My Thoughts, Rants and Opinions

8:05PM - MTV To Air ‘Paris, Not France’ Hilton Documentary

LOS ANGELES, Calif. --

MTV has bought the rights to “Paris, Not France,” a documentary on celebutante Paris Hilton, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The 78-minute documentary will tentatively air on the network this summer.

“Paris, Not France” reportedly portrays the heiress as “more thoughtful and self-aware” rather than a “ditzy party girl,” according to the trade magazine. It was directed by music-video director Adria Petty, who had “enormous access” and reportedly interviewed many of Paris’ family and friends for the feature.

In the meantime, the second season of “Paris Hilton’s My New BFF,” a reality show in which contestants compete to be the star’s new best friend, will premiere on MTV on June 2.

But watch out, potential besties — Season 1 winner Brittany Flickinger hasn’t been spotted out lately with Paris, who told E! Online in April, “I’ve been fooled by so many girls.”

“I want a best friend who wants to be friends with me because I’m a good person and a good friend, not for any other reason,” Paris said at the time.

Source:
http://www.accesshollywood.com/mtv-to-air-paris-not-france-hilton-documentary_article_18020

8:04PM - At Cannes, a little Paris

It wouldn't be Cannes without a little Paris.

MTV has picked up a doc about the blond one, "Paris, Not France," Adria Petty's look behind the scenes at the life and persona of the young socialite.

MTV, which is set to begin airing the second season of "Paris Hilton's My New B.FF" next month is tentatively planning to air the documentary on the network this summer.

Petty, known primarily as a music-video director, had enormous access both to Hilton's private life and her public jetsetting one in the film. She also interviews a large number of Hilton's family and friends.

The film essentially shows that the public caricature of Hilton as a ditzy party-girl is mainly a character invented for entertainment purposes, and the actual Hilton is far more thoughtful and self-aware. (Indeed, in a number of interviews in the piece she comes across as thoughtful and self-aware.)

Originally commisioned as an add-on to a music video DVD, the project grew into a 78-minute feature after Petty realized she had a lot more footage than she initially planned.

The film debuted at the Toronto Film Festival last year, where William Morris Independent was selling it but, because of potential objections about distribution from the Hilton camp, had not been screened since. After watching the film with an audience, Hilton's concerns were allayed.

William Morris Independent is selling international rights at Cannes, where Hilton is scheduled to land shortly for - what else - a little partying.

Source:
http://www.riskybusinessblog.com/2009/05/at-cannes-a-little-paris.html

1:15PM - Nick Carter is STILL drinking/partying...

http://thedirty.com/2009/05/11/nick-carter-from-backstreet-boys/

And if for whatever reason that link doesn't work (or you just don't wanna click it):
http://i43.tinypic.com/sy32bb.jpg

THE DIRTY ARMY: Yo Nik, I caught Nick Carter from the Backstreet Boys in Lake Havasu playing beer pong at my buddies house..total doucher, and his girlfriend is even worse.

12:56PM - Taylor Hanson Talks Tinted Windows

A few days ago we posted this exclusive track, "Kind of a Girl", the first single from the generation-spanning supergroup Tinted Windows, featuring Taylor Hanson, Fountains of Wayne's Adam Schlesinger, James Iha and Cheap Trick drummer Bun E. Carlos.

You know we put up the Tinted Windows song a few days ago and the response has been bananas.

That's pretty awesome. 

Take us back to the beginning.

 It's an interesting story. The thing about the band is sort of two fold. Adam and I originally met because we [Hanson] were making our first record in '96 and we were meeting with different people that were either up and coming songwriters or artists. We were writing with a couple different people, and we sat down to write a song [with Adam] and really never ended up completing something that made that album. But we always kept up a friendship. We just kind of always said, I think partly because we didn’t really finish the song, "Oh, yeah, we should do something together." We kept in touch for years, and nothing particular came of it as far as actually doing collaborations. You're in your different bands, traveling, you're keeping busy, and we would just cross paths and do friend stuff, but hadn’t really made music together. I guess it was about three years ago, we were making our last record and Adam called me and we just started brainstorming, about this idea of a very straightforward project, music that we weren't going to over-think. This is about the energy of guitar driven, tight pop songs. It sort of in the tradition of great bands like the Knack and the Buzzcocks and for that matter Cheap Trick. For me it was kind of a fun challenge, just because we always knew that the project was going to be something we would do in addition to our own bands. It wasn’t something that we were saying, "We're gonna stop everything and do this."  It was a challenge because it's very sort of straight ahead, it doesn’t have many soul influences, which is where my original gut is as far as Hanson. It was actually a really great thing to think about some of these other bands, and this style of music which I definitely love, but it's very different than our original influence as Hanson. 

