Mary J. Blige
Photo: Stephen Lovekin/ Getty Images

NEW YORK — Mary J. Blige aims to inspire and empower women through her songs and charitable efforts, so it's fitting that the legendary singer is among several honorees — including actress Raven-Symoné, model Naomi Campbell and Queen Latifah — at the Black Girls Rock! Awards on Saturday. The fourth-annual fundraiser, hosted by Regina King and Tracee Ellis Ross, salutes those who are proud to be positive role models for at-risk girls of color, among other achievements.

"I am one of those women, so they're gonna call on me," Blige said. "Black Girls Rock! reached out to my people and asked that I be involved — I guess because of the foundation I created called FFawn [Foundation For the Advancement of Women Now].

"FFAWN is about empowering women — to educate them, encourage them," she continued. "Get your confidence and self-esteem up. I'm a firm believer that if you save any woman, you save the world, because women are the nurturers. We're the reason why things grow and are born. Why wouldn't you call me? My whole movement has been ... about 'OK, all right, I need some help out here.' But I had no idea everyone else needed help more than I did. That was my movement. That began my movement."

Blige's crusade to help out her sisters dates back to when she was a youngster.

"When I was a child, I never seen any women ever treated well: black, white, hispanic," she explained.

"I'm definitely gonna talk about a lot of what I'm telling about now," she said of her speech at the ceremony. "I always have to go into my childhood to explain to people why this is so important to me. It's really important because of what I grew up in. I never seen a black woman treated well, not ever. My grandparents, when I was a kid, I saw them [treated well], but they're old — we just know what we see when they're old. But as far as women in their 30s — when I'm a child and seeing my parents and my aunts, not one woman treated well, ever. My whole thing when I was a kid was to not see another woman suffer when I get older. [At the show] I'm going into detail and going in detail. Why? Why 'Black Girls Rock'? Black girls rock because we have it the hardest. We have it the hardest because our testimonies are stronger probably than anybody on the earth."

• Queen Latifah
• Mary J. Blige

Common performs during the Hennessy Artistry event on Wednesday
Photo: Theo Wargo/ WireImage

NEW YORK — Common and the Roots may have shared top billing Wednesday night during their performance at Terminal 5 in Manhattan, but the under card — featuring Colin Monroe, Don Omar and Bilal — packed as big of a punch as the two musical heavyweights.

It was the surprise guest, though, that stole the show from them all.

"We got the Queen in the house," Common told the crowd that gathered for the last stop of the Hennessy Artistry 2009 Series. "I don't know if you know who I'm talking about."

Moments later, Queen Latifah came onstage to a thunderous applause. The legendary MC sang some jazz standards before kicking into rhyme mode. "Who you calling a bi---?" she asked, as ?uestlove led the Roots into "U.N.I.T.Y."

Once the Roots hit the stage, the production took on a round-robin feel, as Common darted on and off the stage and other acts took turns onstage in between.

The Chicago MC performed "The People" one moment, and then the Roots went into "The Next Moment." Common returned for "The Light," and the Roots smoothly segued into A Tribe Called Quest's "Bonita Applebum."

Tribe frontman Q-Tip ran onstage and took the mic. The Queens rapper spit some of his classic lines before turning things up a notch with Tribe's "Electric Relaxation."

Eve, Ashanti, Robin Thicke and wife Paula Patton, Tyrese, "Gossip Girl" actor Penn Badgley, Lucy Liu and Anthony Mackie were among those in attendance for the set. The performance was the finale in a four-city tour that included stops in Atlanta, Houston and Washington, D.C.

• Common
• The Roots
• Queen Latifah

Queen Latifah at the <i>PAPER</i> magazine party at the New York Public Library in New York City on Tuesday
Photo: Bryan Bedder/ Getty Images

NEW YORK — Paper magazine celebrated its 25th anniversary Tuesday evening with a party at the New York Public Library. Kanye West, Kid Cudi and Janelle Monae were all in attendance as Queen Latifah, the Virgins, DJ Mark Ronson and Liza Minnelli performed.

The Virgins opened the loosely enforced black-tie affair, which mixed a crowd of fashionistas, musicians and socialites. Lead singer Donald Cummings hit the stage with his face covered in what looked like black ink that had dripped from his scalp. He asked the crowd to forgive the band for not sound-checking as they proceeded to jump straight into their set.

The downtown dance-rock outfit performed a variety of songs — some of which have appeared on "Gossip Girl" — from their self-titled debut album.

Queen Latifah hit the stage next, dressed in all black with yellow Reebok Classics. The legendary MC began listing off various fellow famous New Jersey artists, including the Jonas Brothers and Bruce Springsteen, before she performed "The Light" off of her new hip-hop album, Persona.

Latifah raised the tempo with the album's first single, "Fast Car," and continued with mostly new material, though she did perform her classic "U.N.I.T.Y," much to the crowd's liking.

Broadway legend Liza Minnelli closed the show, but not before Andrew W.K. could invite Paper founders Kim Hastreiter and David Hershkovits onstage. The pair thanked everyone for their support, as they brought out a cake and asked the crowd to sing "Happy Birthday" to their magazine.

• Kanye West, Amber Rose, Queen Latifah Celebrate Paper Magazine's 25th Anniversary

• Queen Latifah
• The Virgins
• Janelle Monae
• Mark Ronson
• Kid Cudi

Common on the "Fast Car" video set in Belmar, New Jersey on Sunday
Photo: MTV News

Over the years, Queen Latifah has rubbed shoulders with countless people in music and film industry. So it's no surprise that on Sunday, on the set of the video for her new single, "Fast Car," Missy Elliott (also featured on the record), Common, Robin Thicke and his wife, actress Paula Patton, shot their cameos for the video.

"I just asked them," Latifah said, "and I really appreciate all of them showing up, because they all have really busy schedules. They got to drive these Mustangs around this track a little, put the pedal to the metal, which is always fun."

The video was shot at Wall Township Speedway in South Belmar, New Jersey. Latifah, Common and Thicke all got a chance to drive around the racetrack in their own individual Ford Mustangs before the rain came down.

Latifah stars along side both Common and Paula Patton in the upcoming romantic comedy, "Just Wright." Latifah stars as a physical therapist Lesile Wright who falls for a pro basketball player played by Mehcad Brooks. She said they've built a rapport, while on set.

"I know how hard they've been working, and they know how hard I've been working, but we cool like that."

The song is from Latifah's new LP, Persona, out today (August 25), which combines hip-hop and pop was was executive-produced by the hitmaking team of Cool and Dre.

Common said he really respects Latifah as not only a great talent in everything from music to modeling to business, but a friend.

