Arson Suspected at Madonna’s Childhood Home
Police suspect that this bridge to Madonna’s past didn’t burn all by itself.
Authorities are investigating the possiblity of arson in a Friday-night blaze that heavily damaged a Detroit-area home where the pop icon spent some of her formative years.
According to fire officials, the two-story brick house sustained major fire and smoke damage throughout. The current owners were not at home, and no injuries were reported. A passerby who spotted flames inside called the fire department at about 8 p.m.
“We brought it under control in about 10 minutes,” Rochester Hills Fire Chief Ron Crowell told the Detroit Free Press. “There was significant loss.”
Meanwhile, the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department said that the fire, which appears to have started in the living room, is being considered suspicious and police and fire officials are investigating.
Madonna was born in Bay City and grew up in Pontiac and Rochester Hills before heading off to the University of Michigan to study dance and then to New York to take on the world.
A Taste of The Soup: Ruining Today’s Youth
The girls from Next Door, some off-color tuna jokes and Dr. Drew’s floating head. What more could you want out of a clip from tonight’s Soup special, TV Under the Influence: Intoxicated Mayhem on TV? Oh, topless reality stars making out in a hot tub? You got it.
Also, don’t forget to read The Soup Blog, served daily, and tune in tonight @ 10 on E!
Pam’s Viper Snares Dough for Snakes
Pamela Anderson has let her beloved car go to the dogs. Or, in this particular case, the reptiles.
The Pam: Girl on the Loose star’s 2000 Dodge Viper was auctioned off in Las Vegas last weekend for $65,000 to benefit herpardon the punpet cause, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
A PETA spokesman said that Anderson’s contribution will be used to raise awareness about the cruel methods used to skin reptiles for shoes, belts, bags and other fashionable accessories.
“I just realized I have too many things,” Anderson exclusively told News when asked why she decided to part with her favorite ride.
“I’ve had [my car] since my VIP days and barely drive it…and it would go to much better use if PETA would benefit, so, in the spirit of giving everything away…and helping others.”
Among her Viper’s amenities were a “soft-top convertible roof, front spoiler, racing pinstriping and a luxurious leather interior.”
According to Kelley Blue Book, the current resale value of a 2000 RT/10 Roadster similar to Anderson’s (although probably not as tricked out as hers) is about $41,635.
The former Baywatch babe, who along with her two children has reportedly reshacked up with ex-hubby Tommy Lee, also held an estate sale in May, divesting herself of clothes, jewelry, artwork and an electric car and her Malibu home of roomfuls of furniture.
Proceeds from that sale also went to PETA, according to Anderson.
“While I’m almost finished building my new home in an ecofriendly development back home in Canada, Vancouver Island, I’m between houses and just realized I don’t need all these things,” she told E!
“I’m very happy with my kids, traveling and camping out with family and friends. It’s very freeing and exciting. It just feels good!”
Madonna’s Bro Has Designs on Reality TV
First, Madonna’s brother Christopher Ciccone writes a memoir about being her brother. And now, the New York Post reports he’s shopping around a reality show about the same exact thing.
At this point, anything is believable between these feuding siblings.
But, alas, only the book will be slinging the mud. The reality show is about something completely different, a source exclusively reveals.
Ciccone’s reality-show idea is centered around interior design, the source reports. He has already been shooting around Los Angeles at various stores, including a Home Depot and 99¢ Only and Anna’s Linens stores. “He’s clearly not there shopping for his typical clientele,” the source said.
I’m told Ciccone and his team are referring to the show concept as a “design intervention.”
Ciccone’s design projects have included Madonna’s apartment on New York’s Upper West Side, some high-end condominium complexes in Miami and numerous restaurants. He also appeared on an episode of Bravo’s Top Chef Miami to assist contestants in a restaurant-design challenge.
The memoir, Life With My Sister, will be released July 15.