Archive - Apr 25, 2010

Neil Hannon: Lily Allen Set For Amazing Return

Lily Allen can do “amazing things” when she comes out of retirement, according to Divine Comedy singer Neil Hannon.

The pop star is currently on a self-imposed hiatus after becoming disillusioned with the music business but the ‘National Express’ singer insists she can go onto to great things if she decides to return.

He said, “I genuinely admire Lily Allen’s lyrics and sound, you know the tunes generally have a lot of people involved, but she makes some wonderfully pithy comments. I’d prefer it if they were more outward looking, rather than always inward. But she’s definitely a writer who could do amazing things in the future, if she does. She doesn’t seem to want to though.”

Neil, who this week was nominated for an Ivor Novello award for his cricket concept album with side project The Duckworth Lewis Method, insists it’s OK for Lily to take some time out as long as she keeps writing new songs.

He added to BANG Showbiz, “It’s alright if she takes two years out, just keep writing.”



Confident Actor Rupert Grint


Rupert Grint finally feels like a confident actor.

The ‘Harry Potter’ star, who shot to fame in 2001 after landing the role of Ron Weasley in the wizarding franchise, admitted he used to have concerns about his acting abilities and whether he was talented enough, but that’s a thing of the past now he’s hit his twenties.

He said, “When you’re working with people that have been classically and professionally trained, it makes you feel a bit… I don’t know. I’ve definitely, I’ve gained confidence really, just the more you do.”

The 21-year-old star recently finished work on ‘Cherrybomb’ – in which he plays a teenager caught in a whirlwind of sex, drink, drugs and crime – and admits it felt strange filming something so out of his “comfort bubble”.

He said, “It was the first kind of real adult role for me really so I was quite nervous about it. It did feel like a massive step, as it’s kind of away from home. We filmed it in Belfast, out of the whole comfort bubble of ‘Harry Potter’ really, as I’ve known everyone there for all my life. I had to speak with a different accent, so yeah everything felt different and it took me a while to adjust to that.”

Rupert also admitted he feels he has a responsibility not to go off the rails because his fans see him as a role model.

He said, “I do feel like I just have to behave and not be too controversial. Going out in London is hard to do.”



Leona Lewis’ Motivational Words


Leona Lewis writes words of encouragement on her hands.

The ‘Bleeding Love’ singer admits she gets nervous before she performs but has learned little tricks to help keep focused and stop letting her worries get the better of her.

She said, “I try to focus on what I’m doing. I get really nervous beforehand but as soon as I go out, I’m kind of OK.

“Something else kind of takes over and the nerves just disappear.

“I sometimes write stuff on my hands, like words from my songs or mantras or something I’ve read that really helps me.

“I think that getting up there and performing in front of thousands of people is like putting on a bit of a character.”

Leona shot to fame after winning UK TV talent show ‘The X Factor’ in 2006 but insists she thinks she still would have had a successful music career without the show.

She added, “I really believe in destiny. After I left performing arts college I was working with a lot of producers so I do really believe that I would still have ended up doing music.

“I don’t know one what kind of level it would have been, but I still definitely would have been in this world.”



Lindsay Lohan Dropped From ‘The Other Side’ Movie


Lindsay Lohan has reportedly been fired for her latest film because she is not “bankable”.

The troubled actress was to play a student working on a deserted island in ‘The Other Side’, but sources close to the film told website TMZ she was let go from the project because her name isn’t enough to guarantee box office success.

The film’s writer and director, David Michaels, was diplomatic about Lindsay’s departure, saying, “Our team simply chose to move on from Lindsay and we’ll soon be announcing a replacement.”

Other actors involved in the film include Woody Harrelson, Giovanni Ribisi and singer Alanis Morissette.

The lead role in which Lindsay was cast was also at one time associated with late actress Brittany Murphy, who tragically died of pneumonia last year aged 32.

Former child star Lindsay has not appeared in a film that has been a hit with critics or at the box office since a bit part in ‘Bobby’ in 2006. Her last film, ‘I Know Who Killed Me’ in 2007 flopped.

The 23-year-old actress’ personal troubles have done little to help her career, with her father, Michael Lohan, saying he believes she is taking drugs and this week arriving at her Hollywood home with police officers in an attempt to stage an ‘intervention’ and take her to rehab.

