Posts Tagged ‘Hairspray’

Sir Michael Caine Wishes For Private Plane

April 7th, 2009

Sir Michael Caine jets in from London with wife Shakira for the premiere of his 1980s nursing home drama Is Anybody There? held Monday at NYC’s Cinema 2.

Life as a knight must be grand. He was honored with the title in 2000.

“There are no advantages,” the British actor, 76, tells me. “If you were unknown, you’d get tables in restaurants, but I get that anyway. I’ve lived with the privileges of a knight without actually being one, but when I was made one, I was very happy because it was for me. It wasn’t for anybody else.”

Is there anything he doesn’t get with his knighthood?

“Most things,” he laughs. “You can’t get anything. I would like a private plane, but I haven’t got one. That’s the only thing I‘m jealous of of anybody in the world. People who have their own airplanes because you don’t have to travel commercial then. I hate traveling on commercial airliners.”

Once the couple touched down for the film, it was all business, but Sir Michael made time to take his wife of 36 years to the “monkey park.”

“We’re completely devoted,” he says of their relationship. “I’d do anything for her.”

As for the secret to a happy marriage? “Separate bathrooms,” he yuks.

Does his wife Shakira, 62, ever get confused with the singer Shakira?

“Shakira reminds me of my wife many, many, many years ago,” he says.
 
Here comes Ed Westwick, whose appearance stuns young Bill Milner, who plays a boy who befriends Michael Caine’s character. The Gossip Girl party hopper made a movie in 2007 with Bill called Son of Rambow, and his eyes light up when he hears Ed has arrived.

“He’s a really nice guy,” Bill tells me of Ed. “I haven’t seen him in quite a long time, so that should be great!”

Here comes Nikki Blonsky. It’s hard to believe we once sat beside her during a 2007 screening of The Last Mimzy. Insane what a star she has become!

What’s the update on the Hairspray sequel?

“I have no idea!” Nikki tells me. “I think Tracy’s gonna be the last one to find out. They’ll call me when they need me in rehearsals, I guess.”

Where would she like her character to go?

“I hope she gets to make out with Link some more,” she laughs.

Ta-dah! Capping off arrivals is the lovely 30 Rock star Katrina Bowden, who hopes Jennifer Aniston returns to the show. “I think we all would love to have her back,” Katrina says. “She’s really great to work with. Very nice, and down-to-earth. She’s great at what she does. I think they could do a lot with a crazy character like that.”

Is Anybody There? opens in limited release on April 17.

SEE MORE PHOTOS IN THE VALERIE GALLERY:

Nikki Blonsky Says “Success Is the Best Revenge!”

January 2nd, 2009 / Author: OK! Staff

Nikki Blonsky says she is forever changed by her arrest for assault – after an altercation with America’s Next Top Model alum Bianca Golden – at the Providenciales International Airport in Turks and Caicos last summer.

 

But Nikki, 20, isn’t letting the past get her down. The actress has a cameo on ABC’s Ugly Betty on Jan. 8 and will then reprise her role as Tracy Turnblad in the sequel to the hit movie Hairspray.

 

OK!: How tough was the summer for you?

 

It was such a traumatic experience. There is no lesson to be learned other than be careful and watch your surroundings. It’s made me a fearful person. The nightmares still go on. But in my heart, I and my family know the truth.

 

OK!: What have you learned from the fight?

 

I saw the dark side of the industry. I never knew there were people willing to do anything to get their name in the paper. It’s a shame that someone will ruin a person’s life and beat them up to get their 10 minutes of fame back. I think it’s disgusting.

 

OK!: How have you been coping?

 

We’re a strong family. The Ugly Betty cast has proven to me that there are good people in this business. Success is the best revenge.

 

OK!: Will Zac Efron and Amanda Bynes return in the Hairspray sequel?

 

Zac has said he’d love to do it again, and I know Brittany Snow is down for sure. I don’t know about Amanda. I hope she will. I want to put on my Tracy Turnblad wig again and dance my little heart out.

