Janelle Monáe helped kick off New York Fashion Week at the amfAR New York Gala at Cipriani Wall Street on Wednesday night. The “Tightrope” singer bared some skin in a black-and-white pantsuit, changing before performing for the VIP crowd, which included Cindy Crawford, Lindsay Lohan, and Heidi Klum. Jennifer Hudson wowed in a Roberto Cavalli gown and Theophilus London hit the stage at the black-tie benefit honoring those who have made outstanding contributions to the fight against AIDS.

Madonna may have put on a show-stopping performance at the Super Bowl halftime show, but it was M.I.A. who stole the spotlight with one single gesture. The “Paper Planes” hitmaker flipped the bird while performing with the pop queen, causing the NFL and NBC to issue apologies.

The controversial incident occurred during the debut performance of Madonna’s new single “Give Me All Your Luvin’.” Cameras cut to M.I.A., who threw up the middle finger and rapped a barely disguised expletive (“I don’t give a shi—”). NBC censors briefly blurred the screen, but they were late by less than a second.

The moment was reminiscent of Janet Jackson’s infamous “wardrobe malfunction” from eight years ago, which ignited a firestorm with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). In the years following, the organization tightened its control over television.

Officials from the NFL and NBC have apologized to anyone who was offended while viewing the family-friendly event, which is the most watched TV program of the year with over 100 million people tuning in.

“The NFL hired the talent and produced the halftime show,” NBC spokesman Christopher McCloskey said. “Our system was late to obscure the inappropriate gesture and we apologize to our viewers.”

The NFL attributed a failure in NBC’s delay system for allowing the gesture to be broadcast. According to spokesman Brian McCarthy, M.I.A. did not display the middle finger during rehearsals and the NFL had no reason to believe that she would do so during the live show.

“The obscene gesture in the performance was completely inappropriate, very disappointing, and we apologize to our fans,” McCarthy said.

M.I.A. has yet to address the situation. Just last week, the British singer debuted the well-received video for “Bad Girls,” the first single from her upcoming fourth album.

[AP]

The Giants and the Patriots weren’t the only stars on the field on Super Bowl Sunday. Madonna put on a thrilling performance during the Bridgestone Super Bowl XLVI Halftime Show at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. The pop queen delivered a dazzling medley of her greatest hits in front of over 100 million viewers.

Dressed as a gladiator in Givenchy, she made a grand entrance to “Vogue” before joining acrobats from Cirque du Soleil for “Music” and LMFAO on their hits “Party Rock Anthem” and “Sexy and I Know It.” Pom poms in hand, she marched into her new single “Give Me All Your Luvin’” with her cheerleading squad including firecracker Nicki Minaj and a middle finger-flipping M.I.A.

After segueing into “Open Your Heart” and “Express Yourself,” Cee Lo Green helped the Material Girl take it to church with “Like a Prayer,” accompanied by a gospel choir. Twelve minute later, she disappeared through a cloud of smoke to roaring applause and the words “World Peace” spelled out on the floor.

50 Cent is betting big on the New York Giants. Backstage at the Bud Light Hotel in Indianapolis during Super Bowl weekend, the hip-hop tycoon spoke to Yahoo! about the million-dollar wager on his home town.

“Baby had said he had $5 million on the Patriots,” 50 said in response to the Cash Money CEO’s proposed bet on New England. “I just think he was just passionate about the Patriots winning and just said that. I don’t think he actually would bet $5 million.”

The G-Unit captain banked $500,000 when the Giants defeated the 49ers in the playoffs. “It would just be risking what I won the first time,” he explained.

But one bet he won’t be taking is posing nude on Twitter if the Giants lose, which one fan suggested. “No. This is what happens on my Twitter,” he said. “When people say really crazy things, I say, ‘OK.’ I don’t say anything else. I just say, ‘OK’ so my fans can see the crazy things people say to me because they don’t pay attention to what they’re saying. They only pay attention to my response.”

The liquor was flowing freely as Drake kicked off Super Bowl XLVI weekend. The Canadian superstar headlined ESPN the Magazine’s 8th Annual NEXT party in Indianapolis on Friday night ahead of Sunday’s big game. He passed out drinks to the audience from the stage and performed crowd favorites including “The Motto” and “Headlines” before heading over to First Down Friday at Sensu, where the party continued into the early morning.

