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Speedy movie star JASON STATHAM won the lead role in a new 60-second Audi Super Bowl ad after cementing himself in the driving seat as the car firm’s number one celebrity fan.
The actor not only drives Audis in his Transporter films, but he owns two - and he also narrated the documentary The Truth in 24, which chronicles the car firm’s successes in the Le Mans 24-hour rally.
Audi spokesman Andrew Lipman admits the car company never had any play to use anyone else for the minute-long spot, which will debut in America during the Super Bowl telecast on Sunday (01Feb09).
He says, "We’ve worked with Jason before and he’s wonderful to work with… He’s a big enthusiast of the brand.
"We wanted an action-adventure type of an ad and Jason exudes that."

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U.S. talk show host ELIZABETH HASSELBECK is pregnant with her third child with American football star husband TIM HASSELBECK.
The View co-host announced she was again an expecting mum on the morning chat show on Thursday (29Jan09), admitting she was stunned by the news herself.
The 31-year-old was exhausted after months of reporting on the U.S. Presidential election, and suspected a heavy workload was to blame for her fatigue.
She says, "I’m pregnant again! I’m due in August… We were thoroughly happy with the surprise of it. I didn’t even know for two months. I was walking around - I thought I had - I kept saying, â��Electionitis, electionitis.’ "I was tired, I was nauseous, I thought I was worn out from the whole procedure. No. I was knocked up and didnâ��t realise it." The couple share a three-year-old daughter, Grace, and 14-month-old son, Taylor Thomas.

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Actor CHAD LOWE is taking on a new role as dad - his girlfriend is expecting their first child.
Emmy-winning actor Lowe, 41, will welcome the new addition with his partner of two years, producer Kim Painter, this summer (09).
A spokesperson for the actor says, "The couple is overjoyed and could not be happier." Lowe finalised his divorce from ex-wife Hilary Swank in 2007.

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Veteran entertainer MARIE OSMOND will return to American TV sets after signing a deal for her own talk show.
Osmond will focus on her off-stage life as a single mum-of-eight on new show Marie, after finalising a deal with WNBC to air the programme debuting in the autumn (09).
The show will be aired from Las Vegas, where Osmond currently resides and holds a long-term performance contract with older brother, Donny.
The 49-year-old recently enjoyed a TV stint on on reality competition series Dancing with the Stars in 2007; the siblings also co-hosted a comedy-variety show in the late 1990s.

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WU-TANG CLAN rapper MASTA KILLA is encouraging fans to turn vegetarian after joining a campaign by the youth division of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).
The star cut out all meat from his diet 13 years ago after he was taught by his grandmother about the importance of respecting animals.
And now he’s looking to inspire a new generation of teens to follow suit, by recording a new public service announcement (PSA) - introducing fans to his four-year-old son, Eternal, who has been vegetarian since birth, reports AllHipHop.com.
In the peta2 campaign, he says, "Growing up, I was taught to love and respect all life. Now that I�m a parent, I�m teaching my son to love and respect all life too. We don�t think that any creature should have to suffer or die for our dinner when there are so many other foods for us to choose from." (MT/WNWCAH/ZN) WENN - FIFTH - HOLLYWOOD, SHOWBIZ & PEOPLE NEWS - 29 JAN 2009

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Rapper MIMS is following in MIKE JONES’ footsteps in a bid to get to know his fans - he’s handed out his cell phone number.
The This Is Why I’m Hot hitmaker has posted his digits on his MySpace.com page, so devotees can call him up anytime of the day and get some one-on-one time with him.
And even though he now receives hundreds of calls a day, he still finds the time to call people back.
He tells XXLMag.com, "You give away things like your number, you spend a little bit of extra time shaking a hand, and making sure people understand who you are as a person.
"The way music speaks nowadays it’s become more of a lifestyle, because of that we gotta be a little more personable with my fans.
"Most of the times the calls are just really saying, ‘Hello, I like your music, I’m a big fan’ and then my response back would be, ‘I appreciate you for checking it out’. If they address me with their name, I like to address them with the name back. That way it’s really me ’cause a lot of times, you’ll think it’s a gimmick and you’re not really getting the artist you think you’re contacting." Fellow MC Jones gave out his mobile number to the public in 2005 during promotion for his debut album Who Is Mike Jones?.

