Taking Names: Janet Jackson reschedules tour to be with family

Janet Jackson reschedules tour to be with family

Janet Jackson is rescheduling part of her Australian tour so she can support her family during the trial of the doctor accused of involuntary manslaughter in her brother Michael’s death, according to the Associated Press.

Dr. Conrad Murray is on trial in Los Angeles. He is accused of being negligent in his care of the superstar, who died in 2009 at age 50 from an overdose of the anesthetic propofol.

The prosecution is wrapping up its case this week, and the defense is about to present its case. The Jacksons have made regular appearances at the trial; Janet Jackson was there at the beginning.

“When I planned these shows, the schedule in California was completely different,” she said in a Sunday statement to the Associated Press. “After talking with my family last night, I decided we must be together right now. … This saddens me in so many ways.”

The shows for her “Number Ones” tour were scheduled in Melbourne on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. To make them up, she will perform one night, on Nov. 3, in Rod Laver Arena. She thanked her fans for their support and understanding.

Miss Jackson also has the support of her promoter.

“It is important that Janet is with her family at this critical point in the hearing. While Janet and our company apologize for any inconvenience for the reschedule of the Melbourne shows, we thank Janet for the great and successful concerts in Perth and Adelaide and eagerly await her return. … Our thoughts and prayers are with Janet and the entire Jackson family,” promoter Paul Dainty said.

Taiwanese art museum plans exhibit by Ai Weiwei

An art museum in Taiwan is planning an exhibition by outspoken Chinese artist Ai Weiwei starting this week.

The Taipei Fine Arts Museum said Mr. Ai would not attend but did not say why.

Mr. Ai was detained in April during China’s sweeping crackdown on activists. He was released in June but remains under investigation for economic crimes and must ask for permission to leave Beijing.

The exhibit of 21 works will include photography, 12 bronze heads representing the Chinese zodiac and a new piece consisting of some 1,000 bicycles reflecting China’s social changes.

The exhibit starts Saturday runs through Jan. 29.

Country music’s Loretta Lynn is fighting pneumonia

Loretta Lynn is out of the hospital and resting at her home in Hurricane Mills, Tenn.

A statement Monday from Loretta Lynn Enterprises said the country music icon has been treated for bacterial pneumonia. The 76-year-old was forced to cancel a show in Ashland, Ky., on Saturday because of the illness.

She woke up on her tour bus about 1:30 a.m. Saturday having difficulty breathing. She was treated at a Bowling Green, Ky., hospital over the weekend and released.

“It was one scary night,” Miss Lynn said in the statement.

She said she is feeling better and will return to the road Nov. 3 in Knoxville, Tenn.

In August, Miss Lynn canceled shows because of knee surgery. Before that, she returned to live performances with a show at the Grand Ole Opry after being forced to cancel shows in Ohio and Connecticut because she was hospitalized for heat exhaustion.

The daughter of a Kentucky coal miner, Miss Lynn had a string of hits starting in the 1960s - “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” “You Ain’t Woman Enough,” “The Pill” and “One’s on the Way.” Many of her songs reflected her pride in her humble background and her experiences as a wife and mother. Her 1977 autobiography was made into a movie that brought an Oscar for Sissy Spacek’s portrayal of Miss Lynn. More recently, Miss Lynn marked 50 years in country music and won two Grammy Awards in 2005 for her album “Van Lear Rose.”

Marilyn Monroe dress fetches $504K at auction

The dress that Marilyn Monroe wore in “River of No Return” has sold to a private buyer for $504,000, the Associated Press reports.

Darren Julien, president and CEO of Julien’s Auctions, said Saturday that the dress was sold at an auction in China. Monroe wore the green velour dress while she sang “I’m Gonna File My Claim” in the 1954 Western in which she portrayed Kay Washington, a gambler’s wife.

Among other items that were sold at the auction were the bustier that Madonna wore during her “Who’s That Girl” tour in 1987. It sold for $72,000.

The famous white dress Monroe wore in “The Seven Year Itch” was sold for $4.6 million at an auction this summer.

Karl Lagerfeld to launch more affordable collection

Iconic fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld, who is behind the elite labels Chanel and Fendi, is launching a more affordable line of streetwear aimed at the “everyday yet still fashion conscious audience,” according to the Associated Press.

The label Karl will launch next spring with women’s ready-to-wear, the brand said in a statement Monday. A men’s line and accessories are to follow.

The statement quoted Christian Stahl, a managing partner at Apex - a private equity group and top Lagerfeld shareholder - as saying the ponytailed designer “is essentially a global brand” all by himself.

Mr. Lagerfeld shot to fame as the designer for high-end Paris fashion houses Chloe and Chanel, but his recent collaboration with high street brands such as H&M and Macy’s have made him a top-tier celebrity.