10 years of amNY: biggest NYC celebrity news stories of last decade

From Lindsay Lohan’s troubles with the law to Kanye West’s VMA stage-storming to the tragic death of Heath Ledger, the last decade has been a memorable one in terms of New York celebrity news. Here are some of the biggest celeb stories that rocked NYC from 2003 to 2013.

Lohan mania

Two words: Lindsay Lohan. The Long Island native is perhaps the most up-and-down starlet of the past decade, with her troubles starting in 2006 and much of the sad action taking place in New York. The 27-year-old has gone to rehab multiple times, gotten arrested for DUI more than once, been thrown in jail several times and gotten arrested for a hit-and-run in front of NYC’s Dream Hotel — just to name a few of her problems.

Heath Ledger’s death

The death of Heath Ledger shocked New York City when the actor was found dead inside his SoHo apartment on Jan. 22, 2008. Following Ledger’s death from an accidental overdose of prescription drugs, fans left flowers, cards and photos outside his Broome Street apartment building, creating a massive makeshift memorial to the star. 

Sheen’s shenanigans

Before Charlie Sheen got fired from “Two and a Half Men,” started drinking tiger blood and had multiple “goddesses” on his arms, the actor infamously trashed a swanky suite at the Plaza Hotel. On Oct. 26, 2010, Sheen went on a cocaine- and alcohol-fueled rampage at the famed hotel after partying with a porn star, reportedly causing upwards of $7,000 in damages. He was never charged.

Cruise and Holmes dunzo

When megastar Tom Cruise and actress Katie Holmes got together in 2005 (remember the “Oprah” couch-jumping incident?!), wed and had their little girl Suri in 2006, the news was huge. But when Holmes filed for divorce on June 29, 2012? Well, that news was even bigger. Holmes immediately fled from California to New York City with Suri, where the two have remained ever since, and chatter about the reason behind the split began to fly. Rumor has it, Cruise’s dedication to the controversial Church of Scientology and his plan to raise Suri in the church was at the heart of Holmes’ decision to divorce.

Kanye interrupts Swift speech

Kanye West made a beyond-major faux pas at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sept. 13, 2009, when he rushed the stage during Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech for Best Female Video. The rapper actually got out of his seat, stormed the stage at NYC’s Radio City Music Hall, grabbed the microphone and told the audience that Beyoncé had deserved to take home the award. Meanwhile, later in the night, after Beyoncé was on stage to accept a different honor, she graciously asked Swift to come up to the stage and finish her speech that West had interrupted.

Kardashian kraze

The Kardashian family changed the face of reality television, launching their inaugural series “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” in 2007 and getting America familiar with Kim, Kourtney, Khloe, Kris Jenner and the rest of the clan. Though they’re based in California, the ladies have spent a significant amount of time in NYC — and continue to cause fandemodium (and a paparazzi storm) each time they’re here. Sisters Kim and Kourtney shot two seasons of “Kourtney and Kim Take New York” here in 2011 and 2012, the ladies run a branch of their store DASH in SoHo and they are always spotted out and about partying whenever they’re in town.

Regis ‘retires’

New York morning TV bid a sad television farewell to a local legend — Regis Philbin — in 2011. At the age of 80, the Bronx native signed off from “Live!” on Nov. 18, 2011, after a quarter of a decade as host. Philbin’s co-host, Kelly Ripa, remained on the show and, after a massive search, former Giant Michael Strahan was named as Philbin’s successor. Now 82, Philbin, a huge sports fan, has a gig for Fox Sports.

Whitney remembered

Singing legend Whitney Houston’s tragic death at the age of 48 on Feb. 9, 2012, rocked the nation. Following her death in California, the greatest outpouring of showing of sorrow was seen in Houston’s native New Jersey at her funeral, held in Newark on Feb. 18, 2012. Attendees included Oprah Winfrey, Mariah Carey, Stevie Wonder, Kevin Costner, Tyler Perry and Alicia Keys. Houston’s official cause of death was drowning due to heart disease and cocaine use.

Bynes breaks down

Amanda Bynes was a tragic story of 2013. The former child star’s trouble with the law began in 2012 with a few car-related arrests, but 2013 saw a serious breakdown for the former Nickelodeon funnygal. She started traipsing around Manhattan in various wigs and get-ups, going on nonsensical, accusatory Twitter rants and, on May 23, 2013, was arrested at her NYC apartment for possession of marijuana, among other charges, after she threw a bong from her 36th-floor window. After that, she claimed sexual harassment by the arresting officer (via Twitter). Then on July 22, 2013, the 27-year-old allegedly set a small fire in California was hospitalized for a psychiatric evaluation. She is now in a rehab facility getting mental help.

Miley twerks it up

Former goodie-goodie Miley Cyrus threw “Hannah Montana” image out of the window in recent years, culminating in her oversexed, now-infamous performance at MTV’s Video Music Awards on Aug. 25, 2013 alongside crooner Robin Thicke. Wearing a skimpy two-piece outfit, the new reigning queen of raunch, who at one point bent down in front of Thicke while shaking her rear near his groin, performed her tune “We Can’t Stop” before Thicke joined her onstage to sing his hit “Blurred Lines,” which Cyrus also twerked along to. Cyrus, 20, has since said she doesn’t regret her performance, though her team reportedly freaked out about it.