Entertainment News, Celebrity News Online

American Idol is heading into its twilight years. Between Simon Cowell moving on to bigger and better things and with the show beginning to drop from its place as the ratings king the show is beginning to look a little tired. I know that I am not the biggest fan of the show but my wife on the other hand loves it and has watched every season faithfully – except for this one. Even she feels that there is something different about this season .. almost like it has become boring.

We often talk about past seasons and who we think were some of the stand outs or who we think became more famous even though they might not have been a winner. So it was interesting to see that Billboard Magazine has compiled a list of the 24 most successful artists who got their start because of American Idol.

Here’s the Top 10 of those in Billboard Magazine’s list:

10. Ruben Studdard

9. Fantasia

8. David Archuleta

7. Kellie Pickler

6. Clay Aiken

5. David Cook

4. Jordin Sparks

3. Chris Daughtry

2. Carrie Underwood

1. Kelly Clarkson

Siohvaughn Wade, wife of NBA star Dwayne Wade, filed suit against actress Gabrielle Union yesterday claiming Union inflicted “emotional distress” on she and her children due to her relationship with Wade’s estranged husband during their ongoing divorce battle.

Siohvaughn Wade alleges the NBA star and his girlfriend engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior in front of the couple’s two sons, aged eight and two, and that the older child has been so affected by his father’s new relationship that he is experiencing significant stress and anxiety including hair loss. (The suit indicates the child has “bald patches.”) The suit also alleges the younger child was allowed near a swimming pool unsupervised, and seems to pit the children against their father in court statements:

The 8-year-old later told court-appointed child representative Lester Barelay what happened and asked him “to put his father in jail…” so he would not have to return to the home, which he calls “the house where the woman kissing daddy lives,” the suit said.

Wade denies that his wife’s allegations have any merit:

“I can state with certainty that the claims Siohvaughn made about Gabrielle are untrue. I am deeply saddened and disappointed that Siohvaughn has used our sons once again as pawns and is now lashing out at Gabrielle, who is an innocent party,” Wade said in the statement, released through his PR firm.

Siohvaughn Wade is seeking $50,000 on behalf of herself and her children in the suit against Gabrielle Union.

Jennifer Lopez refuses to deny herself certain foods.

The singer-and-actress, famed for her perfectly curvy figure, likes to keep her diet varied and will indulge in the occasional treat but knows she can’t do it all the time if she wants to maintain her enviable body.

She said, “Just like anybody I try to watch what I eat – there’s no big science to it, which is what sucks.

“One of the good tricks is to have a goal – for me it may be getting in shape for a video shoot. The other is portion control. I love to eat everything and you pretty much can – a little piece of something fattening is not going to kill you. It’s when you eat the whole box that it’s going to kill you.”

Jennifer – who has two-year-old twins, Max and Emme, with husband Marc Anthony – also says she’s never felt pressure to be a size zero and has always been confident about her sexy curves.

She said, “I was always very comfortable with who I was. I’ve never looked at myself in a negative way.”

When Jennifer first became a worldwide star, a lot of attention was given to her shapely behind but she insists she never paid too much attention to the stories, even when it was rumored she had insured it for $1 million.

The ‘Back-up Plan’ beauty added to Marie Claire magazine, “I thought that story was funny. In fact, we traced that story, and that was a rumor that started in London.

“But I was honestly at that time was in such a work fog I didn’t even notice. Now that I’ve had time to sit I appreciate and love everything in a different way, and I think that’s because of the kids too. I just think of life in a different way: back then it was just about the grind.”

Lady Gaga had to be dragged out of her dressing room by Oprah Winfrey after suffering from stage fright.

The ‘Telephone’ singer hid backstage prior to her performance at the Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Monday, May 3, which was attended by an exclusive crowd of 700, including Anne Hathaway, Taylor Swift and Jennifer Lopez – but the talk show host helped her overcome her nerves.

A source told the New York Post newspaper, “She literally wouldn’t come out. Friends tried, Warner Music executive Lyor Cohen tried, no dice. Eventually, Vito Schnabel came over and got artist Terence Koh on the phone to talk to her, which helped. Koh and Oprah were the ones who finally coaxed her out.”

