Tom Cruise tweets shirtless 'Rock of Ages' photo

Tom Cruise treated fans to a sneak peek of his latest character, Stacee Jaxx in "Rock of Ages," via Twitter on Friday. The shirtless pic proves he’s still got it, even at 48.

With his long flowing hair, bad boy tats, leather boots and seriously toned arms, he could be the envy of every '80s rocker. Better yet, he gets to cover "Wanted Dead or Alive" by Bon Jovi.

But can he sing? The answer is yes, according to his wife, Katie Holmes. Tom “is such an amazing performer,” she tells Access Hollywood. “The voice is incredible.”

Of course, Cruise did his research and took in a live performance of the show at the Pantages Theatre in February, before officially signing on. The Broadway musical and the film both follow a small-town girl and a boy from south Detroit who move to L.A. in 1987 to follow their rock 'n' roll dreams.

Adam Shankman is directing the A-list film cast, which also includes Alec Baldwin, Russell Brand, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Mary J. Blige. The movie is set to open June 1, 2012.

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First Look: Alec Baldwin, Russell Brand picture tweeted from 'Rock of Ages'

-- Emily Christianson

Photo: Tom Cruise on the set of "Rock of Ages." Credit: Adam Shankman / Lockerz.com

First Look: Alec Baldwin, Russell Brand picture tweeted from 'Rock of Ages'

How's this for proof that Alec Baldwin is making beautiful music with "Rock of Ages"?

The on-again-off-again casting of Baldwin in the movie version of the Broadway stage show, finally resolved as "on," has given unto Twitter a first look at Baldwin and costar Russell Brand in character.

And what a couple of characters. There's not a hint of Baldwin's award-winning "30 Rock" persona Jack Donaghy to be found — this Baldwin is windswept hippie with blond hair, 12 o'clock shadow and Navajo denim vest.

The picture was uploaded by "Ages" director Adam Shankman, who said, "First look! World premiere! Russell and Alec making my life heaven on #rockofagesmovie."

Baldwin plays Dennis Dupree, a has-been rock star and owner of a local watering hole. Brand plays narrator Lonny. "Ages" also stars Tom Cruise, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Malin Ackerman and Paul Giamatti.

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— Matt Donnelly
twitter.com/MattDonnelly

Photo: Russell Brand and Alec Baldwin take a jaunt through the decades for "Rock of Ages." Credit: Adam Shankman / Lockerz.com

'Glee' guys rock out to Rebecca Black's 'Friday' in prom episode

Eat your heart out, Rebecca Black. Leave it to "Glee" to turn the manufactured teen singer's "Friday" song cool.

Mark Salling, Kevin McHale and Chord Overstreet covered the viral single from the eighth-grader in the series' "Prom Queen" episode, which aired Tuesday night. Listen to the audio version here.

The episode, which marked a much-awaited return to "Glee's" Season 1 glory days, did not disappoint. Neither did the upbeat male version of the obnoxious song. (OK, the Stephen Colbert-Taylor Hicks-the Roots version on  "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" was pretty awesome too. Why is it that this song is only good when someone else sings it??)

"@gleeonfox did GREAT with Friday! Loved the WHOLE episode!" Black tweeted.

But who was the mastermind behind the idea to include the ultra-poppy anthem? That'd be Salling.

"The goal that I had going in with the song was to have fun, fun, fun, fun." Salling said. He also, applying his own brand of charming sarcasm, called it a "digital masterpiece."

The boys even did a dance that incorporated New Directions choreography and some moves from Black's teeny-bopper crush: Justin Bieber, who also sang a few bars from the AutoTuned song at a recent concert.

We'd been expecting some sort of life lesson about bullying from Matthew Morrison's Mr. Schuester, but instead the cast just had fun with the song and so did we -- in a non-mocking, shut-up-Rebecca-Black sort of way.

'Glee': Full episode recaps

The prom episode had been at the center of scandal last month after a wayward tweet from former extra Nicole Crowther prompted the wrath of producer Brad Falchuk. But even with the spoiled outcome "Prom Queen" still had enough pizazz and solid performances to keep us weary viewers happy. The return of Jonathan Groff as Jesse St. James didn't hurt either.

