Tag Archives: Catherine Balavage

Chris Evans – 'Brutal' Pecs Appeal For ‘Captain America’

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The actor had to bulk up to take on the role of the titular superhero in ‘Captain America: The First Avenger’ and although Chris usually loves exercise, the punishing regime was tough on his body and especially his pectoral muscles.

He said: “I don’t think my body is supposed to be as big as it got for Captain America. There was a strain on some joints. After a month and a half of training I found my right shoulder would click and my left pec would hurt. It was an ever-evolving workout, in which we always found ways to work around the parts of me that were sore. There are certain things that hurt more than others. But that seems to be pretty universal. Every guy I know has some sort of freak injury in their body.

“I’m a big fan of working out on my own. I put my headphones on and I’m pretty good at self- motivating. At the end of the day, I enjoy it. Once I’m there and once I get going, I tend to love it, and I feel good. If I don’t work out for a couple of days I feel lousy.”

Although he was happy with the results, Chris won’t be rushing to bulk up quite so much again, admitting the daily workouts were “brutal”.

He explained to Men’s Health magazine: ““It was gruelling, it was brutal and I’d find any excuse possible not to go. But I had to do it. I wasn’t trying to lose or tone – I was just looking to gain. The rule of thumb was: if you’re not eating, go get something.”

The full interview appears in the August issue of Men’s Health magazine, on sale Monday July 4.

Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul Spend Night In Haunted Hotel

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The ‘X Factor’ judges checked into The Stoneleigh Hotel & Spa in Dallas but they had no idea about its reputation and while fellow judge L.A. Reid checked out almost as soon as he arrived, Simon and Paula stuck it out a little longer.

A source told Us Weekly magazine: “L.A. didn’t even know the story of the ghosts; he just couldn’t be inside the hotel. He was first to check in and left before the others arrived, saying it had a ‘weird feeling about it.’ Everyone joked he was being a diva, but when they heard about the hotel really being haunted they just thought he was smart!”

While Paula – who reportedly experienced her bathroom’s taps being turned on and off on their own – was left scared by the experience, sources say Simon enjoyed the spooky goings on.

The source added: “All the other judges were freaked out and insisted on changing hotels or rooms, but Simon was quite happy with the ghosts. He was fascinated by them. It wouldn’t surprise anyone if he insists on staying in only haunted hotels in future!”

Motherhood has given Alicia Keys a “reason in life”.

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The ‘Empire State of Mind’ hitmaker – who has an eight-month-old son, Egypt, with husband Swizz Beatz – says becoming a mum has changed her life in a “fun” way.

She explained: “Motherhood is heaven. It’s so purposeful and such fun. I feel much wiser in the choices I make. I have a reason in life I never had before.”

Alicia’s new outlook on life is a far cry from when the 30-year-old singer first found success and she admitted her fame was “scary” to begin with.

She told the Daily Mail newspaper: “I suddenly found myself doing tours, TV shows and flying every day.

“Everyone wanted a piece of me and that was scary. Being from New York, I covered that up.”

Now with a successful career and a happy personal life, Alicia is looking to the future and first on the agenda is a collaboration with Kings of Leon.

She said: “For a while I’ve wanted to do something with Kings of Leon. I definitely want to do it – I’m just waiting for the right moment.”

Bob Mackie Debuts Series of Fashion and Costume Illustrations

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Legendary fashion and costume designer Bob Mackie is launching the first series of his fashion and costume illustrations for sale exclusively at BobMackie.com and on the Bob Mackie Facebook Fanpage. The illustrations, curated from Mackie’s extensive archives, showcase Mackie’s exquisite, imaginative, whimsical and wonderfully glamorous designs over the past four decades.

The first series of reproductions, comprising 46 illustrations, are fine art giclees, printed on archival stock, and sold stylishly matted and framed. Each illustration is available in two sizes, 14″x17″ ($69) and 21″x25″ ($179).

Bob Mackie’s stunning costume designs have earned him nine Emmy Awards, 31 Emmy Award nominations and three Oscar nominations. His innovative work in the entertainment world, including designing costumes for “The Carol Burnett Show” and “The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour,” is legendary. His awe-inspiring costumes have been worn by hundreds of celebrities including Carol Burnett, Cher, Tina Turner, Pink, Katy Perry, Eva Longoria, Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, Diahann Carroll, Diana Ross, Madonna, Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez , and of course, Barbie. The crowning achievement, thus far, is his 2002 induction into the Television Academy Hall of Fame. Mackie is the only costume designer in the Television Hall of Fame.

Frost Wine Reviews: Kumala Cabernet Shiraz

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I rarely drink red wine, and when I do it is normally mulled. This means I set the barometer very high. However, I liked Kumala Cabernet Shiraz. It has a lingering aftertaste of chocolate. If that doesn’t win me over, nothing will.

It is a very beautiful bright red colour, with ripe tannins and a fruity flavour. I like its smoothness and it also has some spicy notes. I can also taste red berry and a hint of nuttiness.