However, the eccentric performer was told she could only perform at US Vogue editor Anna Wintour’s annual fete on the premise she was polite and didn’t swear on stage.

She quipped to the crowd in New York City, “I’ll never forget when Anna Wintour called me to play at this event, she called me and said, ‘I would like you to play at the Met gala, but I just want to make sure, because I’ve seen you perform before, that you won’t be swearing during the performance.’ So Anna, I will do my f**king best!”

The ‘Just Dance’ hitmaker’s performance seemingly got the guests in the mood for a singsong, as a number of A-list stars belted out tracks at the exclusive after party at the Mark Hotel.

A source added, “Pharrell Williams first jumped in and started singing ‘Beautiful,’ and then Sean Combs jumped up and started rapping to ‘All About the Benjamins.’ He even grabbed Anna Wintour into the deejay booth. Finally, Usher and Justin Timberlake joined in.”

Charlize Theron has been spotted kissing Keanu Reeves.

The pair, who played lovers in 2001 movie ‘Sweet November’ and also starred together in ‘The Devil’s Advocate’ – stunned onlookers with their intimate embrace as they left a Beverly Hills restaurant on Monday, May 4, before breaking apart when they realized they had been spotted.

A fellow diner at upscale eatery Bouchon revealed Charlize, 34, and Keanu, 45, were enjoying each other’s company and seemed in no hurry to end their date, tasting several red wines before selecting a bottle and indulging in several snacks before starting their meal.

The onlooker told website HollywoodLife.com, “Keanu and Charlize were having a great time. They were constantly laughing, almost disrupting other tables with how loud they were. They were wrapped up in each other’s conversation and having a great time together.”

According to the eyewitness, Keanu paid the entire bill and added a 70 per cent tip to the $200 charge.

Charlize has been single since splitting from Stuart Townsend earlier this year, while Keanu, whose long-term partner Jennifer Syme died in a car accident in April 2001, two years after their baby was stillborn – enjoyed a brief romance with actress Parker Posey last year.

The View co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck broke down on the show this morning during an apology to sportscaster Erin Andrews.

Hasselbeck explains how her daughter compelled her to apologize to Andrews after Hasselback made a somewhat tasteless crack about her high-profile peephole stalking case. Hasselbeck originally poked fun at Andrews’ skimpy on-show wardrobe, saying:

“In light of what happened and as a legal [matter] — and as inexcusable as it was for that horrific guy to go in and try to peep on her in her hotel room,” Hasselbeck said. “I mean, in some way if I’m him, I’m like, ‘Man! I just could’ve waited 12 weeks and seen this — a little bit less — without the prison time!’”

After she learned of Hasselbeck’s remarks yesterday, Andrews deemed them “a slap in the face to victims of stalking and sexual predators.” Andrews also said:

“The thing that I was most upset about is I felt she was mocking a situation,” she said. “As a mother and a woman, I’m disappointed she went there.”

Clips of Hasselbeck’s teary apology are not readily available, but you can watch the original statements Hasselbeck made below.

Rihanna’s boyfriend loves her sense of fun.

Los Angeles Dodgers baseball star Matt Kemp has finally opened up about his relationship with the singer, who he was first romantically linked to in January admitting he has never been happier.

When asked if they are a couple, he said, “Yeah! That’s my girl.

“She’s just a fun person. I love to be around her. She’s definitely a great person in my life, and I’m happy I’m with her.”

Rihanna is currently on the European leg of her ‘Last Girl on Earth’ tour and the sportsman can’t wait to be reunited with her when she returns to the US.

He added to Us Weekly magazine, “She’s definitely not gonna be here for a little while. Hopefully when she gets back she’ll be at a couple more games.”

The 22-year-old star recently revealed she and Matt, 25, rely on the internet to keep their romance alive when they are apart.

Rihanna, who is getting ready to bring her tour to the UK said, “I’m really happy right now. I was hoping Matt would be able to come to London but he’s working. And I’m touring and shooting videos for my next single so it’s going to be seven weeks before I see him again.

