Lamar Odom Leaves Dallas Mavericks

Lamar Odom's time as a member of the Dallas Mavericks has come to an end. The NBA star left the team today, ending a short and unsuccessful tenure in Big D.
According to ESPN, an agreement reached Sunday allows the two sides to part company immediately, without the Mavericks having to officially release Odom.
The unusual move means the struggling 13-year veteran is now off the Dallas roster for the remainder of the season, but rights are retained by the Mavericks.
The Mavericks and I have mutually agreed that it's in the best interest of both parties for me to step away from the team," Odom said in a statement to ESPN.

"I'm sorry that things didn't work out better for both of us, but wish the Mavs' organization, my teammates and Dallas fans nothing but continued success."
Sources said Odom's immediate departure allows the Mavs to list him as inactive, but not cut him, leaving open the possibility that they could still trade Odom.
Any team that has Odom on its roster as of June 29 must buy him out by that date for $2.4 million or pay the full $8.2 million Odom is set to earn in 2012-13.
The Mavs acquired the 13-year veteran before the season started in what looked like a steal of a deal with the L.A. Lakers. Wishful thinking, it turned out.
At the time of the trade, the Mavs were thought to have scored a huge coup - the reigning Sixth Man of the Year to help cushion the loss of Tyson Chandler.
That vision never materialized, though, as he struggled terribly. As we saw on last night's Khloe & Lamar, his head, heart and reality show were always in L.A.

Dancing With the Stars Week 4: Who Was the Best?

The surprisingly entertaining and evenly-matched 14th season of Dancing With the Stars continued Monday with the top 10 performing Rock Week routines.
The first elimination of the season, Martina Navratilova, we could see coming. Last week, which saw the end of Jack Wagner's run, was a different story.
A season that many criticized for lacking star power has made up for it with high quality dancing and engaging characters that all leave us wanting more.
Sadly, someone must leave each week, though there is a new twist ...

For the next four weeks, the bottom two DWTS vote-getters will dance for their lives, simultaneously, with the judges making the final call on who stays and who goes.

That won't do much could in cases like last week, when a six-way tie for the lowest score - which was really quite high - made it unfair for anyone to leave.
Still, the judges could bail out an obvious favorite if necessary. Will this rule change even come into play after this Monday's routines? You tell us below ...

Demi Lovato Without Makeup: Revealed on Twitter!

She's preached it ever since her trip to rehab: it's what inside that counts. It's the real you that matters.
And now Demi Lovato has put that philosophy into practice, posting a photo on Twitter of herself makeup-free, a rarity for celebrities. (Lady Gaga went a similar route late last month). Take a look for yourself:

"I'm not always perfectly happy with my body," Lovato said in a recent interview with WE7. "After all, I'm a woman and what woman is? But I make sure I tell myself that I'm beautiful and I tell myself daily affirmations, so I would recommend that to younger girls - and guys."

What do you think of Demi's all natural look? Weigh in now and don't forget to watch her official music video for "Give Your Heart a Break."

Is Miley Cyrus Anorexic? Twitpic Sparks Rumors, Star Slams Critics

Miley Cyrus is firing back at critics alleging she has an eating disorder after a recent Twitter pic sparked a great deal of speculation to that effect.
Rumors that the 19-year-old might be anorexic were spawned after posting a photo of her and a bag from fast food chain restaurant Carl's Jr.
In a caption, she Tweeted, "I can't eat it. So I'm just gonna smell the s**t out of it! My mouth is LITERALLY watering." This was the photo:

Recent Miley Cyrus pictures do show the star looking thinner than in the past, so it wasn't totally off base, but she's not starving herself, dudes. Chillax.
Miley, no stranger to Twitter-induced controversy, was APPALLED that people would DARE interpret it that way and HAD to clarify matters ... on Twitter.
"For everyone calling me anorexic I have a gluten and lactose allergy," she wrote. "It's not about weight it's about health. Gluten is crapppp anyway!"
She then Tweeted at sister Noah Cyrus: "U saw how much I ate today at Easter but all of it was healthy and even more fulfilling! Health is happiness!"
There you go, people. Miles has cleared the air. No need to pay attention to every little thing she does, because she would obviously hate that. We clear?

Ozzie Guillen, Miami Marlins Manager, Apologizes For Praise of Fidel Castro

Miami Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen is under fire over comments published last week in which he appeared to express his love for Cuban dictator Fidel Castro.
Guillen, speaking in the Marlins' dugout before today's game at Philadelphia, said he plans to fly back to Miami tomorrow morning to face the media and public.
He says he feels "guilty" and "embarrassed" and wants to address questions personally after sparking controversy with his remarks to Time magazine.

"I want to make everything clear what's going on. Then people can see me and know what I think," Guillen said. "I think it's the proper thing so people can see my eyes."
"I want to get the thing over with. I told the Marlins I want to fly (back) as soon as I can, and tomorrow's a day off. I don't want to (talk about it) in Philadelphia."
"I want to be in Miami and clear everything up."
"I want them to know I'm against everything 100 percent - I will repeat it again - the way this man (has been) treating people for the last 60 years."
"I want the people there. Whoever feels about it, ask me any questions. I want you to ask what you ask, because I feel bad? Yes. I feel embarrassed? Yes."

Amanda Bynes: Looking to Party After DUI Arrest, Denied By Hollywood Bar

Not even a full day after Amanda Bynes was arrested for DUI last week, the actress returned to continue partying at a Hollywood bar, only to be turned away.
Bynes and some friends tried to enter the hotel bar at The Standard Hotel on Sunset Boulevard on Friday night. but the doorman refused to let the star in.
According to TMZ, hotel staff members were aware of Bynes drinking at the nightclub at The Standard on Thursday evening, hours before her DUI arrest.
In case she pulled a repeat performance, they wanted nothing to do with it.

Amanda Bynes after getting bailed out of jail Friday afternoon.

Sources say she and her friends left the hotel without incident after getting negged.
The 26-year-old actress got popped driving through West Hollywood around 3 a.m. Friday morning after she allegedly side-swiped another car.
A police car, as luck and her incredibly irresponsible behavior would have it.
Amanda Bynes was released on $5,000 bail, then got dressed up to go out.

President Obama Voices Opposition to Minnesota Anti-Gay Marriage Bill

Though he does not officially support gay marriage, President Obama voiced opposition to a proposed anti-gay marriage ballot measure in Minnesota today.

Obama for America Minnesota Communications Director Kristin Sosanie said:

"While the President does not weigh in on every single ballot measure in every state, the record is clear that the President has long opposed divisive and discriminatory efforts to deny rights and benefits to same sex couples."

"That's what the Minnesota ballot initiative would do - single out and discriminate against committed gay and lesbian couples - and the President does not support it."

The proposed Minnesota marriage amendment reads simply, "Only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Minnesota."

It's the second time in as many months Obama has weighed in on the issue.

J. Lo Buys Beau Casper Smart a New Truck for His Birthday

No doubt about it: 25 is a big birthday. And when you're Jennifer Lopez's boyfriend, prepare for a serious celebration.

According to People magazine, the superstar bought her beau, Casper Smart, a customized white Dodge Ram pick-up truck. A source told the magazine, "Jennifer had planned a fun day to celebrate Casper's birthday, adding, she "knew that Casper really wanted a truck, and Casper was very excited about the generous gift."

J. Lo tweeted her excitement for her BF's big day. "Beau has a birthday we're so glad we hope its the happiest Birthday Beau ever has!" #singingtweet. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEAR!!!"

With a gift like that, it's pretty much guaranteed to be his best birthday yet. Smart immediately made use of the practical present by driving himself and Lopez to his birthday dinner at an Italian restaurant in West Hollywood, where they were joined by friends. A photo of the two in Casper's new ride shows the couple all smiles.

Lopez has plenty to smile about. She debuted her new, racy video "Dance Again," which features Pitbull and some sexy dancing with Smart involving glitter and blindfolds.

 

Comments on the Web were mixed about J. Lo's generosity. While one fan worried, "Honestly, doesn't she want a man who doesn't depend on her money. She's buying him." "It was very nice for her to buy the current beau a truck." Another applauded, "good for her for doing what she wants." Another agreed, "She is HAPPY and thats what matters."

The "American Idol" judge was first spotted with the back-up dancer in the fall of last year, after her split with husband Marc anthony.