Friday, January 30, 2015

‘Big’ stars should follow Janice’s lead

Juliet de Aro, televiewer: “Janice de Belen was a sight to behold when she guested on a talk show recently—thanks to her new hairstyle and apparent weight loss, which made her look years younger. I hope other ‘big’ stars can follow Janice’s lead. It makes me sad to see actresses who are even younger than she is portraying mother roles, just because they’re on the heavy side.”



‘Big’ stars should follow Janice’s lead

Source: Inquirer.net (January 31, 2015 at 12:32AM)

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WATCH: 'Sassy' Pinay impresses in 'Idol' audition

After "The Voice of the Philippines" alumnus Dave Lamar, another Filipino has made it to the Hollywood round of "American Idol's" 14th season.



WATCH: 'Sassy' Pinay impresses in 'Idol' audition

Source: ABS-CBNNews.com (January 30, 2015 at 10:50PM)

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Fatal attraction

In Rob Cohen’s “The Boy Next Door,” Jennifer Lopez portrays high school English teacher, Claire Peterson, who wants to prove she’s more than the voluptuous Latina who’s often seen in various, derriere-displaying stages of undress.



Fatal attraction

Source: Inquirer.net (January 31, 2015 at 12:30AM)

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Knowing when to end the storytelling

Last January 10, the last season of “Glee” premiered by way of a two-hour special. We caught the show, not out of excitement to see what would happen, but due to a sense of duty as a media commentator.



Knowing when to end the storytelling

Source: Inquirer.net (January 31, 2015 at 12:29AM)

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How ‘Into the Woods’ almost became a Jim Henson puppet musical

Can you imagine “Into the Woods” as a live-action puppet film? According to the musical’s legendary composers, Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine, the sassy, enjoyable mishmash of fairy tales almost got adapted into a movie a la “The Muppet” franchise.



How ‘Into the Woods’ almost became a Jim Henson puppet musical

Source: Inquirer.net (January 31, 2015 at 12:24AM)

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Rom-com directors open up about their reel and real love story

Directors Dan Villegas and Antoinette Jadaone first met at the gala night of the latter’s “Six Degrees of Separation from Lilia Cuntapay” in 2011. At the time, they were in relationships with other people.



Rom-com directors open up about their reel and real love story

Source: Inquirer.net (January 31, 2015 at 12:22AM)

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Katy Perry to perform in Manila anew

KATY PERRY (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

KATY PERRY (AP Photo/Morry Gash)



American pop superstar Katy Perry is coming back to Manila this May as part of her latest worldwide tour.


In a 15-second video posted on Facebook, Katy herself announced the upcoming Manila leg of “The Prismatic World Tour,” with her concert to be held at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan.


“Hello Manila, it’s Katy Perry. I’m so excited to announce that I’m going to include my world tour in Manila on May 7. I will see you soon,” she said.


The tour also includes stops in Taipei, Jakarta and Bangkok, which she also announced via Twitter. After Asia, she takes her tour throughout Europe and South America.


Perry is known for hit songs such as “Teenage Dream,” “California Gurls,” “Firework,” “Last Friday Night,” “Roar” and “Dark Horse.”


Perry last performed in Manila in 2012 as part of her “California Dreams” tour.


Tickets go on sale starting Feb. 13 through TicketWorld Manila.






Katy Perry to perform in Manila anew

Source: Mb.com.ph (January 30, 2015 at 06:49PM)

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Ringo Starr set for new album, tour of Americas

Ringo Star (AFP PHOTO / Files / ROBYN BECK)

Ringo Star (AFP PHOTO / Files / ROBYN BECK)



NEW YORK, Jan 30, 2015 (AFP) – Ex-Beatle Ringo Starr is set for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but first he plans a new album and tour of the United States and Latin America.


The drummer for the Fab Four announced on Thursday the release of his 18th studio album, “Postcards from Paradise,” on March 31.


The release comes just before Starr, who is already in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Beatles, is inducted in his own right at an April 18 ceremony in Cleveland.


Starr plans a one-month tour starting on February 13 in the southern US state of Louisiana, with about half the concerts taking place in Latin America.


Starr will play two dates each in Brazil and Mexico, as well as one show each in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.


The 74-year-old songwriter said he enjoyed past performances in Latin America.


“The audiences were just great and so loving, we can’t wait to go back,” he said.


Starr will be joined by his “All Starr Band” of other prominent musicians including Richard Page, who fronted the 1980s pop band Mr. Mister, former Toto guitarist Steve Lukather and Gregg Bissonette, a drummer for heavy metal guitarists Steve Vai and Joe Satriani.


