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Academy of Country Music Awards 2011 Winners and Performances – PICS and VIDEOS

April 4, 2011 By Holly Stafford 1 Comment

Fans and industry members voted Taylor Swift as the Academy of Country Music’s entertainer of the year at Sunday night’s 46th annual ACM Awards, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, while televised on CBS. Swift played her new single, “Mean,” the sharp-tongued response to some of her haters, playing on a fake backwoods front porch with accompaniment from an old-style string band with fiddle, mandolin, acoustic guitar and a six-string banjo.

Per People:

“For me, with the entertainer of the year award, I see the face of Shania [Twain] and Garth [Brooks] and my heroes,” she told PEOPLE after snagging the honor. “To be among them – it just means so much.”

Lady Antebellum also took major ACM awards with top vocal group and album of the year for the multiplatinum song “Need You Now.” The Band Perry, a bluegrass-rooted family trio, was voted in as overall best new artist over best new solo artist winner Eric Church.

For his part, Brad Paisley seemed genuinely surprised when he won best male vocalist over Jason Aldean, Blake Shelton, George Strait and Keith Urban. In the moments after the announcement he seemed taken aback by being named as country’s top male voice, as if the award was too much. (Paisley opened the show with “Old Alabama,” a song that found him borrowing lines from Alabama’s “Mountain Music.”)

“I am honestly shocked. This is way too many of these for me,” he said of his fifth consecutive trophy in the category. “I don’t want to know who got paid what,” he quipped, quickly adding, “No, it’s all very fair.”

Award shows tend to be as much about the performances as the actual awards — or even more so. The ACM awards pushed the envelope more than most… at the 45-minute mark there had been seven songs without a single award being handed out. Hoping a genre-crossing appeal will improve ratings and possibly expose non-country fans to the music, producers paired Rihanna with Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles for a performance of Rihanna’s latest single, “California King Bed.” While the two had obvious chemistry, their voices didn’t blend so well.

The crowd at the MGM arena jumped to its feet when Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler joined Carrie Underwood for a rendition of her heavy rock tune “Undo It” and Aerosmith’s classic “Walk This Way.” But when Tyler sang, “So I gave her just a little kiss, like this,” she pulled away at the last second and grinned.

The show also teamed veteran singer-songwriter James Taylor with the Zac Brown Band for a performance segment and lined up Ryan Seacrest, actress Reese Witherspoon and “Twilight” actor Robert Pattinson to be among the award presenters. Miranda Lambert made the most trips to the podium, earning four awards last night, honored as best female vocalist, and her hit single “The House That Built Me” was named both single and song of the year. The song snagged video of the year as well.

Entertainer of the year nominee Aldean even worked a couple of country rap interludes into his “Dirt Road Anthem.” Among the awards handed out before Sunday’s telecast, Reba McEntire was honored for career achievement and Swift collected the Jim Reeves International Award, which recognizes country performers who spread the music worldwide. The Tex Ritter Award that goes to movies that emphasize country music went to the Gwyneth Paltrow starring “Country Strong.” Garth Brooks took another ACM Award, even though he released no new recordings during the eligibility period, as one of two recipients of the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award, which also was given to Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers.

McEntire hosted the show for the 13th time, bringing Blake Shelton on to co-host with her. Much of the pair’s banter during the show centered on Shelton learning to do the job, which he handled for the most part with ease and humor, while taking a jab at Miley Cyrus.

“Eric Church has a big hit this year with ‘Smoke a Little Smoke,’” Shelton, 34, told the audience. His punch line? “I heard it was about Miley Cyrus.”

Shelton also poked fun at Swift’s breakup with Jake Gyllenhaal, and made low blows to LeAnn Rimes’ marriage issues. However, a Charlie Sheen joke did sneak its way in there eventually when Blake said that the MGM Grand was so big it would take Sheen forever to trash it. He then noted that since that statement was “not a joke,” he didn’t break the “no Charlie Sheen” rule that was playfully put into effect at the beginning of the ceremony.

