The Fashion Star, Jessica Simpson’s fashion based reality show, has crowned it’s first winner. Kara Laricks has proven herself to be the undisputed queen of the runway. The edgy designer began the competition with a huge stumble that nearly sent her home, early in the first episodes of the series. She tempted the judges by not creating an actual outfit to be judged. Instead, she created an accessory; a simple tie, for the judges to consider. The arrogant move, angered the judges. They nearly dismissed her. However, she fought back with innovative designs and over the duration of the season has won the hearts of the buyers, the judges and the shows enthusiastic viewers.

The Fashion Star is the only truly successful fashion-based reality show, since the inception of Project Runway. Numerous shows have come and gone but only the Fashion Star has captured the same kind of magic that Project Runway once held. A part of that magic must certainly be in the designers competing on the show. Kara vested some very stiff competition, in order to become the victor. Ronnie Escalante was a fan favorite. Nzimiro Oputa was also a major threat. Nzimiro was, arguably one of the most innovative designers in the competition. As a former Engineer, he walked away from a thriving career, angering his parents to pursue his fashion dreams. His innovative designs made men’s fashion, fun which is rare in fashion competitions. Fan boards lit up declaring Nzimiro to be the winner of the night. And perhaps they were correct. Oputa’s designs were compelling, however  in the end, Kara stood well above all of the rest. The judges made their selection based on the overall work of the competition. Oputa, may have been the best of the evening but Kara has dominated the competition since her initial stumble at the beginning of the season.

Fashion Star has been renewed for another season.

After  Deion Sanders, alleged that his wife assaulted him and successfully filed for a restraining order against Pillar Sanders, it seemed as if Deion was going to avoid paying his soon to be ex. However, a recent ruling has put one legal victory, in the win column for Pillar. Deion has been ordered to pay $10,000 per month in child support to his wife. He was also ordered to pay $275,000 in legal fees. Deion had hoped to avoid substantial payments to his wife, emphasizing a nearly iron clad, Pre-nuptial agreement. However, Pillar has argued that alleged habitual cheating by Deion, justifies altering the initial agreement. Deion’s only consolation is that he was not ordered to pay, spousal support. But at 10K a month, its difficult to distinguish tremendous child support payments, from Spousal support.

Pillar has begun to tell the tale of a self obsessed media, and glory hog. She suggests that her husband is simply using their divorce, to wrestle his way back into the media limelight. Primetime, she argues hasn’t been worthy of public mention in some time and the sordid events of their divorce have given him to kind of titlating gossip he needed to thrust himself back into the spotlight. ” I think he just wanted and needed the media attention for him to continue to do what he does, which is sell himself” Pillar told Good Morning America.

Deion tells a very different tale. He suggests that he has publicized the events of their divorce, which include a domestic dispute-in which the former athlete posted pics and a play by play as he filed assault charges against his wife, in order to protect his image. ” I can’t be alleged the guy thats lost his mind. Thats not who I am or what I am. I’m opening up schools. I’m doing many things for the community. I have endorsements.”

General Motors, the most successful automaker in the world, has announced that it will no longer advertise on Facebook. According to GM, ads on Facebook are ineffective. Interestingly, Facebook is on the cusp of releasing it’s IPO, which estimates suggest will value the company at over 104 Billion dollars. This value however is based on the perception that Facebook holds some monetary value for advertisers and businesses. If Facebook is a waste of advertising dollars, as GM suggests, it may call into question the value of social media sites, in general. If the undisputed king of the social media landscape cannot claim to deliver financial results, for it’s advertisers; What then, is the value of advertising on any social media platform? GM left Facebook with a back-handed compliment, by adding that Facebook is very useful for engaging with it’s customers.

As Facebook ventures out into the real world of business, there will be even greater pressure on the company to prove that it has real world value. It will no longer be enough to boast of millions of users or a company cool factor. Facebook will have to prove that, just like any other company, it has an actual product to sell. This will be a crucial test for Facebook, Social Media and the Internet as a whole.

In an announcement yesterday, the long rumored deal became official. Britney will be a judge on X Factor. Joining the troubled starlet will be Demi Lovato. Together with Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid,  the foursome will host the talent competition. X Factor is one of an increasing number of talent competitions. With so many similar shows, crowding the same category of television, X Factor is struggling to distinguish itself. The Voice distinguishes its by eschewing the image obsession of shows like American Idol and instead focuses entirely on the vocals. New shows, like Duets will test the ability of its competitors to go toe to toe with the most famous faces in pop music. And X Factor distinguishes itself, with…….Britney Spears.

The media, which is has an insatiable is setting their countdown clocks for Britney’s onstage breakdown. They predict that Britney is in a fragile state and that she is literally not ready for prime time. The speculation of the media has raised the stakes for Britney. While, she is being paid handsomely for the gig, the media is portraying X-Factor as a critical test of her stability which will determine the likelihood of a full Britney Spears comeback.

In an interview with CNN, Jay-Z says he supports President Obama’s recent decision to support Gay Marriage. The rapper and influential conscience of the Hip Hop world says, “I’ve always thought it as something that was still holding the country back”. He adds “What people do in their own homes is their business and you can choose to love whoever you love. Thats their business. It’s no different than discriminating against blacks. It’s discrimination plain and simple.”

When asked if Obama’s decision would cost the President votes, Jay Z, responded sagely saying, “Its really not about votes. It’s about people.”

William Balfour, the former brother in law of Julia Hudson, the Sister of singer and super-star, Jennifer Hudson, was found guilty of murdering the mother, brother and 7 year old nephew of the singer. Balfour, was accused of flying into a jealous rage, when he discovered that his estranged wife was dating another man. The convicted murder, discovered balloons, sent to Julia from another man. As a result, he shot Jennifer’s 57 year old, mother in her living room. He then proceeded to kill her 29 year old brother, as he lay in his bed. He kidnapped Hudson’s 7 year old nephew and shot him in the head, after placing him behind the front seat of a SUV, owned by Jennifer Hudson. Balfour allegedly, told his wife: “If you leave me, I willkill you. I will kill your family first. You will be the last to die.”

Hudson, was in the court room to hear the verdict.

OUR PRAYERS GO OUT TO JENNIFER AND HER FAMILY

A supporter of George Zimmerman, has placed ads for the sale of Gun Range Targets that resemble the slain teenager. The Gun Range Targets have a blank face, but a figure wearing a hoodie, has skittles tucked into the pocket and iced tea in hand, making the identity of the targets namesake obvious. They also have a cross hair target directly on the chest of the target. It is a clear and unmistakable reference to the fact that George Zimmerman shot Trayvon Martin, in the chest. The ad for the targets are marketed toward Zimmerman’s supporters. It says, that the targets are ideal for those that “support Zimmerman and believe he is innocent and that he shot a thug”.

To his credit, Mark O’Mara, George Zimmerman’s attorney called the sale of the targets, “hate-mongering”. He further stated that “This is the highest level of disgust and the lowest level of civility”. The seller of the targets, reportedly sold out of his entire inventory, within two days!

Usher Raymond has landed a big role, with a heavy weight cast. He will be playing opposite Robert De Niro, in the role of Sugar Ray Leonard. The film, is tentatively titled “Hands Of Stone” but in order to fit into the role, Usher is more concerned with his waistline then his hands. The R&B singer and dancer is trying to drop over 15 pounds, in order to move from 176 pounds to 161, welterweight status. His sticking to a strict died of Kale Salad, steamed spinach, and lean, organic proteins.Strangers to boxing can think of Sugar Ray as a likable pre-cursor to May-weather. Sugar Ray was known for his lightening speed, smooth footwork and Muhammad Ali-like charisma. Usher should have no problem channeling the confidence filled, performer.

The new film is set to debut, next year.