March 14, 2012

After making a performance at the Grammys last month, Mumford & Sons were invited to the State Dinner at The White House on Wednesday, March 14. U.K. leader David Cameron is a fan of the folk singers and has appointed them to become one of the performers at the gala to honor his visit to the U.S.

The dinner will be attended by around 1,000 guests including billionaire Sir Richard Branson, actor Damian Lewis and TV star Hugh Bonneville. For his part, Obama has selected John Legend to entertain the crowd at the formal feast.

Zoe Saldana's house in Los Angeles was visited by a burglar over the weekend. The "Avatar" star was reportedly upset after she went home on Sunday, March 11 to find out that there were signs of forced entry.

Saldana immediately called the Los Angeles Police Department to report the burglary. The cops took notes and an investigation is ongoing. According to TMZ, it appeared that there was nothing taken from the house but the actress is taking inventory to just make sure. It is also yet clear whether the burglar knows that he or she has broken into a celebrity's house.

It looks like a train of the troubles would not leave Lindsay Lohan. The actress reportedly has struck a man with her new Porsche as she left Sayers Club in Hollywood at just after midnight Wednesday, March 14. She fled the scene instead of helping her victim.

According to TMZ, she was driving away from the club's parking lot but a lot of paparazzi and bystanders blocked her way near the Hookah Lounge. The man she struck was identified as Hookah's manager, aged 26, who was standing by his car when Lindsay attempted a 3-point turn and grazed his knee and car.

Russell Brand is apparently taking responsibility for his recent outburst. Shortly after the "Arthur" actor made headlines for smashing a window of a New Orleans building by throwing a paparazzi's cell phone through it, TMZ came out with a new report suggesting that he is willing to compensate.

The building, which was earlier reported to be abandoned, turned out to be an office, and its worker, who was inside when Brand threw the phone, claimed that people connected to the 36-year-old actor reached out to him shortly after the incident. Brand's camp allegedly acknowledged that it was the actor who broke the glass, and said he would cover the costs for the replacement.

A day after being premiered at the 2012 SXSW Festival, "21 Jump Street" had its Los Angeles premiere on Tuesday night, March 13. During the special screening event taking place at the Grauman's Chinese Theatre, leading stars Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill stole the limelight with their dapper attire while striking a pose together for the photographers.

While Tatum and Hill rocked their police uniforms at the SXSW premiere, the duo opted to go with formal suits for the L.A. screening. Tatum who plays Jenko in the film oozed masculinity in a gray plaid suit that he paired with a striped shirt. He arrived together with wife Jenna Dewan, who looked elegant in a white tube dress with folded detailing at the bust.

A potential romance between Samantha Ryan (Jamie Lee Curtis) and Gibbs once again plays out in the next episode of "NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service". Being partnered after top secret information is leaked by someone on the inside, the two get closer and may share a kiss as it's teased in a preview.

"The Tell", which features Curtis reprising her role as the ambiguous director of PsyOps, will air Wednesday, March 21 at 8/7c on CBS. As usual, it's followed by a new episode of "NCIS: Los Angeles" at 9/8c. In the upcoming outing of the spin-off series, the NCIS: LA team investigates a shooting outside the Vietnamese Consulate just prior to an international conference at the venue that the Secretary of the Navy is scheduled to attend.

The Jury and Audience Award winners of the 2012 South by Southwest Film Conference and Festival (SXSW) have been announced on Tuesday night, March 13. Winning the coveted grand jury award in the narrative feature competition is Adam Leon's "Gimme the Loot", while Jay Bulger's "Beware of Mr. Baker" bagged the same prize in the documentary feature competition.

As for the audience award category, Annie Eastman's "Bay of All Saints" and Megan Griffiths' "Eden" were named the winners in documentary and narrative respectively. Meanwhile, last year's blockbuster, "X-Men: First Class", was awarded with special jury recognition award for Excellence in Title Design.

Despite her underwhelming performance on "Saturday Night Live", Lana Del Rey is reportedly heading to "American Idol". The internet meme, who claimed her fame through single "Video Games", is listed on the tickets for the upcoming elimination night which will air Thursday, March 15.