The wine will make a perfect partner to fillet steaks, lamb chops and hearty stews. RRP£6.79

Bridesmaids Review: Is The Tide Turning For Women In Film?

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Women in films used to be sassy, brilliant, full of quips, But somewhere along the way, we lost it all. Rosalind Russell was replaced with Shannon Elizabeth (The actress in American Pie, who was there to be a sex object and show her breasts), and Katherine Hepburn, replaced by, oh, all those actresses in those dire 1980’s films, too many to name, who were there solely to take their clothes off.

Some people think the film Bridesmaids is ‘ground-breaking’. It is, because Bridesmaids just became a Box Office hit, taking a smidge below $150 million – so far. It was a mainstream comedy written by women, starring women, about women, which won in the only way Hollywood recognises, by making money.

Helen Mirren once said that Hollywood wasn’t sexist, it just made films that people wanted to see. Young men go to the cinema more often and go to see films they liked. Women will only see more films with women if they go out and see them. Vote with your purses!

Bridesmaids is funny, it has wowed critics and audiences alike and it breaks even more boundaries, the actresses are (shock, horror!) not all 21 and a size zero. Some of them are in their 30s and are beautifully curvy. There is nothing wrong with being thin (I have been discriminated against for being thin, so I know it works both ways), I am just sick of my friends thinking they are fat when they are not.

Zoe Williams said this film was more feminist that Thelma and Louise and urged everyone to go and see it.  I am doing the same. Salon’s Mary Elizabeth Williams went even further, saying the film is ‘your first black president of female-driven comedies’.

It is ironic that as women have progressed, on screen we’ve only gone backwards. As an actress, I know more than most about what people cast and what they want. Women have to be between a size 8-12. Size 12 being a grey area, it hurts an actress to be more than a size 10. I was told by one casting director than anything above a size 10 meant ‘character actor’.

Some people have attacked Bridesmaids for not being ‘feminine’. Do they ever attack men for not being ‘gentlemen’?  I think not. Women have to be celebrated, we have to have our stories told and not just as naked, skinny, 21-year-olds. I will soon be making my own movie about women and their lives, and I thank Bridesmaids for clearing the way.

1.Bridesmaids
2.Production year: 2011
3.Country: USA
4.Cert (UK): 15
5.Runtime: 125 mins
6.Directors: Paul Feig
7.Cast: Chris O’Dowd, Ellie Kemper, Jill Clayburgh, Jon Hamm, Kristen Wiig, Matt Lucas, Maya Rudolph, Melissa McCarthy, Rose Byrne, Terry Crews, Wendi McLendon-Covey

Frost Wine Reviews: Banrock Moscato

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I have a sweet tooth and I really loved this wine. It was fruity and fresh, the perfect summer wine. It’s light and sweet, only 5.5% Vol. Perhaps not a wine for men though, considering the guys who tried it said it wasn’t their thing.

This pretty, pink-coloured Moscato is a dessert wine, though I recommend drinking it whenever you want! With a hint of peach, it’s fruity and perfect for people who don’t like dry, acidic wine. I reckon it will also be popular with people who don’t usually like wine at all!

I highly recommend it for girly afternoons in the sun and BBQ’s.

Tesco RRP £5.49

Tennis Players and Celebrities celebrate the start of the 125th Wimbledon Championship

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Tennis Players and Celebrities celebrate the start of the 125th Wimbledon Championship at the WTA Pre Wimbledon party in association with Range Rover

Last night saw the best of women’s tennis come out to celebrate the start of Wimbledon Championships for 2011.

Celebrities including Eliza Doolittle, Holly Branson, Kimberly Wyatt, Naomi Harris, Holly Valance, Patsy Kensit, Lord Sugar and Tinie Tempah joined the players at the exclusive bash held at The Roof Gardens in Kensington. The venue was decorated with a Turkish theme to acknowledge Istanbul as the host of this year’s Championship.

The event, sponsored by Range Rover, in conjunction with the launch of the all new Evoque, saw fashion take centre stage with a historical collaboration between the British Fashion Council and the Women’s Tennis Association. To celebrate the rise of fashion within the sport, top designers including Vivienne Westwood and Stella McCartney created dresses for some of the top female players.

Rising British stars Heather Watson and Laura Robson were also dressed to impress ahead of their run in the tournament, wearing stunning dresses by Mulberry and Temperley respectively.

Elen Rivas graced the red carpet and showed no signs of upset over this week’s announcement of Lampard’s engagement. She did however manage to avoid answering any questions on the subject and instead was telling everyone about her plans to become a fashion stylist.

Sinitta turned up looking glamorous and refusing to comment on whether the rumours about her and Steve Jones were true.

Jared from Kings of Leon turned up towards the end of the evening without his fellow band mates to enjoy a much needed night off from their current hectic schedule.

George Lamb was a hit with the ladies, with a swarm following him around all night.

Range Rover added music and colour to the party with an interactive Evoque inspired wireframe art installation named ‘Sounds of the City’. Guests were able to create their own sound and light show by engaging with the installation throughout the evening.

England’s top tennis tournament, set to kick of on Monday 20th June, is celebrating its 125th year