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Hollywood stars KATE WINSLET and PENELOPE CRUZ have struck up a surprisingly close friendship in the run-up to this year’s (09) Oscars - despite only having met three times.
The unlikely pair, who are both competing for this year’s (09) Best Supporting Actress gong, have been offering each other phone support daily in the countdown to the prestigious show.
And Cruz insists she and Winslet enjoy a far-from-bitter relationship, contrary to reports.
She says, "Kate and I have become very close even though we have only met three times. Everyone likes to think there’s rivalry between us but that’s not true." Cruz is nominated for her part in Vicky Cristina Barcelona, and Winslet received the nod for her role in The Reader.
The Academy Awards ceremony will take place in Los Angeles on 22 February (09).

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Troubled singer AMY WINEHOUSE has reportedly handed control of her $21 million (£15 million) fortune over to her parents.
The Rehab hitmaker has been enjoying a sunshine break in St. Lucia since December (08) following numerous health problems throughout 2008, which included a stint in rehab and several prolonged stays in hospital.
The star has been known to spend recklessly in the past - but in a bid to keep a reign on her vast earnings, she is now said to have signed over controlling rights of her money to parents Mitch and Janis.
It means that Winehouse cannot make any major business decisions concerning her company, Cherry Westfield, without consulting them first.
A source tells Britain’s Sunday Mirror newspaper, "Everyone is pleased because it means Amy is listening to good advice. It’s still her money and nobody else can touch it. But this stops her doing anything stupid. And it is evidence that Amy is really turning her life around." The singer reportedly signed documents which give her parents "articles of association", handing them shares in her company and voting rights that could restrict her actions.
The source adds, "Mitch convinced Amy she needs a safety valve for the money for her own good - to stop her doing anything rash. She can be very impetuous and the family wanted to protect her. She cannot make a sudden decision.
"Her dad wad also worried she might be tempted to go back to (her jailed husband) Blake (Fielder-Civil) - and put him in charge. That is now impossible. This would never have happened before, certainly not when she was with Blake. It’s her money and nobody else can touch it. But she can’t do anything stupid."

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MISCHA BARTON has found herself caught up in a love triangle, with reports suggesting THE KOOKS front man LUKE PRITCHARD is not the only man in her life.
The former O.C. star has been dating the British rocker since December (08), but has reportedly also been linked to DJ and club promoter Tom Wright.
Wright was said to have been less than impressed when he saw snaps of Barton out with Pritchard, with a pal telling British tabloid News of the World that he feels he’s being made a fool of.
The pal says, "He’s convinced they are an item but is panicking after seeing Mischa and Luke holding hands. He feels he might have to have Mischa on a tighter leash." Barton has previously dated a string of musicians, including Cisco Adler and Rooney guitarist Taylor Locke.

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Soccer ace DAVID BECKHAM is set to join Italian club AC Milan permanently - while wife VICTORIA stays in Los Angeles with their children, according to reports.
The sportsman transferred to the European side from Los Angeles Galaxy for a three month stint, which ends next month (Mar09), leaving his wife to jet between the U.S. and Europe.
The pair’s three young children - Brooklyn, nine, six-year-old Romeo and Cruz, three - are schooled in L.A. and the couple is said to be reluctant to remove them while they are settled there.
And now the former Spice Girl and her husband - who previously played for Spanish soccer giants Real Madrid - have reportedly made the tough decision to live apart for the good of their family.
A friend of the couple tells British newspaper the Sunday Mirror, "It was a painful decision for Victoria and there were a lot of tears. She was really worried about leaving David behind in Italy. It brought back terrible memories of Madrid and all the stories about women and nightclubs.
"But what she likes about Milan is that it is a very family-friendly team. After the matches, it is very Italian and players are out with their wives and children. It’s not like Real Madrid where they were all egotistical, supergod players with their fast cars and champagne lifestyle." The singer is already plotting to move her fashion design studio from London to Milan so she can work on her dVb clothing range when she jets over to see her husband of nine years.
The source adds, "She also realised she was fighting a losing battle - David is playing extremely well with Milan and she can see he has got his spark back. He knows if he is going to make the England World Cup 2010 team he has got to start playing top-flight football again.
"Posh decided she has to stay in Los Angeles for the children but will commute regularly to Milan."

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A suitcase stolen from pop star KYLIE MINOGUE has been recovered by a woman in London - yet the singer reportedly failed to thank her for returning the bag.
Mother-of-nine Soraya Khashoggi found the case, containing extravagant clothing and shoes from top fashion labels, near her home in Fulham, west London - along with an Australian email address.
Yet when she finally contacted the singer’s agent, having looked after the prized bag, she enjoyed a less than welcome visit from London cops - and now feels "bruised" by the ordeal.
She says, "They (police) came… and were making me out to be some kind of baddie (villain) when I had been trying to be a Good Samaritan but I refused to hand it over until someone would confirm what was in it.
"Then, I got hold of Kylie’s assistant and she finally admitted it was Kylie’s bag and had been stolen from her office. So I met her and handed it over." She adds, "The whole experience has left me feeling bruised and I wish I hadn’t tried to help, particularly given the behaviour of the police, who should have better things to do.
"I certainly don’t expect anything from Kylie but a thank-you letter would be very nice."

