On the same day Taylor Swift released the I Knew You Were Trouble music video , her good friend somewhat overshadowed her with a music video of her own. But we think Taylor will understand. Selena Gomez posted a home video last night of her and pals Samantha Droke, Francia Raisa and Laura Quinn getting down to Swift’s latest single, writing along with it on Twitter: “SO Cheesy, I know but I’m glad I’ve got my girls …and Gweny … : ) @taylorswift13 we love you!!!” Selena Gomez Home Video The response of T. Swizzle to this black-and-white release? She made like Justin Bieber and wrote back: “@selenagomez I love you so.”
Kim Jong Un is Time’s 2012 Person of the Year … if the magazine’s online readers have their say anyway. He was chosen by a landslide margin, hilariously. Time readers picked North Korean leader over President Barack Obama, Gabrielle Douglas, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Jon Stewart in an online vote. It doesn’t mean Kim will be named Time’s official Person of the Year 2012, which is announced December 19; that call is entirely the Time editorial board’s. Still, the son and successor of the late Kim Jong Il – who was also named the Onion’s Sexiest Man Alive earlier this fall – received 5.6 million votes. That’s 5.6 million more than either Kim ever got in North Korea! Axis of Evil BURN!!!! “We don’t make our selection based on the poll results,” Time executive editor Radhika Jones noted in the blog post that announced the winners. “But it’s always interesting to see where some of our preferred candidates end up.” As has been the case in previous years, users of 4chan launched a campaign to manipulate the poll, pushing North Korea’s supreme leader to the top. Rounding out the top five: Stewart (2.4 million votes) Undocumented immigrants (1.55 million) Douglas (1.51 million) Burmese leaders Aung San Suu Kyi and Thein Sein (1.48 million) If Kim is chosen as Time’s Person of the Year, it wouldn’t be a totally ridiculous choice Shrouded in mystery, the 28-year-old rose out of nowhere over the past year to become one of the world’s most powerful and last remaining despots. More than likely, though, it’ll go to Obama or someone more conventional. Or no one specifically. Sometimes the Person of the Year is not one particular person. In 2011, for example, it was “The Protester.” In 2006, it was “You.” The Person of the Year, instituted in 1927, is “bestowed by the editors on the person or persons who most affected the news and our lives, for good or ill.” Also, the person who “embodied what was important about the year.” Barbara Walters cast her own vote this week: David Petraeus .
A former High School Musical star and accidental nude model turns 24 years old today. Yes, folks, send in your best wishes now to Vanessa Hudgens, as the owner of a top 100 bikini body has a few reasons to celebrate. Hudgens has three movies coming out in 2013: The Frozen Ground , Gimme Shelter and Machete Kills . She’s also been happily dating Austin Butler for months now. Go ahead and ogle a few Vanessa Hudgens bikini photos in honor of the occasion and also take note of the following December 14th birthdays: Kadee Strickland (37), Patty Duke (66), Nostradamus (509, posthumous).
Natali Germanotta, 20, doesn’t have the same eccentric fashion tastes as her older, famous sibling. You may know her sister, who usually goes by Lady Gaga. Just the same, in a photo shoot for ViralFashion (dot) com, the Parsons The New School for Design student strikes a pose in various high-end pieces. Can you see the family resemblance? The fact that Natali agreed to appear in this photo shoot is surprising, since she’s rarely seen in the public eye and typically allows her sister to get all the attention. She did accompany Lady Gaga (Stefani Germanotta) down the red carpet at the CFDA Fashion Awards in 2011, and starred in her 2010 “Telephone” video. Other than that, she’s kept a low profile. Germanotta’s fashion shoot also features her wearing Alaia, J Mendel, and Proenza Schouler as she hangs out with well-dressed pals at Joanne Trattoria. That’s her parents’ Italian restaurant located on New York City’s Upper West Side. Good advertisement for the eatery, no? Lady Gaga’s weight gain has also been attributed to the restaurant – by the singer herself – which also means the food’s gotta be great.
