HOUSTON — Veteran R&B diva Patti LaBelle says in a countersuit filed against a West Point cadet who claims she ordered her bodyguards to beat him up outside a Houston airport terminal that the altercation began after the cadet hurled racial insults at her.

But an attorney for the cadet, Richard King, denied his client said any racial slurs to LaBelle.

King’s attorneys say he was waiting to be picked up by family outside one of the terminals at Bush Intercontinental Airport on March 11 when three of LaBelle’s bodyguards attacked him without provocation.

King, who was in his hometown of Houston while on spring break from West Point, filed his lawsuit earlier this month, naming LaBelle, the three bodyguards, one of whom is the singer’s son, and two others as defendants.

King’s lawyers say the alleged attacked resulted in a concussion and lingering dizziness and headaches for the cadet. A surveillance video from the airport that was previously released by King’s attorneys shows the 23-year-old cadet being pushed and punched by two men and a woman, all alleged to be LaBelle’s bodyguards.

LaBelle filed a countersuit last week in which King is accused of being intoxicated, staggering, screaming obscenities and trying to enter the singer’s limousine. King was politely asked to walk away from the vehicle, according to the countersuit. King’s attorneys have said the cadet had a few drinks on the flight to Houston.

Gaga spokeswoman insists proceeds benefit Japanese

DETROIT — Lady Gaga’s spokeswoman says a lawsuit accusing the music star of misleading fans with an online pitch for donations to victims of the Japan earthquake is meritless.

Lady Gaga’s website is selling $5 wristbands that say, “We Pray For Japan.” The website also allows people to make additional donations and says “all proceeds go directly to Japan relief efforts.”

A lawsuit filed in Detroit notes that sales tax and a $3.99 shipping charge are added.

Lady Gaga’s spokeswoman, Holly Shakoor, said Tuesday that no profit is being made on shipping costs. She says $5 from each wristband is going to Japan.

‘Ugly Betty’ star weds longtime boyfriend

NEW YORK — America Ferrera is a married lady.

People magazine’s website says the 27-year-old “Ugly Betty” star and longtime boyfriend Ryan Piers Williams were wed Monday night in “an intimate setting” with close friends and family in attendance.

A representative for Ferrera confirmed the report Tuesday.

Ferrera won an Emmy, a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild Award for her portrayal of Betty Suarez on ABC’s “Ugly Betty.”

The couple met at the University of Southern California when Williams cast her in his student film.

They became engaged last year.

Judge: Garnish Charlie Sheen’s pay

LOS ANGELES — A judge has ordered Charlie Sheen’s former bosses to garnish $55,000 a month for child support from any payments they make to the former “Two and a Half Men” star.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Hank Goldberg on Friday approved a request by Brooke Mueller Sheen to garnish any payments Warner Bros. Television makes to her ex-husband.

The two were divorced May 2, about two months after Warner Bros’ fired Sheen from “Men.” The actor and the studio have been fighting over payments ever since.

The hefty monthly payments are intended to support the Sheens’ twin sons and were part of a divorce settlement reached earlier this year.