Michael said, “We all know she’s drinking and if she’s on prescription drugs, you can’t do both. And then there’s cocaine, of course.”

Lindsay reacted angrily to her father’s actions, posting messages on her twitter page saying she wanted to take out a restraining order against him, and calling him her “ex-dad”.

She wrote, “I have no choice but to make this public, due to my sister’s safety, as well as my own, “my ex-dad” just WALKED INTO MY APT like the devil’s advocate with officers (sic).

“my lawyer isn’t answering I NEED A RESTRAINING ORDER! MY SISTER AND FRIEND TOO!!!!! HE’S NUTS!!! (sic).”



Cheryl Cole Seeks Gagging Order For Ashley Cole


Cheryl Cole is reportedly seeking a gagging order to stop cheating husband Ashley Cole ever speaking about their relationship.

The ‘Fight For This Love’ singer is said to be seeking a quick divorce from soccer star Ashley – who has been exposed as a serial love cheat – and among her list of demands is an order banning him from making any contact with her, including by phone or text message, for six months after their split is finalized.

Other demands in a letter from Cheryl’s lawyer include Ashley agreeing immediately to a divorce, a lifetime gagging order which bans him from ever talking about their relationship in the future, and agreeing to let Cheryl keep their $9.3 million mansion by buying out his half of it.

The singer does not, however, want any of Ashley’s estimated $15.4 million fortune.

A source told the Sunday Mirror newspaper, “Cheryl does not want a single thing from Ashley except his signature on the divorce agreement. She just wants him to leave her alone, accept it is over and for them both to move on.”

The letter sent by Cheryl is a ‘Heads of Agreement’, the first stage of a process to reach an out-of-court settlement on the end to their marriage.

As a show of goodwill toward Ashley, 29, Cheryl, 26, is reportedly not citing ‘adultery’ as the reason for the divorce, instead opting for ‘irreconcilable differences’.

If Ashley agrees to the demands, it is thought their split could be made official by the end of the summer.

Divorce lawyer Mark Stephens said, “Despite the large sums of money involved in a high-profile divorce like this, it will be relatively straightforward if he agrees to the demands. There are no children involved, so this could all be done and dusted very quickly.”



Scarlett Johansson Fought For ‘Iron Man 2′ Black Widow Role


Scarlett Johansson fought hard for her role in ‘Iron Man 2′.

The 25-year-old actress, who plays sexy Russian spy Black Widow in the superhero movie, admitted she actively campaigned for the role after actress Emily Blunt dropped out because of scheduling conflicts.

She said, “I was a huge fan of the first movie and was quite ‘geek-ed’ out at being part of the second one. I just wanted to be a part of ‘Iron Man’ so I really researched the comic books and came in with some ideas of my own about how to develop the character. I see her as being determined and ambitious.”

Scarlett was anxious to get the part because she was keen to “kick *ss” alongside her co-stars Gwyneth Paltrow, Samuel L. Jackson and Robert Downey Jr.

She said, “I love everything about this character. She’s a total bada*s. I love every detail from her fabulous outfit to the wonderful hair. I mean, there’s nothing not to like about the character. She’s very bad and I think it’s rare that we get to see these sort of super heroines bought to the screen, where they’re really kicking some major a*s, which she does.”



Rihanna Wants La Roux Collaboration


Rihanna wants to collaborate with La Roux.

The ‘Umbrella’ hitmaker, who was assaulted by then-boyfriend Chris Brown last February, was keen to record a track with the duo’s singer Elly Jackson, but the British star admits she is still waiting to be approached.

Elly said, “I’ve had three or four offers for collaborations in America. Big, big artists. Rihanna was very interested for a time.

“That was weird. My A and R man said, ‘Rihanna’s going to call’ but that was the last I heard of it. She didn’t call! It was around the time of er, troubles in her life.”

Despite never receiving the offer, Elly – who is joined in La Roux by producer Ben Langmaid – admits she would never have accepted it anyway.

She added, “To be honest, do I really want to work with Rihanna? Not really. I’m more interested in what the phone call would be like.”

While the ‘In For The Kill’ singer is reluctant to work with Rihanna, she does have other collaborations lined up.

She added, “I’ve just spoken to Giggs, the rapper, and I’m hopefully doing a track with him and Liam Howlett from The Prodigy. Liam’s made a beat and me and Giggs are going to cover it.”