Duffy is in the news with the release of her NEW single “Rain on your Parade” see previos post for video and review) and she was live on BBC breakfast being interviewed. She’s been appearing Stateside recently and is looking forward to spending Christmas in Wales.

Duffy photo by cerys34

This lady is definetly a morning person without a doubt. Interview covered a wide range of subjects such as how she copes with the new found fame and how the Duffy phenomenon got off from the ground, what was the first moment where it all began, what it’s like where she is from and heaps more.

Strangest part of the interview which will have everybody scratching their heads and put a smile on our faces is when she says “she is not sure she can sing” ??? and we all know the answer to that one?

Duffy is also performing a secret gig in a secret city in the UK, (see headline below) …………..not so secret now we think!

Duffy on BBC Breakfast 18 Nov 08 courtesy bbc.co.uk

Duffy Latest News:

Duffy to play secret gig in city
This is Nottingham, UK 
WELSH pop diva Duffy will be in the city tomorrow night for a “secret” gig. The 24-year-old behind the hits Warwick Avenue and Mercy is to perform as part …

Twilight the film which is based on the excellent young adult vampire/romance novels of the same name by Stephenie Meyer, premiered in Los Angeles last night and goes on US general release according to the trailer on November 21 and will not hit the UK according to IMDB until 19 December 08.

Kristen Stewart photo by alexadelgado

Kristen Stewart plays a starring role in the film an up and coming actress who has appeared in Panic Room, Zathura, In the Land of Women, and the critically acclaimed Into the Wild.

Stars that attended the event included Kim Bassinger and Daughter Ireland, Kristen Stewart, Frances Bean Cobain, Jennie Garth, Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon and many more.

Twilight Film Premiere Arrivals courtesy Wire ImageDespite the lack of big name stars featuring in this film, it is getting some good ratings and from what we have seen of the trailer, this looks an interesting take on a very old theme, and enough here to jolt the brain cells into action and get the adrenaline pumping at the same time, rare to have the 2  in a film at once. With the added romance twist as well, there are some quality hallmarks here suggest this film has some sort of story and plot line that needs a closer examination. It just looks that bit different from the many also rans that have been UK released recently that haven’t warranted a further look such as Easy Virtue and Max Payne and many others. We are also partial to a decent vampire film!

The Plot: Book original version courtesy Wikipedia

Isabella “Bella” Swan moves from sunny Phoenix, Arizona, to rainy Forks, Washington, to live with her father, Charlie. She chooses to do this so that her mother, Renée, can travel with her new husband, Phil Dwyer, who is a minor league baseball player. In Phoenix she was a bit of an outcast, so it surprises her that she attracts much attention at her new school, and is quickly befriended by several students. Much to her dismay, several boys in the school compete for shy Bella’s attention.

Twilight Official Trailer:

When Bella sits next to Edward Cullen in class on her first day of school, Edward seems utterly repulsed by her. He even attempts to change his schedule to avoid her, leaving Bella completely puzzled about his attitude towards her. After tricking a family friend, Jacob Black, into telling her the local tribal legends, Bella concludes that Edward and his family are vampires. Although she was inexplicably attracted to him even when she thought Edward drank human blood, she is much relieved to learn that the Cullens choose to abstain from drinking human blood, and drink animal blood instead. Over time, Edward and Bella fall in love.

The seemingly perfect state of their relationship is thrown into chaos when another vampire coven sweeps into Forks, and James, a tracker vampire, decides that he wants to hunt Bella for sport. The Cullens plan to distract the tracker by splitting up Bella and Edward, and Bella is sent to hide in a hotel in Phoenix. Bella then gets a phone call from James in which he says that he has her mother, and Bella must give herself up to James at her old dance studio, to save her. She does so, and while at the dance studio, James attacks her. Edward, along with the rest of the Cullen family, rescue Bella before James can kill her. Once they realize that James has bitten Bella’s hand, Edward sucks the venom out of her system before it can spread and change her into a vampire. Upon returning to Forks, Bella and Edward attend their prom and Bella expresses her desire to become a vampire, which Edward refuses to let happen.

Insufficient material at the time of writing to give this film  a rating but from what we have seen it looks to be in the 3 Star to 3 and a half stars category and definetly worth a look.

