My Flo Rida story in City Link...

http://southflorida.metromix.com/other/article/cover-story-the-state/426612/content

Cover Story: The state of Flo Rida

Rap's "Low" man talks about his rise in Miami, hustling during Memorial Day Weekend and, of course, Apple Bottom jeans.

By Joanie Cox
May 20, 2008

With "Low," Flo Rida has the best-selling digital single of all time. Even though the song was released six months ago, it's still getting incessant radio play on 99 Jamz (WEDR-FM, 99.1) and Power 96 (WPOW-FM, 96.5).

But five years ago, Flo Rida was pedaling his mix tapes in the streets of Broward and Miami-Dade counties. "Some of the clubs that are playing my song now turned us away at the door," says the rapper, whose real name is Tramar Dillard. "And every Memorial Day Weekend, I'd be out on Washington Avenue or Collins promoting my album. Now, those people that gave it away are trying to collect it."

With more than 214,000 copies of Mail On Sunday sold, Flo Rida doesn't have to worry about getting his name out on the streets anymore. "I never expected it to blow up like this," the 28-year-old admits. "I've been doing this since I'm 14. But I've been able to stay motivated and have patience."

Flo Rida formed his first group, The Groundhoggz, when he was a freshman in high school. Born in Opa-locka, he grew up with his seven sisters in Carol City near fellow hip-hop star Rick Ross.

"He basically co-signed my situation. I can remember him telling me early on, 'Keep doing what you're doing man. I'll most definitely help you get on.'" Flo Rida recalls. "I always looked up to him and admired how he was poppin' locally. He definitely kept his word."

After a stint touring with 2 Live Crew's Fresh Kid Ice in 2001, Flo Rida took a Greyhound bus from Miami to Los Angeles to record with former Jodeci member DeVante Swing, but nothing came of the session. In 2006, Ross' manager, Poe Boy Entertainment owner Eldrin "E-Class" Prince, urged Flo to return to Miami. "I finally got my deal with Atlantic Records," he says. "It's a dream come true. I just look at all the days I spent not being signed as an artist and I definitely don't take it for granted. I try to work harder each and every day because I know someone could easily take the position."

Flo Rida has been touring the United States promoting his CD and will play Tokyo next week. The list of artists who collaborated on the album reads like a fantasy hip-hop compilation, including luminaries such as Timbaland, Will.i.am and Sean Kingston.

"Being from Florida, T-Pain wasn't too hard to get a hold of and Timbaland has a place in Miami. Lil' Wayne and Birdman are also down there," Flo Rida explains. "With a lot of these cats, it's almost like a family-oriented situation because somewhere or another they're down with either Rick Ross or Brisco. And me coming in, they automatically show love. Being fans of each other's music makes it easier to work together."

Even though his success doesn't surprise him, the fashion trend "Low" inspired does. "It's 80 degrees down in Florida, but you'll still catch the women stylin' in their Apple Bottom jeans and fur boots," Flo Rida says with a laugh. "Me and T-Pain thought it was clever to put it in a song."

Now at his shows, boots and jeans from Nelly's Apple Bottoms clothing line have become a uniform. "At the clubs, the bartenders will jump over the counter to show me they have 'em on," Flo Rida avers.

With his album debuting at No. 3 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart this past March, Flo Rida can finally afford to splurge. He now owns houses in Weston and Miami Beach and is sporting some new wheels — a black, 2008 Cadillac Escalade. "People ask me how my life has changed since 'Low' came out," Flo Rida says. "Definitely the notoriety is there and financial stability. I can help my family out. It's just a blessing to not have to worry about the bills and things like that."

Taking into account his own success, Flo Rida feels the Miami scene is stronger than ever. "Right now, you have Rick Ross, Brisco, DJ Khaled, Pitbull, Sean Kingston, Trick Daddy and Trina," he points out. "Miami is a place where hip-hop is very involved and we're just taking full advantage of it. … We're being more competitive as artists and showing love to the next up-and-coming person trying to get into this music."

And Memorial Day Weekend was always Flo Rida's favorite time of year in Miami to market himself and his music. "You get to run into different rappers from all over and meet people and there's always a great party," he says. "A lot of times, I would try to get my music played in the clubs to see the reaction from people out of town."

