MySpace

Justin Timberlake: actor, musician... businessman?

The multi-talented star is part of Specific Media, the group that purchased MySpace from News Corp. yesterday $35 million. Said the company in a press release:

"As part of the deal, Emmy and Grammy winning artist Justin Timberlake will also take an ownership stake and play a major role in developing the creative direction and strategy for the company moving forward. Specific Media and Timberlake plan to unveil their vision for the site in an exclusive press conference later this summer."

With Facebook ruling the online world and Google getting into the social networking game, MySpace would not seem to a venture with strong prospects.

But Timberlake is one of the most talented musicians of this generations, one of the funniest SNL hosts of all-time and has dated Cameron Diaz and Jessica Biel, among other. Do you really wanna bet against him?

[Photo: WENN.com]

Taylor Swift had an incredible 2009.

How did she celebrate the best year of her life? By taking January off.

"I have walked on snow-covered grass and discovered new coffee shops and laughed hysterically with friends about things that probably weren’t technically funny. I’ve written songs on napkins and sat at a giant table with my whole family on my mother’s birthday, all of us in one place for the first time in too long. I’ve gotten to take what has happened to me and process it to my full capability, and celebrate it the way it deserved to be celebrated.”

Awww, good for T. Swizzle! She's also let fans in a bit, posing the following images from the month that was:

In conclusion, Taylor wrote:

“I’ve made new music. I’ve gone over the memories and jumped up and down with my producer and floated around with nothing on my schedule other than just appreciating what my life has somehow turned into. So thank you for giving me so much to be thankful for this January. Thank you beyond what I know how to say.”

No, thank YOU, Taylor, for being such a grounded, normal, appreciative superstar.

Taylor Swift might have millions of dollars, countless fans and a slew of award nominations, but she's just like me and you.

The singer recently posted on her Facebook page that the holiday season is her "favorite time of year."

"I love everything about this time of year, but mostly the way that people find ways to be with the ones they love," she writes. "And I love sweaters. Everyone is wearing sweaters right now."

Can we get back to the part about ones you love, Taylor? Was that a hint at Taylor Lautner?!?

On Friday night, Swift will perform in New York City at Z100's Jingle Ball. It's the ideal way to cap the best year of her life, which includes eight Grammy nominations.

"[On the phone] I remember hearing the screaming voices of the drummer and the bass player and the mixers and publishers who helped put this album together," she said of hearing that news. "He put me on speakerphone, and we all screamed together. I couldn't stop saying 'I love you' to them, just like I can't stop saying 'I love you' to you."

Awww, T Swizzle. Right back at ya!

Proving that Britney fans are seriously devoted 10 years after their idol rose to stardom as a faux-virginal, pop-singing tease, Taylor Swift has proclaimed her "unwavering devotion" to Britney Spears in a rant on her MySpace blog on Friday.

When the country crooner's mother decided to rearrange her stuff, Taylor had a panic attack. The reason? A Britney Spears poster. Here's how she describes it:

"While I was in L.A. my mom reorganized my bathroom... But then I turned around and was startled by something... Where was my Britney Spears poster.... No, this can't be right... WHERE is it?!? I searched the room frantically for a few seconds before finding it's new spot. My Britney Spears poster (from 6th grade) had been relocated to my bedroom, which is another AMAZING upgrade. This way, I see it more often and it more proudly displays my unwavering devotion to Britney Spears."

SWIFT DEVOTION: From her rise to fame in the late 1990s to her train wreck period to her recent comeback, Britney's had a loyal fan in the talented Taylor Swift.

Unfortunately, The Hollywood Gossip misplaced its Britney Spears 2006 calendar when we closed our old office. However, we're pretty sure this was the December pic.

Ashlee Simpson has blogged about her newborn son, Bronx Mowgli, with husband Pete Wentz. Here’s what she wrote on her MySpace page ...

"Hey everyone! Just wanted to write and check in! Motherhood is the most fantastic experience I have ever been thru, [Bronx Mowgli] makes me laugh and smile everyday! I finally left the house for Fall Out Boy’s show on Monday night, which was so good. Their new songs sound awesome live, I can’t wait for their new record! And last night I went to Pete and Bronx’s godfather Travis’ art how. It’s amazing to see how many artistic outlets those boys have! Made me very proud. It was an awesome show and so many of our friends and family came out to support. I hope you guys have a great holiday, I can’t wait to spend it with my new family. Christmas tree goes up tomorrow!

XO Ash"

LOVING PARENTS: Ashlee Simpson (now Ashlee Simpson-Wentz) like, could not be happier with her new son. So she decided to scar him for life with his own name.

William Balfour, a suspect in the Jennifer Hudson family murders, is in custody. Her mother and brother are dead, and her seven-year-old nephew is missing.

