Celebrity of the Year Gossip

As 2008 winds down, it's time to reflect upon those - from household names to relative unknowns, from A- to D-list - who made this year so memorable.

The Hollywood Gossip is unveiling 10 finalists for its 2nd Annual Celebrity of the Year award. They've given us their best, their worst, even their nude pictures in some cases. Now it is time for us to give something back with this moving tribute.

We previously profiled a series of headline-making celebrities, such as Alaska's most dysfunctional famly, the Palins, and a not-so-innocent teen icon, Miley Cyrus. Today, we present the top-ranked Celebrity of the Year… Kim Kardashian!

Kim didn't make a new sex tape this year. She didn't star in any movies, record any hit songs or be involved romantically with anyone except boyfriend Reggie Bush.

So, how did Kim Kardashian earn the honor of Celebrity of the Year, despite her lack of notable achievements? Because she has mastered the Hollywood gossip game.

Unlike former BFF Paris Hilton, who tries desperately to make news by staging elaborate reality shows, Kim does... nothing. She walks the red carpet, she goes shopping, she poses with her family - and she remains one of the most searched for celebrities on the Internet every month.

The Hollywood Gossip published approximately 145 stories on Kardashian in 2008; that's one every 2.2 days! They included fascinating looks at her wardrobe, her thoughts on marriage and, of course, her sizable rear end.

Even Spencer Pratt - who is forced to fake marriages for attention - has to admire Kardashian's ability to be famous simply for being famous. It's a skill that has earned Kim millions.

Hence, for possessing large breasts, wearing tight clothing and simply living her life, we konsider Kim Kardashian to be 2008's Celebrity of the Year. Will she accomplish nothing and repeat the award in 2009?

Our staff will be with you every step of the way to find out!

Did Kim Kardashian deserve our Celebrity of the Year Award? Click on the above images to see larger versions of some of her most famous photos from 2008.

As 2008 winds down, it's time to reflect upon those - from household names to relative unknowns, from A- to D-list - who made this year so memorable.

The Hollywood Gossip is unveiling 10 finalists for its 2nd Annual Celebrity of the Year award. They've given us their best, their worst, even their nude pictures in some cases. Now it is time for us to give something back with this moving tribute.

We previously profiled America's least favorite attention-starved reality stars, Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag. Today, we present Celebrity of the Year finalist #2 … Miley Cyrus!

In 2008, this teen sensation borrowed a phrase from Britney Spears: Oops, readers, Miley isn't that innocent!

It all started in late April, as Cyrus posed for Vanity Fair, without a shirt on. Followers of this singer/actress saw a whole new side to the star... literally!

Click on the photos above to see Miley Cyrus naked, sticking her tongue out, posing with her boyfriend and more!

Miley was also caught posing for a number of racy MySpace pictures. While they weren't as racy as nude shots of fellow young icons such as Vanessa Hudgens and Adrienne Bailon, these pics made a clear statement:

Miley Cyrus wants to be seen in a more mature light.

Enter Justin Gaston, the singer's 20-year old boyfriend. He and Cyrus began dating in September. They've been hot and heavy ever since, earning the praise of Billy Ray Cyrus and the felony jokes of Joel McHale.

From posing nude to being laid down nude by an older man, Miley came a long way in 2008. Oh, and in case you didn't hear: the actress also turned 16 in November.

As 2008 winds down, it's time to reflect upon those - from household names to relative unknowns, from A- to D-list - who made this year so memorable.

The Hollywood Gossip is unveiling 10 finalists for its 2nd Annual Celebrity of the Year award. They've given us their best, their worst, even their nude pictures in some cases. Now it is time for us to give something back with this moving tribute.

We previously profiled America's favorite unwed teen mom, Jamie Lynn Spears. Today, we present Celebrity of the Year finalist #3 … Speidi!

Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag of The Hills, that is. As if you didn't know that by now. The plastic pair is everywhere these days. Everywhere.

Since their rise to quasi-fame on the MTV "reality" show, the gruesome twosome has worked the celeb gossip game to a T, staging photo shoots, causing one controversy after another and becoming as ever-present as stars with actual talent.

And that was BEFORE their sham secret wedding!

To the surprise of no one everyone, Spencer got Heidi drunk and talked her into getting married in Mexico. No one was present but the MTV cameras and Us Weekly photographers they hold dear. It doesn't get more magical than that.

Despite lingering doubts as to the legitimacy of their union, and the nausea they inspire at every turn, Speidi keeps on doing what it does best: make news.

Here's a little photo tribute to the glory that is Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag. Click to enlarge... but be sure to keep a paper bag handy just in case:

As 2008 winds down, it's time to reflect upon those - from household names to relative unknowns, from A- to D-list - who made this year so memorable.

The Hollywood Gossip is unveiling 10 finalists for its 2nd Annual Celebrity of the Year award. They've given us their best, their worst, even their nude pictures in some cases. Now it is time for us to give something back with this moving tribute.

