PEACE OUT DAWG....RANDY JACKSON LEAVING AMERICAN IDOL

Top Dawg! Randy Jackson, the lone remaining original "American Idol" judge, won't be returning to the Fox talent competition next season.

"Idol" host Ryan Seacrest only hinted at Jackson's impending departure at the beginning of Thursday's elimination episode.  "A little later on, we'll be revealing who's leaving our show," joked Seacrest as he swiveled Jackson around in his chair toward him. "Maybe a head's up?"

pparently, Seacrest -- who's been with the show as long as Jackson -- found out along with the rest of the world Thursday when the 56-year-old producer and bassist announced his departure.

Jackson said in a statement that he's leaving "Idol" to focus on his record label and other business opportunities.

"To put all of the speculation to the rest, after 12 years of judging on `American Idol,' I have decided to leave after this season," he said. "I am very proud of how we forever changed television and the music industry."

 Jackson has served as a judge on all 12 seasons of "Idol." He first appeared on the panel alongside Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul when the competition debuted in 2002, becoming famous for his easygoing "yo, dawg" rapport with contestants.

Jackson currently judges the show with pop royalty Mariah Carey, R&B diva Nicki Minaj and country star Keith Urban. His exit comes amid reports the entire panel will be replaced next season. A spokeswoman for Fox and spokesman for "Idol" producer FremantleMedia declined to comment.

Ratings for "Idol," once a TV juggernaut, have plummeted this year. The show has been the most popular entertainment program in prime time for nine years running, but it's likely "Idol" will lose that distinction this season. It's now regularly behind the NBC singing competition "The Voice" in the weekly ratings.

The current 12th season is set to conclude next week with a showdown between 23-year-old R&B vocalist Candice Glover of St. Helena Island, S.C., and 22-year-old country crooner Kree Harrison of Woodville, Texas.

VIDEO: MARIAH CAREY FT. MIGUEL – ‘#BEAUTIFUL’

The hot mama shows off her banging body while posing on a bike and gives her co-star a private show in a short yellow dress. Miguel takes it all in from the front seat of a vintage Porsche in a garage full of chandeliers.

The follow-up to 2009’s Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel is due this summer featuring production from Jermaine Dupri, Bryan-Michael Cox, Big Jim Wright, Hit-Boy, The-Dream, Mike WiLL Made It, and Rodney Jerkins.

Mariah also confirmed that her twins, Monroe and Moroccan, will appear on the album, along with the top 3 “Idol” contestants, Candice, Kree, and Angie, who added their vocals to one song.


Less is more in the stunning video for Mariah Carey and Miguel’s duet “#Beautiful,” which debuted on “American Idol.” The pop diva looks gorgeous as she models some skimpy outfits and rides on the back of a motorcycle with Miguel in the summery visuals, directed by Joseph Kahn.

NEWEST MEMBER OF ATLANTA HOUSEWIVES ARRIVES PHAEDRA PARKS GIVES BIRTH TO A BABY BOY

The stork has landed, I just received a tip via e-mail that Real Housewife of Atlanta’s newest member Phaedra Parks just gave birth to a baby boy on Wednesday, with husband, Apollo Nida.

Us Weekly can exclusively confirm. “Mom and baby are happy and healthy,” her rep tells Us, adding that the tot weighed in at 7 pounds, 9 ounces. Parks announced her pregnancy in December 2012.

Now you don’t have to wait for the season to start to find out the details with Phaedra Parks and hubby, Apollo Nida. Congratulations to the couple! I can’t wait to see their drama unfold when the season premiere of RHOA airs

VIDEO: CIARA CHATS WITH WENDY ABOUT BEING IN LOVE WITH FUTURE & RIHANNA FEUD

After showing off her Gianvito Rossi strapped heels, the “Body Party” singer dished about her new workout regimen and addressed recent hot topics including her beef with Rihanna and relationship with boyfriend Future.


Read highlights from her chat and watch the full interview below.

On the “hiccups” in her career: “I went through a phase where I was just trying different things in life, whether it was meeting people or meeting new friends. … You gotta try things to figure out what works for you and what doesn’t.”

On her relationship with Kim Kardashian: “Everytime she and I see each other, it’s always all love. … Everything is cool, we just don’t talk the same way we used to talk every day.”

On her “beef” with Rihanna: “I’m totally in a different space and it’s all positivity and love from my perspective and how I get down. I wish her well.”

