April 02, 2010

Susan Boyle moved mourners at a friend's funeral to tears when she performed "Amazing Grace" at the ceremony. The "Britain's Got Talent" star's pal Molly Burnett passed away in Scotland in March, and her friends and family rallied around to give her a fitting farewell.

And Boyle offered to sing at the church funeral earlier this week. Burnett's sister says, "We were so grateful she took the time."

Oasis will wrap up their career together by releasing an album featuring their 26 hits. The band, which split in 2009, will release "Time Flies... 1994-2009" in June, and both feuding Gallagher brothers Noel Gallagher and Liam Gallagher are supporting the project.

Noel Gallagher says, "The fact that we kept it together for so long is testament to our love of the music. It's from the heart." Meanwhile, frontman Liam adds, "I'm totally proud of everything we've done. I liked the crazy times and the not so crazy."

"Avatar" star Sam Worthington lost his cool on the set of "Clash of the Titans" over a mechanical owl. The Aussie actor came to despise Bubo, a replica of the heroic bird which featured in the original 1981 film, and threatened to destroy it when director Louis Leterrier wasn't looking.

The moviemaker tells Entertainment Weekly magazine, "Sam couldn't stand the owl. He wanted to destroy it. He kept threatening to drop it. He'd say, 'This is ridiculous! This is a ridiculous thing to have in the movie! You're going to ruin my career with that owl!'" The actor adds, "That owl did not deserve to be in our movie."

Kim Cattrall is returning to her home city of Liverpool, England to play Cleopatra on the stage, according to a U.K. report. The "Sex and the City" star was raised mainly in the U.S. but has never forgotten her roots, regularly returning to the U.K. to star in London plays.

But now she's heading north to Liverpool to portray the Egyptian queen in the theater, according to Britain's Daily Mail. The publication's film columnist Baz Bamigboye claims Cattrall has been in talks with bosses at Liverpool Everyman theater for two years and has agreed to tackle the role in autumn.

Winning a lottery ticket worth $350 million should make someone the happiest person in the world, but that is not the case with Bow Wow. In the first trailer from "Lottery Ticket" which is debuted by Trailer Park Movies's MySpace Blog, it can be seen that the rapper/actor gets into an unexpected situation after his neighbors know that he wins the lottery.

18-year-old Kevin Carson lives in the projects and decides to keep his winning lottery ticket a secret over a three day weekend. But when he can't cash in his ticket right away, his entire community comes begging, borrowing and stealing for his yet-to-be-delivered wealth.

John Malkovich has gone to court in a bid to reclaim the $2.2 million jailed conman Bernie Madoff took from him. The Pascal Sauvage of "Johnny English" lost a fortune as a former client of the infamous schemer and argues the $670,000 he received from the trustees who liquidated Madoff's firm was not nearly enough.

In documents filed in New York on Thursday, April 1, Malkovich argued his trust deserved the cash reflected on his final statement - 11 days before Madoff's 2008 arrest. In the legal papers, obtained by Reuters, the 56-year-old movie star writes, "A customer generally expects to receive what he believes is in his account at the time the stockbroker ceases business."

Former Guns N' Roses' star Duff McKagan made his debut as Jane's Addiction's new bassist on Tuesday night, March 30 at singer Perry Farrell's birthday party. The rocker, who has replaced Eric Avery in the reunited group, took to the stage with his new bandmates at Les Deux in Los Angeles and ripped into a cover of Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love".

It is not known if any other performances with McKagan will take place before a planned Jane's Addiction world tour in 2011.

T-Pain has peeled off a bit about his next studio album, saying that it will take a very different direction. The rapper announced in an interview with MySpace Music that his fifth studio album which will be released after "RevolveR" will be a Christian pop album.

"A lot of people don't know this about me," he said, "but I am a deeply spiritual person. Dude, I go to church just as much as I go to the strip club. That's saying something." The album is tentatively titled "Even Heaven Got a VIP" and will be released on September 9 under his Jive/Nappy Boy umbrella.

