Apr 9, 2009

'I wouldn't change my body if I could,' says Mischa Barton as she bares all for magazine shoot

(April 9) - Former 'O.C.' star Mischa Barton is not afraid to bare her bod.
The actress strips down for the cover of Cosmopolitan UK and reveals she's finally at peace with how she looks. See the Photos

Body confident: Mischa Barton poses naked for the May issue of CosmopolitanBody confident: Mischa Barton poses naked for the May issue of Cosmopolitan magazine
Cosmopolitan The full interview appears in the May issue of Cosmopolitan, on sale April 9
"It's human nature to be self-critical, but it's possible to like the way you look," Mischa tells the magazine.
"I'm happy now - I wouldn't change my body, and I couldn't anyway. The only way to be happy and be a more enjoyable person to be around is to embrace what you've got. Everyone has issues about their body, but I feel confident now. I’m healthy and happy," Barton adds.

Travoltas Still Coping with Jett's Death

(April 9) - Just months after the sudden loss of their only son Jett, John Travolta and Kelly Preston are slowly letting the world back into their lives. Friends and family say the Travoltas are coping with the teen's death as well as they can and leaning on their faith in Scientology to find peace.
"John is a strong man, but to lose a loved one, it's the worst time in anyone's life," Olivia Newton-John, a longtime pal, told PEOPLE in its new cover story (on newsstands April 10.)
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John Travolta and Kelly Preston cover the new issue of PEOPLE Magazine (on newsstands April 10.) Friends and family discuss how the Travolta's are coping with the tragic loss of their son and finding faith to stay strong.

Travolta Family Tragedy

    John Travolta and Kelly Preston cover the new issue of PEOPLE Magazine (on newsstands April 10.)

    PEOPLE Magazine

    Jett Travolta, son of John Travolta and Kelly Preston, died suddenly on Friday after falling the bathroom and hitting his head. An autopsy concluded that Jett died of a seizure.

    KCSPresse, Splash News

    Jett, shown here in 2004 with his father, collapsed at the family's vacation home and was discovered by the Travolta's nanny.

    ShowBizIreland / Getty Images

    The entrance of John Travolta's vacation home is shown at West End, in Freeport, Grand Bahama, Bahamas.

    Alan Diaz, AP

    Jett was taken by ambulance to Rand Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on Jan. 2.

    Tim Aylen, AP

    John Travolta's attorneys Michael Ossi, left, and Michael McDermott talk to reporters at West End, in Freeport, Grand Bahama, Bahamas, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2009. Of the tragedy, Ossi spoke of Travolta's heartbreak. "He never dreamed of this

    Alan Diaz, AP

    The 16-year-old's death has affected many. Speaking of Travolta's relationship with his son, Bahamian parliament member Obie Wilchcombe told Larry King, "He always brought him along. There was a close affectionate relationship and lots of love. People in the old Bahama community today are in shock."

    Tom O'Donnell, WireImage

    Travolta and Preston had revealed that their son became sick when he was 2, and was diagnosed with Kawasaki disease, an illness that leads to inflammation of the blood vessels in young children.

    Michael A. Mariant, AP

    Both parents blamed his diagnosis on household cleaners, and used Scientology's detoxification program to improve their son's health. "I was obsessive about his space being cleaned. We constantly had the carpets cleaned," Travolta said in a 2001 interview.

    Dimitrios Kambouris, WireImage

    Preston and Travolta also have a daughter named Ella.

    Steve Granitz, WireImage

On Jan. 2, the Travoltas' family vacation turned to tragedy when son Jett was found unconscious in bathtub at the family's resort in the Bahamas. Jett eventually died of a seizure, despite several attempts to save him. Travolta tried to revive Jett using CPR after the teen was discovered unconscious. "He was doing mouth-to-mouth to resuscitate," Travolta's attorney Michael McDermott said.
Actress Leah Remini has watched the family tragedy unfold and says they are dealing with the tragedy very well. "How do you deal with the greatest tragedy in your life? I can tell you that they are handling it the best any parent could ever deal," Remini said.
While they are still trying to stay out of the public eye, friends say the couple haven't secluded themselves and are making time to see friends and stay strong for their daughter Ella Bleu.
"They aren't secluding themselves or paralyzed," a family friend said. "[Seeing them] was like old times. Nothing awkward and no topics to dance around. There were smiles."
Despite controversy with their religion, friends say Scientology has helped the family find peace with their son's death. "They're relying on their faith to get them through this. Their faith is solid, and their family is solid," said a friend.

