World Selebrities

Oprah Winfrey

2010-12-12T08:15:00.000-08:00

Oprah Winfrey Tops Celeb Charity Givers with $40 MillionWritten by Jake on Dec-11-10 8:28am

Oprah Winfrey gestures to the crowd during a public event at Federation Square on December 10, 2010 in Melbourne, Australia. Oprah Winfrey is in Australia with 302 audience members from the US, Canada and Jamaica and will tape episodes of the 25th and final season of 'The Oprah Winfrey Show' from the Sydney Opera house next week. The shows will air in the US and Australia in January 2011.

Count it! Oprah Winfrey topped the last of celebrity charity givers this year, giving a whopping $40 million to various causes in 2009, according to a report by The Giving Back Fund.

The money was given out primarily thourgh the Oprah Winfrey Foundation, with the media mogul supporting mainly education and programs for women and children.

Novelist Nora Roberts was second in charitable donations, giving $4.45 million to various organizations via her Nora Roberts Foundation, which focuses on literacy in poverty-stricken communities. Next up is actress Meryl Streep, who donated $4 million to the Silver Mountain Foundation for the Arts.

Oprah is nearly always at the top of the list of celebrity givers. "There are many generous celebrities, but when you can top a list of celebrity philanthropists three out of four years, as Oprah has, that is saying something,” said Marc Pollick, president of The Giving Back Fund, speaking to People magazine.

Source: zimbio

Kim Kardashian

2010-12-12T08:08:00.001-08:00

Kim Kardashian Steps Out with Her New Man!

Looks like Kim Kardashian has wasted no time nabbing herself a new man after calling it quits with model (and Halle Berry ex) Gabriel Aubry. The reality star was spotted out with NBA player Kris Humphries in NYC last night!

On the left: Kris Humphries (Getty) They partied together at Provocateur lounge in the Big Apple after Kim made an appearance at the Z100 Jingle Ball at Madison Square Garden, where she canoodled with Justin Bieber backstage! Then it was off for some adult fun at the swanky NYC hotspot, where Kim K and Mr. Humphries apparently partied until 2am!

They tried hard not to be photographed together, but were unable to avoid the cameras as they were stepping foot into Kim's hotel after the evening's festivities drew to a close.

After splitting with on-again, off-again beau Reggie Bush earlier this year, Kim's dating a handful of gentleman, including NFL star Miles Austin. Looks like she's back on the pro athlete circuit after dating the model with Humphries, a 25-year-old player for the New Jersey Nets. However, Kim says she's not specifically looking for athletes, "I'd rather date someone with a good heart," she told Us magazine.

Source: zimbio

Iron Man

2010-04-22T19:11:00.000-07:00

Iron Man 2 Movie Preview

Iron Man was a major hit for Marvel when released as a movie in 2008. The film starred Robert Downey Jr. as the eponymous industrialist Tony Stark, who turns iron clad super-hero after being captured by terrorists. The film was both a critical and financial success. On Rotten Tomatoes, 93% of critics rated the film positively while audiences spent over 500 million dollars watching the film at cinemas worldwide.

Not surprisingly both Marvel and the film's director Jon Favreau were keen for a sequel and the second film arrives in cinemas May 7 2010.

The main cast from the first film returns for Iron Man 2, save for Terrence Howard who will be replaced by Don Cheadle as Tony Stark's friend Colonel Rhodes who comes to be the villain War Machine. Additional cast members include Samuel L Jackson as Nick Fury, the director of S.H.I.E.L.D an organization referred to in the original movie as the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division.

Scarlett Johansson stars as Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow, a spy for S.H.I.E.L.D and Mickey Rourke appears as the villain Ivan Vanko, also known as Whiplash because of the powerful electric whips he yields. The film will also have appearances from Sam Rockwell, Paul Bettany (as Jarvis) and director Jon Favreau reprising his role as Tony Stark's chauffer Happy Hogan.

The film's plot is under wraps but as the last film ended with Tony Stark announcing that he is in fact Iron Man, it seems likely that pressure to share the technology behind his Iron Man suit will come from both friends and foes.

Jon Favreau has created a wonderful beginning to what he intends to be a trilogy for Iron Man, an outcome that seems highly likely given the performance of the first film and the buzz for its sequel. Iron Man 2 opens in cinemas worldwide, May 2010.

Indian Actress

2010-04-14T10:09:00.000-07:00

Beautiful Women

There are in essence very few places in the world that actually have as beautiful women as the Indian subcontinent. Amongst these, only a chosen few get a chance to actually be on the silver screen. Considering this its quite obvious that the kind of women that are seen on the screen are top notch beauties that have exemplary features to back themselves up. Some of these women have been listed in a follow up list to the previous article.

Priyanka Chopra - The hot lass has successfully made a mark in the industry and is all set for bigger things in future. A passionate hard worker and one of those rare breeds of heroines that does not have a background of industry; the achievements of the former Miss World can only be described as stupendous. Life has been a roller coaster for her but the lady has bared it all. With scintillating looks to kill for backed by arguably the best curves in the industry as of now, the babe has it all. Given such a versatile personality such as her its no surprise that she has garnered a huge fan following. Her off screen affairs and link ups have also sparked many rave reviews about the star and kept masala talkies rolling about her from time to time.

Kareena Kapoor - The beautiful lady stepped into Bollywood with lots of expectations and she has done justice to all her appreciators and critics alike. Once known for being one dimensionally inclined: having just good looks and no acting skills, the lady has graduated to a different league altogether with time. Known for her passionate affair with Saif Ali Khan about which she keeps no holds barred even in front of media, she actually has come a long way from where she actually started her journey a few years back. Having a size zero figure courtesy power yoga and the likes, she has indeed sparked a revolution in the industry.Visit http://www.masalacity.com

Katrina Kaif - The heart throb of India and the most googled Indian is indeed a vivacious beauty all in all. Respected and awed for her clean image the girl is not just very good looking but a humble person too. Life has never been same for her since she moved from London to Bollywood. People of the nation have not only adored her but also adulated her for her persona. She lights up the screen where ever she goes and these things make Katrina probably the most coveted of actresses on the block as of now.

Bipasha Basu - The Bengali beauty knows no bounds when it comes to lighting up the stage on fire. In fact there are quite a few actresses that can do so with as much aplomb as the dusky beauty. In a on off relation with beau John Ibrahim, the lady has grown from strength to strength in the industry. With her popularity rising day by day, she is a women to watch out for in days to come.Visit http://www.masalacity.com

Paris Hilton Get Married

2010-01-08T00:28:00.000-08:00

Paris Hilton Wants to Get Married This Year

Written by BangShowbiz on Jan-8-10 1:19am2010-01-07T10:19:12

Paris Hilton thinks 2010 might be the year she hears wedding bells. The socialite has said that she could see herself getting hitched to boyfriend Doug Reinhardt this year because their "amazing" relationship has tamed her.

She said: "I wouldn't rule out a wedding in 2010. With how amazing everything is going between us, I see a very bright and happy future. He's taught me how real love can feel. Doug's taught me how to grow up and become more domestic, as in not going out as much as I used to."

Paris, who reconciled with Doug in August following a brief split, is not the only one who is smitten. The Hills star Doug can't wait to get the blonde socialite down the aisle and thinks she would make a "perfect" wife. He added to Life and Style magazine: "Paris is the most beautiful girl in the world. I am so in love with her - I feel like I'm the luckiest guy in the world. She is gorgeous, smart, funny and kind. My family loves her, and she would make the perfect wife."

-zimbio.com-

Claudya Schiffer

2009-12-01T23:40:00.000-08:00

Claudia Schiffer plans to create own fashion label

by Astrid Wendlandt, Reuters|02 December 2009

Berlin, Germany: After lending her image to fashion designers for more than two decades, supermodel Claudia Schiffer says she is now ready to create her own fashion business, which could include cashmere wares and handbags.

The 39-year-old-German born model on Tuesday Nov 17said she was looking to give her life a new direction and was on the lookout for partners to back the launch of her brand.

"I would love to create my own lines now," Schiffer told a luxury conference in Berlin organized by the International Herald Tribune.

"I want the brand to be timeless and classic, with a fashion sensibility."

Many celebrities before Schiffer have launched their own trademarked products, ex-pop star Victoria Beckham is getting rave reviews for her evening dresses, Jennifer Lopez launched her own perfumes and Paris Hilton got into luxury watches.
But Schiffer said the product would have to "speak to her" and be close to her personality.

"Consumers are not stupid. They do understand if you don't believe in your product," she said.

Schiffer said she was looking for business partners, who did not necessarily have to be German, and she aimed to give the brand a global reach instantly.

"I would love to do cashmere, it is something I wear all the time myself...I would love to do something that is a bit more price friendly and...a lot of cashmere is very classic, I would like to create something that is a bit more fashion," she said.

But while pursuing her new business interests, Schiffer, who has recently been featuring in Yves Saint Laurent, Salvatore Ferragamo and Alberta Ferretti ad campaigns, said she hoped to continue being a model for "as long as possible."

Schiffer began her modeling career in the late 1980s and is remembered for her Chanel and Guess jeans campaigns among many others. The model said that despite her very public persona, she was a shy person who was cautious and valued loyalty.

"It takes me some time to warm up, but once you are friends with me I am friends for a long time," she said.

"I am very loyal."

Schiffer, who has been living in England for the past nine years, said she often sought to get away from the limelight.

"I do enjoy having a quiet life and on the weekends, we go away to the countryside and do normal things which make me feel good."
(Asiaone.com)

Bolly New

2009-10-28T01:16:00.000-07:00

Bollywood's next sizzler

She's half Sri Lankan and half-Malaysian and she's all set to sizzle as Bollywood's next bright flame.

Jacqueline Fernandez, 24, will make her debut in a glamorous remake of the famous Arabian nights' classic Aladin and The Mystery Of The Lamp.

She will play the role of Jasmine, the love interest of Aladin, played by multi-talented heartthrob Riteish Deshmukh.

Aladin and The Mystery Of The Lamp, directed by Sujoy Ghosh will also star Amitabh Bachchan and Sanjay Dutt. It will be reelased in theatres in India on Friday.

Amitabh will don the role of a modern day genie in the movie while Sanjay Dutt will be the evil 'Ring Master'.

Jacqueline's father Elroy and her Malaysian mother Kim moved to Bahrain when Siri Lanka was embroiled in civil war.

