Lady GaGa denies hermaphrodite rumours

Lady Gaga has branded claims she is a hermaphrodite "ridiculous".

The 'Poker Face' singer furiously denied rumours she has both male and female genitalia, insisting the speculation has gone beyond a joke.

The 23-year-old star told Australia's Matt and Jo radio show: "It's too low brow for me to even discuss. I've made fun of it before but to talk about it is ridiculous."

Gaga - whose real name is Stefani Germanotta - has previously made light of the claims, jokingly posting on a blog: "I have both male and female genitalia, but I consider myself a female."

Meanwhile, the outrageous star has revealed she spends her free time watching her own concerts on YouTube.

She said: "I like to watch my performances sometimes. I'm always trying to improve on choreography and the stage shows. I like to watch the lighting.

"I often argue with my lighting designer on the show - as much as I like to light the show for the room, it's important to light the show and design the sound for YouTube.

"In truth, lots of my fans can't make it to my shows in Israel or Germany or in Paris, so they go online to watch them."

Boy George working on new album

BOY GEORGE has reportedly revealed that he is working on a new album.

The former Culture Club star said that he is compiling a collection of cover songs which reflect his "personal journey and experiences".

Speaking to People, he said: "[I'm choosing songs that] feel [as if] it was written for you and these are the songs I'm planning to record.

"I'm choosing songs that speak to me and have lyrics that reflect my personal journey and experiences."

The singer, whose real name is George O'Dowd, also explained that he is scouring the internet for potential collaborators on upcoming dance track 'Yes We Can'.

He added: "I feel it's a very refreshing idea. I'm pretty excited to find artists through Talenthouse and see what people do with my song. Absolutely, I can't wait."

Tilykke Bill & Tom!

Gongrats Bill and Tom Kaulitz (from Tokio Hotel) they are turning 20 today! Enjoy your day guys and have a great party.

Kelly Osbourne embarrassed by rocker dad

Ozzy Osbourne cut off his daughter’s underwear while her friends watched.

Kelly Osbourne was left mortified as a teenager when the Black Sabbath rocker objected to the skimpy thong her mother Sharon had bought her and insisted on forcibly removing the garment.

Kelly said: 'One time, mum bought me thongs instead of big knickers. As I bent down, dad bellowed, 'Kelly, you’re wearing a thong, Kelly? Thongs are for wh***s.’

'I jumped out of my skin. He pinned me down and cut off my thong in front of my school friends. They were standing there, mouths wide open as this piece of material no bigger than a string of dental floss was yanked out of my jeans.

'I died of embarrassment and burst into tears. Mum was hunched over the sink, laughing her head off, screeching, 'Ozzy! No!’ '

The incident was not the only time Ozzy embarrassed Kelly in front of her friends – but the presenter insists she didn’t mind, even when he chased her pals round the family garden wearing just his pants.

The 24-year-old star explained in her autobiography 'Fierce’: 'Parents are parents and they embarrass you all the time. At my 13th birthday party, dad was really drunk, chasing everyone round in his underwear and a military hat.

'All my friends were screaming and running around. It was crazy fun.

'One time dad dressed as a werewolf and locked my friends in the garden shed. The kids were crying and mum had to call their parents to come and collect them.'

Kings of Leon to release remix album

KINGS OF LEON have reportedly revealed that they will release a remix album of their hits.

The band told Billboard that their back catalogue will be remixed by a host of artists for the new LP.

Drummer Nathan Followill said the record came about after he heard that Justin Timberlake and Pharrell had previously reworked some of the band's songs.

He said: "It's neat to have these people who we would've jumped at the chance to work with ourselves... coming to us before we even get a chance to ask them.

"It's amazing to hear your song played by these people who are so creative. Most of the time it takes me two or three listens to even wrap my head around, 'Oh man, that's our song'."

Mark Ronson is one of the names reportedly lined up for the album.

Followill also said the band want to be more adventurous on their next album.

He said: "There's stuff that sounds like Radiohead. There's stuff that sounds like Thin Lizzy. There's stuff that sounds like The Band."

Cobain to be posthumous computer star

KURT COBAIN is to feature in a new Guitar Hero videogame.

Bosses at gaming firm Activision have confirmed that the late Nirvana singer will be playable in Guitar Hero 5, which hits stores on 1 September (09).

Late stars Jimi Hendrix and Johnny Cash will also appear alongside an animated Shirley Manson and Matt Bellamy of Muse in the new game.

Nirvana tracks Smells Like Teen Spirit and Lithium - recorded at the band's final British shows in 1992 - will be among the tracks wannabe rockers can play along with.

Cobain’s widow Courtney Love and the tragic rocker's Nirvana bandmates all had to sign off on the idea before Activision could add the grunge-era singer/songwriter to the game.

Muse star feared 'end of the world'

Matt Bellamy has revealed that he stocked up on baked beans after reading conspiracy theories on the internet.

The Muse frontman was studying the theories as research for his band's new album The Resistance, but began to believe them.

He drove to the local food shop and bought 50 tins of beans, before going to a DIY store to buy an axe.

According to The Sun, Bellamy explained: "I read somewhere a seven-day blockade and the UK would run out of oil.

"Another seven days and we'd run out of food. That's why I bought the beans. The axe would chop firewood."

Bellamy added that his girlfriend had unsuccessfully tried to calm him down.

"She's Italian," he said. "They've seen it all there. The Roman Empire came and went. She's more laid back about history and politics. But to me it all feels so tenuous sometimes, especially in the UK. We are an island and are vulnerable."

Cyrus dad 'tries to be daughter's best friend'

Billy Ray Cyrus has revealed that he tries to be his daughter Miley's "best friend".

Speaking to CNN, the singer admitted that it was difficult balancing being a dad and a star.

"I just take it one step at a time and do the best I can," he said. "My dad was to me what I try to be to Miley, which is somewhat of a best friend.

