MOVIE NEWS

Haters throw shade, fans throw praise.

A whole lotta people went to see her movie all three days

Lol

That’s my ode de’ beyonce

I don’t really have an issue with her at all. She’s undoubtedly talented, multifaceted, & savvy. Some say she’s overrated, overexposed, played, whatever. I’ll have a later post where I raise exactly those topics. For now, check out the article

Filmgoers 'Obsessed' over the weekend Beyonce Knowles starrer takes in $28.5 million By Carl DiOrio Sony Screen Gems' suspense film "Obsessed" captivated the domestic boxoffice over its first weekend as the Beyonce Knowles-Idris Elba starrer proved more dominant than expected with an estimated $28.5 million. Three other wide openers saw mixed results. Universal's bare-knuckled brawling drama "Fighting" debuted about as expected with $11.4 million in second place, while Paramount's DreamWorks-produced drama "The Soloist" -- in which Robert Downey Jr. plays L.A. Times columnist Steve Lopez -- registered a light $9.7 million in fourth place. And the first Disney Nature documentary "Earth," narrated by James Earl Jones, fetched a pleasing $8.6 million in fifth place with a $14.2 million cume since unspooling Wednesday. Elsewhere among the top rankings, Warner Bros.' Zac Efron starrer "17 Again" fell a relatively modest 51% over its sophomore session to $11.7 million in second place. That made for a 10-day cume of $40 million for a film that was produced for just $28 million. Uni's Russell Crowe-toplined "State of Play" also dropped 51% from its opening grosses to register $6.9 million in seventh place with a $25.1 cume. Lionsgate's action sequel "Crank: High Voltage" was off 66% from its first weekend at $2.4 million in 10th place with a $11.5 million cume. Industrywide, the weekend's $114 million in collective grosses represented a 25% improvement over the same frame last year and the biggest-ever weekend gross for the final session of the spring boxoffice season, according to Nielsen EDI. Spring 2009's final tally totals $1.11 billion, or 20% more than in the same boxoffice season last year, with the industry outpacing its year-over-year comparisons for each of the past five weekends. Year-to-date, 2009 is up 9% over the same portion of last year, at $2.88 billion. That's despite its featuring one less winter frame due to calendar fluctuations. In a limited bow this weekend, Sony Pictures Classics unspooled the Mike Tyson documentary "Tyson" in 11 theaters in New York and Los Angeles to gross $85.982, or an auspicious $7,817 per venue. Also, Music Box's Italian political drama "Il Divo" grossed a solid $14,000 from a pair of inaugural engagements. And Variance Films opened its nursery school documentary "Nursery University" with a sizeable $13,100 from a single New York location. Elsewhere in the specialty market, SPC's French-language drama "Paris 36" added 14 theaters for a total of 41 and grossed $56,585, or a limp $1,380 per venue, with a cume of $526,971. The specialty distributor held its Broadway documentary "Every Little Step" in eight locations to gross $50,239, or a sturdy $6,280 per site, with a cume of $154,032. Story Island's Michael Caine starrer "Is Anybody There" added 48 playdates for a total 54 and grossed $120,889. That represented a so-so $2,239 per engagement as cume climbed to $183,086. Focus Features' Spanish-language thriller "Sin Nombre" added three locations for a total of 83 and grossed $205,092, or a thinning $2,471 per site, with a $1.5 million cume. "Obsessed" was helmed by tyro feature director Steve Shill and also stars Ali Larter ("Resident Evil: Extinction") as a temp employee who stalks her co-worker (Elba). The PG-13 pic drew audiences comprised 58% of females, with 51% of patrons age 25 or older. "This is extremely satisfying," Sony distribution president Rory Bruer said. "It had a lot of things going for it, including another great job of marketing by Screen Gems. But most importantly, it had Beyonce and a great cast." "Obsessed" was produced for an estimated $20 million. Its debut was the second biggest for Screen Gems, surpassing 2006's "Underworld: Evolution" ($26.9 million) and behind 2005's "The Exorcism of Emily Rose" ($30 million.) Produced by Rogue Pictures for an estimated $18 million, "Fighting" stars Terrence Howard and Channing Tatum ("Stop-Loss"). Rated PG-13, "Fighting" appeared to be the top choice of young male moviegoers this weekend, boasting audiences comprised 58% of males and 66% of patrons under age 25. "We're very pleased," Rogue production president Tucker Tooley said. "The opening was in the mid- to top range of what tracking was telling us it would be." Also a PG-13 pic, "Soloist" co-stars Jamie Foxx as a troubled street musician befriended by Lopez. "Soloist" attracted the oldest-skewing audiences among the weekend's wide releases, with 84% of its support from patrons 25 or older and females accounting for 55% of its ticket sales. "We thought it would do $10 million or so, so it's about where we would have expected it to be, " Par exec vp distribution Don Harris said. "And these kind of older movies tend to hang around a while, so we're hoping for that." "Earth" -- which rotated in just 1,804 locations, the fewest among the frame's wide openers – drew audiences comprised 56% of females, with 52% of patrons age 25 or older. "It's a spectacular opening," Disney distribution topper Chuck Viane said. "It was one of those things where you just didn't know what to expect it to do, but this was just terrific." Looking ahead, three wide releases are set for the first frame of the summer boxoffice season. Fox's "X-Men" spinoff "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" is sure to be the weekend's top , with only the question of how high the comic-book actioner can fly. Other wide openers include Lionsgate's feature animation "Battle for Terra" and Warners' romantic comedy "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past."

