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Jalesa Hall

Erika Van Pelt eliminated from American Idol

American Idol potential Erika Van Pelt could not get saved by judges and was forced to go home.

Erika Van Pelt was eliminated from “American Idol “on Wednesday evening.

After drastically cutting off her hair, her rendition of Billy Joel’s “New York State of Mind,” could not convince the judges to keep her after it was revealed she was in the bottom three.

According to USA Today, this has been the first performance of this season that has upset people.
Pelt said, “It definitely makes me feel a little bit better about the whole thing, that I knew I has people behind me.”

After giving what most thought was a great performance, Pelt was puzzled by her elimination.
“That’s been the hardest part for me,” Pelt said. “I feel like I’ve given solid performances every time.”
“I haven’t had a really solid, clear idea of why I was ending up in the bottom, why people weren’t gravitating towards me, why I wasn’t getting the votes from America. It’s been really hard for me, certainly discouraging, and it’s been tough to keep my chin up and keep fighting every week.”

Pelt continued by saying, “Sometimes—and this is no way disrespectful to the general public—I think America gets excited about the obvious things. And by obvious things, I mean, like high notes and riffs. That’s just not my style as a singer.”

Pelt’s plans after Idol include preparing for the Idols Live summer tour, promoting her iTunes downloads and hopefully getting involved in musical theater.

Next Wednesday, the top nine: Deandre Brackensick, Hollie Cavanagh, Colton Dixon, Heejun Han, Skylar Laine, Joshua Ledet, Phillip Phillips, Jessica Sanchez and Elise Testone will be performing songs from their own Idols.

See performance below:

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Hilary Duff welcomes new baby boy

Hilary Duff and husband Mike Comrie announced the birth of their new baby boy on Thursday.

Hilary Duff and husband Mike Comrie welcomed their new baby boy on Tuesday, according to the Washington Post.

Duff, 24, tweeted, “Welcome to the World Luca Cruz Comrie! Tuesday evening, we became proud parents of a healthy 7 pound 6 ounce beautiful boy […] We are overjoyed and feel like the luckiest parents in the world. He is surrounded by so much love!! Mom and baby are both doing extremely well.”

Duff, known for her role on the Disney Channel’s “Lizzie McGuire,” married Comrie, 31, who recently retired from the NHL, in August of 2010.

This is the couple’s first child.

According to the Huffington Post, Duff first announced her pregnancy on her personal blog in August, a year after her and Comrie married.
“We…want to share the exciting news that…BABY MAKES THREE!!!” she wrote.

Later, Duff revealed that the baby was a boy.

In a video on Celebuzz Duff said, “It’s just girls in my family so I’m not sure what I’m going to do with a little boy, but it’s exciting. I think deep down inside I kind of wanted a little boy.”

Country star LeAnn Rimes congratulated the new parents on Twitter.
“Congrats @hilaryduff on your sweet love & great name!!!” she wrote.

Al Sharpton speaks at Trayvon Martin rally

Despite his mother’s passing on Thursday, Al Sharpton still makes it down to Florida for Trayvon Martin rally.

Ada Sharpton, the Reverend Al Sharpton’s mother, died Thursday after her long term battle with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia in Alabama, but Sharpton has had time to grieve yet.

The civil rights activist made his way down to Florida to lead a rally Thursday night in protest of the Trayvon Martin case, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Trayvon Martin, an unarmed 17 year-old was shot by a local neighborhood watch man after the watchman, George Zimmerman.

As we reported earlier this week, Martin was walking in a gated community on Feb. 26 when Zimmerman followed and shot him. Zimmerman claims that he acted in self-defense, though some reports say Martin only had a drink and a bag of skittles on him.

Sharpton joins sides with other politicians and celebrities that have spoken out for justice in the Martin case. The Chicago Tribune reports, “But love him or hate him, Sharpton has become the most recognizable figure fighting—boots on the ground—on behalf of Martin and his bereaved parents.”

