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Showbiz Tonight
Christie Brinkley`s Breakdown; Kardashian Flour Fury; Donald Trump on the Trayvon Martin Shooting; The Miss Universe Canada Controversy
Aired March 27, 2012 - 23:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
A.J. HAMMER, SHOWBIZ HOST: Big news breaking tonight on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Brinkley`s breakdown. Christie Brinkley`s tearful confessions today for the first time about her brand-new nasty custody battle with her cheating ex-husband.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHRISTIE BRINKLEY, SUPERMODEL: Sorry. But I just want peace.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, what led to Christie breaking down as SHOWBIZ TONIGHT dares to ask, could her public custody war be bad for her kids?
The Kardashian flour furry. Khloe Kardashian`s shocking new attack on the animal rights group she once supported. Did they have something to do with dousing Kim with flour? We`ll ask them tonight in a headline-making SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview.
SHOWBIZ breaks news with Donald Trump. What he said about the deadly Trayvon Martin shooting.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, BUSINESS TYCOON: It has to be looked into. It is terrible what happened.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: And what about the Miss Universe contestant who was disqualified because of her sex change? One on one with Donald Trump in a headline- making SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview.
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show breaks news right now.
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: Hello and thank you for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York with big news breaking tonight -- Brinkley`s breakdown.
Tonight, Christie Brinkley is basically saying to her ex-hubby, if it`s a war you want, then it is a war you`ll get. But as you`re about to see, that came with a very tearful price today.
Christie spoke out for the first time about her freshly fueled brand-new custody battle with her ex, Peter Cook. Now, he`s the guy that Christie kicked to the curb when it turned out he was cheating on her with his then 18-year-old intern.
But after a grilling from Matt Lauer on the "Today" show this morning, it all became way too much for Christie. You`ve got to watch what happened here.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BRINKLEY: I just want peace for my family, and I also -- sorry, but I just want peace. And every time I have any joy or any kind of success in anything, he has to try to destroy it. And the courts need to learn how to deal with this kind of situation.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: You just have to feel for her. Christie clearly very upset. And I have to tell you Matt Lauer didn`t let her off easy about any of this.
With me tonight from Hollywood, Shannon Tweed, who, of course, is famously married to Gene Simmons. And we have certainly them butt heads plenty of times on their marriage on their reality show, "Gene Simmons Family Jewels." Shannon is also launching her own really cool game. It`s called "Attack of the Groupies," something she may know a thing or two about.
Also in Hollywood, Kimberly Caldwell, who is a finalist on the second season of "American Idol." And Kimberly is now hosting a brand-new reality series on Oxygen called "Best Ink." Great to have you both here, ladies.
SHANNON TWEED, REALITY TV STAR, "GENE SIMMONS FAMILY JEWELS": Thank you, A.J.
KIMBERLY CALDWELL, HOST, "BEST INK": Hey, how are you?
HAMMER: I am terrific. Now, this whole thing, I have to say, is pretty amazing to me. We have been watching it play out now for four years. So here we are, four years later, these two can`t seem to put an end to their drama.
Christie claims that Peter owes thousands in child support. She claims that he bullies her. And then there`s this. You`ve got to watch what she said this morning on the "Today" show.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BRINKLEY: Since the day that he realized that I wasn`t coming back, there has been a real character assassination going on. I asked for and got a confidentiality agreement with the original divorce. I, alone, have maintained the confidentiality agreement.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: OK. Shannon, you have been in the public eye with Gene Simmons for decades now, you know what it is like to take your private life public.
Here is what I don`t get and maybe you can shed light on it for me. Christie told Matt this morning as you heard, she has been maintaining their confidentiality agreement. But doesn`t her interview with Matt this morning mean she just violated it?
TWEED: Well, I think he probably violated it first, and many, many times, and I tend to agree with her. It`s always hard to do anything when you`re a famous person, and your personal life blows up in your face.
And for so long, she has not responded publicly, and she`s now probably just had it, and I really don`t blame her. She has never been dragging her kids or husband through the mud publicly, but he seems to have done that to her. And if you ask me, he`s --
HAMMER: Well, yes. And it is unfortunate, if somebody gets pushed that far that they`re doing something they never wanted to do in the first place -- and Kimberly, you look at Christie. I mean, she`s obviously very upset.
Towards the end of the interview, she clearly broke down from the pressure of dealing with it all. I do get all of that. But do you think maybe she should have told Matt, "Hey, listen. You know what? I just don`t want to talk about it"?
CALDWELL: Well, first of all, I wanted to talk about how stunningly gorgeous she still is.
HAMMER: Oh, yes. No question.
TWEED: Yes.
CALDWELL: And I really hope that she overcomes this at some point because -- I mean, she`s even beautiful crying. I think that Matt was really pushing her buttons, not allowing her to finish her sentences.
TWEED: I do, too.
