Starbucks Loses Its Richness

It's no secret to my nearest and dearest that I'm addicted to Starbucks. My desks at work and home are littered with cups and my card is constantly being reloaded. I'm even one of those annoying tall-unsweetened-one splenda-non-fat milk-ice coffee type girls. While my passion for good coffee won't impact my decision to buy the pricy drink, I'll now always associate my favorite java brand with this.

Nicole Richie, one of my favorite Hollywood personalities, was hired to promote Starbucks' Via line. You know, that instant coffee that you just pour into water? Well the coffee giant sponsored a "spend a day with Nicole" contest that was one giant advertorial/product plug for Via. The winner, Molly, got to spend the day with Nicole at a homeless shelter, at her public relations firm and at Starbucks.

The problem with this project lay in Nicole's inability to properly plug the product. Rather than just sitting and drinking her heavily branded Via coffee, Nicole came up lame one-liners on how amazing the product is. Starbucks, don't you realize that consumers can smell bullshit from miles away? Next time, sit your representative through some media training to ensure that they effectively work your product into the conversation, rather than shouting it to viewers.

What did you think of the video?

Kar Wax

Kim Kardashian is a true social media girl. She's been teasing her Twitter followers with the elusive #karwax hashtag, but let the secret out on her official blog. The juicy gossip? Kardashian is getting her own Madame Tussaud's wax figure.

Kardashian wrote on her blog, "I've been keeping you guys in the dark about my big announcement and teasing you with my #karwax tweets... but I can finally reveal that I am getting my own wax figure at Madame Tussauds in NYC!!!! This is one of the greatest honors ever and I am so thrilled and excited. Now I will never have to leave NYC... I've officially gone bi-costal! LOL"


No word yet on when the rest of the Kardashian/Jenner clan will be immortalized in wax, but I'm sure it will be the source of jealousy on an upcoming episode of their reality show.

(Photos via Kim Kardashian)

Vampire's 8-Bit

Thanks to Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner, The Twilight Saga has a constant stream of publicity. Be it their hair or their abs, the world just cannot get enough of the vampire and the werewolf. Marketers view twilight as the holy grail used to bolster sales and promote their services. The latest Twilight themed gem is the 8-Bit Twilight. The interactive YouTube game allows fans to make a decision on which way the adventure should go. Finally, Stephenie Meyer isn't the only one calling the Mormon-esque shots! What do you think of the experience? 

Swagger Wagon

Their faulty brakes caused worldwide outrage and panic, but Toyota is redeeming itself with this brilliant video. Titled Swagger Wagon, the video attempts to make the minivan cool. While kids would surely die of embarrassment if their parents began rapping about their mom-mobile, this video let's us poke legitimate fun of the classic vehicle. Regardless of your current affinity towards Toyota, you can't help but smile at this cheesy attempt to stand out from the minivan crowd. Kudos!

Till Divorce Do Them Part

Surprising fans with the ultimate act of commitment, Megan Fox and Brian Austin Green said "I Do." The Four Seasons Resort on the Big Island of Hawaii provided the scenic background for the intimate six-guest ceremony. No word yet on Fox's couture or if Green's son Kassius, 8, attended.

The couple met on the set of Hope&Faith in 2004. I realize I may have been the only one to watch the show religiously, but at least something good came of the failed drama. To watch their fateful episode, tune into CMT (channel 38) in Canada.

First Look: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

The boy who lived and the dark wizard without a nose are back. The trailer for the first installment of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is making the rounds on the internet and has fans fluttering with excitement. As all Potter lovers know, the final book is quite a thrilling adventure. Check out the preview for yourself. Are you excited for the final chapter?

Daily Dish

Her cover story in this month's Vanity Fair may be to promote her new film, Salt, but Angelina Jolie is smart enough to tell the readers what they really want to know. As one half of the famous Brangelina, the pop culture world is ever-focused on her relationship with Brad Pitt and her too-cute brood of six. Read on to get a glimpse into the Jolie-Pitt matriarch's life and why she she should stop having children.

The Inevitable Marriage Talk:
"I love Brad in every single state," Jolie says, referencing his much-talked about beard. She's also not "against getting married," but "it's just like we already are. Children are clearly a commitment, a bigger commitment [than marriage]. It's for life."

On Her Famous Children:

"Mad's a real intellectual, which I can take no credit for genetically. He's great at school, great at history. He feels like he could be a writer or travel the world and learn about places and things. Zahara's got an extraordinary voice and is just so elegant and well spoken. Shiloh's hysterically funny, one of the goofiest, most playful people you'll ever meet. Knox and Viv are classic boy and girl. She's really female. And he's really a little dude."

Forgetting someone, Angie? Son Pax, 6, was mistakenly left out of the "proud mother" snippet. 

On her Infamous Tomboy:

"Shiloh, we fell has Montenegro style. It's how people dress there. She likes tracksuits, she likes [regular] suits. So it's a suit with a tie and a jacket and slacks, or a tracksuit. She likes to dress like a boy. She wants to be a boy. So we had to cut her hair. She likes to wear boys' everything. She thinks she's one of the brothers."

