I grew up listening to Michael Jackson.  My first album was Thriller. (I still have it.) He left us way too soon, but his music lives on. And now I’m super excited for next week’s Glee!

It’s the much anticipated “Michael” tribute episode and it airs next Tuesday, January 31st at 8/7 c.  Here’s a special sneak peek – straight from the cast!

Taylor Swift graces the cover of Vogue magazine’s February issue and here are some of the interview highlights.  Love her!

Mario Testino/VOGUE

“I look out at the stadiums full of people and see them all knowing the words to songs I wrote,” says Swift. “And curling their hair! I remember straightening my hair because I wanted to be like everybody else, and now the fact that anybody would emulate what I do? It’s just funny. And wonderful.”

Do you ever lose it and act bratty?  “Yeah, but if I do I usually spend the next four days apologizing,” she says. “I get post-conversation anxiety. ‘I am so sorry if I said something weird. Did I make that weird? I am sorry if I made that weird!’ ”

“…There’s no personal trainer. I love to go hiking because it’s an experience. If I need to gain stamina for a tour, I will run every single night on the treadmill, but I don’t necessarily like being at the gym.”

Swift is working on her fourth album: “There’s just been this earth-shattering, not recent, but absolute crash-and-burn heartbreak,” she says, “and that will turn out to be what the next album is about…”

Mario Testino/VOGUE

She looks so beautiful in all the 70s inspired photos.  And even though I’m partial to the curls, her hair looks amazing. February’s Vogue hits newsstands tomorrow, but you can read the entire Taylor article now by clicking HERE.

I caught an episode of Ellen and I wanted to share it here.

In the episode, Justin Bieber gives a surprise visit, and performance, to the underprivileged children of Whitney Elementary in Las Vegas. This will give you one more reason to love superstar Justin Bieber.  Or, maybe it will be your very FIRST reason to love him. Either way, you can see he is one very cool, and bighearted, guy.

“The most amazing feeling I feel, words can’t describe what I’m feeling for real / Baby, I paint the sky blue, my greatest creation was you.”  -Jay-Z

This is pretty awesome stuff.

Brand new Daddy, Jay-Z, just wrote and recorded a brand new track called “Glory.”  It’s all about his two-day-old baby daughter, Blue Ivy Carter.  (Blue was born Saturday in New York City.) And Blue Ivy even makes an appearance on the record.  You can hear the baby coo in the backyard over some beats.  The track was produced by Pharrell and credits Blue Ivy as “B.I.C.”

Jay-Z just posted this track on his website, Life & Times.  He must have been truly inspired by the birth. I just wish his wife, and Blue’s Mama, Beyoncé made an appearance too.

Jay-Z does reference first-time mom Beyoncé’s musical past by saying: “You’re the child of destiny / you’re the child of my destiny / you’re my child with the child from Destiny’s Child.”

Wireimage

The notoriously private star even reveals that he and Beyoncé conceived the baby in Paris AND opens up about a miscarriage in the past.

“Last time the miscarriage was tragic / We was afraid you’d disappear but nah baby you’re magic.”  Wow.  You can listen to “Glory” below.

Is she or isn’t she?  Jessica Simpson has not confirmed her pregnancy, but I think this photo taken of the superstar this past weekend at New York’s JFK airport says it all.  Jessica is engaged to Eric Johnson and has been mum about her growing belly.  I think an announcement will be coming soon.  I’m excited for her and I’ve always been a big fan.  We even like the same boy bander. So, come on, Jessica!  Give us a tweet with the happy news!

Splash News Online

Splash News Online

I’m a big fan of John Mayer.

I know he’s had some trouble keeping his mouth shut about past personal relationships.  Yes, I know he’s a serial dater and a bit of a playboy.  Yes, he might even be arrogant and a little self absorbed sometimes.  I just like his music.  I think he’s an amazing artist and songwriter.  He’s also a quiet philanthropist.  So I was sad when he wrote this on his Tumblr blog a few weeks back. (I wish John would get back on Twitter but, again, he had some issues there as well.)

“Hi everyone,

After several months of going week to week monitoring and hoping to correct the condition, I am forced to cancel my upcoming singing engagements due to something next to my vocal cords called a granuloma. 

I’m bummed to have to bow out of both the iheartradio Music Festival in Las Vegas and an appearance with Tony Bennett in Los Angeles. I know there were people depending on me to be there and I’m sorry that I can’t be on those stages. 

‘Born and Raised’ is complete as far as music recording, song selection, and in some cases mixing, but because of this condition I couldn’t finish singing on several of the tracks. This means the record will be released next year instead of this fall or winter. 

This is a temporary setback, though I’m not sure how long or short a period of time it will be. I’ve got the best doctors in the country looking after me and I will be singing and touring again as soon as I get the all clear. Until then I’ll be spending time writing and composing more music and kicking an empty soup can around the West Village. 

I’m looking forward to seeing you again soon. Until then take good care.

John”

Get well soon, JM.  I can’t wait to hear “Born and Raised” and to see you in Jacksonville again soon.

The highlight of last night’s MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles was Beyonce announcing she is pregnant!

MTV

She was absolutely glowing when she spilled the beans during the black carpet arrival.

Then she performed her song “Love on Top” while telling the audience to stand up and “feel the love that’s growing inside of me.”  At the end of the song she took off her sparkly purple Dolce & Gabbana jacket and rubbed her pregnant belly.  It was the cutest thing. Her husband Jay-Z was in the audience looking like a proud Papa-to-be while his BFF Kanye West gave him a congratulatory hug.

Getty Images

Congrats Beyonce and Jay-Z! That is going to be one talented baby!

Here’s the official music video for “I Love You This Big” by Scotty McCreery. It’s the American Idol Season 10 winner’s debut single. My favorite line is “I love you to the moon and back.”  He’s just so darn cute.

I was a fan of Scotty’s from the very beginning and I’m so happy he won.  I’ve always loved country music.  And I think the video is perfect for him.  It’s simple.  It’s down to earth.  It’s true country.  The fun thing is he’s from Garner, North Carolina, a small town near Raleigh where I lived for five years.  It’s a wonderful place to live and I’m sure everyone there is just thrilled for their hometown boy.

Yo! I love this girl.

Taylor Swift covered Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” during her concert stop in Grand Rapids, Michigan last week.  She’s been paying homage to hometown artists in each city of her Speak Now tour. She chose Eminem’s Oscar-winning song for her show outside Detroit.  And she remembered all the words!  That’s not easy. Here’s the video of that ultra cool performance followed by her cute crowd pleasing cover of Uncle Kracker’s “Smile.”  I adore that purple dress, Tay!

Here’s the official music video for Jordan Knight’s new song, Stingy.  Okay, I’ll admit. I did not LOVE this song the first time I heard it.  And I’m a HUGE fan of Jordan and the New Kids on the Block.  But this super hot video is convincing me that this song is pretty darn good.  It also features my sister’s favorite, Donnie Wahlberg (or D-Dub. Hee.)