Can Nicole Kidman Do Dusty Springfield Proud?

I was initially stoked upon reading that Michael Cunningham (of "The Hours" fame) is penning a biopic delving into the life of one of my favorite blond British songbirds (and no, not Madonna; she is only "pseudo-British"). The woman in question: Dusty Springfield.

However, when I found out he has Nicole Kidman in mind for the lead, I must admit, I am a bit skeptical. While this may be due in large part to me being in the minority who was majorly underwhelmed with her performance in "Moulin Rouge", also, I feel she lacks the "oomph" and pipes for a part this meaty (i.e. she is no Sissy Spacek in "Coal Miner's Daughter").

My ideal shortlist for this role would include:
Zooey Deschanel (we all know I love her singing),
Gwyneth Paltrow (she delivered an inspired singing performance in one of my favorite cult classics, "Duets")
Mandy Moore (have you heard her new album.. the girl can sing!)
Emily Blunt (she does have the British accent down pat & can take crooning lessons from beau Michael Buble)
Scarlett Johanssen (she just finished an album of Tom Waits covers, which admittedly I haven't listened to yet)

What about you, who do you think is the ideal star to belt out "Son Of A Preacher Man" like nobody's business? Jog your memory on Dusty's amazing pipes with this video and this one and then weigh in:)

Sleep and Spa-Deprived, Kate Hudson Is Most Beautiful

A young mother at 29, adorable Hollywood actress Kate Hudson is this year's Most Beautiful Cover Girl of People's Magazine.

Kate admitted to not getting enough beauty sleep, primarily because of attending to her active 4-year old son, Ryder. Aside from short sleep, she also claimed she's not a fan of spas and beauty clinics to achieve her sun-kissed looks. "I don't even remember the last time I got a manicure. I even got to the point where I started waxing my own legs because I don't have the time. I'd rather be home with Ryder sitting there waxing my legs. I haven't gotten a facial in a million years. I don't do those kinds of things. And when I do, I always think, 'I should do this more often."

New mom Salma Hayek also made it to the top. As an ambassador for UNICEF, the Latina beauty joins the list of cause celebs by taking part in an organization that provides tetanus shots to babies and mothers in developing countries. "It's not just about creating a better world for my daughter, Valentina, but also being more passionate about diminishing the suffering of women and children all over the world."

Beauty is more appealing indeed when we are inspired to care not only for ourselves but for the people we love.

Stalking On Uma Thurman: Creepy, Obsessive, But Not Criminal?

"Creepy? Yes. Obsessed? Yes. Criminal? No."

This is how the lawyer defended his client, a stalker who has been allegedly following an A-list Hollywood star, no other than Killbill's Uma Thurman.

Jack Jordan, 37, faces misdemeanor counts for stalking and harassing the towering blond Hollywood celebrity for more than two years. His lawyer came to his aid by claiming that the man is just in love with Uma Thurman. He may be creepy and obsessive but he did not break any law.

Like any other fan, the stalker used to send a lot of things for Uma including a package containing a letter, his driver's license, a postcard of the Statute of Liberty and other objects.

However, the assistant district attorney of Manhattan, Colleen Walsh said that the accused is guilty of “emotional blackmail” of the actress and her family by sending them email that says he would commit suicide if he did not hear from the actress within 24 to 48 hours. Aside from the mails, the stalker was also reported of loitering for hours on the steps of the actress's Manhattan apartment and visiting her trailer on a movie set.

Uma Thurman is expected to testify in Manhattan's Criminal Court later Monday or early Tuesday. If convicted, he faces up to one year in jail.

In love or obsessed? So, how would you like to receive a mail from an unknown “fan” that says;

"I feel in love with you.

"I think you should call me up, let me watch you act on the set some more, we should date or move in together, and then get married.

"I gave up describing the contents of my heart to famous women I don't know after Carol Channing broke my heart in the early 90s.”

Speed Racer Premiere Pulls Out All The Stops

The accelerator was revved full throttle for Saturday's premiere of the highly anticipated "Speed Racer".

While as per usual, the notoriously camera-shy (but immensely talented) Wachowski brothers steered clear of the limelight, the memorable event provided plenty of excitement.

The movie's stars (Emile Hirsch, Matthew Fox, Christina Ricci and Susan Sarandon) and other celebs (i.e. Jodie Foster, the Beckham clan) were treated to interactive games galore! Go-Kart racing, Wii interactive games and green-screen photo booths ensured that adrenaline was raised sky-high!

The movie speeds into theaters on May 9th but in the meantime, check out the trailer!

'Hanna Montana' Posed in Vanity Fair Photo and Gets Embarrassed

She came to the set full of energy and posed for the camera with pride, now 'Hanna Montana' is saying she is embarrassed by what the Vanity Fair's photo shoot and article about her came out to be.

The 15-year old actress Miley Cyrus is one of the biggest and most popular role model for young girls today, a title once held by Hilary Duff aka Lizzie Mcguire. Her popular TV series in Disney, Hannah Montana, is the top-rated cable television show for children aged 6 to 14. The show is said to reach more than 164 million viewers around the world.

Perhaps in an attempt to look more mature for the public, Miley Cyrus sexily posed for Vanity Fair's June 2008 issue. In one of her photos, she is topless and is only clutching on a sheet to cover her chest. With her bare back exposed, she looked toward the camera over one shoulder. Her photos were taken by renowned celebrity photographer Annie Leibovitz, whose works of art include shots of Angelina Jolie, Demi Moore, and Scarlett Johansson.

There seemed to be no problem for the young star as she was shown the raw shots of her pictorials. The magazine even quoted her reactions as, "I think it's really artsy... It wasn't in a skanky way. Annie took, like, a beautiful shot, and I thought that was really cool. That's what she wanted me to do, and you can't say no to Annie."

When the pictorial ended , a caption alongside the topless teenager's photo reads, "Um, was Cyrus -- or Disney -- at all anxious about this shot?" Then it quoted Miley as saying, "No, I mean I had a blanket on. And I thought, 'This looks pretty, and really natural.' I think it's really artsy."

The Disney Channel was critical on the result of the photo shoot. In one press statement, it had said that the magazine's article only created a situation that deliberately manipulate a 15-year-old in order to sell magazines.

Realizing what the magazine's article would cause her, Miley apologized to the public and said, “"I took part in a photo shoot that was supposed to be 'artistic' and now, seeing the photographs and reading the story, I feel so embarrassed. I never intended for any of this to happen and I apologize to my fans, who I care so deeply about."

Poor Hanna Montana! Her "topless but demure" shot, a seemingly one bold attempt to grow from teeny-bopper roles, turned out sour after all.

Looks like she still have to learn a lot of things to maintain her showbiz status while at the same time protecting her private life from manipulations and controversies.

When she grows up and still remains a big name in Hollywood, only then can she have the best of both worlds.

Is Prince Still Sizzling on Stage or Merely Partying Like It's 1999?

This weekend, headliner Prince took to the stage at the annual Coachella music festival. While I would be hard pressed to find a single person who can honestly say they can't name a single good song by him (I liken him to the male version of Madonna in this respect), executing a flawless performance for a discerning audience is a tall order.

Highlights of his performance included 2 clever covers (Radiohead's "Creep" and the Beatles" "Come Together) and of course the rousing "Party Like It's 1999" and hauntingly beautiful ballad "Purple Rain".

What do you think: did Prince heat up the desert with his sexy crooning or take the temperature down a notch? And should he have foregone the covers in lieu of some signature songs he omitted ("Kiss", "Gett Off" and my personal favorite, "Raspberry Beret").

Stay tuned tomorrow for a recap of the opening weekend of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage festival!

Rejuvenation Backlash: Aging Gracefully

At 62, actress Raquel Welch became the face of MAC Cosmetics, with the message of turning down plastic surgery procedures to achieve younger look. Instead, women ought to make the most of their natural beauty.

Few years ago, surgery was considered to be the best in providing long-lasting improvements in the battle against aging. Today, however, the rejuvenation backlash have been felt as there are more and more beautiful celebrities and fashion personalities who are against plastic surgery, especially in Britain.

Christopher Hopkins, the author of Staging Your Comeback: A Complete Beauty Revival for Women Over 45, has expressed that many of the women who have gone through plastic surgeries to enhance their look are actually unable to undergo cosmetic surgery operation like botox. Nevertheless, pressured women ended up with their newly-”done” face because they are afraid to look physically old. This is for the fact that women are programmed to believe that only surgery or injections can change the impact of aging.

Another author, Oz Garcia, said that beauty is not just about being natural, but also by being intelligent and mature. This was stressed in her book, Redesigning 50: The No-Plastic-Surgery Guide to 21st-Century Age Defiance.

In another book of Valerie Ramsey, Gracefully Looking and Being Your Best at Any Age, she suggested that skin care, make-up, exercise and nutrition are better than surgery and injections. The 68-year old author said that "Although our perception of the over-40 club of women has finally started to change, we still live in a youth-obsessed culture. But the key to aging gracefully is to be proud of your age without being confined to looking it."

The author suggested four (4) ways to graceful aging:

1. acceptance of the aging as a natural process

2. focus on the positive – the best thing about aging is that we have grown

3. find an age-appropriate role model and then just get on with life.

"While it's fine to like the latest teen queen and even be inspired by them, an older model will display courage, strength, and wisdom.”

4. Carrying oneself with grace.
"Beauty is the way a woman carries herself, her energy and presence."

Megan Fox is the Sexiest Woman in the World

This is according the latest result of the FHM Magazine's poll for the 100 sexiest woman of 2008. According to the magazine, around 9 million votes were casted for the 14th edition of the annual poll.

The 21-year old Megan was highly popularized in the blockbuster film Transformers where she played the lead female role as love interest of Shia LaBeouf’s lead character.

There are many other noticeable personalities who were on the list, including Reality TV stars Heidi Montag (44), Audrina Patridge (80) and Lauren Conrad (95) of MTV's The Hills. Reality dance competition Dancing with the Stars is also represented by dance floor hotties Shannon Elizabeth (46), Cheryl Burke (40) , and Karina Smirnoff (78).

Ellen Page, the endearing teenager in Juno, was ranked at 61st for making pregnancy “funnier and more attractive” and for the girl's “all-action ability in her locker, notably as Kitty Pride in X Men: The Last Stand."

Madonna entered the list at 87th for being an “ageless wonder.” For the proof, just check her latest music video with Justin Timberlake.

Victoria Beckam aka Posh Spice debuted her entry into the FHM list at the 99th spot.

The fallen pop star Britney Spears came in last at the 100th spot. It might have been a rough year for Britney but still, she holds the title as the most googled woman.

FHM's list for the top 10 sexiest women are as follows:

1.Megan Fox
2.Jessica Biel
3.Jessica Alba
4. Elisha Cuthbert
5.Scarlett Johansson
6.Emmanuelle Chriqui
7.Hilary Duff
8.Tricia Helfer
9.Blake Lively
10.Kate Beckinsale

Other sexy women who made it to the list are popular FHM bets Angelina Jolie (12), Rihanna (14), Lindsay Lohan (16), Kim Kardashian (17), Heidi Klum (22), Shakira (55), Pamela Anderson (75), and Paris Hilton (77).

Says the online US editor of FHM, Megan Fox is deserving for the FHM title. The reason? “She's young, she's hot, she's a rising star and her sex appeal has definitely transformed this year's list.”

A promising future, indeed, for the foxy lady.
(*clap, clap, clap!)

Zooey beats laryngitis to deliver an amazing performance!

I have seen "Elf" a number of times (yes I have a mild obsession with Will Ferrell) and every time I saw it, I found myself mesmerized by indie darling Zooey Deschanel's powerful voice and wondering if it was actually her singing (which seems to be more the exception than the rule these days).

Any lingering doubts I had were erased on Tuesday night when I had the pleasure of seeing a live performance of She & Him, the duo of Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward.

While the Monday night performance was cancelled due to Zooey suffering from an awful bout of laryngitis, She & Him rose to the occasion on Tuesday, rescheduling the concert to a larger venue to accomodate both nights of ticket holders.

And disappoint, they did not. This dynamic duo played an incredible set AND gave an encore!

Pick up their first CD, Volume One now and click here to check out a live performance of my favorite She & Him song on Conan O'Brien featuring Yo La Tengo!

Hilary Swank Becomes a Top Female Aviator

She boxes her way to the Oscar's as she played the award-winning character of Maggie Fitzgerald in Million Dollar Baby in 2004. Now, Hilary Swank becomes the famed aviator Amelia Earhart, as she is currently shooting the role for her new film Amelia with Richard Gere.

Hilary and Richard arrived in Toronto, Canada on Thursday for the shooting.

While Hilary appeared toned and masculine on Million Dollar Baby, she sported a new look again to suit the character of Amelia Earhart. What's more noticeable about her these days is her “eyebrow- less” face.

Another Oscar, eh?

Hollywood Stars Join 2008 Earth Day Celebration

It's Earth Day and Hollywood celebrities are turning green as they join with the celebration in different ways.

Julia Roberts showed off her compost skills on Oprah Winfrey's TV show. The Pretty Woman star demonstrated how to mulch a compost heap and encourages everyone to have their own compost pit back at home.

Edward Norton celebrated Earth Day by encouraging the movie industry to be more green and embrace environment-friendly practices.

Rock Legend Paul McCartney appeal to the public to stop eating meat, and save the environment at the same time.

Glenn Close, Chevy Chase, and Jaime Pressly have teamed up with the Earth Day Network to create new t-shirts for an online auction that begins today in which proceeds will go to environmental education.

There are still a lot of Hollywood celebrities who are ought to be recognized this special day for their environmental campaigns:

Leonardo DiCaprio and his Foundation promotes environmental causes in 1998 and has become a one-man army in the fight against global warming.

Al Gore stars in environmental show, “An Inconvenient Truth” and continues to inform people in the farthest reaches of the planet about global warming.

Robert Redford is a promoter of solar energy, protector of the Utah Wilderness, officer of the Natural Resources Defense Council, and host to his eco-programming show on Sundance TV Channel.

Pierce Brosnan is named "Best-Dressed Environmentalist" in 2004 and served on the board of the Environmental Media Association. He campaigns for wetland protection, dolphin-safe tuna laws, and has protested against the U.S. Navy's widespread use of sonar (which can harm marine life).

Cameron Diaz - She hosted an eco-themed MTV Show, "Trippin."

Brad Pitt – Stars in sustainable design TV series and spearheaded the rebuilding of New Orleans in an eco-friendly way.

George Clooney – has launched Oil Change, a campaign designed to rid America of her dependence on oil.

Actor Ed Begley Jr.has a brand of eco-cleaners (Begley's Best), his own green reality show ("Living with Ed"), and Pee-Wee Herman-esque inventions and gadgets (the man can power his toaster with a stationary bike!)

Oscar-winner Cate Blanchett and her playwright hubby have converted their own home to solar power.

Daryl Hannah - This actress/environmentalist made a "splash" when she was arrested last year for staging a 23-day tree-sit trying to save L.A.'s South Central Farm, an urban community garden.

Anything but clueless, Alicia Silverstone, PETA's "Sexiest Female Vegetarian," owns a green home outfitted with solar panels and a table made from the flooring of an old bowling alley.

The Jonas Brothers share a Chevy Tahoe 2 Model Hybrid SUV. Natalie Portman started her own shoe line avoiding leather. Singers Joss Stone, Rihanna and Alicia Keys play Live Earth (concert for global aid).

Mary-Kate Olsen, Mischa Barton, Nicole Richie and Joshua Jackson are all involved with the Environmental Media Association while Hilary Duff and Orlando Bloom support organizations like USA Harvest and Global Cool, respectively.

Animal lovers Pink and Hayden Panettiere are PETA members.

And there's more:
1. Coldplay
2. Julia Louis-Dreyfus
3. Rosario Dawson
4. Arnold Schwarzenegger
5. Charlize Theron
6. The Police
7. Bono
8. Ed Norton
9. Matt Damon
10. Larry David and Laurie David

Happy Earth Day people!

Shake your Foxtail!

Finally back from a great trip to LA where I checked out some great new venues. In addition to soaking up a great scene and eating some great food at Beso (see my review from last week), I also checked out the uber exclusive new club, Foxtail.

Think old school Hollywood glamour complemented with Art Deco accents (I particularly loved the honeycomb looking wall in the dining room), a very select crowd (club has already drawn the likes of Ryan Seacrest, Lindsay Lohan & even Ben Savage) and great music (think great 80's & rap mash-ups).

In short, Foxtail is a great spot for an intimate (and A-list) night of dancing or for a private party.

Hello Kitty Becomes a Supermodel for Vogue

The next model for the Japanese Vogue magazine is Hello Kitty.

The favorite Japanese cartoon character will be the new face of John Galliano for Dior as the cat will appear on the June issue of the magazine.

Hello Kitty will be modeling the latest autumn and winter designs by John Galliano for the Dior brand, posing with the designer and enjoying a shopping spree in Paris.

The lovable Sanrio character is the first cartoon character in the history of the fashion house of Dior to be have a cartoon character for a model.

Looks like cartoon characters like Hello Kitty are legally safer to use for fashion and modeling than skinny models these days.

It takes Paris Hilton $150,000 to Party

Paris Hilton seems to need motivation these days to keep going to parties and clubs - her very own comfort niché.

On Monday night in trendy London nightclub Mahiki, she was reportedly paid $150,000 to party.

Paris showed up at the club late from the initial schedule, making its bosses worried if she was going to arrive at all. It turned out that the celebrity socialite woke up late because she was tired from traveling and still had her hair and nails done, perhaps always seeing to it that she puts her best heel forward at the clubwear, (just the heel, not the 11 inches foot!). While at the party, Paris drank cocktails and did a DJ spot.

Actually, it was just a roughly two hours appearance, but the fashionably confident heiress made a grand entrance by arriving late at 1:40 am and a grand exit by ordering a $200 Treasure Chest cocktail just before leaving at 3:00 am.

And what does Paris's rocker boyfriend, Good Charlotte's Benji Madden, have to say about all the fuss?

“She is very sweet and caring. I have never heard her talk about money or her background or showing off. She is actually very down-to-earth." Surrreee....

Eva Longoria's New Restaurant Draws Celebs, Besos

While in LA on business, I make it a point to check out the hottest new venues.

Last night, I checked out Beso, the new restaurant opened by celeb Eva Longoria and renowned Boston chef Todd English.

The space was gorgeous: think high ceilings, an ornate silver chandelier and stately and sumptuous leather seats. Also, adding to the beauty were the Beckhams and Miss Eva herself, walking up to the tables and greeting the patrons.

But of course, that's all icing on the cake (pun intended) as a girl's gotta eat! From the refreshing (yet potent) watermelon cocktail, to the innovative artichoke guacamole, crispy parmesan fries and homemade ice cream sandwiches, we left full & happy!

Stay tuned tomorrow for my write-up on new celeb haunt, Foxtail.

If you want Eva's guacamole recipe, click here!

Banning of Extremely Thin Models, Creates Legal Boundaries To Beauty Standards?

And now it's France's turn to ban the use of extremely thin models in fashion shows. The French law has crafted a bill that makes illegal the posing of anorexic thin models especially in websites and publications media.

Extreme thinness was said to be encouraging severe loss of weight. Thus, the government and other concerned groups make the effort to fight self-inflicted starvation from weight problems. If the senate arrives at a decision that favors the bill, those who tend to promote anorexia by using extremely thin models in their fashion campaigns are fined with up to 45,000 euros and three years of imprisonment.

There are oppositions to the bill, on the other hand, majority of which are coming from the influential French Federation of Couture. The federation believes that there should be no legal boundaries to fashion and beauty standards. "Never will we accept in our profession that a judge decides if a young girl is skinny or not skinny," it said. "That doesn't exist in the world, and it will certainly not exist in France."

So, which side are you – the one that puts health before glamour by passing the law to fight the trend of anorexia in the modeling and fashion industry?

Or the other one that declares "no fat chicks" philosophy and immortalizes beauty in diversity by acknowledging the aesthetic appeal of extremely thin models?

Copy Cat Designer Shoes

Luxury fashion brand, Moda In Pelle was forced to pay a designer shoe manufacturer £100,000 after it was accused of copying its designs.

Gina, whose shoes are worn by famous Hollywood celebrities like Penelope Cruz, filed a case against Moda In Pelle after finding copycat shoes for sale on the internet. The high street chain was ordered to pay the damages of more than £150,000 court cost. It was also ordered to destroy the shoes currently on sale, as well as a further 5,000 pairs in their warehouse. Among the styles copied were the Tallulah, Zeta, Naomi and Colette.

Last year, Moda in Pelle was also sued for selling copycat design of shoes from Christian Louboutin. The copycat shoes which was featured in many A-list wardrobes made slight changes to the Louboutin original by making the heel and platform out of perspex. While the original was sold at an extravagant fashion price of £650, the “pirated” version can be bought at only £75.

Unfortunately, the cheap price did not make any profit for the mimicking company. Christian Louboutin filed a lawsuit for copying the design of the shoes. The result? Moda in Pelle paid £100,000 and £150,000 in court costs – perhaps a too large amount from the profit they get from selling copied designs of shoes that are in danger of the law. Again, the high street chain was ordered to destroy the shoes already on sale and another 5,000 pairs in the chain’s warehouse.

With the international disgrace that the company earned from selling copycats, designers ought to remember the golden rule in making fashion wears (be it dresses or shoes) –
“Thou shall not copy your neighbor's design!”

"The Geek" Turns 40 Today!

That I am a child of the 80's is constantly reinforced with my love of new wave music, break dancing, the Material Girl herself (us Michigan born girls need to stick together) and of course the quirky comedies of this decade.

That said, I was reminded on how time has flown upon reading that today marks the 40th birthday of one of my favorite character actors of the 80's, Anthony Michael Hall.

He made geek chic in such classic hits as "The Breakfast Club", "Weird Science" and of course, my personal favorite of his performances: as a panty seeking head-gear wearing outcast in "Sixteen Candles".

Remarkably, Hall managed to beat the odds and parlayed what could have been 15 minutes of fame into over two decades of solid work ("Freddy Got Fingered" is your get out of jail free card, Anthony).

Though never achieving the "McDreamy" status of another 80's icon, look for your favorite 80's geek alongside the late Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight!

Oscar de la Renta Designs Jenna Bush's Wedding Gown

Uh-uh, this is not Jenna Bush beautifully posing for the paparazzi in her Oscar de la Renta wedding gown. But imagine her wearing a gown as elegant as this, since it has already been engaged – the first daughter's married to Henry Hager in Crawford next month will present her in Oscar de la Renta creations.

Women's Wear Daily confirmed that the first daughter will be wearing an Oscar de la Renta design in her wedding, after asking 12 prominent designers to submit wedding dress sketches for Jenna's wedding. Mother Bush may have a great influence in choosing the gown for her daughter as it is already well-known that the male designer is her personal favorite.

As for the bridesmaids' dresses, the first family leaves the matter to fashion designer Lela Rose.

Since the White House and Team Oscar will not talk anything about the finished dress (as if the White House cares about fashion), Jenna Bush's Oscar de la Renta wedding gown remains a mystery until the bright day on May 10.

Sony "Ushers" In Big Bucks On Prom Night

According to this weekend's preliminary box office figures, Sony's remake of the 1980 slasher "Prom Night" ruled the roost. Playing a role in raking in the numbers was a clever marketing ploy involving screaming movie ushers.

Specifically, Sony Screen Gems came up with a smart idea to lure moviegoers into standees (cardboard movie ads in theaters) shaped like mansions. Once inside, theatergoers were frightened by screaming movie ushers.

The end result? A bevy of much-watched YouTube videos of the stunned movie theater patrons, like this one and over $22 million in opening weekend ticket sales!

Hey, if you are looking to break into the "industry", I hear AMC's around the country are hiring movie ushers!

Fashion Necklaces Make A Comeback

Necklaces are "in" these days, enjoying a revival in the catwalk and in the red carpet. This year's Oscar Awards is a witness to the parade of giant and glamorous jewelries hanging in the necks of sophisticated celebrities.

When woman does not have budget for a luxurious clothing, jewelry is the key. Hang a lovely necklace even while donning on a simple dress and the result will be dramatic. Necklaces can also be used as accessories to provide women with different styles for their wardrobe. What's most delightful is that necklaces can be worn in any part of the day, from dusk till dawn.

Heres a tip for those who would like to have quality pieces of jewelries: pay attention to scale. Stature plays an important role in the choice of necklaces. Says a master jeweler, “A large necklace may "swim" on a woman with a petite frame. Other women may be able to support such a necklace, where a smaller piece may look out of proportion.”

For a start, take a look at the lovely impact that Nicole Kidman's galactic necklace has made for this 5'10” tall actress.

Lovely!

A Sneak Peek At The "New" Kids On The Block!

Not sure if the karaoke gods decided to smile on me for my numerous karaoke renditions of "The Right Stuff" or if it is pure coincidence, but yes the rumors of a NKOTB reunion are true.

Not only does their official website divulge details on their upcoming tour. The pic above is the real boy banders today (in my humble opinion, the guys aged gracefully)!

For those of you in the NYC area, NKOTB will be headlining Z100's Zootopia, on May 17th in East Rutherford, NJ. Tickets go on sale tomorrow, April 11th at 4pm but ONLY for Z100 VIP's. No worries I have the info for you: log onto Z100 and enter keyword ZVIP.

Alas, I will be out of town so please go on my behalf & take pics for me!

I leave you with videos of the aforementioned karaoke-jam and a sound byte of their new song!

Enjoy!

Breakthrough Backless Bra: Flaunt Your Sexy Backs, Busty Women!

Think sexy backs are a thing for the slim and flat-chested women? Think again.

Here's good news for big-busted Goddesses out there: you can now go backless without worrying about the visible bra straps that may spoil your glamour gowns.

Backless, sexy look is impossible to achieve for busty women because most of the time, it requires women to wear halters or strapless bra, or even bra-less for those with slim figures. Otherwise, the visible bra straps (that actually supports the bust) run across the backbone – making the sexy impact ridiculous.

Presenting, the "Breakthrough Backless Bra," designed by American Inventor, Elaine Cato, for Maidenform. The "6-in-1" backless bra is similar to the standard convertible bra that can be worn as halter or strapless or conventional, with the back wings tucked into the sides of the bra. It is held up by the shoulder straps and made of lightweight microfiber fabric and seamless molded foam cups for smooth shaping. With cup size ranging from 34B through 38DD, full-figured woman may have a lot of these backless magics to choose from.

And so while flat-chested women are having solutions for their “front” concerns through better boob job, busty women are also finding answers for their big “back” problems.

Now wouldn't you think that's neat?

Capitalizing on Cameos

Now that the hype over Britney Spears' cameo on "How I Met Your Mother" has begun to subside, the show's creative team realizes they may have have stumbled upon an ingenious ploy to lure in viewers. Don't worry, they operate on quick turnaround and cater to short attention spans.

This TV show is bringing out all the big guns in one-fell-swoop!

Get your TiVo juiced up for April 21st, when the show will feature not one, not two but three interesting cameos. Who would have thought 80's megamall singing icon, Tiffany, Alan Thicke (aka Dr. Seaver on "Growing Pains" and father of dreamy crooner Robin) and Dawson Leery (nee James Van Der Beek) would share screen time?

What TV stars would you love to see make a small screen cameo? My vote is for Charlotte Rae (aka Edna Garrett from "The Facts of Life")

If you are waiting with bated breath for April 21st, check out this rousing duet between Tiffany & Meatloaf on a new AT&T commercial!

Hilary Duff Has Scorpion In Her Pants!

Is putting a scorpion in your pants an early sign of bitchy behavior?

To the famous, wholesome youngstar Hilary Duff who immortalizes the well-loved character of Lizzie McGuire, this could be true.

Her role in the upcoming film, War Inc., requires her to do a scene where she is going to put a scorpion in her pants . This is enough to cause commotion among parents who interpret the scene as slutty behavior. And since goody image is too hard not to be associated to Hilary Duff, parents are afraid that the actress's “bold” action will be imitated by million of young fans who looked up to her as a role model.

Hilary has always assured her fans that she will remain wholesome and will not “disappoint her young fans by crossing over to the dark side.” Hilary added that she will not completely abandon her wholesome image now that she starts to challenge herself and do different things that are not for young audience anymore.

Well guess what, folks? She grows.

SoHo Bids Farewell To Life Size Lolita

A frequent topic of conversation between a friend and I has been the gargantuan billboard that has occupied prime Manhattan real estate in the shopping mecca of SoHo.

The most disturbing half (illustrated above) showcases Kate Bosworth, one of the new faces looking like an emaciated pre-pubescent temptress.

Not only do my friend and I concur that her belly shirt is so "Britney Spears, baby one more time", but we take issue with the message this ad sends that good things come in small packages.

Fortunately, I am pleased to announce that the billboard has been taking down. To my disappointment, it was not replaced with the racy David Beckham Armani skivvies ad (for the record, I have been mere inches from the Beckster and he reeks of sex appeal, but that is another story). Oh well, I will take any victory, big or small.

Brad Pitt Gives Back

"Sometimes, to help people, we've got to travel outside of our comfort zone to really understand another situation."

I wonder how this quote may have sound if it comes from Lindsay Lohan or Paris Hilton...

Anyway, this inspirational, quotable line was spoken by no other than Hollywood A-list celebrity himself, Bradd Pitt, during the recent taping of “Idol Gives Back.” The hubby of Angelina Jolie surely knows how to adapt to her lovely wife's charitable lifestyle as he had been constantly involved in many charity works these past few years.

Bradd Pitt was seen with other top Hollywood idols including Robin Williams, Reese Witherspoon, Fergie, and Mariah Carey last Sunday in Kodak Theatre. The star-studded gathering was a charitable campaign, where raised money from the show will be donated to underprivileged children as represented by many international development organizations as well as aid for New Orleans in its recovery from hurricane Katrina.

Event organizers expects $100 million for various charities from this year's Idol Gives Back telethon.

The Hills Are Alive But Are They Live?

In 1992, MTV’s bold experiment to capture the lives of seven strangers living in a house together sparked a reality TV craze.

Now, fast forward 16 years later, when MTV’s highest rated show, The Hills’ drew in the most viewers to date during the March 24^th premiere of bonus Season 3 episodes.

Adding more fuel to the fire, the show is widely speculated to be scripted.

What does this show have that makes it a must-see for so many viewers and has further incited buzz that it is staged? Look no further and weigh in as to whether The Hills is reality TV’s one hit wonder or if its success will spawn a new wave of semi-real shows.

1) The Villain You Love To Hate

Pretty interesting that save for a marriage proposal and occasional dinner date (generally at his favorite divey Mexican restaurant), Spencer is never portrayed in a benevolent light.

From letting his friendship with best friend Brody fade into the ether to painting a hideous mural on the wall he shared with Heidi, there is never a dull moment when Spencer is on the screen.

2) Great Publicists

Even if you claim that The Hills is so “last week”, an innocuous trip to the drugstore is likely to result in a sighting of at least one of the stars occupying center stage in a tabloid magazine.

As much as we are embarrassed to admit it, we have become well acquainted with Heidi’s plastic surgery transformation (which judging from the most recent episodes may or may not have included lip injections), had heated debates over whether Heidi threw Lauren under the bus by leaking sex tape rumors and even learned about the dissolution of Audrina’s relationship with Justin Bobby (hey haven’t his 10 minutes of fame expired?).

3) A Look Into The Other Side Of The Velvet Rope

Let’s face it, there is something to be said about living vicariously through others. Need I mention the much awaited big screen return of four cosmopolitan women with A-list wardrobes and robust sex lives?

The social butterflies on The Hills have provided its viewers with a fly-on-the-wall view of some of the most exclusive hot spots in LA, Las Vegas, NYC and even Paris, one boozy altercation after another.

While Heidi’s alleged event planning job partially explains the girls’ ease of getting into the “sceney spots”, an MTV camera crew entourage probably doesn’t hurt either.

4) More Continuity Errors Than I Can Count

To put it mildly, the editing on The Hills is spotty at times. Whether or not it is an intentional ploy (to drum up more press for the show), the show is riddled with continuity mistakes.

Specifically, there have been a number of inexplicable changes in physical appearance in consecutive scenes (i.e. Lauren’s “is she or isn’t she” wearing nail polish moment, inconsistent facial hair on Spencer, etc).

There are also reports circulating that MTV held a casting call for a Parisian love interest for Lauren. Furthering the theory that the romances are staged, the male model Lauren went out with even went on the record to state that producers orchestrated the date!

Want to star on a show like The Hills? Apply for the CASTING now!

Naomi Campbell Spits the Face of UK Cop!

Don't mess with beautiful British Supermodel, Naomi Campbell. You might be attacked by this lovely goddess when enraged, and catch slimy saliva on your face!

Naomi was arrested in Terminal 5 of Heathrow Airport in London and dragged from the plane after spitting on a policeman's face last night. The 37-year old ebony model was reportedly enraged after finding out that one of her luggage were missing.

According to her press agent, Naoimi arrived early at Heathrow Terminal 5 with two bags, checked them in and told they were on the flight. But once on the flight, she was told one bag could not be found and was missing. Infuriated, Naomi spat at an officer before hitting him with her fists. Other policemen arrived and arrested the supermodel who went amok, handcuffed and removed her from the plane while kicking and screaming "Get off me! Don't touch me!"

Naomi's violent temper is not new as there have been past cases that involved her abusive behavior towards her assistants when angry. Last year, she spent a five-day community service in New York and was required to attend anger management classes after throwing a mobile phone on her personal assistant when she couldn't find her pair of jeans.

Tsk, tsk, a ravaging crone behind the lovely damsel – bad Naomi!

The Elephant Self-Portrait Painting

There's a new craze in town. And it has nothing to do with celebrities and their phenomenal work-outs or fashion styles. It's about Dumbo who learns self-portrait painting on canvass, gets his video uploaded on YouTube, and become an instant star in a matter of days.

It's funny how people are amazed of this animal's talent in arts when it is already a given fact that an elephant's trunk is equipped with nearly a hundred thousand individual muscles – allowing it to do versatile tasks like the sensitive picking of a nut on the ground, the strong lifting of log, and the eccentricity of painting.

Seeing an elephant painting its own portrait on a canvass is really adorable that it makes the giant so tender and precious. However, canvass painting is not natural for elephants. So while some people are unbelieving to this scenario, there are others who condemned the elephant's painting task as inhuman (I mean, inanimal?) or unjust, I should say.

Razored-Bob Katie Holmes, Troubled?

When a woman cuts her hair, there are changes in life that she wants to express.

If this is true, what could be happening to Katie Holmes now that she's cut her hair anew? This time, she's sporting a razored bob and critics (lots of them) called her Peter Pan! Paparazzis spotted her with the new hairstyle at Osteria Mossa in Los Angeles on Monday.

Rumors has it that the designer-shoes obsessed Mrs. Cruise is suffering from dizziness and headaches lately, and speculates about her troubled relationship with Tom Cruise. Others, on the other hand, blamed her husband to be the mastermind behind her changes in hairstyles, believing that the 50-something hubby would hide the beauty of her young wife behind the masculine haircuts.

One thing's for sure, though. Katie is currently in negotiations to land on Broadway and appear in a revival of Arthur Miller’s 1947 play All My Sons. And if her new hair has something to do with upcoming projects, she can be considered good for hair modeling.

The Fall of Paris in Czech Republic

The reality-TV star Paris Hilton already made great plans for the day – spend quality time with her boyfriend Benji Madden, stroll in the romantic places of Prague, eat in the local restaurant, and do anything that a 27-year old hotel heiress wants to do.

Unfortunately, her high-profile status causes hysteria among paparazzis who want to take a shot of Hollywood.

The result, Paris fell on the floor as she tries to escape from the snappers. With swollen and grazed chin, Paris celebrated April Fools Day in advance.

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Can't get enough of this heiress? Learn more about Paris Hilton as she talks to HILARY Magazine in her own words.