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A visit to her father’s grave gave BARBRA STREISAND the courage to direct 1983 movie YENTL.
In the newly-released Yentl DVD package, the singer/actress reveals she wasn’t convinced she should be the one to direct the film, and held meetings with filmmakers like the late Claude Berri with a view to hiring someone else to direct her.
But then she visited her father’s grave for the first time.
She reveals, "When I came home my brother sent me the picture of my arm around the tombstone. And I think it was (producer) Rusty Lemorande who said, â��Oh, my God. Look at the picture.â�� In the photo, the tombstone next to her fatherâ��s was for a person named Anshel, the name Streisand’s Yentl character takes when she becomes a man.
She adds, "That was the sign - ‘I have to direct it.’"

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Bosses at animal rights group PETA have applauded LILY ALLEN for turning her back on fur - and making it clear she’ll never wear real animal skin.
Fearing she’d be pelted with red paint as part of a PETA protest for wearing what looked like fur at a recent showbusiness party, the Smile singer made it clear she was wearing faux fur.
Allen said, "My coat isn’t real fur, but it was bloody expensive. Cover me in paint and I WILL send you the bill." But the pop star isn’t on PETA’s hitlist - the animal rights group approves of her stance.
Spokesman Michael McGraw says, "We were surprised to see Lily Allen wearing what appeared to be a fur coat because we know her to be a big animal lover. So we were thrilled when she confirmed on (website) Twitter that it was indeed faux.
"Perhaps she’s following in the footsteps of Victoria Beckham - a supporter of PETA’s anti-fur campaign - who routinely has designers remake their furs in high-end faux for her."

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BRITNEY SPEARS’ ex, KEVIN FEDERLINE, is hoping to give fellow dads a cash break as he launches a new kids clothing line that won’t cost a fortune.
Federline was looking for ideas for his new range at the Project trade show in Las Vegas on Tuesday (24Feb09), and insists his kiddie clothing will be "reasonable" and well made.
He tells WomensWearDaily.com, "I�m trying to take it seriously and make a quality product for kids but not have parents pay like $500 or something ridiculous for a pair of jeans.
"You buy your kids a pair of True Religions then they roll around in the dirt like kids do and a $200 pair of jeans is gone. With this economy, I�m looking to do something much more reasonable."

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Rapper T.I. is looking to MARTHA STEWART for advice as he prepares to spend time behind bars.
The hitmaker, real name Clifford Harris, has learned he’s serving exactly the same sentence as the U.S. lifestyle queen, who went to prison for five months in 2004 for insider training - and he’s serious about hearing from her before he starts his prison term.
Appearing on U.S. news show Extra, he says, "Martha, if you can give me some pointers on how to pass my time in prison, I am open." T.I., who is heading to jail on a federal firearms charge, adds, "It didnâ��t hurt Martha Stewart much. We have the same exact sentence, if Iâ��m not mistaken. Sheâ��s still doing pretty well for herself… I imagine my musical career would be as good or better than it was when I left." But he admits he isn’t looking forward to his prison time: "I fear God. I fear God only. I am not thrilled about it. It presents significant concerns in my mind but nothing that time canâ��t heal. I am looking forward to moving on. I am eager to put this behind me and get back to doing what I do."

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Blues legend TAJ MAHAL is to be inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame.
Mahal, real name Henry St. Clair Fredericks, has been selected along with singers Irma Thomas and Son Seals and guitarist Rev. Gary Davis to join the prestigious club in Memphis, Tennessee.
The four will be inducted at a ceremony on 6 May (09), a day before the Blues Foundation’s 30th annual Blues Music Awards.
Mahal is most famous for his guitar work and has won three Grammy Awards during his forty-year career.

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British rockers BLUR reunited for their first show in almost a decade at the NME Awards in London on Wednesday (25Feb09).
In December (08), the Britpop pioneers announced they were reforming for a series of concerts in London’s Hyde Park in July (09) and a slot at renowned British music festival Glastonbury in June (09).
And, ahead of the mega-gigs, the group chose to make a low-key performance at the O2 Brixton Academy on Wednesday (25Feb09), performing This Is A Low from their acclaimed 1994 album Parklife.
The band received rapturous applause from a star-studded crowd for their performance before later presenting Pete Doherty with the Best Solo Artist award.

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JENNIFER LOVE HEWITT has turned to exercise to help mend her broken heart after splitting from fiance ROSS McCALL.
The actress, who turned 30 at the weekend (21Feb09), admits a new work-out regime is not only getting her fit, it is helping her find peace after her painful romance break-up at the start of 2009.
She explains, "Exercising has cut my anxiety way down, and itâ��s made me sleep better." And Hewitt tells Life & Style magazine she’s also trying to eat healthier too: "I allow myself one really bad day a week when I can have all the cupcakes and whatever else I want to have. And the rest of the week, I just try to be really sensible about it."

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Oscar-winning SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE director DANNY BOYLE is set to receive further recognition - he is tipped to be made a freeman of his hometown in England.
The 52-year-old filmmaker, who was raised in Radcliffe, Bury, is being considered for the prestigious civic honour by Bury Metropolitan Borough Council following the success of his movie, which scooped eight Academy Awards on Sunday (22Feb09), including Best Director and Best Picture.
A spokesman for Bury Council says, "The Freedom is the highest tribute that a borough can bestow and although in modern times it is an honour only and does not confer any legal rights, Honorary Freemen are invariably invited to take part in all-important ceremonial occasions in the Borough.
"The proposals are currently being drawn up so that they can be put before a special meeting of Bury Council for approval."

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SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE star DEV PATEL is set to imitate his on-screen character - by making an appearance on the real-life version of TV quiz show WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE.
Patel, 18, shot to fame for his performance in the hit movie as Mumbai orphan Jamal, who wins the jackpot in India�s version of the show.
And now he is set to play the game for real - the actor is in talks to appear on the English version of the quiz alongside director Danny Boyle in a bid to raise money for children�s charity Railway Children, according to British newspaper The Sun.
A source tells the publication, �Danny and Dev are keen to keep on giving back to the street kids, and have been talking to Railway Children about appearing on Who Wants to be a Millionaire?.
�Filming of the special depends on when both are available, as they are in huge demand following their Oscar success. But we hope it will happen later this year. To have Dev back in the Millionaire hot-seat would be brilliant, and would do a lot for the charity.�

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CHRIS ISAAK tried to coax troubled actor BRAD RENFRO into rehab shortly before the tortured star died from a drug overdose at the beginning of 2008.
The singer/actor teamed up with Renfro and Mickey Rourke on the set of forthcoming movie The Informers and could tell his young co-star was in trouble in the weeks and months leading up to his death.
Isaak tells WENN, "The sad part is Brad’s gone. It was really horrible for me. Brad was a guitar player too and we were in Uruguay hanging out during filming and playing music.
"I’m a guy who’s never done a drug in his life; I don’t smoke or drink or anything, but Brad was partying really hard. I never put my two cents in but I pulled him aside and I said, ‘Brad, you want to know what people say about you when you leave the room? They say you’re a great guy, you’re a great actor and the third thing they say is and when is he gonna be dead?’ "I said, ‘You’re in pain, man and I can see it in your face. If you don’t get something to kill the pain besides booze or dope you’re gonna be dead!’ I said, ‘Get some help, you’re too nice a guy.’" And Isaak still remembers the last time he saw Renfro, just two weeks before his death.
He recalls, "We were standing in the hotel lobby in Uruguay having this conversation and he put his arms around me and just hugged me. I never talk to people like.
"A couple of weeks later he was found dead. When it happened I felt so sad. There was a recent montage of all the people who died in the past year on TCM (Turner Classic Movies TV channel) and they had a shot of Brad Renfro. When I saw that, man, I just lost it. He was just this fresh-faced kid." Renfro, 25, died from an accidental heroin overdose on 15 January, 2008 - a week before Heath Ledger passed away.

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Screen legend CLINT EASTWOOD received a special Cannes Film Festival lifetime achievement honour on Wednesday (25Feb09).
The Dirty Harry star was presented with the Palme d’Or award by Festival President Gilles Jacob at a private ceremony in Paris, in recognition of his successful movie career.
And Eastwood was delighted to become only the second person to receive the prestigious honour from the organisers.
He says, "I’m very, very flattered that you’ve chosen me for this. French cineastes have always been very supportive of me along the way. When I directed my first movie, French cineastes and critics encouraged me, while in my own country, everyone was much more reticent. France is the first country to approach and appreciate cinema as an art form." Cannes Film Festival bosses have only ever handed out one other lifetime achievement Palme d’Or honour - to Ingmar Bergman in 1997.

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Pop superstar MARIAH CAREY isn’t letting the economic crunch wreck her spending sprees - she bought over $200,000 (£142,800) worth of chairs, sofas and furnishings during a four-hour shop at a trendy Melrose Avenue store on Thursday (19Feb09).
The singer and her entourage closed down Kreiss Showrooms so she could shop in peace with husband Nick Cannon and top interior designer Kenneth Bordewick, who is reportedly advising Carey on what to buy for her new Los Angeles home.
A source tells WENN that Carey bought a host of top items from the Kreiss Collection, including contemporary chairs and sofas from the company’s Gatsby range.
And it seems the Hero singer is set on giving her new home a taste of old Hollywood, picking out stylish items in beige and taupe with dark wood frames in rosewood and mahogany.
One insider says, "It was like a raid - the shop was closed down and her huge minders stood guard at the door.
"Mariah clearly knew what she wanted, but took her time making sure she got the right matches and designs. She has terrific taste." And the source insists Carey and Cannon made perfect shopping partners, adding, "They looked very much in love and she looked great." Carey has made an inspired choice in her adviser too - Bordewick has revamped homes, nightclubs and restaurants all over the world.
He’s the man behind the look of trendy Los Angeles hang-out The Abbey and he also oversaw the recent restoration of the Royal Palace in Venice, Italy.

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CLAY AIKEN’s baby son may hold the key to his musical future - the tot’s uncle is a revered superproducer who has worked with WHITNEY HOUSTON, MADONNA and CELINE DION.
Aiken was dropped by his record label RCA earlier this month (Feb09) after his 2008 album On My Way Here only manged to shift 159,000 copies.
According to his representative, Cindi Berger, the star’s contract wasn’t renewed after a breakdown in talks.
However, the mother of Aiken’s baby, Jaymes Foster, is the sister of acclaimed producer David Foster, who has offered to help the singer get his music career back on track.
He tells E! Online, "Clay is family. And because Clay is family, if he needs my help, I’m happy to help him."

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SEAN PENN has blasted the anti-gay protesters who ruined his Oscars on Sunday (22Feb09), insisting it’s time they grew up and stopped hurting others.
Penn, who won the Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of gay California politician Harvey Milk, was greeted by an angry mob as he arrived at the Kodak Theatre for the Academy Awards.
And he admits his initial anger was replaced by a great sadness for those protesting.
He says, "It’s becoming such an archaic, childish and cowardice (sic) position that they really start to look like clowns without the make-up on.
"It’s something that’s really easy to get angry at but you start to feel sad for them, and it’s time to quiet them for the damage they do to others. It’s kind of mind-boggling, the sophomoric level of thinking."

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Rap superstar 50 CENT has been forced to delay the release of his upcoming album BEFORE I SELF DESTRUCT - because superproducer DR. DRE is too busy with EMINEM’s record to finish the IN DA CLUB star’s tracks.
Eminem has been locked away in the studio with Dre for months, perfecting songs for the Stan hitmaker’s long-awaited Relapse disc.
The CD is now in its final stages and is due to hit stores later this year (09) - five years after Eminem’s last release, Encore.
And until the project is wrapped, 50 Cent has been made to wait to get some studio time in with Dre.
But the rapper insists he’s not annoyed - because he understands how important Eminem’s work with his mentor, Dre, is.
He says, "Right now I’m on the train and the Em choo choo car goes first. See what happens is I think that people forget that I’m actually Eminem’s artist because I’ve had so much success on my own and I moved away from it.
"But if you can look back, the very first interview I did…we were on the set of In Da Club, it was myself, Eminem and Dr. Dre… I said my goal was to fit in with Eminem and Dr. Dre. …So because Dre is mixing Em’s album, Em will be (have to be) completely, entirely (finished) before we get a chance to finish up the pieces me and Dr did together." 50 Cent isn’t the only artist having to postpone recording on his album as Dre works with Eminem - the Aftermath Records boss himself has also put his forthcoming project on ice.

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Actress KATE WALSH has opened up for the first time about the breakdown of her 15-month marriage, insisting she wishes "nothing but the best" for her ex.
The actress wed Alex Young in September 2007 after a brief engagement, but the couple announced its marriage was over in December (08), citing irreconcilable differences.
Walsh has now broken her silence about the failed relationship and credits her family and friends with helping her overcome the difficult period.
She tells Redbook magazine, "I don’t think anyone gets married thinking that they will get divorced. We certainly did not. Alex and I still care for each other, and I wish him nothing but the best. The silver lining to this, however, is that I have a wonderful family and a great group of friends who really showed their support and encouragement, and for that I am truly grateful." And she reveals she is constantly struggling with insecurity, suggesting she rushed into marriage because of her need to feel loved.
She adds, "I second guess myself all the time. I make a decision and then wonder if I made the wrong choice. Sometimes I come off as confident, but really I am a quivering little wharf rat underneath, who is radically insecure and deeply in need of love and understanding."

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Actress MALINDA WILLIAMS has fuelled reports her NAILED co-star JAKE GYLLENHAAL is set to marry girlfriend REESE WITHERSPOON after confessing she expects wedding bells soon.
The 28-year-old Jarhead star and his actress lover were recently spotted ring shopping at New York’s Fred Leighton jewellery store, and his latest co-star insists it’s obvious the couple will be man and wife soon.
She tells Life & Style magazine, "I wouldn�t be surprised if they get married soon. Reese was on the set a lot. She and Jake are clearly in love.
"Theyâ��re like two regular, down-home people. They seem very comfortable around each other… Itâ��s like theyâ��ve been together for a really long time - like an old married couple."

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Aussie actress CATE BLANCHETT is to play MAID MARIAN opposite RUSSELL CROWE’s ROBIN HOOD in a new movie about the Medieval hero.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button star will replace Sienna Miller in the epic, which will be directed by Brit Ridley Scott.
Shooting on the movie, originally titled Nottingham, will begin in Britain in April (09).
Daily Variety reports the film’s budget will be $130 million (£89.6 million).

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