Melody Plant

It’s been nearly a year since it happened and we now know what the hang-up is in deciding whether to file vehicular manslaughter charges against Brandy. It’s that the singer may have been the victim and not the culprit.

A CHP source says that the woman who died in the car accident involving Brandy actually struck the vehicle in front of her before Brandy even made contact. What’s more, LA County Coroner spokesperson Captain Ed Winter says that toxicology reports show Awatef Aboudihaj, the woman who died, had slight traces of marijuana in her system at the time of the crash.

The one-year stature of limitations for filing charges runs out at the end of the business day this week. If the City Attorney’s office decides to file, they have to prove Brandy did something negligent which is said to be a difficult, if not impossible task.

From Scary Spice to just plain Scrooge, Mel B pocketed a whopping £10,000 from a Christmas fundraiser in aid of terminally ill kids.

Despite the estimate MILLIONS the Spice Girls are expected to make on their comeback tour, Mel refused to waive her appearance fee for helping the Make a Wish Foundation.

An insider at the store fumed: “All Mel B did was sing a couple of Christmas songs, sign autographs and mingle with the crowd collecting donations in a plastic bucket. And for that she pocketed £10,000 that should have gone to needy kids. Many people felt she should have waived her fee. It’s the least she could have done to help raise cash for the kids.”

Bah humbug. Who thinks Mel should get a lump of coal in her stocking this year?

Recent rumors are swirling around in the hip hop world that rapper Remy Ma has had some female relations in the past. And no, it’s not a reference to cousins or whatever. The rumor mill really got going when a woman’s video confession popped up on YouTube. The video has the woman claiming that she had a sexual experience with the aforementioned rapper.

Remy is refuting the claims but her publicist still felt the need to issue an official statement to clear up the sexual confusion. I’m not going to quote it because frankly, I don’t care. It’s not like a lesbian rapper is unheard of.

Madonna’s new album isn’t expected to drop until well into the next year but that isn’t stopping Timbaland from leaking one of the songs that he worked on with the Queen of Pop. The producer played ‘4 Minutes to Save the World’ at the Jingle Ball in Philadelphia on Sunday night. I just hope that he got her permission to do so.

The song also features Justin Timberlake and it’s pretty hot. How could it not be when you’ve got all that great talent working on it? I’m also hoping that the finished version has a lot less of Timbaland though.

I have to say she is a Little Miss Sunshine…

Natasha Bedinfield releases the second single from her new album next month. It’s called Pocketfull of Sunshine, and it’s awesome! Check around online to find an early release of it.

The song is already slated to be a radio hit, and it’s one everyone can appreciate and enjoy - upbeat, sing-songey, fun.

Santa, you can put this one in my stocking!

The Jonas Brothers have really hit the big time. The musical trio of brothers Kevin, Nick and Joe were seen attending the 2007 Jingle Ball pre-event at The Hammerstein Ballroom on Friday in New York City.

Another mark of their success is that they were recently announced to be performers during ‘Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Even 2008’ along with Carrie Underwood and Miley Cyrus. They will have live performances from Times Square with the show airing on Monday, December 31 on ABC. What a hot way to rock in the New Year – an American Idol and two big names from Disney.

It just goes to prove that money and fame cannot make you immune to normal human feelings and suffering. The sad news is depression still affects us all; rich and poor alike. And singer Alicia Keys; as gorgeous and successful as she is, is one of those to suffer.

The fab ‘No-One’ artist has revealed that a tendency to bottle up her feelings leads to feelings of hurt and anger. She said: “I was feeling so sad all the time, and I couldn’t shake it. I started burying my feelings, and it got to a point where I couldn’t even tell my family or my friends, ‘I’m twisted,’ or ‘I’m exhausted,’ or ‘I’m so angry.’ I became a master of putting up the wall so that I was unreadable.”

Thankfully Keys has since pulled through that tough time and is enjoying life with current boyfriend Kerry Brothers. But it is a note to remember that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side; and no-one is above being human.

Music legend Ike Turner has died. He apparently died in his home in San Marcos, California which is just outside of San Diego. He was married four times, most famously to Tina Turner whom he got divorced with in 1978 amidst his constant abuse towards her. Regardless, the singing duo had 7 top ten R&B songs. Ike is survived by his four known children, Ike Jr., Michael, Ronald and Mia.

The Recording Academy issued a statement regarding Turner’s passing saying “There is no doubt that Ike Turner was one of rock and roll’s great architects with his genre-defying sound as an instrumentalist and bandleader … As a two-time GRAMMY® Award winner and recipient of The Recording Academy’s 2004 Heroes Award, Ike’s legacy as a groundbreaking pioneer in the music industry will never be forgotten.”

