HSN CEO Mindy Grossman

The home shopping network is taking space for executive offices in Manhattan, far away from HSN’s HQ in Florida, The New York Observer reported Monday.

HSN is renting at the luxurious, newly renovated tower at 545 Madison Ave., according to the paper.

Grossman’s company will be renting the whole 18th floor, glass-encased penthouse of the LCOR building, The Observer reported. It will provide digs for some HSN executive offices, a marketing center and some studio presentations.

The story quotes LCOR exec David Sigman, who says, “Home Shopping Network was looking for high-end, highly visible executive space that also had great light and views.”

If we were HSN shareholders, we’d be questioning why the network will be paying sky-high rents for space in Manhattan.

An HSN official contacted The Homeshoppingista to stress that HSN’s home office and corporate headquarters will remain in St. Petersburg.

But it looks like Grossman wants to stake a claim for HSN in Manhattan. She strikes us as an uptown girl, and that’s certainly the direction she is taking the No. 2 home shopping channel. Madison Avenue is what HSN is aspiring to.

Grossman’s strategy is to attract younger, hipper women to HSN. To do that, she has brought on a load of new Manhattan-based vendors, such as Stefani Greenfield and Badgley Mischka. Now, they won’t have to take a plane trip to Florida.

The blonde Grossman’s strategy that has meant that veteran HSN vendors such as Suzanne Somers parted ways with the Southern Channel. The blonde actress-author-entrepreneur is now on ShopNBC.

Of course, The Observer had to take some pot shots at HSN. Welcome to Manhattan pretensions.

“What better place to hawk tracksuits and sweater sets than a Madison Avenue penthouse?” The Observer wrote, calling “the Home Shopping Network…that seemingly inevitable destination of ex ‘Project Runway’-ers” and P. Diddy.

First of all, HSN changed its name years ago from Home Shopping Network. And second, it’s QVC that has the former ‘Project Runway’ winner, namely Chloe Dao.

It is true that Sean “Diddy” Combs is selling men’s fragrance on HSN, and it sold out on his first visit.

Que from Day 26 has been let go from Diddy’s ‘Making the Band’ Group Day 26.  Check out these videos of Que and Willie giving their account of what happened.  They both say that Diddy was not at fault, but he sure can’t keep a band together after he forms it, can he? 

Első szobor, amit elkaptak rendesen!

Looks like Diddy is the latest black celeb to fall victim of Madame Tussauds wax figurine. The hip hop mogul unveiled the Sean “Diddy” Combs wax figure at Madame Tussauds on December 15, 2009 in New York City.

We gotta admit… this is the best black Madame Tussauds we’ve seen!!! It looks exactly like Diddy. Kudos to them.

Check below for more pictures

Sean “Diddy” Combs made his debut on HSN Monday, as did his fragrance line.

His motto seemed to be that he likes his grandfather, but he doesn’t want to smell like him. Hence the fragrances (but we hope grandpa wasn’t watching).

Combs’ products were such a hit during his first show at 11 p.m. that they all sold out. So HSN had to cancel his second scheduled show at 1 a.m., since there was no merchandise left to sell.

For Combs’ debut HSN CEO Mindy Grossman opened the company wallet and had a new set built, which looked like a sophisticated penthouse, and even had the Manhattan skyline in the background. Puff Daddy was laid back and modest, rather charming for a mogul with a multi-million dollar empire in music, fashion, TV, movies and fragrances.

“It’s a great way to reach people all over the world…I made it on HSN mom,” Combs said during his home shopping debut, where he fielded many calls from overwrought fans. “I’m blessed to be here.”

More than any of the other shopping networks, HSN has courted the African-American market, by bringing vendors in such as the hair-care line Carol’s Daughter, David Bowie’s wife Iman, and now Combs.

Talking about his award-winning men’s fragrance, I Am King, Combs said, “This is not a celebrity fragrance.”

The rapper said he helped design the cologne, in partnership with Estee Lauder. It has won the FiFi Award, which Combs called “the Oscars” of the perfume industry.

“I have a very sensitive nose,” said Combs, who described I Am King as being “a clean scent.”

He said, “I don’t like things that are overbearing.”

The name I Am King was not a boast, according to Combs, but a positive affirmation for everyone.

