Cate Blanchett Shines on Cover of Vogue

The December issue of Vogue features a stunning Cate Blanchett, as she takes on one of the great dramatic roles of all time: Blanche DuBois in A Streetcar Named Desire.

VOGUE writer, Adam Green, says Blanchett “remains a creature of the stage,” and sits down with the self proclaimed “theater geek,” as she opens up about the importance of theater, her career choices and her family.

On the importance of theater: “In the wake of everything that’s happened in the world in the last eighteen months, we’re thinking about what we’ve lost. So much of the play is about the death of poetry and idealism and hope—the fine, delicate things in our lives, the intangible, ephemeral things in our lives—which theater actually represents, doesn’t it? It’s ephemeral by its very nature. If you’re not there, you miss it. It’s gone.”

On appreciating the sense of stability that staying semi-put and working regular hours has allowed both Blanchett and husband, Andrew Upton, to give their three boys:

“There are so few experiences in our manicured, nanny-stated existence that have the quality of circus. Theater still does.’ And so, when the boys aren’t playing with friends, they can usually be found playing backstage. ‘They’re always engaged in the family business, so to speak.”

On career choices: “I’m not very cautious or careful. It’s always been more about having a variety of experiences than any planned trajectory… I think that in a way, projects choose you.”

Actor Geoffrey Rush on Cate Blanchett: “As an actor, you either work off your own personality, and that’s what you’re peddling, or, like Cate, you draw out from the source material all the many dark, mysterious, and conflicting elements of the character that are going to make it engaging and trilling for the audience.”

The 40-year-old Aussie actress is still performing the play Streetcar Named Desire at Kennedy Center’s Eisenhower Theater through Nov. 21, then will take the show to the Brooklyn Academy of Music Nov. 27-Dec. 20. Unfortunately, due to popular demand, tickets to are already sold out with the exception of a limited number of partial view seats, available by calling BAM Ticket Services at 718.636.4100.

Claudia Schiffer all set to create own fashion line

German supermodel Claudia Schiffer is all set to launch her own clothing line.

The 39 year old model has quit the catwalk and is set join the likes of Elle Macpherson, Cindy Crawford and Kate Moss with her new venture.

"I have been approached so many times over the last 20 years but it has never been the right time," said the German beauty.

"Now, I would consider it but it would have to be the right thing. They would need to be clothes that I would want to wear," she added.

Katrina Kaif to enter 2010 with a Rs 2 crore act

It’s money minting time in filmdom! Earning moolah around the year, tinsel towners are gearing up to close the year with bigger and fatter bank accounts. Taking lead here is dazzling beauty Katrina Kaif, who has walked away with a throbbing Rs 2 crore to shake a leg on the New Year's eve at the J W Marriott.

A clear jump from her last year asking rate Rs 1 crore, Katrina who has belted a series of hits this year is the least hesitant to quote such whopping price. Though people concerned with the show are staying mum on the issue, sources tell us that Kat has bagged the maximum dough.

Talking about the New Year preparation a source told a daily, "Last year, the celebrations were put off due to the sombre mood in the city after 26/11. However, this New Year’s Eve plans are on to make Katrina’s event a grand affair. The actress has agreed to get jiggy but obviously for a higher price to match her present position in B-Town."

And it’s not only this year that Kat has bagged such big bucks, last year too she had won over Bipasha Basu and Mallika Sherawat. While Mallika made Rs 50 lakh, Bipasha netted Rs 90 lakh.

As for Kat’s act, “She will perform solo in the countdown to 2010. She will dance to popular tracks from her own films".

Let us hope, her moves better be worth Rs 2 crores!

Taylor Swift boosts ratings for Country Awards

Taylor Swift’s clean sweep of the Country Music Assn Awards helped the broadcast reach its biggest audience in four years.

The three hour show averaged 16.8 million viewers for ABC, up from 15.9 million last year. It marks the highest score since 2005, when 17.7 million people tuned in to the CBS broadcast.

Still, viewership was off by more than half from the record of 36 million set in 1978, when Dolly Parton was named entertainer of the year.

the 19 year old, Swift won that same prize this year, becoming the youngest person to win the show’s top honor. She also walked away with a trio of statuettes for female vocalist, album and video.

The CMA ceremony outdrew the rival Academy of Country Music Awards, which pulled in 14.8 million viewers in April. But the Grammys, the music industry’s top event, attracted 19.1 million viewers in February.

Annie Lennox bags woman of peace honour

Singer Annie Lennox has received woman of peace honour for her contribution towards raising awareness of HIV and Aids.

The former Eurythmics star was honoured at a summit of Nobel Peace Laureates in Berlin.

The 54 year old’s charitable campaign ‘Sing’ provides treatment to South Africans fighting the disease.

And the organization has raised funds amounting to 2 million pounds since 2003.

"I want to express my profound gratitude and deep humility”, said d Lennox.

She added: "I honour all the women working around the globe to reduce the effects of this pandemics. This is for them, they truly deserve it."

Lennox further mentioned that former South African president Nelson Mandela inspired her work, when he described the HIV pandemic as “genocide.”

Demi Moore to launch own beauty range

American actress Demi Moore is said to be in talks to launch her own range of beauty products.

The 46 year old actress is the current face of ‘All You’ve Ever Wanted’, a fragrance by the cosmetics label Helena Rubinstein.

And she revealed that the partnership has brought about a “very deep and serious conversation” about creating her own line, and she hopes she can settle a contract with bosses.

“I feel like I have a greater creative opportunity in working with something where we could really form a true partnership and be really mutually beneficial”, Demi said further.

