Saturday, February 28, 2009

From Slumdog to slapdog: Child actor beaten by father for refusing to leave shack

He's become an object of adulation for millions, but ten-year-old Azharuddin Ismail’s stardom doesn’t appear to cut much ice back at home with his father.

The youngster, who played the hero of Slumdog Millionaire as a child, received a beating from Ismail Usnay, 45, apparently for disobedience.

On Thursday, Azharuddin had returned to Mumbai after Slumdog’s triumph at the Oscar ceremony.

Exhausted by a chaotic welcome and a long flight from Los Angeles, he was given the day off school yesterday.
But when he refused to step outside his home in the Dharavi
slum in Bandra to speak to journalists, his father lashed out.

‘His father went mad,’ said a witness.

‘He wanted to show his son off to journalists and local people, but Azharuddin said he wanted to be left alone because he was tired.’

Crying and holding his ear, Azharuddin ran inside the makeshift home and tried to hide in the corner.

The ugly scene lasted no more than 30 seconds after Usnay, who is infected with TB, was restrained by neighbours.

The child's mother, who is blind in one eye, had also begged the 45-year-old to stop the physical punishment.

Last night, he apologised for striking his son.

‘I was so confused and stressed by my son’s homecoming,’ he added. ‘I love my boy and I am very happy to have him home.’

The aggression was in stark contrast to the previous day's triumphant return to the slums, when Azharuddin's father lifted him up and paraded him like a trophy for the expectant crowds.

With the massed media long gone and the euphoria of returning home ebbing away, the reality of life in the slums seemed to be hitting the child hard.

Having paraded down the red carpets of Hollywood only six days ago and enjoyed the luxury of five-star hotels, returning to the slums must have come as something of a shock.

However, the families of Azharuddin and his co-star Rubina Ali, eight, have each been promised a flat each from the city in recognition of the honour they have brought to Mumbai. Details on their location and size are not yet known.

Only moments before his father's attack, Azharuddin had spoken of his tiredness due to the long flight and desire for the attention to stop.

'I do not want to speak today to any reporters,' he said.

His father, possibly hoping that his son could be his ticket out of the slums, has insisted his son poses for pictures and gives interviews to the foreign media.

He has also claimed that Slumdog director Danny Boyle and the producers of the eight Oscar-winning film have not done enough for him and his family.

Friday, February 20, 2009

Brad's with the boys in Vegas, Angelina's got the girls in New York... so where are the twins?



With six children aged seven and under, it can be a struggle for Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie to spend quality time with all their children.
The busy parents are been jet-setting all over the world in the last few months attending premieres and award ceremonies, leaving them less time than usual to spend with their precious brood.

So as they nervously prepare for Sunday's Oscars - for which they have both been nominated - Brad and Angelina have been taking time out to hang out with their children.


While Angelina was spotted with eldest daughters Zahara Marley, four; and Shiloh Nouvel, two, in New York, Brad touched down in Las Vegas with oldest sons Maddox, seven; and Pax, five.

The appearance of the couple at different ends of the country left the question, where were seven-month-old twins Knox and Vivienne?

The babies have rarely be seen in public, with the couple wisely preferring to keep them behind closed doors.

Brad, 45, touched down in Nevada's Sin City with two of his boys for a brief break before the Oscars on Sunday.


He checked into Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, where he reportedly summoned a delivery of three Nintendo Wiis to their suite.Brad was spotted treating his sons to dinner at the In-N-Out Burger restaurant before bringing them to the production of Cirque du Soleil's show KA.
The two young boys also popped into the nearby MGM Grand Hotel and Casino to see the resort's pet lions.Angelina, 33, arrived in New York earlier this week to househunt for a large apartment to house their family of eight.
The couple have already chosen a Long Island mansion to rent when Angelina films the upcoming flick Edwin A. Salt, but it is thought they want a second city base to be close to the set.

In between surveying apartments, Angelina was photographed taking Shiloh and Zahara for a spot of retail therapy at their favourite store, Lee's Art Shop.

Brad and Angelina are expected to come face-to-face with the actor's ex-wife Jennifer Aniston at the Academy Awards, where the former Friends actress is presenting an award.

