Alicia Keys - As I Am

It's been two years but Alicia Keys has finally released her new album, As I Am. If you're into R&B and you just love Ms. Keys, you might wanna add this to your shopping cart. It contains the hit single No One - basically a resounding note about listening to your heart and not to the know it alls around you. For those tender mushy moments, put aside the Kenny G and listen to Like You'll Never See Me Again and the The Thing About Love. And you have to give her credit for Superwoman - at least in the lyrics it's all about the inner strength of a woman. She better not make a video with women in skimpy clothes also known as the rather ironic Toni Braxton comeback song He wasn't Man Enough.






Alicia Keys has described her album as rebellious; in her interview to dispatch.com she says I'm finding who I am, being unafraid of being who I am. Not letting anyone or anything or any judgment get in the way of what I'm feeling. Granted, she doesn't want to stick to a formulae, Would also be impressive if she didn't go out of her way to brush aside rumours about her being gay. Maybe she has come a long way since she defended her lack of "girlieness" - "Please, give me a break with the gay thing!' ... I spoke was a little different and the way that I dressed. I've never been a super-girlie kind of girl...." The whole point of ignoring social norms is kinda pointless if you are worried about being portrayed as gay. Like I said, maybe she's come a long way; maybe she no longer worries about gossip. Would be interesting to see an interview now, asking about truth to self and views about homosexuality.

Matt Damon named Sexiest Man Alive

That's right, Matt Damon is the Sexiest Man Alive. According to People Magazine I mean... you know their annual declaration of male beauty 'contest'. Let's get the announcements aside - Matt Damon is the Sexiest Man Alive for 2007, says People Magazine. He's happy, he's blushing, he's quickly reassured a potentially anxious spouse by stating:
"You've given an aging suburban dad the ego-boost of a lifetime,"
Translated as the I'm not that young anymore, I've got a mortgage on the house and lovely kid defense. Smooth. Wonder if he muttered this under his wife's angry glare. About the Sexiest Man Process - doesn't anyone else wonder how the selection process takes place? Keeping the new metro-sexual men in mind, does this process depend on your glim and glam look for premieres? Well, maybe not, since Johnny Depp won despite his brave attempts at dressing like an anti-social rebel. It can't be you pimple free looks in movies, I mean the year Depp won he was playing the lice-ridden, grungy Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean.



I'm not contradicting the winners; just curious about what tips the winning vote. It's also a misleading title isn't it? Shouldn't it be the sexiest man in Hollywood, just to say we are not snubbing the rest of the world but this is the only place we looked.
In upcoming news, we can expect a reaction from George Clooney. Remember the colorful exchange when Matt Damon made it to the Forbes list/poll etc? On that note, just how many Ocean Eleven crew have been deemed Sexy and Alive?

T.I pleads not guilty

Rapper T.I. has spoken up since his arrest last month. And he's confident of being released. Or looking forward to it. At the very least he's certain of his innocence. According to the video posted on streetcred.com -"I want to let everybody know that I plead not guilty, and I gotta stress my innocence to everyone out there who's listening. I look forward to being exonerated on all charges. And I say that with the utmost sincerity."





Strong words from a convicted felon who was caught in the parking lot, taking unregistered firearms. That's as bad as it gets, mister. And couldn't he pick a better day for exchange of armed goodies than the day of the 2007 BET hip hop awards, I mean surely the deal could have waited till after the ceremony? You'd make headlines for sure. It is no wonder that he's got a few gadgets together to post this note of thanks and appeal for support. Maybe he did a google search on his name and didn't like what he saw.
So he compiled a toned down I'm the model citizen message with the added bit about doing a lot of reading, doing a lot of writing, working on my next album, its called Paper Trail. Was he reading news online, about himself maybe? At least his message was genuine in it's potential hidden undertones. Especially the bit where he say I cant wait to get back out there. Are we still talking about music or are there more deals to take care of?

Donda West meets Dr Adams: Oprah Denies Everything

Oprah Winfrey denies introducing Donda West to the by-now infamous Dr. Jan Adams. Now you've wondering how big O came into the story of potential plastic surgery malpractice. According to Access Hollywood she might have sent West into Dr Adams' not so capable hands. And recommended another in the process.