“I was talking about the king in all of us,” Combs said. “If we as men act as kings, we will respect our women as queens.”

Those are great sentiments, but we can’t help but note that Combs has a somewhat checkered past, which includes an arrest on a weapons charge — when he was with his then-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez — following a nightclub shooting in Manhattan. Scorpios like Combs often have a dark side.

We remember tabloid stories about an upset Lopez being dragged down to the police station with Combs the night he was arrested. Doesn’t sound very queenly. Well, that was almost 10 years ago. Leopards can change their spots.

Host Callie Northagen did the show. She seems to be HSN’s ace for interviewing high-profile talent, including Madonna and singer Natalie Cole.

HSN was also selling the men’s and women’s fragrance lines Sean John Unforgivable. The kits and gift sets ranged in price from $57 to $78. There was also a fleece robe for $60.

Combs has a vast empire, and even produced and was a judge for the MTV show “Making the Band.”

He also claimed he was a fan of the No. 2 home shopping channel.

“Sometimes when you watch HSN, you get stuck there for hours,” Combs said.

We know what you mean, Diddy.

Puff Daddy is coming to HSN.

Sean “Diddy” Combs will appear live on the home shopping network next week to sell his award-winning fragrances, holiday gift sets and exclusive Sean John robe for $60.

Combs, who is also an actor and music producer, will unveil his men’s fragrance collections Unforgivable and I Am King, and women’s fragrance collection Unforgivable Woman during two shows: Monday at 11 p.m. and Tuesday at 1 a.m.

“With the help of HSN, I’m going to be coming to your living room for the holidays,” Combs said in a prepared statement. “I can’t wait to show HSN’s viewers my lineup of Sean John Fragrances for men and women. It’s the perfect time to shop for the holidays.”

Unforgivable, I Am King and Unforgivable Woman fragrance collections will be available for the first time on HSN in gift sets “that touch upon signature notes of Sicilian Lemon and Italian Bergamot, Pina Colada and Grapefruit, as well as Tangerine Zest and the Imperial French Berry,” according to HSN’s press release.

The women’s fragrance collection, Unforgivable Woman, “is a sensual combination of creamy, floral and warm and luscious notes,” says HSN.

Combs’ newest men’s fragrance, I am King, “is an untraditional fresh fruity, woody scent, evoking the modern day king,” according to HSN.

“We are very excited to partner with Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs and bring to life on HSN the compelling story behind the success of his top-selling fragrances for both women and men,” HSN CEO Mindy Grossman said in a prepared statement.

“Offering our customers a wider array of luxurious fragrances has been a focus for HSN as we continue to expand our beauty business,” she said. “Mr. Combs is a lifestyle icon who will provide our customers with unique experiences and the quality products we strive to deliver.”

The Unforgivable gift sets for men will be available in a Deluxe Holiday Set, which will include a 4.2 ounce spray and signature watch, or in a Classic Holiday Set featuring a smaller 2.5 ounce Eau de Toilette spray and deodorant.

The I Am King Classic Holiday Set includes a 1.7 ounce spray and 3.4 ounce After Shave Balm. All three sets for men include a Sean John signature bag as a gift with purchase.

For women, the Unforgivable Woman Holiday Set will include a 4.2 ounce scent spray, body lotion and corresponding makeup bag, along with Unforgivable and Unforgivable Woman Bubble Baths as gifts with purchase.

The Unforgivable, Unforgivable Woman and I Am King Eau de Toilette will be available as well.

In addition, an exclusive Sean John robe will be available to complement the gift sets.

Diddy’s stream of band fallouts is continuing as Day 26 formally announces that they’ve left his Bad Boy record label. While Diddy embarks on new territory with his recent signing to Interscope, his brain child of Quanell, Willie, Brian and Mike will do the same. The group has moved from Diddy’s emblem to Atlantic Records. By doing so, hopefully they’ll be able to salvage their career before their demise a la Danity Kane.

While their days with Bad Boy were numbered from the start, Willie is adamant that there’s no bad blood between the group and the powers that be. He told TheBoombox,

“Bad Boy is always our family, but we’re with Atlantic right now…we really want to get people focused on the artistry, on the music. I think a lot of people lost it with the entertainment of the show. So now, we really want to show people what we’re all about, that we do our thing whether it’s on stage, in the studio, writing and producing — we do it all.”

