The world is mourning the loss of Michael Jackson. His music was universal and transcended generations. Thousands of fans gathered at the Eiffel Tower in Paris to pay their respects to the King of Pop. He will be honored at tonight’s BET Awards.

After three days to process the shock and grief, attendees at the BET Awards — a show thrown into "total overhaul" by the death of Michael Jackson — were preparing for what was sure to be a spectacular celebration of the King of Pop, put on by a dazzling collection of the artists he influenced most.

Fans lined up early Sunday outside the show's site as workers put the finishing touches on an outdoor stage near the Shrine Auditorium's entrance.

At the front of the line were Raia Lee and Lauren Jones, who had planned to watch the show on television but instead arrived shortly before 8 a.m. in the hopes of getting close-up looks at celebrities.

Already an affair of major star wattage, Sunday night's show was thrown under a white-hot spotlight in the wake of Jackson's death, adding attendees and guests, doubling the number of media requests and even lengthening the red carpet to accommodate all who want to take part.

It was not immediately clear whether any members of the Jackson family, who had been gathering at their Encino compound over the weekend, planned to attend or take part.
Producers of the annual awards show — which recognizes the best in music, acting and sports — say they scrapped their plans and revamped the show to meet the moment.

"It's a total overhaul," network Chairwoman Debra L. Lee said. "Luckily we have enough time to do that."

Previously announced performers, such as Beyonce and Ne-Yo, who worked on their performances for weeks, hoped to change them to honor Jackson, producer Stephen Hill said. Other artists who hadn't planned to attend the ceremony, including Usher and Justin Timberlake, tried to catch last-minute flights to Los Angeles to participate, Hill said.

Lee said the network would still present awards, but the show would be "more geared toward Michael Jackson."
Beyonce and T.I. were top contenders for trophies, with a leading five nominations each. She was up for best R&B female, best actress and video of the year. He was in the running for best male hip-hop, best collaboration and video of the year. Lil Wayne,
T-Pain and Keri Hilson were tied with four nominations each.

Hosted by Jamie Foxx, the BET Awards telecast was extended by 30 minutes to accommodate various Jackson tributes.

GET READY TO STRUT YOUR STUFF!

OXYGEN MEDIA LAUNCHES THE "DANCE YOUR ASS OFF CONTEST" ON YOUTUBE FOR A CHANCE TO BE FEATURED ON-AIR DURING SHOW'S SEASON FINALE

The "Dance Your Ass Off" Brand Channel is EXCLUSIVE Home to Contest Submissions; Site Goes Live on YouTube Friday, June 12, Featuring Series Promos, Dance Videos and Contest News

Want to show the world how you TOO can dance your ass off? In support of Oxygen Media's much-anticipated dance/weight-loss competition series premiere of "Dance Your Ass Off" on June 29 at 10PM ET/PT, the network is launching a contest in which users can submit a video, exclusively on YouTubeTM, of themselves dancing their asses off for a chance to be featured on an Oxygen on-air promo during the show's season finale and a chance to win a 3-night getaway to Universal Orlando Resort. The "Dance Your Ass Off Contest" begins Friday, June 12 on www.youtube.com/danceyourassoff as part of the new "Dance Your Ass Off" brand channel on YouTube.

The "Dance Your Ass Off" channel allows users to upload their hottest weight-loss dance moves for fellow fans to enjoy internet-wide and be the exclusive home of the submitted contest videos. The channel also features music track downloads to be used in their video submissions including the "Dance Your Ass Off" theme song as well as Salsa, Disco and Hip-Hop tracks. In addition, the channel offers the "Dance Your Ass Off" Dance instructional video, show promos and trailers and contest/prizing details. The channel and contest run through August 17.

Oxygen brings the "Dance Your Ass Off" experience to its viewers also by allowing them to enter the contest by visiting the "Dance Your Ass Off" Move It To Lose It Tour in one of three cities: Orlando (Universal CityWalk - June 12/13), New York (Herald Square - June 29) and Chicago (Taste of Chicago - July 3-5), where their dance videos will be automatically uploaded to the brand channel.