 

OK!: Any New Year’s resolutions?

 

Live my life and not let people get in the way.

 

OK!: Do you have a celebrity crush?

 

I’m not going to lie: Ed Westwick from Gossip Girl. I think he’s adorable!

 

 

 

 

Original Tracy Turnblad Returns

November 19th, 2008

As Hairspray gets ready to shake its last can of Aquanet this winter on Broadway, Marissa Jaret Winokur will return to the cast to reprisethe rolethat won her a Tony, as full-figured, dance-loving Tracy Turnblad.

 

Harvey Fierstein has already rejoined the cast in his role as Tracy’s mother, Edna Turnblad, in the musical based on the cult movie by John Waters.

 

The original co-stars are set to sing and dance on the Hairspray set from Dec. 9 to Jan. 4 at the Neil Simon Theatre in NYC.

 

But while the popular musical might be leaving the Great White Way, fans could be in for more dancing and big hair soon. Nikki Blonsky, who played Tracy in the Hairspray movie, says she’s onboard if a sequel is in the works, confirming that John Waters is working on a script.

 

"All I have to say, on the record: I am so down," she tells Entertainment Tonight. "I am ready to play Tracy Turnblad again!"

Nikki Opens up About Her Arrest

September 15th, 2008

Nikki Blonsky is opening up for the first time about her family’s public dustup at the Turks and Caicos airport last month.

In an interview with ET, the Hairspray star says her family is coping with the situation the best they can.

"We are a tight-knit family," Blonsky says.  "We’re just happy to be back together.  My family is my life.  The best gift that I’ve been given is my parents."

On the media attention surrounding the incident in which her father Carl was also arrested, Blonsky says it’s difficult to see her family under scrutiny, "You want to protect them the best way you know how."

Nikki and her father were arrested in August on assault charges after getting into a fight with the family of former America’s Next Top Model contestant Bianca Golden at the Providenciales International Airport in Turksa and Caicos.  The spat was reportedly over saved seats.

Blonsky says she’s received nothing but support from her friends, including fellow Hairspray castmates.

"They have all been extremely supportive," she says, adding that co-star Zac Efron has played a special role in helping her cope with what happened.

"I love him with every inch of my body and soul.  He has been an amazing support system."

For the full interview with Nikki, tune into ET tonight!
 

Nikki Blonsky & Dad Arrested

August 1st, 2008

Hairspray cutie Nikki Blonsky and her father were arrested on assault charges on Friday after a dustup with the family of former America’s Next Top Model contestant Bianca Golden at the Providenciales International Airport in Turks and Caicos.

"They were involved in an altercation at the airport in the departure lounge," Sgt. Chase of the Turks and Caicos Islands Police Department tells E! News, adding that the fight was over some saved seats.

Blonsky’s rep declined to comment. The 19-year-old Hairspray star was charged with assault and actual bodily harm as well as common assault; her father, Carl, was rung up on a count of inflicting grievous bodily harm. Bianca Golden was also charged with actual bodily harm and assault.

Golden’s mother, Elain, was hurt so badly she had to be airlifted to a hospital in Florida, according to Sgt. Chase.

 

Nikki Blonsky appeared in court this morning sporting a neck brace–"she received some kind of injury," said Chase; a judge allowed her to be released on $6,000 cash bail and ordered to return to court on Dec. 1. Her father is being held until Aug. 8. Golden was also freed on bail.

According to Chase, Golden and Nikki Blonsky’s charges carry a maximum penalty of two years, while Carl Blonsky could face up to five years in prison.

OK! Interview: Brittany Snow

April 7th, 2008 / Author: OK! Staff

She’s donned psychedelic ’60s outfits during her run on American Dreams, so bright, bold colors don’t scare Brittany Snow at all. But if she had her way, it would be T-shirts every day. "I like to wear a lot of guys’ clothes," she tells OK!. The 22-year-old, who can next be seen in the horror flick Prom Night, takes a breather with OK! to chat about her casual style, why she doesn’t like jewelry and how important it was to open up about her eating disorder.

