Miss USA Olivia Culpo was crowned Miss Universe 2012 in Las Vegas on Wednesday night.    Her victory was the culmination of a year and a half long journey that began when the former Boston University student entered the Miss Rhode Island competition.   She won that title last October, went on to win the Miss USA pageant in June, and beat out 88 other contestants to earn her new title six months later, on December 19th.

Culpo says she was inspired by media personalities who had a pageant past, like Giuliana Rancic (who tried for Miss Maryland USA twice) and Maria Menuonos (who was Miss Massachusetts Teen USA, and came in first runner up for Miss Massachusetts USA).  It was just an extra bonus for the 20 year old that Rancic co-hosted the Miss Universe pageant last night; she told Us Weekly, “I’ve been close to Giuliana… I love her so much.”‘

Those who have grown accustomed to hearing Culpo advocate for breast and ovarian cancer awareness should expect to see her pick up a new cause soon.  As Miss Universe, she’ll be campaigning for HIV and AIDS awareness.

Culpo’s win marks the first time the U.S. has taken home the Miss Universe crown since 1997.

More pictures of Olivia Culpo after the jump.

(Read the article)

DONATE YOUR 2 CENTS -->: Comments(1)

I think of a hero as someone who understands the degree of responsibility that comes with freedom.

-Bob Dylan

DONATE YOUR 2 CENTS -->: Comments(0)

After just 18 months of marriage, Track Palin has divorced his wife Britta Hanson.

The pair, who were high school sweethearts, wed in Alaska in May 2011.  They have one child, a daughter named Kyla, who was born just a few months later.

Bristol Palin Dishes On ‘The Gnat’ Levi Johnston In New Memoir

Track, who is the son of conservative pundit and former Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin, is 23 years old and a commercial fisherman; Britta is a nurse.  According to E! Online, they filed for divorce on December 1, and very quickly resolved all related issues, including property, custody and child support.   Fastest divorce ever?

Track’s sister Bristol Palin recently appeared on Dancing With The Stars‘ All Star season.

Photo:  People

DONATE YOUR 2 CENTS -->: Comments(0)

Sexy Colombian singer Shakira is being sued by her ex-boyfriend, Antonio de la Rua.  He says he made her into the international superstar she is today, and naturally, he wants a piece of the action.  He’s filed a lawsuit in New York seeking $100M, what he calls his share of the business partnership that grew from a romantic relationship.

WATCH:  Sexy Shakira Get A Little Closer (And Pole Dance) In ‘Rabiosa’

Shakira and de la Rua were romantically involved from 2000 to 2010.  In 2004, he says, he “took over control of the Shakira brand,” and went on to negotiate key deals, including a $300M, 10 year contract with Live Nation.   Though they broke off their personal relationship in 2010, de la Rua continued to “oversee and control” her business interests until he was abruptly terminated in 2011.

Shakira Announces Split With Boyfriend

The $100M represents de la Rua’s share of Shakira’s 2011 profits as well as the “value of his share of the partnership upon dissolution.”

De la Rua is the son of former Argentine president Fernando de la Rua.  He served as an advisor during his father’s pregnancy.   Shakira is currently expecting her first child with Spanish soccer player Gerard Pique.  The couple just moved into a new home in Barcelona.

Photo: Pat Denton/WENN.com

DONATE YOUR 2 CENTS -->: Comments(0)

When last we left our bitterly battling ex-partners Gabriel Aubry and Halle Berry, Aubry had just gotten into it with Berry’s fiance, Olivier Martinez.  They both ended up in the emergency room, Aubry ended up with a restraining order against him, and Berry got a police escort to see Yo Gabba Gabba Live with Nahla, the unfortunate kid who is at the center of this drama.

Here’s where we are today.

Aubry has obtained a temporary restraining order against Martinez, who he says started everything the day before, evidently instigated by Berry losing her court bid to move to Paris with Nahla. Aubry’s filing stated:

“Martinez, who seemed very angry and agitated, suddenly started speaking to me in French, and spouted off things such as, ‘I wish I could beat the s**t out of you right now. You’re lucky we’re in a school right now.  We’re going to take Nahla with us right now and you’re not going to follow us.”

And this is what Aubry says happened on Thanksgiving Day:

“Mr. Martinez jumped on me on the side of my body, and punched me such that he had taken me down to the ground.  He continued to punch me at least two or three times, kicked me in the ribs with his knee or foot, and took my head in his hands and slammed it to the concrete driveway. It all happened so suddenly, I did not see Mr. Martinez’s actions coming, and thus, I was not ready for it and was not able to defend myself.

“While he was attacking me physically, Mr. Martinez said to me in an aggressive and threatening voice, ‘You cost us $3 million. When you see the judge, you’re going to tell him you’re going to Paris or I’m going to kill you. You’re going to Paris, you’re going to get your 20 grand a month in child support. From now on you’re going to do drop-offs on the street.’”

A court hearing has been set for December 17 to determine whether restraining order between the men will be permanent.

