The pressure was on Simon Cowell to deliver a knock-out first show with the launch of X Factor USA tonight - and he didn't disappoint.
The 51-year-old, who quit his coveted role on American Idol to bring his British format to America, wowed viewers with a series of both weird and wonderful performances, and a dose of controversy.
A single mother who had everyone in tears, a reformed drug addict hoping to turn his life around, the most bizarre but endearing older couple, and a man who pulled his pants down mid-act, were just a few of the highlights of a stunning first show.
The production was undeniably slick - zooming overhead shots showed panoramic American scenes as the judges were introduced with explosive fanfare and that catchphrase so familiar from the UK show - 'it's time to face the music.'

This was no accident, Cowell brought out the best of his production team to ensure that the magic translated across the Atlantic, and tonight we saw plenty of it at the L.A. and Seattle auditions.
Joy: Stacy is congratulated by her family after her talent is recognised at last
But following the model of the original, the fanfare was just a sideshow to the stories that were to unfold over the first two hour episode on America's Fox Network.

And America seemed to eat up each tale of woe and redemption as reception to the show on Twitter was hugely positive, as the program played the enthusiastic observations kept rolling in.

One tweeter described the show as 'magical,' while another wrote: 'Every1 and any1 gets a chance-No matter what's your age,race or background..New Fav show.'

She is one of the most popular singers in the world and he is cementing his place in Hollywood so they're busy schedules mean they' don't get to spend much time together.
But Russell Brand seemed to have no problem finding a female companion to keep him company while his wife Katy Perry was hard at work in Brazil.
And who better to fill her place than an international supermodel.
The Get Him To The Greek star, 36, smiled broadly as he posed with Cindy Crawford.

And in case the 45-year-old wasn't enough woman for him, Russell enlisted the company of ageless sex symbol Sharon Stone, 54.


They were at the premiere for Mexico: The Royal Tour at luxury resort JW Marriot in Los Angeles.
The show sees CBS travel editor Peter Greenberg visiting memorable destinations with that nation's leader.
But Russell looked as though he misread the dress code, exposing his arms in a waistcoat.

Filling the car up with petrol is not the most glamorous of jobs.
But Vanessa Hudgens managed to turn the boring task into a flashbulb event yesterday when she stepped out in some serious over-the-knee boots.
The 22-year-old also wore tiny, ripped denim hot pants to pump some gas in Los Angeles before zooming off to a meeting.

All eyes were on the High School Musical actress's chocolate brown boots with multiple straps that accentuated her toned, tanned thighs.
A set of oversize aviator sunglasses, a grungy tee and piles of necklaces and rings added oomph and attitude to what was actually a rather raunchy look for the star.

The daring outfit is something of a departure from Miss Hudgens' usual style of pretty dresses or pared-down jeans and a fail-safe cardi.
Observers may wonder whether the star's sexy style is the result of new beau, actor Austin Butler.

And judging by the pair's passionate display of affection in Bob's Big Boy diner in Burbank this week, they could well be right.
The new couple struggled to keep their hands off each other as they supped milkshakes in the early hours of Sunday morning.
But a source close to the actress told Hollywoodlife.com: 'It isn’t a serious thing at all. She’s having fun hooking up with him but no official relationship has flourished yet.

Former US Vice President Al Gore's claim that his latest climate change campaign was watched by 8.6 million people has been refuted when actual figures showed that it was closer to 17,000 viewers.

Despite Gore, 63, successfully getting speakers including Renee Zellweger to make appearances, website 'Watts Up With That?' has revealed that internet viewing figures were way below those reported by him.

Using web traffic information to estimate visitor numbers, the website said that even 17,000 viewers was possibly generous.

Even video highlights of the talks posted on YouTube proved to be unpopular, with some films receiving just one or two views.

The Internet campaign, named '24 Hours of Reality', spearheaded by the former presidential candidate was supposed to raise awareness about climate change.

The multimedia presentations showed how extreme weather events, such as floods, fires and storms, are linked to climate change.

The hourly broadcasts were filmed from locations across the world including Beijing, New Delhi, Jakarta, London and Rio de Janeiro.

Meanwhile, Eric Young, Deputy Communications Director, The Climate Reality Project, refuted reports numbers were inflated.

"We are thrilled by the vast global attention 24 Hours of Reality received. Millions of people around the world watched and engaged online and in person," the Daily Mail quoted Young as saying.

"Our strategy was to bring the event to as many people as possible. We achieved this by partnering with Ustream, whose player was embedded in sites across the web, not just on our homepage.