On Co-Starring with Mr. Pitt Again:
"I'd love to. We've talked about it. We'd have to figure out who's going to watch the kids, but it's really about finding the right thing, because we've looked. When you're a couple, there are certain things people don't want to see you do. It becomes too indulgent, too personal. I don't think people want to see people who are really together intimate on-screen. Maybe we have to play bad guys that try to kill each other, so it's just fun and aggressive, not dealing with some man-woman deal."

Blast from the Past

The year was 1999 and fans went crazy over the Backstreet Boys' newest hit, I Want It That Way. Sold out world tours and hundreds of thousands of CDs (Millennium, Black and Blue, Never Gone) later, Nick, Brian, Kevin, Howie and A.J. faded into obscurity. Sure, they were still around for smaller venue concerts that true fans (aka The A List) attended, but the boys fizzled out by 2005.

Flash forward to 2010. The colors are bright and the fans are going wild. Their harmonic voices are still intact, but instead of playing stadiums, the boys are performing for the San Francisco Pride Parade. The venue may have changed, but my love for BSB and I Want It That Way will always remain the same. Enjoy reliving your past!

Signed, Sealed, Delivered

Photo via Examiner.com

Sandra Bullock can finally put her hands up with all the other single ladies. The actress had quite a year, so the news of her divorce from Jesse James being finalized should come as no surprise to anyone living on dry land. The papers cited "discord or conflict of personalities" as the reason for the split, but we all know that it has more to do with a tattooed Bombshell than anything else. America's golden girl can now move on, raising baby Louis and starring in more of the romantic comedies we just can't get enough of. Happy divorce Sandra!

Music Monday: The Thundermonks

Music Monday has been on hiatus for the past couple months, but what better way to celebrate its return than with a local band. The group calls themselves The Thundermonks and they are the perfect blend of jazz, hip-hop, funk, pop and soul. Sounds like an odd combination, but I promise it works. Their first CD is available on iTunes now. Happy listening! 

Do or Dye

Photo Credit: Marcel Thomas/FilmMagic

Redheads are known for being feisty and confident, exactly the opposite of how I would describe the newest member of the cult. Kristen Stewart, otherwise known as Bella from the Twilight Saga, is the epitome of awkward, even with her new strawberry locks. The actress has failed to impress critics with her lackluster looks and media presence, but she's not doing anyone any favors with this 'do. You can take the brown out of the girl, but you can't use the red to create stage presence.

Rain on his Parade

His career has fizzled ever since the Rihanna scandal, but Chris Brown is still trying to work on repairing his shattered image. Brown's latest stunt involved shedding a bucket of tears while performing a tribute to his idol, Michael Jackson, at last night's BET Awards. The supposed compassion failed to impress this cynic. What did you think of the hoopla?

"I'm Perfect"

 

Keeping true to his troublemaker persona, Scott Disick exchanged some choice words with his Calabasas neighbor. The reality show villain was at his girlfriend Kourtney Kardashian's house when the parking dispute broke out, forcing the police to come and mediate. In this TMZ video, Scott can be seen going ballistic, calling his neighbor a whale and referring to himself as "perfect." It's surprising someone as level-headed as Kourtney can still put up with Scott's antics - shouldn't she be worried that his temper will turn on her son?

First Look: The Social Network

The anticipation has been building ever since last week's poster debut, but now The A List has your first look at the teaser for The Social Network. The film, which chronicles the early days of Facebook, has piqued the interest of many Hollywood A Listers. Written by Aaron Sorkin and directed by David Fincher, the film stars Jesse Eisenberg as look-alike Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. Also on the cast roster is Justin Timberlake, supposedly playing one of the enemies.

It's about time social networks take a starring role on the big screen. While some people still consider them to be frivolous, the social media savvy know that these social networks have had a profound influence on our lives. Thanks to Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, news travels at the speed of type. News broadcasts depend on Twitter pictures and YouTube videos to inform the world about current events. I have a hard time remembering what life was like before the networks were developed.

The A List wants to know what you think about social networks role in our lives and what you think about the new film. Please share your comments.

The Great Debate

Photo Via: ScreenRant.com

The Queen of Hollywood will soon become Queen of the Nile. Angelina Jolie, the stunning actress, mother and humanitarian, has been cast as Cleopatra in an upcoming biopic. While the initial response was positive, backlash has now broken out over Angelina being cast as the African queen.

It all started earlier this month when it was announced that the biopic would be developed based on Stacy Shiff's book, "Cleopatra: A Life." Producer Scott Rudin told the press he developed the film "for and with Jolie," telling USA Today, "Physically, she's the perfect look." Many African Americans disagree though, with blogs criticizing the casting choice based on race.

"I don't care how full Angelina Jolie's lips are, how many African children she adopts, or how bronzed her skin will become for the cilm," Shirea Carroll wrote on Essence.com. 

Part of the controversy stems from Hollywoods decision to cast white women in need of make-up over women over women of color. Elizabeth Taylor, another famous white actress, was cast as Cleopatra in the original Hollywood film, and some of the backlash stems from Hollywood's inability to fix its wrongs.

