WebProNews

Author: Val Powell

  • Lily Aldridge Reveals How She Prepares For Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show

    Lily Aldridge is definitely one of the more recognizable faces in Victoria’s Secret’s roster right. She was one of the seven Angels that Victoria’s Secret featured prominently in their annual fashion show, which aired on December 9. Vogue released a short video that documents Aldridge’s preparation for the show. A film crew was tasked to follow the model in the months leading up to the show, documenting her intense workout regimen. According to Vogue, Aldridge does 60- or 90-minute workouts three times a week two months before, kicking it up to six days a week as the show approaches.

    The video focuses on Aldridge’s various activities to stay in shape including her morning routine of having a healthy smoothie coupled with a yoga session. She also does Ballet Beautiful, a workout routine that “mixes the athleticism and grace of classical ballet with targeted exercises and stretches that sculpt a dancer’s toned, lean physique”.

    The video also shows Aldridge doing resistance training at modelFit, a quick run for cardio, a private spin session at Soul Cycle, and a sparring session at Gotham Gym. Aside from her training regimen, Aldridge also makes it a point to eat healthy. One part of the video shows her preparing a healthy dinner comprised of fish for protein and roasted vegetables.

    Aldridge may just have to add one more workout to her regimen. She recently went out with fellow model Gigi Hadid to attend a Beyonce-themed dance class in New York. Right after the session, Hadid tweeted, “@LilyAldridge and I just did a Beyoncé dance class together. It was epic. Video may or may not be released. TBD 😉 LOVE YOU BIG SIS”.

    Lily is married to Kings of Leon’s Caleb Followill, but the model has been spotted recently without her wedding ring. Followill was also noticeably absent during the Victoria’s Secret fashion show, sparking rumors that all is not well with the couple.

  • Claire Holt Might Not Be Playing Supergirl After All

    It’s been reported that The Vampire Diaries and The Originals star, Claire Holt, tested for the role of Supergirl in CBS’ upcoming superhero series. However, a source for The Hollywood Reporter claimed that Holt is not expected to get the part. But it seems it wouldn’t be a problem for the actress since she is also a series regular in NBC’s upcoming series about Charles Manson called Aquarius.

    News about CBS’ comic book adaptation broke out in September. The show will focus on Superman’s cousin, Kara Zor-El, a twenty-something who takes on the mantle of “Supergirl”. Various websites have been speculating on who else could be in the running for the role, with Sara Paxton and Chronicle’s Ashley Hinshaw being thrown in the mix. However, it’s been made clear that the list of actors aside from Holt who have tested for the part is still unknown.

     

    Meanwhile, Holt might be spending less time onscreen as Rebekah in The Originals after the plot twist that sees her character being transferred into a non-vampire body played by Maisie Richardson-Sellers. The Originals executive producer Michael Narducci talked about Holt’s involvement in the show after its mid-season finale.

    “There’s absolutely the possibility she would return,” Narducci told The Hollywood Reporter. “We definitely want to continue to use Claire. We absolutely will use her in flashbacks in the way we’ve continued to use Nathaniel Buzolic in flashbacks, even though in the present day, Kol is in another body.”

    Narducci adds, “Claire Holt’s version of Rebekah is lying unconscious in a coffin somewhere, so it will become part of the story line: How does she free herself from this trap? Once she does free herself, why might she choose to stay in that body, and why might she immediately want to get out of that body? Who was this person prior to Rebekah using the body as a vessel? Will the past history of that vessel have an impact on Rebekah? All of those things are story points we want to play. But I definitely don’t think — or hope — we’ve seen the last of Claire Holt.”

  • Gina Carano And Henry Cavill Break Up…Again

    The “on again, off again” romance between Man Of Steel actor Henry Cavill and MMA fighter-turned-actress Gina Carano have hit a snag yet again. The two rekindled their romance back in October 2013 after a very public and very short split. A source tells E! News that the most recent break-up “happened a while ago”. Cavill and Carano started dating in 2012, with Cavill fresh from ending his engagement with showjumper Ellen Whitaker.

    Henry and Gina’s first break-up happened in May of last year. In July, Cavill started dating The Big Bang Theory star Kaley Cuoco. The relationship only lasted for 10 days, which led people to believe that it was all a publicity stunt. Cuoco told Cosmopolitan, “I had no one following me until I met Superman.” She added, “I’ve been in this business for 20 years, and my whole life, I could go anywhere, do anything. There had not been one paparazzi photo of me until like several months ago. The recognition was crazy.”