Starr’s new album comes as the other surviving Beatle, Paul McCartney, is also productive, releasing surprise collaborations in recent weeks with rapper Kanye West and pop singer Rihanna.






Ringo Starr set for new album, tour of Americas

Source: Mb.com.ph (January 30, 2015 at 06:35PM)

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WATCH: Patrick Garcia, Nikka Martinez prenup video teaser released

MANILA, Philippines- Patrick Garcia posted a teaser of the prenuptial video for his upcoming wedding with Nikka Martinez.



WATCH: Patrick Garcia, Nikka Martinez prenup video teaser released

Source: Philstar.com (January 30, 2015 at 06:09PM)

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Celebrities salute fallen PNP-SAF members

MANILA, Philippines - Celebrities salute the 44 fallen Philippine National Police- Special Action Force (PNP-SAF), as their families mourn their death on Fri



Celebrities salute fallen PNP-SAF members

Source: Philstar.com (January 30, 2015 at 05:56PM)

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Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande to pay tribute to Stevie Wonder

Ariana Grande (Photo by Owen Sweeney/Invision/AP, File)

Ariana Grande (Photo by Owen Sweeney/Invision/AP, File)



NEW YORK (AP) — Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande and John Legend have been added to the group of artists set to pay tribute to Stevie Wonder next month.


The Recording Academy announced Thursday that the Band Perry will also perform alongside Usher and Chris Martin at “Stevie Wonder: Songs in the Key of Life — An All-Star Grammy Salute” on Feb. 10 in Los Angeles.


Willie Nelson was originally part of lineup, but is no longer performing, the Recording Academy said.


The concert, to be held at the Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE, will also include Ed Sheeran and Janelle Monae. It will take place two days after the 57th annual Grammy Awards.


The concert will air as a two-hour special on CBS on Feb. 16.






Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande to pay tribute to Stevie Wonder

Source: Mb.com.ph (January 30, 2015 at 06:24PM)

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Hilary Duff, George Lopez help in search for stolen dog

Hilary Duff (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Hilary Duff (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)



BEVERLY HILLS, California (AP) — A Beverly Hills shop owner is getting some celebrity help in the search for her dog, which was seen on surveillance video apparently being snatched by a pregnant woman.


Actress Hilary Duff, a friend of Switch boutique owner Julia Cohen, took to social media this week to urge her followers to help locate the little white Maltese.


Duff tweeted: “Please help us find Charlie.”


The video aired by KABC-TV (http://bit.ly/1BzdEwj) showed a woman with a girl follow the dog on a sidewalk near the boutique, disappear around a corner, and then re-emerge with Charlie in her arms and walk away. Witnesses say she was pregnant.


Comedian George Lopez and singer Lance Bass also tweeted about the stolen dog.


A $2,000 reward is being offered for Charlie’s safe return.






Hilary Duff, George Lopez help in search for stolen dog

Source: Mb.com.ph (January 30, 2015 at 06:11PM)

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Lil Wayne sues mentor’s record label for $51M, seeking split

Lil Wayne (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP, FIle)

Lil Wayne (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP, FIle)



NEW YORK (AP) — Rapper Lil Wayne has had it with his record label. He’s suing Cash Money Records for $51 million after claiming that it stiffed him for $8 million on a record he delivered last month.


In the federal lawsuit filed Wednesday, the Grammy Award-winning performer asked a Manhattan judge to nullify contracts he has held with the company since November 1998.


Born in New Orleans as Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., the 32-year-old rapper said in the lawsuit that his relationship with the label has been deteriorating over the last four years, with Cash Money failing to live up to contractual promises regarding monthly accounting statements and the timely payment of profits owed to Lil Wayne.


The lawsuit said the problems worsened since 2012 as Cash Money failed to pay Lil Wayne a 49 percent share of net income derived from the sale of solo recordings by rapper Drake for Lil Wayne’s partial ownership of the Young Money label, despite Drake’s rise as one of the best-selling recording artists in recent years. Nicki Minaj is also signed to the label.


It said Cash Money also is claiming millions of dollars in marketing expenses for the Young Money label even though it is required to obtain approval from Lil Wayne for expenses greater than $300,000. And it said the company is preventing artists recommended by Lil Wayne from being added to the Young Money label and is failing to pay third parties involved with the Young Money label, leading to lawsuits and additional costs.


A New York lawyer for Cash Money did not immediately return a message seeking comment. The label was co-founded by Lil Wayne’s mentor, Bryan “Birdman” Williams. A spokeswoman for Birdman and Cash Money did not return a message seeking comment.


