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Rocker BRIAN MAY has paid a touching tribute to his late QUEEN bandmate FREDDIE MERCURY on what would have been his 65th birthday.
The rock legend, who died in 1991 from AIDS-related pneumonia, would have turned the landmark age on Monday (05Sep11), and to mark the occasion, guitarist May has written a special blog about the flamboyant star.
In the message, May details how he met Mercury, writing, "I was first introduced to Freddie Mercury, a paradoxically shy yet flamboyant young man at the side of the stage at one of our early gigs. He told me he was excited by how we played, he had some ideas and he could sing! I’m not sure we took him very seriously, but he did have the air of someone who knew he was right." And the rocker insists the late star is still relevant today, poignantly adding, "Freddie would have been 65 this year, and even though physically he is not here, his presence seems more potent than ever.
"Freddie made the last person at the back of the furthest stand in a stadium feel that he was connected. He lived life to the full. He devoured life. He celebrated every minute. And, like a great comet, he left a luminous trail which will sparkle for many a generation to come. Happy birthday Freddie!"

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Superproducer MARK RONSON has married his girlfriend, model JOSEPHINE DE LA BAUME, in a lavish ceremony in her native France.
The DJ, who began dating the actress in 2009 and proposed earlier this year (11), wed the beauty on Saturday afternoon (03Aug11) in the southern city of Aix-en-Provence.
Celebrity guests including Lily Allen and supermodel Kate Moss watched as de la Baume walked down the aisle in a Zac Posen bridal gown, while Ronson wore a flamboyant pink-striped suit jacket and Ray-Ban sunglasses.
Scottish rockers The View, who collaborated with Ronson on track The Bike Song, featuring de la Baume in the music video, entertained guests at the reception.

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IGGY POP and his THE STOOGES bandmate JAMES WILLIAMSON have written an album’s worth of new material.
Punk legend Pop invited the guitarist to his house in Miami, Florida earlier this year (10) where they came up with 10 new songs.
The rocker reveals he and Williamson plan to "keep writing" tracks, but admits there are no firm plans to release an album.
He tells Rolling Stone magazine, "We started trading stuff by MP3 back and forth as soon as we started. We actually did get together this spring. He came to my house in Miami and we wrote 10 things.
"I think we like about half of them. We’ll keep writing. I think he’d like to make an album and I’d like to make more (sic) the score for an intelligent video game. So as far as what the former might be, I don’t know." The band has released just four studio albums since its formation in the 1960s, with the last record, The Weirdness, hitting shelves in 2007 following their 2003 reunion.

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Supermodel HEIDI KLUM prefers going topless during her beach vacations because she hates tan lines.
The Victoria’s Secret beauty was snapped sporting a number of different bikinis while on holiday with her family in Italy this summer (11), but she admits she’d rather bare her breasts to achieve an even tan - just the way her husband Seal likes it.
During an appearance on U.S. programme The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Thursday (01Sep11), Klum joked that she was stunned TV bosses had managed to find an appropriate photo of her to show on air because she’s hardly ever covered up.
She said, "I’m surprised you have a photo of me wearing a (bikini) top because… I don’t really like to wear tops because I hate tan lines. I maybe have like, four (bathing suit sets) with tops and bottoms and then I have like, 10 bottoms." "My husband likes it when it’s (my body’s) all one colour. And I do too… You know, people in Italy (really) don’t care, they don’t care if you don’t have a top on." However, the German beauty admits Americans aren’t so keen on her sexy ways, revealing she once got scolded for baring all at a pool in Arizona.
She continued, "I do have to say they are more uptight here. I got in trouble once. In Phoenix. I was working there and I was laying by the pool, and obviously I have no top on, and I’m laying there sunbathing. And a security guy comes over and he goes, ‘Ma’am, you have to put your top back on because we’re having complaints.’"

