Dior fires designer John Galliano
MILAN, Italy, March 1 (UPI) -- The French fashion house Christian Dior says it has fired designer John Galliano for allegedly making anti-Semitic and racist remarks.
"We unequivocally condemn the statements made by John Galliano which are in total contradiction to the longstanding core values of Christian Dior," Sidney Toledano, Dior's president and chief executive officer, said in a statement issued to Women's Wear Daily.
The move came after a video surfaced online appearing to show the 50-year-old designer making the offensive remarks.
Natalie Portman, the Israeli-born actress who won the Best Actress Oscar Sunday for her work in "Black Swan," also is the face of Miss Dior Cherie perfume.
She said she is "deeply shocked and disgusted by the video" and will never work with Galliano again.
"In light of this video, and as an individual who is proud to be Jewish, I will not be associated with Mr. Galliano in any way," Portman said in a statement released to People.com.
"I hope at the very least, these terrible comments remind us to reflect and act upon combating these still-existing prejudices that are the opposite of all that is beautiful," the actress said.
WWD said Dior still plans to show its collection Friday at Italian Fashion week in Milan.
Aguilera arrested for public intoxication
LOS ANGELES, March 1 (UPI) -- Pop star Christina Aguilera was arrested for alleged public intoxication early Tuesday, police in West Hollywood, Calif., said.
TMZ reported the singer was arrested alongside her boyfriend, Matthew Rutler, who was charged with driving under the influence after police said they saw him driving erratically.
A law-enforcement source told the entertainment news Web site Aguilera appeared to be "extremely intoxicated" and was "unable to take care of herself" at the time of her arrest.
"If the driver had not been arrested for DUI, (Christina) would have never been in trouble," the insider said.
Aguilera's recent divorce and hard-partying ways have made headlines in recent months. She also was criticized for getting the words wrong when she sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the Super Bowl in February.
Elton's Oscar party raises $4M for charity
LOS ANGELES, March 1 (UPI) -- The 19th annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party in Los Angeles raised nearly $4 million for the fight against HIV/AIDS, organizers said.
Elton John and David Furnish served as hosts for Sunday's gala at the Pacific Design Center.
Attendees included Ben Kingsley, Heidi Klum, Seal, Jamie Foxx, Steven Tyler, Zac Levi, Sharon Stone, Matthew Morrison, Paul Rudd, Paz Vega, Claire Danes, Hugh Dancy, Ashley Tisdale, Baz Luhrmann, Emma Stone, Smokey Robinson, Quincy Jones, Chace Crawford, Hayden Panettierre, Kelly and Sharon Osbourne, Dave Annable, Cee Lo Green, Chris Colfer, Eric Stonestreet, Jane Lynch, Kim Kardashian, Nicole Richie, Joel Madden, John Waters, Miranda Cosgrove, Serena Williams, Joel McHale, Rashida Jones, Vanessa Hudgens, Taye Diggs, Rufus Wainwright, Natasha Henstridge and Tori Spelling.
Guests enjoyed cocktails and dinner, then watched the 83rd Academy Awards telecast.
The dinner was followed by an auction conducted by Jamie Nivens of Sotheby's after which Florence + The Machine took the stage to perform several songs including their hit "The Dog Days are Over."
Elton John also joined Florence Welch onstage to perform "Tiny Dancer" and "You Got the Love," the foundation said in a news release Monday.
Showtime renews 'Shameless,' 'Episodes'
LOS ANGELES, March 1 (UPI) -- Showtime says it has ordered second seasons of its U.S. programs "Shameless" and "Episodes."
The new seasons are to premiere in 2012, David Nevins, President of Entertainment at Showtime Networks Inc., announced Monday.
Starring William H. Macy and Emmy Rossum, the hourlong family drama, "Shameless," received a 12-episode order for its second season, while the half-hour comedy series, "Episodes," starring Matt LeBlanc as a fictional version of himself, received a second-season order with the number of episodes to be determined.
"The viewer loyalty and critical acclaim that has met both 'Shameless' and 'Episodes' since their January debuts makes it clear that these two brash and sophisticated series are burgeoning hits," Nevins said in a statement. "('Shameless' executive producer) John Wells is carving out a tone that is truly unique in the television landscape -- equal parts drama and comedy. And 'Episodes' marks the universally embraced and hilarious return to television of an inspired comedy triumvirate: Matt LeBlanc, and creators Jeffrey Klarik and David Crane. We are thrilled with the response to both series and eager to start planning for their second seasons."
