flamestodust: 2011

Thursday, 25 August 2011

'Hunger Games' Author Suzanne Collins Is Focus Of New Biographical Comic Book

What a day for "Hunger Games" news! First came the announcement that the debut teaser for our most hotly anticipated flick of 2012 will premiere at this Sunday's VMAs, and now we can happily report that author Suzanne Collins is the latest bold-faced name to get the Bluewater Comics treatment.
Fan favorite authors Stephenie Meyer and [...]

Source: http://hollywoodcrush.mtv.com/2011/08/23/fame-suzanne-collins/

Mary Pickford Rosamund Pike Jada Pinkett Smith Freida Pinto Maria Pitillo

Wednesday, 24 August 2011

Interviews From The 'American Idol' Red Carpet

Jim Cantiello gabs it up with Kris Allen, Adam Lambert and Judas Priest.

Photo: MTV News

Rosie Perez Elizabeth Perkins Rhea Perlman Pauley Perrette Valerie Perrine

Roger Moore Signs Toy James Bond Cars For Celebrity Charity Auction

Sir Roger Moore has signed a limited edition set of model 007 cars for a new charity auction.

Photo: Roger Moore Signed Cars 2

The set consists of 2 Corgi Roger Moore-era Lotus cars, from the iconic 007 James Bond series. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the Prince's Trust.

Photo: Roger Moore Signed Cars 1

The box in which they come has been personally signed by Roger Moore, and shows the edition number 1441 of 1500.

Photo: Roger Moore Signed Cars 3

This particular set was 1 of only 100 of these signed by Sir Roger worldwide. It is the signed edition number ‘007’ which of course makes this one that more sort after and collectible.

The toy cars are being auctioned by Sellebrity.org.uk, a new way to help charities help others through online auctions of celebrity donated items. Everyone’s a winner with Sellebrity. Celebrities have another way to use their public profile to help good causes, and fans, and collectors are able to buy things that have a very special provenance.

The auction runs until August 28, and can be accessed here.

Adam Lambert Making His 'Dream Album'

Ryan Tedder, Nikka Costa and Sia help create 'honest and real' follow-up to For Your Entertainment.
By James Montgomery, with reporting by Jim Cantiello

Adam Lambert at the "American Idol" finale
Photo: Frazer Harrison/ Getty Images

Adam Lambert's debut album, 2009's For Your Entertainment, was very much a product of his time on "American Idol" — written and produced by a hand-picked team of hitmakers, it was the kind of the thing the folks at 19 Entertainment wanted to hear. So it's somewhat understandable that, on his follow-up disc, Lambert is very much determined to make the kind of album he wants to hear.

"I think I've probably written about 18 to 20 songs. I've been spending the past two and a half months in the studio," Lambert told MTV News on the red carpet of Wednesday's "Idol" finale in Los Angeles. "I'm writing most of the material with people myself this time ... I'm really involved. It's really exciting because I think I'm making my dream album. I know that sounds a bit clichéd, but I'm making exactly what I want to listen to."

That echoes the sentiments Lambert shared with us earlier this year, when he said he was taking his time to work on his new album, and that the goal was to "write the most personal songs, the most powerful songs. I really want it to be something that's really honest and real."

Helping him achieve that goal are a variety of seasoned pros — Ryan Tedder, Nikka Costa and Sia, to name just a few — and while there's still no release date for the album, Lambert said he's in no rush. He's enjoying the writing process, and getting an education in songwriting in the process.

"I'm learning so much from everybody, so that's probably the best part," he said.

Related Videos

Related Photos

Related Artists

Adam Lambert

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1664678/adam-lambert-album-american-idol-finale.jhtml

Teri Polo Ellen Pompeo Paulina Porizkova Alisan Porter Natalie Portman

Spotlight: Scott L. Schwartz's Charity Work

Scott L. Schwartz is widely known as the “Ultimate Bad Guy” from his acting career including: Ocean’s 11, 12 & 13, Starsky & Hutch, Fun With Dick And Jane, Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Star Trek Voyager, and many more feature films.

But Scott’s most cherished role is the “Ultimate nice guy”… Scott L. Schwartz has been visiting children’s hospitals worldwide for the past 12 years after losing his sister to lung cancer in 1998. After that he realized the value and impact in making a lasting impression on these children with cancer and how important it is to make each child feel special and cared about. Scott enjoys visiting the cancer centers and bringing what joy he can into the lives of every child he visits, they are always smiling when he leaves the rooms and usually begging him to return soon.

Read more about Scott L. Schwartz's charity work and events.

Want to write for us, or help with our research? Find out more about contributing.

Source: http://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/2295-scott-l-schwartz

Bernadette Peters Lori Petty Dedee Pfeiffer Michelle Pfeiffer Busy Philipps

?Uncle Frank? Potenza of Jimmy Kimmel Dies at 77

“Uncle Frank” Potenza, a regular on Jimmy Kimmel Live and Kimmel’s uncle, has died at the age of 77.
What a character Uncle Frank was. He was not only a security guard for the show, but he also made regular appearances and was quite the ham. Interestingly enough, Uncle Frank was a former NYC ...

Source: http://www.celebritysmackblog.com/2011/08/23/uncle-frank-potenza-of-jimmy-kimmel-dies-at-77/

Maggie Grace Aimee Graham Heather Graham Lauren Graham Erin Gray

Nick Ashford of ?Ashford & Simpson? Dies from Throat Cancer at 70

Nick Ashford has died from throat cancer�
R&B singer Nick Ashford of the husband and wife group, Ashford & Simpson, has died after losing his battle with throat cancer. He was 70.
Best known for performing their 1984 hit,�”Solid (As a Rock)”, Ashford & Simpson have written and produced numerous hit songs such as ...

Source: http://www.celebritysmackblog.com/2011/08/23/nick-ashford-of-ashford-simpson-dies-from-throat-cancer-at-69/

Pauley Perrette Valerie Perrine Bernadette Peters Lori Petty Dedee Pfeiffer

Have Jada Pinkett & Will Smith separated? (updates: finally, a direct denial)

Jesus! Just the other day, I was thinking about how slow it was going to be this week, and how we wouldn?t have much gossip until September, when the film festivals and Oscar campaigns begin in earnest. I actually thought to myself, ?I wish some big couple would break up. Someone exciting.? [...]

Source: http://www.celebitchy.com/176316/itw_jada_pinkett_will_smith_have_separated_after_13_years_of_marriage/

Amanda Peet Elizabeth Peña Piper Perabo Rosie Perez Elizabeth Perkins

Christina Aguilera Tends to Bruised-Up Max at LAX Airport

Gently carrying her seemingly injured young son, Christina Aguilera toted little Max Bratman while joined by boyfriend Matthew Rutler in catching a flight out of LAX Airport in Los Angeles on Tuesday (August 23).

The "Genie In a Bottle" singer immediately covered her boy up with a blanket upon exiting their vehicle, though pictures taken at the security checkpoint show Max having a bit of a shiner underneath his right eye.

The out of town travels come as Miss Aguilera's slated performance at an October tribute concert to Michael Jackson is up in the air due to protests over the "Michael Forever" event.

According to Rolling Stone, a group with pull has ?criticizied the timing of the show, which coincides with the trial of Dr. Conrad Murray for involuntary manslaughter in the death of Jackson, and expressed confusion over the event?s charitable donations and high ticket prices."

Source: http://celebrity-gossip.net/christina-aguilera/christina-aguilera-tends-bruised-max-lax-airport-536223

Tracey Gold Whoopi Goldberg Valeria Golino Selena Gomez Ginnifer Goodwin

Tuesday, 23 August 2011

Roger Moore Signs Toy James Bond Cars For Celebrity Charity Auction

Sir Roger Moore has signed a limited edition set of model 007 cars for a new charity auction.

Photo: Roger Moore Signed Cars 2

The set consists of 2 Corgi Roger Moore-era Lotus cars, from the iconic 007 James Bond series. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the Prince's Trust.

Photo: Roger Moore Signed Cars 1

The box in which they come has been personally signed by Roger Moore, and shows the edition number 1441 of 1500.

Photo: Roger Moore Signed Cars 3

This particular set was 1 of only 100 of these signed by Sir Roger worldwide. It is the signed edition number ‘007’ which of course makes this one that more sort after and collectible.

The auction runs until August 28, and can be accessed here.

Herman Cain Responds to Janeane Garofalo and Keith Olbermann

—–
Classy response from the former Godfather’s Pizza CEO and GOP presidential candidate.
Bottom line, Janeane Garofalo doesn’t believe a Black man can or should think different from her, and if he does, he’s either corrupt (taking a pay off) or crazy (suffering Stockholm Syndrome); and that kind of thinking makes Garofalo the one with serious racial [...]

Source: http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/jjmnolte/2011/08/23/herman-cain-responds-to-janeane-garofalo-and-keith-olbermann/

Mary Philbin Cindy Pickett Mary Pickford Rosamund Pike Jada Pinkett Smith

Stars Rejoice Over West Memphis Three Release

Dixie Chicks singer Natalie Maines and Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder were in Arkansas in the weekend to support family and friends of the West Memphis Three, who were freed from prison after 18 years.

The pair have been vocal supporters of the West Memphis Three – Jason Baldwin, Damien Echols and Jessie Misskelley Jr., three men charged with the murder of three 8-year-old boys in 1993 – for a number of years. A host of celebrities have been behind the release of the men, including Peter Jackson, Johnny Depp, Jack Black, Ben Harper and Patti Smith.

“Beautiful things went down in Arkansas today,” tweeted Maines. “Beautiful beautiful things… I’m sitting in a holding room at the courthouse about to see three men walk free!”

“Peter [Jackson] and Fran [Walsh] have funded seven years of investigation into trying to get these guys freed,” said Peter Jackson’s spokesman, Matt Dravitzki. "They saw [ a documentary called] Paradise Lost eight years ago and that put them into action.

“It simply comes from them being in a position that they’re able to [fund] that. It’s humanitarian entirely – it’s philanthropic.”

Grammy 2011 Snubs Include Adam Lambert, Ke$ha, Big Boi, Rihanna

While Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber were both nominated, they didn't get as much love as some expected.
By Gil Kaufman

Ke$ha
Photo: Jordan Strauss/ Getty Images

You hear it all the time: "I'm just thankful to be nominated." It's the gracious and polite thing to say, and artists who lose out on major awards always feel compelled to offer it up.

But what if you never even get nominated?

Every year, there are head-slapping omissions from the roster of nominees at the big awards-fests (Christopher Nolan at the Oscars, anyone?), and this year's 53rd annual Grammy Awards (which take place February 13) are no exception.

In the night's biggest category, Album of the Year, there was plenty of griping from critics about the inclusion of Katy Perry's Teenage Dream, which many considered too lightweight for the night's top prize. But there was also a bit of talk about Justin Bieber's smash My World 2.0 not making it into the mix in the major categories, even if Bieber can lick his wounds with his Best New Artist and Best Pop Vocal Album love.

Though the rules about the Best New Artist category have since been changed to avoid such a problem in the future, Lady Gaga has been the victim of Grammy snubs before. She earned six nominations this year, including coveted Album of the Year for The Fame Monster, but it was mystifying that her huge hit, "Bad Romance," didn't get any Record or Song of the Year nominations.

What gives?

"They want her for ratings, but I think the Grammys are still a bit freaked out by Gaga," said Entertainment Weekly music writer Leah Greenblatt. "There were so many shenanigans about her not being nominated for Best New Artist that I think the Grammys got shamed over that. It's possible they would try to make it up to her by showering her with nominations and I could see her win in major categories [in the future], but I think they're not quite ready for her." That could, of course, change next year when Gaga's Born This Way is in the running.

Another diva used to serious Grammy love, Alicia Keys, was totally shut out for her The Element of Freedom album. "It's interesting that Alicia Keys got nothing," she said. "Her and John Mayer are practically on the ballots every year whether they qualify for eligibility or not. And I think 'Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart' was one of the year's best singles." And reclusive Grammy bait Sade got a pair of notices for her singles "Soldier of Love" and "Babyfather" in the R&B categories but no chance at any of the big prizes. Greenblatt said she was surprised by both snubs, especially since Sade's Soldier of Love album was one of the top sellers of 2010 and because the enigmatic singer had been away for nearly a decade and came back in fine, mature form, the kind of story the Grammys love to honor.

There were some eyebrows raised over the single nomination for "American Idol" runner-up Adam Lambert, who had a solid and creatively rich hit album with his debut, For Your Entertainment, but just a single nod for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for "Whataya Want From Me."

With Perry strutting into a number of top categories thanks to her light-as-air pop confections, it was a wonder that another pop tart with huge digital sales and big chart hits (things the Recording Academy likes to see), Ke$ha, was completely shut out of the game. Greenblatt thought the Lambert dis might fall into the same Gaga territory, with the Academy being a bit freaked out by the singer's out-and-proud persona and over-the-top antics, but when it comes to Ke$ha, she said it's probably a different story. "She had a huge impact, but I think the Grammys think she might go away, and they've chosen not to legitimize her," she speculated.

Speaking of big sales, quite a few people commented on the fact that Train's smash "Hey, Soul Sister," the best-selling single of 2010, got just one notice for a little-heard live version in the Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group category.

A couple of well-respected hip-hop acts were also conspicuously absent from the nominations list, including Outkast's Big Boi, whose acclaimed Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty was left out of the Best Rap Album category, along with Rick Ross, whose Teflon Don got no love. "Rick Ross is the kind of artist made to be ignored by the Grammys," Greenblatt said. "He has a sensibility the Grammys will almost never come around to, no matter how beloved he is by rap fans."

But given that she thought Chico Dusty was one of the best albums of 2010, Greenblatt was stunned by the freeze-out of Big Boi, who has been showered with Grammy love in the past. "It's such an achievement, a fully realized album that feels like a real tapestry, a headphones album from someone whose skills are so singular ... [from] one of the most iconic and Grammy-approved hip-hop acts of all time."

Rihanna's Rated R was also eligible but got stiffed in the major categories, landing just a Best Dance Recording nod for "Only Girl (In the World)" for her single from last year's Loud and a number of notices for her work on Eminem's "Love the Way You Lie." And if you thought Kanye West got ripped off when My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy got blanked, don't worry: It wasn't eligible this year but is in the hunt for next year.

The one omission that seemed to make sense was the two small nominations for the kids from "Glee," who are up for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for their cover of Journey's "Don't Stop Believin' " and for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Glee: Vol. 1. Though they set cash registers ringing like crazy, it's no wonder that actors singing covers didn't garner attention at a show that ostensibly awards creativity. And no one seemed too shocked that Christina Aguilera's poorly received Bionic was ignored.

Who do you think got stiffed by the Grammys? Share your top snubs in the comments.

Related Photos

Ellen Pompeo Paulina Porizkova Alisan Porter Natalie Portman Parker Posey

Richard Gere To Auction Guitar Collection For Charity

On October 11, Christie’s New York will present The Richard Gere Guitar Collection – with proceeds going to charity.

Photo: Richard Gere Auctions Guitar Collection
Photo by Dave Allocca/DMI/Time Life Pictures/Getty Images

The sale will offer approximately 110 lots, which will include a broad representation of vintage American guitars from the marquee names of C.F. Martin, Gibson, Fender, Gretsch and Epiphone, and a selection of amplifiers, as well as iconic guitars that belonged to Albert King, Peter Tosh and James D’Aquisto.

