Taco Bell has really pissed off 50 Cent. And insulted him. All due to their dumbass publicity stunt. Taco Bell offered to donate $10,000 to the charity of Fiddy’s choice if he’d change his name to 79 Cent, 89 Cent, or 99 Cent – to correspond with the prices on their value menu. Fiddy – being the shrewd dude that he is – instantly called Taco Bell out for being insincere and trying to use his celebrity for free publicity. And the dude is pissed.

Apparently, that was a little too much thinking outside the bun for the lawyered-up rapper, who not only took issue with the promo stunt, but threatened to sic his legal team on the chain. “When my legal team is finished with them, Taco Bell is going to have a new corporate slogan: ‘We messed with the bull and got the horns!’ ” Fiddy said.

The rapper’s rep went one further, calling out the company’s big cheese on his cheekiness. “This is a sleazy and ill-conceived publicity stunt by Taco Bell’s president, Greg Creed, whose disingenuous offer was leaked to the press before it was even presented to 50 Cent’s agent yesterday,” the rapper’s rep said.

As it is, the taco giant’s offer was sent to Fiddy—and, of course, the media—promising to donate $10,000 to a charity of the rapper’s choice if he agreed to the name change. Also requested from the franchise chief was for the newly monikered rapper to pay a visit to one of Taco Bell’s locations and rap his order at the drive-thru.

“We know that you adopted the name 50 Cent years ago as a metaphor for change,” the letter read. “We at Taco Bell are also huge advocates for change. We encourage you to ‘Think Outside the Bun’ and hope you accept our offer.”

[From E! News]

Companies do occasionally do this, but most celebs politely decline. 50 is the first I can think of to call them out. At first I kinda thought Fiddy was being a jerk for not just saying thanks but no thanks, but once I thought about it a little more, I realized it really is aggravating.

Taco Bell isn’t being generous – they know the famous rapper isn’t going to change his name – so they never intended to part with their $10,000. Instead, they’re being cheap, by trying to associate 50 Cent with their corporation to get free publicity. Which I guess I’ve just given them a little more of. Except that the Taco Bell near me is always getting closed down by the New York City Department of Health for a shockingly long list of health code violations. Like rodents and roaches. Which I’m pretty sure end up in the food. There, that should do it. I think I just negated any free publicity. Thanks, Taco Bell.

Header of 50 Cent at the Video Music Awards in Las Vegas on September 8th. Images thanks to WENN.

Mary-Kate Olsen gets quite the complementary write-up in the upcoming issue of Elle magazine. The mag talks to the young fashionista about business, her relationship with sister Ashley, and even interviews Lauren Hutton, Karl Lagerfeld, and Diane von Furstenberg about their opinions of the pint-sized style icon.

* On Ashley: “We don’t agree all the time. The way we go about business or designing or making a decision is that we come at it from two completely different angles that at the end of the day, even when we don’t think we’re agreeing with each other, we are agreeing. We’re just getting there in different ways. Unless you’re a twin, you honestly can’t know how close twins can be. There’s such a strength, but that also makes it…” Her voice trails off. “When there’s that much love there’s…Well, there’s the opposite of everything, but it stems from love, and it stems from passion. We’re driven people. I do know I can’t work in an office. Ashley, on the other hand, loves going to an office.”

* On being sexy: “I feel like I can be sexy when I want to be,” she says. “I think all women are sexy. Some may feel it more than others. I personally think the women who are the most sexy are the women who are truly themselves, whatever that may be.”

* On her fashion: “I don’t know—you’re either on the worst-dressed list or you’ve started a fashion trend. I think there’s a real disconnect between the media’s perception of fashion and the fashion world’s idea of fashion. I don’t know why I wear some of the things I wear. I like wearing crazy things sometimes. I like being playful. Sometimes I feel like I’m playing dress-up and becoming a character. It’s sort of like an art. It can change your mood or the way that people are attracted to you.”

[From Elle via PopSugar]

The Olsen twins are nothing if not good businesswomen. At one point in the interview Mary-Kate says she doesn’t consider herself a celebrity, and says that’s “a media perception” of who she is. Mary-Kate has definitely focused more on fashion than acting in the last several years. And though many of us puzzle at her wardrobe choices, designers in the know are constantly touting her fashion-forwardness.

