Diddy accused of assault at Oscar party

If widespread reports prove true, Sean "Diddy" Combs sidled up to the fiancee of real-estate agent Gerard Rechnitzer at a post-Oscar party, didn't even blink when Rechnitzer returned from the restroom to discover Diddy hollering at his girl, and then punched Rechnitzer in the face when the man objected to Diddy's request that the woman leave with him. Los Angeles Police department spokesman Jason Lee told the Associated Press that the incident allegedly happened at the Roosevelt Hotel near the Kodak Theatre shortly after 2:30 a.m. on Sunday. Police said they took a report from someone who accused Combs of battery.

Jackson weighing Vegas options

What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. But does that include Michael Jackson? The pop star, whose vagabond, long-rumored comeback has recently relocated to Vegas, is "reviewing and evaluating" proposals for his future, including several offers to perform in Las Vegas, his spokeswoman said yesterday. "Mr. Jackson has been presented numerous proposals--proposals which he has not solicited, but were presented to him, several of which include performing in Las Vegas," Raymone Bain said in a press release. "Mr. Jackson is currently reviewing and evaluating each proposal. He does not believe that he is under any time constraint for making his decisions." The release was issued to counteract a number of false rumors, she stated, including one that Jackson has failed to find a Las Vegas casino for a show and another that he would soon appear on American Idol. "Mr. Jackson did not move to Las Vegas to shop a Vegas show," Bain said. "Mr. Jackson is in Las Vegas because he likes the city and found it a convenient location to record with the artists, songwriters, and producers who are working with him in the studio." Bain dismissed the Idol report.

Police probing Blunt foot driver-over report

Police are investigating reports that James Blunt ran over someone's foot as he was leaving a party, then drove off, authorities said this week. The alleged victim told police his foot was injured at a party Saturday around 1:50 a.m., police spokeswoman Martha Garcia told the Associated Press. "Some of the witnesses also reported that it was Mr. Blunt who was driving the car," she said. "James was leaving a party and his car was swarmed by paparazzi," Blunt's publicist Sheila Richman said, noting that Blunt was driving 2 miles per hour at the time. Blunt received Grammy nominations this year for song and record of the year but lost in both categories to the Dixie Chicks.

Paris busted driving on suspended license

Celebutante Paris Hilton was caught driving on a suspended license last night and is to appear in court again in the wake of her no-contest plea to alcohol-related reckless driving from a September arrest in Hollywood. Police said they impounded Hilton's blue Bentley after pulling over Hilton on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood at 11 p.m. on Tuesday for driving without headlights. The incident comes about five weeks after Hilton was sentenced to three years probation after pleading no contest to alcohol-related reckless driving. Police said Hilton would appear in court for driving on a suspended license but could not say when.

Destiny's Williams to join Color Purple

Michelle Williams, one-third of former hit R&B trio Destiny's Child, is set to join the Chicago production of The Color Purple, the play's producers said this week. Williams, who will play the role of Shug Avery, will be part of the stage version of Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel when it opens in Chicago on April 17. The production is still playing on Broadway. Producer Scott Sanders told the Associated Press that casting Williams as Shug Avery seemed like a natural choice because Shug is the one character in the musical that has "seen the world." "I've always liked the idea of finding an actress for that role that really brings that sort of otherworldly sensibility. And so Michelle, living outside the Broadway community, but yet having the capabilities and the chops to both sing and act it, we just thought was great," she said. Williams previously performed the title role in Aida on Broadway.

Trey Anastasio pleads not guilty

Trey Anastasio pleaded not guilty yesterday to drug charges stemming from a December 15 traffic stop in upstate New York and was released on bail. The former Phish frontman is charged with felony counts of illegally possessing prescription painkillers and driving while impaired. He is also charged with possessing heroin and an antianxiety medication prescribed for someone else, which are misdemeanors. The guitarist could get 14 years in prison if convicted on all counts. All the charges, though, carry minimum sentences that involve no incarceration. Anastasio, who appeared in court to enter the plea, agreed to a preplea investigation that will help the court get to know him better "and help you resolve your case," according to Judge Kelly McKeighan.