While I Da Ho would've made a fine rap name, Flo Rida says he's proud to have adopted a moniker that pays tribute to the Sunshine State. "I love the weather, that I was born here and the Caribbean food," Flo Rida adds. "But my favorite part of where I'm from is definitely the sexy ladies."

Contact Joanie Cox at jcox@citylinkmagazine.com.

Liner notes
1. Flo Rida likes hanging out at Cameo, Opium, Karu and Y and Wet Willies. He also still chills in Carol City.
2. He hopes to eventually work with André 3000 and Gnarls Barkley.
3. He is working on a new CD that will be released in December.
4. Web site: OFFICIALFLO.COM

I have started a new fashion column in City Link! Please check it out...

http://southflorida.metromix.com/style/article/glamazon-black-is-not/426589/content

Glamazon: Black is not the new black

At least that's the view of one local designer and everyone who has given up on goth.

By Joanie Cox

Fashion can be an icy, brutal bitch, capable of forcing you to abandon carbs for weeks at a time just so you can fit into a certain outfit and drag your ass out of the house on a Sunday night for a runway show. On May 11, I headed to Glass at The Forge to check out the spring/summer collection of South Florida clothing line Favala. Although the show was scheduled to start at 11 p.m., I showed up an hour early to try to interview the designer of Favala. But I knew I'd probably get stuck waiting around all night; once a club starts filling up, it's impossible to find anyone who knows what's going on.

While looking for the bathroom, I accidentally stumbled into Glass' VIP area and found half-naked models running in every direction and complaining about how cold it was in the back of the club. The air was thick with vanilla-scented perfume, hair spray and body glitter. The red vinyl walls and enormous chandelier made the room resemble a Moulin Rouge version of Barbie's Dream House. "I'll be with you in a second," a curvy, Latina woman with rainbow-painted eyelids told me while clipping hair extensions onto a model.

"Are you Favala?" I asked.

The woman came scurrying across the floor in black, patent-leather stilettos. "I'm actually Alicia Sanchez," she said. "Favala is my clothing line."

One look around the room filled with models wearing leggings and off-the-shoulder, Flashdance-style T-shirts, and it was clear the 1980s have a major influence on Sanchez's designs.

"I hand-make everything," the 24-year-old designer said. "And I do graffiti on some of my pieces. I learned how to do that in New York. But I never went to design or art school."

Sanchez, who is originally from the Dominican Republic, learned how to sew from her mother, who made all her clothes growing up. She's also one of a few contemporary designers to shun black clothing. Everything she makes, including the pink, blue, yellow and green checkerboard minidress she wore to her show, is drenched in tropical colors. Yet somehow, none of her clothes look cheesy.

"I love color," Sanchez affirmed. "I'm from the Caribbean. A lot of black and Latin woman are afraid to wear color, but I say let's express ourselves. This is why I love designers like Betsey Johnson." For sure, Sanchez recalls a Dominican version of the veteran New York designer, bubbling over with enthusiasm and seemingly ready to hurl herself into a cartwheel at any second. So it was surprising to learn that Sanchez was diagnosed with breast cancer in March.

"People can't believe I'm out in the middle of the night doing a fashion show after a chemo treatment," she said, "but this is my passion. I'm fighting every day. When you're going through something like this, you're never too stressed to appreciate life."

Sanchez's fashion show finally began at about 1:15 a.m. The graffitied hoodies, shredded dresses and shutter shades like the ones Kanye West wears in his "Stronger" video were worth the wait. But the most impressive look of the night was provided by an audience member — a woman with a 4-foot Afro and a thong tattooed onto her hips. That's one way to avoid doing the laundry. To check out Sanchez's creations, visit Favaladesigns.com.

DEAD THREADS

Goth is more over than Von Dutch. Ozzfest is not touring this year, The Cure's Robert Smith seems kind of happy and, I hear, Marilyn Manson was spotted eating a Mickey Mouse ice cream pop and riding the tea cups at Disney World. I'm convinced everyone has cheered up, stopped trying to fasten metal chains to their pants and moved on to hip-hop, which is all about hos, not pantyhose.

So I wasn't at all surprised by the weak turnout May 9 for A Night of Death Rawk Disco and Fashionista Genocide at Revolution Live in Fort Lauderdale. About nine people appeared on the dance floor, while roughly 25 wannabe vampires roamed throughout the club. While the event's flier demanded "fucked-up attire," the crowd looked as if they went shopping in the Hot Topic clearance bin at the Coral Square Mall before the show.

