Ricky Martin relies on friends’ criticism to stay grounded.

The ‘The Best Thing About Me is You’ singer knows how easy it is to be “seduced by fame,” so always keeps his closest friends from his childhood with him, in order to keep his ego in check.

He said: “My family and friends have always kept me grounded. I’ve been surrounded by good friends – people I’ve known since I was a kid – who are as raw and honest as they come.

“They know how to say, ‘You suck. That was horrible.’ When you’re seduced by fame and applause, and people telling you you’re good, it’s easy to get a big head.”

Ricky, 39, also admitted he has more “freedom” since a pivotal point in his career in 1989 when he quit boy band Menudo to go it alone.

He added: “Menudo was all about discipline. I was part of a band and was supposed to say whatever they told me to say, wear the clothes they told me to wear and dance the choreography they told me to dance.

“I quit in 1989 because I wanted to be my own man. I was sick of being told what to do, so I moved to New York. Now it’s about entertaining – it’s freedom. It’s about being who I am.”

Source: BANG Showbiz

Ashton Kutcher will play broken hearted internet billionaire Walden Schmidt on ‘Two and a Half Men’

The actor – who replaced Charlie Sheen earlier this year after the star had a spectacular falling out with creator Chuck Lorre – will make his debut in the sitcom’s season nine two-part premiere on September 19.

After revealing the details about Ashton’s character, CBS entertainment president Nina Tassler told TVline.com: “The great news is the show will be as irreverent as it’s always been. There is great value in hiring an actor like Ashton Kutcher. He is extraordinarily professional, talented, gifted actor who comes with a tremendous amount of commitment and enthusiasm.”

However, Nina appeared to rule out an appearance by Charlie in future episodes, adding: “Charlie has moved on to greener pastures. He’s obviously got a lot of opportunity on his plate.”

While there has been no confirmation on how Charlie’s character, Charlie Harper, will leave the show, it is believed the season premiere will feature his funeral.

The lothario is set to be killed off and his funeral attended by a host of former girlfriends, his brother Alan (Jon Cryer) and nephew Jake (Angus T. Jones).

Ashton’s character will then buy Charlie’s luxurious beachfront condominium after a number of buyers – including a selection of celebrity guest stars – view the property but Alan and Jake will remain living there despite Charlie’s death.

Source: BANG Showbiz

Taylor Lautner will be friends with Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson “forever”

The hunky actor – who plays werewolf Jacob Black in the ‘Twilight Saga’franchise – revealed the best thing about being a part of the movie series was getting to know Kristen (Bella Swan) and Robert (Edward Cullen) and says the three of them will always remain close.

He told Hollywoodlie.com: “My parting gifts were our friendships, lifelong friendships. We all get along great. We’re definitely going to continue spending time together. Whether we’re promoting these movies or whatever.

“There were tears on the last days, from everyone. I was the one who predicted it was actually going to be emotional on the last day.”

Taylor has previously revealed he had mixed emotions about the end of the franchise.

He said: “I think it’s mixed emotions, for sure.

“Half of me says, ‘This is a relief. I get some time off, I get to spend some time with family and friends and do other things,’ but the other half says, ‘This is so weird.’ I’ve been filming with these people for years, so it’s definitely a bummer.”

Source: BANG Showbiz

Meat Loaf’s Video Message — ‘I Did NOT Pass Out’

Meat Loaf has recorded a brand new video message to let everyone know his health is FINE — insisting he DID NOT pass out at a balloon festival in NJ this weekend … despite photos showing the singer sprawled out on the grass while hooked up to an oxygen tank.

In the clip, Mr. Loaf admits his asthma was “bothering me a little bit” … and points out “the heat index was at 106″ … but insists he only took a “little bit of oxygen” to alleviate his breathing problems so he could attend a meet and greet later that day.

Meat adds, “The brilliant thing is Pedialyte … Pedialyte will get you through anything.”

FYI — Pedialyte is an “oral rehydration solution” for kids … often consumed by children suffering from bouts of diarrhea and vomiting.

As TMZ previously reported, Meat had fainted on-stage at a concert just a few days before the balloon festival … and blamed the incident on his asthma.

Meat has another 3 shows scheduled for this weekend … hopefully, he’s stocked up on the Pedialyte.

