The child custody battle between Usher Raymond and his ex wife Tameka continued in court in Atlanta this week, and Usher was accused of cheating on Tameka … by sleeping with one of her bridesmaids!

During the proceedings Tuesday afternoon (May 22) in Fulton County Court, Usher was being cross-examined by Tameka’s attorney about his claim that Tameka has a revolving door of nannies, and that he worries about who’s caring for his children at any given moment.

Then things got really interesting once Tameka’s lawyer brought up an incident where Usher was caught in bed with one of the “nannies” — who was a good friend of Tameka’s and also one of the bridesmaids at their 2007 wedding.

According to TMZ:

Tameka’s lawyer asked Usher if one of the nannies in question had “left Miami because you were discovered in bed with Maya Fox Davis?” Sources close to the couple tell TMZ Davis was a bridesmaid for Tameka … and the alleged incident happened during their marriage.

Usher’s attorney quickly objected, but you gotta watch the clip (see above) to see how it played out in court.

But get this … Maya Fox Davis was conveniently pictured with Usher and his first born son (Usher V aka “Cinco”) in September 2008 … which is when Tameka was 7 months pregnant with Cinco’s baby brother Naviyd!

At the time, magazines and websites called the then-unidentified woman Usher’s “nanny” … but now, we all know better.

The photos show Usher and Maya playing on the swing with little Cinco … and in one of the pics, Maya can be seen leaning in and giving Cinco a peck on the lips … which, at the time, was pretty awkward to say the least, and now that we know who this woman really is … WOW!!!

Earlier this week, Usher teared up on the stand when Tameka’s lawyers insinuated that the R&B singer cares more about partying than he does about taking care of his two sons.

Usher is fighting for increased visitation, while Tameka is fighting for full custody.

Unless Usher and Tameka can work all of this mess out amongst themselves — and let’s be serious, that’s most likely NOT going to happen — the child custody trial will resume this July.

Kim Kardashian tweeted this awkward-looking picture of her brother-in-law Scott Disick and younger brother Rob Kardashian fast asleep at the airport, with Scott’s head resting comfortably on a pillow placed in between Rob’s crotch.

“This is how I caught Rob Kardashian and Scott Disick at the airport passed out sleeping! LOL”

Your thoughts on the pic?

In case you didn’t already know … Kim Zolciak from the “Real Housewives of Atlanta” has her own reality show now called “Don’t Be Tardy for the Wedding,” which follows Zolciak as she prepares for her November 2011 wedding to NFL player Kroy Biermann.

On the episode that aired this week, Kim decided to surprise her then fiance (now husband) with a “sexy” (?) wedding gift … which turned out to be a topless photoshoot where the 34-year-old reality star stripped down to her waist, and had her entire upper-body painted to look like Biermann’s #71 Atlanta Falcons football jersey.

“To me that is sexy,” Kim said, explaining her reasoning for the body paint.

Watch the clip below:

What do you think about Kim Zolciak’s “sexy” wedding gift?

Before helping his team defeat the Indiana Pacers and end their playoff run Thursday night (May 24) in Game 6 … Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat already had people talking, and it had nothing to do with his skills on the court.

Dressed in a white button-up shirt and a pair of hot pink pants (and matching pink/white sneakers), the NBA player made one hell of a fashion statement as he made his way into the Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. (See below)

Rick Kamla from NBA TV called Wade’s choice of wardrobe a “flagrant fashion foul,” but the Heat guard embraced the criticism in the post-game interview.

“I know they’re killing me in the studio over my pants,” he said. “And they’re just mad they can’t pull it off.”

Accroding to ESPN’s Rachel Nichols, even Dwyane’s own teammate LeBron James made fun of him before the game.

LeBron James: “Damn, for real, those are close-out pants? And the finger sleeve?”

Dwyane Wade: “You gotta coordinate.”

James: “You look like Eddie Murphy in the ’80s”

Wade: “Eddie Murphy wishes he looked like me.”

After he changed into his basketball gear, Dwyane Wade went on to score 41 points and 10 rebounds, assisting his teammates in their 105 to 93 victory over the Pacers. Not too bad for a guy who wears hot pink pants.

Your thoughts on Dwyane Wade and his hot pink pants?

Rihanna showed off a new hairstyle last night (Wed May 23) when she hit the stage during the “American Idol” finale.

After emerging from a laser-light pyramid in a box, Rihanna — rocking what looks like long dreadlock extensions — led a team of dancers through a highly energetic performance of her latest single “Where Have You Been.”

Earlier this week, Rihanna shared a few pictures of her new look with her Twitter followers, telling them she has wanted dreads since she was a teenager, but her mom wouldn’t let her get them. One fan asked her if her hair was heavy, and she said “as Goliath’s balls.”

“@DanielaEvans23: What made u want dreads babe? :) @rihanna their HOT! ;)” since I was 14, but mama Fent’z wasn’t havin it! Hehe

— Rihanna (@rihanna) May 24, 2012

“@g4lbaby: @Rihanna is your hair heavy??” as Goliath’s balls

— Rihanna (@rihanna) May 24, 2012

Watch Rihanna’s “American Idol” performance (and check out the pics) below:

Controversial radio shock jock Howard Stern was actually doing pretty good at his new gig as a judge on “America’s Got Talent” … until he made a little kid cry, that is.

When Mir Money (pronounced “Meer Money”) — a 7-year-old rapper from Philadelphia — hit the stage, he had the whole crowd cheering and moving to his song … but Howard Stern wasn’t impressed, as hit he hit his red ‘X’ button after only a few seconds.

About a minute later, Sharon Osbourne hit her ‘X’ button and the youngster stopped his performance.

“Are you angry?” asked Howie Mandel. “No,” Mir said as Nick Cannon came on stage to give him a drink of water.

Within seconds, the little boy was in tears as Howard Stern tried to console him and explain why he buzzed him.

“First of all, you’re a very nice man, you know that … No one likes hitting the ‘X’ on a 7-year-old. You’re very brave to get up there at 7 years old,” Stern said as Mir Money broke down into tears.

At that point, the entire crowd was booing and host Nick Cannon gave little Mir Money a hug, jokingly calling Stern a “mean man.”

After seeing how upset the kid was, Stern then approached the stage, saying, “I’ll fix everything.” When he got to Mir Money, he leaned over and gave him a hug. “I’m so sorry. … You’re a terrific young man. You are so brave,” Stern said. “This job is too rough for me. I don’t really want to do it anymore.”

He continued, “I don’t want to make you cry … I’ve met many of great rappers … none of them are quite as great as you,” and he quickly made up with the young man. “Are we cool?” he asked, and Mir nodded, “Yes.”

Questioning his decision to take the judging gig, Stern later told Nick Cannon, “I’m not cut out for this, man. I’m not cut out for it. I’m shaking man, I’m shaking. I can’t do it, man. I can’t do it.”

Watch the clip below:

Bobbi Kristina is reportedly being investigated for allegedly gambling underage at a Las Vegas resort.

Bobbi was in Vegas to attend the 2012 Billboard Music Awards where her late mother Whitney Houston was being honored.

On Monday, TMZ posted a video of the 19-year-old playing slot machines with her boyfriend/adopted brother Nick Gordon … which is illegal in the state of Nevada because gamblers have to be 21 years old.

Bobbi Kristina was facing off with a slot machine at the MGM Resort and Casino Saturday night … while hanging out with her 22-year-old boyfriend Nick Gordon.

It’s unclear if Bobbi actually won any money … but it’s highly unlikely she walked away with anything significant … because casinos usually require an I.D. before handing over large prizes … and ya gotta be 21 to gamble in Vegas.

In fact, people under the age of 21 are usually forbidden from hanging out ANYWHERE in the casino area … so it’s a bit surprising BK was able to pull up a chair and hang out with the one-armed bandit for as long as she did.

In a follow-up report TMZ added:

The MGM Grand in Vegas has launched an internal investigation into video footage showing Whitney Houston’s underage daughter Bobbi Kristina gambling at its casino this weekend.

In Nevada the legal gambling age is 21, and underage gambling is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 6 months in county jail or a $1,000 fine. MGM Resorts International could also face fines.

Underage gambling is a misdemeanor, and resort owner MGM Resorts International could face fines.

Mark Lipparelli, chairman of the Las Vegas Gaming Control Board confirmed that investigators from the Nevada Gaming Commission are looking into if Bobbi Kristina played any slot machines, and whether casino employees knew if she did. Spokesman Gordon Absher says The MGM Grand is cooperating with the investigation.

Bobbi Kristina just can’t stay out of trouble … can she?

Usher appeared in court in Atlanta Monday (May 21) — following his performance at the 2012 Billboard Awards in Las Vegas the night before — to continue the bitter custody battle with his ex wife Tameka Raymond over their children.

While testifying on the stand, Usher broke down into tears after Tameka’s attorney whipped out photos of the 33-year-old singer at a nightclub in Europe earlier this year, suggesting that the entertainer cares more about partying than he does about his two young sons.

Usher also talked about about how his ex goes through nanny after nanny, and he constantly worries about who is taking care of his kids at any given moment.

Under oath, Usher also explained how Tameka has a violent history, and during his testimony, he described an incident when his 40-something-year-old ex wife went ballistic and “wanted to fight” whn he showed up at her house with his new girlfriend Grace Miguel (who is also his manager).

Ush testified Tameka walked to his car and said, “I’m gonna kick your ass. Bitch get out of the car. How dare you bring this woman into my subdivision in my house?”

He added, “She continued to spit. At this point she pulled the door open, tried to swing at her.”

Usher claims he had to get out of the car and block Tameka … who then hit him. Usher said he pleaded with Tameka to calm down, but claims “she threw a plate of food at the car” … as he fled the situation.

[TMZ]

As you may remember, during Tameka’s sworn testimony earlier this month, she admitted to telling Usher and his girlfriend “I will f**k you up“ … so this incident in which she physically attacked the couple isn’t surprising at all.

Usher was also grilled about his alleged drug use because Tameka claims that he abuses them.

While he did admit to smoking weed, his lawyer jumped in and objected when he was questioned about using ecstasy, and he insisted that he has NEVER used ANY drugs in front of their children, which is an allegation Tameka made early on in their custody battle.

Usher and Tameka — who married in 2007 and divorced before their 2-year anniversary in 2009 — are fighting over custody of their two kids Usher V (aka “Cinco”) and Navid … and so far, things (obviously) aren’t going so well.

What do you think about how Usher and Tameka are handling their child custody dispute?

Hannah Montana has left the building!

In yet another effort to separate herself from her former Disney alter ago, actress/singer Miley Cyrus made some very ‘interesting’ comments about sex, which she believes is a “beautiful” and “magical” thing.

During an hour-long interview on Lifetime’s “The Conversation with Amanda de Cadenet,” the 19-year-old stressed how important sex is to the existence of the human race, and said that parents and teens should be open with each other about the usually taboo subject.

“The girls that really base how much they’re worth on the sexual favors they can do for somebody, that makes me really sad … Because sex is actually really beautiful. It’s the only way we create, and it’s the only way the world keeps going.

“It’s ignorant to not talk to your kids about it or make it seem like it’s not as cool or magical as it actually is. If kids have a TV, they know what sex is. Everyone knows, so educate them.

