This Week's Top Pop Stories

Here are the top stories from this week's Day in Pop and the top Day in Pop digest stories

Katy Perry Strips at School- Michael Jackson- Grimm Wins America's Got Talent- Idol Auditions Go Online- Snooki Spears- Joaquin Phoenix Rap Hoax- more

This week's top digest stories part II: (Yahoo) A lawsuit filed by Michael Jackson's mother once again places the spotlight on the pop star's final days as it focuses not just on the doctor charged in his death but also on the concert promoter that was supposed to pay the physician. more

(Yahoo) Attorneys for the doctor charged in Michael Jackson's death asked a federal judge Wednesday to dismiss the wrongful death lawsuit filed by the singer's father. more

(Billboard) Effective immediately, Forest Lawn Cemetery, the burial site of Michael Jackson's body, will enact a $3 fee for fans wishing to leave flowers for the King of Pop inside his private mausoleum. more

(Billboard) Katy Perry held a surprise performance at her old high school yesterday (Sept. 14) and after stripping out of a cheerleader outfit into something more revealing, the 25-year-old singer spotted "the most popular kid" in her class -- the same guy that "never wanted to date" her -- and appropriately dedicated her song "You're So Gay" to him more

(Yahoo) Taylor Swift is the latest act to offer bonus album content to an exclusive retailer. The country superstar is aligning herself with Target Corp. for the release of her latest album, "Speak Now." more

Kelly Rowland's music video for the track "Rose Colored Glasses" is out five days earlier than the official release. Captured in 3D, the video is not only offering "vivid colors and unique visuals" but also the R 'n' B singer in a very revealing dress. more

(Yahoo) Bluesy crooner Michael Grimm has traded his fedora for the crown on "America's Got Talent." Grimm, a native of Waveland, Miss., was revealed as the winner of the NBC variety competition on its season conclusion airing Wednesday. more

(Billboard) To mark the 10th anniversary of "American Idol", hopeful pop stars have the chance to submit an audition video at MySpace through Oct. 6 more

(Yahoo) Hootie & The Blowfish is getting a monument in South Carolina's capital city. The State newspaper reported that a large steel and black granite art piece will be unveiled Oct. 21 more

(Hollywood Reporter) Jennifer Garner is in talks to star opposite Jeremy Renner in the dramatic thriller "Better Living Through Chemistry." more

Boyband McFly are giving their forthcoming album away for free to fans who subscribe to their new website. The four-piece's fifth album, "Above the Noise", is set to hit stores in November, but online devotees who subscribe their Super City site will receive the release free of charge. more

(Billboard) Wu-Tang Clan mastermind the RZA will direct Oscar winner Russell Crowe in "The Man With The Iron Fist," a kung-fu film set to begin filming in Shanghai this December more

(NME) Kanye West reveals details of a 40-minute film for new single 'Runaway' The video is about a phoenix who falls to earth and becomes the rapper-producer's girlfriend more

(Billboard) Snooki showed off her Britney Spears pride by lipsynching the pop princess's 1999 hit, "Sometimes." Watch it here.

(Yahoo) A lawyer for the entertainment company sued by Michael Jackson's mother challenged the lawsuit Thursday and distanced AEG Live from the doctor charged in the singer's death. more

(Yahoo) Susan Boyle has dreamed a dream and reprised her winning performance of "I Dreamed a Dream" from "Les Miserables" during a Mass on Thursday celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI. more

(Yahoo) Casey Affleck is admitting to what many critics suspected all along: His documentary about Joaquin Phoenix launching a rap career was a fake. more

George Michael has been dealt another blow - a planned re-release of his debut solo album "Faith" has been put on hold. The former Wham! singer was locked up for eight weeks on Tuesday, September 14 after he pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis and driving under the influence of drugs. more

(Billboard) Katy Perry led Billboard's Hot 100 singles for a second week on Thursday with "Teenage Dream," while tunes by Bruno Mars and Rihanna are mounting challenges to take the lead next week. more

(Billboard) After five years of waiting, Fiona Apple fans will be happy to learn that the singer/songwriter has a new album on the way. more

(Yahoo) Shelley Malil, an actor best known for his appearance in the film "The 40-Year-Old Virgin," was found guilty of attempted premeditated murder for stabbing his ex-girlfriend more than 20 times more

(Billboard) The Black Eyed Peas are rumored to perform at the halftime show at the 2011 Super Bowl in Dallas, according to the Sports by Brooks blog. more

(ASB) Ciara's collaborative performance with N.E.R.D at the recent MTV Video Music Awards could stem into a studio session. The R 'n' B singer took over Nelly Furtado's duty in the trio's single "Hot N Fun" during the awards event and she said she got along well with the three of them. more

(Billboard) After weeks of speculation, "American Idol" will unveil the new judging panel for its 10th season next Wednesday (Sept. 22), Fox and Ryan Seacrest have confirmed. more

(ASB) Willow Smith, the 9-year-old singer who is about to take the Hip-Hop realm with her debut single "Whip My Hair", has released a teaser for the single's music video. Pictures from the video shoot which was held in Los Angeles are given in flashes while the upbeat song is played in full. more -

Fantasia For Real Premieres Tonight

Vh1 are gearing up for an all new season of "Fantasia For Real" which is premiering tonight, September 19th at 10PM ET/PT but we have a little preview for you today!

Season 2 of "Fantasia For Real" follows American Idol and Grammy winner Fantasia Barrino as she balances her complicated personal life, with her desire to connect with her fans through music.