CALDWELL: And just like you said, I think that, you know, it is finally time where she`s at the end of her rope. She is done. She finally has to protect herself and her kids.
And we expect celebrities to be these super-humans. And at the end of the day, she`s a mom.
HAMMER: Yes.
CALDWELL: She has feelings, and she`s just a human.
HAMMER: Yes, and you really feel that human --
TWEED: I kind of get that (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
(CROSS TALK)
HAMMER: Of course, Shannon, you totally get that. And to your point, Kimberly, by the way, Christie Brinkley was the very first celebrity I ever interviewed and that is a long time ago. And if you ask me, she looks as good today as she did all those many decades ago.
CALDWELL: She`s stunning.
HAMMER: But listen, I am watching this thing this morning, and I guess Christie knows that people would be asking why is she airing her dirty laundry on TV because she really did go ahead and defended her motives this morning with Matt. Watch what she said on the "Today" show.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BRINKLEY: This is the first time I have ever been on a show, and I`m really here because, next week, I`m going to start promoting "Chicago." And this became such a big deal. I mean, I endured about two weeks of all kinds of, you know, lies and stories.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: OK. So Peter claims that she`s doing all of this for publicity for her Broadway show, "Chicago," which I find hard to believe. But Shannon, let me get your take.
TWEED: I don`t think so.
HAMMER: Because your husband, Gene Simmons, the master marketer -- do you think, in any way, Christie is possibly really doing this for publicity? Or do you think, yes, she`s just at her wit`s end with this guy, Peter?
TWEED: No. There`s no possible way a mother would do that to her kids for publicity. She doesn`t have to, by the way. And I do think Matt was pushing her buttons and being a little -- I mean, he was relentless this morning.
HAMMER: Well, and speaking of the kids, and Matt pushing her a bit, he really pressed Christie this morning about, you know, how all the public feuding with Peter has affected their kids, which is a valid question because we`re always talking about how it affects them. Let`s watch what Christie said about that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BRINKLEY: This is my first time on TV, OK? This is my first time. I want to stress that. I have never gone on a TV show. Peter went on Barbara Walters. He went on Geraldo Rivera.
MATT LAUER, CO-HOST, "THE TODAY SHOW": Getting back to the kids. What impact is this having on your children?
BRINKLEY: He went on "Good Morning America," so let`s ask him, why is he doing that?
HAMMER: OK. Kimberly, what do you think? Now, that --
TWEED: He is not even letting her speak.
HAMMER: But now -- and I want your take, Kimberly. Now that she has sort of gotten a lot of stuff off her chest, do you think maybe for the sake of her kids she should just leave it all at that and keep it all private from here on out?
CALDWELL: I don`t think she actually ever got a chance to finish her sentence, to finish her thoughts. And I think that she was really flustered.
And the whole reason why I think she came on this show, the "Today" show, was to express, "Listen, I want to just promote what I`m working on now and get this under the rug."
But what I think she should have done is taken the Oprah gig and actually had an hour to sit down and say everything she wanted to say in a relaxed environment, because I don`t think this was the right avenue for her to go, to say what she needed to say.
HAMMER: Yes. And I agree and I have a feeling it was --
TWEED: She was honoring a confidentiality agreement, so she didn`t do Oprah.
HAMMER: Right. And I think, now, at least she has hopefully experienced some catharsis being able to speak about it like that. But let me tell you about somebody else who`s taken heat.
Madonna, and it`s for her shocking comments about Molly. Now, Molly is slang for the drug ecstasy. We learned today Madonna made a surprise appearance at Miami`s Ultra Music Festival and she asked a provocative question from the stage. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MADONNA, POP STAR: I have a few questions for you. How many people in this crowd have seen Molly?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: So OK, a well-known veejay named Dead Mouse blasted her for that. Here`s what Dead Mouse tweeted, "That`s your big message to Ultra attendees? Hipster speak for looking for drugs? (EXPLETIVE DELETED) off." Shannon, what do you think? Was Madonna out of line?
TWEED: First of all, I love Dead Mouse.
HAMMER: Me, too.
TWEED: And Madonna was totally out of line. She absolutely knows what Molly is and knew what she was saying and she gave some lame excuse afterwards.
HAMMER: Yes.
TWEED: But no, it was not cool. She made a mistake and she should apologize for it, not make excuses for it.
HAMMER: And I`m not saying Madonna`s excuse was lame. But I should point out that she said that her comments were taken the wrong way. Shannon Tweed, thanks for being here.
TWEED: There`s no wrong way.
HAMMER: Best of luck with your new game, "Attack of the Groupies."
TWEED: Thank you.
HAMMER: Kimberly Caldwell, good luck on the new Oxygen reality series, "Best Ink." Thanks for being here.
CALDWELL: Thank you so much.