“Let them know that they wouldn’t be here without it, and it is a beautiful thing, and it is magic, and it is when you connect with somebody and it isn’t how much your worth. Your worth isn’t based on that. Your worth is based on how you feel about yourself.”

After explaining how awesome sex is, Miley “I Can’t Be Tamed” Cyrus — who is dating 22-year-old “Battleship” actor Liam Hemsworth — then gave advice to young girls on how to build up their self-esteem:

“Just be who you are, and that is where your style will come from, and your attitude, and your spirituality, and your sexuality. Because it’s coming from a place of love.”

Watch the full 42 minute interview here!

What do you think about Miley’s opinion about sex?

Young Money CEO Lil Wayne is back in the headlines for the second time in a month after his crew allegedly attacked a fan who tried to take a picture of the rapper.

Alfredo Marino tells TMZ on May 3 he spotted Lil Wayne and his posse skateboarding. Marino says he is a HUGE fan of Wayne’s so he went up to Weezy to ask for a photo — but was shut down.

Marino retreated to his car, where he tried sneaking a pic … Marino claims Wayne walked over with his crew and began threatening him, saying, “Don’t you know all it takes is a word and these motherf**kers are going to f**k you up?”

Marino claims he was clocked from behind with a skateboard — which knocked him down and left him bleeding from the head. Marino says he suffered a concussion and vertigo.

Craig Chisvin, Marino’s lawyer, said, “My client will enforce all of his rights under the law and all individuals responsible for this outrageous incident will be blamed for the damages that my client has suffered and continues to suffer.”

READ: Lil Wayne’s Crew Attacked Miami Photographer and Beat His Bicycle With A Skateboard?

Back in April, a photographer in Miami filed a report which stated that he was spat on and pushed to the ground by members of Weezy’s security after he took some photos of the rapper skateboarding outside a church (right beside a clearly visible “no skateboarding” sign). He says the group also beat his bicycle with a skateboard before he was able to flee the scene.

According to TMZ, cops are investigating this latest incident, and Wayne’s reps have yet to return any requests for comment.

Just days after Will Smith showed his support for gay marriage, the 43-year-old actor ran into his own personal encounter of “guy-on-guy” action.

At the Moscow premiere of his new film “Men in Black 3″ last Friday, Will was greeted on the red carpet by an Ukrainian reporter who at first gave him a friendly hug … but then tried to kiss him on the lips!

After realizing what had happened, Will pushed the guy back saying, “What the hell is your problem, man?” and then went on to smack the reporter right in his face. (Ouch!)

Everyone present appeared to be shocked as Will told onlookers, “He’s lucky I didn’t sucker-punch him … Oh, sorry, I said that on camera.”

According to TMZ, the Ukranian reporter who tried to kiss Will is known in Europe for kissing and showing affection to celebrities. But Will wasn’t having that!

Peep the footage of the incident below:

That guy is lucky Jaden wasn’t there….he might have karate kicked that azz!

[TMZ]

The two men who filed $2 million lawsuits accusing John Travolta of sexual assault have both dismissed their cases against the actor.

The first accuser — identified simply as John Doe #1 — dropped his lawsuit on Tuesday (May 15), and the second one — John Doe #2 — followed two days later on Thursday (May 17).

John Doe #1 had claimed a “semi-erect” Travolta sexually assaulted him on January 16th at the Beverly Hills Hotel, but flight records (and photos) show that Travolta was almost 2,500 miles away in New York City on that very same day.

John Doe #2 alleged that Travolta had grabbed his penis during a massage session on January 28th at a 5-star hotel in downtown Atlanta while the actor was in town shooting a new movie.

Travolta and his team of attorneys, led by Marty Singer, vehemently denied the allegations, calling them “absurd and ridiculous.”

In regards to John Doe #2′s accusations, Singer said, “…it is obvious that he checked media reports that my client was in Atlanta working on a movie.”

Both accusers are expected to file the proper paperwork this week to dismiss their suits.

Right now, it is unclear as to why both accusers have decided to drop their cases. Could they have been paid off?

John Travolta’s lawyer Marty Singer assures:

“Not one penny has been paid nor do we have any intention to pay any money for these ridiculous and false claims.”

Meanwhile, shortly after the news broke that John Doe #2 had dropped his lawsuit, came additional reports from TMZ stating that high-profile attorney Gloria Allred will be representing him in another lawsuit, though it is unclear exactly what Allred is doing with him.

Gloria says, “We believe that the lawsuit should be filed in another court and, therefore, the lawsuit was dismissed without prejudice. We will be conferring with our client regarding what will happen next in this case.”

In other words … “this ain’t ova … Travolta.”

Pastor and gospel singer Marvin Winans — who eulogized Whitney Houston at her New Jersey funeral back in February — was reportedly robbed and car-jacked Wednesday afternoon (May 16) at a Citgo gas station on the west side of Detroit.

Pastor Winans says he felt something was wrong when he came out of the gas station’s convenience store and he noticed several men following him.

He says as he was pumping gas, at least two of them men ambushed him, and took his purple Infiniti SUV, a couple hundred dollars in cash, and his watch. In addition to robbing him, the men punched him and even ripped off his pants.

“I’m just saddened that it has come to this,” Pastor Winans said, adding that he was not seriously injured.

He continued, “This kind of nonsense just has to stop … It’s just the savageness of what’s happening in the streets. We just have to take a look at ourselves and say this has to stop.”

Following the incident, Pastor Winans suffered minor injuries to his hand, which was bandaged as he spoke to local ABC news affiliate WXYZ in an interview later that night.

Of his injuries, Winans said, “Given the gravity of the situation, it was minor.”

Winans said he was disturbed that something like this could happen “in the middle of the afternoon,” and at first, “nobody came to help.”

Pastor Winans, who leads the 4,500-member Perfecting Church on Detroit’s east side, believes his attackers didn’t recognize him, “and if they did, it didn’t make much difference,” he said.

In a message to his carjackers — who still haven’t been identified — Pastor Winans said, “Your life has to be bigger than sitting in a gas station and robbing innocent people.”

With the season finale of “The Game” coming up in just a few weeks, it has been confirmed that Tia Mowry and her on-screen husband Pooch Hall will NOT be coming back to the show next season.

According to a well placed source, HipHollywood.com has learned exclusively that Tia Mowry and Pooch Hall will NOT return to BET’s highest rated show, The Game.

Our source also added that both are very busy right now, Hall is working on another project, while Mowery is still filming her Style network reality show.

Tia Mowry herself also confirmed the shocking news via her Twitter page:

“Just wanted to let all my fans know that I will not be returning to The Game for season 6. It was an incredible run and I had lots of fun along the way. I am looking forward to my upcoming projects…the release of my book #OhBaby [today!], season 2 of @TiaTameraShow on @mystyle premiering in June, and my @ABCFamily movie coming out in December…more to come!” love u so much

“The Game” — which is largely based on the lives of NFL star Derwin Davis (Pooch Hall) and Dr. Melanie Barnett Davis (Tia Mowry) — was recently renewed by BET for a sixth season, so fans of the show will definitely be shocked to learn that the central characters to the overall plot will be leaving.

Earlier this month, Pooch Hall told his Twitter followers that even though he is filming a new Showtime series, he would still be able to do “The Game,” and was hoping that BET would work something out … but it looks like they weren’t able to work anything out after-all.

Do you think “The Game” will be able to survive without Derwin and Melanie?

It’s no secret that VH1′s “Basketball Wives” is one of the most hated reality shows on television, mainly because of the non-stop drama and fighting that seems to plague EVERY single season of the show, from the first season, through the fourth season that is currently airing on TV.

But the producers — including Shaunie O’Neal — say that’s about to change, now that the controversial reality show has been picked up for a fifth season, despite calls to boycott the program and advertisers pulling out from the show.

In a statement, Shed Media, the company who produces the show along with the VH1 network, addressed criticism that that the show promotes bullying, and insists that going forward, cast mates will be encouraged to resolved their issues in a non-violent manner, instead of the way things have been handled before.

“Shed Media US is fully committed to telling the compelling stories of the Basketball Wives in a balanced way. Our producing partner Shaunie O’Neal feels strongly about this, and we fully agree with this stance. We support her as she encourages the cast members to work out issues in a non-violent fashion. We look forward to working with her and the rest of the cast on conveying more balance in the next season.”

VH1 echoed Shed Media’s statement, saying that they condemn violence, despite claims that they actually promote it.

“Our viewers’ opinions always matter a great deal to us at VH1. Lately, there has been a lot of conversation about Basketball Wives, a series featuring strong, intelligent women with very passionate viewpoints, which can sometimes escalate. We at VH1 agree with and support Shaunie and the show producerss ‘no excessive physical confrontations’ policy on the series moving forward.

“We are all committed to balancing the candid, bold excitement that the viewers have come to love in the series with storylines and representations they can be proud of. Shaunie has been a strong advocate for a more balanced approach to the show and we, along with our producing partners at Shed Media, are all in agreement about moving forward with that goal.”

Viewers of “Basketball Wives,” which follows the drama-filled lives of a small group of women who have romantically been involved with professional basketball players, are often confronted with scenes that feature punching, slapping, swearing, hair pulling, glass (and wine bottle) throwing among cast members.

The show has received numerous amounts of criticism since it first premiered over two years ago on April 11th 2010, but public outrage grew when cast member Jennifer Williams decided to file a lawsuit against her co-star Evelyn Lozada‘s personal assistant Nia Crooks after an incident on the show in which Nia slapped Jennifer in the face.

Williams claims she was physically and verbally assaulted by the Harlem resident in a legal complaint, and many viewers of the show — including celebrities — used social media (Twitter, Facebook, etc.) to promote a public boycott of the show and pass around a petition after the show’s producers reportedly threatened to sue Williams for filing the lawsuit against Crooks.

One petition, titled “Boycott Basketball Wives and Evelyn Lozada,” called for the boycott of the show and a boycott of a possible spinoff show featuring cast member Evelyn Lozada and her NFL player fiance Chad Ochocinco.

The petition, which racked up nearly 30,000 signatures on change.org, read:

Evelyn Lozada is a bully. The violence on “Basketball Wives” is horrible and disgraceful. Physical assaults, threats, verbal abuse, and harassment. VH1 is rewarding this behavior by giving Evelyn a spinoff. Don’t reward negative behavior.

This is not a hate petition against Eveyln Lozada. We simply will not support violence. It hurts to see violence amongst women on television for entertainment purposes. It is not ok for women to hit each other on TV.

On average, Basketball Wives gets about 3 – 4 million viewers weekly, so it will definitely be interesting to see how those numbers do with the new next season “no violence” policy in place.

Do you think “Basketball Wives” can survive without drama and violence?

If the bench on the Denver Nuggets looked a little smaller last night, it’s because Chris “Birdman” Andersen was missing.

The Denver Nuggets reserve center has reportedly been “excused indefinitely” from all-team related activities after the Douglas County Sherfiff’s office seized some “property” related to child pornography from his home in Colorado.

As of now, Andersen has not been arrested or charged with any crime, but The Denver Post reports that the “property” was seized early Thursday morning (May 10) and the Sheriff’s office is investigating.

Andersen participated in the Nuggets’ shoot-around Thursday morning, but wasn’t present Thursday night as his team defeated the Los Angeles Lakers at home with a final score of 113 to 96.