"I try my best to be a good daddy and if she wants to talk about business or music I try my best to be a good manager. I try to be all of those things because that's what my dad was to me."

Billy Ray added that it was unlikely that Miley would cover his song 'Achy Breaky Heart', but explained that other singers have expressed an interest.

"There are some major stars who want to redo that song," he divulged. "I'm flirting with the idea. There's one cat in particular that if I told you who it was, it would blow your mind. But I've got to keep it under my hat right now."

Lott: 'I'd hate to be in a girlband'

Popstar Pixie Lott has said that she would hate to be in a girlband because she loves attention.

The 18-year-old 'Mama Do' singer said that she couldn't bear to share her stardom with a group of performers.

"I'd hate to be in a girlband, I don't want to share the song - or even the stage," she told FHM.

Meanwhile, the musician also expressed a passion for showing off her legs and revealed that she owns a pair of tight Swarovski crystals-covered pants.

"When I dress up, I like my legs to be free. You don't want everything out. But I definitely like to show off my legs," she said.

"Sometimes I wear a pair of sparkly pants covered in Swarovski crystals. But they're so tight I have to wrestle them on."

Lott releases her new single 'Boys And Girls' on September 7.

Happy B-day Strify!

Happy Birthday to Strify (Singer of Cinema Bizarre) he turns 21 today!

Kanye West’s 'bisexual freak stripper' girlfriend

Kanye West’s girlfriend Amber Rose is proud to be called a 'bisexual freak stripper'.

The model – who has rekindled her relationship with the hip-hop star after briefly splitting from him in February – insists her sexual preferences are nothing to be ashamed of.

She said: 'Yeah, they label me a bisexual freak stripper that f**ks Kanye on a daily basis. You know, 'Amber Rose, the f***ing bisexual, dyke, freak, whatever the f**k.’ To answer that, I’m extremely open with my sexuality. I can be in love with a woman, I can be in love with a man.'

The 26-year-old beauty insists she was always upfront with Kanye, 32, about her unconventional past.

She explained to Complex magazine: 'Kanye knew my life, so when it was, 'Oh Kanye, do you know she was a stripper, that she used to date girls?’ he was like, 'Tell me something I don’t know!’ '

The shaven-headed beauty was attracted to the 'Heartless’ rapper from their first meeting early last year, but says the pair were forced to keep their feelings under wraps because Kanye was engaged to fashion designer Alexis Phifer at the time.

She explained: 'I was always a huge fan of his but he had a fiancee, I wasn’t like, 'Ah, I’m going to get with Kanye.’ My intentions when I met Kanye were to just do his 'Robocop’ video, keep it very professional. But we really started to like each other. It just so happened that he started liking me and I started liking him. It’s not a publicity stunt, it’s just human beings, man. I love Kanye as a person, he’s a great person and he’s super-talented. I love him for a lot of different reasons.'

Katie Price comes clean to kids

Katie Price has finally told her children she has split from Peter Andre.

The glamour model – who raises three children, Harvey, seven, Junior, four, and two-year-old Princess Tiaamii, with the 'Behind Closed Doors’ singer – made the heartbreaking decision to explain their parents are no longer together after previously shielding them from the truth.

A source told Britain’s Daily Mirror newspaper: 'She sat them down and told them that her and daddy still loved each other but they would no longer be living together.

'She was really kind and gentle with them. It broke her heart having to tell them.'

Katie, who is now dating cage fighter Alex Reid, also insists she is a good mother and only goes out when it’s Peter’s turn to look after the kids.

She said: 'I am trying so hard to help keep the routine of the children going through this period to ensure they are not affected in any way. I hear people say I am a bad mother as I never spend time with the children. I spend plenty of time with them, just not in public.

'When Pete has the children he does what he wishes to do with them and I keep myself busy with work, seeing friends and having breaks overseas. I have to keep myself busy otherwise I will go nuts.'

Since the split in May, Katie – also known as Jordan – has spent a wild week in Ibiza and openly frolicked with Alex during a trip to Spain.

Paramore to premiere ‘Ignorance’

'Ignorance’ is the first single taken from the forthcoming album 'brand new eyes’, and will be released September 14th, 2009

August 13th, 2009 – Multi-platinum selling rock band Paramore has teamed up with award-winning music video website www.muzu.tv to exclusively unveil their new video 'Ignorance’ to UK and Irish fans TODAY, Thursday, August 13th, 2009. The video can be viewed at: http://www.muzu.tv/paramore/ignorance-music-video/285029 .

To celebrate the premiere, Paramore is giving away concert tickets and personalised gold discs as prizes to two great competitions running on the band’s MUZU.TV channel. To watch the exclusive video and enter the competitions check out www.muzu.tv/paramore.

'Ignorance’ is the fist-pumpingly energetic first single from Paramore’s forthcoming third album 'brand new eyes’, which will be released on September 28th. Produced by Grammy Award-winner Rob Cavallo (Green Day, Kid Rock, My Chemical Romance) and co-produced by the band, 'brand new eyes’ is the long-awaited follow-up to 2007’s US platinum certified, and UK gold certified, second album 'RIOT!’, which has now sold over 2 million copies worldwide. The new 12-track collection is unquestionably Paramore’s best and brightest album to date, fit to burst with all the exuberant melodies, breathless hooks, and irrepressible energy that has made the Nashville-based band one of the most popular rock outfits in recent memory.

MUZU.TV allows music lovers to watch thousands of music videos for free and share them with their friends by embedding their personal MUZU video playlists on their social networking pages. Users can create their own music TV channel on MUZU made up of diverse cross-genre videos including concerts, documentaries, tutorials, music videos, interviews and classic music TV shows like The Tube.

Michael Jackson has earned £60 million since death

Michael Jackson has earned £60 million since his death.

