Police to return jewelry worn by Rihanna

Rihanna arrives at the Recording Academy's Clive Davis pre-Grammy party in Beverly Hills, California in this February 7, 2009 file photo. [Agencies]

LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles police have agreed to return the $1.4 million worth of jewelry that pop star Rihanna was wearing the night her R&B singer boyfriend Chris Brown is accused of assaulting her, Rihanna's lawyer said on Wednesday.

The earring and three rings that Rihanna was wearing were on loan to the "Umbrella" singer, who had attended a pre-Grammy party with Brown hours before the Feb 8 incident. They were taken by police as evidence in the case.

The designers asked for the bling to be returned and lawyer Donald Etra told a Los Angeles judge at a hearing on the assault case that police will first photograph them before handing them back.

Brown is charged with attacking Rihanna in their rented car on their way home from the party. He was not in court on Wednesday. He is free on bail pending a possible trial next month when he could be given probation or up to five years prison if convicted.

taken from : China Daily

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Hugh Jackman slashes his way back in "Wolverine"

Actor Hugh Jackman holds a sign given to him by Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman at the premiere of the movie "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" in Tempe, Arizona April 27, 2009. [Agencies]

LOS ANGELES- Hugh Jackman on Friday slashes his way back to his starmaking role as a razor-clawed mutant in "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" after his glitzy turn hosting the Oscars and starring in romance "Australia" that flopped at U.S. box offices.

The change is good for the Aussie star because of the exposure it brings, but despite the box office appeal of the "X-Men" movies, Jackman said these days he leans more toward starring on Broadway, where he won a Tony.

It's Jackman's fourth turn as tough-talking Wolverine, a role he won in the 2000 film "X-Men," fresh from starring in a London stage production of the musical "Oklahoma!"

"There's no doubt that as soon as this movie came out, that my career was like a Great Dane dragging me down the street," Jackman told Reuters about the last nine years of his career.

The 2000 "X-Men" made $296 million at worldwide box offices and helped usher in the latest wave of comic book movies. The 2003 "X2" topped that with $408 million, and the 2006 "X-Men: The Last Stand" burst past it at $459 million.

Paul Dergarabedian, president of box office tracker Media by Numbers reckons "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" could fetch from $85 million to $100 million at U.S. box offices on its debut weekend -- the first weekend of Hollywood's summer season.

Jackman, 40, said playing Wolverine has been a challenge because of the "sustained energy" he needs while shooting.

"Underneath you've got to feel he's ready to explode all the time," he said of the character.

BACK TO ITS ROOTS

True to its title, "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" focuses on the early years of Jackman's character, leaping back to his childhood discovery of claws that spring from his knuckles.

The film introduces moviegoers to the Wolverine that comic book readers know best, when the U.S. government grafts the indestructible metal Adamantium onto his skeleton giving him the razor sharp weapons he wields naturally from his arms.

Wolverine believes his brother Sabertooth killed Wolverine's girlfriend and vows to hunt him down. But along the way, he gets caught in a secret U.S. program and eventually faces a twisted enemy to super-powered mutants like himself.

Jackman said that to get in shape for the movie, he worked out, drank protein shakes and ate meat at every meal, chowing down every three hours and waking up at 3:30 a.m. for more.

He did all that during the shoot for 2008 epic "Australia," which got director Baz Luhrmann worried as his star actor started looked bulkier from one scene to the next.

"Baz came to me and said, 'Mate, I need you to kind of back off a little bit. I'm struggling to edit the movie,'" Jackman said with a chuckle, chewing on a toothpick.

Actor Hugh Jackman laughs on stage at the premiere of the movie "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" in Tempe, Arizona April 27, 2009. [Agencies]

"Australia" was a hit internationally, making $162 million in that market and only $50 million in the U.S. and Canada.

Jackman splits his time between Australia and New York, each one a "base" for him, his wife and two children.

The actor said he wants to do a movie musical, and he expects to soon star on Broadway after his role in stage musical "The Boy from Oz," about gay singer Peter Allen, earned Jackman Broadway's top honor, a Tony.

But would Jackman consider melding his love of musicals with his biggest role in the movies: a Wolverine musical?

"There's a couple of outtakes that exist which, if they ever got out, I'd be absolutely killed," he joked. But as any fan of Wolverine will tell you, that's not easy to do.

taken from : China Daily

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Victoria Beckham cancels anniversary bash

Victoria Beckham has reportedly cancelled her 10th wedding anniversary party.

The former Spice Girl has called off the lavish Hollywood bash - which was due to take place in July - after allegedly accusing husband David of neglecting his family.

The 35-year-old singer has been single-handedly raising their three sons - Brooklyn, 10, Romeo, six, and four-year-old Cruz - in the US while David plays for Italian team AC Milan, who he is currently on loan to from his regular club Los Angeles Galaxy.

A source told Britain's Daily Star newspaper: "Being apart is hard for them. It's the first time in their marriage that Victoria has been angry at David.

"David really misses the three boys and still doesn't really understand why she wouldn't move to Milan to keep the family together. They are trying to make it work, but the resentments are simmering."

Victoria had reportedly been planning the extravagant event with the help of her A-list friends Jennifer Lopez, Eva Longoria, Katie Holmes and supermodel Heidi Klum.

But a spokeswoman for the couple - who tied the knot in a lavish ceremony at Luttrellstown Castle, in Ireland, on July 4 in 1999 - says they now want to keep their celebration low-key.

She said: "They have some private 10th anniversary celebrations planned."

Last month, it was reported the couple had told friends they wanted to mark the occasion by renewing their wedding vows.

A source said at the time: "David has promised Victoria they will renew their vows at the beginning of July, around their 10th anniversary once his time with Milan is over. It will be a no-expense spared extravaganza."
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Brad Pitt is a 'Servant' in new ad

Brad Pitt is snapped filming a commercial for Japanese television with a famous sumo wrestler in New York. [Photo: Agencies]

Brad Pitt got a taste of the other side of life Tuesday night as he rushed to keep a burly sumo wrestler under cover in a rainstorm.

Of course the film star wasn't really being employed as a servant - he was filming an advert with the help of the Japanese star in New York, Britain's The Daily Mail newspaper reported Wednesday.

"His face a picture of mute acceptance, Brad was showered in the fake rain as he struggled to keep his co-star dry", said the report.

However, his uncomfortable shower will at least result in Brad getting a hefty pay cheque.
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Parker, Broderick expecting twins by surrogate

FILE - In this April 27, 2009 file photo, actors Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker attend the premiere of 'Wonderful World' during the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival, in New York. [Agencies]

LOS ANGELES – Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick will be taking on new roles: parents of twin girls.