A spokeswoman for the sheriff’s office said the unit investigating Andersen investigates child porn, Internet luring and child predators, and the items they typically seize include computers, hard drives and thumb drives. But she wouldn’t go into detail about what exactly was taken from Andersen’s home.

“It could include many different things,” Deborah Sherman told reporters. “Right now we’re not saying. They literally just got the property this morning,” Sherman said. “The sheriff’s office did contact him this morning while he was at his house and he cooperated fully.”

Chris Andersen — who is in his 10th year in the NBA and his seventh season in Denver — has been under investigation for unknown Internet crimes against children since February of this year, when the Douglas County sheriff’s office first received a tip from California authorities that child porn was either exchanged or downloaded using a computer inside Andersen’s home.

Andersen has somewhat of a history of helping out children’s charities during time in Denver and New Orleans, where he played from 2004 – 2006 until he was suspended from the league for drug abuse. After being re-instated into the NBA, he started back playing for the Nuggets, who originally drafted him in 2001.

According to the Denver Nuggets’ media guide, Andersen has helped raise money for Mount Saint Vincent, a home for troubled and abused children, and was also honored at the home’s 2009 Silver Bell Ball. He has also had involvement with Alliance for Choice in Education, which provides scholarships for low-income families to use in private schools.

Mark Bryant, Andersen’s longtime lawyer and confidant, released a statement to The Denver Post calling the Nuggets player an “outstanding member of [the Denver] community.”

“I believe in Chris. I would ask the citizens of Colorado to give Chris his due,” Bryant said. “Like every one of us, he is presumed innocent. At the end of the day, I am confident it will be shown that he did nothing wrong.”

John Travolta‘s acting career and reputation are in serious jeopardy after two different male masseurs — one from Los Angeles, the other from Atlanta — filed federal lawsuits as “John Doe #1″ and “John Doe #2″ accusing the “Grease” star of sexually harassing them during what were supposed to be routine massage sessions.

The L.A. masseur (John Doe #1) says a “semi-erect” Travolta sexually assaulted him by rubbing on his leg, then touching his scrotum and the shaft of his penis during the second hour of a $200/hr, two-hour massage at the luxurious Beverly Hills Hotel.

“Come on dude, I’ll jerk you off!!!” Travolta allegedly told the masseur.

READ: John Travolta Accused of Sexually Assaulting TWO Different Male Masseurs

The masseur says when he declined Travolta’s offer, the 58-year-old actor masturbated in front of him instead, allegedly telling him that “Hollywood is controlled by homosexual Jewish men who expect favors in return for sexual activity,” and he got to where he was due to “sexual favors” he performed throughout his career.

But according to official flight records obtained by TMZ, John Travolta wasn’t even in Los Angeles the day the masseur claims he was sexually assaulted by the actor.

In fact, Travolta had flown to New York the night before, and the flight records show that Travolta left L.A. at around 8:30 pm on January 15th 2012, and landed at shortly before 4 am the next morning in New York.

The masseur claims that the “sexual assault” happened at the Beverly Hills Hotel at 10am on January 16th 2012 … but based on Travolta’s flight records, he was almost 2,500 miles away in New York City at the time.

TMZ also obtained photo proof which validates Travolta’s claims that he was nowhere near L.A. at the time of the alleged sexual assault.

Denise Wingate — the costume designer who took and sent in the photos of the actor while he was staying at the Greenwich Hotel in NYC on the 16th of the January — told TMZ that she and four other people were in Travolta’s New York suite with him almost the entire day, and any notion that he was in Beverly Hills on the 16th is “absolutely absurd.”

To further prove his case, Travolta also had his people send TMZ a restaurant receipt dated January 16th 2012 from a meal the actor ate at Mr. Chow in New York City.

The bill totaled $382 and the tip was $100 — the kind of generous tip for which Travolta is known. We’ve confirmed Travolta ate the meal at Mr. Chow.

Another masseur (John Doe #2) filed a lawsuit this week claiming that John Travolta fondled him during a massage session on January 28th at a 5-star hotel in downtown Atlanta.

As the message came to an end, the lawsuit claims:

“Travolta suddenly turned on his stomach with his legs wide open with a full erection. He then tried to force Doe Plaintiff No. 2′s hand on Travolta’s scrotum. Then, Travolta started to grab, rub and caress Doe Plaintiff no. 2′s upper thighs and buttocks.

“Travolta still had an erection and wanted his abdominals done, but Travolta’s erection was in the way, and he refused to have his penis covered by a sheet of a pillow case cover…Travolta started masturbating about 15 minutes left in the session, and Doe Plaintiff No.2, said he had to go.”

Okorie Okorocha, the same California attorney handling the case from the first accuser, is handling the second case also.

Travolta’s high-powered attorney Marty Singer is vehemently denying both alleged assaults, and is calling the lawsuits “absurd and ridiculous.”

But Okorocha says John Doe #2 has proof that the incident in Atlanta actually occurred. He told Radar Online:

“The day this happened, my client notified his superiors and management at the hotel about what had happened to him while he was in John Travolta’s hotel room. There are MULTIPLE e-mails to document this, which will obviously be a big part of our case as we proceed. The fact that he sent these e-mails on the day this occurred will only bolster our case.

“My client also spoke with multiple members of management at the hotel, so there are many witnesses that will be called as well. Obviously, my client had never had anything like this happen to him before and he was extremely shaken up. He is still working at the resort though and wants to keep his job.”

According to the second accuser’s lawsuit, after the alleged attack, Travolta went down to the front desk of the hotel resort’s spa, and demanded that the alleged victim return to his room to finish his job.

“Travolta went down to the spa that Plaintiff No. 2 worked at, which is part of the resort Travolta was staying at, as opposed to having Doe Plaintiff No. 2 go to his room. Travolta DEMANDED that Doe Plaintiff No. 2 come back and do it again and he refused,” court documents state.

Okorocha asserts, “The employee that dealt with Travolta when he came down to the spa looking for my client will also be a material witness in the case.”

At the time of the alleged attack, Travolta was in Atlanta shooting a movie with Robert De Niro, something Travolta’s attorneys suggest “John Doe #2″ used to help corroborate his story.

“Before the attorney for the two anonymous plaintiffs filed the claim on behalf of the second person who refuses to disclose his identity although required to do so, it is obvious that he checked media reports that my client was in Atlanta working on a movie,” Travolta’s legal team said in a statement. “However, the claim by Doe #2 is just as fabricated as the claim by Doe #1. Our client will be fully vindicated in court on both of these absurd and fictional claims.”

John Travolta has been married to actress Kelly Preston since 1991. Their oldest child, Jett, died in 2009 while the family was on vacation in the Bahamas. The couple have two other children: a daughter named Ella Bleu and their son Benjamin, who was born in 2010.

Both of the male masseurs accusing Travolta of sexually assaulting them are seeking $2 million in damages and a jury trial, and Okorocha says that both of his clients are ready to face off against the actor in court.

“I’m the real deal,” Okorocha told CNN. “He stepped into the ring with a gorilla. I am relentless.”

Your thoughts?

[Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4]

Time Magazine thought it would be pretty cool to put a picture of a real, 3-year-old boy standing on a chair with his mom’s boob in his mouth on the cover of their nationally syndicated magazine for an issue on “attachment parenting.”

So they did it … and here it is!

From Time.com:

The subjects on this week’s TIME cover aren’t models in pose. Jamie Lynne Grumet, photographed by Martin Schoeller with her 3-year-old son, is a mother from Los Angeles who subscribes to attachment parenting, the subject of staff writer Kate Pickert’s cover story.

Attachment parenting has been on the rise over the past two decades, since the publication of “The Baby Book” by Dr. William “Bill” Sears and his wife Martha in 1992. Its three main tenets are extended breast-feeding, co-sleeping and “baby wearing,” in which infants are physically attached to their parents by slings.

Martin Schoeller says he spent an entire day photographing four different women from various parts of the country who practice this odd method of motherhood.

“When you think of breast-feeding, you think of mothers holding their children, which was impossible with some of these older kids,” Schoeller explained. “I liked the idea of having the kids standing up to underline the point that this was an uncommon situation.”

Jamie Lynne Grumet says she isn't shy about breastfeeding her almost 4-year-old son in public.

Jamie Grumet from Los Angeles says she isn’t ashamed that she still breastfeeds her 3-year-old son, who will turn four next month and will still continue to be breastfed. “I don’t consider breast-feeding immodest at all. I’m not shy about doing it in public.”

Jamie also has a 5-year-old (adopted) son of a different race who she breastfeeds as well. “I know so many amazing women who have induced their lactation, but I had milk [from feeding my biological son], so I had one of the easier situations as far as adoptive breast-feeding is concerned,” she said, “but it was considered extended breast-feeding. And it was transracial. And he was adopted. I was ready for attack as soon as I posted one of the pictures [on my blog].”

Grumet says she and her sister — who also practices attachment parenting — were breastfed up until she was six years old, and she still remembers how she felt when she drank milk from her mother’s teet over 2 decades ago.

“It’s really warm,” she recalled. “It’s like embracing your mother, like a hug. You feel comforted, nurtured and really, really loved. I had so much self-confidence as a child, and I know it’s from that. I never felt like she would ever leave me. I felt that security.”

She said, “I grew up this way and never thought about raising my kids differently.”

Dionna Ford, who lives in Kansas City, Missouri, says when she was pregnant, she watched a video of a British woman breast-feeding her 7-year-old daughter, and she thought she could never do the same … until she found out how hard it was to wean her son off breast milk.

“After six months, I decided I’d wait until he turned 1,” she said. “But after my baby turned a year old, he was still a baby — not talking, barely walking — and I wondered why I’d stop now.”

Dionna’s son is now 4-years-old and she not only breastfeeds him, but she also breastfeeds her 5-month-old son.

Melinda Larson pictured here with all her children. She breastfeeds all four of them.

For Brooklyn, New York native Jessica Cary — who still breastfeeds her 3-year-old daughter — she says attachment parenting is a way of life. “I don’t think about when I’ll stop. For us, it’s a life philosophy.”

Melinda Larson from Long Island, New York breastfeeds all four of her children, aged 6, 4, 2 and 1/2 and 9 months. “The philosophy resonated with us, and it felt comfortable. Other forms of parenting felt like I wasn’t in my own skin.”

Not only capturing photographs of attached parents, but also their reasons for attachment parenting, was Schoeller’s biggest goal for this very … “interesting” photo shoot.

“It was important to show that there’s no stereotypical look for a mom who practices this kind of parenting,” he said.

There’s no doubt about it that not only this magazine cover — but the ENTIRE pictorial feature — is shocking, but…

What are your thoughts on this whole “attachment parenting” thing? Are these women out of their minds or what?

Nicki Minaj and Big Sean made music together when they collaborated on the remix to Big Sean’s “Dance (A$$)” song … but did they “collaborate” together on a sex tape too?

Probably not … but some “source” told All Hip-Hop they did.

Our source tells us exclusively that Nicki Minaj allegedly has a sex tape that is set to leak any day now, and you will never guess who her co-star is! No, it is not her rumored fiancé, Safaree, or her Young Money boss, Lil’ Wayne.

Our source tells us that the man who is in the alleged sex tape with Nicki Minaj is none other than G.O.O.D. Music rapper, Big Sean!

The two allegedly slept together right around the time they shot the music video for Big Sean’s “Dance (A$$)” remix, and the whole thing was caught on tape.