"This was in addition to the watch parties in homes, schools and businesses, and the live television broadcast on Current TV," he added

Alessandra Ambrosio Sighting Photo:

Lustrous supermodel Alessandra Ambrosio was recently spotted with her businessman fiance Jamie Mazur and their daughter, Anja Mazur Ambrosio, during a shopping trip this past weekend in Malibu.

The Victoria’s Secret model-mom was garbed hippie chic in a sheer tank top over a deep grey-brown bikini and a tiny denim cut-off shorts that flawlessly displayed the Brazilian’s remarkable legs.

As Ambrosio shopped her butt off at the Kitson boutique, her husband-to-be Mazur took little Anja out for some ice-cream while they they patiently waited for mommy to finish doing every woman’s favorite hobby.

Surprise! Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift duet at her Los Angeles show:

Taylor Swift has been covering Justin Bieber’s “Baby” during her latest concert tour, but last night in L.A., she did one better!

Instead of just singing his song, Swift was able to get Bieber himself to come out and duet with her on stage — sending the crowd into hysterics.

The show was Swift’s first of four sold out concerts at the Staples Center … no word on if Bieber (or maybe someone else) will pop up on stage tonight.”You think you’ve heard LOUD screaming in your life,” Taylor Swift tweeted after her Los Angeles show on Tuesday night. “Then [Justin Bieber] comes out and does a surprise song during your show. Woah. Unreal.”

Yes, Bieber made a surprise appearance during the Swifty concert. These two have been longtime friends (even moreso now that he’s dating her BFF, Selena Gomez) so while we’re sure fans were shocked, it can’t have come as that much of a surprise.



“We should do that more often. great show! #muchlove,” Bieber tweeted to Swift.

The pop favorites sang a duet on Bieber’s song “Baby.” Bieb’s manager, Scooter Braun, was sitting on the secret beforehand. “Had to keep it a secret all day. But [Bieber] just came out and sang BABY with [Swift] at STAPLES. EPIC ROAR! #greatmoment,” he tweeted.

Let the liquidation begin — HP’s 16GB TouchPad on sale for $99 (Photo):

Well, that didn’t take long. It’s only been a day since HP announced its intention to discontinue production of webOS devices, and it looks like the outfit’s already throwing its flagship tablet in the bargain bin. PreCentral reports that HP sent out a memo to its affiliates asking them to cut the price of the ill-fated TouchPad to $99 and $149 for the 16GB and 32GB editions, respectively. The date apparently put forward by HP is August 20th, but at least two Canadian retailers (Best Buy and Future Shop) have already made the cut — though both outlets show the sale ending August 22nd. As proof that being fashionably late isn’t always a good thing, the white 64GB edition has surfaced on HP’s US site, sporting a $600 asking price, leaving us to wonder, well: why now? If all of that isn’t enough to turn your smile upside down, webOSroundup is playing the bearer of bad rumors, with what they say is an internal memo from AT&T stating that the carrier’s launch of the Pre 3 has been “completely cancelled.”

Update: Looks like the SlickDeals forums folks have discovered a way to bring those Canadian prices down south, and are reporting that they will be official in the US on Saturday morning. Hit up the link below for details.

Katie Holmes On ‘Don’t Be Afraid Of The Dark’ Daughter, Relationship Photo:

Katie Holmes is mother to one of the most famous and fashionable little girls in the world. There is no five year old, at least in the American non-monarchial world, quite as style-forward as Tom Cruise’s one blood heir, and, at least from the paparazzi’s perspective, the two are never apart.

In her new film, “Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark,” Holmes has to focus on building a relationship with another little girl. Playing the new wife of single father Guy Pearce, she’s forced to bond with his young daughter, played by Bailee Madison. What is at first awkward develops into a trust in the most extreme of conditions (hey, it’s a horror film directed by Guillermo del Toro), something that Holmes said having a young daughter helped her conceptualize.

“I think being a mom myself, when I read my character and I saw the journey she takes and how we see her make sacrifices for her child — I think I didn’t understand that until I became a mom,” Holmes recently told Reuters. “Just how much you love this person. You will do anything for that person, and you have strength you didn’t know that you had, which is what I like about my character. So I think that being a mom definitely gave me much more insight to this character.”

It’s a similar sentiment to what she expressed at a recent press conference to promote the film.



“I love the relationship between Kim and Sally, and I love the bonding that occurs, and it’s really about two human beings that recognize something of themselves in each other,” she told assembled press. And that shared relationship that turns into something very special and powerful and Kim has to learn not only to listened but to bring this little girl in her life, but to make her feel safe.”