She studied in Bahrain and later went to Sydney to study Media Communications on scholarship.

After winning the Miss Sri Lanka title in 2006, Jacqueline anchored a business show in Sri Lanka and wrote a newspaper column and modelled.

According to a report in entertainmentoneindia.in Jacqueline was a regular at drama and took active part in sports and other extra curricular activities in her school days.

It said Aladin might be her first movie in Bollywood but she is no stranger to facing the camera as she has starred and anchored television shows in Sri Lanka and Bahrain.

Meanwhile, the Press Trust of India has quoted Jacqueline as saying that her role in Aladin as "a fairy-tale come true".

But she said the idea of sharing screen with Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan was "intimidating and scary".

"I have grown up on Amitabh Bachchan's films and my father is a huge fan. But working with Big B in my very first film?

"The thought was intimidating, scary and to be honest I was little bit hesitant initially," she was quoted as saying.

Jacqueline's fear however, vanished after meeting Bachchan on the sets.

"He is a perfect gentleman with an amazing sense of humour. It was my first movie and I was nervous but I became confident after working with Big B.

"He made everything so easy," she says adding that she sought her father's advice before saying yes to the project.

-asiaone.com-

Jacko Glove

2009-09-07T08:27:00.000-07:00

Jacko's crystal glove scoops $49,000 at auction

Sep-7-09 7:00pm2009-09-07T05:00:17
From: afp.com

A crystal-encrusted white glove worn by late pop icon Michael Jackson has sold for 49,000 US dollars in Australia, doubling the auctioneer's estimate after a frenzied bidding war.

Auction house Bonhams & Goodmans said the glove, which went under the hammer in Melbourne late on Sunday, was the first to go on sale since the superstar's death on June 25.

The right-hand glove, made of white spandex and covered with hand-sewn clear crystals, was snapped up by the Las Vegas Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in the United States.

Bonhams & Goodmans said Jackson wore the trademark glove to the Sydney premiere of his film "Ghosts" on November 15, 1996.

The King of Pop was in Australia for the HIStory World Tour at the time and earlier in the day had married his second wife Debbie Rowe.

Music journalist Peter Holmes and his friend Bill Hibble were apparently among the few audience members who laughed at the jokes in the short horror spoof and Jackson threw the glove to Hibble in thanks.

Hibble has since died and his father put the glove up for sale.

Las Vegas Hard Rock curator Warwick Stone said the glove would sit alongside memorabilia from Elvis Presley and Sex Pistol guitarist Sid Vicious.

"Michael Jackson gave it to someone in public in Australia and most collectors of Michael Jackson memorabilia knew about this glove," Stone told public broadcaster ABC.

"I've got the chain that used to hang around Sid Vicious's neck, I've got one of Elvis's .357 magnums which he used to shoot TVs with."
Stone said three more Jackson gloves were scheduled to come on to the market in the United States later this year but added: "I think I got the bargain."

-zimbio-

Jacko Rest

2009-09-07T08:18:00.000-07:00

Michael Jackson Laid to Rest

Written by BangShowbiz on Sep-5-09 12:52am2009-09-04T10:52:28

The hearse carrying Michael Jacksons body drives up the hill during Michael Jackson's funeral service at Glendale Forest Lawn Memorial Park on September 3, 2009 in Glendale, California. Michael Jackson, who died at his home in the Holmby Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles June 25, 2009 is scheduled to be interred in the Great Mausoleum of the cemetery on Thursday evening. (Getty Images)

Michael Jackson was laid to rest at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park last night in a ceremony attended by his family and a host of celebrity friends. Among the stars who paid their last respects were Elizabeth Taylor, Macaulay Culkin and girlfriend Mila Kunis, Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, Gladys Knight, Rev. Al Sharpton, Corey Feldman, Kenny Ortega and Michael's ex-wife Lisa Marie Presley.

The service was due to start at 7 pm, but guests were kept waiting by Michael's family. Their cars did not start the journey to the service until 7.30 pm, with the ceremony finally getting underway around two hours later than planned.

Michael's children Prince Michael, 12, Paris, 11, and seven-year-old Prince Michael II (aka "Blanket") arrived with his parents Joe and Katherine. They spent time with their father's casket before the service began, putting a crown on it in reference to his King of Pop moniker. The children sat in the front row, with a picture of the singer in front of them and lilies and roses decorating the stage.

Gladys sang "His Eye Is On The Sparrow," while songwriter Clifton Davis performed Jackson 5 song "Never Can Say Goodbye." After the ceremony, the Jackson brothers carried the gold coffin into the Great Mausoleum.

The family released a statement saying: "The Jackson Family wishes to once again thank all of Michael's fans around the world for their generous outpouring of support during this terribly difficult time. Their expressions of love for Michael and his music have sustained the Jackson Family."

After the service, it is understood some of the mourners travelled to Pasadena's Villa Sorriso eatery.

Michael died aged 50 on June 25 of acute Propofol intoxication.

-zimbio-

Jacko Money

2009-08-14T17:39:00.000-07:00

Michael Jackson Has Earned
$99 Million Since His Death

Written by BangShowbiz on Aug-15-09 12:28am2009-08-14T10:28:02

Executors of Michael Jackson's estate claim money from a film deal and merchandising contracts has "flooded" into Michael's bank accounts since he died in June.

They predict the pop superstar will make another $99 million by the end of the year, and expect him to overtake Nirvana rocker Kurt Cobain and Elvis Presley -- who have made $745 million and $599 million respectively from beyond the grave -- as the highest-earning dead celebrity in the next 12 months.

Lawyer John Branca, who is co-executor of Michael’s estate, said:
Clearly this will be a new record for estates that likely will not be broken. Elvis’s estate makes $54 million a year. This will be a bigger estate. Branca and fellow co-executor, music executive John McClain, have put together a series of deals for commemorative coins, school supplies, a coffee-table book and a film. They have also been retrieving funds held for Michael by anonymous creditors, thought to amount to "several million pounds," and tallying the value of the singer's property, memorabilia and art collections.

Meanwhile, law enforcement sources claim Michael's Dr. Conrad Robert Murray had Propofol hidden in the singer's house. Police officers found three large bottles and five smaller vials of the anesthetic stashed in a closet in Murray's bedroom at the star's Los Angeles home.

They also believe Murray received regular shipments of the powerful drug -- reportedly used to help Michael sleep, and believed to have played a part in his death -- through FedEx, which he then hid in other locations.

The search warrant used to raid the Las Vegas pharmacy frequented by Murray showed investigators were looking for FedEx records relating to "the purchase, transfer, receiving, ordering, delivery and storage of Propofol to Dr. Conrad Murray." Police were also looking for credit card receipts relating to a purchase of Propofol the doctor made in May.

-zimbio.com-

Jackson Family

2009-07-21T18:02:00.000-07:00

Joe Jackson Says He Never Made
Mistakes While Raising Michael

Written by Alicia on Jul-22-09 1:44am2009-07-21T11:44:36

On Monday night, Jackson family patriarch Joe Jackson made an appearance on Larry King Live, during which he was grilled about his late son Michael's frequent claims that his father had been physically and emotionally abusive.

Mr. Jackson was unsurprisingly dismissive when questioned about how he raised his children, saying that he "didn't make no mistakes" during their childhoods. Joe denied that he'd ever been abusive towards Michael, and claimed that the reports were the fault of the media.

Nevermind the fact that before his death, Michael had been videotaped talking candidly about his father's violent temper. Nevermind that story that's been circulating for years - that Joe taught his son to dance by convincing him there were snipers in the audience who would shoot him if he stopped moving.

Jackson then ranted that "beating" was the invention of slavemasters, as if that helped his cause. He then said everyone in America spanks their kids, and those who say they don't are lying. Watch the video at right, and decide for yourself if this man deserves any more time in the spotlight.

-zimbio-

Daniel Radcliffe

2009-07-21T17:53:00.000-07:00

Daniel Radcliffe Is
the Best Interview Ever

This week, footage of Daniel Radcliffe's interview with Kana, his biggest fan in Japan, hit the Internet - and it just confirms that Radcliffe is nothing but a gentleman. Daniel allowed the screaming and squealing teenager to shake his hand, hug him, and even touch his face.

The clip is almost entirely in Japanese, but it needs no translation. This girl is freaking out, and he totally doesn't mind. In fact, he seems to find it charming.

While the girl stroked his cheek and shrieked, he said, "This is one of the most surreal moments of my lifetime

-zimbio-

Paris Michael

2009-07-12T18:17:00.000-07:00

Joe Jackson Has His Eye On A Career
in Entertainment for Paris Michael

Written by Alicia on Jul-11-09 12:26am2009-07-10T10:26:51

Joe Jackson believes that Michael's kids may follow in their father's footsteps

This week, Jackson family patriarch Joe Jackson sat for an interview with ABC News to discuss his belief that "foul play" may have been involved in his son's death, as well as his conviction that Michael's children belong with Katherine, Michael's mother, and him:

‘’

Yes, there's no one else to do what we can do for them. We should keep them all together and make them happy, feed 'em like they're supposed to be fed, and let them get rest, plenty of sleep and grow up to be strong Jacksons

.

In a somewhat alarming twist, Joe hinted interest in leading two of Michael's children into the entertainment industry:

’’

I don't know -- I keep watching Paris, she wants to do something. And as far as I can see, well, they say Blanket, he can really dance.

A hearing to settle the matter of the children's custody will take place Monday.

-zimbio-

Jackson Memorial

2009-07-09T08:09:00.000-07:00

Nielsen: 31.1 Million
Watched Jackson Memorial

Jul-8-09 7:18am2009-07-07T17:18:21
From: ap.org

Jermaine Jackson performs during the Michael Jackson public memorial service held at Staples Center on July 7, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Jackson, the iconic pop star, died at the age of 50 at UCLA Medical Center after going into cardiac arrest at his rented home on June 25 in Los Angeles.

(Getty Images)

Some 31.1 million people in the United States watched the Michael Jackson memorial on television, with millions more catching video streams on their computers.

The Nielsen Media Research estimate on Wednesday provided only a slice of the audience for the Los Angeles event. But it did offer insight on how the memorial compared to other events: President Barack Obama's inauguration in January was seen by 38 million people on TV, and the "American Idol" finale in May had 28.9 million viewers.

Eighteen different networks carried the memorial live, including all the big broadcasters and cable news stations, along with MTV, BET and the three largest Spanish-language stations. It had an audience share of 56, meaning that 56 percent of the televisions turned on during the memorial were tuned into Jackson.