Balfour was once married to J-Hud's sister Julia - the mother of Julian, the boy who is unaccounted for. An AMBER Alert was issued for Julian as of yesterday.

In a cryptic statement, a Chicago PD spokeswoman has said that investigators are talking to "a number of people in custody" but didn't explain further.

At least one of the victims - Jennifer's mom Darnell Donerson and brother Jason Hudson - had defensive wounds, which may suggest domestic violence.

William Balfour was recently paroled after serving seven years in jail.

Here's the interesting thing - according to TMZ, neighbors in the Chicago area who know the family well say a few weeks ago a family member tried stealing a car, which triggered an argument in which the would-be thief vowed revenge.

No one was named specifically in the incident, but William Balfour, who is currently on parole and lists Donerson's address as his, spent nearly seven years in prison for attempted murder, vehicular hijacking and possession of a stolen vehicle.

Julia's MySpace page recently showed a picture of Jason with a caption that reads, "Jason picking up my ass from work, cause bitch ass William sold my car."

Follow the jump for more on the car theory that police are investigating in connection with the killings, and William Balfour's MySpace page ...

Sex is one thing.

But one's MySpace page is really personal!

In the surest sign yet that twins Karissa and Kristina Shannon have moved into Hugh Hefner's mansion and life, the Playboy founder's MySpace page has undergone a significant change. Check out his profile pic:

It's official: Hugh Hefner is being managed and f@*ked by Kristina and Karissa Shannon.

It's been months since Audrina Patridge has blogged on her official site, but she has come back to the celebrity gossip world with a vengeance.

“I’m a real girl, with a real busy schedule. Please don’t get all pissy with me because I can’t keep on top of my MySpace ... I like to personally manage it, so it takes me a while,” writes The Hills star regarding her lack of blogging.

Well, okay then.

As for the war of words intensifying between Audrina and Lauren Conrad over an alleged hookup between LC and Patridge’s on-again, off-again loser boyfriend Justin-Bobby, Patridge is even more fired up about defending herself.

She could blog more, but Audrina Patridge instead prefers to spend her time in the pool or hang out with tattooed sister Casey Patridge. Sometimes both!

“I just wanted to say thank you to the fans who are taking a step back from all their pre conceived notions and looking at this whole rumor situation from all angles. There are a lot of things you guys don’t get to see,” writes Audrina Patridge.

“But we have real feelings and these are all real situations that we have to deal with, not only amongst ourselves but with the entire world watching us, and judging... I have a lot I need to get off my chest lately, as there are a lot of false and malicious things being said about me. So I’ll be posting often.”

For those who missed it, she also spoke on Ellen about the Justin-Bobby rumors.

Rumors are swirling online that Lauren Conrad has been “hooking up” with Audrina Patridge's pseudo-boyfriend, and neither Audrina nor LC is happy about it.

“These rumors are very confusing and hurtful,” Audrina blogged Friday. “I’m not sure what to believe,” she writes, noting that she and her boyfriend, Justin Brescia (a.k.a. Justin-Bobby), “have not been exclusive for quite some time.”

Lauren Conrad took to MySpace Friday to set the record straight.

“This accusation is insulting on so many levels,” she posted. “I did not and would never hook up with Justin. I’m accused of being a bad friend, a slut and a liar all at once. It would actually be funny if people weren’t taking it seriously.”

LC did not hesitate to call out the people - one sleazeball from The Hills and one celebrity blogger - she believes might be responsible for the rumors.

"Once again, someone has mysteriously called Perez Hilton and had him post another insane and completely false rumor about me. Hmmmm... I wonder who it could be? I'm baffled... What kind of person would enjoy watching blogs and the press tear me apart? Who is someone that I do not get along with, that possibly has too much time on his hands (between pathetically staged paparazzi shots)."

Oh. Snap. That one hurts, Spencer. The last line especially.

Lauren Conrad also spoke directly to Audrina in her post:

Bristol Palin’s high school sweetheart and father of her unborn baby, Levi Johnston, may not be ready for fatherhood just yet.

We're not just guessing that because he's a bad boy teen. He said this!

Bristol Palin, 17, the daughter of Alaska Governor and Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, is five months pregnant. Just hours after this shocking revelation, the father of her child was revealed by the media.

While Levi Johnston (pictured below) admits he's "in a relationship" on his personal MySpace page, the teen hockey player made the candid statement that he does not exactly wanna be a parent, proclaiming, “I don’t want kids.”

Way to set the record straight, Levi!

Other observations on Levi Johnston by Levi Johnston ...

"I'm a f***in' redneck who likes to snowboard and ride dirt bikes. But I live to play hockey. I like to go camping and hang out with the boys, do some fishing, shoot some s**t and just f***in' chillin' I guess.”

And lastly, the inspiring quote: “Ya f*** with me I'll kick your ass."