The state of California took a giant step forward by banning Proposition 8 today. The sunshine state’s measure to ban same-sex marriage was ruled unconstitutional by the court.

Today, lots of celebrities – not just the ones from L.A. – are rejoicing.

Miley Cyrus tweeted: “We’re one step closer beautiful people.”

Host of “The Ellen Show”, Ellen DeGeneres wrote: “Today we took another step towards equality. #Prop8 was found unconstitutional again. I couldn’t be happier.”

Drag Queen Beauty RuPaul simple said: “Prop 8, sashay away.”

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Move aside presidents, becase vegetarians are taking over as the new face of American postage stamps.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) have taken the faces of 20 of the most famous vegetarians in history and put them on a series of postage stamps, to be released tomorrow. The stamps are an example of PETA’s effort to put a stop to animal abuse.

“It’s just another way to be able to talk about what animals go through in slaughterhouses,” said Lisa Lange, vice president of PETA.

The stamps will be available on Peta’s website through December and possibly into January, just in time for us to send out those holiday cards.

The collection will include the faces of celebrities such as Russell Simmons, Woody Harrelson, Natalie Portman, Chrissie Hynde, Joan Jett, Bryan Adams, Leona Lewis, Paul McCartney, Pamela Anderson, Bob Barker, Stevo-O, and Ellen DeGeneres.

The set of 20 will be completed with the famous faces of Morrissey, César Chávez, Leonardo da Vinci, Leo Tolstoy, Albert Schweitzer, Gandhi, Pythagoras and Johnny Appleseed.

“These are very influential people, and not everyone knows that these folks are vegetarian,” said Lange.

While it’s a little risky to put such a controversial organization in charge of a set of postage stamps that will be released to the public, I think it could actually be a good idea. It will definitely attract the attention of collectors, but it will also help PETA achieve its hopes it to in publicizing issues at hand regarding animal cruelty.

Do you think the stamps are a good idea? Which stamp are you most excited for?

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The fantastic foursome of Will.I.Am, Fergie, Taboo and apl.de.ap – otherwise known as the Black Eyed Peas, came together for a final farewell at Miami’s Sun Life Stadium on Wednesday.

Hosted by Queen Latifah, the concert also featured performances from Cee-Lo Green, Jason DeRulo, Flo Rida, T-Pain and Sean Kingston – all respectable fans of the Peas.

Will.i.am reflected on the earlier days of the Californian group. “I remember when we got 30 dollars to play a Cal State Northridge party. And it feels so good that this many years later we’re here  and we thank you guys from the bottom of our hearts for helping us pursue our dreams.”

He also had some advice for up-and-coming musicians:

“Whatever it is you wanna do in life, if somebody tells you no, don’t listen to them. Pursue your dreams, surround yourself with good friends,” he preached. “Black Eyed Peas is a family, we are friends, and we helped each other get here—and you guys are an extension of that friendship. We are here in this stadium today representing family and love, a day before Thanksgiving, and we thank you guys for the love.”

He is in the midst of prepping his much-hyped solo album “#willpower” that is set for release next year. Fergie, the 36-year-old songstress, wants to focus on starting a family with her husband, actor Josh Duhamal. While apl.de.ap is planning on going home to the Philippines and Taboo will get to spend more time with his family. It’s the end of an era, my friends.

Despite their hiatus, the group insists they are not breaking up. ”We always have two cycles of records and then we take a break. And then two cycles of records and then a break. When we take breaks you know, we work on side projects and get our personal stuff in order then come back and make beautiful music. We think beautiful music,” he recently told Ellen DeGeneres.

Will you miss BEP? Let us know.

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When it comes to dating, lately Rihanna’s been talking the talk but not walking the walk.

The pop star, who’s 6th album came out this week, was just recently named “Sexiest Woman Alive” by Esquire magazine. She appreciated the compliment but while on the Ellen Show, she said she doesn’t consider herself the sexiest. Rihanna just credits photographer for making her look good on the magazine cover, which features her fully nude, covered in tabacco leaves.

Rihanna flat out explained to Ellen she’s not dating anybody right now, and added she doesn’t like it when guys are intimidated by her. It’s kind of hard not to be intimidated by someone with nude magazine photoshoots!

“I’m not necessarily happy being single. It sucks but it is what it is,” she told Ellen.

It seems like Rihanna went on the Ellen to record an eHarmony video profile. The young singer sounded a bit desperate at times by overstating how unhappy she is being single and not having any time off work. She even pointed to her lady bits and claimed “she’s not happy either”. Well, Rihanna, there are numbers to call for someon to come over and take care of that.