The "Sex and the City" star and her actor-husband are expecting twins through a surrogate pregnancy, representatives for the couple said Tuesday.

Parker, 44, and Broderick, 47, "are happily anticipating the birth of their twin daughters later this summer with the generous help of a surrogate. The entire family is overjoyed," said a statement from the publicists.

The couple has a 6-year-old son, James Wilkie Broderick, and will mark their 12th wedding anniversary next month.

Details about the surrogate or her pregnancy were unavailable, the publicists said.

Parker starred in the "Sex and the City" TV series and the hit movie of the same name. Broderick's credits include the films "Glory" and "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" and the Broadway musical "The Producers."

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Lady Gaga's cop trouble in Russia

Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga was almost arrested during a trip to Russia - because she was wearing leather.

The 'Poker Face' singer was approached by officers when she visited St. Basil's Cathedral, in Moscow, over her choice of outfit.

She wrote on her Twitter page at the weekend: "They tried to arrest me in Russia, for leather at St. Basil's. But all is calm in the red square, as I leave the east Parisbound. (sic)"

The 23-year-old pop star is well known for her skimpy outfits, and is regularly seen wearing just underwear on evenings out.

She has previously admitted her wacky fashion sense has caused her problems with the law, explaining a Chicago policeman once took exception to her tiny shorts.

She previously revealed: "I was outside the Lollapalooza festival in Chicago and this policeman came up and told me my hotpants were too short. They weren't really pants at all, but he got upset and I got a citation. All people will have seen is this half-naked girl on the street yelling, 'It's fashion! I'm an artist!' "

Lady Gaga is not the only celebrity to have recently caused upset with their appearance

Good Charlotte rocker Joel Madden was forced to cover his arms on a recent flight from London after a British Airways attendant took offence to his tattoos.

Joel, the boyfriend of Nicole Richie, also took to Twitter to let off steam after the event.

He wrote: "I still can't believe Brit Air discriminated me for tatts. Unheard of. the guy was literally disgusted by me. I'm gonna write a letter!!

"its not in the rules that i can find.my tatts arent offensive.looking into it. i havent felt this small since the first time i asked nic out. (sic)"

A British Airways representative has since announced the worker is being reprimanded, adding: "We don't understand why the employee took it upon himself to enforce regulations that don't exist."
taken from : China Daily

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Jackie Chan announces 100th movie

HONG KONG – Jackie Chan has celebrated a milestone with the announcement of his 100th movie project — a collaboration with "Rumble in the Bronx" director Stanley Tong.

The 55-year-old "Rush Hour" star said on his Web site he will co-direct the film tentatively called "Chinese Zodiac" with Tong, with shooting to take place in China, Austria and France. The brief statement seen Wednesday did not give further details.

Tong, whose credits include the TV series "Martial Law" and the comedy movie "Mr. Magoo," directed Chan in the 1995 action film "Rumble in the Bronx" and the 2005 fantasy "The Myth."

Chan's main spokesman, Solon So, said Chan will invest in the movie with his frequent partner, Hong Kong-based Emperor Motion Pictures. He declined to reveal the plot or budget.

Chan's most recent release was the Chinese-language gangster thriller "Shinjuku Incident," in which he plays a Chinese immigrant who becomes a hit man for the Japanese mafia. His upcoming films are the Hollywood action comedy "The Spy Next Door," about an undercover Chinese spy whose cover is blown, and another Chinese production, "Big Soldier," reportedly about the friendship between two soldiers set in China's ancient Qin dynasty.

The veteran action star has also been in talks to star as the Mr. Miyagi character in a remake of "The Karate Kid," the 1984 film about a mentor who teaches a youngster how to stand up to bullies.

Jackie Chan's 'freedom' talk sparks debate　
By Wang Qian (China Daily)

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Bikini Rihanna at beach with mystery man

Rihanna was pictured splashing about on Sandy Lane beach in Barbados with mystery man.

Rihanna, who appears to have been keeping her distance from ex-boyfriend Chris Brown, has been pictured frolicking with a lookalike.

The "Umbrella" singer was pictured at the exclusive Sandy Lane beach in Barbados with a mystery man who bared more than a passing resemblance to Chris.

Wearing a tiny black bikini and shades, Rihanna looked young, free and single as she chatted and laughed with her tattooed friend, The Daily Mail newspaper in the UK reports.

This was in stark contrast to a couple of months ago when the 21-year-old cut a lonely figure on holiday in Mexico.

The star, who was left battered and bruised after an alleged altercation with Chris in February, has reportedly even been toasting to her single status at every opportunity.

She celebrated last month with a night out at a restaurant in Los Angeles in the company of close friends and record company bosses.

'People close to Rihanna have drilled it into her head that if she stays with Chris her career will be over,' said a source. 'At the dinner party there were about 10 toasts made, including one to the fact she's about to land the cover of a major fashion magazine... Rihanna also raised a glass to her break up.'

This will all come as a blow to Chris, due back in court on April 29 to face charges of felony assault and making criminal threats.
taken from : China Daily

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"Gossip Girl" star Meester signs record deal

NEW YORK – Leighton Meester, star of the CW Network's teen drama "Gossip Girl," has signed a deal with Universal Republic through Time-Act Music to release her debut album in the fall.

The 23-year-old actress began recording material -- described as having an "electro-pop edge" -- for the project in March and has clocked studio time with producers Polow Da Don (Usher, Fergie), Harvey Mason, Jr. (Justin Timberlake, Pink) and Spencer Nezey (Jupiter Rising).

In addition to her role on "Gossip Girl," Meester starred in 2007's "Drive Thru" and performed a duet with Tony Bennett during a 2008 return guest appearance on HBO's "Entourage." She is lined up for two films in 2010: "The Roommate," a suspense thriller, and the comedy "Date Night."

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Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt wed — for real

FILE - In this March 28, 2009 file photo, Spencer Pratt, right, and Heidi Montag arrive at Perez Hilton's 31st Birthday Party in West Hollywood, Calif. [Agencies]

LOS ANGELES – Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt made their union legal.

A spokesman for the couple says the reality TV stars were legally wed Saturday during a ceremony at a Pasadena church that was filmed by MTV.

Montag and Pratt announced their elopement on a magazine cover in November but later acknowledged that the impromptu ceremony they had in Mexico was symbolic and not legally binding. The couple appeared before a deputy commissioner at a Beverly Hills courthouse in December, but didn't say "I do."

Spokesman Rick Rhodes said Saturday's wedding was "100 percent legal."

Montag, who is 22, and her 25-year-old husband are set to appear on the NBC show "I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here!" in June.

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Ben Stiller's 'drugged' chat-up

Ben Stiller had to take drugs to get the courage to talk to his now-wife.

The 'Night At The Museum' star - who is married to actress Christine Taylor - was so shy when he was younger, he could only talk to girls when he was high.

He said: "I wasn't good at picking up the girls. I've never been God's gift to the world. And I couldn't even chat up my wife until one day I injured my toe and because I was hopped up on painkillers I felt loose enough to talk to her.

"I was a little bit drugged. We started hanging out and having so much fun that she came to visit me in New York and never left."

It wasn't the first time the 43-year-old actor has experimented with drugs.

He told Britain's The Mail on Sunday newspaper: "I dabbled in drugs - just dabbled. I did LSD once, only once. It was peer pressure, a high-school thing. But it was scary and I didn't like feeling out of control.

"It was a very bad trip - I freaked out and called my parents and tried to explain to my dad what I was feeling, but all he said was, 'I understand what you're going through. When I was a teenager I smoked a Pall Mall cigarette and I got sick for two days.'

I'm like, 'Dad, no, this is worse. You don't understand.' But they had never had any experience of the drug culture, because they were working so hard all through the 1960s."
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Fan man Billie Joe Armstrong

Members of Green Day, Mike Dirnt (L), Tre Cool (C) and Billie Joe Armstrong (R) present the Grammy for Album of the Year at the 51st annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, February 8, 2009. [Agencies]

Billie Joe Armstrong refuses live a party lifestyle because he doesn't want to alienate his fans.

The Green Day frontman shuns many of the events he gets invited to as he believes being seen as a hedonistic rock star would ruin his punk credentials.

He said: "Having a normal life is the only way to way to write good songs. If it's a constant champagne party then people can't relate."

Meanwhile, the singer believes the latest Green Day album is representative of American life.

Armstrong says '21st Century Breakdown' has a collection of songs which showcase life after President George Bush and the optimism that is now felt since Barack Obama entered the White House.

He said: "It's about the collateral damage with it but also the hope and optimism a lot of Americans have. It's a really strange time. But exciting because there's the first African-American president, a smart man who wants to do a good job. People are losing their jobs yet have a smile on their face, so this is record is about that and the start of another era."

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Simon Cowell to Susan Boyle: "Get yourself together"

"Britain's Got Talent" contestant Susan Boyle gestures to onlookers in Blackburn in West Lothian, Scotland April 21, 2009.[Agencies]

LOS ANGELES- Television's Simon Cowell said on Friday he was embarrassed at his initial reaction to British singing sensation Susan Boyle, but warned that just because she is a hit with fans, she is not a winner yet.

Cowell, the creator and a judge on "Britain's Got Talent," said he was fed up with stories about the hair, eyebrows and cats of the never-married 47-year-old Boyle, and he urged her to focus now on winning the television talent competition.

"She has got four weeks to prepare for the biggest night of her life, and she has got to sing better than she sang before with all those expectations on her. But it could all go horribly wrong for her because there are so many other distractions," Cowell told TV reporters in Los Angeles.

"Get yourself together sweetheart for the big one -- the semi-final. Shut the door, choose the right song and come back as who you are, not who you want to be," he said.

Boyle, a spinster who lives alone with her cat, became one of the world's hottest celebrities last week after surprising judges with her rendition of "I Dreamed a Dream" on the popular talent show. Her performance has been watched over 50 million times on YouTube.

"We were all guilty on the panel of judging her before she sang, and we got it utterly wrong. You watch it back and it is embarrassing," said Cowell, who is well-known as the acid-tongued judge on TV talent contest "American Idol."

"Britain's Got Talent" is open to anyone regardless of age or performing skills. It has 40 versions worldwide and the fourth season of the U.S. version, "America's Got Talent," kicks off on NBC on June 23.

"I am seriously thinking now we should hold two more open auditions (of "America's Got Talent") off the back of Susan Boyle. You don't have to be a singer who is 47 and never been kissed, but just someone who says 'I think I am talented, and I don't think people are going to judge me because of the way I look'," he said.

Recording executive Cowell, who has an option to sign Boyle if she wins the British talent show, shuttles weekly between Los Angeles and London as the judge on "American Idol" and "Britain's Got Talent."

But he dismissed suggestions that his life was stressful. "It's only stress when it doesn't work," he said. "I don't feel under any stress whatsoever when something like the Susan Boyle thing emerges. It is honestly the best feeling in the world."

taken from : China Daily

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"Golden Girls" star Bea Arthur dies at 86

Actresses Rue McClanahan (L) and Bea Arthur who starred in TV series "The Golden Girls" pose at a taping of the 6th annual TV Land Awards in Santa Monica in this file photo from June 8, 2008. [Agencies]

LOS ANGELES - Emmy Award-winning actress Bea Arthur, best known as star of the hit TV comedies "Maude" and "Golden Girls," has died at age 86, entertainment news websites reported on Saturday.

Arthur, a longtime stage actress whose comic timing and deadpan delivery were a perfect fit for her sharp-tongued roles on the two series, died of cancer at her Los Angeles home, celebrity website TMZ reported.

Representatives for the actress, who won best-actress Emmys -- America's top television award -- for "Maude" and "Golden Girls," could not immediately be reached for comment.

"Thirty-seven years ago she showed me how to be very brave in playing comedy," one of Arthur's co-stars, Rue McClanahan, told TMZ in a statement. "I'll miss that courage and I'll miss that voice."

Born Beatrice Frankel in New York on May 13, 1922, Arthur began performing in college and appeared in Broadway and off-Broadway roles, winning a Tony Award opposite Angela Lansbury in "Mame."

In the early 1970s, Arthur appeared on the groundbreaking television comedy "All in the Family" as Edith Bunker's fiercely liberal cousin Maude. Producers who saw gold in the role quickly devised a spinoff for the character.

"Maude" debuted on CBS in 1972 and became one of the top-rated sitcoms on U.S. television during its six-year run.

In a two-part episode that aired in November 1972, the show stirred protest and controversy when Maude decided to have an abortion because of her age. The procedure was legal in New York state, where the show was set, but not nationwide.

Two months later, the U.S. Supreme Court legalized abortion in its landmark Roe v. Wade decision.

Arthur followed with "Golden Girls," an unlikely hit from 1985 to 1992 that featured four female retirees living together.

Central to the popularity of "Golden Girls" was the comic interplay between Arthur's character and her mother, played by Estelle Getty -- who in real life was a year younger and who also won an Emmy for the show.

Getty died last July at the age of 84.

According to CNN, no funeral services had been planned for Arthur. She is survived by two sons and two grandchildren, and family members have asked that in lieu of flowers donations be sent to two of her favorite causes, the ArtAttack foundation and the animal rights group PETA.

"People have lost one of the greatest comic actresses of all time and animals have lost one of their all-time greatest defenders," Dan Matthews, PETA senior vice president, said in a statement.

taken from : China Daily

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Fans fixate on Beyonce as 'Obsessed' takes in $28M

Actress Beyonce Knowles attends the Cinema Society premiere of 'Obsessed', in New York, on Thursday, April 23, 2009. [Agencies]

LOS ANGELES – Audiences were in the mood for some fatal attraction action at the box office. Beyonce Knowles and Idris Elba's "Obsessed" debuted as the top weekend movie with $28.5 million in ticket sales. The Sony Screen Gems thriller stars Knowles and Elba as a couple whose ideal marriage lands on the rocks after a psychotic temp played by Ali Larter begins stalking the husband.

The strong opening for "Obsessed" helped maintain Hollywood's hot streak, with overall revenues at about $112 million, up 23.5 percent from the same weekend last year, according to box-office tracker Media By Numbers.

The busy summer season starts Friday with 20th Century Fox's spinoff "X-Men Origins: Wolverine," starring Hugh Jackman in the title role he played in three "X-Men" blockbusters.

Studios head into summer on a box-office tear, with receipts running at a record pace. Revenues for the year are at $3.06 billion, up 17.4 percent over last year. Factoring in higher ticket prices, movie attendance is up 15.7 percent.

"We have never been in this strong a position heading into the summer season, ever," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of Media By Numbers.

Zac Efron's "17 Again" and Channing Tatum's "Fighting" were neck-and-neck for the No. 2 spot. With Sunday estimates of $11.7 million, the Warner Bros. comedy "17 Again" had the edge. After debuting in first-place a week earlier, "17 Again" raised its 10-day total to $40 million.

Rogue Pictures' "Fighting," starring Tatum and Terrence Howard in the story of a rising star in New York City's underground bare-knuckle fight circuit, debuted with $11.4 million.

The two movies were close enough that rankings could change when final numbers come out Monday.

Paramount's drama "The Soloist" opened at No. 4 with $9.7 million. It stars Jamie Foxx as a schizophrenic music prodigy living on the streets of Los Angeles and Robert Downey Jr. as a reporter who befriends him.

Disney's nature documentary "Earth" premiered in fifth place with $8.6 million, bringing its total to $14.2 million since opening Wednesday.

"Obsessed" was not screened in advance for critics, and those who reviewed it generally trashed the movie as a lame retread of 1987's "Fatal Attraction," which starred Glenn Close as a demented woman pursuing a married man, played by Michael Douglas.

But "Obsessed" had the lure of singer Knowles stepping out from her pop star image and duking it out with the crazy lady threatening her home and marriage.

"There's something about wanting to see Beyonce kick butt. She's taking on one wacked chick, played very well by Ali Larter," said Rory Bruer, head of distribution for Sony. "Let's face it, everyone loves Beyonce, and to see her in this role is a treat."

Documentaries rarely open in nationwide release or break into the top 10, but Disney aimed for a wide audience with "Earth," which traces families of polar bears, elephants and humpback whales over the course of a year.

Disney pledged to plant a tree for every viewer who sees the movie in the first week, with the number climbing to more than 2 million after five days. The film was tied to Earth Day and was the first release of the studio's Disneynature label.

"We just felt like if we make an event out of this, tied it to this whole plant-a-tree effort, tied it to Earth Day, maybe we could break the mold and come up with the kind of opening that you'd be satisfied with on a regular film," said Mark Zoradi, president of Disney's motion-picture group.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Media By Numbers LLC. Final figures will be released Monday.

1. "Obsessed," $28.5 million.

2. "17 Again," $11.7 million.

3. "Fighting," $11.4 million.

4. "The Soloist," $9.7 million.

5. "Earth," $8.6 million.

6. "Monsters vs. Aliens," $8.5 million.

7. "State of Play," $6.9 million.

8. "Hannah Montana: The Movie," $6.4 million.

9. "Fast & Furious," $6.1 million.

10. "Crank: High Voltage," $2.4 million.

taken from : China Daily

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Drew Barrymore won't diet

Actress Drew Barrymore smiles before the M.I.A. performance at the Coachella Music Festival in Indio, California April 18, 2009. [Agencies]
Drew Barrymore refuses to go on extreme diets in a bid to get thin.

The 'Grey Gardens' star, famed for her curvaceous figure, believes eating everything in moderation as well as undergoing regular exercise is the essential if you want to get the ideal body shape.

She said: "My top beauty and fitness tip is to eat whatever you want in smaller increments but don't starve yourself to societal pressures.

And I love to exercise because it makes me feel good about myself." Although Drew is determined to maintain her figure through healthy eating and exercise, many other celebrities take dieting to the extreme in order to get as thin as possible.

Actresses Liz Hurley and Sarah Michelle Gellar have undergone the cabbage soup diet in a bid to lose weight, in which the only food they can eat for a week is the bland concoction. Before filming 'Dreamgirls' Beyonce Knowles followed the maple syrup diet and lost around 21 lbs in two weeks.

The diet consists of a detox drink made from the natural sap of maple and palm trees, mixed with fresh lemon juice, water and cayenne pepper and is a replacement for all meals.
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Hayek, Pinault renew vows among stars in Venice

In this photo provided by ID Public Relations, Mexican actress Salma Hayek and French businessman Francois-Henri Pinault are shown at their wedding in Venice, Italy, Saturday, April 25, 2009. [Agencies]

LOS ANGELES – Salma Hayek and her husband have tied the knot — again.

Hayek spokeswoman Jillian Fowkes said Sunday in Los Angeles that the Mexican-born actress and French magnate Francois-Henri Pinault renewed their wedding vows Saturday in a ceremony at Venice's La Fenice opera house.

Hayek and Pinault originally were married in a small civil ceremony in Paris last Valentine's Day.

This time, the couple made it a weekend-long celebration, starting with a cocktail party at Punta della Dogana, an art museum owned by the groom's father, Francois Pinault.

Among those attending were actresses Charlize Theron, Penelope Cruz and Ashley Judd, plus U2 frontman Bono and Vogue editor Anna Wintour, as well as former French President Jacques Chirac.

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Zhang Ziyi attends romantic wedding of Salma Hayek

Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi and her prospective husband Vivi Nevo arrived for actress Salma Hayek's wedding in Venice, Italy. [Photo: Agencies]

Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi and her prospective husband Vivi Nevo arrived for actress Salma Hayek's wedding in Venice, Italy. [Photo: Agencies]

Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi and her prospective husband Vivi Nevo arrived for actress Salma Hayek's wedding in Venice, Italy. [Photo: Agencies]

Mexican actress Salma Hayek and her husband, French billionaire Fran?ois-Henri Pinault, tied the knot for the second time on April 25, in a star-studded ceremony in Venice, Italy, foreign media reports.

Hayek married French businessman Francois-Henri Pinault at the City Hall in Paris on February 14 this year in a low-key service.

Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi and her prospective husband Vivi Nevo were in attendance, along with other celebrity friends of the couple, including Penélope Cruz, Edward Norton, Woody Harrelson, Olivier Martinez and former French President Jacques Chirac.

The wedding was a black tie affair. Zhang Ziyi and Neno were spotted hand-in-hand wearing black as they arrived for the nuptials.

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Beyonce says "definitely" wants Broadway role

Beyonce arrives at the 81st Academy Awards in Hollywood, California February 22, 2009.[Agencies]

NEW YORK- Grammy Award winning singer and actress Beyonce Knowles has a plan to settle down in a couple of years and have some children with her husband, hip hop mogul Jay-Z, do less touring and -- debut on Broadway.

"It's my ideal job," Knowles told Reuters, while promoting her latest film role in "Obsessed," in which she plays a wife who takes on her husband's stalker.

"I'll be able to go to the theater every day and drop my kids off and maybe make some food -- maybe I'll know how to cook by then -- and then go do what I love and have some normalcy and have a regular schedule."

"I definitely want to do Broadway."

Knowles, 27, said she loved playing Sharon Charles in "Obsessed," which opens in U.S. theaters on Friday, her first non-singing film role after performances in screen musicals including "Cadillac Records" and "Dreamgirls."

"I love this role because in most of these movies the man comes in and saves the day. And my character Sharon is the hero. She's strong and doesn't choose to be the victim, call her husband, call the police, hide in the attic -- she fights," said Knowles.

The singer's "I Am..." world tour, which begins this week in Croatia, is dramatic but, "I wouldn't say Broadway," said Knowles , who has sold more than 50 million albums worldwide.

"It's really theatrical and I do, of course, all of the singles."

taken from : China Daily

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Gavin Rossdale romanced man?

Singers Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale pose as they arrive at the 2009 Vanity Fair Oscar Party in West Hollywood, California February 22, 2009. [Agencies]

Gavin Rossdale had a five-year relationship with a male pop star.

The former Bush singer - who has two sons with wife Gwen Stefani and a daughter from a previous relationship - allegedly had a long romance with androgynous British singer Marilyn in the 80s.

Marilyn, 46, said: "He was the love of my life. We were together five years, but it felt like 40."

In 1995, singer Boy George - a close friend of Marilyn - alleged Gavin, 43, and Marilyn had had an affair in his autobiography 'Take It Like A Man' but both men denied the claims.

However, Marilyn - real name Peter Robinson - insists he lied in order to protect the 'Swallowed' singer's burgeoning career.

The 'Calling Your Name' star added to In Touch Weekly magazine: "He was just becoming successful in America. I agreed to lie against every grain of my being."

Responding to Boy George's claims, Gavin previously said: "I wasn't dating Marilyn. We were, and still are, good friends. George thinks everyone is gay."

Boy George - real name George O'Dowd - insisted the story was true and alleged that Gavin had begged him not to include details of his gay romance in his book.

George recalled: "When I was writing 'Take It Like A Man', Bush were well on their way to rock stardom and he appeared at my house to persuade me not to include him and Marilyn.

"I agreed to leave some stuff out but I wasn't prepared to lie. I don't think Marilyn has ever really got over Gavin."

taken from : China Daily

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Elton John, McCartney hit by economic crisis: rich list

LONDON (Reuters) – British singers Paul McCartney, Elton John and Mick Jagger have lost large chunks of their personal fortunes during the economic crisis over the last year, according to a rich list published on Friday.

Along with many of the world's richest people, their wealth has been eroded by sharp falls in the value of property, shares and other investments, the annual survey for the Sunday Times newspaper said.

British singer Elton John performs during his show "The Red Piano" in Sao Paulo January 17, 2009.[Agencies]

British singer Elton John performs during his show "The Red Piano" in Sao Paulo January 17, 2009. [Agencies]

Elton John's personal wealth fell by more than a quarter to 175 million pounds from 235 million pounds ($342.3 million) last year.

The flamboyant 62-year-old, whose hits include "Your Song," and "Rocket Man," saw his wealth tumble due to a combination of the effects of the downturn, the end of a lucrative run of Las Vegas concerts and donations to charity worth 42 million pounds.

Former Beatle McCartney saw 60 million pounds wiped off his fortune, a 12 percent decline on last year.

Jagger, lead singer of the Rolling Stones, fared even worse. His wealth slipped by 16 percent to 190 million pounds.

Top of the list of British music millionaires was a less well-known name: Clive Calder, who founded the Zomba record label, home to artists like Britney Spears. He sold it seven years ago for about $3 billion.

The rich list said his current wealth is unchanged from last year at 1.3 billion pounds.

The biggest climber was Judy Craymer, the producer of hit musical "Mamma Mia!." Her finances grew by 29 percent to 75 million pounds on the back of the successful Hollywood adaptation of the show.

It was a bad year for troubled British soul singer Amy Winehouse whose fortune was cut in half to 5 million pounds after releasing no new records last year.

The list of the richest 1,000 in Britain is out on Sunday.

taken from : China Daily

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Rounds, Desai sent home on "Idol"

In this image released by FOX, contestants Anoop Desai, right, and Lil Rounds embrace after they were eliminated on the singing competition series, 'American Idol,' on Wednesday, April 22, 2009, in Los Angeles. [Agencies]

LOS ANGELES – Lil Rounds has some comfort in being kicked off "American Idol": Her husband got her a puppy.

Rounds and Anoop Desai were eliminated this week during "Disco Week." The double elimination was because the judges used their save to keep Matt Giraud last week. Five contestants are left.

Rounds, who had sung "I'm Every Woman," explained to her three children that her run on the show is over and she will be coming home to take them to the park with the puppy.

"They're still so very very proud of their mommy," she said in a teleconference.

She gave the biggest goodbye hug to Allison Iraheta, who is the last woman in the competition. "We were crying like, of course, two girls," Rounds said.

Desai thought he might be leaving this week, but all the contestants thought that about themselves. "It's amazing how many people out of that group were sure that they were going home," he said.

He thought the easiest song for him to sing in the competition was "Dim All the Lights" — after he got the bad news.

"There's something about the burden of having four people sitting in front of you that you know are your harshest critics," he said. "With that burden relieved, I was free to sing the song with personality."
taken from : China Daily

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Liv Tyler's passionate workout

Liv Tyler is dating her personal trainer.

The 'Lord of the Rings' star was photographed passionately hugging and kissing David Hirsch after an intimate lunch in Westwood, New Jersey, yesterday (22.04.09)

Dressed in a sexy black and white backless sundress, Liv and her new man - who showed off his buff body in a tight green T-shirt and fitted beige trousers - couldn't keep their hands off each other as they walked to his car, stopping in the parking lot several times to kiss and cuddle.

The actress couldn't stop smiling and seemed totally smitten with her new lover.

The 31-year-old actress has been single since last year, when she announced she was divorcing British musician Royston Langdon - with whom she has a four-year-old son, Milo.

Liv recently revealed she felt physically sick when she split from her husband last May, and still finds the break-up difficult to come to terms with.

She said: "There's nothing worse than heartache, being lovesick. It's like there's a physical sickness. You go through a couple of weeks where you think, 'Oh, I'm OK, I feel better,' and then suddenly, out of nowhere, it hits you again.

"The hardest part is when they move out. It also brings up a lot of issues - you might feel like a failure, or like there is something wrong with you. You can't run away from yourself - you kind of have to just deal with it."

taken from : China Daily

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Britney Spears fights for gay rights

Britney Spears supports gay marriage.

The 'Circus' singer - who passionately kissed Madonna on stage at the MTV Awards in 2003 - has vowed to fight for homosexual rights.

Writing on her Twitter page, Britney said: "Love is love! People should be able to do whatever makes them happy. I have lots of gay and lesbian friends and I want to see them get married.

"I'll do whatever it takes to make their dreams come true. Discrimination has no place in America."

Meanwhile, the 27-year-old pop star is currently struggling with the choreography in her current tour 'The Circus Starring Britney Spears'.

The dance routines are reportedly so demanding they make her vomit.

A source told Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper: "The choreography is insane - it's so fast it is really taking its toll on her. But there is one move during 'Touch Of My Hand', where two guys dangle from the ceiling and pick her up upside down, which is really getting to her.

"She spins around for nearly five minutes some nights. The blood rushes to her head and when she gets down she complains of nausea and dizziness. There have been a couple of times when she ran off stage and vomited. She's asked if it can be changed."
taken from : China Daily

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Woody Allen's New York return feels familiar

Director Woody Allen and wife Soon-Yi Previn arrive at the premiere of the film "Whatever Works" on the opening night of the Tribeca Film Festival in New York, April 22, 2009. [Agencies]

NEW YORK – Marking Woody Allen's first New York City-shot film in five years, "Whatever Works," falls somewhere between his lesser London efforts "Scoop" and "Cassandra's Dream" and his return to form with "Vicky Cristina Barcelona."

This comedy starring Larry David doesn't break any new ground for its creator in either style or content, but it features enough genuine laughs to give it decent commercial traction, at least in the big cities. Due for a June release by Sony Pictures Classics, it served as the gala opening-night attraction of the Tribeca Film Festival.

David plays Boris Yellnikov, an aging curmudgeon who several years back would undoubtedly have been played by Allen himself. This is evident not only from the character's all too familiar predilections -- he loves Fred Astaire and classical music and disdains rock 'n' roll, and his view of the universe is not exactly cheerful -- but also by the romantic entanglement that fuels the story.

Yes, we are once again treated in an Allen film to the creepy sight of a balding, middle-aged man proving irresistible to a gorgeous young woman. Here it is the colorfully named Melody St. Ann Celestine (Evan Rachel Wood), a naive young Southerner, newly arrived in the city, who shows up on Boris' doorstep begging for a place to stay. Despite his misanthropic nature and apparent lack of sexual interest, Boris almost immediately agrees.

Despite his slovenly appearance, insulting nature and generally loutish behavior, Melody is quickly smitten with her host, and they eventually wind up married. Things change with the arrival of Melody's mother, Marietta (Patricia Clarkson), who takes an immediate dislike to her less-than-gracious new son-in-law. She sets out to sabotage the relationship by introducing Melody to a hunky young actor (Henry Cavill). He's fallen in love with Melody at first sight and is prone to such announcements as "I live on a boat and I read and I think and I play my flute."

Much of the film's humor revolves around outrageous character transformations. For instance, Marietta quickly abandons her repressed religious ways to become a free-spirited artist who specializes in photographing nudes and who enters into a menage a trois with Boris' college professor friend (Conleth Hill) and a gallery owner (Olek Krupa). And Melody's gun-loving father (Ed Begley Jr.) has a life-changing encounter with a recently heartbroken gay man (Christopher Evan Welch).

While Allen's screenplay features plenty of amusing one-liners (many expertly delivered by David, seemingly fusing Allen's persona with his own from "Curb Your Enthusiasm"), its tired handling of so many overly familiar themes eventually proves enervating. As does the utter artificiality not only of the stereotypical characterizations, but also of such devices as the repeated breaking of the fourth wall, with Boris addressing the "audience" while the other characters look on in bafflement.

The film does, however, serve as an excellent vehicle for Wood, utterly charming here, and Clarkson, displaying her considerable comic talents. Both actresses, like so many others from Allen's previous films, may well wind up garnering significant attention come awards season.

Needless to say, "Whatever Works" also serves as a picturesque travelogue of Manhattan, although many of the locales, ranging from Chinatown to Grant's Tomb, are decidedly less elegant than Allen's usual cinematic haunts.

taken from : China Daily

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Lindsay Lohan's Samantha split confusion

Lindsay Lohan didn't realise she had split from girlfriend Samantha Ronson for a week.

The 'Mean Girls' actress - whose tumultuous romance with the 31-year-old DJ ended earlier this month - admits it took her several days to understand her relationship had broken down.

Asked if there is anything more difficult than playing out the end of a relationship in the public eye, Lindsay replied: "When you don't know you're breaking up. Really weird.

"I had no idea what was going on. I just hadn't seen her in like a week. She like, disappeared."

Despite her initial shock Lindsay claims she has now come to terms with the break-up, but refuses to rule out reuniting with Samantha.

She told US TV talk show host Ellen DeGeneres: "When people are together so much it gets really difficult and you forget who you are because you're more concerned about being with the other person, I think it's been really good for me. I thought it would be so much harder and it hasn't been. I've had great people surrounding me.

"I really care about Samantha and we'll see what happens. Maybe when we're fully in the right place. And I love her."

Lindsay also rubbished claims Samantha ended their affair because she cheated on the DJ, insisting she does not believe in infidelity.

The 22-year-old star is now planning to focus on her acting career and already has plans to star in a new movie.

She explained: "I feel like I want to get my career back in shape. There are some shows I'm producing that I'm really excited about. I'm doing a movie in October."
taken from : China Daily

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Lily Allen's frozen fine

Lily Allen has been fined $2,000 for an ice cream fight.

The 'Fear' singer received the costly cleaning bill after causing havoc backstage to celebrate the end of the North American leg of her tour.

The star wrote on her Twitter account: "Had a massive ice cream fight, dressing room based, cost me $2000. End of tour, time to get mashed. Props to natalie portmans shaved head. (sic)" Lily had performed at the Phoenix Concert Theatre in Toronto, Canada, and will enjoy a seven-day break before heading to the Magazzini Generali in Milan, Italy, on April 29.

Despite admitting she couldn't wait to get "mashed", the 23-year-old star recently blamed her wild ways and excessive drinking for almost ruining her career.

Lily became well known for her partying ways when she released her debut album 'Alright, Still' in 2006 and was worried it would detract from her music.

She said: "I took a bit of a beating the first time around. I became more famous for being a train wreck than a singer. I didn't think I was capable of writing songs and making music."

taken from : China Daily

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`Idol' finalists sing to stay alive on Disco Night

In this image released by Fox, contestant Adam Lambert performs on 'American Idol' on Tuesday, April 21, 2009 in Los Angeles. [Agencies]

NEW YORK – "American Idol" is boogeying toward another elimination.

Tuesday night's worrisome theme was "disco," and a number of finalists impressed the judges with groovy versions of '70s classics.

"This bunch right here is one of the most talented groups of seven kids we've ever had on the show," declared judge Randy Jackson.

As expected, the seemingly unstoppable force known as Adam Lambert had Simon Cowell and the gang wrapped around his finger. The 27-year-old "Idol" frontrunner wowed the panel with his restrained, emotional delivery of the 1977 hit "If I Can't Have You" by Yvonne Elliman.

Paula Abdul — who had a dreamy look on her face — said she felt Lambert's "pain." The judge called the theater actor fascinating, brilliant and a shoo-in for the finals of the Fox singing contest.

In another bold declaration, she also told Danny Gokey he'd make it to the final stretch. The smokey-voiced singer crooned the 1978 hit "September" by Earth, Wind & Fire, giving off a Michael-McDonald-performing-at-a-wedding vibe. Abdul cooed that he has "one of the sexiest voices."

But Cowell didn't share the Gokey love. The hard-to-please judge picked on the singer for lacking star power.

Teen phenom Allison Iraheta and heartthrob Kris Allen nailed their respective renditions of "Hot Stuff" and "She Works Hard for the Money."

Matt Giraud tackled "Stayin' Alive" — an oh-so-appropriate song choice, given his last-minute save by judges last week. Cowell detected desperation in Giraud's hard-working performance, while the rest of the panel praised his singing chops.

Cowell, as usual, saved his harshest criticism for Lil Rounds. The 24-year-old Memphis mom has spiraled downward on "Idol," transforming from a major frontrunner to an embattled bottom-dweller. Cowell derided Rounds' rousing cover of "I'm Every Woman" as copycat and "a mess."

Going a step further, he predicted "this is gonna be the last time we're ever gonna see you."

Two finalists will get the boot on Wednesday's results show. This time, judges won't be able to save a singer from elimination, since they used up their one-time save option last week.

taken from : China Daily

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Double elimination as "Idol" nears home stretch

Performer Lil Rounds poses at the party for the 12 finalists of the television show "American Idol" in Los Angeles, March 5, 2009. [Agencies]

NEW YORK – Two of the seven remaining finalists on TV's "American Idol," Lil Rounds and Anoop Desai, were sent home on Wednesday when fans cast the fewest votes for their performances during the hit talent show's disco-themed week.

Rounds, who sang "I'm Every Woman," and Desai, who performed "Dim All the Lights," had both faced elimination in recent weeks by repeatedly placing among the bottom vote-getters, and both seemed resigned to their fates.

"I'm still really disappointed," Desai, of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, said during the program.

"I'm coming home," added Rounds, addressing her husband and three children.

The double elimination followed last week's judges' save of Matt Giraud, who would have been eliminated had the show's four judges not used their once-per-season veto power to keep him singing for at least another week.

Giraud made the most of his opportunity with his performance of "Stayin' Alive."

The judges reserved some of their harshest words for Rounds' Tuesday performance, with Simon Cowell correctly predicting it would spell the end of the competition for the Memphis singer.

Of Desai, Cowell said, "It was a horrible version of that song." He also told the singer, "That was your worst performance by a mile." But some of the other judges disagreed.

Allison Iraheta was the week's other bottom-three finisher. The teenager is the last remaining female contender. The other finalists are Adam Lambert, Danny Gokey and Kris Allen.

"American Idol" pits aspiring singers against one another in a series of competitions that focus on a musical theme each week. It is the most-watched television show in the United States, with more than 24 million viewers per episode broadcast by the Fox network, a unit of News Corp.

Past winners of the competition such as Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood, as well as runners-up such as Clay Aiken, have gone on to lucrative careers in music as well as in film and on Broadway.

The winner of the show's eighth season will be announced during a live finale next month.

taken from : China Daily

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Hugh Jackman's matchmaker son

Hugh Jackman (2nd left) poses for photographers with (L-R) daughter Ava, wife Deborra-Lee Furness and son Oscar during a ceremony where the actor places his hand and foot prints in cement in front of the Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood April 21, 2009. [Agencies]

Hugh Jackman's eight-year-old son loves pointing out "hot chicks".

The 'X Men Origins: Wolverine' actor - who raises Oscar and three-year-old Ava with his wife Deborra-Lee Furness - can't decide whether to be embarrassed or impressed when Oscar shows him attractive girls when they are out.

Hugh said: "My son is already scoping the crowd for chicks. It's unbelievable. The other day he said to me, 'Dad, two o'clock. Hot chick.' I'm like, 'What?' He goes, 'They're hot aren't they?' I go, 'They're about fourteen.' They're fourteen by the way. He's eight. And so part of me is going, 'Yeah, go on son,' and part of me is like, 'Oscar they're fourteen, I can't comment on whether they're hot or not.'

Hugh - who was inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Tuesday (21.04.09) - also revealed Oscar only shows interest in his movie career when he wants to speak to a girl.

The 40-year-old actor explained to US talk show host Jay Leno: "He walks on over to them, I swear, he walks over and I could hear him, he goes, 'Hi, how are you? I just want you to know my dad is Wolverine.' He doesn't normally talk to me about Wolverine at all, it's a funny thing, he's normally quiet about it."

taken from : China Daily

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Zhang Ziyi coy over marriage and baby plans

Emporio Armani ambassador Zhang Ziyi appeared in Hong Kong on Wednesday to promote the fashion brand. [Photo: sina.com]

Emporio Armani ambassador Zhang Ziyi appeared in Hong Kong on Wednesday to promote the fashion brand. [Photo: sina.com]

Emporio Armani ambassador Zhang Ziyi appeared in Hong Kong on Wednesday to promote the fashion brand.

