Scotty McCreery Is Nation’s Newest “American Idol”

North Carolina’s own Scotty McCreery trumped fellow teen crooner Lauren Alaina to become the new American Idol on Wednesday night’s season finale.

At only 17, Scotty becomes the second youngest winner of the competition, joining Season 6 winner Jordin Sparks, who was the same age when she picked up the title in 2007. The deep-voiced Bible-thumper now joins Carrie Underwood as just the second winner in A.I. history with a speciality in country music. (It’s also worth noting that country’s been good to Carrie; she recently ended Kelly Clarkson’s reign as the best-earning Idol ever…)

“Never in my wildest dreams. I got to thank the Lord first. He got me here,” McCreery said after host Ryan Seacrest proclaimed him the winner of the television talent competition.

A grocery store clerk from Garner, North Carolina, McCreery sang “I Love You This Big,” his first single, before a packed audience on the live broadcast — and then tried to catch the confetti raining down on him in his mouth.
A record 122 million votes were cast by phone, text message and online after McCreery and Alaina gave their final performances on Tuesday. The results were announced following a two-hour star-studded live broadcast that included performances from Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Judas Priest, and Idol judges Jennifer Lopez and Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler.

Oprah’s Final Show Attracts Largest Audience In 17 Years

Oprah Winfrey hung up her microphone as the undisputed Queen of Talk on Wednesday, wrapping up her nationally-syndicated Oprah Winfrey Show after 25 seasons. And what a send-off it was. Preliminary figures show yesterday’s finale scored O her biggest audience in 17 years. The episode delivered a 13.3 household rating in the nation’s metered markets, The Nielsen Co. said Thursday. Oprah hasn’t seen an audience that big since Feb. 1994. That’s when an episode called “People Shed Their Disguises” got a 13.4 rating.

It has been a big final week for The Oprah Show. The show more than doubled its recent averages on Monday and Tuesday, too.

Metered market ratings measure about 56% of households in the nation and can’t be translated into audience figures. The official viewer count for the Oprah finale won’t be available for about another two weeks.

Meanwhile, Oprah might have signed off, but the daytime talk show queen’s never too busy to chat with her fans. During her last show on Wednesday, Oprah told her audience that they could still keep in touch with her by e-mailing her at oprah@oprah.com.

Accent Gets Cheryl Cole Replaced By Nicole Scherzinger On X Factor USA

British singing star Cheryl Cole will have to wait just a little longer to conquer America. She’s been replaced as a judge on the new US version of The X Factor after producers grew increasingly uncomfortable with her thick “Geordie accent” and lack of chemistry with fellow female panelist Paula Abdul. She’s been replaced with Pussycat Dolls frontwoman Nicole Scherzinger, 32, who had originally been tipped to co-host the talent show with British unknown Steve Jones. Nicole actually filled in for Cheryl, who, until recently was a judge of the UK version of the show.

X Factor boss Simon Cowell always backed Cheryl for the job and her close friendship with manager and Black Eyed Peas frontman Will.i.am also helped during negotiations with the network. But it was not too be. Cole has already sat on the judging panel for auditions in cities around the US, but there had been concerns about contestants and audiences not understanding her Geordie accent. On May 10, the first day of auditions, the 27-year-old said Americans can always understand her.

“I’ve been here a lot, I’ve got a lot of American friends and we have the odd moments where they’re like ‘What? – What did that mean?’ – you know, a phrase,” she said. “But I think that it’s going to be something that people get used to. And I’m proud of my accent.”

A former talent show hopeful herself, Cole became the UK’s sweetheart after rising to fame as the lead vocalist of the English girl group Girls Aloud, which was found during a season of the UK show Popstars: The Rivals. Even a 2004 assault charge stemming from an allegedly racially-motivated attack on a London bathroom attendant couldn’t dim Cheryl’s star in the eyes of the adoring British public.

Carrie Underwood Adds Song & Sizzle to American Idol finale

Carrie Underwood sizzled in a short sequined dress on the American Idol red carpet for their 2011 season finale in the City of Angels on May 25th, 2011, in the Nokia Theater

The singer wore her blond tresses in an updo, showing off a peaches-and-cream complexion and statement earrings which matched her outfit.

