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Victoria Beckham

Victoria Beckham

Victoria Beckham was delighted when she was asked to model underwear for Italian fashion house Armani. She happily agreed so that she could show off her newly-toned body. The new underwer line by Armani will feature a spices Posh !

The former Spice Girl will debut as the “worldwide testimonial” for Emporio Armani Women’s underwear in the Spring/Summer 2009 campaign, with shots that were taken last month (Oct08).

And the mother-of-three worked extra-hard to get the right shape and the perfect figure for the shoot. Posh Spice now boasts of a well toned body that looks ageless. Armani must be overjoyed to have pulled in Victoria as she has keptto her fashion and excercise regime.

She says, “I started running regularly about a year ago and when this campaign came about, I began working harder every day. And this morning I got on the treadmill and said, ‘OK then - this is my last chance! ”

Victoria had featured in Marc Jacobs’ campaign earlier this year (08) and she felt honoured to take part in another international fashion shoot.

She adds, “It’s a huge compliment being asked to be in the campaign and to be part of the worldwide campaign for Emporio Armani underwear. “It’s really exciting to me. Mr. (Georgio) Armani is a lovely person and his team is fantastic, so it’s a really exciting project for me to be involved with. And hopefully they will see a huge response.”

20 November

Guns N’ Roses Launches 1st Web Album

Guns N' Roses

Guns N' Roses

Days before its official release in shops Guns N’ Roses have launched their new album on MySpace. This is the band’s first album on Internet. Chinese Democracy is the US based rock band’s first album in 15 years. The fans can purchase the album from various music store across the country from Monday.

The album has been launched in MySpace for the fans to hear the music in web much before its launch. Its been reported that this is one of the highest profile acts opted by the site to launch a record. “The Spaghetti Incident?”, the last album of the band came out in 1993. Tension and disputes among the band members have led to all the original performers except lead singer Axl Rose bidding a goodbye.

Chinese Democracy’s most of the tracks have been already head before with Shackler’s Revenge appearing on the soundtrack of video game Rock Band 2. The album is released in the US on Sunday in an exclusive moor with an electronics chain.

19 November

Red Carpet Walk For “Australia” Premiere

Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman, Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin on the red carpet.

Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman, Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin on the red carpet.

The traffic came to a halt while thousands of fans waited for hours in the rain in central Sydney. The enthralled crowd cheered after a long wait while Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman walked the red carpet for the world premiere of “Australia”.

The 3,000 invited guests walked down the carpet  while George Street in Sydney’s CBD was closed for the premiere of one of the most predicted local films ever.  Nicole was seen strolling gracefully with her co-stars like Hugh Jackman, Bryan Brown, David Wenham, 13-year-old Brandon Walters, Jack Thompson, director Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin.

Kidman mention in a candid conversation that Australia may be her final film as she would now like to concentrates on motherhood. “I’m in a place in my life where I have had some great opportunities. I may just choose to have some more children”, Kidman said.

18 November

Stunning pre-sales record for “Twilight”

Twilight

Twilight

“Twilight” saw a grand opening With teenagers shouting at the top of their voices to get a glimpse of the author. It sure sounds a massive affair. Like never before, Stephenie Meyer, the author of the Twilight series of books, draws screams and lunging teenagers as she signs autographs and takes pictures before walking into the theater. Twilight’s World Premiere rocked Los Angeles with thousands of fans in every corner of the Westwood Village. Surely they were loud.

For a vampire love story tickets are literally selling like hot cakes. The upcoming midnight shows are being sold and at a random pace.Summit Entertainment film has already sold out hundreds of performances four days before its Friday opening in about 3,400 locations. Movie Ticket sellouts were definitely more than 400  of various show times.

Going by the ticketers the movie has more than 85% of pre-sales. With industry hearsay suggesting an overdose of spice is already ringing with spectacular advance ticket sales.

Several marketing heads of the industry are simply awestruck at the tremendous effect and with the film itself. Until now Summit Entertainment was just another name with no such movie to go by. With dim and modest success streak with its martial arts film “Never Back Down,” the teen comedy “Sex Drive,” Summit Entertainment had nothing to fall back on. BUt this time around Summit Entertainment has an amazing ace up its sleeve - “Twilight.”

