Mack's Celebrity Facts...
Forbes: Britney Spears Made Big Bucks in 2012
The X Factor could use a boost in the ratings, but the talent show has done wonders for Britney Spears’ checking account. The Factor judge topped Forbes’ list of the year’s top-earning female musicians, taking in $58 million in 2012.
Country starlet Taylor Swift and Barbadian pop tart Rihanna round out the Top 3. Swift, 22, earned an estimated $57 million paycheck thanks to her tour, which made more than $1 million each night, a contract with CoverGirl cosmetics, her own line of fragrances and her new blockbuster album Red. Rihanna, 24, earned an estimated $53 million paycheck to pull her two places up since the 2011 ranking.
Liam Hemsworth involved in Philadelphia streetfight
The Hunger Games star, Liam Hemsworth, was involved in an altercation over the weekend in Philadelphia.
Hemsworth, who is on location in the City of Brotherly Love shooting his new film, Paranoia, was leaving a bar when he claims that someone began throwing rocks at him. Local police did break up the fight but no charges were filed. According to police, the man who threw the rocks walked away with a bloody face and Liam apparently “didn’t look much better.”
This isn’t the first time Liam has been involved in a public altercation, in 2010 he and his ‘Tron’ brother Chris, were involved in a fight with a stranger outside of an LA club.
Justin Bieber threw a water bottle at photographers
Justin Bieber threw an open water bottle at the paparazzi while leaving a store in Miami yesterday, because that’s what hardcore badasses do. They’re litterbugs.
LINDSAY LOHAN Storage Locker To Be AUCTIONED OFF
Lindsay Lohan is on the verge of losing expensive designer clothes, family heirlooms and potentially embarrassing items ... because she hasn't paid her storage bill and as a result the unit is about to go up on the auction block.
Sources close to Lindsay tell us ... LiLo has fallen behind on paying her monthly bill ... and now owes roughly $16,000 to the storage company.
The account is now delinquent and the locker can't be opened until the balance is paid in full ... and that's not going to happen because Lindsay doesn't have the cash. As we reported, her financial situation is so desperate the IRS has frozen her bank accounts because of unpaid back taxes.
So here's the upshot. If Lindsay doesn't get a big check for XMAS, her storage unit will be auctioned off this month. We're told she's reached out to family and friends to front her the money but so far no one is biting.
Talk about a good "Storage Wars" episode.
JUSTIN BIEBER Convicted Killer Allegedly Plotted Murder & Castration
A convicted killer locked up in New Mexico plotted to have Justin Bieber murdered and castrated ... but for some mysterious reason, he threw a wrench into his own plans -- this according to a local news report in New Mexico.
According to KRQE News, convicted murderer Dana Martin -- currently serving two life sentences for raping and killing a 15-year-old girl in Vermont in 2000 -- recruited a fellow inmate at Las Cruces prison named Mark Staake to carry out the murder once Staake was released.
It's unclear when the plot was originally hatched, but Staake and his nephew Tanner Ruane -- whom Staake had later recruited to help -- reportedly planned to execute the murder plan in NYC last month, where Bieber was performing at MSG.
Martin reportedly told police the plan was to kidnap Bieber and his bodyguard and strangle them with paisley ties, Martin's calling card. Ruane was then going to castrate them.
According to KRQE, Martin is obsessed with Bieber and even has a tattoo of Bieber on his leg.
But for some reason Martin blew the whistle on his accomplices -- and Staake was arrested in Vermont on outstanding warrants before carrying out the deed.
Ruane made it to NY with a stash of tools -- including pruning shears -- but according to the report police intercepted him before anything happened, and placed him under arrest.
'STORAGE WARS' Lawsuit Claims SHOW IS RIGGED
Click Below to see the Lawsuit
http://tmz.vo.llnwd.net/o28/newsdesk/tmz_documents/1211-Dave-Hester-Complaint.pdf
"Storage Wars" -- the hit A&E show -- is deceiving viewers by making it seem contestants are bidding on unseen items, when the best goods are actually planted inside ... this according to a lawsuit obtained by us.
The lawsuit -- filed by the former star, David Hester -- claims he was axed when he complained to producers about the alleged rigging practices.
