with McCartney to cancel the concert due to Israel's occupation of the West Bank.
"A lot of Palestinians who adored The Beatles are let down," Lisa Taraki, an activist and a professor at Bir Zeit University in the West Bank, told the BBC. "Despite appeals, he has not made a single gesture to the Palestinians."
McCartney has refused to cancel the show; however, stating: "I do what I think, and I have many friends who support Israel. I like to think that if I go to a place it becomes evident that my message is a peaceful one, and I hope that the idea will spread."
Aiken told mom four years ago he was gay
NEW YORK, Sept. 24 (UPI) -- U.S. pop star Clay Aiken says he told his mother four years ago that he is gay.
Aiken publicly confirmed his sexual orientation for the first time in this week's issue of People magazine, which features the quote, "Yes, I'm gay," on its cover, along with a photo of Aiken holding his son, Parker, who was born last month. Although the issue doesn't hit newsstands until Friday, People ran an excerpt on its Web site Wednesday.
The 29-year-old former "American Idol" star also confirmed speculation that his child was conceived via in vitro fertilization with his best friend, music producer Jaymes Foster.
"It was the first decision I made as a father," Aiken told People about coming out as a homosexual. "I cannot raise a child to lie or to hide things. I wasn't raised that way and I'm not going to raise a child to do that."
Aiken said his son would be brought up in an environment that is "accepting and allowing him to be happy."
He also revealed he told his mother Faye he is gay about four years ago when they were dropping his younger brother, Brett, at Camp Lejeune, N.C., to be deployed to Iraq.
"I just started bawling. She made me pull over the car and it just came out," he recalled. "She started crying. She was obviously somewhat stunned. But she was very supportive and very comforting. ... She still struggles with things quite a bit but she's come a long way."
Jeffrey Ross booted off of 'Dancing'
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 24 (UPI) -- Comedian Jeffrey Ross and his partner were the first couple eliminated from the seventh season of the U.S. competition show "Dancing with the Stars."
Ross was booted from the show a day after a poke in the eye from professional dance partner Edyta Sliwinska sent him to the emergency room with a scratched cornea.
"What a nightmare! They said Edyta was going to be easy on the eyes!" E! Online quoted Ross as saying.
He later told Usmagazine.com he was "heartbroken" about being voted off the show.
"I really loved learning to dance. I was confident by the time we got to the routines," he said. "My family came from very far away to support me. 'My uncle said, 'No matter what happens, just keep going, and try to look confident ...' I was born to dance! Don't worry, I'll keep dancing!"
Still in the running for the coveted mirrorball trophy are singer Lance Bass, singer Toni Braxton, actress Brooke Burke, celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito, Olympic runner Maurice Greene, reality TV star Kim Kardashian, soap star Susan Lucci and 82-year-old actress Cloris Leachman.
"Hannah Montana" co-star Cody Linley, 18, is the youngest contestant to appear on the show. Also competing are volleyball champ Misty May-Treanor, actor Ted McGinley and Superbowl hero Warren Sapp.
'American Psycho' to be B'way musical
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 24 (UPI) -- A stage musical version of the 1991 novel and 2000 film "American Psycho" reportedly is in development and heading to Broadway.
Bret Easton Ellis penned the 1980s-set book on which the movie starring Christian Bale was based.
Variety.com said a development team is looking for someone to write the score and the book for the musical, which, like the novel and movie, is about a Wall Street banker who leads the double life of a serial killer.
The entertainment industry trade paper said no time line has been set for the show.
"Now in particular it seems relevant, especially given what's happening on Wall Street," producer David Johnson told Variety.com.