    In October last year, Carano and Cavill were spotted having a romantic date in Rome where Cavill was shooting The Man from U.N.C.L.E. with Guy Ritchie. Ever since then, the couple kept their newly-rekindled relationship private until their most recent split.

    Right now, it seems Carano will be focusing on her career. UFC head honcho, Dana White, expressed interest in having Carano fight the current bantamweight champion, Ronda Rhousey. However, Carano is intent on continuing her Hollywood career. In a statement released by White back in September he said, “(Carano) is the hardest human being we’ve ever dealt with. The problem is she allows herself to be handled by these Hollywood (expletive) idiots. In dealing with her people, I don’t know if it can be done.”

    It’s been announced that Carano will be starring in the Kickboxer remake alongside Jean-Claude Van Damme, WWE’s Dave Bautista, and former UFC welterweight champion Georges St.-Pierre.

  • Kate Hudson And Matt Bellamy Are Still On Good Terms Despite Breakup

    Actress Kate Hudson and Muse frontman Matt Bellamy have called it quits, but it seems the two are still on good terms. “Kate and Matt have been separated for some time now,” a representative of Bellamy told Us Weekly. “Despite this, they remain very close friends and committed co-parents.” Hudson and Bellamy started dating in 2010 and got engaged a year later, shortly before the birth of their son Bingham. The three-year engagement is a very long one, but not surprising considering their busy schedules and their long-distance relationship.

    Back in January, Hudson admitted that she wasn’t all that bothered by their long engagement. She told Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan, “There’s a part of me that goes, if I’m going to do it, I’m going to do it right. And I’m going to take the time to really plan it right. And it’s a lot. Planning a wedding is a lot! I mean, I did a movie about planning a wedding and that was a lot, let alone actually planning a wedding! So, no. Not anytime soon, no.”

    And in July, Hudson also told The View that she already feels like she’s married. “I’m happy, we’re married,” she said in the interview. “We’ve got kids and a family. We are in it. I think if we do get married it will be for the kids really.” It’s been rumored that Hudson is now dating Dancing with the Stars’ Derek Hough. They were spotted recently at the Nice Guy Restaurant in Los Angeles, with one eyewitness saying that the two stayed there past closing. They have been friends for three years, and Kate even says that Hough taught her some dance moves. “My heart is really in contemporary jazz, but lately I’ve been ballroom dancing with Derek Hough,” she told Shape magazine last year. “It’s been a real blast.”

  • Chirlane McCray Joins Kate Middleton For New York Tour

    Prince William and Kate Middleton are in the US. But while William went off to Washington to talk to President Barack Obama about illegal wildlife trafficking, Kate went to New York to visit a child development center. The Duchess of Cambridge was joined by New York’s First Lady, Chirlane McCray. As the wife of New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, McCray has become the talk of the town. The two have even been compared to political power couple Bill and Hilary Clinton. A former political activist, McCray is pretty much on her way to becoming a liberal icon.

    Middleton and McCray posed for photographers during the time they spent together in Harlem. And while Middleton is a celebrity in her own right, McCray is not one to be upstaged. Andrew Nodell, a senior reporter for Closer Weekly, said, “For anyone it’s difficult to stand next to Kate Middleton. She always looks perfect. I think both ladies brought their best to the event.”

    McCray wrote on her blog, #FLONYC, about the encounter with Middleton. She expressed her pleasure at the fact that the Duchess has made mental health one of her signature issues. It is a matter that hits close to home for McCray after her daughter, Chiara, recently opened up about her depression and substance abuse.

    “Sadly, our society continues to portray mental illness as rare and shameful, when in fact it is prevalent and nothing to be embarrassed about,” McCray wrote on her blog. “Researchers estimate that one in four American adults suffers from a mental illness in any given year; depression and anxiety are most common. And our children are not immune – approximately 13 percent of children between the ages of 8 and 15 had a diagnosable mental disorder within the previous year.”

    Prior to meeting de Blasio, McCray worked as a speechwriter for David Dinkins during his term as Mayor of New York.  

  • Amanda Peet Gives Birth To Baby Boy

    Amanda Peet Gives Birth To Baby Boy

    On December 6, actress Amanda Peet gave birth to a healthy baby boy! Henry Peet Friedman is her third child with writer David Benioff, one of the minds behind HBO’s Game of Thrones. The proud couple are already parents to seven-year-old Frances and four-year-old Molly. The two remained private about the pregnancy, with Peet revealing the baby’s sex just this October. She did, however, open up to People about her excitement regarding baby number three. “I’m very excited,” the actress said in the interview. “[My daughters] are very excited now. We’ll see what happens when he actually arrives.”

