Last week we saw photos of the fabulous Whitney Houston arriving in Seoul, South Korea ahead of the first two dates there of her new Nothing But Love World Tour and today we get to see some video from those sold out performances. From the accounts that I’ve read of her performances, Whitney put on two fantastic (and memorable) shows and she looked and sounded great … tho, it’s obvs she still has some kinks to work out of the show. Here is a photo of Whitney Houston performing on the first night of her Nothing But Love World Tour in Seoul, South Korea last weekend:

Pop diva Whitney Houston kicked off her first world concert tour in 10 years in Seoul, Saturday evening. Approximately 11,000 fans flocked to Olympic Gym #1, Olympic Park for a chance to see the six-time Grammy winner perform in Korea for the first time, as part of her “Nothing But Love” 2010 world tour. A few minutes past 7 p.m., Houston emerged clad in an all-black outfit: a turtleneck, leather pants and a floor-length coat. She sounded shaky at first, performing fast-paced songs “For the Lovers” and “Nothing But Love.” Her entrance was marred by audio and technical problems, with the backing tracks appearing to overshadow Houston’s own voice. “Good evening, Korea. Welcome to the Whitney Houston show. This is the first show of our world tour and we’re starting here. We’re working out a lot of details, but hopefully you’ve come here to hear me sing. I’m going to sing to you from my heart. It’s hard for me to lip synch. I tried to do it, but I can’t,” she said. The 47-year-old singer appeared to need some time to warm up her voice, which obviously was not the same powerful voice that fans remember from her memorable hits in the ’80s and ’90s. But after the slow start, Houston sang the ballad “Didn’t Know My Own Strength,” showing that she can still hit the high notes. “It’s been so long, 10 years since I’ve been on tour … You’ve been so kind to me, so loving, caring and warm, even though it’s so cold. Thank you so much,” she said. Houston still has a charismatic stage presence, giving fans a glimpse of the pop diva that reigned the music world in the late ’80s and ’90s and has sold over 200 million records. However, it was obvious Houston and her concert staff were still trying to iron out the kinks of the tour. There were awkward silences between songs, last-minute changes to the set list and on two occasions, Houston suddenly stopped singing and asked the band to start over. During “My Love,” she stopped to pick up a piece of her shoe from the floor and re-attached it … During the break, the band performed “For the Love of You,” while the back-up singers and dancers got the crowd excited with “Queen of the Night.” Two of the dancers had formerly worked with the late pop superstar Michael Jackson. Houston later re-emerged in a white floor-length coat for the “unplugged” segment of the concert. She reminded the crowd that this year is the 25th anniversary of her debut album. “Can you believe that? I don’t want to tell you this but I’ve been in show business for 30 years now. I can’t believe it myself. It seems like it was only yesterday,” she said, looking emotional. Her voice sounded strong as she performed “Saving All My Love,” “The Greatest Love of All,” and “All At Once,” although the songs had new arrangements. Houston had the crowd grooving to the hit song “Dance with Somebody,” then slowed down the pace once more with the gospel song “I Love the Lord,” from her 1996 film “The Preacher’s Wife.” Houston looked like she was cold on stage, as she tightly belted her coat to keep her warm. “For some reason, there’s a breeze on stage. I don’t like singing in the cold, but for you I will continue singing,” she said. She sang the deeply personal title track from her latest album “I Look to You,” while taking sips from a mug in one hand. Then with renewed energy, Houston sang, danced and ran from one side of the stage to the other for “Step by Step.” The concert would not be complete without Houston performing her trademark song “I Will Always Love You,” and she didn’t disappoint. Throwing kisses and bowing, she graciously thanked the crowd and left the stage. After a nearly two-hour show, Houston returned for an encore, singing her latest single, “Million Dollar Bill,” and receiving loud cheers from the audience. Houston gave another concert in Seoul on Sunday evening, then hit the road again for concerts in Japan, Australia and Europe.

