Biggest Celebrity Money Issues (so Far) in 2008

Money. No matter how much you have, you always want more. While money is an important asset for anyone to own to have a comfortable live, it can just as easily turn around and cause nothing but trouble. So far 2008 has seen its fair share of celebrity money issues. From tax evasion and laundering to incomplete wills, we've seen that while money can't buy happiness, it can certainly cause headaches.

How (not) to evade taxes

Evading taxes is no new feat for those with money. Whether it's athletes forgetting that they have to pay taxes on bonuses, or reality television winners forgetting to pay taxes on their $1 million prize, governments keep a close eye on celebrity tax returns and bank accounts in order to make sure they get every penny they can.

In late 2006, the United States government charged superstar actor Wesley Snipes with tax fraud and evasion of taxes-charges which could have resulted in 16 years behind bars. Thankfully for Wesley the charges of fraud were dropped, leaving only tax evasion charges. According to reports and the United States government, Snipes failed to pay any taxes on money earned from the two Blade sequels. Whoops. The willful non-payment earned Snipes a 36 month sentence in the slammer, which lasted for about a week before a judge gave Snipes the okay to head to London and Bangkok to film some movies to help pay his back taxes off.

"That's not tax evasion. Now that's tax evasion!"

Onetime "World's Most Famous Australian" Paul Hogan has also been in trouble for evading taxes this year. Unlike Wesley, he managed to evade the tax evasion charges (for now, at least). The actor, currently living in the US, has a warrant for his arrest back home in Australia. That doesn't worry Crocodile Dundee, though. "I'll be arrested the minute I land on the shore, of course, but I have a gun; so be warned,'' he joked.

Heeeeeeere's a foreclosure on a celebrity's home! Er, Johnny!

Ed McMahon, comedy legend and sidekick for more than three decades to the incomparable Johnny Carson, has been having trouble with his finances since the early part of this century. With numerous divorces and other settlements as well as health issues preventing him from working, the McMahon fortune (which has falsely been listed as over $200 million in the 90s; Ed never had near that amount) has dwindled, resulting in television's most prominent sidekick struggling to keep his home. In June of this year Ed appeared on Larry King, telling his longtime friend he was still more than half a million behind his mortgage payments, and perilously close to losing his home in Beverly Hills.

Why wait until old age to go broke?

With all of the cautious tales of celebrities going broke and losing their homes, you would think the younger generation would take notice, right? Wrong. Late last year, Ed McMahon's neighbor and Star Search discoverey Britney Spears was reported to have been spending nearly 100% of her income each month, without putting any in savings for her or her children. That alone would be more than enough for Britney to make the cut, but it gets worse for the former Mouseketeer. Due to her rather...lucrative spending, and mental health problems a court assigned her father Jamie, as a conservator (at his behest, of course) giving him full financial control to help get her finances back on track. The result so far in 2008? He's already sold several of her more prized vehicles, and soon he'll be putting her studio home on the market. Maybe that will teach her to better manage her fortune.

When boyfriends go bad

Anne Hathaway made international news this year, but not for what she did-rather who. Her boyfriend of three years--29-year-old Italian businessman Raffaello Follieri-was arrested for allegedly conning a group of real estate investors by posing as an agent of the Vatican, and then falsely promising them he could get them Catholic land cheap. Obviously that was a lie, and instead Raffaello lived it up in Manhattan, raking in over $6 million in fraudulent money. Bail for Follieri was set at a stiff $21 million due to his likelihood to flee home to Italy if he got out from behind bars.

To her credit, Anne Hathaway showed that the class she's displayed for years isn't just an act, as friends are telling reporters she cooperated with the FBI during their entire investigation. So if you're a conman with a chance to date Miss Hathaway, remember: don't!

About time someone got arrested for boy-bands

The man responsible for unleashing the Backstreet Boys and NSYNC on the world-Lou Pearlman-was arrested for lying to financers and cheating investors out of $300 million. (Not, as we had originally hoped, for making the BSB and NSYNC famous.) In an unusual deal, the judge sentenced the 53-year-old music mogul to 300 months in prison, with the stipulation that he can reduce a month of his sentence for every million he pays back to investors. Now we just need to see if any of the still-successful members of the boy-band era will be willing to help their former manager out. On second though, we're pretty sure all of them except Justin Timberlake could use some money themselves.

Not a joking matter

The final on our list of Biggest Celebrity Money Issues (so far) in 2008 is a sad story, and a somber reminder to all of us to not procrastinate on the important things. Months ago, actor Heath Ledger passed away after completing filming of The Dark Knight. It was learned a short while ago that before passing away, Ledger hadn't updated his will since 2003-in other words, since before his daughter was born. What this means is that pending a hearing or action by whatever state laws his will is under jurisdiction of, Ledger's young daughter has no right to inherent any part of her father's money. Remember, folks: don't keep putting things like that off, because you never know when it will be needed.

Author: Barry Trute
Published on: http://www.hotmommagossip.com

Star Trek Celebration In Hollywood Salutes The Women Of Trek November 14

We were told that Star Trek would let us "boldly go where no man has gone before."

But there were women who went into the unknown, too.

These are the women who traipsed among the stars.