Fortunately for Jennifer, she will have the support of boyfriend John Mayer, who announced he will be her date on the red carpet.

Brad is up for Best Actor for The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button, while Angelina is up for Best Actress for The Changeling.
A Jolie good copy of mum and dad

She may have her father Brad's eyes. But he's not responsible for that rosebud of a mouth.

Shiloh Jolie-Pitt appears to have inherited her mother Angelina's plump lips.

The two-year-old, pictured in New York this week, is turning out to be a striking combination of her famous parents.
On the outing in New York, she toddled alongside her mother and her adopted sister Zahara.

As one would expect from the daughters of film stars, the sisters were looking glamorous. Both were wearing black leggings and had bright pink painted nails.

Their little brother and sister, seven-month-old twins Knox and Vivienne, were left at home while the group did a spot of shopping.

Monday, February 16, 2009

Jessica Simpson’s Breasts Are PHAT

Finally, Jessica Simpson is exposing her big fat titties; I’ve been waiting for this moment ever since her weight gain made a huge splash with the blogs. I was right, just as expected with the extra poundage those breasts have become HUGE! Here she is heading out for Valentine’s Day dinner with Tony and that lucky bastard is going to be getting one the best deserts of all time!



'I'm sorry and saddened': Chris Brown seeks counselling after arrest over alleged attack on girlfriend Rihanna

Chris Brown, who allegedly assaulted his pop star girlfriend Rihanna last week, has spoken out for the first time saying he is 'sorry and saddened' by what happened.The 19-year-old R&B singer said he is seeking counseling from his pastor and loved ones but said much of what has been reported of the incident is untrue, although he did not elaborate.In a statement issued through publicist Michael Sitrick, he said: 'Words cannot begin to express how sorry and saddened I am over what transpired.
'I am seeking the counseling of my pastor, my mother and other loved ones and I am committed, with God's help, to emerging a better person.'Much of what has been speculated or reported on blogs and-or reported in the media is wrong,' he added.But he said he could not discuss that in detail until his case is resolved.Brown surrendered to Los Angeles police on February 8 and was released on $50,000 bail after being arrested for investigation of making a criminal threat, a felony.
He has not been charged by the district attorney's office, which is still investigating the case.
His arrest reportedly stemmed from an argument with his girlfriend, fellow singer Rihanna, shortly after they left a pre-Grammy Awards party.Both were nominated for Grammys and were scheduled to appear at the February 8 awards show but canceled at the last minute.Brown surrendered to authorities just as the show was getting under way.According to police, Brown and a woman began arguing as they were traveling in a car shortly after the February 7 party.The fight escalated after they got out of the car, and Brown had left by the time officers arrived.

Wafer-thin Lindsay Lohan looks skinnier than ever as she parties at New York Fashion Week

Following recent media attention of her increasingly skinny frame, you couldn't blame Lindsay Lohan for wanting to cover up.But as she attended a fashion party in New York last night, the 22-year-old actress continued showing off her slender figure in a figure-hugging coral mini dress.
Joining her designer pal Matthew Williamson at the launch of his new store in Manhattan, Lindsay showed off her razor-sharp collarbone in her low-cut dress and Christian Louboutin heels.


Earlier that day, Lindsay had opted for the equally-slimming combination of black leggings and a transparent white t-shirt for a shopping trip in Manhattan's trendy SoHo area.
The previous day, the star appeared almost skeletal as she stepped out in New York with girlfriend Samantha Ronson wearing an all-black get-up of a mini-skirt, shiny top, patterned tights and ankle boots.DJ Sam was as usual dressed-down in trainers and a beanie as the pair left their hotel for a night out.The couple were in the Big Apple to support Samantha's twin sister Charlotte Ronson as she presented her latest fashion collection during New York Fashion Week.
The Mean Girls actress and her partner took a front row seat at Charlotte's Fall 2009 show at Bryant Park, New York.Lindsay, then wearing a more flattering beige high-necked top, had earlier watched Samantha DJ in a VIP area.But their night reportedly later took a turn for the worse at the show after-party.The pair got into a heated argument in the street before storming back to their hotel, according to photographers who witnessed the spat.The fight is just the latest in a series of public rows that has led to speculation the couple are on the rocks, and trouble at home is responsible for Lindsay's plummeting weight.
Sam and Li-Lo had a screaming match in London over the Christmas season in Boujis nightclub after Samantha saw Lindsay dancing with former boyfriend Calum Best.
And they rang in 2009 by physically fighting each other after falling out in a Miami nightclub.
The pair brawled in a dark alley after storming out of the city's Mansion club on New Year's Eve, according to US reports.The couple also pulled out at the last minute from a Valentines Day appearance at a Florida nightclub.Samantha, who had been booked to DJ, claimed she was too sick with the flu to fly, but some sources have suggested their volatile relationship was to blame.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

