Top 10 studious celebrities: From Kristen Stewart to James Franco some celebs can’t resist going to university

Tuesday 13 Aug 2013 1:20 pm

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Smart: Kristen Stewart is reportedly enrolling in university (Picture: FILE)

There is an old stereotype that superstars are not the brightest of individuals.
But an elite team of A-listers have actively dismissed this image by brushing up their intellect to university levels.
Here is a top 10 of studious celebrities.
10 – Kristen Stewart
The Snow White & The Huntsman starlet is reportedly set to enrol at UCLA to study English literature while balancing her future film work. However, the 23-year-old probably won’t find the Twilight novels on the syllabus.
9 – Mara Wilson
The child actress – and Matilda star – turned her back on her craft and went to study at New York University. She decided to make the most of her education and teenage years after her role in 2000’s Thomas and the Magic Railroad was a commercial disaster in the States, although she now does a bit of stage acting.
8 – Haley Joel Osment
The Sixth Sense star may do mostly voice-over work for video games now, but in 2010 he graduated from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. He’s set to star as a teacher in an upcoming movie called Sex Ed.
7 – Steven Spielberg
A master of movie making, it wasn’t actually until May 2002 that Steven Spielberg graduated from California State University, Long Beach with a BA in film production and electronic arts – 35 years after he started studying there.
6 – Shakira
While her hips might not lie, her outside image sometimes does. And in 2009 Shakira confessed to dressing up as a man and changing her name in order to attend the University of California where she studied history in 2006. She has since given a speech at Oxford University.

Secret education: Shakira went undercover to get her degree (Picture: FILE)

5 – Eva Longoria
Desperate Housewives star Eva graduated with a Masters in Chicano studies at California State University earlier this year. Delighted with her work she told her fans on Twitter: ‘You’re never too old or too busy to continue your education!’
4 – Lily Cole
Rebuffing the stereotype of a ‘dumb model’, Lily Cole has become renowned for her academic prowess, having been awarded a double first in history of art from Cambridge University. The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus star has gone on to present a TV show about her specialist subject for Sky Arts.
3 – Natalie Portman
One of the most stunning women in film, Natalie has brains as well as beauty. The Oscar-winning star attended Harvard where she studied psychology from 1999 to 2003. She has also taken classes at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and has been a guest lecturer at Columbia.
2 – Emma Watson
She may have graduated from the Hogwarts School of Wizardry and Witchcraft with merit, but Emma achieved even higher educational acclaim when she made it into Brown University in America. After 18 months she deferred, as Harry Potter commitments took her away from school, and then transferred to Oxford to complete her studies in English for the 2011-2012 year.
1 – James Franco
The Spiderman actor has taken his education almost more seriously than his acting. In 2006, he enrolled in an English degree at UCLA where he took 62 course credits per quarter (as opposed to the normal maximum of 19) while continuing to act. Clearly a smart guy, he has also studied at New York University and is currently a PhD student at Yale. This guy takes studying to the extreme.

Clever guy: James Franco has studied everywhere (Picture: Getty)

Top 10 celebs without A-levels: Including Richard Branson, Alan Sugar, Robbie Williams and Joey Essex

Thursday 15 Aug 2013 5:29 pm

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Worried about failing your A-levels? Don’t – as a number of hugely successful individuals have all managed to build top careers without top marks.
We look at a top ten of celebrities who have no A-levels to their name.
10 – Nicola Roberts
Pop babe Nicola has achieved music success both as part of Girls Aloud and as a solo artist. She has embarked on projects involving fashion, and also created a successful make-up brand for girls with pale skin. But does she have A-levels? Nope. She left school after sitting her GCSEs. Pale, pretty – and smart in her own way.