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The screenwriter behind the new NOTORIOUS B.I.G. biopic is turning his hand to fellow legendary rap icons RUN-D.M.C.
Notorious writer Cheo Hodari Coker has been hired to adapt Bill Adler’s Tougher Than Leather: The Rise of Run-DMC - The Authorized Biography for the big screen.
The project, based on the rise of Joseph ‘Rev Run’ Simmons, Darryl ‘DMC’ McDaniels and beatmaster Jason ‘Jam Master Jay’ Mizell - who was shot dead in a Queens, New York studio in 2002 - will be made by DJ Classicz, the urban division of Davis Entertainment.
DJ Classicz president Dallas Jackson tells the Hollywood Reporter, "It’s an extraordinary rags-to-riches journey that I’m eager to bring to the screen. And I’m hoping to have Run, DMC and (band manager) Russell Simmons’ involvement. This will be a big movie about the 1980s hip-hop movement that took over the world."

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Hip-hop star T.I. is helping to turn American basketball player AMAR STOUDEMIRE into a music mogul - by signing a collaborative deal to let him manage ballers-turned-rappers.
The Live Your Life hitmaker, real name Clifford Harris Jr., has aligned his Grand Hustle label with Stoudemire’s Hypocalypto Records, in a venture that T.I. hopes will open doors for him to eventually move into sports management.
The Phoenix Suns, Arizona player says, "What we are doing is collaborating as far as managing playersâ�¦That’s something I have a special interest in; with me being an athlete I know what it takes and how important it is to have a great management team.
�T.I. and Grand Hustle are great from a music standpoint. I got a record label out called Hypocalypto Records. My artist Juice is the next project for me.
"T.I. wants to get into sports management, and I’m already involved with that so we are just going to collaborate with both companies. We’ve been talking the past two weeks about making something happen. We are finally starting to get the ball rolling." Juice will be the first artist on the new joint project.

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50 CENT has finally learned to control his ego six years after bursting onto the hip-hop scene - after he caught himself following in the path of self-promoting mogul SEAN ‘DIDDY’ COMBS.
The rapper stormed the music charts with his debut single In Da Club and his 2003 album Get Rich or Die Tryin’, and admits the fame quickly went to his head.
He tells the New York Daily News, "When (my career) blew up, I developed the Diddy syndrome. That’s where this (velvet) jacket came from. As soon as you develop the Diddy syndrome, you put a little more grease in your hair, and soon enough, you’re selling cologne." But the bulked up star insists he isn’t turning down all promotional deals - he will continue to build his brand as long as the products are in sync with his image.
He adds, "Right now, I’m interested in dietary supplements. I’ll be coming up with something very soon."

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Sexy R&B star RIHANNA’s upcoming concert in Malaysia has been given the go ahead by the country’s government, despite opposition from conservative Muslims.
Malaysia’s Islamic party had called for the singing sensation to be banned from performing in the country, claiming her outfits are too sexy and would be an insult to local values - despite the Umbrella hitmaker, known for donning flesh-baring PVC corsets and knee-high boots for her gigs, agreeing to tone down her raunchy routine in early January (09).
The Malaysian government has strict rules when it comes to female performers, and artists are required to cover up from their shoulders to their knees.
But the country’s Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal has now confirmed the concert will go ahead as planned on 13 February at Stadium Putra in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur.
He says, �Rihanna and the concert organiser have assured us that they will fulfil the conditions laid out by the ministry. If that is the case, then there is no reason why they can�t hold the concert.�

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Pop star-turned-fashion designer VICTORIA BECKHAM could soon be bound for Italy - if her soccer superstar husband DAVID BECKHAM gets his way.
The sportsman recently transferred to Italian club AC Milan from Los Angeles Galaxy for a three month stint, leaving his wife to jet between the U.S. and Europe.
But the couple and its three sons, Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz, could be preparing for another upheaval - after David hinted at his frustration playing in the Major League Soccer table.
He says, "The Americans are doing everything they can to improve the level and reputation of their game. It’s a young league, and I think it needs another 10 years to become successful.
"I have to admit that, having played in Europe, sometimes it was frustrating playing in certain games. But every now and then, moving from one state to another, I also enjoyed myself." And if the star decides to extend his contract with AC Milan, club coach Carlo Ancelotti would be delighted: "He knows that he’s appreciated and esteemed, and if he stays we’ll be happy." However, Galaxy bosses won’t be letting go of Beckham without a fight.
Tim Leiweke, CEO of the Anschutz Entertainment Group, which owns L.A. Galaxy, tells the Los Angeles Times, "David is under contract to the Galaxy, and I had a good, straightforward conversation with him before he left and he loves it in L.A.
"He wants a better Galaxy team; we’re going to have a better team and David has no interest in going." Beckham previously played in Spain for Real Madrid before moving across the Atlantic to Los Angeles in 2007.

