Exclusive: 'American Idol' Stamps Revealed

'American Idol' is giving back to the community by putting your favorite contestants on postage stamps. Each Thursday, Ryan Seacrest announces which former winner graces the next 'American Idol Gives Back' stamp, but we have your exclusive sneak peek right here every Tuesday.

This week's stamp will be (drum roll please!) Season Five winner, Taylor Hicks. The limited-edition stamps already revealed include Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia, Carrie Underwood and Ruben Studdard. New photo stamps will be released each week featuring an 'Idol' winner until this season's finale, after which the new winner will get his or her own stamp.

The stamps, which can be used for actual postage, all benefit 'Idol Gives Back,' a program helping the less fortunate around the world. For each stamp purchased, $10 is given to the charity. Only 2,000 stamps will be printed for each winner in each of the 50 states, so the stamps will likely dramatically increase in value. You can purchase them at www.photostamps.com. See pictures of the postage after the jump.

Continue reading.. Exclusive: 'American Idol' Stamps Revealed

Busta Rhymes and Linkin Park 'Made It' Together



Busta Rhymes and Linkin Park's Chester Bennington and Mike Shinoda recently hooked up in L.A. to film a video for 'We Made It,' the first single from Busta's forthcoming album, 'Blessed,' and a song that, in the words of Shinoda, "celebrates success and overcoming obstacles." Shinoda also tells Popeater that the collaboration has been a long time coming.

"We originally met Busta in New York, when we were mixing 'Hybrid Theory," he recalls. "We had never had an album out and we were a little star struck at the time. Last year, Busta got in touch with me, saying he had a track he thought we could work together on. My band usually doesn't do 'features' on anyone else's stuff, but I gave it a listen. Needless to say, we liked it quite a bit and got involved. We were on the road non-stop the whole time, so Chester and I ended up booking studio time in Taiwan."

Busta is returning the love as he'll jump on selected dates of LP's Projekt Revolution tour this summer. Any chance of recreating 'We Made It' live? "You never know!" Shinoda says. "The tour is going to be amazing, and a collabo with Busta, if we cross paths, would definitely be a highlight."

Continue reading.. Busta Rhymes and Linkin Park 'Made It' Together

Kelly Clarkson Shares Naked Tendencies

Kelly Clarkson has undergone several transformations in her relatively short career. Among them: Her hair, her clothing style and not to mention her musical style, as evidenced on her self-professed "edgier" sophomore album. Most recently, it seems Clarkson is ramping up her ongoing quest to shake her "good girl" image.

Us Weekly reports that the 26-year-old Grammy-winning singer loves to walk around her house naked. The kicker? It's not just an alone habit, like plucking your eyebrows or doing an facial mask. A source told the gossip rag that Clarkson prances around in the buff even when her home is "filled with strangers for photo shoots or fittings."

We commend her on her free spirit, but moreso for her unapologetic excuse: "I just really like being naked."

Continue reading.. Kelly Clarkson Shares Naked Tendencies

Bo Bice Goes To 'Idol Camp'

'American Idol' contestant Bo Bice is preparing to give up a handful of touring days to spend nights sleeping in tents, roasting marshmallows and singing 'Kumbaya.' The Southern rocker has donated time to teach music at 'Idol Camp,' a summer outing for kids aged 10 to 15.

"I'm not sure what I'm going to do yet, but I'm hoping I get to teach guitar and songwriting," Bice told PopEater.

Bice said he will use his four-year experience managing a Birmingham, Ala.-area guitar store when stepping in front of students at 'Idol Camp,' which runs in two-week segments running June 15 through Aug. 23 in San Bernardino.

Continue reading.. Bo Bice Goes To 'Idol Camp'

Matt Wertz to Open for OneRepublic

In support of his upcoming summer release, singer-songwriter Matt Wertz announced plans for a solo acoustic tour across the U.S. throughout May and June. The Nashville-based musician kicks off his intimate run on May 12 in Kansas City, Missouri, and finishes the tour on July 28 in Dallas.

In addition to the solo dates, Wertz aims to boost his increasingly loyal fan base by opening up for chart-toppers OneRepublic. For just three nights, Wertz will whip out his full band to join the Timbaland-approved rock group. Tickets go on sale Friday, April 18.

Check out the full tour schedule after the jump.

