Meghann

Dancing with the Stars Dancing’s Season Eight Cast Is Revealed! In a new twist, the season eight cast of Dancing with the Stars was revealed during commercial breaks in between ABC’s Sunday night primetime lineup. The “namedropping” of the 13 contestants began at the eight o’clock hour when Extreme Makeover: Home Edition aired, and continued throughout the telecasts of Desperate Housewives and Brothers & Sisters. For the first time on the show, a celebrity couple — singer Jewel and her husband, rodeo star Ty Murray — will compete against each other. In another first, two-time Dancing champ-turned-country-singer Julianne Hough will compete with her boyfriend, country singer Chuck Wicks. “It’s the most diverse cast we’ve had,” Deena Katz, Dancing’s Senior Talent Producer tells PEOPLE. “The women are phenomenal and the men are such great characters.” “Julianne is the cutest thing you’ll ever meet and she’s one of the toughest teachers,” says Katz. “I keep warning Chuck, ‘you see this loving side, but she is tough.’” Real-life pro couple Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Karina Smirnoff, who got engaged last December, will compete against each other with their respective celebrity partners. Rounding out the celebrity lineup will be the youngest contestant ever on the show, Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson, 17. Also ready to rumba are pop star Belinda Carlisle, actress Denise Richards, former NFL star Lawrence Taylor, rapper Lil’ Kim, Jackass star Steve-O, Apple computer co-founder Steve Wozniak, actors David Alan Grier and Gilles Marini, and Access Hollywood co-host Nancy O’Dell. An ABC spokesperson says the remaining professional dancer/celebrity pairings will be announced on Thursday, February 12. Dancing’s eighth season premieres March 9 on ABC. Source: http://tvwatch.people.com/2009/02/09/danci...st-is-revealed/

Carrie Underwood at The Clive Davis Pre-Grammy Party February 7, 2009

Carrie Underwood at The 51st Annual Grammy Awards Pre-Show February 8, 2009

Carrie Underwood at The 51st Annual Grammy Awards February 8, 2009

Access’ Nancy O’Dell Among New ‘Dancing With The Stars’ Cast Access’ Nancy O’Dell Access Hollywood’s Nancy O’Dell has made a living interviewing celebrities. Now, she’s about to join the “Stars.” “Dancing With the Stars” revealed the latest cast of celebrities gearing up to lace up their dancing shoes and strut their way into the homes of millions during the “All Night Name Drop” on ABC Sunday night. The dancing hopefuls include Access Hollywood’s Nancy O’Dell, rapper Lil’ Kim, former New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor, “Jackass” wild man Steve-O, actress and reality show star Denise Richards, Olympic gold medalist Shawn Johnson, singer Jewel, rodeo star Ty Murray (who is also Jewel’s husband), actor and comedian David Alan Grier, “Sex and The City” guy candy Gilles Marini, country singer Chuck Wicks (who is also Julianne Hough’s boyfriend), former Go-Go’s singer Belinda Carlisle and Apple computers co-founder Steve Wozniak. “I’m panicked, petrified, nervous, scared and excited all rolled up together!” Nancy told Access. “When ‘DWTS’ asked if I would do the show, everyone told me I had to do it…my husband, my boss, my parent-in-laws, my sister, my dad, my kids, my manager. People love that show and so do I. However, after watching season after season, I never ever thought I’d be one of the competitors! But my baby girl loves to dance so now she can watch mama dancing. Hopefully that’s what it will look like anyway…” “Dancing” host Tom Bergeron announced the celeb cast in between the shows on ABC’s Sunday night lineup including “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” “Desperate Housewives” and “Brothers and Sisters.” “Good Morning America” will have the first live in-studio interview with one of the new celebrity dancers on Monday morning. Jimmy Kimmel will host another contestant of “Dancing’s” Season 8 on Tuesday night on his late night show. The new season of “Dancing With the Stars” will premiere on March 9 on ABC. Source: http://www.accesshollywood.com/access-nanc...t_article_13721

Singer Carrie Underwood poses on the red carpet as she arrives at the 2009 Pre-Grammy Gala & Salute to Industry Icons event in Los Angeles on February 7, 2009. The event held on the eve of the 51st Grammy awards is presented by three-time Grammy winner Clive Davis and The Recording Academy and is attended by artists and industry VIPs in music, film and television.

