'Storage Wars' star Mark Balelo found dead of apparent suicide
SIMI VALLEY, Calif., Feb. 12 (UPI) -- "Storage Wars" cast member Mark Balelo has committed suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning in Simi Valley, Calif., TMZ reported.
One of Balelo's employees found his body Monday morning in his car, which was parked and running in the garage at his auction house, the celebrity news website said.
He apparently had been distraught following his arrest Saturday for a drug-related offense, TMZ said.
An autopsy on Balelo's remains is scheduled for Tuesday.
Balelo is known for wearing flashy clothes to auctions on "Storage Wars," a reality show which debuted on A&E in 2010. The series follows people who buy the contents of unpaid storage units as single lots, then try to re-sell items individually for profit.
Singer Toni Braxton says she's retiring from recording
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 12 (UPI) -- U.S. singer Toni Braxton says she doesn't plan to record any new albums because she wants to pursue an acting career.
"For what I do, I have to love it. I have to feel that excitement and it's gone," the entertainer told theGrio. "I'm just not going to do any albums anymore; maybe touring occasionally here and there because I love performing, but not as much as I did in the past. But no new projects."
Braxton, 45, has sold more than 60 million records worldwide, won six Grammy Awards, competed on TV's "Dancing with the Stars," starred in the reality show "Braxton Family Values" and headlined the Broadway musicals "Aida" and "Beauty and the Beast," E! News noted. She also has, in recent years, made headlines for filing for bankruptcy and for battling the autoimmune disease lupus.
Johansson says she tried out for Hathaway's role in 'Les Mis'
NEW YORK, Feb. 12 (UPI) -- U.S. actress Scarlett Johansson says she auditioned for the role of Fantine, which ultimately went to Anne Hathaway, in the movie musical "Les Miserables."
Hathaway earned Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild and BAFTA awards for her portrayal of the doomed single mother struggling to survive in 19th century France. She is also considered the front-runner for the Best Supporting Actress prize at the Oscars later this month.
Johansson told Broadway.com she "sang [her] little heart out" while auditioning for the part of Fantine.
"I auditioned with laryngitis. I did everything I could to, like, not have laryngitis," Johansson said. "And I think looking at the film now, there's no possible way I ever could have topped that performance [by Anne Hathaway]. It was perfect and I think fateful and meant to be."
Johansson can now be seen in the Broadway revival of "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof."
'Lost' star Josh Holloway lands CBS drama pilot
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 12 (UPI) -- "Lost" star Josh Holloway is to play a former Navy SEAL-turned-intelligence officer in the pilot for a new CBS drama, The Hollywood Reporter said.
Holloway played lovable con man James "Sawyer" Ford on "Lost" for six seasons until the supernatural-themed show wrapped up in 2010.
His next project, "Intelligence," is being written and produced by "North Country" scribe Michael Seitzman. David Semel will direct the pilot, The Hollywood Reporter said.