Hester claims in one case producers planted a BMW mini car under a pile of trash. In another case, Hester alleges producers planted a pile of old newspapers that announced the death of Elvis. For some reason, that's a valuable commodity.
And Hester goes on ... claiming the show even gave less than photogenic cast members money for plastic surgery to "create more sex appeal."
Hester claims in the suit he was wrongfully terminated because he blew the whistle.
But Dan Dotson -- the guy behind the show's auction company -- disagrees, telling me, every unit seen on the show is legit and has a seal on it before they open it ... making it impossible for A&E to tamper with the units before filming begins.
Dan adds, “We only sell legitimate units on Storage Wars. Every unit goes through a 64-day legal process and no one has access to units prior to auction.”
A rep for A&E says, "We do not know about a lawsuit being filed and we do not comment on pending or threatened litigation."
LINDSAY LOHAN FACING 8 MONTHS IN JAIL
Lindsay Lohan is exactly one day away from having her probation revoked ... and the end game could be 245 days in the slammer ...
Law enforcement sources connected with her most recent case tell us ... when Lindsay is arraigned Wednesday for allegedly lying to cops and reckless driving in connection with her car accident last June ... the judge will revoke her probation in the jewelry heist case and set a date for a hearing to formally decide if Lindsay violated the terms of her probation by breaking the law again.
We're told the hearing will be conducted at the same time Lindsay stands trial on the criminal charges. And get this -- even if Lindsay is found not guilty in the criminal case, the judge can still rule she violated her probation because the standard of proving a probation violation is significantly lower than proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The stakes for Lindsay are high -- up to 8 months in jail, and that doesn't include jail time if she's convicted in the car accident case.
Sources tell us ... the L.A. City Attorney is "out for blood" and they will file papers Wednesday asking that Lindsay's probation be revoked. Fact is ... the judge does it on her own ... the prosecutors don't even have to ask for it, but their voice will certainly be heard.
Nicki Minaj Calls Steven Tyler Racist, Steven Denies the Claim
Steven Tyler doesn't think that Nicki Minaj will make a good judge on American Idol. He said that had Bob Dylan auditioned for the show NickI "would have sent [Bob Dylan] to the cornfield."
In response, Nicki Tweeted: "That’s a racist comment. You assume that I wouldn’t have liked Bob Dylan??? why? black? rapper? what? go f*** yourself and worry about yourself babe."
Steven told a Canadian talk show:
"I apologize if it was taken wrong, Nicki ... but I am the farthest from [being a racist]. I am the last thing on this planet as far as being a racist. I don't know where she got that out of me saying I'm not sure how she would've judged Bob Dylan."
Tax Man Puts Lindsay’s Cash in the Deep Freeze
Lindsay Lohan might look at owing more than $230,000 dollars to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as a good time to start taking responsibility for her actions…Then again, we are talking about Lindsay Lohan.
The scandal-scarred actress’ bank accounts have been frozen and seized by Uncle Sam in a bid to get the U.S. government $233,904 in unpaid federal taxes Lohan owes for 2009 and 2010. After learning of her financial woes, Lindsay’s Scary Movie 5 co-star Charlie Sheen gave the star $100,000 to help her keep the Tax Man at bay. Sources, nonetheless, tell TMZ that she’s still falling dramatically short and also owes money for 2011.
Eminem’s Daughter — Hallie Mathers — Wants Taylor Swift to Stop “Whoring Around”
The Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree — especially when the tree has the mouth of a sailor.
Hailie Mathers, the 16-year-old daughter of hip-hopster Eminem, has lashed out at Taylor Swift on Twitter, accusing the Grammy winner of stealing One Direction singer Harry Styles away from her. In a series of abrasive tweets that went viral on Tuesday, the rap princess ripped into Taylor, writing:
“Dear @taylorswift13, please stop whoring around with every guy you see. We all know you’re only doing it so you can make another album.”
She followed up with this corker, quoting the lyrics to Taylor’s hit, “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” :
“I, am never, ever, everrrrr, listening to your music againnnn @taylorswift13. Like ever.”
Temper. Temper.
