Miley Cyrus is on course to replace Britney Spears as the paparazzi’s premiere earner, with a new report claiming that pictures of the tween sensation’s “first kiss” are currently the most eagerly sought after by photographers.
Photo agencies are apparently falling over themselves to unearth snaps of the Hannah Montana star bumping tongue with a boy – or, even better, a girl.
The LA Times puts the asking price of such Miley’s “first kiss” pics at “anywhere between $30k to $150k.”
Media interest in Miley has sky-rocketed following her now-infamous Vanity Fair “nude” spread and the leaking online of candid snaps of the star in her underwear.
Move over Britney, there’s a new cash cow in town!
Wednesday, 4 June 2008
Brooklyn Beckham gets iPhone for Xmas
Brooklyn Beckham reportedly netted a hi-tech iPhone for Christmas from parents David and Victoria, at the age of just eight.
The couple's eldest son apparently begged his parents for the must-have mobile last year after hype in the US reached fever pitch.
Brooklyn can now surf the net, ring his friends and listen to his mum's Spice Girls albums on the €360 Apple gizmo.
The Sun newspaper quotes a source as saying: "David and Victoria are aware that Brooklyn is very young to have a mobile. But they thought it would be a good idea so he could call them whenever he needed - especially with David and Victoria globe-trotting so much.
"Brooklyn is really switched on with computers and gadgets. He set his heart on the iPhone when he saw it on TV in America."
The couple's eldest son apparently begged his parents for the must-have mobile last year after hype in the US reached fever pitch.
Brooklyn can now surf the net, ring his friends and listen to his mum's Spice Girls albums on the €360 Apple gizmo.
The Sun newspaper quotes a source as saying: "David and Victoria are aware that Brooklyn is very young to have a mobile. But they thought it would be a good idea so he could call them whenever he needed - especially with David and Victoria globe-trotting so much.
"Brooklyn is really switched on with computers and gadgets. He set his heart on the iPhone when he saw it on TV in America."
Bacon painting sets new record
A work by Dublin-born artist Francis Bacon was sold for a record $86.28m at Sotheby's in New York last night.
The sale of 'Triptych, 1976' eclipsed the late painter's previous record, set in 1962 by the $52.7m paid for 'Study For Innocent X'.
The three-panelled picture depicts a headless human form surrounded by three vultures and flanked by two portraits of disfigured human faces.
Francis Bacon was born in Dublin in 1909 to English parents and moved to London in the mid-20s. He died in Madrid in 1992.
Today his work is among the most popular of 20th Century art at auction.
The sale comes a day after 'Benefits Supervisor Sleeping', a nude by British artist Lucien Freud, became the most expensive work ever by a living artist after selling for more than $34m in New York late Tuesday.
The previous record for post-war or contemporary art was held by Mark Rothko's 'White Center (Yellow, Pink and Lavender on Rose)' that sold for $72.84m at Sotheby's a year ago.
Robert Rauschenberg, who died in Florida this week, also saw a new mark with the $14.6m sale of 'Overdrive'.
The sale of 'Triptych, 1976' eclipsed the late painter's previous record, set in 1962 by the $52.7m paid for 'Study For Innocent X'.
The three-panelled picture depicts a headless human form surrounded by three vultures and flanked by two portraits of disfigured human faces.
Francis Bacon was born in Dublin in 1909 to English parents and moved to London in the mid-20s. He died in Madrid in 1992.
Today his work is among the most popular of 20th Century art at auction.
The sale comes a day after 'Benefits Supervisor Sleeping', a nude by British artist Lucien Freud, became the most expensive work ever by a living artist after selling for more than $34m in New York late Tuesday.
The previous record for post-war or contemporary art was held by Mark Rothko's 'White Center (Yellow, Pink and Lavender on Rose)' that sold for $72.84m at Sotheby's a year ago.
Robert Rauschenberg, who died in Florida this week, also saw a new mark with the $14.6m sale of 'Overdrive'.
Austere Teitur pleases
Male singer-songwriters tend to be a homogenous lot. That said, all Teitur and Newton Faulkner had in common at the Middle East on Wednesday was their use of acoustic guitar. Otherwise they’re at opposite ends of the musical spectrum.
The glossier singer-songwriter was Faulkner, a massively dreadlocked redhead from Surrey, England. The Brit, whose debut record hit the top of the UK charts this year, roared out of the gates with a highly percussive, frenetic guitar-tapping style. Opener “To the Light,” with its half-sung, half-rapped vocal and blitzkrieg guitar flourishes, came off like Jason Mraz on amphetamines.