Find this article at: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3i0e29382397e1a2c407868310700494de

CELEBRITY SPOTLIGHT

ENJOY THIS PROFILE ON FANTASIA. I’M A FAN OF HER MUSIC. I’M NOT SURE ABOUT WHAT SHE’S BEEN GOING THROUGH LATELY, BUT ASIDDE FROM ALL OF THE PERSONAL ISSUES, SHE IS UNDENIABLY TALENTED. NO ONE CAN DISPUTE THAT. IT APPEARS AS IF SHE’S BACK ON TOP OF THINGS. ENJOY.

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – Former "American Idol" star Fantasia Barrino will return to reality television in a new unscripted series on VH1.

The nine-time Grammy nominee has received a series commitment from the network for a show, as yet untitled, that will premiere in early 2010.

The project will chronicle Fantasia's life as a recording artist and young single mother.

The North Carolinian rose to fame as the winner of the third season of "Idol" and has gone on to a successful career as a recording artist. Her autobiography, "Life Is Not a Fairy Tale," led to a Lifetime movie in which she played herself.

(Editing by Sheri Linden at Reuters)

First "Rudy Huxtable" gets her own show, now "Tasia Mae" is reportedly getting one too:

Fantasia Barrino must have loved being on reality TV. The former American Idol star will be back in the game come early 2010 – starring in a new unscripted series on VH1.

"Fantasia has one of the most fascinating stories in show business, from her tough upbringing to her meteoric rise on the national scene thanks to American Idol,'" Jeff Olde, executive vp original programming at VH1, tells the Hollywood Reporter.

"Her challenges from fame and her unwillingness to fail have combined to create a larger-than-life talent who appeals to music lovers around the world. So many people wanted to work with her on this, but Fantasia is now part of the VH1 family, and we're so happy to have her."

The nine-time Grammy nominee, who has also been on Broadway and played herself in the Lifetime movie version of her autobiography Life Is Not a Fairy Tale, will chronicle her life as a recording artist and young single mother on the series.

"Fantasia's life has been an open book, but at 24 years old, her story has just begun," executive producer Randy Barbato said, according to the Reporter. "We look forward to smashing expectations and revealing the fresh, funny and unexpected side of this one-of-a-kind country girl and superstar."

TV Review: Fantasia's fairy tale an uplifting TV movie

Thursday, August 17, 2006

By L.A. Johnson, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Fantasia Barrino's spirit-affirming, A+ life story is better than the B/B- Lifetime movie that's been made about it.