But it hasn’t been all fun and games for the Young Money MC as of late. Earlier in the week, a woman named Ericka Lee filed a lawsuit against Drake, claiming she co-wrote “Marvin’s Room” but never received credit. (She is the voice heard on the other end of the phone call.) She maintains that they had a romantic relationship, which Drake has denied. According to his attorneys, the issue was dealt with beforehand and has no merit.

“This claim is entirely without merit and our client has not engaged in any wrongful conduct,” Drake’s reps told The Hollywood Reporter. “Ericka Lee consented to the use of her voice in the song ‘Marvin’s Room’ prior to its release.”

Super Bowl XLVI festivities got underway in Indianapolis on Thursday. B.o.B and Gym Class Heroes headlined VH1’s “Pepsi Super Bowl Fan Jam” at the Pepsi Coliseum. Bobby Ray served up his hits including “Don’t Let Me Fall” and “Strange Clouds,” while GCH frontman Travie McCoy was joined by Maroon 5’s Adam Levine for “Stereo Hearts,” setting off sparks with orange-haired newcomer Neon Hitch on their hit collaboration “Ass Back Home.” Watch the electrifying performances below.

B.o.B – “Don’t Let Me Fall”

B.o.B – “Strange Clouds”

Gym Class Heroes feat. Adam Levine – “Stereo Hearts”

Gym Class Heroes feat. Neon Hitch – “Ass Back Home”

Chris Brown was back in action, shooting a video for his club anthem “Turn Up the Music” on Wednesday (Feb. 1) in Los Angeles. The R&B superstar performed double duty, co-directing and starring in the dance-heavy clip, which he called his best video yet.

“I’ll let you guys judge but this Turn Up the music video hands down is probably my best video by far!!!” he told Team Breezy.

Several photos from the shoot surfaced online. Breezy was photographed in the passenger seat of a classic car in one scene, standing shirtless on top of a vehicle with his hipster crew in another. Dancers covered their faces with wild masks and hip-hop trio The Rej3ctz made a cameo before the shoot wrapped around 4 a.m. on Thursday.

The electro-dance record, written and produced by The Underdogs and Fuego, serves as the second single from Chris’ fifth album Fortune, due this spring.

[Chris Brown Spot]

Ciara’s love for sports landed her a gig co-hosting “The Insider.” Sporting a Patriots jersey, the R&B singer hit the field at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis to interview players from the New England team at Super Bowl Media Day. CiCi appeared to be enjoying her hosting duties alongside TV personality Kevin Frazier, high-fiving Patriots safety Sergio Brown and laughing with wide receiver Britt Davis.

“CoHosting Entertainment Tonight with my boy Kevin Frazier! Movie Promo Time! Yeah!” she tweeted. “We also get to interview my boy Tom Brady and the Patriots as well as Eli, Victory Cruz and the Giants! Super Bowl Fun!! Ow!”

Ciara appears in Adam Sandler’s upcoming comedy That’s My Boy and plays a gospel singer with dreams of becoming a pop star in Mama, I Want to Sing, hitting DVD on February 14. A new album is also expected this year on Epic Records.

Madonna is bringing some special guests with her to the Super Bowl. Cee Lo Green and LMFAO will reportedly perform with the pop queen during her halftime show next month.

The Insider reports that the “F**k You” singer has been quietly rehearsing in New York for the extravaganza. He is expected to help Madonna reinvent some of her pop classics live on Super Bowl Sunday.

Party rockers LMFAO are also scheduled to hit the field at Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium. The duo’s label boss will.i.am confirmed the rumors during an interview with Capital FM (via Billboard). “I’m going to the Super Bowl this year to see my group LMFAO perform with Madonna,” said will, who performed at last year’s Super Bowl with the Black Eyed Peas.

Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. will also add some star power to Madonna’s jam-packed set, debuting “Gimme All Your Luvin’,” the first single from Madge’s upcoming album M.D.N.A.

“I have eight minutes to set up my stage, 12 minutes to put on the greatest show on earth, and I have seven minutes to take it down,” Madonna told “Nightline’s” Cynthia McFadden.

With more than 162 million viewers, the Super Bowl halftime show is the most-watched musical event of the year. The New England Patriots will take on the New York Giants at this year’s game, which airs February 5.

Common knows how to make a girl feel good. The Chi-town MC brought a female fan on stage during the after-party for his new film LUV at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. He dedicated his freestyle over Beyoncé’s “Party” instrumental to the lucky gal. “We can put it all together/ You know the weather/ Me and Jasmine we can find forever,” he rapped.

[Fakeshore Drive]