“That’s why I stay on Twitter. So I can conversate with my fans. I don’t get no booty calls,” Rihanna explained.

Watch the very revealing interview with Ellen posted below.

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Katy Perry was on the Ellen Show yesterday and she gushed about how much she wants to have kids with her husband, comedian Russell Brand.

“I think that’s one of the reasons you get married. Especially to the person that you marry. You think, that person is going to be a good partner, a good parent,” she told Ellen Degeneres. “If it doesn’t hurt the first time. I’ll keep popping them out.”

Of course, it will hurt, Katy! Judging from all her t.v. appearances and interviews, Katy’s bubbly personality and warm-heartedness would definitely make her a really great mom. I hope her fashion sense rubs off on her baby. I’d love to see them in matching outfits (if it’s a girl!).

Aside from talking about babies, the “Teenage Dream” singer told her audience she’ll be performing a free concert at the Staples Center in L.A. on November 23.

Katy said she rented out the centre herself and wants to give all her fans a free show to cap off her amazing California Dreams tour. This isn’t something that many platinum recording artists do for their fans, so Katy Perry fans must really be over the moon at this opportunity.

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Aw, Lizzie McGuire is all grown up! Actress-turned-singer-turned-hockey-wife Hilary Duff who’s only at the ripe ol’ age of 24 is expecting a baby with husband Mike Comrie.

JustJared reports she recently taped an appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres show that will air this Monday. She told Ellen she’s expecting a boy.

The So Yesterday singer, who got married only a year ago, is four months into her pregnancy.

I know when you’re young and in love you just want to take the fast lane but there’s a reason the expression “only fools rush in” exists. Hold your horses, Hilary or before you know it, you’ll be exiled from Hollywood, driving minivans in suburbia and shopping for the kids at K-Mart.

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From a YouTube clip last April to the Ellen DeGenerous Show to co-headlining an North American Tour – and Greyson Chance is only 13-years-old.

Before you pin him off as another “Bieber”, check out the famous YouTube video that showcases Chance transformation of Gaga’s “Paparazzi” pop hooks into a heart-felt ballad as he accompanies himself on piano.

After a few weeks and over 30 million views, the video exploded and became one of the most watched on YouTube and in turn Greyson Chance became a sensation. Ellen DeGeneres received a letter from Greyson’s brother Tanner suggesting that she should watch the video. After two performances on her show, Ellen announced that she had signed Chance to her new label: eleveneleven. He has since signed a major-label deal with Geffen Records and Maverick Records.

“I think it’s an honour to be compared to Justin. I mean, he’s this big pop act,” says Chance. “But, my music is definitely more of a pop-rock sound.”

Chance is currently undergoing work on his debut album with a team of top-notch songwriters, including The Matrix (Jason Mraz, Christina Aguilera, Avril Lavigne) and Danielle Brisebois (Natasha Bedingfeld, Kylie Monogue, Leona Lewis).

“The story or the concept is really about heartbreak,” Chance says of the new album’s theme. “Starts with going through a relationship, you’re so in love and you’re so happy. She breaks up with you, she breaks your heart. You hate her but you still love her. And in the end it turns into this dark story about heartbreak and how you deal with it and how painful it can really be.”

His first single, ‘Waiting Outside the Lines’,  combines a faint Snow Patrol sound with a punchy Kelly Clarkson back-beat has a music video and is now available on iTunes.

“I’m currently listening to a lot of Journey. I think they’re such an amazing group. I mean, Steve Perry’s voice speaks for itself,” Chance also cited Coldplay, One Republic and Taylor Swift as major influences.”One of my big role models would have to be Chris Martin [of Coldplay], I would love to collaborate with him.”

“I can be inspired by lots of things. Sometimes by listening to other music, like the music I’m listening to today I have different song ideas. Watching music videos or going to their shows, I learn lots from artists around me. From their music to their their videos. I come up with ideas on my own.”

‘Waiting Outside The Lines’ has already received strong reviews and is a possible prelude of what’s to come. It helped place Chance ninth spot on Billboard’s Top 20 Under 20.

“It felt incredible,” Chance recalls finding out the news. “I was surrounded by big powerhouse names and it felt incredible to be there. I love Billboard, they’ve been very supportive of my projects.”

He has already started to use his celebrity status for charity, appearing at Free The Children’s We Day in Toronto alongside the Jonas Brothers, Hedley and K’naan where he performed a cover of Augustana’s ‘Fire’.

