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| March 17, 2007 |
| Sienna Miller’s Transvestite Stalker |
In another example of the pitfall’s of stardom, Sienna Miller is allegedly being stalked by a transvestite. Miller is so frightened of what the wacko fan might do, she hasn’t been able to sleep and has hired two bodyguards for protection, reports Female First.
“Sienna has been bombarded with bizarre letters from a transvestite and has hired two security men. In his letters, he talks about being obsessed with her look. He tries to follow her everywhere.... The poor girl hasn’t been sleeping properly because she has been so scared. Things just got to the point that she just had to take extra care of herself,” insiders from the magazine revealed.
Sienna’s stalker is reportedly a transvestite who goes by the name of Peter. Peter wears women’s wigs, high-heeled stilettos, fake fur coats and dresses, as (s)he follows Sienna around.
I’ll leave you with a comical musing from the always hilarious J. Harvey:
“A stalker who has a thing for slutty blond chicks, the smell of Zima, and bad acting is following Sienna Miller’s drunken butt around and sending her letters. The stalker is a trannie . I love this story. This girl with something extra needs to take in a showing of “Factory Girl” and move on to a worthier target.”
While this is an interesting take on the whole situation, we hope that Sienna is safe and that this ‘interesting’ problem goes away. |
posted by viraks @ 10:22:00 AM  |
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| Cate Blanchett Lands “Indiana Jones 4” Role |
The blockbuster movie franchise ”Indiana Jones“ has just added Cate Blanchett to the list of big names set to star in the story’s fourth installment.
Cate joins Harrison Ford, who has already boarded the project, which will be produced by Lucasfilm and directed by Steven Spielberg.
"With David Koepp’s screenplay shrouded in secrecy, it is unclear what character Blanchett will play. However, sources said the Oscar-winning actress has landed a starring role,” the Hollywood Reporter stated.
The movie is set to begin shooting in June in LA, with footage then to be shot at undisclosed locations around the world. Paramount Pictures will release their final product around the world on May 22, 2008, with a handful of territories opening the following day.
Blanchett, who is filming David Fincher’s “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” next will lend her voice to Wes Anderson’s “The Fantastic Mr. Fox.” In addition to her Academy Award win for “The Aviator,” she received a supporting nomination this year for her role in Richard Eyre’s “Notes on a Scandal.”
Now her future is looking even brighter… it doesn’t get much bigger than Spielberg and Indiana Jones! |
| posted by viraks @ 10:18:00 AM |
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| Kirsten Dunst Has Singing Aspirations |
After harsh reviews of a movie of hers, Kirsten Dunst suddenly realized how self-conscience she has been. The popular actress finds herself wanting to be a free spirit and is eager to try new things.
Kirsten claims her awakening came after she made the movie Marie Antoinette, in which she received mixed reviews, but focused too heavily on the negative ones.
"After Marie Antoinette, I was feeling that I had to prove myself. Like, I didn’t do it. I didn’t prove myself enough,” said the young actress. “Then I thought, whatever. I’m in a really happy place, and I want to do a fun movie. Why do I want to be a super-serious chick all the time?”
This mentality goes hand in hand with reports that Dunst is interested in recording an album. According to Life & Style magazine, “Kirsten has expressed curiosity in music after her character had a singing role in Spider-Man 3.” A friend of the celebrity went on to say that “Kirsten had been taking voice lessons and wanted to make an album within the next year.”
If her newly found passion for music isn’t enough, Dunst has also shown a strong interest in art. She has said that she will continue to work in Hollywood even though she will have a busy schedule.
The hard working, newly self-motivated twenty-four-year-old has been in movies for eighteen years, and has been a celebrity ever since Interview with the Vampire was released in 1994… maybe a change isn’t a bad idea. |
| posted by viraks @ 10:11:00 AM |
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| R&B Singer Tamia Expecting Second Child |
R&B singer Tamia and her NBA star husband Grant Hill are expecting their second child, the couple confirm to PEOPLE.
"I'm happy that the secret is out because it was getting very difficult to hide it," says Tamia, 31, who is four months along. "I performed yesterday and I caught a glimpse of myself in a reflection and I thought, 'Oh no, I'm going to have to talk about this."
Grant, 34, is "thrilled" about the new family addition and daughter Myla, 5, looks forward being "the coolest big sister ever," Tamia says.
The singer announced her pregnancy on her MySpace page.
The couple wed in 1999 after being introduced by singer Anita Baker while Grant led the Detroit Pistons to the NBA playoffs. He now plays for the Orlando Magic.
Tamia released her fourth studio album Between Friends in November 2006 featuring her hit single "Can't Get Enough, " a love song about her husband. Despite her 2003 diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, Tamia says she feels "fine."
"The baby is healthy, everything is great," says she. |
| posted by viraks @ 10:07:00 AM |
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| John Travolta & Kelly Preston May Expand Family |
ohn Travolta would like to expand his family – if his wife, actress Kelly Preston, will allow it, the actor tells PEOPLE.
"There's a thought of this summer maybe trying for a third but that depends on Kelly's schedule," Travolta told PEOPLE at the ShoWest convention in Las Vegas. " I leave it up to her."
Travolta, 53, and Preston, 44, have two children – Jett, 14, and Ella Bleu, 7 – but another child has been on the couple's mind.
"I really like having kids. I enjoy their energy and it keeps everything wonderful and hopeful," says Travolta, who was in town to promote his upcoming summer move, Hairspray. "I grew up with six kids in my family. I thought I would have five or six."
On watching his children grow up, he said, "It's fascinating always, because they're yours and they're beautiful and they're constantly changing and offering you new thoughts and ideas, so I love watching them grow up...They're your future, really." |
| posted by viraks @ 10:02:00 AM |
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| Numb3rs Star Diane Farr Welcomes a Boy |
Actress Diane Farr, who stars on CBS's Numb3rs, and her husband, marketing executive Seung Yong Chung, welcomed their first child, a baby boy, Friday morning, a spokesperson tells PEOPLE.
The new arrival, Beckett Mancuso Chung, weighed 8 lbs. 2 oz, was 22-inches long, and was born at 8:56 a.m. in Los Angeles. He is named after the Irish poet and playwright Samuel Beckett. Mancuso is a family name from Farr's side.
"Mother and baby are happy and healthy," the actress's rep added.
The couple first announced that they were expecting in August.
Farr, 37, plans to return to Numb3rs for the season finale to air May 18. In addition to Numb3rs, she played a female firefighter on Rescue Me and has appeared on TV shows that include The Drew Carey Show and Roswell.
Chung owns and operates his own company, Chung and Associates, a Los Angeles-based entertainment marketing firm.
The two were wed on June 24, 2006, at Rainbow Tarns, a lodge in Mammoth Lakes, Calif. |
| posted by viraks @ 9:55:00 AM |
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| 'I am a lonely soul,' singer says in suicide note |
Brad Delp, the lead singer for the band Boston who killed himself last week, left behind a note in which he called himself "a lonely soul," according to police reports released Thursday.
The note was paper-clipped to the neck of Delp's shirt when police found his body at his Atkinson home, on the bathroom floor, his head on a pillow. He had sealed himself inside with two charcoal grills; toxicology tests showed he had committed suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning.
"Mr. Brad Delp. J'ai une ame solitaire. I am a lonely soul," the note read.
Delp joined Boston in the mid-1970s and sang two of its biggest hits, "More than a Feeling" and "Long Time." He was cremated Wednesday, after a private funeral earlier in the week.
His fiancee, Pamela Sullivan, called police March 9 after noticing a dryer vent tube connected to the exhaust pipe of Delp's car. In the garage, police found a note taped to the door leading into the house.
"To whoever finds this I have hopefully committed suicide. Plan B was to asphyxiate myself in my car."
In another note on a door at the top of the stairs, Delp cautioned that there was carbon monoxide inside.