"I think she's an incredible person and we've been working together ['Just Wright'], so it's a camaraderie, so she invited me to come through for the video and I was like, 'Yeah, for sure.' "

Robin Thicke said he and Latifah had been friends for 10 years, so he jumped at the opportunity when asked. However, he did seem most excited to drive around the racetrack ...

"I was getting my Ricky Bobby on!" he said. "If you're not first you're last."

• Common
• Queen Latifah
• Robin Thicke

Queen Latifah speaks during memorial services for Michael Jackson in Los Angeles on Tuesday
Photo: Mario Anzuoni/Reuters

Queen Latifah was one of the many celebrities to pay tribute to Michael Jackson at the singer's public memorial at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday (July 7). She told the crowd that Jackson had been an inspiration to her and that she loved "Michael from a distance."

In addition to saying that, like so many of his fans, she "loved him all my life," she also read a poem that Maya Angelou wrote in tribute for the occasion called "We Had Him":

Beloveds, now we know that we know nothing, now that our bright and shining star can slip away from our fingertips like a puff of summer wind.

Without notice, our dear love can escape our doting embrace. Sing our songs among the stars and walk our dances across the face of the moon.

In the instant that Michael is gone, we know nothing. No clocks can tell time. No oceans can rush our tides with the abrupt absence of our treasure.

Though we are many, each of us is achingly alone, piercingly alone.

Only when we confess our confusion can we remember that he was a gift to us and we did have him.

He came to us from the creator, trailing creativity in abundance.

Despite the anguish, his life was sheathed in mother love, family love, and survived and did more than that.

He thrived with passion and compassion, humor and style. We had him whether we know who he was or did not know, he was ours and we were his.

We had him, beautiful, delighting our eyes.

His hat, aslant over his brow, and took a pose on his toes for all of us.

And we laughed and stomped our feet for him.

We were enchanted with his passion because he held nothing. He gave us all he had been given.

Today in Tokyo, beneath the Eiffel Tower, in Ghana's Black Star Square.

In Johannesburg and Pittsburgh, in Birmingham, Alabama, and Birmingham, England

We are missing Michael.

But we do know we had him, and we are the world.

For complete coverage of the life, career and passing of the legendary entertainer, visit "Michael Jackson Remembered."

Share your Michael Jackson memories by uploading video and comments to Your.MTV.com or joining the discussion below.

• Michael Jackson's Life & Legacy
• Michael Jackson: The Memorial

• Michael Jackson's Public Memorial At Staples Center
• Michael Jackson: A Life In Photos

• Michael Jackson
• Queen Latifah

Justin Timberlake
Photo: Chad Buchanan/ Getty Images

With just hours to go before the Michael Jackson memorial service packs the Staples Center, a source close to the event told MTV News that even more big-name artists have signed on to pay tribute to the King of Pop.

Justin Timberlake, Jamie Foxx and Queen Latifah will all appear at Tuesday's (July 7) memorial service, joining a previously announced list of Jackson's closest friends, collaborators and mentors, including Mariah Carey, Jennifer Hudson, Usher, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, Motown founder Berry Gordy and John Mayer.

	Usher, Mariah, More To Appear At MJ Memorial

Other confirmed participants in the memorial service include a pair of Los Angeles Lakers' greats — Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson — Motown legend Smokey Robinson, Jackson family friend the Reverend Al Sharpton, "Britain's Got Talent" finalist Shaheen Jafargholi (who toured as a young MJ in the "Thriller Live" show), Martin Luther King III and Jackson's longtime pal, actress Brooke Shields.

At press time, who will be performing at the service was unconfirmed. Some reports have Carey reprising her version of the Jackson 5's "I'll Be There," photographs have emerged online of Wonder and Usher apparently rehearsing for memorial performances; Jackson family spokesperson Ken Sunshine told ABC that Latifah would perform as well. According to a statement released by the family, no further information will be released regarding the program before the service.

Though she will not appear at the Staples Center, Madonna recently paid tribute to Jackson during a show at London's O2 Arena — the same venue where Jackson's 50-show run was slated to kick off next week — with one of her dancers interpreting some of MJ's famous dance moves to a medley of "Billie Jean" and "Wanna Be Startin' Something."

In Jackson's hometown of Gary, Indiana, Mayor Rudy Clay has announced that another Gary-born singer, Deniece Williams — who sang "Let's Hear It for the Boy" from the soundtrack to the 1984 film "Footloose" — would be among the performers at a Friday memorial service at the U.S. Steel Yard baseball stadium, according to the Gary Post-Tribune. A 500-member choir will also sing "We Are the World" at the service.

MTV's live coverage of the Michael Jackson public memorial service at the Staples Center in Los Angeles will begin on Tuesday at 12 p.m. ET / 9 a.m. PT.

For complete coverage of the life, career and passing of the legendary entertainer, visit "Michael Jackson Remembered."

Share your Michael Jackson memories by uploading video and comments to Your.MTV.com or joining the discussion below.

• Remembering Michael Jackson
• The BET Awards Honor Michael Jackson
• Today's Stars Remember Michael Jackson

• Mariah Carey, Usher, More Stars Scheduled To Appear At Michael Jackson's Memorial
• Michael Jackson: A Life In Photos
• Michael Jackson Fans Gather At Staples Center Memorial In L.A.
• Michael Jackson's Greatest MTV Moments

• Justin Timberlake
• Jamie Foxx
• Queen Latifah
• Michael Jackson

David Cook
Photo: Michael Buckner/ Getty Images

Kris Allen and Adam Lambert will have plenty of company on the "American Idol" stage this week when they face off to determine who will emerge victorious in this season's competition.

According to an "Idol" spokesperson, Tuesday night's show will find former "Idol" champ and country superstar Carrie Underwood paying her second visit this year to the big stage, this time to perform the season's farewell song, her cover of Mötley Crüe's "Home Sweet Home."

Tuesday night will otherwise be devoted to Allen and Lambert singing for the crown, though the spokesperson said it has not yet been announced what the theme of the night is or who will be choosing the songs the two contestants perform.

	'Idol' Season 8 Live Performances

Wednesday night's two-hour finale will, as usual, feature a cavalcade of stars filling out the drama of the crowning of the season-eight winner. In addition to the traditional top 10 group numbers, among the performers confirmed for the results show are season-seven winner David Cook, the Black Eyed Peas, Queen Latifah, Keith Urban, Lionel Richie, Carlos Santana and Cyndi Lauper.

A spokesperson said there will be additional performances on the Wednesday night show, but the full lineup has not yet been announced. When asked, the spokesperson added that rumors speculating that Michael Jackson will appear on the finale — fueled by a Tweet from "Idol" castoff Scott MacIntyre last week — are "just rumors."