Meanwhile, Aubry and Berry are due in court today on the restraining order she took out on him to keep him away from her, Nahla and Martinez.

Aubry is also due in court on December 13 to face misdemeanor battery charges brought by Martinez.

As far as I am concerned, the adults can have it out all they want, but Nahla is the one who’s going to end up damaged in this whole thing. Poor kid.

Photo:  WENN.com

DONATE YOUR 2 CENTS -->: Comments(0)

Congratulations are in order for actress Elizabeth Banks!  She and her husband, Max Handelman, recently welcomed their second child.

Baby #2 is named Magnus, a brother for their 20 month old son, Felix.  Like Felix, Magnus was born via gestational surrogate.

Banks announced the news on her website:

“As 2012 winds down and Thanksgiving approaches, I have much for which to be thankful – personal, professional, and Presidential.

“However, nothing can match the joy and excitement my husband and I felt when we recently welcomed our second baby boy, Magnus Mitchell Handelman. Magnus joins older brother Felix, thus commencing a decade or more of close hand to hand combat.

“I now turn my attention to managing two boys under two. For which I am thankful. And all their poop. For which I am less thankful. Wish me luck.”

Banks reprises her role of Effie Trinket in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, out next year.

Photo:  Starbux/WENN.com

DONATE YOUR 2 CENTS -->: Comments(0)

The Rolling Stones have been rocking out for 50 (FIFTY) years now, and depending on your age, that statement will either make you reach for your Geritol, have an acid flashback or roll your eyes.   HBO celebrates the band’s musical longevity with the documentary CROSSFIRE HURRICANE, which premiered last night at the Ziegfeld Theater in New York.  The film was executive produced by The Stones themselves – Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood – and promises “intimate insight” into the band’s world.

Catch CROSSFIRE HURRICANE on HBO, Thursday, November 15, at 9:00 pm.

Photo: Kyle Blair/WENN.com

DONATE YOUR 2 CENTS -->: Comments(0)

Hunky R&B singer John Legend performed at the Soul Train Awards in Las Vegas.   His sexy song “Tonight (Best You Ever Had)” feat. Ludacris, is nominated in two categories, Song Of The Year and the Ashford & Simpson Songwriter of the Year Award.  (The latter was established in 2011 upon the death of Nick Ashford, who along with his wife Valerie Simpson made up the legendary songwriting duo Ashford & Simpson.)   On “Tonight,” Legend shares songwriting credit with Allen Arthur, Ludacris, Keith Justice, Miguel Pimentel, and Clayton Reilly.

How did the multi-Grammy winning artist fare at the Soul Train Awards?  Find out when they air on BET and Centric on November 25th at 8P/7C.

And here’s a little treat for you:  the sexy video for “Tonight (Best You Ever Had).”  Enjoy!

Photo: Judy Eddy/WENN.com

DONATE YOUR 2 CENTS -->: Comments(1)

Taylor Swift really has an amazing sense of style.  She does vintage so naturally for someone so young, never looking costumey.  Witness:  her glamorous, 1930s inspired look for the Country Music Association’s Awards red carpet.  She wore a Jenny Packham gown in a neutral tone with red floral embellishments.   Red really is Swift’s best color; no wonder it’s her signature lipstick shade… and the name of her new album.  For the CMA Awards, her manicure matched too.  Lovely!

Taylor Swift Brightens Up Manhattan On ‘Red’ Media Tour

More pretty pictures after the jump.

(Read the article)

DONATE YOUR 2 CENTS -->: Comments(0)

Actress Jodie Foster has been named the recipient of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association‘s Cecil B. DeMille Award, a lifetime achievement honor.

Given Foster’s long career in Hollywood, little explanation is needed to back up this selection, but Aida Takla-O’Reilly, president of the HFPA, explained:

“Jodie is a multifaceted woman that has achieved immeasurable amounts of success and will continue to do so in her career.  Her ambition, exuberance and grace have helped pave the way for budding artists in this business.  She’s truly one of a kind.”

And who better to receive recognition for a lifetime in film and television?  Foster has been in the business since she was three years old, starting out in commercials, and making her big breakthrough in the 1976 film Taxi Driver when she was just nine.  For that role, she won the first of many industry awards:  two BAFTAs, one for Best Newcomer and one for Best Supporting Actress.  That same year, she was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actress for her appearance in Freaky Friday.  She has dozens of acting credits to her name, and has also gone behind the camera, dabbling in directing and producing.  I also find it notable that she is one of the few child stars who appears to have remained relatively healthy and normal into her adult life.

Foster will join past honorees who include Robin Williams, Barbra Streisand, Dustin Hoffman, Sidney Poitier, Lauren Bacall and most recently, Martin Scorsese.   The award will be formally presented to her at the Golden Globe Awards on Sunday, January 13, 2013.

Photo: Nikki Nelson/WENN.com

DONATE YOUR 2 CENTS -->: Comments(0)