Parents everywhere are breathing a collective sigh of relief. Maybe Christmas isn’t ruined after all.

It has been announced that Miley Cyrus, a.k.a. Hannah Montana, is extending her extremely popular tour and adding 14 more shows. The shows begin January 11 in Detroit and go until January 31 in Miami.

Disney says it was an overwhelming response from fans that made them decide to add the additional shows. I’m sure it had nothing to do with the fact that it’s a huge revenue maker.

One downfall - the Jonas Brothers, who are touring with Miley, will not be on the added shows. Instead, Aly & AJ will join Miley from January 11 to January 24, with another “special guest” appearing for the remainder of the shows.

Tickets go on sale this Saturday!!!

Despite a letter from Mom, Amy Winehouse isn’t ready to pack up and head home just yet. Instead, she vows to keep on moving forward.

Amy’s rep says she’s set on making it to the Grammys. “Amy is thrilled to be nominated for six Grammys and is very much hoping to attend. She is determined to be ready and well for that performance.”

Amy has endured a lot in her mere 24 years of life. Her husband Blake Fielder-Civil is currently in jail, and she’s already had to cancel her shows for the rest of the year as she gets herself back together. Her rep says she is under physician supervision has been writing a lot. “It’s a really difficult time and she’s been channeling it into her music.”

Wow…good for you, Amy. It’s your own self-prescribed rehab.

Fall Out Boy got a total of zero Grammy nominations on Thursday mor

ning and come night time, bassist Pete Wentz showed just how much of a sore loser he was when he pitched a fit at the People magazine Grammy kick off party. Pete continues to be a sourpuss when he made a post on the band’s official blog.

In the blog titled “got bitterness? vs. a revelation on true connection (and the award goes to)” Pete reveals just how he felt about the lack of nominations but yet being asked to appear and even perform for a kick off party.

But apart from bitterness, Pete actually has a great point about relevance and acceptance in there. It’s a good read.

If their performance at the Victoria’s Secret fashion show was anything to go by, the Spice Girls concert wouldn’t be any good. But the thing is, that performance isn’t anything compared to the actual show because the show is really good!

Besides making LA fans go crazy by singing all their hits on Wednesday, Baby, Scary, Ginger and Sporty each belted out solo numbers. Mel C did ‘I Turn to You’, Scary made her own rendition of ‘Are You Gonna Go My Way’ and Ginger did ‘It’s Raining Men’. I forget what Baby sang but it brought the house down along with the other 3 nonetheless.

What did Posh do? Instead of belting out her own solo number, she opted to prance down the runway to a mix of Madonna’s ‘Like a Virgin’ and RuPaul’s ‘Supermodel’.

Well we are familiar with celebs having interesting or dangerous hobbies. Only yesterday did I comment on KT Tunstall’s love of rock climbing despite worrying about losing limbs in the process. And now soldier boy James Blunt joins the masses and reveals his love for the Swiss Slopes.

Hmm something tells me it’s not the skiing James loves though. Famed for his womanising ways, it is rumoured that the ‘You’re Beautiful’ singer took the virginity of hundreds of chalet girls at his favourite resort in Switzerland. And to top it off; his conquests are proudly wearing t-shirts emblazoned with the slogan “James Blunt Took my Virginity”.

Blunt is typically male and very proud of his reputation, saying: “I once found myself in a swimming pool in Los Angeles with nine naked models and I was the only bloke. I’d like to think any woman I have known has enjoyed being with me.”

Yes but how much is really true James?

KT Tunstall has given up her love of rock climbing due to fears she will lose her fingers to frostbite. What a sentence! The huge singer claims that a climbing holiday in the Isle of Skye a few years ago was the best time she ever had; but she worries that the dangerous hobby will damage her fingers so much it will prevent her from playing the guitar.

She says, “What worries me most is damaging my fingers. At the moment, I can’t afford to risk losing them to frostbite but I’d love to do more in the future.”

We feel for you KT but totally agree. Fans of your music urge you not to ruin your fingers – we wait with baited breath for your next album.

Avril Lavigne went to a great low when she had a free concert in Canada this past weekend for the opening of a Best Buy. The only thing that gets lower than that is if it happened to be a disaster – which it was!

A fan turned non-fan said that the show was a joke especially after Avril showed up nearly two hours late while her fans stayed out in the freezing cold and snow just to see her outdoor concert. The show was scheduled to start at 1PM but an announcement came at 1:50PM that she was only to arrive in 15 minutes. Shame on her!

