Britney Spears Walks Off X Factor Set

Someone connected with the show tells us Britney was not upset over the song -- and that she "Just needed a break." more on this story

American Idol Champ Phillip Phillips To Have Urgent Surgery

(TMZ) Newly-crowned "American Idol" champ Phillip Phillips will finally undergo urgent kidney surgery next week, TMZ has learned.

TMZ broke the story ... Phillips doctors ordered him to undergo a procedure to fix his severe kidney stone problems -- which have worsened since the singer went on "Idol" -- but Phillip refused, insisting on finishing the show first.

But now that it's all over ... and Phillip won ... we're told he's finally planning on getting the operation in L.A. in the next 7-10 days.

We're told Phillip's parents will be flying in for support.

Kidney operations are no joke -- Phillip can expect to spend several days in the hospital, followed by a 6-week recovery period. more on this story

WWE's Chris Jericho Almost Arrested

(TMZ) A WWE event in Brazil came to a screeching halt Thursday evening ... when local law enforcement stopped a live match and threatened to arrest Chris Jericho for desecrating the Brazilian flag.

It all went down during a match between Jericho and C.M. Punk -- who was proudly waving the flag in the ring. Jericho took the flag away, crumpled it up and kicked the flag out of the ring ... and that's when police stepped in and put a stop to the event.

We're told Jericho was informed that desecrating the national flag is a crime in Brazil ... punishable by incarceration.

Cops gave Jericho an option -- apologize to the arena ... or go to jail. Chris chose the former ... grabbing the mic and telling the crowd he immediately regretted his actions. Cops allowed the event to continue.

Sources connected to the WWE tell TMZ ... the flag stunt was NOT planned or approved by WWE officials.

The WWE has just released an official statement saying, "Chris Jericho has been suspended indefinitely due to an irresponsible act of denigrating the Brazilian flag at a WWE event in Sao Paulo on May 24. The WWE has apologized to the citizens and the government of Brazil for this incident." more on this story

Donna Summer Blamed 9/11 For Her Cancer

(TMZ) Donna Summer was convinced -- inhaling toxic air after 9/11 gave her the lung cancer that eventually killed her ... TMZ has learned.

Sources close to the singer tell TMZ what we were hearing this morning -- that Donna was in New York City during 9/11, living at an apartment near Ground Zero.

Donna became almost paranoid about breathing the air, which was heavy with a rancid odor.

In the months and years following 9/11, Donna's feelings intensified. One source tells us when he was around Donna, she would constantly spray some sort of disinfectant in the air. Deney Terrio, the host of "Dance Fever," tells us ... when he was around Donna post 9/11, she would hang silk sheets in her dressing room to prevent dust from coming in.

And one source says ... Donna, who was a fervent practicing Christian, believed 9/11 was an attack on Christianity and in some metaphysical way Christians like her were targets. She somehow felt that her illness was a byproduct of the attack.

And, we're told, after Donna was diagnosed with lung cancer, several people told her that cigarette smoke may have been the culprit -- she was a smoker, and she also frequented clubs where people smoked. But Donna simply didn't buy it. more on this story

Siegfried & Roy Star Threatens Over Alleged Sexual Assault Footage

(TMZ) Roy Horn from Siegfried & Roy is LIVID over video footage currently being shopped to media outlets -- depicting the Vegas icon sexually assaulting his caretakers -- and now, he's threatening legal action if the tapes aren't turned over.

TMZ broke the story ... some disturbing video of Roy -- who's been going through rehab since a tiger mauled him in 2003 -- surfaced recently, showing Roy groping his caretakers against their will. The video is now being shopped around to the highest bidder.

We've seen the 2010 footage -- and it shows several instances of inappropriate behavior. Now, Roy's legal team is on the offensive -- firing off a cease and desist letter to the caretaker allegedly behind the tape deal, demanding the footage be turned over STAT.

According to the letter, the caretaker in question signed confidentiality agreements with Roy before his employment, and those agreements prohibit any kind of surreptitious video recording. It's interesting, because we're told Roy was the one who wanted the cameras because he thought people were stealing from him.

Roy claims the agreements also prohibit sharing such recordings with the media.

If the tapes aren't turned over stat -- Roy says he'll make the caretaker's life a legal hell. more on this story

Teen Mom Asks Judge To Put Her In Prison

(TMZ) "Teen Mom" Amber Portwood was handcuffed and taken into custody yesterday -- after asking a judge to lock her up in prison -- and TMZ has obtained photos of her final moments as a free woman.