Another source of frustration: beauty. While Cleopatra is generally known as a goddess of ancient history, recent evidence claims the queen of the Nile was actually quite plain. According to ABC News, Egyptologists insist that the legendary temptress was actually "short, fat and plain."

This is not the first time Angelina has been called out for playing a woman of color. She raised eyebrows in 2007 when she was cast  as Marian Pearl, the wife of slain Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl, who is partly of African descent. Angelina wore dark make-up to look the part, and Marian defended her, saying, "It is not about the color of your skin. It is about who you are." What do you think of the casting choice? 

Richie's Priceless

Socialite Nicole Richie is more than just a pretty face - she's also a New York Times bestselling author. The multi-talented Richie has put her acting and designing aside to promote her new book, Priceless. The book already looks better than Richie's first literary foray, The Truth About Diamonds, a semi-autobiography of her drug-filled past. While no details about the story line have been revealed, Richie blogged that she put her "heart and soul into it." Priceless hits the shelves and e-books on September 28, 2010. I'll be downloading it on my Kindle. Are you ready for it?

Little Fockers

Prepare for more hilarious antics as Little Fockers makes its way to the big screen. The comedic coupling of Robert De Niro and Ben Stiller was a winning combination in Meet the Parents and Meet the Fockers, and I'm sure the boys will be able to bring in box office gold again. The original cast will be returning for the third installment, and newcomers include Jessica Alba, Laura Dern and Harvey Keitel. Are you excited to see the movie?

EXCLUSIVE: Cruises Take Toronto

Photo Credit: Wenn.com

Toronto's A List status is about to reach new heights with rumors swirling that the Cruise clan is looking to purchase a house in the city. According to a source, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes are in talks to purchase a house in York Mills, near Yonge St. and Mill St. The celebrity couple and their daughter Suri have already made a splash in Toronto while Katie films her new miniseries, The Kennedys. With appearances at Baskin Robbins and Yorkdale shopping mall already crossed off their list, we can expect to see Cruises lots more in the near future.

Update: Katie and Tom are living in the Old Yonge area now, but are still looking to purchase. Guess the G20 didn't deter them from our city!

Tweet Tweet

Hometown hero Drake teamed up with Jimmy Kimmel last night to perform the Twitter parody, "Tweet Tweet." Jimmy has really been upping the ante for the late night shows. He had two hit skits this week, and his humor becomes more apparent with each episode. Jimmy Kimmel, The A List appoints you the late night king!

Michael Jackson: One Year Later

The shocking death of the King of Pop still resonates with today's pop culture obsessed population. While the scandal surrounding his mysterious passing is still being played out in tabloid magazines and on celebrity blogs, Michael's true legend, his music, lives on. Have a listen to the songs that made Michael Jackson an icon spanning generations. RIP MJ.

It didn't just thrill us - it changed the face of pop culture forever 

I don't just love Free Willy, I also love its music

The way he made me feel is like dancing 

The man in the mirror may have changed his face, but never his voice


He was more than just a Pretty Young Thing

Bristol: Stiff as a Board

Gone are the days of being shunned for being a teenage mom. The past taboo is now a Hollywood hot ticket, with shows like Secret Life of the American Teenager and MTV's Teen Mom pulling in major ratings. The babymomma du jour is Bristol Palin, daughter of former vice-presidential candidate, Sarah Palin.

Aside from appearances on national talk shows to discuss her son, Tripp, and her decision to abstain from sex until marriage, Bristol also has a guest role on Secret Life of the American Teenager. A show about a teenage mom seems like the perfect fit for young Palin. Only problem: she can't act.

Watching Bristol attempt to pull of this acting gig is like hearing fingernails on a chalkboard. I'm first to admit that I'm not an actress, but even I could put a little more pizazz into this scene! Let this be a lesson to casting directors: just because a person plays a role in real life does not mean that it will translate well on screen.

What do you think of Bristol's television appearance?

It Started With A Kiss...

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Edith Shain was not a woman of many words. Her rise to pop culture icon was purely based on a kiss, taken on D-Day in 1945 in the middle of New York City's Time Square. Arguably one of the world's most famous photos, Shain will always be remembered fondly as the nurse who represented hope and love after years of destruction and heartache. Shain passed away at the age of 91 at her home in Los Angeles.

Twilight Meets Jersey Shore

Jersey Shore is latching on to its last minute of fame by creating a Twilight inspired spoof. The clip aired last night on the Jimmy Kimmel Show, and it's completely hilarious. The guidos and guidettes shied away from the typical brooding Edward and Bella roles, opting for accents, abs and tans. Who knew Forks got so much sun, Snooki! Check out the clip to see the action for yourself.

She-Devil

Photo Credit: INFPhoto.com

She was known as the devil on her hit TLC show Jon and Kate Plus 8, but now Kate Gosselin's face matches her reputation. The reality mom was a victim of a botched botox job, proving once again that plastic surgery isn't always the best option. Kate's Hollywood transformation should have been left to the pros. What do you think of her new look?