Zhang, has been paired with Taiwan/Japanese actor Takeshi Kaneshiro (Jin Chengwu in Chinese), the first Asian male face, in Emporio Armani's advertising campaign this year.

The actress spoke frankly about her relationship with her would-be husband Vivi Nevo. However, she denied their wedding plans for 2009 that was reportedly spelled out by Nevo last year while confirming she would only come up with her baby plans after two years.

Actress Zhang Ziyi leads the female list and is set to take second spot when Forbes China unveils its 2009 list of Chinese celebrity rankings in the middle of March.

When asked about her thoughts on being the best-selling mainland actress, Zhang played it down, saying nothing had been confirmed yet.

The actress, who actively campaigns for public charities, will take part in a series of events marking the one year anniversary of the Sichuan earthquake.

taken from : China Daily

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Sleepless nights for Mariah Carey

Singer Mariah Carey arrives at the 24th annual Spirit Awards in Santa Monica, California February 21, 2009. [Agencies]

Mariah Carey is suffering from insomnia.

The singer is struggling to get to sleep at night and has taken to watching her husband Nick Cannon doze peacefully while she is wide awake.

She wrote on her Twitter page: "I just finished working out. Whooo! Quite naturally, 'its 5am and I still can't sleep'(sung like 'crybaby' from 'Rainbow' 99)lol Who's up?

"Nick is too cute when he's sleep! I wish he didn't have to work tomorrow so he could help me sleep all day and I could sing all nite (sic)!"

Mariah is not the only celebrity to suffer from sleepless nights.

Robbie Williams often finds it difficult to drop off, especially after a live show.

A source said: "Rob has a problem sleeping and it's very hard for him to know what to do after he has performed."

Brad Pitt - who has six children with partner Angelina Jolie - recently revealed fatherhood has ruined his sleep.

He said: "Being a parent is the one thing that really keeps you up at night. Angelina and I have to be smart and prepared, and we are more responsible when it comes to the areas we decide to visit."

Salma Hayek also revealed that after having her daughter Valentina Paloma in September 2007, she didn't sleep for six months.

She said: "I don't even remember what my life was like before. I can tell you that I don't sleep. This is a cliche but it's true. I haven't slept in the last six months.

"The blessing of having a healthy child, I think is the best thing that can happen to anyone."
taken from : China Daily

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Emma Watson predicting Potter pain

Emma Watson

Emma Watson will be an "uncontrollable" wreck when she finishes filming 'Harry Potter'.

The British star is devastated at the thought of not working with the cast and crew members when shooting on the hit franchise wraps next year.

She said: "I will be uncontrollable. It's been half of our lives. It's made us, it's formed us. It's such a big part of my life, so it will be really sad - and so much of the crew who have been there since the beginning are like my family."

Despite working on the boy wizard movies for over 10 years, the 19-year-old actress admits she doesn't socialise with her main co-stars Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint off set.

She explained to Interview magazine: "To be honest, we see so much of each other when we're working that hanging out together would be overload. I love them, but I need to see other friends off set. They're like my siblings now.

"We will always be very important to each other. But, at the same time, after eight 'Harry Potter' films, we'll be ready to go and do other things, and be other people, and have time for ourselves."

Emma is set to start at Yale University this September.
taken from : China Daily

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Hugh Jackman sinks hands into Hollywood history

Hugh Jackman signs his name during a ceremony where the actor places his hand and foot prints in cement in front of the Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood April 21, 2009. [Agencies]

Hugh Jackman reacts during a ceremony where the actor places his hand and foot prints in cement in front of the Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood April 21, 2009. [Agencies]

Hugh Jackman waves to the crowd during a ceremony where the actor places his hand and foot prints in cement in front of the Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood April 21, 2009. [Agencies]

Hugh Jackman signs his name during a ceremony where the actor places his hand and foot prints in cement in front of the Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood April 21, 2009. [Agencies]

Hugh Jackman (2nd left) poses for photographers with (L-R) daughter Ava, wife Deborra-Lee Furness and son Oscar during a ceremony where the actor places his hand and foot prints in cement in front of the Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood April 21, 2009. [Agencies]

Tonight Show host Jay Leno (L) introduces Hugh Jackman during a ceremony where the actor places his hand and foot prints in cement in front of the Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood April 21, 2009. [Agencies]

Hugh Jackman reacts during a ceremony where the actor places his hand and foot prints in cement in front of the Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood April 21, 2009. [Agencies]

Hugh Jackman signs his name during a ceremony where the actor places his hand and foot prints in cement in front of the Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood April 21, 2009. [Agencies]

Hugh Jackman is seen during a ceremony where the actor places his hand and foot prints in cement in front of the Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood April 21, 2009. [Agencies]

Hugh Jackman speaks during a ceremony where the actor places his hand and foot prints in cement in front of the Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood April 21, 2009. [Agencies]

LOS ANGELES – Hugh Jackman, star of the upcoming "X-Men Origins: Wolverine," immortalized his name in Hollywood history on Tuesday by sinking his hand and foot prints into cement outside the famous Grauman's Chinese Theater.

The movie house on Hollywood Boulevard is a key tourist attraction, where for 82 years stars such as Cary Grant and Judy Garland have been honored by stamping their own signed hand and foot prints into the theater's forecourt.

Jackman recalled a previous trip to the venue with his wife, saying it was the first Hollywood landmark he visited in Los Angeles, and while there he put his hands into the prints of late comedian Peter Sellers.

"Here we are, 12 years later," he told a crowd at the ceremony.

"It's a very humbling moment as an actor to be here. You look down at the names, from Fred Astaire to Cary Grant, Clint Eastwood, Al Pacino, Steve McQueen, John Wayne, and to think that those people have been immortalized and pretty soon I'll be putting my hands in wet cement," Jackman said, before planting his palms in the concrete.

In two weeks, the Australian actor debuts the new "X-Men Origins" movie, reprising his role as conflicted "mutant" Wolverine, who battles other, evil mutants trying to control the world.

Wolverine has sharp blades that protrude from his knuckles. He is among the most popular of X-Men comic book characters on which the films are based. There have been three "X-Men" movies, and combined they have grossed more than $1.1 billion at global box offices.

Jackman, 40, is known as a versatile actor who has starred in a range of movies from action adventures like "Swordfish" to romances such as last year's "Australia." He has enjoyed a Tony-winning stage career on Broadway and recently hosted Hollywood's Oscars.

taken from : China Daily

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