When the Spice Girls finally touched down in England to make a scheduled appearance at an event at London’s Heathrow airport for Virgin Atlantic’s new terminal on Thursday, the fab five - Victoria Beckham, Melanie Brown, Geri Halliwell, Melanie Chisholm and an injured Emma Bunton on crutches - were greeted by a suprisingly small group of supporters.

Approximately 500 Spice fans who won a competition to see the Spice Girls at a ”secret location” met up at a hotel to make their way to the airport, however only 250 showed up at the terminal to watch the girls as they attended the event with Virgin Airlines mogul, Sir Richard Branson.

The girls flew in from Los Angeles on their newly-christened ‘Spice One’ Boeing 747 jet, and sources say they angered fans who attended the event by taking to the stage for only a very brief chat – and nearly an hour after they were scheduled to do so.   

A source says:

“We’d been working on this event for eight weeks – ensuring the health and safety for the large crowds was all up to standard. We had expected at least 500 fans – that was the amount who won the chance to see the Spice Girls – but less than half came on the  day. These are supposed to be the band’s die-hard fan base – and we struggled to fill the small closed-off area at the airport. It was a bit embarrassing. You would think the Spice Girls’ homecoming would whip up more excitement…but evidently not.”

 On Monday, the Spice Girls reportedly played to a half-capacity crowd in Las Vegas, Nevada, despite previous claims that the tour was ”completely sold out”.

The Critics’ Choice Awards nomination have been announced and will air live January 7th on VH-1. 

Michael Cera received two nominations in the best young actor category for his work in “Juno” and “Superbad,” while Jason Reitman’s “Juno,” earned six nominations, ”Atonement,” “Michael Clayton,” “No Country for Old Men,” “Sweeney Todd” and “Hairspray” are all nomianted for five awards each. 

Cate Blanchett is in the running for both best actress and best supporting actress for her work in ”Elizabeth: The Golden Age” and ”I’m Not There.” Amy Adams has also been nominated for two awards for her work in “Enchanted,” and for the song, “That’s How You Know.”

Nominations for best picture are:

• “American Gangster”
• “Atonement”
• “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly”
• “Into the Wild”
• “Juno”
• “The Kite Runner”
• “Michael Clayton”
• “No Country for Old Men”
• “Sweeney Todd”
• “There Will Be Blood”

On Monday, actor Will Smith was honored with a hand and footprint ceremony at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles.  I love these pictures of Will Smith – they show exactly why he’s one of my favorite actors.  He’s got personality, energy and a mega-watt smile you can see from space.  Not only that, but he’s a great actor, too. 

Too bad Tom Cruise had to show up and ruin everything.  Is it just me or are Tom, Katie and Suri all sporting the same haircuts these days? 

Former American Idol wannabe, Jessica Sierra, has been booted from a lineup which included a performance at a musical event honoring U.S. troops in Washington on Friday after news broke that she just can’t seem to stay out of trouble. 

E! News reports that the 22-year-old, who is still being held at a jail in Tampa, Florida until her next hearing on December 20th, after allegedly going on a drunken rampage at a nightclub earlier this month, has been uninvited to the event.

Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Buzz Patterson said in a statement:

“While we appreciate Ms. Sierra’s past efforts to support U.S. troops, including performing for them in Iraq on Independence Day, it is quite obvious Ms. Sierra needs to devote a great deal of time to putting her life back together.”

It’s not like she could have attended the event anyway because she’s obviously locked up until at least the 20th, so I wouldn’t go as far as to say Sierra was actually “uninvited” – more like she just has “other commitments.”  Isn’t that what most good attorney’s and PR people say?  

I don’t think it matters much though really, in the grand scheme of things, anyway – because Jessica will be back – at least on video since rumors are flying that there’s a smarmy sex-tape in our midst.  Besides, she’s also got that new VH-1 reality show, “Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew,” next year.

Trust me, Sierra wont wont be going away any time soon.

Kanye West and Amy Winehouse have taken the lead in the nominations for the 50th Annual Grammy Awards. West’s “Graduation” is nominated for both Album Of The Year and Rap Album Of The Year, while ”Can’t Tell Me Nothing” and “Good Life” have both been nominated for Best Rap Song.

Winehouse’s “Back To Black” has been nominated for the Album Of The Year and her hit single “Rehab” is up for both Song Of The Year and Record Of The Year. 

