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By Michael Lopez

Super Bowl XLV followers were rocked with devastating news this week: Neither of the NFL teams headed to big game have a cheerleading squad! Green Bay Packers fans wear those big pieces of cheese on their heads, but there won't be any pom-poms or pyramid formations. And Pittsburgh’s legendary Steelerettes haven’t stepped onto the field since the 1970s.

We’re hopeful that Fergie can pick up some of the slack with her trademark moves during the halftime show, but there really is no substitute for choreographed cheers after a winning touchdown. Cheerleaders have been an integral part of the league since its inception (though only 26 of the 32 teams have a squad). That’s why, in honor of the season closer, we thought we’d list a few of our favorite former pom-pom girls:

Sarah Shahi: Known for their gorgeous looks and intricate routines (and now a reality series), the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are the pinnacle of NFL cheerleading squads. Sarah Shahi cheered for them in the late 1990s and even appeared in their annual calendar. Since transitioning into acting, the Persian-Spanish actress has starred on The L Word, Life, The Sopranos and now her own series on the USA Network called Fairly Legal.

Lisa Guerrero: Yes, this gorgeous half-Chilean sports reporter was once a cheerleader with the Los Angeles Rams. For four years during the 1980s, Lisa pumped up the crowd at California’s Anaheim Stadium, chanting such memorable phrases as “Ram It!” Five years after her stint, the team moved to St. Louis and she moved to The Best Damn Sports Show Period on Fox.

Anjelah Johnson: Known more for her quick wit than her high kicks, Mexican-American (and Native American) comedienne Anjelah Johnson started her career as an Oakland Raiderette. And being on the squad in the early 2000s meant she got to dance at Super Bowl XXXVII when the Raiders took on the Buccaneers. Since then, Anjelah’s been seen on MADtv, Lopez Tonight and Ugly Betty.

Apollonia Kotero: Anyone who grew up in the 1980s should remember Apollonia. She was a pop icon, a Prince protégé and an in-demand actress. But before Purple Rain, this Mexican-American beauty cheered on the Los Angeles Rams. Although she cheered for the Rams a bit earlier than Lisa Guerrero, she was one of the squad’s major standouts. Shortly after donning the blue and gold skirt, she nabbed roles on such shows as Fantasy Island and CHiPs.

What is your favorite cheerleading squad? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Anjelah Johnson, Apollonia, Apollonia Kotero, Celebrities, Cheerleaders, Lisa Guerrero, NFL, Sarah Shahi, Sports, Super Bowl

By Michael Lopez

In her two years as first lady of the United States, Michelle Obama has shown off a unique sense of style. Fashionistas usually praise her for her bold choices, but she has received her fair share of criticism, such as the recent verbal lashing from legendary Dominican designer Oscar de la Renta.

The Obamas hosted Chinese President Hu Jintao at an elegant White House dinner last week. Most people thought Michelle looked stunning in her vibrant red dress designed by the late Alexander McQueen. Not Oscar. Because McQueen was British, de la Renta thought it was in poor taste to wear a gown from a European designer to the event.

"My understanding is that the visit was to promote American-Chinese trade — American products in China and Chinese products in America," Oscar told fashion site WWD. "Why do you wear European clothes?"

Michelle has yet to ever wear one of his dresses at a White House event. Could de la Renta have secretly been upset that she wasn't wearing one of his designs?  Oscar said no.

"I'm not talking about my clothes, my business," he said. "I'm old, and I don't need it. But there are a lot of young people, very talented people here who do."

Do you agree with Oscar's criticism? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Chisme, Fashion, Michelle Obama, Oscar De La Renta, Style

By Michael Lopez

If Spanish porn star Irene Lopez was looking for a way to get into the tabloids, she most certainly found it. Pictures of her and actor Macaulay Culkin at Bagad, a live sex club in Barcelona, surfaced all over the web this week, not long after Macaulay split with longtime girlfriend Mila Kunis. Could Irene have played a role in the breakup? That depends on who you ask, but the Home Alone star says no way.

“The last time I was with him, no one found out about it," Lopez, who has worked at the club for nine months, told E!. "I don't know what happened this time that the newspaper heard about it.”

According to Macaulay’s camp, her tactics were a publicity stunt.

"As I do with many fans, I briefly met and took a photo with Irene Lopez at her request," Culkin told E!. "I have had no contact with this woman in any capacity, social or otherwise before or since that picture was taken. Any reports to the contrary are false."

According to Mila Kunis' reps, "The split was amicable, and they remain close friends." That's hardly the kind of statement you'd get if your boyfriend was cheating on you with a porn star. Let's just hope in the future Macaulay is little more careful about who he poses with for photos.

Who do you believe? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Celebrity Couples, Chisme, Irene Lopez, Macaulay Culkin, Mila Kunis

By Michael Lopez

It’s easy to understand why television co-stars always seem to hook up, especially if you’re working on the set of Glee. These castmates spend countless hours together, sing romantic duets and are all very attractive. That’s why we’re not too surprised to hear that stars Naya Rivera and Chord Overstreet may now be an “item.”

