It's not exactly a thoroughly fact-checked and professionally reported piece in the New York Times, but it'll do! According to that bastion of truth and wisdom that is Hello Magazine, Russell Brand and Katy Perry are in love. We've been monitoring this situation like it was stolen uranium or American Idol voting over here.

First there were rumors (stemming from Russell Brand's onstage flirtations with the "Hot N Cold" gal) then there were Tweets, and now there are photos of Katy and Russell... sitting NEAR PRINCE at the John Galliano show in Paris yesterday.

Seems like things are moving pretty quickly for these crazy kids. Seems like it was just yesterday (it was last month) that this was just an innocent bit of sweet talking on the part of Russell. Then, before you could forget Sarah Marshall, he's got Katy tweeting from Thailand and getting photographed coming out of his London home! I'd love to hear any ideas you folks have for a Brangelina-style nickname for the couple in the comments. Put your thinking caps on!

For all the boys out there wondering why things just don't go their way with the ladies, just take note of Russell Brand*. Want to impress a girl? You don't have to be a sensitive, considerate human being; you don't have to buy her a nice, thoughtful gift. Heck, you don't even have to put a ring on it! All you have to do is make lewd comments from the stage while hosting a globally televised awards show, suggesting that you are readily available for a bit of the no-pants-dance.

Russell Brand, who's made no secret of his affection for Katy Perry during his stint hosting this year's VMAs -- he told the VMAs that he liked what he looked up the hole in Katy Perry's trousers --  has apparently gotten his girl. According to the Daily Mail, Brand and Perry just spent a romantic week in Thailand, getting to know one a little bit better while spending some time on the beach. And while Katy didn't exactly come out and name names, she more or less confirmed the union on Twitter, claiming, "After a week in magical Thailand I'm ready 2 face the real world again. Been schooled on Morrissey, Oscar Wilde & Peter Sellers... inspired." This led Perez Hilton, sort of a one-man C.S.I. for celeb-love trysts to conclude it must be on between the American rocker and the Brit funnyman, since Wilde, Morrissey and Sellers are a holy trinity to Brand.

Mission accomplished, Russell!

*This is sarcasm. While Russell Brand is an extremely amusing celebrity and probably an incredible person to hang out with we cannot, in any way, suggest mimicking his pick-up game unless you want to spend a night in central booking for harassment.

+ Watch Katy Perry rock Russell Brand at the 2009 VMAs.

The 2009 VMAs were packed with OMG moments, some intentional -- Janet Jackson's tribute to Michael Jackson, Beyonce's "Single Ladies" army, Lady Gaga's fake death -- some not -- Kanye's Taylor Swift hijack. But there were lots of VMA moments you may've missed.

Check out 10 moments from the 2009 VMAs that you might've missed.

1.) When Janet Jackson first appeared on stage during her tribute to Michael Jackson, and during several other moments during her tribute, she was perfectly in sync with Michael's choreography on the screen behind her.

2.) Janet sending a kiss up toward the sky at the end of her dance tribute to Michael Jackson.

3.) Pete Wentz solemnly bowing his head during Madonna's tribute to Michael Jackson.

4.) Jennifer Lopez's face-to-face encounter with her ex! Cris Judd was one of the dancers in Janet's Michael Jackson tribute, and Jennifer Lopez was sitting right in front of the stage.

5.) Beyonce jokingly singing along to "Motown Philly" during Jimmy Fallon and Andy Samberg's Boyz II Men joke.

6.) Katy Perry grabbing her crotch and kissing Joe Perry after singing "We Will Rock You" to introduce Russell Brand.

+ See more VMA moments that might've flown under your radar after the jump!

Read more...

I just got back from touring the byzantine backstage area and checking out the absolutely jaw-dropping stage at Radio City Music Hall, where the 2009 MTV VMAs will take place in just four short days on Sunday, September 13. (Seriously, the 2009 MTV VMA stage should win a VMA for Best VMA Stage).

I saw Russell Brand rehearsing, nearly tripped over to-the-moon-and-back's worth of cables, dodged burly (but nice!) union dudes loading in set pieces, and espied lots of mindbogglingly old relics from Radio City's 75-year history (that's even older than Liza Minnelli!)

But one of the best things I saw was Taylor Swift's STUFF -- all of her gear and guitars (no teardrops though) just sitting in the lobby.

There was no sign of Taylor Swift herself -- she was probably still busy freaking out over her four CMA nominations. Or getting ready for her big VMA performance. But here's what all of Taylor Swift's gear is doing while it awaits Taylor's rehearsal.

Stay tuned to the MTV Buzzworthy Blog for more behind-the-scenes access to the 2009 MTV VMAs!

