Obama Billboard to Be Removed From Times Square

A huge billboard for Weatherproof Sportswear will be removed from New York City’s Times Square. The reason? The guy wearing their jacket never consented.

That would be President Barack Obama.

When it went up last week, the company was blasted for appropriating Obama’s likeness; now they say the ad will be taken down “in an expeditious manner.”

White House spokesperson Ben LaBolt, who declined to comment specifically about Weatherproof’s decision to take the billboard down, told People of the ad:

“The White House has a longstanding policy disapproving of the use of the President of the United States name and likeness for advertising purposes.”

A LEADER IN STYLE: So much so that people shoplift it!

While the Obamas were recently voted Americans' most desired celebrity neighbors and are popular style icons, some say this violates Barack's right to privacy.

So, what was the company thinking when it put up the ad? Weatherproof President Freddie Stollmack, who called the campaign “serendipitous,” explained:

“We saw a picture of President Obama visiting the Great Wall of China and we said, ‘Boy that looks like our coat.’” It was a simple idea, but hard to defend.

Intellectual property lawyer Barbara Solomon said it's "not an issue of expression but pure commercial appropriation. This is an advertisement, nothing but.”

The Obamas are apparently frequent targets of such image-stealing. Last week PETA caused a stir with an anti-fur ad that featured Michelle Obama pictures.

Read More

Spider-Man 4 to Reboot Franchise, Gives the Boot to Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst

Note to Hollywood: there are two ways to tell if it's time to end a successful franchise.

1. When it's latest edition is universally panned by critics.
2. When there's so much drama behind the scenes of a planned follow-up that the entire script is scrapped, the director replaced and the stars given the axe.

Such is the case with Spider-Man 4, as Sony Pictures has announced a reboot to the franchise. The fourth installment in this series - very tentatively scheduled for a summer 2012 release - will bid farewell to Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst and feature Peter Parker as a high school student.

Wrote the movie studio in a supposedly optimistic statement:

"A decade ago we set out on this journey with [director[ Sam Raimi and Tobey Maguire, and together we made three Spider-Man films that set a new bar for the genre. When we began, no one ever imagined that we would make history at the box office, and now we have a rare opportunity to make history once again with this franchise.

"Peter Parker as an ordinary young adult grappling with extraordinary powers has always been the foundation that has made this character so timeless and compelling for generations of fans. We're very excited about the creative possibilities that come from returning to Peter's roots."

Are you excited over this new Spider-Man 4 concept?

Or tired of Hollywood sticking to the same sequels and franchises every summer?

Read More

Kristin Cavallari: Jealous of Jersey Shore

You know it's sad when a Jersey Shore cast member is something you aspire to be. But that's exactly where The Hills star Kristin Cavallari is at these days.

"I'm not going to lie, I'm kind of jealous," Kristin Cavallari said when asked about the new hit MTV show at her 23rd birthday party Saturday night at Beso.

Jersey Shore brought in more than 3.2 million viewers during last week's episode, an all-time high for the freshman series in its brief, ultra-trashy history.

By comparison, ratings for The Hills ratings dropped significantly during this past season, the first one in which Kristin replaced retired star Lauren Conrad.

We're not sure that's a coincidence.

The Situation (pun intended) at MTV right now is that Jersey Shore is clobbering The Hills' most recent season's ratings. Kristin Cavallari would jump ship if asked!

Just 1.72 million viewers saw the October season 5 finale of The Hills, while 2.6 million viewers watched the season 4 finale and more still the prior season.

No wonder Kristin Cavallari wants a piece of the Jersey Shore action. Her favorite character on that show: "The Situation," she said. "I mean, come on, right?"

Right.

She said she'd even date a guido herself. "Maybe, if I liked him," the blonde Laguna Beach alum confessed. "I mean, if I was attracted to him, absolutely."

How can you not be attracted to The Situation quotes? Come on.

Read More

Eva Mendes: A Topless, Well-Oiled Jeans Machine!

Stop us if you've heard this before:

Eva Mendes and British model Jamie Dornan are appearing together in a sexy ad campaign for Calvin Klein.

This duo got oiled up and topless for a series of posters last year - and then decided they looked so nice, they'd do it twice!

Indeed, Mendes and Dornan are at it again, upping the racy ante with their latest set of photos. They're supposedly meant to help inspire shoppers to purchase jeans. But is anyone's focus really on Eva's bottom half below?

Read More

Awww Alert: Matthew McConaughey Gives Newborn a Shirt Out

Darn you, Matthew McConaughey.

The affable actor, who rarely dons a shirt, actually sported a long-sleeved top earlier this week - and still made the ladies swoon as a result of the adorable message across its front.

