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

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

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.

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!

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.

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