Congratulations are in order for Precious actress Paula Patton and her crooner hubby Robin Thicke who yesterday welcomed the birth of their first child, a baby boy they named Julian Fuego!

Robin Thicke and his actress wife Paula Patton welcomed their first child, Julian Fuego, on Tuesday in Los Angeles, PEOPLE has confirmed exclusively. “Mother, father and son are all doing well,” says Thicke’s rep. The crooner had canceled his portion of Tuesday night’s show at the Staples Center for “personal reasons.” But his tour mate, Alicia Keys, offered her congratulations from the stage … High school sweethearts Thicke, 32, and Patton, 34, will celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary in June.

My boy MK who writes Popbyes tweeted from the Alicia Keys concert last night and let us all know about Julian‘s birth as soon as Alicia announced why Robin was absent from last night’s show:

Robin Thicke had to cancel tonight because his wife Paula Patton had a baby boy – Julian Thicke (thanks to @AliciaKeys for letting us know!)

It seems to me that Paula was pregs for a really long time … I’m so happy that little Julian Fuego finally decided to make his debut. I’m certain that Robin is OVER THE MOON with happiness at the arrival of his baby boy. Much love and congrats goes out to the happy couple on the happy news of their family expansion. I can’t wait to see what the wee one looks like :)

[Photo credit: Wireimage; Source]

After living in the US of A for about 20 years, it is being reported that Welsh actor Christian Bale (American Psycho, The Dark Knight, Public Enemies) is ready to legally become a US citizen. I have to say that if this report is true, then I would LOVE to be the first person to officially welcome Christian to the USA:

British actor Christian Bale has applied to become a U.S. citizen, according to tabloid reports. The “American Psycho” star has lived stateside for nearly 20 years and is married to an American, former model Sibi Blazic. The actor left his native Wales in 1976, lived in Europe and settled in the U.S. And according to U.S. magazine Star, he has decided to officially make the country his home. Bale and Blazic currently reside in Los Angeles with the couple’s daughter, Emmeline. A spokesperson for the actor had not responded to requests for comment as WENN went to press … He will … be seen playing Dick Eklund in upcoming movie “The Fighter”, along with Mark Wahlberg, Amy Adams, Melissa Leo, Jack McGee.

While I’m sure some of you are thinking, Great, just what we need is another actor … but it’s Christian Bale, y’all. Not only is he our (current) Batman but he consistently plays some of the most interesting characters on the big screen. Considering how long he’s lived here in the States, I can’t say I’m very surprised that he may be ready to take the plunge and become a naturalized citizen. I can’t say that I understand what it must feel like to want to claim citizenship of a foreign country but the US has been good to Bale and his family … and we’d be happy to have him. Very soon, he will be able to enjoy all of our country’s benefits … like taxes and jury duty … so let’s send him all our welcoming love and our warmest congrats!!

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Aaron Carter‘s gettin’ married, y’all!! That’s right … take a moment to dry your tears and settle yourself … the young buck is now officially off the market. It was announced late yesterday that Carter proposed marriage to his longtime friend-turned girlfriend Maile Hochuli. Sooooo … I suppose congratulations are in order … Aaron and Maile are gettin’ hitched!

Former teen heartthrob Aaron Carter, 22, is off the market! He is engaged to marry his student/dancer girlfriend Maile Hochuli, 19. “Aaron took Maile to the movie Alice in Wonderland, which she has been dying to see,” a friend tells Star. “She didn’t get to see the end of the movie though because Aaron got down on a knee and proposed with a beautiful pear shaped diamond ring! Maile was completely overjoyed and said yes immediately!” The couple, who have been friends for years, only started seriously dating at the beginning of 2010. Aaron popped the question the last weekend in March. He was engaged to former Playboy model and Celebrity Rehab patient, Kari Ann Peniche, for a week in 2006. Although Maile currently lives in Orlando where she goes to school, she is making plans to move to Miami to be with Aaron. “Aaron and Maile have only been dating for a short period of time but they are both extremely happy,” the friend adds. “This is the happiest I have ever seen Maile.”

