By Sheri

HILARY AND MIKE’S NEW BEVERLY HILLS HOME

Recently engaged couple, Hilary Duff and Mike Comrie, forked over a reported $3, 850 million dollars (hey only a little more than what her engagement ring cost lol!) for an elegant Georgian Colonial mansion in Beverly Hills. The couple, who became engaged about 4 months ago, will be living in the same ‘hood as Gwen Stefani and Celebrity Apprentice runner up, Holly Robinson Peete.

The 5 bedroom home has over 5,000 square feet of opulence including a grand staircase and marble floors in at least 1 of the 6 ½ bathrooms. The home looks very tasteful and what a house for a 23 year old! Unlike, Miley, Lindsay and Britney, Hilary’s been able to avoid a lot of scandal and instead do a lot of marketing and working. The only sort-of scandal is when press quoted her at 21 saying she was a virgin, then later taking it back – Duff says she was misquoted the first time. (So stupid anyway, who cares – it’s her business.)

The Texas born beauty had said to press “I’m a relationship person” which I guess is true as she’s about to be married at 23. Her husband to be, Mike Conrie, is a hockey player for the Canadian pro team, the Edmonton Oilers. (Good choice, Hilary. I love hockey players too.) Not one to go from Disney to films to music alone, Hilary has several merchandise lines of perfume and clothing including the catchy-named Stuff by Duff. Her next product line is a series of teen hardcover books in a deal with Simon and Schuster – the first book is said to be named “Elixir” and will most likely be out in the fall.

Anyway, she’s smart to put her money in prime Beverly Hills real estate!(I also like that she spends a lot of time helping charities involved in human rights and reducing poverty.) Good luck on the new home and the new hubby, Hilary!

By Sheri

HOFFMAN AND BATEMAN SURPRISE CROWD AT NBA FINALS

The Los Angeles Staples Center’s audience at game one of the NBA finals between the LA Lakers and the Boston Celtics saw more than just basketball Thursday, June 3, when actor Dustin Hoffman, 72, leaned over in his seat to start passionately smooching actor Jason Bateman, 41, who was sitting next to him.

Hoffman’s wife was sitting on the other side of Dustin when the ubiquitous “Kiss Me Cam”, a camera designed to capture couples in the audience kissing and show it on the Staple Center’s big screen, was focused on them. Dustin must have decided it would be hilarious to go the other way (literally!) and kiss Jason rather than his wife. (Hilariously brilliant decision as evidenced by the crowd’s laughing faces.)

People watching the big screen started smiling as soon as Dustin leaned toward Jason. Jason Bateman played along with Dustin Hoffman’s kiss and the Staples Center erupted with loud cheering for the “couple.” The graphics on the screen included a heart shape around the kissing Dustin and Jason which obviously added to the humor the audience was struck by.

I’ve always loved both Bateman and Hoffman but now it’s official! (I wish I could watch Arrested Development and Meet the Fockers right now!) Hoffman is known for his impromptu, deadpan sense of humor. I love the story about when, before he was well known as an actor, he was mistaken as a window cleaner when “The Graduate” director, Mike Nichols, was considering him for the lead – only after several big name actors turned it down or weren’t available. In pure Dustin Hoffman fashion, he began cleaning the studio exec’s windows as if he was the window cleaner — never letting on who he really was… (LOL)

(BTW, other stars at the game: Leonardo DiCaprio, Adam Sandler, Snoop Dogg and Joe Jonas.)

By Sheri

VANESSA HUDGENS AND ZAC EFRON IN TRIAL MARRIAGE?

Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens are rumored to be in a “trial marriage” in a beach apartment near Malibu. The pair seems to be downplaying the rumors, with Vanessa saying “I do love my place but it’s too big for me to be there by myself” and Zac reported to have “loved the place so much” he ended up moving in too. Oh yes that sounds completely logical, you’re really fooling everyone you two….cough…cough…

Vanessa rented the beach home a few months ago after accidentally leaving water running in her Studio City apartment. The water damage was extensive – about $250K worth. Although it’s no secret that the High School Musical couple has been dating for some time, the rumors of a “trial marriage” are quite new. Some people even think Zac and Vanessa are actually engaged or even secretly married since Vanessa has said before that her strict mom, Gina, didn’t approve of living together before marriage.

