Beyonce
At a Cannes Film Festival preview of the upcoming movie Dreamgirls on Friday, stars Beyonce Knowles and Jennifer Hudson admitted they'd dealt with some weighty issues for their roles.
Knowles, 24, told reporters that she lost 20 lbs. to play the super-svelte Deena Jones, the lead singer of the Dreamettes – a '60s-style group loosely modeled on Diana Ross and the Supremes. "At the beginning (of filming), I was my normal weight," she said. "I actually gained a little bit, but then I lost 20 lbs. when I went from young Deena to old Deena. I wanted it to be something more than just make-up and hair. I wanted to see the change." Asked whether Hollywood executives pressured her to drop the weight, Knowles, in a blue halter dress designed by her mother Tina, said, "Oh no, that was my idea. "
The director (Bill Condon) actually kept telling me to 'eat, eat, eat' for continuity, but I really wanted to go all the way.
I was inspired by Tom Hanks. He did it all the way (in Castaway), so I said, I can do it all the way!" Her costar, former American Idol contestant Jennifer Hudson, makes her big-screen debut as Effie White, the powerful singer criticized by the Dreamettes' manager (Jamie Foxx) for her full figure.
Hudson told reporters she wasn't trying to lose weight: "Why fix something that isn't broke? Someone has to represent the average girl. Not everyone is a size 2." Still, she added, "I've been trying to work out, to make sure my curves don't get too much curvy.
I enjoy my jelly where it is." The movie, based on the Tony-winning 1981 Broadway musical, is due in theaters in December.
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WEEK AHEAD: The Final Idol Battle
Katharine McPhee and Taylor Hicks
Katharine McPhee and Taylor Hicks try to sing their way to the Idol crown on FOX on Wednesday. PEOPLE looks at the big night, plus other events to watch for in the coming week:
SUNDAY, MAY 21: If Madonna has her way, she's "going to turn the world into one big dance floor." She's already got a solid start: The Material Mom is taking her Confessions tour – which kicks off in Los Angeles's Forum – across the universe through the fall.
TUESDAY, MAY 23: The country world is hitting Sin City: Reba McEntire hosts The Academy of Country Music Awards, broadcast live on CBS from Las Vegas' MGM Grand at 8 p.m. ET. American Idol champ Carrie Underwood (whose "Jesus, Take the Wheel" is nominated for song of the year), Kenny Chesney, Big & Rich and Rascal Flatts will take the stage at the gala event.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 24: America will have its final say about who's the next American Idol – Katharine McPhee or Taylor Hicks. After Tuesday's final performance show, both finalists will be keeping their fingers crossed that they'll get the chance to be the next Kelly, Carrie, Fantasia or Ruben in the two-hour finale (FOX at 8 p.m. ET).
FRIDAY, MAY 26: Katie Couric will bid good-bye to her Today show pals when she makes her final appearance on the morning show (NBC at 7 a.m. ET). "I know it's going to be really tough and really surreal," she tells PEOPLE.
TV FINALES: Go back to the beginning as we learn how the women of Wisteria Lane became pals in the two-hour season finale of Desperate Housewives (ABC at 9 p.m. ET). Sydney Bristow (Jennifer Garner) and her gang of spies will have their final mission when Alias has its show finale (ABC at 8 p.m. ET). And Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) will end another harrowing day in the season finale of 24 (FOX at 8 p.m.).
NEW THIS WEEK:
• Movies (now in theaters): The Da Vinci Code, starring Tom Hanks and Audrey Tautou; Over the Hedge, voiced by Bruce Willis, Steve Carell, Gary Shandling and Wanda Sykes; The King, starring Gael Garcia Bernal and William Hurt
• Music (in stores Tuesday): Dixie Chicks, Taking the Long Way; American Idol: Season 5 Encores; Johnny Cash, Personal File; Michael Bolton, Bolton Swings Sinatra; Angels and Airwaves, We Don't Need to Whisper; Huey Lewis & The News, Greatest; X Men: The Last Stand (soundtrack)
• DVDs (in stores Tuesday): Transamerica; High School Musical; The Closer: The Complete First Season; Bloodrayne; Dog Whisperer with Cesar Milian: The Complete First Season; Deadwood: The Complete Second Season; Cheaper By the Dozen 2; Kingdom of Heaven.
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Mischa Barton's 'O.C.' Character Killed
Mischa Barton
Fox's "The O.C." closed its third season Thursday with a deadly twist. Marissa Cooper, played by Mischa Barton, was killed in a car crash.