'I know what it's like to feel frumpy,' says Jessica Simpson as she reveals plans to design clothes to suit curvy women

Jessica Simpson is set to turn her weight furore into a career opportunity.

The singer and sometime actress has revealed plans to launch her own fashion line for curvy women.

In a timely move, she has created clothing to help women of all shapes avoid feeling 'frumpy.'

She tells the American issue of In Style magazine: 'I want to create clothes that flatter every figure.

'I know how a dress can make you feel so frumpy. I promise mine won't.

'I know what flatters a woman, and trust me, I've been judged a lot in my life.

'By now I know what works if you're curvy.

'If my clothing and accessories make you feel great and let you walk proud and tall - in big, big platform shoes - then I'm happy.'

Simpson, 28, has not publicly responded to the criticism of her weight, but said on Wednesday: 'Honestly, I am right where I'm supposed to be.

'I am so happy. Everything is really great. It's all about keeping the faith.'

Jessica's newfound curves were first noticed on January 25th, when she performed in an unflattering pair of $106, high-waisted Grey Ant jeans at the Country Chili Cookoff in Florida.

Following the controversy over her weight gain, her sister Ashlee, ex-husband Nick Lachey and socialite friend Kim Kardashian have all defended her figure.

Jessica is thought to have gained 10 pounds in recent months, despite sister Ashlee claiming her sibling is a size two (UK size six).

The former Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica reality TV star spent months sculpting her body to play Daisy Duke for the 2005 big screen version of Dukes Of Hazzard.

She endured two-hour workouts six days a week with personal trainer Michael Alexander, who honed her physique with a combination of running, squats, lunges and weight-resistance exercises.

She also followed a South Beach Diet-style low-carb, high-protein menu which featured grilled chicken, fish and green vegetables.

After filming the part, Jessica said: 'My body is definitely an accomplishment.'

Anna Nicole Smith's life story coming soon to Royal Opera House

The life of Anna Nicole Smith, the American glamour model who married an elderly oil billionaire and died of an accidental drug overdose, is set to be turned into a West End opera.

The Royal Opera House today confirmed plans for Mark-Anthony Turnage to write the story, which will be staged in London's Covent Garden in 2011.

Richard Thomas, whose credits include the controversial Jerry Springer: The Opera, will provide the libretto.

A spokeswoman at the Royal Opera House said the work was in its early stages.

Director of opera Elaine Padmore said: 'It is not going to be tawdry, it is going to be witty, clever, thoughtful and sad.

'In broad outline, it will tell the story of her life, the people who influenced her, her progress.

'Clearly the story is about a woman who met an ancient gentleman in a wheelchair, but it's not going to be a straight narrative; choices have been made about significant moments, selecting which incidents in her life are to be built up.'


Ms Padmore said the work was not just a documentary about Smith, but a parable about celebrity.

'[It's] a larger-than-life American story, it was Puccini's Girl of the Golden West. It will be a slice of our times - of America in the pre-Obama days.'

Smith married wealthy tycoon J Howard Marshall, who was more than 60 years her senior.

In February 2007, the former Playboy playmate, 39, was found unresponsive in her hotel room in Hollywood, Florida, and was later pronounced dead.

At the time, she was embroiled in a legal battle over the will of billionaire oil tycoon Howard Marshall, whom she married when she was 26 and he was 89.

Her death came just five months after that of her 20-year-old son, Daniel.

She left behind a daughter Dannielynn, now two, who became the centre of a bitter paternity battle.

Photographer Larry Birkhead won a custody battle against Smith's lawyer Howard Stern when DNA results proved he was the father.