Buy the '5:19' single on iTunes

Continue reading.. Matt Wertz to Open for OneRepublic

Ashlee Simpson Pregnant?

Us Weekly reports that newly engaged couple Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz are expecting their first child together.

Simpson, 23, and Wentz, 28, announced their engagement last week, but have yet to confirm the pregnancy rumor. "We are thrilled to confirm their engagement and congratulate this happy couple," a spokesperson for the couple told Us. "Beyond that there is nothing to say."

UPDATE: Pete Wentz has denied the rumor. "This is all news to me," he told MTV. "I can't wait for the story about how I'm really in a gay relationship and this is all just a cover ... this is crazy."

Continue reading.. Ashlee Simpson Pregnant?

Jason Mraz Sings, Dances and Steals

When Jason Mraz saw the words "We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things," in artist David Shrigley's drawing of the same name, it moved him. So much so, he decided to name his forthcoming album after it, irritating journalists everywhere by switching out the commas for periods.

"The day that I read it, I knew it was a great album title," Mraz tells PopEater. "When I was finishing working on this album, it kept coming back into my head."

So he e-mailed the Scottish artist and asked permission to use as the title 'We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things.' The artist said yes -- and offered more.

"He's actually done all the doodles for the artwork," Mraz says. "A new relationship formed out of that."

Mraz, who is releasing three EPs before the album hits stores May 13, is thrilled because the title accurately reflects the music found in his latest effort.

"It's an album of sing-alongs and danceable grooves," he explains. "It's very human and very musical as well. It's got a rhythm built into the title. It's inspiring also in a way that people will want to be mischievous and bring back civil disobedience, and make positive change and all that good stuff."

Continue reading.. Jason Mraz Sings, Dances and Steals

Ashlee Simpson, Pete Wentz Announce Engagement

Ashlee Simpson and longtime boyfriend, Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz, are engaged. Cue the tears, emo kids. Simpson confirmed the news herself in a post on the website friendsorenemies.com. "We know there has been a lot of speculation recently about Pete and I and we wanted our fans to be the first to know, because you guys are the best," she wrote. "Yes, we are thrilled to share that we are happily engaged."

Continue reading.. Ashlee Simpson, Pete Wentz Announce Engagement

Fergie, Timbaland Lead ASCAP Awards

Publishing company ASCAP held its 25th annual awards ceremony at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood Wednesday night, and pop was well-represented with both awards and star power. Fergie was on hand to accept her three awards, inlcuding Song of the Year for 'Big Girls Don't Cry,' which tied with Gwen Stefani's 'Sweet Escape.'

"To be honored for this song, 'Big Girls Don't Cry,' has everything to do with the person, which is me and the way I was feeling at one point in time," Fergie told PopEater before the show. "It just feels like I've finally arrived."

Timbaland won Songwriter of the Year for his contributions to nine songs, while his frequent recording mate, Justin Timberlake, showed up to accept his two awards. The night ended with tributes to Golden Note honorees Lionel Richie, who was accompanied by daughter Nicole and other members of his family, and rocker Steve Miller. Richie told Popeater of receiving the award, "After all this time to join the [likes] of the Mancinis and Sammy Khans, I'm just glad to be in the ranks."

For Fergie, being honored on the same night as Miller and Richie brought up some memories. "These are people who have inspired me," she said. "I've sampled Lionel Richie's Commodores on my album and I met him. Steve Miller is such an inspiration. I remember listening to classic rock in high school and being inspired by the Steve Miller Band. To be in this room with these people is a huge deal for me."

Continue reading.. Fergie, Timbaland Lead ASCAP Awards

Lily Allen Dyes Her Hair Bleach Blond

Follicular schizophrenia is nothing new in the music world -- everyone from Miley Cyrus to Clay Aiken have changed their hue at some point. To that end, the "reach for the bleach" trend isn't showing any signs of stopping. The latest to turn goldilocks is lippy Limey Lily Allen, who's receiving mixed reviews for her attempt at "bombshell."

See before and after photos of the 'Smile' star, as well as other artists gone platinum, and decide for yourself if they're better off blond.

Continue reading.. Lily Allen Dyes Her Hair Bleach Blond

Jay-Z and Beyonce Reportedly Tie the Knot

Well, it's about about time. According to PEOPLE, Jay-Z and Beyonce got married early Friday evening after much media speculation. The couple exchanged vows in what was reported as a "private affair" in front of their close friends and family. The nuptials were followed by a reception on the rooftop of Jigga's New York apartment.