+  Beyonce has just been named Billboard magazine's Woman Of The Year and will be accepting the award at a ceremony to be held later this year in NYC. We smell a J-Lo-style backlash aaaaaaaany moment now (which consequently smells a lot like glitter body paint). (Billboard)

+ Also on the Billboard tip, Taboo from the Black Eyed Peas reveals what it's like to be a part of the pop supergroup that has been making Billboard chart history. (Blogamole)

+ Is Prince truly seeking a job at the White House? Would it then be called the Purple House? (The Tripwire)

+ Reigning '90s R&B supergroup TLC will return to the stage after a more-than seven-year absence, thanks to a little nudge from none other than Justin Timberlake. (Rap-Up)

+ Watch Britney Spears and Russell Brand in their second stint as VMA "lovers." It's kind of cute to see Russell throw himself at Brit so desperately -- story of his life, we're guessing, though we'd TOTALLY hit it. (Buzzworthy)

Britney and Russell Brand totally hit it off at the VMAs last year (remember Britney and Russell and that elephant and its seemingly aphrodisiac qualities?), but it sounds like they never really "sealed the deal," if you will. Will Britney go back to Russell's hotel room? Will they finally hook up at the 2009 MTV VMAs on Sunday, September 13? Is Britney even invited to the VMAs?

Watch 2009 VMA host Russell Brand use his Jedi mind-tapping capabilities in a blatant attempt to tap that. "That" being Britney Spears. Can't blame him. Britney looks RIDICULOUSLY hot in that white bikini.

+ We're having (slightly nightmarish) flashbacks to our uber-Christian, ultra-conservative childhood after stumbling upon this gem, a duet with gospel group Mary Mary and R&B songmaster Ne-Yo. (Rap-Up)

+ Celebrity Twitter fights are fun for the whole family, especially when they're brought to you by parenting gurus Travis Barker and Shanna Moakler. (Evil Beet Gossip)

+ If you haven't seen the VMA promos that MTV has been running for this year (the full-length West Side Story-themed ones that feature Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, Cobra Starship, Leighton Meester, and Russell Brand all singing their own verses...) then stop what you're doing right now (unless you're searching YouTube looking for fan vids of Britney's performance last night at MSG like we've been doing all morning) and WATCH the full length version here!

+ Oh -- and how cute are Katy and Taylor having dinner together the other night in England?? (Socialite Life)

+ It was just announced today that Paula Abdul's first post-Idol gig will be hosting VH1 Divas later this month, which will star Adele, Kelly Clarkson, Leona Lewis and more. (Pop on the Pop)

+ And in case you missed yesterday's totally fun NYC scavenger hunt hosted by Britney via Twitter, check this out! (Perez Hilton)

+ File this one away in the "Whitney, what were you thinking?" category: Until the August 31 street release date, Whitney Houston is leaking her entire brand-new CD on, QVC.com??????

You've seen Taylor Swift belt it out of a cab, a crazy-eyed Katy Perry as scissors-happy Anita, Ne-Yo channel Michael Jackson's "Beat It" and Cobra Starship (and Leighton Meister!) get ready to rumble underground (Warriors-style!).

Now watch them all salute Broadway in the big finale! It's the full-length version of "VMA Side Story." Straight backs! High kicks! Pointed toes! Big smiles! Big finish! The old lady in the back of the house should be able to hear you!

+ Don't miss the 2009 VMAs live from Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Sunday, September 13 at 9pm!

I've been privy to a bit of private info about the 2009 MTV VMAs, but a makeout session between VMA presenter Katy Perry and VMA performer Pink isn't in the script... YET. But it looks like no one told Russell Brand. Fortunately, there's still time to make that work before the VMAs happen live on Sunday, September 13.

Plus, far more outlandish things have happened at VMAs past -- like the first-ever VMAs in 1984, when Madonna humped the stage at Radio City Music Hall (welcome back, MTV!), or the time Grandma Madonna kissed Britney. And Christina Aguilera. Or when Diana Ross grabbed Li'l Kim's "boob" back in 1999.

+ Watch 2009 VMA host Russell Brand dance around like a cheeky chimney sweep in his "VMA Side Story" "Tonight" promo.

Vom.

The 2009 MTV VMA nominees have been announced (something about Beyonce?), voting is ON like Donkey Kong, and two-time VMA host Russell Brand just had ANOTHER responsibility added to his CV, which is probably made of leather and I bet smells like Tom Ford Private Blend Tobacco Vanille: holder and giver-away of VMA tickets!

Watch this video from Russell Brand to find out how to get tickets to the 2009 MTV VMAs in New York City. It's the hottest ticket in town, especially since Cats finally closed.

+ Don't miss the 2009 VMAs live from Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Sunday, September 13 at 9pm!