John Travolta, Ella Bleu Hit Ellen

John, Kelly speak publicly for first time since Jett's tragic death

(NEWSER) - Near-daily religious counseling has helped the family cope with the loss of Jett, say John Travolta and Kelly Preston, who spoke out for the first time since his January death. “We've been working very hard every day as a family to heal,” Travolta says, "We have our own way of doing it, and it has been helping." The family was taking part in a roundtable interview for Old Dogs, which stars 9-year-old daughter Ella Bleu, USA Today reports. More»

They want son's spirit to live on, says ex-Scientologist

(NEWSER) - John Travolta and Kelly Preston are expecting a baby just 16 months after the death of son Jett—but are they hoping that baby will actually be Jett? That’s what one former Scientologist, who left the church after 24 years, tells the New York Post . “The whole ethos of Scientology is that we come back,” says Michael Pattinson, and practitioners believe a dead follower’s spirit can live on in a new body. More»

Tarino Lightbourne tries to turn the tables on John Travolta at extortion trial

(NEWSER) - Jett Travolta was “dead, d-e-a-d, dead” before the ambulance arrived, Bahamian paramedic Tarino Lightbourne testified yesterday—adding that it was the Travoltas’ lawyer who offered him $15 million to destroy a “Refusal of Transport/Treatment” document signed by the actor. The paramedic is charged along with a former Bahamas senator with attempting to extort $25 million from Travolta over claims that he and wife Kelly Preston intentionally killed their son. More»

Wants to help other women with grief through her story

(NEWSER) - Kelly Preston will speak publicly for the first time about the death of her son, Jett Travolta, at an event in October, People reports. “If she can empower one other woman who feels like they can’t get out of bed, or get through the day, whatever the loss, it'll be worthwhile sharing her story,” says California first lady Maria Shriver, host of the Governor’s Conference for Women. More»

Plus, Angelina Jolie sets her sights on the presidency

(NEWSER) - Daryl Hannah feels strongly about coal mining—so strongly that she was arrested for protesting it in West Virginia yesterday, E! reports. The actress and 30 others staged a sit-in on a major highway and were charged with impeding traffic. Elsewhere:

• President Angelina Jolie? It could happen. She wants to move into politics, a friend tells Bang Showbiz, adding, “I would place a huge wager on her becoming the first female president within the next 20 years.”