So that was three years ago. Then what happens? 

We just all would periodically touch base and say, "When can we get in a room and write songs. Let's set aside time for a session." It was really just ships passing in the night and going, "Great. We've got a week. Let's get in the studio. So I would fly up to New York and hang out at Adam's apartment. We'd work through songs and we'd just sort of… originally, the first session we just tried to kind of sit in the room and really just jam out different ideas, and really just play like a band off the floor, at least with the elements that were available to us. Just sit in the room and play. And um, honestly, it just sort of built up. We would grab a week here and a week there. The first actual writing session that Adam and I did, was actually at a songwriting retreat. I'm sure I probably mentioned it at some point, when we've talked over the years.

Yep.

It was just more coincidence that in '06 we were doing our retreat, and we had begun talking about this idea, and so I said, "Hey – we're setting aside a week to write songs. Adam, why don’t you just come down and we’ll just write for this." And so we wrote this song, which I think is the last track on the record, called "Take Me Back," which is yet to be heard. I think for me, one of the coolest things about it is the fact that everybody's just been really able to enjoy the fact that this project was just about music. We all have things about the band that are flavors of what we do, but it's really just an opportunity to do something that's not exactly what we do in our own band. And also get to just play with people that are friends and also just really talented musicians.  

So where does Iha jump in?

He and Adam have been friends for a long time. Adam can tell you for sure how early he and James first talked, but at the point where the three of us all sat in the same room, I think Adam and I had been talking about it already for close to a year before the three of us were together. You know, actually "Hey – here we are." And it was really just an obvious connection. One of the things we talked about forever, is that once you sit down to write a song, or you sit down to make music, the differences seem to fade away a lot more. But, really, we just got along. What a better guitarist than to have than James?

So what are these songs about?

The whole project is really about writing songs that are totally straightforward, and are not trying to prove something or have some extremely deep meaning. It's about girls, the back and forth. We're trying to be as unpretentious about it as possible. We even had a few songs that kind of had some more irony in them. They were a little more tongue in cheek quality to the lyrics. As much as possible, we just kept going, "We don’t want it to sound like we're trying to be too clever." I think, honestly when you hear everybody play in the same room, the performance…it just feels very organic. But it doesn’t feel overthought.

And then finally Bun E. jumping into it.

I mean Bun E.'s obviously an amazing drummer. He's an extremely credible dude. We'd had different thoughts about drummers, and he was just the one that you think, "Is this gonna happen? Is he gonna be into this project?" In the end, it just comes down to music as well. He just dug the record, he dug the songs he heard…at least the demos as they were. He adds an incredibly cool vibe to the whole project.

The songs been out and people are freaking out about it. How do you feel about the response?

I think it's great. I think it's great for everybody that's involved. Like I said, this is something that we've just been able to enjoy and not overthink up to this point. It's great to see people sort of surprised by what Tinted Windows actually is, as opposed to what they think it's going to be. I think that's going to be the most fun thing about the whole project, letting people actually discover that this is a band. It's not just a collection of pieces, it's a record and it's guys are gonna play together. I think you can feel that when you actually hear the Tint's.

Some folks are concerned about Hanson falling off the face of the Earth.

It couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, we're actually working on our record right now. We're really excited about it, and we'll be really active over the next year, as we are also doing the Tinted Windows stuff, which is gonna be a blast.

Every time I turn around you seem to be having another child. How many do you have now?

It's pretty insane actually. I have four. To be perfectly honest, when I say it, it sounds pretty crazy. But it all makes sense when you meet 'em. The dots all come together. It may seem like a lot, but it's great.

And how old is the oldest one? 

He is six years old.

So they're about to put a band together too? Hanson, Jr.?