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Veteran rocker STING has signed on to score an upcoming musical by award-winning playwright BRIAN YORKEY.
Next to Normal creator Yorkey and the Police frontman have teamed up to stage The Last Ship, which will centre around lead character Gideon - a man who grew up around the shipyards of Newcastle, England - the same city Sting hails from.
But Yorkey insists the project is still in its infancy.
He tells the New York Times, "(It’s still in the) ‘throw it up against the wall and see what sticks’ (phase). It’s Sting’s first foray into writing for musical theatre, so we wanted to start having him meet actors and hear them sing at the earliest possible point.
"I won’t say the score is complete because the score’s not complete until God knows when. But he’s written a couple dozen, maybe 20, 24, amazing new songs for the show. He’s writing great theatre music. It’s very, very distinctly Sting but it also is theatre music. It’s not just pop music transposed into the theatre." Readings for the play will begin in October (11).
Sting isn’t the only rocker to compose a score for a play - U2’s Bono and The Edge lent their musical talents to the much-maligned and now widely-popular Broadway show Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark.

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Actress CATE BLANCHETT returned to her native Australia on Friday (02Sep11) to promote the launch of a new rainwater collection system in Sydney.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button star headed to The Wharf to lend her support to the Sydney Theatre Company’s latest green initiative, which captures rainwater from the roof and stores it to service the building’s showers and toilets.
Blanchett and her husband Andrew Upton, who both serve as artistic directors at the Sydney Theatre Company, were both on hand for the big unveiling and she commended locals for taking action to save one of the world’s most precious resources.
She said, "We’re all pleased to bring this innovative engineering technology into our creative lives today and indeed to be a showcase of how such systems can function to great economic and societal benefit.
"The entire project has been made possible through a unique collaboration with private philanthropists, corporate and government support, both state and federal, who really understand the incredible opportunity that greening this amazing arts precinct represents not only for the organisations down here but for the city of Sydney and the state… So, have a shower or use the loos (toilets)."

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Shock rocker ALICE COOPER is an unlikely fan of pop superstar LADY GAGA, insisting the singer is the female version of his outrageous alter ego.
The veteran musician was born Vincent Furnier, but he performs as heavy metal star Alice Cooper, complete with black face paint, whenever he hits the stage.
And the 63 year old admits he can see a lot of himself in the Paparazzi hitmaker, a native New Yorker whose real name is Stefani Germanotta.
Cooper says, "Lady Gaga is the female Alice Cooper. She totally gets it.
"She created a character named Lady Gaga and wrote songs for Lady Gaga, just as I write songs for Alice. But when you meet her offstage, she’s nothing like that person… and neither am I."

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Rocker LENNY KRAVITZ is putting his master interior design skills to good use - he’s been asked to decorate his first residential property in Florida.
The multi-talented singer and his firm Kravitz Design Inc. have already been contracted to create the look of luxury in the best rooms at the SLS Hotel, which will open next year (12) in Miami’s South Beach.
And now he’s landed his first job working on a residential tower in Miami.
He says, "That’s my day gig. I’ve always been into it… And now I’m doing this 47, 48-story tower in Miami called Paramount Bay, which is an amazing project." But Kravitz is particularly excited about working with famed French designer Philippe Starck on his hotel project.
He adds, "They’ve asked me to do the top floor, the presidential suite, so it’s quite an honour to be working with somebody of that magnitude." Kravitz is having to fit the work around the release of his new album, Black and White America, which was released this week (begs29Aug11). The singer took a break from his design duties on Friday (02Sep11) to shut down New York City’s Rockefeller Center with a free concert for U.S. breakfast show Today, performing hit tunes like Fly Away and Stand.