Students Suspended For Serving ‘Kush Cookies’ To Their Classmates A group of teenagers in Maine are catching some Mary Jane-smackdown after they made cookies full of kush and brought them to school to serve to classmates. via Huffington Post “Kush”-laced cookies taken by a student to a Maine high school on a day ethics and values were being discussed have sickened some classmates. Nine students have been suspended, and police are investigating. Cape Elizabeth schools superintendent Meredith Nadeau says it’s unclear if all the students who ate the cookies were aware they contained “kush.” Some of them felt ill and went to the nurse’s office. School policy calls for a student who distributes or sells drugs to be suspended for 10 days and face possible expulsion, an action requiring a hearing before the School Board. SMH. These little bad azzes know they knew better than this.
Really?? Your son is setting up with booty calls??? Idaho Mother Accused Of Having Sex With Four 15-Year-Old Boys Via IdahoStatesman A Kuna mother accused of having sex with four 15-year-old boys will stay in the Ada County Jail on $250,000 bond, a judge ruled Monday. Courtney Sue Reschke, 35, appeared in 4th District Court on two counts each of felony injury to a child and felony lewd conduct with a child under 16. The investigation is ongoing, and Reschke is expected to face more charges involving more victims, said Ada County Deputy Prosecutor Jean Fisher. Reschke had several sexual encounters with boys at her home in the 400 block of North Sourwood Avenue beginning at the start of the school year, Fisher said. Reschke gave the boys alcohol during several of the incidents. The boys are friends of Reschke’s oldest child. She also has two children ages 5 and 10 who were home during at least one of the encounters, Fisher said. “The 5-year-old was attempting to get into the room to get the defendant’s attention during one of these encounters and the defendant ignored her,” Fisher said. This beyotch ain’t SH!T Reschke’s public defender, David Stewart, said Reschke has lived in the area for seven years and is concerned about losing her job and not being able to take care of her kids if she remains in jail. He asked that she be allowed to leave jail without posting bond. Fisher asked for $750,000; Judge Cathleen MacGregor Irby noted Reschke’s lack of missed court appearances when she set her bond at $250,000. If she does post bond, Reschke is prohibited from contacting anyone under the age of 18. “You’ll need to make arrangements for your own kids because you wont be allowed to be around them,” MacGregor Irby said. Oh, we don’t think she’ll be seeing those kids whether she makes bond or not… Image via Ada County Sheriffs Office
It’s that time of the year again. With 2013 around the corner, THG is going back in time and selecting 10 finalists for our annual Celebrity of the Year award. These stars gave us their best, their worst, their nude pics (sometimes hot), their sex tapes (often not) and their scandals. We kicked off the countdown with Adam Levine at #10 . And now we move on to #9… HONEY BOO BOO! A year ago, seven-year old Alana Thompson was just your basic kid… who starred in beauty pageants and appeared occasionally on Toddlers & Tiaras . Then TLC turned its cameras specifically on Thompson and her family and the world took yet another step toward the Apocalypse. Mother June Shannon grew into a television and Internet sensation, while ratings for Here Comes Honey Boo Boo soared. This family was suddenly more popular than Republicans convening nationally for your vote. Alana has appeared on Dr. Drew and The Tonight Show , among other major talk shows, with viewers simultaneously repulsed by this toddler and enamored by her. She handles road kill. She’s proud of her ever-growing belly. She’s made Go Go Juice into a thing. TLC, naturally, has ordered multiple holiday specials featuring this eccentric family and their popularity has caused an uproar over the status of our programming and our country in general. What are we to make of someone such as Honey Boo Boo turning into a full-fledged celebrity? What does it say about her? About us? How much lower can television sink? Let’s all ponder these heavy questions together… right after we set our DVR for the Here Comes Honey Boo Boo Christmas spectacular, that is.