The nominations:

Record Of The Year
Irreplaceable, Beyonce
The Pretender, Foo Fighters
Umbrella, Rihanna Featuring Jay-Z
What Goes Around…Comes Around, Justin Timberlake
Rehab, Amy Winehouse

Album Of The Year
Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace, Foo Fighters
These Days, Vince Gill
River: The Joni Letters, Herbie Hancock
Graduation, Kanye West
Back To Black, Amy Winehouse

Song Of The Year
Before He Cheats, Josh Kear & Chris Tompkins
Hey There Delilah, Tom Higgenson
Like A Star, Corinne Bailey Rae
Rehab, Amy Winehouse
Umbrella, Shawn Carter

Best New Artist
Feist
Ledisi
Paramore
Taylor Swift
Amy Winehouse

Best Female Pop Vocal Performance
Candyman, Christina Aguilera
1234, Feist
Big Girls Don’t Cry, Fergie
Say It Right, Nelly Furtado
Rehab, Amy Winehouse

Best Male Pop Vocal Performance
Everything, Michael Buble
Belief, John Mayer
Dance Tonight, Paul McCartney
Amazing, Seal
What Goes Around … Comes Around, Justin Timberlake

Best Male Pop Vocal Performance
Everything, Michael Buble
Belief, John Mayer
Dance Tonight, Paul McCartney
Amazing, Seal
What Goes Around…Comes Around, Justin Timberlake

Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals
(You Want To) Make A Memory, Bon Jovi
Home, Daughtry
Makes Me Wonder, Maroon5
Hey There Delilah, Plain White T’s
Window In The Skies, U2

Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals
Steppin’ Out, Tony Bennett & Christina Aguilera
Beautiful Liar, Beyonce & Shakira
Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On), Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
The Sweet Escape, Gwen Stefani & Akon
Give It To Me, Timbaland Featuring Nelly Furtado & Justin Timberlake

Hayden Panettiere, 18, was on hand for ”World Children’s Day” at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan in Detroit, on Monday.  

Panettiere, along with singer Ne-Yo, actress, singer and comedienne Angelica Vale and celebrity chef Ron Bilaro were honored on Monday for their volunteer work on behalf of children in need as part of “World Children’s Day” on November 20th, at the Ronald McDonald House of New York City.

Panettiere, as well as the others, joined the “Friends of Ronald McDonald House Charities” network of more than 30,000 volunteers who support the Charities’ programs in countries across the globe.

Says Penettiere:

“It is very fulfilling to assist children in need as well as their families. I am honored to support World Children’s Day and Ronald McDonald House Charities to help bring attention to this very special cause.”

photos courtesy: celebutopia

Albums by Daughtry, Justin Timberlake and Carrie Underwood won big on Sunday at the 2007 American Music Awards show in Los Angeles. 

Daughtry’s self-titled disc won for favorite pop/rock album, while Timberlake’s “FutureSex/LoveSounds” earned the equivalent honor in the soul/rhythm and blues category. Underwood’s “Some Hearts” nabbed the prize for favorite country album.

Rapper T.I., who happens to be under house arrest in Georgia as he awaits trial on weapons charges, won two awards - favorite male rap/hip-hop artist and favorite rap/hip-hop album. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony won the prize for favorite rap or hip-hop band, duo or group.

Beyonce made history by walking away with the international artist prize - she’s the first female artist ever to win the award.

“I am so blessed to wake up every morning and do what I love to do. I don’t take it for granted. I’m so grateful, I’m so honored and I’m so humbled by this award.”

She was also nominated for favorite female soul/rhythm and blues artist, but lost out to Rihanna. Fergie took home the title of favorite pop or rock female artist. 

Carrie Underwood won the award for favorite female country artist, beating out Martina McBride and Taylor Swift.

“I have the most wonderful fans ever and they prove that to me 5 million times a day, every single day. I’d like to thank the fans first and foremost for giving all of us here jobs.”

After Underwood collected her prize, country vocal duo Sugarland performed the hit song “Irreplaceable” with Beyonce.

Following a win for breakthrough artist, Daughtry also picked up the award for favorite adult contemporary music artist, beating out Norah Jones and John Mayer for the honor.

Justin Timberlake won the prize for favorite male pop or rock artist. Also nominated in the category were Akon and Timbaland.

“I can’t believe that I get to stand on the stages that I stand on every summer and get to sing the songs that I sing. I love country music and I love doing what I do.”

Other winners:

• Male Vocalist: Brad Paisley
• Music Video of the Year: “Online” Brad Paisley 
• Duo of The Year: Sugarland 
• Horizon Award: Taylor Swift 
• Vocal Group: Rascal Flatts
• Best Album: ”It Just Comes Natural” George Strait
• Song of The Year: ”Give It Away” George Strait 
• Musical Event: Tracy Lawrence, featuring Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney, for “Find Out Who Your Friends Are”
• Musician of the Year: Jerry Douglas

Other performers were Miranda Lambert, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Big & Rich, Rodney Atkins, Brooks & Dunn, Martina McBride, Keith Urban, Josh Turner, Kellie Pickler and the Eagles, who received a standing ovation. 

The show was broadcast live on ABC and was hosted by James Denton of “Desperate Houswives,” Kate Walsh of “Private Practice” and Kimberly Williams-Paisley, wife of Brad Paisley, who also stars in ”According to Jim.”

More photos after the jump!

photos courtesy: celebutopia