Entertainment

Laughing with, and not at, Muslims

2011-06-17T19:59:00.000-07:00

By KIRK HONEYCUTT

Hollywood Reporter Reuters Los Angeles

So a Jew, a Christian and a Muslim walk into a bar. The bartender turns around and says, “What is this ... a joke?”

Yes, it is a joke but some people would wonder what a Muslim is doing in a bar and how he could possibly be involved in a joke. Because as far as many Americans are concerned, the words “Muslim” and “humor” don’t belong in the same sentence.

Which is where Ahmed Ahmed's “Just Like Us,” which opened Friday in limited release, comes in. Ahmed is a stand-up comic in the United States and, yes, he is an Egyptian-born Muslim. On a recent swing through the Middle East with a clutch of fellow comics, some of whom are also Arabs, he took along a camera crew to document to fact that Muslims can tell damn good jokes about themselves and that other Muslims will laugh uproariously.

The movie is fast, funny and light on its feet, dipping less into politics or religion than into cultural quirks and characteristics. For instance: An Arab invented the original mechanical clock, which is odd since Arabs are never on time. Bu-dah-bum. You get the idea.

One might complain that Ahmed and his Comedy Arabic Tour hit the most liberal ports-of-call in the Middle East -- Dubai, that international center of business and trade in the United Arabs Emirates; Beirut, Lebanon, the “Paris of the East”; and Egypt, the “Hollywood of the Arab world.”

Ah, but the comics also gave an underground concert in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where no public entertainment is allowed, religious police are everywhere and they can't even enter the country as entertainers but as “consultants.” How in the world did they get away with it? That may have been another documentary in itself!

Ahmed, one of the stars of Vince Vaughn’s Wild West Comedy Show and The Axis of Evil Comedy Tour, isn't interested in the larger picture. He settles for brief forays into each city and a hit-and-run encounter with his relatives in Egypt. Expect no broader context but simply an assertion that once you get everyone laughing, an Arab is “just like us.” As an examination of complex cultural ties and conflicts, that’s pretty glib but in this instance glib is also funny.

Ahmed takes along a group of comedians that include Omid Dajalili (star of The Infidel), “In Living Color” alum Tommy Davidson, “The Wedding Ref” host Tom Papa and Ahmed's Wild West Comedy Show co-star Sebastian Maniscalco. And while he did direct, Ahmed is generous in showing his fellow comics during their times on stage.

Some of the laughs here come in watching -- and hearing -- the North American comics test jokes on an entirely different audience without being fully aware of the censorship laws. Ahmed admits he was banned for a year in Dubai for saying something that rubbed the authorities the wrong way. A woman comic uses the word “balls,” then abruptly wonders if now she'll be banned. The audience seemed to laugh at this but that may be how Ahmed edited the film. Who knows what they’re laughing at?

For that matter, editing is so fast and the pace of the tour so swift that you wonder what did get left out. How did that underground concert in Riyadh happen? Why is there a brief altercation backstage at one event? How did authorities react to the gags? And doesn’t the fact that most of the routines are in English exclude most of the Arab populations in these countries?

Mostly, Ahmed wants to show men, women and children of the Middle East smiling and cracking up in laughter to counter the image of the serious, sullen or even furious Arab who inhabits the American consciousness. He and his comics tell jokes well enough that he gets ample opportunities for this.

Rebecca Black's 'Friday' controversy: Video production company says it was 'blindsided' by YouTube removal

2011-06-17T19:46:00.000-07:00

by Tanner Stransky

Rebecca Black’s infamous music video for “Friday” remains pulled from YouTube due to a copyright claim by Black, as the saga surrounding the viral video continues to play out. ARK Music Factory, the company that helped Black create it, has fired back in a statement, claiming that they’re working to resolve a complaint from Black’s representatives.

The statement from ARK’s spokesperson is as follows: “We’re disappointed, having been in good faith negotiations with Rebecca Black and her representatives for months regarding any open issues. There’s been an ongoing, open dialogue with our company. So we were blindsided to get a Take Down Notice — with no notice — alleging copyright infringement instead of a call or email from Rebecca’s representatives.”

The company also claims they have rights to the video. “Our use of the video has fully been authorized (as evidenced by four uninterrupted months and 160 million-plus viewings without objection) by both Ms. Black and the copyright holder,” the statement continued. “Regardless, we are going to continue to take the high road and work out the complaint as soon as possible so that the million-plus people who watch Friday for free each day can continue to enjoy the video.”

Finally, ARK ended their statement saying the company was “pleased to have been associated with Rebecca Black, and wish her continued success as she pursues her career,” and noting that company founder Patrice Wilson “discovered, defined, and delivered” the 13-year-old “sensation.”

Reps for Black have not responded to EW for comment, and Black herself has not yet written anything about the current controversy on her Twitter feed or her just-launched Facebook page.

Musicians in Madrid fundraising concert for Libyan refugees

2011-06-10T00:43:00.000-07:00

By MUNA KHAN

Al Arabiya with Agencies

Ten thousand fans gathered at Palacio Vistalegre stadium in Madrid to listen to musicians like James Blunt, Enrique Iglesias and Kate Ryan and support UN efforts to aid Libyan refugees.

The event, the seventh Primavera Pop Festival, was organized by 40 radio stations in a bid to raise awareness of refugees amongst the youth.

“We are very grateful to 40 Principales for this solidarity initiative to support UNHCR in its 60th year,” Maricela Daniel, UNHCR's representative in Spain, said at the concert.

“It is a great opportunity for us to bring the refugee cause closer to a motivated young public,” she said.

The concert was expected to raise 50,000 Euros which the United Nations High Commission for Refugees hopes to use for the protection of those displaced by the ongoing conflict in Libya.

The UN estimates that one million people have fled the conflict since it began in February in Libya and have moved to Tunisia, Egypt, Chad, Niger and Algeria.

Apart from the main attractions, other performers included Alexandra Stan, Carlos Jean y Nana, Dani Martín, Despistaos, El Pescao, La Musicalité, Macaco, Maldita Nerea, Melendi, Malú, Mohombi, Robert Ramírez, Soraya, Taio Cruz, and The Monomes.

According to UNHCR, Goodwill Ambassador Jesús Vázquez, “who is a popular TV presenter in Spain, sent a video message to the fans and several of the performers spoke about refugees.”

Many of the performers also joined the UNHCR campaign, “Put yourself in a Refugee’s Shoes,” by recording video messages to show their support, wearing campaign T-shirts.

The campaign will be launched in Spain on World Refugee Day on June 20.

(Muna Khan, Editor of Al Arabiya English, can be reached at: muna.khan@mbc.net)

Good for you, America: You don't care about Paris Hilton anymore

2011-06-03T16:24:00.000-07:00

by Darren Franich

Image Credit: Ken Babolocsay/Globe Photos/ZUMAPRESS.com

There was a time when it seemed like Paris Hilton was one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. She may not have invented the notion of “famous for being famous,” but she perfected it, running roughshod over the first decade of this brave new millennium. She was inescapable. She had a reality show, or two. She had a music career, and I use both terms loosely. She was on the cover of classy magazines and tabloid magazines, thus shattering the difference between the two, until the very definition of “quality” began to seem fuzzy. She was at the center of the Lohan-Spears-Hilton party girl continuum which threatened the very fabric of our nation, apparently. But time rolls ever on. Seasons pass. Things change. And, despite ourselves, we learn from our past mistakes. Thus, The World According to Paris — Hilton’s new reality show about the perils of being Paris Hilton — debuted to blessedly low ratings on Wednesday. Congratulations, America! It only took eight years, untold millions of dollars, a relentless onslaught of media gasbaggery (that’s us!), and the entire career of Nicole Richie, but you have successfully weaned yourself off of your Paris addiction. (Don’t worry about Ms. Hilton: Something tells me she’ll be just fine.)

Minogue and Smith deny split rumours

2011-05-31T15:13:00.000-07:00

By ninemsn staff

Dannii Minogue and Kris Smith. (AAP)

Pop princess Dannii Minogue and model partner Kris Smith have denied their three-year relationship is on the rocks, in a joint statement issued today.

Just ten months after the birth of their son, Ethan, the couple has been forced to defend their relationship amid reports they had taken a break from each other.

"Thanks for your concern," Minogue and Smith said today in a statement. "We're happy to be back at home in Melbourne together as a family. We are committed to our relationship and Ethan as always."

Their relationship has come under media scrutiny recently, with sources close to the couple telling the Daily Telegraph their union was crumbling under the strain of work pressures and parenthood.

Minogue added fuel to the rumours by posting a series of introspective messages on Twitter at the weekend.

“Never chase love. If it isn’t given freely by another person, it’s not worth having,” she tweeted, according to a News of the World report yesterday.

“Forgiving someone doesn’t mean forgetting what they did. It simply means letting go of the hurt.”

The posts were reportedly removed soon afterwards.

Minogue flew back into Australia last Sunday to continue judging on Australia’s Got Talent.

The 39-year-old regularly travels between Australia and the UK, while 32-year-old Smith is busy with his commitments as a menswear ambassador for Myer

Turkish melodramas swaying Arab TV audiences

2011-05-30T22:22:00.000-07:00

By EMAN EL SHENAWI

Al Arabiya

Turkish television melodramas have swept the Arab world with their racy episodes of drama, romance and controversy. In some cases, they have become an obsession for Arab audiences causing them sometimes to shun Arabic soap operas.

The Turkish TV shows, which are crammed with taboos subjects such as alcohol, premarital sex and abortion. These subjects aren’t typically featured in Arabic-language television shows.

“Arabic soaps no longer interest me, they are becoming too repetitive” said Marwa Al Kubanji, a Londoner from Iraq who is an avid fan of the Turkish shows. “They focus on violence and morals; almost teaching us what is right and wrong in life—they are too patronizing and dull.”

Instead, she said that Turkish programs run deep, centering on emotional dilemmas and conflicts of the heart. These are amplified with storylines that show Western norms clashing with the traditional backgrounds of the Muslim characters, she added.

“I was shocked that these things were being broadcast on Arabic television when I first started watching ‘Noor’ three years ago,” she said.

Noor, (originally titled Gumus in Turkish) was the first Turkish soap opera dubbed in Arabic. It told a rags-to-riches story of a woman who married into a wealthy family but was rejected by her husband, who had another love interest.

Noor attracted more than 85 million Arab viewers above the age of 15—nearly 50 million of them were women, according to a report on Turkish soap operas by the Turkish newspaper Hurriyet. Those 50 million are the equivalent to more than half of the adult Arab female viewers of any Arab TV drama in recent years.

The popularity of the Turkish shows among Arab viewers isn’t surprising, said Sengul Ozerkan, a professor of television and a cultural commentator in Istanbul. “Turkey always acts like an intermediary between the West and the Middle East,” she said in a Euromonitor report this week.

The Saudi cleric Sheikh Saleh al-Luhaidan, however, denounced

Noor. He said the program represented a “war” on Muslim virtues since it portrayed Muslim characters living in a largely secular Turkey.

Enas Mohammed, a scriptwriter based in London and a frequent viewer of Turkish dramas, said that although current Arabic soaps are relatively bland and repetitive in comparison to Turkey’s productions, the Arabs would catch up.

“We are beginning to see more daring story lines in Egyptian films, including those made for television. Some of them are focusing on fiery subjects with emotive angles,” Ms. Mohammed said.

She mentioned the film Al-Shawq, an Egyptian film that follows the trials of a woman who turned to begging on the streets of Egypt to be able to provide for her two daughters and an ill husband. It won the Golden Pyramid at the 34th Cairo International Film Festival in December 2010.

But it’s Turkey that still churns out the most melodramatic of the dramas, with programs such as Ask-i Memnu, Izel, Yaprak Dokumu, Kurtlar Vadisi, Asmali Konak and Ihlamurlar Altinda. These are currently showing on Arab television channels.

Last year, a total of 22 countries imported Turkish television series. The Hurriyet study found that since Turkey started to export its shows in 2006, sales have exceeded $3 million annually with the Arab world, Greece and Brazil being the top markets.

(Eman El Shenawi of Al Arabiya can be reached at: eman.elshenawi@mbc.net)

'American Idol' recap: Duel at the Nokia Theater

2011-05-29T22:41:00.000-07:00

By Kate Ward

Earlier in the season, Randy Jackson told Lauren Alaina that the young contestant reminded him of a Carrie Underwood-Kelly Clarkson hybrid. And weeks later, during Tuesday night's finale, Idol did its darndest to remind us of this very comparison. Lauren sings a Carrie song! Carrie chooses a song for Lauren! Random precious footage of Carrie (and David Cook, but strangely, no other Idol winners) as a youngster just prior to precious footage of Lauren as a child! Vocal troubles, just like Kelly during season 1's finale! The comparison to the season 4 winner was so subliminal, I found myself several times accidentally typing "Carrie" in my notes instead of "Lauren." How to explain the sudden urge to watch Minute To Win It and buy a Filet-O-Fish -- that I can't quite explain.

But it makes sense for Idol producers to push a Lauren win for season 10. After all, we're looking at a perfect reality show storyline here: Sweet Southern Belle who dreamed of winning Idol as a child grows up to nab the title of our American Idol -- but only after overcoming a health struggle that almost pushed her out of the competition. That's right: Just prior to the show, rumors hit the Web claiming that Haley would replace an ailing Lauren. (Oh, what a tease!) But according to Idol's resident doctor, after Lauren sprained a vocal cord while pushing her voice in rehearsals, she was deemed healthy enough to compete.

Dubai fashion students to showcase at the Whos Next

2009-10-12T15:12:00.001-07:00

Edited by Sarah Khan
Fashion students from the Dubai campus of the French Fashion University Esmod, the only dedicated fashion school in the region, will have the opportunity to showcase their creations at the WHO'S NEXT & PREMIERE CLASSE fashion trade show in Dubai after a partnership agreement was sealed between the university and the trade fair's organisers.
WHO'S NEXT & PREMIERE CLASSE is the first multisector fashion fair in the Middle East, celebrating creations of all forms. The event will gather more than 200 brands, including urban labels, women brands and accessory designers who will be displaying their top creations at the Dubai World Trade Center from October 11 to 13, 2009. French Fashion University Esmod will exhibit the work of its fashion students at Stand A40.

"The trade show will parade an international selection, including several creations from French designers who will make up around 40 per cent of exhibitors. This will be a very good venue for the students to learn directly from the most prominent names in the business. Moreover, the trade fair will help us create awareness among high-profile international exhibitors that there is a highly-focused fashion school and a growing talent pool in the Gulf," said Tamara Hostal, Director and Founder, French Fashion University Esmod.

"Our students will also benefit from this event through internships and other career-development opportunities that will be offered by leading French designers. There are some extremely talented young people in the Middle East who really deserve such an opportunity. In addition, we are also looking forward to invite some of the prominent designers to conduct lectures for our students," added Mrs. Hostal.

Esmod Dubai's participation at the WHO'S NEXT & PREMIERE CLASSE is part of several activities organised by the university to open new horizons for the region's fashion minds and nurture a greater number of fashionistas to represent the Arab region in the fashion world. The fashion university earlier concluded a high-profile fashion show at Wafi mall involving the school's first graduating batch.

