January 03, 2008

Though the 34th Annual People's Choice Awards has been canceled on December 17, 2007, it has been confirmed that Queen Latifah will still be the host of the award show. It will be the 37-year-old rapper turned actress' second year of hosting the award show.

To ET Online, the Oscar-nominated actress stated, "It is the people's awards. That is absolutely what separates it from the others. It is an interactive awards show. Most awards are decided by a body of people. This one is decided by the American public - whoever wants to log on and vote."

Panic! At the Disco posted an excerpt of their new material on their MySpace page, allegedly one of those which will be included in their sophomore set. The song, which is in rough version, is called 'We're So Starving' and runs under one minute.

Explaining the song's status, the band posted on January 1: "This is not the final mix or version of the song, and it will undergo some change while we're in London, but we wanted to show you something from what we've done so far."

Having the sequel of hit action film "Transformers" under his sleeves, the helmer of "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen", Michael Bay, promises that the new installment of the adaptation movie will have lots of new and unique robots. The 42-year-old let out the hint as he posted a happy new year message on his official site.

In the posted message, it can be read, "The new robots are really really unique and there are a lot of them this time." The "Pearl Harbor" director also noted down that the movie sequel will be coming soon to theaters, and he thanked fans for the supports as well.

Is single and famous, Heath Ledger has sparked rumors he's romancing Aussie model and actress Gemma Ward. Not without reason, but the dating rumors are in all probabilities inspired by the fact that they've been spotted together at parties in Perth over the Christmas holidays.

"They weren't all over each other but they were sitting together and looked like they were together," an onlooker who saw Ledger and Gemma got together at Creatures Loft in Fremantle on Boxing Day revealed.

A studio executive has given out confirmation about several actors in their new project "Bond 22". According to Variety, it has been announced that the actor who portrayed CIA agent Felix Leiter in "Casino Royale", Jeffrey Wright, will once again played the part in the upcoming James Bond film.

Meanwhile, it was also reported that Mathieu Amalric is indeed going to play as the enemy of Daniel Craig in the movie. Apart from that, words are said that the producers, Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, as well as the studios are about to cast a female lead, and a decision will be made within two weeks.

With Christmas holiday setting in, Josh Groban's Seasonal album 'Noel' steps down from its five-week reign at #1 on Billboard Hot 200. With a 68 per cent drop in sales, 'Noel' is pushed to #3 this week, replaced by Mary J. Blige's 'Growing Pains' that moves 2-1.

Blige's eight studio album, in its second week after its release, sold 204,000 copies only seconded by Alicia Keys' 'As I Am' that continues being in Top 5 since its release on November 13. Keys' album that came strong with her single 'No One' was sold 193,000 copies, 5k more than Groban's.

The "Red Dragon" star Philip Seymour Hoffman and the actor of "A History of Violence", Viggo Mortensen are reportedly discussing the possibility of them playing a part in "Vanikoro". According to Bloody-Disgusting, the two acclaimed actors are in talks to join the cast of Xavier Gens' new film.

"Vanikoro" tells about the French explorer La Perouse whose ship Boussole was destroyed on a reef in Vanikoro, an island full of cannibals, along with most of his crew in 1788. A second ship called the Astrolabe was also shipwrecked. However, La Perouse and some of survivors managed to build a small raft from the wreckage and sailed away to safety.

Initially planned to hold their nuptial in Bali, Indonesia, Delta Goodrem and Brian McFadden have to unfortunately postpone their wedding until 2009.

Confirmed the wedding cancellation, a representative for the pop princess claimed the couple's busy careers as the real reason for the delay, not McFadden's addiction to nicotine.

As the new year rings in, Stacy Ferguson aka Fergie is looking for a new catchphrase that will replace her signature 'Fergalicious'. Her decision to eliminate the term comes with her new year resolution in 2008 to "just be less Fergalicious" that was posted in comedy video at FunnyorDie.com.

"It's kind of old now," Fergie said. "People have said it, they've gone into Burgerlicious, and all these things. It's so over, so last year. New year, new word. I've got to figure the new word out. But it will come, it will come."