Last year's "Idol" finale featured top two finishers Cook and David Archuleta dueting on the "Spider-Man" tune "Hero," the top six women singing "She Works Hard for the Money" and "Hot Stuff," followed by Donna Summer singing a new single. Texas rockers ZZ Top joined Cook for "Sharp Dressed Man," folk icon Graham Nash sang "Teach Your Children" with Brooke White, Seal sang "Waiting for You" with Syesha Mercado, the Jonas Brothers performed "S.O.S." and Archuleta joined OneRepublic for "Apologize."

In addition to a number of other top 10 finishers dueting and performing, the show featured a surprise appearance by George Michael and was capped by Cook singing the winner's single, "The Time of My Life."

Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.

• "American Idol" Season 8: Live Performances

• David Cook
• Black Eyed Peas
• Queen Latifah

Jennifer Hudson
Photo: Gillian Ross/ Getty Images

Jennifer Hudson's friends and colleagues have showered her with condolences and messages of support in the wake of the tragic deaths of her mother, brother and nephew on Friday. In a testament to the wide net the singer/actress has cast across the entertainment world in the four years since she first appeared on "American Idol," personalities from the worlds of music, film and television wished Hudson and her family her strength and love.

"American Idol" judge Simon Cowell told "Extra," "I was horrified when I heard the news. This is an appalling tragedy. My thoughts right now are with Jennifer and her family."

Fellow "Idol" judge Paula Abdul told the show, "This is a horrific tragedy and my thoughts and prayers go out to Jennifer and her entire family. The time I had to get to know Jennifer and forge a wonderful friendship with her while she was on 'Idol' was very special to me, and I personally can't imagine a greater loss for any family."

Hudson's "Dreamgirls" co-star Sharon Leal told MTV News, "I got a bunch of texts about what happened, and I was hoping it wasn't true. I reached out to her, and my thoughts and prayers are with her. It's unimaginable what's she's going through. It's devastating news. I'm sending good vibes out to her, and I hope she gets through everything."

Hudson's "Life of Bees" co-star Queen Latifah told "Access Hollywood," "When we heard the news of Jennifer losing her mother and her brother, our hearts broke for her, and we immediately began to pray for her strength and comfort and that of her family, as well as for the safe return of her nephew." She added, "I know the family is devastated and heartbroken and I hope that friends and fans and those who care about her just pray for her and give her all the support that she needs at this moment and for quite a long time to come."

In a statement to "Access Hollywood," Hudson's "Sex and the City" co-star Sarah Jessica Parker said, "My heart goes out to her and her family in their time of anguish and grief."

Over the weekend, Democratic presidential nominee and fellow Chicagoan Barack Obama said, "Michelle and I were absolutely heartbroken to learn about this unimaginable tragedy. We want Jennifer to know that she is in our thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time."

Hudson's fellow "Idol" contestants sent their support as well. "My heart, my prayers and love go out to Jennifer and her family," LaToya London told "Access Hollywood." "I will constantly keep them in my prayers. Jennifer, stay strong."

Camile Velasco knew Hudson's mother and told "Access Hollywood," "She was a great lady, real sweet and a great supporter of Jennifer's who was happy and glad for her daughter's success," she said. "Jennifer has great faith in God and is loved by so many so I hope that will get her through this ordeal. She has my love and support and I am here for her if she needs me."

"I was completely shocked and stunned when I heard about this tragedy," Diana DeGarmo told "Access Hollywood." "I know how important Jennifer's mother and brother were to her, especially because her father was never in the picture. They were so nice and so pleasant. Jennifer always spoke about her mom, how close they were and how much of a 'big sister' role her mom played in her life."

Reps for Beyoncé, who starred with Hudson in "Dreamgirls," and fellow "Idol" vet Fantasia told MTV News that they have chosen not to comment publicly on the tragedy in order to respect Hudson's privacy.

• Jennifer Hudson's Family Tragedy

• Jennifer Hudson
• Paula Abdul
• Beyoncé
• Fantasia
• Queen Latifah

Zac Efron
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images

Zac Efron is doing fine after having his appendix removed Tuesday (January 15), according to People.com. The star — who recently signed on for "High School Musical 3" — was rushed to Los Angeles' Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after suffering from appendicitis, TMZ.com reports. "Zac had his appendix removed and is recuperating," the actor's representative, who was not named, reportedly said in a statement. ...

A very revealing photo of Heidi Montag graces the new cover of Maxim, and for the accompanying interview, she also revealed to the mag that she wants to be the next Madonna. "But it's not like with most pop artists, where they have a song sent to them that has nothing to do with their emotions or lives," she insisted about her yet-untitled, in-the-works LP. "It's all about me and my life. I'm taking my time to make sure it's a classic. I don't want to be the next pop person who's in or out. I want to be like Michael Jackson, Madonna, Stevie Wonder — all the greats." Montag also dished on new parents Nicole Richie and Joel Madden recalling that one time they "came up to [Montag's fiance,] Spencer [Pratt,] and me at the Beverly Hills Hotel [in California] and started yelling something Spencer said about Nicole in an interview, like, two years ago. ... Joel was yelling, 'You've been talking sh-- about my girl!' " ...

Madden has blogged on the Web site for his clothing company, DCMA, about arriving home with his and Richie's daughter, who was born on Friday. "Well I am finally home with my beautiful girlfriend and our brand new little daughter," the Good Charlotte frontman wrote. "Harlow Winter Kate Madden was born on January 11th 2008 at 3:13 p.m. She weighed in at 6 pounds and 7 ounces. She is 19 inches long and growing everyday already! She really is a wonderful addition to the GC/DCMA/DEADEXEC family. We are so blessed to have this beautiful little baby in our lives. I want to thank everyone for all the love and kind words they've sent our way. We apologize we weren't accepting gifts/cards/calls at the hospital, but if you'd like to send something, we'd rather you make a donation to the Richie-Madden Foundation, which we started in Harlow Winter's honor. She looks so much like her mom it's crazy! She eats like a little maniac and she's really sweet. She barely ever cries, even when daddy is changing her diaper, and believe me I suck when it comes to diapers, but I'm learning! I can't wait to show off some pictures, until then, THANKS!! and GOD BLESS... Joel." ...