"FFU will continue to find innovative ways to nurture the raw talent of our students and encourage them to follow their dreams by opening opportunities to enhance their learning experience and help them succeed in the fashion world. We want students to gain a lot of practical experience about how the industry functions to adequately prepare them to face the challenges in the real world," concluded Mrs. Hostal.

Since its inception in 2006, Esmod Dubai has been accommodating a steadily growing number of students in its mission to capitalize on the region's booming fashion industry and the steady drift of the Middle Eastern consumer towards haute couture. The Dubai campus now embraces students from 47 different countries, of which over 40 per cent are GCC nationals and UAE locals. The number of students is expected to further grow this year as the university has planned several initiatives to help its graduates find attractive job opportunities with globally known fashion names.

Global Arab Network

New Voting System Announced for Oscar's Best Picture Category

2009-08-31T21:41:00.000-07:00

ET
Jewel Samad / Getty Images
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences confirmed Monday that it will be using a new voting system. Read on for details...

The Academy will use a preferential voting system to determine which of its 10 nominees will win the award for the Best Picture category. In June, the Academy's Board of Governors announced that it was extending the Best Picture list of nominees from five to 10.

The new voting system is one that "best allows the collective judgment of all voting members to be most accurately represented," according to a statement released by the Academy.

"Instead of just marking an 'X' to indicate which one picture they believe to be the best, members will indicate their second, third and further preferences as well," Academy President Tom Sherak said of the new system. "PricewaterhouseCoopers will then be able to establish the Best Picture recipient with the strongest support of a majority of our electorate."

Nominees for The 82nd Academy Awards will be announced on Tuesday, February 2, 2010, at 5:30 a.m. PT -- and the awards will be presented on Sunday, March 7, 2010, at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood on ABC.

ABC Entertainment President: We'd Love to Have Paula Abdul on 'DWTS'

2009-08-09T04:25:00.001-07:00

ET
Kevin Winter / Getty Images
Could Paula Abdul end up on "Dancing with the Stars"? Stephen McPherson, the president of ABC Entertainment Group, dished on Saturday about the possibility of it happening.

"I was a little stunned by the decision. We would love to have her on 'Dancing.' As a contestant, as a participant, as a judge," McPherson told reporters. "I think she's a huge talent. There's a sensitivity and emotion in her that balances out 'American Idol' and we'd love to get a piece of that."

He continues, "I have definitely reached out to her. We are friends from way back. I gave her a call to say I was sorry about the situation and we want to see her on ABC. She said, 'Great.' She was traveling and she is going to be back in town and we will sit down."

McPherson and Abdul met years ago when he was with Buena Vista and Abdul pitched him projects. As to what the former "American Idol" judge would do on "Dancing with the Stars," McPherson says, "We have no formal plans. Len Goodman travels back and forth and it is tough on him. We had to have some guest judges. I think all possibilities are open. We will look at it. It will probably depend on where her head is at."

Jess Veronicas' nipple slip: Twitpic'd

2009-08-02T23:40:00.000-07:00

ninemsn
An eagle-eyed fan caught this shot of Jess Origliasso struggling to stay inside her bra at a Veronicas concert in the US.

The pic appeared on Twitter yesterday after the Aussie sisters performed at Spiedie Fest in New York.

Of course, a little bit of a nipple slip is no big deal when you've already starred in your very own nude photo scandal!

Report: Dr. Conrad Murray Gave Jackson Powerful Drug Before His Death

2009-07-27T20:09:00.000-07:00

ET
Getty Images/ Pool / Houston Chronicle
Dr. Conrad Murray gave the late Michael Jackson the powerful drug that authorities believe killed him, claims a new report.
The Associated Press, citing an unnamed official, reports that Dr. Conrad Murray allegedly gave Jackson the anesthetic propofol on the night before his death.
A lawyer for Dr. Murray tells the AP that he did not prescribe or administer anything that should have killed the King of Pop. In response to the AP report, attorney Ed Chernoff tells ET, "It's a waste of time responding to all these timed 'leaks' from 'anonymous' sources.

I feel like a horse swatting flies. Everyone needs to take a breath and wait for these long delayed toxicology results.

I have no doubt they want to make a case -- for goodness sakes, its Michael Jackson! But things tend to shake out when all the facts are made known, and I'm sure that will happen here as well."
Dr. Murray, who was with Jackson on the day he died last month, is also the subject of a manslaughter investigation, according to court documents cited by the AP.

Rebecca Romijn Talks New Show & Babies

2009-07-27T02:59:00.000-07:00

ET

ET's Thea Andrews caught up with actress Rebecca Romijn at Comic-Con to talk about her new TV series and her new twin babies.

"I feel like I have friends here," the 'X-Men' actress said of Comic-Con.

Romijn sat on the panel for her new ABC drama "Eastwick," which focuses on three very different women in a small New England town who find themselves drawn together by a mysterious man who unleashes unique powers in each of them. "I feel like it's a character that's most like me in real life," she told Thea of her bohemian character.

The actress and her husband Jerry O'Connell welcomed twin girls Dolly Rebecca Rose and Charlie Tamara Tulip on January 5th. "They're crawling around. I have such a lovely, energetic husband. ... I'm going through separation anxiety but I think they're having a blast," she said of the twins. "It's nice to be back at work but I'm missing them so much."

Keep checking ETonline for more Comic-Con coverage.

Who's the gap-toothed cutie?

2009-07-23T19:38:00.001-07:00

Images: Snapper Media

ninemsn

No prizes for guessing who this wealthy little blondie grew up to be!
It's Paris Hilton, in a still from her new documentary Paris, Not France. At the recent Los Angeles premiere of the documentary, Paris let slip that the late Michael Jackson's daughter Paris was named after her.

"My mom and Michael went to high school together and they were best friends since they were 13," she told Extra.

"So I grew up knowing Michael very well and when he had his daughter, he always loved the name Paris and grew up being an uncle to me.

"So he asked my mom if it was okay and of course she said yes and I think she's such a beautiful little girl and I'm proud we have the same name."

Father blames Jackson doctor over death

2009-07-21T05:37:00.000-07:00

AAP
EPA ©

yahoo7

Joe Jackson says he has taken his son Michael's death "very hard" and believes the doctor who took care of him could be behind the singer's demise.

The patriarch of the Jackson family appeared on CNN's Larry King Live and implied his son's personal doctor, Dr Conrad Murray, may be to blame for the death.

"The doctor gave him something to make him rest, and then he don't wake up no more. Something is wrong there," Jackson said. He did not refer to Murray by name.

A phone listing for Murray could not be found, and two messages left with his lawyer, Edward Chernoff, on Monday night were not immediately returned.

The family is awaiting the coroner's toxicology report to determine how Michael Jackson died at the age of 50. The results are expected next week.

Investigators obtained a search warrant and removed several bottles of the powerful anaesthetic propofol from Jackson's home, according to a person with knowledge of the investigation.

Jackson suggested Murray couldn't be found following his son's death on June 25.

"This doctor, he ran away. They had to look for him three days to find him. To me that is foul play," Jackson said.

Police interviewed Murray two days after Jackson's death.

Authorities say he is a not a suspect, though the cardiologist is a key figure in the investigation because he was with Jackson in the mansion and tried to revive him. His car has been seized after police said they believe the vehicle may contain drugs or other evidence.

Wearing a black fedora and a gold medallion of Africa hanging around his neck, Jackson appeared on the show with promoter Leonard Rowe.

When asked by King how he's dealt with his son's death, Joe Jackson replied, "I took it very hard".

Jackson added he didn't know where his son's body is being kept and hasn't seen the results from a second autopsy performed on Michael Jackson at the family's request.

Micheal Jackson hair on fire

2009-07-16T05:15:00.003-07:00

France jails Algeria's "Prince of Rai" for five years

2009-07-03T16:00:00.000-07:00

Cheb Mami made the world famous "Desert Rose" with Britsh star Sting (File)

PARIS (AFP, Al Arabiya)

Algerian music star Cheb Mami was sentenced Friday to five years in jail for drugging and trying to make his ex-girlfriend undergo a forced abortion, despite pleading for forgiveness at his trial near Paris.

Known as the "Prince of Rai," the 42-year-old singer this week ended two years on the run and returned to France to face trial for the 2005 assault against his former lover.

Wearing a white shirt, the star, whose real name is Mohamed Khelifati, showed no emotion as the verdict was read out, before being escorted from the courtroom in Bobigny, outside Paris, and remanded in custody.

"Serious mistake"

" I was ashamed to have an illegitimate child. A child should be born from a union. I didn't want this child "
Cheb MamiProsecutors had asked for seven years against Mami, who produced several chart-topping records in France in the 1990s but reached international stardom in 2001 with the hit "Desert Rose" a collaboration with British pop star Sting.

During his testimony, Mami expressed remorse and pleaded for the woman's forgiveness.

He broke down in tears and admitted making a "serious mistake" but said he did not love the woman and felt "trapped" when she told him she was pregnant.

"I was ashamed to have an illegitimate child. A child should be born from a union. I didn't want this child," he told the court.

Mami's former manager Michel Lecorre -- also known as Michel Levy -- was sentenced to four years for plotting and organizing the assault.

Mami blamed Levy, saying he was behind the plot to force the woman to have an abortion.

Drugged and abused

Court sketch shows Cheb Mami at a Paris courthouseThe victim, a 43-year-old photographer whose name was withheld, was sequestered and drugged in an Algiers house belonging the singer after revealing she was pregnant in the summer of 2005.

Two women and a man then tried to carry out an abortion on her.

Returning to France, the woman learned that her pregnancy had not been terminated and went on to have the child -- a girl -- now three years old.

"They insulted me.. They threw me on the mattress and tore off my pants....I was given three shots with needles, one woman pressed against my stomach and the other put her hand in my vagina and started scraping," she testified in court.

Arrest warrants were also issued for two of Mami's aides, Hicham Lazaar and Abdelkader Lallali, who were convicted in absentia of having a direct hand in the violence. They were sentenced to three and six years in jail respectively.

Behind the Scenes of Michael Jackson's 'This is It' Concert

2009-07-02T22:58:00.000-07:00

Michael Jackson was busy putting on the final touches for his 50-date London concerts at the O2 Arena when he unexpectedly died. Now, ET's Thea Andrews is with the men behind the massive production to reveal what could have been Michael's most incredible concert tour yet!
A show filled with music, dance, stunts and pyrotechnics, Michael's "This is It" concert was being directed by Kenny Ortega, the man who designed Michael's "Dangerous" tour, choreographed 'Dirty Dancing' and also brought "High School Musical" to the world. Kenny says that Michael promised "the concert of a lifetime" and was prepared to deliver.
"We [had] some fun things planned," he says, referring to gigantic spiders, 20-foot puppets, a flaming bed, a pole dancing aerialist, a 3D movie and plenty more magic. "It's complex in scale and it's as big as anything I've ever done or attempted to do for an arena production."
Michael was reportedly planning to open the show with "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" and a glass sphere would float around the King of Pop, light up, drift over the crowd and then return to his palm.
Rehearsals for the concert series began at CenterStaging in Burbank, CA, owned by Johnny Caswell, but the huge space still wasn't big enough for the production, so Michael moved to L.A.'s Staples Center downtown.
"He was intently involved in making this, along with Kenny, the greatest thing he'd ever done," says Caswell, who adds that the performance stage, just under 10,000 square feet, "was not big enough to house the set, or high enough. It was really gonna be big stuff."
The "This is It" concerts will never be, but there are reports that AEG Live, the promoters, have approximately 100 hours of rehearsal video and may turn the footage into anything from a CD to a DVD, motion picture, pay-per-view or television event.
Watch ET for all the latest Michael Jackson news…

Ashley Olsen speaks out: I’m not a public figure!

2009-07-02T18:16:00.001-07:00

ninemsn

She’s been in the limelight since she was nine months old and is one half of the world’s most famous twins, but Ashley Olsen claims she’s tired of being a celebrity.

"I’ve definitely had a past life of being a personality, and a very public one," she said.

"But that’s not what makes me comfortable. I’m not an actress. I’m not a public figure or acting as one.”

Ash has ducked out of acting in order to pursue a career in fashion, moving to New York to escape the long lens of paparazzi.

"I can actually live here. I don’t get followed. In LA, paparazzi wait outside my house. I don’t leave my house. I can’t."

Ironically it doesn’t look like that has scared off Mary-Kate from acting. The other Olsen twin, who previously copped a roasting from the press over her anorexia-scare days, is currently filming Beastly alongside Vanessa Hudgens.

Jackson's mum, kids 'to gain from will'

2009-06-30T04:30:00.000-07:00

AAP
Yahoo7

A 2002 will by Michael Jackson divides his estate between his mother, three children and one or more charities, the Wall Street Journal has reported.

But his father, Joseph Jackson, apparently does not feature, said the story.

A lawyer for Jackson could submit the will, which was believed to be his last, to Los Angeles Superior Court as soon as Thursday, said the Journal.

It names lawyer John Branca and a music executive John Mclain, a friend of Jackson, as executors, according to the Journal.

Branca, who worked for Jackson from 1980 to 2006 and was rehired by Jackson a week before his death last Thursday, wrote the will in 2002, according to the newspaper account.

The singer's parents have not seen the will, their lawyer said in an emailed statement to the Journal.

The report said Joseph Jackson, with whom the singer reportedly had a troubled relationship, was not believed to be included in the will.

It was not known what custody provisions the 2002 will sets out for Jackson's three children. A Los Angeles court on Tuesday gave the singer's mother temporary custody of the children until a hearing in July.

The size and complexity of Jackson's assets and debts is expected to pose a challenge in unwinding his estate, the Journal said, estimating his debt at $US500 million ($A619.2 million).

His assets, which include a 50 per cent stake in Sony/ATV Music Publishing, could exceed his debts by as much as $US200 million ($A247.68 million), it said.

Redmond O'Neal Allowed to Go to Farrah's Funeral

2009-06-29T15:55:00.000-07:00

Getty Images / Kevin Winter / L.A. Sheriff's Dept.
According to court paperwork obtained by ET, Redmond will be allowed to leave jail for three hours to attend Farrah's funeral.

He will be allowed to wear civilian clothes, but will be accompanied by a sheriff during the funeral.

He will not be allowed to go anywhere but the funeral during his time away from jail, and he and his family are responsible for transport and security fees incurred.

Michael Jackson dies

2009-06-25T15:57:00.000-07:00

By ninemsn staff

PHOTOS: Legend dies

US gossip website TMZ.com said ambulance officers were unable to revive the pop legend after they were called to his house about 5.30am (AEST).

Paramedics said Jackson had no pulse when they arrived and "they never got a pulse back", TMZ reports.

The Los Angeles Times is also reporting the 50-year-old has died, quoting police sources who said Jackson was pronounced dead at the UCLA Medical Centre after arriving in a deep coma.

Fire department official Steve Ruda said Jackson was not breathing when Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded to the 111 call.

The paramedics performed CPR and took him to the Medical Centre, Ruda told the Times.

Earlier, Michael's father Joe Jackson told E! Online he was aware of the emergency but did not know further details.

"I am in Las Vegas, but yes, people in Los Angeles called me and are with Michael and tell me he was taken to the hospital," he said. "I am not sure what's wrong. I am waiting to hear back from them."