Photo: Gere's Guitar Collection

The sale is expected to realize in the region of $1,000,000. As a leading Hollywood figure, Richard Gere is known for his dynamic roles and iconic characters, but he is also an accomplished musician and played in such films as Cotton Club and Pretty Woman among others. Mr. Gere studied trumpet, and he is a self-taught pianist and guitarist who has played since his youth. With a passion for American vintage guitars, Mr. Gere amassed a personal collection built upon their playability and craftsmanship. Kept and played in his home and office, Mr. Gere’s collection has been under wraps until now.

Photo: Gere's Guitar Collection

“I’ve had a love affair with guitars since I was a kid,” said Gere. “They have been my true friends through the best and worst of times. I never planned to put together a collection, I just bought ones that I liked, the ones that sounded good and played well. Some are very special. Although it’s more than a little painful to let them go, each one has been played, loved and appreciated- and will be again. All my proceeds from this sale will go to support humanitarian causes around the world.”

Photo: Gere's Guitar Collection

Kerry Keane, Head of Musical Instruments Department, added: “Each guitar in this sale began as an instrument that Richard Gere purchased for himself, because he saw something brilliant, whether it was for its tonal quality, playability or sheer beauty. What transpired over a lifetime is an almost encyclopedic representation of American guitar making. This is an exciting opportunity for collectors and fans alike to take advantage of Mr. Gere’s unrecognized talent for creating a cohesive collection.”

Video Spotlight: LTTS interview with Esai Morales About Rain Forests of Brazil

Looktothestars.org catches up with Esai Morales for a passionate discussion about the environment and the impact of modern life on the rain forests in Brazil.

Play

Click here to view the video.

Roger Moore Signs Toy James Bond Cars For Celebrity Charity Auction

Sir Roger Moore has signed a limited edition set of model 007 cars for a new charity auction.

Photo: Roger Moore Signed Cars 2

The set consists of 2 Corgi Roger Moore-era Lotus cars, from the iconic 007 James Bond series. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the Prince's Trust.

Photo: Roger Moore Signed Cars 1

The box in which they come has been personally signed by Roger Moore, and shows the edition number 1441 of 1500.

Photo: Roger Moore Signed Cars 3

This particular set was 1 of only 100 of these signed by Sir Roger worldwide. It is the signed edition number ‘007’ which of course makes this one that more sort after and collectible.

The auction runs until August 28, and can be accessed here.

flamestodust

Thursday, 25 August 2011

'Hunger Games' Author Suzanne Collins Is Focus Of New Biographical Comic Book

Wednesday, 24 August 2011

Interviews From The 'American Idol' Red Carpet

Roger Moore Signs Toy James Bond Cars For Celebrity Charity Auction

Related past articles

Adam Lambert Making His 'Dream Album'

Spotlight: Scott L. Schwartz's Charity Work

Related articles

?Uncle Frank? Potenza of Jimmy Kimmel Dies at 77

Nick Ashford of ?Ashford & Simpson? Dies from Throat Cancer at 70

Have Jada Pinkett & Will Smith separated? (updates: finally, a direct denial)

Christina Aguilera Tends to Bruised-Up Max at LAX Airport

Tuesday, 23 August 2011

Roger Moore Signs Toy James Bond Cars For Celebrity Charity Auction

Related past articles

Herman Cain Responds to Janeane Garofalo and Keith Olbermann

Stars Rejoice Over West Memphis Three Release

Related past articles

Grammy 2011 Snubs Include Adam Lambert, Ke$ha, Big Boi, Rihanna

Richard Gere To Auction Guitar Collection For Charity

Related past articles

Video Spotlight: LTTS interview with Esai Morales About Rain Forests of Brazil

Related videos

Roger Moore Signs Toy James Bond Cars For Celebrity Charity Auction

Related past articles