Dancing With the Stars host Brooke Burke-Charvet is set to undergo a thyroidectomy this week. She recently Tweeted some “last looks at my neck.” “Here we go,” she wrote, along with the image below: Brooke Burke’s thyroid cancer diagnosis shocked fans – and her family – earlier this year, and the mother of four young kids says breaking the news was the hard part. Burke-Charvet has been blogging about her health struggle for Modern Mom, and recently opened up about how she told her family about her cancer diagnosis: “I decided not to tell my children about my diagnosis for as long as I possibly could because I didn’t want them to worry,” she wrote on Wednesday. “I know that my younger ones still don’t have a great concept of time and I didn’t want them to be anxious, worried and asking 1,000 questions.” Children Neriah and Sierra were the first to find out, but it was Burke-Charvet’s son Shaya whose reaction shocked the model and TV personality most. “[He would say] ‘I don’t want Mommy to die’ [and that] is “the stuff that breaks my heart and scares me.” As she prepares for her procedure, Burke is also focused on her healing process, and her recovery. “I’m not afraid anymore,” Burke-Charvet said. “I think I’ve been dealing with it so much the past couple months that now I’m ready to just get it done.” “My only need is being OK for my husband and my children so they don’t have to go through any pain and making this as easy as possible for them.” Here’s wishing Brooke and her family nothing but the best in these trying times.
A Penn State sorority is under scrutiny – and investigation – after a racist photo from a recent party created a stir online. The Mexican-themed image appears below: The picture, taken around Halloween, shows the women dressed in sombreros and mustaches. Some held signs that read “Will mow lawn for weed + beer” and “I don’t cut grass I smoke it.” Get it??! The photo was posted on Tumblr and Facebook, after which a Penn State blog ID’d the women as members of the Chi Omega sorority on campus. Reaction from the embattled university – still reeling from the Jerry Sandusky scandal – and from the sorority itself came quickly after the image went viral. Jessica Riccardi, president of the Nu Gamma chapter of Chi Omega, confirmed to the school’s Daily Collegian that the sorority is under investigation. Riccardi also issued an apology for the photo, writing, “Our chapter of Chi Omega sincerely apologizes for portraying inappropriate and untrue stereotypes.” “The picture does not support Chi Omega’s values or reflect what the organization aspires to be.” The Penn State Panhellenic Council said, “We are addressing the situation immediately with the members of the chapter in conjunction with their national headquarters.” Lisa Powers, director of public information at Penn State, also said in a statement that “This photo has been brought to our attention, and we have looked into the issue.” “The students are within their First Amendment rights [here], although we are certainly appalled that they would display this level of insensitivity and lack of judgment.” “These costumes and this group do not represent fraternity and sorority life at Penn State University, nor the 95,000 students who attend our university.” “The Chi Omega sorority sisters have expressed deep remorse over this incident.” What do you think? Much ado about nothing? Harmless fun being taken too seriously? Completely racist with no regard for basic human decency? Share your comments and vote in the survey below: Chi Omega sorority photo : So racist and offensive Hilarious! Lighten up people! View Poll »