The group isn’t looking to put an album out until sometime next year, but in the meantime, ladies can invest in their women’s shoe line. Released in September, Eight2Six shoes coincided with the groups single, “Your Heels.” The line’s first product was the “Swagga Heel” featured in three different colors and priced at $99.99.

Am I the only one that’s never heard of these shoes?!

No? Didn’t think so….

It’s the Diddy curse I’m telling you! I DO NOT want to work for Diddy!

Sean Diddy Combs turned 40. So did Sesame Street and Bert and Ernie. Here’s the news about Sesame Street’s 40th birthday milestone.

Two of television’s most famous roommates, Bert and Ernie, were the only muppets created by Jim Henson to appear in the pilot episode of “Sesame Street” 40 years ago. Ernie was originally performed by Henson and his affectionate song about his squeaky toy duck, “Rubber Duckie,” became a modest hit, reaching No. 16 on the Billboard chart. Bert’s friendship with a pigeon named Bernice spawned the dance, “Doin’ the Pigeon.” Here are some of the other famous faces that have appeared on “Sesame Street” in the past four decades. (TM and © 2009 Sesame Workshop. All Rights Reserved. )

Let’s see if Diddy and these two guys can collaborate on a new song and dance for this generation of children as they hit 40. In New Zealand 40 is still viewed as being very young. It’s about the age, where you might now have something valuable to say.

Pic of Michelle Obama and Big Bird here…  priceless!

~Horiwood.com, Hollywood California USA. 11.23.09~

While Diddy is throwing $3 million parties in NYC, Solange Knowles is throwing zero-budget parties in her flat. According to her tweets.

She’s a funny girl. Apparently, her party rocked during the AMA’s. The things a princess does to amuse herself, before she wins her first Soul Train Award later this month. Solange is a riot!

~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 11.22.09~

I exist like a black chandelier to entertain is hip hop star and entrepreneur, Sean Diddy Combs manifesto as he spends $3 million on his halfway-point birthday party, Saturday. 

Page 6 of the New York Post reports that: “the champagne-flooded 40th birthday bash had a fantasy Garden of Eden-themed room with a $30,000 orchid display, installed his own black dance floor and black chandeliers all throughout.

Diddy treated guests — including, Jay-Z, Nelly, Christy Turlington, Bono, Martha Stewart, Zac Posen and Denzel Washington–to a silver confetti-drop, courtesy of lighting wizard Bentley Meeker.

Highlight of the night was a performance by  the Rev Al Green. Security was tight and even Tyrese Gibson and “Twilight’s” Kellan Lutz had to talk their way into the VIP area.

After asking Diddby who Kiwi girl Rachel Hunter was, rapper Fabulous flirted with the New Zealand supermodel something chronic. DJ Cassidy was working his charms on Adrienne Bailon.

Sounds like fun was in the air. Don’t forget that the American Music Awards are tonight. Exciting entertainment with Janet Jackson taking center stage to start the awards. Great to see Diddy lift American music’s spirits this year with a good birthday bash.

[Image of Diddy, Cassie and fashion designer Zac Posen, courtesy of (August 18, 2009 - Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images North America)]

~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 11.22.09~

Sean “Diddy” Combs is about to open a new nightclub in Las Vegas.  Well, at least he’s going to help open one. 

“(The) Hard Rock is opening a club and I’m supposed to be opening up that new club for them,” so says the versatile artist. 

The new nightspot, Vanity, is set to open on New Year’s Eve. 

Still, the rapper formerly known as Puff Daddy won’t necessarily be at the Hard Rock when the ball drops on 2010. 

Instead, he said he is scheduled to host a day or two after the grand opening celebration, on or around Jan. 2. 

Still, he may very well be there at the Hard Rock on NYE. 

Maybe. 

“I may be out here, I may be shooting a television special,” he teased, adding with a smile, “I can’t give you any more details, that’s breaking news.” 

Still, it’s pretty safe to say Puffy is planning to party somewhere in Las Vegas on Dec. 31. 

