By Ninette Cheng
Northwest Asian Weekly
What a month for showbiz! Of the major stories, one involved Asian American Jon Gosselin of “Jon and Kate Plus 8.” In addition, Kelly Choi hosted the new “Top Chef Masters,” while Tila Tequila came clean regarding her supposed pregnancy, and Ichiro Suzuki’s career soared to new heights.
Jon and Kate’s media parade
It seems like you can’t go anywhere without hearing about Jon and Kate Gosselin these days. On June 22, 10 million viewers tuned in to TLC’s one-hour special as the couple confirmed what everyone had already suspected: Their decade-long marriage has ended. The next day, TLC announced that the show will be on hiatus until Aug. 3, citing that the family needed time to “regroup.” USA Today reported that the children could still opt out of the show if courts can determine that the show is not in the best interest of the children. Complicating matters — and keeping the couple in the media — are the legal issues surrounding the $1.3 million estate the couple plans on sharing for the sake of the children, the splitting of assets, and the contract with TLC.
TLC seems to have made the right choice by putting the show on hiatus.
Asians host the Top Chef franchise
This month, Bravo launched its “Top Chef” spin-off “Top Chef Masters,” with a new host: Korean American TV personality Kelly Choi.
Before hosting “Top Chef Masters,” Choi was best known as a host on NYC TV’s “Eat Out NY,” a television guide to the best restaurants in New York. Choi is a former Ford Model and a Emmy nominee.
“Top Chef Masters,” which aired on June 10, features 24 world-renowned chefs competing in a number of challenges to become the “Top Chef Master,” winning money for his or her charity of choice.
In other “Top Chef” news, Bravo has confirmed that the show’s next season will take place in Las Vegas. Padma Lakshmi will return this fall as the host.
Tila Tequila explains the pregnancy ‘rumors’
Last month, I reported that Tila Tequila announced via Twitter that she was pregnant and pushed the father, an “A-List star”, to stand up and take responsibility. Since then, she has changed her story.
“First of all…the PREGNANCY rumors…the point is…maybe I was pregnant, or maybe I wasn’t pregnant,” she wrote on her blog. “I think that is something very personal but I’m going to clear that up now and say that I am not currently pregnant. So there you go! Lets move on now! NEXT!”
The former “A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila” star also claimed the rumor was a result of hearsay.
“I just want you to know that hearsay equals rumors, and rumors equal hearsay equals not true,” she wrote. “It’s just somebody getting a piece of information and then adding onto that piece of information and then adding on their own opinions. Don’t be mad because I outsmarted you, haters!”
Clearly, this ‘starlet’ should spend less time spreading rumors about herself and more time reading the dictionary.
Good news for one sports star and bad news for another
Back in Seattle, Seattle Mariners’ Ichiro Suzuki extended his career-best and franchise-record hitting streak to 27 games (as of June 3), currently the longest active streak in the MLB. As the season wraps up, I’ll report how far this baseball star soars.
Meanwhile, on the basketball court, Yao Ming’s career is in jeapordy. In addition to the Rockets not advancing in the playoffs, Yao’s foot injury during this year’s Western Conference semifinals could cost him his career. He is already reported to miss all of next season. ESPN reports Yao’s two options for his hairline fracture are either to keep his foot in a boot for three months to see if the injury heals itself or to undergo surgery, which will likely keep him out all of next season. Yao is reported to make a decision within the next few days.
See you next month for more updates on your favorite celebrities! ♦
Ninette Cheng can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.