Elizabeth Taylor 1932 - 2011

It was announced this morning that Elizabeth Taylor has passed away at the age of 79. A statement was released to say; "She was surrounded by her children – Michael Wilding, Christopher Wilding, Liza Todd and Maria Burton"

Taylor was admitted to LA's Cedars-Sinai Medical Center back in February with heart failure. Her publicist stated; "Though she had recently suffered a number of complications, her condition had stabilized and it was hoped that she would be able to return home. Sadly, this was not to be."
The actress died in the early hours of this morning.

Born in Hampstead, England, Elizabeth Taylor was among the last of MGM's Hollywood greats. She was widely known for her role in 1963's Cleopatra which saw Taylor become the first starlet to earn a $1m salary for a motion picture. After starring in a string of classics such as Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf? and of course Cleopatra, Liz went on to become an advocate for AIDS research, dedicating a large part of her adult life to raising money and awareness.

Adored by millions on and off screen, Elizabeth Taylor's star will cease to shine.

Family have reportedly asked that in lieu of flowers, donations to the Elizabeth Taylor Aids Foundation would be greatly appreciated. I'm sure Liz would agree.

R.I.P

Not Such A Good Morning For Chris Brown!

This morning's installment of Good Morning America saw Chris Brown (above) promoting his new album F.A.M.E (Forgetting All My Enemies). During the interview with Robin Roberts, it was evident the singer was becoming irritated with the mention of his controversy surrounding Rihanna two years ago when he pleaded guilty to the felony of assault.
Roberts had previously interviewed the 22 year old at his home back when the incident occurred, but as she mentioned the subject to Brown he responded;

"It's not really a big deal to me now, as far as that situation. I think I'm past that in my life. Today's the album day, so that's what I'm focused on."

Wonder if Rih Rih would agree it's no big deal?!
Brown has managed to re-build his career and hold on to a fair few fans despite the assault against his ex, but is it really a good idea to project a message that he thinks an act of domestic violence is 'no big deal'?...Probably not Chris!

When asked about the current situation regarding his restraining order being 'relaxed' he replied;

"This album is what I want people to hear and people to really get into, so definitely this (*raised voice*) ALBUM is what I want them to talk about and not stuff that happened two years ago."
Two years isn't really a significant amount of time, even in celeb-land where today's Justin Bieber is tomorrow's Jason Donovan. It's unrealistic for Chris Brown to expect his court case to be so easily forgotten. Album or no album, fans or no fans.

If his blunt interview wasn't enough, Chris then committed a major error in having what I'd like to describe, as a 'rage out' in his dressing room. Sigh.
After performing a track from his new album, the pent up fella stormed back to his dressing room, slammed the door and began to scream while security were urged to step in as he trashed the place. Sigh.
You'd imagine that Chris would then leave the building quietly and unnoticed, right? Wrong! He opted for ripping his t-shirt off and revealed his hot tattooed bod paraded out of the studio onto the people-filled streets. All together now....sigh!

Things have been going OK for the 'Crawl' singer lately, he has a new album out, fans have stuck by him and he's even befriended the Almighty Biebs, so bad press like this will only make his image take a step back.

A few hours after the interview, Roberts (pictured below) updated her Twitter to read "Sure has been an interesting AM @GMA. Still sorting thru everything myself. Just my 2nd day on twitter, wonder what tomorrow will bring?”

Chris also took to Twitter shortly after the GMA appearance; "I'm so over people bringing this past s**t up!!! Yet we praise Charlie sheen and other celebs for there bulls**t."

I'll give him the Charlie Sheen comment but he was still out of line.

ABC News later released a statement regarding the interview;

"As always, we ask questions that are relevant and newsworthy, and that's what we did in this interview with Mr. Brown."

Fair point!

I wonder if CB will be able to hold on to his slot to perform on ABC's Dancing With The Stars next week...? He may have made a few more enemies he'll need to forget.

To watch the interview, click on the link below

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFUMelKm8lQ

Just Penn Pals?

