Celeb9 Blog » performances

Hugh Jackman

Hugh Jackman, the famous Australian actor  has been named as “the Sexiest Man Alive”. The star was ranked at the top in the  People magazine’s annual list of “the most attractive guys in the world”. With his unforgettable performances in several movies like  X-Men, The Prestige and Scoop,  Jackman has left female hearts pounding faster.

“He’s a triple threat - a star who can sing, dance and wield a weapon. At 6ft 2in, all scruff and biceps, Jackman, 40, looms large in the epic Australia and left people stammering, ‘Oh. my… God!’ according to co-star Nicole Kidman”, the magazine wrote while explaining why they elected  Jackman as the Sexiest Man Alive.

Close behind Hugh, the second place was secured by the Quantum of Solace actor Daniel Craig. He rose to fame with his most impressive acting in the film as British spy James Bond.  His muscular body and striking blue eyes left all his female fans awestruck.

The third position was given to  the star of hit US TV show Mad Men, Jon Hamm, while  Zac Efron, High School Musical heartthrob and   Robert Buckley, the  Lipstick Jungle hunk came fourth and fifth respectively.

The other personalities to have ranked in the list were Soccer player David Beckham, Oscar-winner Javier Bardem, Twilight star Robert Pattinson, former Dawson’s Creek actor Joshua Jackson and Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps.

Tags: Daniel Craig, David Beckham, Hugh Jackman, Hugh Jackman – The 'Sexiest Man Alive', Javier Bardem, Jon Hamm, Joshua Jackson, Michael Phelps, Nicole Kidman, Robert Buckley, Robert Pattinson, Zac Efron
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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

“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.

Tags: Twilight
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Coldplay

Coldplay has expressed their desire to play with Take That. They are planning to perform on a big stadium show. Coldplay frontman has posted on the band’s website : “I would open for Take That. We were in the dressing room the other day and, for whatever reason, we started singing ‘Back For Good.’” Chris has written that he would love to perform in a show next summer.

Chris Martin wants to use the Coldplay website as their platform to “…announce that if Take That want us to open for them, we’ll do it…”

Coldplay had failed in an attempt to book legendary concert venue Knebworth House, in Hertfordshire, England. They had planned long before for their proposed 2009 tour. Presently they are looking for the right venue. Take That will perform at London’s Wembley Stadium, Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium and Sunderland’s Stadium of Light.

Tags: Coldplay, take that
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Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen helped raising more than $100,000 for wounded war veterans on Wednesday. He turned out to be one good generous rocker when he threw his leather jacket in a charity auction.

Bob Woodruff Foundation had organized the New York Comedy Festival where the legendary star took part. The show also saw

appearances by funnyman Ricky Gervais, U.S. TV presenter Regis Philbin and Saturday Night Live comic Darrell Hammond.

But Springsteen simply highlighted the show. He rode onstage on his 1994 Harley-Davidson motorcycle, which he later donated for the sale.

Guest auctioneer Whoopi Goldberg helped get the initial proceedings. But bidding on the powerful motorbike stalled at $40,000 when the all so  kind-hearted hero of the day, Springsteen literally sold the clothes off his back and took off the leather jacket he was wearing to boost the sales. The two items eventually sold for $70,000.

But
Bruce was not over yet with his generosity. CNN correspondent Christiane Amanpour handed over $50,000 for The Boss’ autographed guitar.

Tags: Bruce Springsteen
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R&B superstar Rihanna fell ill while performing in a show in Sydney, Australia on Thursday. The Barbadian

Rihanna

Grammy Award sparked fears for her health when paramedics were rushed in. She complained of feeling ill while her performance was on.

The Bajan beauty was performing at Sydney’s Acer Arena when suddenly she was reportedly seen in severe physical pain after being lowered down to the stage by a harness.

The star’s beau Chris Brown had joined her on-stage for a rousing rendition of their remix to her smash hit Umbrella - a track named Cinderella. All this turned nasty when she fled the stage seeking medical attention.

Fans became frantic as Brown was forced to finish the show’s finale alone.

Spokesperson Amanda Silverman as usual denied all such rumors of the star fainting behind the scenes. She insisted, Rihanna a was just hot and needed to rehydrate.

She tells WENN, “It was very hot at the venue, so after Rihanna’s set was over, she went off stage and needed to sit down, catch her breath and have some water.”

Silverman was adamant that her star will be in perfect condition any time soon and will continue with her Australian tour dates.

