Celebrity Mound

Singer Chris Brown may have scared off some women by beating up his ex, Rihanna, but Kanye West’s on-and-off girlfriend, Amber Rose, apparently isn’t one of them.

Brown and Rose locked lips at the July 4 White Party thrown by Sean (Diddy) Combs and Ashton Kutcher in Beverly Hills, spies tell the Daily News.

Brown, 20, arrived at the party with singer Teyana Taylor, an 18-year-old Rihanna look-alike, but is said to have hooked up quickly with Rose.

“Diddy announced the deejay would do a tribute to Michael Jackson,” said a guest. “Chris did an amazing impression of Michael’s moonwalk. It wasn’t long before he was dancing with Amber.”

Later, as the party wound down, the pair nestled on a couch in the backyard of the Beverly Hills mansion.

“They were holding hands and making out in the shadows,” said a witness. “She had her hand on his leg.”

Taylor is said to have been irked by the amount of time Brown spent with Rose, but still accompanied him to an after-party at the club Guys.

There, Brown again got upclose and personal with Rose, who is 26.

“They were kissing on the dance floor in front of Teyana,” said a witness. “But he and Amber left separately.”

Some wondered whether the flagrant display was a defiant message both to Rihanna and West. Rihanna dumped Brown, who last month pleaded guilty to assaulting the Grammy winner.

West, who has said he was “devastated” by Brown’s attack on a woman who was like “my little sister,” has run hot and cold on Rose lately. Although he reportedly broke up with her last month, they came together at last week’s BET Awards show.
A rep for Brown had no comment. Reps for Rose and West

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Sean “Diddy” Combs and Chris Brown

Mariah Carey and husband Nick Cannon

Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore

Tyrese Gibson and Chris Brown

Khloe Kardashian and Tara Reid

Khloe Kardashian and NBA player Rashad McCants

Janice Combs and Sean “Diddy” Combs

Kim Porter

Shanna Moakler

Amber Rose

Cassie

Tila ‘Tequila’ Nguyen

A reporter who covered CHRIS BROWN’s recent assault case faces a prison sentence for posting illegal video footage from inside the court building on the Internet.

Russell Alan Wetanson uploaded clips of interviews, conducted outside the Los Angeles courtroom, where Brown pleaded guilty to assaulting his ex-girlfriend Rihanna on June 22, 2009, to his website.

But it is illegal to tape footage or take photographs inside the official building – and new legal documents filed are requesting Wetanson is held in contempt of court.

Wetanson, who is also a lawyer, was notified by the public information officer of the court of the violation and the videos were subsequently removed from his website.

Brown was handed a community service order, five years supervised probation and he was ordered to stay away from the Umbrella hitmaker.

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Chris Brown was a no-show at Sunday night’s BET Awards because producers pulled his performance at the last minute.
According to several insiders, Brown’s appearance was considered risky business on a night honoring Michael Jackson. The “No Air” singer is facing negative publicity after pleading guilty to the February assault of his ex-girlfriend Rihanna.

One source says Brown’s absence came at the insistence of the Rev. Al Sharpton. “Al made such a fuss to the BET executives that they pulled Chris,” says our insider, who adds that Jay-Z also had a hand in the decision. “Jay is a big name in the BET community, and he was very vocal about his displeasure with Chris attending the ceremony. He didn’t want Chris anywhere near the awards so close to the court’s ruling.”

Brown isn’t taking the public dis on the chin, either. “He’s furious,” a pal of the singer tells us. “BET asked him to perform and waited until the last minute to tell him it was off. He’s pretty shocked and outraged right now.”

Both BET publicists and Brown’s camp say the singer was never confirmed for the show.

Meanwhile, Rihanna’s absence from the event was just as noticeable as Brown’s. But while her ex fumed, the “Umbrella” singer was busy hanging out with her crush, Orlando Magic forward Rashard Lewis, in NYC. Says a rep for the beauty, “Rihanna was never meant to attend [the BET awards].”

Also expected at the ceremony were Usher and Justin Timberlake; both bowed out of the event but agreed to take part in a later tribute to Jackson on BET.

Usher, who attended fashion shows in Paris over the weekend, sent his regrets in a prepared statement. Timberlake was also out of the country, hitting up both Wimbledon and the Hard Rock Calling concert in London.

But perhaps JT should have made the ceremony at L.A.’s Shrine Auditorium, because in his absence, he was the recipient of a roast by Jeremy Piven. “Justin should be here,” the “Entourage” actor joked. “If not for Michael Jackson, [Justin] would be selling curly fries in the Valley.”

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Chris Brown is under court orders not to go within 50 yards of Rihanna, but both he and his ex want to get rid of the strict no-contact clause.

