People: De Niro an envoy to Caribbean isles
The prime minister of Antigua & Barbuda has appointed actor Robert De Niro as special economic envoy of the twin-island nation in the eastern Caribbean.
The administration of Gaston Browne said in a statement Saturday that the appointment comes after De Niro signed a memorandum of agreement on Friday for a $250 million hotel investment in Barbuda.
Officials said De Niro and Australian businessman James Packer will help renovate and expand a former five-star luxury resort that closed several years ago.
Browne said he expects the deal to be signed late next month and for construction to begin in the next 12 months.
He said De Niro will help attract more investment and American celebrities to Antigua & Barbuda as special economic envoy.
LaBeouf says woman raped him
Actor Shia LaBeouf’s bizarre stunts and behavior have gained him publicity and landed him in jail in the past year.
Now the “Transformers” star is making news again, alleging a woman raped him in February during an IAMSORRY performance art show in downtown Los Angeles. During the five-day event, LaBeouf – clad in a tuxedo and wearing a paper bag over his head – sat alone and met one-on-one with visitors.
The 28-year-old actor told Dazed Digital that the woman “whipped my legs for 10 minutes and then stripped my clothing and proceeded to rape me” while her boyfriend stood outside.
“There were hundreds of people in line when she walked out with disheveled hair and smudged lipstick,” LaBeouf said. “It was no good, not just for me but her man as well.”
Los Angeles police Officer Jane Kim, a department spokeswoman, said her office had not been alerted about any incidents involving LaBeouf. In any case, she said, police don’t report the names of rape victims.
Calls and requests to LaBeouf’s publicist for comment were not returned.
Cosby offers refunds to shows
Bill Cosby is still performing at a suburban New York venue next weekend but the embattled comic is offering refunds to ticket holders who don’t want to go.
The Journal News, a Westchester County newspaper, reported that Cosby’s two Dec. 6 shows at the Tarrytown Music Hall are going on as scheduled. But ticket holders got an email from the box office Friday offering refunds.
The email said Cosby’s management would reimburse patrons who don’t want to attend the show.
Cosby shows in some other states have been canceled after women came forward alleging he sexually assaulted them. More than 30 shows remain on his schedule through May 2015.
Cosby has denied the allegations against him.
The birthday bunch
Actor Robert Guillaume is 87. Actor Mandy Patinkin is 62. Singer Billy Idol is 59. Actor-director Ben Stiller is 49. Actress Sandra Oh is 44. Singer Clay Aiken is 36. Actress Elisha Cuthbert is 32.