Hayley Williams, lead singer of Paramore, took to Twitter Thursday evening to tell all her 600,000 plus followers that her Twitter account had been hacked.  Apparently, a picture of Hayley Williams topless was posted on her account without her permission.  But was the half- naked Twitpic really hacked?  Was it placed on her Twitter account for all to see as a prank?  Or was this a quick publicity move to ramp up for the new “Twilight” movie, considering that Paramore got their big breakout from being on the first “Twilight” soundtrack?  Or is it to just keep Paramore in the headlines until the next album is released?

“Well…my night just changed drastically, got hacked,” the 21-year-old singer tweeted Thursday.  After discovering the topless picture on her account, she immediately deleted it.

But deleting it did not stop the half- naked picture of the Paramore singer laying on a bed with her breasts exposed from making the rounds on the internet, nor did it stop the bloggers and the social networkers from debating whether or not someone actually hacked into Hayley Williams’ Twitter account or if it was done as a publicity stunt.  Because that debate has become standard with regard to racy, naked, or topless pictures that wind up on the internet by being hacked, stolen, sent to the wrong person, or used without the permission of the “victim.”

And the debate always leads to the same conclusion: If one never wants a naked picture or video of themselves to ever appear on the internet, then one must never allow oneself to be photographed or videotaped naked.  Period.

Regardless of whether or not the Paramore singer did it herself or actually got hacked, she got a lot of love from her fans.  She took to Twitter again:  “Always knew we had the greatest fans. Thank you so much for all the support. Overwhelming.”

Hayley Williams also posted, “Today is a new day. Gonna keep my head up high.”

According to many who have seen the blazing redhead’s topless picture, she has every reason to…

Halfway through the American Idol finale, Casey James began singing the 1988 Poison power ballad, “Every Rose Has Its Thorn.”  Given the format of the the night, even the most oblivious viewer knew that Bret Michaels was going to make and appearance.  After the first verse, Casey James turned and Bret Michaels appeared at the back of the stage, stepping up to join Casey for the rest of the song.  The song was a nice touch, symbolic for both performers for very different reasons.

But if one happens to be a fan of the celebrity gossip site TMZ, then one already knew that Bret Michaels was probably making some sort of appearance on the American Idol finale.  TMZ reported earlier that one of their minions had spotted Bret Michaels at the Nokia Theatre.  Surely he would have at least a cameo, they speculated.  Perhaps he would perform?

And perform he did.

Bret Michaels’ story is an amazing testament to spirit and perseverance.  Back in mid-April, he was admitted to a Texas hospital for an emergency appendectomy.  Eight days later, Michaels, feeling the worst headache he said he had ever experienced, was rushed to the hospital and into the intensive care unit.  He was diagnosed with a subarachnoid brain hemorrhage.  After nearly dying, the Poison frontman fought back and was released.  Doctors thought his recovery remarkable.

During his hospitalizations, America watched Bret Michaels duel in Donald Trump’s boardroom on the reality show “Celebrity Apprentice.”  He had already let it be known that he was going to try to make it to the finale, which was partially a live broadcast.  When it was announced on the show that he would compete against Holly Robinson Peete in the last challenge for the title of Celebrity Apprentice, he was still recuperating.  The Thursday before the finale, he appeared on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” to talk about his ordeal.  That evening, he checked himself back into a Los Angeles hospital because he felt numbness along his left side.  Doctors said he had had a ‘warning stroke.’  Worse, tests showed that he had a congenital heart defect, a hole in his heart.

He told TMZ Saturday that he was not the kind of guy to wait around for the other shoe to drop…

He was in New York for the “Celebrity Apprentice” finale.  And he won.

Three nights later, he was singing “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” with Casey James.

At song’s end, he leaned into the microphone.  “It does,” he said.

Casey James’ rose was his American Idol opportunity.  His thorn was missing the American Idol finale by one position.  Bret Michaels’ rose was his success as a singer and a reality show celebrity.  His thorn was the sudden series of physical problems that nearly killed him.

