Gia Mantegna has been named Miss Golden Globe 2011

The 20-year-old actress – who is the daughter of former award nominee Joe Mantegna and his restaurateur wife Arlene – feels “honoured” to have been awarded the prestigious title by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

She said: “I have grown up watching the Golden Globes with my family and feel so fortunate to be part of such a magical evening, so early on in my career.”

Previous Miss Golden Globes include Melanie Griffith – daughter of Hitchcock’s leading lady Tippi Hedren - who gave out the awards in 1975.

Rumer Willis – whose parents are Bruce Willis and Demi Moore – was named Miss Golden Globe in 2008, but the subsequent ceremony was cancelled due to the Hollywood writer’s strike.

Kevin Costner’s daughter Lily was Miss Golden Globe in 2004 and in 1995 the title was given to a boy, Clark Gable’s son John.

Gia – who is dating ‘Hannah Montana’ actor Mitchel Musso – started her acting career at the age of 13 when she appeared in the film ‘Uncle Nero’ alongside her father.

She has since appeared on ‘Secret Life of the American Teenager,’ ‘Criminal Minds’ and NickTeen series ‘Gigantic’ alongside Meryl Streep’s daughter Grace Gummer.

The president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, Philip Berk, commented: “We are thrilled to have Gia as this year’s Miss Golden Globe.

“She is just as talented as she is beautiful and will surely be a great addition to the show.”

The 68th Golden Globe Awards – which honour the best in film and television – will be presented on January 16 at the Beverly Hilton hotel in California.

Source: BANG Showbiz

Aniston, Cher — Alleged Victims in Credit Card Scheme

TMZ has learned … the U.S. Secret Service just closed in on a woman accused of operating a serious credit card scheme … and many of the alleged victims are major Hollywood mega-stars.

Law enforcement sources tell us Jennifer Aniston, Cher, Liv Tyler, Melanie Griffith, Anne Hathaway and Scott Speedman were all allegedly violated — or at least their credit cards were — by a woman who ran a swanky salon in Beverly Hills called the Chez Gabriela Studio.

According to court documents, Maria Gabriella Perez is accused of ripping off the credit card information from her ultra-wealthy clients … and “fraudulently [charging] approximately $280,000 worth of charges in a one year period.”

According to the docs — Perez swindled $214,000 from Liv Tyler alone.

Perez was arrested on federal fraud charges — and is due to appear in court in L.A. later today.

Source: TMZ

Lucky husband Antonio Banderas

Antonio Banderas feels “lucky” to have the support of wife Melanie Griffith, and thinks their marriage works because they are always honest with one another.

Antonio Banderas became “lucky” the day he met his wife Melanie Griffith.

The Spanish actor – who married the ‘Working Girl’ actress in 1996, shortly after the breakdown of her marriage to Don Johnson and his divorce from Ana Leza the year before – has admitted his life changed dramatically from the moment he first laid eyes on his future spouse.

He said: “I was lucky from the very beginning, from the day we met. At the time we were having problems with our respective partners, and those relationships were pretty much over. We were both in very similar situations.

“She’s very funny. That’s one of those things that I’ve always loved about her, together with her generosity. I couldn’t be with someone who is depressed all the time. She helps me get past problems, including the most serious problems that we’ve had, and she’s had. We’ve got nothing to hide.”

Although the couple’s relationship hasn’t always run smoothly, they have never considered splitting up. Discussing whether they had ever talked about divorcing, Antonio, 49, said: “No, no. in 15 years, we’ve never discussed that. We’ve had rough times like anyone has, and we’ve had fights. Were a normal couple with ups and downs, but we’ve never gotten to that point. Never. I’m happy with Melanie.

“There’s no specific secret, but I guess it’s about paying attention to the little things. The details. Like getting up in the morning and embracing seeing her without makeup by saying, ‘This is part of the relationship.’ That type of really small thing. In constantly rediscovering your partner, knowing there’s a way out of any crisis.”

Source: BANG Showbiz

Melanie Griffith’s marriage to Antonio Banderas was “strengthened” by her stay in rehab.

The actress – who spent three months in Utah’s Cirque Lodge rehabilitation centre last summer for preventative treatment – got through the programme with the support of her actor spouse and their family, including their 13-year-old daughter Stella.

Discussing Melanie’s treatment, Antonio said: “The whole family took part, Stella included. I was there three times a week at a stretch, and we participated in group therapy with our daughter. It strengthened our relationship in many ways. We participated very directly, all of us. Melanie’s son and daughter Alexander and Dakota were there, as was her ex-husband Don Johnson’s son Jessie and Melanie’s mother, actress Tippi Hedren, too.

“I just wanted the mother of my children, my wife, to get better. We had no reason to hide anything. At the same time, being open helps people in the same circumstances not to be ashamed.”

Last summer’s visit was the 52-year-old actress’ third stint in rehab, with Melanie previously being treated for addictions to alcohol, cocaine and painkillers.

The visit was a preventative measure taken after she became nervous of using prescription medication to treat a knee injury she sustained in a skiing accident.

Antonio – who wed Melanie in May 1996 – explained to Britain’s Hello! magazine: “That has a very simple explanation. She hasn’t touched alcohol for years. As far as prescription pills go, she had a skiing accident in Aspen – I was there, we were skiing together – and she tore all the ligaments in her knee. She had an operation two hours after the accident, and had two operations over the next year. They had to give her painkillers. For someone who has been an addict, it was like falling into the same hole again, and Melanie was the one who decided to get treatment.

“Melanie said, ‘This isn’t good. When I finish with the rehabilitation for me knee, I’m going straight to Cirque Lodge for 90 days so I can reinforce my determination to stay clean.’ And that’s what she did. But it wasn’t because she was running around popping pills.”

Source: BANG Showbiz