Amber appeared emotionless on her way into an Indiana courtroom -- where she showed up for a weekly drug court hearing -- and as we reported, she threw in the towel on the entire rehab thing.

Amber told the judge she hadn't stayed clean since he sentenced her to the rehab program following her December drug arrest ... and will always be a "bad girl" -- so she'd rather just face the 5-year prison sentence the judge originally gave her.

It was shocking, but Amber left the judge with no choice -- so he remanded her into custody.

Amber will remain in custody until her sentencing in a few weeks. See the photos here.

American Idol's Jessica Sanchez Added To National Memorial Day Concert

American Idol runner-up Jessica Sanchez will be making her first television performance since the show's finale this week when she pays tribute to the troops.

Sanchez will perform the "National Anthem" as well as her rendition of "The Prayer" (by Celine Dion) on the National Memorial Day Concert, airing live in HD on PBS on Sunday, May 27.

The concert will take place on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. ET, before an on-site audience of hundreds of thousands, millions more at home, as well as to our troops serving around the world on the American Forces Network. more on this story

Hank Williams Jr. Giving Away New Song

Hank Williams Jr. is celebrating surpassed one million "likes" on Facebook by offering fans a free download of his new song.

Hank, Jr. is offering a free download of his new single "That Ain't Good," through midnight on Memorial Day at www.hankjr.com .

"I have the most loyal fans and that's what make my job so easy," Williams said. "I only do 20-25 shows a year and my fans love the music. The best way to celebrate with them is to offer a free download of my new single this holiday weekend." more on this story

Rihanna Performs New Single on Idol

(popmusiclife) Wednesday's two-hour season 11 finale of American Idol was packed with special guests, including pop queen Rihanna.

The singer performed her latest single, "Where Have You Been," on the season-ending program which crowned Phillip Phillips with the latest Idol title.

Rihanna was sporting yet another new hairdo as she appeared with dreadlocks. She alerted fans to the change earlier in the day, when she tweeted, "Wake bake shake dem dreads," along with a picture of her lounging in bed with the new look. Watch her performances here.

Kelly Clarkson Delivers Dark Side Video

(popmusiclife) Kelly Clarkson has released the video for her latest single, "Dark Side." Clarkson debuted the song on this week's season finale of Dancing With The Stars.

Kelly is a judge/mentor on the new TV series, "Duets," alongside Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles, Lionel Richie and Robin Thicke.

The series, which premiered Thursday, features each of the four singers combing the country in search of undiscovered talent to mentor, and each will choose two singers to be their duet partners for weekly performances with one winner getting a recording contract with Hollywood Records. watch the video here.

Macy Gray Touring With Seal

Macy Gray will be heading out on a North American tour with Seal this summer performing in over 20 venues starting from Virginia and making her way to California.

Macy Gray is touring in support of her latest album, "Covered" a collection of classic songs that Macy both loves and deeply admires.

In it the sultry soul jazz singer shows her versatility and pays homage to masterpiece records, putting her unique style and interpretation of songs by Radiohead, Metallica, AWOLNATION, Colbie Caillat, and many more. more on this story

Kim Kardashian Fighting Back Against Drug Story

(TMZ) Kim Kardashian is telling friends she's totally klean ... and God help the tabloids that say she's a pill popper.

Our Kardashian sources tell us Kim is furious over a report in an Australian mag claiming she takes Valium and sleeping pills in dangerous amounts, and the family is alarmed. Based on what we're told, it appears Kim is not only Rx free, but she barely touches alcohol.

We've learned Kim has summoned her lawyers, who are about to fire off letters to the media outlets that report or pick up the Australian story ... saying they'll do so at their own peril.

BTW, the article also say Khloe has given her an ultimatum -- either stop taking pills within 3 weeks or she'll tell Kris Jenner and Kanye. Our Khloe sources say it's totally false. more on this story

Afrojack Expands Jacked Tour

Afrojack has expanded his North American tour will the addition of 15 new dates to the trek.

The new dates will hit major cities, including Chicago, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Boston, New York and Miami on what is his most extensive tour to date.

Afrojack is touring in support of his upcoming debut album, "Jacked," (no released date given) and will be supported on the tour by R3hab, Bobby Burns, Shermanology and Quintino. more on this story

Jennifer Lopez Performs New Song on Idol Finale

(popmusiclife) Jennifer Lopez performed two tracks on the American Idol season finale Wednesday night.

