Inside Scarlett Johansson and Sean Penn's Split

Inside Scarlett Johansson and Sean Penn's Split

This spring, Scarlett Johansson and Sean Penn became one of Hollywood's most unlikely couples -- and just as we were getting used to them, they broke it off. Neither actor issued a statement on the breakup. And while it's possible that they simply looked at each other one day and went, "Hmm, this is kinda weird," we imagine the split was more complicated. The obvious theory is that the 24-year age difference (she's 26, he's 50) came between them. But that doesn't answer the big question: Who broke up with whom?

According to Us Weekly, it was Penn who initiated the split -- and Johansson is not over it. The magazine's source claims that Penn is still hurting from his 2010 divorce from Robin Wright. The insider claims that Scarlett -- also recently divorced, from Ryan Reynolds -- is the one who pursued a relationship with Penn in the first place. After the breakup of his marriage, says the source, Sean didn't want anything "serious," and the relationship with Scarlett was too close for comfort. So he decided to call it quits.

And yet, just days after their split, the ex-couple was hanging out together at the Spike TV Guys Choice Awards. What's up with that? According to Us Weekly, Johansson isn't ready to say goodbye, and she got kind of aggressive about it.

"She pushed herself into (Penn's) conversations," says a witness from the Guy's Choice Awards. "She sat down between him and Robert De Niro. Robert was like 'What?' and made a face."

Can you imagine any man complaining about Scarlett sitting next to him? Maybe De Niro just really hates interruptions. Anyhow, the source says that Johansson also insisted on getting her photo taken with Penn at the event.

"A photographer asked for a shot," says the insider. "Before Sean could say no, she said yes." The result was this photo that made the Interweb rounds earlier this week.

Before you brand Scarlett a stalker, though, here's another take from Popeater. The website spoke to a friend of Johansson's, who said that the actress is just really committed to staying friends with her exes.

"If you remember after Scarlett confirmed her split from husband Ryan the two continued to see each other and have dinner together," says the pal. "She is incredible. Just because you are no longer with someone doesn't mean you stop caring about them and never want to see them again. She still cares a great deal about Sean and couldn't imagine seeing him at an event or award show and not saying hello. Only children act like that!"

Well -- children and people who have just broken off a semi-serious relationship. We admire your stiff upper lip, Scarlett, but just so you know, spending a few days at home with a pint of ice cream is totally okay!

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Justin Bieber's Grammy Performance Will Be 'A Crossover,' Usher Says

The 'O.M.G.' singer looks forward to sharing the stage with his protégé on Sunday night.
By James Montgomery


Usher
Photo: Amanda Edwards/ Getty Images

HOLLYWOOD — At Sunday's 53rd Grammy Awards, Usher will be pulling double duty as both a nominee and a performer. Of course, given the massive year he just completed — with the success of his smash single "O.M.G." and as a mentor to rising phenom Justin Bieber — Ush's Grammy plans seem rather fitting.

Especially since he'll be performing with Bieber (and Bieber's pal Jaden Smith), a move that's just as much about celebrating Usher's successes as it is the successes of his young protégé.

"Having been through [the Grammys] so many times, you couldn't want for anything more than for your young protégé to have the opportunity to have one, so, in support of him having his moment, I wanted to be here," Usher told MTV News on Thursday, hours before his performance at the (Belvedere) RED launch party in Hollywood. "And also to be there to perform, to kind of tell the story of how we came together. This music business has definitely been good to both of us, and this year we have a lot to be happy for."

And just how will the dynamic duo tell that story? Well, Usher wasn't about to reveal all the details, but he did say that he's hoping their performance will show another side of Bieber ... a side most tend to overlook.

"The performance will be fun," Usher explained. "We want to get up there and just do what we do. Be comfortable, and have a great time. ... This is kind of a crossover for Justin. Having performed on so many different stages, this is the way that I wanted him to be seen and an opportunity to show the industry — a lot of the industry, that didn't believe [in him] — some of his other talents. He's going to play acoustically, and also, we'll get down a little bit."

