Friday, March 30, 2012

Bachelorette Alum Ashley Hebert Defends Courtney Robertson

Bachelorette Alum Ashley Hebert Defends Courtney Robertson
Ashley Hebert understands how rough reality TV stardom can be.


The former Bachelorette, currently engaged to JP Rosenbaum, whose proposal she accepted during her season's finale, told Us Weekly Thursday she sympathizes with Courtney Robertson -- the Bachelor contestant viewers loved to hate.

Hebert, 27, opened up to Us during Svedka's Night of a Billion Reality Stars bash in L.A., where she said she's confident Robertson is a better person now having gone through the cutthroat Bachelor process.

"You learn about yourself, you learn about what's right, what's wrong," Hebert shared. "I think she probably came out of it a stronger woman."

Bachelor Ben Flajnik proposed to the Los Angeles-based Robertson, 28, during a romantic Swiss getaway in November. Once episodes from her season started airing, an embarrassed Robertson, who viciously mocked her fellow contestants throughout the show, did a 180, apologizing profusely to the women she had competed with for Flajnik's affections.

"I'm disappointed in myself and how I treated the women," Robertson told host Chris Harrison during the show's Women Tell All special. "Looking back, there's so many things I would have done differently."[usmagazine.com]

Halle Berry Shows Off Huge Engagement Ring!

Halle Berry Shows Off Huge Engagement Ring!
How's this for confirmation?


Though Us Weekly first broke the big news in January, Halle Berry has so far kept mum about her engagement to French actor Olivier Martinez. Even so, the Catwoman star, 45, doesn't seem shy about showing off her gorgeous ring.

Dressed down in flats and an off-the-shoulder striped tee, Berry, 45, flashed her giant emerald sparkler for photographers when she headed out to visit a friend in Studio City Friday.

Martinez, 46, finally spoke out about his engagement to Berry earlier this month, hoping to address rumors about the actress' custom-designed rock. "Yes, of course we're engaged!" the actor-turned-restauranteur told Miami.com. "There is a jeweler taking credit for doing the ring, and it's a lie!"

Hoping to set the story straight, Martinez told the paper the ring was actually designed by Parisian jeweler Robert Mazlo, "a real artist" whose family has designed jewelry for European royalty for hundreds of years.

Once Berry and Martinez tie the knot, they may be looking to settle down in Paris. The couple was spotted in Martinez's hometown March 19, visiting possible kindergartens for Berry's 3-year-old daughter Nahla, her only child with ex Gabriel Aubry.[usmagazine.com]

Candice Swanepoel and Miranda Kerr : Ready to Swim

Candice Swanepoel and Miranda Kerr promoted Victoria's Secret 2012 SWIM Collection at the Thompson Hotel in Beverly Hills Thursday.

Ben Flajnik, Courtney Robertson Claim: "We Love Each Other Very Much"

Ben Flajnik, Courtney Robertson Claim: "We Love Each Other Very Much"
It was date night for Ben Flajnik and fiancee Courtney Robertson in Hollywood on Thursday at Svedka's Second Annual Night of a Billion Reality Stars bash.

With fellow (and former) reality stars like Jon Gosselin, Kyle Richards, Ali Fedotowsky, Teresa Giudice, Gretchen Rossi also in attendance, the winemaker, 29, and the model 28, were the obvious center of attention -- but the talked-about twosome told Us Weekly that they're settling into normal life.

"It's getting close," Flajnik said. "Now that the show's over and the star's fading . . . [it's] wonderful for us."

"We're getting there," Robertson told Us.

The couple are back in the States after a recent five-day vacation in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. "Oh my goodness," Robertson said. "I'm still so relaxed. It was really great."

"I'm back to work, all stressed out," Flajnik chimed in.

And, though the couple have an army of skeptics, they told Us they've learned "lots" about each other since the end of the Bachelor's filming and its controversial aftermath in which Flajnik cheated with other women.

"The thing that people don't know is that when the show was airing we spent a lot of time together, and we were off almost every weekend," Flajnik explained. "We got to know each other really well."

"He's met some of my friends in San Francisco and I've been with his," Robertson said.

