Little Max Liron has gotten so big … and so have his ears. He deffo got those puppies from his father :) I’m also surprised to see how big Xtina’s little brother Mikey has grown … he’s, like, a teenager now. You may recall that Xtina is featured on the cover of the new issue of British Cosmopolitan magazine so it’s pretty clear she is easing her way back onto the scene again. I’m not sure when her new album will be released but I expect we’ll be hearing some new music from her soon.

[Photo credit: Splash News]

Christina Aguilera thinks women are “sexier” than men. The singer — who has a 20-month-old son with husband Jordan Bratman – says she’d much rather look at a naked woman. “I think women are such sensual beings,” the Dirrty hitmaker told the UK’s Cosmopolitan magazine. “And, I mean, I’m attracted to men ultimately — I’m married and I love my husband and I love what we do together, but honestly? “If I had the choice between viewing a naked man or a naked woman, I’d choose the woman. We’re just naturally sexier and more beautiful to look at.” “I feel sexiest in the nude,” she added. “I love a bubble bath with my husband and a glass of wine. He has a way of making me feel sexy. We’re team-mates. We know what’s on each other’s plates, what needs to be done workwise, what our values are as far as raising our son, and spending time together.”

Hmmm … these “outrageous” comments are sure to get talked about … not a bad way to get back onto the radar and get noticed before you drop your new album. I’m kind of a lukewarm Xtina fan … I do love some of her music but not all of it. I’m intrigued by her new album, which she co-wrote with the amazing artist Sia but considering how much I didn’t really care for her last effort, I’ll have to reserve judgment until I hear something substantial. It’s too bad for her hubby Jordy that she finds nekkid women sexier than nekkid men … I wonder if he’s a lukewarm Xtina fan, too.

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I understand that Xtina and Jordy met up with Nicole Richie and others at Mozart Pizza for an impromptu birthday celebration … which I guess had a pretty strict dress code. As odd as the pair look all dressed up like characters from A Clockwork Orange, I can’t really hate on them because that film is one of my all-time fave films and I’m impressed that they seem to be as well. I really never pegged Xtina as the type of devotchka to be into the ultraviolence but I salute her creativity and her nod to the masterpiece film by Stanley Kubrick which was based on the even more impressive book by Anthony Burgess. Happy 28th, Xtina … looks like your bday celebration was real horrorshow.

[Photo credit: X17]

You may recall that Xtina announced the release of this new fragrance back in August (complete with a fun commercial) and made her first in-store appearance for it back in September in NYC. At last, Xtina brings the promo machine to SoCal. I gotta say, Xtina looks pretty fab in these photos. Her make-up is flawless. I much prefer these softer tones to the garish red lipstick that she likes to wear … this lighter color palette really suits her much better. It’s funny … I actually made my way out to Glendale, CA last night to do a bit of shopping but ended up at the new outdoor shopping mall Americana, which is right next to the Galleria. I may not be the biggest Xtina fan but I’ve been diggin’ her stuff as of late so I think it would’ve been cool to see her in person again.

[Photo credit: Bauer-Griffin]

Louisiana rapper Lil Wayne garnered the most Grammy nominations, receiving eight, and British alternative rock band Coldplay grabbed seven as the Recording Academy announced this year’s nominees. Lil Wayne and Coldplay were both nominated for the prestigious album of the year award for the 51st annual Grammy Awards. Nominations were announced during a star-studded, prime-time concert special Wednesday night. Rappers Jay-Z and Kanye West and R&B crooner Ne-Yo received six nominations each. Alison Krauss, John Mayer, Robert Plant, Radiohead and newcomer Jazmine Sullivan received five each. Nominees in six categories were announced during the show that aired on CBS. Mayer, Mariah Carey, the Foo Fighters and Taylor Swift performed for the event. Swift, perhaps surprisingly, didn’t receive a single nomination. Though her albums — her 2006 debut CD and her recently released “Fearless” — weren’t eligible for the competition, she released several hit singles during the Grammy consideration window, which ran from October 2007 to September. And despite a huge hit single — “I Kissed a Girl” — Katy Perry failed to be nominated for best new artist. The singer did earn a nomination for best female pop vocal performance. “I feel very grateful to be recognized by an institution of such iconic musical history. I can’t believe it, but this year I won’t be watching the Grammys in my jammies,” she said in a statement. Newcomer Duffy, who had a big hit with “Mercy,” was nominated for three Grammys, including best new artist. She may have to get used to more attention. In October, she told CNN, “I still feel kind of underground in America, which is quite nice in a way though — to be able to sit around the corner at [a Los Angeles] cafe and have my breakfast.” The album of the year nominees are a diverse group. Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida” continues in the British band’s tradition of making big statements; on the other hand, on “Raising Sand,” old hands Plant and Krauss, working with producer T Bone Burnett, created a haunting, minimalist record that hearkens back to old folk and blues recordings. Longtime critics’ darlings Radiohead hit No. 1 with “In Rainbows,” which was equally distinctive for its initial release as a pay-your-own-price download. (The album was released on CD in January.) Lil Wayne had a commercial breakthrough with “Tha Carter III,” the year’s best-selling album, which featured the No. 1 tune “Lollipop.” Hip-hop artist Ne-Yo’s “Year of the Gentleman” deliberately opted for a brighter sound, he said after the ceremony, according to The Associated Press. “When I was putting it together, I was trying to do something that everybody could get into, as opposed to just my pop and R&B core group,” Ne-Yo said, according to the AP. “I was trying to do something that the world could enjoy, and I think that the Grammy people paid attention to that.” Nominees for record of the year are Adele’s “Chasing Pavements”; Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida”; Leona Lewis’ “Bleeding Love”; M.I.A’s “Paper Planes”; and Plant and Krauss’ “Please Read the Letter.” Song of the year, a songwriters’ award, had five nominees: “American Boy,” popularized by Estelle featuring Kanye West; “Chasing Pavements,” whose hit version was performed by Adele; “I’m Yours,” written and performed by Jason Mraz; “Love Song,” written and performed by Sara Bareilles; and Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida,” written by the band. In some ways, it’s an odd time for the industry to celebrate. CD sales have plunged in the last few years, and music downloads, which continue to rise, have yet to fill the gap. With concert ticket prices often well above $50 a pop and wildly fluctuating gasoline prices, musicians are feeling the pinch.