Nielsen does not immediately have an estimate of Jackson's worldwide audience, a task that could take weeks.

Twelve years ago, 33.2 million people in the U.S. watched Princess Diana's funeral. That happened early on a Saturday morning, as opposed to the middle of a workday, and people then didn't have the option of watching it on their computers. Complete estimates of the Internet audience were not immediately available, but individual Web sites reported some heavy traffic. MSNBC.com said it streamed nearly 19 million videos on Tuesday, a record for the site. Video streamers spent an average of 12 minutes on the site, MSNBC.com reported.

CNN.com said it had 10.5 million live streams, the second busiest day in its history. It streamed nearly 27 million videos on Obama's inauguration day. ABC News said its Web site had nearly 6 million video streams, with traffic up 70 percent over a typical day.

The event combined musical moments from the likes of Usher, Jennifer Hudson and Mariah Carey with remembrances from Brooke Shields, Magic Johnson and others. Brief heartfelt remarks by Jackson's 11-year-old daughter at the end stole the show.

Former President Reagan's funeral in 2004 was seen by 20.8 million viewers in the daytime hours, but his prime-time burial had an audience of 35.1 million people, Nielsen said. The opening ceremony of last year's Beijing Olympics had 34.2 million viewers.

Even for those viewers who watched Tuesday's Jackson memorial, there was still an appetite for more in prime time. ABC, CBS and NBC each had Jackson specials at 10 p.m. EDT and they had a combined audience of 20.5 million viewers. ABC won bragging rights for its Elizabeth Vargas-hosted hour focused on Jackson's children, with a leading 8.6 million viewers.

-zimbio-

Jackson HIStory

2009-07-09T07:48:00.000-07:00

Michael Jackson: HIStory of
superstar's unreleased songs

Michael Jackson holds his eight awards as he chats with Quincy Jones at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles in 1984. Twenty-five years later, questions are swirling about unreleased music from the superstar, who died June 25 at age 50.

By Elysa Gardner, USA TODAY

Since Michael Jackson's unexpected death, fans and industry insiders have been wondering what unreleased music the pop icon may have left behind.

Reports that he was collaborating on a comeback album with leading hip-hop and R&B artists emerged as early as 2006. He had worked on songs with will.i.am, and Ne-Yo had offered material for consideration.

Akon— whose sweetly lyrical Hold My Hand, featuring Jackson on vocals, was leaked last year — says he and Jackson were working on additional songs. Jackson was intent on crafting an album with "positive messages that would bring people together, upbeat songs as well as ballads," Akon says.

"And his voice was incredible — it had not changed."

Billboard reported last week that Jackson had been at work on both a new pop album, his first since 2001's Invincible, and an instrumental album of classical music.

Veteran engineer and producer Bruce Swedien, a longtime Jackson and Quincy Jones colleague who worked on Off the Wall and Thriller, says he and Jackson had "experimented" with classical music but had "a bunch of things in the works" in more of a pop vein. "There were pieces of music that I think would have been wonderful."

Swedien, whose book In the Studio With Michael Jackson arrives July 27, describes one unreleased song, Don't Be Messin' Around, as "a medium-tempo piece, with Jackson playing piano. And he does it well."

Others point to older recordings. Tommy Mottola, formerly head of Sony Music, Jackson's record company, says the singer accumulated a lot of material that never left the studio. And Queen guitarist Brian May revealed on his website after the superstar's death that he and Freddie Mercury had recorded tracks at Jackson's home.

Sony says Jackson had been in talks for eight months about a 30th anniversary edition of Off theWall that would pair him with other stars, as with the 25th anniversary edition of Thriller. The label says it has no plans to unveil new or repackaged songs.

That hasn't discouraged speculation.

"Of course they're going to put stuff out," says veteran music critic J.D.

Considine, who writes for The Globe and Mail in Toronto. "I would be extraordinarily surprised if we didn't have some kind of elaborate box set in time for Christmas."

Former Spin and Vibe editor Alan Light would advise anyone seeking to represent Jackson's work, particularly the unreleased music, "to be careful what context it's presented in." When rapper Notorious B.I.G. died, "songs were rebuilt and reconstructed around scraps. You can do that, but Michael Jackson was a perfectionist.

"I'd argue it wouldn't serve his memory or his creative legacy to just dump stuff out there."

But Mottola says that while Sony "packaged and repackaged his albums for years, there are still true gems in the unreleased material."

The tough part, most agree, will be finding the right people to curate that material. "Sony would be wise to work with people who really know the music, like some of the producers who worked on it originally," Mottola says. "And it would be good to work with (Jackson's) family as well, to keep everything running smoothly."
For his part, Akon plans to "let the family decide" what to do with his and Jackson's most recent efforts: "They knew him better than anybody."

Memorial Jacko

2009-07-09T01:07:00.000-07:00

Michael Jackson's final
resting place a mystery

By MARK KENNEDY, Associated Press Writer Mark Kennedy, Associated Press Writer – Thu Jul 9, 12:58 am ET

LOS ANGELES – Michael Jackson's glimmering casket took center stage at the Staples Center, sitting for more than two hours as celebrities memorialized the King of Pop under the watchful eyes of millions. And when the ceremony was over, it was gone.

By law, the golden casket that presumably held Jackson's body should be exactly where his death certificate says it is: back at Forest Lawn Memorial Park Hollywood Hills cemetery, the site of a private family memorial service held before the Staples ceremony. Los Angeles County records show the cemetery as the temporary location, where it must stay until those records are officially updated.

But where Jackson's body will eventually be laid to rest remained a mystery, fed by the same level of rumor and speculation that surrounded much of his life. Will he be interred at Forest Lawn? Is Neverland Ranch still a possibility?

What if he's not buried at all, but cremated? The family isn't talking — and may not even have decided yet.

The casket was first seen leaving the mortuary at Forest Lawn, where it got into a hearse for the 10-mile trip to the Staples Center. But before the service even started, the hearse was seen leaving the facility — empty — and wasn't spotted again.

But to keep in good standing with the law, the casket would have needed to return to Forest Lawn at some point, presumably after the crowds went home and the television cameras were long gone.

Robert J. Biggins, a former president of the National Funeral Directors Association, said Jackson's body is likely in his casket which he identified it as a custom-made, top-of-the-line coffin made by the Indiana-based Batesville Casket Company that is called a "Promethean." The casket is probably in a temporary holding area — perhaps a mausoleum — pending a final location, he said.

"This happened so quickly that it's something that has to have an awful lot of thoughtful consideration," said Biggins, who is the owner of Magoun-Biggins Funeral home in Rockland, Mass. "This is bigger than your average burial."

Conjecture about Jackson's final resting place has been as fraught as the rumors about where his memorial service would be held in the days before the Staples Center was announced. His 5-page will, signed in 2002, does not include final wishes for his body.

Forest Lawn is one likely possibility. If Jackson is buried there, he would join other celebrities such as Liberace, Gene Autry, Bette Davis and Andy Gibb. Recently deceased actor David Carradine and "Tonight Show" sidekick Ed McMahon also are buried there.

The Jackson family seems divided over whether the body should go to Neverland, which would surely turn the Santa Barbara County ranch into a West-coast Graceland. But Jackson abandoned the 2,500-acre estate after going into seclusion following his acquittal on child molestation charges in 2005, and many of the things that made it unique — the merry-go-round, Ferris wheel and zoo — are gone.
Billionaire Thomas Barrack, who owns Neverland in a joint venture with Jackson, has expressed an openness to the idea of having the singer's body buried at the ranch. The family would need to get permission from local land-use officials to bury Jackson on private property, then submit an application and paperwork with the state Cemetery and Funeral Bureau.

The state application would then need to be approved by the funeral board, a process that could take anywhere from seven to 30 days.

Beyond that, accessibility remains an issue at Neverland. A single two-lane highway leads to the property about 130 miles north of Los Angeles, and infrastructure changes would likely be necessary to accommodate the additional traffic.

Another possibility is cremation. State law requires that the person who has control of the cremated remains obtain written permission of the property owner or governing agency to scatter on the property.

Funeral experts said the delay in Jackson's funeral may be due to the fact that such celebrity deaths create logistical, security and legal headaches.

"One of the issues you're going to run into with any high-profile name, whether it be a former president of the United States or somebody of Michael Jackson's stature, is what does the cemetery — if it's to be a burial — do to establish security, to protect the remains, to protect the privacy of the family during the service, to protect remains afterward and what kind of built-in overhead comes with it," said Paul Elvig, former president of the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association.

Experts said even a two-week delay between death and funeral is not unusual. The body of singer James Brown was kept in a sealed gold casket inside his South Carolina home for more than two months before being interred in 2007 at the home of one of his daughters.
"You're probably talking more about an impatient public and an impatient press wanting to know what's going to happen and that impatience needs to be understood," Elvig said. "If a body's been properly prepared by an embalmer, it can be held for a considerable period of time with minor touchups to it."

Biggins said he is even encouraged by the delay.

"I think the fact that there's this pause is a wonderful thing because it's being given thoughtful consideration," he said, "to make sure this is done right and this is done in a way that honors his legacy."

Michael Jackson's family
silent on burial plans

By Jill Serjeant Jill Serjeant – Wed Jul 8, 8:59 pm ET

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – More than 31 million Americans watched Michael Jackson's public memorial on television, but mystery surrounded the whereabouts of his body on Wednesday and plans for his burial.

A day after Jackson's casket was taken to a Los Angeles basketball arena for an emotional memorial for fans, friends and his family, attention returned to how Jackson got his hands on powerful prescription drugs reportedly found in his rented mansion after his sudden death on June 25.

Sales of Jackson's albums soared for a second week, with his solo albums jumping another 90 percent to 800,000 copies in the United States, tracking firm Nielsen SoundScan said.

Nielsen Media Research said 31.1 million Americans watched Tuesday's Los Angeles memorial live on television. The figure is lower than the TV audience of some other recent events.

Some 49.5 million Americans tuned in for President Barack Obama's first White House news conference in February, and 35 million watched former President Ronald Reagan's 2004 burial live on TV.

The Nielsen figures do not include viewing on the Internet or other platforms, which has grown rapidly in the last few years.

The Jackson family spokesman did not return calls for comment on burial plans for the "Thriller" singer, who died of cardiac arrest at age 50.