* Lauren Hutton on MK: “I feel like M.K. is a kindred spirit. She lives an experimental life. When you’re young, you should be trying on lots of things, not just clothes. She understands that. You’re not born with taste. That’s a bunch of hooey. Like everything else, taste is a process of discovery. I like that about her. She’s always discovering her tastes.”

* Karl Lagerfeld on MK: “I love a tiny woman in Chanel. Coco herself was tiny, so you don’t need to be a giant to look good in these. I like the way M.K. is mixing Chanel with other things. Life is not a fashion show, and I find a total designer look boring.”

* DvF on MK: “Mary-Kate is fragile yet strong…She’s an old soul in a very young girl. Hers is a story that has just begun.”

[From Elle via PopSugar]

Elle asks Mary-Kate to comment on Heath Ledger’s death. Olsen was called several times by the masseuse who found Ledger’s body – Mary-Kate instructed her to wait for her own security to come over instead of calling the police, a move that has yet to be explained.

After nearly five months, Mary-Kate Olsen still refuses to speak about the fact that she was the first person called after Heath Ledger was found dead in his apartment.

“I’m not going to comment on that,” Olsen, who turns 22 on June 13, tells Elle in its July issue. “I won’t give you a word about that in the nicest way possible. Let’s move on.”

[From People]

That’s technically a polite enough response, though certainly fairly cryptic. It remains to be seen whether Mary-Kate will ever explain her connection and her advice during those critical 45 minutes. I’ve mentioned before that I’m pretty sure the Olsen twins don’t actually have voice boxes, because I can’t remember hearing them speak past the age of 15. For a girl who has been so quiet, it sounds like Mary-Kate actually has a lot to say.

Victoria Beckham decided to finally put a little effort into her overpriced line of jeans, dVb. The line was barely selling at Kitson and the few other places that sold it. Not only were they running for $250 a pair (and up), but Victoria wasn’t doing any promotion for them. Which makes a person wonder, why bother buying her jeans when she clearly doesn’t care about them either?

Victoria decided to promote the jeans at Harrods, and gave one of those traditionally in-depth interviews that really reveals her psyche.

In the second part of Victoria Beckham’s exclusive interview on GMTV, the fashion queen talks to Fiona Phillips about her new dVb jeans range, her love of high heels, and why David likes her without makeup.

Fiona Phillips: So you’re back home, but it’s a working trip isn’t it?

Victoria Beckham: It’s a working trip. I have an event today at Harrods – I’m launching a concessions where I sell my jeans, my DVB jeans, so I’m very excited about that.

FP: So fashion is your passion?

VB: Yeah, I’ve been welcomed by the fashion industry – which, you know, being me has a lot of stigma attached to it. I am a footballer’s wife and I was in a pop group. And I love fashion. I love high fashion.

FP: I don’t know how, because I’ve seen pictures of you all over the place shopping where… I don’t know how you wear high heels all the time?

VB: I just can’t concentrate in flats.

[From My Park Magazine]

Victoria also goes on to say how she would work out, but she doesn’t because she can’t stand the footwear. I’ll point out that the last thing that woman needs is to spend much time at the gym. Heaven forbid she somehow wind up even skinnier. Though it would be good for her to eat more AND go to the gym.

Posh also notes that she realizes she often has a sour expression on her face, but says she’s not crabby like she appears. She attributes it to her facial structure, and says she just looks the way she looks. Interestingly, she was more than willing to change the looks of her boobs, but apparently the grimace is fine the way it is.

Here’s Victoria promoting her new dVb collection at Harrods and arriving at a BBC studio for her interview today. Images thanks to WENN.

Nothing is as classy as cheap-ass hair extensions. The only comparable thing I can think of is Paris Hilton. So what makes more sense than Paris Hilton hawking cheap-ass hair extensions? Being the savvy businesswoman that she is, Paris seemed to figure this out, and decide to capitalize on it. I imagine the idea happened something like this:

[Paris sitting on a hot-pink settee with a zebra skin rug on the floor] “You know, I’m pretty cheap and tacky. What could I promote that’s also cheap and tacky?” [Paris looks around the room, befuddled.] “Damn it [insert least-favorite Paris Hilton animal’s name here at whim] stop chewing on my hair extensions!” And then it all came to her, in a moment of pure, inspired magic.

