Rihanna: Brown's assault, aftermath 'humiliating'

FILE - In this June 11, 2009 file photo, singer Rihanna watches the second quarter of Game 4 of the NBA basketball finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and Orlando Magic in Orlando, Fla. [Agencies]

LOS ANGELES – Rihanna says dealing with the media attention after being assaulted in February by ex-boyfriend Chris Brown was humiliating. But she now hopes to speak for young women who are afraid to talk openly about domestic violence.

The 21-year-old pop star told Glamour magazine in an interview posted online Tuesday that the police photo of her bruised face that was leaked to reporters added insult to injury.

After the assault, she awoke to find helicopters circling her house and reporters swarming her street. "I felt like I went to sleep as Rihanna and woke up as Britney Spears," she said.

Rihanna said she felt disappointed and taken advantage of, especially when she heard that the two officers under investigation for leaking her photo were women.

"I felt like people were making it into a fun topic on the Internet, and it's my life," she said.

Rihanna said she didn't realize how much her decisions affected people she didn't know, like her many fans. She feels stronger, wiser and more aware now, she added.

"Domestic violence is a big secret," Rihanna said. "The positive thing that has come out of my situation is that people can learn from that. I want to give as much insight as I can to young women, because I feel like I represent a voice that really isn't heard. Now I can help speak for those women."

Brown, 20, pleaded guilty to felony assault in June. He was sentenced to five years' probation, six months of community labor and a year of domestic violence counseling for the attack, in which he was accused of hitting, choking and biting Rihanna in a rented sports car.

TMZ published the photo of Rihanna's bruised face less than two weeks after the beating, and the LAPD immediately launched an internal investigation of the leak.

taken from : China Daily

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Mariah Carey gives hope through song

Mariah Carey uses "uplifting" songs to help troubled fans.

The 'Hero' hitmaker stars in harrowing movie 'Precious' - based on best-selling novel 'Push' about an obese teenager who has two children through incestuous rape - and believes her music has helped girls in similar situations to the main character.

She said: "There are a lot of girls that I see at my shows that may fit the description of what people might think a 'Precious' girl is. When I sing certain songs, you really see that it brings out emotions in them.

"I see tears of gratitude or joy because they relate to the message. So that's why I continue to do songs that I feel will be uplifting."

Mariah - who plays a social worker in the film - said she could relate to the plight of the characters in 'Push', but it also made her more aware of other people's suffering.

She added to Parade magazine: "I guess the button that the story pushed in me would be just empathy. I mean your heart has to go out to Precious because she is going through so much. It touched me as a woman. It touched me just as a person.

"It's like you think, 'Maybe I've walked past someone who is a girl like this and not really focused on them or just totally ignored them.'

"And it's also one of those things where you relate something in yourself, your own feelings of doubt and negativity. And while you haven't suffered nearly as much, you know what you've gone through is similar."

taken from : China Daily

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Sean Penn's teenage son Hopper 'arrested at his high school'

Divorce underway ... Sean Penn and Robin-Wright Penn.[Agencies]

The teenage son of double Oscar-winner Sean Penn has been arrested at his Los Angeles school, reports say.

Hopper Penn, 16, was escorted by member of the LA County Sherriff’s Office from his Malibu high school, according to Radar Online.

Little details are known about the reason why Hopper was detained as his age restricts authorities from elaborating on his arrest.

The news comes at a difficult time for the family, with Sean and his wife Robin-Wright Penn in the middle of divorce proceedings.

Penn, 49, has won two Best Actor Academy Awards for his roles in Clint Eastwood’s Mystic River and Gus Van Sant’s Milk.

Last month, it was reported that Penn had flown to Cuba to interview Fidel Castro about how US President Barack Obama’s policies had affected his country.

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Eminem, Lady Gaga join American Music Awards lineup

Eminem and Lady Gaga have been added to the performer lineup for the American Music Awards. The 37th annual show, which airs on ABC live from Los Angeles on November 22, will also feature performances from Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, Jennifer Lopez, the Black Eyed Peas and, in the television debut of the title track from his upcoming album For Your Entertainment, Adam Lambert.

The show will be an "American Idol" reunion of sorts, as alumni Kelly Clarkson, Chris Daughtry and Carrie Underwood will perform as well.

The awards show will feature a similarly glittering array of nominees determined by data from Nielsen SoundScan radio and retail figures, with Taylor Swift in the lead with six nominations, followed by the late Michael Jackson and Eminem at five apiece. Though Jackson had not released new material for nearly a decade, his nominations are based on the strong sales of his catalog albums following his June 25 death.

Swift's nominations include Artist of the Year; Favorite Country Album (for Fearless); Favorite Female Pop or Rock Artist; and Favorite Female Country Artist. MJ was also recognized in the Pop or Rock Artist of Year category, Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist and Favorite Soul/R&B Album (for Number Ones). Em's nominations include Artist of the Year; Favorite Male Pop or Rock Artist; Favorite Male Rap/Hip-Hop Artist; and Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album (for Relapse).

Other multiple-category nominees include Lady Gaga, T.I., Kings of Leon, Beyoncé and the Peas, who all have three. For the third year, winners will be determined by online voting.

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Horror videogames scare up record sales

Joel Baker from Anaheim, California attends Comic-Con International dressed as horror film character Freddy Krueger in San Diego, California July 26, 2007.[Agencies]

RALEIGH, North Carolina - What do Jigsaw from "Saw," Freddy Krueger, and Jason from "Friday the 13th" all have in common, besides serial killing? Videogames, if the horror stars' latest round of promotions are to be believed.

Horror videogames are having a record year as zombies, monsters, demons, and chain-saw wielding psychos fight against the consoles, making videogames the new home of horror for some.

Michael Pachter, video-game analyst for Wedbush Morgan Securities, said about $147 million worth of horror videogames have sold in the United States alone this year through September compared to $131 million in total for all of 2008.

Actor Kane Hodder, best known as the man behind Jason's mask in the "Friday the 13th" movies, believes scary games have an advantage over horror movies as disillusionment sets in with horror movie remakes and recycling old horror themes.

"Whenever horror movies do well, Hollywood always rushes more into theaters and people get a little burned out on them," said Hodder, who has worked in the videogame industry.

"But with games, there are fewer choices in the genre and they tend to be spaced out better."

With Halloween this week, movies like "Saw VI," "Paranormal State" and "Zombieland" are luring audiences seeking a scare to the movie theaters.

Haunted attractions have also risen across the United States, with these increasingly high-tech venues doing everything possible to make a scary scenario seem real, which includes hiring actors to jump out at people and using theatrical sets.

HORROR IN YOUR HANDS

But actor Robert Englund, who played Freddy Krueger in the "Nightmare on Elm Street" films, said videogames gave horror-seekers a different experience.

"Halloween gives fans the chance to dress up in costumes and celebrate horror, but videogames are the best way for fans to actually participate in these worlds," he told Reuters.

For those looking for virtual scares this Halloween, there are some new options. Konami Digital Entertainment and Zombie Studios just released "Saw" on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in tandem with the new movie that features killer Jigsaw putting his victims in deadly contraptions to torture them.

"The game, itself, is very "Saw"-like because you get to make a bunch of different choices," explained actor Tobin Bell, who plays Jigsaw in the new game and the six films in the series.

"Of course, the choices have consequences, which is very much like the films. What's interesting for fans is that the game is set between the first and second films, so it will be a new experience for them."

However the monster of the horror videogame genre remains Capcom's "Resident Evil 5," which was launched on Friday, March 13, this year.

Video-game tracking firm the NPD Group said Capcom has sold 1.94 million copies of "Resident Evil 5" to date.

"Resident Evil 5" is a survival horror videogame where players fight off zombie-like enemies.

"Individual games like Capcom's "Devil May Cry" and Atari's "Alone in the Dark" have been big, and there are a few new games that hit the genre like Electronic Arts' "Dead Space" and "Dante's Inferno" which will do pretty well, but to date, the "Resident Evil" brand is exactly half of all sales," said Pachter.

Fans can blow away new zombies in Capcom's Wii exclusive, "Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles," which goes on sale from November 17.

"Resident Evil: Afterlife," the fourth movie based on the horror game franchise from Sony Pictures, is currently filming in Toronto. The first 3D movie in the franchise will hit theaters next year. Konami has the latest installment in its best-selling "Silent Hill" franchise out in December. "Silent Hill: Shattered Memories" offers a new perspective on the original game set in the haunted town of Silent Hill and known for disturbing psychological horror.

Electronic Arts has a pair of horror offerings for gamers. The publisher recently shipped "Dead Space: Extraction" for Wii, which is a prequel to last fall's Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC hit. "Dead Space 2" is in development for next year.

This sci-fi horror franchise pits players against lethal aliens that come in all different monstrous shapes and sizes.

EA and Valve Software release "Left 4 Dead 2" on Xbox 360 and PC on November 17. The original game, which pits humans against zombies that have taken over the United States, sold over 1.92 million copies on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC in the United States.

taken from : China Daily

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Lady GaGa and Madonna to collaborate?

Lady GaGa has hinted that she might collaborate with Madonna.

The 51-year-old recently praised GaGa, saying that she 'saw herself' in the 'LoveGame' star, to which the latter has now responded.

"Madonna is great," Angry Ape quotes her as saying. "And I guess I could say we are friends. I love her daughter Lourdes. She is such a lovely young girl. She came to my show with her mum and we got along famously.

"We got along fine and we did the skit together on SNL and helped the writers. So who knows [about a collaboration]?"

taken from : China Daily

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Mariah Carey's diva dogs

Mariah Carey's dogs have their own entourage.

The singer insisted having assistants on hand for her Jack Russell pooches Cha Cha and JJ while filming a recent commercial, but insists she is not a diva.

She told Britain's Hello! magazine: "My puppies are starring in this ad with me, too. I had my team with me but the pups had a mini entourage of their own, of course! And why wouldn't they? It was a big shoot and even my entourage had an entourage - my stylist had an assistant, my security had extra security.

"The shoot was based on the fact that some people think I'm a demanding diva. I have no idea why people have that impression!"

The 'Fantasy' singer has previously admitted to feeling baffled by her "demanding" reputation.

She said: "I am baffled, shocked and appalled when I am called a diva. I've never done one diva-ish thing in my life. The actual definition of a diva is a woman who sings well.

"The secondary definition is a woman who is difficult to deal with. I hope I am the first, but I really don't think I am the second. I don't believe I am truly nasty and act in a bad way."

taken from : China Daily

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Mel Gibson and his girlfriend welcome a baby girl

FILE - In this April 28, 2009 file photo, Oksana Grigorieva and Mel Gibson arrive to the 'X-Men Origins: Wolverine' screening on, in Los Angeles. [Agencies]

LOS ANGELES – Mel Gibson and his girlfriend are welcoming the birth of the couple's first child — making the Oscar-winner a father for the eighth time.

Gibson's publicist Alan Nierob said Monday that Oksana Grigorieva gave birth to a baby girl named Lucia on Friday at a hospital in Los Angeles.

No further details were available.

The 53-year-old "Braveheart" star has seven children with his ex-wife, Robyn. She cited irreconcilable differences in her April divorce petition to end their marriage of 28 years.

Grigorieva is a 39-year-old Russian musician. She and Gibson met while filming "Edge of Reason." Gibson is currently filming "The Beaver," directed by Jodie Foster.

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"This Is It" final box office tally rises

Tito (L), Marlon (C) and Jackie Jackson pose at the premiere of the documentary "This Is It" in Los Angeles October 27, 2009. The documentary includes interviews, rehearsals and backstage footage of Michael Jackson as he prepared for his shows in London and opens in the U.S. on October 28. [Agencies]

LOS ANGELES – Michael Jackson concert movie "This Is It" saw opening weekend ticket sales in the U.S. and Canada rise by 9 percent from initial estimates to a total $23.2 million, according to final studio figures on Monday.

The movie has made another $69.5 million internationally since its Wednesday opening, up from an original box office estimate of $68.5 million, film studio Columbia Pictures said.

In total, the movie has made $103.9 million at worldwide box offices, said Columbia Pictures, the Sony Corp division that paid $60 million for the video used in the film.

"This Is It" follows Jackson during his final weeks of rehearsal for a planned series of 50 shows in London.

The concerts were canceled when the "Thriller" singer died on June 25 from an overdose of powerful medication in Los Angeles, and investigators are probing his death.

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Kate Hudson's sober struggle

Kate Hudson found it hard to give up alcohol.

The blonde actress had to lose 20lbs to play a terminally ill woman in new movie 'Earthbound' and says the only way to do it was by cutting out drinking, even though it's something she enjoys.

She said: "I love my glass of wine. I love tequila. To be in New York for two weeks and not have one beverage, I'm not sure I've ever done that!"

Kate - who is dating New York Yankees baseball star Alex 'A-Rod' Rodriguez - also spoke of her joy at being a woman and the power she feels it gives her.

She told Britain's Elle magazine: "I love being a girl. I love clothes and I love the rituals of facials and body treatments, all the stuff girls get, make-up, scarves, hats.

"And we're like a tribe. That's just our nature. You get a group of women together and, somehow, we keep it together. I love that we can be that powerful, as a group. Men, you know, it's survival of the fittest."

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Rihanna says domestic violence could happen to anyone

Singer Rihanna poses for photographers as she arrives at the British premiere of "Inglourious Basterds" at Leicester Square in London July 23, 2009.[Agencies]

LOS ANGELES - Pop singer Rihanna is due to speak for the first time about the night she was beaten by her ex-boyfriend Chris Brown, saying in a TV interview that this could happen to anyone.

R&B singer Brown, 20, was sentenced to five years probation and community service in August for attacking Rihanna, 21, on the eve of the Grammy Awards in February. He has since apologized for the assault but has remained largely out of the media spotlight.

In an interview with Diana Sawyer due to be aired on ABC's program "Good Morning America" on Thursday and Friday this week, the Barbadian singer says Brown was "definitely my first big love."

"This happened to me ... it can happen to anyone," she told Sawyer according to a statement from ABC.

Brown and Rihanna were among the fastest rising R&B artists in the United States before the assault which led to Brown losing several commercial sponsorships and triggered a national debate on violent relationships.

Rihanna released a new single, "Russian Roulette," in October and her fourth studio album "Rated R" is due to be released by label Def Jam Records later this month.

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"Glee" cast to get Hollywood diversity award

The cast of the new series "Glee" discuss the show at the Fox Summer Television Critics Association press tour in Pasadena, California August 6, 2009. Left to right (front row) are Jane Lynch, Lea Michele and Cory Monteith; (back row) Jayma Mays, Jessalyn Gilsig and Jenna Ushkowitz. [Agencies]

LOS ANGELES- The cast of the quirky Fox TV show "Glee" will be presented with a Hollywood diversity award in November for their portrayal of a group of teen oddballs with a passion for song and dance.

The Diversity Awards committee said on Saturday that the "Glee" cast had won the favorite new diverse ensemble cast award for 2009.

The musical comedy series features an array of students in an uncool high school glee club, including a boy in a wheelchair, a geeky girl, a gay student, an Asian and an overweight African-American girl.

"The bunch are determined to overcome the odds and make it to the big time both in high school and the world beyond," the Diversity Awards executive committee said in a statement.

"Twilight"'s Korean-American actor Justin Chon, Nigerian-English-American newcomer Hope Olaide Wilson and Taraji P. Henson -- both stars of the Tyler Perry movie "I Can Do Bad All By Myself" -- are also among those to be honored at the November 22 awards gala.

The Diversity Awards are presented annually by the Multicultural Motion Picture Association to promote story lines, characters and actors of all backgrounds in the Hollywood film and TV industry.

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Jude Law 'torn' between kids

Jude Law is "torn" between his new daughter and his other three children.

The 36-year-old actor is said to be keen to meet his five week old daughter, Sophia, with US model Samantha Burke – the result of a brief relationship last Christmas – but wants to be sure his three other children are comfortable with the situation first.

Jude had originally said he wanted nothing further to do with Samantha, but vowed to support her and the baby financially.

A source said: "He felt it would be easiest to just pay Samantha and hope that she moved on and left him alone.

"But now he is feeling very torn. He is on the brink of going to see Sophia but first of all, he wants to make sure his older kids feel totally secure and to make them feel they are involved in what is one of the biggest decisions of his life."

Jude has three children, Rafferty, 13, Iris, nine and Rudy, seven from his marriage to fashion designer Sadie Frost.

The children are presently staying in New York with Jude -who is appearing in a Broadway production of Shakespeare's Hamlet - and his parents.

Last week Sadie reportedly flew out for Iris' birthday, but ended up arguing with her former spouse.

The source added to Britain's Daily Mail newspaper: "Sadie was going to stay for a few weeks and make the family feel whole again.

"But Jude told her she couldn't stay with him. He feels she is on his case about how he's split the family because of his ridiculous, irresponsible behaviour in getting Samantha pregnant.

"In the end, she stayed just for the weekend and she and Jude had a massive bust-up."

Samantha, who lives with her mother in Florida, appeared in Hello! Magazine last week with baby Sophia, and gave an interview in which she revealed she is hoping to move to a new city, citing London – Jude's hometown – as a possibility.
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'This Is It' tops charts with $101M worldwide

In this film publicity image released by Sony Pictures, the movie poster for Michael Jackson's 'This is It' film is shown. [Agencies]

LOS ANGELES – "Michael Jackson's This Is It" pulled in $101 million worldwide in its first five days, and distributor Sony is extending the farewell performance film beyond its planned two-week run.

The film was the No. 1 Halloween thriller domestically with a $21.3 million opening weekend, according to studio estimates Sunday.

The previous weekend's No. 1 movie, Paramount's low-budget horror sensation "Paranormal Activity," slipped to No. 2 with $16.5 million, lifting its total to $84.8 million.

"This Is It" raised its domestic total to $32.5 million. The movie pulled in $68.5 million overseas, including $10.4 million in Japan, $6.3 million in Germany, $5.8 million in France and $3.2 million in China.

"He's just loved everywhere on the planet," said Rory Bruer, head of distribution for Sony. "It doesn't matter if it's Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe, South America. Every continent in the world loved him and his music."

In Great Britain, where Jackson had planned a marathon series of 50 London concerts starting last July, the movie earned $7.6 million.

"This Is It" captures Jackson in behind-the-scenes performances in the weeks before his death last June, as he rehearsed his biggest hits for the London shows.

"This Is It" originally was scheduled for a theatrical run of only two weeks. The studio has extended it a few more weeks domestically, leaving it in theaters through Thanksgiving weekend, one of the year's busiest moviegoing times.

Sony plans to extend the run of "This Is It" overseas on a country-by-country basis, with most territories probably getting one to three weeks of extra playing time, Bruer said.

The studio paid $60 million for film rights to Jackson's rehearsal footage, an investment the movie recouped in days.

"They bet $60 million on this and got $101 million in just five days," said Paul Dergarabedian, box-office analyst for Hollywood.com. "It was a gamble and a bet that paid off."

The movie fell far short of last year's $31.1 million opening weekend domestically for "Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert." But Bruer said "This Is It" has a shot at surpassing the $65.3 million domestic total during the entire run of Cyrus' movie, which tops the all-time charts for music documentaries.

Worldwide, "This Is It" already has shot past Cyrus' concert film. Cyrus mainly appeals to American teens, and her movie got only a limited release overseas, where it took in about $5 million to give the film a global total of just over $70 million.

"This Is It" played in 3,481 theaters domestically, about five times the number for Cyrus' movie. But "Best of Both Worlds" ran in 3-D, for which theaters typically charge a few dollars more.

And Cyrus' young fans are an audience segment that tends to rush out to see movies over opening weekend, the movie doing nearly half its business in the first few days.

Sony hopes for a longer shelf life for "This Is It," which drew older crowds that catch movies on their own schedule, with less regard for the opening-weekend frenzy. Fans older than 25 accounted for 62 percent of the audience, according to Sony.

While "Paranormal Activity" led Halloween's scary movies, an established horror franchise lost its fear factor as Lionsgate's "Saw VI" fell sharply in its second weekend after an anemic debut.

"Saw VI" came in at No. 5 this weekend with $5.6 million, raising its total to just $22.8 million after 10 days. Previous sequels in the serial-killer series all had topped $30 million during opening weekend alone.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Hollywood.com; final figures will be released Monday:

1. "Michael Jackson's This Is It," $21.3 million.

2. "Paranormal Activity," $16.5 million.

3. "Law Abiding Citizen," $7.3 million.

4. "Couples Retreat," $6.1 million.

5. "Saw VI," $5.6 million.

6. "Where the Wild Things Are," $5.1 million.

7. "The Stepfather," $3.4 million.

8. "Astro Boy," $3.04 million.

9. "Amelia," $3 million.

10. "Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant," $2.8 million.

taken from : China Daily

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Brad Pitt, Oprah Winfrey Among White House Visitors

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Brad Pitt is on the White House guest list.

The star is one of several celebs who have visited the White House since President Barack Obama took office, according to White House records released on Friday.

In fact, Brad has made the trip twice.

Oprah Winfrey, a major backer of Obama during his presidential campaign, has also made a pair of appearances at the White House.

Other celebs who have made the trip include George Clooney, Denzel Washington, director Michael Moore and tennis star Serena Williams.

The White House’s most popular celeb, though, might be basketball legend Michael Jordan, whose name is listed eight times (as both “Mike” and “Michael”) – enough to wonder if the NBA great has gone one-on-one with the basketball-loving president.

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Madonna leaves Malawi after week's charity tour

US pop star Madonna, left, and her daughter Lourdes attend the ground breaking ceremony for her Raising Malawi Academy for Girls in Malawi, Monday, Oct. 26, 2009. Madonna who is funding the building of the school was the guest of honour at the function. The 51-year-old celebrity arrived in the impoverished southern African country on Sunday. She was accompanied by her four children — daughters Lourdes and Mercy, and sons Rocco and David. [Agencies]

LILONGWE, Malawi – Madonna has left Malawi after a nearly weeklong visit with her family, airport and charity officials said Saturday.

Officials said Madonna flew out of the southern African country on Friday. The 51-year-old celebrity arrived in the impoverished country on Sunday accompanied by her four children — daughters Lourdes and Mercy, and sons Rocco and David. Mercy and David were adopted from Malawi.

While in Malawi, she broke ground for her $15 million Raising Malawi Academy for Girls and visited the orphanage that cared for her son David before she adopted him.

Madonna's Raising Malawi, a charity founded in 2006 when she first visited the country, helps feed, educate and provide medical care for some of Malawi's orphans.

Malawi, a nation of 12 million, is one of the poorest countries in the world. About 500,000 children have lost a parent to AIDS.

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Selfish Sandra Bullock

Sandra Bullock says her selfish attitude is what's made her happy.

The 'Speed' actress - who is married to motocross enthusiast Jesse James - admits she has always put herself first and doesn't worry what anyone else thinks, even if they correctly advise her that her actions are wrong.

She said: "I never did anything according to what anyone else wanted. That's why I think I am happy. I do everything 100 per cent - even my stupidest missteps. I know when I'm getting ready to mess up, I'm going to do it full-on.

"I look back at some things and go, 'I can't believe I did that. But I know I can make amends,' and we can all laugh at it, because it's my mistake. I try not to blame it on anyone else unless I fully know it was their fault-and then I have no problem pointing the finger."

Sandra also revealed she always speaks her mind because she doesn't want to get taken advantage of.

She added: "I have to fight every single day to live my true life. I don't ever want to come home saying, 'I should have spoken my mind. I shouldn't have let someone say something that I didn't feel was right.' "

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Calle 13, Luis Fonsi set for Latin Grammy awards

Rene Perez and Eduardo Cabra (L) of the band Calle 13 arrive at the MTV Los Premios 09 awards in Los Angeles, California October 15, 2009. [Agencies]

MIAMI- You read it here first. Here are Billboard's predictions for the Latin Grammy Awards, which will be handed out on Thursday at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. As always, our choices are based on past voting behavior and recent trends in the Latin music market.

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Calle 13 member Rene Perez's profane rant against regional political leaders during the MTV Latin American Awards came three days after the October 12 close of voting for the Latin Grammys. That means the Puerto Rican hip-hop duo still has a shot at scoring album of the year for "Los de Atras Vienen Conmigo." Then again, Argentine singer Mercedes Sosa's death just one week before voting closed makes her a possible winner, out of respect and appreciation for "Cantora 1."

SONG OF THE YEAR

The winner has to be the continental hit "Aqui Estoy Yo," written by Luis Fonsi, Claudia Brant and Gen Rubin for Fonsi's album "Palabras del Silencio." The only other contender here is "Yo No Se Manana," penned by Jorge Luis Piloto and Jorge Villamizar for Nicaraguan singer Luis Enrique. Although a smash stateside, the song is just starting to hit big in other countries.

RECORD OF THE YEAR

"Aqui Estoy Yo" will probably win in this category as well, but Italian pop singer Laura Pausini's "En Cambio No" has a shot too, given its beauty and its hit status in many markets.

BEST NEW ARTIST

Among this year's impressive list of nominees, the winner will be Mexico's Alexander Acha, who has the most name recognition in different countries. Luz Rios, who can sing and write, is a deserving nominee who is, unfortunately, little-known outside the United States.

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR

Nominees Sergio George and Cachorro Lopez have both won this award before. This year, due to sheer output as well as his impeccable handling of multiple genres, the honor should go to Aureo Baqueiro.

BEST POP DUO OR GROUP ALBUM

This is a hotly contested category with a major Spanish component. Our bet is with Spanish pop/rock band La Quinta Estacion, which straddles Spain and Mexico and whose "Sin Frenos" is one of the most beautiful -- and commercially successful -- albums of the year.

BEST MALE POP VOCAL ALBUM

Who's glaringly absent among the nominees? Luis Fonsi, whose "Palabras del Silencio" would have won hands down. Given the Latin Recording Academy's inexplicable failure to nominate him in this category, our vote goes to Argentine rock pianist Fito Paez's "No Se Si Es Baires o Es Madrid," which was accompanied by a region-wide tour.

While many people might be quick to dismiss reggaeton (or the music it's evolved into) and back Calle 13, our bet is on Wisin & Yandel's "La Revolucion," a hard-worked, hard-earned album that has great hit singles.

BEST TROPICAL SONG

Notwithstanding the success of "El Amor" by Tito "El Bambino," the song of the year was "Yo No Se Manana," performed by Luis Enrique. And Enrique's album "Ciclos" will nab best salsa album as well.

BEST SINGER/SONGWRITER ALBUM

Now this is a hot category. Will Franco De Vita finally get a long-deserved Latin Grammy with "Simplemente La Verdad?" Probably not, although the beauty of his album and his decision to invite emerging singer/songwriters to tour with him this year should make him a shoo-in. "Zi e Zie" by Brazilian legend Caetano Veloso, a past winner in this category, will likely prevail over "Simplemente" and Ricardo Arjona's "5o Piso," another gem.
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Report: Mel Gibson welcomes eighth child

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Mel Gibson has become “Octo-Mel,” according to RadarOnline.

The actor has reportedly welcomed a baby daughter, his first child with girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva, the site reported.

The baby reportedly arrived a few weeks early from the Russian singer’s December due date.

Mel’s longtime rep had no comment on the report when reached by Access Hollywood.

Mel has seven children with his estranged wife, Robyn, who filed for divorce in April.

Mel stepped out publicly with Oksana shortly thereafter.

He confirmed her pregnancy on “The Tonight Show” in May, explaining to then-host Jay Leno that he and Robyn had been separated for “three years.”

“I guess I’m Octo-Mel,” he joked at the time.

While RadarOnline reported Mel and Oksana as engaged, the singer said during an appearance on Britain’s “GMTV” in September that the couple had no plans to walk down the aisle.

“We have no plans whatsoever. I haven’t thought about it – we haven’t spoken about it,” she said at the time.

The new baby is the second child for Oksana, who has a 12-year-old child with former “James Bond” star Timothy Dalton.

taken from : China Daily

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Boyzone 'in pieces' at coffin vigil

Boyzone singer Ronan Keating

Spending the night with Stephen Gately's coffin made Boyzone "fall to pieces".

The Irish boyband have broken their silence over the sudden and unexpected death of Stephen last month, and described the night they spent alone with him at church ahead of his funeral on October 17.

Lead singer Ronan Keating told Sky News: "To turn up on the Friday night at the funeral home was the hardest thing I think I've ever had to do in my life. And I think all the lads feel the same, I know they do.

"When I walked into the funeral home I just crumbled. I fell to pieces. It was there that I realised he was gone, really gone."

Ronan and band members Shane Lynch, Keith Duffy and Mikey Graham had accompanied Stephen's body from Majorca, where he was staying in his holiday home with husband Andy Cowley when he died after a night out aged 33.

They then took the unusual move of staying with his body overnight at St Laurence O'Toole's church in Dublin, where the funeral was held, because they didn't want Stephen to be alone.

Ronan added: "All of us are so happy that we did it. It was our last real night together as a five-piece, and it felt like that - it felt like we were quiet.

"We lay on the floor to the left of the coffin in our sleeping bags and we cried and we laughed and we could hear him telling us jokes and answering back, what he would say back.

"We didn't get much sleep - a little bit but that's not what it was about - it was just about spending time with Steve and we knew Steve well. He didn't like the dark, he didn't like being on his own."

The band also revealed Stephen had already recorded vocals for two tracks wich will be included on their next album.

taken from : China Daily

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