Mar 12, 2015

Stephen Fishbach's Survivor Blog: A 'Gimme' Elimination and ... Monkey Sex Stories?

Survivor Worlds Apart: Stephen Fishbach Blogs Episode 3, Nina Eliminated
Stephen Fishbach was the runner-up on Survivor: Tocantins and has been blogging about Survivor strategy for PEOPLE since 2009. Follow him on Twitter @stephenfishbach.

"When people have the same problem, it's easy to bring them together." –Malcolm Freberg, Survivor: Caramoan

It's a rare gift on Survivor when a vote is a gimme.

When you're competing on the show, every vote seems punctuated by a question mark. Do you keep the challenge beast who's in the other alliance? Do you hold on to your loyal ally who's annoying everybody around you?



Thank the blogging gods for that confusion. That ambiguity is what gives me something to analyze and critique every week.

But, as a contestant, it's frustrating to know that your shot at a million dollars could be riding on one arbitrary decision.

So when you find someone who is bad in challenges, doesn't fit in with the tribe, and who voted against your alliance at the last tribal council – you don't question the Survivor fates.

Nina was the opposite of a triple threat. She was a social, physical, and strategic liability. In fact, she was quadruply dangerous because, if Nina were to make it to the merge or a swap, she could easily have coasted to the end.

Gorgeous Joe and the Girls took the layup and voted her out. Even the producers barely pretended that Will was a viable alternate boot. There was some hand waving about his health, but it was obvious that Nina was the one going home.

Last episode, Nina had a chance to take control of her tribe with Vince and Will. But she made one wrong remark to Will, and three days later her torch was snuffed.

It's a tough game.

White Collar

Poor Shirin.

Shirin just wanted to share her tales of monkey sex , but nobody wanted to listen.

Was anybody else reminded of the nerdy girl in high school who just couldn't fit in? When Joaquin told her he doesn't like her, she tried to start a discussion about why not.

But you can never debate your way into a friendship.

The Fishy this week goes to Joaquin and Tyler, who are forming a bond the classic way: by deriding everyone around them.

Joaquin was in a dangerous spot after the first episode. So's obvious lie about the idol clue blew up in his face, and he quickly saw his top ally voted out of the game.

But Joaquin has faded into the background and bro-bonded with Tyler while Max and Shirin have made themselves bigger, nakeder targets.

When Joaquin shared his idol clue, the good faith gesture brought Tyler and him closer together.

Tyler, for his part, was able to recognize the gesture's importance – without revealing that he actually knew the idol's whereabouts.

Tyler is in the best position on White Collar and, along with Gorgeous Joe, in one of the strongest positions in the game.

Blue Collar

When Jeff Probst introduced the season's twist, he said that Blue Collar people "follow the rules."

Not this tribe.

Bossy Mike desperately needed wood and nobody could give him enough. Lindsey and Sierra were worn out from giving Mike wood all the time. Rodney would get wood, but not right when he woke up. Rodney hates morning wood.

Meanwhile, the Blue Collar tribe was so fixated on wood, they couldn't stop shooting off at the mouth. Lindsey insulted Mike's god. Dan insulted Rodney's mother.

Dan has done a great job of reintegrating himself into the tribe. He can be tone-deaf in the moment, but unlike Mike he is able to see how his words affect the tribe.

A nice good tribal council would be good for Blue Collar. They could vote out the troublemakers who are stressing them out (i.e. Mike).

Sometimes you need a clean burn to encourage new growth.

But for now, the Blue Collar tribe is a tinderbox.

Literally.

Survivor: Worlds Apart airs Wednesdays (8 p.m. ET) on CBS.
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Mar 11, 2015

Meet the American Idol Top 12

American Idol 2015: Top 12 Cheat Sheet
Here they are America, your Top 12!

After weeks of auditions and hard cuts by the judges, American Idol has revealed final 12 contestants.

But who has what it takes to actually become the fourteenth winner of the Fox reality series?

