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Atlanta
Journal-Constitution, The (GA) September 27, 2006
Oh no, they didn't.
The Star Jones Reynolds and Al Reynolds camp had a swift response
to this week's National Enquirer screaming front-page headline: "Star
Jones' Husband Walks Out!" and its accompanying article written by
Alexander Hitchen, claiming that Al Reynolds is a, well, er, a, um . . .
homosexual.
And that response, thoughtfully forwarded by the gossip Web site
TMZ.com, threatened to melt the Buzz Central e-mail in box Tuesday.
Handling a copy of the ex-"View"-er's Los Angeles attorney's letter to the
tabloid (utilizing a pair of Kevlar-enhanced 'Ove Gloves), we recognized
lots of ugly words like "false" and "defamatory."
The letter from Greenberg Glusker attorney Robert Chapman goes on
to say: "Your publication has accused my clients of perpetrating a fraud
on the public and being dishonest concerning their personal lives and
marriage. As you well know, the charges in your article are completely
false. The true facts are that Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds are happily married.
Mr. Reynolds has not moved out of the home he shares with his wife.
Contrary to the statements in your article, he does not live with, share
an apartment with, nor is he visiting a man. . . . You have also chosen to
state that Mr. Reynolds is gay. . . . Nothing could be farther from the
truth."
The couple are demanding that the National Enquirer "print a full
and complete front-page retraction, the substance of which has to be
approved by them." If the tabloid doesn't comply, it would "increase the
amount of punitive damages to which you will be subjected."
When we rang Chapman's office Tuesday afternoon, we were politely
told that "he was out handling depositions."
A call to Jones Reynolds' New York publicist Brad Zeifman netted us
the following e-mailed statement from Zeifman: "Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds have
tried to handle these vicious lies and attempts at character assassination
with quiet dignity for far too long. ... Now they will pursue immediate
legal action against anyone who makes false statements about their
family."
The tabloid had no immediate response to the letter, but the story
was not posted on its Web site when we checked Tuesday.
Sigh. If only the National Enquirer had asked to borrow our copy of
Jones Reynolds' tome "Shine: A Physical, Emotional & Spiritual Journey
to Finding Love." As Buzz readers will fondly recall, in "Shine,"
the author writes: "The first time ever he held me in his arms sexually,
it was so urgent and almost frightening for both of us because we knew our
erotic interest in each other could take over every other single thing."
Oops. We probably should have alerted you to finish chewing first.
Stylishly trashy
Atlanta fashion designer Michael Knight, who is one of four
remaining contestants on Bravo's reality show "Project Runway," is getting
plenty of face time at home.
On Saturday night, he and his mother, Pamela, will be guests at the
"Starry Night Gala" at the National Museum of Patriotism downtown. The
black-tie event will benefit Possible Woman Foundation International,
which awards scholarships to older women in need.
A special item for the live auction is Knight's winning dress that
he made from a recyclable peanut sack, Mylar tubing and plastic in the
episode "Waste Not, Want Not." Waste Management Inc. operates the
recycling site in New Jersey where the designers found their materials.
The firm bought all the dresses, including Knight's, which has been
featured in Macy's Herald Square windows.
When Kim Annunziata, who works for Waste Management in Atlanta --
and serves on the board of PWFI, found out the dress was still in New
York, she asked to have it for the auction. Bravo and Macy's agreed to
turn over the dress, and it arrived in Atlanta Monday. Waste Management
paid $405 for Knight's creation; the opening bid online is $1,000. The
winner will receive the dress in January.
To bid online or to buy tickets to the $100 per person gala, go to:
www.possiblewoman foundation.org.
Knight has also agreed to design a table for Macy's Elle Decor's
Dining by Design events at Mason Murer Fine Art on Oct. 25 and 26.
Sick bay
Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler says he was diagnosed with
hepatitis C three years ago after having the illness for a long time
without any symptoms.
In an interview with "Access Hollywood," the 58-year-old singer
said the infection was now "nonexistent" in his bloodstream after 11
months of treatment, including the drug interferon.
"I've been pretty quiet about this," Tyler was quoted as saying.
"I've had hepatitis C for a long time, asymptomatic."
OK, we'll say it: That's all Tyler had floating around his
bloodstream?? We're severely disappointed.
Celebrity birthdays
Actress Jayne Meadows is 86. Actor Wilford Brimley is 72. Producer
Don Cornelius ("Soul Train") is 70. "Gilmore Girls" actress Liz Torres is
59. Singer Meat Loaf is 55. Singer-actor-director Shaun Cassidy is 48.
Actress Gwyneth Paltrow is 34. Singer Avril Lavigne is 22.
Contributing: Marylin Johnson and news services. If you have a tip,
call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail:
buzz@ajc.com.
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