Robert Pattinson Kristen Stewart

Robert Pattinson Kristen Stewart

“Twilight” is the first in a series of enormously popular vampire love stories written by Stephenie Meyer. They now rest in peace before the final show stealing and probably one of the hottest Hollywood literary franchises since “Harry Potter.” The film, directed by Catherine Hardwicke stars Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, Oscar winner Jamie Foxx and the band Paramore, who have a song on the soundtrack. The young actors,Stewart and Pattinson are treated with The Beatles style mania by fans. Last week, 10,000 kids literally mobbed them in a Dallas mall. They’ve been on the cover of Entertainment Weekly and several teen tabloids as well as all over MTV. Before the film actually hits the masses the stars are a real hit.

Industry speak suggests that half of Hollywood’s biggies missed “Twilight” and just let it go. The project was stalled for over a year. Twilight” was originally at Paramount’s MTV Films. Paramount reportedly wasted two years in developing before actually letting it all go. Paramountallowing the film slip through its hands brought it good times for the film. Former Paramount benefactors helped the film to develop. Karen Rosenfelt, a longtime Paramount production executive, and a veteran became attached with “Twilight” as a producer in fall 2006. There were several others like Summit Chief Executive Friedman, who’d been a top Paramount executive for years who came together. And the rest of “Twilight” remains to be seen if a history is in the making.

14 November

Jennifer Hudson’s GAP campaign

Jennifer Hudson

Jennifer Hudson

Jennifer Hudson has moved on with her life. She currently features in a new Holiday campaign with the GAP. In the Ad, Hudson is  smiling and she wears a red sweater. Hudson who was in hiding recently after she went through a tragic family slain affair. The ad launch features her as cheery.

Hudson was given full freedom to back out. According to Gap spokesperson Olive Doyne, “She said she wanted to be a part of it and that we should move forward.” Hudson was photographed for the ad by Michael Thompson back in July in New York City. Hudson had conveyed her best wishes and blessings so that the clothing-store giant was assured of her wish to use her image.

The timing for the ad might not seem appropriate to many, but the real picture is Hudson has to move on with her life. She cannot sit mourning away her time. The ad uses the tagline “Shine Your Own Star,” seems apt since Hudson begins with a new shine. She needs this launch more than GAP. The ad can be seen in magazines and newspapers and on billboards in New York and Los Angeles.

12 November

Directors’ cut 2009

Nanette Burstein

Nanette Burstein

All the major directors are getting ready for a busy 2009 film schedule. Despite shaky economic conditions the major ones are getting into production. There is absolutely no dearth of interest or enthusiasm for the coming year’s film activity in the film circuit. The flurry of signing ins and production madness are already turning out to be a dampener for the economic depression majorly in the US.

Among the directors signing projects that have been revealed this week goes like this:

Greg Mottola will direct the ET comedy “Paul” for Working Title and Universal Pictures. Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, the duo behind “Shaun of the Dead” and “Hot Fuzz,” will star.

Greg Mottola

Greg Mottola

Martin Campbell

Martin Campbell

Martin Campbell will helm “Nagasaki Deadline,” an action thriller that will be financed by Alcon Entertainment and co-produced with James Cameron’s Lightstorm Entertainment and 8:38 Prods.

New Line Cinema has pulled in documentarian Nanette Burstein (”American Teen”) to direct the romantic comedy “Going the Distance,” with Adam Shankman and Jennifer Gibgot producing via their Offspring Entertainment shingle.

Inspite of the strikes carried out by SAG and the fact that Feature productions are slowing down there has been a serious attempt to fight against the strike. Studios are putting in and around 40 films into production in the spring and summer.

