Ray J Hospitalized Following Billboard Awards

As for what happened ... it's looking like a combo of exhaustion and stress. Ray J had just returned from a quick, 32-hour round trip to China and when he landed he immediately drove 4 hours to Las Vegas for the awards show. more on this story

Usher Says Ex Spit On His Girlfriend

(TMZ) Usher blasted his ex-wife in court this week-- testifying that Tameka Foster flew into a jealous rage, hitting him, throwing food, and worst of all ... spitting on his girlfriend.

Usher took the stand in his ongoing child custody trial with his ex, and under questioning by his attorney, revealed how Tameka once went ballistic and "wanted to fight" ... when he showed up at her house with his new sidepiece.

Ush testified Tameka walked to his car and said, "I'm gonna kick your a--. B---- get out of the car. How dare you bring this woman into my subdivision in my house?"

He added, "She continued to spit. At this point she pulled the door open, tried to swing at her."

Usher claims he had to get out of the car and block Tameka ... who then hit him. Usher said he pleaded with Tameka to calm down, but claims "she threw a plate of food at the car" ... as he fled the situation. You gotta hear Usher describe the intense showdown

Rapper Arrested At Airport For Bling Weapon?

(TMZ) Rapper 2 Chainz wasn't packing brass knuckles when he was arrested yesterday in New York ... it was just a harmless 4-finger ring -- this according to sources close to the hip hop star.

The ring says "DOPE" in big letters -- and sources tell TMZ, 2 Chainz rocked it no problem at an Atlanta club called the Velvet Room on Sunday.

According to sources close to the rapper, Chainz then flew to NYC without incident -- with the ring in his luggage -- but when he tried to leave the city today, TSA at LaGuardia Airport mistook the jewelry for a dangerous weapon.

TMZ broke the story ... 2 Chainz was arrested at the airport for possession of a criminal weapon this afternoon when officials found the 4-finger instrument in his bag.

2 Chainz is still in custody. The Port Authority PD had no comment. more on this story

American Idol Finalist Wants To Tribute Donna Summer

(TMZ) Erika Van Pelt -- the 10th place finisher on this season's "American Idol" -- says Donna Summer gave her a huge leg up in her music career ... and now she wants to honor the Disco Queen's memory on the upcoming "A.I." concert tour.

Van Pelt tells TMZ ... she opened for the singer during a fundraiser in Dallas last summer ... and feels she owes a huge chunk of her success to the experience.

Erika says she wants to pay tribute by singing the Donna Summer classic, "On The Radio" during the "Idol" live tour ... but ultimately, it's up to the producers to sign off on the plan.

Van Pelt says she's already reached out to "A.I." honchos ... and now, she's crossing her fingers until the official lineup is announced. more on this story

Brad Paisley and Merle Haggard Duet With Hank Williams, Jr.

Hank Williams, Jr. has set a July 10, 2012 release date for his new album, "Old School, New Rules."

The album features a duet with Brad Paisley on "I'm Gonna Get Drunk And Play Hank Williams" as well as a new duet with the legendary Merle Haggard on his classic "I Think I'll Just Sit Here and Drink."

"I'm excited about this new album," Hank said. "I'm definitely 'Old School', and I am making music with 'New Rules'. People know I'm gonna say exactly what I think and this album is exactly that." more on this story

Lady Gaga Sings To Her Little Monsters On The Simpsons

(popmusiclife) Lady Gaga rocked the season finale of The Simpsons. The pop icon played herself in the show, stopping her Gaga Express train in the depressed town of Springfield and trying to boost the spirits of Lisa, who has become a complete social outcast.

Gaga's character reflected her real-life persona in many ways, including the wearing of 18 different outfits in the show. "They did such an amazing job," Gaga tweeted on Saturday. "I hope you like my voice-over acting debut!"

In the episode, Gaga performed a special song titled "You're All My Little Monsters." Check it out here.

Kelly Clarkson Performs On Dancing With The Stars Finale

(popmusiclife) Kelly Clarkson brought the house down on the season finale of Dancing With The Stars Tuesday night.

Clarkson was on hand to perform a medley of her new single, "Dark Side," and her biggest-selling single to date, "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)."

Kelly is set to appear in the new reality series, "Duets," alongside Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles, Lionel Richie and Robin Thicke. Check out her performance here.

Jay-Z Announces Made in America Fest Lineup

Jay-Z has announced the lineup to his upcoming Made In America music festival in Philly.

The event will take place on Labor Day weekend and feature three stages on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia's Fairmount Park.

Musical acts confirmed to perform in addition to JAY Z are: Pearl Jam, Skrillex, Miike Snow, Afrojack, Maybach Music (featuring Rick Ross, Wale, & Meek Mill), Odd Future, Calvin Harris, D'Angelo, Passion Pit,
Santigold, Dirty Projectors, X, Janelle Monae, Prince Royce, Rita Ora, Savoy (DJ set), The Knocks and additional artists that will be announced at a later date.