The reports came as Jackson prepared to make a keenly anticipated concert comeback in London, his first series of shows in more than a decade and the first since his 2005 acquittal on child molestation charges.

However those concerts — billed as the "final curtain" — had been thrown into doubt after Jackson pushed back the opening dates last month.

Organisers of the concerts had stressed the delay was not linked to Jackson's health.

Promoters and producers AEG Live said the rescheduling was done because of the "sheer magnitude" of the show and the desire for fans attending the opening nights to get the same experience planned for all 50 shows.

In a press conference from the United States broadcast over the internet, AEG Live president Randy Phillips was asked about Jackson's health and said: "I would trade my body for his tomorrow. He's in fantastic shape."

While Jackson reigned as the King of Pop in the 1980s, his once-stellar career had been overshadowed by his colourful public behavior, his startling physical transformation and multiple allegations of child abuse.

Jackson lived as a virtual recluse following his 2005 acquittal on charges including child molestation and plotting to kidnap his young accuser.

Despite his acquittal, the trial was a body blow from which the pop music superstar struggled to recover.

Four years later, Jackson is still worshipped by fans for revolutionising music, dance and music videos at the peak of his success.

The attention however paid to him in recent years has been less flattering, focusing on apparent cosmetic surgery — which he denies — his baby dangling antics and a decade of swirling child abuse allegations.

Britney Spears Reacts to Death of Ed McMahon

2009-06-23T16:08:00.000-07:00

Matthew Simmons / Getty Images
Britney Spears is opening up about the death of Ed McMahon, who she says give her her "first shot" as an artist.

"I am deeply saddened by today's news about Ed McMahon," Britney tweeted. "He is responsible for giving so many artists their first shot including myself. He was a wonderful man and will be greatly missed."

Britney appeared on the McMahon-hosted "Star Search" when she was a child.

Paris Hilton nude in a Hummer with Tinkerbell

2009-06-23T14:30:00.001-07:00

ninemsn

A nude Paris Hilton really isn't much to raise an eyebrow at these days, but a nude Paris Hilton with a Chihuahua between her legs… omg wtf?

In a candid interview with Access Hollywood the heiress invited cameras into her Beverly Hills mansion to show off her unusual taste in artwork.

Giving a guided tour of her ridiculously enormous bedroom, Paris pointed out various elements of the unique décor… her chandeliers, her giant picture of Marilyn Monroe, and two framed pictures of herself in the buff — one hugging a toy cat, and the other sitting in a Hummer with her Chihuahua Tinkerbell peeking out from between her legs.

We knew Paris was an animal lover, but… eww!

Other oddities in the home include Paris's extensive doll collection and the home gym that she turned into a giant shoe closet.

Arnold Schwarzenegger's Jet Makes Emergency Landing

2009-06-21T01:32:00.001-07:00

Vince Bucci / Getty Images
ET

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger tweeted about a potentially scary incident that he's dubbed "a little adventure."

ET confirms that Schwarzenegger's chartered jet made an emergency landing at Van Nuys Airport on Friday night after the pilot noticed one of the instrument panels was smoking. The plane was roughly 10 minutes away from its scheduled touch down in Santa Monica.

A rep for the governor says the pilot made "quick, steep, but safe landing," and no one was injured. "A little adventure just now when my plane made an emergency landing. All's ok, though," Schwarzenegger tweeted, posting a picture of the jet, too.

Jennifer Aniston bags out her own crap love life

2009-06-15T03:44:00.000-07:00

ninemsn
Images: Getty

At least Jennifer Aniston can laugh about her crap relationship choices.
The 40-year-old sexy single burst out laughing when someone took a swipe at her douchebag ex John Mayer at the Women in Film Awards in California recently.

"You have increased the visibility of women in film, and we thank you for that," said Chelsea Handler while presenting Jen with an award.

"You've recently decreased the visibility of John Mayer, so we thank you for that."

Meow! A witness told Usmagazine.com that "Jen threw her head in her hands and was laughing so hard" at the dig.

"Her two girlfriends on either side started laughing hysterically."

When accepting the gong (which was a Crystal Award for Excellence in Film, by the way), Jen remarked, "I have a strange parallel with movies I was doing and my life off screen.

First, it was The Good Girl... which evolved into Rumor Has It, followed by Derailed" - a reference to her one-time marriage to Brad Pitt, perhaps?

"Then there was The Breakup," she continued. "Followed by the lighter side, Friends With Money.

"If anyone has a movie called Everlasting Love With an Adult Stable Man, that would be great!" she laughed.

"I'm at table six, and my agents are at table 12."

Loving the crap out of that! Check out Jennifer's evolution from geeky teen to Hollywood glamour girl in our gallery!

Is Robert Pattinson really hotter than Brad and Johnny?

2009-06-09T13:43:00.001-07:00

ninemsn
Images: Getty

Considering the amount of crazy Twilight fans out there, it's not much of a shock that Robert Pattinson has become the new Zac Efron/Brad Pitt/Johnny Depp of the celeb hotness world.
So when young Rob was pitted against fellow famous heartthrobs for Vanity Fair's "Most Handsome Man In The World" poll, of course he's gonna be leading the votes by about two million billion.

The ivory-skinned spunk is leading the vote with a whopping 58% of the vote - with Brad and Johnny trailing at 11% and 10% respectively. Sheesh! I mean, Rob's hot and all, but... 48% hotter than the Deppster? Stay tuned - we can't wait to find out if he pulls this one off!

Quintessential Hollywood glamour Angelina Jolie predictably scooped the female version of this poll back in March - reckon Rob will scoop the pool this year?

Britney Spears set to cause a 'Circus' with raunchy show

2009-06-05T20:20:00.000-07:00

DUBAI (AlArabiya.net)

American superstar Britney Spears is set to bring her massive Circus show to the United Arab Emirates to bring to an end her comeback tour, which has been described "sex, fire and stomp-and-slither choreography," and bound to stir controversy in the Muslim state.

Local press reports said AEG, the organizers of the singer's tour, were planning to bring Spears to Dubai but not before her raunchy routines could be amended in line with cultural sensitivities and logistical problems were solved to accommodate her massive performance.

Britney in a cage for her Circus show"Britney is confirmed 100 percent, it is just a matter of working out the finer details, getting all the promoters on board and happy," TimeOut Dubai magazine quoted an unnamed AEG official as saying.

The magazine, which also reported that Michael Jackson and diva Beyonce were headed to the emirate, said Spears was tipped to perform in November after finishing her European tour dates.

“We are looking at dates but as it is a very complex tour and it’s a show that needs a central stage, there are a lot of logistical challenges. You wouldn’t believe the amount of equipment involved. But I would like it to happen," AEG Middle East chief executive, Thomas Ovesen, told local daily 7Days.

" The Circus concerts are very theatrical shows and any big show that comes through here would have to be acceptable to the market. As with any artist, she would be fully briefed about the guidelines "
Event organizerSpears recently launched the European leg of her comeback tour and some critics have criticized her two-hour show as "dull" but the one thing most critics have agreed on is that the tour is full of "sex and fire," which Dubai officials are likely to ask she tones down.

Last month Hip Hop rapper Akon performed in Dubai and sparked outrage after he ripped off his shirt breaking the government rules against nudity, the paper reported.

The UAE has hosted an array of artists like Shakira, Justin Timberlake, Coldplay and Alicia Keys.

“The Circus concerts are very theatrical shows and any big show that comes through here would have to be acceptable to the market. As with any artist, she would be fully briefed about the guidelines," 7Days quoted an event organizer as saying.

“It’s possible there might have to be some tweaks to the current show,” he added.

'Columbo' Star Peter Falk Placed Under Conservatorship

2009-06-02T00:15:00.000-07:00

ET
Stephen Shugerman / Getty Images
After several months of legal proceedings a decision was made to place actor Peter Falk under a conservatorship on Monday.

The 81-year-old star suffers from advanced dementia and Falk's wife Shera will remain in control of his personal care and affairs, the Associated Press reports.

Dr. Stephen Read testified during the conservatorship trial on Monday that the actor slipped into dementia after a series of dental operations in 2007.

According to the AP, Falk's daughter Catherine petitioned in December to take over her father's affairs, but instead the court has granted her 30-minute visits every other month.

Susan Boyle finishes 2nd on 'Britain's Got Talent'

2009-05-30T20:12:00.000-07:00

VIDEO
msn
LONDON (AP) --

She dreamed a dream, and it very nearly came true. But Susan Boyle's reality show journey finished Saturday with a second-place finish in the finals of "Britain's Got Talent," an ending that didn't fit the fairy tale.
Instead of the 48-year-old Internet sensation, an exuberant dance troupe called "Diversity" took the 100,000-pound ($159,000) prize and will perform for Queen Elizabeth II at the Royal Variety Show.
Boyle paced around the stage as the hosts named the top three of the ten final acts, and looked almost relieved when her name was called as the runner-up. She recovered in time to graciously praise the dancers.

"The best people won," Boyle said. "They're very entertaining. Lads, I wish you all the best."
Boyle then curtsied several times to the audience, gave them her signature shimmy, and strolled offstage.
It had been a tumultuous week for Boyle, a woman previously unused to the limelight. She lost her cool during a confrontation with two reporters, and the police intervened. One contest judge said Boyle had contemplated pulling out of the competition to soothe her frazzled nerves.
But when she stepped into the spotlight Saturday, Boyle seemed more polished — and animated — than in previous appearances.
She wore a modest, but glamorous, floor-length gown, and chose to go back to the song that rocketed her into the international spotlight: "I Dreamed a Dream," from the musical "Les Miserables."
Her hometown of Blackburn, Scotland — a small, working class village about 10 miles (16 kilometers) west of Edinburgh — rallied round her, stringing up posters and signs in her support. Friends and neighbors gathered at a local pub to watch the performance.
"I've known her for many years," said 72-year-old neighbor Margaret Yule. "She's a lovely lassie and she will do well whatever happens. Susan is about the singing, and fame and fortune won't change her."
Millions tuned in to the live program and voted by telephone afterward.
Boyle was up against a host of everyman acts determined to find stardom on reality television, including Shaheen Jafargholi, a 12-year-old whose voice has been compared to Michael Jackson's, Hollie Steel, a 10-year-old who turned in a solid performance after a tearful semifinal meltdown, and a grandfather-grandaug hter singing duo.
And then there was "Stavros Flatley," a father-son act who parodied "The Lord of the Dance" by romping around the stage shirtless, in blond wigs and leather pants, combining Greek and Irish dancing and music.
But it was Boyle whom people tuned in to watch.
After her first appearance in April, Boyle became the favorite to win the competition. As she stepped on stage during auditions, her frumpy appearance drew condescending looks from the studio audience and the judges, but her soaring, evocative voice silenced the doubters and turned her into an Internet sensation.
The first moment Boyle sang was one that has been viewed millions of times, the fifth-most watched clip in history on YouTube. It was a moment that went down in reality-show history.
As Boyle hit a high note at the end of the song's first line, judge Simon Cowell's eyebrows rose along with her voice. The audience went mad. And a star was born.
She has since appeared on the "Oprah Winfrey Show." Demi Moore tweeted about Boyle on her Twitter feed. Boyle dominated Britain's tabloids — but there were signs she was feeling the heat.
Related: Check out the week's CelebriTweets
She acknowledged Saturday that it had been a stressful few weeks, but said onstage that it had been "well worth it."
Cowell said that she'd been given a rough ride, but that she was "a nice, shy person who wants a break."

Susan Boyle threatens to quit

2009-05-28T17:27:00.000-07:00

By ninemsn staff
VIDEO: Boyle cruises into final

Singing sensation Susan Boyle has threatened to quit Britain's Got Talent after throwing two tantrums at a London hotel, one of the show's judges says.
Piers Morgan, who has backed Boyle since her first audition, believes the pressures of fame have finally hit home for the 47-year-old singer.
"She's been in tears repeatedly," Morgan told British television.
"And, as of yesterday, she was packing her bags."
The judge said he was "very, very angry" with recent media scrutiny of the singer he described as a "sweet middle-aged lady" who had lived a sheltered life and had health problems.
"I am calling today for everyone to give her a break," he said.
Yesterday Boyle reportedly flew into a rage after seeing Morgan praise 12-year-old contestant Shaheen Jafargholi for his performance.
And later she abused two members of the public who were mocking her, telling them: "How f******* dare you … you can't f****** talk to me like that."
The outbursts prompted one leading psychologist to explain the meltdowns as the fault of an "obsessed global audience holding a magnifying glass over her life".
Morgan said Boyle was even in denial about some of the nasty things that had been reported.
"But either way, I know she's feeling a lot of pressure, and I think that most people watching this show and hearing about this will feel natural sympathy towards her," he said.

Brooke Shields Gives Marriage Advice

2009-05-25T16:06:00.001-07:00

ET
Bryan Bedder / Getty Images
Actress Brooke Shields says there's some marriage advice that should not be followed.

Brooke says the recommendation "that love is enough" is "not practical."

"Without love, I don't think it's possible, but it's not the only thing. Love without communication means nothing," the mother and wife tells Health magazine. "Love with completely different views on how you want to raise children? Doesn't work."

She continues, "Love can produce the children, but it has nothing to do with the raising of the children. I grew up thinking, oh, that's it. All I have to do is fall in love. You may think love will change everything, but it really is different with children. Children don't necessarily bring you together, they challenge you."

Brooke annulled her marriage to tennis pro Andrew Agassi in 1999. She is now married to Chris Henchy and they have two daughters together.

Oops! You spelt your tat wrong, Hayden

2009-05-24T02:38:00.001-07:00

ninemsn
Image: Snapper Media

A tattoo is for life not just for summer — which is why it's a good idea to spell-check your body art before you make it permanent.

Poor Hayden Panettiere is probably wishing she'd invested in an English-Italian dictionary before having a foot long tattoo etched on her back… one that contains a typo!

Hayden shows off her new tat while taking a dip with her new fella, Steve Jones, in Cannes.

The new tat reads "vivere senza rimipianti", meaning "live life without regrets" but the final word should actually be spelt "rimpianti".

The Italian speakers at perezhilton.com report that the botched tattoo actually reads more like "live life without regretted".

Doh!

Still, Hayden isn't the first star to get inked with an erroneous tattoo. David Beckham's Sanskrit "Victoria" tattoo is spelt wrong (not that anyone other than Sanskrit scholars would know), and Britney Spears ended up with the Chinese character for "Strange" etched on her hip… when she'd actually asked for "Mysterious"!

Kate Hudson: Making out with Madonna's ex

2009-05-24T01:57:00.000-07:00

Yahoo7

Kate Hudson has been seen "making out" with Madonna's rumoured ex-boyfriend.
The 'Bride Wars' actress and New York Yankees baseball star Alex 'A-Rod' Rodriguez couldn't keep their hands off each other as they enjoyed an intimate date at New York's Mustang Grill restaurant last weekend.

An onlooker told the New York Post newspaper: "Staff were asking patrons not to go in the back room around 1am because A-Rod and Kate Hudson were back there making out."

A waitress also confirmed the pair were at the eatery, celebrating Alex's team's win.

She said: "Yes, they were here together."

Other sources claim the smitten couple were spotted outside Alex's apartment block.