Every rose has its thorn…

Check out the video of Bret Michaels and Casey James performing “Every Rose Has Its Thorn.”

Wednesday night’s finale of “American Idol” on Fox may have been about whether Crystal Bowersox or Lee DeWyze would win; however, some other highlights of the evening were the special guest stars and a farewell to judge Simon Cowell.

Some of the stars who rocked the stage included Christina Aguilera, Janet Jackson, Alice Cooper, Barry and Robin Gibb (Bee Gees), Darryl Hall and John Oates, and Alanis Morissette, who all sang with some of the “American Idol” finalists. 

A surprise guest performance was none other than the ailing Bret Michaels, lead singer of Poison, whose health issues have been all over the news lately. He most recently appeared on the live finale of “The Celebrity Apprentice,” where he won the competition. But fans were treated to a musical performance on Wednesday night by Bret Michaels when he sang “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” with “American Idol” contestant Casey James, both rockin’ their guitars.

Another highlight was the farewell tribute to the judge everyone loves to hate, Simon Cowell, who is leaving “American Idol” after this season.  Former judge Paula Abdul was present for the tribute, as were former “American Idol” winners Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Hicks, Jordin Sparks, and Kris Allen.  The winners performed a song which also included many former “American Idol” contestants. 

Wednesday night marked Cowell’s final appearance on “American Idol.”  Cowell was pulled on stage where he thanked everyone for their support and sense of humor.

And as for the winner of “American Idol,” the honor went to Lee DeWyze.  His first single will be “Beautiful Day.”

According to Rob Shuter at Popeater’s “Naught But Nice,” Adam Lambert was supposed to perform at the American Idol finale in Hollywood Wednesday night, but he didn’t show up for rehearsal.  The producers at American Idol began to get nervous, not knowing what was going on.  When talks with Adam Lambert’s reps yielded nothing, rather than take a chance that Adam Lambert would show up at the last minute and pull some outlandish stunt or act on live television, the American Idol producers cut him out of the finale altogether.  Are we seeing the beginning of another Adam Lambert scandal, one caused by fear of repeating the now famous American Music Awards performance scandal?

Just a little over a week ago, Adam Lambert went on Twitter and posted that he would not be on the American Idol finale, which is to double as a tribute to departing judge Simon Cowell.  “Unfortunately,” he wrote, “not performing on Idol Finale. Guess they have plenty of artists booked.”

But it seems that that post was written before he was asked to be on the show or as a ruse to pull off a surprise appearance.

Now it would seem that the American Idol producers have decided to keep him off the show (unless some deal is being made in the waning seconds going into the show) in order to avert another scandal.  Apparently the producers do not want a repeat of the American Music Awards performance where Adam Lambert, anchoring the end of the show, simulated sex with a male and a female performer.  The performance caused such an uproar that ABC, the network that broadcast the American Music Awards, canceled Adam Lambert’s appearance on “Good Morning America.”

So what is the deal?  Was Adam Lambert trying to pull a fast one, do something shocking, set up something scandalous?  Or does he have a good excuse for missing the rehearsals?

Has it become so important in Hollywood to please everyone and avoid even the slightest hint or suggestion of impropriety that producers run in fear at the mere thought?  It appears so…

Adam Lambert’s thoughts on this little “scandal”-avoiding drama will no doubt be priceless…

A new winner will be crowned on “American Idol” on Wednesday night, but will it be Crystal Bowersox or Lee DeWyze?

Both finalists performed on Tuesday night, with Bowersox getting more praise from the judges.

Bowersox performed “Black Velvet,” “Up to the Mountain,” and “Me and Bobby McGee.” 

“You took that song and you absolutely nailed it,” Simon Cowell said of Bowersox’s rendition of “Black Velvet,” a song he said he’s normally “allergic” to because it gets murdered, the AP reported.

Bowersox, in turn, complemented Cowell on a great season and wished him luck in the future. The critical “American Idol” judge is leaving the show after this season.