Well we were all a bit dubious from the start. Chantelle and Preston were the hot on-screen Big Brother couple; but no-body expected it to really last. And it seems we were right on the button. After only 10 months the pair have been granted a quickie divorce on the grounds of his ‘unreasonable behaviour’.

The Ordinary Boys singer has also reunited with ex-fiancée Camille Aznar. In response Chantelle has said “It worries me that he’s got back together with Camille because it makes me think that our relationship was a complete lie. I think maybe he just went out with me because of what was going on around us at the time. So was it a lie? I can’t help but think that.”

Well duh! But it’s ok boys, not only is Chantelle now once again on the market she also has new – huge – 32DD boobs to boot. Blimey that’s an enlargement and a half. To make up for lack of brains I suppose?

Britney Spears’ latest album ‘Blackout’ is already on the fourth week of its release and it has literally blacked out. Her album has already dropped to a very disappointing 41st place this week in the US according to the new Soundscan charts.

What’s far more disappointing is that Brit’s album has only sold a total of 466,834 copies. That means that her latest effort will not be selling more than a million copies unless some sort of miracle happens. ‘Blackout’ will be the only Britney CD to date that will not go to platinum.

Well that has to suck for her. But I doubt that she really cares.

Another Spice Girls blog is up with Geri Halliwell penning it. In her blog, she admits that with all the rehearsals going on for the Spice Girls’ world tour, she feels like she’s stuck in some sort of ‘Spice Bubble’.

“I actually feel like I’m in the Spice bubble… we are encapsulated in this world where we are just immersed in each other’s lives constantly. Just before the run through of the show this morning, Mel B, Victoria and I even went to the loo together… in separate cubicles, obviously!”

She also talked about the Spice Kids having play dates and surprising Mel B in the live final of Dancing With the Stars.

Ashley Tisdale is a big music lover. And like any true music lover, she’s not stuck on one type of music but rather a whole range that seemingly doesn’t have any connection at all. She recently made her own top 10 music picks for 2007 and I can say that the girl has some good taste.Taking the top spot is Carrie Underwood with ‘So Small’, followed by Paramore with ‘Misery Business’, Rihanna with ‘Umbrella’, The Used with ‘Pretty Handsome Awkward’, Beyonce with ‘Irreplaceable’, Michael Buble with ‘Everything’, The Academy Is with ‘Everything We Had’, Plain White T’s with ‘Hey There Delilah’, My Chemical Romance with ‘Teenagers’ with Justin Timberlake rounding her list off with ‘Summer Love’.

Another celebrity baby has been born. A fat and healthy baby boy just entered Usher’s life, as his fresh wife gave birth.

The couple is thriving with joy, and Usher is content with his new found fatherhood. His wife, Tameka Foster, has already 3 children, this is her fourth. A late child for Tameka as she is already 37 years old, in contrast with the young singer who is only 29.

Their whole marriage is wrapped in mystery and no one really know if they got married just because he was pregnant or if the couple really intend of spending their lives tighter. That is for us to see and maybe comment on in the future, for now let’s all welcome usher’s new baby boy.

I don’t know what that is peeking from underneath Amy Winehouse’s dress but I’m praying that it’s not a tampon string. Can you say ewww?

Apart from being grossed out, concert goers were angered by the ‘Rehab’ singer on Saturday when she gave one of the worst performances of her career. Knowing her track record, that says a lot. Wino actually walked out of the concert midway through her set!

Amy went on stage with smeared make up and a cigarette hanging from her lips. She disappeared from the stage a couple of times before completely storming off when the audience began to boo and heckle her.

Lily Allen was recently asked on what she wants to do if and when she decides to quit being a singer and leave the music scene completely.

She said, “I’d like to live in the country and have chickens and pigs. It’s a great job but it doesn’t leave time for what’s important - like having a family. I’m going to do one more album. I just want to make some money - maybe I could retire at 25.”

Let’s just take it for what it’s worth. This Lily that says she wants pigs is the same one that says she’s changed yet still manages to bash Victoria Beckham.

American Idol’s most recent champion Jordin Sparks’ debut CD is expected to come in at #2 this week, so say some industry projections. She would come in behind Alicia Keys who’s expected to dominate the charts for the entire holiday season.

Jordin’s album is expected to sell between 90,000 to 100,000 on its first week. While the numbers aren’t that bad, those projections would actually make Jordin’s album have the lowest debut for an American Idol winner – ever! Yes, it’s worse than Ruben’s. A lot of runners up sold even more than that in their first week. That has got to hurt.