    Peet and Benioff announced the pregnancy back in August when the couple attended the Emmy Awards where Game of Thrones was nominated for 19 awards. Peet appeared on the red carpet sporting a very visible baby bump.

    There were no problems with Peet’s pregnancy, with the actress revealing in an interview that she “can’t complain”. She added, “I mean, I’m tired but otherwise, I’m doing really well.”

    While how the couple landed on Henry’s name remains a mystery, Peet did reveal to Us Weekly the quirky way they chose their second daughter’s name. “David hid behind his back two crumpled up pieces of paper. We couldn’t leave the hospital because we couldn’t decide what her name should be,” she said in the interview. “The car was downstairs and yeah, it was cutthroat. There were two, he wrote them down on a piece of paper, and then hid them behind his back. And that’s how she became Molly June.”

    Amanda Peet is in actress known for her roles in such films as The Whole Nine Yards, A Lot like Love and Syriana. She is also known for advocating childhood vaccination, volunteering as a spokeswoman for the non-profit organization Every Child by Two back in 2008.

  • James Corden Prepares For His Big Move To America

    James Corden Prepares For His Big Move To America

    British actor James Corden was recently chosen as Craig Ferguson’s replacement for The Late Late Show. As he prepares to take over the reins of the talk show, he is also preparing his family for the big relocation to Hollywood. Corden has been in America on and off for film shoots as well as performances of his hit Broadway show One Man, Two Guvnors, but this time he will be setting up camp in America with his wife and two children for good. Corden is slated to take over the talk show in March.

    “I think I will be stimulated beyond anything I’ve ever done in my career,” Corden said in an interview with CBS News’ Mark Phillips. “Here, every day, an hour of TV. Whether you like it or not, there’s another show tomorrow. If I could have told my 12-year-old self that at this stage in my life I would be offered one of these chairs, one of these five chairs, his head would explode!”

    With the success of One Man, Two Guvnors, Corden admits that he’s not worried about whether or not his brand of humor would translate well to American audiences. He tells Phillips, “If it’s good it travels. There’s a weird thing with us in Britain that we would go, ‘Oh, will this work in America?’ No one in America is ever going, ‘I wonder if this’ll work in Britain!’”

    In an interview with Express, he revealed that he was surprised after being picked for the hosting job. “I can’t believe it,” said Corden. “What am I doing there? I’m terrified. What’s the chance of a chubby guy going to America, doing a talk show every night and being anything other than a complete mistake?”

    However, Corden is welcoming the challenge head-on. After all, his stock has been rising recently especially after being cast in the Disney adaptation of Into the Woods alongside Emily Blunt, Johnny Depp, and Meryl Streep.

  • Keke Palmer Is Essence’s Cover Girl For January

    Keke Palmer made waves recently when she was cast as Cinderella in the Broadway musical. Palmer is now officially the first African-American woman to take on the iconic role in the musical. For Essence magazine’s January issue, they decided to do a feature on Palmer who also appears on the magazine’s cover. Palmer looks absolutely gorgeous on the cover, with her black and white-patterned party dress and glam-inspired make-up. Essence’s feature on Palmer focuses on her views regarding her new status as “the first African-American Cinderella on Broadway” as well as her love life and career.

    “I know that the role of Cinderella is primarily for a Caucasian girl, but it didn’t stop me from going in and it didn’t stop them from seeing me,” the 21-year-old Palmer tells the magazine. “There is a bit of intimidation. You think about Denzel [Washington], Viola Davis, and you think, ‘Only great people can do Broadway.’ That was the scariest thing about it, but I’m the type who thrives on pressure…”

    Palmer also revealed that she has broken up with someone recently and this gave her a new perspective on her life. “I realized that I’m a lot freer of a spirit. That was the beginning of me standing up for myself,” she says. “I would love to have somebody but this is such a great time in my life, in my career. I really am liking myself.”

    Keke made her debut as Cinderella on September 9. She is joined by Sherri Shepherd and NeNe Leakes who each play Cinderella’s evil stepmother.