Bringing dance and diet together, Oxygen's "Dance Your Ass Off" series features talented, full-figured contestants who will have to lose to win. Throughout the upcoming season, each contestant is paired with a professional dance partner who will train them for their weekly stage performances - ranging from Hip Hop, to Ballroom and even Pole Dancing! Then they shake and rattle their rolls in front of a live studio audience and a panel of expert judges. The judges score the routines, and then the contestants weigh in to reveal their weekly weight loss. The dance score and the weight loss are combined for an overall score, which determines who is sent home each week. The last dancer remaining wins the grand prize of $100,000.

"Dance Your Ass Off" is produced by 495 Productions with SallyAnn Salsano serving as executive producer and Joel Zimmer as co-executive producer, with concept by Lisa Ann Walter and Kate Rigg also serving as executive producers.

enty years ago Lenny Kravitz released his first big international hit, Let Love Rule. Around the same time, his daughter Zoë came into the world. Now she's following her famous dad into the world of rock 'n' roll with her band Elevator Fight.

"She's loving doing this music," Lenny Kravitz tells Didntinviteme while promoting his latest tour to mark the 20th anniversary re-release of the record in London. "It's a trip to watch."

In terms of advice about the rock world, dad keeps it to himself. "I have nothing to do with it, which is brilliant," he says. "She is just doing her thing, and it's really good. And everyone's chasing them to sign them."

Kravitz, 45, is completely supportive of his daughter, whose mom is actress Lisa Bonet, 41 – despite the shaky world of the music business. "Whatever she wants to do, I trust her fully," he says smiling. "She's got great instincts. She's much smarter than I am."

His daughter, who will turn 21 in December, has varied strings to her bow, in any case. "She has other things which is good. She's done six or seven films now," he adds.

Nothing to Prove

n a wedding fit for a princess, Playboy Playmate Kendra Wilkinson wed her NFL player beau Hank Baskett at her onetime residence, the Playboy mansion in Los Angeles's exclusive Holmby Hills, on Saturday, Didntinviteme confirms.

At around 6:45 p.m., the Playmate and former Girls Next Door star, 23, walked down the aisle in a white dress, dripping in more than $100,000 worth of platinum jewelry by Michael Barin, including drop earrings, a pendant and bracelet. The groom also wore white, as did the groomsmen, while the bridesmaids were in lavender.

Among the hundreds of guests were former boyfriend and Playboy founder Hugh Hefner and fellow Playmate Bridget Marquardt, who was among the bridal party.

The bride and groom married out in the open on a lawn, and there were white rose petals and flower wreaths decorating the aisle.

"She was beaming," says an eyewitness.

The wedding week kicked off with date night Monday evening at the premiere of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, where Wilkinson told Didntinviteme, "I feel great! We're just ready to say our 'I do's' and just go on our honeymoon and we're ready to be married." Her sole concern? "Tripping down the aisle," she admitted.

Wednesday afternoon the bride-to-be relaxed with some personal pampering and girl time with her mother, grandmother and bridal party at Face to Face Los Angeles, a salon in Studio City.

The happy couple announced some other big news earlier this month – their first child, due on Christmas day.

Stars like Cameron Diaz, Beyonce, Rihanna and more are embracing summer’s ripped jean trend and Kim Kardashian is no exception. The reality star took to her official website to blog about her new favorite piece of clothing. “Right now, ripped jeans are my absolute favorite thing!” she writes. “I have replaced my leggings look with a ripped jean look!” Kim showed off her new look while out to lunch in L.A. by pairing Bebe jeans with an Elizabeth and James over-sized blouse. Her Bebe jeans weren’t the only thing Kim saved on — she boasts that she scored her studded Louboutin booties for 60% off! And while Kim can have her pick of any designer jeans, the star says she is loving Bebe. “They are my new favorite jeans! They fit me so good!” she blogs. We are loving the ripped jeans look and are happy to see them replacing leggings. Tell us: Have you traded your leggings for ripped jeans?

