Kate Middleton, Great Britain’s Duchess of Cambridge, will spend her second wedding anniversary in a way that sums her up well as an individual. They will visit Naomi Children’s Hospice in Hampshire, England, on April 29. Expecting their first child in July, the royal is set to tour the facility, meeting with patients and families as well as the staff, volunteers and supporters. Children’s Hospice Week runs until May 3 and is the sole awareness and fundraising week in the UK for helping kids with life-limiting conditions and related services. Children’s charities have been near and dear to the hearts of Kate Middleton and Prince William , who are said to be closer and more in love than ever.
Simon Cowell has more important things to worry about than your thoughts on his sexuality. To wit: Who will be joining Demi Lovato as a judge on The X Factor this fall? And how can he stop that show from sucking? So when asked by Great Britain’s Radio Times about rumors that he’s gay, the TV and music producer gave a classic, Cowell-like response: No, but think whatever the heck you want! “I couldn’t care less because it’s nothing to be ashamed of,” Cowell said . “It feels like such an antiquated question now. If I was living 200 years ago in a coal mine, maybe, but I work in possibly the gayest industry in the world.” HAHA, how true! What else needs to be even be said on the matter? Little, but Simon did elaborate that if he were gay, “it would make no difference to my life or my career. A lot of my friends are gay, but I’m not.” And there you have it, folks. Spread all the rumors your heart sees fit.
Happy Presidents Day! True American heroes don’t come any truer than George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, two giants of history honored today. The very first President of the United States, Washington led the rebellion over Great Britain, then helped oversee the birth of this great nation’s constitution. Four score and seven years later, Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address, steadfastly vying to preserve the union his predecessors fought so valiantly for. Long story short? Both were the best of their time, and remain legends today. Ranking their achievements and indelible marks is close to impossible. But who’s your favorite of the two? Vote below! And the Winner is? Abraham Lincoln Click Here To Vote for Abe George Washington Click Here To Vote for G-Dubs They were both A-plus chief executives, but which U.S. President do you love more, Abraham Lincoln or George Washington? That’s what we wanna know! View Poll »
DOWNTON ABBEY SEASON 4 SPOILER ALERT: A major star is exciting this British smash, and we know who… and we know HOW. Consider yourself spoiler warned, THGers… Dan Stevens will leave the award-winning drama following the upcoming third season, which kicks off on January 6 in the U.S. The actor has confirmed this departure in an interview with London’s The Telegraph , which ran the day after a Downton Abbey Christmas special aired in Great Britain – during which his character of Matthew Crawley is killed in a car accident. “We were always optioned for three years,” the 30-year-old actor says. “And when that came up it was a very difficult decision. But it felt like a good time to take stock, to take a moment. From a personal point of view, I wanted a chance to do other things.” But will Stevens miss the series ? Most definitely. “It is a very monopolising job,” he tells the newspaper. “So there is a strange sense of liberation at the same time as great sadness because I am very, very fond of the show and always will be.”
Heidi Klum has made headlines in recent weeks for stepping out with her bodyguard and new lover, Martin Kristen . But the supermodel is in the news now for a far more benevolent reason: she is posing without any makeup in the name of charity. The image was snapped by photographer Rankin and taken on behalf of a new campaign that encourages women in Great Britain to go makeup-free on November 9 to help raise money for disadvantaged kids. “I am so proud to be taking part in this year’s BBC Children in Need BearFaced campaign,” the 39-year-old mother of four said. “Having worked in the fashion industry for a number of years, I am a firm believer of encouraging women’s empowerment. And what better way to do so than [by] supporting such a fantastic charity.” It’s a great cause. Of course, if you wish to see this beauty truly going all natural, feast your eyes on a Heidi Klum nude pic. Hubba, hubb a, huh, fellas?
