Link Roundup – The Icon Edition: Andy Warhol, Queen Elizabeth, Miley Cyrus, Justin Bieber

By GLAMOROSI

This week's entertainment news left me pondering icons, fame and pop culture. I recently stumbled across BuzzFeed's article about forgotten heartthrobs of the 80s and 90s, and while I didn't recognize most of them, I enjoyed looking back at what I'm guessing were a lot of Tiger Beat shots with big hair, bad outfits, and baby boys throwing gang signs. Damon Pampolina from The Mickey Mouse Club wins for achieving all three in one photo.

X Factor Season 2 Episode 6 – The Final Night of Auditions

X Factor judge Simon Cowell gave Lauren Jauregui two thumbs up

By GLAMOROSI

For the final night of The X Factor season 2 auditions we met five singers who were fun, lovesick, heavenly, talented beyond their years and sparkly, in that order. Judges Simon Cowell, L.A. Reid, Britney Spears and Demi Lovato didn't always agree on who to send to boot camp though; in several cases contestants made it through with only 3 out of 4 yeses.

X Factor S2, Ep5 Recap: Dinah Jane Hansen and Sophie Tweed-Simmons (Gene’s Daughter)

Dinah Jane Hansen, 15, dazzled the X Factor judges and crowd

By GLAMOROSI

X Factor season 2, episode 5 began in Providence, RI, with judges L.A. Reid, Britney Spears and Demi Lovato once again waiting for Simon Cowell to arrive. Last week in Greensboro, NC, Simon was late because he stopped at Jake’s for grits, this week he was the last to show because he was driving in on a tiny scooter. After the panel was seated we were treated to auditions from a talented group of singers including Dinah Jane Hansen and Sophie Tweed-Simmons.

Philadelphia's Pizza Brain is the World's First Pizza Museum

Pizza Brain in Philadelphia, PA is the world's first pizza museum

By A.D. AMOROSI

The Guinness World Book of Records said it. The Philadelphia Inquirer said it. NPR said it. Time Magazine said it. CBS national news said it a few days ago. Philadelphia's Pizza Brain, the world's first pizza museum, has the largest collection of pizza memorabilia on the planet. To go with his status as a connoisseur of collectibles and pizza ephemera, Pizza Brain CEO Brian Dwyer (known to his friends as “Brain” for his long time fancy) also makes a great slice of good old-fashioned Boardwalk-style pie.

Singer-Songwriter Ed Sheeran a Hit in Concert and on Fox 29’s 'Good Morning Philadelphia'

Ed Sheeran released '+' (Plus) in England in 2011, and in the U.S. in 2012

By A.D. AMOROSI

In the last few days, Philadelphia audiences got to see folksy singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran up close with Sunday’s sold-out concert at Spring Garden Street’s Festival Pier (moved there from the TLA when the show sold out in minutes), and yesterday's appearance on Fox 29's Good Day Philadelphia morning show with host Mike Jerrick.

One Direction Releases Single Early Due to Leak, 'Take Me Home' Album Drops in November

One Direction's Take Me Home will be released on November 13

By GLAMOROSI

In recent years early leaks of high-profile products and artistic endeavors have become so prevalent that many consumers are skeptical that they are in fact leaks, and not just marketing ploys. In the case of the British-Irish boy band One Direction, they are globally popular with tweens so it seems unlikely they would need the extra buzz, but who knows. The important thing for One Direction fans is that the single and video for "Live While We’re Young" was released a few days early to radio and on video (on September 20) due to an “unauthorized, poor quality version” that was leaked online. The song will be released digitally in the United States on October 1.

Link Roundup: Zendee Rose Tenerefe, X Factor, American Idol, The Voice

By GLAMOROSI

This week in entertainment news, everybody was singing. First, the internet was buzzing about a “Random Girl" who did an amazing rendition of Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” in front of a karaoke machine in a grocery store. After initially reading about her on Perez Hilton, I did some Googling and found out the mystery singer is 21-year-old Zendee Rose Tenerefe.

'X Factor' Auditions, Round 4, Greensboro NC: The Calm Before the Storm

Jeffrey Gutt wowed the X Factor crowd with Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah"

By GLAMOROSI

The season 2, episode 4 round of  X Factor auditions found judges Simon Cowell, L.A. Reid, Britney Spears and Demi Lovato in sunny Greensboro, North Carolina. In this Southern town, the weather and the contestants were unpredictable, and before long storms were raging both outside and inside of the arena. 

'X Factor' Season 2, Episode 3 Recap: Amazing Auditions, an Arrest and an Ambulance Ride

Jessica Espinoza delivered a standout audition on  X Factor's 3rd episode

By GLAMOROSI

This week X Factor began in Kansas City, MO, with Simon Cowell on sick leave and his long-time friend Louis Walsh sitting in with judges L.A. Reid, Britney Spears and Demi Lovato. Walsh, a successful talent manager (Boyzone, Westlife) and well-known judge on Britain's X Factor stated, "When Simon needs an opinion from somebody he trusts I’m the man he calls.”  X Factor's Season 2, episode 3 showcased amazing auditions, an arrest and an ambulance ride.

'Bad 25' Celebrates Anniversary of Michael Jackson's Classic Album

Bad 25 celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Michael Jackson album

By A.D. AMOROSI

Though his death is still shocking and sad to the world that loved him, the enterprise of Michael Jackson thankfully lives on.  Three years after his passing, the platinum-plated singer and dancer is being celebrated with Bad 25, a 25th anniversary deluxe box set of his landmark album Bad, a documentary also called Bad 25 from Academy Award nominated director Spike Lee, and a book from Jackson’s designer and friend, Michael Bush, called King of Style: Dressing Michael Jackson.

Colin Farrell Joins Bono to Promote Sweet Potato for African Farming Regions

The sweet potato can help ease malnutrition in Africa

By A.D. AMOROSI

Bono and Colin Farrell undoubtedly have busy work schedules, yet neither man is so engrossed in fame, music making or acting, to ignore the world’s plight. That’s why together, Bono and Farrell are spearheading ONE.org’s newest charge: making certain that African farming regions and the leaders who rule over those areas have the tools and land to plant orange sweet potatoes, noted for their high nutritional levels of vitamins A, B6, and C.

Led Zeppelin to Release ‘Celebration Day’ Concert Film and Recording

Led Zeppelin will release Celebration Day in multiple formats this fall

By A.D. AMOROSI

For a band that’s been mostly inactive for decades, Led Zeppelin is getting lots of ink as of late. Last week it was announced that the quintessential British hard rock act will receive the 2012 Kennedy Center Honors in December (with David Letterman and Dustin Hoffman, no less). Now comes word that the last concert Led Zep performed as a unit in December 2007 will finally be released on film in October and as a recording in November, both under the title Celebration Day.

Link Roundup: Kardashians, Kate Middleton, The Kennedy Center and Carly Rose Sonenclar

By GLAMOROSI

This week in entertainment, like many that came before it, began and ended with Kardashians. This link roundup, like many that will come after it, begins and ends with boobs.

Feastival 2012 Draws Foodies and Raises Funds for Live Arts Festival and Philly Fringe

(L to R) Stephen Starr, publisher John Colabelli, realtor Allan Domb

By A.D. AMOROSI

This week restaurateurs Audrey Claire Taichman, Stephen Starr and Michael Solomonov hosted FEASTIVAL 2012 at Pier 9 on Philadelphia's riverfront. 950 foodies and $450,000 later, the annual event clearly did what it was supposed to do: raise funds for the Live Arts Festival and Philly Fringe.

'X Factor' Season 2, Episode 2: Britney Spears Excels, Carly Rose Sonenclar is 'Feeling Good'

Carly Rose Sonenclar got a standing ovation for her X Factor audition

By GLAMOROSI

Last night Fox aired episode 2 of season 2 of The X Factor, with auditions from San Francisco, CA, and Providence, RI. During the hour-long show Britney Spears continued to excel in her role as a judge, and teenager Carly Rose Sonenclar wowed the crowd with Nina Simone’s “Feeling Good”.

Britney Spears and Demi Lovato Debut as Judges on 'X Factor' Season 2 Premiere

X Factor judges L.A. Reid, Britney Spears, Demi Lovato and Simon Cowell

By A.D. AMOROSI

This week the singing competition The X Factor returned for season 2, and with it came the debut of two new judges, Britney Spears and Demi Lovato, who join show creator Simon Cowell and returning judge L.A. Reid on the popular show.

2012 Philadelphia Live Arts Festival and Philly Fringe: Five Must-See Shows

Bang  is a must-see show at the 2012 Live Arts Festival / Philly Fringe

By A.D. AMOROSI

The 2012 Live Arts Festival and Philly Fringe is currently running in Philadelphia, PA. The festival offers a wealth of weirdness regarding avant-garde theater and other-worldly musical performances along with experimental dance, movement and comic pieces.  This year there are nearly 200 performances to attend; here are five must-see shows to catch before the festival ends on September 22.

Reality TV Stars Shine at the Mirror Mirror Awards in Atlanta

Kandi Burruss, Cynthia Bailey and Derek J at the Mirror Mirror Awards

By GLAMOROSI

On Monday, September 10, Rolling Out Magazine and CVS held their first Mirror Mirror Beauty Awards in Atlanta, GA. The event, held to honor leaders in the beauty and fashion industry, feted a host of trendsetters including TV reality stars Cynthia Bailey, Kandi Burruss, Derek J, Chilli, T.I. and Tiny.

Chefs Kevin Sbraga and Mike Isabella Team Up for One-Night Event

Chef Mike Isabella will be cooking at Sbraga on September 18

By GLAMOROSI

On Tuesday, September 18, Bravo's Top Chef alumni Kevin Sbraga (season 7 winner) and Mike Isabella (Top Chef All-Stars runner-up) will team up for a special dinner at Sbraga restaurant in Philadelphia. The chefs will collaborate on the menu for this one-night event.

M. Night Shyamalan Dines at Tashan Restaurant in Philadelphia

Munish Narula,  M. Night Shyamalan and Bhavna Shyamalan at Tashan

By A.D. AMOROSI

Philadelphia-based auteur M. Night Shyamalan is certainly busy editing and filming additional footage for After Earth, his upcoming flick with Will and Jaden Smith (due for release on June 7, 2013). But a director-producer has to eat, so this past Saturday he and his wife Bhavna had a date night and dined at Tashan, Philadelphia’s finest Indian restaurant.

The Beatles 'Magical Mystery Tour' Gets New Release on Blu-Ray and DVD

The Beatles - Magical Mystery Tour

By A.D. AMOROSI

On October 8, The Beatles will release a Blu-Ray and DVD of their long out-of-print Magical Mystery Tour (1967), the psychedelic film they wrote and directed famed for scenes with John Lennon singing dream-like classics such as “I am the Walrus”, and pure pop hits like “All You Need Is Love.”

Katie Holmes Named as First Celebrity Model for Bobbi Brown Cosmetics

Katie Holmes is the first celebrity model for Bobbi Brown Cosmetics

By GLAMOROSI

For the first time since the brand debuted over 20 years ago, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics has signed on a celebrity model: actress Katie Holmes.

Rolling Stones Celebrate 50 Years with GRRR! Greatest Hits Album, Shows, Film and Books

By A.D. AMOROSI

The Rolling Stones have been through hits and feuds, tragedies and triumphs, sex and scandals. The only thing that this crew hasn’t been through is 50 years together as a unit. Yet.

'Do No Harm' TV Series to Shoot in Philadelphia on September 10

A tattered production notice for Do No Harm in Philadelphia

By GLAMOROSI

Last night signs were posted between 10th and 11th on Spring Garden Street in Philadelphia to alert residents that the NBC TV drama Do No Harm would be filming in the area. The action will take place on September 10 between 7 AM and 9 PM, but there will be “no parking” signs posted in the neighborhood beginning on September 9, so that equipment trucks and other production vehicles can be positioned in advance of filming.

Demi Lovato Earns #1 Single and TV Gigs on X-Factor, MTV Video Music Awards, Katie

Demi Lovato's third studio album, Unbroken

By GLAMOROSI

Singer Demi Lovato is having a winning Fall season with a current #1 single and a new high-profile gig as a judge on the Fox Network’s hit TV show X Factor, plus appearances on the MTV Video Music Awards and Katie Couric’s new talk show on ABC.

Jay-Z's Made in America Festival a Success

The bill for the Jay Z Made in America Festival

By A.D. AMOROSI

For eighteen-plus hours over two days during the Labor Day weekend, Philadelphia's Parkway (aka Art Museum Boulevard) was transformed into a mini-city of new proportions. The first Made in America Festival – a success courtesy of host and curator Jay-Z, Live Nation and Budweiser – featured grassy grounds, rows of food trucks, scores of special interest tents, and live music from every angle.