Backstage at KROQ's Acoustic Christmas, Fall Out Boy frontman Patrick Stump and bassist/lyricist Patrick Wentz were trying to get over their Grammy nomination for Best New Artist. "My friend text-messaged me, and I was absolutely certain she was making fun of me or something," Stump said, shortly before the pair rushed off to catch a triumphant set from Nine Inch Nails. "It's really hard to think of yourself that way, because Keane is a great band, and John Legend is phenomenal . . . So we're like, 'Alright, how do we fit in there?'" Although the Chicago rockers are not predicting victory, they absolutely plan to be in the house. "We've seen it on TV, but we weren't even good enough to fill seats last year," Wentz added. The best part about the nomination? Getting some respect from their parents. "They are finally OK with us not going to college," Stump said. "Now they're like, 'Hey, be on the road all the time. I'll clean your room, it's cool'" . . .
Kelly Osbourne was among those at L.A.'s Smashbox studios for the Hollywood Habitat for Humanity and Save the Children benefit put on by Bruce Willis' foundation. Despite second thoughts about being one of the participants in a celebrity gaming tournament -- "My forte is not video games at all" -- Osbourne was happy to be involved. "It's a charity thing, so I figured I might as well get off my lazy ass," she said. "They're building homes for the hurricane victims, while I'm sitting in my house." As an added bonus for her good deed, she -- along with No Doubt's Tony Kanal, Michelle Trachtenberg, Tony Hawk, and Dave Navarro -- saw performances from the Bravery, Hot Hot Heat and the Like, who particularly impressed Osbourne. "The Like are amazing," she said. "[Singer Z. Berg] has such a sexy voice -- she's a mix between Deborah Harry and Bjork" . . .
Osbourne isn't the only Like devotee in L.A., as the rock trio got on the bill because of some powerful advocates. "We just found out that Bruce Willis' daughters are big fans of ours," said bassist Charlotte Froom, between bites of veggie tacos, "so I think they might have had something to do with it." Froom, who's own father is famed producer Mitchell Froom, got to meet another famous dad. "Yes, I met Bruce," she said. "He is the coolest" . . .
Also doing double-duty at both KROQ and Willis' benefit was Incubus guitarist Mike Einziger. Though he and his bandmates are in the midst of writing its next album, they took some time to play a few gigs in Mexico and South America. "We played a 40,000-seat stadium in Venezuela," he said. "It was amazing" . . .
Ran into both rapper David Banner and actor Samuel L. Jackson, who co-star in the upcoming movie Black Snake Moan with Christina Ricci and, uh, what was his name . . . oh yeah, Justin Timberlake. Banner, who declared himself "the most phenomenal rapper/producer ever created," says that -- thanks to Jackson -- he's also becoming an accomplished thespian. "Sam actually took me in and coached me for this movie, and he's been coaching after the movie," Banner said. "The biggest thing he taught me is that the worst thing you can do is try to act." Jackson also had praise for his pupil. "It was a blessing to have him in the film and a real joy to find someone who was actually hungry and thirsty for the knowledge of what we do," the actor said. "I had a great time coaching David." All together now, "Awww" . . .
Speaking of actors, Jessica Alba flew in from New York -- where she is filming Awake with Hayden Christensen and Sigourney Weaver -- to serve as one of the hosts for the Flaunt magazine party. She is also loving her new gig, which is allowing her to further, er, flaunt her acting skills. Her favorite part about the role? "No lassos and no leather."