Some stars’ Twitter followers count may be padded

JACLYN is not ready to make nice.

It used to be easy, determining a star’s popularity: Just keep tab of banner-waving, card-carrying members of fan clubs.

In the advent of the Net, the new measure is the number of a star’s Twitter followers. Marketing and advertising experts have come to rely on this to see who’s hot and who’s not.

A scandal is currently rocking the Twitter-verse, with a controversial website alleging that Popular Celebs have been padding their numbers. The website says many of the followers of PC1 and PC2, totaling in the millions, are actually “inactive” accounts and that some have been “bought.”

This surely merits deeper investigation. Are there companies that specialize in bolstering the Twitter profiles of public figures by creating fake accounts and “following” away?

KAKAI Bautista says she’s happy about rumored romance. facebook photo

Then again, dishonest practices such as this one are not unheard of in the biz. It’s not far removed from studios augmenting box-office grosses by P20 million via creative accounting.

Or actors who buy awards.

Vote buyers

Speaking of which… Election time is months away, but a Rushes mole caught Pretty Starlet in the act of vote-buying.

Our source claims that PS personally handed out cash meant to convince people to give her a coveted trophy. Maybe PS is a control freak?

Actor-Politico was guilty of the same crime, said the stunned mole. AP garnered enough votes for another title given that same night—for a measly fee per person .

How cheap!

Slow but sure

Handsome Hunk insists that he’s a “slowpoke” with girls.

Observers are not convinced. After all, HH knocked up Flamboyant Costar’s sister years ago.

HH has yet to own up and acknowledge the child as his own. Quick, there’s enough time before Father’s Day.

Papa, can you hear me?

Molested druggie

Picked up from the INQUIRER tabloid Bandera:

Promising Hunk blames Influential Mentor for his downward spiral. Armchair psychologists suspect it’s because IM molested PH.

Since that unfortunate incident, PH’s behavior has been erratic. If he showed up to work at all, he was tardy—and IM was only too willing to make excuses for him.

Stunning Siblings supposedly introduced PH to drugs, too. As a result, he became even more unreliable and would often show up in public smelly, sweaty. Needless to say, IM has dropped PH.

Summer siren

Heard on the Radyo Inquirer show “Kliq Showbiz” (dzIQ 990 AM, Monday to Friday, 3 to 5 p.m.): A perfect summertime treat.

Jobless Sexy Starlet found a lucrative sideline. She inhabits beach resorts, trolling for wealthy and generous old men. Her persistence has paid off big time. She can now take relatives on shopping sprees abroad. Courtesy of the DOMs?

Top of the Talk Shows

For those who missed last weekend’s TV gabfests (And why we are moved, if we are moved):

Ynna Asistio on why she and boyfriend Mark Herras almost broke up: “Sobrang busy siya; walang time for me. Hinihintay ko pa ring magkita kami at mag-usap.” (That’s show biz, honey.)

Paolo Ballesteros, asked if he has come out: “Walang dapat itago. What you see is what you get.” (Nice one!)

Paolo, asked if he’s looking for romance: “Kung may dumating, go. Pero ’di ko hinahanap kasi busy sa work. Pagdating ko sa bahay, andun ’yung anak ko. At ang dami ko namang mga friends.” (Ah, clarity!)

Jaclyn Jose, asked if a reconciliation with Albie Casiño is possible: “Sana huwag na.” (Winner!)

Louise de los Reyes on breaking up with Enzo Pineda: “’Di lang ako nawalan ng boyfriend, nawalan din ako ng best friend.” (You’ll be fine.)

Krista Kleiner after her breakup with Jay-R: “I’d like to move on. I’m in a way better place. I’m really happy and I just want to keep positive.” (Got that. Stay there.)

Empress Schuck, asked if her posing for FHM was her way of rebelling against her parents: “Gusto ko lang ipakita sa mga tao na kaya ko na ang mature roles.” (Naked does not equal mature; it just means naked.)

Kakai Bautista on people bashing her for her rumored relationship with Mario Maurer: “Bahala kayo sa buhay ni’yo. Basta ako masaya.” (Oo nga naman!)

Kathryn Bernardo’s advice to aspiring actresses: “Walang imposible basta gusto mo.” (Like, Daniel?)

Enchong Dee, asked if he was invited to Julia Montes’ debut: “I got the invitation but I declined… It’s her night. Gusto ko lahat naka-focus sa kanya.” (How rare.)

Shaina Magdayao on being linked to Piolo Pascual: “Parang pangit pangunahan at bigyan ng malisya ’yung friendship na ino-offer niya sa ’kin.” (Pero may offer?)

(Startalk, The Buzz)