News Source: TMZ

‘Big Brother’ Champ Sued for Embezzlement — He Claims Extortion

A partner in one of the biggest restaurant groups in Hollywood claims two of her fellow partners — both reality stars — stole the business blind … but one of the guys is coming right back at her and alleging extortion.

Shereene Arazm claims former “Big Brother” winner Mike “Boogie” Malin  and his business partner, VH1 reality star Lonnie Moore  “illegally siphoned away [money]” from the Geisha House, LLC restaurant group for years in order to “support their lavish party-boy lifestyles.”

In her suit, Arazm claims, “They gambled away hundreds of thousands of dollars that never belonged to them, they used some of the stolen monies to pay for sex, and they traveled the world at Arazm’s and the restaurant group’s expense.”

Arazm also alleges in the docs, Malin used company resources “to have multiple sexual encounters with various older men during which Malin would live out fetish role play fantasies.”

But before Arazm filed her lawsuit, Malin — who now co-stars with Moore on the reality show “Famous Food” — launched a preemptive strike Tuesday … filing his own lawsuit claiming Arazm and her lawyer, legal pit bull Marty Singer, were trying to extort him.

Malin clams he received a draft of Arazm’s complaint — written by Singer — a week ago. Malin claims he was told by Singer that he either had to pay up quickly or Arazm’s explosive lawsuit would be filed and all the dirty laundry would be aired.

Malin claims Singer’s threat constitutes civil extortion. Plus, Malin alleges Arazm and Singer had people hack into his emails and illegally tap his phone.

Both parties are seeking millions of dollars in damages.

Singer tells TMZ, “The lawsuit filed by Malin was simply a preemptive strike since Malin and his partners knew they were being sued for serious wrongful conduct. The claims in the suit are completely false and fabricated. We fully expect to get the suit promptly dismissed.”

Calls to Malin, Moore and Malin’s attorney were not immediately returned.

News Source: TMZ

Naomi Campbell is reportedly engaged

The British model and her long-term boyfriend, Russian billionaire Vladislav Doronin let off £50,000 of fireworks while on holiday in Greece and “hinted” they were now set to wed.

A guest at the Elounda Beach hotel in Crete, where the couple moored their boat, said: “Naomi and her boyfriend set of £50,000 worth of fireworks over a 20 minute period.

“She was brimming with excitement and hinted they were engaged. She was telling guests it was time to celebrate ‘their little secret’. Naomi had the most incredible ring on. Everyone was commenting on how genuinely excited she seemed.”

Fellow holidaymakers also got to enjoy the display in the Mediterranean Sea, with the guest adding it was the most amazing they had ever seen.

The visitor told the Daily Star newspaper: “She said they were celebrating something that would send their message to the stars with a spectacular display of fireworks.

“People came out of the hotels all around the bay and up the mountain to watch. It was the most incredible display I’ve ever seen.”

The 41-year-old beauty has previously professed a love of strong men, admitted she is attracted to people who know their own minds.

She said: “I like men that are strong. I like the men to wear the pants. I like strong men that know what they want, know what they are doing, that tell me what to do. I cannot tell Vlad what to do.”

Source: BANG Showbiz

Kristen Stewart “can’t stand” being called “hot”

The ‘Twilight’ actress – who was voted sixth sexiest woman in the world in an FHM magazine poll last year – hates it when people praise her for her appearance, insisting she doesn’t feel as attractive as she is perceived to be.

When asked how she feels about being called “hot,” Kristen replied: “I can’t stand that. What does that even mean? I don’t feel hot.”

The actress – who is dating her ‘Twilight Saga’ co-star Robert Pattinson –gets self conscious of people when she is out in public, although she admits she would do the same if she saw a celebrity in the street.

She told Closer magazine: “I have to pick and choose where I’m going. Sometimes I’m like, ‘Oh, I can’t deal with anything right now, I can’t see anybody.’

“I know what I’m like, and if I knew that an actor was nearby, I’d be interested.

“I’m a people watcher and I’d definitely choose that person to watch. It’s human nature to look at others and everyone is the same. So for a while I was definitely a bit self conscious.”

