LL Cool J was the first host the Grammy's had seen in seven years and to say he did an excellent and appropriate job considering the very untimely death of singing legend Whitney Houston, would be an understatement. I will be honest when I heard he was hosting I didn't get too excited because in my mind hosts are usually comedians. But he proved me wrong in the biggest of ways.

The 2012 Grammy Awards were a very somber event this year with the passing of Whitney Houston only two days beforehand which changed the dynamic of the show completely. How do you throw together a tribute to such an iconic singer in such a short period of time? Well they did thanks in large part to LL Cool J and it was tasteful and eloquent at the same time. He led the audience in prayer at the beginning of the evening which for someone who isn't religious I thought was such a beautiful touching moment:

"There's no way around this," he said, addressing a silent crowd. "We've had a death in our family, and so at least for me, the only thing that feels right is to begin with a prayer for a woman we loved, for our fallen sister, Whitney Houston."

You could hear a pin drop in the crowd. Then of course there was Jennifer Hudson singing 'I Will Always Love You'. Kudos to her for being able to get through that entire song without breaking down.

And not to take anything away from Jennifer Hudson, but I couldn't do this post without including this stellar performance from 1994. This is the Whitney Houston I will always remember. RIP Whitney Houston.

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Am I the only one who, when I see a picture like this, imagines what is the most appropriate attire to wear as I slide in under LL Cool J? My, my, my what lovely man meat this morning.

We have Chris O’Donnell and LL Cool J in Los Angeles  filming NCIS:  Los Angeles and whether it’s for the show or to maintain his perfect physique, LL does a bit of running and some push ups. Yeah.  I could look at these for a few hours.

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That is quite a dress that Julianne Hough is wearing as she arrives at last night’s Country Music Awards.  I really miss her on Dancing With The Stars.  It’s been 2 seasons already.  I wonder if she is ever coming back?

Lots of celebrities at the CMAs last night including Matthew McConaughey with his baby momma, Camilla Alves. Matthew presented the Top Male Vocalist of the Year award last night and when doing so told this story which caused the audience to gasp:

“After the show last year, my lady and I, Camila, we even went back to the hotel and conceived the little lady who is now our daughter Vida Alves McConaughey.”

“That’s a true story,” “Now I’m back, I’m having a great time again, but I promise you me and Camila are going to try not to get so lucky this year,” he went on. “Two’s enough! We are flush for a while.”

Camilla was a bit embarrassed at Matthew giving such intimate detail of their life but that doesn’t seem strange because it’s Matthew McConaughey and he’s such a free spirit.  I can’t wait to see Matt Damon imitate him with that one.

Also on the orange carpet:

• Carrie Underwood
• Keith Urban
• Nicole Kidman
• Kristen Bell
• Jewel
• Gretchen Wilson
• Miranda Lambert
• Lady Antebellum
• Danny Gokey
• Taylor Swift
• LeAnn Rimes
• Eddie Cibrian
• Blake Shelton
• Faith Hill
• Tim McGraw
• Jennifer Nettles
• Reba McEntire
• Lindsay Vonn
• LL Cool J

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It is so nice to see Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta reunited at the G’Day USA  Black Tie Dinner in Los Angeles last night which honoured:

high profile individuals for significant contributions in their industries and for excellence in promoting Australia in the United States

An Australian style dinner was prepared by celebrity chefs’ Curtis Stone, Pete Evans and Wolfgang Puck.  This years’ honorees were:

• Greg Norman – Excellence in Sport
• Simon Baker – Excellence in Television and Film
• Toni Collette  – Excellence in FIlm and Television

Lots of celebrities attending this event:

• LL Cool J
• Ryan Kwanten
• Frances O’Connor
• Chris O’Donnell
• Caroline Fentress
• Rick Springfield
• Sam Worthington
• Kym Johnson
• Poppy Montgomery
• Jennifer Hawkins
• Dimitry Chaplin

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Beyonce has been nominated for 10 Grammy Awards (I’ve found 9 of them, and can’t seem to find the 10th grrr)  including:

• Album of the Year (for I Am… Sasha Fierce),
• Best Contemporary R‘n’B Album (for I Am….Sasha Fierce)
• Song of the Year (for Ladies (Put A Ring On It)
• Best Female Vocal R‘n’B
• Best R‘n’B Song
• Record of the Year (Halo)
• Best Female Pop Vocal Performance (Halo)
• Best Traditional R‘n’B Vocal Performance (At Last)
• Best Rap/Sun Collaboration for Ego with Kanye West

Taylor Swift is nominated for 8 categories (Kanye West is probably a little nervous about this) and said about being nominated:

“To be recognised by the Grammys is the ultimate honour. The last couple of months have been a nonstop dream come true.”

The Grammy Awards will take place January 31st at the Los Angeles Staples Centre.

Attending the nominations celebration:

• Fergie
• Black Eyed Peas
• Nick Jonas
• LL Cool J
• Jennifer Nettles
• Katy Perry
• Ringo Starr
• Keri Hilson
• Colbie Caillat
• Jimmy Jam
• Dwight Yoakam
• Drake, Maxwell
• Linkin Park
• Smokey Robinson
• Nathan Followill

For the list of the main nominees and pictures, click ‘continued reading‘

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Kris Allen, Katy O’Connell and Adam Lambert were on hand at Voyeur to celebrate US Weekly’s Hot Hollywood Party in Los Angeles last night.

Yesterday Kris Allen’s self-titled album was released and he is set to be part of the New York’s annual Jingle Ball at Madison Square Garden on December 11 which will also feature Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, John Mayer and Jordin Sparks to name but a few.

Also attending last night’s Hot Hollywood party:

• Audrina Partridge
• Mya
• Kristen Cavallari
• LaToya Jackson
• Leona Lewis
• Rachel Leigh Cook
• LL Cool J
• Jenna Fischer
• Levi Johnston
• Eliza Dushku

Note: I added about 34 more pics that came up AFTER I originally posted this in the a.m.  UGGGHHH I hate when that happens.  Lots of your favourites:  Lacey Schwimmer, Chelsie Hightower, and more.

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LL Cool J and Chris O’Donnell (and others) are on the set of NCIS: Los Angeles filming on Venice Beach.  That’s a tough gig huh? Great pay, summers off and shooting on the beach in November.  All you have to do is learn your lines and perform.  I would totally perform.  It’s something quite natural once a camera is pointed in my direction.  A gift, really.

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LL Cool J is on the set of NCIS Los Angeles making himself a cup of coffee.  He is fine.  Very fine.  Super duper fine

Bruce Willis and his wife Emma Heming leave Madeo Restaurant

Mariah Carey is on a film set in Malibu

Colin Farrell goes through the security check at LAX

Click on thumbnails to enlarge

Photos:  www.wenn.com