They could actually. I mean I would never wish this on anyone unless they were unable to not do it, which is what we've always said about our band. "If you can't do anything else, then you should do it. If you have to do it." If you're addicted to it, to the point where you can't turn it off, then I say go for it.

Have you had that discussion with them yet?

They haven’t seriously posed the question yet, as far as, "Dad, I need to talk to you. I'm ready to start my band." To be honest, I would not be surprised if that question came. It's funny, River is our second youngest, He's two and he's an incredible drummer. He's got rhythm! And not just the way a parent thinks, "Hey my kids are great." I mean, you always think your kids are great. He really has rhythm. So we'll see. 

So where are you on the Hanson record?

We're in writing mode. We're gonna be recording and hopefully have a record that we're finished with in the next couple of months. We're gonna be planning a variety of different things that we'll be doing this year. Some stuff that's still up in the air, kind of warming up to the next record. We're getting ready to announce some dates with a couple of performers. Some kind of co-headlining things that we're gonna do in the summer and the fall, sort of leading up to the release of the next record.

12:55PM - Taylor Hanson Says His Big, Young Family ‘Makes Sense’

When 25-year-old Taylor Hanson says the words “I have four” out loud, even he admits that “it sounds pretty crazy.” It “all makes sense” when you meet his children Jordan Ezra, 6, Penelope Anne, 4 next month, River Samuel, 2 ½, and Viggo Moriah, 3-months, however, he says in a new interview with Rolling Stone. “The dots all come together…It may seem like a lot, but it’s great,” he adds.

That he’s created such a large family at such an early age means that his own children are uniquely poised to carry on the tradition he created with his own brothers Isaac Hanson and Zac Hanson. Together, the trio comprised the musical group Hanson, and Taylor says it wouldn’t surprise him in the least if ‘Hanson Jr.’ forms someday soon.

“It’s funny, River is our second youngest; He’s two and he’s an incredible drummer. He’s got rhythm! And not just the way a parent thinks, ‘Hey my kids are great.’ I mean, you always think your kids are great. He really has rhythm. So we’ll see.”

That’s not to say he’d encourage it! “I would never wish [a career in music] on anyone unless they were unable to not do it, which is what we’ve always said about our band,” explains Taylor, adding “if you can’t do anything else, then you should do it.” If it turns out that the kids are indeed ”addicted” to music, however, Taylor says his advice for them will be simple: “Go for it.”

Ezra, Penelope, River and Viggo are Taylor’s children with wife Natalie Hanson. Taylor’s new band Tinted Windows — a side project with former Smashing Pumpkins guitarist James Iha, Cheap Trick drummer Bun E. Carlos and Fountains Of Wayne bassist Adam Schlesinger — is scheduled to release their self-titled debut album in stores April 21st.

Source:
http://celebrity-babies.com/2009/03/05/taylor-hanson-says-his-big-young-family-makes-sense/

6:55PM - Paris means business

Sat, February 28, 2009
Seriously, money is everyone's best friend


By BILL HARRIS

We asked Paris Hilton a blunt question: Is she obsessed with being taken seriously?

Her response gave us pause for thought.

"I am taken very seriously as a businesswoman, in the business world and by the people I do business with," Hilton said. "If anyone wants to say otherwise, they have no idea what they're talking about."

Hilton -- the beautiful heiress and "celebutante" whose reality-TV series Paris Hilton's British Best Friend makes its Canadian debut tonight on MuchMusic and Star! -- actually makes a very good point.

We confidently can say that probably 95% of the things to which Paris Hilton attaches her name wind up making money. In these economic times, who can dismiss that as unworthy?


So Paris Hilton says that no matter what jokes are made about her, when she's in a business meeting the other people in the room take her very seriously, indeed. They have dollar signs in their eyes.

During the first episode of British Best Friend -- which is a spinoff of the American version, My New BFF -- Hilton describes herself as, "Businesswoman/singer/actor/brand." Is that the order she prefers?

"Yes, definitely, because that's what I do," said Hilton, who was quoted in Sun Media recently saying a Canadian version of the "best friend" franchise is a possibility. "I've created a brand and built an empire off of being myself, and my name. I'm very hands-on in everything."