NO REQUEST FOR NEVERLAND BURIAL
California officials and those in Santa Barbara County said the family has not asked for the required special permission to bury Jackson at his abandoned Neverland Valley Ranch in central California.

Media reports said the Los Angeles coroner's office was conducting neuropathology tests on part of Jackson's brain, which could be behind the delay in the family's burial plans.

One of Jackson's doctors, Beverly Hills dermatologist Arnold Klein, on Wednesday denied he was one of the targets of a police investigation over drugs seized from Jackson's home after his death.

"I was not one of the doctors who participated in giving him overdoses of drugs or too much of anything," Klein told ABC's "Good Morning America" in an interview.

"I always was concerned about him. No matter what he wanted, someone would give it to him," he said. Klein also denied media reports that he was the sperm donor of Jackson's two children with his ex-wife Debbie Rowe.

A spokesman for Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said the elaborate memorial cost the cash-strapped city $1.4 million, "far less" than an initial estimate of $3.8 million.

City officials had braced for as many as 250,000 fans to show up at the Staples Center. The actual number was closer to 1,000. Donors chipped in $17,000 after the city set up a website asking for cash to cover the cost, he added.

Jackson's music is enjoying the commercial success that eluded the "King of Pop" in recent years.

The singer's "Number Ones" compilation was the top-selling album in the United States during the week ended July 5, and his 1982 blockbuster "Thriller" took second place.
(Additional reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis; editing by Mohammad Zargham)

Shakira

2009-07-04T10:25:00.000-07:00

She Wants Babies

Colombian pop star Shakira says after her latest album is born she plans to undertake a new labor: multiple children.

The 32-year-old Grammy winner known for her seductive dance moves says that she plans to focus on a family after October, which is when her as-yet-unnamed album is to be released.

Shakira spoke with the El Tiempo newspaper at her home in the Bahamas, where she says she goes barefoot all day. The newspaper published the interview on Thursday.

Shakira says she wants two kids, while boyfriend Antonio de la Rua would like three.

For now, Shakira's baby is her new single, "Loba" — Spanish for "She-Wolf," which she released this week.

The album is her first in four years since Oral Fixation.

-Zimbio-

Michael Jackson 3

2009-07-04T10:00:00.000-07:00

Fans scramble for Jackson tickets

More than half a million Michael Jackson fans have already applied for 17,500 free tickets to the singer's public memorial service next week.

Jackson, who died last week aged 50, will be remembered at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

Tickets will chosen at random from names registered at staplescenter.com.

Police in Los Angeles expect as many as 700,000 people may try to reach the arena but it will be sealed off to those without tickets.

As of 1730 on Friday (0030 GMT Saturday), more than 524,330 people had registered for tickets, Jackson family spokesman Ken Sunshine said in a statement.

A total of 11,000 free tickets are to be issued for the service. Fans from around the world can apply.

Another 6,500 tickets will be issued for a simulcast of the service at the nearby Nokia theatre. It means a total of 17,500 fans will be able to see the events free.
Officials said 8,750 pairs of tickets would be allotted to the successful entrants after 1800 Saturday (0100 GMT Sunday) and notifications would go out later on Sunday.

Those selected will be able to get their tickets via Ticketmaster on Monday, officials said.

Originally, the Staples Center website said only US residents could apply for tickets, but AEG's Randy Phillips later told the BBC that that was not the case.

Officials appealed to other fans to watch the memorial service from their own homes, amid fears that thousands of people without tickets could flood the area.

"If you do not have a ticket, if you are not credentialed, not only will you not be allowed at these venues, you will not be allowed in this area," said Los Angeles assistant police chief Earl Paysinger.

Big screens

Jackson had been rehearsing for his London concerts at the Staples Center.

In a press conference, family representative Ken Sunshine said they wanted to accommodate as many fans as possible.

"It is all about the fans," he said.

Officials said that no funeral procession would take place and the memorial service would not be shown on big screens outside the venues. Free pool feeds will be made available to media organisations for broadcast, they said.

Earlier, a lawyer for Michael Jackson's former wife Debbie Rowe said she was undecided about whether to fight for custody of her two children with the star.

On Thursday, Ms Rowe won a delay in a custody hearing while she decides if she wants to raise Michael Joseph Jackson Jr, known as Prince Michael, 12, and Paris Michael Katherine Jackson, 11.

The singer's youngest son - seven-year-old Prince Michael II - was born to a surrogate mother whose identity has never been revealed.

In his will, Jackson stipulated that his mother, Katherine, 79, should have permanent custody of all three children. She currently has temporary custody of them.

A judge has delayed a guardianship hearing - scheduled for Monday - until 13 July at the request of Ms Rowe and Katherine Jackson.

Mystery death
It is still not known what caused Jackson's death last week at the age of 50.
He collapsed at his home and was pronounced dead two hours later at the UCLA medical centre.

An autopsy was conducted but results are not expected for several weeks. The Jackson family had a second autopsy performed and those results are also pending.

The Los Angeles County Coroner's office has said there is no evidence of foul play.
It added that the results of toxicology tests could take weeks to come back.

Jackson service set for Tuesday
A memorial service for Michael Jackson will be held on Tuesday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles where he had been rehearsing for his London concerts.

His family announced the event as concert promoters AEG Live released a video of the singer rehearsing for the O2 gigs, two days before his death.

Some 11,000 free tickets will be made available for the service.

Meanwhile, a lawyer for Jackson's ex-wife Debbie Rowe says she is undecided about whether to fight for custody.

Tuesday's memorial service will start at 1000 (1700 GMT).

Footage of Jackson, recorded on 23 June, shows the star singing and dancing as he performed his hit They Don't Really Care About Us - incorporating elements of History and She Drives Me Wild.

The star was rehearsing for a 50-date residency at the O2.

Randy Phillips, president of AEG Live, which also owns the Staples Center, said there were more than 100 hours of rehearsal footage which could be turned into a film and live albums.

"We have enough audio to make two live albums, and he's never done a live album," he added.

"This is really the last great work of a 21st century genius."

Meanwhile, Benny Andersson has quashed rumours that Abba would reform to take over Jackson's O2 dates.

"No-one's asked us, and if they did we wouldn't say yes," he said in an interview filmed for BBC One's Friday Night With Jonathan Ross.

Hearing delayed
On Thursday, Ms Rowe won a delay in a custody hearing while she decides if she wants to raise Michael Joseph Jackson Jr, known as Prince Michael, 12, and Paris Michael Katherine Jackson, 11.

The singer's youngest son - seven-year-old Prince Michael II - was born to a surrogate mother whose identity has never been revealed.

Jackson's will asks for his mother, Katherine, 79, to have permanent custody of all three children.

A judge has now delayed a guardianship hearing - scheduled for Monday - until 13 July, at the request of Ms Rowe and Katherine Jackson, who has temporary custody of the children.

It follows media reports that Ms Rowe wanted to look after her children.

But her lawyer, Eric George, told reporters: "I am representing to you now. Debbie has not reached a final decision concerning the pending custody proceedings."

On Thursday, it was revealed that Jackson had left Ms Rowe out of his will.

"I have intentionally omitted to provide for my former wife, Deborah Jean Rowe Jackson," the document stated.

Rowe married Jackson in 1996 but filed for divorce in 1999. She gave up custody rights to the children but sought them again in 2003.

They agreed a settlement in 2006 but the terms were never disclosed.

In 2003, Ms Rowe appeared in footage released by Jackson in response to a controversial ITV documentary, which raised allegations of inappropriate behaviour with children by the star.

In it, Ms Rowe described her family as "non-traditional", saying her children were her gift to Jackson.

"My kids don't call me mom because I don't want them to," she said. "These are Michael's children."

-BBC-

Michael Jackson 2

2009-07-01T09:46:00.000-07:00

Jackson body 'going to Neverland'

A host of television satelilte trucks are already in situ outside the property

Fans and reporters have continued to gather outside Michael Jackson's Neverland ranch after reports that his body will go on public view there.

Various sources claim a public viewing has been scheduled for Friday ahead of a private funeral on Sunday.

Vehicles and workers have been going in and out of the property, located about 150 miles northwest of Los Angeles.

According to the Associated Press (AP), Jackson's will has now been filed in a Los Angeles court.

Dated 7 July 2002, the document reveals that the star chose not to provide for his former wife, Debbie Rowe, and gives his entire estate to the "Michael Jackson Family Trust", AP said.

The documents estimated his estate at that time at more than $500m (£303m).

Tourist shrine
Members of Jackson's family have met police and the California Highway Patrol to discuss funeral arrangements.

Unconfirmed reports suggest Jackson's body may be placed in a glass coffin and be transported from Los Angeles to Neverland in a "fairytale carriage".

According to a California Highway Patrol spokesman, however, "details are still pending".

It is unclear whether Jackson can be legally buried at the 2,500-acre property, which he bought in 1987 but had not lived at since 2005.

The site could reportedly be turned into a permanent tourist shrine to the singer, akin to Elvis Presley's Graceland home in Memphis.

Meanwhile, Jackson's tour promoter has said the star's ill-fated London show could be turned into a tribute gig featuring his family.

Randy Phillips, president of AEG Live, told Sky News he was "discussing with the family" the possibility of mounting the show in some form.

"I would imagine it could be done as a tribute with the family, with the brothers performing, some sisters, and the stars that were influenced by him," he said.
"The world needs to see this production. It would have been, which is the tragedy here, one of the most amazing shows ever."

Insomnia Mr Phillips denied claims that Jackson had been daunted by the upcoming concerts and was too frail to perform.

According to a nutritionist who was working with the singer, however, he had been battling persistent insomnia.

In an interview with CNN, registered nurse Cherilyn Lee said she had repeatedly rejected his demands for the drug Diprivan, a powerful sedative which is given intravenously.

"This was a person who was seeking help, desperately, to get some sleep, to get some rest," she told the US news network.

It has been alleged that Jackson had been consuming painkillers, sedatives and antidepressants at the time of his death.

According to actor Lou Ferrigno, however, the 50-year-old singer had been entirely focused on his health in the run-up to his 50 London concerts.

"I've never seen him take drugs," said the Incredible Hulk star, who Jackson had been working out with.

"He was always talking about nutrition.

"When he was with me, he wasn't different. He wasn't stoned. He wasn't high. He wasn't being aloof or speedy

-BBC-

Michael Jackson

2009-06-25T17:50:00.000-07:00

Dies at Age 50

Written by Alicia on Jun-26-09 4:01am2009-06-25T14:01:45

UPDATED 3:23 PM: Legendary musician Michael Jackson has died, law enforcement sources have confirmed.

