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QUVENZHANE WALLIS: U.S. satirical publication The Onion apologized Monday for a "crude and offensive" remark it tweeted about Best Actress Oscar nominee Quvenzhane Wallis, 9.

The "Beasts of the Southern Wild" cast member wore a blue dress and carried a puppy purse at the Los Angeles ceremony Sunday night.

Although she lost the Best Actress prize to "Silver Linings Playbook" star Jennifer Lawrence, Quvenzhane still went down in the history books as the youngest person ever to be nominated for the award.

"Everyone else seems afraid to say it, but that Quvenzhane Wallis is kind of a [expletive], right?" The Onion tweeted Sunday night, then quickly deleted the post.

CNET said it was unclear what prompted the mean-spirited barb toward the child on her big night, but attributed its fast removal from the Internet to Onion staffers realizing it was a mistake.

Actor Wendell Pierce was one of the Twitter users outraged by the quip. He demanded that whoever wrote the comment take responsibility and apologize for it.

"Let him defend that abhorrent verbal attack of a child," he tweeted. "You call it humor I call it horrendous."

Steve Hannah, The Onion's chief executive officer, acknowledged Monday in a statement to Fox News the comment about Quvenzhane was "crude and offensive -- not to mention inconsistent with The Onion's commitment to parody and satire, however biting."

"In addition, we are taking immediate steps to discipline those individuals responsible," Hannah wrote. "Miss Wallis, you are young and talented and deserve better. All of us at The Onion are deeply sorry."

Quvenzhane was announced as the star of the new movie musical version of "Annie" Sunday.

JANET JACKSON: U.S. pop star Janet Jackson confirmed Monday she married Qatari businessman Wissam Al Mana last year.

"The rumors regarding an extravagant wedding are simply not true. Last year, we were married in a quiet, private, and beautiful ceremony," the couple said in an exclusive statement to TV's "Entertainment Tonight."

"Our wedding gifts to one another were contributions to our respective favorite children's charities. We would appreciate that our privacy is respected and that we are allowed this time for celebration and joy."

No other details about the ceremony, such as where and when it took place, were immediately reported.

Janet Jackson is a member of the Jackson musical dynasty, which included the late recording star Michael Jackson. Brothers Jermaine, Tito, Marlon and Jackie still perform together.

2013 OSCARS: Sunday night's Oscars telecast drew an average audience of 40.3 million total viewers in the United States, ABC said Monday.

"Family Guy" creator Seth MacFarlane served as host of the event, which ran for more than 3 1/2 hours.

"Argo" was declared Best Picture and "Life of Pi" director Ang Lee Best Director.

Daniel Day-Lewis won the Best Actor Oscar for his work in "Lincoln" and Jennifer Lawrence took home the Best Actress statuette for her performance in "Silver Linings Playbook."

About 39.3 million tuned in for the 2012 edition of the prize presentation when Billy Crystal served as emcee and the silent black-and-white film "The Artist" bagged the top prize.

BRITNEY SPEARS: Usually blond pop star Britney Spears was spotted in Los Angeles sporting a new, flattering, rich chestnut brown hairdo, People.com said.

Spears showed off her colored locks at Elton John's annual Academy Awards viewing party Sunday night.

People.com said the erstwhile "X Factor" judge only stayed for about 45 minutes at John's gala, but wowed the other party guests with her polished look, which included a sparkling black Michael Cinco gown with de Grisogono jewels, and Saint Laurent shoes.