    Keke Palmer is a singer and actress who has appeared in films such as Barbershop 2: Back in Business, Madea’s Family Reunion, and Ice Age: Continental Drift among others. She turned heads when she starred in the critically acclaimed film Akeelah and The Bee about an 11-year-old girl who joins the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

  • Nicki Minaj Steals The Show During Her Recent SNL Appearance

    The December 6 episode of Saturday Night Live was hosted by James Franco, but musical guest Nicki Minaj practically stole the show and she proved to everyone that she could handle her own when it comes to comedy. In one skit, Minaj impersonated Beyonce who was a guest in a fictitious MTV show Jingle Ballerz which featured Taran Killam as Eminem, Kenan Thompson as Rick Ross, and James Franco as Riff Raff among others. The sketch attempted to explain the holiday season with the help of various hip hop personalities.

    But Minaj didn’t stop there. She also impersonated Kim Kardashian during the Weekend Update segment, explaining that Kim’s controversial nude photos for Paper magazine were taken out of context because they didn’t include the correct backgrounds (a gynecology office, a classroom, and the Keystone pipeline).

    During the second half of the show, Minaj joined Franco for another sketch. The skit is about a man who needs to create a new password but isn’t able to because his brain is too full of memories to store a new one. Nicki plays as herself in the skit, singing a few lines of her hit song “Anaconda”.

    Nicki’s performance was another crowd-pleaser. She performed three songs from her upcoming third album The Pinkprint. Skylar Grey joined Minaj for a performance of the ballad Bed of Lies which she co-wrote with rapper. Minaj also performed a medley of Only and All Things Go, the latter dealing with personal subject matter including a former engagement, the death of a cousin, and a pregnancy scare.

    This is the second time that Minaj has appeared on the comedy show. During her first appearance on the program, she performed the songs Right Thru Me and Moment 4 Life from her album Pink Friday. She also appeared on a sketch with The Lonely Island called The Creep.

  • Nina Simone: Netflix To Release Documentary On Legendary Singer In 2015

    Nina Simone: Netflix To Release Documentary On Legendary Singer In 2015

    Netflix, which is primarily known as a streaming service, has been pushing for more original content recently. It was announced that one of these original projects will be a feature-length documentary on the life of legendary singer Nina Simone. The documentary, What Happened, Miss Simone?, will be using three decades worth of recorded material including rare interviews, concert recordings, and diary entries. The film is directed by the critically acclaimed documentarian Liz Garbus, who made the films Bobby Fischer Against the World and The Farm: Angola, USA. What Happened, Miss Simone? will be released worldwide next year.

    As much as she is known for her music, Simone is also known for her fiery temperament and her political views. Simone criticized the Vietnam War in her songs, and even supported the armed revolt of African Americans during a time when the Civil Rights movement was at its peak. The documentary claims it will shine a light on these aspects of Simone’s life, and according to Netflix, it will be “the most authentic, personal, and unflinching telling of the extraordinary life of one of the 20th century’s greatest recording artists”.

    “I’m thrilled that Netflix has embraced the incredible story of Nina Simone and partnered with RadicalMedia on this film,” director Liz Garbus said about the film. “Nina feels like a treasured secret. With What Happened, Miss Simone? I’m excited to help bring her passion, her music and her story to the world.” Lisa Nishimura, Netflix’s VP of original documentary programming, also released a statement saying that the film “paints a brave and provocative picture of Nina Simone — artist, civil-rights activist and heroine — in a film that we’ve loved from Day One and are proud to bring to our viewers around the world.”

    Nina Simone was born Eunice Kathleen Waymon on February 21, 1933. She is known for her songs I Put a Spell on You and Feeling Good among others. She passed away on April 21, 2003, years after being diagnosed with breast cancer. 

  • Amber Stevens Marries Former “Greek” Co-Star Andrew J. West

    Amber Stevens and Andrew J. West, who played TV couple Ashleigh and Fisher in ABC Family’s Greek, have tied the knot! The two exchanged their vows on December 5 at the Carondelet House, an Italian-style villa in Los Angeles. Stevens wore an elegant bridal gown with intricate lace designs courtesy of CB Couture while West wore a J. Crew tuxedo. Amber’s dad, radio personality Shadoe Stevens, walked her down the aisle. According to reports, the cute couple high fived after sharing their first kiss as husband and wife.

    West told People magazine, “I could not imagine a better send-off into the rest of our lives together.” He added, “Amber was beaming all night. We were surrounded by so much love.” Stevens also talked about her special day with People. “It was the most magical night of my life. I wish I could rewind and play it again, but I’m so looking forward to our future together,” she told the magazine.