Nichelle Nichols was one of the first. Playing Communications Officer Lt. Uhura on the Original Series, she showed women and racial minorities that there was a future for us. Nichols thought about leaving the show after the first series because her role wasn't very substantial but after talking to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., she changed her mind. He told her that people needed to see a Black Woman when they envisioned the future.

Nichol's role in space wasn't over with the cancellation of the show. She has remained active with NASA, helping to recruit women and minorities to the space agency.

On the original pilot for Star Trek, Majel Barrett played Captain Pike's Executive Officer, a position NBC executives in 1966 vetoed. Barrett was recast as Nurse Chapel in the original series and went on to become the only actor to have a role of some kind in every single Star Trek series.

On The Next Generation, there were two strong women who came to embody the series. While they were still in support roles, Gates McFadden as Doctor Beverly Crusher and Marina Siritis as Counselor Deanna Troi were active participants in the series. Dr. Crusher was gentle. Counselor Troi was insightful.

By the time Deep Space Nine rolled around, it was time to give women a leadership role. Nana Visitor played the prickly Kira Nerys. No longer were women always sweet, all the time, Visitor had a more complex personality.

And then came Voyager. Women made up a large portion of the cast starting with Captain Kathryn Janeway played by Katherine Mulgrew, was a take charge, no nonsense leader who had to guide her motley crew of Starfleet officers and Maquis rebels through the Delta Quadrant back home.

She was assisted by several other strong women. One was B'Elanna Torres played by Roxanne Dawson. Torres was a Maquis rebel who was half Klingon and half human. She was forever battling the two sides of herself.

Jeri Ryan came on mid show playing the famous Borg defectee Seven of Nine. Ryan continues to be among the most popular Trek personalities.

Enterprise had some notable female characters. Jolene Blalock served as T'Pol, the Vulcan science advisor who was onboard to guide the humans. While just an advisor, she was supposed to be the wise advisor. The humans on the crew often chafed under her direction, though. And the Captain Jonathan Archer (Scott Bakula) often disregarded her advice.

Star Trek women faced the challenges of being women in the 20th century as well as in the 23rd century. That they did it with as much compassion and humanity as they did is a credit to both the actresses who played the role and the men who created them.

On Tuesday, November 14, Majel Barrett Roddenberry joins son Eugene "Rod" Roddenberry and writer/director Nicholas Meyer for a special 40th Anniversary "Star Trek" Celebration at the world famous Grauman's Chinese Theatres Complex in Hollywood, California following a screening of "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" as part of the "Story Makers Studio" series at the Chinese. Tickets are available at the Chinese Theatre's box office and online at http://www.stiylagency.com/startrek

About the author: Stacy Fox is a second generation Trekker. A student of women?s history and Star Trek, she is especially excited about meeting Majel Barrett Roddenberry at the Story Maker?s Studio Star Trek 40th Anniversary Celebration on November 14 at Mann?s Gourman?s Chinese Theater. To find out more and get tickets yourself, go to http://www.stiylagency.com/startrek.

Hollywood Autographs From the Golden Era

Some movie buffs love collecting autographs from stars of the old time Hollywood movies. Since many of the dynamic visual effects that attract audiences today did not exist in the 30's and 40's, the intrigue and mastery of screen writing were of paramount importance. Fortunately, most of the actors and actresses of Hollywood's Golden Era graciously and generously signed for autograph collectors.

Photographs commissioned by the movie studios of the Golden Era were often of remarkable quality. Photos taken by famous Hollywood photographers that include George Hurrell and Clarence Bullock attest to their exquisite talent. Stars inscribed many attractive photographs taken by these photographers to family, friends, and fans. These quality photographs have the fine quality that is unmatched by laser printed color photos of today. Vintage photos autographed by Hollywood movie stars are wonderful collectibles.

Movies studios retained many contracts signed by Hollywood celebrities that have appeared on the autograph marketplace. Over the past decade these contract have come to market and have provided a wonderful source of authentic autographs. Even the autograph of the famously reclusive Howard Hughes can sometimes be found among the contracts he signed on behalf of his company known as Caddo. In some cases, both Howard Hughes and influential movie legend Howard Hawks have signed their names on a production contract.

Checks signed by legendary Hollywood stars are also available to collectors. Financial managers for the Golden Era stars such as Morgan Maree had files filled with their autographed contracts, checks, and other legal documents. Elizabeth Maree, widow of Morgan Maree, said that her husband had loads of autographed material signed by Judy Garland, Cary Grant and Humphrey Bogart. Alas, many of these autographed contracts were trashed and only a few trickles of their vintage autographed material have become available to collectors.

Autographs from the Golden Era of Hollywood are nostalgic reminders of one of the most remarkable periods in the history of America. The charm, beauty and grace of classic actors from this period are assurances that their autographs will continue to be collected and treasured.

Visit Famous-Celebrity-Autographs.com, a website specializing in checks signed by celebrities, to view celebrity autographed checks, and for loads of valuable information about autographs, autograph collecting, autograph buying-selling, and much more.

What To Do When You See A Celebrity

OK, so you're on holiday in California and you spot a famous celebrity. How should you act? Here are 20 dos and don'ts.