Source: BANG Showbiz

Sean Kingston is doing well and his “spirits are a lot higher”, according to his close pal Justin Bieber

The 21-year-old singer was allowed home from Jackson Memorial Hospital last month, three weeks after he needed medical treatment following a jet-ski accident in Miami Beach, and ‘Baby’ hitmaker Justin has been keeping his spirits raised by spending time with him in Miami, Florida.

He told MTV News: “His [Sean's] spirits are a lot higher. He still has to have people around him to make sure he’s doing alright, but his spirits are high, and he’s doing well. We were just hanging out at his house, kicking it, driving around Miami and whatnot.”

‘Beautiful Girls’ hitmaker Sean – who took over a week after the accident on May 29 to be able to breathe on his own and walk again – took to twitter to praise Justin for his support.

He wrote: “@justinbieber Love u lil bro… miss u already…. swagg swagg … Just Did Some Shopping With My Lil Bro @justinbieber And Now Ima About To Hit The Beach…. Take my talents to southbeach real quick lol (sic)”

Meanwhile, Sean revealed he is desperate to get back in the recording studio later this month, tweeting: “Just got a sickk penthouse in L.A!! i cant wait to get out there in august and start working on my new album!!! (sic)”

Source: BANG Showbiz

Ex-Viking Bryant McKinnie — I WANTED Out of My Contract!

The Minnesota Vikings officially released him moments ago — but 335-pound left tackle Bryant McKinnie tells TMZ, it was his decision … after the team sidelined him over health concerns.

McKinnie tells us, his agent put in word with the Vikings moments ago — before they officially cut him loose — asking honchos to release McKinnie… so he can sign with another team before next season.

McKinnie was placed on the reserve/non-injury list yesterday, after doctors said his cholesterol was too high and he had to lose weight — but McKinnie tells us, “I’ll definitely be ready for next season. That’s not even a question.”

The Vikings just released their own statement, claiming “This decision, while not an easy one, is in the best interests of our football team as we move forward preparing for the season. We appreciate Bryant’s contributions to the Vikings, and we wish him the best in the future.”

News Source: TMZ

‘Melrose Place’ Star Grant Show — Wife Files for Divorce

“Melrose Place” star Grant Show may soon be a single man — TMZ has learned his wife has filed for divorce.

Actress Pollyanna McIntosh filed the papers in L.A. County Superior court last week.

The couple met back in 2004 during a commercial shoot for Lane Bryant. They have no children.

News Source: TMZ

Leonardo DiCaprio has been named the world’s highest paid actor

The ‘Inception’ star toppled Johnny Depp from the top of Forbes magazine’s list, earning an estimated $77 million in the financial year 2010 – which runs to May this year – compared to the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ star’s $50 million.

Leonardo’s films ‘Inception’ and ‘Shutter Island’ took nearly $1.2 billion at the worldwide box office in 2010, with Forbes magazine saying in addition to upfront fees of around $15 million for each film, Leonardo also picked up a share of the profits.

Johnny wasn’t able to match Leonardo, despite starring in the year’s biggest grossing film, ‘Alice In Wonderland’, which made $1.024 billion at the box office, as well as ‘The Tourist’, which wasn’t received well by critics but proved an international success taking $278 million worldwide.

However, the actor – who previously topped the list after earning an estimated $75 million in 2009 – could return to the top spot next year, after staring in the fourth film in the hugely successful ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ series.

Third placed on the list was Adam Sandler, who made $40 million, closely followed by Will Smith and Tom Hanks with $36 million and $35 million respectively.

Leonardo’s earnings were over double that of the highest paid female stars – as recently estimated by Forbes for the same period – Sarah Jessica Parker and Angelina Jolie, who made around $30 million each.

Forbes magazine’s list of highest paid actors for financial year 2010, top five:

1. Leonardo DiCaprio ($77 million)

2. Johnny Depp ($50 million)

3. Adam Sandler ($40 million)

4. Will Smith ($36 million)

5. Tom Hanks ($35 million)

Source: BANG Showbiz

Taylor Lautner — Check Out My New $200,000 Toy

“Twilight” star Taylor Lautner just gave the world one more reason to hate him — because the 19-year-old just bought one of the most badass cars on the planet … worth more than $200,000.