As for wedding plans? "No date set," Robertson admitted. "We're engaged, dating, taking it slow. We love each other very much. It took the pressure off. "

Mused Flajnik: "We kind of looked back at some of the other Bachelor relationships that didn't work out and the reason for that is you have so much pressure to move in together and set a date and all this kind of stuff . . . Let's figure out who we are together before we do any of that and take the pressure off."

If they do tie the knot, it would be in "Arizona or California somewhere," he said.[usmagazine]

SM Entertainment issues stocks for their stars

It was revealed that one of Korea's largest entertainment companies, SM Entertainment would be issuing approximately USD 881,000 worth of new shares for its stars.

According to Allkpop website, on 26 March, SM Entertainment announced the plan through DART Financial Supervisory Service, stating that SM artistes such as Kangta, BoA, DBSK, Super Junior, SNSD, SHINee, f(x), Go Ara, and more will be issued SM stocks worth approximately USD 881,000. Each individual stock will have a share value of KRW 44,550 (approx. USD 40) and the agency will issue about 22,120 new shares for their stars.

In an official statement, SM Entertainment announced, "This capital increase represents a strengthening partnership between the company and its artistes, and we hope that as shareholders, our stars will share and take part in the vision and growth of the company."

 They continued by saying that they will expect a global growth of the company through this renewed partnership with the stars.[yahoo.com]

Ways to feel better naked

Get active

Feeling good about being naked doesn’t necessarily mean losing weight or bulking up; it can be about the way you perceive your body. Taking up a new activity, like dancing, spinning or weight lifting can do just that. By using your body to move more gracefully or cycle faster you should begin to relate to it on a physical level, opposed to a purely aesthetical one.

You will be able to see the perks of your long arms or your bulky ankles and hopefully break some of the negative associations you currently have. If you try to see your body as a tool, rather than a symbol of attractiveness, your perception and judgement should alter and your confidence will soar.


Stop comparing

Yes, your friend may have arms like Arnold Schwarzenegger or a stomach like Jennifer Aniston, but you are not your friend and this is not a competition. If you’re one of life’s “comparers” take a deep breath and try to suss out why you’re thinking this way. Have you had a rough time recently? If you have, then chances are you’re feeling shaky and when that happens it’s easy to think everyone else is perfect; but they’re not.

You should try to remember this when you next get body envy and work on solutions to overcome this shaky patch. Address any issues you may have head on and use any resources available to tackle your predicament. Fingers crossed, with some determination, creativity and bravery you can beat your blues and feel body confident again.

Buy clothes that fit

If you want to feel confident when you’re naked you need to feel confident when you’re dressed too. Although it’s tempting to wear your favourite shirt that you’ve had for five years, check whether it still fits. Wearing ill-fitting clothes, whether they’re too tight or too baggy, is one of the most common mistakes people make when it comes to body issues. If something doesn’t fit, it can be uncomfortable and make you look far worse that you do in reality.

The best way to sort out your wardrobe is to have a clear out. Work out what your measurements are first then root through your clothes and chuck anything that no longer fits. When shopping for new clothes, if you can try to get measured by a professional; especially for those bras, ladies.

Jump on a horse

Okay, if you’re terrified of horses or have as much balance as a hyperactive toddler at a birthday bash, then it might not be a wise idea to jump on a horse. However, to feel great naked you have to be proud of whom you are. You should not be basing your self-worth on how you look, but by what you can achieve and who you are as a person.

To work on your sense of worth take on a new challenge, start a project or do some volunteering. Learning something new or giving something that you fear a go will also help you stop judging yourself on the way you look on the outside. The truth is if you’re feeling good about other areas of your life, then you will feel proud of every part of you, even the bits that jiggle and wiggle.

Avoid the bloaters

If you know that you are going to be getting naked, then there are some foods you should definitely avoid in the run-up to unveiling yourself. As tasty as they are, avoid things like chocolate, cakes or cookies. All of these foods have a lot of unrefined sugar, which means trouble for your tummy. Also, although it may sound odd, try to avoid fruit for a little while too, as fruit has high levels of fructose and may also balloon your stomach.