“We have to make do with Skype and phone, but I miss him. I can’t wait to see him again. It’ll probably be when I get back to America that we can hook up properly.”

Vera Farmiga is expecting her second child.

The ‘Up In The Air’ actress, who already has 15-month-old son Fynn with husband Renn Hawkey, confirmed at the MET Costume Institute Gala Benefit in the US on Monday night, May 3, that she is three months pregnant.

Vera told the USA Today newspaper, “I’m past the first trimester, so I’m not feeling sick anymore.”

The 36-year-old star recently pulled out of a forthcoming role in ‘Machine Gun Preacher’ alongside Gerard Butler because she was unable to travel for the part, sparking rumors she was expecting.

A source said, “She is due in October. The role would have meant traveling to Africa this summer, but because her baby is due in the fall, she would have been too far along to make the trip.”

Vera is a devoted mother and previously spoke about how she can’t remember what life was like before she became a parent.

She said, “I’ve played a lot of mothers in my movies and I come from a massive family where the youngest is like 20-something years younger than I am.

“My mother had seven kids and I’ve sort of been studying her my whole life so I knew what to expect. But the funny part is, since having my son Fynn, I don’t remember what life was like before parenthood.”

Charlie Sheen pays wife Brooke Mueller $300,000 for every year they are married, according to the pre-nuptial agreement they signed.

The couple, whose marriage has been on the rocks since Charlie was arrested on Christmas Day, December 25, following allegations he threatened to kill Brooke, agreed to the deal before they tied the knot in May 2008 and the payment is valid for the first 10 years of marriage.

If they divorce before then and between anniversaries, the money will be divided according to time.

The document, which was obtained by website Gawker, stated, “Charlie shall pay to Brooke… the annual sum of $300,000 (the ‘Anniversary Payment’), payable within 30 days of the anniversary of marriage.”

Brooke can send Charlie a notice of default if he fails to pay and the payment will accrue interest.

Within the first 180 days of their marriage, Brooke received $500,000 and received stakes in Charlie’s homes and if they do decide to divorce she will be given a $100,000 relocation fee and whichever of the actor’s cars she is currently driving.

Charlie, who has 13-month-old twin sons, Max and Bob, with Brooke – also has to pay all of his spouse’s living expenses.

However, Brooke will not be able to stake a claim in Charlie’s hit TV show ‘Two and a Half Men’, something which his ex-wife Denise Richards already has a stake in.

The document read, “Such gross income received is subject to commission expense, other business expenses, income taxes and certain provisions of an agreement pending finalization between Mr. Sheen and his ex-wife.”

Although the couple are currently living apart, they recently said they had no plans to divorce and wanted to save their marriage for the sake of Max and Bob.

In March, Charlie, 44, pleaded not guilty to assaulting Brooke as he faces three charges – felony menacing, misdemeanour third degree assault and misdemeanour criminal mischief – stemming from her allegations he threatened to kill her with a knife. A trial date has been set for July 21.

Both Charlie and Brooke have been in rehab since the allegations receiving treatment for their respective addictions.

Jordin Sparks is joining a Broadway show.

The 20-year-old singer, who rose to fame as the winner of ‘American Idol’ in 2007, will play lead character Rosario in Grammy-winning musical ‘In the Heights’ from August, a role she admits will be a “dream” for her.

The ‘Battlefield’ hitmaker said in a statement, “It’s always been one of my dreams to perform on Broadway. This is a brand new experience for me. I look so forward to spending time in New York City and joining this talented cast and my favorite new musical.”

The 12-week run will play through until November 14.

Jordin revealed her nerves about the role on twitter, saying her heart was racing when she met the director.

She wrote, “Toured the theatre 4 In The Heights! Spoke w/ the director, saw backstage and where my dressing room will be. My heart wouldn’t stop pounding!!(sic)”

‘In the Heights’ tells the tale of a Dominican family living in New York who become the focus of neighborhood admiration when their daughter begins attending college.

Jordin is currently taking part in a 44-date-US tour which began on May 1 and finishes in early August.