Gemma Arterton takes to the stage

Gemma Arterton is to star in a new West End play.

The 'Quantum of Solace' actress has signed on to appear in 'The Little Dog Laughed', a savage comedy due to premiere in London early next year.

The 'Young Victoria' star Rupert Friend, The 'Diary of Anne Frank' actress Tamsin Greig and 'Robin Hood' actor Harry Lloyd will also star in the play, which tells the story of a movie star's quest to find a wife and a boyfriend.

Gemma will play Ari, a fiery young woman who lives with one of the main character's male love interests, played by Lloyd.

It will be the 23-year-old actress's first West End play but not her stage debut.

She played Rosaline in 'Love's Labour's Lost' at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in 2007.

The cast starts rehearsals on December 7, with preview performances due to begin on January 8 at the Garrick Theatre.

By BANG Showbiz

http://www.askmen.com

Uma Thurman's career fears

Uma Thurman is worried she might "choke her career to death"

The 'Kill Bill' actress - who has been working exclusively in New York for a number of years so she can be close to her children - thinks it is time to return to Hollywood.

She said: "I am a mother, but I need to do what I'm good at doing. Even your kids need you to be who you are.

"I've been living at home for work for a long time. If I don't leave soon, I'm going to literally choke my career to death."

The 39-year-old actress has two children, Maya, 11, and Levon, seven, from her first marriage to actor Ethan Hawke, whom she divorced in 2004.

She also revealed her life "constantly surprises" her, especially as she gets older.

She added to W magazine: "I feel like I lived my life backwards. Getting older has been a process of realizing I wasn't as grown up as I had thought. I've certainly learned the hard way.

"And that's kind of nice, to realize that just when you think you've figured it out, life surprises you."

Uma also said that while she is engaged to businessman Arpad Busson, she has no plans to wed in the near future

She continued: "I'm happily engaged, but we haven't set a wedding up. I'm not in a rush to do anything. One day we'll do it, when we're ready."

By BANG Showbiz

http://www.askmen.com

Charlize Theron purring over Catwoman role

Charlize Theron would love to "kick a*s" as Catwoman.

The Hollywood actress is thrilled to learn she is in the running to play the super-villain alongside Christian Bale and Sir Michael Caine in the upcoming sequel to Batman blockbuster 'The Dark Knight'.

She said: "It'snews to me, but that's kick-a*s news. I like that... I think that what has happened to that franchise is amazing, and director Chris Nolan is a genius. So I would be an idiot to not consider that."

If the 34-year-old starlet accepts the role, she will be following in the footsteps of Michelle Pfeiffer and Halle Berry, who have both donned the iconic leather catsuit on the big screen.

It was reported last month that Megan Fox was to be offered the part, but Warner Bros. moved quickly to insist no casting decisions have yet been made for the film which is based on the DC comic books.

A representative for the studio said: "It's a rumor. It's not true. There is no script yet."

Other actresses linked to the role include Angelina Jolie and Rachel Weisz.

By BANG Showbiz

http://www.askmen.com

Maggie Gyllenhaal's work worries

Maggie Gyllenhaal doesn't "have motherhood down".

The 31-year-old actress - who has two-year-old daughter Ramona with husband Peter Sarsgaard - worries she is not giving her child the best start in life because she still works.

She explained: "I want to give my daughterthe same gift that my mom and my grandmother gave to me, which is the knowledge that, as a woman, I can do anything professionally and personally. I have everything open to me. But that doesn't mean it's going to be easy.

"I continue to make lots of sacrifices to make sure my daughter feels comfortable, or at least as comfortable as she can. But I can't and don't pretend I have it down."

Maggie she finds the challenge of motherhood "complicated", and often feels pained when she leaves Ramona to go to work.

She thinks it would be easier for her daughter if her job had more structured hours, and so has decided only to commit to films which make the wrench of leaving home worth it.

She told Working Mother magazine: "Sometimes I fantasize about staying home with Ramona all day, so that I don't miss a thing in this amazing two-year-old's life.

