Elton John Declares Madonna's Career Over

"But no, she had to prove that she was like…" he paused, adding, "and she looks like a f*****g fairground stripper." more on this story

Kardashian As X Factor Host?

(TMZ) Khloe Kardashian is being seriously considered to become the next host of "X Factor" ... TMZ has learned.

Sources connected with the show tell us ... they have whittled down the list of finalists to 6, and Khloe is on it.

We're told Khloe would like the gig, but she's not going to get it without a screen test. Production sources tell us ... producers will be doing screen tests in the next 2 weeks. Our sources say they will NOT buy a pig in a poke, and anyone who wants the hosting job must audition.

Not a bad move for the show, because the Kardashians are a proven audience draw. more on this story

CSI Star Would Work With Intolerable Brat Justin Bieber Again

(TMZ) "CSI" star Marg Helgenberger would be HONORED to work with Justin Bieber again -- despite what she said last year ... that the singer was an intolerable "brat" behind the scenes of her TV show.

In case you didn't know, Bieber acted in one of the greatest episodes of "CSI" history -- a cameo that culminated in his character getting shot up in a comically excessive hail of gunfire.

But Helgenberger wasn't his biggest fan -- telling a French radio station shortly after the episode aired ... Bieber "was kind of a brat" on set, locking a producer in a closet and even punching a cake.

Now, Helgenberger appears to have had a change of heart. The other night in L.A., we asked if she'd ever like to work with Bieber again ... and she replied with an enthusiastic "OF COURSE!"

If it's anything like the "CSI" cameo, we're in too. more on this story

Lady Gaga Headed South

(popmusiclife) Lady Gaga is taking her Born This Way Ball tour to Latin America. The pop superstar revealed the first series of dates on the trek, writing, "Surprise!! Here they are, the first announced Latin American BTWBALL tour dates, don't worry there will be more!"

The Latin American dates will begin October 26 in Mexico City; they follow the completion of the European tour, which wraps up October 6 in Barcelona, Spain.

Currently on a month-long break from the road, Gaga will resumes her Born this Way Ball tour in Sofia, Bulgaria on August 14. more on this story

Victoria Beckham Making Outrageous Demands At Olympics?

(Hollywood Scoop) In what's becoming the worst kept secret ever, the Spice Girls are performing at the Closing Ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics. It's not been confirmed per se, because nothing related to the closing ceremonies has been at all, but Victoria Beckham tweeted out a photo of a glittery microphone and some other random gossip bloggers have tweeted that the women are rehearsing in London, so yes, it's happening.

A source close to Victoria Beckham has told Hollyscoop that Posh Spice has incredible diva demands! "Victoria Beckham has outrageous demands," says the source, "Lets just say that they are paying at least $15,000 for Victoria Beckham's hair, make-up and stylist. In comparison, the other Spice Girls cost one-fourth of what Victoria is costing."

$15,000 is a lot to spend on hair and make-up! Is she secretly wearing the world's greatest weave that we didn't know about!?

However, her diva behavior is causing a rift in the group.

"All of the diva stories about Victoria are true. This is pissing off the other Spice Girls. They don't understand why she is getting special treatment," adds the source.

Well, I could tell you why she's getting special treatment…because she's Victoria freaking Beckham! Her last name is Beckham! Her clothing line is worn by Kate Beckinsale and Eva Longoria! What have you been up to Mel C!?! more on this story

Young Buck Back in Prison

(TMZ) Young Buck is back in prison ... TMZ has learned the former G-Unit rapper has officially begun his 18-month sentence for gun possession.

Sources connected to the rapper tell us ... Buck checked into Yazoo City Medium Security Federal Prison in Southern Mississippi.

As we previously reported, federal agents recovered multiple guns in Buck's home during a 2010 raid. At the time, he was prohibited from possessing any sort of firearm because he was already a convicted felon. more on this story

Flesh-N-Bone's Missing 15-Year-Old Daughter Returns Home

(TMZ) Flesh-N-Bone's 15-year-old daughter -- who was reported missing two weeks ago -- has finally been recovered, TMZ has learned.

