Author Archives: Catherine Balavage

Lady Gaga Wants To Make Dad Proud

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Lady Gaga wants her dad to be proud of her music more than she wants worldwide adulation.

The ‘Edge of Glory’ singer – whose latest album ‘Born This Way’ has gone to number one in over 20 countries – insists one of the biggest motivations for her music is her father Joseph Germanotta and it is his support which drives her on to succeed.

Gaga said: “As much as I want the world to be happy, at the end of the day I just want my dad to be proud of me.”

The pop superstar also spoke of her family’s reaction to her rise to fame and various eccentric fashion choices – which have included a dress made out of meat and a Kermit the frog coat.

In an interview on Japanese TV talk show Tetsuko no Heya, she said: “They were sometimes worried, sometimes confused. But with all things, with all adversity it takes time. I was very patient with them and they were very patient with me.

“Now the most wonderful thing about my family is that we are rock solid.”

The 25-year-old singer – who appeared on the programme clad in a circular dress and sky-high heels – is also inspired by her millions of fans.

She explained: “As an artist I’m always trying to project to my fans and the world that the public does not define you who you are. You define you.”

Emma Watson Wants To Be 'Warrior Princess'

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Emma Watson wants to be a “warrior princess”.

The 21-year-old actress – who plays Hermione Granger in the ‘Harry Potter’ films – wants there to be more strong role models for young girls, rather than them just being taught to be pretty and polite.

She said: “I feel like young girls are told they have to be this kind of princess and be all this sweet stuff.

“It’s all bull***t. I identify with more of being a warrior princess, so if I had to be a princess, I’d have to kick some ass first. That would have a lot of people terrified.”

Emma admits her attitude has developed through playing the strong character of Hermione over 10 years and eight films, and both of them have grown together.

Speaking at the New York press conference for ‘Harry Potter and he Deathly Hallows: Part 2’, Emma added: “I’m terrified of getting into trouble. I’m very heady in the same way that she is, kind of constantly thinking three or four moves ahead.

“I try to intellectualise a lot, which she does well. She’s very determined. I am as well. I feel so much of me went into her and so much of her went into me that I can’t really differentiate too much anymore.”

Emma also clarified that she has not quit Brown University in Rhode Island, America, to study at Oxford University in England, but is continuing her studies there for a year before returning to the US for her final year.

She added: “I mean, it’s obviously scary, change is always scary. But I feel very excited and I feel like I’m entering a new chapter and getting a fresh start. I’m going back to school in the autumn. I’ve got two years left in university.”

Fergie says Cheryl felt obliged to divorce Ashley

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Cheryl Cole felt she “had no choice” but to divorce Ashley Cole.

The ‘Parachute’ hitmaker is believed to have reunited with her ex-husband – who she split from in May 2010 following reports of numerous infidelities – and while her friend Fergie admits she never expected them to reunite, she is encouraging the singer to “go for it” and give the soccer player a second chance.

The Black Eyed Peas star said: “Ashley really hurt her and I couldn’t see her at the time ever taking him back. But she needs to follow her own heart.

“It’s easy for people to say she’s crazy taking him back, but life isn’t as simple as that. If the love is still there and she truly believes he’s changed then she should go for it if that’s what she wants.

“It doesn’t matter what family, friends or her management team say, it’s her life and her decision. She really loved him and didn’t want to get divorced, she just felt she had no choice.”

According to Fergie – who met Cheryl through bandmate will.i.am two years ago – the British pop beauty will want to take control of her relationship and won’t accept any bad behaviour from Ashley.

She added to Closer magazine: “The next chance will be Ashley’s last chance, there’s no doubt about that.

“Cheryl’s a lot stronger than she was two years ago. The relationship will be on her terms. It will be her who wears the trousers this time, and he won’t be able to put a foot wrong.”

The ‘I Gotta Feeling’ hitmaker also thinks Cheryl will want to start a family with Ashley sooner rather than later.

She added: “She’s a very traditional girl at heart, and wants kids and to grow old with somebody. She is really strong now and if she decided to give him another chance, he’s going to have to be the perfect husband because she wants to be the perfect wife and mother.”

Robbie Williams 'to become a dad'

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Robbie Williams is “going to be a dad”.

The Take That star – who is married to US actress Ayda Field – is hopeful of starting a family in the near future and says impending parenthood is the reason he has taken control of his life and become more comfortable with appearing on stage and socialising with others.

Robbie – who famously suffers from crippling stage fright – said: “I’m going to be a dad… maybe next year or the year after and I don’t want their dad to be emotionally inept, for my own well-being as well as theirs.

“At the start of the year, I got a feeling that ‘things’ can be different. It started as an ember and now because of the tour it’s a furnace.