Swap these foods for fresh vegetables, lean protein and complex carbohydrates like brown rice or quinoa. A tasty, bloat-free dish could be salmon, with asparagus and rice in a tomato and basil sauce. Or why not make a fabulous vegetable chilli. If you try to eat meals like this, you’ll minimise the likelihood of looking bloated[yahoo.com]

Fergie Wears Two Sports Bras While Jumping Rope!

It isn't easy being "Fergalicious," but somehow Fergie, 37, has managed to stay in tip-top shape for nearly a decade.
"I work out four times a week," the singer said on The Rachael Ray Show Thursday. "I get bored, so like I hike outside and I walk uphill to squeeze those glutes, put on music, jump rope -- with a double sports bra! A double sports bra is key for the jump rope."


Because of her intense workouts, the "Don't Phunk With My Heart" singer isn't afraid to indulge in some not-so-healthy fare.

"There's this one weakness that I have and it's a freezer weakness. It's Amy's Enchiladas, with cheddar cheese. There's one with the low-sodium, so I'm thinking, 'Okay, I can have it. It's got the beans and the corn inside. ' Well, not when you add four pieces of your own sharp cheddar cheese slices on the top, and put it in the microwave! That's definitely a cheat for me and something that I did last week a couple times."

The singer and Voli vodka spokeswoman, who wed actor Josh Duhamel in 2009, is currently taking a break from music now that her worldwide tour with the Black Eyed Peas is over.

"Don't get me wrong -- it's in my blood, in my veins, it runs through it, but doing it for eight years in a row, sleeping in different beds, in different time zones, there's not much of a structure," Fergie said. "It's nice to come home and be a wife and get to start to decorate my house and do all of those things. I'm still cleaning out my closet and boxes in the garage of all the things, but it's cathartic for me. It's wonderful."[usmagazine.com]

Hot! Kate Hudson Shows Off Amazing Bod in Tiny Bikini 8 Months After Baby

Bing Bellamy's bodacious mama!
Kate Hudson delivered son Bingham "Bing" Hawn Bellamy on July 10. And now, eight months later, the Something Borrowed actress, 33, is more than ready to show off her famous bikini bod, taut and slim as it was before her second pregnancy.


(Bing's older brother is Ryder, Hudson's 8-year-old with ex-husband Chris Robinson.)

In Cancun, Mexico March 16 with Bing's dad, fiance Matt Bellamy of the band Muse, Hudson showed off her physique in a tiny, black-and-white striped string bikini as she and her man lolled about in the sand and surf.

How did the Oscar-nominated actress (and daughter of Goldie Hawn) get back in such fighting shape? Dance, dance, dance!

According to a source, Hudson had a dance studio built in her L.A. home -- complete with state-of-the-art stereo system -- for daily, hour-long dance workouts. "It worked!" raves the insider of Hudson, who's also a fan of cycling. The Oscar nominee also kept to strict portions of protein and veggies, and stopped eating after 7 p.m. "She has no baby fat!" raves the friend.[Usmagazine.com]

Is This Snooki and Jionni’s Official Engagement Photo?

Say cheese! Pregnant Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi happily posed with her fiancé, Jionni LaValle, for what could be considered an official engagement portrait on Wednesday. The parents-to-be were reportedly celebrating the end of filming for her "Jersey Shore" spin-off show with Jenni "JWoww" Farley. That could explain Snooki's choice of clothing and accessories in the Twitter pic: a fur-trimmed sweater, giant tiger-print bow, and matching (or rather, clashing) zebra-patterned earrings.

Ever since the pint-sized reality star, 24, announced she was pregnant, she hasn't been able to stop gushing about it. Snooki's Twitter timeline is full of adorable ramblings from the expectant mother, like what kind of music she wants to play for her bump and how her pregnancy has enhanced her cleavage. On Thursday, she posted photographic evidence of her growing chest, with the comment, "I got swagger with my pregnant self." When one fan tweeted back that her breasts had gotten "huge," she responded, "They won't stop growing. I'm scared."

