Chris Brown is embarking on a new phase of his career. The controversial, 23-year-old singer signed a modeling contract with Wilhelmina, WWD reports, in hopes of landing new fashion and beauty endorsements. “Art and style has always played a significant role in my life; it’s evolved with me throughout my career,” Brown said of his new gig in a statement. Three years after assaulting then-GF Rihanna, and despite a string of questionable actions since, Breezy is considered a marketable brand these days. “Chris Brown is a multifaceted artist with a unique take on style, and we are excited to translate and extend his brand,” said Taylor Hendrich, director of Wilhelmina Men. Brown said earlier this month that “I can’t hate people for making judgment on me or not liking me. I’m good with knowing everything isn’t always going to be perfect.” “All I can do is try to be better as a person .” Actions > Words. Just saying. Anywho, Rihanna ‘s and Karrueche ‘s co-BF joins the ranks of Wilhelmina’s other big-name celeb clients, including Fergie, Natasha Bedingfield and Keri Hilson. What do you think: Will Chris Brown make a good model? Yes! The boy is FINE! No, he’s not attractive. WOMAN BEATER View Poll »
If you weren’t one of the scores of moviegoers who contributed to Skyfall’ s $90 million box office take this past weekend and you’re still in spoiler-avoidance mode, then you should stop reading right here. If you did see the movie over the weekend, then you’re probably still thinking about the surprises that Skyfall holds for James Bond fans. Key among them is the reveal in the movie’s final scenes that Naomie Harris , who opens the movie by accidentally shooting Daniel Craig ‘s Bond, is the franchise’s sexy new Ms. Moneypenny. In an interview with Movieline , Harris talks about becoming the first black woman to join James Bond’s MI6 support team (Colin Salmon played Chief of Staff Charles Robinson in Tomorrow Never Dies , The World Is Not Enough and Die Another Day ) and how, after playing a zombie-killing bad-ass in 28 Days Later and a secret agent in Skyfall , she’s well-equipped for the apocalypse. Movieline: When you took the role of Eve in Skyfall, were you aware that you were going to be revealed as Moneypenny and what that would entail? You are clearly going to be in other Bond movies as a result of this. Harris: Let’s see, who knows! But yes, when I took the role, I was told about the role fully. And that was part of the reason that it really excited me. I knew that my character was going on this amazing journey — and in a really modern way, which is fantastic. You are the first black woman to be cast as a member of the MI6 support team and, let’s presume, in a recurring role in the franchise. Have you thought much about the cultural significance of that? I was brought up in Britain, and I’m very proud of my Britishness and my culture. And Bond is a big part of that. So, I’m very aware of the significance of this role and being in a Bond movie. I don’t take it lightly at all. Barbara and Sam and Michael auditioned actors of all different ethnicities around the world, and there was no sense of, we just want a black person for this role. I love that kind of open casting. It’s really brilliant and speaks so highly of them. It’s fundamentally who they are. They’re so progressive. They were looking for the best person for the role. [Smiles] Exactly. Related Story: ‘Skyfall’ Producers On 007’s Post-9/11 Progressive Streak & Idris Elba Rumors: Could Bond Be Black, Gay, Or A Woman? Bérénice Marlohe told me that she found the concept of being a Bond girl very abstract. Is it different for you because James Bond is so firmly rooted in your culture? I don’t have a problem with the label. I don’t necessarily think it’s relevant anymore, but I don’t have a problem with it. If that’s what people want to refer to me as, then I’m more than happy. [Being a Bond girl] means glamor, sexiness, classiness and having an enigmatic quality. It means all good things really. But I do think they’re the building blocks for more. So, I would hate to be just that. That’s the starting point, basically. You’ve got to have so much more. You’ve also got to be extremely fit. I was surprised by all of the physical training you had to undergo for the role. Were you aware of this going in or did it surprise you? Sam did say to me, “It’s an action role, but you’ve done action stuff before. You’re used to that.” And in the audition, I was like, “Yeah, yeah, yeah, I’ll do anything. I can ride. I can shoot.” So I kind of agreed to it, and then I didn’t realize how intense it was going to be. It was two months, five days a week, two hours a day working with a personal trainer who did running and circuit training and yoga. Then it was three days a week on the gun range: machine guns, Walther PPK’s, sniper rifes. Then it was two days a week doing stunt driving. And once a week with the stunt guys doing combat training as well. So, for a girl who does not exercise, that was a big physical change. And I have to say it was really tough in the beginning, but by the end of it, I got used to it. I loved it, actually. Do you own a gun? No! I certainly do not own a gun, although I went through my bag the other day and discovered that I had a dummy gun in there that we used while we were filming. Good thing you didn’t go to the airport with that. I know! I definitely would have gotten arrested. Between 28 Days Later and Skyfall , you