PEOPLE breaks down the contestants:



Meet the American Idol Top 12| American Idol

Quentin Alexander

Michael Becker / FOX

QUENTIN ALEXANDER, 21
Hometown: New Orleans, Louisiana
Audition City: New Orleans
Audition Song: "Royals", originally performed by Lorde
Why He Might Win: The Big Easy's own Harry Connick, Jr. has said that Alexander encapsulates the music scene of his hometown and his unique fashion and song choices certainly make him stand out from the crowd.
Why He Might Not: After an impressive first audition, Alexander has had a slow burn on the show with solid but quiet performances. And some viewers may not connect with his fearless fashions.

Meet the American Idol Top 12| American Idol

Clark Beckham

Michael Becker / FOX

CLARK BECKHAM, 22
Hometown: White House, Tennessee
Audition City: Nashville
Audition Song: "It's a Man's, Man's, Man's World", originally performed by James Brown
Why He Might Win: Beckham is an experienced street performer who has already released his own EP. Having taught himself the guitar at the age of 12 and the piano at age 15, he's got a lot of ways to entertain the crowd aside from his bluesy vocals. Plus, there's that smile.
Why He Might Not: Beckham has not always gotten the best critiques from the judges, especially Connick, Jr., who didn't even think Beckham was ready to get a golden ticket to Hollywood.

Meet the American Idol Top 12| American Idol

Joey Cook

Michael Becker / FOX

JOEY COOK, 23
Hometown: Woodbridge, Virginia
Audition City: Kansas City
Audition Song: "King of Spain", originally performed by The Tallest Man on Earth
Why She Might Win: Cook definitely stands out in the crowd with her hair-of-a-different-color and quirky personality. Both her style and singing voice are reminiscent of another Fox talent, New Girl's Zooey Deschanel.
Why She Might Not: Cook's adorkableness her mission to make sure accordions become known for "more than just polka music" will immediately endear her to some but not others.

Meet the American Idol Top 12| American Idol

Sarina-Joi Crowe

Michael Becker / FOX

SARINA-JOI CROWE, 19
Hometown: Columbia, Tennessee
Audition City: Kansas City
Audition Song: "Love Runs Out", originally by OneRepublic
Why She Might Win: Crowe has the pipes of a Motown diva and the bubbly personality of someone you want to be your best friend. In other words, she's everything a classic Idol fan is looking for in a frontrunner.
Why She Might Not: Honestly, she's yet to stumble. But this would not be the first time Crowe was eliminated from the competition. This was Crowe's fourth time auditioning for Idol. Last season, she was eliminated at the Green Mile.

Meet the American Idol Top 12| American Idol

Adanna Duru

Michael Becker / FOX

ADANNA DURU, 18
Hometown: Diamond Bar, California
Audition City: San Francisco
Audition Song: "You and I", originally performed by Lady Gaga
Why She Might Win: The experienced singer has already weathered the stresses of a reality competition as a contestant on NBC's The Voice and has proven she is willing to take risks and change up songs to create interesting performances. Plus, Duru was personally selected by the judges to be put in the Top 12 as a wildcard.
Why She Might Not: As a wildcard, Duru was not voted into the Top 12 by America and therefore might not have the fan base necessary to make it to the finale. Then again, season 2 finalist Clay Aiken was a wildcard.

Meet the American Idol Top 12| American Idol

Nick Fradiani

Michael Becker / FOX

NICK FRADIANI, 29
Hometown: Guilford, Connecticut
Audition City: Brooklyn
Audition Song: "In Your Eyes", originally performed by Peter Gabriel
Why He Might Win: Fradiani previously competed with his band Beach Avenue on NBC's America's Got Talent and now he has gone solo with his Adam Levine-esque good looks and cool, rocker swagger that is sure to get the audience swooning.
Why He Might Not: Fradiani is the most experienced of the Top 12 contestants, but that is because he is the oldest – by many years. Younger Idol voters may not easily identify with the 29-year-old.