     

    Thank you @cakeandart ! (And @abhiously for the photobomb) #cakeandart #amberandandy

    A photo posted by Andrew J West (@andrewjwest) on

     

    Ladies and gentlemen, my Wife! @stevecowell_photo #amberandandy

    A photo posted by Andrew J West (@andrewjwest) on

    In an appearance on Conan back in June, Stevens talked about how she and West met. “He came in to play my boyfriend on the show. We were introduced by the casting director, and I remember I went back to the hair and makeup room immediately and started Googling him. I was like, ‘Well, that guy was cute!’” she said in the interview.

    Greek ran until 2011, but the couple’s respective careers wouldn’t stop there. Stevens has appeared in shows such as Criminal Minds and The New Girl, and she also appeared in the film 22 Jump Street in a supporting role as Jonah Hill’s love interest. West, on the other hand, was most recently seen in the hit AMC TV show The Walking Dead. West played the role of Gareth, the cannibalistic leader of the doomed Termnus camp.

    Stevens recently starred in the horror film Jessabelle.

  • Anni Dewani’s Husband Cleared Of Murder By South African Court

    Shrien Dewani has been cleared by the South African court of his involvement in the murder of his wife, Anni Dewani. According to Judge Jeanette Traverso, the testimony of the main witness that implicates Mr. Dewani is far too inconsistent and “riddled with contradictions”. She also said that the evidence presented by the prosecution was not enough to support their case against Mr. Dewani. The Bristol-based businessman was extradited to South Africa earlier this year after he was accused of planning the murder of his wife during their honeymoon back in November 2010.

    Anni’s family expressed their disappointment at the verdict when they spoke to the press outside the Western Cape High Court. Ami Denborg, Anni’s sister, said that the justice system has failed her family. “We came here looking for answers and we came here looking for the truth and all we got was more questions. We waited patiently for four years to hear what really happened to Anni and to hear the full story of what happened to our dearest little sister,” she told reporters.

    Ami added, “All we wanted was to hear all the events and the hope of actually finding that out has kept us, as a family, going. Unfortunately we believe that this right has now been taken away from us.”

    Anni was killed after a taxi she and Shrien were in was hijacked. Shrien and the driver, Zolo Tongo, claimed that they were forced out of the car and the suspects drove off with Anni in tow. Her body was found the next day, with a gunshot wound to the neck. Mziwamadoda Qwabe and Xolile Mngeni were arrested for the murder. Tongo was also arrested and plead guilty to being involved in the crime, but in exchange for a reduced sentence, he claimed that Shrien hired him and the two hitmen to kill his wife.

  • NeNe Leakes Says She Won’t Reconcile With Cynthia Bailey Anytime Soon

    Real Housewives of Atlanta stars NeNe Leakes and Cynthia Bailey haven’t been on good terms for quite some time now. And it seems the rift has driven a wedge to any potential reconciliation between the two. During a recent guest appearance on Watch What Happens Live, Leakes had a lot to say about her falling out with Bailey. “I feel like Cynthia is making it seem as if I’ve really done something to her,” NeNe told host Andy Cohen. “When I watch the show, I’m thinking, ‘Did I do something so horrible for someone that you have been really, good friends with? Did I do something so horrible to her?’”

    Cynthia and NeNe’s spat came to a head last season when NeNe called Cynthia’s husband a “b***h”. NeNe has since apologized to Cynthia for the incident, but the friendship between the two could never be repaired. In the latest episode of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, Kandi Burruss organized a dinner so that all the feuding housewives could make peace with each other. Of course, the plan backfired.

    The dinner erupted into two sets of arguments, one between Phaedra Parks and Kenya Moore and the other between Cynthia and NeNe. “It would be nice for you guys to get back on speaking terms,” Kandi said. Cynthia responded, “She knows what it is. I know what it is.” She added, “I didn’t wake up one day saying, ‘I’m not going to be friends with NeNe anymore.’”

    An incensed Leakes then went on a tirade, saying, “You know I’m a good-ass friend. I get really heated like you’re some innocent person here. I’m the one who’s dumb, because I thought you was a real f–––ing friend. I never thought you would throw our friendship away. I had your back when no one else had your back.”

    However, in a preview for an upcoming episode, it seems that Cynthia is willing to repair their friendship. But based on NeNe’s comments to Andy Cohen, it seems reconciliation between the two is impossible at least for now.

