Times Square Gossip

**** BACKSTAGE AND ON THE RED CARPET FOR THE 81ST ACADEMY AWARDS **** Photos By Sara De Boer/Retna **** The Oscar Kate Winslet, Sean Penn, Penelope Cruz and the late Heath Ledger along with Slumdog Millionaire were huge winners at the 81st Academy Awards in Hollywood California. Penn won the Best Actor prize for his role as assassinated gay official Harvey Milk in Milk, ahead of the very hot favorite Mickey Rourke. The star used his acceptance speech to criticize those who outlawed gay marriage in California and called for equal rights. He said, "You commie, homo-loving sons of guns. I did not expect this. I do know how hard I make it to appreciate me. "For those of you who saw the signs of hatred as our cars drove in tonight, I think that it is a good time for those who voted for the ban on gay marriage to reflect on their great shame and the shame in their grandchildren’s eyes. "We’ve got to have equal rights for everyone." He also found time to pay tribute to Bar...

Chris Brown Los Angeles California police have launched an official investigation into how a photograph allegedly showing a badly beat up Rihanna was leaked on the Internet. The shocking police photograph, which was posted on celebrity Web site TMZ.com, features a close-up of what appears to be the "Umbrella" singer with contusions on her forehead, a swollen nose and a bloody lip. The injuries are said to relate to a alleged fight between the singer and her boyfriend Chris Brown in the early hours of February 8th, which allegedly left her in need of medical treatment. Brown was charged with making criminal threats following the incident. L.A. police have refused to confirm the identity of the woman in the photo, but admit the picture was taken during a recent domestic violence investigation. Officials at the police department have now launched a probe to find whoever was responsible for the leak. A statement from the L.A. police reads, "The unauthorized release of a dom...

Former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham's fashion denim clothing line has been dropped from an exclusive U.S. store in a disagreement over her new dress collection. Henri Bendel and Kitson have already dropped Beckham's dVb range due to very poor sales. And now executives at upmarket chain Saks Fifth Avenue are following suit, amid accusations the Hollywood star offered her new collection of designer gowns to a rival store. Bosses of the New York store were reportedly furious by Beckham's decision to sell her much-hyped dresses exclusively in rival store Bergdorf Goodman. A source tells the New York Post, "They were offended when she sold her dress line to Bergdorf's and not to Saks, even though Saks launched her denim line in their New York store. Bergdorf never carried her jeans, but they got her designer line anyway." A representative for Beckham says, "At this time there is no Victoria Beckham product stocked at Saks, but we continue to work closely with s...