Carrying a giant Coach bag, wearing a Flavor Flav T-shirt and flashing no visible tattoos or piercings in any body part other than my ears, I stood out like a mink coat at a PETA convention. Every time I tried to stand next to someone, they'd either roll their eyes at me and walk away or look terrified by my presence.

I saw no trench coats, only a high-school-age girl with a raccoon tail stapled to the back of her shorts; a slew of people in boring, black-and-white Chuck Taylor All-Stars; and one too many Pete Wentz look-alikes with anime hair, skinny jeans and guyliner. One guy was wearing a hospital gown, though he appeared as if he could have just left North Broward Medical Center. But mostly, everyone looked as if they needed a blood transfusion and an afternoon with Tim Gunn. It got so boring, I hardly noticed the manorexic, 6-foot-4 guy running across the club in fishnets and a garter belt. There's nothing shocking or edgy about dressing like that anymore. He needed a bathrobe and a cheeseburger. However, if he really wanted to frighten his cohorts slithering through Revolution, he should have just gone with a surefire goth-repellent: True Religion Brand Jeans and a crystal-covered Christian Audigier T-shirt. Now, that would have given 'em a reason to cut themselves.

Not all celebs spend a fortune on beauty products...check out these drugstore finds that make their way onto famous faces

Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser

Who uses it: Natalie Portman and Lara Flynn Boyle.

Why it's good: It's a super gentle cleanser that removes makeup and won't clog your pores.

Price: $10

www.cetaphil.com


Maybelline Great Lash

Who uses it: Holly Hunter and Kate Moss

Why it's good: It doesn't clump up, separates lashes in one stroke and was voted the Best Inexpensive Mascara by InStyle Magazine for 2006 and 2007.

Price: $5

www.maybelline.com

Vaseline

Who uses it: Tyra Banks and Hillary Duff

Why it's good: It's an emergency skin softening treatment! Slather some of this stuff on before bed, put some socks on and in the morning your feet will be soft as cashmere. It also double as a cuticle softening cream and smooth over any rough spots on your body.

Price: $5
www.vaseline.com

Johnson's Baby Shampoo

Who uses it: Reese Witherspoon

Why it's good: It's super gentle and if you get a little in your eyes while trying to multi-task in the shower it doesn't sting.

Price $3

www.johnsonsbaby.com

Cocoa Butter

Who uses it: Eva Mendes uses it as a facial moisturizer. It's also great for pregnant women and daily use prevents stretch marks.

Why it's good: It totally pulls a David Copperfield on stretch marks and smells like a tropical vacation.

Price: $6

www.etbrowne.com

Clear Eyes

Who uses it: Denise Richards

Why it's good: I picked this trick up from a makeup artists back in the late 90s when I was modeling. It has been in my makeup bag ever since. Before applying your eyeshadow, squirt some of this solution into your eyes and say goodbye to redness. It's like an instant bright eye makeover.

Price: $6

www.cleareyes.com

Mimi breaks another record and beats Elvis! (now this sounds like an old skool tabloid headline)...

Mariah Carey, the songbird with the five - eight octave vocal range has beat out The King for the most No. 1 singles on the Billboard singles chart, and is now second only to the Beatles.

Her 18th chart-topper "Touch My Body" pushed her into the top spot. However, the normally unhumble diva is doing something she's never done before--playing herself down!

"I really can never put myself in the category of people who have not only revolutionized music but also changed the world," Carey told The Associated Press on Tuesday via phone from London. "That's a completely different era and time ... I'm just feeling really happy and grateful."


Carey said being in such company was gratifying not only because of her personal success, but what it meant for women and minorities.

"For me, in my mind the accomplishment is just that much sweeter," she said. "In terms of my ethnicity, always feeling like an outsider, always feeling different ... for me it's about saying, 'Thank you Lord, for giving me the faith to believe in myself when other people had written me off.'"

"Touch My Body" is the first single off of Carey's upcoming album "EMC2," due out April 16. It is the follow-up to her Grammy-winning disc "The Emancipation of Mimi," released in 2005, that year's best-selling album with five million copies sold; it marked a huge comeback for the multiplatinum superstar after personal and professional setbacks.
"I want to encourage anyone else out there who feels like maybe they can't overcome an obstacle, I feel like I'm living proof ... never lose your faith," she added. "I'm seriously a grateful individual right now."