Stemming from a 2005 case where a relatively unknown songwriter filed a lawsuit against Beyonce Knowles for copyright infringement, a new court decision has turned favorably for the ex-Destiny's Child. Beyonce has won the case and, at the same time, the dignity of 'Baby Boy'.

Jennifer Armour claimed the Grammy-winning single used her material, titled 'Bad Boy', that was sent to several recording studios including Beyonce's label, Columbia Records. Evidence and comparison of the two songs have led to no case that can show their similarities.

Having a great year in 2007 because his directorial film "Into the Wild" got brave reviews, Sean Penn marches on the new year with even better prospect as he is chosen to be the jury president of the 2008 Cannes film festivals. On Thursday, January 3, the organizers of the event revealed the news through a statement.

Regarding him being honored with the jury job, the Oscar winning actor said, "The Cannes Film Festival has long been the epicentre in the discovery of new waves of filmmakers. I very much look forward to participating." Meanwhile, to AFP, the Cannes festival's artistic director Thierry Fremaux said, "Penn represents the independent American cinema as well as a vision of America which we like."

Going against claims that Reggie Bush and Kim Kardashian have engaged, the latest reports tell that they are not engaged but getting more serious with their love relationship.

Just yesterday rumors were mounting that Reggie proposed to Kim prior to Christmas. The young couple rang in the new year together as the socialite hosted Mansion's Tanqueray and Ciroc New Year's bash in South Beach.

Self-proclaimed to be the first artist to release a double album within one year, DMX is ready to roll out the same plan this year. The rapper will drop a double CD titled 'Walk With Me Now and You'll Fly With Me Later'.

One CD will contain his usual Hip-Hop record while the other will be a Gospel. "I'm talking about a hip-hop album and a gospel album," DMX explained. "The same title is gonna be on both albums, but on one album one part (of the title) is gonna be(highlighted) while on the other album, the other name is gonna be (highlighted)."

Though it was rumored that "Die Hard" helmer John McTiernan is more likely to direct "Conan", a rumor surfaced that the "Hitman" helmer Xavier Gens is the new pick for director. The rumor was sparked by the director himself after he told Le Film Francais that he may direct the action adventure film.

If he is indeed directing the movie, Gens will work with the chosen producers, Boaz Davidson, George Furla, Joe Gatta, Avi Lerner and Fredrik Malmberg. He will also be using the script written by screenwriter Robert E. Howard.

The high-powered firm of Trope and Trope has on Wednesday, January 2 filed legal papers in L.A. Superior Court, demanded to be relieved as Britney Spears' attorneys in her tough custody battle with ex-husband Kevin Federline.

In the legal papers, obtained by TMZ.com, attorney Tara Scott who acted as the legal representative for Sorrell Trope wrote, "There has been a breakdown in communications between [Britney] and Trope and Trope making further representation of her interests impossible."

Has been dominating major media headlines with her messy life and drugs addiction, Amy Winehouse is at it again following reports she's planning to renew her wedding vows with currently incarcerated husband Blake Fielder-Civil in prison on Friday, January 4.

The troubled pop starlet, according to Britain's Daily Star newspaper, is planning to visit Blake on Friday and the couple will reaffirm their commitment to each other in a low-key service. She reportedly hopes the ceremony will be a boost for Blake, who is currently being held at London's Pentonville Prison awaiting trial for conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and grievous bodily harm (GBH).

Rumors are circulating that Mariah Carey will drop a single called 'Migrate' that features T-Pain as the first one lifted from her highly-anticipated new album. After all, it fits the time frame where she stated that the single will be out in early 2008.

Carey who celebrated new year at Las Vegas' club TAO with several other musicians, reportedly performed the song 'Migrate' there, sparking speculation that it's one of her new materials.

Has previously dismissed suggestions that she is converting to Scientology, Jennifer Lopez, in fact, is said to have been planning a Scientology birth for her first child. Talks are heating up that the actress-singer wants to give birth naturally, in silence, and drugs free.

The silent birth, which is the preference of most Scientologists, is said to relieve the newborns of any stress the first week of their life. Scientologist couple Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes already practiced the guidelines when they had their first child, Suri, in April 2006.

