Kid Rock hosted the show, which featured everyone from Ludacris and Jason Aldean to Sheryl Crow.
By Gil Kaufman

Sheryl Crow and Justin Bieber at the 2011 CMT Music Awards
Photo: Getty Images

You might have done a double-take when you saw the list of winners and guests at Wednesday night's CMT Music Awards, which included trophies for Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber as well as performances that featured Ludacris and a cover of Eminem and Rihanna's "Love the Way You Lie."

But, yes, this was a country music event. It's just that some of the hardware handed out at the show hosted by Kid Rock tipped its 10-gallon hat to the ongoing popularity of the pop-infused sound.

The biggest example of that cross-over success, Swift, took home one of the top honors, Video of the Year, for her clip "Mine." She accepted the prize from a stage in Wisconsin, her latest tour stop.

"I just want to say thank you and hi to everybody back at the CMT Music Awards," she said. "I wish I could be there, but I'm hanging out with 15,000 of my closest friends in Milwaukee. I want to thank so many people — all the little kids who are in the video and their families for bringing them to Maine and being in the video. ... I don't know what I did to deserve you guys, but you've made so many amazing things happen to me in my life."

Male Video of the Year honors went to "The Voice" judge Blake Shelton for "Who Are You When I'm Not Looking," while the female video winner was his wife, Miranda Lambert, for her emotional tune "The House That Built Me."

One of the more unusual names on the winners list was Bieber, who snagged Collaborative Video of the Year for his hookup with Rascal Flatts on the tune "That Should Be Me."

"First of all, I just want to say how honored I am to be here ... with Rascal Flatts," Bieber said while accepting his first country award. "How amazing are Rascal Flatts, everybody? I want to thank my mom. I want to thank my family. And I want to thank Rascal Flatts for even jumping on the song with me."

Flatts bassist Jay DeMarcus thanked Bieber right back for bringing the group the "great song," adding, "It was an honor to be in this video with you. What a talented guy. We appreciate it so much."

Lady Antebellum, another group that has surfed the more country side of the crossover wave, scored Group Video of the Year for "Hello World." And the Band Perry, an act that many mainstream listeners were first introduced to thanks to "American Idol" runner-up Lauren Alaina, took the USA Weekend Breakthrough Video of the Year prize for "If I Die Young," as well as the 2011 Nationwide Insurance On Your Side Award.

Of course, it wasn't all awards and honors, there was also a hilarious opening bit in which Swift and Shania Twain killed it in a three-minute "Thelma & Louise" parody. In the clip, the two jump in their convertible and run into a perv played by comedian Ron White, practice shooting their guns and run into "Glee" star Chord Overstreet, who plays the shirtless Brad Pitt character. In addition to a gratuitous Donald Trump cameo, the video also featured Kenny Rogers singing his hit "The Gambler" by the roadside and host Rock hopping into the car with the ladies after getting kicked off his tour bus for partying too hard.

There were other highlights, including someone tossing a pair of ladies' underwear at Rock and Sheryl Crow later admitting she flashed hers while getting up from a stool after performing with the rapper-turned-heartland-rocker.

"I'm just gonna address the elephant in the room, because people all over America are tweeting that I was wearing a really short skirt when I sang with Kid Rock — and that when I got up off the stool, I showed my underwear," Crow joked. "Well, at least you were wearing underwear," co-presenter Sara Evans said.

There was further drama when Twain came out to introduce the male video winner and took a major tumble on a too-slick floor while walking to the stage. She got up quickly and regained her composure, later laughing, "I don't need a stunt double."

In addition to Rock opening the show with a bit of his hard-hitting "Bawitdaba" (which was cut off in favor of a more country-safe tune named "Till My Dying Day" that he wrote for Wynonna Judd), Ludacris hooked up with Jason Aldean for "Dirt Road Anthem," the Band Perry played "Love the Way You Lie," and Lady Antebellum did a bit of Prince's "Kiss."

"Idol" winner Scotty McCreery was on hand with Alaina to introduce a performance by Sugarland as well.

Other winners included Sugarland (Duo Video of the Year for "Stuck Like Glue"), Zac Brown Band and Jimmy Buffett (CMT Performance of the Year for "Margaritaville") and Shelton (Best Web Video of the Year, "Kiss My Country Ass.")

• Kid Rock
• Justin Bieber
• Taylor Swift

Bianca Kajlich Bijou Phillips Blake Lively Blu Cantrell

Singer cancels kick off date of European leg of his OMG Tour due to illness.
By Gil Kaufman

Usher (file)
Photo: Michael Caulfield/ WireImage

Usher was forced to delay the kick off of his European OMG Tour on Wednesday night in Berlin because of illness. In a statement released to fans, the singer apologized for the last-minute scratch, saying he felt he was suffering from a "sinus complication." Although the gig was rescheduled for Thursday night at the O2 World arena in Berlin, his German fans apparently weren't appeased by his effort.