Faulkner’s manipulation of the acoustic guitar is a wonder to behold, his hands dancing over the fret board in a whirling dervish of motion and sound. Unfortunately, his painful lyrics (either ridiculous cliches or sophomoric frat-boy humor) undercut his instrumental prowess. Too much of his set depended on gimmickry, as in the human theremin vocal on thevapid “UFO,” and the all-parts-in-one muscle-flexing of his “Bohemian Rhapsody” cover.
Faulkner’s cheeky between-tune humor, combined with his showoff style, felt more vaudevillian than artistic. His single, “Dream Catch Me,” did ease up on on the flash, revealing Faulkner’s ability to craft pure pop confections; the tune’s breathy chorus no doubt is heading straight to the end credits of some “Gilmore Girls”-esque TV series.
The audience then was treated to a stylistic 180 in the form of austere minimalist Teitur (full name Teitur Lassen). Hailing from the Faroe Islands off the coast of Iceland, Teitur was the calming foil to Faulkner’s spastic act. With a five-piece band including a horn section, the moon-faced songwriter created airy swaths of baroque pop beginning with the achingly slow “You Should Have Seen Us,” delivered complete with Ink Spots doo-wop harmonies.
Teitur’s arrangements may have bounced glockenspiels around cellos and trombones, but his ringing tenor still took the spotlight, highlighted in the noir ballad “The Girl I Don’t Know.” The arrangements often had a Jekyll and Hyde quality, as in “Start Wasting My Time,” with its meek verses and explosive horn-honking choruses.
Despite his gawkiness, Teitur won the crowd over by simply being his un-self-conscious self. Instead of Faulkner’s calculated jokes, he connected with natural humor, charm, and most of all, emotionally rich and melodically blessed songs.
Rising star songwriter Jessie Baylin started the songwriter carousel off with a short set of sultry folk-pop with hints of lounge and classic country. Her debut CD drops next month.
The glossier singer-songwriter was Faulkner, a massively dreadlocked redhead from Surrey, England. The Brit, whose debut record hit the top of the UK charts this year, roared out of the gates with a highly percussive, frenetic guitar-tapping style. Opener “To the Light,” with its half-sung, half-rapped vocal and blitzkrieg guitar flourishes, came off like Jason Mraz on amphetamines.
Faulkner’s manipulation of the acoustic guitar is a wonder to behold, his hands dancing over the fret board in a whirling dervish of motion and sound. Unfortunately, his painful lyrics (either ridiculous cliches or sophomoric frat-boy humor) undercut his instrumental prowess. Too much of his set depended on gimmickry, as in the human theremin vocal on thevapid “UFO,” and the all-parts-in-one muscle-flexing of his “Bohemian Rhapsody” cover.
Faulkner’s cheeky between-tune humor, combined with his showoff style, felt more vaudevillian than artistic. His single, “Dream Catch Me,” did ease up on on the flash, revealing Faulkner’s ability to craft pure pop confections; the tune’s breathy chorus no doubt is heading straight to the end credits of some “Gilmore Girls”-esque TV series.
The audience then was treated to a stylistic 180 in the form of austere minimalist Teitur (full name Teitur Lassen). Hailing from the Faroe Islands off the coast of Iceland, Teitur was the calming foil to Faulkner’s spastic act. With a five-piece band including a horn section, the moon-faced songwriter created airy swaths of baroque pop beginning with the achingly slow “You Should Have Seen Us,” delivered complete with Ink Spots doo-wop harmonies.
Teitur’s arrangements may have bounced glockenspiels around cellos and trombones, but his ringing tenor still took the spotlight, highlighted in the noir ballad “The Girl I Don’t Know.” The arrangements often had a Jekyll and Hyde quality, as in “Start Wasting My Time,” with its meek verses and explosive horn-honking choruses.
Despite his gawkiness, Teitur won the crowd over by simply being his un-self-conscious self. Instead of Faulkner’s calculated jokes, he connected with natural humor, charm, and most of all, emotionally rich and melodically blessed songs.
Rising star songwriter Jessie Baylin started the songwriter carousel off with a short set of sultry folk-pop with hints of lounge and classic country. Her debut CD drops next month.