TMZ reports that someone at Jackson's Holmby Hills home called 911 at 12:21 pm. When paramedics arrived at his home, he was not breathing. The Los Angeles Times reports by the time he reached the UCLA Medical center, Jackson was in a coma. He was pronounced dead by doctors this afternoon.

Several months ago, celebrity biographer Ian Halperin claimed Jackson was deathly ill and required a lung transplant. Jackson's rep quickly disputed Halperin's claims.

Jackson was readying for a 50-show run of performances at London's O2 Arena. He had voiced concern about being physically able to complete that many performances.

Jackson is survived by three children: Michael Joseph Jackson, Jr, Paris Michael Katherine Jackson, and Prince Michael Jackson.

Michael Jackson was born into a life of showbusiness. At 11 years old he was thrust into the spotlight as he stepped up to the microphone to front the Jackson 5. From that moment on, Michael's life was filmed, photographed and recorded. He grew up in front of the press, and ultimiately, he died in front of the press with TMZ practically live-blogging his hospitalization and subsequent death.

Jackson Family Attorney:
Jackson Was Surrounded By Enablers.

It is not yet known what caused Michael Jackson's death from cardiac arrest; an autopsy is scheduled for tomorrow. But the Jackson family's attorney, Brian Oxman, called CNN to shed light on Michael's medical condition.

Oxman wanted people to know that Michael was not gravely ill, as had been rumored for months. The singer was, however, debilitated by a dependence on prescription medication. He told CNN in a shaking voice:

Michael has always been in very fine physical condition. The one thing which has bothered me so much is the discussion that one day he was going to be dead, and...I don't know if this is that day, I can only tell you that this is something that was not unexpected...the medications which Michael was under, this family has been trying for months and months and months to take care of Michael Jackson.

The people who have surrounded him have been enabling him. If you think the case of Anna Nicole Smith was an abuse, it's nothing in comparison to what we have seen taking place in Michael Jackson's life. Oxman also confirmed that Jackson was struggling to get in shape for the 50 performances he had scheduled at London's O2 Arena.

Farrah Fawcett

2009-06-25T17:44:00.000-07:00

Passes Away at 62

Written by Jake on Jun-26-09 12:25am2009-06-25T10:25:17

Farrah Fawcett, the star of Charlie's Angels who's blinding-white smile and sun-blond hair set the standard for female beauty in the '70s, passed away Thursday morning after a long battle with cancer at the age of 62.

The actress had recently made a documentary, Farah's Story, an unfliching look as Fawcett sought cures in both the United States and Germany.

It was reported on Monday that Ryan O'Neal, Fawcett's long-time companion and father of her 24-year-old son Redmond O'Neal, had asked Fawcett to marry him. Speaking to Barbara Walters, O'Neal said, "We will [marry], as soon as she can say yes... Maybe we can just nod her head."

Last night, it was reported that Fawcett had taken last rites as her condition rapidly worsened. She passed away shortly before 9:30 a.m. Pacific time in a Santa Monica hospital.

Fawcett died in hospital surrounded by friends and family shortly before 9:30 am (1630 GMT), reports said.

"After a long and brave battle with cancer, our beloved Farrah has passed away," O'Neal said in a statement released by Fawcett's publicist Arnold Robinson.

"Although this is an extremely difficult time for her family and friends, we take comfort in the beautiful times that we shared with Farrah over the years and the knowledge that her life brought joy to so many people around the world."

O'Neal told People magazine's online edition he had talked to Fawcett through the night.

"She's now with her mother and sister and her God. I loved her with all my heart. I will miss her so very, very much. She was in and out of consciousness. I talked to her all through the night.

"I told her how very much I loved her. She's in a better place now."
Speculation that Fawcett's death was close at hand had mounted after veteran ABC television interviewer Barbara Walters said the actress had been given her last rites earlier Thursday.

Reports said O'Neal and Alana Stewart were at Fawcett's bedside when she passed away at St John's Hospital in Santa Monica.

Earlier this week O'Neal revealed he planned to marry Fawcett, who has been battling cancer for three years. "I've asked her to marry me, again, and she's agreed," O'Neal said.

O'Neal, 68, and Fawcett had been romantically involved off-and-on since 1982. The couple had a son together, Redmond, but never married.

Redmond O'Neal is currently in jail in California for drug offenses and was not at his mother's bedside when she died but spoke to her on the phone before her death Ryan O'Neal told People.

Fawcett's son told her "how much he loved her and asked her to please forgive him that he was so very, very sorry," Ryan O'Neal was quoted as saying.

Fawcett emerged as a pop-culture icon in the 1970s and 1980s after her role in "Charlie's Angels" and appearance in a famous poster wearing a red swimsuit that would come to be her defining image.

During the 1970s, Fawcett was married to "Six Million Dollar Man" star Lee Majors, from whom she separated in 1979. In 1982 she began a long romance with actor O'Neal and the couple had a son together, Redmond in 1985.

After splitting from O'Neal in the 1990s, Fawcett faded from view, although she appeared in Robert Altman's 2000 comedy "Dr T and the Women" in a cast that included Richard Gere, Helen Hunt, Laura Dern and Kate Hudson.

In recent years Fawcett's health was the subject of intense scrutiny by a voracious tabloid media.

News of her cancer fight broke in October 2006, sparking an outpouring of support from fans and well-wishers.

In 2007 she declared that months of grueling chemotherapy had seen her beat the cancer despite "excruciating pain and uncertainty." "It never occurred to me to stop fighting -- not ever," she said.

However, in April this year it emerged that the cancer had returned and the actress was gravely ill.

(zimbio/afp)

Sarah Jessica Parker

2009-06-25T01:44:00.000-07:00

Choose Unusual Baby Names

Just when I thought the world of celebrity baby names was getting a tad boring, Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick chose a pair of unusual baby names for their twin daughters, who arrived via surrogate in Ohio on June 21.

Joining big brother James Wilke are twins Marion Loretta Elwell and Tabitha Hodge. Bit of a mouthful. Let’s dig deeper.

According to a report in People, the names “Elwell” and “Hodge” are both family names on Parker’s side of the fence. Thank goodness. I thought for a moment Parker and Broderick had made them up.

That leaves Marion Loretta and Tabitha. Where did they come from? Marion is sort of a unisex name — think Maid Marion of Robin Hood fame, versus John Wayne’s real name, Marion Robert Morrison. (You didn’t know that?).

Loretta — well, I have to believe either Parker or Broderick or both is a big fan of Loretta Lynn, because that’s the most obvious association. (And the best name of the three, IMO).

And finally, Tabitha. Another name loaded with association. Never mind that it means “gazelle” in Aramaic. This name says “Bewitched” to anyone who remembers 60’s TV, and even if you don’t, there was a TV spinoff named Tabitha in the 70’s. I don’t recall Tabitha in the 2005 Nora Ephron flop.

Whatever the origins, it’s a pretty unusual group of names. And it’s definitely not boring! Drop a comment if you know any more about where the names came from.

-zimbio.com-

Roman Abramovich

2009-06-17T18:18:00.000-07:00

Spectacular $714 million yacht

Many stopped to gawk as the 557-foot (169 metre) yacht glided out of the shipyard in Hamburg, Germany.

The sight was breathtaking, and so is the price. It cost the owner a staggering £300 million ($714 million).

So who is the man who can splash out so much cash in such depressing times?

Chelsea owner and Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich.

It is the biggest private yacht in existence and comes with a missile-detection system, two helipads, a luxury spa, swimming pool and a miniature submarine, The Daily Mail reported.

Named the Eclipse, it has a military-grade missile defence system, armour-plating around Abramovich's master suite and bullet-proof windows.

There is also a private submarine, which doubles as an escape pod.

The project has been shrouded in such secrecy that at one point, its shipbuilders would only say that a yacht called Eclipse was being built somewhere in Germany.

Abramovich already owns three luxury yachts.

The Daily Mail quoted industry experts as saying that it has been built to overshadow the world's current largest private yacht, a 525-footer owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai.

Eclipse is set to be delivered next year.

The oil magnate, who is the 11th richest man in the world according to Forbes, uses his yachts for specific purposes.

Originally built for a Saudi sheikh, the Pelorus is used for entertaining and boasts room for 22 guests and 40 staff. It has two helipads, an indoor pool and a steam room.

He uses the Ecstasea, which comes complete with Chinese-themed interior, for cruising and the Sussuro for short journeys and to loan to friends.

Annual overhead for the boats is more than £15 million, the report added, and it costs him £73,000 just to fill up the tanks of his current largest boat, the Pelorus.

by The New Paper|16 June 2009
-plushasia.com-

Bollywood Oscars

2009-06-14T08:34:00.000-07:00

Mixed-marriage love story tops 'Bollywood Oscars'

by Mathew Scott, AFP|14 June 2009

Macau, China: A tale of the love between a Muslim emperor and his Hindu wife swept the "Bollywood Oscars" at the weekend, earning a clutch of awards including Best Picture and Best Director for Ashutosh Gowariker.

"Jodhaa Akbar" traces the rise of the Mughal emperor Akbar The Great and his love affair with his Hindu wife, played by Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.

Gowariker said some people had suggested he drop plans to make the movie, given the sensitivity of Hindu-Muslim relations in India.

"When I started this movie I was advised by all my friends not to make this film," Gowariker explained at the annual International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA), being held this year in the southern Chinese territory of Macau.

But Gowariker said the film's massive popularity had "reinstated my faith that we do need a Hindu-Muslim alliance."

"Jodhaa Akbar" saw off "Ghajini," "Rock On," "A Wednesday," "Dostana," and "Race" to take the Best Picture gong.

The movie's lead man, Hrithik Roshan, took Best Performance in a Lead Role (Male), urging his fans among the 8,000 gathered at the Venetian Macau Resort-Hotel to "have the courage to live free and live the truth."

Former Miss World Priyanka Chopra, whose effort as a model dealing with the seedy side of the business in "Fashion" won her Best Performance in a Lead Role (Female), thanked the audience for sitting through the nearly seven-hour ceremony.

"We Indians are everywhere," she added. "The film industry is like one big family and the fans really feel a part of that."

Earlier in the evening, the powerful Bachchan clan had again threatened to steal the limelight.