Meet the American Idol Top 12| American Idol

Jackie "Jax" Cole

Michael Becker / FOX

JACKIE "JAX" COLE, 18
Hometown: East Brunswick, New Jersey
Audition City: Brooklyn
Audition Song: "I Want to Hold Your Hand", originally performed by The Beatles
Why She Might Win: The teenager already has a rabid fan base complete with a name (" The Jax Pax") and a symbol (crossing their forearms into an X). And she has the musicality to back-up the adoration.
Why She Might Not: Cole's face bling and alternative image is part of why some viewers love her, but it could also cost her some potential votes.

Meet the American Idol Top 12| American Idol

Tyanna Jones

Michael Becker / FOX

TYANNA JONES, 16Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida
Audition City: San Francisco
Audition Song: "Wings", originally performed by Little Mix
Why She Might Win: Jones has a voice with a richness far beyond her 16 years. And her youthful energy is infectious.
Why She Might Not: Her energy (and nerves) often results in performances that can come off a little wild. She'll need to learn to rein in and harness her power if she wants to take the title.

Meet the American Idol Top 12| American Idol

Qaasim Middleton

Michael Becker / FOX

QAASIM MIDDLETON, 19
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
Audition City: Brooklyn
Audition Song: "Sir Duke", originally performed by Stevie Wonder
Why He Might Win: Middleton is the showman of the group. Audiences have come to expect a high-energy, crowd-pleasing performance from him – and he has yet to disappoint.
Why He Might Not: The judges have already asked Middleton to show a different side of his talents and to choose songs that actually show off his vocal abilities rather than just his showmanship.

Meet the American Idol Top 12| American Idol

Rayvon Owen

Michael Becker / FOX

RAYVON OWEN, 23
Hometown: Richmond, Virginia
Audition City: San Francisco
Audition Song: "Wide Awake", originally performed by Katy Perry
Why He Might Win: With his silky smooth voice and range for days, Owen might have the most commercially viable sound among his fellow male contestants. Also, it's already evident he can write a catchy tune!
Why He Might Not: Though Owen is clearly gifted, his quietness may get lost among the more boisterous performers.

Meet the American Idol Top 12| American Idol

Daniel Seavey

Michael Becker / FOX

DANIEL SEAVEY, 15
Hometown: Vancouver, Washington
Audition City: San Francisco
Audition Song: "Hallelujah", originally performed by Jeff Buckley and "Straight Up", originally performed by Paula Abdul
Why He Might Win: The young girls in the audience go CRAZY for this talented – and adorable – teen. And though he is only 15, Seavey has already mastered multiple instruments and has been diligently working on his vocals as his voice changes.
Why He Might Not: Throughout the audition process, the judges frequently debated whether Seavey is old enough to handle the competition. Connick, Jr. is always quick to point out that Seavey does not have the same polish as his older competitors.

Meet the American Idol Top 12| American Idol

Maddie Walker

Michael Becker / FOX

MADDIE WALKER, 17
Hometown: Ankeny, Iowa
Audition City: Brooklyn
Audition Song: "Suitcase", originally performed by Gwen Sebastian
Why She Might Win: Walker has the unusual distinction of being the only country artist in the Top 12. This gives her a built-in fan base but she has the vocal chops to earn their votes and isn't afraid to tackle other genres, which will serve her well as the competition goes forward.
Why She Might Not: The judges had Walker do a sing-off against another contestant and she barely won out. And the judges eliminated her last season because of inexperience. Has she grown enough over the past year to win the whole thing?

American Idol airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET on Fox.
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Tony Bennett Signs Up to Sing at Lady Gaga's Wedding to "Very Wonderful Man" Taylor Kinney

Taylor Kinney, Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett

Not such a bad romance! As previously reported, Lady Gaga is set to marry her love Taylor Kinney, and the singer's collaborator Tony Bennett is thrilled with the nuptials. 

"She’s marrying a very wonderful man, very talented and very handsome," Bennett, 88, told The New York Post's Page Six of Gaga and her actor love. "I think he’s going be highly successful in films. He’s a very nice person."