Successful pop singer Christina Aguilera is going to trade her signature voice with acting as it was reported that she has been signed to play in "Humboldt Park". Reportedly, the "Genie In A Bottle" singer will star alongside Katie Holmes, Freddy Rodriguez and John Leguizamo in the big screen.

According to reports, the news of Aguilera will star in the movie surfaces after a source revealed that Holmes shows that she is taking a risk by starring alongside the Grammy Awards winner. Apparently, the wife of Tom Cruise "is trying to prove that she can do more than fluffy popcorn movies", as quoted from the source.

Rapper, actor and producer Ice Cube is back on the singing saddle. He had just released a music video that supports his first single out of upcoming studio album, 'Raw Footage'.

The clip is for the song titled 'Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It'. The album itself, which would be his eight full-length, will be released during summer according to some reports. "It's better than anything you've ever heard before," Cube told MTV last year.

Columbia Pictures' film "21" is set to be the opening film in the 15th annual South by Southwest Film Conference & Festival in Austin, Texas. The new drama thriller will screen at Austin's Paramount Theatre, on Friday, March 7, 2008, which will precede its premiere schedule on March 28.

About the choosing of the movie as the opening film, SXSW festival producer Matt Dentler commented, "'21' represents everything you want in an opening night film." He then added, "A really great production, very entertaining, a great cast and a talented crew. Plus, we know it's a film on many a radar, from the indie side as well as the Hollywood side."

On the roots of Ne-Yo filing a lawsuit against R. Kelly, a statement has been released today (January 3) by the latter's lawyers regarding the situation. They insisted that the dropping of Ne-Yo, real name Shaffer Chimere Smith, from Kelly's 'Double Up' tour was pure contractual.

In a statement acquired by Undercover.com.au, Kelly's lawyers said, "The idea that R. Kelly had anything to do with Ne-Yo being dropped from the Double Up tour is just plain silly. As we said at the time, Ne-Yo was dropped because of a contractual dispute with the tour promoter, and in fact Ne-Yo is not suing Kelly but only the promoter."

Got exactly what she wanted for Christmas, which was a winter wonderland wedding to singer boyfriend Josh Kelley, Katherine Heigl shared her wedding bliss to OK! Magazine in its January 14 issue, on newsstands now.

On her Christmas-themed wedding ceremony, the "Grey's Anatomy" star revealed that neither she nor Kelley "was thinking" to have one, saying "Originally it was because I only get two weeks a year for my Christmas vacation ... but then we really got excited about it."

Is due to give birth any day now, Nicole Richie reportedly had health scare over the Christmas holiday.

The expectant mother, according to Star Magazine, became dizzy and disorientated at boyfriend Joel Madden's California home on December 26 morning and had to be rushed off to the doctor.

Apparently Ne-Yo has not forgotten how he was thrown out mid R. Kelly's 'Double Up' Tour. The singer, who was tapped as Kelly's supporting act, filed a lawsuit last week in Los Angeles Superior Court, involving a six-figure money.

Together with Compound Touring Inc., Ne-Yo whose born name is Shaffer Smith, filed the suit against Rowe Entertainment Inc. that acts as the tour's promoter, citing breach of contract and violation of the right of publicity. Ne-Yo who reportedly only given $50,000, now demands the remaining $735,000 that was agreed when he was signed alongside the 'not-fired' Keyshia Cole and J. Holiday.

Is a red carpet regular, Anne Hathaway has been tapped as the new "brand ambassador" of cosmetics giant Lancome.

Concerning her deal, the movie beauty will front a new advertising campaign by the international brand for a new fragrance which will be launched September later this year.

Has been spotted sporting a ring on her engagement finger, Ashlee Simpson is rumored to have engaged to longtime boyfriend Pete Wentz over Christmas. She, however, denied the engagement rumors.

Ashlee and Pete spent the holiday at the Simpsons family's home in Texas before then celebrating New Year's Eve on Shore Club in Miami, Fla. It was during that time that the 23-years-old singer showed off her ring to photographers who quickly came to conclusion that she and Pete have engaged.