The feature documentary had a limited roll out in Texas and other locations in mid-July, but after expanding to additional screens in the lead-up to the Republican convention, it has reaped more than $10.5 million to date at the box office. (The doc is second only, so far, to Katy Perry: Part of Me , which has earned in excess of $25.3 million domestically, as the top non-fiction film of the year.) Those box-office numbers could get a boost now that the anti-Obama doc has scored a high-power endorsement from conservative media mogul Rupert Murdoch. The embattled News Corp. chairman gave 2016: Obama’s America his thumbs up via Twitter, even as questions arise about the veracity of the film’s assertions. Murdoch said via a Tweet : Just saw 2016. Truly scary if no answer. Every voter should see and decide for self what future they want for America. Obama’s America is based on Dinesh D’Souza’s 2010 New York Times -best selling book The Roots of Obama’s Rage . D’Souza and John Sullivan co-directed and co-wrote the film, and the filmmakers said that Murdoch asked for a screener of the film, according to The Hollywood Reporter . In part, the film scrutinizes Obama’s Kenyan-born father and his alleged anti-colonialist views. (What is now Kenya gained independence from Great Britain in 1964). The elder Obama’s views, according to D’Souza, explain why President Obama rejects “American Exceptionalism” and why the author-filmmaker believes he is aiming to “re-shape America” by reducing the U.S.’s overall global reach and influence. According to the AP, 2016: Obama’s America also asserts the president’s views were reinforced by his upbringing in Hawaii, which was effectively annexed by the U.S. after the overthrow of its monarchy in the 1890s. Obama’s father left his family when Barack was just 2 years old and visited only once when the future president was was 10, the AP reports , but D’Souza’s film argues that this absence actually reinforced the son’s ties to his father, who died in a car accident when Obama fils was in college. D’Souza interviews NYU psychologist Paul Vitz who studies the impact of absent fathers. Vitz says the void meant that “he has the tension between the Americanism and his Africanism. He himself is an intersection of major political forces in his own psychology.” 2016 also delves into a host of issues ranging from the Federal Deficit to Obama’s supposed “weirdly sympathetic” leanings to Muslim jihadists. While the debt has grown by $16 trillion under Obama, the film fails to mention the 2008 global financial crisis that preceded it under his predecessor, George W. Bush. And it does not mention his order to kill Osama Bin Laden in May 2011. [ Have you seen 2016: Obama’s America? Tell us what you think… ] [Sources: A.P. , THR ]
Andy Murray of Great Britain won an Olympic gold medal for the host country in tennis on Sunday, stunning top-ranked Roger Federer in straight sets. The victory marked a career breakthrough for the 25-year-old Murray, who had lost all four of his previous Grand Slam finals, three against Federer. Redemption came in the form of a 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 blowout. Murray, who lost to Federer just last month in his bid to become the UK’s first Wimbledon champion in 76 years, dominated him on the same court today. “I’ve had a lot of tough losses in my career,” the pride of Dunblane, Scotland said. “This is the best way to come back from the Wimbledon final.” “I’ll never, ever forget it.” For 17-time Grand Slam winner Federer, the loss marked a surprising disappointment as he has now failed to win singles gold in four Olympics. “He was much better than I was today,” said the Switzerland native, as classy an athlete as there is in any sport. “Still I’m very happy with the silver.” Murray won nine straight games spanning the first two sets to take control, breaking Federer’s serve an unheard of four times in a row at one point. He credited his inspired play to the raucous crowd support he received from British fans, who cheered their hero’s every shot en route to gold. America’s Serena Williams won the women’s gold medal Saturday.
Jenni “JWoww” Farley of Jersey Shore fame is seen here at a store signing on behalf of the natural body supplement, Ab Cuts Sleek & Lean by Revolution. First-ever use of ” JWoww ” and “natural” in the same sentence? When looking for a celebrity to promote an all-natural weight-loss supplement, you have to think JWoww is #1 on any company’s list, right? Definitely. Non-ironic marketing at its finest. [Photos: WENN.com]
The American Idol judging carousel has now stopped at Nick Jonas and Pharrell Williams. Following the rumor that Brad Paisley was under serious consideration to join this panel on Season 12, Us Weekly has now presented fans with a new scenario: Randy Jackson will be moved to mentoring status and both these young artists will slide in next to Mariah Carey behind the critical desk. “Nick is pretty close to signing to be the Idol judge,” one insider says of Jonas . “They flew him in to L.A. last week for final meetings.” Jonas, of course, is very good friends with new X Factor star Demi Lovato. He even played a duet with Lovato during a concert in Los Angeles this month. Producers reportedly think Nick and Pharrell – who has produced hits for Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake and Gwen Stefani – can bring a younger demographic to Idol . We had no idea the demographic had grown above 14. Which of these two options would have you more excited to tune in next year?
The London Olympics are great for so many reasons, most pertaining to the incredible athletic competition among a moving cross-section of humanity. The deluge of Kate Middleton pictures is also great. The unofficial face of the host nation is setting even more fashion trends than usual this week. Her latest? A cute, blue Smythe Navy One Button Blazer! Kate wore the item at the Cross Country Equestrian event – where Prince William’s cousin Zara Phillips actually competed for Great Britain – Monday (above). Kate Middleton fashion followers may recall that she also was seen in this same blazer at Heathrow airport and on her trip to Canada in Summer 2011. Clearly it works for her … as if anything doesn’t. Check out a few more images of her looking great in it below, plus some bonus pictures of Kate welcoming the Olympic torch to Buckingham Palace: [Photos: WENN.com]