"I take complete and sole responsibility for my present situation. I have lost my desire to live," he wrote. The note also included instructions on how to contact his fiancee: "Unfortunately she is totally unaware of what I have done."
Police later found four sealed letters in an office addressed to Sullivan, his children, their mother, Micki Delp, and another couple whose identity was not disclosed. Police Lt. William Baldwin said police gave the letters to family members without reading them.
Sullivan told police that Delp "had been depressed for some time, feeling emotional (and) bad about himself," according to the reports.
He had planned to marry Sullivan this summer during a break in a tour with Boston. A lifelong Beatles fan, Delp also played with the tribute band Beatle Juice. |
| posted by viraks @ 9:51:00 AM |
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| Oprah opens second South African school |
Oprah Winfrey opened her second school for poor South African youth Friday, an innovative, environmentally friendly institution she hopes will be a model for public education.
The Seven Fountains Primary School was funded by Oprah's Angel Network, a public charity that supports organizations and projects focused on education and literacy.
"The Seven Fountains School is an example of what schools in South Africa can become," Winfrey said at the formal dedication of the school outside the remote town of Kokstad in eastern KwaZulu-Natal province.
Dressed casually in a cream top and white pants, the talk show host danced and sang with teachers and children who lauded her with cries of "Long live Oprah, long live!"
Winfrey first visited the school in 2002 when it was located on a farm, bringing gifts, clothing, books and teacher-training materials for its 1,000 students and staff.
The school was later forced to move from the farm and relocated to a building with no windows, little electricity and running water, and only four toilets.
During a follow-up visit in 2004, the Angel Network committed itself to building a new school.
"We thought the school you had before was not good enough, so we wanted to build the best school for you," she told the children Friday.
The $1.6 million school, which will be run by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education, has 25 classrooms, three multipurpose rooms, a library, computer center, landscaped playground and two sports fields.
The supply of water to the area is irregular, so the school has an innovative system that recycles rain water and uses seesaws and merry-go-rounds to pump water. It also uses solar power and has landscaped gardens that supply vegetables for school meals.
"It can be done within the expectations of budgets. We used our imagination and creativity to build not only a good school but a great school," Winfrey said.
Winfrey emphasized the importance of education in combatting poverty and said every child had a right to succeed. "We are here today to celebrate the transformative power of education," she said.
Principal Veliswa Mnukwa praised Winfrey for responding to their plight and called her an "angel." "This is the second time you are visiting us, but now it is a very different school ... Nothing compares with what you have done for us," she said.
Nduli Amahle, 11, marveled at the school's transformation.
"I want to thank Oprah for giving us this school. It is going to change my life and help me become a doctor," she said.
Parent Lindiwe Mbambo said the school is also going to have a lasting affect on the community.
"Even as a parent I am going to participate here. There is a night school, a computer center and a library that we can use. I can't express my gratitude for Oprah. The old school was so miserable," she said.
Winfrey opened her Leadership Academy for Girls outside Johannesburg to great fanfare on January 2, with celebrities like Tina Turner and Spike Lee in attendance, as well as former President Nelson Mandela.
The lavish $40 million school was the fulfillment of a promise she made to Mandela six years ago and aims to give 152 girls from deprived backgrounds a quality education in a country where schools are struggling to overcome the legacy of apartheid.
But some parents have complained to local media about academy rules limiting the girls to one family visit a month and restricting their cell phone calls and consumption of junk food.
"It was a nightmare," Frances Mans told the News24 Web site. "We had only two hours to see my child. Surely this isn't a prison?" |
| posted by viraks @ 9:41:00 AM |
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| Anna Nicole Smith movie in the works |
Filming will begin in Los Angeles early next month on a motion picture about the life of Anna Nicole Smith, CNN has learned.
Producer Jack Nasser of All-Media Productions told CNN on Friday that his company is in the process of casting the lead role in the film, which could be released as early as June.
"We're moving as quickly as possible" on the production, Nasser told CNN. "We're on what we call 'the fast track.' " Nasser said the film will cover Smith's life from from age 17 until her death last month at 39, including her marriage to billionaire J. Howard Marshall and the death of her son Daniel.
Nasser said his film will focus on "the positive" about Smith, whose February 8 death caused a media sensation. "It's not focused on the trash," he said.
Nasser's company has produced a long list of little-known TV movies, including "Amber's Story," "Hostage Negotiator" and "The Suspect." He told CNN the untitled Smith biopic is intended for a theatrical release but could wind up on TV.
Nasser said it was not necessary for him to obtain the rights to Smith's story to make the film because it is based on biographical details that have been widely reported.
"She's very famous," he told CNN. "There's so much in the public domain. In this case rights aren't necessary."
Casting for the role of Smith will begin next week, he said. Nasser said he may cast two women, one to play the younger Smith, the other the older. A casting notice online specifies the role involves "some minor nudity for two brief striptease" scenes. Smith was a stripper in Texas when she met her late husband, Marshall.
Actors also will be cast to play Marshall, Smith's son Daniel at ages 5, 9 and 16, and the private nurse who discovered Smith's lifeless body in a Florida hotel room, among other roles.
Nasser told CNN his company had been at work on a film about Smith for the last two years and stepped up production after she died unexpectedly.
"We just kicked it into gear" after her death, he said. |
| posted by viraks @ 9:31:00 AM |
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| Babyshambles announce arena tour |
Pete Doherty's band Babyshambles are set to play their biggest shows to date with an arena tour later this year.
The UK dates, which include a gig at Wembley Arena, kick off at Manchester MEN Arena on 22 November.
The tour will also take in Newcastle, Brighton, Bournemouth, Birmingham, Nottingham and Glasgow.
Doherty will play two solo shows at London's Hackney Empire next month, which will include poetry, readings and an acoustic set.
Babyshambles recently secured a long-term deal with record label Parlophone.
The move followed the success of the group's The Blinding EP, which was released by the company in December.
Babyshambles previously scored top 10 hits with Killamangiro and Albion on the cult label Rough Trade. |
| posted by viraks @ 9:20:00 AM |
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| Gabriel to perform at 25th Womad |
Musician Peter Gabriel is to perform at this summer's Womad festival to mark its 25th anniversary. Gabriel, the co-founder of the world music event, will appear on 27 July with a line-up which includes 70 artists from 40 countries.
The event will be held at Charlton Park in Wiltshire for the first time, after 17 years at Rivermead in Berkshire. Organisers chose to move the festival from its former site in Reading because it was becoming too crowded.
'Negative noise' Gabriel said: "It has been wonderful to see what has happened with Womad over the last 25 years. It is different from any other festival I've even been to.
"Although I usually get to enjoy it from the audience rather than the stage, I'm delighted to come back for this 25th anniversary," added the performer.
Gabriel originally inspired the idea for a world music festival in 1980, leading to the first edition in 1982. Since 1988, other Womad festivals have taken place at different locations around the world.
Former Genesis star Gabriel endorsed the decision to move the principal site to Wiltshire, saying "it just felt that there was beginning to be a negative noise about Reading".
Despite switching venues, there are no plans to increase the 20,000 capacity of the event, which will take place between 27-29 July. |
| posted by viraks @ 9:17:00 AM |
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| Jolie 'sorry' for media exposure |
Actress Angelina Jolie has apologised for bringing the glare of publicity onto her newly adopted Vietnamese son. Speaking in an interview with Ho Chi Minh City newspaper Phap Luat, Jolie said: "I want to say sorry for bringing this into Pax's life."
The three-year-old boy has been renamed Pax Thien, the Latin for peace and Vietnamese word for heaven. The film star added she would stay at home to help the boy, who speaks no English, settle into his new life.
'Most important thing'
"We have to learn to adapt to each other and study each other's languages," Jolie told the newspaper.
"I have four children, and caring for them is the most important thing for me now," added the 31-year-old Oscar winner.
