Swift‚ Fox feud at peace

AGENCIES
LONDON: Taylor Swift plays down her rivalry with Michaej J Fox after the actor seemingly told her to stay away from his son Sam.

Swift has taken to Twitter to reveal that Fox has reached out, and she insists the pair “are good.’’

Their feud followed Tina Fey and Amy Poehler’s skit at the Golden Globes last week when they warned the I Knew You Were Trouble hit maker away from Fox’s son Sam.

The Back To The Future star was asked about the singer in an interview with Vulture.com, and whether he’d allow her to date his son.

Fox, 51, said, “No. No ... Just back off ... I don’t keep up with it all. But Taylor Swift writes songs about everybody she’s out with, right? What a way to build a career.’’

He implied his son would become a subject of such a track, jokingly suggesting ‘Sam, You Piece of S**t’ as a potential title.

Although it seemed the actor slammed her, Swift’s now taken to Twitter to say they have no issue.

She wrote, “Hey everybody, Michael J Fox got in touch with me today and we are good. Thank you for having my back.’’ However, his son cheekily retweeted and added, “Hope he gave her my # [number].’’

Gaga's Judas‚ a rip off?

AGENCIES
NEW YORK: Lady Gaga’s plagiarism trial over her hit track Judas is to be held in her hometown of Manhattan, it has been revealed.

Though the case has been proceeding largely under the radar in Chicago, Bill Niro, the plaintiff’s lawyer, told the New York Post that he’ll be in the city next week deposing experts who are confident that Gaga’s song is a rip-off of a song by his client, Rebecca Francescatti.

“The case is proceeding along a schedule that is a little slow, but deliberate,” Niro said.

He claims that they have a strong case and can prove that there are segments of Francescatti’s music and lyrics that have found their way into the song Judas.

'Gangnam Style' takes top song prize at 'K-pop Grammys'

REUTERS
South Korean rapper Psy's quirky viral hit "Gangnam Style" took the prize for top song on Wednesday at the 27th annual Golden Disk Awards, a Korean pop event dubbed the "Korean Grammys."

The two-day celebration of all things K-pop, including performances by superstars such as the boy band Super Junior, was held in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur before hordes of screaming fans, a testimony to the soaring popularity of Korean pop music around the world.

Nowhere has that been more apparent than with "Gangnam Style," an infectious hit that made history last month when it became the first ever video on YouTube to reach 1 billion views, the latest record on the song's surge into mainstream pop.

The tune won the Song of the Year award, the final prize.

The awards were only the latest accolades for Psy, 35, in what has been a whirlwind year for the chubby rapper, the first K-pop artist to achieve mainstream success in the United States as a result of "Gangnam Style."

Decked out in a bow tie and suit jackets varying from pink to baby blue, and only a towel for one sequence set in a sauna, Psy raps in Korean and busts funky moves based on horse-riding in venues ranging from playgrounds to subways.

The song, released in July, was meant as a commentary on the rampant materialism of today's South Korea - particularly in relation to the Gangnam section of the city, which Psy has termed Seoul's Beverly Hills.

"My goal in this music video was to look uncool until the end. I achieved it," Psy told Reuters in August.

The popularity of the song, which has prompted many copycat and parody videos, has added fuel to growing international interest in Asian pop music, especially the K-pop industry, which now aims to follow Psy into mainstream Western pop music.

Thanks to their youth, glowing image and the style of their songs and dances, K-pop fans have grown rapidly in Southeast Asia, formerly dominated by stars from the West as well as Hong Kong and Taiwan.

A Malaysian fan who queued for three days to get into the first night of the awards ceremony said she loved how the K-pop stars strived for perfection.

"K-pop stars have been working very hard, even before they make their first debut. They spend a lot of time practicing to become a perfect artist," said the 20-something Tay Ching Ee. "This is what other artists should learn from them."

The Golden Disk Awards began in 1986, with winners chosen based on album sales and digital downloads. The ceremony first ventured overseas in 2012, when it was held in Japan.

On Tuesday, the first night, Super Junior again won the best album award with their album "Sexy, Free & Single." Boy band Shinee scooped the Most Popular Star prize.

Gaga to restore Neverland

AGENCIES
LONDON: Lady Gaga is keen to invest in Michael Jackson’s Californian Neverland Ranch and see it restored it to its former glory.

The Bad Romance singer is a huge fan of the late eccentric pop star and would love to see his old home restored it to its former glory.

A source told The Sun newspaper, “Lady Gaga is obsessed with Michael. She’s become good friends with his sister La Toya and would love more than anything else to restore Neverland to its original state.

