Bloggin The Rock

As "High School Musical 3: Senior Year" approaches theaters and sets out to conquer the hearts of teens and box offices around the globe, the world is trying to catch a glimpse of its stars. The cast has been met at every event recently by hordes of aggressive photographers and sometimes unruly crowds, but Vanessa Hudgens has found some advice on dealing with life in the spotlight from one of Hollywood's biggest stars -- Tom Cruise.


"I was actually talking to Tom Cruise," Vanessa told Access Hollywood's Shaun Robinson, when asked if she has found any guidance from other celebs about dealing with the limelight. "He was so sweet and such a nice guy... just telling me there isn't much that you can do, it's just part of your life now, So you have to accept it."


Not only was Tom sweet, but he is also a role model for the young actress.
"He is an amazing guy and I look up to him," she told Access.


It appears Victoria Beckham introduced Tom, Katie and Suri to the "HSM" star.


"I was at a Spice Girls concert because Victoria invited me and Suri, Kate and Tom all walk in and Victoria was like, 'You know Tom and Kate, don't you?' And I'm like, 'No!'" Vanessa said with a laugh. "And I got to talk to them, they are all really great people."

"High School Musical 3: Senior Year" will hit theaters everywhere on Oct. 24. Read the rest of the story...

Your Daily Dispatch of Celebrity Shenanigans


Miley Smitten With The Brits: Miley Cyrus might be America's sweetheart, but the teen megastar is crushing hardcore on some guys across the pond. "I've already fallen in love with 20 guys since I've been here," the "Hannah Montana" star told reporters Sunday at London's BBC Switch Live gig, People reports. "The accents sound so intelligent. I love the way the guys are so classy and wear trench coats." Miley is so enamored with the lads of the U.K. that she just might stay there for good. "I've phoned my dad and told him not to expect me home. I want to live here," she added. Justin Gaston might want to start working on that British accent!


"Gossip Girl" Star Is Naturally Thin: Despite the wave of criticism skinny television stars have been enduring, "Gossip Girl's" Taylor Momsen told Us Weekly, her svelte body is just genetics. "I'm just kind of naturally thin. My mom's really thin, and I'm tall. Good genes." Taylor is not even a gym addict. "I just eat healthy. I walk a lot because I live in New York, so I try to walk a lot instead of taking cabs," she added. Blair Waldorf would approve -- about the skinny part - but Blair would so never condone walking instead of taking a cab.


Jennifer Love Hewitt Slams Cheryl Burke Critics: Jennifer Love Hewitt, who has dealt with her own body image scrutiny by the media, is coming to the defense of "Dancing With The Stars'" Cheryl Burke, whose slight recent weight gain has been a hot topic online. "It's so silly, we're still human beings and we have feelings and I think people should take better consideration of that when they are speaking of others," Jennifer told Access Saturday at LA's Runway For Life event benefiting the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. "And life is life, Cheryl is a beautiful girl and an incredible dancer and that's what she's paid to do and that's what people should be paying attention to." Love from J.Love!


Johnny Depp & Girlfriend Happy With Unmarried Life: Rumors crop up every summer that Johnny Depp and his girlfriend are walking down the aisle, according to the mother of Depps' two children, Vanessa Paradis -- but don't necessarily believe the gossip. "Each summer people say we're supposed to be getting married, but we don't talk about it that much... He's got me, and he knows he's got me." Vanessa, who has been dating Johnny for 10 years told the U.K. edition of Elle in its November issue. "I love the romance of 'let's get married,' but then, when you have it so perfect... I mean, I'm more married than anybody can be - we have two kids [Jack, 6, and Lily Rose, 9]. Maybe one day, but it's something I can really do without." Just as Captain Jack Sparrow would have it.Read the rest of the story...

The Jonas Brothers will perform during halftime of the Dallas Cowboys' nationally televised Thanksgiving Day game against the Seattle Seahawks.


The band will officially kick off the 2008 Salvation Army Red Kettle Christmas campaign at the November 27 contest. The fundraising drive continues through Christmas Eve.


Since its partnership with the Cowboys, which began in 1997, the annual Red Kettle campaign has raised more than $1 billion, helping the Salvation Army serve 30 million people each year nationwide. Last year, the campaign raised a record $118 million.


Previous halftime performers include Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Sheryl Crow, Destiny's Child, Toby Keith, LeAnn Rimes, Jessica Simpson, Randy Travis and Reba McEntire.Read the rest of the story...