Tags: Rihanna
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It was everyone from Madonna to Opera Winfrey to celebrate  Barack Obama’s presidential victory. And when it comes to doing anything Madonna doesn’t leave it half done. “The Material Girl” rejoiced Obama’s historical win with a scintillating rally of her own. She was followed by  thousands of fans to her concert in San Diego, which she began with her song “Express Yourself”.

Barack Obama

“This is a historical evening! … We are lucky to be sharing it with each other!”, is what the pop star had to say about the victory of the new president of USA. A video clipping posted on YouTube showed the star clapping her hands in joy while she said those words.

There were many to follow Madonna when it came to congratulating Obama. The good cheer was joined by Oprah Winfrey, who expressed her joy through tears. She cried while celebrating Obama’s win in Chicago’s Grant Park. “ I was so, so, so excited and then just sort of a calm came over me. It feels like it actually is kind of real, so it feels great”, Winfrey  told the TV show “The Insider”. When she was asked what the victory wins for the nation she added, “ It means democracy at its finest. It’s just the best. We did this. America did this”.

“I congratulate President-elect Obama on his historic victory, and now it’s time to begin unifying the country so we can take on the extraordinary challenges that this generation faces”, said George  Clooney in a statement.

Colbie Caillat, the popular pop singer cried too after Obama won. She said that she feels the country is in “safe hands” now.

Besides expressing their joy in press conference the Hollywood stars also posted messeges online.  Lindsay Lohan raving on her  Myspace page wrote, “OBAMA IS OUR PRESIDENT!” She also said that everyone who has voted, “no matter their choice … should be proud for voting in the first place.”

West posted a portrait of Obama on his blog with the message “HI MOM, OBAMA WON!”, dedicating the post to his mother he passed away last November.

“ Who among us is not at a loss for words? Tears pour out. Tears of joy. Tears of relief. A stunning, whopping landslide of hope in a time of deep despair”. These strong words came from  director-provocateur Moore.

Tags: Colbie Caillat, George Clooney, Hollywood Celebrate Obama's win, Lindsay Loha, Madonna, Obama, Opera Winfrey
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The 9 striking performances along with a funny and “fruity” debut performance by the host Katy Perry, the 2008 MTV Europe Music Awards was a blast last night. Between the performances the pranks and chaff  from the VIP bar at the Glamour Pit added to the wit of the show.

The 15th  MTV Europe Music Awards was opened by  Katy Perry, who came riding on  a Cherry Chapstick surrounded by cheerleaders in a performance of ‘I Kissed A Girl’. Beyoncé stole the hearts of millions with her third performance at  MTV EMAs. She fascinated the audience with a heartwarming performance of new single ‘If I Were A Boy’.  Take That was a show stealer even after their 15 years break. They made a come back to the EMAs hypnotizing the audience with an exclusive first performance of their new single, ‘Greatest Day’. The Killers performed ‘Human’ in a steel box installation that came with an arresting three dimensional visual. The versatility of the set  was revealed after the screen was unveiled up to reveal the performance of the band.

Among the debutant performers Kanye West and Estelle both made a remarkable entry. They performed ‘Love Lockdown,’ and ‘American Boy’ in style with full vigor. The Ting Tings, also had their debut performance, who performed their hit single, ‘That’s Not My Name’. ‘So Hot’, the  new single of  Kid Rock, received huge applaud from the audience. Duffy performed ‘Mercy’, which was her debut performance in the MTV Europe Music Awards. The Wombats  rocked the stage with a performance of a cover version of Leona Lewis’ ‘Bleeding Love’, establishing the  MTV’s love affair with Liverpool yet another time.

The closing performance by P!nk added to the grandeur of  the fifteenth MTV Europe Music Awards. Her spectacularly energetic performance of ‘So What’ simply stormed the audience. Raving from the  glamour pit through the crowds to the stage, P!nk  was soon joined by over 30 crazy fans who ended up in a pillow fight. In the end the whole audience were showered with 40,000 4-inch white feathers.

Tags: 2008 MTV Europe Music Awards, Beyoncé, Duffy, Kanye West and Estelle, katy perry, P!nk
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Antonio Banderas

Antonio Banderas is reportedly talking out his plans to play the artist in Simon West’s indie biopic “Dali.” The film will be produced by Media 8 Entertainment (”Monster”) alongside Simon West. The film is needed to have more colours to bring in the Artistic effect. For this music will be mixed along with the CGI sequences so that the inventiveness and color of the painter is captured well in the film.

West will co-produce “Dali” with Jib Polhemus (”Lara Croft: Tomb Raider”). The worldwide sales is being handled by Media 8. Pre-sales will begin this week at the American Film Market. Shooting will begin in the first quarter of 2009 in Spain and England. The film is a classic example of an international co-production.

