Gossip

Nigella Lawson has admitted using cocaine. During the fraud trial of two former personal assistants, the British television chef said last week that she had used the drug during two difficult periods in her life, once when her first husband was dying of cancer, and most recently in 2010 when she was subjected to “intimate terrorism” by her ex-husband Charles Saatchi. She also admitted smoking pot as her marriage crumbled. “I did not have a drug problem, I had a life problem,” she said. Saatchi had accused Lawson of frequent cocaine and marijuana use during their marriage, calling her “Highgella” in a leaked email. The former assistants are accused of spending more than $1 million of the couple’s money on luxury goods. The aides say Lawson permitted the spending so they would not tell Saatchi about her drug use.

Lindsay Lohan allegedly asked a friend to beat up Paris Hilton’s little brother for bad-mouthing her. Barron Hilton, 24, says he was assaulted during a Miami Beach party last week, and told police Lohan had ordered the attack after overhearing him tell her new boyfriend, “What a nightmare she is.” Lohan’s friend Ray LeMoine then repeatedly hit the wealthy hotel heir in the face, causing bruises and cuts, says TMZ.com. “You talk s--- about me to my boyfriend, this is what you get,” Lohan screamed, the website reported. LeMoine blames Hilton for starting the fight. Miami police want to question both men.

Susan Boyle has revealed she has Asperger’s syndrome. The Scottish singer, who became an international celebrity in 2009 after her performance on a British talent show, said she was “relieved” to have been diagnosed with the developmental disorder, which is a mild form of autism. It’s characterized by poor social skills. “I was told I had brain damage when I was a kid,” Boyle said. “Now I have a clearer understanding of what’s wrong.” Boyle has struggled in the limelight, checking into a rehab facility for emotional exhaustion shortly after her magnificent voice brought her worldwide attention.

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