Mariah Carey has signed a lucrative deal with Pepsi in which she will write and produce 20 exclusive ring tones and star in TV commercials to promote the soda, IMDB.com reported. Carey kicks off her upcoming summer tour with a special Pepsi Smash performance in Los Angeles – her first full-scale show in three years. Carey said, “It was a great creative outlet because musically I could do things I would never think to do for one of my albums.” Other celebrities who have shilled for Pepsi: Michael Jackson, Beyoncé Knowles, Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears, Kanye West and Gwen Stefani.
Mario Batali is closing his Bistro du Vent, the New York Post’s Braden Keil reported. The West 42nd Street cafe made headlines last August after four employees – including a chef – were caught on videotape in an after-hours sex romp by security cameras, and were subsequently fired. Batali continues to have problems with his landlord of his New York restaurant, Del Posto.
Chris Evans learned fame doesn’t equate to getting free vodka. Recently the “Fantastic Four” co-star (Evans, below, played Johnny Storm) and some friends approached a table in the VIP area of the Chelsea bar Nest and started pouring drinks, the New York Post reported. The table’s occupant appeared and asked Evans, “What the (heck) are you doing?” Security escorted Evans and his posse to the area where all the peons were.