We previously profiled the incomparable cast of High School Musical. Today, we present Celebrity of the Year finalist #4 … Jamie Lynn Spears!

In 2007, Britney Spears was our Celebrity of the Year in the most lopsided race ever. But under the care of papa Jamie, she's had a relatively low-key 2008. Fortunately, little sister Jamie Lynn was there to carry on the Spears train wreck tradition!

Jamie Lynn and then-unborn Maddie Briann share a moment.

Desperate to follow the lead of her sibling and start makin' babies early, Jamie Lynn one-upped Britney (and most females) by getting knocked up at age 16. The proud papa? Boyfriend Casey Aldridge, 18, who then became her fiance.

Despite being thrust into the spotlight even faster and harder than she let Casey inside her, Jamie Lynn Spears persevered, battled back, made no excuses, and gave birth to a beautiful baby girl named Maddie Briann Aldridge on June 19.

Since then, she's been doing well, despite rumors of a second pregnancy and of Casey railing girls all over Southern Mississippi, mom Lynne selling her out in a lame memoir, and some stalker taking pics of her breastfeeding Maddie. Creeps.

Way to go, Jamie Lynn Spears. Here's hoping your 2009 is filled with joy... and perhaps baby #2. Here's a photo tribute to her we put together. Click to enlarge the pictures - including some classic celeb gossip magazine covers!

As 2008 winds down, it's time to reflect upon those - from household names to relative unknowns, from A- to D-list - who made this year so memorable.

The Hollywood Gossip is unveiling 10 finalists for its 2nd Annual Celebrity of the Year award. They've given us their best, their worst, even their nude pictures in some cases. Now it is time for us to give something back with this moving tribute.

We previously profiled the expensive, Governor-seducing call girl, Ashley Dupre. Today, we present Celebrity of the Year finalist #5 … the High School Musical Cast!

It was a huge year for Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens and company... literally! While previous installments of this Disney franchise scored solid ratings, High School Musical 3: Senior Year was released on big screens across the country, breaking records and making names in Hollywood for all its stars.

Efron has received the biggest career boost from the film.

Previously compared with temporary teen icons such as Brody Jenner, Zac is now being discussed in the same breath as A-list actors such a Leonardo DiCaprio. In 2009, he'll star alongside Matthew Pretty and Leslie Mann in 17 Again.

Hudgens, meanwhile, gets to have sex with Efron. She also has overcome the biggest nude scandal of 2007 in order to resurrect her burgeoning resume. Like her delicious boyfriend, Vanessa has broken free from the teen mold: she'll be included among Maxim's Sexiest Stars of 2009.

As for Ashley Tisdale, Corbin Bleu, Monique Coleman and others associated with this franchise, they may very be included in our Celebrity of the Year profiles for years to come. Go Wildcats!

Click on the following images for countless pics of your favorite High School Musical stars...

As 2008 winds down, it's time to reflect upon those - from household names to relative unknowns, from A- to D-list - who made this year so memorable.

The Hollywood Gossip is unveiling 10 finalists for its 2nd Annual Celebrity of the Year award. They've given us their best, their worst, even their nude pictures in some cases. Now it is time for us to give something back with this moving tribute.

We previously profiled the seductive, attention-grabbing, pretend lesbians of 2008. Today, we present Celebrity of the Year finalist #6 … Ashley Dupre!

In our years in the celeb gossip biz, we've covered many a ho, but none like Ashley Dupre, a.k.a. Ashley DiPietro, a.k.a. Ashley Youmans, a.k.a. Kristen.

The reason? She was an actual ho, as in one who has sex for money. A lot of money. New York Governor Eliot Spitzer, a.k.a. Client No. 9, can attest!

When Spitzer resigned in disgrace after being caught by the FBI arranging to pay to see Ashley Dupre nude at $4,300 per hour, she became a sensation.

Downloads of her crappy music soared. Celeb news mags and TV shows clamored for interviews. Joe Francis offered her seven figures to get naked for Girls Gone Wild - before realizing she already did that while underage years ago, natch.

The country's most famous "escort" (she hates the term prostitute) says she's a real straight arrow now. Her next step is uncertain, but there's been talk of Ashley Dupre getting her own reality show. What a great country this is.

We've tried to encompass the fairly sexy, extremely trashy magic that is Ashley Alexandra Dupre with the photo tribute below. Click to enlarge!

As 2008 winds down, it's time to reflect upon those - from household names to relative unknowns, from A- to D-list - who made this year so memorable.

The Hollywood Gossip is unveiling 10 finalists for its 2nd Annual Celebrity of the Year award. They've given us their best, their worst, even their nude pictures in some cases. Now it is time for us to give something back with this moving tribute.

We previously profiled those scantily-clad lovers of old men, The Girls Next Door. Today, we present Celebrity of the Year finalist #7 … Pretend lesbians!

Remember the days where a woman simply had to be railed on tape by her boyfriend in order to achieve fame and fortune? That notion is so 2007, as the past calendar year proved that the public is almost immune to simple heterosexual sex, no matter how explicit.