Katie Lee Joel cooks Katie Lee Joel’s more famous husband might be winding down a sell-out five-concert series at Hollywood's Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, but she’s getting ready to host her first-ever event at February’s South Beach Wine & Food Festival. “It’s kind of become a Sundance festival for foodies,” Lee Joel said of the festival. “It’s like a weekend of sensory overload. All of your favorite foods and all of the best chefs are there in the same place. To me, it’s the best weekend of winter. By Monday, I need a vacation to get over it.” She spoke to SUP from her home in Miami Beach where the Joels spend most of every winter. Q: Where do you like to eat in Miami Beach? A: Right now, I really love Scarpetta at the Fontainebleau. I’m a real follower of (chef) Scott Conant. I really like his food and he has Scarpetta in the Meat Packing district, which I can walk to from my house. I’m also a huge fan of Macaluso’s. We either eat at Macaluso’s or get takeout from Macaluso’s once or twice a week. I also like Michael’s Genuine. I his whole farm-to-table idea. Everything is so fresh there. Simple comfort foods, but modernized. Q: Doesn’t that describe your food style? A: I call my food style "conscious consumption," being aware of how you eat. Eat in season. Eat locally. I think it tastes better. I think it’s better for you and I think it’s better for the environment. Q: Is that philosophy reflected in the recipes on your cookbook, The Comfort Table ($25, Simon Spotlight Entertainment)? A: My recipes are really simple. I want five or six ingredients that are of top quality and don’t take a lot of preparation because they’re so good and so fresh. I’m just as happy with an ultra ripe tomato with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of salt. I think it’s all about the ingredients you use. Q: I understand your burger won the top prize at the Burger Bash during the New York City Wine & Food Festival last fall. Why do you suppose it won? A: I was completely surprised when Rachael Ray said I was the winner. I’m calling my burger the Recession Burger. It’s really a thin burger and it’s kind of tucked into a grilled cheese sandwich. My grandma, who is from Logan County, W.Va., inspired them. They were Depression burgers. Q: Tell me about the Dolce Brunch you’re hosting at the food festival. Tiffany & Co. is also involved? A: The brunch is going to be really exciting. Dolce wines are a real luxury item. They call it liquid gold. I think it’s a perfect partnership with Tiffany and then to have it at the Delano, I think it’s going to be a real chic afternoon. To have Anne Burrell’s food and then throw some diamonds in there and how it can it be a bad afternoon? I’m hoping Tiffany lends me some baubles. Source: http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/features/f...joel_cooks.html

Adding Pizzazz To Lunch You Bring To Work Katie Lee Joel Shows How To Jazz Them Up, And Displays Cool Lunch Boxes To Tote Them In http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/01/27/...in4754911.shtml

Angelina Jolie - ‘Saturday Night Live’ Weekend Update Saturday Night Live newcomer Abby Elliott impersonates mother-of-six Angelina Jolie during the “Weekend Update” of yesterday’s episode. Watch the video below and here’s the transcript: Seth Meyers: It was revealed on Thursday that the California woman who gave birth to octuplets already has six other children. What? Angelina Jolie? What, what are you doing here? Angelina Jolie: I heard someone had eight babies…does she want all of them? SM: Yeah… I mean, I think she does, yes. AJ: Where’s [your co-anchor Amy Poehler]? SM: Oh, she left. AJ: Did she take her baby with her? SM: Yeah, she did. AJ: Too bad, I could always use a new baby. SM: So, um, are you excited about the Oscars? AJ: Bye. There is a video here: http://justjared.buzznet.com/2009/02/01/an...weekend-update/

March for Babies Brings Together Celebrities, Family Teams, and Companies to Help Improve Health of Babies A group of Hollywood's new moms have joined up in a photo shoot to show their support for March for Babies, the March of Dimes premier fundraising event that helps moms have full-term pregnancies and babies have healthy lives. Volunteer moms including Nancy O'Dell (Access Hollywood), Julie Bowen (Boston Legal), Melissa Joan Hart (Whispers and Lies, Sabrina the Teenage Witch), Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon (Eyes), Diane Farr (Numb3rs), Kellie Martin (No Brother of Mine, Mystery Woman), Jenny Garth (90210), and Elisabeth Rohm (Law & Order) are all friends who got together -- some with their children -- to create a new March of Dimes public service campaign to raise funds and awareness, and to urge other moms to join the March for Babies. "We're a team of friends, a network of moms who support each other through pregnancy and those happy but exhausting early months of motherhood," said Kellie Martin. "I walk in March for Babies and I have asked my friends and contacts to support March of Dimes, and we urge everyone else to join to give babies a healthy start in life." The nation's oldest and best-loved annual walking event, March for Babies will take place the weekend of April 25-26 in more than 900 communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. The March of Dimes hopes to raise $117 million from the event in 2009 to support research to find answers to the serious problems that threaten babies and community-based programs that bring comfort and information to families whose babies were born sick or prematurely. More than 20,000 teams will participate in March for Babies nationwide, drawn from schools, clubs, moms groups, family teams, unions, large and small companies, and other organizations. Companies that participate say March for Babies shows their customers and their community that they care about moms and babies -- and it's a great team-building experience. National March for Babies sponsors in 2009 are Kmart, the March of Dimes longest standing corporate supporter and largest contributor to its mission, CIGNA, Continental Airlines, Famous Footwear, Farmers Insurance Group of Companies, FedEx and Liberty Tax Service. Additional support comes from First Response, Mead Johnson Nutrition and Ther-Rx Corporation. Outdoor Services supports March for Babies by donating billboard and bus shelter advertising space. The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide and its premier event, March for Babies(SM), the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. The walk starts here at marchforbabies.org. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org. Source: http://news.prnewswire.com/DisplayReleaseC...5624&EDATE=