In the most random coupling since T-Swift and Jake G, gossip is still circulating about the "relations" between Sean Penn and Scarlett Johansson (above).

The pair holidayed in Mexico back in January, causing the rumor mills to turn, and were spotted having an intimate dinner earlier this month at Hollywood's Chateaux Marmont. And the latest? Another cozy dinner with friends at Cecconi's, West Hollywood. A source told PEOPLE magazine, "Scarlett and Sean sat very closely and exchanged flirty looks"

We are yet to see a more concrete PDA from these two but, despite the age gap (her 26 years VS his 50) I can totally see these two as a couple!
Stay tuned...

Picture from tmz.com






Word On The Street

I think it's time for another journey to couples-ville to see who's hooking up and who's parting ways....

*Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel (above) recently ended their relationship after four years together. There's been many a rumour concerning the reasons behind the split including marriage pressures and certain Mila Kunis. Timberlake and Kunis have been quick to dismiss any relations between them that are more than friendship (despite them looking cosy on more than one occasion! - pictured below)

Both JT and JB have also said that discussions about marriage were also not the cause of the break-up. Justin's friend told People magazine

"He was invested in their relationship on a lot of different levels. After four years it's just not easy to walk away from it."

Well, whatever the reason, I'm sure Jess cried a river or two as the actress is said to be devastated over the split.



*After announcing their split last month (tear!) Pete Wentz spoke to Ryan Seacrest on Monday about his and Ashlee's current relationship after ending their 3 year marriage;

"Ashlee's been my best friend for five years. She's the mother of my child. I have nothing but love and respect for her…Going through something like this isn't easy, but we're friends and the most important thing is to put our son first."

Aw, least they're keeping it amicable!



Wentz and Simpson recently in LA


*On a more positive note, after the scandal of her cheating husband Tony Parker, Eva Longoria has snagged herself a new beau in the form of Penelope Cruz's brother! The Desperate Housewives star has been pictured rather frequently with Eduardo Cruz over the past couple of months but denied the pair were an item. In a recent trip to LA's Koi restaraunt the couple (pictured below) seemed more than friends to me...

*Amanda Seyfried has been singing the famous "we're just friends" tune amid rumors her and Ryan Philippe are dating. In a recent pap video the Mean Girls star was awfully quick to squash the rumor of Ryan dating Rihanna, with her snapping "Ryan's a good guy, and that Rihanna story is fake!"...ok Amanda, touched a nerve much?
These two aren't giving anything away about their much-talked-about relationship. Seyfreied would only say "Um, yeah, I've been 'seen' with him" in a recent interview with Elle but onlookers spotted the cute couple (pictured below) at the after party to her new flick Red Riding Hood
"He gave her a hug, and she sat next to him. He rubbed her back and shoulder, and she had her hand on his knee...They were so sweet"

Saucy! I dont think we'll catch these two in a  full on PDA anytime soon!

*Courney Cox and David Arquette (above) have been quite vocal on the 'rules' laid out during their separation. David's been out partying appearing on talk shows and ended up in rehab, while Courtney has kept a low profile...until now.
In a recent interview with Harpers Bazaar the Couger Town star said she has no plans to date;
"I'm not saying never; it just seems weird. I don't even know how that would happen or how you meet people. I don't like to go out. I'm not great at small talk … I don't like to go to parties."
Could that put a pin in the theory she's been dating her Cougar co-star Brian Van Holt?

I'm still hoping the Scream co-stars will reuinte, but could it be on the cards?

"I don't know what the future holds, and I guess because I still have strong feelings for David ... I'm his biggest protector. I can't help it."

Sounds hopeful!

Arquette recently told Oprah, "I'd love for it to work out." So perhaps these 2 can work it out after all. After 11 years of marriage (pretty much unheard of in Hollywood) I do hope so!

It's A Girl!