Yes, yes … this is all happy news … BUT, before we go poppin’ champagne bottles, let’s take this news with a bit of a grain of salt. As mentioned above, we should not forget that Carter has been engaged before — and that engagement only lasted a week. And yes, these two have been friends for “years” (apparently) but they’ve only started dating this year … and now they’re already engaged to be married? HMMM. I suppose I can understand why Maile would be thrilled to marry Aaron (she is young, after all) but I hope he treats her right. After the jump, check out the rock that Carter gave to Hochuli when he proposed to her …

Ricky Martin, Latin popstar, actor and father of twins, has today confirmed long-running rumors that he is a gay man. On his personal blog on his official website, Ricky opens up about his decision to announce to the world that he is a “proud … homosexual man”. I, for one, am thrilled!! Anytime a person finds the strength within themselves to open up about something so personal on a large public scale there is much cause for celebration! Here is the full text of Ricky‘s blog announcement:

A few months ago I decided to write my memoirs, a project I knew was going to bring me closer to an amazing turning point in my life. From the moment I wrote the first phrase I was sure the book was the tool that was going to help me free myself from things I was carrying within me for a long time. Things that were too heavy for me to keep inside. Writing this account of my life, I got very close to my truth. And thisis something worth celebrating. For many years, there has been only one place where I am in touch with my emotions fearlessly and that’s the stage. Being on stage fills my soul in many ways, almost completely. It’s my vice. The music, the lights and the roar of the audience are elements that make me feel capable of anything. This rush of adrenaline is incredibly addictive. I don’t ever want to stop feeling these emotions. But it is serenity that brings me to where I’m at right now. An amazing emotional place of comprehension, reflection and enlightenment. At this moment I’m feeling the same freedom I usually feel only on stage, without a doubt, I need to share. Many people told me: “Ricky it’s not important”, “it’s not worth it”, “all the years you’ve worked and everything you’ve built will collapse”, “many people in the world are not ready to accept your truth, your reality, your nature”. Because all this advice came from people who I love dearly, I decided to move on with my life not sharing with the world my entire truth. Allowing myself to be seduced by fear and insecurity became a self-fulfilling prophecy of sabotage. Today I take full responsibility for my decisions and my actions.

Ricky‘s blogpost announcement continues, after the jump …

Last Friday the cast and crew of the long-running daytime drama The Young and the Restless celebrated the 37th anniversary of the soap in a lavish celebration that brought together many Y&R alums from the past to party with some members of the current cast. It’s hard to believe that the show is now 37 years old and still goin’ very strong:

Because my mother and sister were fans of the show as I was growing up, I have a certain affinity for the soap … and have for many years (not quite 37 years but, well, close). I know that daytime dramas are dropping like flies these days but I’m hopeful that we still have many more years of Young and Restless drama to look forward to. After the jump, check out some photos from the Y&R 37th Anniversary party that was held here in SoCal earlier this month …

Congratulations are in order for Bravo TV reality star Bethenny Frankel, the formerly unlucky in love sole single castmember (ie. never married) of The Real Housewives of NYC, and her new hubby Jason Hoppy who got themselves hitched in Manhattan yesterday! Bethenny, knocked up and fabulous, finally said I Do to the man of her dreams … which was NOT filmed for airing on RHONYC later in the season. We’re gonna have to wait until Frankel‘s own spin-off show, Bethenny’s Getting Married, debuts on Bravo TV later this year. Here are a couple photos of the just-weds as they made their way out of their boisterous wedding reception last night and some deets from the affair:

Bravo, Bethenny! Real Housewives of New York City’s Bethenny Frankel and her beau Jason Hoppy were married at the Four Seasons in New York on Sunday. “I’m a real housewife!” Frankel tweeted on Monday morning. “On way to honeymoon. best night of my life. your messages were so beautiful & sentimental. have a great week tweeps!” The couple’s guests included Frankel’s castmates Alex McCord and Ramona Singer and Today show co-host Hoda Kotb. Singer tells PEOPLE the wedding was “amazing – the Rolls Royce of weddings!” Guests dined on lobster ravioli, sirloin steak and fish, and a red velvet wedding cake. The night “was full of emotion and laughter – a beautiful wedding,” said a friend of Frankel’s. Frankel, 39, who is seven months pregnant, has been with Hoppy, a businessman, since late 2008. She found out she was pregnant last October, and wanted to get married before becoming a mom. She said at the time: “I got engaged, we got pregnant, and we’re gonna get married. It’s a miracle.” Bravo’s cameras were on hand at the wedding to capture the occasion for Frankel’s upcoming Housewives spin-off, Bethenny’s Getting Married.

I honestly never understood how Bethenny got cast on the show in the first place … she’s was not a housewife at all and yet, she was cast on a show about housewives. Still, she’s among my fave characters on the show. I’m glad she’s finally coming into her own … it’s about time she stop being the “underdog” and become the star she’s meant to be. Congrats to her and hubby Jason … next up, the birth of their baby. Bethenny‘s life seems really great right now … I hope she enjoys it and wish the Hoppys a lifetime of happiness! Mazel Tov!

[Photo credit: Splash News; Source]

Last September we learned which Rock and Roll musicians were nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and last night, in a lavish concert/ceremony at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in NYC, NY rockers like Iggy Pop and The Stooges, Genesis, The Hollies and … ABBA … were inducted as the 2010 Class of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Here are a few photos from last night’s ceremony and some deets from the event:

It opened with a Phish show, nearly exploded into a (very well-heeled) proto-punk riot, got giddy on a fix of sunshiny Swedish pop, and finally wrapped up with a ’50′s-tinged tribute. It was the 25th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, back in NYC after a one-year sojourn in Cleveland (where the titular hall actually exists). And while it may have been lacking the star power of previous years’ ceremonies — Eminem and Metallica in 2009, Madonna and Justin Timberlake in ’08 — it certainly showcased the breadth and depth of this thing we call rock music. ABBA, Genesis, the Stooges, Jimmy Cliff and the Hollies were the performers that headlined the 2010 class, inducted into the hall by the likes of the Bee Gees’ Barry and Robin Gibb and Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong. Variety was the theme of the night, expressed in the wide range of performances and the revered tones of the inductors, which ranged from genuinely geeky (Phish’s Trey Anastasio, who inducted Genesis and spoke at length about the group’s “seven-note guitar lines” and the technical prowess of their 1973 album Selling England by the Pound) to gleefully amped (Armstrong swore a whole lot as he inducted the Stooges). The show began with Phish running through Genesis’s proggy “Watchers of the Sky,” then Phil Collins, Tony Banks, Steve Hackett and Mike Rutherford took the stage to accept their award, thanking Anastasio for his “really convincing argument” about the oft-derided band’s legacy. Original singer Peter Gabriel wasn’t there because he was “rehearsing for an orchestral tour,” according to Collins. Phish then played a second Genesis tune, “No Reply at All.” Up next were the Stooges, long denied a slot in the hall despite their obvious influences on everything from punk to metal, and they more than made up for lost time. First, Armstrong — who was “very excited and nervous as hell” to be inducting them — strode to the podium and launched into a heartfelt speech that praised the band’s commitment to “blood and guts, sex and drugs … peanut butter and poetry.” The Green Day frontman rattled off basically every band the Stooges had ever influenced, a list that included Nirvana, Siouxsie and the Banshees, the Queens of the Stone Age “and my fucking band too.” “It is my honor to induct into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame — and it’s about fucking time — the Stooges!” Armstrong exclaimed. Stooge main man Iggy Pop strutted onto the stage and — still wearing a shirt — gave the tuxedoed crowd a double middle-finger salute, followed by a genuinely touching speech that mentioned late members Dave Alexander and Ron Asheton, shouted out “all the poor people who actually started rock and roll” and concluded with a thanks to all his fans for giving the band “a second act,” getting choked up as he said it. Pop turned the mic over to fellow Stooges James Williamson and Ron’s brother Scott and began unbuttoning his white dress shirt as they spoke. He then stormed off to the stage, and, aided by bassist Mike Watt and tenor sax skronker Steve Mackay, ripped through a pair of the Stooges’ burners — “Search and Destroy” and “I Wanna Be Your Dog” — the latter of which saw Iggy prowl the front row of the audience, belt out the chorus under the watchful gaze of Dr. Oz (for real), then invite anyone and everyone onstage. Green Day and members of Pearl Jam gleefully obliged, as did a few fairly radical men and women in their formal wear. Back in the press room, Iggy explained his impromptu invasion thusly: “Well, you can’t really stage-dive in a place like this.” Legendary record exec David Geffen and British rock act the Hollies were inducted next, followed by Reggae legend Jimmy Cliff (who was lovingly introduced by Wyclef Jean) and then, in perhaps the night’s most anticipated moment, globally revered Swedish pop quartet ABBA, who hadn’t performed together in public in nearly 25 years. Unfortunately, only half of the group’s members — Anni-Frid Lyngstad and Benny Andersson (who were married once upon a time) — showed up to accept their trophies from the Gibbs. They seemed touched by the honor, and Andersson took to the piano to perform one of the group’s most masterful hits, “The Winner Takes It All,” with country star Faith Hill on vocals.