Executors of the singer's estate claim money from a film deal and merchandising contracts has "flooded" into Michael's bank accounts since he died in June.

They predict the pop superstar will make another £60 million by the end of the year, and expect him to overtake Nirvana rocker Kurt Cobain and Elvis Presley – who have made £450 million and £362 million respectively from beyond the grave - as the highest-earning dead celebrity in the next 12 months.

Lawyer John Branca, who is co-executor of Michael’s estate, said: 'Clearly this will be a new record for estates that likely will not be broken. Elvis’ estate makes £33million a year. This will be a bigger estate.'

Branca and fellow co-executor, music executive John McClain, have put together a series of deals for commemorative coins, school supplies, a coffee-table book and a film.

They have also been retrieving funds held for Michael by anonymous creditors, thought to amount to "several million pounds", and tallying the value of the singer's property, memorabilia and art collections.

While Michael's earnings steadily increase, his older sister La Toya has spoken about her grief at her sibling’s passing.

She said: "It's a very difficult moment for all of us. It's almost - you don't believe it - so you try to do the best you can by feeling his love, by helping and doing something he would want you to do."

Meanwhile, law enforcement sources claim Michael's doctor Conrad Murray had Propofol hidden in the singer's house.

Police officers found three large bottles and five smaller vials of the anaesthetic stashed in a closet in Murray's bedroom at the star's Los Angeles home.

They also believe Murray received regular shipments of the powerful drug – reportedly used to help Michael sleep, and believed to have played a part in his death – through courier service FedEx, which he then hid in other locations.

The search warrant used to raid the Las Vegas pharmacy frequented by Murray showed investigators were looking for FedEx records relating to "the purchase, transfer, receiving, ordering, delivery and storage of Propofol to Dr. Conrad Murray".

Police were also looking for credit card receipts relating to a purchase of Propofol the doctor made in May.

Lily Allen selling designer watch

Lily Allen is desperate to sell her new designer watch.

The 'Fear’ singer splashed out on the exclusive timepiece while she was in Europe but just hours later she begged fans to buy it from her after realising it doesn’t fit.

She wrote on her Twitter page: 'Does anyone want to buy a brand new Breitling. its too big for me. 3200 quid, i bought it for 4440 euro, so id be making a loss, God I’m an idiot (sic).'

It appears Lily bought the watch at Nice airport, in France, because she was frantically trying to contact a jewellery shop located there shortly after making her purchase.

She said: 'I need to find a phone number for this watch shop in Nice airport. Proving quite difficult. Help!'

Earlier this week, Lily was celebrating when she won £3,000 after placing a bet at a casino during her stay in Monaco.

She bragged: 'In monaco, Just went gambling , put down 100 , won 3000. Walked away, (sic).

Marilyn Manson rape threat

Marilyn Manson threatened to 'rape' a rival rocker’s face.

The 'Dope Show’ singer became involved in a fracas with Trevor Strnad, frontman of Black Dahlia Murder, after Strnad insulted him.

The incident erupted as Marilyn was signing autographs for fans at a meet-and-greet in Florida, US, when Strnad shouted: 'Welcome to the freak show,' prompting Marilyn to write 'I hate those ****s' on the tablecloth in front of a fan.'

The self-styled 'Antichrist Superstar’ made a comment about wanting to 'rape' Trevor’s face before swinging a punch at him. Security then intervened to break the fight up.

This is not the first time Manson has issued threats in the last few weeks. Last month, he said he would 'murder' journalists who write falsities about him, after US blogger Buddyhead alleged he was addicted to cocaine.

Marilyn wrote on his blog: 'I can, but do not need to defend myself and the absurd accusations that the average press has clinged onto.

'If we need a nude photo of me to prove that I am far different than what the soon-to-be-murdered-in-their-home press have decided to fabricate, that is easy.

"But if one more 'journalist' makes a cavalier statement about me and my band, I will personally, or with my fans’ help, greet them at their home and discover just how much they believe in their freedom of speech.

"I dare you all to write one more thing that you won't say to my face. Because I will make you say it. In that manner. That is a threat."

Beyonce Knowles gets high on exercise

Beyonce Knowles tones her butt by walking up stairs.

The 'Halo' singer admits she was born with a "naturally good" rear end, but gives nature a helping hand by climbing flights of steps.

The 27-year-old singer explained: "I guess my butt is natural. But I go through stages like every woman. I like being curvy but sometimes I get curvy in the wrong places

'After New Year I do stairs - they are the best thing for butt cheeks. Every January I'll start working out. I'll do that for three months and then stop again!"

Even though she is proud of her body, Beyonce hates to be mentioned on lists of the world's sexiest women because she believes beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

She added: "Some people think one thing is beautiful, some think another is. When people say that I am 'most beautiful' or 'most sexy', it bothers me.

"I like fashion and I like to look good. I like to try at least, but everyone has their own opinion."

Placebo singer collapses on stage

Placebo frontman Brian Molko reportedly collapsed on stage during a festival appearance last weekend.

According to NME, the Battle For The Sun rockers were performing at the Summersonic Festival in Japan when Molko fainted midway through their set on Sunday.

Revealing why the singer passed out, a statement from Placebo explained: "We have undertaken a gruelling and intensive schedule over the last few months and the last couple of weeks alone played five countries in nine days.

"Brian picked up a virus which coupled with jet lag and exhaustion, caused his collapse on stage. Thanks to prompt and professional care, Brian is recovering well."

Molko is the third rock star to suffer from performance-related injuries in the past week. Jet frontman Nic Cester also passed out during a recent gig in London and Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler was hospitalised after falling off stage in South Dakota

Janet Jackson is recording new album

Janet Jackson has announced that she is starting work on her eleventh studio album.

The 'All For You' singer, whose last disc Discipline topped the Billboard chart last year, is expected to release the new record next year.

