This morning Lady Gaga kicked off Good Morning America's Summer Concert Series in Central Park... where she arrived on a zip line (as one fan Tweeted: "Gaga on a zip line!!!! Goosebumps!!!!") According to ABC it was the biggest turnout they've ever had for an event there, with fans lining up as early as 3 a.m. on Tuesday this week. They were treated to a performance that included "Born This Way," "Judas," "Bad Romance," and "Edge of Glory."
Video: Lady Gaga Ziplines Over Central Park, Rihanna Walks The Streets
Video: Chris Brown Explains Talking Points
Good Morning America continued coverage of its Tuesday contretemps with performer Chris Brown by airing Brown's quasi-apology this morning. Brown appeared on BET's 106 and Park yesterday and referred to his temper tantrum at ABC's Times Square studios (which included breaking a window), "First of all, I want to apologize to anybody who was startled in the office, or anybody who was offended or really looked, and [was] disappointed at my actions. Because I'm disappointed in the way I acted." And he explained how his team sends out talking points to interviewers:
Chris Brown Sorry For GMA Freak Out, But Felt He Was Being Exploited
A day after freaking out and smashing a window in a dressing room at ABC's Times Square studios, singer Chris Brown has apologized for his behavior. On BET's 106 and Park Brown said, "First of all, I want to apologize to anybody who was startled in the office, or anybody who was offended or really looked, and [was] disappointed at my actions. Because I'm disappointed in the way I acted."
Chris Brown Won't Face Charges For Good Morning America Freak Out
The apparently temperamental singer Chris Brown will not be investigated by the NYPD for his temper tantrum at ABC's Times Square studios—because ABC won't press charges. That's probably because, even though Brown had a temper tantrum and smashed a window in a dressing room yesterday, Good Morning America wants him back on the show!
Chris Brown Melts Down At Good Morning America, Breaks Window Then Tweets
Chris Brown's new album F.A.M.E. is out today, and the troubled singer was on Good Morning America to promote his new work. But he did not like it when host Robin Roberts wanted to ask about the 2009 incident where he beat his then-girlfriend Rihanna. TMZ reports, "After the interview, Brown freaked out, storming into his dressing room and screaming so loud, the people in hair and makeup became alarmed and called security... one source present tells us he smashed a window in his dressing room, and the glass shattered and some shards fell onto 43rd and Broadway. ABC security tells TMZ ... the window was shattered with a chair."
Donald Trump Gets Roasted at Hammerstein Ballroom
Future President of the United States and walking Hair Club for Men advertisement Donald Trump was roasted last night at the Hammerstein Ballroom as part of Comedy Central's Roast series. Like its stuffier Friars Club cousin, these events gather top-shelf comedic talent to tastelessly and mercilessly skewer an easy target. Careful guys, he's packing!
Times Square: You're On Rihanna Alert!
Rihanna will be performing a few songs in Times Square tonight at 5:25 p.m.—making for a more chaotic commute home for those who have to travel through the Crossroads of the World. The stage will be set up on Broadway between 42nd and 43rd streets, and the singer is expected to perform 3 songs... but with Jay-Z nearby giving a talk at the New York Public Library later, maybe there will be a surprise encore. (We're told the show is the first live performance for MTV’s new afternoon series, The Seven.)
Obama, Rihanna Pay Tribute To Jasmina
After hearing that 6-year-old Jasmina Anema had succumbed to her leukemia weeks after they met, President Obama took time to extend his condolences to her family yesterday. In a statement, he said Jasmina "showed tremendous bravery in the face of adversity, and her ability to stay positive throughout her battle was an inspiration to me and to all those she touched."
Mary J. Blige Doesn't Want Drama From Husband
At least that's what the Daily News' sources imply: "Hip-Hop diva Mary J. Blige smacked her husband for checking out a waitress at her CD release party this week and warned him, 'You ain't going Chris Brown on me,' witnesses said." Blige's spokeswoman said of her client and Blige's husband Kendu Issacs, "They're as happy as can be. They're spending the holidays together with their three children. Everything's great," while a friend of Blige says maybe "haters" may have "misunderstood a joke Mary and Kendu were sharing."