Los Angeles Times photo via Gleehab

Naya's Santana Lopez is the cheerleader you love to hate. Though she’s softened a bit in season two, her “mean girl” attitude has stirred up plenty of troublesome plotlines at McKinley High. Chord’s Sam Evans joined the cast this year. Not your typical jock, he’s demonstrated major singing chops in the Glee club and has sparked a romance with Santana’s BFF, Quinn.

Of course, in real life it’s Chord and Naya that seem to be getting cozy. Over the weekend, the two were snapped holding hands at Rivera’s 24th birthday party. Held at the trendy Bank nightclub in Las Vegas, several other Glee stars were there, but none got quite as close to the b-day girl as Overstreet.

“Naya was cuddling with Chord in her private booth until they took to the dance floor and grinded together all night," a source at the bash told Radar Online. "They even kissed at one point and walked out of the club hand in hand.”

It looks like there may be some love songs in store for these two after all.

Do you think Naya and Chord make a cute couple? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Celebrity Couples, Chisme, Chord Overstreet, glee, Naya Rivera, Television

By Simone Hilliard

What will Italians think of Snooki and her crew's fist-pumping G.T.L., D.T.F. and T-shirt time ways? There's only one to find out — by tuning into the fourth season of Jersey Shore. The higher-ups here at MTV announced that Jersey Shore will begin shooting the next season in Italy!

"While the stateside Jersey Shore locales have become iconic for our audience, it’s really the constantly evolving dynamic amongst the cast that keeps them coming back each season, and Europe is a fresh spin on a show that continues to reach new heights for us," said Chris Linn, executive vice president of programming and head of production for MTV. "The cast is headed to the birthplace of the culture they love and live by. We can’t wait to see what erupts as a result."

"Culture they love and live by?" Does that include the grenade horn and smush room? The shore mates must be taking their talents to Southern Rome because the North seems too cultured for our MVP-approved party-goers.

But the cast won't be alone. Luckily our favorite guidos and guidettes will get a little guidance from Vinny's family, who will undoubtedly provide a Sunday dinner or two, and hopefully help our Seaside pals find a little class.

We can't wait to see the drama unfold when these Italian-Americans go back to where it all began!

Will you watch Jersey Shore: The Italy Edition? Tell us in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Jersey Shore, Jersey Shore: The Italy Edition, Snooki

By Simone Hilliard

Kim may be the most talked about Kardashian, but it looks like she'll need more than her sizable assets to carry her latest E! show. Kourtney and Kim Take New York premiered on the gossip channel Sunday, Jan. 23, to mild laughs compared to the spin off chronicling Kourtney and Khloe's Miami adventures.

We get it, a newly single Kimmy Cakes is in the Big City and ready to mingle. The 30-year-old, who's been in lengthy relationships throughout her teens and twenties, now has the privilege of wading through the dating pool of men using her for her celebrity. Dating drama should ensue, right? Wrong. The drama comes when longtime villain and Kourt's baby daddy Scott Disick moves into the sisters' penthouse suite after claiming therapy has changed him.

The 40-minute premiere fell flat, and even resulted in Kim pulling some of Khloe's old tricks by stripping Kourtney of her clothing and spanking her. Yawn. Even a cameo from hip-hop producer and fashion guru Kanye West couldn't save the episode. The faux flirting between Kim and Kanye felt forced.

According to the premiere ep, the sisters have two weeks to turn their empty Soho space into the third Dash boutique, the reason for their relocation. Coincidentally, that's exactly how many more semanas we'll watch if the sisters don't let Khloe add some humor to the mix. Fake fix-ups with old flames, horney-sober-good guy Scott and random cameos from celebrity friends will not turn the latest Kardashian series into a hit. Try again ... with Mrs. Odom.

What did you think of Kourtney and Kim Take New York? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Kanye West, Khloe Kardashian, Kim Kardashian, Kourtney and Kim Take New York, Kourtney Kardashian, Scott Disick

By Michael Lopez

Wow. Now we feel even more proud to have dedicated an entire day of programming to reggaeton gods Wisin y Yandel. Not only do they go out of their way to honor their fans, but they continue to contribute to charitable causes around the world. Just last week, W y Y paid a visit to needy kids in Haiti and even offered $100,000 to help rebuild their orphanage.

Photo by Rachael Coleman Thompson/Tr3s

It’s hard to believe that it’s been a year since Port-Au-Prince was rocked by that devastating 7.0 earthquake. Though the telethons and donations helped bring some money to the struggling country, there is still plenty of work to be done.

The St. Joseph’s Home orphanage once stood seven-stories tall and housed dozens of children in need of housing. Since the earthquake, it has slowly crumbled into an unlivable pile of rubble. Wisin y Yandel visited the site and made a vow to help rebuild it via their very generous donation.

“This experience has changed my life," Wisin said. "We are more committed than ever to continue our support for the families of St. Joseph’s and to continue helping more children.”

“We pledge to always keep in touch," Yandel added, "and to come back and visit here when the reconstruction is complete.”

