Maksim Chmerkovskiy, 32, is a favorite of "Dancing With the Stars" viewers, but a former celebrity partner has just revealed that she's not a member of his fan club.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Olympic gold medalist Hope Solo, 31, who was partnered with Chmerkovskiy during the 13th season of the ABC hit, reveals in her new memoir that their relationship was tense.
In "Solo: A Memoir of Hope" (Harper, $24.99), which was released Tuesday, the U.S. women's soccer goalie says her pro partner "manhandled me in rehearsals from the start, pushing me, whacking my stomach, bending my arms roughly."
After Chmerkovskiy slapped her across the face, ABC offered her another partner, she writes. She says she declined because she didn't want to end his career and feared what the tabloids would say about her.
Her former partner has not addressed the claims -- not directly, at least.
However, on Thursday he took to Twitter and offered this nugget: "Always hated hypocrites and liars ... but when someone is both AND an opportunist, I just feel bad for them. Can't win at someone's expense." On Friday, he added: "I'm bulletproof ... FIRE AWAY!"
'Cul de Sac' creator retires
Cartoonist Richard Thompson, whose strip "Cul de Sac" runs daily in the Free Press, is retiring.
Thompson, who is in his mid-50s, was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson's disease in 2009. Since then, he has had other artists step in to help with his comic, but in a recent interview with Universal Press Syndicate, Thompson said he has "gotten too unreliable to produce a daily strip."
The last strip will run Sept. 23.
Russian band is jail-bound
Three members of the Russian punk band Pussy Riot were sentenced Friday to two years in prison after being found guilty of "hooliganism driven by religious hatred," according to Associated Press reports. The women were arrested in March after performing a song in protest of Russian President Vladimir Putin at a Moscow cathedral.
Protests over the sentence erupted worldwide Friday in various cities, including New York, Paris, Copenhagen and Berlin. Artists such asSting, Anthony Kiedis and Madonna have voiced support for the rockers. On Friday, Paul McCartney posted a letter of support on his website.
The punk trio evidently has no plans to remain silent. On the day of the sentencing, the group released a new single: "Putin Lights Up the Fires."
Star power for the NFL
Mariah Carey, No Doubt and Cee Lo Green are joining the NFL, according to MTV.com.
Carey and No Doubt will perform Sept. 5 at Rockefeller Plaza before the New York Giants-Dallas Cowboys game.
Green, meanwhile, is recording a song called "I Love Football" to the tune of the Ramones' "Blitzkrieg Bop" for the NFL Network's "Thursday Night Football." He's inviting fans to submit videos of themselves singing along to the chorus of the song, which Green is calling a "fanthem." A 90-second video clip made up of those videos will open the broadcast each week.
Briefly
• Food Network star Cat Cora pleaded no contest Friday to "driving with a blood alcohol level of .08 or higher." A report at www.tmz.com says that a DUI charge stemming from Cora's June arrest was dropped as part of a plea deal. The "Iron Chef" star was sentenced to three years of probation and a nine-month DUI program.
• "Evil Dead: The Musical" is returning to Detroit's City Theatre. Performances will run Thursdays-Saturdays in October, and tickets are $26 ($15 for opening night). They go on sale Friday at www.olympiaentertainment.com, the Fox Theatre, Joe Louis Arena and the City Theatre.
• The Blues & Soul Family Fun Day starts at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Inkster High School football field. There'll be music from Lattimore, soul food and children's activities. Admission is $10-$25 and attendees must bring their own chairs. Tickets are available at God's World record store in Detroit, Puffer Red record store in Ypsilanti and Shantinique clothing and record boutique in Detroit.
Compiled by Angela Lopez, Free Press staff writer
Fast takes
1. Jonases make a date
The Jonas Brothers plan to perform at Radio City Music Hall. Oldest brother Kevin announced on Ryan Seacrest’s radio show Friday that the trio will give a one-time-only concert Oct. 11. Kevin and wifeDanielle Deleasa’s reality show, “Married to Jonas,” premieres Sunday on E!
2. Perez Hilton on Broadway
Celebrity gossip blogger Perez Hilton (given name: Mario Lavandeira) is joining the cast of the off-Broadway show “NEWSical the Musical.” The four-week run, his New York stage debut, begins Sept. 8.
3. More on Hamlisch’s death
Marvin Hamlisch, left, died of lung failure, according to his death certificate, which was filed Friday in Los Angeles. The document, obtained by www.tmz.com, reveals that the composer suffered brain damage resulting from a lack of oxygen before his death. He died Aug. 6 at the age of 68.