I’m pretty surprised that neither Mariah Carey nor Taylor Swift got any nominations … these are the types of artists that the Grammy Award folks usually love to lavish trophies upon. I wonder if Mimi knew that she was going to get the shaft from the Grammys before she agreed to appear on the Nomination Special that aired on TV last night. I bet she’s pissed. After the jump, check out a few pics of John Mayer and Xtina Aguilera doing their thing on stage at the Grammy Awards Nomination Special that aired on CBS last night …

I’m very excited that Kylie Minogue (Best Electronic/Dance Album), M.I.A. (Record of the Year), Boyz II Men (Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals — seriously!!), Jennifer Hudson (Best R&B Album), Snoop Dogg (Best Rap Solo Performance) and The Raconteurs (Best Rock Album) all got noms. I’ll be pullin’ for these folks to win awards on Grammy night next year. It should also be mentioned that Lady Gaga managed to garner a Grammy nom as well (Best Dance Recording) … and still, Mariah Carey got nothing. That’s crazy, y’all. Click HERE to see a full list of all the nominees for the 51st Annual Grammy Awards. Did your faves get noms? Do you think Mimi got robbed?

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Here are a few pics from the show itself:

Here are a few pics from the press room and some deets about what went down at this years AMAs:

Chris Brown was the big winner at the American Music Awards on Sunday night, surprising himself most of all. “I don’t know what to say. I would have given it to Coldplay,” said Brown, who won artist of the year, male pop/rock artist and male soul/R&B artist. Kanye West, still sore at losing male rap/hip-hop artist last year, won the trophy this time – then said Lil Wayne deserved it more. “I want to give this award to Wayne,” he said. “If it was last year it would have been my award.” It was West’s second trophy of the night, following his win for rap/hip-hop album, for Graduation. “It’s our responsibility as musicians to push music to the point it was in the ’60s and ’70s,” he said. “I want to be Elvis.” Host Jimmy Kimmel, who had made West’s ego a running joke, quipped: “Elvis died on the toilet with half a jelly doughnut in his mouth. You may want to rethink that.”

Um, why does Kanye have to be so douchey? I mean, seriously. It’s like he just cannot stop himself from acting like a total a-hole on the public stage. I just don’t get it.

The show climaxed with Keys performing “Superwoman” with Queen Latifah and opera star Kathleen Battle, and ending with a large photo projected on a screen of incoming first lady Michelle Obama. In a big night for American Idol alums, Daughtry – winner of three trophies last year – picked up another this year for pop/rock group, while former Idol champ Jordin Sparks won for adult contemporary music, and Carrie Underwood won for country album for Carnival Ride. Taylor Swift, uncomfortably sharing L.A.’s Nokia Theatre auditorium with ex-boyfriend Joe Jonas, won for female country artist, and Rihanna got two awards for pop/rock female artist and female soul R&B artist … Music’s A-listers were out in force as the show featured blockbuster performances by Christina Aguilera, Mariah Carey, Beyoncé, Rihanna, West, birthday girl Miley Cyrus and Jonas Brothers, who also won the breakthrough artist award. And Justin Timberlake made a surprise appearance to introduce award of merit recipient Annie Lennox.

Much congrats to all the winners this year but, I gotta say, the “prestige” associated with winning an American Music Award seems to have diminished a bit — after all, the soundtrack to the movie Alvin and the Chipmunks took home an award last night.