Lopez hit the stage to perform her new single, "Goin' In," with Flo Rida, which led into and "Follow The Leader" with Wisin y Yandel.

Jennifer is heading out for a summer tour with Enrique Iglesias and Wisin y Yandel; the North American trek will hit nearly 20 cities once it kicks off July 14 in Montreal. Watch her performances here.

That 70s Show Star Vs Neighbor Over Partying

(TMZ) Former "That 70s Show" star Wilmer Valderrama is being sued by his next door neighbor Baruch Eichenbaum ... who claims Wilmer has been throwing RAGERS at his L.A. home for years ... and the noise is unbearable.

In the suit, filed in L.A. County Superior Court, the neighbor says he's bothered by "ongoing and continuing loud and disturbing noises from the property" ... from parties at all hours of the day and night. Baruch also complains about constant noise from barking dogs.

Now here's the rub -- the neighbor says he's fired off at least 7 letters to Wilmer and has made dozens of phone calls to the actor to no avail. Baruch says he's also called the police on several occasions ... and even contacted animal control about the dog barking.

But Wilmer's parties don't stop ... allegedly ... and Baruch claims the shindigs interfere with his sleep.

Baruch wants a judge for order Wilmer to pipe down ...AND he wants unspecified monetary damages. A rep for Wilmer had no comment. more on this story

Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard Had Nothing To Do With Coach Firing

(TMZ) Orlando Magic superstar Dwight Howard says he had NOTHING to do with the team's decision to fire head coach Stan Van Gundy ... telling TMZ, "I hate to see anyone lose their job."

Howard -- who's still rehabbing from back surgery in L.A. -- was out in Beverly Hills this morning when we asked how he felt about his coach's recent termination.

"Me and Stan ... we had our ups and downs ... but for the most part we had one goal ... to win a championship in Orlando, but we fell short."

When asked about speculation that he had a role in the decision to can Stan, Howard told us, "I'm glad [Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins] confirmed I had nothing to do with it."

Howard is also concerned about an interview scheduled to air on ESPN tomorrow night -- telling us it was shot back in April ... and insists the content is "old and inaccurate."

Though Howard didn't say which part of the interview he was referring to specifically ... he did warn, "A lot of stuff has changed since then."

Bonus -- Wanna know which team Dwight picks to win the NBA Championship? Watch the clip.

Real Housewives 911 Call Goes Online

(TMZ) TMZ has obtained the frantic 911 call placed moments after "Real Housewives of Atlanta" star Kim Zolciak discovered a burning 4-wheeler in her garage -- and based on the call, her 2-pound puppy caused a metric ton of trouble.

We broke the story ... the Roswell, GA fire department dispatched one fire truck to Kim's house yesterday after an ATV caught fire on her property.

The blaze was quickly extinguished and no one was hurt -- but according to the 911 call, the entire emergency would have gone a lot smoother if not for her tiny English bulldog named Dolce.

During the call, the 911 operator orders Kim to leave the house -- but Kim insists on rescuing the dog first. Problem is ... Dolce's extremely small and went into hiding when it sensed trouble.

Much to the operator's chagrin, Kim spends several minutes searching for the dog -- before eventually finding it and evacuating the house. Listen here.

Bobby Long Releases His First Book Of Poetry

Singer-songwriter Bobby Long has released his first collection of poetry entitled Losing My Brotherhood.

Long began compiling the volume last year while touring in support of his debut album, A Winter Tale. "I was on the road for four months straight, basically in the back of a van, and I got sick of playing with my phone and playing with my laptop, and I decided to go for it fully," he says. "I would write every morning, and then go for coffee for a break, and I took a really disciplined stance to it. When I got home, sometimes I wouldn't leave my apartment all day and just write. The discipline aspect allowed me to separate the poems from my music."

The provocative collection delves into various universal themes, among them love, desire and disappointment with a healthy dose of memory and reflection. The title stems from Long's realization of what he left behind when he abruptly moved from London to New York to pursue his music career in 2010. "I left my family and my friends, and I just went and didn't really say good-bye to anyone," he recalls. "'Losing My Brotherhood' refers to a specific group of three close friends who I lived with in London for four years and shared everything with, and who I don't get a chance to see anymore. We were like brothers, but I know that time is now over. It's a tribute, really. more on this story