Posh sporting her not-so-bumpy, baby bump

Victoria Beckham has made no secret of the fact that she's been desperate to have a baby girl amongst her rabble of boys.Well, it seems the cherry has been popped ontop VB's sundae as she is FINALLY preggers with a mini posh. Aw!
Maybe Mrs B will expand her clothing line to childrenswear now she'll have a wee girl to dress?
The only thing we can't really envy is that the poor girl will have David Beckham as a father....wouldn't you totally fancy your own dad? Maybe a little bit?...No?

Birdy Soars Into The Charts

After being featured on radio 1 as Fearne Cotton's record of the week, 14 year old school girl 'Birdy' (real name Jasmine Van den Bogaerde) has scored her first top 40 hit.

On Sunday's chart show Reggie Yates announced the youngster landed at number 25.
Over the past week, Miss Cotton has been inundated with texts about the cover of Bon Iver's Skinny Love so it's no surprise that thedownloads have shot up, putting the young singer in a pretty decent char position!
The track itself is just beautiful. At only 14, Birdy sings with such control and a maturity that's beyond her years. She also plays piano in the track, a talent she's been crafting since the age of 4.
Currently studying for her GCSE's I'm keen to see what direction Birdy takes once her exams are complete. And by the looks of things, I'm not the only one as it seems she'll have a rather large nest of fans!
If you haven't heard the track yet, have a listen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XL2Uzz4j01s

Vamping It Up...Lincoln Style!

We live in a time where vampire mania is rife. With the likes of True Blood, Vampire Diaries and the Twilight saga, everybody's up for a bit blood sucking fun. Taking this craze to a new level is the novel-soon-to-be-film 'Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter'.

This is the latest monster mash-up from author Seth Grahame-Smith who penned Pride and Prejudice and Zombies in 2009. When I heard this was being made into a film, I made a face one may use when asked to name all of the Jonas brother...confused and slightly bemused. That was until they threw Tim Burton into the mix as co-producer! If the film is set to be a combo of Burton's dark and fantastical humor, Danny Elfman's musical tinkling's, and if we're lucky, Johnny Depp, then I am deffo on board to watch Abe slay some vampires!

So what is the story actually about?

Well, it begins with a 9 year old Lincoln tending to his sick mother who sadly dies, later for him to learn her death was down to the work of a vampire. The future president then "sets out on a path of vengeance that will lead him all the way to the White House"

The blurb also reads,

"While Abraham Lincoln is widely lauded for saving a Union and freeing millions of slaves, his valiant fight against the forces of the undead has remained in the shadows for hundreds of years"
 
"Seth has reconstructed the true life story of America's greatest president for the first time - all while revealing the hidden history behind the Civil War and uncovering the role vampires played in the birth, growth, and near-death of the nation".

I'm glad this tale has been uncovered for the world to feast upon.

If you can't wait until 2012 for the movie to hit our cinema screens, pick up a copy of the book for about £7 on Amazon.



Could it work?...I think so!



Oops, She's Done It Again

After the explosion of her newest single 'Hold It Against Me', Britney is once more causing tongues to wag following her feature in OUT magazine. Ms Spears is cover girl for the current edition of the gay/lesbian magazine and gives a very open and honest interview. Brit is often very reserved but it seems she was more than comfortable in opening up to OUT...and posing for some risque shots, showing off her 'bikini tattoo's'. Let's take a look through the feature...

Noah Michelson, who wrote the article, is clearly as big a Britney fan as I am and writes an incredibly flattering intro bigging up the former Mousketeer.
 "For all of the shit that’s said about her, she still glides to the top of the charts whenever she releases an album."
Very true!
He also points out an interesting fact that last year, Britters raked in more dollar than Lady Gaga despite her album Circus being released in 2009! 2011 should be a another successful year with the release of her anticipated album Femme Fatale which, according to pop-princess, is her "most upbeat and mature album yet"
The pictures of B are stunning. From the front cover close-up (above) to the inside shots showing off her enviable bod (below). Britney is most certainly back!

A young Britney, living in Louisiana eating 'grits', dreamt of emulating Madonna. Not only becoming famous, but reaching iconic status. Articles like this really cement that her destination has been well and truly reached. Much like Madonna, Brit has mastered the art of re-invention, experimenting with different styles, genres and of course, creating a swarm of hype and controversy.