The couple has been spotted all around Malibu for a long time holding hands and kissing cutely in public, but recently Zac was spotted carrying suitcases into Vanessa’s rented beach apartment. They are the cutest couple, but quite young as they’re in their early 20s. In mid-February Hudgens and Efron went to Sydney Australia together for a charity event. Not surprisingly, the couple was spotted being all cute and hand-holding wherever they went.

What I like about them even though they are so young and have been dating seriously for two years is that they still do things on their own. Zac has been photographed attending sports games with friends without Vanessa along. Later this summer, in August, Vanessa will be playing Mimi, the HIV infected dancer role in the musical, Rent. Neil Patrick Harris is directing the production at the Hollywood Bowl.

By Sheri

NICK JONAS IS THE SUBJECT OF MILEY CYRUS’ SONG “FULL CIRCLE”

During her Saturday, May 29 concert in Portugal, Miley Cyrus sang a new song called “Full Circle.” She announced the song by saying “It’s about two people, no matter what, they’re always gonna come back together, no matter what anyone says or the bad people that try to keep you apart.”

Apparently deciding not to keep her explanation completely vague and mysterious, Miley then added “It’s a personal story… Surprise, surprise… it’s about a Jonas Brother.” Hmmm wonder what current boyfriend, Liam Helmsworth, Miley’s Australian co-star from The Last Song thinks about this. (I also wonder when Miley wrote the song, but I think I wonder too much…)

Nick Jonas and Miley Cyrus first began dating in 2007. Miley said at the time that her dad, country music singer/actor, Billy Ray Cyrus, approved of Jonas. (BTW, could Miley look any more like her father?) After a break up, Miley and Nick were back together last year. This was confirmed by Nick’s brother Joe on Larry King. Larry, trying to pry Joe’s girlfriend’s name out of Joe to no avail, asked him if his girlfriend was more famous than his brother Nick’s. Joe replied “I don’t think anyone’s as famous as Miley Cyrus.”(Smooth, Joe, real smooth.)

Okay, if Miley’s song is about her relationship with Nick, does she want them to get back together and who are the “bad people” that try to keep them apart? (Better question, why in the hell do I care?) Miley Cyrus isn’t the only one that Nick Jonas has had an on-again, off-again relationship with – Selena Gomez is another.

Anyway, if I were Liam Helmsworth, I’d be maybe at least a little pissed if my girlfriend created a song about her ex and how they are “always gonna come back together, no matter what anyone says…”

By Sheri

MADONNA IN A NEW AD FOR MDG SUNGLASSES

It was announced in February that Material Girl, Madonna, would be designing a line of sunglasses to be released in May by popular lux fashion house, Dolce&Gabbana. Well, they made it by the end of May and several ads are out similar to the one I included above. Is it just me or is something lacking? I don’t know what it is, but the ad just doesn’t seem creative enough for some reason. (After seeing his creative ad ideas on The Celebrity Apprentice, I’d love to see what Bret Michaels would do with this one!)

The whole look, including the diamond crucifix, screams Madonna as well as Dolce&Gabbana with all the black. So what isn’t working – or again, is it just me? I’ve always thought Madonna was cool, but has she lost her cutting edge? Has she kept too much in a rut? It’s obvious that stars such as Gwen Stefani and Lady Gaga were influenced by not just Madonna’s sound, but her look too.

Are the red lips, blonde waved hair, fishnets and black sexy dresses becoming too common and blase? Don’t get me wrong, Madonna looks great for her age and she’s a great talent. She’s a great choice for the Dolce&Gabbana brand. I’m just not sure the ad will convince the target market to buy the glasses. Hopefully I’m wrong. Dolce&Gabbana  (Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana respectively)  must think the Material Girl is right for their brand. The glasses are MDG – Madonna, Dolce&Gabbana with her name first after all.

By the way, I really do think Madonna is cool. If you must know, I actually watched her 80s movie, Desperately Seeking Susan yesterday. (ahh! Confessions…confessions!) It was painful to watch the 80s style flashback, but at least she was cutting edge then. I’d love to see her start a new trend again! She’s a creative and brilliant woman.