1. Respect the celebrity's right to privacy.

2. Before approaching a celebrity, consider whether it's an appropriate circumstance to do so.

3. Actors don't always get into acting to become famous; they do so because they love acting. And, not every performer wants to meet people. If they ask to be left alone, let them be.

4. If the star is with their children or family, do not approach them. Little children are easily frightened by strangers and stars are protective of their kids. Wait until the star is alone, away from their family or acknowledges you.

5. Never interrupt a celebrity.

6. If a star is dining, talking with others or is otherwise involved, don't intrude. It's better to send a short note... something like this, "I saw you across the room, but didn't want to intrude. I really enjoy your performances and, if you have a moment, would love to say hello."

7. Engage a star in conversation, only if they seem open to it.

8. If you recognize a star from afar, it's OK to wave discretely and smile.

9. If the celebrity appears to be open to meeting you, smile, extend a handshake and introduce yourself.

10. Treat a star with the same respect you would anyone famous. Address them formally as Mr. or Miss, never by their first name, unless invited to do so.

11. If you recognize a star, but can't recall their name, don't insult the star by asking who he/she is. Never say, "Aren't you famous?"

12. Restrain your enthusiasm. Don't gush.

13. Be sincere in your compliments.

14. If you liked the star's performance, say so, but don't fake appreciation. It's good form to say when you last saw them perform and how much you liked their performance. It's bad form to tell them how bad they were.

15. Personal questions about their family or friends are no-nos.

16. You are more likely to get an autograph if you establish a rapport with the star first. Once you've done so, it's OK to ask for an autograph.

17. Do not collect autographs for others. It means you don't care about the star but only about the star's celebrity status. Ask for an autograph only if you really would treasure it.

18. Don't confuse an actor with their characters. Actors portray roles, but they don't live the roles they play. Call stars by their real names, not by their character's names. If you liked or didn't like the character a star portrayed, keep it to yourself.

19. Just because you know them, doesn't mean they know you. Be polite, but not overly friendly.

20. If you meet a celebrity, don't tell everyone where to find them. Let them enjoy their privacy.

John Poimiroo is a travel writer, editor and photographer who focuses on all things about California. Find more at http://www.californiafun.us

Celebrity Lace Wigs-Hollywood Secrets

This article looks at the wigs and hairpieces which Hollywood has kept quiet about.

Many Hollywood stars wear wigs and hairpieces both on and off screen. On screen roles often demand that actors and actresses have different hair styles from those they normally wear. This is especially so in certain kinds of movies. For example men tend not have the kind of hair styles now that they may have had in the seventeenth century - most women do not wear, or grow their hair in the same way they might have done even a hundred years ago. It is quite clear that in these cases Hollywood stars wore wigs and hairpieces.

On screen hair styles have to look as natural as possible. We have all seen very famous stars and we know how they wear their hair as a general rule. Then we see them playing a particular part and wonder what has happened because their hair looks totally different and yet it still looks natural. It is very difficult to get wigs where the hair looks as though it is growing naturally from a person's head. Well the secret is out. There is a way of making and wearing wigs that gives this natural look and Hollywood has kept quiet about it for years, the human hair lace wig.

Whether you just want to have a great new look or you are experiencing hair loss, the lace front wig can be of enormous help. These wigs, once a secret of the rich and famous are now available for everyone, and at prices that are affordable.

What is a Lace Wig?

A lace wig is a front wig where the hair is attached to a base made from Swiss or French lace. The wig has lace at the hairline which is fixed with glue or adhesive tape. Once the lace is attached to your hairline, it gives the impression that the hair is growing from the scalp.

The best type of hair for this purpose is known as cuticle hair because the cuticle is left intact. Much of the hair used in wig making is stripped of the cuticle, resulting in poor quality wig hair that does not stand the test of time and is a lot easier to tangle and damage. Lace wigs are hand made and hair is knotted to the base and then lightened to appear more natural. Lace front wigs have extra lace that is designed to be trimmed before wear. This leaves a natural hairline and hair that looks as though it is attached to your scalp. No longer is this fabulously natural look a secret of the stars, it is available to you now.

Resource Information Audley Hextall http://www.productcheap.com 2007 copyright of productcheap.com all rights reserved

Play Poker Online Against the Stars of the Silver Screen

There's no secret that poker is taking the world by storm. Businessmen, college students and even grandparents are taking up the game at astronomical rates. But what about the rich and famous? They too are catching the poker bug.

According to Vanity Fair magazine, Leonardo Di Caprio and Tobey Maguire spread a monthly $10,000 buy-in "Billionaire Boys Game." The game is held at professional poker player Reagan Silber's Bel Air, CA mansion and includes actors Ben Affleck, James Woods and Mimi Rogers in the group of regulars.

Rogers, the ex-wife of actor Tom Cruise, plays online poker for hours at a time, netting $4,000 since last March alone.

James Woods helped establish an internet poker site with the intentions of providing a place for fellow actors to play head-to-head online.

Maguire, star of the movie Spiderman, hosts a game at his Hollywood Hills estate requiring a minimum $2,000 buy-in. Recent celebrities to his home game include Brad Pitt, Ed Norton and Robert De Niro.

Affleck and singer Robbie Williams, amongst other celebrities, are taking part in the European Poker Tour in Monte Carlo this coming March.

As the world of poker continues to grow, it should be no surprise that even the rich and famous need their share of action at the tables.