"I just finished working on the film Why Did I Get Married Too?. I'm looking forward to getting started on my new album!" she wrote on Twitter.

Jackson parted ways with her record label Island Def Jam Records last September, reportedly unhappy with its efforts in promoting her LP.

The star released her self-titled debut album in 1982 and has gone on to sell over 100 million records worldwide.

Rihanna to perform for first time since attack

Rihanna is to perform in public for the first time since being attacked by Chris Brown six months ago.

The 'Umbrella' singer will appear on the 'The Jay Leno Show' on September 14, alongside hip-hop stars Kanye West and Jay-Z.

The trio are expected to perform their new single 'Run This Town'. Tom Cruise is also in negotiations to appear on the programme.

Rihanna, 21, has kept a low-profile since she was assaulted by her then-boyfriend Chris Brown in February.

Chris pleaded guilty to the attack in June and was sentenced to five years' probation, 180 days of community service and ordered to attend an anti-domestic violence programme.

He is also banned from going within 50 yards of Rihanna.

But the singer recently announced she wants Chris' court order downgraded to a level-one protective restraining order.

Her lawyer Donald Etra said: "That order would prevent Chris from annoying, molesting or harassing her. That level-one order would fully protect her.

"The order in effect now is a stay-away order preventing them from coming within 50 yards of each other.

"But Rihanna's position from the beginning is that there was no need for that level of protective order."

Chris' scheduled formal sentencing hearing on Wednesday (05.08.09) was postponed until August 27 after the judge ruled she was not satisfied with the terms of his community labour order.

Roisin Murphy accuses GaGa of copying her

ROISIN MURPHY has declared that Lady GaGa has copied her style and attempted to make it her own.

The former Moloko star said she was responsible for the Poker Face star's outrageous dress sense which includes oversized hats, thigh-high boots and daring headpieces.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Murphy said: "She's copied my style. I met her about a year ago before she got really big and I had no clue that this was all going to happen. She wasn't wearing shoulder pads at the time, and I was.

"Lady Gaga is just a poor imitation of me. She has copied my style, she took my shoulder pads and all that. Mind you she doesn't wear the bottom half!"

Pink thinks fur is fattening

Pink thinks fur makes people look fat.

The 'Sober' singer - who is an outspoken animal rights activist - believes the only way to stop celebrities wearing animal skins is to tease them about their weight.

The 29-year-old star is quoted as saying: "The whole animal welfare and cruelty side of wearing fur is clearly not working because some people still insist on wearing it.

"So I think we should have a new campaign with the message - fur makes you look fat. That is probably the only thing these people care about so let's go for that. You look terrible in that. It makes you gain 15 or 20 lbs. That will do the trick."

Pink - real name Alecia Moore - is a strict vegetarian and staunch supporter of PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals).

Although she loves animals, the star wasn't happy when a frog hopped into her face on a recent bike trip in Australia with husband Carey Hart.

The pair had stopped on the side of the road for a toilet break when the excited amphibian "attacked" her.

A source said: "They were relieving themselves by the road when a frog jumped up and hit Pink bang in the eyes. She freaked." Fortunately, Pink was not injured.

Snoop Dogg to take part in Millionaire

SNOOP DOGG has been signed up as a special guest on TV gameshow Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

The rapper will be one of a handful of celebrities taking part in the 10th anniversary extended series of the show which will last two weeks.

Other stars reportedly appearing include Katy Perry, actress Vanessa Williams and the Reverend Al Sharpton.

Each will be asked one question and if answered correctly, $50,000 (£30,000) will be donated to their favourite charity.

The run of shows will begin this Sunday, August 9 at 8pm on ABC.

Wallis Bird to release new single

WALLIS Bird releases new single 'To My Bones’ on August 31, 2009. It is taken from her forthcoming second album 'New Boots’, out September 7 through Rubyworks.

Hot on the heels of recent comeback single, the intoxicating 'La La Land’, Wallis Bird readies the release of her new album with a big pop song that arguably helps to define it.

The songs on 'New Boots’ emerged partly from the most euphoric moments of her life – epiphanies and personal triumphs – and partly from the shadow of splits – with her label, with her partner – experiences that, she says, nearly broke her in half.

Recorded in varying locations – a rural Germany studio close to where she lived for 18 months; her home in London; her parents’ house back in Ireland – Wallis even utilised her family as backing vocalists on some of the songs. 'Having family and friends take part makes it more personal, both for me and for the listener,' she says. 'I feel that music can die if we don’t keep it intimate.'

Together with her band, Wallis has dug deep, fought hard and alchemised pop gold, creating an honest, bold and predictably unpredictable album. None more so than on the stadium-sized acoustica of summer popsicle 'To My Bones’, a song that has already pricked up the tuned-in ears of our mainstream radio airwaves.

An impassioned performer often likened to Janis Joplin and Ani DiFranco, much of the live energy of Wallis’ shows is captured on 'New Boots’. Listeners might be surprised by the 5ft 2in bundle of white heat who throws herself around the stage with wilful abandon, breaking strings and shredding her fingers from the sheer force of her playing, urging the crowd into a collective sing-a-long and throwing her entire soul into each performance.

'New Boots’ is a fiercely honest record from a young Irish songstress not afraid to channel heart and soul into her every last note. 'To My Bones’ is its rallying cry.

Wallis Bird live:

August 7 Relentless Boardmasters Festival, Newquay
August 22 V Festival, Chelmsford
August 23 V Festival, Stafford
August 30 Solfest, West Cumbria
September 2 Koko, London (supporting Rodrigo y Gabriela)
September 12 Jimmy’s Farm Festival, Ipswich


www.myspace.com/wallisbird www.wallisbird.com

J-Lo talks to her twins online

Jennifer Lopez uses a webcam to keep in touch with her children.

The singer-and-actress - who gave birth to twins Max and Emme in February 2008 - can't bear to be parted from her family, so uses the internet to check on how they are doing.