are clearly prepared for the apocalypse. I am. I’m the woman to be with if there’s any crisis going down. What are you doing next in between your Bond films? I finished Bond and then two days later, I flew to South Africa to play Winnie Mandela in Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom . I finished that a month ago. So, I’m going to do this tour for Skyfall , which is over a month long, and then I’m having a break. It’s a year of non-stop work. Have you talked to Danny Boyle about doing any more work with him? I haven’t, but I would always work with Danny because he’s an amazing director. I really credit him with giving me the career that I have. He’s the guy who — when I had just left drama school — took a risk on me and cast me in 28 Days Later , which changed my life and my career. And then 10 years later, he was the guy who cast me in Frankenstein on the Olivier stage when I hadn’t done theater for 10 years. And that’s how I got Bond, which has brought my career to a whole new level. So I would always work with Danny. Have you ever thought about directing? No. I think that if I was going to do anything it would be writing. That’s what my Mum does. [Editor’s Note; Harris’ mother is sitcom writer Lisselle Kayla.] That’s what I grew up around. But at the moment, I have no real interest in that. I always imagine myself retiring and writing somewhere in the countryside. Let’s see. Read more on Skyfall and celebrate Bond’s 50th anniversary with all things 007. Follow Frank DiGiacomo on Twitter. Follow Movieline on Twitter.
Following the shocking news that David Petraeus resigned yesterday as director of the CIA due to an extramarital affair, news outlets have now confirmed the woman at the heart of that scandal: Paula Broadwell, the former chief of U.S. Central Command’s biographer. A Harvard graduate, Broadwell spent a great deal of time with Petraeus while doing research for “All In: The Education of General David Petraeus.” She wrote and talked about the unlimited access she was granted for the book, which included running in the mountains of Afghanistan with the General. Broadwell is a native of North Dakota and was valedictorian of her high school. She currently resides in Charlotte with her husband and has two children. An FBI investigation reportedly uncovered evidence that Broadwell and Petraeus were involved romantically. The former has yet to make a statement, while the latter handed his letter of resignation to President Obama yesterday. Petraeus has been married for 37 years and also has two kids with his wife, Holly. He entered civilian life as the head of the CIA in 2011, following nearly four decades as a decorated military officer.
“Why you hatin’ on me ho?!” Cee-Lo Had Long Relationship With Sex Abuse Accuser According to TMZ reports : The woman accusing Cee Lo Green of drugging and sexually assaulting her was not on a first date with the singer — not by a long shot — they had a long history together … TMZ has learned. TMZ broke the story … the woman told cops Cee Lo took her to a downtown L.A. restaurant in July, where she claims he slipped a drug in her drink. She says the next thing she knew she was laying nekkid in a bed with him in a room. Cops are investigating the allegation and we’re told the case will be referred to the L.A. County DA. Sources connected with the case tell us … the woman and Cee Lo met at the Super Bowl in February, 2011. They hung out over the weekend. She went back to Houston, where she lives, and Cee Lo returned to L.A., but they stayed in touch and dated off and on for the next year-and-a-half. In addition to seeing each other (he flew her out to L.A. from time to time), they frequently texted and spoke on the phone. Sources tells TMZ … the woman sometimes asked Cee Lo to buy her expensive things and even asked his friend how she could get him to buy her expensive things. Sources connected with Cee Lo tell us … on the day in question, he had flown her out to L.A. They went to the restaurant and afterward both took Ecstasy and stayed up all night. One source says, “No one was unconscious.” Hmmmm, so could this broad have flipped on Cee-lo because he wouldn’t buy her some “red bottoms”??? Image via WENN
The age-defying Jenny McCarthy is 40 today. Happy birthday to the bona fide hottie! “I sadly have the same thought that my parents say every birthday which is, I don’t feel that old,” she says of the big 4-0. “So, I have decided to make my mindset 40 is the new 15.” “Okay, fine… the new 22.” The Playboy cover girl’s ideal present on this first day of November? “Bradley Cooper in my shower right now would be a pretty awesome birthday gift,” she writes . We don’t imagine she’ll get a lot of arguments from the ladies on that one. Things Jenny can do without include “saggy boobs, receding gums, back pain, wrinkles, poor eyesight and muscle loss … are you youngsters excited to turn 40?” “Surprisingly, I am,” she adds, noting that the benefits make up for it. “Even though age comes with morbid conditions, I must say, it’s worth it for the wisdom that you gain.” “Sounds a little yoda-ish, but all the years of self- realization and work I’ve done on myself makes me okay with where I’m at in my life. I know who I am.” “I work my ass off to provide for my boy, I have an amazing son and we are both healthy. What better birthday present can I possibly ask for?” Amen to that. As for your present … enjoy these Jenny McCarthy photos !