Now, let's review all the awesome hits that helped her climb the record-breaking ladder over Elvis:


1990
"Vision of Love
"Love Takes Time"

1991 "Someday"
"I Don't Wanna Cry"
"There's Got To Be A Way"
"Emotions"

1992 "Can't Let Go"
"Make It Happen"
"I'll Be There"

1993 "Dreamlover"

1994 "Hero"
"Without You"/"Never Forget You"
"Anytime You Need a Friend"
"Endless Love"
"All I Want For Christmas Is You"

1995 "Fantasy"

1996 "One Sweet Day"
"Open Arms"
"Always Be My Baby"
"Forever"

1997 "Honey"
"Butterfly"

1998 "Breakdown"
"My All"/"Breakdown"

1999 "When You Believe"
"I Still Believe"
"Heartbreaker"

2000 "Thank God I Found You"
"Crybaby"/"Mariah's Theme
"Against All Odds"

2001 "Loverboy"

2002 "Never Too Far"/"Don't Stop"

2003 "Through the Rain"
"Boy (I Need You)"
"Bringin' On the Heartbreak"

2005 "It's Like That"
"We Belong Together"
"Shake It Off"/"Get Your Number"

2006 "Don't Forget About Us"
"Say Somethin'"/Fly Like a Bird"

2008 "Touch My Body"

___

Patrick Swayze is dying and Joanie is crying...

I had no idea he was even sick...but Patrick Swayze has been given just five weeks to live after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, a representative for the actor has confirmed.

Swayze starred in Dirty Dancing, the movie that shaped my adolescence. He was my first crush and I always dreamed of a guy teaching me how to dance like that during a summer vacation at Kellerman's.

The National Enquirer first reported Swayze was diagnosed in late January, and the cancer has spread to other parts of his body. A representative confirmed the report to the New York Post.

Swayze, 55, has been travelling to Stanford University's cancer centre with his wife Lisa Niemi for chemotherapy treatments, the Enquirer reported.
An insider said: "He was told he could have two more treatments, but his cancer was not responding. In short - they held out little hope for a cure.
"It's time to start praying for a miracle."
The actor, who made a name for himself in Dirty Dancing and has also starred in Ghost, Point Break and Donnie Darko, is on a liquid diet as he can't keep solids down.
A "very good source" reportedly told blogger Perez Hilton that Swayze had seemed fine on set at his latest movie.
"Patrick has been at rehearsals for a new cheerleading movie at Century City studio frequently lately, and he definitely does not look like he has five more weeks of life left.
"I'm not sure of his medical condition(s), but if he is gravely ill, he is hiding it very well," the source said.
Sufferers of pancreatic cancer typically have a survival rate of less than five per cent.

Mmmmmm...tastes like, poison!! @#$%!!!!

Okay, so I understand Starbucks' desire to market drinks to the weight watching crowd, which I unfortunately have been a part of for most of my entire existance. Starbucks introduced a line of "skinny" or low calorie beverages back in December. These drinks are made with with nonfat milk and sugar-free syrup. Ok, so the non-fat milk I can handle. It's the sugar-free syrup that makes me want to hurl and run for a bottle of Listerine. Other zero-calorie syrup flavors include: Vanilla, Hazelnut, Caramel, and Cinnamon Dolce--all of which taste like, well, poison to me. I would rather spend another 20 minutes on the treadmill and keep some junk in my trunk than drink this. Really, it's where I draw the line--especially when it comes to my coffee.

Pink gets the divorce party started...

Well, this is no surprise to me. They haven't been photographed together is months. I'm not sure how long it's officially been over, but the on-again, off-again couple Pink and motocross racing hubby Carey Hart have decided to call it quits after two years of marriage.
"This decision was made by best friends with a huge amount of love and respect for one another," Pink's representative, Michele Schweitzer, said Tuesday in a statement. "While the marriage is over, their friendship has never been stronger."

Hey, remember Mrs. Garrett??

This is what The Facts of Life actress Charlotte Rae looks like now! I have to admit, I respect her for not cowering to a series of bad plastic surgeries like Joan Rivers. And, at least she's wearing a Burberry jacket!

Pitbull is one tough dawg...

