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Glastonbury To Be Headlined By U2

Vanessa Baker — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:32:07 +0000

U2 will be headlining the 40th Glastonbury music festival in England next summer, reports CBC. The Irish band will take a break from its North American tour to appear at the festival for the first time on June 25.

“At last the biggest band in the world is going to do the best festival in the world,” said Michael Eavis, head of the festival. “Nothing could be better for our 40-year party, and there are even more surprises in the pipeline.”

The first batch of tickets for the festival went on sale in early October and all 180,000 sold out within 24 hours. Eavis says at least 13,000 more tickets will be put on sale in 2010 for the event, which will run June 23-27.

Canadian Folk Music Awards in Ottawa

Vanessa Baker — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:23:23 +0000

The fifth annual Canadian Folk Music Awards were held Saturday in Ottawa, reports CBC.

Awards were given in 19 categories, and the ceremony was co-hosted by CBC’s Shelagh Rogers and La Bottine Souriante musician Benoit Bourque.

Halifax’s Joel Plaskett’s triple album Threeearned two awards, although the singer-songwriter was not present at the ceremony. Chris McKhool’s Toronto-based band Sultans of String also won two trophies in McKhool’s hometown.

Another Halifax-native, Susan Crowe, was given the honour of English Songwriter of the Year for Greytown. “A gal like me flies under the radar most of the time, and sometimes you wonder if anyone is listening. This makes it clear that someone is listening.”

New Moon Star Ashley Greene Gives Dieting Tips

Vanessa Baker — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 23:50:43 +0000

Ashley Greene, who plays Alice Cullen in the Twilight films thanks her hectic work schedule for her figure, reports Perez Hilton.

“We were working 12 hours a day,” said the 22-year-old, “so it didn’t leave too much time to eat. We had a personal trainer and then we also had fight training. It was a good four hours a day of training.”

She said when she did eat on-set, it was really healthy stuff, and she also takes the time to do Pilates. “I do it early in the morning. It wakes you up and it’s kind of refreshing. And that is basically it. Sometimes cardio. I am not a big weight person because when I do weights I build muscle mass.”

Kate Gosselin Doesn’t Want Jon’s Flowers

Vanessa Baker — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 23:41:13 +0000

Jon Gosselin showed up to Saturday’s arbitration with roses for his estranged wife and Jon and Kate Plus Eight co-star, Kate Gosselin, reports Perez Hilton. But she was not impressed with the gesture.

“She was disgusted by Jon’s actions,” said a source. “She sees right through him. He told the press he brought the flowers as a peace offering but Kate knows he just did it for attention. You can’t go on TV and say you despise someone and then bring them roses. Kate is keeping her focus on pushing this divorce through as fast as possible.”

A decision about the splitting of their assets is expected by Dec. 21, and the divorce is planned to be finalized before the year is through.

When Jon sheds his family in the new year, he will likely be kept occupied by court proceedings over TLC’s case regarding his breach of contract. The proceedings are scheduled to go on well into June 2010.

Paula Abdul Needs Help Walking Red Carpet

Vanessa Baker — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:56:51 +0000

Former American Idol judge Paula Abdul needed three assistants to help her walk the red carpet at the American Music Awards, reports TMZ. The 47-year-old had trouble maneuvering in her gown, which featured an enormous train.

Production Suspended on Cougar Town

Vanessa Baker — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:53:09 +0000

Due to circumstances in Cougar Town star, Courteney Cox’s personal life, fans of the ABC comedy will be left hanging as they wait to learn whether Cox’s Jules Cobb can land a younger man, reports E! News.

“We can confirm production on Cougar Town has been temporarily shut down in order for Courteney to deal with a private family matter,” said a statement released by ABC.

No word on the nature of the problem or when production is expected to resume.

Taylor Swift Cleans Up at AMAs

Vanessa Baker — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:26:25 +0000

Country singer Taylor Swift topped the American Music Awards leader-board with five wins, including Artist of the Year, reports E! News. However, the 19-year-old was not present at Sunday’s ceremony in Los Angeles because she was rehearsing for a show at London’s Wembley Arena .

Michael Jackson received four posthumous awards, rounding out his career total to 25. His brother, Jermaine Jackson, was present to accept on his behalf.

“We love you, Michael,” said Jermaine, who sported a sequined glove for the event. “It’s not just about the winnings, the awards, it’s mainly the message. The message that Michael had will live on forever and he saw good in everyone and he wanted them to do good. To start with love and let’s love each other.”

When Swift accepted her win for Artist of the Year, she gave tribute to the King of Pop. “I just want to say that music has never been ultimately about competition and to even be mentioned in a category with Michael Jackson who we’ll miss and love forever is an unimaginable honour. And I just want to say I’m sending my love to the Jackson family and Janet.”

American Idol’s Adam Lambert, Lady Gaga and Janet Jackson were among the many artists to perform at the show.

Michael Jackson and Swift received the honours for male and female artist, respectively, while the Black Eyed Peas picked up the award for band, duo or group. Michael’s album Number Ones was named Album of the Year.

Rihanna Box Set to Hit Shelves

Vanessa Baker — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 16:31:26 +0000

Singer Rihanna is releasing a box set containing her first three hit albums, Music of the Sun, A Girl Like Me and Good Girl Gone Bad, reports Perez Hilton.

The collection will hit shelves Dec. 15, while her latest album, Rated R, is scheduled for release Nov. 23.

Radio Hosts Tell Spencer Pratt to Pay Up

Vanessa Baker — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 13:49:13 +0000

The hosts of radio show “Jojo, Reagan and the Mix Morning Show,” are asking Spencer Pratt to put his money where his mouth is and pay them the $1,000 he bet them Friday morning, reports TMZ. Pratt claimed his wife, Heidi Montag’s performance on the Miss Universe pageant was the most-watched television event in the history of time and space.

While one billion people tuned in to the pageant Aug. 23, Princess Diana’s funeral had 2.5 billion viewers. The radio hosts are waiting for their cheque.

Howard K. Stern Lawsuit Settled

Vanessa Baker — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 01:13:01 +0000

A settlement has been reached in Howard K. Stern’s $60 million defamation lawsuit against Rita Cosby, reports TMZ.

In her book Blonde Ambition, Cosby alleges Stern and Larry Birkhead had a sexual encounter that was caught on tape. Both men deny the allegations, however, only Stern pursued legal action.