Kardashian 'Would Die' to Be in 'Twilight'

(April 7) -- Kim Kardashian is wearing many hats these days, and we don't mean in the fashion sense. Aside from her hit reality show 'Keeping Up With the Kardashians,' her various photo shoots and her clothing stores, Kim is embarking on a new project called ShoeDazzle.com. A ShoeDazzle subscription gives customers a chance to have a professional stylist pick shoes for them each month. PopEater got the chance to sit down with Kim to talk about not just her new venture, but also her recent photo scandal and how there's buzz for her to be in the next 'Twilight' movie, which almost made her fall off of her chair. See What Kim Said Below:
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LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 05: TV personality Kim Kardashian arrives at Bravo's 2nd annual A-List Awards held at the Orpheum Theater on April 5, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian Snapshots

    Kim Kardashian attends Detroit Pistons vs New York Knicks game at Madison Square Garden on April 8, 2009 in New York City. Celebrity Sightings in New York - April 8, 2009 Streets of Manhattan New York, NY United States April 8, 2009 Photo by James Devaney/WireImage.com To license this image (57159423), contact WireImage.com

    James Devaney/WireImage.com

    Kim Kardashian attends Detroit Pistons vs New York Knicks game at Madison Square Garden on April 8, 2009 in New York City. Celebrity Sightings in New York - April 8, 2009 Streets of Manhattan New York, NY United States April 8, 2009 Photo by James Devaney/WireImage.com To license this image (57159414), contact WireImage.com

    James Devaney/WireImage.com

    Kim Kardashian attends Detroit Pistons vs New York Knicks game at Madison Square Garden on April 8, 2009 in New York City. Celebrity Sightings in New York - April 8, 2009 Streets of Manhattan New York, NY United States April 8, 2009 Photo by James Devaney/WireImage.com To license this image (57159401), contact WireImage.com

    James Devaney/WireImage.com

    Kim Kardashian and Britney Gastineau attend Detroit Pistons vs New York Knicks game at Madison Square Garden on April 8, 2009 in New York City. Celebrity Sightings in New York - April 8, 2009 Streets of Manhattan New York, NY United States April 8, 2009 Photo by James Devaney/WireImage.com To license this image (57159397), contact WireImage.com

    James Devaney/WireImage.com

    Kim Kardashian attends Detroit Pistons vs New York Knicks game at Madison Square Garden on April 8, 2009 in New York City. Celebrity Sightings in New York - April 8, 2009 Streets of Manhattan New York, NY United States April 8, 2009 Photo by James Devaney/WireImage.com To license this image (57159406), contact WireImage.com

    James Devaney/WireImage.com

    Kim Kardashian, left, talks with Brittny Gastineau during a timeout while watching an NBA basketball game between the Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks Wednesday, April 8, 2009, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

    AP

    LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 05: TV personalities Kim Kardashian and Khloe Kardashian arrive at Bravo's 2nd annual A-List Awards held at the Orpheum Theater on April 5, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kim Kardashian;Khloe Kardashian

    Getty Images

    LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 05: TV personality Kim Kardashian arrives at Bravo's 2nd annual A-List Awards held at the Orpheum Theater on April 5, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kim Kardashian

    Getty Images

    LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 05: TV personalities Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian and Kourtney Kardashian arrive at Bravo's 2nd annual A-List Awards held at the Orpheum Theater on April 5, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kim Kardashian;Khloe Kardashian;Kourtney Kardashian

    Getty Images

    LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 05: TV personalities Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian and Kourtney Kardashian arrive at Bravo's 2nd annual A-List Awards held at the Orpheum Theater on April 5, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kim Kardashian;Khloe Kardashian;Kourtney Kardashian

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Kim's Exclusive PopEater Chat

Downey suits up as `Iron Man 2' starts filming

LOS ANGELES – Robert Downey Jr. is officially back in the superhero business.

Production started Wednesday on "Iron Man 2," the sequel to his 2008 blockbuster about the Marvel Comics character.

Downey reprises his role as a billionaire genius who fights bad guys in a high-tech metal suit that's loaded with gadgets. "Iron Man 2" reunites Downey with co-star Gwyneth Paltrow and also features Don Cheadle, who replaces Terrence Howard as the superhero's military ally.

Mickey Rourke is signed on to play a villain, and the cast also includes Scarlett Johansson and Samuel L. Jackson, who had a cameo at the end of the first "Iron Man."

Jon Favreau is back directing again for the sequel that hits theaters May 7, 2010.

