Tidbits: Family Split Over Mackenzie’s Incest Claim
Other Tidbits: Gibson on the life he left behind and dish on the fly
By REE HINES
Updated 10:15 PM PDT, Wed, Sep 23, 2009
Once Mackenzie Phillips revealed the shocking details of an alleged 10-year incestuous relationship with her father, Mamas & the Papas’ co-founder John Phillips, other members of the Phillips family were quick to respond. The release of the embattled actress’ memoir, “High on Arrival,” and her tell-all talk with Oprah Winfrey left opinions divided.
“John was a bad parent, and a drug addict,” John Phillips' ex-wife and bandmate, Michelle Phillips, admitted in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. “But (have sex with) his daughter? If she thinks it’s true, why isn’t she with a good psychiatrist on a couch? I think it’s unconscionable that Oprah would let her do her show. I have every reason to believe it’s untrue. Oprah should be more judicious about who she has on her show.”
Michelle Phillips insisted the story has its roots in addiction and jealousy and possibly profit but not reality.
“Mackenzie has a lot of mental illness,” the singer continued. “She’s had a needle stuck up her arm for 35 years. She was arrested for heroin and coke just recently. She did ‘Celebrity Rehab’ and now she writes a book. The whole thing is timed. Mackenzie is jealous of her siblings, who have accomplished a lot and did not become drug addicts.”
But one half-sibling, Michelle Phillips’ own daughter Chynna Phillips, disagrees her mother’s strong words of denial.
“After long nights of heroin use, (Mackenzie is) claiming that she once woke up and that my father was on top of her having sex with her,” the former member of Wilson Phillips recounted to Us Weekly. “Was he actually raping her? I don’t know. Do I believe that they had an incestuous relationship and that it went on for 10 years? Yes.”
Mel Gibson misses the life he left behind
The thought of welcoming his eighth child into the world while ending his 29-year marriage has left Mel Gibson questioning the choices he’s made. The actor-director is said to be in a panic as he thinks back to his relationship with Robyn Gibson but faces a future with girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva.
“Mel says he thought that he knew what he wanted, but now he’s not so sure,” a friend of the star told the National Enquirer.
According to the insider, Gibson’s uncertainty comes from a sense of nostalgia for his time with the mother of his seven children and a fear of what lies ahead.
“Mel’s life with Robyn was easy for him, and it pains him that his kids are pulling away from him because of Oksana,” the insider said. “Mel still loves Oksana, but he’s definitely gotten a case of cold feet. He’s afraid he’s made a series of wrong decisions, and he’s terrified that his dreams for a great new life with Oksana could turn into a nightmare.”
Renee Zellweger to fake the fat for ‘Bridget Jones 3’
Preparation for the third installment in the “Bridget Jones” film franchise won’t involve the usual round of rapid yo-yo dieting for actress Renee Zellweger. According to a report in Reveal, the health-conscious screen star plans to fake the fat rather than run the risk.
“Renee will be wearing a fat suit in the third film, as it took her a while to lose the weight last time,” a source told the magazine. “She’s also thinking about the effect quickly putting on and then losing 30 pounds has on her body.”
Zellweger once explained that her fear of the “Bridget” bulge came after she watched Morgan Spurlock’s 2004 documentary, “Super Size Me.”
“I had a panic attack with all the specialists talking about how bad this is for you, long term, putting on that much weight in short periods of time and they’re all saying, ‘You must stop this now or you’re going to die,’” Zellweger said.
Dish on the fly
If getting dumped by boyfriend Tony Romo the day before her 29th birthday wasn’t enough to leave Jessica Simpson depressed and distraught, the added loss of her beloved dog Daisy to a roaming coyote certainly finished the job. “Daisy was her baby,” a source told Us Weekly. “She isn’t sleeping, barely eating, and is crying her eyes out.” The singer-and-sometimes-actress can’t make sense of her recent run of bad luck, as the source explained, “She feels like she’s being punished for something. Jessica is very spiritual and relates things back to God.” … Despite a fresh round of romance denials, Page Six reported that “Dancing With the Stars” pro dancer Derek Hough and his past ballroom and real-life partner Shannon Elizabeth are together again. An onlooker who spotted the cozy couple at L.A. nightspot Playhouse Hollywood said, “They were dancing together and making out all night.”
Tabloid Tidbits is compiled by Ree Hines.
Copyright MSNBC
First Published: Sep 23, 2009 6:08 PM PDT
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