Makeup was kept to soft pinks and browns, going with the easy flow of the dress. The Idol alum chose a sequined Lorena Sarbu which flaunted seriously good taste and a tanned pair of stems.

We think she's secretly trying to compete with Kate Middleton, but we're not complaining. :)

And how to accessorize the uber-short number? With a brown clutch bag, glittery platform heels, and her signature smile.

Carrie performed her megahit "Before He Cheats" with contestant Lauren Alaina. She sported a shoulder-baring sequin top in silver which matched a pair of shoulder-duster earrings. White short shorts and high heels made for a perfect look.

If these two outfits are anything to go by, we're in for a hot summer

Lindsay Lohan Now House Arrest

It’s going to be a quiet holiday weekend at home (with an emphasis on home…) for one of Hollywood’s favorite repeat rehabbers. Lindsay Lohan has begun serving out a 35 day house arrest sentence stemming from her No Contest” plea in the jewel theft case that garnered headlines earlier this year.

Lohan entered the earlier this month to a misdemeanor theft charge for stealing a necklace from a Venice jewelry store in January. She turned herself in on Thursday morning at 5:02 AM PT, says Steve Whitmore, spokesperson for the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department spokesman Steve Whitmore.

“She is now confined to the interior premises of her home at all times,” he says.

Lohan’s been fitted with an electronic monitoring device on her ankle and will be allowed out to continue her court-ordered community service at the Los Angeles Downtown Women’s Center.

After her sentencing this month in Los Angeles, Lohan released a statement over the alleged theft.

“I am glad to be able to put this past me and move on with my life and my career. I support the judge’s decision and hold myself accountable for being in this situation. I have already started my community service at the Downtown Women’s Center and thank everyone there for their warm welcome. I hope to be able to fulfill my obligation without any press attention. I think the media spotlight should be on issues such as homelessness and domestic violence instead of on me.”

Halle Berry Tribal Tease at FiFi Awards

Halle Berry stole the limelight in Halston's black jersey-twill one-shoulder cutout dress at 39th Annual FiFi Awards at Lincoln Center in New York City on May 25, 2011.

The 44-year-old hot mama rocked the super sexy tribal wear inspired number from Halston's Spring 2011 collection.

The Body hugging knee length dress had asymmetric cutout detail at waist, ruching at side of bodice and arm hole, a wrap-effect skirt accented with gold band and an uneven hemline.

Halle let her dress and her tanned and toned figure draw focus with minimal accessories and makeup.

She paired her dress with gold tiered hoop earrings, a black chunky ring on her left hand middle finger, black slim strap heels, and a black clutch.

Her hair was styled in loose curls while her skin looked radiant under light makeup. She wore cat eyeliner, eyelash extensions with layers of mascara and nude matte lipgloss.

Halle was honored with Fragrance Celebrity of the Year Award.

She launched her first Coty-backed scent in 2009 and now has three in her portfolio - Halle by Halle Berry, Halle Pure Orchid, and the newest, Reveal.

Other honorees of the evening included Black Eyed Peas singer Fergie, who was presented with the New Fragrance Celebrity of the Year Award for her fragrance Outspoken, currently Avon's best-selling perfume to date. She is soon to come out with her second perfume, Outspoken Intense.

Mary J Blige was honored for her fragrance My Life. Designer Jean Paul Gaultier was honored with 2011 Fifi Hall of Fame Award.