As Fantasia works with her record label, J Records to promote her long awaited new album, "Back to Me" she continues to try and get her life back on track. Throughout the series Fantasia suffers a series of set backs and is almost broken by unexpected news, but as always she comes back fighting harder than ever. - preview clip

Lady Gaga Sets Two World Records

(Guinness World Records) Who is the world's highest earning celebrity? Which power couple dominates the entertainment world? What pop star commands the most searches on the Internet? The new Guinness World Records 2011 edition out now reveals all this and more in its celebrity-filled pages.

As one of the most talked about pop stars in recent memory, it should come as no surprise that Lady Gaga earned two records for the new book – "Most Searched-For Female" on Google and "Most Weeks On UK Chart In Any Year" with an astounding 154 weeks. Gaga shares her place in the new book alongside two of music's superstars – Jay-Z and Beyonce. Named the year's biggest "Power Couple", Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter and Beyonce Knowles earned an astounding $122 million through June 2009.

Two celebrities this year making headlines for their high profile personal lives also made the book. Lindsey Lohan, takes the dubious honor as "Most Infamous Female Celebrity" thanks to her run-ins with the law and the unfortunate performances of her latest movies and Tiger Woods, who ruled the tabloids for his extramarital affairs, didn't see an impact on his earnings yet as he assumes his place as the "Most Powerful Sports Star". The golf phenom raked in an impressive $103 million and topped the 2010 BusinessWeek Sports Power 100 list. - more on this story

Fefe Dobson's Stuttering From Joy

Fefe Dobson's new single "Stuttering" is now up for sale at all digital retailers and is the latest advance track from JOY, Fefe's upcoming new album set for November 30th release.

JOY follows up Fefe Dobson, her self-titled debut, which generated JUNO Award nominations for Best Pop Album and Best New Artist. Earlier this year, Fefe delivered a show-stopping performance of the all time classic "River Deep Mountain High" at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.

Island Records launched a You Tube video contest in support of "Stuttering." Entrants can produce their own "Stuttering" video, or simply submit a video of a fan singing the tune. - more on this story

Sara Bareilles Goes No 1

Sara Bareilles' new album Kaleidoscope Heart has debuted at the top of the Billboard 200 album chart during a week that had the lowest sales since Nielsen SoundScan began their tracking in 1991.

About the album's chart debut, Sara says, "Two amazing things have happened today: First, I have the number one record. Second, my long standing rivalry with Eminem is finally put to rest. I don't know what to say... I'm over the moon about this. I had no idea that this was even possible and so here I am once again inspired and amazed by the impact of the most generous fans in the world. All I can say is thank you. Thank You."

Sara is currently gearing up to head back out on the road as she kicks off her Fall Headlining Tour on September 23rd in Pocatello, ID at Idaho State University. The tour will cover 30 major cities across America and conclude at the Van Duzer Theatre at Humboldt State in Eureka, CA on December 17th. Supporting acts on the bill are Greg Laswell, Javier Dunn, Cary Brothers, & Holly Conlan. Dates announced are listed - here

Katy Perry Goes Back To Her Hood for MTV

MTV sent over word that Katy Perry will be featured in a new special. Here you go: Katy Perry invites international audiences on an intimate journey to her hometown of Santa Barbara in the all new special MTV Hoods: Katy Perry, premiering on MTV channels around the world on Sunday, October 3rd*.

MTV cameras follow Katy as she revisits her early guitar days in her childhood home, a "puppy love" crush, hilarious high school memories (and a few surprises along the way!). MTV Hoods: Katy Perry gives viewers an up close and personal look at the people, experiences and memories that took Katy from the fresh-faced, sun-kissed California girl to one of today's most popular global stars.

Katy said: "There is truly no place like home. It was so exciting to bring MTV Hoods to the place where it all started - to the place where my Teenage Dreams were born. I can't wait for people all over the globe to catch a glimpse of the faces and places that helped me succeed." - more on this story

Matt & Kim Set New Album Release, Offering Listening Parties on Tour

Fader Label has announced a November 2nd release date for Matt & Kim's third full-length album, Sidewalks, but you might be able to hear it before then.

Yesterday they kicked off their three-month coast-to-coast North American tour, during which they will host exclusive album listening parties for concert ticket holders in every city.

As soon as venue doors open, the album will be played from start to finish, giving fans the unique chance to hear the new music before the album hits stores this November. - more on this story

Robyn Announces Fall Tour

Robyn will return to North America this fall for a headlining tour which launches November 5th in Miami Beach, FL at The Fillmore at Jackie Gleason.

The tour also includes stops at New York City's Terminal 5 (November 10th) and Club Nokia in Los Angeles (November 17th). The Chicago and Vancouver dates have already sold out.

Maluca and Natalia Kills will open on the tour, which will conclude at The Warfield in San Francisco on November 23rd. - more on this story

The Office and Devo Stars To Guest on Yo Gabba Gabba!

Angela Kinsey is leaving The Office to visit Gabba Land in a brand-new episode of the hit Nick Jr. series, Yo Gabba Gabba!, premiering Sunday, Sept. 19, at 5:00 p.m. ET.

In the new episode, it's the first day of school and Ms. Angela (Kinsey) teaches the characters all of the great aspects of school, like making friends and show & tell.

The episode also features musical guests The Faint and Mark Mothersbaugh (DEVO) in his recurring "Mark's Magic Pictures" segment. - more on this story