Miami rapper Pitbull is a real G. During a recent performance at a club in San Antonio, some idiot threw a beer bottle at the rapper's head halfway through his second song. He was bleeding and later required stiches. But a fan at the show said 10 minutes later he was back on the stage with blood dripping from his head, holding a blood-soaked towel requesting the guy who hit him to "bring his ass up here so i can whoop his ass." Then Pit broke tore into his latest single, "The Anthem." Never one to want to disappoint his fans, Pitbull is a real trooper and professional performer. Kickass Pit!

Brooke Hogan is coming back to the M.I.A.!

Hulk Hogan's little girl, Brooke, who's now 19, will be moving back to Miami, but this time on her own! Hogan Knows Best will be airing its 5th season on VH1 starting this month. She'll be moving into a penthouse at the Mosaic on Miami Beach. The show will follow the 5-foot-11, ironed body singer around Miami as she goes out on her own without mom, dad and Nick this time.

Every night I hope and pray, a dream lover will come my way. Wake up little Snoozy! Smell the smellin' salts.

You have gotta love Bill Clinton. I mean, anybody that is willing to take this guy seriously at this point has got to be a jackass themselves. While wifey was off battling Obama, Billy boy opened his pie hole again before a packed Sunday service at one of the largest black churches in Washington, D.C. He offered an apology of sorts for racially tinged comments he made about Obama and his candidacy that have triggered a backlash in the black community and among many other Democrats.

Clinton invoked his "worship of a God of second chances." Well if anyone's been given second chances, it's certainly him.

Clinton had been criticized for asserting that Obama's characterization of his position on the Iraq war is a "fairy tale" and for comparing Obama's resounding victory in South Carolina to failed presidential candidate Jesse Jackson's wins there in the '80s.

He also recently fell asleep and had a dream during a January church service honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on MLK day. The service took place at the Covenant Avenue Baptist Church in Harlem. That's cause the dude is trolling on My Space all night long. Oh, Bill. You are so...predictable.

Art Attack: Robbers steal $163m in art from Zurich

Three armed men in ski masks stole four paintings by Cezanne, Degas, van Gogh and Monet worth $163.2 million from a Zurich, Switzerland museum in one of Europe's largest ever art heists, police said earlier today. Ok, this is basically the Ocean's Eleven of art heists. This is horrible. But it does pose an even more incredible question. Can you imagine creating something that's worth more than $160 million bucks??? That is just awesome.

Who's that gal?

Since I'm always on the sacred quest for faking at least eight hours of sleep on my stressed out skin, I love making myself a guinea pig for the latest beauty products. I have been a fan of Benefit Cosmetics for the last 10 years. The packaging is the most adorable on the market and the products work well. I am convinced there's a vintage-loving rockabilly chick deep inside my heart and this line appeals to her. But I recently purchased Benefit's "That gal" brightening face primer ($27;
www.benefitcosmetics.com) because I have been reading about it in pretty much every fashion magazine for the past few months. It's a face brightening serum you apply underneath your foundation to give your skin an illuminated, fresher look. I must admit, I was skeptical at first. But I was feeling adventurous, like I wanted to give it a shot. So I did and I am thrilled with this product. My skin is glowing and this was way cheaper than taking a vacation, which also gets my skin glowing...

My latest obsession: The Tory Burch Reva Flat

Ok, this shoe has been out for over a year, but as a 6-foot-tall woman, I have had a kung-fu grip on the flats trend for most of my life. For a while, I lusted after Chanel's two-tone ballet flats, but never purchased a pair. Then Tory Burch came out with the Reva flat and it was love at first sight. I bought one solid black pair with a black leather medallion on top for my birthday back in August. And now, I have decided to treat myself to another pair in leopard. I have really been holding back on shopping lately, but I decided it was time to treat myself to one big splurge. I had seen this photo of Katherine Heigl wearing the shoes and I found them in my size at Aventura Mall this week, so I had to go for it.

"My heart is broken..."

Michelle Williams, Heath Ledger's ex-fiance and the mother of his child, says "her heart is broken" over losing Ledger.

"Please respect our need to grieve privately," she recently said in a statement. "My heart is broken. I am the mother of the most tender-hearted, high-spirited, beautiful little girl who is the spitting image of her father. All that I can cling to is his presence inside her that reveals itself every day.

"His family and I watch Matilda as she whispers to trees, hugs animals, and takes steps two at a time, and we know that he is with us still," Williams said. "She will be brought up in the best memories of him."