By Sheri

AMY WINEHOUSE IN HER BETTER DAYS… NOT!!!

In a ‘there’s a switch’ moment that happened recently, Amy Winehouse, known for her totally wasted looking and out of line behavior in public over the years, received an apology for someone else’s drunken behavior. The SODIP (Seen Often as Drunk In Public) Amy Winehouse received an unexpected telephone call from British comedian, Russell Brand.

Brand called Winehouse to apologize on behalf of his father, Ronnie, after he found out that a drunk and loudly obnoxious Ronnie was all over Amy Winehouse in a London pub, The Hawley Arms, trying to give her a hug. A blonde female pub patron was reported to have pushed and slapped Ronnie away from Amy. Winehouse reportedly laughed the whole incident off (did she even remember it?) but was appreciative of Russell Brand’s phone apology.

It seems Brand’s no stranger to apologizing. After a huge incident last year involving the BBC, Brand’s radio show on the network, Radio2, and Andrew Sachs, the actor best known for playing Manuel on Fawlty Towers, he got pretty good at it. It seems Russell Brand, who does stand up comedy and has a new movie out – Get Him to the Greek – and a few other guys, caused over 5,000 listeners to complain when they made an impromptu radio skit that involved calling Andrew Sachs and leaving lewd, sexual messages about Sach’s granddaughter on his answering machine. Brand apologized, but ended up getting suspended and the BBC got a 150K fine.

Amy Winehouse was said to be drinking at the bar during the Ronnie Brand incident (well what else would she be in a pub for?) so I guess that means, she’s still sayin’ “no, no, no” to rehab… like her song. Amy’s said to be working on a followup album to her super hit Back to Black. Her father, Mitch Winehouse, 59. who used to drive cabs in London, has just released a swing music album of his own called “Rush of Love to the Heart.”

By Sheri

OZZIE OSBOURNE WANTED TO GET SCREAMS FROM FANS

I love Ozzie Osbourne, and he seems like the most caring, loving wonderful guy, but, let’s face it, he can look a bit scary with his long hair, little round dark glasses, Prince of Darkness outfits and stilted walk. Imagine going to New York’s Madame Tussaud’s wax museum and sitting beside the seated wax figure of Ozzie Osbourne only to have the shock of your life when the figure moves and speaks!

That really happened recently and it sent fans screaming which was just the reaction Ozzie and wife, Sharon, hoped for as they took pictures. Ozzie explained: “The title of my new album is “Scream” and we wanted to get footage of people screaming in front of me.” (OMG hopefully there was no need for museum janitors to mop the floor if you know what I mean.)

It seems to me that Ozzie and Sharon can get away with more than most people for some reason. Is it that underneath their pranks and potty mouths you can just tell they have really kind hearts? Or is it the British accents? Anyway, I just think they’re cool. I really liked the reality show they used to have, minus the pet menagerie of dogs always growling and fighting and doing their business on the carpets — Well, it was kind of funny I guess especially since they weren’t *my* carpets!

In an unrelated story from a few months ago, Ozzie reportedly gave the large, gold crucifix necklace he was wearing (part of his signature Prince of Darkness ensemble) to a homeless man. The necklace was worth about 3K and Ozzie apologized for having no change in his pockets to give the man so he unclasped his jewelry and handed it to him instead telling him to “pray on it.” The homeless man probably had to pawn it for money as well as do some praying, but it still was cool of Ozzie since it would have been easy just to use the excuse of having no cash!

By Sheri

SPEIDI AT THEIR APRIL 2009 WEDDING IN PASADENA

Heidi Montag has moved out of the home she shared with husband, Spencer Pratt. According to Montag’s spokesperson, a separation is certain, while a divorce isn’t yet. The pair, made famous on TV’s The Hills, stayed married for a year and a month – not exactly very long even by Hollywood standards. Heidi looked thrilled on her wedding day as she stood next to new husband, Expensive Brat oops Spencer Pratt, but maybe she was just thrilled about her dress and hair – who knows?