The Bone Thugs-N-Harmony rapper tells TMZ ... his teenage daughter was tracked down by a family member and safely returned to their Big Bear home yesterday. He tells us, "I am very grateful that she is back home and okay."

It's still unclear where his daughter has been for the last two weeks ... but the rapper tells us, it's been a long and emotional day of speaking to her and trying to figure out what happened.

TMZ broke the story ... Flesh's family reported the 15-year-old missing when she failed to return home following a work shift at Taco Bell ... at the time police believed she was last seen with a 23-year-old male Alberto Silva Sanchez.

It's still unclear if he was involved in her disappearance. more on this story

Zac Brown Goes Midget Bowling

(TMZ) Country superstar Zac Brown felt like doing a little bowling this weekend ... so he greased up a little person and BOWLED him at some pins ... and it was all caught on tape!!!

It all went down at the the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota ... where Zac was enjoying the "Midget Bowling" tournament at the M F'N Bowling tent.

For the record, events involving the tossing or throwing of little people is generally frowned upon by the little person community ... but event organizers insist "Midget Bowling" is perfectly legit.

In fact, TMZ spoke with "Short Sleeve Sam" -- the self-described "midget" at the center of the action -- who tells us he was a ready and willing participant in the activity ... and insists Zac didn't do ANYTHING wrong.

Sam claims "midget bowling" is safer than "midget tossing" because the little people are never airborne ... "it's just a modified slip and slide."

As for Zac, Sam says he's PROUD of the "Chicken Fried" singer ... 'cause he hit a strike on his very first roll. See video here.

Fired Olympic Referee Takes Responsibility

(TMZ) The Olympic water polo referee who was fired from the London Games for blowing a game-deciding call is taking FULL RESPONSIBILITY ... telling TMZ he wants to apologize to Spain.

In case you didn't know ... Boris Margeta was banned from officiating any more 2012 Olympic matches ... after he disallowed a goal that should have counted in Spain's July 31st match against Croatia.

TMZ spoke to Boris and he tells us ..."It was very bad. After I saw the replay I knew I made a mistake." He adds, "My apologies to Spain's team."

Spain lost the game 8-7 and Croatia went on to take the lead in their bracket.

The good news, Spain's still in the running to medal ... they finished 3rd in bracket play, securing them a spot in the quaterfinals. more on this story

Wedding Date Game Costs Rapper $100K

(TMZ) The Game is psyched his wedding is back on ... but his wallet, not so much ... the rapper tells TMZ rescheduling his cancelled nuptials set him back a cool $100k!!!!!

We caught up with Game and his fiancé Tiffney Cambridge outside Hennessey's Tavern in Hermosa Beach this weekend ... if you recall Cambridge pulled the plug on the couple's wedding back in July, but then changed her mind.

In the video ... Game -- still sporting a broken thumb -- says they DID reschedule the ceremony, but it wasn't all smooth sailing.

Game says all the venue changes cost a whopping $100k ... but you gotta check out his reaction to the setback ... 'cause it's PRICELESS. more on this story

Former AGT Contestant Sues Hotel For Taking Photos Of Murdered Wife

(TMZ) A former "America's Got Talent" contestant is suing the L.A. hotel where his wife was murdered back in 2010 ... claiming the hotel's head of security snapped photos of his wife's half-naked lifeless body and then showed them off at the hotel bar ... just for kicks.

The man behind the lawsuit is Joe Finley -- who was staying at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in L.A. with his wife the night before he was scheduled to audition for "AGT." But before the audition, Joe's wife's body was discovered at the bottom of a hotel staircase, wearing only pants ... naked from the waist up.

Joe believes his wife was killed by vagrants who entered through an unlocked door and attacked his wife while she was getting ice from the hotel ice machine.

But in new legal docs just filed in L.A. County Superior Court, Joe -- along with the couple's children -- claims hotel personnel acted in a disgusting manner in the moments following the tragedy.

Joe claims the Biltmore's Head of Security, Arthur Smith, "took a gruesome death picture of [Laura Finley] and disseminated that photo to the general public."

