What Ever Happened to Chingy??

Some of his music may have been a little too poppy for my ears, but the more music Chingy comes out with means the more music videos his seXXXy self can be seen in. I haven't heard about this dude in YEARS! Can somebody please inform me of his whereabouts or the future of hopefully still prevalent career? 

Howard Bailey, Jr., AKA Ching-A-Ling needs to make a comeback...like NOW. He's so fly!

The Olympics Have Severly Inconvenienced Poor J.Lo's Hopeful Comeback

What was Michael Phelps thinking? Did he really have to go and score those 8 gold medals at the same time that the artist formerly known as J.Lo is trying to make headlines as she trains for the 22nd Annual Malibu Triathlon?

I'm sure nobody else cares, but Diva Lopez is effing pissed! Who does this Olympian Phelps guy think he is?!?! While he is busy swimming in water, doesn't he know that Lopez walks on it? Psh...

An insider on the set of Good Morning America--the show Jenny From Da Blizock appeared on yesterday to talk about her training--told MSNBC's The Scoop that J.Ho thinks her matters are far more important than "that swimmer."

The source said Jenny "couldn’t come up with Phelps’ name, and then she yammered on about how she was the one training for a triathlon just six months after giving birth, and how that was the big story right now, not ‘the swimmer."

Sorry to burst J.Ho's bubble butt, but with Phelps in the picture or not, the former Fly-Girl's however many minutes of fame are up--and pretty much have been, following her marriage to that nobody named Marc Anthony. Sorry biatch!

Dude, Why Does Suri Have to be so Darn Perfect?

It would only be expected the robotic duo that is TomKat would produce nothing less than a perfect robotic replica of the two combined. Suri Cruise is the most adorable celebuspawn on the planet (besides my little Federline-Spears boys). We never see her shedding a tear or looking sad or doing anything wrong. She's too perfect. I swear these photos are starting to get old. They're all the same. I want to see a photo of Suri doing something krayzie and scandalous!

View more of little Suri with her plastic doll right here

Check This Out, Everyone!

Check out the Celebrity Fashion Lines story I wrote for LA2DAY.com!

You can view my story here

Thanks yall!

I Think I've Already Overdosed And I've Only Listened Half-Way Through

Remember when I suggested Heidi Montag give peace a chance, following the release of her previous single "Fashion" ? Well, she apparently didn't listen. She yet again decided to take to the studio...err...her backyard...to record another song. And this one is bad. Oh wait, duh. And she tries to throw in a little T-Pain-inspired voicebox vocals (because her voice alone is so terrible). This song is called "Overdosin'" and it's about "Overdosing" on her love for Spencer Pratt. And the funniest part of all? I think she actually takes herself seriously. I still think they need to bring Spence back in for a rapping cameo like on "Body Language." I really think he has potential to become the next big thang on the White hip-hop scene like Eminem or Paul Wall.

Anyway, take a listen, and sound off in the comments about what you think. Sadly, this terrible song isn't even Montag's worst. Poor thing.

Just in Case You Were Too Hungover All Weekend to Press the Start Button on Your 'Puter...

• Madge celebrated her big five-oh with her peeps at Volstead nightclub in London, including seXXXy hubby Guy Ritchie and well-mannered daughter Lourdes. Her Madge-esty looked fab (see photo above) on her big day, but apparently she didn't feel entirely at ease about the $200,000 affair. During her 40-minute speech to guests, she stated, "I'm really disappointed. There are a lot of people who did not make it tonight, but thanks to everyone who did make it."
• Lilo is reportedly set to convert to my religion, Judaism because she feels that close to her girlfriend Samantha Ronson...Or she just worships The Platinum Pen and wants to follow in my footsteps ;-)
• It was a story of civic heroism, as dozens of bystanders in The Bronx, New York, rushed to the aid of Donnette Sanz, a 7-month-pregnant woman who was trapped under a bus after a van's brakes went out and crashed into the bus, accidentally taking Sanz under, as she was walking across the intersection of the incident at the time. Sanz, a 33-year-old NYPD traffic agent, was announced dead following the incident, but the bystanders who attempted to rescue the woman were able to lift the bus, get Sanz out from under, and doctors were able to deliver Sanz' baby prematurely instead of leaving it for dead in Sanz' womb. The baby, named Sean Michael Sanz, is in critical condition, but is said will be okay.
  

