Celebrity Scoops…updated 3.16.12

Russell Brand is facing charges after police say he threw an iPhone through a window in New Orleans Monday. Brand apparently became upset after a photographer was using the phone to snap pics of the star, who is there to shoot a movie, according to TMZ. After the story first broke, Russell tried to downplay the incident on Twitter posting, “Since Steve Jobs died I cannot bear to see anyone use an iPhone irreverently. What I did was a tribute to his memory.” However, police did not see the humor in it, issuing an arrest warrant for the actor. Brand then turned himself in on a charge simple criminal damage, $500 to $50,000. When will stars learn they can’t just take cameras from people???

Meanwhile, Michael Madsen has escaped charges stemming from a fight with his teenage son. The 54-year-old was arrested last week after police were called to his Malibu home Friday. Investigators had been looking into the possibility Madsen was drunk when the fight started. Prosecutors decided there was not enough evidence to file a charge of misdemeanor cruelty to a child.

A spot used to a crush of reporters saw a media influx of a different kind yesterday as George Clooney visited the White House. Clooney met with President Obama to talk about the situation in South Sudan, the Kony 2012 video and the president’s re-election campaign. Afterwards, George talked to reporters in a press conference in the driveway. Asked about any political aspirations, he stated, “I don’t find that I would be much help in any other position than the one I am in.” He also stated the he could do the most good by talking about causes he believes in, like the situation in the warn-torn South Sudan.

The fallout from Whitney Houston’s death continues to take a dark turn with rumors of a possibly incestuous relationship between Bobbi Kristina and a man many thought of as Whitney’s adoptive son. Bobbi and Nick Gordon have been spotted hanging out in Atlanta hugging, kissing and holding hands. Bobbi’s grandmother Cissy Houston is apparently upset telling one friend “What they’re doing is incestuous,” according the TMZ. The 22-year-old Gordon has lived in Whitney’s house for 10 years now. Some have always questioned the relations between the pair. “I have always felt there was some interest beyond a platonic interest in each other,” a close family friend tells People. The source continued speculating that Whitney never wanted to deal with it and now that she is gone, Bobbi and Nick have stopped hiding it. Gross!!!

After many fans questioned why she did it, Rihanna spoke out about her decision to collaborate with Chris Brown on two new songs. She said it was her idea because Brown is “the hottest R&B artist” in an interview with Ryan Seacrest on his KIIS-FM radio show in Los Angeles. She also said the pairing “made sense” and termed it “innocent.” Brown, of course, is still on probation for beating up Rihanna three years ago when they were dating. Seems like a bad message to send calling it innocent!!!

One of the founders of Roc-A-Fella records has pleaded guilty to dealing marijuana. Kareem Burke was one of 50 people arrested in a series of raids that netted 360 pounds of pot and about $2 million in cash. Burke started the label with Jay-Z and Damon Dash in the 90s. He faces up to six years in prison when he’s sentenced in May.

“Top Chef” host Padma Lakshmi has settled a bitter two-year custody battle with Michael Dell, the father of her child. As a result of the agreement, the girl will now be named Krishna Thea Lakshmi-Dell, according to the New York Daily News. Dell will also receive increased visitation and custody rights. However, Padma retained the right to make all the decisions.

Bruce Springsteen traded his guitar for a lectern yesterday at the South by Southwest Music Festival. The rock legend spent nearly an hour giving a music lesson to about 1,000 people who packed a ballroom to hear his talk. Among the advice he gave to his fellow musicians; “when you walk on stage tonight to bring the noise, treat it like it’s all we have. And then remember it’s only rock ‘n’ roll. I think I’m going to go out and catch a little black death metal.”

It will be 1987 all over again in theaters this weekend as “21 Jump Street” hits the big screen. The movie based on the hit TV series features Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum as a pair of detectives who go undercover to break up a high school drug ring. Several stars of the original series, including Johnny Depp, will also reprise their roles in cameo appearances. Another choice is “Jeff Who Lives at Home” about a slacker who lives in his mother’s basement. It stars Jason Segel, Ed Helms and Judy Greer. Finally, there’s “Casa de mi Padre.” The Spanish language film stars Will Ferrell as one two brothers who must defend his father’s ranch from a Mexican drug lord. It also features Gael García Bernal, Diego Luna and Génesis Rodríguez. “21 Jump Street” is very entertaining, but the best part of all is watching Channing Tatum for two hours in his ridiculous hotness!

Have a spectacular weekend!