"The Fantasia Barrino Story: Life Is Not a Fairy Tale," which premieres at 9 p.m. Saturday on Lifetime (with replays at 8 p.m. Sunday and 9 p.m. Monday), is a typical woman-triumphing-over-adversity Lifetime film.

Loosely based on her New York Times best-selling autobiography, "Life Is Not a Fairy Tale," the two-hour, made-for-TV movie follows Fantasia's rise from a pint-sized singing standout in her family's gospel group through her turbulent high school years -- during which she was raped, dropped out and had a baby -- on to her victory in the 2004 season of "American Idol" as a powerful and stylized singer with a most uncommon voice.

The film opens with Fantasia singing "Chain of Fools" on an "American Idol" episode, then being approached backstage by "Idol" producers, who tell her some in the public doubt she's "Idol" material because she's a high school dropout and a single mother. They tell her she can quit the show if she wants to, and there would be "no shame" in walking away. Of course, she soldiers on.

Angered by the film's opening scene, real-life "American Idol" executives told the New York Post nothing like that ever happened. There have been nothing but crickets-in-the-forest sounds from Lifetime about whether that scene is based on true events or the writers simply took dramatic license.

In a scene reminiscent of the film "The Color Purple," when prodigal daughter Shug Avery makes a cathartic, gospel-filled return to her father's church, a pregnant Fantasia returns to her grandmother's church for a tearful, spiritual healing and rebirth.

Despite her limited acting experience, Fantasia does a commendable, natural and believable job playing herself, and multitalented stage and screen veterans support her well in her inaugural film role.

The divine Loretta Devine, of the original Broadway cast of "Dreamgirls," the motion picture "Crash" and the TV show "Grey's Anatomy," does a fine turn as a stalwart and steady family matriarch, playing Fantasia's minister grandmother, Addie Collins. Viola Davis, who has won numerous stage awards including a 2001 Best Featured Actress in a Play Tony for August Wilson's "King Headley II," does a good job as Fantasia's mother, Diane Barrino. Kadeem Hardison, of "A Different World" fame, puts in a solid performance as her father, JoJo Barrino, and Jamia Simone Nash of "My Wife and Kids" is cute and credible, using her own power-packed voice in her portrayal of the young Fantasia.

Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning director, choreographer, producer and actress Debbie Allen directs the film and does a funny cameo as an "American Idol" contestant at one of the early cattle-call auditions.

Fantasia made recording history when her first single, "I Believe," debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Her first album, "Free Yourself," sold more than 2 million copies, and her sophomore effort, tentatively titled "Young Girl, Old Soul," is due out in the fall.

"The Fantasia Barrino Story: Life Is Not a Fairy Tale" is a good movie based on a great story. Fantasia's "American Idol" fans are sure to enjoy it, as will anyone who loves a true rags-to-riches-feel-good-American success story.

About Fantasia:

Fantasia Barrino began singing at the prodigious age of five before small audiences at her church in Highpoint, North Carolina. Music has been her main source of joy ever since-she toured with her mother, father and brothers all around the South, recorded two gospel albums with her family, and at the age of 19 became an American Idol winner. Her first album, Free Yourself, was released on November 23, 2004.

About "Life Is Not a Fairy Tale"

About Her Book:

In Life is Not a Fairy Tale, Fantasia Barrino shares her fascinating and compelling personal story and turns her struggles and success into life lessons. With her sassy, self-confident style, Fantasia has worked through many mistakes to develop a keep-it-real, down-to-earth wisdom. After a childhood anchored by family, church and gospel music, Fantasia fell into the common teenage trap of trying to grow up too quickly. At the age of 17, she found herself quitting school, pregnant and in an abusive relationship. Though she could have surrendered to such hardships, Fantasia persevered. She rediscovered her faith in God and in herself, promising to work hard to create a better life not only for her daughter, but because she deserved one.

Fantasia's book shares the mottos of faith and strength that helped her to find her way off of the unfortunate path that she had taken and on to one of unlimited potential and success.