Taylor covered Eminem’s 2002 hit “Lose Yourself” live in concert earlier this year. Perhaps Hallie remembered that when she decided to apologize for her news-making rant in another posting to Twitter on Wednesday. Still, Ms. Mathers just doesn’t get what all the fuss is about:
“Wow. I didnt mean for people to react to my tweet in the way that they have it was just a bit of fun! Sorry @taylorswift13 for my immaturity…I believe I’m entitled to my own opinion, but that got out of control. I don’t understand why there are ‘news’ articles written about it!”
Taylor and Harry seemingly went public with their hotly rumored relationship by taking a stroll through Central Park over the weekend.
“Dancing with the Stars” Host Brooke Burke-Charvet Has Thyroid Cancer
Dancing with the Stars host Brooke Burke-Charvet was recently diagnosed with a cancerous growth on her thyroid gland.
In a video posted on her ModernMom blog on Thursday, the 41-year-old mother-of-four explained that a nodule was discovered on her thyroid and after a series of tests over the last few months, it was eventually determined to be cancerous. Brooke’s thyroid will have to be removed.
“Which means that I’m going to have a nice big scar right her across my neck. And I don’t get to just walk around and pretend like nothing happened or not follow up or not share it, because it’s going to be pretty much dead center.”
Brooke said the discovery — which originated from a regular physical — came as a complete shock because she’s otherwise healthy.
“As crazy as it is, my head is in the right place and it’s going to be good.”
The doctors consider this a form of “good cancer” compared to many others and the prognosis is good.
“I’m just going to make a positive out of this negative thing. I’m going to be a really good patient and I’m going to do everything that I need to do. I’ve booked my surgery…I’m good. I’m ready to deal with it and I’m going to be fine. I feel really, really strong. Doctors say this is a ‘good’ kind of cancer to have…My doctor did tell me this is a ‘happily ever after’ ending kind of thing.”
Lindsay would never lie to police, except for when she does
Lindsay Lohan, who lied to police and told them someone else was driving after a high speed chase down PCH, is aghast that anyone would think she would lie to police and tell them someone else was driving after an accident on PCH. The two things are totally different!
(Lindsay says) she never would have deliberately lied to cops when asked if she was driving the car that rear-ended an eighteen wheeler in Santa Monica, Calif. last summer. Rather, the actress insists she was extremely confused after the accident. “Both airbags were deployed when Lindsay rear-ended the dump truck on Pacific Coast Highway last summer. She doesn’t remember exactly what she said to cops while being treated for injuries she sustained at the hospital,” a source tells us. “There was a lot of commotion in the emergency room, and Lindsay was extremely upset and concerned for [her assistant] Gavin, who was also in the car with her. “Gavin was bleeding, and Lindsay was just freaking out. There were cops coming at her from every angle, and her primary concern was making sure that Gavin was OK. She was also stressed-out because she had been en route to the set of Liz & Dick. Lindsay says she was very confused after the accident and would never deliberately lie to the cops.”
So there you have it. Lindsay never would have told the police her assistant caused the wreck if the room hadn’t been so crowded. It was also very breezy that day, anyone would accidentally lie under those conditions. A question like, “who was driving” requires absolute focus and concentration, it could have been literally anyone, it’s not as if the poor girl has a photographic memory.
UKRAINIAN SINGER Suing Over 'Call Me Maybe' Carly Rae Stole My Song!
UKRAINE NOT WEAK ... Ukraine sue -- at least that's what one hot Ukrainian singer is doing, claiming Carly Rae Jepsen shamelessly stole her slutty Christmas song ... and turned it into "Call Me Maybe."
The singer -- who goes by Aza -- is filing the lawsut in L.A., claiming "Call Me Maybe" is a carbon copy of her song "Hunky Santa" ... which producers simply tweaked before adding Carly Rae Jepsen's voice.
According to the lawsuit -- to be filed today by Aza's lawyer Barry Rothman -- she's suing for unspecified damages ... but based on how insanely popular "Call Me Maybe" is, a ton of money's on the line.
Aza tells us, "I'm shocked and surprised that these people wanted to sample my lyrics on their song. They didn't ask me for permission, they just took it. That's why I filed this lawsuit. When I first heard it on the radio, I was driving and almost got into an accident. I couldn't believe what I was hearing."
As for how similar the songs REALLY are -- you be the judge.
Scooter Braun -- Justin Bieber's manager -- is also named in the suit.
