Chris Stokes Blog

Heidi Klum Admits To Dating Her Bodyguard

Project Runway mogul Heidi Klum admits she is in a relationship with her family’s bodyguard, Martin Kristen. But she wasn’t involved with him when she was married. On Katie on Wednesday, Klum said, “I don’t even know if I can even call it that. I don’t know, it just started. So I don’t know. I don’t know where it’s going to go.” Klum added, “I’ve known him for four years and he’s been with our family for the last four years. He’s cared for, our entire family mostly for our four children, helped us tremendously. I trust himâ?¦I mean, I trust him with my children’s life. He’s a great man, you know and we just got to know each other from a completely different side.” As for how things are going with Seal? This is one split that doesn’t sound so amicable. “I don’t know if we’re the greatest friends right now … especially the things that he said … you know I just saw him … we were talking and we’re in an OK place. … It’s a work in progress. You have to take it one day at a time. It’s hard especially when you are in the public eye too. You know you’re always you’re always going to have people looking at you closely at everything you do. And they also don’t always see exactly how it really is.” She wasn’t pleased with Seal’s cheating accusations, either. “I don’t love that. … obviously it’s not true. When you know I’ve never looked at another man while I was with him and it’s hard when you think that he thinks that. Or that … he’s hurt. He’s moved on, you know, and we separated and he’s moved on and so have I. And it’s very hard when, when you then start seeing somebody again, for the first time it’s hard then when all of a sudden everyone is watching you. It’s almost like you can’t even have a real, proper chance in a way.” We’ll see what happens, but Klum seems very happy!

Mexico ‘Gulf Cartel Boss’ Jorge Eduardo Costilla Caught

Law officials can breathe a sigh of relief today as one of Mexico’s biggest drug lords is captured. Jorge Eduardo Costilla Sanchez, one of the country’s most wanted drug lords was captured by the Mexican marines. Mr Costilla, a suspected Gulf cartel leader, was detained in the northern state of Tamaulipas, they said. His capture follows the arrest last week of the suspected head of a rival Gulf faction, Mario Cardenas Guillen. The Gulf cartel has been engaged in a bloody battle with the Zetas drug gang for trafficking routes into the US. A Mexican Navy statement said a man identifying himself as Jorge Costilla Sanchez was arrested on Wednesday in Tampico in Tamaulipas. The Navy said more details would be issued early on Thursday. Mr Costilla, known as El Coss, is wanted by both the Mexican and US authorities. He is on the Mexican government’s list of the 37 most wanted drug lords, with a reward of more than $2m offered for information leading to his capture. More than 20 of the men on the list, which was published in early 2009, have been killed or captured. Mr Costilla, who had been a local police officer in the city of Matamoros, joined the Gulf cartel in the early 1990s. The cartel has been weakened since 2010 when relations were severed with the Zetas, its former enforcers, who are now one of Mexico’s most powerful drug-trafficking organisations. The gang also split into rival factions in 2010 after the then head, Antonio Cardenas Guillen, was killed in a shootout with troops. The latest arrests come during the final months in office of President Felipe Calderon, who launched a crackdown on the cartels in 2006 and will be very helpful to him in the upcoming elections.

Apple Officially Announces iPhone 5

The time has finally arrived!! After months of rampant rumors and hype, Apple debuted its latest smartphone Wednesday in front of a packed house at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, claiming it is the world’s thinnest.

The iPhone 5 features a larger screen and weighs 112 grams, or about 4 ounces, which is 20% lighter than the iPhone 4S. It is also 18% thinner, Apple’s marketing chief Phil Schiller said. It has an improved A6 processor that is twice as fast as its predecessor, high-speed 4G LTE connectivity and a widescreen aspect ratio.

Apple has also improved the device’s battery life and updated both of its cameras, giving its front camera 720p HD video. The company also announced a smaller dock connector for the device and a new cable charger named Lightning that is 80% smaller than its predecessor.