Jolie has already adopted two children, from Cambodia and Ethiopia, and last year she gave birth to a daughter, Shiloh, with actor partner Brad Pitt.
The actress, a United Nations goodwill ambassador, vowed to pay regular visits to Vietnam.
"To the best of my ability, I want to understand more about your country and see what I can do to help," she said. |
| posted by viraks @ 9:10:00 AM |
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| Hawkins tipped for Eurovision win |
Former Darkness frontman Justin Hawkins is the favourite to become the UK's Eurovision Song Contest entrant. The musician, who will perform a duet with Beverlei Brown, is tipped ahead of Big Brovaz, ex-East 17 star Brian Harvey and newcomer Cyndi.
Atomic Kitten's Liz McClarnon and reformed pop quartet Scooch are trailing in the bookmakers' odds. Saturday's Making Your Mind Up show is on BBC One at 1930 GMT, and the result will be revealed from 2130 GMT.
Guaranteed Hawkins has admitted that it is "everybody's dream to represent their country at the highest level".
"I think it's the biggest, most glamorous and possibly the most important music event there is," added the performer. Sir Terry Wogan, who will host the show along with Fearne Cotton, said: "Who knows, this could be the year that the UK makes it into the Top 10."
The UK is the last of 42 countries taking part in this year's contest in Helsinki to select their song.
The event's qualifying round will take place on 10 May, in which 28 countries will compete for 10 places in the final. The UK has a guaranteed berth in the final two days later as one of the biggest financial contributors to the contest, along with France, Germany and Spain.
In 2006 Daz Sampson's song Teenage Life finished 19th in Athens, while the UK last finished in the top ten five years ago. |
| posted by viraks @ 8:45:00 AM |
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| March 16, 2007 |
| Major Developments In Anna Nicole Case |
The Miami Herald is reporting what could be a major development in the investigation into the death of Anna Nicole Smith.
The paper stated that Seminole police have met with homicide prosecutors in the state attorney’s office to discuss the death of Anna Nicole Smith. The key words being homicide detectives… inferring that Anna Nicole may have been murdered.
The Herald also says “officials confirmed the meeting, held Tuesday, but would say nothing more about the nature of their discussions. In addition, the commissioner of the Royal Bahamas Police Force is now in South Florida, meeting with the Seminoles on Smith’s death.”
It was just last week that Florida police told Broward County Medical Examiner Joshua Perper that they had two new pieces of important evidence to share with him. And that info apparently is what held up release of the official announcement on the cause of her death.
Now, TMZ has reported that one of the important new pieces of evidence that triggered a police investigation centers around a computer.
Apparently, police from Florida and the Bahamas have been evaluating evidence on the computer, which was inside the hotel room where Anna Nicole died.
TMZ also noted, “the wife of Anna’s bodyguard, Big Moe, was on a computer near Anna’s bedside shortly before she died. Sources say Big Moe’s wife is not the focus of the police, but that there is information on the computer that has piqued the interest of cops.” |
| posted by viraks @ 7:05:00 AM |
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| Rachel Hunter Disses Beyonce |
Rod Stewart’s ex-wife Rachel Hunter, 39, has a beef with Beyonce Knowles. The New Zealand native fears for the career’s of young girls who aspire to be the next covergirl. According to Hunter, the era of high profile supermodels getting to do the runway and magazine scene could be coming to a close.
Movie and music stars will overshadow the world of modeling, says Hunter. “For years now we have seen people on the covers of magazines that aren’t models. They are actresses and it’s disappointing. Sports illustrated this year had Knowles on the cover. What’s left for young girls to aspire to if they want to be models? Not much!”
It is surprising that with all the other things to worry about in the world today, that Hunter is so concerned with girls who want to be models. Hey Rachel, maybe next time you could inspire girls to something a little less self-centered and a little more globally minded. And I thought that all models weren’t like Derek Zoolander. I guess even I’m wrong sometimes. |
| posted by viraks @ 7:02:00 AM |
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| Electra and Sweeney’s Runway Spills |
At the Max Factor and Clothes Off Our Back fashion show, models just couldn’t seem to stay on their feet. The runway was so slippery that Carmen Electra fell on her tush at the start of the show.
“Opening the show, Electra, the evening’s host, walked to the front of the runway and back again to thunderous applause. But just as she took her last step, she slipped. Her feet went into the air and she tumbled to the floor on her bottom,” reports E! News.
Immediately after Carmen took her spill, Days of Our Lives star Alison Sweeney ran out to lend a helping hand. While doing so, she too lost her footing, joining Electra on the ground rather than helping her up.
One of the evening’s models, Giuliana DePandi, said, “We were all backstage and all of a sudden we heard a thump and people going, ‘Oh, my god! Carmen fell. And then we heard another thump and Sweeney was down. What’s ironic is that right before Carmen walked onto the runway, she turned to all of us and said, ‘Be careful, girls! It’s slippery out here.’ “
Fortunately, neither Carmen nor Alison were seriously injured, however, after the two runway falls, the rest of models took off their Stuart Weitzman shoes and did the runway barefoot. |
| posted by viraks @ 6:59:00 AM |
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| Jessica Simpson Photo Book, Paparazzi Run-In |
Jessica Simpson and John Mayer have returned from their Italian escapade, with Jessica now inspired to release a book of photography.
The blonde singer-actress told MTV Europe that she wants to release a book of pictures she has taken. Her idea… the book would consist “mostly of landscapes, of the sky, clouds, accompanied by journal entries related to the shots.”
Jessica explained, “I know exactly what I was going through when I was taking the picture, and I write it down as I take the picture, so it will be that kind of book.”
While most people would call “that kind of book” a scrapbook and probably just keep it to themselves, Jessica seems adamant to make it work.
More recently, Simpson and Mayer returned home from their Roman getaway, and were greeted by throngs of paparazzi.
Soon after their return, Jessica made a trip to the Hahm Rejuvenation Center in West Hollywood. According to TMZ, “Jessica was in no mood to deal with her usual BFFs, the paparazzi.”
As the photogs crowded around her, an irritated Simpson exclaimed, “You guys, please, please back off! It’s really not cool.”
Jessica finally did make it to her black Mercedes and said, “I’m trying to respect you guys, but this is very rude,” before slamming her door shut and driving off… possibly on her way to take some pictures of the clouds! |
| posted by viraks @ 6:56:00 AM |
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| Jennifer Lopez 'Excited' About Idol Appearance |
Jennifer Lopez is counting down the days until she takes the American Idol stage. "I'm very excited," Lopez told TV's Extra in Las Vegas on Thursday. "I watched it last night. I have a couple favorites."
Lopez was one of the many A-list names Access Hollywood first hinted would appear on season 6 of Idol, which was later confirmed the FOX show. Gwen Stefani and Jon Bon Jovi are also on the lineup as guest mentors this season.
Lopez, who is expected to perform on April 11, reveals she'll sing "one of my Spanish songs. I think they're doing a Latin album theme night."
Until then, Lopez, who was in Sin City with husband Marc Anthony, is busy promoting their joint film project El Cantante at the annual ShoWest convention. So, could another family affair – kids – be next on the couple's agenda? "You're going to hear from me first and it's going to be me in handcuffs, because (I'll run) down Sunset screaming like a madman," Anthony tells Extra. "It's something that's important to us and God will make it possible whenever He says." |
| posted by viraks @ 6:54:00 AM |
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| Simon Cowell: I'm Worth More Than Springsteen |
Has the uber success of American Idol gone to Simon Cowell's head? Perhaps. It certainly has padded his bank account – so much so that he proclaims he's worth more than legendary rocker Bruce Springsteen, who has a record contract reported to be worth $100 million.
"I sell more records than Bruce Springsteen," Cowell says in a new interview with 60 Minutes airing Sunday. Cowell tells interviewer Anderson Cooper that he has sold "over 100 million records."