  • Jessica Padgett: Gregory Graf Videotaped Himself Sexually Abusing Corpse

    New details have been made public regarding the Jessica Padgett murder case. The most recent revelation is that the assailant and Padgett’s stepfather, Gregory Graf, videotaped himself having sex with Padgett’s corpse after he shot her. According to Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli, the recording was recovered from Graf’s computer. Morganelli said that the video, which is now in possession of state police, offers evidence supporting Graf’s statement when he was arrested for homicide last month. “He videotaped it,” Morganelli said, “so there’s a videotape of him abusing the corpse sexually.”

    Morganelli believes that necrophilia was the main motive in Padgett’s murder, and that’s the argument they’ll be pursuing in court. Morganelli will be filing an abuse of corpse charge against Graf, although it means they won’t be able to seek the death penalty due to the charge being a misdemeanor. “It is not a capital case. We’ve reviewed the aggravating factors,” the DA told presiding judge Stephen Baratta during a court hearing.

    During the same hearing, Graf applied for a public defender but was denied because of his wealth. Graf said in court that he didn’t want to burden his family financially, but the judge rejected the application saying that Graf had enough money to pay for his own defense.

    Padgett was a mother of three who recently married Michael Padgett back in September. Padgett’s body was discovered on November 26 on Graf’s property. When he was arrested, Graf admitted to shooting Padgett and burying her body on his estate. Padgett was last seen on November 21st when she left her workplace, Duck Duck Goose Child Care, for her lunch break.

    Morganelli told reporters that he had spoken to Jessica’s husband, Michael, about the details of the case including the existence of the videotape. He also said that the abuse of corpse charge will be filed on Monday, December 8.

  • Karlie Kloss And Taylor Swift’s Kiss At A Concert Sparks Rumors About “Secret Lesbian Relationship”

    Karlie Kloss, the 22-year-old Victoria’s Secret model, is having a great year. She has been chosen as the new face of L’Oreal Paris Prodigy, the brand’s new line of natural-looking hair coloring. This is only the latest in the slew of endorsements that the model has been involved in, having been the face of Jean Paul Gaultiere, Chanel, Dior, and even Nike. She even has her own brand of healthy cookies called “Karlie’s Cookies”, and she helps out with charity. Despite all this, the busy model finds the time to unwind with her A-list friends including fellow models Jourdan Dunn and Cara Delevingne as well as pop superstar Taylor Swift.

    Recently, Kloss and Swift were seen attending a show by the rock band The 1975. Photos from the event surfaced, including a grainy image of the two kissing each other. Whether it was just a friendly peck or not, we may never know. However, the photo quickly added fuel to the rumors that the two are “secret lesbian lovers”. The photo was posted by a fan with the caption, “Exclusive Taylor and Karlie making out #confirmed.” A representative from Swift’s camp denied the rumors, and called the speculation “hilarious”.

    Kloss and Swift became friends after meeting at a Victoria’s Secret fashion show a few years back. Karlie talked about her friendship with the singer in an interview with The Daily Mail. “Taylor is such a great girl. She’s a good friend and she also loves to bake – so we do that together sometimes. I think the key to me being able to not just survive but to actually thrive in this industry is having my friends,” she told The Daily Mail.

    It was also revealed in an interview with Rolling Stone magazine that Kloss has her own room in the Swift’s apartment. The “Shake it Off” singer showed off her home to the interviewer, revealing a guest room decorated with pictures of the supermodel.

  • Charles Barkley Calls For Rational Race Discussion In America

    Former NBA star Charles Barkley is backing up the grand jury decision to not indict the white police officer who was involved in the shooting of 19-year-old teenager, Michael Brown last August. The outspoken basketball player-turned-commentator called the idea of white cops profiling black people “ridiculous,” in his recent interview with CNN.

    Barkley called looters in the Ferguson riots “scumbags.” He also expressed his frustration when educated black people are dubbed as “acting white.” “The real black people, they’re not out there looting,” he added.

    Instead of talking about race when something tragic happens, Barkley encouraged the public to favor a rational dialogue about race in America rather than just taking on what is reported in the media. The 51-year-old sports analyst pointed out how communities rely on cops in cleaning up the neighborhood only to cry racial profiling when the police ends up doing their job.

    “We have to look at ourselves in the mirror,” Barkley said. “We as black people, we have a lot of crooks. There is a reason that they racially profile us in the way they do. Sometimes it is wrong, and sometimes it is right.”