Full list of 2011 ACM Winners:

- Entertainer of the Year: Taylor Swift
- Top Male Vocalist of the Year: Brad Paisley
- Top Female Vocalist of the Year: Miranda Lambert
- Top Vocal Duo of the Year: Sugarland
- Top Vocal Group of the Year: Lady Antebellum
- Album of the Year: Need You Now, Lady Antebellum
- Single of the Year: “The House That Built Me,” Miranda Lambert
- Song of the Year: “The House That Built Me,” Miranda Lambert
- Video of the Year: “The House That Built Me,” Miranda Lambert
- Vocal Event of the Year: “As She’s Walking Away,” Zac Brown Band featuring Alan Jackson
- Top New Artist: The Band Perry
- Career Achievement Award: Reba McEntire
- Jim Reeves International Award: Taylor Swift
- Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award: Garth Brooks, Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers

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Images Via: WENN

Filed Under: "Miley Cyrus", Awards, Celebrity Gossip, Charlie Sheen, Jake Gyllenhaal, Music, Reese Witherspoon, Rihanna, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Swift, Videos Tagged With: "Miley Cyrus", 46th Annual ACM Awards, Academy of Country Music Awards 2011, ACM 2011, ACM 2011 Lady Antebellum, ACM Best New Artist The Band Perry, ACM Las Vegas, Aerosmith, Aerosmith Walk This Way, Alabama, Alabama Mountain Music, Alabama Mountain Music AMC 2011, Best New Artist, Best New Solo Artist Eric Church ACM 2011, Blake Shelton, Blake Shelton ACM 2011, Brad Paisley, Brad Paisley ACM 2011, Brad Paisley Best Male Vocalist ACM 2011, Brad Paisley Old Alabama, Brad Paisley Old Alabama ACM 2011, Carrie Underwood, Carrie Underwood Undo It, Charlie Sheen, Charlie Sheen ACM 2011, Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award, Country Music, Country Song Tex Ritter Award, Eric Church, Eric Church Smoke a little Smoke, Garth Brooks Cliffie Stone Pioneer Awardd, George Strait, George Strait ACM 2011, Gwyneth Paltrow, Gwyneth Paltrow Country Song, Jake Gyllenhaal, Jake Gyllenhaal ACM 2011, James Taylor, Jason Aldean, Jason Aldean ACM 2011, Jason Aldean Dirt Road Anthem, Jennifer Nettles Rihanna California King Bed ACM 2011, Jim Reeves International Award, Keith Urban, Keith Urban ACM 2011, Lady Antebellum, Lady Antebellum Need You Now, Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers, Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers Cliffie Stone Pioneer Awards, Las Vegas, LeAnn Rimes, LeAnn Rimes ACM 2011, MGM Grand Garden Arena, Miley Cyrus ACM 2011, Miranda Lambert, Miranda Lambert Best Female Vocalist, Miranda Lambert Single of the Year, Miranda Lambert Song of the Year, Miranda Lambert The House That Built Me, Miranda Lambert Video of the Year, Nashville, Need You Now, Reba McEntire, Reba McEntire ACM 2011, Reese Witherspoon, Reese Witherspoon Robert Pattinson ACM 2011, Rihanna, Rihanna ACM 2011, Rihanna California King Bed, Rihanna Jennifer Nettles, Robert Pattinson, Ryan Seacrest, Ryan Seacrest ACM 2011, Serosmith Steven Tyler, Steven Tyler, Steven Tyler Carrie Underwood ACM 2011, Sugarland Jennifer Nettles, Taylor Swift, Taylor Swift ACM, Taylor Swift ACM Entertainer of the Year, Taylor Swift ACM Mean, Taylor Swift Jim Reeves International Award, taylor Swift Mean, Tex Ritter Award, The Band Perry, Twilight, Zac Brown Band, Zac Taylor ACM 2011

Paris Hilton Marries Piers Morgan – Photos

December 28, 2009 By Holly Stafford Leave a Comment

Paris Hilton has finally decided to walk down the aisle, and the man of her choice is none other than “America’s Got Talent” judge Piers Morgan. While it may come across as a shocking, their marriage to the was done in good non-legal binding fun as just a parody for his upcoming ITV1 show called “Piers Morgan On… Las Vegas.” Hilton wore a white bridal gown and veil during the service which was attended by Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe impersonators. Paris was accompanied by her dog that was also dressed in white, while Piers really did slip a diamond encrusted ring on her finger, with the 15-minute spoof wedding taking place at The Little Church of the West in Las Vegas.

Per Daily Mail:

“You can do anything here – it’s crazy! What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas,” says Morgan. “You know what it’s like – you have a few drinks, spend too long on the blackjack table, get overexcited and do something silly. I have to say, Paris scrubbed up to be a beautiful bride. It was magical.”

