Monitor: Ricky Martin is Gay: Not shocking, but still a big deal

MARRIED
Bethenny Frankel, 39 — one of Bravo’s Real Housewives of New York — earned her TV title March 28 when she said ”I do” in New York to boyfriend of one year Jason Hoppy.

EXPECTING
American Idol season 1 finalist Tamyra Gray, 30, is expecting her first child with music-producer husband Sam Watters, an ex-member of Color Me Badd, this July.

BIRTHS
The Early Show anchor Erica Hill, 33, and husband David Yount welcomed a second son, Sawyer Steven, March 23 in New York. He joins Weston Robert, 3…. Rules of Engagement star Oliver Hudson, 33, and his actress wife, Erinn Bartlett, 37, brought home a baby boy, Bodhi Hawn, March 19 in L.A. They also have son Wilder Brooks, 2.

COURTS
After spending seven months in prison for a 2007 felony weapons charge, T.I. (né Clifford Harris Jr.), 29, began serving his 23 days of home detention in Atlanta March 26.The supervised release, a condition of his three-year probation, includes a curfew of 11 p.m. (or 1 a.m. if he’s performing). The rapper must also complete 400 hours of community service…. Front Line Management filed a suit March 25 in L.A. against Axl Rose (real name: William Bailey), 48, claiming the singer owes nearly $1.9 million in unpaid fees. The company — founded by Rose’s longtime manager, Irving Azoff — claims it had an oral agreement with Rose to receive 15 percent of the Guns N’ Roses frontman’s earnings…. Owen Wilson, 41, was sued in L.A. March 25 by a photographer who says he was assaulted by him in December 2008. Clint Brewer — who is also suing the actor’s brother Andrew, 45, for ”negligence” — claims he suffered ”severe bodily injuries” and is seeking more than $500,000 in damages. Reps for the Wilsons were not immediately available…. On March 23, Oprah Winfrey, 56, settled an October 2008 defamation lawsuit filed by Nomvuyo Mzamane, the former headmistress of the talk-show host’s South African school. ”The two parties…are happy that they could resolve this dispute,” their lawyers said in a joint statement.

ARRESTED
On March 24 in Long Island, Justin Bieber‘s manager was arrested on charges of reckless endangerment and criminal nuisance. When the 16-year-old pop singer’s mall appearance had become a ”near riot,” police say Scott Braun, 28, failed to cancel the event in a timely manner. Braun, who pleaded not guilty, faces up to one year in prison if convicted.

RECOVERING
Former Real World: San Francisco cast member David Rainey, better known as Puck, 41, reportedly remains hospitalized in San Diego following a March 19 car accident. His son Bogart, 8, who was in the vehicle at the time of the wreck, was treated and released March 24. Rainey, who suffered significant injuries, could face charges of DUI, child endangerment, and driving without a license. He has denied being drunk at the time.

DEATHS
Gypsy Rose Lee’s sister June Havoc (born Ellen Evangeline Hovick) died of natural causes March 28 in Stamford, Conn. The stage and film star, whose childhood was reimagined in Broadway’s Gypsy, was 97…. Robert Culp, star of TV’s I Spy and Everybody Loves Raymond, died March 24 in Hollywood after collapsing outside his home. He was 79…. Drummer and actor Bernard ”Bunchy” Johnson passed away March 21 in New Orleans following a heart attack. The actor, whose films included Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans, was 57…. Singer Johnny Maestro, of the Crests and Brooklyn Bridge, died March 24 in Cape Coral, Fla., after battling cancer. He was 70.

BIRTHDAYS
Alec Baldwin, 52
April 3

Robert Downey Jr., 45
April 4

Zach Braff, 35
April 6

Francis Ford Coppola, 71
April 7

Robin Wright, 44
April 8

Ricky Martin Is Gay — Not Shocking, But Still a Big Deal
Earlier this week, Ricky Martin did not stun the world when he announced on his blog that he’s a ”fortunate homosexual man.” Indeed, the 38-year-old singer, who has sold a reported 60 million albums over the past decade and has two nearly 2-year-old sons born via a surrogate, had been living la vida ”don’t ask, don’t tell” for a long time: Sometimes there was a girlfriend; other times Martin was doing stretching exercises on a beach. With another guy. In a Speedo. It was about as shocking as Sean Hayes‘ similar proclamation to The Advocate magazine this month. But let’s put aside the cynicism. Coming out — even in a post — Ellen/Rosie/Lance Bass/Neil Patrick Harris world — takes courage and deserves plaudits, especially when you’re a public figure. You immediately become a spokesperson, whether you like it or not (and for that matter, whether the gay community wants you to be or not). In fact, the future of the entire gay rights movement apparently rests on your shoulders. Said Jarrett Barrios, president of GLAAD, in a statement: ”[Martin’s] decision to model this kind of openness and honesty can lead to a greater acceptance for countless gay people in the U.S., in Latin America, and worldwide.” True, but talk about pressure. Martin’s publicist had no comment, but presumably we’ll hear more from the singer himself, who’s in the midst of penning his memoirs. — Henry Goldblatt, with additional reporting by Archana Ram

Chloë Sevigny Apologizes for Truly ”Awful” Big Love Comments
Open mouth, insert stiletto. That’s what happened to Chloë Sevigny March 24, when the Big Love star slammed the HBO show that won her a Golden Globe just two months ago. Asked about the most recent season, the 35-year-old told The Onion‘s A.V. Club website, ”It was awful,” and ”very telenovela.” Two days later, Sevigny called up EW to issue a heartfelt mea culpa. ”I wasn’t thinking about what I was saying,” she said, adding that she was exhausted when the interview took place at Austin’s SXSW music fest. ”I obviously didn’t mean what I said in any way, shape, or form. I feel really terrible. I’m really sorry.” — Tanner Stransky, with additional reporting by Michael Aussiello