Susan Lucci: Caring In Pink
Veteran daytime actress Susan Lucci turned out for the 7th Annual "Women Who Care" Luncheon earlier today at Cipriani in NYC. I totally love her - she looks great in pink and I adore the handbag and shoes.
I had no idea that she was so short. I guess that's because "Erica Kane" has always been noted for her bigger-than-life bravado!
Brad And Angelina Are Influential
If you thought they were a force to be reckoned with before, check this out: Brad and Angelina were named to Time magazine's annual "100 Most Influential People" list. They even beat out Oprah by a slot--#21 to her #22 in the Heroes and Pioneers category. I thought you had to be, like, God, to beat out TBO!
What's particularly cool about their inclusion is George Clooney wrote the article for the magazine talking about the famous duo and all the good they do. In part:
As a team, actors Brad Pitt, 44, and Angelina Jolie, 32, have served as our goodwill ambassadors worldwide. They brought help to Pakistan in 2005, after a catastrophic earthquake killed tens of thousands of people and left millions homeless. They have tended to the poor and sick in Africa. And they've raised global awareness—and contributed $1 million of their own money—for the victims of atrocities in Darfur. Brad co-founded Not on Our Watch, an organization set up to focus global attention on Darfur and other hot spots.
In the U.S., Brad and Angelina didn't just talk about, or even just throw money at, the tragic fallout from Hurricane Katrina. They actually moved to New Orleans and have set about trying to make right what so many have made wrong. Brad established a project to finance and build 150 new homes in the Ninth Ward.
Falls to knees and cries "I'm not worthy" a la "Wayne's World."
Next up: total world domination.
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The Jolie-Pitts: They Care From Coast To Coast
Bryan Adams Unveils "Hear the World" Photo Exhibit
Musician, singer and photographer Bryan Adams, introduced his photography collection of "Hear The World" in an interactive exhibit.
"Hear the World" is a global initiative raising awareness about the importance of good hearing and the impact of hearing loss. For the "Hear the World" exhibit, Adams has photographed several notable musicians including Mick Jagger, Amy Winehouse, Joss Stone, Lindsay Lohan, Annie Lennox, Michael Buble and many others, each featuring a celebrity ambassador in a conscious pose of "hearing."
The initiative was launched in 2006 by innovative hearing device manufacturer Phonak. As part of the initiative, the "Hear the World Foundation" was set up to provide support to those with hearing loss around the world.
Said Adams:
"I'm excited to lend my support to such an important cause. As a musician, I'm naturally sympathetic to an initiative dedicated to helping people appreciate and preserve an individual's sense of sound. I hope this exhibit helps to remind people of the tremendous value of their hearing."
George Clooney Auctions Gift Bags For Charity
Yesterday, QLu, the on line celebrity auction site, began a series of auctions on behalf of artists and their significant humanitarian efforts. Started by Susie Busch-Transou and her partner, Cindy Lee, QLu has raised numerous funds for celebrities' favorite charities since its inception in March, 2007.
George Clooney is up his Oscar Nominee Gift Bag for auction to benefit his newly formed organization, "Not On Our Watch" (NOOW), a registered 501(c) 3 charity. NOOW's mission is to focus global attention and resources to stop and prevent mass atrocities. "Not On Our Watch" has taken on the crisis in Darfur and is making strategic grants to aid organizations in the region and embarking on a comprehensive advocacy campaign.
Clooney's Oscar 08 Nominee Bag and Oscar Pre-Party Gift Bag includes such goodies as Heineken Beer Tender, Marilyn Monroe 'Classic Series' wine goblets, exclusive spa packages including a gift certificate for a two night stay at La Costa Resort and Spa, Oscar Gold Havaianas, Swarovski Crystal Pet Collar and more. Clooney's auction runs for 10 days, so there's still plenty of time to place a bid.
Visit QLu to bid on the gift bags and to take part in other celebrity auctions.
Nicole Kidman's Belly Grows, Stumps Doubters
I was going to start this off by apologizing for harping on this subject, but then I realized: I'm harping on it only because I'm sick and tired of seeing a couple of Internet bat caves continue to perpetuate a ridiculous rumor simply because Nicole Kidman did the cyber equivalent of peeing in their cornflakes. Hence, it's only right to give an opposing view.
Nicole was in NYC yesterday at a United Nations press conference, with whom she's been a Goodwill Ambassador for the U.N. Development Fund for Women since 2006. Since she's pregnant - and getting moreso by the day - her beguiling bump would naturally appear in photos.
Is there something suspicious about that? Does her appearing at this conference somehow constitute "pimping out" her pregnancy?
Look, I am far too cynical for my own good, and even I don't see anything weird about this pregnancy. Nicole is showing a bit more every day; her arms, butt, and face look fuller and yet, to others, this appears to be some sort of covert plot she's trying to pull. Why? She may be uber-ambitious and loves fame, but that doesn't mean jack when it comes to this. Everyone needs to just take a deep breath, accept that Kidman is obviously knocked up - and due around July 20th - and deal with it.