The wedding rumors began earlier in the week when the couple took out a marriage license in Scarsdale, New York. Destiny's Child members Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams further fueled the speculation when they appeared in a YouTube video and claimed to be at an "undisclosed location."

Also among those in attendance for the event were Beyonce's father/manager Mathew Knowles, mother Tina, her sister Solange and the couple's friends, actress Gwyneth Paltrow and her husband, Coldplay frontman Chris Martin.

The pair began dating in 2002, and have since collaborated with each other -- Beyonce on Jay-Z's ''03 Bonnie and Clyde' from his 'The Blueprint 2: The Gift and the Curse' album, and Hova on his beautiful B's hit 'Crazy in Love,' off her 2003 album, 'Dangerously in Love.'

Continue reading.. Jay-Z and Beyonce Reportedly Tie the Knot

Miley Cyrus Ready to Conquer Reality TV?



If you're enjoying the Miley and Mandy show -- Miley Cyrus' attempt at getting real in front of the camera with BFF Mandy Jiroux -- then you are in luck! Ms. 'Hannah Montana' and her backup dancer/actress pal might be taking their mega successful YouTube show, which get more than a million views per episode, to TV.

In an interview with E! this week, Jiroux hinted, "It would be cool to do a reality show probably maybe one day. Who knows?" Mandy agreed and revealed her personal favorite reality guilty pleasure: "I love 'The Girls Next Door'!"

Continue reading.. Miley Cyrus Ready to Conquer Reality TV?

No Doubt Return to the Studio

Gwen Stefani took to No Doubt's official message board over the weekend to thank fans for supporting her during her recent dance-inflected solo efforts and reveal that she has returned to the studio with bandmates Tom Dumont, Adrian Young and Tony Kanal. The group's last proper album, 'Rock Steady', was released in December 2001.

"Hey No Doubters," Stefani announced. "Been thinking so much about you all lately as I am back in the studio again with the boys trying to write some new music. What an amazing few years it has been -- so inspired going through the dance record phase of my life. Thank you so much for all your support! The tour was incredible. We ended up doing over 100 shows around the world and it was so rewarding and again inspiring. Thank you to everyone who came out to see it ... memories for life! Great to be home with all my boys."

Stefani, who is married to former Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale, is in the midst of her second pregnancy. "Feels crazy to be pregnant all over again," she explained. "We have been spending every day up in the little studio in our house trying to write music. My favorite part so far is just seeing the boys everyday and hanging out. We have so much fun together. The song-writing part is a bit slow on my part. I think, it has something to do with the baby in my belly, but I'm sure it is all of the process and I really believe this could be the most inspired No Doubt record so far. Can't wait to see what happens. All my love."

Continue reading.. No Doubt Return to the Studio

Coheed and Cambria Frontman Starts 'Wars' in New York

New York progressive rock band Coheed and Cambria will introduce the first five issues of singer Claudio Sanchez's comic book mini-series, 'The Amory Wars,' as a graphic novel during the New York Comic-Con, running April 18-20. Sanchez will be signing copies of the book at the Evil Ink and Image Comic booths.

"It was definitely a learning experience releasing these five," Sanchez told AOL Music from his upstate New York home. "There were certainly ups and downs. We had an artist leave after the second book.

"I hadn't really written anything like this before, although I had attempted with a couple stories -- 'The Second Stage Turbine Blade' and the 'Good Apollo' graphic novel," he continues. "This time around, it was a proper schedule. It's nice to know that it is all catalogued in one piece."

Continue reading.. Coheed and Cambria Frontman Starts 'Wars' in New York

Britney's Clothes for Sale

Want a piece of Britney Spears? Well, part of Brit's wardrobe is up for grabs in an upcoming online auction benefiting the Natural Resources Defense Council.

The auction will include six items worn by the pop princess during the the taping of her guest appearance on the CBS sitcom 'How I Met Your Mother.' Among the garments up for grabs are a navy print Juicy Couture dress, a yellow Nanette Lepore dress and a cream Nanette Lepore cardigan with blue flower details.

Check out a clip of Britney (looking surprisingly hot) on 'How I Met Your Mother' after the jump.

Continue reading.. Britney's Clothes for Sale

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