People: Dr. Dre apologizes to ‘women I’ve hurt’
Dr. Dre has issued a statement to the New York Times apologizing to “the women I’ve hurt” without specifically acknowledging the reason for the apology.
The 50-year-old music mogul says in comments published Friday on the New York Times website that he “deeply regret(s) what I did and know that it has forever impacted all of our lives.”
Dre pleaded no contest to criminal battery charges following allegations he violently attacked journalist Dee Barnes in 1991. Barnes published a story online last week about the assault. Other women, including Dre’s former girlfriend Michel’le, have also claimed he was violent toward them.
Attention on the decades-old charges resurfaced after last week’s release of the hit biopic “Straight Outta Compton,” which omits mention of the Barnes incident or any allegations of violence against Dre. The film, which tells the origin story of the rap group N.W.A, topped the box office during its opening week and is expected to be No. 1 again this weekend.
Dre said in his statement that 25 years ago, he was “a young man drinking too much and in over my head with no real structure in my life. However, none of this is an excuse for what I did. I’ve been married for 19 years and every day I’m working to be a better man for my family, seeking guidance along the way. I’m doing everything I can so I never resemble that man again.”
Apple – which became associated with Dre last year when it bought the music company he helped establish, Beats, for $3 billion – issued a companion statement Friday.
“Dre has apologized for the mistakes he’s made in the past and he’s said that he’s not the same person that he was 25 years ago,” the company statement said. “We believe his sincerity and after working with him for a year and a half, we have every reason to believe that he has changed.”
Man faces charges in O’Donnell case
The owner of the home where Rosie O’Donnell’s missing teen daughter was found last week has been arrested for allegedly having inappropriate online communications with the 17-year-old girl, according to authorities and the star’s spokeswoman.
Steven Sheerer, 25, faces charges of child endangerment and distribution of obscenity to a minor, authorities said Saturday.
The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office in Toms River, New Jersey, declined to identify the victim, citing her age. But a spokeswoman for O’Donnell said the case involves the star’s daughter, Chelsea.
“He was involved with a minor, and Rosie’s concern has been and always will be the health, safety and well-being of her daughter,” Cindi Berger told the Associated Press.
The birthday bunch
Actress Vera Miles is 85. Actress Barbara Eden is 84. Actor David Robb is 68. Actress Shelley Long is 66. Singer-actor Rick Springfield is 66. Actor Jay Mohr is 45. Singer Julian Casablancas (The Strokes) is 37. Actress Joanna Froggatt (“Downton Abbey”) is 35. Musician Sky Blu (LMFAO) is 29.