Fantasia's life lessons include: You Make Your Bed, You Lie in It Cultivate Your Gift Never Give Up Get Your BoBo On Keep Your Head Up Give Props Where Props are Due Like Mother, Like Daughter Learn from Your Mistakes Know Who Your Real Friends Are Don't Be a Hoochie Mama It Aint' About the Bling Keep It Real

Fantasia's story inspires all who read it to believe in themselves, their talents and their dreams. Fantasia's unique voice enlivens her book with attitude and sincerity, while her story proves that confidence, dedication and faith are enough to pull anyone up from the lowest points in their lives and move them towards their greatest potential

CELEBRITY NEWS

Tyra banks to testify at alleged stalker's NYC trial

By SAMUEL MAULL

Model-turned-television personality Tyra Banks is due in court this week to testify against a Georgia man accused of following her from one side of the country to another.

Banks, host of TV's "America's Next Top Model," is to testify in a Manhattan courtroom where Brady Green goes on trial on charges of stalking her.

Green, of Dublin, Ga., is accused of following Banks from coast to coast since January of last year. He was arrested in a McDonald's near the Manhattan building where "The Tyra Banks Show" is taped after he tried to see her on March 18, 2008.

Green told police then, "I know her. She knows me. We're good friends." He said he "came by bus (from Los Angeles) to see her."

"We had a thing together," court papers quote Green as telling police. "I sent her flowers. I sent her cards. Should I plead no contest? I've got satellites watching me and recording us."

Green, 38, has pleaded not guilty to stalking, harassment and criminal trespass. He faces up to 90 days in jail if convicted by Manhattan Criminal Court Judge James Burke, who is hearing the case without a jury.

Green has rejected several non-jail plea deals offered by the prosecution. If he had accepted the plea offers, Banks' testimony would not have been necessary and he would not have seen her in court.

Burke scheduled the start of Green's trial after a hearing in which he ruled that most statements the defendant made to police could be used as trial evidence.

Banks, 35, has to appear in court to testify she was alarmed and feared for her physical safety. This emotional distress is an element of the criminal charges against Green.

A criminal complaint filed when Green was arrested says building custodian Edward Troiano told police the defendant also had appeared at Banks' Los Angeles studio "on multiple occasions" and asked to speak to her.

The complaint says Troiano reported Green had sent letters and flowers to Banks there and had tried to reach her there by telephone at least five times. Troiano also might testify at Green's trial.

Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.

INFO COURTESY OF HOLLYWOODLIFE.NET

CELEBRITY INTERVIEW

Isla Fisher

By Mali Elfman

The best thing about this movie, is the main thing in this movie, Isla Fisher. She’s a true comedian that moves and acts in ways that most woman would be too embarrassed to do by themselves, let alone on camera. Maybe some of her husband is washing off on her. This is Fisher’s first big starring role in a huge Jerry Bruckheimer film, and she does not disappoint. She’s vivacious, funny, and really carries you along for the ride.

Confessions of a Shopaholic, is a chick flick. There are no two ways around it. Straight men will not walk into this theater alone. That being said, it’s great for what it is and men if you are dragged to the theater, it’s okay to laugh, it’s funny!

We were lucky enough to sit down and have a chat with Fisher (who shocked me with her thick Australian accent) and talk about her lack of shopping knowledge, leading her first big film, and much more…

What was the most fun fashion discovery you made making this film?

IF: The most fun fashion discovery was to use a lot of color in my wardrobe. I’m fairly conservative normally and I just feel like Patricia Fields brought out the color in me. I now love to wear color.

Did you work with Patricia Field on choosing the outfits?