Alex, 33, and his wife Cynthia - with who he has two daughters - split in 2008 after she claimed he had "an affair of the heart" with Madonna.

Kate, 30 - who has a five-year-old son, Ryder, with ex-husband Chris Robinson - was recently linked to ex-boyfriend Owen Wilson, who she has dated on/off since 2007.

Veronicas Jess: I didn't turn Russell Brand down. He's sexy as hell!

2009-05-24T01:53:00.000-07:00

ninemsn
Images: Snapper Media

The Veronicas are scratching their heads over rumours they turned down a proposition from British comedian and notorious ladies' man Russell Brand. They claim they've never even met the guy!

The Daily Telegraph reported that Russ had given his number to blonde Veronica Jess after meeting her and her sister Lisa Origliasso.

The paper quoted her as saying, "We both like people who can make us laugh but with him being a womaniser we'll leave others to go there."

But Jess swears the encounter never happened. And if it had, she says she certainly wouldn't have turned the British spunk down!

"WTF are all those articles about me 'turning down' @rustyrockets [Russell Brand]?" she wrote on her Twitter page. "Ive never even met him - & I would NOT turn him down!! Hes SEXY as hell!

That sets the record straight. Heads up, Russell!

Nic Cage Reveals 'Sorcerer's Apprentice' Secrets

2009-05-21T22:04:00.000-07:00

ET

Nicolas Cage re-teams with super producer Jerry Bruckheimer for the sixth time ('The Rock,' 'Con Air,' 'National Treasure' and more) to play a modern-day wizard in a live-action take on Disney's 'The Sorcerer's Apprentice,' and ET is on the set!
Sporting long locks, Nic tells ET he chose the project because, "I wanted to do something very magical; something that dealt with fantasy, as opposed to just straight-up violence. It occurred to me if you use metaphors and you use magic, then the body count goes down and becomes a lot more fun for everybody -- the whole family."
In theaters July 2010, the film follows Nic as he searches for an apprentice in New York City, played by Jay Baruchel ('Tropic Thunder'). Of course, the original "Sorcerer's Apprentice" was a segment in Disney's animated 'Fantasia' from 1940, in which Mickey Mouse gets ahold of the Sorcerer's magic hat and finds himself in a heap of trouble when he loses control of the broomsticks he commands to clean up the castle.
"I think I was a toddler when I first saw it," recalls Nic. "It really was my introduction at a very early age into classical music. It truly is fantastic in the sense of the word; the colors and the imagery was just magical."
So, does he get to wear the all-magical pointy hat in the movie?
"I really wanted to fight for the hat, but the hat didn't quite make it as much as I'd liked," he reveals. "But I think all sorcerers need to have a fairly pointy hat. If you can't have a pointy hat, you need to have pointy shoes."
"A dream of mine is always to entertain audiences," says Jerry, who is taking full advantage of the great old architecture of New York. "A lot of the magic stuff we're doing ... takes it to a whole new level."

Willie Mason caught urinating in public

2009-05-17T16:09:00.000-07:00

By ninemsn staff
Rugby league star Willie Mason has been caught urinating in public after a drinking session at a Sydney pub on the weekend.
Mason, a former NSW and Australian representative player who plays for the Sydney Roosters, was snapped urinating on a wall outside the Golden Sheaf Hotel in Double Bay on Saturday night following his side's heavy loss to the Newcastle Knights, the Daily Telegraph reports.
The revealing photograph could not come at a worse time for the embattled code, which is still reeling from the revelations of a 2002 group sex scandal involving league personality Matthew Johns and his former team the Cronulla Sharks.
Mason confirmed the incident to the newspaper and will have a meeting with Roosters management today.
Roosters chief executive Steve Noyce said the club will check its discipline code before deciding on an appropriate punishment, but it will at least include a fine, the Telegraph reports.
"It's a silly thing for him to do — I know Willie is disappointed by his actions," Mr Noyce reportedly said.
It is not the first time this season Mason has been in trouble.
The burly forward was stood down along with Queensland Origin forward Nate Myles for breaking the club's alcohol policy in March.

Michael Jackson has skin cancer

2009-05-16T00:52:00.000-07:00

Michael Jackson is reportedly battling skin cancer.

ninemsn
Jackson, 50, has spots of skin cancer on his upper body and pre-cancerous cells on his face, The Sun reports.

Those close to the King of Pop did not deny the report when contacted.

"I cannot comment on this issue," a spokesperson for his publicist Dita Miller was reported as saying in the Daily Mail.

"I am afraid there is nothing more to add at this time."

His New York-based lawyers, L Londell McMillan, refused to confirm or deny the reports.

"We don't speak about these sorts of things ... I cannot say any more," a spokesperson said.

Jackson is said to be determined to make a full recovery after his Los Angeles doctors said the disease was treatable.

"He was at first very concerned, but says he has been assured by the doctors that they can treat this and he will recover," a Sun source said.

Jackson has been photographed making regular visits to his Beverly Hills dermatologist wearing a mask and surgical cap, and reportedly received the shock diagnosis last month.

Jackson's strange skin colour has been linked to the cancer.

He has claimed to suffer from vitiligo, a disease that affects pigmentation, which has the potential to contribute to skin problems.

Medical bodies have also warned in the past that skin bleaching treatments can lead to skin cancer.

Jackson has long been rumoured to have undergone the cosmetic treatment despite repeatedly denying the claims.

The obscure performer's 50 sold-out shows at London's O2 Arena are scheduled to begin in July.

Trump forgives Miss California for racy photos

2009-05-12T13:32:00.000-07:00

ninemsn

Donald Trump and Miss California Carrie Prejean. (AAP)

PHOTOS: Sexy images a gay plot?

The American beauty queen who became embroiled in a national row over gay marriage during last month's Miss USA pageant has been allowed to keep her state crown despite the release of a second batch of semi-naked photos.

Real estate tycoon Donald Trump, who owns the Miss Universe organisation, announced at a press conference in New York's Trump Tower overnight that Carrie Prejean "will remain Miss California."

Prejean, 21, risked losing her crown after pictures of her wearing little more than skimpy bottoms and revealing bikini tops appeared on gossip website TMZ today and last week. Prejean had stated she had never posed nude or semi-nude.

Trump said the photos did not violate her contract as Miss California.

"We have determined that the pictures taken are fine," he said. "Some were very beautiful, some were risque, but, again, we're in the 21st century ... In many cases they were actually lovely pictures."

In a tearful statement broadcast live on MSNBC television, Prejean attacked the leak of the pictures, dating to the start of her modeling career at 17, saying she was being victimised for her opposition to gay marriage.

Prejean said there had been "hateful attacks, despicable rumours and false allegations" ever since she responded to a judge's question at the Miss USA contest, where she was runner-up, that she only backed marriage between men and women.

"I am not an activist or anything. Nor do I have a personal agenda. I was thrown into this firestorm from the time I was asked this question on stage," she said.

Prejean denied working for traditional marriage lobby groups.

However, she has become a highly visible, if unofficial, champion of the cause at a time of growing national debate. Supporters claim that she lost the Miss USA crown only because of her stand.

California is locked in controversy on the issue, with voters in November backing a constitutional change to overturn a state supreme court ruling that had legalized gay marriage.

New York's state legislature was to debate a possible law allowing same-sex weddings on Tuesday.

Old School Photos of familiar people

2009-05-11T20:07:00.001-07:00

Mathison tells why he quit Idol

2009-05-09T17:12:00.000-07:00

By ninemsn staff

The former host of Australian Idol has revealed he quit the hit reality show because he became tired of television.

James Mathison has admitted he always wanted to work in music but never intended to work in television.

"When Idol started out I thought it might last for a couple of years and it lasted for six," he said to The Sunday Telegraph in his first interview since he quit last month.

"I just felt like I needed a break from it.

It's not that I don't like TV, but if you do anything for six years you're, like, what other challenges are there?''

Mathison has steered his career into radio, taking up a late-night hosting gig on Sydney radio station Nova 96.9 with Patience Hodgson, the lead singer with Brisbane band The Grates.

"When the Nova thing came up, it was like everything I've always wanted to do: listen to records, play them and work with someone I really like."

Mathison's television fame soared when he scored the role of Channel V host alongside Andrew G in 2003.

But the 31-year-old guitarist with Sydney band The Punisherz said he is optimistic about a future in music.

"It's what I've always loved."

"There's not a lot of live television around anymore.''

Beyonce plays model... for her own clothing

2009-05-08T03:20:00.001-07:00

ninemsn

If you're one of the sexiest singers in the world right now and you have your own bootylicious fashion range - guess it kinda makes sense to model it yourself.
Beyonce looks amazing as she models the latest looks from her House Of Dereon label - but is she missing the top of her knee, we wonder? Bendy!

More celeb fashion ranges in our gallery below - bet you wouldn't wear the creations from some of the more skanky celebs in there! I mean, Tara Reid? C'mooon!

Gibson premieres new Russian lover

2009-04-29T14:09:00.000-07:00

Mel Gibson and Oksana Grigorieva. (Getty)
ninemsn
Mel Gibson has appeared in public with his new Russian girlfriend for the first time at the premiere of Hugh Jackman's X-Men Origins: Wolverine in Los Angeles.

Paparazzi snapped pictures of Gibson and Oksana Grigorieva as they strolled down the red carpet holding hands.

Last month, Gibson's wife of 28 years Robyn filed for divorce, reportedly after she found out Grigorieva was pregnant.

The couple had been separated for three years.

Gibson, 53, was spotted with Grigorieva — a pianist signed to his record label Icon Records — earlier this year as they frolicked on the beach in Costa Rica.

But her identity remained a mystery while three other women called Oskana, including a pop star and a blonde artist, were variously named in tabloids as Gibson's new love.

Grigorieva, who is signed to Gibson's record label, icon, has a son with former James Bond star Timothy Dalton.

"Mel has been single for almost three years and it's nice to see him getting out and enjoying himself," a spokesman for Gibson told the People.com website.

Kylie's wealth takes hit as recession bites

2009-04-26T15:17:00.000-07:00

Kylie Minogue is said to be worth $70 million. (AAP)
Kylie Minogue is one of a number of celebrities whose wealth has dwindled thanks to the worldwide recession.

The pop princess, 40, is estimated to have lost about 10 percent of her wealth in the last 12 months, with her net worth shrinking from $83.5 million to $70 million.

Despite the loss, Minogue still placed 46th on a list of the richest musicians in Britain compiled by The Sunday Times.

It was the first time she had made the top 50, showing the recession was clearly taking a toll on a number of her fellow stars.

Minogue's wealth may have dwindled further had she not accepted recent multi-million dollars fees to perform in a Bollywood music clip and a hotel opening in Dubai.

She also sold a property in Melbourne for around $1 million.

The newspaper survey showed Britain's richest people lost 155 billion pounds in the past year, with the nation's number of billionaires sinking from 75 to 43 people.

"I am beyond being surprised, except by the scale of the devastation," said Philip Beresford, who has compiled the annual list since 1989.

"It is extraordinary how people have seen their fortunes being whittled away. It is devastation all round."

The global financial crisis pushed Britain into an official recession in the second half of 2008, with the economy experiencing two successive quarters of economic contraction.

Some of the best-known British-born business figures also took a knock from the sharp economic downturn.

Virgin boss Richard Branson is now worth $2.4 billion after losing $3 billion in the last year.

The list also said Formula One racing chief Bernie Ecclestone lost $1.89 billion this year, leaving him worth $3 billion.

ninemsn and AFP

'Stay true to who you are'

2009-04-24T17:12:00.000-07:00

Grazia
Sarah Reid
Paul Potts became a worldwide sensation when he auditioned for a UK talent show. Now it’s Susan Boyle’s turn. Paul tells Grazia what she can expect with her newfound fame

I flipped a coin to decide whether to audition for Britain’s Got Talent, and never in my wildest dreams did I expect that it would change my life as much as it has.

Walking on stage in 2007, I was a bundle of nerves, but I just sang. To my disbelief I won, and in a heartbeat I went from selling mobile phones to flying around the world and performing for the Queen.

Like millions of others, I watched Susan Boyle sing I Dreamed A Dream, from the musical Les Miserables, on YouTube while I was in New Zealand last week. Seeing the judges smirk before she began reminded me of my own experience on the show. As a child I was taught that first impressions last, but my performance, and now Susan’s, have proven that first impressions aren’t always right. I think that’s a great lesson for people to take away; that many people have good qualities that you don’t immediately see.

I may not look like your typical singer, but I haven’t been pressured to change my image. I had my teeth fixed because I have always been terribly self-conscious about them – in my wedding album there isn’t a single photo of me smiling with an open mouth. But that’s it.

If Susan is pressured to change I would advise her to resist it. The most important thing is to stay true to who you are, because you have to live with yourself when it’s all over.

Good luck to her.

Paul Pott’s second album, Passione, is out now

Miss USA contest in gay marriage controversy

2009-04-19T22:33:00.000-07:00

By ninemsn staff
The prestigious Miss USA contest turned ugly after a gay marriage question by celebrity blogger Perez Hilton sparked outrage from the audience and "ugly" fights outside.
Miss North Carolina Kristen Dalton took out the crown, beating 50 other beauties in the pageant which was televised live from Las Vegas earlier today.
But runner-up Miss California Carrie Prejean garnered most of the attention after her answer to a question about legalising same sex marriage.
Gossip guru Hilton asked Ms Prejean: "Vermont recently became the fourth state to legalise same-sex marriage … do you think every state should follow suit? Why or why not?" She replied: "We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage."
"And you know what, I think in my country, in my family, I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman.
"No offence to anybody out there, but that's how I was raised."
Some of the audience cheered while others booed.
Others argued in the lobby, the Daily Telegraph reports.
"It's ugly," gay man Scott Ihrig was quoted as saying.
"I think it's ridiculous that she got first runner-up.
"That is not the value of 95 percent of the people in this audience.
"Look around this audience and tell me how many gay men there are."
Charmaine Koonce, the mother of Miss New Mexico USA Bianca Carla, disagreed, saying: "In the Bible it says marriage is between Adam and Eve not Adam and Steve."
It is the second time this month that the pageant has been hit with controversy after Miss Universe 2008 Dayana Mendoza posted a blog entry about a trip to Guantanamo Bay.
Ms Mendoza described the trip to the infamous prison as "aloooot of fun".
The blog entry was later pulled from the Miss USA website.

Trusted voice waits in the wings

2009-04-19T18:25:00.000-07:00

Paul Sheehan
Popular ... Susan Boyle. Photo: AP

Writing a column is a constant battle between writing about what is important and what is diverting. The tension between the two is obvious, no more so than this week, when I want to write about tax (important), but have been distracted by a frumpy, unemployed, middle-aged virgin (diverting). What reconciles the chasm between the two, between tax policy and Susan Boyle (the frumpy, unemployed, middle-aged virgin) is the phenomenon known as the wisdom of crowds.

The wisdom of crowds has been supremely evident during the past week since 4000 people in a concert hall in London began shifting in their seats as a frumpy, jowly, middle-aged woman stalked onto the stage and told the judges her dream was to be a professional singer and her role model was Elaine Paige. A ripple of discomfort and incredulity ran through the auditorium, and the judging panel, as the woman, Susan Boyle, nominated her song, I Dream A Dream from Les Miserables.

