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Holy cow! It's Read Across America Judging from the enthusiasm displayed by 220 first-graders at Moffett Elementary School in Inglewood, celebrating Read Across America was an absolutely bovine experience. Moffett students joined millions of others across the country
celebrating the eighth anniversary of Read Across America, which
is sponsored by NEA and its state and local affiliates. "Happy
Readers Come from California. Got Books?" was the theme for
CTA's observance. Following the pep talk, students broke into small groups where
guest celebrities, teachers and staff members read Farmer McPeepers
and His Missing Milk Cows to them.
Tsunami Aid fever sweeps Bukit Jalil stadium More than 13,000 people witnessed the power of the human spirit
at The Force of Nature Concert for Tsunami Aid at Stadium Putra
Bukit Jalil last night. The backstreet boys wowed the crowd with thier performance The crowd was entertained by amazing performances from Wyclef Jean, The Black Eyed Peas, Boyz II Men, Lauryn Hill and the Backstreet Boys, among other big names. Also at the concert were Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Information Minister Datuk Paduka Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir and director and trustee of the Force of Nature Foundation, Kamaluddin Abdullah Badawi. "‘Force of Nature' is a phrase to remind us about the power of the human spirit and this evening is dedicated to the spirit that brought everyone to Stadium Putra Bukit Jalil," said Force of Nature Foundation special ambassador Tan Sri Razali Ismail after the first act. The crowd was also treated with surprise appearances by other international stars such as American Idol's Paula Abdul, Clay Aitken, actor Alan Cumming and actress Bai Ling, jazz musician Ken Watanabe, Indonesian songstress Ruth Sahanaya, magician David Blaine, actor Nick Stahl from the HBO hit TV Series Carnivale, Joey Fatone from pop group ‘N Sync and former Baywatch star Carmen Electra. IDOL-MAKER: Paula Abdul was one of the surprise celebrity guests. "I just returned from Aceh and I can tell you first hand that the emergency workers deserve our respect and admiration for their sacrifices and lives they saved," American Idol Aitken said. Datuk Michelle Yeoh also gave an emotional speech of her experience in Aceh. She later became a translator for Jackie Chan, who brought Nicholas Tse and Yumiko Cheng on stage for their performance. But the highlight of the concert was the reunion of Wyclef Jean and Lauryn Hill. Both were former members of the Fugees. They belted out three songs — ‘Oh La La La', ‘Ready or Not' and ‘Killing Me Softly' — from their Fugees repertoire. WE BELIEVE IN THE FORCE: The crowd at the concert proved that the Force of Nature is a force to be reckoned with. Local artistes Sheila Majid, Innuendo, Dayang Nurfaizah and Anuar Zain performed five songs among them. They sung ‘Ikhlas Tapi Jauh' together for their closing act. The concert, scheduled at 7pm, started an hour later. But the delay did not dampen the crowd's spirit. Instead, they were moved by the sheer number of stars involved. The concert managed to surpass its target collection of RM10
million, which will be used for relief efforts.
Rapturous welcome for stars KUALA LUMPUR, Fri. - They came in full force tonight - music-lovers hungry for a glimpse of the stellar line-up who were to rock Stadium Putra Bukit Jalil at the four-hour marathon Force of Nature Concert for Tsunami Aid. The stars did not disappoint as they alighted from their vehicles amid the delighted squeals of hundreds of fans. The shouts became even more deafening when some of the more obliging stars - Boyz II Men, Carmen Electra, Joey Fatone (of boy band N'Sync) - acknowledged their fans by shaking hands and signing autographs. Some even took the time to pose for pictures. The first to arrive on the orange-dotted red carpet (orange being the colour of the Force of Nature Aid Foundation), was American Idol judge Paula Abdul, who flew in this afternoon. She was followed by Oscar-nominated actor Ken Watanabe (nominated for Best Supporting Actor for the movie The Last Samurai), Hong Kong action superstar Jackie Chan, American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken as well as other music and film personalities such as Wyclef Jean, Bai Ling and Nicholas Tse. However, a quieter respectful welcome was reserved for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who arrived about 8.30pm. The first of its kind in Malaysia, the concert is a mammoth global
aid music event in the wake of the tsunami disaster.