Motolla’s “Paul” will be filmed from mid-April in New Mexico. Story revolves around two British slackers who, after visiting Comic-Con, go on a road trip to Area 51, where they encounter a small alien named Paul, who enlists them to help him find his way home.
Campbell (”Casino Royale”) will return to work on “Nagasaki”. “Distance,” a romantic comedy under New Line production which will likely go into production early next year, re-teams Shankman and Gibgot with New Line after they produced the upcoming “17 Again.” It was a bold decision taken by New Line to tap a documentarian.

Despite a serious stoppage in feature film activity the above mentioned scenario is sure to lighten the mood and joyously mark the return of filmic activity despite aborted circumstances.

Val Kilmer
Val Kilmer

Actor Val Kilmer decides to follow the footsteps of his Hollywood pal Arnold Schwarzenegger. He will take a dip in politics.

Kilmer has been asking for advice from Arnold. After all politics has no second take. Val might be having a view or two to become a State Governor.

The Batman Forever star, 48, is serious to have  a run in New Mexico where he owns a huge ranch. He is hoping to get some tips about the stresses of the job from action man-turned-Governor of California Schwarzenegger.

Kilmer says, “I plan to sit down with Arnold Schwarzenegger. I’m approaching this as a serious endeavour. But being famous as an actor is one thing - they take no prisoners in politics.”

Val has to wait till he arrives as a political pro. Till then he can fall back on his 13 film pack that are to come this year and the next.

Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie

Brad and Angelina are proud parents. Their kids have already started to shine. The star couple has twins who are only four months old. But Knox and Vivienne’s doting parents have already started seeing growth and maturity in their kids. They insist that their kids are already shaping up into characters of their own in spite of their unbelievable age.

Angelina has proudly revealed, Knox and Vivienne are “starting to get very smiley,” “They’re at that [stage] where their personality really starts to shine.”

Jolie was talking to reporters about her new film “Kung Fu Panda”. She talked about her kids and how great they are and “…still so little, but they do [have their own personalities],” at the DVD launch for Kung Fu Panda. She said her children loved her new film. She could see it in them. She said, “I think it’s a great film, and it’s brought a lot of joy to children – and to my children, absolutely,” Overjoyed Jolie could not hold back her excitement surrounding her film and new found happiness of motherhood. She said : “My kids love it. They’re very very proud, they’ve got mom [Tigress] dolls.” Kung Fu Panda’s premiere was held at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. There were furry Panda characters all over the place. Costars Jack Black and Dustin Hoffman chatted with fans and press. A $1 million cheque was presented by DreamWorks’ Jeffrey Katzenberg. The money went for the Conservation International in support of their efforts for the preservation of pandas in their natural habitat.

Jolie declined to comment on any question asked about President Elect, Barack Obama. She looked like one gorgeous mom who was slim in her long-sleeved black dress and beige pumps with spiked heels. She just said that she was happy with the election last Tuesday.
She did not bring out anything about her plans for January inaugural balls under President-elect Barack Obama.

Amy Winehouse

Amy Winehouse

Amy Winehouse has a new mentor in Quincy Jones. Jones who is Michael Jackson’s legendary music producer and has been through the thick and thin of the music industry. Winehouse is reportedly working with Jones and recording some serious music to bring up a new album of hers.

Amy met the producer at a concert in June at Nelson Mandela’s birthday concert in London. The iconic producer was rumoured to have a tribute album presented to him by Winehouse teaming up with Mark Ronson.

Winehouse’ spokesman has confirmed : “They met at the Nelson Mandela concert in the summer and got chatting. He’s a big fan of hers and she him.”

A close source talked about the recent professional tie-up between Amy and Quincy and the ongoing projects they are deeply rooted on. The source has told British newspaper The Daily Telegraph : “Quincy has taken her under his wing and put her back on the wagon. The two are collaborating on one or two projects and if anyone can save a talent like Amy, then it is Q.”

6 November

Sizzling Liz in a perfect beach bod

Liz Hurley

Liz Hurley(Courtesy : Hello magazine )

Liz Hurley shows off her perfect tanned beach body. The 43 year old British actress has bared her beautifully tanned British body in a sultry photo shoot.  Hurley, mom of one, shot for a beachwear collection in India.  She says that she hates modeling for bikinis. In her recent interview in “Hello” magazine’s current issue she reveals that her husband Arun Nayar wants a child of their own. Liz, 43 spoke to Hello saying that her love for India was endless.