Work out those kinks, girl. I know it’s been far too long since you’ve been on stage performing live in front of sold-out audiences … it’s all good. I know you still got it in you and I know I won’t be disappointed when you finally bring your Nothing But Love World Tour here to the US :) After the jump, check out some video from Whitney’s 2-night stint in Seoul this past weekend — including performances of I Didn’t Know My Own Strength, a medley of Saving All My Love for You & The Greatest Love of All and I Will Always Love You …

READ THE REST OF THIS POST »

A few fun photos of Rihanna on the set of her new music video for Rude Boy, which features the pop princess going back to her Caribbean roots, have come to light for our viewing pleasure. Here is one of those photos along with some info about the music video shoot itself:

She’s one of the Caribbean’s most famous female exports and Rihanna has decided to pay homage to her West Indian roots in her new video. The promo for the 21-year-old’s new single Rude Boy is just as racy as her previous efforts, but this time the singer took inspiration from her homeland. In one shot from the video she is seen wearing a revealing gold net outfit that barely covers her modesty, topped off with a leopard print hat. And, in another, she sits atop a model of a zebra in a black and white all-in-one body suit matching the zebra’s colouring. Although the video is not due to debut until later this week, these preview shots are a clear indication of the direction Rihanna is going in. Rihanna recently confirmed the inspiration behind the video: ‘A lot of my videos are really dark and edgy and tough. Rude Boy is more playing along the lines from my roots. ‘We used a lot of color, but also the costumes were very Jamaican dancehall queen type.’ Dancehall queens being women who wear outrageously skimpy clothing to attend clubs in the West Indies, often competing in dance offs to be crowned queen of the dancehall. Rude Boy is taken from Rihanna’s fourth studio album, Rated R and the video is directed by Melina Matsoukas who also directed the video for Rihanna’s last single Hard. It is scheduled to be premiered on February 11.

Rude Boy is one of the best tracks off her album Rated R and from the look of these preview promo photos, I bet the video is gonna be HAWT! After the jump, check out a few promo pics from the set of Rihanna’s Rude Boy music video …

READ THE REST OF THIS POST »

Last week we learned that Jamie Lynn Spears and Casey Aldridge were dunzo after JL decided to start up a new relationship with a much older businessman named James Watson. Yesterday, at a Sonic Drive-In in Kentwood, Louisiana, Jamie Lynn was spotted with an older man alright … but it was not her reported new beau James. It turns out that JL was grabbing a bite to eat with her pappy Jamie Spears:

As I mentioned before, I’m happy to know that Jamie Lynn has come to her senses and moved on from her all-too-young baby daddy Casey Aldridge for an older, more mature man. I commend Casey-Lynn for giving it a try but clearly it didn’t work out and JL apparently decided that she and her baby needed more security than Casey could provide. It’s nice that Papa Spears flew out to spend some time with Jamie Lynn … he really seems to be there to take care of his daughters when they need him most. He basically saved Britney Spears’s life (and most certainly saved her career). Now he’s there to help take care of his youngest child. Papa Spears to the rescue again!!

[Photo credit: INFdaily]

As you may recall, former child star and Diff’Rent Strokes star Gary Coleman was arrested in Utah last month for failing to appear in court to answer criminal charges that were brought against him from a domestic incident that occurred with his wife, Shannon Price (who, herself, was arrested last year on charges of domestic battery last Summer) last April. It turns out that Coleman was not able to appear in court as scheduled because he was admitted to the hospital for heart trouble but, because the police were not informed of that development, he was arrested … booked … and spent a night in jail as a result (sadly, we saw Coleman being released from jail in a wheelchair). Today we learn that a healthier-looking Coleman did appear in court yesterday to answer the charges brought against him and he plead guilty to Criminal Mischief charges (downgraded from Domestic Violence charges) from that April ‘09 domestic incident. Here are photos of Gary Coleman leaving court in Utah yesterday and some deets of his latest court dealings:

Former child television star Gary Coleman pleaded guilty yesterday to a misdemeanor criminal mischief charge related to a domestic violence incident last April. In a deal with the prosecutor, Coleman entered the plea in Santaquin Justice Court in Utah on his 42nd birthday. The star, who has had numerous health complaints in recent months, looked the worse for wear during his court appearance. Last month he left Utah County Jail in a wheelchair, after he was arrested for missing a court appearance. Court clerk Jane Swan said the original charge of domestic violence assault was dropped, although no details of the April 18 incident were detailed in court documents. However, Coleman’s defence attorney Randy Kester told The Associated Press that Coleman and his wife, Shannon Price, 24, had an argument which got out of hand. ‘No one was injured and no ambulances were called. It was just a disagreement,’ Kester said. Judge Sharla Williams sentenced Coleman to 31 and a half days in jail. However the Diff’rent Strokes star will serve the time only if he fails to complete a domestic violence course and pay a $595 (£382) fine. ‘I think it’s an exceptionally fair resolution,’ Coleman’s attorney, Randy Kester, told the AP by phone. ‘He’s been under an extreme amount of stress.’ Kester said Coleman has suffered a string of health problems – dialysis for an ongoing kidney condition and heart surgery that was complicated by pneumonia last autumn – and has struggled to find work. Coleman was arrested last month on a warrant for failing to appear in court. He spent a night in jail before a fan paid his $1,725 (£1,108) bail. Kester said Coleman missed the court appearance because he was in hospital.

OY!! Gary Coleman has the WORST LUCK EVER … but I sincerely hope that this plea deal will keep him out of jail from here on out. His relationship with his wife, Shannon Price, sounds just horrible … and has caused him nothing but misery ever since they got together. The majority of his public embarrassments and criminal charges stem from his relationship with Price. I think it may be time for him to get out … tho, if the couple are dependent on one another then they will, likely, end up staying together. It must really suck to be hauled into court to plead guilty to criminal charges on one’s birthday but, then again, considering the luck that Coleman has been having in recent years … it’s not nearly as crappy as being arrested for failing to appear in court — because you were near death in a hospital! UGH! Keep your head down and stay out of trubs, Gary … I’m not sure how much more of this self-imposed misery you’re able to endure :(

[Source]

At long last, authorities in charge of the Michael Jackson Death Investigation have charged MJ’s personal physician Dr. Conrad Murray in his death. Murray showed up at court today, as did members of the immediate Jackson family, to face a charge of Involuntary Manslaughter in regards to MJ’s sudden death last Summer. Here are photos of Dr. Murray, Katherine Jackson (MJ’s mother) and La Toya Jackson (MJ’s older sister) arriving at court and deets of the just launched criminal trial proceedings:

Nearly eight months after Michael Jackson died suddenly, his personal physician was charged Monday with involuntary manslaughter for providing him with a powerful anesthetic that was ruled a major factor in his death. The filing of the charges capped an investigation that revealed Mr. Jackson’s heavy reliance on narcotics, including propofol, an anesthetic normally used in surgery but administered to Mr. Jackson, 50, as a sleep aid. The doctor, Conrad Murray, a cardiologist with offices in Houston and Las Vegas, had acknowledged giving Mr. Jackson the drug shortly before the singer was found unconscious on June 25 in a rented mansion here, according to police affidavits. The coroner determined that Mr. Jackson had died from “acute propofol intoxication,” combined with other sedatives. Dr. Murray, 56, who arrived in Los Angeles last week trailed by paparazzi, has maintained through his lawyer that nothing he gave Mr. Jackson should have caused his death. If convicted, he faces a possible maximum four-year state prison term. Dr. Murray arrived at the Airport Courthouse here shortly before his arraignment was scheduled to begin, at 1:30 p.m. Pacific time, escorted by lawyers and sheriff’s deputies and without handcuffs. At least 24 television trucks and journalists yammering in a multitude of languages were awaiting his arrival, along with a smattering of fans, some bearing signs “Justice for Michael.” A Jackson impersonator did his moves, sometimes prompted, sometimes not. About an hour earlier, some members of the Jackson family had arrived in S.U.V.’s. Mr. Jackson’s father, Joseph — in sunglasses, a black suit and fedora, and red tie — paused by the curb, waiting for the others. Jermaine Jackson, the singer’s brother, and his wife, Halima Rashid, held hands as they walked toward the doors, followed by his sister, La Toya, in a bright pink blazer. The family members were escorted by five sheriff’s deputies, who then clustered by the entrance as they funneled in. The charge came after a week of negotiations between Dr. Murray’s lawyers and prosecutors that one of his lawyers said bogged down over whether Dr. Murray should be handcuffed and arrested, as opposed to surrendering at a courthouse in a more low-key way … Dr. Murray, according to police affidavits, was administering propofol to Mr. Jackson — the singer called it his “milk” — to help him sleep on the morning of June 25. Dr. Murray said he left the room for approximately two minutes to make a telephone call and found Mr. Jackson had stopped breathing when he returned. Efforts to revive Mr. Jackson at the house and a hospital were not successful, and the investigation of his death quickly focused on the drugs he was taking. Dr. Murray had no previous brush with celebrity until he began working as Mr. Jackson’s personal physician in May, after meeting him through an acquaintance in Las Vegas. He was promised $150,000 a month and had planned to accompany Mr. Jackson on his comeback tour, 50 concerts in London that were scheduled for July 2009 through next month.