"I am truly sorry to all my fans in Berlin who were inconvenienced by tonight's postponement of the show," the singer said in a statement about Wednesday's aborted concert. "I was ill and felt that I would not have been able to give them the show that they properly deserve. ... I am looking forward to performing tomorrow and giving Berliners a great show."

According to the statement, the singer received treatment from doctors for a sinus issue that affected his balance, but a visibly still-ailing Usher was unable to finish the Thursday make-up show, reportedly abandoning the stage after just five songs.

On Friday (January 14), a follow-up statement from his spokesperson confirmed that he was too ill to play Thursday night's Berlin date and has been forced to reschedule the next three dates on the tour as well. The Rotterdam show originally scheduled for this week has been moved to March 1 and a show in Antwerp, also slated for this week, has been bumped to March 7.

The statement also updated the singer's condition: "Usher is suffering from upper respiratory illness, which is currently preventing him from performing a proper show. After consultation with doctors, he has been advised to reschedule the upcoming dates in order to get the rest he needs to ensure a complete recovery."

Footage posted on YouTube that was purportedly taken at the make-up performance in Berlin shows Usher standing silently at the microphone seemingly unable to sing, with fans booing him at first and then chanting, "Usher, Usher," as he approaches the microphone and apologizes to them for his struggles. "I appreciate your support," he told the fans wearily.

"I have been very excited about my European Tour and I deeply regret having to reschedule the shows," the singer said in the new statement. "I am truly sorry for any inconvenience I have caused my fans. My fans are the best in the world and I am looking forward to getting better so that I can give them the show they deserve."

Usher wrapped up the North American leg of his tour in December and his overseas dates are slated to last through the spring.

What do you think of the fans' reaction to Usher's walking offstage mid-show? Tell us in the comments.

• Usher

Emma Stone Emma Watson Emmanuelle Chriqui Emmanuelle Vaugier

Cher doesn't know what it's like to be in a war, but she knows that military members and their families might need help with the aftermath of war and deployment.

She's one of a host of celebrities trying to get the word out to service men and women, as well as their families, that help is available if they're feeling suicidal.

"If you're feeling at a loss, you are not alone. There's help," the actress and singer says in a new public service announcement that promotes a toll-free, confidential suicide prevention help line. "Your family needs you, we need you, and thank you so much for your service."

In a press release, the Military Channel, The Creative Coalition and Blue Star Families -- the driving forces behind the PSAs -- cite national statistics that show veterans constitute about 20 percent of the 30,000 to 32,000 U.S. deaths each year from suicide. On average, 18 veterans attempt suicide each day, and seven of them succeed. Suicides also are increasing among military family members, they say.

To help curb those numbers, the PSAs aim to let vets and their families know they don't have to suffer alone. One way to get help is by calling the assistance hotline at 1-800-273-TALK.

Other celebs touting the suicide prevention message include The Fighter Academy Award winner Melissa Leo, Michael Chiklis of Fantastic Four and The Shield, football star Terrell Owens, Taye Diggs of Private Practice, actress Minnie Driver, Alfre Woodard of Memphis Beat, Tom Arnold of True Lies fame, and Hector Elizondo of Grey’s Anatomy. The PSAs, directed by Tim Daly of Private Practice, are airing on the Military Channel, Lifetime network’s MyLifetime.com, Elle.com and on taxi screens in New York City, Boston, Miami and Chicago.

See those celebs and more in the PSAs here and here. 

Whitney Able Whitney Port Willa Ford Xenia Seeberg

There's no denying that Salma Hayek's French billionaire hubby seems to have a way with the ladies!

Francois-Henri Pinault, 49, and Hayek, 44, had a child (3-year-old Valentina Paloma Pinault) together in 2007 and tied the knot in 2009. But according to the New York Post, Hayek's man also hooked up with supermodel Linda Evangelista -- and she claims that he's the father of her 4-year-old son, Augustin James.

Evangelista's claims are particularly surprising, considering that (according to the Post) Pinault has repeatedly insisted that he has only three children -- Valentina and two from a previous marriage.

News that Pinault may be "Augie's" baby daddy was revealed when Evangelista, 46, went to court in New York on Thursday to hammer out financial arrangements for his care. Though Evangelista had previously refused to name the father of her son, she couldn't keep the secret in open court.

Thursday was the model's third or fourth trip to court, and no agreement was reached. According to the Post, this means they'll likely hold a support trial in the fall.

Pinault -- who is CEO of the $28 billion conglomerate that owns Gucci, Bottega Veneta and Yves St. Laurent -- was not in court due to a misunderstanding, according to his lawyer, David Aronson.

"We had understood that it was to be a brief, telephone conference, to bring Magistrate Troy up to date on what the status was," Aronson told The Post.

Evangelista and Pinault allegedly conceived their boy in early 2006 -- when Pinault was reportedly separated from then-girlfriend Hayek -- and the child was born in October 2006, the Post said.

Meanwhile, he and Hayek welcomed daughter Valentina in September 2007 and the two ended up getting married on Valentine's Day 2009 in Paris.