Cradle Q & A Talking with... Nancy O'Dell Nancy O'Dell, co-anchor of Access Hollywood, has gained access into a new club - Mommyhood. Here she shares her most favorite and most challenging moments from her first year with baby. The Cradle: Describe motherhood in three words. Nancy: Bliss, fulfilling... heaven! The Cradle: Your daughter just turned one in June. What are some of your favorite moments from the past year? What did you find most challenging? Nancy: Gosh, there have been so many favorite moments - where do I start?! Watching her sleep sweetly on my husband's chest when she was wee little. When she belly-laughed out loud for the first time... Ashby doesn't easily go to anyone besides me and my husband, but after my Mom was diagnosed with ALS, Ashby crawled over to her immediately and put her head on my mother's chest as if to say "I know and I love you, Grandmama." Ashby was only 5 months old, but I know she sensed our pain, and it was one of the sweetest moments I have ever witnessed. How she idolizes her older brothers (my stepsons) and hangs right with them. She's definitely a tomboy. How her face lights up when I walk in from work, and then her hands reach out for me. I completely melt. Nursing... it was such a bonding time, and it was our time together. Rocking her to Celine Dion's Miracle CD. I would just cry and cry out of happiness. Oh, and perhaps a few hormones were kicking in as well. Regarding the most challenging moments... The very first month when I felt like I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. Luckily, my husband has two boys from his first marriage - my fabulous stepsons - so he was the teacher. Changing Ashby’s diapers for the first month - she HATED having her diaper changed those first few weeks. Her first fever - which she didn't get until she was one - I stayed up staring at her all night making sure she was okay, constantly checking her temperature while trying not wake her. The Cradle: Looking back, how was your pregnancy experience: enjoyable or emotional? Nancy: Definitely enjoyable - I felt so great. Seriously, I felt better than ever... better than before I was pregnant. It was probably because I was eating so healthy and I was beyond happy! The Cradle: Did you feel pressure going through your pregnancy while living in the public eye? Nancy: Ironically, it actually was freeing. If my belly stuck out on the show, there was a reason why! The Cradle: When you brought your baby home, what were those first few months like for you? Nancy: Terrifying... I felt like I had no clue what to do or when to do it - having never had a baby before. Luckily, my husband, who has two sons from his first marriage, was calm, cool, and collected. I kept quizzing people at work about what all I should know. I remember the week before maternity leave, Billy Bush (my co-host) brought in a doll and proceeded to show me how to swaddle a baby - I kid you not! The Cradle: What are some of your favorite baby - or mom - products? Are there any that you just can’t live without? Nancy: Definitely Pedipeds. I love those baby shoes. Many baby shoes don't fit a baby's foot because babies have those cute pudgy feet. Pedipeds always fit and are flexible and comfortable and stylish. I also love this high chair Ashby has. It is a Nicole Reid high chair and it looks like furniture. It is made of beautifully stained brown wood, has a vinyl seat which totally looks like leather, and her name is even embroidered on the back. It looks great just sitting out and will make a nice heirloom. Also, Silver Cross strollers and the Orbit Baby System... fabulous! And, Sleepers from The Children's Place... these are cute and affordable, too. The Cradle: How was it going back to work with a little one at home? Nancy: I have to be honest... toughest thing ever! Sometimes I run from the set to get home and see her. It is like Christmas every day! The Cradle: What do you feel is the greatest gift a mother can share or pass along to her child? Nancy: To make your child feel so loved that he or she will know you will always be there for him or her always! Give love, love, love and when you think you are showering him or her with too much affection, love even more. There is no better feeling than to know your parent has got your back. My mother was my best friend and I hope to be that for my daughter, as well. That was certainly a great gift my mother gave me. Nancy’s favorites: Pediped shoes Nicole Reid Baby High Chairs The Children's Place Sleepers Although Nancy O’Dell maintains a busy work schedule, she regularly makes time for philanthropic endeavors. O’Dell, a National Vice President of the Muscular Dystrophy Association and ALS Division Celebrity Ambassador, has been working with the ALS division since her mother, Betty Humphries, was diagnosed with and recently passed away from complications relating to ALS. Source: http://www.thecradle.com/cradlepopculture/talkingwith_nodell