LOL … yes, it really does sound like a very eclectic night of music celebration. While some are saying that ABBA doesn’t belong in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, I think it’s wise of the Rock Hall to induct musicians like ABBA who’s influence may not be necessarily text book “rock” but rather has influenced other rock musicians who followed after. Madonna is not a rock musician and yet, she deffo belongs in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In any event … I’m so happy that my boys from Detroit, The Stooges, finally made it into the Rock Hall. They are true rock pioneers and their induction is LONG overdue. Congrats to this year’s class of inductees!! I wonder who’ll make the cut next year.

[Photo credit: Wireimage; Source]

Happy news for fans of Paula Abdul AND the classic 80s talent TV show Star Search (the show, you might remember, which gave stars like Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Destiny’s Child and more their first exposure on TV when they were children) … according to Entertainment Weekly, ABC is revamping the show for its return to air and the network is very close to sealing the deal that would have Paula host and/or judge the show! I don’t know about you but this sounds like it could be a really sweet gig for our dear Paula:

This just in: Paula Abdul is straight up headed back to TV! Sources confirm to me exclusively that the ex-American Idol judge is finalizing a deal to headline an updated version of Star Search, the great-granddaddy of all televised singing competitions, for ABC. Abdul’s role is still being defined, but I hear it will likely include some combination of hosting and judging. An ABC rep refused to comment. The Alphabet network had been wooing Abdul since last summer when she officially announced her departure from Idol. There was talk of her joining Dancing With the Stars in some capacity, but a deal never came to fruition. It’s not clear if Abdul’s Star Search gig would preclude her from joining former colleague Simon Cowell as a judge on the forthcoming US version of his UK monster hit, The X Factor, which is slated to debut on Fox in the fall of 2011. (Star Search is being targeted for this summer.) This isn’t the first time that Star Search, which premiered in 1983 with host Ed McMahon, has been resurrected from the TV bone pile. In 2003, CBS brought the show back with Arsenio Hall in an attempt to capitalize on the massive popularity of the then-new American Idol. The revival was axed in 2004.

Man … Star Search was such a great show in the 80s! They used to have all sorts of competition segments beyond just singing and dancing. Contestants also had the chance to compete in Comedy and Spokesmodel (which was always my fave!). As the show got more popular, the Spokesmodel category got axed … but I hope they bring it back for this new version! I vaguely remember the Arsenio Hall version of the show but I never watched it … I would hope that Paula‘s Star Search would be more popular. This sounds like a great opportunity for Paula … but it would be fabulous if she could do this AND get a hosting gig on Cowell‘s US version of X-Factor. I want my homegirl to make money! What do y’all think about this? Any Star Search fans in the hiz? Is this great news or what?