Siri got a makeover as well, and can now tell users the scores of sports games and post status updates to Facebook. The iPhone 5’s dock connector has also been made smaller.

Santa Clarita Bank Robbery Suspects Throw Cash Out of Vehicle During High-Speed Police Pursuit

A high-speed car chase occurred late Wednesday morning when a group of men fled authorities after reportedly committing an armed robbery. The police continued chasing the car for over an hour, following it through downtown Los Angeles. They are said to have robbed a Bank of America in Santa Clarita, and at least three men got out of the car during the chase. The men apparently began throwing money out of the car, making the situation more dangerous as bystanders began running after the cash. The car chase ended and the FBI confirms that all the suspects have been apprehended. A person in a silver truck blocked off the suspects’ car and that was the end of the chase that lasted over an hour. A giant crowd gathered around and applauded when the suspects were arrested. Check out photos from the scene above!

Atlanta Police Clear White Officers Of Profiling In Tyler Perry Case

A four month investigation on two white Atlanta police officers who pulled over and questioned entertainment mogul Tyler Perry have been exonerated of racial profiling by an internal investigation, according to reports released Tuesday.

Just after noon on February 24, Perry left his studio in southwest Atlanta alone in a white Porsche Panamera. As the actor and director later explained in a lengthy Facebook post, Perry made an illegal left turn to make sure he wasn’t being followed.

Two Atlanta police officers in a patrol car pulled Perry over and questioned him for about six minutes before letting him go without issuing a ticket. Perry described the incident as “hostile” and that he felt unsafe. One of the officers continued to “badger him” during questioning, the entertainer said.

After a four-month investigation, an internal affairs officer reported, “I would submit the evidence shows the actions of both officers with the regard to the traffic stop of Mr. Perry were justified, lawful and proper.”
A representative for Perry said he was unavailable. “Tyler Perry is out of the country and unable to comment at this time,” said spokeswoman Keleigh Thomas.

The report said the officers were working for the auto theft task force and one thought Perry’s $110,000 sports car was similar to one on a list of stolen cars. The officer said that as he turned around Perry made the illegal turn. One officer, a six-year Atlanta police veteran, told investigators that he didn’t stop Perry because he was black. “His vehicle had dark, tinted windows,” he said, according to the report.
His partner, on the force for eight years, testified that he “didn’t look at the driver” before the traffic stop.

Perry, whose name appears on his license as Emmitt Perry Jr., said on his Facebook post that he explained to the officers that he was trying to make sure he wasn’t being followed. One of the officers told investigators he was concerned about Perry’s mental state because of his “actions and body languages.” A black officer who arrived in a second patrol car recognized Perry and asked one of the other officers whether he knew how famous Perry is.

The car likely wasn’t stolen because “the guy was a billionaire,” the officer told his colleagues, explaining that Perry made movies. On the recording of the radio traffic that night, one of the two white officers is heard to say, “I really didn’t know who that dude was.” The black officer asked Perry what model year his Porsche was and figured out it was newer than the car police had listed as stolen.

The officers said they never intended to issue a traffic ticket but wanted to check the car’s identification number. The white officers were admonished for not calling in the traffic stop to a dispatcher.
The investigator also said it was debatable as to whether one of the officers should have reached into Perry’s vehicle in an attempt to turn off the engine. The report said that there was no dashboard camera in either patrol car. Police didn’t interview Perry personally, but used his Facebook statement as evidence, investigators said.

Usher “Brings It” In Intimate Episode Of Oprah’s Next Chapter

Oprah recently had a close personal one on one conversation with pop superstar Usher. Oprah was heard saying that it was one of the best interviews that she has done on her “Next Chapter” series. “It’s good, really good.” says Oprah.

Announcing the Diamond-selling, Grammy-winning R&B singer as her next guest to appear on “Oprah’s Next Chapter” late Tuesday, Winfrey appears to have come away with a groundbreaking exclusive that answers many questions.