No Levels: Nicola Roberts only got her GCSEs before fame came calling (Picture: EPA)

9 – Joey Essex
Towie star Joey is often viewed as being a little dim – and his school grades would probably back that up (he got a U in drama and a D for wood tech at GCSE – and no A-levels), but there has to be some form of intelligence behind that dopey grin. The reality hunk runs his own fashion line and a successful boutique store, so while studying might not have been his thing business acumen must come naturally to him. Fusey (or something).

Wood work: Joey Essex was never the most academic student (Picture: Getty)

8 – Dougie Poynter
The youngest member of McFly, Dougie was sitting his GCSEs while the band were writing their debut album, achieving a few grades in his final school year. But while he didn’t go on to sit his A-levels, he has gone on to achieve much more. He’s rocked out on stage and on records as part of the band, co-written/created a best-selling children’s book series with bandmate Tom Fletcher, won I’m A Celeb… and also has a couple of fashion labels under his belt. He’s also experienced in the trade of lizards (see McFly: Unsaid Things… Our Story, 2012).

Champion out of class: Dougie Poynter has more than just McFly going for him (Picture: ITV/Rex)

7 – Cheryl Cole
School was never Cheryl’s thing. She would rather bunk off to hang out with OAPs (as detailed in her 2012 autobiography) than bother with studying. And while she left school with pretty much nothing to show for it, Chez has gone on to achieve huge wealth and fame. A member of Girls Aloud, a successful solo artist, an X Factor judge, and a face of L’Oreal. Cheryl really is worth it – even without the grades.

Worth it: Cheryl Cole may have sucked at school, but she has put her talents to use elsewhere (Picture: AP)

6 – Robbie Williams
Bad boy Rob was predicted reasonable grades for his GCSEs – but went on to fail every single one. But academia’s loss was pop music’s gain as he joined Take That soon after and has never looked back. He has toured the world with the band, is one of the most successful solo artists in British music history, and also runs a fashion line. All without a single A-level.

Rock on: Robbie Williams flunked at school but found fame soon after (Picture: PA)

5 – Kate Moss
Being signed at the age of 14, we may never know if Kate Moss expected to enjoy the success she has had (‘never complain, never explain’ seems to mean she never really speaks at all…), but the petite supermodel has certainly had the world at her feet. With campaigns around the world for the biggest fashion houses – and more endorsement deals than you can shake a stick at (Carphone Warehouse – really!?) – she’s shown you don’t need A grades to conquer the world.

Kate Moss presents a creation for Louis Vuitton in Paris (Picture: AFP/Getty)

4 – Simon Cowell
X Factor boss Uncle Si dropped out of school after securing O-levels (old-school GCSEs) in English Language and Literature (and another one in Sociology a year later) before he embarked on setting up a music empire – starting with a job in the mail room of EMI and working his way up. He is now one of the most powerful people in pop. And without an A-level to his name.

Laughing at A-levels: Simon Cowell only bothered with O-levels (old school GCSEs) before taking on the music world (Picture: Reuters)

3 – Sir Richard Branson
Proving how far you can go without having official school qualifications, Richard Branson has been knighted for his advances in business through his Virgin empire. Impressive work for a Sir who suffered in education due to severe dyslexia. The tycoon stands as a great role model for those with learning difficulties and how far they can go.

School was a drag: Richard Branson may have struggled with school, but has flourished in business (Picture: AFP/Getty)

2 – Sir Philip Green
Cunning businessman Sir Philip Green showed flare from a young age. Quitting school at 15, he first set up a shoe importing company before establishing a jeans importing company with a £20,000 loan. That investment has paid off as he is now head of a global fashion empire – and reportedly worth £3.3billion.

Top of the shops: Sir Philip Green has achieved huge international success – without A-levels (Picture: AP)

1 – Lord Alan Sugar
Not just a Sir but also a Lord, Alan Sugar has risen to huge wealth and power – despite only ever having one GCSE. Playing a long game, he went from a sales assistant in a green grocer to the head of a global trading business. The Apprentice hard man is also said to be worth £770million. Sweet! Who needs school grades to achieve dreams?