Our source tells us that Big Sean has possession of the video, and whether Nicki is aware that the alleged romp in the sack was filmed is unknown.

To corroborate the information provided by their so-called “source,” All Hip-Hop also mentioned an interview Big Sean did with “The Breakfast Club,” where he talked about a scene in the “Dance (A$$)” music video where Nicki grinds on him.

Yeah, she felt my Big Sean!” he teased the hosts.

The rapper — who is signed to Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music label — also talked about Nicki Minaj’s A$$ in another interview with popular New York radio station Hot 97:

“Nicki’s ass was right on me, I was handling like a gee. There wasn’t any plans either we didn’t know what we were going to do. We just knew we wanted to be in the shot together. I handled it. It was cool. I had a good time.”

No word from either Big Sean or Nicki Minaj on the authenticity of the alleged sex tape … but there’s 99.99% chance that it doesn’t exist. And we don’t even need Gossip Cop to tell us that.

Watch the closest thing you’ll ever get to a Big Sean and a Nicki Minaj sex tape below:

Chris Brown and Rihanna just collaborated on two songs together not too long ago … but it now looks like the two might be beefing over an ALLEGED diss track.

Chris just released a new freestyle over Kanye West‘s “Way Too Cold (Theraflu)” track that has a few lines that may (or may not) be directed towards his former flame Rihanna.

In the freestyle verse, Brown raps:

“Don’t f**k with my old bitches … like a bad fur … every industry n**ga done had her … trick or treat like a pumpkin … just to smash her … bitch is breaking codes … but I’m the password”

Rihanna must have caught wind of the new track, and was pretty quick too, because shortly after the song hit the Internet, Rihanna unfollowed Chris on Twitter and tweetgrammed a photo that read, “Take that thumb out of your ass.” (Sidenote: She deleted that tweet before we were able to get a screengrab)

Responding to the perceived, though not confirmed, offense Rihanna took to the ALLEGED “diss” … Chris Brown tweeted this morning:

Assumptions! I didn’t say any names so if u took offense to it then its something you feel guilty about.

— Chris Brown(@chrisbrown) May 10, 2012

Chris has since unfollowed Rihanna on Twitter … and so far, there has been no comment from neither Chris nor Rihanna’s reps.

The timing of the alleged diss is ironic too, considering Rihanna just wished Chris Brown a Happy Birthday last Saturday (May 5):

Happy Birthday @chrisbrown

— Rihanna (@rihanna) May 5, 2012

Do you think Chris Brown really dissed Rihanna … or is Rihanna just reading too much into an “innocent” freestyle verse?

John Travolta is facing a federal lawsuit from now just one … but TWO different masseurs (male massage therapists), who both claim the 58-year-old actor sexually assaulted them during what were supposed to be routine massage sessions.

In the first incident, described in court documents obtained by TMZ, the first masseur says at the beginning of the 2-hour session Travola stripped completely naked and appeared to be “semi-erect.”

The first hour of the $200/hr massage went without incident, but by the second hour, the masseur claims Travolta started rubbing on his leg, then touched his scrotum and the shaft of his penis.

The masseur reportedly told Travolta that he didn’t have sex with his clients, but Travolta was persistent, offering to do what he called a “reverse massage.” He also says Travolta begged him to let him jerk him off.

“Come on dude, I’ll jerk you off!!!” Travolta allegedly told the masseur.

According to TMZ:

The suit goes on to allege Travolta then masturbated and told the masseur he got to where he was “due to sexual favors he had performed when he was in his ‘Welcome Back Kotter’ days,” adding “Hollywood is controlled by homosexual Jewish men who expect favors in return for sexual activity.”

As a result of the alleged sexual assault, the masseur — a Texas native who is unidentified in the court documents — claims to have suffered severe emotional distress, and he’s asking for $2 million in damages.

Travolta obviously denies the accusations, and has his people release the following statement:

“This lawsuit is a complete fiction and fabrication. None of the events claimed in the suit ever occurred.

“The plaintiff, who refuses to give their name, knows that the suit is a baseless lie. It is for that reason that the plaintiff hasn’t been identified with a name, even though it is required to do so.

“On the date when plaintiff claims John met him, John was not in California, and it can be proved that he was on the East Coast.

“Plaintiff’s attorney has filed this suit to try and get his 15 minutes of fame. John intends to get this case thrown out, and then he will sue the attorney and Plaintiff for malicious prosecution.”

Just one day after the lawsuit was filed, a second accuser — another male massage therapist — was added to the suit, who claims to have “substantial documentation and numerous witnesses regarding the substance of Travolta’s actions,” according to court documents obtained by Radar Online.

Both alleged victims are being represented by the same lawyer, and both of them are suing Travolta for sexual assault.

The second masseur alleges that while he was working at an unspecified hotel resort in Atlanta, GA in January of 2012, he did an in-room massage on Travolta, who was staying on the 15th floor of the upscale resort, and was referred to as “Mr. White.”

The plaintiff says he normally doesn’t do in-room massages, so he asked a co-worker to take the assignment, but the co-worker declined after he found out “Mr. White” was actually John Travolta, who he said had been banned from the L.A. spa he used to work at.

On the morning of the massage Travolta had “a strange demeanor, bloodshot eyes and climbed onto the already setup massage table…Travolta removed the entire sheet from his body, and he claimed the sheets were sticky and could not tolerate the heat.

Travolta further indicated that he likes a lot of “Glutes” work meaning a massage on his buttocks…While he was massaging near Travolta’s buttocks area, Travolta would open his legs and spread his butt cheeks open and had a full erection and would maneuver in a way to try to force Doe Plaintiff No. 2 to touch his anus and around his anus.”

But it didn’t stop there…

As the massage came to an end “Travolta suddenly turned on his stomach with his legs wide open with a full erection. He then tried to force Doe Plaintiff No. 2′s hand on Travolta’s scrotum. Then, Travolta started to grab, rub and caress Doe Plaintiff no. 2′s upper thighs and buttocks.

Travolta still had an erection and wanted his abdominals done, but Travolta’s erection was in the way and he refused to have his penis covered by a sheet of a pillow case cover…Travolta started masturbating about 15 minutes left in the session, and Doe Plaintiff No.2, said he had to go,” the docs state.

The masseur “complained to all of his supervisors and many coworkers to no avail.” Travolta allegedly went down “to the spa that Plaintiff No. 2 worked at, which is part of the resort Travolta was staying at, as opposed to having Doe Plaintiff No. 2 go to his room. Travolta DEMANDED that Doe Plaintiff No. 2 come back and do it again, and he refused,” the lawsuit asserts.

It comes as no surprise that John Travolta claims that the 2nd masseur is also lying, and his lawyers say the second allegation is “just as absurd and ridiculous as the first one.”

Travolta’s powerhouse attorney Marty Singer released the following statement on Tuesday (May 8):

“This second ‘anonymous’ claim is just as absurd and ridiculous as the first one.

“The attorney who filed the lawsuit on behalf of his second anonymous client, who does not want to disclose his name although he is required to do so, was notified that his first client’s claims were totally false and fabricated, since our client was not in LA when anonymous “Doe #1” claims he interacted with John Travolta.

“That fact is easily provable since John Travolta was on the east coast working on a movie on the date that anonymous ‘Doe #1′ claims he interacted with our client.

“After we were able to establish that anonymous ‘Doe #1’s’ claims were totally absurd, the same attorney has now filed a claim on behalf of another plaintiff, whom he identified as ‘Doe #2.’ Significantly, although the same attorney made the fabricated claim for Doe #1, there was never any claim made by anonymous Doe #2 before he filed his specious lawsuit.

“Before the attorney for the two anonymous plaintiffs filed the claim on behalf of the second person who refuses to disclose his identity although required to do so, it is obvious that he checked media reports that my client was in Atlanta working on a movie.

“However, the claim by Doe #2 is just as fabricated as the claim by Doe #1. Our client will be fully vindicated in court on both of these absurd and fictional claims.”

John Travolta has faced rumors regarding his sexuality for decades.

In 1983, he told Rolling Stone Magazine, “They say that about everybody. That’s a notorious rumor. They say that about me, Marlon Brando, every male, epecially the first year that you become a star.”

He was also unceremoniously dragged out of the closet by his “friend” Carrie Fisher in 2009 when she wrote in a column for Out Magazine, “We don’t really care that John Travolta is gay.”

A year later, in an interview with The Advocate, the actress was asked about Travolta’s sexuality once again.

Her response?

“I mean, my feeling about John has always been that we know and we don’t care … Look, I’m sorry that he’s uncomfortable with it, and that’s all I can say. It only draws more attention to it when you make that kind of legal fuss.”

So who knows? Maybe John Travolta is gay, maybe he isn’t. (But he probably he is.)

One thing we do know for sure, is that those rumors aren’t going anywhere anytime soon … especially since two guys claim he sexually assaulted them, whether they’re lying or telling the truth.

Though Travolta’s reps have called the lawsuit filed this week “complete fiction and fabrication,” the plaintiff’s attorney, who is based out of Pasadena, California, says that since the initial complaint was filed, he has had several more potential victims come forward with similar accusations.

“There’s a bunch of accusers against Travolta who have similar accusations,” plaintiff lawyer Okorie Okorocha told People Magazine. “Many have contacted me, and I’m still vetting their stories. More defendants might come forward soon.”

Okorocha said that the men “never wanted this attention” and “wanted to keep this discreet,” but they weren’t able to settle the matter privately due to a lack of cooperation on Travolta’s part. “They left us with no other option but to file the lawsuit,” he said.

“I will file for every single victim. Mr. Travolta has been able to evade justice, and he’s going to challenge it with me. but I’m not afraid … I’ll stand up to him,” Okorocha told Reuters, explaining that the men didn’t go to the police because they didn’t think the police would believe them.

Do you believe the sexual assault allegations?

Suge Knight is still looking for attention ANY way he can get it.

The former Death Row CEO recently spoke with Howard Stern on his radio show and called out Dr. Dre  for “snitching” on him to his parole officer.

Knight also told a crazy story about 2pac once accusing Dre of being a homosexual. (He must be REALLY upset about that hologram!!)

Listen to the interview below:

We don’t believe one word that comes out of Suge’s mouth … And what kind of “real thug” even says some nasty ish like that?!?! C’mon son!

Tom Gabel — lead singer of the punk rock band “Against Me!” — has publicly come out of the closet as a transgender woman.

In the new issue of Rolling Stone Magazine, Gabel, who says he SHE has privately dealt with gender issues for years, reveals that she will soon begin the process of transitioning into a woman by taking hormones, undergoing electrolysis treatments, and changing her legal name to Laura Jane Grace.

Interestingly, the punk rocker says that she will remain married to his HER wife Heather, who according to Gabel has been nothing but supportive.

“For me, the most terrifying thing about this was how [Heather] would accept the news,” Gabel tells the magazine. “But she’s been super-amazing and understanding.”

Rolling Stone notes that this is the first time a major rock star has come out as transgender, which is why Gabel chose to speak openly about it.

“I’m going to have embarrassing moments,” says Gabel, “and that won’t be fun. But that’s part of what talking to you is about – is hoping people will understand, and hoping they’ll be fairly kind.”

