Ben Affleck glad to be family man, not tab target

WASHINGTON (AP) — Ben Affleck is managing to live a relatively private life in a Hollywood fishbowl.

He's no longer tailed daily by the paparazzi, as he was when he dated Jennifer Lopez from 2002 to 2004. It was a time when entertainment coverage was starting to explode and the couple were on the cover of every magazine and tabloid, and the top story on TV entertainment shows.

"I definitely was in a tabloid crosshair," he said in a recent interview with The Associated Press. "It mucks up your life."

He described the constant attention as "sort of snarky and venal and kind of overwhelming."

The paparazzi weren't going to change their ways, so Affleck changed his life. He married Jennifer Garner, had three kids, and cut down his "compulsive" work schedule.

But not entirely: Affleck was in Washington D.C. this week to raise awareness for something else he holds dear — his Eastern Congo Initiative to reduce the child mortality rate in the region.

Now, the paparazzi only occasionally take photos of Affleck and Garner when they're out with Violet, 6, Seraphina, 3, and Sam, 4 months.

"I feel like I have a chance to do the most exciting stuff that I've done in my career," he said. "I'm the luckiest guy in the world."

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Jennifer Hudson, Sister Send Prayers to Family of William Balfour

Not long after William Balfour was found guilty of murdering her mother, brother and nephew, Jennifer Hudson released an email statement regarding the tragedy as a whole.

“We have felt the love and support from people all over the world, and we’re very grateful,” Hudson and sister Julia said, extending a prayer “from the Hudson family to the Balfour family" because "we have all suffered a terrible loss in this tragedy."

Quoting Scripture, the Hudson sisters concluded:

"And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled in them that perish: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn upon them (2 Corinthians 4:3-4). It is our prayer that the Lord will forgive Mr. Balfour of these heinous acts and bring his heart into repentance someday."

Balfour faces life in prison, and his attorney plans to appeal her client's multiple convictions next month.

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William Balfour Found Guilty in Jennifer Hudson Family Murder Case

William Balfour - the former brother-in-law of Jennifer Hudson who was arrested for killing her mother, brother and nephew - has been found guilty on three counts of first-degree murder.

Hudson (along with her fiancé and sister) was inside the courtroom when the verdict was read and sources tell E! News they sat silently throughout.

Balfour did not testify on his own behalf, although the Oscar winner did take the stand early on in the trial and broke down in tears at one point.

In addition to the murder charges, Balfour was found guilty of home invasion, residential burglary, aggravated kidnapping and possession of a stolen vehicle. He faces life in prison.

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Houston Family Reality Show to Launch Bobbi Kristina Music Career?

At first glance, it seems disturbingly exploitive: Lifetime will soon air a reality show based around the family of Whitney Houston.

But sources tell TMZ the motivation behind this program isn't merely to make money off the singer's tragic death; for Cissy Houston, it's to help boost the career of her granddaughter, 18-year old Bobbi Kristina.

While believing the series will push along the family's "healing process," Cissy is mostly concerned about Bobbi, insiders say, and hopes this will be a showcase for her talents.

Look for the Houston family docu-series to feature a far more serious tone than similar programs such as Keeping Up with the Kardashians and for Whitney's sister, Patricia, to serve as the lead.

Will you tune in?

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