Maybe they'll even add a sound system when St. Joseph’s gets renovated so the children can blast hits from W y Y’s Regreso de los Vaqueros!

What causes have you volunteered for or donated to this year? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Cultura, Haiti, Health, Hope For Haiti, photo, Photos, St. Joseph's Home, Wisin y Yandel

By Simone Hilliard

Is our favorite "rude gal" being outed? A new tell-all will reportedly unveil Gay Hollywood when it hits bookstores this March, and Rihanna's its first target.

According to an excerpt from unknown author Natajah Burton's memoir Low Down Dirty Shame, the model/businesswoman hints at sharing a romantic rendezvous with a nameless Caribbean beauty in a chapter titled "My Pop Star."

“A friend of mine introduced me to this Barbadian pop R & B artist a while ago. I had heard her music numerous times and was a fan of her unique sound. I jokingly told him I wanted to talk to her. He told me on the sly that he wasn’t sure she was into women but that he would confirm. We exchanged contact and it went on from there.”

The memoir goes on to claim Burton and Rih had an "instant connection," even divulging that “sex came up immediately, she was a freak.”

When RadarOnline caught up with Burton, she remained mum on names, but did confirm her affair with a “famous female R&B artist.” She even credited the private pop star with giving her the inspiration to write the book.

“[She was] one of the reasons I started writing my book — she was that voice, that light into my life.”

Low Down Dirty Shame is slated for release this March.

Would it matter to you if Rihanna is gay? What do you think about Burton outing entertainers? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Hot Stuff, Rihanna

By Michael Lopez

All of you who couldn't get enough of Zoe Saldana’s CGI counterpart Neytiri are in luck. Avatar writer/director James Cameron has confirmed that two sequels are in the works and many of your favorite Na’vis will be coming back.

According to Cameron, the first sequel should arrive by Christmas 2014, followed by the third installment a year later.

"I am in the process of writing the next two Avatar films now," he told Entertainment Weekly. "We are planning to shoot them together and post them together, and we will probably release them not quite back to back, but about a year apart."

He all but confirmed that Saldana’s character and Sam Worthington’s Jake Sulley will return for the next two films.

“Basically, if you survived the first film, you get to be in the second film, at least in some form,” Cameron said.

For many of us, the idea of an Avatar sequel is a no brainer. The first movie became the highest-grossing film of all-time, earning more than $2 billion! If Sex and the City can get a sequel, you KNOW Avatar’s coming back for more.

We can only imagine the boatloads of cash James will rake in from this franchise. However, he did say that he won't pocket all the profits.

"Fox has partnered with me to donate a chunk of the profits to environmental causes that are at the heart of the Avatar world," he said. "I didn't want to make more Avatar movies without a grander plan in place."

Are you excited about Avatar 2 and 3? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Avatar, Avatar 2, Hot Stuff, James Cameron, Movies

By Michael Lopez

There are plenty of multicultural female performers in the entertainment world. There’s Christina Aguilera’s Ecuadorian-European mix, Selena Gomez’s Mexican-Italian blend and Sarah Shahi’s unique Spanish-Persian combo. Although Sarah first turned heads as a cheerleader, then as LAPD detective Dani Reese on the NBC series Life and star of Showtime's The L Word, the brunette beauty now stars as the lead lawyer on USA's new show Fairly Legal.

Born Aahoo Jahansouzshahi to an Iranian father and Spanish mother, she picked up to the name Sarah early on in her life.

“I got tormented," Shahi confessed to USA Today. "Kids were calling me 'Yahoo,' 'Awahoo' and 'Achoo.' I wanted to be Vicky from (the TV series) Small Wonder, but my mom didn't like that name. We were listening to the radio. The song Sarah was on, and she said, 'What about Sarah?' I said, 'Fine. I'll take it. Anything other than Aahoo.'"

With a new name and newfound confidence, Sarah became more comfortable in the spotlight, eventually landing a coveted slot on the Dallas Cowboys' cheerleading squad.

"Cheerleading was my way in," Shahi said. "It was one of the most rigorous audition processes ever. It definitely groomed me for Hollywood. I'd never been a cheerleader, but I'd danced. And I was captain of the volleyball team and the basketball team, and I ran track.”

Not long after, Sarah began landing acting roles, including a memorable stint on the Showtime series The L Word. Her character, Mexican-American DJ Carmen de la Pica Morales proved a major hit with male and female viewers alike.

Now Sarah’s got her first starring role as San Francisco attorney Kate Reed on USA Network’s Fairly Legal. As Shahi explained, this character isn’t too different from herself.

“Kate is a spontaneous, whimsical, free spirit kind of girl," she said. "I don't find that hard to play. Kate's very vocal about her opinions, and so am I.”

Judging from the positive buzz about her acting chops (and those sexy Fairly Legal posters popping up around town), Sarah’s on her way to a long and lucrative career.

Are you of bicultural heritage? Tell us about it in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Cultura, Fairly Legal, Hot Stuff, Sarah Shahi, Television