Because here's the thing: if we all agree that "bump watch" to determine if a celebrity is pregnant is an exercise in futility and rarely correct, how is determining the rate of "bump growth" as proof of anything any better?
And that's all I'm going to say on the subject. Until the next time I say something.
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Gwyneth Paltrow's Big Give
Gwyneth Paltrow is just such a giver. When she's not being a pretentious snob talking about how fame is just so difficult and her marriage is sacred and the media is just out to get her, and, oh, did you know? Fame is difficult.
Regardless, Gwynnie's opened her her wallet and donated $75,000 to the Food Bank of New York City. The diva was honored by the organization recently and told the crowd how we all have to be more aware.
"I've been thinking about all the crap my children have and how much food we throw away. We have to do better."
Wait a second. Wasn't Gwyneth the one always going on and bloody on about how her kids never ate junk food and always ate organic? Or is she saying her kids have too many material things and it's all we peons who are just going nuts and ditching food? Because that WOULD actually sound like something that would come out of Gwynnie's mouth.
Related:
Gwyneth Paltrow Says She Suffered From Post-Partum Depression
Barbra Streisand Has A Heart
Awww, 1970's era Barbra Streisand--love it! Love the cheesy perm and the perfect lighting to try and make her look as attractive as possible. Plus--and this is my true confession--I love her screwball '70's era comedies. "What's Up, Doc?"-- never miss it, and "For Pete's Sake" is must-see viewing for me. Do not get me going on "The Way We Were." See ya, Hubbell, indeed. Judge me as you see fit--I'm not proud of these facts.
Regardless, that was then and in the present? Babs does nothing for me. She's turned into a cranky old broad. I picture her sitting in her Malibu compound ordering around her staff with such pressing needs as making sure her prize roses have the exact perfect fertilizer and insuring that her art collection is properly categorized. If it's not? Well, I guess they're staying til it is correct!
However, Barbra has done something noteworthy recently. She donated $5 million to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center to be used for women's heart research. Very good cause. Of course, the program will now bear her name for her efforts. The Barbra Streisand Cardiovascular Research Education Program (could they come up with a more cumbersome name?) will conduct trials on new drugs and try to identify the role gender plays in the disease.
Considering she's probably made more than a few people's blood pressure rise, I'd say this is a great match.
Why We Need StarsComedy Central hosted "Night of Too Many Stars" last night to benefit autism research. It was hosted by Jon Stewart and the "too many stars" guest list was super impressive--everyone from Tina Fey to Conan O'Brien. I loved the tongue-in-cheek "you need stars" theme they had going. Because, really, wouldn't we all just benefit from a bit more celebrity in our lives? I know I would. If only Matthew Broderick would bring his Broadway diva self to my house to cook me dinner or clean my bathroom. Life would be easier! See? We do need stars!
If you missed the show, you can watch the whole thing at Comedy Central's website--but it's a limited time offer. Call now...er, I mean, watch now. But if you just want a taste, check out the opening musical number to really understand why stars are truly better than us.
Drew Lachey is Odds Favorite
"Dancing With The Stars" second-season champ and ex brother-in-law of Jessica Simpson, Drew Lachey is the favorite to win the 32nd Annual Toyota/Pro Celebrity Race, to be held on Saturday, April 19, in Long Beach, California.
Toyota will donate $5,000.00 to "Racing for Kids" in the name of each celebrity racer, and another $5,000.00 to the winning racer's charity of choice. "Racing for Kids" is a non-profit program benefiting children's hospitals in Long Beach and Orange County.
The Jolie-Pitts: They Care From Coast To Coast
A few days ago, Brad Pitt was in L.A. taping his "Idol Gives Back" appearance. I run hot and cold on AI--mostly because there's only so much Ryan Seacrest anyone should have to endure (I mean, really)--but I made sure I watched last night. Just. For. Brad. Hey, I make no pretense that I'm anything but shallow. As a matter of fact, I think everyone should embrace their inner shallowness at least some of the time. It's refreshing to just clear your mind of everything and focus on the surface. Trust me, it's better than yoga as a relaxation technique.
Moving on, so though I heard the whole story about how Brad's microphone wasn't working and the sound technician had to come out and adjust it, seeing it was super cute. Take a look-see. And, by the way, I'm so shallow that I do not care that Bradley looked like a hobo waiting to hop the next train. Nope, it only made him seem hotter in my book. I'm not kidding.
Meanwhile, over in Washington, D.C., Angelina was just kicking back and taking it easy--which for her means discussing Iraq's education policy at the Council of Foreign Affairs. So many people to save, so little time. She did, however, take Maddox and Pax with her to do some sightseeing. You know, in between the policy meeting, presenting an award to Mariane Pearl, and cleaning up Congress--not necessarily in that order. Oh, and she also signed some autographs for fans.
She also publically made her first comment on her pregnancy, telling a reporter that she "felt kicking suddenly" in the middle of the policy meeting. Even The Second Most Beautiful Baby in the World To Be is already politically aware. Or is that babies? This twins story the tabs are running with isn't going away. Can you even imagine the photo frenzy not one, but two perfect babies will entail? I'm already giddy with the notion of a bidding war.
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