Sweet success: Lord Alan Sugar has achieved much since his humble beginnings (Picture: BBC)

Top 10 MTV VMA shocking performances: Miley Cyrus, Madonna, Britney Spears and more have all caused controversy at the Awards bash

 

 

i t wouldn’t be the MTV Video Music Awards without a bit of controversy. And while the stage is sometimes invaded by Kanye West, or a jealous ex (Taylor Swift having a dig at 1D’s Harry Styles) ) sometimes the biggest controversies happen when the stars are on stage to perform.
We round up a Top 10 of the most shocking MTV VMA performances to date.

2 – Lady Gaga (2009)

Mother Monster casued controversy – and concern – when she started ‘bleeding’ on stage during a performance of Paparazzi in 2009. The star then ramped up the drama by hanging herself on stage at the end of her set – drawing complaints from campaigners who thought she glamorized suicide.

3 – Madonna, Britney and Christina (2003)

Madonna made sure she grabbed headlines at the 2003 bash by stealing a lesbian kiss not just with Britney Spears but also with Christina Aguilera. The three performed Like A Virgin (mixed with Hollywood) when the lipstick love-in occurred.

4 – Nirvana (1992)

Grunge kings Nirvana were requested to perform Smells Like Teen Spirit for the 1992 VMA show. The band, however, wanted to play their latest hit, Rape Me, instead. MTV execs managed to pursued them to perform Lithium instead – but imagine their panic when Kurt Cobain began their set with a rebellious reference to the song they wanted to sing…

5 ٥– Britney Spears (2007)

Controversial for all the wrong reasons. Once brilliant Brit gave a lacklustre and dead-behind-the-eyes performance of Gimmie More . A reanimated corpse would have made more effort – and would probably be better at lip syncing.

6 – Will.i.am (2010)

Black Eyed Peas frontman Will.i.am caused controversy when he joined Nicki Minaj on stage for a pre-show performance of Check It Out. He experienced a backlash for wearing a ‘blackface’ for his performance. ‘Just because I where all black including head mask as expression and emphasize my outfit, it shouldn’t be looked at as racial,’ he argued in his defence.

Toronto Mayor Beats Hulk Hogan In Arm Wrestle

Toronto's mayor takes down a former wrestling star in an arm wrestle at the start of the city's annual pop culture convention.

24 August 2013

The pair lock arms and trade trash talk at the Fan Expo Canada

Toronto's mayor Rob Ford has won an arm-wrestling contest against former wrestling star Hulk Hogan.

The 14-time world wrestling champion, in a T-shirt and his trademark bandana, entered the room to applause and his old wrestling theme music, while Mr Ford strutted in to Eye Of The Tiger.
The mayor then ripped off his jacket and tie, untucked his dress shirt and rolled up his sleeves.
As the pair locked hands, the 22 stone ex-wrestler said: "Big man, oh, that's all you got?

Hulk Hogan grimaces as he is "defeated" in the stunt

"Not only am I going to rip this arm off, I'm going to take your job while I'm at it, brother. Mayor Hogan."
Mr Ford appeared to struggle at first, but after 20 seconds he slammed Hogan's arm down.
"I own this town!" he said.
The stunt took place at Fan Expo Canada, a convention celebrating diverse pop culture genres.
Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, was in Toronto for a question and answer session at the expo.
Mr Ford has hit the headlines over allegations that he appeared in a video smoking crack cocaine. The video has not been released publicly.
He said Hulk Hogan had been his hero since he was a "little guy" and tweeted after the match: "I own this town @HulkHogan! Thanks for being such a great sport."

North West: Kim And Kanye's First Baby Photo

Rapper Kanye West reveals a photo of his daughter during a TV interview with the baby's grandmother Kris Jenner.

11:24pm UK, Friday 23 August 2013

The first public pic of North West emerged on Twitter. Pic: @KrisJennerShow

Kanye West and Kim Kardashian have revealed the first picture of their two-month-old daughter.

The rapper showed a photo of North West during an interview with the baby's grandmother Kris Jenner on her Fox show, Kris.
The Kardashian family matriarch also posted an image of the baby on the show's Twitter account.
Although reality TV cameras constantly follow the Kardashian clan, this is the first time the newest member of the family has been publicly unveiled.
The picture shows the baby reaching out towards the camera over a cream blanket.

The celebrity couple managed to keep their baby away from the paparazzi

During the interview West joked: "I pray she looks like her mother when she's older."
Host Jenner replied: "I think she has Kim's eyes. I think she has your lips. Some days she has your lips, some days she has Kim's lips."
West also discussed fatherhood and his relationship with Kardashian, calling her "my joy" during the season finale of the talk show.

Tulisa 'Was On Suicide Watch' After Arrest

The singer's manager says he arranged for someone to stay at her house after she was targeted by abuse online.

  23 August 2013

Tulisa Contostavlos was arrested in June

Former X Factor judge Tulisa Contostavlos was put on suicide watch by her manager after newspaper reports that she had been involved in a drug deal.

Jonathan Shalit, who represents some of the UK's biggest stars, said the singer had also been targeted by "horrific abuse" online.
Speaking at the Edinburgh Festival, he said: "She got to the point I was worried she would commit suicide.
"I made sure that someone was at her house for two consecutive nights to make sure she did nothing stupid, because she was literally at that point of she genuinely thought her life was over."
The 25-year-old is currently on bail until October following her arrest over claims she acted as a go-between in a drug deal.
She was held along with 35-year-old musician Mike GLC in June after they went to a police station in central London by appointment.
The pair were arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs after a Sunday newspaper claimed that Contostavlos had introduced a journalist to an alleged supplier.
Half an ounce of cocaine changed hands as a result of the alleged deal carried out at London's Dorchester Hotel, according to reports.
Mike GLC, who will answer bail in October, has insisted that he and the former N-Dubz singer are innocent.

Alec Baldwin And Wife Welcome Baby Girl

The actor's wife, Hilaria, takes to Twitter to announce the birth of the couple's first child - a baby girl named Carmen Gabriela.

Saturday 24 August 2013

The couple wed last June

Alec Baldwin and his wife have welcomed a baby girl, their first child together.

Hilaria Baldwin gave birth to little Carmen Gabriela in New York and then announced the news on Twitter.
She said the family was overjoyed and that Carmen Gabriela was "absolutely perfect".
The couple married last June after a three-month engagement.
The former 30 Rock star already is the father of a 17-year-old daughter, Ireland, from his previous marriage to actress Kim Basinger.
On her Twitter account, Ireland Baldwin welcomed her new sister into the world and linked to a blog post with 10 pieces of advice for the newborn.
The advice included - enjoy your childhood, don't say yes to everything, tell the truth and be careful who you trust.

Miley Cyrus Performs In Bikini At MTV Awards

The singer's nude-coloured two-piece is the big talking point at the Video Music Awards, as Justin Timberlake wins four gongs.

Tuesday 27 August 2013

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  Miley Cyrus's revealing outfit was one of the biggest talking points at the MTV Video Music Awards.
  
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  The singer wore a nude-coloured two-piece at the event in New York's Barclays Centre.
  
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  Earlier in the show, the 20-year-old performed with a troupe of dancing teddy bears.
  
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  One of the most-awaited moments was the reunion of boy band 'N-Sync, who last performed together in 2002.
  
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  Justin Timberlake briefly teamed up with his former band mates ...
  
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  ... but his solo efforts saw him scoop four gongs, including the night's top award, Video of the Year.
  
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  British band One Direction won Best Song of the Summer for their latest track Best Song Ever ...
  
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  ... while Bruno Mars took home two prizes - Best Male Video for Locked Out Of Heaven and Best Choreography for Treasure.
  
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  This unusual outfit was one of four worn by Lady Gaga as she opened the show.
  
