Welsh thirteen year old Getraint Llyr Owen's solo in Karl Jenkins' Pie Jesu was broadcast on S4C back in November. Someone uploaded it to YouTube, now the kid's coming to Broadway (Lincoln Centre, to be exact).
Trailblazing freedom-spreader Barack Obama has named Amanda Simpson, a transgender person, as a senior technical advisor to the Commerce Department. Which is apparently a Presidentially-appointed post, and therefore notable! Here's hoping that more former males and former females will one day be appointed to government posts that people actually understand, as well.
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These kids demonstrate some crazy eyebrow moves in this commercial for Cadbury Dairy Milk. It's not clear what the connection between the two is, but it makes a pretty cool ad.
These two pop stars can't be too worried about their affair getting found out if they're screwing where anyone can find them. Another couple is keeping the truth from each other and has resorted to spying. Someone call the CIA.
• Theodore Friedman, a former negligence lawyer who was disbarred in 1994, and his wife, former New York Surrogate's Court judge Eve Preminger, have sold their three-bedroom penthouse at 25 Central Park West for $10.05 million. The couple first listed the 2,767-square-foot apartment, which features 900 square feet of outdoor space and 360-degree views, for $13.5 million in January of 2009. [Cityfile, Stribling]
• Are Alicia Keys and boyfriend Swizz Beatz planning to buy a duplex penthouse at 170 East End Avenue? That's the rumor, as the couple has reportedly toured the apartment several times recently. [NYP]
The New York Times asked a handful of prominent New Yorkers about what some of the city's "collective objectives" should be for the year ahead, causes that could unite New York in 2010 as we make an effort to "improve, change, and grow." As you probably could have expected, Donald Trump is taking up an issue of critical importance that you probably haven't given much thought to. Well, up until now, that is.
• Is Tiger Woods in New York right now? Did he settle with his estranged wife by handing her a check for $300 million? In two pretty dubious stories now making the rounds, a friend of Elin Nordegren says Woods' scorned wife—who spent the holiday weekend at a French ski resort—has been telling pals she got a $300 million gift for Christmas from her estranged husband. Meanwhile, rumors also surfaced that Woods was spending the weekend holed up at New York's Trump International Hotel, where he ordered huge amounts of Red Bull and vodka and was accompanied by a "leggy blond." Alas, the paparazzi camped out outside the hotel never caught a glimpse of him and the hotel staff denied Woods was ever there. [NYDN, NYP]
• Down in St. Barts, Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich made it rain by hosting a $5 million New Year's Eve party at his $90 million estate. Beyoncé, Gwen Stefani and Prince all performed at the shindig, and the Russian mogul's party—along with fetes hosted by Larry Gagosian and Paul Allen—attracted a long list of boldface names to the island, including Jay-Z, Orlando Bloom and Miranda Kerr, Marc Jacobs and Lorenzo Martone, Rachel Zoe, Harvey Weinstein and Georgina Chapman, and Russell Simmons. For her part, Lindsay Lohan spent much of the weekend aboard Abramovich's boat, where she was seen jet-skiing and shopping in a teeny bikini and ginormous wedge heels. She also sent out a rather ominous tweet on New Year's Eve: "Everyone get ready for more (but positive—LOHAN MAYHEM!!!" Sigh. [NYP, People, DM]
• According to Peter Biskind's new biography of Warren Beatty—and some "simple arithmetic" on the part of Biskind—the actor has bedded 12,775 women during his lifetime. Annette Bening must be so proud. [NYP]
Michael Stipe turns 50 today. Actress Julia Ormond is turning 45. Comedian/satirist Andy Borowitz is 52. Director Harmony Korine (Kids, Gummo) turns 37. Presidential historian and author Doris Kearns Goodwin is turning 67. Comic actor Dave Foley (NewsRadio) is turning 47. And retired football coach Don Shula is 80 today.
A 72-year-old man decries his last chance to be baller. An update on Paris Hilton's sex life involves swine. Another posthumous Jacko release, and it's terrible. Tiger gives Elin $300M, and she laughs in his face. Monday gossip cometh.
As Suffolk police close in on Craig 'Lazie' Lynch—who escaped from prison in September and is now taunting the cops on Facebook—Lazie battles a temperamental public and inspires imitators. Plus: Another inmate absconds from his prison.
