Black Eyed Peas

Fergie might not be joining FOX's new singing competition 'The Four' as a judge, but she'll still get plenty of face time because she's signed on to host.

Fergie announced the news via social media Monday.

As we previously reported ... Fergie had been one of the 3 female candidates for the final judge's seat, which ultimately went to Meghan Trainor. DJ Khaled, Diddy and music honcho Charlie Walk round out the rest of the judging panel for 'The Four.'

The show is supposed to have a hip-hop influence, so Fergie should fit right in, given her time with the Black Eyed Peas.

The Black Eyed Peas got back from Manchester overwhelmed by what they'd seen there -- a city determined to not let terrorism paralyze them.

We got will.i.am and his group Monday at LAX as they returned from Ariana Grande's One Love Manchester concert, and the Peas sure seemed humbled by the experience.

Ken Shamrock isn't afraid to put the black eye in Black Eyed Peas if ANYONE messes with Fergie -- because the UFC legend was part of her personal security team yesterday ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Shamrock -- who's now in the celeb bodyguard business -- was watching Fergie's back at a footwear convention in Vegas. We're glad to report everyone behaved ... Ken didn't need to choke anyone out.

As we previously reported, 50-year-old Ken is one of the top guys at Pro-Tect Global -- and has been charged with keeping big stars like 50 Cent and Kristin Cavallari safe.

Despite the fact he's rollin' with huge celebs, we're told the World's Most Dangerous Man was hit up for some autographs himself --- and, of course, he obliged.

KEN SHAMROCK!!!

Fergie Ferg from the Black Eyed Peas is in the middle of a serious identity crisis -- 'cause she's petitioning the court to legally change her FIRST and LAST name ... TMZ has learned.

Ferg -- born Stacy Ann Ferguson -- has filed legal papers requesting to officially change her name to Fergie Duhamel ... roughly 4-and-a-half years after marrying Josh Duhamel.

The reason for wanting to change her last name is obvious ... but in the docs, filed in L.A. County Superior Court, Ferg's lawyer says she wants to swap Stacy for Fergie in order to "conform to the first name which she is commonly and professionally known as, and has been for many years."

In other words ... no one's called her "Stacy" in YEARS.

In order for the court to grant her request, Ferg ... or Stacy (for now) ... must publish a notice in a local newspaper for four consecutive weeks (just like Ron Artest was required to do in order to become Metta World Peace).

She'll most likely get her wish if she completes her task by August 16 -- when a hearing is scheduled for the matter.

Rumors have been swirling that The Black Eyed Peas might be breaking up -- but yesterday at LAX, Fergie and Taboo cleared it all up ... they're taking a break, not breaking up.

The Black Eyed Peas have PULLED OUT of Saturday's big Michael Jackson Tribute Concert -- after promoters claim they have suddenly become "unable to perform."

The details are still unclear -- but the promoters just released a statement saying, "Due to unavoidable circumstances, the Black Eyed Peas will be unable to perform at this Saturday’s Michael Forever event."

Chris Hunt, the CEO of Global Live Events -- the company behind the show -- claims the show will still feature several other "earth shattering artists" ... such as Christina Aguilera and Cee-Lo Green.

Will.i.am (right) from the Black Eyed Peas posed with another member from the group who isn't Fergie while at a premiere of a documentary movie earlier this week.

The question is...

Fergie was on the Dan Patrick Show this morning -- where she admitted her own performance with the Black Eyed Peas also failed to meet her expectations ... calling some of her notes "pitchy."

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As TMZ first reported, some bad guy made off with over $10,000 worth of the rapper's jewelry and personal property -- including a sleek new iPad -- when he broke into the Black Eyed Peas member's ride ... which was parked in the Hollywood Hills.

But according to law enforcement sources, Will had a secret weapon -- he used his iPad's built-in tracking system to locate the thief's whereabouts ... and then forwarded the info to cops.

TMZ has learned the Black Eyed Peas star made the shocking discovery himself and called the police to file a report. According to sources, the loot included jewelry and several of the singer's personal items.

First Megan Fox ... now Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas is talkin' about her attraction to the lovely lumps of other ladies.

According to The Sun, Fergie Ferg claims she screwed around with chicks before saying, "Put it this way, I've experimented definitely, but I have never had a steady girlfriend."

That sure beats the two he had for them last time -- "That's gay" -- when asked about the two boys going the turkey baster route for babymaking.

When asked about Ricky Martin's in vitro twins and the Claby, the Pea's eloquent response was "that's gay" -- but literally seconds after he dropped the statement, the furious backtracking began! His assistant wanted us to "edit that part out." We didn't.