The full story of Gabel’s transformation — where the singer talks about her history of gender dysphoria, the specifics of the process of transitioning into a woman, and what becoming “Laura Jane Grace” will mean for the future of Against Me! — will be detailed in Rolling Stone Magazine’s June 2012 issue, due to hit newsstands this Friday.

[RS]

What do you do when you want to make your name sound cooler? You change it to “Tyrannosaurus Rex,” that’s what.

An eccentric 23-year-old self-proclaimed entrepreneur from Nebraska walked into a York County District Court this week as Tyler Gold, and left the building as Tyrannosaurus Rex Joseph Gold.

He told the judge he chose that particular name — which, FYI, in Greek means “tyrant lizard king” and is usually used to identify a large dinosaur — because it sounds “cooler” than his boring old birth name “Tyler.”

And not only that … but as an entrepreneur, he believes the new moniker is “more recognizable.”

The York News Times in York, Nebraska reported:

In Gold’s official filing with the court, he said he wanted to change his name “because the (T-Rex designation) is cooler. Also, as an entrepreneur, name recognition is important and the new name is more recognizable.” He verbally repeated his reasoning during the court proceedings, while on the witness stand.

Judge Gless asked Gold if he wanted to change his name because he was hiding from creditors or law enforcement. Gold said none of those factors were involved in his request.

Gless noted that Gold had gone through all the proper channels of changing his name, which included formal filing with the court and notice publication.

At the end of Monday’s hearing, Gold’s name was officially changed to Tyrannosaurus Rex Joseph Gold.

So let’s get this straight. This guy changed his legal name to Tyrannosaurus Rex to stand out in the business world … which totally makes sense, because changing your name to Tyrannosaurus Rex will definitely make people take you more seriously.

Not.

A first grader from Colorado was suspended from school for three days for sexual harassment after he sang the lyrics of LMFAO‘s hit single “Sexy And I Know It” to a female classmate.

6-year-old D’Avonte Meadows, a special needs student at an elementary school in Aurora, CO, reportedly told the female student, “I’m sexy and I know it” while the two were waiting in the lunch line.

“I could understand if he was fondling her, looking up her skirt, trying to look in her shirt. That, to me, is sexual harassment,” said Stephanie Meadows, D’Avonte’s mother. “I’m just, I’m floored. They’re going to look at him like he’s a pervert. And it’s like, that’s not fair to him.”

This isn’t D’Avonte’s first time getting in trouble for using the lyric. According to his mother, he was disciplined last month when he quoted the same line from the same song to the same girl, and “shook his booty” in the girl’s face.

Ms. Meadows says after the first incident, her son met with the school’s assistant principal, and he was told not to shake anything in the girl’s face again.

“I’m going to definitely have to sit with him and see if he understands exactly what the song means,” Meadows said.

Meadows also said D’Avonte was also suspended earlier this year for disruptive behavior, not sexual harassment.

“I think it’s kind of overwhelming. You know, sexual harassment on a 6-year-old?” Meadows said. “I don’t understand. You know, kids are kids.”

Ms. Meadows is right; kids are kids.

You can’t blame a 6-year-old. Blame LMFAO for their ridiculously infectious music.

On a show of hands, how many of you say (or think) “I’m Sexy And I Know It” at least once a week, and/or you can’t get the “Party Rock Anthem” beat of your head.

**Slowly raises hand, hoping everyone else does too**

[Source: ABC 7 News]

Beyonce Knowles already has 16 Grammy Awards, 11 MTV Awards, 7 Billboard Music Awards, 7 Soul Train awards and 7 BET Awards, from a total of close to 250 music awards overall … So what else is there left for her to win?

Well, besides being named People Magazine’s “Most Beautiful Woman in the World” this year … Beyonce can now add “award-winning journalist” to her long list of ever growing credits, as she is reportedly being honored with a journalism award from the New York Association of Black Journalists.

The award — which will be officially presented to Beyonce on May 15th — is for an article she wrote in the July 2011 issue of Essence Magazine titled “Eat, Pray Love,” which was a first-hand account of the nine-month break she took from the music industry in 2010, before returning to record and release her album “4.”

“I had talked about taking a vacation before, but always ended up in the studio after two weeks, so no one believed me. This time, though, I was serious. I was going to give myself a year to do the things I never get to do,” the R&B diva wrote.

“Simple things like play with my nephew, pick him up from school, visit museums, go to concerts, see some Broadway shows, learn to cook a meal and spend time with my husband… Yes, I needed some relaxation, but I wanted inspiration too, from regular everyday things. They did not have to be over-the-top productions. I was looking for tiny moments that would speak to my heart and make me smile…”

“I’m grateful for the time I gave myself to breathe,” Beyonce also wrote, calling the personal retreat a “creative reawakening.”

Essence entertainment director Cori Murray praised Beyonce’s writing skills, and called her a “real writer.”

“We had to edit her,” Murray told the New York Daily News, “but everyone gets edited except Toni Morrison.”

But not everyone thinks Beyonce is so worthy of such an honor.

Following the announcement that the singer would be given an award for her writing, several journalists voiced their disapproval, including author, professor and journalist Dr. Boyce Watkins, who shared the following thoughts on the matter:

I am not one to presume that the New York Association of Black Journalists were off-base by giving a writing award to Beyonce Knowles.

While I am sure there are other professional writers who thought they might be considered for the award, we can’t assume that the woman who has sold millions of albums, toured the world non-stop for the last decade, been featured in multiple films and made thousands of appearances doesn’t have the ability to be an award-winning journalist in her spare time.

Here are some questions I’d like to ask the NYABJ about their decision to position Beyonce for the next Pulitzer Prize:

1) Did you see Beyonce’s open letter to Michelle Obama? Do you really think that the same person wrote both of these articles? The first sentence of Beyonce’s letter says, “Michelle is the ULTIMATE example of a truly strong African American women.” Is she writing TO Michelle or writing ABOUT Michelle? What in the hell is a “truly strong African American women?” I’m not trying to be a hater, but I just had to ask.

2) Would Beyonce have gotten this award had she been a regular citizen and not a celebrity? Only you know the answer to that question. What about a regular citizen who didn’t even go to college? Sorry, I’ll stop, since the college reference might make me sound like a snob. But I can’t help but think that taking more writing classes might make you into a better writer, the same way that I’m sure that rehearsing every single day for years made Beyonce into a better performer. I doubt that a journalist could do what Beyonce does by shaking their booty just once a month.

3) You’re really convinced that a person who wrote one article, for one magazine, one time is better than every black professional writer in the country who does this every single day for a living? Perhaps those bums need to step their games up.

4) What’s in it for you? Many organizations give false awards to celebrities just to get them to show up for their events. The appearance of the celebrity grants publicity and instant credibility to the event. In this case, the strategy appears to have backfired.

5) What’s the procedure and who voted to give Beyonce this award? Did the entire organizational body vote for Beyonce or were all voting privileges given to a select group of people in a private meeting? Yes, that does make a difference.

[Source]

Do you think Beyonce deserves a “journalism” award? Why or why not?

French lawmakers recently repealed France’s law against sexual harassment in the workplace, claiming that the definition of the crime was too vague.

When France’s first sexual harassment law was implemented back in 1992, it was originally defined as a person abusing their position of power and authority in an effort to receive sexual favors.

The law was revised in 2002 to broaden the definition to include anyone pressuring any person to perform sex acts in exchange for favors.

According to Reuters, the repeal of the law doesn’t necessarily mean that there won’t be a new law to replace the old one, but French women will have to wait until the new Parliament goes into office this June before any new law with clearer guidelines can even be discussed.

Some women’s groups said the decision, by France’s highest constitutional body, would leave victims without legal protection until a new law is penned, while others argued an improved law could lead to more convictions. [Source]

So that means for the next few months, if not longer, it’s totally legal to sexually harass someone in France, which is really bad news for women of the workplace … but good news for their perverted bosses. At least until the new law is drafted up, and put into practice, whenever French lawmakers “get around to it.”

Do you think sexual harassment will get out of control in France over the next several months?

With the help of Funny Or Die, Brian McKnight went ahead and released hilarious a video last week poking fun at his “Let Me Show You How Your P*ssy Works” song.

For those all the ladies who are “ready to learn,” and still haven’t seen the video … take lessons from the R&B crooner himself below!

As if being embroiled in a beef with Iggy Azalea and T.I. wasn’t enough … Hip-Hop newbie Azealia Banks has sparked yet another rap beef with someone else.

This time around, she’s shooting off at the mouth (via her infamous Twitter page, of course) about Lil Kim, who she says snubbed her after she sent her a song she wanted her to rap on.

Without mentioning any names, Banks tweeted on Saturday:

It really sucks when someone you respect and admire is trying to act brand new when all u did was reach out and try to work… I can’t lie… My little feelings are hurt. Women are so petty… But whatever…Your loss… Not mine.

The very next day, Azealia went in a little deeper and actually mentioned who she was referring to in her previous tweets, and also explained why she was so upset.

According to her tweets, Azealia reached out to Lil Kim and sent her a “reference verse” because she wanted the two of them to do a song together.

But Lil Kim, clearly offended at the fact that Azealia would basically write her verse for her, respectfully declined the offer in a message sent by her assistant.

So in response, Azealia — being the loose cannon that she is — chose to go in on Lil Kim on Twitter, and attacked her credibility, claiming that she “doesn’t write her own raps.”

Okay so true tea is that Lil Kim got mad that I wrote a verse for her on a record I wanted her on.

Everyone knows Lil Kim doesn’t write her own raps and I saw this as a faster more efficient way of getting the track done.

She then had her assistant write me some long ass offensive email about how Lil Kim writes her own raps and doesn’t need anyone’s help.

So….. My question was and is still… IS SHE DOING THE TRACK?

Who cares about what you use to do…. WILL YOU DO THE TRACK??!

All this extra sh-t is stupid. Keep closing your own doors ma. @lilkim

There is no beef. At all.

Shortly after Azealia Banks’ Twitter rant, Lil Kim’s publicist released a statement accusing the rap newcomer of manufacturing a phony beef for publicity:

Earlier today a press release went out making a claim that there was friction between Hip Hop Icon “Lil Kim” and aspiring hip artist azealia banks. The release comes as a surprise to our team, being that my client and azealia have NEVER spoke to one another or met AT ALL.

Kim was actually very flattered azealia’s public admiration for her, which is why it’s so hard to understand how someone who claims to be a true Lil Kim fan could flip the script so easily on someone who was supposedly their idol.

It is also VERY interesting that NO ONE from her team made any attempts to reach out to anyone from our team to voice any concerns or problems that they may have had. I have NEVER heard of anyone having a conflict with someone they have NEVER met with or personally spoke with.

We have no idea what they are referencing and have no desire to discuss the matter any further as there is nothing to talk about. It honestly seems that someone from azealia’s team would rather have her fans buy into manufactured drama instead of buying music.

Kim knows nothing of any beef, and furthermore has had nothing but nice things to say about her. We don’t know what this is and will not address this any further. It seems that this is another sad attempt by someone trying to use my client for publicity. We wish her nothing but the best.

Predictably, that statement led to yet ANOTHER Twitter rant from Azealia Banks:

@LilKim you DO know that YOUR management where the ones who said u needed us to write a reference verse in the first place .. Right?

BUT I BETTER NOT HEAR NONE OF MY LYRICS ON YA RECORDS MA! I WILL SUE DAT AZZZZZ!