Hilton said she hasn't based her "best friend" shows on any other reality programs, because she doesn't watch much TV. When she does have spare time, she prefers music and concerts.

Hilton released a CD in 2006 and is "basically finished" with her next album, which she hopes will be out by the summer.

"I'm just doing a couple more songs and as soon as I have time I'm going to plan out a tour," she said. "It's just hard with my schedule."

No matter how you slice it, Hilton is one of the most famous people in the world. Is she one of those souls who stood out in a crowd when she was young, or is her fame surprising to those who knew her when she was a kid?

"No, everyone has always said that to me," Hilton said. "I just always loved the camera and I always loved to pose. When I was little, people would always tell my mom what a beautiful girl I was and things like that."

Hilton probably will continue to be the butt of jokes. But the fact is, she makes money. She doesn't need the cash, but her business partners surely do.

"You only live once and you should live life to the fullest and enjoy it," Hilton said. "I really don't pay attention to what people say about me. I don't really depend on other people's opinions of myself."

But Hilton, 28, admitted she has worked on that attitude.

"I think it's something you develop over time, through your experience and as things happen to you," Hilton said. "I don't know, I'm just at a really good place in my life right now.

"I just live my life and love it."

bill.harris@sunmedia.ca

Source:
http://lfpress.ca/newsstand/Today/Entertainment/2009/02/28/8566181-sun.html

9:26AM - Paris Hilton Denies Dating Doug Reinhardt

Despite the rumors, Paris Hilton is not dating Doug Reinhardt from The Hills!

Last week E! reported that Doug and Paris spent Valentine’s Day together, and he even gave her a gift to celebrate. That alleged gift was an Andy Warhol portrait of Marilyn Monroe. The two had also been seen hanging out at Paris’ pad to celebrate her birthday.

But don’t believe the story! Because according to Paris herself, she’s still single. Hollyscoop.com spoke to Paris exclusively at Haven: An Evening of Fashion, and she squashed those rumors right away.

We asked her where Doug was, and she not only told us, “I don’t know,” but added, “We’re just friends.”

So that made us wonder….maybe she was holding out in case there was another chance with her ex Benji Madden. But Paris played it cool when we asked if the two were still friends, saying, “Of course, we’re like best friends. We’ll always be close.”

As to whether Paris thinks they’ll be getting back together, she replied simply, “No.”

Oh well! There goes that! We kind of liked Paris and Benji together. But good thing she’s not linked to Doug like the rumors suggested, because we think she can do a little better! Doug is one step away from the playboy serial dater Brody Jenner has become!

Source:
http://www.hollyscoop.com/paris-hilton/paris-hilton-denies-dating-doug-reinhardt_19396.aspx

9:22AM - CBS Lines up Paris Hilton, Craig Ferguson Against Jimmy Fallon

Craig Ferguson has a prime-time date with Paris Hilton next Monday.

CBS has enlisted Mr. Ferguson and Ms. Hilton to serve as hosts for its Monday night lineup on March 2, the network confirmed. That’s the same night Mr. Ferguson’s newest late night rival, NBC’s Jimmy Fallon, makes his “Late Night” debut.

“We’re calling it ‘America’s Entertainment Stimulus Package’,” said CBS marketing chief George Schweitzer.

Mr. Ferguson and Ms. Hilton will appear during interstitial spots throughout CBS’s Monday lineup next week, trading comic riffs and hyping upcoming shows. The two will appear to be watching TV together during the segments, which will begin just before “The Big Bang Theory” and go through “CSI: Miami."

In addition to appearing on CBS together during prime time, Ms. Hilton and Mr. Ferguson will team up later in the evening when Ms. Hilton is a guest on Mr. Ferguson’s “Late Late Show.”

CBS is going all-out to promote next Monday’s lineup.

The network has just started airing on-air spots touting the Hilton-Ferguson pairing, as well as CBS’s Monday “stimulus package.” It will also devote one of its front page New York Times strip ads to its Monday lineup.

Next Monday is important to CBS on a number of fronts.

After a couple of weeks of repeats, all of its shows will be in originals next week. In addition, the network’s “Rules of Engagement” re-joins CBS’s Monday lineup.

And finally, Mr. Ferguson will face off against the much-hyped premiere of “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.”

