Happy Independence Day blog fans!  July 4, is the day we set aside each year to commemorate when we won our independence from England way back in 1776, U-S-A!

But besides celebrating our freedom we can also celebrate the other things that make this country great, like celebrities.  What would our society be today with out Paris, LiLo, Brit Brit, Heidi and all the other reality whores, I mean uber talented stars? Shows like Gossip Girl and songs like Lollipop are woven into the fabric of this great nation. 

So tomorrow afternoon when you're snacking on a hot dog, popping open a PBR or watching the fireworks with a loved one, think about your favorite celeb...sure, "talent" may be a term to use loosely this day in age, but what the hell else would you do all day at work if you didn't have these fools to look at?!

The BET Awards were held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles last night with Chris Brown and Alicia Keys each taking home awards for best R&B vocals.  Kanye West took home two awards (including Best Male Hip Hop Artist) and Lil Kim, Keyshia Cole, Rihanna and Nelly all performed.  The outfits were fairly ridiculous (Lil Mama looks like Strawberry Shortcake gone wrong) but the show itself was on point, including Alicia Key's tribute to the best girl groups of all time.  Check out the video below as Alicia performs her hit "Teenage Love Affair" and brings out members of SWV, En Vogue and TLC to sing their hits!

           

Rihanna made a much anticipated appearance on the Today show this morning as part of their Summer Concert Series.  Dressed in a 80s party dress and topped off with some kind of crazy Civil War general's hat, she performed songs off of her re-released Good Girl Gone Bad album.  Check out "Please Don't Stop the Music" below!

    

"Hey Chris, it's me, RiRi...oooh, not much, just grabbing dinner with some friends in the city...yes, the French fries were incredible!  Anyways, I just wanted to tell you about this sweet new haircut I got.  It's loosely based on Toni Braxton circa her first album and Moe from the Three Stooges...I think you're going to find it incredibly sexy."
At least that is how imagine Rihanna's conversation with Chris Brown would go if she to describe that ridiculous 1992 hairstyle she's got goin' on.  Seriously Ri, wtf are you thinking?!  You look like you could be one of Gina's friends on Martin! It's just another bad haircut rackin' her brain...

    

Canada must be doing something right to get so many hot people all gathered together under one roof.  Chace Crawford and Brody Jenner were just among the many presenters who handed out awards at the 2008 MuchMusic Video Awards in Toronto over the weekend.  Rihanna was hot/creatively attired as she performed and took home a trophy for "Please Don't Stop the Music".  MTV reality stars Whitney Port and Kristin Cavallari who normally look great were also on hand in some atrocious dresses, I was not impressed. My favorite throw back hotties, New Kids on the Block were glad all in white, like the angels they are, even opening up the show!  I'm so glad to know that New Kids are getting some practice in, so by the time I see them in September their stage show will be perfected!

        

Rihanna and Chris Brown still seem to think that if they exit places separately, we will forget they are a couple; wrong!  You guys love to make out in public, so you're really not fooling anyone.  We spotted them leaving a midtown hotel in NYC yesterday and I have to say, although Ri was looking fly, Chris was looking kind of bloated.  It could have been bad lighting, but Chris it looks like he packed on a few, maybe too much KFC?

     

Yup, that floral number is all one piece.  Not a shirt, not pants, but a JUMPSUIT.  Rihanna took her sassy self down to a middle school in Los Angeles yesterday, where I'm sure she had no problem holding the male students' attention.

Songstress Rihanna was rockin' a bright red biker jacket and looking every inch a star during a video shoot in LA. Rihanna even had time to get behind the wheel of a flashy Porsche. With the cash she must be making, we're sure she'll soon have a garage full of sports cars, just in case she ever needs a ride to go shoe shopping.

Rihanna, looking oh-so-casual in her black leggings, wedges, hoop earrings and safari jacket, took some shopping time out with boyfriend Chris Brown - and some other buddies - in LA at the weekend. R. was very careful not to be photographed with Chris (why? everyone knows you're dating him, girl!) But they're such a cute couple.. The new Beyonce and Jay-Z, we reckon.

That's right, the couple of the moment have passed yet another milestone in their relationship, their first fashion show together. We spotted Rihanna and Chris Brown at the John Galliano Fall/Winter 2008/2009 Collection in Paris over the weekend.  The two were seen chatting although they kept their pdas to a minimum.  Rihanna and Chris have also gotten matching star tattoos on the inside of their ear.  Matching tattoos are usually the kiss of death for a relationship, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed for these two!