IF: I did, Patricia was extremely collaborative. I only had one request which is that I wanted Becky to wear extremely high heels so she could totter. I think there’s nothing funnier than a comedic character tottering and the impracticality of wearing something that clearly doesn’t fit her but she’s a shopaholic so she has to have it. And Patricia really is so creative and she clearly knows what she’s talking about. She did the costumes for Sex and the City, Devil Wears Prada so I kind of let go and let her guide me and I really enjoyed the process. At the beginning, I couldn’t believe we were spending 40 minutes discussing a belt. I was so frustrated but halfway through, I just felt like I began to understand that there really is sort of a science to it and there’s this incredible world and people try really hard.

On a completely different topic, where did the fan dance come from?

The fan dance! It’s always been a comic dream of mine to attempt to seduce a man doing a dance that’s actually repulsive. So the opportunity of doing that arose during this movie and I embraced it and I really enjoyed every minute of it.

Did you do any choreography or was it all done for you?

No, no, they’re all, I’m embarrassed to admit, my own moves.

Is Hugh Dancy a good dancer?

I think Hugh’s a wonderful dancer and what I really loved about Hugh is that he came to the movie and took it seriously as if he was in a dramatic movie, which was so important. As a result, he played the greatest straight man and it gave me, playing Becky Bloomwood, somewhere to go and to be more outrageous and the comedy was grounded in reality because of him. He brought so much integrity and heart to the film and yeah, he was a fabulous dancer actually. He remembered the moves, the traditional moves, far better than me and guided me through that scene.

During the sample sale mayhem you get pretty aggressive, was that something that something you were able to improv with as well.?

IF: We had to choreograph that. With all physical comedy, you have to know where you’re going to put cameras and ensure that no one’s trampled to death so we took it fairly seriously. There were a lot of heels on a very shiny surface. But we just had a lot of fun with it and we actually went a lot further. Ultimately, we shot, we took it further but we like what we kept in the movie which is just ending on her straddling the girl, rather than pulling down a rack and being removed by a security guard.

You’ve been in a number of ensemble casts, what’s it like moving to lead of such a huge film?

IF: Yeah, obviously I’m very surprised, eternally grateful to Jerry Bruckheimer and completely bewildered as to how I was lucky enough to be chosen to head my own movie. I definitely felt far more responsible for the tone of the movie as a lead than you do as a supporting cast member where you can sort of come in and muck about. On top of that, playing a beloved character from a book that’s extraordinarily successful and knowing that she was now going to be American and wanting to just capture the essence of her as properly as I could added more pressure, but ultimately, when you have an incredible producer like Jerry Bruckheimer behind you and a really amazing cast, it was just an amazing, rewarding creative experience for me.

How was it working with working with Krysten Ritter for the first time?

IF: I remember on day one, I looked over at Krysten’s page and she’d written all these notes, like alternative lines and I’m the only actor that does that and I thought straight away that she was a soul sister, because she was already trying to improvise funny comedic stuff.

How did you develop your talent for physical comedy?

IF: Well, actually, I trained at a theater school called Jacques Lecoq in Paris where Simon McBurney who’s a very famous French clown, well he’s English actually, but where a lot of the Theatre’ Complicite troupe train. We focus on comedy dell’arte and bouffant and mime. So technically, I definitely learned the skill set but just personally, I’ve always been someone who loves to tap into their inner idiot. I’ve always been the clown of my family and I’ve always just enjoyed mucking about and I’m just fortunate that I get paid to do that now.

With the facial reactions, do you plan those, practice, or what is your process?

No, no, I just try to keep really loose and stay in the moment and not have any sort of hope for what I’m going to do. I just, I’m not a method actress but I prepare at home and then I let, I just try not to be self-conscious. I think a lot of people ask how come I got the role or I got into comedy and I just think it’s because I’m willing and a lot of actors and actresses aren’t willing to pull faces.

You’re very reminiscent of Lucille Ball.

IF: Oh, thank you. That’s a huge compliment.

Do you plan on sticking to comedies or exploring drama?

IF: You know, I have to say I love comedy. I love, just love the freedom that comedy brings but I’m open to working with any filmmakers. It’s all about the story and the character for me rather than the genre.

Were you a fan of the Shopaholic books?