Twilight Film Latest News:

Fans flock to `Twilight‘ premiere in Los Angeles
The Associated Press  Meyer has written three other “Twilight” novels. Pattinson said he signed on for the film thinking it would be part of a trilogy, and he knows a script for …

Twilight’s World Premiere Rocks Los Angeles
E! Online   Outside the Twilight world premiere in Los Angeles, there are thousands of fans—they’re on every corner in the middle of Westwood Village—and they are loud. …

Shrieking masses descend on LA for the ‘Twilight‘ premiere
Entertainment Weekly 
There were hundreds of people lining the Los Angeles streets screaming and chanting. There were homemade signs, punny slogans, and custom T-shirts. …

Angelina Jolie attended a press conference in London for the film “Changeling”  last night which replaced the Premiere which was to take place on Sunday 16 Nov but which was eventually  cancelled.

Angelina Jolie photo by pbhomepage

An emotional press conference for Angelina with her coming out with some highly personal information about the role she plays in the film “Christine Collins”. She said the woman she plays  reminded her very much of her late mother Marcheline Bertrand which caused her to break down in the conference.

Angelina paid a tribute to her mother. Of her late mother she said: “Her name was Marcheline, but we used to call her Marshmallow because she was the softest, most gentle woman in the world. She was sweet and was never angry - she couldn’t swear to save her life.”

Angelina’s performance in this film is truly exceptional, something that is beyond acting, a rare thing indeed, and to reach that level there has to be some sort of intense personal and emotional involvement in the role, and after this press conference we now understand why.

Brad Pitt was also in town and they both attended a small scale private screening of the film Changeling in the Curzon Cinema, Mayfair also last night, to mark the occasion of the films release. Limited footage available due to the nature of the event.

Angelina looks set to focus increasingly on her family life and children and less on acting in the future.

Changeling goes on general release in the UK on 26 November 08.

Media Headlines surrounding Angelina Jolie:

Angeline Jolie’s tears for mother Marcheline
Mirror.co.uk, UK 
An emotional Angelina Jolie, speaking at the release of new film Changeling at a London press conference yesterday, paid tribute to her mother, …

Jolie makes tearful tribute to late mum
Digital Spy, UK 
By Sarah Rollo Angelina Jolie choked back tears as she revealed that her role in Changeling was played in her late mother’s honour. …

Tired Angelina Jolie breaks down at press conference as she pays …
Daily Mail, UK   By Lizzie Smith Angelina Jolie broke down in tears at a London press conference yesterday as she paid tribute to her late mother. The Oscar-winning actress …

Angelina Jolie cries over mother as she discusses Changeling
Times Online, UK   Angelina Jolie blinked back tears today as she told journalists in London that her role in new film Changeling reminded her of her late mother. …

The 2008 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show was held at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach Hotel, in Miami Florida on 15 November and this extravagant event which features loads of lingerie in the form of knickers and other sexy underwear all topped off with lavish extra’s which includes those famous enormous wings, to rival the carnival at Rio.

Karolina Kurkova photo by Jayson3344

Photo’s include runway, backstage and front row, pink carpet and more!

Models who took part included Heidi Klum, Adriana Lima, Miranda Kerr and Alessandra Ambrosia and Karolina Kurkova amongst others, but Heidi Klum, mother of 3 and wife of Seal and aged 35 grabbed the headlines for this show.

This show will be aired on US TV on Dec 3rd  and 10th on CBS 9pm Central.

Inside Victoria’s Secret 2008

Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show Website Latest News courtesy Victoria’s Secret:

Keep up with the latest news on this post with the Victoria’s Secret embedded feature below:

Victoria’s Secret Photo Gallery (thumbs) courtesy Wire Image:

2008 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show - Runway

2008 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show - Pink Carpet

2008 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show - Backstage and Front Row

Victoria Secret Fashion Show Miami Latest News:

VICTORIA’S SECRET FASHION SHOW Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show
ABC News 
Model Heidi Klum works the runway during Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach Hotel Nov. 15, 2008 in Miami. …

The Scoop from the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show
E! Online   If you couldn’t make it to Miami for the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show this weekend—or you were there and would just like to relive all the fun—we’ve got …

Victoria’s Secret has fashion show in Miami Beach
The Associated Press 
MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Victoria’s Secret’s angels have descended upon Miami Beach. Singer Usher kicked off the Victoria’s Secret show Saturday, …

The X Factor Finalists are still No1 with the Mariah Carey “Hero” cover which puts this song at No 1 for 3 weeks.

The Diva’s are  struggling and heading South with Leona Lewis just managing to stay in the Top 10 at No10 after entering straight in at No5 with Forgive Me. Britney Spears is a similar story down after a straight in at No4 last week, currently at No8. Alesha Dixon is doing better and creeping up to claim a Top 5 position. Beyonce has had to settle for No3 after coming straight in at No2 last week.

