Whitney Houston Dead

Singers rep confirms death reports. 

On the eve of the Grammys, singing legend and six-time Grammy winner Whitney Houston has been pronounced dead tonight. She was 48 years old.

The singer, who publicly struggled drug addiction for years past, was found dead at 3:55pm today in a Beverly Hilton Hotel room where she was slated to attend a pre-Grammy party tonight held by music giant and dear friend Clive Davis. 

Her cause of death has yet to be revealed. Whitney is survived by her 17 year old daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown. 

The music superstar was one of the world’s best-selling music artists, winning 2 Emmys, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 AMAs, 6 Grammys, and the list goes on. 

Sad, sad, sad! We are completely devastated by the news! 

I’m memory of a golden, legendary talent, here are some of our Whitney favorites: 

Whitney, we will always love you.

[Image: Reuters]

Demi Moore Hospitalized For Reported Substance Abuse, Drops Out Of 'Lovelace'

We were afraid of this... 

Demi Moore, following her hospitalization Tuesday night, has dropped out of the film Lovelace.

Moore is officially seeking professional help for exhaustion but is rumored to have a substance abuse problem. TMZ reports that the actress will no longer feature in the biopic of former porn star Linda Lovelace; Moore was set to play a small role as feminist activist Gloria Steinem, who took a very public stance against pornography.

Amanda Seyfried will star as Lovelace and Peter Sarsgaard as Lovelace's ex-husband and porn production manager Chuck Traynor. James Franco will play Hugh Hefner in a small role, while Hank Azaria in December signed on to play Jerry Damiano, the director of Deep Throat.

Last seen in the ensemble financial drama Margin Call and the Sam Levinson-directed drama Another Happy Day, Moore will next be seen alongside Miley Cyrus in the comedy "LOL.”

[Source/Article: Huffington Post]

The 2nd Anniversary Of Brittany Murphy’s Death Comes With More Mold Drama

It's the two-year anniversary of the death of actress Brittany Murphy and while it's now a tradition for us to honor the actresses life here on SchubertSays.com, we actually have an UPDATE on the passing of the late screen siren. 

The actress, who's sudden December 20, 2009 death was ruled the result of a combination of pneumonia, anemia and prescription drug intoxication, may actually be the result of toxic mold in the home of Murphy and her husband, Simon Monjack, who passed away shortly after her in the same Hollywood Hills home. 

Now, new reports claim that the actresses mother, Sharon Murphy, is blaming the death of her late daughter and son-in-law to toxic mold found in the couples home and she's going after her own defense lawyers for this one. 

According to TMZ, Sharon claims that the people who built the house are to blame for the mold that caused their condition but will now be unable to seek justice via lawsuit against the builders. A new lawsuit filed by Sharon alleges she was duped by her own lawyers into giving up her rights to sue the builders for wrongful death.

Apparently Sharon accepted a settlement offer - as advised by her lawyers - for the construction defects back in January. The part Sharon wasn't advised on... that she would never be able to go after the builders for their alleged role in Brittany's 2009 death (if toxic mold or any other defect turned out to be the cause).

RELATED: A Year Later, Remembering The Life Of Brittany Murphy

Sharon has now hired Michael Marzban to sue her former lawyers for legal malpractice.

Man, oh man, sounds as though Sharon may have a long road ahead of her on this one. 

Good luck, mama Murphy!

As for our beloved Brittany: May you continue to rest in peace regardless of all the mess still surrounding your life exit. You are always in our hearts. xxss

[Images: FlynetPictures.com, wenn.com]

Princess Diana & Kate Middleton Together On Erie 'Newsweek' Cover

News, Life: 

The latest issue of Newsweek is breaking boundaries, maybe even going a little too far, with their latest cover featuring the new Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, happily walking alongside deceased mother-in-law, Princess Diana. 

A sight that Prince William can only dream of, Newsweek has produced a shockingly realistic image of the Prince's new bride walking, chatting, and laughing side by side the beloved mother he tragically lost fourteen years ago. 