TAMPA, Fla. – Billy Mays, the burly, bearded television pitchman known for his boisterous hawking of products such as Orange Glo and OxiClean, has died. He was 50.
Tampa police said Mays was found unresponsive by his wife Sunday morning. A fire rescue crew pronounced him dead at 7:45 a.m.

There were no signs of a break-in, and investigators do not suspect foul play, said Lt. Brian Dugan of the Tampa Police Department, who wouldn't answer any more questions about how Mays' body was found because of the ongoing investigation. The coroner's office expects to have an autopsy done by Monday afternoon.

"Although Billy lived a public life, we don't anticipate making any public statements over the next couple of days," said Mays' wife, Deborah. "Our family asks that you respect our privacy during these difficult times."
Tampa area media outlets reported that Mays was a passenger on a U.S. Airways flight that made a rough landing on Saturday afternoon at Tampa International Airport, apparently blowing its front tires in an incident that left debris on the runway.
Tampa Bay's Fox television affiliate interviewed Mays after the incident.

"All of a sudden as we hit you know it was just the hardest hit, all the things from the ceiling started dropping," MyFox Tampa Bay quoted him as saying. "It hit me on the head, but I got a hard head."
U.S. Airways officials said Sunday they could not immediately confirm that Mays was a passenger.
Born William Mays in McKees Rocks, Pa., on July 20, 1958, Mays developed his style demonstrating knives, mops and other "as seen on TV" gadgets on Atlantic City's boardwalk. For years he worked as a hired gun on the state fair and home show circuits, attracting crowds with his booming voice and genial manner.

After meeting Orange Glo International founder Max Appel at a home show in Pittsburgh in the mid-1990s, Mays was recruited to demonstrate the environmentally friendly line of cleaning products on the St. Petersburg-based Home Shopping Network.

Commercials and informercials followed, anchored by the high-energy Mays showing how it's done while tossing out kitschy phrases like, "Long live your laundry!"

Recently he's been seen on commercials for a wide variety of products and is featured on the reality TV show "Pitchmen" on the Discovery Channel, which follows Mays and Anthony Sullivan in their marketing jobs. He's also been seen in ESPN ads.
His ubiquitousness and thumbs-up, in-your-face pitches won Mays plenty of fans. People line up at his personal appearances for autographed color glossies, and strangers stop him in airports to chat about the products.

"I enjoy what I do," Mays told The Associated Press in a 2002 interview. "I think it shows."

Mays liked to tell the story of giving bottles of OxiClean to the 300 guests at his wedding, and doing his ad spiel ("powered by the air we breathe!") on the dance floor at the reception. Visitors to his house typically got bottles of cleaner and housekeeping tips.

Discovery Channel spokeswoman Elizabeth Hillman released a statement Sunday extending sympathy to the Mays family.
"Everyone that knows him was aware of his larger-than-life personality, generosity and warmth," Hillman's statement said. "Billy was a pioneer in his field and helped many people fulfill their dreams. He will be greatly missed as a loyal and compassionate friend."

Janet Jackson and sister LaToya arrived at their brother's rented Holmby Hills mansion on Saturday as moving trucks carted off some of the singer's – and his children's – possessions.

A source told PEOPLE that the belongings of Michael Jackson's three children were being removed from the house and taken to the Jackson family home in Encino. The children have been holed up with grandparents – Joe and Katherine – at the San Fernando Valley house since the singer died on June 25.

Janet was at the home during the move, while LaToya showed up later in the day. Some of the singer's prized possessions were also being removed from the house for safekeeping, the source said, because there is concern that someone could break into the home.

