GRETCHEN CARLSON was recently elected chairwoman of the “Miss America” organization . and she’s already making significant changes. She went on “Good Morning America” yesterday, and announced that they’re eliminating the ‘swimsuit competition’ and that the pageant will no longer judge on LOOKS. She said, “We’re not going to judge you on your [outward physical] appearance because we are interested in what makes you YOU.” She said they’re also going to be “revamping” the evening gown portion and emphasized that the women will be able to wear whatever they choose. Gretchen said that she’s NOT concerned that the ratings might go down because the swimsuit portion did not get great ratings, and that people were actually more interested in the talent portion. This year’s “Miss America” is happening on September 9th. “Miss America”began nearly 100 years ago in Atlantic City as a bathing beauty contest designed to attract tourists. Gretchen is a former winner. She won in 1988 as Miss Minnesota.
Fashion designer KATE SPADE was found dead in her New York City apartment yesterday. She was only 55 years old. She left a note behind, but it hasn’t been released. Sources say part of it was a message to her 13-year-old daughter, saying it wasn’t her fault. Kate’s husband and business partner Andy Spade was in the apartment at the time but their daughter was at school. It was a maid who found Kate’s body. Kate’s company has over 140 retail and outlet stores in the U.S., and more than 175 internationally. She rose to fame in the early ’90s, after cashing in her 401k to launch a line of handbags. Kate’s husband Andy is the brother of actor DAVID SPADE. She even appeared on his sitcom “Just Shoot Me” in 2002.” Sources say Kate and Andy were having marriage problems.
“Billboard” talked LUKE BRYAN into playing a game of “Fishing for Answers.” He pulled questions out of a fishbowl and revealed that his first celebrity crush was Madonna. He said as a kid he collected “Bassmaster” magazines. His first concert was Jerry Lee Lewis and T.G. Sheppard. When he pulled out the “What makes you country” question, he said, “Where I was born, my upbringing, my values, my mom and dad, my accent”. But hands down the best question was . . . how many times does he sing ‘shake it for me’ in his smash hit, “Country Girl Shake It For Me”. He had no idea, so he guessed. He started with 15, but that was wrong. He went up to 20 and got another no. Then he upped it to 30 . . . and somebody finally shouted out 42.
Jennifer Lawrence has a new secret boyfriend. She’s been quietly dating a dashing New York art gallerist named Cooke Maroney. He works as a director at New York’s venerable Gladstone Gallery, which reps artists including Lena Dunham‘s dad. We hear that Lawrence and Maroney were introduced by J.Law’s BFF, Laura Simpson. The relationship has been going on a few weeks. But they have been very private and careful not to be seen together.”
JUSTIN BIEBER is producing an animated movie about Cupid, with himself voicing the lead role.
THOMAS RHETT and KELSEA BALLERINI are returning to co-host this year’s “CMA Fest”. Thomas posted the news yesterday on Instagram, writing, “We’re back. Kelsea and I are hosting #CMA-Fest again this year. Save the date: August 8th on ABC.”
MAREN MORRIS and NIALL HORAN released a video of them performing a live and unplugged version of their song, “Seeing Blind”. It’s one of the songs on Niall’s “Flicker” album, which came out last year.
CARRIE UNDERWOOD posted a clip of her son welcoming people to Nashville as they head over the pedestrian bridge into downtown. She captioned it, “Anyone see this on the bridge today? Isaiah wanted all the #CMA-Fest goers to feel welcome in our great city.”
Even if you’re not a tattoo person, I think you’ll be impressed by TYLER FARR’s new ink. It’s four “bear claw scars” that go from his left forearm down to his knuckles. It hurts just looking at it. He posted a photo and wrote, “When in Vegas . . . get that grizzly bear scar tattoo you’ve been talking bout getting for three years.”
“CMT Music Awards” at 8:00 p.m. on CMT. Little Big Town are your hosts. The performers include Chris Stapleton, Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson, Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Bryan, and Sam Hunt.
Jennifer Lopez guests on “Jimmy Kimmy Live: Game Night” at 8:00 p.m. Eastern on ABC.
Harvey Fierstein is 64.
Uncle Kracker is 44.
