Katy Perry and Russell Brand Getting Divorced

We're told ... Katy and Russell knew the relationship was on the rocks a couple of months ago -- but didn't want to give up on the marriage without making a concerted effort to work things out.

But the effort fell flat ... with both sides feeling "it just wasn't there." We're told both Katy and Russell were on board with the divorce a few weeks ago -- but they didn't want to be in town when the papers were filed ... so he went back to England and she booked it to Hawaii.

Since Katy's parents are evangelical Christians, we're told she didn't want to be the one to "officially" end the marriage by filing the docs ... since she was raised to believe divorce is wrong.

After he filed the docs, Russell released a statement Friday insisting the two will "remain friends." more on this story

Usher Fires Back At Ex-Wife As They Head To Trial

TMZ broke the story ... Tameka Raymond asked a Georgia court last month for full custody of their twokids -- claiming Usher has continually dropped the ball as a parent ... failing to get her permission to travel with their kids, hiring nannies without her approval ... the list goes on.

Tameka also claimed Usher callously closed her Saks 5th Avenue credit card -- and now she can't take advantage of the "special benefits" the card offers.

But Usher claims it's all BS -- filing his own response in the ongoing custody battle ... asking a judge to reject Tameka's request for full custody, on grounds her allegations are false.

Usher and Tameka currently share joint physical custody of the kids.

As TMZ previously reported, Tameka has also tried numerous times to get the judge to force Usher to submit to a drug test. So far, no luck.

We reached out to both sides for comment -- so far, no word back. A trial date has been set for February 27. more on this story

Beyonce New Year's Birth Rumors

The online rumor buzz is that Beyonce and Jay-Z have named their first child Tiana-May Carter.

Jay-Z's real name is Shawn Carter. Fans look forward to some official news from the superstar couple. [as of Monday, she still had not given birth] more on this story

A Very Gaga New Year's

The pop superstar played before a million people in the city, and many more saw her sing just minutes before the calendar flipped into 2012.

Gaga performed her latest single, "Marry The Night," and the title track to "Born This Way," before helping NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg push the button to drop the ball in the Square to ring in the New Year. more on this story

Adele Tops Another 2011 List

NME reports the lead-off single from Adele's hugely successful second album "21," beat competition from Bruno Mars, who saw his single "Grenade" enjoy the second highest number of plays.

Rihanna was third with "S&M," and also featured two further times in the top 10 most played tracks, with her hit "What's My Name" at #8 and "Only Girl In The World" at #9. more on this story

Lmfao Score Another No 1

The track maintains the #1 spot on the Digital Songs chart for the fourth week in a row while the video approaches 200 million views on VEVO.

"Party Rock Anthem," Billboard's official "Song of the Summer" spending six weeks at #1, jumps back into the Top 10 climbing from 15 � 9. more on this story

Cops Called To Lindsay Lohan's House

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ, the man -- an older gentleman -- arrived at her home around 6:30pm and began knocking on the front door.

We're told Lindsay came to the door and asked what he wanted -- and the man responded cryptically ... that he needed to speak with her.

Unnerved, Lindsay asked the man to leave, but he refused, demanding she open the door. Police received a call minutes later about a trespasser on Lindsay's property. It's unclear if Lindsay made the call.

According to law enforcement sources, cops showed up soon after and arrested the man for trespassing. The man is currently being booked. more on this story

Tim McGraw New Album Details

Curb sent over these details: Creatively collaborating on the production with Bryon Gallimore his longtime producer whose fingerprints are consistently found throughout the remarkable McGraw dynasty of 32 #1 singles and 44 million units of music sold, Emotional Traffic leaves little doubt of the foundation material McGraw's now legendary career has been built-in. It's the artistic brick and mortar of great songs and a great talent.

The new 12 track set fast lanes with McGraw's latest #1 single, Felt Good On My Lips, certified digital gold. His current single, Better Than I Used To Be, is now climbing the charts and is also included here. Of the sessions that produced the new music, McGraw noted in an interview with the Cleveland Plain Dealer on August 9: "�one of the best song I've ever recorded and certainly one of the best records we've ever made." more on this story

Steven Tyler Gets Home Blessing in Maui, Not A Secret Wedding

In the photos, Tyler and his fianc�e Erin Brady can be seen in Maui yesterday, partaking in some kind of ceremony with a woman ... who we're told is a local religious official.

Tyler and Brady have been seen all over Hawaii lately with Brady sporting a massive rock ... much to the chagrin of Tyler's family. We're told they were upset they only heard about the engagement AFTER he popped the question. more on this story

Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon Post Christmas Photo With Their Twins

The twins were born on the couple's third wedding anniversary, following a difficult pregnancy.