She said: "I hate being away from my kids. But we have devised this thing where I can see them on the computer. I call up on the web camera so I can see the babies while I am away and I just look at them."

Although the 40-year-old star enjoys speaking to the twins via a webcam, she admits it can be upsetting and confusing for her 18-month-old daughter Emme to see her mother talking to her on a computer screen.

Jennifer is quoted as saying: "It is so sweet - my son just stares at the camera and looks. And then my daughter just starts crying when she sees me on the screen. She holds out her arms to me and gets very upset. It breaks my heart if I am away from them even for a short time."

50 Cent to play at Jackson tribute

50 CENT is set to pay tribute to Michael Jackson on what would have been the King of Pop's 51st birthday.

The rapper has signed up to perform at a theme park benefit show in New Jersey on August 29 which will help raise cash for the rapper's G-Unity Foundation.

He also revealed that he has dedicated his latest mixtape, Forever King, to the late pop superstar - and changed the project's artwork and some of the rhymes and lyrics to honour Jackson, who died on 25 June (09).

50 Cent said, "When Michael Jackson passed, there was a piece of artwork that had 'King of Pop, King of Rap' with me and his pictures. That's what gave me the concept of the artwork."

The new mixtape samples actor Vincent Price's maniacal laugh from Thriller and a revamp of the Jackson 5's I Wanna Be Where You Are on the track Michael Jackson Freestyle, which chronicles the life of a drug dealer.

Miley Cyrus stalker arrested again

A MAN has been arrested for the second time for stalking teen star Miley Cyrus.

Mark McLeod, 53, was detained in Georgia, US, on Wednesday after he was spotted on the set of her new movie 'The Last Song’.

According to Reuters, he told police he is secretly engaged to the star and previously told reporters he was her Number One fan at a book signing in New York.

McLeod was first arrested in June after trying to get past a security perimeter on the movie set, and was issued a police order to stay away.

He was held for just one day in custody due to over-crowding.

Katy Perry steps in as American Idol judge

KATY PERRY has been signed up as a guest judge on the new series of American Idol.

Following resident judge Paula Abdul's departure from the show after eight series this week, Perry will take her place for one of the audition shows.

The news comes the day after it was revealed that former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham will also appear as a guest judge on the US version of Britain's The X Factor.

But executives at Fox, which broadcasts the show said they are searching for a permanent, fourth judge to sit in Abdul's seat when the ninth season of the show returns to TV in early 2010.

18 weeks at US No.1 for Black Eyed Peas

Black Eyed Peas have extended their record run at the top of the Billboard Hot 100.

Their track 'I Gotta Feeling' notches up its sixth week at number one, having previously ended the 12-week chart reign of predecessor 'Boom Boom Pow'.

Rapper Drake holds steady at two with 'Best I Ever Had', while Taylor Swift bounces back to three with 'You Belong With Me'.

Meanwhile, British R&B singer Jay Sean scores his first ever US top ten hit after climbing from 32 to six with 'Down', a collaboration with Lil Wayne.

Outside the top ten, Shakira jumps from 41 to 21 with 'She Wolf', while T.I. and Mary J. Blige debut at 29 with 'Remember Me'.

The top ten singles in full (click where possible for our reviews):

1. (1) Black Eyed Peas: 'I Gotta Feeling'
2. (2) Drake: 'Best I Ever Had'
3. (4) Taylor Swift: 'You Belong With Me'
4. (3) Keri Hilson ft. Kanye West, Ne-Yo: 'Knock You Down'
5. (5) Kings of Leon: 'Use Somebody'
6. (32) Jay Sean ft. Lil Wayne: 'Down'
7. (6) Sean Kingston: 'Fire Burning'
8. (7) Black Eyed Peas: 'Boom Boom Pow'
9. (8) Lady GaGa: 'LoveGame'
10. (12) Cobra Starship ft. Leighton Meester: 'Good Girls Go Bad'

Razorlight drummer joins We Are Scientists?

WENN
Former Razorlight member Andy Burrows has reportedly announced plans to join We Are Scientists, as well as complete a second solo album.

The drummer, who quit Razorlight in March, has been recording in New York with the 'After Hours' rockers, working on new material for the band's third record, according to NME.

"There was no plan from me to go solo," Burrows explained, speaking about his 2007 solo debut The Colour Of My Dreams. "I've always been comfortable behind the drums, but I've always written songs too and I had a bunch sitting around, and it dawned on me once I'd left Razorlight I had enough for an album."

Burrows also revealed for the first time why he felt he had to leave his old band.

"I'm a fan of Razorlight, but by the end I wasn't a fan of being in Razorlight," he said, adding that there were no hard feelings between he and the rest of the group.

He continued: "I was really pleased to hear that they were going to carry on without me, though. It was good to see the band being positive and moving on."

Speaking about his new role in We Are Scientists, Burrows declared that he will play live and record with the group as an "honouree Scientist".

Welcoming their new member, frontman Keith Murray noted that he faced stiff competition for a place in the band's lineup, saying: "We were thinking for this record that we'd collect all our drummer friends and have different guys do different songs. Andy was one of those guys but after he left Razorlight we got together, fell in love and decided to make a record."

Britney 'won't sing' at Teen Choice Awards

Britney Spears has released a statement to deny that she is performing live at the Teen Choice Awards on Monday.

The singer, who recently confirmed that she would appear at the annual bash in California, apologised to fans for mistakenly suggesting that she would sing live.

"Britney is appearing, not performing at the TCAs," the statement reads.

"We are deeply sorry for any confusion and disappointment and appreciate the ongoing dedication of Britney's wonderful fans."

Spears is nominated in three categories at the ceremony, which will be hosted by the Jonas Brothers.