    Barkley applauded those who choose to peacefully protest for Michael Brown. He cited examples like the NFL players who protested before a recent game by doing the “hands up, don’t shoot” gesture last Sunday. “Anybody who walks out peacefully, who protests peacefully, that’s what this country was built on,” Barkley noted. “But to be burning peoples’ property, burning police cars, looting peoples’ stores, that is 100 percent ridiculous.”

    In the tell-all interviews that are quickly making rounds in social media, Barkley also talked about Chris Rock’s comment about salary disparities and how Obama should enact a harsher measure to stop the spread of terrorist group, ISIS. “We need to put some bodies on the ground and shoot them dead.”

  • Téa Leoni Finds New Love In Her ‘Madam Secretary’ Co-Star

    After getting divorced from X-Files star David Duchovny last August, Téa Leoni is moving on to another man in the form of her Madam Secretary co-star Tim Daly.

    The new couple is taking their on-screen romance to off-screen, the actress revealed in the new issue of Us Weekly. A source tells us that the couple’s chemistry on set “is electrifying.” The 48-year-old actress met the 58-year-old actor earlier this summer on the set of their latest series where they play husband and wife.

    Back in September, Daly was enthusiastic about his co-star in an interview with Collider. “We get along really, really well,” Daly said. “We have a really good time. I’ve gotten along with plenty of people, but the chemistry sucked. And I’ve hated people where the chemistry is great. It’s much better if you get along and the chemistry is good. That’s perfect.”

    In the interview, the actor also revealed that he and Leoni went to the same Vermont high school, albeit years apart. “She’s a person, like me and like a lot of people who have gone to that school…who can be perfectly happy sleeping in a wet sleeping bag on a stone floor, or staying in a fancy hotel.”

    Madam Secretary is a political drama series that currently airs on the CBS. On the show, Leoni plays Elizabeth McCord, a former CIA analyst who now works for the United States Secretary of State. Daly plays Lenoi’s husband, an ethics professor who had a strong past as an NSA spy and a pilot for the Marine Corps.

    Leoni was married to David Duchovny for 17 years before the divorced was finalized just four months ago. Daly has two kids and was married to actress Amy Van Nostrand until 2010. Leoni and Daly’s reps were unable to respond to requests for comment.

  • Lil Wayne Says He’s “A Prisoner,” Wants Out Of Cash Money Records

    Almost two years after Lil Wayne started recording latest album Tha Carter V, the rapper alleges that producer Birdman and record label Cash Money Records refuse to release his latest work.

    The album was slated to drop earlier this year, but had been pushed back to a December 9 date. Earlier today, just five days before the album was due to be released, Lil Wayne took his grievances to his social media account to announce that the album has been delayed again to an unspecified date.

    The rapper is blaming his record label for the latest delay, claiming that he has been made “a prisoner.” Cash Money Records, the label who handled the rapper’s previous releases is allegedly refusing to release the album. “I am a prisoner and so is my creativity,” said Wayne on a post on his Twitter. “I want off this label and nothing to do with these people but unfortunately it ain’t that easy.”

    Lil Wayne performed his first single Start a Fire at last month’s American Music Awards to hype up the fans about his latest album. It appears that the rapper’s fans will have to wait a little longer until the respective parties clear up all the issues related to the album.

    Tha Carter V is expected to be the rapper’s final album even though he is still under contract to release three more albums after this one. Back in 2012, the 32-year-old rapper said that he plans to retire once he turns 35. He explained that he wanted to spend more time with his four kids and that spending time in the studio would feel selfish as he would miss vital points in his children’s lives.

    The rapper has previously released 4 Tha Carter albums with Cash Money Records. The musician was the most nominated artist at the 2009 Grammys after reaching the height of his popularity with Tha Carter III.

  • Krysten Ritter Set To Star As Jessica Jones in Marvel’s Latest TV Series

    Krysten Ritter Set To Star As Jessica Jones in Marvel’s Latest TV Series

    Krysten Ritter will return to television in Marvel’s latest Netflix series, Jessica Jones. The actress who previously graced the small screen with her roles in Breaking Bad and Don’t Trust the B— will play the titular star of the show, adding to Marvel’s television slate that already features shows like Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the upcoming Captain America­ spinoff, Agent Carter.

    Although Marvel hasn’t made an official announcement, Deadline reports that Ritter has been tapped to play the role after the studio had auditioned fellow actresses like True Detective’s Alexandra Daddario and Warm Bodies star, Teresa Palmer.