This is so tragic and sad. Matilda Rose is lucky to have such a strong, brave mother.

Frankly Scarlett, we do give a damn...In my next life, I'm coming back as her

While it's hard (ok virtually impossible) for me to tear myself away from the Heath Ledger coverage, I am somewhat relieved to hear that Scarlett Johansson is NOT engaged to Just Friends star and Alanis Morissette's ex Ryan Reynolds. Johansson, 23, had her rep tell OK! magazine, "There is no truth at all to the Daily News piece."

While OK magazine isn't exactly the bible on truth, I'm willing to believe this one. If I could trade lives with anyone, it would have to me Miss Johansson. She starred in my favorite movie (Ghost World), dated my favorite actor (Josh Hartnett) and stars in the ad campaigns for my favorite handbag (Louis Vuitton).

I want to be re-incarnated as her! Plus, she's only 5-foot-4, so she can wear heels pretty much all the time and not look like a giant. I am truly jealous.

The sad tradegy of Heath Ledger's death plays on at a rapid speed, thanks to lightening fast reporters equipped with digital assistance

My worst suspicicion is starting to come to surface. Apparently more than just sleeping tablets and anti-anixety meds were found in Heath Ledger's room.

TMZ has confirmed with NYPD sources that cops found a $20 bill rolled up "in a certain way" with a powdered substance on it. Our sources say they don't know what the nature of the powder is, but it's being tested at the police lab.

CBS 2 in NYC is reporting cops found drug packets along with the $20 bill in Ledger's apartment.

Our sources say the manner in which the bill was rolled made them "suspicious."

I am having flashbacks to River Phoenix...This is a horrible ending for such a bright, young talent. His baby mama Michelle Williams was flying from Sweden to Brooklyn this morning with their young daughter Matilda to deal with this dark, traumatic time. I truly hope Ledger is finally at peace.

Heath ledger found face down on his bedroom floor...

As TMZ continues to unravel the story of Heath Ledger's death minute by minute, the Brokeback Mountain star was apparently found face down on the bedroom floor with no visible signs of trauma. In an even weirder twist, the apartment was allegedly owned by Mary-Kate Olsen, but it turns out it isn't. The death was reportedly "accidental."

Sadness!! Heath Ledger is dead...

Heath Ledger was found dead in bed his downtown Manhattan residence at 3:26 p.m. today. He was 28.

According to WNBC, Ledger was found with pills strewn all around him.

NYPD spokesman Paul Browne said Ledger had an appointment for a massage at the Manhattan apartment believed to be his home. The housekeeper who went to let Ledger know the masseuse was there found him dead at 3:26 p.m. ET.

The Australian-born actor has a two-year-old daughter with former fiancee Michelle Williams. Ledger was set to play the Joker in the upcoming Batman film "The Dark Knight." He received an Academy Award nomination for his work in "Brokeback Mountain" and he shined in "The Patriot" and "A Knight's Tale."

As awful as it is, it seems like this could've been an intentional overdose. I guess we'll just have to wait for the toxicology reports. I am truly depressed now.

Here's something disurbing I found...
Back in 2006, Ledger checked himself into an Australian rehab facility and learned how to shoot up heroin from a junkie - to perfect his latest movie role. The Aussie actor played a drug addict in the movie Candy, but he had no idea how to portray his sick character on the big screen, because he has never stuck a needle in his arm. So he called on experts at the Narcotics Users Association of Australia, who hooked him up with a junkie and a fake arm.

"I went to this centre in Australia, called NUAA and met a gentleman who has been using, and still is, for the last 20 years. "He took us into a board room and opened what looked like a rifle case and inside was a prosthetic arm, which was designed for training purposes; it was designed to train young drug addicts how to find their veins. "It was a fully functional arm, the veins were fully functional. It would attach to the shoulder with two tubes that you could attach to blood bags and it would pump blood through the arm and you could find a vein and, when you found the vein, he showed us the angles in which to go in at (with a needle). "You could draw back even and take blood out of the arm and then push through. He taught us how to tie the tourniquets to pump up the vein. We also had someone on set who could take us step by step through the stages of drying out. "They would say, 'OK, now you're in a cold sweat, in this next scene your stomach feels like it's twisting up into a knot, your head aches, you're parched.'"