It's unclear whether Del Rey, who repeatedly confessed she's "not by nature a showstopper" when it comes to performing live, will pre-tape her gig or sing in front of live audience. She is allegedly joined in the musical guest lineup by two other performers Demi Lovato and DAUGHTRY.

Seann William Scott is close to walking down the aisle, if Life & Style is to be trusted. According to the publication, the Hollywood actor, who is famous for his portrayal of Steve Stifler in the "American Pie" movie franchise, has gotten engaged to former Victoria's Secret model Lindsay Frimodt.

Should this engagement rumor turn out to be a true one, Scott has kept the happy news a secret for a whole month. A source informed the publication that the 35-year-old, who lent his voice to Crash in "Ice Age: Continental Drift", had asked Frimodt "to marry him on Valentine's Day and she said yes."

When "Fashion Star" had its first episode aired Tuesday, March 13 on NBC, one contestant made a bad impression in front of judges, potential buyers and viewers. Nicholas Bowes had an ugly moment on the show's premiere because of his over-confidence and ego, which led to his elimination.

Tasked to pick a signature piece that defined him as a designer, the former Aussie model presented a motorcycle jacket paired with denim shorts and cowboy boots. When he was criticized by Jessica Simpson and Nicole Richie for lack of originality and questionable styling, he could not take the constructive criticisms well.

Three years after releasing "Music for Men", Gossip are back with a brand new music. The band fronted by Beth Ditto drop a fresh single called "Perfect World" as their first official offering from upcoming studio album "A Joyful Noise".

The trio stay true to their "trademark brash and unapologetic nature - that is, as true as possible for a band that is constantly reinventing itself and pushing boundaries." Working with Brian Higgins (Kylie Minogue, Pet Shop Boys, Girls Aloud), they sought to create their own brand of pop. Ditto said, "I spent the whole year listening to ABBA and not listening to the radio."

Chris Hemsworth has introduced a preview for "Snow White and the Huntsman" new trailer, which will be unveiled during "The Voice" show on Monday, March 19. Beside showing some scenes that were featured in the first trailer, the sneak peek lets out multiple new footage, including the one that sees Charlize Theron's Evil Queen using her magic to attack the army of Kristen Stewart's Snow White during a battle.

Stewart recently opened up that her upcoming Snow White movie is going to be extremely dark because it will uncover the princess' tragic life. "I mean, it's literally pumping through those veins, but it's been taken from her she was put away when she was seven years old and her mother and her father were killed basically right in front of her," she told SFX magazine.

The Kardashian sisters have once again struck sexy pose to promote their fashion line. After appearing topless in the ad for their new denim line, Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian and Kourtney Kardashian got down to their skimpy lingerie for the new ad of Kardashian Kollection Intimates line.

In the promo shoot for Sears, all three stars of "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" work a pair of sheer thigh-high stockings. While Kim and Kourtney pair up the thigh-high stockings with lacy bra and panty sets, their younger sister Khloe covers up her skin by rocking a black corset complete with a garter belt.

Judge Elizabeth Allen White has delivered a verdict in one point of Nicollette Sheridan's lawsuit against Marc Cherry and ABC. During the "Desperate Housewives" trial on Tuesday, March 13, the judge dismissed the battery charge, which means the show's creator is no longer a defendant in this case.

In delivering the verdict, the judge said that Sheridan's claims did not meet the standards of workman's compensation statutes that apply to these matters. Responding to the ruling, Cherry said to media outside the courtroom, "Obviously I'm thrilled by the judge's decision. But I'm going to withhold further comment until this matter is resolved completely."

The Fray have released a music video for their single "Run for Your Life" on the same day Wale premieres a clip for his track "Ambition". The Isaac Slade-fronted band encourage their fans to pursue their dreams, while the Maybach Music rapper inspires his devotees by narrating his story to stardom.