How is it that a former music executive-turned-television personality can achieve this feat?
Cowell says it's simple. "By doing Idol I signed the biggest artist on the planet and it's called Idol because every single Idol winner in now signed through Sony BMG," Cowell explains. "And this applies to ...all countries... we sell Idol to, which is over 30 countries."
Albums by the show's winners and runners-up are distributed by labels within the Sony BMG system through a deal between Clive Davis and 19 Recordings Unlimited, the label managed by American Idol creator Simon Fuller.
Many former contestants – not just the winners – have gone on to become platinum-selling recording artists including Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia, Chris Daughtry and Carrie Underwood, who Cowell predicted would sell "more records than any other artist" in the show's history. And he was right – so far. To date Underwood's debut CD has sold over five million records.
Of Springsteen's $100 million deal with Sony BMG, Cowell quips, "For him it's a good deal."
Meanwhile, Cowell crows to Cooper, "In the last five years, I've probably sold over 100 million records. If [Springsteen] got 100 [million dollars], I should have got 500." |
| posted by viraks @ 6:51:00 AM |
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| Mills is 'not a publicity seeker' |
Heather Mills McCartney, estranged wife of former Beatle Sir Paul, has said she will always love her husband and does not look for press attention.
"I'm not a publicity seeker... I haven't gone round promoting things to finance my own pockets," the animal rights activist told BBC News 24.
She added that she would "never get over" her relationship breakdown and "would always love Paul". Mills was being interviewed about her protest against pig farming practices.
Amicable The former model and Sir Paul recently returned to the High Court in London for their ongoing divorce proceedings.
When asked how the court case was going, Mills told the BBC: "We're not anywhere... it will go on. Ask Paul, it's up to him. It's absolutely nothing to do with me."
But she insisted the divorce was amicable.
"I've never ever spoken badly about my husband... I never will, he's the father of my child. |
| posted by viraks @ 6:49:00 AM |
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| Sinbad Is Alive – Despite Reports That He'd Died |
f Sinbad was looking for new comic material, he may have found it after being killed off by the online encyclopedia Wikipedia.
Fueled by a posting on the site last Saturday that he was no longer among the living, the robust 50-year-old actor-comedian got a call from his daughter, bringing the report to his attention, Sinbad tells the Associated Press. This was followed by grieving phone calls, text messages and e-mails – hundreds of them, he says.
Once the news quieted down it only started up again, this time after someone updated the Wikipedia Sinbad entry to say he had passed away from a heart attack.
Still not true. "Saturday I rose from the dead and then died again," the Los Angeles-based entertainer tells the AP. Laughing off the early report of his demise, he adds, "It's gonna be more commonplace as the Internet opens up more and more. It's not that strange."
Sinbad is currently on the road with his standup act. Wikipedia, whose entries are made by any member of the public, has yet to apologize – or to comment. However, a quick check of Wikipedia's Sinbad site on Friday morning revealed the following message, which reads, in part: "This page has been temporarily protected from editing to deal with vandalism." |
| posted by viraks @ 6:46:00 AM |
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| US TV host recovers from surgery |
US television host Regis Philbin is recovering well from recent heart surgery, according to his co-presenter Kelly Ripa.
Ripa said Philbin, 75, had bypass surgery on Wednesday and is already "up and joking around with nurses".
The former Who Wants To Be A Millionaire host presents daytime show Live With Regis and Kelly. Philbin announced on Monday's show that he had to have surgery after he had shortness of breath and chest pains.
Ripa sent an emotional get well soon message to her colleague on Thursday's programme, saying: "I'm thrilled you're ok".
The pair have presented the show together since 2001. Ripa was previously best known for her 12-year stint playing Hayley Vaughan in ABC soap All My Children.
Philbin's television career spans over 40 years. His most recent primetime show was America's Got Talent in 2006. |
| posted by viraks @ 6:43:00 AM |
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| Emmerdale actor at rape hearing |
Five people have testified at a preliminary hearing in the case against Emmerdale actor Ben Freeman, who is charged with rape in Barbados.
The prosecution witnesses include police officers and staff at the hotel where the alleged rape occurred on 29 November, a police spokesman said.
Mr Freeman, 26, from Leeds, West Yorkshire, attended the hearing in Bridgetown but did not enter a plea.
The preliminary hearing determines if there is enough evidence for a trial. Police said a British woman, aged 16, accused Mr Freeman of sexually assaulting her while the actor was on holiday at the Almond Beach Village resort.
Chief magistrate Clyde Nicholls did not impose any restrictions on Mr Freeman's travel.Mr Freeman, who plays Scott Windsor in the ITV1 soap, is currently taking a break from the series to fight the allegations. |
| posted by viraks @ 6:39:00 AM |
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| Epic war movie 300 makes UK debut |
Stars of the epic movie 300 have turned out for its UK premiere in London's Leicester Square. The films depicts a small group of Spartan soldiers holding off a huge Persian army which has invaded Greece.
Gerard Butler, who plays king Leonidas, was accompanied by Lena Headey who plays Queen Gorgo. The cast were met by a group dressed as Spartan warriors. The film has been called "psychological warfare" by Iranian authorities, but it has broken US box office records.
'Big and risky' Glasgow-born Butler, 37, said: "I used a lot of the Scotsman in my role because there is a great similarity in what goes on inside the warriors of old that has been very much lost.
"I read the story, I learnt about the Spartans. I was doing it for Greece but I was doing it for Scotland as well."
Fellow British star Headey, 33, said: "It feels great being involved with something that has been so well received.
"To play a woman who isn't relied on to be the weeping, sorrowful woman and to be strong and stand with the men in something so big and risky is great." |
| posted by viraks @ 6:34:00 AM |
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| Countdown to Comic Relief begins |
Comic Relief reaches a climax on Friday with celebrities including Ricky Gervais and model Kate Moss taking part in the BBC's fundraising show.
Celebrity Fame Academy will see socialite Tara Palmer-Tomkinson and actress Tricia Penrose go head-to-head in the live final.
Sketches from Sacha Baron Cohen and Catherine Tate are also included in the eight-hour BBC One show. Proceeds from Comic Relief: The Big One go to charities in the UK and Africa.
Jonathan Ross, Russell Brand, Paul O'Grady, Graham Norton and Chris Evans are among the presenters.
'Walk This Way'
The final of Comic Relief Does The Apprentice will also be shown. The fundraiser will also feature a special episode of The Vicar of Dibley with Sting - the last ever - and music from Girls Aloud and the Sugababes, who will sing Comic Relief Single Walk This Way. The Killers and Take That will also perform.
The Comic Relief appeal was launched on 31 January but the majority of money collected is done on Friday - known as Red Nose Day. |
| posted by viraks @ 6:28:00 AM |
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| 'Idol' cuts Rogers after less than Supreme effort |
Brandon Rogers, who forgot the words to his song on Tuesday's "American Idol," had a feeling he wouldn't last. He got confirmation Wednesday.
Rogers, a former backup singer from Los Angeles, became the first of the final dozen to be voted off the top-rated Fox network sing-off.
"I have no hard feelings," Rogers, 28, said before leaving the stage. "I kind of expected it." (EW kind of expected it tooexternal link)
Rogers said he committed a "cardinal sin" by stumbling with some of the lyrics of the Motown classic "You Can't Hurry Love." Judge Simon Cowell, who has routinely criticized Rogers for a lack of charisma, said his performance was dull and uninspired.
Sanjaya Malakar and Phil Stacey had the next-lowest vote tallies in the phone ballotting, which drew about 28 million calls and text messages.
Observers find it remarkable that 17-year-old Malakar, of Federal Way, Washington, has survived thus far. Though his rendition of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" was roundly panned by the judges, Cowell gave the "Idol" oddball credit for being what he called "brave."