Out for a job in Malibu Beach, McConaughey showed off a seemingly homemade sweatshirt that referenced newborn daughter Vida. Her name means "life" in Portuguese.

We hope you know how lucky you are, Camila Alves...

Forget a shout out, Matthew McConaughey gives his child a "shirt out" with this outfit. What a cool dude.

Read More

Rihanna Works to Help Olympic Hopeful

We spend so much time writing about myriad celebrity scandals at THG that a chance to write about the complete opposite is truly refreshing. Case in point:

Rihanna was so moved by an emotional letter sent by 26-year-old Seun Adebiyi, an Olympic hopeful battling leukemia, that she's trying to help find a donor.

The Nigerian athlete who had hoped to compete in the Olympic Winter Games in skeleton sledding, until he was diagnosed with leukemia during training.

He needs a bone marrow donor.

Rihanna uses her celebrity for good. [Photo: PacificCoastNewsOnline.com]

Rihanna said in a statement: "Leukemia interrupted Seun's dream of being the first Nigerian in the Winter Olympics, but we can help him make his dream come true."

"We need to find him a bone marrow donor! Please sign up with DKMS!"

The star is working with Grey's Anatomy star Justin Chambers in asking bone marrow donors to come forward to save the Yale Law School graduate's life.

Seun said: "I am deeply touched by their plea for donors, not just for me, but for others as well ... Their voices are so powerful and it encourages me how they used their influence to raise awareness about this issue. It was incredible."

Rihanna made successful public pleas last year and in 2008 to help six-year-old Jasmina Anema and 43-year-old Lisa Flynn find bone marrow transplants.

Read More

Shaq Accused of Affair with Dominica Westling

Shaquille O'Neal has been linked to a second mistress, Dominica Westling, a Swedish model and aspiring actress who he has had an affair with for 18 months.

Who does this guy think he is, Tiger Woods?

O'Neal is still married to estranged wife Shaunie. The NBA star's affair with Dominica Westling began approximately 18 months ago, according to Radar Online.

Apparently they were into some kinky stuff.

The couple not only exchanged a series of steamy emails but also had cybersex using a webcam, creepy sources close to the situation somehow claim to know.

Has Shaq been balling Dominica Westling?

Last week, Shaq's affair with Vanessa Lopez was first alleged. Lopez, a model who has been linked to other NBA players, hired L.A. attorney Gloria Allred.

Lopez claims Shaq has been harassing her. O'Neal's wife, Shaunie, has filed for legal separation with intent to divorce. Their next hearing is in March.

Shaq also has been linked to the fiancé of another NBA player, whose name has not been revealed, with those dalliances overlapping these two affairs.

Asked comment, Dominica Westling said: "I understand where you're coming from but I just don't want to talk about anything. I'd rather not comment."

Well, that's confirmation if we've ever heard it!

Read More

Katy Perry: Pregnant with Russell Brand Spawn?

Buzz is building online that Russell Brand got Katy Perry pregnant.

While this is purely speculative at this time, Katy's recent Twitter remarks have People wondering. The pregnancy rumors started with a January 1 message:

“Let me tell you 2010 is BUMPIN!” Then this past Friday, the cute singer wrote, “Hey @rustyrockets” – Russell Brand’s Twitter name – “i heard ur prego-ed.”

She adds, “I WANT IN AND OUT,” in reference to the delicious Southern California hamburger chain, before telling Brand, “I love you … (awwwww barf!).”

It just works somehow.

Katy, like many other stars, likes to Tweet a lot. We're not talking about non-stop, desperate, Tila Tequila-style Twittering, but she sure does love to Tweet.

The two just got engaged in India. The pregnancy gossip is likely much ado about nothing, although we hold out hope for a Perry/Brand shotgun wedding.

Read More

The Bachelor Recap: (Rozlyn) Papa Don't Preach!

As usual, The Hollywood Gossip sat through The Bachelor last night and our staff now brings you its official recap, with points awarded and docked as we see fit.

In the season's second episode, as predicted, a "shocking" cheating scandal led to the dismissal of Rozlyn Papa. Here's THG's take on that and so much more ...

Jake claims the InStyle photographer is a friend and set up this date to make it special. We're sure ABC had nothing to do with the cross-promotion. Minus 2.

Five girls on the group date get down and dirty. Christina just gets drunk. Plus 2.

Rozlyn Papa on Jake Pavelka: "He's really cute. I kinda wanna bite him." Plus 3, then another Plus 5 for the censored crotch shot during the InStyle shoot.

Jake says he's literally going to take Ali to Cloud 9. Where's that, exactly? Minus 4.