An event that was originally supposed to be held at the First Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church had to quickly change locations to Fort Mellon Park to accommodate the mass amount of people.

The U.S. Department of Justice, civil rights department, and the FBI are investigating the case, but Sharpton and other critics feel like things are moving too slow.

Sharpton said before the rally, “We wanted to come out and say we did not come here for a temporary leave of absence, we came for permanent justice. Arrest Zimmerman now! That’s what this rally is about.”

While police have identified Zimmerman as white, his family says that he is Hispanic and that race is not an issue in this case.

Sharpton joined, “an audience made up of men and women of all races and ages and religions who stand with Sharpton in demanding justice on behalf of Martin and his family,” according to the Chicago Tribune.

Sharpton tweeted Thursday, “I am on the flight to Florida and will move forward with our plans to protest the killing of Trayvon Martin. My MOM would have wanted me to.”

Matt Forte not happy about Bears signing Michael Bush

After signing Micheal Bush, Matt Forte went to Twitter to say he feels “disrespected.”

Running Back Matt Forte isn’t happy with the Bears signing another player to his position and has been vocal about his concerns, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

Thursday, the Bears announced that they would be bringing Michael Bush to Chicago with a four-year deal for $14 million, $7 million guaranteed.

Forte tweeted, “There’s only so many times a man that has done everything he’s been asked to do can be disrespected!” Guess the good guys do finish last…”

Earlier this month, the Bears arranged a franchise tag on Forte, meaning that he will be paid $7.74 million. Though this is a raise from the $7 million last year, it is still unclear how much of a raise Forte is looking for.

Forte tweeted later on, “For the record I’m not mad at the signing of another running back. This is the 4th time that’s happened. I embrace competition as well as help. But as for not taking care of ur own and undervaluing a player under his market value is another story!”

Forte rushed for 997 yards in 12 games, missing the last four due to a knee injury.

Bush, who rushed for 977 yards in 16 games with the Oakland Raiders, said, “I can understand where the guy is coming from. Everything they’ve asked, he’s done. You want to be rewarded for your success. But that has nothing to do with me.”

Speaking highly of Forte, Bush said, “I’m just glad I’m on this team.”

Former current Carolina Panther Greg Olsen tweeted:
“Why keep paying backups big [money] every [year]? Crazy! Matt deserves better. Of course backup RB is important. All I’m saying is take care of workhorse first then find his backup. Matt been best player for yrs.”

Forte has been with the Bears since 2008. 

Kim Kardashian flour-bombed by mystery woman

At a event Thrusday promoting her new perfume, Kim Kardashian was hit with a bag of flour.

Isn’t flour’s for baking, not throwing at celebrities.

At a launch party in West Hollywood, Kim Kardashian was pelted with an entire bag of flour, according to E! Online.

While the flour left Kardashian’s black blazer covered in flour, the reality star was not extremely upset about the situation.

Kardashian said, “That probably is the craziest, unexpected, weird thing that ever happened to me. Like I said to my makeup artist, I wanted more powder and that’s a whole lot of translucent power right now.”

Kardashian reportedly laughed the situation off.

Kris Jenner told E! Online, “if anybody comes at me with something, call security.”

Though sisters, Khloe and Kourtney were not at the event, they later tweeted in support of their flour-bombed sister.
Khloe tweeted, “I wish I was with my sister tonight. I bet you that woman wouldn’t have dared tried a thing…”
Kourtney tweeted, “Classy to flour bomb my sister at her charity event helping women. I wonder if they would have dared thrown the flour at my hormonal and pregnant self!”

The woman, who is un-identified, attempted to run away after the incident but was caught by Kardashian’s rep. According to the Los Angeles County Sherriff’s Department press release, Kardashian will not be pressing charges but a non-criminal battery report was filed.

The woman has since then been released. The motives behind the woman’s flour bomb are unclear now, but it might have something to do with fur.

Kardashian got cleaned up after the incident and returned back to the red carpet around 10 minutes later.

