Jessica Simpson Replaces Paula Abdul as American Idol Judge?
Jessica Simpson's dad is trying to get her installed as Paula Abdul's replacement on American Idol, according to reports in the US. Joe Simpson - Jessica's manager - is said to be pressuring producers to employ the pop star. He insists she would be perfect for the TV talent contest.
A source reports: "Jessica Simpson is being pushed to the producers by her father as the perfect replacement for Paula Abdul." Abdul, 47, announced she was leaving the show earlier this month. It comes as newly single Jessica, 29, got a Geisha makeover during a trip to Japan. She was recently dumped by American footballer boyfriend, Tony Romo.
More music...Security in a New York neighborhood has been stepped up ahead of a "secret" show by gangster rapper 50 Cent amid fears the gig will spark violent riots. Extra police are said to have been drafted in to work at the event, at a school in the Jamaica, Queens area, close to where the hip-hop star grew up. The rapper - real name Curtis Jackson - is expected to take the stage on August 30, as part of a Family Day celebration.

The event is expected to draw around 10,000 in the neighborhood, where 50 Cent was nearly fatally shot in 2000. But it has sparked concerns from local authorities, who have recruited an "army of cops" to shut down the area, fearing violence will break out if a gunman takes aim at Jackson. The paper claims "hundreds" of officers - including specially trained gang units - will be deployed. "We can't control the area," warned one law-enforcement source. Another source said: "Someone's going to try to make a name for themselves. "They're going to take a shot at him, and they're either going to hit him or they're going to miss him and hit some poor, innocent kid or grandmother." "There's concern because [50 Cent] has already been shot," another source said. "He has a lot of enemies and is very controversial."