A rapper since childhood, Lil Wayne released his first solo album, “Tha Block Is Hot,” in 1999. He lives in Florida now. The Young Money label is based in Miami.


The Cash Money website is promoting the upcoming release of the record Lil Wayne finished last month, “Tha Carter V,” one of the most anticipated records of the past year.


Lil Wayne said last year it was likely to be his last solo album. “Tha Carter IV,” released in 2011, sold nearly 1 million albums the first week of its release.






Lil Wayne sues mentor’s record label for $51M, seeking split

Source: Mb.com.ph (January 30, 2015 at 05:57PM)

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Justin Bieber apologizes for bad behavior in online video

Justin Bieber (AP Photo/Zacharie Scheurer, File)

Justin Bieber (AP Photo/Zacharie Scheurer, File)



NEW YORK (AP) — Justin Bieber has apologized for his bad behavior in a new video posted to Facebook.


The singer says in a 2-minute video posted early Thursday that his “arrogant and conceited” attitude over the last two years was just to cover up his true feelings. He said growing up in the industry is tough.


Bieber visited “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” on Wednesday and said he was “nervous” about the appearance. He said he didn’t know how people would react to him.


The 20-year-old was heavily booed at the Fashion Rocks event last year, and his recent Calvin Klein ad was ridiculed. His tumultuous behavior has ranged from a DUI arrest to egg-tossing vandalism to clashing with a paparazzo.


Bieber also said he wants people to know he has a caring side.






Justin Bieber apologizes for bad behavior in online video

Source: Mb.com.ph (January 30, 2015 at 05:51PM)

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Regine hesitant but still open to doing movie projects

Asia's Songbird Regine Velasquez said she tends to be "choosy" when it comes to movie projects, noting that it is not her forte.



Regine hesitant but still open to doing movie projects

Source: ABS-CBNNews.com (January 30, 2015 at 05:31PM)

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Kim Kardashian, other celebrities appear in Super Bowl ads

This image provided by Kia shows a portion of the company's television ad featuring Pierce Brosnan, scheduled to run during Super Bowl XLIX on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015. (AP Photo/Kia)

This image provided by Kia shows a portion of the company’s television ad featuring Pierce Brosnan, scheduled to run during Super Bowl XLIX on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015. (AP Photo/Kia)



NEW YORK (AP) — Along with puppies and babies, celebrities are a Super Bowl advertising staple. And this year is no exception.


Using stars is a surefire way to grab attention during advertising’s most competitive night, when a crowded field of 40-plus marketers vie for the attention of the more than 110 million viewers expected to tune in to the Super Bowl on Sunday.


Advertisers use celebrities to “help insure the success of their creative investment,” said Devra Prywes, vice president of marketing for research firm Unruly.


But it doesn’t always work. In order for an ad to go viral, it needs to connect emotionally or give the audience multiple reasons to share, Prywes said.


“A celebrity can’t save an ad that doesn’t do those things, but the right celebrity can help amplify it,” he said.


This year, advertisers are choosing quirkier celebrities and poking fun at bigger names. For instance, Katie Couric and Bryant Gumbel make fun of their inability to understand the Internet in 1994 in a BMW ad. And character actors Steve Buscemi and Danny Trejo star in a Snickers spot.


Here’s a look how brands are using celebrities in this year’s Super Bowl ads.


Snickers “The Brady Bunch”


In keeping with its 5-year-old “You’re Not You When You’re Hungry,” campaign that shows hungry people resembling humorous celebrities, Snickers 30-second ad recreates the famous Brady Bunch episode in which the oldest daughter, Marcia, gets hit in the nose with a football. Florence Henderson and action movie “Machete” star Danny Trejo also make appearances.


Online: http://ift.tt/1BA3XgU


BMW “Newfangled Idea”


In order to promote its new all-electric BMW i3 in a 60-second spot, BMW enlisted former “Today” show hosts Couric and Gumbel to recreate a 1994 on-air conversation when they tried to figure out what the @ symbol in an email address meant. “Alison,” Couric says to an off camera producer in the 1994 clip, “can you explain what Internet is?” The ad flashes forward to today, when the duo are in a BMW’s i3 similarly confused. “Big ideas take a little getting used to,” copy states.


Online: http://ift.tt/1C772b7


Squarespace “Dreaming With Jeff”


The website publisher isn’t releasing its full 30-second spot until game time but a teaser ad shows a bearded “The Big Lebowski” actor Jeff Bridges recording relaxing sounds for an album called “Jeff Bridges Sleeping Tapes.” The company plans to sell the resulting tapes in cassette-tape and vinyl form and the tracks are free to stream online. Squarespace CEO Anthony Casalena said the idea is that any idea can be presented via a Squarespace platform.