Barton's character was central to the show, which follows four wealthy Newport Beach teens through the emotional ups and downs of high-school life.
Barton was already a familiar face when she began starring on "The O.C." in 2003. She worked as a model and appeared in several films, including "The Sixth Sense," and TV's "Once and Again." She is also a spokesmodel for Neutrogena and the Collection bebe clothing line.
Rumors flew in recent months that she was ready to leave "The O.C."
Earlier this week, Barton told "Access Hollywood," "My character has been through so, so much and there's really nothing more left for her to do."
Barton, 20, has a film arriving in 2007, "Guilty Pleasures," and other projects in the works.
Marissa's death came at the end of an otherwise upbeat episode.
The class of 2006, which includes Marissa, Ryan, Seth and Summer, graduated from Harbor High School. Seth and Summer were accepted by the same college. Ryan was reunited with his mother, who gave him a Land Cruiser as a graduation gift. Marissa's mom gave her a pearl necklace, while her dad gave her an opportunity to work with him on a yacht set to sail around the Greek islands.
Ryan was taking Marissa to the airport in his new SUV when they were antagonized at high speed by a drunken and vengeful Volchok, who they both had a history with. Volchok swigged from a flask as he chased the pair in his car.
Ryan lost control of the Land Cruiser and crashed, the vehicle rolling off the road. He pulled Marissa from the wreckage just before the vehicle caught fire.
There, on the side of the road, she died in his arms.
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Bounty Hunter Duane 'Dog' Chapman to Wed
Duane "Dog" Chapman and his fiancee, Beth Smith, kiss during a party for the third-season premiere of the Hawaii-based hit reality show, "Dog the Bounty Hunter," in this March 16, 2006 file photo, on Waikiki Beach, in Honolulu. Chapman, will marry his longtime sidekick, Smith, in a sunset ceremony Saturday, May 20, 2006, on the Big Island, in Hawaii.
The Dog has finally been collared. Duane "Dog" Chapman, star of A&E's reality show "Dog the Bounty Hunter," will marry his longtime sidekick, Beth Smith, in a sunset ceremony Saturday on the Big Island.
The wedding will be featured in an Aug. 14 episode of the show, about Chapman and his tattooed crew of fugitive finders, which is now in its third season.
"I've already been cuffed and shackled by Beth anyway," said Chapman, 53. "She's Italian and tough."
The self-proclaimed world's best bounty hunter and Smith have been together for 16 years and have two children.
Besides his trademark mullet, Chapman plans to wear white jeans to match his white leather vest, boots and American Indian jewelry, representing his heritage. Boris Krutonog, the show's co-executive producer, will be the best man.
"They could not get me into a tux," Chapman said. "They tried though."
Smith will wear an off-white lace gown with nude backing designed by Eduardo Lucero, who will attend the wedding.
Hulk Hogan and Danny Bonaduce are among the invited guests.
Favors include dog tags with the inscription, "Dog & Beth. Captured. May 20, 2006."
The wedding and reception will be held at the sprawling Hilton Waikoloa Village; the couple will honeymoon in Fiji on property provided and owned by motivational speaker Tony Robbins.
Chapman, who nabbed serial rapist and Max Factor heir Andrew Luster in 2003, said marriage won't change or tame him.
"Never. This Dog is wild."
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Judges Announced for 'America's Got Talent'
David Hasselhoff arrives to the InStyle/Warner Bros. party following the 62nd Annual Golden Globe Awards on Sunday, Jan. 16, 2005, in Beverly Hills, Calif. "America's Got Talent," the new TV contest that promises to feature a grab bag of singers, dancers, comedians and more, has an eclectic panel of judges to match including Hasselhoff.
"America's Got Talent," the new TV contest that promises to feature a grab bag of singers, dancers, comedians and more, has an eclectic panel of judges to match.
Brandy ("Moesha"), David Hasselhoff ("Baywatch") and British media figure Piers Morgan will be scrutinizing aspiring stars for the NBC series set to debut next month, the network said Thursday.
The program, from "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell and FremantleMedia, the company that produces Fox's hit singing contest, will be hosted by Regis Philbin.
"We have three different judges from three different backgrounds. Expect the unexpected," Cowell said in a statement Thursday.
The variety contest begins with a two-hour episode 8 p.m. EDT Wednesday, June 21. It will air regularly from 9-10 p.m. Wednesday, with a half-hour results show beginning Thursday, July 13, at 8:30 p.m.
As with "American Idol," the judges will decide which of the acts advance to the final round while viewers ultimately decide who gets the $1 million prize.
