Buzzmakers: 'Bachelor' Star Dies & Bieber Record
What had ETonline readers buzzing this week?
1. Bieber Grants 8-Year-Old's Wish, Breaks Record
Justin Bieber granted his 200th wish (via Make-A-Wish), breaking the foundation's record to become the first-ever recording artist to ever reach that milestone.
The lucky recipient, 8-year-old Annalysha Brown-Rafanan, was surprised on Christmas Day 2012 with the news that she would finally get to meet her idol and attend his Atlanta, GA concert on August 10.
"Justin Bieber makes her happy, and through all her illness and poking and all that, it just takes away from 'I'm sick,'" said an overjoyed Contrina Brown, the young girl's mom.
2. Bachelor Star Gia Allemand Dies
The Bachelor star Gia Allemand passed away Wednesday in New Orleans after being discovered Monday by her boyfriend -- NBA Basketball Player Ryan Anderson -- following an apparent suicide attempt. She remained in the hospital unconscious in critical condition and on life support until her death on Wednesday.
On Friday, her mother broke her silence on the shocking death in a statement to media outlets.
"There are numerous statements and theories in the media regarding Gia's death and her life that refer to sources close to Gia or friends of hers. As her mother, I am well aware of Gia's close friends and her best friends, and I am personally going on record to refute all statements to the media out there thus far, with the exception of official statements we have released through publicist Penelope Jean Hayes, and those jointly with Ryan Anderson’s NBA team representation."
According to her mother, Gia "always found the good in people," but she also had certain acquaintances "she had disassociated with" who have now purported in the media to be her close friends since her passing.
3. That 70s Show Actress Lisa Robin Kelly Dies
Lisa Robin Kelly, who played Topher Grace's older sister on That '70s Show, died Wednesday at the age of 43. "Unfortunately Lisa Robin Kelly passed away last evening," her agent told ET in a statement.
"Lisa had voluntarily checked herself into a treatment facility early this week where she was battling the addiction problems that have plagued her these past few years. I spoke to her on Monday and she was hopeful and confident, looking forward to putting this part of her life behind her. Last night she lost the battle. Cause of death has not been issued yet and no death certificate has been issued either."
Kelly had publicly struggled with her addiction; she was arrested four times in the last three years for a variety of charges from DUI to assault.
4. Lady Gaga Goes Nude For Marina Abramovic Institute Kickstarter
Lady Gaga is baring it all, and we mean ALL, in the name of performance art! The ARTPOP singer stars in a video to benefit the Kickstarter campaign of the Marina Abramovic Institute (MAI), and is seen practicing the Abramovic Method, "a series of exercises designed to heighten participants' awareness of their physical and mental experience in the present moment." This method apparently entails holding huge crystals in the fetal position while completely naked.
The video was taken during a three-day retreat in Upstate New York in promotion of MAI that is to be "the first space dedicated to practicing the Abramovic Method, which prepares participants to both perform and observe long durational work." So far, the Kickstarter has raised over $200,000, and has a $600,000 goal to meet within the next 17 days.
5. Ryan Murphy Opens Up About Glee Episode for Cory Monteith
Glee Executive Producer Ryan Murphy is going into detail for the first time about the special memorial episode of the show that was written as a memorial to star Cory Monteith.
Speaking to Deadline, Murphy said it was not easy moving from the usually upbeat themes to deal with the heaviness of losing Monteith and figuring out how to handle his tragic death on the show. "It's been a difficult circumstance because we basically went straight from the memorial into [reworking] the two Beatles episodes, which I think are fun and optimistic, that we had always had planned."
"But I think it turned out to be a lovely tribute, and it's a very heartfelt look at how young people grieve... We loved Cory and we loved Finn and it feels like a huge loss and a huge heartache not to have either of them around. We're trying to craft an episode that's not just about us grieving but about a lot of the young fans grieving."