Day in Pop Report for 01/20/2012
Rihanna, nominated for four Grammys this year, broke the news on Twitter, writing, "My friends @ColdPlay and I will be sharing the stage for a performance at this years Annual Grammy Awards!" A short time later she added, "WE reached 2BILLION views on @youtube !!! THANK U!!! I'm in a great mood, and I got some GREAT NEWS!!! PRINCESS OF CHINA #GRAMMYS2012."
They will perform their signature version of "Smooth Criminal" with Santana (Naya Rivera) and Sebastian (Grant Gustin) in the show's special tribute to the "King of Pop." 2Cellos � Luka Sulic and Stjepan Hauser - first caught the attention of music fans around the globe with their dueling cellos version of Michael's "Smooth Criminal," which went on to receive more than 5 million hits on YouTube in less than 3 months. more on this story
Alejandra Jackson -- who has 2 kids by Randy and 2 by his brother Jermaine -- has a child support judgment against Randy that exceeds $600,000 -- that's because Randy hasn't paid his $1,200 a month in years and the debt plus interest swelled into outer space. Randy has now filed legal docs trying to undo Alejandra's judgment, claiming they cut a deal in 1993 that Randy and Michael Jackson agreed to let Alejandra and her kids live in the Jackson family compound in Encino and in return he wouldn't have to pay child support. On top of that, Randy says the Jackson family provided Alejandra with food, utilities, maids, cooks, security guards, telephones, gardeners, maintenance, use of numerous expensive cars, etc. Randy says, in short, she's gotten way more than the $600k he owes her. Randy also says in the docs, Alejandra and the kids have lived "like kings and queens at Randy Jackson's expense." We're thinkin' it's another Jackson who foots the bills. more on this story
Nicks and Swift, of course, performed together at the Grammy Awards in 2010. Speaking with Time magazine, Nicks admitted she had a few hesitations about performing with the young starlet. "When I first got the call from Taylor Swift about performing with her at this year's Grammy Awards, I really didn't want to do it," she told the magazine in 2010. "She's 20 years old, 5 ft. 11 in. and slender; I'm 40 years older and, to be frank, neither of the other two things! I was not about to stand next to this girl on national television. But her little face just lights up like a star, and I couldn't say no." Nicks went on to say that she sees some of herself in Swift. "Taylor reminds me of myself in her determination and her childlike nature," she said. "It's an innocence that's so special and so rare. more on this story
Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... the LAPD has prepared a file on the fight between Heather and Jack that occurred in late December at Jack's San Fernando Valley home. We're told cops were called to the home after Heather and Jack allegedly got physical with each other during a heated argument. As one law enforcement source said, "She lost it on him and he retaliated." When cops arrived ... neither Heather nor Jack wanted to press charges ... but the file was still sent over to the City Attorney for review. Heather and Jack now must go to an office hearing ... an informal talk in which prosecutors hear out both sides and then decide if the matter should be dropped or prosecuted. We're told the hearing will be held by the end of the month. The City Attorney could decide to file misdemeanor battery charges against Heather, Jack or both, but our sources say it's almost certain the matter will be dropped after the hearing. more on this story
Courtney's landlord filed the eviction lawsuit, claiming she owed $54,000 for 2 months of back rent. But the judge just ruled the landlord was way off base. Turns out the landlord and Courtney had made an agreement after the lease was signed that altered the payment schedule. Courtney was paying according to the new deal, but the landlord was trying to enforce the original one. So bottom line ... Courtney gets to stay. P.S. The landlord said originally that in addition to owing rent, Courtney accidentally set the joint on fire. The judge didn't address the whole fire thing. more on this story
"I'm thrilled to be part of Music's Biggest Night," said LL COOL J. "I will always have fond memories of my first Grammy Awards and to now be hosting the Grammy show, in the company of so many other incredible artists, is a dream come true. Great performances and great music � it's gonna be a great night!" LL COOL J has hosted "The Grammy Nominations Concert Live!! � Countdown To Music's Biggest Night" since its inception in December 2008, and this will be his first time hosting the annual Grammy Awards telecast. Recent past hosts include Queen Latifah at the 47th Grammy Awards and Jon Stewart for the 43rd and 44th Grammy telecasts. Over the years, additional Grammy hosts include Billy Crystal, Ellen DeGeneres, among others. more on this story
Lady Gaga will be joined by some very special guests as she personally unveils BTWF before a crowd of policy makers, non-profit organizations, foundation leaders and youth themselves who are working to create a kinder and braver world. The one-day event will be co-hosted by BTWF, the Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard, the Harvard Graduate School of Education, the John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and The California Endowment. "My daughter's foundation was born out of her passion to create a better world where people are kinder and nicer to one another and are accepted for who they are, regardless of how different they may be," said Cynthia Germanotta. "She has experienced many of the struggles that our youth encounter today, and identifies with the lasting effects they can have without proper support. Together, we look forward to creating a new movement that will engage and empower youth and accept them as valuable members of our society." more on this story
According to police records obtained by TMZ, Brumfield has been arrested at least 6 times in the past 7 years ... with 3 arrests involving booze. Brumfield -- who blew the "Idol" judges away with her rendition of Superwoman by Alicia Keys -- was arrested in Tennessee on August 22, 2010 after cops say she was so drunk, she peed on herself in the lobby of a Baskin Robbins. Just 9 days before that -- on August 13 -- she was arrested in front of the Ole Smoky Candy Kitchen ... after cops say she was displayed "extreme intoxication" ... and was "trying to find someone to take her home." Brumfield was arrested twice in 2007 -- once for unlawful detainer (staying at a property after her lease had ended). The other arrest was for underage consumption of alcohol -- for which she pled guilty and was sentenced to probation. Brumfield was also arrested in 2005 for criminal trespass on private property -- the details around that incident are unclear. But this story could have a happy ending, judging by her audition on "Idol" this week, Brumfield appears motivated to start a whole new life for herself. more on this story
