Courtenay Semel
Latest Pictures
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| View more Courtenay Semel Pictures | ||||
Image by Splash News
--
The fire began after someone left a flat iron on a bed in her apartment on Saturday. She woke up to firemen banging down the door. A house guest had apparently left the hot tool on, and it eventually caused the mattress to burst into flames.
Courtenay told us EXCLUSIVELY that she thinks it was her roomate’s aunt who started the fire. “I’m ok,” she told Hollyscoop. “Just really shaken up. My roomate’s aunt who started the fire didn’t even wake me up!"
How scary! She also told us she's freaked out because she thinks it may have been done purposefully. "I'm concerned for my safety because I think it was intentionally done," Courtenay told us. "There's an ongoing investigation."
Semel had issues with vomiting after that, but finally checked into the hospital on Monday, where she was hooked up to an oxygen tank.
She’s not in the clear though, and likely inhaled a ton of second-hand smoke. She told us she still feels terrible, and isn’t breathing well on her own, and has really bad headaches.
How frightening. Good thing the firemen came when they did. That woman would have to be a sick human being to do something so cruel, and we hope that's not true. We wish Courtenay a full and speedy recovery.
TMZ first reported the story that Semel had been hospitalized.
Image by wenn.com
Casey was 30 years old. Her cause of death is currently unknown, but Casey had a troubled past. Most recently she was arrested for grand theft and the alleged victim was reportedly her ex-girlfriend, Courtenay Semel.
Casey had adopted a little girl, Eva, from Kazakhstan two years ago but lost custody of her daughter due to erratic behavior. Her daughter was staying with her mother, Sale Johnson.
In December, Casey flew to New York to try to get her daughter back, but was denied custody again.
According to the New York Post, Johnson's father, New York Jet owner Woody Johnson, had recently restricted Casey's access to funds because she wouldn't get her life together. She had been in rehab several times but was unable to clean up her act.
TMZ spoke to Tila Tequila who says that she had gotten into an argument with Casey last week and she left the house. She says that she tried contacting Casey on the 29th but her phone had been shut off since the 29th.
She last tweeted on December 29 at 1:13 AM.
Tila just updated her Twitter with the following message:
"Everyone please pray 4 my Wifey Casey Johnson," Tequila wrote. "She has passed away. Thank u for all ur love and support but I will be offline to be w/ family."'
According to People magazine, Los Angeles police and firefighters were called to a house at 11:51 a.m. on Monday. Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene.
"It appears to be a natural death," says police Officer Sara Faden. "There's no evidence of foul play. A toxicology report from the coroner's office will proceed next."
There's nothing "natural" about a 30 year old passing away. Casey's long history of drug abuse may have resulted in her death, but we won't know details until the toxicology report comes in. Rest in peace Casey!
Image by wenn.com
Casey was arrested in Los Angeles at 12:30PM in connection to items that she allegedly stole from a woman named Jasmine, a former girlfriend she "used to hook up with," a source tells Hollyscoop exclusively.
"Jasmine's been causing a lot of drama between Casey and Courtenay Semel," our source continued. "There's a lot of bad blood there!"
Casey and Courtenay were spotted partying together last night at Crown Bar for Courtenay's Curve magazine cover release party, which may have prompted "more drama between Casey and Jasmie," says our source.
Casey's currently behind bars at a Van Nuys jail cell and is being held on $20,000 bail. More details coming soon!
Image by wenn.com
Fresh out of rehab, Semel has a new outlook on life and love. The daughter of former Yahoo CEO Terry Semel is speaking to Hollyscoop exclusively about her struggle to stay clean and sober, her turbulent relationships, and how her family literally saved her life. Here's what she had to say:
HS: What did you learn from rehab?
Courtenay: "In my eyes rehab is Hollywood’s version of a vacation it’s merely a way to recharge your battery and a way to cleanse your mind, body, and spirit. It’s good to humble yourself, remember to live in the moment...Everyone needs to take a break from their life sometimes to see things more clearly."
HS: Why did you enter rehab?
Courtenay: "I reached a point where I was spiraling out of control. It was a very rough year for me. I lost my financial support, lost a lot of friends, had people who I considered friends sell me out, lost the love of my life, and ultimately lost my entire emotional support system. When my family cut me off and left my life, I was struggling to financially support myself, handling all my work, and dealing with an abusive relationship. I got to the point where I was physically, emotionally, and mentally exhausted. I had a hard enough time losing my families emotional support, but once they took away my home, I found myself struggling for survival. My body literally broke down, and I realized I could die if I didn’t do something fast."
HS: What advice do you have for Lindsay Lohan?
Courtenay: "Everyone seems to forget Lindsay is only 22. People should thank her for allowing her teen years to be publicly displayed instead everyone just brings her down. It’s like everyone is just manifesting her downfall. The more you tell someone not to do something the more they’re apt to do it. I learned that the hard way. It’s like leave her alone already they’re just wasting their time. She is very strong and talented and I know she will surprise everyone with a comeback. She just needs to focus her energy on her work instead of her relationship and needs positive influences surrounding her. But in the end it’s no ones business. She’s ignoring what the media is saying about her so it’s kind of like a waste of time like find someone else to pick on."