And though Ush is up for a pair of Grammy awards on Sunday — Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and Best Contemporary R&B Album for Raymond v. Raymond — he's most looking forward to sharing the stage with Bieber and giving fans a look at where the young artist will be heading next.

"I'm very proud, man. I definitely saw it from the beginning, but thanks to the team that we have around us, it was made to happen. And that story has only just begun," Usher said. "The story of Justin Bieber doesn't stop with screaming girls; we need screaming fans all around the world ... a cultural experience that's much more than just fanfare. And that's what this is. That's what the Grammys will be; that's what my next phase for Justin is. This is the way I found him: I found him with a guitar in his hand, so I want him to be seen that way."

Don't miss "Snooki & Sway: Live From the Grammys," a red-carpet live stream kicking off Sunday at 6 p.m. ET on MTV.com. And stick with us all Grammy night for coverage of the red carpet, the show, the afterparties and beyond!

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Monet Mazur Autumn Reeser Gwen Stefani Emmanuelle Chriqui

Rihanna Concert Fashion Fail!

Rihanna is a hot mess in this weeks fashion fail! Here is girlfriend performing on stage during her ‘Loud Tour’ at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. What the heck is she wearing? First of all, you know I am not digging her red hair, but it actually looks good all curly and stuff. Better than that Jessica Rabbit wannabe ?ish she was sportin?. But what is the outfit supposed to be? It looks like one of those soda top belts, all mashed up into an ugly bathing suit. I get it okay? Everything has been done when it comes to fashion, but do we need to wear ugly crap to make a statement? Put some clothes on girl, and get some style! Photos: www.wenn.com/Dominic Chan

Alecia Elliott Chelsea Handler Malia Jones Kelly Clarkson

2011 Academy Awards Nominees

2010 Academy Awards

Here's the complete list of Oscar nominees is as follows: Best Picture 'Black Swan' 'The Fighter' 'Inception' 'The Kids Are All Right' 'The King?s Speech' '127 Hours' 'The Social Network' 'Toy Story 3' 'True Grit' 'Winter?s Bone' Best Director Darren Aronofsky, 'Black Swan' David O'Russell, 'The Fighter' Tom Hooper, 'The King's Speech' David Fincher, 'The Social Network' Joel and Ethan Coen, 'True Grit' Best Actor Javier Bardem, 'Biutiful' Jeff Bridges, 'True Grit' Jesse Eisenberg, 'The Social Network' Colin Firth, 'The King's Speech' James Franco, '127 Hours' Best Actress Annette Bening, 'The Kids Are All Right' Nicole Kidman, 'Rabbit Hole' Jennifer Lawrence, 'Winter's Bone' Natalie Portman, 'Black Swan' Michelle Williams, 'Blue Valentine' Best Supporting Actor Christian Bale, 'The Fighter' John Hawkes, 'Winter's Bone' Jeremy Renner, 'The Town' Mark Ruffalo, 'The Kids Are All Right' Geoffrey Rush, 'The King's Speech' Best Supporting Actress Amy Adams, 'The Fighter' Helena Bonham Carter, 'The King's Speech' Melissa Leo, 'The Fighter' Hailee Steinfeld, 'True Grit' Jacki Weaver, 'Animal Kingdom' Best Animated Feature Film 'How to Train Your Dragon' 'Illusionist' 'Toy Story 3' Best Foreign Film Mexico - 'Biutiful' Greece - 'Dogtooth' Denmark - 'In a Better World' Canada - 'Incendies' Algeria - 'Outside the law' Best Original Screenplay 'Another Year' 'The Fighter' 'Inception' 'The Kids Are All Right' 'The King's Speech' Best Adapted Screenplay '127 Hours' 'The Social Network' 'Toy Story 3' 'True Grit' 'Winter's Bone' The 2011 Academy Awards will be hosted by Anne Hathaway and James Franco and will broadcast live on ABC on Sunday February 27th. [gallery=748]

Rosario Dawson