And it will include Michael. That’s right 70’s hit band – The Jacksons, who last toured in 1984, are planning a reunion for one last tour. And Jermaine Jackson insists that star brother, Michael, will definitely be involved. Apparently he has attended all meetings and discussions and plans are set to reunite sometime in 2008.

The original plan was for the reunion tour to be in 2005, but the controversy behind Michael’s child abuse trial put all plans on hold. Now that he has been cleared of all charges plans can move ahead.

My problem with this is two things. One: if you put Michael in the middle of the other five; Tito, Marlon, Jackie, Jermaine and Randy…is he really going to look like pat of the family? And two: The Jacksons were children in essence back in the 70s and 80s when they had hits with “I want you back” and “ABC”. Surely the adult voices will not do the songs the same justice? Only time will tell I guess…I await with baited breath.

Spice Girls mania is alive and kicking in the US, a little quiet in the UK and close to dead in South America. The girls have cancelled the only announced concert in South America. They sent an email to fans that had already signed up for tickets to the Buenos Aires show in explanation.

They say that due to their solo projects and family obligations, they are unable to extend the tour and that the Buenos Aires date is one that they are finding hard to fit into their schedules. As some sort of consolation, the girls will be holding contests for South American fans. The prize of which is a trip to London, flight and accommodations taken care of, to watch one of their shows.

Kylie has released her 10th studio album with more confidence than ever. And she has scooted off to Germany to promote it.

The miniature singer, most recently in the news for being humiliated by a saucy statue created by Madame Tussauds, was cleared last year of the horrible disease; Breast Cancer, which knocked her down in 2005.

And now as she promotes her new album X, she says, “I think it’s not so difficult to write a decent song but to write a great song is a difficult thing. I like the challenge of trying to find that and at the very least, writing something that I enjoy singing and all people love. It took me a number of years to find my confidence to do that but now it’s just part of me.”

What a trooper. I remember listening to Kylie when I was a kid and she is still going strong; with the right attitude and music that pleases the new generations as the times move on. You go girl!

We should already come to expect that after showing up for their first show together and the fact that their reunion tour is just around the corner, another Spice Girls blog would be up. This time around, it’s from Sporty Mel C. She talked about rehearsing, performing and even nerves.

She’s incredibly excited about their upcoming tour and spoke about the rehearsals saying that she thinks after all of it, they may just as well run a marathon. She also talked about the rush of being on stage at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show last week but said that she was incredibly nervous and even shaking the whole time.

I’m sure the nerves will be gone come the start of their tour.

Whoever said that reality TV stars and alums can’t make it big in the real world should really start eating their words now. But in the case of American Idol alums Carrie Underwood and Chris Daughtry, was there ever really any doubt?

The two singers won big at the 2007 American Music Awards by picking up three awards each. Carrie won for Favorite Female Country Artist, Favorite Country Album for ‘Some Hearts’ and the Audience Text-in Award for Favorite Artist just days after winning big at the Country Music Association Awards. Chris Daughtry and his band took home Breakthrough Artist, Favorite Pop/Rock Album and Favorite Contemporary Artist.

Congrats to both!

Leona Lewis’ debut record ‘Spirit’ officially took the #1 spot in the UK albums’ chart this week and it broke records on the way there. Her album because the UK’s fastest-selling debut of all time selling an amazing 375,872 copies!

Leona was up against the Spice Girls, Led Zeppelin and Celine Dion. She actually beat the #2 Spice Girls by over 300,000 copies. Wow! Leona’s current single ‘Bleeding Love’ is #1 on the singles’ chart for the fourth consecutive week, seeling a total of 563,702 copies.

Leona’s album ‘Spirit’ is now scheduled for release in the US on March 18th.

There is another military man attempting to reach heights in the world of music, and he is Beautiful. Jay Picton is a physical trainer in the Navy, sporting rugged good looks and a promising music career. His single, Unexplainable Reason, has already topped an independent online chart, and he has hopes it will breakthrough to the regular pop charts in the not too distant future.

He claims to have hit the music business by accident. After a knee injury put him on sick leave he began to learn the guitar and write his own songs. Meeting his girlfriend then gave him the opportunity he needed; introducing him to Clyde Ward of Worldwide Productions. Clyde has worked with many great acts including Lionel Richie; whom our budding star has now recorded 3 songs with.

Yes girls, he does have a girlfriend (sigh); but just look at that picture. Isn’t he gorge? Keep those ears peeled for Jay Picton on your radio; if his voice matches his looks he is definitely on for a winner.