From an "Umbrella" to a handbag: Rihanna has made a match with Marc Jacobs as she and the fashion designer have partnered to produce a new pair of purses named after the leggy singer. The two models are available as a part of Jacobs' spring line. ... Missy Elliott has stepped up with two new tunes for the February 5 soundtrack to "Step Up 2 the Streets." The MC's "Ching-A-Ling" — which is already sizzling in the streets — and "Shake Your Pom Pom" will appear on the soundtrack, and might resurface on her yet-untitled new LP, due in May. The soundtrack also features Cassie, who stars in "Step Up 2 the Streets," as well as T-Pain, Flo Rida, Trey Songz, Plies and Scarface. ...

Twista has inked a deal with Koch to release a project with his longtime group, the Speedknot Mobstaz. The Mobstaz's forthcoming sophomore album, Mobstability II: Nation Bizness, is set to feature Jim Jones and production by Cuzzo and China White Productions. ... The Grammys will not be getting a free pass from the Writers Guild of America. The Los Angeles Times reports that the Grammys have not asked for a special waiver to allow striking Guild employees to work on the show, but even if they did request one, it would not likely be granted. In addition, a number of top musicians who also have Screen Actors Guild cards, including Justin Timberlake and Queen Latifah, are being lobbied by the WGA not to attend the February 10 show, according to AdAge.com. ...

In a $35 million lawsuit filed on Monday, Victory Records claimed that Virgin/EMI "improperly induced" Hawthorne Heights to disregard their contract with the independent Chicago label. In a news release on the suit, Victory also claimed that Virgin/EMI paid $55,000 to the band, which used the money to fund the initial phase of a 2006 lawsuit against Victory, and helped the bandmembers search for a music-industry lawyer to help them with their legal action. "The facts alleged in this case demonstrate classic interference with contractual and business relations," Victory lawyer Robert Meloni said. "They did more than merely offer a carrot to the band, but also saddled the horse, paid for a rider to take the reins, and led it out of the barn." The suit seeks $10 million in compensation and $25 million in punitive damages for Virgin/EMI's "willful, wanton and deliberate conduct." Victory maintains that HH owe the label two more albums, but the band, which lost guitarist Casey Calvert in November after a fatal drug interaction, has vowed not to record for Victory again. ...

Rancid fans, time to grow those Mohawks back — the band started recording new material in a California studio on Monday. The punks' yet-unnamed follow-up to 2003's Indestructible is due later this year, on guitarist Brett Gurewitz's Epitaph/Hellcat label, of course. ... Tiger Army have welcomed an old comrade back into their ranks. Stand-up-bass player Geoff Kresge, who toured with the psychobilly band from 1999-2004 — and who also has a stint with AFI on his résumé — replaces Jeff Roffredo, who "left the band on good terms to pursue other interests," according to a press release from the band's publicist. Tiger Army hit the road earlier this week and have a heap of shows planned for throughout the year. ...

Now that Marilyn Manson and Twiggy Ramirez have reconciled, what better way to celebrate than with some concerts? Manson has tacked on a few more to his upcoming trek, which starts Saturday in Orlando, Florida. The newly added gigs will be staged in Phoenix (February 27); Dallas (February 29); Austin, Texas (March 1); and Houston (March 2). Veteran rock act Ours will be the opening act on the tour, according to Pollstar.com. ... Here's a novel idea: Yellowcard are giving fans who buy the rockers' Live From Las Vegas at the Palms release an early chance at getting tix to one of their upcoming shows. The iTunes exclusive will be available starting January 22, and fans who snatch it up before January 29 will get a Ticketmaster code allowing them to nab up to four tickets for the band's trek, which starts March 7 in Salt Lake City and ends April 12 in Los Angeles. From Las Vegas at the Palms immortalizes Yellowcard's show at the Palms Casino Resort's Pearl venue in October. ...

EMI — home to Coldplay, the Rolling Stones and other acts — will slash a third of its work force, or 1,500-2,000 jobs, over the course of the next months, multiple outlets reported Tuesday. According to the Web site for England's Telegraph, the reunited Verve could be the next major group to withhold its upcoming album in light of the major-label shake-up. The paper reports that the Verve may join Robbie Williams and Coldplay in threatening to hold onto their next albums unless they receive assurances about the company's financial health and how their albums will be marketed. The company's new boss, Guy Hands, was reportedly to be grilled by the managers of some of the label's top acts on Tuesday as he revealed plans for streamlining the company. ...

"American Idol" judge Randy Jackson is known for name-dropping, but his new album, Music Club Vol. 1, might finally back up some of his boasting. Jackson's upcoming solo album, due March 11, will feature pals ranging from Mariah Carey and Joss Stone to Jason Mraz, former "Idol" contestants Elliott Yamin and Katharine McPhee and country star Travis Tritt. Fellow judge Paula Abdul will be featured on "Dance Like There's No Tomorrow," her first new recording in more than a decade. Last week, TVGuide.com reported that Jackson and Abdul had been rehearsing a video for the single, and that she was in talks to perform it at the Super Bowl on February 3. Also included on the album are Van Hunt, Three 6 Mafia, Angie Stone, Richie Sambora and Keb' Mo'. ...

My Morning Jacket are going big time: The longhaired Kentucky rockers will headline a show at New York's Radio City Music Hall on June 20. The band's yet-untitled album will drop 10 days earlier. ... Noise Pop just got a bit noisier. The Walkmen, the Dodos, MSTRKRFT, Stellastarr and the Helio Sequence have climbed onto the roster for the San Francisco fest, which is happening February 26-March 2. Jamie Kennedy's comedic documentary "Heckler" — which features George Lucas, Rob Zombie, David Cross and others — will open the Film Festival portion of the event. ... Carla Bruni has been making headlines lately amid her high-profile romance with French President Nicolas Sarkozy. Now the chanteuse can parlay that attention into promotion for the wide release of No Promises, an album that is currently only available Stateside on iTunes and at Barnes & Noble stores. The disc — which is being issued through Downtown Records, home to Gnarls Barkley and Spank Rock, and pays tribute to English-language literary legends — will hit retail stores nationwide February 19.

1.14.08

Nearly six years after the alleged sex tape first surfaced, the court proceedings in the R. Kelly case continue to move at a snail's pace. The prosecutors originally sought to have testimony from one expert witness, Dr. Sharon Cooper, cover several different areas — the age of the girl on the tape based on forensic pediatrics, the identification of the man on the tape based on the vein pattern on his hands, and the behavior profile of the girl based on the psychology of child sex-abuse victims. Judge Vincent Gaughan had previously ruled that Dr. Cooper could testify about the victim's age, but not the behavior profile, so prosecutors had asked him to reconsider. At a hearing on Monday (January 14), Gaughan ruled once again that Dr. Cooper would not be able to testify about why the girl in the case would deny that she was a victim, or how common denial is in sex-abuse cases. Kelly is due back in court March 12 for another pre-trial hearing, while the trial itself is slated to start on May 9. ...