The chemistry between Jake and Vienna is palpable ... not.

Jake on the Chicago concert with Ali: "I have never had a moment like that with somebody." Except his private Martina McBride concert with Jillian. Plus 6.

ABC actually plays "On the Wings of Love" as Jake flies. Minus 1,000.

Elizabeth refuses to let Jake kiss her as she tries to play hard to get, then reads a love poem she wrote to Jake. We got nothin'. It's that amazing. Plus 13.

Vienna Girardi confesses she eloped at 18. Tenley is also divorced. These are Jake's final two, per The Bachelor spoilers we've read. Even. We're just saying.

Obligatory Minus 14 to every woman in the house. STOP SCREAMING!

Man, Michelle is still insane. Ashley is her crazy understudy. Plus 20.

Last week, Rozlyn got a rose. This week, a ticket home!

Finally, the Rozlyn scandal: Chris Harrison's careful word choice and the lightning-fast editing of camera angles don't make it seem like this is faked at all. Minus 33.

Roz says little about the sex-with-staffer allegation. Probably because it was edited out. Plus 17 for at least calling The Bachelor out on what she calls a big lie now.

Why would the other girls care? Their rival is gone! Were they told lies about Rozlyn that made it seem worse? Minus 9 for the lack of sense and time spent on this.

TOTAL: -996. SEASON: -984. Roses: Ali, Elizabeth, Vienna, Gia, Tenley, Ella, Valishia, Corrie, Jessie, Ashleigh, Michelle, Kathryn. Out: Christina, Ashley, Rozlyn.

Things our wives said:

• [exposing cleavage, mocking girls in the hot tub] "OMG eee hee eee!!"
• "I honestly think that I would kill myself if I was on this show."
• "I just wanna jam my finger down my throat when Jake talks."
• "Who writes Chris' lines?"
• "Zzzzzz."

Read More

Killian Marcus Gastineau: Brittny Gastineau's Half-Brother!

Thank goodness. The nation can finally let out a collective sigh of relief.

Over 20 years ago, Mark Gastineau - the former New York Jets star and father of talentless socialite Brittny Gastineau - left wife Lisa for actress Brigitte Nielsen. The new couple had a son, the half-brother Brittny never knew...

... until last week! Through a series of connections and phone number exchanges, she had dinner with the man, the myth and the legend: Killian Marcus Gastineau.

"It was very weird and surreal," Gastineau told People of the meal, which was organized after her mother ran into Nielsen at Ivana Trump's wedding. "I didn't cry. I'm too tough to cry. But we hugged, we talked about old stories."

Killian lives overseas and doesn't speak English, but Brittny lied and said "he watched Gastineau Girls in Italy, so he knew what I looked like."

We're pretty sure no one watched Gastineau Girls in America.

Does Brittny wish to meet Killian again? Come on. Did her BFF Kim Kardashian get penetrated by Ray J on video?!?

"It's kind of hard to know someone in just one dinner, so I'm definitely going to stay in touch with him," she said. "But I'm going to have to learn Italian!"

Read More

Matt Kemp: Just Friends with Rihanna ... and More?

L.A. Dodgers slugger Matt Kemp has issued a statement saying he's not dating Rihanna ... but they are good friends. Ones who go on vacation to Cabo together.

The rumored pair were photographed recently kissing and flirting, but according to Kemp, apparently that’s just an extension of a deep "friendship" with the star.

His rep said: “I think dating might be a stretch at this point."

"Yes, they are in Cabo San Lucas, but past that they are just good friends, and I don’t think we can label it as anything other than friendship right now.”

He added: “Who knows what will develop past the friendship.”

Rihanna and Matt Kemp have been canoodling in recent weeks.

While we initially dismissed rumors linking them together as mere tabloid gossip, Matt Kemp and Rihanna really were spotted smooching in Mexico earlier this month.

We imagine his rep's vague denial is just a means of trying to deflect speculation and keeping the baseball player's options open as they see how things play out.

If things go well, though, he might want to update his Match.com ad.

Read More

Megan Fox for Armani: OMFGSH!

How hot are the Megan Fox pictures that comprise this actress' latest Armani ad campaign?

So hot that we made up our own acronym for them in the headline above. Can you guess what it stands up?

Time is up! It's: Oh My F-ckin God She's Hot.

Forgive our lack of creativity on that one. We've been too busy drooling over the photos below to think straight. Save us here, Giorgio Armani, and state the obvious about why you chose Fox as a model:

"Megan is young and sexy and has a lot of spirit. Both Emporio Armani Underwear and Armani Jeans are all about a youthful attitude, making her the perfect choice for the collections."

