April 2011 Archives

Last night on American Idol, James Durbin covered Muse, conjuring up images of Adam Lambert a few seasons ago. Durbin's song choice: "Uprising."

"I haven't gotten to show that I can be contemporary," he said, hoping to escape the metal/hard rock label. Suffice it to say, it worked and then some.

He's sounded better in the past. But he probably hasn't looked better.

The drums, the spinning cameras, the flashing lights and, of course, James' natural feel for performing sent the crowd and judges into hysterics.

After praising his cover of the Matthew Bellamy-led band, Steven made a crack about Durbin's wardrobe, telling James to stay out of his closet.

You are probably looking at the man to beat on American Idol ...

James Durbin - Uprising (American Idol)

Who do you think was the best on American Idol? Vote:

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The Broadway musical Sister Act premiered last night, as celebrities gathered on the red carpet for a performance based on a movie of the same name.

But one singer stood out from among the other stars lined up for photographers. That's what happens when Adam Lambert rocks a mustache and goatee.

Accompanied by friend Sauli Koskinen, the former American Idol finalist looked quite comfortable with the whiskers. But should he have? Study the look below and sound off now.

What do you think of Adam Lambert's facial hair?

[Photo: WENN.com]

Demi Lovato is continuing to open up about her recent stint in rehab and the basis for her stay there.

First, the singer/actress admitted she's battled an eating disorder for years, later adding that she's cut herself since the age of 11 and is leaving Sonny with a Chance to battle these demons.

Now, the 18-year is opening up again to the public, making an admission to People: "I never found out until I went into treatment that I was bipolar," she tells the magazine. "There were times when I was so manic, I was writing seven songs in one night and I'd be up until 5:30 in the morning."

Last week, Catherine Zeta-Jones sought professional help for the same disease, as Demi Tweeted her support of that star. She says she's taking positive steps in her life to turn things around.

"I feel like I am in control now where my whole life I wasn't in control... What's important for me now is to help others."

[Photo: WENN.com]

In his continuing attempt to mend his family, Billy Ray Cyrus has made clear his one wish for daughter Miley: unadulterated happiness.

"My wish for her is to be happy. To love what she's doing," the famous father tells Parade. "We've always had a slogan in our family: 'If you ain't happy, it ain't working.' You need to love what you're doing. As long as she's happy and loving making music - and I know she loves acting - that's all that matters."

Miley kicks off a tour of Australia later this month and Billy Ray says it's been incredible to watch her journey as an artist.

"I think music is an evolution of what an artist is feeling and going through in their lives. We've always been the fans of singers and songwriters who live what they're singing and sing what they're living."

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Well? Who looked great out there and who's in danger after tonight? After seeing Jacob, Haley, Casey, Stefano, Scotty, Lauren and James gave it their all on American Idol, how are you sizing up their chances tomorrow night?

Will the ladies make it through another week? Did the favorites live up to the hype? We'll post their performances for you soon, but for now ...

Vote for who YOU think was the best tonight:

Who was the best among the American Idol top seven?

Playing Rebecca Black on repeat is enough to make you insane.

Still, some people take their animosity for the teen "singer" too far. Anaheim police are investigating two death threats made last month against Black.

The 13-year-old YouTube sensation whose "Friday" got her a legit manager and face time on many talk shows, apparently has enemies as well as fans.

"In essence, the threats were related to getting the music off the Internet or they were going to kill her," police spokesman Sgt. Rick Martinez said.

"We can't validate how serious they are, but we do take it seriously."

One Rebecca Black death threat was phoned in and another emailed, Martinez said, adding, "In the meantime, we are keeping an eye out for her."

"We are working together with the Anaheim Police Department to ensure Rebecca's safety at all times," added the teen's rep. Yes, she has a rep.

Lindsay Lohan can't catch a break these days.

Despite rumors that she landed a role that could help resurrect her career, she was just "fired" as Victoria Gotti in Gotti: Three Generations.

LiLo wasn't officially on board, but was rumored to be starring in the biopic about John Gotti and his days running the Gambino crime family.

Doesn't look like this door is still ajar for Lindsay, either.

"I promise you Lindsay Lohan is not playing Victoria Gotti," producer Mark Fiore told E! News today. "Talks have stopped and we are done."

Fiore emphasized again that "We have no discussions with her."

Ouch! Apparently, the troubled star's management pushed for an offer that the producers COULD refuse. Quite easily, as it turned out ...

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It's 4/20, baby. You know what that means, right? THG does.

Well, sort of. The origins of 420 are hotly debated, but no matter where the term came from, people associate it with smoking massive amounts of weed!

As such, the 20th day of April has become a de facto holiday.

With that in mind, The Hollywood Gossip salutes 10 famous individuals who have been known to puff the herb from time to time. Some even inhale ...

Bill Clinton: I Never Inhaled

10. Bill Clinton. As President of the United States, William Jefferson Clinton presided over the largest peacetime economic expansion in American history.

But boy, was he a terrible liar. The Lewinsky debacle was technically worse (what with perjury charges and all), but "I didn't inhale" was pretty legendary.

9. Jeff Bridges. He played The Dude! Enough said, really. But to further our argument for his inclusion, we suggest reading these Big Lebowski quotes.

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Documentary filmmaker Tim Hetherington, a 2011 Oscar nominee who directed the acclaimed Afghanistan war film Restrepo, was killed today in Libya.

The veteran correspondent was only 41 years old.

Hetherington died in the Libyan city of Misurat Three photographers working in alongside him chronicling the Libyan civil conflict, were also injured.

One, Chris Hondros, reportedly suffered a critical brain wound. Guy Martin, who was with Hondros and Hetherington, is said to be in "grave" condition.

The British-born Hetherington found great critical success with Restrepo, which he co-directed alongside frequent journalist collaborator Sebastian Junger.

The Oscar-nominated film followed American soldiers in Afghanistan's deadly Korengal Valley, known as the deadliest valley in the war zone.

The film was widely critically praised and took the Grand Jury prize at the Sundance Film Festival in 2010. It earned an Oscar nomination for best documentary.

While details are still emerging as to exactly what happened, Reuters reported that Hetherington and his group were attacked by fatal mortar fire.

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It's not exactly conventional, but Brooke Mueller's arrangement - drug rehab during the day and taking care of her kids at night - does the job.

At least a judge felt that way when denying Charlie Sheen's bid for full custody of their children and leaving their custody agreement in place.

The custody judge ruled she's still able to take care of her twins per the deal struck with Sheen - with help from an army of nannies, of course.

The judge did make one change in the agreement. Both Brooke and Charlie must submit to random drug testing weekly, more frequently than before.

Also factoring into the decision not to award full custody to Sheen? The fact that we're talking about Charlie Sheen here. Brooke has a lot of leeway.

Judge Hank Goldberg was well aware Brooke had relapsed, but was equally disturbed by Charlie's drug abuse and the fact that he brags about it.

Goldberg also felt Charlie's parenting skills - or lack thereof - did not warrant a change. Brooke's lawyers raised issues of domestic violence, too.

From what we can tell, no new allegations were made against the actor, although you don't have to look too far back in order to find some.