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  The singer, who wore a meat dress to the awards three years ago, made an equally unusual exit from stage.
  

Justin Timberlake was the big winner at the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) but it was Miley Cyrus' raunchy routine which stole the show.

She appeared on stage with a troupe of teddy bears before changing into a nude-coloured bikini and dancing seductively with Robin Thicke during a performance of his summer hit Blurred Lines.
Timberlake, whose much-anticipated reunion with his 'N-Sync band mates provided one of the highlights of the night, won the coveted Video of the Year gong for his track Mirrors.
"I don't deserve this award," the 32-year-old, who picked up a hat trick of other prizes, said. "But I'm not going to give it back."
One Direction, fresh from the world premiere of their movie This Is Us, won Best Song of the Summer, while Bruno Mars scooped two awards - Best Male Video for Locked Out Of Heaven and Best Choreography for Treasure.

One Direction were winners, except in the eyes of Taylor Swift

Meanwhile, Taylor Swift picked out a former boyfriend for praise as she won Best Female Video for I Knew You Were Trouble.
The singer, who split with One Direction's Harry Styles earlier this year, said: "I want to thank the person who inspired this song, who knows exactly who he is, because I got one of these. Thank you so much."
Lady Gaga changed costumes four times as she opened the New York ceremony, although her performance lacked the shock value of previous VMAs, most notably the 2010 show at which she wore a dress made of raw meat.

Lady Gaga's dress sense was as controversial as ever

Katy Perry brought the event to a close, performing her new single Roar dressed as a boxer.

Mike Tyson Claims He Is 'Close To Death'

Former boxing world champion Mike Tyson has claimed he is "on the verge of dying" due to his struggle with alcohol and drugs.

During an emotional news conference after he made his debut as a boxing promoter, the 47-year-old confessed to still being an alcoholic and drug user.
"I'm a bad guy sometimes. I did a lot of bad things and I want to be forgiven," he said at the conference aired on ESPN's Friday Night Fights.
"I wanna change my life, I wanna live a different life now. I wanna live my sober life.
"I don't wanna die. I'm on the verge of dying because I'm a vicious alcoholic.
"I haven't drank or took drugs in six days, and for me that's a miracle.
"I've been lying to everybody else that think I was sober, but I'm not. This is my sixth day. I'm never gonna use again."

Tyson posed with the Kellers and their wedding guests on Friday

The former heavyweight world champion spoke about his battle when he was asked about ending his 30-year feud with former trainer Teddy Atlas.
In 2007 he was convicted of possession of cocaine and driving under the influence.
He also served three years in prison following a 1992 rape conviction and also served three months for assault in 1999.
Tyson's public confession comes after he posed for pictures with newly-weds in Verona, New York, on Friday.
Iron Mike stumbled upon the wedding party at the Turning Stone Resort Casino as Greg and Amber Keller were having photographs with their bridesmaids and groomsmen.
Mr Keller said the Brooklyn-born boxer posed for photographs, congratulated the happy couple on their marriage and was "extremely nice"

Veen Malik under Attack in India

Veena Malik’s Film Attacked By Hindu Extremist

Aug 21st, 2013 

The controversial Lollywood Diva Veena Malik might get into hot water. Her new Kannada film Silk Sakkath Hot has met opposition from one of the Hindu extremist group Sri Rama Sene. The vandals have threatened of dire consequences to the movie watchers at the cinema and have attacked some silver screens.

Sara Loren Undergoes Plastic Surgery – Comparative Pictures

Aug 27th

Mumbai: Being blessed with beautiful faces and good looks, still many Indian and Pakistani actresses have undergone plastic and cosmetic surgery to change their features that can add to their beauty. The fresh among the list is Sara Loren, formerly known as Mona Lizza, the Lollywood, and Bollywood Diva. According to the reports, Sara was unhappy with her lips and wanted changes in her looks hence she went over the plastic surgery in which he had done her lips modified thick and botox treatment done.