Oh well … I’m still gonna steal all of her outfits & hairstyles … ‘cept I’m gonna keep all the credit and not involve her in any of it.

@LilKim real talk I just want that verse …. ya know..? I’m not really here for ur team and they’re pseudo professionalism

@LilKim u can still use the verse of you want.. Or feel free to write your own. But you should really do the verse

Lol all bullshit aside I’m here for this $$$$$$$$$$$. Let’s get it … Why not?

@LilKim YOU KNOW YOU WANT TOOOOO

@LilKim COMAAAAAAAAAAAAAHN!

Needless to say … at this point, Lil Kim will probably NEVER do a song with Azealia Banks … but who knows? Maybe they’ll kiss and make up one day.

Only time will tell…

[Spotted at Necole Bitchie]

Remember this guy???

Former R&B singer Houston — who released that catchy song “I Like That” (featuring Nate Dogg, Chingy and others) in 2004, then gouged his own eye with a fork the following year — posed for his scary-looking mugshot after he was recently arrested for DUI in Los Angeles.

According to TMZ, the 28-year-old — whose full name is Houston Summers IV — was busted for DUI last week near Malibu after cops spotted him driving “erratically” in an old, beat up SUV and pulled him over.

Police say when they approached the vehicle, it reeked of marijuana. When they questioned him, his answers were incoherent, and he was then placed under arrest on suspicion of DUI.

Cops believe Houston wasn’t driving drunk, but under the influence of drugs. He was released from jail the next day.

Houston before the eye-gouging incident (obviously)

As you may (or may not) remember … Houston famously had an emotional breakdown back in February 2005, when he first attempted suicide by jumping out of a 13th-floor hotel window in London while under the influence of PCP.

His concerned friends were able to stop him from killing himself, but when they locked him in a first-floor room, he grabbed a plastic fork and gouged his own eye out. (Sidenote: The suicide attempt was later declared a “rumor” by Houston’s family members.)

At the time, the singer’s bodyguard told MTV News that after he gouged his eye out, “he showed no pain and he had no remorse,” and told him that “he had to do it” so that he he could get “closer to God.”

Immediately following the incident, Houston was institutionalized for an entire year, attributing his mental outburst as a result of the “pressures of fame.”

Take a trip down memory lane by watching the music video for the ONLY single he EVER released below:

Patricia Krentcil Appeared on ABC's "Good Morning America"

An excessively tanned woman from New Jersey is facing child endangerment charges after she allegedly took her 5-year-old daughter to a tanning booth, and allowed the little girl to get a tan.

44-year-old Patricia Krentcil — known as the “tanning mom” — was arrested after her daughter allegedly suffered burns at a tanning salon.

She denies the child endangerment charges, but if convicted, she could face up to 10 years behind bars, where the only tanning she will get is from the prison yard.

Patricia Krentcil's mugshot

According to ABC News, child protective services in New Jersey intervened after a tip from the nurse at Patricia’s daughter Anna‘s school who noticed she had a rash. The little girl said that she had been burned after going tanning with her mother.

But Patricia says that Anna was sunburned from a day spent gardening, and not from a tanning bed.

Her husband Richard Krentcil also said that Anna never entered a tanning bed, and media reports saying so are not true.

“They wrote the story saying Patricia took her into the tanning booth, [that] they were tanning together,” he said. “Totally false.”

The owner of City Tropics tanning salon in Nutley, NJ here Patricia regularly gets her tanning fix says she pays a flat fee of about $100 per month for “unlimited” tanning sessions, and she tans for about 12 minutes, 5 days a week. Every week. (That’s 20 times a month!)

New York dermatologist Joshua Zeichner explained the situation and Patrica’s addiction — known as “tanorexia” — to the New York Daily News:

“Going to a tanning salon 20 times a month, frankly, is insane, especially with all of the public education and awareness campaigns on the dangers of tanning beds and skin cancers. It may be she has an addiction to tanning, which actually now has a name — tanorexia. She may need help to treat not only the damage to her skin, but also what is going on with her psychologically.”

Another New York dermatologist, Dr. Doris Day, had this to say about Patricia:

“When you look at this, this is somebody who has a problem who most likely has a condition called ‘tanorexia,’ where they just don’t realize just how much color they have. She’s at higher risk for skin cancer, and it also doesn’t send the right message to her child.”

Patricia doesn’t believe she’s addicted to tanning, but most addicts don’t believe they ever have a problem.

Her attorney John. D. Caruso doesn’t think she’s addicted to tanning either.

“Obviously, she tans,” Caruso said. “To call her an addict, I think is a real leap. It feels like it’s being exaggerated, to be like, ‘Well look at her, she must have done this.’”

So going to a tanning salon 20 times a month (over 200 times yearly) is not addictive behavior? Okay … Whatever.

Watch the video report from ABC News below:

A version of Edvard Munch‘s world-famous masterpiece “The Scream” broke a world record this week, becoming the world’s most expensive piece of artwork to be sold in an auction.

Five bidders completed for the art piece, which was eventually sold to a bidder for $119,922,500 over the telephone.

That’s almost One Hundred and Twenty MILLION Dollars … for a picture!

Now granted, it is one of world’s the most recognizable images, next to Leonardo Da Vinci‘s “Mona Lisa” … but WOW, that’s a hell of a lot of money!

There are only four official versions of “The Scream,” three of which are now in Norwegian museums.

The version of the picture that was sold on Wedensday (Apr 2) — created in 1895, and is technically not a “painting,” but pastel on a board — is the only one in private hands.

But really? $120 million for a picture?!? You can buy at least 2 or 3 Neverland Ranches with that kinda money!

What would you do with $120 million dollars?

[Source: NYT]

NFL legend Junior Seau — who played in the league for 20 solid years after being drafted in 1990 — was found dead at his beachfront home in Oceanside, CA Wednesday morning (Apr 2). He was 43 years old.

Oceanside Police Chief Frank McCoy told the press that Seau’s girlfriend found the former NFL player unconscious with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest, and attempts to revive him were unsuccessful. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

McCoy says investigators found a handgun in the bedroom, and the case is being investigated as a suicide … though no suicide note was discovered at the scene.

Seau’s mother Luisa Seau was hysterical and had a heart-wrenching breakdown while speaking briefly to reporters.

“Junior!” she cried. “Why didn’t you tell me you were going.” She said her son had joked with her on the phone just a few days ago, calling her “homegirl.”

“I don’t understand … I’m shocked,” she cried out.

According to TMZ, Seau sent text messages to his ex-wife and kids yesterday, telling them “I love you,” to which they all responded, but didn’t suspect anything was wrong.

Seau last saw his kids 3 weeks ago, and sources say family members didn’t notice any signs of depression in recent weeks.

Most people commit suicide by shooting themselves in the head (usually, to make sure the deed is done) … but Seau chose to shoot himself in the chest, which many believe to be a premeditated decision, considering several other NFL players have killed themselves similarly in an effort to preserve their brains for “NFL research purposes.” (New studies appear to connect football-related concussions to suicidal behavior)

His ex-wife Gina Seau told the Associated Press that Seau sustained numerous concussions during his career.

“Of course he had. He always bounced back and kept on playing,” she said. “He’s a warrior. That didn’t stop him. I don’t know what football player hasn’t. It’s not ballet. It’s part of the game.”

Seau was a standout linebacker with the University of Southern California before going to play in the NFL for the San Diego Chargers, the Miami Dolphins and the New England Patriots. He retired after the 2009 season with the Patriots.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell released the following statement via Twitter:

“All of us are deeply saddened about Junior Seau, a great player loved by teammates who also worked hard to serve his community. Junior and his family will remain in our thoughts.”

Back in October 2010, Seau drove his SUV off the side of a 100-foot seaside cliff, just hours after he was arrested for investigation of domestic violence at the Oceanside, CA home he shared with his girlfriend.

Seau — who only sustained minor injuries following the crash — later said he wasn’t trying to kill himself, insisting he had simply fallen asleep at the wheel. There was no evidence of drugs or alcohol involved with the crash.

Seau’s death follows the suicide last year of former Chicago Bears player Dave Duerson. He too, shot himself in the chest, but he specifically asked that his brain be studied to learn more about football-related damage.

Junior Seau is also incidentally the 8th member of the 1994 San Diego Chargers team to die before the age of 45 years old, joining linebacker David Griggs (1995), runningback Rodney Culver (1996), linebacker Doug Miller (1998), center Curtis Whitley (2008), defensive end Chris Mims (2008), defensive tackle Shawn Lee (2011) and linebacker Lew Bush (2011).

Junior Seau leaves behind three children — 19-year-old Sydney Beau, 17-year-old Jake Ryan, and 12-year-old Hunter Tiaina — and his ex-wife Gina Deboer.

Tyler Perry‘s massive studio complex in Atlanta caught on fire Tuesday night (May 1).

Officials say over it took over 100 firefighters and at least 20 trucks to combat the fire, which they say started a little after 8:30 pm. They say it took workers over 3 hours to get the blazes under control.

According to local reports, several eyewitnesses say they heard a huge explosion before the fire broke out.

Thankfully, there were zero reports of injuries, despite the fact parts of the building collapsed as a result of the damage caused by the fire.

According to the studio’s website, the 200,000 square-foot facility — located in southwest Atlanta — includes five sound stages, a post-production facility, a back lot, a 400-seat theater, a private screening room, and designated areas for entertaining and hosting events.

The studio also just hosted a fundraiser for Barack Obama’s re-election campaign back in March.

Tyler Perry thanked Atlanta firefighters in the following statement released Wednesday (May 2):

“Atlanta firefighters responded immediately to a fire which damaged the backlot façade of one of the buildings at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta. We are grateful that there were no injuries, and that 99 percent of the damage is limited to the backlot facade. Mr. Perry wishes to express his heartfelt thanks to the Atlanta fire department for their professionalism in their quick response and limiting the damage.”

As of right now, the cause of the fire is not yet known … and the amount of damage has yet to be determined.

Watch a video report from Fox News in Atlanta about the fire below:

Just one day after filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy … Octomom has come up with a way to make some quick cash.

The mother of 14 has signed on to shoot a masturbation video this summer with an online adult entertainment company.

The flick will be released shortly after it’s recorded.

The amount of money she’ll make is being kept a secret at the moment, however, sources tell TMZ, “It’s a lot more than the $10,000 she made for posing topless.”

It should also be noted that almost 2 years ago, Octomom was offered $500,000 by Vivid Entertainment to appear in a porn flick. A year and a half before that, the same company offered her over $1 million.

But Octomom — who currently owes between $500,000 and $1 million to debtors — turned down both offers.

Despite vowing to never do porn,  Octomom says a masturbation video doesn’t count, since it’s a solo mission.

It doesn’t matter if it’s solo or a group effort … porn is porn! So Octomom can keep lyin to herself if she wants to, but we all know the truth.

The Los Angeles Lakers‘ newest player Jordan Hill is facing a felony assault charge after he allegedly assaulted his girlfriend and choked her during an altercation in Texas earlier this year.

Hill’s girlfriend Darlene Luna claims the NBA star attacked her, leaving bruises on her leg, and then tried to choke her.

Interestingly enough … even though the alleged incident took place a little over two months ago on February 29th, Luna didn’t file charges until April 30th.