He also joked that he “wasn’t entirely sure” the wedding was fake since they did in fact go through all of the vows. And yes, the two did really kiss following the ceremony. In reality, Piers is engaged to journalist Celia Walden, while Paris has recently rekindling her flame with Doug Reinhardt. Lets just hope that’s as far as the joke went cause I’d sure hate to see him be the next one prescribed Valtrex!

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Filed Under: Celebrity Couples, Celebrity Hook Ups, Celebrity Wedding, Paris Hilton Tagged With: Americas Got Talent, Bride, Celia Walden, Doug Reinhardt, Elvis Presley, Groom, ITV1, Las Vegas, Marilyn Monroe, Marriage, Marries, Marry, Paris Hiltion, Piers Morgan, Piers Morgan On, The Little Church Of The West, Weds

Celebrity Reactions to the Death of DJ AM, Adam Goldstein

August 29, 2009 By Holly Stafford Leave a Comment

Its with heavy hearts that we must announce the passing of another musical artist. Adam Goldstein, more famously known as DJ AM, was found dead in his New York City apartment on Friday afternoon. The cause of death is still unknown at this time but a source claims drug paraphernalia, such as a pipe commonly used to smoke drugs, and prescription drug bottles were found in the apartment next to his body.

Celebrities are taking to their personal Twitter pages to send out their condolences and thoughts about Goldstein.

Per TMZ:

John Mayer: In complete shock.

Lindsay Lohan: i can’t believe this.. i’m in shock. why? why? r.i.p. adam.

Alyssa Milano: May you rest in peace, Adam. You touched many with your light and will be missed like crazy.

Ryan Seacrest: So sad the hear about adam. a very kind and generous guy.

Dr. Drew: I lack the words to describe my feelings.

Ashton Kutcher: much love to my boy AM.

Soliel Moon Frye: Thank you for bringing so much music and inspiration to peoples lives. Rip Dj Am.

Heidi Montag: my thoughts and prayers are with DJ AM’s family and friends.

Shanna Moakler: My deepest condolences for DJ AM, you were a great artist and will be severely missed. My thoughts and Prayers to his family and friends.

A friend reportedly arrived at Adam’s apartment to check on him after not hearing from him for a few days, but got no response after knocking on his door. The friend then called the police, who entered and found his body. He was only 36 years old. His last public appearance was this past Sunday at Citi Field in NYC where he threw out the first pitch at a Mets game. He last updated his personal Twitter on Tuesday with a chilling lyric from the opening line to the famous Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five song “New York, New York.”

Per DJ AM’s Twitter:

“New york, new york. Big city of dreams, but everything in new york aint always what it seems.”

Goldstein had previously been battling drug addiction and even had a show on the MTV network to help out those who were struggling with drugs. He was very popular on the celebrity circuit as he was frequently booked for high profile parties and celebrations. Goldstein was once engaged to Nicole Richie and also dated Mandy Moore on and off for several years. A year ago, he suffered severe burns when the Learjet carrying him and Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker crashed near a runway in South Carolina, killing 4 people, heading to California.

Tonight Goldstein was supposed to be deejaying at Rain in Las Vegas, Nevada. No additional details regarding Adam Goldstein’s death have been revealed, as the story is still developing. Our deepest sympathies and condolences go out to his family and friends during this tragic time.

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Images Via: wenn.com

Filed Under: Celebrity Gossip, Celebrity Health, Drugs and Alcohol, John Mayer, Lindsay Lohan, Music, Nicole Richie, Real News Tagged With: Adam Goldstein, Airplane, Alyssa Milano, Apartment, Ashton Kutcher, blink 182, california, Celebrity Reactions to the Death of DJ AM, Citi Field, Crashed, Dead, Deejaying, died, DJ AM, Dr. Drew, Drug Addiction, Drug Paraphernalia, Engaged, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, Heidi Montag, John Mayer, kill, Killed, Killing, Las Vegas, Learjet, Lindsay Lohan, Mandy Moore, Mets, MTV, Nevada, new york city, Nicole Richie, NYC, passed away, passes away, Pipe, Plane Crash, Prescription Drugs, Rain, Ryan Seacrest, Shanna Moakler, Soliel Moon Frye, South Carolina, Travis Barker, Twitter

Lindsay Lohan Sued For Tanning

July 7, 2009 By Crista Webster Leave a Comment

Poor Lindsay Lohan. She finally gets a little cash only to have ‘The Man’ try to take it away before she can spend it on Red Bull and nose spray.