Harry Potter author quits MS charity over 'rifts'

LONDON (AFP) – Multi-millionaire Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling said Thursday she had quit as patron of a Scottish charity for multiple sclerosis because the organisation is being ripped apart by an internal row.
Harry Potter author quits MS charity over 'rifts' AFP/POOL/File – Multi-millionaire Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, seen here in 2008, said Thursday she had quit as …

Rowling, who has supported the charity for nearly a decade after her mother died from the debilitating disease in 1991, said conflict between MS Society Scotland and management in London had resulted in a host of resignations.

"I have now reluctantly decided that I cannot, in good conscience, continue to be the public face of a charity that is changing beyond recognition from the one with which I have been so proud to be associated," she said.

Rowling said she had taken the decision to stand down "with profound sadness and regret" but added that her financial backing for a research project into the disease at Edinburgh University would continue.

She said in a statement: "This disease claimed my mother's life at the age of 45, and I hope to continue giving both time and money to a cause which remains so close to my heart."

Rowling said she had initiated a mediation session last year in a bid to resolve the internal rifts but it had proved fruitless.

Since then, she had "witnessed resignations of immensely dedicated people within MSSS and the increasing demoralisation of staff whom I have come to know and admire over the 10 years of our association."
Harry Potter author quits MS charity over 'rifts'

An MS Society spokesman said the charity was "is in the middle of a governance review to make sure we are properly organised to build on the excellent work we already do."

"J.K. Rowling has been a great patron for the MS Society Scotland for many years. We are sorry she is stepping down and thank her for her good work, and for her continued support for the MS research centre in Edinburgh," the spokeswoman added.

Rowling, 43, has earned 560 million pounds (620 million euros, 820 million dollars) from books about the boy wizard, according to last year's Sunday Times Rich List.

Gospel singer David "Pop" Winans dies

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Reuters) – David "Pop" Winans, patriarch of The Winans family gospel group that earned six Grammy awards, has died, a spokesman for a Nashville hospice said on Thursday.
Winans was nominated for a Grammy for his solo CD Uncensored in 1999
Pop Winans, Uncensored (1999)
Winans, 74, died of a heart attack on Wednesday with his wife, Delores, at his side, a spokesman said. He had suffered a heart attack and stroke last year.

Under Winans' guiding hand as manager of the children, The Winans became the biggest male gospel quartet of the 1980s with such songs as "It's Time" and "Ain't No Need to Worry."

The Winans, nicknamed "Mom" and "Pop," had 10 children in all.

The four performing as The Winans were Michael, Marvin, Carvin and Ronald, though other family members occasionally joined the group. Two children, BeBe and CeCe Winans, formed a duo and turned out R&B/gospel hits such as "Addictive Love" and "I'll Take You There."

The parents recorded a Grammy-nominated debut, "Mom & Pop Winans," in 1989 followed by "The Rest of My Life," which featured a rocking rendition of "Go Tell It On The Mountain."

Another solo album, "Uncensored," was nominated for a Grammy and was described by Billboard magazine as "some of the most compelling music this century has spawned."

A statement from the Winans family said that memorial services are planned for next week at Perfection Church in Detroit where Marvin Winans is senior pastor.

Liam Neeson Makes Titanic Comeback

Liam Neeson is continuing to seek solace in his work.

The Irish actor has signed on for his first role since the death of wife Natasha Richardson three weeks ago, joining longtime pal Ralph Fiennes in a remake of Clash of the Titans.
Ralph Fiennes, Liam Neeson
According to the Hollywood Reporter, the duo will play warring deities in the epic F/X-heavy flick, with Neeson taking on the role of Zeus, the ill-tempered king of the Greek gods, while Fiennes will play underworld ruler, and would-be Olympian usurper, Hades.

Louis Leterrier will direct a cast that also includes Bond baddie Mads Mikkelsen, Bond babe Gemma Arterton and Alexa Davalos, who, as yet, has no discernible connection to 007. Shooting begins later this month in the U.K.

In the rest of the day's casting coups, Zac Efron finally lands a nonmusical role, Brittany Murphy doesn't, and Freddy Krueger gets a new victim...

• Zac Efron is following through on his vow to avoid more song-and-dance roles, signing on to star in the animated action adaptation of Jonny Quest. According to the Los Angeles Times, Dwayne Johnson is in talks to join the boy wonder as man-of-action Race Bannon. The franchise-ready role may be a departure for Efron, but it's not exactly a more mature role: In the original Quest cartoon series, Jonny was an 11-year-old boy.

• Brittany Murphy is tuning up for The Expendables. Per the Hollywood Reporter, the actress will join Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Mickey Rourke, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren and Randy Couture in the Sly-directed action flick centering on a team of mercenaries who head to South America to overthrow a dictator. Murphy will play Rourke's singer girlfriend.