I was a huge fan of the books. I read them all long before I heard about the project and when I heard about the project and that Jerry Bruckheimer was producing, obviously who I was a huge fan of, I didn’t think in my wildest dreams that I would even get a meeting, let alone get the role. I literally still cannot believe I got the role. It’s very exciting for me.

Did you do any research for Shopaholics Anonymous?

I did actually. I went to Spenders Anonymous groups and Underearners and Overspenders groups and it was fascinating. There are all different styles and types of shopping. There’s trophy shopping, image shopping, collecting, bulimic shopping. As funny as it sounds, it’s obviously also pretty sad too, but I definitely learned a lot and just that it affects men as often as women. It was a fascinating experience.

Which item of clothing can you not pass by?

IF: Oh, there’s nothing really material that I can’t pass by. Maybe underwear. Just out of necessity, just in general, underwear. It’s not such a good look, not having underwear.

Have you ever had the experience of getting a bill you didn’t expect?

IF: Actually, recently I did, apparently someone had been buying petrol in Texas on my credit card and I wasn’t there. So I did have that experience but not through any fault of my own.

Did you get to keep any of the cloths?

IF: No, I didn’t get to keep it. Maybe you should ask Jerry about that.

Do you agree with the film that shopping is better than men?

No. No. I shop rarely and poorly. I definitely appreciate men more than stores.

Who are your favorite fashion designers?

IF: Oh wow. A part of this business obviously is the pageantry of red carpet and you get dressed by incredible designers, so I’d have to say I love Stella McCartney. I love Vivian Westwood. I love Zac Pozen. I tend to go for more kind of classic. I love Prada. I feel very blessed to wear any of those dresses.

If you shop “rarely and poorly” as you put it, how do you fill your closet?

You know, I do shop when I need to and I’m fortunate in that I’ve sort of maintained my same size, except obviously when I was pregnant. So I just tend to wear stuff that I have around and when I shop I just get in and out. I have a mission and I fulfill it.

Anything in your closet you wonder why you ever bought it?

IF: Oh gosh, absolutely. I try to remove those items and give them to friends but yeah, several times I’ve been suckered into a fashion that wasn’t very flattering on a small frame.

Although this movie is about shopping, there’s also a very strong warning in it about the dangers of spending which are extremely relevant in today’s finical crisis. How do you think this movie effects the average person current spending situation?

IF: Well, obviously this movie was conceived during a different economic period and the lessons that Rebecca Bloomwood learns in the movie, we have all been learning recently. So it feels very topical. I’m really proud of the responsible way that we handle it at the end of the movie, that issue.

ACTOR SPOTLIGHT

READ THIS SPOTLIGHT ON ONE OF MY FAVORTIE COMEDIC ACTRESSES, & AN ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS WOMAN. I DON’T KNOW HER PERSONALLY, BUT I’M SURE, THROUGH THE INTERVIEWS, THAT SHE’S AS BEAUTIFUL INSIDE. SHE ALSO HAS A BOOK OUT, CHRONICLING HER LIFE BEFORE HER SON’S BIRTH, & AFTERWARDS. HER LIFE STORY IS INTERESTING. I SUGGEST YOU READ IT. ANYWAY, ENJOY.

Jaime Pressly's beauty, talent and screen presence has etched her many solid film and television roles, most recently as a star on NBC's "My Name Is Earl" opposite Jason Lee. She plays his ex-wife, Joy Darville.

Jaime Pressly will star in the independent feature film "DOA: Dead or Alive," in which she co-stars with Devon Aoki and Steve Howey. "DOA" is an adaptation of the game franchise and was recently picked up by Dimension Films for a Fall 2006 release. Jaime Pressly also will appear in the independent film "Venus & Vegas" with Donald Faison (NBC's "Scrubs"), Eddie Rose Thomas, Roselyn Sanchez, Eddie Guerra and Molly Sims (NBC's "Las Vegas").

In addition, Jaime Pressly starred in the cable TV movie "Evel Knievel" appearing as Evel's (George Eads) wife. The film told the real-life story of the legendary daredevil -- and the pain and suffering endured by his wife. Jaime Pressly also displayed her athleticism and grace as a strong-willed biker girl in Neil Moritz' action-thriller film "Torque" (also starring her fellow "Earl" star Eddie Steeples). Earlier, Jaime Pressly also made an appearance as a guest star on the comedy "Happy Family."

Jaime Pressly's extensive dance background and her acting ability were showcased in her most memorable television role as Audrey Griffin, an aspiring Broadway dancer, on the series "Jack & Jill. She was last seen on the big screen portraying a "bitchy" head cheerleader -- and the most popular girl in school -- in the satirical comedy film "Not Another Teen Movie."

Jaime Pressly has enjoyed box-office success in many films, including a starring role as Claire Manning, the female lead in Filmworks' "Ticker" (opposite Dennis Hopper of NBC's "E-Ring," Steven Segal, Tom Sizemore and Kevin Gage for director Albert Pyun). She has appeared in "The Adventures of Joe Dirt," with David Spade, and alongside Jerry O'Connell (NBC's "Crossing Jordan"), Shannon Elizabeth and Jake Busey in Revolution Studios' Production "Tomcats."

Born in Kinston, North Carolina, Jaime Pressly grew up as a tomboy who loved to water-ski and fish. Her mom, a highly accomplished classical dance instructor who trains current and future Joffrey Ballet students, put an early claim on her daughter's innate athleticism by teaching her ballet, tap, and jazz, and pointed her towards gymnastics.

At age 13, Jaime Pressly registered with a local modeling agency and began working consistently. She submitted a photo to an international teen-modeling agency and by the age of 14, her face began to appear on the covers of several prestigious teen magazines. Jaime Pressly quickly became the spokesperson for her agency, International Cover Model Search, which took her to Tokyo and Milan.

Jaime Pressly also starred or appeared in the Jerry Springer mock-documentary, "Ringmaster," the hit teen comedy, "Can't Hardly Wait," "Poor White Trash," and "100 Girls."

On the small screen, Jaime Pressly was seen in the comedic film "Best Actress" (E! Entertainment Television's first original movie for television). She also starred as a former gymnast on the series "Push" from the creators of "Party of Five."

Living just outside Los Angeles, Jaime Pressly spends her free time with friends who share her love for nature. She enjoys hiking, horseback riding, swimming, kickboxing and playing with her two dogs. Jaime Pressly continues to dance, as she has for the past 21 years. Her birthday is July 30.

INFO COURTESY OF POPTOWER.COM

BOOK REVIEW

Steve hARVEY- ACT LIKE A LADY, THINK LIKE A MAN

Mr funnyman extraordinaire, steve Harvey, comedian, radio host, movie star, tv star, producer, host, & pretty much whatever else he wants to do, is now a best selling author. I haven’t read it yet, but I am definitely curious, which I’m sure is exactly what he wants. Anyway, check out this review, & cop the book, go to the local library, Waldenbookss, barnes & noble, borders, whatever. Make it happen & holla back afterwards. enjoy

Steve Harvey, the host of the nationally syndicated Steve Harvey Morning Show, can't count the number of impressive women he's met over the years, whether it's through the "Strawberry Letters" segment of his program or while on tour for his comedy shows. These are women who can run a small business, keep a household with three kids in tiptop shape, and chair a church group all at the same time. Yet when it comes to relationships, they can't figure out what makes men tick. Why? According to Steve it's because they're asking other women for advice when no one but another man can tell them how to find and keep a man. In Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man, Steve lets women inside the mindset of a man and sheds lights on concepts and questions such as:

—The Ninety Day Rule: Ford requires it of its employees. Should you require it of your man?

—How to spot a mama's boy and what if anything you can do about it.

—When to introduce the kids. And what to read into the first interaction between your date and your kids.

—The five questions every woman should ask a man to determine how serious he is.

— And more...

Sometimes funny, sometimes direct, but always truthful, Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man is a book you must read if you want to understand how men think when