Rivers wins 'Celebrity Apprentice'
NEW YORK, May 11 (UPI) -- Comedian and TV personality Joan Rivers has been declared the winner of "The Celebrity Apprentice" in New York.
Rivers beat out world champion poker player Annie Duke Sunday night in the business-themed reality show's 3-hour finale.
The finalists' last challenge had them reunite with various "Apprentice" castoffs to organize separate auctions for their favorite charities.
"Apprentice" star and executive producer Donald Trump noted the competition was about more than who raised the most money, it was about how the women played the game.
"Your level of strength, your level of energy have just been amazing," Trump told Rivers, 75. "You really are a role model for so many people. ... Annie, you're fired. Joan, congratulations."
Rivers, her daughter Melissa, Herschel Walker and Clint Black raised $150,830 for God's Love We Deliver in the final challenge, the New York Daily News said.
Duke, Dennis Rodman, Tom Green and Brande Roderick raised $465,725 for Refugees International.
Farrow disappointed to cut her fast short
NEW YORK, May 11 (UPI) -- U.S. actress and human rights advocate Mia Farrow said she was disappointed she couldn't keep up her hunger strike for more than 12 days.
Farrow, 64, had said her goal was to fast for 21 days to shed light on those suffering in the war-torn region of Darfur. The "Rosemary's Baby" star ended her hunger strike last week on the advice of her doctors.
"I couldn't do it. ... I just got weaker and weaker," the petite actress told People magazine. "I lost about 13 pounds."
Farrow, a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, said her doctor told her last Wednesday she should abandon her fast because her blood sugar count was low and she risked having seizures.
"I was very disappointed," Farrow told People. "I am a very stubborn person and very determined. I had modified my goal from 21 days and really hoped that I would reach my goal of fasting for 16 days, which is the number of aid agencies expelled (from the area by the Sudanese president.)"
Farrow said she has slowly started eating again.
" I feel so much better with the food in my system. I feel so much more peaceful," she said. "While a million people in Darfur are facing starvation, I have the ability to end my fast. These people do not have that option. If I have any use at all, it is to speak for them."
Jamie Foxx tapped to be BET Awards host
LOS ANGELES, May 11 (UPI) -- Singer and Oscar-winning actor Jamie Foxx has signed on as host of next month's 2009 BET Awards show in Los Angeles.
BlackVoices.com reported the decision to have Foxx preside over the June 28 ceremony at the Shrine Auditorium.
Black Entertainment Television is expected to officially announce the event's host this week.
Previous hosts of the annual awards show include Mo'Nique, Steve Harvey, Cedric The Entertainer, Damon Wayans, D.L. Hughley, and Will and Jada Pinkett Smith.
BlackVoices.com said a representative for BET declined to confirm its report.
Foxx is best known for his work on the TV sketch comedy series "In Living Color," as well as in the films "Ray," "Collateral," "Dreamgirls" and "The Soloist."
Klum and Seal renew their wedding vows
MALIBU, Calif., May 11 (UPI) -- Model and television personality Heidi Klum and her recording artist husband Seal have renewed their wedding vows at a beach house in Malibu, Calif.
Klum is pregnant with their third child. She also has another daughter from a previous relationship.
Usmagazine.com said the couple, who wed in 2005, renewed their vows, as they do each year, this past Saturday.
A witness told the magazine the weekend party had a "white trash" theme with Klum wearing her hair in cornrows and Seal donning a mullet wig for the ceremony, which was presided over by a preacher dressed as Elvis Presley.
Among the 30 or so guests were TV stars Debra Messing and Matthew Perry, Usmagazine.com said.