Janet Jackson has opened up about her brother Michael Jackson's drug problems for the first time, revealing the King of Pop's siblings tried many times to force him into rehab. The singer admits the family staged numerous interventions in an effort to help the doomed superstar - but he refused to accept he had an issue.

In an exclusive interview with Oprah Winfrey, which will air in America on Friday, April 2, Jackson says, "We tried it several times and he was very much in denial." She also reveals she and other family members always feared that Michael's life would end the way it did.

Rapper Remy Ma is moving closer to walking free from New York's notorious Riker's Island prison after receiving positive news regarding her latest appeal for freedom. The hip-hop star was jailed for eight years in May 2008 after she was found guilty of shooting Makeda Barnes Joseph in the abdomen during an altercation in July 2007.

Remy Ma, who maintained her innocence throughout the ordeal, was charged with assault, weapons possession and attempted coercion. Her first appeal fell through in 2009, but a second is giving the hip-hop star a little hope.

Another job has been nabbed by Ryan Reynolds. After cast as Green Lantern and is set to play the lead role in "X-Men" spin-off "Deadpool", he has signed up to star in "R.I.P.D.". Speaking to Collider, producer Neal H. Moritz says the actor will be seen playing a cop who has just died and then works on the Rest in Peace department.

The Rest in Peace department is the police department of the dead. The story, based on graphic novel of the same title, takes place on a normal day and is about trying to keep the dead quiet. Beside Reynolds' character, there is another lead, a gunslinger who has been dead for hundreds of years, but it has not been cast yet, so Moritz tells Collider.

A lawyer for Dr. Conrad Murray has urged lawmakers not to suspend the medic's license - because his client is struggling to survive financially following the scandal over Michael Jackson's death. Murray has pleaded not guilty to one count of involuntary manslaughter amid accusations he administered the powerful anesthetic Propofol to Jackson, which led to the singer's death in June 2009. He has since been barred from giving patients such drugs.

California Attorney General Jerry Brown filed court papers last week seeking to kick Murray out of medicine altogether, as part of the terms of his bail, branding the doctor's conduct "reprehensible". But Murray's lawyer, Ed Chernoff, is fighting the proposed ban, insisting his client is already "hanging on by a thread".

Sting has angered anti-drug groups by adding his name to the campaign to legalize marijuana in America. As politicians in many states, including California, consider legalizing pot, celebrities have come out in support of the suggested legislation. And Sting wants America to spend the money it uses in the war on the drug on poverty and environmental issues instead.

In a post on his blog, the former The Police's star writes, "The War on Drugs has failed - but it's worse than that. It is actively harming our society. Violent crime is thriving in the shadows to which the drug trade has been consigned. People who genuinely need help can't get it. Neither can people who need medical marijuana to treat terrible diseases. We are spending billions, filling up our prisons with non-violent offenders and sacrificing our liberties."

Bradley Cooper did not try to have an exercise on the set of "The Dark Fields", but he dripped with sweat when shooting for the film. On Thursday, March 1, sporting casual style, he was seen crouching down on the filming location near Central park in New York City. Later, the actor suited up in a formal outfit just to shoot a running scene on the street.

Cooper was not the only star busy filming that day since his co-star Abbie Cornish was also spotted on the set. Donning a blue blouse matched with a black blazer and a purple scarf, the actress was pictured running with a man following closely behind her.

Keri Hilson feels bad for forgetting the words to national anthem during Atlanta Hawks vs. Los Angeles Games on Wednesday, March 31 night. She tweeted, "LMAO bad sound can really distract U!! Well it happend 2 Aretha [Franklin] & the best of em!! EEK!!"

Keri stumbled on the verse of "Star Spangled Banner" and mumbled the words while thousands of people crowding the stadium chuckled. However, she managed to finish the song and received applaud for her effort. T.I., Monica, The-Dream and Young Jeezy were among the spectators inside the Philips Arena who witnessed Hawks defeating Lakers 109-92.

Heather Mills has been accused of lying in court over allegations she fell out with her former nanny Sara Trumble about a breast enhancement procedure. The reality TV star took to the stand at an employment tribunal case on Thursday, April 1 and told the court her relationship with the child carer broke down when Trumble asked her for $6,000 for cosmetic surgery.