Jackson's children – Prince, 12, Paris, 11, and Blanket, 7 – remained with their grandparents on Saturday as relatives came in and out of the Encino house. Jackson's parents have expressed their desire to keep the children, even though Prince and Paris's biological mother Debbie Rowe could gain custody if she chooses.

"They haven't heard from Debbie Rowe and don't know what’s going on in that respect, either," said a family source. "But Joe and Katherine really want the children."

The Jackson family issued a statement Saturday, conveyed by family patriarch Joseph Jackson. In full, it reads:

In one of the darkest moments of our lives we find it hard to find the words appropriate to this sudden tragedy we all had to encounter. Our beloved son, brother and father of three children has gone so unexpectedly, in such a tragic way and much too soon. It leaves us, his family, speechless and devastated to a point, where communication with the outside world seems almost impossible at times.

We miss Michael endlessly, our pain cannot be described in words. But Michael would not want us to give up now. So we want to thank all of his faithful supporters and loyal fans worldwide, you – who Michael loved so much. Please do not despair, because Michael will continue to live on in each and every one of you. Continue to spread his message, because that is what he would want you to do. Carry on, so his legacy will live forever.

In addition, Joseph Jackson wishes to personally convey: "My grandchildren are deeply moved by all the love and support you have shown for them and their father, Michael Jackson."

Joseph Jackson & Family

Michael Jackson, the onetime child star turned King of Pop, died in Los Angeles on Thursday afternoon after suffering an apparent cardiac arrest in his home. He was 50 years old.

Jackson was pronounced dead at 2:26 p.m. at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center not far from his rental mansion in the Holmby Hills. The cause of death wasn't known. An autopsy is set for Friday.

"It's a very sad day for all of us," Jackson's manager, Frank DiLeo, tells PEOPLE. " It's such a terrible shame. He was my friend." As for Jackson's three children – Blanket, 7, Paris, 11, and Prince Michael, 12 – DiLeo says, "The kids are very upset, but they are fine."

The entertainer was stricken Thursday afternoon and a 911 call was placed. "His personal physician, who was with him at the time, attempted to resuscitate Jackson, as did paramedics who transferred him," according to a statement from the hospital.

Frantic, Futile Efforts
With an oxygen mask over his face, Jackson was carted to a red ambulance and rushed to the hospital, arriving at 1:14 p.m. "A team of doctors including emergency physicians and cardiologists attempted to resuscitate for a period of more than one hour but were unsuccessful," the statement says.

Jackson had been busy rehearsing for a high-stakes comeback tour, set to start within weeks in England, with dozens of dates scheduled and tickets selling out quickly. To prepare for the rigors of performing, he was training with Lou Ferrigno, the star of the TV show The Incredible Hulk.

Questions About His Tour
There were some doubts among Jackson's circle about his ability to perform his upcoming concert schedule. "Michael is physically just not ready [for the concerts]," a source close to Jackson said last month. "He weighs even less than he did during his trial, which was almost nothing. He's 50 years old."

Famly members, including his mother Katherine, brothers Randy and Jermaine, and sisters Janet and LaToya, arrived separately at the hospital for a tense and tearful vigil. "First, it was chaotic [in the ER] and then absolute silence," says family lawyer Brian Oxman. "Everyone is just heartbroken. I'm heartbroken."

During the ordeal, Jackson's three children were left with a nanny, and plans were made for them to stay with Jackson's mother for the time being. "Mrs. Jackson loves the kids and she will care for them now," says Oxman.

By the evening, the family left the hospital in five-vehicle caravan for his mother's house in Encino. A teary-eyed LaToya was behind the wheel of a black Mercedes; she was followed by a grim-faced Janet in a droopy suede cowboy hat driving a tan Maserati. Jackson's father, Joseph, was en route to Los Angeles from his home in Las Vegas. Jackson's body was flown by helicopter to the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office, where the autopsy will be performed.

