JAY-Z, BEYONCE’S SISTER IN APPARENT BEEF
NEW YORK (AP) — The reaction for most people when they heard there was a hotel security video showing Beyonce’s sister attacking her brother-in-law, Jay-Z was: what was THAT all about? But the reaction of the hotel where the footage was recorded has a different reaction: how’d the tape get released. Asked about the video yesterday, the hotel issued a statement saying it’s “shocked and disappointed” that the security system was breached. TMZ.com posted parts of the video, which it says was shot in a hotel elevator. It seems to show Solange attacking Jay-Z while her older sister is in the elevator with them before a security guard steps in between. There is no audio on the tape, so it’s unclear what the dispute may have been about. Reps for Beyonce, Jay-Z and Solange didn’t reply to emails seeking comment yesterday.
CLAY AIKEN PRIMARY OPPONENT DIES
ASHEBORO, N.C. (AP) — Just because his opponent died suddenly, that won’t mean former “American Idol” singer Clay Aiken gets the win in his Democratic primary election race. Keith Crisco died yesterday from what a family statement calls “an accidental fall” at his home in Asheboro, North Carolina. At the time Crisco died, Aiken was leading him by fewer than 400 votes after last week’s voting. If the gap isn’t reversed during a final tally of votes this week, Aiken will be the Democratic nominee. The vote is expected to be certified on Thursday. If Crisco comes from behind to win, local Democrats would select the nominee.
EMINEM RELEASES MOTHER’S DAY SONG FOR ESTRANGED MOM
NEW YORK (AP) — A publicist says Eminem has no comment about the new music video in which he gives his estranged mom a musical bouquet, rather than the brickbats he usually tosses her way in song. The video for the song “Headlights” came out Sunday — and it’s an apology to his mom Debbie for all the trouble he caused her over the years. The rapper has publicly feuded with his mom from the earliest part of his career, saying she did everything from wish him dead, to doing drugs and pretending he was ill when he wasn’t. The video was shot by filmmaker Spike Lee.
”THE VOICE” TOP FIVE PERFORM
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Adam Levine says he wants to impress people and sometimes make them uncomfortable on “The Voice.” That’s why he set up Christina Grimmie with a vocoder to sing “Hide and Seek.” Usher and Shakira were unsure about it but were sold on it by the end. Blake Shelton congratulated Kristen Merlin for her version of “Gunpowder and Lead,” a song his wife, Miranda Lambert, wrote. He said Merlin was smiling rather than angry. Levine said he couldn’t compliment Josh Kaufman because the crowd cheered so much he ran out of time to comment. Shelton told Kat Perkins he wants her to make a record so he can listen to all her power notes at the end. Usher said Jake Worthington had the mark of a professional because he pushed through vocal issues to do an incredible performance.
”AMERICAN IDOL” REDUCES PROGRAMMING NEXT YEAR
NEW YORK (AP) — Fox is cutting back how much “American Idol” will air next year. Fox Entertainment chief Kevin Reilly says “Idol” will run about 37 hours of programming next season. Usually it airs more than 50 hours. He says after the auditions, “Idol” will probably air a two-hour show once a week. Reilly says “Idol” is not the ratings champion it once was but it will still be on for many years to come. Simon Cowell will be out of a job, too. “The X Factor” has been canceled.
TIMBALAND, KELLY ROWLAND TO DO PART OF WORLD CUP ALBUM
ATLANTA (AP) — It’s an album to mark the World Cup — and Pepsi is bringing both singers and filmmakers together for the project. Kelly Rowland and Timbaland will team up with the likes of Spike Lee and Idris Elba for “Beats of the Beautiful Game.” The video album is to be released next month — and feature 11 anthem-like songs and short films. The first track released from the project is the Janelle Monae track, “Heroes.” Starting a week from today, a new track and short film will be released.
BRITNEY SPEARS EXTENDS VEGAS RESIDENCY
NEW YORK (AP) — Britney Spears plans to spend a bit more time in Las Vegas. She has extended her residency there by adding more than 30 dates. Her show “Britney: Piece of Me” now will run through February.
PITBULL WILL HOST FOX’S NEW YEAR’S COVERAGE
NEW YORK (AP) — Quick! Have you made plans yet for New Year’s Eve? Fox has. The network has announced Pitbull will lead the countdown to 2015 in Miami for a show tentatively called “Pitbull’s New Year’s Revolution.” Pitbull says he is “taking the party from the Big Apple to the Pineapple.”
JUDGE ORDERS PROBE INTO CASEY KASEM’S WHEREABOUTS
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A judge in Los Angeles is trying to find out what happened to radio personality Casey Kasem. An attorney for the former “Top 40” host claims Kasem has been moved from Los Angeles without his children’s knowledge. Kasem is 82 and suffers from advanced Parkinson’s disease. He can no longer speak and has been a series of care facilities chosen by his wife, Jean. His children have complained they haven’t been able to see their ailing dad.
