Saturday, October 17, 2009

Goodbye Stephen Gately




Looking at these pictures literally brought tears to my eyes.

Stephen Gately, former member of the Irish group Boyzone was laid to rest today, a week after he died of natural causes while vacationing in Majorca. The singer was 33 years old.

A private memorial service was held last night for his family and close friends while the funeral service was held today in Dublin, Ireland. Ronan Keating, one of the remaining members of Boyzone broke down in tears while eulogizing Stephen.

"The world has lost one of its brightest stars, we have lost our brother."

The remaining guys also rendered a tribute to their fallen bandmate.

Boyzone was first formed in 1993 by Louis Walsh who is also responsible for putting together my heartstring band Westlife.

For me the group's song No Matter What stands out in my mind as Stephen's Song as his vocals are features prominently.

I can't embed the video but it can be viewed here.

Rest in peace Stephen.



Saturday, September 5, 2009

Rihanna in Italian Vogue




Rihanna sent many tongues wagging with her recent spread in Italian Vogue. Some marvelled at how good the Good Girl Gone Bad singer looked while others questioned her image.

Now my take on this is simple. Leave the girl alone!!

If she were walking the street in these clothes I would have a serious problem with it (like I did when she was in Vegas a few months ago ) however, based on the context of this shoot, I see absolutely nothing wrong with it.

She modelled in a haute couture magazine for a fashion sector (Europe) that goes crazy for images like these. When Heidi Klum, Tyra Banks or Giselle Bunchen model this type of clothing no one questions their tact or their images but I find that her "homebodies" are always quick to say something about what they perceive as her negative image.

Vogue is one of the biggest high fashion magazines in the world, coupled with the fact that this version of the mag is marketed to the European market, I think she made an excellent showing for how beautiful Caribbean women are.



Tuesday, July 21, 2009

SYTYCD Piece

Most people remember Travis Wall as the enviable contemporary dancer from Virginia who was a huge talent on the second season of So You Think You Can Dance (he placed second).

Since then, Travis has been doing some choreography and last week, for the first time since leaving the show, he came back to choreograph a piece for one of the top 10 couples.

His piece was danced by Jason and Jeanine, both contemporary dancers and I think they got his vision perfectly.



No Paula for next Season's Idol


Just a week after it was announced that Ryan Seacrest had scored a deal to make him the highest paid reality show host ever, there seems to be some debate on whether or not Paula Abdul will be returning for season 9 of the highly rated show.

However, fellow judge Simon Cowell told Extra,

"She'll be fine. She'll be on the show, I don't get a lot of say. I've just made it clear that I want Paula on the show."

Paula's manager David Sonenberg raised concern over the weekend, telling the Los Angeles Times that the singer-dancer hasn't been offered a contract yet.

"She's not a happy camper as a result of what's going on. She's hurt," he told the paper.

Mind you, sometimes I personally find Paula a bit over the top, I still can't imagine the show without her.

Source: US Mag


Channing Tatum find his Inner Dirty Dancer


Channing Tatum dons his dancing shoes again 3 years after dancing his way into my heart in a Dirty Dancing parody for MSN.

Channing plays the Johnny Castle who was previously played by Patrick Swayze and Charlyne Yi plays Frances “Baby” Houseman, previously played by Jennifer Grey.

The Dirty Dancing parody airs next Tuesday on MSN.COM.



New New Moon Stills



Edward who????

Seriously, these new promo shots for the New Moon movie scheduled to be released in November are HOTTTT. Taylor Lautner has really come into his own as the werewolf/shape shifter Jacob.

After seeing these I am really excited to see this movie.

Monday, July 20, 2009

Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson Back Together???


For the first time since former Newlyweds Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey divorced in 2006, the pair has found themselves single together and healing from their respective recent breakups.

So I guess it only obvious that the media would be quick to report a reconciliation for the pair who once shared their life to the world via their reality show which was known for Jessica's blonde, southern wit.

Nick however has been quick to dispel those rumours.

"I think it’s fun storytelling, but there's very little truth to any of it. I certainly have heard about her breakup and I wish her the best, as I’ve always done. Aside from that, there really is nothing to say."

The singer went on to say that he has not spoken to Jessica in two years but he wishes her happiness in all that she does.

He was also asked about his recent breakup with former MTV VJ Vanessa Minillo and he said:
"I'm in a good place. I've learned, through years of not only being in this business, but being in relationships, that you have to take it as it goes. With every experience, you learn something about your life, and you try to take that and move on and be a better person because of it. We'll see what happens."



Chris Brown Issues an Apology

Holy Smokes!!!!

After waiting 5 months since the incident occurred, Chris Brown has finally made a statement with regards to the Rihanna incident. He is blaming his delay in commenting on his lawyers who wanted him to have the legal aspect over before he made any form of a statement.

My question is, how genuine is this statement, it's obviously rehearsed and repeated so does it come from his heart or is this his way of making sure he still has any semblance of a fan base going forward?

Many persons still feel he got a slap on the wrist with his community service and no real jail time, but do we honestly believe that Chris is regretful that his anger and temper got the best of him or is he more upset that his anger and temper were exposed???

I guess we will never know.

The video can be watched over at TMZ.COM.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Could "Oh Yea" be the Song of the Summer


Barbadian artists have been rolling in opportunities since Rihanna shed the spotlight on the country and this year another artist is hitting the scene.

Meet Jaicko, the 17 year old who has been signed to Capitol Records and is being compared to Chris Brown.

Already known in his home country, Jaicko has been busy recording his debut album since signing with Capitol.


Listen to his first single off that album and tell me what you think.


Monday, July 13, 2009

Ryan Seacrest = Highest Paid Reality Host

Forget scripted shows, the real money is clearly in reality shows. Ryan Seacrest just signed on to host Idol for another 3 seasons for a whopping $45 Million!!!

I'm sure he never expected that little show would make him sooo bankable...

Wonder if he has a sidekick...

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Channing Tatum Breaks the hearts of many girls...



...namely me....


Channing Tatum, who has been engaged to his Step Up sweetheart, Jenna Dewan since last year married the dancer/actress in a short ceremony witnessed by 200 of their closest friends and family.

"The stars said "I do" in a short, 15-minute ceremony on the grounds of Church Estates Vineyards, the same venue where Fergie and Josh Duhamel got married last January.

More than 200 guests attended the nuptials, which began at 3:45 p.m. PST. A source tells Us Dewan's maid of honor was Entourage star Emmanuelle Chriqui. Also in the bridal party was Tatum's sister Paige and Haylie Duff, who was accompanied by the groom's pal Nick Zano. The bridesmaids all wore light pink dresses."

The pair met on the set of Step Up in 2006.

Congrats!!!

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Fitting Farewell for the Incomparable MJ

Yesterday was all about Michael.

And that's the way it should have been. (not that slap dash tribute BET attempted). The Los Angeles Staples Centre brought together the biggest of stars to memorialize the King of Pop.

From Mariah Carey and Lionel Richie, to Brooke Shields and Usher, celebrities and fans alike paid tribute to their idol before he was taken to his final resting place, which from all reports remains unknown.

Perhaps the most touching part of the memorial was when his daughter, Paris Katherine Michael spoke and for me that was the breaking point.

She said Michael was "the best father you could ever imagine" and in my heart of hearts I honestly believe her.







After seeing the kids interaction with the rest of the Jackson family, I think it would be a travesty to take these kids from their family. After all this is the only family they have known and in my opinion, paternity and familial ties were never disputed when Michael was alive so why argue it now. These kids have lost the only parent they have ever known...staying with his family would be there way of being with him - they are old enough to know the difference.

Here are some pictures from the star studded event.





























Source: ConcreteLoop




Friday, June 26, 2009

Lisa Marie Presley says "He Knew"



Lisa Marie Pressley was married To MJ from 1994-1996 and she went to her Myspace Blog to speak about Michael's foresight into his own death.


"Years ago Michael and I were having a deep conversation about life in general.

I can't recall the exact subject matter but he may have been questioning me about the circumstances of my Fathers Death.

At some point he paused, he stared at me very intensely and he stated with an almost calm certainty, "I am afraid that I am going to end up like him, the way he did."

I promptly tried to deter him from the idea, at which point he just shrugged his shoulders and nodded almost matter of fact as if to let me know, he knew what he knew and that was kind of that.

14 years later I am sitting here watching on the news an ambulance leaves the driveway of his home, the big gates, the crowds outside the gates, the coverage, the crowds outside the hospital, the Cause of death and what may have led up to it and the memory of this conversation hit me, as did the unstoppable tears.

A predicted ending by him, by loved ones and by me, but what I didn't predict was how much it was going to hurt when it finally happened.

The person I failed to help is being transferred right now to the LA County Coroners office for his Autopsy.

All of my indifference and detachment that I worked so hard to achieve over the years has just gone into the bowels of hell and right now I am gutted.

I am going to say now what I have never said before because I want the truth out there for once.

Our relationship was not "a sham" as is being reported in the press. It was an unusual relationship yes, where two unusual people who did not live or know a "Normal life" found a connection, perhaps with some suspect timing on his part. Nonetheless, I do believe he loved me as much as he could love anyone and I loved him very much.

I wanted to "save him" I wanted to save him from the inevitable which is what has just happened.

His family and his loved ones also wanted to save him from this as well but didn't know how and this was 14 years ago. We all worried that this would be the outcome then.

At that time, In trying to save him, I almost lost myself.

He was an incredibly dynamic force and power that was not to be underestimated.

When he used it for something good, It was the best and when he used it for something bad, It was really, REALLY bad.

Mediocrity was not a concept that would even for a second enter Michael Jackson's being or actions.

I became very ill and emotionally/ spiritually exhausted in my quest to save him from certain self-destructive behavior and from the awful vampires and leeches he would always manage to magnetize around him.

I was in over my head while trying.

I had my children to care for, I had to make a decision.

The hardest decision I have ever had to make, which was to walk away and let his fate have him, even though I desperately loved him and tried to stop or reverse it somehow.

After the Divorce, I spent a few years obsessing about him and what I could have done different, in regret.

Then I spent some angry years at the whole situation.

At some point, I truly became Indifferent, until now.

As I sit here overwhelmed with sadness, reflection and confusion at what was my biggest failure to date, watching on the news almost play by play The exact Scenario I saw happen on August 16th, 1977 happening again right now with Michael (A sight I never wanted to see again) just as he predicted, I am truly, truly gutted.

Any ill experience or words I have felt towards him in the past has just died inside of me along with him.

He was an amazing person and I am lucky to have gotten as close to him as I did and to have had the many experiences and years that we had together.

I desperately hope that he can be relieved from his pain, pressure and turmoil now.

He deserves to be free from all of that and I hope he is in a better place or will be.

I also hope that anyone else who feels they have failed to help him can be set free because he hopefully finally is.

The World is in shock but somehow he knew exactly how his fate would be played out some day more than anyone else knew, and he was right.

I really needed to say this right now, thanks for listening."

This is ohhh so sad.....


Stars reaction to Michael Jackson's death


Michael Jackson was an influence for many of the pop stars and performers in the business today and a few of them took the time to share their thoughts on the effortlessly talented enigma that was Michael Jackson:

  • My heart is overcome with sadness for the devastating loss of my true friend Michael. He was an extraordinary friend, artist and contributor to the world. I join his family and his fans in celebrating his incredible life and mourning his untimely passing." -Brooke Shields (who briefly dated Michael)
  • "I can't find the words right now to express how deeply sadden [sic] I am by Michael's passing. We have lost a genius and a true ambassador of not only Pop music, but of all music. He has been an inspiration to multiple generations and I will always cherish the moments I shared with him on stage and all of the things I learned about music from him and the time we spent together. My heart goes out to his family and loved ones." - Justin Timberlake

  • "I would not be the artist, performer, and philanthropist I am today without the influence of Michael. I have great admiration and respect for Him and I'm so thankful I had the opportunity to meet and perform with such a great entertainer In so many ways he transcended culture. He broke barriers, he changed radio formats! With music, he made it possible for people like Oprah Winfrey and Barack Obama to impact the mainstream world. His legacy is unparalleled. Michael Jackson will never be forgotten." - Usher

I came across the above photo and had to post it....it is quintessentially Michael Jackson.....

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Gone too soo....


This is the ultimate shock for me tonight. Michael Jackson died this afternoon after suffering cardiac arrest at his LA home.

According to the L.A. Times, Jackson was not breathing when paramedics arrived at his home which usually does not bode well for cardiac arrest victims.

Michael was 50 years old and set to embark on a major world tour next year.

He will be sorely missed.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Kimora names her baby boy


Kimora Lee Simmons and Djimon Hounsou welcomed a bouncing baby boy to their family this past Saturday.

The pair has decided to name their bundle of joy Kenzo Lee Hounsou.

This is the third child for Kimora, who has two girls from her marriage to Russell Simmons ,and the first child for Djimon.

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Joe Jonas is a Single Lady

Just when we thought the Single Ladies parodies were over the JoBros pulled one more out of the bag for good measure.



Will it ever end??

Kellan Lutz goes for a jog



Since we've started on a Twilight theme why not continue??

Kellan Lutz was seen taking his dog for a jog through LA on Sunday....


Edward Who????

So it's been a while since my last blog and I figured there was no better way to start than to start Twilight !!

This weekend the much anticipated trailer for New Moon was released and it was definitely worth the wait. However, the vampire themed movie will probably gain more wolf fans than more Edward fans because Jacob, who is the movie's resident wolf boy, has bulked up nicely to fill his role.



Thoughts???