KELIS - KELIS + PARTY PRODUCERS FALL OUT OVER PERFORMANCE PROBLEMS

Hip hop diva KELIS' publicist is playing down reports the MILKSHAKE singer turned bossy at a party performance in Palm Springs, California at the weekend (07APR07) - insisting her client was made to feel uncomfortable at the event. The singer was accused of bad behaviour by the organisers of the annual White Party after she arrived late and refused to rehearse for her performance. But her spokeswoman, TRACY NGUYEN, insists the party bosses were far from accommodating, stating, "There were many missteps behind the scenes which created a less than suitable environment for any artist to perform. "Because of her love for her fans, Kelis made the decision to take the stage, against any advice not to do so." But party producer JEFFREY SANKER has hit back at the claims in a note to celebrity blogger MARC MALKIN. He writes, "Any unsuitable conditions were created by Kelis, who refused to rehearse for her show and arrived two hours late. "I spent two weeks preparing an elaborate production number built entirely around Kelis, and when it came time to do the show, she was completely unprepared."