The cover was done as a milestone tribute to the late Princess Di, who was killed in a devastating 1997 car crash, as she would turn 50 this coming Friday (July 1st). Fourteen years later, Newsweek master-photoshoppers create an aged Diana, suggesting what the late Princess would look like shall she still be alive today.

Tina Brown of Newsweek says of the topic: 

The rising public adoration of Kate would have afforded Diana some tricky moments. Pleased, yes. But, like Frances Shand Kydd--who, days before Diana's wedding, suddenly burst out, "I have good long legs, like my daughter"--Diana would have had to adjust to a broadening of the limelight. Her edge over Kate, of course, was her own epic of princessly suffering, which would always make Diana's story more interesting. ("Happily ever after" will never have the same allure to the press as "It all went horribly wrong.") Diana, rejoicing in her flawless Spencer pedigree, would have positioned herself as a firm defender of the Middletons against the palace snobs and ostentatiously made Carole Middleton, Kate's dynamic mother, her new BFF.

You know, we're sure Newsweek was just aiming to give the public what they thought they wanted but took it a wee bit too far. The cover is erie, morbid and in poor taste.

We feel for you, William & Kate! 

What do you think? 

MORE: Prince William Drives His Bride Out of Buckingham Palace

Japan Earthquake 2011: 8.9 Magnitude Earthquake Hits, 13-Foot Tsunami Triggered

Life, Breaking News: 

TOKYO -- Japan was struck by a magnitude-8.9 earthquake off its northeastern coast Friday, triggering a 13-foot (4-meter) tsunami that washed away cars and tore away buildings along the coast near the epicenter.

In various locations along Japan's coast, TV footage showed severe flooding, with dozens of cars, boats and even buildings being carried along by waters. A large ship swept away by the tsunami rammed directly into a breakwater in Kesennuma city in Miyagi prefecture, according to footage on public broadcaster NHK.

Officials were trying to assess possible damage from the quake but had no immediate details.

The quake that struck 2:46 p.m. was followed by a series of aftershocks, including a 7.4-magnitude one about 30 minutes later. The U.S. Geological Survey upgraded the strength of the first quake to a magnitude 8.9.

The meteorological agency issued a tsunami warning for the entire Pacific coast of Japan. National broadcaster NHK was warning those near the coast to get to safer ground.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii said a tsunami warning was in effect for Japan, Russia, Marcus Island and the Northern Marianas. A tsunami watch has been issued for Guam, Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia and the U.S. state of Hawaii.

The quake struck at a depth of six miles (10 kilometers), about 80 miles (125 kilometers) off the eastern coast, the agency said. The area is 240 miles (380 kilometers) northeast of Tokyo.

In downtown Tokyo, large buildings shook violently and workers poured into the street for safety. TV footage showed a large building on fire and bellowing smoke in the Odaiba district of Tokyo. 

In central Tokyo, trains were stopped and passengers walked along the tracks to platforms.

Footage on NHK from their Sendai office showed employees stumbling around and books and papers crashing from desks. 

Several quakes had hit the same region in recent days, including a 7.3 magnitude one on Wednesday.

Thirty minutes after the quake, tall buildings were still swaying in Tokyo and mobile phone networks were not working. Japan's Coast Guard has set up task force and officials are standing by for emergency contingencies, Coast Guard official Yosuke Oi said.

He continues:

"I'm afraid we'll soon find out about damages, since the quake was so strong.”

LA/Japan fashion fixture Adrienne Soleil, who is currently living in Japan, tells SchubertSays.com shortly after the 8.9 quake: 

“The whole city is on lockdown and we are STILL getting aftershocks!”   

Luckily Soleil survived the massive hit on her native land. Unfortunately, not everyone will be so fortunate.

To the people of Japan and all effected - you are in our thoughts and prayers.

MORE: Capturing Japan Through The Eyes of Male Model Marcel Casten Miller 

Subscribe to SchubertSays.com!

[Source: AP/The Huffington Post] 

[Images via Getty, Joey Parker, Adrienne Soleil]