Nicki Minaj Resolves: Resist Shoe Temptations in 2013

Caught in the Act

01/01/2013 at 03:55 PM EST

Nicki Minaj

Jonathan Leibson/WireImage

Nicki Minaj welcomed 2013 at PURE Nightclub in Las Vegas on Monday.

Just after 11:30 p.m. the "Starships" singer made her way through throngs of fans to the nightclub.

Wearing a tight gold dress, gold sparkly platforms and a blonde wig, Minaj flaunted her physique down the red carpet.

As for New Year's resolutions, the American Idol judge said she's not "buying anymore shoes," an onlooker tells PEOPLE. And that in 2013, she's looking forward to her "clothing line and working on her third album," the source adds.

Inside the club, Minaj kicked off the countdown to 2013. Just after 1 a.m., she took the stage to perform "Moment 4 Life" and "Starships" for the crowd.

– Mark Grayl

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Kim Kardashian: From Divorce Drama to Baby Mama in 5 Clicks

Follow her odyssey from her messy split with Kris Humphries to her great expectation with Kanye West

Credit: INF

Updated: Monday Dec 31, 2012 | 11:45 AM EST

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Dick Clark New Year's Eve Love Story - Same Couple Dancing Since 1972

By Dahvi Shira

12/30/2012 at 02:45 PM EST

This New Year's Eve will be just like any other for Kathy and Louie Novoa, except without their dear friend Dick Clark, who passed away in April.

The pair met on American Bandstand and have since taken part in every one of his New Year's Rockin' Eves since they began on the Queen Mary in 1972.

"To be there from the very first one he did and to still be a part of it, I think, wow, I can't believe it," Louie tells PEOPLE. "I still have the original invitation to the very first one."

As for being a part of Rockin' Eve for the first time since Clark's death, Kathy says, "It's very sad and heartbreaking to know he started this tradition and was so important in so many homes. Everybody watches Dick Clark's New Year's Eve. It's very hard [with him gone], but it's also great knowing that it's still going on. That's what he would want."

Kathy and Louie Novoa with Dick Clark in 1976

Courtesy Louie Novoa

Now officially a couple for 36 years, Louie says that starting the New Year with a kiss is his favorite tradition on the show, which kicks off at 8 p.m. ET/PT this year on ABC.

"Kathy and I started doing it, and right after that, Dick's wife Kari [Wigton] goes, 'Why don't we follow up with that?' " he says. "It became a tradition. We had a lot of clips of that. That's what we're going to miss. We always looked forward to that."

The happy pair, who declined to provide their age, would only joke about it.

"People ask us, 'How old are you? You don't look that old,' " Louie explained with a chuckle. "I say, 'We've been around for a while. We are [old].' We really are. You can tell on the dance floor. We're out there dancing with the kids. We call them kids because we try to blend in with them. We still have it though."

Although Louie says they miss Clark "every day," he is a big fan of his replacement, Ryan Seacrest.

"He's incredible," he says. "He's awesome. He does a great job and he has the same personality as Dick Clark. He gets along with everybody."

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Phaedra Parks Is Pregnant with Baby No. 2

TV Watch

By Jennifer Garcia

12/28/2012 at 03:00 PM EST

It's a very special holiday season for The Real Housewives of Atlanta star Phaedra Parks and her husband Apollo Nida!

The reality star couple tell PEOPLE exclusively they're expecting a second child together next year.

Parks showed off her growing baby bump while on the beach in the Bahamas, where she's vacationing with her family and friends.

The Atlanta entertainment lawyer married Nida, a certified personal trainer, in 2009 and the couple welcomed son Ayden a year later.

The pair recently released their first fitness DVD, Phine Body on Amazon.com.

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Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone Adopt a Dog Together

People Pets

By Amy Jamieson

12/27/2012 at 03:45 PM EST

Andrew Garfield and his new dog Ren

X17online

It's true love for Emma Stone and her beau Andrew Garfield!

The pair have fallen hard for a 2-year-old golden retriever they met just before Christmas at an L.A. rescue.

"She was one of the dogs they first saw, but they weren't sure," a source tells PEOPLE of the pup the pair visited last week at the Spot! Dog Rescue of Los Angeles. "They left and they couldn't stop thinking about her, so they came back for her. And it's true love."

The couple of more than a year initially brought the dog home as a foster pet on Saturday, but officially adopted the purebred on Christmas Eve. The pup, who they've named Ren, came from a high-kill Downey, Calif., shelter where she was surrendered by her previous owner. On Monday, Garfield was spotted showing off their adorable addition on a stroll through the Hollywood Hills.

"She won the doggie lottery," adds the source, who describes the already house-trained pup as "a typical golden puppy. Very, very sweet and loving. They totally fell in love with her."

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Miranda Cosgrove's Surprise Christmas Gift: A New Puppy!

People Pets

By Amy Jamieson

12/26/2012 at 04:00 PM EST

Miranda Cosgrove and her new dog Penelope

Courtesy of Miranda Cosgrove

Miranda Cosgrove's Christmas was extra merry this year.

