Madonna's 50th
Birthday
Bash
“Queen of pop” Madonna sparkled and shimmered as she celebrated her 50th birthday on August 16. Madge was wearing a diamond necklace and earrings worth half a million dollars, presented to her by her film director hubby Guy Ritchie.
Ritchie spared no expenses on the specially designed gifts, and even had a rose named after her. Even with the rumours that their eight-year marriage was on the rocks, Ritchie went all out to make her birthday a special one.
Daughter Lourdes, 11, was said to have gifted the Material Girl singer a dress that she herself had designed. Even with all the frills Madge’s big day was otherwise kept low-key.
Annoying
Scottish
Accent
Hollywood actress Catherine Zeta Jones's newly acquired Scottish accent annoys her actor-husband Michael Douglas. Zeta Jones plays a Scottish con woman in her new movie Death Defying Acts and has been constantly working on the accent since landing the part. She admits it has been frustrating for her husband. She says, “Michael is really fed up with it. When we are on the phone, I'll say 'Hello' in a Scots voice and he'll reply, 'It's me, enough honey.'"
The movie is based on the life of legendary escape artist Harry Houdini who freed himself from jails, handcuffs, chains and ropes.
Penelope's
A Perfectionist
Penelope Cruz drove director Woody Allen “crazy” on the set of 'Vicky Cristina Barcelona' by demanding to do another take of her scenes. The actress - who stars alongside Scarlett Johansson and real-life partner Javier Bardem in the new movie - admits she is such a perfectionist that she always wants to shoot scenes several times to ensure she gives her best performance. She said, “Every single time I asked to do it again! I drove Woody crazy with that. The last day I think he ran out of patience because he was so sweet and so kind. He always said yes to one more take, but on the last take of the last day I really could not stop because it was a difficult scene. So, I said, 'Please one more!' So we did one more and then he said, 'OK, cut!' Then I was looking for Woody and he was hiding from me! I think he was happy in the end!”
Animal
Rights
Campaigners Livid
Actress Gwyneth Paltrow's endorsement for a new collection of luxury goods using fur has left angered animal rights campaigners livid. The 35-year-old star, who has been signed up by a famous Italian designer, is photographed draped in fox fur and wearing fur-lined boots in the company's latest advertising campaign.
Paltrow, who is married to the Coldplay singer and vegetarian Chris Martin, has won appreciation for her impeccable green credentials and is a fan of holistic practices and yoga. Now, her decision to endorse a luxury goods company, which also uses ostrich and snakeskin in its products, and describes itself as "refined, understated luxury, impeccable taste and enviable quality," has come as a shock to animal rights campaigners.
"Gwyneth Paltrow should be ashamed. I can only assume that Paltrow either is ignorant of the facts or lacks human decency and compassion," said Mark Glover, director of Respect for Animals.
Pamela's
Hot Sheik!
Pamela Anderson is reportedly dating a member of the Abu Dhabi royal family. The former 'Baywatch' actress has only revealed her new beau's name to a few select friends, but refers to him in conversation by the pet name she made up for him - Milk-Sheik or Milk for short. The 41-year-old actress - who has two sons with ex-husband Tommy Lee - first met the royal when she visited Abu Dhabi in June with the Make a Wish Foundation. Shortly after her trip, Pammie announced she is joining forces with the royal family to build an eco-friendly hotel in the city. Since then, the actress' new lover has visited her in her hometown of Los Angeles. Says a source, “He is very handsome and Pammie looks very happy.”
Pammie - who is divorced from Tommy Lee, Kid Rock and Rick Salomon - has also been romantically linked to Criss Angel, Stephen Dorff, Dean Cain and Sylvester Stallone.
