Tag Archives: Catherine Balavage

News Corp Withdraw BSkyB Bid

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News Corporation have withdrawn their BSkyB bid amid the ‘Hackgate’ scandal.

The move follows further claims as the fallout into phone hacking continues. With news stories about the now defunct News of the World getting worse by the day and spreading to the other Murdoch papers, the media mogul now faces fresh accusations. It would seem News Corp has forgotten the first rule of journalism: Never become the story.

People on the News of the World payroll are said to have illegally accessed Gordon Brown’s son’s medical records and, after hacking Milly Dowler’s voicemail, deleted the messages when her mailbox was full – a move that made her family, and police, believe she was still alive.

News Corporation own 39% of BSkyB and announced last year that it intended to buy the remaining 61%.

Chase Carey, Deputy Chairman, President and Chief Operating Officer of News Corporation, commented: “We believed that the proposed acquisition of BSkyB by News Corporation would benefit both companies but it has become clear that it is too difficult to progress in this climate. News Corporation remains a committed long-term shareholder in BSkyB. We are proud of the success it has achieved and our contribution to it.”

BSKYB chief executive Jeremy Daroch added: “We are delivering on our clear, consistent strategy and are building a larger, more profitable business for the long term. We remain very confident in the broadly based growth opportunity for BSkyB as we continue to add new customers, sell more products, develop our leading position in content and innovation, and expand the contribution from our other businesses.”

The announcement comes as online petitions against News Corporation increase. Actor Hugh Grant got the ball rolling when he wore a wire and in a case of ‘the biter, bit’, taped a former News of the World journalist confessing that their paper “bugged everyone.” The piece was for an edition of the New Statesman which was being guest edited by his ex-girlfriend Jemima Khan.

Hugh Grant for Prime Minister….

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.”

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.”

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!'”

Mike 'The Situation' Sorrentino sued for 1m

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Mike ‘The Situation’ Sorrentino is being sued for $1million.

The ‘Jersey Shore’ star’s former managers have reportedly filed the mammoth lawsuit against him after claiming they took him from “relative obscurity” to stardom.

According to gossip website TMZ, management company Gotham NYC Entertainment filed the suit today claiming Mike should have given them 30 days notice and a chance to rectify any wrongdoings before he dumped them in May due to “lack of performance”.

Claiming the reality TV star is in breach of his contract – which was signed prior to the 2009 premiere of ‘Jersey Shore’ – Gotham has stated not only did they discover the unknown talents of Mike, but transformed his career “from relative obscurity to become an international celebrity”.

However, the star is no stranger to law suits.

In May, he filed a legal complaint against his father Frank Sorrentino over a string of foul-mouthed rants – which branded him as “full of sh*t” – which he made online.

According to the official court documents, Mike was hoping to prevent his dad from discussing him and their relationship in public, claiming his comments were devaluing his ever-expanding business empire.

Dallas remake given go-ahead

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A remake of 80s TV show ‘Dallas’ has been given the go-ahead.

The US series – which ran from 1978 to 1991 and centered around the power struggles within a Texan oil dynasty – will return to screens in the summer of next year, with cable network TNT ordering 10 episodes of the explosive drama.

Jesse Metcalfe, Jordana Brewster, Brenda Strong, Josh Henderson and Julie Gonzalo will all star in the remake, alongside ‘Dallas’ veteran Larry Hagman – who played J.R. Ewing in the original series – as well as Linda Gray and Patrick Duffy.

Michael Wright, executive vice-president and head of programming for TNT, said: “TNT has explored the possibility of an updated version of ‘Dallas’ for several years, but it wasn’t until we read Cynthia Cidre’s outstanding pilot script that we knew we had the foundation for a great new series.”

The network will preview the new series of ‘Dallas’ – written and produced by Cynthia Cidre – on Monday night

Michael M. Robin has helmed the pilot episode and will co executive produce alongside Cynthia.