The film will focus not on Dali’s outrageous lifestyle but the focus will be more on his lifelong love affair with Gala, his wife, muse and manipulative manager.

There are other “Dali” works (films) that are on their way. The most notable one being with Al Pacino who is to play the artist in “Dali & I: The Surreal Story,” with Andrew Niccol being on the director’s chair. Robert Pattinson stars as Dali in the upcoming “Little Ashes” which notes the love life of the younger painter and will also record filmmaker Luis Bunuel and writer Federico Garcia Lorca. Till then Antonio as last reported is in his final negotiations for his film.

Tags: antonio banderas
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Julianne Hough

Julianne Hough is fast recovering after her surgery. The Dancing champ used to suffer from endometriosis. She has revealed that she’s “…feeling phenomenal. I am still walking slow but I’m feeling good.” The surgery has reportedly been successful.

The two time “Dancing With the Stars” champion was suffering when on 21st October she was hospitalized soon after the DWTS live results show. At first it was thought to be just a mere stomach pain but later on October 28, Hough underwent a nearly two-hour surgery that removed her appendix, a cyst on her ovary,and a scar tissue that had formed on her bladder and fallopian tubes.

Her ‘Feeling Phenomenal’ post surgery is sure to bring her back to limelight. Hough has a series of shows coming up. The 20 year old country singer/dancer is very busy. Her mother and her country singer boyfriend Chuck Wicks had treated her to wellness. She was nursed by her mother and her boyfriend to get her back on her feet. Hough is eagerly waiting to host the Country Music Association Awards pre-show on November 12.

She is more than anxious to rejoin her season seven partner, actor Cody Linley on DWTS. “I miss her so much. She’s my best friend,” says Linley, who’s since been partnered with pro Edyta Sliwinska while waiting for Hough’s safe and sound return. Hough’s doctors are positive of her great return. Dr. Randy S. Harris, has told PEOPLE that Hough “should be able to dance again in about a week. She was exhausted and a little dehydrated, so that’s why she needs to get a little more rest.”

Tags: julianne hough, return, shows, surgery
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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.

Tags: Broadway, jane fonda
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Christian Bale

Christian Bale is set to play another superhero again. The actor, who has been widely accepted for his roles as Batman in both Batman Begins and The Dark Knight,  is said to be the numero uno choice to play Dr. Strange in the latest comic book adaptation of the movie studio Marvel.

A reliable source today stated, “Christian is hot property right now, courtesy of Batman. Doctor Strange is a very different kind of hero to Batman and it’s felt Christian is the sort of actor who can make the part work on screen. It is understood a deal could be struck in the coming weeks”.

Christian Bale is a Welsh-born star who presently “tops the list” of movie bosses to portray Dr. Strange, a former surgeon who becomes a powerful magician or a wizard after a severe car accident that leaves him unable to perform operations.

Bale also plays hero John Connor in the upcoming Terminator Salvation and has been also signed on for two more sequels in the science-fiction franchise. Shortly the actor has also expressed a keenness in recapitulating his role as Batman if a third film is confirmed.

Tags: Christian Bale, Christian Bale to Play Superhero Again
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Led Zeppelin

Robert Plant is being left out. The British Rockers Led Zeppelin is planning a possible tour without the lead and frontman Robert Plant, who refused to unite with his former band despite outside pressure to reunite with his band mates.

Jimmy Page, the Guitarist and John Paul Jones, the bassist/instrumentalist were the ones most interested to return to the stage circuit. Along with Page and Jones, Jason Bonham,the drummer is also keen to return to the stage arena.  A grand affair is in its way to hit the main stream music.

BBC has had reported about the grand affair. BBC’s Radio Devon has been told by Jones that the band had tried to find a possible replacement for Plant. “We want to do it. It’s sounding great and we want to get on and get out there,” he said at a guitar show in Exeter, southwest England.

Led Zeppelin the legendary Rock band who were famous for infusing several genres together to bring out a good compiled music with rich musical tones saw a break up in 1980. Led Zeppelin was the only band that did not believe in bringing out their singles individually from their albums. They had always planned to develop the concept of album-oriented rock. Led Zeppelin is still fresh in the minds of music fanatics who remember the band for their tremendous musical achievements, experiments,commercial success and broad influence. The band have sold more than 300 million albums worldwide. Jones has revelaed the band’s pnals to tour and bring out a new record.