Earlier, Ms Boyle had been shown on the big screen eating a sandwich backstage, and telling judges she was unemployed, lived alone with her cat, Pebbles, had never been married, in fact, had never been kissed.

She sang in a church choir in a village of West Lothian, near Edinburgh, where she has lived alone in her childhood home since the death of her 91-year-old mother two years ago.

As she was about to sing there was collective hush as if 4000 people were about to watch a slow-motion social train wreck. By the time Ms Boyle had finished her song, the judges had been rendered irrelevant .

The audience was on its feet for a cheering, standing ovation. The rest is internet history. On YouTube, various videos featuring the performance have been viewed more than 34 million times around the world. It's gone global.

I recommend any reader with access to the internet, who has not seen these videos, to visit YouTube, search "Susan Boyle", and click on the video with the largest number of viewers (the wisdom of crowds) because that is the one which shows the whole saga, from backstage sandwich to stunned judges. It will make your day. Continued...

The Sydney Morning Herald

Madonna's new advertising campaign

2009-04-18T06:21:00.000-07:00

Yahoo7

The 50-year-old singer - who starred in the French fashion label's spring adverts earlier this year - is said to be teaming up with photographer Steven Meisel later this month.

Fashion website Karen Kooper wrote on social networking website Twitter: "Madonna does Louis Vuitton Fall Winter 2009 campaign. By Steven Meisel again."

Steven shot the last se of pictures featuring Madonna after taking over from Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott, who had worked on Louis Vuitton campaigns for six years.

The pictures showed a scantily-clad Madonna in a series of raunchy poses, including one where she was reclining on a sofa with a bag dangling from her stiletto heel and several where she wore fishnet tights.

Creative director of the brand Marc Jacobs said at the time: "I just blurted out, 'I think we should do Madonna.' I had just seen her in concert and I was totally just blown away by it, and moved by her performance, by what she had to say, and her energy. It was her idea to do the fishnets."

Madonna has previously spoken of her love of working with Steven, telling America's Vogue magazine: "I know that I love him. You get sucked into his aura. He knows things.

"Before I worked with him, I just showed up in the clothes I was wearing, stood in front of the lights, and got my picture taken. With Steven, a team of people descended on me, started to undress me. Someone grabbed my hair, another grabbed my face, another started helping me try on various bits of clothes. He was the first person to introduce me to the idea of reinvention."

Andy Roddick and Brooklyn Decker Wed

2009-04-18T06:13:00.000-07:00

ET on line
Stephen Lovekin / Getty Images
Tennis ace Andy Roddick and Sports Illustrated model Brooklyn Decker have made it official! The pair wed on Friday night in Austin, TX, People magazine reports. Read on for all of the "I do" details!

Roddick, 26 and Decker, 21, married in in front of their friends and family in a small, candlelit ceremony at the tennis player's home, where none other than Sir Elton John performed.

Other guests included tennis stars Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi.

The decorations included tropical flowers, while the bridesmaids wore chocolate-colored gowns.

The twosome reportedly met in 2007 and became engaged in March of 2008.

ET's 'Twilight' 'New Moon' Exclusive!

2009-04-16T15:45:00.000-07:00

ET

The countdown is on to another ET exclusive! In only seven days -- we're taking you to the closed Vancouver set of 'Twilight' sequel 'New Moon'!

Only one show can take you behind the scenes at 'New Moon' -- with exclusive, on-set interviews with the film's stars, Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner!

'The Twilight Saga: New Moon' is rising on ET starting next Thursday, April 23! Until then, you can get your first taste by watching our exclusive new video!

'New Moon' is set to hit theaters on November 20, 2009.

Is this Mel Gibson's 24-year-old Russian mistress?

2009-04-15T16:54:00.000-07:00

ninemsn

After rumours emerged that a Russian woman named "Oksana" was the reason Mel Gibson's wife filed for divorce, the paparazzi hunt was on to track down the mystery lady. Unfortunately, it wasn't so easy to find her considering Russia is one hell of a big place and "Oksana" is the Russian equivalent of "Sarah".

But now Russian pop singer Oksana Pochepa has come forward claiming she is Mel's new squeeze.

The pair were photographed frolicking in the sea together a few weeks back, but until now the identity of Mel's swimming partner had remained a mystery.

"This is serious and I hope that our union will be real and strong and long-lasting," says 24-year-old Oksana.

"We are different people, but Mel is a grown man and knows precisely what he wants and me too — I know what I want."

But what Mel wants may be different to what Oksana thinks he wants. Just days after his divorce went public, Mel's been spotted frolicking on yet another beach with yet another mystery woman.

This time he's in Costa Rica with a blonde!

Is Simon Cowell quitting American Idol?

2009-04-15T16:47:00.000-07:00

ninemsn

Simon Cowell is TV's busiest man: in addition to his American Idol duties, he also sits on the judging panel of British reality shows The X Factor and Britain's Got Talent. But can he handle his heavy workload for much longer?

"There is a point where I am not sure we can keep this schedule up," he confessed to English rag the Mirror. "It takes longer and longer to make these shows because you have to put more into them, and I am not sure we can sustain me doing three shows a year."

Cowell threatened that he may walk away from one of his TV series... and that he's most likely to quit American Idol.

"I don't know which one. That is the problem, I like all of them," he said. "I can't imagine not doing Britain's Got Talent and I can't imagine not doing X Factor. But I guess America is more likely to go because I have got one [more] year under contract. Maybe that will be the end."

But he stressed that he's yet to make any final decisions about quitting any of his shows.

Cowell also hinted that he's hoping to launch another "big new show" in 2010.

"But can I tell you what it is?" he said. "Absolutely not."

Fergie to Perform At The White House

2009-04-13T05:16:00.000-07:00

ETonline.com
Ray Mickshaw/ FOX / Getty Images
Fergie is headed to the nation's capital on Monday for a special performance!
The singer has just been announced as one of the guest performers at the 2009 White House Easter Egg Roll.
More than 30,000 guests have been invited to the annual family event which includes music performances, celebrity chefs, and story time.
The theme for this year's event is 'Let's Go Play,' and activities will be focused on teaching children the importance of exercise, and fun and exciting ways to stay active.
Click here to see the full schedule of events and special webcasts from the White House.

It's official: Miley is the new Britney

2009-04-11T02:53:00.000-07:00

ninemsn

Images: Getty

Miley Cyrus has been crowned the new "Teen Queen", inheriting the title from Pop Princess Britney Spears, according to an online poll.

32% of teens surveyed by PopEater.com voted for 16-year-old Miley as their idol, booting 27-year-old Britney out of the top spot and into third place.

Teens may think Miley's cool, but they also know she's a bit dodgy — only 10% believe she's the best role model.

The Jonas Brothers came in a close second in the teen idol stakes, with 27% of the vote.

Identity crisis: Paris's Lady Gaga moment

2009-04-10T15:47:00.000-07:00

ninemsn
Images: Snapper Media
Imitation is flattery - but in Paris Hilton's case, her Lady Gaga style is just plain plagiarism!
Lounging on a balcony during a photshoot in Malibu, Paris' dominatrix gear and visor sunglasses made her a dead ringer for the 'Just Dance' singer.
Gaga will probably take it as a compliment - when Christina Aguilera ripped her steez not long ago she was loving it.
"Iit was very flattering when it happened," Gaga said of the time Christina unveiled her Gaga-esque look.
"She's such a huge star and if anything I should send her flowers, because a lot of people in America didn't know who I was until that whole thing happened.
"There are no hard feelings with Christina at all. What it showed me was, even though I've only been on the commercial market for seven or eight months, I've really burned graphic images of my visuals onto the irises of my fans.
"They saw a huge, Grammy-winning star who's been around for years and they recognised Lady GaGa. That to me is quite an accomplishment."
More separated-at-birth stars in our gallery!

Miley thinks Robert Pattinson is pretty average

2009-04-07T15:41:00.000-07:00

ninemsn
Images: Snapper Media
What? A teen girl not totally wild for Twilight hunk Robert Pattinson? Well slap us over the head with a salami, guess Miley Cyrus isn't the predictable type.
In fact, the Hannah Montana star reckons most girls smitten by Robert's scruffy charm aren't actually into him at all, they're just infatuated with his Twilight charatcer, Edward Cullen.
“I’m not a huge Rob Pattinson fan," she told Teen Vogue.
"Girls aren’t really in love with Rob; they’re in love with Edward.”
When it comes to celebs however, Miley does have appreciation for the beautiful people - especially Scarlett Johannson.
“She is, honestly, the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen,” she swooned.
“I went to He’s Just Not That into You with [boyfriend] Justin, and I was covering his eyes.”

Lindsay and Samantha: Officially over

2009-04-07T15:26:00.000-07:00

ninemsn
Images: Snapper Media
Holy crap, it's over at last. Lindsay Lohan and Samantha Ronson have finally had enough of scratching each others eyes out, having late-night shriek-fests and slagging each other off online - and have officially split.
Lilo issued the following statement yesterday: "We are taking a brief break so I can focus on myself."
Imagine how much better life will be for both of them without the catfights!
And it was all worth it - the mountains of publicity they attracted for their girly love affair catapulted Sam to fame, and made Lilo more famous than ever - even though her film career isn't exactly on the rise.
Check out some other ladies whose careers soared when they got cosy with the ladies in our gallery!

American president on American Idol?

2009-03-28T13:18:00.001-07:00

ninemsn

It seems like everyone on the small screen wants to get their hands on President Barack Obama: he recently dropped by The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Simpsons producers are trying to convince him to be a guest star, and even Simon Cowell wants him for American Idol.

"We're trying to get him to do a show at the moment," Cowell confirmed to Absolute Radio, saying that he wanted to get Obama on Idol after the president referenced him while chatting to Leno.

"He was on The Tonight Show talking about how everyone in Washington is a critic and then he said: 'Unfortunately they're all like Simon Cowell'," Cowell said. "I'm not sure if it's a compliment or not."

If Obama does appear on American Idol, it would cap off what Cowell describes as "one of [his] favourite series"of the show in years.

But if Obama decides to give the show a miss, there's plenty of other guest stars in the pipeline. Jennifer Hudson, who shot to fame after appearing on American Idol's third season, is planning on returning to the hit reality series.

According to the New York Post, she will shoot an "intimate performance" for Idol's studio audience that will go to air in coming weeks.

Lindsay Lohan releases her own tanning lotion

2009-03-15T20:24:00.000-07:00

The Fix

ninemsn

Image: Snapper Media
Lindsay Lohan is the new orangey-brown face of her own brand of tanning lotion.
The starlet is clearly a regular tan-in-a-can user — we're quite accustomed to seeing her in a variety of shades — but if her own fake tan history is anything to go by, we're really not sure she's qualified to make the stuff.
A sensitive-skinned ginge, LiLo says she avoids the sun because she doesn't like to burn.
"I have tried every product on the market and never found anything that I loved," she says (...so that explains the varying shades!).
The spray tan is all natural and contains goji berries, which make it smell "delicious", she says.

Miranda Kerr is hot… and sweaty

2009-03-11T20:20:00.000-07:00

the fix

ninemsn
Image: Snapper Media
It happens to the best of us… Supermodel Miranda Kerr was photographed sporting some unfortunate sweat patches under her arms while pedalling her new perfume in LA yesterday.
Maybe she should think about promoting deodorant instead?
Oh well, she's only human. And she's not the first star to be snapped looking sweaty…

Get a room: Brangelina cop a feel in public

2009-01-20T00:09:00.000-08:00

ninemsn

Images: Snapper Media

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt got stuck into some mad PDAs when they rocked up to the Critic's Choice Awards last week.
Apparently the photogenic parents were “kissing and looking lovingly at each other” during the awards, and according to an Us magazine source, at one point “Brad had his hand all the way up Angelina’s dress.” Saucy!

When quizzed backstage at the event, Ange was gushing about Brad's role in The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button.

"Most of all I was charmed by him when he was younger,” she said.

“I was charmed by it. When I first saw the film, there were a lot of blue masks that they had to put on his face, so the first half I didn’t see his acting inside the little guy.

"Then, when I saw him when he was young … he is just so charming. I was really moved. I thought he was wonderful.”

Check out more stars who need to geta room in our gross-out gallery below!

Pete Wentz apologises for his 'swoosh' hair

2009-01-17T00:05:00.000-08:00

Ninemsn

Images: Getty We didn't really want to pass judgement on Pete Wentz's glam new 'do when we first saw it - especially as the pic accompanied a story about him getting depressed after reading bitchy gossip blogs. But now that he has bagged it out himself, we're gonna go there - it was foul!
The Fall Out Boy bassist is known for his immaculately straightened black emo crop - so when he stepped out on new Year's Eve with wife Ashlee Simpson looking more highlighted and gravity-defying than usual, eyebrows were raised.

Enough eyebrows, in fact, to drive Pete to apologise for his un-rock 'n' roll moment on his official blog.

In a post titled "The “swoosh” hair cut", Pete wrote" I apologize for my participation. God, these pictures are gonna be like ones of my dad from the 70s when he had long hair and a beard, just bad.

"I have no excuse. I’m 29, i have no “angst” left in me."

Anna Kournikova: The former tennis pro still looks ace

2009-01-14T00:01:00.000-08:00

Ralph

Did you try any beers when you were down here?
No. When I was in Australia I was playing, so I didn’t drink at all. I don’t really drink, anyway. But I love Australian mangoes.

We like picturing you eating them. You look awesome in the shoot. How do you stay so fit?
Thank you very much. It’s harder when you’re travelling. But I try to work out all the time when I’m home. I try to work out five times a week because it makes me feel good and releases stress, and it gives me energy. I do 45 minutes cardio, 45 minutes of weights and I still play tennis twice a week.

You starred in his [Enrique Iglesias] video clip for Escape. It was pretty sexy. Almost like a sex tape, actually.
I don’t know what sort of sex tapes you’re watching! There’s way worse stuff out there than that. It’s nothing. It was really easy to film, too.

Are there any sex tapes of you floating about?
No, of course not. I’d be too scared to do that, first of all. Especially being in my position — in the public eye. Why would anybody want to do that?

Dunno, but we like watching them. When do you feel sexiest?
When I feel good inside. I know it sounds cheesy but I could be dressed in sweatpants or made up completely, it doesn’t really make a difference. If I feel content inside, I feel good about myself. Obviously, it helps sometimes to pamper yourself or put on some make-up.

Golden Globes 2009 - did they get it right?

2009-01-11T23:56:00.000-08:00

ninemsn

Who said awards ceremonys were boring and predictable? A mind-reading, vampire-loving waitress has taken out one of the top TV awards at the 2009 Golden Globes.

Anna Paquin won best actress in a drama for her portrayal of psychic Sookie Stackhouse in the vampire drama True Blood (slated to premiere in Australia on February 10), defeating past winners Kyra Sedwick (The Closer) and Mariska Hargitay (Law & Order: SVU) for the award.

But not all the victories were as unexpected: Emmy-winning series 30 Rock took out best comedy, while stars Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin won best actress and actor in a comedy for their work in the series, roles that have already netted them several high-profile awards.

Mad Men stars Jon Hamm and January Jones missed out on taking home awards for best dramatic actor and actress, though the Emmy Award-winning series picked up the accolade for best drama.