On her relationship with Future: “In this day in my life, I’m so comfortable in my skin and I feel so good about where I am and I’m very confident and comfortable with the way he loves me. I’m gonna put into the universe positive things. I’m gonna put into the universe that it’s only gonna get better and better.”

GLADIATORS KERRY WASHINGTON COVERS ELLE MAGAZINE JUNE ISSUE

Finally!

Kerry Washington has landed the cover of Elle's June 2013 issue, making it the actress' first major fashion mag cover. Washington poses in a sweet cardigan and plaid shorts by Marc Jacobs, with just a hint of a Carine Gilson Lingerie Couture bra peeking out.


As the first African-American woman to headline a major network drama since 1974, Kerry is making her mark on the small screen and beyond. 

It shouldn't be too surprising that Kerry's scored a major cover -- not only is she a Best-Dressed List regular with enviable red carpet style, but she also stars in TV's hottest show, "Scandal," and was part of the massively successful "Django Unchained."

Yet with all that success, Kerry had yet to pose for a fashion magazine cover up till now. Women's Health, Ebony, Essence, Vibe -- plenty of non-fashion glossies have chosen Kerry for their covers. 

She even shared the cover of Elle's "Women in Hollywood" issue in December 2012. But the likes of Vogue and Harper's Bazaar eluded her. As Jezebel put it simply this past February, "Where is Kerry Washington's major magazine cover?"


Here’s what the 36-year-old Peeples actress had to share with the mag:

On her success: “I’m the luckiest broad in Hollywood now. To be the lead actor on Scandal and to be in the highest-earning Tarantino movie- I don’t get to ask for more.”

On a career she thought she’d have: “I imagined I’d be a clinical psychologist, with a focus on how performance shapes identity. I’d figure out ways to use role-playing in the healing of people.”

On getting ready for the red carpet: “I found out I enjoy the process. All these people show up at my house, they all have kits, someone has dresses. And it’s like, Let’s have fun. It’s not all about me. We’re able to create stories on the red carpet.”

AUDIO: CHRIS BROWN CHATS ABOUT HIS RECENT BREAK UP WITH RIHANNA & RI RI CONFIRMS

Were over them period, but anyway, off again on again youngsters have called there microwave relationship over AGAIN...peep audio below: 

“At the end of the day, she’s a young girl. I can’t really be focused on wife-ing somebody that young. I just need to fast forward and be a man and be the best Chris Brown I can be, instead of worrying about whoever else is going to be in my side pocket.”

– Chris Brown confirming his latest breakup with Rihanna in an interview on Australian radio Tuesday. Yeah, relax, their status will probably change again by the time you read this, but, wow, way with words, huh? It wasn’t all that self-absorbed: Brown also emphasized that he is “always going to love that person,” but to celebrate his 24th birthday, “I’m gonna be in Vegas. So [I wanna] see as many girls as possible.”

LAST VIDEO: RAPPER FROM KRISS KROSS, CHRIS KELLY SHOWS STRUNG OUT ON DRUGS & FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS

One of Kelly’s guests — who also seems inebriated — pulls out a camera and begins to record as a discombobulated Kelly struggles to rap along with music pumping through the speakers.


The video — shot in Kelly’s Atlanta home around 7:00 AM on May 1 — is a window into the life of a drug addict. There’s crap strewn all over the house … and several seemingly drugged out people just hanging out.

TMZ has the sad footage hours before his death, of a drugged out Kelly attempting to rap and spit out lyrics about a room full of dead bodies.


Friends and family will gather this week to mourn for fallen rapper Chris Kelly. The Murray Brothers Funeral Home in Atlanta will hold a viewing for Kelly on Wednesday, May 8th from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Funeral services for the late Kris Kross rapper will be held the next day, May 9th, at 2:00 p.m at Jackson Memorial Baptist Church.

 Chris Kelly — who went by the nickname “Mac Daddy” — passed away last Wednesday. An autopsy revealed that there were no signs of trauma or foul play. However, authorities are awaiting a toxicology report before declaring a cause of death.

Peep Sad and shocking Video below: 

MET BALLS 2013 PICS: BEYONCE, TAYLOR SWIFT, SOLANGE, MILEY CYRUS & MANY MORE.. GORGEOUS COUTURE GOWNS WHO WORE WHAT?

Print overload! Beyonce almost spills out of headache-inducing patterned Givenchy gown teamed with matching thigh-high boots and gloves.

This isn't your grandma's red carpet. Stars attending the Metropolitan Museum of Art gala celebrate 'Punk: Chaos to Couture' with bold fashion choices to match.