And the Wu-Tang Clan infighting goes on. U-God — who complained about RZA being callous toward him in the studio nearly four years ago — is now suing Wu's label, alleging that he is owed $170,000, according to TMZ.com. U-God (born Lamont Hawkins) reportedly filed papers in a New York district court, alleging that Wu Music owes him money for services rendered dating back to March of last year. Wu Music is licensed to Universal Music. ...

Paula Abdul doesn't just have the seventh season of "American Idol" on her mind these days. "I want kids!" the singer recently told Ladies' Home Journal for its February issue. "If it doesn't happen naturally, I can always adopt." The 45-year-old Abdul opened up even more about her personal life, saying of 32-year-old boyfriend J.T. Torregiani, "I've experienced real loneliness, so I love knowing there's someone I can share the good and the not-so-good with." ... Everyone's wondering how the seventh season of "Idol" is going to fare in light of some retooling and the writers' strike, but if you ask Chris Daughtry, the show is "in a state of decline." The Daughtry frontman recently spoke with RollingStone.com about the show, adding that if it doesn't right itself, "it's probably not gonna last too much longer. I'm sure that'll be used against me, but that's the truth, you know?" He also said the show is "definitely lacking some credibility at this point." ...

White Stripes, Foo Fighters, Kings of Leon, Mark Ronson, Klaxons, Arctic Monkeys, Kaiser Cheifs and recent MTV Artist of the Week Kate Nash have all landed Brit Award nominations, although Leona Lewis, Mika and Take That have scored the most, with four apiece. Rihanna, Ronson, Kaiser Chiefs, Kylie Minogue and Paul McCartney are slated to perform at the February 20 ceremony. ... R.E.M. have pulled the curtains back on a new Web site surrounding the April 1 release of their 14th studio album, Accelerate. Their NinetyNights.com Web site has daily high-definition-video snippets shot by Arcade Fire collaborator Vincent Moon ...

Björk attacked a newspaper photographer who was attempting to take her picture at the Auckland International Airport on Sunday, according to reports in the New Zealand press. The singer, who was flying in to perform at the Big Day Out concert on Friday, reportedly ripped New Zealand Herald photographer Glenn Jeffrey's shirt after he snapped a photo of her. Jeffrey told the New Zealand Press Association that he was warned by a man traveling with Björk not to take her picture, and once he did, the singer came up behind him, grabbed the back of his shirt and tore it before tumbling to the ground. In 1996, Björk attacked a reporter in an airport in Bangkok, Thailand, after she objected to being photographed. ... The Walkmen and White Rabbits will hop along the U.S. this month for nine shows. On the itinerary are Pittsburgh (Wednesday); Detroit (Thursday); Milwaukee (Friday); Madison, Wisconsin (Saturday); Chicago (Sunday); St. Louis (January 21); Columbus, Ohio (January 22); Philadelphia (January 23); and Baltimore (January 24). ...

For the first time in 25 years, former Clash members Mick Jones and Topper Headon reportedly shared the same stage at a gig by Jones' new band, Carbon/Silicon. The duo performed "Train in Vain" and "Should I Stay or Should I Go?" during the set. ... Megadeth have recruited Chris Broderick (Nevermore, Jag Panzer) to be their newest guitarist, following the recent departure of Glen Drover. Broderick will make his live debut with the band on February 4, at a gig in Finland. ...

Quiet Riot drummer Frankie Banali said the band will not be revived following the late November death of frontman Kevin DuBrow. In an online statement, Banali claims he had been "approached to see if I would be interested in contacting Rudy Sarzo and Carlos Cavazo and to audition singers for Quiet Riot." He said that he's even fielded an offer to re-form "the version of Quiet Riot that included Paul Shortino, Carlos Cavazo and Sean McNabb." But Banali rejected any suggestions of the band performing live. "My friendship, love and respect for Kevin DuBrow, as well as my personal love and affection for Kevin's mother and his family, makes it inconceivable for me to ever entertain any ovation to re-form or to continue Quiet Riot," he wrote. "It would also be a disrespect to the fans who have supported [the band] for nearly 25 years." ...

Roger Avary, the Oscar-winning co-writer of "Pulp Fiction," was arrested on Sunday after a fatal single-car crash in Ojai, California. According to a Reuters report, Avary, 42, was charged with vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence, and was released from jail after posting $50,000 bail. Andreas Zedini, a 34-year-old passenger in the car, died of his injuries at a local hospital. Avary's wife, Gretchen, 40, was taken to a local hospital with serious injuries after being thrown from the car.

• Heidi Montag Poses For Maxim

• Good Charlotte
• Justin Timberlake
• Queen Latifah
• Hawthorne Heights
• The Verve

Remy Ma
Photo: Ray Tamarra/Getty Images

Remy Ma's European tour plans appear to have fizzled — a New York judge has denied her request to travel overseas for a trek that was supposed to begin December 31 in Paris, The Associated Press reports. A lawyer for the rapper (real name: Remy Smith) argued Thursday (December 20) that his client needed to tour to earn money because she hasn't been getting enough bookings in the U.S. since she was arrested in July for allegedly shooting a friend over missing money, but the judge said she couldn't leave the country due to the seriousness of the charges. Remy Ma was ordered earlier this month to stand trail on charges of gang assault and witness tampering. She is due in court on January 3 for adjournment where prosecutors will decide whether to admit DNA evidence in the case. ...

Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert fans can breathe a sigh of relief — "The Daily Show" and "The Colbert Report" will start up production again on January 7, albeit without their writers, AP reports. In a joint statement, the pair reportedly said, "We would like to return to work with our writers. If we cannot, we would like to express our ambivalence, but without our writers we are unable to express something as nuanced as ambivalence." Stewart and Colbert are the most recent late-night hosts to announce their return to the airwaves amid the ongoing writers' strike, joining the likes of Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien, who will return January 2. ...

So what's really going on between Rihanna and Josh Hartnett? The singer addresses the rumors in the January issue of Allure, saying there isn't much truth to them. "I went to [New York club] Pink Elephant, and he came by," she said. "All of a sudden, the next day I'm seeing that we were kissing and hugging up each other. You can't even go out with a friend who's a celebrity and have a good time without people making sh-- up ... well, at least he's good-looking, right?" Rih Rih also talked with the mag, which calls itself "The Beauty Expert," about — what else? — beauty. "While in America beautiful is skinny, in Barbados it's thick — girls with huge butts and nice curves," she said, contrasting the U.S. with her homeland. In other Rihanna news, she — as well as My Chemical Romance, Good Charlotte, Timbaland, Rufus Wainwright and many others — have partnered with Designers Against AIDS to create men's and women's lines called "Fashion Against AIDS." The lines will be available exclusively at H&M stores beginning in February, with one-fourth of the proceeds from the sales going to YouthAIDS, an HIV/AIDS prevention initiative that serves 60 countries worldwide. ...