But did they deserve to win? Hollywood awards ceremonies have a notorious reputation for handing out statuettes to the wrong people — TVFIX's Sam Downing reveals whether the Golden Globes got it right.

Britney Spears: Getting Back in Shape Took Hard Work

2008-12-08T18:47:00.000-08:00

By Brian Orloff
people.com
Britney Spears showed off her fit body – and a fierce dance routine – during her recent European mini-tour. But what did it take for the pop star to get back in shape? A lot of hard work, the pop star says. "I have had to work hard at getting [my body] back to where it used to be," Spears tells Glamour in its January issue. "I used to be obsessed with working out ... But I can't get motivated right now because I'm so focused on my music." What about her workout regimen? "It isn't fun [for me], so to do it every day would be horrible," Spears say of going to the gym. "Three days a week is cool, even two. It makes me feel good and feel like I've done something. It's important to take care of your body."Still, Spears, who will turn 27 on Tuesday, says that with her efforts comes a new appreciation for her body. "Recently I started to appreciate my body a bit more from before I had kids," the singer says. "But it completely changed."
Family TimeSpears will release her sixth album, Circus, which she describes as "really personal," on Tuesday as well – and will continue her media blitz, performing on Good Morning America. But despite her recent world travels, and whirlwind schedule, the singer says she likes being home and spending time with her sons, Preston, 3, and Jayden, 2. "I fix breakfast for my kids when they're here," she tells Glamour. "And then we'll go for walks. During the day I spend most of the time with my children. At night is when I go to work." With motherhood in mind, Spears passes along some tips for her sister, Jamie Lynn, who is a new mom. "As a mother, the one thing that always goes through your head is, 'You're never enough. You never can be enough – or do enough – for your kids,'" she says. "It's a never-ending issue for me. I had to learn: Don't beat yourself up so much ... You have to take it one day at a time, do the best that you can and enjoy yourself. "I notice that if there are some times I've been stressed ... that affects your kids," she says. "So you have to make sure you're a happy mom so they can be happy." As for her own wishes for her family, the singer, who also spoke out about her tumultuous relationships ("I have good days and I have bad days," she says) in an MTV documentary that aired Sunday, tells Glamour she has a five-year plan.

Michelle Williams on Missing Heath: 'It Just Gets Worse'

2008-12-06T13:39:00.000-08:00

By Kate Stroup
people.com
Photo by: Bauer Griffin

It's been 10 months since Heath Ledger's tragic death. And, obviously, Michelle Williams is still reeling.

In fact, during a recent interview with Newsweek, the actress – mother of Ledger's three-year-old daughter, Matilda – burst into tears at the mere mention of his name.

"It's so sad," the 28-year-old told the magazine of Ledger's death – ruled an accidental overdose of prescription drugs – in late January.

How is she holding up? "I guess it's always changing," she said. "What else can I say? I just wake up each day in a slightly different place – grief is like a moving river."

Although the two Brokeback Mountain stars had split before Ledger's death, they always remained close.

"It's a strange thing to say, because I'm at heart an optimistic person, but I would say in some ways it just gets worse," she said of her grief. "It's just that the more time that passes, the more you miss someone. In some ways it gets worse. That's what I would say."

The actress – currently starring in the indie flick Wendy and Lucy – says she's currently taking a year off to focus on her daughter.

"I don't want to work while she's in school," the former Dawson's Creek star (who's been linked to director Spike Jonze) told Newsweek. "I want her to have a routine. I want the plainest, simplest, most ordinary, habituated routine possible."

Jennifer Aniston on John Mayer: 'We Adore One Another'

2008-12-04T18:18:00.000-08:00

people.com

By Brian Orloff

Photo by: Mark Davis / Getty; Dimitrios Kambouris / WireImage
Jennifer Aniston has a simple message when it comes to her on-again relationship with John Mayer: "People need to mind their own business," the actress tells Vogue in its December issue.

Of course, Aniston, 39, understands why so many people are intrigued by their romance. There's the age difference – Mayer is nine years younger – and the musician's high-profile past relationships with starlets like Jessica Simpson.

"Did you ever think Claudia Schiffer and David Copperfield made sense?" Aniston says, jokingly comparing her relationship to equally unexpected celebrity couples. "Did Susan Anton and Dudley Moore make sense? Wait! I got more!"

When they met at an Oscar party last February, Aniston says she "barely knew his music." But the two began dating – Aniston flew to England where the rocker was touring – and their relationship developed before the cameras.

Did she know it was going to work out at the time?

"You know, it isn't designed," Aniston says. "Love just shows up and you go, 'Oh, wow, this is going to be a hayride and a half.' "

"I Feel Seriously Protective" of Mayer
When talking about Mayer's famous run-in with reporters outside a gym in Manhattan where he said about their split, "I don't want to waste somebody's time if something's not right," Aniston isn't ruffled.

"He had to put that out there that he broke up with me," she says, about Mayer's comments. "And especially because it's me. It's not just some girl he’s dating. I get it. We're human. But I feel seriously protective of him and us."

Adds Aniston: "It's funny when you hit a place in a relationship and you both realize [that] we maybe need to do something else, but you still really, really love each other. It's painful. There was no malicious intent. I deeply, deeply care about him; we talk, we adore one another. And that's where it is.”

On Her Relationship with Brad Pitt
Equally candid about her ex-husband, Brad Pitt, Aniston says she has spoken to him since their divorce, and calls their split "amicable."

"The marriage didn't work out," she tells the magazine. "Pretty soon after we separated, we got on the phone and we had a long, long conversation with each other and said a lot of things, and ever since we've been unbelievably warm and respectful of each other."

(Aniston also shares some thoughts about Pitt's partner, Angelina Jolie, with the magazine.)

Aniston, who says she's been "unbelievably lucky in love," is also practical about the subject. "Whoever said everything has to be forever," she says. "That's setting your hopes too high. It's too much pressure. And I think if you put that pressure on yourself … that's unattainable."

Heather Locklear and Richie Sambora Reuniting for Thanksgiving

2008-12-02T13:32:00.000-08:00

people.com
By Chris Willard
Photo by: Kevin Winter / Getty

Heather Locklear and ex-husband Richie Sambora are embracing the spirit of Thanksgiving by celebrating the holiday together – along with Locklear's boyfriend – this year.

"Richie and Heather are spending Thanksgiving together with [daughter] Ava," a friend of Locklear's tells PEOPLE. "Jack [Wagner] and a few good friends will also be having dinner with them."

Locklear, 47, and Sambora, 49, split in 2006 after 12 years of marriage, but they continue to be supportive of each other, and to co-parent their 11 year old daughter.

"They may be divorced, but they are raising a little girl they both love very much," a friend of the Bon Jovi guitarist told PEOPLE in June after Locklear sought treatment for depression and anxiety.

"Heather and Richie are very supportive of each other," Locklear's friend adds. "They talk all the time, and anytime Ava has something important happening they are there together. It's going to be a very nice Thanksgiving for everyone."

Sambora, who was a presenter at Sunday's American Music Awards, tells hollyscoop.com that "everything is really cool," between him and his ex-wife.

He also tells the site, which broke news of their Thanksgiving plans, that Locklear is "doing fantastic" following her DUI arrest in September.

William Balfour Arrested in Jennifer Hudson Family Murders

2008-12-01T18:45:00.000-08:00

By Hilary Shenfeld and Jeff Truesdell
William Balfour Photo by: AP
people.com
Jennifer Hudson's estranged brother-in-law, William Balfour, was arrested Monday in the slayings of the Oscar winner's mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew, according to Chicago police. Formal charges have not yet been brought by the Cook County prosecutor's office, but Balfour was transferred from an Illinois state prison – where he has been held on suspicion of a parole violation – back into police custody, says police spokeswoman Monique Bond. Balfour, 27, who is separated from Hudson's sister, Julia, was arrested in the first-degree murders of Hudson's mother Darnell Donerson, 57, brother Jason Hudson, 29, and his own stepson, Julian King, 7. The bodies of Donerson and Hudson were found shot to death Oct. 24 in the family home on Chicago's South Side by Hudson's sister, Julia. The body of King, Julia's son, was found three days later in the backseat of Jason's abandoned Chevrolet Suburban parked 10 miles from the family's home. All died from gunshot wounds.
Contentious RelationshipBalfour, who previously served prison time for attempted murder and car hijacking, was arrested hours after the first victims were discovered. He and Julia Hudson married on Dec. 30, 2006, and initially lived together at the family home. But a contentious relationship, marked by fights over money and infidelities according to family members and neighbors, led to Balfour being thrown out of the house in recent months. He had voiced threats against Julia and her family, sources say. His mother, Michele Balfour, told reporters her son had discussed divorce. No motive for the slayings was disclosed, but police told the Chicago Tribune that on the morning of the killings Julia Hudson reported to her job as a school bus driver and learned that her paycheck had been garnered due to unmade payments on a car that Balfour had taken earlier. She then called Balfour. Sources – who reconstructed events based on conversations with a girlfriend of Balfour's – told the Tribune that Balfour then went to the Hudson home and fired through the front door, striking Jason Hudson. Darnell Donerson was allegedly shot as she entered the living room.
Search for Missing BoyKing was reported missing from the home after Julia Hudson came home about 3 p.m. and alerted police. The boy was the subject of a three-day search until his body was found inside a white SUV parked on a West Side street early on Oct. 27. A bullet lodged in the vehicle suggests he was shot in the car, police sources said.

Report: Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt Elope

2008-11-30T13:28:00.000-08:00

people.com

By Kristin Boehm
Photo by: Andy Fossum / Startraks

They don't normally shy from the press, but Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt quietly eloped in Mexico last Thursday, Nov. 20. "The minute we said our vows, I couldn't stop crying," Montag told Perez Hilton of the ceremony at the One & Only Palmilla Resort, just outside Cabo San Lucas. Montag, 22, and Pratt, 25, have chronicled their off-again, on-again (for good this time!) romance on The Hills – including a season cliffhanger about whether or not they were really engaged.Contacted by PEOPLE, Heidi's father, Bill Montag, had this to say of the couple's reported union: “I would be upset if she got married and didn’t invite me!" And if the report is true? "Then we just have to have another wedding here!,” he says.

By starting a relationship with the slick Pratt, Heidi Montag ultimately set off the well-known feud with former BFF Lauren Conrad. The couple is set to guest star on an episode of the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother in January.

(The Hills is not currently in production.)

• Reporting by MARY MARGARET

Angelina Jolie Hopes to 'Fade Away' from Movies

2008-11-28T19:58:00.000-08:00

By Mike Fleeman

people.com
Photo by: Jason Merritt / FilmMagic

With six children at home, Angelina Jolie says her days as an actress are numbered.

"I don't plan to keep acting very long," she tells the BBC. "I'm ready to do a few things now and fade away and get ready to be a grandma one day."

Jolie, 33, currently starring in The Changeling, says she plans to "work for a few months" in February, then take a year off.

"I won't work again probably for another year," she says. "So maybe it'll be once a year, then maybe it'll be once every three years."

She adds: "I have a lot of children. I have a big responsibility to make sure that they're growing right and that they have got us there for them."

Of course, to help make ends meet, there's also another wage earner in the household: Her partner Brad Pitt, 44.

"I'm not so worried that I want to keep this pace up and try to be something and be a celebrity and be a successful actress forever," she tells the BBC. "It's great, but everything comes in seasons. I hopefully I won't be needing to do that later in my life."

Angelina: Twins' Personalities Are Starting to 'Shine'

2008-11-26T18:44:00.000-08:00

People.com

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's twins may be only four months old, but they're already characters of their own.

"They're great. They're still so little, but they do [have their own personalities]," Jolie told reporters at the DVD launch for Kung Fu Panda and the premiere of its companion adventure story, Secrets of the Furious Five in Hollywood on Sunday.

Knox and Vivienne are "starting to get very smiley," their proud mum said. "They're at that [stage] where their personality really starts to shine."

As for the rest of the brood, they share a love of their mum's work. "I think it's a great film, and it's brought a lot of joy to children - and to my children, absolutely," Jolie said at the event. "My kids love it. They're very very proud, they've got mom [Tigress] dolls."

While Jolie - looking slim in a long-sleeved black Ralph Lauren dress and beige pumps with spiked heels - didn't let on whether she'd be attending any of President-elect Barack Obama's inaugural balls in January, she did say she was happy with the election last Tuesday.

"I was pleased to see how excited so many people were," she said.

At the premiere, held at Grauman's Chinese Theatre, furry Panda characters wandered around and danced while costars Jack Black and Dustin Hoffman chatted with fans and press. Jolie and the rest of the cast were on hand also as DreamWorks' Jeffrey Katzenberg presented a check for $1 million to the Conservation International in support of their efforts for the preservation of pandas in their natural habitat.

Jolie said shortly before the presentation, "We are so privileged in everything we get to do in this business, and the amount of money this film has made. To be able to share that and do some good always feels good."

Dancing Finalists Ready To Rumba at Finale

2008-11-24T13:35:00.000-08:00

people.com
Dancing with the Stars

The seventh season of Dancing With the Stars has been marked by ambulance rides, Hurricane Cloris and the news that one of the pros won’t be returning. But with the finale looming, the three stars left all can agree on one thing — it’s anybody’s disco ball.
“It’s one of those rare instances on this show where it’s a finale where no one knows what’s going to happen,” Brooke Burke tells PEOPLE. “We all bring something different to the competition and I always thought that Warren [Sapp] would make it to the end because he’s such a crowd-pleaser and he has that infectious smile, but Lance really has surprised everyone in the past few weeks.”
“It’s crazy,” Lance Bass says, echoing Burke’s assessment. “Brooke’s been the one to beat the entire season — the judges absolutely love her — and Warren is so much fun to watch, but I really think that it’s anyone’s game and what it’s going to come down to is the people voting.”
The three couples each have three chances to impress the judges and the voters on Monday’s finale, which will feature a group “Samba Smackdown,” a Freestyle dance and a surprise “repeat” dance. The heavy load of choreography left each of the celebrities cramming, but confident.
“This whole entire season I didn’t think that I had a chance in hell,” Bass admits. “But I feel like I have a really good chance now. I’m here to win this thing and my confidence could not be higher going into the finals.”
Sapp is equally sure of his chances. “Nothing worries me in this competition,” the former NFL star says, “because in my old job, I have two 300-pounders trying to smash my head in. No one expected me to be where I’m at, so I’ve already won!”
“We put in a lot of extra hours over the weekend,” Burke says of her work with partner Derek Hough. “Our freestyle is really ambitious, a bit dangerous and naturally I’m nervous. But I don’t feel the same pressure that I felt all season long. At this point I feel like we’ve already made it.” – Reagan Alexander

John Travolta is a hot baldie

2008-11-22T18:41:00.000-08:00

ninemsn
It was only a matter of time before John Travolta's odd head-mat came off!
The 54-year-old former spunk is baring all for new flick From Paris With Love, which also stars Jonathan Rhys-Meyers.

Despite John's cross-dressing ways and expanding waistline, we'd always considered him a bit of a hot old guy. Without hair though? We dunno.

We bet he didn't give a rats about going smooth for the role - it's nothing compared to his Hairspray garb! Hair or no hair, Johnny rules.

