Buzz Briefs: Naomi Campbell, Rob Lowe
Naomi Campbell Can't Donate Blood In Rio ... Yet
Naomi Campbell wants to give blood to help fight a dengue fever epidemic, but Brazilian officials won't take it yet.
The British supermodel arrived at the HemoRio medical center Tuesday to take part in a blood drive, but was turned away. Officials there say she needs to wait longer after having surgery in February to remove a cyst.
An outbreak of mosquito-borne dengue fever has infected more than 75,000 people in Rio de Janeiro state this year and killed at least 80.
Campbell often visits Brazil, and Rio Mayor Cesar Maia has invited her to be a goodwill ambassador for the city.
Rob Lowe's Former Nanny Claims The Actor Sexually Abused Her
In legal papers filed Monday in Santa Barbara, Jessica Gibson says Lowe touched her inappropriately several times between September 2005 and January 2008.
Gibson worked for Rob and Sheryl Lowe on and off for seven years before quitting on Feb. 24. Gibson claims she kept going back because she thought the conditions would get better.
Lowe sued three former employees, including Gibson, on April 8. Lowe claims Gibson demanded $1.5 million to remain silent about allegations of abuse.
His attorney says Gibson's allegations are outrageous and untrue.
Lowe, 44, is a former star of "The West Wing" and currently appears on ABC's "Brothers and Sisters."
Rock Star Is Sour On 'Rockstar'
Terms of the settlement were not disclosed in court papers filed Friday in Superior Court.
A call to Rockstar Beverage Corp.'s attorney was not immediately returned Monday. Barker's lawyer, Gregory Weisman, said both parties were still working out terms. He declined to elaborate until the deal is completed.
Barker's lawsuit claimed invasion of privacy, unfair competition and misappropriating his likeness to promote the product.
Photos: Celebrity Circuit
The lawsuit said the Rockstar Web site published a photo of the 32-year-old Barker "holding a can of one of Rockstar's beverages, and identifying him and his endorsement by name" without his consent.
The "Cos" Drops Hip-Hop Rap/Comedic Storytelling Album In May
The 70-year-old has recorded a hip-hop CD set for release next month. "Cosby Narratives Vol. 1: State of Emergency" blends the comedian's concepts and stories with a hip-hop, pop and jazz soundtrack.
"I do not rap on any of these things," Cosby told The Associated Press Monday. "I wouldn't know how to fix my mouth to say some of the words."
What Cosby does know, though, is that the hip-hop music he hears is profane and degrading. His album is "the opposite of what I think is the profanity for no particular reason, the misogyny for no particular reason. It really looks at the frustration and the anger that a young man may have," he said.
The album, assembled by Cosby's longtime musical collaborator Bill "Spaceman" Patterson, has guest rappers providing the rhymes. The subject matter? "The value of an education. The value of respecting one's self and ... giving (listeners) a chance to raise their self-esteem and confidence," Cosby said.
Patterson said he was surprised when Cosby first inquired about making a rap record - until the comedian revealed he wouldn't be the one doing the rapping.
Cosby made the album as a companion to his 2007 best-selling book, "Come on, People: On the Path from Victims to Victors." And though he doesn't expect the CD to be a huge hit, it won't be his last hip-hop venture.
Gere's Fence Is Too High, Says Neighborhood Zoning Board
The 58-year-old actor and a partner have opened a cafe and bakery and have plans for a luxury inn and fine restaurant. But their new 180-foot-long cedar fence may not pass muster, building inspector Richard Megna said Monday.
Bedford's rules call for a fence no higher than 4 feet along the street side of a property, he said, and Gere's is 5 feet tall.
However, Gere's representatives have been trying to win a variance from the town zoning board by landscaping the fence to make it look better, Megna said.
No decision is likely before May 7, he said.
Bedford once turned down Stewart's plan for a barn on her property that would hold tractors, snowplows and a forklift because it was too close to the road.
Neil Diamond Digs Deeper With New Album And Tour
Neil Diamond, who is releasing a new album next month and embarking on a new tour this summer, says both projects mark the best - and hardest work - of his career.
"This is the most technically challenging show that I've ever done," Diamond told The Associated Press in a phone interview Monday. His upcoming tour kicks off July 19 in St. Paul, Minn., and is scheduled to end Oct. 30 in Jacksonville, Fl.
The tour will include performances in Chicago, Detroit, New York, Boston, Seattle, Los Angeles and Houston.
As for the album - "Home Before Dark," due out May 6 - Diamond said: "This record represents a giant step in my evolution as a writer and a recording artist ... you will see I've gone deeper. It was more painful to write this -maybe the most difficult album I've ever written, and maybe my best."
For "Home Before Dark," the music legend reunited with Grammy-winning producer Rick Rubin, who was at the helm of his critically acclaimed 2005 CD, "12 Songs." Diamond, 67, said he felt more confident recording the new disc - but not because of its predecessor's good reviews.
"Critical acclaim is always helpful, any kind of encouragement for an artist is helpful, but my music is going to be written or recorded with or without critical acclaim," he said. "I appreciate it when it comes, but it will not stop me for a moment when I don't get it. It's unpredictable."
Diamond plans to debut several songs from the CD on his tour, but he also promises plenty of his classic hits, which include "Sweet Caroline," "Love on the Rocks" and "September Morning."