So next you sit down at a freeroll tournament sponsored by No Limit Freerolls you might be sitting next to a movie star.

Mr. Feather is a professional poker player and poker writer. Visit his website http://www.nlfreeroll.com and read his poker blog at http://small-stakes.blogspot.com .You never know. You may even bump into somebody famous there.

Name Your Baby for the Stars

What do I name my baby? Along with minor things like, how will I support my child and oh my goodness the baby is how many pounds and coming through how big an opening, this is a question that plagues new parents today. More and more people are shooting for originality in the naming process, wanting to be certain that their child is unique, one who stands out from the crowd.

Of course, if you wanted to fit in, you could pick up one of the most popular baby names. For girls, the top ten includes (in order from #1 to #10): Emily, Emma, Madison, Abigail, Olivia, Isabella, Hannah, Samantha ,Ava, or Ashley. Boys can pick from: Jacob, Michael, Joshua, Matthew, Ethan, Andrew, Daniel, Anthony, Christopher, or Joseph. But these seem to blasé.

Why not go for a celebrity name? Jennifer ranks pretty high in 2005, although it has dropped significantly over the past fifteen years, falling from #8 in 1991 to #42 last year. Perhaps Ms. Anniston and J-Lo aren't considered worthy. Madonna didn't even make the grade of the top 1000 baby names; of course, most new parents today probably scarcely remember her. Then again, I wouldn't want my daughter's friends singing "Like a Virgin" every time she came to class. Paris has moved up on the charts significantly in the last three years. Perhaps new parents are hoping to find a claim to the Hilton fortune. But 'Brittany' seems to be in a downward trend. Maybe it will pick up as those teen girls get a little older.

Looking for a manly boys name to convey that rugged independence? How about 'Marley', which ranks as #467 in 2005? A big fan of 'The Princess Bride'? Go with 'Westley', and perhaps your son will turn out to be an adventuring pirate who bravely slays ROUSes. (Sadly, 'Buttercup' didn't make the list. Maybe 'Daisy'?) Since the tide of popular opinion has turned against Brad Pitt, the name 'Brad' will most likely continue to decline in popularity. Oddly, despite the former success of both Tom Cruise and Tom Hanks, the name 'Tom' hasn't even been among the top 1000 picks for nearly ten years. And thankfully, Eminem has escaped the top rankings, as well.

Celebrities come and go, but their names tend to stick around for a long time. You never know when Hollywood may be calling to your child, and giving them a head start may help. Then again, it may keep them safe at home.

Statistical information came from the Social Security Administration's baby name website.

Nola Redd, mother of three, is working on naming her next baby as we speak. A freelance writer, she posts several short stories and articles at Writing.com. This article has been submitted in affiliation with http://www.BabyNameVote.Com/ which is a site for Baby Names.

Why Are Teens Attracted To Celebrity Gossip?

Most teens love to read about their favorite celebrities in the media. In fact most of the internet sites viewership consists of a large proportion of teens. Some sites are exclusively devoted to the teen readership. Why do teens tend to gravitate towards celebrity gossip?

A large number of celebrities that are in the limelight today are the younger generation and the teens tend to look upon them as role models, to a large extent. The younger generation celebrities can identify with their teenage counterparts and learn how to manipulate the media to appeal to the teenage population.

Teens are very conversant with social media, and the younger celebs themselves are also very able social media users, so both parties become very comfortable communicating with each other.

Most teenagers get very stressed out with their educational commitments, and following the lives of famous celebrities gives them a channel to view something that does not have any stress associated. Following the lives of famous celebs probably is a relaxing feature for the millions of teens who do this.

There is not one teenager in the world who would not like to be in the shoes of a famous celebrity. Many teens emulate the styles of their stars by dressing, talking and even behaving as they do.

Teens and celebrities are synonymous. Eavesdrop on any teen conversation and you will definitely learn about what the celebrities are saying, what clothes they are wearing, or where they had dinner last night. Teens are obsessed by celebrity gossip and don't they know it!

Pufed.org has all the latest Hollywood gossip and Bollywood gossip. It is the only site on the internet that has the most comprehensive celebrity gossip and news.

3 Ways to See the Stars in Hollywood

The word Hollywood brings to mind homes that cost seven figures, rich movie stars and a place where you're never sure who you might see next.

But of course you can never guarantee you will run into a big movie star, no matter how hard you might look. There are other ways to see the stars though, and these can be just as much fun as a quick glimpse of the real thing.

Try visiting the Hollywood Wax Museum for example. This venue on the Hollywood Boulevard guarantees you will be able to rub shoulders with some of the biggest film stars of recent and more distant years. If you have ever wondered whether you were taller than Angelina Jolie, or what Elvis Presley really looked like up close, this is the place to find out the answers.

This venue has been open for four decades now, and it continues to be exceedingly popular with visitors. You can pay tribute to Michael Jackson here and even have your picture taken with your favourite celebrity.

The second way to see the stars is to visit the Hollywood Walk of Fame. You won't actually see them here of course, but you can see their handprints if you go along to Grauman's Chinese Movie Theatre.

You'll find the theatre on the Hollywood Boulevard, and it provides a fascinating look back through the decades at many of the most famous names in Hollywood. Modern movie tough guys such as Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger have sunk their hands into the concrete, but there are many older names there as well. Look for classic names such as Joan Crawford and Judy Garland, who left their prints in the 1920s and 1930s respectively.

If you want to see the stars' homes and increase your chances of seeing one of them, you should book a place on one of the tours of their Hollywood homes. Be careful to choose a good quality tour with a good reputation though, as some are not as good as others. And be warned that while you may be lucky and see a movie star, the odds are that you will simply see locations of interest rather than the stars themselves.

One final bonus destination alongside these three is the Hollywood Forever cemetery. This might seem like a strange place to go but the likes of Douglas Fairbanks Junior, "Gone with the Wind" director Victor Fleming and Mel Blanc are all interred here along with many others.

During your stay in Hollywood you can enjoy relaxing at one of the Hollywood hotels as well. You may not be able to afford the million dollar pads of the superstars but you can still relax in comfort during the evenings in the same town.

Andrew Regan writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.

Add Star Power To Your Advertising

Celebrity endorsements are big business, with over 20% of all ads today featuring a famous face. The reason is simple: Stars sell. Consumers pay more attention to stars because they are attracted to the familiar. Using a celebrity to advertise your business adds awareness, credibility and star power to your company. 3 ways a celebrity can be used by your business include:

1) Advertising - Celebrities can pitch your product via print, television, radio, etc.

2) Appearances and events - Celebrities can make personal appearances for your business at events ranging from charity fundraisers to grand openings.

3) Media opportunities - Your spokesperson can speak on your behalf on TV talks shows, or at press conferences, trade shows or other media events.

Things to keep in mind when hunting for a celebrity spokesperson include:

o Define your objectives

Determine what you expect from your partnership with your spokesperson and how to best utilize their talents. Clarify your needs and expectations from the get-go.

Get-It-Done: Brooks International and Burns are a couple of many agencies who specialize in booking celebrity and sports talent. These talent brokers can help you assess your needs.

oFind the right fit

It's important that the spokesperson you hire is a good match for your product or service. The clearer the link between your company's product and your talent, the better the partnership will work. (Think Michael Jordan and Nike!)

Get-It-Done: The Hollywood-Madison Group uses a proprietary database called the "Fame Index" to match businesses with appropriate talent. The Fame Index contains the names of 10,000 stars and uses 250 categories to match talent to businesses and products.

o Plan well in advance

When deciding on a celebrity spokesperson for your business, start early. Make your plans at least 6 months in advance. The bigger the name, the longer the lead time.

Get-It-Done: Celebrity Focus and The Celebrity Source are two talent agencies who can connect your company with talent and help you navigate the celebrity maze.

o Consider the costs

Talent fees and celebrity endorsements run the gamut from a few hundred dollars for a local DJ appearing at a business to literally millions of dollars for an international movie star. Catherine Zeta-Jones' long-term endorsement deal with T-Mobile was reportedly worth 20 Million, but T-Mobile's U.S. sales jumped 25% during the campaign.

Get-It-Done: If you're looking for major star power, you can go with Hollywood biggies like William Morris or PMK/HBH Public Relations. On a smaller scale, many local celebrities can be contacted directly or through their management.

o Make contact

Talent agencies, entertainment marketing firms and even speakers bureaus can put you in touch with potential celebrity spokespersons. Contacting talent can be easier than you might think.

Get-It-Done: In addition to some of the agencies listed above, the Screen Actors Guild provides an actor-locator service.

Other things to keep in mind when shopping for a celebrity spokesperson include:

o Don't be afraid to ask. Maybe that certain superstar is not out of your reach or budget.

o Consider "B-List" stars who may be more available and less expensive.

o Local celebrities or athletes may turn out to be your best bet.

o Make sure you have an "out" clause in case your celebrity gets negative press or is involved in a scandal. (Sorry Britney!)

Hollywood TV veteran Lou Bortone is an award-winning writer, marketer and television producer who more than 20 years in the television industry, including stints at Fox and E! Entertainment TV in L.A. Today, Lou specializes in helping entrepreneurs create breakthrough TV and video for the Internet. Email Lou at lou@theonlinevideoguy.com or visit http://www.theonlinevideoguy.com

You Wouldn't Want to Be a Child Celebrity After This - The Worst Celebrity Baby Names

I bet about 99% of all those who read this article or look deeper into the issue will be much more thankful that they weren't born into a famous, celebrity family. First comes the issue of fame and privacy. Apart from not getting any quiet time at all when the paparazzi and a horde of screaming fans get a hint of your whereabouts, being a celebrity can really hurt your personal life. A ton of broken marriages and divorces have been the illegitimate children of fame and fortune. A lot of celebrities and their family members get into bouts of depression, alcoholism and violence, which can circulate faster than wildfire in the tabloids and ruin you for life. And the last minus of being in a celebrity family? You might get a really, really ugly sounding name!

Now we all know that celebrities are famous for making really strange life decisions. And apparently that includes the way they name their children. Many a celebrity child has found him or herself with some of the weirdest sounding names this side of Prince Michael. Probably one of the oddest baby names ever in celebrity history was given to the daughter of Frank Zappa. Being a rock legend and all makes committing a few weird things here and there absolutely forgivable but naming your daughter 'Moon Unit' is stretching it a little bit. Moon Zappa,a s she is known by a lot of people, has siblings that sport almost equally odd sounding names such as Dweezil, Ahmet, and Diva Thin Muffin. Now that's a rock star family for you.