“It’s a night we can have fun with, and there are some tactical reasons to do this as well,” Mr. Schweitzer said.

CBS will use Mr. Ferguson to host its Monday night twice next month. On March 9, the “Late Late Show” personality will reprise his prime time hosting gig, this time teamed up with Jim Parsons of CBS’s “The Big Bang Theory.” Mr. Parsons will appear in character as Sheldon during his spots with Mr. Ferguson.

The spots with both Ms. Hilton and Mr. Parsons will be set in Mr. Ferguson’s fake TV home. He and his guests will dine on TV dinners as they watch CBS programming.

CBS and other networks have become increasingly enamored of using personalities to “host” certain nights. Kevin James, for example, recently used CBS’s Monday to tout his “Paul Blart: Mall Cop” feature.

(Editor: Baumann)

Source:
http://www.tvweek.com/news/2009/02/cbs_lines_up_paris_hilton_crai.php

10:28AM - Hilton Denies Involvement in Brown Altercation

"Extra" caught up with Paris Hilton at "An Evening of Fashion with Haven," where the heiress defended herself against reports that accuse her of igniting the fight between Chris Brown and Rihanna by sending the "Forever" singer a text message.

"I have no idea how I got involved in that," Paris said. "People were calling me saying, 'It's your fault.' I'm like, 'What?!'"

Hilton continued, "I love Chris Brown. I love Rihanna. I'm friends with both of them so you know, the fact that I got involved in it was ridiculous -- but I wish her the best. I love her. She's amazing."

Brown was arrested on charges of making felony criminal threats after an altercation with his girlfriend Rihanna turned ugly on the eve of the Grammy Awards.

Source:
http://extratv.warnerbros.com/2009/02/hilton_denies_involvement_in_b.php

11:46AM - Nick Carter: I Made Excuses Just to Party

Speaking candidly about his 10-year struggle with substance abuse, Backstreet Boy Nick Carter says his road to recovery was rocky.

"I would make excuses to just go out to drink and party," he says on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, airing Thursday. "It was excessive ... Alcohol kind of kicked it off and then once the alcohol wasn't doing it for me I would lean on other things."

As for when things changed, "I had a lot of rude awakenings, warning signs, DUIs," Carter, 29, tells DeGeneres. "I realized that it was wrong, [but] I decided to go and sort of punish myself. I went to the classes, did everything I was required to do. Then I'd . . . get back into it. Sort of fool myself in a way."

Being diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, a weakening of the heart muscle, last year helped him turn things around, he told PEOPLE.

Working out changed his focus, too. "It helped my self esteem and then other things started replacing drinking and parties, [like] sports," he tells DeGeneres. "I am sober now. I realize that I'm human and my goal in life is to be the best person that I can be."

Source:
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20259981,00.html

11:44AM - Nick Carter Opens Up About "Excessive" Drug, Alcohol Use

Nick Carter opens up about his battle with drug and alcohol addiction in an episode of the Ellen DeGeneres Show that airs today.

"I would either go out at night or party [while on tour with the Backstreet Boys]," Carter says. "I didn't do a lot of morning drinking or anything of that sort. It would sort of be an occasional thing, but a lot of occasions that I would kind of make excuses to just go out to drink and party. It would be excessive."

Drugs "kind of came later in life," Carter continues. "Alcohol kind of kicked it off and then, once the alcohol kind of wasn't doing it for me, I would lean on other things."

Carter, 29, says he couldn't stop despite "rude awakenings, warning signs, DUIs.

"I got the DUI and I realized that it was wrong," he goes on. "I decided to go and sort of punish myself. I went to the classes, did the community service and did everything that I was required to do. Then I would end up in a situation where I was like, 'Ok well I'll stop for six months and then after that, I would feel like it's OK to get back into it.' And sort of fool myself in a way."

The singer credits a healthy lifestyle with helping turn his life around.

"Working out definitely helped my self esteem, and it definitely made it easier for me to kind of push it aside," he says. "I just started replacing drinking and the parties...with healthier things like sports, video games."

Carter -- who was diagnosed with a weakening of the heart muscle called cardiomyopathy -- is sober now.