How would you describe your fashion style?
I dress comfortable and casual. I like to mix it up with vintage ’70s stuff and I like to wear a lot of guys’ clothes. As far as night stuff, I have my stylist [Nicole Chavez] direct me in the right way. We have a vintage glamour, age-appropriate, pretty thing going. But if it was up to me, I’d wear jeans and a T- shirt every day and call it a day.

Do you like to shop ’til you drop?
No. I don’t really like shopping that much. I’ve never been a mall person. I can only do it for so long.

What’s your best vintage find recently?
One would be these vintage boots I found in New Orleans while doing Blackwater Transit. They’re $20. I found this amazing store in New Orleans which was a vintage store and this lady had been there 50 years and wore huge hats and the store went on and on for room after room of vintage stuff and I got these coats and things you can never find in L.A. that were so regal. I spent a lot of time in that store, took back many suitcases.

Who are your favorite contemporary designers?
I like Stella McCartney, Chloe, Alexander McQueen, Aaron Featherstone, normal Chanel if I can ever afford it, I’d be wearing that all the time! I like to admire from afar.

You’re not getting freebies?
Not from Chanel! I don’t think I’m that level yet.

What fashion trend will you jump on for spring?
I will not be doing safari. I just don’t think I’m a safari girl. It’s so cliché to say florals for spring. I really like a vintage-like dress that’s floral. You can belt it; I like belts. I like wearing pretty dresses that are really comfortable, that you can spend the day in but also feel girly.

Is it hard to develop your own style if you have a stylist? How does that whole collaboration work?
It’s easier because she can pull certain things for me, can get things for me I obviously couldn’t get for myself but I think we, over time, developed what I really like. Because of working with her, now I’m more able to tell her no, I don’t like those shoes with it or that bag with it. Or, I really like that dress. Before, I was so intimidated by the whole fashion world. Now, I embrace it and realize it is part of the territory of being an actress.

Do you like jewelry?
Yeah. I don’t wear that much jewelry because I have a habit, especially with rings, of taking them off when I get nervous and I leave them places so I love getting jewelry. I used to be obsessed with buying old vintage jewelry but I don’t ever really wear it, so I have drawers of vintage jewelry that I never wear. I always steal my mom’s stuff — she has some great stuff from the ’60s.

Have you had one really bad fashion disaster?
My fashion before the age of 17, 18, was one big fashion disaster after the next. I don’t know what I was thinking but I look back and laugh. I didn’t care that much; I wore whatever I liked. I’ve worn my share of leopard pink boots to premieres or belts the size of cars. I thought my pink leopard boots were so cool.

You’re single now. What’s that like?
I don’t know. It’s definitely interesting because I really loved being in a relationship. I’m still very close with my ex. Being single is really important because you have time to do things for yourself and learn about who you are and have some alone time. Some days, I just go out by myself and start shooting — phography wise — things. Because I’m so busy and like to hang out with my friends, you don’t get that time, so it’s been good. It’s been fun.

When do you think you’ll be ready to date again?
Oh, gosh, dating is so scary and crazy. I’ve made a lot of guy friends in this whole thing, and I’ve realized what I want and deserve, which is good. I think when it happens, it happens. I can’t put a time on it, then I put too much pressure on it, it will never happen, and I’m just happy being by myself right now and getting to hang out with my best friend.

You were very candid about battling anorexia.
I wanted to set the record straight and tell everyone I hope to get awareness out there and help some girls who are going through this. I don’t know too many girls who don’t have some sort of body/food thing, whether it’s an eating disorder or not and it’s kind of not talked about. It’s viewed as being vain or done for attention. I wanted to tell my story to help people.