Being a single mom is tough but Debra Messing nails it in her TV show, “The Starter Wife.” While she adds her own flavor to the role, Debra Messing also proves she’s good at imitating stars like Angelina Jolie. As Molly Kagan, Debra Messing slips into a role about raising her daughter after her movie producer ex-husband disappears from the family scene. Like most people do, Molly begins having daydreams when she enters the work force, but instead of being realistic, they’re portrayed as cheesy movie spoofs. The fantasy sequences feature reenacted film snippets where Debra Messing gets in costume and in persona to channel actresses like Angelina Jolie in Tombraider and Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct.

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Jennifer Lopez & Marc Anthony renewed their wedding vows during a wild weekend in Sin City, Access Hollywood has learned.

"At approximately 3:15 AM on Sunday morning, Jennifer Lopez and Mark Anthony renewed their wedding vows in the newly renovated Forum Tower Penthouse at Caesars Palace," a rep for the hotel and casino confirmed to Access. "The Rev. Steven Smith officiated their service with two friends as witnesses."

And according to People, it was a spontaneous decision.

"It was a totally spur of the moment thing," a source told the mag. "They decided around 12:30 in the morning that they wanted to do it and started calling for ministers."

The happy couple stepped out on Friday night as well, spotted in the wee hours of the morning at the Bank Nightclub at the Bellagio after reportedly attending illusionist Criss Angel's latest show, "Believe."

Jennifer and Marc married in a surprise ceremony at Jennifer's Beverly Hills home four years ago, in June 2004. J.Lo gave birth to the couple's first children, fraternal twins Max and Emme, in February 2008. Read the rest of the story...

Just weeks after the fatal plane crash that took the lives of four people and left DJ AM and Travis Barker severely burned, the former Blink-182 drummer has reached out to fans to discuss his recovery, mourn his lost friends and address rumors regarding his ex-wife, Shanna Moakler.

"I want to give my deepest thanks to everyone who has helped deal with the current situation," he wrote on his MySpace Celebrity Blog on Saturday.

He took a moment to remember Chris Baker and Charles "Che" Still, both employees and friends of his who were killed along with two pilots in the Sept. 19 Learjet crash.

"I would give up anything to have them here with us today, healthy and happy," he wrote.

On his own quest toward health, Travis will have his seventh surgery on Monday and was able to move all the fingers in his right hand today - a step he calls "huge."

"Every step seems huge at this point, and I'm doing EVERYTHING I can possibly do to get back to my kids," he wrote, noting that he's been chowing down on Jamba Juice and Wahoo's.

He went on to compliment his doctors - and address rumors regarding Shanna, who accompanied him on his drive back to Los Angeles, according to the Associated Press.

"Despite any rumors you might have heard via my EX-wife Shanna Moakler, who I have not seen since the week I checked in, I've been treated amazingly well, both here in LA and in Georgia," he wrote. "The hospitals I've been treated at are THE BEST."

The reference to Shanna has been edited from the MySpace Celebrity blog, though it remains on Travis' personal page.

He also mentioned his musical collaborator, DJ AM, who was also burned in the crash and has since been released from the hospital.

"I got to see AM the other day," Travis wrote. "Seeing him after he was discharged was an inspiration... We are both so lucky and grateful that we are alive today."Read the rest of the story...

Britney Spears stopped at Starbucks in LA on Saturday afternoon. On Friday night we got to see her sexy "Womanizer" video, which most of you loved and is hopefully just the start of hot Britney being back. Between her sexy video, another new fragrance, anticipated documentary and album on the way, the pop star has a busy schedule. While we wait to hear her side of the past few years and the rest of her new music, it's more than enough to see her spending time with her adorable boys. To see more photos of Britney just read more. Source

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AFP - General Ray Odierno, who commands US forces in Iraq, has accused Iran of trying to bribe Iraqi lawmakers in the hope of undermining an agreement that would allow US troops to remain in Iraq after the end of this year, The Washington Post reported Monday.

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The airline industry is headed for tough times because of the global financial crisis and higher crude oil prices which could return to $120 a barrel over the next year, officials and experts said Monday.

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AP - Former Alaska Public Safety Commissioner Walter Monegan said Monday he feels "relieved" by a legislative report concluding that Gov. Sarah Palin abused her authority by trying to have her former brother-in-law fired as a state trooper.

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