Israeli Pride

Israel has been making headlines around the world lately, but not for the right reasons. Most notably, the 62-year-old country has been losing support from the United States under the Obama administration. Undeniably the most left-wing president in my lifetime, Obama is standing up for the wrong party. For some reason, the media can't wrap their head around other countries' war crimes, yet they incessantly call out Israel as it tries hard to defend itself against enemies. As the smallest and only democratic country in the Middle East, why can't Israel ever catch a break?

Obama may not be lending Israel his support, but another famous American is. Jon Voight, actor and father of Angelina Jolie, penned an open letter to the president.

June 22, 2010


President Obama,


You will be the first American president that lied to the Jewish people, and the American people as well, when you said that you would defend Israel, the only Democratic state in the Middle East, against all their enemies. You have done just the opposite. You have propagandized Israel, until they look like they are everyone's enemy - and it has resonated throughout the world. You are putting Israel in harm's way, and you have promoted anti-Semitism throughout the world. 


You have brought this to a people who have given the world the Ten Commandments and most laws we live by today. The Jewish people have given the world our greatest scientists and philosophers, and the cures for many diseases, and now you play a very dangerous game so you can look like a true martyr to what you see and say are the underdogs. But the underdogs you defend are murderers and criminals who want Israel eradicated. 


You have brought to Arizona a civil war, once again defending the criminals and illegals, creating a meltdown for good, loyal, law-abiding citizens. Your destruction of this country may never be remedied, and we may never recover. I pray to God you stop, and I hope the people in this great country realize your agenda is not for the betterment of mankind, but for the betterment of your politics. 


With heartfelt and deep concern for America and Israel,


Jon Voight

Thank you, Jon, for sticking up for Israel when the rest of the world will not.

All Reality. All the Time

With the first official day of summer behind us, we have much to look forward to. Whether it's lounging in the sun, taking a dip in the pool or inviting your inner circle over for some barbeque grub, summer has something for everyone. While I would gladly trade in Canada's frigid winters for some sweltering days, there is one element missing from the season: television.

My name is Alanna and I'm addicted to television. That's right, I said it. For three seasons of the year, I can depend on my favorite programs to carry me away into a fantasy world. This season alone we discovered that LOST was in limbo, 24's Jack can never die and Ugly Betty isn't so homely after all. I'm still waiting to see if Gossip Girl's Chuck Bass survives his gunshot wound (yes), the fate of Brothers & Sisters Robert McAllister (dead) and the aftermath of the Grey's Anatomy shootout (love, marriage, baby). My bat mitzvah theme was television for a reason!

Frankly, though, summer television bores me. Aside from the addition of Pretty Little Liars, my stations have resorted to reruns, sports and the news. I've been left to watch my Beverly Hills 90210 DVDS over and over again. How exciting can life get? Thankfully, Canwest heard my call for help and responded with a brand new station ready to fill the summer void of television addicts like myself.

Launching July 1, the Global Reality Channel is Canada's first and only destination for hit reality programming 24/7. It's an addict's dream! As part of the Rogers VIP package, subscribers will have full access to new seasons of Big Brother and Apprentice UK. You can also relive your favorite moments on classics like: Survivor, The Apprentice, Project Runway Canada, X-Weighted, Fear Factor, Extreme Makeover Home Edition and Deal or No Deal Canada.

I'll admit that lately I haven't been the most avid reality viewer. The Hills, The City and Keeping Up with the Kardashians can all be listed as guilty pleasures, but generally I'm more into dramas and comedies. In my high school days, I lived off Survivor and Fear Factor, which makes this channel even more special. What's better than being able to relive the glory days through your favorite shows?

Photo Credit: Canwest 

With Canada Day weekend only one week away, start preparing your eyes for Richard Hatch's nude Survivor appearance. The Global Reality Channel launch will kick-start its way into your viewing schedule with a complete series marathon of Survivor all day on July 1, beginning at 6 a.m.

What are you waiting for, A-Listers? Put your feet up after a long day at the office and relax to all reality, all the time. You know where to find me this summer...

Little One

Photo via JustJared

Sarah Michelle Gellar and daughter Charlotte Grace were spotted grabbing lunch in Los Angeles on Tuesday. Aside from being voted the best celebrity baby name of the year, Charlotte also must thank her parents for her good looks. She looks more like dad Freddie Prinze than her mom, but the adorable tot is going to be breaking hearts when she grows up.

BP, Glee and PR

While my last post on the BP oil spill was more humorous, this video beautifully highlights the tragedy in the Gulf. With the GLEE rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" playing in the background, the shocking images of the oil-laden ocean are even more poised. The devastation is evident, but this video really puts it all into perspective. Do you think BP is doing their part to help clean up their mess?

From a public relations perspective, BP has failed to clean up their mess. In addition to their failure to stop the oil spill, they have also failed to communicate with the public. BP's initial closed-communication led to the public making their own assumptions. The fake BP Twitter account has garnered lots of publicity, and the company is furious they didn't get the word out first. In the social media age we live in, communication is instant and companies must secure online channels to best connect with the fast-paced public.

Another scandal arose this weekend, as CEO Tony Hayward was spotted attending a yacht race. For an executive that publicly stated he wants his life back, perhaps he should stop doing it so publicly. Lesson to be learned from Tony's errors: make sure you have a CEO who stands behind the company in good times and bad. What do you think of the saga?