What feedback did you get from female fans?
I’ve gotten so many e-mails, letters from girls who simply have said they’ve realized there’s hope and I can get better. When I’m running errands, I’ve gotten stopped by girls on the verge of tears telling me how much they appreciate me telling my story and getting the message out there. So many e-mails from parents thanking me for making their daughter or their son not feel so alone. When I get letters like that, I realize I did it for the right reasons and I know why I did it.

For more on Brittany, check out her gallery and pick up the latest issue of OK!, on newsstands now!

Brittany Snow

April 2nd, 2008
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Nikki Blonsky: Healthy at Any Weight

January 29th, 2008

Most young actresses feel the pressure to become stick thin. But Golden Globe nominee Nikki Blonsky, 19, tells OK! “I think people just need to be happy with who they are.” At 4 feet 10 inches tall, Nikki is proud to be a full-figured actress and points out that she’s just as fit as anyone else. “I could probably get on a track and run races with thin girls,” she says. Just because Nikki isn’t tall and thin doesn’t meant that she’s not healthy or fit. Antoni Luke-Akagi, a trainer at Crunch gym in NYC, tells OK!, “Physical fitness and weight are not necessarily dependent on one another. One’s health depends on their genetics, eating habits, exercise habits, environment, etc. It’s is not the sole indicator of their health.” Nikki agrees. “It’s a really big misconception with plus-sized women,” she says. “Everybody thinks that every woman who’s plus-sized is out of shape—that’s not true.” The young star is extremely active. I’m a dancer. I dance all the time. I keep up with my cardio. It’s important to stay fit.”

Diet?! What diet?
When it comes to eating, the young star isn’t about to try any fad diets. “I think you should eat what makes you feel good, do what makes you feel good and maintain a healthy lifestyle because you want to be around to enjoy all those years. So you have to find a healthy balance.” And Nikki has it all figured out. She jokes, “If you want to eat the fried chicken, do it! Don’t turn away from it. Do it, but make sure you do it while riding an exercise bike!” When it comes to comfort food, Nikki reaches for her mom’s chicken parmesan. “It’s outrageous. I could eat it every single day for breakfast, lunch and dinner!”

Nikki wasn’t always this secure in her own skin. ”In middle school, I went through a rough period of time when I wasn’t comfortable in my body. I wanted to lose weight.” She continues, “I didn’t know who I was, and I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life.” But as most of us know, many teens just want to fit in. Nikki finally found her calling when she discovered theater. “Once I got into high school and found theater, that’s when everything kind of started to emerge for me. I started to really find myself as a person,” she says.

Building Confidence
She’s till a teenager, but Nikki has it all in perspective. “You can still be plus-sized but be proud of your body. We’re just different body shapes, and that’s what makes the world go ‘round. Everybody’s different.” She continues, “Once you’re comfortable and happy within yourself, then you can lead a fun, happy life. And that’s what kind of happened with me. I finally became comfortable in my body, and now I’m just happy being me. “Luke-Akagi adds,” When one is confident in their own skin, it’s hugely apparent in their presentation of themselves and the way they approach most situations.” So as this young star expands her film credits and fan base, don’t expect her waistline to go anywhere.

OK! Breaks Down the SAG Awards

January 27th, 2008

Usually, the Screen Actors Guild Awards are a mild affair, something for nominees to do between the Golden Globes and the Academy Awards. But since the Globes didn’t happen and the Oscars may be called off, OK! asked quick-typing Associate Editor Joyce Eng to break down the minute-by-minute happenings of what may end up being this season’s only A-list awards ceremony.

Coverage starts at bottom, so scroll all the way down and work your way up.

10:03 p.m.: And that’s all, folks. Just three minutes overtime too! Not bad.

10:02 p.m.: Woody Harrelson is so blitzed…

10:01 p.m.: "This is Javier’s 497th award!" He’s not far off!

10 p.m.: Ensemble Cast goes to… No Country for Old Men! They just took the edge for Best Picture at the Oscars.