Here are some Q and A snippets from the interview...

What album do you consider life-changing?
Natalie Imbruglia’s Left of the Middle.

What is the best advice you’ve gotten and who was it from?
My mom said when you have a bad day, eat ice cream. That’s the best advice.

What is the worst advice a record executive ever told you?
Someone once told me that the "…Baby One More Time" video should be me as a superhero fighting a giant robot monster.

Which song from the last 10 years do you wish you had recorded?
Eminem and Rihanna’s “Love the Way You Lie.”

What is the dumbest, most ridiculous rumor that has been printed about you?
That I was an alien.

And perhaps my favourite response of the whole article,  
Are there any of your songs that you wish you hadn’t recorded/you don’t really love?
No. All of my songs are f–ing amazing.

Brilliant.

Sheen Ya Later!

Well, after all the tweets, videos, crazy interviews and (more importantly) the bad mouthing of his boss Chuck Lorre, it comes as no shock that Charlie Sheen has been given the boot from his hit show Two And A Half Men. Warner Bros released a statement saying;

"After careful consideration, Warner Bros. Television has terminated Charlie Sheen's services on Two and a Half Men effective immediately"

No decision has been made whether to continue with a new lead or to cancel the show all together.

Charlies reaction to his dismissal doesn't really come as a shock;

"It is a big day of gladness at the Sober Valley Lodge because now I can take all of the bazillions...and I never have to put on those silly shirts for as long as this warlock exists in the terrestrial dimension."
Warlock?! I think someone's been drinking too much 'tiger blood'...

Sheen's lawyer Marty Singer claims the termination is "absurd and ridiculous"
The actor will need a bloody good case to back up the $320 million law suit he's currently preparing against Warner Bros. We know he lives in LaLa Land but with Charlies cuckoo behaviour and past law suits I'm not sure he'll have a leg to stand on!

Jess VS Chez

It's been no secret that Cheryl Cole is more than keen to snag a place on the US version of The X Factor, but Simon Cowell has reservations as to whether Chezza and her northern "charm" will translate to American audiences. We all know Cheryl and Simon became BFF's over the last season in the UK, but does the business mogul have the power to carry his pop-star pal through to America? It seems not...cheryl's profile isn't nearly big enough for her to have an impact on the show like she has over here. The powers that be are also worried her broad Geordie accent is hard for the American public to understand.
But all is not lost! You know how Sinitta always plays the part of Robin to Cowell's Batman in the UK series'? Apparently Robin will now be played by the lovely Cheryl Cole. Yes...Mrs C will get to assist Simon through the boot camp stage of the show which should give her popularity a boost over the pond as few people really know who she is (apart from Will.I.Am and Derek Hough of course).


Chezza wasn't keen on wearing Sinitta's leaf get-up

So who has overshadowed Cheryl in the bid for a judging spot? One of my faves Jessica Simpson is said to be a frontrunner! X-Factor asks a lot more from it's judges than American Idol, Jessica would not only act as a judge but oversee her category in all aspects of the competition from the singing, styling, and stage production. Soon-to-be-wed Simpson has a lot going for her to land herself the job. Her singing career alongside the popular reality series' Newlyweds and The Price Of Beauty gives Jess the notoriety and likability factor to put her ahead of the game.
Simpsons career was at an all time high when Newlyweds hit our screens between 2003-2005. Her and then-hubby Nick Lachey both gathered an army of fans due to that show (I must say I do own them on DVD) and I don't think it'd be hard for Simps to tap into that audience again. With her style, charm and sense of humor I'd say Jess was a strong candiadate and, if for no other reason, with quotes like "Is this chicken or fish?" made famous in Newlyweds, god knows what the blonde bombshell will come out with
on live TV. Make it happen Simon.

Belieb The Hype!

Justin Biebers docu-film 'Never Say Never' has reached the number 3 spot as the highest grossing documentary film of all time!