Boy Band Central

I've died and gone to boy band heaven. The New Kids on the Block surprised their fans with an appearance from the Backstreet Boys at a recent concert. New idea for concert promoters: put together an all-star boy band concert with NKOTB, BSB and N'Sync. It's one concert many of us would not want to miss!

Party Without Style

This year's MMVAs were co-hosted by teen sensation Miley Cyrus. Yes, the same girl who has undergone much scrutiny for her hard partying, tattoo inking, older boyfriend dating, lack of clothing wearing ways. The 17-year-old international superstar managed to find time to perform for her Canadian fans during the show, but lost her clothing on the way to the stage.

Miley, who just last week was involved in a nude picture scandal with Perez Hilton, jumped onto the lit-up stage in a leather hooker-inspired getup. Clearly not settling for one trashy look, Miley went the Tupac route with the tied bandana flung across her forehead. She'll be lucky if she makes it out of the "What were they thinking" sections of the weeklies without battle scars. We know you're raking in the millions, Miley - it's time for a stylist. Give Rachel Zoe a call, I'm sure she would go bananas to dress you.

Check out Miley's very live performance. Special guest star: Canadian teen sensation Justin Bieber on a bicycle. Watch out world: the teens are coming to get us.

Vibe it Up

Finding the ultimate mascara is no easy feat. We have probably all spent a few years trying out old favorites and new trends to discover the perfect clump free, lengthening and volumizing mascara. Look no further A-Listers - I've found it.

Reach new heights with Lancome's genie in a bottle, Oscillation mascara. The unique vibrating wand transforms lashes from dull to invigorating in under one minute. As any non-beautician knows, time is money when it comes to early morning and late night prep work. For a long day at the office simply apply the vibrating primer mascara and one coat of the black vibrating mascara. To make your eyes more evening appropriate, apply an extra coat or two extend the length and volume of your lashes.

At $40 each, the primer and mascara can do some serious damage on your wallet. The price of beauty is definitely worth it though, as I have yet to find another mascara that can take my lashes to such astronomical heights. Seriously, go out and get your lashes vibrating today.

One Night in Toronto

The A List's Alanna Glicksman and guest blogger Ari Zelunka 

Toronto's celebrity status reached its yearly high yesterday thanks to the Much Music Video Awards. The annual show celebrates the finest Canadian and international musicians in the heart of downtown Toronto. With a stage area spanning city blocks (and roofs!), onlookers got up close and personal with their favorite celebrities. Host Miley Cyrus and hometown heroes Drake and Justin Bieber shot the 2010 MMVA's into unprecedented stardom. Twitter was going aflutter with tweets and pictures from the night's performers. Facebook had constant uploads and YouTube is inundated with videos. My favorite part of the night was the after-party.

 Yes, A-Listers, that bronzed lady busting out of her blue dress is none other than Jersey Shore's Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi. Television's premiere guidette was looking leathered, weathered and glittered while rocking her Jersey accent on the red carpet at Perez Hilton's One Night in Toronto event. Held at the Opera House, security was tight and the security barriers were begging to be climbed through. The paparazzi pit was filled with fellow Toronto bloggers and my date for the evening (guest blogger Ari Zelunka) was waiting for me inside.

 The real highlight of the party was when It Girl Katy Perry took the stage to present the remix for her new song, Peacock. With DJ Mia Morretti spinning the tunes and Katy, Perez and violinist Caitlin Moe getting their peacock on, it was a performance to remember. Side note: Perez's diet and exercise regime is really paying off. The once overweight celebrity blogger looked super trim in his fitted jacket last night. The gray hair failed to turn him into a silver fox, though.

JLS, a boy band from the UK, was the last act to grace the stage. Their music was relatively new to me, but they reminded me of Backstreet Boys and N'Sync in their heyday. The foursome broke out the cheesy dance moves which added in an element of nostalgia to the otherwise dry concept. All in all - they should be happy they don't have Nick Carter, Justin Timberlake and crew to compete with. 

Photography is property Alanna Glicksman (The A List). Please do not reprint without my consent and proper attribution. 

Starring: Dizengoff Center

Two summers ago I was fortunate enough to live in Israel. For nine weeks my boyfriend and I embraced Israeli culture from our bachelor apartment in Tel Aviv. Our rental was in a prime location - ten minutes from the beach and around the corner from the city's famous mall, Dizengoff Center. I literally lived in this mall. Aside from the hour I spent in their basement gym, I also became best friends with the magazine guy, the supermarket cashiers (fresh fruit was a daily must have) and the coffee shop baristas (Aroma! Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf!). I've been missing my summer haunt since I left, but luckily I have something new to remember it by.

The first ever Israeli lipdub was recently made in Dizengoff Centre. Made for Timbaland and Katy Perry's If We Ever Meet Again, the song is already making a splash on YouTube. With over 10,000 hits in one day, the video is already on its way to going viral. What do you think of it?