Jennifer Hudson and Queen Latifah will star in the silver-screen adaptation of the best-selling book "The Secret Life of Bees," and Alicia Keys and Dakota Fanning are also in negotiations to star in the flick, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Keys and Latifah are due to play beekeeping sisters who take in Hudson's and Fanning's characters after they run away from home. Production will reportedly begin in January for the movie, which is targeting a 2008 theatrical release. ... Rick Ross is blaming clearance issues for the delay of his second album, Trilla, according to Billboard.com. He said a DJ Toomp-produced song called "This Me" was one of the tracks in question. Ross is reportedly considering "Boss" (featuring T-Pain) as his second single. ...

Avenged Sevenfold, Bullet for My Valentine, Bless the Fall and Atreyu lead the lineup for next year's Taste of Chaos trek, which will launch February 29 in Denver and continue through April 6 in El Paso, Texas. An Internet presale begins January 5 on the tour's Web site, with tickets going on sale nationally January 12. ... Death Cab for Cutie have posted on their Web site a new video teasing their next album. The clip features a portion of a song that will presumably appear on the group's yet-untitled LP and announces that the effort will be out in May. According to the video, the album was recorded in 44 days at three studios, in Seattle; Portland, Oregon; and San Francisco. ...

"Into the Wild" got some critical love Thursday as Sean Penn's flick scooped up four Screen Actors Guild Award nominations, including best lead actor for Emile Hirsch. Ryan Gosling, Cate Blanchett, Angelina Jolie, Viggo Mortensen and George Clooney all got nods, although "Atonement" — which dominates the list of Golden Globe contenders with seven noms — was shut out altogether. ... South by Southwest is taking a walk on the wild side — Lou Reed will be the keynote speaker at the music conference and film festival, which will take place March 12-16 in Austin, Texas. The Velvet Underground-er will speak March 13 at the Austin Convention Center in conjunction with a screening of Julian Schnabel's new documentary, "Lou Reed's Berlin," which revolves around the rock legend's 1973 album. Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore, Daryl Hall of Hall & Oates and composer Steve Reich will also give talks at SXSW. ...

Pennywise have cooked up an interesting album-release scheme with MySpace Records: The punks will make their yet-untitled new album available for free DRM-free download on MySpace for two weeks, starting March 25. That day will also see the release of an enhanced CD/DVD version of the effort for sale at retail outlets. To download the album for free, users have to add promotional partner "Textango" as their MySpace friend. "We know that this will piss off a lot of people in the music industry," guitarist Fletcher Dragge said in a statement. "And what do we say to that? 'Who cares?' " Cameron Webb (Social Distortion, Sum 41) will produce and mix the effort. ... Are the Eagles too good for the Super Bowl? Apparently so — according to AP, the group turned down an offer to perform at the annual football extravaganza. As for a potential opportunity to play at the Grand Ole Opry, however, bandmember Don Henley said, "That would be an honor." ...

Live Nation has sewn up a deal with a German company that will allow the concert promoter to create its own ticketing service, according to Variety. The new service will reportedly allow Live Nation, which ended talks with Ticketmaster in August, to have more control over customer data, increasing sponsorship opportunities. There's another plus for Live Nation in the deal: It will reportedly allow the company to get the fees charged to customers over the listed ticket prices. ... A report issued Thursday determined that there were no violations in Paris Hilton's jailing in June but did find that three Los Angeles County sheriff's employees violated policy when Mel Gibson was arrested last year for misdemeanor drunk driving in Malibu, California, according to AP. The sheriff's employees have reportedly since been disciplined. The news service also said the report found that a sheriff's supervisor considered holding back details about the actor's anti-Semitic rant from an arrest report, but a captain eventually overruled him. ...

As he awaits a retrial, disgraced record producer Phil Spector has filed suit again in an attempt to get a refund of the $1 million fee he paid to former attorney Robert Shapiro, according to AP. Five years after his arrest in the shooting death of actress Lana Clarkson, Spector filed a second lawsuit Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court, claiming that Shapiro cheated him and used their personal relationship to enrich himself unjustly. In December 2005, Spector dropped an earlier suit against Shapiro, the first lawyer to represent Spector after his arrest, with the provision that he could refile at a later time. The new suit makes similar allegations that Shapiro "took unfair and unscrupulous advantage of his friendship and position of trust with Mr. Spector, and decided to use Mr. Spector's arrest as an opportunity to make a financial windfall and garner publicity for himself." It also named Shapiro's law firm as a defendant, claiming it "stood behind and vouched for Shapiro's work." The suit alleges that Spector was under tremendous stress following his arrest and had not taken his medication for mental problems at the time he agreed to Shapiro's $1 million retainer fee. ...

Being an "American Idol" finalist ain't what it used to be. For proof, look at the depressed mug on curly haired season-six wonder Chris Sligh, 29, who is the main attraction for the alcohol-free First Night Westerly New Year's Eve celebration in the tiny Rhode Island town. After a day of face-painting, extreme sports video-gaming, karate demos, magicians, mimes, hayrides and swing-dance lessons, Sligh is slated to take the stage at the YMCA gym just before midnight. ... Chuck D, Lil Boosie and, oddly enough, Buckethead will salute James Brown by performing at a tribute show on Saturday in Covington, Kentucky, Billboard reports. Bootsy Collins, who was mentored by the late legend, is putting on the concert, and proceeds will go to the future launch of a museum and the rebuilding of Brown's early recording home. Brown's most recent band, the Soul Generals; members of his original backing group, the JB's; and MC Danny Ray will also play at the event. ... The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions will take place in Cleveland in March 2009 — which is fitting, since the Rock Hall is located in the city. For the past decade, the event has been held in New York.

12.19.07

The ongoing legal actions surrounding the 1997 murder of the Notorious B.I.G. (born Christopher Wallace) hit another bump in the road on Monday when a U.S. district judge dismissed a second wrongful-death lawsuit filed by the rapper's family against the city of Los Angeles and former LAPD officer Rafael Pérez. Judge Florence-Marie Cooper sided with the defendants and dismissed the case — filed in April — on the grounds that Biggie's family didn't file the claim against the city within the designated time frame. "This was not the primary civil-rights claim, that suit is still going forward," explained Perry Sanders, the lead attorney in the Wallace family's ongoing wrongful-death suit against the city and LAPD. "This was a standalone action based on state laws, but the rigorous rules state that if you don't file suit within six months of the injury, then the suit cannot go forward, and we didn't find out that Pérez was on duty until August 2006." The April suit alleged that Pérez conspired with fellow former police officers David Mack and Nino Durden to murder the famous rapper and that the city of Los Angeles covered up the officers' involvement to avoid being tangled in a lawsuit that would make the city liable in the killing. New evidence recently uncovered indicated that Pérez was on duty the night of the rapper's death, though the officer has denied any involvement. ...

