Natalie Portman names son Alef

Natalie Portman has named her baby son Alef.

The Oscar-winning actress and her fiance, choreographer Benjamin Millepied, have named their first child – who was born last month – after the first letter in the Hebrew alphabet.

According to Israeli TV Show ‘Good Evening with Guy Pines’, the Jewish actress decided to pay homage to her motherland with the moniker, which also means the “oneness of God”.

Meanwhile, the couple – who met on the set of ‘Black Swan’- have decided their son will adopt both their last names with the surname Portman-Millepied.

Prior to the birth of baby Alef, who is yet to be seen in public, Natalie admitted her Jewish ancestry had caused her to be “superstitious”.

She explained: “I think it’s a Jewish thing to be kind of superstitious. You don’t do any of the baby stuff before the baby arrives.”

Throughout her pregnancy Natalie paid tribute to her parents Avner and Shelley Hershlag, saying she hoped to look after her child in the same way that she was brought up.

She said: “If I am a shadow as good a parent, an echo, then I will be the best in the world, so thank you.”

Pink had to have Caesarean section

Pink had to deliver her daughter via Caesarean section because she was the breech position.

The 31-year-old singer gave birth to Willow Sage – her first child with her husband Carey Hart – in June and although she wanted to have a natural birth the baby’s position meant that wasn’t possible.

She said: “She was in the frank breech position, which is head up with her legs up by her head in a pike position. We tried everything to turn her around. Turns out this little girl had other plans – she is my daughter, after all.”

Although there were complications during the birth, Pink insists everything went well and has revealed she intends to have a natural birth when she has another child.

Pink added to People: “It all turned out perfectly in the end, even though it wasn’t what we intended, because she is healthy and happy and so am I. We’ll go for our natural birth next time, for sure.”

The ‘So What’ hitmaker previously revealed she and Carey named their daughter Willow Sage after an “unbreakable” tree.

She explained: “I grew up near one. It is the most flexible tree and nothing can break it – no wind, no elements. It can bend and withstand anything. I love that sentiment and I want that for her.

“Sage is cleansing and sacred and it sounds great with Willow. It doesn’t hurt that her last name is Hart – flexible, cleansed heart.”

Brad Pitt speaks out to support gay marriage


Brad Pitt says every American should have the right to marry whoever they want.

The Hollywood actor – who raises six children, Maddox, nine, Pax, seven, Zahara, six, Shiloh, five, and two-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne, with partner Angelina Jolie – is pleased New York State has legalised same-sex marriage and now wants the rest of the US to follow suit.

He said: “It is encouraging that New York has joined the movement to grant equal marriage rights to its citizens. But it is each American’s Constitutional right to marry the person they love, no matter what state they inhabit.

“No state should decide who can marry and who cannot. Thanks to the tireless work of so many, someday soon this discrimination will end and every American will be able to enjoy their equal right to marriage.”

Brad – who was once married to Jennifer Aniston – has previously said he won’t wed Angelina until gay marriage is legal everywhere.

He said: “I have love in my life, a soul mate – absolutely. When someone asked me why Angie and I don’t get married, I replied, ‘Maybe we’ll get married when it’s legal for everyone else.’

“I stand by that, although I took a lot of flak for saying it – hate mail from religious groups. They say gay marriage ruins families and hurts kids. Well, I’ve had the privilege of seeing my gay friends being parents and watching their kids grow up in a loving environment.”

Nicole Richie to judge Fashion Star


Nicole Richie is set to get a judging role on ‘Fashion Star’.

The 29-year-old star – who owns clothing and accessories brands Winter Kate and House of Harlow – will join model Elle Macpherson and singer-turned-designer Jessica Simpson on the TV show, which sees aspiring designers compete for a contract to have their prodcuts sold in retailers in the US.

The programme does not yet have an air date.

Just days ago, Nicole – who has children Harlow, three and 22-month-old Sparrow with rocker husband Joel Madden – announced she would be expanding her fashion range, with a new collection of handbags as part of her House of Harlow 1960 line.

Discussing her own design credentials, Nicole revealed she only ever created clothes she would want to wear herself.

She said: “My main goal for this particular collection – and for all the footwear that I design – is I want the shoes to look great but be comfortable at the same time.

“I’m a girl and I love shoes. Who doesn’t want to make exactly what you want?”

Prince William and Duchess Catherine take time out


Prince William and Duchess Catherine have taken time out to enjoy an evening on a secluded island.

The royal couple – who are currently on an official tour of Canada and the US – stepped away from their engagements to spend some alone time in a remote spot in Canada’s Northwest Territories, known locally as Honeymoon Island.

Located approximately 100 miles north of Yellowknife – the capital of the Northwest Territories – William and Catherine paddled out to the romantic spot on Blachford Lake to watch a midnight sunset and dine on a local feast.