Kathrine gets the kids

It has been confirmed that the kids will go to MJ's mom (kathrine). This is what MJ wanted since the kids already were close to her.

Humanoid done!

News from MTV.com! Tokio Hotel’s Humanoid Is Finished, After Brotherly Arguments Bill and Tom Kaulitz argued over tracklist, producer says. They’d already settled on a title and a release date, so it was probably time for the guys in Tokio Hotel to actually finish recording Humanoid, the follow-up to their English-language debut, Scream.And they have. According to producer David Jost, brothers Bill and Tom Kaulitz have just returned from Los Angeles, where they put the finishing touches on the album, which has been in the works for nearly a year.“Bill and Tom have just been in Los Angeles to do the final guitar and voice recordings. The production is finished and we’re now mixing the album,” Jost said in a statement to MTV News on Wednesday (August 5). “From the 25 songs we’ve written these past 12 months, we had gotten to a [final] selection of songs, which we’ve been focusing on, production-wise for the last months.”Jost went on to say that the Kaulitz have whittled those 25 songs down to 13, which will comprise the tracklist for Humanoid. But it wasn’t easy.“A few days ago, Bill and Tom had a little argument about what should be the final tracklist for the album. But it seems that this internal problem has been solved,” Jost wrote. “Bill has now compiled a track list including all the songs that will be part of the Humanoid album. According to Bill’s latest version, 13 songs will be on the new album.”And what will those 13 songs sound like? Well outside of some YouTube leaks — snippets from a pair of Humanoid songs, “Dark Side of the Sun” and “Pain of Love” dribbled out back in June — few people seem to know. Jost had previously mentioned that Kaulitz had been drawing inspiration from the world of science-fiction, and earlier this year, production team the Matrix told MTV News that they had recorded eight songs with Tokio Hotel, and that the material was “strong, anthem-y” stuff with a dark edge and “lots of guitars.”In his statement, Jost hinted that the new material might be more somber and stream-of-consciousness. Or at least that’s what we think he’s saying …“Already as a young boy Bill held an immense melancholy within himself. At the writing and recording sessions, his emotional extremes are his greatest asset. In the studio Bill’s truth is always his last mood and his latest feeling,” Jost wrote. “Sometimes Bill was entering the studio — dreaming wide awake — and then he pulled out those crumpled-up slips of paper with his song ideas on it, from various pockets and bags.”

Pussycat Dolls star 'admits group split'

Ashley Roberts has reportedly admitted that the Pussycat Dolls have "broken up".

The singer/dancer has allegedly told fans outside a hotel in London that the girl group have split, reports the Daily Mail.

Ashley Roberts said: "This is the last time we'll be in the UK as a band. We've broken up. We're sorry."

The group's future has been in question for months as lead singer Nicole Scherzinger has reportedly planned to launch a solo career.

John Mayer reveals songwriting struggles

John Mayer has revealed that he is trying to adopt a new carefree approach to songwriting.

The 31-year-old singer admitted that he was previously worried about his lyrics because he did not want fans to compare them to tabloid rumours surrounding his personal life.

Writing on Twitter, Mayer explained: "I find it hard to write lyrics like I used to. This is not because people know so much about me, but because of what they think they know.

"So I find myself trying to guess what they think they know and then trying to steer clear of it and find another way to explain myself.

"The whole thing gets very tiresome and has led me to say 'f**k it' and write exactly like I used to."

Mayer has been linked to a number of female celebrities in the past, including Jennifer Aniston and Cameron Diaz.

Gerard Way reveals new MCR LP details

Gerard Way has claimed that My Chemical Romance's upcoming album will feature the "greatest song" that the band has ever written.

The singer and lyricist discussed the progress of the follow-up to 2006's The Black Parade during an appearance at Comic-Con to promote his latest comic books.

Speaking to Rolling Stone, he said: "The songs are all wildly different, but the one I'm really excited about is called 'Death Before Disco'.

"It's a completely different sound for the band - it's like an anti-party song that you can party to. I can't wait for people to hear it.

"It brings back, lyrically, some of that wonderful fiction from the first album. I think we wrote our 'Born to Run', and I'm so amped about that. To me, it's the greatest song we've ever written - it's my favourite MCR song."

Way added that the group are "right in the middle" of producing the as-yet-untitled record, which is expected to be released later this year or early 2010.

Rihanna earned £10 million in one year

Rihanna earned an estimated £10 million last year, it has been claimed.

The 'Umbrella' singer is expected to become one of the world's richest popstars following the success of her third album Good Girl Gone Bad and a number of high profile endorsements.

According to Forbes magazine, the 21-year-old profited from a re-release of the LP, which spawned an impressive seven singles, as well as a world tour and contract with fashion giant Gucci.

The Bajan singer has reportedly enlisted Justin Timberlake, Kanye West and Jay-Z to work on her new album, scheduled for release next year.

Placebo release ‘The Never-Ending Why’

Lifted from their now critically-acclaimed, top five (in twenty countries!) album 'Battle For The Sun’, Placebo are pleased to announce the release of their new single 'The Never-Ending Why’ on the 7th of September.

High energy and utterly infectious, 'The Never-Ending Why’ harks back to classic Placebo, kicking into life with a dense barrage of noise and building into a chorus that clamps itself onto your brain and refuses to let go. The single will be available on 7' vinyl with an exclusive b-side and as a download bundle that will feature the 7' tracks plus a remix.

Placebo have been highly active on the live circuit this year with 25 European festival appearances this summer alone (including a return to the mainstage at the Reading/Leeds festivals this August), followed by a huge arena tour booked for this December that includes a headline appearance at The O2 Arena in London on December 9th.

The December dates are as follows:

Tuesday 08th Birmingham LG Arena
Wednesday 09th London The O2
Friday 11th Bridlington Spa
Saturday 12 Manchester Central
Monday 14th Glasgow SECC
Tuesday 15th Dublin Olympia Theatre
Wednesday 16th Dublin Olympia Theatre

Whitney Houston album is pushed forward

WHITNEY HOUSTON is set to release her new album earlier than expected.