“In fact it started when we – as a couple – were kindly invited on holiday that was a once in a lifetime thing but it involved going with people we didn’t know. My automatic reaction normally would have been, ‘No, be safe, don’t step out of your comfort zone’ but then I thought of the kids we’re yet to have and said, ‘No f**k it, I want their dad to be able to do this sort of thing.’ So I did. Things just snowballed from there.”

As well as wanting to have children, Robbie – who has numerous tattoos – is also planning more body art.

He added on his official blog: I’m having a Keith Haring picture for my next tat and then I want Archangel Michael.”

Elizabeth Taylor's Bel Air estate sells

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Dame Elizabeth Taylor’s home has been sold.

The Oscar-winning actress – who passed away from congestive heart failure in March at the age of 79 – lived in the 1960s ranch-style house in Bel Air, California, for 30 years until her death, and it is now believed to have sold for somewhere in the region of $8.6 million.

According to an email announcement from listing agent David Mossler of Teles Properties, the property was purchased by an undisclosed buyer after 33 days on the market.

While the price the ranch was eventually sold for is yet to be revealed, the 7,000-square-foot estate – previously owned by singer Nancy Sinatra – features its own swimming pool, maids’ quarters and bricked motor court.

Meanwhile, the second-floor master suite offers “treetop views, master bath with spa tub, adjacent dressing room/salon and two smaller bedrooms”.

Elizabeth’s son Christopher Wilding previously said of the property: “The house was where we all gathered, especially at Thanksgiving and Easter. She never entertained the notion of moving.”

Elsewhere, a number of items belonging to the ‘Cleopatra’ actress are to be sold at auction in December.

Marc Porter, chairman of Christie’s Americas – who will be selling the star’s personal possessions – said: “A rare woman who was at once an international film and fashion star, loving mother, successful businesswoman and generous humanitarian, this collection of her many cherished possessions will bring us closer to the essence of Elizabeth Taylor’s unique spirit.”

Jennifer Aniston's boyfriend 'loves' her

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Jennifer Aniston’s boyfriend has told her he loves her.

The ‘Horrible Bosses’ actress – who started dating Justin Theroux last month after first meeting him on the set of ‘Wanderlust’ last year – was accompanied by the actor to her official hand and footprint ceremony at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, where he reportedly confessed his feelings.

An onlooker told HollywoodLife.com: “Jen and Justin were cuddled up together before she was taken away for the ceremony. They were away from the cameras and they hugged and kissed for a few seconds before Justin said, ‘Congratulations, I love you!’

“She didn’t say I love you back but she gave him a big kiss in return and then had to hurry away.”

Jennifer is likely to be thrilled by Justin’s emotional honesty, as the 42-year-old star recently insisted the key to a successful relationship is being able to talk openly with your partner.

She said: “You need to talk to each other and you have to say what you want.

“You don’t confront your man about things which you’re not happy about, you approach it in a much more constructive way. You never want to be in an adversarial situation where it’s you versus him. “All couples face those kinds of difficulties, but you’ve got to be able to talk about your problems and your needs and do it in a positive way. That’s easier said than done, of course.”

Katy Perry struck down with food poisoning

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Katy Perry has been struck down with food poisoning.

The ‘Teenage Dream’ hitmaker – who is currently performing across the US as part of her ‘California Dreams’ tour – has been forced to cancel a number of her concerts after suffering from “severe dehydration” as a result of the sudden illness.

According to a statement from promoters Jam Productions, the singer has rescheduled her July 8 show at Chicago’s Allstate Arena for August 21, and her July 9 gig at St. Paul’s Xcel Energy Center for August 23.

Katy said: “I apologise to my fans in Chicago and the Twin Cities for not being able to perform this weekend, but I am going to return in a few weeks to give them the very best show ever!”

This isn’t the first mishap Katy has suffered while on tour, as the star recently had to hire a cat whisperer to control her and husband Russell Brand’s trio of unruly felines, Krusty, Kitty Purry and Morrissey, who kept misbehaving while she was on the road.

She explained: “”He realigned their chakras and did some hypnosis. We were like, ‘Wow, this is extravagant!'”

Orlando Bloom intimated by LA

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Orlando Bloom thinks Los Angeles is “big and intimidating”.

The British actor – who divides his time with wife Miranda Kerr and their six-month-old son Flynn between London and the US city – was overwhelmed when he took a flight out of California and caught a glimpse of the landscape.

He said: “My first overriding memory of LA is flying out of the city to New Zealand to do ‘Lord of the Rings’ and looking out of the window of the plane thinking it looked big and intimidating.

“A bit scary really – just so vast and bustling.”

Despite regarding Los Angeles as his work base, Orlando loves going out into the hills on his bicycle.

He said: “I love being close to nature and being outdoors, so I would have to say my favourite part of LA is the hills or the canyons, which are great for mountain biking.”

However, the actor also loves to spend time at home with his family and friends.

Asked to describe a perfect day, he told Tatler magazine: “Having family time, good food, good friends, a nice glass of wine, then winding down with a movie at home.”