Just a few months after losing her beloved 14-year-old poodle Pearl, she was surprised with a new dog a few days before the big holiday.

"Most amazing surprise early Christmas gift #penny #inlove," she Tweeted on Friday, with a photo of her new fluffy black and white pup named Penelope, or Penny for short.

In October, the former iCarly star told PEOPLE how much she missed Pearl, who had been a fixture in her life for many years.

"She was a part of our family, and because I was an only child, she was a really big part of my life," Cosgrove said. "Every time I look back on a memory, she was there."

Now the actress, who is a freshman at the University of Southern California, will be making new memories with Penelope. In fact, it seems like she's already started. On Dec. 22 and again on Dec. 23, she Tweeted more photos of her new pooch.

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Queen Elizabeth Goes 3D for Her Holiday Message

By Simon Perry

12/24/2012 at 03:05 PM EST

Queen Elizabeth, in her 3D glasses

John Stillwell/AFP/Getty

Check out the new Queen of Cool – rockin' her shades.

As if her Diamond Jubilee, her Summer Olympics' James Bond stunt and the anticipation of her great-grandchild from William and Kate weren't enough, Queen Elizabeth has capped this very special year by donning some funky glasses to view a new 3D version of her annual seasonal broadcast – the first time her traditional speech has been filmed in the format.

Complete with a blinged-out "Q" in Swarovski crystals decorating the temples of the frames, the specs – which she also once wore for a 3D movie in Canada a couple years ago – are an unlikely addition to the Queen's jewels.

"We wanted to do something a bit different and special in this Jubilee year, so doing it for the first time in 3D seemed a good thing, technology-wise, to do," a spokeswoman says.

The Queen's message will air at 3 p.m. U.K. time on Christmas Day. Looking back on the highlights of the year, she is expected to include her praise of the British Olympians and Paralympians who excelled at the London 2012 games.

Meanwhile, the 86-year-old monarch was absent from a pre-Christmas church service at Sandringham Sunday. It was said by Buckingham Palace that she is nursing a cold.

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Which Rising Star Did You Select as Best Dressed This Week?

Stylewatch
Style News Now

12/22/2012 at 12:00 PM ET

Marion Curtis/Startraks

With a hot new movie and an acclaimed Broadway show, Jessica Chastain has a lot to celebrate this season. And now she has another accolade: she’s this week’s best dressed star!

More than 16,000 of you gave Chastain’s simple, elegant ensemble — a peplum dress and Casadei sandals, worn to a Zero Dark Thirty screening in N.Y.C. — some love, propelling her into the top spot on our best dressed list. Chastain finished her look with natural makeup, minimal jewels and a flawless blowout.

PHOTOS: SEE THE TOP 10 BEST DRESSED STARS ON PEOPLE.COM THIS WEEK!

Coming in second was another fashion favorite, the Duchess of Cambridge, who wore a forest-green Alexander McQueen dress (with a sexy thigh-high split!) for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards in London — her first public outing since her recent hospitalization.

Click here to find out who else ranked in the top 10 and vote for your favorite celeb looks. Tell us: Are you a fan of Chastain’s winning look? Who do you think deserved the title of best dressed star this week?

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PEOPLE Remembers the American Soldiers Killed in Afghanistan

With the exit from Iraq and the draw-down of troops in Afghanistan, the numbers of Americans killed continues to drop.

Still, loved ones are mourning 311 lost, and as of Dec. 17, the wars' toll since 2001 now stands at 6,656.

Edward Joseph Acosta, 21
Trevor Brandon Adkins, 21
Ahmed Kousay al-Taie, 46 Erica Paige Alecksen, 21
Tobias Christoph Alexander, 30
Joseph James Altmann, 27
Mabry James Anders, 21
Joshua Ryan Ashley, 23
Bradley Wayne Atwell, 27

Daniel Benjamin Bartle, 27
Jon-Luke Bateman, 22
Jonathan Batista, 22
Rayvon Battle Jr., 25
Taylor John Baune, 21
Jordan Logan Bear, 25
Clayton Ross Beauchamp, 21
Genaro Bedoy, 20
Bryan Richard Bell, 23
Russell Ryan Bell, 37
Jose Oscar Belmontes, 28
Kenneth Wade Bennett, 26
Keith David Benson, 27
Richard Liam Berry, 27
Robert John Billings, 30
Christopher James Birdwell, 25
Jeremie Shane Border, 28
Christopher David Bordoni, 21
Joshua Alan Born, 25
Michael Cean Braden, 31
Mikayla Anne Bragg, 21
John R. Brainard III, 26
Sean Edward Brazas, 26
Andrew Trevor Britton-Mihalo, 25
Michael John Brodsky, 33
Christopher L. Brown, 26
Daniel Joseph Brown, 27
Milton W. Brown, 28
Gregory Thomas Buckley, 21
Antonio Carlos Burnside, 31
Thomas Jefferson Butler IV, 25
Brandon Lucas Buttry, 19