The little ones celebrated their first Christmas this week, and Mariah and Nick are sharing some family photos of the occasion. Check out the photo here

Love & Hip Hop Cat Fight Continues Off Air

As we first reported, Erica claims VH1 editors clipped the show to make her look like the villain -- when she appeared to unleash an unprovoked verbal attack on Kimbella, accusing her of cheapening the video vixen industry by agreeing to work for pennies.
Kimbella flipped, throwing a glass at Erica ... and the fight blew up from there. You've all seen the fight footage ... it's awesome.

But now, Kimbella's coming to the defense of VH1 -- claiming producers didn't misrepresent Erica on the show ... the fight happened exactly the way everyone saw it on television.

Kimbella tells us, "VH1 didn't do editing on anything with [Erica]. That's who she is" -- insisting she's using the fight for publicity ... to boost her struggling career.

But Erica's unfazed -- telling us, "I wish her well and much success in 2012. Have a happy new year!" Still no word from VH1. more on this story

Mase in Bling Battle

Mase has been fighting an ongoing legal battle with Aydin and Company, a jeweler in Atlanta, since the summer. According to legal docs filed in Georgia, they claim Mase owes them $35,000 dating alllllll the way back to 2005.

According to court filings, the jewelers haven't been able to serve Mase with legal papers after trying multiple times at his Georgia home -- each time being turned away by staff who say he isn't there. They claim he's been ducking them for months and they had a process server file an affidavit in the case ... stating Mase is "evading service."

For his part, Mase filed papers asking for the suit to be dismissed ... claiming improper service and the fact that he never signed the "alleged contract at issue in case."

The jewelers want their money, attorneys fees and 1.5% interest per month on the money he owes.

A judge has yet to make a ruling. more on this story

Country's Family Reunion Salute to the Kornfield Features Hee Haw Stars

The show features the beloved cast members from the long-running television show HEE HAW with Roy Clark, Buddy Alan (Owens) and Bill Anderson, and of course, a stellar line-up of iconic music guests and country bent humor that were staples of this cultural phenomena for over 25 years.

RFD-TV, "Rural America's Most Important Network," will air portions of the show each week throughout the month of January during the same weekly time slots. more on this story

Changed Man DMX Pulled Over By Hollywood Cops

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ, X was pulled over in Hollywood last week for not wearing a seat belt. Cops ticketed him and his assistant ... and the two were let go.

In case that wasn't clear, DMX WAS LET GO. No handcuffs, no jail, no nothing. Just a small slap on the wrist ... followed by sweet, sweet freedom.

X tells us, "Just a minor ticket no biggie. A quick learning lesson about not wearing a seat belt. I will handle and pay for it." The rapper adds, "This would be the only reason I come in contact with the police because I am a changed man." more on this story

Homeland and 24 Producer Sued Over Fatal Crash

Here's what we know ... Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... Gordon's wife, Cambria, was driving in Santa Monica on July 20th when her cell phone fell off the seat onto the floor of the car. Cambria reached down to retrieve the phone when her car struck 83-year-old pedestrian William Howard Smerling.

Smerling was taken to the hospital, where he hung on but died a month later. According to the lawsuit, Smerling had the right of way and Cambria was negligent by taking her eyes off the road. Howard is being sued because he's the registered owner of the car along with his wife. Under California law, the registered owners are responsible for the misdeeds of those who drive with their permission.

And law enforcement sources tell us ... Cambria will be charged with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter. The maximum penalty is 1 year in jail, but typically first offenders end up on probation.

In her favor ... our law enforcement sources tell us Cambria stopped immediately at the scene and acknowledged responsibility, and she's been fully cooperative and very remorseful. more on this story

LAPD Nab Person of Interest in L.A. Arsonist Case

Fire officials say "it is too early to speculate" if this is the person responsible for the fires.

Police had released a video showing the alleged suspect, who had a ponytail. As you can see in our photos ... the man arrested sports a ponytail

Cops previously said 39 fires could be linked to the recent rash of arsons ... and another 11 were reportedly set this weekend. more on this story

Atlanta Falcons' Roddy White Admits Fathering Baby

White filed legal documents in Georgia earlier this month ... acknowledging he DID father a child with a Georgia banker named Stacey Hott ... and he's willing to accept responsibility.

But according to the docs, White isn't ready to fork over child support just yet -- despite Hott's claim that he's capable of providing a "generous" amount due to his massive NFL salary.

Unless the two can strike a settlement quickly, a judge will get to decide Roddy's payments.

Calls to Roddy's people have not been returned. more on this story

Deion Sanders To Live With Woman He's Divorcing

But here's how rich folk do it ... The house is 29,122 square feet, with 10 bedrooms and 13 bathrooms. In case they want to swim, one will get the indoor pool, the other will swim outdoors.

And to avoid those awkward moments when they might run into each other while taking a stroll, they can roam separately on the 109 acre estate.

Truth be told ... Deion probably still wants Pilar out, but we're told she has no plans to move.

Who would? more on this story