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Day in Pop Report for 05/29/2012


J.Lo Was Britney's $15 Million X Factor?
(TMZ) Jennifer Lopez helped Britney Spears secure a $15 million paycheck for "X Factor" -- because Britney had one intractable demand ... she had to make more than J Lo did for her first season on "American Idol."

JLo raked in $12 mil for her first season on "American Idol." There are reports she made $20 mil for the season that just ended, but we hear it's less than that.

Sources very familiar with the situation tell TMZ ... Britney's bottom line was no less than $13 mil. But sources connected with "X Factor" tell us Britney initially asked for a lot more -- $20 mil.

As we first reported, Britney and "X Factor" eventually settled on $15 mil for the season.

The wild card now is JLo. It's unclear if "American Idol" will pay her what she's been making because ratings are down and if she can't pull in at least what Britney is getting, ego could make it a no go. more on this story

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Justin Bieber Vs Joustin Beaver
(TMZ) Justin Bieber thinks the folks behind the "Joustin Beaver" mobile app need a lesson in geography .. claiming they filed a lawsuit against him in the WRONG STATE and now he wants it dismissed ASAP.

Bieber has been going back and forth with a company called RC3 -- they claim their game is a parody and protected under the Constitution ... but Bieber feels the game infringes upon his likeness and wants it pulled ... STAT.

According to court docs filed this week, Bieber is looking to have the suit tossed on a technicality -- claiming RC3 screwed up when they filed their suit in Florida, since he doesn't even live there.

We'll see if the move works ... a judge has yet to rule. more on this story

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Madonna Previews MDNA Tour
(popmusiclife) Madonna is gearing up for the launch of her MDNA World Tour, which kicks off Thursday in Tel Aviv, Israel.

The tour will run through Europe until mid-August, before hitting North American for dates starting August 28 in Philadelphia; the shows will include arenas, stadiums and special outdoor sights.

Over the weekend, Madonna offered fans a preview of the new tour by sharing photos from full stage production rehearsals. Check them out here.

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Simon Cowell Sending Bad Singers To The Voice?
(TMZ) Simon Cowell thinks just because some singers are talentless, superstar wannabes not worthy to compete on "X-Factor" ... it does not mean they wouldn't be perfect for ... "The Voice." OH SNAP!

Sources who attended the Austin "X-Factor" auditions tell TMZ ... Simon and L.A. Reid came up with the brilliant idea to mess with the NBC show by convincing bad singers to audition for "The Voice" instead.

L.A. Reid was overheard on set telling one such wannabe, "If you decide to try out again, please do it on another show." To which Simon added, "Yes, the good news is I hear 'The Voice' auditions are happening next week." more on this story

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The McClymonts Ready For CMA Fest
(Webster) The McClymonts have a lot of activities planned during the upcoming CMA Music Festival.

The annual festival commences with a parade and officially runs from June 7-10 in downtown Nashville, TN. The girls will perform their current single, "I Could Be A Cowboy," on the Bud Light Stage in front of the Bridgestone Arena Plaza on Friday, June 8 at 2 p.m.

The McClymonts will help get the annual CMA extravaganza underway on June 8 at 11 a.m. when they participate in the 8th Annual CMA Music Festival Kick-Off Parade which runs along Broadway in downtown Nashville. Later that day, the girls will perform at Dreamwest Magazine's "Music & Fashion" event while modeling legendary Manuel's couture creations at the Hard Rock Cafe. Then, they will head over to the Bridgestone Arena to walk the red carpet and enjoy the 2012 CMT Music Awards. more on this story

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Janie Fricke and The Roys To Headline Song of the Mountains
(Webster), Janie Fricke and The Roys are set to headline "Song of the Mountains" at The Lincoln Theatre in Marion, Virginia on June 2.

The show's host, Tim White, and his band the VW Boys will join Janie with their special brand of music, magic and comedy.

The following week, Janie will return to CMA Music Festival in Nashville for performances and signings on June 7-8 at various places including, the Bud Light Stage at Bridgestone Arena, Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau, Ernest Tubb Record Shop, Nashville Palace and the WSM Acoustic Stage. more on this story

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Tanning Salon Going After Lindsay Lohan
(TMZ) Lindsay Lohan may have to stash some of her "Liz and Dick" money in the Caymans, because a tanning salon is going after her with a vengeance for not paying a judgment for a humongous tanning bill.

It's been 9 months since a Nevada judge ordered Lindsay to pay the $40,000 bill to the salon and -- surprise, she hasn't paid a cent. Now the salon is trying to get the matter moved to California, so it can attach Lindsay's assets to satisfy the judgment.