Gerardo Campos, 23
Shane William Cantu, 20
Daniel Lewis Carlson, 21
Sean Patrick Carson, 32
Roberto Cazarez, 24
Julian Clement Chase, 22
Nicolas D. Checque, 28
Gregory Lamont Childs, 38
Bruce Kevin Clark, 43
Junot M. L. Cochilus, 34
Kenneth Eldren Cochran, 20
Keaton Grant Coffey, 22
Julian Lee Colvin, 21
Timothy John Conrad Jr., 22
Gregory Todd Copes, 36
Cesar Cortez, 24
Niall William Cotisears, 23

Joseph D’Augustine, 29
Johnathon Frank Davis, 20
Nathan Tyler Davis, 20
Coater Bernard Debose, 55
Michael Robert Demarsico II, 20
Anthony Joseph Denier, 26
Leroy Deronde III, 22
Nicholas Michael Dickhut, 23
Scott Edward Dickinson, 29
Alex Frank Domion, 21
Curtis Joseph Duarte, 22
Michael Stephen Duskin, 42
James Evan Dutton, 25
Edward Joe Dycus, 22

Kevin Richard Ebbert, 32
Jason Kyle Edens, 22
Brandon Forrest Eggleston, 29
Vincent James Ellis, 22
Darrel Lynn Enos, 36
Richard Allen Essex, 23
Bobby Lee Estle, 38
Kyler Lavon Estrada, 21

Joseph Henry Fankhauser, 30
Aaron Matthew Faust, 22
Mathew Gregory Fazzari, 25
Patrick Delaney Feeks, 28
Arronn David Fields, 27
Krystal Marie Fitts, 26
Joseph Fitzmorris, 31
Thomas Kent Fogarty, 30
Nicholas Charles Fredsti, 30

Vilmar Galarza Hernandez, 21
Luis Antonio Oliver Galbreath, 41
Jonathan William Gifford, 34
Theodore Matthew Glende, 23
Jonathan Alan Gollnitz, 28
Moises Jesus Gonzalez, 29
Brandon Dwayne Goodine, 20
Brittany Bria Gordon, 24
Brett Edward Gornewicz, 27
Walter David Gray, 38
Kevin James Griffin, 45
Samuel Mark Griffith, 36
Jesse James Grindey, 30
Dustin Dean Gross, 19
Raul Madrigal Guerra, 37
Michael J. Guillory, 28

Ryan Preston Hall, 30
Carl Erik Hammar, 24
Shawn Thomas Hannon, 44
John Eric Hansen, 41
Justin Michael Hansen, 26
Jeremy Franklin Hardison, 23
Zachary Hayden Hargrove, 32
Aaron Arthur Henderson, 33
Alex Hernandez III, 21
Pernell Johnnie Herrera, 33
Channing Bo Hicks, 24
Darrion Terrell Hicks, 21
Tanner Stone Higgins, 23
Terence John Hildner, 49
Hunter Dalton Hogan, 21
Eric Scott Holman, 39
Patricia Lee Horne, 20
Brian Daniel Hornsby, 37
Justin Louis Horsley, 21
John Patrick Huling, 25

Francis Dee Imlay Jr., 31
Aaron Dale Istre, 37

Kedith Lamont Jacobs Jr., 21
Sean Robert Jacobs, 23
Jamie Darrell Jarboe, 27
Ryan Paul Jayne, 22
Ryan Jeschke, 31
David Andrew Johnson, 24
Donna Rae Johnson, 29
Nicholas Scott Johnson, 27
Payton Alexander Jones, 19
James Austin Justice, 21

Ramon Taisakan Kaipat, 22
Matthew Geoffrey Kantor, 22
Andrew James Keller, 22
Thomas Elliott Kennedy, 35
Kurt William Kern, 24
Richard James Kessler Jr., 47
Michael Joseph Knapp, 28
Jabraun Steven Knox, 23
Noah Mark Korte, 29
Suresh Niranjan Aba Krause, 29

Jarrod Allen Lallier, 20
Todd William Lambka, 25
Matthew John Leach, 29
Dick Alson Lee Jr., 31
Brian Jeffery Leonhardt, 21
Joseph Michael Lilly, 25
Darren M. Linde, 41
Daniel Lee Linnabary II, 23
Kevin E. Lipari, 39
Roberto Loeza Jr., 28
John Darin Loftis, 44
Joseph Daniel Logan, 22
Jesus Jonathan Lopez, 22
Conner Thomas Lowry, 24
Bryant Jordan Luxmore, 25

