CAP D'ANTIBES, France — Janet Jackson may have joined the ranks of diet plan celebrity spokeswomen Jennifer Hudson and Mariah Carrey, but she insists there's absolutely no competition among the slimmed-down singers.Actor Sean Penn has been named ambassador at large for Haiti in recognition of his humanitarian work since the 2010 earthquake.
The Hollywood star received the honor from Haitiian President Michel Martelly at a special ceremony Tuesday evening at the National Palace.
Martelly thanked Penn for keeping the spotlight on the Caribbean nation.
At the Apollo
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will perform at Harlem’s historic Apollo Theater next month.
The March 9 show is three days after the release of Springsteen’s “Wrecking Ball” album.
It will air live on E Street Radio.
Springsteen references Harlem in the songs “Jungleland” and “Does This Bus Stop at 82nd Street?” But it’s his first Apollo appearance.
TV permit denied
The women of MTV’s “Jersey Shore” say they’re not angry that Hoboken officials won’t allow a spinoff of the reality show to be filmed in the city of Frank Sinatra’s birth.
But Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi and Jenni “JWoww” Farley tell The Associated Press the city would have benefited from the proposed show. They say officials likely based their decision on “stereotypes” about the show and its cast.
Mayor Dawn Zimmer says the local Film Commission’s decision was based on safety and quality of life concerns for residents of the city.
The production company can appeal the decision to the city council.
Festival to see ‘Street’
The upcoming remaking of “21 Jump Street” will premiere as the centerpiece of Austin’s South by Southwest Film Conference and Festival.
The action-comedy stars Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum in a big-screen version of the 1980s Johnny Depp TV series. It will screen March 12 at SXSW, which runs March 9 to 17.
Summer camps
The Journal Gazette is compiling its annual summer camp guide, a free listing of regional day and sleepover camps that will be published March 11.
Email details of your camp’s programs – description, dates, location, fees, ages and registration information – by Feb. 24 to Terri Richardson at trich@jg.net or fax to 461-8893.
Happy birthday
Among celebrity birthdays today: Actress Elaine Stritch is 87. Actor Robert Mandan is 80. Comedian Tom Smothers is 75. Singer Graham Nash is 70. Actor Bo Hopkins is 70. Singer Howard Bellamy is 66. TV chef Ina Garten is 64. Actor Brent Spiner is 63. Model Christie Brinkley is 58. Actor Michael Talbott is 57. Actress Kim Zimmer is 57. Actress Marissa Jaret Winokur is 39. Singer Shakira is 35.
