Elizabeth Smart on her abduction: 'I never let it hold me back'

In June of 2002, then-14-year-old Elizabeth Smart was abducted from her family's home in Salt Lake City, Utah. In March of 2003 she was found alive, 18 miles away, with presumed kidnappers Brian David Mitchell and Wanda Ileen Barzee. She was returned to her family. In the years that followed, Smart refused to discuss the specifics of her abduction with the press, even though her ordeal captivated the nation. However, in recent weeks she has begun to open up publicly, notably at a women's conference, "Overcoming the Unimaginable," sponsored by California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Now 21, an upbeat-looking and -sounding Smart spoke about how she's moved on from the incident, telling the audience in video shown this morning on the Today Show that "I have never let it hold me back, and I have gone on to do everything, so far, that I have wanted to do, and I think that's so important." She added, "We all have our trials, and we all experience hard times, but I don't think we should ever let it disable us from what we want to do."

Watch the "Today" show segment (after a 15-second ad):

Smart's recent willingness to speak out is a dramatic about-face. In 2006, when repeatedly pressed to discuss her ordeal during an interview with TV host Nancy Grace, Smart responded, "To be frankly honest, I really don't appreciate you bringing all of this up."

According to testimony Smart gave during a court proceeding, Brian David Mitchell entered her bedroom after she'd been put to bed by her parents. He held a knife to her throat and threatened to murder her family if she refused to quietly leave with him. Smart said that Mitchell then took her to a cabin in the nearby woods. Wanda Ileen Barzee was waiting there to prepare her for a marriage ceremony performed by Mitchell to make Smart his wife. Smart has said that she was repeatedly raped and assaulted during her captivity, which came to an end when a couple familiar with her case through "America's Most Wanted" spotted her traveling with Mitchell and Barzee and reported her whereabouts to local authorities.

Despite everything she went through, Smart says that her faith never wavered - instead it provided her with the strength to persist: "I know that we do have angels on the other side that we don't see. We're never truly left alone in our darkest hour." (Yahoo/AF)

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Makeout Session Detailed in Anna Nicole Doc's Diary

Oh, so it can get worse. A California Medical Board investigator testified Wednesday that a 2007 search of the home of former Anna Nicole Smith physician Sandeep Kapoor turned up a journal in which the doctor wrote, "I was making out with Anna, my patient, blurring the lines. I gave her Methadone, Valium. Can she ruin me?"

If what he wrote in his diary was true, so much for that whole "How dare you, I'm gay!" excuse. Kapoor and psychiatrist Khristine Eroshevich, who along with Howard K. Stern are facing charges of facilitating Smith's drug habit, have both been accused of having inappropriate contact with their patient.

Investigator Jon Genens said on the stand that he believed this entry, dated June 13, 2005, was the only mention of Smith in Kapoor's journal, which had entries dated between 1999 and 2005. Various records pertaining to Smith's and her son Daniel's medical treatment were also found in the doctor's kitchen and closet, Genens testified earlier today. He said they contained numerous differences from the supposed duplicates that Kapoor's attorney had at his office, including notes about Smith's vital signs and prescription instructions.

A progress report found in Kapoor's home dated April 24, 2006, contained the note, "benzo addiction? to avoid"—a note not included on the otherwise identical copy at the lawyer's office.

Genens continued: During a checkup conducted about a year before Smith's death on Feb. 8, 2007, Kapoor documented a lesion on the former Playmate's left thigh and that she felt pain in her left leg. Another document from the same date, but made out using one of Smith's aliases, listed a different blood pressure, pulse and respiratory rate than the forms with Smith's name on them.

"Doctors' notes need to accurately reflect what's going on with their patients," Genens said. He also testified that another journal entry indicated that Kapoor was abusing Ambien, BuSpar and Wellbutrin. "I have to get off the drugs," he wrote in 2002, according to Genens. The hearing to determine whether there is enough evidence to take the cases against Kapoor, Eroshevich and Stern to trial is expected to wrap up this week.(News:eonline.com, Pic:Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images; Danny Moloshok / Reuters; Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images; Ning Chiu/ZUMApress.com)

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Michael Jackson Possibly the Only One Not at This Is It Premiere

It seemed everyone in Hollywood wanted to see what This Is It was all about. Going on speculation and a glowing review from Elizabeth Taylor, a heaping spoonful of A-listers and others packed Los Angeles' Nokia Theatre for the premiere of the Michael Jackson concert film, comprising footage shot in the weeks leading up to his death as he prepared for a 50-date farewell-concert blowout.

"I'm sitting in the nokia theater in awe of the 'this is it' movie!" twittered Paula Abdul, just one of the stars who walked the red carpet before showtime. "So many emotions are coming up For me I can't believe He's Gone BRILLIANT."

Jackson's brothers were the blood-relative VIPs in a crowd that also included Will Smith, Jennifer Lopez, Katy Perry, Adam Lambert, David Cook, Paris Hilton, Neil Patrick Harris, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Nigel Lythgoe and Berry Gordy Jr.

"Michael would have loved this turnout," associate producer and tour choreographer Travis Payne told the L.A. Times' Pop & Hiss blog as Jackson's music played in the background.

"It's time to celebrate Michael, to rejoice in all his wonderful messages of peace and love. People are going to enjoy seeing the Michael I always got to see."

"You see him onstage as if he were standing in front of a full house," added This Is It director Kenny Ortega. "I hope the fans find satisfaction, that fans will understand what Michael had planned for them."

Sony Pictures paid $60 million for the rights to more than 100 hours of rehearsal footage that was whittled into the 1-hour-and-51-minute film. Its planned two-week run will probably be extended if it's a major hit, but in the meantime it's opening in 99 countries by tomorrow and will expand to 110 this weekend. (pic & News: eonline.com)

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Kara Dio Guardi Will Be Back on American Idol!

Guessing which of the judges will be back on American Idol next season has become a popular game. And yeah, we're having trouble keeping track of the rumors, reports and whispers, too. However, we can tell ya that Kara DioGuardi will be back for season nine of the hit reality show...

"Her deal is done. There are no ifs, ands or buts," a source said. "Done. She will be back." No surprise, but the source reports that DioGuardi's new deal doesn't even come close to what the other judges are getting or, in Paula Abdul's case, asking for.

DioGuardi is set to start shooting a new season of auditions in the next week or so. Reps for DioGuardi and the show declined to comment. Even if Ms. Abdul is still hammering out a deal, we have a feeling all will be worked out in the end and all four judges will return. (Y!,Pic:http://qfichennai.files.wordpress.com/)

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Jackson delivers on `This Is It,' early fans say

"Michael Jackson's This Is It" has debuted to enthusiastic applause from fans attending the premiere of the film chronicling the concerts that might have been.

"This Is It" played like a concert at Tuesday evening's Los Angeles premiere, the celebrity audience applauding after each number. The film shows Jackson confidently keeping pace with dancers half his age, doing his moonwalk and other signature moves on such hits as "Thriller," "Billie Jean" and "Beat It."

Director and longtime Jackson collaborator Kenny Ortega (Or-TAY-gah) introduced the film to the Nokia Theatre audience, calling it the "last sacred documentation of our leader and our friend."

Showings of "This Is It" began simultaneously in 99 territories around the world Tuesday and Wednesday. (Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage.com)

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