Spears, Rihanna shock with onstage kiss at Billboard Awards

Eight years after shocking the world by kissing Madonna onstage, Britney Spears repeated a tamer version of the act with Rihanna at the Billboard music awards.The 29-year-old pop princess received a hug and a wet one on the cheek from the R&B star as they performed onstage at the awards in Las Vegas on Sunday.The 23-year old Barbados born singer kissed Britney after they performed her hit single ‘S&M’. Both women were clad in identical bondage style body suit as they took to the stage. While Britney slipped into the black style of suit, Rihanna opted for white.Keeping within the bondage theme, Rihanna crawled on her knees while Britney commanded and dominated her with a long chain. Britney also donned a bondage-style mask complete with bunny ears as she wrapped her wrists up in chains.Watching the show in the audience was teen pop star Justin Bieber, who scooped up six awards including the Best New Artist, Digital Artist of the Year, Fan Favourite of the Year, Top Social Artist, Top Streaming Artist, Top Pop Album and Top Pop Album last night at the glitz ceremony.Dominating the event alongside Bieber was rapper Eminem, who also picked up six awards – Top Artist, Top Male Artist, Top Billboard 200 Albums, Top Rap Artist, Top Rap Song and Top Rap Album.Meanwhile, ‘Bootylicious’ hitmaker Beyonce Knowles was named the Artist of the Millennium at the Billboard Awards here and she received the trophy from none other than her mother.The 29-year-old who began her career as a teenager with the group ‘Destiny’s Child’, went on to win 16 Grammy awards and sold millions of albums over the years. Before accepting the award from Tina Knowles, with whom she runs the fashion label ‘House Of Dereon’, the singer put on an energetic performance of her latest single ‘Run The World’.Dressed in a silver mesh creation, which showed off all her curves, Knowles had the crowd up and dancing with her vigorous routine.The star had her family and friends, including husband Jay-Z, cheering her on as she performed the single from her fourth solo album, titled ‘4′. She is also set to film her role as Esther Hoffman in a remake of ‘A Star Is Born’ later this year, with Clint Eastwood directing

Unlike cousin Caterina, JLo has no Bollywood plans

Her moves have made her a global superstar and sex symbol but you won’t be seeing Jennifer Lopez shimmying to a Bollywood track in the near future.The diva is busy promoting her latest album ‘Love?’, her first in four years, and is a bit too busy for a song and dance stint in the world’s largest film industry.”I haven’t given it (Bollywood) a thought just yet! I want my fans in India to listen to the album. If I have plans of coming to India, I will make definitely an announcement,” Jennifer said in an e-mail interview from New York.Her latest album is her take on the universal topic of love, rolled into a thumping dance album which has already scored a hit with the single ‘On The Floor’.And indeed Jennifer has a lot of material to dwell on, including a very public break-up with rapper P Diddy, a cancelled wedding with Ben Affleck and now a six-year-long marriage to Latin star Marc Anthony. “Love? is my attempt to really explore different questions I have about love. With this album I wish to say the truth as to who I am as a recording artist; with my dance, my attitude, and everything that I have brought about on the platter,” says the 41-year-old mother of two.Jennifer who began her career as a back-up dancer with Janet Jackson, found fame in Hollywood with films like ‘Out of Sight’ and ‘Selena’ before she released her first album ‘On the 6′ in 1999.And then was born J.Lo, the multi-tasking singer, actress, entrepreneur and all-round diva who famously demanded that all rooms she steppped into be decorated with pink and white lillies.Then, things changed. In 2004 the singer-actress quietly married her longtime confidante Marc Anthony in a secret ceremony in her Los Angeles home. In 2008, soon after the release of her not-so-sucessful sixth album ‘Brave’, she gave birth to twins, Max and Emme.She spent the next two years as a wife and mother before starting work on ‘Love?’ and the experience has filtered through into the album. “My music’s sound definitely reflects who I am. Being a mother has affected my music tremendously. It affects how you think of the world, about love, what you choose to do and what you choose to sing about. It affects everything,” said Jennifer who has sold more than 50 million albums worldwide in her decade long career.Along with promoting her album, which has been released by Universal Music in India, Jennifer is a judge on the superhit talent hunt show ‘American Idol’ and is also coming out with her own reality show with her husband.

Kim Kardashian Is Getting Married

May is a month of unexpected joy for Kim Kardashian – she hadn’t anticipated marriage being proposed to her, and in such a romantic fashion, too!

She confessed to PEOPLE that she had had a surprise of her life on that memorable day, May 18, when, on her return to her home in Beverly Hills, she found her boyfriend Kris Humphries waiting for her in her bedroom. He was kneeling, and had the inscription “WILL YOU MARRY ME?” laid out for her in crimson rose petals.