The district attorney’s office told the Associated Press that Hill faces a sentence of two to 10 years in prison, as well as a $10,000 fine; and after paperwork is complete, a warrant will be issued for his arrest.

A rep for the Lakers told TMZ right after the story broke, “We are aware of the media reports alleging an incident involving Jordan Hill from two months ago when he was a member of the Houston Rockets.”

“We do not have any details regarding these reports and therefore, as well as due to the personal and legal aspects, it would not be appropriate for us to comment.”

24-year-old Jordan Hill is currently in his third season after being selected by the New York Knicks as a lottery pick in the 2009 NBA Draft.

Hill was traded to the Lakers back in March from the Houston Rockets in exchange for guard Derek Fisher and a first round pick, and has since become a key member of the team.

The Lakers’ won Game 1 of the Western Conference playoffs over the Denver Nuggets Sunday (Apr 29).

Game 2 is scheduled for Tuesday night at the Staples Center. Hopefully, this little “incident” won’t affect Jordan’s game.

Brian McKnight‘s new “P*ssy” song is a HIT! At least in the porn world…

Since the track went viral on YouTube earlier this week, the R&B crooner has been invited to perform next January in Las Vegas at the upcoming AVN Awards (a.k.a. the “Oscars of Porn”).

According to sources,several other XXX companies have also reached out to McKnight about the song, which will be released on iTunes next week.

YouPorn.com — one of the biggest porn sites in thew world — has even approached Brian about licensing the song for its website’s background music.

But the R&B crooner isn’t taking any offers just yet. “I don’t know what specifically I will do with this track in the future….and I don’t see myself ever performing it live, but I am flattered that people have embraced it and are having as much fun with it as I am,” he told TMZ.

Brian might as well perform the song … it will probably get him laid afterwards! (LOL)

Ever heard of the “sunlight” diet? It’s all natural, and totally free … but apparently there’s one major side effect. Death.

A woman from Switzerland learned that the hard way after she reportedly starved to death after going on a so-called spiritual diet that required her to stop eating or drinking, and instead, living off sunlight alone.

Swiss newspaper Tages-Anzeiger reported Wednesday that the unnamed Swiss woman, who was in her fifties, chose to adopt the sunlight only diet after she watched an Austrian documentary in 2010 about an Indian guru who claims to have lived off nothing but sunlight for 70 years.

According to Tages-Anzeiger, the woman stopped eating and drinking for a week straight (and even spat out her own saliva) while consuming only sunlight and air.

She stopped her sunlight only diet at the urging of her children, but eventually resumed, and was found dead at her home in January 2011.

An autopsy showed that the woman simply died of starvation, and no other factors contributed to her death.

Tages-Anzeiger says there have been similar cases of folks dying after starving themselves with this radical sunlight-only diet in Germany, Britain and Australia … which proves that no human being can simply live off air and sunlight alone.

[Sources: Herald Sun, Tages-Anzeiger]

The infamous Heart Attack Grill in Las Vegas almost claimed the life of another customer.

A Las Vegas woman in her 40′s reportedly collapsed at the Heart Attack Grill in Las Vegas as she was eating a double bypass burger.

Though the burger itself can’t take all the blame, because she was also smoking cigarettes AND drinking a margarita too. (Multitasking at it’s finest!)

The restaurant’s owner Jon Basso told ABC News that the woman was found unconscious at the restaurant Saturday night (Apr 21) and had to be resuscitated by paramedics.

The woman, whose name wasn’t released, is said to be recovering from the incident.

The Heart Attack Grill made headlines back in February after a man in his 40′s’ suffered an actual heart attack after he wolfed down a Triple Bypass Burger, which is a step down from the much larger, 2-pound, award-winning Quadruple Bypass Burger.

READ: Man Nearly Dies After Eating “Triple Bypass Burger” at the Heart Attack Grill in Las Vegas

“The gentleman could barely talk,” owner Jon Basso told reporters at the time. “He was sweating, suffering. Anyone with an ounce of compassion would’ve felt for him.”

Incidentally … last year, the Heart Attack Grill’s nearly 600 pound spokesman died at the young age of 29 years old.

Despite the unfortunate events that have taken place, business is still booming at the restaurant, which has signs posted all around that read: “This Establishment is Bad for Your Health.”

A "Heart Attack Grill" waitress -- also called "nurses" -- holds up a real, live Quadruple Bypass Burger.

The 7-year-old restaurant was also recently awarded the Guiness World Record for “Highest Calorie Hamburger” for its nearly 10,000 calorie “Quadruple Bypass Burger,” which comes stacked with four huge burger patties, four slices of cheese, red onions, tomato, special sauce and up to 20 strips of bacon.

Yummy.

Nadya Suleman, best known worldwide as the “Octomom,” is under investigation by the Orange County Department of Family and Children’s services following a complaint filed by her hair stylist stating that the mother of 14 allows her children to live in horrendous living conditions.

According to TMZ, a California police officer and 3 DFCS workers showed up at Octomom’s house Tuesday (Apr 24) in response to the child neglect claims from her hairdresser Stephanie, who says that the family of 15 are living squalor.

Stephanie told the police that the plumbing in the home is a disaster, and there is only one working toilet in the entire house.

She also said that the house was totally filthy, and the kids are dirty and appear malnourished, and they use the bathroom via portable training toilets in their bedrooms and outside in the backyard.

Among other things, Stephanie also told police that she actually witnessed Octomom locking her kids in a bedroom while she tended to personal matters.

In a video posted to TMZ that shows the cop and the 3 DFCS workers arriving at the home and walking inside, you can actually hear Octomom say “Excuse the graffiti.”

The authorities reportedly stayed at the house for an hour-and-a-half before they left.

They determined the kids weren’t in danger, so they weren’t removed from the home, but the investigation will continue and there will definitely be a follow-up with Children’s Services.

Take a look at the pictures showing Octomom’s squalid living conditions below:

A case of mad cow disease was found in a dairy cow in California, the USDA confirmed Tuesday (Apr 24).

Baker Commodities executive vice president Dennis Luckey told the Associated Press that his workers discovered the disease, also called “ovine spongiform encephalopathy” or “BSE,” after they selected the cow for random sampling.

Luckey said the sample was taken from the dead cow’s carcass on April 18th at a hide-removal site, where dead livestock are held before going to a rendering plant. “This animal happened to be one that we randomly selected,” he said.

The diseased cow’s carcass “was never presented for slaughter for human consumption, so at no time presented a risk to the food supply or human health,” John Clifford from the United States Department of Agriculture said in a statement, according to Bloomberg.

“The USDA remains confident in the health of the national herd and the safety of beef and dairy products,” he said.

According to published reports, this makes the fourth case of mad cow disease discovered since December 2003, and the first since 2006.

Mad cow disease is fatal to cows and can cause a deadly brain disease in humans who eat tainted meat, though officials say the disease can’t be transmitted through milk from dairy animals.

Regardless … it might be time to switch to Soy milk and ground turkey for a little while. Or forever.

There’s a dangerous new trend among teens on the rise. According to published reports, as many as six California teenagers were recently hospitalized with alcohol poisoning after they got drunk off hand sanitizer.

What is supposed to be used to clean and disinfect your hands is now being used to in replace of liquor, which is usually hard for teenagers to get, since the legal drinking age in the U.S. is 21.

Hand sanitizer, on the other hand, is available for purchase at just about anywhere, and a bored teenager can actually use it — along with a few simple instructions online — to get drunk.

“A few swallows is all it takes to get a person to get the intoxicated effects of alcohol,” Dr. Cyrus Rangan, medical toxicology consultant for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, said in a news conference on Tuesday (Apr 24). “There is no question that it is dangerous.”

In six totally unrelated incidents in the past month alone, teenagers were rushed to emergency rooms in California with symptoms such as slurred speech and burning sensations in the stomach.

Some teens were reportedly so drunk that they needed to be monitored in the emergency room overnight.

According to ABC News, about 2,600 different cases have been reported in California since 2010, but public health officials say that there are many other cases across the country.

“This is a rapidly emerging trend,” Dr. Rangan said, adding that long-term use could lead to brain, liver and kidney damage.

“It’s not just localized to us,” said Helen Arbogast from the Los Angeles Children’s Hospital. “Since 2009 we can see on YouTube it’s in all regions of the country. We see it in the South, in the Midwest, in the East.”

The Los Angeles Times reports that using instructions online, some of the teenagers used salt to separate the alcohol from liquid hand sanitizer, which contains about 62-65 percent ethyl alcohol (or ethanol) the main ingredient in beer, wine and liquor.

The alcohol extracted from household hand sanitizer is 120 proof, in comparison to a bottle of vodka, which is 80 proof.

“Methods to distill it can be found through friends and the Internet, but straight ingestion of the product without distillation is also common,” Dr. Rangan said.

Dr. Sean Nordt, director of toxicology at the USC Los Angeles County Emergency Department said that he hopes parents and store clerks will keep an eye on who they’re selling hand sanitizer to.

“”Most stores will sell it to an adolescent without thinking twice,” Nordt told ABC News. “Maybe now they will.”

This new trend of youngsters drinking hand sanitizer to get drunk is being compared to drinking cough syrup to get a buzz, which is highly celebrated in rap culture.

Watch a video report from KTLA below:

Brian McKnight made himself relevant again on Twitter last night … but not necessarily in a good way.

The R&B crooner announced the idea of releasing an explicit R&B mixtape and gave his followers a preview of a new song titled “If You’re Ready to Learn (How Your P**sy Works),” a provocative song about … you guessed it … showing a woman how her p**sy works.

Peep some of the lyrics below:

Let me show you how your p**sy works,
Since you didn’t bring it to me first
I have lots of things to show you, If you’re ready to learn
Let me show you how your p**sy works,
Bet you didn’t know that it could squirt
I have lots of things to show you, If you’re ready to learn

Unfortunately for Brian, his core fan base wasn’t really feeling the track and many of the responses were negative.

After taking all the criticism in, he tweeted the following back:

Its just sad that this is what i had to do to get most of these people to even acknowledge me.

I wrote this song crude as it may be about satisfying all women and look what happened

It’s funny how we listen and let our kids listen to songs about killing people and selling drugs and calling women bitches

Listen to the song below:

Do you think the track is a sexy bedroom banger or should Brian just hang it up?

Tell us in the comments below!

Sh*t just got real…

Pilar Sanders was arrested for domestic violence yesterday after allegedly attacking her estranged hubby Deion Sanders.

According to TMZ, Pilar was booked for “assault family violence” at the Colin County Jail in Texas.

Deion claims Pilar and her friend jumped him in front his two sons….and took to Twitter to prove his innocence:

Pray for me and my kids now! They just witnessed their mother and a friend jump me in my room. She’s going to jail n I’m pressing charges!

I’m sad my boys witnessed this mess but I warned the police department here that she was gone try n harm me and my boys. This is on my mama!

Filling out police reports now! Thank God for this platform to issue the Truth.

Deion pictured here filing the police report against his estranged wife Pilar Sanders

The former NFL star also claims he didn’t hurt Pilar and only defended himself until he was able to call police.

Up until the incident yesterday, Deion and Pilar have been living together in their Dallas home.

Funny how all of this drama occurs after Deion was spotted out with Eddy Murphy’s ex Tracey Edmonds at the Broadway opening of “A Streetcar Named Desire.” (Not a smart move, playa!)

