The Philippine Online Chronicles

Madonna, Lady Gaga announce tour dates

Pop icons Madonna and Lady Gaga recently revealed the highly anticipated dates of their respective world tours this year.

After her talked-about Super Bowl performance last Sunday, the Queen of Pop is in for a busy year following the announcement of her entertainment company that she will be going on a world tour for the first time in three years.

Madonna, who became famous for songs such as the Material Girl, Like a Virgin and Papa Don't Preach, will kick-off her biggest ever world tour in Tel Aviv, Israel in March 29 followed by performances in Abu Dhabi and Istanbul. She will then perform in 22 European countries before pushing on for the North American leg starting August 28.

Live Nation also said that the tour will have almost 90 concerts and will pass through Australia and South America. The dates and venues are yet to be announced.

Madonna's world tour will be promoting her latest album, MDNA, which will be released two days before the kick-off.

Meanwhile, pop star Lady Gaga also revealed the first 11 dates and locations of her 2012 world tour, Born This Way Ball. In a tweet, the singer who popularized songs like Poker Face and Bad Romance announced that she will kick off her concert tour in Seoul, South Korea on April 27. She will then perform in Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and New Zealand before going to Australia where she has six scheduled concerts.

The Born This Way Ball will have 110 shows around around the world, she said, promising more announcements of location and date schedule in the future.

Chris Brown and Rihanna to perform in the Grammys

Grammy organizers revealed on Tuesday that singer Chris Brown will perform during this year's awards night, joining a bevy of other music stars, including former girlfriend Rihanna.

In 2009, the couple hit the headlines with Rihanna's allegations that the then-22-year old Brown physically attacked her. Brown was sentenced to five years probation, six months community service and anger management counseling.

Both performers, who were then scheduled to perform in the 2009 Grammys, were pulled out because of the incident. Brown's career took a major blow and he has since been working hard to rebuild his damaged image.

His return to the Grammys with 3 nominations this year, some believe, will put an end to his struggle back into the limelight. Brown will perform with Deadmau5, Foo Fighters, David Guetta and Lil Wayne this Sunday.

Meanwhile, 24-year old Rihanna – who has released chart-topping hits since the incident – gathered four nominations and is slated to perform with Coldplay.

Recently, rumors circulated that the two were dating again after being spotted in a nightclub in Los Angeles. Brown's spokesperson, however, denied any romantic involvement and said that the two were “just friends.”

Other artists who will perform on this year's Grammys include Adele, Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Carrie Underwood and Alicia Keys.

Angelina Jolie added to Oscar's presenters list, admits to cheating on Brad?

Academy Awards producers Brian Grazer and Don Mischer announced on Wednesday that Angelina Jolie will be a presenter for this year's Oscars.

Jolie, who won an Oscar for Best Supporting Acress in 1999 for her performance in Girl, Interrupted, ventured into directing and screenwriting with this year's In the Land of Blood and Honey. However, the movie failed to get an Oscar nomination.

On the other hand, Jolie's other half Brad Pitt, was nominated Best Actor for his performance in the film Moneyball. The movie, which was also co-produced by Pitt, was nominated for Best Picture.

Jolie was recently reported to have confessed to cheating on Pitt following their hook-up in the set of Mr. and Mrs. Smith back in in 2004.

According to the online site Celebs, the National Enquirer reported that the couple was in a counseling session when Jolie admitted to sleeping with men in hotel rooms even after meeting Pitt, who was then married with Jennifer Aniston. The report said that Pitt walked out followed by Jolie who asked to be forgiven. The couple are still mum on the issue.

Meanwhile, Grazer announced that the venue for this year's Oscars will be redesigned to look like a “timeless movie theater.” The nostalgic movie theme had been expected by many observers since two leading nominees, The Artist and Hugo, pay tribute to the early years of cinema.

Lee in the international spotlight

President Benigno Aquino III's new apple of the eye has gotten the attention not only of the Philippine media but of several international news organizations as well.

GMA News reported that radio disc jockey and television host Grace Lee was followed by a major network from South Korea on Wednesday to produce a feature about her. According to producer Jessica Oh, the Koreans developed an interest in Lee following Aquino's admission that they were seeing each other.

Lee, who was born and raised as Lee Kyung Hee in Seoul, moved to the Philippines with her family when she was 10. She recently admitted that the bachelor president was courting her.

The Malaysian Star also picked-up the story, reporting that the South Korean media personality is the Philippine president's “new lady love.”

Yesterday was the president's birthday, but Inquirer reported that Lee was not able to see him because he has to fly to Negros Oriental to visit the victims of the quake. Asked what is her gift to her high-profile suitor, Lee answered, “I don't know yet.”

A separate article, however, quoted Lee saying her wish for the president: “May he (PNoy) continue to having the kind of love he is receiving from his people. I know it’s very important to him. I know 'yung love na ‘yon is important to him. It ‘s good that he will do his work without distractions.”

Madonna image from Flickr. Some rights reserved by Beacon Radio

Chris Brown and Rihanna image from Flickr. Some rights reserved by Faliq Idrus

Angelina Jolie image from Flickr. Some rights reserved by Gage Skidmore