Shallow Nation » Celebrity

Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom Pre-Nuptial Details

Shallow Nation — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 04:56:05 +0000

The Khloe Kardashian Lamar Odom wedding is held up by the pre-nuptial agreement no more. The couple wed on the reality TV show Keeping Up with the Kardashians to much fanfare.

As PopEater points out, it is no small matter as the NBA star has just signed a 33 million dollar contract with the L.A. Lakers. So how does the reality TV star fare? Details are here. Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom Nail Down Pre-Nup

Barbara Walters Most Fascinating People 2008 Video, Photos

Shallow Nation — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 07:58:30 +0000

President-elect Barack Obama is first on the list of Barbara Walters 10 Most Fascinating People of 2008. See video of the entire program and photos. This is the 16th annual edition of the program, broadcast on ABC on December 4, 2008. The remaining people on the list are Tom Cruise, Rush Limbaugh, Sarah Palin, Tina Fey, Will Smith, Frank Langella, Miley Cyrus, Thomas Beatie and Michael Phelps.

Barbara Walters interviewed everyone on the list except, notably, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.

“This was almost the easiest year that we’ve ever had, because we had so many naturals,” says Walters, summing up the selection process for her special, which airs Thursday at 10 p.m. EST on ABC. “Some of the people you just know you have to do.”

Barbara Walters with Tina Fey

Like “30 Rock” star Tina Fey, who helped define Palin to a national electorate with her hilarious impersonation on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live.” Or Rush Limbaugh, the powerful conservative pundit who is now getting ready to take on a new Democratic president.

Barbara Walters with Tom Cruise

Or like 16-year-old singer-actress Miley Cyrus. Though wildly popular as star of Disney Channel’s “Hannah Montana,” she’s become “a new Miley Cyrus,” says Walters. “She’s growing up.” (Cyrus also hit a bumpy patch this year due to arguably racy photos by celebrity photographer Annie Leibovitz that were published in Vanity Fair.) [...]

Barbara Walters with Miley Cyrus

Maybe not so obvious: Thomas Beatie, who will be interviewed as a representative of what Walters calls a larger subject _ the emergence of transgender couples.

Frank Langella is yet another name on her list. Why? After decades as an acclaimed actor, the 70-year-old Langella has the buzz of a latter-day breakout star thanks to his new film, “Frost/Nixon,” Walters says.

Source: Few surprises on Walters ‘Fascinating People’ list

For transcript of interviews with Tom Cruise, Tina Fey and Will Smith see: Hollywood’s Biggest Stars on New Projects, Personal Lives

Photo credit: ABC News

Watch video of the full hour via YouTube:

Barbara Walters Most Fascinating People 2008 Video, Photos

Video: Wanda Sykes Speech in Las Vegas “Proud to Be Gay” 11-15-08

Shallow Nation — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 08:46:43 +0000

Comedian Wanda Sykes made a surprise appearance at gay rights in Las Vegas, Nevada on November 15, 2008. Watch full video of the speech here in which Sykes not only expressed outrage over the ban on gay marriage in California, which the Proposition 8 has imposed, but she declared herself “proud to be gay,” and not just a lesbian but a “married lesbian.” She got married in California on October 24, 2008.

She told the rally participants, “You know, I don’t really talk about my sexual orientation. I didn’t feel like I had to. I was just living my life, not necessarily in the closet, but I was living my life. Everybody that knows me personally they know I’m gay. But that’s the way people should be able to live their lives.” Regarding passage of the ban on gay marriage in California she said, “I felt like I was being attacked, personally attacked — our community was attacked.”

Sykes’ appearance at the rally, which took place at The Gay and Lesbian Community Center on East Sahara Avenue in Las Vegas was a surprise to all, as she happened to be in town performing at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. Her sudden public announcement has, of course, begged the question — who is Wanda Sykes’ wife? — while underscoring the underlying outrage of the entire situation. As Sykes herself put it, on the historic election night, November 4, 2008, she said, “I was so proud of the country; we had elected Barack Obama…we are moving in the right direction.” But upon finding out that Proposition 8 had passed, she said, “I was crushed. We took a huge leap forward and then got dragged about 12 steps back.”

As the New York Times reports, the Las Vegas rally was just one of many across the country.

