The singer shot to fame in 1998 with her debut track ‘Baby One More Time’, and during her time in the limelight she has been married twice, given birth to two children and suffered a public meltdown, which saw her hospitalised on an involuntary psychiatric hold in 2008 and her drama-filled life has resulted in her being named the most popular celeb on the web, according to search engine Ask Jeeves, reports contactmusic.com.

US leader Barack Obama, who was elected president last year, came in second, while soccer ace David Beckham was the third most searched for star.

Late British royal Diana, Princess of Wales and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair rounded out the top five.

He stole the show on a nightly basis during the American Idols Live! tour, battled with a label that was planning to release early songs he co-wrote and began touting his proper debut, on which he teamed with Lady Gaga producer RedOne (and though their collaboration didn’t make the final cut, Lambert did end up working with, Gaga herself).

In October, he premiered a delightfully over-the-top video for “Time for Miracles,” the first single from the “2012″ soundtrack. Then, in November, he began promoting his debut, For Your Entertainment, by closing out the American Music Awards with a shocking performance that featured nods to S&M, oral sex and some good old-fashioned guy-on-guy action. It was a display that rankled network censors (who cut out most of the graphic bits from the West Coast feed), created a firestorm of controversy and led to him being dropped from a scheduled appearance on ABC’s “Good Morning America.”

For his part, Lambert didn’t let the criticisms weigh him down. He refused to apologize for the AMA performance and worked very hard to continue the promotion for Entertainment, which would debut at #3 with sales of more than 198,000 copies (by comparison, “Idol” winner Kris Allen’s debut sold a paltry 80,000 in its first week). And when he was targeted by Eminem on the song “Elevator” (which used a little bit of wordplay to hide a very ugly anti-gay slur), he let it roll off his back, telling MTV News that he “didn’t take it personally.”

A lightning rod for controversy, a pop star bravely going where few have ventured (openly) before — Lambert was 2009. And we expect him to keep on pushing the envelope in 2010 too.

It’s unclear why they were stopped, but drug dogs smelled pot on one of the buses, and Lil’ Wayne and 11 members of his entourage were questioned and released without arrests being made, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

TMZ was first to report the drug dust-up. The star’s manager and agent have not commented on the incident.

Perhaps he should travel by rail. Lil’ Wayne, whose real name is Dwayne Carter, pleaded guilty in October to attempted criminal possession of a weapon in New York, a charge that stemmed from a 2007 traffic stop of his tour bus.

His plea deal calls for a year in jail in that case. Sentencing is scheduled for February.

Of course, the Jiggaman doesn’t always need an album to stay on people’s minds. Jay focused on music to start off the year, dropping original songs like “History” and “Brooklyn Go Hard,” which appeared on the “Notorious” soundtrack, and jumping on remixes such as DJ Khaled’s “Go Hard” and Young Jeezy’s “My President”.

Still, Hov couldn’t avoid some controversy in 2009. Jim Jones turned himself in to police in early January after getting involved in a physical altercation with one of Jay-Z’s associates at the New York Louis Vuitton store. Meanwhile, during Grammy weekend about a month later, Jay’s good friend and collaborator Rihanna was assaulted by Chris Brown. Jay spoke out publicly in support of his friend.

Grammy night turned out to be huge for Jay. He stole the show with a performance of “Swagga Like Us” with T.I., Kanye West, Lil Wayne and M.I.A. The song won for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. Jay also supported President Barack Obama, performing a concert in Washington, D.C., the night before Obama’s inauguration. Hov performed at the inaugural Neighborhood Ball as well.

Tearing up the stage was a Hova hallmark in 2009. He did special one-off shows with artists such as Kelly Clarkson, Eminem and Coldplay and toured over the summer with openers Ciara, Lupe Fiasco, and Fabolous. In the fall, he hit the road with N.E.R.D., Lupe Fiasco, J. Cole and Wale. Jay used the grand stage of New York’s Summer Jam for the first performance of “D.O.A.” On the track, which premiered on New York radio two days prior to the show, ignited some controversy, Jay voiced his disdain for hip-hop artists (not named Lil Wayne, Kanye West or T-Pain) saturating the market with their computer-enhanced vocals. The day before that, Jay announced a September 11 due date for Blueprint 3 (the LP would actually have to be released three days earlier to combat an early leak) and that he was partnering with Atlantic Records and the Warner Music Group for the venture.

Speaking of group ventures, Hov had the concert of the year, bringing Mary J. Blige, Rihanna, John Mayer, Diddy, Pharrell, Kid Cudi, Swizz Beatz, Kanye West and Beyoncé out for his “Answer the Call” concert at Madison Square Garden. The show benefited the families of firemen and police officers who died in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Days later, Jay and Alicia Keys had their first performance of the chart-topping “Empire State of Mind” at the Video Music Awards. Their set was elegant and ‘hood at the same time, and it was such a powerful moment, even Lil Mama couldn’t ruin it when she jumped onstage uninvited to pose with the two superstars.

Someone else who couldn’t ruin Jay-Z’s stride was Beanie Sigel. The former staple of the Roc-A-Fella family said Hov threw some sneak disses at him on Blueprint 3 and lashed out in interviews and dis records like “How I Could Just Kill Jigga Man.” 50 Cent jumped into the fray, calling out Jay. 50 foe the Game called out Hov earlier in the year as well. Jay ignored everyone for the most part, choosing not to respond in song.