“Since this is becoming a bit of a lovefest tonight, I thought that was by far the best performance and the song of the night,” he told Bowersox. “And since this is going to be the final critique I’m ever gonna give, I would just like to say that was outstanding.”

DeWyze performed “The Boxer,” “Everybody Hurts,” and “Beautiful Day.”  The judges were a little harder on him, except for Ellen DeGeneres.

“Lee, I couldn’t be prouder if I birthed you myself,” DeGeneres told him after he sang Simon and Garfunkel’s “The Boxer.”

Judge Randy Jackson had this to say, though, “You sounded nice doing it … But, c’mon, man, pick it up, pick it up … Get some more energy going.”

If DeWyze wins, his first single will be “Beautiful Day,” while Bowersox will release “Up to the Mountain.”

The winner, based on viewer votes, will be announced on Wednesday’s two-hour finale airing at 8 p.m. (EDT) on Fox.

The finale will mark the end of judge Simon Cowell’s run on the reality show, the judge everyone loves to hate.  Host Ryan Seacrest had this to say on Tuesday:

“We really are going to miss you. You are a dear friend and we wouldn’t be here without you,” Seacrest said.

Who do you think will win this season’s “American Idol?”  And what do you think the show will be like without Simon Cowell? Will you still watch?  Share your thoughts below.

A new champion has been crowned on “Dancing With The Stars” … Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger.

Singer Nicole Scherzinger and professional dance partner Derek Hough took home the mirror-ball trophy for season 10 of “Dancing With The Stars” on ABC on Tuesday night.  Derek Hough also won in season seven with actress/model Brooke Burke, who became a co-host of the show this season.

Coming in at second place was Olympic figure skating champion Evan Lysacek and his professional partner Anna Trebunskaya.

And third place went to ESPN reporter Erin Andrews and professional dance partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy.

The previously eliminated celebrities also attended and danced on the show Tuesday night.  Click here for a complete list of the season 10 celebrities and their professional dance partners.

The “Celebrity Apprentice 3″ season finale began with the two teams led by Bret Michaels and Holly Robinson Peete trying to complete their tasks.  In the end, even though Bret Michaels looked a bit overwrought because of an approaching deadline and the camera equipment he needed to shoot his commercials for his ad campaign running late, both teams got their ad campaigns together and presented their products to be reviewed by Snapple.  But who would Donald Trump hire?  Who would walk away the winner of “Celebrity Apprentice”?

Bret Michaels, working for the American Diabetes Association, was in attendance in his jeans and everpresent bandana, even though he had some highly publicized medical problems in the past several weeks (most of the “Celebrity Apprentice” was filmed before Bret Michaels experienced his series of hospitalizations).  He had experienced a ‘warning stroke’ last week and had checked himself into a Los Angeles hospital after appearing on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” Thursday.  He told TMZ on Saturday that he would be at the “Celebrity Apprentice” finale.

Holly Robinson Peete, working on behalf of her autism awareness and treatment foundation, HollyRod Foundation, appeared in a beautiful silver gown.  When asked if he thought it was fair that he get the sympathy vote, Bret Michaels said that he was going to concede that point until Holly Robinson Peete showed in that dress and played the “hotness card.”  He then said he would take the sympathy vote if he could get it.

Bret Michaels had never lost as project manager while on “Celebrity Apprentice.”  Holly Robinson Peete had, but she had also raised more money for her than anyone on the show — in the history of the show.  When Bill Rancic, the first “Apprentice” winner, and Joan Rivers, last season’s “Celebrity Apprentice” winner, were asked their opinion, Joan Rivers said sometimes you have to go with your heart, and the spirit and determination that Bret Michaels had shown just in being in the boardroom Sunday night suggested he deserved to win.  Bill Rancic reminded Joan Rivers that she had originally chosen Holly Robinson Peete, which she admitted, but she would not back down from her decision.

Snapple had noted that Holly Robinson Peete was someone they would like to have on their Board of Directors.  At the same time, Bret Michaels was their walking demographic — he “was” Snapple.

