Wednesday 21 September 2011

Ron Artest Name Change To Metta World Peace

LOS ANGELES, Calif. --“Dancing with the Stars” viewers may not have voted for World Peace – but no hard feelings, says Ron Artest.


The NBA star – who officially had his name changed to Metta World Peace this month – was the first contestant booted from the ballroom on Tuesday night, but the athlete told Access Hollywood’s Shaun Robinson it wasn’t much of a surprise.


“We had the lowest scores, you know. Nothing’s rigged,” Ron told Shaun after his elimination. “I didn’t really put in enough time and effort to go on to the next day.”


The judges seemed to agree, giving Ron and pro partner Peta Murgatroyd only 14 out of 30 points for their cha cha on Monday night – and the Lakers star admitted he may not have been taking the whole thing serious enough to compete.
Dancing-with-the-stars-Peta Murgatroyd


“I’m a clown. I think I was maybe having too much fun. But, you know, somebody had to go early and first. Somebody had to go,” he told Shaun. “But I had a blast. The cast is great, all the dancers. I met new people, new personalities. I got a chance to experience a new thing.”


As far as which fellow “Star” he thinks can take home the coveted mirrorball trophy, Ron said there are a few that caught his eye in his short time on the show.


George OK'd the change, the Los Angeles Times reported. He was represented by his attorney, Nahla Rajan, the newspaper said. "Mr. Artest has requested a name change to Metta World Peace?" St. George asked. "Yes, your honor," Rajan replied. "And it's for personal reasons, he said?" the commissioner followed up. "Yes, your honor," Rajan answered. "OK. All right," St. George said. "He'll now be known as Metta World Peace. Thank you." It all took less than a minute, the Times said. Courtney Barnes, a spokeswoman for World Peace, said the name change was something the basketball player had contemplated for a long time "but it took many years of research and soul-searching to find a first name that was both personally meaningful and inspirational," UPI.com reported. Metta is a Buddhist term for loving kindness and friendliness toward others, the Times said. "Changing my name was meant to inspire and bring youth together all around the world," World Peace said in a statement. "I'm glad that it is now official."



All about Dancing with the Stars:

No comments: