Sanjaya, American Idol Miracle

Only helping American Idol lose its credibility as a talent search, Sanjaya Malakar, age 17, is the weakest singer on the show and yet has reached the top 9.

Simon Cowell, American Idol producer and judge, even said that he would quit the show if Sanjava won. However, even he has accepted Sanjaya's appeal to preteens across the States, as he says, ""Sanjaya, I don't think it matters anymore what we say ... I think you are in your own universe and if people like you, good luck."

Television is a lot about publicity, drama, and humor, but is the power of natural talent becoming inferior to appearace?

Source: [Link]

Britney Spears & K-Fed Settle Divorce

Very recently, Britney Spears and Kevin Federline settled their divorce; resolving issues such as child custody and financial matters.

While Spears was in rehab, the couple temporarily had joint-custody over their two sons.

Now however, both filed papers for sole custody and currently...only them and their lawyers know. Perhaps Britney Spears will move onto better men by then...

Source: [Link]

Reducing Heart Disease

Eating dark chocolate and drinking red wine may help you reduce your risk of heart disease.

These foods, also including apples and pears, contain flavonoids (antioxidant compounds) that may help you reduce your 'bad' cholesterol.

Tempted to indulge a little? Just remember, too much of anything is a bad thing...

Source: [Link]

Donatella Versace's Daughter Battling Anorexia

Allegra Beck, Donatella Versace's 20-year-old daughter is currently in treatment for anorexia.

As a long-time fan of Versace's collections, I've always loved the emphasis on voluptuous curves and sensuality. It is saddening that even the heir of a great fashion empire feels pressure to remain stick-thin.

Source: [Link]

Elton John in NYC

Last night I attended Elton John's 60th Birthday celebration concert at Madison Square Gardens in NYC. To say it was star-studded would be an understatement! Sitting next to me and in the rows immediately near me were Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, Rosie O'Donnel, Pierce Brosnan, Robin Williams, Liz Hurley, Ronald Lauder, Liv Tyler, Helena Christensen, Anne Hathaway, Annette Bening, Whoopi Goldberg, and others.... Bill Clinton introduced Elton to open the concert, halfway through confetti filled the stadium, and the rest of the night was equally as incredible (even though he didn't sing Your Song).

Photos Copyright Hilary Rowland

Fried Husband

A Brazilian housewife has been convicted of killing and frying her husband. After she killed him, she chopped him up into more than 100 pieces, boiled, and then fried him.

While she denies killing him, she does admit to cutting up his body and frying it. She claims that her husband's killers forced her to in order to cover up the stench of his decaying body.

Now if that doesn't make you cringe if you ever eat fried foods again, I don't know what will.

Source: [Link]

Miss USA Scandals

The Miss USA 2007 Competition is underway, as the 51 contestants are dwindled down to 15.

The most interesting events however, aren't the bikini competitions. The pageant has been known for its crowned scandals. For example, the current Miss USA Tara Connor is in rehab for alcohol abuse and previous contestants have been disqualified for pregnancy or racy behavior.

Hopefully, no hopeful girl will have her crown taken away this year.

Source: [Link]

Amano Accessories by Carmen Gamarra at Funkshion '07

A trip to Funkshion '07 (Fashion Week Miami) left this accessories' lover disappointed and longing for more. Amano Accessories by Carmen Gamarra was the one and only strictly accessories designer featured during Funkshion. Expectations were high, but the goods were less than stellar.

The collection was brimming over with enormous and impractical envelope-style clutches and monotonous totes, and the matching belts were no improvement. Giving the public one bag in ten different colors or skins does not make for a well-rounded collection. It just makes it terribly boring. That is the best word to describe this decidedly uninspired accessories collection - BORING!

Oh well, there's always next year...

Poor Woody

Woody Harrelson is a loveable actor with a low-profile manner so you'd never guess that his life was marked by harsh troubles with his father.

The actor was just 7 when his father was first sent to prison, for murdering a Texas businessman. He was in college when his father was convicted of the judge's assassination.

And now Charles Harrelson has died of a heart attack in the Supermax federal prison where he was serving two life sentences for that murder.

This is the first glimpse the world is really getting of the situation with Woody's father. In an era of 30-day rehab fixes and actors claiming emotional distress over a break-up (of their two week relationship), it makes you wonder what they would be like if they had real problems to contend with. But maybe we shouldn't even go there...

Source: [Link]

L.A. Fashion Week

Always considered the less sophisticated version of New York Fashion Week, L.A. Fashion Week is nonetheless exciting and extremely worthwhile to watch.

Designers such as Imitation of Christ, long-time favorites of Hollywood celebrities, debuted collections inspired by the vintage and eclectic. Plenty of stars attended these shows, and proves that L.A. Fashion Week stands strong on its own.

As a Californian, I can instinctly say that there's no better representation of California style than that of L.A. Fashion Week.
Source: [Link]

Serial Lingerie Thief

A Japanese construction worker has been arrested for stealing over 4,000 pairs of women's underwear, everything from pantyhose to panties. Mmm, if only I had an underwear collection like that.

A picture is worth 1,000 words, as well as 4,000 pairs of underwear.

Source: [Link]

Fashion Week Food Diaries

And if you thought Fashion Week didn't get enough coverage in the media, you obviously were mistaken. The food diaries of various industry professionals were recorded in New York Magazine; including those of models and a show producer.

Not only am I getting hungry just thinking about the salmon with sweet mashed potatoes that Denise Mullin (female model) ate, but it also provides insight into the busy lives of industry professionals.

Everyone seems to drink a lot of tea, water, and wine though. Substituting liquids for solids? Eh. No thanks.


Source: [Link]

Never Trust Wikipedia

Wikipedia, that fun interactive online encyclopedia in which anyone can edit, falsely reported that Sinbad was dead. When someone edited it to say he died, emails circulated and gossip spread. By the time the page was edited again to get rid of the error, the e-mails and phone calls had already reached Sinbad.

Wow to the power of the internet; I wonder which celebrity will die on Wikipedia next week?

Source: [Link]

Lindsay Lohan Hit and Run (Not the Title of Her New Album)

Since Britney Spears has been overshadowing party-girl Lindsay Lohan, she had to step it up a notch.

And what better way to do that than with a hit and run. New video of Lindsay Lohan posted on Access Hollywood's Web site, shows her getting in her car, and trying to pull away when a photographer is seen rolling off of the hood of her BMW, claiming he's been hit by the starlet. Lohan exited the car to look at the downed photographer, and then fled the scene in a bodyguard's car. Lohan claimed he was faking it.

The photographer was then taken St. Vincent's Hospital, where he was treated for minor knee injuries. And Lindsay was forced to take an extra shot of whisky that night to make the pain go away.

Britney Finds Love in Rehab

Isn't it wonderful when love is in the air. Sometimes its even in the stale, locked-up air, of a rehab clinic.

Leave it to Britney Spears to find her newest rumored boy toy in rehab. Jason Filyaw, admits that he and Brit have been "growing very close" since their "special" relationship began, and even used the L-word to descibe his feelings for her. In an exclusive interview with TMZ, Filyaw, self-described as "very spiritual," would neither confirm nor deny that he is dating Spears, but admitted, "I love her, I support her 100% and we are close."

Filyaw, who's been attending AA meetings with Spears, also revealed that he is helping Britney with the spiritually "deep" part of her recovery.

Maybe he can shave his head too and they can create a spiritual silent group that doesn't sing -- or maybe that's just my wishful thinking.

Angelina Jolie Adopts Vietnamese Boy

If Brad was ever thinking of making an escape from Angelina there may now be too many children blocking the door.

Not that this comes as a surprise but Angelina Jolie has added yet another child to her family. Pax Thien Jolie is three years old, and is joining siblings Maddox (adopted from Cambodia), Zahara (adopted from Ethiopia) and Shiloh (a Jolie-Pitt original production) in the United States this weekend. Maddox was with Angelina when she arrived at the Vietnam orphanage to pick up Pax. The child had been registered as Pham Quang Sang at the orphanage.

The boy had been abandoned at birth at a local hospital and has been at the orphanage since 2003. Jolie took the boy with her to the Justice Department building in the city center to sign the adoption documents. Her car left half an hour later. "She was very beautiful. She signed and had her photo taken," department official Dao Van Tran said outside the building.

I suppose we can't fault Angelina for her adoption commitments but while the ink sets on Brad's divorce papers and Angelina's Billy-Bob tattoos fade, I can't help but wonder if this is just some terrible trend she's picked up to compensate for her "I'm a vampire" days. I'll give her the benefit of the doubt (for the kids sake at least) and hope that Brad sleeps with one eye open.

Japan Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2007

The eclectic collections at Japan Fashion Week included those of Everlasting Sprout, Doho, and Ato. Always a leader in promoting artistic clothing with avant-garde and pop culture influences, Japan Fashion Week has not disappointed fans again.