TMZ broke the story ... Lindsay racked up the bill for intense bronzing between 2007-2009, courtesy of Tanning Vegas, located in Nevada. more on this story

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West Wing Star's Sexual Assault Case Going To Prosecutors
(TMZ) Timothy Busfield -- the star of 'The West Wing," "thirtysomething" and "Revenge of the Nerds" -- is by no means in the clear over allegations he sexually assaulted a date, because we've learned her complaint is now going to the L.A. City Attorney for possible prosecution.

TMZ broke the story ... a woman accused Busfield of groping her during a date at a San Fernando Valley movie theater. She went to cops, who have been investigating the case.

We're told detectives want to interview Busfield, after which they will send the file over to the L.A. City Attorney. Of course, Busfield doesn't have to speak to cops, but either way the case is going to prosecutors.

The good news for Busfield -- the case won't be referred to the LA. County D.A., who could file felony charges where prison would be on the line. The City Attorney can only file misdemeanor sexual assault charges, and the maximum penalty is 6 months in jail. more on this story

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Lil Wayne and Drake Fighting No Show Judgment
(TMZ) Lil Wayne and Drake say there is NO WAY IN HELL they're gonna fork over $400,000 to a company that sued them for allegedly bailing on a club appearance ... because they claim they were never told about the gig.

The rappers have joined together to fight a default judgment entered against them. The judge ordered the duo to pay $432,337.50 to Imperial Entertainment Group. The company sued, alleging L.W. and Drake promised to perform at a 2011event but were no shows.

The rappers now claim in legal docs ... they were never told about the appearance, never signed ANY contracts and were never even served with papers to show up in court.

Drake and Lil Wayne allege that IEG used a third party to book them -- Melanzh Enterprises -- which they claim had no authority to book them.

The two want the court to cancel the $400k plus judgement ... STAT. more on this story

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Kip Moore Scores First No. 1
Kip Moore has scored his first No. 1 single with "Somethin' 'Bout a Truck," which has topped the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart and the Mediabase/ Country Aircheck chart.

"Somethin' 'Bout a Truck" was certified gold for reaching sales of 500,000 before the April 24 release of his debut album, Up All Night. The song's video has received more than 7 million views online.

"I was in Rome, Georgia, and my manager called me and told me," says Moore of how he learned of his first No. 1 hit. "I was speechless. I still can't wrap my head around this whole thing. I have dreamed about it for a long time, so it's going to take awhile to understand what is happening. But I definitely had a moment where I told my producer, Brett James, that I felt like Rocky Balboa in Rocky II when he holds the belt up. Instead of saying, 'Yo, Adrian,' I said, 'Yo, Brett, we did it!'" more on this story

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Role Reversal For Basketball Wives Star?
(TMZ) The estranged husband of "Basketball Wives" star Kenya Bell insists ... he supported her for YEARS with his NBA salary -- but now his cash supply is running low ... and it's her turn to keep him financially afloat.

Former NBA player Charlie Bell -- who filed for divorce from Kenya earlier this year -- filed legal docs, claiming he's been low on cash ever since the NBA dropped him last year. Charlie's been playing pro ball internationally ever since, but the money's just not the same -- not nearly.

Charlie concedes he's got over a mil in the bank, but claims Kenya's the one who's hit it big with her role on "Basketball Wives" -- even releasing music on iTunes -- so it's her turn to lend him a helping hand, in the form of spousal support.

Charlie claims he only makes $100k a year playing basketball in Italy -- while Kenya rakes in three times that amount on "Basketball Wives."

Kenya shot back calling BS on Charlie's cries for help -- denying she earns $300,000 on the VH1 show.

Kenya also wants a chunk of Charlie's 7-figure savings. more on this story

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Donna Summer Lithograph Price Hike Following Her Death
(TMZ) Death = $$$ ... at least when it comes to art ... and a gallery in Vegas is proving the point, 'cause it immediately upped the price of Donna Summer pieces when she passed away.

The Jack Gallery in Las Vegas worked with Summer in 2003 to create limited edition lithographs ... printing 750 hand-signed prints of 4 different art pieces (designed by Summer), which sold for $550 each BEFORE she lost her battle with cancer.

But days after the Disco Queen passed away earlier this month, the prices went up AT LEAST $100 a pop ... with the cheap ones going for $650. Donna's most popular piece -- The Winter Melody -- was raised from $550 to $1,000.

The gallery tells us that Summer's work is in high demand since her death -- Winter Melody is almost sold out -- and her art is effecting people like never before. We're told when one couple came in to admire the legendary singer's art, they broke down and cried.

The gallery is currently planning a memorial exhibition for all the pieces that will go up in September at one of their Las Vegas locations.