Madonna new face of Dolce n Gabbana

Pop star Madonna has been confirmed as the new face of high-end fashion brand Dolce & Gabbana.

Stefano Gabbana, one of the Italian designer duo, is thrilled that the singer has taken part in a campaign for the fashion house.

"The campaign with Madonna is beautiful. I can’t say anything about it. We are at the last shot. Madonna is simply beautiful. We’re very, very tired but very happy as well. To have Madonna in our campaign is a dream come true," Gabbana posted on Twitter.

The 51 year old star will appear in the label’s spring 2010 campaign, advertising their womenswear collection. The advertisement will be Sicilian-themed and was shot in Brooklyn, New York, by fashion photographer Stephen Klein.

Earlier, Madonna has campaigned for Louis Vuitton, while her boyfriend Jesus Luz also campaigned for Dolce & Gabbana.

Is Lindsay Lohan self harming?

Hollywood starlet Lindsay Lohan has raised health concerns after her mother admitted that the actress has been harming herself.

Leaked phone calls between Lohan’s mother Dina and father Michael stated that the actress has been cutting herself.

Dina also told Michael, who is estranged from Lohan, it would be his fault if anything tragic happened to her. "I know that it’s going to happen. I will feel it’s all your fault, that’s how I will feel, it’s not about me,"

Dina told Michael in a phone call dated back to 2008. The 23 year old actress has previously been pictured with scars on her arm.

Lohan’s mother is not the first one to speak about the actress’ ill health. Her assistant Jenni Muro has also told Michael that Lohan will take her own life if she doesn’t get the help she needs.
"I am trying to save your daughter’s life every day. She is another mess, she’s no better than she was two years ago and she knows that. If I wasn’t around she would be in grave danger. I gave up everything just so your daughter doesn’t kill herself," Jenni told Michael in another phone call.

Halle Berry to receive top leadership honour

Halle Berry is set to be honoured with a top leadership award for her contribution to the entertainment industry.

The Oscar-winning actress will receive The Sherry Lansing Leadership Award at annual Hollywood Reporter Women in Entertainment event on December 4.

The former Bond girl will grace the stage at the Beverly Hills Hotel in California at the industry publication’s 18th annual Power 100: Women in Entertainment breakfast.

Her predecessors to land the accolade include Meryl Streep and Jodie Foster, Glenn Close, US news anchor Barbara Walters and movie mogul Lansing herself.

Hilary Swank was said to have signed on to give the keynote address for the evening.

Ashley Greene wants to be Bond Girl

Twilight star Ashley Greene has high hopes pinned on her acting career and wants to become the next Bond girl.

The 22 year old actress, who plays the character of Alice in the vampire movie series, does not want to appear in low-key roles any more and is aiming straight at a Bond movie.

"I want to hit up James Bond. That would be awesome," said Greene, who is busy promoting her upcoming movie ‘New Moon’.

Greene admitted that she only felt nervous after landing the role when she realised how much attention the films were attracting.

"Oh, my God, I wanted this part so badly! I worked my butt off for it because I absolutely love Alice, my character. She’s sweet, sexy, and a killer! So when they told me I got it, I tried to play it all cool, you know, for about a minute," said Greene.

"Suddenly the Twilight blogs started picking it up, and then fans were there taking photos, and I’m on the news, and I was like, ‘What?’ And then I got really nervous," she added.

Simon Cowell Top Male Earner on Prime Time US TV

American Idol’ judge Simon Cowell has been named the top earning man on prime-time US Television by Forbes magazine.

Cowell earned 75 million dollars last year.

Forbes’ list of Top Male Earners on prime-time US TV is based on estimated pre-tax earnings from June 1, 2008 to June 1, 2009.

‘The Apprentice’ host Donald Trump came second in the list with 50 million dollars while Idol presenter Ryan Seacrest landed the third spot with 38 million dollars.

‘Two and a Half Men’ star Charlie Sheen, who netted 21 million dollars, and ‘Office’ star Steve Carell, with an estimated 21 million dollars, rounded off the top five.

The top 10 earners are:

1. Simon Cowell (75 million dollars)

2. Donald Trump (50 million dollars)

3. Ryan Seacrest (38 million dollars)

4. Charlie Sheen (21 million dollars)

5. Steve Carell (21 million dollars)

6. Howie Mandel (15 million dollars)

7. Kiefer Sutherland (13 million dollars)

8. Jeff Foxworthy (11 million dollars)

9. Hugh Laurie (10 million dollars)

10. David Caruso (9 million dollars)

Amazing and Unbelievable : Katrina Kaif married to BJP MLA

Believe it or not, but Katrina Kaif has apparently been framed in a marriage scandal. A marriage certificate, which is believed to be ‘fake’, has revealed that Katrina is the wife of local BJP MLA Ramesh Mendola.

A marriage certificate approved by Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) shows that Katrina entered into wedlock with the MLA on December 2, 2008 and got the marriage registered on December 11 the same year. However, it has now been revealed that nothing of that sort ever happened and the certificate is fake. Perhaps, the certificate has simply been prepared out of malice to malign the actress’ image.

IMC Marriage Registrar Dr Natwar Sarda said, “This certificate is completely fake & Municipal Corporation hadn’t issued it. It’s a mischievous act. It seems as if somebody must have firstly scanned a marriage certificate by IMC & with software’s help they showed Katrina and MLA Ramesh as couples.”

IMC is now planning to lodge a police complaint to book the culprit for the crime. Imagine how furious would Salman be on that!