THE STAR year in review: Top 5 entertainment stories for 2018

The year 2018 was another big one for entertainment, and THE STAR, the People Paper, was at the centre of all major happenings. It was a year that saw Buju Banton returning to Jamaica after nearly 10 years in the United States Federal system, Vybz Kartel's appeal against his murder conviction and life sentence was heard; Dalton Harris won the X Factor, and Spice shocked the world with a bleached image as she promoted her Black Hypocrisy single.

Today, as the year draws to a close, we share with you the top 5 entertainment stories based purely on online statistics.

1. Dalton Harris says 'I am not sleeping with a man'

Jamaica's Dalton won the The UK's X Factor and probably millions of adoring fans. Along the way, however, the singer found himself on the receiving end of some harsh criticisms after a photo surfaced of him being hugged by fellow X Factor contestant Brendan Murray. Dalton, who said he was disheartened by the negatives comment, used social media to declare, "I am a single man, not sleeping with a man".

"If you are so uncomfortable with your sexuality that you feel that two dudes hugging is gay, then so be it. At the end of the day, I am here living out my dream," he said in a video post on Instagram.

"If I didn't know myself I would have been broken today by all the ignorance! I would have actually believed what you thought of me, good thing I know exactly who I am and I am far from broken. I mean it when I say you have your life to fix so stop wasting time trying to break someone else's. You cannot touch me mentally or in any other way. So believe me when I say I am not phased," he posted.

2. Marlon Samuels threatens to sue Curvy Diva

Cricketer Marlon Samuels, the man who goes by the name the Icon, says he may sue Yanique 'Curvy Diva' Barrett for damage to his reputation.

Curvy Diva had social media in a frenzy one week in April after she released a series of tweets alleging that an unnamed male person with whom she was familiar, was vindictive and abusive.

The stylish right-handed batsman said that his name is being dragged through the mud and has asked the entertainer to "cease and desist".

"Failure to observe this request will result in legal action for an injunction against you to restrain you from further slandering and defaming my name and reputation," Samuels said in a statement yesterday.

The falling out between the two popular personalities is said to be founded in an unconfirmed and unsuccessful romantic relationship.

The matter has apperantly died.

3. Curvy Diva shocked by stylist's arrest

For almost a week, Yanique 'Curvy Diva' Barrett had been trying to get in contact with her stylist, Keshon Hawthorne. She made phone call after phone call as she sought his advice for outfits to wear for her performance with American rapper Safaree in Hartford, Connecticut in November.

"Keshon is not one to ignore phone calls and when I did not receive a call back I thought that something was seriously wrong with him," Curvy Diva said.

Well, the calls were not returned because her stylist was held overseas on drug charges.

4. Beenie Man cried when he learnt of Krystal's pregnancy

Krystal Tomlinson, the common-law wife of Beenie Man revealed in July that the dancehall artiste cried tears of joy when he learnt that he was about to become a father again.

Tomlinson and Beenie Man welcomed their first child together, a girl they called Xiah Amina, in October.

5. Shenseea opens up about past relationship with Prince Pine

Shenseea revealed in July that Prince Pine was her first love and that at least one of her songs was inspired by their relationship.

"I get inspiration from what I go through and sometimes what I see other people going through. I sing a lot about relationships," she said pointing out that her song Perfect Side Chick was about her relationship with Pine.

"That was personal for me. I was with a guy about three years ago and at the time, I think this guy was my first love which is Prince Pine. I did that song for Prince Pine and I wrote it from about 2016. When people listen that song they can really pinpoint what really went down," she said.