Beverly Hills Press Preview for 'Icons of Music II' Auction Benefiting Music Rising Co-founded by The Edge of U2
PREVIEW OF UNPRECEDENTED COLLECTION OF MUSIC MEMORABILIA EVER OFFERED AT
AUCTION CONDUCTED BY JULIEN'S AUCTIONS (http://WWW.JULIENSAUCTIONS.COM) AT THE
HARD ROCK CAFE IN TIMES SQUARE ON MAY 31ST
FEATURING PROPERTY FROM THE EDGE AND OTHER BAND MEMBERS OF U2
LOS ANGELES, May 20 --
What: Press Preview for highlights of Icon's of Music II Auction
featuring property from U2's The Edge including instruments,
jewelry, clothing, accessories and many other items from U2's
historic career. Highlights include Edge's 1983 Gibson Natural
Explorer Electric Guitar used on all tours of U2 since the Joshua
Tree album, Edge's rings worn on the album cover of Achtung Baby,
Bono's stage worn jacket from the Vertigo Tour, Bono's stage
played guitar, a set of four suits worn by The Beatles to promote
"Help", Kurt Cobain's early guitar, an MTV Award to Nirvana for
"Smells Like Teen Spirit" handwritten lyrics by Bruce Springsteen,
Miles Davis used trumpet, Jimi Hendrix concert worn scarf, Bob
Dylan's handwritten lyrics, a handwritten poem by Jim Morrison and
many more highlights on display at Celebrity Vault in Beverly
Hills....
When: Thursday, May 22nd, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
(Exhibition Open To The Public: Thursday, May 22nd - Saturday,
May 24th Daily)
Who: Darren Julien, President/CEO, Julien's Auctions
Martin Nolan, Executive Director, Julien's Auctions
Where: Celebrity Vault, 345 North Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
See Also
AUCTION CONDUCTED BY JULIEN'S AUCTIONS (http://WWW.JULIENSAUCTIONS.COM) AT THE
HARD ROCK CAFE IN TIMES SQUARE ON MAY 31ST
FEATURING PROPERTY FROM THE EDGE AND OTHER BAND MEMBERS OF U2
LOS ANGELES, May 20 --
What: Press Preview for highlights of Icon's of Music II Auction
featuring property from U2's The Edge including instruments,
jewelry, clothing, accessories and many other items from U2's
historic career. Highlights include Edge's 1983 Gibson Natural
Explorer Electric Guitar used on all tours of U2 since the Joshua
Tree album, Edge's rings worn on the album cover of Achtung Baby,
Bono's stage worn jacket from the Vertigo Tour, Bono's stage
played guitar, a set of four suits worn by The Beatles to promote
"Help", Kurt Cobain's early guitar, an MTV Award to Nirvana for
"Smells Like Teen Spirit" handwritten lyrics by Bruce Springsteen,
Miles Davis used trumpet, Jimi Hendrix concert worn scarf, Bob
Dylan's handwritten lyrics, a handwritten poem by Jim Morrison and
many more highlights on display at Celebrity Vault in Beverly
Hills....
When: Thursday, May 22nd, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
(Exhibition Open To The Public: Thursday, May 22nd - Saturday,
May 24th Daily)
Who: Darren Julien, President/CEO, Julien's Auctions
Martin Nolan, Executive Director, Julien's Auctions
Where: Celebrity Vault, 345 North Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
See Also
GI Bill Falls Far Short Of Veterans' Current College Costs; Congress To Vote On Changes Soon
Evan Aanerund didn't think he'd have to work full-time to put himself through school. He joined the Marine Corps Reserves to fulfill two childhood dreams: to serve his country and to go to college. The 24-year-old's dad was a recruiter for the Corps, so he'd heard of the GI Bill, the program that provides money for education to veterans, and he knew from the ads he saw on television that the military would help him pay for college.
"When I came back from Iraq, I was surprised with the amount of money I ended up getting from the GI Bill," he said. That amount was $282 a month when Evan was at a community college. When he transferred to California Polytechnic State University and the rules surrounding his GI Bill benefit changed, he got $430 a month. "That's about the cost of one-quarter of the books, and that's about all that I got," he said.
Full-time servicemen and -women get more than double that amount, but for many, it still isn't enough in this age of skyrocketing college costs. Kellen McGee served as a Marine Corps infantryman for four years, including one deployment to Iraq. He now gets around $1,100 a month while studying business and Spanish at the University of Pittsburgh. That pays for about 70 percent of his tuition at the public college.