And it's not only rock stars who have weird tastes in names. Shannyn Sossamon, who is known for her roles in movies like 'A Knight's Tale' and '40 Days and 40 Nights' gave birth to a son with Dallas Clayton in 2003. And because of her intense love for music, she decided to name her son 'Audio Science'.

So being in a celebrity family isn't all that fun in the end. These are only a few of the weirdest names in celebrity history. For a larger list of the oddest names ever to grace Hollywood, visit: http://crunkish.com/top-ten-weirdest-celebrity-baby-names/ Have fun!

Tattoos and Body Art on Hollywood Celebrities

Celebrity tattoos are becoming more and more visible and socially acceptable in mainstream pop culture these days. Angelina Jolie recently voted most sexy woman has plenty of tattoos and is probably the most famous and desirable celebrity with tattoos in Hollywood. Her tattoos to date consist of tribal dragons, a Thai tiger, and various Latin sayings across her shoulders and arms.

This surge in popularity of celebrity tattoos began in the 1960s. Lyle Tuttle the forefather of American tattooing tattooed Janis Joplin. Time was when tattoos were the preserve of those on the fringes of society but now it is not uncommon to see celebrity tattoos. Even super models such as Kate Moss and Sarah O'Hare strut around flashing their body art on the cover of glossy magazines or on the cat walk.

Actor Johnny Depp ranks as heavily tattooed for his caliber of talent and breadth of acting work. His tattooed arms are as often painted to be blank flesh as left with their own tattoos showing and incorporated into the character.

Vin Diesel is covered with a mix of modern tattoos styles, as befitting an underground government secret agent in the movie xXx. The character he plays agent X has one full sleeve, one partial sleeve, chest work and tattoos on his stomach.

As vampire slayer BLADE, Wesley Snipes has tribal blackwork on his arms, chest and back, as well as the sides of his head and the back of his nect. Pamela Anderson had her arm tattooed for real with a barbed wire armband for her role in the movie BARBWIRE. Following her split from husband Tommy Lee, (who is heavily tattooed) she had the "Tommy" tattoo on her finger edited to read "Mommy" in reference to her two sons. She also has tribal tattoos on the small of her back and a tattoo on her ankle.

Musicians have traditionally enjoyed more freedom than actors when it comes to body art. For movie stars having to transform into a different character each time they shoot a movie can be limiting especially if they are playing historical figures. But that has not stopped a lot of actors from getting tattooed in very visible places.

Historically rock stars were renowned for getting tattoos. The band Red Hot Chili Peppers are an example where the band members have a well-developed collection of tattoos. Singer Henry Rollins began his tattoo collection as the lead singer of Black Flag. Eminem continues to add to his tattoo collection but some critics have claimed that it will inhibit him if he wants to play a bigger acting role. Eminem's tattoos are a combination of a style that is typical of Hip Hop and R&B artists such as Justin Timberlake, 50 Cent and Pharrel.

See a Hip Hop RnB Artists Tattoos

Of all the celebrities with tattoos sports stars tend to sport more tattoos than most especially basketball players. You can be big in sports and be tattooed, but the clean cut type still seems to be favored amongst Madison Avenue advertising gurus.

Unique Tattoo Pictures Designs

Subscribe to Kinky Ink eZine FREE

How Do I Get Abs Like a Hollywood Movie Star?

Celebrities ... We know they aren't 'real' people, but we can't help being obsessed with their seeming perfection anyway! If you've ever craved a celebrity body, and wondered why wishing didn't make it so, here's the top secret of celebrities - get a personal trainer! Having someone waiting there for you at the gym, so you can't skip out, having someone to encourage you when you feel like setting the treadmill at 7 instead of 12, and having someone to guide you through a plan and tell you you're doing great make an enormous difference. If you're either ready to push yourself to that level, enlist a friend or family member to drill you, or hire your own trainer, here are what the celebs do to get their sexy abs!

Lindsay Lohan

Lindsay Lohan uses the world-famous abs diet, which includes 12 ab-power foods ... a fancy name for 12 sensible food group choices, rich in nutrients and monounsaturated fats, and low in empty calories! The diet includes six meals a day, which aims to balance your calorie intake and output, so that your body feels most secure and able to burn calories.

The Pussycat Dolls

These gals also favour the Abs Diet, and use the patented exercise plans as well as the diet. The exercise plan includes two sessions of abs-specific working out, two cardio workouts, three strength sessions, and one interval workout per week. However, this plan was designed by a male for males - if you are female, you may need to modify the plan a little.

Dame Helen Mirren

Yes, she's hardly a traditional sex goddess, but she's so fit and healthy for her age! At 63, Dame Helen Mirren is a picture of health. The energy balance concept of the Abs Diet is extended to her whole life by Mirren - she says that she has never done anything to excess - drinking, smoking, or eating. She also does plenty of walking, with her two dogs as company and motivation.

Madonna

She recently turned 50, but that hasn't stopped her having awesome abs. Madonn'a workout is high intensity cardio, mixed with toning exercises. She uses the Tracy Anderson method, which involves plenty of dancing for motivation and core strength.