“It was a blast, I had so much fun there. I met the founders of We Day [Craig & Marc Kielburger]and what they’re doing is just so incredible. I had a blast performing, that was my first trip to Canada and I loved it.” Chance is also involved with another Children’s Miracle Network. “I actually did a show for them back in my hometown of Alabama and they’re just so incredible. They’re fighting for these kids, giving so much money every day, every minute of the day. It’s a cause I’m very supportive of.”

As for the upcoming tour, Chance said in his infectious charisma that he’s “really excited to be going on tour with Cody [Simpson]. I think we’re going to but on a really great show.” What he is looking forward to most is for their fans to “have a chance to see two sides of pop music.”

“There are going to be surprises, but I don’t want to give anything away.”

Chance had recently toured North America with iCarly’s Miranda Cosgrove and recently dropped by Ellen’s show to join on Cosgrove’s “Dancing Crazy”.

“I learned a lot from being on tour with her. To always keep your energy high on stage. She taught me a lot. I’m going to be using a lot of that advice and experience on this tour.”

What’s next for Greyson?

“Well hopefully I can have a platinum winning album,  and I can be going to the Grammys and accepting a Grammy.”

The “WAITING 4U” kicks off April 11th in Denver, Colorado. For more information on Greyson Chance and the upcoming ‘Waiting 4U’ Tour, check out www.greyson-official.com, www.facebook.com/greysonchance or follow him on Twitter @GreysonChance.

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Selena Gomez appeared on the Ellen DeGeneres Show yesterday to talk her new single, “Who Says,” which she performed later on in the show.

“I felt like this single really says a lot because it’s already hard enough being 18 and figuring out who you are, and what you want to be, and people just want to constantly take you down,” Gomez told Ellen.

The song has a great message, and although it might be a bit cheesy, it does have a catchy tune! “The song is basically saying we’re all insecure,” says Gomez. “We all feel this way, and that I think everyone’s beautiful, and it’s not sad, it’s just fun. It’s just light.”

When asked if she was bullied as a kid, Gomez answered, “It wasn’t that I was bullied as a kid, I think that everybody obviously gets picked at and made fun of and I still have to obviously deal with that now.” And doesn’t she ever, with all the hate mail and death threats the young star has been receiving from Beliebers all over the world. Well WE love you Selena, and we think that you and Justin made an adorable couple!

And of course, leave it to Ellen to guilt Gomez into talking about her romance with the Biebs! When Gomez appeared on Ellen back in September, the singer/actress answered Ellen’s questioning by saying, “He’s little! He’s like my little brother…that’s weird to me!” But after showing up together arm-in-arm at the Vanity Fair party, and their shopping excursion on Bieber’s birthday, Gomez had a hard time denying it the second time around.

“Noooo,” was Gomez’s answer when Ellen asked, “But he’s not like your little brother, is he?”

“He’s sweet,” Gomez announced. As a parting gift, Ellen gave Gomez a pillow with Bieber’s face printed on it because she’s apart from Justin and she doesn’t want to miss him too much. “He’s going to make me sleep with this every night,” Gomez laughed. “Thank you for that!”

Backstage, Gomez also announced that her band, Selena Gomez and the Scene, will be touring this summer with their opening act, Allstar Weekend. The tour will kick off in Costa Mesa, CA., on July 24, 2011.

According to Perez Hilton, Gomez is thinking of adding a little Britney-love to the show. “We haven’t announced anything yet but I’m already creatively thinking about what I want and we are working on a few cover songs. We’re doing a Britney tribute which I’m so stoked about! I love Britney, I was like, ‘I have to do it, I wanna do a mash up of all her songs and just go for it. We’re gonna do her hits Baby One More Time, and then I think we’re going to try to incorporate Toxic and that phase, and then we might do some of her recent stuff.”

Can’t wait to see it, Selena! For more info and a full list of tour dates, head over to Gomez’s official website.

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Talk show host Ellen DeGeneres and her wife Portia de Rossi were shocked to discover a trespasser on their property this weekend.

Radar Online is reporting that the female was caught by the property’s 24-hour state-of-the-art security system before she could reach either property on the two-house compound. Beverly Hills police officers were dispatched to the scene and the woman was detained. Her motivation and her identity have not yet been released.

Ellen’s rep made it clear that the woman did not make contact with anyone on the property.

Security has been high at the DeGeneres-de Rossi house ever since Ellen purchased it in 2007. The star put $29 million into one mansion before purchasing the neighboring property for $8.5 million.