Platinum Pen Exclusive: Interview With UK Electronica Artist Antigone

Look out Kylie Minoque, there's a new musical majesty in the land of the Gays. The UKs Antigone is the newest thing out on the market and she's already tearin up clubs and car stereos alike. The first single off of Antigone's latest album "AntigoneLand" is called "More Man Than Man." The single is upbeat, uplifting, and you totally can't help but sing along. The rest of the album is eclectic. Each song is completely different. You have your jazz, your disco, your dance, your lounge. Antigone is definitely an artist worth giving a listen because whatever your musical preference, her album has something for everyone.

I had the wonderful opportunity to interview this artist, and she had a lot of interesting things to say about her music, music in general, and women empowerment in the bedroom ;-)

THE PLATINUM PEN: Let's talk about your hit song, "More Man Than Man." It's a great song, by the way. And I have a pretty good idea what it's about, but let's hear from you, the artist. Describe what the song means.

ANTIGONE: At a basic and more primal level it's about a girl telling her frisky fuck-buddy to chill out and grow up about their brief sporadic encounters. She's urging him to become the man he is at night the morning after! At a more subterranean level it's about sex and gender perception, and the fact that even today, many women are castigated as sops who automatically want a relationship with anyone they sleep with when quite often, they seek out casual intimacy as frequently as men. What I like about the title of the song is that it seems at first glance to be about men, whereas in fact it is all about women, and women with stronger libido's than many of their male counterparts. Ha!

THE PP: Who are some of your musical influences?

ANTIGONE: Well my forthcoming album is very eclectic and it betrays a diverse musical upbringing and interest. My parents were both jazz musicians before they became novelists and prison counsellors, so my childhood soundtrack was impeccable - I'm very grateful! I'm usually obsessed with some female singer or another, but I've tended to ease off on listening to one too intensely for too long or I invariably end up imitating them and that's not good. It's good to begin with, but in order to stay true to your own voice there comes a point where you have to stop listening. But I would say my life-long influences are Sarah Vaughan and Syreeta Wright (look her up if you don't know her), probably Bjork, and to an extent Moloko and Goldfrapp who have always encouraged me with their leftfield pop vision. Mostly I'm influenced by artists whose names I don't even know though, because most of the music I listen to is mixtapes by DJ friends and I never end up with the playlists!

THE PP: Who do you listen to the most in the house/dance/electronica genre, and also in other genres?

ANTIGONE: I rarely listen to house. It's for dancing to at clubs! I'm really so much more of a disco lover, and so is my producer. For me disco is still the best dance music, and in a way I consider my dance music to be disco not dance or house. But I can dig bent or more 'haunted' house, like say remixes by Herbert, or the kind of beautiful dancey stuff that graces Hotel Costes compilations. M.I.A and Bugz in the Attic have a good tip on dance. Electronica-wise I'm into so much different stuff but generally the more musical the better, like Susumu Yokota, Wagon Christ and AIR. Otherwise I listen to all sorts of stuff, from Radiohead to Jamie Lidell to Beach Boys. Just good music.

THE PP: How did you end up getting a music deal? How long have you been doing this?

Well it was quite simple because I signed myself. I've been signed before to both majors and indies, and it's not that I don't want to be signed again, but because myself and my producer did the album ourselves, we figured we would try and hold onto the rights for as long as possible while we built buzz around it. In the dance scene particularly, it is not unusual now for artists and producers to put their own records out as the first step. It's really a 'soft' release structure because you're just ensuring that people can buy it if they know about it, and with digital distribution that's easy now. But marketing and promotion remain the biggest challenge. I've been in the biz now for 8 years. They say it takes 10 years to have overnight success, so I'm nearly there - hurrah!

THE PP: What can we expect on the album?

ANTIGONE: It's 11 tracks so a proper LP. Here's what the Editor of PopJustice, Peter Robinson, recently said about it:

"A surefire hit for anyone whose two favourite genres are pop music that sounds like dance music and dance music that sounds like pop music, 'Antigoneland' is a smart and sophisticated club record full of stylish tunes and a fair number of surprises. The hypnotic technological pop of 'Promiscuity' should please those left disappointed with the new Goldfrapp album while tracks like 'Mirror' and last week's single 'More Man Than Man' hit the spot in a brilliantly Roisin Murphyesque way." Hopefully it will be released by the end of the year.

THE PP: Include any other info you would like readers to know about you.

ANTIGONE: Random fact--As well as jazz I have studied Indian singing. On a trip to Mumbai/Bombay for 3 months I sang an impromptu gig with Talvin Singh and also had quite a novel Valentine's Day experience: hanging out on set with esteemed Bollywood siren Rheka, whose only husband died in very mysterious circumstances shortly after they married (in the Indian film industry female stars are instantly relegated to matronly roles as soon as they marry, even if they are still very young and beautiful).