Flack has also been planning a series of tour dates to coincide with the release of the album. The project has garnered the blessing of Yoko Ono who contributed the liner notes to Let It Be Roberta. more on this story
As we previously reported, Franco was arrested outside Halle Berry's home last year -- when cops found him scaling the wall around her house, the third time he trespassed on her property in as many days. Franco has already served 193 days in jail -- which means he only has another 193 left to go. Franco was also sentenced to 5 years probation after he completes his sentence. He also has to complete a one-year psychological counseling program. The judge also extended Halle's 3-year restraining order against Franco -- requiring him to stay 200 yards away from the actress for the next 10 YEARS. more on this story
Lyndie Benson-Gorelick filed papers in L.A. County Superior Court. The couple has 2 sons. There's a lot of money on the line. There's a report Kenny is worth around $50 million. There's one big sign the case is eventually headed to divorce court ... both Lyndie and Kenny have lawyered up with high-powered legal guns. Lyndie has Gary Fishbein, who has repped numerous celebs including Gabriel Aubry, Nikki Sixx, and Kenny has Laura Wasser, who has repped Britney Spears, Angelina Jolie and Kim Kardashian, to name a few. more on this story
The paternity suit was filed in Broward County by Florida Department of Revenue -- on behalf of 36-year-old Tyrisha Childers, who claims Ross knocked her up a few years ago ... and still hasn't paid a dime of child support. According to the docs, Childers needs all the help she can get -- with zero income apart from $694 a month in disability payments. Worse, Childers claims she has absolutely no money in the bank. But Ross filed his own response soon after -- claiming he never even slept with Childers ... let alone got her pregnant ... and he wants to prove it with a DNA test. We've reached out to both Ross and Childers for comment -- so far, no response. more on this story
Frank Basti -- the man behind the movement -- is freshly off parole for a mail fraud conviction. Basti was nailed for sending notices to 5,000 California car dealerships, telling each of them they owed lots of money to the DMV and this was their final chance to pay ... or else. Basti served federal prison time and was on parole until last July. Several months later Basti launched the Kardashian website. Basti claims roughly 650,000 people have signed his petition. But according to Compete.com -- a prominent website traffic estimator -- only 24k unique visitors went to the site in December and 20k in November. Basti tells TMZ it's not a scam and he's counting a previous petition and his Facebook page connected to his Kardashian website to justify the 650,000 number. He insists he's not making any money off the site As for why Basti wants to Boycott the Kardashians... he says he's offended that mainstream media is covering them like a serious news story. more on this story
All three artists were mentored by The X Factor judge, Antonio "L.A." Reid during the first season of the show. Epic sent out this info on each: Chris Rene: Destined to be a musician, finalist Chris Rene won over America's hearts from day one with his inspirational story, charisma and original songs finishing third overall behind winner Melanie Amaro and runner-up Josh Krajcik. The road to success however has not been an easy one for the Santa Cruz, California native. Throughout his life Chris struggled with numerous addictions but with the support of his family and drive to change his life, made a decision to enter into rehab. With just 70 days sober under his belt Chris took a leap of faith to pursue his dream and auditioned for The X Factor performing "Young Homie" � an original song that he wrote and produced, which quickly became a fan favorite throughout the season. That original song performance of "Young Homie" garnered Chris a deserving spot in the live shows where he continued to showcase his unique talents. Rarely has an original song ever led to a spot on a talent competition. Confident in his writing, producing and vocal abilities Chris Rene then followed suit by penning and performing his second original track, "Where Do We Go From Here" garnering such fan appraisal that it saved him from elimination. Chris' introduction of original compositions has forever altered the model for these talent platforms. Since joining The X Factor, Chris Rene has seen over 20 million views on YouTube. more on this story
Nine, of course, is Tony's number on the San Antonio Spurs, but it's not sitting well with Eva now that she's divorced from Parker. We've learned she went to Dr. Tattoff -- the famous tattoo removal guy -- Wednesday to get all traces of the tat removed. There were reports Eva tried to laser off the tattoo, but it didn't do the trick. Eva will soon be clean as a whistle ... for the new guy who, by the way, accompanied her to Dr. Tattoff. more on this story
Sources connected to the couple and with direct knowledge of the situation tell TMZ ... the property settlement agreement is signed, sealed and delivered -- a done deal. Vanessa is walking away with $75 million, which we're told represents close to half of their total assets, estimated at around $150 million. TMZ previously reported several transfers of property earlier this year between Kobe and Vanessa. It turns out, based on the property settlement, Vanessa scored a clean sweep, snagging ALL THREE of the former couple's mansions in the Newport Beach area. Vanessa gets the estate the couple was living in, the estate her mom is living in, and she gets the new estate that had been under construction for 2 years and was just completed. We were told Kobe was moving into the new estate, but that's not true. It's Vanessa's crib, lock stock and barrel. Vanessa just scored 3 ... where it counts. more on this story
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