Prejean won't go quietly
Deposed queen and pageant have deal, but terms unclear
A year from now, let's hope it will be ''Carrie Prejean ... who?'' But for now the controversial ex-Miss California USA is still snaring headlines.
There are conflicting reports about the settlement Prejean made with pageant officials over their demand she pay them back for breast implants they financed.
(AP file)
A member of the pageant's legal team confirms a TMZ report about Prejean being paid $100,000, but stresses that was above and beyond payments made to the beauty queen's legal and PR team.
''This was all about making her go away ... hopefully forever,'' said the source.
• As for reports the former Miss California USA winner was confronted with a raunchy sex tape by pageant lawyers, my source indicated ''that story has been wildly exaggerated and not a factor in the final financial settlement.''
• And, oh yes, Prejean does get to keep those implants.
NO ROMANCE: A key member of Gerard Butler's publicity team tells me the actor ''went ballistic'' after seeing London press reports he had hooked up with Lindsay Lohan in Morocco. While the two were at the same affair -- where LiLo was a paid celebrity guest -- Butler's associate says he barely spoke to her and is looking into legal action against the newspapers that printed stories claiming the two had a a fling.
• Also denying anything romantic are the camps of ex-Oscar nominees and Soul Train Music Award co-hosts Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard, despite many whispers to the contrary. Howard is known for having a roving eye -- showcased here at the opening bash for Michigan Avenue magazine last fall. However, Howard is engaged to Colombian beauty Zulay Henao, having split with wife Lori McCommas, whom he wed twice.
HAMMING IT UP: When you've got everything, gift buying can be a challenge, but not for Victoria Beckham. The singer picked up two ''micro pigs'' (think porcine versions of teacup Chihuahuas) as an early Christmas gift for hubby and soccer superstar David Beckham. The tiny porkers have been named Elton and David -- after the couple's good friends Elton John and his partner David Furnish.
MUSICAL NOTES: As part of Davenport's 11th anniversary, the popular cabaret toasts songwriting legend Johnny Mercer's centennial with recording artist Lee Lessack appearing through Sunday, four-time Tony nominee Gregg Edelman performing Nov. 20-22 and Chicago fave Joan Curto in the house over Thanksgiving weekend, Nov. 25-29. ... Another Chicago favorite, Lynne Jordan & the Shivers, will be back at Green Dolphin Street Saturday, beginning at 8 p.m. ... The California-based rockers Papa Roach were spied chowing down at Gibsons on Rush, served a family-style feast of steaks, lobster and crab by Mo, a star waiter at the celeb-magnet eatery.
PRECIOUS PARTY: The Oscar buzz for "Precious" continued to build in L.A. the other night at the big AFI Fest 2009 premiere and after-party at Chateau Marmont, hosted by Little Black Dress Wines -- attended by a slew of stars, including the film's stars Mo'Nique, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey, Sherri Shepherd, Xosha Roquemore and Gabourey Sidibe, and Hollywood boosters Will Smith, Gayle King, Sidney Poitier, Forest Whitaker and Mario Lopez.
AGENDA ACTION: The legendary cartoonist, artist and playwright Jules Feiffer continues his yearlong 80th birthday celebration here by opening a new exhibit of his work at the Jean Albano Gallery Friday evening, and presenting a seminar on ''Depression Era Comics'' and participating on a panel with ''The Simpsons'' creator Matt Groening and cartoonist Chris Ware at the Chicago Humanities Festival this weekend. ... Speaking of the festival, former CHF executive director Eileen Mackevich, current head of the Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, is thrilled her daughter Dorothy Marks and ex-Chicago mag editor Gail Gilbert are debuting ''Janina: Weaving the Future,'' their documentary about Lithuanian-American painter and textile artist and Chicago resident Janina Monkute-Marks, at this weekend's SOFA art show. It screens Friday evening at the Hyde Park Art Center.