Joe claims Smith even flashed the topless death pic at the hotel bar for "no investigative purposes, but for macabre effect."

Joe filed the new allegations as past of his wrongful death lawsuit against the Biltmore. He's now seeking additional unspecified damages for emotional distress and invasion of privacy.

So far, no comment from the Biltmore.
more on this story

Stephanie Pratt's Boyfriend Thinks Cop Faking Injury?

(TMZ) Stephanie Pratt's boyfriend is not copping to assaulting a cop by running over his foot with a Ferrari ... because we've learned Julien Chabbott claims he didn't illegally park the car and he also believes the officer is faking injury.

Sources close to Pratt and Chabbott tell TMZ Julien is adamant ... a valet left his $260,000 Ferrari in a no-parking zone, so he was just "frustrated" that the cop painted him as the bad guy.

We're also told Julien believes the cop wasn't hurt when the Ferrari's tire ran over his foot. Julien believes the video shows the cop looked just fine as he walked over to the driver's door, adding the cop doesn't start limping until he knows other officers are watching.

Oh yeah, Julien also says he believes the cop was just trying to meet his quota.

As for Officer Felix Recio ... law enforcement sources tell us his left foot and right hand were injured and he went to a hospital for treatment.

Recio says Julien was bitching about the ticket, got back in his car and began driving away, even thought he was ordered to stand on the sidewalk.

Julien has been charged with felony assault and misdemeanor obstruction with governmental -administration. more on this story

T-Boz Sells Off Mansion At Massive Loss

(TMZ) T-Boz has finally sold the Georgia mansion she nearly lost to foreclosure a few years back, but she sold it for nearly half what she paid for it ... TMZ has learned.

As TMZ first reported, the TLC singer almost lost her home in 2008 when she failed to make the mortgage payments on time ... but was able to keep it from going on the auction block. She eventually filed for bankruptcy in 2011, with the mortgage on her home being her main debt.

Now the house is no longer a problem ... she sold it for $680,000, a far cry from the $1,122,700 price she purchased it for back in 2001. more on this story

Kevin Federline Fires Back At Mansion Landlord

(TMZ) Kevin Federline is using the oldest excuse in the book ... claiming it was FLYING GOLF BALLS that destroyed the Tarzana, CA mansion he rented and NOT HIM.

TMZ broke the story ... Federleezy is being sued by his former landlord -- a guy named Joseph Malek -- for more than $110k in damages to a mansion he rented back in 2008 ... Malek claimed Federline trashed the place to all hell and then screwed him out of rent money.

According to legal docs, Federline claims the allegations are BS, saying "damages to the home were actually due to normal wear and tear, and other damages were caused by GOLF BALLS hitting the property."

Not only that, KFed claims he struck an oral deal with Malek back in 2009 in which he coughed up $60,000 to cover any missing back-rent and agreed to let his former landlord keep his entire security deposit.

In the docs, Kevin says that the 2009 deal "acts as full satisfaction and discharge of these disputes."

KFed is seeking recovery of his attorney fees, statutory damages and twice the amount of his security deposit.

A judge has yet to rule. more on this story

WWE Diva Rosa Mendes Fears Fiance

(TMZ) WWE diva Rosa Mendes told police her fiance is a habitual woman-beater ... and she's afraid the guy will eventually try to kill her ... this according to a police report obtained by TMZ. And sources tell TMZ ... the guy Mendes is afraid of is a former WWE talent.

According to the report, the San Antonio Police Dept. found Mendes crying in a bathroom stall at San Antonio International Airport late Sunday night, repeatedly stating that she needed help. Mendes had just flown from her home in Vegas to S.A. for a WWE event.

According to the police report, Mendes -- real name Milena Roucka -- told cops her fiancé had "hit her several times at their shared residence in Las Vegas."

Sources connected to the case tell TMZ ... Rosa's fiancé is Andy Slocum ... a former WWE talent who went by the stage name Jackson Andrews. Slocum was fired by the WWE in 2011 for breach of contract after continually blowing off training sessions.