Jessica Sierra has an unlikely ally in Dr. Drew, apparently. The radio personality will appear in criminal court on behalf of the former "American Idol" finalist at the request of her lawyer, according to TMZ.com. She is reportedly due to face a judge in Tampa, Florida, on Thursday, while Drew will attend at a later court date. Sierra was arrested December 2 outside a bar near Tampa and is facing charges of disorderly intoxication, resisting arrest and violating parole. She is currently in jail without bond. ...

The Rolling Stone/ Camel ad fiasco is far from over — two indie-rock bands have filed a class-action lawsuit against the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company; the magazine; and its parent company, Wenner Media, according to TheDailySwarm.com. The suit was reportedly filed by Xiu Xiu and F---ed Up on behalf of the 186 artists whose names appeared alongside a cartoon-heavy indie-rock feature in the magazine's November 15 issue, and it claims the defendants had "unauthorized use of artists' names; unauthorized use of artist names for commercial advantage [right of publicity]; and unfair business practices." The bands are also seeking financial compensation for damages, and TheDailySwarm.com reports that Rolling Stone might have to pay close to $200 billion if found guilty. Nine state attorneys general have already sued Camel for its use of cartoons in the sale of tobacco products. ...

Ice Cube has settled on Raw Footage as the title of his upcoming studio album. "It'll be out next year," he recently told MTV News of the release, before humbly adding, "It's better than anything you've ever heard before." ... Jimmy Eat World will tag along with Foo Fighters for a handful of gigs early next year, in Sunrise, Florida (January 16); Orlando, Florida (January 17); Birmingham, Alabama (January 19); Pensacola, Florida (January 20); Houston (January 22); Dallas (January 23); and Memphis, Tennessee (January 25). Jimmy Eat World, who just wrapped their annual run of radio shows, have additional dates scheduled through March. ... The People's Choice Awards show is going to look a whole lot different next year, in light of the ongoing writers' strike. The awards program has nixed its red carpet, acceptance speeches and live audience and will instead feature a "magazine-style format," according to People.com. Queen Latifah is still slated to host the show, which will air January 8 on CBS, but the winners will be submitting their acceptance remarks in video form. ...

Shakira wants your help — the singer is asking people to reach out to the victims of the Bangladesh floods after her recent trip to the South Asian country. In a recent press release, Shakira said she had planned to travel to Bangladesh before the cyclone, to observe the education-outreach efforts being made there, but that she felt more urgency to go there after the disaster. "Now that I've seen with my own eyes the destruction everywhere, it's critical that the people of the world support the Bangladeshi and that they get more international help as they rebuild," the singer said, adding that 8 million people have been affected and 3,000 schools were damaged or destroyed. Visit the United Nations Children's Fund Web site to find out how you can help the victims. ...

Jessica Simpson is still catching heat for her appearance at Sunday's Dallas Cowboys game, which the team lost 10-6 to the Philadelphia Eagles. Fans have voiced anger over a purported link between the actress' attendance and the career-worst performance by quarterback Tony Romo, and now wide receiver Terrell Owens has joined the chorus, saying, "Right now, Jessica Simpson is not a fan favorite — in this locker room or in Texas Stadium," according to The Associated Press. Romo's previous worst game reportedly was a December 2006 contest attended by then-girlfriend Carrie Underwood. "Obviously with the way Tony played, and the comparison between [Simpson] and Carrie Underwood, I think a lot of people feel she has taken his focus away," Owens said. "Other than that, she was high on my list until last week. Oh, I got a message for her when we make the playoffs. Just stay tuned." ...

Lily Allen is expecting her first child with boyfriend Ed Simons, who is one-half of the Chemical Brothers. A representative for the 22-year-old singer told BBC News that Allen has been dating Simons since September and that they were "obviously both thrilled by the news," but would not comment any further. "As the pregnancy is at a very, very early stage, the couple ask that you respect their privacy, as the health of Lily and their child is their paramount concern," said the spokesman, who was not named. ... Hawthorne Heights frontman JT Woodruff, former Dead Kennedys leader Jello Biafra and Chris #2 from Anti-Flag make cameos on the upcoming A.K.A.s (Are Everywhere!) album Everybody Make Some Noise! The hardcore-punk band's effort will drop March 18. ... The Breeders are back — not just with their upcoming April 8 album, Mountain Battles, but with a U.K. trek surrounding it, according to Pollstar.com. The band will kick off its trek April 7 in Dublin, Ireland, and continue playing through an April 16 show in London. Plans for the Breeders to play at Coachella and South by Southwest are also reportedly in the works, the site said. ...

The Smashing Pumpkins have cobbled together a four-song acoustic EP, and it's coming right around the corner. According to a post by Billy Corgan on the band's Web site, American Gothic will be available January 2 on iTunes and feature the following songs: "The Rose March," "Again, Again, Again (The Crux)," "POX" and "Sunkissed." Corgan added in the rambling post that the band will play the new songs on their upcoming European and Australian tours, and he closed the missive with these remarks: "Thanks to New Orleans for showing Us the meaning of hope...and thanks to the old guard for showing the same dull move, you know the one that never works? Art band that said old guard wishes they were in so bad that they wish importance upon it? Check! No matter what you crutches all dream up, Led Zep is still a 100 times better! Go Zep! Go Team! Rock on! Long Live the Mighty SP!" ...

The Chris Brown/ Bow Wow tour is going to keep rolling. The duo have expanded their double-bill outing into February, adding another dozen dates to their itinerary, mostly along the East Coast, as well as a second Madison Square Garden show in New York and a New Year's Eve gig in Universal City, California. The tour is now scheduled to wrap up February 2 at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center in Honolulu. Bow Wow recently left the tour briefly after being hospitalized, later telling MTV News that he had injured himself after throwing a fit in his dressing room. ...