She talked about her plans to become a working farmer. “I love being Mrs Nayar,” she adds, in the intimate interview. She is presently in Rajasthan working on her new range. The interview with Hello includes amazingly fresh photographs of the stunningly beautiful British actress.

Liz on her exclusive interview revealed how she plans to get a perfect beach body by maintainig a good diet. She was eating “a lot less” and doing “a great deal more exercise”. Liz Hurley has requested Hello to donate to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation for this interview.

5 November

Gwyneth Paltrow daringly bares

Gwyneth Paltrow

James Gray Gwyneth Paltrow

Gwyneth Paltrow seems to set the red carpet straight. She dared to wear a see through black and white dress at the premiere of “Two Lovers” in Paris.

The dress was no where near subtle. Nothing more was left to imagine. revealing dresses are a part of tradition on the red carpet. But this time around Paltrow took it a bit far.

The 36-year-old was in loss of her usual pseudo-dignity. Her Pris premiere marks her return to work having two children Apple, four, and Moses, two with husband Chris Martin, frontman of Coldplay.

She seemed desparate to show off and was seen smiling and waving off to fans standing beside U.S. director James Gray. She arrived at the Publicis cinema in Paris seemingly in a do not care attitude.

She had once admiited to being apprenhisive to return to the “cut-throat world” of Hollywood. She said: “Hollywood is pretty cut-throat and everybody’s got a short memory and there’s always somebody younger or hotter … or prettier or whatever.” So her dress fits the bill.

Her revealing outfit at the premieres is suggestively publicising her role in the film where she shows off one of her breasts.

Will Smith

Will Smith

Will Smith wants to make a Bollywood flick. He had earlier promised to star in one. He is determined to fulfill his promise.He is inspired and being advised by Slumdog Millionaire director Danny Boyle, according to reports. Hollywood big-wig Will Smith has been planning his cross-over project that could star Anil Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai and Will himself. He has shown a lot of interest in being a part of a South Asian project since 2006. But his earlier commitments and time crunch made the dream impossible to fulfill. But now is the time that Will has decided to go further on.

Smith had recently asked out Anil Kapoor for his project. Anil has confirmed the reports. Smith sought out Anil to discuss his latest project.
Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire was shot in Mumbai. It has convinced Smith so much that he is serious about trying his luck in a different genre of pictures. Smith has made several trips  in India and now his visits are going to pay him off.

“While we were filming there, Will Smith came over twice. There’s a massive coming together of Bollywood and Hollywood. It’ll only take one person to bring them together and it will be huge,” Boyle said.
“Yes, he came to visit us. He came to my residence. Very nice chap,” Anil Kapoor said. Anil sounds excited enough to be part of a Hollywood-Bollywood joint project which is most certainly a big affair. Annually Bollywood grosses billions  overseas. It will be a big affair for both the cultures and film making genres. The I Robots and Pursuit of Happyness star had earlier taken part in Indian events like launching new TV channel Pix and appearing on TV talent show INDIAN IDOL, a visit to the Taj Mahal, to eat an authentic chicken tikka masala, as well as meet Bollywood producers to discuss his Asian film debut.

4 November

Jane Fonda’s awaited Broadway return

Jane Fonda

Jane Fonda

Two time Oscar winning actress Jane Fonda is all set to reappear at Broadway after staying away from it for a long 46-year absence.

She won her Oscars in 1978 for “Coming Home” and won her first Academy Award for Best Actress in 1971, playing a prostitute, the gamine Bree Daniel, in the murder mystery Klute.   Jane’s outspoken political views and statements at her interviews have made her look like a person who blamed situations for her anger.

She will perform in “33 Variations” in 2009. Moises Kaufman has written and directed the play. The play will be weaving the story of Beethoven’s fascination with a trivial waltz. The play will also show how a modern-day musicologist Katherine Brandt (Fonda) sets out to discover the root of Beethoven’s obsession.