Snoop Dogg and Justin Timberlake Film Video Together Remember the video that "dawg" Justin Timberlake released with Nelly where they were gardeners in the Playboy Mansion? Well, Timberlake is set to release another song with a rap superstar, but this time it's with Snoop Dogg and the video 'Signs' will be filmed in Las Vegas. The song will be the next release from Snoop, and amidst working on his very own video game the artist formerly known as Snoop Doggy Dogg managed to find the time to head to the two day video shoot in Las Vegas. There will be no Playboy bunnies frolicking in this filmclip
- just the two artists performing and then placing bets on an
underground boxing match. Wait a minute. This is a Snoop/J.T filmclip.
Rest assured there is bound to be booty involved somewhere along
the line.
Timberlake's the 'perfect gentleman' Justin Timberlake is the perfect gentleman, according to his co-star Olivia Wilde in the upcoming movie Alpha Dog. The popstar apologised three times to actress for invading her privacy, after the pair locked lips for a scene in the movie due later this year. "He's the most amazing Southern gentleman you'll ever meet," she says. Olivia, who plays bisexual Alex in The OC says the former 'Nsync singer didn't try to slip her the tongue but that it was an unexpected, impromptu kiss as the director had told him to do it behind her back. As a result, there is apparently a look of complete and utter shock and amazement on her face when it happens. Justin plays drug dealer Franky Ballkowski in the movie, based on the true life story of drug dealer Jesse James Hollywood who was suspected of kidnapping and killing a 15-year-old boy in 2000. Sharon Stone also stars in the film.
International musicians rock Malaysia KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean, former members of hip-hop group The Fugees, reunited onstage in Malaysia on Friday in an adrenaline-charged charity concert for tsunami victims. The Backstreet Boys, Black Eyed Peas and Boyz II Men were among other acts that entertained an enthusiastic crowd of 15,000 people, raising more than $2.6 million to rebuild tsunami-devastated communities in Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka and India. The seven-hour "Force of Nature" show at Kuala Lumpur's Stadium Putra was the biggest concert in Malaysian history, marking the first initiative of a local nonprofit organization dedicated to raising funds for natural disaster survivors. "A terrible tragedy has struck the area that we call home," said Malaysian-born action star Michelle Yeoh. "This has moved many of us to act, because we cannot forget and we cannot let those faces in the headlines fade away." The concert highlighted impassioned performances by numerous Asian sensations, including Hong Kong's Nicholas Tse and Yumiko Cheng, Indonesia's Ruth Sahanaya and Malaysia's Sheila Majid. Hong Kong action legend Jackie Chan sang a tender Mandarin-language love ballad for the audience, which included Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and an array of Cabinet ministers. Hill and Jean, who comprised two-thirds of the Grammy-winning rap group The Fugees before it split in the late 1990s, made a rare appearance together onstage, rendering the most power-packed performance of the night. The charismatic hip-hoppers sang three of The Fugees' biggest hits from their acclaimed 1996 album, "The Score" - "Killing Me Softly With His Song," "Ready or Not" and "Fu-Gee-La." "This is history in the making," a choked-up Jean said in a dramatic gesture, kneeling down in front of Hill. "Do you all understand what's happening on this stage? I'm too emotional right now." Jean also delivered the night's most poignant moment. While gently chanting "We'll never forget the tsunami victims," he instructed the stadium lights to be turned off while the audience waved lighted cell phones in the darkness. Other celebrities who made brief speeches at the event included
"American Idol" judge Paula Abdul and former contestant
Clay Aiken, Oscar nominee Ken Watanabe and pop singers Joey
Fatone and Lance Bass from 'N Sync.
Tsunami Aid Concert: Paula Abdul, Tyra Banks coming? Tyra Banks, Gene Simmons from rock legend Kiss and Paula Abdul
are some of the stars rumoured to be coming to the Force of Nature
Concert for Tsunami Aid today. Creator and executive producer for the Force of Nature Campaign, Scott Kramer, just smiled when the Press asked if these big names are in Kuala Lumpur. “I know there are a lot rumours about additional celebrities
participating in the campaign. For now, the only confirmed new
additions are urban soul singer Eric Benet and Indonesia’s
Ruth Sahanaya. Other than that, I just can tell you, you’d
be in for a lot of great surprises,” he said.
New York - Veteran R&B group the O'Jays protested about Justin Timberlake's involvement in its induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The band was introduced by the 24-year-old singer at the ceremony in New York. The O'Jays is best known for its disco 70s hits Love Train and Backstabbers. Eddie Levert, 62, said they were unhappy about Timberlake inducting them into the Hall. He said: "We protested, kicked and stomped. But it is out of our control." His bandmate Walter Williams, 61, added: "No offence to Justin, because he deserves the respect he has earned, but I could think of a few people who know more about our pain and suffering and history." U2 was inducted by Bruce Springsteen, the Pretenders by Neil Young (who then played a song with the band), and blues guitarist Buddy Guy by BB King and Eric Clapton - who also enjoyed a jam together. Soul singer Percy Sledge was introduced by Rod Stewart.
It was a day of glittering stars today, when some of the biggest
names in the entertainment world began descending on Kuala Lumpur
International Airport. Five-star hotels around the city will be bustling with celebrities — singers, musicians, actors and TV personalities — at least until Sunday. Security has been tightened, with front-line staff at their best to provide comfort for the country’s famous guests. Two members of R&B group Boyz II Men, Nathan and Wanya Morris, singer-songwriter-actress Lauryn Hill (right), N Sync’s and My Big Fat Greek Wedding star Joey Fatone (with wife Kelly Baldwin) were among the first to arrive at 7.55am. The Morris brothers were accompanied by former road manager Joe Mulvihill and security director Mike Rogers. Despite the 20-hour flight from Newark, New Jersey, the Morris brothers looked rested and were seen shaking hands and chatting with Westin Hotel staff. Nathan, Wanya and the Fatones then adjourned for refreshments at the Westin’s executive lounge before taking a city tour. The third member of Boyz II Men, Shawn Stockman, arrived at 2pm,
together with boyband Backstreet Boys, another member of ‘N
Sync, Lance Bass, and actor
Joey Kern of Cabin Fever.
Justin and his manager Johnny Wright are teaming up with Atlantic Records in the US to set up their own imprint. The label has still to be officially given a name, but already Timberlake and Wright are preparing its first artist, a young Memphis singer with whom Justin grew up, reports Fox News. Justin is currently working on the follow-up to his debut solo
album 2002's Justified.
Nickelodeon's 18th Annual Kids' Choice Awards Locks Stellar Lineup of Presenters and Performers for Live Telecast, April 2 LOS ANGELES, March 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Nickelodeon's 18th Annual
Kids' "We're so happy that so many of today's hottest celebrities
and performers Playing a key part in the grand plan, multi-platinum selling
punk-pop True to tradition, the no-holds-barred mess/kudos fest will
attempt to U-Pick Live's Brent Popolizio, Candace Bailey and Pick Boy will
kick off
The Irish group, U-2, has been ushered into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The honors came at the annual induction ceremony in New York City. U2's Bono worked the crowd at Manhattan's swank Waldorf Astoria, kissing BB King and posing for a photograph with Catherine Zeta-Jones. Also among the newly-inducted acts were the O'Jays. After film clips showed them in wild tuxes during the 1970s, the surviving four members of the gospel-styled group wore simple black suits to perform a medley of their songs -- including "Back Stabbers" and "Love Train." Singer Justin Timberlake called them "giants." Also being enshrined in Cleveland's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
include soul-singer Percy Sledge, The Pretenders and Buddy Guy.