“He said that he would talk to me then he’s never going to talk again about his marriage, the fact his mother never came to the marriage, the fact that he has now gone through three years of a custody battle and now has primary custody of his own children,” Winfrey says in video below.

As widely reported, Usher had a turbulent summer that included an emotional breakdown in court during his custody battle with ex-wife Tameka Raymond, the death of his stepson (Tameka’s son) and garnering custody of his two boys.

According to Oprah, the “Confessions” and “Looking 4 Myself” singer will also discuss breaking down on stage in Berlin and what really made him cry during his custody case.

“He talks about everything no holds barred,” says Winfrey.

Usher joins recent “Oprah’s Next Chapter” guests including Rihanna, Jennifer Hudson, Lady Gaga, Fifty Cent, Carrie Underwood and The Kardashians.

Giuliana and Bill Rancic Introduce Their First Child, Edward Duke

It’s definitely no secret that Giuliana and Bill Rancic have been waiting a long time for their first child, so now they are reveling in new parenthood. Just two weeks after Edward Duke Rancic was born, the proud parents are showing off their miracle baby.

After a gestational carrier gave birth to their 7 pound, 4 ounce bundle of love on August 29, the proud parents immediately bonded with their baby. “I was sobbing and yet had the biggest smile,” Giuliana, 37, tells Life & Style in its new issue. “It was very emotional. I just kept saying, ‘He’s so cute.'” Bill, 41, says Duke (the baby will be known by his middle name) gets his looks from his mother. “The baby’s got Giuliana’s dimples,” the proud dad gushes. “Every day he’s changing — it’s just remarkable to see. He’s a very cool customer, one happy little guy.”

So what is the inspiration behind that happy little guy’s name? “Edward Duke was pretty much picked out when he was conceived,” Giuliana tells the magazine. “Edward is Bill’s late dad’s name and my dad’s name. It was a way to honor them. And Duke means leader.” The Rancics are so happy to be parents that they are even enjoying the less fun tasks of parenthood, including diaper duty and waking up for late-night feedings. “I’d never changed more than a diaper or two in my life,” Giuliana tells Life & Style. “Now it’s like the little things that make me happy — happier than I’ve ever been.” As for those feedings, “we alternate,” she explains. “I don’t need much sleep, so Bill will do the 8 p.m. before-bed feeding, and I’ll do the 12 a.m. and typically the 4 a.m. — though he did do the 4 a.m. last night. Bill just jumped out of bed and was like, ‘I’ll do it!'”

The couple, who recently celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary, had a long road to parenthood. On their Style Network reality series, “Giuliana and Bill,” they openly shared their struggle to conceive. While Giuliana was being treated by a fertility specialist that the doctor insisted that she have a mammogram, which revealed that she had breast cancer. She immediately underwent a double mastectomy last fall. Because she is taking an oral medication for the cancer over the next four-and-a-half years, Giuliana was told she could no longer try to conceive. So the couple took embryos they had stored prior to the cancer diagnosis and tried their luck with a gestational carrier, who immediately became pregnant.

Giuliana, who is on maternity leave from “E! News” and “Fashion Police” until November 13 (though she will be covering the Emmys on September 23), says they are so happy with the surrogate process, they plan to do it again. “There will definitely be more kids in our future,” she tells Life & Style. “Nothing too soon though. … We’d have to go down the surrogate path again. We got so lucky this first time around, we just hope that we can be so lucky again. We’ll see.” For the full story on the new addition to the Rancic Family make sure to grab the September 24 issue of Lifestyle Magazine.

Michael Clarke Duncan’s Funeral Celebrated The Actor With Images, Song And Speeches

Tom Hanks, Jay Leno, Holly Robinson Peete, Loretta Devine and Stevie Wonder were among those who helped celebrate the life of Michael Clarke Duncan during a nearly four-hour memorial service marked by heartfelt speeches, rousing gospel performances and photos of the always-smiling actor.