The demonstrations — from a sun-splashed throng in San Francisco to a chilly crowd in Minneapolis — came 11 days after California voters narrowly passed a ballot measure, Proposition 8, that outlawed previously legal same-sex ceremonies in the state. The measure’s passage has spurred protests in California and across the country, including at several Mormon temples, a reflection of that church’s ardent backing of the proposition.

Source: Across U.S., Big Rallies for Same-Sex Marriage

Popeater has a roundup of celebrity reaction to the gay marriage ban, in California. Many, including George Clooney, Ellen DeGeneres, Melissa Etheridge, and Lindsay Lohan’s girlfriend Sam Ronson, have been outspoken. See: Wanda Sykes Is Out and Proud

Photo: Wanda Sykes at the Silver Rose Awards and Auction Gala April 27, 2008, (Photo credit: Getty Images)

Related posts:

Video: Wanda Sykes Speech in Las Vegas “Proud to Be Gay” 11-15-08

Angelina Jolie W Magazine Cover, Photos November 2008

Shallow Nation — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 15:33:04 +0000

Forbes magazine crowned Angelina Jolie the year’s most valuable celebrity face, selling the most magazines. The Angelina Jolie W Magazine cover and breastfeeding photos by her partner Brad Pitt –all photos are now online–prove the point once again.

The article and the photos are online:

Cover story – One Week: Brad & Angelina
Brad’s Photos: The Back Story
Brad Pitt Angelina Jolie Photos(Slide show)

As did the top celebrity six, cited by Forbes (People, Star, US Weekly, In Touch Weekly, Life & Style and OK!) we can be sure W Magazine will have runaway success with its November 2008 issue with its cover story and Brad Pitt photos. The issue will be on newsstands October 21, 2008.

Every family has its unique rites of passage, those generational milestones that mark a child’s growth and remind parents of their own similar experiences, years earlier. In the Jolie-Pitt household, one such event is the day a kid begins collecting daggers. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s seven-year-old son, Maddox, like many boys his age, has lately developed a fondness for guns and knives, and Jolie proudly notes that the predilection runs in the family. “My mom took me to buy my first daggers when I was 11 or 12,” she recalls. “And I’ve already bought Maddox some things. We take him to a special shop.” She emphasizes that the knife blades are dulled so they’re not dangerous, and that the purchases are accompanied by discussions about violence. But, she says, “we also talk about samurais and about the idea of defending someone as good. We talk about everything.”

Source: One Week: Brad & Angelina

In addition to exploring the personal lives of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, the cover article by Christopher Bagley also focuses on Angelina Jolie’s role in the upcoming Clint Eastwood movie, Changeling, which premiered earlier this year at Cannes and will be in theaters October 24, 2008 in limited release and October 31 in wide release in the U.S.

Some celebrity reactions to the cover:

“I mean, she’s always pushing the envelope,” Nicky Hilton tells Usmagazine.com. “If it were someone else, I’d be shocked, but with her, not really.”

Says Emmy Rossum, “It’s really, really nice,” adding that it’s “totally not” shocking.

“There are women who [breast-feed] at restaurants,” Rossum tells Us. “I mean, in a sense, it’s a private thing, but on the other hand, it’s a really intimate portrait that a boyfriend took of his girlfriend … who cares?”

Echoes Rose McGowan: “Is it supposed to be shocking? I’m sorry, I think there’s a lot more [controversial things] going on…”

Source: What the Stars Think About Jolie’s W Cover!

La Leche League International has already praised the Oscar winning actress for the groundbreaking cover photo.

“Mothers of twins report it takes a lot of time, effort and physical energy to breast-feed. I think the picture is beautiful,” La Leche League International spokeswoman Jane Krouse told Reuters.

Added Andi Silverman, author of Mama Knows Breast: “I think it is fabulous. Seeing a celebrity like Angelina Jolie breast-feed can be a role model to encourage women to make a choice that is wonderful for their baby.”

“Breasts are used to sell all sorts of products,” Silverman said, “so to see them used the way nature intended can only be a great thing.”