CEE LO Involved in Knock-Down Fight With 2 Women
Cee Lo Green was involved in a knock down drag out fight with two women in Miami Beach in July 2011 which ended with cops rushing to the scene, I has learned ... but Cee Lo claimed he was the victim.
According to law enforcement ... the women told cops they met Cee Lo at a nightclub and were invited back to party in the singer's hotel room. One of the women began to argue with Cee Lo and according to the police report Cee Lo asked them both to leave. Cee Lo and a witness told cops both women were highly intoxicated.
According to the report, Cee Lo began escorting one of the women out of the room by placing his hands on her shoulders. One of the women then called him a "fat motherf**ker," to which he responded, "You need to leave, bitch."
According to the police report, the parties took the argument outside -- Cee Lo says the woman began to pummel him with punches and slaps to his face and they began fighting. According to witnesses the other woman jumped Cee Lo from behind and started striking him in the head.
Police were called and determined it was mutual combat and they could not determine who started it so no one was arrested.
BIEBER'S CHROME CAR TOWED During Concert
More bad news for Justin Bieber's chromed out Fisker Karma -- the ridiculous car was TOWED last night in L.A. while Bieber was performing a concert ... but it wasn't the singer's fault.
We has obtained pics of the parking humiliation at the Shore Hotel in Santa Monica. A rep for the towing company tells us the car was towed because it had been occupying a 15-minute parking spot ... for several hours.
Sources tell Us, someone in Bieber's camp had left the car there while the singer performed at the Staples Center in Downtown L.A. ... roughly 15 miles away.
Bieber's concert kicked off at 7pm. The car was towed around 8pm and stowed away at a nearby impound lot.
We're told the car has since been picked up.
CHRIS BROWN & RIHANNA GET PHYSICAL GO PUBLIC
Chris Brown and Rihanna are barely trying to hide it anymore -- getting up close and personal at a NYC nightclub late Monday night ... then carousing at Rihanna's hotel for hours.
Chris and Rihanna hit up Griffin nightclub in the Meatpacking District -- we're told they arrived 5 minutes apart, and quickly ended up at the same table. Sources inside the club say the two were all over each other, and even disappeared together in a bathroom for 20 minutes.
People inside the club say the duo were kissing and hugging out in the open.
The two left the club separately -- but hours later, Chris was spotted leaving the Gansevoort Hotel, where Rihanna was staying.
By the way, Tuesday afternoon, Chris' clueless GF Karrueche tweeted that Chris sent her roses, a teddy bear and chocolates -- maybe a lame, "I'm sorry."
Report: Mario Lopez and Khloe Kardashian Tapped to Host “The X Factor”
Word on the Curb has it that former child star Mario Lopez and reality TV socialite Khloe Kardashian have been hired to co-host The X Factor when the live shows begin airing on Nov. 1.
Kardashian and Lopez — who already host nationally-syndicated newsmagazine Extra — are close to signing deals with the ratings-addled FOX talent show. An announcement on the appointments are expected later this week.
”Those two want to do it, and the show is keen to have them,” an informant told CNN Wednesday.
Kardashian and Lopez would replace former X Factor frontman Steve Jones. The Welsh presenter was axed from the series in January after producers said he failed to build a repertoire with the audience.
Kim and Kanye Hit the Skids?
Is “Kimye” the latest celebrity twosome boarding a train headed for Splitsville?
If snoopsters with The New York Post are to be believed, the once red-hot romance between reality superstar Kim Kardashian and rapper Kanye West might be cooling down. The socialite hooked up with the “Flashing Lights” hitmaker shortly after beginning divorce proceedings with estranged husband Kris Humphries. But an alleged Kardashian camp informant tells the outlet that Kanye’s growing tired of the “constant press and promotion” that comes with dating the biggest caboose in Hollywood.
Kim is currently in Miami filming scenes for her E! reality show Keeping Up With The Kardashians. Kanye, meanwhile, spent the weekend living it up in the City of Lights for Paris Fashion Week.
Nicki Minaj blows up at Mariah Carey durinig American Idol Auditions
Oh Keith and Randy….you could be in for a LONG, disastrous season.
Yesterday, video leaked to TMZ showing a face-off between the divas of the show, Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey. The judges were screening contestants in Charlotte, North Carolina when all hell broke loose! “I told them I’m not f**kin’ putting up with her f**king highness over there. Figure it the f**k out. Figure it out,” Minaj screamed at Carey during the taping.