Mike Spinozzi, president of Sally Beauty Supply, at a press conference held on Thursday, trumpeted the partnering of Hilton, with her inescapable media profile, and Sally Beauty, which considers itself the world’s largest specialty retailer of professional beauty and hair care products. Spinozzi said, “It’s a powerful combination and we’re excited to work with Paris. She’s business-savvy and very creative.”

Hilton added, “I’ve been wearing hair extensions for years and have tried other products that didn’t work. When I started using DreamCatchers from my line I started using the best quality and styles. I’m always coming up with new ideas because I love coming up with fun hairstyles.”

Available in 10 shades, Clipin-Go by Paris Hilton was designed to be an “affordable yet chic” line of hair extensions. Although the extensions will only be available in an 18-inch length, the company plans to do variations of the look with different colors, lengths and styles.

[From Women’s Wear Daily]

What they really meant to say was, “We’re trying to sell some cheap hair crap. Paris is cheap, and full of crap. It’s the perfect union.” I’m always surprised that associating Paris Hilton with a product is a good business idea, but apparently it is, because people keep doing it. And every so often, some article will come out showing how much money she’s made just licensing her name and endorsing products. And in that moment, I seethe with envy. Then I remember that I don’t look or act like Paris Hilton. And I feel a lot better.

Paris also sported quite a two-banded diamond ring on the ring finger of her left hand at the event. Paris said that the ring was just a present from boyfriend Benji Madden, and not an engagement ring.

Still, the duo have already discussed marriage. “We want to stay together forever,” she said Thursday. “I wouldn’t do a Vegas [wedding]. I don’t know where or when but I do want it to be romantic.”

Betting that Nicole_Richie and Joel Madden will beat them to the altar, Hilton doesn’t mind following in her best friend’s footsteps another way, as well. “Nicole is our first friend to have a baby … Seeing Harlow, it really makes me want one. I’ve always wanted to have a baby.”

Until then, she’s content on practicing her mommy skills on Harlow. “I’m definitely ‘Aunt Paris.’ ” As for Benji? “He’ll babysit. I can tell he’s gonna be an incredible father.

[From People]

What an incredibly frightening thought. Paris Hilton procreating. She can’t even keep track of her dogs. I wonder if she understands that you don’t just go to a baby store and pick the cutest one out of the cage like she does with her pets.

Here’s Paris unveiling her new hair extension line in New York yesterday. E! made a comment that she looked “like a glistening statue,” and several sites have wondered about her appearance. All I can say is that it was pretty damn hot and muggy here yesterday. Most of us looked that shiny. And you know I wouldn’t defend Paris Hilton without reason. Images thanks to PR Photos.

Jay-Z seems to really have the world in his hands right now. The rapper/music mogul filed for a marriage license with longtime girlfriend Beyonce Knowles on Tuesday, and since then things have only gotten bigger and better for him. The Associated Press has reported that Jay is about to sign a $150 million deal with Live Nation, which will include both CDs and concerts. Jay-Z was reportedly in great spirits, celebrating at a Toronto club last night.

He was definitely in a celebratory mood before and after his show last night in Toronto. “Jay-Z was not with Beyonce but looked so happy he could have burst,” says an observer at Toronto’s popular bistro Sotto Sotto, where he ate a pre-concert dinner with a bunch of guy friends. Later, he partied well into the night at Toronto’s downtown club Lobby, where he was laughing, chatting up his guests and waving his arms to the music.

[From People]

Jay-Z isn’t just a rapper, he was also the president of Def Jam records for three years. Live Nation has also inked deals with Madonna and U2, but Jay is their first foray into hip hop. The numbers are pretty astounding, considering his last album had just so-so sales figures.

But the arrangement would also position Live Nation to participate in a range of new deals with Jay-Z, one of music’s most entrepreneurial stars, whose past ventures have included the Rocawear clothing line, which he sold last year for $204 million, and the chain of 40/40 nightclubs.