What'd you think of the Puck-Artie-Sam cover of "Friday"?

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-- Nardine Saad
twitter.com/NardineSaad

Photo: From left, Puck (Mark Salling), Artie (Kevin McHale) and Sam (guest star, Chord Overstreet) perform in the "Prom Queen" episode of "Glee" on Tuesday. Credit: Adam Rose / Fox

'Glee' extra Nicole Crowther fired for revealing prom king and queen on Twitter

"Glee" extra Nicole Crowther was fired from the hit show for tweeting spoilers about the upcoming prom episode, specifically, who would be prom queen and king.

The somewhat cryptic message was understandable to fans of the show, and "Glee" co-creator Brad Falchuk was less than pleased about the leak. So he went off on the actress, which ultimately resulted in Crowther deactivating her Twitter account and getting the boot from the Fox show.

Those Gleeks don't mess around.

SPOILER ALERT: Do NOT click on the upcoming link if you prefer to be in the dark. Read the tweet here.

A series of angry messages from Gleeks bombarded the micro-blogging site after Crowther sent out the spoilerific tweet, which prompted Falchuk to speak out.

"Who are you to spoil something talented people have spent months to create? Hope you're qualified to do something besides work in entertainment," he tweeted to the regular extra.

Ouch. And so Crowther was fired from the Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning Fox show.

"They are not doing reshoots because of my careless mistake so shut up haters and leave me alone. Grow up and get a life," was her final tweet before deactivating her account.

However, a source close to the show said standard Screen Actors Guild day-player union contracts used by the show do not contain non-disclosure agreements, which lay out punishments when plot secrets are blabbed, so the legal ramifications are less serious.

But still, she better watch her back or else she might be thrown up against a locker or get a slushie to the face. Just saying.

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-- Nardine Saad
twitter.com/NardineSaad

Photo: "Glee" creators Brad Falchuk, left, and Ian Brennan, right. Credit: Michael Buckner / Getty Images

Cher, theatrical? Why yes -- enough that there's a show in the works

Plastic surgery jokes aside, it looks like someone is finally turning back time for Cher.

Producer Andy Fickman recently confessed he's developing a "theatrical" piece drawn from the singer's career and epic personal life. 

"We'll be making announcements about that project coming together shortly. She's a fairly phenomenal character. Cher, as a human being, I think she's one of the great icons of all time, a force to be reckoned with," he said.

Details are scarce, but an obvious question is in regards to music -- will the show consist ...

Jonas Brothers, Demi Lovato premiere 'Camp Rock 2'

Joe Jonas and Demi Lovato showed why it pays to stay all the way to the end of a movie, popping on stage Wednesday after the "Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam" premiere in New York to sing the duet "Wouldn't Change a Thing" from the movie's soundtrack.

Much audience shrieking ensued, according to People, which deemed the surprise performance a hit.

Kevin and Nick Jonas, little brother Frankie Jonas and "Camp" costar Alyson Stoner were among those hitting the red carpet outside Alice Tully Hall in New York's Lincoln Center for the premiere. "Camp Rock 2" airs Sept. 3 on Disney Channel. 

-- Christie D'Zurilla

Photos: Minnie and Mickey Mouse smooch Demi Lovato on the "Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam" premiere red carpet Wednesday in New York City. Kevin Jonas, left, Nick Jonas and Joe Jonas pose with 9-year-old brother Frankie Jonas, front. Credits: Jemal Countess / Getty Images

Related dispatches from the Ministry of Gossip:

Demi Lovato hearts Kelly Clarkson, and Bill O'Reilly hearts Demi Lovato

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The Jonas Brothers, elder statesmen of Kids' Choice Awards [video]

Kevin Jonas marries Danielle Deleasa, winter wonderland style!

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Kate Hudson and A-Rod: Are they or aren't they?

Are Kate Hudson and Alex Rodriguez a grand slam or benched?

Fine, we'll leave the sports references in more capable hands. Still, speculation is rampant that the seven months' strong lovebirds are dunzo.