Mills said, "I had a breast reduction when I was 21 and I couldn't pick anything up for weeks because it was so painful. I didn't criticize her wanting to have a breast enlargement; I just felt it would have been wrong of me to help with something that could have been a reaction to her boyfriend or her hormones."

Aaron Carter is engaged to marry his student/dancer girlfriend Maile Hochuli, Star Magazine reported. The 22-year-old singer/actor is said asking for Maile's hand in marriage at the theater when the two were watching Johnny Depp's "Alice in Wonderland" on the last weekend in March.

"Aaron took Maile to the movie 'Alice in Wonderland', which she has been dying to see," a friend shared. "She didn't get to see the end of the movie though because Aaron got down on a knee and proposed with a beautiful pear shaped diamond ring! Maile was completely overjoyed and said yes immediately!"

Sandra Bullock has been led into further devastation as her husband Jesse James has reportedly come clean about how many women he has been involved with. A source revealed that before heading to sexual rehabilitation, James told the Oscar-winning actress that he got laid with 7 different women.

"Jesse admitted to Sandra that he has cheated with seven women in total," an insider close to the couple told Radar Online. "There are still women out there who haven't come forward yet, and he's hoping they don't!" Moreover, other sources close to Bullock stated that the 45-year-old actress is left humiliated by James' adultery.

Showtime has released the first image of their reality version of "The L Word". Shared via E! Online, the first picture from "The Real L Word" introduces viewers to the six women whose life as lesbians will be exposed. The cable said it is a "rare, fly-on-the-wall look into the lives of attractive and successful L.A. lesbians".

The youngest of the crop is 27-year-old Whitney who admits that she is always looking for love "but losing to lust". She works as a special effects artist in Hollywood. Next to her is 29-year-old Tracy who is "new to the lesbian scene". She is trying to deal with her mother who finds it hard that her daughter is a lesbian. Tracy is a film and TV development executive.

Billy Joel's singer daughter Alexa Ray Joel stunned revelers at a New York City lounge during a recent night out, as she took to the stage for an impromptu concert. The 24-year-old star, whose mum is supermodel Christie Brinkley, had warmed up her vocals during a recording session for her upcoming album - but she wanted to showcase her songs and decided to treat the crowd at the Marcel Hotel's Polat Lounge in Manhattan to a surprise set.

According to the New York Post, Joel arrived at the bar with her producer and her band members, and delivered a performance that won her cheers from the audience. Joel's latest album is scheduled to hit shelves in June.

After launching "Iron Man 2" official website, Paramount Pictures has updated the site with many new pictures. Beside featured in a number of production images, main characters such as Tony Stark/Iron Man, Pepper Potts, Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow and Ivan Vanko/Whiplash are exposed individually in promo photos.

After revealing that he is the man behind the armored superhero Iron Man, billionaire inventor Tony is asked to share his technology. Unwilling to divulge the secrets behind the Iron Man armor because he fears the information will slip into the wrong hands, Tony forges new alliances and confronts powerful new forces with Pepper and James "Rhodey" Rhodes at his side.

LeAnn Rimes' representative has dismissed a U.S. tabloid report alleging the singer/actress has offered to help boyfriend Eddie Cibrian pay for a quickie divorce from his estranged wife so they can wed this summer. Rimes and Cibrian became romantically involved in 2009 during filming for TV movie "Northern Lights", while both stars were still married to their respective partners.

The Grammy winner subsequently split from her husband Dean Sheremet and Cibrian is currently locked in a bitter divorce battle with his ex, Brandi Glanville. According to the National Enquirer, Rimes is keen for the actor to reach a fast settlement with Glanville so the new couple can exchange vows themselves in late 2010.

Jonas Brothers are not going to have a triple date anytime soon. People reported that Nick Jonas and Selena Gomez have split again although they never confirmed to have rekindled the romance. A source said that they decided to call it quits early March due to busy schedule.

"They were an item, but they are no longer together," the source claimed. Selena is busy promoting her new clothing line Dream Out Loud and her album "Kiss and Tell" while Nick and his brothers will embark on a European tour this summer. Although they go different path, "it's evident to everyone that they will always have a super strong connection."

Though shooting for "Thor" has been kicked off early this year, little information has been obtained from the set. Recently, Kenneth Branagh sat down with Los Angeles Times to explain the production process of the film.

"We're in New Mexico now where we have a contemporary Earth part of our story," he shared. "I guess we're two-thirds of the way through the story and at this stage of the game what's surprising and delighting me is the way the cast, the ensemble, has fused together."

On the brink of the movie's theatrical release in U.S., Janet Jackson has premiered the music video of "Why Did I Get Married Too?" soundtrack. "Nothing" clip, which is directed by Tim Palen, offers visual effects using glasses walls and relies on close shots of Janet. Scenes from the movie, particularly that of Janet's Patricia, are intercepted.

"Nothing" is a song produced by Jermaine Dupri teaming up with top notch producer Bryan-Michael Cox. "We're still very close," Janet said on working with her ex. "I love Jermaine; he's just a kind soul, and I'm thankful we're friends." Picked as the lead single, it appears on the soundtrack album which will be released in the U.S. on April 27.

Ricky Gervais is convinced celebrity chef Jamie Oliver's new U.S. TV show about healthy eating is doomed to fail - because Americans enjoy eating foods that make them fat. Oliver has campaigned for years against obesity and unhealthy eating in his native U.K., and now he's attempting to curb poor diet habits with his new U.S. series, "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution".

Comedian Gervais admires Oliver's ambition, but he's certain the chef's new show will flop. "The Office" creator says, "He's (Oliver's) a friend of mine and a fellow Brit. He's over here (in the U.S.) trying to educate fat people on how to eat. His heart's in the right place, but he's got no chance. No way."

Next on "Supernatural" the Winchester brothers are plagued with "99 Problems". Sam and Dean are outnumbered by demons, but are saved at the last minute by Rob and his townspeople, who are aware of the Apocalypse, and have been training to fight and kill demons.

The small town is very religious and Sam and Dean meet Pastor Gideon, who introduces them to his daughter Leah, whom he claims is a prophet. Leah tells the townspeople they must obey her orders if they want a spot in Heaven but when she starts turning the townspeople against each other in the name of the Lord, the brothers realize they must kill her.

Hellraiser Ozzy Osbourne scooped a fortune gambling on a slot machine in Las Vegas - but refused to blow his winnings on a wild party. The Black Sabbath's rocker was famed for his wildman antics during the 1970s and '80s, but is adamant gambling was one vice he avoided.

He only gave in to temptation once - and admits it was the "most sensible decision" he's ever made to pocket his huge winnings and walk away from the casino. Osbourne tells Uncut magazine, "My one and only experience of getting hooked was in Vegas. Everyone else was going to the blackjack tables and roulette wheels. I saw the flashing lights of the fruit machines (slot machines) and thought, 'Oh, I like that'."

Legendary singer Tom Jones has scrapped more shows in the Far East after failing to fight off a serious bout of acute laryngitis. The "Delilah" star scrapped two shows in Singapore and the Philippines at the weekend, March 27 and 28, after he was forced to walk off the stage on Friday night, March 26 after just two songs.

Doctors ordered him to rest his voice completely, and his rep insisted the star would reschedule the shows for the following week. But Jones has now canceled a concert in Singapore on Thursday, April 1, as well as Saturday's, April 3 gig in Korea.

Rihanna is paying "American Idol" a visit next week during the result show of Paul McCartney - John Lennon theme. According to EW, the Barbadian singer will sing "Te Amo" instead of "Rude Boy" which she performed at the recent Kids' Choice Awards. "Te Amo" thus may be the next U.S. single from her "Rated R" album.

On another "Idol" news, the celebrities who will participate in this year's "Idol Gives Back" have been announced. Carrie Underwood, the season 4 winner of "Idol," is returning to perform, along with Alicia Keys, Black Eyed Peas, Annie Lennox and Jeff Beck.

Paramount Pictures has added another name on the cast ensemble for "The First Avenger: Captain America". After casting Chris Evans as the title character, the studio has now recruited Sebastian Stan to join the project, tackling the role of Bucky Barnes, so The Hollywood Reporter mentions.

Bucky is described as a character who was too young to join the Army but old enough to suit up and fight alongside Captain America, and whose fate at the hands of the Red Skull marked a major turning point for many comic readers. In the comic books, Bucky died in Captain America's final World War II adventure.

Pierce Brosnan knew his days as "Bond" were numbered after Matt Damon became the most popular spy at the box office through his "Bourne" franchise. The Irish actor rejuvenated the "007" series in the mid-'90s with his debut in the British spy franchise's "Goldeneye". He went on to play the suave secret agent in a further three films.

But following the release of Doug Liman's 2002 movie "The Bourne Identity", starring Damon as Jason Bourne, Brosnan knew cinema-goers were ready for a new style of spy thriller. He spent a boozy night with director Quentin Tarantino discussing how to bring "Casino Royale" to the big screen - but "Bond" bosses decided to go with Daniel Craig for the 2006 film instead.

"The Vampire Diaries" returns with an episode where Stefan is tortured. When the producers teased earlier this year that Paul Wesley's abs will get more screen time, this would be it.

When Stefan and Damon make a dangerous new enemy, Stefan suddenly finds himself in a perilous situation. Damon and Elena try to convince Alaric to work with them to help Stefan. Matt is hopeful that his mom, Kelly, may be back to stay. After her car breaks down in a storm, Caroline makes a horrific discovery that shocks everyone in town.

Cult horror "Rosemary's Baby" is set to be reborn - a revered U.S. film critic has confirmed Michael Bay is bringing the spooky classic back to the big screen. It was rumored in 2008 that the "Transformers" director would remake Roman Polanski's 1968 movie, which saw Mia Farrow play Rosemary, a young woman who is pregnant with the Devil's baby.

Now respected critic Roger Ebert has taken to his Twitter page to tells fans that the film is in the pipeline. He writes, "Michael Bay is remaking Rosemary's Baby. O... kay." Bay's production company Platinum Dunes is overseeing the making of the movie.

As promised by the band, the full-length version of Green Day's "Last of the American Girls" video was debuted on April 1. The video is directed by Marc Webb, the same person who helmed the band's other videos such as "21 Guns" and "21st Century Breakdown".

Since the band's latest album is a concept effort, this music video is also featuring the story of Gloria who is played by actress Lisa Stelly. Put as the titular character, Gloria is portrayed as a bored girl doing routines before she found out pleasure in blowing things up. Gloria's boyfriend Christian who is seen in two previous "Breakdown" videos is not featured in this one.

Columbia Pictures washes its hands of the new "XXX" movie. The studio which has made the first two movies and planned another installment titled "XXX: State of the Union" in the last few years has decided not to go forward with the upcoming project.

But fear not, because Xander Cage will still return to the big screen. According to Deadline Hollywood, there is negotiation underway for Paramount Pictures to take over the franchise, finance production and distribution rights of the third film.

Elton John is planning a return to the stage - the "Rocket Man" is ready to write another musical. The singer has previously composed scores for theater hits "Aida" and the "Lion King", as well as "Billy Elliot the Musical", based on the 2000 film, and insists he is eager to begin working on another theater project.

He tells Britain's GMTV, "I'm in the right mood to write a musical now. It's been a long time since I wrote 'Billy Elliot' and then I had a musical called 'Lestat' which ran for about four months, and closed... It was about vampires, which are very en vogue but they weren't (then). I've had my flops as well as my hits but I'm ready to write again. I have no idea what it's going to be about (but) not about bats!"

Actress Eliza Dushku is offering fans a chance to win a 10-minute video chat with her to raise money for charity. The "Bring It On" star has already raised $20,000 by selling screen costumes and designer outfits on auction website eBay and is capping off the sale by offering up a conversation via internet conferencing service Skype.

The highest bidder will have 10 minutes to grill the star on her career and personal life, with proceeds going to help underprivileged children attend a Massachusetts-based summer camp. She says, "One of the benefits of being an actress is all of the fancy clothes that you get sent."