Until the time comes for her little meatball to enter the world, Snooki has been getting her practice in — with a plastic doll. On March 22, she and JWoww were photographed carrying dolls swaddled in animal-print blankets around Jersey City, New Jersey, while Snooki shows off her pregnancy cleavage. (Twitter)filming their new show. Snooki is due in the summer — around the same time she will be filming the sixth season of "Jersey Shore." If in fact the baby comes during her time at the shore house, her co-star Vinny Guadagnino revealed it will have its own spot in the group's Seaside Heights crib. "We're going to turn the Smush Room into a nursery," he told "The Insider" recently. "We're great role models for a kid. We'll make it work. And all these factors can only help the show."

We've all seen what goes on in that room, so let's hope Vinny was only kidding![omg.yahoo.com]

Lady Gaga Wears Crown, No Pants for Her Birthday

Lady Gaga may have told Oprah Winfrey that she didn't "intend to speak to anyone for a very long time," but she's certainly commanding attention in other ways. Her latest "look at me" moment occurred on Wednesday (her 26th birthday) — a mere 10 days after her comment to Winfrey — when the pop star stepped out in West Hollywood in a rhinestone-covered crown, studded motorcycle jacket … and no pants. Instead

 Gaga, who also carried around a little dog in a white T-shirt, opted for a pair of black sheer tights over her brief-style panties. She even posted a photo of her kooky getup on Twitter, with a message to her more than 21 million followers: "I can be, the Queen that's inside of me. You guys are the best."

Whatever Gaga does, her Little Monsters revel in it. Although wearing a crown could be considered a bit vain (even for a celebrity), countless fans re-tweeted her photo, and even more left her loving comments telling their Mother Monster how beautiful she was and wishing her the happiest of birthdays.

"Thank you for being in my life!," wrote one named @JemmaLovesGaga. "Your so special to me. I love you so much happy birthday my queen!" Other Little Monsters tweeted original videos they made in honor of her big day. The "Born This Way" singer even tweeted one in particular that caught her eye. "This is so sweet!" she added to the post. "The best birthday present ever. I love little monsters so much. Thank you so being in my life!"

Ever since Gaga's March 18 interview with Winfrey, during which she revealed she was going to purposely retreat out of the public eye, she's really done anything but. Although she hasn't been constantly out and about, she has made her presence known via her Twitter account, where she tweets out messages and photos of herself practically every day. Three hours before her March 28 birthday,

Gaga uploaded a pic of a slice of her birthday cake, albeit smashed — and placed right next to a pricey Chanel purse. On Tuesday, she posted a photo of herself sans makeup, which of course made the rounds on nearly every entertainment website since it's such a rare occurrence to see the singer without her usual face paint. Other tweets have focused on her exercise routines (yoga and cycling), jokes about her gay friends, and a plug to buy her ex-boyfriend Luc Carl's new book.[omg.yahoo.com]

See How Big Natalie Portman's Son Aleph, 10 Months, Has Gotten

Awww, Aleph! as Gotten
In June, Natalie Portman and Benjamin Millepied's son, Aleph, celebrates his first birthday. But the Hollywood tot is already looking like a big boy!


On Wednesday, Portman, 31, headed out to the market in Orange County, Calif. with Aleph, now sporting a full head of curly wild hair and wearing striped dungarees.  The Oscar-winning actress chatted on her cell phone as she carried her little boy.

Portman and French dancer-choreographer Millepied, 34, met and fell in love while making Black Swan, announcing their engagement and Portman's pregnancy in late 2010.

The steadfastly private couple hit this year's Academy Awards wearing wedding bands.

"I designed the rings worn by Benjamin Millepied and Natalie Portman," the couple's jeweler Jamie Wolf told Us. "They were made with recycled platinum and conflict free diamonds."

Portman's manager did not reply to requests for comment from Us regarding the wedding.[usmagazine.com]

See Courteney Cox Without Makeup

 See Courteney Cox  Without Makeup She once said "beauty over 40 is a slippery slope," but Courteney Cox doesn't feel pressured to always look perfectly made-up.

The Cougar Town actress, 47, went bare-faced on the set of her first directorial debut, Lifetime's Tall Hot Blonde, in which she also stars in.

She was covered up in jeans and an olive jacket, but it's no secret that Cox still has an amazing bikini body, thanks to the Tracy Anderson Method and a healthy diet.