Find out which former heartthrobs have grown up hot - and which ones have not - in our Where Are They Now gallery below!

Christina Aguilera disses 'she-male' Lady Gaga

2008-11-20T18:38:00.000-08:00

CelebrityFIX

Since Christina Aguilera relaunched her music career post-baby, anyone with eyes can see the style similarities between her new look and that of fellow pop diva Lady Gaga. Christina reckons she'd never heard of her before - and wasn't sure if Gaga was a guy or a girl. Meow!
In an interview with the LA Times, Christina addresses the internet accusations that she has ripped off Lady Gaga's look wholesale.

"You know, that’s funny that you mention that," she said.

"This person [Lady Gaga] was just brought to my attention not too long ago. I’m not quite sure who this person is, to be honest. I don’t know if it is a man or a woman. I just wasn’t sure.

"I really don’t spend any time on the Internet, so I guess I live a little under a rock in that respect."

We love it - 'this person' and the 'man or woman' comment is so bitchy!

Maybe Christina had never laid eyes on Lady Gaga before - but damn, her stylist must have!

More separated at birth celebs in our gallery below!

Madge & Guy's personality clash

2008-11-18T18:34:00.000-08:00

Was Madonna and Guy Ritchie’s marriage doomed by their too-similar personalities? That’s the inside scoop from British actor (and longtime friend of Madonna) Richard E. Grant.

Grant is currently starring in the Sydney production of My Fair Lady but took time out from playing Professor Henry Higgins to give aspiring actors the benefit of his wisdom at the Sydney Theatre Company yesterday.

Talking about Madonna, who directed him in her recent film Filth And Wisdom, he recalled how last year he was telling her about a theory that men and women have a dominant masculine or feminine personality.
He told the audience: “I told her that my personality was feminine-masculine while my wife’s was masculine-feminine which was why our marriage worked, and said I could see that she was really masculine-masculine – she agreed. “But then I realised that Guy is really masculine-masculine as well and I said, ‘God how does that work?’ She said, ‘It’s a war zone all the time.’ “

Grant added: “It’s really sad because she’s a lovely woman but she keeps going for these very masculine men who are never going to work for her.”

ninemsn

Kim Kardashian to Guest Star on How I Met Your Mother

2008-11-16T18:21:00.000-08:00

By Lisa Ingrassia
Photo by: Rob Loud / Getty

Kim Kardashian will be making the transition from reality start to guest star Wednesday, taping an appearance on CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother, a rep for the network tells PEOPLE exclusively.

Kardashian, who was voted off of Dancing with the Stars Oct. 1, will be joining fellow reality stars (and her step-brother Brody Jenner's former BFF) Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag in the episode, where they will be playing "magazine cover versions of themselves," according to a show rep.

"I am beyond exited to be taping an episode of How I Met Your Mother," Kardashian, 28, tells PEOPLE. "I absolutely love the show and am thrilled for this fabulous opportunity."

Beyoncé: I Didn't Want to Marry Too Young

2008-11-13T19:45:00.000-08:00

By Marla Lehner
people.com
Beyoncé, who has always been tight-lipped about her marriage to Jay-Z, is finally giving some insight into her thoughts about tying the knot.

"I was 18 when we first met, 19 when we first started dating. There was no rush," the singer tells Seventeen in its December/January issue, due out Nov. 18. "I really don't believe that you will love the same thing when you're 20 as you do at 30."

The singer, whose new album I Am … Shasha Fierce arrives Monday, says she wanted to have a strong sense of self before making a lifelong commitment to anyone.

"Before the age of 25, I would never get married," says the 27-year-old singer. "I feel like you have to get to know yourself, know what you want, spend some time by yourself, and be proud of who you are before you can share that with someone else."

Still, she has learned a lot from her music mogul husband – and not just about showbiz. Asked what lessons Jay-Z has taught her, she says, "I guess probably that we're all human."

"I don't care if you're picture-perfect on every magazine cover, and you're the most handsome, successful, coolest guy," says Beyoncé. "You still get sad, and you still get your feelings hurt, and you still get confused and vulnerable and nervous and scared. You have to find a person you can make it through the tough times with."

Beyoncé also shows her fiercely ambitious side in the interview, saying that she often studies her own past performances looking for ways to improve.

"I have my YouTube days, when I watch every performance," she says. "I listen to my music, and I watch my videos to figure out what I need to do, what I need to fix, and how to become a better singer."

Criss Angel: Holly Madison Is a 'Beautiful' Person

2008-11-12T20:05:00.000-08:00

By Mary Gray
Photo by: Denise Truscello / WireImage

The playboy of Las Vegas has landed himself a Playmate.

Illusionist Criss Angel – who's been linked in the past to Britney Spears, Cameron Diaz and Minnie Driver – stepped out Friday night with Holly Madison, Hugh Hefner's former squeeze and Girls Next Door star.

Angel and Madison have been spotted kissing and snuggling over the last several weeks in Las Vegas, but remain somewhat coy about their relationship.

"This is one of the most special evenings for me in my life and I can not think of a more beautiful person, a more special person, inside and out, than Holly to spend it with," Angel said on the opening night of his new Cirque Du Soleil show, "Believe," in Las Vegas.

When asked how he and Madison got together, he replied, "I got lucky. I didn't have a date and so she said, 'I'll come'. She makes me look good."

Following the show, Angel, hand-in-hand with Madison, headed to a private after-party in conjunction with his show's opening night.

people.com

Adam Sandler & Wife Have Baby No. 2

2008-11-11T18:24:00.001-08:00

By Brian Orloff
Photo by: Matt Sayles / AP

Adam Sandler and his wife have welcomed their second child, the comedian announced Tuesday.

"Jackie and Adam had a beautiful baby girl, Sunny Madeline on November 2," Sandler posted on his Web site. "Everyone is happy and healthy."

Sandler, 42, and his wife, 34, have a daughter, Sadie, 2, who was born in May 2006. The couple have been married since 2003.

The funnyman made light of his wife's second pregnancy during a May appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, joking about how he explained it to his daughter.

Quipped Sandler: "My little daughter is always looking at her and is nervous to see her mom sick like that. So I had I try to relax my daughter, just saying, 'Mommy's not like bad sick. She just has something growing in her that's eventually gonna shoot out her vagina and take half your toys.' "

The comedian also said during the interview that he found his wife's pregnancy extremely attractive. "It's fun to sexually fantasize you're with somebody else," he said, teasing. "Like when she's on top of me, I say, 'Please tell me your name's Big Bill.' You know, stuff like that. And she goes with it."

people.com

Simon Cowell Splits with Girlfriend

2008-11-09T20:02:00.000-08:00

By Pete Norman and Courtney Rubin
Photo by: MICHAEL WILLIAMS / LFI

Simon Cowell and longtime girlfriend Terri Seymour have split, Cowell's rep confirms to PEOPLE.

"Terri phoned Simon and finished it in September, about six weeks ago," says Cowell's rep, Max Clifford. "They are going to remain close friends. Simon thinks the world of Terri and that isn't going to change. He also understands her reason for ending it."

The couple were together for six years. Seymour, 34, first met Cowell, 48, when she was 18, but the couple didn't begin dating until she interviewed him for a show in 2002.

"In the past Terri has said that she wants kids but that just isn't Simon," added Clifford. "Nobody else is involved, certainly not on Simon's side."

The split was first reported by the UK's Daily Mirror.

people.com

Greg Norman: It's Easy to Be Happy

2008-11-07T19:59:00.000-08:00

By Linda Marx

Photo by: Art Seitz / Zuma

Although they've been married over four months, Chris Evert and Greg Norman are still in their honeymoon phase.

"The marriage is better than I expected," Norman told PEOPLE during his wife's 19th annual Chris Evert/Raymond James Pro-Celebrity Tennis Classic in Delray Beach this weekend. "We have a mutual respect for each other, and I love taking her a cup of coffee each morning."

Evert and Norman, who are playing tennis as a team Sunday for the first time, were married over the summer in a sunset ceremony in the Bahamas.

The pair, who were both previously married, say they've found a good balance in their relationship. "We do things separately and also together," said Evert, 53. "And we love to bring our kids together to do family things. At this stage of our lives, Greg and I are very comfortable with each other."

In addition to playing tennis, golf, working out together and attending each other's charity events, the couple are developing residential properties around the world, including ones in the Dominican Republic and Dubai.

"We are compatible and like many of the same things,” says Norman, 53. "It is easy to be happy."

Ryan Reynolds Calls Running N.Y.C. Marathon 'Incredible'

2008-11-05T19:55:00.000-08:00

By Laura Hahn

Photo by: Splash News Online

Mission accomplished! Ryan Reynolds completed the ING New York City Marathon on Sunday – and lived to tell about it.

"I'm still standing. I'm very excited about that," he told reporters after crossing the finish line in 3 hours and 50 minutes, faster than he anticipated. "It was an incredible experience."

Reynolds says in the last leg of the race, he was motivated to keep going by one special spectator.

"When I saw Michael J. Fox on Fifth Avenue, I gained about 15 pounds in goose bumps," said Reynolds. "It kind of pushed me through the last six miles or so."

Reynolds ran for Team Fox in honor of his father, Jim Reynolds, who has suffered from Parkinson's Disease for the past 15 years.

"[During the race] I thought a lot about my father and Michael and the 500,000 other people afflicted with this awful disease in the United States alone. I ran for those who can't," Reynolds told PEOPLE.

Reynolds's mother Tammy and brother Terry greeted him with hugs at the finish line in Central Park.

On Friday, Reynolds told reporters that his wife Scarlett Johansson would be cheering "on the road somewhere." On Saturday, Johansson helped campaign for presidential candidate Barack Obama at Ohio's Case Western Reserve University.

Asked how Reynolds plans to celebrate his marathon accomplishment, he joked, "I'll probably celebrate by eating my own body weight in raw dough."

people.com

Jessica Simpson's Pal Injured by Paparazzi

2008-11-03T19:52:00.000-08:00

By Lesley Messer
Ken Paves
Photo by: Zodiac / Splash News Online; Inset: Mavrix

A Saturday night out turned ugly for Jessica Simpson and her best friend, hairstylist Ken Paves, when he was injured by photographers outside L.A. hotspot Madeo.

As the friends exited the restaurant, photographers swarmed the singer, 28. Paves stepped in to protect Simpson when a pap struck him in the face with a camera. An observer tells PEOPLE that the injury was an accident.

"Everyone was pushing each other to get a picture of Jessica," a source tells PEOPLE.

With blood running down his face, the two got into their vehicle, and Paves was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center according to a source. No police charges have been filed.

A call to Paves was not returned

people.com

Mourners Remember Jennifer Hudson's Family

2008-11-02T19:48:00.000-08:00

By Lesley Messer and Nikkita Foston
Photo by: John Spellman / Retna

On Sunday night, friends and family paid their respects to Jennifer Hudson's slain mother, Darnell Donerson, brother Jason Hudson and nephew Julian Hudson in a public memorial service at the Pleasant Gift Missionary Baptist Church near their Chicago home.

Flanked by three of her students, Carmen Williams, Julian's second grade teacher, spoke poignantly about the bubbly 7-year-old, and read a few comments from students' journals.

"I'm sad he didn't get to be President," one child lamented, while others remembered a generous and funny boy who loved to tell knock-knock jokes and play Power Rangers.

"Julian was a role model, an academic whiz and a best friend," Williams added. "You could look into his eyes and you knew he always had the right answer."

Shari Sweat, a cousin, focused on Darnell, remembering a woman who was proud of her academic background and loved the song, "From Out of Nowhere, Jesus Found Me."

"She was gentle, special and loving," Sweat said.

Another relative, Rev. Quentin Washington, recalled Jason as a caring, churchgoing man who encouraged him to pursue his career as a minister.

"They are all in Heaven having a 'hallelujah good time,' " he said. "Their lives … were not in vain. Their legacies live on."

Police discovered the bodies of Hudson's mother, 57, and brother, 29, on Oct. 24, and her nephew's three days later. Though no one has been charged, police have classified Jennifer's brother-in-law, William Balfour, as "a person of interest."

Meanwhile, Jennifer and her sister, Julian's mother Julia Hudson, have established the Hudson King Foundation for Families of Slain Victims in honor of their loved ones.

"The specific purpose of the Foundation is to care for the needs of families who have lost relatives to a violent crime," according to Jennifer's MySpace page."Thank you for your continued support."

people.com

Lisa Kudrow Shares Sons Unique Career Plans

2008-10-30T17:17:00.000-07:00

people.com
Bauer Griffin
Like many a celebrity baby before him, Julian Murray Stern -- the 10-year-old son of actress Lisa Kudrow -- hopes to follow in the famous footsteps of his mom and pursue a career in acting. The soundstage is just a means to an end for young Julian, however, who actually has no intention of staying an actor for long. During a Thursday appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Lisa revealed that her son's "big dream" is to "own a mall" -- and he plans to make that dream a reality with money he earns through acting. Like any good entrepreneur, Julian has a back-up plan in place. "It's really smart," Lisa explained. "He says, 'After college, I'll live with my two best friends, because they're going to be baseball players, so they're going to give me money so I can go to business school to own a mall."
Lisa noted that she is conspicuously absent from Julian's master plan, joking, "I love that I'm out of the picture as far as financing anything." That's not to say that her son isn't holding a spot for her at his hypotherical mall, however. "He said he's going to give me a job," Lisa said. "He's going to let me bake cookies at one of the stores."
Julian is Lisa's son with husband Michel Stern; the couple have been married for 13 years.
Source: The Ellen DeGeneres Show

Inside Ali Larter's Engagement Party

2008-10-28T17:12:00.000-07:00

people.com
By Jennifer Garcia

Photo by: Billy Farrell / PatrickMcMullan.com / Sipa

Ali Larter and her fiancé celebrated their engagement in style Saturday night with a party at L.A.'s Sunset Tower Hotel.

The Heroes star and actor Hayes MacArthur were joined by about 100 friends, who sipped drinks from a private bar and sat on comfortable leather couches inside the hotel or mingled by the pool and terrace area with its stunning views of the city.

In a toast to his "wife-to-be," MacArthur recalled how the couple met while wearing loin cloths on the set of the 2007 comedy Homo Erectus in Austin, Texas.

"In that moment I knew how much you meant to me, how much you care about everything you do and everyone in your life," he told Larter, 32.

After thanking his guests for their attendance, the party continued with music – including the songs "I Heard It Through the Grape Vine" and Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" – until the bar closed.

The couple have dated for five years and became engaged in December, but taking it slow may not have been Larter's idea.

"I told my boyfriend after three weeks that I wanted to marry him and that we could do it tomorrow," Larter, told Cosmopolitan last year. "I look forward to that time when I'm home with babies."

It will be the first marriage for both.

Britney Spears Wants to 'Connect With Y'all'

2008-10-26T20:00:00.000-07:00

By Mike Fleeman
Britney Spears Photo by: Todd Williamson / WireImage
Britney Spears is overhauling her Web site, Britneyspears.com, so she can interact with fans. "I wanted to create a place where I could connect with y'all and share what's really going on in my life," she says. "I'll be sharing videos, stories, music, photos, and lots of other cool stuff." Spears, 26, will release her new album, Circus, in December.