Eclipse Featurettes

The Eclipse release date is only weeks away, but the publicity team is overloading us with vampire goodness. In anticipation for the June 30 preview, check out these new featurettes: Newborn Vampire Army and Bree Tanner.

Blasphmey?

The Katy Petty-Lady Gaga Alejandro scandal may have died down in the press, but YouTube is still having a blast with it. Enjoy!

Bynes Out

Photo Via pollsb.com

While this A-Lister is only beginning her career, actress Amanda Bynes has ended hers. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, this is the true difference between child stars and us regular folk - they can retire at age 24 while we are trying to break into the working world.

The actress - who rose to fame on Nickelodeon's All That and The Amanda Show, her sitcom What I Like about You, and feature films What a Girl Wants and She's the Man - announced her retirement from acting via Twitter.

"Being an actress isn't as fun as it may seem," Bynes cryptically tweeted at 5:59 a.m. on June 19. "If I don't love something anymore I stop doing it. I don't love acting anymore so I've stopped doing it."

And the big shocker: "I know 24 is a young age to retire but you heard it here first I've #retired."

Bynes enthusiasm and down-to-earth demeanor has always helped her steal the show. Her spunk helped her land starring roles and the audience loved her. No word yet on what career she'll enter next. What do you think Bynes is best suited for?

Weekend Mash-Up

Mash-ups have been all the rage since Glee hit the airwaves, but the latest one is very unexpected. The Lion King's "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" and Drake's "Best I Ever Had" have been combined into this 5 minutes of fabulosity. Trust me - you don't want to miss out on this one.

The Social Network

The first poster for this fall's The Social Network has been released. More commonly known as "the Facebook movie," the film chronicles the early history of the most influential social networking site. The above poster depicts Jesse Eisenberg (portraying Facebook founder Mark Zukerberg) with the tagline, "You don't get to 500 million friends without making a few enemies."

The cultural relevance of Facebook has grown so enormously that the idea for this movie fails to shock me. Facebook is now a prime communication tool and has more hits than Google. Forget MySpace - Facebook led the social media revolution. I'll be checking out the film when it hits theaters in October. What do you think of the premise of the film - is it something that you're itching to see?

Hollywood Ageism

Hollywood's ageism isn't much of a secret, but stars are now vying for the right to protect their ages. Actors have continuously had trouble finding work once they reach a certain age, so the Writers Guild of America is campaigning IMDb.com (the Internet Movie Database) to wipe their birth dates from the site.

"The Guild has a contract with IMDb to provide credits information and does not release information on age," said a spokesperson for the WGA. "We have raised our concerns with IMDb about its listing of ages."

The group most affected by ageism is actors who haven't hit it big. Representatives from the Screen Actors Guild have asked IMDb to remove ages for non-movie stars, but the company is hesitant to follow suit.

"IMDb is committed to being the most comprehensive source of film, TV and celebrity information," a spokesperson said. "Customers of IMDb trust that when they use our website, they are receiving comprehensive and accurate biographical information."

I can sympathize with the actors who prefer to not reveal their ages, but do you think they give up this right to privacy when they become an actor? As the tabloids have shown us, being a celebrity requires one to give up his or her personal life. What was once private becomes public. Therefore, if an actor is asking to be in the public eye, is it fair to restrict certain information from the public? What do you think about the ongoing saga?

Beatles Birthday

Photo Via GreenPacks.org

I may not have been alive during the Beatles' heyday, but I still hold a special place in my heart for Sir Paul McCartney. Arguably the most successful and tabloid friendly, Sir Paul continues to enthrall music lovers with his smooth voice and passionate lyrics. He'll be in Toronto later this summer, and I think I'll have to find a way to attend the show. Sir Paul - you may be 68, but I still think you're pretty cute!

Happy Father's Day

Just in time for Father's Day, the iconic Post-It brand has released a new video celebrating its 30th anniversary. The viral clip takes viewers on a lone Post-It Note's journey away from a cluttered office desk to find his father. The heartwarming video left me wanting to run out and buy a fresh stack of heart-shaped Post-Its - clearly every A-Lister's must-have!

If you're still looking for a quality Father's Day gift, why not try this simple way to show dad how much you love him. Buy a stack of Post-Its at your local Business Depot (either heart shaped or in your dad's favorite hue) and turn your house into a giant Father's Day card. Be inventive and speak from the heart - tell him why he's the best dad ever. Be sure to take pictures of your giant card to commemorate the day. It's an easy way to show dad how much you care.

Little Known Secret

Dubbed "the most important and innovative new figure in hip-hop" by the New York Times, Aubrey "Drake" Graham is poised for music domination. His upbeat tempo and soulful lyrics are prominent playlist features, but what many people don't know about the Toronto-native is this: Drake is the world's first black Jewish hip hop star.


While his unique background should make him the ultimate outsider, Drake has exceeded everyones expectations. His fast rise to stardom, including his pre-album Grammy nominations, was a result of Drake's dedication to his craft and in part to mentor Lil Wayne. 