Bruce Andrew MacFarlane, 46
Thomas Raymond MacPherson, 26
Matthew Patrick Manoukian, 29
Robert Joseph Marchanti II, 48
Justin Cameron Marquez, 25
Chase Stone Marta, 24
Ethan Jacob Martin, 22
Alex Martinez, 21
Robert Anthony Massarelli, 32
Erik Nathaniel May, 26
Kyle Brenton McClain, 25
Philip Daine McGeath, 25
Nathan Ronald McHone, 29
Allen Robert McKenna Jr., 28
Barett Wambli McNabb, 33
Richard Lewis McNulty III, 22
John David Meador II, 36
Dale Wayne Means, 23
Kashif Mohammed Memon, 31
Michael Joseph Metcalf, 22
Daniel Thomas Metcalfe, 29
Jonathan Matthew Metzger, 32
Cale Clyde Miller, 23
Eugene Clifton Mills III, 21
Christopher Michael Monahan Jr., 25
Jose Luis Montenegro Jr., 31
Osbrany Montes De Oca, 20
Cody Otho Moosman, 24
Travis Alan Morgado, 25
Christopher E. Mosko, 28
Sky Russell Mote, 27
Christopher Lee Muniz, 24

Dustin Paul Napier, 20
Juan Pantoja Navarro, 23
Benjamin Harold Neal, 21
James Dominic Nehl, 37
Joshua Nathaniel Nelson, 22
Sapuro Brightley Nena, 25
David Paul Nowaczyk, 32
Israel Paul Nuanes, 38

Nicholas Henry Olivas, 20
Tyler J. Orgaard, 20
Kyle Bruce Osborn, 26
Jesse Aaron Ozbat, 28

Scott Patrick Pace, 39
Joshua Cole Pairsh, 29
Michael Jeremy Palacio, 23
Alejandro Jose Pardo, 21
Christopher Alexander Patterson, 20
Brandon Robert Pepper, 31
Sergio Eduardo Perez, 21
Trevor Adam Pinnick, 20
Benjamin Carlos Pleitez, 25
William Compton Poling Jr., 42
Paris Shawn Pough, 40
Alexander George Povilaitis Jr., 47
Stephen Chase Prasnicki, 24
John Castle Pratt, 51
Daniel Joseph Price, 27
Scott Eugene Pruitt, 38
Michael Wayne Pyron, 30

Christopher Keith Raible, 40
Thalia Suzanne Ramirez, 28
Ryan Davis Rawl, 30
Clovis Tim Ray, 34
Jerry Don Reed II, 30
Chad Robert Regelin, 24
Nicholas J. Reid, 26
Kevin James Reinhard, 25
Jose Joel Reyes, 24
Jeffrey Leon Rice, 24
Joseph Alvin Richardson, 23
Travis William Riddick, 40
Jeffrey James Rieck, 46
Michael Eugene Ristau, 25
Richard Anthony Rivera Jr., 20
Daquane Demetris Rivers, 21
Dion Rashun Roberts, 25
Leonard Robinson, 29
Daniel Anthony Rodriguez, 28
Jose Rodriguez, 22
Kyle Robert Rookey, 23
Adam Corey Ross, 19
Nicholas Jan Rozanski, 36
Clinton Keith Ruiz, 22
David E. Rylander, 23

Brenden Neal Salazar, 20
Christian Riley Sannicolas, 20
Ryan James Savard, 29
Philip Channing Sipe Schiller, 21
Joseph Lee Schiro, 27
Jonathan Philip Schmidt, 28
Julian Seiji Scholten, 26
Jacob Michael Schwallie, 22
Matthew Scott Schwartz, 34
Matthew Ryan Seidler, 24
Ricardo Seija, 31
Anthony Ramon Servin, 22
Dean Russell Shaffer, 23
Christopher Greg Singer, 23
Matthew Steven Sitton, 26
James Lyn Skalberg Jr., 25
Tyler James Smith, 24
Orion Nelson Sparks, 29
William Chapman Stacey, 23
Cameron James Stambaugh, 20
Trevor Jovanne Stanley, 22
Camella Marchett Steedley, 31
Riley Gene Stephens, 39
Steven Prince Stevens II, 23
Matthew Henrick Stiltz, 26
Jesse Wade Stites, 23
Michael Joseph Strachota, 28
Sean Patrick Sullivan, 40
Billy Albert Sutton, 42
Steven Gene Sutton, 24
Jason Michael Swindle, 24

Abraham Tarwoe, 25
Robert Joseph Tauteris Jr., 44
Tofiga Joshua Tautolo, 23
David Wayne Taylor, 20
Nicholas Andrew Taylor, 20
Alec Robert Terwiske, 21
Matthew Bradford Thomas, 30
Alejo Rene Thompson, 30
Joel Del Mundo Tiu, 48
Louis Ramon Torres, 23
Jon Ross Townsend, 19
Gregory Ray Trent, 38
Nelson D. Trent, 37
Neil Isaac Turner, 21

Jalfred David Vaquerano, 20
Manuel Joseph Vasquez, 22
Jorge Luis Velasquez, 35
Dain Taylor Venne, 29
Don Cayetano Viray, 25
Paul Clarke Voelke, 36

