Drake tried to make his celebrity pals sound “new” when they appeared in his debut LP. The rapper – whose new album `Thank Me Later’ includes collaborations with Kanye West, Lil Wayne, Jay-Z and Alicia Keys – deliberately set out to push the famous musicians out of their “comfort zones” and made them sound completely different to usual.
Richie Sambora’s song inspiration
Richie Sambora’s White Trash Beautiful clothing line was inspired by a song. The Bon Jovi guitarist has created the range with designer and musician Nikki Lund and says the name for the collection came to him after he penned a tune with the band’s frontman Jon Bon Jovi.
Transformed Amy Winehouse
Amy Winehouse has “totally transformed” for her new boyfriend. The ‘Back To Black’ singer is said to have quit drinking, smoking and taking drugs in a bid to please film director Reg Traviss.
U2 to lose £100million
Bono could cost U2 £100million. The lead singer of U2 has been told by doctors to rest for two months following emergency back surgery and will now miss out on the start of the group’s US leg of their 360 Degree tour.
No funeral for Gary Coleman
Gary Coleman will not have a funeral. The late ‘Diff’rent Strokes’ actor will not be given a religious burial ceremony but will be cremated instead, as soon as his ex-girlfriend Anna Gray – who was named the main beneficiary of his estate in his 2005 will – is able to travel to his home in Utah.
Joe Jackson suing AEG Live
Michael Jackson’s father is suing the late star’s concert promoter over his death. In documents filed to the California Medical Board, Joe Jackson accuses AEG Live – the company behind his 50-date ‘This Is It’ London residency – of engaging in the “unlawful practice of corporate medicine,” alleging they paid the late ‘Thriller’ star’s personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, to provide his client with dangerous medical services.
Anna Paquin squeamish with blood
Anna Paquin says fake blood makes her feel sick. The 22-year-old actress – who stars in vampire TV series ‘True Blood’ opposite her fiance Stephen Moyer – admits the worst thing about the programme is the corn syrup used in bloody scenes.
Cheryl Cole’s romantic holiday
Cheryl Cole has been taken on a surprise holiday by Derek Hough. The ‘Fight for This Love’ singer was told to head to London’s Heathrow airport, where the dancer – who she has grown increasingly close to since splitting from husband Ashley Cole in February – revealed they were off to Tanzania in Africa.
Noel Gallagher grows with it
Noel Gallagher is creating a floral “refuge” in his garden.
Festival organisers warned
Expensive acts could lead to the death of small festivals. The Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) – who help arrange Bestival and Creamfields – insist many headline artists demand too much money to appear on the bill of outdoor music events, driving ticket prices higher, sparking fears they will be undersold and ending up cancelled.
Michael Jackson’s performing children
Michael Jackson’s family would encourage his children to become “performers”.
Marion Cotillard nearly quit acting
Marion Cotillard nearly gave up acting at 27. The 34-year-old star – who earlier this year won the Order of the Arts and Letters from the French government for her services to the country’s culture – admits she became dangerously close to quitting the acting profession because few people wanted to cast her, but came back to the idea upon the advice of her agent.
Tom Hanks set for Cloud Atlas
Tom Hanks is being lined up for one of the main roles in new movie ‘Cloud Atlas’. The Oscar-winning actor is wanted to star in director Tom Tykwer’s big screen adaptation of David Mitchell’s acclaimed novel, along with Halle Berry and James McAvoy.
Bill Nighy sympathises with young actors
Bill Nighy thinks many young actors struggle to make it into showbusiness. The British star – who is currently promoting his new action comedy ‘Wild Target’ alongside Rupert Grint and Emily Blunt – admits acting is now a tough business to get into because so many now know about what goes on behind the scenes.
Taylor Lautner’s mean problem
Taylor Lautner struggled to be “mean” to Robert Pattinson.
N-Dubz star’s police confession
N-Dubz’s Dappy has confessed to giving police incorrect information. The rapper – real name Costas Dinos Contostavlos – admitted in a new documentary that he never tells officers his real name and address if he is ever stopped and searched.