THE PP: Thank you so much for your time. It was wonderful having the opportunity to chat with you and get a better perspective into your world and music. I look forward to listening to your future material. All the best of luck with the success of your current album.

FOR MORE INFORMATION or to order "More Man Than Man," please visit Antigone's myspace: http://www.myspace.com/antigoneland

Talk About Originality!

One would think the imaginative minds at Disney could come up with something a bit more creative for Demi Lovato's debut album cover, which looks like this:

And looks strangely familiar to this:

Apparently Lovato's camp figured people had already forgotten about this hit No Doubt album. I mean I am the furthest thing from a No Doubt fan, but this album was indeed a hit, and it hasn't been that long since it's release. Kinda pathetic that Lovato's peeps couldn't think of anything even slightly more innovative.

The Full-Length Britney Spears OK! Interview

Remember yesterday, when I posted about the preview of Britney's OK! magazine interview--her first in two years? And remember when I said based on the preview, I think I'd rather read National Geographic's "Panda of the Year" issue? Well, folks, I lied. Eff reading NG, I'd rather watch grass grow then have to read this boring-ass interview again. Seriously, talk about a total snoozefest. I mean yeah, she sounds "healthy" in this interview, but all those damn sedatives she's on have really taken away any ounce of personality she had left. But I'll tell ya what, I'll let you judge for yourself. Here's the full OK! magazine Britney Spears August 2008 interview:

What’s a typical day for you with Preston and Jayden?

Well, when I have my children, I’ll get up and make them pancakes.

Blueberry or plain?

Plain pancakes, with sausages. Then we’ll go outside and take a walk. Then I like to do something physical with them, like swimming. Nap time is 1-3pm, and then I’ll read to them.

What do you read?

The Berenstain Books, and anything with cars in it, too.

Are they both into cars?

Yes, big time. I’ve watched the Cars movie nine million times.

What are some of the games you like to play with the boys?

We don’t really play games. We love to read books and do artwork. And they’re outside a lot in their little cars.

Do you sing to the boys?

I do. I actually wrote a song for my new album about them called “My Baby”. It’s a real beautiful song.

Do the boys sing?

Yes. I’ll start, and they’ll join in.

Have you taught them to swim?

They both jump in the water. Well, JJ almost jumps in. Preston will jump in, and then JJ thinks he can but then he jumps to me and screams, ‘mommy, mommy, mommy,’ the whole time.

Do the boys share a room here?

They have separate rooms upstairs by my room.

Are the boys getting into how they look?

Preston is. He wants his shirt and shoes. He’ll tell me what he wants to wear.

What are you doing for their birthdays?

I want to have a traditional party, a joint party for both of them. I have some friends with kids who I am going to invite. There will probably be about 15 or 20 of us. There is going to be homemade ice cream. Probably my dad will make that. We’ll have the jumpers and bouncers.

How do you feel about your boys getting into the entertainment business?

If they want to do it, and if they are talented enough, I would support them. But they’d have to express an interest on their own.

Would you like to see them pursue it?

I’d rather not, but I’d love them unconditionally if they wanted to. I’d just as soon they have a more normal childhood.

Do you cook a lot?

I do. Usually, the maid and I will cook together.

What’s your house specialty?

I love rice and baked chicken. We’ll cook that together, and the kids love my spaghetti. I think for some reason they like my spaghetti better than what they have at their dad’s house.

What’s special about Mom’s spaghetti?

I think it’s my sauce. I make it with love, and I make it from scratch.

Alright– recipe time. We all want to know.

I can’t share my secret with you. But it just takes me about an hour.

Do you watch much television?

Actually I don’t. I’m so busy. And when the kids are here, I like them to be outside doing things or we’re reading together.

What about How I Met Your Mother, the show you appeared on twice?

No. I just don’t watch TV. We get a movie every now and then.

Can you go to the movies?

Sometimes I do. We just went to see Mamma Mia. I thought it was kind of silly. I saw Hancock, which I loved.

Besides taking care of the boys, what’s most important to you?

Recording. Going into the studio.

Do you still do your own housework?

Oh yes. I get mad if the maid does all the work. If she takes it all into her own hands, well, what’s there for me to do? I’m a cleaning fanatic. Dusting is my favorite, and Windex-ing.

Have you always been that way?

Yes, since I was littler. I was brought up by my mama cleaning the house all the time.

What are you listening to now?

I really like Rihanna. I think she’s great. And the girl Duffy. I think she’s amazing. I like the new Madonna CD. I like Leona Lewis too.

Will you see Madonna in concert?

Yes, in November when she’s here in LA.

What are your fashion must haves?

My True Religion jeans. I love them so much. That’s what I have on. They’re so comfortable they are almost like sweats. They fit like a glove.