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T.I.’s wife TAMEKA ‘TINY’ COTTLE has blasted prison authorities for trying to "break" the rapper’s spirit by placing him back behind bars a day after his release.
The Live Your Life hitmaker, real name Clifford Harris, Jr., left an Arkansas incarceration facility on Wednesday (31Aug11) after serving 10 months of an 11-month sentence for a probation violation.
He was due to transfer to a halfway house in his native Georgia to complete his punishment, and had made arrangements to travel the 375 miles (603 kilometres) to the centre in his own luxury coach.
But T.I. was hauled back into custody on Thursday (01Sep11) after prison bosses took issue with his method of transport, insisting the hip-hop star only revealed he was taking a van to Georgia and not a deluxe bus.
The controversy has angered his wife Cottle because she claims jail officials who waved the rapper goodbye in Arkansas saw no problem with the vehicle - and even asked to take photos with the rapper in front of the coach.
She tells TMZ.com, "This is a bunch of bulls**t… they should have said something before he got on the bus… T.I. would have politely gotten into a van… (Prison officials) walked him over, took pics and told him good luck in life." However, Cottle, a former member of R&B group Xscape, is confident T.I. won’t let the setback get in the way of rebuilding his life.
She says, "T.I. is one of the strongest individuals I know… and they (are) just trying to break him in more ways than one and it’s not gonna work! ‘Cause what God got for him, can’t no man take that away… period (sic)!"

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GLEE star DIANNA AGRON was robbed of a normal upbringing when her dad was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis - because she was forced to play therapist to her devastated family.
Agron enjoyed a fairytale childhood as kid, living in a posh hotel suite with her family in San Francisco, California - where her father served as a general manager.
However, the star’s life came crashing down at the tender age of 15 when her father developed the debilitating autoimmune disease, tearing apart her family.
Speaking to U.S. publication Cosmopolitan, she says, "Quite a bit changed after that. At that age, you don’t see mortality in your parents." The disorder wrecked her mum and dad’s relationship and they subsequently separated, much to the distress of Agron and her young brother.
And the subject matter is still too sensitive for the actress, now 25, to discuss in detail.
She adds, "I had to play the therapist to my family… be the glue… Those kind of things I’m not ready to speak about yet."

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NCIS star DAVID FISHER was acting in "self-defence" when he hit out at his neighbour during a dispute on Thursday (01Sep11), insisting he is "not a violent person".
The British actor is facing a charge of felony battery after becoming embroiled in a heated dispute with another resident in his Los Angeles apartment block, clashing over wet towels which had been hung out to dry.
Fisher reportedly attacked his neighbour and choked him, before the unidentified male escaped his grip and called police.
He was arrested, booked and held behind bars on $50,000 (£31,250) bail, while his alleged victim was taken to a local hospital.
But the actor has now spoken out to clear his name against the accusations, claiming he had no choice but to lash out after coming under attack first.
Fisher also alleges the man, a former friend, had insulted his late mother, who passed away last year (10), by teasing, "Are you still crying about your dead mommy?" He tells TMZ.com, "I was pushed by my neighbour and further provoked when he referenced to my dead mother. My actions were in self-defence. I am not a violent person."

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JADA PINKETT SMITH will no longer be needing her hospital scrubs - her medical drama HAWTHORNE has been axed after three seasons.
The Matrix Reloaded actress returned to the small screen for the first time in 18 years for the show, which premiered on U.S. network TNT in 2009, but TV executives announced on Friday (02Sep11) that they will not be renewing the contract for another series.
In a statement, a network representative says, "TNT has decided not to order a fourth season of HawthoRNe. TNT truly appreciates the tremendous dedication of everyone involved in HawthoRNe. The series gave TNT the opportunity to work with many outstanding people, including Jada Pinkett Smith and the rest of the show’s talented cast, crew, producers and writers. We wish everyone involved with HawthoRNe nothing but the best." The finale of the third series, which also starred Michael Vartan and singer/actor Marc Anthony, aired in America last month (Aug11).
The cancellation news comes just weeks after tabloid reports falsely suggested Pinkett Smith had had an affair with Anthony, prompting his split from wife Jennifer Lopez.
The salsa singer has vehemently denied the claims, branding them "laughable", while Pinkett Smith and her husband, I Am Legend superstar Will Smith, have also been forced to defend their 14-year marriage amid separation rumours.

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MELANIE BROWN has thanked her fans and showbiz pals after she was inundated with well-wishes following the birth of her daughter on Thursday (01Sep11).
The former Spice Girls singer delivered her third child - whose name had not been revealed as WENN went to press - in Los Angeles with her husband Stephen Belafonte at her side.
She announced the happy news on Twitter.com and subsequently received a series of congratulatory messages from supporters and famous friends.
Brown’s former bandmates Emma Bunton and Melanie Chisholm sent their best wishes on hearing the news - Bunton writes, "Yeah!!! Well done Mummy! Lots of love" and Chisholm ‘Tweeted’, "So so happy for my dear friend (Brown) and (Belafonte) another girl girlpower woo hoo! Congratulations".
Tennis ace Serena Williams writes, "Baby!!! Congrats to u and Stephen. I love u. So happy. Now we can git giggy wit it. Lol", actress Denise Richards writes, "Congrats mama! Can’t wait to meet her!!!", and Boyzone singer Ronan Keating adds, "Congrats So happy for ya all, See ya soon".
After receiving the messages, Brown went back online to write, "I wanna thank you ALL for your beautiful well wishes, it means a lot to me, you guys are the best, I am SOOOOOO blessed my heart is melting!!"

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DAVID HASSELHOFF is giving fans the chance to star alongside him in a new online commercial to promote the city of Oslo in Norway.
The former Baywatch star was visiting Europe and agreed to shoot an advert to encourage tourism in the Norwegian capital.
The clip, titled Wanted In Oslo, has now been uploaded to his website - and using interactive software, fans can send the actor a photograph of their face and they will ‘appear’ in the ad with him.
Hasselhoff writes, "When I was in Norway I’ve made this cool commercial for Oslo City. It’s interactive and let’s (sic) you star with me in it… So if you ever wanted to be in a commercial with me, there’s your chance! Just head over to Wanted In Oslo and start making those videos. Don’t forget to post links to your videos here so I can have a look at your work too."

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French singer YELLE is the latest star to front an anti-fur campaign for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).
The electro-pop star, real name Julie Budet, appears in the commercial urging her fans to "be comfortable in your own skin, and let animals keep theirs".
A PETA spokeswoman says, "Yelle’s fashion style is a vivid example of one of the many ways in which you can creatively express yourself without using animal skins. As Yelle knows, there’s nothing chic about an industry that electrocutes animals and skins them alive for their fur." Other stars who have appeared in PETA’s anti-fur ads include Pamela Anderson, Iggy Pop, Ke$ha, and Australian singer/actress Natalie Imbruglia.

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GLEE star CHORD OVERSTREET’s solo debut has been given a big boost - he’s writing tracks with DEMI LOVATO.
Overstreet announced earlier this summer (11) that he’s quitting the hit musical TV series to pursue a music career.
And it appears the star’s songwriting sessions have been a success - in a post on her Twitter.com page on Thursday (01Sep11), Lovato reveals, "In the studio writing with Chord Overstreet." The actor replied, "Killer session today!!! Truly talented."

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R&B singer LAURYN HILL and rapper NAS have been forced to cancel a joint concert due to a scheduling conflict.
The stars were due to take the stage at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada on Tuesday (06Sep11) as part of the annual Rock the Bells tour.
The former Fugees frontwoman was due to sing her classic album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill from start to finish, while Nas was set to perform his 1994 debut Illmatic.
Promoters are offering refunds to fans after calling off the gig.

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Religious zealots are to picket outside an upcoming FOO FIGHTERS concert after accusing the rockers of promoting "fornication, adultery and idolatry".
Members of the Westboro Baptist Church, comprised mostly of Pastor Fred Phelps’ family members, are planning a stake-out when Dave Grohl and his bandmates play the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Kansas on 16 September (11).
A statement from the anti-gay fundamentalists reads: "These people have a platform and should be using it to encourage obedience to God; instead they teach every person who will listen all things contrary to him: fornication, adultery, idolatry, f**s…
"The people in this nation have sinned away their day of grace and have so enraged their God that you are seeing new outpourings of his wrath continually. We will be there to remind you that the day of your destruction is upon you, even as you vainly seek comfort in the frivolities of this life."

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