Paparazzi and Hollywood are two words that tend to go hand in hand.  Where would all of the embarrassing star photos be without the ever-determined paparazzi to take them?  However, it isn’t always easy being at the other end of the lens, especially if you’re dealing with pop singer Justin Timberlake and Charlie’s Angels star Cameron Diaz.

Back in 2004, Saul Lazo and Jose Gonzalez jumped out of a hiding spot to take pictures of Timberlake and Diaz.  Reacting to the fact that they were on a deserted street at night, Diaz and Timberlake responded defensively.  While Timberlake allegedly slapped Lazo on the head, Diaz rushed Gonzalez and stole his camera.  Apparently this was a defensive move so Diaz could determine the identity of her assailant.  Although she returned the camera to the police, Gonzalez and Lazo filed charges of grand theft and battery.  Diaz and Timberlake maintain that they acted in self-defense.

My all-time favorite occurrence of celebrity versus camera, however, occurred not with the paparazzi, but a man working for a British television show.  At the War of the Worlds premiere in London on June 19th of this year, a phony reporter squirted Tom Cruise with a water gun disguised as a microphone.  When Cruise asked the man if he “liked thinking less of people,” the prankster tried to leave, but was stopped when the actor grabbed his hand.  Cruise continued his tirade by accusing the man of being rude and repeatedly calling him a jerk.  Now, if any of you saw this incident, as I did, you will know that reading the words Cruise spoke is not enough to capture the magic of the moment.

My favorite part of the squirting ordeal, however, was not only Tom Cruise’s reaction, but how ridiculous he looked when Sharon Osbourne one-upped him.  The squirting pranksters also targeted the realty star, but instead of getting mad, she got even.  Grabbing a champagne bucket from a nearby restaurant, she doused the cameraman in return.  After being arrested, thanks to Cruise, and drenched, thanks to Osbourne, one can only wonder if these daring men will attempt to brave the wrath of another star.  I certainly hope so.

By Jennifer Porterfield
Staff Writer - Celebrity Couples Online