Justin Bieber just bought himself Funny or Die and renamed it Bieber or Die. "Anything that's not Bieber, dies," the 16-year-old said. The website additionally announced, "Justin Bieber has decided to buy Funny or Die and do with it whatever his tiny little heart desires." The website is then loaded with a string of videos of him which range in duration.

The teen heartthrob did not actually buy the site but went along with the writers of the website who want to celebrate April Fool's Day. Lauren Palmigiano, one of the site's writer/producers, told MTV the story behind the purchase while still sticking to the script. "Justin just wanted to run the world," Lauren said. "He came to us and wanted to buy a Web site, and we realized that comedy can only get us so far. And videos with Justin Bieber will take us to the level we're trying to get to."

Robin Williams has apologized to Australia's Prime Minister Kevin Rudd for mocking the country's citizens - and invited the politician to a strip club to smooth out their spat. Williams caused a stir after branding Australians "English rednecks" during a recent appearance on a U.S. talk show.

Rudd hit back by suggesting the "Mrs. Doubtfire" star should "go and spend a bit of time in Alabama" - but Williams has laughed off the feud with a sly reference to Rudd's infamous visit to an exotic dance club in 2003. Speaking to Australian radio DJs Hamish and Andy, he said, "I was just there for two weeks. Every time I've been in Australia it's been wonderful. I love it down there."

Michael Douglas has finally tamed his libido - after starting a family with Catherine Zeta-Jones convinced him to prioritize his life. The "Wall Street" star's first marriage to actress Diandra Luker was rumored to have ended because of his womanizing ways, but he insists he's the happiest he's ever been since marrying Zeta-Jones in 2000.

The couple has two young children, 9-year-old Dylan and 6-year-old Carys, and the 65-year-old actor is adamant his family is now his main priority in life. He tells Britain's Esquire magazine, "I'm probably more comfortable with myself now, probably not leading with my libido quite as strongly, which comes with age and happiness."

Even before he infamously attacked his wife Brooke Mueller during Christmas holiday last year, Charlie Sheen has hinted that he's looking forward to retire from the show business. According to People's sources, the time is now. "Charlie's just done," said a set source. "And he's quietly telling his friends he's not coming back."

This means he will end his role as womanizer Charlie Harper on "Two and a Half Men" after the seventh season wraps up. His contract with CBS expired this year and he reportedly refused to sign a new contract that will extend the show to eighth season. "He wants to move on," said a friend. "Leaving is 100 percent his idea."

Jennifer Hudson is hoping to inspire others to shed the pounds as the new spokeswoman for WeightWatchers. The voluptuous "Dreamgirls" star has been sticking to the firm's healthy lifestyle plan and has managed to drop 60 pounds (27 kilograms) since welcoming little David Jr., her first son with fiance David Otunga, in August 2009.

And she can't wait to begin her spokesperson role so she can help others get in shape too. Hudson says, "I have been losing weight with WeightWatchers, and I feel great. I'm excited to share my progress, my favorite things, my blog and more... I'm learning so much about healthy living, and I'm proud of how far I've come."

Another preview to action comedy "MacGruber" has been given in the form of a red band trailer. Opened with scenes which highlight villain Dieter Von Cunth, the video then jumps to capture MacGruber on his mission to stop his sworn enemy. The new age-restricted trailer is an exclusive courtesy of MSN.

In the 10 years since his fiancee was killed, special op MacGruber has sworn off a life of fighting crime with his bare hands. But when he learns that his country needs him to find a nuclear warhead that's been stolen by his sworn enemy, Dieter Von Cunth, MacGruber figures he's the only one tough enough for the job.

There's a bunch of celebrities who are featured in the new "Give a Damn" PSA but one stands out for coming out. Anna Paquin, the star of HBO's "True Blood", shocks viewers and reportedly the organizers too, for saying she's a bisexual.

"I'm bisexual, and I give a damn," Paquin said in the PSA which aimed at promoting gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality. "One hate crime is committed approximately every hour of every day in this country."