Hulk Hogan's Ex To Star in Rap Video

(TMZ) She hasn't even been single for a week ... but Linda Hogan has already found a famous gentleman caller ... who just booked the 52-year-old to star in a music video about a "MILF."

TMZ has learned ... Hulk's ex is in talks with hip hop artist Ricky Romance -- who says he wrote the song "MILF" specifically for Linda ... including the following lyric:

"I guarantee you'll forget about that divorce the moment we roll out in my Porsche ... I'll beat it of course, yeah, daddy do that ... looks like Stella just got her groove back."

Romance tells TMZ ... "I'm in love with [Linda]. I wrote the song for her hoping to get her attention ... it's a perfect time since she is single now."

He adds, "I hope to marry her and have our first child by next year."

We're told Romance hopes to begin production on the video by the end of the month. more on this story

Ismael Miranda Releases Anthology

Fania Records have released a new Ismael Miranda anthology entitled, A Man and His Music. We were sent these details:

This is no ordinary compilation. The 30 tracks on this definitive anthology were selected by Ismael Miranda himself. The legendary Puerto Rican singer and songwriter even designed the sequencing of these two discs — giving us a rare opportunity to appreciate his contribution to Afro-Caribbean music under a new light.

Listen to A Man & His Music from beginning to end, and you will discover a salsa artist of exceptional taste and sophistication, able to switch effortlessly from feverish salsa jams and hardcore Afro-Cuban roots to velvety Latin ballads and soulful boleros. No doubt about it: the man known in his heyday as "el niño bonito de la salsa" (salsa's pretty boy) stands alongside the likes of Héctor Lavoe, Rubén Blades and Celia Cruz as one of the definitive icons of the '70s salsa explosion. more on this story

Janice Dickinson Getting Evicted

(TMZ) Janice Dickinson -- the self-proclaimed "world's first supermodel" -- is getting evicted from her L.A. home ... TMZ has learned.

The 57-year-old reality TV star is being sued by her landlords ... who claim Janice stiffed 'em out of 3 months of payments for a 3,000 square foot home she's renting in West Los Angeles. And at $5,900-a-month ... it definitely adds up -- totaling $17,700.

In the lawsuit, filed in L.A. County Superior Court, the landlords also claim they gave Janice a 3-day notice to pay up or get out on May 7th -- but she failed to do either.

Now, the landlords are begging a judge to step in ... so they can get Janice out of the home ALONG WITH the money she owes. more on this story

Mena Suvari Reaches Divorce Settlement

(TMZ) Mena Suvari's divorce war is over ... the actress has reached a settlement with her ex ... and she won't have to spend one dime on the guy ever again.

TMZ broke the story ... Mena's husband Simone Sestito was demanding $17k per month in spousal support ... claiming Mena makes a FORTUNE and he got used to living the good life.

But Mena's rep tells TMZ the two talked things out in private and were able to bury the hatchet -- "They have amicably resolved their financial differences outside of Mediation and Court."

The rep says, "Neither party will pay the other any support."

We're told the two remain friends ... and wish each other future success. more on this story

Corey Feldman Terrorized By Tenant?

(TMZ) Corey Feldman apparently had good reason to get a 6 ft, 300 lb woman arrested ... because the restraining order she allegedly violated shows a person right out of "Single White Female."

According to legal docs, obtained by TMZ, Corey allowed a friend, Jennifer Herbert, to live in his house, but things went south quickly. Feldman claims Herbert threatened to hurt him, trash-talked him in front of house guests, and asked his kid "adult questions."

Corey couldn't just throw Jennifer out, because she's paying rent and therefore is a tenant. So the restraining order required her to stay 6 feet away from Corey and his kid while in the home. It appears she violated that order, and as a result Corey's security guard made a citizen's arrest Friday night.

Jennifer -- who Corey knew through Michael Jackson -- was taken into custody, Jennifer was released hours later, went back to the house with cops, picked up her stuff and left. We don't know if she plans to come back. more on this story

Former James Bond Star Angry About 007 Sell Out

(TMZ) They don't make 'em like they used to -- at least according to the guy who played James Bond in 1969, who's [angry] the new Bond film has axed 007's signature martini ... in favor of a corporate-sponsored beer.

If you don't know ... the people behind Daniel Craig's next Bond flick "Skyfall" closed a reported $45 million deal with Heineken -- forcing the iconic character to drink beer in the movie, instead of a vodka martini ... Bond's famous drink of choice.

Bond orders the drink in practically every movie ever -- just check the clip below from "The World Is Not Enough."

