July 21, 2010

Taylor Swift Announces New Album Title, Release Date

Following an incredible 2009, Taylor Swift took some time off.

But the singer is ready to take the music world by storm again, and has announced details for her upcoming album:

  • It will be titled "Speak Now."
  • It will be released on October 25.

Why that title? Swift answer the question in a live Web chat today, telling fans it “pertains to the album as a concept, and as an entire theme of the record, more than I can even tell you.”

A THG Favorite

Taylor added that she's been penning singles for the album since "Fearless" came out in 2008.

She said. “Thankfully, in the past two years I’ve experienced a lot of things that I’ve been dying to write about. A lot of things that I’ve wanted to say in the moment that I didn’t... Track by track, each song is a different confession to a different person.”

The first song off the CD will hit the radio in mid-August. Titled "Mine," Swift says it's about “my tendency to run from love. It’s a recent tendency. Every example of love in my life has ended in goodbye. The song is about finding the exception to that.”

We're just sad that exception didn't include Taylor Lautner.

** In other upcoming album news, David Archuleta has already revealed the released date for his next CD.

Jesse James Wins Custody Fight, May Move Closer to Sandra Bullock

Jesse James effectively trounced ex-wife Janine Lindemulder in their custody battle when a court ruled he may take their 6-year-old daughter Sunny to Texas.

That's where his other, more famous ex, Sandra Bullock, owns a home.

Lindemulder, a former porn star who lives in California, wailed when the Orange County, Calif., judge announced the decision. "I'll move! I'll move!" she cried.

"I can't get attached and let her go!"

Whether she actually will move is debatable, since she just got out of a halfway house and is likely unable to leave the state without the parole board's okay.

JJ PicJanine Lindemulder Head Shot

James and Lindemulder faced off in a week-long trial.

The motorcycle mogul claims that a move to Austin would be for business purposes, although he was quoted in an online interview saying another reason is so his three children can maintain a close relationship with stepmom Bullock.

The two were set to adopt baby Louis together, but following the shocking cheating scandal that ended their marriage, Sandra will now raise the boy alone.

Lindemulder accuses James of moving to exclusively try to win back Bullock, who is close with the child, at the expense of her own relationship with Sunny.

The judge said James and Lindemulder will have joint custody but James can take Sunny to Texas at the start of her new school calendar, in mid-August.

Until then, Sunny will be with her mom, who James says is a threat to the child, or at least could be if her recurring addiction problems surface yet again.

Wissam Al Mana: Dating Janet Jackson!

It's been a tough year for Janet Jackson, but she's happier lately.

New boyfriend Wissam Al Mana could be a big reason for that.

After splitting from longtime boyfriend Jermaine Dupri after a seven-year relationship last summer, Jackson slowly eased into this new romance. The pop star and her man were snapped soaking up the rays in Sardinia, Italy.

The 44-year-old Why Did I Get Married Too? star and the 35-year-old businessman from Qatar, who owns homes worldwide, have been quietly enjoying each other's company, according to reports. Glad she's moving on and happy!

Janet Jackson Smiles

It's nice to see Michael's sister happy again.

We're guessing Wissam Al Mana approves of Janet's new haircut too.

In non-romance news, she's currently writing True You, an exercise and nutrition book. She told Essence she "wanted to write this book because [she] wanted kids to have something to read and know that they are beautiful as they are."

A noble goal!

Meghan McCain Releases Dirty, Sexy Book Cover

Those of you with crushes on Meghan McCain need not get your hopes up after reading the headline above. Her new book is simply titled Dirty Sexy Politics.

The cover for the work was released Tuesday by the Daily Beast, a news and opinion website that the 25-year-old daughter of Sen. John McCain writes for.

The effervescent Meghan "writes about her experiences on the campaign trail, how the party veered so far off track, why she is still a Republican, and more."

It's cool Meghan McCain has a book coming out and it'll be a good read. We just hope she didn't ask Tila Tequila and/or Heidi Montag to write the foreword.

Here's our first look at the cover ....

Meghan McCain Book Cover

DIRTY, SEXY POLITICS: Meghan McCain covers it all.

A summary included with the book touts the younger, more attractive McCain as one of the most outspoken members of the Republican Party. Definitely true.

McCain, who is the creator of the website, McCainblogette.com, is also the author of a New York Times bestselling children's book My Father: John McCain.

She is active on social networks such as Twitter, although she has scaled back on the picture posting after this hot, dorky photo caused such a stir last fall.

Jersey Shore Cast Re-Ups For Season Three

The Jersey Shore salary controversy seems to have dissipated as quickly as it arose in the first place, with new reports saying the whole cast has re-signed.

A rep for the network confirmed Tuesday that all principal castmates have inked new contracts to shoot the show's third season, save for Angelina Pivarnick.

Who? Oh, right, the quote-unquote Kim Kardashian of Staten Island who bailed after one episode last season, then came back, then evidently flaked again.

Oh well. Guess she couldn't hang with the wild times of Snooki, J-Woww, The Situation and friends, who will now bank an impressive $30,000 per episode.

That's up from $5,000 per episode in Season One.

Guido? You Know!

FIST-PUMP: They're back in business, baby!

"MTV is pleased that the Jersey Shore cast will be returning to Seaside Heights to continue production on Season Three," the network said in a statement.

"Not only have they become a part of the MTV family, but fans worldwide have fallen in love with them. Stay tuned for Jersey Shore Season 2 on July 29."

MTV had quite the situation on its hands, as Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi and Co. demanded a giant raise before allowing cameras to follow their awesome lives.

The Situation was the first to re-sign. The rest followed.

All water under the polluted bridge now. Let the Jersey Shore quotes, club-hopping, fist-pumping, hair-oiling, fake-tanning and boardwalk brawling begin.