The reason Heidi’s spokesperson is giving for the separation is confusing at best. (At worst, it sounds ridiculous.) Apparently, Montag had to move out because of “all the bad press that Spencer controls.” WHAT? Does this make sense to anyone?

How does one control “bad press?” Is Heidi shifting the blame for the public’s perception of her as a plastic surgery nut rather than a serious actress or something? She’s been auditioning for roles such as Megan Fox’s fired/quit one in Transformers 3. I don’t see how director Michael Bay would seriously consider her for even one second!

Montag’s rep is telling press that Heidi “wants to focus on her career” which is a big part of why she wants to separate from Spencer. This just doesn’t make sense to me at all, but then Speidi never makes sense to me! (Did anyone else have the excruciating experience of watching them on I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here? They were the only ones who wanted to quit every 5 seconds and did nothing but preach and complain. On the plus side, Janice Dickinson complained, but was hilarious!)

Speidi is known for their fights, but they both seem so preachy, vain and shallow you’d think they’d be a good match!

By Sheri

KRISTEN STEWART HATES GETTING HER PIC TAKEN

Just when I’d had enough of Kristen Stewart’s whining about interview questions and getting her photo taken… (She’s a top actress getting top money – what did she expect would happen?) She goes way too far!

In a recent interview in Elle magazine, she complains about her photos (Well, you could crack a smile and stand up straight when you know you’re being photographed such as in the pic above, Kristen!) and then she adds something unbelievably shocking, upsetting and totally out of line as well as disrespectful! Here’s what Stewart said:

“What you don’t see are cameras shoved in my face and the bizarre,
intrusive questions being asked or people falling over themselves
screaming and taunting to get a reaction.” “The photos are so…
I feel like I’m looking at someone being raped.”

It boggles the mind how anyone, especially a top actress in a major magazine, can say something so insensitive and ignorant! You can hardly compare paparazzi or other photos in which her highness was captured on camera for the media to the violent, horrible act of rape!

She insults everyone, especially anyone who has ever been the victim of a rape! Maybe she should take a trip to the L.A.P.D and ask to see some real rape photos – terrible bruises, cuts, bleeding, risk of deadly disease…. Oh yeah Kristen Stewart “intrusive questions” and unflattering photos are exactly the same thing… NOT!

You’d think she’d be way more sensitive! As a teen, one of Kristen Stewart’s earliest acting jobs was in a PSA about campus security precautions for women. Was she only doing it for the paycheck or what? If she didn’t want to become a star and face the interviews and photos and people “screaming” then maybe accounting or being a recluse would have been a better choice. You seriously owe all rape victims, male and female, a big apology lady!!!!

By Sheri

MEGAN FOX WON’T BE IN TRANSFORMERS 3

When Megan Fox made those shocking comments to Transformers director, Michael Bay, last fall, likening him to Hitler and saying his films didn’t take much acting, it didn’t seem then like she’d be fired as Bay made light of it (Smart move as he’d look so much worse if he made a big deal of it!) He did say that Fox “had a lot of growing up to do.”

But now, Bay has a bunch of models reading for Fox’s role opposite Shia LaBeouf. (The fact that most of them have no prior acting experience kinda supports Fox’s point about the not much acting required though, doesn’t it?) Supposedly the frontrunner is English Victoria’s Secret model, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, but others with some acting chops who are rumored to have a chance are Gemma Arterton (Prince of Persia) and Brooklyn Decker (from the new Jennifer Aniston film, Just Go With It.) BTW, I can’t believe that Heidi Montag was said to have asked Bay for the role.. (If she did, she needs plastic surgery on her brain…)

Although Fox’s rep insists that Megan wasn’t fired by Bay, that she was the one who decided not to return to Transformers 3, rumors persist that it was Michael Bay’s choice not to keep Fox in the movie series. There is a lot of weight to this since it is a directing decision. Michael Bay recently commented that he thinks Shia LaBeouf needs a new love interest in Transformers 3.

Plus why would Megan Fox quit when her film, Jennifer’s Body, didn’t do great box office and the upcoming Jonah Hex may be cursed for her too if the critics are to be believed? But, to answer my own question, if Fox was pissed (and stupid) enough to call a director Hitler, well then I guess she’d be lame enough to quit too…