Brad Paisley: Trophies Live with Mom and Dad

2008-10-24T19:56:00.000-07:00

By Eileen Finan
Photo by: Michael Loccisano / FilmMagic

Brad Paisley's parents might want to clear a little space in their display cabinet.

The "Letter to Me" singer could take home as many as four trophies at Sunday's Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas. And if he wins, the awards will go directly to his mom and dad.

"I like winning awards," he told the Copley News Service recently. But "I don't like reminders of the past all that much. Nor do I have time to dust or polish the statuettes, so my parents take care and display most of them at their house. Somehow they keep track of it all."

With Paisley's nine Country Music Association awards, seven ACMs and a Grammy, the Paisley parents already have a fairly full house.

At Sunday's show (to broadcast on CBS at 8 p.m. EST), Paisley is up against Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, George Strait and Keith Urban for the fan-voted award of Entertainer of the Year.

people.com

"Spotted kissing": Jen and John back on?

2008-10-22T14:40:00.000-07:00

CelebrityFIX

Has Jennifer Aniston crawled back to her bigmouth ex John Mayer? It's looking likely - as they were spotted on a "public date" in Boston on Friday.
A source told Us Weekly that John and Jen openly hung out at a Ray LaMontagne concert, while John was in town teaching a week-long music class.

"It was a very public date," the source said.

The two Js reportedly flew to New York City for the rest of the weekend - together. Then The National Enquirer reported they headed to LA - and were spotted making out at an airport.

“They were very lovey-dovey,” said their source. “They kissed several times and hugged each other tightly. “John gave her a long, lingering kiss.”

Jen, 39, and John, 31, had officially been an item for four months until their split in August - supposedly due to John's reluctance to settle down and have babies. post, split, John made sure he let reporters and paps know that he was the one doing the dumping. We're surprised Jen would go back there!

Bungled theft costs beauty queen her title

2008-10-21T19:40:00.000-07:00

ninemsn
A police mugshot of Lindsey Evans.

PHOTOS: Tarnished tiara

A teen beauty queen has been stripped of her title in the US after being charged with theft and drug possession.

Miss Teen Louisiana USA Lindsey Evans and her three friends were arrested on Saturday night after running out of a restaurant without paying their bill, US media report.

The crime came unstuck when Evans left behind her purse, which held her ID card and allegedly a stash of marijuana.

The 18-year-old was arrested along with her friends when they returned to the restaurant to get the purse.

Police spokesman Mark Natale told Fox News the group had run up a $68 bill at the restaurant on Saturday night and had admitted to not paying for their meals.

Evans and her friends were charged with drug possession as well as theft. The four spent the night in jail before being released on bail the next day.

The blonde beauty queen's reign as Miss Teen Louisiana USA had been due to end in 10 days.

But Evans has been "relieved of her duties effective immediately", celebrity website TMZ quotes pageant president Paula Miles as saying.

Sophie Monk got her sexy bod back

2008-10-20T14:37:00.000-07:00

CelebrityFIX

After a very skinny-looking stint in LA, Sophie Monk has regained the sexy curves that made her one of Australia's hottest pop princesses.
Sophie debuted her healthier new look during a promotional trip back home to promote Hollywood Fashion Shapes knickers, looking a million bucks despite still being the down-to-earth, self-deprecating Gold Coast girl we first came to love on Popstars.

Declaring she was a lot more 'happy' these days following her breakup with fiance Benji Madden, as well as deciding she was a "dud" in bed, Sophie's interviews Down Under have been positive and colourful - but have taught us a thing or two about the fame game.

Speaking about relocating to LA a few years ago, she remarked that "I landed there on my own with nothing, knowing no one - like starting from scratch.

"I'm glad I stayed and went through the tough times and that kind of thing.

"I've made it look very easy but it's been a lot harder than that."

Indeed - all we've seen of her since are shots of her looking hot in movies, canoodling with her ex, and working out. A Lot.

It looks like we haven't lost Sophie to the LA skin-and-bones club just yet, though - but we'd hardly say she needs a pair of Hollywood Fashion Shapes knickers with a bod like that!

Find out where Sophie's ex-Bardot bandmates are these days in our Popstars: Where Are They Now gallery!

Angelina talks exclusively to Grazia

2008-10-18T14:33:00.000-07:00

Jenny Cooney Carillo

In her first interview since the birth of her twins, Angelina Jolie talks to Jenny Cooney Carrillo about motherhood, her big, loud, busy family – and sharing a bath with Brad.

Softly spoken Angelina Jolie appears suddenly in the hotel suite at New York’s Waldorf Astoria by way of the kitchen, while I’m waiting at the entrance to the room. When I apologise for not knowing she’d arrived through the back door she chuckles and says, “I tend to do that a lot.”

Dressed exquisitely in a beige silk V-neck jumper by Jenni Kayne, cream wool-cashmere Ralph Lauren trousers and Stuart Weitzman nude patent shoes, she looks stunning. She doesn’t appear too skinny or depressed or in therapy for post-natal crazy thoughts, as an American tabloid cover story claims. Instead, her look is as understated as ever, with her only accessories Tiffany earrings and rings and a Bulgari gold watch. “Yeah somebody told me I was depressed,” she laughs. One look at her today dismisses that speculation anyway.

“My life is being with my family and my family is so real and so close and so happy I really don’t care about anything else,” Angelina says in response to the publicity that surrounds her, partner Brad Pitt and their six children. “It’s been years of people talking about me and now I tend to ignore it and hope most people know those things are completely made up and nonsense.”

But while such an attitude is achievable for her, it’s going to prove more difficult for children Maddox, seven, four-year-old Pax, Zahara, three, Shiloh, two, and three month-old twins Vivienne and Knox.

“We are worried about the kids getting hold of the internet and seeing some things so we’ll talk to them early on about this stuff, but it’s a hard thing to explain because it makes no sense.”

Such frankness is refreshing, as is the fact her exclusive interview with Grazia is a no questions barred affair – a rarity for a Hollywood actress these days.

The family have spent most of their time lately at a rented chateau in the south of France near Nice, but are now dividing their time between a base in Berlin, while Brad shoots his latest movie, and New Orleans, where they have a home. Angelina hasn’t worked for almost a year while she takes care of the children. However, Brad’s taken a break from filming Inglorious Bastards with Quentin Tarantino so he can accompany Angelina to New York and help her with the kids while it’s her turn to work – promoting her new film, Changeling.

“This morning we all had jetlag and about 4.30 in the morning, everybody started to wake up and Brad took them for me,” she says. “He said, ‘You’ve got to work so I’ll take it on’ and he went out and I just heard chaos in the living room for the next four hours while I tried to sleep but kept wondering what was happening.

“He’s an amazing father and a very dedicated father,” she continues with admiration. “It’s chaos, but the kids are really forming beautiful friendships and they’re team-mates and very loving to the babies. A lot of that has to do with the fact I’m not working right now and we’ve had the kids home-schooled so we are all together all the time.

“I think the trick to having six is that once you pass like three or four, it’s so crazy anyway that it’s just more chaos so it’s all OK,” Angelina laughs. So, I venture to ask, you’re not done yet? “No,” she firmly replies, then laughs as she rolls her eyes in mock-horror.

Angelina has been previously married twice, to actors Jonny Lee Miller and Billy Bob Thornton, and Brad, of course, was married to Friends star Jennifer Aniston before the pair met on the set of their film Mr. & Mrs. Smith and eventually became a couple.

They recently donated $100,000 to defeat a proposed ban on gay marriage in the upcoming California election, but ask the politically active and outspoken star if they will finally tie the knot themselves, and she cryptically responds with a laugh, “ask Brad” and won’t elaborate.

Yet one thing is for sure, the woman confidently sitting in this hotel room opening up about pretty much everything going on in her life and career hasn’t changed much from our early interviews when she was starting out, except she’s now more of a prisoner to her fame. Yet even that isn’t something she complains about...

Buy Grazia magazine, on sale now, for the full story.

Madonna directs on-stage blast at husband

2008-10-16T15:13:00.000-07:00

Madonna has made a bold statement on her Sticky and Sweet tour.

(AAP)By ninemsn staff

Madonna divorce shocks Malawi fatherMadonna's millions safe in divorce deal: expertsMadonna's pending divorce from husband Guy Ritchie has apparently taken a bitter turn, with the pop queen launching an on-stage blast against the "emotionally retarded".

The pop queen performed to 20,000 fans in Boston overnight declaring "this song is for the emotionally retarded" before launching into her song 'Miles Away' .

"You might know a few people who fall into that category — God knows I do," she said.

The song about an embattled relationship includes the lyrics "You always love me more, miles away… and when I'm gone you'll realise that I'm the best thing that happened to you."

In another bold statement, Madonna told the adoring crowd: "That's right I'm not sorry". She then launched into her song 'Human Nature' — another song about a bitter relationship. "I’m not your bitch dont hang your s*** on me… I’m not sorry it's human nature," she sang.

Madonna boarded the flight to Boston just hours after confirming her divorce plans with her film director husband of eight years, Guy Ritchie.

Media reports have claimed their marriage was torn apart by a string of rows and by Madonna’s desire to live in the US while Guy has been filming in the UK.

Guy Ritchie: Back to Work

2008-10-15T14:51:00.000-07:00

By Pete Norman
Photo by: George Pimentel / WireImage

Director Guy Ritchie was on the set of his latest film Sherlock Holmes near London when his divorce from Madonna was officially confirmed.

Ritchie spent a gray and wet Wednesday filming interior scenes with Sherlock star Robert Downey Jr. at Hatfield House, a 400-year-old mansion located on about 1,000 acres north of London.

But Ritchie couldn't escape the paparazzi - photographers were spotted exiting the estate dressed in camouflage clothes shortly after the divorce was confirmed.

The UK's Sun had earlier reported that Ritchie will move out of the couple's central London home and into his own estate, which is located west of London in Wiltshire.

Ritchie is expected to continue filming this week in London before moving the film set to other locations around England.

people.com

Sarah Jessica Parker, Matthew Broderick on Broadway - One Night Only!

2008-10-15T14:47:00.000-07:00

Who

Source: People.com
He usually stars with Nathan Lane, and she's aligned to Mr. Big. But for one night only this coming Sunday, real-life husband and wife Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker will be together - on the Great White Way - for the concert event Broadway Voices For Change.

Joining Tony winners Audra McDonald and Barbara Cook, Broderick and Parker will star in the benefit on behalf of America Votes, a political and organizing professionals' coalition of more than 40 of the most powerful national groups working together to increase progressive voter registration and turnout.

Jessica Alba Plans to Bring Baby to Movie Set

2008-10-15T14:43:00.000-07:00

Source: People.com

Working on her first film since giving birth to daughter Honor Marie four months ago, Jessica Alba says being away from her baby is "tough."

"To be honest with you, it's tough - and if it was any other movie I wouldn't be doing it," the actress, 27, says of filming An Invisible Sign of My Own, in which she plays a young math teacher helping troubled students. "It's difficult to spend any time away from her."

But Alba, speaking to PEOPLE at a party on Monday hosted by the Cinema Society and Dolce & Gabbana for Madonna's new film Filth and Wisdom, is determined not to miss out on any mommy moments once shooting starts.

"I love my daughter," says the star, "and she's going to be with me every day on the set."
Yahoo7

Madonna, Guy confirm split

2008-10-15T14:28:00.000-07:00

(AAP)

Splits ville for pop queen Madonna and her British film director husband Guy Ritchie have agreed to divorce, a spokeswoman for Madonna has confirmed.

"Madonna and Guy Ritchie have agreed to divorce after seven and a half years of marriage, their representatives confirmed today," the spokeswoman said in a statement.

"They have both requested that the media maintain respect for their family at this difficult time."

The spokeswoman would give no other details.

The confirmation followed a report in Britain's Sun tabloid quoting a source who said Ritchie, 40, had pushed for the split.

Madonna, who is in the middle of her "Sticky and Sweet" world tour, married Ritchie in December 2000 in a lavish ceremony at a Scottish castle after meeting at a dinner party given by British rock star Sting.

UK's Daily Mail reports Madonna's friend and oscar-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow had spent the past few months trying to convince her not to separate from Ritchie for the sake of their three children.

The couple have an eight-year-old son, Rocco, and a three-year-old son adopted in Malawi, David Banda. Madonna, 50, also has a daughter, 12-year-old Lourdes, by her former fitness trainer Carlos Leon.

Ritchie is expected to move out of the couple's London home and into his Wiltshire property in south west England.

It is not yet clear where the children will live.

In July, Madonna took the rare step of issuing a formal denial of reports linking her to US baseball star Alex Rodriguez, adding in a statement: "My husband and I are not planning on getting a divorce."

But according to The Sun, Ritchie — famous for gangster films including "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" — has become frustrated, seeing her as a "dead weight around his neck" and now wants a divorce to be agreed quickly.

ninemsn

It's a Star Trekkin' gay wedding!

2008-09-25T15:45:00.000-07:00

ninemsn

CelebrityFIX

Here's one to tug at the ol' heartstrings - 71-year-old Star Trek star George Takei has married his partner of 21 years in a gay marriage in Los Angeles.
Just months ago, George posted on his official website that he was thrilled to finally be able to marry his partner, thanks to new laws allowing gay marriage in California.

"Our California dream is reality," he wrote. "Brad Altman and I can now marry. We are overjoyed! At long last, the barrier to full marriage rights for same-sex couples has been torn down. We are equal with all citizens of our state!"

On Sunday night, George and Brad were married at the Japanese National Museum that featured a Buddhist priest, Native American wedding bands, a Japanese Koto harp and a procession of bagpipes. Pretty rad.

To make things even awesomer, they made their entrance to the song 'One Singular Sensation' from A Chorus Line.

Check out the happy couple leaving the ceremony with a bagpipe-playing pal - sweet matching tuxes, guys!

At last: George and Brad after their wedding in Los Angeles

The pair became the first high-profile gay couple to get a marriage licence in California after the new laws came into effect. Portia and Ellen beat them to the altar, however.
More gay celeb couples in our gallery below!

Sir Paul's family: "Racked with worry"

2008-09-24T21:02:00.000-07:00

New Idea
Sir Paul McCartney's children are "racked with worry" over death threats made against their father.

Mary, Stella, James and step-daughter Heather are all extremely concerned about the former Beatle's upcoming concert in Israel after he received murderous warnings from Islamic extremist Omar Bakri Muhammad.

The star was branded an "enemy" of all Muslims for his decision to perform in the Jewish country, but 66-year-old Paul has dismissed the threats.

A family source said: "Paul's family know he's not the type to back down but that doesn't stop them being extremely worried about him.

"It's understood his kids would prefer him not to do the show but they also accept their dad will do what he believes to be right and won't be scared off."

The music legend is due to perform at the Friendship First concert, which marks Israel's 60th anniversary, later this month. Hate preacher Bakri has revealed there are martyrs prepared to give up their lives in order to kill Paul.

Bakri was quoted as saying: "Our enemy's friend is our enemy. We have what we call 'sacrifice' operatives who will not stand by while he joins in a celebration of their oppressions.

"If he values his life Mr. McCartney must not come to Israel."

Speaking on a TV show about the possible assassination attempt, Paul said: "I was approached by different political bodies who asked me not to come here. I refused. I do what I think and I have many friends who support Israel."