Celebrity Bubble

James Franco and Natalie Portman both have a lot of cache right now in Hollywood because of their memorable roles in 127 hours and Black Swan, respectively. Their performances have been hailed by critics and both films are also getting a lot of praise from everyone.

You’d think that with these accolades they’ll get into more serious roles but that’s not the case for these two stars. Franco and Portman will be starring in the fantasy parody Your Highness, which is a complete departure from their very serious roles. This gung ho attitude towards getting roles is what makes Portman and Franco such refreshing stars. May more Hollywood actors become like them.

It’s extremely rare these days to see an ultra celebrity hang out with a mega politician. More so, super extremely rare, when we see them actually working on something worthwhile. As reported in US Magazine, Ex-Prez, Bill Clinton, and hunky Brad Pitt were in New Orleans last Sunday to begin working on 150 new homes for the Katrina hurricane victims.

According to Mr. Angelina Jolie, “We hope to see a huge change here in the next six months.” Well, we’re hoping that more stars and politicians join Brad and Bill in making New Orleans better again.

May your tribe increase, gentlemen.

With all the reports about Heath Ledger‘s death, his last movie: The Dark Knight is picking up steam. There were many reports coming from different camps that the marketing of the movie be changed due to his recent death, but the film studio decided to go as planned.

Honor the late actor by not changing his role. According to the director, Chris Nolan, “If you try to honor somebody, you honor them by respecting their work and putting it out there for as many people to see… I feel a great burden to present that in an undistorted form.”

Although, we do have to admit, that it would be more than macabre to see him play his last role as The Joker.

Rest In Peace, Heath Ledger.

59-year-old and The Insider TV host Pat O’Brien has again checked into a rehabilitation facility. In 2005, O’Brien spent 40 days of treatment for alcoholism and his doctors feel that his decision to check himself into rehab again will benefit him in maintaining his sobriety. O’Brien hosts The Insider with Lara Spencer and will be celebrating his birthday on Valentine’s Day. 

Spice girl Geri Halliwell announced that future plans of reuniting the Spice Girls will be quite impossible amidst the demands of fans of another reunion stint. Ginger Spice says she will be focusing on nurturing her writing skills and will be centering her attention to becoming a children’s books writer like Madonna. 

Funnyman Jack Black and wife Tanya Haden announced during a press party for his latest film Be Kind Rewind (due out February 22) that they are expecting their second child together. Yet, Black, 36, and Haden, 35, did not reveal details such as the due date and the sex of their new child.

English fashion designer Stella McCartney and husband Alasdhair Willis, welcomed together their third child, baby boy Beckett Robert Lee, last Tuesday. The ex-Beatle Paul McCartney’s daughter married Willis in August 2003 and are parents of Miller Alasdhair James and Bailey Linda Olwyn. Stella McCartney also launched her new organic skincare line, CARE, last January.

Blonde crooner Brooke White surprised everyone when she stopped in the middle of the song, and asked one of the musical directors what the next lyric was. She was starting to build up on the emotion already, while singing You Must Love Me. She looked a lot like Madonna to me when she was onstage.

AI judge Paula Abdul told her to never stop in the middle of a song. But who could blame Brooke? Maybe she got so tensed. It has happened to me the first time I joined a singing contest. Though, of course, I sang a different line just to fill in those lyrics I forgot. Simon, on the other hand, commented that he could have done the same thing if he were in Brooke’s place. All three judges agreed that she did a good job of having an emotional connection the song. She was a brave one, and I applaud her for maintaining her composure for the rest of her performance.

I’m not going to be biased or anything, but the third performer really caught my attention. Is it true that David Archuleta is half-Filipino? His surname sounds Hispanic to me, but there is something in his eyes that makes me want to believe the rumor.

This seventeen-year-old from Utah has a super-angelic voice. I kept watching the video of his Top 6 performance wherein he sang a pop ballad version of Think of Me�. Judges described it as absolutely perfect�. I’ve never heard an acoustic rendition of a Broadway song. He really made a big risk, but he was able to pull it off. Girls were screaming after his performance. Well, isn’t it obvious yet? He’s the next American Idol for me!

My next favorite is 20-year-old Jason Castro, who sported his usual dreadlocks while serenading the crowd with his version of Memory�. Unfortunately, he received negative feedbacks from the judges. He could have chosen another piece, for Memory� was normally sung as a power ballad by a woman.

Personally, I liked the quality of his voice, though I’d say it lacks the depth most ballad singers have. I agree with Simon Cowell that Jason’s performance seemed as if he was being forced by his parents to sing in a wedding ceremony. Obviously, Broadway wasn’t for JC.