Oprah Winfrey received an award at the 33rd Kennedy Centre Honours last night (06.12.10)

The chat show host was one of five celebrities – along with Sir Paul McCartney, country singer Merle Haggard, Broadway composer Jerry Herman and dancer Bill T. Jones – honoured at the event held at the White House in Washington DC.

Oprah – who was accompanied by her long-term partner Stedman Grahan - and Paul held hands on stage as US President Barack Obama addressed the crowd, saying the recipients had “given the nation the extraordinary gift of the arts”.

He added: “Although the honourees on this stage each possess a staggering amount of talent, the truth is, they aren’t being recognised tonight simply because of their careers as great lyricists or songwriters or dancers or entertainers.

“Instead, they’re being honoured for their unique ability to bring us closer together and to capture something larger about who we are – not just as Americans, but as human beings.”

No Doubt performed the Beatles’ track ‘Hello, Goodbye’ while stars such as Julia Roberts, Claire Danes, Steven Tyler, Angela Lansbury and Sidney Poitier attended the star-studded evening.

After Oprah received the award at the Kennedy Centre Honours, comedian Chris Rock joked “No one deserves this award more than Oprah Winfrey, but no one needs it less.”

Source: BANG Showbiz

Daniel Radcliffe is “not sure” he can stop himself sleeping with dancers when he performs on Broadway

The 21-year-old actor – who is to appear in New York-based musical ‘How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying’ from March 2011 – doesn’t want to get romantically involved with anyone in the foreseeable future, but admits he is unlikely to stick to his plan.

He told Dazed and Confused magazine: “I’ve been in relationships from the age of 14 and now I’m single.

“I said to a friend the other day, ‘Dude, I’m doing a show with dancers. I’ve got to be single.’

“He was like, ‘Don’t sleep with anyone in your show. That’s a mistake.’ It’s good advice. But I’m not sure I’ll stick to it.”

Daniel – who previously dated actress Laura O’Toole – recently revealed he struggles to find dates with women he hasn’t worked with.

He said: “I was in a relationship for about three years. At the moment, I’m just being single and running around chasing girls. I’m not getting too many responses, but, yes, I’m having a go.

“I’m also starting to go on dates for the first time. I’ve never really done it because all my girlfriends I’ve met through work. So we got to know each other really well at work then kind of ended up going out.”

Source: BANG Showbiz

The ‘High School Musical’ star – who became a teenage heartthrob after appearing in the Disney movie franchise – would love to try his hand at as a screen hero but fears his career could be over if the role wasn’t perfect.

He said: “I would love to try an action film at some point, but not too soon. I think that can be a kiss of death. There’s got to be a real role that I can bring something unique and specific to, a way for me to do it believably. Until then, I think it would just come across as weird.”

The 22-year-old star also revealed he is in awe of actor Leonardo DiCaprio – despite disliking him when he was growing up.

He admitted: “I think Leonardo DiCaprio’s done a great job. I was dead set against the guy when I was growing up, kind of force-fed his image from ‘Titanic’. Since then, through very hard work and incredible performances, he’s done a complete 180. Now he’s one of my favorite actors. He’s at the top of his game.”

Meanwhile, Zac has revealed he plans to return to college to continue his studies.

He said: “I know at some point I will go back and study, but at this point I’m definitely focusing on working as hard as I can on film.

“I’ve always wanted to do Broadway. Finding that right role is a challenge. I wouldn’t want to just do it to do it. I would want to make sure it’s something special.”

Source: BANG Showbiz

The 25-year-old star played murderess Roxie Hart in the London West End version of the musical and is now reprising the part in New York’s famous theatre district.

Ashlee starts her run on November 30 and admits she can’t wait to tread the boards once again.

She said: “I’m honoured to be reprising my role as Roxie Hart, returning to the stage and joining this amazing cast. Being on Broadway is a childhood dream come true.”

Big sister Jessica, 29, is thrilled Ashlee has landed the part after her disappointment of being axed from US TV series ‘Melrose Place’ last month.

Jessica wrote on her Twitter page: “I can’t wait to watch Ash’ on Broadway in all of her glory!!! I get chillbumps from toes to noggin thinking about it!!! YAY!!!! (sic)”

Source: BANG Showbiz

The British pair – who started a romance on the set of ‘Alfie’ in 2004 but split two years later after Jude had an affair with his children’s nanny – have had a series of secret meetings in New York where they are both currently starring in Broadway shows.

A source said: “Sienna and Jude have met up a few times and got on really well.

“Sienna had her heart broken by Jude, but she was young and it was the first time she’d fallen in love.

“What people don’t realise is that they always remained close, so who knows where this will lead to next.”

Jude recently hit the headlines after fathering a daughter, new born Sophia, following a brief fling with aspiring model Samantha Burke, and insiders claim they want to keep their romance under wraps to avoid further controversy.

The source added: “They’re desperate to keep their hook-ups secret because their break-up was so public. They don’t want any potential reconciliation all over the papers, especially with Jude having just fathered a child with another woman.”

In order to keep their secret, the couple have enlisted the help of Johnny Lee Miller, who is currently starring in ‘After Miss Julie’ with Sienna.

The source explained to Now magazine: “Jonny’s great at throwing the paparazzi off the scent. He’ll walk down the street with Sienna to where Jude’s staying just round the corner.”

A spokesperson for Jude – who is currently starring in play ‘Hamlet’ -has confirmed the former couple have met up, while the ‘Factory Girl’ actress – who still wears the diamond engagement ring given to her by the actor – has insisted there is nothing “weird” about them spending time together.

She said: “People would love to make a whole meal out of it, but I’ve seen ‘Hamlet’ twice now and there’s no weirdness for me personally that he’s there and I’m here.”

Source: BANG Showbiz