The Bieb's has managed to generate $63,300,218 putting him behind March Of The Penguins (grossing $77 million) and Farenheit 9/11 ($120 million).

If the teen pop sensation carries on to lure in audiences then he may well overtake either of the top two selling films.
If that wasn't enough, there has also been Oscar buzz surrounding the film of late. Could the pint sized Canadian really take home a gold statue in 2012? Never say never!

The Hills Are Alive! (Kind Of)

For everyone out there who has a little gap in their lives since the The Hills came to an end, then fear not...Miss Audrina Patridge is debuting her new reality series in April! Wahoo! The show, aptly named Audrina will follow the Dancing With The Stars contestant back home to Orange County. Rather than being based in the Hollywood Hills, flitting between boyfriends and nightclubs, Audrina is back in her home town amongst her family who are a regular feature of the show.

In a recent promo the Audrina states "somewhere between fame and family, is a place for me". I hope this show gives us a more realistic view of her life than the hills, as Audrina wasn't shy to speak out about how many elements of 'The Hills' was fake after the show came to an end.(Like we didn't already know, but it was fun to pretend eh?)
Jeff Olde, an Executive Vice President at VH1 said, "On one level, she is working hard to establish herself in the entertainment industry but at the same time she has this amazingly real, supportive family in Orange County who keeps her grounded" If  Audrina mixes the glitz and glamour with a dose of good old family fun then I'm sure I won't be the only one to tune in.
Let's just hope Patridge's efforts are better received than Whitney Port's 'The City' which was cancelled after it's second season.

Catch the show April 17 on VH1.

Charlie Should Be Sheen And Not Heard

...No suck luck. The Charlie Sheen saga is still in full swing, each day feeding us a bigger slice of his bonkers world.
He recently divulged that he was living in his LA mansion (named 'Sober Valley Lodge' - you're only kidding yourself Sheen!) with 2 women, which he refers to as "the goddesses". The actor told a US radio station that the 2 gals - porn star Natalie Kenly (above right) and model Rachel Oberlin (above left) - both sleep in Charlies bedroom. Where does the party animal himself sleep I hear you ask? Well, the lucky dog apparently gets to choose who he sleeps with each night. Sounds slighlty polyamorous to me but whatever floats their
boat!
Over recent weeks the Two And A Half Men star has been on a media rampage, splashing himself all over the TV, radio and newspapers and magazines galore. His antics are always bizarre and these days he is never without new GF Rachel Oberlin by his side. Tales of insane partying and drug abuse have left his fellow cast members more than concerned, and with quotes like these, it's not hard to see why....

Preaching his sobriety Charlie stated "I'm on a drug. It's called Charlie Sheen." It's good to know that life is now his biggest high! (Please apply an appropriate level of sarcasm)

Offering an explanation as to why there's been a sudden explosion of his opinions lately, "There's a new sheriff in town. And he has an army of assassins." I'm sure he will serve the people of LA with an incontestable justice.

Charlies father, actor Martin Sheen, made his feelings known on talkshow The Alex Jones Show that his son suffers from alcoholism. His son's response? "I have a disease? Bullsh!t. I cured it … with my mind." And you can catch Charlie Sheen at local AA meetings passing on his jedi-mind tricks to recovering alcoholics across the LA area. Amazing.

And the final tit-bit of Sheen genius; his reasoning behind not attending this years Oscar's, "I don't have a tuxedo that fits anymore because my chest and my biceps are too big." Maybe Charlie's govener, Mr Swartzenegger can offer him some advice?

I can't see this whole 'thing', which we could perhaps now call 'Sheen-gate', ending well. The most recent update being Charlie's ex Brooke Mueller yesterday winning sole custody of their twin boys, with Sheen having to stay 100 yards from both her and the kids. If Muellers allegations are in fact true that her ex threatened to stab her eye with a pen knife, then I'm not surprised that the Los Angeles Superior Court swung in her favour!

When questioned by People magazine Charlie declared

"This is me warming up."
I fear for us all.