March 27, 2008

Acclaimed British soul singer Joss Stone is said to swap her music career for a brief moment to take the chance of playing a lesbian. According to The Sun, the 20-year-old Grammy Award-winning singer have been signed in to star in a British comedy "Snappers".

In the film, the "Tell Me 'Bout It" singer has been set to portray Stephanie, the lesbian campsite entertainment manager. It was further explained that by playing the character, she would have a "long, lingering French kiss" with another woman. It is still unclear though who will be playing her partner in the raunchy scene. Meanwhile, on landing the character, Stone commented, "There are things that are going to really push the boundaries and that excites me!"

Leona Lewis is advised by experts from both Britain and America who said that she will need to get her tonsil cut out if she wants to retain her voice. The top throat surgeons however, convinced Lewis that she may not have to endure a lost of voice that has produced mega-selling single "Bleeding Love".

The X factor winner is juggling numerous duties behind her debut release "Spirit" that will hit U.S. on April 8 but she has suffered from tonsillitis, a kind of throat infection, in the past few weeks. "She needs to try and rest because it tends to flare up when she is tired and run-down," a source said. "But that's really difficult with her current schedule. She suffered throat problems a few times last year and earlier this year. Leona's worried this may become a long-term problem and wants to sort it out."

Latest movie reports have claimed that Michael Dougherty, the screenwriter of superhero flick "Superman Returns", will be teaming up with Walt Disney Pictures and Robert Zemeckis' ImageMovers to develop an animation film "Calling All Robots". Variety reported that Dougherty has been set to pen and direct the film.

In developing the feature film's script, the writer of "X-Men 2" will be joined by Breehn Burns and Simeon Wilkins. Further, it was said that he also plans to helm the film using the same motion-capture-technology techniques used to make Angelina Jolie's "Beowulf". On the using of the technology, Dougherty explained that the movement digital recording technology is needed to "tell a story that's a throwback to old Godzilla movies".

The ever-energetic The Pussycat Dolls gave more than the Malaysian audience have bargained for. Two of the girls flashed out their private parts for all the audience to see when they performed in the Asian country's capital, Kuala Lumpur during their world tour in 2006.

Carmit Bachar who wore a white tank top and green 'barely there' vest accidentally popped out her left nipple while hot pants-wearing Ashley Roberts squatted as part of the dance routine only to 'open up' what was between her legs. Photos of the mishaps can be seen on TheSun.co.uk. Carmit is no longer part of the group starting this year when she announced her departure to pursue solo career.

Apparently, another trailer of Adam Sandler's upcoming comedy "You Don't Mess With the Zohan" has leaked out on the interwebs. JoBlo.com has posted the more than two minutes video footage on their site. On the article accompanying the trailer, JoBlo explained that the new trailer might be the almost-finish version of the supposed new trailer.

The trailer begins with a shot over an Israeli city and quickly changes to a glimpse showing Sandler's character preparing his gun before going on with a shot of a military camp. The new version of the film's trailer shows a completely different take of the film. Unlike the first one which explained how Zohan gets into New York City, it focuses more on the incredible hair-styling techniques possessed by Zohan.

From singer to chef. It appears that Robbie Williams wants to reinvent himself as a celebrity chef as he reportedly has been keeping himself busy learning to cook, taking private lessons.

However, friends are apparently concerned that the former Take That star is only interested in cooking junk food, like chips and burgers, The Sun reported. Greater than that, he's planning to host his own cookery show.

Duran Duran did not leave a good first impression on their reunion tour on Wednesday, March 26. The rock band who reformed in 2007 to release the album "Red Carpet Massacre", got off an awkward start in New Zealand when a string of mishaps occurred on stage.

Reports said that vocalist Simon Le Bon forgot the lyrics of "Hungry Like the Wolf" which is one of their biggest hits. The vocalist however, managed to pull it through and according to Herald, the audience did not seem to mind.

Following the footsteps of Alison Lohman in nailing a part in "Drag Me to Hell", three more theps have joined the cast of the upcoming horror thriller project. According to Hollywood Reporter, Jessica Lucas, Lorna Raver and David Paymer have all been tapped to star in the supernatural tale's flick.

The "Cloverfield" actress Lucas has been signed to play the roommate and best friend of the lead character, while Raver, the depicter of Rebecca Kaplan in television series "The Young and the Restless", has been set to portray Mrs. Ganush, the old-school Eastern European woman who set the curse. Further, the co-star of George Clooney and Brad Pitt in "Ocean's Thirteen" Paymer will be playing Mr. Jacks, the lead character's boss.

Carrie Underwood and Chace Crawford broke up, US Weekly has claimed. The celebrity couple issued no comment on the break up report and representatives for both of them also declined to comment.

US Weekly reported that Carrie and Chace, who did not go public with their romance until October 2007, have called it quits. Report on that matter arose amidst heavy media speculation that Chace is having a "very friendly" relationship with former NSYNC member JC Chasez.

Hip-hop artist/actor Ice Cube reportedly will bring his first written script following his "Friday" series to the big screen. According to Variety, the 38-year-old entertainer has been set to star as well as co-produce "Janky Promoters" for Dimension Films.

In the film, the star of the "Barbershop" series will be portraying an ill-equipped music promoter who gets once in a lifetime chance to book an A-list hip-hop artist into a midsized California venue. Aside from showing off her acting skills, Cube will also produce the film alongside his Cube Vision partner Matt Alvarez.

Maybe Dr. Pepper is the one who can convince Axl Rose to finally release the long overdue Guns N' Roses album, "Chinese Democracy". The drink company is offering "everyone in America" except for former members Slash and Buckethead, a free can of the soda should the album does hit the shelves within 2008. Axl has responded to this challenge.

Through a press release Jaxie Alt, director of marketing for Dr Pepper said that the company is "encouraging (ok, begging) Axl Rose to finally release his 17-year-in-the-making belabored masterpiece, Chinese Democracy, in 2008... Dr Pepper supports Axl, and fully understands that sometimes you have to make it through the jungle before you get it right." Pepper also reasoned that they understood the meaning of striving for perfection, taking an example of their own drink which takes "a little patience" to brew the "perfect" mix.

"It's bizarre" that Ryan Phillippe decided to avoid seeing the photos of his former wife Reese Witherspoon and her new lover Jake Gyllenhaal. The movie hunk and father of two told USA Today, focusing on his children with Witherspoon does help him to move on from his marriage breakdown.

"There's plenty of times when I say, 'What a strange situation I've found myself in,'" Phillippe opened up to USA Today about seeing Witherspoon and Gyllenhaal. "But at a certain point you know it's going to happen, so you are prepared in some fashion."

The next couple in the celebrity divorce lane are Kimora Lee Simmons and her estranged husband Russell Simmons. The designer and reality TV star has on Tuesday, March 25 filed for divorce from the record producer, citing irreconcilable differences as the reason for the split.

The filing of the divorce petition occurred two years after she and Russell publicly called it quits. Date of the pair's separation, as stated in the legal papers, was March 2006.

The actor who portrayed Peter Parker as well as Spider-Man in the "Spider-Man" series Tobey Maguire has been reported to be tackling another comic book adaptation project, but this time he will take a role behind the camera. According to Variety, the 32-year-old actor has been attached as a producer to "Afterburn".

Allegedly, the star of "The Cider House Rules" will co-produce the sci-fi adventure film through his Maguire Entertainment shingle. Hollywood Reporter further claimed that in producing the movie, Maguire will team up with Neal Moritz of Original Films production house. The movie news site also reported that scribblers for the adaptation have yet being listed.

Usher's "Love in This Club" music video may be highly-anticipated but there have been a lot of nasty stories behind it. A feud allegedly has occurred on the set, involving the singer's wife slash manager, Tameka Foster, choreographer Jamaica and the on-set love interest, Keri Hilson. Usher's manager, Benny Medina, however, was quick to response on this, saying that the shooting on the contrary went rather smoothly.

Sources were telling New York Post's Gossip Column PageSix that Tameka had messed up with how Keri should look in the video that eventually made her looking like an extra rather the love interest. "It was supposed to be a sexy video shoot, and Tameka was there the entire time guarding like a watchdog. It was ridiculous" the source said.

Divorce is on the card for Robin Williams as his second wife Marsha Garces has filed for divorce from him, citing irreconcilable differences. Legal papers were filed in San Francisco Superior Court last Friday, March 21, after almost 19 years of marriage.

Robin and Marsha first met when she worked as a nanny for him and his previous wife, Valerie Velardi, taking care of their son, Zachary. Marsha then went on to work as Robin's personal assistant before marrying the star in April 1989.

