Celebrity News & Gossip

It’s cold in New York, so the TheFABlife just had to head down to South Florida to check out the celebrity-studded Art Basel Miami event last week, and it was certainly filled with celebrities, fabulous parties, and of course amazing artwork. We packed our bags full of Margi Kent dresses, and checked into the hot new Gansevoort South which was the perfect location for hitting all the hot art shows and parties. From Michael Jackson tribute artwork to checking out Sylvester Stallone’s original paintings to partying with a unique mix of Manhattan party people and art collectors to bumping into Miley Cyrus at the pool, Art Basel Miami was certainly fab. [Photos: Getty Images, Splash News Online]

Russell Simmons is doing it for the art. The hip hop mogul held an elegant dinner Wednesday night at the Mondrian Hotel in Miami Beach to raise money for the Simmons’ Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, which funds arts education for low-income kids.

Russell said that the arts has always been a big part of his life. “My older brother is a painter, my younger brother is an artist, my father is a poet, my mother is an artist. I produce a lot of creative work, so I understand why it’s important to have arts education for kids,” he said.

The evening was quite a success: one man handed Russell a $10,000 check and a piece by Fairey showing two Rush Foundation student sold for $2,000. Still, though, Russell said there is a long way to go to convince people of the importance of arts education funding. “State and local governments think arts education is a waste, but it’s the most important thing, because without imagination, there’s nothing,” he said. [Photo: Splash News Online]

He had his first photo spread in OK! at two months old and now at four and a half months, Kenzo Lee Honsou is moving onto the television screen! Kimora Lee and her baby boy filmed scenes for her reality show at Vasquez State Park in Los Angeles on Thursday. The little bundle of joy looks great on camera. Is he a soon-to-be a reality star like half-sisters Aoki Lee and Ming Lee, Kimora’s daughter’s from her marriage to Russell Simmons? [Photos: Splash News Online]

Dennis Rodman piled on the pastels at the Pink Collection Fashion Show last night, taking center stage at the Miami Rock Fashion Week charity event. The Rod-man’s pulled some crazy looks in his time, and it doesn’t look like the 48-year-old is going to slow down now. Russell Simmons is also in Miami for the fun, though thankfully appears free of face paint. Watch Dennis Rodman get ready for magic time in the gallery below.

[Photo: Splash News Online]

Looks like Russell Simmons and girlfriend Julie Henderson are finding pleasant ways to kill time until the premiere of VH1 Hip Hop Honors 2009. The Def Jam co-founder and the swimsuit issue perennial spent the weekend relaxing at Miami’s South Beach, canoodling in and out of the water. We’d say it “beats work,” but strutting around in a bikini usually is work for Henderson.

You can catch the fully-clothed pair, as well as Def Jam stars past and present—from Ludacris to Flavor Flav—when VH1 Hip Hop Honors 2009 premieres on October 13th. For now, check out the happy couple in the gallery below.

[Photos: Splash News Online]

Would you believe Tracy Morgan raps under the name Scoopy Giles? Would you believe he created “Dumplin’ Butts,” a hip-hop song about “big fat juicy buns,” way before “Baby’s Got Back”? (Our favorite verse: “Allah says don’t eat no swine, but you know I’ll eat your pork.”) No wonder Tracy is the perfect host for VH1’s Hip Hop Honors, premiering Tuesday, Oct. 13 at 9/8c.  Watch his music video masterpiece now and catch him explaining how his alter ego helped to found Def Jam records.

For more Hip Hop Honors exclusives, check out Global Grind.

We have done Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week five times, and this was by far the most fabulous of them all. The energy in New York City was back, and more celebrities than ever came out to the tents to watch the models show off the new looks for Spring 2010. From hanging with Rihanna on Fashion’s Night Out to hosting our own Fashion Week party to checking out the hottest in shoes and clothing, this Fashion Week was truly amazing. [Photos: Splash News Online, Getty Images, Stephen Mao]

The Oscars aren’t until Sunday, but celebrities are already in party mode. Thursday night stars came out for an intimate soiree at the 27-acre home of billionaire real estate tycoon Jeff Greene, who threw a star-studded bash to celebrate his wife’s birthday.