Right. That's what it is. Megan's spirit is the reason we can't stop staring at the pics below...

Click on each photo above to enlarge... and enjoy, fellas!

Read More

Paparazzi Helps Lindsay Lohan For Once

Looks like Lindsay Lohan is in the clear after her weekend car accident, and amazingly, her allies in getting off the hook may be celebrity gossip photographers.

Law enforcement sources are now saying that video of Lohan's vehicular run-in with a pissed-off photographer Sunday proves the incident was fairly benign.

The actress' driver is a "person of interest" in an assault with a deadly weapon investigation after she allegedly clipped a paparazzi member with her car.

She was trying to maneuver Lindsay through an alley at the time.

The dude is threatening to sue Lindsay over the incident, but the "alleged assault" looks like a bunch of nothing according to film shot by other photogs.

Caption rendered unnecessary.

It's possible the driver could be targeted for hit-and-run, but only for the true nature of the crime - leaving after hitting someone or something without reporting it.

That does not mean anyone was seriously injured or Lindsay Lohan would somehow be implicated in it. So it looks like when all is said and done, she'll be cleared.

She remains guilty, however, of being a Grade A train wreck.

Read More

First Listen: Heidi Montag's "I'll Do It"

The Hills star and aspiring singer Heidi Montag has kicked off the release of her long-awaited debut album, Superficial, with a new single entitled "I'll Do It."

You don't even wanna know what it is. The opening lines:

"Pick me, take me, off up into ya dungin. I brought some treats. I know that you gon love em. Come eat my panties off of me. Do whatever comes naturally."

Try to hurl away from the computer.

If you're sure you're up for it, listen below and tell us how you feel about Heidi Montag's latest musical creation, "I'll Do It," by voting in the survey below ...

Heidi Montag: I'll Do It

Read More

Tila Tequila Records: Hilariously, Supposedly Coming Soon!

Tila Tequila has been very, very, very, very, very busy Tweeting.

Somehow, though, in between bitter, nonsensical messages aimed at Casey Johnson's friends and family, Tila has found time to start her own record label. Seriously.

Well, seriously if you believe a word Tila Tequila writes and says. On her official blog, this is how the certifiable nut job explains her latest endeavor:

I am EXTREMELY excited to announce that now have my very own RECORD LABEL!!!!!!! It's just called "TILA TEQUILA RECORDS" because that name is trademarked already so I might as well use it for the Record Label too! For a long time I have been trying to get this up and going since the beginning of this year and now it's FINALLY DONE!!!!!!! IT is OFFICIAL! Tila Tequila has her own record label "TILA TEQUILA RECORDS!"

Why should you choose this label over pretty much any other option? Tila lists a few reasons:

• A new artist signed at a "Major Record Label" is about 90% likely to "end up miserable and broke" because the album will never be released and/or promoted.
• Tila will "INSTANTLY, literally give you overnight fame."
• She won't take any commission off your record sales.
• YOU WILL BECOME A MAJOR SUPERSTAR FASTER THAN YOU CAN SAY "SUPERSTAR!"
• Tequila is "a young, hot, sexy biatch who is relentless and passionate in what she does!"
• Artists under Tila's label will accompany her on tours around the world and receive free first class trips. She will set them up with personalized merchandise and YouTube channels that make money.

In the end, Tequila writes "I am the new P.DIDDY except I'm in my 20's, FEMALE, and BOSS BITCH!"

So... what are you waiting for, aspiring singers? Forget American Idol auditions. Forget local club or bar performances. You wanna make it big? Tila is just a website away!

Read More

Brad Ferro Fired For Snooki Knockout

Snooki 1, Meathead 0. The New York City gym teacher who punched the Jersey Shore star in the freaking face last summer is now losing his job as a result.

Given that Brad Ferro's job is to help shape young minds, one can understand how beating up a girl, however annoying she is, would be frowned upon.

An official at the NYC Department of Education tells the site it's drafting a letter to fire Ferro, who was arrested for the barroom attack, within 30 days.

"The termination is underway," the official says.

THE MESSED UP INCIDENT: A screen-grab from the now-yanked promo of Snooki getting clocked. She did not deserve that. She was being really annoying, though.

Brad Ferro, who lives and works in Queens, had been assigned to a non-teaching role ever since the controversial footage aired during a recent MTV promo.

The network ended up not airing the actual knockout blow after negative reaction to the promo. Snooki, a.k.a. Nicole Polizzi, did get drilled pretty hard.

Read More

Rozlyn Papa: The Bachelor Set Me Up!

On last night's episode of The Bachelor, Rozlyn Papa emerged as a favorite to win Jake Pavelka's heart ... only to be kicked off the show an hour later.