According to sources, Taylor walked into an L.A. Mercedes-Benz dealership with his parents last Wednesday … paid for a silver 2012 SLS AMG — complete with gullwing doors — and drove it off the lot that same day.

Score one — a BIG, FAST, awesome one — for Team Jacob.

Fun facts: the SLS AMG goes from 0-60 in less than 4 seconds … and maxes out at nearly 200 mph.

News Source: TMZ

Charlie Sheen and Brooke — Our New Family Photo

It’s the photo NO ONE ever thought would be taken … Charlie Sheen and his ex-wife Brooke Mueller TOGETHER with their kids this weekend … smiling, like one big happy family.

The meeting took place at Charlie’s Hollywood Hills mansion Sunday — while Brooke was on a break from her new rehab program.

TMZ spoke with Charlie … who told us the twins, Bob and Max, had a great time — playing around and scarfing down handfuls of candy while BOTH of their parents watched.

Charlie says, “Harmony is our goal. Sunday was a wonderful start.”

Charlie and Brooke are working hard to mend their relationship so they co-parent their kids. We’re also told … when Brooke completes her treatment, Charlie wants to move her to a home in his neighborhood, so they can spend more time together … as a family.

News Source: TMZ

Jennifer Lopez is an “eternal optimist” about love

The singer-and-actress recently announced her split from third husband Marc Anthony – father of her three-year-old twins, Max and Emme – and even though she has three failed marriages behind her, Jennifer is confident she will find happiness again.

She said: “This was the hardest decision I’ve ever had to face. I really wanted this family to work. That was my biggest dream, and I worked hard at it. We both did. Sometimes it doesn’t work — and that’s sad. But I remain an eternal optimist about love. I believe in love…It’s still my biggest dream.”

The interview mostly took place before the break-up was announced and the ‘American Idol’ judge revealed she and her singer spouse were struggling to get the right balance between work and family life.

The 42-year-old beauty – who wed Marc in 2004 – told America’s Vanity Fair magazine: “It’s getting increasingly harder. When we were first married, most of the time, and even before the babies were born, we were able to go everywhere together. I wasn’t working as much. So we kind of had that. I went on tour with him a few times in the first few years of our marriage, and we did a film together. It’s hard, and we’re figuring it out. It’s tough.

“And everything is ramping up in a way. Like I said, we had the first three years of our marriage just for us. I wasn’t working, it was mainly about him. Then we got pregnant. Then it became about the kids. And then I started working again.”

Source: BANG Showbiz

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie donated $4.9 million to charity in 2009

Tax records from their Jolie-Pitt Foundation revealed the pair – who raise kids Maddox, nine, Pax, seven, Zahara, six, Shiloh, five, and three-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne – gave away around $1.95 million to the ‘Fight Club’ actor’s Make It Right Foundation, which constructs homes for working families after it was set up in 2006 following Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.

A source close to the couple said: “A lot of celebrities could learn a thing or two from Brad and Angelina.

“Not only do they give away much of their money, they make sure they do it in the very best way to the neediest causes.”

The pair’s generosity also saw them hand $1 million to the United Nations’ Pakistan Emergency Fund – which was established following extreme floods in the country – and $700,000 to a children’s cancer fund entitled Jane Etta, named after the 47-year-old actor’s mum, in Springfield, Missouri, where Brad grew up.

The town of Joplin, Missouri was given $480,000 by the multi-millionaires this year after it was devastated by a tornado, and the pair have previously donated money to good causes in Cambodia, where their adopted son Maddox was born.

Source: BANG Showbiz

Kings of Leon have cancelled their entire US tour

The American band – comprised of brothers Jared, Caleb and Nathan Followill, as well as their cousin Matthew – have called a halt to their planned concerts in America blaming “vocal issues and exhaustion” on Caleb’s part.

A statement on behalf of the band said: “We are so sorry to say Kings of Leon are cancelling their entire US tour due to Caleb Followill suffering from vocal issues and exhaustion.

“The band is devastated, but in order to give their fans the shows they deserve, they need to take this break. Unfortunately, the US dates cannot be rescheduled due to the band’s international tour schedule.”

The news comes after Caleb walked off stage in Dallas, Texas, on Saturday (30.07.11), blaming the heat.