His first undertaking with Live Nation is his current 28-date tour with Mary J. Blige, his biggest live outing in more than three years. After that, Live Nation envisions integrating the marketing of all Jay-Z’s entertainment endeavors, including recordings, tours and endorsements. “I’ve turned into the Rolling Stones of hip-hop,” Jay-Z said in a recent telephone interview.

[From the New York Times]

Jay-Z definitely earns his reputation as not just a good performer but a great businessman. The Live Nation deal includes funding for Jay’s own business ventures in a company called Roc Nation, which will include music publishing, talent grooming and management, along with his own label. They’ll contribute $25 million over the course of five years to it. The timing of the wedding license is interesting, considering all these great things are happening to Jay-Z in such quick succession. Makes you wonder if he had some agreement with Beyonce, like “Once I get my next record deal figured out, we’ll get married,” or something. No matter what, it seems like congratulations are in order.

Here’s Jay-Z arriving for The Late Show with David Letterman on March 31, 2008 in New York. Images thanks to PR Photos.

I’ve always been really surprised that there wasn’t more drama between twin sisters Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. I can’t imagine any sisters that don’t argue - I can only wonder how hard it would be to run a multi-million dollar business empire with your twin. The 21-year-olds have spent more time apart in the last few years and have been photographed actually hanging out with people besides each other. However their business interests have remained almost entirely intertwined. While it seems like the two have been nearly joined at the hip, apparently there’s been some trouble between them, and they’ve been fighting over business and real estate decisions.

“They’ve finally had enough of each other,” says a friend. “They just don’t see eye-to-eye anymore and are tired of constantly butting heads.” Now friends say the rift between the twins seems to be growing bigger by the day. “Ashley isn’t an angel, but she’s tired of having to take care of Mary-Kate,” says the friend. “One second Mary-Kate is maniacally happy, and the next she’s sobbing. Her mood swings are dragging Mary-Kate down, and finally, Ashley’s decided she doesn’t want to go down with her.”

But no matter how they feel, the twins can’t simply ignore each other, sources say. At stake is their $100 million personal fortune - also a bone of contention between the squabbling sisters, say the insider. “Ashley’s been considering separating their assets and trusts and getting her own business manger,” the insider says.

[From Star, April 7 2008, print edition]

The Enquirer also has a similar story, saying the pair are fighting over the company and have deep-seated resentments towards one another. Apparently Mary-Kate feels Ashley manipulated her into making bad business decisions, and regrets the twins’ choice to cut their parents out of their company Dualstar.

And one of the biggest rifts between the sisters centers on their decision to “fire” their parents - David and Jarnette, who are divorced - when they took charge [of Dualstar]. Although they both agreed to the move at the time, Mary-Kate now blames Ashley for pushing her into it, says a family insider.

Mary-Kate went along with the firing in part because she was angry that her family forced her into Utah’s Cirque Lodge rehab in June of 2004 to get treatment for an eating disorder. “Mary-Kate had some real issues with the family after they put her in rehab. But now she feels like that may have colored her decision to cut them out of Dualstar. Mary-Kate now regrets her decision — on the other hand, Ashley thinks it was the right move. That’s what Mary-Kate and Ashley mainly fight about.”

[From the National Enquirer, April 7 2008, print edition]

Neither magazine says if the girls’ parents are still speaking with them, though the Enquirer notes that their dad and stepmom have publicly criticized the way they’ve run Dualstar since firing their parents. Both articles are a great example of exactly why it’s not a good idea to mix business and family. Some manage to pull it off with amazing success, but it sounds like the Olsens are starting to unravel a bit. They also bickered about the sale of their Manhattan apartment – whether to sell it, and then for how much. Their identities have always been so wrapped up in each other – at least publicly – that it seems inevitable that they’d eventually want to carve out their own niche in the world. The fighting seems sort of unavoidable to me. It seems like Ashley’s idea to separate their finances could be a really good thing, and then they could try just being sisters instead of business partners.

Here are Mary-Kate and Ashley with Karl Lagerfeld and with Mario Testino and Claudia Schiffer at the Chanel Fashion show, during Paris Fashion Week Fall-Winter 2008-2009 ready to wear collection, at the Grand Palais in Paris on March 8th. Images thanks to Splash.