Russell Simmons, Paris Hilton, Brett Ratner, Bai Ling and other celebs munched on Asian-themed cuisine like Kung Pao chicken, rice, and stir fry vegetables while enjoying the breathtaking views of the property, which features a reflecting pool and vineyard.

Paris Hilton, pictured above before the party, arrived shortly after 10pm with a posse of gal pals. Two blondes and one brunette followed Paris, who was decked out in a short sparkly pink dress, rhinestone heels, and tiara, around the party while she mingled with fellow guests including Nikki Haskell and Kato Kaelin. Paris posed for photos with Jeff’s wife and joined the guests in serenading her happy birthday as a massive chocolate cake was wheeled out. Paris walked around the party laughing, giggling, and whispering with her posse.

After the candles had been blown out, guests started clearing out of the Mediterranean style mansion. But hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons stayed well past 12:30am, despite telling Scandalist that he’s “in town for work.” [Photo: FilmMagic]

(Editor’s Note: Libby Keatinge, our gossip blogger extraordinaire, is hitting all of the parties before and after this year’s Oscars. Keep up with her latest Hollywood Gossip Dispatches in our Academy Awards Blog. Plus, don’t forget to join us for our Live Oscars Blog Party this Sunday at 8PM EST!)

Kimora Lee Simmons is pregnant! The babydaddy is, of course, boyfriend Djimon Hounsou, who Russell Simmons‘ ex has dated since February 2007. A source close to the couple revealed that Kimora is indeed with child. It will be her third (she already has daughters Ming Lee, 8, and Aoki Lee, 6, from her marriage to Russell, who she divorced in 2008). It will be Djimon’s first.

After her tough divorce, Kimora revealed that she was “not very trusting,” but once she met Djimon she exclaimed, “I have someone who has the heart, the soul, and the hotness!” Djimon dismisses rumors that blinged out Kimora is a diva. “She’s the least high maintenance lady I’ve ever dated,” he said.

Kimora has made no secret that she wants more babies, saying last September, “I would love to. I practice every day.”

No word yet if the little bundle of joy will be a Louis Vuitton handbag toting princess or a Phat Farm tracksuit wearing baby boy. [Source: Us; Photo: Getty Images]

Britney Spears celebrated her 27^th birthday last night at Manhattan hotspot Tenjune, which was transformed into a Circus for the singer and her celebrity pals — including Lance Bass, Jeremy Piven, Heidi Klum and Jamie Presley.

Guests were greeted outside by a man on stilts, a juggler, a screen over the entrance of the club that showed images of Britney and a circus — not to mention around 30 police officers lining the street. The walls were lined with posters of circus images as well as lyrics from Britney’s new album scrolled in black. The main room was decked out to look just like a circus tent, with billowing multicolored fabric hanging from the ceiling.

Newly separated Jamie Presley arrived around 12:30 am with an entourage who was escorted into the curtained off VIP. Behind the black curtains of the VIP area, Britney and her A-list pals mingled among hot dog and popcorn carts that flashed Britney’s name, as well as a bevy of circus acts and contortionists.

Lance Bass sat at a private table and talked with Britney’s manager Larry Rudolph, while music mogul Russell Simmons moved in between the VIP and main room and mingled with guests.

The DJ spun hip hop, 80s tunes, and of course Britney’s own hits “Gimme More” and “Womanizer.” After he gave a shout out to Britney and wished her a happy birthday, he ironically played one of Justin Timberlake’s hits.

Britney was given her second birthday cake of the day (the first one was presented to her after her Good Morning America performance), by Barry Weiss, CEO of her record label who said, “We are so proud and so happy to be a part of your life.”

Partygoers left with polaroids of themselves in a special birthday card, which were shot by a party photographer, and memories of a fresh faced Britney smiling and celebrating her birthday in a much healthier way than last year. [Photo: Getty Images]