Thousands of fans turn out for Sakai trial
TOKYO, Oct. 26 (UPI) -- Thousands of people turned out Monday in hopes of snagging one of 20 seats in the Tokyo courtroom where singer and actress Noriko Sakai faced a drug charge.
Sakai, 38, pleaded guilty to using and possessing illegal drugs at the hearing, during which prosecutors requested an 18-month prison sentence for Sakai, who was arrested with her husband last August.
"It was a very thoughtless act," the Kyodo News agency quoted Sakai as telling the court about her drug use. "I must correct myself. I feel miserable."
The entertainer reportedly also said she plans to divorce her husband and start a new career nursing the elderly.
Bent cleans up at Vancouver awards show
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 26 (UPI) -- Ridley Bent was the big winner during the weekend's British Columbia Country Music Association awards show in Vancouver, organizers said.
Bent Saturday night earned the Roots/Canadiana Award, the Gaylord Wood Traditional Country Award, and the songwriter honor and trophy for best single for his song "Buckles and Boots." He also was declared the winner in the categories of male vocalist, entertainer and fan's choice, The Vancouver Province reported.
Bent was unable to attend the event due to an undisclosed family matter, the newspaper said.
Jessie Farrell won the award for female vocalist, while The Higgins picked up the prize for group/duo and their video for "Real Thing" earned a gong for director Stephano Barberis.
Aaron Pritchett's CD "Thankful" won the album of the year award, The Vancouver Province said.
Ortega no longer set to helm 'Footloose'
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 26 (UPI) -- Hollywood's Paramount Pictures has confirmed Kenny Ortega no longer plans to direct its upcoming musical remake of the classic 1980s film, "Footloose."
Ortega is currently on the promotion trail for his new Michael Jackson documentary, "This Is It," which he made by editing together more than 80 hours of footage from rehearsals for the pop icon's ill-fated "This Is It" residency in London. Jackson died June 25, shortly before the concert series was to begin.
"Coming off of the extraordinary project, Michael Jackson's 'This Is It' director Kenny Ortega has decided it is premature for him to commit to his next film and will not be moving forward with 'Footloose' as previously reported," Paramount told E! News.
The entertainment news Web site said the studio declined to comment on a Variety report claiming Ortega left because he did not agree with Paramount on the tone and budget of the "Footloose" redo.
The movie is slated to begin shooting in March with Chace Crawford and Julianne Hough playing the lead roles.
Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner marry
BEDMINSTER, N.J., Oct. 26 (UPI) -- Ivanka Trump, the daughter of U.S. real estate mogul Donald Trump, married Jared Kushner, publisher of the New York Observer, in Bedminster, N.J., Sunday.
People.com said about 500 guests attended the lavish affair at the Trump National Golf Club. The reception reportedly included a performance by Trump family friend Regis Philbin.
"She looks amazing," Ivanka Trump's publicist told People.com, noting the bride, an author and reality television personality, wore a Vera Wang gown inspired by the late actress and princess, Grace Kelly.
Trump and Kushner dated on and off for about two years and were engaged for three months before tying the knot this past weekend, E! News said.