"I'm an artist; I love my job. I feel very, very lucky to be in the position where going to work means I'm feeding myself. As a mother, you have to make sure you do that because that will nourish your child too."

By BANG Showbiz

FROM : http://www.askmen.com

Whitney Houston too high to sing

Whitney Houston "forgot" she was a singer during the depths of her drug addiction.

The music star admitted the extent of her substance abuse and the lowest points of her 14-year marriage to singer Bobby Brown during an emotional interview with Oprah Winfrey which aired yesterday(14.09.09).

Referring to her crack cocaine and marijuana use, Whitney, 46, said: "I didn't think about the singing part anymore. I'd totally forgotten about that life. I had so much money by that time."

She went on to detail how she and Bobby, 40, would 'freebase' crack in marijuana joints, adding: "We were lacing our marijuana with base. We would buy a kilo. We were not pipe smoking.

"You roll it up and you smoke it in your weed. It's almost like heroin cocaine speedballs but you level it off with marijuana."

Whitney - who separated from Bobby in 2006 and divorced him a year later - claimed her ex-spouse became jealous of her career after she appeared in the worldwide hit 1992 film 'The Bodyguard' - after which their drug abuse spiraled out of control.

She said: "I think somewhere inside, something happens to a man when a woman has that much control or has that much fame.

"Emotionally he was abusive. Physically, no way. I was raised with two brothers and I would fight you back with anything I could find."

She recalled how Bobby's abuse spilled over one night after she had thrown a birthday party for him.

Whitney - who has a 16-year-old daughter Bobbi Kristina with Bobby -recalled: "When we got back to the house he spit on me. He actually spit on me. And my daughter was coming down the stairs and she saw it.

"I was angry. I was very hurt. I knew something was going to blow. That was pretty intense.

"I didn't grow up with that and I didn't understand why that occurred - why he had such a hate for me because I loved him so much."

By BANG Showbiz

FROM : http://www.askmen.com

Kelly Clarkson slams Kanye

Kelly Clarkson has blasted Kanye West for being "a tactless a**hole".

The 'My Life Would Suck Without You' singer is furious with the 'Stronger' rapper for storming on stage at the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) on Sunday (13.09.09) as Taylor Swift collected the Best Female Video prize for 'You Belong To Me'.

Kelly has questioned whether Kanye's childhood is to blame for his egotistical behavior.

She wrote on her blog: "What happened to you as a child?? Did you not get hugged enough?? Something must have happened to make you this way and I think we're all just curious as to what would make a grown man go on national television and make a talented artist, let alone teenager, feel like s**t. I mean, I've seen you do some pretty sh**ty things, but you just keep amazing me with your tactless, a**hole ways."

After invading the stage, Kanye grabbed the microphone and insisted Beyonce Knowles should have won instead for the promo to 'Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)'.

His tirade lasted so long Taylor didn't have time to give an acceptance speech, and was met with boos from the crowd.

Kelly added: "It's absolutely fascinating how much I don't like you. I like everyone. I even like my a**hole ex that cheated on me over you... which is pretty odd since I don't even personally know you. The best part of this evening is that you weren't even up for THIS award and yet you still have a problem with the outcome. Is winning a moon man that much of a life goal?? You can have mine if it will shut you up. Is it that important, really (sic)??"

By BANG Showbiz

FROM : http://www.askmen.com

Lindsay Lohan wants to be Britney

Lindsay Lohan has always wanted to be Britney Spears.

The 23-year-old actress knew from a young age that she wanted to emulate the pop star's worldwide success and be the talk of gossip columns and magazines.

She said: "Everyone goes through tough times and the second that I decided I wanted to be in front of the camera... I think I always kind of aspired to be like Britney Spears. I wanted to be in the tabloids when I was in middle school.

"It's kind of something you sign up for in the beginning and if you really want it, you know what comes with it."

Lindsay - who has had three stints in rehab for drug and alcohol addiction and been charged with driving under the influence (DUI) - insists she is proud of what she has achieved and has grown in confidence with age.