The pair would have been able to enjoy what is dubbed the longest sunset on the planet, as the area is situated so far to the north of the country that it hardly gets dark at all during the summer months.

Tessa Macintosh, who runs Blachford Lake Lodge, told MailOnline: “Its real name is Eagle Island, but ever since my wedding night we’ve called it Honeymoon Island.

“When I was taken there I thought my new husband was the most romantic man on earth. I’m sure that is just how Kate must feel now.”

Tessa’s husband Mike Freeland thinks the break will give William and Catherine – who married on April 29 – the perfect opportunity to “recharge their batteries”.

He said: “The island is very beautiful. The midnight sunset here is regarded as the slowest sunset in the world and it is very spectacular. The island has a very special feeling and is incredibly romantic. It will be wonderful for them.

“I think it is tremendous that they have decided to come here and spend time. They may not have long but after all the chaos of the past few days this really will re-charge their batteries.”

Princess Charlene and Prince Albert: 'Runaway' Brides Dress

Giorgio Armani wanted modern dress for Charlene

Giorgio Armani wanted Charlene Wittstock’s wedding dress to be “completely modern”.

The Italian designer created the South African beauty’s gown she wore to marry Monaco’s Prince Albert II on Saturday and says he was conscious for the dress to be different from Albert’s late mother, Princess Grace.

Writing for vogue.com. Giorgio said: “The idea was to go for a completely modern look, without an obvious sense of nostalgia or revivalism. I felt this was appropriate given that there would inevitably be comparisons with Princess Grace, and though such comparisons are of course a sign of admiration, each person has their own individual and unique style, and style is an expression of the times.”

 

Giorgio says former Olympic swimmer Charlene was a pleasure to work with and the perfect muse, saying: “Charlene is without a shadow of a doubt very beautiful. Tall and slim, she is sporty and at the same time has a natural elegance about her. Dressing her is such a pleasure – she knows how to wear my creations with the nonchalance and confidence of youth. I believe Charlene has the ideal figure to show off great dresses, because they highlight the fine curves and beautiful structure of her back and shoulders.”

The dress took 2,500 hours to create, including 700 hours for the embroidery alone, and featured 40,000 Swarovski crystals, 20,000 mother of pearl teardrops and 30,000 stones in gold shades.

Kate Moss Still John Galliano Muse


John Galliano considers Kate Moss his “biggest muse”.

The troubled fashion designer – who created the oyster silk wedding dress worn for her nuptials to rocker Jamie Hince last week – was “never” going to let her down, despite his personal problems, including his recent sacking at French fashion house Dior for proclaiming he “loved” Adolf Hitler.

A source said: “Kate is his biggest muse and he was never, ever, going to let his friend down. He did Kate’s 21st birthday dress, her 30th birthday dress and Galliano’s show was the first she ever walked for. So this wedding day ties up a lot of things beautifully.”

British designer Alice Temperley recently revealed she thought the 37-year-old model would set a trend with her dress, whatever she chose to wear.

She said: “I am certain she will look absolutely stunning, unique, beautiful with a bit of a rock ‘n’ roll twist. I would love to see her in something vintage looking, romantic and slightly bohemian.

“However, whatever she chooses, she will look fantastic and I am sure women will want to wear something similar to their weddings for years to come.”

 

Katy Perry's 'Goldilocks' perfume

Katy Perry claims her Purr fragrance is “like the Goldilocks of perfume.”

The ‘California Gurls’ hitmaker claims people can tell from their very first sniff that the “cute” scent is “just right” and matched perfectly to her wild, fun loving, loud and convivial nature.

She said: “It’s like the Goldilocks of perfume. It s not too much, it’s not too forgettable, it’s just right. It’s basically me in a bottle. I think a lot of people go up and they go, ‘That’s definitely Katy Perry. This is definitely Katy Perry’s perfume.’ ”

Katy is topping charts with her debut perfume, Purr, as well as with her songs, as the scent has been number one every week since it was launched in Canada.

Speaking on TV show Entertainment Tonight Canada she added: “It’s been out for nine weeks and it’s been number one for nine weeks.”

Katy also gave advice on the best way to apply the scent.

She said: “I usually spray and walk through. I never spray directly on

“I’ve heard that you’re not supposed to spray directly on the skin. Then it’s not so concentrated, because everybody knows sometimes when a woman walks into a room, she can smell like her grandmother.”

The ‘Firework’ singer also spent a long time researching the scent’s lavender cat-shaped bottle.

She added: “I would go into endless department stores all over the world and look at what was on the shelves.

“I remember some of the Galliano perfumes that were like snow globes. I was like, ‘Well, when the perfume is finished I just want to keep this on my mantle, because it’s such a fun little bottle.”