Brandy is a Grammy Award-winning singer whose TV credits include the specials "Cinderella" and "Double Platinum."
Hasselhoff, who was an executive producer and star of "Baywatch," is a popular singer in Europe and has appeared on stage in New York and London musicals. He's in an upcoming Adam Sandler film, "Click."
Morgan, a former editor of the London Daily Mirror, has hosted TV shows including "The Importance of Being Famous" and "The Death of Celebrity" and just started a weekly newspaper for children, "First News."
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Elvis' Legacy Joining Cirque Du Soleil
This 1958 photo provided by RCA Victor shows Elvis Presley. Cirque du Soleil (French for circus of the sun) will produce a series of shows focused on Presley's life and music and help design interactive, multimedia museums called "Elvis Experiences," CKX Inc., the parent company of Elvis Presley Enterprises, said Thursday, May 18, 2006.
Elvis Presley is going on a worldwide circus tour. CKX Inc., the parent company of Elvis Presley Enterprises, announced a long-term joint venture Thursday with Cirque du Soleil, the Canadian-based acrobatic troupe known for its extravagant theatrical and acrobatic productions.
Cirque du Soleil (French for circus of the sun) will produce a series of shows focused on Presley's life and music and help design interactive, multimedia museums called "Elvis Experiences," CKX said.
"The partnership promises to not only keep Elvis alive but also to bring a new perspective and vibrancy to Elvis that only the people at Cirque du Soleil could do," said CKX chief executive Robert F.X. Sillerman.
Touring productions are expected to get under way in about 18 months in Europe and Asia with the first of a series of "Elvis Experience" museum opening later in 2008, Sillerman said from his headquarters in New York.
Production schedules and museum sites are as yet unsettled.
CKX also owns the American Idol TV show and other entertainment ventures.
Cirque du Soleil, begun in 1984, is scheduled to stage 13 shows this year, including one set to open in Las Vegas next month based on the music of the Beatles.
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Povich Lawyer Asks Court to Dismiss Case
Maury Povich is shown at New York's City Hall in a Friday, Nov. 24, 1995 photo. Lawyers for television talk-show host Maury Povich have asked a court to dismiss a $100 million sex harassment lawsuit against him and members of his staff and to compel the producer who filed it to arbitrate the dispute.
Lawyers for television talk-show host Maury Povich have asked a court to dismiss a $100 million sex harassment lawsuit against him and members of his staff and to compel the producer who filed it to arbitrate the dispute.
Bianca Nardi, 28, of Fort Lee, N.J., complained in a lawsuit filed last month that some of her supervisors at "The Maury Povich Show" barraged her with sexual remarks and made her watch pornographic movies, wear revealing clothing and expose her body.
Her court papers say she had an unfairly heavy workload because she did tasks that were supposed to be done by another producer, who had an intimate relationship with Povich and often refused to do her own work without penalty.
Povich, whose show is produced by NBC Universal, is married to veteran television news anchor Connie Chung.
Elisabeth C. Yap, an NBC Universal lawyer, said in an affidavit dated Monday that Nardi's lawyer, Bruce Baron, was told in an April 14 letter that the producer's contract required her to arbitrate any claims arising out of any alleged discrimination or harassment.
Joe Schlosser, a spokesman for NBC Universal, said Thursday: "In response to the plaintiff's (Nardi's) complaint, we have filed a motion to dismiss the case and have asked the court to instead compel the plaintiff to arbitrate her claims as required by her contract."
Baron, Nardi's lawyer, said Thursday he found it "ironic and suspect" that anyone who is innocent of accusations of illegal conduct "would not embrace the opportunity to defend themselves in a court of law as opposed to bobbing and weaving and looking to silence this in some back room."
"My client looks forward to exercising her constitutional right to obtain justice in a court of law," Baron said.
The lawsuit names Povich, NBC Universal Television Inc. and Povich's production company, Mopo, among others, as defendants.
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All You've Got
Ciara
8:00 PM ET -MTV-"Crunk" songstress Ciara stars in this new MTV movie as Becca Watley, the leader of a girls' volleyball team known as the Little Madonnas. When their tony private school burns down, Becca and the girls are forced to transfer to a rival school and join their volleyball team.
Drama ensues when race and class become forefront issues, leading to some explosive confrontations on and off the court. MTV says the movie is kinda like "Bring It On," except it's "layered with a hot Latin and Hip Hop-influenced soundtrack." Neat. Faison Love ("Elf"), Sarah Mason ("Quintuplets") and Doug Savant ("Desperate Housewives") also star.
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