The blonde star - who is dating DJ Samantha Ronson - added to Access Hollywood: "There are things I would like to take back and I always say that, but there aren't many things that I regret doing, because I wouldn't have learned from them, and I wouldn't be where I am today.

"I think it's taken me a long time to learn how to love myself before I could love someone else too. Whether it be a best friend or family or someone that I'm in a relationship with."

By BANG Showbiz

ARTICLES FROM : http://www.askmen.com

Victoria Beckham won't spray Whoopi

Victoria Beckham has been banned from spraying her new perfume when she goes on a talk show to promote it.

The former Spice Girl has been invited by Whoopi Goldberg to appear on 'The View' to talk about her latest fragrance Signature Story, but the host had forgotten she was allergic to perfume.

So now Victoria has agreed not to spray the scent within a nine-meter radius of Whoopi, while the audience members - who will get a goody bag containing a bottle of the fragrance - will have to sign an agreement not to open the fragrance in the studio.

A source told Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper: "Whoopi was desperate to get Victoria on 'The View' as she's got an incredible profile right now. Victoria is launching her perfume so the timing was perfect and she agreed straight away.

"Sadly, Whoopi didn't really think things through - and it was only once her guest was confirmed that she informed producers she was allergic to perfume. If she smells it, her eyes well up and start streaming, and her lips even swell.

"Studio bosses have had to write up contracts for the audience and Victoria making sure they don't spray the scent. It's not the ideal way to promote a perfume, but Victoria saw the funny side."

Meanwhile, Victoria - who is married to soccer star David Beckham - has revealed she will make the couple's three children work and won't allow them to live off their parents' vast fortune.

The 35-year-old star -mother of Brooklyn, 10, Romeo, seven, and four-year-old Cruz - said: "They b***dy well will work... Same as myself, same as David.

"They're not going to be the kind of kids that just hang about. I want them to be able to fulfill their passions, but I think it's important that the children grow up and have respect for themselves."

By BANG Showbiz

ARTICLES FROM : http://www.askmen.com

Meryl Streep's catty critic

Meryl Streep's cat helps her rehearse her movie lines.

The Oscar-winning actress reads the script to her pet to see if he is impressed by her performance.

National Enquirer magazine reports: "Every evening when she runs through her lines, her cat wraps himself around her feet. If her performance sounds insincere or boring he will suddenly stop purring and stalk out of the room.

"But if the tabby thinks Meryl has delivered her lines brilliantly he will purr loudly and proudly. He is her most dependable critic."

Meryl, 60, isn't the only Hollywood star who shares a special bond with their pet.

Drew Barrymore regularly speaks about her beloved yellow Labrador-Chow mix pet Flossie.

She once said: "Flossie is like my little daughter. I can't wait to have kids."

Drew was saved by Flossie when a fire struck the $3 million mansion she shared with then-husband Tom Green in 2001.

The actress claimed that she was woken in the early hours of the morning when Flossie barked after smelling smoke and "literally banged on the bedroom door" to alert the couple to the blaze.

ARTICLES FROM : http://www.askmen.com

By BANG Showbiz

Jennifer Aniston still wears Mayer gift

Jennifer Aniston still wears the gold Rolex watch given to her by an ex-boyfriend.

The Hollywood beauty has been spotted sporting the luxury timepiece amid rumours she and singer John Mayer have rekindled their romance and are meeting up for secret romantic trysts.

A source said: "John gave Jennifer the Rolex when they were at the height of their romance in May 2008. Jennifer hardly took the watch off, but when they split she stopped wearing it. In recent weeks she's started wearing it again to show John he's still in her thoughts.

"She's even been sending him flirty texts and emails."

The 40-year-old actress and the 31-year-old musician dated for around four months last year. They rekindled their romance earlier this year, but the pair split again in April.

However, their relationship has reportedly warmed up since Jennifer began flirting with him recently.

The source added: "Jennifer's plan is obviously working - John is a keen Rolex collector and Jennifer knows how symbolic the gesture is to him. He's been replying to her with racy pictures and emails.

"It's only a matter of time before they officially announce they're back together."

ARTICLES FROM : http://www.askmen.com

By BANG Showbiz