Whats your relationship like with your mom these days?

It’s really, really good. I went through a stage in high school when it wasn’t so good, but now I’m at a stage where I really appreciate her a lot more.

What’s your relationship like with your dad these days?

It’s really good.

How was it visiting your sister Jamie Lynn when she had her baby Maddie?

That was special, but it was also strange because she’s always been the baby, and now the baby was having a baby. It was mind-boggling. I was shocked a little bit. But it was really cool, and she was happy. When she got to the hospital, we all thought it was going to be an all day thing, and instead, the baby just popped out. Okay, we’re happy now!

Will you visit again soon?

She’s going to come out here for the kids’ birthdays. It will be the first time the cousins meet. I’m sure the boys will be like big brothers to Maddie.

Tell us about the new album.

I think it is more urban. I’m working with producers who are just amazing. It’s Harvey Mason of The Underdogs. There is this fresh new energy.

Have you ever written that much of an album before?

Never this much. I’m writing every day, right here at the piano in this living room.

What do you want to say with this album?

That this is my best work ever.

That’s a very ambitious undertaking. What will make it the best?

Hard work, I guess.

Is the album going to seem more grown up than your previous work?

Definitely. The image factor to it is a little bit older, too. The videos will be very different.

When is it coming out?

In the next six to nine months.

You received great reviews for your appearances on How I Met Your Mother. Do you want to do more acting?

I’d love to, if I can find the right movie.

Is there anything in the works?

Actually, I have a part that just came up. We’re just trying to work it out with my schedule, with the children.

Could you imagine yourself getting into fashion design?

If I had the right team around me, definitely. We’re looking into it, it could happen. Probably women’s clothes first and then go into children’s.

How would you make your line stand out?

I’d want it to be original. I’d probably come up with themes, like an 80’s theme.

Where do you see yourself career wise, going out many years from now?

I want to have a lot of amazing albums under my belt, and some great movie roles.

What do you want your fans to know about where you are at right now?

I’m healthy, happy, and excited about the future.

Lauren Conrad Looks Deeply Into Why She Likes Gossip Girl

In a recent interview with Eonline's Marc Malkin, Lauren Conrad made a profound explanation as to why she loves Gossip Girl, stating, "It's so gossipy..."

That's like me saying, "I love Beverly Hills 90210 because it's so Beverly Hills." It's like DUH! Of course GG is "gossipy" and of course 90210 is so Beverly Hills.

Okay, LC. Way to really put off those reports that you have no depth...

Ohio Man Nickel and Dimes His Way to New Car

70-year-old James Jones may be a cheap man who saves every item of change that comes in his direction, but his not-so-little collection has, in fact, paid for half of his new car.

Showing up at a Chevrolet dealership in a suburb of Cincinnati with 16 coffee tins full of coins, employees of the vehicle retailer had to count the money, discovering 90 minutes later that there was a total of $8000 in change.

James' son Dennis told reporters that his penny-pinching father has always paid for things with coins and that he’s most amazed that his father actually decided to replace his 1981 pickup--which most likely stemmed from him being struck when the truck's parking brake failed last year, putting him in a hospital.

Jones and his wife paid for the remaining $8000 balance of the truck with a check.

Wonder how long it took the couple to save all that change. Should I start on my coin collection today?

Shauna Sand Video Clip of the Day

Shauna Spots a Hooker - Not in Mirror (TMZ Exclusive)

I'm starting to become infatuated with the tranny mess that is Shauna Sand. I don't know. There's just something totally fascinating about her bleach-blonde, extensioned, barely dressed self that intrigues me. What can I say? I'm the first to admit I love a trainwreck. Heck, who doesn't?

Anyway, this video is hilarious and you must watch!!

Tori Spelling is Dissed by the New 90210

Remember when I posted a while back that Tori Spelling would not be appearing on the new 90210 afterall, due to her recent childbirth to daughter Stella? Well, turns out I was wrongly informed.

It turns out, in fact, that Ms. Spelling has been DE-NIED the same sum as her original co-stars Jennie Garth and Goddess Shannen Doherty to appear on 90210 2.0 . And as one would expect, the horse-faced actress is not a happy camper! Because of this, she has retracted her decision to return to the zip that made her famous.

Is Tori unattractive? Yes. Was she the worst "actress" to stem from the original 90210? Absolutely. But, I must agree with Garth, when she states, "Her father created the show." Good point. And for that alone, I definitely think Spelling should be offered the same amount of money as Garth and Doherty. Perhaps the producers figured Spelling has no career, so she'd probably walk on set for free, for that matter. I mean Doherty has no career, but let's be honest--she'd be worth all the millions and trillions in the world to reprise her role.