When asked about the price increase, a rep for the store says it's just the nature of the business ... "Prices are determined by availability." more on this story

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Reading Rainbow Host Rear-Ended By Cop Car
(TMZ) LeVar Burton had a double whammy of a day with the cops yesterday ... literally -- not only did he get pulled over for a moving violation, he got rear-ended by a cop car as he was pulling over!

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... the legendary "Reading Rainbow" host was spotted by cops failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk in Van Nuys, CA ... so they signaled him to pull over.

We're told as Burton pulled to the side of the road, he stopped suddenly ... causing the cop car to hit him from behind. Law enforcement sources tell us the damage was just to one corner of Burton's car and it wasn't too severe.

The story gets better for two reasons -- 1) Burton got out of the car and was actually wearing a "Reading Rainbow" shirt and 2) the cops didn't give him the original ticket. more on this story

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Tia Carrere Robbed
(TMZ) Tia Carrere's dance moves didn't do her any good when she encountered a purse thief in her Las Vegas dressing room following a performance of "Dancing With the Stars: Live in Las Vegas" on Sunday night ... TMZ has learned.

According to our sources, Carrere came face-to-face with a guy lurking in her private dressing room after her 10:00 PM show at the Tropicana last night. Rather than scream for help, Carrere tried to give the guy the benefit of the doubt and see what he was doing there ... but he promptly bolted right past her.

Carrere then called out for help, but it was too late ... our sources say the guy made off with her purse, two iPhones, and a wad of cash. We're told another dancer, Anya Garris, had her wallet cleaned out as well.

Carrere called police and filed a theft report. The case is now under investigation. more on this story

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Randy Travis' Ex Tried To Torpedo His Career?
(TMZ) Country legend Randy Travis says his ex-wife is a scam-artist who came up with a diabolical plot to ruin his career and cheat him out of his hard-earned cash ... this according to new legal docs.

The singer has filed a lawsuit against Elizabeth Travis -- his ex-wife and manager of 30 years -- claiming she breached her contract by running around town blabbing personal details about him in order to torpedo his career. Randy wasn't specific about the "personal details," but it sounds pretty bad.

And that's just the beginning ...Travis claims Elizabeth tried to con even more money out of him with inflated travel reimbursement requests.

The new suit comes on the heels of Elizabeth filing her own lawsuit ... claiming it was Randy who breached their contract when he canned her in 2011. She wants her full management fee.

Randy is asking the judge to block his ex from getting a cut from his future gigs.

A judge has yet to rule. more on this story

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Death Threats For Clint Eastwood's Daughter Over Bag
(TMZ) Clint Eastwood's daughter has been bombarded with vicious online death threats after she publicly demolished a $100,000 Birkin bag in the name of art, TMZ has learned.

Francesca Eastwood, star of "Mrs. Eastwood and Company," and her BF Tyler Shields took a chain saw to the pricey bag and then LIT IT ON FIRE .... which has angered dozens of fashionistas (and many who are just economically challenged).

Eastwood has been receiving death threats via Twitter and Facebook, such as:

-- "Some of us actually have to work and live check 2 check, spoiled rotten bitch to burn 100k bag."
-- "You're a stupid whore. How f***ing dumb can you be."
-- "You should kill urself, ungrateful bitch � wasted money when families can't eat."

Sources close to Francesca tell us ... the 19-year-old said she knew people would be shocked, but never expected this level of hatred. We're told she's been telling friends ... people just don't understand art. more on this story

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Government Goes After Hip Hop Producer Sean Garrett's Revenue
(TMZ) Hip-hop mega-producer has worked with the biggest names in the business, but for the foreseeable future, a portion of every dollar Sean Garrett makes will go straight to the government.

According to docs filed by the Georgia Department of Revenue, Garrett owes back taxes for the years 2006 and 2007 to the tune of $732,553.57.

So the government is tired of waiting for their cash, they ordered BMI, which collects royalties for artists, to hold all money Garrett makes and turn it over to them.

Garrett has produced 15 number one songs in his career -- for the likes of Beyonce, Usher, and Nicki Minaj. more on this story

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Natalie Wood's Daughter Won't Face Drug Charges
(TMZ) The 38-year-old daughter of Natalie Wood and Robert Wagner won't face charges after getting busted last month for cocaine and heroin possession -- because cops made a HUGE mistake.

TMZ broke the story ... police responded to Courtney Wagner's Malibu home after receiving a call that someone fired a gun inside the house. Police say they found cocaine and heroin inside and arrested Courtney for possession.

But the L.A. County D.A. won't be pursuing the case -- because of a little thing called the 4th Amendment to the United States Constitution. According to the D.A., "Deputies did not have probable cause, consent, nor a warrant to conduct the search and recover narcotics so as a result the case is being rejected because of illegal search and seizure." more on this story

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