U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) has denied sleeping with two prostitutes in the Dominican Republic after a video featuring their accusations emerged on the Daily Caller. Bob Menendez Sex Scandal (Audio) Two women from the Caribbean nation told the conservative website that Menendez paid them for sex earlier this year after meeting at Casa de Campo, a resort. They claimed Menendez agreed to pay them $500 for sex acts, but in the end received only $100. When shown a photo of Menendez, both recognized him. The women spoke through a translator in the company of their attorney, Melanio Figueroa. Their identities remain obscured for fear of reprisals in the D.R. The senator denies the allegations, according to the Daily Caller . Neither knew the identity of their allegedly deceitful patron at the time. Both claimed to recognize him later as Sen. Menendez. “He called him[self] ‘Bob,’” said one. One woman said Menendez wooed her with compliments like “beautiful” before they slept together. The other woman recounted being shafted … regarding payment, that is. “He lies,” she said of Menendez. “He says one thing and does another.” According to the translator’s summary, Menendez “was nice at first, but then later he did not seem to care about her.” Menendez, 58 and divorced, has represented New Jersey in the U.S. Senate since being appointed to fill a vacancy in 2005. He is up for re-election Tuesday. Asked about the allegations, Menendez spokeswoman Tricia Enright refused to answer: “We’re not going to respond to a completely false accusation,” she wrote by email.
Cat Woman and Aaron Cross will take to the Saturday Night Live stage next month. The iconic sketch comedy show announced today that Anne Hathaway and Jeremy Renner will host the program’s November 10 and November 17 episodes, respectively. It will mark the actor’s first time as emcee and Hathaway’s third go-around. Joining the Les Miserables star will be musical guest Rihanna (in promotion of her album ” Unapologetic “), while Adam Levine and Maroon 5 will join Renner. Louis C.K., meanwhile hosts this Saturday and has filmed a few hilarious promos for the installment. Watch them below: Louis C.K. SNL Promos
Tim Tebow is yet to score as a member of the New York Jets. But reports are surfacing that the below average quarterback is scoring off the field with actress Camilla Belle… if you know what we mean! The rumored new couple was spotted out in Jacksonville Tuesday night, as Tebow and Belle bowled and partied at Latitude 30. Witnesses tell TMZ they were holding hands throughout the evening and are “definitely an item.” Belle, of course, famously dated Joe Jonas in 2009 and is supposedly the woman for whom that artist left Taylor Swift. She has also been linked in the past to Robert Pattinson . Tebow, meanwhile, might be the most famous virgin on the planet. But, hey, at least Belle can ogle this video of Tim Tebow shirtless all day long.
Having walked down the aisle, her dreams having come true, Jessica Biel has an announcement to make: She will soon be Jessica Timberlake! “Yes, I’m changing my name,” the actress says in the latest issue of People , which gives us a look at the Jessica Biel wedding dress . “My professional name will still be the same, but for life, yes, I think it sounds great. I think I really won the jackpot of names.” And the jackpot of husbands, too, as she exchanged vows with Justin Timberlake on October 19. “It’s hard to find that one person in the world,” Biel tells the magazine. “Once you find that person, go for it. That kind of commitment is very special.” The actress and the singer/actor/all-around awesome and hilarious guy got married in Southern Italy, treating around 100 friends and family members to a week-long celebration there. We wish them nothing but the best.