• Virginia Madsen is going elemental in Fighting Gravity. Per Variety, the Sideways thesp will produce the documentary, following 15 women ski jumpers as they train and fight to be able to compete in the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games. Ski jumping is currently the only Olympic sport open only to men.

• David O. Russell is apparently ready for his (second) YouTube close-up. The tempestuous director will helm the John Hughes-like romantic comedy Aaron and Sarah, per Variety, following a nerdy guy and popular girl who meet as high school freshman and, four years later, fall in love.

• Kyle Gallner is ready to be victimized. The Haunting in Connecticut star has signed on as one of the terrorized teens and potential victims of Freddy Krueger in A Nightmare on Elm Street, according to Variety. Jackie Earle Haley stars as the iconic villain.

Date Rape Jokes to Hurt Seth Rogen’s Box Office? Today in Film Bloggery 04/08/09



What’s funnier, cancer or rape? That’s a trick question; neither is funny. And in the past 24 hours I’ve seen concerns for two Seth Rogen movies because of how they involve these unfunny subjects. Of course, I doubt the cancer comedy Funny People will turn as many people off as much as the date rape joke in Observe and Report.

If you’ve seen the red-band trailer for Observe and Report, you’ve seen the gist of the joke, which has Rogen pause mid-intercourse because he thinks Anna Faris’ character is unconscious. She’s apparently not, though, and scolds the guy for stopping. Yes, it’s black comedy, and yes, it makes sense as a joke in theory. But neither Faris’ seemingly conscious outburst nor the audiences’ laughter make it okay, according to some people who will not be going to see the movie this weekend or ever.

Few blogs are writing about the date rape issue surrounding the movie, but those that are have received a few interesting comments, all of which make me wonder if Observe and Report’s box office could be even slightly hurt by the joke. Certainly there have been successful films featuring total scumbag protagonists (Gran Torino is one example, though its character’s racism isn’t necessarily played for laughs), but does this one really appear to be saying that the scumbaggery is forgiveable in certain situations? After reading Faris’ thoughts, watching Rogen’s apologism and reading the comments below, let us if you’ll also be avoiding the movie as a result of its misogynous humor.

* In the first of two posts on the issue, Sady at Tiger Beatdown complains, in response to the apologism of the punchline, that the film not just “contains, by all accounts, a scene of rape; it contains, by all accounts, a scene of rape in which the victim likes it and begs for more.” Commenter “antiplath” writes:

this movie sounds beyond horrid and I’m about to vomit just reading the description of the rape scene. Do people actually laugh at this? Really?

* Quoting from Sady’s post, Melissa McEwan at Shakesville calls the film an “unmitigated clusterfuck” and calls Rogen “Rape Apologist #1.” Commenter “AnneOnne” asks:

Why is it that people would want to ban or belittle perfectly consensual, nuanced portrayals of human sexuality, yet find it acceptable, indeed ‘artistic’ to broadcast rape as entertainment or being ‘edgy’. We have serious problems with our attitudes to sexuality, humour and free speech.

* Dan Kois at Vulture affirms that what Rogen’s character does is indeed rape, though in context, “this scene winds up seeming a lot less awful as the movie goes on.” Commenting in response to Kois’ inclusion of a justifying quote from Faris, “REBECCAROSE2004″ writes:

because I suspect many people will defend this by saying “Oh, well Anna Faris thought it was no big deal, and she’s a woman, so we shouldn’t care., I will say this…go rent a BRILLIANT film called “The Journals of Jean Seberg” directed by cinematic mastermind Mark Rappaport. Once you have seen his unflinching depiction of how carelessly women allow themselves to be used and abused just to claim the privelege of being part of the Hollywood scene, then I will be THRILLED to debate you on this issue. He frames it in a way that is more poignant and impactful than I ever would.

* In her second post, which responds to the Vulture piece, Sady gets even more infuriated:

what we need to talk about is that the other crimes of violence in Observe & Report are just so much worse than rape, really, so women and rape victims should all just chill and agree to like the movie (even though, I am betting, it’s far more likely that a woman will be raped at the end of a date than that she will be killed or maimed by a comically insane mall security guard; I am also betting that the widespread social toleration of rape is far more likely to be reinforced by a joke that trivializes and justifies rape than the non-existent social toleration of murder is likely to be reinforced by a joke about murder)

* Amanda Hess at The Sexist also lashes out at the joke being that “she just prefers to fuck while sleeping!” Commenter “Brohem Can Sukkit” writes:

Rogen: “when we’re having sex and she’s unconscious…”

You’re not “having sex” when one of you is UNCONSCIOUS you disgusting piece of shit! Now I even regret just having rented Knocked Up. I’ll never see anything associated with this scumbag again. He Fatty Arbuckled himself here as far as I’m concerned.