HAMMER: As we move on tonight, the Miss Universe contestant who was disqualified for being transgender. Will Donald Trump actually go ahead and change the rules?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: Well, I think it is something that maybe 10 years ago we wouldn`t be having this discussion, and today, we are.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, I go one on one with Donald. Will he change the rules about contestants who had a sex change? Should he?
And "Celebrity Apprentice" contestant, Clay Aiken. answers that very question in a must-see SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview.
Kardashian flour furry. Khloe Kardashian actually turns on the animal rights group she once supported. Did they have something to do with Kim K getting flour bombed? I`m going to ask PETA tonight in another headline- making SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview.
Bobby Brown arrested for suspicion of DUI. Here`s the great debate tonight, should Bobby be barred from seeing his daughter, Bobbi Kristina? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
This is the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" -- more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight.
TEXT: Michelle Obama to present the Big Help Kid`s choice award to Taylor Swift. Sherri Shepherd on how she juggles "Dancing" with her other jobs and being a mom!
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SHERRI SHEPHERD, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": It`s so amazingly hard. I just finished 17 hours on "30 Rock" on Saturday, and I have to come in and rehearse. It`s so hard. But you know what? I am living a dream.
So I don`t care how hard it is. This is something that I`ve always wanted to do and I am 110 percent committed to this.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: She`s enjoying herself and I am like forget "30 Rock," forget "The View." This is "Dancing with the Stars." I need you here right now.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ELLIN LAVAR, WHITNEY HOUSTON`S FRIEND AND HAIRDRESSER: Bobby, I believe, when Bobby is sober, he`s a wonderful human being. He is funny. He is fun to be around. But when he drinks, he changes into like a really not-nice person.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: That is Whitney Houston`s close friend and hairdresser, Ellin Lavar, sharing her personal insights on Whitney`s ex, Bobby brown. This as news breaks that Bobby Brown faces drunken driving charges after being arrested yesterday. So what does Bobby`s latest run-in with the law mean for his relationship with his daughter?
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. And tonight, a Bobby Brown bombshell.
Bobby Brown is free man for now, but yesterday, he got himself into some hot water just a month-and-a-half after his ex-wife, Whitney Houston, died.
Bobby is now facing drunken driving charges after California police pulled him over yesterday for talking on a cell phone. Police say that Bobby appeared to be intoxicated and he failed a sobriety test. Bobby`s new troubles have a lot of people asking a lot of questions.
With me tonight in New York, Midwin Charles, criminal defense attorney.
And look, Midwin, Bobby is no stranger to legal trouble, including a previous DUI conviction back in 1996. How likely in this case is it that Bobby might see some jail time?
MIDWIN CHARLES, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: It is likely. Like you said, there`s a 1996 conviction. And oftentimes, when you are facing new charges, the old charges or the old convictions always come into play and are assessed, so he could be looking at some jail time.
HAMMER: And wind up behind bars. All right. Well, there`s also the big question of Bobby`s mental state right now. He has had some troubles with drugs and alcohol in the past.
And I see this news and I think, well, obviously this spells some trouble with his sobriety. Obviously, if he tested positive on a breathalyzer or whatever they tested him on, you know, he is drinking.
CHARLES: It does. And by all accounts and reports, a lot of people have said that they have seen him drinking or appearing in public places where he appeared to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
So this is not a far departure from that. I am hoping he can perhaps get on the road to sobriety and maybe go to rehab.
HAMMER: Yes.
CHARLES: I`m hoping.
HAMMER: Well, we`ve been talking a lot about the people that Bobbi Kristina has around her. Let`s hope that Bobby Brown has some positive influences around him right now.
And a lot of people are wondering what this means for Bobbi Kristina, Bobby Brown`s daughter with Whitney Houston. She`s 19 years old.
We can`t imagine what she`s going through now. HLN`s Sunny Hostin spoke exclusively with Ellin Lavar, who is Whitney`s hairdresser and also one of Whitney`s most trusted friends.
Let`s listen to what Ellin said about Whitney`s love for Bobbi Kristina and how that pushed her to leave Bobby Brown.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LAVAR: She loved being Bobbi Kris`s mother. She loved that baby with her whole heart. And I think because of Bobbi Kristina is why she ended up finally bringing herself out of that relationship, because she loved her daughter more than anything. And as a mother, she wanted to protect her.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. Obviously understandable. Whitney`s family is also very protective of Bobbi Kris right now. That leads to our SHOWBIZ flashpoint, do you think that Bobby Brown will be banned from seeing Bobbi Kristina because of his arrest yesterday? Is that even possible?
CHARLES: Well, listen, they may try, and I wouldn`t be surprised if they did, given his past history. But Bobbi Kristina is, as you said, 19 years old. She`s an adult. And there isn`t really much anyone can do to prevent her, if she wants, from seeing her father.