It may just be summer outside, but OP is already turning their stylish eye towards going back to school in the fall. And they’ve rounded up some of Hollywood’s hottest young stars for their “OPen Campus” campaign including 90210’s AnnaLynne McCord, Sophia Bush, Solange Knowles, Joel Madden, Brody Jenner and Cody Linley. The cast not only got to hang out with each other — Solange even brought her adorable son by for a visit to the set! — but they got to pose on a custom OP bus, created by West Coast Customs, that has everything from a performance stage on the roof to recycled cork floors to a built-in gaming system. While posing for photographer Larry Bartholomew at University High School in Los Angeles, the girls bonded over gossip in the bus while Cody and Brody palled around on skateboards between takes Op is exclusively available at Walmart.

Lady GaGa performed a cover of Kanye West’s “Heartless” on tour at Kool Haus in Toronto, Canada, on Friday (June 19).

“I would say that Kanye is one of the most talented and intuitive people I’ve met in a long time,” the “Poker Face” singer said about her upcoming tourmate.

Beyoncé was on hand to announce the Show Your Helping Hand hunger relief initiative with Hamburger Helper at Madison Square Garden in NYC on Monday. The goal is to help Feeding America deliver more than 3.5 million meals to local food banks. Fans can bring non-perishable goods to tour stops.

Ciara operates heavy machinery in the video for “Work” featuring Missy Elliott, the second international single off Fantasy Ride. Rap-Up’s hot cover star turns a construction zone into a high-fashion runway in the Melina-directed clip. Warning: Hard hats required from this point on.

50 Cent wears Gucci down to his socks in the video for “I’ll Do Anything” off War Angel. 50 calls the song the closest thing to a commercial hit record on the mixtape. But the Gucci suit is so ’90s, Curtis.

Looks like Ciara is making the move from ATL to Hollywood. The working gal was seen house hunting in the trendy area of Los Feliz on Tuesday with her dog Tyson in tow. Expect to see a lot more of CiCi in L.A.’s paparazzi-filled streets.

It ain’t all roses for Beyoncé in the teary-eyed video for “Broken-Hearted Girl” off the Above and Beyoncé Video Collection & Dance Mixes DVD/CD collection, available now at Wal-Mart and J&R Music World.


Beyoncé strokes Kanye West’s ego in the black and white video for the remix to “Ego.” This is more or less the same video as the original, but with an appearance from Mr. West.

Riding on the success of his I Am Music tour, Lil Wayne will headline this summer’s Young Money Presents: America’s Most Wanted Music Festival. He will be joined by Young Jeezy, Soulja Boy Tell’em, and Drake on the tour, which kicks off July 27 in Scranton, Pa.


The America’s Most Wanted Music Festival is currently scheduled to play 21 dates across the U.S. and Canada. After an opening act, Drake will perform, followed by Soulja Boy, then Young Jeezy, with Lil Wayne closing out the show.

Tickets go on sale June 20 through Ticketmaster and Live Nation.

AMERICA’S MOST WANTED MUSIC FESTIVAL TOUR DATES

7/27 Scranton, PA - Toyota Pavilion
7/29 Saratoga, NY - Performing Arts Center
7/30 Pittsburgh, PA - Post Gazette Pavilion
7/31 Philadelphia - Susquehanna Bank Center
8/1 Wantagh, NY - Jones Beach Theater
8/2 Virginia Beach - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
8/4 Toronto - Molson Amphitheater
8/5 Montreal - Bell Centre
8/6 Cleveland - Blossom Pavilion
8/7 Washington, D.C. - Nissan Pavilion
8/8 Raleigh, NC - Walnut Creek Amphitheater
8/9 Atlanta - Lakewood Amphitheater
8/12 Phoenix - Cricket Wireless Amphitheater
8/13 Los Angeles - TBD
8/14 Irvine, CA - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
8/15 Concord, CA - Sleep Train Pavilion
8/17 Vancouver - GM Place
8/18 Edmonton, AB - Rexall Place
8/20 Denver - Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre
8/22 Houston - Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
8/23 Dallas - Superpages.com Center

Cassie sets the house ablaze in the video for “Must Be Love” directed by Bernard Gourley (50 Cent, Flo Rida). The clip co-stars Diddy and the most-talked-about haircut on the Internet.