The hip-hop heavyweight is no stranger to the Las Vegas club scene and likely has a litany of lucrative hosting offers on the table for New Year’s Eve. 

“I’m the Black Sinatra,” he said. “I’m supposed to be out here.” 

It wasn’t always this way for the rapper/actor/producer/fashion designer/fragrance developer/father/vodka czar.  Whew! 

“I used to come to Vegas maybe once every other year,” the outspoken 40-year-old icon said. “I’ve been out here already four times this year … This is the most I’ve been out here.”

Badgley Mischka

An odder assortment of celebrities might be hard to find, but there will be lots of premieres of these stars and their products on HSN in November. If you are a fan of any of these folks, but hate home shopping networks, remember that you will get a chance to see these celebs live — unfiltered and without scripts — on HSN.

Sometimes it’s not a pretty sight, like when Jessica Simpson recently appeared on QVC. Other times it’s a pleasant surprise, like seeing the likable and amiable Tori Spelling and Paula Abdul when they sell their fashion jewelry on HSN.

Drescher has a skincare line, FranBrand, that will debut on HSN Nov. 10. HSN describes her as “the flashy girl from Flushing.”

Sims’s fashion jewelry line, Grayce, will premiere Nov. 13. Items are already up on HSN’s Web site.

Sean “Diddy” Combs, formerly known as Puff Daddy, has a fragrance line set to appear on HSN Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.

And Badgley Mischka, in the wake of a major recently announced deal, will premiere the American Glamour line Nov. 17, with a two-hour show.

We expect the legendary designers, and we mean that, Mark Badgley and James Mischka to be down in Florida.

We have a pair of pink metallic sandals from these guys that we bought at a Manhattan sample sale. That was years ago, but we could go to a black-tie event with those shoes and they’d look right in style.

On its Web site, HSN welcomed the celebrity newcomers to “the HSN family.”

THIS JUST IN: it has been reported that Shyne, Jamaal Barrow/ Moses Michael Leviy, was deported back to his native land of Belize today! He was released from prison and is expected to arrived in Belize at 3pm. Shyne was born in Belize, but was raised in Brooklyn, New York. And although his dad is the Prime Minister of Belize, they are estranged. In an interview earlier in his career, Shyne made mention that he & dad never had a great relationship. In fact, dad made it his business to point out to Shyne that he was a “mistake”. Dad also went on to say that “the rest of my kids were conceived out of love. YOU were conceived out of a Heineken bottle.” Whoa! So it’s highly unlikely he’ll receive a warm welcome from dear ol’ dad upon his arrival.

Shyne served a little more than eight years of the ten years he was sentenced to in The 1999 Club NY shooting, which left three people injured.

Shyne plans to fight the deportation decision from Belize. He wants to be back in the US with his mom, grandma, & the people who love him. Keep Ya Head Up Shyne. And Keep Fighting!

-”The BklynBandette.” Mr. Hollywood’s Co-Defendant.

La Toya Jackson is a vision of silky blue as she leaves the set of Dancing With The Stars.

Celebrity always does bite, but it is how one uses their fame for the good, that shows a star’s true star power, or whether they are just pretending to be a star. Always give. Celebrity News bites today are as follows:

Hollywood legend, Steven Spielberg has been retained as Creative Director for Universal at $50 million a year. Nice!–Variety

At 16, Miley Cyrus‘ brief appearance in Sex & The City II sparks questions. She loves it.–popeater

Oscar and grammy winner, Jennifer Hudson is in talks to play the role of Winnie Mandlea in a Nelsen Mandela biopic. Great role!–showbiz411

Giving fills Madonna’s love of more fame with Glee. The hit feel good TV show is doing an entire episode devoted to Madonna songs as Madonna gifts Glee her music royalty rights. Nice!–Music-Mix

Charlize Theron may play Mad Maxine, as Mel Gibson‘s famous role  gets set for a Mad Max reprise, down under–Sydney Sun.

Kanye West did not die in a car crash as falsely reported. Taylor Swift did not kill him.–Sophos

~featured pic and charity link is The Joey Parker Movement, see details below after celebrity gossip bites continues. thank you~ 

Billy Joel signs yet another house away to another ex-wife, Katie Lee Joel for $3 million in Manhatten–Observer

Justin Timerlake and Jessica Biel are still wild for each other, despite reports they split–OK!

