Yesterday we saw a cute photo of Taylor Swift and Taylor Lautner enjoying an LA Kings hockey game together at the Staples Center on Sunday evening and it really did look like the Taylors were very cozy. Today we get to see more photos of Taylor2 later on Sunday night … as they made their way to a hotel in Beverly Hills, CA:

Now, it is entirely possible that the BFF Taylors were merely staying at the same hotel and there was nothing untoward going on … but I suppose it’s just as likely that Taylor2 were having a “friendly” sleep over as well. Whatever the heck is going on, I gotta say … I kinda love the Taylors together. Ever since I saw photos of the pair together on the set of Valentine’s Day over the Summer, I thought they made a cute couple. Hopefully their coupling up will continue … long live, Taylor2!

[Photo credit: X17]

Well, well, WELL now … what have we here??? It turns out that young singer Taylor Swift and young actor Taylor Lautner got together last night to attend the LA Kings vs. Columbus Blue Jackets hockey game at the Staples Center here in LA … could this be a sign that the Taylors are hooking up to become Young Hollywood’s hottest new couple???

This photo of Taylor2 was posted on Twitter by the official NHL Twitter profile but I was given the head’s up of this hook-up by Pink reader Melissa on Twitter. HMMM. At this point, it’s impossible to know if these two are “just friends” or if they are something more. You may recall that Taylor Lautner was hanging out with Selena Gomez earlier this year and nothing really came from their fraternization … but where Taylena failed, perhaps Taylor2 will succeed? How disgustingly cute would it be if the Taylors really did start dating? Ugh. Are y’all ready for that?

[Source, thanks Melissa]

Activision, the video game company that makes some of the coolest video games IN THE WORLD, has announced the release of a new game called Band Hero (an offshoot of the very popular Guitar Hero series of games) which allows players to play as their fave musicians in order to live out their rock star dreams. Here are pics of the animated versions of Taylor Swift and Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine (who are both playable characters) and the press release that reveals what other musicians you can play in the game:

Video game players and music fans alike can now get closer to Activision Publishing, Inc.’s (Nasdaq: ATVI) Band Hero’s(TM) in-game playable character Taylor Swift than ever before, as they can perform as the music icon to her fan-favorite chart-topping hits “You Belong With Me,” “Picture To Burn” and “Love Story” in the biggest music event to hit living rooms this holiday season – Band Hero. Today, Activision puts fans front and center in the concert of a lifetime, as they debut Swift’s never-before-seen in-game performances in Band Hero, the perfect game for family and friends to jam out and sing along to their favorite tunes together. Allowing budding pop stars the ability to perform with friends and family in living rooms across the globe or take their newfound fame on the road as they command center stage with their band anywhere they choose, Band Hero confirmed today additional songs from both the console and Nintendo DS(TM) Lite set lists, comprised of the most fun to play, chart-topping hits. When the games ship on November 3, fans can live out their music fantasies as they step on stage as their favorite music superstars, including singer/songwriter Taylor Swift and Maroon 5′s Adam Levine, while strumming, drumming and singing along to the most popular songs of yesterday and today … This holiday season, the biggest music event of the year will hit living rooms around the world as family and friends come together to ascend the virtual stage and rock their way to superstardom with Band Hero. Brought to you by the makers of Guitar Hero(R), one of the best-selling video game franchises of all time, Band Hero features the hottest chart-topping hits from everyone’s favorite bands including No Doubt, Nelly Furtado, Lily Allen, The All-American Rejects and Jackson 5. Headlined by some of the leading names in music as in-game artists and playable characters, including singer, songwriter and guitarist Taylor Swift and Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine, Band Hero is the ultimate party game where friends and family can choose to join the band or “take five” at any time without interrupting the performance, in Party Play mode. Band Hero allows fans to create the band of their dreams, using any combination of vocals and guitar or drum controllers, providing budding pop stars the chance to customize how they interact with and experience their favorite music.

OMG … I love this!! Back in July we learned that we would be able to play as Shirley Manson of Garbage in Guitar Hero 5 and now we learn that we will get to play as a whole lot of other amazing musicians in Band Hero!! People, the game also allows you to play as Kylie Minogue and Robbie Williams on their duet song Kids!!! Other playable characters include David Bowie on Let’s Dance, The Go-Go’s on Our Lips Are Sealed, Pat Benatar on Love Is A Battlefield, Styx on Mr. Roboto and more. Wee!! This sounds so fun … I know my boy Darion will be getting his hands on this game and I cannot wait for him to host a party so we can all play at his place. I need to channel my inner Kylie Minogue, y’all. Woot!!