Miley Cyrus Leaves 'Achy Breaky Heart' To Dad Billy Ray Cyrus

'He's the one and only guy that could do it,' the 'Hannah Montana' star says of Billy Ray's biggest hit.

Although her dad, Billy Ray Cyrus, shot to fame with the lovelorn country song "Achy Breaky Heart" back in 1992, don't expect Miley Cyrus to head into the studio anytime soon to re-record his biggest hit.

"I think both me and my dad have both heard that song enough," she told MTV News. "He's the one and only. I don't want anyone to ever to cut it, really, because he's the one and only guy that could do it, I think."

Billy Ray agrees that she should leave "Achy Breaky" to him, adding, "It's gotten plenty enough laughs as it is."

But he does see a future in country music for the young star and maybe even a collaboration with him in the near future. "She loves to play [the Rolling Stones'] 'Honky Tonk Woman,' " he said. "I don't think she's ever sang it out, unless she's onstage with me, but she'd just kill it. I mean, she just wears it out."

The two have previously collaborated on "Ready, Set, Don't Go," a song Billy Ray holds close to his heart. "She's definitely got a rock-and-roll spirit that comes out every now and then," he said. "The song 'Ready, Set, Don't Go' that she sang with me, sometimes she would sound like Stevie Nicks and other times she would sound like Loretta Lynn, and sometimes it'd be the perfect balance between the two."

Download Hannah Montana Movie HERE.

'Extract' Welcomes Its Teaser Trailer

The just-released teaser trailer of comedy film "Extract" exposes how a minor mess happening in beverage company Reynold's Extract leads to a number of some other major chaos.

Five months away from its U.S. release date, comedy movie "Extract" has got its first teaser trailer. The more-than-one minute footage shows how a minor mess happening in a beverage company called Reynold's Extract leads to a number of other major chaos.

The numerous distraction turns the life of one of the factory's workers, played by actor Jason Bateman, upside down. The plot of the movie goes on, telling how Bateman's character's life gets even more complicated following his encounter with a young con artist and a dim-witted gigolo.

"Extract", which comes from the production hands of John Altschuler, Michael Rotenberg, and Tom Lassally, will be released in U.S. theaters on September 4 later this year. Mike Judge, who is best known as the creator and star of some hit animated television series, serves as its director.

The film teams Jason Bateman with actress Kristen Wiig who stars as his wife, and Ben Affleck who plays his best friend who works at a bar. Mila Kunis, J.K. Simmons, Clifton Collins Jr., David Koechner, Dustin Milligan, and T.J. Miller are the other cast of the film.




Rob and Nikki So Not "Dating"

We've already pointed out some weird crap that's been going on in the coverage of the possibly together costars Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart. So we can't say that we're surprised at the latest rumor surrounding the sought-after heartthrob.

Life & Style is reporting that Rob is "back" with New Moon costar Nikki Reed. Apparently, the two shacked up together after a party in Vancouver, causing N.R. to catch a later-than-anticipated flight to L.A.

We're calling total bull on this one, folks.

Maybe the two cutie-pies did hang out, but we'll put money on the fact that it was totally not Twilight-worthy heart-wrenching love stuff. After all, Nikki and Kristen are BFF's, right?

More than one very good chum to Nik and Kris is adamantly refuting any Rob-Nikki romance. We're told a serious relationship between N and R does not exist. "I get why people would think that. Let's just say it's convenient for a lot of people to pair Rob in the media up with Nikki, Natalie Portman, Paris, whoever to get the heat off him and Kristen."

Another Twilight know-it-all sniffed: "Well, let's just say Nikki likes this stuff out there more than Rob does, who really just f--ks whoever he wants—and he does."

So interesting! Our dirty minds can't help but wonder if there's a good reason to get the heat off R 'n' K. Or is that all total crap like one of our usually fave gossipers, Lainey, is dishing. This babe loves to call out people's bull (it's why we heart her); we just don't get why she and many others are getting sucked into this Nikki and Rob romance.

Stay tuned, this is just the beginning of things to come.

Oh, and a P.S. If you're one of these folks lovin' the "conspiracy" crap, then check this out. Same taxi ride in which Rob and K were pictured out together, but why is there a black blob Photoshopped out in the paparazzi pics?