Kardashian was promoting her new fragrance True Reflection, which will be available this month.

New Orleans Head Coach Sean Payton suspended for one year

After the NFL’s decision, Sean Payton has been suspended from coaching duties for the entire 2012 season.

The NFL officially issued the penalty for the New Orleans Saints for running an illegal bounty system, according to Fox Sports.

Several members of the Saints organization were chastised for “their participation or connection with the bounty system that was run by former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams from 2009-2011.  

Williams was indefinitely suspended. Head coach Sean Payton is suspended from the 2012 season. General manager Mickey Loomis will have to sit out for the first eight games and assistant head coach Joe Vitt for the first six games.

On top of the suspensions, the Saints were fined $500,000 and no longer have their second-round draft choices in the 2012 and 2013 drafts.

The quarterback of the Saints Drew Brees tweeted “I am speechless. Sean Payton is a great man, coach and mentor. The best there is. I need to hear an explanation for this punishment.”

The NFL believes that Payton and Loomis were aware of the bounty system but did not make attempts to stop it.

The investigation began in March and uncovered Saints players and other members in the franchise adding to a bounty poll that reached up to $50,000.

Players received $1,500 for “knockout” hits and $1,000 for “cart-offs, which Fox Sports describes as “an injured opponent being taken off the field on a medical cart.” It is believed that these amounts doubled or tripled during postseason.

NFL commissioner Goodell said,
“It is our responsibility to protect player safety and the integrity of our game. This type of conduct will not be tolerated. We have made significant progress in changing the culture with respect to player safety and we are not going to relent. We have more work to do and we will do it.”

The Saints, and members suspended, have the opportunity to appeal the NFL’s decision.
 

Tim Tebow to the New York Jets

Tim Tebow is making the move from Denver to New York after the Peyton Manning contract was made official.

Tim Tebow is taking a bite out of the Big Apple.

According to ABC News, The New York Jets have received Tim Tebow from the Denver Broncos on Wednesday.

Though the Jets recently extended their starter Mark Sanchez’s contract, Tebow is meant to compliment him. Sanchez acquired a $40.5 million contract extension, with $20.5 million guaranteed.

Tebow was released from the Broncos after the franchise signed Peyton Manning for a five- year deal on Tuesday.

Tebow brought the Broncos to the playoffs last season with 1,729 yards and 12 touchdowns. Tebow’s excellent season led to the former Broncos player being through the spotlight like with “Tebowing.”

Several teams, like the Jacksonville Jaguars, were rumored to be interested in Tebow.

The hope is that Tebow brings a new dimension to the Jets’ offense and bring calm to a locker room that was plagued by conflict, particularly between Sanchez and fellow player Santonio Homes.

Sanchez said to Fox Sports Radio in Los Angeles:
“I think Peyton is going to do great, and I think Tim is going to do great no matter what happens.He can learn from one of the best quarterbacks to ever play or her moves on somewhere else and uses his skills at another ball club. He definitely has talent. He knows how to win. He knows how to impact players, so both guys are really in a good situation. It’ll work out for both of them.” 

John Elway said about the news of Tebow getting traded, “I’m sure he was disappointed. He didn’t come out and say he was disappointed. I think it was a typical Tim Tebow response in the fact that he was very positive and he said, ‘Well we’re talking about Peyton Manning, and I understand exactly what you’re doing.’”

Tebow will return to his backup quarterback role.
 

Kim Zolciak expecting 2nd child with husband Kroy Biermann

“Real Housewives of Atlanta” star Kim Zolciak is expecting her fourth child, second child with husband Kroy Biermann.

Kim Zolciak is expecting her second child with husband Kroy Biermann, according to the NY Daily News.

After the announcement, Zolciak, 33, was flooded with positive responses from fans all around the world.

In response to this, the Real Housewives of Atlanta star tweeted her appreciation.
“We feel so blessed. I really appreciate all the Congrats from each and every 1 of u today! We are so excited and so blessed! Thanks again!”