"My goal in life is to be the best person that I can be and try as hard as I can," he says. "I make mistakes, but...I realize that I'm human and...I don't punish myself for those mistakes.

"[I] continuously try to be that better person," he adds.

Source:
http://www.usmagazine.com/news/nick-carter-opens-up-about-excessive-drug-alcohol-abuse

7:43AM - Nick Carter sighting...

* The Backstreet Boys were decked out

in Tampa Bay Rays gear when they sang the "Star-Spangled Banner" in the first game of the 2008 World Series, but Backstreeter Nick Carter was wearing a Phillies hat with his World Series jacket as he hung out at the Urban Saloon (2120 Fairmount) the other night. Carter, who once dated former Q102 babe Angi Taylor, was said to be in town visiting a local girlfriend who we are told is a tall, gorgeous blonde who looks like Jessica Simpson. Carter signed for a few star-struck girls who said hello to him as he left the bar.

Source:
http://www.philly.com/dailynews/columnists/dan_gross/20090217_Dan_Gross__The_skinny_on_Brianna_Frost.html

12:05AM - Nick's entire PEOPLE article...

6:29PM - Backstreet Boy Back from the Brink

Backstreet Boy Nick Carter says he almost partied himself to death.

Showing off his new physique for the latest issue of People magazine, Carter says his abuse of alcohol and drugs nearly killed him. The headline says it all..."I Don't Want to Die."

People Editor Galina Espinoza says, "Nick Carter was abusing drugs and alcohol so seriously that it actually lead to a build up of toxins in his heart and his doctor said that unless he had gotten clean he could have died."

During the height of his fame as a pop star Carter admits he drank ½ a bottle of liquor a night, chasing it down with cocaine.

In 2005, the former teen heartthrob was arrested for DUI. And, at one point Carter's weight ballooned to 224 pounds on a diet of chicken wings and pizza.

Today, the Backstreet Boy has lost almost 60 pounds, trading in his junk food diet for egg white omelettes and lots of veggies.

Espinoza says though Carter never wanted to take his shirt off onstage before, he has no hesitation now.

Source:
http://www.insideedition.com/news.aspx?storyId=2587

3:31PM - CARTER SOBER AGAIN AFTER BRUSH WITH DEATH

Former pop idol NICK CARTER faces a daily struggle staying sober after doctors warned the BACKSTREET BOY a booze binge could kill him. The 29-year-old sought medical help last year (08), after suffering from chest pains.
Doctors in Florida diagnosed him with cardiomyopathy; a build up of toxins that prevents the heart from pumping blood efficiently.
The condition was blamed on the years of binge drinking and drug taking that had caused Carter's weight to balloon and his health to deteriorate - and medics warned him he'd end up dead if he didn't stop.
He tells People magazine, "My doctors said, 'You need to change your lifestyle.'
"I don't want to die. I don't want to be that person people read about and think, 'That's sad that he couldn't stop it and killed himself.'"
Eight months on, the star has dropped all the extra pounds and cut drink, drugs and fatty foods out of his diet - but he admits he finds it hard to stay clean. He confesses he has lapsed and "started to drink a couple of glasses of wine, and I couldn't control it" - but credits his doctor with helping him stay sober.
Specialist Dr. Richard Polakoff tells People, "Once you get this condition, it can get progressively worse until the heart is extremely weak. But if he abstains from alcohol and other substances, I think we can get his heart back to normal."

Source:
http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/article/carter%20sober%20again%20after%20brush%20with%20death_1093856

12:18AM - Backstreet Boy celebrates birthday in GTA

Of all the places for an international celebrity to hold a birthday bash, the Greater Toronto Area is not always the first choice.

But Nick Carter, member of the hugely popular music group the Backstreet Boys, chose to celebrate his birthday Thursday night in Richmond Hill.

Hundreds of fans turned out on a bitterly cold night to celebrate Carter's 29th birthday at Nava Restaurant and Bar.

The venue provided an intimate setting, giving fans the opportunity to get up close and personal with the star.

Carter has taken a liking to the club. This was not the first time he has been to Nava. This past summer, Carter and fellow band member Howie Dorough held an after-party at Nava after playing a sold-out concert in Toronto that night.

This time there was no concert. The singer just flew in Thursday morning to celebrate his birthday the Canadian way.