HS: Who made you enter rehab?
Courtenay: My family did an intervention on me and I refused the help at first, until I realized that they were merely trying to save my life. So I agreed to take them up on their offer. I was at the point where I couldn’t make any decisions myself. It wasn’t about entering rehab to get my money back... In the end I realized I needed to take responsibility for my actions and save my own life."
HS: Is it tough to not relapse?
Courtenay: "It really is about who you surround yourself with and what you focus your energy on. Even though I wasn’t in rehab this time for drugs and alcohol, I did get sober and I noticed how much better I felt having a clear mind. Alcohol gives me chipmunk cheeks anyways and it bloats you, so not a cute look."
HS: Are you still in contact with Tila Tequila?
Courtenay: "No, I’ve closed that chapter in my life. But I wish her the best."
HS: How is your relationship with Casey Johnson going?
Courtenay: "I’m actually single right now. I need to focus on myself and my career."
HS: Have you reconciled with your father?
Courtenay: "Of course. Family is the most important thing in life. Your family will be the ones to pick you up when no one else will. They gave me the gift of life twice. Once at birth and once now. I will never forget it. In the end I realized money doesn’t buy you happiness… It only buys you a higher thread count on your sheets."
HS: What projects are you working on now?
Courtenay: "After a very long hiatus.. I'm coming back to TV.. I'm doing a reality show with Bunim Murray Productions. But I'm going to let the network make that announcement themselves. I finished my final chapter of my book while in the rehab. We're going to start shopping that around very soon."
HS: How do you want to influence others?
Courtenay: "I’d really like to give the younger generation a positive role model. And I’ve literally dealt and overcome every teen issue so now I can give back and help others."
January 15, 2009
Image by wenn.com
Semel and Johnson made headlines yesterday for an argument that reportedly sent Johnson to the hospital.
"Casey went to Courtenay's house, and Courtenay proceeded to beat the crap out of her, and then she lit her hair on fire. Casey had to be hospitalized," the NY Post reported.
There was clearly some exaggeration in the story because Semel and Johnson are not only back on, they're also heading out of town together this weekend.
A close friend of Semel's says, "Courtenay and Casey are still close and are currently heading up to Sundance for the weekend. Courtenay broke it off with Tila and the two have decided to go their separate ways."
Johnson is heir to the Johnson & Johnson empire, while Semel is the daughter of former Yahoo CEO Terry Semel. Hmm two heiresses find love? How very Hollywood.
November 12, 2008
Image by wenn.com
When asked if she was still dating Courtenay Semel Tila told Hollyscoop: "I don’t like to talk about my personal life anymore because it gets all chaotic, I want to keep those things private, but we are kind of on and off right not."
"I’m young and I’m going to have fun. If I’m in love with you right now, then I’ll be with you. If I stop being in love with you then I’ll be with someone else. That’s just how it is."
September 4, 2008
Image by wenn.com
What was it about Courtenay that made Tila stop looking for love? "For the show I did two seasons back to back and everything kind of forced. Eliminating all these people, always looking for love, I was like, 'I'm so over this' then she walked into my life. It was like a fresh of breath air," said Tila.
Courtenay, who proudly showed off a 'Be With Me Always' necklace she received from Tila during a recent trip to Tokyo, says she doesn't get jealous when other men hit on her girlfriend. "She knows I wouldn't really bother," added Tila.
So is there love for real? Their chemistry speaks for itself, but you can watch our exclusive video below and judge for yourself.
August 18, 2008
Image by wenn.com
"Everyone thinks Samantha is Lindsay’s first lesbian love, but we were very passionate until her fear of being found out drove us apart,” Courtenay reportedly told a pal.
"At the time she was terrified her career would be over if she revealed her sexual tendencies. But then Samantha came onto the scene and I was dropped."
Sounds like Tila's singing the same tune. Last week Tila told Hollyscoop, "I don’t like talking about love and jinxing things but we’re having a good time and we’re very happy."
Do you think Lohan hurt her career by "coming out" or has it added to her appeal?
August 15, 2008
Image by wenn.com
"We’ve been really busy and we wanted to step out for one night and have a good time," Tila tells Hollyscoop. "I actually wanted us to stay in tonight because…(laughs)…we’re just really tired," added Tila, who appeared very cozy with gal pal Courtenay.
The burning question on everyone's mind is whether Tila and Courtenay are officially an item. Tila tells Hollyscoop, "I don’t like talking about love and jinxing things but we’re having a good time and we’re very happy."
So what can we expect from the dynamic duo? "I have a lot of secrets in store, you’ll be hearing about them soon," says Semel. So the big secrets "out," Tila has officially found love.
Check out Hollyscoop's exclusive interview with Tila and Courtenay below...
Host: Brian Corsetti
Read more Courtenay Semel News