"Run for Your Life" is taken from The Fray's third studio album "Scars & Stories" with its music video being filmed in a desert in California. "The video is a collection of people from different places in life deciding to use everything in them, emotionally, physically, to run... a beautiful portrayal of freedom and liberation," drummer Ben Wysocki explains.

Alex Pettyfer might be stepping closer to settling down with Elvis Presley's granddaughter, Riley Keough. According to Us Weekly, the leading man of "I Am Number Four" has asked the model/actress daughter of Lisa Marie Presley for her hand in marriage after only six months of dating.

The engagement rumor flew around after the "Magic Mike" co-stars enjoyed a lunch together at Le Petit Four in Los Angeles on Monday, March 12. Though the two, who were first caught kissing in October 2011, kept a low profile during the outing, paparazzi spotted that Keough was sporting an emerald ring on her left hand.

As The Weinstein Company struggles to abolish the R rating for "Bully", more Hollywood heavyweights continue to show their supports by joining the call to lower the rating for the controversial documentary. On Tuesday, March 13, it was announced that the latest notable figures who participate in the effort included Johnny Depp, Meryl Streep and Justin Bieber.

Streep and her daughter Mamie Gummer have agreed to co-host a special screening event for the film in New York City on March 20. Depp has also offered his help to support the movement. On the other hand, Bieber, who once fell victim to anti gay slur, recently tweeted that he'll help the Weinstein Co. in any way that he can.

The Kardashians may soon find a new rival in the Eastwoods. E! channel will have its camera following Clint Eastwood's family for a new reality series, "Mrs. Eastwood & Company", which has just been announced to be premiered on May 20.

The show will focus on the 81-year-old actor/helmer's wife Dina Eastwood, his 18-year-old daughter Francesca, their 15-year-old daughter Morgan as well as the six members of Overtone, a vocal group which is managed by Dina.

Cody Simpson's fresh single "So Listen" has been released. "I'd like to think you understand me/ But I never really like to assume/ So you never have to ask me/ I'ma let my actions tell you the truth," he woos his lady before adding that he's "never been good with words."

The single is expected to be included in Cody's upcoming first full-length album which is due later this year. It features the Aussie pop singer joining forces with T-Pain who raps with a voice that's heavily laced with Auto Tune.

Gillian Anderson has made a shocking confession about her past relationships. The 43-year-old, who is famous for her portrayal of Special Agent Dana Scully on "The X-Files", admitted in an interview for the April issue of Out magazine that she has had numerous romantic relationships with women.

"I was in a relationship with a girl for a long time when I was in high school," revealed the actress, who will next be seen as Miss Havisham on BBC's "Great Expectations". She went on to dish that she had a relationship with "a punk rock drug addict" as well as with "somebody who was way, way older than me."

In anticipation of the SXSW music segment which kicks off March 13, Tom Morello spills his plan to occupy Austin, Texas. A supporter of Occupy movement, the ex-Audioslave is looking to show his major support for the activists when he rocks the Swan Dive with his band Freedom Fighter Orchestra this coming Friday, March 16 at the ongoing South by Southwest festival.

"SXSW has a lot of speciality shows - record companies, vodka companies, promoters and things like that," Morello told Rolling Stone. "I thought it was important that at a music gathering of that size, to have a place where the rebels, revolutionaries, rockers, rappers and the 99 per cent could gather and have a mighty SXSW throw down."

Expect to see a drama in the next episode of "American Idol". Reports say the show will disqualify one of its finalists, Jermaine Jones, in the upcoming Wednesday, March 14 edition after he concealed "multiple crimes."

The 25-year-old vocal instructor from Pine Hill, N.J. allegedly confirmed his elimination as writing on his official "Idol" Twitter account, "Awww I will no longer b on the show." The post, however, has been deleted.

Chad Ochocinco obviously doesn't mind spending a lot of money to make his fans full and happy. On Monday, March 12 night, the New England Patriots wide receiver reportedly dropped nearly $8,000 to treat 200 of his Twitter followers in New York to a dinner at Sylvia's Restaurant in Harlem. Sources told TMZ that he paid $7,914 for the free meal.