"I enjoy it here. There are so many great friends and fans. This is a great spot to be at. I love Nava. The last time we came here we had a great time. I love the owners here and I enjoy the music," Carter told CTV Toronto.

Michael Wilson, Nava's owner, was pleased to host Carter.

"Nick Carter just had such a good time. He loves Canada. He loves the people here and he also loves Nava. He actually asked to come back and have his birthday party here, so that was pretty cool," Wilson said.

Hundreds of blinding camera flashes and the deafening screams of fans greeted Carter.

They later serenaded him with Happy Birthday.

Carter partied in the central VIP section of the venue, giving everyone a good view to snap photos and even get the chance to meet the heartthrob.

Midway through the night, Carter proved he could do more than just sing. He showed off his DJ skills, taking over the turntables for a complete set. He later got on the microphone to thank his Toronto fans for celebrating his birthday with him.

During the night he answered questions about the Backstreet Boys and what fans could expect. Carter says the group is currently in the process of recording their seventh album and working on new collaborations.

"We're redoing everything with the sound. We're going back to what we do best when it comes to pop, R&B and dance. This time we're linking up with new producers. We're collaborating with people like NeYo, Chris Brown and Akon," he said.

Carter started his career with the Backstreet Boys when he was just 12. Sixteen years later, fans still cannot get enough.

"We feel like we've still got a lot left in us as a group. It's exciting to be around for so many years."

The band has been on an eight-month world tour titled Unbreakable, promoting their sixth album of the same name.

"We went to Japan, China and Europe. We toured Canada and America. Now we're going to South America -- so I guess that means we've still got it," Carter said.

The Backstreet Boys hit international success in 1997 and has since then sold over 100 million albums world wide, making them one of the best-selling music groups of all time.

Carter loves his Canadian fans. Based on the reception he received Thursday night, the singer says he will definitely be back.

Source:
http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20090130/bbb_bd_090130/20090131?hub=TorontoNewHome

10:23AM - Paris Hilton Insists She's Not Stupid

Paris Hilton says she sometimes acts dumb on television to get laughs, but in real life she's "a strong person" who's been through a lot.

Appearing on the British morning show GMTV to launch her new reality show Paris Hilton's British Best Friend, Hilton, 27, said she cultivated her dumb blonde image for her hit FOX reality show The Simple Life, costarring Nicole Richie, and it became her schtick.

"For five seasons I was stuck doing this character," she says. "It was kind of hard always having to play that character when it's not who I am."

She adds, "I just say jokes but they think I'm serious, which I think is funny, and I think I kind of play up the image sometimes because – whatever – it's just entertainment."

In her British show, 12 young hopefuls battle it out to be crowned her official "British best friend." In real life, Hilton says her fame makes it hard to find close, trustworthy friends.

"It's difficult because you never know what people's intentions are, and I think a lot of girls have become my friend for the wrong reasons and used me," Hilton says. "I didn't realize it but now, throughout the years, I'm realizing who those kind of people are."

Source:
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20255502,00.html

6:08PM - Backstreet Boy Nick Carter Celebrates His 29th Birthday

Tiers of tasty cupcakes. Check. Rock star blow out. Yep. All of your closest pals. Of course! Nick Carter got exactly what he wished for at his 29th birthday bash. After all, he is Mr. I-Want-It-That-Way.

Donning an AC/DC vintage t-shirt on his newly svelte body, Carter celebrated downstairs at the Key Club in Hollywood Monday night. Backstreet buds Howie Dorough and A.J. McLean – taking a break from recording their upcoming album – even came by for a mini reunion to surprise their friend.

"They shut off all the lights and did a surprise for Nick downstairs early in the night," says an onlooker. "They all yelled surprise and they had cupcakes for him."

Little bro, Aaron, hung out with the birthday boy in the VIP section where guests, including former 'N Sync singer J.C. Chasez, enjoyed a tower of Sprinkles cupcakes and jammed to a live performance by the house band, Steel Panther.

"Nick was good. He and his friends were just laughing up a storm in their VIP booth," adds the source of the group.

The high note of the evening hit when the birthday boy jumped on stage for an impromptu performance.