Online: dreamingwithjeff.com


T-Mobile “#KimsDataStash”


T-Mobile hired Kim Kardashian for a 30-second spoof on public service announcements. It pokes fun at Kardashian’s constant online presence. She makes a plea to save people’s unused data taken back by wireless carriers. She laments that the data could have been used to see Kardashian’s makeup, vacations and outfits. “Please help save the data,” she pleads. The ad promotes T-Mobile’s service that lets users keep their unused data for a year.


Online: http://ift.tt/1zRRnf3


Kia “The Perfect Getaway”


Kia’s ad spoofs Pierce Brosnan’s action-movie persona. In the ad, an agent describes a perfect part for Brosnan, who once played James Bond. Brosnan keeps expecting evil villains or explosions, but instead the agent describes a Kia ad in which Brosnan drives to a snowy cabin in a 2016 Sorento. The tagline is “The perfect getaway vehicle.”






Kim Kardashian, other celebrities appear in Super Bowl ads

Source: Mb.com.ph (January 30, 2015 at 05:29PM)

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What 'It's Showtime' host Teddy Corpuz is afraid of

Rocksteddy vocalist and "It's Showtime" host Teddy Corpuz opened up about his fears during his guest appearance on a comedy show on Thursday night.



What 'It's Showtime' host Teddy Corpuz is afraid of

Source: ABS-CBNNews.com (January 30, 2015 at 05:09PM)

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Jolina wins P990,000 on 'Singing Bee'

"Flordeliza" star Jolina Magdangal became the latest jackpot winner of "The Singing Bee" in the game show's episode that aired on Friday.



Jolina wins P990,000 on 'Singing Bee'

Source: ABS-CBNNews.com (January 30, 2015 at 05:02PM)

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Luis speaks up on 'Captain Barbell' rumors

Actor and TV host Luis Manzano on Friday reacted to rumors that he will play the role of the fictional Filipino superhero Captain Barbell.



Luis speaks up on 'Captain Barbell' rumors

Source: ABS-CBNNews.com (January 30, 2015 at 04:53PM)

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Work as usual for Empress on V-Day

Empress Schuck

Empress Schuck



Contrary to what many fans expect, actress Empress Schuck won’t spend this Valentine’s with Joseph Marco.


“Hindi naman kami ni Joseph pero naging kaibigan ko siya ng todo. MU (Mutual Understanding) ba ‘yun? Basta walang sabihan ng ‘I love you,’” she said.


Empress revealed the relationship didn’t prosper because she and Joseph are focusing on their careers. Little wonder that Valentine’s Day will find the lass at work. She was recently in Iloilo for the Kapuso Dinagyang Festival.


Empress and Joseph have been romantically linked since being paired in a previous soap. The rumors were heightened when they appeared at a high-profile function attended by stars.


Studies first


Prior to becoming a GMA talent, Empress went back to school, taking up a short course in Marketing Services at the Ateneo de Manila University.


“Halos two years akong walang show… ganu’n talaga ang buhay,” she said. “Sinisi ko din ‘yung sarili ko. Sabi ko ‘Ayaw ko nang mag-artista.’ Tao lang din naman ako, napagdadaanan ko din ‘yung ganoong bagay, mga down moments.”


Brightening up, Empress is overwhelmed with the attention GMA has been giving her. “Ang bait ng GMA sa akin. Warm ’yung pag-welcome nila so malaking tulong iyon,” she said.


Asked who among the current crop of Kapuso actors she wants to work with, Empress singled out Alden Richards, saying, “Nakikita ko na may potential siya. Maganda ’yung aura niya sa screen, mukhang mabait.”


More mature roles


Empress wants to tackle “different roles” this time in order to improve as actress.


“Pinakagusto kong masubukan ‘yung ginagawa ni Angelina Jolie. Mas maganda din kasi kung may maibibigay kang bago sa mga tao,” she said.


The actress wants to veer from her “cute and girly” image in an effort to snag more mature roles in the future.


“Kailangan ko din naman mag-grow bilang artista,” she said, adding that at 22 years old, she is even ready to do kissing scenes.


Empress is cast in drama series “Kailan Ba Tama Ang Mali?” alongside Max Collins, Dion Ignacio, and Geoff Eigenmann. It starts airing Feb. 9 on GMA Afternoon Prime.






Work as usual for Empress on V-Day

Source: Mb.com.ph (January 30, 2015 at 05:24PM)

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