Family patriarch Amitabh Bachchan was feted by the event's hosts all night, while Rai picked up awards for Star of the Decade (female) and Outstanding Achievement by an Indian in International Cinema.

Rai's husband Abhishek then picked up a gong for Best Performance in a Comedy Role (Male) for his turn in "Dostana," and the couple delighted the audiences with separate song and dance numbers.

Former Miss World Rai provided the night's most poignant moment when rewarded for her work over the past decade.

"It is never a singular effort," she said, before turning her attention to her father, who recently has been battling cancer.

"My father is still here," she said, thanking him for his "sacrifice and grace."
In contrast, Abhishek screamed for joy once on stage and - in reference to questions being raised in the tabloid press about his sexuality - yelled: "Well, I am gay tonight!"

Organisers estimated that the awards would be watched by 500 million TV viewers worldwide, while hundreds of fans gathered outside the Cotai Arena before the event, singing the names of their favourite actors as they took to the carpet.

The extravaganza, now in its 10th year, is staged outside India every year in an effort to increase the international profile of Bollywood films. It features premieres, media sessions, trade forums, and a fashion show.

Sabbas Joseph, director of IIFA, told AFP that this year's awards marked a "golden decade" of achievement for Bollywood.

The triumph of "Slumdog Millionaire," which grabbed eight awards at this year's Oscars, had been just one of the many examples of the industry's achievement in recent years, he said.

The event is being held in the aftermath of a damaging row between producers and multiplex cinemas over how box office receipts are split, a dispute finally settled last week after a two-month stand-off.

But even before the row, India's US$2.3 billion film industry was feeling the pinch from the global economic slowdown, reining in budgets and actors' fees as audience numbers dwindled.

- plushasia.com -

Paris Hilton 2

2009-06-09T09:25:00.000-07:00

Paris Hilton's Dogs Have Nicer Homes
Than Most Americans

Written by Alicia on Jun-9-09 6:16am/8/2009 23:16 GMT

For those of you still looking for reasons to dislike Paris Hilton, here it is: her dogs live in little poolside bungalows modeled after her own home. The dogs' kennels have wrought iron-balconies, special "Chewy-Vuitton" beds, and wardrobes especially designed for doggie couture. She posted pictures of the ridiculousness on her Twitter this week.

The weirdest part of it? Paris isn't even that caring a pet owner. She once admitted she'd given away a few of her dogs after they became pregnant. While explaining how she accrued 17 dogs, Paris told Ellen DeGeneres, "They keep having babies, and I feel bad to give them away 'cause I feel like if I had a baby and someone gave it away, it'd be mean. So, I feel bad for my dogs."

What pet owner can afford mini-bungalows, but can't be bothered to spay and neuter her pets?

Paris, that's who. But what's to be expected of someone who names her dog "Harajuku Bitch"?

- zimbio-

David Carradine

2009-06-05T08:33:00.000-07:00

'Kill Bill' Actor David
Carradine Found Dead

Written by olivia on Jun-5-09 12:25am/4/2009 17:25 GMT

**Update: Sources close to the late actor now say that his death was "accidental."**

Seventy-two-year-old actor David Carradine was found dead today of an apparent suicide in a Thailand hotel. Thailand's news site The Nation reported that evidence on the scene suggested he hung himself, and there were no signs of struggle.

Carradine was in the country to film a movie called Stretch. The film crew became concerned when he failed to show up for dinner last night and they couldn't reach him, but they assumed he was just resting. A hotel maid found him in a closet this morning.

His manager Chuck Binder said,
[His death is] shocking and sad. He was full of life, always wanting to work ... a great person. Carradine is best known for his role in the 1970s television series Kung Fu, for which he received an Emmy nomination. Younger audiences will recognize him as the title character in Quentin Tarantino's epic Kill Bill.

-zimbio-

Mandy Moore

2009-06-05T08:25:00.000-07:00

Gets backs to basics on new CD

Jun-5-09 10:07pm/5/2009 15:07 GMT
From: www.ap.org

Mandy Moore doesn't mind being perpetually seen as the "good girl" — even if she thinks that image is a bit skewed.

"You know what? It's fair to say that I am proud and honored that the perception out there is that I'm a good person. That's, to me, the highest compliment. I try to be a good person," the 25-year-old entertainer said in a recent interview. "But I don't think it's completely accurate to say that I'm just good. There is balance in life. You can't have good without a little bad."

Her latest album, "Amanda Leigh," may underscore her point. At first listen, the perfectly perky first single, "I Could Break Your Heart Every Day of the Week," sounds like something tailor-made for today's tweens. But listen again and you'll hear a lyric, co-written by Moore, which sounds as if it was coming from a dominatrix: "Squeeze the life out of you/Wrap you in sheets/I could break your heart any day of the week."

"It's very tongue in cheek, not to be taken to heart by any means," Moore said. "It's sassy, if you will, and a little edgier and no-nonsense — a side of myself that doesn't really come out too often. But it was sort of fun to go there for the sake of the music."

With a folk-rock-pop fusion, "Amanda Leigh" — which takes its title from her given name — tips its hat to mid-1970s era Joni Mitchell and also pays homage to Paul and Linda McCartney's crunchy-granola classic "Ram" (1971). The CD also marks Moore's first release with indie Storefront Recordings after a decade with major recording labels.

"Starting out when you're 14 and signing to a major record label sort of in the heyday of pop music and overspending and sort of all that gluttony, it's really nice to sort of really come back to what's important," said Moore, who first rose to fame as a 15-year-old with the bubblegum song "Candy," then matured in her sound and style over various recordings and became known as an actress for films including "A Walk to Remember."

When she was in the early stages of putting together the album, Moore's ex-boyfriend, DJ AM (Adam Goldstein), and musician Travis Barker were seriously injured in a September plane crash that killed two crew members and two other passengers. Moore sprinted to be at his side in an Augusta, Ga. burn unit — which, Moore said, some media outlets took the wrong way.

"It kind of saddened me," she recalled. "When everything went down it was like, 'Oh, they're dating again.' I was like, 'In this day and age with everything that's going on in the world, it made me sad that there was not a value to friendship,' which, to me is often more important than the other stuff, anyway."

Earlier this year, Moore married famously tortured singer-songwriter Ryan Adams. Moore says the indie artist couldn't help but influence her new album just by his presence — but he didn't contribute in any direct way.

Though some of considered the union an odd pairing, Moore bristles when it's suggested that the "good girl" and her new alt-country husband are a case of opposites attracting.

"To be perfectly honest, I can understand the interest and fascination with our relationship, but there's definitely more than what meets the eye," she said. "I don't think it's a very yin-and-yang relationship. In fact, I feel like we're probably a lot more like most people would imagine and that's wonderful. ... Life is good. I lucked out."

-Zimbio-

Marisa Miller

2009-05-22T19:42:00.001-07:00

Marisa Miller’s Secrets for a Perfect Body
Victoria’s Secret model admits it’s not all in the genes

22nd of May 2009, 19:01 GMT

They say stunning Victoria’s Secret model Marisa Miller is all in a league of her own: she’s neither too thin nor too plump, and has such definition on her body that only good genes cannot account for. In all fairness, Miller works really hard to stay in shape, from hitting the gym several times a week and keeping as active as possible, to being careful about what she eats, as the model herself reveals in the latest interview with Shape magazine.
First of all, Marisa insists, all that we see about her is real: nothing has been added and nothing has been cut out. Her body is as such because she grew up in a very active family, and has learned that keeping moving is essential not only for health, but also for good looks. Given that her day job is modeling, therefore often posing in her swimsuit, looking good is a necessity for the 30-year-old model, as also is working out.

“You could say I’ve been going to the gym since before I was born.” Marisa says for Shape. In time, the model has learned to be flexible in her routine, since she’s on the road most of the time and, understandably, can’t hit her local gym or work at home with her personal trainer. “It’s not easy for me to stick to a set routine, but if I can do something almost every day, I don’t have to play catch-up before a big photo shoot. I have a home gym and I take Spinning classes at my local health club. When I can, I box with a trainer, which helps me blast calories. If I’m going on the road, I bring resistance bands with me so I can strength-train anywhere. Every bit helps.” Miller explains.

As for diet, this is where the model is more lenient with herself. For instance, she says she never measures anything (such as the ingredients for her morning protein shake) and would never abstain from certain foods she wants to have. Still, moderation is key with her because she does not want to have to make up for one night of indulging in her cravings with who knows how many hours at the gym. The hardest part about finding this kind of balance, Miller explains, was that she had to learn to fight the temptations her husband was always throwing her way – him being the tall and lean type who never gains a pound, as per Marisa.

“I prefer healthy food and try not to bring too many treats into my house. But I don’t believe in depriving myself either. When I go to the movies, I have a sugary soda, not a diet one. And if I want a burger, I’ll have a burger. I just make it a point not to eat one five days in a row. Some nights [my husband will] bring home french fries, and I have to resist them! I decide to say ‘no’ and then make something else, like a veggie burger. It’s not always an easy choice, but it’s a healthier one.” Marisa Miller concludes by saying.

By Elena Gorgan, Life & Style Editor
-zimbio-

Stormy Daniels

2009-05-22T01:35:00.000-07:00

Porn Star in Senate Run Getting Closer

May-22-09 2:40am/21/2009 19:40 GMT
From: www.ap.org

Porn star Stormy Daniels says she's formed a committee to explore a possible run for the U.S. Senate seat held by Louisiana Republican David Vitter and will begin raising money for a potential campaign.

Daniels said in a news release Thursday she will soon visit western and northern Louisiana to hear from voters, after recent trips to Baton Rouge and New Orleans.

Daniels, who hasn't chosen a party affiliation, says she is seriously considering the race as the result of a draft movement. She insists she is not simply seeking publicity or attempting to embarrass Vitter, whose family values reputation was marred in 2007 when he was linked to a Washington escort service.

Source: Zimbio

J-Lo

2009-05-17T09:02:00.000-07:00

Jennifer Lopez Filming ‘The Back-Up Plan’

Written by ineedmyfix on May-15-09 8:35pm/15/2009 13:35 GMT
From: www.ineedmyfix.com

Jennifer Lopez is on location in Pasadena, California filming The Back-Up Plan. I like Jennifer Lopez in movies. I don’t think they are necessarily academy award winning roles, but entertaining nonetheless.
In this movie, JLo conceives twins through artificial insemination and the day she does she meets the man of her dreams. Prior to that, her last film was El Cantante in 2006.