“Settle down, settle down,” Randy Jackson chimed in but it was too late! “Don’t lose your head. Don’t lose your head (inaudible). Don’t tell me I’m a gangster,” Nicki continues. “So every time you patronize me, I’m-ma take it back, and if you’ve got a f**king problem, handle it.
Sources tell Us, Nicki's rant on the "American Idol" set went beyond mere name-calling Tuesday ... the rapper also threatened Mariah's life, saying, "If I had a gun, I would shoot her."
Nicki Minaj derailed the "American Idol" auditions in Charlotte, North Carolina Tuesday, after swearing at Mariah Carey and threatening, "I'm gonna knock you out" ... but Mariah FIRED RIGHT BACK with insults of her own.
In the footage, Nicki is clearly furious ... shouting, "I told them I'm not f*ckin' putting up with her f**kin' highness over there."
Mariah can be heard saying, "“Oh why, WHYYYY .do I have a three year old sitting around me?”
Carey continues, "I can’t see my kids, because you decided to act like a little crazy bitch and go all around the stage.”
Sources say Nicki later threatened to "knock out" Mariah ... but she said it before the video starts.
It all went down while the two were sitting at the judge's table ... with Keith Urban sitting in between them and Randy Jackson sitting on the far end, next to Mariah.
We're told the whole thing exploded over a disagreement over a contestant's performance.
Listen closely as you play the video ... you'll hear
Nicki: Think I'm playin? Think this sh*t is a f*cking joke? Think it’s a joke? Think it’s a joke? Think it’s a joke? Say one more disrespectful thing to me, if you say one more disrespectful thing to me -- off with your head!
Mariah: I am not being disrespectful.
Nicki: Off with your head, off with your head.
Nicki: Don’t tell me I'm insecure, don’t tell me I'm inadequate ... you gonna get sent [inaudible] just fall back; don’t ... you don’t know [inaudible] I don’t feel inadequate. You’re the insecure one sittin' up there running down her resume every five minutes.
Nicki: Every time you take a shot at me I'ma take it back, and if you gotta f*cking problem then handle it. I told them, I'm not f*cking putting up with your f*cking highness over there ... figure it the f*ck out. Figure it out.
Mariah: whyyyy, whhyyyyy ...
Nicki: Figure it out
Mariah: ... do I have a 3-year-old sitting around me???
Nicki: I’m not sitting here for 20 minutes and having you run down your resume everyday, No! Goodbye!
Mariah: Listen ... I can’t see my kids because you decided to make ... to have ... to have a little baby fit and going all around the stage.
Nicki: Good, well then go see them now, go see them now ... you’re boring as f*ck, you’re boring as f*ck.
According to our friends at MouthToEars.com, producers ended the auditions for the day so the two judges could cool down. We've confirmed that happened.
Big wigs on the show seem uncharacteristically upset by the blow up. It seems producers are worried about Mariah and Nicki co-existing for the long haul.
Justin Timberlake Blasted by Children’s Charity
Justin Timberlake stands accused of failing to spend enough time with the children of a charity he raised money for.
In 2007, the “SexyBack” singer joined forces with Shriners Hospitals for Children to host a celebrity golf tournament. The annual Las Vegas event raises money for catastrophically ill kids being treated at Shriners.
While the event’s founders praise Timberlake for raising millions of dollars for their cause, they’re upset that he never appeared interested in spending time with the children he was charged with helping.
Tournament chairman Raoul Frevel told The Las Vegas Review Journal this week:
“We’re a world-class organization. At the time we got involved with golf, we were told by the Tour we needed a big name and that’s how our relationship with Justin came about. Justin’s a wonderful person. But we tried everything we could to get him more involved with our kids and the hospitals. But it seemed that when the TV cameras weren’t on, he disappeared.”
After Sunday’s final round in this year’s tournament, which begins Thursday, Timberlake and the Shriners will part ways for good. Frevel did praise Justin for bringing an air of “star power” to the cause:
“The future of pro golf here in Las Vegas wasn’t very secure when Justin and the Shriners came in five years ago. Justin added a level of cache and star power in a city that understands the value of that.”
Backstage @ 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards
