While Americans braved $4-plus-per-gallon prices at the pump--or watched people spend tons of gas money at the Indy 500--celebs flocked to the tiny principality of Monaco for a weekend away. Whether they were attending the Formula 1 race, like Nicole Scherzinger of the Pussycat Dolls, or otherwise occupied, stars alone or in pairs made the best of the holiday.
Kate Hudson relaxed in Monte Carlo with her new fling, racer Lance Armstrong, while newlyweds Jay-Z and Beyonce looked like they weren't having such a good time outside of their hotel. (Maybe they couldn't get tickets to Indiana Jones 4!)
Monaco is shaping up to be a very popular destination for celebs in 2008. In May, Bono celebrated his 48th birthday there, and Brangelina took the kids for a family vacation. Another advantage to this tiny principality? It's close enough to Cannes that stars can run over (in private helicopters, natch!) and catch a film or two.
Hey, did you hear that hip-hop royalty Jay-Z and Beyonce got married in New York this weekend? While the pair has yet to release an official statement about the possibly of their legal union, a marriage certificate was issued in the state of New York, and crowds of black Hummer limos swarmed lower Manhattan on Friday--allegedly to take the rapper and the R&B diva to the courthouse and on to a party at his TriBeCa loft.
So where did they go for the honeymoon? How about romantic... Greensboro?! If the chart-topping power couple tied the knot Friday, they sure picked an odd time to do it, with three tour dates left on Jay's "Heart of the City" tour with Mary J. Blige.
The pair dispatched with two of those this weekend in North Carolina (where Blige wished them vague congratulations) and Washington DC. Jay and Beyonce will have some time to take a real honeymoon before the April 16 show at the Hollywood Bowl.
They could have models and bottles, but all they want are Madonna and "Friends in Low Places." Hip hop stars flocked last week to Spotlight Live, the Times Square karaoke bar which is just a more expensive version of those divey party rooms. The extra price gets you back-up singers and a band, which apparently was enough to entice Naughty By Nature to perform at the spot during a Bad Boy entertainment party last week.
Mya, Ne-Yo and Beyonce have all reportedly stopped by Spotlight Live to belt out bad karaoke tracks. Unfortunately none of these performers were stupid enough to get caught on camera, but Tyra Banks was not so lucky when she decided to perform "Proud Mary" last year; Best Week Ever has the video.
Oh, and since every performance at the bar is broadcast to the street below, you could see someone famous, too!
Hopping from expensive club to expensive club? Buying out the Louis Vuitton store? Lying down in the sun at the Rehab pool party surrounded by ladies? Kanye West has done all that, but recently on his blog he revealed one of his favorite things to do in Vegas: Play Connect Four!
Apparently Kanye and Beyonce were in Vegas for the opening of Jay-Z's new 40/40 Club, and while the club was fine, they got into several heated games of Connect Four. She beat him nine times straight. You go, girl.
They're still so crazy right now! As earlier reported, Jay-Z is opening a Vegas outlet of his popular New York club 40/40, and to promote its opening he and long-time girlfriend Beyonce will perform a duet there on eve of New Year's Eve.
That's right. Unlike stars like Paris Hilton, who selflessly accept large amounts of cash to "host" New Year's Eve parties at megaclubs (hers is at LAX in Vegas), Jay-Z and Beyonce will work on December 30 and then spend New Year's Eve lolling in a bathtub of Cristal Dom Perignon.
We know it's kind of early to ask, but... what are you doin' on New Year's Eve?
It pays to be Jay Z. Oh, in so many ways, it pays. Not only is the man loaded on his own, but his girlfriend is rich, too, and she recently used her hard-earned dough to treat him to a vacation. Vacation from what? The hard work of getting richer, we guess.
Beyonce whisked Jay off to Mexico earlier this month to see "his favorite group" Coldplay perform in Mexico City and for a little bit of beach time. They reportedly dropped $11,000 a night on a villa--a stand-alone private residence, perhaps, but more likely one belonging to the Four Seasons in town. The resort has private villas in the hillside and by the beach. They're not so forthcoming with prices on the web, which means the cost could easily be up there in the $11,000 range.
Punta Mita is on Mexico's Pacific Coast, 45 minutes from the mouthful that is Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport in Puerto Vallarta.
In a marketing move so slick we can't believe it came from the mainstream, the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue 2007 lands today. Yes, on Valentine's Day -- because what's more romantic than a bunch of beach babes? The issue has a vague music theme, which may be the reason why non-model, non-actress Beyonce landed the coveted cover spot. She designed that bikini, too, for the fashion line she shares with her mom, House of Dereon.
If you want to LOOK like Beyonce, you may need plastic surgery, a great trainer or a personal chef (or all three). But if you'd rather take your sweetie to Florida than take a magazine on the flight, head to Key Biscayne, where the cover was shot. The Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne is minutes from downtown Miami and perfectly luxe. We're not sure if the cover shot was taken directly on the hotel's beach (probably not...any Miami experts want to weigh in?), but we wouldn't be surprised if Beyonce demanded a room there.
Rumors are swirling that mega-music twosome Beyonce and Jay-Z are set to add a little marital bliss to their upcoming weekend travel plans.
Under the guise of throwing her man a four-day 37th birthday bash, Beyonce has invited tons of family and friends to St.Barts on Friday, urging them to "get their passports ready for the party," which is kicking off on a private yacht.
But insiders are saying that once guests do arrive, they'll be quickly ferried over to nearby Anguilla for a surprise wedding ceremony at the lavish Cap Juluca resort, a swank five-star hotel featuring Moorish-style private villas (every one with an ocean view), an aqua golf course, and a spa.
That's an interesting way to get your man to commit. Our invite must have gotten lost in the mail, but we'll keep you posted.