HAMMER: But doesn`t it scare you or at least make you worry when you see something like this? And again, who knows what exactly was going on with Bobby Brown when he got pulled over and is now facing this conviction?
CHARLES: Right.
HAMMER: But it raises red flags, and again, on the backdrop of somebody who`s had such issues in the past.
CHARLES: It does. I`m not going to sit here and say it doesn`t raise red flags. But let`s remember, the fact is he is still her father, and she is still his daughter.
If the two of them want a relationship, there really isn`t much anyone can do about that because she is not a minor.
HAMMER: Yes. Again, this bears repeating. I hope they each have exactly the right people around them pointing them the right direction.
CHARLES: Yes.
HAMMER: Because it seems, for many years, not the case.
CHARLES: Yes. Let`s hope for the best for both of them.
HAMMER: All right. Midwin Charles, always great to see you. Thank you so much.
Well, tonight, I go one on one with Donald Trump. And Donald has been following the tragic Trayvon Martin shooting controversy. Tonight, he reveals to me what he thinks should happen in the case.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: It has to be looked into. It`s terrible what happened -- 17 years old. And now, there are all sorts of stories coming out that just don`t sound right.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, Donald Trump speaks to me about the controversial case of Trayvon Martin in a must-see SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview.
And what do you think about this? Angelina Jolie as Kate Middleton? Brand-new reports out today that say Jolie is jonesing to play the most famous duchess on the planet. But is she right for the role?
It is time now for the SHOWBIZ buzz list. Here`s what the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT staff is buzzing about this week. We are so psyched for the explosive season finale of the great Don Cheadle`s "House of Lies." That`s this Sunday on Show Time.
We`re downloading Justin Bieber`s new grownup single, "Boyfriend," available today on iTunes.
Doodle and share with the awesome new Draw Something app. It`s where drawing meets social media.
We can`t wait to order "The Bodyguard" now available on Blu-Ray 20 years after it burst in theaters.
And we are stepping out to the great white way to see the Irish love story "Once". It features the song "Falling Slow." This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Tonight, the Latin Brad Pitt leaves the ballroom breathless on "Dancing with the Stars." And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was right there with William Levy as he quicksteps off stage.
Is Ashton Kutcher leaving "Two and a Half Men"? And Bieber gets blasted after playing a Twitter joke. It`s all making big news in "The Buzz Today."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over) Bieber`s bad blood in Texas. Justin Bieber has just got blasted for a prank gone wrong. Two people in Texas are going after the Biebs and are insisting he pay up after they got hit with more than 1,000 phone calls when he tweeted a joke to his fans.
About a month ago, Bieber tweeted a phone number and asked fans to call him, but he left off one number. That led to a load of fans guessing what the other number was. And two Texans claim their phones were ringing off the hook with people dialing the wrong number.
A lawyer for the two Texans tells TMZ they want Justin to own up for his reckless behavior.
Ashton`s coming back? Ashton Kutcher is reportedly just this close to agreeing to a second season of "Two and a Half Men." "TV Guide" says Kutcher, who signed a one-year contract to replace Charlie Sheen on the show, is in talks with CBS to extend his contract.
The report estimates that Ashton is already the highest paid sitcom actor on TV, earning around $700,000 an episode and says he will likely get a pay raise to about $1 million a show if he stays on for "Men`s" 10th season.
Loving Levy. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT at "Dancing with the Stars." SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was right there with all the stars as they battled it out on the dance floor for week two of the ABC show.
Cuban star, William Levy, who performed the quickstep with partner, Cheryl Burke, ranked second after Monday`s competition and tells us he is overwhelmed by the support he is getting from Americans.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WILLIAM LEVY, ACTOR: It feels great. I mean, I have no words to explain how good it feels to come here to this country and receive this kind of love from the people.
It has been great. I mean, I`m going to keep saying it again -- it was my dream to come here when I was a little boy. And today, to be in the position I am right now is great. It is amazing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Just think about how cool that is for him. Time now for the SHOWBIZ lineup -- here is what`s coming up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
SHOWBIZ breaks news with Donald Trump. His very first thoughts on the Miss Universe contestant booted for being transgender.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: Well, I think it is something that maybe 10 years ago, we wouldn`t be having this discussion, and today, we are.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, will Donald change the rules of his beauty competition for contestants who have had a sex change and should he? I`ll ask his "Celebrity Apprentice" contestant, Clay Aiken in a must-see SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview.
Khloe Kardashian turns on the animal rights group she once supported. Did they have something to do with Kim K getting flour bombed? I will ask PETA tonight in another must-see headline-making SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" -- more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight.
TEXT: Mayim Bialik being honored with anti-defamation league leadership award. Tim Tebow gets billboard welcoming him to New York.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Big news breaking on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT -- Khloe Kardashian versus PETA. Kim`s little sister is turning her back on the animal rights group she supported in a massive ad campaign, just after Kim`s famous flour bombing.