Are you a fan of her in movies?

-zimbio-

Beyonce Knowles

2009-05-17T08:49:00.000-07:00

Beyonce Knowles Leads BET Awards Nominees

Written by ariherdi on May-14-09 9:30pm/14/2009 14:30 GMT
From: www.makeushot.com

Beyonce Knowles who scored No. 1 hit songs and videos this year, lead BET Awards nominees with five.
Beyonce also counts a No. 1 film among her recent credits: “Obsessed,” which topped the box office when it opened last month.
The 27-year-old singer is up for female R&B artist, actress, the viewer’s choice award and video of the year, where she has nods for both “Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)” and “If I Were a Boy.”

-Zimbio-

Eva Longoria

2009-05-17T08:24:00.000-07:00

Eva Longoria Parker in Atelier Versace

Written by Alicia on May-16-09 4:00am/15/2009 21:00 GMT

Eva Longoria Parker is currently in her future home, France, with her husband Tony Parker. She's there for the elegance that is the Cannes Film Festival, although she has yet to nab a major film role (she is one of sponsor L'Oréal's spokespeople).

Today, she attended the premiere of Bright Star, Jane Campion's newest film, which stars Abbie Cornish. She wore a gorgeous Atelier Versace dress that must have been tough to walk in - especially for a petite woman like Eva.

Actress Eva Longoria Parker and Tony Parker attend the Bright Star Premiere held at the Palais Des Festivals during the 62nd International Cannes Film Festival on May 15, 2009 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

Source: Zimbio

Salma Hayek

2009-05-15T09:45:00.000-07:00

Salma Hayek’s Wedding Dress / Gown Plus Masquerade

May 14, 2009

Salma Hayek’s Wedding Dress / Gown. Although Salma and her husband François-Henri Pinault had a very private wedding, from photos we can see she had one amazing wedding gown. There’s no surprise there since she married one of France’s richest men.

We’re very happy for the couple and her ball gown floor length dress is beautiful. The dress was kept simple on the bottom with a bubble hem and crystals on the top. She also wore her hair in a very chic classic updo and wedding veil. You can see photos of the couple below as well as guest at the Masquerade which was held shortly after the wedding.

Salma Hayek

Source: Zimbio

Jackie Chan

2009-05-15T09:38:00.000-07:00

Jackie Chan Adopts Two Pandas

Photo: Xinhuanet

Written by asiancelebritiesnet on May-15-09 2:40am/14/2009 19:40 GMT
From: www.asiancelebrities.net

Two lucky pandas in Chengdu now have their new superstar "father". Hong Kong movie star Jackie Chan on May 12, 2009 adopted two giant pandas at Chengdu Giant Panda Research and Breeding Base, located in the Sichuan Province capital. The male panda was then named "Cheng Cheng", the female "Long Long" after Jackie Chan's Chinese name. Meanwhile, Chan was appointed "Chengdu Panda Ambassador" by the local tourism authorities.

Source: CRIENGLISH.com (from zimbio.com)

Shahrukh Khan

2009-05-15T09:24:00.000-07:00

Shahrukh avoids Big B

By: Bollywood Mantra Staff on 13th May 2009

How much Shahrukh Khan shouts from the roof top that he shares a good camaraderie with Amitabh Bachchan or whatever Amitabh Bachchan writes on his blog stories about his friendship with Shahrukh, the truth is something else. The duo still does not share a good rapport.

In order to avoid Amitabh Bachchan who is the brand ambassador of IIFA, Shahrukh Khan has decided to skip the event. That he will be invited for the event has already been known to SRK when Big B publicly said that he would invite Shahrukh to IIFA. But grapevine abuzz that Shahrukh Khan to stay away from the event and from Amitabh has planned for a 10 day vacation to London with his family.

Shahrukh Khan knows very well that being the brand ambassador of the IIFA, Big B will steal all the limelight and he will not get the required amount of attention which is unacceptable on his part. Shahrukh also did not return to South Africa to cheer his team.

Source: Zimbio

Tom Cruise

2009-05-15T09:16:00.000-07:00

Tom Cruise wants Katie Holmes to have kids not a career

TOM Cruise is apparently furious with wife Katie Holmes Â¿ because she is focusing on her career instead of having another baby.(The Daily Telegraph)

•Article from: The Daily Telegraph

May 15, 2009 12:00am

TOM Cruise is apparently furious with wife Katie Holmes because she is focusing on her career instead of having another baby.

Cruise is said to be keen to give their daughter Suri a sibling while Katie, 30, is keen to make movies.

A source tells the National Enquirer that while Tom hasn’t complained to Katie, he’s “bumming because he really wants another child - now!

“Katie promised Tom that if he agreed to her recent All My Sons gig on Broadway, then she’d try to get pregnant this spring.

“But she was such a hit that she right away landed a film role in The Extra Man, and that led to another movie project.

“Katie feels she had to strike while the iron is hot career-wise. Since she’s only 30, she feels there’s plenty of time for more kids.”

It was recently claimed that Katie was close to cracking over Tom’s desire for baby number two.

Source: Zimbio

Eminem

2009-05-15T09:04:00.000-07:00

Eminem Says He Quit Drugs With Help From Elton John

Written by Alicia on May-15-09 7:13am

On Tuesday, Eminem releases his first album in five years, Relapse. Where has he been?

He canceled the European leg of the Anger Management Tour in 2005, citing exhaustion and an addiction to sleeping pills. What was meant to be a short break turned into a several-year reclusion. Eminem and his wife Kimberly Scott divorced only eleven weeks after they were remarried. A close friend, rapper DeShaun "Proof" Holton, was shot and killed outside a nightclub in Detroit. And Eminem became increasingly dependent on prescription drugs, at one point reportedly popping 20 painkillers a day.

Eminem, now clean a year and speaking publicly of his battle with addiction, told Detroit's Metro Times that singer Elton John helped him with his recovery. When asked if he looked to anyone for support and insight, Eminem said:

''Um, well, Elton John. I talk to Elton a lot. We became friends and I talk to him about things, career wise. And he had a substance abuse problem in the past. So when I first wanted to get sober, I called him and spoke to him about it because, you know, he's somebody who's in the business and can identify and relate to the lifestyle and how hectic things can be. He understands like the pressure and any other reasons that you wanna come up with for doing drugs, you know.

Me and him have had similar lives and stuff. So I reached out to him and told him, "Look, I'm going through a problem and I need your advice."

Source: Zimbio

Aishwarya Rai

2009-05-15T08:46:00.000-07:00

Aishwarya Rai and Elizabeth Banks Kick-Start
the Glamour at the Cannes Film Festival

Written by Alicia on May-14-09 1:44am/13/2009 18:44 GMT

Elizabeth Banks;Aishwarya Rai Bachchan (Getty Images) Thursday, the 2009 Cannes Film Festival kicked off in Cannes, France, much to the delight of film and fashion followers everywhere. Expect to see decadent and daring couture from these red carpets - and tons of glitter.

Disney's next big hope, Up, premiered today, bringing out a bevy of beauties in its favor.

Indian superstar Aishwarya Rai is always pristinely elegant. She dazzled in an ice-white strapless tiered gown with a train. It does look a bit tight though - she's in a total Beyoncé "I Can't Breathe" pose.

Source: Zimbio

Neetu Chandra

2009-05-15T08:39:00.000-07:00

Neetu Chandra Creates Scandal In Bikini

Written by masalababe on May-15-09 12:34pm/15/2009 5:34 GMT

Neetu Chandra has created a new scandal. Recently, she was asked to leaved a hotel a Juhu when shooting for a sexy photoshoot for a glamour magazine. There was a top female model with her. Reportedly, both were dressed in skimpy bikini. The things got messy when their shoot turned too raunchy. The models became touching each other in a provocative way and started undressing each other.

The whole thing look like a lesbian act! Some guests complained to hotel's manager. The shooting was canceled and the crew was soon asked to leave. Neetu says that the shoot was called off because a crowd of some 80 people gathered there and started passing lewd remarks.

From: desi-masala-actress-photos.blogspot.com (Source: Zimbio.com)

Kylie Minogue

2009-05-13T09:50:00.000-07:00

Kylie Minogue's not a frustrated soul

13 May 2009

Lack of success in the American market does not bother Kylie Minogue, but the singer hates being asked about the same.

The pop star, who hit gold in the U.K., Europe and in her native Australia, revealed she was far from being frustrated for not reigning the US charts but frequent questions on the matter did upset her.

"It doesn’t frustrate me (not cracking America),” the Daily Star quoted her as saying.

“It’s frustrating being asked about it and the assumption that it’s something really missing in my career and in my life.

"It just so happens that I live in London and my time is spent more throughout Europe and then there’s the Asian connection through Australia but the U.S.A. has remained at arm’s length," she added.

zimbio.com

Paris Hilton

2009-05-13T09:39:00.000-07:00

Paris Hilton reveals dog devastation

Paris Hilton says realising her beloved dog Tinkerbell had gone missing was like 'losing a child'.

Paris Hilton says realising her beloved dog Tinkerbell had gone missing was like 'losing a child'.

Paris Hilton says realising her beloved dog Tinkerbell had gone missing was like 'losing a child'.

Paris Hilton's worst moment was when her dog vanished.

The hotel heiress - whose sex tape with ex-boyfriend Rick Salomon was leaked in 2003 and who spent 23 days in prison for driving with a suspended licence in 2007 - struggled to cope when her prize Chihuahua Tinkerbell went missing.

She explained: 'It was so scary - she was gone for a week and I wasn't sure if she'd ever come back. It was like losing a child. She was a couple of blocks away at an old lady's house. The lady didn't watch TV so she didn't know my dog was missing. Then she saw the sign and I got her back.'

The 28-year-old star insists her life is far removed from what many people think, but admits she only goes to parties she is paid to attend.

Paris explained to Tatler magazine: 'I'm a brand. I'm a businesswoman. I do everything - I act, I sing, I design, I write books. What I love the most is the business part. I like what it is leading to. I eventually want to get involved in real estate.'

Source: Zimbio.com

Angelina Jolie

2009-05-13T09:27:00.000-07:00

Angelina Jolie Throws Brad Out Over Jennifer Aniston Rumours?
More reports of trouble in Brangelina-land...
Wednesday 13th May 2009

Angelina Jolie reportedly threw Brad Pitt out of their home after learning of his renewed friendship with Jennifer Aniston.