“They think it’s unnecessary and ridiculous,” says a mutual pal of the protection order handed down at Tuesday’s criminal proceeding, during which Brown pled guilty to one count of felony assault in the February attack that left Rihanna battered and bruised. “After [the proceeding], Ri and Chris talked on the phone for almost an hour and really worked at becoming friends. They’re solid now.”

Solid, but still unable to speak to one another in public. At the very least, they’ll be able to get a little closer to one another at this Sunday’s BET Awards in L.A., which both stars are set to attend. The order of protection gives Brown a little leeway at music-industry events, stipulating that he cannot come within 10 yards of the Bajan beauty.

But as much as Rihanna and Chris may want to bury the hatchet, their friend is quick to dismiss a renewed romance. “That’s 100% done,” says the pal. “They aren’t looking to hook back up again. They’re both moving on and going their separate ways.”
Brown is currently in the studio. The “No Air” crooner is working on his comeback album, which will reportedly feature duets with Mary J. Blige and Keri Hilson. We hear the disk will also include a song called “Not My Fault,” about a female “singer” who got “caught up.” We wonder who that could be.

Rihanna is also back to work on new music, but seems to be finding more time for play than her ex. While Brown focuses on his career and repairing his image, Rihanna has recently attended a handful of premieres like “Year One,” enjoyed play dates with pals Aubrey (Drake) Graham, LeBron James and Kanye West, and gone clubbing at Jay-Z’s 40/40.

In addition, CoverGirl seems to have made peace with Rihanna and is releasing a three-month-old ad campaign featuring the singer as its spokeswoman. Being back in the spotlight and more famous than ever? Now that’s beautiful.

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Singer Chris Brown might have avoided jail time in his vicious attack on Rihanna, but domestic violence experts aren’t letting him off the hook so easily.

Advocates fear Brown’s plea deal, which gave him five years’ probation and community labor, is so cushy that it sends the wrong message to young men and victims.

“It sets a very poor example,” Roslyn Muraskin, director of the Long Island Women’s Institute, said Tuesday.
“This is a person who attacks a woman for no reason whatsoever and now gets away with the attack.”

Brown, 20, pleaded guilty Monday to one count of felony assault in the February attack on Rihanna after the couple left a Grammy party and fought over a text message.

After seeing pictures of Rihanna’s bruised and battered face, many initially figured Brown wouldn’t be able to avoid jail.
And now that he’s been spared from prison, experts fear other boys will expect leniency for abuse.

“Even Paris Hilton got more jail time!” National Organization for Women President Kim Gandy said in a statement.

“Young girls and boys watching this unfold on TV will see than men who commit violence against women practically go scot-free.”

Rita Smith, executive director of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, said Brown’s sentence is typical for first offenders – a problem since it might not be harsh enough to stop future attacks.

“I don’t think it’s enough of a consequence,” she said. “If we give them a break, we give them a shorter sentence or less consequence, it basically just says this wasn’t such a big deal.”

Advocates are particularly troubled about the impact of the sentence on the many middle and high school students who look up to Brown and Rihanna.

But Patti Occhiuzzo Giggans, executive director of Peace Over Violence, thinks Brown should get some credit for owning up to the crime.

“I think there was something refreshing about seeing a celebrity admit guilt. We don’t see that often,” she said.

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Chris Brown has pleaded guilty to one count of felony assault on pop star Rihanna. Brown entered his plea before a preliminary hearing was scheduled to start in Los Angeles on Monday. Rihanna had been on standby to testify.

Brown will be sentenced on Aug. 5, but the terms of the plea deal call for him to serve five years of formal probation and six months – roughly 1,400 hours – of community labor. Brown will be able to complete his probation in his home state of Virginia; he will have to do either graffiti removal or roadside cleanup for his service.

A spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office said the terms were in line with what others receive when they’re charged with similar crimes and who have no prior criminal history.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Patricia Schnegg also ordered the singer to stay away from Rihanna.

After Brown entered his plea and left the courtroom, Rihanna entered and was addressed by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Patricia Schnegg, who explained to the Barbados-born singer that she had issued a stay-away order.

Rihanna, 21, had not been seeking a stay-away order, but the judge imposed one. The order requires that Brown and Rihanna stay at least 50 yards from each, except at industry events when the distance is reduced to 10 yards.

The judge also told Rihanna it’s not a one-way order and she will be in violation if she gets closer to Brown than the order allows.

Rihanna was informed of the deal about an hour she could have been called as a witness, her attorney, Donald Etra, said. He said the singer “did not object” to the terms of the deal.