Ozzy Osbourne has scratched his Thursday concert at Cleveland's Wolstein Center "due to an unforeseen personal family matter," according to a post on his Web site. The show won't be rescheduled, although tour partner Rob Zombie will instead play at the House of Blues with In This Moment. Ticketholders for the Wolstein Center show can get refunds at point of purchase. Meanwhile, Zombie has also added two more dates to his 2008 calendar: January 26 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and January 27 in Lubbock, Texas. ... Hellyeah have broken out dates for the second leg of their Balls Volume Strength Tour, which also features Machine Head, Nonpoint and Ankla. The next stretch will take the hard-rockers from Clifton Park, New York, on January 25 to Milwaukee on February 15, although more dates are expected to be announced. ...

Will Ferrell will hit the road with three other comedians — Zach Galifianakis, Nick Swardson and Demetri Martin — in February for a short run of shows at universities and colleges. The Funny or Die Tour will make stops at Kansas State (February 4); Michigan State (February 5); Ohio State (February 6); Penn State (February 11); the University of Rhode Island (February 12); Boston College (February 13); Butler University (February 18); and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (February 22). ... Feist are working on new material — gently. "I'm tiptoeing into some new terrain," Leslie Feist told Billboard.com. "There's no necessity and no timeline. ... I'm not quite at the point where I think I should be thinking about another record. ... These songs, there's nothing forcing them to come, yet here's some ideas. It's really a ways away though." The singer did reveal, however, that the band hit the studio during a recent day off while on tour. Feist are up for four Grammys. ... Beck's Odelay — the 1996 album that ranks as one of Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time — is getting polished up for a two-CD deluxe edition due January 29. The first disc has two unreleased session tracks produced by the Dust Brothers — "Inferno" and "Gold Chains" — and a soundtrack cut, while the second has 16 hard-to-find B-sides and compilation contributions. ...

While Weezer fans have to make do for now with the recently released Alone - The Home Recordings of Rivers Cuomo, the rest of the bandmembers are busy working on their own side projects. According to Weezer's Web site, rhythm guitarist Brian Bell is working on an album with his other band, the Relationship; drummer Pat Wilson is recording an album with his long-running side project, the Special Goodness, that is due in the spring; and bassist Scott Shriner is getting ready to answer questions for Weezer fan site Weerez.com. ... Michael Jackson's Thriller is among the 70 new recordings that will be added to the Grammy Hall of Fame, which honors songs that have been in release for at least 25 years. Other new honorees include: "Free Bird" (Lynyrd Skynyrd), the soundtrack to the classic reggae movie "The Harder They Come" (Jimmy Cliff), "Help!" (the Beatles), Hotel California (the Eagles), 1999 (Prince), Off the Wall (Jackson), "Roxanne" (the Police), "Shining Star" (Earth, Wind & Fire), "Always on My Mind" (Willie Nelson), The Wall (Pink Floyd) and The Velvet Underground & Nico. The new 25th Anniversary Edition of Thriller — which will include unreleased bonus tracks mixed by or featuring Kanye West, Will.I.Am, Akon and others — drops February 12. ...

One of Seattle's legendary rock venues, the Crocodile Café, unexpectedly shut its doors over the weekend after 17 years. The small downtown club, which was one of the prime spots that nurtured the early '90s grunge scene, played host to everyone from Beck to R.E.M., Sleater-Kinney, Death Cab for Cutie and, most famously, Nirvana and Mudhoney on a 1992 double bill that cost only $3. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported that the venue's owner left voicemails for club employees on Sunday telling them not to come to work following Saturday night's gig. She reportedly said the club was shutting down due to financial difficulties. ... Prince has given his CDs away in newspapers and at shows, but the diminutive R&B superstar doesn't do freebie performances. According to the Miami Herald, the purple one pulled down an estimated $2 million payday Saturday night when he played a private 40th birthday party for Jeffrey Soffer, an heir to the Turnberry Associates real-estate fortune. The gig reportedly took place at the Turnberry Aviation hangar at the Opa Locka Executive Airport and featured elaborate open bars, gourmet food, a hit-filled set from Prince and a guest list that included director Brett Ratner, baseball player Alex Rodriguez and actor James Caan. Oh, and KC & the Sunshine Band were Prince's opening act. ...

Tom Sizemore was released from prison December 10 after serving time for violating his drug probation stemming from a 2004 meth conviction, TMZ.com reports. The actor was sentenced in mid-June to 16 months in state prison and awarded 213 days credit for time he had spent in county jail and live-in drug programs. Sizemore is still in a drug program, according to the site. ...

Boys and girls in America, it's time to rejoice. Brooklyn, New York, band the Hold Steady recently revealed on their Web site that they've wrapped preproduction on the follow-up to 2006's critically acclaimed Boys and Girls in America. "For the last few weeks we've been holed up in our rehearsal space in Greenpoint finishing up preproduction with John Agnello [who produced Boys] for the new album," read the post, which was simply attributed to "The Hold Steady." "Since the band's beginning, this is the longest we've gone without being in the studio. I've never looked forward to being placed in a giant aquarium with headphones like I have been lately. We'll be recording for most of January and February, and I'll post updates and photos for those interested. No release date yet, but you all will be the first to know."

• Remy Ma
• Rihanna
• Alicia Keys
• Jennifer Hudson
• Queen Latifah

Kanye West, Amber Rose, Queen Latifah Celebrate Paper Magazine's 25th Anniversary

• Amerie
• Estelle
• Queen Latifah

Mariah Carey, Usher, More Stars Scheduled To Appear At Michael Jackson's Memorial

• Usher
• Mariah Carey
• John Mayer
• Stevie Wonder
• Jennifer Hudson

2009 Inauguration Week Events Celebrating Barack Obama

• Diddy
• Mary J. Blige
• Queen Latifah
• Wyclef Jean
• Ne-Yo

Miley Cyrus, Jonas Brothers, More On The 2008 American Music Awards Red Carpet

• Miley Cyrus
• Jonas Brothers
• Ashley Tisdale
• Akon
• Christina Aguilera

Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Ellen Page And More At 2008 Critics' Choice Awards

• Feist
• Queen Latifah
• Snoop Dogg

Beyonce, Jennifer Hudson, Jamie Foxx, More At The New York Premiere Of "Dreamgirls"

• Beyoncé
• Jamie Foxx
• Jennifer Hudson
• Eddie Murphy
• Jay-Z

Dare to Wear

• Gwen Stefani
• Snoop Dogg
• Christina Aguilera
• Mudvayne
• Mary J. Blige

Usher, T.I., Will Smith, Jay-Z, More At "ATL" Screening

• T.I.
• Jay-Z
• Usher
• Queen Latifah
• Will Smith

Snoop, Common, Chappelle and more at the Roots pre-Grammy party

• The Roots
• Common
• Snoop Dogg
• Queen Latifah

Grammy Parties 2006

• Britney Spears
• Kevin Federline
• Maroon 5
• Chingy
• Christina Milian