"When I was younger, I believed the GI Bill would pay more," he said. "I realized I would definitely have to work if I wanted to continue an education. It's stressful to pay bills, especially being married. It forces my wife to work a lot more hours, and I have to pick up as much work as I possibly can and still maintain the level of academics I like to maintain."
Neither of them is complaining. After all, being in the Marines teaches you to "adapt and overcome." But Aanerund and McGee are only two of the thousands of veterans who, although proud of their service, are coming home from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan struggling to pay for the education they thought the military would help them obtain. The current GI Bill pays out a maximum of $1,101 per month, with most vets receiving benefits for 36 months. That's a total of $39,636. Since the average four-year public college costs more than $54,356, including room, board, fees and books, according to the College Board, there is a lot of ground to make up. Private schools, for the record, can total more than $129,000 for the full package.
The original GI Bill was passed at the end of World War II and sent millions of veterans to public and private universities on full rides. They even had their books paid for and got a monthly stipend. Many historians credit the GI Bill with building America's middle class and creating the idea of an accessible college education. "Godfather" author Mario Puzo, former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, and former Presidents George H.W. Bush, Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford are among the famous veterans who paid for their education this way.
The education benefits our current military and veterans receive were created in the 1980s, under the Montgomery GI Bill, in order to promote enlistment in the military during peacetime. The discrepancy between today's era of multiple deployments and meager educational benefits, along with pressure from veterans' organizations, has inspired some lawmakers to craft new versions of the GI Bill. The most popular one could be voted on by Congress as early as Thursday (May 8), as part of the funding for the war in Iraq.
"I looked at the World War II veterans in the Senate — we have five — and tried to compare what they were able to get with what our veterans get today," said Virginia Senator Jim Webb, who wrote the Senate version of the bill now on the House floor. "Senator [Frank] Lautenberg, who is a cosponsor on our bill, was able to go to Columbia [University] on a full boat after WWII. This Montgomery GI Bill wouldn't pay 15 percent of that cost today."
Webb's bill would pay for the full amount of in-state tuition at a state's most expensive public institution, as opposed to giving an across-the-board monthly allowance, and it would include a monthly stipend for housing and books. It would also increase benefits for people who served in the National Guard or Reserves.
"We call this group the 'Next Greatest Generation.' Well, they ought to have the same shot at a first-class future that the Greatest Generation had," said Webb, a Democrat who is a Vietnam veteran himself, served as Ronald Reagan's secretary of the Navy and has a son who served with the Marines in Iraq.
"This is something that was promised," said Congressman Harry Mitchell (D-Ariz.), who is sponsoring the House version of the bill. "This is an obligation we have, particularly in this kind of war, where it is all volunteers. These are people who have gone beyond what normal citizens do in this day and age."
The bill has broad, bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate but is a few votes shy of a sure thing, even with 57 Senate cosponsors. One senator who hasn't signed on is presidential candidate and veteran John McCain (both Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are cosponsors of the Senate bill). Instead, McCain has cosponsored a less popular, Republican version that would increase benefits for individuals who stay in the military longer and give servicemen and -woman more of an opportunity to transfer their benefits to spouses and children. Neither McCain nor the bill's other two cosponsors, Senators Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) or Richard Burr (R-N.C.) were available to discuss their bill at press time.
"I just think that John McCain, whom I've known for many years," Webb said, "if he sits down and looks at what we're doing, I can't believe he doesn't agree with us."
The Bush administration has also criticized Webb's version of the bill, saying it is too costly and would affect the number of people who stay in the military.
"They introduced their bill and said ours was A) too costly, B) too difficult to administer and C) might affect retention. None of those things are true," Webb argued. "It's only too costly if you don't believe that these people deserve the same benefits that the World War II veterans did."
As for the powers-that-be in Washington who believe offering a fair chance for vets to get an education will impact retention — the troops we spoke to are not sure those people understand their service.
"A new GI Bill wouldn't hurt retention," said Sharon Pyle, who served in the Army for six years including deployments to Egypt and Iraq. "I did not get out of the Army to go to school. I had a plan. One of the reasons I joined the military was so after I served my country, I could go to school."
For more info on plans for a new GI Bill, check out GIBill2008.org, NewGIBill.org or VoteVets.org. If you're a veteran looking for help paying for school, go to VeteransFund.org.
See Also
Private Practice's Private Parts
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