Gossip

Well, there are Neha Dhupia and Samrat Chakrabarti, two Indian celebrities that I have talked about but this time I must add a rather interesting team of people (specifically Collin McGee and Saila Rao) who are starring in a Hollywood-Bollywood movie called "On The Other Side." This is a romantic comedy film with romance between an American boy (Dave, played by Collin McGee) and Indian girl (Swapna, played by Saila Rao), who are from entirely different cultural backgrounds. As a major part of their curriculum, Dave, along with his Indian American friend Jack (played by Manish Dayal), tasked to do a documentary on Indian culture. After going to India, Dave is overwhelmed by the seemingly chaotic conditions, the living styles and the cultural heritage he sees there, yet he is gradually drawn towards Indian culture and falls in love with Rao's daughter, Swapna. What happens when Swapna and her parents realize that an American wants to be a part of their family? Is it possible to reconcile the distinct cultures and bridge the barriers? These issues are further complicated with a classic Shakespearian romantic twist and the rest of the story deals with these issues in a humorous way.

Maybe this is another "Bend It Like Beckham?" I wish I knew a little bit more about these Indian women who are beautiful and seductive.

There is absolutely no doubt that the former American Idol winner Carrie Underwood has established herself as the queen of country music. So it was simply appropriate for Great American Country (GAC) network to feature here in a live concert along with Rodney Atkins and Sugarland on a special edition of GAC's Grand Ole Opry Live.

GAC presents and exclusive encore telecast of the 42nd Annual ACM Awards, hosted by Reba McEntire and featuring performances by Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, George Strait, Sugarland, Rodney Atkins, Miranda Lambert, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift and Jason Aldean. GAC then brings one of country music's top performers back to the screen with the one-hour concert special Keith Urban: Inside These Walls.

I continue to salute the salute the celebrities that are doing social good. I recently highlighted the work of Mariska Hargitay and Green Children. This time I bring to you news about The Ludacris Foundation, which has donated more than one million dollars to improve lives of at-risk youth, families and communities in his native Atlanta. The Foundation has provided over 30 grassroots non-profit organizations with grants, invested more than 5,000 hours nationwide to assist young people, and with its annual holiday program, "Luda Cares," provided food baskets to over 1,000 families and more than 1,500 Christmas toys to childrens hospitals and economically depressed neighborhoods.

As part of their fundraising efforts, a Fat Boy motorcycle donated by Harley Davidson and autographed by Shaquille O'Neal, actress Meagan Good, actor Andy Samberg (Saturday Night Live), and fellow hip-hop/R&B artists Kanye West, John Legend, Diddy, Common, Will.i.am, Bow Wow, and Cee-Lo is being auctioned on eBay.

I have always admired celebrities that not just party all night, get drunk, attend rehabs, but also do their part to make a better society. That is why I want to recognize British/Norwegian Electronic Pop duo The Green Children, who have teamed up in a music video with Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Professor Muhammad Yunus, who is the pioneer responsible for lifting millions of people out of poverty with the use of small loans. He saw that the poor had great ability but were unable to use it through lack of opportunity and finance.

The Green Children are donating proceeds from fundraising sales and activities to further the positive contribution Microcredit is making to poor people around the world. The Green Children are pretty sure that this is the first music video to ever feature a Nobel Laureate, from any discipline.

Remember Master P who many of first got to know on "Dancing With The Stars?" Well, while he went much farther than the judges wanted him to but that does not mean he is not good at what he does: not only is he a top hip hop artist, he also is a great producer. Now Master P has teamed up with his son Romeo (both pictured here) to launch a new record label: Take A Stand Records, with the mission of cleaning up both the image and lyrics of hip-hop music. The new label will represent artists that have pledged to be role models to both the music industry and music lovers of all walks of life through 100% clean lyrics and positive moral values.

Master P says, "Personally, I have profited millions of dollars through explicit rap lyrics. I can honestly say that I was once part of the problem and now it's time to be part of the solution. I am ready to take a stand by cleaning up my music and follow my son's footsteps and make a clean rap album. ... I am not expecting the entire industry to change overnight but this is one positive step towards the growth of hip-hop." The first release under the new label is a father and son album from Master P and Romeo titled "Hip Hop History."

If you are like me you probably live your life in jeans and if you don't yet, try some slimming jeans and you will be hooked. That is why it is a joy to celebrate the Lee National Denim Day. In case you didn't know it is the country's largest single-day fundraisers for breast cancer--which benefits the Women's Cancer Programs of the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF). And who is the ambassador for this day? Emmy Award-winning actress Mariska Hargitay.

In her role as ambassador, Hargitay will appear in a public service campaign encouraging people to wear denim on Friday, October 5th in exchange for a $5 donation to the Women's Cancer Programs of EIF. Funds will go to groundbreaking early detection and treatment research for breast cancer, as well as support grassroots advocacy services for the disease. Since the creation of Denim Day eleven years ago, more than $65 million has been raised for the cause. Thank you Mariska.

Many celebrities have lost their pregnancy weight (e.g. Britney Spears and Katie Holmes, Leah Remini, and Geri Halliwell) without anyone ever finding out what it takes. First of all, you simply cannot continue to eat as much as before. Two, exercise and diets are to be highly customized to your body; in other words, you might need help of a personal trainer.

Even celebrities have to work hard to get rid of the extra pounds. Gwen Stefani tells Harper's Bazaar, "It's so much work afterward to get the weight off...If you just do it, it comes off. And when you're nursing, like I am, your metabolism is like whoosh!"

Tori Spelling, who gained 40 lbs. has joined the NutriSystem food-delivery program to achieve her pre-pregnancy body. I think if Tara Reid can do it, anyone can. Alternatively, she can have a mommy makeover.

In October 2006, I had talked about a keychain that Stacy Keibler received as a gift. Remember her? She was the popular dancer on the show "Dancing with the stars."

Well, this company has designed an excellent key chain for Angelina Jolie. As you can see above, it has the names of all the four celebritiy babies. Hmmm...what will Brad Pitt carry? Or does he not need to be reminded that he is a dad?

We all remember "lonelygirl15," who became an Internet celebrity after posting her online video diary on YouTube. Well, while we all initially thought that the story was real, it turned out that she was actually a struggling actress Jessica Lee Rose, who was simply playing a role. Of course, many of her fans were disappointed for being taken for a ride but we have to admit that she is a very fine actress. No wonder then that she is being honored as the Best Actress at The Webby Film and Video Awards. I hope that she can find more success.