Colorful New York Entertainment Attorney Weighs in, On the Antics of Hollywood Celebrities

ARre DUI Arrests the New Celebrity PR Ploy?

Will Britney's New Lawsuit get her back in the Paparazzi Spotlight?
 
To contact or schedule Vincent Presti, call 212.924.3901
 
[New York City] Vincent Presti is a colorful New York City entertainment attorney who always has something to say about the games that celebrities play.  When you want an opinion on celebrity antics, call Presti...
 
Need Publicity, File a Lawsuit
 
In a summer filled with bad girl DUIs, we now have a fall season where record labels are bringing suit against celebrity gossip bloggers, like Perez Hilton, to attracted enhanced publicity and media attention for their artists “troubled projects”.  
The recent copyright infringement lawsuit filed by Britney Spears’ label, Zoomba, against Perez Hilton, for “the unauthorized dissemination of recordings” from her forth coming album is a serious miscarriage of justice.  Zoomba will do anything to get extra media attention for this album and now targets Perez Hilton under the premise of his role in making available Britney’s demos and final cuts from her new album as if Perez Hilton himself procured these tracks in some sort of secret covert operation, rather than Britney’s people planting these tracks around the internet to curry interest in her latest effort.  After all, Britney’s celebrity is really linked to her outrageousness, and now that her custody suit failed to maintain sufficient media buzz, her label has taken up the mantel to keep Britney generating free publicity through the US Court system.

Owen Wilson: Implied Duty of Disclosure
 
Were any privacy rights really violated regarding Owen Wilson’s recent suicide attempt?  I would say not on two grounds.  First, the information was received through public records, i.e., the 911 phone call, which were not under seal (but could have easily been sealed or expunged by a Court order).  Second, the public does not know Mr. Wilson’s precise diagnosis and/or what medications and treatments he is receiving.  On a policy note, celebrities may have an implied duty to disclose personal aspects of their lives since they are public figures who can make a significant difference in the lives of everyday people.  For example, numerous celebrities have made disclosures about their own and their families’ mental health backgrounds, such as Patty Duke, Rod Stieger, etc., but such disclosures generally coincide with a book release or other project.  I am almost certain that Mr. Wilson’s publicist played an instrumental role in strategically releasing information about his condition to the press (which directly contradicts his privacy plea).
Are DUI arrests a new strategy for PR?  Well it's not working!

"Between Nicole, Paris and Lindsay, it would appear that when stars need to generate publicity to resuscitate their careers, they go for the DUI!

At this rate, the State of California should create a separate administrative judiciary to handle celebrity DUIs to preserve the rights of average citizens for a fair trial.  After all, how could average cases be heard at all these court houses with all that media frenzy surrounding these celebrities at the court house steps.  It creates a tremendous strain on resources and also distracts other judges from their "non-celebrity" court cases.  What is more distressing is that these busted-DUI celebrities directly gain from their strain on tax payer resources in terms of better product placement and new tv and film deals.  Believe it or not, this could even raise significant Constitutional issues as well."

Court Must Adopt Extraordinary Measures to Save Lindsay's Life & Career

"Is the law really Lindsay’s friend or foe?  This is a tragic story with all the markings of another Hollywood starlit self-destructing.  In circumstances where Lindsay is a danger to herself and others, the law should order some sort of mandatory incarceration since voluntary commitment and treatment obviously have not worked.  If Lindsay were an ordinary person she would most likely be committed for her public behavior.  It is too bad her defense attorney does not seek a Court appointed custodian who could actually help Lindsay clean up her act and get her career back on track.  Some commentators have claimed that the “rehab” stints have been ways to placate insurance companies on her films since her career is tanking.  In my opinion, if she had proper legal representation and a concerned proactive manager (rather than a stage mom), this would no longer be an issue.  This is truly a case where a court needs to adopt extraordinary measures, or at least exercise some state interference, to help this actor survive."

Britney Spears-- Oops I did, or didn’t do it again?

"Britney has really morphed since her on-stage kiss with Madonna at the 2004 MTV Music Awards.  If it were not for her complete utter lunacies, she would never make the news and would be totally out of the public conscience.  Thanks to her, the term “K-Fed” has entered into all my friends dating vocabulary regarding disparities in income and other wealth considerations.

From a poorly legal and business perspective, I really think her managers or agents (or anyone out there) should try to help this somewhat talented girl from completely destroying herself.  Unlike Lindsay who requires a court-appointed custodian, Britney should be sued under an innovative tort and contract theory, “tortious interference of her own business” and breach of an implied contract to maintain, not destroy, her fan base.  Even if the case does not make the pleading stage, the Court process and surrounding media hype could add some new perspectives on things, like maybe get her thinking about returning to the recording studio.

Now comes the OK! photo shoot.  If I owned that magazine not only would I seek damages from Brit, but I would want the court to impose a “Mary Poppins” solution-- an extraordinary equitable remedy whereby the Court appoints a Poppins-type custodian for a minimum six month period to teach Brit not only to act like a star, but a “lady”.  Costs for this remedy could be established by a court-sanctioned trust or some similar legal device.  Otherwise, Ms. Spears will most likely resort to “crapping-in-coutre” (perhaps the title for her new song) to maintain her spot in the media and will only have “Depends” as an exclusive sponsor!"

Vincent Presti Biography

To contact or schedule Vincent Presti, call 212.924.3901