More interesting than his music career is his childhood. Born and raised in Toronto's Forest Hill, Drake attended Jewish day school and even danced all night long (to the Backstreet Boys!) at his Bar Mitzvah. He told Heeb Magazine, "I went to a Jewish school, where nobody understood what it was like to be black and Jewish. When kids are young it's hard for them to understand the make-up of religion and race." The Hollywood hotshot continues to display his affection for Judaism, often sporting a diamond chai necklace (see image). 


While my chai doesn't have the bling, it's nice to see Drake, a homegrown talent, sticking to his roots. Hollywood has gotten the best of so many young stars, so let's hope Drake remains on the straight and narrow. 

Mrs. America

Photo Credit: David Moir/Reuters/Landov

She became famous by playing Ugly Betty, but America Ferrera is going to make one gorgeous bride. The actress sported her fiance, Ryan Piers Williams, and her new bling on the red carpet of the Edinburgh Film Festival screening of The Illusionist in Scotland. The couple first met when Williams cast an unknown Ferrera in his University of Southern California student film. Congrats to the happy couple!

Only in Hollywood...

Photo Via BuddyTV.com

In what is turning out to be Hollywood's most bizarre kidnapping, Jeremy London was held at gunpoint and forced to use drugs. The 36-year-old actor, best known for his role on Party of Five, was kidnapped by a group of men while changing a flat tire on his car on June 10 at 2 p.m. in Palm Springs, California. Police arrested Brandon Adams, 26, on kidnapping charges.

According to a police statement, "After the tire was changed, [London] offered the men a ride home. A short time later, he was held at gunpoint in the vehicle by one of the occupants. The gunman forced London to drive to various locations throughout the city, purchase alcohol and use illicit drugs."

After 12 hours, London managed to break free from his kidnappers and contacted the police on June 11 around 2 a.m. His rep, Dominic Friesen, said that Jeremy is shaken and scared after surviving this terrorizing ordeal. He adds that, "Jeremy is spending quality time in an undisclosed location with family and friends, and appreciates the overwhelming support from his fans."

The story is definitely outlandish. After all, London's career has significantly stalled since his Party of Five glory days. His short stint on 7th Heaven failed to impress viewers and he has been relatively unheard of since the show ended. His rep must be jumping for joy, as he now has the chance to actually do some real media relations work! Regardless of the popularity boost London will likely incur, let's hope that he recovers from this ordeal soon.

Trouble in Paradise

Photo Via StarsJournal.com

One of Hollywood's most private couples, Rachel Bilson and Hayden Christensen, are taking a break from their relationship. The pair, who announced their engagement in February 2009, have always avoided discussing their relationship in the press. While no official reason has been given, a source says that they are taking a month off before reassessing their relationship and deciding if they should stay together. Further proof that the love story has cooled off: Rachel was ringless at a recent red carpet event.

Prior to being romanced by Hayden on the set of their 2008 action film Jumper, Rachel was involved with her The O.C. costar Adam Brody. Just like their characters Summer and Seth, they made an adorable couple. I'm still rooting for a reunion. What do you think will happen?

Map to LOST

Photo via Collider.com

The show may be over, but that hasn't stopped LOST fans from deciphering the series' most pertinent questions. Case in point: mapping out the island.

Thanks to professional cartographer Jonah M. Adkins, Losties can now cross mapping out the island off their bucket list. For the past four years, Adkins has been working on the map and finally finalized it following the series finale, "The End."

Clearly a job suited for a professional, Adkins explains that he started with an image of Rousseau's map from a few seasons back and used dialogue to fill in the geographic details. Seems like a major side project for this government employee! What do you think of the latest LOST development?

Welcome to Candyland

The name of Katy Perry's new song may be California Gurls, but the video is more reminiscent of Candyland! Along with Snoop Dogg, the soon-to-be-Mrs. Russell Brand gives us a sugar high with cotton candy clouds, licorice bridges and chocolate mountains. The video looks good enough to eat! What do you think of it?

Mismatched

In an apparent effort to bridge the gap between pop and rap, Hanson and Drake were set to perform a free concert on Tuesday in New York City. Unfortunately for the mismatched crowd, the show was abruptly canceled after twice as many people as anticipated showed up. Police were brought in to calm down the nearly 20,000 Mmmbop and Thank Me Later fans, and concert organizer Paper magazine was left to apologize.



The concert was part of the "Sounds Like Paper" series presented by the arts, culture and music magazine. After a website promise to "make it up to you guys," fans can only hope that their respective idols return to the free stage soon. Maybe next time Hanson and Drake fans will be able to jam to Penny and Me and provide the beats to Over in harmony.

Batting for the Other Team

Always trying to spice things up, Jay Leno asked Emma Roberts whose team she is on: Team Edward or Team Jacob. While most girls wouldn't have to think twice about their answers (Team Edward!), Roberts was hesitant thanks to the man sitting beside her - Robert Pattinson. Apparently Pattinson's hair, accent and smile wasn't enough to pull Roberts away from the thought of Taylor Lautner's abs. Check out the clip to see it for yourself.

She Said Yes...Again

After ending their previous two-year engagement in 2009, Brian Austin Green and Megan Fox are set to wed again. The former Beverly Hills 90210 star popped the question on June 1, during a romantic stroll on a Hawaiian beach. Fox may have committed to her on-again beau, but she couldn't seem to hold onto her ring.

