Hollywood Hits and Misses: Winter 2011

Justin Bieber pulled off a box-office coup in February with the launch of his 3-D concert movie and life story called “Never Say Never.” Cashing in on the worldwide Bieber Fever outbreak, Justin and his director Jon Chu delivered a documentary that even managed to sway many of his harshest critics. By mid-March the film had grossed more than $80 million globally -- a big number compared to the Jonas Brothers’ 2009 “3D Concert Experience,” which failed to make even $25 million internationally, according to Box Office Mojo.  (Jonathan Short / Associated Press)

John Galliano, the noted British fashion designer, was fired by the French fashion house Christian Dior for saying he “loved Hitler,” and he’ll be facing trial in France over the remarks. Oscar-winner Natalie Portman, who is the face of the Miss Dior Cherie fragrance, railed against the designer and said she would no longer be associated with him. Speculation about whether he would appear at Dior’s Fashion Week show circulated among fashionistas, but the show went on without its designer. His own namesake brand’s show went on as well, in an informal setting. Galliano, who has since checked himself into rehab, also acquired an unlikely ally in Whoopi Goldberg.  (Michel Euler / Associated Press)

Pop stars Mariah Carey, Beyoncé, Nelly Furtado and 50 Cent recently said they had renounced millions of dollars from performing for members of Libyan strongman Moammar Kadafi‘s family. Even though the funds were donated to worthy causes, the artists drew much attention to a growing and controversial cultural phenomenon: celebrity artists being hired by rich, powerful and sometimes disreputable clients to play at private or semi-private functions.  (Imre Foeldi / EPA)

Sorry, Beliebers. Your beloved teen heartthrob Justin lost out to the considerably lesser-known jazz vocalist and bassist. Grow up, get over it, and leave Spalding’s Wikipedia page alone.

-- Whitney Friedlander  (Gabriel Bouys / AFP/Getty Images)

The Super Bowl singer flubbed the national anthem but tried to make up for it during an Aretha Franklin tribute at the Grammys. But soon after, she and boyfriend Matt Rutler were arrested on suspicion of being publicly intoxicated and driving under the influence, respectively. She won’t be facing criminal charges, but that same week it was revealed that the “Burlesque” singer-actress would serve time -- as a mentor for NBC‘s newest talent show, “The Voice.” That’s one of the quickest comebacks we’ve seen in a while, but hey, at least Pink’s glad she’s not as sloppy as her cohort.  (Christopher Polk / Getty Images)

God created man. Man created Watson. Watson went on to crush man on the TV game show “Jeopardy!” But Watson hasn’t declared itself God ... yet. For now, the IBM-created device is reveling in its $77,147 haul after blowing away former “Jeopardy!” champions Ken Jennings, left, and Brad Rutter. For a ratings ploy that made the 27th season of “Jeopardy!’s” current run a headline grabber, it’s a hit. For a snapshot of the coming battle of humans versus the machines, we give this one a terrified miss.  (Carol Kaelson / Associated Press)

A March 2011 NEA study showed that fewer young blacks and Latinos are attending art events. Is this because childhood arts education is slipping from public school classrooms? Is it because those who are fans of the arts aren’t as diverse in their arts love and may only stick to one genre, such as just going to the theater? In any case, it’s a troubling development.

-- Whitney Friedlander  (Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times)

Justin Bieber, the Canadian pop star whose 3-D biopic “Never Say Never” had girls going gaga, cut off his signature locks that he loved to whip back and forth. Teenage hearts everywhere likely shattered, but the Biebs, who also stepped out with girlfriend Selena Gomez at the Vanity Fair Oscar party, auctioned off the locks of freshly cut hair to benefit an animal-rescue foundation. The hair fetched $40,668 on EBay.   (Joel Ryan / Associated Press)

Radiohead fans were treated to a video as well as a digital download of the new album a day earlier than expected, bringing much happiness to the webosphere. Though critics are mixed about the album, at least the fans got to see Thom Yorke in a bowler hat.  (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

Reality TV starlet Kim Kardashian proved that she should stick to what she knows when trying to stay famous. While we’re not exactly sure what it is about her that generates her fan base, we have determined that it’s not her singing voice. When she released her single “Jam (Turn It Up),” she proved that her sleepy voice is better suited to narrating “Kourtney and Kim Take New York” than carrying a beat. Even Conan O’Brien tried to exterminate the song the best way he knew how: with a full-size replica of the Angry Birds game. But props to Kim K for donating the proceeds on the song to cancer research.   (D Dipasupil / Getty Images)

Though he at first contended that the negatives he bought at a Fresno garage sale were taken by Ansel Adams, Rick Norsigian has backed down from linking them to the famous photographer. He gained national attention, but all the excitement fizzled when the possible “lost negatives” weren’t verified to be lost at all.

-- Lora Victorio  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)