Schnegg accepted Brown’s plea, but expressed some concerns because Brown is not a California resident. She said Brown likely will be allowed to do his community service in his home state of Virginia. He’ll have to return to California for updates every three months. He’ll also be required to attend domestic violence classes.

Brown spoke softly throughout the hearing as he waived his rights and told the judge he understood the gravity of his plea.

“I think it’s commendable you took responsibility for your conduct,” Schnegg told Brown.

She said she hoped “the terms and conditions of your probation will have some meaning.”

The deal provides an end to a case that sparked intense media interest and severe backlash against Brown. Sponsors and radio stations dropped him, and the singer had to cancel several high-profile appearances, including a performance at the Grammys.

The singer once known for his squeaky-clean image now has a substantial blemish on his record. He must now also remain out of trouble for the foreseeable future.

Lawyers for Brown and Rihanna have refused to discuss the status of the pair’s relationship.

Brown was arrested Feb. 8, hours after police say he hit and threatened Rihanna after leaving a pre-Grammy party in Los Angeles. He was later charged with felony assault likely to produce great bodily harm and making criminal threats.

If convicted, the singer faced sentences ranging up to nearly five years in prison.

Brown, 20, rose to fame after the 2005 hit “Run It!” and his popularity has only grown. He was nominated for a Grammy for “No Air” with Jordin Sparks and named Billboard’s top artist in 2008.

In the months since the incident, both musicians have gradually appeared in public more frequently. Lately they have been photographed separately, including at a National Basketball Association finals game between the Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers.

Rihanna, 21, recorded one of 2007’s most popular songs with “Umbrella” and has numerous other hits. Her looks have made her a cover girl for magazines, as well as a pitchwoman for Cover Girl cosmetics.

Rihanna is expected to break four months of silence on Monday and sing on the witness stand about her alleged beating by boyfriend Chris Brown.

The “Umbrella” hitmaker could face a deluge of questions about the choking, biting and “barrage of punches” she received, according to a police affidavit, during a violent pre-Grammy night lovers’ quarrel last February.

Rihanna, 21, was subpoenaed by prosecutors who must demonstrate they have sufficient evidence to try Brown on felony charges of assault and making criminal threats.

R&B star Brown, 20, has pleaded not guilty.

“[The subpoena] is not a guarantee they will call her as a witness, but I fully expect that they will,” Rihanna’s lawyer Donald Etra told the Daily News. “She will testify truthfully.”

Sources said Rihanna initially considered reconciliation with Brown.

But the Barbados-born beauty has reportedly moved on to new romantic and career interests in New York.

“Who knows what she’ll say? But it’s wise for the prosecution to put her on now because if she refuses to testify at trial, they can use her preliminary hearing testimony,” said Loyola Law School Prof. Stanley Goldman, a former public defender in Los Angeles County.

Brown’s lawyer, Mark Geragos, took his attempt to postpone today’s hearing all the way to the California Supreme Court.
He argued that a Superior Court judge erred in denying his request to review internal police records related to the police photo of Rihanna’s bruised and bloody face that was leaked to gossip site TMZ.com.

“This highly prejudicial photograph was sold by an LAPD officer to [TMZ],” Geragos argued in a court filing. “The purpose of the leak was certainly to vilify the defendant and deprive him of a fair trial.”

Geragos said the files might offer ammunition he could use to attack the credibility of any police officers called to the stand.
The state Supreme Court declined to intervene in the case.

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Like most celebrities — especially those in the world of R&B and rap music — Chris Brown is usually surrounded by bodyguards, anytime he ventures out in public. However, a reliable L.A. source filled me in on the reason Rhianna’s alleged beater-boyfriend has so many folks protecting him these days.

Seems the music superstar has been targeted with death threats the authorities believe are actually legit.

In recent months, Brown has rarely been seen without a minimum of three very visible bodyguards — of the humongous variety — whenever he’s stepped outside his home.

On top of that, there reportedly are always three or four others who are ‘‘in cognito,’’ said a longtime Los Angeles Police Department insider — stressing at least one or two have been women, ‘‘but who are easily as tough as any man.’’

According to the source, Brown’s threats have been coming from a ‘‘group’’ (though authorities think it could easily be just a single person) calling itself the ‘‘Women’s Protection Action League.’’

The alleged threats, I’m told, are completely tied to the charges the entertainer badly beat Rhianna on Grammy Awards weekend earlier this year.

Brown is said to be ‘‘totally paranoid’’ about the threats on his life and has become obsessed with his security.

There have been some indications the potential assassin could be disguised as a paparazzi — yet another reason for Brown to despise the ever-present shutterbugs who stalk his every move.

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