Many other legendary rock bands have had their share of replacements like the Queen who has worked Paul Rodgers on lead vocals instead of Freddie Mercury. So quite obviously Jones believed, “It’s got to be right. There’s no point in just finding another Robert. You could get that out of a tribute band, but we don’t want to be our own tribute band.” It was like a self realisation when he was talking to BBC Radio. A full reunion tour is on its way leading to calls from fans all over the world.

Tags: led zeppelin, robert plant
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High School Musical:3

“High School Musical 3: Senior Year” the Disney’s latest production has paved its way to the top of the weekend chart of box office with a business of $42 million, while Lionsgate’s horror sequel “Saw V” acquired the second place with $30.5 million, according to studio estimates Sunday. Disney Channel TV movies’ big-screen sequel, “High School Musical 3″ had a record opening for a song-and-dance flick, easily beating the previous best set last summer by “Mamma Mia!”of $27.8 million.

“High School Musical 3″ and “Saw V” combined together to have send Hollywood revenues soaring upwards. The top 12 movies contributed an amount of $120.5 million, which is up by 41 percent from the same weekend last year, when “Saw IV” was released that led the weekend with a $31.8 million debut.

Paul Dergarabedian, the president of box office tracker Media By Numbers stated, “It was good vs. evil at the box office, and both won”. He also added, “That combination of a G-rated and an R-rated movie, both chasing completely different audiences, proved to be a huge success.”

Saw V

The horror crowd for “Saw V” was simply outnumbered by the young fans and their parents who turned up to catch the  senior year ofr the “High School Musical” cast — led by Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Lucas Grabeel and Corbin Bleu.

“There’s no question there’s a female skew to it and a family skew to it,” Zoradi said. “The movie is working not only to that core preteen audience, but also aging up a little bit and also bringing in some boys.”

“High School Musical 3″ also collected an amount of $40 million in 19 other countries where it has opened like
Great Britain, Germany and Spain.

Tags: High School Musical 3: Senior Year, Hollywood Revenues Soaring High With 2 Releases, Saw V
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Evolver, will be released in the U.S. on October 28th, 2008. This is the 3rd major album release of John Legend. He claims to have made a new kind of music in a different direction than the one that he has followed in the past. In this album, for a major part, John Legend’s piano, which has until now been the instrument that’s most represented his sound and style, has been used very less and replaced by drum machines and synthesizers. Unlike, his smooth, soulful vocals, which dominated his early two releases, now “Evolver” will have more of a bright veneer. As the album’s title connotes, Legend definitely has evolved more than just a lounge singer as he used to be in the past. This album is clearly his bid at making his sound more radio friendly.

Legend’s Evolution is also illustrated by “Quickly,” a pop-influenced duet between him and Brandy.  The album is more fit for Top 40 radio than any urban station. The same can be said for the song that follows it on the album, “Cross the Line,” just an aptly cute ode to when friendships evolve into romance.

Tags: Evolver, John Legend, John Legend - Evolver
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The Road

A lot of anticipations are in the air and will continue to be there until the main event. With the delaying of the release of “The Soloist” in 2008, “The Road” has taken a deserving new entry in the Best Picture category of Oscar 2009. “Defiance” is lingering to hit the screens this year, a delay of which will chuck it from qualifying for the Best Picture race. The delaying of the release date of a couple of films is leading to shrinking of the potential contenders for the 2009 Academy Award in the Best Picture Category. “Doubt”, “Revolutionary Road” and “The Reader” will surely make their way to the forthcoming Academy Awards.

The Dark Knight

“The Dark Knight” seems like a strong contender and might bag a few awards in several categories including the Best Picture. There is a buzz that the film might get a nomination and win in the categories of - Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actor.

For the films that have already hit the theaters this year, only a handful of films can be counted as good rivals. To name a few “W”, “Rachel Getting Married” and “ The Visitor” will not only give a good fight in the best picture category but will also bag a few more awards for unforgettable performances by Josh Brolin in “W”, Anne Hathaway in “ Rachel Getting Married” as well as “The Visitor”. “ In Bruges”, a dark comedy, has also marked a niche for an outstanding performance by Colin Farrell.

Brad Pitt in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Some great films are awaiting release in the last two months of the year. “ The Wrestler”, which is scheduled to hit the theaters on 17th of December might earn Mickey Rourke a best actor nomination as might Sean Penn for “ Milk” and Frank Langella for playing the role of President Richard Nixon in “Frost/Nixon”. Brad Pitt might just earn his 2nd nomination only if “ The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” makes an impact on the views as much as it is hyped to.

Tags: 2009 Oscar Predictions, Anne Hathaway, Brad Pitt, Colin Farrell, Mickey Rourke, New Releases Grab Possibilities for the 2009 Oscar, The Road
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