Slamdance set its competition lineup Wednesday with 12 Narrative titles and 10 documentaries joining the film festival’s roster at the 19th annual event which coincides with the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, UT. This year, 13 World Premieres and seven U.S. debuts will screen in competition, chosen out of 5,000 submissions. “Our goal is to showcase exhilarating filmmaking with a revolutionary take on our world,” commented Slamdance president and co-founder Peter Baxter on the festival website. “These filmmakers have a tremendous ability to innovate, explore and revitalize the independent filmmaking landscape.” The 2013 Slamdance Film Festival will take place January 18 – 24. The festival’s competition lineup follows with descriptions and credits provided by Slamdance. NARRATIVE FEATURE COMPETITION: The Narrative Competition is comprised of American and International productions. All 12 films are feature debuts with budgets of less than $1 million, and were programmed entirely from blind submissions. Best Friends Forever / Director: Brea Grant, Screenwriters: Brea Grant, Vera Miao (USA) World Premiere Harriet and Reba hit the road in this darkly comedic apocalypse tale that explores the boundaries of friendship, the danger of hipsters, and nuclear fallout. Cast: Brea Grant, Vera Miao, Sean Maher, Glen Powell, Kit Williamson, Alex Berg, Alex Fernie, Stacey Storey Big Words /Director and Screenwriter: Neil Drumming (USA) World Premiere A lively drama that captures members of a once-promising hip-hop group, now in their late 30’s, as they struggle with regret, disappointment, and change on Election Night 2008. Cast: Darien Sills-Evans, Dorian Missick, Gbenga Akinnagbe, Yaya Alafia, Zachary Booth, Amir Arison, Jean Grae The Court of Shards / Director and Screenwriter: Jan Eilhardt (Germany) World Premiere In this experimental narrative, two disabled women fight in their own way to maintain their independent loves and lives against an overpoweringly caring family. Cast: Caroline Fricke, Silvia Giehle, Natalia Bondar, Frank Hoffmann, Doris Egbring-Kahn The Dirties / Director: Matt Johnson, Screenwriters: Matt Johnson, Evan Morgan, Josh Boles (Canada) World Premiere Two best friends think it would be funny to make a movie about getting revenge on the bullies at their school. One of them isn’t joking. Cast: Matt Johnson, Owen Williams, Krista Madison, David Matheson, Brandon Wickens, Josh Boles, Alen Delaine, Jay McCarrol Fynbos / Director: Harry Patramanis, Screenwriters: Harry Patramanis, Jonathan Glatzer (South Africa) US Premiere On a lavish and remote property, within the walls of a glass house, six lives intersect and lay bare their secrets and psyches in this twisting drama. Cast: Jessica Haines, Warrick Grier, Cara Roberts, Chad Philips, Susan Danford, Sthandiwe Kgoroge, John Herbert Billy Chen Presents: Ghost Team One / Directors: Ben Peyser, Scott Rutherford, Screenwriters: Andrew Knauer, Arthur Pielli, Scott Rutherford, Ben Peyser (USA) World Premiere A subversive, comedic take on the found footage genre, where two roommates deathly afraid of ghosts both fall in love with a girl who believes their home is haunted. Cast: Carlos Santos, Fernanda Romero, J.R. Villarreal, Meghan Folcone, Tony Cavalero, James Babson, Scott MacArthur, Craig Stott Hank and Asha / Director: James E. Duff, Screenwriters: James E. Duff, Julia Morrison (USA) World Premiere In this voyeuristic love story, an Indian student in Prague and a lonely New Yorker correspond online through video letters – two strangers aching for human connection in a hyper-connected world. Cast: Andrew Pastides, Mahira Kakkar He’s Way More Famous Than You / Director: Michael Urie, Screenwriters: Halley Feiffer, Ryan Spahn (USA) World Premiere A struggling actress will stop at nothing to get her movie made in this sharp comedy, bolstered by absurdist touches and a bravura lead performance. Cast: Halley Feiffer, Ryan Spahn, Tracee Chimo, Jesse Eisenberg, Mammie Gummer, Michael Urie, Ralph Macchio , Natasha Lyonne, Ben Stiller Joy De V. / Director and Screenwriter: Nadia Szold (USA) World Premiere An expressionistic, gritty look at the intersection of madness and love that follows a young con-artist who wakes up to discover his pregnant wife is missing. Cast: Evan Louison, Claudia Cardinale, Josephine de La Baume, Iva Gocheva, Victoria Imperioli Kohlhaas / Director and Screenwriter: Aron Lehmann (Germany) US Premiere An obsessed director and his cast seek to adapt the true story of a 16th-century revolutionary when their actions behind the scenes begin to mimic the book’s subject. Cast: Robert Gwisdek, Jan Messutat, Thorsten Merten, Rosalie Thomass, Michael