Brandy dances to new tune for girl who needs heart (Reuters)
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – She is wowing fans on the reality TV contest "Dancing With the Stars" but behind the scenes this week, singer/actress Brandy has been in a more important competition. She is racing against time to help save the life of a teenager who needs a heart transplant.
Brandy, who gained fame as chart topping R&B singer and actress on the TV show "Moesha," has been raising awareness and money for 16-year-old Jessica Harris, who suffers from a congenital heart defect. Known as hypoplastic left heart syndrome, the condition can be fatal.
"I just want to do whatever I can to get her story out there in the public," Brandy told Reuters. "You hear a lot of stories like these, but this one just connected to me."
Harris lives McComb, Mississippi, where Brandy Norwood was raised before she went to Hollywood and became the big star known simply by her first name.
Brandy's family told her of a story the local paper wrote about Harris needing a heart transplant that, on average, costs $150,000. But Harris is currently uncovered by insurance because the policy through her father's new job doesn't allow dependents with pre-existing conditions until July 2011. Harris has been told by doctors she may not live that long.
The story in the McComb Enterprise-Journal this month told readers how Harris dearly wanted to meet Brandy, who recently found success in reality television on shows like "Brandy & Ray J: A Family Business" and currently "Dancing With the Stars."
When Brandy got wind of the tale, she talked with Harris and decided to fly her and her family to Hollywood where the teenager attended a taping of "Dancing With the Stars." Harris also had dinner and birthday cake at home with the Brandy and her family. Harris turns 17 years-old on November 3.
"When I met her, she felt like a younger sister," Brandy said of Harris. At dinner, "she got a chance to see me as a person and not what she thought of me" as a celebrity.
Now, Brandy is out raising money for Jessica through the website, www.thejessicaharrisdream.com. The two appeared earlier this week on celebrity news magazine show "Entertainment Tonight."
"It feels amazing," Brandy said. "It feels like I'm doing something so positive, using my fame and popularity to help."
For her part, Harris said she has had a "nice trip" and was "very appreciative" of Brandy's help.
"Just meeting her that was cool enough," Harris told Reuters. "She stayed with me the whole time…treating me like she was treating her own daughter. She was more than what I thought, she was real down to earth."
(Reporting by Bob Tourtellotte; Editing by Zorianna Kit)
Another 'Dancing' star heads for the hills (AP)
LOS ANGELES – A second-place finish on Monday’s “Dancing With the Stars” couldn’t save Audrina Patridge. The reality TV beauty was dismissed from the hit ABC show Tuesday. “I had so much fun this entire experience and made such good new friends,” she said, thanking the judges and her fans. “It’s been a fun journey.” Patridge and professional
Dern-Ladd family honored with Walk of Fame stars (AP)
LOS ANGELES – It was a family affair Monday for Laura Dern, her father Bruce Dern and mother Diane Ladd. The acting dynasty was honored during a ceremony along the Hollywood Walk of Fame, marking the first time three stars were dedicated to family members at the same time. The pink terrazzo stars were unveiled alongside each
Another star bounced from the `Dancing' ballroom (AP)
LOS ANGELES – On Monday, Rick Fox earned his highest “Dancing With the Stars” scores yet. But on Tuesday, the basketball star was bounced from the ballroom. The 41-year-old was ousted from the hit ABC show during a special election-night program that commemorated the 200th episode of “Dancing.” Fox said Tuesday he had no idea that his
Another celeb thrown off 'Dancing With the Stars' (AP)
LOS ANGELES – Kurt Warner’s “Dancing With the Stars” stint is over, but the Super Bowl champ is still a crowd pleaser. The studio audience and Warner’s fellow contestants cheered “M-V-P! M-V-P!” as he was eliminated from the hit ABC show Tuesday. Even judge Bruno Tonioli, who insulted Warner on Monday’s episode by saying, “Obviously there are
Reluctant Florence Henderson leaves 'Dancing' (AP)
LOS ANGELES – It took Florence Henderson 11 seasons to join “Dancing With the Stars,” and now the TV icon has done her last tango. The 76-year-old actress was dismissed from the hit ABC show Tuesday. Henderson and her professional partner earned their highest score of the season on Monday’s episode, when they performed a tango to