Sandra Bullock Stands Up For the Gulf

Sandra Bullock has special ties with the U.S. Gulf Coast, namely her adopted son Louis, who hails from New Orleans. Now she's doing what she can to give back.

Reaching out to the public to help those devastated by the tragic BP oil spill, the Oscar winner and many other stars have launched the "Be the One" campaign.

The message: every person can truly make a difference with an individual contribution, be it money, time, labor or just raising awareness. We can all do our part.

Check out Sandra, Blake Lively, Dave Matthews, Lenny Kravitz, Eli and Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, James Carville and many others in the moving PSA below:


Be the One

Breaking News: Angelina Jolie Steals Brad Pitt From Jennifer Aniston!

It's apparently Turn Back the Clock week over at Us Magazine.

We realize that Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston's divorce was seen, and is still noted to be, one of the most scandalous, shocking celebrity breakups in recent history.

But we'll let you in on a tip, Us: They split in January 2005.

Pitt's affair and subsequent partnership with Angelina Jolie continue to fascinate for obvious reasons, but really guys? We're revisiting his original split with Jen?

At least Star can think up new Brangelina breakups, secret Brennifer hookups, Angie mind games and Jen loneliness in a bid to keep the love triangle current.

This, however, is basically a five-year-old cover story ...

How She Stole Him!

Finally, the truth! Knock us over with a feather!

Yes, we realize the publication cites a new tell-all book about the celebrities and some supposedly new revelations as its reason for dredging this back up again.

What would a new tell-all possibly have to offer, though, and how would we assume any part of it is actually true? Is there no other celebrity gossip out there?

Come on, Us. Jen's dating a new guy now, and he's still married to his ex-wife! Surely there's an adultery / love child story you can fabricate from that, right?

Justin Bieber: Rolling in Lamborghini, Eating FroYo, Possibly Dueting with Selena Gomez

This is how Justin Bieber rolls.

The 16-year old sensation was spotted cruising around Los Angeles this week with fellow singer Sean Kingston. The pair took to the streets in style, with Justin behind the wheel of a white Lamborghini.

You can't really make out the type of vehicle in this photo of the pair, but trust us. After all, what other model would a comic book star be seen in anyway?!?

Lamborghini Rollin

The heartthrob also stopped to pick up some Pinkberry, making female fans around the globe swoon each time he opened his mouth and licked his lips.

One of those fans is Selena Gomez, who told the latest issue of M magazine that she'd love to duet with Bieber:

"I’ll probably ask him if he wants to. He’s really busy, especially since he’s on tour, which I totally understand. I love that kid so much. He has definitely been an inspiration to me in many ways. Justin has become one of my best friends. So doing a duet together would be a dream come true for both of us."

Bristol Palin, Levi Johnston Reflect on Hilariously Staged Engagement

Bristol Palin and Levi Johnston recently got engaged. Again.

While we don't doubt that the parents of 18-month-old son Tripp are genuine in their feelings for each other, they're clearly milking the reconciliation for all it's worth, even putting celebrity gossip coverage ahead of family.

In a poignant sit-down with Us Weekly, Bristol Palin reveals that her mother Sarah Palin "doesn't really approve" of her surprise engagement to Levi.

Perhaps because she wasn't told beforehand? Just a guess.

"She's apprehensive and concerned. She doesn't want to see me get hurt again," says Bristol. "My mom is not 100 percent backing us up right now."

Levi and Bristol PhotoAlaska Fan

How did Bristol and Levi break the news to Sarah? Over the phone.

"She knew Levi and I had been talking, but she wanted to know if Levi was really sincere about this," says Bristol, admitting Us knew before her folks.

"I told her we were working on our relationship for Tripp, and she told me, 'Actions speak louder than words.' She's going to wait to see if he changes."

"People are more worried for me than excited for me," she confesses.

Sarah Palin's feud with Levi is infamous, and her feelings evident in a vapid statement not congratulating them, but saying "Bristol believes in redemption and forgiveness to a degree most of us struggle to put in practice in our daily lives."

Follow the jump for a video of the magazine's interview with the probably soon-to-be newlyweds. WARNING: It's easily a 9.5 out of 10 on the Cheese Meter. We can only imagine with their future reality show is going to be like:

Did Mel Gibson Hit Oksana Grigorieva's Son?

The accusations against Mel Gibson keep piling up. The actor's ex-girlfriend, Oksana Grigorieva, claims he grabbed her son and threw him on a table in a rage.

All over a cigarette, no less.

Oksana's son is 12, and his father is her ex, Timothy Dalton. The potential significance of the cigarette incident with Gibson is that may have been witnesses.

That's a stark contrast to the Mel Gibson tapes, which - despite their awfulness - were recorded without his consent, in unknown context, and possibly edited.

With regard to the alleged attack on Oksana's son Alexander, who also goes by Sacha, the boy was playfully trying to knock a cigarette out of Mel's mouth.

Oksana, Mel Pic

Oksana claims that Mel just exploded, grabbing the boy and throwing him violently onto a table. The issue came up during their custody mediation in May.

At that point, Mel and Oksana were trying to work out an custody deal for daughter Lucia, eight months - and a financial settlement that involved the tapes.

For reasons unknown, Oksana left $15 million on the table.

In any case, Oksana's people informed Mel's lawyers of the attack, while his camp says "numerous adults and children" saw the incident - and differently.

Mel's lawyers claim witnesses will say it just goofing around and Mel did not get physical with Sacha, who accidentally fell as he was jumping for Mel's smoke.

The criminal domestic violence investigation hinges on credibility. Right now, it's hard to establish who has it. The tapes are bad, but criminally, prove little.