NEW entries include Ti feat Rihanna at No2 and The Killers at No4

Click on photo for Video Link. Chart list source Radio 1 Official Top 40

Video Link	Now	Prev	Details Artist/Song/Label/Website
	1	1	X Factor Finalists “Hero”  (Syco Music)Website: http://tinyurl.com/6rgfys
	2	NEW	Ti feat Rihanna “Live Your Life” (Atlantic)  Website: http://community.trapmuzik.com/
	3	2	Beyonce “If I were a boy”  (Columbia)Website: http://www.beyonceonline.com/
	4	NEW	The Killers  “Human”  (Vertigo)Website: http://www.thekillersmusic.com/
	5	8	Alesha Dixon “The Boy Does Nothing”  (Asylum)Website: http://www.myspace.com/aleshamusic
	6	3	Girls Aloud “The Promise”  (Fascination)Website: http://www.girlsaloud.co.uk
	7	7	Katy Perry  “Hot n Cold”   (Virgin)Website: http://www.katyperry.com
	8	4	Britney Spears “Womanizer”  (Jive)Website: http://www.britneyspears.com/
	9	6	Guru Josh Project “Infinity 2008″  (Maelstrom)Website: http://tinyurl.com/58aj4v
	10	5	Leona Lewis “Forgive Me”  (Syco Music)Website:  http://www.leonalewismusic.co.uk/

With the Changeling Premiere in London cancelled yesterday, and the resulting army of disappointed fans, devastated is the word that springs to mind at this end,  how can you salvage such a situation……. a miracle is what you need, a pure miracle!

Well they say they do happen ….and ……..Miraculously!, Angelina Jolie has appeared on the Simon Mayo Show on an interview on UK BBC Radio 5 Live TODAY and there is footage of this interview with Angelina in the studio with headphones on. It was broadcast at 2pm UK time and the video is included below, a long interview at 11 minutes with Angelina answering questions about the Changeling film and the Director Clint Eastwood and more!!!

Angelina Jolie photo by chillmithil

Changeling is due for UK Release on 26 Nov 08, a film we rated as 4 stars out of 5! If there’s any further developments they will be here!

Angelina Jolie on The Changeling & working with Clint Eastwood

The Variety Club 56th Annual  Showbiz Awards were held at Grosvenor House in Park Lane, London last night with a broad spectrum of stars in attendance including some big classic and legendary names. This awards ceremony is one of the oldest and most established in the UK that acknowledges and awards supreme talent in the UK showbiz Arena.

Hayley Westenra photo by Cloudleonheart23

Stars at the event included Cilla Black, Noel Edmonds and his girlfriend, Liz Davies, Sir Michael Caine and Lady Shakira Caine, Hayley Westenra, James McAvoy and his girlfriend Anne Marie-Duff and many more. Al Pacino who was awarded the “International Award” was unable to attend.

In awards terms Hayley Westenra the New Zealand Soprano Classical singer was the only female star to win an award in an otherwise male dominated event and she picked up a gong for “Classical Performer of the Year”

 Variety Club Awards Arrivals courtesy elizabeth toni at You Tube

Some top notch  and unbelievably close coverage of the arrivals at this event.

Variety Club Showbiz Awards Winners:

Colin Morgan – Outstanding New Talent

Sir Michael Caine – Outstanding Contribution to Showbusiness

Hairspray – Musical Theatre Award

James McAvoy – Film Award

Al Pacino – International Award

Alan Carr – TV Presenter of the Year

David Mitchell and Robert Webb – Variety Club Comedy Award

Hayley Westenra – Classical Performer of the Year

The Changeling Premiere which was due to be held today looks to have been cancelled as Angelina Jolie was unable to attend.

It was to be held at the Empire Cinema, Leicester Square and we appreciate a lot of people are trying to find out more information on the premiere. The phone number is listed here, but it’s an automated service. 0871 471 4714 If you are a fan of these of which we are not, worth a try for any further information!

Empire Cinema Website

Here is the information from a source site we use for premiere information that confirms this fact.

“It is confirmed that the Changling premiere has been cancelled, here is the response from Empire: ”

“Yes the Changeling premiere has been cancelled as Angelina Jolie’s agent informed the premiere event organisers that she cannot attend.”

