Today on his blog, Weird Al wrote that he asked for Lady Gaga‘s permission to do a lighthearted “Born This Way” parody called “Perform This Way.” He sent lyrics, but was told she’d need to hear it, so he recorded the song. Then he was told that she said no. After this prompted an online backlash, Gaga “sources” said, “There must have been a misunderstanding because [Gaga] is in no way trying to block the release of the parody. She’s busy touring and hasn’t heard the song yet. Her manager hasn’t had a chance to play it for her yet,” adding, “She’s a huge Weird Al fan.” [Al Yankovic, TMZ]
When asked about accusations that “Born This Way” ripped off “Express Yourself,” Gaga said, “I’m a songwriter. I’ve written loads of music. Why would I try to put out a song and think I’m getting one over on everybody? That’s retarded … What a completely ridiculous thing to even question me about… If you put the songs next to each other, side by side, the only similarities are the chord progression. It’s the same one that’s been in disco music for the last 50 years. Just because I’m the first fucking artist in 25 years to think of putting it on Top 40 radio, it doesn’t mean I’m a plagiarist, it means that I’m fucking smart. Sorry.” [Us]
Lindsay Lohan will not play Victoria Gotti in Gotti: Three Generations because her team reportedly made too many demands. Executive Producer Marc Fiore says, “I will only ride a merry-go-round with my kids.” He added, “Maybe if Lindsay calls me up, we can talk about it.” [TMZ]
Michael Lohan is offering to go on a first date for $10,000, which is about what we’d pay to not have to date him. [Radar]
How are you celebrating 4/20? Willie Nelson is feeling congested so he’s going to fire up his vaporizer. [TMZ]
Afroman, of “Because I Got High” fame, is being sued for missing a concert. [LAT]
- Do you really need an explanation of why a judge wouldn’t award Charlie Sheen full custody of his twins? I wouldn’t let Chuckles take care of my cat for a weekend. [TMZ]
- “He never calls to check up on the boys,” says a source. “The last time he had the kids was on March 26, and we don’t believe he was even home when the kids went to his house that day. The kids were probably just with their nanny. It’s really sad.” [E!]
- Courteney Cox told Jimmy Kimmel that she thought David Arquette might be gay when she found someone had downloaded Grindr on their computer, an iPhone app often used by men to meet other dudes. Turns out her gay assistant downloaded it. Good story! [Us]
- Jennifer Del Rio of 16 & Pregnant has been accused of punching her baby’s father in the face, but she says he punched himself to set her up. [TMZ]
- Thanks to a Glee extra Tweeting a mild spoiler and producers pompously freaking out, extras’ contracts may now include non-disclosure agreements. [Reuters]
- Matthew Morrison‘s rep says the rumors that he wants off Glee are untrue. [Celebuzz]
- Demi Lovato says she was bullied in school. “When I would ask them why [they’d tease me,] they would just say, ‘Well, you’re fat,” Lovato said. “I was bullied because I was too fat … A few months later I developed an eating disorder, and that’s kind of what I’ve been dealing with ever since.” [Radar]