Rihanna's Random Airport Search
Yesterday on her way from Los Angeles to New York, Rihanna was the subject of a random security search at LAX. The random selection had her out in the open stripping down to a T-backed tank top, and according to the NY Post, "it gave airport gawkers an eyeful of her body and the tattoo that runs down her back." The singer reportedly looked cold and unhappy. She's now safe and sound in NYC—performing at Hammerstein Ballroom last night, and slated as the musical guest on tomorrow's SNL.
Little Leukemia Patient's Presidential Meeting Postponed
Earlier this year, we were moved by the plight of little Jasmina Anema, a 6-year-old with leukemia who needed a bone marrow transplant. While she is still fighting the diseases, Jasmina is having a big week—not only did she reunite with Rihanna on Monday, she is scheduled to meet President Obama today, thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Rihanna Racks Up $2K Fine for Tattoo Shop
Back in July 21-year-old singer Rihanna was spotted inking up some others at East Side Ink tattoo parlor in the East Village. The problem is that's not so legal when you aren't licensed, so now the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has cited the shop for "operating with an unlicensed tattoo artist on site." Her longtime tattoo artist, BangBang, was the first to get marked by the singer, getting an "R" on his leg. Two other resident artists got the same; the owner says, "She hadn't done that before. We had a blast. It was so funny and cute." The fine could go up to around $2,000—but we're guessing that's pocket change for the singer, and maybe she'll help out her friends—though with all this publicity she's probably already done her part.
Rihanna and Chris Brown Both Staying at Trump Tower
The Rihanna and Chris Brown saga has wormed its way into the Big Apple. Eyebrows are being raised after the pair both checked into the Trump International Hotel & Tower this weekend—separately of course. As far as everyone knows, the two stayed separate, something that Brown needs to do to keep his nose clean after a judge ordered him to stay 50 yards away from the onetime "Song of the Summer" queen. Still the Post tries its best to drum up intrigue about the possibility of the two crossing paths around the Columbus Circle lodge, noting the extraordinary effort they both put forth to throw off paparazzi with decoy vehicles. That didn't stop the paper from putting together a loose timeline for their time spent here, as well as postulating, "Could they be making sweet music again?" Brown, who just last week finally apologized for the violent attack of his ex back in February, is due in court next week to receive sentencing for the plea deal he struck with prosecutors. After spending the weekend going to the movies and visiting a childhood friend in Harlem, a member of his entourage told the Post he checked out of the hotel once he realized "that she checked in."
Rihanna Takes Classes at EV Ink Shop
According to Rihanna Buff (your ultimate online Rihanna news source?), the singer was in the East Village yesterday getting tattoo lessons at East Side Ink. The fan blog reports, "All the black she’s been wearing is getting kind of repetitive, but I can deal with it." So understanding. Anyway, she was allegedly there for a sketching class; could Rihanna be looking for a second career? You know what...Rihanna says, "Just live your life/ay ay ay/Intead of chasing that paper." However, she does have an $18,000 a month rental in SoHo to pay for. UPDATE: TMZ went and ruined the fun, they posted about the illegality of Rihanna touching a needle without a license, and now the NYC Health Dept. are sending someone down to the shop. Meanwhile, the singer could be charged with three misdemeanors.
Z100 Spreads a Little Holiday Cheer to the Kids at MSG
Last night at the Garden was the annual Christmas concert thrown by Z100 known as the Jingle Ball. Perusing a list of its performers is a bit of an eye-opening experience for some of us in realizing just how long it's been since we had "the phrase that pays" rolling off the tips of our tongues. But dare we say that in its thirteenth year, the Jingle Ball has been running for long enough to be considered an adolescent institution here in the Big Apple. Plus we can always delude ourselves of our relative youth status by reading the Daily News description of the tweenage girls "having one heck of a good time."
Gothamist's Week in Rock: (Madison Square) Garden Variety Edition
There was no avoiding Kanye's epic and ego boosting Glow in the Dark Tour as it rolled through New York this week. The hip hop space opera was one for the ages, walking the fine line between Spinal Tap and R. Kelly in terms of the laughing at/with ridiculousness; it included campy stage props, dry ice, and holographic strippers. The concept's absurdity was breathtaking: Kanye crash lands alone on an alien planet, with only his female talking spaceship, Jane, alongside him. He needs "star power" for the spaceship to launch again, since he's the biggest star in the universe, he is able to power up and get the ship back home. Kanye might not win a Pulitzer for the story, but that's not to say it wasn't mind-blowingly enjoyable.

