Porn star James Deen says MMA spreads same fluids but avoids regulations
Also in Tattle: Kesha, Daniel Craig, Leslie Odom Jr., Dustin Diamond, Kanye West
WHAT DO PORN stars have in common with mixed martial arts fighters?
According to porn star/producer James Deen, the answer is STDs.
TheWrap.com reports that Deen, who has been accused of refusing to wear condoms during filming, is battling with California state regulators for unfairly targeting the world of XXX. He has filed a complaint against Bellator MMA (a subsidiary of Sumner Redstone's Viacom) to prove his point.
According to the complaint, Bellator doesn't comply with the state's blood-borne pathogen exposure policies either.
In layman's terms: Only one of the two "entertainment" arenas probably has to deal with projectile semen, but they both share blood, saliva and spit.
"You can't pick and choose how to enforce the law," Deen said in a statement obtained by TheWrap. "Sex workers should not be held to different standards under the same regulations as their mainstream counterparts."
Deen faces stiff fines from Cal/OSHA for his condom-free films, although he claims that his performers are tested for STDs and volunteer to leave the latex at home.
"Only the adult industry is being fined and reprimanded," Deen said in his statement. "The adult industry is being wrongfully persecuted solely because they have chosen to work in an industry that is still considered taboo."
James Deen Productions (a/k/a Third Rock Enterprises) could owe more than $75,000 in fines if all the alleged violations turn out to be true.
Deen, as Tattle has previously reported, has other problems, as he was accused of assault by nine women last year. Three of those cases, TheWrap reports, allegedly took place on porn sets.
Deen has denied all allegations.
* Moving to other sexual-assault allegations, Kesha once again is on the list of performers for Sunday's Billboard Music Awards.
E! News reports that Dr. Luke's Kemosabe Records has rescinded its refusal and unchained Kesha so she may sing.
In an official comment obtained by E! News, Kemosabe Records stated, "Kesha's performance on the Billboard Music Awards was always approved, in good faith. Approval was only suspended when Kemosabe learned Kesha was to use the performance as a platform to discuss the litigation. Now that Kemosabe has obtained assurances, that it is relying upon, from Kesha, her representatives and Dick Clark Productions that neither Kesha nor her supporters will use the performance as such a platform, the approval has been restored."
The name is no longer Bond
According to sources of London's
Daily Mail
,
Daniel Craig
is "done" playing James Bond.
The news comes just days after British bookies called off bets that Tom Hiddleston would take over the role.
Insiders said Craig turned down a package worth close to $100 million to return as 007 for two more movies.
Said a source, "[Craig] had told people after shooting that [Spectre] would be his final outing, but the film company still felt he could come around after Spectre if he was offered a money deal.'
Craig recently committed to a 20-episode TV adaptation of Jonathan Franzen's novel Purity.
TATTBITS
* As if a lead role in
Hamilton
, a Grammy win and a Tony nomination haven't made this a great enough year for Philadelphia native
Leslie Odom Jr.
, on June 10 he will release his self-titled debut album of jazz classics,
Leslie Odom Jr
(S-Curve Records).
"Leslie has approached the songs on his debut album in a thoughtful and truly inspired fashion, creating something quite beautiful," said Steve Greenberg, founder and president of S-Curve. "We all know what a charismatic performer he is; the world is about to find out what a uniquely gifted vocalist he is. He's made a great album and this is really just the beginning."
* Former Saved by the Bell star Dustin Diamond says his time behind bars on disorderly conduct and concealed-weapon convictions isn't like "what you see on TV."
Diamond said in an interview with Extra's Mario Lopez that jail was "daunting" and "scary," but he says "you can get in and out unscathed" if you follow the rules.
Diamond, 39, was convicted in Wisconsin last year on the charges stemming from a 2014 barroom brawl. He was released last month after doing three months. Diamond tells Lopez that he was defending his wife with a pocket knife.
Diamond and Lopez starred on the Saturday morning NBC sitcom from 1989 to 1992.
* Meanwhile, on Ellen yesterday, the host got little chance to interview guest Kanye West because once Kanye started talking, he kept on talking.
And talking.
Paraphrasing is both pointless and impossible.
- Daily News wire services
contributed to this report.
215-854-5678 @DNTattle