Whether we admit it or not, we're all attracted to celebrity news. A stack of tattered tabloid magazines — US Weekly, People and OK — sit at my desk.

Curse you, crazy headlines — Charlie Sheen's breakdown. JLo's split with Marc Anthony. Katy Perry's hair color. It's what keeps me reading.

Do the stories have any value? Guess that's a judgment call. Perry's princess pink hair color does nothing to enhance my life, but it's still fun to glance at pictures.

Never did I expect to spend the better part of two weeks working as Omaha's own celebrity gossip reporter chasing after a Detroit rock star, a mega pop star and a legendary rapper.

It all started two Thursdays ago, when a glossy-eyed Kid Rock was hanging out with locals at Midtown's Parliament Pub. He swayed about somewhat perilously, shaking hands with an after-midnight crowd and graciously hugging attractive, leggy women who threw themselves at him. I giggled from afar before I approached him for a photo.

The following night, an adorable Ralston couple shared a patio table with me at Brewsky's Food & Spirits, 8528 Park Drive. We were among about 100 or so people who desperately wanted to catch a late-night glimpse of Lady Gaga. She supposedly filmed part of her "You and I" music video next door at the Chrome Lounge, a biker bar. After a couple hours and no Gaga, I called it a night.

Two days later, I was invited to the Journal Broadcast Group's northwest Omaha building to watch 94.1 FM's "Big Party" crew interview her — Mother Monster. And like a total tabloid junkie, I immediately cleared my schedule, snatched my keys and was in the wind.

When Lady Gaga stepped inside the radio studio, I'm fairly certain my jaw dropped. I can't trust my vision but I saw a glowing light (rainbows and unicorns) radiate behind her. Gaga's temperament was bubbly, a positive vibe with a little quirkiness.

So when I received a phone call last Friday that West Coast rapper Snoop Dogg was expected to attend an Old Market fine-dining restaurant party, this giddy reporter figured she had nothing to lose.

In previous years, celebrities Vivica Fox and Kevin Hart made appearances at the "Black and Platinum" bash. So why wouldn't Snoop?

He was performing in the Stir Concert Cove at Harrah's Casino in Council Bluffs, just minutes away from the Passport Restaurant near 11th and Jackson Streets.

At just after 11 p.m., I left my house for downtown. From a well-seasoned clubber's perspective, there was no need to rush. Snoop had a meet-and-greet after his show.

Omaha club promoter Chanell Hickey mingled with guests at the "Black and Platinum Party," his annual birthday bash. The elegant restaurant was transformed into a chic lounge with plush leather couches, an ice sculpture from which people drank shots and waitresses serving an endless supply of Ciroc vodka cocktails. People decked out in their finest cocktail dresses and suits filled the restaurant's dining area, piano bar and cigar room.

A DJ spun hip-hop and R&B; jams. A few women posed for pictures outside on the red carpet entry.

After 1 a.m., more people trickled in. Snoop wasn't among them. A snapshot of him via Twitter showed that the Doggfather was still at a casino meet-and-greet.

A full bus emptied passengers onto Jackson Street. Many tipsy patrons had left the Iowa concert and were now standing in line in hopes of partying some more. They bought an access bracelet at the door for $35, and by 1:40 a.m., alcohol was flowing and people were merrily toasting.

A few ice sculpture shots and vodka-cocktails later, fans didn't care whether Snoop showed.

And he didn't.