Stacey, 29, from Jacksonville, Florida, sang "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" to lukewarm reviews.
Wednesday's show also featured a performance by Diana Ross, who coached the hopefuls this week. She sang "More Today Than Yesterday," a classic love song from her latest CD, "I Love You."
"American Idol" continues to rule the ratings, attracting between 27 million and 37 million viewers per telecast this season. |
| posted by viraks @ 5:06:00 AM |
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| Zsa Zsa Gabor's husband sues Bill O'Reilly |
Prince Frederic von Anhalt has sued Fox and Bill O'Reilly after the talk show host called him a fraud for claiming he could be the father of Anna Nicole Smith's baby. Von Anhalt, who is married to Zsa Zsa Gabor, filed the defamation suit seeking at least $10 million in damages Wednesday in Los Angeles County Superior Court.
The claim stems from comments the talk show host made during a February 22 segment of "The O'Reilly Factor."
"Look, this guy's a fraud," O'Reilly said, according to a transcript of the show posted on the network's Web site. "We know he's a fraud. But let's -- what I want to talk about is -- he's done. His credibility is -- is finished."
Since the show aired, von Anhalt said people give him dirty looks when he goes to the grocery store.
"They say, 'Look, here comes the fraud,"' he said. "I get lots of e-mails from people bad-mouthing me. It's very embarrassing."
An after-hours message for a spokesman at News Corp., which owns Fox, was not immediately returned.Last month, von Anhalt filed legal documents seeking a DNA test to determine whether he is the father of Smith's baby girl, Dannielynn. He has said he carried on a decade-long affair with the Playboy centerfold.
Two other men also claim to be the father: Smith's former boyfriend Larry Birkhead and her most recent companion, Howard K. Stern, whose name appears on the baby's birth certificate. |
| posted by viraks @ 4:26:00 AM |
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| March 15, 2007 |
| Brandon Davis: Biggest Loser? |
Inheriting a fortune from a relative who made billions of dollars breaking their back appears to be harder than one would think (that is if you are Brandon Davis).
Brandon is the grandson to the former billionaire Marvin Davis. Marvin made his fortune by drilling for oil and natural gas in the Rocky Mountains. After accumulating his riches from the energy industry, Marvin diversified his money into real estate with the acquisition of prominent properties such as the Beverly Hills Hotel and the Pebble Beach resort. This accumulation of wealth eventually led to Marvin purchasing 20th Century Fox in the early 1980s, and selling it shortly after to Rupert Murdoch for a nice profit. Marvin died in 2004, leaving his legacy and fortune to his wife, children, and grandchildren.
This is where Brandon enters the spotlight. Having never achieved anything worthwhile in his life, Brandon has felt entitled to greatness and stardom simply from the fact that his family had money. This is the only logical explanation for the obnoxious behavior, child-like outbursts, and complete lack of respect for everyone around him. For example, last year Brandon was riding in a car with Paris Hilton when the paparazzi caught up with them, and asked Brandon about Lindsay Lohan. Brandon responded with, “Lindsay, who is she? What, she is only worth like 5 million dollars. She is nothing.”
Another example of Brandon’s behavior would have to be his gambling problems. Reporter Janet Charlton claims that the Bahamian Atlantis Paradise Resort is suing Brandon Davis for bouncing checks in the casino there back in January (over $75,000 in debt). The Hard Rock Hotel also sued Brandon for $250,000 in unpaid gambling debts, but he was able to weasel his way out of paying by claiming that he was underage at the time.
None of this even touches the racial slurs that Brandon recently made at Paula Abdul over her Arab roots at Paris Hilton’s birthday party. All of this ridiculous behavior begs the question, is Brandon Davis the biggest loser in Hollywood? |
| posted by viraks @ 2:01:00 AM |
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| Britney Spears: Bulimic and Bi-Polar |
Britney Spears has been suffering since age 16 with the disease known as Bulimia.
According to tabloid reports, Britney has been battling bulimia all her adult life and she finally confessed the fact when she was caught making herself vomit at Promises rehab center in Malibu. She continues to live at Promises against her will, at the urging of concerned family members.
Britney’s bulimia was halted (on her own will) during her pregnancy. As soon as Sean Preston was born, Spears reverted to the bulimic routine.
“Britney has bulimia. She said she’s been throwing up her food since she was 16,” according to the reports.
Britney is now said to be battling Bipolar Disorder, as well. Her uncontrolled outbursts and mood swings are evidence of her illness. In fact, she has been having paranoid delusions while at Promises to the point that she is constantly checking her room for recording devices and cameras.
“Britney is on medication for bipolar disorder, but she’s been making herself throw up and the medication is not staying in her system like it needs to,” added an insider.
The disorder may have been the cause of her bed sheet suicide attempt.
A source told the Daily Express: “Doctors are alarmed at the physical state she is in. They confronted her about her desperately unhealthy lifestyle and the truth came pouring out.”
Doctors are treating Spears for the bipolar disorder but the treatment is being hampered due to Britney’s bulimia. Nothing the starlet consumes stays down for long, so the effectiveness of the drugs is threatened. Poor Britney. I do hope she gets it together and becomes the mother her sons need. |
| posted by viraks @ 1:57:00 AM |
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| Drunk Fergie Barred From Flight |
Black-Eyed Pea, Fergie (Stacy Ferguson), got the boot before she could even board her plane. The singer arrived at the airport intoxicated and in no condition to do much of anything, let alone fly.
Apparently Fergie, accompanied by bandmates will.i.am, Apl.de.ap, and Taboo, were headed to the UK until airport staff informed her that she could not board the flight in her current condition.
A witness to the debacle told the Daily Mirror, “She was falling all over the place and had to be supported. She was in no state to fly. But when she was prevented from boarding she couldn’t believe it. She was drunkenly ranting at staff, but could barely string a sentence together. It was very embarrassing.”
Further confirmation for the story came when a spokesperson for Virgin Atlantic said “We can confirm a female passenger was denied from boarding as she appeared intoxicated and was therefore unsuitable for travel.”
One thing is for sure, Fergie needs to get her act together. The disgruntled musician looked visibly tired when she later arrived in England, and was quickly taken out of view of cameras by label aides. |
| posted by viraks @ 1:55:00 AM |
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| Hilary Duff Releases New Single |
The digital single of Hilary Duff’s “With Love” is FINALLY available for sale. In addition, fans will be able to pre-order Hilary’s new album, Dignity, with an April 3rd release date. In an exclusive offer, those pre-ordering the album on iTunes will receive the “With Love” music video for free.
“With Love” is Hilary’s fastest breaking single to date on both the radio as well as MTV. “With Love” is already #34 on the Top 40 Mainstream radio chart after only two weeks of being #1 most added at the format.
The video has also been #1 on TRL several times since its early February debut. Hilary will be a guest co-host of MTV’s TRL the week of March 26, and will be featured on MTV’s “The Leak” beginning March 27 and running through April 3.
Dignity marks a new direction in Hilary Duff’s musical career. The album boasts a distinct and edgy dance feel, and “With Love” is the #1 breakout song on Billboard’s Hot Dance play chart this week. Hilary co-wrote each song, and the lyrics showcase her growth as a young woman, revealing both her confidence and vulnerability with depth and urgency.
A deluxe edition of Dignity will be released April 3 as well, and will contain exclusive artwork, and a DVD retrospective hosted by Hilary Duff from the living room in her own home. This spring, Hilary will also announce her tour plans for the summer for the United States, Canada and Europe.
In an interesting sidenote previously reported by The Gossip Girls, it was said that the title track of her new album is an attack on her ex-boyfriend Joel Madden and Nicole Richie. More recently, Hilary denied these claims, and surely will offer more details as time progresses. |
| posted by viraks @ 1:52:00 AM |
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| Pamela Anderson Kissing Tommy Lee? Really? |
Brace yourself. Pamela Anderson was seen kissing ex-husband Tommy Lee. Are you kidding me? Since their split in 1998, Lee has had his share of indiscretions, but this may be his best yet. Anderson, on the heels of her breakup with awesome husband Kid-freaking-Rock should know better, too.