For example, Everlasting Sprout's use of delicate fabrics to create a naturalistic theme is typical of what one can find at Japan Fashion Week.

Without the glitz and theatrics of Paris Fashion Week, Japan Fashion Week still captures the audience with innovative ideas.

Source: [Link]

CFDA Nominees 2007

Monday night, Council of Fashion Designers of America nominees were announced.

This prestigious award, the Oscar of the fashion industry, is up for grabs among such designers including: Oscar de la Renta, Phillip Lim, and Ralph Lauren.

The best thing about CFDA is that the designers behind the label are emphasized. Really, how many people don't realize that Marc Jacobs is behind the Louis Vuitton collections?

Source: [Link]

Marc Jacobs in Rehab

Reknowned fashion designer, Marc Jacobs, has entered rehab for alcohol and drug abuse.

Though he's been sober for seven years, a relapse has prompted him to seek treatment immediately.

Hopefully, he'll be back and well soon. The fashion industry is waiting, of course.

Source: [Link]

Rich Getting Richer

According to Forbes Magazine, this is the richest year in human history. This year, the richest people in the world are more younger and wealthier than before.

The top 200 list includes billionaires from Russia, Germany, Canada, Japan, and the United States.

Yet, much of the list consists of men. Hopefully, we'll be able to see more women on the list soon enough.

Source: [Link]

Handicapped Panda

A panda in northern China named Niu Niu lost her left paw in a fight, and it's hurting her love life.

Luckily, scienitists are going to create an artificial paw for Niu Niu, so that she may regain her balance and ability to mate.

Usually I don't find cute animal stories worth blogging about (they're cute, what's more is there to say?), but there's something noble about regaining a love life, and overcoming your handicaps regardless if you're a human or panda. Definitely watch the video on the site; it'll tear your heart apart.

Source: [Link]

Purifications After Bush Visit

President Bush will be visiting Latin America next week on a seven-day tour, but locals aren't so excited. Mayan communities and organizations, unhappy with Bush for his persecution against Hispanic migrant workers in the States, plan to cleanse the centuries-old locations that Bush will be visiting.

They claim that they don't want Bush's bad spirits inhabiting the place.

Then again, many Americans would agree too.

Source: [Link]

Fashion and Theatrical Displays

Paris Fashion Week wasn't just about the gorgeous fashions; the theatrical displays enthroning the runways were just as dazzling.

From Alexander McQueen's locust decorations to Chanel's dainty snowflakes, the dramatic was the trend for everyone.

For example, Kenzo models strutted down the runway to spicy tango music and tango dancers even appeared at the end of the show.

No more stark runways, unless the designer is going for a minimalist look. Very exciting and interesting, but doesn't this detract from the fashion? Is this just to attract audience and press?

Source: [Link]

Sean Combs Sued for Assault

Sean "Diddy" Combs has been sued by Gerard Rechnitzer, a man who claims that he and his girlfriend were assaulted by Combs at the club, Teddy's.

However, Combs' attorney states that this is another baseless and fabricated lie for taking advantage of Combs' celebrity status.

If Combs really did assault Rechnitzer and his girlfriend, it serves him right. However, if this really is a lie... Rechnitzer must need a really good lawyer. Combs vs. Rechnitzer. Sadly, money and influence usually wins.

Source: [Link]

$3500 for 30 seconds of Michael Jackson

Apparently, money does grow on trees and it's growing at a fast enough rate to pay for 30 seconds of face time with Michael Jackson in Japan. At an exclusive party and fan art competition, fans are able to purchase 30 seconds to one minute of face time with him for $3500.

While these VIP tickets could pay for something that would last longer than 30 seconds, diehard fans are buying them for a guaranteed chance of meeting the controversial star.

It's not certain whether he's also going to be performing at the party, but for the money he's making, Michael Jackson could spare a song or two.

Source: [Link]

40+ Rivals Young Beauty

The ten finalists of the 7th Annual More Magazine/Wilhelmina 40+ Model Search prove that aging gracefully is definitely possible. These amazing and gorgeous women compete for a prize package including a $15,000 contract with Wilhelmina.

However, beauty isn't everything. These women are accomplished professionals who don't need a modeling contest to boost their resume, but well deserve the praise and treatment. Some of their careers include film executive, doctor, and horse trainer.

By their middle ages, these women are accomplished and confident and show no signs of being less than energized than their younger counterparts.

This definitely gives young girls and women something to foward to in the future; perhaps we can all age gracefully and exude confidence along the way.


Source: [Link]