    The Jessica Jones character debuted in the Marvel MAX imprint series Alias created by writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Michael Gaydos. Jessica Jones is a former superheroine who decided to take off her mask to start a private detective agency that seeks clients who are dealing with cases with superhero connections. The series follows Jones going back to the superhero world even after she denounces her old lifestyle.

    Ritter reportedly did a chemistry reading with Mike Colter who is slated to portray Luke Cage, another popular Marvel superhero.

    Marvel surprised fans with their decision, as Ritter is mostly known for her comedic work in film and television work. Ritter started as a model at the age of 15 after being discovered by an agent while she was hanging out at a local shopping mall. She signed with Elite Model Management and moved to New York to establish her modeling career which saw her posing for print and television ads.

    In 2003, Ritter shared the screen with Julia Roberts in Mona Lisa Smile and had appeared in several Broadway plays. Her television work expanded when she appeared on the second season of Veronica Mars. She reprised her Veronica Mars role in the film which was successfully funded through the Kickstarter website.

  • Amber Heard And Johnny Depp’s Engagement Is On The Rocks

    It appears that the 23 year age gap between Amber Heard and Johnny Depp is putting a strain on their relationship. The couple was reported to be cooling off after Heard refuses to settle down with the popular actor.

    Insider sources from People Magazine reports that there is “turmoil in the relationship” between the 28-year old actress and the 51-year old Pirates of the Carribean style. The couple was engaged last year after Heard was spotted in Los Angeles, wearing a massive diamond ring on her finger.

    Heard, who is known for her roles in films like Friday Night Lights and Machete Kills met Depp while filming The Rum Diary back in 2011. Sources are reporting that the actress “flirts and has many different kinds of relationships,” putting further strain in the handsome couple’s relationship. Heard admitted to being bisexual and was previously in a relationship with photographer Tasya van Ree before being in a relationship with Depp.

    “She’s is not really ready to settle down,” an insider claimed.

    The actress was also reported to be unhappy following Depp’s strange antics during this year’s Hollywood Film Awards. The actor almost stumbled on stage, appearing drunk as he presented an award during the show. “Amber couldn’t believe he had made such a fool out of himself,” a source from Star Magazine revealed.

    A source from E! News noted how the two actors have “extreme personalities and are both very intense people.” Another source said that Heard had been visiting Depp less frequently over the past couple of months.

    In an interview with Today’s Savannah Guthrie, Depp gushed about her “southern belle,” describing Heard as “very good for me.” Depp’s engagement to Heard came as a surprise to many after the actor refused to propose to his previous partner, Vanessa Pardis. Pardis and Depp were together for 14 years and had two children: Lily-Rose and Jack.

  • Martina Hingis Pairs Up With Leander Paes For Australian Open

    After already retiring twice from tennis, Martina Hingis remains a strong player in her chosen sport. The 34-year-old professional player from Switzerland was tagged by Leander Paes to play for a mixed event at the upcoming Australia Open.

    In a statement that Paes released during the Premier Tennis League (PTL) media interaction in June, the 14-time Grand Slam champion said that he wanted his partner to exhibit both his strengths and weaknesses to make for a compelling game. For his next men’s doubles game, Paes chose South African Raven Klaasen to compete with him, making Klaasen the 99th person to compete side by side with the Indian ace.

    Meanwhile, Paes can only hope that Hingis will aid him in receiving yet another Grand Slam title.  Paes was reportedly having a hard time this year after only receiving one title, no Masters Series final, and no Grand Slam final. “Tennis still remains a priority. I’m an eternal optimist,” he said in an interview with NDTV sports. “I feel very motivated as I look ahead. I will be strong.”

    Hingis could be Paes’ ticket to winning the Australian Open. The nine-time Grand Slam women’s title holder made a bold comeback July of last year when she came out of retirement to play with Daniela Hantuhchová. Although the Czech tennis star retired from playing singles, she has found great success in playing doubles with fellow women. Sabine Lisicki and Flavia Pennetta were just some of the professional players who recently tagged Hingis as their partner for doubles.

    When she was only 17, Hingis won the Wimbledon league making her the youngest champion ever. During her downtime from tennis, Hingis coached young hopefuls and shaped them into great players. Lisicki was one of Hingis’ students and they showed the power of their tandem when they won the Sony Open in Miami earlier this year.