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Hollywood actress CAMERON DIAZ is considering buying a home in Essex, England with British boyfriend PAUL SCULFOR, according to reports.
The actress and her bricklayer-turned-model beau enjoyed a romantic stay at plush British country hotel Babington House last year (08), while they were in the country visiting Sculfor’s family.
And the couple enjoyed their relaxing countryside break so much they have reportedly declared interest in a luxurious $3.2 million (£2.2 million) mansion in Sculfor’s home county of Essex.
A source tells British newspaper the Mail on Sunday, "Cameron was reading the papers by the fire (at Babington House) and talking about how they needed their own country retreat." A friend of Sculfor adds, "Paul is keen to have a place in Essex, preferably close to his parents’ home in Hornchurch. The couple have already checked out a £2.2 million mansion in Basildon."

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COLDPLAY frontman CHRIS MARTIN has written a song heaping praise on shamed British TV host JONATHON ROSS - a year after the presenter made lewd remarks to his wife GWYNETH PALTROW.
The star performed the tune, which defended the presenter following his three month suspension from the network, on Ross’ radio show on Saturday (31Jan08). Ross faced the hiatus after he and comic Russell Brand left "grossly offensive" voice mail messages on former Fawlty Towers star Andrew Sachs’ answer machine during a live radio broadcast in October (08).
Ross previously told Hollywood star Paltrow he wanted to sleep with her during on his prime-time talk show last year (08), sparking yet more rows with bosses.
Yet Martin leaped to Ross’ defence with the tune, condemning those who banned him as "idiots".
He says, "You are great man - don’t put yourself down. Everyone thinks you are great except for some idiots that shouldn’t be listened to and I can say what I like ‘cos I can leave." He added he wanted to play the song, "to represent the people in the nation that love you, which is a lot of people." The ditty begins, "Back on TV/ After a month or three/ I done my penance for my wrong/ Back on TV, back on the BBC…" Martin continues, "They said that I had crossed a line/ But they would know if they ever watched my show/ That I’m offensive all the time."

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DANNY BOYLE has scooped the top accolade at the Directors Guild of America Awards for his hit film SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE.
Boyle beat out competition from Ron Howard (Frost/Nixon), David Fincher (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button), Gus Van Sant (Milk) and Christopher Nolan (The Dark Knight) at the ceremony in Los Angeles on Saturday (31Jan09) night.
The Best Director nod is a key indicator of possible Oscar success for Boyle later this month (22Feb09), who is up for the same nod, while the movie will compete in nine other categories.
Accepting his award onstage from directors Joel and Ethan Coen, who took home the prize last year (08), Boyle thanked the movie’s distributors for taking on the hit film - which was originally meant for a DVD-only release.
He told the crowd, "I should start by curiously thanking Warner Bros for actually having the grace to do the right thing, when I think it would have been a lot easier to do the wrong thing, and pass the film on to Fox Searchlight, who are an extraordinary bunch of people.
"To step into the shoes of people like the Coen brothers, it’s phenomenal
. I have stolen from them all my career, in a naked and appalling way." Veteran film critic Roger Ebert walked away with the honorary life membership award and received tributes from Steven Spielberg, Clint Eastwood, Martin Scorsese and Oliver Stone.
The main winners are as follows: Outstanding Directorial Achievement in a Feature Film: Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television/Miniseries: Jay Roach, Recount Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series Night: Dan Attias, The Wire Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series: Paul Feig, The Office Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Musical Variety: Brent Gunts, the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics Outstanding Directorial Achievement in a Reality Programme: Tony Croll, America’s Next Top Model Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Documentary: Ari Folman, Waltz With Bashir Honorary Life Member Award: Roger Ebert

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Shamed pop star BOY GEORGE’s time in jail has been made easier by his caring fans - they are sending the former CULTURE CLUB frontman money to spend during his stint behind bars.
The singer - real name George O’Dowd - was sentenced to serve 15 months in prison last month (Jan09) for chaining Norwegian Audun Carlsen to a hook in a bedroom at his East London apartment in April 2007.
During his incarceration in North London’s infamous Pentonville jail, George has received over 400 letters and cards from fans.
And followers of the 47-year-old are making sure his time behind bars is comfortable - many are also enclosing cash for him to spend on luxuries, which the star is putting in a prison bank account, according to reports.
A prison insider tells British newspaper the Sunday Mirror, "It’s unbelievable why so many people would want to spend their money on him.
"But he has been genuinely touched by people’s concern for him."

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American singer/songwriter LISA LOEB has wed her partner of two years ROEY HERSHKOVITZ in a traditional Jewish ceremony in New York.
The Stay (I Missed You) hitmaker tied the knot with Hershkovitz, a music supervisor for TV show Late Night with Conan O’Brien, on Saturday (31Jan09).
The couple exchanged vows in front of 275 guests at a restaurant in Manhattan, Loeb’s representative confirms to People.com.
Loeb and Hershkovitz became engaged in November (08).

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BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN regrets giving American retailer Wal-Mart the exclusive release rights to one of his albums - calling the decision "a mistake".
The LP, a 12-track collection of his greatest hits, went on sale in Wal-Mart stores on 10 January (09).
The move angered Springsteen fans who claimed that teaming up with the retail giant, whose bosses have been accused of anti-union practises, conflicted with The Boss’ principles.
In an interview with the New York Times, Springsteen admits the decision was made too hastily.
He says, �Given its labour history, it was something that if we�d thought about it a little longer, we�d have done something different. It was a mistake.
"Our batting average is usually very good, but we missed that one. Fans will call you on that stuff, as it should be.� Springsteen and his E Street Band recently unveiled plans for a massive world tour this year, starting in California in April (09) and ending up in Santiago, Spain on 2 August (09).

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