Wait, who's Dr Adams you ask. He's the surgeon who offered to do the surgical honors after Dr Abooliean warned Donda West against surgery, citing medical conditions. Check out TMZ.com, he's confirmed it himself. Question is, if Donda West consulted Dr Adams for 4 months, shouldn't he have asked for medical clearance as well? Or is that not things are done in his office? So you think it's unfair to call him less than capable? Reports of malpractice and DUI charges are hardly reassuring in the wake of surgery complications. Seems like everyone's digging the dirt on Dr Adams. Perhaps the real scare is the number of charges that have existed in the past. So much so that the Medical Board of California was thinking of revoking his license in April! And people still recommend him? Remind me to do a background check on my doctor at this rate.



Where does Oprah fit into this? Access Hollywood cites that she whipped up Dr Adams number for Donda West once Dr Aboolian put a halt on plastic surgery plans. Well the site also has her official vehement denial:“Absolutely untrue. Oprah did not introduce Dr. West to Dr. Adams"Yea, wasn't he on her show in 2003 ? Means she definitely has him on file somewhere. Not proof that she recommends him to her friends. Also means she can't pull the classic "I never saw him in my life" story. Wonder if Oprah is going to cry in every room like she did for her school fiasco? Or mayb just sob on her show like Ellen did.

Source: Tmz & Access Hollywood

Team Britney: Britney makes a Good Parent

How you heard of this strange new development called Team Britney? Possibly inspired by the ferverent WGA strike, a group of dedicated fans called Team Britney is protesting on behalf of party girl, Britney Spears. This is worse than the Crocker video sobbing monologue about Britney's comeback. This is like the Free Hat episode from South Park. Only creepier.

They seem to think she's capable of being a good parent. Oh, never mind that her ex Kevin Federline was appalled that the Drive me Crazy star pulls cowboy antics on the road with kiddies in the backseat. Or the fact that she recently failed a drug test. What kinda parenting is the Team Britney proposing? I would either worry about the kinda parents these kids are familiar with or wonder about the kinda parents they wanna see. No, really, if she was your parent, would you be happy? If she wasn't a superstar and lived in your neighborhood, bet none of these kids would be holding up signs, aspiring to be her.





Yea kids, good luck convincing your parents to buy the next Britney album. After your show of support for negligent parenting, any self-respecting parent would consider the values being promoted in Britney's music. And you thought Marilyn Manson was the worst influence for your child.

Donda West's Tragic Death: Linked to cosmetic surgery?

The details are still fuzzy regarding the tragic death of Dr. Donda West, Kayne West's mom but the latest update points to "complications from surgery". Turns out this might be referring to cosmetic surgery. According to Access Hollywood and TMZ.com, Dr. Donda West had consulted with Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Andre Aboolian regarding a tummy tuck and breast reduction. And, apparently, given his reservations about a medical condition, he called for medical clearance before going ahead with surgery. The sad fact is, she might have gone ahead with surgery elsewhere, despite Dr. Aboolian's warnings. Too little is known and yet these details make you wonder if it was negligence on behalf of surgeon? Or did she consent to a life threatening operation even though she knew of the odds?




There have been no reports of where the surgery took place. According to Hollyscoop, she died Saturday night, an hour after she was taken to Centinela Freeman Hospital in Marina del Rey. As much as cosmetic surgery has been claimed as a cause of death, it should be noted that Patricia Green, publicist for West, took back her statement about surgery whilst talking about "conflicting reports.". Probably means there is more details coming up in the future. The tragic death of Donna West is a loss for the industry. She is the inspiration for many of Kayne West's songs like Hey, Mama and the driving force behind many of his educational and business ventures.

Angelina Jolie mad at Brad's family: Moving to France!