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Congratulations are in order for actor and TV host Mario Lopez and his Broadway star ladyfriend Corutney Mazza who have announced that they are expecting a child together! Lopez, a long time playboy, is going to be a dad, y’all … and while I would bet very good money that this pregnancy was unplanned, I’m certain that he and Mazza will be great parents. I’m not sure what I’m basing that belief on, exactly, but there you go. Here are deets and the official statement from Lopez about this happy news:

There’s baby news at “Extra!” Host Mario Lopez is going to be a dad. Mario and girlfriend Courtney Mazza made the exciting announcement today. “Courtney and I couldn’t be more excited. I’ve waited my whole life to be a dad, this is a true blessing. I am looking forward to sharing this experience with my family and my family at Extra.” The two met in 2008 while working on Broadway in the show “A Chorus Line.”

Well, at least the dad-to-be has got the right attitude about this new phase of his life! Let’s send all our congrats and warm-wishes to the happy couple. Like Matthew McConaughey before him (who was a NOTORIOUS playboy before he became a father), perhaps this new child will help Mario Lopez find a new purpose in life … as a daddy :)

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Back in December we learned the AMAZING news that the Washington DC city council, the ruling body in our nation’s capital, voted to allow same-sex marriage to be legal within its boundaries and just last week we learned that couples in DC were allowed to apply for their marriage licenses … it was reported then that March 9 was the first day those couples could be legally wed and today is that historic day. Here are a couple photos of 2 same-sex couples getting LEGALLY MARRIED in Washington DC earlier today!!!

A lesbian couple together for more than a decade smiled through tears Tuesday as they became the first same-sex couple to marry in the District of Columbia, on the first day such unions are legal in the nation’s capital. Sinjoyla Townsend and Angelisa Young said they had waited years to marry. They were first in line last week to apply for a marriage license at Washington’s marriage bureau. “You are my friend, my partner, my love,” Young, 47, told Townsend, 41. “I will love you today, tomorrow and forever.” After the wedding, those present cheered as the two women embraced and cried. They have been together for 12 years and have children, according to biographical information released by the Human Rights Campaign and D.C. Clergy United for Marriage Equality. The new law survived a Supreme Court challenge. The measure went into effect last week, but couples had to hold off until Tuesday because of the district’s three-day waiting period. “We’re very excited,” Townsend said last week. She and Young were among 100 couples applying for licenses. The district joins Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont in allowing same-sex couples to marry. Mayor Adrian Fenty signed the Washington measure into law in December after the city council overwhelming passed it. It then went through a review period, during which Congress had an opportunity to intervene. The Supreme Court last week rejected a request from a group of Washington residents to keep the law from going into effect. Local courts had previously turned down lawsuits to block it … Also among the first couples to marry Tuesday were Reggie Stanley and Rocky Galloway, both 50. The couple have two daughters, Malena and Zoe Stanley-Galloway, each 15 months old, according to the biographical information released by the equality groups. Also married on Tuesday were the Rev. Elder Darlene Garner, 61, and the Rev. Lorilyn Candy Holmes, 53, of Laurel, Maryland. Both of them serve in leadership roles in the Metropolitan Community Church. The women are mothers, grandmothers and great-grandmothers, according to the groups. During Garner and Holmes’ ceremony, a representative from their families read a statement blessing the marriage.

HOW WONDERFUL!! What a happy, happy day for the people of Washington DC and what an historic day for the United States of America. We still have a LONG way to go before marriage equality is made available to ALL citizens of the US but little by little, the right for same-sex couples to marry is becoming a reality in the US of A. These newly married couples in DC can now move to neighboring Maryland where, altho same-sex couples cannot yet legally be married there, they will be treated the same as any heterosexual married couple. This is such an important step forward for our country. While the rest of our country waits for true liberty and justice for all, we can take some comfort in the loving celebrations taking place in Washington DC today :) Much love and congrats to all the newlyweds!!!

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