Chicago Fire star Kinney, 33, has been dating Mother Monster, 28, since 2011 after meeting on the set of her "You and I" video, and popped the question last month on Valentine's Day. Gaga has been sporting a massive, heart-shaped diamond engagement ring on her finger ever since.

While the newly engaged lovebirds have yet to announce a wedding date, they've already booked one very famous performer for their ceremony. 

"They invited me to do it and, of course, I will," Bennett told Page Six of singing at the wedding where his Cheek to Cheek collaborator will say "I do." As to what kind of wedding the couple will throw? "All I know is, knowing Lady Gaga, it will be fabulous," teased the jazz crooner. 

In a move that surprised many fans, Lady Gaga first teamed up with Bennett in 2011 to record a rendition of "The Lady Is a Tramp." The duet inspired the duo's Grammy-winning 2014 jazz record, and even an ongoing series of shows as a part of the Cheek to Cheek Tour.

Gaga has been outspoken about her love and admiration for the veteran performer, who came into her life at a time when she was struggling with her pop superstardom following poor critical and commercial reception to 2013's ARTPOP and general backlash. 

"I was so sad," she told Parade this past September of the time in her life. "I couldn’t sleep. I felt dead. And then I spent a lot of time with Tony. He wanted nothing but my friendship and my voice... The other day, Tony said, 'I’ve never once in my career not wanted to do this,' It stung. Six months ago I didn't feel that way. I tell Tony every day that he saved my life."

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Accused Boston Bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev's Own Words Read Aloud in Court

Accused Boston Bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev's Own Words Read Aloud in Court
In the moments before he was arrested on April 19, 2013, accused Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev used a pencil to scrawl on the inside of a boat parked behind a home in Watertown, Massachusetts.

Nearly two years later, those writings – riddled with bullet holes and stained with blood – were introduced in federal court as evidence in the murder case against him.

Tsarnaev addressed the loss of his brother, Tamerlan, who had died in a police shootout earlier that day. "I do not mourn because his soul is very much alive," the message said. "God has a plan for each person. Mine was to hide in his boat and shed some light on our actions."

According to photographs and transcripts, the message included anti-American sentiments, accusing the U.S. of "killing our innocent civilians."

"I can't stand to see so much evil go unpunished," he wrote. "We Muslims are one body, you hurt one you hurt us all"

The 12-member jury saw photos of the message. Judge George O’Toole Jr. is still trying to decide how jurors can see the message in person. Prosecutors want to cut out panels of the boat to display in the courtroom. The defense would rather bring the entire boat to the courthouse and allow jurors to view it outside.

Tsarnaev is on trial for the April 15, 2013, bombing that killed 3 people and injured more than 260 others. He has pleaded not guilty.

The trial is will continue on Wednesday and is expected to continue for several more weeks.
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Mar 10, 2015

Did Kate Give a Clue About Her Baby's Sex?

Kate Middleton Baby Sex: Seen Shopping For Girls' Clothes
The royal men have made their feelings known, with Prince Charles saying he would like a granddaughter, and Prince William favoring a girl before Prince George was born.

Now, has Princess Kate given a hint they might be getting their wish?

She went shopping in one of her favorite stores, Amaia, in Chelsea, London, and was drawn to the girls' clothes, observers said.

"She was very interested," co-owner Segolene Tresca tells PEOPLE. "Every mum that comes in the shop, they look for boys but they always end up looking at the girls stuff too. We all hope it's a little girl because it will be so cute, they will be like a little couple."



Did Kate Give a Clue About Her Baby's Sex?| The British Royals, The Royals, Kate Middleton

Kate Middleton

Ben Cawthra / Sipa USA



With royal watchers buzzing in the run-up to her April due date, some even fastened onto the fact that Kate, 33, wore baby pink for the service at Westminster Abbey to mark Commonwealth Day Monday.

British bookmakers are getting in on the act – with William Hill saying Tuesday that Elizabeth tops the charts of heavily backed names. Charlotte and Alexandra have also been high in the charts.