“His kids are all desperate to hold on to their childhood home so they can decide what they want to do with it properly when they’ve grown up. “Gaga would love to help with the financial costs by buying a share.”

Gaga, also recently bought 55 items in an auction of Jackson’s costumes. After making the purchases she tweeted, “The 55 pieces I collected today will be archived & expertly cared for in the spirit & love of Michael Jackson, his bravery, & fans worldwide (sic).”

Tamara Ecclestone prepares to invade USA

AGENCIES
Tamara is embracing single life for the chance to learn more about herself.
LONDON: She had a turbulent year in 2012 after splitting from her long-term love.

And after spending increasing amounts of time with her pregnant sister, Petra, in Los Angeles, Tamara Ecclestone looks as though she plans to take the States by storm, reported the Daily Mail on Wednesday.

Showing off her incredible bikini body in a sexy new photoshoot, the 28-year-old heiress paraded her stunning curves and killer tan for all to see.

The brunette socialite preened and posed to perfection as she showed off her animal magnetism in a skimpy zebra print bikini with gold chain detailing while getting to work on set in Los Angeles.

Leaning up against a wall seductively, the daughter of Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone ensured her toned and tanned physique were the centre of attention as she worked the camera like a true professional.

After a brief cosmetic touch-up, where she was laughing and joking with her make-up artist, Tamara changed into swimsuit number two.

Leaving even less to the imagination, the barely-there zig-zag Missoni two-piece did little to contain the Billion $$ Girl star's incredible curves.

Teetering on a pair of skyscraper heels, the heiress completed her look with her long voluminous brunette locks flowing around her shoulders and dramatic smokey eye make-up.

Tamara seemed to be in great spirits as she got to work on the shoot, giggling away as an army of assistants catered to her every wish.

And the socialite seemed keen to get to work on the three-day shoot, tweeting: 'Another coffee needed then time for first photo shoot of 2013 #newbeginnings.'

She later added: 'Great shoot today @alanstrutt nice to see you x.'

With her younger sister Petra, 24, - who is currently expecting her first child with husband James Stunt - already based in Los Angeles, Tamara is reportedly eyeing up the lavish Fleur de Lys estate in Bel Air to add to her existing property portfolio.

Undeterred by the mansion's £78million price tag, the star is said to be planning a relocation to the US in the not too distant future.

But although Petra is pregnant and happily married, Tamara is embracing single life for the chance to learn more about herself.

Speaking to the MailOnline about her relationship status recently, Tamara said: 'There’s no men in my life at the moment.

'I’m not looking for love but if it happens, it happens, and that would be nice. It happens when you least expect it.

'I’ve always been in long-term relationships and this is the first time I’ve lived alone and been single and it’s actually good to be able to be alone.

'I’m not looking, but I’m not adverse to the idea. I’m just having fun.'

Prince Harry beats out Clooney as most eligible Bachelor

As far as we’re concerned, Prince Harry tops the list of royals caught up in scandals in recent years, but he’s now shot to the top of another (much more desirable) list. The mischievous redhead was just named Town & Country magazine’s most popular bachelor in the world. The list, featured in the mag’s February issue, is comprised of 39 other lust-worthy men and includes a variety of the hottest guys in film, politics, and sports from all over the world.

Harry beat out perennial bachelor George Clooney, who barely hung on, coming in at number 33 on the magazine’s list.

Paris Hilton heats up Mexico with toy boy lover

AGENCIES

River posted a collage of loved-up images of him and Paris on his Twitter page.

LONDON: Paris Hilton shows off every inch of her stunning figure as she poses in a series of sexy snaps on holiday, reported British daily The Sun on Monday.

The 31-year-old heiress is currently enjoying a luxurious trip to Mexico with her 21-year-old boyfriend River Viiperi.

In the images posted to her blog Paris wears a skimpy geometric print bikini as she stands in a swimming pool pushing her boobs and bum out as she leans forward with her face pointing towards the sun.

Another shot sees her standing on the edge of the pool dressed in the same colourful design, with her arms raised as she sexily runs her fingers through her hair.

Paris also uploaded an image of herself standing near a water feature in a tiny blue two-piece as she lapped up the sizzling sunshine.

And River posted a collage of loved-up images of him and Paris on his Twitter page.

He wrote: "Today with my gorgeous blondie!! #Beach #Pool #Paradise #Fun #Memories #Love."

Paris then reposted the image and replied: "Amazing day lovey! ¿¿."