Donald Trump asked former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich what he thought.  With a very diplomatic answer, Blagojevich suggested that there was no way Trump could tell Bret Michaels he was fired.

After going over both the contestants attributes, after talking with all the team members, after listening to the advice of his advisors, Ivanka and Don Trump, and letting both Bret Michaels and Holly Robinson Peete give one last appeal as to why they deserved to be this season’s winner, Donald Trump made his decision.

And it looked like he was going to fire Bret Michaels.  He said, “Bret…”  He paused, then said, “You’re hired.”

It had been an amazing run for the rocker from obvious underdog to the winner.  And while waiting for the filmed season to end, the 47-year-old Poison frontman, had experienced an emergency appendectomy, a life-threatening subarachnoid brain hemorrhage, and a “warning stroke” in less than two months.  He said he was there to win.

He did.

In the end, both celebrity apprentices and their charities were winners.  Both the HollyRod Foundation and the American Diabetes Association received a $250,000 donation from Snapple.

Rock and reality star Bret Michaels is back in the hospital after suffering what doctors called a “warning stroke,” according to his web site.

Michaels, 47, has also been diagnosed with a hole in the heart.  The heart condition is reportedly operable, but for now Michaels will receive blood thinners and outpatient treatment.

It is “highly unlikely the problems were related to the brain hemorrhage,” according to a statement on his web site.

Michaels just recently survived a brain hemorrhage.  He spoke on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” on Wednesday about his brush with death, saying he realized what mattered most were his children, family, and friends.

Michaels, the lead singer of Poison and reality star of Vh1′s “Rock of Love,” was expected to appear at the finale of “The Celebrity Apprentice” in New York, which will air live on NBC on Sunday.  He is a finalist in Donald Trump’s reality show competition, along with actress Holly Robinson-Peete.  It has not yet been reported as to whether Michaels will still attend.

Bret Michaels’ web site is again experiencing difficulty loading, likely due to fans flocking to the site as they did during the last health crisis.  But fans looking for updates can keep trying www.bretmichaels.com or check on his ).

The following is the latest from his Facebook page:

CELEBRITY APPRENTICE FINALIST, BRET MICHAELS, BACK IN HOSPITAL AFTER SUFFERING WARNING STROKE KNOWN AS A TRANSIENT ISCHEMIC ATTACK (TIA)

RECEIVES DEVASTATING NEWS AS TESTS SHOW HE HAS A HOLE IN HIS HEART OR PATENT FORAMEN OVALE (PFO)

Bret Michaels was readmitted to the hospital this week after suffering numbness on the left side of his body, predominately his face and hands which doctors described as a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) or warning stroke. While MRI and CT scan tests were being conducted, Michaels also received a Doppler Ultrasound of his legs and lower abdomen looking for blood clots and most importantly an Ultrasound Bubble Test of his heart was conducted which proved positive for a Patent Forum Ovale (PFO), a hole in the heart. Dr. Zabramski (Bret’s neurosurgeon), Dr. Becker (who ordered the test), Dr. Cook (who conducted the test) and Dr. Frey (Director, Outpatient Stroke Program) all confirmed the results.

Dr. Zabramski states “There is no doubt that the positive Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) is devastating news to Bret and his family. The good news is that it is operable and treatable and we think we may have diagnosed the problem that caused the Transient Ischemic Attach (TIA) or warning stroke; however we feel it is highly unlikely this is connected to the brain hemorrhage he suffered just a few weeks earlier. Once again it is great that he quickly reacted to the severe numbness and got to the hospital immediately.”

Dr. Zabramski continues, “I realize Bret wants to make a full recovery so that he can be active with his family, attempt to attend the finale of Celebrity Apprentice and especially get back on the road to continue making music. Without a doubt he is very determined to get healthy and make a 100% recovery. Medically speaking it is a fantastic attitude both mentally and physically for him to have. However, Bret’s brain and body are not quite 100% yet, especially with the hole found in his heart. Further tests will be conducted throughout the week and I will have more information next week as to how this Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) will be treated. For now, Bret will be treated with outpatient care which includes a daily injection of Lovenox (a blood thinner to reduce the chance of blood clots) and blood tests.”