HollywoodLife.com reported Monday that Rodriguez had a wild party weekend in Miami, schmoozing with models and female fans and "acting single." Perhaps he should leave the acting to Kate.

Today Us magazine has sources supposedly confirming the rift, saying Hudson's thirst for publicity surrounding the relationship has driven A-Rod away.

"Alex wanted someone who was more interested in building a long-term relationship than just building their profile," the insider said.

Though, mystery of mysteries, on David Letterman's show Thursday night, Hudson actually answered some of Dave's questions about A-Rod and their "fun" summer of day games and party nights. (The video is below -- decide for yourself if she's all giggly and in love, or getting kind of peeved.)

Fergie and Josh Duhamel just fine at 'Nine' premiere

It may be time to call off the dogs: Fergie and Josh Duhamel seem just fine.

The young marrieds were affectionate and sweet, attached at the hip Wednesday night at the Los Angeles premiere of her new flick, "Nine."

At Mann's Village, stars Nicole Kidman and Penelope Cruz caught the film for the first time on the West Coast, along with director Rob Marshall, Taye Diggs and Idina Menzel, Jeremy Piven, Larry King and funny gal Sarah Silverman.

Despite rumors of a marital rift, Duhamel was the perfect movie buddy, grabbing popcorn and soda for his bride just before the lights went down.

The screening, at which the film received rounds of applause after every big number, led to an intimate after-party at the Sunset Tower Hotel.

There producer Harvey Weinstein welcomed Fergie and Duhamel once again, as well as Piven, Harry Hamlin and Lisa Rinna, and "Dexter" actress Julie Benz.

No word on where Kidman and Cruz skipped off to -- perhaps down the street from Sunset Tower, where actor Leonardo DiCaprio hosted a private bash of his own at Chateau Marmont.

"Nine" opens Christmas Day. Check out how it's stacking up in the race for Oscar gold, and click onward to see a snuggly Josh and Fergie, plus links to stories about the costumes, sneak peek videos and more. 

Who needs Hannah Montana? Cody Linley headed to Broadway

Sorry, Disney! Blond heartthrob Cody Linley is decamping the Mouse for the Great White Way.

The 20-year-old will star in a Broadway revival of "Over Here!," a military musical documenting life in America post WWII, according to RadarOnline.

Check out Linley's ability to emote in the video above, which has him chatting with "Dancing With the Stars" partner Julianne Hough and Dr. Drew Pinsky about Julianne's surgery.

Linley, who played the hunky Jake Ryan on "Hannah Montana" and was rumored to have dated Miley Cyrus in real life, will join a list of prestigious actors for the show.

Just add sequins: In 'Nine,' Kate Hudson emerges as a song-and-dance diva

The rock 'n' roll flick "Almost Famous" wasn't Kate Hudson's first movie, but it was the first that made big audiences give her a big "wow." As Penny Lane, she was almost perfect as the groupie young enough to get someone arrested, but fabulous enough to get away with it.

Now she's kicking it up a notch with her song-and-dance prowess in "Nine," above. Before seeing this "ET" clip of Hudson singing (and dancing to) "Cinema Italiano," who knew?

Looks as if  something must've rubbed off during her marriage to Black Crowes frontman Chris Robinson. Maybe mom Goldie Hawn gave her a few tips? Or maybe not.

We can't imagine that boyfriend A-Rod would be pushing Kate toward a music career -- not after his whole Madonna kerfuffle. Still, maybe he prefers Kate's singing.

The movie, which also stars Daniel Day-Lewis, Penélope Cruz, Nicole Kidman, Sophia Loren, Judi Dench and Fergie, opens in L.A. and New York on Dec. 18 and goes wide on Christmas.

Says Kate's character Stephanie, a film critic for American Vogue: "Style is the new content! It's what my readers love ... they want to live in an Italian movie."

To which we say, "Ciao!"

Hit the jump to see Kate singing along to "Tiny Dancer" in "Almost Famous" (eSmooches to Cameron Crowe), plus more surprising movie-star song turns.