At this year’s Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in California, late rapper Tupac was resurrected in the form of a hologram and it looks as though iconic pop legend Michael Jackson may take on the same form.

According to reports, MJ may take to the stage and tour with his brothers as the Jackson 5.

When speaking with British Newspaper The Sun, Jackie Jackson said, “It could have been Michael — absolutely. Wouldn’t that be wonderful? As a matter of fact, we had that idea two years ago for Michael’s Cirque du Soleil show.”

A source explained that a hologram of MJ going on tour with the Jackson 5 could be “the most lucrative of all time,” however a lot of negotiating would have to take place before it happened.

The source continued, “As always with Michael’s estate and creating new art with his image, there will be a lot of politics to navigate. But we’ve all seen how well it can be done now. It could be the most lucrative world tour of all time.”

Meanwhile, the surviving members of the Jackson 5 recently announced that they will embark on their Unity Tour this summer. The 27-city tour is set to kick off June 18 in Louisville, Illinois, and will be the legendary group’s first run since the “infamous Victory Tour” in 1984.

“I just wish Michael was here with us,” Jackie told E! News in an exclusive interview. “But I’m sure his spirit will be in the house.”

Would you like to see a Michael Jackson hologram go on tour with the Jackson 5?

Apparently, Justin Bieber doesn’t want to let sleeping dogs lie.

It’s been almost six months since the last time we heard from the girl who once claimed that Justin fathered her child, but thanks to the singer’s taunts on Twitter, Mariah Yeater’s name is back in the headlines.

The “Baby” singer tweeted, “Dear mariah yeeter…we have never met…so from the heart i just wanted to say…” and then linked his message to a video of Borat repeatedly saying “You will never get this. You will never get this. La la la la la…”

In October of last year, Yeater claimed that she got pregnant after having a sexual encounter with Bieber backstage at one of his concerts in L.A. when she was 19 and he was just 16 years old.

The story spiraled out of control and forced Bieber to take a paternity test to prove he was not the father. Eventually the lawsuit was withdrawn by Yeater’s camp and the two went their separate ways … until now, that is.

Maybe the Biebz is just returning the drama?

Nia Crooks so far has only appeared on one episode of “Basketball Wives” this season, however that one appearance has landed her in some pretty serious trouble with the law.

According to confirmed reports, Crooks has been charged with misdemeanor battery after she smacked the taste out of Jennifer Wililams’ mouth back in January.

Officials at the Broward County State Attorney’s Office filed the charges on April 10th after Williams filed a criminal complaint.

Nia’s lawyers released a statement, saying:

“We will vigorously defend Nia against these charges. The women on the show executed contracts expressly accepting the risk that a physical altercation could occur. Given that Jennifer herself has previously instigated fights on the show, to cry foul now is absurd and a desperate attempt for publicity and money. We will fight until Nia is vindicated.”

If convicted, Nia faces up to a year behind bars.

During the incident, which aired last Monday night (Apr 16) on a new episode of “Basketball Wives” Nia threatened to slap Jennifer, asking her “Do you need to be slapped in your face?”

Jennifer replied, “I wish you would,” which is when Nia proceeded to get up out of her chair, walked over to Jennifer and slapped her right in her face.

Watch a clip from the incident, courtesy of TMZ, below:

Meanwhile, VH1 producers aren’t happy with Jennifer’s decision to file a police report, despite her signing a contractual agreement that clearly states that getting into physical altercations with other cast members is a possibility on the show.

Sources close to production tell TMZ … Williams was already on thin ice with the show — even before her slaptastic showdown with Nia Crooks — but now that she has filed a lawsuit … that ice is breaking FAST.

We’re told producers think the suit is BS … claiming Jennifer never had a problem with fighting before and insist this is a desperate publicity stunt to keep her storyline interesting — securing her a place in season 5.

But a source tells us the stunt is not working, adding, “Filing broad lawsuits when you are as much to blame for the drama, is not the way to get your contract extended.”

Uh-oh … sounds like Jennifer Williams’ days may be numbered.

Your thoughts?

George Zimmerman — the former neighborhood watch volunteer who was recently charged with second degree murder for shooting and killing 17-year-old Trayvon Martin — was released from jail shortly after midnight on Monday morning (Apr 23) after posting $150,000 bond.

Zimmerman, accompanied by an unidentified male, was wearing a brown jacket and blue jeans, and was carrying a paper bag as he walked out of the John E. Polk Correctional Facility. He didn’t make eye contact with photographers and was completely silent as he made his way to his vehicle.

Under the conditions of his bail, which were set by Judge Kenneth Lester Jr. last Friday, Zimmerman must wear an electronic monitoring device equipped with GPS tracking.

Zimmerman is allowed to leave the state, however, no matter where he is, he must observe a dusk-to-dawn curfew. He is also prohibited from consuming alcohol or any illegal drugs, and he has been legally banned from possessing a firearm, for very obvious reasons.

Attorney Daryl Parks, who is representing Trayvon Martin’s parents, said that while the family respects the judicial process that allows Zimmerman to be released from prison … they are still “devastated by him being able to walk the streets.”

“It’s with a very, very heavy heart that they’ve seen him walk freely late last night back into the public,” Parks said on CNN.

George Zimmerman stunned a Florida court during his bond hearing on Friday when he took the stand and offered a personal apology to Trayvon Martin’s parents, who were sitting in the courtroom.

Addressing Martin’s family directly, Zimmerman said, “I am sorry for the loss of your son. I did not know how old he was. I thought he was a little bit younger than I am. I did not know if he was armed or not.”

Benjamin Crump, another lawyer for the Martin family, said that Zimmerman’s apology was not only self-serving … but poorly timed and insincere.

“The apology was somewhat of a surprise because we had told them this was not the appropriate time, but they just disregarded that, and he went and pandered to the court and the media and gave a very insincere apology,” Crump told CNN.

George Zimmerman admitted to murdering Trayvon Martin on the night of February 26th in a gated Sanford, Florida community. He told police he was acting in self-defense under Florida’s “Stand Your Ground Law.”

For his safety, Zimmerman’s current whereabouts are being kept a secret until his next court appearance.

Looks like Metta World Peace is getting back to his old “Ron Artest” ways.

After celebrating a monster dunk, the Los Angeles Lakers star aggressively elbowed James Harden from the Oklahoma City Thunder in the face last night during the first half of the Lakers’ 114-106 double-overtime victory.

World Peace was immediately ejected from the game, and officials say that he could face suspension.

Metta claims that it was totally accidental, but from the looks of it …. we beg to differ!

Watch below:

We’re not buying it Metta….you didn’t even look back to make sure Harden was okay. C’mon son!!

Do you think Metta World Peace elbowed James Harden on purpose … or was it an accident?

NFL player Antonio Cromartie has 10 children with eight different women in six different states … and according to various reports, a TV production company wants to create a reality show about the New York Jets cornerback and his ever growing family.

The show would basically follow Cromartie and his brood, and will attempt to show the clan as they try to “co-exist as a modern family,” a source revealed to the New York Post.

Most of the baby mamas are on board to do the show so that their kids can bond with each other as brothers and sisters. But Antonio won’t sign off on it, for obvious reasons, and has blocked any filming of his many children.

Despite the fact that Antonio has so many children in so many different states (California, Texas, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and New Jersey), somehow some of his baby mamas actually know each other and are good friends.

A woman named Ryan Ross, a hotel employee from Los Anglees who met Cromartie at a San Diego nightclub and dated him for six months, says she ran into another one of Cromartie’s baby mamas — Latoya Burley from Houston, Texas — four years ago when she brought her then-newborn son Tyler to visit the former San Diego Chargers player at his apartment.

Latoya was there visiting with her daughter Deyjah, and she and Ryan hit off. Now the two of them stay in touch with each other, and several of Cro’s other baby mamas. (Sidenote: Latoya also has another daughter with Cro named Leilani.)

“We’re not catty women. We have a close, tight-knit friendship and understand what each other’s going through. We reach out to share news about the kids, to talk, to vent,” Ross said.

As far as Cromartie is concerned, Ross says that they only “co-exist” for the sake of their son, and Cromartie visits L.A. several times a year and spends time with their son T.J.

Cromartie — who signed a 4-year $32 million contract last fall — reportedly pays over $3,500 per month to all but two of his baby mamas.

One of the women not receiving monthly checks is his wife Terricka (so of course he doesn’t pay child support to her), and the other — a woman from Florida named Rosemita Pierre — is the mother of his oldest child.

The latter doesn’t receive any support because Cromartie got a judge to grant him full costody of their 7-year-old son Alonzo. And a court order states that Pierre is allowed to speak with her son at least three times a week, but she says Antonio sometimes doesn’t answer the phone when she calls.

“They don’t answer the phone,” said Pierre, who has in the past called the cops in Randolph, New Jersey to knock on Cromartie’s door. “It’s a hurtful situation — like he’s trying to erase me.”

Pierre says she favors the show because she wants her son to know all of his brothers and sisters. Ryan Ross feels the same way.

“I love it,” Ross said of the proposed TV show. “Our kids need to know who their siblings are. It’s bigger than our past with Antonio. It’s about our children.”

To make matters for Antoni worse, one of his baby mamas — Rhondea Patterson from North Carolina — is a corporate lawyer, and she wrote a memoir called “Love, Intercepted” that details how Cromartie wooed her, then proposed to her only to cancel their wedding before the ceremony.

At the time, she was six months pregnant, but that didn’t stop him from dumping her for another woman named Terricka who would later become his wife and the mother of two more of his children. Their most recent child together — a baby boy named Jagger — is less than a year old and now she’s pregnant with twins.

Below is an infographic made by the NY Post descrbing Cromartie’s 10 children and their mothers:

According to Terricka Cromartie, Antonio’s wife of the past four years, some of the ages on the NY Post infographic are incorrect, and we certainly hope so, because there are several children listed who are the same age, which suggests that for a period of time, Cromartie was VERY fertile and wasn’t spending money on ANY condoms.

After The Post’s story about her husband’s large group of baby mamas uniting together to make a reality show started to spread, Terricka shared the following via Twitter:

We had no $ i loved my husband and I married him for that sol4 purpose ny post really tried 2 make a graph & its still wrong

The gold diggers are the ladies seeking financial gain from a show based off there kids i would never want any part of that

our family is not ur ideal family but we make it work.. If these women would b more concern about there kids & not them self

Nonetheless when ur cleaning hotel rms a reality show would b ideal but i’ll let them dream about it & watch me live it

Without the lies I’ll tell u anything u want to kno just ask me.. Ive always been an up front person.. Oh yea we are expecting twins in NOv

So come November … Antonio Cromartie’s baby count will jump from 10 to 12! That’s a lot of children to keep up with, especially for a 28-year-old.

Antonio became the laughing stock of the Internet a couple of years ago after a video showing him having trouble recalling all of his children’s names and ages for an HBO show went viral. Peep the clip below:

At the time, Cromatio only had 8 kids, compared to the 10 he has now, and the 12 he will have when he and his wife’s twins are born this November; and even with just 8, he shamefully struggled to accurately and precisely recall all of his offspring.

At the rate he’s going now, Antonio Cromatio will have 20 or more children by the time he turns 35!

Someone should drop this guy the memo that condoms are a lot cheaper than babies.

[Sources: NY Post, Necole Bitchie]