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People: Sarah Hyland, John Travolta, Jay-Z, Shannon Perrine
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Sarah Hyland is young, beautiful and on a hit TV show - but the "Modern Family" actress has been quietly battling a serious illness, People reports.
Hyland, 21, has had a lifelong battle with kidney dysplasia and underwent a kidney transplant April 13, she reveals in the new issue of Seventeen, on newsstands May 22.
The actress, who got the kidney from her father and gave the interview while recovering from surgery, says the whole experience taught her who she can really lean on in times of need.
"You know that family is always going to be there for you - no matter what. My dad gave me a freakin' kidney!" she tells the magazine. "But it's also the families that you create outside of your family. And you really find out what kind of people you're friends with."
Continues the actress: "It was just amazing, and it really opened my eyes to see who's there for me and who's not."
One person who proved he's there for her is Hyland's boyfriend, actor Matt Prokop.
"He helps me with my medication and takes me to doctor appointments and all the stuff that I need to do to take care of myself," Hyland says. "Any other 21-year-old guy would not be there, I guarantee it. I am one of the luckiest people in the world to have him be there for me."
As for what she's thankful for, Hyland says, "I have a second chance at life - not a lot of people get that."
As the sexual assault case of John Travolta's first accuser appears to have all but crumbled, the focus has shifted to allegations made by John Doe #2 - and his attorney is gearing up for a no-holds-barred trial.
But he wants it carried out entirely in private.
"I want a full trial with a private judge," Okorie Okorocha tells People, shooting down a report that he's in talks to enter mediation with Travolta's attorneys. "There is no mediation. There'll never be a settlement. I want privacy for sex crime victims."
"It looks like [Travolta's attorney Marty Singer] wants one hell of a fight, and that is what he'll get from me," Okorocha adds.
Says Bill Waldo, an L.A. sexual harassment attorney not involved with the case, "A mediation is an attempt to settle the case without a trial. But both sides could agree to a private trial instead where all proceedings would be confidential."
The "Wild Hogs" star was hit with a second sexual-battery claim last week by an unidentified masseur who alleges that Travolta exposed and touched himself while being given an in-room massage at an Atlanta hotel.
The suit came a day after another anonymous masseur sued the star for sexual battery.
Singer has slammed both lawsuits, telling E! News last week that "this second 'anonymous' claim is just as absurd and ridiculous as the first one" and that "our client will be fully vindicated in court on both of these absurd and fictional claims."
Both of the anonymous masseurs were repped by Okorocha, but in a surprising twist, John Doe No. 1 was dropped by Okorocha late last week after his client admitted that he misstated the date of the alleged attack.
Despite the former cruise ship employee claiming Travolta propositioned him in 2009, Singer has denied any claims of wrongdoing.
"People are going to come forward to get their 15 minutes of fame," Singer tells People. "This was all started by Doe #1, and everyone else came out of the woodwork with false claims."
Asked if evidence will be presented to refute Doe #2's allegations that Travolta assaulted him in an Atlanta hotel in January, Singer replied, "We'll disprove it, but we need specifics first. It's hard to disprove something when you don't have more specific allegations."
Jay-Z is in a Philadelphia State of Mind.
The rapper has announced a two-day music festival in Philadelphia. It'll feature nearly 30 acts "that embody the American spirit" across three stages at Fairmount Park on Sept 1. and 2, which is Labor Day weekend, the Associated Press reports.
Jay-Z was joined by Mayor Michael Nutter on Monday atop the city's art museum steps, made famous by "Rocky." The "Budweiser Made in America" festival will benefit United Way Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey. Tickets go on sale May 23. The shows will include rap, rock, R&B, Latin and dance performers.
"I've always believed in great music," Jay-Z said. "I don't believe in the lines that separate music ... that's for people that can't easily define what they're hearing, so they have to put it in some sort of box. Me, I listen to anything I like."
The New York-born rapper says 70 percent of the acts are confirmed. A feverish crowd of fans was on hand, chanting his name. When one yelled out that Jay-Z's was the best, the rapper paused and said: "I agree."
And baby makes three (children) for Shannon Perrine and husband Ken Radinick. The WTAE-TV weekend anchor/weekday reporter is pregnant with a baby girl. Some viewers were curious about an apparent "baby bump," and the station has confirmed the stork is due in October.
CMT Music Awards? More like a CMT Concert!
Among those set to rock Nashville's Bridgestone Arena during the 11th CMT Awards ceremony June 6 are Carrie Underwood, who is going into country's big night with five nominations, People reports.
Other performers set to appear, as announced Monday morning, are fellow nominees Brad Paisley, Kenny Chesney, Little Big Town, Zac Brown Band.
Also announced: Triple-nominee Lady Antebellum, with recently wed bandmate Dave Haywood.
Fans may vote for their favorite music videos at the CMT 2012 Music Awards website through June 4.
First Published May 15, 2012 12:32 pm
