Ugly firings on model show  —  Model turned media mogul Tyra Banks swung the ax at her longtime “America's Next Top Model” co-stars J. Alexander, Jay Manuel and Nigel Barker yesterday, dismissing three of the competition's longest-running personalities in one fell swoop.

Pics!  Rihanna Bares Her Garter Belts at Dinner!  —  Rihanna was looking all sweet and wholesome when we ran into her as she was leaving Il Ristorante di Giorgio Baldi with her best friend Melissa Forde in Santa Monica last night.  Well, except for baring her thigh-highs and garter belts - she's gotta do something, you know?

Francis Lawrence Is Lionsgate's Choice to Direct ‘Hunger Games’ Sequel ‘Catching Fire’ (Exclusive)  —  Sources say that Lawrence will receive an official offer this afternoon.  —  Francis Lawrence  —  After a quick but fairly exhaustive search, Lionsgate has chosen Francis Lawrence to direct the Hunger Games sequel Catching Fire.

Jennifer Aniston Sells Her N.Y.C. Apartment to Mystery Buyer  —  Not even Jennifer Aniston gets a break when it comes to the housing market.  —  Months after moving into an 8,500-sq.-ft. Los Angeles estate with beau Justin Theroux, the actress's New York City apartment is officially off the market …

The Avengers: Film Review  —  Director Joss Whedon pulls off a stunning feat in bringing balance to this superhuman circus, engineered to charm the geek core and non-fans alike.  —  The All-Star Game of modern superhero extravaganzas, The Avengers is humongous, the film Marvel and its legions of fans have been waiting for.

Justin Bieber engaged?  He's ring shopping with Selena Gomez  —  Justin Bieber and girlfriend Selena Gomez are very young, and their people laugh off the suggestion of a pending wedding.  But several people close to the superstar couple say they're convinced an engagement is in the very near future.

Zac Efron: Having His Mom See His Love Scenes Is ‘Awkward’  —  Stripping off his clothes to shoot love scenes with Taylor Schilling for The Lucky One was fine with Zac Efron - until he watched the movie with his mother, Starla.  —  “We saw the film together and I was kind of squirming,” …

ADELE, RIHANNA AND LADY GAGA LEAD BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARD NOMINATIONS  —  The nominations for the Billboard Music Awards are out and leading the pack ... Adele, Rihanna and Lady Gaga!  —  Adele has been nominated in 18 categories including Top Female Artist, Top Billboard 200 Artist and Top Artist.

Beyonce Gonna To Get Her GED?  —  Momma's getting schooled!!  —  Blue Ivy's mom (formally known as Beyonce) is SO over being a high school drop out.  —  Yesterday, we spotted the diva stepping out of her limo in New York and entering the W. 35th Street Alternative Education Complex — aka GED school!

KIM AND KHLOE KARDASHIAN: CHICAGO BOUND!  —  The Kardashians are ready to take The Windy City by storm!  —  An overly-tanned Kimmy K (with Hermes Birkin in tow!) met up with sis Khloe at LAX to hop a flight to Chicago on Thursday afternoon.  —  The Keeping Up stars will be making …

Kate's Lookalike Crowned Miss Wales!  —  Miss Wales Sophie Moulds (left) and the Duchess of Cambridge  —  Seeing double?  That's what some observers of the Miss Wales competition are claiming when they gaze upon Sophie Moulds, the 19-year-old new Miss Wales who bears more than a striking resemblance to the Duchess of Cambridge.

After seven years together and six children, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie shocked the world when they announced that they're finally tying the knot last week.  —  And while the 36-year-old actress is sporting a traditional diamond engagement ring (designed by Pitt), it's unlikely that she'll wear …

Cops Have Video Of Lindsay Lohan At The Standard, Night Of Alleged Assault, She WAS There!  —  Detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department have officially received the surveillance video from The Standard Hotel in West Hollywood from the night that a woman claims Lindsay Lohan assaulted her …

Giuliana and Bill Rancic to Host Eva Longoria's Dating Show ‘Ready for Love’  —  Additionally, the upcoming NBC dating series announced a country-wide search for eligible women via social media ending May 18.  —  Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria announced during a panel at NBC's Summer Press …

Levon Helm, Drummer and Rough-Throated Singer for the Band, Dies at 71  —  Levon Helm, who helped to forge a deep-rooted American music as the drummer and singer for the Band, died on Thursday in Manhattan.  He was 71 and lived in Woodstock, N.Y.  —  His death, at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center …