Rosie O’donnell and Kelli Carpenter have split. Donald Trump will be so happy with this news, or are the couple just doing a Jon & Kate Gosselin? An empty hot air balloon will be sailing across of the sky next on nationwide TV with “Happy Halloween, love Rosie on it!”–radar

The New York Times apologizes to actress Sienna Miller for falsely reporting she once dated, Heath Ledger and Sean Combs–UKDailyNews

Twilight’s New Moon movie ticket sales in Germany smash records and crash website servers. Nice. Go Stefani Meyer!–Variety

Mario Lopez will take any opportunity he can to show of his abs, including appearing on a lesbian hosts talk show. He’s so Hollywood. Dig–ExtraTV

Hasbeen actor, Bronson Pinchot adds to the homophobic rumors of Tom Cruise as he shares details about their time on the set of Risky Business together a million years ago. Tom can’t win. Cruise is either closted gay or a homophobe or a gay homophone with a beard wife. Poor Tom & Katie Holmes–HuffPo

Good Charlotte rocker Joel Madden says that he and Nicole Richie are not married, despite Star Magazine’s claims they are–GoodCharlotte

Adam Lambert does his version of rooftop singing. Amy Winehouse does have fake boobies her dad Mitch Winehouse declares and Jon Gosselin charges $11k for a radio appearance. WTF?!–E! Entertainment Online

And there you have it! To donate to a worthwhile cause, check out Khloe Kardashian’s favorite charity tweeted to her by Joey Parker one of her twitter fans who is a student (see how Twitter rocks?!), who believes in “changing the world, one blog at a time.” Love it. Donate to The Joey Parker Movement Project that benefits Africa here. Thank you all.

In the words of the Beatles… love is all you need. Nice one Khloe and Joey.

~Posted by Horiwod.Com in Hollywood California USA, 10.21.09~

Word on the streets say today is the day we learn of the status of Shyne’s release. Will he be released here in the USA, or in his native country of Belize? We don’t know. However, according to his uncle, things look like they may be working out in the Brooklyn MC’s favor. “He has been released from the prison and he is being attended to or being held by the immigration authorities,” Finnegan said in an interview. “The matter will be dealt with by a well known immigration lawyer and he is being supported by Professor Overtree, you know the guy that was connected to the Barack Obama campaign, well known professor, and as I understand from them while I was there yesterday, the process would want to appear to be looking kind of positive. But as a family we are not over, we don’t want to be too confident because any number can play once you’re dealing with court matters.” We wish him well & a safe return home. But what next?

Sean “Diddy” Combs has some definite ideas as to what will happen once Shyne is released. “It’s a blessing that he’s coming home,” Puff told DJ Absolut in an interview last month. “I spoke with him a couple weeks ago. He sounded like he was in good spirits. I know he can’t wait to get home. And I know he’s definitely gonna heat the whole scene up. He’s definitely gonna do it, you know what I’m saying, he definitely was one of the most talented young artists that I had the pleasure to work with so I’m quite sure he’s been using his time wisely and I’m quite sure he has some heat.”

Shyne’s rebuttal? “I want it known that this supposed conversation is a figment of Sean Combs’ imagination,” he says in a statement. “He never spoke with me, he never visited me nor would I ever accept a phone call or visit from him. The only way I would do either of those things would be if he stepped up and did the right thing for the victims of the incident.” OUCH! I don’t know what to say or think on that one. However, keep it tuned in here where we will bring you the LASTEST on this rollercoaster of events.

-”The BklynBandette”. Mr. Hollywood’s Co-Defendant.

When you have over 3 million twitter followers following you, like Sean Diddy Combs does, you don’t even have to record new albums anymore.

Diddy is partnering with Blackbook magazine, to create a new iPhone App. Diddy & Blackbook’s new venture will act as a guide to indicate over 15,000 top shops and restaurants.

Blackbook has partnered with other parties  in the same manner for  the iPhone Blackbook Guide series, with entities like:  Bravo, The CW and Modern Luxury.

If Diddy is smart, he will also write and record a new album called Diddy’s Blackbook: The Album to go with the launch of  his iPhone App. Sean Combs, sure is entrepreneurial!