For me, tho, the highlight was Beyoncé’s live performance of her hit single Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It). Homegirl turned that mutha OUT! After the jump, watch video of her performance in full …

While I think THIS is still my all-time fave AMAs performance ever, Beyoncé really killed it last night:

What do you say to those on the Internet who are hinting that you borrowed Lady Gaga’s look?

You know, that’s funny that you mention that. This person [Lady Gaga] was just brought to my attention not too long ago. I’m not quite sure who this person is, to be honest. I don’t know if it is a man or a woman. I just wasn’t sure. I really don’t spend any time on the Internet, so I guess I live a little under a rock in that respect.

LOLOLOLOL! Best.Answer.Ever. To be honest, I first thought that Lady Gaga was a man as well … she tends to hide behind big sunglasses and covers her head up with cowls — I guess I, too, assumed she was a drag queen. I now know that she is a real girl but, I guess I can’t fault Xtina for thinking the same thing that I thought. Who knows how Gaga will respond to this quote from Xtina but we may be witnessing the birth of a new celebrity feud, y’all. Pick your side now — Team Xtina or Team Gaga?

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I mean … she could’ve just been tired and drowsy but … she could’ve also be smashed out of her mind. Whatever was going on with Xtina, I hope she had herself a good night … and a puke-free morning after.

[Photo credit: X17]

On Thursday, pop star Christina Aguilera joined Fall Out Boy and other celebrities who’ve spoken out against Proposition 8. “Last night, there was a whole rally that I saw for Prop. 8,” she told MTV News. “A lot of people came out with their signs, and I think [Prop. 8] is discrimination and I don’t understand how people can be so closed-minded and so judgmental. We chose an African-American president, and it means so much … [it's] a time in history of great change and open-mindedness. Why is this any different? It just doesn’t make sense to me. Why you would put so much money behind something [aimed at] stopping from people loving each other and bonding together? I just don’t understand it. It’s hard for me to grasp. But I would’ve been out there with my rally sign as well.” A few moments later, she added, “Mormons aren’t gonna buy my album but, you know, what are you gonna do?”

Her interview with MTV comes as another night of protesters took to the streets of California to oppose the attempt to strip away same-sex marriage rights. The MTV report continues:

Demonstrators took to the streets of Los Angeles for a second straight night Thursday to protest Tuesday’s passage of California’s Proposition 8, a ballot measure amending the state’s constitution to eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry, which passed by a 52 percent margin. The measure supersedes a state Supreme Court ruling that briefly gave same-sex couples the right to wed. The Associated Press reported that more than 2,000 people convened outside the gates of a local Mormon temple to condemn the church’s role in getting the measure passed. Protestors contend leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spent millions in television ads and mailings in an effort to encourage its followers to vote in favor of the proposition. The protests continued in the face of questions about whether civil attempts to overturn the prohibition could succeed. The passage also puts the 18,000 same-sex marriages performed in California over the past four months in question. Some fear those marriages will be nullified, although supporters of the ban claim they won’t seek to invalidate marriages already performed. Demonstrators converged outside a temple in the city’s Westwood section Thursday night and made their way toward the western end of Los Angeles, chanting, “Separate church and state” and “What do we want? Equal rights,” according to the AP. Two people were reportedly arrested following a confrontation between the crowd and a man in a pickup truck, who was displaying a banner supporting the measure. One demonstrator ended up with a bloody nose in the fracas; seven people were detained during Wednesday’s protests. Three legal challenges were filed by gay-marriage proponents Wednesday, arguing that the measure was actually a dramatic revision of California’s constitution rather than a simple amendment; constitutional revisions must first pass the state’s legislature before going to the voters.

It’s clear that many people are still outraged by the passage of Proposition 8 here in California and are doing everything they can to work toward its repeal. I commend the people willing to actively participate in the struggle to achieve equality for all, not just in this State but across the country for all minorities who are discriminated against. Again, this fight for equality is far from over … the struggle will not end until marriage equality can be enjoyed by all citizens of the US, in all 50 States. After the jump, watch video of Xtina’s interview with MTV regarding the passage of Proposition 8 …

Depending on where the celebs live, these photos were snapped in NYC and here in LA. Here is another batch of celebs who came out to vote yesterday:

I’m pretty sure that some of these celebs were voting for President for the first time in their lives and it seems pretty safe to assume that the lion’s share of them added to President-elect Barack Obama’s historic win.

I’ve been getting emails and messages from around the World of folks cheering on Obama’s victory as news of his election as the 44th President of the United States of America made headlines around the world. Here are a few of the UK papers splashing the news across their covers:

David tells me that newsstands all over NYC are selling out of copies of The New York Times, etc. so I would suggest that y’all snap up your local newspapers — wherever in the country you are — and put them away for posterity. I’m just sayin’ ;)

Madonna was in concert in San Diego, CA last night and was on stage when news of Obama’s win was announced … she happily broke the news to her assembled audience and talked a little bit about the momentous nature of the win while on stage. After the jump, check out video of her impromptu speech …