Hanks and Leno shared stories about “The Green Mile” star at Monday’s service. Peete talked about meeting Duncan while he was still a celebrity bodyguard. Devine spoke of how the actor would do anything for a laugh.

Wonder appeared via video, solemnly playing piano and singing the opening verses of his life-affirming song “As” for the man he called “a gentle giant.”

Duncan died Sept. 3 at 54, having never fully recovered from a heart attack in July. His physician, who revealed Duncan used a pacemaker, was among the speakers at the service at Forest Lawn Memorial Parks and Mortuaries in Los Angeles.

Former reality TV star the Rev. Omarosa O. Manigault, who was Duncan’s fiance’, also attended along with Duncan’s mother, sister and nephews.

Backed by a gospel choir, singers Angie Stone, Kelly Price, Kenny Lattimore and Abraham McDonald lent their voices to the private funeral. State Assemblyman Mike Davis and Los Angeles City Council President Herb Wesson also attended, with the council declaring Monday as “Michael Clarke Duncan Day.”

Leno said he was touched by the actor’s positivity and lack of cynicism.

“Just to see such a pure heart and pure kindness, and to see it taken so early,” the comedian said, his voice cracking. “There are no sadder words than what might have been.”

Leno said Duncan’s sunny smile “grew another millimeter on each end” when he met Manigault. The two had planned to marry in December.

Christian Bale Flies 4-Year-Old Cancer Patient and Family to Disneyland

Christian Bale may not save lives in reality, but the actor definitely tries to make a difference in the lives of his fans.

The Dark Knight Rises star flew 4-year-old leukemia patient Jayden Barber and his family out to California for a lunch date at Disneyland’s Club 33 earlier this week.

“Finally can share!!! Christian sent us to LA and we had lunch at Disney club 33 on wed,” Barber’s mother wrote with a picture of the two on her Lighting the Batsignal for Jayden Facebook page. “He and his family were so awesome and down to earth!!!”

Christian Bale also visited shooting victims in Colorado hospitals in July. Charlene Barber continued by sharing her family’s experience with Bale at the Anaheim theme park, “The entire interaction was like old friends having lunch. Jayden did not get star struck but was well aware of who we were with!”

“They talked movies and super Heros an he was genuinely happy to hear about everything Jayden wanted to tell him. Christian, his wife and daughter are three of the most beautiful people we have ever met! Christian made these arrangements for us personally and ensured we were treated like royalty. I don’t have even one negative thing to say about them. I can tell you that they were just as impressed w Jayden as Jayden was w them :)”

According to WYTV in Ohio, Barber was undergoing chemotherapy for bone cancer for two years before it turned into MDS leukemia last year. Jayden is now in remission.
Just a couple months ago, Bale was spotted in Colorado visiting shooting victims who were impacted by the Dark Knight Rises tragedy.

NFL To Use First-Ever Female Referee

Shannon Eastin, who has spent time officiating high school and college games, will be part of the replacement crew officiating Thursday’s Packers-Chargers game. Eastin has worked Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference games, and she also has worked the Arizona Cardinals’ Red and White game, a preseason scrimmage.

Coincidentally, at this time last season, the NFL’s head of officials said the league was considering hiring a female referee full time.

“We have some in our pipeline, and I expect we’ll see it soon,” he said.

Male or female, former NFL head of officials Mike Pereira said using replacement referees will ultimately hurt the integrity of the game.

“Now you’re going to get a group of people out there with no experience,” Pereira told The Dan Patrick Show, “and you’ve got such a mix of people — some with barely more than high school experience, you’ve got guys that have been out of the game for years, you’ve got guys that have officiated in the lingerie football league … you’ve got such a mix right now that it’s not good for the game.”

This is the first referee labor dispute since 2001 when a contract issue led to the referees missing the last exhibition game and first regular-season game of the season.