It seems Lindsay claims to have helped a Las Vegas tanning salon owner create a fake at-home tanning spray. The pair are currently working together to push the spray, called Sevin Nyne, onto the public. However, distribution is currently halted as a Tampa chemist, Jennifer Sunday has come forward stating that Lohan and her sir-brusher stole the formula from her.

Via St. Petersburg Times:

“Sunday is suing Lohan, Simon, and Simon’s company for breach of contract, theft of trade secrets, civil conspiracy, intentional interference with contractual relations and deceptive and unfair trade practices.”

According to Sunday, she signed a confidentiality agreement with Lorit Simon, the Las Vegas businesswoman working with Lohan. However, Sunday is arguing that she is still working on the ingredients to the product and that she had no idea Lindsay Lohan would even be involved with the product, let alone take credit as a co-creator.

Lindsay should really stick to something she knows, like designing ho-hose leggings and hosting pool parties for 100 people she’s never met.

Filed Under: Celebrity Crime, Celebrity Gossip, Lindsay Lohan Tagged With: Chemist, Co Creator, Court, Las Vegas, Lindsay Lohan, Sevin Nyne, Sued, tampa, Tanning Spray

Paris Hilton Lesbian Prostitution Claims

June 8, 2009 By Crista Webster Leave a Comment

It’s Monday. And on Monday’s Paris Hilton comes out of the closet. That’s right kittens, according to some woman named Elizabeth Jawhary, she and Paris would often party together in Las Vegas.

As if Paris’ feet weren’t freakish enough, the partying got more disturbing as time went on. Jawhary claims that she and Paris partook in a little girl-on-girl fantasy action…for money.

Via NY Daily News:

“Some Hollywood players would pay for girl-on-girl action. I’d be there. And they’d pay to watch. On at least one night, Paris joined in. Paris got naked, and the girls would get naked.”

The classy Jawhary went to blab that she was paid $5,000 for a “private show” but never saw Paris take any money. The crabs were free of charge.

This story was leaked by Mark Ebner, author of “Six Degrees of Paris Hilton.” (Read about that literary masterpiece by clicking here). Jawhary herself could not be reached for comments. Hilton’s people, naturally, are denying that a lesbian tryst ever took place.

Image Via: Six Degrees of Paris Hilton Cover

Filed Under: Celebrity Crime, Celebrity Gossip, Celebrity Health, Celebrity Hook Ups, Paris Hilton, WTF?!? Tagged With: Claims, Dancing, Elizabeth Jawhary, Girl On girl, Las Vegas, Lesbian, Mark Ebner, Money, Nude, Paris Hilton, Party, Prostitution, Sex, Sex Tape, Six Degrees of Paris Hilton

Mike Tysons’ Daughter, Exodus, on Life Support

May 26, 2009 By Holly Stafford Leave a Comment

Former Heavyweight Champion Mike Tyson’s four year old daughter Exodus is on life support after she was found hanging from a treadmill cord yesterday morning. She was reportedly playing alone in the family’s Phoenix home when her older brother found her with the cord wrapped around her neck. The boy alerted the their mother in another room and she called 911 while trying to revive her.

Per People Via Fox News:

“Somehow she was playing on this treadmill, and there’s a cord that hangs under the console – it’s kind of a loop. Either she slipped or put her head in the loop, but it acted like a noose, and she was obviously unable to get herself off of it,” Phoenix police Sgt. Andy Hill told FOX News.

Responding officers and firefighters performed CPR on the girl while rushing her to nearby St. Joe’s Hospital. She was listed in “extremely critical condition” and on life support. The Phoenix Police Department are investigating but are certain the incident was an accident, calling it “tragic.” They believe Exodus’ 7-year-old brother was watching television and her mother was busy cleaning in another room when the incident happened. Tyson had been in Las Vegas but flew to Phoenix immediately after learning of the accident. Tyson could not immediately be reached for comment but 42West, a New York City public relations firm representing him, released a statement on the family’s behalf.

Per ESPN:

“The Tyson family would like to extend our deepest and most heartfelt thanks for all your prayers and support, and we ask that we be allowed our privacy at this difficult time,” the statement said.

This is sad and tragic in every way. Our thoughts and prayers go out to little Exodus and the entire Tyson family, and hope for Exodus’ full recovery.