He said: “My voice is completely 100 percent wrong. I’m sorry.

“I’m gonna go backstage for a second. I’m gonna vomit. I’m gonna drink some beer … and for the record, I’m not drunk … I’m about to fall down here because I’m so goddamn hot. … I’m gonna come back out here and I’m gonna play three more songs.”

However,he never returned to the stage with Jared revealing there was a “bigger” problem with the group.

He wrote on twitter: “I love our fans so much. I know you guys aren’t stupid. I can’t lie. There are problems in our band bigger than not drinking enough Gatorade.”

According to gossip website TMZ, tickets will be refunded and the band will resume touring in Canada on September 28th.

Source: BANG Showbiz

Kellan Lutz refused to audition for the role of ‘Twilight’s Edward Cullen because the character is “too depressing”

The hunky actor – who plays Edward’s adopted brother Emmett in the vampire franchise – revealed he was originally asked to try out for the part which eventually went to Robert Pattinson but he turned it down because he wanted a part that made him “smile”.

Kellan explained to JustJared: “I didn’t want to do it. I spent so much time filming in Africa before that, seven months, and that’s a long time to be away from your family and dogs. My agent wanted me to read for Edward and I read the script and thought that character was too depressing for me right now, I want to do something where I smile. I wanted to take a break from acting and I said that, I turned it down, I turned down the audition a couple of times.”

However, Kellan’s agent insisted the film would be career changing and convinced him to audition for the role of big brother Emmett, who Kellan loved for his “comedic” characteristics.

Kellan said: “Ryan, my agent at the time really knew it was going to be a special project so he told me to read the role of Emmett, and I read it, it was only about four lines, but he was the big brother, the comedic relief and I fell in love with him. I said ‘Sure, I would love to play this type of role’. I auditioned, and long story short, here I am finishing the saga and Emmett is going to be in my heart forever.”

Source: BANG Showbiz

Freida Pinto doesn’t need to speak to her boyfriend every day

The 26-year-old actress has been dating her ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ co-star Dev Patel for two years and though their work schedules mean they are often apart for months at a time, they have reached an “understanding” that their respective careers should come first.

Freida explained: “We’ve arrived at a situation where understanding is primary.

“Now we don’t need to Skype all the time, we don’t need to talk every day over the phone. It’s just understanding that OK, he’s doing a film right now, so today is gonna be a busy day for him, he’ll call me up tomorrow…”

The Indian actress – who studied English Literature at university in Mumbai – admits she never felt “satisfied” by academic studies and though she has accomplished a lot, she feels she and her TV presenter sister are a “minority” among their old friends because they are the “least educated”.

She told the Independent on Sunday newspaper: “I actually didn’t mind school, and I enjoyed university and college. But while that was happening I still knew that this was not satisfying enough. So among my friends’ circle, I’m the least educated!

“A lot of the younger Indian generation are either IT geniuses or doctors – the number of doctors I’ve seen in LA who are Indian is just crazy. So it is a very common thing. Or an accountant! That again is a very, very big thing.

“So I guess we’re just a minority, my sister and I. We were naturally inclined towards not doing anything that was super-academic from the very beginning. We were always interested in performing arts, and media-related stuff.”

Source: BANG Showbiz

Jude Law still uses public transport

The 38-year-old actor – who has children Rafferty, 14, Iris, 10, and eight-year-old Rudy with ex-wife Sadie Frost, as well as 22-month-old Sophia with Samantha Burke –tries to lead as normal a life as he possibly can as he thinks that will reduce the attention he receives in his personal life.

He said: “I’ve created a haven that works for me and my family. I still enjoy a very normal life with my kids. We use trains and busses and that’s often the best way.

“If you build up some sort of psychological bubble around you, I think you’re asking for trouble.”

Despite his worldwide fame, Jude insists he doesn’t think of himself as a “celebrity” because he doesn’t seek attention.

He explained in an interview with The Observer newspaper: “I hate the word celebrity, which means I’m in some messy, mushy sort of bracket with people who have won reality shows and chefs and socialites and it’s just not something I see myself as.

“I don’t invite people into my home and I’ve never courted the press unless I’m talking to them about some work I’m doing. And I don’t do that very much.”

Source: BANG Showbiz