Tyra Banks in New York court

NEW YORK (Reuters) - TV host and ex-supermodel Tyra Banks faced her accused stalker in a New York court on Wednesday, saying she fears for her safety since the man allegedly threatened her assistant and contacted her show.

Brady Green, 39, was arrested in March after prosecutors say he appeared twice at the Manhattan studio where "The Tyra Banks Show," a daytime talk show, is filmed.

Green is accused of repeatedly contacting the show, sending Banks flowers with the note "When I see you, I love you," and threatening to slit the throat of her assistant.

"I don't fear, like, my life," Banks, 35, told a judge at New York State Supreme Court. "I fear my safety ... . I feel very vulnerable. I don't know what could happen."

Banks, who also hosts "America's Next Top Model," said she had been forced to hire security and that bodyguards now accompany her when she eats at restaurants or goes to the movies.

During opening statements, Green's attorney portrayed him as a harmless fan and said Banks courted admirers by giving them multiple ways of reaching out to her and cultivating an image of being approachable.

Green has pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanor stalking and harassment charges. He faces a maximum of 90 days in jail if convicted.

"The Tyra Banks Show" is a syndicated program set to begin airing on the CW Network in September. The network is owned jointly by CBS Corp. and Time Warner.

(Reporting by Edith Honan; Editing by Michelle Nichols and Xavier Briand)

Beyonce tour this summer

Beyonce the hot american singer works again as Beyonce announces U.S. tour dates in support of her latest, chart-topping album, "I Am ... Sasha Fierce," Beyonce has announced her 2009 world tour dates in North America this summer. The trek starts at New York's Madison Square Garden in June and wraps with a four-night residence at Encore at Wynn Las Vegas July 30-August 2.

Beyonce will be backed by her all-female band.

Tyra Banks stalker on trial in New York

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The man charged with stalking television host Tyra Banks went on trial on Friday, with prosecutors saying he terrified the former supermodel by sending her packages and threatening her assistant.

Brady Green, 39, was arrested last March after he appeared twice at the Manhattan studio where "The Tyra Banks Show," a popular daytime talk show, is filmed.

Green repeatedly contacted the show, sent Banks flowers with the note "When I see you, I love you," and threatened to slit the throat of her assistant, causing Banks to "fear for her physical health and safety," prosecutor Shawn McMahon said in opening arguments in New York State Supreme Court.

"His actions made him a stalker -- not a fan, but a stalker," McMahon said.

But Green's defense attorney, Sydney O'Hagen, portrayed Green as a harmless fan and said Banks courted admirers by giving them multiple ways of reaching out to her and cultivating an image of approachability.

"She invites fans who are inspired by her shows to reach out to her," O'Hagen said. "She repeatedly presented herself as someone her fans can relate to."

Green was "an inspired fan, not a deranged fan, not a stalker," O'Hagen said, adding that her client only wanted to attend a taping of the show and perhaps meet Banks.

Green has pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanor stalking and harassment charges. He faces a maximum of 90 days in jail if convicted in the trial, which resumes in Manhattan on April 27. Banks, who also hosts "America's Next Top Model," is expected to be called as a witness.

(Reporting by Edith Honan; Editing by Michelle Nichols and Paul Simao)

Chris Brown assaulted Rihanna

R&B singer Chris Brown attacked Rihanna, the wellknown US singer age 21, during a roadside dispute in his Lamborghini last February. A photo of Rihanna's bruised and battered face was leaked onto the Internet.

Brown later issued a statement saying he was "sorry and saddened" about this incident barbarian attack on Rihanna

The formal charges accuse Brown of assaulting Rihanna and threatening to commit a crime "which would result in death and great bodily injury." He could face up to four years in prison if convicted.

A police affidavit said Brown shoved Rihanna's head against the passenger window, repeatedly punched her in the face, bit her ear and finger, and put her into a headlock. At one stage, the affidavit said, Brown told Rihanna: "I'm going to kill you."

Brown broke onto the Billboard charts in 2005 at the age of 16 with his single "Run It!" and sold 2 million copies of his self-titled debut album.

While Barbados-born Rihanna shot to international stardom with her released debut album in 2005 and had a No. 1 hit single with "S.O.S." less than a year later. She followed with three more No. 1's -- "Umbrella," "Take a Bow" and "Disturbia."