The couple had lunch with their sons, ten-year-old Brandon and nine-year-old Dylan at the trendy Santa Monica restaurant The Ivy, and were seen kissing as they left together.
According to Us Weekly magazine: “The family left the restaurant together and as they were saying goodbye, Tommy leant into the car and gave Pamela a lingering kiss.”
“She didn’t mind, she put her arm around him and kissed him back,” insiders added.
If you look at the accompanying picture close enough, you can see the little one’s in the back seat. Maybe Tommy Lee and Pam should worry about not confusing their kids rather than getting a little lip action! |
| posted by viraks @ 1:27:00 AM |
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| Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott Welcome a Boy |
Tori Spelling and husband Dean McDermott welcomed their first child together, a son, on Tuesday, PEOPLE has learned.
Liam Aaron McDermott, who was born in a Los Angeles hospital, weighed 6 lbs., 6 oz, according to the couple's rep.
Spelling's mother Candy Spelling was at the hospital. The baby arrived just as the new mother is reconciling with her own mom after a long estrangement.
"Words can't describe the joy and elation I feel at this truly happy event," Candy tells PEOPLE exclusively. "I am looking forward to doting on my new little grandson and all the memorable fun that comes with it."
A rep for the couple adds: "They're all really happy and everybody's resting now. Tori and the baby are healthy."
The baby's middle name of Aaron is a tribute to Spelling's late father, legendary TV producer Aaron Spelling, who died in June.
Tori's brother, Randy, said in a statement Wednesday, "I'm excited to be a first-time uncle and wish my sister all the best."
Just last month, Tori Spelling, 33, told PEOPLE: "I am ready, ready, ready to meet my little man!"
Spelling and McDermott revealed exclusively to PEOPLE in December that they were expecting a boy. "Little boys are a ton of fun," Spelling said at the time. "We play tunes for him and watch him kick. He already loves the Dixie Chicks! We went to their concert and he kicked the whole time."
This is the first child for Spelling; McDermott, 40, has a son, Jack, 8, with ex-wife Mary Jo Eustace.
McDermott and Spelling met in the summer of 2005 while in Canada filming the TV movie Mind Over Murder and tied the knot in Fiji the following May. |
| posted by viraks @ 12:44:00 AM |
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| Elizabeth Hurley's Wedding Photos Revealed! |
Elizabeth Hurley and Arun Nayar were not satisfied with just one wedding. The couple celebrated their union with two ceremonies – one British and one Indian – and kept the festivities going for a week.
The wedding photo album from the events are all featured in this week's PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday.
The first part of their marathon celebration, which started with an emotional Anglican ceremony before 300 guests on March 3, was all English: a medieval estate, a bunch of Bentleys, a good grey rain.
The guest list included Elton John and husband David Furnish, Elle Macpherson, Eva Herzigova, designer Valentino and Prince Pavlos of Greece.
When Hurley, 41, and Nayar, 42, moved from Sudeley Castle in Gloucestershire to Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur, British reserve gave way to Indian splendor.
There were dancing white horses, walkways lined in millions of red chili peppers and a week of endless parties for 200 or so revelers who danced and ate and one night slept outside under tents.
At the center of it all was the Hindu wedding ceremony on March 9: In an open courtyard the bride and groom circled a sacred fire as Hindu priests chanted in Sanskrit. |
| posted by viraks @ 12:42:00 AM |
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| Cozy Couple: Lance Armstrong & Tory Burch |
Cycling star Lance Armstrong has been getting cozy with a new woman – N.Y.C. fashion designer Tory Burch, PEOPLE reports in its upcoming issue.
The seven-time Tour de France champ has been quietly dating Burch for months, according to sources.
"They are very much a couple," says R. Couri Hay, a friend of the designer's.
Reps would not comment on the relationship but Burch – whom Armstrong contacted, says a friend, after reading her profile in Vanity Fair – has already visited him in Texas several times.
Most recently, the couple cozied up at Houston's Hotel Derek on March 6, where they drank margaritas before heading off to a reception in Burch's honor. (Also in town at the time was Armstrong's ex-fiancée Sheryl Crow, who bears a striking resemblance to Burch. The longtime couple called it quits in February 2006.) |
| posted by viraks @ 12:32:00 AM |
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| Jessica Simpson & John Mayer's Roman Romance |
Less than two years ago Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey were celebrating their third wedding anniversary in Italy, but the no-longer-newlywed Simpson recently went back to the country – this time to Rome with her singer squeeze John Mayer.
"She's really happy," says longtime Simpson friend and New York City colorist Rita Hazan, who touched up the singer's brunette locks before her departure.
While in Rome, Mayer and Simpson booked a top floor suite at the Hotel de Russie – the same hotel where some of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes's guests stayed during the couple's November nuptials.
On March 8, the lovebirds lunched at Dal Bolognese restaurant. "He was smiling very much and she was giggling a lot," says a source at the eatery. "They held hands for much of the time and had eyes only for themselves."
The couple, who left the restaurant hand-in-hand, attracted some attention but didn't seemed phased, says the source. "When they walked out there were three or four paparazzi waiting for them," says the source. "They didn't seem to mind having their pictures taken."
Next stop, Via Condotti, Rome's most exclusive shopping street, where Mayer, 29, and Simpson, 26, strolled among the crowd. They stopped to shop at Fendi, Gucci, Valentino and even La Perla's luxury underwear shop.
Between all the shopping and eating out, Mayer, found time to post panoramic photo montages of his visit on his blog.
"Sometimes you try to shoot subjects way too expansive for any camera lens," wrote Mayer, who took a series of eight photos to try to capture the grandeur of Rome's Colosseum. "Some people call this trip a 'Roman Holiday.' But I call it a very expensive way to get new desktop pictures for my Mac."
The couple left Rome Tuesday, according to a source who says, "They're back in L.A. now. They had a fantastic trip." |
| posted by viraks @ 12:12:00 AM |
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| Take That musical to reach stage |
Take That have had their hits turned into a stage musical, following in the footsteps of Abba and Queen.
The show, Never Forget, will tell the fictional story of a Take That tribute band and include songs such as Relight My Fire, Pray, Back for Good and Babe.
But the band have issued a statement to say they are not involved with the musical and do not endorse it.
It will visit cities including London, Manchester and Cardiff from August, with tickets on sale from Wednesday.
It comes after the real band's hugely successful comeback. Their next UK tour recently sold out in just three hours.
The new stage show has been described as a "feel-good comedy about love, friendship, ambition and betrayal".
'Creating a legacy'
Producer Tristan Baker said: "We are the biggest fans of Take That's music and we are so excited about the wonderful opportunity to create a new musical based on the fantastic catalogue of their work.
"We look forward to creating a legacy with these well-loved songs in the way that shows such as Mamma Mia! have done before."
Producers licensed the music from EMI before Take That reformed and once again began having number one hits.
A statement on the band's website said: "The band would like to state categorically that this production is being undertaken with neither their involvement nor their endorsement.
"They would wish their fans and the general public to know that this production is absolutely and 100% nothing to do with Take That."
The story was created by TV writer Danny Brocklehurst, who has worked on Shameless and Clocking Off.
Never Forget follows in the tradition of the worldwide smash hit Abba musical Mamma Mia! and the long-running Queen show We Will Rock You.
It will be staged at the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff, Glasgow's King's Theatre, the Manchester Opera House, the Regent Theatre in Stoke-on-Trent and the Edinburgh Playhouse, before reaching London's West End. |
| posted by viraks @ 12:09:00 AM |
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| March 14, 2007 |
| Rare Beatles footage goes online |
Rare news footage and interviews with The Beatles have been made available to buy from download service Wippit.