Ledger, who also stayed out of the sun and fasted to perfect the role of a pale, starving junkie, admits he had no longing to try hard drugs before making Candy, and now he'll never go near them. He adds, "I do think that drugs and alcohol have been obviously glorified and mythologised. We've kind of connected that with what it takes to create something, which is anything from the truth. Creation comes from your mind and it's hard to create when you're phased and drugged out. "I'm sure drugs and alcohol would inspire new thoughts but it's certainly not something that I use as a tool or a mechanism to create."

The other sad thing is Ledger may have been depressed since his May 2007 break up with ex- fiance Michelle Willams.

The evolution of Katie Holmes into Posh Spice and then Willy Wonka...

See it!!

I have learned to use exclamation points with extreme caution. I used to use them constantly, but my editor once told me you're allowed two of them over the course of your career and I already used one. But please, I urge you, go see Juno! It's truly a gem--one of the best movies I've ever seen. I don't want to give too much away, but the writing is brilliant and this is the only role I've ever liked Jennifer Garner in. The music is fantastic and it takes an incredibly different perspective on an all too common tale.

Leave Jessica alone!

Anti-Dallas Cowboy fans have been urged to download a Jessica Simpson mask to wear at Romo's games.

This is clearly just an advertisement for milwaukeeworld.com and it obviously worked because people (including myself all the way in South Florida) is blogging about it.

I am SO pissed about this. I have interviewed Jessica Simpson twice and she is a sweet girl who doesn't deserve this crap. So she's dating Tony Romo and he happens to be having a bad streak athletically right now. Maybe it's just a coincidence. The bottom line is, when Jessica was dressed as Daisy Duke in the Dukes of Hazzard movie, all these men who are now making fun of her were salivating over her.

Grow up peeps!

I took this personality quiz. It was fun and it really described me pretty accurately. You should fill it out too!

You Are An ENTP

The Visionary You are charming, outgoing, friendly. You make a good first impression. You possess good negotiating skills and can convince anyone of anything. Happy to be the center of attention, you love to tell stories and show off. You're very clever, but not disciplined enough to do well in structured environments. In love, you see everything as a grand adventure. You enjoy taking risks for love. And if things don't work out, you're usually not too much worse for the wear! You would make a great entrepreneur, marketing executive, or actor. At work, you need a lot of freedom to pursue your own path and vision. How you see yourself: Analytical, creative, and peaceful When other people don't get you, they see you as: Detached, wishy-washy, and superficial

What's Your Personality Type?

Get well soon Cher!!!

This is so being kept on the downlow. I have hardly read anything on it, but Cher has been in Europe for the last few weeks
seeking treatment at the same German as clinic Farrah Fawcett. Fawcett went there for cancer treatment, but Cher is allegedly there tending to a stomach disorder. The 61-year-old singer flew to Europe after struggling to cope with the crippling pain, and was told she has diverticulitis, an inflammation of pockets in the intestines. Let's all wish Cher a speedy recovery. I am so bummed about this. Bette Midler is apparently taking over Celine Dion's Caesar's Palace gig, which Cher was originally set to do. I bet this illness was the reason for the switch. I hope she starts another show in Vegas after she recovers.

Nicole Kidman is finally having a kid...we predict she's gonna be one hot mama!

Well, it seems that all of Tom Cruise's ex-wives got pregnant after they left him. (Mimi Rogers and now Nicole Kidman). This further proves my hypothesis that Katie Holmes was articially inseminated with Cruise's sperm (or L. Ron hubbard's frozen friends) early in their relationship to make it look like an "accident." Either way, I am thrilled for Nicole and hope she finally has the life she dreamed of with her fellow Aussie, Keith Urban.

Kidman's publicist, Catherine Olim, made the announcement Monday after months of tabloid speculation and reporting. Olim at first retracted the information saying something like, "If this were true, Nicole would've been pregnant 30 times by now."
Well, lady, the bottom line is, these celebs don't like it when the tabs let their cat of the bag. Celebrities are in such little control of their lives as it is, when something personal such as a pregnancy occurs, they'll deny it until they're bursting out of their True Religion Jeans. Remember J.Lo and Christina Aguilera? They were denying for months.

This will be the 40-year-old actresses first birth child. She has two children, Isabella, 14, and Connor, 12, from her marriage to Tom Cruise. They divorced in 2001. Good for her! Better to get away from him and move on. If she hadn't have done that, she would never have the great life she's currently living with a man who adores her.