Takes Leave of Absence from Sesame Street  —  Kevin Clash — the man known as the voice of Elmo — has taken a leave of absence from Sesame Street in the wake of allegations he had a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old boy, TMZ has learned ... allegations Clash adamantly denies.

Justin Bieber — I'm Not Giving Up On Selena Gomez  —  I'm NOT Giving Up  —  ON SELENA  —  EXCLUSIVE  —  It's NOT over between Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez ... sources very familiar with the situation tell TMZ.  —  Two Things.  —  Thing 1: Justin is not involved with anyone else.

Matthew McConaughey does a reverse De Niro, sheds 30 pounds for role, appearing dangerously thin to onlookers  —  The actor, long one of Hollywood's hottest hunks, continues to take his role-related weight loss to frighteningly thin extremes.  —  Matthew McConaughey looked unusually thin and gaunt to observers who spotted him at LAX.

Leap of Faith: Anne Hathaway  —  Newly married and at the top of her game, Anne Hathaway takes on the role she's been waiting to play her entire life.  —  The last time I saw Anne Hathaway, she was channeling Audrey Hepburn at the fabled Paris nightspot Maxim's, draped in satin and diamonds …

Is Brandi TV's first poor ‘real housewife’?  —  The invitation to officially join “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” could hardly have come at a better moment for Brandi Glanville.  —  The former fashion model — who replaces Camille Grammer this season — says she was nearly broke …

Kat Von D breaks up with DJ Deadmau5: 'Can't say I didn't give it my best'  —  Both took to Twitter to comment on the split, with the renowned musician saying he just isn't ready for relationships right now.  —  Deadmau5 and television personality Kat Von D reportedly began dating bck in September.

Halle Berry loses custody dispute over Nahla to ex Gabriel Aubry, can't move daughter to France: report  —  The actress had sought permission to start life abroad with fiance Olivier Martinez.  —  Halle Berry and daughter Nahla will not be moving to France anytime soon after a judge ruled against the actress' request Friday.

Taylor Swift Talks ‘Toxic’ Love Combinations  —  Fans tend to listen closely to Taylor Swift when she sings about the guy she is never ever, ever getting back together with or her past relationship that felt like the color red.  —  But to those trying to put a famous face to those post-breakup anthems …

Lana del Rey says boyfriend dictated “My p-ssy tastes like Pepsi” lyrics: TMI?  —  Here's Lana del Rey at the MTV EMAs ceremony held last night in Frankfurt, Germany.  Per her usual red-carpet and photoshoot routine, the big lips and big hair are fully intact.  Oddly enough, I don't mind this dress very much at all.

So, maybe that Romney face tattoo wasn't such a good idea ...  With the election over, supporters of Mitt Romney have to pack up their campaign signs and paraphernalia and get on with their lives.  —  But what if you can't get rid of that stuff?  Literally.

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE AND JESSICA BIEL LEND A HELPING HAND TO HURRICANE SANDY VICTIMS  —  If they're not perfect couple already!  —  On Saturday, newlyweds Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel gave a helping hand to Hurricane Sandy victims as they handed out relief backpacks with supplies in Far Rockaway, New York.