Devoted Bond fans everywhere are angry -- a list that includes former James Bond actor George Lazenby, who played 007 in "On Her Majesty's Secret Service."

Lazenby tells us, cutting the martini in favor of a Heiney breaks a sacred tradition -- and to add insult to injury, "It's not the best beer out there, either."

Lazenby adds, it's sad filmmakers will always "go where the money is." more on this story

Trina No Show Controversy

(TMZ) Rapper Trina allegedly cost a concert promoter THOUSANDS of dollars this month ... after no-showing at a performance in St. Louis ... but Trina insists the promoter's full of crap.

TMZ has obtained several letters sent to Trina's booking agent -- by the promoter's lawyers -- and according to the docs, the rapper was paid $7,000 to perform at a club called Imperial Palace in St. Louis on May 19th.

According to the letters, Trina's team informed the promoter there was a scheduling conflict -- but the rapper never formally canceled in writing, so the promoter went full steam ahead with the event.

Needless to say, May 19th rolled around -- and Trina was nowhere to be seen.

The promoter tells TMZ, the event went on without Trina -- held as a regular party at the club with DJ music -- but people were pissed ... and several demanded refunds.

Now, the promoter tells us, she's planning to sue Trina for at least $16,000 -- which includes Trina's $7,000 fee, promotional costs, and other damages.

Trina's rep tells TMZ, the rapper did agree to perform the gig -- but cancelled long before the event due to other obligations ... and even tried to return her $7,000 advance. Trina's rep says the promoter refused to accept it.

What's more, Trina's rep believes the promoter falsely advertised the event as a Trina concert, knowing in advance Trina wouldn't be performing. Trina's rep says the rapper is now weighing legal options of her own. more on this story

America's Got Talent Contortionist Making It In Vegas

(TMZ) The "America's Got Talent" contortionist who blew away Howard Stern to advance to the next round ... is already making serious cash on the streets of Las Vegas, TMZ has learned.

In case you missed the episode ... Alonzo Jones, aka "Turf," wowed the 'AGT' judges with his double-jointed dance moves ... earning him a place in the Vegas round of auditions.

Turf tells TMZ he was so excited to get the green-light, he moved to Sin City early just to try some new moves as a street performer ... but he says people started recognizing him as "that guy" from 'AGT.'

Which is awesome ... 'cause the formerly homeless dancer says he's now raking in several hundred dollars a day in front of the casinos and can finally pay rent!

As for his fate on 'AGT,' Turf can't reveal whether he advanced past the 2nd round -- but based on the reaction in this video ... he's already got Vegas locked down. more on this story

Mary Murphy Vs Ex-Manager

(TMZ) Mary Murphy is convinced .... her former manager is now accusing her of being a coke-head and a nympho because she fired him and sued him for allegedly stealing $60,000 from her ... sources with knowledge of the situation tell TMZ.

As we reported, Michael Sanchez sued Murphy Monday for commissions, and in the lawsuit he alleged a panoply of misdeeds on Murphy's part, including claims that she was wasted on the set of "So You Think You Can Dance," snorted cocaine, slept with a producer and illegally coached contestants.

But sources connected with Murphy tell us ... they believe Sanchez is trying to embarrass Murphy on the eve of the show's Thursday premiere because she has sued him for double-dealing her over a show she was in -- "Burn the Floor."

According to the suit, filed in December, Murphy says Sanchez secretly went to producers of the play and told them not to pay Murphy directly, but rather to put the $60,000 in his account and then he would take care of her. Murphy says Sanchez didn't give her a penny.

Murphy's lawsuit has been put on hold because Sanchez has filed for bankruptcy. She's listed as a creditor.

Sanchez' lawyer tells TMZ ... Mary filed her lawsuit right in the midst of negotiating a settlement between the two of them, adding, "Our lawsuit speaks for itself ... We are confident Mary's weak attempt to get out front with a frivolous, error-filled action will have no impact on our fact-based lawsuit." more on this story

Melissa Etheridge's Domestic Partnership War Is Over

(TMZ) Melissa Etheridge has FINALLY settled her 2 year war with domestic partner Tammy Lynn Michaels ... TMZ has learned.

The former couple hashed out an agreement last night as part of court-ordered mediation.

The settlement covers both partner and child support. As TMZ first reported, Tammy had been receiving a total of $23,000 a month from Melissa, but claimed she was barely scraping by and that Melissa could afford to pay more since she was raking in $177,882 a month.

Sources connected with the couple tell TMZ ... under the terms of the settlement, Tammy will net more than the $23,000 a month, though we don't have the exact figure.

As for who gets 5-year old Johnnie Rose and Miller Steven, we're told Melissa and Tammy will share joint custody, with adjustments when Melissa goes on the road. more on this story