Perhaps the single star -- who admitted she's been dateless since separating with husband David Arquette in October 2011 -- is sticking to a low-key look until she's ready to meet a new man.

"No guy's asked me out. I'm not saying I'm not ready to have a make-out session, but it just makes me nervous," Cox told Howard Stern in February. "I don't like to go out in general."[usmagazine.com]

Hilary Duff Debuts Post-Baby Bod in Skin-Tight Leopard Jeans

Hilary Duff has made her post-birth debut!
The star, who welcomed baby Luca Cruz into the world just a week ago, stepped out in West Hollywood Thursday for the first time since going into labor.


Clad in skin-tight leopard-print skinny jeans, a blue violet blouse and towering platform sandals, Duff, 24, was all smiles while making her way to a hair salon, sans her and hubby Mike Comrie's newest bundle of joy.

Early Tuesday morning, the new mom took to Twitter to reveal her newfound respect for motherhood.

"4 am...Sleepy eyed. Feeding baby..whew this job is no joke!" Duff, 24, tweeted early that day.

"Luca fed! Mamma fed! Time to do it all again in 2 hours! Oh how life has changed! Lol In such a wonderful way :)" she posted the day before.[usmagazine.com]

Pregnant Jessica Simpson Drops $4,495 on Embellished Jacket

Pregnant Jessica Simpson Drops $4,495 on Embellished Jacket
With one month to go in her pregnancy, Jessica Simpson has unfortunately had to trade her beloved, sky-high heels for flats and sandals.

"I tried but it was too hard," the first-time mom to be was overheard telling a fellow shopper in Santa Monica this month. "Wearing heels is like a religion to me, so it's tough!"

Thus, with her fanciful footwear collecting dust in the closet, the star mom has been compensating with an over-the-top expensive wardrobe. Get all the details on her three priciest looks below.

For her appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live March 19, the Fashion Star mentor worked a red-rose printed Roberto Cavalli dress that retails for $2,200. "Apparently I have a lot of amniotic fluid, so whenever my water breaks it will be like a fire hydrant!" she told the host about her pregnancy curves.

In Beverly Hills March 16, Simpson, 30, stepped out in a black maxi dress underneath an elaborate Giambattista Valli jacket. The design boasts leopard-print sleeves, front and back panels made from African tweed and a hem trimmed with Ostrich feathers and a stone and crystal applique. The hefty price tag that comes with such an intricate piece: $4,495.

In Sherman Oaks, Calif. January 21, the star donned a cotton striped Thakoon maxi dress ($725) and carried a python Valentino "Rockstud" bag ($4,495). But the most stand-out wardrobe piece that day was her fur-trimmed gray Dolce & Gabbana sweater coat, which sells for $1,850.

In the April issue of ELLE, Simpson, who is due to give birth to her and fiance Eric Johnson’s first baby next month, posed nude for its cover and revealed that she is having a girl. [Usmagazine.com]

Pregnant Kourtney Kardashian Wears Bikini Alongside Kim, Khloe in Swimsuit Ad

Bikini babes! Kourtney Kardashian

The new ad campaign for Kim, Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian's latest Kardashian Kollection for Sears has just been leaked, and the girls are looking hot.


In the photo shilling their new swimwear collection for the department store, the Keeping Up with the Kardashians stars work three different sexy bikini styles.

Kim, 31, flaunts her famous curves in a two-piece with ruffle detail, Kourtney, 32, sports a staples bandeau top with an embellished bikini bottoms and Khloe, 27, rocks a printed bikini beneath a sheer cover-up.

The line's co-creator, Bruno Schiavi, is over the moon about the designs coming to life.

"First look at our new Kardashian Kollection Swimwear campaign! The girls look incredible!!!!!" he posted on his Facebook page Wednesday.

In addition to swimwear, the sisters are also celebrating the launch of their sexy lingerie line that is currently available at Sears stores and at sears.com.

"OMG how fab is this new ad for Kardashian Kollection lingerie?!? Nothing makes me feel sexier, plus it's all so comfy! Killing two birds with one stone! LOL," Khloe wrote with a pic of their ad.[usmagazine]