Be careful ladies!

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Perezhilton.com has learned that teenage dream Katy Perry has decided to take the last name of her new husband, Russell Brand.

Katy revealed on the Ellen DeGeneres show that she would officially be known to the world as Katy Brand, and moreover, she loves the new name.

“Like if I’m at an event or something like that, and they want special attention, they go, ‘Mrs. Brand!’ And I go shwoosh [looks back].”

While I believe Katy in that she wants to take her husband’s name legally, I am skeptical as to how this translates professionally. Is her next album really going to say “Katy Brand” on the cover? Because with her tight jean-shorts, candy-land bras and wigs, and California-girl attitude, the archetype of a happily-married woman does not seem to fit Katy’s style, or brand, if you will.

Regardless of what her last name ends up being, the more significant thing to realize is how the star is clearly gushing about her new marriage and will take any chance to talk about it. Russell thinks she’s pretty without any makeup on, and thinks she’s funny when she tells the punchline wrong. Cuuttteeee.

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Perez Hilton at the 2009 MuchMusic Video Awards

Perez Hilton has one of the most visited celebrity gossip websites in the world. Perezhilton.com has been built on unflattering rumours and comments about celebs, but now Perez is changing the tone of his website.

In an upcoming interview with Ellen Degeneres, the blogger explains that the recent suicides of young gay men and his passion for fighting anti-gay bullying has changed his approach. Basically he wants everyone to play nice.

“Over the last two weeks I have been doing everything I can to bring awareness to the teen suicides and gay bullying,” Hilton tellsDeGeneres. “In doing so, a lot of people have called me a hypocrite and a bully myself and a big one … From now on I really want to be part of the solution and not part of the problem.”

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TMZ reports that sources tell them Kara DioGuardi has been fired from Fox’s “Amercian Idol.”

The show will return to a three judge format, which should include Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler.

The only way Kara will be able to return is if the negotiations with Lopez fail. However sources say the deal is pretty much done.

As we reported earlier, Ellen DeGeneres announced Thursday she would not be returning to “American Idol.”

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After sitting in the one of the judge’s chairs for the ninth season of American Idol, Ellen DeGeneres is calling it quits.  The talk show host will no longer be a judge on the FOX hit show, reports People.com.

“A couple months ago, I let FOX and the American Idol producers know that this didn’t feel like the right fit for me,” Ellen said in a statement.  “I told them I wouldn’t leave them in a bind and that I would hold off on doing anything until they were able to figure out where they wanted to take the panel next. It was a difficult decision to make, but my work schedule became more than I bargained for.”

Ellen cited that it was sometimes tough to tell the truth to young singers.  “I also realized this season that while I love discovering, supporting and nurturing young talent, it was hard for me to judge people and sometimes hurt their feelings,” she said in the statement.

There don’t seem to be any hard feelings though, as Ellen had nothing but good things to say about her time with the show.  “I loved the experience working on Idol and I am very grateful for the year I had, I am a huge fan of the show and will continue to be.”

With Simon Cowell also leaving, there are now two seats to fill for the tenth season of the show, and some names have already been floating around.  Word is Jennifer Lopez may be getting a spot!  Who would you choose as the perfect panel?

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Ellen DeGeneres is taking her stint on “American Idol” seriously by proving she is a legit music guru. How is she proving it? She is starting her own record label called eleveneleven and signing YouTube sensation Greyson Chance.

Greyson caught the public eye a few weeks ago after his rendition of Lady Gaga’s “Paparazzi” made waves on YouTube, and he ended up as a guest on Ellen.

In an interview airing Wednesday on her show, Ellen tells Greyson, “When I first met you, I said things are going to change … Now [your YouTube hits] are over 30 million.”

On May 13, DeGeneres introduced Greyson to her audience and famously got Gaga to call him live.

“Greyson, you’re so sweet and so talented, and I was so excited that you covered ‘Paparazzi,’” Gaga told the sixth-grade prodigy during the earlier ‘Ellen’ taping. “Everyone loves you so much. Just keep following your dreams and work really hard, and stay away from girls and be focused.”

PopEater reports that Ellen claims to have signed Greyson for $10,000. This contradicts earlier reports that Interscope had signed the 11 year old.

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It looks like being a good dancer runs in the family.

According to geneology researchers at Ancestry.ca, Ellen DeGeneres and Madonna are 11th cousins through a Canadian link.

“It’s rare to discover that two icons are related, but when they are similar in their successes and even their interests, it makes the discovery even more fascinating,” said Lesley Anderson, a genealogist at Ancestry.ca.