But did the group really have anything to do with it? I`ll ask them in an explosive SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview.
Also, SHOWBIZ breaks news with Donald Trump.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: Well, I think it is something that maybe 10 years ago, we wouldn`t be having this discussion, and today, we are.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: The Donald sets the record straight right here tonight about the transgender controversy at his Miss Universe pageant.
Plus, I go one on one with superstar and "Celebrity Apprentice" contestant, Clay Aiken, in a headline-making SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview to get his take on the controversy.
And is Angelina Jolie considering playing Kate Middleton in a movie about the young royal`s life?
ANNOUNCER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
(MUSIC)
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT and thank you for watching. It is 30 minutes past the hour. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York with big news is breaking tonight, taking a stand on the shooting death of Florida teenager Trayvon Martin.
And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you that Clay Aiken has become the latest celebrity to express his outrage. Get a load of this. Clay just went on "Access Hollywood" wearing a hoodie.
Now, the hoodie, of course, has become a symbol of protest over the killing of Martin who was wearing a hoodie when a neighborhood watchman, George Zimmerman, shot him dead.
Clay, who is now starring on "Celebrity Apprentice," is right here with me in New York, again, wearing a hoodie. And Clay has just released his all- new CD of some of his favorite songs from the `50s and the `60s called "Steadfast."
Clay right here for the SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview. It`s great to see you.
CLAY AIKEN, SINGER: Thanks for having me.
HAMMER: Spending a little more time with you today.
AIKEN: Yes. Yes.
HAMMER: We were together at the Trump Tower.
AIKEN: All day event.
HAMMER: And congratulations, by the way, on how you`re doing on "Celebrity Apprentice." You sat here before we got to see the show. And now, it`s been unfolding. It`s really been fun to watch.
AIKEN: Thank you.
(CROSS TALK)
HAMMER: Yes. We`ll talk about that in a moment. Oh, maybe that was a little foretelling of what`s to come, Clay.
AIKEN: Oh, no.
HAMMER: I want to talk to you about what Donald Trump said this morning. Of course, we were talking about Trayvon Martin. And I asked Donald with you standing there what he thinks needs to be done in this case. Let`s watch that tape together.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: Well, it has to be looked into. It is terrible what happened -- 17 years old. And now, there are all sorts of stories coming out which just don`t sound right.
So something has to be done very quickly because it really is a horrible situation.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. I mean, obviously, a horrible situation on so many levels. To Donald`s point, what do you think does need to be done?
I think the media has done a great job of talking about it, but I think it is important we don`t try the case in the media. It needs to be tried in front of a jury, just like every other -- just like the American justice system is set up to work, how it is set up to work.
We have done a lot of talking. On one side, they`re kind of battling each other in the public eye now, and that`s a shame, because when someone gets shot, you arrest the shooter and put them -- send them to trial. And you let a jury and a judge decide.
And I think that that`s the outrage. We`re all worried that if this can happen to a 17-year-old, it could happen to my child. It could happen to anybody`s child. It could happen to anybody.
And when he says something needs to be done, I think he`s right. And I think what needs to be done is the justice system needs to work the way it was intended to.
HAMMER: And people need to be able to feel good about how things are being handled which, obviously, is a cause for all the outrage that`s been going on.
AIKEN: It`s very much -- it`s seems like a TV movie, and it`s made for a TV movie. It`s that type of almost -- I hate to use the word "corruption" because I don`t know all the facts.
But it`s the type of thing that can scare you when you don`t know what`s going on. And we believe that the cops are just making decisions on their own about whether or not someone should be prosecuted. It is kind of unsettling.
HAMMER: And the showing of solidarity from the Hollywood community and celebrities all over the place has been pretty powerful.
I mean, seeing you in a hoodie showing up on "Access Hollywood" and right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. We have seen Spike Lee and Jamie Foxx, even the entire Miami Heat basketball team wearing them.
Why do you think it is so important? Why is it important to you?
AIKEN: Well, I think because it`s very relatable. I mean, President Obama even said if he had a son, he would look like Trayvon.
And I don`t think he meant that necessarily in a race way. I think he meant that fact that this could be anybody`s kid. I mean, truth be told, I heard the other day somebody on another news network said something about how he hadn`t been wearing the hoodie, then he might not have this trouble.
Well, I don`t know that -- I`ve worn a hoodie a lot and I never seem to be too suspicious to people. So maybe there may be something more there.
HAMMER: Well, there`s an argument there that I`m not going to get into. We all know what the argument is.
AIKEN: But I mean, I think the thing that scares people and the reason that so many people have been involved is because we realize that this is something that could happen to anyone. This was in a gated community, in a very nice part of -- a very nice area in Florida.
This kid had a bag of Skittles in his hand. I mean, this could have been anybody.
HAMMER: Yes.
AIKEN: And I think that`s what really strikes home for people.