The archive includes video reports of Beatlemania sweeping the globe in 1964, Paul McCartney getting married and John Lennon and Yoko Ono's "bed-in" in 1969.
Beatles songs are still unavailable legally online as the band and record label EMI resist the download market.
On Monday, EMI asked Wippit to remove a statement from its site that suggested it would be selling Beatles' content.
Wippit's video clips includes the Fab Four at award shows, on the set of their film Help! and meeting dignitaries.
The footage comes from the ITN, Pathe and Reuters archives. Video downloads are on sale from 49p each or as bundles from £4.99.
They are available in the Windows Media Video format to fans around the world, excluding North America |
| posted by viraks @ 11:49:00 PM |
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| Daltrey bronchitis stops Who show |
Rock band The Who abandoned a US concert after just one song because lead singer Roger Daltrey was ill.
Guitarist Pete Townshend told the audience in Tampa, Florida, that Daltrey could not continue as he was suffering from suspected bronchitis.
Townshend said: "I just talked to Roger and he can barely speak. I tried to get him to come out here, but he's really, really sick."
The concert has now been rescheduled for 25 March.
The Who's world tour comes to Europe later in the spring and they will play dates in the UK in May and June.
They have already played almost 50 venues in the US and Canada since the tour started in September. |
| posted by viraks @ 11:42:00 PM |
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| Monkeys tour tackles ticket touts |
Rock group Arctic Monkeys will only sell tickets for their forthcoming tour to fans who register on their website.
The band have set up a balloting system so only people who join their mailing list will be eligible to buy tickets.
"We are trying hard to fight against touting and invite you to take part in a fair ballot to get tickets," they said in a message on their website.
Fans have until 1900GMT on Wednesday to register. Winners will be selected at random, and the tour begins in April. The Sheffield group release their second album, Favourite Worst Nightmare, on 23 April - the day after the tour ends.
Single Brianstorm hits shops a week before, but is expected to enter the top 10 after it becomes available for download on 2 April. Their first album Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not became the UK's fastest-selling debut in 2006, selling 360,000 copies in its first week of release.
It won the group a Mercury Prize later in the year. More recently, they picked up Brit awards for best British group and best British album. |
| posted by viraks @ 11:37:00 PM |
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| Blue Peter sorry over fake winner |
The hosts of BBC children's programme Blue Peter have apologised to viewers after the results of a competition were faked last November. A technical problem meant viewers calling for the Whose Shoes contest did not get through to the studio.
Instead, a visiting child was asked to pose as a caller, and won the prize. Host Konnie Huq said: "We'd like to say sorry to you because when this mistake happened we let you down." The BBC did not profit from the calls.
BBC Children's controller Richard Deverell called the incident a "serious error of judgement".
The contest, on 27 November, was raising money for children orphaned by Aids in Malawi. Callers were asked to phone in and identify a mystery celebrity's shoes. More than 13,800 people entered, with calls costing 10p each, including 3.25p for the Unicef charity.
But an "unavoidable technical difficulty" meant producers were unable to access the callers' details and so found a stand-in. The winner could select a prize from a list of children's toys. The child they found was already in the studio because she had won a separate competition.
Premium phone line regulator Icstis is investigating the incident, which was discovered when another visitor to the programme set, Mona Zahoor, wrote to the BBC's Have Your Say messageboard. |
| posted by viraks @ 11:32:00 PM |
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| Mills talks dancing, not divorce |
Heather Mills McCartney, the estranged wife of former Beatle Paul, wants to talk about dancing, not divorce.
The 39-year-old, in the middle of a bitter divorce battle with the pop legend, sets off shortly for the United States to compete in ABC's "Dancing With the Stars," a decision that raised eyebrows given that she has an artificial leg.
In an interview to promote the show, Mills rebuffed accusations that she was in the televised dance competition only for the publicity, and joked about the prospect of flying limbs.
"If I was worried about critics, then I wouldn't do anything in my life, because this is the first thing I've done for 10 months and I've been chased and hounded for 10 months and told that I'm a publicity seeker," she told Reuters in the interview.
"Yes, I've got an artificial leg, yes, I'm going to dance, yes, I'm going to do the best I can, and hopefully it will inspire people," she said in Brighton, southern England.
"It won't come off. As much as everyone would love it to go flying, I'm sure it's not going to come off."
She said Jonathan Roberts, her professional dance partner on the show, had initially had misgivings.
"I think when Jonathan first met me it was: 'Oh my god, it's her and she's got one leg.'"
But by the fifth or sixth day of practicing together, he quickly forgot about her artificial limb, Mills added.
"The main focus for me is the message I want to send out: you can overcome any disability and just do whatever you want to do if you set your mind to it." Mills had her left leg amputated after being hit by a motorcycle in 1993.
Mills declined to talk in detail about her divorce battle with McCartney, which has been the subject of intense media speculation since proceedings began in July.
She did say that her negative image in the media was damaging her charity work, which includes campaigning for children, animal rights and the banning of landmines.
Mills has been portrayed as a gold digger by several British tabloids that accused her of marrying McCartney for the money. The couple married in 2002 and have a daughter but announced they were separating in May last year.
Paparazzi photographers have followed Mills relentlessly since then and newspapers have dug into her past.
"It ... does a lot of damage to the charity, so I don't like to even give them (the British media) an ounce of my breath because what are they, they're nothing, people that want to do that," she said.
"Because when they knock me and I'm the patron of the charity and I do all the work, then the donations go down and that's how it affects it, and then animals' lives and children's lives get affected.
"But they don't really care about that, unfortunately." |
| posted by viraks @ 11:30:00 PM |
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| Out of prison, Lohan's dad wants to make up |
The estranged father of actress Lindsay Lohan has been released from a New York state prison after serving almost two years for driving while intoxicated and other charges, according to news reports.
Michael Lohan said now that he is a free man, he wants to repair his unsteady relationship with his 20-year-old daughter. "I'm going to wait, and when she sees I'm walking the walk, I'm hopeful she'll open the door," he told Newsday.
He was released from Collins Correctional Facility near Buffalo on Tuesday, Linda Foglia, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Corrections, told CBS Interactive.
Lohan had been jailed since June 30, 2005, for attempted assault and other charges.
The attempted assault charge stemmed from an attack on his brother-in-law at a party.
While awaiting sentencing, he was charged with driving while intoxicated and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle when his car went off the road. His car struck a pole and was engulfed in flames. Lohan wasn't hurt.
Lohan told Newsday that while he was in prison, he went to Bible college and became a minister with the Assemblies of God Ministry. "I want to help people," he said. "I don't want them to fall into the same traps I did."
A message left for Lohan's lawyer was not immediately returned.
Lindsay Lohan's films include "Freaky Friday" and "Mean Girls." |
| posted by viraks @ 11:27:00 PM |
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| Tori Spelling gives birth to boy |
Tori Spelling gave birth to a boy Tuesday, her publicist said.
The actress and her husband, actor Dean McDermott, welcomed 6-pound, 6-ounce Liam Aaron McDermott at a Los Angeles hospital, said spokeswoman Meghan Prophet.
The baby is the first for Spelling and the second for McDermott, who has a son from a previous marriage.
The couple wed in May 2006 and star in the reality series "Tori & Dean: Inn Love," which premieres March 20 on the Oxygen network. |
| posted by viraks @ 11:23:00 PM |
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| Jolie, boy leave Vietnam orphanage |
Actress Angelina Jolie left an orphanage in southern Vietnam with a 3-year-old boy Vietnamese officials have said she is likely to adopt.
The star, who arrived in Ho Chi Minh City on Wednesday night, carried the boy from the Tam Binh orphanage to a waiting Toyota four-wheel drive.
The same vehicle later arrived at the Department of Justice in Ho Chi Minh City, where adoption officials earlier said an official ceremony would be carried out to complete the adoption.