*Bonus*
Some of you may remember Charlamagne as shock jock Wendy Williams' former side-kick, and for those who do, you'll know, like Williams, he's no holds barred. So whose decision it was to allow Cassie on his show on 100.3 The Beat recently is anyone's guess. Because, as you probably guessed, he ripped her to shreds live on air. Everything from her vocal ability, to the nude pics, to being a nobody in the 'Beyonce / Rihanna' world, to Diddy...this really was slightly uncomfortable to listen to - even if a little funny. Nonetheless, Ms. Ventura kept her composure, which I guess earns her brownie points in terms of following the Media Training 101 handbook. CLICK HERE to check it out.

Kelly Rowland was in London, promoting her collaboration with David Guetta - 'When Love Takes Over'. The pair today stopped by ITV1's This Morning to perform the song, as well as sit down for a chat. You can check out the performance above and the interview below:

Usher and his wife Tameka Foster have reportedly called it quits.


In Touch Weekly is reporting that the couple has separated after nearly two years of marriage. “The Grammy winner has been living apart from his wife for nearly a year after almost two years of marriage,” an insider tells the magazine. “Usher’s primary concern is for his children. He is a great father and just wants to do what is right for them.”

The divorce papers were filed in Atlanta on Thursday morning (June 11), according to In Touch.

The couple got married in the summer of 2007. Foster was the stylist for Usher. They have two sons together, Usher Raymond V, 18 months, and Naviyd, 6 months.

No official confirmation of their separation has been made at this time.


In a recent interview with Billboard, hit-maker Pharrell Williams talked up Usher's forthcoming 'Monster' LP:

The beatmaker divulged that Usher has chosen a new direction with his latest project.

"The Usher album is crazy. His album is the review of the mind of a monster," said Pharrell.

"He's somewhere else right now...like a whole different kind of R&B," he added. "Its really great, its super edgy. He's taken alot of time to really sit and study and we really built something that is like...it's just...it's mean.

Pharrell is also working on Rihanna's upcoming album as well forthcoming projects from Shakira, Incubus, The Clipse and N.E.R.D.

Jadakiss asks “Who’s Real?” in his new video featuring Swizz Beatz and OJ Da Juiceman. The TAJ-directed clip is for the latest single off Jada’s third solo album The Last Kiss

Lil’ Kim, Fat Joe, Jeremih, Kid Cudi, and Wale celebrated the birthdays of nightlife impresarios Eugene Remm and Mark Birnbaum at Tenjune in New York City on Tuesday.

T-Pain, his “Big Ass Chain,” and Taylor Swift filmed a segment for the 2009 Country Music Television (CMT) Music Awards in Nashville, Tenn., on Tuesday. The Auto-Tune King and country star collaborated on a song together.

“Yes, I was in the studio with Taylor Swift yesterday and we shot the video to the song today. No B.S.,” he tweeted.

worlds of Kanye West and Lady GaGa will collide when the two superstars hit the road together later this year.


“Me and Lady GaGa are going on tour now,” Mr. West announced on Wednesday’s episode of ABC’s “The View.”

Even though this is only GaGa’s first album, she will not be a supporting act. Instead, the two will co-headline. “She’s talented and she’s so incredible that she’s not an opening act,” ’Ye said. “We’re doing our show together, with no opening act.”

West spoke highly of the “Poker Face” singer in a recent blog entry. “I look at our current superstars like legends in the making. Like Justin [Timberlake] is the new Mike [Jackson], Beyoncé’s the new Tina Turner, [Lady] GaGa’s Madonna, Jay[-Z] is Sinatra, [Lil] Wayne is Hendrix, Thom Yorke is Roger Waters.”

No dates have been announced yet.