HAMMER: Yes, it is scary and it does hit very close to home for so many people. And it`s not just what we`re seeing people are wearing.
We`re seeing people tweeting, people online writing passionately about this. And we just saw Chaka Khan just unveiling a brand-new video tribute that she did on "PIERS MORGAN TONIGHT" on CNN just a short time ago. Let`s watch a bit of that.
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: Pretty great. And I have to imagine there are more tribute songs on the way. And I have to imagine you would be willing to lend your voice to something like that.
AIKEN: I`d be happy to sing with Chaka Khan. Absolutely.
HAMMER: You missed that boat man. Call her up and say you`re in for the next one.
Well, there`s another big story that I want to get to that is breaking Donald Trump`s universe tonight, surrounding his Miss Universe Canada pageant.
A contestant that had a sex change and is now a woman, got booted from the competition, which is owned by Donald Trump. I want to take a look at what Donald Trump told me when you and I were there with him together at Trump Tower.
And I asked him if he would be open to changing the rules in the contest. Roll it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: Well, I think it is something that maybe 10 years ago, we wouldn`t be having this discussion, and today, we are. And we certainly have to look into it. I`ll speak to my people.
But I know it has been a very, very big story in Canada and, actually, throughout the world. And we`re going to certainly have to look into it.
HAMMER (on camera): Clay, do you think it would be fair if the competition was opened up to people who have gone through sex reassignment and they have identified as a female their entire life?
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HAMMER: OK. I wanted to stop it there.
AIKEN: I was like, "What do I say?"
HAMMER: The reason I stopped it there -- you remember he said, "Well, that`s an easy question for you." And you laughed at it at the moment.
And I`ve got to tell you, Clay, I almost want to apologize to you for letting it go by. You know, we were in an interview situation. It was a little weird.
But I was offended. I got out of that shoot and I got in the car and I thought that was kind of offensive. I asked you the question, not as an openly gay man.
I asked you the question as somebody who has been outspoken on human rights issues and somebody who has gotten to know Donald Trump, who happened to be standing right there while we talked about it. And it seemed what he said was a little flip.
AIKEN: Well, but you know what? You know what? You`re in a situation. I understood what he meant and I certainly didn`t take offense to it. I absolutely --
HAMMER: OK. I just wanted to make sure.
AIKEN: I think what he meant was, you know, it is something that I have spoken up about in the past, about, you know, gay rights and the rights of transgender.
HAMMER: In his own special way.
AIKEN: I understood what he meant.
HAMMER: OK.
AIKEN: And what he said was really telling. He talked about, you know, the fact we probably wouldn`t have been talking about this 10 years ago.
These rules were written into the -- you know, into the Miss Universe Organization a long time ago. People wouldn`t have discussed it.
HAMMER: Right.
AIKEN: The fact that, now, people are causing, you know, sort of an uproar about it.
HAMMER: OK.
AIKEN: It means that we are progressing further. And I do find promise in that. Do I think it is a fair rule? No. You know, and I would say that to him, too. I think he probably believes -- he knows that I would think that. Do I think it is a fair rule? No. It is a rule that obviously is in place right now.
HAMMER: Right.
AIKEN: And I do have faith that, you know, public outcry and the fact that society is changing and becoming more accepting will lead them to change those types of rules.
HAMMER: We can be positive about that. Moving on to you in "Celebrity Apprentice," well, it has been fun to watch you in action. In fact, Charles, can you roll out a little Clay Aiken on "Celebrity Apprentice"?
(SINGING)
HAMMER: And you guys won the competition that night.
AIKEN: The first time I`ve sung and won something.
HAMMER: Well, there you go. Listen, you stick with what you know sometimes, right, and you can go far. Has it been a fun experience? Because I believe when you were here originally before we got to see the show, you weren`t so hot on how the whole thing went.
AIKEN: You know what? It`s exhausting. It is an exhausting experience. And when you`re that tired, it can be tough to appreciate how much fun it is.
I mean, I have to say, I look back in there. I`ve made friends for sure that I`ll keep.
HAMMER: Yes.
AIKEN: And looking back and watching it, I kind of get a kick out of remembering some of the stuff that happened. In the moment, probably when we talked back when Lisa Lampanelli and I were here, I was probably so exhausted and probably so psychologically scarred.
HAMMER: Yes.
AIKEN: That I was not willing to be (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
HAMMER: We`re all dying to see what happens and I think there was a little foreshadowing earlier in our interview. You`ll have to roll your DVRs back for that.
But Clay, it`s great to see you. I want to encourage everybody to check out -- you on "Celebrity Apprentice," of course, Sunday nights on NBC. And Clay`s all-new CD called "Steadfast" available in stores right now.
HAMMER: We move on now to Kardashian flour furry. Kim`s little sister is dumping the animal rights group she supported after Kim got flour dumped on her.