10 p.m.: Tom needs to brush his hair…

9:59 p.m.: Julie Christie is ageless. Good lord.

9:58 p.m.: Lots o’ standing O’s tonight, no?

9:57 p.m.: Lead Actress goes to… another vet, Julie Christie… who has a speech prepared…

9:57 p.m.: Angelina Jolie’s ta-tas are, uh, titillating…

9:56 p.m.: Marion looks about 10 years younger than her actual age.

9:55 p.m.: Guess Forest Whitaker had nothing else going on tonight.

9:54 p.m.: An emotinal DDL dedicates his Actor to Heath. Classy stuff.

9:52 p.m.: Daniel Day-Lewis. Shocker! Not! Most boring race of the year!

9:51 p.m.: Lead Actor goes to…

9:49 p.m.: Helen Mirren isn’t here to present Lead Actor either and I’m heartbroken. Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey will not do!

9:44 p.m.: Tom Cruise coming up, eh? He’ll probably do Ensemble Cast. How do his fellow actors perceive him these days?

9:43 p.m.: Can someone explain to me how George Clooney, Tom Wilkinson and Tilda Swinton all managed nods from the big three — Globes, SAGs and Oscars — but Michael Clayton isn’t nominated for Ensemble Cast?

9:42 p.m.: Final clip — No Country for Old Men.

9:41 p.m. And by the by, Supporting Actress at the Oscars is a free-for-all now!

9:40 p.m.: The microphone is totally blocking her nose and mouth. If only it was red…

9:39 p.m.: Supporting Actress goes to… Ruby Dee! SAGs love their veterans! Remember, this is the same group that nominated James Garner for The Notebook and Cloris Leachman for Spanglish.

9:38 p.m.: Tilda Swinton looks like a boy.

9:37 p.m.: Eddie Murphy didn’t show up either to pass on the crown, but honestly, who expected him to?

9:36 p.m.: Viggo Mortensen! Have my babies!

9:35 p.m.: SAG History 101 yet again… how many people there do you think are paying attention?

9:30 p.m.: And we end with Heath Ledger… was it only two years ago he adorably and nervously presented a clip from Brokeback Mountain? R.I.P. to all.

9:27 p.m.: And now the saddest part of the show — In Memoriam segment…

9:26 p.m.: Josh Brolin is also beautiful. Diane Lane even more so. Can I look like that at 43?

9:25 p.m.: Queen Latifah! Where is the Queen? A Globe and a SAG in two weeks!

9:23 p.m.: Oh, thank God. Way to make the award about yourself, Mick. TV Movie Actress goes to…

9:22 p.m. Uh, did Mickey win something and no one told me? Why is he babbling away?

9:21 p.m.: Mickey Rooney gets a standing O.

9:19 p.m.: Ben Foster looks like he’s 12… Remember when he was on Freaks and Geeks? And how about Get Over It? Not going to lie, that’s one of my guilty pleasures.

9:18 p.m.: TV Movie Actor goes to… Kevin Kline… who’s a no-show.

9:16 p.m.: Holly Hunter looks like a tall glass of milk.

9:11 p.m.: Great speech. Great guy. Well deserved!

9:08 p.m.: Um, why didn’t they seat Charles closer to the stage?

9:06 p.m.: Who else is hoping Sally Field and Burt Reynolds cross paths?

9:05 p.m.: Is it bad that Charles Durning will always be the priest from Everybody Loves Raymond to me?

9:02 p.m.: I would pay to hear the announcer say "whorehouse" again.

9:01 p.m.: Charles looked like John C. Reilly in his heyday!

8:57 p.m.: Denis Leary and Burt Reynolds are set to present to Charles Durning…

8:56 p.m.: Life (not "Lifetime"!) Achievement Award now… keep peeing and eating.

8:54 p.m.: SAG President Alan Rosenberg. Now’s the chance to pee and get food!

8:53 p.m.: More SAG History 101 from Blair…

8:48 p.m.: Jenna Fischer is adorable! And the dress is a major upgrade from that Emmy bow-tastrophy.

