A onetime “American Idol” contestant who was obsessed with judge Paula Abdul, was found dead in a car parked not far from Abdul’s California home Tuesday.  Police identified the woman as 30-year-old Paula Goodspeed, and say her death appears to be a suicide. According to police, Goodspeed, who was a contestant on season five of “American Idol,” has been fixated on Abdul for years. Abdul told The Associated Press that she is “deeply shocked and saddened” at the apparent suicide.   No official cause of death has been determined.

Terrence Howard out, Don Cheadle in for next Iron Man. Don Cheadle will step in as character Jim Rhodes in Iron Man 2, replacing Terrence Howard, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Marvel Studios hasn’t said why Howard is out, but word is that financial disagreements were a factor. Cheadle’s Rhodes will reportedly have a bigger role in the sequel than Howard’s Rhodes had in the original. Cheadle is currently filming director Antoine Fuqua’s cop film Brooklyn’s Finest. Iron Man 2 is already set for a May 7, 2010 release.

Gary Coleman accused of hitting fan. Former “Diff’rent Strokes” star Gary Coleman has pleaded not guilty to reckless driving and disorderly conduct charges after he allegedly hit a fan with his SUV in Utah. Coleman was an hour late to court Tuesday before denying the charges that could send him to jail for six months if he’s convicted. He’s accused of attacking Colt Rushton, 24, after Rushton reportedly took Coleman’s photograph at a bowling alley last month and claimed to have followed the actor into the parking lot to retrieve a cell phone allegedly taken from him. Coleman allegedly attacked Rushton and backed his vehicle into the fan. Rushton was treated and released from a hospital.

Lethal Weapon 5 not likely to be filmed. Things don’t look good for actor Danny Glover teaming up with Mel Gibson again for a fifth Lethal Weapon movie. Ten years after Lethal Weapon 4, which also starred comedian Chris Rock, an insider says Mel Gibson turned down the offer. “I would like to think that Mel turned it down because I wasn’t involved,” says Richard Donner, who directed the first four blockbusters. The action sequels have made Glover and Gibson among the most famous police partner characters in Hollywood history, creating the mold for such duos as Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan.

Akon’s due before judge on Sept. 3. Singer Akon could add some legitimate days to the past incarceration time he’s been exposed for lying about, if he’s convicted of attacking a youth. But the popular producer didn’t show up last week for his first court date since a December “not guilty” plea that he issued, despite being videotaped as he tossed Anthony Smith, 15, into the crowd. Akon is shown in Web footage demanding that Smith be brought up to the outdoor stage at a June 2007 concert in New York after Smith is alleged to have thrown an object at Akon. The singer is charged with endangering the welfare of a minor and second-degree harassment after is appeared to hoist Smith above his head and toss him into the crowd. A judge instructed Akon’s lawyer that the singer should appear in court Sept. 3 for a possible deposition. Akon’s biggest recent headlines were generated after The Smoking Gun Web site exposed him as a former petty car thief, although Akon has sung and spoken about a fabricated past as boss of a major auto theft ring.

Rapper still denies CO past as Web site offers more proof

Fellow Miami MC Trick Daddy may have let Rick Ross off the hook by saying rumors of Ross’ prison guard past don’t matter. But The Smoking Gun Web site hasn’t let up. The popular investigative Web site has offered what appears to be irrefutable proof that Ross’ denials of having worked as a Florida correctional officer are outright lies. Though Ross recently defended his outlaw image and street-influenced rhymes on a Phoenix radio show, stating “One of my closest homies was on ‘ America ’s Most Wanted,’” The Smoking Gun reports that Ross once got a perfect attendance award for his prison guard work. Among other documents in the Web site’s 86-page acquisition of the rapper’s personnel file are contact information listings for his mother and sister – whose names appear, identically, on Ross’ CD liner notes. Additionally, the file shows a 1997 resignation letter from William Leonard Roberts, who borrowed his Rick Ross stage name from a once-notorious L.A. dope dealer.

Nelly is recruited as new model for Sean John

Rapper Nelly now has not only his own line of blue jeans for women, but he’s modeling men’s clothes, too. The sculpted, shirtless performer’s image was splattered all over the Web and featured on Fox’s Tuesday “Wendy Williams Show” as he appeared with pants hanging slightly below a Sean John underwear waistband. “To me, Nelly is the quintessential definition of the Sean John man,” says the fashion line’s founder, Sean “Diddy” Combs. “He has the attitude, the swagger and, most of all, the physique that our customers can both aspire and relate to. And let’s be honest, all of the ladies out there are going to be thanking us for this campaign.”

Woman who claimed pregnancy by Chris Rock not done yet
Negative test results may have damaged her credibility, but a Georgia woman says she’ll write a book about her alleged affair and disproven, alleged pregnancy by comedian Chris Rock. Lawyers for the comedian say there’s no reason to pay the planned book – or its writer – any attention. “There is a final judgment. This is not Chris Rock’s child,” one attorney for the star says. “It’s been fully litigated, and that includes DNA testing.”

Peoria Chiefs Player Allegedly Hit Spectator In Head With Ball.
The Peoria Chiefs’ Julio Castillo could face up to eight years in prison and a $15,000 fine if he’s convicted of deliberately hitting a fan with a pitch during a Class A game’s brawl last week. The minor-league fracas between the Chiefs and Dayton Dragons resulted in 15 player and manager ejections. Castillo is shown on camera winding up and throwing a ball that allegedly struck spectator Chris McCarthy, 44, in the forehead. McCarthy was treated at a hospital in Dayton. Castillo, 21, was tackled to the ground after throwing the pitch, and later jailed. The Dominican Republic native’s passport was revoked. He’s free after posting bond.