“I was in such shock,” says Kardashian, 30, who had never expected to be proposed to at her own home.

It had taken her boyfriend, New Jersey Nets forward Humphries, 26, six months of dating to make up his mind that he had found the girl of his dreams – which he proved by slipping her a custom-designed, 20.5-carat diamond ring by Lorraine Schwartz.

In the evening the occasion was celebrated with an intimate party for family members only. According to Kardashian, Humphries hadn’t intended it to be a big affair, but after he had mentioned mini-horses, Kim’s mom Kris Jenner (who helped arrange the party) did get two mini-horses with glittering reins as a surprise for the young couple.

Lindsay Lohan A Stay at Home and Party Inmate

Lindsay Lohan will face the consequences of violating the terms of her probation in a 2007 DUI case starting today (Thursday, May 26), by staying at home, and, if she likes, hosting guests and even drinking!

Early this morning, Lindsay surrendered at the Lynwood Correctional Facility to begin a 35-day house arrest at her $7,100 a month rented Venice home.

Under the terms of her house arrest, Lindsay cannot step out of her home. If she does, an ankle bracelet that she is required to wear 24/7 will trigger an alarm through her phone and alert the Sheriff's department

Lindsay can, however, receive visitors. She is currently not undergoing random testing for alcohol and drugs, so she could even party at home.

Steve Whitmore, spokesperson with Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, said in a statement:

"Miss Lohan came over for a booking this morning around 5am where it was determined that she was eligible for her ankle monitor. The Los Angeles County Probation Department recommended that she was eligible for her to do 35 days of home detention also. She will be paying for this out of her own pocket. Miss Lohan arrived in a black SUV this morning with her attorney and she was co-operative and professional. She left after about an hour and she currently has her ankle monitor."

Now you might think these are pretty mild consequences for violating the law repeatedly but what you need to remember is Lindsay is quite capable of violating even these terms.

Mel B having so much fun telling people they’re terrible on

Pregnant star Mel B said she’s having ’so much fun’ telling contestants they are terrible on the Aussie version of The X Factor. The 35-year-old is a judge on the Australian version of the show along with Ronan Keating, Guy Sebastian and Natalie Bassingthwaighte. Speaking on her blog about the show, she wrote: “What can I say, it’s been an interesting two days. Long days, may I say? We have definitely captured some amazing talent in Brisbane. “And also some very strange, funny, and quirky, talent (if you can call it that!). Who’d a thought telling people they were terrible could be so much fun?!? “Can’t wait for you guys to see what fun and chaos we created at the X Factor auditions. It sucks cuz you have to see it to believe it! But one thing I can say is you will NOT be disappointed. “Scary Spice came out in full effect! Brisbane Entertainment Centre was packed full of people booing, cheering, and singing along. It’s amazing how long you can hold your pee, as a pregnant woman, when you got work to do. Haha.”

Justin Halpern Twitterer

When Justin Halpern’s girlfriend dumped him, he moved in with his dad. Then the 28-year-old turned lemons into a viral twitter feed, a book deal, and a prime time sitcom. Shit My Dad Says chronicles the cantankerous musings of Halpern’s 78-year-old father, proving that moving back in with your parents can, in fact, lead to multi-media glory.

LeAnn Rimes Gives Eddie Cibrian A Curfew

Nothing says “Baby, I Love You” like keeping the husband on a short leash. Now that he’s officially her husband to steal, country star LeAnn Rimes wants to ensure that she doesn’t become the next former Mrs. Eddie Cibrian. (We’re looking at you, Brandi Glanville…) Friends tell In Touch Weekly that the “I Need You (Your Wife Must Die!)” singer is laying down the law to keep Eddie, 37, away from his buddies when he’s not on the set of his new NBC drama, The Playboy Club.

Beginning with a curfew…

When goes out without her, LeAnn, 28, insists the father of two is home by midnight. She’s also decided that now that she and Eddie are married, they should never spend a night outside of the same bed. And that includes promo tours and all other work-related travel. That’s the way to keep him faithful, girl!

“He’ll travel with her when she works and she’ll do the same when he’s on set…” says a source.