Brian Lloyd Walker, 25
Jonathan Patrick Walsh, 28
Eric Dean Warren, 23
David John Warsen, 27
Samuel Thomas Watts, 20
Dennis Paul Weichel Jr., 29
Jeffrey Lee White Jr., 21
Nicholas Schade Whitlock, 29
Justin Michael Whitmire, 20
Ronald Herbert Wildrick Jr., 30
Justin James Wilkens, 26
Clarence Williams III, 23
David Vincent Williams, 24
Eric Edward Williams, 27
Wesley R. Williams, 25
Ryan James Wilson, 26
Shane Gregory Wilson, 20
Wade Daniel Wilson, 22
William Robert Wilson III, 27
Jessica Marie Wing, 42
Benjamin Brian Wise, 34
Joshua Eli Witsman, 23
Chris John Workman, 33
Sterling William Wyatt, 21

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Ashton Kutcher Files for Divorce from Demi Moore

People Exclusive

By Ken Lee

12/21/2012 at 03:55 PM EST

Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore

Amanda Edwards/WireImage

After more than a year with their marriage in legal limbo, Ashton Kutcher has filed for divorce from Demi Moore.

The papers were filed Friday in Los Angeles Superior Court. Kutcher, 34, citing irreconcilable differences, isn't seeking any spousal support nor is he asking the court to deny Moore any. The documents also show that because the couple had no children together, child support and visitation are not an issue.

Back in Nov. 2011, the couple announced they were ending their 6-year marriage.

"As a woman, a mother and a wife there are certain values and vows that I hold sacred, and it is in this spirit that I have chosen to move forward with my life," Moore, 50, said at the time, following reports of Kutcher's infidelity.

Added Kutcher: "I will forever cherish the time I spent with Demi. Marriage is one of the most difficult things in the world and unfortunately sometimes they fail."

The actor has been dating That '70s Show costar Mila Kunis.

The documents reveal that Kutcher has hired A-list divorce attorney Laura Wasser to represent him, whose past or current clients include Britney Spears, Kim Kardashian, Heidi Klum and Angelina Jolie, among others.

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Miss Universe Olivia Culpo Reveals Her Junk Food Cravings (and Celebrity Crush)

By Mark Gray

12/20/2012 at 04:00 PM EST

Miss Universe Olivia Culpo

Julie Jacobson/AP

Olivia Culpo went from being Miss USA to Miss Universe on Wednesday night – and it didn't take her long for her to begin thinking internationally ... at least when it comes to eating.

"I can't wait to go to Asia," the 20-year-old Rhode Island beauty told PEOPLE on Thursday morning. "I've never been anywhere in Asia. I like Asian food. I love soup. I really want to go to Vietnam and try some soup. There's nothing like it being authentic."

A few hours after being crowned Miss Universe – the first time a contestant from the United States has won the title in 15 years – Culpo sat down with PEOPLE over coffee in her suite in Las Vegas's Planet Hollywood Hotel to discuss her journey, her new focus and her newest celebrity crush, among other things.

How are you feeling as Miss Universe?
I don't think it's sunk in. It's incredible. I can't believe USA finally did it.

What were you thinking about as you were standing on stage last night?
I was exhausted! The other girls have a bit of an advantage because they've been prepped and prepped to be Miss Universe. I live with Miss Universe in New York, and as Miss USA I travel all over the country using my title to spread awareness for breast and ovarian cancer. I didn't really have time to prepare. I just wanted to see whoever's destiny it was. I just wanted to be myself and be open. I did think I was capable of doing the job but I kind of wanted to see who would win.

As Miss Universe, will your platform still be about raising awareness for breast and ovarian cancer?
I won't be doing so much about breast cancer and ovarian cancer because that was my platform as Miss USA. Miss Universe's platform is HIV and AIDS. I know a lot of the organizations that are affiliated with breast and ovarian cancer and it's always easy enough to inform girls about the symptoms of those diseases. ... That's what the most important. But I'll also be taking on the responsibility of informing people about HIV and AIDS, so I'll be learning a lot about that too.

How do you stay in shape with such a time-intensive schedule?
I stick to a low carb, high protein diet. Shocker, I know. Everyone does that in my world. That's a lot of lean protein. It's important to keep your metabolism up, so I eat breakfast, then I'll have a snack of almonds or something. Then [I eat] a lunch of high protein, low carb [food], then another snack of fruit – and then dinner.

And what's dinner?
Chicken and vegetables right now. I'll eat when I'm in non-competition mode. I'll just have to hit the gym extra hard.

What's your sugary weakness?
I love Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.

Would you be able to resist if they were in front of you right now?
Right now, no way. But they've been around all week and I haven't had any. I've been eyeballing them.

You're single, but who is your celebrity crush?
My judge [Rock of Ages star Diego Boneta] is really hot. Can I just say that? And I tripped right in front of him! He's cute. He's the crush of the week. It's an ongoing thing!