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KATE BECKINSALE’s daughter LILY almost missed out on a pivotal role in her mum’s new movie - because the actress didn’t want the nine year old to go through the harsh audition process.
Director Kirk Jones asked the Underworld star if Lily would be interested in playing her mum’s character as a girl in new movie Everybody’s Fine - but Beckinsale insisted her daughter wasn’t ready for Hollywood.
She explains, "I said, ‘No, because she’ll be coming with me to the set and if she doesn’t get the part she’ll have to turn up on the set every day and see somebody else.’" But Lily insisted on auditioning - and she landed the role. And Beckinsale was really proud of how the youngster handled herself in scenes opposite acting legend Robert De Niro.
She tells Hollywood Life magazine, "I would have been so intimidated, but she said, ‘Well, it wasn’t somebody really famous, like George Clooney.’"

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KATE BECKINSALE’s sweet tooth often gets her into trouble - because she craves sugary treats.
The actress admits she can get hooked on chocolate and candy - and has to be careful not to over-indulge.
The Underworld star says, "When I’m tired sometimes I feel I am the closest I ever get to being a drug addict. I crave sugar." And she has to watch whatever she eats and drinks - because her body reacts quickly to caffeine and alcohol.
Beckinsale explains, "I’m so sensitive I can’t even drink a cup of coffee. I can’t drink much wine. either. I’m a very cheap date.
"If I drank a whole glass of red wine I would have Chekhovian despair the next day."

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KEVIN CONNOLLY is still recovering from the "trauma" of filming a love scene with Hollywood siren SCARLETT JOHANSSON - because he perspired so much preparing for his big moment.
The pair cope with dating dilemmas in new film He’s Just Not That Into You, and Connolly admits film bosses wanted to rush the shot when they saw the actor was glistening with sweat after amping himself up for the scene.
He says, "The first day we had a post sex scene, which looks good on paper but is kind of traumatising. It was just a pose, if it would’ve been the other thing (simulating sex) it would’ve been a disaster… You’re sitting there in your underwear with the crew, it’s just weird.
"I had this idea that I would drop to the ground and do a bunch of push ups and be this big hulking man (but) I just ended up sweating."

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SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE star FREIDA PINTO missed out on a career as a TV presenter in her native India - because her boobs weren’t big enough.
The actress tried out for a news job at the beginning of her career - but was told she was too skinny.
She tells Complex magazine, "We have the voluptuous, full-figured woman thing. People say I need to get a boob job, but I’m just comfortable the way I am."

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Hit U.S. TV comedy ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT is making its way to the big screen, according to the series’ star JEFFREY TAMBOR - three years after the show wrapped.
Tambor plays grandad to actor Michael Cera’s character on the show, about a formerly wealthy, habitually dysfunctional family.
And he’s confirmed the Emmy Award-winning series will return with the pair on board - despite Cera claiming earlier this month (Jan09) the movie was "hypothetical".
Performing at a recent event in Los Angeles, Tambor said, â��If I have to call him up and say, â��Get on set right now, young man,’ the movie is going to happen this year, and Michael Cera is on board. Trust me.â�� The show wrapped its three year stint in 2006.

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TWILIGHT author STEPHENIE MEYER has abandoned writing the fifth installment of the popular vampire series - because she is too upset an unfinished manuscript of the book has leaked online.
The writer was working on her novel Midnight Sun when the half-written story made its way onto the Internet.
And Meyer is so disheartened by the move, she has put down her pen and paper indefinitely.
Next to a posting of the leaked manuscript on her website, she writes, "I feel too sad about what has happened to continue working on Midnight Sun, so it is on hold indefinitely.
"I’d rather my fans not read this version… the writing is messy and flawed and full of mistakes. But how do I comment on this violation without driving more people to look for the illegal posting?" A representative for the writer confirms to the New York Daily News, "Nothing’s changed. Stephenie has no plans to move forward with ‘Midnight Sun’ at this time." Instead, Meyer has moved on to write another tale, unrelated to the Twilight series.
The spokesperson adds, "Stephenie is working on something else at the moment. But she hasn’t announced it yet. It isn’t ‘Twilight’-related. When she’s ready to reveal it, she will. This has been an intense three years for her, and currently she’s just focusing on being a writer." The first book in Meyer’s vampire novels was turned into a big screen blockbuster last year (08), with the Robert Pattinson-starring movie grossing $337 million (£235.6 million) to date worldwide.

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The downturn in the global economy has hit HUGH HEFNER’s Playboy empire hard - he’s had to scrap his nine-year-old tradition of holding a pre-Super Bowl party before the big game at the weekend (31Jan09).
The ageing lothario has been hosting the annual Playboy event since 2000, but he’s decided to cut back on the extravagance this year (09) after bosses at the adult magazine announced a number of job cuts.
Last year (08), Hefner held a $2,000 (£1,400)-a-head oasis-themed party featuring a special performance by rapper Common.
The Super Bowl XLIII will take place in Tampa, Florida on Sunday (01Feb09).

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