Sofia Coppola Wedding To Thomas Mars Set For This Summer

A representative for Lost in Translation director Sofia Coppola’s has confirmed that the filmmaker will marry rocker Thomas Mars at her family’s villa in Italy this summer.

Coppola, 40, is the daughter of Godfather filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola. Her film credits include Somewhere, Marie Antoinette, and The Virgin Suicides. She married fellow director Spike Jonze in 1999 and they divorced in 2003.

“Yes, they are getting married and having an intimate family wedding,” her representative told PEOPLE.com Tuesday.

The wedding will take place in Palazzo Margherita, the 19th-century villa that Coppola’s legendary father F restructured in the town of Bernalda, the hometown of Sofia’s great-grandfather, Italy’s La Stampa Daily said this week. Hollywood heavyweights Steven Spielberg, Al Pacino, Sylvester Stallone, and the bride’s actor cousin, Nicholas Cage, are all expected to attend.

Coppola and Mars, the lead singer in the French rock band Phoenix, are the parents of two and live in Paris.

Rihanna Snubbed Justin Bieber At Billboard Music Awards

Justin Bieber may have millions of teen girls swooning over his every move, but we’ve long suspected that the baby face and signature floppy bangs just don’t have the same effect on women old enough to legally purchase their own margaritas. (Unless, of course, her name is Kim Kardashian — but that’s a story for another day.) This theory was proven true after Rihanna reportedly rebuffed a visit by the pop hitmaker at last weekend’s Billboard Music Awards (BMAs) in Las Vegas.

The “Baby” singer was desperate to meet with the super-hot songstress after her raunchy stage performance with pop tart Britney Spears, but Ri was having none of it. Even though Bieber should have been with his girlfriend, Disney starlet Selena Gomez, who accompanied him to the awards, he instead spent the night “in awe” of the sexy Barbadian. Rihanna’s security team had to step in and ask the teen to stay away from her after he tried to congratulate her on her performance at the ceremony no fewer than five times throughout the night.

Damn, Justin! What are you — some kind of a pest?

We hear the heartthrob, 17, was left “mortified” after Rihanna, 23, gave him the brushoff — also loosely translated as: “Hit the bricks, kid!”

“Justin went to talk to her at the show [but] her security blocked his path,” an unnamed source chuckled in a scoop to The Daily Mirror this week. “[They told] him to ‘leave it.’ Justin looked mortified — he thought they were buddies.”

This isn’t the first time Justin has been rejected by Rihanna. He asked her out on a date after their first meeting late last year, but was crushed when she told him that he was simply “too young” for her to take seriously.

Selena, on the other hand, seemed thoroughly unimpressed by her beau’s antics at the bash, with the insider adding that the doe-eyed brunette wore a scowl that seemed to represent her displeasure with JB’s dogged pursuit of RiRi.

“Justin thinks Rihanna is the most beautiful woman and supremely talented. He is in awe of her. Justin is just a red-blooded teenager, he can’t help acting like a love-sick puppy dog when he’s around her.”

Hines Ward Wins Dancing With The Stars Season 12

He missed out on a Super Bowl ring back in February, but with the help of professional dancer Kym Johnson, NFL star Hines Ward now has a Mirrorball to add to his trophy shelf. The Steelers wide receiver and former Super Bowl MVP won the Dancing With the Stars title Tuesday, besting actresses Kirstie Alley and Chelsea Kane to become the Season 12 champ.

Kim Kardashian, Kris Humphries Announce Engagement

Kris Humphries popped the question to Kim Kardashian on bended knees with a custom-designed, 20.5-carat Lorraine Schwartz diamond ring in her bedroom at her Beverly Hills home last Wednesday, May 18.

The New Jersey Nets player, 26, surprised Kim,30, with the words "Will You Marry Me?" written with rose petals on the bed.

The couple announced their engagement in an exclusive deal with People magazine.

"I didn't expect this at all," Kardashian told People. "I was in such shock. I never thought it would happen at home, and I never thought now."

Humphries took help from Kim's mother and manager Kris Jenner for selecting the ring.