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Snooki Says Her Wild Past Isn't 'Really a Big Deal'

TV Watch

Jersey Shore

By Dahvi Shira

12/19/2012 at 04:00 PM EST

Snooki and Lorenzo

Courtesy of Nicole 'Snooki' Polizzi

Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi has traded in dance clubs for diaper duty, but that doesn't mean she's ashamed of her hard-partying ways.

"[My wild days] aren't really a big deal," the Jersey Shore star and new mom to son Lorenzo told PEOPLE on Tuesday. "Everyone thinks, 'Oh my God, what are you going to tell Lorenzo?' "

Explains the 25-year-old, "I was 21 years old and I did what everybody else did, but it was just on camera. [I'll tell him], 'Learn from my mistakes and once you go through them, you're going to know how to deal with them.' "

Polizzi, who plans to have "the talk" with her son sometime between ages 13-15, just wants to tell him, "This is what happens when you're 21. You're going to go through this. Just be careful."

As for life as mom to her little meatball, 3½ months, the Snooki Couture jewelry designer calls it "amazing," adding, "Lorenzo has made me a better person. I'm so much more mature. He's just my life."

Although she and fiancé Jionni LaValle wish their son were old enough to play with, Polizzi tells reporters at least "he's starting to coo now. He's holding his head up really [well], so hopefully he can start sitting on his own. I just can't wait until he crawls."

With the holidays around the corner, the pint-sized princess says to the reaction of laughter, "I would love to have traditions, because we don't have any yet. I'm just looking for stuff – you know, Googling."

But even the festive season hasn't interrupted Polizzi's post-baby workout regimen.

"I started a trainer on Halloween," she explains. "I go four times a week and he kicks my butt. I've always eaten healthy – chicken and vegetables. The drinking made me heavy. It's hard to drink when you're taking care of a child, so I don't really drink. When I'm [out of town without family], that's when I drink wine."

The series finale of MTV's hit show airs Thursday at 10 p.m.

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'Comfort Dogs' Relieve Emotional Stress in Grieving Newtown

By Amy Jamieson

12/18/2012 at 04:00 PM EST

A comfort dog meets with children in Newtown, Conn.

Courtesy K-9 Parish Comfort Dogs

The call came late on Friday night that Newtown, Conn., needed them.

Five specially trained golden retrievers and eight handlers arrived on Saturday to comfort those touched by tragedy, Vida Johnston, director of operations for Lutheran Church Charities's K-9 Comfort Dogs of Addison, Ill., tells PEOPLE.

Since then, they've been on the ground wherever the community needs them – comforting children and adults with cuddles and nuzzles.

"A parent will say, 'Thank you so much, I saw my child smile – and they haven't smiled for days,' " Johnston says. "The kids are telling the dogs about their own pets, they're [helping] them laugh, they're helping some of that burden drop off a bit. And the dogs just lay there, saying the more the merrier."

With Christmas just days away, the comfort dogs – pups trained not to bark and to be canine good citizens – are helping to relieve the pain in a way that only dogs can.

"At a high school school today the reaction was overwhelming," says Johnston, who hears the tales from her bevy of handlers. "Dogs have the amazing ability to zero in on the person in front of them that has the greatest need. They can have six or seven people sitting there and they go to the one who has the loss. The dogs know; it's amazing to watch."

The furry troupe has grown to eight dogs (a ninth will join them Tuesday) and they plan to stay in Newtown through Saturday, providing comfort and stress relief at schools and at vigils, or wherever else they're called.

And while the children have benefitted a lot from canine comfort, adults are also quietly yielding to their charms as well.

"We're finding the adults are holding it in," says Johnston, "and then they see the dogs and you see them visibly start to release that tension."

To learn more about the Lutheran Church Charities's K-9 Comfort Dogs program, click here.

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Connecticut Shooting: First Funerals Are Held for Noah Pozner and Jack Pinto

By Dahvi Shira

12/17/2012 at 03:20 PM EST

Noah Pozner (left) and Jack Pinto

AP; Landov

Friends and family said goodbye on Monday to two of the 27 victims of the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary school in Newtown, Conn.

Noah Pozner and Jack Pinto, both 6, were the first laid to rest.

"Today is extremely emotional," Noah's aunt, Victoria Haller, tells PEOPLE. "My sister-in-law has been pretty much a wreck, which you can imagine. It's the worst thing in the world to lose a child."

Pozner, a loving boy who was inseparable from his siblings, had his services at Abraham L. Green and Son Funeral Home in Farfield, Conn., with his burial at B'nai Israel Cemetery in Monroe, Conn.

The entrance to the funeral home was adorned with white balloons. A large oak tree across from the home was covered with a sign that says, "Our hearts are with you Noah."

Pozner's twin sister, Arielle, along with older sister Sophia, 8, both survived the shooting.

Pinto, known for his love of the New York Giants, had his services at Honan Funeral Home in Newtown, and his burial at Newtown Village Cemetery.