Jennifer Lopez

JLo favors interval workouts, where all different types of cardio are mixed up, going from cardio, to strength activity, to cardio, to strength activity. Jumping rope, the treadmill, and the slide are some of Jennifer's favorites.

Britney Spears

Increase her lung capacity by singing her entire album while she's on the treadmill! To be fair, this is actually a voice training technique as well.

Tips for getting movie star abs:

Make sure you balance your energy in and out. Don't eat too much, or exercise so much that you feel sick or dizzy.
Do a variety of activities
Cardio is the best way to train abs
Do two ab workouts a week
Pay attention to your superfoods!

Let's face it, to get abs like a Hollywood movie star requires that you focus on three important concepts: discipline, constancy, and short and long-term goals. Are you willing to start with this challenge and most importantly to beat this challenge? Click here: http://www.abs-truth-911.com.

Do Celebrity Diet Plans Work?

?If you pick up a magazine or tune in to a program about movies and stars, you may find one or more articles or segments about celebrities who lost weight with one diet program or another. Often, the amount of weight lost and the speed in which these famous people shed weight is astounding and impressive. It's no wonder that so many people find themselves drawn to try out the same programs themselves.

The question is do these celebrity diet plans really work in the real world or are they just good marketing with no real substance. Should you be paying attention to these diets at all?

The answer is not a clear yes or no. It depends on how you define a celebrity diet. If this is a diet that becomes known only after a famous person talks about using it, it is not the same as a well known program that some celebrity begins using.

Diet plans that become famous due to a celebrity that is using them may not be proven or any good in reality. Some of these plans require many hours of working out at the gym with a dedicated fitness trainer. Others require special meals and the supervision of a personal nutritionist. These kinds of plans may be costly and very time consuming. They fit the celebrity lifestyle and not the busy schedule of a person who has a regular job and other obligations to take care of.

In addition, some of these celebrity diet plans rise to fame because a celebrity uses them and no one really knows how they work for a lot of people. No one checks to see how good their success rate really is, they just focus on the individual celebrity who used it. This is something that you need to check.

The best kind of diet plan is one that fits your lifestyle and your goals. I don't recommend choosing a diet based on a Hollywood magazine. Find something that regular people do and succeed with. This will probably turn out better for you.

To get a free diet plan visit: Free Diet Plan
For more on Hollywood diets visit Celebrity Diets Review
John Davenport lost over 30 pounds in his twenties after being overweight most of his life. He now runs a weight loss forum and publishes a diet and fitness newsletter.

Hollywood's Missed Famous Places

Has that ever happened to you that you hear of a place or a street that may not be flashy but is part of the city's history, and you tell yourself when I go there I'll look for that corner, house or road. The fateful day arrives but because of all the hype of the new attractions history shelved. We're not saying you should prioritize these places just don't forget to glance at them or allot an hour or two visiting them. A good example is Hollywood and Vine. Who has not heard of this famous intersection? Once teaming with stars in their Rolls-Royces, this used to be the center of the radio and music industry. Although these days it's not the center of the entertainment industry anymore it still does merit a run through and an image of the golden era that Clark Gable and Greta Garbo was so much a part of.

You may not admit it but who hasn't seen Grease, or thought about where they filmed it? The answer, Hollywood High school where Danny (John Travolta) and Sandy (Olivia Newton-John) danced in the playground during a heat wave. It is also alma mater to numerous celebrities like Sarah Jessica Parker, John Ritter, Lana Turner and Carol Burnett to name a few. Although you can't go inside a drive by isn't so bad at 1521 N Highland Ave.

The Hollywood Museum is for those who love their Hollywood movie history. It holds around 10,000 film memorabilia. There are special exhibits for Marilyn Monroe and Bob Hope but there are also extensive collections of costumes and props from the Planet of the apes to Moulin Rouge.

This Hollywood must see is usually by passed now for the flashier tourist attractions. Paramount pictures has a history dating to the 1920's. Rudolf Valentino, Lucille Ball, Mae West graced these studios. Unforgettable movies like Titanic, Star Trek, and Forest Gump have left their histories here and present television shows like entertainment tonight, Dr. Phil and Everybody Hates Cris are still gracing the studios with entertainment. Paramount Pictures can be found at 5555 Melrose Avenue.

The Hollywood forever cemetery formerly the Hollywood memorial park may be a creepy idea but the lake, beautiful gardens, and scenic views is conducive to a walk in the park rather than ghost stories. Cecil B. DeMille, Johnny Ramone, Douglas Fairbanks, and Rudolf Valentino are just some of the celebrities who are buried here.

The Capitol Records tower, you've seen it in the news and documentaries so many times, you just have to see it up close. Rumored to be the idea of Nat King Cole and Johnny Mercer that the place should look like a stack or records its one of the last buildings that screams 50's vibe. Numerous musical greats have signed deals in this building from Frank Sinatra, the Beetles to Radiohead. Although the building is not open to the public another drive by would be good at 1750 N. Vine street.

The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel which opened in 1927 was the first location of academy awards and was considered the place to be seen during Hollywood's golden age. It has since been restored to its former glory and is now one of the places celebrities are usually spotted. It also has a history of ghost stories that the administration prefers not to discuss.