The highly-anticipated I Look To You was due to go on sale on September 1.

But because of "continuous excitement" stemming from listening parties, it'll be available a day earlier on August 31.

Houston recently admitted that she was inspired by her personal ups and downs in the seven years when writing the album.

Shakira is desperate for a baby

Shakira is desperate to "reproduce".

The 'Beautiful Liar' singer is certain her fiance Antonio de la Rua – the son of Argentina's former president Fernando de La Rua - is the "right person" to start a family with, and is planning to start trying for a baby as soon as possible.

The 32-year-old star said: "I constantly think about raising a family. I want to reproduce so bad! Antonio and I have been together for nine years and function as a married couple even though we're not married.

"I don't think you find the right person in your life more than once. I don't even think about how famous he is. We look at each other as a man and a woman and that's it. We try to live a normal life and I keep my family close to me so I still feel like a real person."

Shakira also reflected on 'Beautiful Liar' - her "thrilling" 2007 collaboration with Beyonce Knowles.

She added to Britain’s Look magazine: "It was fantastic to work with her. She's an amazing performer and very sweet. The song was her idea and I was so thrilled. She's a very determined and focused woman and that's something to admire."

Jay-Z to write about marriage to Beyonce

Jay-Z is planning to tell all about his marriage in a new book.

The ’99 Problems’ rapper is set to pen an autobiography in which he will open up about his life with wife Beyonce Knowles, despite the pair making a pact to not speak about their relationship publicly.

A source said: 'It’s going to cover everything from his days on the streets as a drug dealer to his fairytale wedding to Beyonce.

'He’ll also be revealing his rapping secrets.'

A spokesperson for the star confirmed plans for the tome, which as yet has no title or release date.

Its release is expected to tie in with his next album, 'The Blueprint 3’, which is due to come out in September.

The hip-hop star – real name Shawn Carter – previously scrapped plans for an autobiography, saying it would be too personal to write.

Beyonce – who married 39-year-old Jay-Z in secret last April after dating him for around six years – has often credited the pair’s refusal to discuss their relationship as the key to its longevity.

She said: 'I think I have a successful, long-lasting relationship, longer than most people’s in the industry, so I must be doing something right.

'It’s important for people to know that there’s a line you can’t cross in this. It’s real. It’s not like some fairytale that people watch for entertainment – it’s real life and it’s important to keep it to yourself.

'We worked really hard at keeping our wedding private. I've always been this way, and he's always been this way, so that's why we complement each other. We always knew that it would be private and quiet, for all the right reasons."

Joel Madden writes his memoirs

Joel Madden is writing a memoir.

The Good Charlotte rocker - who is expecting his second child with girlfriend Nicole Richie - believes the time is right for him to pen a tome about all the things he has been through.

He said: "It would be about my life. It would be about, mostly, the big changes in my life - kids, relationships, moving to Los Angeles the big life changes that I've gone through."

The 30-year-old musician is determined to put as much effort as possible into the book, as he wants to ensure it is a significant reflection of the highs and lows he has suffered.

He explained: "I'm lightly working on one, but I don't want to put a book out there if it's not actually meaningful. I'm not going to go there unless I can deliver.

"If I put a book out, I want it to be something that matters to me. It has to be real, you can't just put a book out, to put a book out. I want every page to mean something."

Joel and Nicole already have 18-month-old daughter Harlow together.

Nelly Furtado to release Spanish album

Nelly Furtado says singing in Spanish is 'liberating'.

The 'Maneater’ singer – who was born in Canada to Portuguese parents – is set to release 'Mi Plan’, her first album in the language.

Nelly admits she found it easier to get close to her emotions in a different language.

She said: "I think this album has some of my first true love songs ever. They're not complicated. They're not over-intellectualised, and I found it liberating to be able to sing in the Latin language and to express myself from my Latin soul.'

The 'Promiscuous’ star made the decision to record in Spanish after touring her 2006 smash hit album 'Loose’ left her creatively exhausted.

She explained: "I was physically tired and I wasn't feeling inspired. It was almost as if I lost my pop inspiration to write in English. I just needed a new outlet, and I found it by writing in Spanish."

The album, set for release in September, features a range of guest artists, including collaborations with Mexican singers Alejandro Fernandez and Julieta Venegas and Latin hip-hop singer La Mala Rodriguez.

However, Nelly revealed working with classical star Josh Groban on 'Silencio’ was a 'huge blessing'.

She added: "I thought it was important to showcase on this album an artist that people know more for their English recordings. So, I thought by working with Josh would actually elevate my point that language isn't a barrier when it comes to music."

Estelle denies slagging off Rihanna

ESTELLE has denied reports that she has engaged in an online war with Rihanna.

The singer slammed The Sun newspaper after it claimed that the American Boy singer took to her Twitter.com page to comment on the latest collaboration between Jay-Z and his protegee Rihanna.

The paper said that Estelle claimed she could have sung the chorus for Run This Town much better, and allegedly wrote: "Rihanna just doesn’t do it for me.'

But she released a statement that insisted that the comment was made by one of her followers on the micro-blogging site.

Speaking to MTV.com, she said: "Twitter is a funny old thing. I just need to be clear though. I have not said anything at all about me wanting to be on the Jay Z / Kanye / Rihanna track.

'Someone else twittered that remark to me and one of the U.K. tabloids then chose to 'rewrite' this and post it online... Watching this unfold, it is crazy that something that I didn't even say can end up as such a big news story.'

Kelly Clarkson: 'I didn't copy Beyoncé'

Kelly Clarkson has denied the suggestion that she ripped off Beyoncé's hit single 'Halo' for her upcoming track 'Already Gone'.