Dannielynn was declared the sole heir to her mother’s estate last year, meaning she could one day inherit a multi-million dollar fortune.

Monday, February 09, 2009

Angelina and Brad inject some Hollywood glamour into a freezing cold and wet Baftas ... but walk away with nothing

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie arrived to huge cheers at a rain-sodden Baftas in London last night.

The A-list couple braved the freezing cold and wet weather to sign autographs for ecstatic fans outside the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden.

The pair brought a touch of old Hollywood glamour to the damp red carpet with Jolie wearing a strapless, floor-length black dress complete with a two yellow stripes.

A dashing, tuxedo-clad Pitt joked about the dismal weather: 'It's a nice change for us... all that sun!' But the pair, who were nominated for best actor and best actress, missed out on prizes.

A galaxy of celebrities arrived at the same time as Pitt and Jolie, including Kate Winslet, Daniel Craig, Emma Watson, Mickey Rourke, Penelope Cruz, Meryl Streep, Goldie Hawn and David Frost.

Winslet turned up at the ceremony in a stunning black gown by New York designer Zac Posen, Prada shoes and Chopard jewellery.


She said, 'No, I'm not going to cry tonight,' a reference to her tearful acceptance speeches at the Golden Globes in Los Angeles last month.

David Frost, whose interviews with disgraced former U.S. President Richard Nixon in 1977 form the basis of the Bafta-nominated Frost/Nixon, said he would never have expected a film based on one of his achievements to have become so critically and commercially successful.

Michael Sheen, who plays Frost on screen, was also at the event alongside the movie's director Ron Howard.

Slumdog Millionaire star Dev Patel admitted he was intimidated to be nominated for Best Actor in his debut performance alongside screen veterans Frank Langella, Sean Penn, Brad Pitt and Mickey Rourke.

The Londoner said: 'It's weird for me at the moment. It's on my home turf. I've grown up watching the Baftas for years.

His co-star Freida Pinto, carrying a Judith Leiber handbag, was similarly taken aback.

She said: 'It's amazing. Alice In Wonderland, that's what's happening to me right now.'

This year's Bafta front-runners were The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Slumdog Millionaire, with 11 nominations each, including Best Picture.

Sentimental favourite Slumdog Millionaire, the British-written and -directed underdog drama about a Mumbai street boy, walked away with seven awards.

The Baftas have a reputation for forecasting Oscar trends and upsets. Last year, Marion Cotillard unexpectedly won the Best Actress prize for La Vie En Rose. Two weeks later, she took home an Oscar.












Sunday, February 08, 2009

Prince Harry tells Paris Hilton: Our midnight date is off

Prince Harry might be back on the singles market but he seems to have forgotten how to play the dating game.

I’m told the Prince, who recently split from his girlfriend of five years, Chelsy Davy, had planned to meet American socialite Paris Hilton last week.

But he cancelled at the last minute, leaving the 27-year-old heiress without a date for the night.


Paris, who was in town promoting her new reality TV show,
had told friends she planned to meet Harry on Friday at midnight.

But she received a call from his bodyguard hours before their rendezvous to say that the Prince was not coming to London.

‘Paris had spoken directly with Harry to arrange their meeting,’ says my source.

‘She was pretty annoyed that Harry blew her out but they may well meet on her next trip to London.

'She has been in touch with Harry since they met in London last year and has even had an invite back to Clarence House.’.

Friday, February 06, 2009

'I flipped out when I found a grey hair', admits Jennifer Aniston as she prepares to turn 40

Less than a week before her 40th birthday, Jennifer Aniston admits she is slightly scared of hitting the landmark age.While the former Friends star is in amazing shape and looks years younger than her 39 years, Jennifer revealed she has already starting going grey.Appearing on the Ellen DeGeneres talk show on Friday, she admitted she had 'a wobble' when she found a silvery strand of hair last weekend.
She said: 'I have to say really, I feel better than I ever felt in my life.'I did have a moment, though, over the weekend my first like huh ... I don't want to turn 40.'I found a really long gray hair, and it kind of flipped me out.'It's not my first, but it's the fact that it was so long. I was like, "Oh that's been there.How many others are there, and what does that mean?"'
'It actually brought me to tears, slightly.'Jennifer is preparing to see in her 40th year with a star-studded party on Wednesday, with boyfriend John Mayer. best friend Courteney Cox and her husband David Arquette on the coveted guest list.Talk show host Ellen also quizzed Jennifer over the possibility of a Friends movie.Jennifer said: 'Maybe…Like one episode. It wouldn’t hurt.'Not a movie. I just think what would they do? I think one of our Thanksgiving episodes were always so fun.'