On Saturday, his favorite player – wide receiver Victor Cruz – dedicated his game to Pinto, writing, "Jack Pinto, My Hero" on one of his cleats, and "Jack Pinto This one is 4 U!" on his gloves.

Friday morning's massacre took the lives of 20 children – 12 girls and eight boys. The gunman, identified as 20-year-old Adam Lanza, took his own life. His mother was also found killed in a different location.

Sandy Hook was closed on Monday. Other schools in the area will open on Tuesday, and the district has reportedly made plans to send surviving Sandy Hook students to a school in a neighboring town, but there is no date set.

Other victims of the tragedy have funeral dates set for later this week.

• Reporting by MARY GREEN

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Samaire Armstrong Welcomes a Son

Mom & Babies
Celebrity Baby Blog

12/16/2012 at 03:30 PM ET

Jason Merritt/Getty

Samaire Armstrong is a mom!

The Mentalist star, 32, recently welcomed her first child, she announced via Facebook on Sunday.

“Thank you sooo much for all the love!! Will post pictures after a little rest,” Armstrong writes.

“We’re all doing wonderfully. It was an amazing experience and we couldn’t be more thrilled with our new arrival. xoxoxoxoxo!!!!!”

The baby is reportedly a boy named Calin.

In addition to her role as Summer on The Mentalist, Armstrong is known for playing Juliet on Dirty Sexy Money and Anna on The O.C.

– Sarah Michaud

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Jenna von Oy Keeps Newtown Hometown In Her Prayers

By Jenna von Oy

12/15/2012 at 03:00 PM EST

My husband Brad and I christened our daughter Gray at St. Rose of Lima

Courtesy of Jenna Von Oy

Every school shooting I've ever heard about has been exceedingly heartbreaking and has stirred feelings of both rage and sorrow in me. Each one is tragic and awful, and there have been far too many of them in recent years.

But Friday's massacre in Newtown has affected me in a profoundly personal way, as I have a unique perspective on the town … I am blessed to have grown up there.

My family still lives in Newtown and, in my heart of hearts, I still consider myself one of its residents. My attachment is deep-rooted. We are mourning the loss of some of our own this week, and it is a sobering reminder that violence does not discriminate. It can hit close to home.

I am fiercely proud to say I was born and raised in Newtown. It is where I was brought home from the hospital, attended my first day of kindergarten, learned to ride my bike, and climbed my first tree.

As I watched President Obama's press conference, I sobbed as he mentioned that the children who died had their whole lives ahead of them: graduations, weddings, having children of their own … I have celebrated every one of those milestones in Newtown.

I graduated from Newtown High School, got married two years ago in a bed and breakfast on its Main Street, and recently had my daughter christened at St. Rose, where the vigil was held Friday evening. Newtown is the foundation of my history and it holds a very special place in my heart.

It is nearly impossible to unscramble my thoughts and put them to paper at a time like this, but I wanted to express my love and support for the town that has given me so many wonderful memories.

I hope my intent isn't misunderstood here; this is not about me. This is about a peaceful, beautiful, wonderful place I've called home since my childhood; I am feeling very protective of it after Friday's crisis. This is about the people who are left to pick up the pieces after an unfathomable hardship.

I grieve for the parents who lost their beautiful, innocent babies; some of them were friends from high school. My heart hurts for the families who have to explain this loss to the frightened children they brought home.

Newtown has always been the epitome of a quintessentially quaint New England town. It resembles a Norman Rockwell painting, and I know it will be all too easy for that image to be marred by these appalling events. But Newtown is so much more than this shocking incident, and I desperately hope America will see that.

Childhood photo with my brother in front of the Newtown Bee

Courtesy of Jenna Von Oy

I know, with absolute certainty, the residents of Newtown will rise up with love and strength in the face of their suffering. When you think of my hometown, I hope you'll think beyond this moment in its history.

When the news first reported the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, my emotional spectrum ranged from stunned and horrified, to inconsolable and numb. I am still feeling all of those things, and I don't expect that to go away anytime soon. This isn't something that's easily reconcilable.

Moreover, I share the overwhelming grief of the families affected by this tragedy. As a parent, I don't know how to make sense of it, and I am hugging my daughter that much tighter tonight because of it. No parent should ever have to experience a loss such as this one. It is unspeakable, and there is nothing fair about it.

There aren't enough prayers to ease their pain, but I'm giving it all I've got, regardless. It is all I have to give, and I hope you'll join me. Beyond that, there are no words.

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Marisa Miller Welcomes a Son

Mom & Babies
Celebrity Baby Blog

12/14/2012 at 04:00 PM ET

Joe Scarnici/Getty

She’s moved on from deary, cheery and weary to pure baby bliss.

Marisa Miller and her husband, music producer Griffin Guess are parents after welcoming their first child on Thursday, Dec. 13, her rep confirms to PEOPLE exclusively.

Son Gavin Lee Guess was born in Santa Cruz, Calif. at 7:58 p.m., weighing in at 8 lbs., 10 oz. and measured 22¼ inches long.