The singer explained that the similarity between the two songs resulted from both artists working with songwriter-producer Ryan Tedder of One Republic, CBC News reports.

Clarkson said: "Ryan and I met each other at the record label, before he was working with anyone else. We wrote about six songs together, four or five of them made the album.

"It was all fine and dandy. I'd never heard of a song called 'Halo'. Her album came out when my album was already being printed."

She added: "No-one's gonna be sittin' at home, thinking, 'Man, Ryan Tedder gave Beyoncé and Kelly the same track to write to'. No, they're just gonna be saying I ripped someone off. I called Ryan and said, 'I don't understand. Why would you do that?'"

The former American Idol star claimed that she "fought and fought" to prevent her record label from releasing the track as a single, but the company refused to agree to her request.

Clarkson said: "In the end, they're releasing it without my consent. It sucks, but it's one of those things I have no control over.

"I already made my album. At this point, the record company can do whatever they want with it. It's kind of a s**tty situation, but... you know, you learn."

Miley Cyrus wishes she had other talents

MILEY CYRUS has reportedly admitted she wished she had another talent.

The singer and actress said if she wasn't in the music business, she would aspire to be a painter or photographer.

Speaking to the Star Telegram, she said: "I would like to be a photographer, and honestly, I am the worst painter, but if I could be anything I would want to be a painter, but I can't paint so that [crosses] that out.

"I love playing my guitar. I always have my guitar with me. That is my favourite thing, is writing the music."

She added that the downside to being famous is constantly being away from home.

She said: "The best thing is the travelling and meeting new people, and the worst thing is the travelling. It is the best and worst because I am away from home all the time.

"Also, it is fun to meet new people and see new things and go places that you probably wouldn't be able to go."

Avril Lavinge strips down new album

AVRIL LAVINGE is going back to her roots for her next album.

The singer said she will abandon the "cheerleader" style of her last album The Best Damn Thing, for a more traditional sound.

Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, she said: "[The Best Damn Thing] was intended to be fun, to be rockin'. All I had in my mind was my live show, running around on stage, getting the crowd involved.

"This record, I just really, really wanted to sing. We started recording each song, some of them, just with acoustic guitar and the vocal and building it from there. It's stripped down. I love performing that way, so I really felt like it was time to make a record like that. To just make it all about the vocal and the performance, and the vibe, and the emotion."

She added: "I was always really honest in my lyrics. I think more so when I was younger, and now it's kind of come back to that. Just like, you know what? I'm not trying to write a perfect pop song. I'm just trying to write a song that's honest right now, even if something sounds weird or a lyric might not make sense to someone."

Jackson lay in state without his nose

Michael Jackson's nose was missing as he lay in state.

An eyewitness claims he saw the singer's body on an autopsy table with part of his face completely disappeared.

The witness said: "The prosthesis he normally attached to his damaged nose was missing, revealing bits of cartilage surrounding a small dark hole."

Jackson - who died a month ago today of a suspected cardiac arrest - was believed to have had a number of surgical operations change the shape of his nose, which eventually eroded it away. He was also thought to be obsessed with plastic surgery and altering his appearance.

The witness added: "Jackson's face - which he had so painfully reworked and concealed from the public for decades now - lay out in the open undisguised under the harsh lights."

One of the 'King Of Pop's former housekeepers has previously told how the singer kept a number of false noses, which he applied using plasters and glue.

Adrian McManus said: "In his closet he had a jar of fake noses and stage glue, which he told me he used for disguises. But some were similar to his real nose, just without the hole."

Reasons for Jackson's fascination with surgery are unclear, though he has hinted it was because he was bullied as a child. Other sources said he was desperate not to look like his father, Joe Jackson, whom he had accused of hitting him as a youngster and aking fun of his appearance.

Pussycat Doll is naturally sexy

Nicole Scherzinger says being "sexy" comes naturally to her.

The Pussycat Dolls singer believes it's her inner confidence that makes her attractive to the opposite sex, not her skimpy stage outfits.

She said: "Sexy is a confidence that comes from within so I don't think you have to be all glammed and dolled up to be sexy. I think you could be naturally sexy with jeans and a T-shirt or a skirt. I don't know if it's like an inner sense of humour or just a light that shines from within.

"I take the attention from men as a compliment! I think that ultimately comes from a confidence which comes from within so yes, that confidence is empowering."

Nicole - who is dating Formula One racing driver Lewis Hamilton - believes her self-assurance has grown since she joined the girl group in 2003.

She added: "I definitely think the Pussycat Dolls has brought out an inner Pussycat within me. I feel like when I'm onstage and the lights come on, a different persona comes over me. And I just take on a whole other animal or beast.

"I don't know if it's in the lights or if it's in the fans or just a combination of all of that, but I guess that's when the Pussycat Doll comes out in me."

Billy Joel struck down with flu

BILLY JOEL has been forced to postpone a joint concert with Sir Elton Jonh after he fell ill with flu-like symptoms.

The pair was due to play a sold-out gig in Buffalo, New York last night as part of their Face to Face world tour but doctors ordered Joel to rest.

A rescheduled date for the show is expected to be announced next week.

Rihanna goes on secret date with Mr Hudson

RIHANNA has gone on a secret date with Mr Hudson.

The Umbrella singer took the British R&B star to the London premiere of the new Quentin Tarantino film 'Inglorious Basterds' this week.

But she made sure she was not seen with him until the film started and they were later spotted together again at the screening's afterparty.

A source told Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper: "Rihanna didn't want to make a big deal out of her going on a date with Mr Hudson, so she never told anyone she was bringing him.

"They have been meeting up secretly and on the red carpet they refused to be pictured together. Once they were inside the cinema though, they were stuck together like glue and then they both slipped out of the back door at the end to go for a meal."

Rihanna, 21, is believed to have been introduced to Mr Hudson by Kanye West.