As a result, aspiring celebrities had to go the extra mile in 2008... by grabbing the extra breast!

Indeed, faux lesbianism has been all the rage, highlighted by off-and-on pretend couple Tila Tequila and Courtenay Semel. As soon as one of these unattractive specimens go a month without making headlines, you can be sure to catch them groping one another in public, eyes searching for the nearest photographer.

Look, there's a camera! Grab my ass!

Other celebs that supposedly traded in penis for vagina - at least for the duration of a headline being written about the switch - in 2008 included Aubrey O'Day, Brittny Gastineau and, of course, Lindsay Lohan.

The outbreak of temporary carpet munching has grown so severe that MTV has created a reality series out of it. The Ikki Twins, Rikki and Vikki, wouldn't have jobs at the moment if they didn't consider women among potential suitors on A Double Shot at Love.

Will this trend continue in 2009? Millions of guys certainly hope so!

As 2008 winds down, it's time to reflect upon those - from household names to relative unknowns, from A- to D-list - who made this year so memorable.

The Hollywood Gossip is unveiling 10 finalists for its 2nd Annual Celebrity of the Year award. They've given us their best, their worst, even their nude pictures in some cases. Now it is time for us to give something back with this moving tribute.

We previously profiled those silly moose-hunting child bearers from Alaska, The Palin Family. Today, we present Celebrity of the Year finalist #8 … The Many Girls Next Door!

When 2008 began, the girlfriends of Hugh Hefner could be counted on one hand: there was Holly Madison, the Playboy founder's number-one piece of tail; Kendra Wilkinson, the woman with the most annoying laugh on television; and Bridget Marquardt, the other one.

Soon enough, however, the exploits of these models became too much for a single reality show to handle.

Holly remained in the news by posing naked a lot and then having the awful taste to date Criss Angel; Kendra got engaged to NFL player Hank Baskett, and Bridget continued to exist.

Once these ladies established lives outside of the Playboy Mansion, they had to be replaced. Enter Karissa and Kristina Shannon, along with a series of arrests, obnoxious attitudes and, of course, very little clothing.

With 2008 coming to an end, a new Girl Next Door has even popped up: Dasha Astafieva will grace the cover of Playboy's 55th anniversary issue. Rumors have already circulated that she slept with Hefner while he was dating Holly, Kendra and Bridget.

As you click on the photos above and below of Hefner's girls from 2008, remember: the guy is 82 years old. Can you top his exploits in 2009?

As 2008 winds down, it's time to reflect upon those - from household names to relative unknowns, from A- to D-list - who made this year so memorable.

The Hollywood Gossip is unveiling 10 finalists for its 2nd Annual Celebrity of the Year award. They've given us their best, their worst, even their nude pictures in some cases. Now it is time for us to give something back with this moving tribute.

We previously profiled the political Home-Wrecker or the Millennium, Rielle Hunter. Today, we present Celebrity of the Year finalist #9 … The Palin Family!

When Sarah Palin burst on the scene at the end of August as the Republicans' nominee for Vice President, she took the political and celeb gossip worlds by storm.

Rumors that Sarah's daughter Bristol was actually the mother of Sarah's son Trig led to the revelation that Bristol Palin was pregnant with boyfriend Levi Johnston.

While Sarah invigorated the GOP base and ignited a media firestorm, incredible sound bytes from SNL look-alike Tina Fey and the candidate herself soon followed.

What a great ride it was. Click to enlarge more photos of the self-styled maverick, hockey mom and Joe Six-Pack candidate, along with her husband and kids ...

MEET THE PALINS: After an election-day thumping at the hands of Barack Obama and Joe Biden, Sarah and family are gone, but not forgotten. We can't wait for 2012.

As 2008 winds down, it's time to reflect upon those - from household names to relative unknowns, from A- to D-list - who made this year so memorable.

The Hollywood Gossip is unveiling 10 finalists for its 2nd Annual Celebrity of the Year award. They've given us their best, their worst, even their nude pictures in some cases. Now it is time for us to give something back with this moving tribute.

We present to you Celebrity of the Year finalist #10 … Rielle Hunter!

Unknown a year ago, Rielle Hunter - a.k.a. Lisa Hunter, a.k.a. Lisa Druck, a.k.a. Rielle Druck - is now a (very strange) name etched in political and celeb gossip infamy.

After first being linked to former U.S. Senator and Presidential candidate John Edwards in a cheating scandal late in 2007, Rielle was staying in an L.A. hotel with her newborn daughter this summer ... and Edwards was caught visiting them.

Having run out of plausible denials, the married Edwards finally admitted the affair. He denied the baby was his, though, and said his wife's cancer was in remission at the time of the Rielle railing - as if that makes it so much better.

We may never know for sure if John Edwards knocked up Rielle Hunter (unless he effs up and leaves a paper trail of his shady hush money), but his career in politics is certainly over. It was totally worth it, right John? Just look at her ...

THE RIELLE DEAL: Hunter certainly made for an interesting August.