“I’m completely overjoyed by the birth of our son. I feel so blessed to be a mom and am so excited to experience this next part of life,” the model, 34, tells PEOPLE.

After confirming she was expecting in June, and in July announcing she was having a baby boy, the former Victoria’s Secret model concentrated on healthy habits during her pregnancy — a decision that clearly paid off for Miller.

Baring her bump for a series of black and white photos, the mom-to-be told Allure.com she was committed to fully embracing her new body.

“Gaining weight is part of charting your progress,” the actress, who will next star opposite Ryan Reynolds in R.I.P.D., explained. “Yes, I was seeing numbers I had never seen before, but I let go of that because I had a new goal and focus.”

– Anya Leon

RELATED: Marisa Miller’s PEOPLE.com Pregnancy Blog

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The X Factor: Who Stole the Show at the Semi-Finals?

TV Watch

The X Factor

By Tim Nudd

12/13/2012 at 03:30 PM EST

Carly Rose Sonenclar, Emblem3, Tate Stevens and Fifth Harmony

Ray Mickshaw/FOX (4)

There may not be a front-runner following Wednesday's semi-finals on The X Factor, but there does seem to be a weakest link.

Most of the judges seemed down on girl group Fifth Harmony, whose rendition of Shontelle's "Impossible" left them wanting more, following a better performance of Ellie Goulding's "Anything Could Happen."

Britney Spears, Demi Lovato and L.A. Reid were all doubtful of Fifth Harmony's chances to be one of the three acts in the finals, with only Simon Cowell defending them, saying, "You've been one of the strongest acts tonight."

Not that the other performers were slouches.

Tate Stevens tackled Craig Morgan's "Bonfire" and Clay Walker's "Fall" with confidence and poise. Carly Rose Sonenclar took some risks with Elton John's "Your Song" and John Lennon's "Imagine" but won mostly praise. And boy band Emblem3 put their own spin on Peter Frampton's "Baby, I Love Your Way" and the Beatles' "Hey Jude," again to mostly positive reactions from the panel.

Thursday's results show will send one act home and three to the finale.

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Prince William Attends The Hobbit Premiere Without Kate

By Simon Perry

12/12/2012 at 03:40 PM EST

With wife Kate resting as she copes with her pregnancy illness, Prince William stepped out solo on Wednesday evening for the premiere of The Hobbit in London.

The dashing young royal told guests at the special screening of the tale from Middle Earth that Kate would have "loved" to have attended the event. But the expectant mom has had to cancel a number of appearances while she battles severe morning sickness caused by hyperemesis gravidarum.

Tuxedoed William, 30, was the guest of honor at the royal premiere at the Odeon in London's Leicester Square, where he met filmmakers and some of the movie's stars, including Sir Ian McKellen and Cate Blanchett.

The cinema's general manager Tessa Street met William in the welcome line and asked about Kate. "I passed on my best wishes to Kate and he said, 'She would have loved to have been here if she could,' " Street told reporters.

The evening raised money for the Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund, and one of the fund's trustees Debbie Chalet also met the prince. "I said to William 'Thank you for taking the time to come and be here tonight,' because I'm sure he wants to be at home making sure Kate's okay."

Blanchett, who stars as Galadriel in The Hobbit, braved the chilly temperatures in a backless white Givenchy gown. Asked on the carpet how she was doing, she said, "I'm cold, but very excited."

Inside, just before the movie started, McKellen, who plays Gandalf in the movie, led the audience in sending best wishes to Kate.

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Man Builds Full-Scale Replica of Noah's Ark

People Pets

By Stephen M. Silverman

12/11/2012 at 02:15 PM EST

Johan Huibers and his ark

Peter Dejong/AP

He may have trouble finding two animals of every kind, but Johan Huibers of the Netherlands isn't one to be dissuaded.

After 20 years, the professional builder completed his goal of building a full-scale, fully-operational version of Noah's Ark, using Genesis, books 6-9, in The Bible as his guide.

Huibers converted cubits to modern measurements to pull off the feat, reports the Associated Press, leading to an impressive wooden vessel that is 427 feet long, 95 feet wide and 75 feet high.

But just to be clear, the Dutchman, a Christian, is not expecting a flood of Biblical proportions anytime soon.

"I had a call from American television," he told AP with a laugh. "This has nothing to do with the end of the Mayan calendar."

Instead, citing what The Bible predicts might be in store for Earth, Huibers says, "I want to make people question that so that they go looking for answers." He also hopes people will ultimately find salvation through God and eternal life.

And while the ark is not currently occupied with multitudes of four-legged creatures – though there are reportedly some plastic and stuffed replicas of larger species onboard for atmosphere – there is a small petting zoo with ponies, dogs, sheep, rabbits and exotic birds aboard the ship, which is moored just south of Rotterdam, as well as a restaurant and movie theater that can seat 50.

See more photos inside the ark on CNN.com.

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