Source: US POLL: Experts: Angelina Jolie’s W Cover “Inspires” New Moms to Breast-Feed

Angelina Jolie W Magazine Cover, Photos November 2008 pics pictures photoshoot

Video & Photos: Barack Obama Speech at Hollywood Fundraiser 9-16-08

Shallow Nation — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 16:40:20 +0000

Here are photos and video of the speech that Democratic Presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama delivered at the much discussed $28,500 a plate A-list Hollywood fundraiser at Doheny Mansion and the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, at which Barbra Streisand gave a rare live performance, on September 16, 2008. According to press reports, the event raised an estimated $9 million for the Barack Obama Presidential campaign.

Senator Obama Barack Obama spoke for about 15 minutes in an outdoor courtyard, a well-lit setting inside the sprawling compound of the Greystone Mansion. A few stars were shining above in the nighttime sky, as well as an audience filled with them.

He made his remarks from a stage in the corner, bathed in lights, holding a microphone in his hand as he looked out into the crowd. He said the campaign provided a sobering look at the country’s economic condition.

“It’s reminded people that this is not a game. This is not a reality show, no offense to any of you,” Mr. Obama said to laughter. “This is not a sitcom.”

Among the celebrities who could be seen by your pool, which was stationed at the rear of the courtyard: Will Farrell, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jamie Lee Curtis and Jodi Foster. And Dennis Haysbert, who played the president on the TV series “24.”

There were at least 300 people, seated at 30 tables resting on cobblestone. White and red wine glasses were on the tables. Waiters, dressed in black, listened to the speech.

It was a serious speech for Mr. Obama – interrupted only once or twice by applause – as he spelled out the stakes of the campaign. He also talked about jittery Democrats, the reason for running and his opponents’ strategy against him.

“I know that a lot of you, just in conversations while we were in the photo lines, had all sorts of suggestions,” Mr. Obama said. “I know that won’t surprise you. And a lot of people have gotten nervous and concerned. Why is this as close as it is? And what’s going on?”

“We always knew this was going to be hard, and this is a leap for the American people. And we’re running against somebody who has a formidable biography, a compelling biography. He’s a genuine American hero, somebody who served in uniform and suffered through some things that very few of us can imagine.

“And so he is a worthy opponent. And this should be hard, because what we’re asking of the American people is a fundamental shift away from an economic theory that has dominated over the last eight years that says, ‘You give more to the most and hope that it trickles down for everybody else, an economic theory that basically says you’re on your own if you don’t have healthcare, you’re on your own if you don’t have a job; if you’re born into poverty, lift yourself up by your own bootstraps, you are on your own.”

“If we can cut through the nonsense and the lipstick and the pigs and the silliness, then I’m absolutely convinced that we’re going to win,” Mr. Obama said, speaking over laughter and applause.

He asked the Democratic contributors who gave $28,500 to the party’s effort to keep working and fighting in the days ahead, warning them of the close contest. “We’ve still got enormous work to do because of the enormous resistance out there – resistance because people have been fed cynicism for a long time,” Mr. Obama said. “When my opponent and the operation that they’ve put together starts feeding into that cynicism and starts feeding into that resentment, it’s not always clear which way things are going to tip.”

Mr. Obama said that he was “confident about winning because, ‘I’ve looked at John McCain, I’ve looked at Sarah Palin, I’ve looked at their agenda, and they don’t have one.”

The crowd laughed.

Source: Obama fund-raiser; Barbra Streisand, Will Farrell, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jodi Foster, Dennis Haysbert

See also:

Obama’s Hollywood fundraiser: Who was on the guest list?

Barack Obama Hollywood Fund Raiser speech video September 16, 2008 Part 1

Barack Obama Hollywood Fund Raiser speech video September 16, 2008 Part 2

Video and top photo via Towleroad -EXCLUSIVE: Barack Obama’s L.A. Fundraiser – video

Wilshire & Washington reports on Barbra Streisand’s appearance.

Streisand drew a standing ovation when she entered, starting right off with “When the Sun Comes Out,” accompanied by a small band of bass, keyboard, piano and drums.

“Did some of you have a very nice dinner?” she asked, in a mirthful tone. “Did you have dessert, or am I dessert?”

She segued to “Make Someone Happy,” with the line, “He is the answer; we know Barack is the answer.”

Cameras sprung up from the crowd, before Streisand quipped, “I thought there was no press here tonight. Hmmm. YouTube junkies.”

She followed that with “What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?” and “My Shining Hour.”

Her criticism of John McCain came when she chided him for saying that Obama would raise taxes on the middle class when the candidate has proposed tax cuts.