In the report, cops note Mendes was under the influence of alcohol at the time they made contact with her.

Cops say Mendes told them "she was afraid [her fiancé] would try and kill her. She also stated the abuse had been an on-going thing."

S.A.P.D. spokesman Officer Matthew Porter tells us Mendes filed a battery report around 10:17 PM. Cops took roughly 30 photos of her body ... which appeared to show bruising and scratches.

A rep for the WWE tells TMZ ... "Milena Roucka contacted a WWE Talent Relations representative this morning to notify WWE that, upon her arrival in San Antonio last evening, she contacted police at the airport to report alleged domestic abuse that occurred just prior to her flight."

The rep adds, "WWE is supportive of Rosa and will provide her with professional assistance."

We reached out to Slocum for comment -- so far, no response. more on this story

Tom Arnold's Roseanne Roasting Explained

(TMZ) After years of HATING EACH OTHER'S GUTS -- Tom Arnold says he made a last minute appearance at Comedy Central's roast of Roseanne last weekend ... to bury the hatchet once and for all.

TMZ broke the story ... A few weeks ago Tom was adamant he wanted nothing to do with the CC bash ... not surprising since he and Rosey had a notoriously nasty split back in 1994.

But a producer for the show tells TMZ ... Tom had a change of heart at the very last second and reached out to get involved ... suddenly intent on using the roast to make nice with his ex-wife.

We're told producers were on board, but had to get the green light from Roseanne first ... and in another shocking turn of events, she said yes.

The best part ... we're told after Tom roasted her, the pair shared a private moment backstage for the FIRST TIME IN 17 YEARS.

In case you're curious, here's one of Tom's "jokes" that helped settle their long-time beef:

"She may not be the perfect wife, but she is literally the worst f-ing EX-WIFE on the planet ... trust me."

Oh Tom. more on this story

Photo of Alleged Montee Ball Team Attack Victim Goes Online

(TMZ) The man who Montee Ball allegedly attacked at a house party on July 27 says the 2011 Heisman Trophy finalist beat him so badly, he split his tongue open ... and TMZ has the gruesome photo of the injury.

TMZ broke the story ... the Madison Police Department is investigating the July 27 incident ... and believe it may be related to the campus attack on Ball which occurred two days later.

Cops initially LIED to the media, insisting they were NOT checking into the fight ... and even blasted a TMZ story in which we said detectives were following up on tips about the melee.

Of course, the MPD later admitted they were completely full of crap ... and now believe they have evidence proving Ball WAS at the house party during the July 27 beating.

TMZ has learned ... the alleged victim met with investigators on Friday ... and told them Ball, along with other members of the University of Wisconsin football team, beat him so badly, he suffered a concussion, bruises and his tongue was split open.

The alleged victim took a cab to the hospital the night of the attack ... but never went to police.

Now, TMZ has learned ... two of the alleged victim's friends were interviewed by police this weekend to see if he ordered a retaliatory strike on Ball.

Ball insists he was not involved in a fight on July 27.

So far, no comment from UW. See the photo here.

Pink Is The New CoverGirl

(popmusiclife) Pink has joined the likes of Taylor Swift and Queen Latifah and has become a CoverGirl.

"Guess who's the new COVERGIRL!!!!!!!!!!" tweeted Pink on Monday along with an instagram photo.

The same photo appeared on CoverGirls's Facebook page, who posted it by saying, "Introducing this year's newest shade of P!NK. Fearless, fun & the new face of COVERGIRL! LIKE this if you ♥ P!NK." more on this story

Karmin Tease Hello

(popmusiclife) Pop duo Karmin are getting set to release their next single, which also serves as the title track to their recently-released debut album, "Hello."

Karmin's Amy Heidemann and Nick Noonan have posted a preview of their new video for the song, writing "First look at our AWESOME music video for 'Hello' right here!!" on YouTube. "Can't wait for everyone to see the whole thing!"

Karmin are currently on tour across North America; this weekend, they play two shows in Chicago on August 10 and 12. Watch the tease here.