Monday, January 19, 2009

Boy George spends first hours of jail term 'scribbling on pad'

London, Jan 19 (ANI): Fallen pop idol Boy George spent the first hours of his 15-month sentence writing notes in his cell.

The 47-year-old scribbled on a pad as he started his jail term in Pentonville Prison in North London.

George has already angered fellow inmates by lining up a soft job in the canteen.

He is set to earn 6 pounds a week as a server, dishing out meals to lags on A Wing.

"It won't go down well if he's seen to get special privileges. People have to wait weeks before they're given cushy jobs," the Sun quoted an inmate, as saying.

George revealed his jail fears to a fellow prisoner in a court holding cell before he was sent to tough Pentonville Prison.

He was held there after a judge sentenced him to 15 months for falsely imprisoning Norwegian male escort Audun Carlsen, 29, and thrashing him with a chain. (ANI)

Miscarriage drove 'depressed' Lily Allen to psychiatric clinic

Washington, Jan 19 (ANI): Lily Allen was so depressed after suffering a miscarriage that she turned to professionals at a UK facility to help her come to terms with the tragedy.

The 23-year-old fell pregnant in late 2007 with her now ex-boyfriend - Chemical Brothers DJ Ed Simmons - but lost the baby in January 2008.

Following the loss, Allen sunk into a deep depression - and turned to a psychiatric clinic, reports Contactmusic.

She says, "(I was in a) nuthouse. Psychiatric clinic. I stayed there for three weeks. I was really depressed because of the miscarriage and I'd kind of lost the plot a bit. It was quite a nasty time."

However, the crooner insists the clinic put her on the road to recovery, adding: "It was quite nice being in there. No one could get to me; no one knew I was there."

But the tragedy has not dampened Allen's spirits, for she still dreams of becoming a mother: "I want to take them to school and make breakfast and packed lunches." (ANI)

Scarlett Johansson 'becomes new face of Dolce and Gabbana'

London, Jan 19 (ANI): Scarlett Johansson is the new face of the Dolce and Gabbana Cosmetics line, according to reports.

The 'Lost in Translation' beauty went for some Marilyn Monroe-style glamour in one D andG advert, reports the Sun.

Meanwhile, Johansson recently admitted that she "fears" for her future in Hollywood.

The Vicky Cristina Barcelona star said that she often wonders how long her career in the "ageist" movie industry will last - so is preparing to become a director before movie bosses start passing her up for roles.

She told a magazine: "It's hard to be a 24-year-old actor and not be typecast. A lot of roles are either for a sexy person or a Juno-type character. That ageism makes the actress fearful for her future, making her consider another path within the industry. There is some weird ageist quality in Hollywood, perhaps that's why I lean more toward directing and development.

"That's probably the direction I'll take; I can't keep up this face forever, you know." (ANI)

Jennifer Aniston wants her own restaurant

New Delhi, Jan 19 (ANI): Jennifer Aniston has revealed that she loves the idea of running her own eatery.

What's more, the stunning actress says she would have become a restaurateur if she hadn't found success on the hit sitcom 'Friends'.

She said: "I always thought it would be fun to own a restaurant. My family is Greek, and many of them own restaurants and coffee shops, reports the China Daily.

"I make a mean baklava with my grandmother's recipe so I thought that could have worked out for me."

Jennifer, who will turn 40 in February, credits her successful career to heavy criticism she received while she was studying her craft.

She explained to Cosmopolitan magazine: "I had a Russian acting coach when I was at the New York High School of Performing Arts who told me I was a disgrace to the Moscow theatre.

"Ever since then I've wanted to prove him wrong. I've never really had my eye on the prize, though - I've just wanted to enjoy the passage of time." (ANI)

French honour for Brit folk singer Donovan

London, Jan 19 (ANI): English 1960s folk singer Donovan has received a prestigious honour for his contribution to French culture.

The hippy icon was made an Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters.

The 62-year-old rose to fame in the 1960s with hits such as "Mellow Yellow", "Sunshine Superman" and "Jennifer Juniper". Most recently he collaborated with French group Variety Lab on their up-coming single.

French culture minister Christine Albanel pinned the medal to Donovan's jacket during the ceremony in Cannes, reports the BBC.

The singer said he was "very pleased" to receive the accolade.

He said: "I take it for all the work I've done over the years to bring poetry back to popular culture.

"To get an honour like this confirmed to me that it was successful, that my work was accepted on my terms, rather than becoming an entertainer," he said.

"I wanted to be entertaining, but to bring to the world a sense of meaning again."

The award was given at the Midem music industry conference. (ANI)

Uma Thurman's in-flight workout!

New York, Jan 19 (ANI): When it comes to workout, Uma Thurman makes no compromises - the super-fit actress was recently spotted practising dance moves and yoga poses when travelling by aeroplane.

The 38-year-old 'Kill Bill' star unbuckled her seat belt and started stretching during a flight from New York to Salt Lake City, Utah.

"She started doing yoga in the aisles. She used the flight-attendant station as a ballet barre, where she stretched and did plies for 20 minutes," the New York Post quoted a witness, as saying.

However, Thurman's health consciousness seemed at odds with what she did next.

"After we left the plane, she ran for an exit and then chain-smoked like crazy," the witness added. (ANI)

Brazilian model Jesus Luz using Madonna's name to build his career

New York, Jan 19 (ANI): Queen of pop Madonna seems to have had an effect on Brazilian male model Jesus Luz's life and career, with him using his association with her to demand a bigger pay for his work.

Madge, 50, had met the 21-year-old model during her Sticky and Sweet tour in South America, and Luz has ever since used that as a climbing ladder for his career.

"All the modeling agencies came after him, but he chose Ford Models because [photographer and Madonna pal] Steven Klein had a talk with Katie Ford and convinced her that Jesus is, in fact, holy material," the New York Post quoted a source as telling Glamurama.com.br.

Not only is Luz looking for more lucrative offers he has according to his former agent Sergio Mattos, the owner of 40 Graus Models, stopped picking up calls.

"He stopped answering his phone, his mother quit her job . . . But I wish him the best. And now I have a new Jesus," Mattos, who just signed a contract with Spanish model Jesus Perez, told the Web site.

"This is a much better Jesus, and he's not a fan of Madonna's," he stated.

Ever since meeting Madge, Luz has been raising his price and overestimating his importance.

"He was asking for some 135,000 dollars a show. He did the same job last year for a mere 225 dollars," a Brazilian source said.

"A lot of people are contacting him but because he keeps raising his rates, they are changing their minds," the source added.(ANI)