There is a webcam on the rooftop of Radisson Edwardian at Leicester Square which has a view of Leicester Square which gives a good view if this has changed! At the time of writing there was no sign of any premiere taking place, if there was especially with Angelina Jolie involved, it would be packed by mid day at least for  the premiere which normally take place between 6 and 8pm..

Leicester Square Movie Premiere Webcam at Raddison Edwardian Hotel

The event has been removed from the fjgirls events!

Please note with all film premieres, the event is never 100% guaranteed to take place due to the logistics, work commitments and geographical location of movie stars and directors!

Leona Lewis appeared on X Factor performing her version and cover of the hit “Run” by Snow Patrol which she performed 100% live on the show last night, which must have felt strange and nerve wracking for her ,after winning the show in 2006 and then being back and being judged again. Arguably one of the best performers to come out of this show.

Leona Lewis photo by michelle_jesse

X Factor 2008 - Leona Lewis ‘Run’ - Live Week 6

Performance Review:

The Song:  Complete revamp of the original song by Snow Patrol and quite a challenging song to sing, similar to Mariah Carey’s “Hero” last week although not quite, with very quiet stretches and long power zones which Leona is well able to cover. We prefer the original,  miss the guitar underlay which makes this song,  but that’s just a view that is highly subjective. It’s a dark, brooding, emotional and intense song with a  message which just seems right with the Snow Patrol  guitar laced version. Good version none the less Rating 3 and a half stars out of 5.

Live Performance: A challenging and testing song with the classic conflict of power and delicacy being the issue here. Straight out of the starting blocks Leona is there, which is important, she’s looking exceptional, stage presence is in play, and she starts with authority but in a calm and quiet fragile way.   Delivering those quiet delicate lines in a solid tonal and smooth manner, superb switch from one note to another, the warble, with no hint of hesitation or micro second silent blips, interlaced with the fragile whisper, tricky stuff, but handled slickly and velvety smooth, and a brilliant start.

Chorus delivery requires a powerful driving home of the songs message and Leona builds up the power with poise, superb delivery and range and the all important scale with a piercing top end without the shrillness which is tough to deliver, things are starting to shape up to a superb performance.  Being totally brutal here, just a shade too distant on the microphone for a split second a couple of times, which downed the volume level and distanced her voice, which was clearly not the intention, something you get when not holding the Microphone directly,  hair splitting criticism this. Also the sharp intake of breath was repeatedly noticeable on the quieter stretches, but not on the louder ones, something not as noticeable with Mariah live, which unfortunately is part of the performance!

 Otherwise a struggle to find much wrong with this performance, it’s not perfection which would mark it at 4.5 stars out 5, but achieving that live is remote indeed with 5 stars being that once in a lifetime performance of non human proportions. But it’s getting there, and impressed us greatly and taking the critical ears off, its in the OMG territory, and Leona’s huge smile at the end confirms that fact. A solid and most importantly a conistent quality performance that Leona made look easy, when in fact it certainly is not. A beautiful thing to watch and listen ………………..Rating 4 stars out 5

Leona Lewis a previous X Factor winner who has recently been in South Africa for the shooting of her cover of Snow Patrol’s “Run” will be appearing on X Factor tonight 15 Nov and will be singing the song live which will be available for download at the end of the show.

Leona Lewis photo by playthatlala

Leona has recently been scooping the Gongs with two awards at the World Music Awards and one at the Glamour Women of the Year 2008 held in New York recently for best NEW UK artist (see previous article).

She will obviously be nervous performing here, and we will review her performance on Sunday if she is indeed performing. She recently performed live at the NEW Westfield Shopping Centre opening on 30 October  (see previous article) and she was on absolutely cracking form. She launched that massive shopping centre and rocked it’s very foundations with her voice in style!

Leona Lewis pre show interview (text) courtesy X Factor

Britney Spears Latest X Factor News:

Britney Spears who was rumoured to possibly be appearing on X Factor tonight looks set to be appearing on 29 November according to media sources, further details will be released nearer the time.

BRITNEY SPEARS - SPEARS PLANS RAUNCHY SET FOR X-FACTOR SHOW
Contactmusic.com, UK 
Caption: Britney Spears takes her children to the pumpkin patch to pick out a pumpkin for Halloween Los Angeles, California …. BRITNEY SPEARS is set to …

Britney’s got the X Factor: Spears seals her comeback with first …
Daily Mail, UK 
Britney’s appearance comes after Mariah Carey and Will Young appeared on recent Saturday’s, mentoring the contestants. The superstar’s X Factor performance …