The missing link between the two Hollywood superwomen is a shared 10th great-grandfather: Frenchman Martin Aucoin. According to the records, Aucoin’s daughters Jeane and Michelle (9th great-grandmothers to Madonna and Ellen) left France to settle in Nova Scotia. The families lived in the East coast for many generations, until both relocated south of the border in Louisiana and Michigan, now the homes of Madonna and Ellen.

Other interesting links that Ancestry.ca uncovered include the discovery that Harry Potter star Emma Watson (Hermione Granger) is related to a 16th-century woman accused of witchcraft.

As for Madonna and Ellen, it’s pretty obvious to Canadians that anyone with their level of talent must have some roots above the 49th parallel.

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It’s music to FOX’s ears.

Ellen DeGeneres made her debut on American Idol last night as the newest judge on the hit TV show, bringing in huge viewership. As the daytime funny-woman stepped into prime time, she single-handedly upped the ratings of the singing competition by 12 per cent.

Ellen’s presence on the judging panel brought back ratings that the TV classic hasn’t seen since this season’s premiere.

Will the addition of Ellen DeGeneres to the season nine judging panel be enough to rocket the show back to the top of the ratings? Only time will tell.

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Ellen DeGeneres is about to become a Mother – Mother Nature, that is.

The Emmy-winning talk show host revealed on Tuesday’s episode of “Ellen” that she will take on the role for an untitled comedy being produced by Walden Media, the company behind such family-friendly fare as the “Chronicles of Narnia” series and “Journey to the Center of the Earth.”

Their latest movie, which is being penned by “Sex and the City” writer-executive producer Jenny Bicks, will see Ma Nature returning to Earth for the first time since the planet’s creation.

“I’ve always wanted to control the weather,” DeGeneres was quoted as saying in The Hollywood Reporter. “Nothing will stop me from doing this … neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet. … I may be thinking of the postal service – but I’m really excited about the movie.”

Producers are eyeing a summer shoot in L.A. during DeGeneres’ hiatus from her talk show. The comedienne promises to keep fans updated through her talk show, Facebook and Twitter.

DeGeneres last appeared in a live-action feature in 1999, when she had roles in “EDtv” and “The Love Letter.” She voiced the character of Dory in the 2003 Pixar flick “Finding Nemo.”

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It’s official! Ellen DeGeneres has tied the knot with longtime girlfriend Portia de Rossi.

The pair swapped vows Saturday in front of family and friends at their Beverly Hills home, E! News reports.

“It was all close friends and family,” said a source, adding that no celeb guests were spotted entering all day.

DeGeneres, 50, and de Rossi, 35, have been a couple since December 2004. Back in May, DeGeneres announced on her talk show that she and de Rossi were planning to tie the knot after the California Supreme Court struck down a ban on gay marriage by ruling it unconstitutional. The audience responded with a standing ovation.

“Planning a wedding is very stressful,” DeGeneres said on the red carpet at the 2008 Daytime Emmy Awards. “It is crazy. My gardener is now invited.”

On more serious note, the Emmy Winner talk show host added: “”I can’t wait to be married. I feel like it is long overdue. And I think someday people will look back on this like women not having the right to vote and segregation and anything else that seems ridiculous like we all don’t have the same rights.”

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Ellen DeGeneres took home the Emmy for Outstanding Talk Show Host at the 35th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, reports E! News.

This is the fourth consecutive win for DeGeneres who beat out both Barbara Walters & Co. and Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa.

“I never take this for granted…Every single year, I know people joke about it…It’s not what we do it for but it feels so good,” DeGeneres said as she accepted her award. “We all know this has been a crazy year. On my show, we’ve done a lot of crying and a lot of laughing, and I’ve cried all by myself and people laugh, and then I cry some more.”

Although “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” has also previously won Outstanding Talk Show, this year the show lost to the “Rachael Ray” show.

“It’s a huge honor just to be in the room,” said Ray.
Regis Philbin was also a big winner. The legendary talk-show and game-show host was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award for his prolific career in broadcasting.

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Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi are finally getting married.

The 50-year-old comedian made the surprise announcement during last night’s taping of her talk show, and was received with a standing ovation. De Rossi, 35, watched from the sidelines.

The announcement was made just hours after the California Supreme Court’s ruling to strike down the state’s ban on gay marriage.

DeGeneres and her Arrested Development lover have been together for four years.

You can catch the big news on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” this afternoon.

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