Zolciak will also be working on a clothing line during her pregnancy.
She tweeted, “Meeting today about the baby clothing line!! So excited!!!!!!”

The 26-year-old Atlanta Falcons player and Zolciak married November 11, 2011.
In a past interview, Zolciak spoke highly about her husband before they married.
“He makes me a better person,” she said. “I love everything about him.”

The reality star told Life & Style, “Kroy and I are so excited. To decided we wanted to get pregnant again and have it happen so quickly was such a blessing.”

Zolciak has two daughters Brielle, 15 and Ariana, 9, from a previous marriage and a son Kroy Jagger Jr, born last May.

Zolciak is known for her presence on The Real Housewives of Atlanta, but has recently landed her own spin-off called Don’t be Tardy for the Wedding.

Don’t be Tardy for the Wedding will showcase Kim and Kroy’s wedding.
It premieres April 26 at 9/8C.

'The Situation' in rehab for some R&R

Despite rumors of going to rebab for drugs, Mike ‘The Situtation’ Sorrentino is just trying to relax.

‘The Situation’ needs to slow down before he has a serious situation.

Mike Sorrentino, also known as ‘The Situation’ has checked into rehab, according to Castanet.net.

Though, rumors have been floating around that it is drug related; his management is insisting that it is for “much needed rest and recuperation.”

Sorrentino just finished a public appearance tour throughout Australia.

A representative said,” He is not in rehab for substance abuse. He has spent the last several weeks at an undisclosed location for much needed rest and recuperation after his extensive production and appearance schedule.”

Rumor is that Sorrentino is resting up before the cast begins filming the sixth season of Jersey Shore.

A source told RadarOnline, “His friends and family know where he is; he just wants to get away from the public and be on his own for a bit to relax.”

MTV announced earlier this week that the reality show was coming back via their blog.

Filming is set to begin this summer, and MTV’s press department released a statement saying, “While things will definitely be a little different this time when they hit the boardwalk, their trademark hilarity and family dysfunction will remain the same.”

Nicole ‘Snooki’ Polizzi recently announced that her and her fiancé Jionni LaVelle were expecting their first child.

As for the rumors, Sorrentino tweeted, “Don’t believe everything you read or hear.”

Alex Smith staying with the 49ers

A new deal between QB Alex Smith and the 49ers will keep Smith in San Francisco.

Alex Smith and the San Francisco 49ers have agreed to a contract reports to the Associated Press.

The contract details included a three-year commitment that will pay Smith $ 8 million per season and a guaranteed $16.5 million.

According to the article, Smith is expected to sign the deal soon, but the sources revealing this information chose to stay anonymous.

Smith met with the Miami Dolphins on Sunday but has made the decision to stay in San Francisco.

The 49ers drafted Smith back in 2005, and he’s has been with the team ever since.

Smith had an impressive season last year, throwing over 3,000 yards and 17 touchdowns that helped bring San Francisco to the NFC game.

Despite Smith’s visit to Miami, the 49ers made it clear that they wanted to continue their relationship with Smith.

Head Coach Jim Harbaugh said about Smith, “It’s a very strong relationship,” and that ultimately Smith was still “our guy.”

Smith signed with $4.9 million and ended up earning an additional $1 million for bringing the team to the playoffs for the first time in eight years.

According to the 49ers CEO Jed York, the offer that was placed on the table for Smith still stood despite the 49ers attempt to recruit Manning.

Former 49ers running back Roger Craig said, “I don’t think there will be any bad blood because he went to Miami for an interview. That’s a part of the process, it’s the nature of the beast. He has to do what’s best for him and his family. I’m pretty sure the 49ers are going to work something out. Players love him, fans love him. I love him.

Craig went on to say, “I think Alex wants to get this put to bed, so he can focus on having a great year, an All-Pro year this year. He doesn’t want this dark cloud over him.”