So even though Valentina and Augie are toddlers, they already have a lot in common: gorgeous mommies and a daddy who might have some explaining to do!

Lokelani McMichael Lori Heuring Lorri Bagley Lucy Liu

Retail giant, meanwhile, promises that video exclusive for deluxe edition of 4 will be ready soon.
By Jocelyn Vena

Beyonce surprises fans at Target in Harlem on June 30th
Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images

While traipsing the globe to promote 4, Beyoncé stopped by New York City's Harlem Target on Thursday to say hello to some of her young fans.

As the store celebrated its one-year anniversary, kids from the local Boys and Girls Club danced their hearts out onstage to Beyoncé's new track "Countdown." In the middle of the song, B took the stage and gave them a big group hug before letting them continue their routine.

"I'd like to thank the Boys and Girls Club for coming out. I hope y'all had fun learning the choreography to 'Countdown' today," she told the crowd, in footage posted on Rap-up.com. "I hope you guys enjoy the new album 4."

Beyoncé had a little bit of a commercial reason to show up at the Target store: The deluxe version of 4, which is set to debut at #1 on the Billboard albums chart, is available exclusively at the retail giant. But since the disc's release on Tuesday, fans have complained that some Targets didn't stock enough copies, and the promised exclusive video can't be accessed yet.

"Honestly, day one sales were fantastic for us, especially on the deluxe edition," John Butcher, Target's vice president of entertainment, told The Hollywood Reporter, assuring fans that Sony was delivering more CDs soon.

As for the promised exclusive director's cut of B's "Run the World (Girls)" video, Butcher explained that the clip wasn't quite ready for public consumption, but it should be ready shortly. "Beyoncé's team is still finalizing aspects of the content, and they just didn't want [it] to be released until it was perfect," he said. "We could have forced something through that wasn't right — it was our prerogative to do so — but we didn't want to do it. We certainly don't want to disappoint our guests. We believe they'd rather have the right content and wait a couple days than get something that wasn't going to be very special."

• Beyoncé

Heidi Montag Hilarie Burton Hilary Duff Hilary Swank

Showing off their beach bodies, Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise were spotted swimming in Miami, Florida yesterday (July 3).

The ?Mad Money? mommy looked fabulous in a skimpy black two-piece bikini as she waded into the water with her shirtless ?Mission: Impossible? hubby as they celebrated Tom?s 49th birthday.

As previously reported by GossipCenter, Katie treated Tom to quite the birthday bash, organizing a fabulous fete at the SoHo Beach House Miami Hotel.

Cruise?s three children Suri, Isabella, and Connor were all in attendance, as were 40 other guests who were all served a gourmet Italian meal with chocolate cake.

Karolína Kurková Kasey Chambers Kat Von D Kate Beckinsale

Superstar songstress belts 'Best Thing I Never Had' and 'The End of Time' from Glastonbury gig.
By Mawuse Ziegbe

Beyoncé performs at the Glastonbury festival on Sunday
Photo: Ian Gavan/Getty Images

Beyoncé didn't even have to be in the building to run things.

The "Run the World (Girls)" songstress wasn't able to attend the BET Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday (June 26) but that didn't stop the diva from rocking the crowd remotely by performing via satellite from her headlining gig at the Glastonbury festival in England.

Following an introduction from Ne-Yo, Bey started off with her 4 track "Best Thing I Never Had." Sporting a dark leotard under a sequined belted jacket and ankle booties, the superstar belted the power ballad in front of a packed audience waving international flags.

Bey then segued into another spankin' new 4 cut, the Afrobeat-powered jam "The End of Time." The hitmaker worked some Motherland-inspired grooves to the dancefloor-ready track, pumping her elbows and flinging her curls about, flanked by a quartet of similarly fierce dancers with big hair and snug leotards. After some muscled-up male dancers joined the party, the songstress kicked up the energy, leading the crew through a hip-twisting dance breakdown. Bey closed the uptempo set with a screen of pyro that rained onto the stage.

Earlier this month, when tracks from the star's highly anticipated album 4 hit the Web prematurely, Bey explained the inspiration behind her booty-jiggling anthems.

"When I record music I always think about my fans singing every note and dancing to every beat. I make music to make people happy and I appreciate that everyone has been so anxious to hear my new songs."

What did you think of Beyoncé's performance at the BET Awards? Let us know in the comments!

• The 2011 BET Awards Red Carpet

• Beyoncé

Jordana Brewster Josie Maran Joss Stone Jules Asner

Celebs Bid Farewell To Oprah Winfrey At Her Final Show Tapings

• Usher
• Beyoncé

Kate Bosworth Kate Groombridge Kate Hudson Kate Mara

"Michael Jackson's This Is It"

• Michael Jackson

Julianne Hough Julie Benz Julie Berry K. D. Aubert

Britney Spears' Femme Fatale Tour Hits Los Angeles

• Britney Spears

Whitney Able Whitney Port Willa Ford Xenia Seeberg