8:46 p.m.: Comedy Series Ensemble goes to… cast of The Office! Another repeat! Though it certainly was leaning toward 30 Rock, no? However, if you want ensemble acting, look no further than those at Dunder-Mifflin.

8:44 p.m.: Adrian Grenier looks a little… dirty. And I kind of like it…

8:43 p.m.: ::sigh:: Michael C. Hall gets no love for Dexter…

8:42 p.m.: Did Ruby Dee borrow those glasses from Nicole Richie?

8:41 p.m.: TV Comedy Actor goes to… Alec! Yay! Repeat champ!

8:40 p.m. On the other end of the clip spectrum — best clip ever for Alec Baldwin! Who doesn’t remember that ep when he played every racist stereotype out there? Oh yeah, everyone who doesn’t watch 30 Rock. Please watch.

8:39 p.m.: Yellow is definitely the color of the night. Wow, Kate Beckinsale.

8:38 p.m.: TV Comedy Actress goes to… Tina Fey! YES!! Globe. Check. SAG. Check. Now she needs to hit the trifecta with an (acting) Emmy this year!

8:36 p.m.: Chandra Wilson needs to take off that dress ASAP. Did she pilfer that from the Dreamgirls costume closet?!

8:31 p.m. Casey Affleck is incredibly bored… I don’t blame him.

8:30 p.m.: Supporting Actor goes to… Javier Bardem! No surprise! Onwards to Oscar!

8:28 p.m.: Jennifer Hudson didn’t show up to present supporting actor. Someone please tell me what else she’s got going on tonight.

8:27 p.m.: Anyone want to bet how many times Marion Cotillard’s name will be butchered tonight?

8:26 p.m.: It should be noted that the SAGs are 1 for 5 with Best Picture Oscar nominees this year — its worst ever. Good job, guys.

8:25 p.m.: Clip time for Into the Wild, which got HOSED by the Oscars! Shame!

8:23 p.m.: The Actor goes to… duh… cast of The Sopranos. Thank God the farewell train is stopping here.

8:21 p.m.: Um, that was possibly the worst clip they could’ve shown for Grey’s Anatomy… reminds me why I don’t watch it.

8:20 p.m.: Vanessa Williams is looking hot in yellow! Here we go… Drama Series Ensemble…

8:19 p.m.: Thanks for the history lesson, B.

8:18 p.m.: Blair Underwood is a beautiful man.

8: 15 p.m.: Anyone remember when Edie had laryngitis a couple years at the Globes and couldn’t make a speech? No? Only me? Okay then…

8:13 p.m.: Edie Falco! So I guess Drama Series Ensemble is a lock for the mob?

8:12 p.m.: TV Drama Actress goes to…

8:11 p.m.: Zac Efron and Debra Messing both need to invest in haircuts.

8:10 p.m.: Not going to lie, Hairspray has a chance to take this. If you don’t know, the SAG equivalent of Best Picture is Ensemble in a Motion Picture.

8:09 p.m.: What do you think Nikki Blonsky broke when they told her the SAGs were still going on?

8:07 p.m.: James Gandolfini! One final hurrah. After the Emmys, I was so afraid "Spader" was going to follow "James."

8:06 p.m.: TV Drama Actor goes to…

8:05 p.m.: Steve Carell and Tina Fey first up. Amazing presenting duo! Let them stay on all night!

8:04 p.m.: Sandra Oh is the worst wrapped present ever.

8:03 p.m.: Oh, Ellen Burstyn. That was longer than her 14-second performance in Mrs. Harris that was, oh yeah, nominated for an Emmy!

8:02 p.m.: The traditional "I’m an actor" series… starting with Sally Field. At least she wasn’t censored this time.

8:00 p.m.: And we’re off…

7:59 p.m.: One minute to go ‘til the first and maybe only award show this season…

By Joyce Eng

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