August 2008 Gossip Archive (Page 35)

Usher as a mom-ager again.

Following a public dispute and dissolution of their professional relationship in 2007, the singer has rehired mother Jonetta Patton as his manager.

"Usher has dissolved his management arrangement with Benny Medina and has re-engaged Jonnetta Patton as his manager," his representative said in a statement Wednesday.

According to a last month story in The New York Daily News, Usher was disappointed that his CD "Here I Stand" sold just 433,000 copies in its first week. As a result, the idea of making up with the woman that brought him into this world was broached.

"People have been telling Usher to listen to his mother," an insider told The New York Daily News. "Nobody knows how to sell him better than she does."

Wife Tameka Foster may take issue with that statement; but fans of Usher have taken issue with Foster since she had the gall to marry their heart throb.

The investigation into Heath Ledger's death is officially case closed - the high-profile probe was closed abruptly without no charges being filed.

Mary-Kate Olsen had just been subpoenaed by a federal grand jury, but her attorney had been in negotiations with federal authorities since.

The actress was expected to be a part of a DEA investigation into Ledger's death earlier this year - after Ledger's masseuse found his dead body, she used the star's cell phone to dial MK three times before hitting up 911.

But with the case officially closed, Olsen's now off the hook. She must be so relieved. She'll probably start eating regularly now. Oh wait ...

On a related note, sources connected with the Heath Ledger investigation say the Drug Enforcement Administration set a new low with its conduct.

How's this for starters ... no one connected with the case can point to a single other DEA case where a massive investigation was launched over an accidental death in which no criminality was evident - or even hinted at.

Follow this link to continue reading TMZ's investigation into the DEA investigation and power grab, it's pretty surprising ...

The star of Transformers, Shia LaBeouf may soon be undergoing a personal transformation.

According to celebrity gossip tabloid Star, doctors have told the actor they may have to amputate one of his injured fingers. That'll teach him to drink and drive!

LaBeouf, who is in the process of filing the Transformers sequel,is likely to lose the pinky on his left hand, a source on the movie set told the magazine.

"Shia called producers yesterday and told them," the source on the set in Alamogordo, N.M. says. "It's really thrown the movie into turmoil."

Shia mangled his hand when his car rolled over twice in a July 27 accident in West Hollywood. He was cited for DUI.

Back from her Mexican getaway, alleged singer Britney Spears wastes no time indulging in another of her favorite pastimes: shopping!

The star visited Paige Premium Denim, a boutique on L.A.'s trendy Robertson Blvd., where there are never any paparazzi whatsoever.

Good to see Britney Spears back from vacation. How does it even count as a vacation when one does no work of any sort? A question for the ages, indeed.

Britney (with young Sean Preston) is the subject of this week's Caption Contest. You still have a day to play before we announce a winner!

During a recent private performance for fans at The Knitting Factory in Los Angeles, Ashley Tisdale had a Michael Jackson moment.

What do you think of the glove the High School Musical star sported in the photo below?

The acting bug has bitten Lauren Conrad. Sort of.

Enduring no hazing whatsoever, the leading lady of MTV's The Hills will be appearing in an episode of ABC Family's college soap, Greek.

She'll be doing what she does best, playing herself.

Explains series creator Sean Smith, Lauren Conrad — who will shoot her scene in early September for an episode airing October 28 — is going to be playing a spiritual adviser of sorts to Spencer Grammer's character.

"It's a dream sequence in which Casey and LC are best friends. Casey has a big decision to make, and she's like, 'LC, what do I do? Advise me!'" he reveals, adding that Casey holds Lauren Conrad in very high esteem.

Although there are no direct references to The Hills in the script, Smith says the scene has a vibe that definitely calls the show to mind:

"There are a lot of 'likes' to make it sound more conversational."

We've already debated which young Disney star is the next Miley Cyrus. But for this afternoon's Face-Off, our staff focuses on a different question regarding young starlet. Specifically, whether she's still as pure as we're led to believe...

IS MILEY CYRUS A VIRGIN?

YES by Hilton Hater

In a world of sex tapes and naked photos, Miley Cyrus is as pure as a fresh snowfall.

The allegedly racy photos of the young singer never depict her in anything less than underwear. That would be considered bundling up for truly promiscuous celebs such as Tila Tequila.

If Miley says she's a virgin, I see no reason to disbelieve her. What proof does anyone have to the contrary? A Vanity Fair photo shoot featuring her covered by a sheet?

Please.

Aside from Cyrus' word, let's look at her schedule. She's often on tour. She's the star of her own TV show. When would Miley even have time to find a boyfriend and build up the sort of trust needed to allow him into her precious garden of love?

Miley Cyrus has given us such hit songs as "7 Things" and "See You Again."

The least we can do in return is give her the benefit of the virginal doubt.

You're so very welcome, ladies.

Zac Efron has his hand where many girls dream they could place theirs.

Ranae Shrider may have tossed Verne Troyer around physically.

But the the sex tape star's lawyer is really giving it to the tiny actor verbally.

As reported by TMZ, Keith Davidson refers to Troyer as "a small-minded, vindictive, heartbroken, desperate and trivial celebrity."

Come on, Mr. Davidson, tell us how you really feel!

"Mr. Troyer would be better served retiring his Federal and state tax obligations rather than suing a girl who he dated for only three months before videotaping their diminutive sessions."

It's time to choose a side, America: Are you on Team Ranae or Team Verne?

Sorry, Brangelina and your half-dozen children.

But Camila Alves, Matthew McConaughey and their adorable new son Levi are making a strong case as the most beautiful family in Hollywood. Take a look at the photo of them below and just try to argue with that opinion:

Who is cuter: Knox Leon or Levi Alves?