Image Via: Getty

Filed Under: Celebrity Babies, Celebrity Gossip, Celebrity Health, Celebrity Loss, Real News Tagged With: 42West, 9/11, accident, CPR, Critital Condition, Exodus, exodus tyson, firefighters, Former Heavyweight Champion, hanging, Las Vegas, Life Support, mike tyson, mike tyson children, mike tyson wife, mike tyson wiki, new york city, officers, Phoenix Police Department, Phoeniz, St Joes Hospital, tragic, treadmill cord, wrapped

Pete Wentz Parties with Strippers – Photos

April 9, 2009 By Cara Harrington Leave a Comment

Let the wrath of Creepy Papa Joe Simpson unleash. Pete Wentz was photographed partying with some strippers.

While in Las Vegas, Pete Wentz was partying with his band, a friends and some hoes. Over 50 people were in attended for the night of debauchery. Pete was reportedly grinding on some strippers and dancing with them on the table. Holly Madison was also said to be in attendance. Meanwhile Ashlee Simpson was at home posting pictures of their baby boy, Bronx Mowgli, on her blog.

Via Star:

“Everybody was going absolutely crazy,” an eyewitness blabs. “People were even drunkenly playing makeshift Slip ‘n’ Slide with a mat and lubricant. And Pete was in great spirits. He was dancing and singing along to his band’s own songs, grinding up against the dancers. At one point he was dancing on a pool table with the girls.”

Apparently Ashlee was there earlier in the day and attended the Fall Out Boy concert. Once she as on her way home she Twittered: “I am beyond sad to leave my love… My heart is breaking as we drive home. I need my hubs.”

Ah, this is all just a matter of missing his wife. I am sure he was just seeking solace in the bosom of his lady friends who were just scantily clad and there in moral support…in their thongs….on the pool table…and drunk. Oh who am I kidding. Dude spanked some strange.

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Images Via: Star, Ashlee’s Blog

Filed Under: Ashlee Simpson, Celebrity Babies, Celebrity Couples, Celebrity Divorce, Celebrity Gossip, Celebrity Hook Ups Tagged With: Ashlee Simpson, Bronx Mowgil, cheaing affair, Fall Out Boy, Las Vegas, Party, Pete Wentz, Pete Wentz cheating photos, Pete Wentz Dancing with strippers, Pete Wentz Parties with Strippers, strippers

Joaquin Phoenix Rapping – Video

January 19, 2009 By Holly Stafford 1 Comment

No folks, that title isn’t a mistake. After announcing his retirement in October from acting, Joaquin Phoenix has since decided to try his hand at a rap career, stating that he was ready to put his real self out there and not hide behind movie characters. Sounding more like a comedy movie than reality, Phoenix had so-called Rapper Diddy teach him the how-to’s of rap and Ben Affleck’s baby brother Casey Affleck capturing the night for a documentary about his journey into the music world. Or maybe its just Casey’s way of helping his brother in law through some massive issues he seems to have as of late.

For the skeptical people, Phoenix says he’s serious about his new venture into the rap world. His debut show on Friday night at Lavo in Las Vegas was sensational – if you consider sensational to be scraggly looking bearded man shouting incomprehensible words that are assumed to be rap lines then falling off the stage as he was walking off. Strutting his stuff around the club’s stage, he rapped to the sounds of a drum beat and hopped up and down, pumping his fist in the air during certain lyrics.

Via The Dish Rag:

“This is me saying this is who I am. This is my story. After all the years of reading scripts and reading lines, this is my chance to do something straight from the heart and put it out there. When I was young I liked punk rock music but then I discovered rap. I love the storytelling aspect of hip-hop.”

You tell em, bro! With the crowd cheering him on, Phoenix told the crowd that they ‘held a very special place in his heart’ towards the end of the performance. He said he was ready for the mixed reactions that would come from his performance.

Via People:

“Are there people out there who think I’m a joke? I’m sure there will be. Are there people who think it’s going to suck? Probably, but I can’t worry about that.”

After his unusual three song performance as he was leaving the stage Phoenix fell, falling flat on his rear into the crowd. Later, a relaxed Phoneix spent the rest of the night hugging friends and taking pictures with fans before ending his night around 1:30 a.m. Phoenix’s first album is reportedly being produced by Diddy, with a release date yet to be revealed.

… Joaquin rapping? Diddy producing? Oh my. This just has “disaster” written all over it…