[Photo credit: Splash News; Source]

As we are all pretty much aware by now, the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards were handed out at Radio City Music Hall here in NYC last night in a ceremony that was mired in controversy but also featured heartfelt tributes to the late Michael Jackson as well as a few spectacular performances and on stage appearances. Here are a few photos from the red carpet arrivals last night:

But for a few exceptions, most everyone looked amazing on the red carpet. I loved all the shiny bling that some folks were wearing … particularly Kristin Cavallari who wore a simple vintage dress and looked absolutely amazing in it. The show itself was really fun .. the opening tribute performance to MJ was really very cool and except for Kanye West‘s douchey behavior, the show was very entertaining. Here are a few pics from the show and some deets about what went down:

Planned and random acts of kindness reigned at the MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall on Sunday night. Among the planned acts: Janet Jackson’s opening tribute to her brother Michael, whose death at age 50 on June 25 rocked the music world. The production began with Madonna recalling her encounter with Michael and reminding the audience that “Michael Jackson was a hero.” And while “he seemed otherworldly,” she added, “he was also a human being.” And then, the performance began. Dancers crept up on stage with original Thriller video airing in the background. The dancers’ moves duplicated the ones being performed on the video. Then a sequence of Michael’s hits played. Bad and Smooth Criminal led to Scream, his duet with Janet, who broke through glass to make her way onstage and sing along with the video. The loud, almost angry performance had the audience on its feet. After the tribute, Madonna said backstage that “it was good to finally get to say my piece.” And then near the end of the show, in a gracious act of kindness, video-of-the-year winner Beyoncé offered young country music star Taylor Swift a second chance to say her piece with an acceptance speech. The moment came after Kanye West took everyone by surprise early in the show when he went onstage to interrupt Swift’s acceptance speech for best female video for You Belong With Me … The teen country star returned for her live performance of You Belong With Me later in the show. Celebrities reacted backstage. Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong said, “Well, you know, she’s young, I think she’ll get over it. I think he needs to get it over it also. It was very uncomfortable sitting there.” “I feel bad for Taylor,” said Kristin Cavallari. “I think it was really disrespectful” … Other music-related news items had guests talking at the awards show, too. American Idol’s Kara DioGuardi was asked about her new colleague at the judges’ table, Ellen DeGeneres. “I feel fantastic. I feel ecstatic. I can’t wait for January, when we can all be on the panel.” DioGuardi added that she has been in touch with former judge Paula Abdul. “I’ve spoken to her, and she seems to be doing really well, and that’s what matters.” Abdul is set to play host at the VH1 Divas special on MTV’s sister network on Thursday night (9 ET/PT). Faye Dunaway had two divas she was looking forward to seeing on Sunday at the VMAs. “Lady Gaga and Beyoncé. How could you not love Beyoncé?” Dunaway asked. Ne-Yo echoed Dunaway’s sentiment. When asked who he was rooting for, he replied, “Besides myself?” and then added, “I’m here to see Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Pink, everyone. I’m here just to enjoy the electricity.” And the atmosphere was electric, with returning host Russell Brand doling out his brash brand of humor. Among the stars: Jennifer Lopez, Alicia Keys, Eminem, Jermaine Jackson, Katy Perry, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner.

For me, the live performances were the highlight of the entire night. After the jump, check out a few photos from the press room and watch a couple of my fave performances from the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards …

Another MTV Video Music Awards has come and gone and while the focus of the show should be on the touching tribute to the late Michael Jackson by his peer Madonna and his sister Janet Jackson or the coolest performance of the night by P!nk … the focus is, instead, on what an asshole Kanye West is. In true Kanye fashion, West stormed the MTV VMA stage after Taylor Swift won the first award of the night, Best Female Video, after she stunned the audience by upsetting fellow nominees P!nk, Kelly Clarkson, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga and Beyoncé. As Taylor Swift was accepting her award, Kanye jumped up on the stage, took the mic from her hand and declared that Beyoncé should’ve won the award because she made “the best video of all time”. Taylor looked crushed, hurt and embarrassed and was not allowed to finish her acceptance speech … Beyoncé looked stunned and embarrassed by Kanye‘s rant as well. The auditorium booed Kanye off the stage, he flipped off the crowd with his middle finger and then was asked by MTV to leave the show. Here are a few photos of the incident:

The MTV video music awards held on Sunday paid tribute to the late Michael Jackson, but was overshadowed by an outburst by rapper Kanye West, who interrupted an acceptance speech by U.S. singer Taylor Swift. West, who is known for his outspoken ways, jumped up on stage while the 19-year-old Swift was making an acceptance speech for best female video for her hit song “You Belong With Me,” beating out singers including Beyonce Knowles and Lady Gaga. “I am really happy for you,” West said. “But Beyonce had one of the best videos of all time.” MTV said West, who was spotted earlier on the red carpet drinking alcohol, was ejected from an awards show already known for its circus-like atmosphere. West received loud boos from the crowd when his name was mentioned later in the show.