Garlic and Thyme Dietary Supplement:

Garlic and Thyme, are the two powerful antioxidants found in Forever Garlic-Thyme, combine create a great tool in maintaining good health. When garlic is cut or crushed, enzymes react to produce a powerful agent. Studies have shown that garlic’s other ingredients help the metabolism convert fats to energy and protect the body against free radicals.

Other healthy substances in this odorless softgel include ajoene and lecithin, which can help emulsify fats. Garlic’s sulphur compounds have also been shown to have beneficial properties. Garlic also contains germanium, a mineral trace element believed to help boost the body’s immune system and selenium, a trace mineral antioxidant.

Thyme contains the antioxidants Tannin, Phenol and Thymol (saponins). Other beneficial nutrients contained in Garlic-Thyme are potassium, calcium, magnesium, B vitamins and vitamin C.

Other Health Benefits of Garlic Thyme:

Health expel worms in the intestine

Natural Antibiotic and anti-bacterial

Help prevent bad breath and body odor

Helps prevent and cure digestive problems

Helps prevent heart disease

Has anti-aging properties

Supplement Facts

Serving Size 1 Softgel

Serving per Container 100

Amount Per Softgel % Daily Value

Odorless Garlic Concentrate, liquid (cloves) 60 mcg (equivalent to 1,000 mg fresh garlic)

Thyme, powdered (leaves) 120 mg.

Daily Value not established

Formula Ingredients: Garlic Oil Concentrate (10 mg equivalent to 1,000 mg of fresh garlic cloves); Thyme (50 mg powdered leaves)

Other Ingredients: Canola Oil, Gelatin, Glycerin, Lecithin, Beeswax, Purified Water, Carob Extract

Contents: 100 softgel capsules

Directions: Take one softgel with each meal

Note : All Information contained here is not intended as substitute for any medical treatment prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to consult your physician and obtain professional medical advise before taking any dietary supplements and/or attempting any home remedy.

5 Ways To Blow His Mind In Bed Photo:

Have a new guy? Need to spice things up with an old one? Want to bust out something extra special for his birthday? Or maybe you just feel like going the extra mile tonight? Whatever your reason for wanting to treat your man, here are five ways to blow his mind in the bedroom.

1. Talk dirty.

They say that a man’s most erogenous zone is his brain. This means, it really is more important for you to blow his mind than blow his…well, you know. The quickest way to bring him into the moment and add passion to your sex life is to start talking dirty. Don’t know what to say? Just start by talking about what you want to do to him, what you are doing to him, what you love doing to him, how good it feels or what you want him to do to you.

2. Play With “The Boys.” Few girls will tell you that balls are their favorite part of a guy’s body. But like them or not, the majority of guys find it pleasurable to have them played with. Whether you’re going down on him, on top of him, or underneath him, go through the trouble of reaching your arm around to play with the boys. He will be VERY appreciative.

3. Hop on Reverse Cow Girl. Nothing spices it up like trying a new position. A popular one that many guys call “the hottest thing ever” is reverse cowgirl. Reverse cowgirl means that you’re on top, but flipped around. So you’re straddling him on your knees, but facing his feet instead of his face. A little side note: He’s going to have a full on view of your bootie, so if you’re a groomer, you probably want to be pretty well groomed. This position is very revealing. (Which is part of why it’s so hot!)

4. Wake him up with a BJ. Some guys aren’t into making out in the morning, but NO guy is going to turn down a morning BJ. Because guys’ testosterone levels are the highest in the morning, it’s a time when they want sex the most. And if he’s going to wake up with a boner anyway… you might as well do something with it. (Well, that’s probably his logic anyway). Show him how good you are at anticipating his needs by going down on him before he even has time to roll over and start poking you awake.

5. Tease Him. Good things are worth waiting for. And in the case of sex, the longer you wait, the more exciting it can be. Especially as a relationship progresses, sex can sometimes feel like something that’s rushed through as opposed to something that’s relaxed and enjoyed. Spend time kissing him, touching him a bit, and then kissing him some more. Give him time to anticipate sex, really want it, and get extra excited. As a result… after you’ve blow his mind, he’ll turn back around and blow yours.

Tell us: what do you do to your guy to drive him wild?

BettyConfidential’s Sexpert Amber Madison is a sex educator and author of Hooking Up: A Girl’s All-Out Guide to Sex and Sexuality, and Talking Sex With Your Kids, which was released in March.