Appearing on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno the previous night, Jennifer showed off her honed and toned figure in a black shift dress and heels.

Host Jay brought up recent reports she had 'turned down' the chance to pose for Playboy after posing in nothing but a necktie for Esquire magazine.

Playboy boss Hugh Hefner was reported to have said: 'This looks like the cover of Playboy. I’m much impressed by Jennifer. Is it just me, or is Jennifer Aniston getting hotter? Never seen her in this light before.'

When asked about the Playboy rumours, Jennifer remained coy: 'I heard I turned it down as well, I don't think they asked me, or someone else turned it down for me. I think that's just a rumor, Jay. I don't think that ever happened.'

Jennifer is currently promoting her new film He's Just Not That Into You, in which she plays a Baltimore woman trying to persuade her live-in boyfriend, played by Ben Affleck, to marry her.

He's Just Not That Into You opens in the UK today.

Thursday, February 05, 2009

Jessica Simpson On the Road Surprise: Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo

Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo is on the road for Jessica Simpson, a new report from In Touch claims. The magazine has this item, "After a week of weight scrutiny for Jessica Simpson, her beau, Tony Romo, has joined her on tour for some special support."

"He thinks Jessica looks hot and has an amazing body," an insider tells In Touch. "He is there to just be a good boyfriend." The sexy singer, who’s currently on tour with Rascal Flatts, is due to perform tonight in Grand Rapids, Michigan., where Tony will be cheering in the crowd. "They are having a blast and he can't wait to see her perform," adds the insider.

After flaunting a fuller figure at a concert in Pembroke Pines, Fla., on January 25, Jessica's body has been the topic of talk all around the country. But Tony, 28, isn't worried about how Jessica, 28, is handling the stress.

"She's a strong girl and has great self-confidence," says the pal. The couple has also laughed off recent rumors of Tony's cheating during a party at Jessica’s house. "They think all the rumors of Tony cheating are silly!"

Rihanna shows off her legs in a tiny skirt as she prepares for Grammy performance

Singer Rihanna has never been shy about showing off her legs on stage and she wasn't hiding them on a shopping trip in Los Angeles.The 20-year-old's tiny cream skirt allowed admirers another glimpse of her toned pins. She teamed the outfit with a light blue shirt and brown heels and was all smiles in her preppy all-American look.
Align Center
The R&B star star was seen out in LA ahead of her performance at this Sunday’s Grammy Awards where she is nominated in three categories.But while the star’s professional life may be going from strength to strength, it seems the same cannot be said for her personal life.
The Barbadian beauty's relationship with singer Chris Brown is on the rocks according to reports.
Brown, 19, is said to have become increasingly infuriated by his girlfriend's clingy behaviour.
“She has to have Chris around her 24/7,” a source is quoted as telling OK magazine.


“If Chris is with her on a photo shoot and steps away for a second, she starts saying, ‘Where did he go?’”'If Chris isn’t with her, she wants to call and check in every second. She’s crazy about him. Rihanna constantly talks about Chris.”Rihanna and Chris were first linked in 2007 when he re-worked her mega hit track Umbrella as Cinderella Under The Umbrella.The singer fuelled rumours that they were engaged earlier his month when she was spotted flashing a huge diamond ring on her wedding finger.They collaborated again on Rihanna's single Disturbia, which reached number three in the British singles charts.He originally wrote the song for himself, but decided it would sound better with a female voice so naturally, his girlfriend was the first person he offered it to.When asked about their relationship last May, Rihanna said: 'We are great actually. We have been friends for three years now.'When reminded of the photographs of her kissing Chris, a coy Rihanna replied: 'We are very good friends...'People always want to know what it is and what it isn't. People think they know. They try to guess. Sometimes you just need your privacy. But it comes with the territory. There's no privacy when you are out in the public.'