Garth apparently doesn't speak to Spelling anymore, but says of her former co-star, "I'm really bummed because I love Tori and I was psyched Tori was going to be on the show. I don't know what really happened because I haven't talked to her. I would like to talk to her."

Doherty is probably stoked. More screen time for her--I mean afterall, she is the only 90210 character people really care about. The only thing she had to offer for comment was, “They didn’t even get the numbers right so I don’t know if it’s about the money either.” How profound...

No Couture Ruined in the Process of Britney's First Magazine Interview in Two Years

Looks like Spearsy's talkin again--and not in a British accent. OK! magazine (you know, the pub that officiated the singer's meltdown after she conducted an interview with them a ways back, in which she ruined 2 of the couture gowns they provided for her photo shoot) has landed the sorta-reformed trainwreck's first magazine interview since the one they tried to conduct with her two years ago.

And when you're on as many anti-depressants and sedatives as Spears, you can only expect a boring, by-the-book Q & A. Yeah, the preview of this interview makes a copy of National Geographic's "Panda of the Year" issue look mighty juicy. Jamie Spears offers some interesting words about the new life he has with his daughter, but that's about it. This is very dry and G-rated. And of course the adorable photos of my favorite celebuspawns Sean Preston and Jayden James provide a worthwhile touch.

Issue is on newsstands today. Be sure to pick up your boring copy.

Another Sad Story About the Lauren Conrad Collection

You know how Michael K. has his infatuation with Shauna Sand and Phoebe Price? And how Perez loves him some Orange Oprah? Well, I guess you can put me on those levels when it comes to the Lauren Conrad Collection. I'm obssessed with it's atrociousness. The plot just keeps on thickening.

Apparently, the alleged "clothing designer" made an appearance at Bloomingdales in Century City last Thursday, and said the following to describe one of her pieces:

"This one's a little more nighttime. Again, it's a mini, it's that asymmetrical look that is in for this fall. Um, um. That's it [points to model]."

Anyway, my words can only say so much. Check out this vid for the live scoop!

America Ferrera Don't Give a Sheeit About Gossip Girl

We'll let the clip speak for itself. I think America Ferrera is a wee bit peeved that people care about Gossip Girl more than Ugly Betty. It's okay, America, thanks for giving us this clip to laugh upon.

Take That, Skanky Cyrus!

A picture may typically be worth a thousand words, but in this case, maybe just four. But those four words surely say enough. And in tween-land, this photo is definitely making headlines.

In response to that horrendus YouTube vid in which Miley Cyrus and her skankalicious BFF Mandy Jiroux proceed to mock Selena Gomez and her BFF Demi Lovato, it appears Kevin Jonas, brother of Cyrus' ex-bf Nick, is making it clear which side he reps. I don't really care about these Jonas kids, but I will say, this tee is priceless! Nice work, pal.

And this tee follows not only the YouTube dramz, but the recent publishing of an interview with Seventeen magazine in which Cyrus tells the mag she and Nick "were in love for 2 years" and she may "end up marrying Nick Jonas."

Something tells me she'll take a hint after seeing this! Bad karma, biaaaatch!

Yes, There is Such a Thing as Bad Publicity

Hayden Panettiere is probably hiding herself in embarrassment after the scene that went down in the wee hours of this morning, following Hayden's event last night at Eva Longoria's restaurant Beso.

According to reports, Panettiere's father Alan was arrested after getting into a physical altercation with his wife, Hayden's mother, Lesley--with photographic evidence showing marks on Lesley's face from where Alan hit her.

As of the moment, there has not been public comment from Panettiere or her camp. All we know is there was reportedly alcohol involved, and this anger stemmed from Mr. P accusing his wife of "disrespecting him," following her chattiness with Paula Abdul's restaurant ex, JT Torregiani.

La La La

Good Monday morning,

I am tired--to say the least. I was having the most amazing 3-hour sleep last night, when unfortunately I had to wake up for work. [sigh]

Oh well. What a weekend. I think my roommates and I learned a thing or two about one another...ha ha. 

I hope everyone has a good day. There will be more to come later.

Peace out yallz

Shauna Sand: Responsible Mother and Model Citizen (NSFW)

Shit, this hoe makes Britney Spears look like Mother Theresa. Bitch lets it all hang out--including that deformed nipple. Like seriously, wtf? And as far as her downtown area goes, I would honestly rather not know. But back to that nipple--that shit canNOT be fo' real! For more of the classiness that is Shauna Sand, click here (better close-ups of those, umm...areas...)

Those poor kids of hers. I'm sure they are so proud...