Following the release of "Iron Man" trailers earlier, it has been reported that there are two new spots from the superhero flick being run on the television. Both of the TV spots, which took less than a minute each to be previewed, have come out online, but one of them is still in its bootleg version.

The first spot gives out a better look to the heroic character played by Robert Downey Jr.. This compilation of clips begins with the shot of Tony Stark trying on Iron Man's suit. The video footage also let out the power possessed by Iron Man and what he is capable of doing. Meanwhile, the second spot gives out more glimpses into the film as it picks up the making of the Iron Man's suit itself.

It has been known that Beyonce Knowles is working on her third studio album that has been reported to have dancey vibe. A new song called "Beautiful Nightmare" has surfaced on-line, allegedly taken from the new album which is yet untitled.

True to the promise, "Beautiful Nightmare" is song that has the disco beat. This piece, however, is also speculated to be a material that did not make the cut on her 2006 album "B'Day".

Katharine McPhee is the latest celebrity endorser of cosmetics giant Neutrogena. The season five American Idol runner-up has signed a two-year endorsement deal with the company to become the face of its anti-acne product line.

Concerning her new "calling", McPhee already shot her first commercial for the line in Los Angeles on March 16. The ad will hit the small screen in May, with the print ads following suit.

A new video joint from Keyshia Cole has been premiered on Yahoo! Music yesterday (March 26) for her song "Heaven Sent". It is the fourth single from her 2007 album "Just Like You" and its video was shot in Hawaii with renown director Benny Boom.

In a press release, it was revealed that along with this video, Keyshia had also shot two other back to back videos where she becomes the featured artist. She shot in Atlanta a video for rap group C-Side's debut single "Boyfriend/Girlfriend" and in Miami for Trina's "I Got a Thang for You".

Justin Timberlake turns awards show host. The pop singer has been appointed by American cable television network ESPN to host its annual ESPY Awards show this summer.

No stranger to sport events, Justin will be in hand hosting the upcoming 16th annual ESPY Awards, slated to take place July 20 at Los Angeles' Nokia Theatre L.A. Live. The ceremony will be televised live on ESPN.

Australian duo The Veronicas have premiered the music video of "This Love", the third single from their sophomore set "Hook Me Up". The girls interestingly brought in their boyfriends Dean Geyer and Azaria to the 'bed' in this clip.

It was shot back earlier this month in several locations in Sydney, Australia where local press were brought in to go behind the scene. One shot of the twin sisters' video was taken at a state-of-the-art hotel called The Storrier in Potts Point.

Boxing champion, ballroom dancer, and TV personality Laila Ali could soon add "mother" to her list of roles. The NBC's "American Gladiators" co-host confirms exclusively to Essence Magazine that she and her husband, former NFL star Curtis Conway, are expecting their first child together.

Made public her pregnancy in the publication's May 2008 issue, Laila said "I don't know yet if we are having a boy or a girl, but I'm excited that I have a life inside me that my husband and I created." She's due to give birth to the baby by this fall.

Like many artists who made themselves successful worldwide, Kanye West is also taking in some impacts from it. The rapper is being sued by a Maryland producer named Dayna Staggs aka D'Mystro who claimed that West sampled his song "Volume of Good Life" for West's "Graduation" single "Good Life".

Staggs provided the paper evidence along with the lawsuit that was brought up on March 20, enclosing the music sheet for comparison between the two songs. Staggs, in the court papers stated that his "Volume of Good Life" was copyrighted in the '80s and was released under Pallas Records internationally soon after that. Furthermore, Staggs also claimed that he brought up the case in November 2007 by sending cease and desist letters to BMI, the company that represents Roc-A-Fella Records and Def Jam where West released his album under, but received no favorable reply.

Richie Sambora was arrested for DUI in Laguna Beach, California on Tuesday night, March 24. The Bon Jovi guitarist, according to various reports, was pulled over with 10-year-old daughter Ava Elizabeth in the car. Report on his DUI arrest was first reported by TMZ.

Officers first spotted Sambora's black Hummer driving erratically on the Pacific Coast Highway at roughly 10:52 P.M. Tuesday. They then, as Laguna Beach Police Sgt. Jason Kravetz confirmed to E! News, followed his SUV before at last pulling him over.