Maine’s Ashley Underwood will face some tough competition on CBS’s upcoming “Survivor: Redemption Island.”
In addition to former NFL players and an Iraq war veteran, the 18 castaways will include veteran bad boys “Boston” Rob Mariano and Russell Hantz.
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It will be the fourth time competing for Mariano (“Marquesas,” “All-Stars,” “Heroes vs. Villains”) and the third for Hantz (“Samoa,” “Heroes vs. Villains”). Neither has ever won the $1 million grand prize.
Mariano and Hantz infamously sparred as members of the villains tribe on the 20th season, with Hantz ultimately besting Mariano by forming an alliance that blindsided the veteran player with his surprise dismissal. Mariano and Hantz will join separate tribes this time; other castaways include former NFL players, an Iraq war veteran and a cheerleader.
Underwood, 25, was crowned Miss Maine in 2009. She graduated from Cony High School in Augusta and the University of Maine. As a basketball star, she scored more than 1,000 points at each school. She is now a nurse in School Administrative District 49, which serves her hometown of Benton as well as Albion, Clinton and Fairfield.
The three words she has used to describe herself are “feisty, competitive and athletic.”
Asked why she thinks she’ll survive the competition, Underwood says she’s “strong, competitive and athletic” and has “the ability to think under pressure.”
Mariano and Hantz may have their hands full.
“Survivor: Redemption Island” is scheduled to premiere Feb. 16.
Singer’s husband files a legal challenge
RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Ailing R&B singer Etta James is gravely ill and her husband of 41 years is seeking a court order to control more than $1 million of her money.
The 72-year-old singer is best known for the 1961 hit “At Last.” Court documents show she lives in the Woodcrest area of Riverside County, has been diagnosed with dementia and is undergoing treatment for leukemia.
In February 2008 she gave power of attorney to her sons Donto James and Sametto James, and Donto’s wife Christy, but her husband, Artis Mills, is challenging the power of attorney.
Paris Hilton’s low point? Doing community service
PASADENA, Calif. – Paris Hilton’s life will be on display in a new Oxygen TV reality series.
The cable channel said Thursday that “The World According to Paris” will debut this spring.
An Oxygen executive described the series as “for real,” detailing the “highs” of the socialite turning 30 and her relationships.
Programming executive Amy Introcaso-Davis says it will also focus on the “lows” of her forced community service.
Last September, Hilton pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor charges, including drug possession, stemming from an August 2010 arrest on the Las Vegas Strip.
Her punishment included a fine and 200 hours of community service.
An air date for “The World According to Paris” wasn’t announced.
Gibson’s film ally a puppet
LOS ANGELES – Mel Gibson’s return to the big screen will begin in March at the South by Southwest festival.
Organizers of the Austin, Texas, multimedia entertainment festival announced Thursday that “The Beaver” will be one of five films that will have their international premieres at the event, commonly known as SXSW.
Jodie Foster directed and co-stars in “The Beaver,” which features Gibson as a troubled family man trying to cope with help from an unusual friend — a beaver puppet he wears on his hand.
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