"He sang 'Don't Stop Believin' by Journey like everyone does. The crowd was egging A.J. on to get up on stage but he wouldn't do it," says the source adding, Carter "looked like he had a great time."

• Reporting by MARISA LAUDADIO and JESSICA HERNDON

Source:
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20255315,00.html

8:55AM - Paris Hilton has a BFF in Park City

Parkite rents the heiress a duplex unit after she is left without a place to stay
by Jay Hamburger OF THE RECORD STAFF
Posted: 01/23/2009 04:28:04 PM MST

The woman on the phone with Michael Kaplan during the opening weekend of the Sundance Film Festival was desperate as she was hunting for a place to rent.

Hotels and lodges were jammed during the busiest time of the festival, and when she called Kaplan she was seeking options for two nights. Kaplan had a duplex unit on upper Norfolk Avenue for rent, but he hesitated because he wanted a longer stay than the two nights. He normally rents the place for up to 10-day stays during Sundance.

But a deal was struck, and Kaplan went to let his guests in late in the afternoon on Saturday, not knowing much about the visitors. A limousine pulled up, Kaplan says, and out came 20 pieces of luggage. Half of them sported a 'P' monogram.

The 'P' stands for Paris, the first name of his guest.

In what is likely one of the more unexpected celebrity encounters in the annals of Sundance, Kaplan, a Park City man who is a professor, has owned a nightclub and unsuccessfully ran for a seat on the Park City Council, rented his place to Paris Hilton and her entourage.

Kaplan says Hilton and the others with her left at 6 a.m. on Monday. Between six and eight people stayed with Hilton, he says. Kaplan met her briefly, taking a picture with her, giving her a copy of a travel book he is writing and thanking her for staying there.

"She was actually very sweet," Kaplan says, adding that he expected "a lot of attitude" before he met her.

The unit she stayed in has four bedrooms and 3 1/2 baths. It has a hot tub, a pool table and a sauna, among its comforts. It sleeps up to 10 people. Kaplan has owned it for seven years. It is a rental property.

Hilton is a regular at Sundance, long among the top celebrity-laden events on the film-festival circuit. Celebrities like Hilton typically leave Park City soon after the first weekend of the festival, enjoying the spotlight of the worldwide entertainment press that also is heaviest during the first few days.

The 2009 edition of the festival, held amid a recession and coinciding with the star-studded inauguration of President Barack Obama, did not seem as happening a celebrity event as it has in other years, but Hilton was among a cadre of big names who were in Park City.

Kaplan says the woman who called him inquiring about the duplex was part of Hilton's entourage. She was persistent, he says, recounting that she called him back asking him to reconsider after he initially told her he wanted a longer rental term.

He quoted her $1,250 per night, but Hilton's person declined. The two sides negotiated the price down to $1,000 for each night. He says her manager paid the bill with a credit card.

"She definitely could have afforded the full price," Kaplan says in jest. "I'm slightly pissed off I let Paris Hilton talk me down on price."

Tabloid reports in New York suggest Hilton was left without a place to stay during Sundance after a dispute with her sister, who had made lodging arrangements for the festival. The New York Post reported Hilton was sent scrambling for a place in Park City.

Kaplan says he was concerned Hilton and her entourage would leave the duplex a mess when they left. They opened gifts and left the wrapping paper and boxes around, but they did not trash the place, he says.

"She has a reputation, I'm told, of being a wild party girl, and I was worried about my property," he says.

Source:
http://www.parkrecord.com/ci_11539370?source=most_viewed

11:07AM - Hilton raid 'suspect' arrested

A man suspected of involvement in a jewelery raid on Paris Hilton's home has been arrested and charged with two burglaries.

Troy Thomas, 45, is alleged to have masterminded more than 150 thefts in three years in the Los Angeles area, targeting celebrities including Hilton, Duran Duran guitarist John Taylor, and several movie studio bosses.

The Simple Life star's Sherwood Oaks home was hit last month and an intruder made off with an estimated $2 million worth of gems.

Taylor's L.A. property was raided in April 2007 and a safe was taken from the home.

Thomas denies two charges of burglary.

Source:
http://www.ksnt.com/entertainment/story/Hilton-raid-suspect-arrested/sZvkgv8UuU-LjEZS2oiErQ.cspx