Heads up, here's the latest news on Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie! Well, you've probably heard it all, the Angelina tantrum about Jennifer Aniston. Story goes that hubby Brad Pitt's mom, Jane Pitt invited the Friends star for Thanksgiving and the Tomb Raider just couldn't handle it. Sputtering and muttering all day apparently. So the brooding angry look is not just for the movie screens huh? I suppose when she stated earlier this month that " I... don’t think anybody in my family wants me to handle Thanksgiving dinner.", she didn't think anyone was that appalled at her cooking to invite the ex- wife over.

I know the Angelina-Pitt-Aniston angle is overkill, you've heard so much you could write your own unauthorized biography. For best results make the movie version and make them star in it. But hear me out on this one. Are you surprised, after hearing of lengthy Brad & Angelina fights, that she wants to go the Johnny Depp way – move to France?

May 2006Doug Pitt, Brad's brother says Brad “feels Mum should move on and cut the link [with Jennifer Aniston]. But Mum’s in a difficult position, she has great affection for Jennifer.” Ouch, not the best relations with potential in-laws!

August 2006Maddox's Party. Jane Pitt gets upset about open bar at party. Thinks Angelina is insensitive. Probably wonders why her boy left that nice sweet girl.

Dec 2006Jen and Brad Pitt's family have Thanksgiving together. Looks like Jane Pitt really does prefer the girl next door type. Angelina says she is "poking her nose into family matters." The Tomb Raider really doesn't have much fans in the Pitt family.

June 2007Brad Pitt has lunch with Jennifer Aniston - Tomb Raider goes ballistic, throbbing vein in forehead, the whole works. Can anyone spell insecure?

Same month 2007Jane Pitt sneaks out of Angelina's party to visit Jennifer Aniston. Angelina is goes red in the face!

Earlier in Nov 2007Some poor reporter ask Angelina Jolie about sharing magazine cover with Jenifer Aniston. Gets riled up and replies "Why would I comment on that? That matters because...?" Touchy! Good to know Lara Croft doesn't laugh in the face of reporters.

Nov 2007Angelina Hears Jane Pitt wants to continue "sneaky relationship with Jen" over for Thanksgiving.
Goes berserk.

Latest update? Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are looking for house in France! That's one extreme way to deal with family issues. Given the cold front with Jon Voight is anyone surprised? She stole the guy, she had his kids, they adopted kids every other year, what more does she want? Normally you'd expect the spurned woman to be ranting and raving and getting insecure. Makes you wonder doesn't it?

Bad Press, Good Publicity: Golden Compass

Have you heard of next big fantasy bonanza? Guaranteed to rattle the anti-magic groups and parents alike. It's none other than the controversial Golden Compass movie. Based on trilogy His Dark Materials, the Golden Compass movie is based on the first book in the three part series, Northern Lights. I know what you are going to say; there have been many magical story / creature riff raff movies since the epic box office hits - the Lord of the Rings and the boy with a wand movies, aka Harry Potter. How is this any different? Is this going to set trends in epic proportions? As far as success standards go, will this sell figurines or stop at lunch box knock-offs?





Oh, this movie is big news. All for very different reasons. Sure, the Golden Compass storyline is interesting; it's dark, the plot holds together in a thrilling I wanna read the next page sorta way, it's a somewhat typical good versus evil fight with super human, paranormal creatures thrown in for good measure. So what's the controversy about, you ask?Here is a Golden Compass summary:

- All good characters are magic practitioners, bad guys are members of a religious group- Criticism of organized religion is a theme in the book, hence in the Golden Compass movie as well- The book is written by an atheist, Phillip Pullman who promotes questioning of authority and religion.







See where I am going with this? Already the Catholic League has called for a boycott of the Golden Compass movie. Here's their stance:“Parents might be inclined to say, ‘Hey, our kid really enjoyed the movie, why don't we buy him His Dark Materials for Christmas?’” said league president WILLIAM DONOHUE. “It introduces the kid to atheism. It's a stealth campaign.”So maybe the movie won't be selling any fancy merchandise with such vehement boycotting. But it has unlocked the secret of the Da Vinci Code movie - doesn't matter if no one' s read the book or producers don't splash out on advertising, enough attacks on movie theme and boycotting gets people interested faster than a Free Goodies banner on the Internet.