Photo courtesy of Retna For anyone watching the Grammys last weekend, Taylor Swift’s performance was, well, at best a snore. At worst, it was a pitchy disaster. Judging from Kelly Clarkson’s blog post yesterday, she was also watching…and she didn’t like it either.
Clarkson wrote an open letter to Big Machine Records CEO Scott Borchetta, the head of Swift’s label, in response to his comments defending Swift’s performance. In an interview with the Associated Press, Borchetta said, “This is not American Idol. This is not a competition of getting up and seeing who can sing the highest note. This is about a true artist and writer and communicator.” Clarkson took that personally. Writing as “one of those contestants from American Idol who only made it because of her high notes,” she said, “we not only hit the high notes, you forgot to mention we generally hit the ‘right’ notes as well.” Ouch. But Swift might as well thank Borchetta for his anti-Idol comments, because, otherwise, we’d still be focusing on those missed notes. Did you catch the Grammys last weekend? What did you think of Swift’s performance? Tell us in the comments! - Phillip B. Crook
Rihanna at PFW spring 2010. Photo courtesy of Retna Most of us would give anything to sit front row at New York Fashion Week. But imagine getting instead of giving for that coveted opportunity. Fashionista.com reported this week on the prices celebs fetch for appearing front and center at major runway shows. After making headlines for every show she attended at the last Paris Fashion Week, it’s no surprise that Rihanna commands the highest paycheck. She receives $100,000 or more. The next top earner is Beyoncé, who is paid between $80,000 and $100,000. ELLE February cover girl Jennifer Lopez used to earn as much as $80,000 circa 2005, but after leaving the spotlight for a few years she can expect just $30,000 this season. Queen Bees Blake Lively and Leighton Meester bill $50,000 and $40,000 respectively, while the other Gossip Girl cast members get $25,000 a piece.
Notably unpaid and uninvited in 2010 are tabloid regulars Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan. After the disaster of Lohan’s collection for Emanuel Ungaro last season, it’s no surprise designers want her no where near their shows. Also absent from the front row (and hopefully from the tent entirely) is the cast of MTV’s Jersey Shore. Thank Gawd. - Phillip B. Crook
Drew Barrymore’s roller-derby romp, Whip It, is as utterly likable as the actress herself. In honor of its DVD release last week, Barrymore talked to me about making her directorial debut, her Golden Globe win for Grey Gardens, and her free-spirited style. Click here to read the interview!
—Erin Clements
Photo: Getty Images
Courtesy of Retna
Bella’s BFF just may have caught her
big break! Twilight star Anna
Kendrick received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for
her work in Up in the Air. In
the movie, she plays George Clooney’s over-eager co-worker and proves that she’s
definitely one of Hollywood’s up-and-coming leading ladies. She
might not have had the right words to express her emotions, but she tweeted all
about it right after hearing the news: “I’d love to say that 140 characters
couldn’t cover how I’m feeling right now but I’m honestly speechless :)” It’s a
good thing she has time to write an acceptance speech before her big night!
Tell us if you think she has what it
takes to take home the Oscar!
-Mussarat Bata
 Courtesy of Retna
Looks like Kristen Bell is done
fishing for coins to find love. The starlet announced her engagement to fellow
When in Rome star Dax Shephard
and showed up at the Grammys sporting a new, sparkly engagement ring. This
dynamic duo has been dating since 2007, and although Shephard plays her stalker
in the new romantic comedy, Bell isn’t rejecting his advances off-screen!
The couple got engaged over the holidays and are blissfully planning their
upcoming wedding.
What’s next for Bell? In addition to
landing the lead role in You
Again, a film in which she’s faced with her high-school mean girl
nemesis, she’s also dyeing her signature blonde locks brunette to star alongside
Cher in Burlesque. And, of course, Bell’s being
everyone’s favorite Gossip Girl. You know you love her.
What do you think of this hot couple
tying the knot? Sound off now!
-Mussarat Bata
It was only a matter of time before our favorite vampire
heartthrob was offered a recording contract. But who would have thought that
Simon Cowell, the former American Idol judge who everyone loves to hate, would
be the first to present him a deal?
According to The Sun,
however, that’s exactly what happened. In fact, Cowell is willing to give
Pattinson any amount of money he
wants!
Yet it doesn’t seem that Pattinson is quite ready to commit
at the moment. A source stated, “Robert is reluctant to be turned into a pop
star and takes his music very seriously. He is a bit wary of signing up with
Cowell who is, of course, associated with ‘The X Factor’ and pop…”
Given the success of Twilight and his impressive vocals on
its soundtrack, we doubt he will have trouble finding other offers!
What do you think? Should Pattinson sign a record deal with
Simon Cowell? Sound off now! - Kiera Aaron
Despite rumors of a current romance with Matt Kemp,
outfielder for the L.A. Dodgers, Rihanna tells an L.A. radio station that she will
attend this year’s Grammys without a date. She states, "I'm going to the Grammys alone,
as always!"
Yet the singer certainly isn't complaining. "Even when I was in a relationship, I always have gone
alone." She may have teamed up with Jay-Z and Kanye West for her latest
Grammy nominated hit, “Run This Town,” but this single lady certainly doesn’t
need anyone holding her hand on awards night.
And why should she? With a Grammy
already under her belt and two nominations for the 2010 Grammys, we think Rihanna
is fabulous with or without a date. Maybe even more fabulous without one. Who would you pick to go as Rihanna's date? Tell us in the comments! - Kiera Aaron
Photo: Getty Images When in Rome, which stars Kristen Bell as an ambitious art curator and Josh Duhamel as her persistent suitor, just premiered in L.A. When in Hollywood, Fergie joined Duhamel on the red carpet, looking sophisticated in a sexy strapless black Michael Kors number. Click here to see how she kept warm at Sundance earlier this week. - Erin Clements
Photo courtesy of Retna
With the television universe awash in fashion-themed programming, it seems one notable show has dried out. ABC confirmed Wednesday that it canceled “Ugly Betty,” the kooky dramedy set at fictional fashion mag MODE. Originally a Colombian telenovela, the show shot to success when it premiered in the U.S. in 2006 starring America Ferrera as Betty. Ratings declined in recent seasons, most likely due to its unsuccessful shifts from Thursday to Friday to Wednesday nights.
The cast will finish the eight episodes left in the fourth season and then move on to other projects. Vanessa Williams, who plays an ice-hearted editor, already has work in the Broadway show “Sondheim on Sondheim” opening in April. Perhaps Ferrera will learn to sing too. Are you a crushed fan of the show? Sound off now!
- Phillip B. Crook
Photo courtesy of Retna
Countless girls clutch their copies of Twilight wishing they could stand in Bella’s shoes. Now, they literally can. BB Dakota plans to launch a line inspired by the vampire-loving character this fall, WWD reports. The line follows the success of BB Dakota’s “Bella Jacket,” $70, which Kristen Stewart wore in the film. The jacket originally debuted in 2006 but re-released under its current name after the 2008 movie craze. Fans flocked to the blue cotton hooded zip-up, likely hoping it would help land them their own hunky vampire (or werewolf, if you’re on Team Jacob). The Bella line will consist of plaids, hoodies, and skinny cords, which is right on target for that woodsy Washington State look. It’s too bad fans won’t get their hands on Bella’s wardrobe before the June 2010 premiere of the next film in the series, Eclipse. Their own imitation grunge outfits will just have to do.
- Phillip B. Crook
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