"I saw her jumping up and down," said an eyewitness. "Later, I saw half a dozen staff sifting through the sand."

While the 2-carat sparkler remains lost in the sand, the engagement is still on. No word on the wedding plans yet, but let's hope that Green and Fox don't find themselves with another case of cold feet.

I Do

Photo via RightCelebrity.com

According to a new report from TMZ, Hollywood couple Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart said "I Do" yesterday. The couple were wed by New Mexico Governor Bill Richards at his mansion in Santa Fe. Ford and Flockhart have been together for eight years, an eternity in Hollywood. The couple are already raising son Liam, but no word yet on if they're planning to expand their brood. With Calista set to reduce her role on Brothers & Sisters this season, anything is possible!

Casually Cool

Photo Credit: Katie B/EaglePress

Viva la Vida! The stylish mother-daughter duo took New York City by storm yesterday, with Camila Alves' signature bohemian style and Vida's angelic ensemble. Dad Matthew McConaughey will have his hands full with this little angel.

Unchartered TerriTORI

"My job is to be Tori Spelling," the actress writers in her new autobiography, Unchartered TerriTORI. While playing into and then deviating from the rich-girl-from-Beverly-Hills attitude that brought America to her feet, Tori has found time to get married (twice), have two babies, star in a reality show and write three books. Quite an accomplishment for someone who is famous for being famous!

While I'm still making my way through the hilarious book, it's clear that Tori is not shy. Just like in sTORI Telling and Mommywood, Tori approaches life's events with humor and wit. Rehashing her bout with swine flue (not anorexia, folks), she claims to have hid the news from the press because she was worried about their reaction.

"If they got wind of my diagnosis the press would have a field day. Would they add this to the checklist? First I had a horse face, now I had the pig flu."

Tori's honest approach to her public life has helped her stay in the spotlight. From dishing on marriage issues to child rearing, her stories continue to enthrall the public. As for that super skinny frame - let's just be thankful she hasn't lost touch with her funny bone.

Quote of the Day

Photo Credit: Celebrity-Pictures.ca

"I love them [horror movies] when they are great, but they seldom are. They're like the Toronto Maple Leafs: people go see them whether or not they're any good," said Sarah Polley, referencing her hometown team.

(Quote via People Magazine, June 21, 2010)

Underage Underwear

Being a celebrity blogger isn't all fun and games, and unfortunately Perez Hilton is learning this the hard way. While uncovering new Hollywood scandals is a blogger's dream, Perez took it a bit too far with a recent post about 17-year-old pop princess Miley Cyrus.

The Disney star was recently spotted exiting a car in a very unlady-like fashion, which Perez was quick to point out on Twitter. "If you are easily offended, do NOT click here http://i46.tinypic.com/2zre4pv.jpg Oh Miley! Warning: truly not for the easily offended." The picture has since been removed, but the backlash has only just begun.

Aside from the widespread outrage, Perez may also be facing legal trouble. The picture of underage Miley may be considered child pornography. Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Jeffrey Douglas told Salon.com that it was "suicidal" for Perez to post the image. "We're not talking about a misdemeanor," Douglas said. "You don't have to know what the definition of the law is; all you have to do is knowingly distribute the photograph."

Perez has since gone on the defensive, video-blogging "Miley Cyrus was clearly wearing underwear." He says the controversy is "fake" because Miley was actually wearing briefs when she flashed the waiting paparazzi. Douglas suggests that even if this was the case, it may not let Perez off the hook. "That is still a crime, and it is still punishable just the same," said Douglas, adding that even manipulated images are punishable under the law.

While Perez claims he's not stupid enough to post a photo of Miley without underwear, the truth remains unknown. Arguably the world's most famous celebrity gossip blogger, Perez is known for stirring up controversy. I'm sure he'll continue repenting his sins on his blog and on major news outlets, but for now, Perez should make sure he has a good lawyer on staff.

(Photo Credit: HoneyMag.com)

It Was All Green

Photo via Star Pulse

The latest musical group to cash in on GLEE's star power is Coldplay. The British imports, who originally rejected the idea of appearing on Fox's breakout hit, signed over their entire catalog to the show. Creator Ryan Murphy said that Coldplay called him a week ago saying, 'We're sorry, you can have our catalog.' It should come as no surprise that they're eager to cash in on the McKinely High cash cow. A few tunes by the GLEE gang results in a lucrative payoff for the song's writers and publishers. Prime example: Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" reached number four on Billboard's Hot 100 singles chart, while Madonna's tracks from the "Power of Madonna" episode hit number one.

Kelly's Girl

Photo Credit: NYDailyNews.com

Tiffany Thiessen finally got what her famous alter-egos could not: a baby. The actress, best known for her roles as Kelly Kapowski on Saved by the Bell and Valerie Malone on Beverly Hills 90210, gave birth to her first child, a daughter, on Tuesday in Los Angeles. Thiessen and her husband, Brady Smith, named the little girl Harper Renn Smith. I'm really loving the name - the trendy first name perfectly balances out the traditional last name. What do you think of Harper Renn?