...But they were hardly the evening's only highlight. The O'Jays are best know for their work with Philly soul producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, but the gospel-styled singers are actually from Canton, Ohio. "Back Stabbers" was a big hit in 1972, with "Love Train" and "For the Love of Money" other well-known songs. After film clips showed them in wild tuxes during the 1970s, the quartet wore simple black suits to perform a medley including each of those songs. They were inducted by singer Justin Timberlake. "Anyone who's ever written, produced or performed something soulful stands in the shadows of these giants," Timberlake said. If nothing else, Sledge's voice has been the backdrop to countless romantic encounters. The Southern soul singer is best known for "When a Man Loves a Woman." Rod Stewart called it "one of the best performances I've
ever heard and I'm sure you've ever heard."...
WILLA FORD SWEARS OFF TEQUILA Sexy singer WILLA FORD was so sick after 'N SYNC star CHRIS KIRKPATRICK forced her to down shots of tequila, she can't go near the strong liquor again. The I WANNA BE BAD beauty, who dated BACKSTREET BOYS hunk NICK CARTER, enjoys drinking alcoholic beverages but she can't cope with tequila's extreme intoxicating effects. She says, "Chris Kirkpatrick was buying shots for everybody, and I said, 'I can't do it!' He was like, 'C'mon, Willa, you're a p**sy.' Pardon my language. "And I threw it back, went straight to the bathroom, yakked
it out."
MMC - Best of '89 Mickey Mouse Club spotlights Britney Spears,
Justin Timberlake, & Christina Aguilera Walt Disney Co. is celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Disneyland this Summer, and as part of that celebration they are releasing several DVDs. One of these we've already posted separate news about, The Mickey Mouse Club - The Best Of. This covers the original 1955 series. But 1977 saw the revival of the show as The New Mickey Mouse Club, though it didn't last long (despite Mousketeer talent that included The Facts of Life's Lisa Whelchel). In 1989 they tried again though, with The All-New Mickey Mouse Club, or "MMC" for short. It was a a success, natch. It lasted until 1994, and at the end of the show's run it featured three of the brightest upcoming stars that would take the pop world by storm in the years to come: Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, and Christina Aguilera. Now, as part of the Disneyland 50th Anniversary celebration, Buena Vista Home Entertainment is bringing out MMC - The Best Of Britney, Justin, and Christina. Amazon.com has a pre-order listing for this, a single-disc offering that comes out on July 12th. Amazon is selling it for $10.49, based on a $14.99 SRP. We owe our gratitude to every reader who wrote in about the Amazon listing. We've covered everything they told us about the release, but Buena Vista took it a step further and provided cover art as well. You can see it below, and it mentions that there will be Concert Footage, Hometown Profiles, "and much more!" My, but those three look young on the cover. Running time is 90 minutes. Stay tuned, and we'll let you know if we find out anything more.
Faith Hill, Favre raise money for breast cancer BILOXI, Miss. - Mississippi celebrities were on hand on Saturday to help Brett and DeAnna Favre raise money for breast cancer patients. The "A Night of Faith" benefit concert at the Grand Casino included a performance by Faith Hill and appearances from her husband Tim McGraw, country singer Blake Shelton and former member of 'N Sync Lance Bass. About 800 people attended the dinner, auction and concert. The Favres hoped to raise $500,000 to establish a fund to help breast cancer patients at Memorial Hospital at Gulfport and Forrest General in Hattiesburg. DeAnna Favre was diagnosed with breast cancer in October and recently completed chemotherapy. She is currently undergoing radiation treatments. "Life is short. Everyone believes they'll live forever,"
Brett Favre told the crowd. "When something like this happens,
it hits home. Regardless of how much money you make, how famous
you are, no one is immune to tragedy."
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