Fonda now 70, made her Broadway debut in the 1960 play “There Was a Little Girl”  which earned her a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured actress. She last appeared on Broadway in the 1963 drama “Strange Interlude.” “33 Variations” is scheduled to open on Broadway in early 2009.

Her new challenge will be a much awaited affair. The veteran actress will surely set the stage on fire just like she has done in her entire career.

Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson has opted out of a rumoured Jackson 5 reunion tour. Michael denied on Thursday that he would be a part of the alleged reunion of the famed Motown singing group. His elder brother Jermaine had said that Michael was “on board”. There were several opinions being generated on the reunion. The definitive denial comes as a surprise for the recent hot gossip topic. After all Michael is not inclined to make music with his brothers, it seems.

But it seems that a Jackson 5 reunion is not quite easy after so many years. Michael continued his agenda to crash all hopes of reuniting with Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon and Tito on a Jackson 5 reunion tour. The pop royalty rejuvenation dream is after all a distant reality. All courtesy to troubled pop star Michael Jackson. Jackson,50, said that he was in the studio busy producing to come up with “new and exciting projects.”

Jackson 5

Jackson 5

Jackson said in a statement released by rep Dr. Tohme : “My brothers and sisters have my full love and support, and we’ve certainly shared many great experiences, but at this time I have no plans to record or tour with them.” Jermaine Jackson, 53, was in Australia when he said in a statement on Wednesday that he and his band was working together on their music for the tour scheduled next year. “It is going to be more like a family affair,” he told the Australian Associated Press. “(Younger sister) Janet’s going to open and, of course, the original Jackson 5 … Michael, Randy and the whole family. … We’re in the studio, we’re planning on being out there next year.” Michael has all along shunned public appearances with his brothers. He has never shown encouragement for a reunion talk. He was not even present to collect a lifetime achievement award in Los Angeles in September in order to avoid showing up with his brothers. The Jackson 5 rose to fame in the early 1970s. They had belted out singles like “I Want You Back,” “ABC” and “I’ll Be There.” The group had their last tour in 1984, by which time Michael Jackson was a huge star in his own right.
Till then Michael can sooth his musical pursuit in his sweet old studio and all he can say about it is, “…developing new and exciting projects that I look forward to sharing with my fans in concert soon.”

31 October

Robbie Williams plays out to Garry Barlow

Robbie Williams

Robbie Williams

The former band mates came together in Robbie’s latest quest. Robbie Williams was heard out by Take That’s lead singer Gary Barlow. Robbie’s band former mates visited him in Los Angeles to hear his latest tracks of his new album. Gary Barlow was Williams’ bitter rival. Robbie left the band in 1995 following a series of run-ins and rows after which he remaining four members eventually disbanded in 1996. Gary has told Britain’s The Sun newspaper: “We had some great hanging out time with Robbie in Los Angeles and he played us some of his new stuff. It was really good. He started out with us so we have a connection.” Take That had performed on a comeback tour in 2005 when they had reformed to bring out a new album in 2005. Gary, Howard Donald, Jason Orange and Mark Owen of Take That had persuaded Robbie to reunite.

Robbie Williams has had his share of musical disasters and flop albums, with his recent flop record ‘Rudebox’. Robbie leads a withdrawn life of his own. He was reportedly out of his relationship with girlfriend Ayda Field to focus on his music. Robbie known as a recluse in the music field has also been in news for his alien connection. He has reportedly been in an alien camp to develop his new album songs. The singer has claimed to have had several ET encounters. During his recent visit to Trout Lake in Washington he was seen carrying a ideo equipment in his search for aliens. Trout Lake in Washington is regarded as “… America’s number one UFO hotspot and a magnet for true believers in aliens,” according to Extraterrestrial expert Michael C. Luckman. Robbie has been identified as an alien ambassador by Michael. The ET expert said : “Robbie used the occasion as an opportunity to write several new songs about aliens. I wouldn’t be surprised if Robbie may be planning an alien album…”