The gossipsphere has been abuzz with rumours that Brad has turned to his ex-wife as his relationship with Angelina reaches breaking point.

And now it's claimed Angelina is far from happy with the latest developments.

After hearing that the pair were back in contact, the Changeling actress is alleged to have had Brad's belongings taken to a nearby hotel , where she had booked a suite in his name.

"Angie went mad and told Brad not to bother coming back," an insider tells British magazine Now.

"She told him he’d humiliated her for the last time and that if he wanted to go back to his boring shallow life with Jen, that was fine by her."
Angelina is also said to be angry about Brad's meeting with Jen's pal Courteney Cox at a recent Chris Cornell concert in Los Angeles.
"She can’t stand any of Jen’s inner circle," says a source.

Zimbio.com

Christina Aguilera

2009-05-13T09:19:00.000-07:00

Christina Aguilera’s cleaner son

Christina Aguilera says her 16-month-old son Max Liron is “absorbing everything”, can speak Spanish and helps her clean the house.

13 May 2009
Christina Aguilera’s 16-month-old son loves doing housework.

The ‘Beautiful’ singer is amazed by how much Max Liron – her first son with husband Jordan Bratman – loves cleaning and says helping in the home is his favourite pastime.

She said: “Vacuum was one of his first words! He has a cleaning fetish and he loves to run around with a rag and dust and clean, and he loves to clean his high chair after he’s done eating. It’s so cute! I’ll lift him down and the first thing he does is to take a rag and clean off his chair. He’s mommy’s little helper.”

The 28-year-old star says Max is learning every day and is even speaking two languages – but admits she and Jordan have to be careful what they speak about in front of him,

She added: “He’s absorbing everything like a sponge right now. We have to be cautious what we’re saying around him! He’s speaking a little Spanish too. He said mama and papa months ago.”

Despite admitting her body has changed since having Max, Christina says she feels “sexier” than ever – and her music ex ecutive spouse agrees.

She said in an interview: “Since becoming a mom, I feel I have more knowledge and that makes me feel beautiful. I feel more centered, which makes me feel confident and sexy.

“The other night, my husband and I were in the bathroom getting ready for bed. I mentioned something on my body that was different before I had the baby. I said, ‘That was never like that before!’ And he said, ‘Are you kidding me? That’s what makes you even sexier. The fact that you’re a mom and that your body has gone through all those changes, that makes you even sexier.’ It was such an amazing compliment.”
Source: Zimbio.com

Avril Lavigne

2009-05-13T09:11:00.001-07:00

Avril Lavigne Dating Brandon Davis?

According to Aceshowbiz, Avril Lavigne has added fuel to the existing rumors that her marriage with husband Deryck Whibley is on the rocks after she reportedly was seen getting cozy with Brandon Davis during an outing at hot spot MyHouse on Friday night, May 8. Arriving with the socialite at the venue just before 1 A.M., the singer was spotted sitting on his lap when they left together in a limo later on the day, prompting rumors that they have an affair.

Brandon has been well known as the close friend of Avril and celebrity socialite Paris Hilton. Aside from his acting and modeling career, he is known as the grandson of late billionaire oil tycoon Marvin Davis. He previously dated actress Mischa Barton.

Earlier before Avril's arrival at MyHouse, her musician husband Deryck was also seen there with some of his male friends.

Source: Zimbio

Lindsay Lohan

2009-05-13T09:03:00.000-07:00

Police Find Mess at Lindsay Lohan's House
By Stephen M. Silverman
Originally posted Wednesday May 13, 2009 09:20 AM EDT

Lindsay Lohan Photo by: INF

Lindsay Lohan's housekeeping abilities have come under fire by no less a clean-up patrol than the Los Angeles Police.

On Tuesday, reports the Associated Press, officers responded to a 3 p.m. call from a security company that the burglar alarm went off at the star's Hollywood residence. There, officers reportedly discovered evidence of a potential break-in and what was termed a ransacking.

Only it wasn't a ransacking – just a typical mess in the house, police tell the AP. The condition of the home prompted those on the scene to ask, "Is it normally like this, or did the intruders do it?" said Los Angeles police Officer Karen Rayner.

It was determined that the alarm simply must have tripped. Nothing was stolen, and Lohan, 22, was not home at the time. Her rep did not respond to calls requesting comment.

Source: People.com

Farrah Fawcett

2009-05-13T08:58:00.000-07:00

Farrah Fawcett Breaks Her Silence
By Stephen M. Silverman
Originally posted Monday May 11, 2009 08:00 AM EDT

Farrah Fawcett
Photo by: CHARLES SYKES / REX FEATURES

One thing Farrah Fawcett would have appreciated during the course of her very public, 2½-year-battle with cancer: privacy. But that is the one thing she never received.

"It's much easier to go through something and deal with it without being under a microscope," says the terminally ill star, 62. "It was stressful. I was terrified of getting the chemo. It's not pleasant. And the radiation is not pleasant."

Speaking to a reporter for the first time since she was diagnosed with anal cancer in September 2006, the former Charlie's Angels icon granted Charles Ornstein, formerly of the Los Angeles Times, an interview – one she gave in August and which the newspaper published Monday, in anticipation of Farrah's Story, a two-hour NBC documentary Fawcett filmed with her friend Alana Stewart. It airs this Friday.
Harsh Words Fawcett's harshest words were reserved for the often-exaggerated stories about her illness that were published by a supermarket tabloid, a situation that caused her, she says, to establish a sting operation at the UCLA Medical Center to catch snooping employees who were leaking information about her condition to the publication.

Reacting to a December 2006 story headlined, "Farrah Begs: 'Let Me Die,' " Fawcett, speaking in her home, told the Times: "God, I would never say something like that. To think that people who did look up to me and felt positive because I was going through it too and yet I was strong … it just negated all that."
Cancer 'Is All You Talk About'
Last week, Fawcett's teary-eyed companion and caretaker, Ryan O'Neal, told PEOPLE exclusively, "She stays in bed now. The doctors see that she is comfortable. Farrah is on IVs, but some of that is for nourishment. The treatment has pretty much ended."

In August, Fawcett said of her fight against the disease, "It becomes your life. People call, 'How are you?' 'How do you feel?' 'We're praying for you.' 'Do you still have your hair?' 'What do you feel like?' When every single call is that kind of call … it's all you talk about. It's all consuming. Then, your quality of life is never the same."

Fawcett's quality of life was further jeopardized by the constant intrusion of paparazzi, who trailed her from Los Angeles, where she lives and was treated at UCLA, to Germany, where she also received alternative treatment.

"I'm a private person," Fawcett told Ornstein. "I'm shy about people knowing things. And I'm really shy about my medical [care]. It would be good if I could just go and heal and then when I decided to go out, it would be okay. It seems that there are areas that should be off-limits."
Before Condition Worsened
As for withholding her August remarks until now, the Times reports it was acting under the request of Fawcett and her rep, to connect the interview to the upcoming TV special. "There will be a good time, and what I have to say then will be more important," Fawcett said in August, before her condition deteriorated.

Still, back then, the actress said she wanted to serve as an example of someone whose health battle would offer a lasting effect – especially in the areas of protecting patient confidentiality and promoting alternative treatments for cancer.

Said Fawcett, "I'm holding onto the hope that there is some reason that I got cancer and there is something – that may not be very clear to me right now – but that I will do."

Source: People.com

Nicole Kidman

2009-05-13T08:48:00.000-07:00

Nicole Kidman Abandons Movie Role
By Stephen M. Silverman
Originally posted Wednesday May 13, 2009 07:05 AM EDT

Nicole Kidman Photo by: Don Arnold / WireImage

Nicole Kidman won't be joining Antonio Banderas, Anthony Hopkins, Josh Brolin, Naomi Watts and Freida Pinto in Woody Allen's latest film, as had been reported in March, because the Australia star has left the project.

No reason for Kidman's exit has been announced, reports Variety, just as no replacement has yet to be named.

The untitled movie is due to be shot in London this summer. Meanwhile, Kidman, 41, can be seen, albeit in limited release, with Slumdog Millionaire child star Rubina Ali, 9, in a new commercial for Schweppes drinks.

In it, Kidman plays a princess en route to a palace in India, where the handsome Bollywood actor Arjun Rampal meets her.

Filmed in India, the commercial was directed by Shekhar Kapur (Elizabeth) and produced by Ridley Scott (Gladiator), reports Britain's Daily Telegraph.

Source: People

Kim Kardashian

2009-05-05T09:15:00.000-07:00

Kim Kardashian: Derby Dame

Written by floryn_ro_bo on May-5-09 8:03am
From: celebsgsp.blogspot.com

It’s that time of year again- time for the highly-anticipated Kentucky Derby. And last night (May 1) Kim Kardashian was spotted living it up at the 2nd Annual Derby Spectacular Celebration in Louisville, Kentucky.
The “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” hottie was joined by her mother Kris Jenner as she schomoozed with fellow party guests, even taking over the deejay booth at one point.

As for Kim’s relationship with Reggie Bush, gal pal Brittny Gastineau recently told press that before long there will be wedding bells and the pitter-patter of little feet running around. “I think Kim and Reggie are definitely going to get married and have babies. They’re going to have the cutest babies ever. They really are. They both have very similar smiles. Their kid is going to have a million-dollar smile.”

Source: Celebrity-gossip.net

Madonna

2009-05-05T08:54:00.000-07:00

Madonna in Louis Vuitton

Written by Alicia
This is Marc Jacobs' doing.

Madonna was the face of Louis Vuitton's most recent ad campagn, so it's only fitting that she would represent for LV on the red carpet this year.

And boy, does she represent.

She paired her mini bustle dress with a pair of thigh-high patent leather boots and a bizarre headpiece. I'm not really getting what that's about.

I'm not nuts for this look, but...she can't be accused of playing too safe. I'm searching for positivity here, people.

Source: Zimbio

Britney

2009-05-03T18:20:00.000-07:00

Britney Spears Is Back To Her Best

Written by celebgossipz on Mar-25-09 3:39am
From: www.celebgossipz.com

Britney Spears - Maxim Deutschland April 2009 - The Elder

Britney Spears graces the April 2009 cover of Maxim Germany Magazine. The 27-year-old ‘Baby One More Time’ singer is definitely back at her best. She is free and spontaneous, topless and seductive, gorgeous in every way.

Source: zimbio