Los Angeles vacations are fun for the whole family. When looking at vacation packages and travel deals to Los Angeles make sure to bundle and save your vacations. Buying the car, flight, hotel, and activities all at once will increase the savings on your trip.

Looking for another destination? I would suggest also looking at Las Vegas vacations for some fun in party city.

Dubai Real Estate Becoming Home to Celebrities

Not that Dubai needs some celebrity endorsement to gain popularity; the "city of gold" is a star in itself. When a celebrity purchases some villa, island, or just put his/her name to some building, it's hard to determine who's being promoted? Dubai? The star? or both of them? Dubai has got a celebrity status, that is why celebrities are more than happy to attach their names with the developments going on, some have done it by purchasing a piece of property, others by giving their names to some development, while some are trying their luck in designing hotels or golf courses. Although, the property has got to deliver what it is supposed to deliver (yields on investments, luxurious lifestyle or world class business facilities), still nobody minds paying a little more when they know they will be getting a villa in the neighborhood of David Beckham or Brad Pitt.

Big names from Sports world:

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum presented a whole island (in "The World") to Michael Schumacher at his retirement, probably one of the most expensive publicly known gifts to an individual in recent times. Schumacher involvement doesn't end there; we have got a whole Michael Schumacher Business Avenue at Business Bay as well. Similarly Boris Becker has a 19-storey building named after him. ACI Real Estate recently launched "Boris Becker tower" in the same district. Talking of tennis celebrities, everybody knows the famous friendly match played between Roger Federer and Andre Agassi at the helipad of Burj Al Arab hotel. Then we have "Tiger Woods Dubai", a golf resort designed by non other than Tiger Woods himself. David Beckham represents the football stars at Dubai, who owns a luxurious Villa at Palm Jumeirah (though for the time being, his in-laws are more likely to occupy it).

Showbiz Biggies:

Dubai government is trying to make Dubai the prime destination for tourists, and what better way to attract people all around the world than bunching up some of the most famous showbiz names in Dubai, one way or another. Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Hillary Swank, Kylie Minogue, Giorgio Armani, Carlos Santana, Shah Rukh; the names are big enough to pull crowds on their own. One of the hottest couple in Hollywood (at least among those, who are still together) Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have reportedly bought an island in "the world" Hillay Swank and Shah Rukh Khan are endorsing some property developments (While SRK owns an address in Palm Jumeriah as well). More than 2000 celebrities from all over the world flocked to Dubai for a grand opening ceremony of Hotel Atlantis, where Kylie Minogue and Michael Jackson performed.

With so many celebrities, VIPs and super starts showing up at Dubai, Dubai will soon become an ideal spot for investors, businessmen and tourists alike (oh and paparazzo's as well).

William King is the director of Pakistan Real Estate & Properties and Dubai Property Portal. He has 18 years of experience in the marketing and trading industries and has been helping retailers and startups with their product sourcing, promotion, marketing and supply chain requirements.

Celebrity Vegetarians - Choose Your Motivator

You've heard being a vegetarian is healthier, can help the environment, and is more humane. Do you know which of your favorite celebrities or sports heroes are living a vegetarian lifestyle? Here's a sample.

Actors

Hollywood has embraced a healthy lifestyle and the social, environmental, and spiritual benefits that accompany a plant-based diet. Famous vegetarians include Alec Baldwin, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ellen DeGeneres, Richard Gere, Christie Brinkley, Tobey Maguire, Demi Moore, Clint Eastwood, and Brad Pitt.

Athletes

Many successful athletes, even in macho sports like football, have embraced the vegetarian lifestyle. These include Tony Gonzalez, perennial pro-bowl tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, and Joe Namath, hall of fame quarterback. Who says you can't be big and strong if you don't eat meat!

Tennis great Martina Navratilova attributes a vegetarian diet for her success on the professional circuit well into her late 40s. Ruth Heidrich, three-time champion in the grueling iron man triathlon, is a vegetarian. Carl Lewis, the Olympic track star, is a committed vegan.

And when your friends ask about how you can possibly get enough protein on a vegetarian diet, tell them the world record-holder in the bench press, Stan Price, is a vegetarian. In basketball, hall-of-famer Bill Walton is a vegetarian.

Musicians

Many performers are activist vegetarians. Here are just a few: Alanis Morrisette, Jeff Beck, Barry White, Billy Idol, John Lennon, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Chris Martin (Coldplay), Robin Gibb (Beegees), Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam), and Jon Anderson (Yes).

Geniuses

Vegetarians in history include Albert Einstein, Vincent Van Gogh, Jean-Jaques Rousseau, Albert Schweitzer, Cesar Chavez, and Isaac Newton.

Motivators

Great teachers like Deepak Chopra, Tony Robbins, and of course the Dali Lama are vegetarians.

Choose your hero or motivator from the millions of vegetarians. Whether its health, weight loss, the environment, or the humane treatment of animals that motivates you, you are in good company.

Diane Gilabert is an expert on the benefits of a vegetarian diet for health and permanent weight loss. Learn more about how Diane lost 30 pounds following a vegetarian diet and making other lifestyle changes by visiting http://www.lose-weight-for-life.com/index.html