“I woke up this morning with this slogan in my head. McCain. Palin. Change. And I thought. Change? What, from bad to worse?”

After Streisand finished, “Happy Days Are Here Again” was played as Obama took the stage, giving her a hug and a short whisper in her ear.

Source and Photo 2-3 source – Wilshire & Washington – Obama: Sober Among the Stars

Video & Photos: Barack Obama Speech at Hollywood Fundraiser 9-16-08 pics pictures L.A. fund-raiser, Beverly Hills fundraiser California

Video & Photos: George Takei Marries Longtime Partner Brad Altman 9-14-08

Shallow Nation — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 15:15:59 +0000

Star Trek icon George Takei married Brad Altman, his partner of 21 years on September 14, 2008, becoming, after Ellen DeGeneres and Portia Di Rossi, the second high profile celebrity same-sex couple to marry in California.

Two hundred guests attended the emotional ceremony in downtown Los Angeles. Takei’s Star Trek co-stars, Nichelle Nichols (Lieutenant Uhura) and Walter Koenig (Pavel Chekov), were maid of honour and best man respectively.

The couple wore matching white tuxedo jackets with black trousers and bow ties. Music was provided by a Japanese koto harp and bagpipe procession, and they made their grand entrance to One Singular Sensation from the Broadway musical A Chorus Line.

They stepped into a circle of yellow rose petals to exchange vows, which they had written themselves.

Takei and Altman have been together for 21 years and announced their wedding plans in May after California’s Supreme Court legalised same sex marriage.

Altman described Takei as his “life partner, significant other… now I can add ‘my husband’ to the list of things I call you.”

Takei joked that his partner was an “organised, detail-obsessed, punctuality-driven control freak”, adding: “I’m easygoing with details, so we’re a good fit.”

Taking Altman’s hands in his, the actor said: “I vow to care for you as you’ve cared for me… and to love you as my husband and the only man in my life.”

Afterwards, the happy couple posed for photographs and Takei flashed the Star Trek “live long and prosper” hand signal.

The reception took place in the grounds of the Japanese American National Museum, a reference to Takei’s heritage.

Walter Koenig and Nichelle Nicols

Nichols said: “I was fighting back tears but they came oozing out anyway. I’m so happy that they’re both able to legally proclaim their commitment to one another after spending the past 21 years together.”

Takei said before the ceremony: “We have a relationship that’s been stronger and longer lived than some of our straight friends, and yet we were not equal. What this does is give us that dignity.”

Source: Star Trek actor George Takei weds

Video of George Takei Brad Altman wedding procession

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Video & Photos: George Takei Marries Longtime Partner Brad Altman 9-14-08 wedding pics wedding pictures

Photos: Ellen DeGeneres Portia de Rossi Wedding People Magazine Cover

Shallow Nation — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 18:20:23 +0000

The Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi wedding is on the cover of People magazine in the upcoming issue which hits newsstands on August 22, 2008. People magazine has exclusive coverage and beautiful photographs of the couple’s historic wedding on August 16, 2008, the first high profile same sex marriage in California since the recent court ruling.

Saturday evening was full of love, laughter, and a few tears for Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi, who exchanged personal wedding vows in front of their closest family and friends at their home in L.A.

In an exclusive interview and photos, DeGeneres, 50, and de Rossi, 35, share the most romantic moments of the night with PEOPLE.

“What can I say? I’m the luckiest girl in the world,” says DeGeneres. “She’s officially off the market. No one else gets her. And now she’ll cook and clean for me.”

Amid candles and flowers by Mark’s Garden, both brides, wearing designs by Zac Posen, sat on floor pillows along with author Wayne Dyer, who officiated the ceremony.

After exchanging Neil Lane rings, the couple and their guests sat down for an all-vegan menu prepared by their personal chef David Silberkleit while Sweet Lady Jane created a vegan red velvet cake for the celebration.

“The love we felt from the people surrounding us, and the love we have for each other, made this the most beautiful and emotional day,” says de Rossi. “And one that we’ll never forget.”

Source: FIRST LOOK: Ellen & Portia’s Wedding Album
Photo credit: JLC-Lara Porzak Photography

Photos: Ellen DeGeneres Portia de Rossi Wedding People Magazine Cover September 2008