Kanye was seen carrying a big bottle of booze and was asked by MTV to leave the premises shortly after his rant:

Apparently, Kanye decided to go home and blog an “apology” to Taylor Swift for his outburst … but it doesn’t take a careful reading to understand that it’s not an apology at all:

This “apology” has since been removed from his official website. After the jump, check out video of this outrageous insult to Taylor Swift and see how Beyoncé managed to right the wrong a wee bit at the end of the show …

The 2009 MTV Video Music Awards invade NYC LIVE on September 13 and the network is working overtime to prep the really big show. Already the first groups of performers and presenters have been announced and it sounds like it’s going to be another great show. Here is a batch of new promo pics of folks who will be a part of the MTV VMAs this year:

It was already shaping up to be a pretty huge night, but now, the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards have gotten even bigger. Or at least grittier and glammier. That’s because Jay-Z and Lady Gaga have been booked to perform at the VMAs, joining an already impressive list that includes Taylor Swift, Green Day, Pink and Muse. Jay — whose gnarly “D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)” is up for Best Hip-Hop Video and Best Male Video — will perform a song from his hotly anticipated The Blueprint 3 album, due September 11. The glittery Gaga — who, along with Beyoncé, leads everyone with nine VMA nods — will perform a single from her breakthrough The Fame album. “I’m simply gutted to be both a performer and nominee at the 2009 VMAs,” Gaga said. “In fact, I’m so happy, I could die.” In addition to the performers, there are some big-name presenters to add to the show too. Nelly Furtado, Miranda Cosgrove and “Gossip Girl” star Leighton Meester — who is up for Best Pop Video and Best Direction for Cobra Starship’s “Good Girls Go Bad” — will be on hand to, well, hand out the awards. They join Katy Perry, Ne-Yo and Chace Crawford, who have already been announced as VMA presenters. But who will they be presenting the awards to? Well, that’s up to you. Voting for the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards is under way over at VMA.MTV.com. Verizon Wireless subscribers can also vote by texting VMA to 97979. The VMAs will broadcast live from New York on September 13 at 9 p.m. Russell Brand will once again serve as host for the evening. Trust us: It’s going to be a night you just can’t miss.

I can’t help it, I’m a sucker for the VMAs — always have been, always will. I can’t help but look forward to the show each year. Because the show is gonna be back in NYC this year, well, you know they’re gonna turn the mother out. I’m really hoping and crossing my fingers (and toes) that they’re gonna bring out our dear Britney Spears for a surprise performance. Last year was her year to look beautiful and collect her trophies … this year is her year to sing for her supper (as it were). Whether she performs or not, I’m pretty sure that secret will be hush-hush until the day of the show (or very close to). I can’t wait to find out, hopefully in person :)

[Source, Source]

While Rachelle Lefevre was bizzy getting fired from her Twilight job for a supposed “scheduling conflict” caused by her commitment to do another movie which will, apparently, conflict with the filming schedule for The Twilight Saga: Eclipse next month, her Twilight co-star Taylor Lautner was bizzy on the SoCal set of his non-Twilight film Valentine’s Day which is being directed by Garry Marshall and features an ensemble cast which includes Taylor Swift, Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Aniston, Bradley Cooper and others … and apparently caused no conflict with the Eclipse filming schedule. Here are new pics of Lautner running around a high school track here in SoCal yesterday afternoon for his role in the upcoming flick:

I understand that Taylor Lautner has been paired up with Taylor Swift in the film as lovers and that the pair will portray a Homecoming King and Queen … or something like that. By the looks of the photos of the two Taylors kissing while wearing matching plastic crowns on set, I’d say that determination is pretty accurate. After the jump, check out pics of Taylor2 smoochin’ on set …

Altho I’m not a Country Music fan by any means, the 2009 Academy of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV last night attracted their fair share of non-Country Music folks to get my attention … and also clued me into the fact that the amazing Carrie Underwood (my Oklahoma homegirl) had herself a pretty spectacular night at this year’s ACMs (as did Taylor Swift, whose talent also impresses me). Here are a few photos from the red carpet arrivals last night (you will note that LeAnn Rimes showed up all by herself as her hubby was nowhere to be seen … Miley Cyrus was also flying solo, leaving manfriend Justin Gaston at home) along with a couple photos of Carrie and Taylor proudly hoisting up their two ACM awards in the press room last night:

The 44th Academy of Country Music Awards swung political, personal, playful and patriotic on Sunday and ultimately opted for popular in bestowing its top honor on “American Idol” winner Carrie Underwood, naming her entertainer of the year over veteran male performers George Strait, Kenny Chesney and Keith Urban. “I’ve had a lot of good moments in the past four years,” the Oklahoma-born Underwood said at the climax of the three-hour event at the MGM Grand Arena, “but this one takes the cake.” The award was determined for the second year by popular vote during the show at CBS.com instead of being determined as it had been in past years by the performer who sold the most concert tickets during the previous 12 months, which would have given a fifth title to Chesney. But the ACM, in striving to boost ratings and make the event more interactive for fans, opened the voting for entertainer and new artist to the public. That helped TV-friendly faces such as Underwood and former “Dancing With the Stars”-turned-country singer Julianne Hough, who took home the new artist trophy. It was a big night as well for Internet-savvy teen phenom Taylor Swift, who sold more albums in 2008 than any other artist in any genre, passing 5 million. Her overwhelming success contributed to her sophomore album, “Fearless,” which has topped 3 million since its release in November, being named album of the year. The giddy singer and songwriter from Pennsylvania clapped her hands over her mouth and danced in her signature cowgirl boots upon learning she’d been chosen by the academy’s 4,000 voting members over Strait, Underwood, duo Montgomery Gentry and newcomer Jamey Johnson … The CBS telecast also looked to give more fans … to latch on to with a performance by Miley Cyrus, timed to plug the new “Hannah Montana” movie, even though the daughter of country singer and actor Billy Ray Cyrus wasn’t nominated for any awards. Tough economic times coupled with strong sentiment over the war in Iraq figured into two of the night’s most powerful musical performances. John Rich, half of the duo Big & Rich, sang a solo version of his new single “Shuttin’ Detroit Down” that elicited cheers several times from the 11,000 fans in the MGM Grand Arena as he railed against federal bailouts to troubled corporations while family farms continue to fail by the thousands. U.S. troops got a salute from Trace Adkins as he was joined by the West Point Glee Club with a new song recognizing what soldiers have sacrificed from the Civil War through the ongoing fighting in Afghanistan. The ACM announced that proceeds from the downloadable version of the performance will go to Wounded Warrior, a Florida-based organization the helps injured troops once they return home. Jamey Johnson’s “In Color,” an homage to those who weathered the Depression, fought in World War II and sustained long-term marriages, was named song of the year. Johnson’s album “That Lonesome Song,” which has drawn comparisons to the work of Waylon Jennings and others of the ’70s country Outlaw movement, had been chosen 2008′s best by a poll of country music critics. Reba McEntire hosted the show for the 11th year.

While I do not consider myself a Country Music fan per se, I still have a small place in my heart for the genre due to my years spent living in Oklahoma. Down there, you can’t escape Country Music so it’s best to just enjoy it for what it is — emotionally driven, heartfelt songs that have a pretty good way of tearing at heartstrings in order to illicit a response. I’m not ashamed to admit that I have my fave songs. I am prolly Carrie Underwood‘s biggest fan who doesn’t own any of her albums. I have a few tracks but I’m most impressed with her singing abilities overall. She is truly the best thing to come from American Idol since Kelly Clarkson. I’m so happy that she continues to enjoy so much success. She’s a woman who works hard for what she has, it’s great to see her being successful. Taylor Swift, as well, strikes me as a very talented girl. The thing that I prolly like most about Country Music is that it is a genre that’s really driven by talent. Many of the biggest Country Music stars can play instruments … which cannot be said for a lot of pop/rock or rap musicians.

While all eyes were on the Country Music stars on the red carpet, there were quite a few celebs who showed up at the awards that have nothing at all really to do with Country Music as a craft. As you can see above, Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves were in attendance and I understand that comedian Carrot Top was there as well. Additionally, new celeb couple Jennifer Love Hewitt and Jamie Kennedy chose the ACM Awards as their official coming out party as a couple:

I find it curious that they were both wearing all white … could they be trying to tell us something? The night wasn’t without it’s own drama as well … Tim McGraw ended up pulling out of performing on the show at the very last minute due to reported “problems” with production. See, even Country Music has their own divas. In any event, much congrats goes out to all the winners at this year’s ACM Awards!

[Photo credit: Bauer-Griffin, Wireimage; Source]