Hov and Alicia Keys performed “Empire State of Mind” again during the World Series, and Jay closed out the New York Yankees’ World Series victory parade with the song. Jay and Keys would also perform the track at the American Music Awards.

Jay and his wife, Beyoncé, closed out the year on a very high note, partying and celebrating life at Hov’s 40th birthday celebration in the Dominican Republic.

It wasn’t the kind of role we’re used to seeing pop stars play, and for much of the year, Rihanna kept silent about it, even as reports of previous abuse by Brown began to surface, and details about the incident began to surface. When she finally broke her silence, it was with a simple statement, issued through her representatives, which said that she would not make any further comment on the matter.

She reportedly reconciled with Brown, but, after intense media scrutiny, ended the relationship. And this is where the second part of her remarkable transformation began: Rihanna went from being a victim to an empowered, driven, fiercely independent artist. And that voyage is what makes her our #3 woman of the year.

The singer showcased her infamous curves in a figure-hugging silver sequin mini-dress.

And Lopez, 40, was clearly in the Christmas mood, performing a festive rendition of her hit single, Louboutins.

Her eye-catching outfit seemed in contrast to the star’s recent comments in a US magazine interview, where she said motherhood had “changed me”.

Lopez, who welcomed the birth of twins nearly two years ago, told Allure they had given her a new outlook on life.

“To a certain extent, having children did change me, but it made me want to look at the places that I wasn’t great and learn to love myself and take care of myself more,” she said.

Leona Lewis also made a special appearance on last night’s So You Think You Can Dance final.

The series, hosted by Cat Deeley, ended with 20-year-old Russell Ferguson taking home the $250,000 prize.

The former Take That star has stayed in touch with Murs since performing with him on last weekend’s talent show final.

In an interview with The Sun, Murs, 25, said Williams had even invited him to travel to his home in Los Angeles.

“Robbie’s a really good mate of mine now. Great lad – we just clicked straight away,” Murs said.

“He rang me and told me he was gutted I didn’t win, but that he wishes me all the best.

“He wants me to go to his house in LA after the X Factor tour. He’s got a football pitch in his garden and wants me to come over and play football with him.”

The singer, who lost in the final to Joe McElderry, also said he hoped the pair could work together in the future.

“He’s an incredible guy, but I’ve got to focus on getting a pop career now or I’ll have nothing to sing,” he added.

Meanwhile, X Factor winner McElderry is currently behind US band Rage Against The Machine in the race to be this year’s UK Christmas number one.

The photographers shoot Justin (cleanly shaved all decked out in a suit) with Dania, which was the former Heroes star to walk around with holding hands.

Meryl Streep, Sandra Bullock, Anna Paquin and Matt Damon all woke up to twice the Golden Globes good news – each earning two nominations – but not everyone was celebrating Tuesday morning. Access Hollywood runs down the biggest Globes snubs and surprises.

Lee Daniels might have directed arguably the most powerful film of 2009, “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire,” but he was left out of the race for Best Director – making him the only director whose film was nominated for Best Picture – Drama not to receive a nomination. His two leading ladies, Gabourey Sidibe and Mo’ Nique, did receive honors for their work though

The cast of “The Hangover” was also snubbed by the Globes. Their hilarious comedy might have received a nomination for Best Picture – Comedy or Musical, but stars Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Zach Galifianakis didn’t get a congratulatory phone call this morning.

Some other comedy actors not laughing are Zooey Deschanel, who was not recognized for her work in “(500) Days Of Summer” (her co-star Joseph Gordon-Levitt did earn a nod) and Ryan Reynolds, who didn’t get any love for his work in “The Proposal,” (co-star Sandra Bullock got one of her two nods for this comedy hit).

“District 9,” which won over critics and audiences this summer, only received a nomination for Best Screenplay – many were hoping to see the South African sci-fi film earn a Best Picture nomination.

In other sci-fi snubs, Trekkies/Trekkers, our very own Scott “Movie” Mantz and sci-fi fan boys everywhere were hoping that J.J. Abrams’ “Star Trek” remake would also earn a nomination, but don’t expect to the Vulcan sign to be flashed from the stage at this year’s awards show.

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the morning was a nomination for Julia Roberts, who starred in the box-office flop, “Duplicity.” Really?! Who even saw this movie?

The Globes also dished out its fair share of small screen snubs too.

Amy Poehler – whose NBC comedy “Parks and Recreation” hit an amazing stride in its second season, failed to earn any nominations. Jim Parsons was passed over for his hilarious work on CBS’ “Big Bang Theory” as was Mary-Louise Parker for her stellar work in Showtime’s “Weeds”

The once critical and audience darling, “Desperate Housewives” will be a complete no-show at this year’s Globes, not receiving a single nomination. Also conspicuously missing from this year’s Best Television Series – Drama, ABC’s “Lost,” FOX’s “24” AMC’s “Breaking Bad” and FX’s “Damages” and “Sons of Anarchy.”

After more than three years of absent, the Obsessed singer will launch her first North American tour on December 31 at New York’s Madison Square Garden.

The ‘Angels Advocate’ tour is planned to go about eight weeks long, and will be visiting nineteen cities. The tour will act as one of promotion campaigns for Carey’s latest album, Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel, which apparently hasn’t been sold satisfyingly. According to Nielsen SoundScan, the album has sold 344,000 copies in the United States so far, definitely needs some boost.

Tickets for the majority of the shows will go on sale on Saturday, and the tour will wrap on February 27 at The Pearl Concert Theater in Las Vegas. Mimi fans, get ready to grab the tickets!