Judge OKs Defamation Ruling Vs. Pa. Beauty Queen

A federal judge in New York has upheld an arbitrator's ruling that a Pennsylvania beauty queen must pay the Miss USA pageant $5 million for defaming Donald Trump's pageant organization.

Sheena Monnin resigned as Miss Pennsylvania last year, saying the Miss USA contest was rigged. She claimed another contestant learned the names of the top five finishers hours before the show was broadcast. Monnin said she decided to turn in her crown as soon as those same contestants were named during the show.

She posted a series of messages on Facebook and spoke publicly about her claims. Trump's Miss Universe Organization sued Monnin for defamation and an arbitrator ruled against her in December. The arbitrator said Monnin's allegations cost the pageant a $5 million fee from a potential 2013 sponsor.

Earlier this week, U.S. District Court Judge J. Paul Oetken upheld the arbitrator's decision. Monnin had sought to have it overturned based on three grounds: the arbitrator overstepped his authority, his decision disregarded law, and she didn't know the arbitration hearing was taking place. The judge disagreed.

Monnin, of Cranberry, Pa., said in a Facebook post Thursday evening that she is glad the truth is out there, regardless of the outcome.

"This is not about me being a 'sore loser' or wanting my '15 minutes of fame'" she wrote. "This is about the MUO's admission under oath that they manipulate the judges' results to suit their own ends. This is not what they advertise to the public."

Pageant organizers claimed Monnin resigned because she disagreed with a decision to allow transgender contestants. They made public text from an email they said Monnin sent citing the decision to allow natural-born males into the competition as the reason for her resignation. A transgender contestant was initially denied entry to the Miss Universe Canada pageant because she wasn't born female, but Trump overruled that decision.

Olivia Culpo of Rhode Island won the Miss USA pageant that year.

Monnin wrote on Facebook page that her legal fees amount to more than $50,000 and she needed financial support, including a link for donations.

Trump's lawyer said he applauded the judge's decision but was surprised Monnin stood by her story.

"I'm shocked to see that she has yet to learn her lesson. I thought she would be smarter the second time around," attorney Michael Cohen said.

An Empire State Building Light Show That Rivaled the Fireworks

The Empire State Building threw itself a bit of a dance party on Thursday night.

As fireworks exploded in a spectrum of colors over the Hudson River for the 37th Annual Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular, it was a new light show atop the world-famous building that caught many people’s attention.

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Whether it was grand or garish is a matter of opinion, but it was certainly different.

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When a new LED lighting system was installed on the building in 2012, it promised the opportunity to light up the skyline with 16 million colors. There have been several light shows since then that showed what the system could do. But on the Fourth, when all eyes were turned skyward, it seemed that every one of those colors illuminated the building at some point.

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“I know the Macy’s fireworks are amazing but the Empire State Building lights are stealing the show!!” proclaimed a tweet from a person named Damien Basile.

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The music for the program, called “It Begins With a Spark,” was chosen by the singer Usher, and the light show was created by the lighting design artist Marc Brickman to mirror the fireworks.

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When the new lighting system, from Philips Color Kinetics, was installed, it replaced an older system that required colored gels to be placed on top of static lamps to light up the building.

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Now, the colors can be programmed remotely to change at the stroke of a key. They also glow up to eight times brighter than the old lights.

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The building’s owners have promised to maintain strict standards on how the new lights will be used. For instance, no advertising is allowed.

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However, the Fourth of July offered an opportunity to show off a bit.

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“Partnering the world’s most famous building with the world’s most famous fireworks spectacular can only happen in New York City,” said Anthony E. Malkin, whose family controls the building, in a statement. “As the iconic feature of the New York City skyline, we are honored to have this opportunity to add our unmatchable LED lights to the celebration.”

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For those who prefer a more subdued palette, the schedule for lighting on the building calls for white/white/white until the end of the month.

Katy Perry Spends July 4 With John Mayer, Posts Pic of Them Snuggling Together

Katy Perry Tells 'Vogue': I'm Still "Madly In Love" With John Mayer

Katy Perry and John Mayer are no longer a couple, but her love for the “Say” crooner is far from gone.

spent the day with her on-again boyfriend John Mayer yesterday, and posted a pic on Instagram of them snuggling up together after he performed at the Fourth of July Jam in Philadelphia.

Katy Perry Tells Vogue: I'm Still "Madly In Love" With John Mayer

"Whose broad stripes and bright stars?" Katie captioned the pic which shows the pair in matching patriotic shirts in his tour bus, which was parked backstage.

She also Tweeted a pic of her red, white and blue nails.