Accused of having an "inappropriate relationship" with a producer, she was informed by host Chris Harrison on Monday's episode that she's outta here.

In an interview with Richmond's 103.7 FM, Roz again spoke out about the incident, denying that any sex or even making out took place with a staffer.

While (somewhat) bound by confidentiality agreements, Rozlyn Papa says the show threw her under the bus and there's more to this than we know.

Check out the station's interview with Rozlyn below, then vote in our survey and tell us who you believe, the 28-year-old model or the show's brass ...

Rozlyn Papa Speaks Out

Read More

Mark Wahlberg, Rhea Durham Welcome Baby #4!

Mark Wahlberg and Rhea Durham, his longtime partner and his wife of six months, welcomed their fourth child together on Monday evening at 6:35 pm.

The couple is reportedly on cloud nine after welcoming a daughter named Margaret Grace at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, a source says.

"Mark was in the delivery room with Rhea," says the source. "And he cheered her on all the way. Rhea was a real trouper. They can't wait to get home."

"A big happy family with their four kids is what they wanted."

Congratulations to Mark Wahlberg and Rhea Durham!

Looks like they've gotten there! Rhea and Mark's three older children are Ella, 6, Michael, 4 and Brendan, 1. They all must be psyched to meet Margaret.

Mark's new film, The Lovely Bones, opens later this month.

Read More

Conan O'Brien Releases Classy, Funny, Bitter Statement Over Late-Night Controversy

If it's possible to be classy, funny and bitter all at the same time, Conan O'Brien has pulled it off.

The comedian has released a lengthy statement in which he essentially resigns from NBC, following the network's decision to yank The Tonight Show's customary 11:35 p.m. time slot out from underneath him.

Out of respect for O'Brien, we've published the entire letter below. We hope NBC goes out of business...

“People of Earth: In the last few days, I’ve been getting a lot of sympathy calls, and I want to start by making it clear that no one should waste a second feeling sorry for me. For 17 years, I’ve been getting paid to do what I love most and, in a world with real problems, I’ve been absurdly lucky. That said, I’ve been suddenly put in a very public predicament and my bosses are demanding an immediate decision.

Is it cold in here? Or is it NBC's treatment of Conan O'Brien?

“Six years ago, I signed a contract with NBC to take over The Tonight Show in June of 2009. Like a lot of us, I grew up watching Johnny Carson every night and the chance to one day sit in that chair has meant everything to me. I worked long and hard to get that opportunity, passed up far more lucrative offers, and since 2004 I have spent literally hundreds of hours thinking of ways to extend the franchise long into the future.

It was my mistaken belief that, like my predecessor, I would have the benefit of some time and, just as important, some degree of ratings support from the prime-time schedule. Building a lasting audience at 11:30 is impossible without both.

“But sadly, we were never given that chance. After only seven months, with my Tonight Show in its infancy, NBC has decided to react to their terrible difficulties in prime-time by making a change in their long-established late night schedule.

Read More

Michael Angarano Moves On Alia Shawkat

For months, it was the question on everyone's mind: Is Kristen Stewart dating Michael Angarano or Robert Pattinson?

That answer appears to be clear, as reports of a Robsten romance are rampant at this point.

Fortunately, Angarano appears to have finally moved on from the Twilight Saga actress. Sources now link Michael to former Arrested Development star Alia Shawkat.

Witnesses have told Life & Style that the pair cozied up to each other at a club in Los Angeles this weekend.

"At first Michael and Alia just sat next to each other and didn't seem terribly intimate," the insider said. "But as time went on Michael was leaning in to her and always made sure that he was touching her or brushing her arm."

Michael and Kristen dated for almost four years, but their relationship sourced as Stewart started to film Twilight and fell victim to Pattinson's sheer dreaminess.

Shawkat, meanwhile, actually has a role in Stewart's upcoming film The Runaways. She reportedly "sat closer to Michael, and they were more intimate and physical" as the aforementioned night went on, an onlooker said. In heart-racing conclusion:

"He was touching her a lot."

Read More

The Hollywood Gossip Caption Contest: January 12

Welcome to The Hollywood Gossip Caption Contest, where readers submit the funniest caption(s) for the photo below! Today's subjects should make it easy.

Yup, it's Pauly D, The Situation, Snooki and JWoww of Jersey Shore. With Mike Tyson, former boxing champ and current dude with a tattoo on his face. His face.

What could they be thinking or saying?

You tell us! Click "Comments" below and send in your very own Jersey Shore quotes for this pic. We'll announce a winner tomorrow. Have fun and go to it ...

Read More