34-year-old Ochocinco sent an open invitation to his 3-million Twitter followers to dine with him at the restaurant earlier the same day. "Dinner in NY tonight," so the NFL star tweeted at around 4:13 P.M., "1st 200 people at Sylvia's Restaurant by 7 pm in Harlem. Leave ya money/credit cards at home. I got you this time."

Justin Bieber is still being occupied with finishing his next studio installment "Believe". The teen popstar hit studio with Adam Levine recently, sparking rumor that he will collaborate the Maroon 5 frontman.

Bieber tweeted, "Back in the studio tonight with my new #Supergroup @adamlevine @kennyhamilton." The judge and vocal coach of "The Voice" was quick to reply, "The best part is that Kenny is the singer. #pitchy."

HBO's "Luck" has just been hit with a misfortune. Another horse has been injured and dead on the set of the sports drama during the production taking place on Tuesday, March 13, leading the network to suspend filming with the animals with the accident is being investigated.

"Tragically, this morning, one of the horses in Lucks stable suffered an accident while returning to the stall," HBO said in a statement. California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) official veterinarian Dr. Gary Beck said "the horse was on her way back to the stall when she reared, flipped over backwards, and struck her head on the ground."

Paramount Pictures has rearranged the release calendar for some of its major movies, including the big-budgeted "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" reboot. On Tuesday, March 13, the studio announced that the Jonathan Liebesman-directed live action/CGI combo is set to open wide in the U.S. on Christmas Day in 2013.

The "TMNT" remake, which cost a reported $100 million to produce, follows a team of anthropomorphic turtles who live in a storm sewer in New York City. After being taught the art of ninjutsu by their rat sensei Splinter, the gang battle criminals and alien invaders though they remain isolated from the society. Michael Bay is producing the film.

Two of Katy Perry's new songs supposedly from her upcoming "Teenage Dream: The Complete Confection" were revealed ahead of the album release. One is a post-breakup song titled "Wide Awake" and the other is a naughty tune called "Dressin' Up".

In the former song, Katy sings about "falling from cloud 9" and "crashing from the high." She sings away her pain, "I'm wide awake, not losing any sleep/ I picked up every piece, and landed on my feet/ I'm wide awake, need nothing to complete myself."

Universal Pictures has uncovered a fresh trailer for its upcoming quarter-billion-dollar movie, "Battleship". In addition to presenting stunning special effects that will be featured in the film, the new sneak peek highlights more massive destruction scenes as the Earth is at war against fearsome robotic alien race. A better look at the villainous alien itself is also provided in the footage.

The apocalyptic action movie centers on an epic action-adventure that unfolds across the seas, in the skies and over land as the Earth fights for survival against a superior force. It follows an international naval fleet at Pearl Harbor which engages in an intense battle against an alien race known as "The Refents".

The Doobie Brothers have lost one of their own. Drummer Michael Hossack has died at age 65. Confirming the sad news was the band's manager Bruce Cohn, who said in a statement that the rocker, who is also known as "Big Mike", died peacefully at his home in Dubois, Wyoming on Monday, March 12 after a long battle with cancer.

Two of Hossack's bandmates have also released a statement in his memory. Founding member and guitarist Tom Johnston said, "Mike has always been a part of my musical life and the life of the Doobie Brothers; from our earliest singles, like 'China Grove' and 'Blackwater' to our most recent single 'Brighter Day'."

Months after filming "The Bachelor" finale, Lindzi Cox apparently no longer expects Ben Flajnik to be back with her. While she hinted that she would open her heart once again for the winemaker if his relationship with Courtney Robertson didn't work out, the runner-up of the show's 16th season claimed she didn't mean what she said back then.

"The one thing I want to set the record straight is when I was walking out and said, 'If it doesn't work out, call me!' that was a total joke," she claimed. "We were walking and it was that awkward silence where no one was saying anything and I was like, 'Dude, I got to break this somehow!' That was a joke!"

Selena Gomez and Vanessa Hudgens has recently been caught on camera baring their tanner skins in teeny bikinis on the set of "Spring Breakers" in Florida. Along with co-star Ashley Benson, the two former Disney darlings were snapped filming a scene on the streets in St. Petersburg on Tuesday afternoon, March 13.