The officials spoke Wednesday on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk about the matter. After about half-an-hour, two vehicles left the building, followed by a buzz of reporters and photographers.
It wasn't immediately clear where they were heading, but officials earlier said Jolie was expected to meet with U.S. consular officials, who must review the adoption before a passport can be issued for the boy.
Jolie had arrived at the orphanage carrying her 5-year-old son Maddox, whom she adopted in neighboring Cambodia in 2002.
About 20 children dressed in traditional Vietnamese tunics, called ao dai, and offering flowers welcomed the pair as they arrived at the orphanage. Jolie, dressed in a black skirt and shirt, was preceded at the orphanage by a phalanx of private security guards.
If all goes to plan, Jolie could take the child home by the weekend, officials have said. The boy has been living at the Tam Binh orphanage on the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City since he was abandoned at a hospital as an infant, according to adoption officials.
Shortly after he arrived at the orphanage, the Tam Binh staff tried unsuccessfully to locate the boy's birth parents. The boy is healthy, friendly and a little bit shy, they said. He gets along well with other children and loves to play soccer.
Jolie filed adoption papers as a single parent, because she and her superstar partner Brad Pitt are not married. They have three children: Maddox, adopted from Cambodia; 2-year-old Zahara, adopted from Ethiopia; and another daughter, Shiloh, who was born to the couple in May.
The pair made a surprise visit to the Tam Binh orphanage in November last year, when they were spotted cruising around Ho Chi Minh City on a motorbike. Their pictures were splashed across Vietnamese newspapers and magazines. |
| posted by viraks @ 11:08:00 PM |
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| March 13, 2007 |
| Mandy Moore Dumps “DJ AM” Goldstein |
It has recently been reported that Mandy Moore has decided to put an end to her relationship with Adam ‘DJ AM’ Goldstein. If you did not even know the two were dating, don’t feel too badly… the breakup comes only a few months after the two started seeing each other.
The 22-year-old singer-actress was first spotted with Goldstein, who ended his engagement with Nicole Richie last year, at the Sundance Film Festival in January.
According to NY Post sources, Moore has re-entered the singles market after deciding to end the relationship before things got too serious.
A representative for Moore refused to confirm the split, saying, “We don’t comment on her personal life.”
Moore, who most recently starred in the film “Because I Said So” with Diane Keaton, previously dated “Scrubs” star Zach Braff and tennis star Andy Roddick.
In the February issue of Jane magazine, Mandy also opened up about her battle with depression.
“The breakup from Braff added to what I was going through, but it’s not the complete reason,” she said. “It definitely doesn’t help if you’re already in that place ...”
For some reason, we get the feeling that the split from Goldstein will be a little bit easier to get over. |
| posted by viraks @ 6:33:00 AM |
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| Jennifer Aniston out in NYC |
Jennifer Aniston was spotted having drinks with Sam Rockwell in New York City last week.
The former ‘Friends’ star joined Rockwell - a co-star of Jen’s ex-husband Brad Pitt in ‘The Assassination of Jesse James’ - at New York’s Freemans restaurant last Tuesday night. Interestingly enough, Rockwell is also known to pal around with another one of Jen’s ex’s…Vince Vaughn. Aniston and Vaughn broke up late last year after an lengthy on-again-off-again relationship.
A source at Freemans Restaurant told Us Weekly magazine: “It seemed to me like a meet-and-greet, probably something movie-related. Nobody in the restaurant really noticed it was her.”
Another observer recounts, “Jennifer was friendly and nice and very pretty in person.”
The ‘Break-Up’ actress joined Rockwell, who was dining with two other men and a woman, shortly after 10 pm for around an hour.
It seems that Aniston isn’t straying far from familiar territory. However, this isn’t a completely random hook-up. After all, the pair starred together in ‘The 24 Hour Plays’, in New York, last October. |
| posted by viraks @ 6:33:00 AM |
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| An “American Idol”, Mario Vasquez Sex Scandal |
The show ”American Idol“ and former Season 4 finalist Mario Vazquez are being sued by an ex-employee named Magdaleno Olmos. The former assistant production accountant brazenly alleges that he was fired for complaining of sexual harassment, stemming from a sexually charged bathroom incident.
Looking back, Vazquez left the show two seasons ago for personal reasons, telling Access Hollywood at the time, “It has nothing to do with my family, nothing with me being sick, nothing like that. Basically there will be lots of hearsay on certain things,” he added.
The hearsay which Vasquez spoke of is now coming to light, when Olmos filed court papers in Los Angeles Superior Court accusing Vazquez of harassing him and “Idol” of letting him go for reporting the issue.
The AP has reported that “Olmos claims Vazquez followed him into a bathroom, and opened the door to a stall the “Idol” worker was in. Olmos further accuses Vazquez of having touched him in a “sexual” way and asking the worker if he wanted oral sex.”
Olmos insists that he complained to a supervisor but was told “that he was crazy, was imagining this and should keep this information to himself because no one would believe his account,” CNS reported.
Olmos is suing for wrongful termination and violation of the state’s Fair Employment and Housing Act. |
| posted by viraks @ 6:32:00 AM |
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| Busta Rhymes Loses Work |
The notorious Trevor Smith (aka Busta Rhymes) found himself without work this month, when he was banned from a film set in New York City.
Although the rapper has had other legal problems this past year, including a physical altercation over payment with his old driver, none have raised as many eyebrows as this latest unusual development unfolds.
"The production agreed that Busta Rhymes would not be participating in the scenes shot here, after the Police Department raised public safety concerns,” said Julianne Cho, associate commissioner with the Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre & Broadcasting.
Police concern still isn’t clear, as they have been unwilling to elaborate on their statement to the production staff. However, the ‘concern’ probably extends to the shooting of Busta Rhymes bodyguard, Israel Ramirez, who was killed during a music video filming. It seems Busta was less than cooperative, leaving police a bit irritated.
Despite the lack of a story on the police side, the NY Times reported that “producers were unable to meet the cost of extra officers that police said were necessary due to Rhymes’ ‘celebrity status.’”
Whether it is fair or not, it seems Busta is paying for the year old ordeal. Busta doesn’t seem to be without friends though, as director Jeff Celentano made his feelings clear through his publicist.
“This is tremendously unfair to Busta, who has been nothing but professional during this project. This is a bigger loss for the city of New York.”
Hopefully this unfortunate setback will be mended and the cast and crew can finish their movie. |
| posted by viraks @ 6:30:00 AM |
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| Regis Philbin Readies For Heart Surgery |
Regis Philbin, co-host of “Live With Regis and Kelly,” announced on yesterday’s show that he is scheduled to undergo heart bypass surgery this week.
“Well, listen, I gotta tell you something. ... I had been feeling chest pains, you know, and, uh, shortness of breath and all those little symptoms that you hear about,” Philbin, 75, informed the show’s audience.
After numerous medical tests, doctors ended up recommending bypass surgery, The Associated according to AP reports.
During the show, Philbin said that he was hoping to have angioplasty because “you know, you get in - bang, bang, bang - they blow it open and you leave the next day.” But, he said, “there’s some plaque in some arteries and I’ve got to get it cleaned out.” Not surprisingly, Philbin is not looking forward to the surgery.
“Darn it, I don’t want to do it,” Philbin comically exclaimed. “Nobody wants to do it, I guess. And I had a second opinion, I did all those things, and so they’re all in agreement that it should be the bypass. And so that’s what I’m gonna do.”
His co-host, Kelly Ripa, said that she plans to give Regis some special attention.
“My primary job will be, like it or not, get your pills ready… your sponge-bath nurse,” she said.
The quick witted Philbin quipped: “Why don’t you give me a quick dip before I go?” One thing’s for sure, Regis still hasn’t lost his sense of humor! |
| posted by viraks @ 6:29:00 AM |
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