Woody Allen drops Carla Bruni for his next

Filmmaker Woody Allen has replaced French First Lady Carla Bruni with Marion Cotillard in his new film.

Allen had last year said that Bruni would be the "natural" choice to star in his forthcoming flick, which is set in France, describing her as "wonderful". However, earlier this year rumour zone went into overdrive around Bruni and Nicolas Sarkozy’s marriage, which seemed to have left the Allen sour.

"Carla Bruni is not a woman who earns her living as an actress. She is a First Lady. She could be taken away at any moment by other duties. I have to take account of the risks there could be and hiring her is far from certain," he said.

The filming starts in July and the cast will also include Canadian star Rachel McAdams and American actor Owen Wilson.

Carla Bruni seeing a psychotherapist

Pressures in the world of glamour have cracked many. And, former Italian supermodel and France’s First Lady Carla Bruni is no exception.

For the first time, 41 year old Bruni who married flamboyant French President Nicolas Sarkozy two years back, is said to have admitted to seeing a psychotherapist for the past eight years.

The former Italian supermodel turned singer has made the confession during filming of a documentary about her life for French TV. But, details are scant about what psychological problems she actually suffers from.

"Bruni will bare her soul to the French people. She is turning the traditions of how French First Ladies have behaved on their head.

The questions that she will answer include why she sought the help of a therapist, what happened during the sessions and why she has continued them for so long.

Bruni has been constantly in the media spotlight since marrying Sarkozy almost two years ago. Naked photos from her earlier career as a model are regularly published in French magazines and newspapers. The French First Lady has also courted controversy with frequent remarks about her string of ex-lovers apart from regular "undiplomatic quips" about her husband. She has been
accused of driving hubby Sarkozy to physical collapse with a gruelling fitness and diet regime.

The French media is now expecting another flood of revelations when her confessions about her eight years in therapy are broadcast later this month.

Carla Bruni to launch fashion scholarships

Carla Bruni-Sarkozy is set to launch scholarships for youths from difficult backgrounds in France to help them achieve their dreams of making it to the fashion industry.

The wife of the French President Nicolas Sarkozy plans to use the scholarship programme in the Parisian suburbs that were charred during one of the country’s worst riots almost four years ago.

The Carla Bruni Sarkozy Foundation would cover the suburbs in its “nationwide” focus that would include helping youths in neglected rural settings.

The foundation, that has been set up with the aim of helping the country’s “most vulnerable” citizens, may begin choosing the first batch of “Bruni scholars” from 30 high schools next year, it was suggested.

But Bruni’s plans have already been accused of gaining political mileage even before the launch.

Gilbert Roger, the mayor of Bondy, a town northeast of Paris, said: “Sarkozy is using his starlet to soften his image. She will sprinkle a bit of glitter about, but it is not sufficient.”

Riots broke out near Bondy before spreading all over the nation in 2005 when cops were accused of electrocuting two youths in a power station while escaping an identity check, leading to their death.

Carla Bruni lingerie pics make waves

Steamy shots of French First lady Carla Bruni Sarkozy have been unearthed which show the stunner in lacy lingerie – before she became a supermodel.

The sexy snaps were taken in 1989 for clothes giant Next’s mail order catalogue.

The pics have been unearthed from the High Street chain’s archives as Next celebrates its 21st anniversary.

Other models who made it big after appearing in Next Directory include Naomi Campbell, Claudia Schiffer, and Linda Evangelista.

Next’s Natalie Pead said: "We have consistently discovered modelling’s future superstars.

Carla Bruni tops Celebrity Hat Wearers list

French First Lady Carla Bruni has topped the list of celebrity hat wearers among the females.

The former model and singer has beaten the Queen to make it to the top of list.

On the other hand, Australian heartthrob Hugh Jackman has been named the best hat wearer among men in showbiz.

Former James Bond Sean Connery was runner-up in the Celebrity Hat Wearers list, compiled by Luton’s millinery and hat making industry.

The women’s list also included the Countess of Wessex, Victoria Beckham and Madonna.

The men’s list had names like Daniel Day Lewis, Johnny Depp and Peter Andre.