During the shooting, both Gomez and Hudgens were seen having fun and sharing laughters while saddling up on different colored scooters. The former donned a turquoise bikini that she paired with blue hot pants, while the latter sported her new blond locks as she rocked a neon green bikini top. Benson, meanwhile, was spotted wearing pink number.

Another Hollywood couple is going through a marriage breakdown. "Twilight Saga" actor Peter Facinelli and his wife, former "90210" actress Jennie Garth, announced through a joint statement released on Tuesday, March 13 that they have decided to end their 11 years of marriage.

"While we have decided to end our marriage, we both share the same deep love and devotion to our children," said the couple, who has three daughters, 14-year-old Luca, 9-year-old Lola and 5-year-old Fiona, together, in the statement. "We remain dedicated to raising our beautiful daughters together. We ask for privacy and respect during this time."

Ashanti is a time traveler who seeks refuge from her broken heart in a music video for her newest single "The Woman You Love". The "Foolish" hitmaker is floating into the future while remembering her doomed relationship with a boyfriend and learning that "the only way to heal is to accept and let go of the past."

Featuring Busta Rhymes, the song is a lead single from Ashanti's next studio installment "Braveheart". Its sci-fi inspired music video makes its way out on BET's "106 & Park", and features the former star of "All My Children", Marcus Patrick, playing her former flame.

The first ever sneak peek at Tim Burton's "Dark Shadows" finally makes its way out onto the web. The quick glimpses at several scenes from the highly anticipated supernatural movie are revealed in a preview for a Thursday, March 15 episode of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show".

The short footage includes a scene where Johnny Depp's Barnabas Collins is awakened from his death and gets released from a coffin. As for the first full trailer itself, Ellen DeGeneres has announced that it will be unleashed during the Thursday airing of her popular talk show.

Nick Gordon, the unofficial adopted son of Whitney Houston, could no longer stay silence over rumors of him dating the late singer's daughter. On Monday, March 12, the 22-year-old seemingly confirmed his controversial relationship with Bobbi Kristina by writing on his Twitter, "Yea we got a little closer and what!!!"

The next day, Gordon once again took to the social networking site to defend their relationship against the haters. "All the haters that dont know us or th real story can't un follow me. I don't give a f**k," he wrote. "I've proved my loyalty to her and the Houston family. I don't owe any of you anything. Ha I don't even know y'all haters."

With the release of her new album "MDNA" fast approaching, Madonna keeps her fans on their toes by continuing to release snippet of her new song. The latest treat is a preview to a track called "Superstar" that features none other than her teen daughter Lourdes Leon.

"You're my gangster, you're like Al Capone/ You're like Caesar stepping on to the throne/ You're Abe Lincoln coz you fight for what's right/ You're my angel bringing peace to my life," Madge sings. "I'm your biggest fan, it's true/ Hopelessly attracted to you/ You can have the password to my phone."

Discovery has ended its relationship with "Man Vs. Wild" host Bear Grylls. The network announced on Tuesday, March 13 that it terminated all current productions with the British television personality "due to a continuing contractual dispute."

In a statement confirming the termination, Heather Krug, a representative for the 37-year-old adventurer explained, "Bear's goal has always been to make life-empowering shows for his many fans around the globe, and he has taken great risks to bring Discovery such award-winning programming over seven seasons. Unfortunately, Bear and Discovery have not been able to come to mutual agreement on new programming."

James Van Der Beek has officially become a father for the second time. The actor who will star as himself on ABC's "Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23" made use of his Twitter shortly before 3 P.M. PT on Tuesday, March 13 to announce that he and his wife of 18 months, Kimberly Brook, have welcomed their first son together.

"Had my first son this morning... well, actually, my wife had him. I just caught him," tweeted the 35-year-old actor. "Wow. Heart expanding way faster than my brain..." He followed it up with another post that read, "If you could bottle up and distribute this feeling, I swear there'd be no more war. #fatherhood."