But did the group really have anything to do with the dousing that Kim got on the red carpet, the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals? Well, tonight, they are setting the record straight in a SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview.
Also, Angelina Jolie apparently looking to make a movie about royal, Kate Middleton. It`s our SHOWBIZ great debate -- what do you think? Is Angelina really right for the role? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
This is the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" -- more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight.
TEXT: "Bully" documentary to be released unrated on March 30. SHOWBIZ first look: "The Real Housewives of Vancouver" premieres in April.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My primary source of income is two divorces.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Probably the person I`d most like to be, Martha Stewart.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Eight marriages. I think I could go for nine.
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HAMMER: Tonight, Kim Kardashian`s flour bomb attack ignites a powder keg of fury. It is People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals versus the Kardashians.
Kim`s sister, Khloe, dropping her support of PETA after the organization publicly backed the woman who flour-bombed Kim just a couple days ago.
Tonight, now that Khloe dropped PETA, does PETA regret going up against the first family of reality TV?
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. And tonight, fur fight. Khloe Kardashian calling PETA liars and bullies, even after she once stripped down naked in support of the group.
But tonight, it is Khloe`s rage that`s on full display. On top of that, her sister, Kim, is still considering pressing charges against the woman who dumped flour all over her, all in the name of protecting animals.
Tonight, we are here to separate the fact from the fiction with Lisa Lange. Lisa is the senior vice president of PETA. It`s good to have you here, Lisa. Thanks for joining us.
LISA LANG, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, PEOPLE FOR THE ETHICAL TREATMENT OF ANIMALS: Thanks for having me.
HAMMER: Absolutely. Well, let us now take a look at what has become a rather famous viral moment, the jaw-dropping attack on Kim Kardashian as she was walking the red carpet and doing an interview. Let`s look.
All right. Lisa, I want you to set the record straight here because I believe there`s been some confusion. Does the woman that flour-bombed Kim that night have any relationship with PETA?
LANGE: No. I mean, from what we`re hearing, we think that the person has been identified. She`s a local activist here in Los Angeles and she has been a PETA volunteer.
We got the videotape that you just showed the same way everybody else did. I think we first heard it from the press, and then it was sent to us.
And you know, we are hoping -- you know, I met Kim a few years ago when Khloe did her naked, anti-fur ad for PETA. And I have to say after the meeting and after we talked to her how animals are electrocuted and they have their fur ripped while they`re often fully conscious and able to feel pain, I was probably naively, obviously, sure that she would no longer wear fur.
And I probably naively still have that hope that out of all of this and all the discussion that has ensued since the incident, that maybe she will consider this, that animals --
HAMMER: Yes. You know, we get the message. But certainly, it would be great for your organization`s message, because obviously -- obviously, Kim Kardashian has a great amount of influence, a lot of people paying VERY close attention to everything that she does.
At first, Lisa, it did seem like Kim wanted to just put the entire ordeal behind her. She made a joke about it after the incident happened. But then, Kim decided she might press charges, and that`s when your organization really seemed to fire the first shot at Kim Kardashian.
I want to read what you guys said. PETA said, "We don`t believe Kim would be so shortsighted as to go after this woman. But if she does, we will definitely look at how to maximize exposure to the cruel fur industry and that could mean defending the activist if she wishes."
And obviously, you`re getting the exposure. But Lisa, to be clear, are you saying that if Kim goes ahead and she does press charges against this woman and the flour bomber asked for PETA`s help, you`ll be right there alongside with her, picking up the tab for any kind of a legal battle against Kim Kardashian?
LANGE: We stand at the ready to talk to her lawyer, if a lawyer even enters into the picture. We have no idea where things are right now on that front.
But yes, I mean, we really hope that she doesn`t press charges. I mean, I think what needs to come out of this is a real look at what motivated this activist to do what they did.
PETA has been in touch with Kim for a few years now, sending her photographs, sending her video. Her own sister did an anti-fur ad.
HAMMER: Yes.
LANGE: We have been urging her to understand. Look, this is a woman who has everything. She`s breathtakingly beautiful. She has a family who loves her, more wealth than she can ever do anything with.
And we`re simply asking her to just have a little mercy. These animals can`t even plead with their abusers to stop. We need someone as beautiful and as influential and as famous as her --
HAMMER: Yes.
LANGE: To simply say, "You know what? I want nothing to do with this violent industry."
HAMMER: Which has to be why you were happy that Khloe Kardashian, Kim`s sister, got involved with this organization.
LANGE: Yes.
HAMMER: But now, she is not happy about any of this. She`s publicly dropped her longtime support of PETA.
LANGE: Sure.
HAMMER: I want to bring in SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter. Kareen, what did Khloe say?
KAREEN WYNTER, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT CORRESPONDENT: A.J., you know her sis had a lot to say. There is no other way to put it. Khloe, she goes off here.
