GOSSIP GIRL star LEIGHTON MEESTER took to the red carpet in New York on Thursday (02Oct08) to take a stand against domestic violence.
Leighton Meester and Marshalls take a stand against domestic violence at Union Square park, New York City, USA - 02.10.08
The actress hopes to raise awareness of the abuse women suffer at the hands of a violent partner, and spoke out in support of the 15th annual Shop 'Til It Stops campaign - which raises funds for the cause through retail sales.
And Meester insists she was moved to take part in the drive, because the topic can effect everyone.
She tells People.com, ""I think it's an issue that everyone can take part in because it applies to everyone. You can be a victim or someone you love can be a victim. The more people are aware, the more it can be prevented.
She adds, "You can be a victim or someone you love can be a victim. The more people are aware, the more it can be prevented."
LEONARDO DiCAPRIO made a surprise appearance on comedienne ELLEN DeGENERES' talk show on Thursday (02Oct08) when he showed off his new public service announcement (PSA) aimed at young U.S. voters.
Leonardo DiCaprio leaving Agos Restaurant, West Hollywood, California - 15.12.07
DeGeneres agreed to be one of the talking heads urging America's
youth to hit the polls in November (08) and vote for a new president, and DiCaprio, the force behind the new campaign, turned up to hand deliver the PSA to her on her TV show.
The Titanic star invited a host of celebrity pals to his Hollywood home, where the PSA was shot, to speak their mind about the importance of voting.
He told DeGeneres, "Forest Whitaker, Tobey Maguire, will.i.am and myself were talking about how soon the voter registration deadline is and it's only days away and, with 35 states in our country, the deadline is October 6th - that's this Monday... so we really wanted to do a PSA to really encourage people to get out there.
"This is one of the most important elections of our lifetime and we really need to tell everyone we know to get out and register.
"We have this campaign that's, 'Tell five of your friends,' so if you go online, at least send it to five friends and it's gonna spread like wildfire."
In the PSA, DiCaprio, Whitaker, DeGeneres, Maguire and stars like Dustin Hoffman, Demi Moore and Usher poke fun at those who have not registered to vote, saying, "Don't vote."
Other celebrities join the ad, with Courteney Cox asking, "Who cares about your children's education." And Jamie Foxx and DiCaprio ask, "Who cares about global warming and the fact that our polar ice caps are melting," as Jennifer Aniston chimes in, "I hear polar bears can swim!"
The ad has already achieved it's initial goal - DiCaprio explains, "In the first hour (of posting it online) we got 10,000 more people registered to vote."
Former SPICE GIRL GERI HALLIWELL has been named 2008's best selling children's author.
Geri Halliwell signs copies of her 'Ugenia Lavender' children's book collection a Waterstones in Harrods. London, England - 27.09.08
The singer-turned-storyteller published her own series of children's books about fictional heroine Ugenia Lavender earlier this year (08) and has become the surprise hit of the kid's literature market.
In less than months, Halliwell has shifted a mammoth 250,000 copies of her illustrated tale in the U.K. - which focuses on the antics of a feisty nine-year-old.
And not only has Halliwell seen massive sales, she has also been named the most successful celebrity author in recent years, according to British retailer WHSmith.
The 36-year-old says, "I'm so happy that everyone loves Ugenia as much as I do."
But the star isn't stopping at writing short stories - she announced earlier this week (begs29Sep08) that she had penned her first film screenplay.
MARIE OSMOND is begging brother DONNIE not to follow her dancing footsteps on hit U.S. show DANCING WITH THE STARS - because the experience could kill him.
Marie Osmond and Donny Osmond perform live for 'Good Morning America's Summer Concert Series' in Bryant Park, New York City, USA - 15.08.08
The Puppy Love singer has been pressured to get dancing on the show ever since his sister was voted off - but Marie doesn't want him to even consider it.
She explains, "I don't want him to (do it). Donnie has a very bad neck; he almost was paralysed.
"He was in Hawaii playing with his family, bodysurfing, and he snapped his vertebrae. He's had several surgeries - and so, for him to do that (show), I think would be really stupid because it is hard."
OASIS star NOEL GALLAGHER has admitted he used some immature tactics while recording DIG OUT YOUR SOUL - the rocker used a children's toy instrument to create the LP's unique sound.
Noel Gallagher out and about around London, London, England - 21.09.08
The band locked themselves away in London's Abbey Road studios, made famous by the Beatles, to work on their seventh album.
And Gallagher has confessed the sitar sound on track To Be Where There's Life, was actually created with a cheap kid's toy.
In the Gold + Silver + Sunshine, the band's documentary to coincide with their latest record release, Gallagher says, "You know it's (sitar) not a real one? It's a toy electric one, a plastic one.
"They're shaped like a sitar, and they've got a speaker on the front. You switch it on and you pick the key, and you leave it there!"
And the rocker says the plastic instrument stood out - because it was so out of place compared to the studio's highly complex recording equipment.
He adds, "It looked hilarious. In this really famous room is this little tiny plastic sitar with this massive mic that's worth about GBP50,000. And the sitar's worth about GBP12.50..."
LIZA MINNELLI stunned fans ahead of her Italian tour - by performing an impromptu routine of NEW YORK, NEW YORK at one of Rome's most famous landmarks.
LIZA MINNELLI
The Cabaret star arrived in Italy on Thursday (02Oct08) to perform a string of concerts across the country, kicking off on 29 October (08) in the historical city.
And Minnelli gave tourists and locals alike a preview of her stage routine - by dancing to the classic song from her Oscar-winning turn in 1977's Cabaret in front of Rome's Trevi Fountain.
But the singer/actress stayed in line with the fountain's traditions - she threw a coin in the Trevi's cascading water and made a wish for Italy's children.
Rapper SEAN 'DIDDY' COMBS has hit out at U.S. vice presidential candidate SARAH PALIN again - branding the Governor of Alaska 'worse than the boogeyman'.
SEAN 'DIDDY' COMBS and SARAH PALIN
The hip-hop mogul has been urging youths to use their vote in the upcoming elections to help shape their future, and last month (Sep08) branded White House hopeful John McCain as "irresponsible" for choosing Palin.
And after watching the politician's interview with U.S. news anchor Katie Couric, the music titan says he fears for the future of U.S. politics if McCain is voted into administration - because Palin bluffed her way through an important question on which publications she regularly reads.
In a video message on his official website, he says, "Boys and girls, boys and girls. Did you hear her? I'm scared. She scares me. She scares me. I'm hiding under the covers. She's worse than the boogeyman.
"Sarah Palin, you scare me. You could become the president of the United States. Did you hear the answer to that question? Did you hear? John McCain is 72. Sarah Palin could be the president. Boys and girls vote. Please. Please, I beg you. I'm not coming out the covers."
A MTV boss has branded PEACHES GELDOF a "monster" over her behaviour while filming a new documentary. Rocker Bob Geldof's daughter was asked to edit a magazine for the upcoming one-off show, to be aired by the U.K. branch of the iconic music channel later this month (Oct08).
But the London party-girl irritated the crew of the show with her diva demands and less-than-polite working style.
And MTV boss Heather Jones claims it was near impossible to find any footage in which Geldof portrayed herself in a positive light.
And things were made worse by the fact Peaches' father part-owns the production company who created the show.
She tells the London Paper, "Bob founded (production company) Ten Alps so he had a final say in the content.
"But she's a monster! Everything that comes out of her mouth is horrendous, and that will still show through."
British comedian RICKY GERVAIS plans to quit acting to focus on writing and directing - because he is 'not a great' thespian.
Ricky Gervais arrives at the David Letterman Show, New York City, - 08.09.08
The funnyman starred in British sitcoms The Office and Extras, and recently landed a lead role in new movie Ghost Town.
But the star insists he won't be an actor forever - because he doesn't think he is very good at it.
He says, "I'm not going to make a career of it (acting), certainly not. Being one of the leads is very nice and flattering. But I'm not pursuing it.
"I've never wanted to be an actor. I've never thought of myself as one. Let's face it, I'm not a great actor, but I have fun doing it. I'm still going to write, direct."
SIN CITY star ROSARIO DAWSON has co-written a mini-musical in an effort to urge Latinos to vote in the upcoming U.S. presidential election.
Rosario Dawson at Los Angeles Premiere of 'Eagle Eye' - held at Grauman's Chinese Theatre - Arrivals. Hollywood, California - 16.09.08
Pal Wilmer Valderrama will direct the internet short, the fourth in a series of comical films for the actress' Voto Latino initiative, this weekend (04Oct08).
Dawson says, "We play a Latin family on a fake TV show and we all speak with Spanish accents and, like, the big major drama is, 'He's not registered to vote.'
"It's all really overly dramatic and overdone and this one is gonna be a musical."
Celebrity chef MARIO BATALI pulled a perfect prank on pal GWYNETH PALTROW when a hitchhiker he picked up on a remote Spanish road turned out to be R.E.M. star MICHAEL STIPE.
GWYNETH PALTROW and MICHAEL STIPE
Batali and Paltrow were shooting scenes for their new Spanish food and travel show Spain... On The Road Again when the masterchef pulled over to pick up a stranded tourist, under protest from his passenger.
Batali says, "Gwyneth was really nervous but it was just our friend Michael Stipe - I had invited him (along) to surprise her. We got her good."
SALMA HAYEK is leading a new UNICEF campaign aimed at helping young African mums fight tetanus.
SALMA HAYEK
The actress, a new mum, was so moved by the efforts teenagers are taking to stay healthy on a recent fact-finding mission to West Africa she felt compelled to tell Americans what she had witnessed.
At a press conference for the Pampers' tetanus vaccine programme on Thursday (02Oct08), Hayek revealed she was stunned by the efforts being made to eradicate the disease in Sierra Leone, where she also met with tetanus victims.
She says, "One of the things that was very moving about the trip was to see 15-year-old girls, really young, taking responsibility for their lives and their children before they're born by saying, 'I am going to be healthy, I am going to take this vaccination.'
"I had no idea how much this was going to really personally move me."
The Pampers powers at parent company Procter + Gamble who are behind the new tetanus initiative have pledged to give UNICEF the money for one tetanus vaccine for every pack of specially marked diapers the company it sells before the end of the year (08).
NATALIE PORTMAN has upset America's leading Hindus with her portrayal of an Indian princess in ex-boyfriend DEVENDRA BANHART's new CARMENSITA video - and they're calling for a public apology from her.
NATALIE PORTMAN
Religious scholars have called the actress' role of Princess Carmensita Saplingita in the promo "denigrating" to Hinduism, claiming it "mocks Hindu concepts and symbols".
Acclaimed Hindu and Indo-American statesman Rajan Zed admits he is deeply hurt by the video, which he claims simply serves to feed incorrect stereotypes of his religion.
He says, "The images used in the video are revered in Hinduism and are not to be thrown around loosely for dramatic effects.
"We invite Hollywood to immerse itself in Hinduism, but we ask that actors and actresses, directors and producers take our religion seriously and respectfully.
"Hindus would gladly provide genuine Hollywood seekers the resources they needed for their study and research. Casual flirting sometimes results in pillaging serious spiritual doctrines and revered symbols and hurting the devotees."
And he is not alone in calling for a public apology from Portman - officials at the Hindu Alliance of India, Shri Ramayan Pracharini Sabha, India Heritage Panel, have also demanded she distance herself from the Banhart video.
Zed adds, "Forgiveness is one of the main virtues of Hindu ethics. If Natalie Portman offers a sincere public apology, Hindus would not only absolve her but might also pray for her success in future ventures."
VELVET REVOLVER star DUFF McKAGAN will never forget his first sexual experience - because nuns had to treat him for a sexually transmitted disease afterwards.
Duff McKagan from Velvet Revolver performing at Brixton Carling Academy, London, England - 25.03.08
The former Guns N' Roses star was 13 when he lost his virginity to an 18-year-old "punk rock chick" and she gave him "the clap".
The rocker recalls, "Three days later I'm at the free clinic, and it's all nuns. And one of them stuck a Q-tip right in my d**k! I'll never forget that."
Former THE SMITHS star MORRISSEY has joined music mogul IRVING AZOFF's roster of talent, which includes the EAGLES and GUNS N' ROSES.
Morrissey leaving STK restaurant, West Hollywood, California, USA - 14.04.08
The British rocker split with his U.K.-based managers at ie: music last month (Sep08).
Azoff has been signed to help steer Morrissey's career as he considers a new U.S. record label. His new album, Years of Refusal, will be released outside America by Universal.
KANYE WEST's TV comedy plans have stalled - because his new cable show is too outrageous.
KANYE WEST
The rapper was set to star in Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm creator Larry Charles' latest project, but the untitled series has been shelved because network bosses at HBO fear it's too racy.
Charles, who directed the pilot episode, tells ComingSoon.com, "It was really good, but I think it was too hardcore for HBO…The management has shifted at HBO so we're waiting to see."
Charles admits West's ability to improvise comedy in front of camera left him impressed.
THE GAME's cousin has released a video online, blasting the rapper for fighting with him at his sister's funeral.
THE GAME
Robert Kirkwood is still livid that his rapper relative disrespected the family by picking a fight with him at his late sister's service in July (08) over funeral costs.
In his YouTube.com rant, titled The Game's Cousin Funeral Fight Reply, Kirkwood, aka Kirky, insists The Game's claims that the pallbearer started the fight are all wrong.
He ends the video message by calling his famous cousin a "Milli Vanilli/Vanilla Ice-ass n**ger," and referring to The Game's sister Sherani as a "hood rat".
Speaking shortly after the July fight, The Game revealed he felt like his extended family were using emotional blackmail to get him to pay for all of the funeral expenses.
On Tuesday (30Sep08), a California judge told the rapper, real name Jayceon Taylor, the charges against him will be quashed if he completes anger management meetings by February 2009.
KINGSTON TRIO star NICK REYNOLDS has died after his family agreed to take him off a life support system in a San Diego, California hospital. He was 75. Guitarist Reynolds, who had been ill for some time, was one of the founding members of the folk group, which enjoyed hits with songs like Where Have All the Flowers Gone? and Grammy Award Best Song winner, Tom Dooley.
As a member of the Kingston Trio, Reynolds was credited with helping to turn folk music into a mainstream force, which gave stars like Joan Baez and Bob Dylan a chance to shine.
Fellow founder Dave Guard died in 1991, and his replacement, John Stewart, passed away earlier this year (08). Bob Shane is the only surviving member of the Kingston Trio.
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