"I just knew I wanted it to be big," he told People.

After Kim said yes, the family celebrated with dinner.

"Kris really didn't want a big celebration, but he had jokingly told my mom he'd be fine if there were mini-horses there," Kim told People

"Later that night at the party, my mom brought out two mini-horses, covered in glitter, for us! It was hysterical!'

DNA Test Confirms Schwarzenegger Child

Arnold Schwarzenegger was desperately trying to hide his secret scandal with Mildred Patricia Baena and his out-of-wedlock child but a DNA test confirmed it.

According to a friend of Mildred, the DNA test was conducted when the boy, now 13, was a toddler.

“Arnold knew all along that the boy was his child, But Mildred insisted on a DNA test, which proved that Arnold was the father.”

The 63-year-old ‘Terminator’ star wanted to keep his love child a secret that’s why he gave in to Mildred’s demands. Besides, Arnold was also making private payments to Mildred throughout the boy’s childhood, all behind his wife Maria Shriver’s back.

Leann Rimes Staging Tornado Benefit

Leann Rimes and her new husband Eddie Cibrian are staging a benefit show to raise funds for the victims of America's recent tornado disasters.

A spate of storms hit southern states, including Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas, on Tuesday (24May11) - just two days after a powerful twister claimed more than 120 lives and devastated whole neighbourhoods in Joplin, Missouri.

The bad weather occurred just weeks after tornados swept across six southern states in April (11), with more than 200 people dying in Alabama alone.

Rimes, who hails from the southern state of Mississippi, was stunned bynews footage of the disasters - and she has now decided to take action to raise money to help the survivors of the storms rebuild their lives.

The singer is organising an event in Jacksonville, Florida and she willtake to the stage to perform at the 5 June (11) gig, while Cibrian will host the gala.

In a post on her Twitter.com page, Rimes writes, "I'm doing a benefit acoustic show in Jacksonville, FL on June 5 benefiting the tornado victimsof AL. (Alabama) and MO (Missouri). Details to come and Mr Cibrian willbe hosting. Lots of fun auction items too!" Meanwhile, Paula Abdul has appealed to her fans to donate to the American Red Cross to support the disaster funds.

On her Twitter page, she pleads, "Everything the midwest and south have gone through is shocking. It's just unimaginable. And the courage people have shown is extraordinary. To help, you can text Redcross to 90999 to donate $10 to Joplin relief efforts. You can also call Red Cross direct. Sending love to all".

Christina Hendricks Boobs Real or Fake

People have been and are still wondering about Christina Hendricks’s boobs that look like they were a gorgeous result of an augmentation job. Talking to the actress, the Daily Mail brought this point up.

The Mad Men’s star thinks it’s funny that people should wonder, for her breasts are “obviously real” and no-one who ever saw her in flesh would go on doubting it.

A reason why her chest looks so unbelievably marvelous may lie in Hendricks’ preference for Vivienne Westwood’s clothes. She is especially fond of them because they show off the figure to advantage and play up the bust, being ideal for women with a voluptuous body – they “unapologetically celebrate women,” as Hendricks describes them. Her modeling for the British designer’s jewelry line is a labor of love, or rather, a labor of admiration.

So it’s not surprising that the 36-year-old actress used to look askance at the clothes that date back to the 1960s – her Joan Holloway wardrobe in Mad Men. She recounted how she was “huffing and puffing” every time she was to don her Holloway outfits. But now she has gotten used to garters and things and handles them with ease; moreover, she is curious about what clothes she will have to wear for the next season.

The actress started off as a model when she was 19 after many years’ ballet classes. So she learned to be a professional fully responsible for what she was doing when still in her teens. And the experience of being thumbed down and criticized proved to be “a great boot camp for Hollywood.”

She remembers that back then she was no bigger than size 4. While her body was undergoing age changes she did her best to adjust to whatever she was endowed with. As one natural from the beginning, Hendricks wouldn’t like to encourage women who are considering doing breast augmentation. “If there’s anything to be learned from me it’s that I’m learning to celebrate what I was born with,” is the message of the woman who knows everything about the inconvenience of having large boobs!