This charge of Involuntary Manslaughter sounds about right to me. As I said before, I sincerely doubt that Dr. Murray intended to kill Michael Jackson. While it will be up to a jury of his peers to determine if he is guilty of his crime, I still believe that MJ’s death was not intentional. This court case is bond to be a media circus … especially since Michael Jackson is so well-known. After the jump, find out what TMZ has discovered from the final coroner’s report relating to MJ’s death and see what sort of evidence Dr. Murray is up against in this case against him …

READ THE REST OF THIS POST »

Victoria Beckham and her sons — Brooklyn Joseph, Romeo James and Cruz David — made their way to Italy this weekend to lend their support in person to hubby/daddy/footballer David Beckham in his AC Milan match-up against rival team Bologna FC. While it was very nice of Vicki B. and the boys to fly halfway around the globe to root for Becks, it’s a shame that he spent the majority of the game sitting on his butt on the bench:

Victoria Beckham was a woman on a mission last night as she flew to Italy in a bid to cheer up husband David. Armed with their three children, the family made the two-hour journey from London to see the AC Milan footballer, who was dropped to the subs bench in a match against Bologna yesterday. Fashion designer Mrs Beckham, 35, was wearing a chic burgundy jumper, her trademark large sunglasses, and, despite reports of her painful bunions, managed to squeeze her feet into four-inch blue heels. The former singer was also wearing dark blue skinny jeans, which are from her Victoria Beckham Denim collection. The mother-of-three also accessorised with her £22,140 burgundy crocodile Hermes Birkin bag which hasn’t left her shoulder in recent weeks. While Mrs Beckham cut a glum figure when arriving at the airport, Romeo, seven, obviously hasn’t inherited his mother’s pouting genes – as he grinned at awaiting photographers. Cruz, four, clutching a Winnie the Pooh bear, cheekily pulled faces as Brooklyn, 10, showed his was too old for toys as he carried a rucksack while leading the way. The Beckham clan jumped into an awaiting car which took them to David, 35, who was commiserating after his team’s 0-0 draw. After the whistle-stop visit, Mrs Beckham will fly to New York for fashion week, where she is showcasing her AW2010 collection. The boys with stay with their father while she is away.

Awww … it’s a shame that the game was a total bust but it was very sweet of the Beckham bunch to fly to Italy to support Becks. It sounds like there will be a lot more travel in Lady Beckham’s future … can’t wait to see where she’ll wind up next.

[Source]

Yesterday saw photos of Jennifer Aniston chillin’ South of the Border in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico with her rumored paramour Gerard Butler and a few other friends. Today we get to see more photos of Jen and Gerard enjoying some “friendly” pool time together at their hotel. HMMMM. Are these two doin’ the do or are they just friends?

As you may recall, Jen jetted down to Mexico with her friends in order to celebrate her 41st birthday (which is this coming Thursday). It has been suggested that just because Gerard Butler is the only single man to accompany Jennifer on her birthday holiday doesn’t necessarily mean that they are romantically involved. I, personally, find it hard to believe that Jen and Gerry aren’t bumpin’ uglies but they could just be keepin’ things casual. One thing’s for certain, these two look like they are having a great time together. But are they doing so as BFFs or FTFs? You decide.

[Photo credit: Bauer-Griffin]