She writes on her blog -- listen to this, "I just received word that the woman responsible has very close ties to PETA, despite PETA publicly stating otherwise."
"Not only has PETA lied to the public, but they have proved that they support this kind of behavior. I`ve been a vocal supporter of PETA, but I have also been very vocal about anti-bullying."
"I don`t condone violence and bullying, and what happened last Thursday was just that. I personally don`t wear fur, but that doesn`t mean I am going to force my views on anyone else, especially by violating them." Wow. A.J.?
HAMMER: All right. Yes, Kareen, I think she made some points there -- Khloe did -- that people can relate to, Lisa. So what`s your response to Khloe calling PETA members essentially bullies and liars?
LANGE: Well, you know, Khloe has a very big heart and she loves her sister dearly, so I understand where she`s coming from. I have a brother I would do absolutely anything for.
She has also said though she won`t wear fur and that`s what really counts here. I will say it really is disturbing for me to hear people throwing that "bullying" word around a lot because, you know, when we talk about that, we`re talking about kids, gay kids, people who don`t fit in at school being beaten up.
When we`re talking about what happened with Kim, we`re talking about an anti-fur protest against a woman who has really stood out as a supporter of a very violent industry. I do think there`s a difference here.
HAMMER: Lisa, I do have to jump in and end it there. You know, who knows, maybe Khloe will get through to Lisa even if she`s not involved with your organization anymore. Lisa Lange, I do appreciate you being here. Thank you.
LANGE: Thank you.
HAMMER: We move now from flour power to royal power? What do you think of this? Angelina Jolie playing royalty? Check it out. There are brand-new reports saying that Angelina would love to play Kate Middleton in a movie about the young royal`s life.
Do you see it all, Hollywood royalty playing a real-life royal? The SHOWBIZ great debate is next. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
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HAMMER: Is Angelina Jolie obsessed with Kate Middleton? Well, I can tell you that brand-new reports say Angie has a picture of Kate and Prince William on her wall at home. Who knew?
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can also reveal reports tonight say Angie is just dying to make a biopic about Kate and star as the duchess herself.
Let me go right to Hollywood and the lovely Kimberly Caldwell who is the host of Oxygen`s "Best Ink." So Kimberly, Angelina is 36. Kate is 30.
Angelina, as we know, is Hollywood royalty and considered to be one of the classiest women in Hollywood. Kate, of course, actual royalty, considered to be one of the classiest women in the world.
So I must know your take on this, Kimberly. Do you think Angelina Jolie has what it takes to make a good or perhaps great Kate Middleton?
CALDWELL: I think Angelina Jolie has what it takes to do whatever the heck she ever wants to do. She is fabulous. I thought when you said that she had a picture of Kate on her wall that you were going to say she had a picture of Kate like tattooed on her somewhere.
But I think she really understands Kate Middleton because she is probably the only other person that is more famous than Angelina Jolie. The only other more famous couple than Brad Pitt and Angelina are the prince and Kate.
HAMMER: Yes. I mean, do you really think that is sort of what boils down the reason that is indicated in these reports that Angelina is just fascinated, not just with Kate, but also with Prince William? I mean, she seems so drawn to her.
CALDWELL: I feel like if you`re going to have Angelina, if they want a sexy Kate Middleton for the movie, then they need to maybe go with Megan Fox. And if they want a legit Kate Middleton for the movie, then they probably need to go with more of an Anne Hathaway.
HAMMER: Got it. Well, listen, you know, who knows if Angelina -- maybe she does have that tattoo and we just haven`t learned about it yet. Kimberly Caldwell, thanks so much.
CALDWELL: Exactly. Thanks for having me.
HAMMER: Make sure you catch Kimberly on "Best Ink" Tuesdays on oxygen.
Coming up next, judge Rihanna? What do you think? Is the "X Factor" about to get the superstar power of Rihanna behind it? Would it be enough to lift the show`s rather pathetic ratings? That is coming up next.
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HAMMER: Is superstar singer Rihanna about to get even busier? Well, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can reveal that brand-new reports say Rihanna is in negotiations now to be the next judge on the "X Factor."
That`s right. She could be the next superstar to become part of Simon Cowell`s dysfunctional "X Factor" family. Simon, of course, axed his old pal, Paula Abdul and also Nicole Scherzinger from the show after the first season ended with disappointing ratings.
So now, it looks like Rihanna could be close to signing a massive deal. Personally, I think she would make a great "X Factor" judge. Don`t know if she has time for it, but it would be a great win for everyone including Simon. And Simon, you should know so you don`t piss her off, it is pronounced "Rihanna."
And that is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer. Remember, you can catch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, weeknights, 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific right here on HLN.
Stay right here for "DR. DREW," next. Tonight, Dr. Drew looks at the race and the explosive fury over the Trayvon Martin shooting. That starts right now.
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