Bret’s rep, Janna Elias, states “Bret wants everyone to know he cannot thank you enough for all of the well wishes, prayers, and good vibes you have sent his way. Even though these last few months have been tough on him and his family, especially this most recent setback, he is in good spirits, great medical hands and is positive and hopeful that everything is going to be OK. He is up, walking, talking, continuing his daily rehab and very happy to be alive but he has made it clear he is sick and tired of being in the hospital and is ready to rock again.”

Nicki Minaj, the rapper/ singer most famous for her collaborative hit song “BedRock” (with Young Money), has a sex tape allegedly making the rounds, according to MidiaTakeOut.com.  The gossip website reported Thursday that a sex tape of Nicki Minaj taken a few years ago when Minaj was a little younger is on the market and the opening bid for it is $100,000.  MediaTakeOut.com notes that they have seen the video contents of the sex tape and “it shows Nicki Minaj (or someone that looks a LOT LIKE HER) doing all kinds of freaky stuff.”

Once one becomes a celebrity, it doesn’t take long for anything that can be associated to that celebrity to come to light.  And if there’s a sex tape out there, someone is going to profit from it.  According to MediaTakeOut.com, those who have the sex tape already have a buyer lined up.  Whether that is true or not makes no difference, because whoever ends up with the sex tape stands to make plenty of money charging people to see it or selling it as a DVD or a downloadable sex tape video — regardless of how much they ultimately pay for the sex tape itself.

Young money, indeed…

Unless… Nicki Minaj or her representatives can get a restraining order against whoever ends up with the sex tape — or purchases it — said sex tape will be available shortly to the public.  Of course, that is if the woman in the sex tape actually is Nicki Minaj.

MediaTakeOut.com notes that as soon as there is a buyer, they get to run excerpt videos from the sex tape.

Nicki Minaj is slated to release a studio album this year.  No doubt some will find the sex tape video’s sudden appearance too coincidental to have not been orchestrated, and it could very well be a publicity stunt.  But, then, it may not be…

Besides the “BedRock” single with Young Money, Nicki Minaj has been featured on a number of songs in the past year, including hits by Lil Wayne, Ludacris, and Usher.

Going into the American Idol Top 3, one may have thought that Simon Cowell had made a mistake in his song choice for Lee Dewyze, choosing to promote his song (yes, Simon Cowell owns the rights to Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”) over the thousands and thousands of other songs the judges continually harp about the contestants having to choose from.  It wasn’t that one did not think that Lee Dewyze could handle the song, but simply that “Hallelujah” has been done to death not only on American Idol but… well… everywhere.  It’s one of the most covered songs of all time and it had already been performed this season (and may have been Tim Urban’s only truly good performance while on the show).

But presentation helps as well (watch the video if you missed Tuesday evening’s performance).  Lee Dewyze stepped up to the microphone and the backdrop blazed white, like some religious “seen the light” experience.  And when the backdrop opened and the choir stepped out, advanced and fanned out on either side of the former paintshop employee, it was almost as if he had wings.  The word ‘transcendent’ comes to mind…

“Hallelujah” indeed…

Watching the video, one sees all the little nuances of the performance that were simply taken in and missed by the eye during the performance.  It is a rather stirring performance.  Dewyze’s vocals were visceral, his shouted “Hallelujah” plaintive.  His cover of “Hallelujah” was definitely the best performance of the night, easily overshadowing the downplayed songs of Casey James and Crystal Bowersox (although, to their credit, they performed their songs well).  What this means for the competition is that Lee Dewyze, who has been pushed and prodded by the judges all season to assert himself, just might come out on top of this competition.

Regardless, not winning doesn’t necessarily mean these guys won’t be successful.  Just look at the careers of Clay Aiken, Chris Daughtry, Kellie Pickler, and Jennifer Hudson.

Watch the video of Lee Dewyze performing Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” and ask yourself: Is this the next American Idol?