Zuma's First Trip To London Gwen Stefani, Gavin Rossdale and their two sons Kingston and Zuma were spotted arriving back to their home in London today (February 5) after a family day out. This marks 5-month-old Zuma’s first trip to his father’s motherland. The family plans to spend a week or so in England’s capital where Gavin’s extended family will finally get the opportunity to meet his youngest son. After that? The happy family will return to L.A. and that is when Gwen will begin rehearsals for No Doubt’s upcoming national tour. Much like this trip, Gwen’s tour with her band will also be a family affair — Gavin and the boys will be tagging along the entire time! February 5, 2009

Angelina Jolie is the ‘Happiest Mommy’ Although her humanitarian work as a UN Goodwill Ambassador has garnered her international acclaim, actress Angelina Jolie says it places third on her list of priorities in life. “I’d say kids first, kids, woman to [partner] Brad [Pitt] and then my work internationally and trying to educate myself and trying to learn about the world and…trying to do some good things while I’m alive,” she tells Nightline. A distant fourth? Acting. “I’ve been lucky to have a great career and a lot of success,” Angelina notes. “But I wake up every day just the happiest mommy.” Still, the two worlds often intersect in unexpected ways. She adds, “I’m so lucky, and I don’t want to miss school lunches and things like that. The greatest thing about being an actor is I can play post office really, really well with the children. And restaurant, I’m great at.” The interview was conducted while the Jolie-Pitt brood was in Japan promoting her Oscar-nominated performance in Changeling, and his Oscar-nominated performance in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Although their six children – Maddox Chivan, 7, Pax Thien, 5, Zahara Marley, 4, Shiloh Nouvel, 2 ½, and fraternal twins Vivienne Marcheline and Knox Léon, 6 ½-months – were along for the ride, they remain are relatively uninterested in Angelina’s day job. She joked, “I think they only think I animate Kung Fu Panda… and that’s the extent of my career.” Source: http://celebrity-babies.com/2009/02/04/ang...happiest-mommy/

Angelina Jolie on the Oscars The Hollywood star talks about being in the race for best actress. http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=6793223

Zuma Rocks The Accessories In London-Town Gwen Stefani, Gavin Rossdale and their two sons Kingston, 2 1/2, and Zuma, 5 months, arrive at their home in London, England after just landing at Heathrow this morning. Baby Zuma is already a trend setter with his adorable beanie and funky bracelet. February 5, 2009

The Stefani-Rossdales Land In London Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale touch down at a chilly London Heathrow airport with their sons, Kingston, 2 1/2, and Zuma, 5 months on Thursday. The family had just flown in from sunny California where they’ve been seen wearing tees on the beach. The A-list family may find things a little cooler in England where much of the country has been brought to a standstill by the heaviest snowfall in the last 18 years. February 5, 2009

Isla Fisher & Olive Arrive In NYC Actress Isla Fisher and her 1-year-old daughter Olive arrived at JFK International on Monday. The adorable mother-daughter duo made their way through the terminal, with Olive taking a few steps, before mom picked her up. Yesterday, while Isla was out promoting her newest flick Confessions of a Shopaholic in The Big Apple, Olive was spotted out for a walk with her nanny. Dad is Isla’s main squeeze, Borat’s Sacha Baron Cohen. February 2 & 5, 2009

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Angelina Takes Her Charity Work To Thailand Angelina Jolie is in Thailand urging the government to give more freedom to Myanmar (Burmese) refugees locked inside camps. Yesterday, the celebrity dogooder visited Thailand’s Ban Mai Nai Soi center, home to nearly 20,000 refugees. “I was saddened to meet a 21-year-old woman who was born in a refugee camp, who has never even been out of the camp and is now raising her own child in a camp,” Angie is quoted as saying. According to the United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees office, the actress sat down on the floor in a thatched two-room house on stilts and chatted with refugee Ma Pai, a 44-year-old woman who has applied for resettlement to the United States. A boarding school for orphans and children separated from their parents, Angelina listened as two teenage girls — sent across the border to the refugee camp by their parents for education — told of their fears that they might have to go back to Myanmar when they finish their schooling. Said Miss Jolie: “I hope we can work with the Thai authorities to speed up the government admissions process and that you will not be forced to go back to Burma if danger remains.”