So the Met Ball 2013, the only red carpet with more diamonds and ostentatious couture than the Oscars, is hitting NYC on Monday night. Peep tons of photos below:

Not punk either: The 16-time Grammy winner was joined on the red carpet by her little sister Solange, rocking a massive afro and a blue Kenzo dress. But we LOVE this look!

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Scandal" star Kerry Washington has been on a whirlwind NYC promo tour today hitting up several back to back to back talk shows.  And she pulled it together once again tonight in a gorgeous Vera Wang creation.

Dramatic: Skyfall star Naomie Harris was beautiful in a blue gown featuring a graduated blue feathered train.

Very NYC"Sex In The City"...Sarah Jessica Parker certainly rose to the occasion as she attended the event at the Metropolitan Museum Of Arts in New York City on Monday night.

The 48-year-old mother-of-three caused a stir on the red carpet as she flashed her knickers whilst parting her voluminous Giles Deacon printed ballgown for pictures

Alicia kept her sexy edge in a leather cutout Jason Wu halter dress with a red sequined bottom half and the perfect touch of punk with Robert Lee Morris jewels, a Tonya Hawkes clutch and streak of red hair.

Keeping it simple: Meanwhile, while Heidi Klum showed off plenty of cleavage, she went for a rather low-key choice with her corseted silver embellished gown.

Gorgeous gown! Katie Holmes chose a flowing white dress which had a split train and teamed it with matching sandals.

Hitting a bum note: Madonna wore a wig but easily stood out in her tartan jacket and fishnets which left her derriere on show. She clearly gets the old WTF? award..hated it!

Bringing old Hollywood glamour to the Big Apple: Jennifer Lawrence (L) and Marion Cotillard looked stunning as they posed side by side in their strapless frocks.

Wild things: Jennifer Lopez above and Coco Rocha both decided to show their racy sides in animal print numbers.

In full bloom Botanical garden couture?  WORST DRESS! Pregnant Kim Kardashian sports a distinctive floral gown complete with unflattering split and matching glove and heels according to People, the custom Givenchy gown by Riccardo Tisci number is made out of floral printed jersey with grommet details that attached the sleeves, turtleneck and gloves.

The dress was rather bizarrely teamed with strappy sandals which gave the ensemble an overly matched look, and her depressed baby daddy Kanye was suited up.

Gorgeous! Pretty and punky: Rose Huntington-Whiteley managed to stick to the theme while still looking very feminine.

A new look: Taylor Swift did her best punk impersonation in a spiderweb lacy dress and a pink streak in her crimped hair.

Extra boring,  Tiger Woods and his white teeth.

Blonde ambition: Anne Hathaway showed a rare edgy side to herself in a racy dress and with newly bleached blonde hair.

Sister act: Actresses Dakota (L) and Elle Fanning both chose striking dresses and outrageous eye make-up.

Revelling in it: Miley Cyrus clearly loved the opportunity to go pink in a  ugly fishnet dress and over product spiked hair.

See more gowns click here

TAMAR BRAXTON STAR STUDDED BABY SHOWER (PICS)

Good lace front wig wearing Tamar Braxton & Vince Herbert enjoyed a night with family and friends as they celebrated their carnival themed baby shower.


WE TV reality TV star and R&B singer Tamar Braxton and her music producer husband Vincent Herbert had a coed “Boogie Backyard” baby shower yesterday, May 5 at the Hotel Bel Air in Los Angeles, California.

Celebrity guests included her Mom Evelyn Braxton, sisters Toni, Trina, Tracy and Towanda Braxton, all who star with Tamar on their WE TV show The Braxtons. Rapper T.I. and Tameka “Tiny” Cottle-Pope, Omarosa, Singer Sparkle, VH1 reality TV show Basketball Wives LA co-stars Laura Govan , Tami Roman w90s singer Shanice and her husband comedian/actor Flex Alexander and a host of others.

Tamar told RapItUp that her husband and Tiny organized the entire event.

Proud Mary keep on turning...rolling..rolling opps sorry wrong person Tamar mom Evelyn Braxton below.

The whole Braxton clan, getting wiggy with wit it! Tracy Braxton below, with a new slimmed down figure.

Big sister Toni looking kinda rough, but her kids are adorable.

The smalls, T.I. & Tiny graced the the shower looking very pedestrian

Shanice and Flex Alexander

Tami Roman, Tisha Campbell  with an ugly ass wigs & Omarosa 

Biggest witch on TV Omarosa was there

Tami Roman & one of her daughters