Fuith, Heiko Pinkowski Visitors / Director: Constanze Knoche, Screenwriters: Leis Bagdach, Constanze Knoche (Germany) US Premiere Three adult siblings are surprised by their parents’ announcement that they are cutting off finances in this commanding and evocative look at the oppressive results of stasis. Cast: Uwe Kockisch, Corinna Kirchhoff, Irina Potapenko, Jakob Diehl, Anne Muller, Anjorka Strechel, Bernhard Schütz, Andreas Leupold, Janusz Kocaj, Mehdi Nebbou What Isn’t There / Director: Marie Jamora, Screenwriters: Marie Jamora, Ramon De Veyra (Philippines) US Premiere In this lyrical exploration of love, music and expression, a self-imposed mute returns home for Christmas and the anniversary of his twin brother’s accidental death. Cast: Dominic Roco, Annicka Dolonius, Boboy Garrovillo, Dawn Zulueta, Felix Roco, Alchris Galura, Mercedes Cabral, Marc Abaya DOCUMENTARY FEATURE COMPETITION: The Documentary Competition is comprised of American and International productions. All 10 films are directorial debuts with budgets of less than $1 million, and were programmed entirely from blind submissions. Battery Man / Directors and Screenwriters: Dusan Saponja, Dusan Cavic (Serbia) US Premiere Thanks to the powers he discovered by accident, Biba Struja has spent his entire life experimenting with electricity and proving to himself and others that it cannot harm him. Cast: Slavisa Pajkic Bible Quiz / Director: Nicole Teeny (USA) World Premiere Seventeen-year-old Mikayla memorizes books of the Bible on her quest to win the National Bible Quiz Championship and the heart of JP, her quiz team captain. The film explores coming of age in the face of faith, doubt, fierce competition and teen love. Cast: Mikayla Irle, JP O’Connor, Christopher Teeny, Brandon Duffy, Rich Nelson, Rachel Dawson, Rachel Holley, Gary Irle The Bitter Buddha / Director: Steven Feinartz (USA) Cult-Comic Eddie Pepitone’s life is on display in this unhinged portrait of creativity, enlightenment and rage. Cast: Eddie Pepitone, Zach Galifianakis, Sarah Silverman, Patton Oswalt, Sean Conroy, Paul Provenza, Dana Gould, Marc Maron The Brotherhood of the Traveling Rants / Directors: Gavin McInnes, Steve Durand, Bryan Gaynor (USA/Canada) World Premiere ‘Godfather of hipsterdom’ Gavin McInnes goes on a stand-up comedy tour with his best friend from high school and things go from bad to worse to downright catastrophic. Cast: Gavin McInnes, Steve Durand, Bryan Gaynor The Institute / Director: Spencer McCall, Screenwriters: Uriah Findley, Spencer McCall (USA) Is it a cult? Is it a game? Or is it a life-changing adventure? Cast: Daniel Shoup, Arye Michael Bender, Carolee Gilligan Wheeler, Garland Glessner, Michael Wertz, Kiyomi Tanouye, Geordie Aiken, Jeff Hull The Last Shepherd / Director and Screenwriter: Marco Bonfanti (Italy) US Premiere Renato, the last traveling shepherd left in Milan, has a dream – get to the inaccessible center of the city to meet the children who have never seen a flock of sheep. Cast: Renato Zucchelli, Piero Lombardi, Lucia Zucchelli, Patrizia Frisoli, Hedy Krissane, Barbara Sorrentini (voice) My Name is Faith / Directors: Jason Banker, Jorge Torres-Torres, Tiffany Sudela-Junker (USA) US Premiere Faith, a 13-year-old girl who suffers from Reactive Attachment Disorder, attempts to heal from the trauma inflicted by her birthmother’s lifestyle. Running Wild: The Life of Dayton O. Hyde / Director: Suzanne Mitchell (USA) World Premiere The inspiring journey of a remarkable cowboy who triumphs in his quest to protect wild horses and the American West. Cast: Dayton O. Hyde Where I Am / Director and Screenwriter: Pamela Drynan (Ireland) World Premiere The courageous story of Gay American writer Robert Drake and his struggle to recover and return to the scene of a crime in Ireland, where, he was left for dead more than 10 years ago. Cast: Robert Drake Without Shepherds / Director: Cary McClelland (Pakistan/USA) World Premiere Six bold individuals struggle to find their role in the turbulent waters of Pakistan and build a better tomorrow. Cast: Vaneeza Ahmad, Arieb Azhar, Abdullah Khan, Imran Khan, Ibrahim Waheed, Laiba Yousafzai