The couple has said that they don't know the sex, and William told President Obama in December that they are excitedly waiting for a surprise.

For Rupert Adams, spokesman at bookmakers William Hill, the chatter continues. "The money is all saying a girl – I don't know if people are looking at stats or just wishing it for the perfect family of a boy and a girl," he says.

Meanwhile, Kate – who after a difficult first trimester is now feeling and looking "marvelous," a friend says – is staying mum.
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Mar 9, 2015

Bachelor Chris Soules: 'Whitney Bischoff Is My Soulmate'

The Bachelor Finale: Chris Soules Proposes to Whitney Bischoff
It would seem like an enviable dilemma, but for Chris Soules, falling in love with a trio of beautiful women on The Bachelor made his final decision all the more challenging.

"It would have been easier had there not been so many great women," Soules tells PEOPLE of his strong feelings for the final three ladies. "It was a very difficult decision to be in."

As viewers saw Monday, the farmer, 33, said goodbye to runner-up Becca Tilley, choosing instead to propose to outgoing fertility nurse Whitney Bischoff.

"Becca is in a different place in her life compared to where I am. That doesn't make it a bad thing, and it didn't change how I felt about her, but it's about trying to find the person that you can see in your life and that you have the best chance of making it work forever with," he tells PEOPLE. "My sister said, 'You're not looking for a girlfriend, you're looking for a wife.' That's the truth."



So how does he know Bischoff is the one?

"She was the person I could see myself with," Soules explains. "Whitney is my soulmate. It became even more clear at the end. It just felt right."

Now, the betrothed couple, who have communicated in secret since the finale's taping in November, can finally come clean about their relationship.

"I'm relieved that this is over," Bischoff, 29, says. "I'm looking forward to the life that we're going to start. I think a lot of great things are going to happen."

Bischoff plans to relocate to Soules' hometown of Arlington, Iowa, where the pair one day hope to start a family. "I'm ready to be a dad," says Soules. "I'm 33. I think I'm past due!"

As for the wedding plans? They're taking it "step by step," Bischoff says. "I don't think you can put a time limit on something like that. When we feel it, it will happen." Adds Soules: "We had this great love story that now we get to build upon and start a new love story in real life."

For exclusive photos and more from our cover story with the happy couple, pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday
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Lady Gaga Models Red, Blonde, and Brunette Hair Colors During 72 Hours in Paris: See Her Hair Color Journey!

Lady Gaga poses in front of the 'Yves Saint Laurent' store on March 7.

Lady in red—and blonde and brunette!

Lady Gaga enjoyed an extremely glam fashion week fall 2015 in Paris over the weekend, where she debuted a hair color she rarely rocks (and we know she's rocked many!): strawberry blonde.

The "Applause" singer, 28, who's already having a banner year thanks to both her engagement and standout Oscars performance, modeled light scarlet tresses, styled into loose waves, while exiting the Saint Laurent store on the stylish Avenue Montaigne on Saturday, March 7.

Adding even more retro refinement to her look, Gaga wore a long-sleeved, polka-dotted jumpsuit, which she paired with a wide-brimmed ivory hat.

Of course, it was just one in a number of chic appearances for the star at Fashion Week! On March 6, Gaga, who, it was just announced, is joining the upcoming season of American Horror Story, tried a '20s-inspired brunette updo at the Balenciaga fashion show.

While at that event, Gaga modeled two elegant designs: a slitted LBD, embellished with a B-topped (for Balenciaga) pin, and a floral dress with a beaded bodice.

The day before that, Gaga jumped decades again—to the '80s! The "Born This Way" songstress stepped out with bouncy, blonde curls, which she teamed with two perfectly throwback ensembles: an off-the-shoulder black top with a white mini, and an all-black outfit with pops of neon pink.

Which hair color do you think suits Gaga best? Tweet with @UsWeekly using the hashtag #stylebyUs!

Be a trendsetter! Sign up now for the Us Weekly Style & Beauty newsletter to get celeb fashion, beauty tips, and more delivered directly to your inbox.

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